#they’ll say that hunting should be banned when it’s such an important part of living for a lot of people

[cleradinthealps]

people on tiktok/tumblr will post a picture of a rural appalachian town and caption it “ethel cain core southern appalachian gothic catholicism americana lana del rey vinyl” like my god you were raised in a protestant suburban home in washington.

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

The Magic Reveal fic we deserve, in which Merlin gets as angry as he deserves to get:

Part 2   Part 3   Part 4   Part 5

Don’t get me wrong I LOVE a magic reveal with a Merlin who feels bad about lying. I love a reveal with Arthur being furious and Merlin crying but then they talk it out and all is well. I think it's pretty in-character for Merlin to want to see Arthur come to his own conclusions about magic, without being influenced by Merlin’s opinions

BUT I also kinda wanna see Merlin get angry? Like, why should he feel bad about hiding himself in a kingdom where "himself" gets him nothing but a pyre?? Yeah, he and Arthur are close, but unless you've lived with a secret like that (one that will get you shunned, hated, or even killed) then, and I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH, it doesn't matter How Close you are with someone, how certain you are that they would never hurt you, or care either way, it will almost ALWAYS be scary to tell them. So like. Let Merlin get angry:

I'd say Arthur has been king for maybe a year at this point. He's still a new monarch, still a lot on his plate, BUT also still plenty of time for him to have repealed the ban on magic, or at least started working on it.

But he hasn't.

Granted he hasn't executed anyone in a while (banishments and prison time are the norm, executions are only used nowadays for high treason). BUT the law still remains, it's still technically punishable by death, to be a sorcerer.

Arthur and Merlin have little hunting trips, when Arthur is getting too stressed and losing too much sleep, when he trains the knights too hard and snaps at even Gaius, Merlin (or sometimes even Leon, if they're both being grumpy arseholes) insists that they leave the city for a day or more, to go hunting.

The council have been told it's so the King can keep up with his fitness, can keep familiar with his lands, and keep his skills sharp (he only has enough time to train with the knights a couple times a week nowadays, a far cry from the several hours he used to do every morning without fail), and that keeps them satisfied.

The Gang (the Knights, Gwen, Gaius, and Morgana (she's good in this because that's what I want let me have this)) know the truth, that sometimes the two of them just need a few days to goof off and be themselves, to finally get some time to relax. They'll grab a couple hares and maybe a stag on the way back if they can, so they can at least pretend that's what they've been doing the whole time.

These trips can last anywhere between a day, to two weeks, and Arthur leaves the same set of instructions with the council and the knights every time:

"The safety of Camelot’s people is your highest priority. I leave Sir Leon in charge of everything to do with the knights, patrol, and should any form of conflict arise. If there is an emergency, you are to consult the Inner Council (I don’t know if that's a thing but let's say it is; its The Gang), and send a squire on horseback to fetch me immediately. There's one boy in the troupe who always manages to track me the down the quickest, so make sure he's the one sent, Sir Leon knows who I speak of."

(He's improved over the years, but Arthur is still very... cagey, when it comes to compliments, and his trust. Leon will never mention it, but the fact that Arthur leaves the safety of the kingdom to him, without hesitation or worry, makes him feel greatly honoured. That is the highest form of trust Arthur is capable of giving.)

~

ANYWAY I feel like most of this has just been backstory so let's get into it:

Normally it's Merlin or Leon who demand that the trip needs to happen.

This time

It's Arthur.

Arthur has tried to ignore it (he's trying to get better but he's not great with emotions and stuff, the big dummy) but Merlin has been in a sour mood for weeks now. He's been quiet and withdrawn, snappy, and has been avoiding Arthur whenever possible.

At first it was easy to ignore, when it started a few months ago it was barely noticeable to anyone who didn't know the two of them Very Well, but in the last few weeks it's become a problem.

Arthur reckons a trip might do them some good. Merlin can relax, and will either get over whatever is bothering him, or be comfortable enough to talk to Arthur about it.

So they head out. Merlin doesn't seem too happy about the trip but he doesn’t complain.

(Odd in itself, if Merlin is unhappy about something he usually makes it known.)

The first couple of days are... odd, to say the least. It seems that every time Arthur notices Merlin relax, he quickly tightens up again. One short, joking conversation is followed by a few more hours of painful, awkward silence.

Arthur comes to the daunting realisation, that if he wants to help is friend (and the love of his life but like... baby blondie has hardly reached that conclusion himself, he might need a bit more time on that) is to confront it head on.

So they're settling down in the evening. The fire is roaring, the horses have been fed and watered, dinner has been eaten, and the two of them are sat at opposite ends of the fire (Very Odd, they're usually glued at the hip, especially when it's just the two of them).

Arthur looks at his friend properly for the first times in a while and he Does Not Like what he sees.

Merlin is visibly exhausted, big bags under his eyes, and his skin paler than normal, scowling ever so slightly into the fire. Shoulders tense, and hands gripping each other until the skin on his knuckles is white. And despite all that, Arthur thinks that Merlin looks more sad, than angry.

Maybe Merlin notices Arthur's staring, they hold eye contact for a little while before Merlin becomes sort of... resigned?? To the fact that he's gonna have to have this conversation whether he wants it or not? He goes to say something but before he can, Arthur interrupts him:

"So Merlin. How do you think I'm doing so far?"

(Which is a stupid thing to say, really. But Arthur is, as we've already established, extremely emotionally constipated, and he figures that finding out what's wrong with Merlin indirectly, and then subtly fixing it behind his back, is a far better idea than asking him to his face.)

Merlin clenches his jaw and looks away it this, his reply and his body language clearly sending different messages:

"You know what I think. You're going to be a great king."

Arthur thinks : "(Going to be? I've been king for a year, there's been no war and far fewer attempts on my life than when I was a prince. There's been a good harvest, all diplomatic meetings have gone well, and more peace treaties, and trade agreements, have been signed in the last twelve months, than in the ten years before it. I know I can still do better but... does Merlin not think I'm good?")

Arthur says : "Going to be? I think I'm a pretty great King already if I do say so myself."

"Then why ask? Besides. There are a few things you haven't done."

Merlin's tone is biting, even though he tries to force it out casually. Arthur notices. ”There are a few things you haven't done”... that means something specific.

"Hmm. I suppose. What things did you have in mind then, Merlin?"

Arthur also tries to sound casual, but the question comes out very pointed

Merlin desperately doesn't want to say it out loud, in fear of revealing too much of himself, so he goes with the vague answer of:

"Promises were made. I guess I just figured you weren't the type to break them, that's all. I'm sure you'll get there in time."

Merlin sounds sort of hopeful there. But the sort of hope that he's been living with for years, the sort of hope that has a layer of sadness and resignation laying over the the top like a tablecloth.

Arthur notices:

"Promises?" He doesn’t want to talk too much or too loudly, in fear that Merlin realises that he's speaking openly and clams up again.

Arthur has realised, over the last year or two, that despite their closeness, despite the endless conversations they seem to have, he doesn't really know all that much about Merlin. He knows he doesn’t spend as much time picking herbs, or in the tavern, as he and Gaius would claim. He doesn't know his favourite colour, or season, or holiday. He doesn't know when abouts his birthday is, or what he likes eating. He doesn't know much about his childhood, he's never mentioned his father.

(Despite all this, he's still in love with the idiot, but again, a revelation for another time.)

Merlin responds "To the druids. You promised they would be welcomed, that magic would return. I know your opinions on magic-"

(The manservant visibly shuffles at this, uncomfortable.)

"-but I figured a promise is a promise. Keeping your word had always seemed so important to you. Before."

Arthur notices the past tense. Like Merlin doesn’t believe that Arthur holds importance to his word anymore:

"I'm not my father Merlin. There have been no executions just for the sake of it since I took the crown."

Merlin’s reply comes quickly, in a harsh tone:

"Yes I know that. But your fathers law still remains. It's technically still punishable by execution just to exist as a sorcerer in your kingdom."

(Arthur notices the thinly veiled disgust in Merlin's voice when he mentions Uther. Arthur knew that Merlin disliked the previous king, but he didn’t think he hated him that much.)

Merlin is getting more and more visibly frustrated at this point. Both at Arthur, and the topic of conversation, but also at himself, for letting himself become so worked up over something he'd sworn to keep Arthur away from.

"You really didn't like my Father did you Merlin?" He says it with a chuckle, trying to keep the conversation light and casual.

(This is NOT a conversation that should be light and casual, his friend is in pain, and revealing more of himself than he ever had before, this should be serious. But Arthur isn't quite sure how to do that, so inappropriately light and casual is what he goes for.)

Merlin responds with a quiet, but forceful:

"I hated him. I still do. He's your father, I know that you're not him, and I know you can't help your heritage. But I'll never forgive Uther for what he did. And I'm not angry that he's...gone."

Arthur's very much taken aback at that. He knows everyone has... strong opinions on Uther, but they've never voiced it in front of him.

"Why?? I mean I know he put you in the stocks a couple of times, but so have I to be fair. Why do you hate him so much?"

(This is the point Merlin gets angry. Or angrier. This is when he stops trying to hide it, stops trying to hold it in. Arthur hadn't gotten angry at Merlin for talking about Uther in such a way, he was just curious. Merlin had been planning on telling him the truth at some point anyway, so he might as well do it now, with no one else around, and Arthur in a goodish mood.)

Merlin jumps up, clenching his fists and staring Arthur in the eye for the first time since the start of the conversation, breathing deeply.

Arthur is taken even further aback at Merlin's sudden unwillingness to hide his true reaction to the topic at hand, but he doesn't say anything, and just waits for Merlin’s response

"Why?? Why do I hate him? Maybe because he was blinded fear and selfish hatred."

Merlin stops and looks away, but doesn't sit down, still tense.

I imagine he's waiting for Arthur to say something, but he doesn’t, opting to wait for Merlin to carry on himself, unwilling to remind Merlin exactly who he was talking to, and about what.

After a few moments of silence, Merlin continues, getting angrier with each word as he paces:

"Your father, the Great King Uther, murdered thousands of people. He committed genocide, because he insisted on blaming other people for his own mistakes. He didn't pay attention to the fine print, and killed his own wife and in return, he executes THOUSANDS of MY people. Just for daring to exist. He was so full of hatred, but he, of course, was infallible so it MUST have been someone else's fault. He was incapable of admitting his own mistakes and the injustice that went unpunished is indescribable, he was a tyrant, and a murderer, and I'll never forgive him."

(Arthur knows the truth about what happened to his Ma in this story, I don’t know how, he just does. And it's a topic of conversation he avoids like the plague.)

At the end of his little outburst, Merlin stills. He is shaking as he glares at the floor, and is more furious than Arthur has ever seen him before.

The King notices the little slip up.

"Your people?" He says, so quietly it's a wonder Merlin hears it.

Merlin freezes at this, at the realisation that there's no real way he can play this off. He was planning on telling him at some point anyway. They're miles away from the city in the middle of a large, barely tamed forest. If he needs to run for his life, he could get away easily enough.

"Yes Arthur. My people. You really should've let me speak first."

Arthur is reminded of the fact that Merlin had opened his mouth to say something, before he'd interrupted him at the beginning of the conversation. It felt like it was hours ago now, but it was really only a few minutes.

The King isn’t nearly as shocked as he thinks he should be. He knew there was something odd and secretive about Merlin, and he'd considered that he might have magic in the early days, but that hadn't been a genuine consideration for years.

He wants to be angry, and selfish, and furious at Merlin for lying to him all this time. But after hearing Merlin’s little speech, does he really have any right to? 

Yes, Arthur hadn't executed any sorcerers, but he also hadn't changed the law. He hadn't stood up to his father and he certainly hadn't tried to stop the executions before he was King himself. Can he really blame Merlin? For being scared? For being angry?

"You're a sorcerer." It's not a question. It's a statement. In his mind he knows the truth, but it needs to be confirmed, out loud, by Merlin himself, before they can move the conversation on.

"Yes."

And that's all he says. Arthur waits. And when he's tired of waiting, when he realises that Merlin isn't just gonna carry on talking this time, he speaks up:

"And?"

"And what, Arthur? What do you want me to say? That I'm sorry I lied? Yes, I feel bad for lying to you, but I'll never apologise for protecting myself in a kingdom that would see me burn. And I would do it again in a heartbeat"

Arthur nods. He's tense, but he notices that he isn't scared and he wonders why, after all, as far as he was aware magic had only (almost only) caused him pain and fear. 

(In the back of his mind he knows why he's not scared. Merlin doesn't have an evil bone in his body, and he's met the druids, he knows that some magic users are peaceful.)

He looks up at Merlin to see him staring at him, a sort of challenging look on his face, like he was daring Arthur to prove him right. Daring him to be selfish, and angry, and just like his father.

But when Arthur looks deeper. Really Looks at Merlin. He sees the fear, Arthur has no doubt in his mind that Merlin could escape, or even fight him off, now, if he needed to. But Merlin is scared.

If that wasn't enough to break Arthur's heart, the quick glance that Merlin throws to the space a few feet from Arthur's side, is.

Arthur looks over slowly, eyebrows furrowed, to see what Merlin glanced at so fearfully. His heart shatters when he realises what it is. Arthurs sword, sat underneath his bag, just out of his reach. Merlin thinks Arthur is going to kill him. Merlin is scared. Of Arthur.

Arthur looks back at Merlin, disbelief and gut wrenching sadness on his face. He resists the urge to jump up (knowing it would just panic Merlin) as he speaks, trying to keep his tone calming, but it comes out rushed and desperate anyway:

"I'm not going to hurt you Merlin, I swear. I'm...sorry, if my actions and words have led you to believe that I would EVER see any harm come to you."

It's over the last minute, the anger and fear from Merlin, that forces Arthur to realise the legacy he's dealing with. That Uther had done so much damage, had struck so much fear into Merlin, that it didn't matter how close they were. Any subtle, deliberate ignorance of the law wasn’t enough. Any small compliments, or defence of Merlin, wasn't enough.

As long as the law remained, as long as Arthur left his fathers legacy intact, with not even a small attempt to dismantle it, Merlin would be scared of him.

Merlin relaxes only slightly at Arthur's words, gulps, and glances once more at the sword before sitting down again. He’s still tense as he stares into the fire once more.

"All these years you've been putting your life at risk, to stay at my side. You could've quit at any time. You could've stayed in the relative safety of Ealdor, but you didn't. Why? I want to know everything Merlin. You... you mean a great deal to me, and it pains me to see you in fear. And I know it's no one’s fault but my own, and I want to fix it. So the whole story, from the beginning, I want to know."

It's Merlin’s turn to be taken aback now. In his mind, everything he's said and done in the last few minutes should be making Arthur angry. The disrespect of Uther, the tone of voice he had taken, the shouting. All of that even before the admittance of his greatest secret. But still Arthur wasn't angry, he was confused, and maybe hadn't quite processed it yet, but mostly he was just sad, sad that Merlin had to be angry on his own. Sad that Merlin had to be fearful on his own.

So he does. He starts at the beginning. His mother sending him to Camelot so Gaius could train him. Saving Arthurs life that first banquet. Saving his life again a few days later. And again. And again. And again

He talks about all the small insignificant magicks he did: cheating at dice games and keeping Arthur's bath water warm and making sure the fire stays lit through the night and helping the knights sleep when they're out and about.

He talks about all the big magicks he did: killing Nimueh and being the last Dragon-Lord and Balinor being his father, and all the great battles he had won and all the times he'd saved Arthur when Arthur hadn't even realised he'd been in danger.

He talks about everything in between. About every lucky fallen branch and every lucky rockslide and every lucky solution that wouldn't have worked without Merlin... nudging it in the right direction.

He talks and talks and talks until his throat is sore. And Arthur stays silent, unwilling to interrupt, listening intently and saving any questions and queries until the end.

After an hour or so, Merlin hesitates, but Arthur can tell that there's something else. Something he's not saying. Something that in Merlin's mind, is the scariest truth of all. So he stays silent, and waits for Merlin to continue:

"The old man that you think killed your father. Dragoon, the sorcerer who kept popping up but was never in the same room as me? That was me, in disguise."

He looks nervous at this and looks up at Arthur. Before, he'd been explaining everything with a blank but resolute look on his face, still staring into the fire (that hadn't been fed in well over an hour, but was still going strong).

Arthur just looks surprised, he'd never considered that Dragoon had been anyone but himself.

"I tried Arthur. I may have hated your father but I tried to save him. But the pendant around his neck stopped it from working and healing magic has never been my strong point anyway. I really did try."

Arthur nods at this. He figured there had been no reason for the old sorcerer to kill his father, and after consulting Gaius and realising the truth about the pendant, he didn't blame him. Though he never told anyone, not even Merlin, why would he? His manservant had never even met the guy.

"I know. I'm sorry, it can’t have been easy, thinking I blamed you for his death all these months. I'm sorry Merlin."

Merlin looks surprised but quietly grateful. Over the course of the last hour of explanation he had slowly become more and more relaxed, realising that Arthur really meant it when he said he wasn't going to hurt him, and just wanted the truth.

Merlin was still scared, and a big part of him still believed he'd probably be banished at the least at the end of this conversation. But it still felt good to get it off his chest.

"But you still haven't answered my question. Why? We didn't know each all that well those first few weeks. Months even. We practically hated each other at the beginning. But you stayed anyway. Despite hating me and despite being in constant danger. Why?"

Merlin once again hesitates at this. He tried his best but even after all these years, he's not quite sure how to navigate conversations about destiny, especially his own, and especially how it's tied so intrinsically with Arthur’s.

Instead he says:

"What do you know about Emrys?" He really needs a starting reference for this part of the conversation, and at this point, the best way to get it is to ask directly.

Arthur goes to question why, but Merlin has been nothing but honest and straight forward with him, so he trusts that it’s important, and answers truthfully:

"Not much. A few Druids have mentioned him to me before. Apparently they've been seeing him in prophetic dreams for centuries, the Druids have quite a few "seers" in their ranks. He's meant to be some great sorcerer, whose destiny it is to bring Magic and peace to Albion, with some King or other at his side. I never payed much attention to it, I hardly believe in visions of the future."

Merlin nods at that:

"You've got most of it. Emrys is meant to be the most powerful Warlock to ever walk the earth, past, present, and future. When Uther started culling sorcerers, an astronomical amount of magic was poured back into the earth all at once. The Triple Goddess took that magic and put it all in one place, in one unborn baby, in the hope that said baby would grow into his power, and restore balance and compassion to the world. The Druids call him Emrys but it's just a title, like King, or Sir, not his real name. He, and the Once and Future King, are meant to rule with the support of one another, uniting all of Albion under the King’s rule, and bringing magic back into the land. Emrys and the Forever King, two sides of the same coin, their destinies interwoven."

Merlin goes silent at that, and Arthur thinks he knows where this is going, but he Needs the confirmation:

"What's that got to do with anything?" is quietly muttered.

"You're the Forever King Arthur. And I am Emrys. Though it's weird enough when the druids call me that so just... let's stick with Merlin alright?"

"All those times you said I would be a great King, all those times you had unfailing faith in me, was because of destiny?"

Arthur tries not so sound hurt, but he’s never cared for, or believed, in destiny. Up until now he'd thought Merlin had had faith in him as Arthur, his friend, not as some prophetic Once and Future King that Arthur was afraid he would never be.

"At first, sure. I was angry, that my destiny had been decided for me. That I couldn't just ignore it because if I did then the world would never know peace. I never asked for that responsibility I just wanted... I just wanted to keep my mother safe. I wanted to learn how to be a physician and use my magic to help and entertain and brighten the world. Just a little bit. And suddenly I had this big important role to play. I hated it. But I did it anyway, kept you safe. And then I got to know you as a person and you weren't your father. You Love Camelot, you Love your people, you're a good man who does everything in his power to help those around him, even if they don't deserve it sometimes. And suddenly, having my destiny be to help you to greatness... well, it didn't seem so bad anymore. Maybe it was your destiny to be that Great King from prophecy, because you were already a good man."

Arthur is speechless at that. Tears gather in his eyes but neither of them mention it and he doesn't let them fall. Merlin had been almost as nice as that in the past, but never so fully, and with the weight of the truth behind it, it seemed much more meaningful.

Merlin gives him a sad smile before he continues:

"I'm your servant until the day I die Arthur. I have faith that one day, you'll do the right thing."

Arthur suddenly remember the whole point of this conversation. That Merlin was upset and angry that he hadn't repealed the ban on magic yet, that Merlin was still waiting on him. Waiting on him to do the right thing. Waiting on him to fulfil his destiny.

~

Maybe they head straight home? Merlin walks into Arthur's chambers the next morning to find him already up and pacing, making a start on the repeal?

Maybe Arthur demands they go to the closest Druid settlement so he can consult them on how he should go about it? Merlin’s knowledge of magic is great and all, but neither of them were alive before the purge, neither know how it would work practically.

All I know, is whenever Merlin first comes across Arthur working on the repeal, determination in his eyes, he cries a little. That everything he sacrificed is finally paying off.

I also know, that the first time Arthur timidly asks Merlin to show him something magical (maybe that's straight after this tiring conversation, or maybe its days later, back in the safety of Arthur's locked chambers) Merlin cries even harder, Arthur is still scared of magic, how could he not be. But he loves and trusts Merlin more than anything in this world, and he wants to learn to not be scared anymore.

~

THIS IS COMPLETED!!

All 5 parts have been posted:)

If y’all want my thoughts on anything specific, let me know✌

[waveridden]

FIC: there’s a red mark where my mouth should be

A Beauty and the Beast AU. Hadrian/Samot, Hadrian & Hella, 4.7k. Content warnings apply for semi-graphic violence, but nothing more dramatic than canon.

AUcember || read on Ao3

#

Hella says, “There’s a beast in the woods.”

Hadrian exchanges a skeptical look with Rosana - he doesn’t mean for it to be so openly dubious, but he can’t help himself. Hella isn’t normally prone to this particular kind of dramatics. When he looks back at her, she’s scowling at him. “A beast,” he says, just to be sure.

“Yes, a beast,” Hella says impatiently. “A lot of people have been saying it, way too many for it to be a coincidence.”

“Coincidences happen.”

“Not people talking about a giant wolf.”

“A giant wolf?” Hadrian repeats. “And you’re, what, going to kill it?”

“No,” Hella says, “we’re going to kill it. You’re my backup.”

“I’m retired.”

“I’m asking you to come out of retirement.”

Hadrian glances at Rosana. “I don’t-”

“We’ll talk about it,” Rosana says, voice so even and measured that Hadrian knows that she’s upset. “Thank you, Hella.”

“I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t serious,” Hella says, voice low. It’s as close as they’re going to get to an apology from her, Hadrian knows.

Rosana just nods. “Thank you,” she says again, and waits for Hella to leave.

Hadrian swallows. He doesn’t want to go. He’s retired. But he doesn’t want Hella to go alone.

Rosana looks at him as soon as Hella’s gone. “I won’t stop you,” she says. “But that doesn’t mean I want you to go.”

“I know,” Hadrian sighs. “I know. But I think I have to.”

“Okay,” Rosana says, voice soft. “Be careful.”

He takes her hand, squeezes it, lifts it to his mouth to brush his lips against it. “I will.”

  #

  He doesn’t hear what happens. Hella doesn’t even so much as scream. All he knows is that they split up for a matter of minutes and when he comes back to camp there’s blood in the snow, and a trail.

Hadrian follows the trail, because it’s Hella and he doesn’t have another choice. It’s not terribly long, maybe half a mile, and he can see footsteps in the snow alongside the pawprints. It doesn’t look like she was dragged or anything, and it doesn’t look like she’s bleeding out.

The trail ends at a dilapidated mansion, with countless claw marks gouged in the outside walls. Hadrian doesn’t know what kind of a wolf lives in a mansion, but he pushes the door open anyways. It creaks loudly, loudly enough that he figures any subtlety is gone, so he calls out, “Hella?”

“Hadrian,” Hella shouts, from far away. Something about her voice is too strained, too distressed, and it makes his heart clench.

Hadrian moves slowly through the mansion. It definitely looks like a wolf lives here: scratches on the walls and furniture, fur everywhere. Everything seems old, like it hasn’t been used in decades. It was clearly a home once, but it clearly hasn’t been in a long time.

“Hella!” he shouts again, and this time when she answers it’s easy to tell which room she’s in. He starts running, and he finds her in a bedroom, slumped against the wall. “Hella-”

“You shouldn’t have come here,” she gasps, but she hugs him fiercely when he drops to his knees in front of her. There’s what looks like a bite in her arm, not so bad that she can’t move it but bad enough that Hadrian can feel blood seeping into his clothing, warm against his neck. “You should’ve-”

“I absolutely shouldn’t have.”

“It won’t let me leave.”

“We need to bandage your arm.”

“Hadrian,” she says pleadingly, and then stills. Hadrian turns around slowly.

The wolf is massive. Hadrian’s only seen a couple of wolves before, but either they were small or this one is exceptionally large. It towers over both him and Hella, kneeling on the floor.

“Let me help her,” Hadrian says. His voice shakes, and Hella grabs one of his hands. He squeezes it tight, clutching it close to his chest. “Please, let me fix her.”

The wolf growls loudly, warningly.

“It won’t let me leave,” Hella repeats, a strange note of despair in her voice.

Hadrian looks the wolf in its eyes. It looks back, steady and not nearly as animal as he would expect.

“If I stay,” Hadrian says, “will you let her leave?”

The wolf steps out of the doorway.

“Hadrian,” Hella says urgently. “Hadrian, you can’t, Rosana and Benjamin-”

“They’ll trust you to come find me, and so do I.”

“But-”

“You need medicine. You can’t stay here.”

“Can’t you help me and leave?”

“I can’t leave you here,” Hadrian says. “I can’t, Hella-”

She throws her arms around him again and exhales into his neck, and Hadrian understands. Hella doesn’t want to die here. He can’t say he wants to either, but he’s pretty sure he’ll be better off than her.

“I’ll come back,” she says. “I will.”

“I know,” Hadrian says.

  #

  The wolf brings him food. Animals it hunts and kills, mostly, but occasionally it comes back with things like loaves of bread and crates of vegetables.

“Are you stealing these?” Hadrian demands, the second or third time a crate shows up. The wolf just stares at him, and he shakes his head. “We can’t just take food for people. I can hunt and forage for myself-”

The wolf growls. Hadrian glares at it, even though that’s undoubtedly a foolish thing to do. “I’m not going to leave. I’ll just come with you or something. I’m not going to let you keep scaring people.”

And the strangest thing of all is: then he does. He gets to go with the wolf on a hunting trip, sword in hand, and bring back things that he foraged for himself. He doesn’t know what to make of that, of this strange, intelligent wolf. But he thinks that it might trust him.

  #

  The first dream happens a week after he gets to the mansion.

He’s in a version of the mansion, but this one hasn’t been ravaged by the wolf. In fact, it looks much newer than the real mansion. All of the furniture is brightly colored and whole, and the counters are unbroken and polished. He runs a hand along one of the walls, which is newly painted in an almost blinding shade of white.

“It’s beautiful,” says a voice behind him.

Hadrian whirls around. “Who-” he says, before his voice dies in his throat.

The man standing behind him is not tall, but he’s elegant, carrying himself with the posture of someone important. He has long blond hair past his shoulders that ripples when he tilts his head, a strange and analytical gesture. “You’re the newest one the wolf has brought,” he says.

Hadrian swallows. “I am.”

“Not injured, I hope.”

“Not at all.”

“Why have you stayed?”

“It won’t let me leave.”

“Hm,” the man says. “I suppose.”

“I haven’t seen you before,” Hadrian says cautiously.

The man smiles, there and gone in an instant. “No, I suppose you wouldn’t have. You’re dreaming right now. I don’t exist outside of these dreams.”

“Oh,” Hadrian says. “That’s… I’m sorry. That must be difficult.”

“It is,” he says. “I’m happy to have company again.”

“Has the wolf brought people before?”

“Not often. Not recently.”

Hadrian nods slowly. “My name is Hadrian,” he says. “I don’t know how long I’m going to be here. My friend is looking for me. She’s going to be back soon.”

“The mansion can be hard to find,” the man warns. “You shouldn’t expect her to be back soon.”

“I don’t. But I still expect her to come back.”

“You have that much faith in your friend?”

“Of course,” Hadrian says, surprised despite himself. This man doesn’t know Hella. He has no way of knowing her life with Hadrian, full of sparring sessions and quiet adventures and trying to find peace after they were done with violence. “Always.”

“Good,” the man says. The dream is beginning to blur around the edges. “You’re lucky to have that kind of faith in someone, Hadrian.”

“Wait,” Hadrian says desperately. The mansion is fading, but the man isn’t. “You didn’t say your name.”

He smiles. “I am Samot,” he says. “I hope to see you again soon.”

He wakes up with a gasp, reaching for his sword out of instinct. It’s there, albeit sheathed, and he ends up clutching at the hilt for a moment, trying to let the weight of it ground him. But it’s still hard to focus, because when he closes his eyes, he can see Samot’s smile behind his eyelids.

  #

  His days fall into a strange routine. He spends his mornings wandering the mansion, going everywhere except the places that the wolf tries to prevent him from going. He spends his afternoons with the wolf, sometimes on the mansion grounds and sometimes hunting. He’s getting really sick of simple meals, but he’s never been good at anything more complicated than he can make over a campfire. The mansion has a kitchen, but it’s dirty and out of use, and he never bothers cleaning it.

And his nights belong to Samot. It’s a strange situation, the pair of them. He doesn’t answer everyone of Hadrian’s questions, but he answers most of them. He’s an inventor who fancies himself a poet - or perhaps it’s the other way around, he says laughingly. He was married, although he doesn’t truly remember his husband or his son. He prefers red wine to white, and part of that is because he thinks the color of red wine is more romantic.

He asks about Hadrian, too, and Hadrian tells him about Rosana and Benjamin, about Hella, about living as a chaplain in a city with no real need for a chaplain. He talks about trying to learn to cook and almost burning the kitchen down, earning him a lifetime ban from Rosana. He talks about missing his son’s formative years during his time as an adventurer.

“Hadrian,” Samot says one day. “I have a question that I hope you don’t think is foolish.”

“I’ve asked you plenty of foolish questions,” Hadrian points out. The two of them are in the drawing room of the mansion. Samot doesn’t like it here; he thinks the decor is tasteless. Hadrian likes it because it’s the only place with room enough for both of them to sit together comfortably. “What is it?”

Samot sighs. “Why haven’t you just killed the wolf?”

Hadrian leans back, stunned. “What?”

“Think about it,” Samot says impatiently. “You’re waiting for Hella, who sounds like quite a daring woman, but you’re quite a daring man. It’s large and intelligent, but you seem like a capable man. You have your sword, you’ve told me the wolf hasn’t taken it.” He pauses, takes a breath.

There’s something he’s not saying. “What else,” Hadrian says, not quite a question.

Samot shakes his head. “I think the wolf is what is keeping me trapped here,” he says, with a strange, bitter rage in his voice. “I don’t know how, or why, or what magic it’s using. I don’t remember coming here. But it must be. And I am tired of being here, Hadrian. You must be too.”

“I am,” Hadrian says, and it’s not quite a lie. He misses his wife, his son, his life. “It… I’ll think about it.”

Samot snorts, a soft and familiar noise. “I understand your hesitation, but forgive me if I don’t excuse it.”

“I don’t need you to excuse it,” Hadrian says, more sharply than he intended. “I’ll make my decision in my time, on my terms.”

“As you wish,” Samot says, and Hadrian wakes up just like that, without so much as a chance to say goodbye.

  #

  There’s a room on the south side of the mansion that the wolf has never let Hadrian into. It’s a strange, arbitrary border, one that Hadrian is surprised that the wolf guards as zealously as it does, but he’s always respected it.

The morning after Samot asks him to kill the wolf, he goes to that room. The wolf doesn’t stop him; maybe it’s asleep, or maybe it doesn’t care. Either way, Hadrian pushes his way into the room, holding his breath every step of the way.

It’s a master bedroom, he can tell right away. It’s huge, and there’s a massive window letting sunlight in. It looks old, of course, but newer than the rest of the mansion. There are hardly many scratch marks, hardly as many rips in the upholstery.

There are photographs, too, which Hadrian notices with some surprise. They’re old and faded, but he picks one up to squint at it. It’s a picture of a boy, light brown skin and curly hair and a gap-toothed smile. It makes him miss Benjamin fiercely, so he forces himself to put it down.

The next one he picks up is a picture of a family, clearly taken for some kind of holiday. That same boy is there, a couple years older and teeth slightly straighter, a sardonic edge to his smile now, but still a smile. There are two men standing behind him, one hand on each of his shoulders. One of them is dark-skinned and broad-shouldered, with a warmth to his smile that Hadrian is fascinated by.

The other man in the photograph is Samot.

His hair is longer, and he looks so small next to the other man that Hadrian almost doesn’t recognize him. But it has to be him. He has the same eyes, and the same wicked tilt to his mouth.

There’s a rustling behind Hadrian. He’s not at all surprised to see the wolf standing there, looking at him. It whines, a strange and plaintive noise that he hasn’t heard before.

Hadrian swallows. “Samot used to live here,” he says, heart pounding. “He doesn’t even remember it. Why didn’t you want me to know?”

The wolf pushes forward, bending its head to push its nose into Hadrian’s hand. He runs his hand up its snout absently, resting it on top of its head. “Do you know him?” he asks tentatively, and the wolf makes a noise, almost like a snort. Almost like the noise that Samot makes when Hadrian says something foolish.

“Oh, fuck,” Hadrian says. “Oh, shit, Samot? ”

The wolf draws itself up to full height. Hadrian stares it directly in the eye, trying to make any of this make sense. “He asked me to kill you,” he says dumbly, and the wolf growls. “I mean, I’m not going to. Especially not now. Why doesn’t he remember in the dreams that he’s the wolf?”

The wolf makes a noise that Hadrian, frankly, can’t even begin to parse.

“Sure,” he says, because what the hell else is there to say? Samot is the wolf, Samot doesn’t know he’s the wolf, Samot was here and can’t come back. “Well… I have some things to think about.”

The wolf makes another noise and presses its nose against Hadrian’s other hand, where he’s still holding the family photo.

“That’s your husband and son,” he murmurs, and it’s not a question. Carefully, he sets the photo on the floor. “I’m going to… leave you to this.”

The wolf doesn’t respond. Hadrian leaves quietly, mind still racing.

  #

  “Have you thought about what I’ve asked?” Samot says as soon as Hadrian appears. The two of them are in the dining room today, glasses of wine already on the table.

Hadrian swallows. He’s been trying to decide all day if he wants to tell Samot about the wolf, if he wants to lie and say he’ll kill the wolf and make a run for it, if there’s a right answer to this at all. He’s beginning to think there’s not.

Samot arches an eyebrow at him. “Well?”

“I can’t,” Hadrian forces himself to say.

“Can’t?” Samot repeats incredulously. “And why’s that?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“You can’t tell me?” He snorts, but it sounds like the wolf, and Hadrian flinches despite meaning to. Samot frowns. “What was that?”

“It’s nothing,” Hadrian says, too quickly, but that can’t be helped. “It’s - I need you to trust me.”

“You won’t tell me what’s happening.”

“Samot,” he pleads. “I can fix this.”

Samot looks at him. For the first time since they’ve met, it makes Hadrian feel cold.

“You had better have a good reason,” he says at last, and the mansion vanishes, and Hadrian is alone in his dreams for the first time in weeks.

  #

  The wolf is nowhere to be seen the next morning. Hadrian looks everywhere, even the bedroom on the south side of the mansion, but there’s nothing, not even a trail leading away from the house for him to follow.

So he leaves.

It is, he tells himself, for the best. He can’t help Samot from the mansion, neither the wolf nor the man. There’s something magical going on here, and he doesn’t know enough to break this curse. If he can get home, he can find Sunder and bring her here, or find someone else. But he can’t do anything himself.

He doesn’t have time to say wait around and goodbye to the wolf, so he leaves his sword instead. It’s a foolish move, probably, but he means it as a reminder. As a piece of himself. As a promise that he will come back.

He’s never had the best sense of direction, so he squints and figures out which way south is and starts moving. In the worst case, he’ll find a road to another village and make his way home.

The best case goes as follows:

“Hadrian?” Hella says, full of disbelief.

Hadrian whirls around. He hasn’t been paying as much attention as he should’ve been, instead thinking about wolves and beautiful men and trying to find a trail. So he didn’t notice that he was wandering towards a campsite. But he surely is, and it’s Hella there, staring at him, like she’s seeing a ghost.

He swallows. “Is your arm okay?”

“My arm? ” Hella shouts, and the next thing he knows she’s flying at him, squeezing him in the tightest hug she’s ever given him. “You asshole, I thought I left you to be eaten by a giant wolf, nobody’s seen you in a month-”

“A month?” Hadrian repeats. He supposes that makes sense, but it doesn’t feel like a month. “Hella, it- I need your help.”

She huffs loudly. “My help,” she repeats. “With what?”

And so Hadrian tells her. About the wolf, and the photographs, and the man in his dreams. She listens to him, brows furrowed, head tilted suspiciously.

“We have to save him,” he finishes, and then looks at her. She looks guilty. “Why do you look like that?”

“Like what,” Hella says, but she’s stalling, he can tell.

Hadrian frowns and looks behind her. It’s definitely a campsite. In fact, it looks like a campsite far too big for one person. It looks like the kind of things soldiers would set up.

“Hella,” he says, dread building in his stomach. “What did you do?”

She looks at him fiercely. “I thought you were dead,” she says, soft and vicious. “I thought I left you to die. I thought this was going to be a mission for vengeance.”

“Oh, Hella,” Hadrian murmurs. He feels sick. “How many?”

“Only a dozen.”

“We have to help him.”

“Are you sure I can’t talk you out of that?”

“He was kind to me,” Hadrian says, and he’s not sure if he means the wolf robbing random people so he could eat or the man listening to him in his dreams. “He was good to me.”

Hella shakes her head. “Okay,” she says, and Hadrian feels warmed through. “Let’s go save the fucking beast, I guess.”

  #

  Most of the soldiers are already dead when they get back to the mansion. Hadrian doesn’t look too closely at the bodies, stepping past them towards the mansion. He can hear shouting.

“Stay behind me,” Hella snaps. She’d already laid into Hadrian for leaving his sword behind, and she was right. He misses the weight of it in his hand, and also the security of being able to defend himself.

They make their way into the mansion, slowly. It’s as dilapidated as ever, except for the fresh blood splashed on the walls and floor. It makes Hadrian feel sick. The mansion isn’t home, but it is Samot’s home, and it looks awful like this.

“Varal,” someone shouts, and Hella whirls, sword raised. It’s one of the soldiers, and he’s facing off against the wolf - against Samot. “Lend me a hand.”

“We were wrong,” Hella says, voice clear with conviction, and Hadrian’s heart aches with love for her. “Let him go.”

“He killed our men!”

“He killed your men. I think that means I get my deposit back.”

The soldier shouts wordlessly and charges at them. Hadrian bends down and picks up the sword from a dead man’s body - lighter than he prefers, but it’ll do - and shifts to a ready stance.

“Get the wolf out of here,” Hella says to him, and rushes forward.

Hadrian runs over to Samot. “Are you hurt?” he demands. Samot just whines at him, which isn’t a terribly helpful answer, but Hadrian can’t see any wounds. Only blood on his muzzle and in his teeth. “We have to get out of here.”

Samot starts towards the back door, and Hadrian follows him, sword at the ready. “Hella and I set a rendezvous,” he says, and he’s about to lead Samot away when suddenly the wolf begins growling next to him, looking at the shadows off to one side.

Hadrian whirls around and lifts his sword just in time to block a swing from another soldier. “Shit,” he gasps, but the soldier attacks again, and again. Samot leaps at them, but he can’t get too close; the sword flashes dangerously close to Samot’s underbelly, and that’s all it takes for him to back off.

Unfortunately, it’s also all that it takes for the soldier’s attention to shift. Hadrian can feel it immediately: the slide of attention from him to the giant wolf beside him. The soldier begins advancing towards Samot, and none of Hadrian’s desperate attacks seem to divert them.

From inside, Hella shouts something triumphant. Hadrian takes a deep breath and redoubles his efforts. “You can’t kill him,” he says, and it’s enough for the soldier to turn away. “You can’t.”

“Can’t I?” says the soldier, and charges. Hadrian lifts his sword, but it’s too slow, he knows it’s too slow. He takes a moment to be thankful that Hella won’t see this as it happens, and then the sword stabs into his abdomen.

Hadrian falls to his knees and claps his hands over his side, a weak attempt to staunch the blood flow. Distantly he hears the wolf howl, a vicious, mournful sound he’s never heard. He must close his eyes, because when he opens them he’s lying on the ground, and the soldier is gone.

“Hella,” he rasps, and then coughs. Everything tastes like blood. That’s not a good sign. “Fuck. Hella-”

“Hadrian,” a voice gasps. It’s not Hella’s.

There are dark spots at the edges of Hadrian’s vision, but he forces himself to turn towards the voice. It hurts so badly to move even that much that he gasps. He’s going to be unconscious soon, he can tell.

The last thing he sees is a man reaching toward him, a man with blond hair and blood on his mouth.

  #

  Samot is not in any of Hadrian’s dreams. He doesn’t know what to make of that.

  #

  Rosana says, “Next time, the answer is no.”

“Next time I’m not arguing,” Hadrian mumbles. Everything is hazy, and his side still hurts, but it seems like he must’ve been healed, at least partially. “M’I home?”

“We’re at Sunder’s.”

“Okay,” Hadrian says. “I’m sorry. I’m gonna live, right?”

Rosana’s face crumples, but she leans forward and rests her hand on Hadrian’s chest, over his beating heart. “Yes,” she says quietly. “Yes, love, you’re going to live. And I’m happy you’re home.”

“Me too,” Hadrian says, and closes his eyes. “Is Hella okay?”

“She’s fine. She and that man brought you all the way back here.”

Hadrian cracks one eye open. “Man?”

“Said his name was Samot.” Rosana arches an eyebrow at him. “He seemed very concerned about you.”

“Yeah, he used to be the beast,” says Hadrian. “I think he’s a little possessive.”

“Ah,” Rosana says wisely. He gets the impression that she’s laughing at him. “Well, I’m sure the two of you can talk after you get more rest.”

“I’ve spent so much time asleep,” Hadrian complains, but he’s already falling back asleep. “Rosana?”

“Yes, Hadrian?”

“I love you.”

Her palm presses down on his chest, firm and warm. “I love you too.”

  #

  When he’s healed enough to sit up, Hella comes to see him. She brings his sword and says “Never use this again, but also don’t leave home without it.”

“Thanks,” Hadrian says. “You made it out okay?”

She smiles. She looks exhausted. “Yeah, I did. You’re lucky your wolf-man knows how to dress wounds.”

“Rosana said he was a man again.”

“He is. I came outside and saw him trying to wrap your chest.”

“How?”

Hella shrugs. “I mean, magic is fickle bullshit, right?”

It’s such a comfortingly Hella thing to say that it makes Hadrian laugh. “Yeah, it is.”

“But it saved you, so I’ll put up with it for today.”

“Yeah,” Hadrian says. “Me too. Thank you for coming for me.”

“Always,” Hella says, and then pauses. “But don’t… do that again.”

“I won’t,” Hadrian says. He means it.

  #

  The last time Hadrian sees Samot is the first day he’s healed enough to be back on his feet. He’s walking outside Sunder’s house and finds Samot in the backyard, sitting on a lawn chair. “Hi,” he says, although it doesn’t feel like enough.

Samot smiles wanly. “Bed rest doesn’t suit you. It seems unnatural.” His tone is glib, but he sounds shaken, underneath everything.

Hadrian slowly lowers himself into the chair next to Samot. “You’re back.”

“I’m back,” Samot agrees. “It appears that my request that you kill the wolf was… hasty.”

“You made a guess based on what you knew.”

“I guessed wrong.”

“Did the wolf remember the dreams?” Hadrian asks, suddenly curious. “Did you know?”

Samot smiles, sad and gentle. “I remembered everything when I could not say it, and nothing when I could speak. You brought me back to myself.”

“I think you came back to yourself on your own.” Hadrian pauses. “I might’ve given you the push you needed, though.”

Samot doesn’t laugh at that. His eyes flick from Hadrian’s bandaged side to his own hands back to Hadrian’s face. “I would’ve liked to come back sooner,” he says, and Hadrian can hear the apology lying underneath.

He nods slowly. “I understand,” he says. “You’re not going to stay, are you?”

“No, I’m not.” Samot leans back in his chair. “Now that I have the memory and the means to travel again, I’d like to find my husband. It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen him.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“I hear you won’t be travelling anymore.”

“I won’t.”

“A shame,” Samot muses. “He would like you. But I understand.”

Hadrian shifts to face Samot more fully. “Be careful out there,” he says. He doesn’t quite mean it to come out as a plea but it does, plaintive and low. “It’s not safe.”

Samot lifts both of his hands, slowly, to rest on both sides of Hadrian’s face. Hadrian closes his eyes. When Samot’s lips brush against him it’s gentle, barely a kiss at all, but it’s still there. His lips are warm, and soft, and Hadrian can feel Samot’s breath against his mouth as he says, “I know, Hadrian. My brave knight.”

“I’m not a knight.”

“Well, you’re my knight.”

Hadrian smiles and opens his eyes. Samot’s face is very close to his own, and his eyes are beautiful and sad and steady. He leans forward, just for a second, to kiss Samot more firmly. He knows, even now, that he will never have this again. So he might as well have it once.

Samot smiles and sits back in his chair, hands slipping down to fold in his lap. “Stay with me for a while,” he says. It’s an invitation, but it’s mostly a goodbye.

“I will,” Hadrian says, and he does.

[stillintoshadowhunters]

kierarktina: bedroom epiphanies about ordering boyfriends around

Post QOAAD

(Doesn’t contain very explicit material, but has plenty of implied bedroom adventuring material.  Also contains consensual voyeurism, dom/sub dynamics, enthusiastic consent, and a whole lot of fluffy headcanons.)

A snapshot of one of many bedroom discoveries for Kieran, Mark, and Cristina.  (Will I write more bedroom discovery snapshots?  This ended up completely different from my original concept.... which means the original concept still needs writing..... so signs point to a Heck Yeah.)

-

The night starts as many of the stolen nights they share together do.  They begin in the kitchen, gently knocking arms and brushing hips in the small space.  Cristina brews a worrying amount of coffee.  Mark manages to turn the entire place into a tornado cleanup site, even though he’s been banned from going near the flour.  Kieran idly washes a dish for something to busy his hands, remembers he has an arrogant king reputation to uphold, and becomes an incredible nuisance.

Once they’ve made a wreck of the kitchen -- somehow they’re all covered in a dusting of powdered sugar, which they really should add to the “Mark’s Banned Ingredients” list, but the sweetness can make for interesting games later -- they curl up in the living area.  It’s made of pillows and blankets and cushions and draped fabrics and soft lights.  The three of them all agree that they deserve whatever soft spaces they can carve.

They just enjoy each other’s company, at first, curling up together and shifting so each can take turns as the middle spoon.  They talk about their lives and their dreams and laugh.  There have been nights when they doze off here, exhausted by their respective busy lives, waking in the dawn in an incomprehensible pile of limbs.  But this night, hands brush hips and abdomens tighten and little shivers run through the bodies, until they’re more interested in hands-on exploration than passive snoozing.

So, naturally, they migrate to the bedroom.

The bed is a monstrosity specifically created to accommodate all three of them.  There’s room for Cristina to sprawl like an unholy eldritch starfish, for Mark to curl bonelessly against his loves, for Kieran to kick the covers off in the middle of the night because it’s hot.  The padded pillowtop cushions their bodies without sacrificing support.  They’ve gone to great lengths to make sure it’s the most comfortable place for all three of them, since that’s an excellent excuse not to leave for days.

Kieran and Mark are already pulling off each other’s clothes when they enter the bedroom.  They’re both desperate for touch, for physical comfort, for firm pressure, and it lends a wildness to the proceedings.  Kieran kisses down Mark’s jaw, his throat, nibbling and sucking as he goes.  Mark’s shirt is open save for one stubborn button, and after some frustrated fumbling, Kieran just tears the fabric.  Mark shrugs the shirt off his shoulders and lets Kieran trace patterns over his bare back, but he does get revenge by twisting Kieran’s shirt in a very complicated maneuver that ends in a distinct rrrrrip.

The two of them are so intent on ruining whatever undamaged clothing is still left in the cabin, it’s a few minutes before they realize Cristina hasn’t joined them.  Mark comes up for air long enough to find her hanging by the door, taps Kieran’s shoulder to signal a pause.

“Are you not interested tonight, my lady?” Mark asks.  Coming from any other rumpled, barely-clothed, hickey-ridden man, the words would be a challenge.  But Mark is genuinely asking.

It does happen sometimes.  It would be absurd for the three of them to be exactly the same level of horny at any given moment.  If Cristina doesn’t want to have sex tonight, they’ll find out what she does want.  Mark and Kieran are both perfectly fine with postponing their escapades until they’ve given Cristina whatever attention or space she’s looking for.

But Cristina’s eyes are all laser sharp focus, and she certainly doesn’t appear uninterested.  “I’ll come over in a bit,” she says.  “I just…”

The hesitance would be a cue to back off, let her become comfortable in her own time, except she blushes.  By this point, all three of them are more familiar with each other’s naked bodies than their own, and it’s kind of delightful that there are still things that can embarrass Cristina.  Or any of them.

Kieran hones in like a shark smelling blood.  He extracts himself from Mark and rolls onto his stomach facing her, kicking one leg up in an exaggerated posture of casualness.  “You just what?”

They’ve enacted a ‘No Lying’ policy for all aspects of the relationship, but it’s particularly enforced in the bedroom.  It’s important to be honest about both desires and un-desires.  No one is allowed to pretend they’re enjoying something they aren’t, and no one is allowed to lie about why in particular they’re blushing.

The policy gives Cristina the freedom to opt out if she wants to.  If she really doesn’t want to say what she’s thinking, she can offer a simple, “I don’t want to say,” and the other two will respect it.

But Cristina flushes a little deeper, her body betraying her embarrassment.  She meets Kieran’s gaze, and her voice is steady as she says, “I would just like to watch for a few minutes.”

Kieran’s hair shifts through a very subtle gradient of blue.  He’s about to reply when Mark, being a menace to society, takes the opportunity to roll onto Kieran’s back.  Kieran lets out an unnecessarily dramatic wheeze at the new weight.  Mark, unsympathetic, bites the back of his neck.

Kieran makes a sound somewhere between a startled gasp and a whine.

Mark kisses Kieran’s hair, more possessive than apologetic, and looks up at Cristina.  “Like this?”

Cristina looks like she’s just opened a box of kittens.  “Beyond my wildest dreams.”

“I am a king,” Kieran points out, but it’s muffled against the mattress, and it’s not an actual protest.  

They’ve worked out an unspoken and half-spoken language of words, signals, body language indicating genuine displeasure.  If Kieran weren’t enjoying himself, Mark would release him immediately.  The thing is that Kieran, upon finding himself in any kind of submissive position, prefers to keep up a steady stream of insincere complaints until he’s too far gone to grumble.

The other thing is that usually, when this happens, Cristina is the one getting him that far gone.

Mark’s not incapable of ferocity and dominance -- certainly his time in the Wild Hunt and his Shadowhunter prowess have proven that -- but he has to be in a certain headspace to take control naturally.  And he doesn’t seem to be there tonight.

Cristina says as much, tilting her head.  “This is a change of pace.”

“I will make up for it late-” Kieran starts, only to choke off with a strangled noise as Mark’s fingers find new exploratory territory.

Mark’s lips are close enough to Kieran’s ear to cause vibrations, but his words are for Cristina.  Or maybe for both of them.  “I would like to give you what you want.”

Cristina’s expression shifts slightly, and she takes a step closer to the bed.  The hunger is still there, dark in her eyes, but there’s also a sparkle of something much closer to affection.

“It’s different like this?” she asks, her voice very soft.  “If it’s for me?”

“I will do a great many things for you,” Mark says.

The earnestness of this comment cannot go unanswered by Kieran-snark, but Mark knows that.  He preemptively cuts off any snide comments by sliding the fingers of his unoccupied hand into Kieran’s mouth.

Kieran, for his part, forgets to be a put-upon royal as soon as he tastes Mark’s skin.  He closes his eyes and puts his mouth to good use instead.  He’s still making noise, but it’s quieter now, an expression of relaxed pleasure.

“Oh,” Cristina says.  She sounds like she’s found the solution to a math equation that’s been haunting her.  “Oh, Mark.  Keep doing that.  I can’t see his face when I’m the one…”

“There was a less complex way to solve that problem,” Mark says, shaking with silent laughter, “called ‘trying new positions.’”

Cristina’s been edging steadily closer to the bed; now within arm’s reach, she reaches to card a hand through Mark’s tousled hair.  “Don’t interrupt my epiphany with sarcasm.  Actually, wait.  Pause.  I want to talk about the epiphany.”

Nobody questions a pause, even if it happens when one party is very into being pinned under another party.  Mark disentangles himself from Kieran, an endeavor involving an improbable number of steps.  Kieran, his expression slightly glazed, swipes a sheet over his face to pretend he hasn’t accidentally drooled on the mattress.

“What, precisely, is the epiphany?” Kieran asks, his voice so composed he might have just come from a boring business meeting.

“The epiphany,” Cristina says, “is that in theory, I can get Mark to do as many things to you as you do to him.”

Kieran rolls onto his back like a lazy cat, pretending at nonchalance, but his body shows all the signs it’s still aching for touch.  “Why,” he says, “are you so fascinated by torturing me?”

“Well,” Cristina says, suppressed laughter thrumming through her body like music, “you are a king.”

[crazycoke-addict]

My Thoughts on the Me Too Movement

The Me Too Movement has been having media attention since the fall of Harvey Weinstein in October. Since, than many survivors have come up and said that a certain powerful human being has either harassed, assaulted, raped or abused them at some point in their lives and majority of the times, they aren’t the only person whose the victim of the powerful. However, although I’m all for survivors keeping out and speaking, there are parts where I sometimes not all for the me too movement when it comes to Hollywood.

Many people believe that the Me Too Movement started because white celebrities like Alyssa Milano started the hashtag on twitter. The Me Too Movement was founded by a black woman named Tarana Burke in 2009, it was movement to help unprivileged black women who have been sexually assaulted, abused, harassed or rape in workplace find a voice and don’t be silence anymore. In October 2017, Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual assault, harassment and rape by many women including A list actresses like Angelina Jolie. Although you could say it’s brave that these women has come and said there story, Harvey Weinstein has been in the Hollywood industry since 1979. Since than he has met a lot of celebrities like Quentin Tarantino, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. He’s also met the Clintons and the Trumps. Harvey Weinstein was around a lot of celebrities and most of them have said that they knew about what Weinstein was doing behind the scenes and I’m pretty sure other celebrities who have become the victim of Harvey Weinstein probably knew that they weren’t the only ones. I sometimes I have a problem when victims come out and their incident took place in 1980s, like I understand that people have a right to choose if they want to talk, but you need to understand there are going to be some consequences. To me, it seems like your career and fame was more important, you takes photos of you and your abuser together knowing what he has done, rather than speak up after what happened so another women doesn’t become a victim. Harvey Weinstein has victims who were non-famous, but the famous ones didn’t do or say shit and look what happened, you were the 15th victim, you probably known he added 75 or more victims after you and you didn’t say anything at all and when you do you act like you didn’t know even though it’s a possibility that you could have known.

My problem with the me Too is it seems like the victims are racing to social media rather than go to the police or they aren’t doing anything to take down their abuser. It’s ok to share your story, but saying that you won’t press charges on the person who caused you pain is going to affect the other victims that they’ll have in the future or if only one victim decides to press charges, you aren’t going to press charges to help her out. This is why I can’t show any sympathy towards the women who accused Roman Polanski of assault back in the 1970s. It’s like “Where were you, when Samantha Geimer was going through the trial and the media at the age of 14?”. Not only that, they want Samantha to help them out, but this time, you are your own. She went through with the trial, she had to hear what media had to say about her and also it’s choice if she wants to forgive Roman Polanski as well. That all goes out to Charlotte Lewis who also accused Polanski of rape back in 2010, the incident took place in 1983. Since these allegations on Polanski happened during the 70s, while they were only a teen and Charlotte Lewis started speaking out in 2010, her being the only one to do so like Samantha Geimer was the only victim to speak out back in 1977. those same victims who were upset with Samantha would’ve been an adult in 2010, but you still stay silent letting Samantha and Charlotte to suffer not at the hands of Roman Polanski but also at hands of the media as well. When you choose not to speak out early, it’s gonna cause some consequences.

False Accusations are Real and we need to be careful, who we believe when it comes to the me too movement. Just become someone talked about how they were disrespected by a celebrity or that celebrity touched them inappropriately that doesn’t mean that they are telling the truth or even 100% victim because when their story gets out, they’ll have a lot of praises saying how “brave” they are for speaking, but when somebody finds the evidence that a whole different story. Junot Diaz was accused of “misogynistic” and “bullying” when a girl asked him about a character in his book. The girl also stated that he yelled and public humiliated her, but someone found the audio of the incident and uploaded it to sound cloud, in the audio you can clearly can tell that he is defending his work but he isn’t yelling at her or saying misogynistic words towards her or even public humiliated her as what she stated in her story. 49ers player Rueben Foster was accused by his ex of domestic violence, but it was revealed by the ex that it was all a lie because she’s still bitter about the break up. Catfish star, Nev Schulman was accused of harassing a woman and also “reevaluate” her sexuality by sleeping with her. The allegations on Schulman was found not credible and without merit. I’m also skeptical when it comes to the four victims of Ed Westwick and it’s not because he’s handsome, but it’s weird that two of victims dated the same producer, changed their months when it was revealed that Ed Westwick wasn’t in LA as she said and also how the biggest mistake was that fourth victim didn’t leave but instead took a show after what happened. People accusing celebrities of something that they didn’t do isn’t new. Brian Bank has been falsely accused of rape. Keanu Reeves was falsely accused of hypnosis and impregnating a woman. False Accusations do happened and before you started hating on the guy who’s been called a “Rapist” even though he isn’t convicted as one, you should understand that the “victim” you support might be a money grabber or trying to get their 15 minutes of fame.

I might sound harsh, but that’s how I feel ok. I don’t think me too is a witch hunt and it’s also seems like saviours to the real victims, but when it comes to false accusations and how Hollywood acted like they started the me Too because actresses started speaking out even though they were silence because the career and fame was more important than a non-famous victim’s pain and suffering. I do have a fair share of Favourite celebrities but some of them are fake as well. I sympathise with the victims who have been trying to expose people like Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Tambor and R.Kelly before the me too movement. I also sympathises with victims like Samantha Geimer, Charlotte Lewis, Dylan Farrow and Sparkle who didn’t chose to be quiet and wait for social media to blow up and went through with the courts and trials. celebrities say they side with the victims, but they work with people like Woody Allen or even Roman Polanski and call them the greatest directors of all time. Academy Awards banning Polanski and Cosby is nothing more than a publicity stunt to make themselves look good because this is the same award that Roman Polanski won for best movie director. ‪I also sympathise with people like Corey Feldman who is using his voice to expose the pedophilia ring that been going in Hollywood because we have IT and Stranger Things Kid who could be a fallen victim of these powerful men who want to abuse their power.‬

[daphnewritings]

Chapter 12: The Dragon Egg

Summary: Draco is a sneaky little bastard

Warnings: A reminder of that feeling you get when you touch something old and slimy and immediately want to chop your hand off

Word Count: 4.8k

- Chapter 11 / Chapter 13 - 

Before Draco knew it, the Easter holidays had come and passed. Their teachers had decided that it was high time to start preparing them for their exams, despite the fact that they were over two months away. The overload of review work, along with the new spells, potions, constellations, and wizarding world history may have caused a lesser young wizard’s head to spin, but Draco was only feeling a slight strain. He had already advanced past most of the other witches and wizards in his grade besides a select annoying few, so he was more than prepared for the upcoming end of year exams.

This didn’t mean that he wasn’t spending every moment he could studying. Sure, he was proficient. More than proficient, if the teachers of Hogwarts were to be believed. But it wasn’t enough to be good. He had to be the best.

Which is how he found himself often leaving the confines of the Slytherin common room on his own to find solitude away from his friends and the general hubbub. He needed to focus more than ever now if he was to beat those other proficient witches and wizards.

For the most part, his friends didn’t understand his intensity. “Come on, Dray,” Blaise said on the Monday following Easter Sunday, looking over Draco’s shoulder at the array of studying materials spread across the rug in front of Draco’s crisscrossed legs, “you can’t be up studying again. The exams are ages away!” He pulled a random sheaf of parchment that Draco was using as a bookmark out of Draco’s copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi and gave it a look before tossing it aside flippantly and throwing himself elegantly down onto the couch behind Draco. “I don’t even know why you’re killing yourself over Herbology anyway. Everyone knows you’re top of our class.”

Draco gritted his teeth. “I may be the top of our class, but that doesn’t say much, Blaise. I can best Slytherin and Ravenclaw, but what about the other first years in other houses? My parents are expecting top marks at the end of this year, not just good ones.” He paused for a moment between memorizing the Devil’s Snare rhyme and the uses of Puffapods to lean his head back against the couch and close his eyes. “And as you well know,” he said quietly, “my weakest subject is Herbology.”

Blaise huffed a quiet laugh. “Oh Dray, of course I know. Your parents aren’t the only ones who expect their child to be the top of the class.” He sat up and said in an undertone, “I’ve just given up on besting you. But you can still count on me being right on your ass in every test, friend.” He ruffled Draco’s hair as he stood up, causing it to spike up at odd angles. Draco glared at his back as he walked away and fervently returned to his memorization.

So now Draco spent most of his free time between classes and after dinner absorbed in his textbooks and notes at a table in the library that was beside a bank of windows that looked out over the towering pines of the Forbidden Forest. Whenever he needed a break, he would sit on the windowsill and let his mind rest as he watched the tops of the trees sway in a breeze, or he would wander the stacks, pulling out books at random. There was one time when he found himself flipping through the pages of a particularly musty book in which someone had actually pinned different types of merpeople scales onto the pages. When he ran his finger over them, they still felt slimy to the touch, a feeling that had him immediately slamming the book shut and sliding it back into its place on the shelf.

He’d washed his hands multiple times after that in an effort to try to erase the feeling.

On one such afternoon halfway through April, Draco once again found himself strolling beside the tall bookcases, not really paying attention to the titles of the books his finger was trailing across when he heard Potter’s unmistakable whisper off to his left.

“Do you think it had anything to do with the Stone?”

Draco walked to the end of his row and peaked around the corner. Potter’s back was to him, as was Granger’s. They were both watching Weasley as he stood up and announced, “I’m going to see what section he was in,” before he walked off into the stacks.

Draco saw that their table, much like his own, was also strewn with study materials and stacks of books, Granger’s being the tallest of the three. Potter leaned back in his chair, pushing the rickety thing back onto two legs as he ran his hand through his unruly black hair. It was always all over the place and Draco thought sometimes about what it would take to force it to lie flat. Often, he wondered what would happen if he cursed it off of Potter’s head, an idea that usually made him chuckle to himself.

Draco was in the middle of picturing this perfect scenario in his head when he realized he hadn’t tried to mess with Potter in days. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d even thought about tripping Potter in the halls or dropping frog eyes into his pumpkin juice. Wait, Draco thought, when was the last time he tried to pull on over on me?

Weeks.

It had been weeks.

Maybe he really should pull his face out of his books every once in a while. Life was about more than studying for their end of year tests, after all.

And it really wouldn’t do for Potter to think he had gone soft.

When Weasley came back around the corner carrying a teetering pile of books in his arms, Draco quickly pressed himself deeper into the shadows of the bookshelves. It also wouldn’t do for you to get caught snooping before you even figure out what Potter’s up to, now would it? Draco berated himself.

“Dragons!” Granger hissed as the books spilled out of Weasley’s arms.

The front two legs of Potter’s chair slammed against the ground as he pushed through some of the pile to look through the titles. “It makes sense,” he said quietly, “Hagrid’s always wanted a dragon, told me so the first time I met him.”

Dragons? Hagrid? A…stone? What were Potter and his friends up to?

“But it’s against our laws,” Weasley said as he precariously propped his own chair up on its hind legs. “Has been since 1709. It’s hard to keep Muggles from noticing us if we’re keeping dragons in the back garden.”

“But there aren’t any wild dragons in Britain, right?” Potter asked incredulously.

“Of course there are, but the Ministry has set up wards around most cities and towns to turn them around if they get too close. Although, sometimes they’ll get to close to a village in the hills and then the Ministry has to send out a whole battalion to hush them up.

“But if it’s banned,” Granger mused, “then why on Earth is Hagrid researching them?”

Why indeed? Draco thought before he had to clap his hand over his mouth to keep himself from snorting as Weasley’s chair tipped a little too far. While Granger and Potter were both laughing at Weasley’s flailing form as he was thrown backwards, Draco slipped back through the shelves, his resolve to once again keep a closer eye on Potter renewed.

He would get to the bottom of this new mystery, no matter what.

>< 

After a whole week of nothing, Draco got the answer he was looking for during breakfast on Wednesday. He’d made it a habit to meander along behind Potter after he finished his breakfast and dinner, sometimes even skipping out on the last few bites of his own meal to follow him out of the Great Hall.

Out of the corner of his eye, he’d seen Potter’s big white owl drop down in front of him, which was a fairly uncommon occurrence all on its own, but the reaction he had when he read the note he pulled off its leg was what really caught Draco’s eye. Potter had tensed up and immediately shown Granger and Weasley. The trio had hastily abandoned their meals and walked right out of the Great Hall, forcing Draco to do the same and leave behind a freshly buttered muffin.

Oh, the things one does to meddle in their archenemy’s affairs.

In the middle of his mad scramble to follow them, Draco met Theo’s disconcerted gaze across the table. “What?” he asked, shoving his latest homework assignment from McGonagall into his bag without even checking to see if the ink had dried, not that he’d even written a word beyond ‘The’ since he had been so intent on watching Potter and his friends.

“You’re more,” Theo waved his splayed fingers in front of his face, “distracted than usual. What’s – ”

“Cool, yeah, can we talk about this later?” Draco asked, interrupting what he was sure would have been a fascinating comment that he did not have the time for. Potter had just exited the Great Hall and Draco could feel his opportunity to figure out what had been written in that note slipping away.

Theo opened his mouth to say more, but Draco cut him off. “Great, see you later!” And then he was rushing off after Potter, only remembering just before he raced out of the Great Hall that he couldn’t just run up behind him and expect to learn all his secrets.

Slowing down, Draco breathed in deep and then strolled out of the Great Hall, hoping that he was putting off the desired air of nonchalance. When he saw the three Gryffindors with their heads close together, he casually walked closer to them, stopping within earshot of their whispers. Acting like he needed desperately to hunt through his bag for something, he listened while he rummaged.

“I say we just skip Herbology and go straight there,” Weasley said.

“No, Ron, every lesson is important this time of year! You never know what Professor Sprout is going to add to our exam.” Draco had to agree with Granger on that one. “Besides, it’ll be a little suspicious if all three of us skip a class, don’t you think?” she asked the two boys.

“Oh, come off it, ‘Mione! How many times in our lives do you think we’ll get the chance to see a dragon hatch?”

You’ve got to be joking, Draco thought, freezing at Weasley’s last words. There’s absolutely no way.

“We’ll get into trouble, and that’s nothing to what Hagrid’s going to get caught up in when someone finds out what he’s doing – ”

“Shut up!” Potter hissed suddenly.

Without looking up, Draco knew they had finally spotted him just a few feet to their right. He could feel the sly smile that split his face as his eyes flicked up and met Potter’s. Draco could see that his expression was a mix of apprehension and anger since he couldn’t be sure as to how much, if any, Draco had heard of their little discussion.

Don’t worry, Draco thought as he spun on his heel and headed for the stairs that would lead to the upper floors of the castle, I got everything I needed.

Draco barely listened to McGonagall over the next hour and a half. He could barely sit still much less take any notes on the Avifors Spell, which they would be performing in class the following week. How could he, when he had an unobstructed view of the greenhouses out one of the few spare windows in the room and knew he needed to watch for any black cloaked figures racing down toward Hagrid’s dismal looking little hut? Theo and Pansy kept giving him odd looks whenever he would crane his neck about to make sure he wasn’t missing any hidden corners, but he just waved them off.

Once the bell rang, signaling the beginning of morning break, Draco bolted out of the classroom and practically flew down the stairs until he reached the entrance hall. He weaved and pushed his way through the crowd of students coming in through the front doors from their morning lessons. Once Draco had finally freed himself from the tangle of teen and pre-teen limbs, he followed a trail that branched off from the main path that led to the greenhouses towards the Forbidden Forest and Hagrid’s home.

Once he finally crested the last hill and the small stone house came into view, he braced his hands on his knees. As he gulped down air, he watched as the tail end of Granger’s robe disappeared through the oaf’s door and smiled.

He hadn’t missed anything.

Crouching a bit as he jogged down to the house so he wouldn’t be seen from any of the small, square windows, Draco pressed himself up against its round side and listened to the muffled voices within. When they all suddenly went silent, Draco couldn’t resist standing on his tiptoes to see what was going on.

At the time, when he’d overheard Potter and his friends earlier that morning outside of the Great Hall, the only part of the information that had stuck with him up until now was that it could be used against Potter. Draco hadn’t stopped to think about the fact that he could possibly see a dragon hatch, an event that few ever got to witness. And, though he hated to admit it to himself, and would never, ever say it to anyone else, Weasley was right about this being something that couldn’t be missed.

That thought in itself nearly ruined the sight that was unfolding before his eyes. He persevered, if only to appreciate the tiny, spindly black creature that rolled out across Hagrid’s rough-hewn kitchen table. Its wings, which were tipped with tiny claws and it’s shining black scales that reflect the light of the fire looked straight out of a fairytale. Hagrid, who was facing Draco, thew his hands up in delight as the dragon righted itself and blew a flurry of sparks in his direction, setting his bushy beard alight. Draco couldn’t help feeling the same sort of elation at the existence of this purely magical creature.

As Hagrid was patting the sparks away, he looked away from the baby dragon for only a split second, but that was all it took for him to notice Draco outside the window. Leaping back from the window as Hagrid surged to his feet, Draco turned and pelted back the way he’d come, his mind reeling with what he’d seen.

A real live baby dragon! Draco would have thought that Potter might have caught onto his snooping and was making it all up, if he hadn’t just witnessed the dragon hatching himself. It took him a minute to remember that this was supposed to be something he was going to use against Potter, rather than marvel at alongside him.

Draco glanced over his shoulder to see if he was being pursued. When he saw there wasn’t any black robed figures dashing out of the little house below, he slowed his sprint to a jog, and finally, to a walk. When he reached the top of the hill and looked behind him again, he saw that the door had been thrown open and a person with unruly black hair stood on the threshold, staring after him.

Draco waved jauntily and continued on his way, not bothering to look back to see if Harry had responded in kind.

He had a feeling he didn’t.

>< 

Over the course of the next few days, every time Draco saw the three Gryffindors in the halls or during meals, he always plastered a bright, knowing smile on his face reserved just for them. During Potions two days after the dragon hatched, Draco could feel Potter’s gaze burning a hole through the back of his skull, but he refused to turn around and acknowledge him, which he absolutely knew set Potter on fire.

He barely had to do a thing in Potter’s presence to have his eyes glued on him the entire time they breathed the same air, something that Draco enjoyed immensely.

When he was pulling out his textbook and wand for Defense Against the Dark Arts on Thursday, Daphne leisurely strolled up to the desk in front of Draco’s and dropped her own textbook onto it with a loud thud. Draco didn’t even pause from what he was doing as he said, bored, “What is it, Daphne?”

“I know something you don’t know,” she trilled, promptly sitting down in her seat and propping her chin up on her two palms.

Draco responded with a noncommittal hum as he reorganized his bag and hung it on the back of his chair, letting her stew in his disinterest. He had figured out, in his past experiences with Daphne, that if you left her alone for long enough when she felt like she had something she could hold over you, that you wouldn’t have to work that hard to get the information out of her when you finally gave her the attention she wanted.

There was also the fact that she could be absolutely insufferable when you gave in too quickly.

When he was finally ready to deal with her, he sat down and arched a dark brow at her. “Well, what is it that you so want to tell me?”

She was practically bouncing out of her seat, waiting for him to settle down. “I overheard Hemione Granger talking to Parvati Patil about how Ron Weasley is now mysteriously locked away in the Hospital Wing with an unexplainable bite on his hand,” she said, all in a rush.

And occasionally she would bring him tidbits of information that were actually useful, like today.

“Oh?” he asked, burying his increasing interest so it wouldn’t show on his face and give away how much he needed to know more right now. “And what did Granger have to say about this mysterious bite?”

Daphne shrugged. “Nothing. She made it sound like it was just some Herbology lesson that had gone wrong. You know how some of Sprout’s plants can be.”

Indeed, he did. He had accidentally stumbled too close to the Venomous Tentacula and could’ve sworn he saw his very short life flash before his eyes.

But Draco was pretty sure that he knew exactly how Weasley had gotten that bite, and it definitely was not from one of Sprout’s vicious plants.

“You know something about it, don’t you?” she needled.

Draco shrugged, flipping open his book as Quirrell walked in, turban slightly askew as always. “I might.”

“Oh, come on,” she whined pitifully, “just tell me.”

He leaned forward and dropped his voice to a whisper, making her bend towards him so she could catch his words as Quirrell started the class. “Daphne, dearest, if I wanted every single person in the school to know my business, then I would tell you. When I need that to happen, trust me, I’ll let you know.” He leaned back, satisfied with the offended look on her face and started to take notes on Quirrell’s latest lesson on vampires.

After class, Draco headed straight for the Hospital Wing. He knocked on the one of the cherry double doors and waited a few seconds for Madam Pomfrey, who pulled the door open with a quizzical look on her face. “Hello,” Draco started with a pleasant smile, “I was wondering if I could visit Wease – I mean Ron. It will only take a moment.”

“No, I don’t think that wise, Mr. Malfoy. Mr. Weasley is very sick and needs his rest.” She started to close to door but Draco threw his arm out, bracing it open. Madam Pomfrey stared at the offending hand and then looked at him as if he’d lost his mind.

Draco half thought he had, but retracted his hand and tried again. “Please, Madam Pomfrey, I really think Ron would benefit from my presence. See, we’re good friends and I just really wanted him to know that I’m thinking about him in his time of need.” He could tell she was resisting the urge to roll her eyes, but the door was still open, so he still had a shot. Deciding on a different track, Draco threw his hands up as if he were finally giving in and said, “Honestly, Madam Pomfrey, I just need to borrow one of Weasley’s books. I accidentally spilled a bit of practice potion all over my Potions textbook and none of my friends will let me borrow theirs.”

Madam Pomfrey nodded sagely. “Ah, see young Mr. Malfoy, I can always tell when one of you young witches or wizards is trying to put one over on me.” She sat back on her heels and considered him for a moment before she waved him inside. “You better be in and out in a tick, Mr. Malfoy. I don’t have all day to sit around waiting while my patients mess about with their visitors.”

With that she turned and bustled off into her office. Draco waited until her door closed before he strolled down to the only bed with curtains drawn around it. He grasped one edge of the blue and white striped fabric and pushed it aside. Weasley looked over as the curtains swished back into place behind Draco and groaned.

“Go away, Malfoy.”

Draco chuckled. “Now why would I do that?”

“Can’t you see I’m already in enough pain?” he groused, waving his bandaged left hand around. “I don’t need you to add to it.”

“Even if I know how you got that bite?” he asked. The color started to drain from Ron’s face as Malfoy leaned in closer and whispered, “Should I go knock on Madam Pomfrey’s door then? Tell her what I know?” Ron just stared at him with his mouth slightly open like a dying fish.

“I could, you know,” Draco said, straightening up and brushing his hands down the front of his robes. “It certainly wouldn’t be any skin off my back.”

“Then why haven’t you?”

“What?”

“Why haven’t you told anyone?” Ron asked again. “Why haven’t you set Hermione, Harry, and me all up with a lifetime of detention and gotten Hagrid fired?”

Draco paused, considering his question. He wasn’t an idiot to ask him about it, considering that Draco couldn’t quite nail down his reasoning himself. It was why he had started this after all, right? To catch Potter doing something that would land him in trouble?

“Maybe I just like watching the lot of you squirm,” Draco said at last while he flipped through the books on Weasley’s bedside table. Once he found Ron’s copy of Magical Drafts and Potions, he tucked it under his arm and turned to leave. “Let me know when you figure out how to deal with your little problem,” Draco threw over his shoulder.

“Oh, don’t worry, Malfoy,” Ron called after him as the curtains swung shut. “We will.”

Draco rolled his eyes as he strolled down the center of the row of empty beds. Nodding to Madam Pomfrey as he let himself out, he shoved the extra textbook he didn’t need into his bag and headed for dinner.

Later on, when he was back in the Slytherin common room and tucked away in his own little corner away from his friends, he pulled out McGonagall’s latest assignment on undoing the effects of the Avifors Spell and changing their blackbirds back into inkpots. When he settled back into his chair, quill in hand, he accidentally knocked over his bookbag and sent the contents tumbling out onto the floor. Muttering darkly about his own clumsiness, he noticed something he hadn’t before about the book he’d taken from Weasley.

There was a bit of parchment sticking out at an odd angle. Bending to pick it up, he leafed through the pages until a folded note fell out into his lap. Flipping it open, he read it through once. And then twice.

And smiled.

>< 

On Saturday night, Draco waited until the only sounds he could hear from the boys sleeping around him were soft snores. Throwing back his sheets, he peeked out through the curtains around his bed and looked around to make sure that all the boys were indeed asleep. Satisfied with what he saw, he swung his legs off the bed and grabbed the sneakers waiting in front of his dresser. As he stepped out into the near darkness, he almost stumbled over Theo’s shoes, which had been kicked off haphazardly earlier that evening when he’d been getting ready for bed. With muffled curses, Draco slowly tiptoed around the room, going from bedpost to bedpost until he was in the open space leading to the door.

Reaching it, he slowly pushed it open and slipped out into the stairwell beyond. Bending down to yank his shoes on, he quickly tied his laces and raced up the many flights of stairs until he reached the common room above. By the light of the dying embers in the fireplaces, Draco took a quick peek around to make sure that the rest of House Slytherin was tucked away in their beds for the night and then continued his ascent.

Draco touched his palm lightly to the stone of the doorway that led out into the rest of the castle. Once the door opened enough to allow his slim frame to slip past, he stepped out into the darkness of the hall. He let the door close softly behind him and took a deep breath. Draco hadn’t planned much past escaping the Slytherin dorm, but now that he found himself outside of it in the middle of the night, he was arrested with exhilaration.

The whole castle was his to explore right now. He could go anywhere he wished, as long as it wasn’t blocked by an unknown password.

Was it really worth it to waste this newfound freedom on stalking Potter up the tallest tower to catch him with a young dragon?

Duh.

Though, if Draco was being honest, he’d fully expected Theo to notice how quiet he was being all night and ask what was going on, and then try to stop him when Draco inevitably told him.

He tried not to be disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to share this with Theo, but shook the feeling off when he remembered how weird he had been acting for the past week or so, ricocheting between hanging on Draco’s stories as he usually did and pointedly not listening to him at all.

Once this Potter situation was dealt with, Draco would worry about Theo’s mood swings. He certainly didn’t have the time now. He was just standing there in the middle of the deserted, darkened hall like a fool. He needed to move.

Sliding along the walls and around the dim pools of light offered by the torches burning down to their cinders in their brackets above him, Draco made his way slowly through the lower parts of the castle. He had to wait in the shadows for a few minutes once he reached the entrance hall, since Peeves had decided that now was the best time to play wall tennis. He soon grew bored and floated off and Draco waited a few more minutes before slipping up the staircase to the upper floors of the castle.

If he had been paying attention to anything besides his own actions, he would have seen the front doors silently opening and closing on their own as he turned the corner and headed up the stairs. But as it was, Draco was too absorbed in his own mission to notice anything as out of the ordinary as that.

Draco’s journey through the upper floors of the castle were much more tenuous than his time traversing the network of hallways below ground level. More than once he had to quickly and quietly leap behind a suit of armor or into a shadowed alcove to avoid detection by a ghost or Filch. But he didn’t let that stop him. He was determined to reach the tallest tower before Potter and Granger to catch them before they could send the dragon away with Weasley’s brother.

In fact, he was so determined that he didn’t notice the quiet footsteps coming up behind him as he crossed too close to a pool of light. When a hand came down on his shoulder and yanked him around midstride, no one was more surprised than him. Except for, perhaps, Professor McGonagall, who’s lamp was currently sparking to life just in front of his face.

 < Chapter 11 / Chapter 13 >

[yumeka36]

My thoughts on gun control

I rarely write posts like this...actually, I don’t think I ever have in all my years of blogging. But it’s a topic I have strong opinions on, and in light of current events, now more than ever I just have to express myself.

Yes, I’m among the group who thinks assault rifles should be banned. All guns are made to kill of course, but such weapons were made specifically to kill lots of people quickly, not to protect yourself domestically from a would-be robber (or bear depending on where you live) and there is no reason at all for average people to own such things. The only reason they could have is because they “like” them and consider it a “right” to own any gun of their choosing because of the 2nd amendment (more on that later). So if these are the only reasons, and it’s not like not having assault rifles would harm their quality of life or anything like that, why would they not be willing to give up a luxury if it could potentially prevent school shootings and other similar tragedies? They like to go back to the argument that murderers will always find other ways to kill people, which is definitely true, but guns, ESPECIALLY assault rifles, make it so, so much EASIER to kill lots of people quickly and efficiently, without drawing attention to yourself until it’s too late. Of course people will always find ways to kill other people, but if we’re allowing potential murderers to have this option so easily at their disposal, we need to seriously reconsider how important this “right” is. It’s a simple utilitarian way of looking at things: what are the pros of people having the right to own assault rifles? Besides pleasing gun enthusiasts, none that I can think of. And so what are the cons? Lunatics and murderers very easily and legally getting their hands on these things to indiscriminately kill lots of people. Looking at it this way, the answer is obvious. If I knew something I liked to collect was a very dangerous weapon that was causing so much tragedy because any average person like myself could obtain them, and banning such things could help prevent massacres from happening again, you’d have to be very selfish to value your hobby over the lives of countless others. Australia and other countries banned guns after mass shootings. Japan has some of the strictest rules and processes for buying and owning guns. And, no surprise, if you compare yearly homicide rates in these countries to the US, especially death by guns, the result is once again obvious.

The NRA will always try to say that the solution is either more guns, or another factor, like mental health. To the first point, making teachers carry guns is ridiculous. Even if a teacher had a gun on them at all times, you think, in the middle of a lesson or grading papers, they’re gonna have it ready to duke out against a mass shooter with an assault rifle versus their handgun? And you know how many uncouth kids will be able to get the guns away from the teachers when they’re not paying attention and, accidentally or not, shoot a fellow classmate? But if the teachers keep the guns locked away so kids can’t get to them, how the heck are they going to get to them in the event of a mass shooting? They’ll get shot down before they can even open the lock! Having armed guards and metal detectors at schools is more plausible; unlike teachers, armed guards will only have to focus on pinpointing and preventing potential shootings and nothing else. And of course mental health should be taken more seriously, but are you really going to identify a mentally ill person who’s potentially going to shoot up a school versus a mentally ill person who won’t? The odds of you diagnosing them in time, diagnosing them correctly, and taking measures to prevent their harmful actions are very slim compared to just preventing them from buying assault rifles. Oh, but while gun enthusiasts are pushing for mental health over gun control, they’re backing a president who supports a law to enable mentally ill people to buy guns! He also wants to decrease funding for mental illness too. Does this make any sense? Nope, but that’s the sorry state of our government right now.

People also fail to understand where the 2nd amendment even came from - after Americans won their freedom from the British, the founding fathers added it in so that citizens could arm themselves in case a tyrannical government were to rise up again. And of course, they were talking about muskets at that time. You know, those old guns that would take a few minutes to load and aim, and then, if you’re lucky, you might hit something. It did not stem from the idea that every trigger-happy, macho maniac should own machine guns and assault rifles just because it’s some kind of inherent “right,” and I’m pretty sure the founding fathers would have worded it differently if they knew what the future interpretation of “right to bare arms” would become. When a “right” is shown to cause more harm than good for society overall, it needs to change. That’s what an amendment is especially - it’s something that’s amended, or changed. If you go back in time several hundred years ago, people considered it their “right” to own slaves and would probably argue that their livelihoods would collapse if the slave industry was taken away. Of course it took some adjusting, but here we are, a more just country than we were back then. If we live in a society with other people, we have to make compromises, like giving up a petty attachment to murder weapons if it means potentially preventing massacres. The fact that one failed shoe bomb resulted in everyone taking their shoes off at the airport yet countless mass shootings at schools fail to get any sensible gun control laws passed shows how messed up our priorities are.

I, personally, don’t like guns, any kind of gun (except in video games!) They’re made to hurt and kill, and I don’t find that appealing. Having a gun or two in your house for protection is one thing, but If someone loves guns and collects them, I can’t help but think that they probably don’t just keep their gun collection lying around and want to use them for what they’re made for: to kill. And since it’s illegal to kill people, I’m sure they hunt and kill animals with their guns. I can’t imagine someone who gets pleasure inflicting pain and death on innocent creatures being a good person, but that’s just my opinion and a moral debate for another day. But even though I personally would want to eventually phase out most guns for average citizens, I also want to be realistic. We need to start small, like banning only assault rifles for now, having more restrictions for buying and owning guns, and implementing metal detectors in schools and other large public places. Countries like Australia and Japan are proof that gun control laws can lead to a safer society. As I said, people will always find ways to kill people. There’s no stopping that, but why give them easy access to things that make killing so much damned easier?

But..as much as I say these things, I’m not hopeful because the NRA is such a super powerful lobby in this country, and with our current administration that’s been taking millions upon million of dollars from them, there is no way the NRA is going to let them pass sensible gun laws, much less bans. Heck, nothing much has changed even with other school shootings from years ago, so with our current presidency, it’s even less likely. No matter how many children die via guns, the all-mighty dollar and some kind of blind, inherent “right” will keep prevailing. A little optimist in me still wants to hang onto hope though.

Recommended Links:

America’s Gun Problem Explained in 18 Charts: very informative video about how unique the gun problem in America is compared to other countries

Why Japan Has No Mass Shootings: about Japan’s gun control

Jim Jefferies on Gun Control: comedian Jim Jefferies’ discusses the topic with good humor while also bringing up very valid points. Part 2 here.

[wetrumpfeed]

Afternoon MAGAthread: YOUR WEEKLY PRESIDENTIAL RECAP!

HAPPY SATURDAY DEPLORABLES!

This is your favorite Saturday afternoon mod here to deliver you TONS of spicy dankness from the past week! If you happened to miss any past recaps you can catch those here!

Sunday, June 9th:

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

Another false report in the Failing @nytimes. We have been trying to get some of these Border Actions for a long time, as have other administrations, but were not able to get them, or get them in full, until our signed agreement with Mexico. Additionally, and for many years,.... ... .....Mexico was not being cooperative on the Border in things we had, or didn’t have, and now I have full confidence, especially after speaking to their President yesterday, that they will be very cooperative and want to get the job properly done. Importantly, some things..... ... .....not mentioned in yesterday press release, one in particular, were agreed upon. That will be announced at the appropriate time. There is now going to be great cooperation between Mexico & the USA, something that didn’t exist for decades. However, if for some unknown reason... ... .....there is not, we can always go back to our previous, very profitable, position of Tariffs - But I don’t believe that will be necessary. The Failing @nytimes, & ratings challenged @CNN, will do anything possible to see our Country fail! They are truly The Enemy of the People!

For two years all the Democrats talked about was the Mueller Report, because they knew that it was loaded up with 13 Angry Democrat Trump Haters, later increased to 18. But despite the bias, when the Report came out, the findings were No Collusion and facts that led to........ ... ....No Obstruction. The Dems were devastated - after all this time and money spent ($40,000,000), the Mueller Report was a disaster for them. But they want a Redo, or Do Over. They are even bringing in @CNN sleazebag attorney John Dean. Sorry, no Do Overs - Go back to work!

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

Left-wing racism is real

Mexican military begins arresting migrants riding 'The Beast' train to US border - More than 200 migrants got off the train and fled," said the director of the Digna Ochoa Human Rights Center - Many "hid in the bush, so only 25 were arrested," - Its better than our Democrats have done so far

If a straight pride parade is absurd, so is a gay pride parade. It is obviously insane to suggest that a person can only be proud of their sexuality if they are gay. Outrage over straight pride is hypocrisy on steroids.

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

How do “they” Ignore the Most Beautiful FLOTUS Ever?

Good question... how do they?

Still waiting for that apology from Adam Schiff

Old school, kick-in-the-ass presidency!

Monday, June 10th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

Memorandum on Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended

First Lady Melania Trump's Visit to the United Kingdom

President Trump Greets the 103rd Indianapolis 500 Champions: Team Penske

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

Now with our new deal, Mexico is doing more for the USA on Illegal Immigration than the Democrats. In fact, the Democrats are doing NOTHING, they want Open Borders, which means Illigal Immigration, Drugs and Crime.

We have fully signed and documented another very important part of the Immigration and Security deal with Mexico, one that the U.S. has been asking about getting for many years. It will be revealed in the not too distant future and will need a vote by Mexico’s Legislative body!.. ... ....We do not anticipate a problem with the vote but, if for any reason the approval is not forthcoming, Tariffs will be reinstated!

When will the Failing New York Times admit that their front page story on the the new Mexico deal at the Border is a FRAUD and nothing more than a badly reported “hit job” on me, something that has been going on since the first day I announced for the presidency! Sick Journalism

Video

Video

Thank you @MarkLevinShow and John Eastman!

Can’t believe they are bringing in John Dean, the disgraced Nixon White House Counsel who is a paid CNN contributor. No Collusion - No Obstruction! Democrats just want a do-over which they’ll never get!

I have been briefed on the helicopter crash in New York City. Phenomenal job by our GREAT First Responders who are currently on the scene. THANK YOU for all you do 24/7/365! The Trump Administration stands ready should you need anything at all.

Congratulations to the 2019 Indianapolis 500 Winner @IMS, @SimonPagenaud and @Team_Penske! @IndyCar🏆🏁

Video

Video

#AmericaFIRST #MAGA🇺🇸

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

Robert Mueller exploited cellphone GPS to track Trump associates

Uber Driver threatens passenger: She replied by saying “Tell me you don’t support Trump or I won’t finish this trip.”

Jim Acosta is a master of the self-own.

Trump: “John Dean’s been a loser for many years” ...as Dean refuses to acknowledge how much money he has been paid by CNN for accusations against the President 🤣🇺🇸

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

To all the pedes down in the trenches, I support you!

PSA: If you have a family member with disabilities, please ensure they have one of these devices to assist first responders

It’s funny because it’s accurate

It Is oN SpEcTruM

Sorry frens, but you have to go back! True frens respect the rule of law!

Tuesday, June 11th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

President Donald J. Trump Announces Judicial Nominees

Executive Order on Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Biotechnology Products

President Trump Delivers a Statement Upon Departure

President Trump Delivers Remarks on Renewable Energy

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

New book just out, “The Real Deal, My Decade Fighting Battles and Winning Wars With Trump,” is really wonderful. It is written by two people who are very smart & know me well, George Sorial & Damian Bates, as opposed to all the books where the author has no clue who I am. ENJOY!

“Jerry Nadler’s Trump Bashing Show Is A Bust.” Headline, New York Post. @foxandfriends The Greatest Witch Hunt of all time continues. All crimes were by the other side, but the Committee refuses to even take a look. Deleting 33,000 Emails is the real Obstruction - and much more!

“Mueller has spoken. He found No Collusion between the Trump Campaign and the Russians. The bottom line is what the Democrat House is doing is trying to destroy the Trump Presidency (which has been a tremendous success), and I can assure you that we’re done with the Mueller...... ... ....investigation in the Senate. They can talk to John Dean until the cows come home, we’re not doing anything in the Senate regarding the Mueller Report. We are going to harden our Infrastructure against 2020!” @LindseyGrahamSC

PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!

Sad when you think about it, but Mexico right now is doing more for the United States at the Border than the Democrats in Congress! @foxandfriends

The United States has VERY LOW INFLATION, a beautiful thing!

This is because the Euro and other currencies are devalued against the dollar, putting the U.S. at a big disadvantage. The Fed Interest rate way too high, added to ridiculous quantitative tightening! They don’t have a clue!

Maria, Dagan, Steve, Stuart V - When you are the big “piggy bank” that other countries have been ripping off for years (to a level that is not to be believed), Tariffs are a great negotiating tool, a great revenue producers and, most importantly, a powerful way to get...... ... ...Companies to come to the U.S.A and to get companies that have left us for other lands to come back home. We stupidly lost 30% of our auto business to Mexico. If the Tariffs went on at the higher level, they would all come back, and pass. But very happy with the deal I made,... ... ....If Mexico produces (which I think they will). Biggest part of deal with Mexico has not yet been revealed! China is similar, except they devalue currency and subsidize companies to lessen effect of 25% Tariff. So far, little effect to consumer. Companies will relocate to U.S.

Good day in the Stock Market. People have no idea the tremendous potential our Country has for GROWTH - and many other things!

“Why did the Democrats run if they didn’t want to do things?” @SenRickScott

On my way to Iowa - just heard nearly 1,000 agriculture groups signed a letter urging Congress to approve the USMCA. Our Patriot Farmers & rural America have spoken! Now Congress must do its job & support these great men and women by passing the bipartisan USMCA Trade Agreement!

Today, here in Iowa, we honor America’s cherished farming heritage. We salute your commitment to American Energy Independence — and we celebrate the bright future we are forging together powered by clean, affordable AMERICAN ETHANOL!

“Trump administration gives final approval for year-round E15 use”

Beautiful afternoon in Iowa. Thank you to all of our Nation’s Farmers. May God bless you, and may God Bless America!

“Someone should call Obama up. The Obama Administration spied on a rival presidential campaign using Federal Agencies. I mean, that seems like a headline to me?” @TuckerCarlson It will all start coming out, and the Witch Hunt will end. Presidential Harassment!

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

The mad lad is at the Google campus in Austin, Texas](https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Donald/comments/bzgr6o/the_mad_lad_is_at_the_google_campus_in_austin/)

We just cracked 750k PEDES!

Nearly 1,700 Pedos Arrested Nationwide in 2 Months During DOJ Sting OP (6/11/2019)

NEW PROJECT VERITAS: Tech Insider Blows Whistle on How Pinterest Listed Top Pro-Life Site as Porn, "Bible Verses" Censored

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

This is why I love living in Texas.

❄️ Liberals Hate Glaciers Now ❄️

Or tariffs per trade deal made.

TFW you're banned from all of social media but other patriots are doing God's work spreading your message

Wednesday, June 12th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

Six Nominations and Two Withdrawals Sent to the Senate

President Trump Participates in a 2:2 Bilateral Meeting with the President of Poland

President Trump Participates in a Joint Press Conference with the President of Poland

President Trump Remarks on the Opioid Crisis

President Trump Participates in a Joint Signing Ceremony with the President of Poland

President Trump and the First Lady Attend the Polish-American Reception

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

.....The Fake (Corrupt) News Media said they had a leak into polling done by my campaign which, by the way and despite the phony and never ending Witch Hunt, are the best numbers WE have ever had. They reported Fake numbers that they made up & don’t even exist. WE WILL WIN AGAIN!

Despite the Phony Witch Hunt, we will continue to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Thank you!!

Wow! Just got word that our June 18th, Tuesday, ANNOUNCEMENT in Orlando, Florida, already has 74,000 requests for a 20,000 seat Arena. With all of the big events that we have done, this ticket looks to be the “hottest” of them all. See you in Florida!

The Fake News has never been more dishonest than it is today. Thank goodness we can fight back on Social Media. Their new weapon of choice is Fake Polling, sometimes referred to as Suppression Polls (they suppress the numbers). Had it in 2016, but this is worse..... ... .....The Fake (Corrupt) News Media said they had a leak into polling done by my campaign which, by the way and despite the phony and never ending Witch Hunt, are the best numbers WE have ever had. They reported Fake numbers that they made up & don’t even exist. WE WILL WIN AGAIN!

It was a pleasure to host my friends President Andrzej Duda and Mrs. Agata Kornhauser-Duda of Poland at the @WhiteHouse today. U.S.-Poland ties are at an all-time high. Thank you for being such an exemplary Ally!

Michael Whatley has been with us right from the beginning. A great Leader and @NCGOP Chairman!

Thank you!

Our Farmers deserve this, they are GREAT!

Two Fantastic People! My friends from the very beginning. Thank you D&S.

is = if (Spell)! Not like Chris.

Thank you very much!

“Biden would be China’s Dream Candidate, because there would be no more Tariffs, no more demands that China stop stealing our IP, things would go back to the old days with America’s manufacturers & workers getting shafted. He has Zero Credibility!” @IngrahamAngle So true!

“It’s about peace and Prosperity, that’s how Republican Presidents get elected, and this President has delivered on the Economy and he’s delivered on keeping America Stronger & Safer. Our biggest enemy is not any one of these Democrats, it’s the Media.” John McLaughlin, pollster

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

The man who had revealed Pinterest's censorship strategies has been fired - Project Veritas

President Trump waves Mexico border deal at reporters: ‘It goes into effect when I want it to’

Obama White House Deleted Online Speeches About The Immigration Crisis Hours Before Trump Entered Office: Report

BREAKING: After Democrats Unnecessarily Rush to Contempt, President Trump Asserts Executive Privilege Over Census Documents

Michael Flynn hires Sidney Powell as new counsel

The Madlad: Crowder Hate Speech Isn’t Real Q&A

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

Hey guys

Accurate Representation Of The SJW Movement

Bam! Roasted!

I wonder how many others there are like this?

Trump Derangement Syndrome Medical Journal Entry Prototype

Thursday, June 13th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

A Message from Surgeon General Jerome Adams

First Lady Melania Trump Attends 75th Anniversary Ceremony of D-Day

Historic F-35 White House Flyover

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts

President Trump Delivers Remarks on Second Chance Hiring

President Trump Has a Working Lunch with Governors on Workforce Freedom and Mobility

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

General Michael Flynn, the 33 year war hero who has served with distinction, has not retained a good lawyer, he has retained a GREAT LAWYER, Sidney Powell. Best Wishes and Good Luck to them both!

Unrelated to Russia, Russia, Russia (although the Radical Left doesn’t use the name Russia anymore since the issuance of the Mueller Report), House Committee now plays the seldom used “Contempt” card on our great A.G. & Sec. of Commerce - this time on the Census. Dems play a..... ... .....much tougher game than the Republicans did when they had the House Majority. Republicans will remember! “This has already been argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, but the House doesn’t want to wait. This is a common thread between all of the Committees - do whatever you... ... ....can to embarrass the Trump Administration (and Republicans), attack the Trump Administration. This is campaigning by the Dems.” Attorney David Bruno. So true! In the meantime they are getting NO work done on Drug Pricing, Infrastructure & many other things.

“Congress cannot Impeach President Trump (did nothing wrong) because if they did they would be putting themselves above the law. The Constitution provides criteria for Impeachment - treason, bribery, high crimes & misdemeanors. Unless there is compelling evidence, Impeachment... ... ....is not Constitutionally Permissable.” Alan Dershowitz, Constitutional Lawyer

The Dems fight us at every turn - in the meantime they are accomplishing nothing for the people! They have gone absolutely “Loco,” or Unhinged, as they like to say!

I meet and talk to “foreign governments” every day. I just met with the Queen of England (U.K.), the Prince of Wales, the P.M. of the United Kingdom, the P.M. of Ireland, the President of France and the President of Poland. We talked about “Everything!” Should I immediately.... ... ....call the FBI about these calls and meetings? How ridiculous! I would never be trusted again. With that being said, my full answer is rarely played by the Fake News Media. They purposely leave out the part that matters.

When Senator @MarkWarnerVA spoke at length, and in great detail, about extremely negative information on me, with a talented entertainer purporting to be a Russian Operative, did he immediately call the FBI? NO, in fact he didn’t even tell the Senate Intelligence Committee of.... ... ....which he is a member. When @RepAdamSchiff took calls from another person, also very successfully purporting to be a Russian Operative, did he call the FBI, or even think to call the FBI? NO! The fact is that the phony Witch Hunt is a giant scam where Democrats,... ... ....and other really bad people, SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN! They even had an “insurance policy” just in case Crooked Hillary Clinton and the Democrats lost their race for the Presidency! This is the biggest & worst political scandal in the history of the United States of America. Sad!

They’ve been wrong all along!

While I very much appreciate P.M. Abe going to Iran to meet with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, I personally feel that it is too soon to even think about making a deal. They are not ready, and neither are we!

"It is the assessment of the U.S. government that Iran is responsible for today's attacks in the Gulf of Oman...."

After 3 1/2 years, our wonderful Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be leaving the White House at the end of the month and going home to the Great State of Arkansas.... ... ....She is a very special person with extraordinary talents, who has done an incredible job! I hope she decides to run for Governor of Arkansas - she would be fantastic. Sarah, thank you for a job well done!

Today we announced vital new actions that we are taking to help former inmates find a job, live a crime-free life, and succeed beyond their dreams....

Thank you Jason Chaffetz! #MAGA

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

This past week, Steven Crowder and his team have seen 100,000 new subscribers, 12 million channel views, and new Mug Club members showing their support by paying full price instead of using the discount code. Vox tried to destroy Team Crowder. Instead, they made Team Crowder stronger than ever.

I am blessed and forever grateful to @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to serve and proud of everything he’s accomplished. I love the President and my job. The most important job I’ll ever have is being a mom to my kids and it’s time for us to go home. Thank you Mr. President!

Sarah Sanders tears up as GEOTUS thanks her and gives her an amazing sendoff. "I will continue to be one of the most outspoken and loyal supporters of the President and his agenda"

Project Veritas Features - Pinterest Insider Speaks Out: "The tech companies can't fight us all"

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

This is Eric Cochran. Eric gave up his cushy high paying Pinterest job to blow the whistle on their plans to silence America. Eric is awesome. Be like Eric.

Michael Flynn’s attorney posted this on Twitter. I thought you all might like it, too.

How to solve illegal immigration

White House Chef Andre “Tiny” Rush is a master ice carver, sommelier, pastry chef, chocolatier, and sugar sculptor, among other specialties. He is also a combat veteran who retired as a master sergeant after 23 years in the United States Army.

Friday, June 14th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

Memorandum on Providing an Order of Succession Within the Central Intelligence Agency

Executive Order on Evaluating and Improving the Utility of Federal Advisory Committees

President Trump Speaks on Expanding Health Coverage Options for Small Businesses & Workers

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

Natalie Harp, fighting Stage 2 Cancer and doing really well, was a GREAT guest on @foxandfriends. Right To Try is producing some truly spectacular results. Proud of Natalie!

I will be interviewed on @foxandfriends at 8:00 A.M. Enjoy! @FoxNews

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our GREAT @USArmy. America loves you! #ArmyBday

The Radical Left Dems are working hard, but THE PEOPLE are much smarter. Working hard, thank you!

Announcing great, expanded HRAs—big win for small employers and workers. This is a fantastic plan! My Administration has worked very hard on creating more affordable health coverage.

Thank you Senator @MarshaBlackburn for fighting obstructionist Democrats led by Cryin' Chuck Schumer. Democrats continue to look for a do-over on the Mueller Report and will stop at nothing to distract the American people from the great accomplishments of this Administration!

Thank you @senatemajldr Mitch McConnell for understanding the Democrats game of not playing it straight on the ridiculous Witch Hunt Hoax in the Senate. Cryin’ Chuck will never stop. Did Senator @MarkWarner ever report speaking to a Russian!?

Just spoke to Marillyn Hewson, CEO of @LockheedMartin, about continuing operations for the @Sikorsky in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. She will be taking it under advisement and will be making a decision soon.... ... ....While Pennsylvania is BOOMING, I don’t want there to be even a little glitch in Coatesville – every job counts. I want Lockhead to BOOM along with it!

The dishonest media will NEVER keep us from accomplishing our objectives on behalf of our GREAT AMERICAN PEOPLE! #MAGA

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

In honor of FLAG DAY: When Palm Beach Wouldn't Allow A 50-foot Flagpole at Mir-a-Lago, Trump Placed a 30-foot Flag Pole on a 20-foot Hill. USA USA USA!!!!

The idea that American embassies would ever even consider flying a pride flag on the same pole as the American flag is just absolutely ridiculous. American embassies represent America, not your sexual orientation.

We all out here celebrating Trump’s birthday in Myrtle Beach, SC

Attendees in the White House Rose Garden sing Happy Birthday to President Trump as he arrives for event on expanding health care options for small businesses.

Trump campaign plans outdoor carnival with food trucks and a party band before he announces re-election bid at Orlando rally

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

Double Standards!

I heard that Gibson family won their lawsuit and was awarded $44 million dollars for being falsely smeared as racists. Here's a picture of Nick Sandmann for no reason at all.

Happy 73rd Birthday to the BEST PRESIDENT EVER!!!!

It's time for President Trump's yearly call to Ben Rhodes... He still won't say it.

Saturday, June 15th:

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

“The latest Polls find 51% of Americans approve of President Trump’s Job Performance. Last month a Democrat Pollster said President Trump’s approval rating has been the most steady of any President in history!” @OANN

“With over a 50% Approval Rating at this point in his Presidency, analysts believe re-election in 2020 looks (very) promising!” @OANN Hey, we have accomplished more than any President in the first 2 1/2 years, WHY NOT?

Despite the Greatest Presidential Harassment of all time by people that are very dishonest and want to destroy our Country, we are doing great in the Polls, even better than in 2016, and will be packed at the Tuesday Announcement Rally in Orlando, Florida. KEEP AMERICA GREAT!

All in for Senator Steve Daines as he proposes an Amendment for a strong BAN on burning our American Flag. A no brainer!

“President Trump to launch 2020 Campaign in Florida!” @foxandfriends Tuesday will be a Big Crowd and Big Day!

The Trump Economy is setting records, and has a long way up to go....However, if anyone but me takes over in 2020 (I know the competition very well), there will be a Market Crash the likes of which has not been seen before! KEEP AMERICA GREAT

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

Trump Admin Takes First Step to Demand Payback From Sponsors of Immigrants Who Use Welfare

Giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants will make New York a safer place, says worlds biggest retard.

The Left is trying to steal 2020 with Massive Voter Fraud, this must be stopped: Illegal Alien Population Booms in Red States Ahead of 2020 Election

This is pretty awesome 👏👏👏

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

Whoever wrote this had a time machine.

Ah yes

2020 WE'RE FAST APPROACHING MEME WAR ROUND 2, ELECTRIC BOOGALOO - CALLING ALL 2016 MEME WAR VETERANS AT 0500 FOR TRAINING

Simpler times

WEEEEW LAD!!! SO MUCH WINNING!

Without further ado, some tunes to get you jamming through all this winning:

Country Roads

My Girl

Isn't She Lovely

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Africa

MAGA ON PATRIOTS!

submitted by /u/Ivaginaryfriend [link] [comments]

[robgrayofficial]

HAPPY SATURDAY DEPLORABLES!This is your favorite Saturday afternoon mod here to deliver you TONS of spicy dankness from the past week! If you happened to miss any past recaps you can catch those here!Sunday, June 9th:🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:Another false report in the Failing @nytimes. We have been trying to get some of these Border Actions for a long time, as have other administrations, but were not able to get them, or get them in full, until our signed agreement with Mexico. Additionally, and for many years,.... ... .....Mexico was not being cooperative on the Border in things we had, or didn’t have, and now I have full confidence, especially after speaking to their President yesterday, that they will be very cooperative and want to get the job properly done. Importantly, some things..... ... .....not mentioned in yesterday press release, one in particular, were agreed upon. That will be announced at the appropriate time. There is now going to be great cooperation between Mexico & the USA, something that didn’t exist for decades. However, if for some unknown reason... ... .....there is not, we can always go back to our previous, very profitable, position of Tariffs - But I don’t believe that will be necessary. The Failing @nytimes, & ratings challenged @CNN, will do anything possible to see our Country fail! They are truly The Enemy of the People!For two years all the Democrats talked about was the Mueller Report, because they knew that it was loaded up with 13 Angry Democrat Trump Haters, later increased to 18. But despite the bias, when the Report came out, the findings were No Collusion and facts that led to........ ... ....No Obstruction. The Dems were devastated - after all this time and money spent ($40,000,000), the Mueller Report was a disaster for them. But they want a Redo, or Do Over. They are even bringing in @CNN sleazebag attorney John Dean. Sorry, no Do Overs - Go back to work!SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:Left-wing racism is realMexican military begins arresting migrants riding 'The Beast' train to US border - More than 200 migrants got off the train and fled," said the director of the Digna Ochoa Human Rights Center - Many "hid in the bush, so only 25 were arrested," - Its better than our Democrats have done so farIf a straight pride parade is absurd, so is a gay pride parade. It is obviously insane to suggest that a person can only be proud of their sexuality if they are gay. Outrage over straight pride is hypocrisy on steroids.🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:How do “they” Ignore the Most Beautiful FLOTUS Ever?Good question... how do they?Still waiting for that apology from Adam SchiffOld school, kick-in-the-ass presidency!Monday, June 10th:TODAY'S ACTION:Memorandum on Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amendedFirst Lady Melania Trump's Visit to the United KingdomPresident Trump Greets the 103rd Indianapolis 500 Champions: Team Penske🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:Now with our new deal, Mexico is doing more for the USA on Illegal Immigration than the Democrats. In fact, the Democrats are doing NOTHING, they want Open Borders, which means Illigal Immigration, Drugs and Crime.We have fully signed and documented another very important part of the Immigration and Security deal with Mexico, one that the U.S. has been asking about getting for many years. It will be revealed in the not too distant future and will need a vote by Mexico’s Legislative body!.. ... ....We do not anticipate a problem with the vote but, if for any reason the approval is not forthcoming, Tariffs will be reinstated!When will the Failing New York Times admit that their front page story on the the new Mexico deal at the Border is a FRAUD and nothing more than a badly reported “hit job” on me, something that has been going on since the first day I announced for the presidency! Sick JournalismVideoVideoThank you @MarkLevinShow and John Eastman!Can’t believe they are bringing in John Dean, the disgraced Nixon White House Counsel who is a paid CNN contributor. No Collusion - No Obstruction! Democrats just want a do-over which they’ll never get!I have been briefed on the helicopter crash in New York City. Phenomenal job by our GREAT First Responders who are currently on the scene. THANK YOU for all you do 24/7/365! The Trump Administration stands ready should you need anything at all.Congratulations to the 2019 Indianapolis 500 Winner @IMS, @SimonPagenaud and @Team_Penske! @IndyCar🏆🏁VideoVideo#AmericaFIRST #MAGA🇺🇸SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:Robert Mueller exploited cellphone GPS to track Trump associatesUber Driver threatens passenger: She replied by saying “Tell me you don’t support Trump or I won’t finish this trip.”Jim Acosta is a master of the self-own.Trump: “John Dean’s been a loser for many years” ...as Dean refuses to acknowledge how much money he has been paid by CNN for accusations against the President 🤣🇺🇸🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:To all the pedes down in the trenches, I support you!PSA: If you have a family member with disabilities, please ensure they have one of these devices to assist first respondersIt’s funny because it’s accurateIt Is oN SpEcTruMSorry frens, but you have to go back! True frens respect the rule of law!Tuesday, June 11th:TODAY'S ACTION:President Donald J. Trump Announces Judicial NomineesExecutive Order on Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Biotechnology ProductsPresident Trump Delivers a Statement Upon DeparturePresident Trump Delivers Remarks on Renewable Energy🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:New book just out, “The Real Deal, My Decade Fighting Battles and Winning Wars With Trump,” is really wonderful. It is written by two people who are very smart & know me well, George Sorial & Damian Bates, as opposed to all the books where the author has no clue who I am. ENJOY!“Jerry Nadler’s Trump Bashing Show Is A Bust.” Headline, New York Post. @foxandfriends The Greatest Witch Hunt of all time continues. All crimes were by the other side, but the Committee refuses to even take a look. Deleting 33,000 Emails is the real Obstruction - and much more!“Mueller has spoken. He found No Collusion between the Trump Campaign and the Russians. The bottom line is what the Democrat House is doing is trying to destroy the Trump Presidency (which has been a tremendous success), and I can assure you that we’re done with the Mueller...... ... ....investigation in the Senate. They can talk to John Dean until the cows come home, we’re not doing anything in the Senate regarding the Mueller Report. We are going to harden our Infrastructure against 2020!” @LindseyGrahamSCPRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!Sad when you think about it, but Mexico right now is doing more for the United States at the Border than the Democrats in Congress! @foxandfriendsThe United States has VERY LOW INFLATION, a beautiful thing!This is because the Euro and other currencies are devalued against the dollar, putting the U.S. at a big disadvantage. The Fed Interest rate way too high, added to ridiculous quantitative tightening! They don’t have a clue!Maria, Dagan, Steve, Stuart V - When you are the big “piggy bank” that other countries have been ripping off for years (to a level that is not to be believed), Tariffs are a great negotiating tool, a great revenue producers and, most importantly, a powerful way to get...... ... ...Companies to come to the U.S.A and to get companies that have left us for other lands to come back home. We stupidly lost 30% of our auto business to Mexico. If the Tariffs went on at the higher level, they would all come back, and pass. But very happy with the deal I made,... ... ....If Mexico produces (which I think they will). Biggest part of deal with Mexico has not yet been revealed! China is similar, except they devalue currency and subsidize companies to lessen effect of 25% Tariff. So far, little effect to consumer. Companies will relocate to U.S.Good day in the Stock Market. People have no idea the tremendous potential our Country has for GROWTH - and many other things!“Why did the Democrats run if they didn’t want to do things?” @SenRickScottOn my way to Iowa - just heard nearly 1,000 agriculture groups signed a letter urging Congress to approve the USMCA. Our Patriot Farmers & rural America have spoken! Now Congress must do its job & support these great men and women by passing the bipartisan USMCA Trade Agreement!Today, here in Iowa, we honor America’s cherished farming heritage. We salute your commitment to American Energy Independence — and we celebrate the bright future we are forging together powered by clean, affordable AMERICAN ETHANOL!“Trump administration gives final approval for year-round E15 use”Beautiful afternoon in Iowa. Thank you to all of our Nation’s Farmers. May God bless you, and may God Bless America!“Someone should call Obama up. The Obama Administration spied on a rival presidential campaign using Federal Agencies. I mean, that seems like a headline to me?” @TuckerCarlson It will all start coming out, and the Witch Hunt will end. Presidential Harassment!SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:The mad lad is at the Google campus in Austin, Texas](http://bit.ly/2IKRcuo just cracked 750k PEDES!Nearly 1,700 Pedos Arrested Nationwide in 2 Months During DOJ Sting OP (6/11/2019)NEW PROJECT VERITAS: Tech Insider Blows Whistle on How Pinterest Listed Top Pro-Life Site as Porn, "Bible Verses" Censored🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:This is why I love living in Texas.❄️ Liberals Hate Glaciers Now ❄️Or tariffs per trade deal made.TFW you're banned from all of social media but other patriots are doing God's work spreading your messageWednesday, June 12th:TODAY'S ACTION:Six Nominations and Two Withdrawals Sent to the SenatePresident Trump Participates in a 2:2 Bilateral Meeting with the President of PolandPresident Trump Participates in a Joint Press Conference with the President of PolandPresident Trump Remarks on the Opioid CrisisPresident Trump Participates in a Joint Signing Ceremony with the President of PolandPresident Trump and the First Lady Attend the Polish-American Reception🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:.....The Fake (Corrupt) News Media said they had a leak into polling done by my campaign which, by the way and despite the phony and never ending Witch Hunt, are the best numbers WE have ever had. They reported Fake numbers that they made up & don’t even exist. WE WILL WIN AGAIN!Despite the Phony Witch Hunt, we will continue to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Thank you!!Wow! Just got word that our June 18th, Tuesday, ANNOUNCEMENT in Orlando, Florida, already has 74,000 requests for a 20,000 seat Arena. With all of the big events that we have done, this ticket looks to be the “hottest” of them all. See you in Florida!The Fake News has never been more dishonest than it is today. Thank goodness we can fight back on Social Media. Their new weapon of choice is Fake Polling, sometimes referred to as Suppression Polls (they suppress the numbers). Had it in 2016, but this is worse..... ... .....The Fake (Corrupt) News Media said they had a leak into polling done by my campaign which, by the way and despite the phony and never ending Witch Hunt, are the best numbers WE have ever had. They reported Fake numbers that they made up & don’t even exist. WE WILL WIN AGAIN!It was a pleasure to host my friends President Andrzej Duda and Mrs. Agata Kornhauser-Duda of Poland at the @WhiteHouse today. U.S.-Poland ties are at an all-time high. Thank you for being such an exemplary Ally!Michael Whatley has been with us right from the beginning. A great Leader and @NCGOP Chairman!Thank you!Our Farmers deserve this, they are GREAT!Two Fantastic People! My friends from the very beginning. Thank you D&S.is = if (Spell)! Not like Chris.Thank you very much!“Biden would be China’s Dream Candidate, because there would be no more Tariffs, no more demands that China stop stealing our IP, things would go back to the old days with America’s manufacturers & workers getting shafted. He has Zero Credibility!” @IngrahamAngle So true!“It’s about peace and Prosperity, that’s how Republican Presidents get elected, and this President has delivered on the Economy and he’s delivered on keeping America Stronger & Safer. Our biggest enemy is not any one of these Democrats, it’s the Media.” John McLaughlin, pollsterSIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:The man who had revealed Pinterest's censorship strategies has been fired - Project VeritasPresident Trump waves Mexico border deal at reporters: ‘It goes into effect when I want it to’Obama White House Deleted Online Speeches About The Immigration Crisis Hours Before Trump Entered Office: ReportBREAKING: After Democrats Unnecessarily Rush to Contempt, President Trump Asserts Executive Privilege Over Census DocumentsMichael Flynn hires Sidney Powell as new counselThe Madlad: Crowder Hate Speech Isn’t Real Q&A🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:Hey guysAccurate Representation Of The SJW MovementBam! Roasted!I wonder how many others there are like this?Trump Derangement Syndrome Medical Journal Entry PrototypeThursday, June 13th:TODAY'S ACTION:A Message from Surgeon General Jerome AdamsFirst Lady Melania Trump Attends 75th Anniversary Ceremony of D-DayHistoric F-35 White House FlyoverPresident Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration PostsPresident Trump Delivers Remarks on Second Chance HiringPresident Trump Has a Working Lunch with Governors on Workforce Freedom and Mobility🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:General Michael Flynn, the 33 year war hero who has served with distinction, has not retained a good lawyer, he has retained a GREAT LAWYER, Sidney Powell. Best Wishes and Good Luck to them both!Unrelated to Russia, Russia, Russia (although the Radical Left doesn’t use the name Russia anymore since the issuance of the Mueller Report), House Committee now plays the seldom used “Contempt” card on our great A.G. & Sec. of Commerce - this time on the Census. Dems play a..... ... .....much tougher game than the Republicans did when they had the House Majority. Republicans will remember! “This has already been argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, but the House doesn’t want to wait. This is a common thread between all of the Committees - do whatever you... ... ....can to embarrass the Trump Administration (and Republicans), attack the Trump Administration. This is campaigning by the Dems.” Attorney David Bruno. So true! In the meantime they are getting NO work done on Drug Pricing, Infrastructure & many other things.“Congress cannot Impeach President Trump (did nothing wrong) because if they did they would be putting themselves above the law. The Constitution provides criteria for Impeachment - treason, bribery, high crimes & misdemeanors. Unless there is compelling evidence, Impeachment... ... ....is not Constitutionally Permissable.” Alan Dershowitz, Constitutional LawyerThe Dems fight us at every turn - in the meantime they are accomplishing nothing for the people! They have gone absolutely “Loco,” or Unhinged, as they like to say!I meet and talk to “foreign governments” every day. I just met with the Queen of England (U.K.), the Prince of Wales, the P.M. of the United Kingdom, the P.M. of Ireland, the President of France and the President of Poland. We talked about “Everything!” Should I immediately.... ... ....call the FBI about these calls and meetings? How ridiculous! I would never be trusted again. With that being said, my full answer is rarely played by the Fake News Media. They purposely leave out the part that matters.When Senator @MarkWarnerVA spoke at length, and in great detail, about extremely negative information on me, with a talented entertainer purporting to be a Russian Operative, did he immediately call the FBI? NO, in fact he didn’t even tell the Senate Intelligence Committee of.... ... ....which he is a member. When @RepAdamSchiff took calls from another person, also very successfully purporting to be a Russian Operative, did he call the FBI, or even think to call the FBI? NO! The fact is that the phony Witch Hunt is a giant scam where Democrats,... ... ....and other really bad people, SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN! They even had an “insurance policy” just in case Crooked Hillary Clinton and the Democrats lost their race for the Presidency! This is the biggest & worst political scandal in the history of the United States of America. Sad!They’ve been wrong all along!While I very much appreciate P.M. Abe going to Iran to meet with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, I personally feel that it is too soon to even think about making a deal. They are not ready, and neither are we!"It is the assessment of the U.S. government that Iran is responsible for today's attacks in the Gulf of Oman...."After 3 1/2 years, our wonderful Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be leaving the White House at the end of the month and going home to the Great State of Arkansas.... ... ....She is a very special person with extraordinary talents, who has done an incredible job! I hope she decides to run for Governor of Arkansas - she would be fantastic. Sarah, thank you for a job well done!Today we announced vital new actions that we are taking to help former inmates find a job, live a crime-free life, and succeed beyond their dreams....Thank you Jason Chaffetz! #MAGASIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:This past week, Steven Crowder and his team have seen 100,000 new subscribers, 12 million channel views, and new Mug Club members showing their support by paying full price instead of using the discount code. Vox tried to destroy Team Crowder. Instead, they made Team Crowder stronger than ever.I am blessed and forever grateful to @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to serve and proud of everything he’s accomplished. I love the President and my job. The most important job I’ll ever have is being a mom to my kids and it’s time for us to go home. Thank you Mr. President!Sarah Sanders tears up as GEOTUS thanks her and gives her an amazing sendoff. "I will continue to be one of the most outspoken and loyal supporters of the President and his agenda"Project Veritas Features - Pinterest Insider Speaks Out: "The tech companies can't fight us all"🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:This is Eric Cochran. Eric gave up his cushy high paying Pinterest job to blow the whistle on their plans to silence America. Eric is awesome. Be like Eric.Michael Flynn’s attorney posted this on Twitter. I thought you all might like it, too.How to solve illegal immigrationWhite House Chef Andre “Tiny” Rush is a master ice carver, sommelier, pastry chef, chocolatier, and sugar sculptor, among other specialties. He is also a combat veteran who retired as a master sergeant after 23 years in the United States Army.Friday, June 14th:TODAY'S ACTION:Memorandum on Providing an Order of Succession Within the Central Intelligence AgencyExecutive Order on Evaluating and Improving the Utility of Federal Advisory CommitteesPresident Trump Speaks on Expanding Health Coverage Options for Small Businesses & Workers🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:Natalie Harp, fighting Stage 2 Cancer and doing really well, was a GREAT guest on @foxandfriends. Right To Try is producing some truly spectacular results. Proud of Natalie!I will be interviewed on @foxandfriends at 8:00 A.M. Enjoy! @FoxNewsHAPPY BIRTHDAY to our GREAT @USArmy. America loves you! #ArmyBdayThe Radical Left Dems are working hard, but THE PEOPLE are much smarter. Working hard, thank you!Announcing great, expanded HRAs—big win for small employers and workers. This is a fantastic plan! My Administration has worked very hard on creating more affordable health coverage.Thank you Senator @MarshaBlackburn for fighting obstructionist Democrats led by Cryin' Chuck Schumer. Democrats continue to look for a do-over on the Mueller Report and will stop at nothing to distract the American people from the great accomplishments of this Administration!Thank you @senatemajldr Mitch McConnell for understanding the Democrats game of not playing it straight on the ridiculous Witch Hunt Hoax in the Senate. Cryin’ Chuck will never stop. Did Senator @MarkWarner ever report speaking to a Russian!?Just spoke to Marillyn Hewson, CEO of @LockheedMartin, about continuing operations for the @Sikorsky in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. She will be taking it under advisement and will be making a decision soon.... ... ....While Pennsylvania is BOOMING, I don’t want there to be even a little glitch in Coatesville – every job counts. I want Lockhead to BOOM along with it!The dishonest media will NEVER keep us from accomplishing our objectives on behalf of our GREAT AMERICAN PEOPLE! #MAGASIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:In honor of FLAG DAY: When Palm Beach Wouldn't Allow A 50-foot Flagpole at Mir-a-Lago, Trump Placed a 30-foot Flag Pole on a 20-foot Hill. USA USA USA!!!!The idea that American embassies would ever even consider flying a pride flag on the same pole as the American flag is just absolutely ridiculous. American embassies represent America, not your sexual orientation.We all out here celebrating Trump’s birthday in Myrtle Beach, SCAttendees in the White House Rose Garden sing Happy Birthday to President Trump as he arrives for event on expanding health care options for small businesses.Trump campaign plans outdoor carnival with food trucks and a party band before he announces re-election bid at Orlando rally🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:Double Standards!I heard that Gibson family won their lawsuit and was awarded $44 million dollars for being falsely smeared as racists. Here's a picture of Nick Sandmann for no reason at all.Happy 73rd Birthday to the BEST PRESIDENT EVER!!!!It's time for President Trump's yearly call to Ben Rhodes... He still won't say it.Saturday, June 15th:🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:“The latest Polls find 51% of Americans approve of President Trump’s Job Performance. Last month a Democrat Pollster said President Trump’s approval rating has been the most steady of any President in history!” @OANN“With over a 50% Approval Rating at this point in his Presidency, analysts believe re-election in 2020 looks (very) promising!” @OANN Hey, we have accomplished more than any President in the first 2 1/2 years, WHY NOT?Despite the Greatest Presidential Harassment of all time by people that are very dishonest and want to destroy our Country, we are doing great in the Polls, even better than in 2016, and will be packed at the Tuesday Announcement Rally in Orlando, Florida. KEEP AMERICA GREAT!All in for Senator Steve Daines as he proposes an Amendment for a strong BAN on burning our American Flag. A no brainer!“President Trump to launch 2020 Campaign in Florida!” @foxandfriends Tuesday will be a Big Crowd and Big Day!The Trump Economy is setting records, and has a long way up to go....However, if anyone but me takes over in 2020 (I know the competition very well), there will be a Market Crash the likes of which has not been seen before! KEEP AMERICA GREATSIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:Trump Admin Takes First Step to Demand Payback From Sponsors of Immigrants Who Use WelfareGiving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants will make New York a safer place, says worlds biggest retard.The Left is trying to steal 2020 with Massive Voter Fraud, this must be stopped: Illegal Alien Population Booms in Red States Ahead of 2020 ElectionThis is pretty awesome 👏👏👏🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:Whoever wrote this had a time machine.Ah yes2020 WE'RE FAST APPROACHING MEME WAR ROUND 2, ELECTRIC BOOGALOO - CALLING ALL 2016 MEME WAR VETERANS AT 0500 FOR TRAININGSimpler timesWEEEEW LAD!!! SO MUCH WINNING!Without further ado, some tunes to get you jamming through all this winning:Country RoadsMy GirlIsn't She LovelyI Wanna Dance With SomebodyAfricaMAGA ON PATRIOTS! #robgray

[gyrlversion]

One out of 17 British Army veterans will face Bloody Sunday charges

Military veterans have slammed a decision to charge a former British soldier with the murder of two men in the Bloody Sunday shootings nearly 50 years ago.

The man, named only as ‘Soldier F’, is one of 17 former members of the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment who were investigated over the violence which left 13 people dead in Londonderry in 1972.

The ex-soldier, who is now thought to be in his 70s, faces trial for the alleged murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the alleged attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O’Donnell.

The decision to prosecute him has angered Armed Forces groups, who contrasted his treatment with the many IRA terrorists who have been let off during the peace process.

Critics of the probe point out that around 200 IRA fugitives, thought to be behind a series of terror attacks during the Troubles, were sent so-called ‘comfort letters’, assuring them they were no longer suspects. 

The sixteen other British military veterans who were investigated over Bloody Sunday will not face action, it was announced this morning.  

The British government said it will support Soldier F and cover all of his legal costs, with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson praising the ‘courage and distinction’ of those who fought in Northern Ireland.

But the minister was criticised by fellow Tory MP and ex-Army Officer Johnny Mercer for failing to do enough to protect soldiers from prosecution.

Linda Nash, whose youngest brother William Nash died on Bloody Sunday, wept and hugged campaigner Eamonn McCann after it was announced that a British soldier will be prosecuted over the shootings. But critics have hit out at the decision

Soldier F will be charged with the murders of James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) on Bloody Sunday. Mr Wray, 22, was shot twice in the back. Mr McKinney was film-maker who recorded scenes from the march before the shooting started

A photo from January 30 1972 shows demonstrators facing off with British soldiers minutes before paratroopers opened fire, killing 13 civilians on what became known as Bloody Sunday

At the same time as soldier F’s prosecution was announced this morning, authorities revealed that two alleged Official IRA members would also face no criminal action. 

The investigation into British soldiers so many years after the events in Londonderry is highly controversial, with outcry that those who served their country in Northern Ireland now face lengthy criminal probes.   

Military groups slammed at the decision to bring charges against Soldier F with Alan Barry, the founder of the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans group, saying: ‘It’s one soldier too many as far as we’re concerned.

‘It’s very one-sided. No soldier should be charged. It happened 47 years ago, a line in the sand needs to be drawn and people need to move on.

‘Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement veterans are being left open to prosecution while terrorists have been cleansed of their past crimes.’ 

Former Grenadier Guard Mr Barry, 54, who served in Northern Ireland in the 1980s, added: ‘It’s all about appeasement: appeasing the IRA, appeasing Sinn Fein, and if that means throwing one or two veterans under a bus then that’s what they’ll do.

‘It’s a disgrace. How old is he? He’ll be in his 70s. I want to know why the IRA aren’t being prosecuted.’

Former Coldstream Guardsman Vern Tilbury, 58, accused the country of ‘spitting on’ its veterans.

Mr Tilbury, who served in West Belfast in 1978-79 and 1982, said: ‘This government is looking at us veterans as collateral damage. We’re just a thorn in their side. How many more of us are going to have to go through it?’  

The families of those killed on Bloody Sunday said they are disappointed more ex-soldiers won’t be brought before court. 

Relatives of those who died said more soldiers should have been charged. Veterans groups said Soldier F is ‘one too many’

Families of those who died on Bloody Sunday march this morning through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Ex-Army MP attacks government failure to protect veterans 

After the announcement that Soldier F would face murder charges today, Conservative MP and former British Army officer Johnny Mercer tweeted that it was the result of ‘an abject failure to govern and legislate, on our watch as a Conservative administration’.

‘When I speak of a chasm between those who serve and their political masters in this country, I mean this,’ he added, referring to the case.

Mr Mercer (pictured, above) posted a video of Theresa May vowing to never let ‘left-wing human rights lawyers harangue our armed forces’, saying the footage ‘stings’ him.

British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed the Ministry of Defence would support soldier F and pay the legal costs.

He said: ‘We are indebted to those soldiers who served with courage and distinction to bring peace to Northern Ireland.

‘The welfare of our former service personnel is of the utmost importance and we will offer full legal and pastoral support to the individual affected by today’s decision. This includes funding all his legal costs and providing welfare support.

‘The Ministry of Defence is working across Government to drive through a new package of safeguards to ensure our armed forces are not unfairly treated.

‘And the Government will urgently reform the system for dealing with legacy issues. Our serving and former personnel cannot live in constant fear of prosecution.’

Relatives of those killed were today joined by supporters close to the scene of the shootings in Londonderry’s Bogside estate, ahead of a march through the city.

Around 35 supporters from campaign group Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans also gathered, with a banner reading: ‘Our veterans fought for you, our veterans died for you, now it’s your chance to fight for us.’  

The case comes after years of arguing over one of the darkest days of the Troubles.

Unionists and military veterans insist it is betrayal of those who served and fought in Northern Ireland to now put the soldiers on trial.

The soldiers involved claimed they retaliated after coming under gunfire and former Army chiefs fear servicemen may not follow orders in future if they fear they could face prosecution at a later date. 

Derek Wilford, pictured (left) in recent years and (right) in 1972, was the commander in charge on Bloody Sunday. He said he felt his men had been betrayed

British troops search civilians on the day of the Bloody Sunday massacre, January 30, 1972

Police began the criminal probe in the wake of the 12-year, £200million inquiry led by Lord Saville, which concluded in 2010. Pictured: Tear gas explosions at the demonstrations on Bloody Sunday

Anger at ‘comfort letters’ given to IRA terrorists while British soldier faces court

The anger of Army veterans over the investigation has been increased by the ‘comfort letters’ given to IRA terror suspects.

The effective amnesty for the fugitives was granted in a secret deal between Tony Blair’s Labour government and Sinn Fein around the time of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

They assured 187 Republican terror suspects they were no longer being hunted by the police. 

IRA terror suspect John Downey was sent an immunity letter causing his trial for for the 1982 Hyde Park bombing to collapse 

At least 95 recipients were linked to almost 300 murders.

The letters – sent to the so-called ‘on the runs’ after pressure from Sinn Fein – only came to light during the trial of John Downey, the man accused of the Hyde Park bombing in 1982. 

The trial collapsed in February last year when it emerged the 63-year-old had been told he would not face prosecution for the blast that killed four soldiers and seven horses in London. 

Other IRA fugitives likely to have been sent letters reassuring them they would not be prosecuted include Pól Brennan and Terrence Kirby, two of the ‘H-Block four’ who escaped from the notorious Maze Prison in Northern Ireland in 1983.  

Relatives of those killed insist they are seeking to challenge false claims that their loved ones had been armed.

Ahead of today’s decision, the officer who was in charge of British troops on the day hit out at the possibility that his men will be dragged into court nearly 50 years on. 

Lt-Col Derek Wilford, the commander on the day, said yesterday that he and his men feel ‘betrayed’ and that he is ‘very angry’ at their treatment by authorities.

The now-86-year-old told The Daily Telegraph: ‘I maintain the fact that there was fire and we were part of it. These people on the barricades were out to kill us. You don’t need to be a soldier to realise that’s what was happening.

‘That is why now I have no sympathy with the other side. My sympathy lies with my soldiers, who day after day were obliged to go out into the wilderness of hostility.’

He said he accepted that what happened was bad and he is sorry for what took place, but does not regret what his soldiers did. 

British troops had been sent into the Bogside nationalist housing estate to deal with riots which followed a march, held in defiance of a ban on public processions.

As well as the 13 who died, a total of 15 others were shot and injured. One of the injured died months later from an inoperable tumour and some consider him the 14th fatality.

In 2010, an inquiry by Lord Saville found that those killed were innocent and posed no threat. The soldiers claimed they fired in retaliation after coming under attack from IRA gunmen.

One former soldier who was under investigation previously said: ‘We were made to give evidence to the Saville inquiry. We weren’t hiding from anyone. But we were told statements given to the inquiry couldn’t be used in prosecutions. 

‘The next thing we know, the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service (PPS) are saying they are deciding on prosecutions. 

‘At the time of the inquiry, families were saying they were not interested in prison sentences for soldiers. Now they are saying they want life sentences.’

Pictured: The aftermath of the incident. Eighteen former paratroopers were under investigation, but one died last year

Lord Saville, who chaired the investigation into the incident, yesterday insisted its sole purpose was to find out what went on.

Lord Saville told the BBC yesterday: ‘I didn’t know what was likely to happen. We hoped the inquiry would help the situation in Ireland and I think and hope it did to a degree.

‘The question as to whether it draws a line under events or whether there should be prosecutions is not one for me, it’s one for politicians and prosecuting authorities.

‘If people want more and feel that justice can only be served by prosecutions against those that they believe to be responsible, then that is a matter again on which I can’t really comment.’

Evidence given to the Bloody Sunday inquiry is not admissible in any potential criminal prosecutions under terms agreed when it was launched in 1998.  But soldiers say there would have been no prospect of prosecutions without it. 

The mural depicting those who lost their lives on Bloody Sunday in Rossville Street

A 1998 photograph of Lord Saville of Newdigate chairing the Bloody Sunday inquiry

An investigation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) followed the £195 million inquiry and files on 18 soldiers were submitted to prosecutors in 2016 and 2017 for consideration. One former soldier has since died.

Four other soldiers included in the Saville Report died before police had completed their investigation.

A decision is also due to be taken today by the PPS as to whether to charge two Official IRA suspects present on the day.

Papers before prosecutors included 668 witness statements and numerous photos, video and audio evidence. 

Who were the victims of the Bloody Sunday shootings? 

Patrick Doherty, 31. The married father-of-six was shot from behind as he attempted to crawl to safety from the forecourt of Rossville Flats.

Gerald Donaghey, 17. The IRA youth member was shot in the abdomen while running between Glenfada Park and Abbey Park. While Lord Saville said it was probable that he was in possession of nail bombs when he was shot, he stressed that he was not preparing to throw a nail bomb at the time and was shot ‘while trying to escape from the soldiers’.

John ‘Jackie’ Duddy, 17. The first to be killed on Bloody Sunday, he was running away when he was shot in the chest in the car park of Rossville Flats.

Hugh Gilmour, 17. The talented footballer and ardent Liverpool fan was hit with a single shot as he ran away from the rubble barricade in Rossville Street.

Michael Kelly, 17. The trainee sewing machine mechanic was shot once in the abdomen close to the rubble barricade in Rossville Street by a soldier crouched some 80 yards away at Kells Walk.

(Top row, left to right) Patrick Doherty, Bernard McGuigan, John ‘Jackie’ Duddy and Gerald Donaghey. (Bottom row, left to right) Gerard McKinney, Jim Wray, William McKinney and John Young

Michael McDaid, 20. The barman died instantly after being shot in the face at the barricade in Rossville Street.

Kevin McElhinney, 17. The grocery store worker was shot from behind as he crawled towards Rossville Flats.

Bernard ‘Barney’ McGuigan, 41. The father-of-six was going to the aid of Patrick Doherty, waving a white handkerchief in his hand, when he was shot in the head with a single round. He died instantly.

Gerard McKinney, 35. The father-of-eight was running close behind Gerald Donaghey in Abbey Park when the bullet that killed both of them hit him first.

William ‘Willie’ McKinney (not related to Gerard), 27. The keen amateur film-maker recorded scenes from the march with his hand-held cinecamera before the shooting started. The camera was found in his jacket pocket as he lay dying after being shot in the back in Glenfada Park.

William Nash, 19. The dockworker was struck by a single bullet to the chest close to the rubble barricade in Rossville Street.

James Wray, 22. Engaged to be married, the civil rights activist was shot twice in the back in Glenfada Park.

John Young, 17. The menswear shop clerk was killed instantly with a single shot to the head at the rubble barricade. 

(Top row, left to right:) Michael Kelly, Michael McDaid, Hugh Gilmore. (Bottom row, left to right) Kevin McElhinney, William Nash and (bottom right) John Johnston, who some consider a victim of the shooting but whose death was put down to a brain tumour

John Johnston, 59, was shot twice by soldiers positioned inside a derelict building in William Street. He died four months later in hospital, but while many consider him the 14th victim of Bloody Sunday, his death was formally attributed to an inoperable brain tumour.

A timeline of Bloody Sunday and the Troubles

August 1969 – British Government first send troops into Northern Ireland to restore order after three days of rioting in Catholic Londonderry.

30 January 1972 – On ‘Bloody Sunday’ 13 civilians are shot dead by the British Army during a civil rights march in Londonderry.

March 1972 – The Stormont Government is dissolved and direct rule imposed by London.

1970s – The IRA begin its bloody campaign of bombings and assassinations in Britain.

British troops in Northern Ireland during the Troubles which began in the late 1960s and lasted until 1998 with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement

April 1981 – Bobby Sands, a republicans on hunger strike in the Maze prison, is elected to Parliament. He dies a month later.

October 1984 – An IRA bomb explodes at the Grand Hotel in Brighton, where Margaret Thatcher is staying during the Tory Party conference.

Early 1990s – Margaret Thatcher and then Sir John Major set up a secret back channel with the IRA to start peace talks. The communications was so secret most ministers did not know about it.

April 1998 – Tony Blair helps to broker the Good Friday Agreement, which is hailed as the end of the Troubles. It establishes the Northern Ireland Assembly with David Trimble as its first minister.

Norman Tebbit, a Conservative cabinet minister at the time, is carried from the wreckage of Brighton’s Grand Hotel following the IRA bomb in 1984

2000s – With some exceptions the peace process holds and republican and loyalist paramilitaries decommission their weapons 

2010 – The Saville Report exonerates the civilians who were killed on Bloody Sunday leading to a formal apology from then Prime Minister David Cameron to the families. 

2019 – Prosecutors announce whether to brig charges against the 17 surviving Paras who fired shots that day.

Former British soldier, 77, facing prosecution for shooting of man with learning difficulties at height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland fights for right to have trial by jury 

A former soldier facing prosecution over a shooting during Northern Ireland‘s Troubles has gone to the UK’s highest court to demand a trial by jury.

Dennis Hutchings, 77, a former member of the Life Guards regiment, is charged in relation to the fatal shooting of John Pat Cunningham, a man with learning difficulties killed in June 1974 in disputed circumstances in County Armagh.

Mr Cunningham, 27, was shot in the back as he ran away from an Army patrol, but his family contend that he ran across a field because he feared men in uniform.

Dennis Hutchings arrives today for the latest hearing in his challenge against the decision to hold his trial without a jury over the shooting in Northern Ireland during the Troubles

Supporters from campaign group Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans clapped and cheered as Hutchings arrived at the Supreme Court in London this morning

Hutchings, of Cawsand, Cornwall, has claimed he never intended to kill or injure Mr Cunningham, but he was firing warning shots to get him to stop. 

More than 40 years on, a case was brought against Hutchings after Northern Ireland’s attorney general asked prosecutors to review the case.

Hutchings is due to stand trial in Belfast charged with attempted murder and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. He denies the charges. 

Hutchings (pictured at a funeral in 1968) admitted he was ‘a bit nervous, obviously’

He has now gone to the Supreme Court in London to challenge a decision by prosecutors that his trial will be heard by a judge alone, rather than by a jury.

Supporters from campaign group Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans clapped and cheered as Hutchings arrived at the court this morning.

Hutchings thanked them and said: ‘Victory for veterans, that’s what we want.’

Speaking outside court, Hutchings said he was ‘a bit nervous, obviously, although I don’t think we will get a decision today’.

He said he was ‘reasonably confident’ he would win his case, but added: ‘I just don’t trust the system anymore.’

Hutchings said: ‘The thing is whatever decision we get in here today affects every service person.

‘If I win, for instance, they will then have a choice between having a judge-only trial and a jury trial; 99.9 per cent of service people will want a jury trial.’

Pointing at the nearby Houses of Parliament, Hutchings added: ‘These people sent us there to do the job. Yes, things happened.

‘They called it the Troubles because it’s easier to call it the Troubles. It wasn’t the bloody Troubles, it was a war, as simple as that.’

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