#something about a person determined not to care or be cared for | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

bueckersstuff · 22 hours ago

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PART IV

The room is thick with tension, the air so heavy it feels like it might crush you. Paige hasn’t moved, hasn’t blinked. She’s still staring down Azzi, jaw clenched, fists trembling at her sides. And then, finally, she exhales—slow, controlled, but you can feel the shift in her.

She’s done.

Paige straightens, rolling her shoulders back. Her voice is steady, but there’s a finality to it that sends a shiver down your spine.

“I pick her.”

Azzi’s smirk falters. She wasn’t expecting that. Her confidence cracks for a split second before she quickly masks it with a scoff. “You’re serious?”

Paige nods. “Yeah. I am.”

Azzi steps back, lips pressing together like she’s trying to hold something in—anger, disbelief, maybe even hurt. But you don’t feel sorry for her. Not after everything.

Paige turns to you, her expression softening in an instant. She reaches for your hand, threading her fingers through yours, holding on tight—like she’s making sure you don’t disappear. And in that moment, everything else fades.

Azzi clicks her tongue. “You’re making a mistake.”

Paige doesn’t even look at her when she responds. “Maybe. But at least it’s mine to make.”

Azzi doesn’t say another word. She just turns and walks out, slamming the door behind her.

For a long moment, neither of you speak. Paige just holds onto you, her thumb running absentmindedly over your knuckles. Then she sighs, pressing her forehead against yours. “I’m gonna fix this.”

You shake your head. “Paige, you don’t have to—”

“I do.” Her voice is firm. “I’m not letting them paint you as some homewrecker. I should’ve ended things with Azzi sooner. I should’ve been honest. This is on me, not you.”

You swallow hard, because you know what this means. “How?”

Paige takes a deep breath. “I’m gonna do a press conference.”

Your stomach drops. “What?”

“I won’t name you,” she promises. “But I’ll set the record straight. Let them know that me and Azzi are done. That this—whatever this is—was never some scandal. I’m not letting them tear you apart over something that isn’t even your fault.”

It’s reckless. Dangerous. And yet, the way she says it, the way she looks at you like you’re something worth protecting—it makes your chest ache.

But not everyone is on board.

Paige insisted you accompany her to the meeting with her agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas. You felt out of place, a silent observer in a world where decisions were made in boardrooms rather than on basketball courts.

As you entered the sleek office, Lindsay greeted both of you with a professional smile that didn't reach her eyes. She gestured for you to sit, her demeanor calm yet authoritative.

"Paige," Lindsay began, folding her hands on the polished table, "I've reviewed your proposal for the press conference. While I understand your desire to address the rumors, I must advise against it."

Paige's jaw tightened, but she remained composed. "I can't let these lies spread without addressing them. It's affecting not just me but those I care about."

Lindsay sighed, her gaze flickering to you briefly before returning to Paige. "I understand your frustration, but going public could jeopardize your endorsements and future career prospects, especially with the WNBA draft approaching."

Paige's eyes flashed with determination. "So, I should just stay silent while my personal life is dissected and misrepresented?"

“You are not doing a press conference.”

Paige sits across from her in her office, hands gripping the arms of the chair, barely containing her frustration. “Yes, I am.”

“No, you’re not.” Lindsay pinches the bridge of her nose. “Paige, do you have any idea how bad this could get? You’re graduating this year. You’re going pro. The last thing you need is unnecessary drama. You cannot let this get bigger than it already is.”

Paige’s jaw tightens. “It’s already big. My name is everywhere. And people are dragging her through the mud for something she didn’t even do.”

Lindsay leans forward. “And what do you think happens when you confirm the breakup? When you stand up there and make a speech? You think that just stops the rumors? You think that clears her name? No, Paige. It makes it worse. It makes you the villain.”

Paige shakes her head. “I don’t care.”

“Well, I do.” Her voice is sharp, cutting. “And so does UConn. And so do your future sponsors. You cannot afford to do this.”

She’s about to argue, about to fight, but then Lindsay’s next words land like a gut punch.

“You think you’re protecting her?” she asks, voice quieter now. “You’re not. You’re making it harder for her, too. The more noise you make, the bigger target she becomes.”

Paige goes still.

Lindsay leaned forward, her expression softening. "I'm asking you to consider the bigger picture. Sometimes, silence is the best response."

The tension in the room was palpable. Paige's fists clenched on her lap, her knuckles white. You wanted to reach out, to offer some comfort, but you remained still, knowing this was her battle to fight.

After a long pause, Paige nodded curtly. "I'll think about it."

Lindsay offered a tight-lipped smile. "That's all I ask."

As you left the office, Paige's silence was deafening. You could see the conflict raging within her—the desire to protect you clashing with the reality of her career's demands.

The following day, you received an unexpected summon to Coach Auriemma's office. Your heart pounded as you made your way there, anxiety gnawing at your insides.

You’ve never been in his office before, but it feels suffocating. He sits behind his desk, hands folded, gaze unreadable. When you enter, he gestures for you to sit, and you do, heart hammering in your chest.

“I’m not gonna dance around it,” he starts, his tone firm but not unkind. “I know what’s going on.”

Your stomach knots. “Sir, I—”

He holds up a hand. “I don’t care about the rumors. I care about Paige. And I care about what’s best for her.”

You bite your lip. “And you think I’m… not?”

Coach Auriemma exhales. “I think Paige is a damn good player with a future ahead of her. A future that’s already under a microscope. And if she does this press conference, if she makes a spectacle out of it, it could cost her.”

Your throat tightens. “I never asked her to—”

“I know,” he says, cutting you off. “And that’s the problem. Paige doesn’t care about the consequences. She’s ready to burn the whole thing down for you.”

You blink. “She… she said that?”

He leans forward. “She doesn’t have to. I see it. And as much as I admire that kind of loyalty, it’s dangerous. For her. And for you.”

You look away, because he’s right. Paige is reckless with her heart. With the things she loves. And right now, that’s you.

Coach Auriemma sighs. “You want to protect her, right?”

You nod. “More than anything.”

“Then step back,” he says simply. “At least for now. Let her finish this season. Let her go pro without this weight on her shoulders.”

Your breath catches. The idea of stepping back, of putting distance between you and Paige again—it hurts. More than you can explain.

And yet.

“Think about it,” Coach Auriemma says, his voice softer now. “Because if you love her, you won’t let her throw everything away for something that can wait.”

Can it, though?

That’s the question that eats away at you as you leave his office, the weight of his words pressing down on you like a storm cloud that won’t go away.

You don’t tell Paige about your conversation with Coach Auriemma.

Not because you don’t want to—but because you don’t know how. Because saying it out loud would make it real, and you’re not ready for that. Not yet.

The weight of his words lingers in your chest, heavier with every passing hour.

Step back. Let her finish the season. Let her go pro without this weight on her shoulders.

It makes sense. It makes so much sense that it hurts.

And maybe that’s why you decide to do something drastic.

Thanksgiving break is coming up. A perfect excuse. A perfect escape.

You’re packed before you even realize what you’re doing. The duffel bag sits at the foot of your bed, unzipped, stuffed with just enough clothes to last you the trip back home to Minnesota. You tell yourself it’s just for the break. Just some time to breathe. To think.

To be selfish for once.

You don’t tell Paige. You don’t tell anyone.

Because if you do, they’ll stop you.

You slip out of the dorm just as the sky begins to darken, hoodie pulled over your head, footsteps light against the pavement. The air is crisp, biting at your exposed skin, but you barely feel it. Your heart is pounding too hard.

You make it to the parking lot without incident, fingers shaking as you tighten your grip on your bag. Just a little further. Just a few more steps and—

“Where the hell are you going?”

You freeze.

Nika.

She’s standing a few feet away, arms crossed over her chest, brows furrowed in suspicion. Her gaze flickers to your bag, and then back to your face. “You running away or something?”

You exhale sharply, shoulders slumping. There’s no use lying. Not to her.

“I’m going home for break,” you admit.

Her expression doesn’t change. “And you were just gonna disappear without telling anyone?”

You swallow hard. “It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it like?” she challenges, stepping closer. “Because last time I checked, Paige has been glued to your side. She’s fighting the entire damn world for you. And you’re just leaving?”

Your chest tightens. “She doesn’t need to fight for me,” you murmur. “She needs to focus on basketball. On her future. And I…” Your voice wavers. “I just need a second to breathe.”

Nika studies you, and for the first time, her tough exterior cracks just a little. She sees it—the exhaustion, the weight of it all pressing down on you.

“What happened?” she asks, softer this time.

You hesitate. But then the words spill out before you can stop them. “Coach Auriemma called me into his office. He told me it would be better for Paige’s career if I… if I stepped back. At least for now.”

Nika doesn’t say anything right away. Her jaw tightens, and her hands curl into fists at her sides. She looks ready to march into his office and cuss him out, but then she sighs, shaking her head. “And you just listened to him?”

“What else was I supposed to do?” you whisper. “She’s risking everything, Nika. Her future, her reputation… all for me. I can’t be the reason she loses it all.”

Nika’s quiet for a long time. And then she nods. “Okay.”

You blink. “Okay?”

“I won’t stop you,” she says. “If you need to go, go.”

A lump forms in your throat. “Thank you.”

“But,” she adds, fixing you with a sharp look. “You have to let Paige fix her own mess.”

Your stomach twists. “Nika—”

“She’s a big girl,” she interrupts. “And yeah, maybe she’s been reckless, maybe she’s been making dumbass decisions, but that’s on her. Not you. You don’t get to carry all of this by yourself.”

You don’t respond. You don’t know how to.

Nika exhales, running a hand through her hair. “I won’t tell Paige,” she promises. “But you owe it to her to talk when you come back.”

You nod slowly, chest aching. “I know.”

She studies you for another moment before sighing and stepping back. “Go, then. Before I change my mind.”

You don’t waste another second.

As you slip into the backseat of the Uber waiting to take you to the airport, you press your forehead against the window, watching as the campus fades from view.

You don’t know what awaits you back home. All you know is that, for the first time in a long time, you’re letting yourself take a break.

Even if it breaks you in the process.

The cold air bites at your skin as you sit outside your childhood home in Minnesota, staring at the phone screen that hasn’t stopped lighting up. Paige’s name dominates the notifications—calls, messages, voicemails. You haven’t responded to a single one.

You squeeze the phone in your hand, heart heavy with guilt. She’s done nothing wrong, and yet you’ve left her to suffer. Coach Auriemma’s words still echo in your mind.

If you love her, you won’t let her throw everything away for something that can wait.

But was disappearing really the right thing to do?

The vibration of your phone startles you, and this time, it’s Nika. You hesitate before finally picking up.

“Are you still at home?” she asks, sounding so tensed.

Your breath catches. “Nika—”

“She’s losing it,” Nika cuts you off, her voice sharp with urgency. “Like actually losing it. You need to hear this.”

Your stomach clenches, but you stay silent, gripping the phone tighter.

“She’s been a wreck ever since you left. Coach ripped into her and Azzi during practice. Called them out in front of everyone. Said their personal drama was a distraction to the team and that if they didn’t get their heads straight, they could both sit on the damn bench for all he cared.”

You close your eyes, already picturing the scene. Their coach doesn’t play around, especially when it comes to his team’s focus.

“But that’s not even the worst part,” Nika continues. “He mentioned you.”

Your eyes snap open. “What?”

“He was pissed and let it slip that you were part of the mess. Paige went stiff as a board. You should’ve seen her face. She asked what he meant, and he actually told her he spoke to you.”

Your breath falters. “What did she say?”

“She freaked out, obviously. Kept asking what he said to you, but Coach wouldn’t tell her. Just said he ‘advised’ you on what’s best.”

You rub a hand over your face. Shit.

“After that, I knew that she started calling you like crazy. She hasn’t stopped. She’s barely talking to anyone. Barely eating, dude. I tried to tell her you probably just needed space, but she’s convinced you left because of her.”

Guilt twists like a knife in your chest. You can hear Nika sigh on the other end. “Look, I get why you left. But this? This is killing her.”

You don’t say anything, because what can you say? That you knew this would happen? That you left to spare her, only to end up hurting her more?

Nika sighs again, softer this time. “She keeps updating you, doesn’t she?”

Your throat tightens. Yeah.

Paige has been sending messages non-stop. Long ones, short ones. Some begging, some demanding. Others just saying she misses you. That she doesn’t understand. That she needs to see you.

She’s unraveling.

Nika’s voice pulls you from your thoughts. “Just—just let me know if you’re coming back, okay? She needs to know you’re not gone forever.”

You don’t answer. Instead, you stare at the latest message from Paige, your vision blurring as you read her words.

Please just tell me if you’re okay. If you don’t want me to call anymore, I’ll stop. Just… I need to know if you’re okay.

Your hands shake as you lock your phone and press it against your forehead, the weight of everything pressing down on you. You thought leaving would be the best way to protect her.

But now, you’re not so sure.

You’re pulled from sleep by the constant buzzing of your phone. The screen glows in the darkness, illuminating the room in short, erratic bursts. Blinking against the haze of sleep, you reach for it, squinting at the overwhelming flood of notifications.

Your heart stops when you see Paige’s name.

She posted on Instagram.

A photo. No—several. A collage, old memories spilling into the present. Your childhood together. Your high school days. The candid shots of laughter, inside jokes captured in pixels. And then, the recent ones—the ones taken in the past few months, the ones you thought no one else had noticed. A soft look she gave you after practice, your hands nearly brushing at a coffee shop, a blurred shot of you both standing too close at some party. It’s all there. Laid out for the world to see.

You swallow hard, your chest tightening as you read the caption.

Some people are just part of your soul. No matter how much time passes, no matter how many things change, they’re always there. Even when you lose them. Even when you’re the reason they’re gone.

It’s the kind of post that sounds more like a confession than an appreciation. And people are noticing. The comments are blowing up, theories forming faster than you can process them.

— Why does this sound like a breakup post???

— Wait… is she talking about Azzi or…?

— Who is this mystery person??

— Oh my god, the way she looks at her in these pics.

Your stomach churns. Then you see it.

Someone from back home. Someone who knows you and Paige.

— Before Azzi, it was always them. They go way back, trust me.

And people are buying it.

Your notifications spike—friend requests, follows, people digging, trying to put pieces together. Your stomach twists as you scroll, anxiety flooding your veins. This is getting too big.

And then, the final nail in the coffin.

A comment, posted just three minutes ago.

— Good to know you're still friends with each other, Paige. I just bumped into her this morning, still so charming and sweet.

Your blood runs cold. That's your high school classmate who actually lives here in Minnesota!

And then, Paige’s reply. It's the only comment she actually replied to.

— Thank you.

Just one minute ago.

Your breath catches in your throat.

Thank you.

Thank you for what? The compliment? The nostalgia? Or—

Or the clue of where you are?

“Fuck.”

Your hands are shaking as you stare at the screen, heart pounding so hard it drowns out all rational thought. And then, your phone dings.

Paige: I know where you are, baby. I’m coming to get you.

Your eyes snap to the clock. 4:00 AM.

You don’t know when she’s going to show up.

But you know one thing for sure.

You’re so, so doomed.

A featherlight touch tickles your ear, a sensation so faint it almost feels like a dream. Then, another��a ghosting touch against your cheek. You stir, shifting under the warmth of the blankets, but then you feel it again.

Something—someone—is here.

Your eyes flutter open, bleary and unfocused, and the first thing you see is Paige, perched on the edge of your bed, smiling down at you. But it’s not her usual smile. It’s a sad one, fragile and worn, like she’s been crying. Like she’s barely holding herself together.

"Why did you leave me?" she whispers, voice small, almost broken. "I got so scared."

Your heart clenches at the raw vulnerability in her eyes. You open your mouth, but nothing comes out at first. There’s so much you want to say, but you don’t even know where to begin.

Paige exhales shakily, blinking rapidly. "I thought I lost you. For real. I called. I texted. I had no idea where you were, and it drove me insane. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep—I just kept thinking, what if you weren’t coming back? What if I really ruined everything?"

You sit up, swallowing the lump in your throat. "Paige, I—"

"I know why you did it," she cuts in, her voice stronger now, but still laced with pain. "Nika told me everything. That you thought it was for the best. That you were trying to protect me. But, baby, you leaving? That didn’t protect me. It destroyed me."

Your breath catches. Paige’s fingers find yours, squeezing tight, almost desperate. "I don’t need protecting from you," she continues. "I need you. I don’t care what Coach Geno says, or what Lindsay thinks, or what the world expects from me. I only care about you. So don’t ever—ever—do that to me again."

Tears well in your eyes as you cup her face, thumbs brushing over the damp trails on her cheeks. "I just… I thought I was doing the right thing. I didn’t want to hold you back, Paige. I didn’t want to be the reason you lost everything."

Paige shakes her head, shifting closer until her forehead presses against yours. "You are everything."

And that’s all it takes for the dam to break. The next thing you know, Paige is kissing you, and it’s different from before—it’s raw, emotional, relieving. Her hands are in your hair, yours are gripping the fabric of her hoodie like she might disappear again if you let go. The taste of salt lingers on your lips, but you don’t know if it’s from her tears or yours.

You don’t pull away until you're breathless, foreheads still pressed together. Paige lets out a shaky laugh. "God, I missed you."

You laugh too, watery and soft. "I missed you more."

She grins, bumping her nose against yours. "Impossible."

Breakfast with your parents is warm, filled with laughter and lingering touches under the table. Paige is her usual charming self, but there’s a tenderness in the way she looks at you, in the way she talks about you to your family—like she wants them to know just how much she cherishes you. And they do. They see it.

Your mom smirks when Paige clears both your plates before you even finish your first. "Still stealing food off her plate, huh?"

Paige grins sheepishly. "Can you blame me? She always get the best bites."

Your dad chuckles. "Some things never change."

And for the first time in a while, everything feels right.

Later in the afternoon, Paige takes you to her house. You hesitate when she pulls into the driveway, but she just laces her fingers with yours, squeezing reassuringly. "I wanted to see you first before coming home," she says softly. "That’s how important you are to me."

The words settle in your chest, warm and deep.

Inside, her family welcomes you with open arms. They tease Paige endlessly, making comments about how she’s been sidetracked before (Azzi, though no one outright says her name), but they knew—they always knew.

"She just got a little lost," her mom says with a wink. "But she found her way back."

Paige groans. "You guys are the worst."

Her younger siblings giggle, throwing in their own commentary about how she was always different when you were around—happier, lighter. It makes you wonder how long everyone had seen it before either of you did.

And then, in front of everyone, Paige clears her throat, looking straight at you. "I’m gonna court you properly this time. No games, no confusion. Just me, proving to you every day that you’re it for me."

Her dad whistles. "Bold move. I like it."

Your face burns, but you nod, heart thudding. "I’d like that."

She beams, and for a second, you forget everything else.

The evening is spent driving around old familiar places, reminiscing about childhood memories, seeing things in a different light now. Paige reaches for your hand at every stop, as if making sure you’re still real, still here. You are. And you’re not going anywhere.

But reality catches up fast.

Your phone buzzes—Nika. You answer, and before you can even say anything, she’s groaning. "Dude, where the hell is Paige? Coach Geno’s losing his damn mind."

Your stomach drops. "What?"

"He found out she flew to Minnesota. He’s pissed." Nika sighs. "You two need to get your asses back here ASAP. I booked a flight for Paige already. You coming back with her?"

You hesitate, but then you glance at Paige, who’s watching you with quiet expectation. Like she’s waiting to see if you’ll run again.

You take a breath. "Yeah. We’ll come back together."

Nika snorts. "Good. Because, uh, people already know who you are now, thanks to Paige’s stupid, drunken, emotional post. Might as well face the world together."

Paige cringes but grins at you, hopeful. "Together?"

You lace your fingers with hers. "Together."

And for the first time in a long time, that word doesn’t feel scary at all.

The flight back to UConn was quieter than expected. Paige held your hand the entire time, her thumb brushing over your knuckles absentmindedly, as if she was making sure you were still there. You could feel the weight of everything pressing down on her, but there was something steadier in her grip now—like she had made up her mind about something.

When you landed, reality hit. Paige pulled her hoodie up, trying to shield herself from the attention, but it was useless. Eyes followed you both through the airport, whispers rippling through the crowd like wildfire. People knew now. Maybe not the full story, but enough. The post she made, the comments, the theories—it had spiraled into something neither of you could control.

The second you stepped onto campus, you knew it was only a matter of time before you had to face everything you ran from. And it started with Geno.

Nika had given you both a warning text—He’s pissed, but not at you. Be ready.

You didn’t even get a chance to process that before you were being summoned to his office.

Geno Auriemma was pacing when you walked in, hands on his hips, muttering something under his breath. Paige straightened beside you, ready for whatever lecture was coming.

He stopped, looked between you two, then exhaled sharply. “Do you have any idea what kind of circus you’ve created?”

Paige lifted her chin. “I do.”

“Do you?” His eyes narrowed. “Because last I checked, you had a season to focus on. A future to protect. And instead, I’ve got reporters hounding me about your love life.”

Paige didn’t back down. “I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you?” Geno crossed his arms. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re ready to blow up everything for the sake of proving a point.”

Paige’s grip on your hand tightened. “It’s not about proving a point. It’s about doing what’s right.”

Geno studied her, then you. His gaze softened, just a little. “Kid,” he said, directing it at you this time. “You really planning on sticking around for this?”

You swallowed, but your voice was steady. “If Paige wants me here, I’m not going anywhere.”

Geno sighed, rubbing his temples. “Then I hope you’re both ready for the firestorm that’s coming.”

The confrontation with Azzi was next.

You didn’t seek it out, but it found you anyway. In the gym, of all places, where she stood by the lockers, arms crossed, waiting.

“I figured you’d come crawling back eventually,” she said, voice sharp. “Didn’t expect Paige to drag you back herself, though.”

You stiffened, but before you could speak, Paige stepped forward. “I didn’t drag anyone anywhere.”

Azzi’s eyes flicked to her. “Really? So this isn’t just you making another impulsive decision? Risking everything for someone who ran the second things got hard?”

You flinched, but Paige’s response was instant. “She didn’t run. I pushed her away.”

Azzi scoffed. “Yeah? And what happens when it gets too much again? When the pressure crushes you? You're gonna push her away again? Or maybe find someone new to hold your hand?”

Paige’s jaw clenched. “I didn’t come here to fight with you.”

“Then why are you here?” Azzi’s voice wavered just slightly. “To rub it in my face? To prove a point?”

Paige shook her head. “No. To end this.”

Azzi’s expression faltered. “It’s already over.”

Paige nodded. “Yeah. And I should’ve ended it sooner. But I need you to know—this isn’t about you. It never was.”

Azzi’s eyes burned into yours, then back to Paige. For a second, she looked like she wanted to say something more. But then she just scoffed, turned, and walked away.

The media reaction was a whole different beast.

Some people loved the story. Childhood best friends reconnecting, fighting for love, defying expectations. Others? Not so much. Some still clung to Azzi, to the image of her and Paige together, painting you as the villain in a story you never asked to be part of.

But the tides were shifting. The more people dug, the more they learned about you and Paige’s history—how you’d been there long before the spotlight, long before the fame. Slowly, the narrative began to change.

One clip from an old high school interview resurfaced—a young Paige, smiling when asked about her best friend, talking about how you were the first person to believe in her dreams. It went viral overnight.

And then there was the final push.

Paige’s first official statement.

She didn’t hold a press conference like she originally wanted. Instead, she posted a video—a simple, unedited clip of her sitting in her dorm, looking straight into the camera.

“I never planned on my personal life being public,” she started. “But if people are going to talk, I’d rather they hear it from me.”

She took a breath. “Azzi and I are done. We ended things because it wasn’t working, and that’s the truth. And as for the rumors about me and—” She hesitated, then smiled slightly. “Her. I’m not gonna confirm or deny anything. But I will say this—I don’t regret a single thing.”

Paige paused, like she was choosing her next words carefully. “The people who’ve been here since the beginning, the ones who really know me, they know where my heart has always been.”

That was all she said. But it was enough.

The world could interpret it however they wanted. But you? You knew exactly what she meant.

And as you sat there, watching the video play out, you realized something.

This wasn’t just Paige fighting for you.

It was both of you, fighting for each other.

The return to UConn was chaotic, but somehow, you and Paige faced it together. The confrontation with Coach Auriemma had been tough—he wasn’t happy about the distractions, but after seeing how firm Paige was in her choice, he let it go. Azzi was another story. She had scoffed, feigned indifference, but you could see the bitterness in her eyes. However, over time, even she started to come around. One evening after practice, she pulled Paige aside and, though reluctant, admitted, “I just want you to be happy. And if that’s with her, then… I’ll deal with it.”

Nika? She just smirked, shaking her head. “Took you two long enough.”

The media had been relentless at first, but eventually, things started to shift. Paige’s history with you, your childhood friendship, the way you had always been in her life—it changed the narrative. The fans saw it too. Some still clung to the idea of her and Azzi, but most of them started to accept you. Even like you. And Paige? She made sure the world knew exactly where she stood—with you.

One evening, after a long day of classes and training, you and Paige found yourselves curled up on the couch in your shared apartment. The weight of everything was still there, lingering, but for the first time in weeks, it felt manageable.

Paige let out a sigh, pressing a soft kiss to your temple. “Come with me after I go pro.”

Your heart stilled. “Paige…”

“I mean it,” she said, pulling back to look at you. Her eyes were filled with something so raw, so desperate, it made your breath catch. “I don’t want to do any of this without you.”

You exhaled slowly, fingers tracing patterns on her arm. “I have dreams too, Paige. My own path. My own future.”

She nodded immediately. “I know. And I’d never ask you to give them up. But I won’t give you up either.”

You hesitated, because as much as you loved her, as much as you wanted to be with her, you had spent so much of your life trying to find your own way. You couldn’t just abandon that.

Sensing your turmoil, Paige cupped your face, her thumbs brushing over your cheeks. “Tell me what you want.”

You swallowed hard. “I want to finish my degree. I want to build something for myself. And I want you too, Paige. But I can’t follow you like a shadow. I need to stand on my own too.”

She was quiet for a long moment, then she nodded, determination settling in her expression. “Then we’ll build our life together. I’ll go wherever you go.”

Your breath hitched. “Paige, you—”

“I can play anywhere. I don’t have to be across the country. I don’t have to make this harder than it needs to be. We’ll figure it out, but I’m not leaving you behind.”

Tears pricked at your eyes. “Are you sure?”

Paige leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss to your lips. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

Months passed, and the world around you both continued to shift. Paige declared for the WNBA draft, and you stood by her side as she took that step into her future. She kept her promise—supporting you, making time for you, making sure you were part of her world.

And when the draft night came, when her name was called and she walked across that stage, she searched for you in the crowd, her eyes shining with tears and triumph. Later, when the cameras were off and the celebrations died down, she pulled you close, whispering against your lips, “We made it.”

You smiled, pressing your forehead to hers. “We did.”

The journey wasn’t perfect. There were challenges, moments of doubt, moments where the weight of it all felt unbearable. But through it all, one thing remained certain—Paige had chosen you. And you had chosen her, too.

In the months that followed, you both moved into a cozy apartment together, balancing her WNBA career with your own pursuits. Some nights, she came home exhausted from games, collapsing onto the couch with you, murmuring how grateful she was to have you by her side. Other nights, you stayed up late, working on your own dreams, with Paige curled up next to you, offering sleepy encouragement.

One day, as you both cooked dinner together, Paige wrapped her arms around you from behind, pressing a kiss to your shoulder. “I don’t care where life takes us,” she murmured. “As long as we’re together.”

You turned, looking into her eyes, and smiled. “Always.”

And with that, the future no longer seemed uncertain.

It was yours—together.

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mediumgayitalian · 14 hours ago

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“Don’t worry, Kayla. I got him.”

It’s the first thing that registers in a long time. It’s also the only thing that registers a split second before a hand grips his collar and he is dragged, bodily, out of the infirmary, bumping down the stairs like luggage.

“Is that all I am to you?” Will asks, bereft. “Luggage?”

“You’re losing your mind again,” Nico says. “Intervention time.”

“I am — just fine, thank you kindly! I was in the middle of sorting the medicine cabinet by colour and vibe. Let me go.”

“There’s something wrong with you. Mentally.”

“How rude.”

Nico snorts, but does not relinquish his hold. Will gives up squirming and sighs, allowing himself to be dragged.

It’s kind of nice, he supposes. Nico is careful to avoid most of the rocks and the sky is kind of pretty from this angle. Ideally he’d be, like, walking, but dragged along is alright. It’s better than last time. The whole princess carry thing was humiliating and if someone does that to him again he’s channeling the power of the sun and exploding himself and everyone around him.

“That is not an actual power that you have, William.”

“Shows what you know.”

“I’m gonna start calling you Hiroshima.”

“Go for it. Guess who’ll look like the insane one in that scenario?”

Nico laughs, because he thinks Will is funny, even though he will not admit it. Will knows so because that’s how he bagged the camp’s baddest bitch. Twas most certainly not his swordfighting skills or poetry, that is for certain.

(Not that it had stopped him from trying. Honestly, Nico may have agreed to go out with him for the sole intent of stopping the poetry.)

(But he’s stuck now, so there.)

“Here.” Nico deposits him unceremoniously on the floor. Will lands with an exaggerated oof. “Eat something or I’m stuffing you into an onager and launching you to Mars.” He glances up at the sky. “The planet, not the deity.”

“Figured,” Will wheezes, rubbing his shoulder blades. Why must he always land painfully. Why is he punished merely for existing. “What’s this?”

Nico, refusing to answer verbally, spreads his arms. Will uses his working eyeballs to determine ‘this’ is a soft blanket that is 100% stolen directly from the Aphrodite cabin, spread carefully over the grass of the nicest clearing in the woods. ‘This’ is a picnic basket full of what Will assumes is Twizzlers, if Nico loves him.

“Tis not,” Nico promises. “I brought you vegetables and whole grains and all the other bullshit you harp about me eating, you massive hypocrite.”

‘This’, Will notices, ignoring him, is a folded letter with his name on it and a portable radio playing the nearest country station.

Next time you overwork yourself I’m knocking you unconscious and chaining you to your bed for three days, reads the note. Make better choices, you dickbrain.

“Charming,” Will says. He presses the letter to his chest and pretends to swoon. Nico lets him fall and bang his skull on the ground, but Will internalizes the pain and commits to the bit like a real man. “My very own Romeo, taking care of me so well. Oh, my heart, my heart.”

“You are the most annoying person alive.”

“And yet you’re obsessed with me.”

Nico cracks a smile. “Yes,” he admits. “Not quite sure how that one happened.”

Nico looks at him with dark brown eyes and slightly raised brows and it is charming, genuinely, and Will goes a little pink, admittedly, because his smile is crooked and teasing and there is something handsome and a little tiny bit mean about it and maybe Will likes that. A little. And maybe Nico knows that and snickers and mutters get over here, airhead and tugs him until his head is in his lap and sticks his hands in his tangled hair and yeah, Will likes it a little. A lot.

“You know, you’re kind of an alright person,” Will says.

“That was almost a compliment.”

“Mhm. I might even like you.”

“Shocking.”

Will grins. Nico rolls his eyes and leans down to kiss him, biting the tip of his nose on the way down, and there is a coil in Will’s belly and it feels a little like heat and a little like warmth. A little like someone taking care of him.

“I threatened the camp,” Nico says conversationally. “We have the next three point seventeen hours to ourselves, lest I sacrifice three teenagers to Thanatos.”

“Sensible.”

“I thought so.”

“Anyone told you you’re kinda hot when you’re a little evil?”

“Yeah. I hear it a lot, actually.”

“Good, good. Glad you’re aware.”

They look at each other for one point two seconds and burst out laughing, and it is stupid, and it is quiet, and it is a bubble growing and growing in the pit of Will’s chest.

He breathes. He leans a little farther into Nico’s lap, and smile. He grips their hands together.

It’s kinda nice to be got.

———

based on this drawing by @skysmadness

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the-bi-space-ace · 1 day ago

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One of my favorite things about Echo is his heart

It’s his commitment to helping people. It’s the way he cares so deeply and always has. The loyalty he shows towards the other clones, his willingness to do anything to save them, is only one of many reasons why Echo is my favorite character of all time.

Echo may very well have survivors guilt from what happened to him and the things he did while being used as ‘The Algorithm’ but I don’t think that’s the main force that drives him to be so committed to saving other clones from the Empire.

He’s always had this big heart. This enormous need to help others. We see it during the attack on Kamino, how he’s willing to lay his life down and do what it takes. We see him holding 99 when he dies, clearly distraught over the loss of this man he cares for. He doesn’t shy away from the emotional bits, the parts that aren’t about how brave you are, he’s willing to feel it. And let others see him feel it, too.

We see this when he is lost at the citadel. We see him attempt to save everyone else by putting his own life on the line and paying a hefty price for it.

We see him feel compelled to lend his expertise and insider knowledge after he’s rescued. He’s ready to fight, he will do anything to help. He’s even injured on that mission because of the riskier move he pulled just to give the Republic a bigger advantage.

And when the clones needed him? When Rex needed him? He went where he was needed. He infiltrated Tantiss like it was nothing. He went into that facility determined: “Not just her. All of the clones.” Because that’s his thing!! It’s not just about one person or one thing! This is about all of them and for Echo it always has been. He’s lost so much. He’s mourned so many people. He isn’t losing anyone else. He went to that facility ready to break every single clone free and not rest until he did.

See, Echo has always been this way. This isn’t something that grew only after his rescue from Skako. From the very beginning his heart has been in it and that has never changed. It’s his dedication and his steadfastness. It’s the way he leads with his heart. It’s the kindness that drives him to do all that he can.

As long as Echo is around no clone is ever alone. No clone will ever have to cover their own six. Not a single clone in the whole galaxy ever has to worry if someone out there even cares about them. Because Echo does. Echo cares. Echo has always cared and he has never and will never stop. As long as Echo is around every single clone has someone in their corner.

And Echo is a damn good ally.

#arc trooper echo #tbb echo #the bad batch #the clone wars #star wars #space chatter #Echo is my whole world and he consistently gives me hope

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marauderspolls · 1 day ago

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She's just more interesting than them. Like, lily is so boring.

wait wait hold on a minute, are you serious…

the fact that people even try to compare Lily Evans and Bellatrix Lestrange like they're on the same level actually makes me want to throw something. Like, Bellatrix's a one-note lunatic with a murder kink and zero personality outside of “I love Voldemort” and “I want to kill things.” That’s it. That’s the whole character. She’s just evil for the sake of being evil, and yeah, sure, she’s scary or whatever, but she’s not interesting. She has no depth, no real motivation beyond blind fanaticism, and no development. She starts the series as an unhinged Death Eater, and she dies as an unhinged Death Eater. There is nothing in between.

Bellatrix is literally just a rabid dog for Voldemort. That’s it. That’s her whole function. Her family? She doesn’t care about them unless they align with her weird pure-blood ideals. Her own sister tries to distance herself from her because she’s so far gone. And don’t even get me started on the way she treats people—she’s all about power, control, and causing pain for the sake of it. She doesn’t even have a goal beyond “make Voldemort proud,” and like... for what? That man does not care about her! She dies grinning because she’s so far up his arse she doesn’t even realize how pathetic she is.

And THEN you have Lily, who is just so much more compelling in every single way. She doesn’t have power handed to her on a silver platter. She wasn’t born into some rich, pure-blood family with connections and influence. She worked for everything—her magic, her place in the wizarding world, her friendships. She got there because she was talented and determined, not because she had some bloodline nonsense backing her up. And the best part? She could’ve taken the easy way out. She could’ve married Snape’s ideology and been like, “Yeah, maybe blood status does matter,” but she didn’t. She chose to fight back. She chose to stand up for people who needed it, even when it was hard.

And don’t even get me started on love. Bellatrix thinks she loves Voldemort, but it’s not love—it’s obsession. She throws away everything for a man who doesn’t care about her. Lily? Lily chooses someone who actually grows, who actually loves her back. She has real relationships, real emotions, real stakes.

Lily is brave in a way Bellatrix will never be. Bellatrix dies cackling because she never once considered that she might lose. Lily knew she was going to lose, and she did the right thing anyway.

Meanwhile, Lily? Lily is a real person. She’s funny, she’s sharp, she stands up for what’s right without being some perfect, holier-than-thou character. She has actual relationships that matter, actual emotions that make sense, and she grows. She changes. She starts as this kid who’s just discovering the magical world, and by the time she dies, she’s someone who’s made her own choices, built a life for herself, and actively fought against people like Bellatrix - actively fought against a system that's designed to oppress people like her, whereas Bellatrix was in a convenient position of power from start to finish - like bffr when did she ever LOSE anything? There's zero CANON evidence that she was abused so that entire argument is moot.

So yeah, if you actually think Bellatrix is a more interesting character than Lily, I genuinely don’t know what to tell you. One of them is an actual person with complexity, growth, and depth. The other is just a glorified attack dog with a creepy Voldemort fixation. It’s not a competition.

#lily #lily evans #lily potter #marauders poll #marauders most loved character #new marauders fandom #marauders #marauders fandom #hp marauders #mauraders #marauders era #poll results #bellatrix black #bellatrix lestrange

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cece693 · 2 days ago

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Personal Bodyguard

pairing: tony stark x male reader tags: you can't tell me Tony isn't bi or at least experimented in his youth, you become his personal bodyguard after the cave fiasco and iron man revelation, enemies-to-friends-to lovers, Tony really needs a hug, reader is set to become his friend (and more), military background

You’re used to working in tense environments. The military taught you that complacency is death and that vigilance is survival. You’ve seen your fair share of conflict, learned to read people and situations at a glance. That’s probably why Pepper Potts sought you out after Tony Stark’s dramatic return from Afghanistan. She looked you up and down with calculating eyes, recognized a bit of herself in your “don’t mess with me” attitude, and decided on the spot—you were the best candidate to protect Tony Stark from himself, and from the new, dangerous world he was plunging into.

Tony’s penthouse overlooks the Malibu coastline, the sun reflecting off the ocean waves and onto polished floors. There he stands—fresh from the workshop, grease on his tank top and that lopsided grin that only half-masks the shadows under his eyes. He spots you, sizes you up, and crosses his arms. “Pep, this is the solution you found?” Tony gestures at you dismissively. “A glorified babysitter?”

Pepper forces a polite smile. “A bodyguard, Tony.” You don’t rise to his bait. The best reaction here is none at all—just a stony expression. Let him get it out of his system. He cocks an eyebrow at your silence, clearly expecting some snark in return.

“Fine,” he says, turning on his heel. “Follow me. Or don’t. Whatever." Pepper shakes her head apologetically as she goes to leave. Before she goes, she places a hand on your shoulder, giving you an unspoken good luck. You already know you’ll need it.

Tony tries his best to make your life difficult. He’ll disappear from his home at odd hours, use his snark to try and aggravate you, or do something reckless like attempt a suit flight test above the Malibu cliffs. However, you're never that far behind and your patience is endless. One night, he’s just touched down too hard in the Mark II, crashing through his garage and damaging several of his expensive cars. You rush in, weapon at the ready, scanning for threats.

“Relax,” Tony says, struggling to peel off the broken armor. “It’s just me doing some, uh, routine test improvements.” You exhale slowly, then calmly dismantle your sidearm. No threats—except the one Tony poses to himself.

“You know,” you say eventually, picking up a piece of the shattered gauntlet, “if you keep messing around with these half-finished upgrades, eventually I won’t just be your bodyguard. I’ll be the one scraping you off the ground.”

Tony stares at you, momentarily struck by the genuine concern in your voice, before clearing his throat. “Point taken,” he mutters, but for the first time, he seems less antagonistic—and almost thankful.

The slow thaw between you and Tony continues. He starts sharing details of the Iron Man suit, half to show off and half because he’s realized you’re more at ease when you know everything that’s going on. You learn that behind the smug exterior, Tony is propelled by guilt, determination, and a heart that aches to do genuine good. And for your part, despite your initial refusal to get personally involved, you find yourself caring about him—protecting him matters, but so does understanding him.

Late nights often find the two of you in the workshop. Tony’s hyper-focused on some new repulser tech while you stand guard, occasionally offering your own insight to whatever he was working on. You’d never guess Tony would be the type to listen, but he does, especially when your suggestions keep him from blowing up half the lab. He’ll acknowledge your tips with a half-smile, or a nod that says more than words.

Pepper noticed the shift. She’d smile at you in passing, relief evident in her eyes. She once patted your shoulder and said, “You’re good for him. He trusts you, and that’s not something I say lightly.” Rhodey, Tony’s closest friend, warmed up to you fast. He appreciated having another military mind around. When Tony got lost in his own arrogance, Rhodey and you would share an exasperated look.

Then everything changes again when Tony becomes an Avenger. Suddenly, it’s not just small-scale threats or paparazzi you have to worry about—it’s cosmic forces, alien invasions, global catastrophes. You do your best to keep Tony safe in these new, unpredictable situations, but it’s a challenge.

The Avengers team is a powder keg of personalities. Steve Rogers, Captain America himself, openly clashes with Tony over leadership and moral ideals. You see how the tension weighs on Tony; he deflects with sarcasm, but you’ve come to know the signs of when he’s hurting.

One night at the tower, you’re standing off to the side while Tony and Steve butt heads—again. "Take away the armor," Steve says, voice steely, "and what are you?" The words hang in the air. Tony’s jaw tightens, and you can practically see his heart sink. It’s a cheap shot. And it’s wrong. You step forward before Tony can snap back with a trademark insult. There’s a calm coolness in your voice, the kind that hushes even the Captain.

“Tony Stark is the mind that built that suit,” you say evenly. “He’s the one who sees solutions where everyone else sees dead ends. If you take away the armor, you’ve still got the man who pulled himself out of a cave and saved his own life with scrap metal—because that’s who he is. He’s more than the suit, Rogers, and you know it.”

Steve meets your gaze and steps forward, but you aren’t intimidated. There were lines you simply wouldn’t let him cross, not tonight, not after he delivered that cheap shot at Tony without even knowing him. You can see Tony stiffen beside you, as if ready to jump in—or bolt. But you’re not about to let Steve’s words cut him down.

“Think very carefully about what you say next, Rogers,” you warn, voice low and steady. “Because none of you would be here—Avengers, Stark Tower, anything—if it weren’t for this man. Armor or no armor.”

For a split second, you can feel everyone’s eyes on you. Clint shifts uneasily near the back, Natasha straightens from her casual lean against the wall, and even Bruce lifts his head from the tablet he’s been absorbed in. Steve’s jaw tightens; he clearly didn’t expect you to stand your ground so bluntly—and you don’t care. Your top priority is Tony’s well-being, not theirs. With nothing more to say, you turn on your heel and head for the workshop.

By the time you reach the corridor leading to Tony’s private workspace, the echo of your own footsteps has become a steady, reassuring beat. Only then do you register the soft tread following behind you. He’s close—but conspicuously silent, which is out of character for a man who thrives on quips and banter.

“Sir, you have arrived at the workshop,” Jarvis’s polite voice chimes overhead, and the door slides open with a hiss.

You step inside and finally turn around. Tony lingers just past the threshold, his eyes lowered. His silence seems almost heavy, like he’s struggling to find the right words. “I never asked you to defend me,” he murmurs. “But you…you did. Why?” The workshop’s lights glow softly, illuminating half-built armor pieces and scattered blueprints. You let the sound of humming machinery fill the short gap before you speak.

“Because you needed someone to,” you say simply, though your voice carries an undercurrent of heat—residual frustration from your confrontation with Steve. “And because I wanted to.”

Tony’s gaze flickers upward—he looks uncertain, almost disarmed. “I can handle myself,” he says, though he doesn’t quite meet your eyes. It’s a weak protest, more habit than conviction.

You exhale, crossing your arms. “I know you can. Doesn’t mean you have to face it alone. Especially when the hits are coming from the people supposed to have your back.”

“You caught me off guard,” he admits, voice low, “standing up for me like that. Especially in front of the team.”

You stand your ground, letting the seriousness of the moment settle in. “You act like I never stand up for you.”

A wry huff of laughter escapes him. “Not the same way. Usually, you’re telling me not to blow up half my lab or reminding me to eat something other than coffee. This time you had my back when it counted.”

“Isn’t that why I’m here?” you ask, tilting your head. “I’m your bodyguard, Mr. Stark. That means I protect you—against outside threats and inside threats too. Even if that threat’s a super soldier with a knack for colorful speeches.”

“So that’s it?” he asks, a thin note of vulnerability in his tone. “You did it because it’s your job?” You take in his tense posture—shoulders rigid, hand flexing at his side. Tony’s never been good at showing his more vulnerable edges. Carefully, you move closer, letting your voice soften.

“Let’s get one thing straight. Defending you isn’t just me ‘clocking in.’ I do it because I care. Because I know you’re more than just the suit, no matter what Steve says.” Tony looks up at you in surprise, but you're not done yet. "If this was just part of my job, I wouldn't be spending all my free time down here with you. I would've jumped at the chance to quit when you offered it on a silver platter."

Tony cracks a half-smile, remembering when he outright tried to bribe you to quit, and you surprisingly rejected his offer. The money could've set you for life, supported you and a family if you so desired, but you simply shook your head and informed him about a meeting he had in the morning.

Tony moves closer, so close you can count the faint freckles along his cheekbones. “I hated the idea of having a bodyguard,” Tony admits, voice low. “But I’ve come to realize how much I needed you.” Your heart stutters, unsure of how to respond. Tony swallows thickly, looking uncharacteristically unsure. There’s no witty remark, no deflecting sarcasm. It’s just him, raw and honest, baring feelings you never thought he’d share.

“You’ve become one of the closest people in my life,” he continues. “I trust you in ways I don’t trust anyone else. Hell, Pepper might be the only other person who gets me anywhere close to this.” He hesitates, eyes flicking to your lips before returning to your gaze. “And…I’ve been trying to figure out how to say I might—well—I feel something for you.”

Your stomach flips, warmth blooming in your chest. There’s something surreal about this: Tony Stark, the man who refused to even acknowledge your presence at first, now openly admitting he cares—that he wants something more than just having you as security detail.

A ghost of a smile curves your lips. “I might feel something for you, too.” Tony’s grin is immediate—relief and mischief dancing in his eyes. He leans in, and for a moment, the rest of the world fades.

“Do I have to make an appointment to kiss my bodyguard,” he murmurs, “or is this—” You cut him off by closing the distance, your lips finding his in a slow, tentative kiss.

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shatcey · 2 days ago

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Wow… It was extremely interesting. You've done a huge job. Thank you so much for sharing.

I just add my thoughts. I don't want to criticize, nothing of the sort, just the way I see it.

But first, I should note that, in my opinion, wealth and poverty depend not only on how much money a person has or earns. Lifestyle is also important. And sometimes a poor person can be a person who has money but doesn't use it.

So, in my opinion, what do they look like - from the richest to the poorest.

Jude (no doubt) -> Willy/Elbie (cannot deside) -> Victor -> Ellis -> Roger -> Harrison -> Ally -> Liam

First, about Liam. I got the impression that all his family had was a home. And it burned down. So maybe… he doesn't have any money. On the other hand, if his father was so determined to take over the inheritance… maybe there's something. After all, he had some kind of business, maybe it's still working. But Liam's lifestyle makes me think that he doesn't use that money at all… They're in a bank or something… So I would say that he is the poorest.

Roger, on the other hand, is from the dynasty of doctors. Yes, you're right, their salary is small… but they don't just work as doctors. They were researchers. And also possibly the personal doctors of some nobles. We all remember THE doctor from Elbert's route.

And if we assume how many resources you need for any experiments and searches, and so on… I doubt Roger is poor.

William and Elbert. William spends a lot of money. He has friends that he taking care of. He donates money to charities. And… he supports some organizations. For example, the theater where Lim-Lim works. And the way he does it… seems like he doesn't worry about money at all… like he has a gold mine or something.

Elbert spends a lot as well. He can easily buy all stocks from multiple stores in one go. Or the most expensive item at auction. But… who knows what would have happened to his money if Ally hadn't refill it by selling his purchases as "exclusive" items that Lord Elbert had touched. So… maybe Willy is richer after all… but who knows.

You're right that both Elly and Ally work for rich people, but they have a completely different lifestyle. Ally doesn't save money… he doesn't think about the future. Yes, he is, but not about himself in it. So… he doesn't have them… constantly. But Elly think a lot about figure. Just trust me. So… he has savings… and probably quite large ones.

And a little proof to your thoughts about Vivi

From his valentine card

If you haven't seen the full version of the card, it's here.

Yes, he said it as a joke, but… It doesn't sound like one. He's wealthy. He's like the second person in the country after the queen, of course, he has a huge salary. And who knows about his other works. He has a network of informants, who knows what else…

And yes, we don't know anything about his past, but the fact that he wears a brooch with stones even back in the past is saying something. Despite the fact the theory that he is not human has still not been completely rejected.

A Class Analysis of the Crown Villains

Analyzing all of the EN-released Villains from who would be the most to least wealthy in 1890s Victorian England.

A/N: This is just for fun! These characters/stories are not that deep, and I don’t want them to be! I just find it fun and silly to think through what this world would actually look like in history, and maybe you do too! 😊 Spoilers for pretty much every villain on the EN server, so read at your own risk! Also I am not a historian or economist, just a gal with a computer, so take all of this with a grain of salt.

Also, I’m assuming that Ikémen Villains takes place sometime in the 1890s in London, England—the tail end of Queen Victoria’s rule. This estimated time frame is based mostly on Harry’s love of Arthur Conan Doyle and passing mentions of when “he has a new novel coming out.” Doyle was a prolific writer and wrote for a long time, but I wanted to keep the time period specific enough to really think through what the economics would be like.

Wealthiest - Jude Jazza

Originally I was going to put the villains who belong to the gentry (Elbert and William and ... Victor??? Maybe?? haha) at the top of the list, but the more I thought it through, the more it became clear that in order for Jude to realistically carry out some of the actions in his route (which I haven’t finished!) or various story events/collection events, he would need to be so fucking rich. Like stupid wealthy. Like not quite at Jeff Bezos level of wealth, but pretty up there.

And baby started from the bottom now he’s here, okay! The fact that Jude grew up in abject poverty then became a successful CEO of a trading company originally struck me as one of the more unrealistic things in the game (which I do not care about, he’s still daddy), but the more I looked into it, the more I got on board with it. The writers were smart to add a rich benefactor to his backstory, because in 1890s London, that was probably the only way for a poor kid from the slums to receive an education. Wealth disparity was bad in the 1890s, and people were mad about it! Jude’s hatred of the rich and powerful is in keeping with working class (and even some middle class) attitudes at the time. And with the rapid development and expansion of the Port of London (from the completion of the Royal Victoria Dock in 1855 to the Port of Tilbury in 1886), trading was the business to be in at the time. So it’s not impossible that Jude could have just lucked out in a few key ways and worked extremely hard to get to where he is (although he would still probably be considered a unicorn in this time period).

As for Raven Co.’s annual profit: who knows. I’m guessing it’s in the billions in today’s money. I’m unsure what Jude’s salary would be, he is explicitly characterized in his route as a fair boss who pays his workers a living wage, but he’s also like randomly really generous with like Ellis or Kate (i.e. giving Ellis a blank check for Xmas, giving Kate more than enough money to get a dress, etc.) so he’s probably taking home plenty. And considering how smart Jude is, he’s probably pretty savvy about saving and investing his money. He also makes a lot of deals and has a lot of involvement overseas, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he has bank accounts in several countries. The man is committed to building his rocket, okay! I’d say his annual income is in the hundred millions of dollars (in today’s money). But his net worth is probably in the billions.

Lord Elbert Greetia

Okay, now on to our first landed-gentry boy: Lord Elbert. Lord Elbert is most likely the wealthiest member of Crown in terms of generational wealth, with William coming in a close second.

Elbert is a member of the landed gentry or “peerage” and uses the title of “Lord,” which he inherited from his father. Being in this class means that he not only has significant wealth (in literal pounds and assets), but it also means that he has a rock-solid social standing and owns land. Land ownership is a big deal here because it means that Lord Elbert has the power to control anyone who might be living/working on property that he owns. And I’m not just talking servants/staff at his estate, I’m talking residents of any townships or villages on the likely acres and acres of land that he's in control of. So he has a passive income via taxing residents and laborers on his land(s)... forever! Being in this class also makes his wealth a lot more stable and immutable than say, Jude, who is a great businessman but whose income and assets are at the mercy of the market/demand.

Elbert’s character in the game is very stoic (until Kate shows up!), and he has deep trauma from his childhood home, so he doesn’t seem to exercise a ton of the privileges that would be available to him in terms of controlling the people who live on his properties. But, if we’re talking the 1890s here, he would probably have entire villages or even small towns under his economic purview. I think of him as a Mr. Darcy type, probably bringing in about £10,000 a year, or a little over £1.5 million/$2 million in today’s money. This combined with the cost of all of his assets or “beautiful things” that he compulsively collects (artwork, fine furniture, jewels, real estate, etc.) means I’d estimate his net worth to be about $70-100 million in today’s money.

Lord William Rex

I’m only putting William after Elbert because I do think Elbert has more non-cash assets, simply from the nature of his curse which causes him to be greedy. But let’s be clear: Lord William is also loaded. He, like Elbert, is a member of the peerage of the time and owns lots of land/real estate. He probably receives a pretty substantial passive income from all of his properties like Elbert.

I do think there’s one key difference between them: I have a feeling that William would either redistribute some of the income that he gets from any taxed residents/workers on his properties or lower their taxes—he just seems like the type to be about that. So that’s another reason why I think Elbert might have a higher net worth. Still, we find out that William paid for the construction of a hospital in his route, and for a man to do that in the 1890s, he’d have to be pretty freaking rich. I’d say that his net worth is probably somewhere between $50-100 million in today’s money.

Victor???

Big question mark around Victor! I’m putting him here just because he is so connected to the Queen, and unless we learn something different from his route, I’m pretty sure that means he’s at least upper class, if not a (former) member of the gentry/peerage. Or perhaps comes from a wealthier family. He also receives a salary and lodging from the Queen (as do all the members of Crown I think) so he’s certainly getting all of his needs met. He’s also the oldest member of Crown, which just makes me assume he’s had more time to accrue savings. But couldn’t tell you what his net worth is even if you held a gun to my head, this is all just vibes haha.

Liam Evans

Liam grew up comfortably upper class, basically wealthy despite not being a member of the landed gentry. His father owns an estate, or at least did when Liam was a child, and had staff and servants. Because of his mental illness and disfigurement, Liam’s father probably relied entirely on family money after a certain point.

As an adult, and considering he is a successful and popular leading actor at a major theater in London at the time, Liam is doing well for himself! He is now much better off than his father! Good riddance! Actors at the major theaters at the time were typically paid anywhere between 2-25 pounds per week, and Liam was likely on the upper end of that spectrum. Let’s say he takes home 20 pounds a week, which in today’s money would be about 3,200 pounds, or about 4,000 dollars. That’s 208,000 dollars a year before tax! Not bad at all! But, it’s worth noting, that at the time actors were definitely not seen as contributing members to society (especially women/actresses—they were essentially thrown into the same category as sex workers), so Liam’s social standing in the grand scheme of things is definitely lower as an actor than it was probably growing up in an upper-middle class house.

Ellis Twilight + Alfons Sylvatica

I’m throwing these two in here together because they are probably doing well for themselves, but only because they are attached to a super-rich person haha. Who knows what their salaries/wages are or what kind of deal they have with their respective sugar daddies (hehe) but suffice to say they don’t have to worry about money. Alfons is probably more irresponsible with his money, only because of his lifestyle, but even so he’s nowhere near as big of a spender as Elbert so it probably all ends up a wash. And I’m assuming that Jude pays Ellis pretty well because he loves him lol.

Harrison Gray

Okay, this one took some digging! Harry’s dad was a police officer, which in today’s world would mean that his family was pretty well-off and Harry had a comfortable upbringing. Not a member of the upper classes/gentry, but probably solidly middle class. This is also implied in the game, or at least Harry isn’t one of the characters that we know grew up poor.

But, it turns out, police officers weren’t paid super well in mid/late 1800s London! Harry’s dad would probably be on the better-paid side of the spectrum because he was a chief/high-ranking, but the police were a relatively new-ish phenomenon and weren’t considered “high-value” professionals. Harry’s dad likely only took home about 10 guineas a week, which in today’s money is about £1,400 or $1,700, so he was making about $88,000 a year in today’s money (before taxes). Which would be relatively comfortable for a single person today, but for a family in the 1800s would be pretty much living paycheck to paycheck with maybe a couple splurge purchases a year (like for Christmas or birthdays). So Harry’s family wasn’t anywhere near as poor as Jude or Alfons were growing up, but they likely lived quite modestly!

As an adult, Harry probably makes a healthy salary as an editor/proofreader. Publishing was booming in the 1890s, and writers were most often serialized in weekly publications, which meant a steady income for both writers and publishers. I’d say Harry is probably taking home a couple hundred pounds at the least per week, so something in the thousands of dollars in today’s terms. It’s unclear to me what the rules of living in Crown castle are. Like do they pay rent? I don’t think so? Let’s say they don’t, which means Harry gets to save/keep all his wages and only spends on personal stuff. He doesn’t seem like the biggest spender, if anything he reads as very sensible with money to me, haha. So he’s likely got a cozy little net worth building up but nothing crazy. Since wealth stratification is so extreme in this time period (the rich were very rich and the poor were very poor), Harry would probably be making enough to still be looked down on by the upper classes and enough to still be the object of contempt for the lower classes.

Poorest ? - Roger Barel

Doctors today are very well paid, but this was not the case in the late 1800s! Growing up, Roger’s dad probably had an annual salary of about 300-500 pounds a year, or roughly $45k-$80k in today’s money. Not a lot to live on for a whole family now, but this probably went further in the 1870s/80s when Roger was growing up. It’s implied that his family lived relatively comfortably, so I’m guessing that his dad had a good reputation and was sought after for his surgical expertise. He may have even gotten paid to teach in surgery ‘theatres’ of the time. (I haven’t read or looked much into Roger’s route so this might be wrong!)

I’m only ranking him last because he seems to not be formally employed haha. Since Roger is not a publicly practicing surgeon, he is relying on his income (?) and lodging from Crown for his day-to-day expenses. This could be any amount it seems, haha, depending on what he asks Victor/the Queen for. He doesn’t seem like a crazy spender, so he’s probably not complaining. I have no idea what his salary would be, though. It doesn’t seem like Crown bothers with all that, haha.

#ikemen villains #ikemen villians #ikevil #ikevil alfons #ikevil william #ikevil liam #ikevil harrison #ikevil elbert #ikevil ellis #ikevil jude #ikevil roger #ikevil victor

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undiagnosedcruelty · 3 days ago

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The Cat Test

Pairing: bf!l.minho x GenderNeutral!reader

Summary: Because dating Minho means dating his cats, too.

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Genre: fluff, crackfic

Content Warnings: chaotic cats, fluff, established relationship.

Word Count: 923

A/N: I was craving fluff and chaos while writing this💗

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EVERYTHING WRITTEN IS PURELY FICTION ───NOTHING DIRECTLY RELATES TO ANY REAL LIFE EVENTS.

You had been dating Minho for a few weeks now, and tonight was finally the night.

Not a big, dramatic event. Not an elaborate date. Just… a cozy, peaceful night in. You had been mentally preparing for this—picturing the scene in your head like a Pinterest-worthy romantic moment. You’d both curl up under a blanket, Minho’s arm wrapped securely around you as some random movie played in the background. Maybe he’d absentmindedly run his fingers through your hair, and you’d pretend not to melt at how sweet he was.

Calm. Cute. Cuddly.

At least… that was the plan.

What you had not accounted for was the fact that Minho’s apartment was a certified war zone.

The moment you step inside, expecting warm lighting and a cozy couch, you are instead met with absolute, unfiltered chaos.

A blur of fur shoots past your legs with enough force to nearly knock you over. Something crashes in the next room. In the background, you hear the ominous scritch-scratch of claws against fabric, and when you look up—

Dori. Hanging from the curtains like a tiny, fluffy demon, his eyes locked onto yours with unsettling intensity. His tiny legs kick as if he’s about to drop down at any moment.

A reasonable person might leave.

A reasonable person might fear for their life.

But you are not reasonable.

You are a new partner, desperately trying to impress your boyfriend.

"Uh…" you start, carefully stepping inside. "...Should I be concerned?"

From the couch, Minho—completely unbothered by the madness—looks up at you with a lazy smirk, sipping his tea like he’s in a peaceful countryside cottage instead of a battlefield.

“They’re just saying hi,” he replies.

You cautiously take another step in, eyes flicking around as you assess the situation. It does not look safe.

Another loud thud echoes from the kitchen, followed by the unmistakable sound of something shattering.

"...Are you sure?"

Minho just shrugs. “Welcome to my world.”

Despite the growing fear that this would not, in fact, be a chill and relaxing evening, you make your way toward the couch, dodging an unidentified flying object (which you later realize was just a sock Doongie had launched into the air).

You barely sit down before Soonie appears out of nowhere and claims your lap as his throne.

Your heart melts immediately.

“Oh my God,” you whisper, resisting the urge to cry. “He chose me.”

Minho, watching with amusement, raises an eyebrow.

“Don’t get too excited,” he warns. “He’s a little—”

Too late. The second you move your hand to pet him, Soonie’s eyes darken. Then, in the blink of an eye—he’s gone.

Just… vanished.

Like a ghost.

You blink at the now-empty space on your lap. Then at Minho. Then back at your lap.

"...What just happened?"

Minho snorts. "He played you."

Betrayal.

“Here,” Minho says suddenly, tossing you a bag of cat treats. His smirk turns devilish. “You do it.”

You catch the bag and hesitate. This feels like a trap. But you’re determined. You’re new to this relationship, and you refuse to be defeated by a few tiny, adorable creatures.

With all the confidence of a person who has no idea what’s coming, you crinkle the bag.

And then—everything changes.

The room, which had been filled with playful chaos, falls eerily silent. The air shifts.

Three pairs of glowing eyes snap toward you at the same time.

Then—

Absolute anarchy.

Dori launches himself off the curtain rod like some kind of possessed ninja. Soonie, despite previously acting like he doesn’t care, is suddenly inches from your face. And Doongie? Doongie has materialized from the void, tail flicking like he’s been waiting for this moment his entire life.

Before you can react──you are tackled.

The impact sends you falling backward in 0.2 seconds flat. Tiny paws scramble all over you. A chorus of urgent meows fills the air, demanding tribute.

Minho, from his place on the couch, watches you get devoured by his own personal army. His grin only widens as you accept your fate.

“I am their leader now,” you mumble from beneath the pile of fur.

Minho finally takes pity on you, reaching down to help you up. He casually brushes stray fur from your sweater, then boops your nose.

“You passed the test,” he hums. “They like you.”

You sigh, still winded. “Are you sure? Because I think I just got jumped.”

Minho chuckles. “If they didn’t like you, you wouldn’t be standing right now.”

Before you can question what that even means, he leans in, pressing a soft, fleeting kiss to your cheek. The warmth of it catches you off guard, and suddenly, despite everything, your heart is fluttering.

Just as you begin to relax into the moment—

BAM.

Dori LAUNCHES HIMSELF onto Minho’s head like he’s been possessed by some ancient battle spirit. Minho yelps. You scream.

The cuddle session? Officially over.

Minho, with the patience of a man who has clearly been through this many times before, peels Dori off his face while muttering a string of curses. The cat clings to his sweater sleeve, refusing to let go.

You stare at the scene before you, taking a deep breath. Then, you simply shake your head.

“Yeah,” you mumble to yourself, “this is my life now.”

Minho glances at you, a soft smile playing at his lips. “Regrets?”

You turn to him, watching as he cradles Dori in one arm while swatting Soonie off the couch with the other.

“…Not even a little.”

#stray kids #skz #straykids lee know #lee know #lee minho #skz x reader #straykids x reader #fluff #straykids fluff #crack fic

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bottlecapheek · 1 day ago

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As many negative things I COULD say about House M.D. (mainly the writing, I think the acting is pretty frequently stellar), I can't in good conscience pretend that there aren't some really great moments of character writing. Particularly S2 E10 really put some of House's worse qualities into perspective (spoilers).

TLDR House and Stacy get stranded in Baltimore together and he nags her truing to sus out why she's not wearing her cross necklace. He's sort of a douche about it usual BUT personally it made me realize something. House is obviously not a super outwardly affectionate or even just a nice guy, but one way that his love for his friends/loved ones manifests in his ability to notice patterns and behaviors.

It may seem like he's just trying to get under Stacy's skin by annoying her, but that's just the way his genuine concern manifests. Stacy's doing something that makes him feel like something must be wrong, and he is determined to figure out why because he genuinely cares for her.

It's similar to the whole Wilson green tie thing. House isn't JUST pointing out the tie to be a dick, he genuinely thinks that this must mean that there's been a change is Wilson's personal life and he wants to know because Wilson is his best friend.

#house md #gregory house #james wilson

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electricneonvalkyrie · 23 hours ago

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Manny doesn't just care about Abby the way comrades do. He cares about her as a person.

Despite the turbulence of Abby being lost, hurt and absolutely running herself into the ground, he sees her. He meets her there.

And he also knows she's too damn stubborn for her own good, but that, my friends, is the price of unconditional loyalty.

Manny is one of the few people in Abby's life who isn't constantly demanding something from her.

He doesn't always agree with her choices, but he's willing to walk through the fire by her side. Once you understand this, it really opens up the depth of Manny’s character and their friendship.

It goes both ways, as you’ll experience later on during the sniper conflict.

If you play the game and really sit in this scene, and this entire section of her storyline, really... I think it’s worthwhile to pay close attention to the things neither of them dares to say. It’s rather incredible, actually.

In rare form for Abby, their silence isn’t based on miscommunication and unresolved tension.

The unspoken concerns are felt and acknowledged.

They simply don’t need to go there. They accept each other without pretense, even when it sucks.

That level of trust rarely requires words. Manny knows how Abby's mind works and how her heart refuses to let go. He's seen it time and again. When she decides something, there's no shaking her from it.

Is it because they are cut from the same cloth?

Here's the thing most people miss about this part.

Manny says:

"I’m coming with you."

He absolutely would’ve done so. But reluctantly, he stays behind, because it's his duty, and because it's strategy. But there's more to it. Sure, he's her alibi with their leader, holding things down at the base, but he's also looking out for the bigger picture.

Manny is a protector, too.

He's consistently been Abby's rock, always there to pull her back from the edge, even when she resists the help. Manny balances respecting her decisions with his affection for her, and he does it without fear of calling her out.

He challenges Abby but he doesn't withdraw affection from her when the outcome doesn't fit his vision. One of my favourite aspects of their relationship.

I'm willing to bet that sending her out there alone goes against everything Manny's instincts are screaming at him. If you notice the tidbits the other WLF characters mention after the fact, this point is emphasized.

Manny is worried sick while she’s gone.

It's my interpretation that his genuine concern and connection with Abby plays a major role in his tone here.

Normally, he'd suit up and follow her straight into battle. Fuck Isaac, fuck their obligations.

But he can't.

Maybe he fears this will be her undoing. Maybe he also worries that if he joins her, they won't have a home to come back to, and they've both already been through that devastating loss.

And then Abby says:

"I've done this before."

And okay, she's got to be the most stubborn, blindly determined girl in existence. But there’s a reason for it.

Abby has this internalized idea that she can handle things on her own because she has, for the most part, always done so. Many people have come to expect this level of independence from her. Looking at you mother freaking Isaac.

Manny’s rebuttal?

"Not with this many Scars in the area."

Well, there might as well be an exclamation mark at the end of this one. Manny's immediate concern has never been whether Abby is capable.

He knows she is.

But he's just being realistic, which is something Abby often struggles with when faced with her heavy emotions. Manny is looking at the overall risk here. He isn't dismissive and frustrated.

He's scared for her.

"Manny, please."

That shift in her voice. What I think she's really saying here?

Manny, I need you to understand.

"Alright. You know best."

You could interpret this as sarcasm, and I think if you play the game without caring much about the tone or their dynamic, it's easy enough to do.

That's not what I hear.

Manny doesn't lecture her further or fight her on this because he trusts her. That type of love comes from knowing someone so deeply that even when you don't agree with them, you stand by them anyway.

I would kill to see someone break down Manny's inner conflict throughout the larger scene. There's so much to observe and yet most of what we seem to get is a bunch of bullshit about how the WLF crew has no personality.

Perhaps the issue isn't the WLF crew.

There is depth to Abby and her friends. You don't have to look that hard to find it.

You’re allowed to want things for the people you care about, even if they ultimately choose a different path—and you? You can still choose to support them through it.

#abby the last of us #abby x reader #abby x fem!reader #abby x masc!reader #abby x you #abby tlou #tlou2 #abby anderson #abby anderson tlou2 #tlou #the last of us #the last of us part 2 #the last of us part two

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wildestheart4ever · 1 day ago

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Browsing through someone’s Jason Todd tag and can literally feel myself getting bummed out by his life/existence as a character

At this point, I don’t care if I’m appreciating this seemingly forever doomed character incorrectly, I’m clinging to happy/silly notions and also - I’m giving him the joy of having a friend/love interest that will never turn their back on him no matter what self destructive tendencies he has towards any relationship in his life

This friend is going to stick to him like a barnacle

That unfortunate isolation of his Robin days? She will walk to the manor on foot if she has to, the character besmirching from his family? She doesn’t like them anyway and will slap whatever idiot has the gall to say that shit to her face

Is she extremely loyal to her detriment? Has some sort of separation anxiety?? Maybe, but what’s a good character without some kind of flaw

Let him be possessive in that she is the one person that he got to keep in his life and is his alone, who is explicitly loyal to him and not Batman - her loyalty and affection isn’t determined by the line of morality he follows

She’ll follow him to hell if he asked type of thing

Anyone who remembers or paid attention to my past attempts of oc sharing, you’d know her as Vanessa Agustin [Forgot the original last name I gave her oops]

Now including character info:

Jason was the first to grow a crush. It was hopeless, there was dramatic pining ala romantic period drama novel - it was adorable. Bruce was genuinely worried he couldn’t keep their vigilant identities secret ‘cause Robin always wound up a blushing flustered mess whenever she came into the picture - he was very relieved when Robin calmed down after a while

It becomes a whole complicated will-they-won’t-they thing ala unfortunate Jason vs Robin [This is far more innocent than his concerns about his place in Bruce’s life as Robin] before she started getting suspicious about the shared identity

Vanessa started getting a crush much later…..unfortunately shortly before Jason’s relationship with Bruce started to grow strained.

There’s a whole scene in my where Robin is brooding on the rooftop of his old apartment building. Conversations are had, her tentative confirmation of his identity and fear of him running away grew, and in a attempt to get him to stick around, she kissed him

It’s a very desperate/hopeless situation

Her family took what money they had and moved after Jason’s death, looking to get her professional help after a depression spiral

She has a younger sister named Naomi

She moved back to Gotham and lived with her uncle before graduating.

Studies online

Subsequently started looking for trouble and fights to get into. Few of the Bats got involved a few times before it was Dick that clocked who she was

Tried inviting her over, you know, in a attempt to friendliness and catching up

She did not vibe with the manor’s current state of erasing any reminders of Jason

Definitely did not vibe with Bruce and his current…..Bruce-ness

She still remembers their last interaction in which she verbally flipped out on him and blamed him for everything at Jason’s funeral

And the unwanted visit to her room she got where he basically threatened her to keep her silence [Mind you, she only had an inkling of their secret] - just the idea of this spiraling grown man waiting for her 15 year old ass while her sister was sleeping on the top bunk still burns at her mind is a level of discomfort I wanted to add on top of Bruce’s violent/angry/suicidal behavior

She probably thought he was threatening her family’s livelihood or something - whether it was true or not will remains unclear to her

Gets into vigilantism. Sorry, no wild curls flowing free in the wind for her, she’s keeping her mane in a tight braid where it won’t become a nuisance. I’m basically giving her Jason’s hoodie/vest, muzzled face combo….. and brass knuckles

[I got the scene of Bucky Barnes whipping someone in the face with a heavy chain link stuck in my head and thought ‘Yes, this is her method: Grab a heavy object and beat someone with it’]

Vibes with Stephanie, her opinion of the Bats lessens even further with their shitty treatment of her and tries protecting Stephanie from the resulting short lived Robin tenure fallout

Jason coming back includes him basically stalking her to see how she was doing, grows very confused to find her living with her uncle [He’ll look into the family situation later] and just……sits on that rooftop across from her building and stares at her

It’s giving very reminiscing of an old crush curiosity, is it still there or is it not? He doesn’t give it further thought

This is a purely self indulgent scenario: She looks for him after his Joker/Batman confrontation. Them in her flimsy excuse of a safe house, her desperately cleaning away the bloody wound of his throat, anxiously reciting prayers - cut to scene of her quietly watching him let out his frustration and humiliation on her sad measly furniture.

Whether she pulls him into a hug or trying to help him come down from that breakdown is still up to consideration of whether or not Jason is the type to allow that kind of thing in this point of his life [Further pointers to his character are appreciated]

Can she say anything? Will her attempts to comfort him be met with animosity?? After all, what’s her affirmations of her continued friendship in the face of his father’s rejection?

Idk what he got up to after that confrontation, I assume he kept his head down and quietly continued with his business

#Batman #Jason Todd #Red Hood #DC #DC Oc #Batman Oc #Original character #Oc #ocs #My ocs #Is your favorite character’s life/existence so depressing that it bums you out?#I know there are people who love that #but like - at some point you feel the need to give them SOMETHING

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maxdibert · 11 hours ago

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What do you think Snape and Harry's relationship would have been like if Snape had survived? Would Harry have thanked him personally for all the work he had done? Because at the age of 30, he was grateful enough to name his son after Snape. Would they have been able to get closer and would Snape have been some kind of a mentor to Harry? Sorry if you answered it before, I didn't find it ;)

I think Harry has a great sense of forgiveness when he understands people's motivations or when he sees that someone truly regrets their actions. I mean, just as he’s a guy who can develop strong affections or grudges very quickly and irrationally, holding onto them fiercely, he’s also someone who, when he sets his pride aside and humbles himself, can see beyond the surface and be incredibly empathetic and compassionate. He’s a Leo, after all—first, he puffs out his chest, then he actually thinks about it.

Clearly, Harry understood Snape’s reasons after seeing his memories, and he learned not only to appreciate everything he did but also to be grateful for it. And Harry is grateful—he’s not the kind of person who, if he truly feels indebted to someone, will just act all proud and dismissive. That’s not his personality. So I genuinely think he would want to express to Severus that he appreciates everything he did for him and that he’s sorry for misjudging him. Because Harry can be quite arrogant and overconfident at times, but he also has a great ability to recognize his mistakes and admit when he was wrong. And we’re talking about an 18-year-old Harry here—someone who’s been through a war, who has matured a lot—so this behavior seems perfectly in character for him, honestly.

The problem is that Severus is not like Harry. Severus is a dysfunctional, prideful, raging diva who recoils from vulnerability like a cat from water. So I can just imagine the poor boy standing in front of him, sincerely thanking him with the best of intentions, while Severus just stares at him with a face that says, What are you doing? Why are you talking? What are you talking about? Why are you talking to me?—and then promptly telling him to piss off.

You have to understand that Severus didn’t do what he did for Harry. He protected Harry because of Lily, and then, as things progressed, he came to realize that there was something bigger and more important than his guilt, his revenge, or his debt to Lily. He ultimately embraced something much greater: a sense of duty toward the greater good. Severus shifted from an entirely individualistic perspective to inheriting, even after death, Dumbledore’s vision of doing whatever it takes and sacrificing whatever is necessary to achieve the greater good. Otherwise, he never would have agreed to Dumbledore’s plan, which involved sacrificing Harry. He doesn’t accept it because he hates the kid, and he doesn’t question it because he cares about him—it has nothing to do with the boy. Nothing Severus has ever done has ever been about Harry. His hatred isn’t about Harry, it’s about James. His determination to save his skin isn’t about Harry, it’s about Lily. And the fact that he ultimately follows Dumbledore’s plan isn’t about Harry either—it’s about Severus finally understanding that the greater good must come before personal desires.

His relationship with Harry is incredibly triggering for him because it directly ties back to two traumatic events from his teenage years—being bullied by James and losing Lily, who was essential to his development. It’s too complicated for him, which is why he doesn’t see Harry as an individual but as the sum of multiple traumas.

I think Severus would be very reluctant to have any kind of relationship with him and would probably take an attitude of, Fine, fine, I accept your apologies, everything’s good, now leave me alone, wanting to push Harry as far away as possible. Because, in the end, he’s already fulfilled his lingering debt to Lily, and having to keep seeing Harry’s face isn’t something he’d be particularly fond of. And it’s not fair, because I truly believe Harry would want to have at least a decent relationship with him. Maybe not be best friends or have a mentor-student dynamic, but at least maintain something cordial. After all, Harry has always sought father figures, and every single one he’s had (Sirius, Dumbledore…) has ended up dead. But I don’t think Severus would be mentally or emotionally prepared to have a functional relationship with the kid.

He would probably settle for pretending to be civil—just enough so that Harry wouldn’t be a pain in his ass—but every time Harry tried to get closer, Severus would react in an evasive, almost childish way. Because Severus is a damn child when it comes to confronting his past issues. In fact, I even think it would piss him off that Harry would go around advocating for him, like, Oh great, now the damn kid is out here talking me up—why won’t he just leave me alone? Because Severus is a grump with the personality of a cranky old man.

I don’t see them having a particularly close relationship, but not because Harry wouldn’t try—just because Snape is an absolute bastard. I mean, I adore him for that, but he’s a massive bastard. And incredibly proud.

#severus snape #severus snape headcanons #severus snape survives #severus snape au #harry potter #harry potter headcanons #harry potter au #harry and snape dynamic #severus snape meta #harry potter meta #character analysis

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gars-weaponeer · 1 day ago

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Today in: Clones Characters that deserved better!

Issue #2

-CID-

No it's not a joke- HEAR ME OUT!

First of all- I'm not gonna sit here and say that Cid was a good character and she doesn't deserve all the hate.

She is a horrible person and she totally sucks-

What I mean is that I feel like she was cut short and her story was not finished. This is not unusual with the Bad batch enemies and antagonists that are not cameos. Hemlock also suffering from this "half written" desease. The only one I think had a full arc and a satisfactory-ish end was Rampant but that's another story.

Cid in particularly resonates with me cause the old lizard has a very interesting design. She is a trandoshan and she is the first of her kind that we ever see being both female ( i think) and elder. Most of the other Trandoshans we have seen in the movies, videogames and series are mostly adult males. She is also an ally at first, which is also weird for a Trandoshan, being usually the go-to when writers need a "enemy alien". And sure, this could be read as she already being an antagonist from the beginning- But I never liked star war's trend of having a certain species being "the evil species." So having a trandoshan ally was something that I was excited about!

I wanna see more Trandoshan allies and more Wookie villains.

Sure, when we first meet her she is not the best person, making it clear to us that she cares more about money than making friends with the batch. Their relationship is strictly business like- However the more we see her during season one the more we see her connect with the batch. Specially with Omega.

Sure- She connects with Omega cause she notices Omega can be useful to her. But it's thanks to Cid that Hunter and the rest start to treat Omega as a member of the team, rather than a charge they need to take care of. She has also given her a few tips on how to use the bow that have helped Omega in the long run.

It almost seemed like Cid's arc was to eventually warm up to the Batch, they seemed to work well together and even ally well when time required it... so by the end of season one I was convinced this would be her path.

Then, season two episode 4: Faster, came along and I noticed something weird...

While some of us were drooling over Tech's masterful abilities in the racing track(me included)- I began to notice on the re-runs that there was a certain character development in Cid.

She seemed to really want to change, to become a better person from who she used to be. (btw, we never learn more about her past- which is not a bad thing, but it also adds to her missing pieces.) She wants to prove to Millegi that she is not the ruthless, spineless, money-driven tradoshan she once was and we see that determination in her face, for a moment.

This was the first and only time that we have been shown Cid to be vulnerable. Really vulnerable. And I find it strange for a character that we were supposed to "hate" in the end, to have a whole episode where we see her vulnerable side. Which kind of tip me off that Cid had more story to her that was inevitable cut down by the studio deciding to cut the series short.

At the same time, on the same episode, we have Millegi's warning about Cid. Something that is meant to be forshadowing. So by the end of Faster, we got this information:

-Cid is not a good person and she never was, so the bad batch is right for not fully trusting her. -But Cid wants to change, or at least wants to convince herself that she has/can changed. -However, she might have trouble in the future failing to not fall into old habits.

However... this was pretty much the last episode where Cid was relevant at all.

We don't see her again until 5 episodes later, in Crossing/Retrieval. Where the Batch call's Cid for Help and she just leaves them on read.

How.... did we pass from Cid having character development to she just straight abandoning the Batch with little explanation other than "This is more trouble than it's worth"?

And THEN- when we see her again is already at the end of the season, on episode 16- Plan 99. Where Cid has a conversation with Wrecker and she reveals to them that she *had* to sell them out.

But instead of sounding condescending or proud of selling them off. Being all like: "I told you what would happen if you crossed me!" or something like that. You know... showing us that she really didn't care to sell the bad batch to Hemlock, we see her reluctant and even regretful.

Like she really, really, didn't had a choice. Like she really, really, didn't wanted to do so.

But she did- Because in the end, she is still that old Cid.

She decided that looking after herself, going down her old habits, was better than risking her skin for them.

And YEAH WHAT A BITCH- But it still feels... weird.

Like I'm not being told the whole context.

After this episode we never see Cid again, she is mentioned and somewhat implied that she was tortured or killed by CX-2 but she kind of just fizzles out... And it feels wrong, seeing how she was an important member of the cast during season 1.

I'M NOT GONNA LIE-

I was *convinced* that Phee was going to be the evil one.

Phee suffers from the "Disney girl boss" fever and she is too perfect for her own good, which is another rant for another ocasión. - So I was sure that she would double cross the Bad batch. She couldn't be that perfect... right?

She would appear being all cool, and having Omega look up to her and the batch trusting her easily by how cool she is- only for her to turn on them cause she is a pirate.

All for the batch to realize they were better off with Cid.

A classic "not everything that shines is gold" kind of stuff. But obviously that is not what happened. Uu

So here is my take on what I think Cid's arc was supposed to be.

We have two paths: the Good end and the bad end.

-BAD END-

Cid would connect back with the batch. Apologizing for not offering help with some excuse like "The empire was on my back" or something like that. Trying to sell the story that she was looking out for them.

We would have more situations where the Batch start trusting Cid again, but Phee is the one that warns them not to keep playing her games. That maybe they should finally break ties with her.

Before they can do that, plan 99 doesn't happens and the Batch hurries to take refuge with Cid. This time they "trust" her enough to believe that they would be safe.

Only to then be revealed that Cid sold them out for a huge amount of money. Cid would be shown to be unapologetic, saying something like "It's nothing personal, it's just business."

Then we either never see her again, Or we would see her demise via greed on another episode. Maybe tied with the Durand for it to be more poetic.

Cid would be a character we would all hate for being a total bitch- but we would have more context and more flavor to her betrayal.

Full on villain mode.

-GOOD END-

Cid get's a redemption arc in this one.

Things would go normally. But it would be remarked that Cid silence was unusual.

After Cid's betrayal and Omega being taken away, we would later on see Cid finding Hunter and Wrecker again.

Hunter and Wrecker are upset with her- obviously, But Cid begs for them to give her a chance to explain herself.

She tells them that she went radio silent cause the Empire had arrived on Ord Mantel and that Hemlock made her a deal she could not refuse.

She did not wanted to sell the batch, but she had no choice. It was them or her.

This would Upset Hunter, which would probably say something like : "Omega trusted you."

This would hit Cid hard, since we were already shown that she and Omega had a little connection.

Cid would then admit that she was a coward and that she fell back into her old habits out of fear, but would decide to offer her help freely to Hunter and Wrecker as she owns Omega that much.

With Cid's help as an information matrix, we would see Hunter and Wrecker keep looking. Cid giving them tips and bits of information that could be useful for them to complete missions.

It would be thanks to Cid that they receive Omega's message and that they are finally reunited.

After that, Cid would continue to help them locate Tantiss. Cid stays on Ord Mantel, trying to act unconscious as to not bring the attention of the rest of the batch in Pabu.

However she is confronted by CX-2, (who is obviously Tech, I'll die on this HILL!), This time Cid would refuse to her her old habits get the better of her, and she would try to fight him off with her wits.

She would try to trap him on the old mines under, and when she thinks she has bested him, she would ultimately be killed.

Just as she is about to die, Cid takes out a detonator and destroys the cantina and all the information CX-2 could get from the Bad Batch. Honoring her word for once and completing her redemption arc.

This of course is just my opinion and speculation.

I could be reading way too much into this and Cid was never actually supposed to be that deep.

But either way, I just wanted to share these thoughts, as they keep me up at nights sometimes.

Overall, the end is still the same: The Bad Batch ended too early and lots of characters suffered for it.

They deserved better.

#star wars #the bad batch #tbb #ciddarin scaleback #my rants

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easypeasylindyvesey · 3 days ago

Text

i kept telling myself to mentally prepare for when this day would come.

but i didn’t want to.

and now the day is here, and it’s real.

so now i’m sharing my thoughts.

liza was avidly typing in the group chat, and i started thinking to myself “ok. something’s going on. what is it?”

but i didn’t want to look at it right away, so i tried to ignore it.

then bex & rach start typing in it, too.

and now i’m thinking it’s legit news that i should be reading.

but i still don’t look at it.

and then i get an ask about a “wellness check from my favorite vesey stan.”

so i quite literally freeze on my bed.

and i think to myself, “no.”

no.

it’s either one of two things.

either he got injured (for whatever reason) or he got tr*ded.

so i wait.

and i wait.

and i wait. rocking back & forth on my bed because i feel like i’m going to lose my mind.

until i get the notification from the rangers app that makes it official.

so what do i do?

i start crying.

yes, i actually did.

it was only for about 10 minutes, but i felt there was no way on how to react somewhat rationally.

and then i went to go tell my dad, and we talked about it for a little bit.

now i’m just sad.

and angry.

and hurt.

when i first got back into hockey, jimmy & ryan instantly became my favorite players. they showed their determination, their passion, and full-time commitment to playing the game and in a way that best accommodates them & their success. they wear their hearts on their sleeves, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. not to mention that both of them are extremely likable, honest with the media, and don’t exhibit any sort of self-absorbed attitude. sure, both of them might be a little quiet and more on the introverted and private side, but there’s nothing wrong with that either. in fact, i respect it because that’s literally how my personality is too.

so when i started this blog almost a year ago (wow, time has flown), i had to think about a username.

and low & behold, easypeasylindyvesey.

then i had to think of a bio.

to which i wrote how they are the only men who will never disappoint me.

and now? well, let’s say i’m not disappointed in them, but i am disappointed in how management came about this (especially toward jimmy).

when i saw that ryan only signed for one year in july, it was a clear indicator that the rangers were not planning on keeping him.

look how that turned out.

but with jimmy, i became mad for him. when he didn’t play the rest of pre-season, went on LTIR, and then came back in november, it was definitely an adjustment for him, that’s for sure.

then we have the occasional healthy scratches.

and i’m like “okay, it’s only one game. that’s fine.”

until it turns to 2 in a row.

then 3 in a row.

and then 9 in a row.

THAT is when i started getting nervous, because i thought to myself “if he hasn’t played in almost three weeks, he’s not gonna be staying around much longer, is he?”

and once again, look how that turned out.

this man was the figurative punching bag for laviolette. he continuously brought up in his press conferences “oh, he’s such an important player to this team” and “oh, i have so much confidence in him.”

guess what, peter? if you truly believed that, you would’ve let him play.

i can’t even blame jimmy for that new york post article. him feeling like he was dying and having no significant purpose or role was considered an unsuspecting cry for help.

but i guess he got his wish of being able to consistently play after the news of edström’s injury.

he recorded 18:10 ice time in sunday’s game at pittsburgh. his season high.

i was so so happy for him.

he scored his 100th career goal in that game as well.

i was so so happy for him then, too.

that’s when i thought “ok, he can’t get traded now. look at those accomplishments he’s quickly achieved!”

i guess they didn’t care about that.

if you had told me last night would be the final game both jimmy & ryan would be playing in an NYR sweater this season, i would’ve laughed in your face.

it wouldn’t compare to the absolute gut-wrenching, currently unfathomable pain i would’ve felt less than a full 24 hours later.

it wouldn’t compare to the thought of both of them waking up this morning and finding out that they won’t be showing up to practice today.

that instead, they’d be packing their bags and fly to colorado. the other side of the country. separated by almost 1,800 miles.

it wouldn’t compare to the sight of jimmy getting the broadway hat last weekend for the 2nd and last time.

it wouldn’t compare to the experience of ryan playing his 400th NHL game as a ranger.

because that’s all gone now.

just ripped away from them.

most of the time, unless you truly watch the game, both of them flew incredibly under the radar by most of the fanbase, severely undervalued and under-appreciated.

but if you couldn’t tell by my blog, definitely not from me.

yeah, they didn’t really get on the scoresheet too much this season, but they make their impact where it’s due.

i just wish it didn’t creep up so fast.

for christmas, i got a customized outline of jimmy’s jersey that i currently have hanging on the rear view mirror in my car.

and my dad asked me “jimmy vesey? he’s your favorite player?”

and i go “yeah.”

then he says “but he’s a fourth liner.”

ok and? he’s MY favorite fourth liner.

both he and ryan are my emotional support players (currently jimmy more than ryan). i don’t know the reason for why anyone would intently choose to hate on them. they’re both good players & good human beings, and they deserve the world. to have someone who would fly up to the moon and bring it back down to earth with them if it meant they got to have it raised above their heads.

i feel that if you’re a true fan of a sports team, your heart tends to lean in the direction of the players who don’t have that much conversation surrounding them.

and that’s exactly where my heart led to.

and it was probably one of the best choices i could’ve made.

all of this is coming from the heart. i love both of them so much that my heart could literally burst.

but for right now, it has shattered into an infinite amount of microscopic pieces.

eventually, it will be fully pieced back together. not now. not tomorrow. probably not in the next week. but it will.

and so now they get the chance for a fresh start, even though the season is almost over.

and i’m excited for them. so so so excited. truly.

if colorado does make it into playoffs, you’ll know i’ll be cheering them on every step of the way, regardless of how far they get.

i mean, they get to play with mackinnon, makar, toews, and a bunch of amazing players. colorado has a really great team. fast, skilled, physical, and an electric atmosphere that resonates within ball arena. not to mention an electric play-by-play announcer that rests in the hands of marc moser.

i have no doubt in my mind they’re going to fit in. it’ll take some time getting used to, but ultimately, the benefits will outweigh the disadvantages.

i’ve been keeping tabs on the avs for awhile now, so i have every reason to believe they’ll be in good hands.

i hope ryan can continue to leave his heart and soul (along with the blood, because, well, it’s his signature look) all out on the ice. maybe finally score a goal with that wicked wrist shot of his.

i hope jimmy gets the ice time he deserves and puts his skills to his advantage. he can be effective when he needs to be, and it was severely underlooked this year with the rangers and the organization.

but i’m happy they’re going together. while the initial thought might seem daunting and scary, at least they’ll have each other. jimmy has plenty of experience with relocating to different teams (this will now be his 6th team he’ll be playing on), so he can definitely help ryan adjust to that since ryan has never experienced that.

and i hope the avs welcome them with open arms, and the coaching staff & management giving them the opportunities they so well deserve.

it’s also good that the avs upload fun media content, and although jimmy doesn’t like that type of stuff, it’ll be exciting to (hopefully) see them engage in more of light-hearted videos, giving them some breathing room after the hell that is currently considered the rangers locker room with all the past drama surrounding it.

i’m looking forward to seeing them in burgundy and blue. i think they’re gonna look really good. it’s a shame how the season series between the avs & rags is over, because they won’t be able to see the rest of the team the rest of the season.

but while i am incredibly sad and emotional right now, it will not compare to the future excitement and gratitude i will feel when they start finding their way around and emerging into the stars i have always seen them as.

tribute posts will be uploaded later, but if you got this far, thanks for reading, and thank you for giving me the space to make me feel comfortable and understood in terms of this entire process. perhaps i’m always going to wonder what could’ve been, but for right now, i’ll take it as an exciting new chapter in both of their careers, where they can embark on it together, and will experience how it feels to be infinitely loved and valued by people that love and value them back.

of course, if you want to take over that title, you’re going to have to get through me first.

but ultimately, we can all unite and share those feelings together.

i’m going to miss both of them to the point beyond imagination, but they each have their own equal, occupied space in my heart. no matter how far they might physically go, if you happened to rip my heart out of my chest (which it already has been), they’re always going to remain there.

i will never be able to express to them how much they’ve positively impacted me in terms of a person and hockey fan, but they have my respect and support every single day until the end.

which is not even close.

for either of them.

in fact, their new lives are just beginning.

and i’m incredibly lucky to have a front row seat to witness all of it. i can’t wait.

🫂❤️

#avs lb #colorado avalanche #rangers lb #new york rangers #ryan lindgren #jimmy vesey #abby’s rants #<-i guess lol

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