#she's glad that I discovered it now and not later in life when my thought processes will be a lot more concrete
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goat-boy-sounds · 9 months ago
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MY MOM FINALLY GETS THAT I AT LEAST HAVE NARC TRAITS YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
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rottenpumpkin13 · 4 months ago
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Let’s reverse the question, AGSZC get stuck in a timeloop COLLECTIVELY, what’s the first thing they do?
The Nibelheim Time Loop (from hell)
Nibelheim Loop #1
Cloud: Man, I had the weirdest dream last night.
Zack: One where Sephiroth burns your village down?
Cloud: That's so creepy! How did you know?
Zack: I had the exact same dream.
*Sephiroth walks up to them*
Zack: Sephiroth, did you have any weird dreams last night?
Sephiroth: I had a dream where I turned into an infant kangaroo and was taken from my mother at birth, deprived of the comfort of her pouch, and forced to work for Shinra. Years later I discovered my mother was complicit in denying me the pouch. Seeking solace, I found an artificial pouch from a robotic alien kangaroo mother. I then rode contentedly in her pouch as she burned everything around us to keep me warm.
Zack: A simple yes would've sufficed.
-
Nibelheim Loop #5
Zack: You're living the same day over and over too, right? I'm not going crazy?
Sephiroth: Actually, I just noticed that we're in a time loop this morning.
Zack: You burned down Nibelheim four times.
Sephiroth, gaslighting him: What a touching story.
Zack: !?
-
Nibelheim Loop #8
*Nibelheim is burning*
Cloud: WHY!? WHY?? WHAT EVEN IS THE POINT ANYMORE!? WHY DO YOU KEEP DOING THIS?
Sephiroth, roasting marshmallows: Professor Hojo never let me roast marshmallows when I was a child. He claimed the sugar would provide excess dopamine, tricking my brain into thinking I could be happy and want more out of life.
Cloud: Shit man I had no idea
-
Nibelheim Loop #12
*Zack, Cloud and Genesis are holding Sephiroth down to keep him from entering the library*
Zack: QUIT IT! YOU ALREADY KNOW THE TRUTH!
Sephiroth: I YEARN.
Zack: FOR WHAT!?
Sephiroth: I YEARN.
-
Nibelheim Loop #16
*After tying Sephiroth up and sedating him*
Zack: There! Now he can't escape, and Jenova can't do mind control on him! Problem solved! No more Jenova cell people running around.
Zack:
Zack: *smells smoke*
Zack: That apple bastard.
-
Nibelheim Loop #23
Cloud: You know what!? This is a time loop! There are no consequences! I can go up to Sephiroth and kill him right now! Fuck it!
*Sephiroth walks up to him, Cloud punches his chest (nothing happens)*
Sephiroth: 
..
*Cloud punches him again. He doesn't move*
Sephiroth: 
..
*Cloud tries again. It's like punching a brick wall*
Sephiroth: Please stop fondling my chest.
Cloud: Oh my god.
-
Nibelheim Loop #36
Sephiroth: Am I
.a human being?
Sephiroth: 
.
*Sephiroth turns around*
Sephiroth: Where's Genesis?
Zack: He's not here, but he left this note. Here, let me read it—"Dear Sephiroth, I grew tired of flying from Banora to Nibelheim 35 times only to be met with disappointment, so I'm spending this loop in Costa Del Sol. Best Wishes, your friend, Genesis Rhapsodos."
Sephiroth: Wow. And he didn't even insult me this time.
Zack: "P.S.: No such luck kitty-boy you're a monster and yer mum's an alien. Get rekt."
Sephiroth:
-
Nibelheim Loop #???
*At the library*
Zack: Sephiroth! Stop!
Sephiroth: Each time I return here, my mind becomes clearer, more adept at absorbing information. This only fuels my bitterness and resentment, rather than allowing me to grow accustomed to it. I think this time I'll burn—
*Vincent appears and knocks him out with a pipe*
Zack: Woah! You got sick of the time loop too?
Vincent: What time loop?
Zack:
-
*The next day, after the time loop is broken*
Vincent: I'm glad I could be of assistance.
Cloud: Who would've thought that would end the time loop.
Vincent: Yes. It appears all Sephiroth needed was paternal discipline.
Cloud, gasping: You mean....? You're...?
Vincent: Yes. I'm Sephiroth's parent—
Cloud: !!
Vincent: —tal figure since I was in love with his real mother and his father is Professor Hojo, a role I've assigned myself purely due to the fact that I see myself as his primary caregiver during trying times, which is how an adequate father should act.
Cloud:
Vincent: Not that I would know.
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dean-winchester-is-a-warrior · 3 months ago
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Things Learned and Unlearned Ch. 15
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Series Summary: Y/N has spent her life trying to outrun her mother's reputation. When she meets the rich and successful playboy, Dean Winchester, how quickly can he get her to stop running?
Pairings/Characters: Dean Winchester x Y/N, Sam Winchester, Jessica Winchester, Lucy Winchester (OC)
Warnings: Each chapter will have it's own warnings, but there will be smut, seduction, virgin!reader, playboy!dean, Edwardian era BS attitudes surrounding sex and women. (Technically it's set in 1900 and the Edwardian era started in 1901, but you get it.) Angst, Fluff, all the good stuff that regularly pops up in my series. 😁
Chapter Warnings: None. Just angst and fluff.
Word Count: 3,343
A/N: So, here it is - Chapter 15, and the end of this series. I've been so grateful for all the wonderful reblogs and encouraging comments this fic has received as it's gone along week by week. Your support is the reason why it's finally completed.
It began life as just a few chapters from an orphaned fic of mine over on ff.net and now it's a fully completed Dean fic that I'm very proud of. 😊 So thanks again, and I hope you enjoy the end of this story, and feel it was worth the investment of your time. ❀
Series Master List || Main Master List || Tag Lists
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Four weeks later. January 1901.
Dean sat down heavily behind his mahogany desk and picked up his morning mail before immediately throwing it back down in annoyance. 
It will just be invitations and invoices, Dean thought, who cares?
He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes and digging his fingers into them. He was hungover and had barely slept. He felt like he'd been hit with a brick building.
With a deep sigh, he opened the file in front of him and ran his hand over the top page. It was his copy of the deal that he’d finally signed a week ago.
Two weeks ago, George Taskett had called his secretary to arrange a meeting. When Dean showed up at the appointed time, George apologized profusely for what had happened at the theater.
“It’s taken me a little while to reach out to you because I wanted to be able to tell you that Byron Temple had been fired, and before I could do that, I needed to speak to the board about it first. But I can assure you now that he has been permanently removed from his position, and fired from our company. It seems that the board shared my concerns with his lack of moral character.”
George had told Dean that when they investigated a little bit, they’d discovered that the incident at The Manhattan hadn't been the first such incident for Temple. Dean was not surprised, and he was glad that the board of Northern Freight had been all too happy to show him the door.
So with Temple out of the picture, the deal had gone through as originally planned and all three companies were now set to make a lot of money. Winchester Shipping and Lumber was in the best shape it had ever been in.
But he still couldn't sleep at night.
As he tucked the file away, he heard a knock at the door and then Grant's voice when he opened it. Dean couldn't make out what he was saying to the visitor, but if it was anything other than, “come back another day”, Dean might have to fire him.
A minute later, however, Grant was in his doorway to announce his guest. But Dean didn't need the announcement, as he saw his baby brother's towering frame standing behind his butler.
Dean stood up with a frown, walking out from behind his desk as Grant left, and Sam entered his study. “What's wrong?” He asked without preamble.
Sam shook his head. “Nothing's wrong.”
Dean's scowl got deeper. “What do you mean ‘nothing’s wrong’? Then what are you doing here?”
Sam shrugged. “Just wanted to visit my brother.”
Dean crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back against his desk and fixing Sam with a look as he took a seat on one of the leather chairs across from Dean.
“You just wanted to visit?” Dean asked, his voice incredulous. “You thought you'd take a six hour train ride to just
drop in and say hi?”
“Sure.”
“Sam.”
“I just wanted to see how you're doing. See if you're alright.” Sam said innocently.
“Why wouldn't I be?”
Sam sighed. “Cause Y/N isn't.”
Dean's heart beat double time as he scowled again at his little brother. “Sam, honest to god
” He ran a hand through his hair. “This better not be the real reason you're here.”
“It is.” Sam said calmly.
“Well, then I'm sorry you wasted your money on a train ticket, along with six hours of your life.” He held up a finger. “No, twelve, actually, cause you're gonna leave now.”
Sam just continued to stare at him, annoying him profusely. Finally his little brother had the audacity to shake his head and scold him.
“Dean, why did you let her go? I saw you with her, saw you at Christmas. I know you love her.”
“Bullshit!” Dean barked at him, angrily. “You are imagining things, Sam, and I'm not interested in dredging up this same asinine conversation I already had with your wife.”
Sam nodded. “Yeah, she told me about it. Just made us even more sure that you were completely in love with Y/N. What we couldn't figure out is why you were so furious about the very idea of loving her.”
“Dammit Sam, drop this!” Dean shouted at him as he straightened up from the desk. 
Sam pointed at him. “Yeah, furious like that.” He shrugged. “But then
I think I figured it out “
"Oh, did you?" Dean asked with a death stare, feeling the panic start to rise up in him.
Sam's voice softened as he looked Dean in the eye. “You're afraid you'll end up like Dad.” 
Dean clenched his jaw and refused to respond.
But eventually Sam just shook his head. “You won't though.”
Fear and panic sat thick in Dean's throat, clogging his voice as he spoke. “You don't know that.”
Sam scoffed. “Yeah, I do.”
Silence reigned for a moment before Dean shuffled back and sat down behind his desk again. His head was pounding harder than ever.
He watched Sam for a while before he shook his head. “You don't remember him the way - I mean, obviously you couldn't remember him how he was. Before. But
” 
He scrubbed an exhausted hand down his face. “I remember. The way he was. I remember him laughing and smiling. The way he'd pick me up when he walked back in the door at the end of the day, ride me around on his shoulders
I remember all of it. And I remember when it was gone. He was like a completely different man. He might as well have died with her, cause he was gone and he never came back.”
Dean closed his eyes. “So, I swore to myself, I swore,” he emphasized, “that I would never do the same. I would NEVER love someone like that and then lose myself completely when they were gone.” 
He shook his head again and opened his eyes to pin Sam with another glare. “I just won't do it.”
Sam sat, quietly nodding for a moment before his brow wrinkled in thought. “Hmm
” He took a deep breath and spoke as he exhaled.
“Do you love me?”
Dean stared at him for a heartbeat before a red flush began climbing up his neck as he answered in a growl. “What are you talking about?”
But Sam just waved away his brother's words. “Nevermind, I already know you do. You love me a lot.”
Dean continued to glare at his annoying little brother, not sure what to even say to that.
“And I know you love Jess and Lucy too. Also a lot.”
“What is your point Sam?” He barked at him, although he thought he'd started to figure it out.
“I know this too, though.” Sam continued without answering him, “If anything ever happened to me or
Jess, or
” He didn't seem able to finish the horrible idea, and Dean felt his stomach churn and his chest ache at the mere thought. 
But Sam pushed on. “If something ever happened, you'd never abandon the ones left behind. You'd never leave us on our own.”
Dean bit his bottom lip, feeling his throat ache from his trapped feelings. 
“Oh yeah?” He asked doubtfully. “And how could you possibly be sure of that?” He smiled without humor. “I am my father's son, after all.”
Sam shrugged. “That may be, but you're also just Dean, my big brother. And he's the most selfless man I've ever known.”
Dean scoffed, but Sam continued over him. 
“You've never put yourself first. Not while you were raising me. Not when you went toe-to-toe with Dad for me, so I could go to law school. Not when you worked a second job outside the business, so that you could pay my whole tuition when Dad refused to pay for it with ‘company money’ as he called it.”
Dean couldn't look at Sam any longer, dipping his head to stare at the wood grain in his desk as his brother continued to heap undeserving praise on him.
“And ever since you took over the company, you've always put your employees first, you take care of them, you work twice as hard as you need to, and pay them a lot more than other companies do, to make sure they can live good, happy lives. I've seen your books, I know it's true.”
“So?” Dean cut into Sam's diatribe, rubbing his hand over the back of his neck. “Even if all of this praise was true, which it isn't, none of it proves that loving and losing someone wouldn't change all of that. Dad was a good man too, until he loved a woman and lost a woman.”
Sam tightened his jaw. “Maybe he was, but he was also a selfish bastard for abandoning us, for just going off to live alone with his grief and anger. You weren't even five years old, and you'd just lost your mother!” Sam huffed angrily. “He should have cared about that too. He should have cared about you, about us...not just the wife he lost.”
Dean's instinct was to defend their father, but he didn't. He'd begun to see that Sam was right; it had been pretty selfish.
“And I'm telling you,” Sam said with conviction, “if you and Y/N were lucky enough to be blessed with children, you would NEVER abandon them for any reason. Not ever. Because you. are not. our father.” 
Dean heard his little brother's words, and the freedom he found in them, surprised him. It felt like he could breathe deeply for the first time in a very long time. He felt a tear escape and he dashed it away quickly, turning his chair away from Sam and staring at the wall. 
After a moment of quiet, Sam spoke solemnly. "But none of this speculating about how you'd act IF you fell in love with Y/N really matters anyway. Because the plain and simple fact is, you're already in love with her.”
The words still made Dean's stomach clench, and he turned back to Sam and shook his head. “No, I refused, I wouldn't let myself love her.”
Sam rolled his eyes and breathed out harshly. “Damn! You really are a monumental idiot.”
Dean scowled at him, unimpressed with his opinion.
“Dean, you can't stop yourself from loving someone. You can't just control something like that.”
Dean felt the old, familiar panic start to rise in his chest. If he couldn't control it...if he really did love her already
then he'd already lost, and he'd never be free of her hold on him.
I don't wanna be free.
The intrusive thought leaked into his mind and he closed his eyes, trying desperately to deny it but-
“She's leaving.”
Dean's eyes popped open to stare at Sam. 
“What do you mean?” He asked quietly.
“She gave us her notice. She's leaving. Catching a train in a couple of days. That's why I came to shake some sense into you before it's too late. She's going west, says she wants to seek some adventure, but I know it's really because we're all just a constant reminder of you. She's been miserable this whole last month - trying very hard to hide it - but miserable.”
Dean felt a different kind of panic rising as he contemplated Y/N being on the other side of the country, living her life a million miles from his.
She'd get married to someone else - someone who didn't become paralyzed with fear at the thought of needing her in his life. He'd win her over, he'd make her smile, make her happy. He'd give her children; he'd be the damn compatible husband she'd always wanted, and give her the little cottage and respectable life she deserved. 
The exact life he'd told her to go and live just before he made love to her and then snuck out of the room before she woke, like a coward.
He looked at his little brother, desperate now for his help. “Shit. I walked away from her Sam. I left her a goddamn note cause I was too much of a coward to say goodbye to her face. Cause I knew if I spent another minute with her, I'd be so tempted to do anything she wanted, say anything she wanted, just to get her to stay. And I couldn't risk it.”
Sam gave him a scolding look and just shook his head.
Dean's voice was slightly forlorn. “What are the chances she forgives me for that?”
Sam shrugged. “Won't know till you try, coward.”
***
Y/N clutched the handle of her leather bag tightly, gripping it over and over, wearing it smooth from sheer worry. She recognized that traveling alone, to some remote California town she'd never been to was ludicrous and dangerous. But she just couldn't take it another day; she needed to get as far away as she could. 
Living with Sam and Jessica everyday, watching them in their happy, loving marriage, was simply more than she could handle. The fact that occasionally, when Sam smiled or frowned or laughed a certain way, a tiny piece of his big brother would appear on his face, well, that was just the knife in her heart that made leaving quickly a necessity.
So, here she was, on a bench on the train platform, waiting for a train to roll in and carry her away from endless reminders of Dean. But even just sitting on the bench reminded her that she'd first met him while she was sitting on a bench - on that cool day last fall, when he'd burned his way into her life, into her heart and then into her bed. Unfortunately, he'd also burrowed his way into her soul, and she knew he'd never leave.
Even now she imagined that she heard him calling her name over the screaming whistle of the steam engine that was pulling up beside her; it was the train that would take her away from everything she wanted to leave behind. Though she knew she'd never manage it completely.
Y/N frowned slightly as she looked up; she thought she heard his voice again. Was she truly going mad?
But then she saw him, running through the steam on the platform, coming towards her. She jumped up, completely confused, but somehow feeling like she needed to be on her feet.
“Dean?” She asked as he reached her. “Why are you
? What-”
Dean interrupted her. “Don't get on that train. Don't go. I have a proposition for you instead.”
Y/N felt her heart plummet. “Dean-”
“Marry me.”
Her words died in her throat and she just stared at him, her eyes bulging as she tried to work out what was going on.
“Oh,” she said almost sadly, “I've actually gone completely mad now.”
But Dean was shaking his head. “No, sweetheart, I was the crazy one. I was the one who thought I could simply wish away, or will away loving you, but I should have known it was never gonna work.”
Y/N returned to being simply speechless, eyes wide and staring once again, as Dean continued, his voice sincere and ardent.
“Sweetheart, I'm so sorry I didn't stick around to say goodbye. Hell, I'm sorry I even tried to say goodbye in the first place. I'm sorry I was too much of a coward to let myself love you, or admit to it anyway. Seems like I didn't really have much say in the matter. Apparently trying desperately to not love someone, doesn't actually stop you from loving them. Who knew?" He said with a lopsided smile and a shrug.
Still smiling, he took another step towards her and his voice was strong and sure. "But I'm mostly sorry that I didn't wrap my arms around you the very first time I saw you, and absolutely refuse to let you go.”
“That's actually kidnapping!”
Y/N whipped around to see Sam and Jessica standing behind her on the platform with Lucy between them. Jessica slapped Sam's arm for his sarcastic comment. 
“Shush. He's trying.” She waved at Dean and called to him. “You're doing great, champ! Keep going!” 
“Give her the ring, Uncle Dean. Ladies like rings!” Lucy shouted.
Y/N started crying and laughing in the same breath, and nearly choked. But as Dean nodded at his niece and got down on one knee, tears won out and she started crying noisily.
He gazed up at her with a soft smile and slightly glassy eyes. “I wasn't planning to do this with an audience, and I have a lot to explain to you, I know, about why I was such an idiot and how stupid I was to be afraid of loving you.”
“Quit reminding her she'll be marrying a moron!” Sam called out again, and Y/N heard Jessica smack him again. But she couldn't take her eyes off of the massive ring that sat in the velvet box Dean opened and presented to her.
It was a Tiffany's box, she noticed, and inside was a beautiful diamond ring, with a small round emerald in the very center.
“I love you so much, Y/N, and I know I don't deserve you, but please say yes anyway.”
“Yes!” She shouted, taking the box from him and then throwing her arms around his neck, letting him stand up and twirl her around, laughing with him through her tears.
Everyone on the platform clapped happily, as Dean kissed her. 
Sam covered Lucy's eyes but she pushed his hand away, clapping loudly at the little fairytale that had played out for her.
As Dean pulled back, he slipped the ring onto her finger and ran his thumb over her knuckles, before raising her hand to his mouth and kissing the back of it, just like he did the very first day they'd met. It still had the power to make her stomach flutter.
“Do you like it?” He asked, touching the emerald in the center of her ring.
Remembering her prediction that emeralds would always make her cry, brought on even more of those predictable tears. She was happy beyond measure that she'd been both right and wrong about that.
“Yes, I love it.” She said as she kissed him sweetly and then gazed into his bright green eyes. “And I love you, Dean. So much.”
“Thank God. Just...just don't stop. Please?”
Y/N nodded. "Promise." She whispered.
Dean sighed against her lips before claiming them once again.
***
The St. Louis World's Fair. Spring 1904. 
“Lucy Winchester! You've had more than enough of that spun sugar now, come back over here and hold your brother's hand.”
Jessica ran after her six year old with her two year old in tow, until Sam grabbed him up and settled him against his chest. With her hands now free, Jessica grabbed a protesting Lucy away from the cotton candy cart.
Y/N laughed at her former student's frustrated little face and decided to try and help her sister-in-law out. “Luce come here; your cousin needs your help.”
Jessica let go of Lucy's hand so she could run back to her aunt and uncle. Y/N and Dean walked behind them a little ways, with their one year old, Melody, toddling somewhat unsteadily between them.
Y/N let Lucy take Melody's hand. “She loves walking with you and you're so good at showing her just how a real lady walks.”
Lucy beamed proudly as she immediately slowed her pace to allow Melody to keep up, and then walked very sedately to help her little cousin learn how to be a lady.
Jessica smiled brightly over her shoulder and mouthed, thank you to Y/N who laughed lightly. Dean reached over and took her hand now that it was free, swinging it gently back and forth.
Suddenly Y/N remembered Christmas day three years ago and how she'd imagined going to the World's Fair, and walking hand in hand just like this.
There were no cherry trees beside them and the crowds were fairly thick on the pathways around the fair, which meant they were jostled around a bit more than she'd imagined in her idyllic fantasy.
But the feelings she'd imagined back then were exactly the same. Family. Love. Belonging. She stepped closer to Dean and rested her head on his shoulder, squeezing his hand tighter.
He kissed the crown of her head and then whispered to her. “Happy, sweetheart?”
She looked up at him and gave him a mischievous smile. “Happier if you'd kiss me.” 
He pretended to be scandalized. “Mrs. Winchester? In public? In full view of the children?”
Y/N laughed happily, making her in laws look back at them and smile.
Dean leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. “That's all my strict moral fiber will allow for.” He said in pretentious tones.
Y/N pouted at him playfully and he dipped his head to whisper against the shell of her ear, making her shiver.
“But Mel is sleeping in her cousins’ room with the nanny tonight. So later, in the privacy of our hotel room, I plan on kissing every writhing, shaking inch of your body until you -”
“Auntie!” Y/N was yanked back to reality as Lucy called to her, excitedly. “Melody said my name!”
Trying to ignore the raging fire her husband had kindled within her, Y/N smiled down at Lucy. 
“Well, I'm not surprised. She loves her big cousin.”
Lucy smiled widely before she dropped Melody's hand to run up and tell her parents her good news. Melody started to fuss over her cousin leaving, until Dean scooped her up to sit on his shoulders; then she squealed happily, thrilled to be up so high.
Y/N just watched Dean for a moment, her eyes watering slightly as she thought about how heartbroken she'd been on that Christmas day so long ago, when she'd believed this life was forever beyond her reach.
Dean looked down at her and she picked up his hand again, pressing close to him.
“I love you, you know.”
His beautiful green eyes were warm and overflowing with happiness as he bent his head slightly, holding Melody tightly so she didn't slip, and kissed Y/N senseless. Despite his earlier moral protestations, his kiss was slow and deep and it stole all the air from her lungs.
He pulled back from her and the look of love in his eyes stole her breath all over again as he answered.
"I love you too, sweetheart." He kissed her forehead and spoke softly, for her ears only. "Thanks for teaching me how."
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Jensen RPF and Any/All Characters:
@lyarr24
@lacilou
@deans-spinster-witch
@globetrotter28
@alwaystiredandconfused
@suckitands33
*
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Dean Fics Only:
@kr804573
*
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@safiyas-world
Any/All Fics Regardless of Character or Fandom:
@aylacavebear
*
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Everything Incl. Fan Edits:
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*
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@fanfic-n-tabulous
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lightlycareless · 1 month ago
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Hi! As a Naoya fan, I really appreciate what you do for us and girl, I just love your works <33
So, Eh, I don't know how to say this... Can you write a fic about him where he has been married to a woman chosen for him by his clan but after so many years, he can't forget y/n? I mean, it's so cliché Ik, but I just can't get it out of my mind. It's like he really loved her and would've even eloped with her but at the end, it was y/n who asked him to go back to his clan since she knew that it was Naoya's fate to be the clan head. So, eventually y/n leaves and Naoya marries his wife and he gets to be the head of Zenin clan and later on, he kinds wishes his wife would give birth to a daughter so he could name her after y/n. Or maybe she does and while everyone expects him to torment the poor wife, he would silently pick up the baby and hug his daughter as if he wishes she was her baby?
so yeah, that's it, thank you anyway.
Hello!!!!!!!!
Omg thank you so much I'm soooo glad you like my work đŸ„č❀
HNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGH this ask has been on my mind since it first popped up jfc you know how to torture me.
I have been working on a small fic too with a similar topic, it's not going to be that long as my other work but I think you'll find it enjoyable too hehe. ... if I ever get back to it. heheheh.
ajkghasjgha anyways, let's get right into it.
warnings: angst. mentions/implications of death and unaliving someone :s. naoya is really cruel when referring to his unborn child.
Happy reading!
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“If we ever have a daughter, I would like her to be named Naomi”
Is the first thought that crosses Naoya’s mind upon learning that his wife is expecting a daughter.
But beyond that, there is no excitement. No glee in his eye upon learning he’s to become a father in just a matter of months, his seed finally taking root after many dutiful attempts.
“Why?”
“Because it’s a cute name. And I always thought it was adorable how your family named the children after their parents. You are no exception, Naoya.”
He should be happy, right? Glad that his efforts ultimately paid off.
“That’s not too cheesy, is it?”
“
I think I’ll be happy just to have a family with you, regardless of what the baby is named.”
That he was to have the cherished family he always dreamt of having with the love of his life, after so many years of solitude

Except he wasn’t.
Because his wife, the one carrying his child, wasn’t you.






Ever since he lost you, for a lack of better words, nothing has been the same.
“A daughter
 of all the possibilities. Let’s just hope she’s strong.” His father would say, disappointed by the announcement. Naoya remains quiet, uninterested to respond but still deep in thought.
“Do you think they’ll look like you?”
“I hope not.”
“Gee, why not? I know I haven’t seen pictures of you as a baby, but I’m sure you were a cute one!”
Because I want them to look like you.
The sole purpose of his futile life was gone. And with it, any semblance of concern. Care for all that happened around him, or anyone for that matter.
Including his supposed partner, the woman the Zen’in assigned him to marry and continue their legacy. Even when she stood before him, seeking comfort, or at least encouragement after seeing the doctor, to Naoya
 she was simply not there.
“Naoya-sama.” She’d call to him once in the privacy of their room, right after the doctor had left. The woman named Taeko, had always been
 loyal, meek, submissive. Never one to retort or do anything that wasn’t to please him.
Yet, as much as she had fooled his family, Naoya was still able to see right through her.
Taeko didn’t care about him; no, not at all. The only thing she truly she cared about was the heir. The money that came along with his title, the financial security this meant for her

More so now that she was pregnant; dictating that even when divorced, she would never have to work a day in her life.
Perhaps if he hadn’t discovered what love was, then maybe he would’ve struggled to discover her true intentions. Unfortunately for them, he had met you, with whom he learned what it was to be happy for once in his life
 a teaching that will forever live on within him, naturally making this marriage almost impossible to coexist with.
As well as painful, remembering that this is all he had left of you, besides memories.
Naoya keeps quiet even when his wife calls for him yet again, not bothering to lift his gaze from whatever it was that took his attention, nor requesting her to proceed.
She takes his silence as her cue to continue.
“I know having a daughter wasn’t in the plans, but
” Taeko said, stepping closer to him. Just a few inches away from touching him
 “I am still excited to welcome this new stage in our life.”
Of course she is. Her future is firmly set, regardless of his family’s ideals and the baby’s gender.
“I was actually thinking of naming the child after you, to follow your clan’s tradi—”
“You will not do such thing.” Naoya scowls, swiftly turning around and pushing her away, the burning look of his enraged eyes reveals she’s reopened a painful wound she’ll perhaps never comprehend.
Nor care to do so, believing instead that his anger came from her supposed failure to bring a male heir onto the Zen’in clan; and not because of the privilege—no, the right she’s stripping away from you.
Because you are the only one that deserved to be the mother of his children, the one to name them, love them, raise them

Not this poor excuse of a leech.
“I heard you were having a child
 congratulations, Naoya.” Ranta begins, partially unsure on how to approach the future father, or to do so at all
 eventually settling to go through with it anyway. An announcement like this must make anyone happy, right? “Although I never expected your first child to be a girl! I mean
 I always thought you’d have a bo—”
“This isn’t what I want, and you know that.” Naoya coldly cuts through Ranta’s words, making him flinch. “So, spare me the theatrics.”
Ranta swallows, he is amongst the few, if not the only, who knows the truth, the depths of his relationship with you:
Or your supposed fate.
And how angry he got when he knew the truth
 or what he suspected, anyways.
Your disappearance wasn’t a simple coincidence, a misfortune of fate.
It was a necessity for the Zen’in’s plans; you quickly became nothing less than a hindrance once Naoya announced his intentions of marrying you.
They couldn’t permit a woman of your background to become Lady of the House. An unruly, opinionated girl that went against every single one of their beliefs. Nor could they allow you to free Naoya from their grasp.
And so, they did what was necessary. Get rid of their obstacle, call it a simple disappearance, cold feet as others assured, and let everything fall back into place.
Leaving Naoya behind with his cruel family, yet again.
But they’d never admit it. They would just say that your family decided to search for better opportunities elsewhere, you tagging along.
Yet, the body of an unidentified woman found in the middle of a forest near your home would indicate—
“—What are you going to do?” Ranta asks.
“There’s nothing for me to do.” Naoya frowns. “The only person I ever loved, the one person I should’ve never let go
 is gone, and now, I’m stuck in this nightmare, alongside a woman that wants nothing from me but my money. Just like everyone always is.”
Ranta wishes to deny his accusations, but he couldn’t bring himself to lie to his grieving friend. It would insult him, and you.
“
But
”
“But what?” Naoya retorted.
“
Well, you should at least
 consider the baby. They—they shouldn’t be held accountable for what their mother has—”
“Don’t even dare call that thing my child.” He coldly declares. “It may have my name, but that thing is not mine. What assurance do I have that it is? She could’ve easily bedded anyone to get the job done!”
“Naoya! You— you shouldn’t say that!”
“Can you prove the contrary?”
“No—but it’s not right to make these assumptions either!”
“Then what do you suggest, dear friend of mine?”
“I
 I think you—"
Have to let her go.
It becomes clear to Ranta how gravely he had underestimated the wound your absence had inflicted on Naoya’s heart—but perhaps he never wanted to admit such thing, for it would only remind his friend of what he once had and now lost forever.
But no matter how much he wished to act the fool, there was no hiding his heightened destructive tendencies, his aggravating isolation, which he already did with people he didn’t like, rising tensions between members alike, forcing them to steer clear of Naoya if they wished to live another day; or pester his father about the misbehavior of his son, forcing him to burden his wife with duties of cheering him up, or something if she wished to stay at the estate—
All for naught, for she had effectively ceased to exist the moment she announced her pregnancy. For the following 9 months, Naoya wouldn’t look her in the eye, even when sleeping in the same bed. Not that there were many opportunities to do so, for he eventually confined himself to whatever other room was available, officially dictating their marriage as unsalvageable.
Some took it as a reflection of his disappointment, a rightful reaction to have towards a female successor.
But Ranta knew better. Those close to him knew the truth.
He was openly reproaching his wife for having taken your place.
So naturally, he wasn’t there when Taeko went into labor. He wasn’t attentive to her calls, desperate pleads of companionship and support—he simply walked past her cries as she gave birth to his child and headed straight into the training grounds, just what he had exuberantly done these past few months to distract himself.
Yet, as much as he wished to run away from his reality, he wouldn’t be able to escape his duties, forced by relatives alike to go and meet the mother of his daughter to officially recognize her. Regardless of the brewing animosity between the two, if there were no other suitable candidates, this baby was still to be the future of the Zen’in, and thus, necessary to name.
Naoya doesn’t bother to wonder on who’d the child would look like the most, still, he knows he’ll hate it even more if she ends up a carbon copy of her mother—would it even matter if she took more after him instead?
Nonetheless, curiosity manages to get the best of him when entering the room where his wife and child awaited, walking past the midwives and straight to his so-called partner, leaning close to the small bundle wrapped in a white blanket, making up his mind in effectively cutting her out of his life if she ends up looking like Taeko.
But when he begins to get a glimpse of her small face

The most unexpected happens.
As if the child knew her father was near, she slowly opens her eyes, revealing a golden gaze that reinstates her relationship to him—followed by a small patch of his black hair on top of her head, the shape of his eyes

But most importantly, the words you once confided to him during the intimacy of the night.
“I want them to have your eyes. Your nose. Your hair. Your smile. I want the world to see all the things I love from you through our children.”
As well as your burning desire to have children that looked just like him, even when he hoped otherwise.
He doesn’t know what it was. Certainly not the excitement of having a life permanently intertwined with a woman he didn’t love; but something about your memory, how much you desired this moment, the innocence that engulfed such child, one that he only thought possible through you, his features shown through her, and how vulnerable she felt once in his arms

Naoya found it unnecessary to wonder what kind of reaction you would have, still, he liked to imagine the brightness in your face, the love in your eyes, the grin on your lips: to be overjoyed to finally have a family with him, eagerly waiting to live out the future that waited for the three.
If this is the way you’d continue to live on, then he’d honor such memory; one last insult to the family that had continuously hurt him over and over again, through merits they would never wipe away, no matter how much they’d try—
“The name, for the child.” The midwife asks, moving closer to Naoya.
Under his own conditions.
“Y/N— Y/N Zen’in.” Naoya declares, softly looking down onto the child. “That will be her name.”
“Wh—What!?” The mother gasps, quickly understanding the implications behind his selection, followed by a futile attempt to make him reconsider, stop him from removing her existence!
But he had long erased her from his consideration, declaring that she was to have no relationship with the child, opting to raise her himself, his sole successor; Taeko would have whatever she needed to live a comfortable life, but that was it.
Naoya would give his daughter all that she needed to strive as a sorcerer, or whatever else she’d decide to pursue.
He’d swore to love her and raise her, protect her from the cruelties of this world, do all in his power to make her happy
 but most importantly:
Treat her as if she had been yours.
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Essentially, dunno if I managed to convey that, yes; you were killed. an act that scared your family away and left Naoya without knowing what ever happened.
Also, I'm debating whether to write a small epilogue hehe. I have written a bit extra after this but decided to cut it out.
AND OF COURSE the name... originally I was going to name his wife Kayako but I've decided to take advantage of the animosity we feel against the name Taeko and there you have it :))) 🖕 bye Taeko.
Ngl this was sad for me to write; I always hated/enjoyed the topic of Naoya marrying off someone else because of reasons, though it was clear he always longed for you and viceversa. Or not. I just like angst 😭 and fortunately, this isn't the last time we're going to see something like this :) I do have something I'm working on, I just gotta connect the dots. I intend it to be quite short anyways.
Anyhow, thank you so much for sending in this ask!!! 😭 it was such a treat to torture myself with.
Take care, and hope to see you soon!!! ❀❀
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fandomrose · 10 months ago
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Furina post 4.2 reverse comfort.
Hi again. A Furina post 4.2 reverse comfort. I've been working on this for a depressingly long time.
There is implied spoilers but not many. This is also friends to probably, eventually lovers. Starting with the friends in this fic.
This is alot more angsty than the Neuvillette one. It does have descriptions of injury and disassociation. I drew on my own experiences with my own disassociation and helping others through theirs.
I really wanted to do one for Furina because I wish to hug the poor woman. She's been through too much.
I hope you enjoy 💙
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You clutched bags filled with cooking ingredients. Ever since learning that your 'former' Lady Furina was living off of macaroni from a certain blonde haired traveller and 'talkative' flying pixie. You decided to pay her a visit, said flying pixie freely telling you where she lived.
Nerves coursed through you. It had been a few weeks since you had seen Furina. Since the prophecy had 'not' come to fruition your services as a private investigator for 'solutions for the prophecy' was no longer needed. And when Furina stepped down from her position as Hydro Archon you stopped seeing her. 
'Diva archon' is what people called her but you knew her better than that. You can't have claimed to be close but, you had seen glimpses of the hidden care and love she had for the nation she governed. True god or not you saw glimpses of all she sacrificed over your few years working under her. You had grown fond of her and the trail she was put through almost broke your heart. 
You steeled your nerves before knocking on Furinas door at just past midday. There was silence before you heard rustling, the unlocking of the door and it opened giving you the first look at Furina in 3 weeks. 
She had slight bags under her eyes, she looked thinner and her smile was not as bright as it used to be.
"Why hello, it's certainly been a while since I've seen you,-" she started off attempting the same theatrical countenance she had before but it quickly faded. "Why have you come here and how did you find out where I live?" 
The thought of her finding it worrying that you knew where she lived didn't cross your mind. "The travellers companion may have let it slip my lady." 
She sighed, "Please don't call me that any more just 'Furina' is fine." Her voice now sounded tired, a slight rasp of exhaustion present.
"Alright my- Furina... um," there was an awkward air between you two, one that you were determined to dismiss. "I was wondering if you would like to spend the afternoon in familiar company... I brought food if you'd like to have dinner."
Furinas eyes narrowed slightly. "Did Paimon also tell you that I was living off of macaroni."
You had somehow forgotten how sharp Furina was. "Yes.. but, but I didn't just bring food, I thought I'd teach you to make more dishes other than macaroni. Still quick, easy and involving pasta but different. Also baking bread. I thought it would go well with what we are making...." You felt yourself ramble, trying to convince Furina to give you a chance.
She looked like she was fighting with herself for a moment. You hold your breath waiting for a response. "Okay.. that sounds nice actually." 
You sigh with relief "Alright lead the way my- um- Furina." You watched as she flushed a slight pink before leading you inside. Her home was modestly furnished but well coordinated and clearly to her aesthetic taste. She led you through the short hallway and into her kitchen. It was up to Fontaine’s modern standard with an oven and hobs, a sink and a new cooling machine that was recently invented by the Fontaine research institute for the storage of Fonta, but had been later discovered to increase the shelf life of many different foods. They were currently very expensive however. You wondered how she was able to afford it with no job. Her shelves were almost bare however, it made you glad you came with ingredients and a few extra essentials. 
"Here you can put the food on the counter." Furinas gestured to the counter close to the oven. "What are we making?" 
You nod and pull the ingredients out. "I thought a cottage pie and some garlic flat bread would be a good start. I also brought the ingredients to make some simple crěpes for dessert." 
"Great ... I don't know how to make any of that, are you sure you want to bother teaching me?" 
"Of course Furina, why would I bring all this if not to teach you." 
"I guess you're right, so what are we starting with?" Her voice was hesitant, you begin to wonder if she was really up to this. What if you were pushing her too hard?
"Ah I thought we'd start by preparing the bread.."
You show her the steps of baking bread. She follows your instructions diligently, her smile broadening and confidence returning with every step she gets right. "This isn't as bad as I thought it'd be. Then again of course I could learn anything I put my mind to."
Seeing her smile again was all you wanted out of today. If you were being truthful with yourself. 
"Now we let the dough rest for about 45 minutes.. in the meantime let's prepare the potatoes for the mash that'll go on top of the shepherd's pie."
You teach her how to peel a potato with a paring knife. Or rather you try to. As she pulled back the knife her hand slipped on the potato and she nicked her palm with the knife, a long thin line of blood appearing on her palm. You were focused on your own potato when you heard her yelp in pain. You immediately drop the knife and potato you were peeling and rush to her side assessing the damage.
"Furina! What happened?" You gently grab her hand looking at the wound. "Where is your first aid kit?" She didn't speak, only pointed to a cupboard on the other side of the room, her eyes glued to her wound, pearls of tears collecting in the outer corners of her eyes and all you want to do is draw her into your arms. 
But first the wound, you gather the first aid kit and sit Furina down at the table in the kitchen and quietly bandage her hand. The cut wasn't deep, which was good, but she barely flinches as you clean the wound, which was a point of concern. You sense she's not up for criticism or questions so you keep things to yourself while you finish bandaging her hand. 
I take a deep breath and try to talk to her again now that the wound is dealt with. "Furina? Are you up for continuing or would you like me to take over?" She didn't respond immediately seemingly not even hearing you, you are about to attempt to get her attention again when-
"No. You- you take over." She sounded exhausted again, and almost defeated. Worry crawls through your stomach all the way up into you throat but you hold back for now. Not quite sure how to deal with this Furina.
"Alright." Is all you can say, softly as not to startle her. As you continue prepping the meal peeling the potatoes, boiling them in milk for extra creaminess and seasoning with salt and pepper. You start up another hob and cook the meat, frying off the fat before adding, flour, worcestershire sauce, a splash of red wine, tomato paste, chopped bell peppers and onions. While the mixture reduces you prepare the dough Furina made earlier, spreading a mixture of garlic butter rosemary and thyme over the dough and place it in the oven. 
You catch Furina glancing at you while you work. You turn off the heat on the meat and take some of it from the pan in a small spoon and carefully carry it over to her. "Would you like to taste test Furina?" She looked up at you in surprise before nodding slowly. You offer the spoon to her and she leans forward and closes her mouth around it without taking it out of your hands. 
A moment of silence, while you might usually feel flustered at this kind of action. But with Furina seemingly still out of it, not registering what she'd done, it was just concerning. You take the spoon away and turn around.
"Is it good?"
A tired "Yea" is the only response you get. It'll do for now. You finish off the cottage pie by arranging it in a dish putting the meat and veg mixture, then the creamy mash before sprinkling a generous helping of parmesan cheese over the top of the mash and putting in the oven for 20 mins. The bread is almost ready to take out and could make a good starter. 
You set a time and sit by Furina, slightly awkwardly, not knowing what to say. You'd been so focused on your tasks you hadn't realised how strange it felt to be around Furina in a casual setting and especially not when something seemed to be bothering her so greatly.
"Furina.. How's your hand?"
"It's fine, doesn't hurt much anymore."
Your concern was beginning to reach a peak. She couldn't look at you for some reason. And her voice was so weak it was barely there but you don't know what to do without crossing an unspoken boundary or making things worse. 
The bread timer goes off. You rise from your seat to take it out, putting it on a rack to let it cool for a few minutes. 
You look over at Furina, her form slumped and defeated looking, her eyebags somehow more prominent than when you started. You didn't understand what could have made her this way. Overall yes, you were there at her trial after all, at the end of it you were just happy she wasn't actually executed. But what happened today? Was it the injury? But why would that cause a near catatonic dissociation? 
You didn't want to push, instead you just cut up the bread and offered her a piece, on a small plate, in the hopes that some form of stimulation would reawaken her. She slowly picks at the bread, putting small pieces in her mouth. 
The second timer goes off. The cottage pie is ready, so you remove from the oven, find two large plates and serve the food.
She looks up at the food and picks up the fork, slowly digging in to the cottage pie. You watch with interest hoping maybe food would perk her up at least a little. And perk up she does. Finally a smile graces her face, small but there.
"This is lovely, thank you. Truly a meal worthy of the great Furina De Fontaine." She made an attempt at her energetic performance but was still tired it seemed. 
You smile at her in what you hope is a pleasant and reassuring manner. "Well my lady I am glad it's worthy of your greatness."
She laughed that same haughty laugh you'd grown to enjoy hearing even if it was a little strained with exhaustion.
"Would my lady enjoy some crĂȘpes to cleanse her palette of savoury tastes?"
"Yes, a batch of crĂȘpes sounds wonderful my humble chef." 
You stand and bow hoping this play was helping her recover from whatever state she was in. Turning to make a small batch of crěpes you don't notice the way she slumps in her seat.
You dust the crĂȘpes in powdered sugar, lemon juice and fill them with cream and chopped fruit. A plate of two crěpes is placed in front of Furina with a smile. Your smile fades seeing her downtrodden look again. 
"La- Furina? Is everything okay?"
"It should be... but it's not" was her response. You watch as tears slip down her cheeks. She tries to quickly wipe them away. "Ahhahaha.. how silly, I don't know why.. an overflow of hydro yes it must be."
You walk round the table and stand by her. "Furina, you can tell me what's wrong. You- you don't have to hide anymore." 
It seems that small push was all it takes for her to allow herself to break. She turns and practically falls into your arms and sobs. "It was going so well. But then I messed up again. I really am useless" She cried into your arms, her sentences broken up by bouts of heartbreaking sobs.
Saying anything felt like a bad idea for now so you remove her hat and simply stroke her head while she cries into your chest. You don't know how long it takes but you patiently wait for her tears to dry and her sobbing to subside. Grabbing a soft handkerchief you lift her face and dab at her cheeks. You watch her eyes widen as if she realised she was actually crying into a living person rather than a plushie. 
"I- I-" 
"Furina, it's okay.. you aren't useless and you are still learning right. You have no idea how many cuts and burns on my arms and hands I have scars for just from cooking. Hahaha. It happens my lady. But if I may be so bold, it's not about the accident is it?"
You pause before speaking again, not wanting her to have any excuses you make sure to beat her to the punch.
"Have you mourned yet? Your status as an archon? Your position in Fontaines elite? Your friendship with Monsieur Neuvillette? Anything else I am not privy to."
It wasn't the most elegant way to put it. Some might call it cruel but she needed to confront this in order to move on.
You begin to regret your decision when you see Furina hang her head and cry again, much more subdued this time. You open your mouth to apologise but-
"You're right... I've been ignoring it all instead of dealing with it. I thought I could just move on, and 'improve myself' and everything would be okay."
She spoke so harshly of her own thoughts. You shake your head and sigh.
"Don't be mean to yourself Furina. Your only mistake was isolating yourself, but if I may be so bold, again, I'm here. And I want to help you, I've always liked spending time with you so I'd be more than happy to be your friend."
She began to sob again. "You want to be my friend? You'll stay by my side even when I'm like this.." 
"Yes Furina, that is what I want. As long as you want it to." You open your arms letting her hug you again. She was crying, but at least her tears were happy this time.
This was probably the start of something wonderful.
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taesnix · 3 months ago
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hear me out: Connor and Mitchell but have their first proper interaction be going on a quest (3rd quester is Lou Ellen because I need more Lou Ellen + Hermes kids shenanigans content) to retrieve a special conch shell that requires the cunning and craftiness of a Hermes and Hecate kid and a connection to the sea that only an Aphrodite kid has. Percy offers them a few pointers on sailing but after that, they're on their own.
not sure what exactly the quest would entail but at one point they stop by a port town and Connor steals a bunch of pearls from an extractor. Mitchell reasonably panics a bit when he finds out because oh gods barely a day in and he already has to charmspeak someone into forgiving and forgetting them but Lou Ellen discovers that the extractor was doing detrimental damage to the sea life, so not being able to profit off of the pearls and harming the business is actually perfectly alright in her books.
Connor: perfectly alright, you say?
Lou Ellen: yeah, why allow some assholes to make money off of animal abuse?
Mitchell, seeing the glint in both of their eyes get brighter: ... sigh. Fine, I guess we can fit ruining their operation in today's itinerary.
They go haywire. Lou Ellen works the mist to give them more cover than usual, allowing Connor to have his fun completely messing with the extractors by setting up (relatively) harmless traps and stealing a little more with each passing second, while Mitchell distracts and deflects any concerns the extractors have
One of the extractors: oh, uh, yes! I can definitely show you where we keep the metal pliers, it's somewhere in the back. Let me just—wait, where the hell are my keys?
Mitchell, leaning in heavy with charmspeak: I think you left them near the back door, right? We can just go there now.
Exactor guy: ... yeah, of course. I always do that, easy access you know? Follow me.
And when they reach the door, Lou Ellen knocks him out and Connor unlocks it, a silver set of keys appearing in his hand seemingly out of nowhere. He winks when he catches Mitchell staring.
The rest of the quest follows pretty much the same: with one of them getting sidetracked and the others jumping in to "have a little fun", as Connor likes to put it. They eventually find the conch shell and return to camp, a little wounded but a whole lot closer.
As soon as Connor is let out of the infirmary, he dashes to the Hephaestas cabin. Mitchell is curious, but no one seems to know anything. Lou Ellen just cackles like a madman when she hears. "Ha, he was so antsy for most of the quest. Glad he's able to do something about it now."
Mitchell has no idea what on earth she's talking about, which takes him more off guard than he'd ever thought it would. Because he really believed that him and Connor had become close friends after everything they'd gone through. And surely, he would’ve known if Connor had something else going on. But apparently not. And Lou Ellen did.
And so what if it makes something burn in his chest? To know that Connor is keeping something from him when he thought they'd passed that hurdle long ago. To have that one conversation under the stars, afloat at sea, just drifting calmly and releasing their worries to the wind, that meant so much to him, not hold that same weight?
So what if he had feelings for Connor?
Mitchell doesn't sulk, because an Aphrodite kid will always retain most of their pride in the face of rejection, dammit. Connor seems to be—not avoiding him, but a little distant than he'd grown familiar with, and it hurts a bit. He can admit that.
It isn't until a few days later that there's a tentative tap on his shoulder after lunch and Mitchell turns around to see none other than Connor Stoll with a face so red, Mitchell is genuinely concerned he's going to pass out.
Mitchell: Connor? Are you okay? You look like you're going to explode or something.
Connor, fiddling with something in his pocket: ah ha ha, um, well. I have—something. For you.
Mitchell, completely taken aback: what? For me?
Connor: yeah, I— uh, I had to ask Nyssa for some help and then I had to go steal—I mean, borrow another one of yours because I wasn't sure how many to use and Nyssa wouldn't stop teasing me even though it had to fit perfectly—but t-the point is! This is for you.
And carefully, he pulls his hand out from his pocket and opens it. Laying gently in the center of his palm is a pearl bracelet. It's beautiful.
Mitchell: wait, are those...?
Connor, fingers tapping restlessly and somehow blushing harder than before: the pearls I stole on the first day? Yeah. I saw them on that boat when we were pulling up to the harbour and I just—
He pauses to let out a low, quiet breath, as though steeling himself.
Connor: I noticed your weren't wearing your favourite bracelet when we left for the quest and Lou Ellen told me that it took some damage from the lava wall the other day and you were heartbroken about it— so, I figured... well, you deserve something as beautiful as you.
And Mitchell is just speechless. His heart is pounding so loud and he melts on the spot because it's the sweetest thing he's ever heard and Connor is the sweetest person ever and gods, it was all for him?
Both of their hands are shaking as Connor helps Mitchell with the bracelet's clasp. And of course, it fits perfectly. Snug but not tight, a comfortable weight like it had been there all along.
Connor begins to pull away but Mitchell grabs his hand properly before he can. With hesitant maneuvering, Mitchell interlocks their fingers. The pearl bracelet subtlety reflects the light from the sun, making it look like it's glowing between them. Mitchell softly gazes at Connor, who tentatively matches his smile.
Mitchell: I love it, I really do. Thank you so much, Connor.
Connor: I'm, I'm really glad you do.
Mitchell: I want to take you somewhere. Follow me?
Connor: of course, anywhere.
So Mitchell leads Connor to his favourite spot near the strawberry fields, where there's enough shade under the sturdy tree but still bright and alive with the sun. Somewhere where they can once more lie down and hear the distant waves, free to drift off calmly and release their feelings and dreams, not just worries, to the winds, side by side.
They run into Lou Ellen on their way there. She takes one look at their intertwined hands, the new bracelet around Mitchell's wrist, and she lets out a triumphant whoop!
Lou Ellen: oh let's GO!!! Connor Stoll, bless your little heart, Cecil owes me 10 drachmas now!
Mitchell: huh, so I'm guessing you knew about this?
Lou Ellen: Mitchell, sweetheart. Every time you looked away, he had the worst case of lovesick puppy eyes I've ever seen. I thought it was bad at camp but this guy was clearly holding back. And I had to put up with Solangelo getting their shit together first-hand.
Connor: wh— I— wait. Did Cecil bet against me? Also...Solangelo?
Lou Ellen: Will and Nico, their last names. And Cecil didn't think you'd ever get the guts to properly talk to Mitchell after the quest, never mind enough to give him the bracelet. I, on the other hand, am familiar with what the sheer powers of long time pining can do. Also, having to stare into each other's eyes for like, 5 minutes while holding the conch shell pretty much sealed the deal.
Connor and Mitchell, now BOTH bright red:
Lou Ellen, snapping her fingers with a wild grin: hang on! Connor, Mitchell, conch shell... holy shit maybe this was fate.
And that, folks, is how Conchell came to be.
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legacyshenanigans · 1 year ago
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A part 3 to this
(I mean I didn't expect to make this a little thing but you guys seem to want it 🙂 So I don't mind carrying on this little AU story I've got going on)
Sebastian out of Azkaban
It had been close to 3 months now, since Sebastian had been staying with Garreth. He was feeling some normality in himself again, thanks to Garreths aid, and was back on his feet. Garreth sat at his dining room table, enjoying the morning sun coming through the window, Sebastian wandered downstairs after getting ready, Garreth looked over at him.
Garreth: Morning! *smiles*
Sebastian: *small smile* Hey.
Sebastian wandered over and sat at the table with Garreth, also turning his head to take in the sun and sighed.
Sebastian: I feel good for the first time in a long time..
Garreth: Thats great, Pal *warm grin*
Sebastian: Thank you, Weasley. Again, I don't know what to do to make it up to you.
Garreth: Naah, you don't have to thank me, and you don't have to do anything *smiles* Got everything I need, I was happy to help you. You're my friend.
Sebastian: *smiles* It means alot, truly.
The two sat for a moment, Garreth narrowed his eyes slightly at Sebastian, leaning forward in his chair.
Garreth: Are you ready to talk more about Ominis?
Sebastian ears perked up just hearing his name. this journey that Garreth had taken him on made him do a lot of thinking, he'd forgiven, and he felt some peace, and understood why Ominis and MC did what they did, though it was hard.
Sebastian: I think I am..You havnt told me much.
Garreth: I thought it would be too painful..
Sebastian: It would have been, but I'm ready.
Garreth: Well..I havnt seen him in a while, but we keep in touch. He doesn't live too locally anymore, not far though. And he doesn't know you're here, but he knows you're out of Azkaban. He wrote about it in his last letter to me.
Sebastian: ....I see. I hope he doesn't hate me..
Garreth: He definitely doesn't hate you, Ominis really struggled, Sebastian. After you got sent away, he wasn't himself. He hated it, but he knew it was the right thing to do for YOUR own benefit, do you understand?
Sebastian: I do..I do NOW anyway..It was awful in there..But, I think I needed it, Dark magic was taking over my mind, my soul, everything *sigh* I was angry and clouded when I first got out, wanted to find him, of course after I tried to find Anne first, the night you found me outside that bar, I'd just been drinking, after discovering she'd died...
Garreth: *nods his head in sympathy* I've wanted to talk to you about all this stuff..But my main focus was just getting you normal and stabilised, I didn't want to bring up anything that may have caused pain, and you never said anything, so I left it be.
Sebastian: I know, and I appreciate that. I just hope Anne knows, wherever her soul is, how sorry I am.
Garreth: I'm sure she does, mate. *warm smile*
Sebastian: Yeah *sits for a moment* So, Ominis? Married? Kids? How is he?
Garreth: He's good, lives a nice peaceful life, not married, no kids, but he's happy.
Sebastian: I'm glad he's happy. I'd love to see him.
Garreth: Well..When I last sent him a letter, I asked if he'd like to meet, he's going to be in the gardens in Hogsmeade later today, that's where I told him to meet me..Are you truly ready Sebastian? Have you forgiven?
Sebastian: Yes, I have, honestly! Oh my god *big genuine smile* I've, missed him, so much.
Garreth: Then we'll go together, Leanders coming too, but me and him will wait at The Three Broomsticks while you go and get Ominis, yeah?
Sebastian: *smiles and nods his head*
Garreth: I can trust you, right? You really are OK?
Sebastian: Gaz, you've helped me massively, I really am..I'm ok. *thankful smile*
Garreth: *warm grin* Good..
Later that day, after giving Sebastian a pat on the back, Garreth and Leander made their way to the Three Broomsticks from the town centre, as Sebastian wandered towards the gardens his heart was in his throat seeing his old friend, Ominis sat there on a Bench under a tree, looking prim and proper as always, Sebastian couldn't believe it, he was so overwhelmed with emotion seeing Ominis, his lip was shaking as he approached, standing in front of him. Ominis looked up, knowing a presence was there.
Ominis: *smiles* Garreth?
Sebastian: ....
Ominis: Garreth? Is that you? *stands*
Sebastian: Ominis..
Ominis let out a small sharp gasp, both of them frozen solid for a moment, before Ominis reached out, his breathing shakey as he felt Sebastians face, Sebastian looked at him, a tear falling down his cheek.
Ominis: S-Sebastian?
Sebastian: *sniffles* Ominis.
Tears started to stream down Ominis's face as he grabbed Sebastians' shoulders.
Ominis: Sebastian, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!
Sebastian: *starts crying himself, pulling Ominis in for a hug* It doesn't matter anymore, it's ok..
Ominis: It..Its no OK..It was never OK *hugging him back* Oh Sebastian *cries more, holding his old friend*
Sebastian: Ominis *clinging to him* It's so good to see you again.
The pair sat on the bench for a while, chatting. Sebastian told Ominis everything that Garreth had done for him and his emotional journey.
Ominis: *sigh* Garreth is an angel for that.
Sebastian: Really is, heh. Oh God, I'm so happy to see you. You look so well..I'm glad you can't see me *chuckles* I aged like damn milk in that place, you've aged like a fine wine.
Ominis: *chuckles* Oh shush..Sebastian, I can't tell you how happy I am, I'm so glad you've forgiven me for the decision I made, because I never truly forgave myself for doing that.
Sebastian: The past is the past, I just want to look forward now *smiles*
Ominis: As do I, old friend *smiles*
~
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storiesofsvu · 10 months ago
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Solace in Solitude Ch 9
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Emily Prentiss x reader warnings: language, alcohol consumption, sexual conversations. guys... we're so close. SO CLOSE!
The barrier had been broken and routines began to shift around the apartment as the two of you continued to get comfortable with each other. Emily started staying out in the living room when she would hear your alarm go off on work mornings, she’d time it just right so that the coffee was hot and fresh the moment you got out of the shower. You’d usually brief through your day with her, go through any surgeries you had, especially if you were worried about something. She took it all in and always asked the right kind of questions that helped your brain work around the issues, and you were impressed with just how well she understood most of it.
You’d come home to a quiet apartment while Emily slept, drop your stuff off and then head to the gym most days to make sure you weren’t waking her up, so she got proper sleep. Dinner was usually ready as soon as she was getting up and the two of you would be able to eat together, usually on the balcony as the sun went down. You’d had life chats, tell old stories, stupid jokes, laughter filled the space rather than tension. Emily knew just how to get you to tell a story about your childhood, something relating to family or your mom without you realizing what she was doing, and in turn it was never a sad memory. You discovered Emily was a whiz at poker, but you were the breadwinner when it came to blackjack, that she preferred paranormal horror movies, and you were the one that always cried over cheesy romantic comedies.
There was finally starting to be a balance between the two of you, she wasn’t snarky because you were her doctor and thus caretaker anymore, and you didn’t have to babysit any longer. You took care of each other, Emily holding up her end of the deal by always making sure there were home cooked baked goods to snack on while you made sure vegetables made it into dinner. Emily made the promise to only smoke if you were also smoking, which rarely happened but there was the occasional night that you were having a rough go and needed more than a glass of wine to help cope with everything and there was nothing wrong with that.
**
You were in the kitchen getting breakfast ready, surprised that Emily hadn’t been in the living room when you’d gotten up that morning. But it would make sense that she just got tired early and decided to marathon tv in bed instead so she didn’t fall asleep on the couch. You were about to toss her breakfast sandwich into a container when the coffee machine beeped loudly and a few seconds later she was coming out of her room.
“Shit
” she muttered under her breath, “sorry. I thought I’d wake up when your alarm went off.”
You looked at her curiously for a moment before your lips twitched up into a smirk, “did you just sleep through the night?”
She stilled, an almost guilty expression on her face, “uh
 yeah.” She laughed softly, “guess having to get up early with you to go into the hospital kinda fucked my daytime sleeping thing up.”
“Mmhm.” You nodded, pulling down an extra mug to fill with her coffee, “so I take it the new med adjustment is working?”
“How’d you know about that?” She asked, stepping into the kitchen to accept the steaming beverage and you chuckled.
“I’m still your doctor. I took a look at your scans from yesterday and with that came your file.” You grabbed another plate from the cupboard, putting the extra sandwich on it, “glad it’s working. You wanna eat outside?”
“Yeah.” She nodded, “thanks. And uh, another question for you.”
“What’s up?”
“PT said I should bump up my activity now, and I kinda liked getting out in the morning, the city’s quieter. Do you think it’d be okay for me to tag along with you on your way to work more often?”
 “Yeah, of course.” You replied with a smile, “it’s a lot nicer to not do it alone.”
“You’re a life saver.” She let out a breath, “and I wouldn’t like, follow you around at work or wait for you or anything, probably just grab a coffee and wander back here.”
“If I were you, I wouldn’t even want to see another hospital again.” You replied back with a laugh, relief washing over you when she laughed even harder, shaking her head at you as she picked up her plate, nudging you toward the balcony.
Emily liked her new morning commute, even if it wasn’t starting her workday, it gave her something to do, a proper reason to get out of bed and a way to feel a bit more like a real person again. Most days she’d split off from you a few blocks from the hospital before picking up a coffee or tea to do her people watching in different areas of the city. She’d meander around as the shops opened, checking things out and usually pick up a lunch on the way back home from a local vendor. If she found something she really loved, she’d pick it up again the next day and drop one off at the hospital for you, her way of saying thank you, and apologizing for being the worst patient and roommate you’d ever had.
**
On days that you didn’t work, the two of you avoided the metro at peak times, opting for lazy mornings with later breakfasts and extended cups of coffee. Some days you played tourist, checking out the sights of the city, other days you just wandered around together. On the rare occasion you had more than three days off in a row you were able to rent a car and head outside the city limits to explore a little bit further.
Some days Emily would join you at the gym, eager to get herself back to the shape she was in prior to everything going down. While she knew it would likely take more than a few months, she had to start somewhere, focussing on strengthening what her PT from the hospital said and taking it up a few notches higher. She did prefer to just use the time you went to the gym to work out at home, she wasn’t the gym type, never had been, but she couldn’t exactly store everything she needed in the small, shared space.
On lazier days, days you were too tired or unmotivated to do anything sometimes Emily would wander alone, some days she would keep you company while you showed her your favourite movie series. And some days, you ended up down the road at one of the smaller pubs where you could swap out the usual wine for cocktails and pretend like you were being social with other people.
Which was exactly where you were tonight. A basket of fries sitting between the two of you on the bar top while you sipped on drinks. You were seated at the shorter side of the bar, parallel to the space behind the bar, partially so Emily could have her back to the wall and partially because it gave you both the full view of the room. While chatting with the bartender or watching the sports game was fine, you’d both discovered that watching the other patrons was more entertaining.
“It’s got to be a full moon or something.” Emily muttered; her eyes fixed across the room.
“People are particularly wild tonight.” You replied, snagging another fry from the basket.
“I honestly thought that guy was gonna get a glass to the face.”
“It’s what happens when you hit on someone else’s girlfriend like that.” You replied with a shrug, “he was relentless.”
“And the girl’s boyfriend was twice the size of him, what’d he think was gonna happen?” She laughed, pulling one from you as the bartender came over to check on you, offering another round of drinks that you accepted.
“God I can’t believe I used to be that young and dumb. I couldn’t even imagine doing half the shit we’ve seen tonight at our age.”
“We’ve turned into spinsters.” She replied dryly, “it’s honestly amazing we’re out of the house on a Friday night anyways.”
“Yeah but I’m far too lazy to make my own mojitos.” You paused to thank the bartender for the refill, taking a hefty swig.
“I’ll drink to that.” She tilted her glass toward you and you clinked it with yours. “This group at ten o’clock?”
“Yeah?” Your eyes scanned through the room, following her direction until you found them.
“Girl in the pink’s been getting hit on by green shirt and blue shirt all night. Who’s she going home with?”
“Hmm...” Your lips wrapped around your straw for another sip as you surveyed the situation, spinning your own theories onto things, watching the group dynamics.
“Green shirt’s managed to get pretty touchy without any shying away.”
“Yeah but he’s buying her drinks, I’d put up with the flirting for free shit too. Besides, blue’s hotter.”
“You think?” She looked over at you and you shrugged.
“I’m mean, I wouldn’t fuck him, but if I had to pick between the two of them
” you gestured vaguely towards him and Emily tilted her head in recognition.
“He’s too shy.” She muttered, watching the man in blue, “doesn’t have the balls to flirt with her when green’s around and he doesn’t care who sees.”
“Yeah, but that’ll pay off in the long run.”
“How?”
“Green’s a partier, a fuck boy, he may be flirting with her but he keeps eye fucking everything with a pulse when he thinks she’s not looking. Nice guys don’t always finish last, ya know.” You teased with a smirk and she scoffed, “besides, look at the scar on the back of green’s leg.” Emily’s eyes flicked to the back of his knee, “that’s fresh. I’m sure he’s supposed to be wearing a brace but thought it wasn’t cool, he’s probably still on the painkillers. He’s what?” You eyeballed him for a minute, “5’8’’, 160? With the amount he drank in the last hour, he’ll be three sheets to the wind in the next twenty.”
Emily pulled her gaze away from the group, surveying you for a minute as she took a sip of her drink and then let out a huff, “fuck, sometimes I forget you’re a doctor and you can do shit like that.” You laughed, “my money’s still on drunk-y.”
“Alright.” You replied with a grin and the two of you laughed before distracting yourselves with another group to people watch.
It was almost exactly twenty minutes later when Emily’s eyes circled back over to the original group and she let out a quiet swear. The girl was sitting in a separate booth from her friends, next to blue who had his arm against the back of the booth. Green was attempting to dance with another girl, stumbling so hard the bouncer was already on his way to escort him outside.
“Fuck.” She glanced up to the bartender who was halfway through a conversation with you, “put her next one on my tab.”
“Huh?” You glanced over to her and she nodded in the direction she’d been looking and you burst out a laugh. “Told ya.”
By the time that round of drinks had been finished, blue had made his move and the two of them had yet to stop making out across the bar.
“Jesus Christ.” Emily muttered, “they really don’t care that they’re in public, do they?”
“They’ve gotta come up for air sometime.” You replied and she laughed, “god...” you sighed, your elbow dropping onto the bar top so you could prop your chin up in your hand, “to be that young and just not give a shit
.”
“Oh I remember the days.”
“Fondly?”
“Most of the time they make me cringe, I won’t lie. Half of it was likely just to piss off my mother.”
“They really are going to town
” your brow furrowed, “is his hand up her skirt?”
“Wouldn’t be surprised.”
“Good for them.” You huffed, “lord knows it’s been ages since my last good make out.”
“Yeah?” Emily raised a playful brow, “how long.”
“Well
” you chewed on your lip for a moment, “my ex and I broke up like
almost a year before I moved here...”
“A year?!” She exclaimed, “wait
 how long was I under for?”
“Just shy of a month.” You replied, taking another sip of your drink, “got here early March.”
“October is next week!”
“You don’t have to remind me.” You stated with a laugh, picking up the shot Emily had ordered earlier and throwing it back.
“Okay, but relationships fizzle out, you stop having sex near the end of them, sometimes for months. Please tell me you at least had a couple hook ups after that.”
“Nope. Too heartbroken, then too busy with work.”
“So how long for that?”
“I don’t even want to think about it.” You chuckled, “this conversation is making me feel very shrivelled up but the saving grace is that I know you haven’t touched a soul in at least eight months so I feel a little better about that.”
“Glad I could be of service.” She laughed, saluting you before signalling for another round, “you know, there’s a sex toy shop that’s open late around the corner, you could pick something up.”
“Oh?” You raised a brow, “that one of your weekly shopping destinations?”
Emily scoffed, “no! And in my defence, I thought it was a lingerie boutique, figured since I don’t have anything that’s actually my style, I might want to pick something up. Went inside and nope, dildos, everywhere. And a very awkward conversation with the clerk.”
“Yeah? What’d’ya buy?” You asked with a grin.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.” Emily teased you right back, laughter filling the space between you as the bartender placed down another round of shots.
**
You were sitting at the breakfast bar, laptop in front of you and completely unaware that Emily was already out of the shower.
“What’re you looking at?” She asked, the tease very present in her voice and you jumped, practically slamming the laptop closed.
“Nothing.”
“Oh c’mon.” She laughed, flipping it back open, “it’s not like I didn’t already see, I watched you click through three options.” You felt the heat creeping up on your cheeks as she braced herself on the counter, hand half wrapped around you as she peered over your shoulder. “Why bother ordering online, just go to that shop.”
“Well after the raving review you gave I figured an in-person sale might be incredibly awkward. Plus the wrapping isn’t usually discreet and then you’d know exactly what I’d bought and I don’t need that.”
“Did you seriously move across an ocean and not bring any with you, or are you one of those girls who just doesn’t use them?” She asked, her hip coming to lean against the counter as her arms crossed.
“I moved to Paris for an indefinite amount of time, of course I brought some.” You deadpanned, “but it’s just weird to even think about doing anything when you’re in the house, I’ve lived alone so long I usually don’t think about it.”
“Have you seriously not touched yourself since March? No wonder you’re so pent up.”
“You were in the hospital for a long time
”
“Right.” She nodded, understanding what you were getting at, “still
 grab a toy, use it. I’ll go out for a drink tonight.”
“That’s still weird though!” You laughed, “then the entire time I’m trying to get off all I’m thinking about is the fact that you’ve purposely left the house and are sitting at some bar wondering how long it will be til you can come home cause you’re thinking about me touching myself. And that’s not gonna help me.”
“Okay, so I’ll start leaving the house more randomly when you’re home.”
“Don’t bother.” You sighed, your chin finding a home in your hand as you redirected your gaze to the computer screen, clicking back a page to see more options, “the vibe died back in April and I’m not big on using the dildo myself, only when it was attached to the ex.”
Emily smirked, suddenly caging you into the counter from behind, “it doesn’t have to be her wearing it.” She laughed, “I can confidently say I know my way around a strap.” Her breath was hot on your ear when she spoke and you nearly choked on air at the tone in her voice. Her fingers brushed across your lower back as she moved around the island, “What?” She raised a brow.
“Nothing.” You shook your head, not daring to look up from the screen.
“Really?” She turned around, pouring out a fresh cup of coffee, “seems like you’re a little flustered, that’s all.” Turning back to you she took a sip, watching the way you shifted in your seat, almost uncomfortably before she barked out a laugh, “I’m kidding!”
“Jesus christ.” You swore, throwing a pen in her direction.
“You should have seen the look on your face.”
“I hate you
”
_________________
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befuddledcinnamonroll · 8 months ago
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Cherry Magic (Thailand) - final thoughts
So this is where I confess I still haven't seen the original Cherry Magic (*ducks thrown fruit*). I know, I know! It really hasn't been on purpose, I just happened to get into BL at this very particular time where I was starting to catch up on quite a few recommended watches, and then we got this firehose of new content, and now I'm just eternally behind (good problems, I know).
All that to say that when the initial trailer came out, I didn't have any baggage from feelings about the previous one, so I kinda just ignored the complaints and thought it looked super cute and fluffy. And it was!
What I loved:
This show had such A+ casting. I love Tay & New. They're good individually, they're good together, they have great chemistry, and are fantastic actors. I was so glad to see Junior again after he was so stellar in Midnight Museum - playing a very different character, he has great range - and I like that they had tested his and Mark's chemistry there first, so they already had a good level of comfort here. And I adore Jan & Sing as well, so always happy to have them on screen.
I adore that this show prioritized showing healthy communication. People were willing to talk about things. Achi telling Karan about his mind-reading was so good. When things went wrong, like their first date, they would talk about it afterwards. The miscommunication trope is one of my most hated, because I have gotten to an age where I just strongly feel that no one has time for that kind of bullshit. And this show agreed with me!
Also the scene where Karan's sister gives feedback to their mother about how she's treating Karan was incredible, and if I have time at some point, I want to talk about how she nailed all the key elements of sharing feedback in a way that will encourage someone to truly hear it. (I know a lot of people don't like to hear this because it's easier to call people dumb or tell them to "shut the fuck up", but if you actually want to change minds, this is how you do it).
Getting more of an exploration of queer life at an older age, having to navigate your work and friends and families as you discover new things about yourself. We joke all the time about the glut of university shows, but seriously, that's a time that is well past for so many of us, and it means something to delve into more adult life.
Relatedly, I also really identified with Achi both as someone who is demi, and as someone who's realized things about my identity at a much later stage than most. It was nice to have that kind of representation.
The theme of what healthy love can bring to our lives. Most of the show is focused on romantic love, but I love that the platonic love and support also plays a very large part. We don't want to be dependent on others to feel good about ourselves and what we are capable of, but the support and caring of others can often be really important in being able to take that next big step, or to see something in yourself that you didn't even realize was there before.
Anyway this show is marshmallow fluff in visual form, and getting both this finale and Perfect Propose finale on the same weekend has left me with many warm fuzzies on my insides.
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alittlewarmer · 5 days ago
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✎˖ᝰ what would you do if you discovered that one of your bffs had become a homewrecker?
throughout every major period of my life, i've been fortunate to be accompanied by friends who share in my happiness and struggles. this was especially true in high school, where i was part of a close-knit circle of 4. out of all of them, i was particularly close with one friend (let's call her d), likely because we shared the unique experiences, glitters, and dirts of being a woman.
the bond carried over when we went to college, even though we attended different schools nearly 12 hours apart by bus. naturally we found new friends would create unforgettable college memories with us. although we communicated less frequently, our relationship thrived and evolved into a low-maintenance friendship: periodic catch-ups, visits once or twice a year. despite having different friend circles, we we always ran to each other during life's highest peaks and lowest trenches. this arrangement continued even after college.
last month, d appeared in my notifications with a major life update: she's pregnant. i wasn't sure how to react, but since she sounded happy, i was relieved and shared in her joy. over the years, i have developed this habit of being non-intrusive; i take what people choose to tell me and avoid prying. if someone wants to share more, they will do so on their own terms.
yesterday, about a month after telling me, d shared the news with our circle of 4. one of our friends had the courage to ask the questions i wasn't brave enough to let out. it was a long story but here is the gist:
d met a guy at work (let's call him m), and over time, they developed a romantic connection. however, the twist is, d was in a 7-year relationship, and m was already engaged to another woman. m's fiancee discovered their affair and informed d's then-boyfriend. there was a chaotic confrontation, and their betrayed partners left them. despite the fallout, d and m continued their relationship, and months later, d got pregnant. d is aware of and regretful for her actions but does not regret choosing m. she says the same is true for m. now, d and m are preparing for their wedding.
d is ready to face our criticisms and anger. as someone who had already experienced the excruciating pain of getting cheated on by a partner, i feel so disgusted. i can't grasp how she, with her adult brain, deliberately chose to destroy relationships and be shameless by continuing their busted affair and have a baby after all the chaos. i don't want to tolerate her actions, but i know i'm also in no position to judge. i really don't know what to feel, what to say, and what to do.
if you were in the same situation, what would you say to your friend? how would you handle the friendship going forward?
my inbox is open; i would be more than glad to hear your thoughts. ♡
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gomacave · 5 months ago
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Yessss, thank u! Ok, this is pre written, word vomit incoming
They both come from the same orphanage, Aerith's mom died by natural causes (since there's no shinra) and Lucretia and Hojo... You decide, a lot can be done there. Anyway, they were... Kind of childhood friends/acquaintances; Aerith was younger, but she thought seph was very pretty and insisted on talking with her. Seph thought she was sweet, and indulged her sometimes, and did come to care for her in some way. Then Aerith is adopted by Elmyra, and that's that. Seph is adopted later, and they see each other again at the school that they end up going to years later. Seph initially tries to feel glad that Aerith was adopted and being cared for, though she did feel a level of jealousy. Over the years that jealousy grows, and the more she sees her have so many more friends than her, and a caring mother and a life that she so desperately wants, it grows into resentment. Especially since they come from the same background. (What's so different abt her that she gets to have everything and I get nothing?) it culminates, ofc, in her rejecting humanity in favor of a divine calling, not realizing the warmth and love that she seeks come from the very same humanity that she's disparaging.
Bonus, Aerith tries to be friends with Seph again, starting conversations and searching for her when she tries to hide, but seph reads Aerith's actions as pity or mockery. And/or seph can't let go of her jealousy and talking with her is just a reminder of how effortlessly charismatic and friendly she is, and she hates it
I'm so normal abt your au <3
little comic +
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aerti designs...!
OUGGHHGHGHGHG YOURE SO FUCKING REAL FOR THIS MY GODDDDDDDD đŸ«”đŸ«”đŸ«” FUCKKK BRO THE SHAME OF COMING IN CONTACT W A GENTLE CREATURE WHO KNOWS LOVE BROOOOO......... UR MAKING MY BRAIN EXPLODE W NEVER B4 CONSIDERED AER/SEPH BRAINWORMS...... GOD the idea that seph who has built up this skill of being able to live w/out love suddenly being offered it by aerith after they grow older and seeing how she hasn't changed while seph herself has just grown bitterer and bitterer BITING MY DESK. ashamed of her life as if it were a stained or threadbare piece of clothing moment <- unwell. but at least she has power. and a divine mission. so she doesnt need love....!
ok more thoughts under cut cuz i dont want this to get monster length
I LOVE THIS IDEA SO MUCH............. aerith and seph coming from the same origins is so crucial to my enjoyment of ff7 and i think making them grow up in the same orphanage is. bites glass. anyways.
i like the idea of maybe the catholic school and the orphanage being connected (maybe through the same wealthy family that has connections 2 both) and so seph grows up and is an exemplary student since she was young and is adopted/sponsored by the family as like. a PR move lowkey. (maybe by hojo, maybe by the shinra fam) but in reality she's treated more like a coworker or side show by everyone around her but she gets the prestige of being a "child prodigy" and "shinra's pride and joy" so she's like a lowkey celeb in the student body but also idk maybe they make her attend outside events like galas and stuff and preach about how shinra has been soooo good to her and her future she owes to the company and family
this vs aerith finding a genuinely loving home outside of the orphanage and escaping it (YELLING) and coming back i love the idea of. like. her symbolizing freedom/hope/love to seph and making her SO MAD AND JEALOUS because what did she work so hard for. she worked so hard to get to the top and escape the shit situation they were in and now she discovers that aerith, without doing anything, achieved the life she thought was forbidden from them (BECAUSE LOVE SHOULD NOT BE EARNED) and has her worldview shattered from this. (the notion that the orphanage is inescapable and that hard work will earn her salvation from this life)
ANHWAHS i think she shrugs this all off w the divine mission thing (HEALTHY THING TO DO) and also i love the idea that higher purpose is the only thing that seph knows how to live for as somebody deprived of autonomy and raised as a human weapon (in canon). aer/seph making me UOOOUGHGH (im craaazzy im insanee gif)
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^ seph, to me,
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moondust-imagines · 10 months ago
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Reunited (Hades!Christian x Persephone!Reader)
Hi! This is it, this was written over like 3 years so it might be a bit all over the place. Remember I always love your feedback đŸ„°đŸ„°
Warnings: None really other than my slight lack of Greek mythology knowledge
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He watched her from the tree line, shrouded in shadow. She knelt in the grass by the water surrounded by nymphs dancing around. There were flowers in her hair and an ethereal glow to her skin. The long silk of her skirts pooled perfectly on the grass. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on.
She noticed a flower she had never seen before and was instantly intrigued. They were growing in a line as if they were trying to lead her. She followed them deep into the dark forest, far away from the nymphs. The flowers stopped at a large clearing. The thick cover of leaves let through little light, casting an almost grey glow on the forest floor.
“Hello” A voice spoke from behind her. She jumped slightly and searched for the source of the voice.
“Hello? Who’s there?” She asked.
A tall man emerged from the trees. His blonde hair was cut short, his eyes were a piercing blue. His clothes were all black only showing the flesh of his face and hands. She straightened her back to hide her nervousness and graced him with a polite smile.
“Did you like the flowers?” He asked, gesturing to the trail she followed here.
“Oh yes, they’re beautiful. What are they called?” She asked, crouching down to inspect the pale petals more closely.
“Narcissus, I’m glad you like them” He replied
“It’s strange, I thought I knew every kind of plant that grew here” She pondered.
The flowers were certainly not from here, she could tell right away. It would seem this man was from elsewhere too. She straightened up and brushed imaginary dirt from her long skirt.
“I’m sorry, I never asked your name” She smiled at him. His stomach did flips as his mind committed the sight to memory. There wasn’t a thing in the cosmos that would make him forget how her eyes lit up when she smiled.
“Hades” He replied. He gently took her hand and brought it to his lips. “And yours?”
“Persephone” She replied. A light blush dusted her cheeks.
Persephone’s hand stayed in his as they walked around the forest. He showed her all the dark corners she was oblivious too. He told her stories of his time with the humans. She was fascinated, her mother never let her mingle with humans as they were too dangerous. She hung on his every word. Disappointment washed over her as the reached the tree line, the sun was starting to set on the horizon and her mother would soon come searching for her. She stepped into the golden light but Hades grasp remained on her hand.
“Will I see you again?” She asked quietly
“Of course, my darling” He replied, pressing another kiss to her knuckles before letting her go.
Many years later
Being immortal had its perks, no worries about illnesses or the randomness of life and death. There was also downfalls, any human you built a relationship with slowly decayed right in front of your eyes. It hadn’t been like that with your husband, Hades. He hadn’t vanished slowly like a human would, he was gone in the blink of an eye. You had wandered the earth searching for a sign of him for many years and found nothing. Eventually, you had given up hope. Hades did not want to be found, not by you or anyone.
So you had settled into a somewhat quiet life. You had discovered professional wrestling through your half-brother Ares who now went by Adam. He loved fighting, even if you could never really win, it let him blow off some steam. So occasionally you would travel around with him for a few months. You would always end up arguing with him and leaving before too long.
Two weeks into this current trip with Ares. It had been a few years since you last traveled with him, he now worked for a company called ‘AEW’. He wouldn’t have much longer left wrestling before he would have to ‘retire’. People were bound to get suspicious if he kept going much longer.
“What sorry soul has to endure you this week then Adam?” You asked as he showed you to his locker room.
“Not sure yet, that guy I told you about, Christian? He’s been giving me trouble lately” He replied. He threw his bags onto the leather couch in the middle of the room.
He had talked about Christian before. You had never met him but you knew he had fallen out with Adam before. Honestly, hearing about their battle made you think of Hades. He would love this chaos.
“I’m going to shower. Feel free to wander off” Adam said, waving his hand behind his head.
So you did just that. Nobody seemed too bothered by your presence, they must be used to people they don’t know walking about. You turned a corner and almost ran into a blonde woman and young man. She glared at you angrily for a second before someone shouted behind her.
“Hey! Who the hell are you?! Stay away from my-“ He screamed before trailing off when he saw your face, his own paling.
You didn’t know what to do, it was him. Hades. All this time, he had been right here. The silence was almost deafening. The woman looked at him confused.
“What, who the hell is she?” She barked.
Hades pushed past her and grabbed your arm, dragging you away without a word. He pushed you into an empty room and slammed the door shut, locking it behind him.
“What the hell are you doing here Percy?” He growled. Hearing his old nickname for you made the reality of the situation crash down on you. He was really here.
“What the hell am I doing here? What the hell are you doing here? You’re the one who vanished” You said, your voice shaking with the effort of holding back your tears.
The sight of tears welling in your eyes made his stomach churn. He couldn’t lie, his whole soul had missed you. A few years ago he had returned to your shared home to find you, only to find no trace of you.
“Please don’t cry, my love” He sighed. His arms reached to hold you but you swatted him away.
“No! You have to explain yourself, you left Hades! I haven’t seen you in years” You exclaimed, tears finally falling down your cheeks.
“I know, I know. I’m-I’m sorry” He sighed while backing away from you. He hung his head as he listened to your upset rambling. What else could he say? You were right, he left you. If you were anyone else he would’ve just walked away from you. But you were his, his Persephone, and he wasn’t about to leave again.
When he went to hold you this time you didn’t push him away. Too emotionally exhausted to keep fighting him. He held you tightly against his chest and his face buried into your hair. Your tears were probably soaking through his shirt but neither of you could bring yourself to care. Your hands practically clawed at his back as you pushed yourself closer to him.
“Oh my Percy, how I’ve missed you” He whispered
“I’m not forgiving you yet” You mumbled into his chest.
“I know, my love.”
-
Hades had quietly slipped you his hotel room key before you left the arena. You had so many questions for him but he had to keep up his appearance. Part of you wanted to confront Ares to find out if he had known but that was an argument you weren’t quite ready for. Sitting in Hades, no, Christian’s hotel room was a strange feeling. There were only small traces of him scattered around the room, some flowers you had given him a long time ago were dried and sitting in a small box on the dresser. Your favourite necklace you thought you had lost was next to it. You went to put it on but your shaking hands struggled with the clasp.
“Here, let me” Hades voice said quietly. You hadn’t even heard him come in. You held your hair to one side as he secured the chain around your neck.
“Where did you find it?” You asked quietly, staring at your own reflection in the mirror.
“At the house” He replied simply. You caught his eye in the mirror.
“You went back there?”
“I was looking for you” He shrugged “Must have just missed you, or so Ares thinks”
“So he knew where you were? That bastard” You growled
“He’s never been the most intelligent” Hades mused. He was still watching you in the mirror, trying to gauge your emotional state before saying anything else.
“I am sorry. For leaving” He said quietly
“I know” You sighed “I just don’t understand why you did”
Hades sighed heavily and sat down on the bed. He wasn’t nervous often but you had always brought out strange emotions in him. Even after all these centuries, you made him nervous. You watched him carefully, not moving a muscle. His eyes were trained on the floor.
“You wanted to see the world and all its new wonders. I thought.. the best way to do that was to set you free” He explained still glaring at the floor.
You knew that he was deeply insecure, growing up with family like his would do that to anyone. He was so unsure if he was even deserving of love that he would push it away before he could get his hopes up. It was why it took you so long to marry. You crouched down in front of him and took his hands in yours.
“I wanted to see the world with you, my darling” You said gently. His eyes finally rose to meet your own gaze.
“I destroy things, my love. Death follows me wherever I go, you know that. Everything you would’ve grown to love would die. I couldn’t do that to you” He said.
“That is what makes the human world so beautiful. It dies, it’s temporary.” You explained
“But-“ He started to try and talk himself out of your explanation. But you shushed him by pressing your lips to his forehead.
“I’d much rather have you than the world, my darling” You whispered against his skin. His hands circled around your hips and pulled you into his lap.
“I’ll give you any world you want, my love”
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andydrysdalerogers · 9 months ago
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The Type You Save ~ S E V E N T E E N
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James "Bucky" Barnes and OFC Alexandra "Alex" Richards
Detective James Barnes hasn't seen the love of his life in three years. Since the night she was almost caught stealing a painting. He knows it was her and she disappeared leaving him confused and heart broken.
Alexandra Richards never expected to be pulled back into her old life two years after she left it. She had found love and a home and was happy. Until a note blackmailed her to take one last job. Three years later she walked into the last person she expected to see in San Francisco. Because he lived in New York right?
They always put family before everything. And he would do anything to get his family back. Because she's the type you save.
TW: mob, death, smut, rape intentions, angst, guns, family abandonment, dub-con, manipulation
A/N: because of the Valentine one shot I'm posting tomorrow, I'm posting the final chapter of The Type You Save today. It has been fun writing a different hero this time.
I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated
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Divider by @firefly-graphics
Previous: S I X T E E N
Series Masterlist ~ Main Masterlist
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Alex stood on the grass in San Francisco, her black dress swaying in the cold wind, a storm coming in.  She sighed as she watched the casket being lowered into the ground. She tightens her grip on James’s hand as he held Drew on his other side.  
“I’m glad I was able to do this for him.”  
“Me too doll.  You ok?” 
“Its just hard.  I thought
” 
“I know Allie. But its closure.”  
She could barely listen to the prayer, her mind whirling from everything that had happened.  After everything had settle, Zemo sang like a bird.  He explained how he got involved with Grey, the threat Grey had on his family.  Grey made it seem like all he wanted was to take Alex, not explaining that he was going to kidnap Drew a week or so after his plan to break her.  
The police found Grey’s will and a letter for Alex.  Alex took a moment a couple of days after her rescue to read it.  
Alexandra,   If you are reading this, it means that I have die, probably at your hand.  That’s hard to write, considering the amount of love I have for you.   If you haven’t discovered yet, let me explain some truths.   When I first saw you, you were the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.  I wanted you from that moment on.  But your brother refused. I tried to persuade Simon, reason with him. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out.  We buried him close to the house in Boston. I hope that brings you a little peace.   As for your parents, they threaten to harm you as they blamed you for your brother’s disappearance.  I had them change their will to leave me as their benefactor before they were killed.  I wanted to keep your inheritance safe.   I left everything to you, my pet, my queen. My hope is that this letter is unnecessary, but I wanted to be sure you were taken care of, should anything happen.   I love you so much Alexandra.    Yours,   Christian.   
Alex sobbed at the letter with James holding her as she wept.  Her entire adult life before James was built on a web of lies.  When she got confirmation of his location, she had her brother reburied.  The toll of the bell snapped Alex back to the present.  
The father completed his blessing over the casket.  “We celebrate your life Simon Richards, a lost soul that has been found and now taken to the Lord. Amen.”  
They all murmured a reply and then came to give Alex their condolences. After everyone left, Alex turned to James.  “I want to see him, Jamie.”  
James sighed, “Allie, I
” 
“I need to see him.  He did this for me.  It’s the least I can do.”  
James adjusted a sleeping Drew on his arm.  “Ok, ok.  Let me make a few calls.”  
A couple of hours later, Allie sat beside a hospital bed.  Its occupant was asleep.  She took his hand and his eyes fluttered open.  
“Hey Allie Cat.”   
Nate’s face was still pale and his movements slow but there he was three weeks after being shot.  
She reached over to press a kiss to his forehead.  “Hey Nate.  How are you feeling?”  
“Tired.”   
“Getting shot will do that.” She gave him a soft smile. “What have the doctors said?” 
“Recovery is going well. Docs say I just have to be patient to get stronger.”  
“That’s good.” She rubbed her thumb over his knuckles.  “We had the funeral today.”  
Nate could see the pain in her eyes.  “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there. I’m just glad I was able to give you that.  I’m sorry I hadn’t told you sooner.”  
“Its ok. I probably wouldn’t have believed you then.”  She looked away to blink her tears away.  “How is your case looking?” 
He chuckled.  “Since I help saved two cops and a witness, its looking like I’ll be able to plea to a lesser charge. Maybe a year.”  
“That’s good. Steve, James and I are ready to testify for you.”  
“Thanks Alex.  I should rest. I have physical therapy in a couple of hours.”  
“Ok.  I’ll be back again now that I can get to see you.”  She hugged him gently and went to the door.  “Open on bay 7.”  There was a buzz and a click before the door slid open.  She glanced back at Nate with a smile and went through the door.  
James was sitting in the visitor’s lounge, checking his email when Alex walked in.  “Hey Allie.  How is he?” 
“He’s good.  Still kinda pale and slow but he says he feels stronger.”  She popped a shoulder.  “Ready?” She held out her hand.  
He took and tugged her to him, her back to his front, hugging her, breathing her in. Something he doesn’t take for granted anymore. “Ready, doll.  Steve called and said Drew asked if they could go to the park.  I said ok. Wanted some time with my doll.”  He placed a kiss on her neck.  
“Jamie, we are in the hospital,” she moaned quietly as he continued with his gentle assault.  
“I’ve missed you, Allie.  My perfect little doll.”  
She melted right there. “Ok, ok, get me outta here Detective.”  
“Its Sargent and you know it.”  
“You’ll always be my Detective.” She spun in his arms and looked into his stormy blues. “Take me to bed Jamie.”  
“Oh Allie,” James moaned. He kissed her hard before releasing her, taking her hand and guiding her out of the hospital.  The drive was laced with anticipation, the air heavy with lust from the couple.  They hadn’t been intimate, since before, with Alex dealing with the emotions of her past coming to light and Drew being attached to his parents in fear of never seeing them again.  James held onto Alex’s hand, his thumb moving over her knuckles, the sensation like bolts of lightening to her core.  
“Lightening touches,” she whispered.  
“What was that?” 
“Lightening touches,” she said a little louder.  “Before all of this, your touch always gave me the feeling like lightening through my skin.”  
James smiled.  “I remember. I believe it was the same night we conceived Drew.”  His smile grew wider. “That was a great night.”  
“It was.” Alex brought his knuckled to kiss. “I’m sorry I’ve been distant.”  
“Don’t be doll. I understand.  We’ve all been through a lot.” They made it back to their apartment.  It was eerily still.  Alex looked around as James pulled her to their bedroom.  “Tell me what you need baby.”  He sat on the edge of the bed as Alex settle between his legs.  
“I need you,” she whispered.  
“You have me, doll.” James began to kiss around the hem of her blouse.  He motioned for it to be taken off and Alex swiftly pulled it off.  “So beautiful.  My Allie,” he whispered in between kisses.  
She ran her hand through his hair.  “My Jamie.  I love you.”  
“I love you too, doll.” He stood up and lifted her into his arms.  She wrapped her legs around him as he flipped them around and he laid her on the bed. “Let’s make a baby.”  
“Now?” 
“Now.  No more threats, no more secrets.  Its just us now doll. James and Alexandra. Bucky and Alex, Jamie and Allie.”  
“Never called you Bucky. But Bucky and Alex works.  Just like mommy and daddy.” She ran her fingertips over his chin. “I love you.”  
“Oh doll.  I love you.” Soon all their clothes were gone and James was hovering over his wife. He stared deep into her eyes as he rubbed his tip through her folds.  “So wet doll.  Almost as if you were excited to make me a daddy again.”  
“Jamie, don’t tease,” Alex whined.  “I need you.”  
He grinned as he sank into her, stretching her slow.  He watched as her head tilted back and her eyes rolled back. “Feel good?” 
“So good baby but you have to move,” she moaned.  James started on a steady pace, not really using force, just letting her feel good. “Oh god, Jamie,” she cried.  
“Yeah Allie.” James flipped them so she was on top.  She swiveled her hips and he groaned.  “Just like that doll.”  She bounced on him, feeling all of him. He could feel her starting to tighten.  “You close baby?” 
“So close.  You feel so good inside me.” He grasped her hips tighter, pulling her down harder onto him. “Gonna cum.”  
“Do it, love.  All over me Allie.” James grunted at the force, wanting to be closer to her.  He flipped them again and moved his hips hard. She gave a silent scream as she tightened around him.  “Ah fuck!” He let go as well, moving slower, working them through.  
They laid there a moment, the cloud of bliss still over them. The memories of lost love, love found, and love made flooded them.  James held his girl, thankful that she wasn’t lost.  She was saved.  
F I V E  Y E A R S  L A T E R 
“Andrew! Delilah! Its dinner time!” Alex called out to her children. She felt something around her ankles and looked down to see their white kitten, Alpine, twisting herself around her.  “Yes, Al, dinner for you too.”  Her children raced in, their German shepherd, Brooklyn, racing after them.  “Wash your hands!” She turned back out the door.  “Bucky! Steve! Dinner!” 
James and Steve trudged in, still arguing on the best way to fix the bike.  “I’m telling you it’s the exhaust,” Steve argued.  
“Whatever punk, the pop noises are from the clutch, guaranteed.” James wiped his hands off and went to Alex.  “Hey momma, how are you?” 
“Tired but good.” His hand rested on the small bump on her belly, and she placed her hand over his. “Still too early to feel them, love.”  
“Can’t wait to meet them love.  Its everything we ever dreamed of.”  
“It’s more Jamie.  It’s so much more.”  
James and Alexandra. Bucky and Alex. Jamie and Allie.  
Family over everything.  
*~* The End *~* 
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whitters23 · 3 months ago
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Umbrella Academy S4 Spoilers
Well, I finally finished the new season and I have to say, unpopular opinion, I didn't hate it guys! I had heard so many people catastrophizing about it that I was really scared, but I think the biggest thing it had going against it was that it was so condensed compared to past seasons that they really didn't have the time to delve into plot lines like I wish they could have. Definitely it was my least favourite of all the seasons, it's impossible to beat S2 for me, but it was also not the flaming pile of garbage I was worried it was going to be. I do think they could have filled in some gaps in relation to Sloane and Ray, who were both briefly mentioned with little context. Klaus's kidnapping storyline felt out of place. And of course I wish we could have had a happier ending but TUA really is a tragicomedy at the end of the day so I was not surprised at all. In fact I thought it was a rather fitting ending, that, in the end, they were able to come together, forgive each other and save the world one final time. I found it really beautiful. The forgiveness between Viktor and Alison was especially touching. Now, let's talk Five/Lila. Was I the only one not surprised by this? Honestly, I have not been a shipper of theirs but I remember at the end of S3 wondering if something more was going to come from their obvious chemistry. I even had a suspicion, due to Lila's habit of fabricating stories and Five's habit of discovering things his future selves have done later on, that a shoe was going to drop that the baby was actually Five's. I am so glad that didn't actually happen but I'm just saying those thoughts were in the back of my head because the chemistry was there from the beginning. I think it kind of makes sense because out of the whole group Lila and Five have a shared history of being assassins for the Commission and have a familiarity with time travel. Truly, I think Lila is probably the only one that actually gets Five. I also... didn't hate it. (*hides*) I liked it for what it was. It brought a softness to Five that we hadn't previously seen before. It's not something I would want as "endgame", I still adore Lila and Diego. I still think Lila loves Diego and her children and their life they built together. She didn't want to give that up. However she was stranded with Five for 7 years, alone, fighting for survival, unsure if they would ever find their way back home or what would greet them when they did. I can empathize with them leaning on each other in that situation. I don't blame them for seeking a shred of happiness in such a bleak time in their lives. The last time Five was stranded in time he fell in love with a mannequin! There is so much grey area here. They didn't mean to fall in love or hurt Diego. Bonus, the angst when they came back to reality was delicious. While we are on the subject, can we stop freaking out about the age difference please? Remember technically they were all born on the same day. It's only because of their time-traveling selves that Five is like 70 in a 26/27 year old body, and Lila is likely in her early 40s by the end of their train adventure. We have to suspend disbelief a little here. Even though mentally and physically they have quite big age gaps, they are still, in a way, each other's peers. In the end I don't think it destroyed their characters and it is kind of par for the course in this messed up family of trauma and dysfunction. (For my mutuals and followers, I will be reblogging some Five x Lila content soon. Sorry if that is a no for you. You've been warned!)
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imminent-danger-came · 9 months ago
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Me: "I‘m so glad I‘m not suffering from lmk brainrot anymore, I managed to distance myself a bit. I‘m sure this way I‘ll be fine until season 5 comes out" :)
*stumbles upon one of your posts again
Me: "
I‘ll just take a peek. I‘m sure they haven’t written any posts that‘ll put me in a chokehold
 I mean, she didn’t get any new material to work with. This. Is. Fine."
*three hours of scrolling later
Me: *sobbing on the floor uncontrollably about actual LEGOs.
The; 'Macaque views MK as the person he used to think Wukong was', and just how the Monkeys other than MK have started their healing arc, whereas the main character is about to fucking SNAP.
Wukong vs. MK??????
Every gosh darn instance of 'the World vs. the life of a friend' that’s been shown so far. The increasingly sympathetic villains that deconstruct the ENTIRE concept of good and evil, that MK bases most of his beliefs on???
His absolutely unconditional LOVE and FAITH in his friends????? In WUKONG???
And just- everything about him and Mei! They are each others most favorite people in the WHOLE world! If it was them or the universe it wouldn’t even BE a question, THEY ARE EACH OTHERS UNIVERSE. But then what about the Hero turning into a Warrior, what about the Warrior revealing themselves to be a Hero instead????
MK VS. MEI!!!
Watching his loved ones grow into the best version of themselves, healing, learning to understand themselves better. While he himself desperately fights against every secret he unwillingly discovers, against every step they take towards the future. Because they are following the very path DESTINY carved for them.
And sure, everyone makes their own choices, but does that even make a difference if those choices align with destiny anyway?
What exactly is stopping him from becoming the Harbinger of Chaos? How does he know that one day, when he inevitably pushes them too far, hurts them too much, (No matter what he does and how hard he tries, he always seems to make things WORSE. Even now, when he tries to help, all he does is cause destruction, and chaos) can he be sure his friends won’t be forced to turn against him? That he won’t FAIL them?
His complacency is his last ditch effort in protecting and maintaining what little mundanity he has left in his life. Don‘t ask questions, stop looking for trouble, don‘t think to hard about every earth shattering revelation you’re confronted with, and maybe, just maybe, he can avoid his fate that is looming on the horizon.



I‘m sure you‘d never be able to tell that I‘ve gone the rabbit hole that is your lmk theories right? I still sound like a well adjusted human being that has totally NORMAL thoughts and feelings about a SHOW about LEGOS made for KIDS
 RIGHT?!?!?
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Completely forgot I wrote something along the lines of "Macaque views MK as the person he used to think Wukong was", so reading this ask completely blindsided me AND hurt my feelings (post anon was referring to).
"I mean, she didn’t get any new material to work with." is also cracking me up holy shit. LMK is so dense, who even needs new material. I just rewatch any ep and have a breakdown about it. Tbh there are still so many things I haven't posted about (and the list keeps growing, god help me)
With MK's complacency, I will say that I think he's always been complacent in some way. Like it's definitely morphed into what you've described, but overall I think MK was never someone with high aspirations. He was always someone completely fine with being a noodle delivery boy, someone completely fine with what his life was before becoming the Monkey King's successor. And he's so real for that honestly
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quihi · 9 months ago
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Okay, overall thoughts on Fablehaven and Dragonwatch. I hope to write in more detail later - I have a first draft of a post about my take on some of the religious themes and allegory in Dragonwatch - but I gotta start somewhere (that requires less citations).
I saw Carnival Quest on the library shelf last November, read that, and had so much fun I decided to go for more Brandon Mull and reread Fablehaven. (I don't read a lot of kids books, as an adult, but I hadn't felt like reading in awhile and this made reading fun.) The first book was rough, honestly—it was his first published book and it shows. The prose felt clunky and awkward, but I got used to it and it improved. Seth drove me insane—so much of the plot was driven by "Seth screws up." But it was a quick and easy and fun read, and the world and concept were a delight!
Books 2–4 were great. I only read the books once or twice over ten years ago, so all I remembered was the general concept, a little about Kendra and Seth, and a vague idea of the final battle. I got to experience all the twists again! It was very fun to see the people who populate this increasingly large world, and the people around the edges like that rich couple in Georgia who have fairies but have never seen a preserve. Like, how did they get involved, how much do they know? It's clear that Kendra and Seth are way more deeply involved than someone who just discovered the preserves normally would be. I have a lot of thoughts about their parents and how Fablehaven fits in with their lives, and I think I think about that a lot more as an adult—it doesn't bother me but I find it more sad now.
Keys to the Demon Prison was big, and wow did we see the world. It added a lot of stuff that hadn't felt foreshadowed at all—the Eternals, Vasilis, Bracken—so it felt a little disconnected and like there were some deus ex machina. I liked the ending, though, and how everything wrapped up with swapping the demon prison and the fairy realm.
So, fun series! They definitely felt like kids books, but I would still recommend them to kids and adults who want to read a fun, magical adventure.
After this, life got busy, and I needed a break, and time to let the books sink in and read a few other books, so I didn't start Dragonwatch until January. I raced through the first three books, then took about a week off before I could get myself past the beginning of Champion of the Titan Games, then finished the series in under a week. They got so frustrating and dark that I needed that break, but I'm glad I didn't force myself to keep reading when I was worn out.
Okay, look, I know this seems to be an unpopular opinion, but I enjoyed them. I don't know if it helped because I read them all in under a month and didn't think too hard or reread them in between, and I hadn't been eagerly awaiting them—I don't think much about Mull or keep up with his new books. I didn't notice a lot of the continuity errors that I guess were there, though I did notice the big thematic change from darkness being neutral to being more evil (though I have some thoughts on that, too). There were definitely some weird choices. The structure of book five felt very similar to Fablehaven's book five.
I liked Knox and Tess. I see reasons they would be introduced, and while they could have done more (Tess: spends entire series as the innocent girl, gets teleported around a couple times but never to anywhere from which she can get home), I couldn't help liking them. They're decent foils for Kendra and Seth, at least. I think I'd have liked more of them, over cutting them. I badly wanted Knox and Seth to sit down for a good conversation about mistakes and forgiveness.
One of the story choices that baffled or irritated me most was not putting Marat or Agad back in charge of Wyrmroost, after Celebrant lost his status. I guess the best argument is there wasn't time between them returning from Stormguard Castle and Seth's disappearance, and the explicit consent of both Kendra and Seth was needed, but like, that should have been the first thing they did. I guess no one thought of it. And I suppose there was still the issue of no easy way to leave.
There was a lot of religion, which I began to notice in Master of the Phantom Isle, and was surprisingly blatant in Return of the Dragon Slayers. Religious themes in books don't bother me, though I know that's a YMMV topic and I understand why some people don't like it. (Thank you to the Fablehaven fandom for, as far as I can tell, not getting into absolute hatred of Christianity.) But, well, they were still overall the fun adventures that I was reading for, even as they got more sad and the character arcs got deeper. I'm glad I finished and read through the whole series.
I was left with a lot to think about. I have ideas for fanfiction. Mostly canon compliant, set after Dragonwatch, with some earlier, and also one romance AU that I'm worried about people's reactions to the ship. I'm buying a lot of the books to reference more easily, since I like referencing books when I write and I'm no longer twelve years old with the time and urge to flip through and reread books a dozen times until I know every plot point by heart by the time I return them to the library, but I do have more disposable income.
So, uh, I'm not really one to rate books, but I'd still call these solid and fun overall, though they have their flaws. I far prefer enjoying books to criticizing them, so I'd rather like them and try to find ideas and headcanons that improve them, rather than linger on the elements I dislike. I want to be positive!
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