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gffa · 11 months ago

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It has been about eight months since I came back to BATFAMILY fic and this will be my ninth set of recs, which means I'm at about 500 or so for this one fandom, which is kind of blowing my mind a little, but also tracks pretty well, given how amazing the fic in the fandom can be. There's just so much that's scratching the itch of softer Batfam content or really digging into the angsty possibilities or exploring the characters in ways the source material won't/can't or just finding a dozen different ways to hit my id straight on and make it such a fun, exciting experience to be swimming through all this amazing fic. And, in that vein, yeah I may have a Dick Grayson Is The Most Important Guy In The World Problem, but I also have Dick Grayson Is The Most Important Guy In The World Solutions which is basically a metric truckload of fic by incredible authors and trying to lure more people into crying about these characters with me because I AM CRYING A LOT ABOUT THEM because fandom has PROVIDED ME WITH THE TOOLS TO DRAG YOU IN AND I AM GOING TO USE THEM. And, okay, I've got some good Jason, Tim, Damian, Babs, Steph, and Bruce stuff in there, too. Fandom is great at helping me get some really great variety in, too! Basically ALL THE BATS ARE MY LOVES AND I WANT TO DRAG OTHERS IN WITH ME.

BATFAM FIC RECS - BABY DICK IS THE CUTEST FERAL ROBIN I'M NOT HEARING ANY ARGUMENTS: ✦ Robin is Looking for a Sidekick by Writer_loves_tropes, dick & bruce, 4k Eight year old Dick Grayson is already a crime fighting Robin and he needs a sidekick. Batman seems like he would be a good choice. Robin and Batman has a nice ring to it. Bruce has thoughts about that. aka, How could Bruce resist adopting this tiny child? ✦ The Pancake Predicament by Lightsider, dick & bruce & alfred, 2.1k On his second Father's Day at Wayne Manor, Dick decides to make pancakes. -or- The reason Dick's not allowed unsupervised kitchen use, which isn't fair. The pancakes were delicious, and he was 10! ✦ Counting Elephants by PrincessMariana, bruce & dick & alfred, 3k When kidnappers break into the manor, Dick runs straight to Alfred. Alfred will do anything to protect his family. Or, Dick gets scared, and Alfred is a badass. ✦ World's Finest: Christmas Morning by WingFeathers, dick & bruce/clark & ma kent & alfred & cast, 9k Twelve hours of a Christmas morning in Gotham: Bruce foregoes sleep and grapples with change, Clark navigates Christmas at Wayne Manor and his boyfriend's emotional distance, and Dick gets the best presents. Also: Ma and Pa Kent and Alfred are the greatest. ✦ There is a Monster at the End of This Book by Trekkele, dick & bruce & cast, vampires, 2.6k There was something deeply wrong with Bruce Wayne. This wasn’t exactly news, of course. Opening any one of the local Gotham tabloids would give you plenty of evidence to back his claims up, but Tyler liked to think his profession gave him an edge, an added insight into the strangeness that was Gotham’s ‘beloved billionaire’. ✦ Safe by Jinmukang, dick & bruce, 2.5k Or, a baby Robin wakes up very lost and very alone in the middle of Gotham. ✦ Stars, Hide Your Fires by FidotheFinch, dick & bruce, 10.8k Dick Grayson doesn't want to leave the circus he's called home his entire life. When he overhears Pop Haly talking to a strange man about sending Dick away for 'training,' he decides he'll do whatever he can to stop it. Even if he has to make a deal with a demon. ✦ It's who I am by Tiredteengaer, dick & bruce & wally & artemis & conner & kaldur & m'gann & cast, 44k how each member of the team found out Robin's real identity. ✦ Drowning, Headaches, and being beaten by Penguin by PandasandDucks1, dick & bruce & wally & artemis, 1.7k He couldn’t breathe. ✦ The Eldest Wayne's by Remarcely, dick & bruce & alfred & cast, 3k ‘With all their talks about how to behave, Bruce had the upmost faith in Dick to talk to the other Gala-attenders with respect under his supervision. When Dick grew bored and wandered off, entirely unnoticed by a Bruce deep in conversation, he’d be lying if he pretended that faith didn’t waver’ Or Bruce and Dick throughout the years as they slowly learn how to be a family.

BATFAM FIC RECS - ADULT BATSON AND BATDAD ARE MY KRYPTONITE, I FOLD LIKE WET CARDBOARD FOR THEM: ✦ Rebalancing by SirenAlpha, dick & bruce & damian, 2.5k Bruce was back from his trip through time. Dick expected to heal up from surgery, head back to Blüdhaven, and be Nightwing again. He did not expect Bruce to have a discussion on the nature of Batman, Nightwing, and if Robin really only needed one of them. ✦ Capitulate by Antiquity, dick & bruce, 5k After Wally's death, Bruce tries to hold Dick together before he shakes himself apart. ✦ No Good Deed by I_Have_To_Get_Off_This_Planet, dick & bruce, 1.2k While trying to stop a robber, Dick breaks two ribs. It's not a good time. ✦ Superficial Wounds by fleetfoot1, dick & bruce, ~1k Bruce swore softly as he tilted Dick’s face to the side, his gaze flicking down the bruises covering his cheekbone. Dick swallowed, before opening his mouth. “I--” his voice cracked on the syllable. God, he was just so tired of arguing. ✦ fabric (frayed but holding) by Tevya, dick & bruce & cast, 5.1k A few months after Dick returns to speaking terms with Bruce, he gets stuck in Gotham with the flu. ✦ aristocracy by brandywine421, dick & bruce & jason & tim & damian & cass & steph & alfred, 2.4k "I really wish it was for a different reason. I - need a favor." "There are no favors between us, Dick, you know that," Bruce said, moving around the desk to take the seat beside him. "Tell me." "God, it's so stupid, I - could handle it myself, but - I don't want to. I just want - I just want to forget it ever happened," Dick said. That didn't sound like Dick. "Tell me," he repeated. ✦ Memories Fade by Lady_of_Lorule, dick & bruce & cast, 2.2k “Miss Gordon sent in her daily report and Master Tim called to inform you that he will be in San Francisco for a few days. Also, Master Dick is upstairs.” Bruce froze. “Dick is here?” “Yes, sir.” “I thought he was in Central City visiting Wally West.” Alfred raised an eyebrow, pale eyes piercing. “It seems that he is back, then. I believe he is waiting for you.” ✦ On-Call by motleyfam, dick & bruce & jason & oc & cast, 1.6k Kiran Devabhaktuni, medical doctor and close family friend of the Waynes, agreed to join them for one more Thanksgiving at the Kent Farm. It's a good thing he did, too. ✦ a day before midnight by batofgoodintent (crownedcrusader), dick & bruce, 2.1k After you lose pieces of yourself, they don't always fit back the same. - Post-Ric Grayson.

BATFAM FIC RECS - EVERYBODY LOVES DICK: ✦ the more i look inside (the more you're real to me) by starsonthewalls, dick & bruce & john/mary & tim, 2.8k Dick tensed defensively. “It’s not like I can do anything about that, Dad,” he grumbled, accepting the glass to clear his throat. “You know how B is about patrols.” “And who is ‘B’ supposed to be?” his mom asked. ��One of your video game friends?” Dick froze- what did mom mean, who is B? ✦ You Won't Wake Up Alone by DawnsEternalLight, dick & bruce & jason & tim & damian, 5.2k Dick's captured and drugged and probably about to die. The last thing he wants to do is die in front of his family, especially not his baby brothers, all he wants is to be with Bruce and feel safe again. ✦ Jason's Gift by Neoinean, dick & bruce & jason & tim & barbara & cast, 17.3k As Dick’s birthday goes from mediocre to bad to worse, he finds himself so wrapped up in the chain of events that he fails to correctly piece together the clues. Will he discover the truth before its too late? ✦ they don't know me and you by konan_konan, dick & bruce & jason & tim & barbara & zatanna & cast, de-aged!dick, 4.5k "The cold helps neutralize him," says Bruce, talking about Dick like he's a threat. "It'll keep him from hurting himself," says Barbara, talking about Dick like he's a child. They're both correct right now, and Jason hates it. ✦ If You Don't Know by TylerM, dick & bruce & jason, 10.2k An exploration of Sick!Dick Grayson from little and big Jason's point of view. Because I honestly don't believe in there ever being too many of the same damn fic.

BATFAM FIC RECS - JASON TODD IS AN ASSHOLE CAT, I'M GONNA THROW HIM AT THE OTHER BATS BECAUSE IT'S FUNNY: ✦ bury me softly by Nokomis, jason & steph, 4k After a tunnel collapse, Stephanie and Jason bond while trapped together.

BATFAM FIC RECS - DICK AND DAMIAN WERE THE BEST BATMAN & ROBIN, I'M NOT HEARING ARGUMENTS ABOUT THAT EITHER: ✦ ties bind none by eryndew, dick & damian & bruce, 2k Bruce discovers a son. Repercussions and choices follow. ✦ restless heart by emavee, dick & damian, 2.3k It’s ridiculous to act like this one weekend really means anything in the grand scheme of things, but he can’t help it. It isn’t fair. He only gets these few days, and now Grayson is up in space fighting aliens or whatever and Damian is alone on the couch watching Jeopardy by himself. Or: Dick goes off world and Damian misses him ✦ Need To Know Basis by WordsAblaze, dick & damian, 1.1k day sixteen, where damian has zero tolerance for dick hiding injuries from him… ✦ a killer time by konan_konan, dick & damian & alfred & bruce, 4.1k The vent cover clatters to the floor, and Dick flings the knife at Croc, trusting that he's going to be a more of a threat than his goons. Croc roars in pain, or maybe just rage, and Dick scrambles toward the vent, Damian already inside, and - And Killer Croc grabs him by the ankle, slams him into the wood. He feels something break, and he gasps, hardly able to catch his breath. Some sort of metallic clang echoes from behind, and he thinks if Damian comes out of the vent and gets us both killed… ✦ as love carries its strength, but not its labels by AlterHarpia, dick & damian, 2.7k Bruce is on a trip beyond Earth’s Solar System for longer than he intended, making Dick and Damian fall into an old pattern. “I'm not Batman.” A mere reminder, perhaps, but when said to Damian it always sounds like an apology.

BATFAM FIC RECS - BATKIDS ALL HAVE MANY SIBLINGS AND THEY'RE ALL PETTY ASSHOLES AND/OR WONDERFUL BABIES AND I LOVE THEM WITH MY WHOLE BEING: ✦ a study by bernard dowd by cv_angels, tim/bernard & conner & cassie & bart, 4.8k Bernard opens the laptop, spinning it to face Tim with a flourish. It’s a powerpoint with a truly hideous red background, and Tim feels a moment of relief that Bernard isn’t breaking up with him before he registers the words on the slide. REASONS WHY TIMOTHY DRAKE-WAYNE IS A SUPERHERO, A STUDY BY BERNARD DOWD. ✦ princess carry by CreamofTomatoSoup, tim/bernard & duke & tam & damian, 3.1k Tim almost gets shot during a public speech, which is a pretty average Tuesday. Being rescued by his civilian boyfriend, however, is not. ✦ beep beep!! by CreamofTomatoSoup, tim/bernard & bruce & dick & jason & tim & cass & duke, 6.1k Bernard learned to drive from his henchman uncle. The last place he expects to use this skill is at a dinner with his boyfriend's family. ✦ little menace by InkpotSprite, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian & alfred, de-aged!tim, 16.2k wip "Did a two year old just outrun you?" Jason asked, wanting to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Bruce clenched his jaw. "I didn't want to hurt him." He growled. "Liar!" Tim piped up from under the desk. Jason was starting to like this version of his successor. ✦ It Wasn't Supposed to Be Like This: I wouldn't Change a Thing by Grayson1996, bruce & dick & steph, 4.1k She smiled tightly at him and stiffly beckoned him forward. If Bruce had to guess they weren’t close in the future, or perhaps she just didn’t know him. Regardless he stepped forward, though he didn’t turn to look at the figure on the bed just yet. For a moment the two simply stared at one another before Stephanie rolled her eyes at him. “Here’s where you apologize for pushing me against the wall.” Bruce felt guilt stir at the words despite the fact that she was clearly joking. ✦ in the lungs by hellsreluctantheir, tim & steph & cast, 2.8k It went bad the way things always went bad. All at once. Steph had taken out two thugs (and maybe picked up a sprained wrist though she wasn’t counting her chickens before they hatched) and Tim was almost finished up with his third, when she saw him get launched backwards, head hitting the railing at the side with a resounding clang. She saw him slump to the deck, saw him struggle weakly as the thug pulled him up by his cape and looked at him for a moment, before tossing him directly into the Gotham River.

BATFAM FIC RECS - I SAY THIS IS A BATFAM REC LIST BUT SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOTTA SHOVE THOSE ASSHOLES OUT OF THE WAY AND READ SOME SUPERFIC: ✦ Troublemakers by Kannika, clark & lois & conner, ~1k Introducing Conner and Lois is the worst mistake Clark has made in a long time. Because they're getting along. ✦ oh brother by corvidspectre, conner & lois & jon, 1.2k “So what are you being for Halloween?” Kon had asked when he got to the Kent's place. “Superboy!” Jon smiled, making Lois chuckle under her breath. ✦ Gut Feeling by Ao3time, lois & conner, 18.7k wip Lois Lane rescues a teenager who looks a lot like someone she knows...

BATFAM FIC RECS - TAKE THE ANGST DIAL, TURN IT UP TO ELEVEN, AND BREAK THE KNOB OFF, THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE FOR: ✦ my threads are coming loose by dizarys, dick & talia & cast, ~1k “Oh good, I see both you and Bruce are on the same page about unrealistic expectations for grieving,” muttered Dick. Talia sucked her teeth and turned back to the grave, long hair swinging. The sound was so much like Damian’s iconic tut that fresh tears welled in Dick’s eyes. ✦ Fatherhood; a Knife that Never Stops Cutting by minnow_doodle_doo, bruce & dick & alfred, no powers au, 2.1k There always seemed to be a thread that tied all their histories, from Alfred to Bruce back to Dick. Repeated over and over. And now it seemed that Dick found that the thread had been longer than he first thought. ✦ Tap Out by withthekeyisking, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian, read the tags, 4.8k Dick knows the importance of tapping out in training, so your partner doesn't accidentally hurt you. It becomes instinct, so heavily ingrained in him. He doesn't understand why his brothers don't do it, too. (Until they do, and it's too late.) ✦ A Death in the Family by PrincessMariana, bruce & dick & jason, yandere!bruce (?), read the tags, 12.4k The Joker has killed Jason Todd. Bruce tells Dick immediately, and Dick returns to the manor. Bruce will do anything to keep his remaining son safe and close. Dick thinks it's the grief that's keeping him exhausted. ✦ Car Crashes and Hot Chocolate by PrincessMariana, bruce & dick, yandere!bruce (?), read the tags, 2.3k Dick almost dies trying to escape Bruce. Neither of them are happy about the outcome, and so they talk about it. This is a follow-up oneshot for A Death in the Family and is set before Into the Gilded Cage. This can technically be read alone, though it does have spoilers for A Death in the Family. ✦ Into the Gilded Cage by PrincessMariana , bruce & dick & tim, yandere!bruce (?), read the tags, 17.5k Tim investigates if Dick Grayson is being held against his will by Bruce Wayne. He somehow ends up spending the summer with the two at Wayne Manor. It might be a prison for Dick, but the more Tim stays, the less he wants to leave. This follows A Death in the Family, but you don't need to read that to read this. It might be useful, though. ✦ The Third Robin's Flight by PrincessMariana, bruce & dick & tim, yandere!bruce (?), read the tags, 13.7k wip Tim accepts his place as Bruce' third - and most loyal - son. When his mother dies and his father returns to Gotham, Tim once again must pick a side, but Bruce never lets go of his children easily. Meanwhile, Dick struggles with the ramifications of finding the Joker, and Bruce remembers why Batman needs a Robin. This follows Into the Gilded Cage. ✦ Family Crisis by librarylexicon, bruce & dick & tim & cass & steph & leslie & barbara & selina & amy & cast, read the tags, 78.1k wip At the close of the gang war, Batman uncovers an attempted deception concerning the life of his former protégé Stephanie Brown, and suddenly nothing is as important as his family. While Dick seeks absolution, Tim struggles with grief, Cassandra searches for belonging and Steph rebuilds her sense of self, Bruce faces the return of ghosts from his own past and psyche. (War Games AU) ✦ New Again by dustorange, dick & bruce & thomas wayne jr., 10.1k wip “I’m not a good man,” says Thomas. “No," Dick hesitates, then comes closer, "but you're not an old man either." (a.k.a. Earth 3's Thomas Wayne Jr. "helps" Batman and Robin get back to their world, only for Bruce alone to be sent back, leaving Dick stranded in Earth 3—with Thomas.) ✦ not anything, anymore by emavee, dick & bruce, 2k Bruce kicked him out four months ago. Apparently these particular kidnappers didn't get the memo.

✦ dreamer by day by justbeyondstars, dick & bruce & jason & tim, 5.3k In the next room over, Jason and Tim are laughing, and it startles Dick back into his body to remember he’s not alone. He feels impossibly empty, unmovable, untouchable. He almost forgets he's still on the phone until a voice says, “Is there anything I can do for you, Dick? Anything you need to make this easier?” Or: Dick is a lot of things to a lot of people. After getting some bad news, he has to grapple with the fact it might not always be enough. ✦ watching the world go dark by daringyounggrayson, dick & bruce, 3.5k It wasn’t that Dick was suicidal exactly, but if an opportunity came about where he would have to actively save himself from death, he might just let go. He might not be suicidal, but he's not self-preserving either, and it’s becoming a real problem. Luckily, Bruce is a worried parent with a few detective skills. ✦ hold me like water (or hold me like a knife) by dizarys, bruce & dick & tim, 2k Dick's recovery after a amnesiac year as Ric Grayson is taking longer than expected. And has some difficult side effects.

BATFAM FIC RECS - SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO TAKE ALL THE SERIOUSNESS OUT OF THE ROOM AND STAY SOFT FOR AWHILE: ✦ And There Was Only One Bed: Family Edition by RandomReader13, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian & cass, 1.7k “You’ve gotta be kidding me.” Dick stood on his toes to peek over Jason’s shoulder into the hotel room and grimaced. “Uh, Bruce…” “There was a mix-up with the reservation,” Bruce grunted. ✦ so everyone's just a fucking scalie huh by destiny919, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian & cass, 1.1k "Birds are animals, Jay." "What the fuck? No. Aren't they basically reptiles?" Jason demands. "First of all, no, you're thinking of dinosaurs, which is what they actually are in the Flintstones. Second of all, reptiles are animals." "Bullshit." "Okay, I..." Tim pinches his nose. "Okay. I think I see the problem here." "Yes, Todd sustained a traumatic brain injury the other night and didn't see fit to inform anyone before we left on this inane trip." ✦ The Batmobile (and other Bat things) by JeanjacketCarf, bruce & dick & clark & justice league, 2k “Batmobile?!” Barry looked incredulous. It was clear he was missing the point of the story. “He called it the Batmobile? Out loud? In front of you?” Clark shrugged. “Yeah, twice. I’m sure I heard it right.” “Batmobile, my god,” Barry said shaking his head. “I can’t believe it.” Or Apparently, the Bat-Man is not a cryptid, he's a guy who gives his stuff silly names ✦ Vampire Bats by Sohotthateveryonedied, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian & cass & steph & duke & cast, 4.1k Despite the many, many obstacles, having his kids turn into vampires isn’t as tragic as Bruce anticipated it would be. Whenever one of them is grounded, all Bruce has to do is hang a cross on their door and they’re sufficiently contained. And the energy boost has been incredibly helpful on patrols. ✦ Adventures in Batsitting by raven_of_hydecastle, bruce & dick & clark & lois & justice league, 10k wip "What, you're telling me the great Batman couldn't stop a nine-year-old from sneaking out?" Green Lantern scoffed. "At least come up with a believable excuse." It was Batman's turn to scoff. "Like anyone else could do better. If you can keep Robin off the streets for a week, I'll buy you a Porsche." *** AKA The JLA stages an intervention with Batman to get Robin off the streets. it goes downhill from there.

BATFAM FIC RECS - THROW BABY DICK AT BATTISON, C'MON DO IT, IT'LL BE HILARIOUS: ✦ though the sun and sky may fade (all shall be remade) by queenofthestarrrs, dick & bruce & alfred, 1.8k Dick Grayson asks a lot of questions. ✦ My Little Robin by tyrianzzz, jim & dick & bruce, 1.6k After being Partners with the Bat for so long Gordon tries not to question his life choices. Until Robin comes along. ✦ I Wish My Father Had More Sons by shipNslash, bruce & dick & jason & alfred, 9.4k Jason Todd and Dick Grayson, from strangers to brothers to enemies and back again.

#lumi.txt #dc #batfam #dick grayson #jason todd #tim drake #damian wayne #stephanie brown #bruce wayne #conner kent #battison #fic recs #batman fic recs #long post

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atalana · 2 months ago

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so i finally got the chance to read the book of bill! and man those journal 3 pages, i could write a million essays on those, but the principle one that i can't get out my head is the new insight on ford's whole fucked up paradigm of what love is

like, neither of the stan twins really know how to experience unconditional love, because they never really had it. their dad was constantly comparing the two of them and really just stamping down stanley's self worth at any given moment. and even for ford who was praised, he's not an idiot, he saw how stan got treated all the time, and their dad was very explicit as to why. ford's praise and attention hinged on him being the family genius who could make them all a lot of money, and he knew very well if he failed to live up to that, he would also lose his father's love

and you see this in stan in his desperate need for everyone to like him, but also how he doesn't really believe anyone ever truly could love him, so whenever he gets the chance with anyone he clings onto that relationship as tight as he can, terrified it's going to disappear at any second

ford, meanwhile. the more direct threat to him was the bullies and the people that made him feel lesser for being abnormal. and no kid likes feeling like that, we know it's a spike buried deep in his psyche, which gave him a reason for the dichotomy he ends up forming.

when he was a kid, people tended to fall into two categories - those who were really impressed with him and his potential, and those who saw him as a freak and wanted to drag him down for it. the love he got and the hate he got are directly related to both.

and as a result ford is constantly looking for people who will give him intellectual gratification (what he thinks love is), and he categorises everyone else as "unimportant obstacles in my way" (because that's how he thinks about those bullies, so their words won't hurt anymore)

stanley was the first category, until he sharply became the second

and splitting the world into those two categories makes him an absolutely horrible person! like, one hand yeah, you do have sympathy for ford bc that is straight up torture bill put him through and no one should have to experience it (and i do wanna make clear this is not a ford hate post, he does have good qualities im just interested in the bad rn)

on the other hand though, god, i'm always struck by just how hateful he is towards so many unimportant things (just one of many examples, christmas songs are fake and stupid bc rudolph didn't burn santa's workshop to the ground as revenge for ostracizing him like jesus christ dude)

or the bit where he sees one of stan's shitty product ads and considers calling him and pretending to be a cop just to scare him, because in ford's mind that's a punishment he deserves for daring to look so stupid while sharing ford's face

and it just drills in how much ford is not willing to see stan's side of this in any way, because what do you think would happen if you went through with that plan? don't you know stan's already scared enough? you saw him get kicked out, you saw the ultimatum that came with it, and hell thanks to the book of bill we know you were also scared to go home until you had something to show for it. he's trying his best, and you understood that once. but then stan throws your journal back in your face and you yell that you're giving him the chance to do the first worthwhile thing in his life.

everything he did to try and make something of himself, to try and prove himself worthy of literally any love at all, you didn't care about that. now he's in a position to help you, so of course he should just drop everything and obey your orders to the letter without question. that's the only way to redeem himself for getting in your way, why won't he take it?

by the time bill shows up ford felt fully justified in going "this isn't about me, and therefore it's stupid and unimportant and should be destroyed". and i know exactly why, it's because again you think intellectual gratification and love are the same thing and you're running low on both right now so you're trying to make up the difference by affirming how right you are in your goddamn diary, but right does not make you good or kind or wise

and that makes it kind of a self fulfilling prophecy, because loving you is hard, and the one person genuinely willing to do so unconditionally you're keeping at a very aggressive arms length. but you fall for bill so easily, because he understands how important you are, which must be love, and all of these other people worried about you just aren't smart enough to get it

and not even realising bill's lies could cure him of that one. hell, 30 years spent dimension hopping didn't cure it. when ford gets back he is still just as self righteous, and still willing to categorise dipper as "will give me intellectual gratification" and the rest of them as intrinsically less valuable

which is why dipper can't take the deal ford offered him. if he had, he would have turned out exactly like ford, stuck in his own echo chamber unable to tell the difference between love and praise

mabel says at one point in the comics that the reason the two grunkles are bad at looking after kids is because they still are kids, and that's a really accurate insight. that old wound cut so deep neither of them had the chance to actually move past their childhood, and discover what it was they were missing

stan never stopped wanting his brother back, but ford didn't realise that was what he needed too, until he saw mabel and dipper working as a team against bill. he's acknowledged his mistake in trusting bill before now, but "we used to be like that" is his first time acknowledging that his whole approach to people is wrong.

you've always had one source of unconditional love. you didn't need to be better than him to be worthy of it. and now you've got an entire new family, hopefully you'll realise that can come from multiple fronts

(and it's okay stan shall have his revenge for how you treated him by commiting just. so much tax fraud in your name)

#i am the tiredsleepy so i apologise if this is rambly but i have Thoughts #gravity falls #stanford pines #ford pines #stanley pines #stan pines #bill cipher #the book of bill

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misc-obeyme · 11 months ago

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You know the drill.

Spoilers for Lesson 40 below, including locked and hard lessons.

Just to clarify: when I say that it’s “the end” in my rantings, I am referring to season two, not the entire game. ☺️

Hmm.

I'm confused. And... underwhelmed? What even just happened?

I mean, we had lovely moments with the side characters and we got to kiss them all and of course I'm incredibly pleased I got to kiss Barbatos and Solomon, but aside from that we just... went back?

Most of the lesson was about the RAD founding ceremony. We say good bye to the side characters and they even address how we told Solomon his cooking was bad (more on this later).

But just as the ceremony is about to start, a dark rift opens in the sky. It's a rift in space and time. Barbatos straight up asks Solomon if he did it. Solomon says he didn't, but that he wasn't expecting it to show up so soon. (So who did create it? Nightbringer? And if so, doesn't this prove Solomon at the very least knows enough to know when Nightbringer is going to open a portal back through time??)

We miss the ceremony because we have to go through that rift if we wanna get back. The brothers come with us because we need their power. Just like when we summoned the white dragon, we call upon each brother for his power. Then Solomon adds his. Then there's a bright light and..

...roll credits.

Yeah. That's it. That's the end.

There's a locked lesson where Diavolo gives a speech at the ceremony.

And then the HARD lesson... is us returning to the House of Lamentation in our time. The brothers are all like oh hey MC good morning like nothing even happened. They say it's weird because it feels like it's been a long time since they've seen MC but that can't be right because it hasn't been that long at all.

AND THAT'S IT.

No Nightbringer. No further insight from Solomon or Barbatos. Not even sad angsty brothers who have been missing us.

It was like they didn't know we were gone.

So either we went back a little further in time or there was never a point where they decided as a group to send Solomon back to help us.

We didn't even get a Michael appearance!

THAT WAS VERY ANTICLIMACTIC.

I am confused because it wasn't bad, it was kinda cheesy, there were some sweet lines and like I mentioned previously I got to kiss my malewives but WHAT THE JUNK.

I'm not suffering, more like I'm just left hanging???

My one consolation is that we're back in our timeline now. So maybe NEXT SEASON we can FINALLY get some ANSWERS.

I really thought they couldn't drag it out any further and yet...

I didn't take a whole lot of screenshots this time because again, it was kinda just... underwhelming. Overall this lesson was just me going that's it?! And being baffled.

First I'd like to present you with these lovely Barbatos moments.

As sweet as this is, the man knows. Not that I ever thought anything else, but he's so subtle about it. I'm onto you, Barb.

My HEART. If I wasn't going back to another version of him, I would just be like nope staying by your side forever the end I don't care about anybody else.

But before all that, there was also this:

I'm glaring at you because you let Solomon into the kitchen.

I DIDN'T WANT TO.

OF COURSE I DIDN'T.

GOOD. SOMEONE ELSE CAN SUFFER WITH ME.

OHHhhhh Barb I love when you get all threatening and smile like that 💕

But seriously, then Barbatos and Luke help Solomon make a lunch that's actually delicious and we eat it with everybody and they're all amazed. I was like OKAY WELL I do feel a bit better about that whole fiasco now. But still, was it even necessary to begin with? No amount of sweet kitchen buffoonery with these guys is going to make me forget the pain.

At least we had a cute Solomon moment, too.

Yeah but I'm still wondering about the past version of you, Sol. I'm just saying, where is that guy?

I mean you don't have to look so sad about it.

Ah. Your jealousy is showing, Solomon. (I don't mind.)

Hard Lesson bits because I'm still just ????

YEAH BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T.

YEAH IT'S BEEN TWO WHOLE SEASONS.

Once again, I am left with more questions than what I started with. Will MC tell the brothers what happened? Will we just never see the past brothers again? Will we return to the past in the next season? Will we ever see Nightbringer again, the being for whom this game was named?

At the very least, we still have Mephisto being himself and man I can't believe I ever disliked this guy.

THAT'S MY BOY.

I'm feeling extremely unsatisfied but it isn't like that's anything new.

I will say that it wasn't as bad as I expected. I was expecting them to do some really terrible things that made me freak out and scream and scare my cat. But no, I was mostly just ?? the whole time. And confusion is preferable to suffering in this case.

But I am also ANNOYED. We have waited long enough for the Nightbringer reveal, please give it to us now Solmare!!!

I fear we only have a short time before we are dragged further into this game that has truly become a hell of its own when season three is upon us... (I'm being deliberately melodramatic but still...)

#???#????#?????#obey me #obey me nightbringer #obey me nightbringer spoilers #obey me nightbringer lesson 40 #obey me solomon #obey me barbatos #misc lesson recap #misc rambles

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actual-changeling · 5 months ago

Text

This was supposed to be a short little Folie à Deux meta, but several hours of writing, thinking, and script research later, and suddenly here we are.

Welcome to this glimpse into my insane mind.

So! Let's go on a little journey and discuss the ending of season five, because Folie à Deux not only sets the foundation for The End but actively makes it so much worse than it could have been.

In the previous episodes, Mulder has been ditching her and blowing her off more and more, he keeps doing things behind her back without telling her, they keep having fights about belief vs. hard facts, and then, at the beginning of that episode, what happens?

MULDER: I must've done something to piss him off. SCULLY: What do you mean? MULDER: Get stuck with this jerk-off assignment or have I finally reached that magic point in my career where every time somebody sees Bigfoot or the Virgin Mary on a tortilla I get called to offer my special insight on the matter? SCULLY: You're saying "I" a lot. I heard "we." Nor do I assume that this case is just a waste of our time. MULDER: Not yours, anyway. There's no reason both of us should go to Chicago. I'll take care of it. SCULLY: Mulder! MULDER: I'm monster boy, right?

He actively and intentionally breaks them up against her will. Mulder is making decisions for THEM without consulting or listening to her, and what can she do except let him run off like he so clearly wants to.

Now, what do you think she takes away from that?

After being left in the dark about his undercover mission in the episode before? After Mulder showing her, one way or another, that he does not want to work with her, that he's fine leaving her behind?

But alright, she stays behind, it's simply Mulder being Mulder.

She does the research he asks her to do. She shows up and helps out when he gets taken hostage. She listens to him, tries to understand, she's concerned because he hasn't been sleeping. She does the fucking autopsy even though he went behind her back and tricked her into it. She keeps looking and looking and looking, and by the end, she's not relieved that the case is finally done or that Mulder is no longer actively insane.

Folie à Deux—a madness shared by two, that's what she believes is happening to her, to them.

Shared by two. Scully thinks of them as a pair, a team, an "us" and a "we".

We all know what he tells her when she visits him at the hospital, but let's really really think about the consequences of it.

MULDER: Scully, you have to believe me. Nobody else on this whole damn planet does or ever will. You're my one in five billion.

Yeah, alright, that sounds intensely romantic and affirming of their partnershi— oh that?

Oh, that's Diana. No, I never told you about her even though she's arguably one of the most impactful people in my life. I found the X Files with her, she believes in my theories without giving me any resistance, we were in a relationship, she's back now and I am spending more time with her than with you while ALSO not paying attention to you.

If I will tell you about her now? No. But I WILL treat her like she's my partner and not you.

SCULLY: Say that what you're suggesting were even possible, who'd want to kill a kid whose abilities would offer you the ultimate advantage—I mean in business, in war, in anything? DIANA: Maybe somebody whose business is in keeping secrets. MULDER: Well, let's test him. I think the kid will stand up. Let's run a brain scan and a psych evaluation on him. (looking away) You know what to do, Diana.

Not a single word of recognition towards Scully after the shitshow that just went down with Gibson. Way to go, Mulder, way to go.

On top of that, it is worth mentioning that Fowley calls him by his first name and he calls her by hers. Scully can probably count the amount of times Mulder has called her "Dana" on one hand, and she doesn't call him "Fox" because, and I quote:

MULDER: And I... I even made my parents call me Mulder. So... Mulder.

So, Diana is an exception. Why? Why does she get to call him that? Why she but not Scully?

Why does she get to reappear in his life after leaving without an explanation and have Mulder welcome her back with open arms, offering Scully's position on a silver platter?

Scully needs to ask TLG for help and information about Fowley, and it makes everything so much worse. Within their work-relationship, she's the scientist, that's her job, that's who she is, that's why Mulder needs her, and Fowley isn't one.

Right?

LANGLY: She was there when he discovered the X-Files. She has a background of para-science.

Oh. Oh, okay. Sure.

A big thank you to @sentientsky for sharing the script, which gives us this wonderful additional information:

So, to summarize, she's hot, Mulder's type, has exactly the kind of background that someone working on the X Files needs, and they have an old dynamic to fall back into—a dynamic they fall back into period.

She goes through all that, stays up all night to make sure her evidence is scientifically sound, just for Mulder to not even back her up when Spender and Fowley challenge her.

The script actively states that this is what Diana has been waiting for during the meeting—to refute Scully.

Fowley questions Scully's capabilities as both an agent and a scientist during a meeting right in front of Mulder, and Scully looks at him. She waits for him to say something, to defend her like he usually would, but he doesn't.

He doesn't even look at her.

The betrayal she must have felt, ESPECIALLY after what he told her at the hospital. It's no wonder she writes off anything and everything he says to her when he's injured in some form after that experience.

She needs to make herself believe he was just talking like that because he was having some sort of episode, because what are the other options here?

One in five billion, until someone better comes along?

Until he no longer needs her to do something for him?

Until she has outlived her usefulness and has transitioned from being a vital part of their investigations to being annoying and overly sceptical?

Until it becomes clear that Mulder isn't the issue in their partnership, it's her? That all her fears and anxieties weren't so irrational, after all?

Because it's important to remember that this is the day after she saw him and Diana at the hospital.

After THIS:

How much do you wanna bet that she spent the last, what, twelve hours since seeing them trying to convince herself that it's not what she thinks?

That, of course, Mulder is still her partner. That they're still a team. That she is not an indulgence to Mulder or the X Files, that she belongs down in that basement just as much as he does.

You and me. Me and you. Right? ...Right??

The case goes off the rails, Fowley gets shot, Gibson gets kidnapped, CSM delivers a Star Wars line and later burns down their office.

She stays at his apartment for the night, and we see them interacting when Skinner calls, but Mulder is still not fully acknowledging her. He asks her about Fowley and any news regarding their assignments, but that's it.

No "how are you feeling about potentially getting fired, Scully?"

Now, there's this tiny but important part that they decided to cut, which emphasizes the emotional gap between them; it re-affirms what we have seen for way too many episodes.

Mulder cares about her, but he is completely taking her and the safety she offers him for granted. He is, and I mean this in the least negative way possible, essentially using her as a crutch—without even noticing. Scully notices, though, and in lieu of an explanation from Mulder, she is forced to draw her own conclusions.

I'm going to stay here (your life) if that's okay with you (if you still want me in it).

When they're standing in the ashes at the end, it's just as horrifying and terrible for her as it is for Mulder, and she clings to him for the both of them. She clings to him to keep him from breaking, and he doesn't hug her back.

Scully is giving him her everything, she's trying so incredibly hard to keep him in one piece and soothe his pain, but, tell me, who is taking care of her?

There's a limit, she has reached it, and Mulder doesn't even realize it.

Is he acting maliciously at any point? No, definitely not. However, he is carelessly cruel sometimes, doesn't communicate how much Scully means to him, and simply keeps taking and taking because she keeps giving.

Five years, and yet he still blames and distrusts her when she doesn't immediately jump onto his insect zombie bandwagon. Five years, and never once did he mention the person he found the X Files with. Fowley so easily takes Scully's place and she understandably feels rejected and unloved.

WE know he loves her, yes, but she isn't sure of that anymore. Loving someone comes with feeling comfortable around them and being yourself, yet he is incapable of fully understanding the responsibility they both have to keep each other safe from each other.

Scully is sacrificing herself to keep him from breaking and he does not even notice how she is falling apart right next to him.

#alex watches x files #txf #the x files #x files #dana scully #fox mulder #scully x mulder #mulder x scully #msr #txf meta #msr meta #hi i'm insane about this show #jesus christ what IS THIS SCRIPT CHRIS CARTER I AM IN YOUR WALLS

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sehodreams · 7 months ago

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oh okay<3☺️☺️

this all i got. i blacked out. lemme know if u have any more insight into how he would be😭😭

sungchan would love the contrast of his slim, athletic body against your plush figure, he wouldn’t be able to help himself from grabbing your tits and tummy and ass, all the time, he’d constantly be all over you, and if he was feeling mean he’d be in your ear whispering nasty things to make you flustered<333. sungchan taking you to a party with his friends, you’re dressed in a tight little red dress he picked out for you, breasts spilling over the top lacey cups, almost to an embarrassing point, but he told you that you looked great and not to worry about it, all of the other girls there will be wearing equally revealing clothes, but when you get there, you’re overly self conscious of how your dress does not fit you properly, especially when sungchan brings you to greet his friends, eunseok, and anton and both of them don’t look away from your chest for even a second while they mumble “hellos” and “there’s beer in the kitchen” so sungchan takes you into the kitchen to get himself a drink and he pours you a shot and tells you to drink it, you sniff at it, asking him what it is, “it’s alcohol, doll” and he tilts the base of the glass up to force you to open your mouth to drink it down, you take it like a champ but you whine after, wiping your mouth and complaining how it burns. sungchan gives your ass a smack, and pulls you in closer to him by your waist, fingers gripping at the material at the back of your dress and tugging it up a little to which you squirm and tug back down on the side of your dress “sungchan, please..” you whimper, the alcohol already clouding your brain a little bit, you inhale his scent, feel his firm chest against you, your chest pressed up against his body and the hold he has on you is so firm, you feel a bit dizzy just thinking about him, he presses a soft kiss to your forehead, “what, baby?” he asks, and you’re looking up at him with wide, pleading eyes but you’re not even sure what it is you’re asking for at this point, it’s too much all the time, he’s always all consuming and you find that once again, his teasing has you needy and flustered and so you grind your hips against his a little to test and see how mean he’s going to be and you whisper “channie, need you..” but unfortunately, he is feeling especially mean tonight. he pinches your hip, and presses a few soft kisses to your neck, in your ear like “yeah, well we just got here, so you’ll have to wait. if you’re good for me, and let me parade you around like the little attention whore you are, then we’ll see if i reward you”

i need him so bad

You honestly just blew my mind.

I'm spiraling, I'm shaking, I'm dying.

I love that you introduced Anton and Eunseok, I can't help but imagine them teasing Sungchan for going out and being whipped for you, blowing them off to spend his nights with you, and they're all like "what's wrong with him?", but then you appear all pretty, nervous and extremely conscious of what you're wearing, not able to even look straight at them for more than one min because you can feel your chest spilling out from that dress that doesn't let you hide anything at all, and they finally understand it all.

It's your pretty face getting all shy and blushing contrasting how bold the dress you're wearing is what makes them think "shit, I wouldn't leave her side either", but they won't say anything about it of course, they can already see Sungchan's cheeky smile appearing when he, with the hand that was already hugging your side, slides down your thigh and gives it a light smack to signal you that you should start walking to the kitchen with him.

Then, in the kitchen, before he gives you your shot, he first cages you to the counter so you can't run from his hand pushing the shot to your lips, one hand firm over your waist, pinching you while telling you to open your mouth for him, a command you're so used to that your body does it in its own, and then, after you ask him for some attention, he laughs and takes you to the party again, so he can show you around like he has already told you. He dances with you a little, grinding behind you and teasing you even more between the bodies of people you know nothing about, and your big thighs are sweating and your chest is slightly shining because of how hot the room is, so when he turns you and presses you against him, when he looks at your chest and sees the sweat gloss appearing, he starts to get hard, not caring at all that you're not alone there.

You feel it against your tummy, so you move your eyes from the eyes of his friends you somehow met in the other side of the room to his, and you flash him a smile because you like how good he looks there, but he thinks you're smiling because he's going to give you what you asked for so easily, which makes him think, what can he do to erase that silly smile and replace it with a few tears? Oh, making you cum in his friend's bedroom sounds good enough.

He has you under him, skirt all up and your tits finally naked in front of him, fingers playing with your clit and making your eyes flutter, it's all good and completely soft until he starts fingering you with his long digits, asking you to cum and then not letting you do it when he recognizes the way your cries are getting louder.

"but why?" You ask, sad for losing such a good orgasm.

"Who are you thinking about? Eunseok? I saw you smiling a bit too much at him" he asks, one hand in your neck, pushing you still over the pillow while the other is busy making you open your legs for him.

"only you, please, channie" your eyes look completely drunk from pleasure, and he believes you, but he has to tease you more before anything.

"didn't look like it, fucking attention whore, you think anyone else will want to fuck you? doubt it honey" he says, fingers going back inside you in slow motions. "I'm the only one for you, say it"

"no..." You want to correct him, to fight him, but his fingers are so long you can't even think, it hurts so much you just need to cum, "You-you're the only for me channie"

"of course I am" he smiles, fingers moving faster and deeper, so good that the wet sounds echoes inside the room, louder than the music downstairs.

You cry because he's so ruthless and he knows exactly where that little spot that makes you tremble is, and that, added to his big hand wrapping your throat, have you seen starts, unable to focus on anything that isn't the orgasm you've been needing since he gave you your first drink of the night.

"come on baby, make a mess, I know you want it" he orders against your ear, breath hot and voice erasing all sense in your head, "give Eunseok a taste of what he'll never have"

"w-what?" You ask as you can, freeing your lip that you've been biting without noticing.

"didn't I tell you?" His thumb is circling your clit now, letting you breath for a second "this is his room, and this, his bed"

"no- channie!" You deny, shame warms your face red, and you cry asking for him to stop, you don't want to cum in his friend's bed, you can't, you can't, you can't, you repeat in your head, how would you face them ever again?

You're crying, you want him to stop, so your hands go to his forearm to push him away, but he couldn't care less, moving it harder and telling you to cum with that raspy voice that has your pussy clenching around his fingers so he doesn't leave you instead.

Your legs tremble and your hips jump away from him when you cum with a loud cry of his name, feeling something drip down and your thighs wet, "shit doll, you really made a mess" he laughs, seeing the drops fall from his hand to the bedsheets under you.

You're too dizzy to hear him, too embarrassed to open your eyes and see him, and too happy for that orgasm to reproach him.

Thank you so much for your contribution to this world with more bully!Sungchan, this made me go crazy and I wrote too much again.

#sehodreams thoughts #riize smut

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myfandomrealitea · 4 months ago

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ok I’ll be honest, I was one of the people who approached your safe space post with the mindset “yeah, but…” like, I now whole-heartedly agree that there should absolutely be fandom spaces devoid of real world issues. We all need our spaces to rest and relax. I think I just felt weird about your post because previously ive been in fandom spaces which did operate on the (perfectly fine) rule of ‘no politics’…but ‘politics’ would also include talking about a gay ship or any queer headcannons.

That obviously wasn’t fair to you because you obviously didn’t mean that w/ your post, but I can personally see as to why some people would feel that way if they were in similar fandom spaces. I do still want to reiterate I do agree with your post and I think some of the rebloggers took it…a bit far? Like Jesus Christ some of y’all need to eat a snickers. I also think some of the wording like “bitching about world issues” and “whining about their shitty parents” might’ve thrown me off but that’s not your fault and really a non-issue 🤷🏽‍♀️

you can delete this ask if you want I really won’t mind, I think I can just see as to why there were so many ‘yeah, but…’ rebloggers.

I actually really appreciate asks like this. For a multitude of reasons, but also because it gives really good insight and outer perspective for both me and other people who are aware of or involved in the discussion.

I think what a lot of people don't yet grasp about me is that while I may hold an opposing view to yours (general, not directed), in the vast majority of cases I still very much understand why people would think the way they do and where that thought process comes from and goes.

Its very, very easy to fall into the mindset of thinking that not helping when you have the ability to makes you a bad person or however in/directly causes suffering. Its very easy to be in the mindset of one single individual making a magnitude of difference.

I fully and genuinely understand and comprehend a lot of the points being brought up.

I just don't agree with them and hold a different outlook on those issues.

For example:

Talking about enjoying a queer ship to me is not 'political' in the sense that, personally, if you're a homophobe and upset by generic conversations about queer people, I really could not give a fuck. And if you raise objections to me talking about two dudes kissing, I'm simply going to remove you from my space because clearly it is not beneficial for either of us to share it. And I made it.

Its obviously very very much down to personal discretion to decide where that line is and what that bracket encompasses, but I think the most universal aspect of that safe space post was trying to get people to understand that forcing others to suffer in solidarity isn't activism and that strangers are not obligated to allow you to use them as support and a dumping ground for your needs.

Spreading around videos of people's dead loved ones isn't activism.

Spamming taglines and buzzwords on completely unrelated posts and videos isn't activism.

Relying on complete strangers for emotional and mental support and regulation while dumping vulnerable, graphic, personal information on them is neither safe nor healthy.

People are not obligated to smother or confine their happiness because of your misery. If you're having a bad day you have no right to tell other people they can't be happy in front of you.

A lot of people, mostly white knighters and people of color took the post as "a white privileged pig saying its okay to let racism slide because you want to play your video games" (actual hate mail I received) and that's so laughably and wildly far from the actual basis of the post.

I've had bigots in my servers before. Homophobes or racists who've slipped through the cracks.

You know what happens when they say something homophobic or racist?

They're immediately removed, blocked and reported, and their information is placed in a private document I keep. I issue an apology to the members of the server for their actions, and life goes on.

People are, of course, entitled to take the post as they see fit. They're entitled to their own perspectives and opinions. I'm more than happy to simply focus on the people who have taken support, guidance and solace in the post.

#myfandomrealitea #sephiroth speaks #fandom #proship #reality #proshipping #discourse #that one safe space post #world issues #social issues #society #ustice #moral issues #profic #profiction #fiction

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honeyjars-sims · 17 days ago

Text

3.35 Sticky Situation

It’s the second day of our camping trip and I’m realizing that even when she’s on vacation, Lucy is still in work mode. With the spotty cell service on the mountain, she’s not able to do any actual work so she’s channeling all of her energy into making sure things run smoothly on the trip.

She was up before the rest of us this morning cleaning up our mess from the night before and now that everyone’s awake, she’s been looking for things to do. “We should gather more firewood,” she says.

“We have all day to do that,” I tell her. “Just relax. This is a vacation, remember?”

“I know, but I can’t relax when there are things that need to be done. I always get like this when I’m…on vacation.” I have a feeling there’s more going on but before I can ask her about it, Paul jumps in.

“Well, if you can’t relax until things are done, then at least let someone else do it,” he insists. He turns to me. “John and I can gather up some firewood while you get in some relaxation.”

I start to protest the suggestion–I always hate it when I get roped into hard labor just because I’m a guy–but Lucy looks so relieved that I decide to let it go. “Yeah, we’ll take care of it,” I say instead, and Paul and I head off into the woods.

We barely make it a few feet before Paul starts droning on about how you want to make sure you get the right type of wood, and you have to make sure the pieces you pick aren’t too wet, and blah, blah, blah. “Yeah, yeah,” I cut in. “If I have to do this, then I’m gonna do it my way.”

“Oh? What’s your way? If you have any insights, I’m happy to hear them.”

“It’s pretty simple. Is this wood? If yes, then I pick it up.”

“Hmm, ok,” he says, sounding uncertain. “I suppose we’ll see how that goes tonight.”

“I guess we will.”

“You’re kind of competitive aren’t you?” he asks.

I feel my face growing hot, remembering how I tried–and failed–to show him up on our last hiking trip. “Uh, not really,” I mutter.

“Oh, so, it’s just with me then?” His words would sound confrontational if not for the softness of his tone. He seems more curious than argumentative.

“Look, I’m sorry about all of that. I was just feeling a little insecure with all of the attention you were getting from the girls. I’m trying to be more mature about it, though.”

“Ahh, the girls,” he replies. “That’s what that was about. I don’t see what you’re so insecure about, though.”

“Well, I mean, you’re going to be a doctor, and you’re more athletic than I am.” Spelling out my insecurities isn’t exactly making me feel better about them.

Paul shrugs. “I don’t even start med school until the fall,” he counters. “Besides, you had everyone laughing and that’s something I’ve never been good at. In fact, I’m famous in my family for telling the worst jokes.”

“Oh, really?” I ask, excited for an opportunity to pass on some advice about something I’m good at. “In my opinion, the main thing people get wrong about comedy is that they try too hard to be funny instead of just finding opportunities naturally.”

“You think so? Maybe that’s where I’m going wrong.”

“It could be. Go ahead, just say what comes to mind without thinking too much about whether or not it’s funny.”

“Uh, ok, what’s brown and sticky?” he asks.

“I don’t know, what is it?”

“A stick!”

This is not a good joke. Like objectively it’s not, but he has this huge grin on his face like he’s standing on stage at a sold out comedy show, and I can’t help but laugh with him. Not in a mean way; he’s so pleased with himself that it’s kind of endearing. “It was good?” he asks eagerly.

“Well…” I choose my words carefully. “Maybe the joke wasn’t the best, but I think you have the right attitude. I’m sure if you start looking out for the humor in different situations then it’ll start coming naturally to you.”

“Ok, well, thanks for the feedback.”

“No problem. We should probably start gathering up that wood. What did you say we should look for again?”

Previous | Beginning of story | Beginning of chapter | Next

#posting this early bc i need a distraction #sims 4 #ts4 #ts4 story #simblr #sims storytelling #sims story #sims community #show us your story #simlit #stksafeharbor #safeharborstory #sh:chapter3 #sh:johnny #sh:lucy #sh:paul #oc: lucy dimarco #oc: paul dimarco

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princessbrunette · 7 months ago

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HOLDONNNNN now that u jogged my memory of tattooartist!pope… how wld he feel when u start teasing him every other day with the tattoos youre getting.. maybe today youre asking him for a tramp stamp then a couple of days later youre back asking for a tattoo in your cleavage like… do u get my vision

╭────── · · ౨ৎ · · ──────╮

you’d joined the pogues on their little trip to their favourite diner — and whilst they were up at the counter ordering their food you’d been left all alone at the booth with pope. despite there being plenty of space for everyone, you couldn’t help but be squished right up against his side — feeling a clinginess for the tattoo artist you had such a crush on.

“m’thinking of making an appointment with you soon.” you smile, wrapping your glossy, glittery lips round the straw to your milkshake— making his eyes flutter, lingering on your mouth before jumping up to your eyes.

“yeah? i can definitely fit you in. what were you thinking of getting?” he’s sure he’s playing it calm and collected, but he can never tell — not being able to shake the feeling that he was still a little bit of a nerd, despite the stereotypical cool-guy job he had now.

“mm, i have a few options. i just know i want you to do it, you seem like you’re really good at what you do.” you compliment, an inkling of shyness crossing over your face as you choose to gaze at the sticky laminate menus on the table instead. he smiles humbly, shrugging his shoulders a little and holding up a palm, wiggling his fingers.

“what can i say, steady hands.” he jokes before looking over you once more. “so uh, talk me through your options. i can help you out.”

you bite your bottom lip for a moment like you’re repressing a giggle before turning your body to him fully. he tries to ignore the way your velour skirt rides a little higher up your thigh.

“you ever done a tramp stamp?” you ask hopefully. he blinks for a moment before his brown eyes light up in recognition.

“like… the lower back tattoo? uh, maybe one or two. is that what you’re wanting?” he tilts his head, imagining you laying on your front in his chair, getting to touch your skin. you made him feel entirely unprofessional.

“well it’s between that or…” you pinch the ruching on your top at the centre of your bust, dragging it down between your breasts as his eyes nervously follow — feeling like he’s not allowed to be looking there. “or something right here.” you point to the smooth skin beneath the middle of your tits, the fat of them curtaining the space you refer to. he swallows thickly, like — full on gulps like a cartoon character as he takes in your request.

“i mean that… that can certainly look pretty too. it’s your choice really, i can’t tell you what to get.” his eyes return to yours when you let go of your top, letting it snap back into place, as well as snap him back into reality.

“mhm, i suppose so. do you just… do you have any insight on what might suit me better? i was telling jj i might get a tat soon, so if not i suppose i can just ask him…” you trail off when he sits up a little straighter in his seat, shaking his head so fast he felt his cheeks move.

“no, no, no— i’m the tattoo artist here i should really, you know — be the one helping you. look— personally, i think a lower back tattoo would suit you. would compliment your style, you know? why don’t you swing by this week and bring me some designs. i’m happy to figure somethin’ out with you.” he’s quick to jump into business and you grin, nodding.

“yeah?”

“sure. anytime you want.” he promises as everyone returns to the table. he drums his hands on the wood as the bustling conversation and debates fire off automatically, your melodic laugh beside him sounding as you quickly get sucked in. he wants to join in too, he really does — but he can’t get the vision of you laying on your front, wincing and groaning at the sting of the needle as he shushes you and talks you through it out of his mind.

╰────── · · ౨ৎ · · ──────╯

#anon #tattooartist!pope #pope heyward prompt

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thezombieprostitute · 6 months ago

Text

Dragonfly - Part 3

Summary: Steve has just about everything he could ever want in life. He's got you, a baby on the way, and a successful Family. No one would dare interfere with that. Right?

A/N: Reader is female, pregnant. No other descriptors used.

Word Count: ~1.1k

Warnings: Death threats, Implied violence, Pregnancy. Please let me know if I missed any!

Part 2 -- Part 4

Series Masterlist

With the contract burned, you were breathing a little easier. Too bad you couldn't say the same for Steve. The insight from Mr. Smith that Dragonfly after you, not trying to hurt Steve, had him questioning anyone and everyone you'd ever met before. So far nothing had hit. There was only a couple of months until the birth and Steve was adamant that Dragonfly be found before it happened.

As much as Steve wanted to keep you locked up inside you still needed to go out every so often. When you did, the security team was always around and Steve always held you close. As much as you wanted to run free, you could pick up on his stress every time you did so. He was hyper-vigilant, had trouble keeping up with conversations, tensed and drew you close at every loud noise.

Thankfully your pregnancy was so far along that the people he worked with, outside of the Family, figured it was him being overprotective. No one questioned his propensity for pulling you away from handshakes and other physical contact.

One of the older ladies, Mrs. Devereaux, at the fundraiser smiled fondly and commented, “I remember my husband being the same way during my first pregnancy. You've got to love how protective these big strong men can be when they're nervous.”

You chuckled, “he is delightfully good at making me feel safe. You should've seen him during the ultrasounds.”

She coos, “oh, I'll bet he was a big ball of nerves!”

“He was, though he'd never admit it,” you reply. “And you should've seen him when he found out we're having a boy.”

“Oh yes,” she sighs. “My husband was the exact same way. I'm so glad to see you two have such a loving relationship. And that your bear of a husband is keeping you safe.”

“I'm just glad he isn't growling at people who get too close.”

You and Mrs. Devereaux had a good laugh over that before she went to speak to someone else.

Steve pulled you close and whispered in your ear, “if I recall correctly, you enjoy when I growl at you.”

“Exactly,” you smile at him. “At me. You growling at others isn't as fun.” You kiss him before gently hissing at the pain in your lower back. “Still, if you want to get out of here a little early, I don't think we would mind.”

Steve nods and gives his silent signal to his security team that you're getting ready to leave. The two of you say goodbyes as you head out, Steve's far more terse than yours. Anyone who takes longer than ten seconds gets a glare from Steve that has them finishing up their goodbyes quickly.

Steve helps you into the back seat before climbing in himself. Bucky sits up front with Dayton driving. You always feel safe in the car. Steve will do everything he can to keep you safe; Bucky is head of security for a reason and Dayton White is the best driver they've got on the crew. You let yourself breathe deep and relax as you rub your stomach.

“How are you holding up,” Steve asks, rubbing your arm.

“Better now that I'm sitting.”

“I keep trying to make sure we only go to events with seating,” he grumbles. “Still, it's nice to have an excuse to leave early. I don't think we're gonna be able to get that bill passed, regardless of how much time we spent there.”

“I'm so sorry, Sweetie,” you coo, moving your hand to rub his cheek. “I know it would've helped a lot of people. Oh!” Everyone in the car is on alert until you move Steve's hand to your stomach. “Yeah, he's also happy to be sitting down,” you chuckle as your baby kicks where Steve's hand is. “I think he's also hungry.”

“And what is he hungry for,” Steve asks, his eyes never leaving where his hand is.

“I'm thinking ice cream with some of that spicy sweet Tabasco sauce.”

Steve gives you a look but the baby's persistent kicks seem to confirm your choice and he chuckles.

After your ice cream and a long nap, you find yourself in the kitchen again, looking to make some baked apples with extra cinnamon. As you work, Steve comes in and watches you, smiling contentedly. At least, until your back starts hurting again, causing you to wince and look for a chair.

Steve walks up behind you, “there's something I'd like to try for that back pain, if you'll let me?”

“Of course.” He reaches around to your front and slowly, carefully, lifts your pregnant belly. “Oh, Steve,” you moan. “Oh, that helps so much.” Tears form in your eyes from the relief.

“However long you need me to stand like this,” he promises, kissing your cheek. “You know I'll always support you however I can.”

“I know,” you assure. “And you know I'll always do the same for you.” He nods in confirmation, his beard lovingly scratching your cheek.

After a few minutes your cravings get the better of you, “that was wonderful, Sweetheart, but I gotta get the baby some food.”

“Are you sure? I can stay like this for a while longer.”

You chuckle, “yeah, I'm sure you could. But then your arms would be too tired to hold me later when we're in bed.”

“Never,” he jokinglly snaps, making you laugh. He gently lets go and you get back to work on the baked apples.

“Have you given further thoughts to which friends we're naming the baby after?” It's been a major topic of discussion between the two of you. Bucky and Sam have been running their own campaigns for who the baby should be named after. So much so that the Garbage Men have a betting pool for who gets to be the namesake.

“Honestly,” Steve starts, “I'm thinking of none of them. Giving our son a name of his own.”

“A lot of people will be upset,” you chuckle. “But I very much understand what you're going for. I think it'd be good for everyone, especially baby Winston.” Steve arches an eyebrow at that and you giggle even more. “We could also call him Jameson? Being a combination of James and Wilson?”

“That one I'd give some thought to. But it feels more like a last name.”

“Oh I know,” you chirp, “Jack! For the artist who brought us together!”

“I think I like that,” he muses. “We've still got time to decide, but I do like that one.” He stands behind you and loosely wraps his arms around you again. “Hmm. Jack Steven Rogers...”

Part 2 -- Part 4

Series Masterlist

Tags:

@alicedopey; @aryhyuuga; @cynic-spirit; @icefrozendeadlyqueen; @jamneuromain; @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory; @ktficworld; @leryg0; @rayofdawnworld; @rebekahdawkins; @ronearoundblindly; @talesofadragon; @texmexdarling

#mob boss!steve rogers #mob!steve rogers #mafia!steve rogers #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers x female reader #mob!steve rogers x reader

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thealtoduck · 1 year ago

Text

Caged

Peter Parker x Male Black Cat!Reader

Warnings: angst, reader is a sad boy…

Male Black Cat!Reader: Masterlist

Summary: You weren’t in school that day, you didn’t answer any calls so either, so Peter comes to your house to check on you (+ he gets an unknowing insight in to the mind of Black Cat)…

——

Peter looked for Y/n around the school, he hadn’t seen him in their shared classes or by your locker. He even asked your friends but they had told him they hadn’t seen Y/n that day. He tried calling but Y/n didn’t pick up.

Peter knew you could handle yourself but part of him couldn’t help but be concerned. He decided to stop by your house once school finished for the day.

He then took a bus to get to your neighbourhood and walked through the suburbs until he found your house. He rang the doorbell and waited, he heard movements by the door and it opened revealing you.

”Peter? Hey, what are you doing here?” you questioned confused. ”You weren’t in school and didn’t answer any calls so i got worried” Peter explained himself. ”Oh… yeah, I-I’m fine” you said emptily. Peter could tell something was wrong.

”Y/n, are you sure? I’ll leave if you want be to but i just want to make sure you’re okay” Peter said empathically. You just looked at him a couple of seconds and then asked ”You wanna come inside?”. ”Yeah” Peter answered and he entered your home as you closed the door behind him.

”Is your dad home?” he questioned as he hung up his backpack. You shook your head and walked towards kitchen, Peter trailed after you. ”Want coffee?” you asked. ”No, it’s fine” Peter answered as you started preparing a cup for yourself.

Peter leaned against the kitchen island and asked ”How come you weren’t in school today?”. You looked at him as the coffee machine got to work. ”I just wasn’t feeling it today” you said dryly, clearly not telling the full truth.

”Y/n, please be honest” Peter urged moving so that he was standing beside you. ”You know you can trust me” he stated putting a comforting hand on your back.

”My mom’s sentence is getting extended” you told him. Peter was shocked for a second and he asked ”Like-Like prison sentence…”. You nodded. ”If you don’t mind me asking, what is she… you know-” Peter started and you cut in answering simply ”Stealing”.

”Y/n, i’m sorry” Peter said bringing you in to a hug that you only slightly returned. You then got your cup of coffee and the two of you sat down at the dinner table. ”Why’d it get extended?” Peter asked.

”Because she’s not doing well in there, she’s trapped in there, all alone and she’s pissed about it, so she picked a fight with the guards” you explained taking a sip of your drink. ”And I get it, I take after her in that way, i’d be miserable locked up”.

”I’m never gonna let anyone put me in a cage” you stated cooly. ”I’m never gonna let anyone put you in a cage either” Peter said making you give him a small smile. ”Thanks Peter” you said and finished your coffee in silence.

”I still get why she risked it all to end up there” you said. ”What do you mean?” Peter asked. ”She lived for the thrill of it, the stealing, it gave her a very special satisfaction that can’t really be described” you explained letting your mind wander.

You quickly snapped out of it and looked at Peter asking ”Wanna stay for a while and play Mario kart?”. ”Only if i get Waluigi” Peter said. ”If you’re quick enough” you told him and rushed in to the living room.

#peter parker x male reader #peter parker x male!reader #spider man x male reader #spiderman x male reader #peter parker x male black cat reader #marvel x male!reader #male reader #x male reader #x male!reader #mcu x male reader #avengers x male reader #avengers x male!reader

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fairycosmos · 6 months ago

Note

i was talking to a professional author the other day and she was talking about her experience with chronic pain— she said that chronic pain doesn’t help her writing, it’s actually the worst for her writing, and she writes despite it. and my boyfriend told me that it feels the same with grief— it’s not something that helps your writing/art. it’s something that informs it, yes, and it’s something that can be used as catharsis, but it’s not something that’s actually helpful to it, it just hurts. and, a lot of the people i know who write on (I’m a writer, so i know mostly writers) grief are starting to do so 10+ years after their losses. in the scheme of things, 3 years is still raw. please don’t feel like you have to be able to write your grief for it to mean something or make sense or anything like that. i do encourage you to write though, and to make art, despite it all. art and writing and music are like, essential, i think. i think they’re one of the nicer things you can do for your mind n soul. whether you write about your grief or around it or deliberately leave it out, please please please don’t give up on doing something creative just for you. you’re doing so so so well, btw, and I’m really proud of you!!!!! much love from this total stranger <3

that's a really insightful and cool way of looking at it, thank you so much for sharing it w me <3 i just feel like there's a lot of pressure even just in my own head for me to make something "good" of the grief but nothing good ever comes of it - it's just the hardest thing ive ever had to go through repeated every day. maybe in 10 years i can make more sense of it but right now i just don't even know how to begin translating it. I wish i could so i could make her immortal through that work, but i just cant. cant even bring myself to think about it all most days. but yeah i think i will always dabble in art writing etc even if it's not about the mourning, even if i never share it with anyone - like you said i think just the act of doing it helps you get by. again you are a total gem and thank you so much for this, it helped me put things in perspective a lot and it also feels nice to have someone thinking im actually doing well in any capacity 😭 i truly hope you are as kind to yourself as you are to me and please know im v proud of you too, just for making it day after day! sending so much love back ur way 💓 💗

#anon #ask chloe

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sarahpaulsonsoftie · 1 year ago

Text

(Not such a) Bad Idea

Larissa Weems X reader-

Songfic based on bad idea by girl in red, loosely. Reader is a final year university student and often frequents the Weathervane for their impeccable coffee (it’s just for the free Wi-Fi). Larissa is the principal of Nevermore academy and often frequents the Weathervane for their impeccable coffee (it’s just for the peace and quiet).

Two dumb gays in love and Marilyn meddles.

Huge thank you to @h-doodles who majorly helped me with the plotline with this one. Honestly cannot thank you enough, I hope it meets your expectations :) <3

It was a typical Thursday Morning for you, early enough for the Weathervane to be open, which meant you could claim a booth and work on your thesis statement. Typically, the weathervane was a quite café but for some reason, today it was packed and there was no seating available elsewhere.

Just as you had frequented the café, there was also an extremely tall lady, with ocean blue eyes and always wearing pristine clothing. You would often catch her eyes and she would smile at you, which would make you feel like you were going to faint. God, to see that smile in the morning would give you enough motivation to get through the day, and you would yearn for it long after she was gone.

Almost as if your thoughts had summoned her, in she stepped, noticing how busy it was and she approached the counter, giving her order. Her order is placed in front of her, and you notice her eyes wander around the café and eventually her eyes lock with yours.

You do your best to hide the fact you were staring by turning your focus onto your laptop, a flush growing on your cheeks.

“Hello.” You hear a British accent say and you look up, almost fainting because the woman who you had just been staring at has approached you. Oh my god, she’s British. “Is there any chance I could share a booth with you? Its quite busy in here today.”

“Oh- Yeah, of course, I don’t mind!” You say, probably too enthaustically, but she doesn’t comment and instead you decide to offer up your name “I’m Y/N.” You smile.

The woman smiles wider at you, “Larissa.” She returns, and you feel your face flush. Oh my god, even her name is ethereal. You grin as you turn back and begin to type away.

Moment’s pass, before your eyes raise to see Larissa watching you curiously, and you feel yourself blushing. Larissa takes a sip of her drink before nodding her head to your laptop.

“What are you working on?” Larissa enquires, as her eyes crinkle with her smile. You nearly stop breathing at the realization that she’s speaking to you.

“Me? Oh, uhm, nothing interesting, just my thesis statement for Uni.” You smile and Larissa rolls her eyes lightly with a smirk.

“Of course, it’s not interesting, otherwise you wouldn’t be staring at me every time I come in.” Larissa teases and you feel your ears grow hot, and your eyes grow wide in shock.

“Oh, sorry! I mean no offence!” You say urgently, realizing you’re probably embarrassing yourself even. You try to focus back on your laptop, hoping the floor will swallow you up. Larissa lightly pushes your laptop so its half closed.

“Oh, believe me, it’s quite the compliment actually.” She states with a smile before chuckling. “Gosh, its going to sound rather silly but sometimes, I hope to see you staring to figure out if I’ve made the right outfit choice.”

You’re certain if you blush anymore, you will faint. “Oh, I bet you’d still look good in a trash bag.” You manage to say before you can stop yourself and Larissa chuckles, and you smile yourself.

“Well, Y/N, thank you for that wonderful insight. I’m sure my wardrobe will thank you.” Larissa smiles before checking her watch. “I suppose it’s time for me to leave. Goodluck with your thesis, Y/N.”

Larissa stands to leave and begins to turn away and looks at you again, “You’ll be here tomorrow?” She asks and all you can do is nod.

Friday morning couldn’t have come quicker for you, and you excitedly sit down in your booth, jittering with excitement as you see Larissa enter. You lock eyes with her, and she smiles at you from across the café. You open your laptop and at least try to pretend that you are focused on something other than her.

Larissa grabs her order and sits opposite you in your booth, and you smile at each other.

“Morning.” You smile, looking up from your laptop and Larissa is wearing a sage green dress with a golden chain necklace, complete with a golden watch and you swear you can faint. “I suppose you didn’t feel like wearing a trash bag today, huh?” You joke, your face flushing.

Larissa chuckles lightly and she has you enchanted by the sound. She takes a sip from a drink as she raises her brow at you.

“Oh please, you’re too nice to me.” Larissa states and you take a sip of your own coffee before you close your laptop. Larissa looks at you questioningly, “Off for the day?”

“Oh, no. I’m gonna be here for a while but there’s no point in pretending anything else has my attention when you’re sitting in front of me.” You grin, you have no idea where the confidence has come from, but you decide that since Larissa has decided to sit with you for a second time, it’s the confidence you need.

Larissa chuckles again and smirks at you again. “Careful, you might convince me to never leave.”

You grin at her cheekily, you’re sure your cheeks are flushed but you decide to ignore and begin to speak, “you say that as if it’s a bad thing. Perhaps I don’t want you to.” You say, and Larissa smiles before taking another sip.

“You never told me what your thesis was on.” She states and shuffles somewhat close to you, and you look down at your laptop before looking back up at her.

“Like I said yesterday, nothing too interesting. But I’m currently writing about Rene Descartes influence on modern philosophy, seeing as some consider him the father of modern philosophy.” You say and roll your eyes.

“Ah, and this does not interest you?” Larissa questions, her hands finding themselves onto the table.

“It’s not so much that it doesn't interest me, but I am not too keen on modern philosophies, I know, I know, they paved the way for society today, especially with the way he connected geometry and Algebra, but I suppose at heart, I’m more of an ancient Greek gal.” You say with a light grin, and Larissa looks intently at you, a light smile on her lips. “Sorry, I’m boring you.” You say, and Larissa’s hand reaches out to touch your arm.

“No, I find it quite refreshing how passionate you are.” Larissa states and her hand doesn’t move from your arm, you grin up at her.

“Soo, what about you? What do you do?” You ask and Larissa smiles a tight smile before looking up at you.

“I’m the principal of Nevermore academy.” She says proudly and she watches as your eyebrows furrow together, and she removes her hand from your arm, anticipating some sort of backlash.

“Nevermore? I don’t think I’ve—Oh! Nevermore, the academy for outcasts? Wait, sorry, is outcast the right word? I dunno if I got that right, erm but yeah, I’m sorry if that’s offensive! But also, principal? That’s awesome!” You say, and watch as Larissa breathes a sigh of relief, and you eye her curiously.

“Yes, outcast is the correct term. Although, some would not consider it ‘awesome’, but I suppose that’s their problem.” Larissa states and you look at her.

“Some people just like hating people.” You state, “Like how some people hate me cause I’m gay, but I think that sort of hate just makes you more accepting. But you being the principal of Nevermore academy is awesome.” You smile comfortingly, as you place your hand hesitantly onto Larissa’s.

Larissa checks her watch and frowns before looking at you. “I’m sorry, darling but its time for me to go back to the academy.” Larissa says before standing, “May I see your phone?” She asks and you nod, handing her your unlocked phone, she types in something before handing it back to you with a smile.

“You have my number now, message me if you get bored with your thesis. I hope I can help with the boredom.” Larissa smiles, hesitating slightly before placing a kiss on your cheek. She then begins to leave, looking over her shoulder before waving with a smile.

Okay, so she called you darling, and then kissed your cheek, and THEN gave you, her number. You can die happily now.

You submit your thesis statement draft Friday evening and take out your phone to find the contact Larissa saved. You click onto it and begin to type out a message.

‘I submitted my thesis draft.’ You type and send almost immediately, excited to finally have a reason to message Larissa.

You see the read icon almost immediately and then the typing icon. You stay on the chat and watch intently as the typing icon appears and disappears three times before the message comes through.

‘Does this mean I won’t see your beautiful face in the morning now?’ Is the response and you squeal, squeal. Squeal at the response. You begin to type out your response.

‘No, luckily for you, and unluckily for me, it was only the draft, I still have to submit the real thing ☹’ You type back ‘Plenty of boredom on my part still, and many mornings left in the weathervane.’

‘I suppose you’re not too busy to attend the Harvest festival with me next weekend?’ Is what Larissa says and you swear you feel as if you can faint, this woman is too much and you love it.

‘only if you promise I can win you a prize.’ You respond and there is a grin on your face.

The weekend and week pass quite quickly and eventually the day of the harvest festival arrives. You and Larissa had been in the Weathervane nearly every single morning, except for Sunday, because you decided to take the day to have a break, due to Larissa’s encouragement.

You are dressed already, after much changing and tweaking but you decided on your final outfit change that it would have to do otherwise you would drive yourself crazy.

You pull out your phone and begin to type out a message to Larissa ‘hey, did you want to meet out front?’

You place your shoes on and feel your phone vibrate in your pocket. You look to see Larissa has messaged ‘Nonsense, I’m outside yours, we can walk there together.’

Your stomach does butterflies as you almost sprint to your front door and open it and see Larissa standing there holding two cups of coffee. You shut your door as you look up at her and nearly choke on your own breath.

She’s wearing a light green dress that cuts off just off above her knee, hugging her in all the right places, and a matching jacket, her hair pinned up in its usual pristine style.

“Hi.” You say, nervously shuffling on your feet and Larissa smiles lightly before stepping closer and handing you your coffee before kissing you on your cheek.

“Hi, sweetheart.” She smiles, as she pulls back. Your cheeks feel hot, and you look up at her through your eyelashes. “You look absolutely divine.”

“Me?” You manage to say, before looking down at your feet, “What about you?” You ask.

Larissa’s hand cups underneath your chin, as she brings your eyes up to meet hers, a smirk playing on her lips “Where’s the shyness come from, darling? Did I make the right outfit choice?”

“You look like a goddess.” You say, and Larissa grins down at you. You move your eyes away from hers and Larissa lets go of your chin.

“A goddess? That’s a new one.” She smiles and takes your hand into hers as you begin to walk. “Is that from all your university study? Is that where you’ve learnt to sweet talk?”

“Oh, no, it’s not sweet talk if it’s the truth.” You smile shyly up at Larissa and she grins at you, before taking a sip of her own coffee.

It’s a few hours into the night and you and Larissa have been endlessly flirting, lingering touches, longing looks.

You manage to catch a glimpse of a game booth that would let you win prizes, and you grab Larissa’s hand and excitedly pull her towards it, and you look back at her with a grin.

“I believe I promised to win you a prize.” You say and Larissa’s arm wraps around your shoulder.

“You don’t have spend so much time trying to win me a prize, when you’re already here next to me.” Larissa states and you look at her, and bite your lip, trying to ignore the heat that flushed throughout your body.

“I promised.” You repeat and Larissa’s eyes soften as she lets you wander off to the stall. She watches as you speak to the man running the booth and laugh along with him, and you look back towards her with a grin. She’s standing a distance away from you, not wanting to approach, content in watching your excitement.

She watches as the man hands you the throwing balls and you throw the first one, knocking down nearly half off the cans down. She watches as you grin and look back towards her and Larissa cannot help the yearn in her heart.

Your second throw leaves only one can left, and she watches how your tongue sticks out in concentration on your last throw and Larissa grins as you get the last can on the last throw, you jump excitedly and the man running the booth allows you to pick out your prize.

You throw another glance towards Larissa with a smile as you pick out your prize, her prize, and hide it behind your back as you make your way back towards her.

“That was impressive.” Larissa grins and you look up at her with a huge smile. You move your hands from behind your back, showing two matching bear keychains.

“I picked this cause, even if I’m not with you, or you’re not with me, you’ll see it and be reminded of me.” You say and hold out one to her, keeping the other for yourself.

Larissa doesn’t say anything as she takes the keychain from your hand and stares at for a moment before her hand is on your cheek and crashing your lips together.

You respond to the kiss immediately, and Larissa’s hands find your hips before she pulls away and rests her forehead against yours.

“I think we should go back to yours.” She says, slightly out of breath and you nod in agreement, speechless over this woman.

When you wake the next morning, Larissa’s arms are wrapped around your waist and you smile softly before checking the time. 07:04am. You shuffle so you’re facing Larissa and she looks even more beautiful than you could have imagined. Her hair is undone from it’s usual style, laying bare into the pillows underneath it, her face is bare from any makeup and you’re close enough to see every freckle that has graced her face.

Larissa stirs slightly before opening her eyes and looking at you. “Morning, sweetheart.” She says, her voice laced in sleep. Her hand reaches up to your cheek and she places a light kiss to your lips. “Do you know what the time is?”

“Oh, its just passed 7.” You say, leaning into Larissa’s touch. Larissa’s eyes widen in shock before she’s making her way out your bed quickly, speeding to pick up her clothes that are strewn about from the previous. “What’s wrong?”

“I have a meeting with the mayor at 8! Did you see where I put my phone?” She asks and you take it from the nightstand and hand it to her. “Thank you.”

There is a slight nervousness to her nature that you shrug off due to her being late, you get out of the bed and watch as she gets dressed quickly, amazed at how she can pull herself together so quickly.

“Where are you meeting him?” You ask Larissa, standing in front behind her as she uses your mirror to fix her hair into its usual style. She turns back to look at you, her hands pausing their movements.

“At a café in Burlington, I left my car at the academy, so I’ll have to get a taxi.” Larissa says, stepping closer to you. “I’ll message you.” She says, before kissing your cheek and leaving.

Days pass and you have yet to hear anything back from Larissa. You had left her a message, in which she had just read and not responded. You take the hint, no matter how much it hurts, and you do not attempt to message her.

It’s Wednesday morning and you’re sitting in your usual booth. You notice how Larissa hasn’t come in during the mornings anymore. You sigh lightly as you take out your flash drive and spare a glance to the bear keychain you had attached to it.

A shadow darkens your laptop and you feel hope swell in your chest, at the possibility of it being Larissa but as you see another figure, a lady in which you hadn’t seen before at this time of the morning, who had red hair and was wearing glasses, along with a baby blue cardigan over a summery dress. You smile lightly.

“Hi.” She says, almost nervously. “May I sit here?” She asks, and you look around the café and notice hoe the seating is unusually full. You nod and smile. “I’m Marilyn.”

“Y/N.” You return, with a shy smile. You try to focus on your work but notice the lady, Marilyn, staring at you. You bring your eyes up to meet hers and she smiles softly.

“What are you working on, Y/N?” Marilyn asks and you look at your laptop. Déjà vu from the first time you and Larissa spoke. You frown lightly and look back towards her.

“Just my thesis for Uni.” You return, shortly. You don’t mean to come across as rude but you know that the last time you had been nice to someone sitting with you at the booth, you had a one night stand, and she avoided you since.

Yet, your heart still yearned for. Marilyn’s eyebrows furrow together as she watches you together, throwing a glance at your bear keychain.

“I hope you don’t mind my saying so, but you seem quite upset.” Marilyn states and you bite the inside of your cheeks. “I mean, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to but since I’m just a stranger, it might be nice to talk about.” Marilyn shrugs lightly, taking a sip of her drink, and you notice it in a to go cup.

You sigh, contemplating and decide that it would be nice to talk about it. “I, uh, met someone. I thought we were getting along great, we went to the harvest festival together, she kissed me, and then we went back to mine together. I haven’t heard from her since, haven’t seen her since even though she usually comes here in the morning.” You admit, and Marilyn looks at you comfortingly.

“I have a friend, who’s in somewhat of a similar situation.” Marilyn states, “Well, not exactly the same, kind of the opposite, and she’s the avoider. But she did so for a reason.”

You close your laptop and look at Marilyn whose hands are resting on the table and Marilyn smiles softly, looking at you with warm eyes.

“What reason would that be?” You ask, taking a sip of your drink, before avoiding her eyes.

“Well, see the person she was seeing was quite a bit younger than her, and after they got together, she just felt insecure about her age, about the difference in the stages of their lives. I mean, my friend has her career and knows that she wants to stay in her job for the rest of her life, but she confessed to me that the person she was seeing hasn’t even finished studying yet. She’s scared that this person won’t wanna be with her once she realizes the difference.” Marilyn says and you watch her, your eyes feel as if they’re growing wet. You don’t say anything immediately, noticing the similarities.

“Well, has she asked the person she’s seeing? Cause, you know, the woman I was seeing was quite the bit older than me and that was never a problem for me.” You shrug before sighing again. “Guess she just wanted some fun. It was a bad idea.”

Marilyn nods along, listening to what you say before checking her phone for the time. “I’ve gotta go now, will you be here tomorrow?" She asks and you nod.

A week passes and you and Marilyn become quite close friends, often giving each other separate advice. It’s evening time for as you type away on your laptop, its nearing closing time but you have just one more argument to write before you can leave.

You hear the door to the café open and you look up, seeing Larissa enter. Almost immediately, her eyes are locking with yours and you look back at your laptop, saving the file and closing it up before you get up to leave.

You make it halfway to the exit before you hear your name being called. “Y/N!” Larissa says, taking long strides, and you look back towards her, moving back slightly as she stands in front of you.

“Oh, hi.” You say, before pulling out your phone, pretending to check the time. “I’ve got to go, but it was nice seeing you.” You say, with a fake smile.

You turn around and leave the café, making sure you do not glance back, yet you yearn to, to turn around and you hope that Larissa will call out your name, but your heart drops as you walk down the street, and she still hasn’t called out your name.

You feel used. You feel sad and used. Did what you have mean nothing to you?

Unbeknownst to you, Larissa watches you leave, her hands gripping onto the keychain you had won for her, her cheeks growing wet as she realizes how much she has hurt you.

The weekend arrives and Marilyn invites you out to a bar, just for a friendly drink she had said. You enter the bar, which lighting is low and you notice Marilyn is at the bar, grabbing drinks and you approach her with a small grin.

“Hi, Marilyn.” You smile and Marilyn grins at you, looking up at you from over her glasses. You notice her taking two drinks from the bartender and thanking him, you furrow your eyebrows at her in confusion as Marilyn smiles.

“Hi, Y/N. I hope you don’t mind, but I invited another one of my friends.” Marilyn smirks, and hands you one of the drinks she has ordered. It’s a glass of red wine and you smile at her taking a sip.

“That’s fine, any friend of yours is a friend of mine.” You smile, and Marilyn grins as she leads you to a table, your eyes are more focused on the bar, and you almost bump into Marilyn as she stops, grinning like a fool as she looks at you.

You move your eyes to the table and to your absolute surprise, Larissa is sitting there is a low-cut dress and her usual golden chain. She stands once she sees you. “Y/N.” She says and you look at her.

“Hi, Larissa.” You say, slightly tense, and Marilyn places her drink on the table. She shuffles slightly before speaking.

“I see you two have already met, which is great because I need the bathroom.” She grins and she rushes away.

“Wait, Marilyn!” You call after her, and she ignores you, as she walks through a crowd. You look back to Larissa and swallow. Jesus, even when you’re mad at her, she still has the ability to make you speechless. You frown as you connect the dots. “You’re the friend Marilyn was telling me about?” You ask, and Larissa steps closer to you. You don’t back away this time, and Larissa takes this a win.

“So that means, you are also the friend that Marilyn was telling me about.” Larissa says and her eyes soften. Her hands find yours slowly, in fear of you pulling away. You don’t and Larissa breathes a sigh of relief before speaking, “I never wanted to use you for fun, Y/N. I just—What I felt- what I feel- is very real and I was scared you’d think I was too old for you.”

You step closer to Larissa, looking up at her through your eyelashes. “I never would have thought that.” You say softly, and Larissa removes her hands from yours, placing them onto your hips. “I was, I am, falling for you, Larissa. You hurt me.” You say, and your cheeks grow hot as Larissa’s grip on you tightens.

“I am sorry, sweetheart. It was never my intention. But after I left yours in a hurry, I thought, I thought, you wouldn’t want to see me because of the workload I have, and I though you might’ve wanted more excitement.” Larissa says, her face coming closer to yours, “But, I have to admit that I am falling- No, I am in love with you, I’m in love with the excitement that radiates from you, the shyness that have when you see me, the passion you have for university, and the I love you.” Larissa confesses, her breath tickiling your lips.

You breath hitches as you close your eyes, before opening them again to see Larissa’s ocean blue eyes staring into your soul. “I’m in love with you too. I love hoe passionate you are about your career, I love how much you care about your students, I love the way you always make me feel so nervous.” You say and Larissa brings your lips together, in a soft, caring, loving, passionate kiss.

You eventually pull away and rest your foreheads together. In the distance you hear Marilyn yell. You both look over towards her as she’s grinning madly before she shouts, “I did it!”

You and Larissa look at each other before giggling.

Fin

#larissa weems x reader #wednesday #larissa weems imagine #larrisa weems #omg these bitches gay #fluff #fluffy asf #nearly died writing this #platonic marilyn thornhill x reader #marilyn thornhill #marilyn is not laurel

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fantasy-nerdddd · 5 months ago

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The rooftop scene(s)

Today I'll talk about the rooftop scenes. Mainly the first one, from The Hunger Games, but a bit of both. Both of them are quite passable at first, but mean a lot, each in their own way.

In Catching Fire, Chapter 11, Peeta says to Katniss while working on the plant book: "You know, I think this is the first time we've done something normal together." Well, the rooftop scene is the first time they have done anything fun together. Not drawing some plants, not staring at each other's eyelashes (cough cough KATNISS YOU THIRSTY LITTLE GIRL), two teenagers laughing and having fun together just days before they need to go into an arena and kill each other. So rebellious, having fun with your opponent and getting closer before the games, just behind using CPR in the arena. Also, it is the first insight that there's something more going on. Because for Effie to not to train Katniss on walking on heels, it means that Katniss won't need the sponsors.

The first rooftop scene... Well there's two more? I think? The first one is in a garden, however the garden is still on the rooftop so I'll count it. I think these scenes played a big role later. And I also think they are proof that Snow had bugged the rooftop, too. Lavinia was only acknowledged by Peeta in two moments. One, where he covered for Katniss and said that she was Delly Cartwright. That was for just a moment, and for all Snow knows, it wasn't even a lie. And when Katniss explained to him how she knew her. That Katniss didn't protect her. And I think Peeta seeing the girl Katniss couldn't protect being brutally killed, might have helped with the hijacking later on, because it would prove in his mind that Katniss just didn't care about any life, or even worse wanted to see suffering, and that she was heartless towards everyone, not just him. He'd think that anyways, but seeing Lavinia die in the hands of the Capitol just underlined this.

And of course, the elephant in the room... The "I don't want to be another piece in their Games" rooftop scene. Firstly, even though Katniss is the unreliable narrator that she is, we can clearly see Peeta's true character in that scene, if we are not too caught up in Katniss' thoughts and can consider the possibility that Peeta isn't lying. That he values self-awareness, agency and staying true to yourself. Personally, that made me love him even more, wanting to resist the corruption. And of course, that makes his character arc even more tragic. That he became exactly what he resented. A piece in their Games, a monster he's not. And that is another reason I think Snow was watching them the entire time. Snow could have known from the Games that Peeta was against violence. That he adored Katniss. That he'd do anything to save her. But he couldn't have known that Peeta's dying wish was to stay true to himself. Not to be changed by the horrors of the Capitol. He couldn't know that Peeta would absolutely resent himself once he was lucid enough to realise what was going on. And also, yeah I am going to add that this scene might be my favourite foreshadowing of all time. I don't know if Suzanne had planned it all along, she probably didbut I like to think that she didn't, and instead her decision to hijack Peeta went like this:

Suzanne, rereading her own book: I'm stuck. What could I possibly do that will move the plot forward? But doesn't seem cheap? No, I have to reuse an idea. It'd be out of place to just invent facts about Panem. Wait a minute. I could turn a fan favourite (and Katniss favourite) character into an insane 17 y/o so that Katniss will be desperate for revenge and the story has a bit more Angst. The readers will hate me and I don't give a shit

Or maybe

Editor: The love triangle isn't working.

Suzanne: I know. I have expressed my opinion towards the love triangle

Editor: Yes, but it sells more. And you cannot just abandon the idea.

Suzanne: Who says that Katniss can't choose her own boyfriend in the middle of the book and not the end

Editor: Listen... There's still a lot people who like Gale. You can have anyone win her. In fact, I would advise you to stick with Peeta. But the idea of a romance between Gale and Katniss has to have a satisfying ending. So no one can doubt Katniss' decision. But it also needs to feel like a hard choice. Or maybe make it impossible to choose between them anytime before the end.

Suzanne: What if I make Gale kill Prim?

Editor: Wha-

Suzanne: And make him unfathomably annoying the entire book and have him become a violent b*itch because of the war.

Editor: What's preventing Katniss to choose-

Suzanne: What if I make Peeta go insane?

Editor: What!?

Suzanne: What if I make him go insane? He's already in the Capitol, it wouldn't be a hard feat

Editor: But then Katniss couldn't choose either of them!

Suzanne: Not permanently, idiot! You know I have a weakness for Peeta.

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sonekwi · 8 months ago

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☆ ⸻ the white paladin, keith x reader

chapter five: training

characters/parings: keith, female reader

genre: fanfiction

summary: the team spends the day training, but barely any progress is made.

word count: 2,977

links: previous, next, wattpad, masterlist

After getting the Black Lion, the team had to act fast. Sendak was entering the Arusian atmosphere.

At first, you guys weren't entirely sure what to do. You had only fought aliens once before, and even then you didn't defeat them. You just managed to get away.

Unfortunately, that uncertainty almost caused you all to get captured. But the others had managed to form Voltron by some miracle, quickly saving you from the hands of Sendak at the last second.

After that, you and the White Lion helped Voltron take down Sendak's ship. And it felt nice fighting alongside the others. It felt nice knowing you had an important role, and not one where you were sitting on the sidelines.

Now, you lay in your bed staring at the ceiling. You're bored out of your mind and replaying the battle in your head can only entertain you so much. You wish you could access the internet, watch some Netflix, or listen to Spotify. But out in the middle of the universe, cellular service isn't a thing.

You sit up, deciding you might as well wander around and get familiar with the layout of the castle. You toss on your hoodie, forever grateful that you brought it with you the night you left Earth, and leave your room.

The empty, quiet halls of the castle feel weird to you. You're so used to the crowdedness of the Garrison, the constant noise of chatter. You begin to imagine what the halls would have been like ten thousand years ago. Probably filled with royal servants waiting to answer anyone's beck and call.

You don't get far from your room when you pass by another. You stop, hearing the scraping of metal on the inside. You backtrack a bit and peek through the open doorway. Keith sits on his bed, sharpening a knife.

"Hey," you say, knocking against the door frame.

"Oh, hey," Keith says and quickly sets the knife down. "What's up?"

"Nothing. Just bored," you shrug and enter his room. You plop down next to him.

Keith smiles softly, "And you want me to make you not bored," he says.

"Obviously," you smile and roll your eyes. "I do have a question though."

"Ask away," Keith says.

"What does your bond with the Red Lion feel like?" you ask, bringing your leg up to your chest. You hug your arms around it and rest your chin on your knee. If you can gain some insight on this Paladin-Lion bond, maybe you can figure out if that's what you feel with the White Lion.

You never did get the official declaration like the others did. You don't know what the White Lion's personality is like, or what its Paladin should be like. You don't even know if you are its Paladin, or if you even should be.

Coran said it was unfit for battle... yet it seemed to do just fine fighting Sendak.

"I... don't know," Keith says softly. "I'm not sure how to describe it."

"Okay, I just– I feel something strange with the White Lion. Almost as if it's... tied to me, tied to my energy," you say.

"That seems about right," Keith says with a shrug. "I mean, I felt something pretty similar when we found the Red Lion. That was the moment that I knew I was its Paladin."

You nod, "Okay, so I'm not crazy, the White Lion chose me."

"Why would you think you're crazy?" Keith asks, giving you a confused look.

"The last two days don't feel real," you say and stare at the floor. "One moment I'm in my dorm room, the next I'm in a completely different galaxy fighting aliens. This all feels like some weird fever dream."

"Well, I'm pretty sure this isn't a dream," Keith says, "Because it'd be really weird that we're having the exact same dream."

"Yeah," you sigh.

"Hey," Keith nudges you. "I'll be here to keep you grounded. I'll tell you as many times as I have to that this is all real."

You smile, feeling a warmth spread within your chest. Back at the Garrison, Keith was always holding you steady. Whenever you were feeling homesick or the self-doubt was creeping in, he was there for you. You're glad that didn't change.

"Promise?" you ask, looking up at him.

"Promise," he says.

The castle alarms go off and Allura's voice shouts throughout the halls. Your heart begins to pound wildly as she alerts everyone to a Galra attack, and both you and Keith jump from the bed and run out of the room.

You burst into the bridge room, where Allura stands with her arms crossed and a frustrated look on her face. Shiro is already there, and Pidge and Hunk run in shortly after you. Lance, however, is nowhere to be found.

The alarms stop and Allura sighs.

"I guess this isn't an actual attack," Shiro says.

"And it's a good thing it wasn't because it took you too long to respond. You must always be ready to battle with Zarkon," Allura scolds, pacing in front of the group. She then gestures her hand at you all, "I mean, look at you! Shiro is the only one in uniform! Where are you guys' bayards? And where is Lance?"

Just as your brother's name leaves her mouth, he enters the room. You slap a hand over your mouth to suppress your laugh. The sight of your brother dressed in a matching set of pajamas, a bathrobe, and slippers fashioned after the Blue Lion is almost too much to bear.

"Good morning everyone," Lance says, "What's going on?"

Allura shakes her head. "Coran and I have been up for hours getting the castle back in order. We had to run a rest on the alarms, so we decided to test you as well. Guess which one failed?" she growls, staring all of you down.

Hunk yawns, "Hey, you guys got to sleep for ten thousand years. Monday night, I was on Earth, and so far I've flown through space, fought some evil aliens, and eaten weird goo in a castle. It's... a lot to process."

You purse your lips, No kidding.

"You must understand the stakes of our mission," Allura says, pulling up a screen. She presses a few buttons and the map of the universe fills the room again. "Over the last ten thousand years, the castle picked up distress beacons from the following locations, so we have to assume that Zarkon has conquered almost the entire known universe."

The majority of the blue stars, galaxies, and coordinates turn red. Only a small chunk of the map remains the same. Allura spins it so that the chunk is in the center of our focus.

"Earth is over here, so an attack on your planet is inevitable," she says. "And our mission is to free all planets. Coran and I are getting the castle ready to leave Arus. In the meantime, you need to learn how to form Voltron again."

Shiro nods, "The princess is right. Let's get to our Lions and start training."

⁀➷

You sit in the White Lion, watching the others try to figure out how to form Voltron. You wish you had a bowl of popcorn because some of their ideas are absolutely ridiculous. If they knew what they did to form Voltron when fighting Sendak, maybe it would be easier for them.

But, you're not entirely sure what they did either. It just kind of... happened.

At least you can spend the time theorizing about the White Lion's flaws. So far nothing feels broken or useless about it. It flies just fine.

You wish it would talk to you like the Blue Lion talked to Lance.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I may be able to help," Allura says over the intercom. "Yesterday, you didn't form Voltron until you were in the heat of battle. I need to run a diagnostics test on all of the castle's defenses, so this should help!"

"Oh, crap!" you jump out of the way of a laser blast. The particle barrier rises around the castle, the turrets ruthlessly engaging.

"Allura! What are you doing?" Keith shouts.

"Like I said, running a diagnostic test and inspiring you!" she repeats, her voice too cheerful for the situation. "I believe in you, Paladins. Let fear be your guide! Form Voltron!"

She's freaking crazy! you dodge another blast, adrenaline pumping through your veins. The White Lion growls and you can feel its annoyance.

"Please, stop, have mercy on us!" Hunk begs as he narrowly escapes the blasts.

"You think Zarkon is going to have mercy on you?" Allura asks, "He's probably on his way right now to destroy us all!"

Lance turns the Blue Lion around and heads towards the castle. "Screw this! I'm getting out of here!" he shouts, but the castle's barrier repels him, knocking the Blue Lion to the ground.

Your dashboard flashes red, warning you that the turrets have locked onto the White Lion. But, just as soon as it happens, the shooting stops and the castle's barrier drops. You pause, wondering what the heck is going on.

"Uh... so much for that," Pidge comments.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm heading back inside," Hunk says and the Yellow Lion flies towards the castle.

You shrug and do the same. As you bring the White Lion to its hangar, the large doors open upon sensing its presence and allow it inside. And when its large claws touch the ground, it lowers its head to let you out.

You sigh as you exit the Lion, and just as you are about the leave, you feel something pull on your energy. You stop in the entryway and glance back at the Lion. A wave of loneliness washes over you.

You look around the hangar, now realizing it's where King Alfor had stashed the White Lion. You can only imagine how long it stayed in there before being sent away to an unknown place, only to be alone again.

You're also now realizing that the Voltron Lions are much more sentient and emotional than you originally thought.

"Hey, (y/n)–"

You scream and jump out of your skin at Lance's sudden appearance. "Don't sneak up on me like that!" you glare at him.

"Whatever," Lance rolls his eyes. "Everyone's going to chill in the lounge if you want to join."

You glance back at the White Lion with an apologetic face. You feel bad, but you should be bonding with your team when you can. There will be plenty of time to bond with the White Lion later.

Lance leads you through the castle and into a room. A conversation pit sits in the center, and the others (except Shiro, Allura, and Coran) are already relaxing on the couches. You step into the pit and plop down next to Keith.

Hunk tosses you a water pouch. You take the plastic straw glued to its side and poke it through. It reminds you of a Capri Sun.

"I can't imagine how mentally drained you guys are," you say, recalling all the different things they tried to form Voltron.

"No kidding," Pidge grumbles.

"I don't understand how forming Voltron can be so hard," Hunk says with a sigh. "Why can't there be a button for it?"

Lance lays down on the couch and rests a leg on the back of it. "Who knows? I just want this day to be over with."

The doors to the room slide open and Allura and Coran walk in, the two of them talking about the castle's mechanics. But Allura stops upon seeing you all in the lounge.

She smiles brightly, "You guys did it! You formed Voltron!"

"No," Keith says, "The shooting stopped and the particle barrier shut down, so we just flew in."

Allura's face falls. "What?"

"Oh, sorry!" Coran says, "I had to turn off the castle's defenses to test the fire suppressors."

You shrug. Either way, you're not complaining. With everyone being all over the place and still trying to adjust to this new life, adding more chaos isn't going to help.

Shiro enters the room, "What are you guys doing in here? We're not taking a break."

"He's right," Allura nods, "You should be training."

Hunk groans. "We've been training. When are we going back to Earth?"

"Well, I'm not going back until I find my family anyway," Pidge says.

"Guys," Shiro says and rests his hands on his hips. "There won't be an Earth unless we figure out how to fight Zarkon."

"How though? You guys haven't been able to form Voltron again," you say and take a sip of your water.

Coran joins the conversation, "Well, I'm not surprised. The original Paladins fought hundreds of battles together side-by-side. They were like a pack of yalmors linked at the ears!"

You raise a brow, what the heck is a yalmor?

Lance sighs, "Yeah, that's definitely not us."

"During the last attack, you're survival instincts forced you to work as a team," Coran explains, "But that will only get you so far. You'll have to become a real team if you want to form Voltron."

"You should try working out on the training deck!" Allura suggests.

"There's a training deck?" you ask.

⁀➷

The next few hours are spent listening to Coran ramble on about being a team and doing various trust-building exercises. At the start, you're all for it, but as time drags on you get less and less enthusiastic about it.

The group is getting nowhere. Lance and Keith can't stop bickering, Hunk and Pidge would rather be doing other things, and Shiro is getting more and more agitated. You're honestly surprised he hasn't lost his cool yet.

You sit on the floor of the training room with your back leaning against Lance's. Coran hands out refreshments while the group takes a much-needed mental break again.

"You have been working hard," Coran praises. "You guys should relax a little–"

"What are you doing?"

You groan and roll your eyes. Anytime the group tries to sit down and chill for a bit, it gets interrupted.

Allura stands before all of you, her hands on her hips. There's a disapproving glare on her face.

"You're supposed to be training!" she scolds.

Coran defends everyone, "Just resting a bit. You know, you can't push too hard.

"What do you mean?" Allura growls, "Get up, you lazy lumps. It's time you faced the Gladiator!"

"The what now?" you ask.

But your question is soon answered when the princess has the six of you positioned in a defensive ring, an Altean android standing before you. It bears a lengthy spear, the ceiling lights gleaming off of the blade.

You activate your bayard and shield, watching the Gladiator like a hawk. Beside you, Keith holds his sword close. You share a glance and smile at each other. If this is anything like the Galra soldiers you fought, this should be easy!

"To defeat the Gladiator, six Paladins must fight as one," Coran explains.

At his words, the Gladiator lunges towards you. Panicking at its immense speed, you stumble out of its way. But its reflexes are even faster. You aren't even given a chance to fight back as it knocks you off your feet and hits the butt of its spear against your stomach.

You slowly pick yourself up, watching as the Gladiator turns to your teammates. It effortlessly takes out Hunk and Pidge, the two now lying in a pile on the floor.

You feel like this is way too difficult for people who have little to no combat experience.

Lance tries to shoot the Gladiator down but misses most of his shots. The ones that do make contact are deflected off of the Gladiator's spear.

"Oh no!" Lance cries out. The Gladiator disarms him in a flash and throws him across the room into Keith. The two fall to the ground.

Shiro stands before the Gladiator, probably the only one who truly stands a chance. Your eyes widen as his robotic arm glows a purplish-white, the scalding heat distorting the air around it. When was this a thing?

The Gladiator attacks, but Shiro doesn't move. You recognize what's happening and quickly rush over to him. He froze like this on the Galra ship.

Metal clashes on metal, and the Gladiator's spear pushes against your scythe. You groan, struggling to counter its strength. You have to think quickly.

You swing your scythe to the side, hooking the Gladiator's spear in the crook of the curved blade. With the small opening you created, you swing the other end and pierce through gaps in the Gladiator’s armor. Sparks pop and sizzle, but the fight isn't over.

The Gladiator aims its attack at your head and you barely dodge. It seems completely unfazed by the damage you caused. And in an instant, your butt hits the ground.

Allura walks over and stands scowling. She powers down the Gladiator with a simple touch before beginning her lecturing and scolding. "That combat simulator was set at a level fit for an Altean child! You're not even close to working as a team, let alone ready to face Zarkon!"

"You know what?" you growl as you stand up. Your eyes lock with hers and you step closer. "I'm sick and tired of you acting like you're better than us. Unless you put yourself through the same crap as us, you can just shut your mouth."

"(y/n)," Shiro says, his voice low with warning.

You clench your jaw and leave the training deck before you do or say anything you'll regret. But you're right. If Allura showed just a morsel of empathy and understanding, maybe she would see some progress

#voltron #keith x reader #keith vld #fanction #voltron fanfic #keith voltron #vld fanfic #vld keith #x reader #reader insert #voltron legendary defender

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