#they really had no idea what to do with anyone but elsa

[auphrodyte]

finally caved and watched frozen 2. i thought people were exaggerating but damn everyone in the movie has chemistry except the sole canon couple

[aquaticmercy]

Bloodthirst

Part 5 of Dark Necessities

Series Summary : You drink Bucky’s blood out of necessity and accidentally form a primal bond that has the ability to unlock an ancient ritual magic.

Chapter Summary : As Bucky’s obsession with the bond grows, you meet a stranger who claims he can help.

Pairing : Bucky Barnes x half-vampire!reader (she/her)

Warnings/tags : Blood. Death. Cursing.Violence. Pleasure from a vampire bite (?). The reader is a dhampir/half-vampire/daywalker like Blade, and Blade is a mentor figure in this. Established relationship. Not a really an au, set in the MCU so semi-canon compliant except for the fact that blade is here lol.

Word Count : 2.7k

Note : hey y’all! I haven’t updated this in over a week, but as it stands, I am going to upload a chapter 2-3 times a week. Let me know if I missed anyone in the tag list. Enjoy!

Bucky’s obsession with Joanna’s journal crept in quietly, at first. He kept it tucked under his arm, bringing it with him even to the smallest corners of his life. Before long, he felt like he was compelled to carry a piece of her story.

In the low light of the bedside table, he’d lose hours tracing her words with a respect that bordered on devotion. Each night, you’d find him hunched over the journal, eyes fixed on the paper as if every letter were sacred. His breaths would grow shallow, his body still, save for the fingers that turned the pages. You’d watch him from across the room, feeling a knot tightening in your chest because it did in his.

You knew you should probably take a peek, but the idea of reading it yourself filled your head with a uneasy dread. 

You didn’t want to know what was written inside—didn’t want to see the horrors the bond you shared with Bucky reflected in the pages. There was a fear you couldn’t shake off— that the journal held a blueprint of what your future with him might become, and it terrified you more than you could admit.

One night, after you fed on him and showered, you heard him turn the page and exhale, almost a sigh. You knew it couldn’t be anything good.

I can feel Celine’s heartbeat even when she’s not near. When she leaves, I feel like a ship wandering the seas without a destination. Her soul burns with mine like a flame, and I am afraid of how much I crave it.

How strange to feel so full, yet so empty without her… I wonder if this hunger is love or something else entirely. I cannot tell. But I do not care to know the difference.

As Bucky read, his grip on the journal tightened, knuckles turning white. His storm-blue had that faraway look again, as if Joanna’s writing had taken the words right out of his mouth. 

He didn’t notice how his breaths grew shallow the way you did— and how his shallow intakes of air made it harder for you to breathe. 

You bit down on the inside of your cheek instinctively. In that moment, he felt his cheeks ache, too. Warily, he looked up to you. 

He shut the book and smiled as if nothing was wrong. But he couldn’t hide these things from you anymore— you felt the dread he did, the spiral of obsession slowly digging deeper and deeper into his skull, taking root in his brain.

And still, you didn’t open the journal. You haven’t read a single sentence. 

It felt like the last line of defense, a boundary between what you could bear to know and what would destroy you if you did.

—

Today, you went on another mission— Elsa Bloodstone had tipped you off. 

The sunlight was blinding, slicing through the vein-like branches of the forest like a blade, yet the trees were so thick that there were pockets of darkness underneath.  

You and Bucky moved in near-silence through the edge of the woods, stalking the faerie that had left two vampires dead in the last three days. The forest seemed to sway with purpose, the earth beneath your boots uncharacteristically still. 

Every snap of a twig, every rustle of leaves set your senses on fire as you stayed close to Bucky’s side. The faerie had been maddeningly elusive. 

But you both knew it was near— you had caught a glimpse of their feet and followed it here. 

Bucky’s grip on his rifle was tight, his keen eyes flicking to every shadow that might move. He had specifically prepared silver-tipped bullets in his weapon, hoping he wouldn’t need it. Between you, the bond buzzed softly, a shared endless rise and falls of energy. His adrenaline felt like it had mixed with yours, creating a heady cocktail that made you hyper-aware, feeling the beat of his heart as if it was your own.

The daylight gave you an advantage—Bucky had insisted on that. The faeries had killed vampires— they would expect a vampire to avenge them. They would not expect a daywalker. 

This was your best chance. 

And yet, this seemed too easy.

As you stepped into a small clearing, the forest fell silent. Not the natural quiet of nature— it was like noise had been sucked out of the air in a vacuum. 

It was the kind of stillness that promised violence. 

You halted, your hand instinctively resting on the hilt of your dagger. The faint scent of blood drifted to you, sharp and metallic, and your eyes followed it to a figure slumped against the thick trunk of a tree.

A young vampire. Recently turned, by the smell of it.

The fledgling’s throat had been violently slashed, a grotesque smile carved into his pale flesh. His wide, empty eyes stared up at the canopy above. He likely was sheltering out the sun under the shade of the ancient tree.  A dark red streak ran down his neck, a brutal sight against his alabaster skin.

“This isn’t right,” you whispered, your voice barely audible as you began to back away. Your instincts screamed at you to run. “They’re leaving victims for us to find.”

He stiffened beside you, his head jerking up as he scanned the perimeter. His mouth opened to respond, but the forest answered first. 

Figures seemed to spill from the edges of your vision, flickering like flames. They moved with impossible grace, as if they were one with air itself. 

Faeries. 

Their pale, luminous skin glowed like winter’s first frost beneath sunrise. They wore flowing garments in shades of moonlight, their faces achingly beautiful but marred by a cruel childlike glee. They danced in and out of sight, their laughter piercing your ears, sharp as broken glass. 

You knew, now, that this was a trap. 

The bond between you and Bucky flared, his pulse thundering in your head. He moved closer, his back pressed against yours as the faeries closed in. Their movements were so fluid, so deliberate. One stepped forward, its lips curling into a smile that sent a chill down your spine.

“The blood-bonded lovers,” she said, her tone dripping with genuine wonder. “How rare. How precious.”

A shiver ran through your veins. 

These weren’t just faeries. Your eyes flicked to the brands on their necks— intricate, thorny roses etched into their pale skin. 

A marker of devotion.

“A cult,” you breathed, the realization hitting you like a blow. “A faerie cult.”

The stories came rushing back to you, dark whispers of faerie cults who performed ancient rituals to bend the natural forces to their will. The tales always mentioned daywalkers, their connection said to hold unspeakable power.

Perhaps they wanted to test their rituals on a blood bonded daywalker now.

One of the faeries began to hum, the melody soft and haunting. The sound wormed its way into your chest, vibrating in your bones, fraying your nerves. 

“To bring back the dead requires a blood sacrifice so rare,” the faerie purred, their eyes gleaming with hunger. “A blood sacrifice so potent.”

Bucky’s body tensed beside you, the bond crackling with his thoughts— anger, fear, and above all, a determination that burned like fire. You felt an unspoken promise ripple through the connection: he would not let them take you. But you knew he could feel your thoughts as well, that you were going to protect him just the same. 

The first faerie lunged, and you both moved as one. Bucky’s shot first, the silver-tipped bullet slicing through the air and slicing into the faerie’s shoulder. It staggered back with a shriek, its blood sparkling like liquid starlight. Another darted toward you, your dagger in hand, slicing into its flesh. The faerie hissed, otherworldly beauty twisting into monstrousityz

But then— 

A sharp sting bit into your neck. And another.

You slapped at the source, but it was too late. A cold numbness spread through your veins. 

You heard Bucky say your name, his voice quiet and distant. The world tilted, the sunlight fading, the trees dissolving into darkness. 

You both hit the ground.

And then there was nothing.

—

When you woke up, the first thing you noticed was the moon, bright and full, hanging high in the sky above you. 

How long had it been? 

You were in a hole in the ground, vines wrapped around your wrists. The air was damp, the faint scent of moss clinging to your senses as you groggily tried to sit up. 

“You’re finally awake,” came Bucky’s low, steady voice. He was crouched beside you, his metal hand working at the knots that held you captive. 

“How did you untie yourself?” you croaked, your voice still groggy, the lingering effects of the poison lingering.

Bucky shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “They didn’t factor in the whole blood-bonded supersoldier thing. Woke up, snapped the vines. Easy.”

You blinked at him, still drowsy. “How are you, like… fully awake already?” 

He held up a dart casing he’d pulled from his arm. The faintly glowing residue inside it shimmered faintly under the moonlight. “Silverleaf poison,” he said, toying with it between his fingers. “Hits vampires harder than humans. Guess they were banking on me being out longer.” 

You couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped you even now. He’s been reading up on your kind. 

It took another minute or two, but he finally freed you from the vines. He helped you to your feet, steadying you with a hand on your waist. The bond between you buzzed faintly, a steady pulse of his calm sensibility grounding you. 

“They caught us off guard once,” you muttered, shaking off the last vestiges of grogginess. You looked up to the opening above you. You grabbed a root that had snaked down and started to climb out. “Not again.”

Bucky nodded, stretching his metal arm. He felt naked without his weapon, but this’ll do.

As you climbed out of the hole, the forest greeted you with an eerie silence. No whispers. No laughter. Nothing. 

Yet again, you got the creeping feeling that said the silence must mean something was wrong. 

Together, you moved cautiously into the clearing, every step feline. The smell hit you first—sharp, metallic, unmistakable. Blood. 

Then you saw them. 

The faeries. 

Their once luminous, otherworldly bodies lay sprawled across the ground like discarded old marionettes. Their glowing skin was smeared with their silvery blood, their flowing garments torn and stained. Some had wide, glassy eyes staring lifelessly at the canopy above; others had their faces frozen in terror. Their bodies were twisted at unnatural angles, limbs discarded as they had been ripped apart.

“Holy fuck…” Bucky trailed off, scanning the scene with wide eyes. He stepped forward, nudging one of the corpses with the toe of his boot. 

It didn’t stir.

You knelt beside another body, your hand hovering over the intricate thorny brand on its neck. The symbol seemed to flicker faintly, the glow fading as though whatever power had coursed through it was finally snuffed out. 

Then, you saw the figure standing at the center of the carnage.

You couldn’t take your eyes off him. 

Tall and refined, he seemed utterly untouched by the chaos around him. His coat, deep purple with intricate gold trim, swirled faintly in the breeze. A lavish feather boa was draped over his shoulders, absurdly elegant. His dark eyes stayed on you and Bucky. 

The vampire from Dead Club City.

He was renewed with energy— almost glowing.

His fangs glinted of silvery blood.

Oh, he’d kept a couple of the faeries alive enough to feed.

Faerie blood was an acquired taste— and it was intoxicating. A recreational hallucinogenic drug for the vampire community at times, though not without danger— you have heard of multiple overdose cases. 

Yet here he was, unchanged by the blood he had drank— as if he had a resistance to it. As if he had built up tolerance to it.

His smirk deepened. It was not friendly. Not warm. 

“Ah, the hunters,” he said, his voice smooth and sweet. “Or shall I say, the hunted?”

Your stomach twisted. You could feel the hum of the bond with Bucky at your side, his tensed breathing a steady pull in your chest. He shifted, moving half a step in front of you, his stance protective.

His grip on your arm stayed firm—a reassurance that you weren’t alone. Still, unease prickled along your skin. This man—this vampire—was dangerous in ways you couldn’t yet define.

He had done this. Effortlessly. 

And now his attention was on you.

“Eric Veer,” He introduced as he approached, his boots crunching softly against the ground, not caring if he stepped on some faerie remains on his way.

There was nothing kind in this man’s face, only an ancient hunger, hidden beneath a thin layer of civility. 

Bucky, however, didn’t move. His hand tightened on your arm—not in alarm, but in caution. His thoughts, muted but present through the bond, was conflicted. But mostly, it was curiosity. 

It made you want to shake him, want to shout at him. How could Bucky not feel the danger emanating from this man? How could he not see the predator that lingered beneath the elegant facade?

Eric’s gaze shifted to Bucky, and then to you, lingering for a second too long. His eyes dropped to where Bucky’s hand gripped your arm. 

“Fascinating,” he murmured. “The connection between you… so raw. So untested.”

You wanted to step back, to put distance between yourself and him, but Bucky’s grip held you in place. The bond pulsed with his determination, and it felt infuriating. 

“What do you want from us?” You asked.

Veer shrugged. “I want to help. I have been studying blood bonds for centuries.”

You didn’t trust him. Not for a second.

Bucky, though, seemed to be listening, his thoughts guarded but intrigued. You felt the flicker of his hesitation through the bond, a reflection of your worry. 

Eric reached into his coat and withdrew a folded piece of paper. He held it out, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling mixture of amusement and excitement. 

You didn’t take it. 

Bucky, however, stepped forward, plucking the paper from Eric’s hand without any hesitation. You felt the shift in him, the way his curiosity bloomed, the subtle intrigue that bled through the bond. It frustrated you. 

How could he trust this man—this vampire who stood amidst a field of corpses like a god laying waste to his domain?

The address scrawled on the paper was written in cursive. Bucky said nothing as he studied it. Eric’s gaze returned to you, as if knowing he still needed to win you over. 

“I offer knowledge,” Eric said, his voice low, “What you do with it is up to you.”

He turned then, his coat billowing behind him as he began to walk away. You should have felt relief as he left, but the unease only grew, wrapping tighter around you like a noose. “Be careful with that bond of yours. A faerie cult is the least of your worries.”

And just like that, he was gone, swallowed by the shadows of the forest. 

The clearing was silent once more, save for the faint rustle of leaves in the wind. You stared at the spot where Eric had disappeared, your thoughts a blend of mistrust, and unease. 

Bucky, however, was still holding the paper, his expression unreadable. Through the bond, you felt his determination, his mind already turning with plans, strategies— a willingness to follow the thread Eric had offered. 

The paper held an address: 10 Wintermeyer Lane

“We shouldn’t go,” you said finally, your voice wound tight. “We can’t trust him.”

Bucky’s hand relaxed on your arm, but he didn’t look at you. “Maybe,” he said quietly, his tone carefully neutral. “But if he knows something about this bond… we can’t just ignore it.”

The connection flared again, a clash of emotions—your mistrust against his curiosity. You didn’t reply, but the fear in your chest refused to subside. 

As Bucky tucked the paper into his pocket, you couldn’t shake the feeling that stepping onto the path Eric had laid would lead to another trap— one that Bucky wholeheartedly trusted.

-To be continued…

Taglist :  @mystictf @chimchoom @crdgn @a-crying-fandom-lover @otterlycanadian 

@sebastians-love @intelligenceofapineapple @put-trash-here @hzdhrtss

@murnsondock

[crystallizsch]

Random Thought, please humor me.

SURPRISE: YUUSHA GAINS MAGIC (By absorbing the Magic around her & dealing with Overblots)! Even better, she doesn't need a Mage Stone to control it! What would Yuusha's Unique Magic be & how does she use it? How would Jamil react?

"Magic makes people feel too powerful. Too entitled."

"That is not what magic does. That's just your fear. Fear is what can't be trusted."

HELPPP anon your random thought sent me down into a rabbit hole and i was hyperfixated on this for at least a WEEK 😭

THANK YOU FOR THE ASK BTW I REALLY APPRECIATE IT I HAD SO MUCH FUN WITH THIS 💕💕💕

anyways i also had an agonizing realization that yuusha is somewhat twisted elsa/anna because she has:

braid in front ✅

light-colored hair streak ✅

love interest that used her for his schemes ✅

desire to connect with people bc of years of loneliness (and emotional instability) ✅

unresolved childhood trauma in general ✅

(and probably more idk, these are the ones that stand out to me at the moment)

i haven't thought about frozen for YEARS and somehow it's still haunting me.

i have a lot of mixed feelings about this realization in general but the reason i brought this up is because i ended up basing yuusha's unique magic on frozen (not the ice powers part, but more the emotions aspect since elsa's powers work based on her emotions) while also still having aspects of yuu's own personality on it.

(also I'm sorry in advance i keep on dropping random lore about yuu and jamil's dynamic that only makes sense to myself hndsfhdsj)

I'm your friend. You don't have to hide. SHOW YOURSELF.

"Show Yourself" forces the target to say what's actually on their mind as long as she touches them. Since she's not particularly powerful and skilled with her own unique magic in the beginning, it's limited to skin-to-skin contact, and it only lasts for as long as she's touching her target.

If Yuu trained it more, it doesn't have to be skin-to-skin, just as long as she makes some kind of physical contact with her target; and it could last for as long as she wants even if she is no longer making physical contact. (But the longer she keeps it up, the more blot accumulates.) Yuusha would mostly just use her unique magic to mess with people. It'll only be rare that she chooses to use it for something serious.

To add more onto how Jamil would react to these magic shenanigans: They've both agreed on not using their unique magic on each other. To do so would be a breach of trust. (Of course there would be special exceptions but generally that's their agreement.) And since Jamil is still a scheming prick (affectionate), her "Show Yourself" unique magic would be useful. Plus, Yuu would not be against using her unique magic 99% of the time since she is also aware of the usefulness of her ability. Jamil would insist on helping Yuu out on how to use her magic because there was no way she'd get the hang of it immediately. And he knows she would refuse to ask any other (capable) magician for help.

An alternate idea that I scrapped was "Let It Go" where it's essentially Yuu telling her target to let go of their (usually negative) emotions. But those feelings can't just disappear so Yuu basically absorbs them so now it's her burden to carry instead. I scrapped it because I can't settle on how it works. (But it still had angst potential so I couldn't help but draw a bit about it anyway.)

(extra rambling below about yuusha overblot thoughts if anyone's interested hdlfhjgj)

this is a brief tangent from the original question because i also thought, "hey what if she overblotted, wouldn't that be fun"

i could see the overblot going in either two ways:

yuu accidentally hurts grim (or another friend) with her magic. she’s so distraught thinking that even with magic she can't protect those who are dear to her. and so during the overblot she will not actively try to hurt anyone but instead exhausting her magic reserves in an intentional attempt at self-destruction. (yes i also see the frozen parallels shhhh)

OR

something happens that was simply THE LAST STRAW. now she’s too pissed at everyone that she no longer cares about what happens to her or anyone else, going on a destructive rampage. which can also be considered an intentional attempt at self-destruction.

either way, basically, if she can’t go home she’s just going to take herself out and/or the school instead. the girl is not okay.

(there's actually nothing good she can home to, but she's convinced she'll be happy again if she returns. but she doesn't know that because she can't remember shit about her home. that's a separate lore dump post hgdsjfkld)

also the blot monster behind her would look something like marshmallow (elsa's snow monster from frozen) :)

(i also used to have a similar idea for yuusha. i planned to have her be immune to magic *because* she was absorbing it and she didn't realize. leading to an inevitable overblot) (but i scrapped it because yuusha became my victim for jamil x yuu stuff) (like if i can't have the excuse to have jamil use snake whisper on yuu then what is the point)

[ot3]

it's really interesting to me how much of the discussion around the use of AI image generation seems to revolve around the idea that there are really only two types of visual art that exist:

art intended for some sort of commercial use

and

2. art that gets made so that the artist can experience the Joys and Wonder of Creative Expressions Of Humanity

the first is one where i think there's some actual concern warranted. i do think it's legitimate to say that a lot of visual artists and photographers have had their work used in a way they couldn't possibly have predicted and had no means of opting out of. i definitely find it questionable to use ai generated images as a commercial product, especially when it's corporate entities doing it. and as always corporations will use whatever new tech they can to cut out human workers. it fucking sucks and warrants talking about but cutting out human artists for AI art use is an extension of the pre-existing phenomenon, not a new thing.

the second one is complete bullshit. would i personally get a lot of value out of Expressing Myself with ai image generation? absolutely not. maybe some people do. but for the most part anyone who values art as an experiential process and is unconcerned with the final product is already Doing That. they don't need a condescending post about the evocative nature of children's scribbling to know that the fidelity of a piece of artwork does not correspond to it's value. you're talking to the wrong fucking people.

the thing i feel like gets left out entirely is the millions of reasons why someone might want A Specific Image to exists that's outside of these two categories. maybe you just want a picture to go on your dnd character sheet but nothing on picrew has the right features. maybe you want a cartoon of your 4 year old daughter dressed as elsa to get printed on her birthday cake. maybe you want to send your coworker a picture of her dog on the rim of an active volcano as part of an ongoing inside joke. maybe you're a writer and want to whip up a quick visual for something as reference to make it easier to describe.

and i really struggle to understand what the material harm is in any of those things. the closest i can approximate is that people who have a problem with ai image generation for personal use seem to feel like either a. people are robbing freelance artists who do commissions of a Potential Sale which i don't think i need to explain why that's bullshit or b. the fact that they can have access to Images without having to Work Hard like I, a Real Artist did means they are committing some sort of karmic slight against me. and there really isn't any way to unpack/legitimize that particular critique that doesn't result in some ableism, as we've clearly seen.

[flamingoprincess25]

To the Punch Out fans…My Halloween special is gonna be a bit late (I had a really bad day 😭 and art block sucks ass)

BUT that doesn’t mean I can show you the progress of what’s to come! So I give you…

PRINCESS PUNCH OUT!!! (I DEEPLY apologize if I made anyone cringe)

Yeah what kind of Princess is Little Mac? 🧐 (He’s Vanellope. That one scene in Ralph breaks the internet made me give Mac this role because of what’s coming)

(Glass Joe as Belle and Von Kaiser as Anna)

Yes I really wanted to do the French joke with the Frenchman by making him the princess from France. And Von Kaiser was tough but I planned the roles with my friend and she said Anna.

(Disco Kid as Rapunzel and King Hippo as Moana)

Disco Kid will absolutely wear a really long wig and would get himself TANGLED in it HA-

King Hippo has NO idea what’s going on but he feels Bonita for some reason. (Didn’t want to wear a wig. He was allowed to keep his crown)

(Piston Hondo as Mulan and Bear Hugger as Snow White)

Yes I know Mulan is Chinese and Piston is Japan but there was NO JAPANESE DISNEY PRINCESS COPE WITH ME PLZ- And Bear Hugger is Snow White for a very obvious reason

(Great Tiger as Jasmine and Don Flamenco as Aurora)

Again there is NO DISNEY PRINCESS FROM INDIA AND GREAT TIGER WAS THE CLOSEST I GOT BC HE HAS A FUCKING MAGIC CARPET COPE WITH ME- Also Don is Aurora for a VERY specific reason (if you saw my one post, you know)

(Aran Ryan as Merida and Soda Popinski as Elsa)

*sigh* again NO IRISH PRINCESS SO MERIDA WAS THE CLOSEST WE GOT (Also Aran would not use the bow at all and just stab people with the arrows or just yeet em at random people) And Soda is Elsa because of how cold it is in Russia. (It’s funny bc Elsa is older than Anna but Von Kiaiser is Anna and is older than Soda LOL-)

(Bald Bull as Tiana and Super Macho Man as Ariel)

Bald Bull was tough to find a princess for so my friend and I just agreed on Tiana. Super Macho Man I made Ariel because of how he has a beach like theme and I could totally see him as a merman.

(Mr.Sandman as Cinderella)

OKAY OKAY I KNOW WHAT YOU ALL ARE THINKING- Why isn’t Sandman Tiana? I thought it would be funny to see Cinderella as the world champion if there was a princess punch out lol So I made Sandman Cinderella.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL NOT AGREE WITH THESE ROLES AND THATS OKAY! This was just something I wanted to do for shits and giggles (unless y’all want me to make more 😏). I wish I could have finished it all but I PROMI I will have it done soon! It takes time for me to work on this stuff so please let me know if you like this dumbass idea I came up with. (I mean no one has done it before- *COUGH*)

Also there’s a little story for this AU idea. The boxers lost a bet against Princess Peach and had to dress as Disney Princesses for the Nintendo Halloween party.

Anyways HAPPY HALLOWEEN LADS!!

[wondergirl2007]

Top 10 Characters Who Are Autistic

Autism. What exactly is autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people communicate, learn, and behave.

Autistic people may act in a different way to other people.

Some examples are:

* Finding it hard to understand how other people think or feel.

* Being sensitive to bright lights or loud noises.

* Getting anxious about social events.

* They may take longer to understand information.

* They prefer to be on their own.

* And they may act blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to.

People who have autism might face challenges that people who don't have it won't, but they're still very capable of achieving goals and living a happy and healthy life just as much as someone who doesn’t have autism. In fact, there are many well-known people with ASD who have achieved significant things in their life, including Albert Einstein, Tim Burton, Elon Musk, to name a few.

Now, why am I mentioning all of this? Well because I’m autistic myself, and I didn’t even know I was on the spectrum until like, last year. And I have quite a few friends who are also on the spectrum like me, so I can relate to them a lot.

But thinking back to when I was a child, I definitely had quite a few symptoms of autism, including preferring to be on my own, enjoying hobbies such as art and music, having repetitive behaviour, being sensitive to loud noises and not understanding sarcasm or figures of speech.

For example, if someone told me to “Break a leg!”, I might think they literally mean for me to break my leg, when really it’s just a rhetorical phrase, and I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t want me to actually break my leg.

Another example is when I was in primary school, I didn’t like the loudness of everyone talking all at once during assemblies, so I was given these headphones that would reduce the noise, and it did help, but one of my teachers didn’t like the idea of me wearing them, but when I got older, I was less sensitive to the noise, so I stopped wearing them.

But I’m not here to just talk about my experiences with autism, because as you can tell from the title, we’re going to be looking at fictional characters from TV shows and films who are also on the spectrum, and how I can relate to the characters.

For this list, we’ll be looking at characters from TV shows and animated films who either are autistic, or have Asperger’s syndrome. Characters from live action films or videos games will not be on this list. So without further ado, here are the top 10 characters who are autistic.

Quick disclaimer: Not every single on this list may actually be confirmed to be autistic, but I’m still including them on the list as they have autistic traits that I can relate to. With that out of the way, let’s get onto the list.

10. Elsa (Frozen)

I’m sure we all know the film “Frozen.” It’s the sixth highest grossing film in history and is based on the classic tale “The Snow Queen”. It has a unique story, catchy music and well-written characters. Out of all of the characters though, Elsa really represents what being autistic is like.

When Elsa was young, she became less social and communicative after she accidentally injured her sister, Anna, due to being unable to control her ice powers. After her parents pass away, Elsa is unable to understand Anna’s thoughts and feelings and doesn’t realise how much her younger sister needs her.

After Elsa becomes the Queen at her coronation, she becomes much more anxious and may have even suffered from sensory overloads which cause her ice powers to get the best of her and starts a glacial winter in the kingdom of Arendelle.

Elsa flees from Arendelle to create a castle made of ice on the distant cliffs, and prefers to be by herself, as she believes she’s a threat to the kingdom due to her ice powers and doesn’t want to do any harm to anyone.

Elsa's powers being a metaphor for being autistic is a valid and powerful interpretation that people are allowed to have and share. Actually, Elsa's powers are seen as a metaphor by almost every minority who suffers for being different.

How sensitive Elsa seems to be, how she seems to look at the world different from people around, how she moves, some repetitive gestures, the way she learns some behaviors from her sister and attempts to follow them because she understands these things are important -- even though naturally she wouldn't act that way, because it is a learned behavior.

Also, the song “Let It Go” was written by taking inspiration from an autistic relative of the writer.

It's important to remember the there's an autistic spectrum and that each person is different. Autistic people are believed to learn to mimic neurotypical behaviors under the pressure of being accepted -- or better said, tolerated. Even though it hasn’t been fully confirmed, I am very much convinced that Elsa could absolutely be autistic.

9. Lola (Charlie And Lola)

I grew up watching Charlie And Lola, and I could relate to Lola a lot. After rewatching the show, it’s pretty clear that Lola has autism. She has many autistic traits including:

* Only has one close friend (Lotta) because other people perceive her as being eccentric and very odd.

* Has been labeled a “very fussy eater” by her brother Charlie, probably due to sensory problems with food, which is something I can relate to a lot as I’m a picky eater myself.

* Takes everything very literally and doesn’t understand idioms or expressions (e.g. “Don’t make faces because if the wind changes it’ll stick like that” “Don’t watch too much tv or you’ll get square eyes”)

* Reading the same book all about bugs over and over again, to name a few.

I know it’s not been confirmed that Lola is autistic, but I mean, come on. It’s pretty obvious that she is. Lola is basically me when I was a child. I don’t have much else to say on this one, so let’s just move on.

8. Goo (Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends)

Ah, Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends. A classic Cartoon Network show featuring some memorable characters such as Mac, Frankie, Eduardo, Wilt, Bloo, and then there’s… Goo.

Goo was introduced in the third season of the show and is seen as an hyperactive, happy-go-lucky, overly imaginative and talkative African-American girl. Goo does seem to have some autistic traits, such as being spontaneous, going into detail about a subject (In a rather hyperactive way) and she’s incredibly hyper active in and outside of her mind.

Goo also struggles to make friends, which is why she creates her own friends, and even though most autistic people usually prefer being on their own, Goo would rather have lots of friends, but is unable to make friends because she thinks people find her annoying due to her hyperactive behaviour, especially after being yelled at by Mac about it.

I mean, I can’t really blame Mac for yelling at her, but I just felt so bad for Goo. I also struggled to make new friends when I first started high school, and preferred to do things on my own. I didn’t mind being on my own and times, but other times I did want to have at least someone to talk to.

Now I know just because someone can be creative or hyperactive doesn’t instantly mean they’re autistic, but Goo’s imagination is what helps her less insecure about herself and not just seen as this weird, annoying kid. Goo’s creativity makes her who she is, and she shouldn’t be ashamed of that.

7. Leni Loud (The Loud House)

Now, Leni Loud is seen as the stereotypical “dumb blonde girl” in The Loud House, and she reminds me a lot of Lindsay from Total Drama, but the reason why she’s on this list is because she’s the most relatable character in the show to me.

First of all, Leni has a special interest in fashion and she even makes various clothing in many episodes. Also, a lot like me, Leni has a lot of trouble when it comes to taking things people say literally.

One example can be found in the episode “House Music” in which the Loud family forms a family band. During the episode Luna tells Leni that she can sing backup and Leni ends up taking her words literally and singing the words “backup”.

And another example occurs in “Driving Miss Hazy”, when Lori tells Leni to make her bed Leni ends up taking her literally and builds her a bed frame from scratch.

As an autistic person myself I often have problems myself when it comes to taking things people say literally and I often have trouble recognizing sarcasm or when people are joking instead of being serious.

Next, like a lot of autistic people, there is evidence that she has routines that she follows such as in the episode “Space Invader” when she mentions that she brushes her hair exactly 50 times every day.

Finally there’s the fact that Leni’s stock pose is something known as raptor hands. Raptor hands is basically when you have your arms close to your body with your hands bent. Raptor hands can be common among autistic people and it’s pretty much Leni’s signature pose.

I think it might have been confirmed that Leni is autistic, and I saw a poll of the Loud House fandom about wherever you thought if Leni was autistic or not, and more people said yes than no, so Leni may actually be autistic.

6. Julia (Sesame Street)

Julia was probably one of the first characters who I’ve seen to be on the spectrum. She is a friendly girl who enjoys various activities including drawing and playing with her stuffed toy rabbit, Fluffster, but is sensitive to loud noises such as sirens and may not answer to someone immediately.

She also enjoys bonding with her neurotypical friends on Sesame Street, who often grow in their understanding of autism in the process.

Puppeteer Stacey Gordon, who played the role of Julia, uses her experiences as a mother of an autistic child to portray Julia in an authentic way.

Julia made her first appearance in an awareness initiative entitled Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children, which was made to provide resources “designed to serve autistic children and their families”.

Sesame Street is known for taking on serious topics including grief, racism and adoption. And autism was no exception. Being autistic myself, Julia is a very relatable character.

5. Fred Jones (Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated)

Fred Jones In Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated has a LOT of symptoms of autism, such as:

Obsessive interests (specifically, traps), Not understanding other people’s emotions, being more drawn to things than to people, talking things too literally, being unable to recognise people's hints toward him, a need for a consistent routine, finding it hard to express his own emotions and getting upset if somebody gets too close to him.

I realise a lot of this was apparently done for the sake of humour, but the writers of Mystery Incorporated really seem to have unintentionally written Fred to be autistic.

I don’t have a lot to say about this one either, because I didn’t really watch Scooby Doo all that much when I was younger, but I did know that Fred was a very popular autistic character, so here he is on the list.

4. SpongeBob (SpongeBob SquarePants)

Yes, it has been confirmed that SpongeBob is indeed autistic by the voice actor himself, Tom Kenny, but he “never meant" for it to go public with his recent revelation about the iconic character being autistic after his comments went viral.

But SpongeBob has pretty much every autistic trait an autistic person can have, such as not being able to read social cues. It's hard for the guy to know when he's bothering someone, and he's not very good at reading the emotions of others. A lot of the comedy from the show derives from the fact that he doesn't know that he's annoying.

He also has meltdowns over relatively minor things, and is unable to handle his own emotions well. We've seen Spongebob, countless times, freak out over fairly petty things. Most of the time it's played for comedy, but for certain people (autistic or not) it can be relatable at times.

SpongeBob also takes things literally such as in the episode, “Squid On Strike”, Squidward told him that they would "dismantle the oppressive establishment” Spongebob interpreted "dismantle the establishment" as "destroy the building." So he did.

And most autistic people have one certain area of extreme knowledge/expertise that they refer to as a "special interest." Something that they feel extreme, almost obsessive, passion for. It's not hard to see that Spongebob's is his love of fry-cooking. Fortunately for him, that's also his job, and he's probably the happiest workaholic ever shown on television.

SpongeBob was definitely a character I didn’t expect to be confirmed autistic when I was younger, but after rewatching SpongeBob recently, yeah, I can definitely see it.

3, 2 and 1. Grim, Billy and Mandy (The Grim Adventures Of Billy And Mandy)

So, I started watching Billy and Mandy when I was around 14 years old, and I had no idea that the three main characters were autistic. In fact, I didn’t even see any autistic traits in them at first, but after realising that the creator of the show, Maxwell Atoms, is autistic himself, and also finding out that I’m autistic myself, this is one of the reasons why Billy and Mandy is one of my favourite shows ever.

All three of the characters are so relatable, as they all have autistic traits that I can relate to, from Grim taking things literally and being easily upset when thrown off from routine, to Billy’s repetitive behaviour and not understanding other people’s emotions, to Mandy hating being touched or hugged or finding it difficult to express her emotions, and prefers being on her own.

I’m pretty sure we can all see it, especially after Maxwell confirming that Grim, Billy and Mandy were all autistic in 2021. Heck, there’s a whole video about Mandy talking about autism. (With the voice being AI, because, well, of course)

But overall, I think that being autistic isn’t something to be ashamed of, as a person with autism can absolutely live a normal life with the right support and resources. Early intervention, education, and community support are key factors in helping people with autism achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives.

Let me know in the comments which autistic character is your favourite and why. And if there was any characters I may have missed, also let me know in the comments. And with that, I’ll see you guys later.

[twomanyfandomshelp]

Came up with an idea for a new tag game last night while I was trying to sleep.

What are three movies/tv shows that shaped your childhood?

1. Frozen. I feel so bad for the amount of times my parents had to listen to me and my sister screaming the lyrics to Let It Go (really all the songs in that movie). We went to see it in the theater THREE TIMES, my parents even got us those Elsa dresses that were like $100. My sister and I were obsessed with that movie for YEARS (I can literally quote every single word).

2. Descendants. I very vividly remember watching this movie for the first time on Disney Channel, I can even tell you where all the ad breaks were lol. Another one me and my sister were obsessed with. The year the first Descendants came out, for Halloween I was Evie and she was Mal, and the year that the third one came out I was Audrey and she was Mal again.

3. Since the other two were movies, let’s do a tv show. Liv and Maddie. It was like me and my sister, but twins and older. I related a lot to Liv (I’ve always really liked singing and acting, and at the time I wanted to be an actress when I grew up) and my sister really like Maddie (she’s always been the more athletic of the two of us). We also both really liked Parker because we’ve both always been very good at school and enjoyed it a lot, plus he’s just funny. We watched all four seasons at least ten times.

Can you tell I grew up in a Disney house? Disney has always been a big part of my family, my parents met during the college program at WDW and then my mom transferred to my dad’s college without even knowing it was his college. They always say their love story is like a Disney movie, very fitting. Anyhoo, I’m off topic.

Time for tags! I really hope y’all like this 🙃 @sushis-mylifeee @ivys-garden @thekingofworems @the-stars-are-ineffable @bippityboppityouch @kingofdandelions @aeolianmusic @sushi1056 @nyx-of-darkness-1620 @aaronofithaca05 @jarondont @the-decapod and anyone else who wants to join in!

[gayciate]

Yippee!!! Posting the fic I'm working on here - it's a bit of an Elsa x Isabela slowburn with a focus on exploring both of their characters!

Rated M because future chapters may contain sexual content; however, any NSFW bits will be clearly marked for anyone who prefers to steer clear

Isabela took a slow, deep breath as she soaked in the morning sun. Her eyes fluttered closed as she lay back in the grass, lazily raising an arm to rest behind her head while she relaxed. Before the near collapse of the miracle, this would be an unthinkable act.

‘Isabela, your dress!’ ‘What are you doing? You'll be late!’

She briefly tensed, almost an automatic response to such thoughts, but willed herself relax as she breathed out a low sigh. There were still many days that she found herself falling back on old habits. But things in the past several months had genuinely and truly been looking up for not just her but the Madrigal family as a whole.

Like, normally she'd be livid if she heard the pitter patter of light feet bolting toward her to disturb her quiet moment. But this was new Isabela, and new Isabela did not (usually) try to bite Mirabel’s head off just for existing.

“What’s the rush, Mira?” Her light voice carried a teasing tone as she sat up, opening an eye to see, “Dolores?” Alarm bells sounded in Isabela’s ears the moment she saw her cousin. Dolores was clearly out of breath, brow furrowed and expression worried.

“Dolores? Are you OK? What's wrong?” Isabela jumped to her feet quickly, any relaxation in her shoulders fading as her eyes scanned over her cousin for any sign of hurt.

“I don't know-” her cousin squeaked, “I- I heard cracking - in the mountains!”

Her own voice raised just slightly in panic and she flinched at the sound of it, looking as surprised as Isabela did in that moment. “It's like the mountains were breaking, and there was crackling? It’s like - you were the closest - so I came here, but-” Her stammering and worry became more evident as she winced and covered her ears, shaking her head. The sounds she was hearing were far from natural.

“Go tell the others,” Isabela squared her shoulders, gaze steely with determination as she eyed the mountains. “I'll check it out.”

“What? Ohhh, no- nonono, Isa, wait-!” Dolores shook her head at the prospect, worry hanging heavy over her head as her eldest (and most stubborn) cousin was off to the races. With absolutely no chance of closing the distance with how Isabela was all but flinging herself through the air with her gift, Dolores could only give an indignant, distressed squeak before darting back home as quick as her legs could take her.

Isabela’s head was filled with mixed fear and determination as she zoomed toward the mountains that protected the Encanto. She'd come so far - they all had. Maybe rushing toward the strange, terrifying sound wasn't the brightest idea. But the thought of something bad happening… something that she could maybe do something right now to prevent, spurred her on.

It didn't take super senses to find the source of the noise.

Isabela skidded to a stop, heart hammering and mouth ajar as she realized the scope of what she may be dealing with. Right there in the mountain, the Encanto’s magical barrier against the the outside world, was a deep crack maybe ten meters tall. But what was even more baffling were the fingers of frost seeming to crawl their way out every little crack in the mountain.

Shaking herself from her stupor, Isabela summoned her courage. Raising her arms, she sent a barrage of vines up the wall. Criss-crossing over the growing gap, the thick vines fruitlessly did everything they could to hold the mountain together. It wasn’t a particularly elegant solution, or even one she was convinced would really work, but what else could she do? Gritting her teeth, Isabela stretched the limits of her powers as far as she could but the slow, steady snap of plant sinew was her only warning before the entire thing split open.

Isabela felt herself suddenly launched back with a sharp yelp, covering her face as a near blinding ray of white light and freezing-cold burst of air hit her all at once. The icy wind swept over her, drawing a pained hiss as she struggled to inhale. When the chill died down and she dared open her eyes, Isabela managed to turn her attention past her crystalized breaths looking up and beholding a figure in the frost.

Her eyes widened, words dying in her throat. The woman seemed ethereal, cloaked in crystalline hues, with an expressionless face and bright, glowing white eyes. Her stature seemed tall (at least from where Isabela was sitting) and her form perfect. The poise and grace with which her head tilted just slightly hit Isabela in a way that left her frozen. It was as if she was facing a force of nature more than anything. 

That fleeting moment felt like an eternity. 

As forever came to a close, Isabela felt the air suddenly whoosh back into her lungs, drawing in a sharp breath as the cold rushed back the way it had came. The ice across the mountain’s crack seemed to dissipate as quickly as it had emerged though the deep scar in the stone remained.

And the strange woman, without a word, suddenly collapsed.

Isabela felt her breath tremble, raising a hand to clutch her chest for a few beats after the ordeal. 

Still alive? Check. All in one piece? Check. Heart still pumping? Fast, but yes. Check.

Slowly, cautiously, she made her way to her feet, daring to take one step closer to the collapsed…  person? “Hello?” She dared to call out, vines subconsciously twining themselves around her arms in an attempt at self-soothing. Within a few feet of the passed out figure she could see much more clearly now that the woman definitely appeared human. Her chest rose and fell slowly, brow slightly furrowed even in unconsciousness. 

So it really was a person. A living, breathing person. Or, well, currently breathing. She looked to be in pretty rough shape, honestly.

Isabela hesitated, but took a slow breath to steady herself. Well, she couldn't just leave her lying there, right? Isabela had absolutely no idea what she was supposed to do in this situation, but she knew what not to do at least! Inwardly cursing herself for her trepidation, she boldly inched forward just enough to carefully take the woman’s arm over her shoulder. She nearly flinched at the chill of the woman’s skin - was she ill?

No, no. This wasn't a normal cool for a person to be. And Isabela knew what she'd seen and felt. That ice was not natural in the slightest. Isabela paused, figurative light going off above her head. Hold on. Does this woman have a gift?

Curiosity mixed with Isabela's feelings of unease as she gently dragged the unconcious woman forward. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the unmistakable urgency of heavy footfalls signaling her younger sister's approach. “Luisa! Over here!”

“Isa! Isabela! Are you hurt?! Dolores said-” Luisa frowned openly, looking like she wanted to simultaneously wrap her older sister in a protective embrace and also chastise her for her recklessness. It gave her pause to see the stranger hefted at Isabela’s side, “who’s that?”

“I’m ok, but… I have no idea,” Isabela admitted, casting a sideways glance to the passed out woman on her shoulder. Even the stranger’s breath was cool as it lightly tickled her neck. She shivered slightly at the sensation but shook it off, “the wall was cracking - there was ice, she was there- standing one moment- and then she just collapsed. She's breathing, but I don't know what kind of shape she's in.” Though she was far too stubborn to voice it directly, the worry was evident in Isabela’s voice. This whole situation was terribly bizzare.

“We'll get her home,” Luisa reached down to carefully take the unconscious girl from her sister and Isabela didn't argue. It was a strange sort of feeling as the cool aura left her side, but very vindicating when Luisa’s eyes widened in surprise, “huh- cold!”

“Right?!” Isabela empathized eagerly before glancing back wearily at the cracks in the mountain. It felt… strange and upsetting to see. Not knowing what else to do in the moment, she raised a hand to seal over as much of it as she could with thick vines. At least that would keep it from just being a huge, open door into the Encanto, right?

Opting to move with a bit of discretion along the outskirts of the town, the two arrived with the unconscious stranger to a household buzzing with questions. Ominous clouds floated up, rumbling with anxious thunder. The second they were within sight, Julieta was quick to fuss over her daughters’ safety. Questions were breakneck and eyes held a mixture of curiosity and worry over the stranger’s arrival. Isabela counted herself lucky that Dolores at least heard the interaction to vouch - not that anyone didn't believe her, it was just an especially strange tale.

Still, questions that couldn't possibly be answered were flying a mile a minute. The clamor of the room was deafening enough that Dolores ducked out halfway through. She hadn't done that since before Casita’s collapse.

“There's not much we can do now. We’ll just have to wait for her to wake up,” Mirabel’s clear voice broke through the din and finally gave some sort of pause to it all. “We’re not gonna assume anything bad. There’ll be time for questions later.”

Isabela couldn't help the way her heart swelled with pride over her little sister. It was a marvel how much she'd grown - her confidence and, hell, her leadership was astounding to see. It would be impossible not to see how she'd been coming into her own lately.

It was quite some time before things began to settle in earnest and the Madrigal family started to breathe again. Though they all glanced at the stranger expectantly throughout the day, Isabela had taken it upon herself to be a guard of sorts. The woman lay next to her on the couch, covered in two layers of her mother’s old quilts because she would, in Julieta’s words, ‘catch her death in cold long before waking up!’ Isabela shook her head with a faint smile at what a total mom her mom was. Even when it came to mysterious strangers that may or may not have busted open the Encanto.

One by one, the members of her family filtered off to sleep and one by one Isabela assured them that she'd be fine sitting with the stranger in case she woke up. She had rolled her eyes but did promise to scream very loud if she needed help and they seemed pleased enough with that.

As the night slowly ticked on, Isabela caught herself casting more glances toward the mystery woman. Her silvery-white hair was disheveled but beautiful, very befitting of her icy entrance. Up close it was easier to see, she looked to be about around Isabela’s own age if she had to guess. Her heart rate picked up a tad as she smoothed her gaze over the woman’s resting face, noticing how attractive her features were. 

Purely objectively, of course!

She was quick to write off any of those funny little thoughts as nerves. After all, this was a very strange (r.e. extremely stressful ) situation! But, like Mirabel had said, as anxious as they all were for answers, they would just have to wait for the woman to wake.

[onbearfeet]

As requested, here are a few Monster Mash asks based on the "oc asks: not-so-nice edition" list. You decide which characters they're for.

What is a surprising thing your character hides?

What does your character do when they should be sleeping but can't?

What's the worst wound your character has experienced? It can be physical or emotional.

Mwahahahahahaaaaaaa. I think I'll do multiple characters. WARNING: There's mature content in this one, and it's not just canon-typical violence. See the tags if you're worried.

What is a surprising thing your character hides?

Ted has a really beautiful singing voice, even in Man-Thing form. He no longer has the physical equipment to form words in any human language, though, so he's sensitive about it and doesn't let on that he still enjoys singing. But he's sung more than a few lullabies to Jack when he's been asleep or in a coma or whatever. And Alpine gets funny little children's melodies or goofy love songs when it's just the two of them. She accepts this as no less than the worship she deserves, of course.

Elsa is shockingly generous and tells no one but her accountant about it. She inherited an absolutely stupid amount of money from her father's estate, and she IMMEDIATELY stopped using his fortune to fund his "crusade", so she's essentially sitting on a dragon's hoard. She took almost nothing with her when she ran away, so she's lived poor for most of her adult life and is deeply sympathetic to other people in that situation, not that she'll admit it. She had her finance pro shut down the murder-cult fund and set up a clean new fund to support whatever charity she damn well pleases. She's still trying to think of ideas and will probably ask the boys eventually, but just for a start, every public library in the state got a healthy donation, and every shelter she stayed in that treated its inhabitants halfway decently got a bigger one. She's also looking into funding--founding, if she has to--an organization defending the rights and interests of homeschooled children, especially those in high-control environments. Elsa was homeschooled for much of her education according to Ulysses' rather eccentric tastes, and she had to teach herself an awful lot of actual education out of the library. And that's before all the trouble she had as a non-emancipated minor who didn't have her own copies of her identity documents.

God, what DOESN'T Jack hide? He's been alive long enough that there's a huge gray zone of stuff he might have failed to mention because he doesn't want people to know OR because it just never came up. He obviously hasn't discussed his family of origin in detail, at least not with Elsa or Bucky, but I don't consider that surprising. I'm tempted to say his hidden side is something sweet and wholesome, but that's not surprising either. If I said he was hiding something terrible he or the wolf had done, that probably wouldn't surprise most people at all. If I had to guess ... the only SURPRISING thing I can think of is his spirituality, which is complex and deeply personal to him. His family might have been Orthodox, but he's got a lot of Catholic guilt written all over him, and the curse only complicates that more. I don't think he's talked to anyone about what he does or doesn't believe in a hundred years or more. He certainly hasn't talked to me.

Bucky was a sex worker in a time-displaced brothel. Okay, that's both a joke AND an oversimplification, but the first thing I thought of when I saw this question was that Bucky had the same problem as Jack: old, complicated, obviously full of both good traits and horrible trauma so nothing is SURPRISING. Then I remembered that around 2016, I handwrote a story establishing that Bucky had worked for a while as an artist at Lady Sally's. If you've never read Spider Robinson's Callahan books, they're a series of short SF stories and novels centered on a bar run by (spoiler alert) a time traveler who's trying to save the world retroactively by preventing the Cold War from going hot. They are brilliant and hilarious and they formed me as a person. There is also a spin-off series focusing on Callahan's wife, Lady Sally McGee, who does the same thing but with a brothel. The reasoning is complex, but the stories are delightful and some of the first positive, sympathetic, relatively clear-eyed depictions of sex workers (or artists, as they're called here and who am I to disagree?) I ever encountered. So it is my headcanon that young Bucky Barnes started washing dishes at Lady Sally's as a teenager, and she kept an eye on the kid because he had a lot of history ahead of him. He worked as an artist for at least a year before the war, not least because it was the only job in the late 30s that paid well enough to let him afford Steve's medicines. (Sally was keeping an eye on Buck's "roommate", too.) Bucky never told Steve, but he was actually quite a talented and popular artist, and he liked working there. He gave notice when he and Steve finally admitted their feelings for each other, wanting to be monogamous with the man he loved, but Sally insisted he come to her if he or Steve ever needed anything in the future, and she slipped him money from time to time via his former coworkers--who, as far as Steve knew, were just girls Bucky dated to keep up appearances. The connection came in handy, too, when the Winter Soldier was sent to kill a man at Lady Sally's and the staff were able to send him away again thanks to his half-remembered connection to the place. Lady Sally's is closed in our time, but you never know when Bucky might get a phone call from the Lady.

What does your character do when they should be sleeping but can't? I'll leave Ted out of this one on the grounds that his biology is different enough that "should be sleeping" may not apply.

So, on a sleepless night at Bloodstone Manor? Jack bakes. He's got access to a well-stocked kitchen now, anything he makes WILL get eaten, and baking is less likely to wake anyone else than playing his guitar or running endless zoomie laps. He also feels a little better when he can do something kind (and profoundly human) out of his emotional turmoil. Helping people helps Jack, and if there are no monsters to rescue or curses to break, he can at least make sure his people have something delicious for breakfast. (Or a midnight snack. Let's face it, somebody else will wake up from a nightmare in an hour.)

Elsa is currently the queen of maladaptive coping mechanisms. She's cut down on drinking since the boys moved in, much to everyone's relief, but she's still in rough shape emotionally. Although she sleeps better than the others thanks to her sleep-anywhere hunter training, she does occasionally have nights when her brain won't shut up, and her solution to that is to run herself into the ground. She'll hit the dojo for as many hours as it takes, usually. Bucky is trying to coax her into something less destructive in his unique sergeant-y way. The sentence "Your magic rock is not an excuse to bust your knuckles again, so wear some damn gloves!" has been uttered.

Bucky is actually the best adjusted on this front, mostly because his sleep disturbances are the worst. (Jack has more traumatic memories overall. Bucky’s are more concentrated, and he's had to heal brain damage on top of it.) Thanks to his time in Wakanda, he's learned some basic meditation techniques and some therapy exercises to help himself calm down a little. Alpine has some kind of extra sense for when Bucky is in distress, so on the rare occasion she's not already in bed with him when he wakes up screaming, she'll come running in immediately. He usually ends up either curled around her, doing breathing exercises, or settling down in bed with a book while she purrs on his chest until the tension finally melts out of him. Bucky isn't healed by any stretch of the imagination, but by God he's trying.

What's the worst wound your character has experienced? It can be physical or emotional.

Ted Sallis died of his injuries from a horrific accident, drowning in a swamp while his super-soldier serum burned him from the inside out after the so-called love of his life betrayed him. That's the worst for him. Only Jack knows about it, and even he doesn't know it all. Nothing else comes close.

Jack is pretty good at toughing out physical pain by now, so his worst wounds are definitely emotional. I think the worst one was finding out that his sister, Lissa, had died. It was a natural death, but he didn't find out until years later, and she was his last connection to who he was before the wolf. The wound has never fully healed.

Elsa's worst wound is what she told Bucky about in "Bucky Meets the Legion of Monsters": realizing that the monsters she'd been hunting, even without her father's input, had mostly been people. That's an identity-shattering experience that has fundamentally changed her.

Bucky’s worst physical wound was losing his arm. His worst emotional wound was either when he realized Steve wasn't coming to save him from Hydra a second time or when he realized Steve wasn't coming back from his time jaunt. Bucky is profoundly loyal and loving, and he is constantly disappointed by other people's failure to meet him where he is. Thus, he doesn't trust easily, but Steve has always had Bucky’s entire heart, and Steve's broken it twice now. It wasn't intentional the first time and we don't yet know what happened the second, but like Jack, Bucky is walking around with an unhealed wound in his soul. If Steve ever reappears in Bucky’s life, there will be Consequences. Even if Bucky will always forgive Steve and would take him back without hesitation, the rest of the squad will have serious concerns about a fella who'd abandon Bucky Barnes two whole times.

[constantly-deactivated]

Nancy Pelosi Military Tribunal 👇 Part II

After Mr. Ramirez left the witness box, Vice Adm. Crandall produced a second witness via a Zoom call, a Hispanic female who said her name was Elsa Fuentes and told the court she had been Pelosi’s unpaid intern between January-March 2018. Her appearance on video seemed to unnerve Pelosi, whose eyes narrowed contemptuously while gazing at the woman’s face on the screen. The admiral asked Ms. Fuentes a few routine questions: How did you become interested in politics? what were your routine duties? Did you enjoy the work? Was the environment pleasant? Did you enjoy Nancy’s company?

“I hated the bitch by day 2. My duties? Arranging her calendar, setting up appointments, cancelling appointments, fetching coffee and cappuccino, cleaning her office, taking her clothes to the dry cleaners, picking up her clothes from the dry cleaners, making her hair appointments, running to the liquor store for her twice a week…” Ms. Fuentes said.

“You sound a bit bitter,” Vice Adm. Crandall said. “Is it safe to say bitterness won’t affect your testimony?”

“Just cause she’s a bitch don’t mean I’d lie,” Ms. Fuentes said. “If I’m angry, was angry, it’s cause I knew interns for other Reps weren’t doing the sh—stuff I had to do. And most Reps paid interns, but Nancy didn’t. Hi, there, Nancy, good to see you’re finally where you belong,” she went on, suddenly smiling as she vigorously waved at the defendant.

Vice Adm. Crandall asked her to not address or incite the defendant. Meanwhile, Nancy sat still as a puddle of stagnant water.

“Let me pull your attention back to what you told me when you gave a sworn deposition, Ms. Fuentes. The day–March 10, 2018. You were in Nancy Pelosi’s offices then, is that correct?” asked the admiral.

“I was,” Ms. Fuentes answered without hesitation. “I remember cause Nancy kept me late doing spreadsheets and transcriptions, and other reasons.”

“And Nancy was present?”

“She was in her office and I was in what we called the side office. More like a large closet than an office, where secretaries or interns sit. A door connects the two, and it wasn’t really ever locked or closed all the way. I think Nancy probably wanted to eavesdrop, you understand, in case we were talking about her,” Ms. Fuentes said.

“Let’s refrain from speculation please, Ms. Fuentes.”

“Sorry, sir. Anyway, I overheard her on the phone talking to someone—no idea who it was—about killing President Trump. She was saying she didn’t care how much money it took. She wanted him dead. Nancy was spitting out large figures—like millions,” Ms. Fuentes said.

“Was there anyone in the offices besides you and the defendant?” Vice Adm. Crandall asked.

“Just us two. She was talking on a burner phone. Nancy didn’t conduct unofficial business on her office phone. She had a drawer full of burners,” Ms. Fuentes said.

“Let the record reflect that by burners the witness means, generally speaking, inexpensive, expendable, untraceable cellular phones paid for with cash. Do you recognize this?” asked the admiral, as he pulled from a cardboard box a plastic evidence bag holding the upper and lower halves of a prepaid phone someone had snapped in two.

“Of course, I do. I gave it to you,” Ms. Fuentes replied.

“How did you come to obtain this phone?” the admiral queried.

“Took it from her trash bin before I left that night. She’d left first,” Ms. Fuentes said flatly.

“Pretty bold of you and foolish of her, to just drop it in a wastebasket. Weren’t you worried she’d find out?”

Ms. Fuentes said Nancy that day had consumed a half-bottle of Smirnoff Vodka and was inebriated beyond comprehension when she stumbled out of the office at 8:30 p.m. Moreover, she said she’d covered her tracks: She proudly boasted how she had taken an identical, unopened burner phone from Pelosi’s drawer, broke it in a way the closely mimicked how Nancy had snapped the original, and laid it in the trash.

“When I got to the office next day, the trash had been emptied. Not a word was ever said,” she said.

“And you held onto it for what, almost five years now?” Vice Adm. Crandall said.

Ms. Fuentes nodded. “I wasn’t gonna hand it off to just anyone. Then I might have, you know, disappeared.

“Ms. Fuentes, I don’t think that’s anything to worry about anymore. You’re excused.”

The admiral told the panel that despite Pelosi’s pedestrian attempt to render the phone useless—she hadn’t even removed the sim card—from it JAG had extracted call logs and dozens of incriminating text messages that described not only assassinating President Trump but also her plan to “kidnap or get rid of” Trump’s then-12-year-old son Barron. Part of a message read, “ASAP. Take Barron and Trump won’t function. He’ll have to leave, and then I’ll have Pence. Wiring now to what’s been discussed.”

Another message: “Or Ivanka. Make her less pretty.”

“Of course her messages were sent to another burner phone—disconnected, but—” Vice Admiral Crandall began.

Nancy stood. She spoke. She said she was innocent. Innocent with an explanation. “It’s no secret I dislike Donald Trump. This is all fantasy—my fantasy, and fantasy is no crime. It was role play. Nothing more,” she hissed.

“We have your bank records. You wired $375K to an account in Zurich minutes after you sent that text. Ben Folds—a fake name, I’m sure. That’s a hefty sum to spend on role play, for someone who wouldn’t even pay her interns a dime,” Vice Adm. Crandall said.

“Your so-called witnesses are compromised, corrupt. I won’t stand for this.”

“Then please take your seat, or we’ll put you in it,” the admiral snapped as two Marines flanked Pelosi. “By the way, I think you got ripped off.”

“I’m sure you won’t like our next witness either,” the admiral continued.

He called to the stand a cooperating witness–Nancy’s estranged husband, Paul Pelosi.

As Soon as I get more I will post it.🤔

[glittter-vamp]

CHAPTER 9

Joe Burrow x Bisexual OC.

Warnings: 18+MDNI. Mention Of Death & Grief. Emotional Intimacy pretty much at 100 and smut-ish themes. Homophobia. Angsty yet Fluffy. Pretty heavy chapter overall.

Word Count: 3.4k

"Thank you for shopping with us, have a great day!" Val smiles at a customer that was in the store while handing them their shopping bag. It was Sunday which she usually didn't come in for but Elsa had went a little too hard at the Pride parade the day prior and Dani was off. So, it was just her and Kade in the store today making things happen. 

"Almost time to close, what a weekend!" Kade sighs moving a box of hangers. 

"It was pretty crazy, I guess since we closed yesterday for the parade people came today instead." Val says organizing a rack of shirts.

"I'm so glad I'm off for the next two days, I'm drinking a whole bottle of wine by myself tonight to destress." Kade lets out a breath. 

"You and me both." Val smiles. Them two make it through the last work hour with only one other customer coming in. Cleaning up quickly, they make it out of the store by 4:50 and in their cars to go home. Since it was Sunday evening the traffic wasn't so bad but living in a city meant it was still there regardless. As Val drove home she got a call from Joe. She had talked to him here and there, all through text after that argument they had. 

"Hello?" Val answers on the car Bluetooth. 

"Hey...are you out of work?" Joe asks. 

"I am. Why?" Val asks wondering why. 

"Would you mind stopping by the house today? Something came for you at the house." Joe says sounding just as confused as she was hearing that. 

"Uh, what do you mean something came for me...to your house? I've never your given address for anything to anyone." Val questions. 

"I'm just confused as you about it are but it's addressed to you, it's a letter." He says. 

"Does it seems like junk mail or something? That's so weird..." She asks as she drives. 

"No, it's hand written from within the state. Say's its from someone named Sabrina Farley." Joe responds back, Val's heart dropping hearing that. 

"Are you sure!?" Val asks trying to remain her cool. 

"That's what it says, I can drop it off during the week if you're busy--

"No, I'll come get it now. I'm in the car driving anyway." Val says. 

"Alright, you can let your self in. I have to rest up my leg. My knee has been feeling weird." Joe says. 

"Do you need anything?" Val asks. 

"Nah I'm good, but thanks. I appreciate that." Joe yawns. They hang up soon after and Val makes her way to Joe's.

***************************************

Pulling up to his house she parks in the driveway and lets her self in like he told her too. She could hear the tv, Joe was of course was watching some alien documentary like usual. Walking to the living room she see's Joe laying on his couch icing his knee. 

"So, what'd you do to your knee?" Val speaks up startling Joe and making her laugh. 

"I didn't hear you come in... but I think I went to hard in the gym yesterday." He shrugs looking at his leg,

"Better chill before everyone gets on your ass or you injure yourself again." Val shakes her head. 

"I know..." Joe sighs. 

"So about the letter?" Val asks awkwardly. 

"Oh yeah, here!" Joe reaches over and grabs the letter that was sitting beside the remote. 

"Here you go, I didn't open it or anything." He says handing her the white envelope. Val reads the name and she starts to feel uneasy about it. 

"I really have no idea how this person got your address. I'm real sorry this came here, that's super invasive." Val bites her lip looking at Joe. 

"It's alright. Do you know who that person is though?" Joe asks and she nods yes. 

"My older sister. Since I cut off contact from the family , they haven't had my number or address except for the twins who I actually haven't heard from in months." Val shakes her head. 

"Do you think it's something serious?" Joe asks sitting up, intrigued by what that letter held. 

"Must be if they sent it to your house and not mine, my store or any of my other friends houses." Val says ripping the letter open. 

Val starts reading the letter which was starting off first by apologizing being sent to Joe's house but that they couldn't find her address anywhere online and was scared that if it got sent to the store it would end up in someone else's business mailbox instead. Which Val found very weird but she continued reading. As she read the next line her heart sunk and felt her eyes water. 

"I hate to inform you that dad has been involved in a car accident two weeks prior from when I'm writing this. He doesn't seem to be progressing at all, therefore mom is going to make the hard decision to take him off life support tomorrow. Though, we felt the need to tell you, we ask that you do not come to the funereal nor contact any of us. We've seen you in the tabloids and still don't approve of your life choices and out of respect to god, the church, the family and most importantly dad it's best if you don't come. We don't need any shameful people around us during this hard time or someone to take the attention away from dad." 

"Val...Hey, Hey...what's going on? Breathe." Joe says to her as he runs up to her and catches her as she falls to her knees at the news she just read. Val lets out a sob as Joe tries to console her and get her seated on the couch. Not being able to barely breathe let alone talk, she hands the letter to Joe and he reads it keeping one hand on Val and rubbing her back as she cries. 

"I'm so sorry Val. This is isn't the way they should've told you." Joe says hugging her tight and kiss her head as she cries. 

"I probably already missed his funeral since this was sent a week ago. Why would they do that?" She sniffles shaking her head. 

"If you did, that's entirely their fault. They know what they were doing sending this letter, they could of called, sent this to your actual house or business or even gone to your store in person...instead they sent it to my house not even knowing if it would get to you two weeks after your fathers accident in which they didn't contact you. This was malicious on their part, you did nothing wrong." Joe says feeling nothing but anger over this situation for Val. He couldn't believe they would treat her this way but it became clear why Val separated herself from them.

"I-I should go home. I'm sorry for breaking down like this here. I should of opened that letter at home or something." Val says quickly getting up and wiping her tears, desperately trying to get herself together. 

"What?! No--Val, you're not driving while you're emotions are hitting you like this. You're still processing this." Joe says shaking his head and Val sighs. 

"I just know things aren't okay between us and going through this here--

"That's not important right now, what's important is that you stay here and not get behind the wheel while you're crying. I'm going to get you water, please just stay here and take a breath." Joe says sitting her down again and she just nods beginning to cry again. Val didn't couldn't believe that letter. Still processing everything from her fathers accident to him being taken off life support to her family asking her not to come to the funeral because of who she was was just something she couldn't believe but hurt like hell. It proved that she was yet not healed from her past with her family.

"Here." Joe says coming back with a water bottle. Val takes it and takes a few sips. 

"Is there anything I can do?" Joe asks sitting next to her. 

"Get me a time machine so I could tell my parents not to have me and spare everyone the disappointment that I am." Val sighs wiping her tears. 

"Don't say that. Just because they have a problem with who you are doesn't mean you don't have people around you that love and support you. Plus, you've basically built your own family, you have the girls, Mateo, Kade and Elsa...Me and my family." Joe says hesitating on that last part. 

"I don't even know how your family views me right now so I wouldn't count them in there." Val shakes her head. 

" They haven't said anything to me about it so...well my mom obviously asked about what was going on cause she knows we're together but she didn't comment on anything else. My dad is never one to get into my personal relationships so..." Joe shakes his head. 

"Still doesn't mean anything." Val mutters. 

"Why don't I draw you a nice bath? I'll go pick up some food in the meantime while you soak." Joe says patting her knee. 

"You don't have to do that." Val shakes her head. 

"You need it, c'mon." Joe slowly pulls Val off the couch and they make their way upstairs letting the letter on the couch. 

"You still have clothes in your drawer, I haven't touched them." Joe says softly as they enter his room. 

"Thanks." Val sniffles heading over to where she always kept her clothes.

Joe headed to the bathroom and filled up the tub for her while she chose some clothes. Her mind was having a million different thoughts about what's happened. Though she was heartbroken over the news of her dad she was also incredibly angry at how it was handled. She couldn't stand the way her family has treated her since she came out in college. Val makes her way to the bathroom where Joe was making sure the water was a perfect temperature and the tub was getting filled up. 

"You can get in while it fills it takes a bit, did you need anything else? I haven't restocked on your wine but I can get you something else..." Joe asks as Val set her clothes down on the counter. 

"I think this moment calls for one of your vodka tonics." Val smiles. 

"Woah...I haven't heard those words since you opened up Pixies." Joe says making her chuckle. 

"I know it's a dangerous thing to say but I really need it." Val sighs. 

"You're wish is my command." Joe smiles leaving the bathroom. Val undresses and realizes she still has the markings from Summer on her body. Shaking her head and setting that aside she steps into the warm bath that smelled like lavender. Val feels herself relax into the semi filled tub and soon enough Joe comes back with her drink. 

"Here." Joe smiles handing her the drink. 

"Thanks." She smiles back taking a sip of the ridiculously strong drink. 

"Jeez, did you put any club soda in that?" Val shudders as the liquor runs through her body and sort of gives her a shock. 

"You knew what you were asking for. I put a lot of ice so just let it water down a bit." Joe says squatting down to her level and turning the water off for her. There wasn't many bubbles in the tub so Val saw Joe's eyes lingering on her body thought the soapy water. 

"What did you want to eat?" Joe asks clearing his throat. 

"It's Sunday evening so everything closes pretty early...whatever is open is fine. No healthy stuff though, I need good savory comfort food."  

"I'll be back, call me if anything. Make yourself at home." Joe says giving Val a gentle kiss on the head before leaving. It felt nice for Val to have Joe there for her. This was one of the things she couldn't complain about when it came to him. He was always there for Val when she needed him the most with no questions asked. Relaxing in the hot bath and downing the drink she eventually gets out and takes a quick shower being one of those people that can't just take a bath first. 

After her shower, drying off and draining the tub, she gets dressed and heads downstairs taking the glass that was now empty. As she washed her cup, Joe comes in with the bags of food.

 "So I got us sushi, and I stopped to get us ice cream. Hope that's okay!" Joe says smiling at Val. 

"That sounds really great. Thank you." Val smiles back. 

"We can put on a movie or whatever you want." Joe says setting the bags down to put the ice cream in the freezer.

"Sure." Val nods. She grabs water for them both from the fridge and make their way to the living room. 

"So, what do you want to watch?" Joe asks after they settle on the couch with the food. 

"Um, something funny I guess." she shrugs taking a bite of the spicy shrimp tempura roll. Joe turns on Superbad.

"I saw that you went the pride parade, how was that?" Joe asks failing miserably to use his chopsticks like usual making val laugh. 

"It was fun. Everyone had a goodtime." Val nods. 

"I saw that Summer went...you guys were posting on instagram" Joe says. Val knew she was going hear something about about her come from Joe eventually. 

"She was." Val says nods eyeing Joe. The last thing she wanted right now was to get in an argument with Joe about Summer again after what she just learned. Her emotions were way to high right now for that and she knew it.

"Is she...at least making you happy?" He asks softly and Val sighs. 

"Joe, I really don't need this right now." Val rolls her eyes.

"I'm not mad or trying to start anything. I just want to know she's at least treating you right given your history with her and having your own complaints with me" Joe says, he seemed genuine. 

"We only messed around once after that fight we had, we're not dating though and she's been fine to me. No drama. There, happy?" Val answers truthfully. 

"Very." Joe smirks which annoyed Val. 

"How about you? Any girls you've brought back here and shown them what a night with America's QB heartthrob is like?" Val asks trying to annoy him.

"Nope. Those nights are reserved for you." Joe smirks. 

"and Sofia the baddie ig model." Val nods popping another piece of sushi into her mouth pretending she didn't see Joe's annoyed face when she said that. 

"Okay...maybe I see how asking about Summer and throwing her in your face could be annoying." Joe says making Val snort. 

"But, since we're on the topic of girls and I still have my list of questions of you..." Joe trails off, Val sighing preparing for what's about to come out of his mouth next.

"Is it true that you guys can last for hours during sex? How is that even possible? How come you don't last with me that long?" Joe asks making Val almost choke on her food. 

"We technically can...but it's courtesy of the strap and we take breaks and then go back and forth through the night until we can't anymore and...I have no problem lasting that long but you on the other hand..." Val sips her drink and Joe looks in complete shock. 

"If that's the case...why the hell are you dating men? Let alone me." Joe mutters that last part. 

"Because that's how bisexuality works, I like all genders...and what do you mean let alone you? You're the only guy I've been with that actually gives a fuck about getting me off every time we have sex." Val snorts. 

"Do you have one?" Joe asks as he eats. 

"A what?" She asks confused. 

"A...strap or whatever it is you guys call it." Joe clears his throat which made Val laugh at his awkwardness. 

"I think... I have my harness somewhere at my condo, as for the toy itself...I have to get a new one." Val nods. 

"I saw that they had strapless ones." Joe nods and Val does a double take towards him hearing that. 

"Have you...been researching lesbian stuff!?" Val says rather loudly and clearly embarrassing Joe seeing his face turn a light shade of pink. 

"And by researching I know it's just porn." Val teases him. 

"No. I've actually been on educational websites for your information. I was wondering about the stereotypes. " Joe defends himself. Val thought it was actually very cute that Joe was educating himself about stuff. Most men would just ask when the threesome was happening and call it day.  

"Can I ask if you have a preference? Like do you prefer having sex with women or more with men?" Joe asks. 

"Overall, I say that I wouldn't. But there's certain things that I appreciate about both that's different." Val admits. 

"Like what?" 

"Well with girls I like the softness of it, the foreplay is usually on another level and the after care is really nice too. Plus there's a different sense of comfortability with women knowing they have the same parts as I do and know how are bodies are naturally. Also it's a plus that they're more on top of stuff like their status and there's no risk of pregnancy. " Val says and Joe nods. 

"And with men?" Joe asks seeming to be nervous to ask about it. 

"Well, my prior experiences with men were all college guys so I'm not gonna go there but with you specifically... I like how strong you are with me and assertive you are. Also getting to actually...feel you inside me is something I can only experience with women to a certain extent. Plus moans from any gender are hot but the list goes on for both, I just like what I like. There's really no competition here, we at least between you and any other woman because I've heard of plenty hook up stories from Gen with guys"  Val shrugs making Joe chuckle.

"Thank you for talking to me about this stuff...I know it's weird of me to ask this stuff." Joe says sheepishly. 

"Like I said before, if it's in good faith and you're being genuine...I don't have anything to hide. I appreciate you being respectful about it and not with stereotypical things like other guys would probably do." Val smiles.

 They both finish their meal and start paying attention to the movie that was already a good chunk through it. They eat their ice creams after finishing the dinner, Val still thinking of her dad and family, still figuring out how to navigate this situation from here. 

"You can take my room... I'll sleep in the guest room. Give you some space." Joe says as they clean up the mess of food in the living room and take it to the trash in the kitchen. 

"Oh you don't have to." Val shakes her head. 

"It's not up for discussion, I'll finish up here. You should go get some rest." Joe smiles and Val just nods. Even though it wasn't even 9PM yet, she did feel exhausted after the news she had received today. 

"Thanks, I'll uh see you in the morning...goodnight." Val says giving Joe a small smile which eh returns. 

"Goodnight." 

Val head upstairs grabbing her phone and goes into Joe's room. She uses the bathroom quickly and gets into the comfortable bed when there was a small knock on the door as it opened. 

"Thought you'd like some water." Joe says bringing her a water bottle and setting it on the nightstand. Val thanks him and he goes to leave when she grabs his hand and stops him in his tracks. 

"Stay...please." She says softly and Joe gives her a look of sadness and pity before he gently nods. 

"Let me just turn off the hall light." He says squeezing her hand. Val nods letting go of him. Coming back into the room, Joe this time around doesn't say anything about Val being on his side of the bed and just turns off the light and gets in bed next to her. Val cuddles up to him inhaling his familiar comforting scent that she loved so much and Joe places a few kisses on her head as he slowly and gently rubs her back as she lets sleep take over, feeling fully comforted and cared for by the person who has her heart.

A/N: That was heavy chapter! But BF Joe showed up 👀

[the-bomb-sammi-morse]

Chris IS married, GET OVER IT!

It's on all of the major outlets. Seriously, stop living in denial. For those who have no idea, yes, Cape Cod is a small area, so a lot of people would know, but Chris could afford to pay anyone off not to say a thing. Plus, people on the cape respects locals privacy. It's just how it is here. As a greater Boston native myself, the Cape and Nantucket area are very famous celeb locations or vacations and weddings, and anyone involved is tight lipped about it. Chris does not have to sell his story to the tabloids, or tell anyone about it. It's none of your business. Also, just look up public records and you'll find a marriage certificate.

I'm assuming the majority of you who are still in denial about the whole situation only knew him after Marvel was grooming him to be the real life Captain America. Chris is your typical Massachusetts fuckboy. He always partied, he always had girls around, whether he was in LA or at home in Boston. He let news of his relationship get public after he was obligated to work for and represent Marvel. You were all fooled. If anything, he was straining to keep himself behaved in the decade he was with Marvel. In every interview he made innuendo and inappropriate responses, making many costars laugh.

He's really only had a few serious relationships, just two inside the Marvel era and both of those were on and off. He did his best to make himself look like a relationship type guy.

Now, in a mid life crisis, he starts seeing AB because she's young and known as an easy, dirty video making girl. He just has to breathe and she'll come running. They his their relationship for so long because Marvel wanted him to look as pure as possible, a single dog dad who is a total Mama's boy. What you need to understand is, Chris Evans is NOT and is nowhere near Captain America status. Yes he does charity work, but that's what nice people and most celebs do. They have the ability to draw attention to causes that are usually overlooked.

His family probably isn't super keen on her, but he's freaking out about life, and was probably pressured into this by AB. I doubt this marriage will last a year. She just seems like the type to sign and ditch, so she can make off with alimony. If he can't see that it's because he's blinded by his fuckboy lifestyle and the pressure of mid life. He knows he isn't who everyone wants him to be, so he's doing his best in the only way he knows how, with a dumb bimbo. That's why his relationships with Jessica, Minka and Jenny didn't work out, because they were serious and he still wasn't ready yet. Now, with 40 years in the books he's compromising and making the best of a situation he put himself in.

Once again, stop trying to make false claims because you are in denial. Stop trying to mask the reality that is taking over your distorted projected image of him and yourselves together. I've lost all respect for him, and if you haven't, you are indeed mistaken. He is not who he was groomed to be and you all need to get that in your heads. She just wants money, he just wants pussy and put together it'll be a shit show. You would never get looked at by him in real life and even if you did, you wouldn't last long. Take a hint from Elsa and just

[opereetveritate]

Frozen II - Secret Love

Summary: Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf embark on a journey to the Enchanted Forest to save their kingdom. But what happens when they meet again with an old enemy? And what happens when old yet strong feelings come up the surface? Read to find out!

Chapter 2

The expression of shock that had previously been on their faces—particularly Anna's—quickly gave way to disappointment. Although several years had passed since their last conversation, his betrayal was still fresh in her memory.

"What are you doing here?" Hans and Anna both asked the same question. Was that a joke? Their foolish "synchronization" was nothing more than a delusion that Anna so foolishly believed in. Anna held the sword with an extraordinarily steady hand, despite her shock. 

Hans, on the other hand, could not express surprise at this fact. The otherwise kind princess had punched him, sending him overboard.

"Oh, look who we've got here!" Hans muttered, acting as concerned. The local people looked at him puzzled.

"Do you know these people?" An old woman named Yelena asked Hans, but he didn't find it necessary to provide her with an answer. Even though he should have known by then that he shouldn't ignore the Nolthaldrian leader's requests.

To Yelena, Hans was still the guy who had mysteriously entered the enchanted forest. She accepted him into their tribe, nevertheless, in part because he lacked an army and any secret powers that he could use against them. Perhaps the other cause was more significant than she herself had thought. Hans appeared to appeal to Cloe, her only daughter.

On the other hand, all these new people. Especially that young blonde woman. There was a mysterious aura around her that Yelena found disturbing.

"The ice gang is back!" With her hand outstretched to him, Elsa stood next to her sister, prepared and eager as ever to turn him into a detached, emotionless, icy figure.

"Ice gang? Wow, didn't see that coming. That was really witty!" Ryder, a young man among the locals, commented, causing Anna to roll her eyes. Who was he that had the audacity to comment about something so personal?

"Thank you, Ryder." Without averting his gaze from his competitors, Hans answered.

"What the hell are you doing here? How do you always appear on our way?" Elsa asked the former prince, making Kristoff and her sister gasp at her indecent utterance.One thing was for sure. They didn't see it coming. Hans contented himself with a small smirk before answering her,

"I'll make it simple for you. I'm the one who always shows up, and you're the one who always leaves and never comes back. Your sister knows that from experience."

Elsa didn't like the fact that he had the audacity to talk about their past in front of strangers. She wanted to use her powers so badly and had a tone of reasons to use them against him, but a look from her sister followed by a hand on her shoulder told her to give it a second thought. They didn't come all the way here to cause a conflict. What they sought were answers. 

Before anyone could register the situation, Hans had grabbed Anna, and by the threaten of her own blade, he dared Elsa to be her true nature. 

"What are you doing?" Elsa asked angrily.

"Get your hands off of her at once. You will regret this!" Kristoff said, grabbing a sword from a soldier nearby. Hans laughed hard at this.

"So, you did find your true love, darling. That's so sweet!" Anna was trying to free herself from his grip only to realize that it was in vain. Since when has he become this strong?

"Don't call her darling!" The blond man yelled at him. He had no idea of the depths of his love for Anna. Hans eyed him curiously.

"I will do whatever the fuck I want, peasant." The locals and the soldiers looked at each other puzzled. They had no clue of what was going on.

"Although he's not that familiar with swords. But that can be taught." He said placing his hand around Anna's throat prevented her from breathing. Kristoff took a step back, not willing to risk Anna's life. That idiot was deadly serious.

"You, bastard. Let go of her!" As he was about to attack him with his sword, Elsa blocked his way.

"Kristoff, please. Let me handle this!" He protested at first, but then he gave it a second thought and realized that Elsa was the one who could finish this pathetic excuse of a prince with ease.He stood back as Elsa raised her hand, summoning her powers. Soon enough, Hans had to let go of Anna as he felt his right hand numb. He was wincing in pain, and before he could process it, his right hand was frozen.

"She's a witch. She needs to be destroyed." One of the locals screamed at the top of his lungs. Kristoff ran to her at once, wanting to make sure she was okay. Anna just gave him a nod in return, trying to catch her breath. Elsa was about to do the same, but Hans' next words stopped her from doing so.

"And the best one in her own kind, may I add." Hans said, looking straight into Elsa's blue eyes. It was right then that Elsa understood his intentions. He pushed her buttons because he wanted them to leave the forest.

"Now it's clear how you managed to enter the Enchanted Forest. The remaining question is, What are your intentions?!" Yelena said making her way through her people.

"Of course it is. I mean, look at me. I can express myself verbally." Olaf chimed in, gaining the attention of everyone around.

"Um, what's the deal with this snowman?" Mattias asked in a whispering tone.

"We're not looking for any trouble. My sister and I are here to protect our people and find some answers." Elsa explained calmly.

"Your people? I don't say anyone else around." Yelena explained gesturing around.

"They're at Arendelle, our kingdom and they're safe for now." Anna replied this time, finally regaining her strength and stood next to her sister.

"Did you say Arendelle?" Mattias asked clearly confused.

"Yes, I did." Anna assured him.

"What's your connection with the royal couple?" The sisters looked at each other puzzled. And why were those uniforms so much like those back in Arendelle? Could there be a chance he knew their parents?

"King Agnarr and queen Iduna are our parents." Anna explained.

"That is, were." Elsa added, her face darkening as she finished her sentence.

"What do you mean?"

"You know, my friend, it is not right to ask people you just met about their back stories and traumas, speaking of which, I have a great story of that kind to share with you."

"Not now, Olaf." Kristoff cut him off, knowing that this kind of conversation was better left unsaid."They've passed away." Elsa said calmly.

"My condolences!" It was a great loss for Arendelle and Mattias was fully aware of it. 

"Oh my God. I can't believe it. You're Agnar's daughters. How could not I see the resemblance in your faces?" He exclaimed and hugged them. 

"And you seem quite familiar to me. Oh, of course. I've known you from that portrait in our study." Anna said happily. Someone was on their side, and she couldn't be more grateful.

"I'm so sorry. Where are my manners? Lieutenant Mattias is the name." He finally said, bowing to them. 

"But wait, what happened to your parents?"

"I'm glad you found each other, but you can't stay here. This kind of sorcery, that is, your magic is not acceptable here." Yelena announced in an authoritative tone.

"That's correct. This is the part where you leave and never come back." Hans also said, knowing that Yelena and himself shared the same opinion on this topic. 

"So that's what you were trying to achieve? Force us to leave?" Anna asked him angrily, unable to hide her emotions. 

"Easy tiger, easy. And yes, that's exactly what I achieved. I'm so sorry you have to leave so early." He replied in a sad tone.

"Hans, I've had enough of your nonsense. Now, if you don't want to find yourself out of here, please let me handle this." Yelena's words seemed to have an effect on Hans, as he stood back and simply said,"As you wish."

"There's nothing that needs to be handled, Yelena. They're my guests, and they will be treated as such." Mattias replied instead of the sisters, taking them by surprise. 

"But her powers-"

"I promise not to use them unless I dim it necessary." Elsa cut in.

"Should I be relieved now?" Yelena asked Elsa, not trusting her.

"Come on now, Yelena." Mattias tried to reason with her. 

"Didn't you just hear her?" Yelena said, gesturing at her. 

"It's ok, mother. Come with me! You need to relax!" Cloe interrupted them, taking her mother by the hand and walking to their tent. 

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

"Where do you think you're going, young man?" Hans stopped walking and remained motionless when Jelena yelled in a tone that was clearly angry. All he wanted to do was head to his tent and consider his next course of action. She walked slowly and determinedly toward him, and when she stood in front of him, the young guy stared at her with a seriousness that filled his entire existence.

"Well?!" He looked at her clearly puzzled.

"Well?!" He echoed back, in a tone that provoked her anger. Did he take her for a fool?

“Don't you think you owe me an explanation?” He exhaled deeply. This was a conversation he preferred to avoid. 

"So who are these girls? And why did they get all flustered when they saw you?" He closed his eyes, his hands shaking into fists. They were to blame for his current situation, for his downfall and humiliation.

"You didn't come across as very friendly. What's the matter?" Determined to find out everything she could about the relationship between these three, she asked him.

"You also don't feel very friendly toward strangers. You probably don't want them to remain here." He said back, turning his back to her. He knew that Yelena was a person who knows how to impose herself, who knows how to extract the answers she needs, who knows better than anyone else the wonders that nature hides. He knew that the leader of the Northuldra did not believe in coincidences, only in tangible, simple elements like nature. This last one he also wanted to know.

"Something very bad must have happened between you two." Hans was well aware of the reason. But since his life had taken a turn for the worse, he was now certain that being honest would not help him.

"You are aware that I dislike being disregarded, Hans. If you continue to behave in this manner, then—"

"Nobody likes each other, ok? There's nothing more to tell!" He answered her sharply, unable to withstand the pressure she was putting on him. His failure cost him dearly, and the sadness and anger were clearly reflected in his eyes. Jelena saw the desperation in his eyes and understood.

"What have you done to them?" This question hurt him beyond explanation. Was that the impression he gave others when they saw him? He made no attempt to hide his displeasure and looked at her with the same surprised look, trying to salvage what little dignity he had left.

"Chief, I know you won't like what I'm about to say, but honestly-"

The sudden fall of a trunk caught their attention. Jelena let out a scream of terror when she saw a wave of purple fire coming from afar.

"Quick, abandon your tents!" The Northuldra did exactly as he instructed and grabbed their most valuable possessions and began to run as fast as they could.

[elsannasecretsanta]

Secret Santa for @gryfon-spanish-werewolf

@gryfon-spanish-werewolf

***

“Anna! Stop fondling your sister and get over here, it’s Santa time!” Ryder called to her.

“Wha-?! I do not-” Anna, who was currently fondling her sister, tried to defend herself. Everyone, including Elsa, just looked at her for a while, as she started blushing. “Fine, fine, I’m coming.” She grumbled, got up, waited a bit for her kiss on the cheek from Elsa (who happily obliged) and went to get changed.

Her, Elsa, and Rapunzel were spending Christmas at Kristoff’s and Ryder’s place, since all of their families wanted nothing to do with them (reasons may or may not have included gayness and/or incest), and Anna has been voted to be this year’s Santa, which hurt Kristoff’s feelings just a tiny bit.

She went to the changing room, and thought about how lucky it was to find a friend group willing to look past some incest. Although she was not fondling anyone, they were just partaking in some very platonic cuddling, thank you very much.

She took off her I come in peace wooly sweater (and yes, she did knit it herself with some alien motive, and double yes, Elsa was currently wearing her own I am peace version) and put on the Santa… (Hoodie? Sweater? Jacket? Top? Crop Top? One of those, probably. She made a mental note to look up “santa crop top” later) upper article of clothing while huffing and grunting dramatically, because being dramatic is just what Anna does. She quickly put on the fake beard (having given up on growing a natural one somewhere around late June), buckled the belt, and went into the living room.

“Ho, ho, ho! ‘Tis I, Santa Claus, or, err, Nikolaus, Mikołaj, Ded Moroz and probably many more, depending on your cultural upbringing! I shall give off the gifts and or beating accordingly!” She exclaimed as soon as she entered. Kristoff hid his face in his hands, Rapunzel choked on her fist trying not to laugh, Ryder did laugh, and Elsa stood up, looking at her lovingly.

Elsa pointed at the chair near the Christmas Tree. “You must be tired after such a long trip, come sit down.” And guided Anna by hand. As soon as Anna sat down, she sat on her lap. Figures. Kristoff groaned, at which Anna hugged Elsa’s waist. “What would such a good girl want for Christmas this year?” She whispered, purposefully loudly, into Elsa’s ear, who shuddered a bit.

Ryder got up from the couch. “It’s literally Christmas, you idiots! Just give her her damn gift from behind you and let’s please move on.”

Anna shot him a look. “Wow, rude. I guess we all know who’s getting coal this year.” 

“Actually not a bad idea given the rising housing crisis and prices of everything, and this surprisingly cold winter.” Kristoff decided to chime in, very helpfully.

“Okay, okay” Rapunzel also butted in. “let’s just get this over with because at this rate Christmas will be over before the first gift is opened.”

Anna pouted, but Elsa seemed to agree, and so she reached for the first gift. 

She winced as she saw someone give Kristoff a deodorant. Not that she really disagreed with the sentiment per se, but you know, time and place? He also got a… “Best jokes 2023” and from Elsa and Anna some polish vodka he claimed to love. 

The rest of the gifts were also unimpressive, and the group returned to regular teasing and chatting. Anna was feeling too hot in her costume, but Elsa firmly refused to move her equally firm butt from her lap. It was a fair trade, if you ask her.

After a while of pretending to be happy with the crappy gifts, and being genuinely happy with the fact that their friends cared enough to give them some, they all decided to play spin the bottle, with an additional rule of one round of rock paper scissors to decide which of the sisters was chosen.

After Kristoff has dared Ryder to kiss him (“He’s your boyfriend you coward!”), Rapunzel told everyone that Elsa was her gay awakening (Anna could only nod in understanding) and Kristoff yodeled out of the window, fate had apparently chosen Elsa.

“Truth or dare?” Kristoff asked.

Elsa considered for a second. “Well I’m too comfy here to move” She slapped Anna’s thighs lightly. “so whatever, truth.”

Kristoff lit up as if he was hoping for that outcome. He smirked and took a deep breath. Everyone was watching him in anticipation. Finally, he spoke. “Do you have a crush on Anna?”

The room was silent. Anna blinked. Elsa didn’t move. Rapunzel was patting Ryder’s back, who was looking dumbfounded at Kristoff. “You are so lucky you are good in bed babe.” He said.

Kristoff just looked bad at him. “What? You can’t tell me you aren’t curious!”

Elsa cleared her throat. Everyone looked at her. She turned her head and kissed Anna. Anna kissed back. What followed was an uncomfortably long session of sloppy making out, and Anna loved every second.

After what felt like about two minutes, Ryder cleared his throat. Another minute followed (judging by the sounds, Rapunzel was now eating popcorn). After another, Ryder spoke. “Guys, I think you made your point. You can stop now.” Anna showed him her middle finger. Ryder sighed and she heard him tapping on the screen and tell Kristoff to close his mouth already.

Finally (too soon) they parted, and took a look around the room. Rapunzel was finishing a bowl of popcorn, Ryder was scrolling tiktok, and Kristoff, mouth now closed, was just looking at them utterly flabbergasted. Anna felt her cheeks burn a little.

After a moment of silence, Kristoff finally seemed to get over his shock. “How long?” He asked.

Elsa shrugged. “Hard to say, because we were always… you know, mostly like that? Which I guess is why you didn’t notice. We didn’t notice when jokes and teasing became genuine flirting ourselves for a while.”

Anna shifted a little, and put her chin on Elsa’s shoulder. “But our first serious kiss was like 2 years ago. And we first had sex-”

“I think that’s enough, Anna.” Elsa rudely interrupted her.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why did they” He pointed at Ryder and Rapunzel, watching the conversation. “know, and I didn’t?”

“That’d be because you’re a moron.” Ryder chimed in, and Kristoff threw a pillow at him. He looked hurt.

Elsa finally got up, and she and Anna sat down on the floor next to Kristoff. “Well, at first we didn’t really know what’s happening.” Anna started. “Is it just a crush? Are we fucked in the head? Will it destroy us? When did it all change? So we didn’t really know what to tell you. ‘Hey Kristoff, I banged Elsa yesterday!’? Then our parents found out and kicked us out and telling anyone was the last thing on our minds, with you know, figuring out how to have a roof over our heads thing. We had to sleep at your place for a month, and we were terrified you’d kick us out too if you knew.” She shuddered a bit, and Elsa continued for her.

“Then when we settled we honestly thought either Rapunzel or Ryder told you, because you didn’t seem at all shocked at our progressive… closeness.” She added diplomatically.

“Well, how did they find out for sure?” He asked.

“I got to know them after we got together, so there was no ‘ah that’s just Elsa and Anna they were always weird like that’, and so after like, two days of hanging out I asked them.” Ryder responded. “They said yes, I said cool, we went home. I was sure you had to know.”

Kristoff nodded. “And you?” He asked Rapunzel, who blushed. “Well, it’s kinda… embarrassing. But I guess I’m over it enough to share.” She took a deep breath, and Elsa looked at her softly. “I had a massive crush on Elsa and asked her out. She said she was taken. I put two and two together, and confronted them after a week of gaslighting myself. They confirmed it, I cried for a month, we hugged it out, all is well in the world now.”

Kristoff took a moment to collect himself. Anna was scared. While they lucked out with two friends, incest is a big deal actually (which Elsa had to remind her every two days), and there was no guarantee Kristoff would be as accepting as the others. Elsa must have noticed her anxiety, because she moved closer, and hugged her side. She leaned into it, and waited.

Kristoff didn’t address them. He looked at Ryder and Rapunzel “And you’re both okay with it?”

They shrugged. “Well, my homosexual gay boyfriend, love is love, isn’t it?” Ryder said. 

“I’ve known them their whole lives, as did you, and I took a long time to try and analyze every memory of them I could, and I just… couldn’t really remember anything alarming. And they are happier now than they’ve ever been.” Rapunzel added, and Elsa and Anna both nodded.

Kristoff sighed, no, he sighed, for a full 20 seconds, before turning back to sisters. Girlfriends. Sister girlfriends. Whatever.

“I guess I’m happy for you.” He finally said. They both relaxed. “But, uh, how did your parents find out?”

Anna straightened her back. “Oh, they walked in on me eating Elsa ou-”

She got smacked, Kristoff choked, Ryder laughed, and Rapunzel snorted. Life was good.

[searchingwardrobes]

Scarborough Fair: 8/?

I apologize for the long wait for this chapter! We just moved into a new house, and at first we didn't have internet. I also felt that every spare moment needed to be spent unpacking and getting the house all set up. I finally escaped to Barnes and Noble to write because I just can't do it at home right now! Anyways, I hope the contents of this chapter make it up to you. We're getting to the good stuff ;)

Is the situation Emma is in as a pregnant foster teen accurate? I really have no idea, but it's in the book Impossible that this is based on. I also have no idea if you can make a shirt like that. Again, I'm going by the book Impossible. I'm not following it exactly, but those two plot points were kind of important, so I left them in. Anyways, things are going to keep getting steamier from here on out, though our lovers are far from out of danger. Plus, we've still got Snow, David, and their kingdom out there somewhere, so hang on, folks! It's gonna be a romantic yet bumpy ride.

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Emma Swan has had a charmed life, despite being a foster child. She has a wonderful family who loves her, and the best friends in the world. The only thing that mars her idyllic existence is her birth mother: a homeless woman who mutters nonsensical rhymes and claims to be Snow White. One fateful night, however, Emma’s world is shattered. Perhaps her mother’s rhymes aren’t nonsense after all.

Rated: M for date rape, dubious consent, teen pregnancy, and sexy times (the good kind!)

Words: Over 3k in this chapter

Chapter One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six

Also on Ao3

Tagging:  (let me know if you wish to be removed or added):  @snowbellewells @teamhook @kmomof4 @jrob64 @xhookswenchx-reads-blog @thisonesatellite @welllpthisishappening @spartanguard @ohmakemeahercules @tiganasummertree @sparlecorn93 @sals86 @pirateprincessofpizza @xarandomdreamx @zaharadessert @huntressandlioness1 @jamif @undercaffinatednightmare @onceratheart18 @sparlecorn93 @sals86 @pirateprincessofpizza @xarandomdreamx @zaharadessert @huntressandlioness1 @jonesfandomfanatic​ @hollyethecurious​

Chapter Eight:

The entire family jumped right in to help Emma solve the riddle that had defeated her mother. Liam dove back into every bit of research he had accumulated about the song Scarborough Fair. He and Ingrid met with the art professor he had mentioned who had done her dissertation on textiles. Elsa talked to the scientists on board ship and zoomed with the family every single day. Even Anna found her niche, taking Emma to the library and helping her check out every book available about pregnancy and childbirth. 

And Killian? He was the rock she could lean on. The one who made her smile or laugh just when things got too heavy. He also ran whatever errands he needed to: taking Emma to her first prenatal appointment, shopping for a long list of different types of fabrics at the craft store to make this impossible shirt, and going for a late night ice cream run when Emma’s cravings started. In some ways, nothing changed.

Yet his declaration of love still hung in the air. He hadn’t brought it up again, hadn’t treated her any differently, hadn’t asked her on a date or tried to get physical. He was giving her space to decide what she wanted, and it honestly was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. 

At the same time, Emma was confused. She had always loved Killian, of course. But was it romantic love? She could even admit she had been physically attracted to him at times, but did that mean she was in love with him? Did she even want something like that right now, when she was processing having a kid of all things and still healing from a violent rape? Did Killian fully understand what he would be getting himself into? Did she want to burden him with all her crap? 

She was just completely and utterly confused. 

Then, as if she didn’t have enough to worry about, Ingrid came home one day from work visibly shaken. The entire family stilled in the process of getting dinner on the table when they saw her standing in the kitchen, her face ashen. 

“What is it?” Liam asked, his voice filled with dread.

“Emma,” she said, her voice choking on her foster daughter’s name, “Liam and I need to talk to you. Immediately.”

Killian found Emma later, sobbing in her bed. When she poured it all out to him, he was livid. 

“This is absolute shit! I can’t believe they would do that!”

“They would, and they can,” Emma explained as she hugged her pillow to her torso. “Because I’m still technically in foster care, my baby automatically is, too.”

“They can’t just take it away from you!”

Emma shrugged. “Ingrid and Liam are no longer licensed to take in infants. I either have to find somewhere else to live, or my baby will be put in a different foster home.”

“Can’t they just get licensed?”

Emma shook her head. “It’s a year-long process of paperwork and visitations from social workers. I’m due in five months! Killian, what am I going to do? Where am I going to go?”

She began to sob again, and when Killian eased into the bed next to her and put his arms around her, he could feel the small swell at her abdomen where her baby was growing. He felt a strong desire to protect them both. 

“We won’t let them take you or the baby away from us. We’re a family.”

“That’s what your brother said. Exactly.”

Killian chuckled. “Of course he did.”

“But Killian,” she choked out, “what happens if I don’t solve the riddle? I was comforted at least knowing my baby would be safe and raised by Ingrid and Liam, but now . . .”

She sobbed again against his chest, and he held her tight. “I won’t let that happen,” he vowed. “You aren’t going to go mad, Emma, you won’t. We’ll solve this. All of it. Together.”

*************************************************************************

The only time Emma’s family ever used the formal dining room was on Thanksgiving. Someone always had to actually dust the table and air out the room, but Ingrid always insisted they “do Thanksgiving right,” even down to the old chipped china plates with the maple leaf border. 

So it felt odd to be in here now with the warm summer sun spilling through the window and shining on the ancient area rug. Assorted fabrics littered the table and a sewing mannequin stood in the corner, the headless and limbless torso sending an ominous shiver down Emma’s spine. 

“So this one is probably our best bet,” Ingrid explained. 

She cradled the bundle of scratchy, thick fabric and held it out to Emma who reached out and ran her hand over the coarse woolen felt. 

“That feels like it would make the most uncomfortable shirt in the history of the world.”

Ingrid shrugged. “Does it really matter? You wet this fabric, mold it to that torso over there, and according to Dr. Freemont, when it dries, it will hold together.”

Emma took the fabric and nodded. “So then we have it. A shirt made without needle or seam.”

“Who’s gonna wear it, though?”

Ingrid and Emma whirled around at the sound of Killian’s voice. Emma’s mouth went dry immediately. He stood there, his hair wet with sweat, and his chest bare. Emma couldn’t stop staring at it. She used to think chest hair was gross. She was wrong. Killian’s was thick and dark, and it set her pulse pounding. Realizing just how long she’d been ogling him, she dragged her gaze up to his face. He gave her a knowing grin as he lifted a carton of milk to his mouth and took a swig. 

“Where the hell is your shirt?” Emma snapped.

“Where the hell is your glass,” Ingrid added drily. “You’re not the only one who might like some milk, you know.”

“I just got home from work, and I’m hot,” Killian responded, as if that explained everything.

Emma tried really, really hard not to think of the other connotation of the word hot, but she was failing. Killian hadn’t brought up his declaration since that fateful dinner last week, and Emma was still trying to process it. Yet ever since, she was hyper aware of Killian’s presence. 

His lack of a shirt didn’t help, either. 

“Pour that milk in a glass, Killian, I’m not kidding,” Ingrid said in her rarely used mom voice. 

“Sure,” Killian said, sauntering back towards the kitchen. He gave Emma one more backwards glance with a delighted smirk on his face. Emma’s face heated several degrees. 

“I think I know what he means, though,” Ingrid sighed.

“What?” Emma asked, her head still a little fuzzy.

“Is it really a shirt unless someone actually wears it?” 

Emma sighed in exasperation. “So have someone wear it.”

“I’ll do it.”

They whirled back around to find Killian standing in the doorway again. He had a glass of milk in one hand and a stack of Oreos in the other. He still hadn’t donned a shirt. Emma found herself staring again, admiring the way a summer working in construction had toned his muscles. She dropped the fabric she’d been clutching in her hands and swore under her breath as it rolled across the floor. Killian smirked at her, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to slap it off his face or kiss him senseless. 

“Well,” Ingrid said, seemingly oblivious to the sexual tension in the room, “if Killian’s going to wear it, then that makes things a little more complicated.”

“Why?” Emma and Killian asked simultaneously. He had stepped further into the room, and his close proximity almost made Emma lose hold of the fabric she’d just stooped to pick up. 

“Well, if we mold the shirt to that torso over there, and it dries, I don’t think it will fit him.”

“So measure me,” Killian said, taking a bite of a cookie. His back was to Emma now as he addressed Ingrid, and it was just as distracting as the front of him. He had freckles across his shoulders, and a few along the small of his back. 

“That won’t work.” Ingrid shook her head. “The fabric doesn’t work that way. Not if we’re trying to make it without needle or seam. We’ll have to mold it to your body.”

Emma gave a little squeak at Ingrid’s words and nearly dropped the fabric all over again. To Killian’s credit, he didn’t acknowledge her reaction.

“What would that entail?” he asked casually, taking a sip of his milk. 

“I’m not sure,” Ingrid mused, tapping her finger on her chin. 

Silence fell for a moment, the only sounds from Killian snacking on his milk and cookies. Then Ingrid suddenly clapped her hands together. 

“I’ve got it! Duct tape!”

Killian’s eyes widened. “If you wrap me in duct tape, you’ll never get it off. Not without taking my skin with it.”

“You could wear a shirt,” Emma said. 

“You made that clear already,” Killian smirked at her. “I told you, I’m hot.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “I mean for the duct tape. You wear a white undershirt, I wrap it in tape, then I can put the shirt, molded to your torso, on the mannequin. Then I make the shirt.”

“You’d need to be wearing the shirt when she tapes it,” Ingrid clarified. 

“I figured that,” Killian nodded.

Emma’s throat went suddenly dry. She’d have to put her hands on his body. She’d have to be in extremely close proximity to him. She was equal parts giddy at the thought and terrified. She was light-headed just thinking about it. 

“Perfect,” Killian announced with a grin. “When do we start?”

Emma wanted to ask Ingrid if she would do it for her, but she couldn’t risk that. The riddle implied that Emma had to make the shirt herself. She steeled herself and turned to Killian. 

“Shower so you don’t stink, and then we’ll get to work.”

“As you wish,” he told her with a mock bow before he turned from the room.

Ingrid, still oblivious to the fact that Emma was practically swooning and trembling simultaneously, turned away from the dining room table and grabbed her purse from a nearby chair. 

“Since you’ve got this under control, I’ll head to the supermarket. Anything you need?”

Slightly dazed, Emma managed to shake her head “no.”

“Great, I’ll see you kids later.”

In the kitchen, Killian rinsed his dirty glass and put it in the dishwasher. He smiled to himself as he headed up the stairs. He hadn’t pressed Emma in any way since his declaration. Whether she shared his feelings or not, he’d told himself, he would still be there for her. Yet the way she’d reacted to him just now gave him hope. Maybe he would win her heart after all. 

*******************************************************************************************

“Sit right here,” Emma instructed, pointing to the dinner room chair directly in front of her. Killian obeyed, and when he looked up at her, his eyes didn’t hold teasing as she’d expected. They were tender and vulnerable. Emma swallowed nervously.

“Don’t be nervous,” he told her.

“I’m not,” she scoffed.

“You’re holding that roll of tape so hard, your knuckles are turning white.”

Emma scowled at him and pulled a long strip of tape from the roll. He blanched, and she laughed.

“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you,” she told him. 

He swallowed, and she followed the motion of his adam’s apple. She licked her lips as she drew closer, touching his arm gently as she raised it.

 “I’ll start with the sleeves,” she explained unnecessarily. 

She had to slip her fingers beneath the fabric to make sure she didn’t accidentally tape his skin. She thought she heard an intake of breath from his throat as her fingers skimmed his bicep, but maybe she’d imagined it. She wound the tape around and around the sleeve of his shirt, but when she began to wrap it around his shoulder blade, she had to step closer to him. He spread his legs to allow it, and she leaned over him, her breasts pressing against his collarbone. The sharpness of breath this time was impossible to ignore. She paused and locked eyes with him - he face was so close to hers . . . 

“Did I hurt you?”

He pressed his lips together and shook his head, so she continued. Was his breathing becoming shallow, or was that her? Was that his heart thumping so fast, or her own? When she wrapped the tape around his chest, she could feel a “thump, thump” beneath her palm. 

“Um, Emma, give me a second.”

Killian grabbed a throw pillow from the wingback chair in the corner of the dining room then resumed his seat. He clutched the pillow in his lap, and his face flamed all the way to the tips of his ears. 

“Oh,” Emma breathed softly. 

Killian swallowed thickly. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Emma said, her own cheeks warm. 

“I just don’t want to freak you out . . . or scare you or anything. You know, because . . . because of him.”

Emma shook her head, tendrils of hair brushing her cheeks where they fell from the messy bun on the top of her head. She bit her lip as she got lost in his eyes; darker than usual and stormy. She stepped close again, between his legs, and she almost laughed when he clutched the pillow tighter. 

  “Emma,” he groaned, his eyes falling shut. 

“I’m glad,” she said, her own voice deep and trembling, “that I have that effect on you.”

“You do?” 

He opened his eyes, and she nodded. Her hands shook as she lifted them and rested them upon his temples. She threaded her fingers through his hair. It was softer than she had imagined. He tipped his head back and watched her intently. She thought of him the other night, stating so matter-of-factly that he loved her. He had said it as something unshakable and infallible. Something as predictable and steady as the seasons. Then they had gone on as they always had, with no demands that she respond to his declaration in any way. 

“And you could never scare me, Killian,” she clarified. 

Then, suddenly, she was kissing him. She was kissing Killian in the middle of the dining room. His torso was half wrapped in duct tape, he was helping her make this crazy, ridiculous, magical shirt . . . 

And she was kissing him. He was kissing her back. He was kissing her back after declaring his love for her at the kitchen table. He was kissing her thoroughly, his tongue exploring her mouth, even though she hadn’t said it back.  Or maybe it didn’t matter, she wasn’t sure. After all, this was only the second boy she’d ever kissed. But no, she wasn’t going to think about that or him. Not when Killian was kissing her within an inch of her life.

The pillow he was clutching fell to the floor when he wrapped his arms around her, and Emma could feel his arousal through his jeans and pressing into her. For a split second, fear tried to grab hold of her, but it was banished quickly. He wouldn’t just take her; he wasn’t like that. 

Killian pulled away, and Emma was shocked to hear a whimper slip past her lips, especially when he stood up from the chair and took a step back. Why was he pulling away, when they - oh.

He was sinking down on one knee, and she suddenly wondered if she were dreaming. It all felt so surreal, and he was still half wrapped in duct tape. Maybe Snow had whacked her in the head with one of those bottles after all, and all this time she’d been in a coma at the hospital. It would explain so much, honestly. 

“Emma,” he said, (and were those tears gathering in his eyes?), “I know this is a lot to ask of you, since you haven’t even told me yet how you feel about me. And this is something I think I always knew I would do eventually, just not now.” 

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them and continuing. His words reverberated in her soul, and she knew he was right, they were always going to arrive here, somehow. She knew it the same way she knew her own reflection. 

“But with everything going on, I don’t want to wait. I know you face an uncertain future, Emma, but I always want to be by your side. So, will you marry me?” He didn’t even pause for her answer, but plunged ahead. “It makes so much sense, if you think about it. I mean, we’re going to break this curse, Emma, we will. We won’t give up, ever. But, I know you worry, and if I’m your husband, you won’t have to. You’ll know I’ll be there for the baby. It will be mine, legally. It won’t end up in foster care. Not that anything’s going to happen to you, I swear to you it won’t, but if I can ease your burden . . .”

He trailed off, and Emma sank to her knees right along with him, reaching out to cup his face in her hands. 

“And if I do go insane -”

“You won’t!”

“But if we don’t break the curse . . .”

“I’ll take care of you,” he said solemnly, “always and forever.”

It would be selfish of her, she knew that it would, to ask that of him. Nevertheless, his vow felt like the sun breaking through the darkest of clouds, and she knew she couldn’t refuse his gift. Her hands slipped down his shoulders, then his arms, and she clasped his hands tightly in hers. 

“I love you.”

It wasn’t, she discovered, difficult to say. It was just so true, so undeniable, like how she knew the sun would come up each morning. His smile was bright and blinding, and she smiled too at the sight of his dimples. They had been so rare lately. 

“Does that mean yes?” he asked her teasingly. 

A tear slipped down her face, and she found she couldn’t speak. She nodded, and he understood. Everyone would say they were crazy, of course. He was nineteen, and she was seventeen. It was absolutely insane. Ingrid and Liam wouldn’t like it, she was sure, but she also knew they wouldn’t stop them.

 He dried her tears with his thumb, then traced her lips before kissing her tenderly. The kiss continued as they clung to one another in blissful, shining faith and hope. In that moment, she believed him: They would break the curse. 

Emma and Killian were so wrapped up in one another, they didn’t notice the slight shaking of the house or the rainbow colored light that swept through the room. 

**************************************************

It wasn’t the first time Robert Gold had entered the Swan/Jones home when the family was gone. He had explored every nook and cranny, flipped through photographs, smelled their clothes. He knew this family; every weakness to be exploited had been sifted and examined. 

Yet the house had never protested like it did today, and when he turned towards the dining room, he could clearly see why. 

It was a shirt. Hideous, smelly, and dripping wet, but a shirt nonetheless. When it dried, it could even be worn. 

“Well, well, well,” he muttered, reaching out a hand towards it. 

Almost immediately, he recoiled, the shirt burning him before he’d even grazed it. Magic radiated from it. The glamor spell he always wore faded, and his hands turned a scaly green, nails yellowed and gnarled at each finger tip. It wasn’t just the shirt, he realized. The entire dining room reeked with the magic, and he was in pain from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. 

“Of course you’re in pain, Dark One.”

He writhed on the ground and cried out as a much younger face pulled away from his ancient, twisted one. 

“Stop fighting me!”

“I’m doing all this for you, son!”

“Are you, Papa?”

“I got her for you, didn’t I?”

“But I can’t keep her!”

The Dark One could no longer hold onto the shared body, and the younger man stood to his feet, opened the front door, and walked out onto the sidewalk. Neal Cassidy was the name he preferred in this realm, a name that Rumplestiltskin hated. Baelfire was his name: a strong, powerful name.

“Oh Papa,” Baelfire - Neal - whispered, “settle down and cooperate.”

“You know I’ll take over again eventually.”

Neal didn’t argue. Instead he clenched his jaw and gritted his next words through his teeth. 

“This won’t work forever. You’re losing, and you know it.”

“They only finished the first task. They’ll never complete the rest. Not in time, anyway.”

“But that magic - you know exactly what that was.”

Ah yes, he did. True love. He wasn’t worried. The Dark One had defeated true love before, and he would do it again.

[msp9]

Idk about you guys but personally i would really enjoy seeying Elsa having a romantic attraction towards someone (i mean honeymaren)...

Or at least explore that part of her, Considering that she had been locked up in a castle afraid of herdelf for years,it is only logical that she didin't have time or any will to think about love. HOWEVER now that some years have past and she has made up for all those years she lost, it would only be natural to be curious about her personal attraction.

So #giveelsaagirlfriend 👀

Even if she is in the ace spectrum there could still be scenes were she actually figures that out or talks to Anna about her confusion or something.

I just need a scene of her talking or being curious about her sexual oreantation (ace or lesbian or...)

Dont get me wrong i love the whole indipended queen badass vibe its just🤌but giving elsa a girl friend would be so adorable and i would literally cry.😇

(Omg imagine a scene were honeymaren is showing that she is interested romantically in her and elsa getting all red.) #adorable

Or

(Imagine honeymaren again flirting or whatever and elsa doesnt know what to do, but later axplains or figures out that she isnt interested in anyone.) #I love that idea aswell😇