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modern-day-bard · 5 months ago

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Other Duties As Assigned: A Joel Miller AU Fanfiction

Content Warning: 18+ This story includes mature themes such as drinking, stalking, violence, and explicit smut. Minors, do not interact.

Chapter 10: Three’s A Crowd

word count: 3.8k

Joel

Whatever kindling of warmth that had ignited between Gwen and me had been altogether snuffed out. If not completely frozen over.

This would probably be fine, except for the fact that I might have caused something worse than just agitation. When Gwen had pulled away, her pupils were dilated, and her breathing was heavy. Not that she’s particularly composed all the time, but even if she’s angry or irritated, it seems to be an emotion she’s showing on purpose. It was always something she wanted to be seen. This was the first time she was hiding something.

That idea prompts guilt to build in my gut. I had wanted her to take all of this seriously, to believe that she was in real danger. But I might have gone too quickly, or maybe I should have walked her through the demonstrations differently…I didn’t mean to scare her.

Gwen spent the rest of Sunday in her room. In the few weeks that I’ve been looking after her, I’ve never seen her stay in there longer than it takes to sleep or change. She had texted me, letting me know what time we’d be leaving the next day for the office. That, at least, was some improvement. After that one text, though, there’s been nothing. Gwen had merely nodded at me this morning while she made her breakfast. The drive over to Russell Corp was silent, but as we rode up in the elevator, I was glad, for my sake, that she had chosen a work-appropriate outfit of a pencil skirt and a silk top. Not that the ensemble meant that she’ll get any less stares as we enter the bullpen.

We had never been here for any real work, and yet Gwen seems to know exactly where to go. Down the hallway, on the left side of the conference room we visited on Saturday night, there are a number of offices that line the stunning view of the city. Gwen stops at the first, knocking whilst opening the door.

“Gwen, good to see you,” Paul rises from his desk, giving her a smile. I don’t enter the room, but I’m close enough for him to acknowledge me. Not that he does. I fight a smirk over the professionalism of it all, and the willingness to forget how tense everything was when they had last seen each other.

“You too, Paul. Arthur said you’d have a spot for me.”

“Absolutely. William is in meetings all day today, likes to front load all the work at the beginning of the week, you know. But there are a few you can sit in on with Julian.”

Even from the back of Gwen’s head, I can tell she’s pissed.

“But Julian works in radio. I asked to be on the philanthropic side.” Her voice is controlled, despite the nails digging into her palm.

Paul goes rigid, tapping his fingers along his desk. “Arthur didn’t tell me about that.”

“Ah…and there’s no way to sit in on my father’s meetings? Or Cyrus’?”

“I don’t believe so.” After a moment’s pause he adds, “I’m sorry.”

Gwen takes in a large breath before plastering a smile on her face. “That’s alright. Arthur said you could show me to my office.”

“Yes. Yes, of course,” Paul guides her out of his office and down the hall. We continue until we’ve rounded another corner, coming to a hallway with an equal amount of private offices. The one Paul leads us to is in the middle. It’s a modest size, with a decent view. Enough space for a desk and a chair on either side.

“Julian should be down here shortly. He can walk you through what your day will look like.”

“Thank you, Paul. I’ll see you around,” Gwen tosses a quick smile at him before walking behind the desk, and turning on one of the monitors on top.

“Message me or Arthur if you need anything, Gwen.” Paul still doesn’t glance at me as he leaves. Now that he’s gone…I’m not sure where I’m meant to be.

“Where would you prefer me, Miss Russell?”

She looks up, startled, like she forgot I was there. It’s the first time we’ve spoken yet today, or at all really since our training, so maybe she has forgotten.

“Prefer…you? Where?” She looks away from me quickly, setting her bag down and opening up the laptop on the desk.

“Uh, would you like me to wait outside of your office today? I can be just behind the door. I can also stay here.”

“Right. Sorry, Mr. Miller. Outside would be great. This place is a little…tighter than I expected.”

I nod, turning to leave.

“Oh, Mr. Miller, one more thing.”

“Yes?” I ask as I watch her take a seat.

“I’m meeting someone tonight for dinner. Nyah set me up. I thought I could send you his name…just in case.”

Maybe there was some warmth still between us after all. Though I did feel a spark of something else as she said it. Something bitter.

“I appreciate it. Anything you want me to look into?”

“No, no. I just thought it was the sort of thing you might need to know.” She looks back down at the laptop, and starts typing in her information.

“Thank you, Miss Russell,” I murmur, closing the door behind me. As soon as my back is pressed against the opposing wall, Gwen texts me the name of her date. Theo Xaiver.

What a fucking name.

A quick internet search and I was gripping my phone a little tighter. Theo is a model, which explains how Nyah would’ve met him. Even without that connection, I have a feeling all of these rich, attractive singles are drawn together like magnets. This one, with his smooth skin and dark eyes, looked like trouble. But everything I can find is just his familial affiliations and designer campaigns. I send his name to Angus for good measure. I’m relieved at least to know about this one, as opposed to her sneaking off on another motorcycle. Gwen telling me about it was the closest I’ll ever come to an invitation.

It takes at least another hour for Julian, a short, middle-aged man to breeze past me and enter Gwen’s office. I take a calming breath as he closes the door behind him. It’s her family’s building, her family’s employees, and only three inches of wood stands between me and that man if anything happens. But it doesn’t mean that I have to like it. And yeah, maybe I’m slightly intrigued to know what they’re talking about.

I hadn’t realized that Gwen had asked to be part of a certain aspect of the company. Not that I’m surprised they denied her. William Russell seemed to prefer the passive aggressive route of communication, and from what I’ve seen so far, he was less than pleased with his daughter. I didn’t expect him not to allow her in on any of his meetings. Surely that can’t look too good for the other people in the building who know she’s here, but maybe that only matters to people in my…economic status. Maybe money can cover even the loudest of mouths.

I accompany Julian and Gwen to their meeting later in the day, and notice through the glass that it’s filled with people I’ve never seen. Not even in the client portfolio. I sigh, knowing that this change of pace will mean more background checks and memorization. Looking at how they all look at her, I wonder if it also means more potential threats. Most seem slightly shocked to see her, though they keep that buzz from becoming a loud roar. What worries me is those that seem irritated. Sure, it might not mean they’re going to attack her, but someone with this much unyielded power is bound to draw a few enemies. All of these people must have worked their asses off their whole lives to be in that room. And this young, beautiful woman steps in on her first day back and commands the type of attention that many CEOs only dream of. I’d be surprised if it didn’t leave at least a few of them on edge.

When the sun finally sets however, I have entered that mode of calm I can usually only achieve when I know my client is by themselves, surrounded by four walls. I lean my head back against the dark hallway. I could get used to this arrangement with Gwen. It would certainly make the remainder of my time easier.

But in the spirit of time, Gwen’s text had said she was meeting Theo at eight o’clock in a restaurant uptown. Glancing down at my watch, she now only has thirty minutes to get there. I don’t really care if she’s late for a date, to be honest. With any other client, though, I would give them a heads up if I noticed something like that. I debate for a moment or two before knocking on the door.

“Yes?” Her muffled, distracted voice sounds from the other side.

I poke my head in, “Sorry, Miss Russell. Are you still planning on dinner tonight at eight?”

Gwen looks up from the laptop, and I’m surprised to see she has glasses balancing on the edge of her nose. I’d never seen her wear them before. In these surroundings, with that skirt…she fits right in.

“Dinner?” She sounds dazed.

“Yeah, at eight,” I repeat, “At, uh, La…Grenouille.” There’s no way I’m pronouncing that correctly.

Realization dawns across her face as she frantically looks to her left at the clock on the wall.

“Shit.”

The corporate princess curses? That’s a first.

“I’m late,” She’s not exactly addressing me as she stuffs two folders into her bag, quickly powering off her computer. She’s moving down the hallway before the light on the screen dies out.

Rodney is waiting out front thanks to this massive building and its lack of an underground garage. We’re on our way to the restaurant immediately.

I can hear her frustrated huffs, followed by rustling around in her bag.

“Do you need something?” I ask, glancing back at her.

She doesn’t look up as she replies, “I had hoped I could go home and change first…lost track of time.” A small smile grows when she finds what she was looking for, a lip gloss. I watch her as she unscrews the cap and applies the shiny color to her lips before fluffing her hair. Her eyes dart to mine momentarily, and I clear my throat, facing forward.

“I see.” I didn’t see. What else could she want to wear on a date? But then I think back to her micro skirts and shake my head a little. Never mind, I should count myself lucky.

“I’ll give you your space tonight. I called ahead and they’ll seat me nearby. You won’t have to…introduce me or anything like that.”

Part of me expects a quip from her about how I shouldn’t be there in the first place, but I just get a soft, “Okay.”

Working today must have tired her out more than she expected.

I get the doors of both the car and the restaurant when we arrive, and a hostess escorts us immediately to a more intimate part of the dining room. Each white tablecloth has a small bouquet of fresh flowers accompanied by a candle holder that has tiny lamp shades covering the flames. Though the lamp shades are small, they cast a reddish hue across the dining room, making each crystal glass sparkle with every flicker. It’s easily the nicest restaurant I’ve ever seen. And it’s certainly rather…romantic.

Theo stands when he sees Gwen approaching, and I wonder if she notices the double take he makes of her figure. But I said I was going to give her space, so I do as I promised. Unfortunately, the table that the staff prepared for me was directly behind Theo’s chair. I was sitting close enough to smell his cologne, but with the amount he had on, I suppose the people three tables down could say the same.

“I’m so glad we finally get to meet,” he says, “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Gwen’s voice is sweet, borderline gentle. Rehearsed.

“I probably shouldn’t show all my cards so soon, but I’ve been asking Nyah for your number for weeks.”

“Really? Well she knows I’ve been busy.”

That’s polite of you, Gwen.

“I’d imagine the Guinevere Russell is always busy.”

I smirk to myself as the waitress approaches. I can’t see Gwen cringe, but I can practically feel it.

“Good evening. Dining solo tonight?” The waitress asks, filling my water.

“Yes ma’am,” I wish I had heard Gwen’s answer.

“Well my name is Debra, and I assure you it’s a great experience either way. Do you know what you’d like to drink?”

“Just the water is fine, thank you.”

“Are you sure? We’ve got sparkling, too. Tea? Coffee?”

“A black coffee would be great, actually.” This seems to please Debra, and seeing as an eight o’clock dinner was considered early New York, I might need it.

“---It can certainly take a toll on your body. Depends on the look they’re going for but sometimes I’ll be in the gym two, sometimes three times a day.”

They don’t even have their drinks yet and he’s laying it on thick.

“Why not just stay there all day then?” Gwen asks innocently enough to avoid defensiveness. I feel a small gleam of pride.

“Some days I have.”

I wonder if she’s pursing her lips, the teasing clearly going over Theo’s head.

Their waiter comes to take their order just as the conversation lulls. My waitress is back with my coffee around the same time. I didn’t even think to look at the menu, and now that she’s here, glancing down doesn’t help. I can’t read a word of it.

“Uh, do you have steak?”

Debra gives me a broad smile. “Of course. Medium?”

“That would be perfect, thanks.”

“Absolutely. Let me know if you need anything else.”

I catch the last part of Theo and Gwen ordering and all I hear is Theo’s voice ordering for the two of them. When their waiter leaves, I take my time scanning the room. I should be making an effort not to listen to their conversation. Places like this are usually nice as a security officer, since most people who dine here are used to seeing celebrities or other New York elites. It makes my job easier, less tense. However, it gives me too much time to listen. Too much time to hear just how dull Theo and Gwen’s conversation is, and how long the silence stretches on.

Theo mostly talks about his recent vacation to the Maldives and his new partnership with some designer I’ve never heard of. The only time Theo actually asks Gwen a question, it’s centered around her father. By the time their food arrives, he might as well have asked about the contents of her trust fund.

Gwen is graceful in her replies for the most part, though she does throw out a few quips that Theo either laughs off, or misses entirely.

“I was so happy when I saw you acquired Crescent Productions, they’ve made all my favorite movies. I heard they tried to exclude their streaming platform from the deal and you held them together.” Theo says with an enthusiastic mouthful of pasta.

“At the time I was in England, acquiring my MBA, but thank you. You know more than some of our interns.”

Theo lets out a hearty laugh. “I would've killed to intern there.”

“We don’t have too many model openings.”

“All evidence to the contrary,” Theo’s voice drops an octave lower, and I worry a piece of my steak will reappear. If that’s even possible. It’s one of the best meals I’ve had in years. With the view of the restaurant in front of me, the only thing making this experience less enjoyable is what I can hear from what I assume will be a first, and last, date.

Finally, both of our tables pay and we’re on our way out of the door. Theo asked Gwen twice if she was sure she didn’t want a second drink, and on behalf of both of us, I’m glad she declined.

I follow behind them at a respectable distance, letting Theo get the door for her. When we’re out on the street, though, I need to be next to her. Rodney hasn’t pulled up just yet, and there’s too many damn people in this city passing by all the time. I can feel Theo giving me a few glances, but I survey the street, and pretend to be invisible.

“Are you sure you don’t want to check out another place?” He asks.

“No, thank you. I really should get going with work tomorrow and everything.”

“Right. A nine-to-five woman. That’s admirable.”

“Unfortunately it’s more like eight to eight so far.” Gwen lets out a light laugh.

“Well,” Theo steps closer to her in my peripheral vision, “If you are ever looking for something to do after work, let me know.”

Gwen pauses before speaking softly, “I will.”

And then, his arm is wrapped around her waist, and they’re kissing. Loudly. It sounds as if this man led with his tongue first. Where was the lead up to any of this? How did Theo think that this had gone well enough to earn a kiss? Why is Gwen kissing him back?

Why is Gwen still kissing him back?

Rodney’s black car pulls to the side of the curb just as I feel my jaw might crack in half. I’m trying to hold all of my tension there so I don’t rip Theo off of Gwen by the lapel of what is most likely an egregiously-priced jacket.

I take a few steps forward to get the car door, hoping that it will trigger something in either of them to peel off of each other. Now I have no choice but to stare as I stand with one hand resting on the top of the door. Both of Theo’s hands are traveling dangerously close to Gwen’s ass, and I feel a twinge of worry when I notice the only touch on Gwen’s part is a steadying hand on his chest, nearly pushing him away. I’m about to clear my throat when Gwen gently nudges him back, giving him a coy smile.

“I really do need to get going.”

Theo shows a flash of frustration, but he smiles all the same. “Okay. Have a good night.”

“You too,” finally Gwen walks towards the car, ignoring my face entirely as she says over her shoulder, “Thank you for dinner.”

I shut the door behind her a little too hard.

As soon as we’re on our way home, Gwen is digging around in her bag again. Out of the corner of my eye in the passenger seat, I can just make out the hand sanitizer and mints she pulls out.

Gwen sighs when her phone starts to ring, rubbing in the sanitizer as quickly as she can so she can answer it.

“Hey, Nye.”

I’m more nosy than ever tonight.

“Yeah, I’m on my way back now.” I can feel her glance at the front of the car, so I make sure to take the opportunity to marvel at the city streets passing us by.

“He’s definitely hot, you weren’t wrong. And the conversation flowed really easily and we had such a fun time…No, I’m not taking him home. I have to work tomorrow. But maybe this weekend? We’ll see.”

The conversation flowed? Either she’s lying to her friend or she was right and I should get my ears checked.

“Yeah, I know. Um…” her voice lowers to a whisper, “I can’t talk about that right now. But I’ll call you tomorrow…Okay, bye.”

The rest of the car ride is silent, and we enter her building the same way. When we’re just moments away from her floor, the continual silence of the elevator ride makes me bold enough to ask.

“Why’d you lie?”

Gwen looks up at me, alarmed. “Excuse me?”

“To Miss Abiola. It’s none of my business, I know. It just…it didn’t look like you had a good time.”

For a moment I think I’ve rendered her speechless.

But as the elevator doors open, she tosses her hair back and pierces me with her gaze. “You’re right. It isn’t any of your business.”

I follow her out, and before I can help myself, I add, “So you did lie.”

Gwen scoffs, throwing her bag on the ground before stomping to the living room.

“I could fire you.”

“You can’t fire me. I don’t work for you,” I say plainly.

“I signed the contract,” she whirls around on me, nearly stabbing her own chest with a perfectly manicured finger.

“You signed an agreement for me to be in your residence. If you’d like to appeal that, I’d be happy to buy the apartment on the next floor. I hear there's a vacancy.”

Gwen’s eyes flare at the challenge, taking a step towards me.

“You might have to be around me all the time, but you don’t have to be so insufferable. Don’t most bodyguards know when to keep their mouth shut?”

Knowing she wants a rebuttal, I do what she just said, and keep my mouth shut. I merely raise my eyebrows at her.

As expected, this only infuriates her more. Her chest heaves for a few moments before she responds in an icy, rageful calm.

“I would suggest, Mr. Miller, that you don’t become so involved with your client’s personal lives. Maybe instead you should worry about your own, and solve the mystery of why you might care so much.” If she could’ve spat on me, she would have.

Her blonde hair disappears down the hall without another word.

I can’t help the heat building in my chest. Of course I wanted to tease her, but it was more than that. I wanted to know why she couldn’t trust one of her closest friends with something so trivial. And why she avoided the question. But the fact that I asked it in the first place…I should call Tommy. Get my head screwed on straight. I wasn’t jealous, but something nameless I haven’t felt in a long time. Probably due to her confusing, hot-and-cold attitude. Her sweetened disposition with others and instant irritability with me. And how she left yesterday, locking herself away and refusing to look my way today, and the funny, hollow feeling it gave me. The feeling wasn’t jealousy. It was confusion…and…

And, moreover, it was frustration. Because…she was right. I am getting too involved.

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Masterlist

#joel miller #joel tlou #tlou au #tlou fanfiction #joel miller x original character #joel miller x reader #joel miller x f!reader #joel miller x you #joel miller fanfiction #pedro pascal characters #joel miller x oc #joel miller au #other duties as assigned #the last of us #tlou #joel miller fanfic #joel miller fic

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kat-anni · 10 months ago

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I'm not even sure which of you 26 WIPs (wow?!) to pick, but these two stood out to me - can I get two? *puppy dog eyes* "Way down we go" sounds very interesting and kinda dark so I'm intriguied. And the Merlin one - "Meeting you again" - because yes, I went down that rabbit hole recently. xD Would love to know more about those or get a short scene! Whatever you feel like sharing. ^^

Concerning this post

YESSS I am always willing to share hehe you may ask two!

Way down we go

This one's a fic about torture! ☺Wei Wuxian manages to diverge Wen Ning's arm in the last second and Jin Zixuan gets 'only' very badly hurt, not murdered. The Jin try to get the seal away from him.

Snippet!

"A-Li is...is waiting for you-," Jin Zixuan’s eyes were filled with intention, determination. ‘A-Li’, huh? The endearment barely registered under the panic spreading in Wei Wuxian’s mind. "Shhh, it's okay. I...shit. I can't help you. You have a strong core, right? Try to...try to direct everything to where the pain is. You over there!" He yelled to the remaining Jin and Lan soldiers, specifically a rather young looking Lan. -Wait, was he not wearing a headband? - Wei Wuxian just hoped that even if they partook in whatever this ambush was, they would still care about their rules and help someone in mortal danger instead of focusing on killing him -or whatever they had come here for, "come here and give him some energy!" He could see the question of 'why don't you do it' on several of their faces, but mostly they looked like they did not dare come closer while he was still there and Wen Ning was struggling against the smoky black bonds holding him down. Okay, yeah, fair, he thought.

Meeting you again

This *cough* is a MerGana fic x'D. I know I'm probably in a very small minority with this ship but I just find their magical push and pull hate-love bond very interesting. In this fic we jump to modern day and Arthur returns. Due to #circumstances, all the other characters from before Arthur's death are also alive again. So we meet Morgan, her best friend Jenny (Gwen), etc. Merlin is of course the only immortal one and the only one with the memory of everything in between...

Snippet!

That was the moment the guy turned around. From the sudden movement, Morgan automatically looked up. His gaze flew over to them and both black haired adults froze on the spot. Recognition flashed in the man's eyes, then -she could have imagined it- something like panic. But he was able to overcome it very quickly. A smile spread across his face and he went over to them. Morgan couldn't stop staring. This couldn't be real. Was this what Jen meant? Why he would be interesting? Those piercing blue eyes, full of things she couldn't put her finger on. Those ears, standing away from the head oddly but looking strangely attractive, not ugly. And his full lips, forming that smile. “Hey, my name's Merlin. Nice to meet you.” It was the exact same man. It was Merlin, the one she so often dreamed about.

Thanks for asking!! You got me to edit these a lil bit hehe. Esp the Merlin one is SO OLD. I kinda have the urge to just rewrite them again T_T but noo I shan't x)

#ask game #asks #my writing #writing #my stories #aaa #anni answers asks

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merlinbingo · 1 year ago

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The Symbols of Life and Death by SauraUnderscore Ship: Merlin/Arthur, Gwaine/Percival, Gwen/Lancelot Main Characters: Merlin, Arthur Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Serial Killer AU; Dystopia AU; Mild torture; Corpses; No real Bloody descriptions; Minor Character Death; Explicit Sex; Hurt/Comfort; Mentions of earlier Prostitution (Merlin); Soul Bound; Magic Sex; Summary: All Arthur wants is to protect Merlin from the serial killer that is threatening the magical community. But Merlin doesn’t need Arthur’s protection. Who does Pendragon think he is? Just because when Merlin needs a lawyer, he pays his debt fucking him, doesn’t mean he’s going to get attached to no one else but the son of the one who started this fucking nightmare for the magical kin.

#bbc merlin #merlin bingo #participant reblog #sauraunderscore #rating: e #merlin/arthur #gwaine/percival #gwen/lancelot #format: fic

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legends-of-time · 10 months ago

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Amelia’s Story (BBC Merlin Story) - Masterlist

Pairings:

Original Female Character & Morgana & Morgause

Arthur & Morgana & Original Female Character

Percival/Original Female Character

Merlin/Original Female Character

Gwaine/Original Female Character

Gwen/Arthur

Original Female Character & Original Female Character

Warnings:

Major Character Death, Minor Character Death, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Non-Canonical Character Death, Cannon-Typical Violence, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Emotional Manipulation, Gaslighting

Physical description:

Amelia has light brown hair and blue eyes

Summary:

Amelia never really thought about what would happen when she died. Wait, no that was a lie. She had wondered if she would be reincarnated she supposed or just simply go to some sort of afterlife. Or maybe she would wake up in the world of one of the very first Tv shows that she had got obsessed with.

Amelia genuinely did not think this would happen, fanfiction is just that! Fanfiction!

But hey ho here she is.

——

The usual tale of someone dying then waking up in one of their favourite TV show with, what I hope, is a twist.

Chapters:

Chapter 1: The Awakening

Chapter 2: The Beginning of Her New Life

Chapter 3: Becoming Too Real

Chapter 4: Drastic Changes

Chapter 5: Family

Chapter 6: The Dragon's Call

Chapter 7: Valiant

Chapter 8: The Mark of Nimueh

Chapter 9: The Poisoned Chalice

Chapter 10: Lancelot

Chapter 11: A Remedy to Cure All Ills

Chapter 12: The Gates of Avalon

Chapter 13: The Beginning of the End

Chapter 14: Excalibur

Chapter 15: The Moment of Truth

Chapter 16: The Labyrinth of Gedref

Chapter 17: To Kill the King

Chapter 18: Le Morte d'Arthur

Chapter 19: The Curse of Cornelius Sigan

Chapter 20: The Once and Future Queen

Chapter 21: The Nightmare Begins

Chapter 22: Lancelot and Guinevere

Chapter 23: Beauty and the Beast Part One

Chapter 24: Beauty and the Beast Part Two

Chapter 25: The Witchfinder

Chapter 26: The Sins of a Father

Chapter 27: The Lady of the Lake

Chapter 28: Sweet Dreams

Chapter 29: The Witch's Quickening

Chapter 30: The Fires of Idirsholas

Chapter 31: The Last Dragonlord

Chapter 32: The Tears of Uther Pendragon Part One

Chapter 33: The Tears of Uther Pendragon Part Two

Chapter 34: Goblin's Gold

Chapter 35: Gwaine

Chapter 36: The Crystal Cave

Chapter 37: The Changeling

Chapter 38: The Castle of Fyrien

Chapter 39: The Eye of the Phoenix

Chapter 40: Love in the Time of Dragons

Chapter 41: Queen of Hearts

Chapter 42: The Sorcerer's Shadow

Chapter 43: The Coming of Arthur Part One

Chapter 44: The Coming of Arthur Part Two

Chapter 45: The Darkest Hour Part One

Chapter 46: The Darkest Hour Part Two

Chapter 47: The Wicked Day

Chapter 48: Aithusa

Chapter 49: His Father's Son

Chapter 50: A Servant of Two Masters

Chapter 51: The Secret Sharer

Chapter 52: Lamia

Chapter 53: Lancelot du Lac

Chapter 54: A Herald of the New Age

Chapter 55: The Hunter's Heart

Chapter 56: The Sword in the Stone Part One

Chapter 57: The Sword in the Stone Part Two

Chapter 58: Arthur's Bane Part One

Chapter 59: Arthur's Bane Part Two

Chapter 60: The Death Song of Uther Pendragon

Chapter 61: Another's Sorrow

Chapter 62: The Disir

Chapter 63: The Dark Tower

Chapter 64: A Lesson in Vengeance

Chapter 65: The Hallow Queen

Chapter 66: With All My Heart

Chapter 67: The Kindness of Strangers

Wattpad access

fanfiction.net access

Ao3 access

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johnconstantinejld · 11 months ago

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Gotham Tales-The Bat

The Joker was a master manipulator and had the GCPD and myself looking in the wrong direction one last time. Arthur ‘Dodger’ Dreggs, one of his lackeys had been tasked to distract us by sending them to the Axis Chemical Plant. We found him with Wally Gillespie and Hugh Paine. All minor criminals before meeting the joker, charges of theft, breaking and entering and common assault for each of them. Gillespie also had charges of dangerous driving occasioning death and fleeing the scene of an accident. We found the chemical plant secure, no sign that the Joker had fallen in the chemicals as Harley Quinn had said.

Both men had been infected with joker poison, but we heard the common name ‘Gwynplaine’.

Total time to identify source of name, 4.59 minutes. Must upgrade speed of wrist computer.

The names should have tipped me off. G-P-W plus Hugh means Gwnplaine from Hugo’s

The Man Who Laughs. Injected Dreggs with a temporary cure. Was unable to save other two. Current joker cure only lowers stress, thus preventing venom from spreading; I am unable to stop someone already stressing. Location was Gotham Cathedral. A man had requested a wedding tonight. His name was Jack Napier, and wife was Gwen Plaine.

Arrived on the scene on time. Minister Black, defrocked for seven years, was the celebrant. Harley was in white. She had purchased it during her last release. That should have told me. Minister Black was wearing a Joker grin. Trust the Joker to tell another fake story on his final night. We check briefly on Arkham through Nightwing-Punchline secured and taking therapy.

‘I didn’t invite any guests! Nevertheless, you’re just in time for the cake cutting. And then you can see the couple have their first dance.’

‘I thought something funny!’ She said, ‘Something with bounce.’

‘No, boo, we agreed for something subtle. Well, I agreed. Plenty of bounce later on.’

‘Not a good sign-arguing on the wedding.’ Batgirl.

‘Shut up, Red! Don’t be broken again!’ He screams.

‘Another bad sign. Yelling on the wedding day.’

‘He’s right, puddin’.’

‘Shut up and cut the cake. Red cherry velvet. It’s official, Bats. Just a man and his sweet, always fresh out of college boo.’

‘But I’m twenty-six, Mistah J.’

‘And you’ll always be my sweet little sixteen.’

‘And he likes underage girls.’ Batgirl again. Slight wretch.

They each hold the butcher knife and lean forward. And he does it. He pushes her face into the cake. Then she acts. Something triggered. She turns and slashes his throat.

All the nights I’ve had that desire to do that.

All the criminals who have nearly done that and I have prevented them from doing it.

All the people he has manipulated and broken. All the lives ruined.

For once, this was a punchline he did not see coming. The joke was on him.

Joker did not laugh.

Harley finishes it by stabbing him through the heart before we can hold her. Batgirl said she was crying.

She’s still there, in Arkham. Without any Joker to influence her, even Punchline was slowly coming round, but Harley isn’t moving. She’s in her wedding dress, a rotting bouquet of flowers like Miss Havisham. Harley is silent, only letting go of the flowers for basic bodily needs (eat, drink, sleep etc). Others leave her alone. Penguin sends literature, never read. Poison Ivy is incapable of getting through to her and is thus unable to help. She sits there in her cell, or in chapel, her face that of one who has been a victim of abuse, a real monster in our world.

Another Gotham Tale, don't own rights

#batman #dcu

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oncefutureemrys · 4 years ago

Note

18. "I'm afraid."

hello, my friend! thank you for asking me this!

If you want to know what prompts we’re talking about, it is @night-faye’s incredible list of prompts that you can find here. If you would like for me to write another one, send me an ask and I’ll write it!

Anyway, I was honestly a bit nervous about this because I didn’t think it came out great, butttt there’s a thing called positive thinking which I’m working on so I’m going to say it’s not bad. (This is exactly how to get people to read your work haha) no but seriously, there are many Tumblr posts about writing bad fics are okay if we can learn something from them, and so here is me, writing some bad fics.

Hope you enjoy!

(It was also posted on my ao3. The link is here).

Merlin gazes at the darkening sky and the flickering light from the dimming campfire. He feels the breeze brushing his skin gently and hears the way the trees rustle like whispers in his ear.

It’s here, in this peaceful moment, when Merlin closes his eyes and thinks:

I’m not ready to die.

Five simple words, strung together to create one sentence Merlin’s more afraid of than anything else.

He’s not ready to die.

And yet he knows he must, for it is his destiny and his alone to always sacrifice his needs, his wants, his morals, his life for Arthur.

He knows this, he’s been told this since the beginning, and yet suddenly he feels so… unready. Unsure. Nervous, worried, afraid.

It was… odd, to say the least.

Before, when he was staring death straight in the face, when he was envisioning a world without his friends, Gaius, his mother, Arthur – it was easy. Merlin’s never been one to think his life was somehow more meaningful than others, that he was worthy of life more than anyone else.

Which is why he now finds it strange that he’s having second thoughts.

Maybe it’s because there’s more time to think about his inevitable death, more time to fixate on his fears and insecurities that plague his mind, haunting him with lingering thoughts he wishes would disappear.

Maybe because he’s reminded of his destiny, as this overwhelming burden that clings onto his shoulders, that beats down on his skin whenever he tries veering off course. This ever-hanging cloud that keeps him in constant darkness, the shadow that constantly reminds him, over and over again, how foolish he is, how ungrateful he is, how selfish and weak and useless he is.

Maybe because he’s sitting here next to his king, his best friend, the one man he has sacrificed his entire life and more for, unsure how he’ll be able to say goodbye. Not sure how to explain to him that he won’t be dying tomorrow, how Merlin’s planning on taking his place.

As if sensing his thoughts, he looks over at him in that moment, the warm glow of the fire dancing across his face. “Everything alright?” he asks.

Almost out of habit, he nods, not meeting his gaze.

Arthur studies him for a moment and Merlin swallows, afraid he will push. Thankfully, he simply nods and drops the subject, letting the silence sit still.

Except the silence almost feels unbearable, this guilt clawing at his skin and threatening to suffocate him. Merlin knows that he needs to say goodbye, in a roundabout way if possible, but the words are sticking in his throat and he’s having a hard time finding the right ones.

He’s reminded of an earlier time, years ago, when he was willing to sacrifice his life for his mother and had to say goodbye to Arthur. It had been a bit difficult – his throat had felt try, his hands had been shaking. But it was different back then. While they were far more comfortable with one another than when they had originally started, they weren’t as close back then. Now, they had been through everything together – from evil sorcerers to betrayals, to friends dying and dead knights walking, they had seen and experienced so much. If it was hard for Merlin to say it then, it was even harder saying it now.

And yet, he knows that he must, knows that he doesn’t want to be another person that betrays Arthur. And so, he opens his mouth, about to let the words through – words he hadn’t planned yet – when Arthur sighs loudly, turning to look at him. “So… this is it.”

Merlin’s quite confused – he’s not exactly sure where this conversation is going – but decides to go along with it. “Yes, I suppose it is.”

“Well,” Arthur says, taking a sip of water. “I’d like to say I made the most of it, but I’m not sure I have.”

Merlin’s eyes widen, stunned by his declaration. How in the hell could he think that? Well, sure, not all of Merlin’s hopes and dreams were panning out the way he had wanted, but to say that Arthur had not tried, had not given his all for his people, was baffling. He says as much when he finally finds the right words to say.

Arthur simply smiles but Merlin notices it’s devoid of any mirth. “I appreciate that.”

“Arthur—“

“Merlin,” Arthur says abruptly, cutting him off. “You’ll make sure to let the others know, right?”

And there it is again, that guilt that twists in his stomach, reminding him of the many lies he has told this night, and every day since he’s met him. He forces himself to take a deep breath before finally choking out, “Yes. I’ll tell them.”

Arthur nods, turning to look at the fire in front of them. Merlin realizes this is his chance to finally tell him of all the secrets, everything that he has bottled up over the years. To finally release all of the remorse he has felt throughout the years.

But he’s selfish and a coward, so he keeps it bottled in, throwing it into the ocean and hoping desperately for the tides to wash it all away.

It’s during Merlin’s slight panic that he’s brought back to the present by a small chuckle. He’s surprised to almost see a smile lingering on Arthur’s face. “What’s funny?” he asks.

“Huh? Nothing.” When Merlin gives him a look he sighs. “I was just thinking… how strange this all is.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that… seven years ago, so many things were different. We were such different people.” Arthur shrugs, scratching at his neck. “It just feels crazy looking at how far we’ve come.”

Merlin remembers his journey to Camelot, his inexplicable wonder when he first entered and saw bustling crowds and the large castle. Now, years later, he finds no new wonder in the bustling crowds or even the wondrous castle. Merlin smiles to himself, memories of those days coming back to him. We were so innocent back then, he thinks to himself. I wish it had stayed that way.

“Yeah,” Merlin says when he’s managed to return to the conversation. “Yeah, it’s pretty crazy.”

“Did you ever expect to end up here?”

“Not a chance,” Merlin responds immediately, chuckling at the thought. “I certainly never thought I would have to deal with a pompous, arrogant, supercilious, prat like yourself.”

“Hm, no I suppose not.”

Merlin’s eyes widened, turning to look at Arthur. “Did you just admit to being a prat?”

Arthur attempts to play it off, but Merlin knows him too well. Huffing, he crosses his arms as if he were a child. “Alright, so maybe I wasn’t the best person back then.”

“Yes!” He says gleefully, clapping his hands together. “This is the best day of my life.”

“Whatever Merlin, at least I changed for the better!”

Merlin grins, recalling memories of Arthur risking his find a flower to save him, memories of Arthur leading his people when they needed him, memories of Arthur smiling and laughing and praying pranks and knighting commoners and marrying a servant and Merlin finds himself softly saying, “Yes.” Then, “Yes, I think you have.”

Silence hangs in the air and he tries to think of a way to rein in his words, add a joke in to rid them both of the tense silence, to erase those truthful words. But Merlin realizes that he won’t ever get to say these words to Arthur ever again and so maybe he shouldn’t. Just this once.

“Yes well,” Arthur says after a few minutes of tense silence, “I never would’ve done it without you.”

Merlin immediately shakes his head. “I don’t believe that.”

Arthur looks at him incredulously. “I appreciate the lie, but truly Merlin, it’s quite obvious. You don’t have to pretend just to make me feel better.”

“Arthur, have I ever, in the seven years you’ve known me, attempted to sugarcoat anything for you?”

He starts to speak and Merlin raises his eyebrows. “No,” he admits. “I guess not.”

“Good because I mean it.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“…and everyone knows, I’m always right.”

Arthur huffs. “Sure.”

Merlin bites his lip worriedly before finally asking, “You know, I actually mean it right?” He makes sure to look straight into his eyes as he says this. “I know I mess around and call you all sorts of names, but the truth is, I am so proud of you. I know it may not seem like it, but you have done so much for your people and your loved ones. You are an amazing king, Arthur, and you will always be remembered like that.”

Arthur’s eyes hold so much insecurity and unsureness that Merlin wants to reach out and take it from him, take away the pain and the self-doubt that continue to torment his mind. Arthur takes a stuttering breath before asking, “Merlin?”

“Yes?”

Arthur swallows. “I’m afraid.” Two words that don’t need explaining, two words that Merlin understands perfectly.

Merlin finds himself nodding slowly, finding himself becoming more honest and open than he’d ever been before. “Yes... I think I am too.”

The silence following them feels freeing as if the words they had been struggling with had finally been released. For the first time that night, Merlin feels as if his last fears, his last bit of hesitation, leaves him. Merlin never thought he could be ready for such a heavy task, for such an enormous burden. But looking at Arthur now – his blue eyes of clear skies, his hair that brightens against the moonlight, the small scars, and cuts from the adventures they had been on – and realizes that he must. Realizes that he would do anything for him, not necessarily because of destiny, but because he was a good man and Arthur deserved much better than this. Arthur deserved everything and Merlin would happily give it to him if he could.

So, as they sit, the darkening sky now fully black, Merlin finds himself taking a deep breath and closing his eyes. He feels the comfortable breeze against his skin and hears the familiar rustle of the trees as he thinks to himself:

I am ready.

#ambiguous ending #merlin #arthur #mentions of death #but no actual death #real real minor arthur/gwen #mainly just some bromance #and angst #which is the greatest thing life can bring #idk what im saying #its 5 in the morning #i have not slept #please someone help me

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educatingmerlin · 3 years ago

Text

Is Historical Accuracy Important?

The focus of this post will be on Arthurian legend which, whilst it may not historically be real, it has still had a huge impact on historical eras and folklore.

Arthurian folklore arose around the medieval times and are rumored to be based upon a real person called Arthur.

The legends have been famous throughout time and have had many adaptations, separate storylines and have been made into books, films, TV shows and other forms of media to consume.

The outcry of "historical accuracy" has been loud when casting ethnic minorities, especially Black people, in historical dramas. This is evident for any and all period dramas but also for other forms of media. For example in the Cursed Child play, Hermione was cast as a Black women or more recently, Annabelle for the new Percy Jackson show is a Black girl.

These shows and books as well as Merlin are fantasy dramas which contain the likes of magic, mythical creatures and all sorts of folklore. Not exactly realistic is it? So why the uproar when Black people are cast?

The argument used when people usually complain of the likes of Gwen Pendragon is that Guinevere is depicted to be of a "fair complextion with blonde hair and blue eyes."

The outcry of Angel not being a "historically accurate portrayal" is absured, especially when it comes to shows such as Merlin where....nothing is historically accurate.

In saying all this, there are many articles and sources which tell of Black knights in Arthurian folklore. According to Smithsonian magazine, 3 out of 49 knights were men of colour.

These shows and films are not made to be historically accurate, they are not made to be documentary-like. They are made to simply entertain.

Even if they were made to be historically accurate which, is not the case for hardly any period dramas at the moment, there is nothing wrong with casting Black people and other ethnic minorities.

Ethnic minorities in period dramas is something which should be celebrated and done more often! It is a wonderful sight to see.

#arthur pendragon #bbc merlin #gwen pendragon #merlin #sir elyan #sir lancelot #sir leon #sir percival #sir gwaine #merthur #bbc arwen #arthurian legend #netflix cursed

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ineffablestardust · 3 years ago

Text

fic masterlist 📚🌌✨

Star Wars:

The Starlight Path

Din Djarin/Luke Skywalker

No Archive Warnings Apply

Mature

Slow Burn, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, AU- Canon Divergence, AU- Young Adult, War Setting (Mando and Jedi), Family Drama Elements, Forbidden Love, Prince!Din Djarin, Anakin Doesn’t Turn to the Dark Side, Clone Wars Based

139,923 words

43/~54

INCOMPLETE

Last of the Real Ones

Din Djarin/Luke Skywalker

No Archive Warnings Apply

Gen

TikTok, Minor Slow Burn, Crackfic Elements, Internet Shipping, Tooth Rotting Fluff, Family Fluff

27,730 words

20/20

COMPLETE

but I carry it in my pocket, it keeps me safe

Din Djarin/Luke Skywalker

No Archive Warnings Apply

Gen

Touch Starved, Comfort, Forbidden Love, Fluff, Pining, Yearning, Non-Sexual Intimacy, Implied Sexual Content, Gentleness

639 words

1/1

COMPLETE

Coruscant Cats

Din Djarin/Luke Skywalker

No Archive Warnings Apply

Gen

Fluff, Dinluke with Cats

946 words

1/1

COMPLETE

as it was (alt. Tumblr link with sketches attached)

Din Djarin/Luke Skywalker

No Archive Warnings Apply

Gen

Hurt/Comfort, Pre-Relationship, Emotional Intimacy as a Theme, Luke’s Lost Hand, Swedenis-h Gift

1410 words

1/1

COMPLETE

pjo/hoo/mgca/toa:

the things we cannot bear to see

Magnus Chase/Alex Fierro

No Archive Warnings Apply

Teen Audiences

Ship of the Dead imagined from Alex’s pov, fluff, Spoilers, Longing, Vulnerability, Light Angst, Idiots in Love

21,716 words

15/20

INCOMPLETE

Gifted; and all that that means

Percy Jackson/Annabeth Chase

No Archive Warnings Apply

Teen Audiences

Annabeth Character Study, POV Annabeth, Nicknames, Comfort/Angst, Self Worth, Self Love

1,349 words

1/1

COMPLETE

BBC Merlin:

Gwen or Merlin

Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

No Archive Warnings Apply

Gen

Drinking Games, Crack, AU- Canon Divergence, Fluff, Pining Arthur, The Knights Are the Biggest Merthur Shippers

2,390 words

1/1

COMPLETE

Star Trek:

Kaiidth Imagination

James T. Kirk/Spock

No Archive Warnings Apply

Unrated

AU- Young Adult, Spock and Kirk play DnD, Dungeons and Dragons, Dungeon Master!Kirk, Slow Burn

14,434 words

6/25

INCOMPLETE

Good Omens:

A Language of Our Own

Aziraphale/Crowley

No Archive Warnings Apply

Gen

Eden, Metaphor Exploration, Ancient Rome, Demon Summoning, Trolling, Language as a form of Identity

2,681 words

3/?

INCOMPLETE

#dinluke #skydalorian #pjo #hoo #toa #mgca #percabeth #fierrochase #merthur #spirk #ineffable husbands

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sneakyboymerlin · 3 years ago

Note

Lmaoo it’s the Dark Tower anon again! Sorry to keep invading your inbox but. This au won’t leave me alone. But you have spoken!! Tyr Seward lives and all is right in the world. Except for, you know, the minor fact that Merlin is enchanted. Merlin trying to get Mordred to join, letting mordred in on the secret that he is Arthur’s bane??? GENIUS- I am losing it over the whole inner conflict and turmoil Mordred is going through. He knows why Merlin has been off and distant with him- and for a Druid, a big believer in destiny, this is emotionally crippling. And then this coupled with the fact that he is actually THWARTING Merlin’s murder attempts. So he thinks, Destiny. can he change it? Merlin is meant to help Arthur bring magic back. does he WANT to change it? Would changing this one crucial aspect- of him being Arthur’s bane, change the whole course of destiny? Poor boy’s going through it.

Gwaine though- he’s going through it too. But! He’s working with Gaius, and Gaius mentioned offhand that this type of enchantment is reminiscent of the state Merlin was in after the Fomorrah. Gwaine being like?? The what-now? Gwaine has the dig through an explanation of the time they rescued Merlin from the bog but actually it was enchanted Merlin who had been tortured by Morgana. “He stole some aconite then. Laced Arthur’s food with poison.” Gwaine is so overwhelmed poor guy. While trying to track down the enchantment she used, they theorize on shades. Gaius says that’s been done- and Gwaine wants to scream. All he’s getting is extremely dark magic examples- but he’s also getting bits and pieces of the struggle Merlin’s being going through- all the things he’s done by himself to save Camelot, and Gwaine had no doubts in his mind that Merlin was still Merlin but this is still a lot to take in and he doesn’t even have the real Merlin- HIS Merlin, unenchanted Merlin to talk with it about, to reassure and get reassurance in turn. (He’s reeling, because he is a knight of Camelot, FOR Merlin, yet it is Merlin’s people he has viewed as threats or with suspicion. It’s a lot.)

And Gwen. She finds out all by herself, and honestly not surprised, she knows Merlin very well, and he’s giving off similar vibes as he was with the Fomorroah. She’s like- so Merlin is possessed and trying to kill Arthur again? Where’s my pot-

(Small scene with Tyr and George being like wow Merlin wasn’t friendly today what’s up with that-)

Arthur being oblivious. Is just the best thing- I love that nearly everyone gets a magic reveal save for Arthur himself. Man is oblivious as hell. One question- would one of Merlin’s murder attempts result in him deadass calling forth Killgarrah while outside the borders of Camelot?

Consider this: Enchanted!Merlin notices Mordred thwarting his every attempt on Arthur’s life, so he thinks to himself, “Does the prophecy say Mordred is going to do it on purpose?”

So Merlin sets up a trap. It looks like another one of his assassination plots that Mordred has to foil, but by trying to stop it, he triggers it instead (a metaphor perhaps?). It’s nearly a success, and that scares Mordred more than the prophecy itself—that he’s capable of killing Arthur without ever meaning to, and that his earlier alliance with Morgana set this off.

Meanwhile, Gwaine has just found out that not only was it an enchanted, non-Merlin who insulted him in the hallway and wouldn’t let him steal food off of Arthur’s plate, but that very food was poisoned and he technically saved Gwaine’s life by refusing him. Gwaine’s brain gears are clinking. They’re grinding. His last brain cell is in its own personal brain hell.

“He doesn’t even have the real Merlin—HIS Merlin” well watch me weep why don’t you

Gwaine’s spent years trying to protect Merlin from ~magical threats~ but now he realizes that he was the real threat all along? That he hasn’t truly been protecting Merlin at all, he’s just been hurting Merlin all the more ??? He’s heartbroken, he’s wracked with guilt, but most importantly, he’s more determined than ever to help Merlin in whatever way he can. Finding a way to lift the enchantment would be a great start, but the research is turning up dry.

Gwen miraculously manages to recruit George and alive Tyr to spy on Merlin because she suspects he may be under an enchantment.

Gwen: It’s happened before, and believe me, we don’t want it to happen again. He might hurt himself.

Tyr: You’re not worried about him killing Arthur?

Gwen: [breaks out laughing]

Enchanted!Merlin is beside himself as every single one of his plots seems to fail without reason. Maybe he suspects something is up with the others, too? But Arthur doesn’t suspect, and that’s what’s important, that’s exactly why Morgana chose him.

Also, maybe because it’s not the real Merlin, he can’t connect with the dragons the way he normally can. Aithusa doesn’t respond to his commands, which Morgana is quite pleased about; likewise, Kilgharrah will not respond to a call he knows is false. The bond was made with Merlin, not the one who’s woven her own whims into Merlin’s mind. Maybe it was a bad idea for Morgana to piss off a full-grown dragon.

#merlin emrys #sir mordred #sir gwaine #queen guinevere #kilgharrah #bbc merlin #dark tower au #mine

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fireandiceland · 3 years ago

Note

Now that you finished IA (presume I asked this after you read the epilogue), I first wanted to thank you for reading & liveblogging it. I don't think I can put my appreciation in thankfulness into words, ever, but... know that it validates all the work I put into it. Simply by knowing it brings others joy & thusly is worth doing well.

AnYwAyS - Can you rank the POV characters aka all Teams + Soph like you did for the other fanfic? (but like, all the single characters, I mean that's only -checks list-... 16 characters.) OR - Can you do a Fuck Marry Kill with each team from the two books, minus Soph cuz she's still a minor in those (and also, yknow, for it working purposes).

Much much much love to you, Riva <3

Sorry for taking so long to answer this it's been in my drafts for way too long I live in shame

First of all you're very welcome! I had a good time reading Irish Problems and Italian Affairs and let's be real I also learned some new things along the way and (as I love to say) where else do I get to discuss the story I'm reading with the freaking author?? and get some behind the scene information and little tidbits of lore too! It's like the directors cut of reading here :D

but! AnYwAyS ;) why not do both?

Ranking of the IA characters from my personal fav to 'they're there too':

Patrick "Paddy" O'Neill

Gwendolyn "Gwen" Higgins

Lovino Vargas

Feliciano Vargas

Arthur Kirkland

Fabio Bellini

Charlie Higgins

Marco Bontade

Robert Bailey

Gabriella Acerbi

Michele Vento

Harry O'Connel

Tahir Rashid

Francesco Belfari

Sophie O'Connel

Lorenzo Bontade

Maeve

Docetto Acerbi

Arby (imagine him like a mile below the other characters)

and yay I don't think I ever play fuck marry kill here :D so let's play.

Team Ireland: fuck charlie, marry paddy, kill harry (sorry but paddy is just.. I think I'd get along with him tho more in a friendship kind of relationship)

Team Sicily: fuck michele, marry marco, kill lorenzo (micheles emotional baggage is just too much for me but marco seems like a sensible choice to marry? sorry lorenzo rip)

Team Feli: fuck francesco, marry feliciano, kill dolco (sorry dolco rip)

Team Lovi: how do you expect me to make a desicion on this one after what happened in the last chapter? if I abolutely have to: fuck lovino, marry gabriella, kill fabio

Team England: fuck robert, marry arthur, kill tahir (Arthur is an A grade asshole in IP and I love that, I can fix him (probably not)

Did you expect any of my answers?

Thank you for keeping up with me and my sometimes very slow reading process and even bigger thank you for talking to me and elaborating on the characters and the story! It would not have been the same without all those talks and chats <3

#about dolcetto im sorry hes just such a hot head XD #lorenzo ugh im glad michele talked some sense into him again #maeve just didnt show up that much tbh. but I like her still. soph needs some friends around :)#Arthur is my fav Bond villain #italian affairs #lfls #irish problems #riva.ask

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ygraine · 4 years ago

Text

u know why we all love non-canon relationships so much? bc the characters are presented as two equals. Whether heterosexual or not, the automatic dismissal of a romantic relationship between characters also means a dismissal of heteronormative axioms that tend to create those love interests. Shipping is seen as ultimately worthless. It’s mostly women and girls who fall into this category, who speak back to media in its own language by writing fanfic about two characters that were never meant to be together, and all of it, all of it is bc of the standards by which love interests are held to! They are not seen as themselves, not as a Character or an Equal but instead as The Love Interest, and they are qualified only by those means that make them acceptable to the protagonist. So when minorities experience racism and sexism and homophobia in their daily lives and then go home and watch media that holds a relationship that would be perfect romantically without the ‘isms’ present, of COURSE we want to see it represented romantically. Bc what else do we have? Women especially are sexualized from real life to the most far-fetched media, and there is an unimaginable relief in seeing a potential relationship that holds none of the anger and double standards that are so prevalent in the Love Interest phenomena. I’m talking about zuko and sokka, eve and villanelle, mai and ty lee, whatever tf is going on in hannibal, and in Old Tumblr times I’m talking about merlin and arthur, john and sherlock, dean and castiel, gwen and morgana, and twenty years before that there was scully and mulder, and nearly thirty years before that we have kirk and spock, and what i’m saying is that the reason minorities put so, so much effort into relationships that aren’t supposed to exist is because we see ourselves reflected in them, we see people viewing each other as equals first and lovers later, we see our lives without the inflicting pain of being ‘a woman in a man’s world’. The very intention of showrunners not wanting a romance but still wanting a connection forces them to reckon with what really makes a connection without the physical counterparts of love, and in telling us ‘these characters aren’t meant to be together’ they are in fact saying, ‘this is what a relationship would look like if we didn’t inflict terrible things on every romantic relationship we’ve ever laid our hands on’. Shipping is a survival tactic for minorities who are never, ever represented as equals, and it’s a genuinely stunning cultural phenomenon that has sprung up as a shield against sexism and racism and homophobia, and it is led almost in its entirety by girls and women who are not only brave enough to see the potential, but to actively write it down and portray potential as reality, and it’s fascinating.

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twosidesofthesameidiot · 4 years ago

Text

You Had Me At Cupcake

Characters : Gwen; Lancelot

Warnings: none

Word count : 1325

Summary : Gwen has a paper due in two days, and the really distracting new barista is the only one on duty today. Gwencelot Coffee Shop AU

A/N: Well, there is my first attempt at a coffee shop AU. Ngl, it was difficult at times. The biggest thank you to @rangerofthesouth for helping me through this, and for the name! ILY, bro.

This falls under the meet-cute, i think

Gwen shook the snow from her hair and shoes as she pushed open the door of The Cryptic Dragon.

The warmth was nearly too much after the biting winds outside and she hurried to take off her thick coat.

Coat removed, Gwen felt comfortably warm, with sensation returning to her toes, fingers and nose.

She dropped her coat on the back of her chair and her bag on the table.

Today was very obviously a slow day for the - place.

Gwen had never found a word that quite described The Cryptic Dragon. Some, like Merlin's friend Gwaine, might call it a pub. Others, like Elena, might call it a café. Disreputable, Fine Dining Establishment, a front for an elaborate pyramid scheme, and a waste of space are among the other categories she has encountered in relation to the place.

To Gwen it was a perfect place to work. As long as she ordered a drink every now and then she was left to work through her never-ending mountain of assignments.

It helped that one of her best friends worked here and was the owner's nephew.

What did not help, however, was the newest barista/waiter. He was very unhelpful in that he was distracting. Not that he was actively being so, just his presence was enough.

He was Merlin's friend. Best friend, probably, from the way they went on. From what Gwen had seen, Merlin was actually open with him. The smiles were genuine in a way that Gwen rarely saw around other people.

That was the first thing Gwen had noticed about the distracting new addition to the team.

The second thing she had noticed was his smile, it was a real smile which reached his eyes. And his eyes were really very pretty.

His voice was amazing too.

Gwen had almost forgotten that she was meant to be giving him her order, that first time, and was truly grateful that Merlin had not been there to witness the scene.

And he was coming out from the kitchen now with a tray of fresh cinnamon rolls.

His emergence roused the three other people who were there and they immediately lined up at the counter as Gwen made her way slowly to join them, praying that Merlin would magically appear and save her from this situation.

Merlin, the traitor, did not appear and Gwen was left to manage the interaction as best she could.

"Hi," his voice was every bit as musical as she remembered, "Gwen, right?"

He knew her name?

"Uhh, yeah, that's me." Gwen twisted her rings trying to think of what to say next, "I, uh, I don't think we've met?"

"Oh, no we haven't," his eyes widened and he grimaced, "sorry! That sounded really creepy. I'm Lance, Merlin's friend."

Gwen took the extended hand, he - Lance - had a good grip, and his hand was warm, "I'm Gwen, but you already know that. How do you know Merlin?"

"We met in high school," Lance looked at her for a moment, "I don't know how much you know about that, um, and you? How long have you known him?"

"We met first year uni, I watched him get into and almost win a fight against Arthur Pendragon," Gwen smiled, "I helped him with the minor injuries sustained because his uncle would kill him if he found out."

"Gauis might have," Lance shrugged, "But then, where would he get staff on short notice?"

There was now a tray with a cinnamon roll and a mug of hot chocolate on it sitting atop the counter.

Noticing Gwen's look of surprise Lance grinned, "Merlin left very specific instructions, said you have a paper due in two days."

He was on the other side of the counter now, picking up the tray.

Falling into step with him, Gwen frowned, "Where is he? He's usually working today."

"Terribly sorry m'lady, but that is information I cannot divulge at the present time," He shrugged apologetically although his tone was anything but.

Realising that she was back at her table, with sustenance Gwen shook her head, "Thank you, Lance."

"My pleasure, just call if you need anything."

Gwen watched him disappear back into the kitchen before she sat down.

The hours slipped away and the next time Gwen took stock of her surroundings there were a few more people filling up the tables that were haphazardly strewn about the room.

Her paper was nearly done. All that was left was to go over it a few times and fine tune it, and that could wait until tomorrow.

When she returned from the washroom, she found Freya waiting at the counter and joined her, deciding today was not the day to go home and cook something.

Lance appeared with a bowl of stew which he handed to Freya, nested in a dishtowel.

"What kind of stew is that? I don't think I've ever seen it here before?" Gwen shot a questioning look at Lance who smiled.

"It's special, off the menu if you like. What can I get for you Gwen? Merlin didn't leave instructions for lunch."

"I'm still surprised he left instructions at all."

Gwen looked at Freya in surprise, "You knew he left instructions?"

"Lance told me, before he went to get my stew." she shrugged, "You should get today's special."

"Uh, okay, I'll meet you back at my table."

"I'll bring it to you, you don't have to wait here."

"Thanks!" Gwen had barely finished the word before Lance disappeared into the kitchen.

"You know Lance?" Gwen couldn't keep the curiosity out of her voice.

"Mm, yeah," Freya nodded, "we've known each other for a long time now."

"You have?" Having reached the table, Gwen collected her papers and pens that lay on top of it.

"Yeah," Freya smiled as she sat down, "We met Merlin separately though, none of us connected the dots for a while. How's your paper?"

Gwen shook her head. For as long as she'd known Merlin and Freya, they both had remained so vague about anything that happened in their pasts. "It's almost ready, and for now it's tomorrow's problem."

"Your meal, m'lady," Lance placed a plate of spaghetti bolognaise in front of Gwen, and a coffee.

"Thank you," Gwen smiled at him.

"As before, my pleasure."

"Huh, Merlin was right," Freya watched Lance weaving his way around the tables as he checked on the customers.

"About what?" Gwen asked.

Freya smiled at her, "Don't worry about that. What are you doing this weekend?"

Lunch passed comfortably and Gwen felt decidedly more relaxed than she had that morning.

Eventually she and Freya made their way to the counter to pay. When they had finished Lance tossed a securely wrapped takeaway box to Freya who immediately put it in her bag.

"This one is on the house," Lance smiled as he handed Gwen a box with a bow on it, "Let me know if you like it?"

"It's for Húan," Freya said as they stepped out of The Cryptic Dragon, "Gauis disproves of him getting human food, but burnt biscuits don't seem to negatively affect him, so Lance and Merlin smuggle him stuff."

"You feed your dog Merlin's experiments too ?" Gwen asked.

Freya laughed, "No, that could actually be dangerous."

Now safely ensconced in Gwen's car, Freya turned to her, "What's yours?"

"I don't know," Gwen gently pulled on the ribbon forming the bow on top of the box, "Let's find out."

She lifted the lid off the small box. There was writing on the inside of the lid, but the cupcake was what caught her attention.

The icing was a deep red and there were golden letters on it.

Freya somehow read the word before Gwen did and let out a giggle.

"Well, what do you think?"

"I think, if you hold this for a moment," Gwen handed the box to Freya and opened her phone, grinning, "I have a date this weekend."

#Gwencelot #gwen #lacelot #bbc merlin #bbc merlin fanfic #Lance writes #gwenfest #coffeeshop au

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