#the magnificent andersons

[fighting-naturalist]

Jack and Daniel in “Space Race”

[legacysam]

finally watching iwtv and this isn't even about vampires is it. it's just about The Most Fucked Up Gays You Know and they just happen to be vampires too but like. you're not even going to get to that in the first couple therapy sessions there's. so much other shit going on

[ariel-seagull-wings]

IMAGINARY FILM TETRALOGY: THE MAGNIFICENT X-MEN

@s10127470 @a-roguish-gambit @knivxsanddespair @thealmightyemprex @the-blue-fairie @themousefromfantasyland @professorlehnsherr-almashy @amalthea9 @thestreamweaver

Having recently read the 1991 and 1994 scripts for unproduced X-Men films (the first titled Wolverine and the X-Men and the second titled simply X-Men), I started to think which approach I would take in idealizing an X-Men film series, taking some elements I enjoyed from the unproduced scripts, while cutting out others and also mixing up my own ideas.

For me personally, the main appeal of the X-Men compared to other Marvel hero teams is how vast their own universe is, which gives the chance to not be limited to other super hero genre conventions of good guys fighting bad guys of the week to save the world from a catastrophe, but also takes many chances to deescalate the conflict to small stories that take the influence of other genre sources: romantic melodrama, gothic horror, science fiction comedy, urban fantasy, high school drama and work situational comedy.

So far the science fiction thriller and action comedy genres have been the aproach that studios and filmakers have taken to be safe.

I would like to give the X-Men a chance into the potential for exploring the urban fantasy, romance and horror angles, with a sprinkle of light sci fi and comedy, into a viewer’s digest of the existing story material provided not only by the main Uncanny X-Men comic books, but also take some elements from The New Defenders #125-152, Excalibur and the graphic novels and limited series staring the characters, and I would call this encarnation The Magnificent X-Men homaging the movies The Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven.

There would be relationship overhauls where characters who only casually flirted, had a will-they-or-will-they not long running unresolved romantic tension (that while can be taken for granted in the long running medium of comics, is not very satisfactory in the formats of movies and TV shows) would be official couples in the adaptation.

The timescale and timeline would avoid convolutedness by having characters who, in the comics, were originally clones or alternate timeline children to be children born in the main movie timeline born and raised by previous characters that while mentioned as important, are not the main characters of the narrative, exploring the idea that as a group, the X-Men have a history that goes back to the 60s, where there were founding figures, partisan dissidences, characters went to college, graduated, retired from the battlefield to get married and raise children, or died while fighting for mutant rights.

The influences and narrative style would come from shows like Gargoyles, The Real and Extreme Ghostbusters, and movies like Streets of Fire, 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Tutles, Wesley Snipes Blade and Guillermo Del Toro's Hellboy, being a rock and roll fable exploring the communities and culture built by mutants beyond just the Xavier Mansion in the cities undergrounds, where they built their own clubs, bars, safe spaces to live together, while borrowing fashion and architecture from the 80s and 90s with a little touch of the 50s, in contrast to the swashbuckler fantasy and circus influence, borrowing from Earth 5311, that would be highlighted in the battlefield costumes of the X-Men team members themselves.

There would be a total of four movies, and the main team would be formed by:

ALISON BLAIRE (DAZZLER)

ANNE MARIE (ROGUE)

ORORO MUNROE (STORM)

RACHEL GREY SUMMERS (PHOENIX)

ELIZABETH BRADDOCK (PSYLOCKE)

JAMES LOGAN HOWLETT (WOLVERINE)

HENRY PHILLIP MCCOY (BEAST)

KURT WAGNER (NIGHTCRAWLER)

PIOTR RASPUTIN (COLOSSUS)

WARREN WORTHINGTON III (ANGEL)

VISUAL CONCEPT ART INFLUENCES

DAVE COCKRUM

MARIE SEVERIN

ALAN DAVIS

PAUL MARTIN SMITH

BRENT ANDERSON

I will be slowly thinking of the plots that would narrow down each movie as time goes on.

[rabbitcruiser]

On September 30, 1861, the chewing gum king William Wrigley Jr. was born in Philadelphia.

[autisticsupervillain]

It's Magnificent Bastard Monday!

Today's Magnificent Bastard of the Week: Alexander Anderson

Total MB Incarnations: 4

[mentagenesis]

A Propensity For Density.

by Daniel Wolfert. When I was a lad growing up in the mid-western city of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, we had a particular term that we frequently used with those whose lack of intelligence or comprehension caused us frustration. It was to call them dense. For instance, you might angrily say, “I can’t believe you’re not getting this! Just how dense are you?” In 1972, progressive rock band Jethro Tull…

[mr2swap]

I'm going to stay like Jeremy

-What the fuck is wrong with me?! - I looked down at my big cock now flaccid, I assumed that I would finally lose my virginity at last tonight, but why doesn't it want to work?, I closed my eyes and began to imagine Violet the naked girl who was in the other room, Violet Anderson, the sexiest girl in all of high school, found herself willing to have sex with me, or well at least with my best friend Jeremy.

Jeremy is my best friend, the person to whom I can tell anything, and the biggest stud in all of high school, when I told him that I had a lot of problems losing my virginity, he did not hesitate to help me, we are so confident that I do not hesitate to give me a solution to my problem, swap our bodies.

He found a spell on the internet that when said at the same time by two people would make them switch bodies, so one day after school we went to my house when my mother was at work and in my room we both began to say in unison the strange words of a language that I had never heard. our bodies began to transform.

I continued speaking in that strange language while looking at Jeremy's face, slowly his face became mine as well as the rest of his body and when he finished saying the last sentence in front of me there is an exact copy of my body, look down Jeremy's new look, my Asian features, short stature, even longer messy hair were transferred to him, as was his strong jaw, long legs and thick arms full of protruding veins were transferred to me.

-DUDE! this shit if it worked! you look exactly like me!-he looked up at me surprised to see what the rest of us saw in him, a gigantic muscle, her clothes were too big for her now, while mine was squeezing me a little. -Dude, is that how I sound? - I also said testing Jeremy's voice, I could feel how slowly my tank top was ripping, before it completely ripped I took it off, throwing the stretched piece of clothing into a pile of dirty clothes, although I should probably throw it away in the trash when I return to my body.

Jeremy and I had swapped bodies. We took off our clothes, it was fucking strange to see my body from Jeremy's perspective, my body was quite average, somewhat plump, but I didn't look bad, maybe he was right, and I just need more confidence, now I felt better than I ever felt. Stronger, taller, more hot.

I suddenly felt full of energy, every movement in Jeremy's body was so strong and felt so fast that it was difficult to walk with my powerful legs, we both looked at each other in the mirror that was in front of my room and while Jeremy examined his face With his hands I couldn't avoid doing a push-up with my magnificent biceps - Jesus Christ! a couple of inches more and they are the size of your head! - I said putting one of my mountains next to my old head just to compare the sizes.

Jeremy took off his old shirt that was now too big for him and tossed it to me, his shorts fell off on their own, leaving him in just a pair of boxers that were too big for his new body. We were both fully dressed, we came to an agreement. We would change again after I lost my virginity in his body from him, and he had a little fun with some girl to test how it feels to lose my virginity in my body.

Take his things, the keys to his house, his phone and leave him alone at my house to get used to a bit, I was anxious so, so I wasted no minute and unlocked Jeremy's phone to look at his contact list and to my surprise had been texting Violet the sexiest and most popular girl in high school.

He had only spent 20 minutes in Jeremy's handsome body, and he had already found someone to fuck, Flirting when you are taller, muscular and handsome was really simple … but why DOES NOT GET A FUCKING INCH GET UP THIS DICK?

Everything was going so well until we got to the motel, and she started undressing, when I realized that my little friend was not in the mood to get up at all, I pretended to have diarrhea and ran to the hotel bathroom while the hot girl stayed waiting for me in the bed, all the stress began to affect me and my body began to sweat and get hot from humiliation

-What's wrong with me? - I looked in the mirror, it was the face of my best friend Jeremy, now he was handsome, now he was attractive, now he had huge muscles, now he had a huge cock, why? …

Without realizing it now I had a huge erection as I looked at Jeremy's body, I wanted to stop, go to the side room and fuck the girl who was there, but I couldn't. Flex one of my arms, just to be able to look at him, I put my other hand to my cock and I began to stimulate my cock, I looked at my sweaty armpit and I could not resist dipping my nose into the sweaty dregs of Jeremy, they were so smooth my tongue didn't feel a trace of scratchiness because he used to shave completely for amateur bodybuilding competitions.

It didn't take too long to ejaculate. I was very excited by all the new sensations. I had never felt so good in my whole life even though I just masturbated was the best thing I had ever tried, I fixed my gaze on the mess I had made in the bathroom and at that moment I finally realized -I am… .gay ? - I didn't know what it meant to be gay, but I was sure of one thing. I can't give it back now that I know there's something better than having sex with a hot girl is having sex with your best friend's hot body and loving it properly.

I can't give him back his body from him now that I'm experiencing so much pleasure. I refuse to give up this body and this life, I do n't know how Jeremy will take it but if I can keep his body from him I do n't care, I just hope Jeremy is enjoying being straight, maybe he might like it almost as much as me

Hey folks! if you like bodyswap stories take a look at my Ko-fi, I have a lot of more stories, and you can help me keep creating more stories!

[muscularmass37]

Magnificent Anderson Santos

[ohlawdthebirds]

Once again, barking. Making gorilla noises, actually. This is wonderful. Goodness gracious.

You posted about abby in a suit and it got me thinking so many thoughts 😵‍💫 wanna grab her by the tie and pull her in for kisses <33

༘⋆ abby masterlist 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅ tlou masterlist ˎˊ˗

PLS she’d actually fall apart if you did that-

You’re at an event that neither of you really want to be at and Abby’s looking for a way to keep herself entertained. She’s being so flirty and so cocky in her expensive three-piece suit, whispering in your ear about the things she’s gonna do to you when the night’s over.

You’re soaked by the time you get home, but she’s still playing the long game. Her hands are anchored to your waist, pulling you close enough that her lips ghost against your jaw when she speaks, but it’s still not close enough for you.

Every time you lean in to kiss her, she pulls back just enough that you miss, a smug grin pulling at her mouth. “Don’t get greedy, baby.”

After the third or fourth time, you decide you’ve had enough teasing so you reach up and wrap your fingers around Abby’s silk tie and she loves it. Her knees practically buckle under her as you use your leverage to pull her closer and smash your lips together.

She groans into your mouth and cups the back of your neck to try to match your hold on her, but it’s no use – the unexpected show of dominance has reduced her to a puddle at your feet.

When you pull away for breath, Abby’s looking at you with these big, wide eyes like she doesn’t know what to do next. You let go of her tie and smooth the crumpled fabric back into place, hands lingering over the front of her jacket as you hum with heated content.

You can see the slow thought process behind her eyes, the realization that she likes it when you take control. She surges in for another kiss and you stop her with a tsk and your hard palm flat against her chest. Your lips curl into a sly grin as you mirror her words back to her. “Don’t get greedy, Abs.”

[pearlcigs]

⋆ the last of us

⋆ ELLIE WILLIAMS

french girl

ellie draws you completely nude after you ask her to draw you like one of her french girls in a reference to titanic. 0.82k words, suggestive, nude reader, dirty remarks, pet names (babe, baby, french girl)

make a woman out of me

you swore to yourself you only longed for ellie in a platonic way, but as you get older you seem to realize just how pretty she really is. 2.95k words smut, reader (non penetrative) virginity loss, religious themes, ellie is 19, reader is 18, pastor's daughter!reader, mentions of homophobia, alludes to reader's parents being homophobic, ellie smokes weed, pet names (pretty girl, babe, honey, baby, good girl), cursing, first kiss, corruption, corruption kink, oral (r recieving)

magnificently cursed

death won't keep ellie away from you. she'll meet you where the spirits meet their bones. 0.61k words, angst, death, gore, descriptive gore, cannibalism (as a metaphor for love), inspired by ivy by taylor swift

cuddling blurb

you admire ellie, ellie admires you. >100 words, cuddling, mention of ass grabbing

light me up

ellie decides she wants to be festive this holiday. and what better way to do that than some christmas sex? 1.43k words, smut, nipple play, pet names (mama, baby, pouty princess, good girl), fingering, strap (r receiving), missionary, bondage, bondage with an item that should not be used for bondage, doggy/face down-ass up, minor praise

spank me!

ellie spanks you for being a brat. that's it. 0.44k words, smut, spanking, fingering, praise, pet names (baby, mama, honey)

impatient

it's not ellie's fault that she can't keep her hands off her smoking hot girlfriend. 0.50k words, suggestive, teasing, public stuff, pet names (pretty girl, babe)

sleepy girl

ellie loves taking naps with you. 0.34k words, tiny bits of angst?, one suggestive sentence

need you bad

messy and needy cunninlingus with ellie. 0.56k words, head (ellie and r receiving), fingering, face sitting, sub and dom ellie, overstim

salty tears

ellie fingers you until you cry. 0.46k words, smut, fingering (r!receiving), dacryphillia, pet names (baby), praise

single thread of gold

ellie feels like it was fate that brought you together, or perhaps it was an invisible string. 0.32k words, fluff, inspired by invisible string by taylor swift

can't you?

ellie spanks you and you can't get enough of it. 0.20k words, smut, spanking

maybe some faith would do me good

ellie's forced to go to some church camp thing for the summer. maybe she'll actually enjoy it if she keeps seeing you around. 2.78k words, smut, non apocalyptic au, mention of suicide (jokingly) , implied reader virginity loss, religious themes, alludes to what david did to ellie, friends to enemies to lovers kinda, dacryphilia, public sex, sex in church, public humiliation, cunnilingus and fingering (r!receiving), pet names (baby, pretty girl, good girl)

mommy issues

ellie feeds into your mommy issues. 0.18k words, mommy issues

lips

loser!ellie kissing you. >100 words, fluff, kissing

teddy bear

ellie attempts to comfort you during your period. 0.38k words, fluff, teasing/sexual remark

i know my girlfriend is a . . . witch!

ellie is normally very good at keeping her cool in public, but the way your tits look in that tight witch dress... god, it's like you put a love spell on her. 1.70k, halloween smut, non apocalyptic au, ellie LOVESSS tits, car sex, subbyish ellie, pet names (babe), choking (e!receiving), getting caught :(

⋆ ABBY ANDERSON

hair tie

abby offers to braid your hair but with a price to pay. 0.39k words, smut, strapon, pet names (baby, pretty girl), teasing

lover

you do abby's hair in the morning cause she's too sleepy. 0.54k words, fluff, teasing

french kissing

abby makes sure you have the best orgasm of your life. 0.53k words, smut, pet names (good girl, baby, my girl), oral (r receiving), tongue fucking, teasing/edging

[shmaptainwrites]

𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐀 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑 [𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐔𝐒]

PAIRINGS — Violet Bridgerton x Marcus Anderson

SUMMARY — After the marriage of two of her children, Violet attends the last ball of the season, perhaps with an ulterior motive.

WORD COUNT — 2.6K

WARNINGS — none

NOTE — As promised, Violet stans (and Violet/Marcus shippers) this one's for you

With each passing year, Violet didn’t think the next marriage season could get busier than the one preceding, but every single time she was proven wrong. 

As much as she loved all of the organized chaos that came with having a daughter (or two) out in society, this time around, she felt a wave of relief wash over her once Francesca was married and everything had settled down with Colin and Penelope. 

No one blamed her when she took a few days to herself before continuing to engage in society, although she wasn’t particularly obliged to with her only daughter still out in society having gone to Scotland with her sister and new husband. 

“Mama, you’re going to a ball?” Hyacinth looked curiously at her mother. 

The youngest Bridgerton was ready for bed early which was rare, but she still clearly had her ear to the door, waiting for something interesting to happen. 

“Yes, it is the last one of the season, I thought it might be appropriate to attend,” she said. “And Lady Danbury is hosting.” 

“Are you sure you’re not going to see Lord Anderson?” Benedict said as he came inside, wiggling his eyebrows at his mother. 

“Benedict Bridgerton,” she gasped playfully. “You overstep. I am still your mother.” 

“Just be happy Anthony is on his way to India,” he chuckled and came over to her pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Will you be alright alone, or should I accompany you?” 

“I think I will survive,” she patted his arm. “Thank you for offering.” 

“I cannot wait until I can go to a ball,” Hyacinth huffed. 

“Soon enough, dearest,” Violet assured, coming to wrap her arms around her daughter, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “In the meantime you can practice dancing with your brother.” 

“Oh, could we Benedict?” Hyacinth looked up at him before he had the chance to slip away. 

“Alright, but just a few,” he chuckled, motioning for her to follow him and they wished their mother goodnight, hand in hand while she made her way to the carriage that was ready for her in front of the house. 

She watched as they passed by the homes in the square, the carriage taking its familiar twists and turns until she reached the Danbury Estate. 

One of her carriage drivers helped her climb out and she took her evening gloves, slipping them on before she entered inside her friend's home. 

She found her eyes widening at the sight, the brightly lit room was covered with flowers and greenery, spilling out of every corner and crevice. It was wild and regal all at the same time, and Violet’s lips pulled into a smile, Lady Danbury had outdone herself again. 

Her reaction was noted by some of the other mamas and transitioned easily into a brief hello and conversation about the decor and what a wonderful season it had been. 

Violet’s eyes eventually trailed away from those she was conversing with, searching the room for a certain someone, but unable to find who she was looking for and in turn, she politely excused herself from the conversation to serve herself some lemonade. As she poured the drink into her cup she heard a familiar voice behind her. 

“I wasn’t sure if I would see you here tonight.” 

“And miss your ball?” Violet asked, a smile on her face as she turned around meeting Lady Danbury’s gaze before it moved to the decorations around her again. “You really have done something magnificent with this Agatha.” 

“Well, I will admit I did have a bit of help,” she said. “Although if anyone asks-” 

“It was all you,” Violet nodded her head and sipped her lemonade, a cheeky smile appearing on both of their faces. 

“And how are you?” Lady Danbury asked. “I must say no one was surprised by your absence the past little while, this season has been quite busy for you.” 

“Yes, it has indeed,” she nodded. “Francesca and Eloise are well on their way to Scotland, Colin and Penelope have been enjoying their honeymoon, and Kate and Anthony have left for India.” 

“It is quiet is it not?” Lady Danbury asked and Violet nodded her head. 

“Although I am left with the three most troublesome of the bunch, it is still…too silent. But do not tell them that they will surely come up with some scheme that will turn the house upside down.”

Lady Danbury chuckled at her friend’s comment then looked around at the crowd surrounding them. 

“So you came tonight for some noise as well?” 

Violet nodded her head. 

“Well, if the house stays too quiet, you are always welcome here and I’m sure we can make some noise of our own,” she teased. 

“Thank you, Agatha,” Violet nodded her head. “I will keep your offer in mind, but I do not wish to keep you tied to the refreshments table. I am sure there are others here who want to visit with such a splendid hostess.” 

Lady Danbury offered Violet one last smile before leaving her and continuing to make her rounds to her guests. 

Violet found herself stuck to one of the walls in the far end of the room, it brought her back to her years as a new debutante, either staying close to her father’s side or tucked away where she could observe what was happening. 

It was odd how much easier she found it to be outgoing when she had the cushion of her children. 

It didn’t take very long for her to feel as though maybe she needed a change of scenery and instead exited the main ballroom, heading for the terrace one stage lower that overlooked the gardens. 

There she removed her gloves and laid them across the balcony’s rail, closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath of the fresh night air. 

The cool breeze nipped at her exposed skin, but made it all the more obvious when someone stood next to her, the warmth radiating off them in large contrast to the outside temperature. 

She carefully opened her eyes and looked over to her side seeing Marcus Anderson looking over the gardens. She opened her mouth to say something, but closed it, instead opting to take a lesson from her daughter’s book. Perhaps for now silence would do. 

As they stood together, the music coming from the ballroom could be faintly heard, an echo into the otherwise silent night. 

It made Violet think of the Dankworth-Finch ball and how nervously wonderful it had felt to dance again. She had paid such careful attention to her steps in the beginning, worried she might slip up on account of not practicing for the better part of a decade, but each movement came back to her with such ease it was as if she never stopped. 

A smile came over her face and an increase in confidence, possibly brought on by the lack of an audience, looking forward, not turning her gaze, she spoke up. 

“Ask me to dance.” 

Marcus turned his head to look at her, clearly not expecting such a direct statement. 

“I-Out here?” he looked at her curiously. “Or back inside because-” 

She now turned to face him properly, her whole body now pointed in his direction. 

“Ask me to dance,” she repeated simply. 

Marcus let out a small chuckle and nodded his head, extending a hand towards her.

“Lady Bridgerton, may I have this dance?” 

Violet smiled, “Yes you may.” 

She placed her hand in his and felt all the air leave her lungs as he pulled her into him, a hand wrapped around her waist, still a small gap between them that she so selfishly closed with an additional step forward. 

Her other hand was flat against his chest and she let herself feel comfort in his embrace, her smile never once leaving her lips, only growing as they finally began to dance. 

Their movements were slow, in time with the music, the hand of hers that he held tucked close to his heart in a gesture that did not go unnoticed by Violet. 

“You’ve been awfully quiet,” Marcus commented after a while of swaying together. 

“Is it a crime to simply enjoy the moment?” she asked, looking up at him and tilting her head to the side. 

“No, not at all,” he chuckled. “Although I am glad you are enjoying it.” 

“So am I,” she whispered.

Violet was savouring the slow pace of things between them. It gave her adequate time to appreciate every new feeling as it came up, every warm sensation. 

“Before you had asked, the last time I hadn’t danced with anyone since my husband had passed away,” she said quietly, looking down at their intertwined hands. “It sounds foolish to say out loud, but I was so nervous for the days leading up to the ball my children thought me to be ill.” 

Marcus let out a little chuckle at her admission and Violet could feel his hold against her tightening, even if only slightly. 

“Well the world did not end after our dance.” 

“No it did not,” she shook her head. “You brought something back into my life I had dearly missed and I…I thank you for that…Dancing, I mean.” 

“Yes, of course,” Marcus nodded, seemingly understanding her indirect words. “Dancing.” 

They continued to move with the music in silence until the song ended and they paused, both unwilling to let go of the other, but they were spared the separation when another song began and Marcus took his cue to resume leading the Dowager Viscountess. 

“My sister has told me you are planning on going to Aubrey Hall with Benedict, Gregory, and Hyacinth once the season is over,” Marcus began. “Would it be so bold of me to ask if I may call on you while you are there?” 

Violet felt her lips pull into another smile. She gingerly bit her lower lip before looking up and responding to him. 

“I think I would quite like that.” 

“I was hoping you might say that,” he smiled. “I thought the ball and the decorations might put you in a good mood,” he teased, but when he saw the slight confusion on her face he clarified. “Did my sister not tell you I helped with this ball?” 

Violet chuckled, now making the connection. 

“She said someone had helped her, but she failed to mention it was you.” 

He shrugged his shoulders. 

“It was a good chance for us to work together and she was struggling to find a theme fit for a closing ball.” 

“And so you stepped in. I must say if this was your vision Agatha executed it wonderfully,” Violet admitted. 

“Yes, I have recently found myself drawn to a particular flower and thought it might be a nice way to honour her,” he said and Violet could feel her cheeks grow warm, a pink tinge certainly outing her to the gentleman in front of her. 

“Even though you couldn’t be absolutely certain I would come?” she asked. “I did just have two of my children marry.” 

“There was always a chance you’d find your way here.” 

His words were so simple and yet they carried such weight in Violet’s heart. That irregardless of circumstances he had trusted she would come. 

“You have an awful lot of faith in me, my Lord,” her voice came out a whisper without even meaning to. 

Marcus simply smiled and Violet felt his grip around her waist tighten slightly, almost in a protective manner. It made her breath falter, the air around her not enough to satiate her lungs. 

As if her request for more air was heard from up above, a gust of wind came forth, making her gown billow around her, a few strands of her carefully pinned hair finding their way in front of her eyes. 

She felt Marcus let go of her hand that rested over his heart, instead his fingers coming to gently brush aside small curls that covered her face, tucking them ever so gently behind her ear. She memorized the way his touch felt against her cheek, coming behind her ear only to come and trace her jaw in a movement one could only describe as painfully curious. 

From the look in his eyes she could tell he had wondered for so long what it might feel like to do that, to…touch her so personally, reverently. 

She didn’t pull away, in fact, she had to stop herself from leaning in too much, her body aching and wishing to be just that much closer to him. 

They had stopped dancing as the music faded into silence in the background, the back of Marcus’ fingers still pressed gently against her cheek. 

Violet couldn’t tear her gaze away, stuck in that moment, away from everyone and everything. 

She expected her voice to be caught in her throat, frozen and silent like everything else, but there was something about that when she was around him, something that made her say what she wished, without fear of judgement or shame. 

“Lady Bridgerton-” 

“Kiss me,” she whispered. 

The shock on Marcus’ face was amplified from when she had told him to ask her to dance, but he did not seem against the idea.

“Violet,” his voice was gentle. “I wouldn’t wish to-” 

“We aren’t children,” she said quietly. “We have both been married…been with someone. It is not foreign,” she expressed, “I just…Marcus, please kiss me.” 

Marcus’ hand turned from how it was resting against her cheek, moving instead to hold it, his thumb brushing against the soft skin there. Tracing her cheekbone, committing to memory every line and freckle he passed over. 

Violet had never heard her heart beat so loudly, it increased in volume until the steady thump was the only thing she could hear as Marcus brought her even closer to him. She let her eyes flutter shut just as his lips lightly pressed against hers, her hand firmly resting against his heart, their beats mixing together to form a rhythm that coursed through their veins. 

Just like everything in their relationship, the progression of their first kiss was slow. A steady warmth first building until it spread to every extremity, until it consumed them. Their lips moved in a delicate experienced dance, but was simultaneously cautious and tentative, explorative after having both been without such feelings and sensations for so long. 

When they pulled apart it was merely centimeters that separated them. Violet’s eyes remained shut, her head still tilted upwards towards Marcus. 

When she finally opened her eyes and felt Marcus’ hand come slightly lower on her face, his thumb now tracing the curve of her bottom lip. 

She let out a shaky exhale, her eyes flicking towards where she felt his touch and then back up to his eyes. 

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of the upper balcony door being swung open and they quickly pulled away from each other, instead standing as they once were in the beginning overlooking the garden. 

They stood close enough together that Violet could feel the ghost of his touch, her body missing, no, craving the feeling of having him so close, but she felt her lips begin to pull into a small smile as she felt his hand intertwine with hers, hidden from those behind them by the layered fabric of her dress that lightly blew in the breeze. 

And as they heard the chatter increase in volume from those in the ballroom, Violet was very happy she’d learnt to ask for what she wanted.

[gachagon]

Is Kaiser really a king or just a thief?

I was thinking a bit more about Kaiser and his backstory, and I revisited that old fable "The Emperor's New Clothes" by Hans Christian Anderson. I was a little mistaken about the meaning of the story since I haven't read it since I was a child, but it's worth mentioning that this isn't just a "folktale" but a fairytale as well and was written by the same guy who wrote The Little Mermaid.

In the story, it's less about the King being naked for everyone to see, and more about how everyone refuses to admit that they can't see this magnificent cloak that the king is wearing for fear that they will be mocked for it. In the story, the two "weavers" are actually thieves who trick the King into letting them make him the finest cloak imaginable, with the added caveat being that anyone who's stupid or foolish can't see the cloak at all. Obviously, however, what's really happening is that every time the king gets them more materials to make said cloak, the thieves just stow it away in a sack for later.

This made me think more about Kaiser's backstory as a thief himself and it's made me wonder if Kaiser's real position in the story has always been that of the thieves and NOT the king who's wearing the invisible cloak. I wrote in my earlier post about Kaiser's backstory that Kaiser is the "Naked Emperor" in that he hadn't realized he wasn't the best on the field until that very match with Isagi. And it makes sense for him to be the "king" metaphorically speaking if we're comparing his experience to the fairytale.

Especially with this newest chapter, where he quite literally learned humility for the first time ever mid match and said "please" to Raichi Jingo of all people.

But after I reread the story and looked back at Kaiser's background and behavior in the last match, it's made me really question him. Was he always the king, or has he always just been the Thief trying to trick everyone?

You could even say that the "second thief" is Ness in this situation, and that with Ness' help he's clawed his way up to a place he doesn't deserve to be at yet. No one around Kaiser want's to really tell him the truth about himself, and he doesn't have any real "friends" outside of Ness. So in a way, he has managed to trick everyone into believing he really is the ace on that team.

I should mention that the Emperor's New Clothes ends with a child telling everyone that the Emperor has no clothes on. The point of the story being that even someone who is completely blind to the world like a child can admit when they cannot see something, unlike the adults in the story who were so afraid of being perceived as foolish that they lied to themselves repeatedly.

Isagi is that kid essentially. He has no relation to Kaiser, and he doesn't care about dethroning him as a "King" since while this rivalry is ongoing, it's not one that's centered around Kaiser himself. He's just a face in the crowd telling it like it is.

Anyways, there's actually like so much more depth to that one panel taunt than I ever realized lol. The doubt that comes with wondering if you deserve your place and title is the entire point of the short story as well. Each person who can't see the "invisible cloak" immediately believes that it must mean they're too foolish for the job the king has given them, so they lie about being able to see the cloak to the King.

I really feel like that can apply to not just Kaiser but also Ness. If Ness really knew Kaiser that well has he been lying about what he's been seeing this whole time to himself? Has he just been keeping his own thoughts about how he really feels about Kaiser to himself? I mean, I know a lot of people think Ness might be the one to leave first and if that's the case maybe this is the answer for why and how it starts.

[rabbitcruiser]

The Wrigley Company was founded in Chicago on April 1, 1891.  

[autisticsupervillain]

Magnificent Bastards In Action: Alexander Anderson

[nalyra-dreaming]

Here's a discussion prompt (if you were looking for one lol)

Louis' last two scenes with lestat and after he talks to Daniel.

Its powerful. It packs a punch. To me, louis is finally getting somewhere with vampirism and his own grief regarding claudia. The music adds to it. Jacob Andersons performance absolutely blew me away. Armands betrayal is absolutely a huge part of who louis is going to move forward with himself. "I'm companion enough" YESSIRRR "hey, its not on you" IKTR

Id go to war for him. WARRRRR

I definitely see it taking a looong time for Louis to move past what Armand did to Claudia and Madeleine. In the books, he knew the whole time it was Armand. I actually love that they made it this huge reveal. Tv hasn't been this good for a hot minute and Rockstar Lestats gonna break the internet next season. (Possibly me as well but thats not why I'm jumping in your asks)

:))) (yeah, the rockstar arc is going to be something, I agree 😅)

I said it in another ask, but Louis got a speed-run of his development in the books, which frees him up for the actual relationship "Loustat" arc that Rolin always talked about.

Which does not mean that Louis and Lestat will get back together right away, no, but in the books the "Merrick" storyline and Memnoch and the coma definitely are hiccups along the way. I think those have been moved out of the way with the way they did it (and I don't think the show is doing Memnoch).

But Louis... has taken on responsibility. He is companion enough for himself right now, because of that, true, but he is, in a very real way only discovering himself now, too, and he is also only now about to learn the truth about a whole lot of things.

And for the first time Louis acknowledges that.

Because it's not just about Lestat and his behavior, no it was always also about Louis and his refusal to look at himself, and at the life he now lives. At the rules and repercussions that came with that. What did Jacob say? Louis realizes in season 2 that the problem is him?^^ Something like that. Because Louis didn't really ask questions before. Did not heed warnings (by Lestat or Armand... or Claudia). And now, he's over 100 years old, and has to acknowledge some things. And by coming to terms with those... he is coming to terms with himself.

Which, as said, frees him up for the upcoming arcs.

This Louis is more of a force to reckon with, and yes, the betrayal by Armand weighs a lot more heavy. This Louis... who we know will feature much more prominently than in the books (and thankfully so!) will take action if needed. Because he's been kept passive, and docile, for decades.

And he's definitely done with that.

And as soon as he understands... and realizes... and then engages... oh I cannot wait, tbh. Jacob will be magnificent.

I cannot wait for the show to fully show us this Louis.

Because before we only saw shadow echoes of him, and an edited tale. Now, now we'll see the "real Louis".

[desomniis]

to ask for your hand (I just pray that its mine) | Chapter 4 excerpt

After clinching his third career win at the Vegas GP, Carlos wakes up to a wedding band on his finger and his teammate, Charles, wearing the exact match.

WIP | 4/5 | 28,797 words | Accidental Drunk Marriage in Vegas AU | Fluff | Angst | Drama

Down below, the circuit was a bright outline against the night. Another season, another gruelling race in Singapore.

The skyline was an architectural marvel. It was stunning during the day, but at night? it looked like a rare jewel sparkling against the black velvet night. To witness such magnificence on top of the Marina Bay Sands—dipped in the infinity pool, no less—with no one else around was a indeed privilege.

In his mind, he traced the track, imagining his car passing through Anderson bridge, making the tight left at 13 to the Esplanade Drive. Then the apex at 14, then 15, 16—a splash from the other end of the pool startled him. Charles?

Carlos was pretty sure it was Charles, the rookie this season. They never really ‘talked’ before. Their conversations always happened in passing, going along the lines off, ‘How are you? Good? How’s your car? Not good on the tires.’ He knew little about him—only that he was from Monaco and that he was set to replace Kimi at Ferrari next year. A rookie replacing a world champion. Unheard of. This kid must be a huge deal.

“It’s a beautiful city, no?” Carlos ventured. He winced inside, remembering Papá's advice about small talk and F1 drivers.

Charles jolted, his hand flying to his chest, accidentally splashing water to his own face. “Oh my god, you scared me.”

Carlos chuckled. “You’re quite jumpy, eh?” he teased, settling on the ledge next to him.

“A little,” Charles admitted with a sheepish smile. “What are you doing here? It’s a bit late, no?”

“I could ask you the same thing.”

“I didn’t get much sleep on the flight here.”

“Tell me about it. 20 hour flights are no joke.”

“True,” Charles said. “Any tips for tomorrow? I’ve never raced here before. My first time. So, I’m a little nervous.”

A smirk crept up Carlos lips. “Have you passed out in a race before?”

“Uh, no? I don’t think so.”

“Well, here, try not to. It’s almost guaranteed.”

”What? That’s impossible.”

“Also, you might drive blind on some corners.”

“Why—”

“Don’t even get me started about the rain. Singapore is a totally different race if it rains.”

Worry flitted through Charles' eyes, swallowing a lump on his throat. “Oh yeah?” he said, trying to hide his discomfort.

Carlos held onto his laughter. He nodded seriously, “yeah. Seven DNF’s last year.”

Charles visibly got more anxious, the horrors of last year’s race flashing in his eyes. “Ah, putain,” he muttered under his breath.

Carlos’ laughter eventually bubbled forth.

“What? Why are you laughing?” Charles questioned, his brows knitting together.

“I was kidding. It’s not that bad, I promise.”

“I—Oh… you were trying to scare me.” Charles smiled, shaking his head in disbelief. “Making fun of the rookie, I see.”

“Don’t worry,” Carlos wiped the tears from his eyes. “Vettel and Fernando did it to me in my rookie year too. Except they waited a day before telling me it’s not that bad. I remember not sleeping that night.”

Charles laughed, and Carlos was struck. There was something about his laugh that resonated deep in Carlos’ chest, like the melody of his childhood summers spent racing bicycles down sun-dappled streets, the wind tousling his hair as he pedalled faster. It was the echo of his first karting victory, the taste of victory sweet on his tongue as he stood atop the podium, trophy held high, amid deafening cheers and applause. It was Miguel’s call, on his last day, asking him to meet at the lake so that he could steal another kiss from Carlos. There was something in Charles’ laugh that made Carlos yearn to hear it more.

“Well, I guess I’ll consider myself lucky that it was not Vettel or Fernando then,” Charles said.

“Yeah. Lucky. Just sleep well and drink lots of water before the race and you’ll do fine. I’ve seen you drive. You’re good. I trust that you can make it.”

Charles's eyebrows lifted, his head tilting slightly to the left like a puppy hearing something strange. “Really?” he asked, “you think I’m good?”

Carlos can count in one hand the amount of times he complimented another driver. It wasn't that he didn't recognise talent in others—if he was being honest, there were plenty of drivers far better than him. But he rarely voiced such acknowledgements. It’s like offering your enemy an edge.

So when he did compliment Charles, it surprised him, almost catching him off guard. There was no logical explanation for it.

Perhaps it was because Charles was young and it was his first year in F1. He could vividly recall his own struggles as a rookie. Maybe, in his own way, it was him trying to help his younger self.

Or perhaps it was how easily Charles just opened up to Carlos. Paired with his dimples, the sheepish smile, and those earnest blue eyes pleading for advice. Carlos felt an instinctual urge to protect Charles.

Or perhaps, it was something else entirely.

“You don’t?” Carlos dodged the question.

"I do. It's just that... It's rare to hear it from another driver. Everyone else says I'm good, you know? 'You're so talented, Charles. So fast. You are destined to be in F1,'" he recounted. "But they say it from the outside looking in. They don’t really get it. But when another driver say it, it means a lot more. Because they understand. You understand."

Carlos nodded slowly, the weight of Charles' words settling on him. He knew that feeling all too well. The constant need to prove his own worth, that he deserved to compete with the best of the world, that it wasn’t all because of a privileged upbringing.

“Of course,” he said idly. “So, how does this feel? All of it—the hype, the pressure, the Ferrari seat next year?”

A hesitant smile touched Charles' lips, fleeting as the Monegasque breeze. “When I drove for practice for them last year, I felt like I was going to explode in the car. I felt buzzing in my ears and my hand couldn’t stop shaking. I thought I would crash. I’m quite happy that I didn’t.

“But what’s interesting was how it all felt strange to me. All my life I’ve dreamed of driving and winning in that red car. Not only me, my father and my godfather too. I carry all their dreams with me. Now that I have the chance to do that… it’s…” Charles trailed off, searching for the right words.

“Overwhelming," Carlos offered, a hint of longing creeping into his voice. "Being in that red car… it’s something else."

The last sentence hung heavy in the air, the weight of his secret, of his father's expectation, sat heavy in his gut.

Charles chuckled, a soft, nervous sound. "Yeah. It's like everyone expects me to be a champion overnight. But then there's the pressure from myself too, you know? Like I have to live up to all these expectations, not just mine but everyone else's too." He ran a hand through his hair, anxiety swimming in his eyes.

Carlos leaned back on the ledge of the pool, studying Charles. There was a vulnerability in his eyes that surprised him. This young prodigy, who seemed to have it all figured out, was wrestling with self-doubt just like everyone else.

"Hey," Carlos said gently, "You'll be alright. You're here for a reason. You have the talent, the drive... you'll get there eventually.”

A flicker of gratitude sparked in Charles' eyes. "Thanks, Carlos. I appreciate that. Coming from you, it means a lot."

The compliment hung in the air for a moment, a silent understanding passing between them. Carlos couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something about Charles disarmed him.

"Are you hungry?" Carlos finally asked, surprising even himself with the question. "Do you want to have dinner with me?"

Charles’ eyes sparkled and his lips curved up, making Carlos’ chest feel warm, like it was about to blow open. Whether it was a good or bad sign, it didn’t matter because there was only one thing he was sure of:

He wanted to see Charles smile again.

Read the whole chapter here. Ask me questions!