#they just love to do some sort of performance

[isagrimorie]

Explanation of Agatha's Siphon/Absorption powers

Joanna Robinson: We’ve so enjoyed trying to parse, to your point, when Agatha is telling the truth and when she’s lying and when we get to see her put on her performance and when the mask slips and only we the camera get to see what’s going on in her face and all of that that’s been really, really fun to parse. A question we have at the end of this finale is, we really believe her when she said to Billy that she couldn’t control what happened with Alice and then we see her have some measure of control over it when it comes to Billy. Can you track the truth in any of that? To, again, use a Mallory word: the ‘progress’ inside of her when it comes to controlling that power. Jac Schaeffer: Yeah, I do think there is there is progress to her power and I sort of see it on sort of an instinctual level. You know, it’s not something that we’d like put on page or even pitch to Marvel. It’s sort of my impression of it. I think that she– there’s something kind of animalistic about her power to me. It’s very tied to appetite. I see her as a woman who can’t get full, and I think when she takes Alice, she’s so hungry at that time. And it’s such a surprise! You know, normally, she cons witches. They blast her, she takes it (power). But she (Agatha) gets blasted out of nowhere and it feels so good and she’s powerful! This is the source of her power so I do believe her, and in our discussions, that was the thing, is when she says to Billy: ‘I couldn’t control it.’ She means it. I also see that as a moment of vulnerability and it’s tragic to me that Billy doesn’t believe her. You know, that’s one of those… sort of Disconnect but I think she is able to turn it off with Billy. Just to get in the weeds about MCU power: He (Billy) has chaos magic, so she gets fuller with him. She gets so much from him and it’s a bottomless well. So, you know, I think, at that moment, she can stop and I think she does stop because it’s him but I think she’s gotten enough where she can be in her full look, and her full glory and feel like herself.

Agatha's Powers During the Kiss

Jac Schaeffer: I also would extend that to the moment of the kiss of death, which I– there are many things I love about it was an idea very early that I was obsessed with, and I’m so glad that we were able to get it on screen with these performers. But to me, I also really loved that in every other instance, she has to be blasted in order to take power and this is the first time that she’s taking power and it’s from a kiss, and to me, that’s very fertile. Because I think a kiss with Rio at this point in their relationship is tender and sexy, and sort of ravenous but also toxic and violent and a death blow. It’s all those things all at once, but it is different, we’ve never seen Agatha take power in that way and I would point that I wouldn’t really call it ‘progress’ as much as I would call it kind of an evolution.

——

Agatha’s kind of like a vampire but for magical powers and life forces instead of blood. And, Jac seems to imply that Agatha has some sort of hunger for magic.

It really is a kind of addiction metaphor.

[theyhavetakenovermylife]

1987 donatello x reader smut headcanons? Or just fluff is fine :3

Random Headcanons About Donatello (18+)

1987!Donatello x reader

A/N: You’ve been waiting patiently. Here ya go. Not the wildest thing I’ve made, but I still hope you’ll enjoy💜

All characters are aged up

Warnings: Thigh touching, implied sex, mentioning of riding and 69.

A happy goofball with many ideas that knew no end, Donnie has many pure intentions and aspirational ideas for your relationship. Anything you wanted in life, Donnie would find a way to make them possible, and he would do so with a large smile, even if it may be a challenging task at hand.

Though Donnie’s love for you was pure and strong, with him holding you in the highest regard, that obviously didn’t stop the two of you from performing less… pure actions.

Donnie is a thigh man. He loves your whole body, but he does have a thing for your thighs. He loves being between them, or just touching them in general. As he once told you himself, they are nice to squish while he’s thinking. You may sit beside him or on his lap, and he will suddenly just start squishing your thigh while in deep thought.

When Donnie is in the mood for some love in the sheets, he will make it very obvious for you. He may think that he’s being subtle and slick, but you know the signs so well by now. If Donnie had his hand on your thigh, he wouldn’t just squish, but start to massage or stroke your skin, with eagerness building up. He would give you that look. But Donnie being Donnie, the look he would give you would always give off some sort of dorky vibe, using his eyes and small head nods to let you know where he wanted the two of you to go for some alone time.

However when you were in the mood, Donnie would sometimes be a bit… oblivious. No amount of hints would be enough to get Donnie away from whatever project he was working on. You were better off just pulling his chair away from the table and straddling him, telling him exactly what you had in mind. That would get Donnie moving instantly. Once it made him carry you to his bedroom with no hesitation.

In bed, Donnie is always energetic, willing to do and try pretty much everything you want. Donnie did have his favorite things to do, such as having you ride him or having your legs wrapped around his waist (though having you sit on his face during a 69 might be his absolute favorite), but if you had learned about this one position that you wanted to try, then obviously Donnie would give it a happy go.

[theseeingfawn]

Chapter 8: Secrets... Secrets...

Summary:

Azriel and Elain navigate the complexities of their growing relationship while desperately trying to keep it hidden from the Inner Circle.

Azriel Elain sprawls out before me. Her perfect body draped along my bike. Her plush thighs wrap around me as I fight to catch my breath. My eyes lock in on the rose tattoo under her breast, my cock weeping at the sight.

Say you're mine. I tell her, my voice choking from restraint. She has my mark, she’s all but mine. I just need to hear her say it.  Her eyes flutter at the request. That perfect rosy blush I love so much spreads across her cheeks and down her neck. I'm yours. 

I curse when the sound of a piercing alarm wakes me. It was a dream. Another fucking dream. But the throb in my slightly damp sleep shorts is very real. I reach down and stroke myself, finding my cock harder than it's ever been. I watch as my hand slides up and down providing me with much needed relief. I see the rose on my hand and I’m immediately back in my dream with Elain. I close my eyes, allowing the images of her bare before me to return. I'm so close, embarrassingly close. I stroke myself once, twice and I jerk at the force of my orgasm. My muscles tense as I shoot my release across my stomach. I lay there catching my breath, frustrated that I'm in this position yet again. It's been a week since my last date with Elain and I've woken up like this every single morning.

I've been keeping my distance from her until I get these feelings under control. I warned her my work would take me away for days at a time. She hasn't questioned it. Hasn't messaged me. Nothing. I don't know what I expect. The distance is what I want, no it's what I need but it's agony. I don't understand this chokehold she has on me. Everything about her drives me wild. She's an intoxicating mix of boldness and shyness. The way she quiets my thoughts. How she plays with me like no one else does.

I think about how she lured me into this secret arrangement. Stalking me like prey in the townhouse study. The way her hand slid down my chest as she taunted me. How she pretended she didn't know how to play darts just so I would touch her more.

Fuck, I'm hard again. I groan in frustration. I've never been this horny in my life. Maybe the solution is to give in to the feeling. I just have to work this need out of my system, I think as I start stroking myself all over again. I'll empty myself out as many times as it takes and then I'll decide what to do next. 

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

“You look like shit,” greets Cass.

I bite back a response and instead turn my attention to the movement in the corner of my eye. 

I watch Nesta as she slams her wrapped fists into a punching bag over and over again. The intense focus shining in her eyes like a burning flame. It's impressive though her form is shit. I can't imagine Cassian has been able to get her to work with him. 

“You'll last longer in a fight if you keep your elbows up.” I say as I walk over to her. I demonstrate by getting into a fighting stance. She nods at me and raises her arms higher. Instantly improving her form. Cassian gawks at me like I’ve performed some sort of miracle. 

“I've been telling her that all week but she won't listen.” 

“That's because you're a pain in the ass.” She responds without looking at him. “I'd rather train with Az.”

I turn and give him a smile. He scowls at me in return,“Why are you even here?” 

I narrow my eyes. “I'm here to work out, this is a gym, isn't it?” 

Turns out rubbing myself raw didn't solve anything. All I learned from my experiment is that t Elain Archeron is capable of keeping me permanently hard.

“Oh, is that what you want? If that's the case, why don't we spare you smug bastard?”

I chuckle. Cassian’s fuse is even shorter than I thought it would be. Nesta must be putting him through it. Someone should be.  

We warm up in preparation for hand to hand combat. It's not my preferred way of fighting. I don't care for the intimacy of it but if I had to spare with anyone it would be Cass and I need to get rid of this pent up energy. In fact, picturing my fist in his face is the only thing that has eased this overwhelming need burning through me.

The gym Cass has built looks amazing with everything a person could possibly want. There's high dollar equipment, a studio for classes, a strip of turf for pushing a sledge, and a locker room with a sauna. Which I fully intend to use after this. Nesta moves over and sits on a wooden bench to watch. I don't miss the gleam in her eye, a hope I might knock Cass down a peg. After his scheming with Rhys he deserves it. While I love him, I'm disappointed in his method for getting closer to Nesta. The least I can do is humble him a little infront of her. 

I join him in the center of the ring. I sigh impatiently as I watch him swagger around me without striking. He always waits for me to strike first. He thinks he is testing my patience which is fine by me, I can control myself. But, with Nesta as an audience I have no doubt that Cass will try and pull out all the stops to impress her. So, I wait and wait and wait. Growing more amused by the second as I see both Cassian and Nesta tire at my ability to wait it out. She cracks first, “are you just going to dance around or are you going to do something?” 

Cass turns to her acting as though he is distracted but I know better. I half heartedly lunge at him and he blocks me with a cocky gleam in his eyes. He presses forward with a powerful punch that I dodge. We trade blows until we fall into a familiar rhythm. Strike. Block. Counter. Repeat. Occasionally, a few blows land but we are evenly matched. He has more muscle while I have speed. 

We take a break and I turn to grab a sip of water behind me. That's when I catch Nesta staring at me out of the corner of my eye. Interesting. I take my shirt off and head back to the center of the ring. Her eyes track me as a disconcerted Cass shoots daggers at me. Not one to be out done, he also takes his shirt off and starts flexing. I can't help but chuckle, “Subtle.” I mouth at him. He narrows his eyes at me and mouths, “are you mad?” I snort which just irritates him more. It's too easy to rile him up. I lean in a bit, “if you want to impress Nesta maybe you should actually land a few blows.” 

He grunts at me, “you're a real bastard you know that?” The taunting works because he starts pacing around me more determined than before. “You’re been more quiet than normal,” he comments. 

This is his version of a taunt. I don't respond. He studies me closely, “you have bags under your eyes, is it work?” I don't answer, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. He tilts his head to the side and smiles, “No, it's a woman isn't it?” Again, I keep quiet. “It is, isn't it? Are you seeing someone? One of your secret lovers?” 

Nesta hears Cass and adds a little too curiously, “you have a girlfriend?” I'm not going to ignore Elain's sister. I like her and don't want to be rude. So, I bite out a quick, “No.” Cass though latches on to my engagement. “It is a woman isn't it?” He smiles like an idiot and I send a jab right to his face which he barely dodges. “Oh,” he practically coos, “It's definitely a woman then.” 

Nesta is watching us intently as she asks, “Is it the woman who rode your motorcycle?” Cass lets out a whistle. “You took a woman on your bike? Must be serious. Ness, he never lets anyone on that bike.”

“How many times do I have to tell you? Don't. Call. Me.That.” Nesta grits through her teeth.

I do my best to ignore them, I can't have them fishing around me and Elain. Cass sends a fist at my left jaw but I easily block it. I'm not nearly as distracted as he hopes I am. 

“I'm not seeing anyone.” I say as blandly as I can. 

It seems to work because Cass shrugs before he lobs another predictable combo at me. 

“So, that's what it is… you need to get laid.” 

I pause for half a second but it's enough. Cass saw it. He wiggles his eyebrows at me. “Ohhhh…. I see. You need to go to pound town.”

Nesta and I both scrunch our noses at that. She gives me a, “Can you believe this guy look?” which makes me appreciate her on a whole new level. Finally someone who can relate to what I've endured all these years. 

“You know, you could always call up one of your lovers.” He adds as if he is trying to be helpful. Which he most certainly is not. 

I decide to kick him in the shin which he doesn't see coming. He winces as he raises his leg like a wounded dog which makes Nesta laugh. He sends her a withering look. 

“I don't need to get laid.” 

“Sure you do. Look at how tense your shoulders are and your poor jaw has been sawing back and forth since you got here.”

“Maybe that's just the effect you have on me.”

Nesta adds, “He has that effect on me too.” I chuckle which only makes Cass angry and he lands a blow to my ribs. It hurts like hell but I'd rather die than give him the satisfaction of showing it. 

“Come on, just pull out the little black book and release some pent up energy before you do something stupid.” He says while trying to punch my face.

“When have I ever done something stupid?”

He pauses. Honest to Gods pauses and thinks it over. “Never. But you’re just a man Az, you're bound to fuck something up like the rest of us.” 

The accuracy of that ominous statement unsettles me more than I'd like it to. 

Nesta tilts her head to the side in curiosity, “Do you really have a little black book of secret lovers?”

“No.” I bite out at the same time Cass says, “Yes.” Letting Cass think I've lost focus, I turn to face Nesta giving her a wicked smirk, “I'd never be foolish enough to leave a trail.” I watch as she gulps. 

Cass lunges at me but I anticipate his move and turn to hit him with a combo that has him flat on his back. I lean in and help him up, “I'm not the one who is distracted by my cock Cass. You're projecting.” 

Cass wasn't projecting. I'm just as pathetic as he is, ready to do whatever it takes to please an Archeron sister. Because when I got a text from Feyre the next day reminding me about the monthly Inner Circle dinner I almost smiled.  Over a social event. Where I must talk to people. I really must be losing my grip on reality. 

Elain

I shouldn’t be sneaking around. It’s a bad habit but I can’t seem to help myself. People let their guard down when I’m around, and mother save me, I’m too nosey for my own good. I only meant to drop off the double fudge brownies in the townhouse kitchen before joining the others. I didn’t intend to tiptoe to the sun room where I heard Feyre whispering to Mor. 

“Cassian’s convinced he has a secret lover or four.” Feyre states as Mor snorts. 

“You have to admit his behavior since he’s returned to Hewn Hills has been off and now this rumor about a blonde on his motorcycle and an explosion? Honestly Mor, I don’t know what to think.”

I lean in further knowing it’s Azriel they are talking about. A little eavesdropping can’t hurt I tell myself. 

Mor sighs amused, “Oh Feyre, you're being a touch dramatic don’t you think? He’s a grown man if he is seeing someone, who cares?” 

Elain can’t see her sister but she just knows her lips are pursed in annoyance. If it’s one thing her Feyre can’t stand, it's being brushed aside when she wants to pry into other people’s business.

“She doth protest too much.” Came Feyre’s smug reply.  

“What are you talking about?”

“Come on Mor, he was spotted leaving here with a blonde woman on the back of his motorcycle.  You called him marvelous!”

My sister barely takes a breath before she powers onward, “I even heard you two had dinner when he flew into Velaris weeks ago. You know, at that sexy new restaurant Rhys loves to get takeout from. I’m only asking you to be honest with me, I thought we were close.”

I fight back an eye roll. Gods why was I cursed with the most dramatic sisters? If it isn’t Feyre pouting about being denied private information it was Nesta threatening to stab someone for looking at her funny. 

I can't help but smile to myself knowing that our secret is still safe. My sister’s think they know me so well, that I am boring and shy Elain… little do they know.

“For the hundredth time Feyre, Azriel and I are just friends.”

I hear a sniffle and notice someone is crying. I creep a little closer, finally able to see Mor frantically wring her hands in her lap while I see Feyre reach for a tissue. Her response seems out of character. Her complexion also is paler than normal. Her expression is almost grave. She’s acting a little hormonal. It seems like I'm not the only one hiding something. I make a mental note to check in with Feyre soon. 

So lost in my thoughts, I nearly miss Mor whispering a confession I never expected to hear. 

I close my eyes wanting to whack my sister for pushing her too far. Because Mor is gay. I suddenly feel queasy about spying on them. Mor has been nothing but kind to me and here I am trapped with a secret I have no right to knowing.

This is why you don’t snoop, Elain. Now I have three secrets to hide. What a tangled web we weave.

I turn back toward the kitchen ready to flee and beg the gods forgiveness for my wicked wicked ways when I hear Azriel’s name again. Unable to help myself I turn back around to hear better. 

“It doesn’t matter if I were into men or not. I could offer myself up to Az on a silver platter and he would deny it’s what he wants if it means having to face his feelings of inadequacy.”  

I replay the words over in my mind as I walk aimlessly through the house. Trying to put some distance between me and what I stumbled upon. Does Azriel feel inadequate? Would he truly deny himself love, if it was offered to him? I’m so lost in my thoughts that I walk directly into a wall. No, not a wall, but Lucien. 

He grabs me by the shoulders as he steadies me on my feet. It takes several seconds of blinking before I clear my mind. “Woah there, you nearly took me out.” He says with that stupid grin that everyone else finds charming. 

“Then you are easy to push over,” comes my snarky reply before I could stop myself. But instead of being dissuaded Lucien laughs, the sound catching me off guard. “Is that a slight toward my physique or politics?”

I look him over, truly taking in his form for the first time. He isn’t as imposingly tall and burly as Cassian. Nor sculpted and sleek as Azriel. But, Lucien is no less strapping. He notices my slow perusal and his eyes soften ever so slightly. That won’t do. I need to keep him at a distance. I may appreciate his form like any normal woman might and can admit we share a bond over our work but I am not his, and never will be. “Both.” I say trying to add even more bite to my tone than before. His grin widens as if delighted by my taunting. It seems Lucien may secretly enjoy a little fire. I shudder at that, Gods Elain you do not need to subject yourself to that. 

“Ouch Miss Archeron, you seem to have wounded me again.” My heart stops and my stomach turns, he is flirting with me and I flirted back, didn’t I? Perhaps Azriel’s lessons in being bad are working a little too well. I move to take a step back but he gently grabs my elbow. His touch foreign and not at all what I expect. 

“I’m actually glad you bumped into me. There is a bit of a problem I thought you should be aware of regarding some official town business.” 

I sigh dramatically and rub my temple, “Please tell me Bernadette and Pauline haven’t been vandalizing election signs again?” The last time that happened it took a lot of pleading, and what some might call unscrupulous tactics, to get them out of jail. Lucien laughs, “I would have called you right away if that were the case.” He's right, handling those two is an all hands on deck situation. I can’t help but smile and feel a sense of comradery toward him.  He is the only other member of the town council who everyone seems to treat like their own personal assistant. Not a grievance nor opinion is left unheard by the golden boy. 

I let out a shaky breath, imagining the worst, like murder or heaven forbid a letter writing campaign.  

Sensing my unease he rubs a hand gently up my arm. I fight the urge to pull away. 

“It's bad but not that bad,” he consoles. “I received several requests about banning motorcycles.” 

I scrunch my face up in confusion and then realize there is only one cause for this. 

“It's about Azriel, isn't it?” I ask, already knowing the answer. 

His hand stills as he watches me closely with those odd eyes. One is russet and the other gold. 

“Partly.” his tone suddenly flatter than before. “Some complaints were specifically about Azriel. While others fear that the new biker gang activity in Windhaven might spread here. Some think it already has…” He leaves the rest unsaid. The implication landing like a blow. 

The town has been on Azriel's case since the moment he got here. Now, he is being singled out again.

“They think Azriel is a gang member?” I ask, my cheeks heating with fanger. 

“Some do, yes. Others are just afraid because he represents what they don’t understand. He’s an outsider.”

I take a deep breath and state the obvious, “That’s not fair.” 

“No, I suppose it’s not. I brushed it off at first but the complaints kept coming. He is Feyre’s brother-in-law so I have tried to keep it from becoming… a thing. But, I’m afraid it’s quickly spinning out of my control. I need your help, the people here trust you and you’re practically his family too.”

I fight back a wince at the implication of that statement. “So, you haven’t told Feyre?”

“No, I’d rather not. I want to hold off until I’m certain there is no other option. You know how heavy handed they can be on handling local matters. Do you think you can help?”

I nod, and his smile returns. “We can chat about it more before the next town council meeting and come up with a plan.” 

“A plan to make a plan,” I say. 

He snorts, “a plan to make a plan that will surely go off the rails.”

I smile, “Like the time you tried to start a film club at the library and Twilight was the only movie people would watch?”

His eyes flash with a challenge, “No, you must be thinking about the time you added medicinal herbs to the community garden and everyone accused you of planting marijuana?”

“It was a chaste tree! It’s great for helping with period cramps.”

“Uh huh, and what did they accuse you of when you mentioned that?”

“Witchcraft.” I can’t help it, I giggle at the memory. Even after all this time Bob watches me a little too closely when I putter about the garden. We both share a laugh over our shared suffering. 

Lucien’s face falls as his attention is drawn toward something behind me. I turn to see Azriel standing in the doorway. His face is as inscrutable as ever. Our eyes meet for half a second before his gaze is back on Lucien. I pivot to look toward him, his eyes finding mine and he huffs out a breath and walks away.

I walk toward Azriel, an uneasy smile on my face. “It’s good to see you,” a polite and bland sentiment that does not match the true feelings I keep hidden. 

“It’s good to see you, too.” He does not meet my eyes and I can’t bear it.

I walk closer still and let the tips of my fingers graze his. I lean in ever so slightly, brushing my bare arm against the cobalt blue dress shirt covering his bicep. Only then does he turn to me, our eyes locking. My heart flutters as a small gasp escapes my lips.

Those hazel eyes devour the sight of me. They hold such tenderness and longing that I can’t stand the thought of looking away, of leaving him without him knowing I want him. But I must before I do something foolish. We have managed to protect our tentative relationship and I won’t risk it. 

Azriel

I try forcing myself to focus on the conversations happening around me at the dinner table and not the fact that Elain is sitting next to him. She willingly sat next to him. She laughed with him. She had a private conversation with him, that I walked in on foolishly chasing the sound of her laugh. Their interaction seemed more friendly than I‘ve ever seen them before. Not that I see them together often, I can’t stand the sight of it. But surely they do spend time together. I overheard the tail end of their conversation. They were discussing the town with such shared affection. I can’t stand that they have something that ties them together.

Okay, maybe she didn’t choose to sit next to Lucien but she didn’t wait for me to get her out of it like last time. And yes, we shared a moment earlier though it isn’t enough. It never feels like enough of her. She is keeping her distance for a reason. I wanted distance, so why am I so upset? I hate feeling jealous. I have felt it a thousand times before with Mor and it never gets any easier. If anything it’s only gotten harder. 

I bite the inside of my cheek until the pain becomes unbearable. Using the pain to numb my feelings. I make myself turn to Cass who is of course making puppy dog eyes at a scowling Nesta. 

“How’s the right hook?” I ask her. 

“Better, thanks to your help.” Cass shows his contempt by stomping on my foot hidden by the table. Typical.

“You know I can help you, Ness, much better than Az can.” He adds with a cocky grin.  

Nesta rolls her eyes, not taking his bait. 

“You should give him a chance,” Feyre says. 

Nesta hisses at her sister, “You'd like that wouldn't you? It would make you feel better about what you've done to me.” 

Rhys sets his fork down. A dark scowl swept across his face so quickly I nearly miss it. 

Feyre releases an uneasy breath. 

Before she can lob her retort, Nesta turns her wrath elsewhere. 

“I want to focus on Elain and her new secret boyfriend.” 

Elain’s eyes go wide as saucers. Not expecting her usual defender to throw her to the wolves. 

Unfortunately, Feyre takes the bait. “Yes, Elain, why don't you tell us about this mystery man.” Her eyes hopeful. 

Don't look at me. Don't look at me. 

The clever woman she is, Elain keeps her eyes locked on Nesta who is sitting pleased with her successful thwart. 

“There is nothing to tell.” Elain says quietly before taking a bite of food.

Nesta tisks, “Come on Elain, I can't be the only one whose life is ripped apart and examined for entertainment.”

I still, at the bitterness of her words. Nesta knows full well that Elain’s life is always under the microscope. But Nesta is like a wounded animal, lashing out at anyone or anything to avoid scrutiny. 

“My love life has been the focus of too many dinners as is.” She says with a calm grace that neither of her sisters seem to possess. 

“It's because he's fake, isn't it?” Nesta accuses. At this Lucien turns the weight of his full attention to Elain.  

I ball my fists at my sides. Trying to remind myself that Nesta isn't in a good place. That she's Elain's sister and if anyone can handle Nesta it's Elain. 

“Just because you're not in a good place doesn't mean you get to lash out at me. Handle your feelings like an adult or go to therapy.” Elain says showing more spirit than I've seen before. 

“Well, look who's finally decided to show some claws.”

“She's right Nesta, you don't have to lash out any time someone asks you a question.” Feyre adds.

“Piss off, miss high and mighty. You two best friends now? Makes perfect sense that Elain takes your side, doesn’t it? Pushover that she is.”

I pivot ready to aim my ire at Nesta, ready to defend Elain. Before I get a word out she's responding. “I'm an adult, stop fighting over me like I'm a child.” 

“Look who finally decided to be interesting after all.”

Elain flinches and I close my eyes unable to tolerate seeing the hurt on her face. How many times has she told me she wants to be seen as interesting, only to have it thrown in her face by someone she loves. 

“I'm allowed privacy and my relationship is mine to discuss if I choose,” her voice is strong despite the hurt she wears so obviously. 

Cassian asks, “so, it's a secret… That's funny because Azriel has a secret lover too.” 

“How interesting,” Amren says, smiling into her cup.

I feel Rhysand's eyes boring into the side of my head. 

Mor just looks between Elain and I with a look of hopeful amusement.

“I knew it,” says Feyre, clapping her hands, “who is she?”

“Oh, he’ll never tell. He never does,” adds Cass. “Maybe Elain has learned something from him.”

I'm going to kill him. 

Lucien turns his focus from Elain to me. Clearly mulling over the situation at hand. Nesta eyes me curiously, as if seeing something new she hasn’t noticed before. 

“A gentleman never tells,” I add, giving Feyre a wink. 

“That's not fair, Az!” Feyre whines. 

“Get used to it girl, he's had countless lovers and I've never learned a single name.” Amren says. Varian adds, “his reputation is well known even in Adriata.”

I notice Elain breathe a sigh of relief. If I have to take their scrutiny to spare her I will. 

“Of course he doesn't share their names, there are too many to memorize. It's easier If he just calls them all baby, isn't that right?” Cass chuckles to himself. It’s like the man has a death wish. He’s not wrong of course, as a roguish teen I may have done that but it's been well over a decade since I've stooped so low. 

“Yes, baby,” I croon to Cass. He lets out a howling laugh. 

“Oh my god, is that why his contact name is ‘daddy’ in your phone?” Nesta gapes.

Cass just shrugs, “among other things.” 

Everyone breaks out in a raucous laugh, except for Rhys who is still watching me closely. His eyes shift to Elain who is smiling brightly. 

By the time dessert is brought out, all the tension from earlier has been eased. Cass and Rhys took turns recounting my glory days to the sisters and laughing at my expense. I don't mind the ribbing as long as Elain is no longer under scrutiny. 

She brought double fudge brownies as a treat and I would have eaten them all if my hand wasn't swatted away. Rhys invites the group to move to the living room to play card games. I take my chance and wrap my hand around Elain's wrist and pull her into the shadowed alcove beneath the stairs. 

“Hello, lover,” I teasingly whisper in her ear. She pulls away slightly, “one of many?” she asks with a teasing glint in her honey colored eyes. I graze my fingers along the smooth skin over her cheek, “Elain, I…” The sound of voices nearby pulls my focus away. “We shouldnt do this here,” I pull her closer as I look behind me to see how much time we have left. “Go up to my room, the third door on the left in fifteen minutes.” 

I turn back to her and she's biting her bottom lip in that enticing way. She nods before I walk away. 

Elain

The moment I’m inside Azriel’s room panic sets in. Did I just willingly enter the room of the great seducer? I’m not prepared for this. Azriel may be a master at sneaking around but not me. What if he proposes we take our relationship to the next level? What if I can’t resist him luring me to his bed. Do I want to resist? If I didn’t, was I willing to face the consequences of our secret relationship being revealed the most tawdry way possible? With me chanting his name as I climax with our friends and family downstairs? 

Before I let myself answer that question, I look around his room and instantly let out a laugh of relief. I spot the cheetah print throw draped over his hot pink bedding. At the head of the bed there are sequin throw pillows in various shapes and colors. In the corner is a mosaic end table topped off with a lava lamp. The only evidence that this is Azriel’s space is the black leather jacket hanging from the hook on the back of the door. Nothing about this room suggests a modern day rake lives here. Perhaps someone’s slutty grandmother or that gigolo I threatened him with last month.

I turn around amused by the status of his current living situation. Admiring more Precious Moments figurines than I can count and holy shit is that the ‘Love One Another’ figurine. Clearly I have nothing to worry about. 

The door suddenly opens and Azriel rushes in and closes the door behind him. He leans back against it like he escaped an enraged bear. “You wouldn’t believe the level of detail Amren can go into about Varian’s cock when she’s had a little too much to drink.” He is still wearing the same dark blue button up shirt but now his sleeves are rolled up revealing his heavily corded forearms. He has an excited and down right devilish smile that makes him look like an entirely different man. It fades when he takes in my expression, “why are you smiling like that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” I say, waving him off, unable to stop giggling. He cocks his head at me skeptically and tosses his phone on his bed. “Okay, clearly it’s not nothing. Why are you giggling like a schoolgirl?”

I can’t help it, I finally give in and let out a cackle. Tears prick my eyes. I’ve wasted so much time feeling intimidated by Azriel’s prowess. Just earlier I was feeling jealous of his secret lovers when he is clearly a teenage girl with a love of collectible children’s figurines. 

“It’s silly, I was a little nervous when you asked me to sneak into your bedroom. Especially after everyone went on and on about your… reputation. But then I realized you were living like Austin Powers and I didn’t feel so worried anymore.”

“Wait,” he says looking offended, “Why don’t you feel worried anymore?”

“Because,” I say laughing as I picture Azriel trying to seduce someone with a disco ball above the bed. “Look at this room! The only thing you’ll be holding in here is a seance to talk to Liberace.” 

He scoffs, looking away briefly only to meet my gaze again, “You think this decor matters one bit? If I wanted to seduce you, the sequins and the pink frills aren’t going to stop me.”

I roll my eyes, “Okay, Casanova.” I plop down on the unsexy bed. “Here I thought the notorious Azriel Rosehall would live somewhere with elegant mood lighting and a record player in the corner where he would offer to show his favorite slow jams. A true den of iniquity.”

“Well, I don't love that name.”

“But, really it’s putting me in the mood to watch a Bratz movie. Does this thing even…” I bounce up and down on the bed a few times. “Oh my gosh, it doesn’t even squeak, Azriel! What kind of ladies’ man are you?” I lose it and fall back on the bed in a fit of laughter. 

He watches me amused, “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Most certainly. Because you sir, are a disgrace to bad boys everywhere! I’m tempted to take a picture of you next to the Kylie Mongue poster and post it on Instagram.” 

Azriel steps toward me, “Alright, get your ass up.”

I feel giddy and loose-limbed from joy as I sit up and take his outstretched hand, “What are we going to do, bedazzle your motorcycle jacket?”

But my breath catches as he spins me around and pins me against his bedroom door. His very large, very warm body is pressed flush against mine. “Because you’ve insulted my carefully crafted image of a heathen, your next lesson in being bad starts now. I’m going to demonstrate a few things -”

Gods save me.

Azriel takes both of my hands and pins them beside my head as he carefully interlaces our fingers. His searing gaze is locked onto me. The naughty twinkle in his eyes tells me he won’t miss a single one of my reactions. His hands are rough and large. His pressure isn’t too firm and not too soft. Just the right amount. My lips part on instinct and Azriel’s eyes lower to my mouth - watching the moment that it happens. The smallest smile teases at his full lips before he moves his mouth to the shell of my ear. His breath tickles me, sending pleasing little waves of pleasure down my entire body. My neck is so sensitive, even the faintest of kisses are enough to make me finish. My response betrays that fact as he teases me effortlessly. New sensations I haven’t felt before surface in the pit of my stomach and lower… He smells so good. Feels so good. 

“First things first…,” His bedroom voice is dark as night and silken. So hot. “It’s never about the room. The room doesn’t play a part in seducing.” His voice deepens, amused and cocky. This is exactly how I imagined Azriel as a lover. No, he’s even better than I imagined. 

He continues, his breath hot and heavy against my sensitive neck. “In a bind a closet, a bathroom, even the back of a motorcycle will do just fine.” His mouth moves even lower and he inhales deeply. Never touching or kissing, just breathing me in. “Decor doesn’t matter.” He moves back up my throat as he speaks. Then he switches sides. I tilt my head back offering more of myself to him. I want to make sure he reaches every spot, every possible crevice. 

“Because, if I’ve decided to be bad Elain and capture my lover's attention, from the moment we are alone, her pulse will be racing. Her mind will be solely focused on my touch, my smell, and my desire that the color of the bedspread won’t even cross her mind.”

His hands continue to pin me to the wall with the most delicious amount of pressure that makes me squirm. A desire so potent floods me that I feel my knees start to buckle. Desire I didn’t know I was missing. Desire I didn’t know I needed. Now I’m afraid I’ll be deprived of it for the rest of my life. 

Azriel moves from my neck, fanning his breath across my jaw to hover over my lips. “Elain, open your eyes and look at me,” he commands, and until now I hadn’t realized I closed them. When my eyes flutter open, I feel drunk. His hazel gaze is dark now and heavy on mine. I feel desperate for him to kiss me. Ready for him to teach me more, ready to be bad for him. With him. To him. I barely remember what I was jealous about. All I know is the sound of my pulse drumming in my ear and it’s saying the same thing over and over again. Kiss me. Kiss me. Kiss me. 

With his mouth only a blink away from mine, he smiles, “Believe me?”

I nod silently.

He releases my hands and takes a step back. My arms fall to my side. For a moment, I am still pinned to the wall. Unable to move for fear of my knees giving out completely. I mourn the loss of him even though he is just there, just a few feet away. His head turns to the side, eyes refusing to look at me. Why didn’t he kiss me? He’s done it before.

“Why did you stop?” I demand. 

He shakes his head. “You’re not ready, Elain. You say you are but you aren’t willing to jump off the cliff into the unknown. You are holding yourself back and I’m not going to be the one to push you.” 

I shake my head in frustration. 

But, he continues on accusing, “you want cheap thrills. You are just hiding from the life you didn't choose.” 

He stops and takes a deep breath, “you're just using me to give a big fuck you to fate.”  

I feel anger I’ve never known rise within me. His words don't make sense. Our whole arrangement is about him helping me. Was that not a lesson he just offered me? He is forcing distance between us. It’s a cop out. Just like him letting the others talk about his lovers. He was trying to push me away. He wants… He wants… and just like that the anger I feel morphs into something else. 

“I could offer myself up to Az on a silver platter and he would deny it’s what he wants if it means having to face his feelings of inadequacy.” Isn’t that what Mor had said? I close my eyes and steady my nerves. 

I take a step forward and another until I am in front of him. I reach onto my tip toes and take his chin and turn his face toward me. His expression is hard steel, a mask he uses far too often to hide how he really feels. 

“It’s not me who’s holding myself back, Azriel.” I slide my fingers over his chiseled jaw. “You won’t let go, you won’t give into this.” His eyebrows bunch in confusion. 

“You think I don’t see you, that I can’t tell that you want me as much as I want you.” His eyes churn with emotion. 

“You draw me in just to push me back out. You guard your heart because you're afraid I don't want this.” I look into those eyes that see so much but never willing to believe. 

“I'm not Mor, Azriel. You think I shouldn’t want you but I do. This is more than just lessons and games to me.” I say as I slide my finger tips against his lips. 

“What is it?” He whispers, sounding pained. 

“It’s everything.” I sigh as I reach for him, draping my arms across his neck and kiss him like I have always dreamed. 

He groans into me and kisses me back with a burning passion. My feet are no longer on the ground as he spins and tosses me onto the bed.  Before I can move he is on top of me pressing his erection between my legs. I let a wanton moan and the sheer pleasure of it. 

His large hand covers my mouth. “Quiet.”

I whimper into his palm. Utterly ruined by his dominance. “Fuck.” He says grinding into me. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

I feel my thighs start to shake. I’m already on the verge of cumming and he hasn’t even truly touched me. “I’m going to ruin you.” He pants into my ear. “I’m going to…”

I startle as someone knocks on the door, “Azriel, are you in there?”

It’s Rhysand.

[toptophat]

The one thing that could've made 2.6 even more perfect was these two just enter the battle and all hell breaks loose

I wish they had more scenes together, I love how much they respect each other! And I need to see them do more galaxy ranger hijinks!!!

They work great as a team in the story. They perform excellently as a team in gameplay!!

Rappa : "weakness TYPE? We don't do that here"

Boothill: "YOUR WEAKNESS IS ME!!"

Also I love how Rappa went to the Wardance Festival to see her bestie fight, makes what Boothill said about her to Luka even more wholesome!!

I genuinely consider these two to be some sort of found family, they have high respect for each other, they work together, While no one really understands Rappa (because of that one motherfucker), Boothill isn't bothered by it, he understands her sense of justice and obviously because they're both galaxy rangers. But also because on a much deeper level, he may not know it (and I guess Rappa doesn't either) but we know that they went through something similar. Both of their lives were turned upside down all for a sick bastard's benefit. They were both isolated in the world, with no one who could truly understand them, no one who truly knows what they had to endure. Years of pain, torture and violence. I like to think that that's why Boothill deeply respects Rappa, he knows what it's like to be completely alone, and he knows that no matter what Rappa may have gone through, they have similar motives. When Rappa was discovered by the galaxy rangers, she admired their pursuit of justice (after all she was definitely fond of it when reading the "sacred scrolls" and even cultivated it as a core aspect of her mission) so as a result she cultivated The Hunt and along the way she met the legendary "Lord Silvergun Shura" who is definitely a perfect example of a righteous hero of The Hunt, so it's no wonder she got so attached!

I think it can also explain why Rappa mimics Boothill's actions sometimes, specifically the hat tilt and wanted poster thingy (although I hope the hat tilt is just a galaxy ranger necessity) He's like an idol to her, it's adorable!!!

HOW DID RAPPA AND BOOTHILL END UP BEING SO SWEET???

Before 2.6 even dropped, they were being cute! In Rappa's Keeping Up With Star Rail, Boothill describes Rappa's creations as "high-tech ninjutsu" rather than equipment, or machines, or anything else that someone would have normally defaulted to. This is something Rappa is very proud of and insistent about in her work, and he respects that!

Even with those party join lines, he refers to her not as a Galaxy Ranger, but by her chosen title!

Rappa seems to get a lot of shit for how she talks, too, with people throughout the patch accusing her of playing around or not taking anything seriously. Boothill though is swift to correct that, that even if it sounds like nonsense, Rappa is someone to be respected and a force to be reckoned with. He seems to really admire her resolve, and especially her intellect! He has nothing but praise for her, it's so so sweet.

And the way she talks about him, too! Like there are. A lot of things you can say about a man like Boothill fjkdlsajk but she always speaks so admirably of him?

There's also the difference in nicknames- Rappa refers to every other person as "Ninja." And most of them are descriptions that you can pick up at a glance, or without knowing a person too deeply. Singer for Robin is obvious, everyone knows who she is. Gama for Reca means "toad," which is a reference to the assistant director he always has with him. Baseball Bat for the trailblazer is also obvious. Ruri for March 7th means "lapis lazuli" which is probably a reference to her Six Phase Ice, or even her appearance since she looks like if a Stellar Jade became human. Hiryu for Dan Heng is actually "flying dragon" but it's also a famous video game reference so I'm only willing to put so much stock into that one fjkdsjakd and besides, she could have easily heard about March 7th and Dan Heng from Boothill, since he talks about the dango trio to Rappa, too.

But Boothill! Rappa refers to Boothill as "Silvergun Shura," with Shura being a reference to Asura, a demigod of war. It's a name used to describe someone fighting a relentless, inhumane war and desperately seeking victory. It also refers to a level of hell, governed by anger and pain. Both interpretations suit him strongly. It's not really a title you could give just looking at someone. It's something you'd have to know them at least a little more deeply for.

Boothill also very distinctly lacks the common ninja title- instead, in the EN translation, Rappa calls him Lord. It's a highly respectable title even in the original Chinese, apparently akin to addressing reigning royalty.

She just. Seems to respect and admire him so much? It's so so sweet?

And despite how often it's stated that Galaxy Rangers tend to work and travel alone, it seems these two are at least fairly familiar with each other, which makes me really happy! In an instance of beautiful timing, just today Hoyo released a new text convo, and! When she wants someone to hang out with, Boothill was one of the first people Rappa thought of!

Rappa knew Dan Heng because Boothill talked about him. She knew about Clockwork. Boothill has spoken with her often enough and long enough to know how deeply her hatred ran, and to be upset for her when Primon got away.

They both speak so positively of each other, even when one is out of of earshot. They openly show a ton of respect and admiration for one another, and the way they talk about each other is more than just two people who happen to be part of the same faction. They know each other more closely than that. Boothill is only in Penacony at all because of Rappa, and Rappa trusted Boothill enough to seek him out for this.

My favorite, though? The part I considered the cutest?

Rappa literally went all the way to the Luofu just to watch Boothill fight in the Luminary Wardance.

[bandzboy]

from my twitter since i also wanted to post this here

[eats-a-berry]

i wasn't sure exactly what i thought adult gideon should be doing, but i DO quite like the triple combination of cowboy-biker, drag queen, and used car salesman at the same time. she's always a busy person!

[sciderman]

Do any of the boys wear jewelry?

Wade seems like the type to have those grandma box full of jewelry but Peter would probably have one pair of earrings for the occasion?? 

they're too broke for any kind of jewellery save for the edible kind

[queerwritersingerdramaqueen]

Oh. My. Fucking. GODS BITCHES.

There is so much fucking hurt coming this way. 

But! You all know the drill! SPOILERS FOR THE VENGEANCE SAGA PAST THIS POINT. IF YOU HAVE NOT LISTENED TO IT, DON’T SPOIL IT FOR YOURSELF IT’S FUCKING INSANE AND THE SURPRISE FACTOR MAKES IT SO MUCH BETTER. 

FIRST OF ALL, HOLY FUCK SHIT WENT SIDEWAYS SO FUCKING QUICK. BETWEEN THE WIND BAG AND THE SIX HUNDRED STRIKE. I’M QUAKING IN MY BOOTS.

This saga is the long awaited conclusion to the Mycroft vs William debacle and it requires a LOT of backstory so bear with me. 

So, at some point before the Vengeance saga (can be in between then and the wisdom saga, or even earlier than that) Mycroft and Albert hooked up. This very funny idea is brought to you by Steven Rodriguez’s “Like You Mean It” and “The Devil Wears Lace” and it’s basically brought up by a very drunk Karaoke session and one thing leads to another. Anyway, the short relationship doesn’t end well since Mycroft has a bit of a “Fuck, I slept with the enemy” moment (he’s still very much on the defense when it comes to Sherlock) AND IT GETS A LITTLE MESSY. Mycroft doesn’t completely ghost Albert but he does sort of step back when Albert starts showing genuine affection for him (oh boy, I’ve never written Alcroft angst centred around Mycroft before, Albert is usually the one who needs to get his shit together). Regardless, William is now doubly pissed at Mycroft, Albert’s sad and Sherlock is just shaking his head in disappointment because if he’s the only one who pulled his head out of his ass, then they're all doomed. The OTHER really big thing to remember during this saga is that Mycroft didn’t know ANYTHING about Sherlock and William leading up to the performance. He and Sherlock (especially since the Ruthlessness fiasco) haven’t talked heaps and Mycroft hasn’t been on set since then either. Sherlock does appreciate his brother looking out for him; he does NOT appreciate Mycroft threatening him through song. 

Most of the rest of the cast are kind of just chilling watching this all go down on the side with a bucket of popcorn. They know better than to get involved with the Lord of Crime and the Government when they’re fighting. 

So this saga summed up: the in-laws are FIGHTING

But without further ado, let's get into it

The Vengeance Saga: 

Not Sorry for Loving you - I’m going to preface this one that I am entirely open to any kind of criticisms that may be had about my approach to this song. I’ve never been in that kind of situation and I’m interpreting the song as sung by someone who hasn’t actively kept their “partner” prisoner for seven years. When I listen to “Not Sorry for Loving You” and put it in the perspective of Albert, it sounds much less like an abusers half-assed apology (when it comes from Calypso, then I can hear the bullshit). So with that in mind, feel free to make suggestions and criticisms, I’m completely open to that. Hell, I even ewncourage them because I don't want to be an asshole here.

So, Albert’s rendition of this song obviously doesn’t come from a place of (romantic) love for William but he’s projecting onto him big time. To further emphasise this point, Albert’s not looking at him throughout the song. He could be doing that fourth-wall break again but this time with trying to make the audience sympathetic (god, outside of the AU, that would be such an interesting way of doing Calypso, with her always trying to present herself as a loving, poor girl trapped on an island, making even those who know how wrong she is sympathetic). That first part where he says “That you’re not mine to save” ties in really fucking well to that chapter where Albert blames himself for being the reason William fell. I also can’t believe I managed to kind of catch that in the wisdom saga during Love in Paradise. The thing I’m trying to go for here is letting Albert get some of his frustration out, because he hasn’t had the best luck with family or dating and even friends, so when he meets Mycroft and he finds all those things in him, it’s amazing. This probably would not come across in the actual performance (he does still have a role to play) but counteractive to Calypso deflecting her actions during the Pre-chorus, Albert is owning up to his faults, even when they’re not actually that bad. Mycroft’s guilt over the whole Sherlock/William thing is to blame, not Albert; but he blames himself anyway. A very large portion of this would rely on the writer’s (AKA. my own) ability to get that message across and I totally understand if I haven’t made it make sense. During the bridge part, “I’m angry and tired and restless and sad” the frustration hits a peak and Albert’s venting a little bit on wanting Mycroft to let go of his little (kinda petty) feud with William (and maybe still being kind of pissed at William for doing what he did (Albert and Sherlock are besties and you can fight me on that, you won’t win)). William’s “I love you/but not in the way you want me too” is less about being the object of Albert’s anger/affection and more like “This song isn’t for me, but I do love you brother and you’ll get through this.” And the damn kind of just breaks from there as Albert watches William “sail” away. 

Dangerous - THE BOY IS BACK!!!!! HERMESSSSSSS! JAMESSSSSSSS! You don’t understand how actually HYPED I am that James is back in this AU! Dangerous is such a fucking bop :D But before I get into it, production is a thing and it sucks to work out. Maybe Von Herder really should be just a guy out back cause I need his help figuring out how to do the raft?! For now, I’d assume it’s just on wheels and maybe actors in those dark jumpsuits are pushing it around (Like with the Cyclops puppet and what will eventually happen with Charybdis). IF they’re already on stage that's probably good too, they can pretend to be the monsters along the way and it’ll be an easy transition. AND A COUPLE OF THEM CAN BE WINIONS So plot wise, James is trying to reel William in because this man is gonna lose his shit on Mycroft in a second. The whiplash of how disco-esque Dangerous is helps in being a sort of calming factor (until the “NO” that is) for James to help William take a breath. The wind bag, once more, serves its purpose of being all the bottled up shit William (and even Mycroft to some extent, since it’s HIS storm after all) is holding onto. Most of this song is kind of just a dance break but once we get to the windbag, we get some more plot. This is William’s chance to prove he won’t let anything get in the way of him and Sherlock, his last chance to prove to Mycroft that he won’t hurt his baby brother again (and trust me, William absolutely recognises the GALL of it coming from Mycroft). It’s also his chance to show how he’s “healed,” though that’s more implied through the metaphor of the wind bag. If he has to be ruthless and give Mycroft the what for, he’s gonna do it. I’m also going to make another disclaimer that YES, I know Mycroft now sounds like an asshole. If this were a properly written fic where I could dive into nuance, I could explain the intricacies of both William and Mycroft in a probably more understanding way. As stands however *bangs pots over my head* THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION, ANY ACTIONS WITHIN ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN WITH THE SERIOUSNESS OF REAL LIFE. 

(also, the “I’m not the one who fought for you” knowing it was Sherlock/Athena who fought with William through most of the hardship is fucking amazing)

Charybdis - This number requires us to look less at what’s on the stage and what’s happening backstage. Musical wise, we’ve got big puppet Charybdis. I think that style of the dragon dance would be a good way of doing it, or with the long poles to make it go really high. This piece would need some serious production work because I don’t know quite enough about that side of theatre. I’m just good at the literary stuff (in case it wasn’t obvious). We could even simulate waves with fabric being fwiped around by actors. But back on the plot stuff, William is determined. Mycroft sees this and is like, “oh we are both fucked here.” The actual emotional things happening are weird. Mycroft knows that he’s not much better than William (Though he was absolutely more direct with Albert, his reasoning was a little bullshit even to Sherlock, the guy he was doing it for). He’s feeling guilty and sad for giving up what he had and angry at William because he understands on an even more personal level how the whole situation hurts someone else. But Mycroft is seeing this determination and is deeply conflicted on how he should feel (Albert’s crying in the corner after his number and Sherlock’s stealing popcorn waiting for his boyfriend and brother to duke it out because there is no way in hell he’s defending either of them, they can work out their own shit and grovel at his feet afterwards). When William “reaches Ithaca” and is dragged back (that “NO” fucking hurt man) it’s Mycroft being like, “alright fucker, prove it” (which was the original story idea until I heard all of the vengeance saga and proceeded to lose my marbles with a subplot)

(I feel like this is a good juncture to clarify and remind everyone what actually happened. William and Sherlock had a fight because William wasn’t taking care of himself. They go through a sort of “soft-lock” breakup where they consider it all done but they never actually talk about it, so when Sherlock tries to make amends and either fix or end the relationship, William ghosts him and it’s not until the Ocean Saga that he realises how badly that hurt Sherlock. After those events (when Mycroft isn’t around to witness), William chooses to get help and he and Sherlock are slowly trying to at least repair their friendship. This is a mutual choice that they both want. Mycroft and Albert go through something different. It eventually dawns on Mycroft that Albert is in fact William’s brother and he feels like he might be betraying Sherlock by having a connection with the Moriarty’s at all. Because he’s only been in the musical for one instant, he doesn’t know about them and the developments they've made. He and Albert are not quite in an established relationship and more like sleeping together and sticking around to cuddle afterward. *bangs the pot again* FICTION PEOPLE, FEEL THE FLUFF, DROP THE STUFF. DON’T DO THIS IN REAL LIFE, LIVE VICARIOUSLY THROUGH THEM WORKING OUT THEIR ISSUES.)

Get in the Water - WHEN I TELL YOU I HAD BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT I’ve been actually fucking obsessed with how this would go and it’s the “I can’t…” that inspired a lot of what’s about to happen. So, the original plot, as mentioned above, was going to be just William getting his resolve tested by Mycroft, a test to see if he’d actually built up the courage and strength to stick with Sherlock. Now it’s a looooot more with the sub plot. “Get in the water” is now less about William not bending on getting what he wants, and more about Mycroft just wanting William to go away so 1) Sherlock can’t be hurt again (he’s clueless, remember?) and 2) so he can stop feeling guilt about pushing Albert away. He is also warring with himself somewhat and somewhere inside him he really wants William to prove him wrong. They are also playing parts so please keep that in mind with some of what they’re saying; it’s the intent and emotion behind how they're singing it that implies what they're really trying to say to each other. I also think that, while having the trident is really cool, I like the way this one animatic portrays a stage adaptation with him using long pieces of fabric coloured like the sea to throw him around a bit, tied with the other actors throwing “water” at him. The aerials are also still an option I’d like to use for the gods and the dead, and they’ll play in really well later.  William does extend an olive branch at one point, he’s not beyond the point of forgiveness yet. Maybe they can forgive each other and themselves for hurting those closest to them. That “I can’t…” though takes. Me. out. Mycroft forgiving William means forgiving himself and trying to make things right between him and Albert. He wants too but he’s fucking STUBBORN. So we get the “Ruthlessness is Mercy Upon Ourselves” bit thrown back at him again, because he truly believes that he has to be a bit self-destructive and let Albert move on without him, that he has to protect Sherlock from William. Pair that with the fact that (at least the way I write them) they never do truly “like” each other and he’s just really fucking angry at himself and William. (weird segue but I genuinely do think that, in canon post-timeskip, Mycroft wouldn’t like William for being the reason Sherlock jumped off the bridge and disappeared for three years, for making him dance in his hand, or completely overtaking his life with these cases to the point that Sherlock killed someone just to cut the strings. Kind of like the Louis/Sherlock situation, but with just an ounce more respect towards the other party, because Mycroft does understand it was still Sherlock’s choice. So in my writing at least, they usually don’t like each other all that much but they stay out of it.) Now, the last breath. I came to the really sad realisation the other day that Anticlea, Eurylochus and Polities actually make up the three original group members we meet at the start of the manga, so I’m just going to go *sobs really fucking loudly around the corner.* You don’t understand how badly this fucks me up, that this whole time, I’ve unintentionally had Fred, Moran and Louis, the first three of the crime gang to enact the plan, also be the voices he remembers whenever he’s in a tough spot. So please picture for me, William on his knees in blue light, arms raised like he’s drowning, then Fred pops up, then Moran (They make up this saga! YAY! :D), then Louis and they’re sort of cradling him until the “Ohh wahh ohoh, Odysseus” where the crew of Odysseus’ ship (portraying the majority that were drowned) lift him up off the stage and into the air (he looks like he has drowned by this point, limp and everything), showing how they will support him through this too. Then the good shit happens after the lights go out.

Six Hundred Strike - Obviously, Mycroft didn’t drown six hundred men, nor would he talk shit about William to his friends. That part is all for show so please keep that in mind. 

BUT IMAGINE PLEASE, RED SPOTLIGHT ON WHERE THEY’RE ALL LIFTING WILLIAM UP, THE WINDBAG GLOWING BLUE AS IT TRAVELS ACROSS THE CROWD TO HIM AND WHEN HE GETS A HOLD OF IT AND RELEASES IT, HE GRABS AN AERIAL ROPE AND GETS TO FLY BECAUSE HE IS USING THE POWER OF THE GODS, ER GO, HE IS FLYING LIKE THE GODS DO. PLEASE TELL ME YOU SEE THE SYMBOLISM???

All the men crowd around the stage while Mycroft and William are overhead doing some cool aerial tricks and circling each other, light now turned gold. Once shatter the ocean is dispelled, I’m tossing up if they come back down onto the stage so the men can attack or if they remain in the air and William attacks while the men goad him on. If they come back down and the men rush him, they can get backstage fairly easily, but we’d lose that sense of Odysseus using god powers. Thoughts welcome on that. After the attack, they “fal”l back onto the stage, the middle portion is raised (if you’ve ever seen & Juliet, the stage during “de Bois Bands back” is what I’m going for.) and there are white lights pointing upwards, so you can see William and Mycroft’s silhouettes. “You released my storm” is kind of Mycroft (in all his emotionally repressed idiocy) owning up that they both just lost their shit and proved they’re not “great” people.  And William, in all his “I’ve been to therapy for the last several months what the fuck do you mean I’m a bad person for feeling emotions?” decides that maybe he should just let Mycroft have it so he finally understands a thing or two. The silhouettes are important because William will be stabby for like a whole minute (speaking of that, does anyone else feel like this is the most violent and real it’s gotten since just a man? Like, yes there has been violence but it’s been a sort of mythical violence, the cyclops, the storms and the god games have been sort of disconnected from real, human malice. Little Wolf had like a taste of it but just the act of Odysseus stabbing the shit out of Poseidon, while he’s down nonetheless, just feels so much more horrifying than anything that’s already happened. It’s terrifyingly human). Also, there would be no way of making it look like he’s bleeding on stage unless he had like, fake blood packs under his clothes and I don’t know how he’d keep them there. The act of putting it in shadow, much like Gwendy’s animatic from the livestream, makes it more sinister. You can’t see it but you can definitely hear it. 

“How does it feel to be helpless? How does it feel to know pain?” Because William, during everything that had happened, had been in pain. He’d been hurting for a long time, long before the musical even started production, long before he even met Sherlock or lost his eye. “I watched my men die in Horror - Calling their captain in vain.” He’ll make Mycroft understand that he’s seen some horrible things. “Look what you turned me into, look what we’ve become.” Mycroft made this angry side in him come out, and now they’re fighting over something that could be so fixable, because if William/Odysseus had to get over his pride to move on, then Mycroft/Posieden is gonna learn the same fucking lesson. “All of the pain that I’ve been through, haven’t I suffered enough?!” When will Mycroft realise that William learnt this lesson, it’s now him who needs to get off his high horse and see what ruthlessness can do to a person? “You didn’t stop when I begged you, told me to close my heart. You said the world was dark,” William knows that what he did was wrong and he cannot make up for it, that it’ll probably scar for a while. He does not need to keep being told that, doesn’t need to be continuously told that he can’t make amends, especially when Sherlock wants him to. “Didn’t you say that ruthlessness is mercy upon our-” See what his ruthlessness bred? See what William choosing to be ruthless and telling Mycroft everything did? The stabbing stops. William goes to walk away backstage when Mycroft gives that final question. William answers truthfully, then walks away, leaving Mycroft to ruminate on his own attitude towards everything that’s happened. 

AND THAT’S IT, THAT'S THE VENGEANCE SAGA!!! These two have gotten ALL their pent up aggression out, they’ve gotten to have a little fight and whatnot, and now, they can have a proper adult conversation after the show about what’s happened and Mycroft can make up with Albert already because fucking hell, Albert’s been waiting for weeks for Mycroft to realise (or be told by Sherlock literal minutes before the show) that he’s making a lot of assumptions of the situation. 

At this juncture, I think it’s a good time to bring up Moran and William’s reconciliation because it can play really nicely into the olive branch moment. It’s probably a pretty simple moment, Moran apologises for getting angry and William apologises for not being as readily available. I think that moment where he’s trying to connect with Mycroft is a moment a bit like that, where they can acknowledge each other’s mistakes and make an attempt for peace (Mycroft just wasn’t ready to accept that forgiveness).

Again, some of the things that happen in this particular sketch of the narrative may make it seem like Mycroft and William are just assholes to each other but there is supposed to be nuance to their relationship and the relationships they have to each other’s brother. Mycroft needs to learn that he can’t be getting all up in Sherlock’s business and, though his protectiveness is appreciated and was at one point nice, fighting battles for him that he wasn’t even having. William, though being “rightfully” judged in this scenario, is still the bigger person until Mycroft pushes him enough. These two will be having a long and thoughtful talk (with Sherlock and Albert sitting in to make sure they hit all the targets, Louis on the side to make sure neither of them start fighting again) in which they will explain themselves and get over it all like adults. They will probably never truly like each other but they can be civil. 

I’d also like to point out, on some character development traits, Mycroft never talks shit about William, never insults his character to anyone (except maybe to Sherlock when they first break up and he’s humouring his tirades). Where he has to interact with the rest of the cast, William’s friends included, he is polite and tolerates any William talk until he can steer the topic in a different direction. It might be the fact that he had to hold in that anger that makes this outburst so bad. William, as well, doesn’t think Mycroft is a bad person for being a protective older brother (he’d be the Hypocrite then), nor is he upset that Albert and Mycroft were ever having a fling. It is the sheer similarities in their situations and the uncanny repeating of history that really drives William up the wall because he knows how you can fix or prevent this. 

The TL;DR: Louis is so fucking done with all their shit. 

I feel as though this AU may be slightly spiralling out of my control, so any thoughts on if I should reel it in or if the sub-plot is in a bit of a weird spot or even if I just have to add more on the sub-plot in the other sagas, all those thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I do feel like I might be giving these two a bit to much wiggle room for their mistakes but that could just be me. I am trying to be careful. Adding all I did definitely pleases the brainworms but the writer in me is questioning if I threw a bit too much in here.

This is a massive story at this point and I’m going to have to construct some sort of timeline or synopsis to get all my bases hit on where I am. 

As always, thank you to @aka-no-ken for listening to my ramblings and having something super helpful to say or just fangirling with me about someone’s voice. You’re a great friend!

TUMBLR, I WILL MAKE YOU POST THIS

PREVIEW: 

AKA-NO-KEN YOU ACTUAL PHSCHIC HOW THE FUCK DID YOU GUESS ALL MY GOD CASTINGS CORRECTLY???

AGAIN, WISDOM SAGA SPOILERS SO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. ALSO MAYBE A TRIGGER WARNING FOR LOVE IN PARADISE CAUSE THAT WAS MORE THAN I WAS FUCKING EXPECTING.

THIS IS SHERLOCK AND BILL'S FUCKING SAGA NOW BITCHES BROS AND NON-BINARY HOES. AND AGAIN, I'M FANGIRLING AS I GO.

So, with where we left off, William's having a minor relapse in his mental state but it won't become too much of a plot point/serious thing. He and Moran are on funky terms but if there is no "reconciliation" in later sagas then We'll figure that out when we get there. Anyway, this saga ain't about him.

(ALSO, I MISSED A FUCKING OPPOURTUNITY

VON HERDER AS TIRESIAS, IM A FOOL)

Anyway, lets get started.

The Wisdom Saga:

Legendary - BILL IS HERE FUCKERS. SHERLIAM'S ADPOTED SON IS GONNA BE LEGENDARY. I really like how this parallels with Canon when Bill only knew William as a genius professor and Sherlock's actually the one who introduces them in a way. It'll set up nicely for when we get to "I can't help but wonder" and Telemachus/Bill has to toss up with the fact that his Dad just removed the twenty year problem but he did also kill a bunch of people (you know, like in canon.). So this starts out with the lights slowly coming in and Bill's "room" has a chair and a few other easily moveable props. This is a very dancey number I'm finding so these props are probably gonna get taken off stage so there can be actors milling around for Telemachus to interact with, I think he'd be mostly weaving between them trying to avoid them while they keep swiping at him. The majority of suitors can be off the stage but Antinous and a few others are up there ready for the "Whatcha gonna do about it, champ?" The lights would change on Boy to a red colour. It would be so cute seeing Billy fight for Sherlock's Honour. I think something really cool that could happen is when Telemachus sings "somebody help me" the lights flash blue for a second like Athena has heard his plea. and at the very end of the song, he punches Milverton square on the nose (in the fake way of course).

Little Wolf - My big idea for this that would absolutely not transfer over to a regular production of Epic the musical would be that Antinous/Milverton is not the one fighting Telemachus/Bill. I cannot really see Milverton fighting for himself and would definitely have lackey's doing it for him; but outside of this AU Antinous absolutely fights for himself. But yeah, Milverton mocks the shit out of Bill while he's fighting somebody. The lights stay red while the suitors and Milverton are doing their thing. When Athena appears the lights turn blue like fighting of the panic of being in a fight. I think this is one of those moments where its so fun having Sherlock as Athena and Penelope cause it's like "Don't worry baby, Mama's here to help." But, onto the super cool crossover intertexuality talk I can't seem to do right now, Sherlock as Athena fits very nicely cause he, alongside William, helps Bill get into the university; so Sherlock being the one helping in this fight reminds me of that. And Athena's "I've no respect for bullies" reminds me of his disdain for Milverton and his methods of blackmail. ALSO, HER PIANO IN THAT PART IS SO FUCKING GOOD I FUCKING ASCENDED. PAIRING IT WITHT HE DRUMS THAT WAY, WHO DOES JORGE THINK HE IS. In a way, this is like showing how Penelope would like to react to her suitors beating up her son (it just popped into my head but kind of like a batman meme, Penelope dressing up as the goddess of wisdom to fuck up her son's bullies). Athena's whole solo there sounds a lot like Sherlock when he was talking to Irene. And when the fight ends and Antinous says Penelope needs to pick a suitor, Athena/Sherlock is very disturbed before he helps Bill up.

We'll be Fine - The thing I love the absolute most about this musical is exploring Sherlock's side of this whole fiasco they were in and giving him a chance to vent some of this frustrations. Because it wasn't easy on him either and he might blame himself a little bit for not being able to help more. Bill knows a little bit about it from gossip and rumour and being a part of the Epic cast for a little while, not too much but between the two of them, Bill understands that Sherlock is letting out a bit of his frustration with the previous problem and the repeat that seems to be occurring, because he's super smart like that (I say seems because in real life, it won't last that long and William is probably gonna be ok and reconciled with Moran by the time we get there. It'll hopefully make sense once we get to the next saga but I just can't keep knocking this dude over he needs to start healing and giving him a less self-jeopardising problem to fight). Even though he and William have worked through a fair bit of what happened and their still going really strong, Sherlock is still worried. Sherlock's super soft on Bill because he's so similar to William. Bill, while sticking to the script, is just subtly reassuring him that it's ok, they'll get through this rough patch and they'll be fine. Sherlock doesn't need to be the first responder. A little bit of it probably comes out as Bill saying "William wouldn't want you to beat yourself up over this," especially when he mentions Athena's friend (William and Bill are also probably really close friends at this point, don't tell me William wouldn't take him under his wing immediately after they're introduced). When Athena calls him a good kid, Sherlock ruffles his hair and then Bill makes a move like someone's calling him and runs off, leaving him for the next part.

ALRIGHT I'M HAVING FUCKING ISSUES WITH TUMBLR RIGHT NOW SO STAY TUNED FOR PART TWO BECAUSE ANYTHING LONGER THAN THIS WONT FUCKING POST OR SAVE AS A DRAFT.

@aka-no-ken I'M COMING SWEETIE AND I'M BRINGING MY WORK WITH ME JUST BEAR WITH ME

[bumblingbabooshka]

[TUVOKTOBER: Day 9] Ballet with the Captain.

[lunetual]

[221107] KIHYUN’S PLAY!LIST

[reggiepeters-love-bot]

kid at julies school who can see ghosts but also wasnt at the assembly and thinks julies band just randomly shows up sometimes and that everyone collectively agreed to Not Talk About It (due to the Dead Mom)

[vamptastic]

I need to get into cosplay or drag or something because I really like some subtypes of women's fashion but I simply cannot wear any of it without feeling miserable. If I was dressed as a character or persona I don't think it'd bother me so much

[aromanticasterisms]

read through all of neuvillette's stories on the wiki and. what do you MEAN people were right about him giving furina her vision

[veganhamsalad]

Amnesty please I have a sad backstory

[the-somwthing]

[ someone saying flower husbands was toxic in an analysis of Jimmy ] boo ur wrong 🙄

[ someone saying flower husbands was toxic in an analysis of Scott ] OMG!! SO TRUE 😭