#something. anything. he only knows that if arthur dies then anything arthur does to help his people and Camelot/Albion will die with him

[bartyism]

anything for you. theodore nott.

in a universe where voldemort won, you and theo risk everything.

reposted from my old account.

warnings: graphic death

pairing: theodore nott x ron weasley's twin sister!reader

“You can’t possibly love him, y/n. He’s a bloody Death Eater!” your brother had jeered at you. Hot tears ran down your face but you refused to wipe them. You wanted everyone in the room to see how deeply this was hurting you.

“I have never been more sure of something in my life. While you were gone – while everyone was gone – he was the only constant. He isn’t who you think he is.” The room broke out into a chorus of repulsed sounds. The Order of the Phoenix wasn’t much these days, the predominant members being the Weasley family. Harry Potter’s death loomed over everyone. Numerous other deaths piled on: those who died at the beginning of the war, but those who have died recently like your older brothers, Percy and George, and your father, Arthur.

“He thinks we’re scum! He would kill Hermione on the spot. How can you stand there and say this shit?” another brother had chimed in. Voices were starting to overlap the more trapped you felt.

“You’ve never given him or myself the chance to prove that’s not true! If you remember, Theo was the one who told me about everything Draco was doing back in school. He has already given us so much information. He’s climbing the ranks, but he is doing it for us!” you fell to your knees, exhaustion and frustration getting the best of you. “Can’t you see that even if he’s not doing it for all of you, he’s putting his life on the line trying to help secure a world that I feel safe in? You know how my beliefs align!”

“Has he stopped killing innocent people? Does he still partake in Voldemort’s plans that don’t necessarily target us? If he’s climbing the ranks, I can’t begin to imagine what he’s doing to do so,” your mother inquired, shooting daggers at you. You couldn’t look her in the eyes.

“He’s doing what he can to survive, too. If he dies, we will lose so much.” Without missing a beat, you added, “If he dies, I am as good as dead.”

This conversation, over a year old, still rings in your head every time you meet Theo. Your current setup in an old warehouse allowed these thoughts to amplify. The only sounds keeping you from spiraling were the rhythmic tapping of Ron’s foot and Bill’s pacing. You never got to see Theo alone, but that wasn’t a horrible thing.

Though you wanted nothing more than to have one evening alone with him, as selfish as that sounds given the climate of the world right now, the positive came in the form of the people who joined you on these exchanges and started to see through the cracks in Theo’s character. This hardened soldier who bears the Dark Mark turns into someone else in your presence. He is more patient and gentle, as compared to the man that numerous members of the Order have seen slaughter people in cold-bold, just to laugh at their frozen-in-death facial expressions.

You had noticed changes in Theo throughout the last few times you’d seen him. He was much more focused on you than the information they were there to exchange. He’d almost become frantic – dark circles that got darker every time you saw him circled his eyes, and his face had become much more caved in. He was starting to look as though he were actively being tortured. He didn’t look better this time around.

You sprang up from your spot when you heard the metal door grind against the floor, opening quicker than anticipated. Ron and Bill quickly put their wands up and took aim at Theo, refusing to put them down even when you yelled, “It’s just him!” Theo didn’t respond much better, raising his wand and aiming at Bill, who you knew Theo saw as more of a threat than Ron.

“Are you being followed? What made you come in here like that?” Bill growled, eyes flickering between Theo and the entrance. Theo narrowed his eyes at the older man.

“You think I would lead them straight here if I was? If it was just you two, sure. But, I would never do that with her here. Consider yourself lucky,” Theo spit.

“That’s enough. Are you alright?” you stated, briskly walking to your lover. Up close, you noticed faint bruising around his neck, as if he’d been choked. Theo didn’t say anything and instead, kept his eyes locked on the two men standing behind you. “Theo,” you trailed off, putting one hand on his cheek. You searched his eyes for any type of response, but you couldn’t find one.

“You don’t have much time,” he said, only loud enough that Ron and Bill were barely able to hear. You took a slight step back, still close enough that you could hold his hand – the hand that he couldn’t even bring himself to grasp in return.

“What?”

“The Dark Lord knows there’s a mole in his closest circle. He knows you are not dead, despite me telling him you were,” Theo said, finally making eye contact with you. Your mouth fell open and you held his hand tighter.

Theo lost his will to fight at that exact moment, letting his hand holding his wand fall to his side. He pulled you into him and rested his forehead against yours. “He knows you’re the mole?” you whispered.

“Not yet, but I can’t imagine it taking much longer. His eyes are set on Berkshire – thinks he’s gotten scared now that his mother died. I was able to ward him off me for the time being. I told him that I wasn’t the one to kill you, I just saw you get hit with a nasty spell.”

“Come with us before it’s too late, Theo. How many times do I have to beg you? Turn your back on it all. We can keep you protected.” you pleaded, looking back at your brothers for reassurance. Bill shook his head before Ron chose to speak.

“He is not coming back with us. Do you know what kind of target that would place on us? It would be a death sentence,” he spit. “With that Dark Mark, I’m sure Voldemort could summon you back to him at any given second,” he added. You spun around to confront him but Theo was quicker – he grabbed you by the arm and pulled you into him.

“I wasn’t planning on it, Weasley,” Theo said with such spite behind his words that it made you want to cower away from him. He looked down at you, asking you a silent question. You bit your lip in thought, looking over at your brothers. 

“Could you guys give us a minute to ourselves? Just stand guard at the door.” With a few grumbles, you were able to convince them to leave. As soon as the door shut, you wrapped your arms around Theo as tight as you could, reassuring yourself that he was here with you and still alive. For how much longer he would be alive, no one was certain.

“You can leave them. Even if you don’t take refuge with us, you can escape,” you pleaded. Theo softly shook his head and pressed his lips to your forehead.

“No, y/n, I can’t. I’m bound to him until one of us dies. I…” he trailed off. You frantically started shaking your head at him and he sighed. “We knew this was going to happen.”

“You might have known. I held out hope,” you cried. Theo grabbed your chin gently, using the other hand to wipe away the stray tears. “Promise me you won’t die.”

“Y/n…”

“Promise me, Theo.” 

His response never came. Theo pulled you into him and kissed you so tenderly, that it was beyond out of character for him. You knew this was the end. He softly ran his hands down your sides, over your back, anywhere they could grasp. It felt as though he was trying to remember the exact shape of your body. He eventually tried to pull away, but in return, you softly bit his lip and pulled him back in. 

Theo couldn’t bring himself to let go of you. You were intoxicating in a way that no drug or drink could replicate. Not breaking the kiss, Theo hoisted you onto a table that was just behind you. Laying you down on it, he kept kissing you. Along your jaw, down your neck – Theo kissed you anywhere with an exposed bit of skin. You couldn’t stop yourself from crying, to which Theo then kissed away your tears. When he was finished, he pulled you up into a sitting position.

“Love, you are the only thing in this short existence of mine that I’ve ever been sure of. When I die, I can die happily because I knew you. I got to love you.” Theo whispered, his voice cracking as he professed to you. You leaned your forehead against him, looking him straight in the eye.

“Try to survive, Theo, please. For me,” you pleaded. Theo nodded briefly but was interrupted by a banging on the door. 

“Hurry up, it’s getting dark. We need to leave,” Bill’s voice called out. Bill and Ron both reappeared in the room, looking at the two of you expectantly.

“We need to leave, and you still haven’t given us what we came for,” Bill sighed. Theo tensed and pulled himself away from you, putting his facade back on as if it were a costume. Part of you wished he didn’t, just so they could see the real him.

“The Dark Lord plans to raid Hogsmeade, again. You need to make sure everyone is evacuated. He doesn’t plan on ever having to raid them again. In two days, if you don’t create a plan, everyone still living there will be dead.”

“And will you be one of the Death Eaters killing those people?” Ron inquired.

“If it means that it keeps me alive, and keeps a steady stream of information coming to you, yes. I have never been unclear with my intentions.” Theo said. He was significantly taller than Ron, forcing the redhead to look up at him as Theo walked closer to him, slowly.

“We don’t have time for this,” Bill said, getting visibly anxious. “We’re leaving,” Bill added, grabbing you and Ron both by the arm. 

Everything happened so fast after that – you reached out for Theo, but he backed away from you and you could’ve sworn you saw a tear run down his face. Just like that, you were whisked away, Bill choosing that moment to apparate. You didn’t get to say goodbye; you didn’t get to tell him you loved him for the last time.

Three days later, after their failed attempt at raiding Hogsmeade, you and your family watched in horror as Voldemort was broadcasting yet another round of executions. This wasn’t the first time this had happened – the first time being with his son, Mattheo, a boy you had known in school. You can’t recall the exact reason for his death, but it set a standard. If Voldemort would kill his child in such ways, what would he do to others?

You held your breath as the camera view panned down the small row of people awaiting their death. You felt the wind get knocked out of you when you caught sight of him.

The boy you loved was there, his eyes already dead. His appearance was, somehow, much worse than when you had last seen him. The bruising around his neck that had almost been healed was now back in full display, accompanied by bruises all over his face. He had blood dried around his mouth and nose, and his left eye was so swollen that it looked completely closed. Something told you that death was merciful compared to what he had been put through.

Voldemort rambled on about the first three men, killing them quickly. His smile never failed, especially when he turned to the last victim: Theo.

“Theodore Nott, what would your father say?” He teased. He pulled a wand out of the box that a servant of his carried at his side. Raising it, you recognized it to be Theo’s. Voldemort snapped it in half, causing a slight flinch to radiate off Theo.

“Stupidly fell in love with a dirty blood traitor, one of those Weasleys. He’s acted as an agent for them this entire time, but of course, I knew from early on. We’ve played a brilliant game of cat and mouse, haven’t we, Nott?” Voldemort, again, laughed. Every muscle in Theo’s body was tensed up and he never lifted his face to look at the crowd that had gathered or the cameras broadcasting the event.

Noticing Theo's aversion to looking at the crowd, Voldemort ran his fingers through Theo's hair before yanking it back, forcing him to look up. Theo grimaced but finally looked straight at the camera. His good eye bore through you, sending your heart straight to the bottom of your stomach.

You started sobbing, sliding off the couch and crawling towards the hologram showing the entire scene. “Please,” you gasped. Hermione sat behind you, pulling you into her, but you fought her off. 

“You were special to me,” Voldemort sighed and raised his wand. You grabbed whatever was closest to you – in this case, a plate someone had been eating off of earlier – and threw it through the hologram. The sound of your sobs and the plate exploding against the wall ricocheted around the hideout.

Another one of your older brothers, Charlie, moved Hermione aside and restrained you. Without doing so, you would’ve hurt yourself or someone else. “Get off me,” you repeatedly screamed, thrashing around on the ground.

Charlie was able to hold you in place on the ground, holding you facedown on the carpet with your arms pinned behind your back. To your horror, you turned your head to the side just in time to see a green light encase Theo in its grip. 

The cry you let out was movie-worthy. Using all of your strength, you burst out of Charlie’s grip and jumped up, turning on your surviving family members. “He died for us. He died for us and our cause. You never gave him a chance and never wanted to offer help in return,” you sobbed. Hermione came back to your side and held you in her arms. 

You didn’t fight back this time. You sat in her arms and sobbed. You couldn’t stop sobbing as you looked back at the hologram and it was panned to Theo’s dead body. It zoomed in on his face as if to hurt you even more. You watched as Voldemort whispered a simple charm, and flames consumed Theo’s body.

“I hope the Weasleys watching this enjoyed the show. While you watched this we have surrounded your hideout. Even Nott’s Occlumency he worked so hard on for you couldn’t keep me out. Perhaps it’s good that you never trusted him with your exact location, or else this would’ve happened long ago.” Voldemort smiled, and the hologram shut off. There was no noise in the room other than your silent sobs. 

Then, the first window exploded.

[puff0o0]

Self Aware AU: Arthur Morgan

A/N: Red Dead Redemption my beloved, Arthur morgan my beloved, Morgan Arthur my beloved, Sadie my beloved pls reblog if you want !! likes don't help push stuff out there :,(

♡ Learning that he wasn't real and was just in a video game was the hardest thing he's ever done and that's saying something. You're telling him that this whole time, every single interaction he had was scripted? 'coded' or whatever the hell that means

♡ To be honest, he only learned what a 'video game' was when he got out of your TV and ended up on your floor, which was completely on accident by the way

♡ He knew something was wrong

♡ The way he would die and come back with only a couple dollars missing and everyone acting like nothing happened, the way everything reset back to a certain point before he died

♡ All he knew really was there was some strange person staring at him and controlling him- not that he realized it at first. Before, this was just natural for him. He thought he was the one controlling himself like every other human

♡ Felt like a puppet when he decided to test it by moving to another place just for you to yell at the game

♡ Most of the stuff you say he doesn't understand by the way

♡ 'For real'? 'Tumblr'? 'Pinterest'? 'tiktok' 'red Dead Redemption'?

♡ And how the hell are you calling somebody through a box? And how are you taking photos with it? and 'recording'? And you can watch movies from the comfort of your own home? The hell is a TV?

♡ Doesn't learn any of these things even after getting to your reality- It confuses him too much and he's decided he does not need it

♡ But once he's come to terms with the fact he's stuck in some weird fever dream (his theory) he tries to communicate with the only real person around; you

♡ Whenever you successfully rob someone he's always praising you, telling you good job and we did good

♡ You never understood who 'we' was

♡ On days where you were upset and clung to the game to try and find some way of comforting yourself, Arthur made it his goal to make you smile at least once

♡ Whether it be poking fun at one of his fellows or making fun interactions for you with Uncle

♡ When he does manage to get out of the screen, you panick for sure. Some random man coming out of your TV screen and BREAKING IT? yeah, not the best moment.

♡ Especially when it was late at night

♡ You had just realized he was aware and yet you managed to know what was happening wayyyy quicker than he did. You had to explain everything to him- Video games, TV's, consoles, phones, anything technology wise

♡ He still didn't get it

♡ Thought you were trying to poison him when you offered him soda (he doesn't like it)

♡ Overall, he has accepted it. Not completely but for the most part. It's hard to accept that everyone and everything you've ever loved isn't real and you were never supposed to be aware of it

♡ Thank God he got you out of it though

[keitorin3]

So I had a Thought,

There have been stories where Merlin waits for Arthur for hundreds of years until something or other, he has enough and timetravels back to see him again or something along those lines.

This is literally always on our minds after Season 5.

And then there is the alternative, those fics (which I personally love and want more of) where Merlin actually manages to save Arthur but dies instead.

Here is where I'm getting at. I don't know if it's because he doesn't have a cryptic lizard to spout prophecys, or druids who worships a legend, but Arthur who survives never lasts long.

Like I know we in the Fandom always say that without Merlin, Arthur would not survive long, but it boggles my mind how true it can be. It's not that Arthur doesn't have faith if he does hear some magical being telling him that Merlin would return.

It's just where Merlin who has powers, he feels useless to change anything. Where as Arthur, he is powerless, but hopeful and stubborn to the very end. He has the power of a King, it's not enough to change the weather or summon fire, but in those days it's to have power over people, to only say it and others would follow.

Magical Being: When the time is right, you're Warlock shall return to you, my King.

Arthur: Not good enough, I want him now.

Magical Being: That's not how this works...

Arthur: Then clearly you don't know Merlin or me very well. If my Merlin doesn't come to me when I want him, I find him and drag him back kicking and quiping by the ear! Now, either you help me revive him or I'll take up arms with the next magical for a better answer. *Channels his inner Pendragon*

Magical Being: ... *Sweats in slight fear* Right, I'll look into it.

Arthur: Good.

I especially love ones where Arthur learns or somehow inherits Merlin's magic and uses it to find Merlin in a different world or timeline or time travels back.

Arthur is noble and just, but with Merlin he is a selfish dragon who wants his friend *cough*husband*cough* back.

Anyway to conclude my thought, Merlin could wait years for his King until his breaking point. But Arthur would be relentless to have his Servant, his best friend, (his world) back.

Uther tried to get rid of magic, to get rid of Merlin. Arthur will bring Magic back.

Arthur will have Merlin back and by his side (*Whispers* Forever~!)

[mrschristensen]

Kinktober Day 25 (10/25): Arranged Marriage starring Lorenzo di Lamberti

Kinktober Masterlist

WARNINGS: smut (READ AT YOUR OWN RISK), female s/o, prince! Lorenzo, dom Lorenzo/sub s/o, s/o has curly/wavy long hair, arranged marriage, Lorenzo isn't a manwhore but rather refuses to get w anyone cuz ✨superiority complex✨(sorry), implications of sex prior, body worship, pet names/name calling (my love, my darling wife), implications loss of virginity (both parties) prior, oral (f receiving), brief fingering, implications of piv/unprotected sex prior (wrap it before you tap it), lmk if I missed any!

synopsis: Since Lorenzo rejected every princess that was presented to him, his parents decided to take things into their own hands; arranging a marriage between him and a local maiden that had especially caught their eye.

-> note: I'm so sorry this (+ the other three coming out) is so late! I was not feeling well at all today, and on top of that I was pretty busy. However, I was finally able to deliver!

WC: 1,500 words

"Marriage?" Lorenzo emphasized a quick second after the word escaped his mother's mouth. "That's impossible, mother. I declined every princess there is."

"We know very well, Lorenzo," Queen Lilith responds, "so we took matters into our own hands. She is not of royalty, but she has the beauty and spirit of one. She's from our kingdom as well, so you at least have something in common."

"I refuse!" he retorts, raising his voice. "I won't be marrying anyone! Father, please, this is madness!"

"All we want is what's best for you and the kingdom, son," his father says calmly, "we don't wish for you to continue to be miserable-"

"I'm not miserable!"

"Silence!" Lilith interrupts, her voice ringing throughout the room. "...This isn't up for discussion, Lorenzo. You will be marrying her."

He pauses, his fists clenched at his sides so hard his knuckles were white. "...Does she know? Was this against her will, too?"

"We have a suspicion," Arthur replies, chuckling a bit, "but she did a very good job at hiding it. Nonetheless... we think you'll like her."

He scoffs, "I can only imagine," he says, his voice dripping in sarcasm.

Oh, how he would eat his words.

The next day, they were to be married. Oh, how he hated it, loathed it. Just the idea of being wed made him want to hurl. He didn't even know the woman! He wasn't even allowed to see her, for God's sake!

Some handmaidens came into his chambers to help him get ready, and he looked handsome as ever. He didn't want his hair to be gelled back or styled or anything, so he kept it with his curls. He was far too beautiful to be getting married! Hell, he'd probably be even prettier than she was at this point.

But he was oh so wrong, so terribly wrong.

He anxiously wait at the end of the aisle, where the Bishop stood to officiate their marriage. He could barely breathe, but he kept a neutral face; he had to be strong. The doors opened, and... oh my God.

She was absolutely gorgeous. She had on a beautiful ballgown with a sweetheart neckline and small off the shoulder sleeves, small embedded gems sparkling softly in the light and the lace designs adding to her allure. A diamond necklace and a matching set of earrings glinted as she moved, making her even more attractive; she looked so good in jewelry. The train dragged behind her, along with the long veil that was attached to the back of her head, her hair styled in a braided bun with some of her soft curls out. Atop her head gleamed a tiara, and she was holding a bouquet of crimson roses. She was the epitome of breathtaking, and he felt like he was going to faint just by looking at her.

His heart raced at a million miles a minute as she made her way towards him, their eyes locked in an intimate yet intense moment. He almost forgot he had to actually move, but he corrected himself almost immediately, striding over to meet her halfway and take her hand. She was warm, and a little bit sweaty; it gave him some sort of comfort, though. It showed she was just as nervous as he was.

"You look beautiful," he murmurs to her while still keeping his head high, barely able to keep his eyes off of her for a second.

"And you look very handsome yourself, your highness," she responds quietly, and it only makes his heart pick up even more. He had an ache in his loins, a fire burning inside of him so ravenously it was impossible to ignore. The fact she complimented him back served to stroke his ego a bit, but he wanted to deny it, to say she was more radiant and stunning than he could ever be. Wait, what?

It was over so fast, he could barely even think until he was snapped out of his trance, hearing the Bishop’s words. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

His breath hitched, his eyes darting to her slightly parted, perfect lips before locking in a stare once more. He felt uneasy, not wanting to force her to kiss him if she didn’t want to. He couldn’t help but feel bad; they were both being obligated to do this.

However, surprisingly, she gave him a slight nod. She was letting him? That’s a shock. On the other hand, though, he wasn’t complaining.

So, he leaned in and pressed a soft, gentle kiss at first, testing the waters. It was euphoric, everything else around them fading and it was just them, intertwined with one another. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and eased her into a dip, still kissing her. It had gotten more passionate, more loving, as if they were meant to be and that they truly felt something for each other. Maybe, just maybe, they did.

He remembered where they were, and the sounds of the audience clapping rung through his ears. He brought her up as the kiss broke, a wet noise emitting to signal its end as they both lightly panted for air. Their gaze was still on each other’s, not caring about who or what was around them in the moment. It was going to be a long day.

“Lorenzo,” she breathed out, their bodies entwined and sheen with sweat as he kissed her neckline. They were both naked, and she was just about ready for bed because she was exhausted from the events of the day (especially since he had just fucked her brains out). However, it seemed he wasn’t finished with the consummation of their marriage.

“How did I get so lucky?” he whispers, coming up and pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “God, I don’t know how I never saw you around town… would’ve told my parents I wanted you as my bride so fast.”

She whines in response, her head tilting back into the soft pillows of their now shared bed. His chambers were beautiful, every inch screaming royalty; she couldn’t help but love it, who wouldn’t? She liked the bed in particular, the comfort of it reminding her of her own. Or, at least, what was her own.

Her fingers entangled in his hair, her own hair fanned out over her head like a halo, cascading in its natural soft curls and waves. He couldn’t help but smile as he looked up at her, “You’re a vision of beauty, my love… I could look at you forever and I would never get bored.”

She can’t help but lean in and kiss him gently, and for a second, she thinks that maybe he rethought going another round.

But then his lips disconnected from hers, and he moved down to her stomach, kissing her abdomen. Her hips jolted slightly at the feeling, her breath catching in her throat.

It was crazy how she lost her virginity to someone when she had only just met him that day, let alone the prince of all people. But what surprised her the most, however, was that he had too. She was married now… She looked away from him and to her hand, seeing the big, gorgeous wedding ring that sparkled gently in the moonlight blended with the gleam of the crackling fireplace.

She was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt his tongue dive into her awaiting pussy, licking a long stripe from her entrance to her clit before wrapping his lips around the sensitive bud and sucking gently. She moaned and her hips bucked instinctively, her grip tightening on his curls and her eyes squeezing shut as she focused on the feeling.

"You like that?" he questions teasingly, his voice muffled by her skin, and he plunges his tongue into her entrance, flicking rapidly to tease her g-spot. She whimpers and nods quickly, feeling the tingling in her feet that she learned signals her building orgasm. He smiles against her folds, coming back up to tease her clit.

It didn't take long before she was right on the edge, and he added his fingers to send her over it, though not as intense as when he had his cock inside her.

She cried out as she came, and he eagerly lapped up every last drop, helping her ride it out before her body gave out on her. She panted to catch her breath, her body trembling a bit as he came back up and took her in his arms.

"I love you, my darling wife," he whispers to her, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple, a stark contrast to how hungrily he was eating her out just so little ago. He knew the words that came out of his mouth were extremely foreign to him, something he never thought he'd say to anyone, but he did; and he knew they were true in every way possible.

[hollowed-theory-hall]

Been reading a lot here. You’ve said both that you believe Harry to be the “Master of Death” and Sirius as a “shadow of death” as his animagus is the Grim. That’s a neat connection! Any thoughts on it having anything to do with their relationship? I’m personally feeling a Hades/Cerberus thing

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed reading!

As for your question, like, yes and no. Death had such a major part in both of their lives they both lost a lot in different ways. Like, I think their losses are a major aspect of who they are and of their dynamic with each other.

Like, I don't really think Sirius is a shadow of death in a magical way (besides his Animagus form). I think he is followed by death more metaphorically (and literally because some of the most important people to him die, but not magically). But, as I mentioned, each of their connections to death does color their relationship.

I mean, Sirius is this odd, friendly parental figure, the only adult Harry sees as wholly trustworthy and loyal because of the death of his parents. Sirius is as protective and honestly obsessed with Harry's safety and well-being because of how death follows him and how his brother, his parents, his best friend, and his friend's wife all died.

Sirius' animagus form is a dog because he is loyal and protective — truly man's best friend. And I think it's practically written into the books with how Sirius is willing to live in a cave off rats if it means Harry feels safer. How he would stay in his childhood home that he thought he would rather die than see again because Dumbledore said it would keep Harry safe. Sirius would go so incredibly far to keep Harry safe. He really is like the dogs that'll stand guard over their owner's corpses until there is nothing left to guard.

And Sirius can be vicious when he wants to. He can be cruel, petty, and ruthless. He can be the kind of dogs that bite through bone when needed.

As Cerberus guards the gates to the underworld for Hades' sake, to help Hades' job be just slightly easier, I can kinda see the Hades/Cerberus dynamic in a way. But, I don't think Harry really sees Sirius as a loyal dog, or anything like that. Harry looks up to Sirius for advice and help while simultaneously being worried about him and feeling responsible for his well-being too. Harry at the end of OotP shouts at Dumbledore he wishes to die after Sirius dies, he is just as insane with his loyalty as Sirius is, so it's not as clear cut as a Hades/Cerberus dynamic, it's more mutual.

But I definitely think death and loss are why they are so determined to protect each other. They are connected by death, even if it's not a clean dynamic. They are each other's only "real family". As warm and accepting as the Weasleys behave, Harry still feels like an outsider. He still calls Molly and Arthur "Mrs. and Mr. Weasley" after 7 years of knowing them. And even though Remus, Sirius' other best friend was around and lived on the outskirts of wizard society as much as Sirius did post-PoA, Sirius didn't stick around with him. He went out of the country because it was what Harry thought was best, but then, when Harry didn't feel safe in GoF, Sirius left everything and came.

Sirius and Harry are kinda insane with each other. The way they latch on to each other and how protective they are over the idea of each other after all their loss. Harry was ecstatic to move to live with Sirius 3 minutes after he thought he was a serial killer. Sirius lived off rats for Harry, just, like... they are not normal in a very different way to James and Sirius' not normal.

James and Sirius were so close they couldn't survive detentions without each other's company because they wanted to always talk to each other (hence making the two-way mirror). Harry and Sirius are different, by the time they meet they each lost so much that they are each other's tether that can be called something like family, not friends, family, and they are so very protective of it. They are each other's connection to James and Lily and the life before they died. A singular connection to that distant what-if where James and Lily lived. I still think they like each other as people too, separately from that, their relationship can be affected by death and trauma and still be real and meaningful on its own. But, yeah I think their respective life experiences with death really affected how much they latch onto each other.

So, while their bond is definitely shrouded by death in a very human way (not a magical one), I don't see their dynamic as a clear Hades/Cerberus sort of thing. You can headcanon and read their dynamic however you want, it's just that I don't see them that way.

[verdemoun]

i found something on tiktok that reminded me of your timewrapped arthur and maybe a lot of the gang it was someone crying over the trope “when the trope is a character born to be a weapon but no longer necessary and having to learn to be a normal person” 😈

this is the essence of timewarp. all of them had to have that painful revelation in their own time that they are not normal and it is going to take years to unlearn those 19th century survival skills

bessie's 'no guns in the house rule' originated because they are all weapons. her and annabelle weren't weapons they had to go through learning not to expect every single person they pass on the street is capable and ready to murder. it only took trying to find the callander boys to realize the fact most died with guns in their hands or at their sides is going to be an issue. first thing a disorientated gunslinger does is reach for their gun. fortunately meeting The bessie matthews face-to-face is enough for most to be star struck enough to not really react to her asking them to hand over their weapons before she starts explaining hi welcome to the future

hosea didn't fully comprehend how much he was a weapon himself. he made it to what was considered seniority as an outlaw because he thinks quick and has a faster trigger finger have you seen his quick draw?? he is not 'just' a con artist he is as much a fine tuned weapon as the rest of the gang.

while he will do anything for bessie and does thoroughly enjoy exploring modern era without the constant fear of being recognized as The hosea matthews, he really doesn't ever move on from that constant overanalysis of his surroundings. he had to live and rely on those instincts so long he can't make them go away. on some days is relieved to use keeping an eye on kieran as an excuse not to leave the house because he never learns to become a normal person in modern era

but the angst and guilt of him realizing how much the gang in general struggle with it and knowing he contributed to that. him encouraging dutch's ideals of saving people who needed saving accidentally becoming taking easily influenced young boys and men off the streets and teaching them how to survive in 19th century which meant being a weapon was necessary. watching the manifestation of a group of adult outlaws trying to survive modern era with not only their pre-existing lifetime traumas but the additional c-ptsd of veterans struggling to unlearn how easy it is for them to see a threat and want to reach for their guns, readily capable of killing another in cold blood in case they were a threat to the gang

not knowing how to help them because he doesn't even know how to help himself

bessie needing to get used to when someone knocks on the door absolutely all of them turn with that dangerous look in their eyes and the comfortable positions they had been in seconds ago now look more like a pack of crouched predators waiting for the call to attack. watching how quickly they could recover from that state becoming longer episodes of confusion wondering why they reacted like that when people knocking on the door becomes something normal

very predictably arthur is the worst because he could acknowledge he was nothing but a killer by the end. but the first time he is walking down the street having settled into modern era and notices he still has his hand hovering over his hip ready to draw for absolutely no reason is so frustrating for him.

arthur would get angry at his relapses into weapon coding. he wanted and got his out of the gang. he has more avenues of exploring his curiosity than ever before and the freedom to still go on his side quests and explore the world in an entirely new context and he still reaches for a gun.

he knows he is safe walking down the street. modern era is objectively so much safer than canon era. he is mentally trying to convince himself he feels safe but those stupid relapses wanting a gun, surveying any area he walks into for cops, the second of suspicious fear when he sees someone in a suit and wonders if they're a pinkerton, are constant reminders that he is still a weapon and he just wants to be normal so badly he feels abnormal being the way he is

[slicedmayonnaise]

Dutch was NOT always bad.

a lot of people overlook the fact of how much pressure dutch was under 24/7. for ~20 years, he had the burden of taking care of those around him and it only got worse as time went on and more and more people joined the gang. whenever something happened, good or bad, everyone looked to him to place blame because he was the one in charge.

i believe the first cracks started after colm killed annabelle. she was his responsibility; therefore, her death was his fault.

he was able to continue on normally until blackwater.

he lost davey, jenny, mac, and sean in blackwater. two dead and two mia and that blame is put on him. it is his fault that those four people are lost. it is his fault that his family is dead and hurting. then, when he gets sean back, he finds out mac is dead.

then arthur gets kidnapped by colm on a set up to discuss peace between the two gangs. arthur is shot and tortured. he's barely conscious when he makes it back to camp. dutch's fault. if only he'd realized. if only he'd taken arthur's absence more seriously. the pain in his voice when arthur tells him colm set them up.

then he loses sean again in rhodes. again, it is his fault sean dies. he is the leader. he is responsible.

then jack is kidnapped.

then kieran is captured and killed, whom dutch still feels responsible for despite the circumstances of how kieran came about. he clearly expresses sympathy for kieran's death.

then, of course, he loses hosea, lenny, and john during the saint denis bank robbery.

hosea's death itself is what finally breaks dutch. during the entire sequence in the bank, dutch does not move or fire his gun. he has to get arthur to blow open the wall because he is in shock. he can't even bring himself to move when he sees john get taken by the pinkertons.

everything went so wrong so quickly over the past few months and everything was dutch's fault.

the deaths of the two people he loved more than anything- annabelle and hosea- were his fault.

even when it's just dutch, bill, micah, arthur, and javier in guarma, dutch can't help javier when he gets shot and taken by the guarma officers.

at this point, he's lost his patience with himself and the world. he can't stand to see another of his boys die because of him. so he goes to immoral lengths to ensure he saves javier (killing that old lady in the cave).

nothing and no one else matters to him but his gang anymore. he has to keep them safe. so when micah gets in his ear about a rat and throws john under the bus to save his own skin, dutch can't help but go along with it in his fragile state because circumstantially, it does make sense. john was the only one who was taken alive at the bank, and his wife somehow managed to get away when hosea was grabbed by the pinkertons.

i don't believe dutch really would have let john hang in sisika. i do believe he had a plan to go for him eventually, but after john's return, he only got more and more antsy. he lost his mind more and more and trusted john and arthur less and less because of all the shit micah was feeding him. arthur did go behind dutch's back, after all.

"i gave you all i had" is the statement that makes dutch realize how much of a damn fool he's been. arthur- his son- laying at his feet and dying, once again, because of HIM. it's his fault that the gang fell apart. it's his fault that arthur is dying. it's his fault that john- his other son- is suffering. he was the one that betrayed the gang, and he recognizes it. he abandons micah on the mountain and breaks down crying over his own failure.

annabelle, davey, jenny, mac, sean, jack, kieran, john, hosea, lenny, molly, susan, arthur. all his fault. everything was his fault.

i doubt dutch stayed with bill and javier after beaver hallow. i believe he left out of shame. shame of what he'd become. shame of what he'd done.

i don't know why or how he ended up working with micah again by 1907, but my best guess has to do with that fact that he has completely lost his mind at this point.

well, not completely, as he does shoot micah for bad-mouthing arthur, and he does let john live.

john. his son. his last son. john misses dutch. dutch misses john. but john is too hurt. and dutch is too ashamed. dutch leaves, and he leaves john with the fortune he and micah had stashed away.

shame. guilt. all his fault.

[sugar-coated-prat-dragon]

Title: Nimueh did feel some regret over Ygraine’s death 💔

Episode: "Excalibur" questions #4

Questions by @tansyuduri

Tagging: @miyriu

Books used for reference: Sword and Sorcery book and The Merlin Complete Guide 📚

Question: Why would Tristan attack Uther for what he thought was a normal childbirth death? That would be REALLY weird.

My answer: Is it really that hard to believe though?

Agravaine didn’t know about the life-for-a-life magical bargain and he still blamed Uther for his sisters death.

Hell, if anything Agravaine was worse, because not only did he want to kill Uther, but he despised Arthur for being born and wanted him dead too.

Grief is a tricky emotion.

In some ways, it’s almost more dangerous than displaced rage.

Question: Wraith clearly has a different meaning in this show?

Usually, it refers to a ghost, death omen or a soul who was on the verge of death/recently passed on?

My answer:

Actually, the definition for Wraith in the show (and in the tv shows glossary) is quite literally; apparition or a ghost.

The only difference between a normal run-of-the-mill ghost and a Wraith is that it’s the ‘spirit of a dead man’ conjured from the grave using magic and then that same tormented soul is made to live again as a physical manifestation of the living dead.

Basically, a ghost is a tormented soul with no physical body and a wraith is a tormented soul that has been brought back using dark magic (then given a physical body; which remains stuck in the space between life-and-death).

Book description:

WRAITH: apparition or a ghost (glossary)

- But Gaius had located the page he wanted. He pointed to the illustration of a skeletal knight. 'It's my guess we're dealing with a wraith. The spirit of a dead man conjured from the grave

Merlin was shocked. 'So this is the work of a sorcerer?*

The doctor nodded. 'Powerful magic can harness the grief and rage of a tormented soul and make it live again.'

Episode 12 - The Fires of Idirsholas; This band of seven wraiths, formerly noble knights whose souls where corrupted by an evil sorcerer, were lethal warriors.

- Because a wraith is not alive, no mortal weapon can kill it.

Question: Nimueh obviously has a bit of control of who dies?

Did something interfered here causing it to be Ygraine?

My answer: It does seem like Nimueh has at least some measure of control over whose life she trades during her life-for-a-life bargains.

Especially, since it states that she ‘ignored Merlin’s request’ to take his life in exchange.

However, I don’t think Nimueh purposely chose to exchange Ygraine’s life, because she genuinely seemed sad over the memory of the queen’s death (at least briefly in the book; during a moment of weakness when her mask slipped).

That scenario likely only happened because when no other life is pre-destined to die, it falls simply to the old religion itself to right the balance.

The book mentions that Nimueh had no idea that her choice to help Uther have an heir would ultimately result in helping to shape events that unite the kingdom and aid magic to be free again - perhaps stronger than ever.

Book description:

Even when directly serving the old religion, Nimuch showed no compassion.

She agreed to save Arthur's life but ignored Merlins request to take his own life in exchange. Instead, she took the life of his mother.

DESTINY:

Nimueh is aware of some aspects of Arthur's destiny - despite her wish for the prince's death, so that Uther is punished, she knows he is not fated to die at her hand.

Yet she doesn't realize that in bringing Arthur into the world, she has helped shape events that may aid magic.

Under Arthur, the kingdom may be united, and magic could be free again - perhaps stronger than before.

- 'She died giving birth to your son! It was not my choice. That is the law of magic. To create a life, there had to be a death. For a second she looked almost sad.

"The balance of the world had to be repaid:

Question: Uther does seem to truly view magic as evil incarnate, but seemingly only after the death of his wife?

My answer: Uther tolerated magic just fine, until he found out the hard way that he couldn’t control it and in the aftermath, he came to conclude that he had been deceived by magic.

It was only then that Uther decided to order that anyone who practiced sorcery was to be put to death.

Book description:

UTHER CONQUERS

Magic was tolerated - after all, it had always been part of the world; who could imagine a land without sorcery?

However, as many rulers had done before, Uther looked on magic as something that could work for him - and found out, as so many others had done, that this was not the case. Magic has its own laws, and cannot be ruled by a mere king.

PERSECUTION

Uther believed that he had been deceived by magic - while it appeared to grant his wish, it did so in a way that would cause him great suffering.

He concluded that all those who practised magic were evil - even if they seemed to use it for benevolent reasons. Anyone connected with sorcery or the old religion was put to death.

Question: I wonder what kinda person Ygraine was that Uther fell so deeply in love with her?

My answer: There’s not really any information about Ygraine and Uther’s married life.

However, the cute, little fatherly scene between Uther and Arthur after the Black Knight duel might have been a glimpse into what his wife had seen once upon a time.

The light hearted scene of a playful man who had a nice sense of humor and a affection for his son hinted at an aspect of Uther’s personality that only his wife had ever been privy too, because with other people, he had to be a strong and hardened warrior.

Book description:

“I'll show you footwork!'

Laughing, Uther rose and aimed a playful kick at his son, who dodged out of the way and headed for the door.

As Arthur left, he realized he hadn't heard his father laugh like that for a very long time.

[lieu-rey]

NEED YOU TO RAMBLE ABOUT INEZ RIGHT MEOW

SAY LESS>:3

I ramble alot about inez to my friends but it's always thoughts that I randomly get and yall on here wont quite have the full context FJRHFNDN...... but where do I even start......

personality wise, inez is talkative, rowdy, and a very restless person: she might go insane if she's not constantly doing something with her hands. she has no problem being blunt despite how people might perceive her or any consequences she might face. she's a very determined person, but it also makes her incredibly stubborn. nonetheless, she has a heart of gold, she's compassionate and caring, and she has her silly moments<3

i think one of the biggest things that should be known about inez as a character is that she carries alot of shame, experienced alot of fear during her upbringing, and because of that, she hides behind a tough and angry facade and wanting to prove that she's more than the abandoned, scared child she was. maybe...she still is....

I had mentioned in an ask that I was thinking about her relationship with dutch. unlike with many of the gang members, dutch wasn't the one who brought inez to camp, it was arthur. however, dutch still became a big influence in her life.

when she joins the van der linde gang, she was expected to do the work of the rest of the women in camp, but inez was insistent about learning to shoot guns and going on missions. arthur does teach her how to shoot a variety of guns, but arthur argues against putting her in missions. despite the pushback from arthur, dutch ultimately was the one who decided to allow her to go on missions: "lets just see what she's capable of, arthur." she does a bit of spying and scouting, but doesn't start going on some small missions until she's around 15. arthur doesn't like it, he doesn't like that dutch is making him out to be the bad guy for not wanting such a young girl doing the missions of grown men.

inez, on the other hand, loves it. for inez, dutch was validating her and she felt like he was one of the few people who wasnt underestimating her and treating her like a child (which she was. she was a teen nearly the whole time she was in the gang), but for dutch, its simply a ruse to keep her in the palm of his hand, playing a part for her like he does for everyone else: they're all in the cult that is the van der linde gang as we all come to find out. to dutch, inez is one of his followers and ultimately means about as much to him as the nickel in his pocket.

it's not until way later that inez herself realizes that dutch was only playing into her need to be taken seriously. all in all, this just makes her furious more than anything...

MOVING ON FOR A FUN FACT: one of the biggest reasons she wants to be a doctor is bc of a typhoid fever outbreak at the convent: some people died, and inez herself, who was 8 at the time, almost died from it too. the care that the nuns gave to those who were sick inspired inez and she knew then that she wanted to be someone who could help prevent suffering and death.

she reads alot of medical books that she finds or steals so she's knowledgable about how different diseases are treated or how certain injuries should be cared for. this might sound weird, but she derives pleasure in having people's lives in her hands: not in a serial killer way, but because she knows she can do something about what's ailing a person. one of her dreams is to open her own clinic one day.

[angelynmoon]

Merlin and Lancelot emerge from their self imposed isolation after three days, Merlin with a skip in their step and Lancelot with a smile that Gwaine called smug.

Hunith handed Theron over with little fuss and no comment on Merlin's change, Effie and Ellie also don't comment except to start calling Merlin mum rather than daddy.

Merlin does refuse to turn the handful of people who ignored their warning back into humans, stating that they needed to learn their lessons about interrupting their time with Lancelot, though Merlin assured Arthur later that the effects would wear off within the week.

Lancelot, while always protective of Merlin, takes it to a new level now that they are carrying a child, he stands guard for Merlin and Gwen both as they talk about what is to come for their pregnancies with Freya, Merlin insists that Hunith stay, they refuse to intertain the idea of someone else delivering their child, and Hunith has assisted in many births, their villiage was very small.

Gaius checks in on Merlin and Gwen, but he has other duties and both are more comfortable speaking with Hunith about woman's problems that crop up.

Arthur is suddenly glad he'd thought to invite Hunith to Camelot, she gave the Castle a softer touch and it was good for Gwen and Merlin to have a mother around, plus all the children adored Grandmum Hunith, even Morgana would only sit still for lessons if Hunith was the one teaching them.

Lancelot is not the only Knight to get more protective over Merlin and Gwen, Arthur knows he has, insisting that Merlin sit whenever possible, and there may be a squire whose only job is to follow his wife with a padded chair for if she needs rest.

Both Merlin and Gwen roll their eyes at him when he offers them chairs, but neither stop him and he's glad for that.

He's worried, more than he thought he'd be, about both pregnancies, his mother died in childbirth, and though no one speaks of it, Uther tried for a spare heir many times, only Morgana survived of his siblings and none of their mothers left the birthing bed alive.

So, Arthur worries and he tries to make life as stress free for his wife and his best friend as he can, he keeps Lancelot in the Castle when he'd normally send him on missions hexd trust to no one else, Gwaine and Percival have taken over those missions, Elyan kept close for Gwen.

But sometimes he dreams, they are not happy dreams, he dreams of blood soaked sheets, of hands pushing a screaming babe at him and of sorrow filled eyes as news of his wife's death are dilivered, the person dead in the birthing bed switches between Merlin and Gwen with no rhyme or reason.

On those nights Arthur cannot bring himself to stay in his marriage bed, it's the bed that would bring his wife's death on those nights and he can't stay there.

The guards make no comment as he leaves his chambers, both of them remaining at the doors as Arthur goes for a midnight walk.

Hunith finds him in his mother's garden, she does not speak, only sits next to him on the bench and pulls him into a hug that he sinks into, he can't help it, it's a mother's hug, something he never got until Merlin came into his life and stayed there.

"Merlin won't let anything happen to Gwen, and neither will Freya." Hunith told him.

"I can't stop dreaming about it, my mother..." Arthur said quietly.

"Your mother's circumstances were quite different, as were all the others." Hunith stopped him, "Your Father banned Magic, you cannot commit the atrosities that he did without consequence, that it came at the expense of other's lives was his own selfishness because he did not stop at the first woman."

"How can I stop dreaming of them dying?" Arthur asked, "I can't stop seeing them die, I can't..., I don't want to have a child at Gwen's expense, and I don't want Merlin to die either."

Hunith looked at him and hummed, "I can give you a draught for the dreams, but it doesn't relieve the cause of them, only a successful birth can do that. But Merlin and Gwen are strong, they have good odds, especially with a Goddess on their side." Hunith motioned to the pond that Freya often lounged in, though she appeared absent tonight,nfir which Arthur was glad.

"It's alright to be frightened, Arthur, I was scared when I realised I was going to have Merlin, I was alone, unwed, and Merlin showed signed of Magic long before I gave birth, it's normal, things will turn out right, you'll see. Now, come on, I'll make you a snack and some warm milk before you head off to bed." Hunith said as she got up.

Arthur followed her, anxieties soothed over for the moment, he was sure to continue his protectiveness but no one was blaming him for that, even Lancelot seemed to understand Arthur's overprotectiveness when it came to the man's Mate and shared the sentiment with Gwen.

Come to think of it Gwaine was extreemly protective of Gwen and Merlin as well, perhaps it was a Dragon thing, either way, Arthur was glad that so many people were looking after his wife and his best friend, even if he still worried.

--

A/n: So, I figured that Arthur might have some anxieties about Gwen and Merlin's pregnancies and this chapter came along to explore them.

[allzelemonz]

Finding and Feeling (1.3): A Bear and The Mouse

Pairing Type: M/M Rating: T/Language Warnings: Captivity, mentions of death, mutual pining, mild background Arthur/Charles Summary: A blizzard hits Colter and Kieran stays in the boys’ cabin so he doesn’t freeze. Other Chapters

The cold has gotten worse. A blizzard started up early yesterday morning and Dutch is more than stressed. There’s only so many places to put folks. So long as they have a fire, a chance to warm, they’ll be fine. That’s what he tells himself.Grimshaw has put in the work to make this hellhole a camp but there’s only so much to be done. The main structure holds most of the gang with a fire, the boy’s shack has a little stove to burn, and Dutch’s space has its own fireplace. Arthur agreed to let Charles room with him rather than in the stables, so that just leaves their little mouse of a prisoner.

He’s no good to the gang dead. Information dies with the person.

Eventually Dutch comes to the decision that he’ll room with the boys. And when he tells them this he gets the expected backlash, easily squashed by his usual glares and strong words. Lenny is sympathetic, Micah is a suck up, Bill and Javier are too loyal to object much. The shack has a heat source and with all the boys there, going through watch shifts, the dumb O’Driscoll kid won’t have much chance of escape. Hell, they could even tie him to one of those dilapidated bunk beds if he causes too much trouble.

*

Kieran has spent his fair share of cold nights sleeping in stables, but he’s not about to deny sleeping next to a fire. He watches as a couple of the fellas get the horses ready for a cold night, nervously waiting for them to untie him. It’s the big one, the same man that helped with his coat and scarf the other day, that approaches him. He doesn’t say a word as he unties the ropes, but he does leave a tight wrap around Kieran’s wrists.

His hands grip tightly on Kieran’s shoulder and opposite arm to guide him. “Ya try anythin’ n’ I’ll shoot ya myself, O’Driscoll.”

Kieran knows better than to speak right now, so he just nods quickly. He’s getting a fire and he’s not going to do anything that might make his captors change their minds. Bill knees the back of Kieran’s leg, spurring him forward like a spooked horse. Holding the boy like this gives Bill a few fuzzy feelings that he forces down, even though they warm his belly in the cold.

The short walk to the shack is uninterrupted, the other men away getting a lecture from Dutch about the O’Driscoll staying on their shabby floor until the blizzard dies down. Bill pushes Kieran inside, closing the door on the howling wind behind him. Kieran waits, watching Bill closely. The large man has red cheeks hidden halfway by his beard and Kieran almost misses the feeling of his big hands.

He doesn’t have to wait long. Bill grabs his shoulder harshly, squeezing enough to make Kieran wince. He shoves Kieran down at the foot on the bunks and kneels down with a length of rope to tie him to the post. “Not a damn word from ya. Keep yer damn mouth shut n’ ya might live through this.”

“Sure, Mister.” Kieran mumbles.

Bill should probably threaten him, tell him that those were words and punch him or something, but he finds himself blushing through the cold burn on his cheeks. Kieran’s voice is so small and light, gentler than anything Bill’s ever heard before. So he just yanks on the ropes and gives the other man a look in warning. He checks his knots, tugging to test them. Bill distances himself, adding a log to the stove in the corner in an attempt to forget that the O’Driscoll is staring at him.

*

The boys don’t take the news well. The O’Driscoll being shoved into their already cramped shack is not what they expected to hear when Dutch said he wanted to talk to them. But, Dutch being Dutch, gets his point across with firm words and reason. The O’Driscoll is no good to the gang frozen. None of them put up a fight after Dutch nearly yells at them, the three of them looking like scolded children.

When they get back to the shack, Javier takes his watch. He’s happy to distance himself from some useless little mouse. Lenny ignores him, favoring going straight to bed as Bill has already done. Micah, the ever restless, stays up by the fire and uses the light to clean his guns. He would talk to the O’Driscoll if he gave a shit, but he doesn’t.

Kieran falls asleep better than he has the past few nights, warmed by a fire and the body heat of a full room. He knows it’s Bill that he hears snoring, the low rumble of a bear in hibernation. In his dream, he finds it almost comforting.

[storiesundercandlelight]

In The Eyes of Priwen - Chapter Four

Another chapter!

Geoffrey made quick work of his journey to Evelyn's house, he could see the two lads stationed outside for the night sitting on chairs out the front. A luxury he certainly hadn't awarded to them. They stood up to greet him when he got close enough for them to be able to make him out in the lamp lit street, the air felt damp, like any moment the heavens would open up and the rain would start to fall. 

"Evening boss, everything alright?" Geoffrey was half ashamed that he couldn't remember the name of the guard who addressed him first, he was new.

"Yeah, anything here? I take it you're bein' treated as well as the lads last night?"

"Yeah Miss Evelyn had her man come out earlier with drinks and food" Geoffrey nodded before heading up the stairs, leaving the two men to sit back down. He knocked on the door expecting to be greeted by Sembene but it was Evelyn that opened the door.

"Hello, come in" She ushered Geoffrey in quickly, motioning for him to follow her into the living room and towards the desk at the back of the room.

"Your man not here tonight?"

"He was earlier but not now, I usually let him take time off, it's only me here now after all. Though he hasn't been taking any time since the attack. But now that your men are here I insisted" Geoffrey could already see an improvement, Evelyn was still dressed as casually as before, but her eyes seemed brighter, she'd clearly been sleeping these last couple of nights. "I found something"

"Yeah your note said"

"I don't actually know if it will be helpful to you but..." Evelyn leant over and picked up two brown leather journals from the desk. " My father was an explorer, hence the décor, he usually visited Egypt. Anyway before he died he became obsessed with immortality. Thomas and I just put it down to his love for Ancient Egyptian beliefs and their afterlife, but he wasn't the same in the last two years of his life" Geoffrey was beginning to wonder what any of this had to do with him, but he couldn't bring himself to interrupt her as he would have done with someone else like Edgar. Geoffrey realised he would probably sit and listen to her chat about anything as long as she kept her attention on him.

"Anyway it wasn't until I read his last two journals that I saw Priwen mentioned, and someone named Carl Eldridge?" Geoffrey's interest peaked at this.

"He was the former leader of Priwen, my mentor"

"My father seemed to have been meeting with him, about a weapon that can kill vampires. But later in the journal he begins talking about a club called Ascalon. They apparently reached out to him offering him immortality, I suppose I now know that means turning him into a vampire"

"Yeah it does, what weapon is mentioned?"

"Some sort of sword, the sword of a king" Geoffrey stilled for a moment. The only link to a king was the blood of Arthur that Carl had passed down to Geoffrey. Only in a time of great need was he to even consider using it to help him battle the worst of foes. But Geoffrey wasn't a fool, there was only one sword owned by a king that would be worth mentioning. "You can take them"

Geoffrey took the journals from Evelyn. "You sure?"

"Yes, you can bring them back after you're done with them and to let me know if there anything other than the ramblings of a mad man in there"

"Carl wouldn't have worked with your father if he were mad"

"My father was persuasive, even at the end he could probably talk his way out of the worst kinds of situations. Maybe he talked his way into gaining Carls help"

"You don't sound too fond of him. Your father I mean"

"I was, but he was away most of the time travelling. He'd never take me with him no matter how much I asked. My mother was determined to stick to the rules of the upper class, marry me off to someone suitable, my father knew I wouldn't have it. He used to let me get into all sorts of trouble" Evelyn smiled at the memory and now even more than before Geoffrey wanted her to keep talking.

"Your mother isn't around either?"

"No she passed first, she was sick. About 6 months later was when my father began to change. He died of a heart attack. Then it was me and Thomas. Now it's just me" She didn't say it with sadness but Geoffrey knew what it was like to be alone, you often hide the pain of it, well he certainly did.

"I know the feelin' of being the only one left" Geoffrey watched Evelyn look up at him in sympathy.

"You lost your family?"

"My father came back to Dublin a leech, killed my mother, Carl saved me and helped me hunt down Ian who was turned. That's how I ended up in Priwen" It wasn't a story Geoffrey often told, the short version was the only one he was comfortable with.

"I'm sorry"

"It was a long time ago now"

"Doesn't stop the memory from being there though" Evelyn shrugged to lighten the mood and stepped closer to Geoffrey, this close he could see the faint freckles that dotted across the bridge of her nose, the mix of greys and blues in her eyes. He realised after a moment she had been expecting him to move with her, he didn't and was now blocking her from moving away from the desk.

He cursed himself and went to move but Evelyn reached up, her hand ghosting over his jaw before gently pushing his face slightly to the side, her eyes fell on the faint scar that lined the side of his face. "How did this happen?"

"When I was younger, not so quick, leech scratched me" Evelyn met his gaze, a smile tugged at her lips. Geoffrey didn't want her hand to stop touching him, his own hand by it's own accord reached up to hold her arm in place. What was he doing? He wasn't sure himself. When Evelyn didn't react or pull away he wondered if he could lean in and kiss her, they were close enough.

But he didn't. Or he left it too long because Evelyn did move away from him, her eyes darting away from him in disappointment. Jesus he was a fool, he should have just done it.

"Thank you for coming, I hope the journals help" Her voice was quieter now, embarrassed perhaps. He didn't stop himself this time as he placed the journals back onto the desk and reached for Evelyn. He did it quick enough that he heard her take in a startled breath before he pushed his lips against hers.

Geoffrey would never claim to be the most experienced person when it came to romance but he didn't hold back from this kiss. Their lips moved easily against each other, as if this was a rhythm they had already learnt before. Evelyn's hands gripped Geoffrey's coat as they pushed closer together. He knew he could easily loose himself in this kiss, this moment, it could have perhaps been the only time in many year that Geoffrey would be willing to let himself get lost in something. For a man so devoted to Priwen and the cause, enough to be called a fanatic by many, Geoffrey in this moment wanted to be nothing more than the man kissing Evelyn.

This dance of their continued, building only more passion as they pulled and gripped at each other, Evelyn found herself backed up against the desk, Geoffrey leaning over her as their kiss grew deeper. If breathing wasn't vital Geoffrey knew he wouldn't have pulled away, but when he did they both let their heads rest against each other, their noses brushing gently as they both caught their breath.

They looked at each other then, both surprised as a small smirk pulled at both of their lips. "Lets hope your men haven't been watching through the windows" Evelyn whispered. Geoffrey hadn't even thought about it but now that he was he pulled back, his head snapping in the direction of the window, but all he could see were curtains pulled tightly across the glass.

His eyes rolled as Evelyn giggled at having tricked him. Geoffrey looked back at her, his eyes lingering on her lips a moment, wondering if he should kiss her again. God he wanted to, but the hour grew late and he knew he needed to get back to Priwen. "I want to stay but..."

"You have a job to do"

"Aye"

"Until next time then Geoffrey"

--------------------------------------

It was hard before keeping his mind off of Evelyn but now all he could think about was their kiss, the way she felt in his arms. He'd left Evelyn's house in a stupor almost missing the goodbyes from the guards outside.

By the time he'd made it back to Priwen most of the patrols were out or sleeping, only the men by the door were awake to greet him and Philip who was nursing a glass of whiskey in the entry hall which as it stands was the only space left with any room to relax in. "So...how'd it go?" The shir eating grin was back on his face but Geoffrey found himself in too good a mood to snap back.

"Fine, she gave me her fathers journals, seems he was working with Carl"

"I never heard of that happening"

"Nor I but sure it's there, I'll read over them and see what comes of it if anything" Geoffrey took Philips glass and took a swig himself before handing it back and muttering a good night.

"Hold on! Ye aren't going to entertain an ol' man?" Philip sat forward, a knowing look on his face but Geoffrey simply shrugged.

"You'll just have to find your entertainment elsewhere, I have nothin' to share"

"Oh aye, so that smile that was on yer face as ye came through the door was a coincidence then?" Geoffrey didn't even answer he simply turned and headed for a free bed. He would deal with Philips teasing tomorrow.

[nabanna]

Been thinking about Re:Dracula and how it's really difficult to do a truly accurate adaptation without just reading the book word for word in an audio format, and about how two big things I see in movie and other visually based adaptations are how they cut down the plot and they cut down the cast size.

Thinking about one that does it like: Mina, Johnathan, Lucy, Quincey, Van Helsing

Combine roles between Mina and Seward, and between Quincey and Arthur.

Mina is the medical student who studied under Van Helsing (emphasizes her role as the Smart One, lets Van Helsing see her more as an apprentice rather than a child to patronize, also gets in some Victorian gender role drama as Mina is a (highly qualified but still) woman going into a scientific/medical field dominated by men, she doesn't own an asylum though so alas no Renfield... unless... hmm, anyway one reason Jonathan is so eager to get that promotion is to help Mina finish medical school)

Give Quincey Arthur's most notable traits of being rich and having dogs, but also the most important traits of being an American cowboy from Texas who tells stories and plays up the persona for fun. And has a gun. Give Lucy other less important suitors in a flashback or something but make it clear these two Really Have Something

Mina becomes Lucy's best friend and doctor, maybe with Lucy's mother being dismissive of Mina as a woman trying to go into the medical field but accepting of her as an unpaid nurse for Lucy, Mina receives the news about Johnathan while Lucy seems to have gotten better but she asks Lucy's fiance to keep an eye on her just in case, and to contact her old professor if needed.

Harkers get married on the spot as god intended.

While Mina's gone, Van Helsing is unfortunately still a misogynist and doesn't handle Lucy and her mother as well as he could have, Quincey is just deferring to the apparent expert, Lucy dies and proceeds to Bloof, Van Helsing handles that roughly the same way as before but with only one sidekick this time.

Mina and Johnathan return upon receiving the news and Van Helsing tries to convince Mina that vampires are a thing the same way he did with Seward but with more "ah but you don't need to know all that because you're a woman" so she doesn't buy it until she connects the dots with Johnathan's experience and reads his journal, proceeds to tell him everything in there was real and gets Quincey to help them catch up on what happened with Lucy and to catch him up on what Dracula seems to be up to.

They go to Van Helsing for advice, he comes up with an arrangement that keeps Mina busy with something important but "safe" while he and the lads go out breaking and entering. Quincey shoots at a bat, Dracula gets Mina, Johnathan gets his anime transformation, Van Helsing burns Mina with something holy, there's an argument between the guys that gets cut off by Mina breaking down and Johnathan shooing the others out to comfort her, but Quincey sleeps in the hall outside.

Dracula runs away but forgets to turn off Mina's psychic "find your phone" settings, Mina is the Train Fiend, Van Helsing is confronted with how his efforts have led to further pain and realizes maybe they'll be better off if he steps back into a mentor rather than leader role, Quincey arms everyone and takes care of them by throwing money around and trying to be the level headed dependable comforting one, Mina can tell when Dracula is paying attention to her and this is the only time when hypnosis is necessary, the chase happens roughly as in canon.

Mina and Van Helsing go up to the castle to fight the Weird Sisters, maybe it's a bit more active this time, maybe Mina manages to channel Dracula's command in a way that saves them from the girlies but they realize that she's more vampiric than ever and killing Dracula is even more urgent.

Quincey and Johnathan follow Dracula by boat or by horse, whichever one is more exciting. They bond and it's low key kinda bisexual ngl but if anything comes of that it's a promise to talk to Mina once it's all over and they're safe again, they generally plan wistfully for the future, Johnathan feels a chill in sync with when Mina uses the Dracula power, Quincey suggests a spar to practice and get out their energy, maybe to add more interest here one of Dracula's scouts finds them and says there's a group of Dracula's servants that want to be free and will help them fight when they catch up.

The final battle goes a little differently, Mina puts herself in a barrier circle to protect Van Helsing from the possibility of her going vampiric but keeps a gun to provide ranged aid, Quincey and Johnathan roll up to Dracula's entourage and their secret allies back them up in the fight, Mina and Van Helsing provide cover fire and maybe make it seem like there's way more armed reinforcements up here to scare off the servants, the boys tag team Dracula as god intended, the gang reunites.

If I want to be evil and make good on those death flags, then Quincey dies (but not before seeing Mina's recovery and also getting kissed on the cheek by both Harkers at the same time) and the Harkers' first son is named after him. If I want to spare Quincey, then Van Helsing dies and his last moments are spent telling the gang that he's proud of them, and especially telling Mina that she's the brightest student he's ever had and he only wishes he could live to see her success but something about watching over them all from heaven idk. I guess the Harkers would name their first son Abraham then lmao, and maybe I'd give Quincey a lasting injury from the fight so he uses mobility aids in the future, and they'd definitely stay as a close knit trio forever. One might even call them roommates. See the thing is Quincey dying is canon and would bring more proper tragedy but also I don't want to kill him...

[mariusperkins]

my favourite new-to-me movies of 2023

a few years ago my resolution was to stop just only rewatching Ocean's Eleven over and over and actually watch some of the thousand-ish movies that I say I'm going to watch and then don't, which, honestly, has been Very fun and something I highly recommend! It also means that I watch a lot of movies that aren't actually "new" (which, honestly, I also recommend).

Picking a top 20 was really hard this year (I would do top 10 but that was impossible), I watched so many movies I absolutely LOVED, and so I narrowed them down to the below using the only criteria that I think really matters when it comes to lists like this which is 1. How insane did I feel about the movie at the time, and 2. Do I still feel insane about it when I think about it now.

This list got long so to save your dash I have put it under the cut:

20. Fire of Love (2022): a documentary about the lives of two volcanologists who ultimately died together in a volcanic eruption. It's told in such a beautiful, moving way, and I've been telling everyone I know to watch it, so of course it had to make this list

19. Lady For a Day (1933): a group of loosely-socially-connected people work together to convince a wealthy man that an old impoverished apple seller is a member of high society so her daughter (who also believes her slightly-estranged mother is high society) can marry into real high society. It was literally the first movie I watched in 2023 and I truly can't think of a better way to start off a year than with a movie that is about helping other people for the sake of Just Helping Them, because we should care about other people, because what else are we on this earth for if not to help and care about other people. Also, this is one of those 1930s movies that seems wildly progressive in it's treatment of women (nobody shames Annie for having a daughter out of wedlock or anything that goes along with that, everyone wants her to be happy, and healthy, and to help her get the thing that she wants above all else: for her daughter to be happy and safe).

18. The Talk of The Town (1942): one of the many "Cary Grant's most bisexual movies" but boy howdy is it!! Cary Grant, a communist sympathiser and unionist, has to hide out at Jean Arthur's farmhouse to escape the law after being accused of a crime he didn't commit but wouldn't you know it, Jean Arthur's just rented out her farmhouse to Ronald Coleman, a judge who prides himself on his neutrality who's about to be nominated to the supreme court! Jean Arthur, thinking fast, says Cary Grant is her gardener for the farmhouse and also sets about trying to prove to Ronald Coleman that Cary Grant is innocent, Cary Grant sets about trying to radicalise Ronald Coleman before he can get to the supreme court. Ronald Coleman spends a significant amount of time playing chess with Cary Grant while the two of them speak softly to each other. Just wonderful stuff, and Jean Arthur is so beautiful that I genuinely tried to find out what her skincare regime was.

17. Beyond The Infinite Two Minutes (2020): a short (just over an hour) Japanese scifi film where a man discovers that the tv in the cafe downstairs from him and the tv in his apartment are connected, with the tv in the cafe showing two minutes into the future (of whatever is in front of the tv in his apartment). It does some really fun stuff with this time-travel adjacent concept, especially in the final "fight" sequence! It's a little hard to find (I think I might have watched it on vimeo?), but absolutely worth it.

16. White Zombie (1932): sometimes called the "first zombie movie", it's so different from what we now think of as a "zombie movie" that it feels fresh (or, at least, it did to me). A young bride is "killed" by an evil count and brought back as a zombie forced to obey his will. I found the short scene towards the end of the movie where her husband and True Love almost breaks the hold on her mind and there's a close up of her expression as it changes from wide-eyed blankness to almost a smile before she slips back under Bela Lugosi's spell to be genuinely affecting. Also, there's a scene right at the start where Bela Lugosi's eyes are superimposed over a scene that I found genuinely frightening, I was as jumpscared by those eyes as a person watching in 1932 probably was, which is always a fun feeling.

15. A New Leaf (1971): Walter Matthau, an aging, asexual bachelor is informed that he is on the brink of complete poverty and decides to find a orphaned heiress to marry (and then murder) to keep himself in his preferred lifestyle. After several unsuccessful endeavors he meets Elaine May (who also wrote and directed the movie), a weathly and extremely absent-minded botanist. Instead of killing her, he trips his way through improving both her life and himself. I was enthralled by this movie, I just want to rotate every part of it in my mind forever.

14. It's a Wonderful Knife (2023): the most recent of all the movies on this list in terms of both release date and me having watched it, this slasher retelling of 'it's a wonderful life' has it all: a Scary Slasher opening featuring a killer with a gimmick ("The Angel"), the classic bit where she wishes she'd never been born and stumbles through realising Oh No I'm In The Universe Where I've Never Been Born, the universe saving True Love of lesbians, Justin Long being a little weirdo, the bit where she runs down the street wishing everyone and everything a merry christmas. All the in-text callouts by the characters that what's happening is "just like" it's a wonderful life snowballed into a (to me) touching romantic moment ("you were my Clarence"). It all just Worked!! The perfect holiday watch.

13. Bones (2001): I love a horror movie that I've never heard of and the early 2000s is a great time period for this. 1970s Snoop Dogg (with beautiful 1970s hair!) is murdered, and his ghost comes back to get revenge on those who killed him. Features some great gross-out horror scares (the nightclub scene, especially, made me jump out of my seat and pace around). Also, a very cool, scary-looking poster!

12. Eyes Without A Face (1960): A doctor attempts to use his plastic surgery skills to "replace" his daughter's face, which has been mangled in a car accident (that he caused). I hope whoever designed the mask the daughter wears, which is a plain white 'death mask' style with only the eyes cut out, got some kind of award because it's visually striking in every scene (especially when combined with her mod/60s coat). This movie is full of the gestures towards a broader life that his daughter would have had, or the life she did have that is just enough to both paint a vivid picture and make you feel so curious that the movie would be enthralling even without the serial murder/body horror aspect. Has one of the greatest "good for HER" endings to a movie I've ever seen, which I would implore you not to spoil for yourself if you want to watch this. The version up on internet archive does have english subtitles (thank you internet archive!!).

11. Grosse Point Blank (1997): A disconnected and disaffected hit man attends his high school reunion, confronting his past (the mother that barely recognises him, the girlfriend he abandoned on prom night, the friend that never heard from him after he left town) and his present (the other hit men attempting to kill him). I feel cringe somehow for putting this on my list, I feel cringe admitting that I did feel a big Swell of emotion as John Cusack makes eye contact with a baby as the lyrics to Queen/Bowie's 'Under Pressure' swells in the background (why don't we give ourselves one more chance), I even feel a little cringe for liking something that seems like it should only appeal to Gen X's. But what is this list for if not for films that game me cringe levels of emotions?

10. Waxworks (1988): Much like the early 2000s, the 1980s are also a great decade for 'horror movies you've never heard of'. The plot summary doesn't do much to give it away: 'a group of teens go to a wax museum and get killed off one by one'. "Well, that's just house of wax", you think to yourself, "I know what to expect from this movie". It isn't, and you don't. Please don't look up scenes ahead of time, please do watch this movie!

9. Knightriders (1981): I'm a very loud member of the Movies Should Be Shorter club but this movie is over two hours and I wish it had gone on forever. Every time you think 'well that's the end of the movie' another movie arc starts, and I couldn't have been happier. It follows the "knights" (motorbike stuntmen) in an 80s renaissance fair as they travel from town to town, argue about modernising, and put on shows. Feels like you're really vibing with them under the 1980s sun. Also features a cameo of Stephen King, who eats a sandwich in a truly disgusting way.

8. House (1977): a group of teen girls go to the house of one of the girl's aunts. It's a very haunted house. The best way I can think to describe it is that it's like watching the description of a nightmare you had as a child, almost too over the top and ridiculous to be scary in an explainable way but it is still scary. I'll think about the piano sequence until the day I die.

7. They Might Be Giants (1971): A man who, after the death of his wife and his subsequent mental breakdown, believe himself to be Sherlock Holmes. His brother, who's attempting to get him committed to collect his inheritance, introduces him to a woman named Dr Watson. They run around around town as the man who believes himself to be Sherlock Holmes attempts to solve the mystery that he believes Moriarty is orchestrating, solving real problems for various people around town almost by accident. A extremely hopeful and upbeat movie with the saddest last 60 seconds to a movie I've ever seen, a very, very bittersweet love story.

6. The Palm Beach Story (1942): Claudette Colbert is deeply in love with her big rectangle of a husband Joel McCrea, but wants to divorce him because she believes that providing for her is holding him back (and he won't let her accept money from random men who want to give her money for being beautiful - a realistic thing to happen if you are Claudette Colbert imo). He's desperate to stay married to her so when she runs off to Palm Beach for a quickie 1940s divorce he follows her, but on the way she meets mega rich Rudy Vallee who falls instantly in love with her. As a complete 180 to the previous movie, this is a fun movie with the most rediculous final 60 seconds. I truly believe that your enjoyment of the movie hinges on those final moments - I, of course, loved it.

5. The Abominable Dr Phibes (1971): the king of horror Vincent Price stars as the mysterious Dr Phibes, who's out to kill a very specific set of people in various very specific ways, assisted by his beautiful and incredibly dressed assistant Vulnavia while the police unsuccessfully try to figure out what he's doing and stop him. I truly loved this movie, the mystery just silly enough, the kills just over the top enough, the elaborate sets not really trying to not look like sets and better off for it!! The sequel, in which Dr Phibes and Vulnavia travel to Egypt to resurrect Dr Phibes' wife, is also quite good!

4. Brief Encounters (1945): A man and woman, both happily (or at least contentedly) married to other people, meet and fall into a whirlwind-style love before the real world crashes back into them. Soul-obliteratingly sad, but in the way that love can be, sometimes.

3. Shocker (1989): A college student starts having visions of a serial murderer in which the murderer can see him, helps to catch the murderer... And then the movie really starts. This was going to be lower down until I realised that it's become such a reference point for me since I watched it. I wish Wes Craven would make a sequel about the protagonist's girlfriend, who, by the end of the movie, is a ghost who shares his body.

2. Wild Thing (1987): Tarzan, but if Tarzan was in 1980s New York instead of the jungle. I had such a fun time with this movie! Excellent use of 'wild thing' (the song) needle drop, which happens in conjunction with a Spiderman-style man-on-the-street interview section. To me, this one is an undiscovered gem.

1. Tampopo (1985): a woman, who isn't good at making ramen but owns a ramen shop, asks a truck driver and his friend to help her improve her cooking. He agrees, and they begin a winding journey, encountering and befriending various people to help her along the way. Tampopo is also a movie that's interested in exploring the different relationships people can have to food and the different roles it plays in society, so it's full of little tiny scenes staring all kinds of wonderful weirdos like this scene, which is one of my favourite scenes in all of cinema, of a little old woman causing chaos in a small supermarket late at night. Also, if you watch this movie: get ramen first, because otherwise you'll have to pause the movie to go and get food.

Honourable Mentions: You've Heard Of This Edition

Best movie about The Movies: Asteroid City (2023)

Best action scene that made me claw at the person next to me: Mission Impossible (Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Award for 'movie famous for being good that is good': RoboCop (1987)

Award for 'movie referenced as a punchline that actually has Things To Say about the treatment of houseless people to the point that I now feel like those punchlines do the movie and incredible disservice': C.H.U.D (1984)

Best rediculous stunts/scene chewing from Jake Gyllenhaal: Ambulance (2022)

Best 4th movie in a film series that was still incredible and also made me cry: John Wick Chapter 4 (2023)

Award for special effects/goo (for when you see the clones sloughing out of the pods): Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Best use of Bill Pullman as a romantic lead: While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Award for 'predator movie that is actually enjoyable to watch': Prey (2022)

Best use of cocaine as a plot device: Cocaine Bear (2023)

Honourable Mentions: Maybe You Haven't Heard Of This Edition

Best movie that is just really a series of weird little sketches: Better Off Dead (1985)

Best movie about a married couple that are horny for each other: Undercover Blues (1993)

Best use of Willem Dafoe as an ally to the protagonist: Daybreakers (2009)

Best use of a one location (and primarily one set): Welcome Back Mr McDonald (1997)

Best use of the little lock of hair that falls out of the gelled-back hairdo in a 1930s male lead: Love Is News (1937)

Best use of enemies-to-lovers: Legal Eagles (1986)

Best use of Bob Hope: Nothing but the Truth (1941)

Award for 'most people cheating on each other with everyone else' in a single movie: Dinner at Eight (1933)

Best movie involving a woman who died and then possesses another woman to get revenge on the man who killed her: Supernatural (1933)

Best use of weird masks and scary basements: Popcorn (1991)

Award for 'most 1980s tropes in a 1930s movie': The Old Dark House (1932)

Best underutilised setting for a horror movie: Intruder (1989)

Best movie that you truly can't believe got made and released: Roar (1981)

Best performance of an actor pretending to be a robot: Deadly Friend (1986)

Best 1930s 'extremely wealthy old man and poor fast talking woman best friendship' in a movie: Easy Living (1937)

Best early 2000s thriller you haven't heard of/best Emily Blunt performance: Wind Chill (2007)

Best use of 1940s tropes and jokes in a hallmark movie: A Biltmore Christmas (2023)

Best use of best friends in a noir movie: The Gun for Hire (1942)

Best netflix movie that netflix inexplicably didn't bother promoting: They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

Best Dylan O'Brien performance: The Outfit (2022)

Best slimy little weasel performance: Cure For Wellness (2016)

Best use of time travel to a Very specific but not well-known historical event: Timeline (2003)

Award for most specific accident in a horror movie that required a transplant: Mad Love (1935)

[viridousl]

absolutely obsessed with time travel both in a time loop way and a time travel way

time loop percy weasley would be devastating!!! im not actually going to write this BUT IMAGINE IT

Percy's time loop would have to start AFTER his fight with Arthur. When he finally figures out what's happening to him on the third loop, something in his chest cries out when he realizes that he cannot stop that hurt before it ever happened. He can only beg forgiveness.

Which he does sometimes, literally. Other times he lets his actions prove themselves.

It takes him a while to figure out what to do. At first he bides his time until the Battle of Hogwarts, just to save Fred. He pushes Fred out of the way and that's when he learns that his own death will trigger the time loop, too. He saves Fred, eventually, with such ease and skill borne of doing it a hundred times, but that's not enough. The loop restarts. He starts doing other things, standing up against what is wrong. He turns his gaze to the corrupt Ministry. He fights against Death Eaters. He frees Muggleborns.

He burns down the ministry almost single-handedly in one loop, leading a revolution of beaten down, scared employees. Sometimes he can still smell the smoke, and it makes him smile with all his teeth showing. That was a good loop, that one.

Sometimes he breaks, hiding under his desk in his office and crying, too scared to leave his office, because what if they know? What if they know there's something different about him. What if someone out there is a skilled Legilimens, and they make eye contact with Percy? What if they see?

It's all the higher incentive not to be caught by Death Eaters.

The time loop is inconsistent, sometimes. As a general rule, if he doesn't die, it ends about a week after the Battle of Hogwarts. It's always painful, if he fails to save Fred, or if someone else dies instead. He hates waiting that long, horrible week for the loop to restart. Sometimes he's scared that he'll wake up at the end of that week and find that the loop didn't take him.

If his bravery fails him, it leads to actions he's ashamed of. But it just makes the time loop restart faster.

It takes him a long time. He loses track of how many times he's done it. But eventually, he saves more people than he knew he ever could, he helps the Ministry overthrow the Death Eaters, he saves Fred, he saves so many people, thousands of Muggleborns and plenty of people during the Battle of Hogwarts. (He's intimately familiar with the knowledge of who should team up with who for minimum casualties during the battle. He had time to perfect this strategy, after all.) He can't think of anything else he can do. And the end of the week after the battle is approaching. And he's scared, but so hopeful.

He decides, abruptly on the last day, to go to the Ministry. It's where the time loop takes him when he resets, so it'd be fitting to do half the job for the time loop. He takes the Muggleborn entrance to the Ministry, and can't help but pause in the atrium. It's incredible how fast people can work, with magic and motivation. Wanted posters of Order members and scared muggleborns are gone, that wretched statue destroyed. It looks wonderful. Slowly, he smiles. And then he turns back around and goes back to the Burrow, the anxiety in his chest settled.

He wakes up the next day to find that he had fallen asleep on the living room couch in his parent's house, glasses askew. He hears Fred and George snickering, and he can't shake the feeling that there's marker on his face.

He grins.

[ladyknightellen]

I would love to hear more about The One Where Henry's Metaphor Is Not A Metaphor or read a snippet from it!

Okay so, little summary of sorts, then I'll give a lil snippet!

-Henry was born with his heart partially outside his body along with some other issues that go along with that condition (the actual condition is called Pentalogy of Cantrell in case you're curious)

-For the most part, it follows canon, but deals mainly with Henry's struggle to find a balance between his genuine medical needs, and the safety precautions that have been imposed on him by his family. Basically Mary is being awful in new and horrifying ways, and Catherine stopped fighting her and became a bit of a helicopter mom after Arthur died.

The party is loud and bright and everything Henry would normally hate since he can’t dance or drink, but the moment he sees Alex, he doesn't really care anymore. The suit he’s wearing makes him look like he stepped off a runway, and Henry is sure his mouth is hanging open.

He can tell that Alex wants to dance, but he stays with Henry and talks with him about anything and everything. When the songs change to some early 2000s hip hop however, Alex can’t seem to help himself and he doesn’t resist when Nora comes and starts pulling him up.

“Come on Henry!” She yells over the music “You come too!”

“Oh no, it’s–” Alex trails off, like he’s trying to decide how to explain things to Nora without actually explaining it to her. He looks at Henry with a look that says ‘help’ and ‘sorry’ and Henry makes a decision that he knows he’s going to regret.

“I’ll join you!” Alex studies him with a concerned expression, and as they walk towards the dance floor, he pulls him aside and gives him a concerned look.

“Are you sure about this? I don’t want you to…umm…” He trails off, and Henry finds it painfully endearing how worried he looks.

“I’ll be fine Alex, remember how I told you that I don’t like people treating me like I’m made of glass?”

“Oh, right, sorry.”

Henry only makes it through one song before he starts feeling dizzy, and Alex follows him when he wades back through the crowd of bodies to find somewhere to sit down.

“Don’t bite my head off for asking this, but seriously, are you alright?” Alex asks. Henry doesn’t try to answer out loud, but he manages a weak nod that does nothing to help the dizziness and pounding headache.

“Do you want me to leave?” Alex asks “Because I don’t think I should, but I’m not gonna hover if you don’t want me to.”

“Stay” Henry says as he leans back against the wall and closes his eyes, willing his body to take in deeper breaths. “I’ll be good– In a second.”

“I’ll believe you when you say something without gasping for air.” Henry cracks one eyelid open and gives Alex a look.

“I told you, I don’t– need you to treat me like– I’m made of glass.”

“Well call me crazy, but I feel like there’s a pretty big gap between treating you like you’re made of glass and just making sure you don’t pass out in the middle of a crowded ballroom.” He’s right, and Henry knows it, and he doesn’t have the energy at the moment to even attempt to protest, so he just nods and waits for the episode to pass.

When Henry opens his eyes this time, Alex is sitting in a chair next to him instead of hovering over him, but he’s still glaring at Henry with an expression that is a mix of worry and exasperation.

“I’m fine now Alex, I promise.” He says, sitting up fully again.

“Okay, see, now I believe you.”

“You can go back to dancing now, I’m fine.”

“No no it’s fine, I don’t mind hanging out with you, I’m sorry Nora dragged you out there.”

“Alex, please, just go back and enjoy your party. You don’t have to sit here with me the whole time, I know you want to dance and have fun. You don’t have to reign yourself in on my account, and don’t say you’re fine and you don’t care, because you are currently bouncing halfway out of your seat to the rhythm of the music. Go enjoy yourself, I’m fine. I promise.” The words come out a bit more forceful than he intended, and Alex looks almost hurt, but after a few more seconds, he stands up and gives Henry an awkward little wave before rejoining the mass of people on the dance floor.

Henry watches him for the next three songs until the DJ starts counting down to midnight. He sees Nora wrap her arms around Alex’s neck as he puts his hands on her waist and pulls her in for a kiss just as everyone screams

“Happy New Year!”

For the second time that night, Henry feels like his chest is on fire, but for an entirely different reason. He’s not sure how he gets outside, but when the cold hits his face, he stops and reaches out to grab hold of the first thing he can find to steady himself. The bark of the tree is rough on the palm of his hand and it’s oddly comforting and grounding.

“Sir, are you alright?” Shaan’s voice startles him, and when he turns around so fast he nearly collapses.

“I–” He starts to say he’s ‘fine’ but he knows Shaan wouldn’t believe that for a second. The only problem is; there’s not much Shaan can do about what’s currently making him ‘not fine.’ “I’m not in need of assistance at the moment.” He says finally.

“Are you certain of that Sir?” Shaan asks, and there’s something in his tone that tells Henry that he’s picked up on what’s going on, or at least grasped that it’s not a medical emergency that’s got him gasping and holding on to a tree for dear life.

“Not really, but there’s nothing that would be in your power to do about my current predicament.”

“Ah, I see.” Shaan says, then waits for a moment, probably assessing if he should stay or go. “I’ll return to the room then Sir, if you don’t require anything from me.”

“Yes, thank you Shaan.”

Once Shaan has left him alone again, Henry rests his back against the tree and slides down to the ground to sit. He tilts his head up to stare at the night sky, the distant fireworks flickering in the edge of his vision, and he wonders, as he often does, if his father is watching him from somewhere in the great beyond.

“Hey dad” He says, feeling slightly foolish talking to the sky, but the words keep coming and he couldn’t stop them if he tried.