#to the people whining that they're sick of the symbolism

[thebardscipher]

Time to watch people argue about symbolism and misinterpret the Tarot as if we're in a Halloween special of some sort of TV Show

*leans back and sips tea* I'll roll with what you guys throw out, but can we get creative and add the Minor Arcana to the roster?

[leatherbookmark]

also i feel like. and the source is my own ass so don't quote me on that--

but i feel like western creators, esp nowadays, are much more likely to like... identify with what they're putting in the media they create/consume, in particular if it's gay -- we gotta give X good representation! we gotta make Y prim and proper and respectable! the characters are underage so they won't fuck even though teens are famously horny!

meanwhile the japanese fandom is more like... trope-aware? they're much more aware of particular moments and dynamics that are universally beloved and ~move your heart~, which is why you have all those kabedons, head pats, umbrella sharing etc, and it also extends to sex.

i can't count how many times i've seen sex scenes a western fan would consider horrible noncon, in the form of one character, overwhelmed, going "no, stop" and the other character ignoring them. does this mean the japanese all fetishize gay sex and make it into some sick twisted rape fantasy? no. it can be about many things: about your partner knowing what you want even when you're too embarrassed to say it (one person being embarrassed/a novice, the other guiding them confidently and giving them exactly what they want despite them being an overwhelmed, blushing mess reduced to whines and moans -- not the most communicative partner -- is ALSO a huge trope), or about them being so intoxicated by the bliss of your body that they're unable to stop themselves.

same with the seme/uke distinction -- my memory is blurry, but when i was a young teen, it was (still) ALL about seme/uke; then i discovered that actually it's Boring and Reductive and it seems so did the rest of the internet, and the divide became a symbol of Bad Yaoi Writing. but nowadays i'm seeing posts by actual gay men talking about how hot it is to be feminized, humiliated, used like a tight little hole and nothing beyond that. it's almost like the seme/uke dynamic is... a preference! and also a trope! and so is "A sees B chatting innocently with C/B's jacket falling down and exposing their bare shoulders, gasp/something equally mundane and getting hilariously jealous". or "to show how crazy A is about B, here's a montage of A essentially stalking B to find out their favourite dish so that they could prepare it for their first date". or "A walks in on B and C with their faces close, assumes they're kissing because of the angle and runs away heartbroken, but B and C are in fact arguing about A/C is threatening B with physical harm if they break A's heart/etc". it's all just Stuff That's Fun To See, not necessarily Stuff You Think Is Wholesome And Healthy.

i feel like the, idk, certain circles in the queer leftist art community are all about being more and more progressive and eradicating the "problematic" aspects of fiction, giving other queer people a "safe space", and that... works for some, i guess? but it's also incredibly limiting, especially if you want your work to be, gasp! sexually titillating. because yeah, you can write a perfectly consensual, checking-in-before-each-sexual-act sex and make it hot as fuck, but v often fic writers think it means "i'm going to suck you off. color?". consensual? yes, but also absolutely fucking ridiculous.

[mother-snake]

I have returned! With another story idea and yes it's Janus angst (as always)

So! The dark sides are notorious for their huge parties -often themed around the 1920s or Victorian era- there is food everywhere, Remus creates fake guests to attend and its often in HUGE ballrooms or gardens. The light sides had always wanted to go but never really got a chance due to the sides not really liking eachother.

Until Virgil hears of another party happening the next night. He tells the sides and Roman manages to get the theme from some brotherly blackmail favours, Victorian Masquerade. Its a perfect plan really. The darks won't be able to tell that they're there if they keep on the masks. So they all agree to go.

Roman summons ornate outfits and masks fitting their colour schemes, Virgil makes fake invitations for them, Logan makes sure the outfits are correct for the theme and keeps track of the time and Patton is boucing like a ball waiting for them to go.

When they arrive things are just as magnificent as Virgil's stories told them.

Black and gold coated every surface, enough food to feed an army. The ballroom had a huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the centre with pictures of roman myths coating the walls, crystal clear strained glass windows look over a garden along with a door that opens to it. The ballroom floor expands to a staircase that leads to five thrones.

The largest one is blood orange and gold. Flame motifs line the sides and a symbol is etched onto the top. A orange bull with burning eyes.

The second largest is a bleek gray. It has clean lines with small sweeps of crystals at the bottom -shining like diamonds- a different symbol is etched onto this thone, A plan gray box with a glowing cat eye inside.

The third is a blue so dark its almost black. Feathers coat the arms and legs of the chair, creeping onto the back of it which leads to another symbol. A crow with black inky tears leaking out of their eyes.

The forth chair looks familiar to the lights. Black and green with green tentacles oozing with mucous wrap up the arms, legs and back blending into the sword symbol at the top, Remus' symbol.

The smallest and last chair is black and gold. Snakes wrap the chair and thick gold covered vines climb the back with leads to the two-headed snake symbol that sits perfectly centred. Janus' symbol.

The others are amazed by just how pretty everything is. The dancing hall is already full of people and the elegant piano and violin music is leading people to dance. They decide to stay together to avoid loosing eachother in the huge party. One thing comes to mind though. The dark sides aren't in the room.

Roman looks at all the entrances, trying catch a glimpse of one of the darks only for the music to abruptly stop and the candles to dim.

At the top of the staircase walked out all the dark sides. Wrath followed by Apathy and Depression. Wrath stood in middle, thone adorned with a flaming bull. Apathy and Depression stood on his left and right. After they sat down, Remus and Janus stepped out and went to stand next to Depression and Apathy respectively. Left hand behind their back and right holding onto a ornate golden goblet, they raised their glasses and took a long sip. After that they bowed and sat in their thrones.

The hall was so quiet you could hear Wraths booming voice announcing the start of the evening. And with that the music picked back up and everyone continued to dance.

The light sides were stunned; at the organization of the entrance or how the darks seemed to be so prepared was a debate. The darks sat on the thrones with perfect posture and poise for about half an hour before Wrath rose and the others followed.

The lights wanted to look away but they couldn't tare their eyes away from the sides. Their suits were perfect, masks placed delicately and colours working seamlessly. They were the symbol of perfection. But they managed to break their trance and look away as Roman dragged Patton away to dance.

It wasn't long before the darks split in their own directions. Wrath, Apathy and Depression going to talk to the puppet people, Remus ran outside to the gardens and Janus walked over to the buffet. Right where Logan was.

Without even looking in Logan's direction Janus spoke in a hushed voice; telling him to gather the others and leave before the others catch on. Blond ringlets falling in his eyes. Logan is speechless, speechless at the fact that Janus recognized them,the fact that he just told them to get out and to the fact that Janus was a blond. Logan tries to tell him that they aren't here to spy or cause any damage, they just want to enjoy the party, looking down he catches long purple marks lining Janus' wrists, they look like bruses to him. Janus' eyes darken, he tells him that they can stay but they have to be gone by midnight and god help them if the others find out they are at the party. And with that Janus takes a glass of wine and baked good before walking away to do something or another.

Logan rejoins Virgil and tells him what Janus said. Patton and Roman rejoin about halfway through and they re-explain what Janus said. That is where the group has a split opinion.

Patton thinks that they should respect the darks wishes and leave before midnight.

Roman wants to stay, he ain't Cinderella. He's shouldn't have a cerfew.

Logan wants to leave before midnight because Janus seemed really serious about it.

And Virgil wants to stay simply to fuck with them.

They spend hours arguing about staying or leaving and before they even realise the time ticking away.

A clock striking 12 brings them out of the argument.

The dark sides walk back up the golden steps. The music has stopped. The puppets have parted from the centre and have stopped dancing. The darks stand at their thrones, time eating away as the puppets stare at them before Wrath picks up another goblet. This one black and silver. He raises his glass and calls out into the room

"One of us has made a mistake." a smirk raises on his face. "One of us has been talking to the Light Sides and trying to leave our beloved family. Like someone who was once close to us." Virgil could feel himself tense. Wrath lowers his glass slightly. "Deceit, come here..... Now Deceit, we don't have all day"

Janus takes careful steps forward, as if he would break the marble floor, before stopping in front of Wrath.

Wrath's smirk turns into a smile as he unclasps Janus' mask. "Deci, Deci, Deci... What have I told you about your hair?"....."Answer me Deceit"

Janus swallows and opens his mouth, "keep it dyed and straightened"

Wrath hums and weaves his fingers throughout the blond curls. "exactly" Wrath tightened his grip and threw Janus down the marble stairs. A sickening thump sounded throughout the room, making the Light sides wince. They were frozen as Wrath descended the stairs. "You haven't been home very often Deceit, did you think you could leave? Did you think that you could become their new Anxiety? Did you think that you could ever ever possibly have a shot at living in piece with them?" He was towering above Janus. The other dark sides just sat there, completely apathic to the beating one of their own was facing. "They hate you Deceit, why would you want to put yourself through that?" Janus was curled up in a ball, hands over his head and tears streaming down. "we're the only ones that could ever love you, right Deceit?" he hummed while he waited for an answer, only to receive none.

He hooked his boot under Janus' arm; flipping him over on his back. He then took his foot and pressed onto his ribs with his full weight. Janus whined in pain as Wrath pressed harder. "Say that you love us Deceit."

Janus wheezed in a breath. "I-I l-lo-love yo- you-"

Wrath's face twisted underneath the mask as he pressed his foot in harder, "without the stuttering"

"I l-love you"

"try again"

"I love you." tears were streaming down his face as he drew in a relieved breath as Wrath lightened his boot.

"say that you would never leave us."

"I will never leave you"

"the lights hate you"

"the lights hate me"

Wrath's smirk grew back onto his face "Anxiety will never love you."

Janus didn't respond to that one. Wrath growled as he removed his boot and picked up the smaller side. He pinned him against the banister and summoned a knife. He drew the blade closer, "say it"

Janus' silence was met with a blade twisting underneath his scales and pulling some out. The silence was filled with his screams as the tears mixed with the blood. Soon Janus was screaming back the words that Wrath wanted to hear. "Anxiety will never love me, Anxiety never loved me, he wishes I was dead, the glares he gives me are worse then any punishment you give me-" Janus chocked on his own tears.

Wrath's lips turned into a smile as he pulled the knife away roughly, taking some scales with it. He carded his fingers back in his hair, "good, I'm happy to hear that you came to your senses. Come join us again when you're cleaned up and stop your pathetic crying." Wrath dropped Janus leading to him falling to the floor, he walked away with a twisted smile and the other three darks before stopping. "and remember Deceit to dye that disgusting hair, you don't fit in." he continued walking, laughing and snickering at the crying side.

When the darks left the room the puppets disappeared. The lights were frozen as Janus sat there crying. The silence stretched on forever until finally one of them stepped forward.

Roman unclasped his mask as he knelt down to Janus' face. Reaching forward to hold his hand only to pull back when the deceitful side flinched. Roman's mouth felt dry but he spoke anyway, "why didn't you ask for help?"

The smaller side kept his head down, a soft chuckle left his mouth, "so you guys can call me a liar and say I'm faking it? Pass Creativity..."

Roman couldn't give an answer to that, Deceit was right. He wouldn't have believed him. That made Roman feel sick to the stomach. When he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Patton stood there was a fallen look on his face. "We might not have believed you then. But, we believe you know kiddo. Why don't we go back to our side? I can make you some hot cocoa Jan?"

"don't say my name here"

Logan and Virgil moved over to stand next to Patton. The silence flooded the air again. Logan was the one to break it. "Why? I do not see any logical reason to refrain from your name here."

"Apathy can control you if he knows your name...." Surprisingly It was Virgil who spoke.

Roman looked up at him, "is that why they called you anxiety?" Virgil nodded as knelt down to look Janus in the eyes.

"come on danger noodle, lets take you home." He gently picked Janus up, cradling his head close to his chest. He hummed in a low voice as he lulled the deceitful to sleep.

Unknown to them as they walked away, there was a green clad side smirking from the shadows as he watched them walk away.

~~~~~

I don't know if I hate what I just wrote or love it. Ehh, ether way. Here ya go! This can be connected to that other ask I sent if you want it to be (I'm sure you know the one) but it doesn't have to. I always make Janus blond when I'm writing him.

If you do decide to connect this to the other one I wrote this as taking place after that.

Anyway! Here is another fic idea (is this even an idea anymore? Am I just sending you my fanfics?) As always you can use it if you want! 💛❤️💛❤️💛

This could be a mini story all on its own. Once again I say Holy shit. Because I am speechless.

Sorry I've responded late. But oh my god that's amazing. (I like blonde janus too)

This may or may not be somewhat stolen by me down the line, ^_^'

Gotta love putting janus in big angsty situations in front of the sides!

[jacepens]

Hi I see that you're taking requests so if you're not too busy, I got something for you: do you remember the Assassin's Creed thing that Tyranny of King Washington game? Yeah, so a tyrant King George Washington AU but also involving Lafayette as like a French prince or something who is placed in an arranged marriage with George?? And like Lafayette is slowly goes corrupt like his husband and they're soon like this completely sexy evil power couple kinda deal?? Thank you!

Anon how dare you know my heart so well!! I recently played Assassins Creed III and the Tyranny of King Washington. I don’t know if you know the story behind it, because this is definitely based off the game but hooo boy this is incredible. Thank you so so much for giving me an excuse to rant about this. Because oh my god I adored playing Tyranny. (And making fun of King Washington.) 

Real quick: for those who don’t know the game (which might also be you anon, I don't know) the reason that in the Tyranny of King Washington, Washington goes absolutely insane with power, is because he’s got an Apple of Eden which is an Assassin’s Creed thing that’s basically an old godly relic that is extremely manipulative and powerful. But anyway, here is your little story that I had way too much fun with :)

EDIT: I just added a few morbid details to some of the things Lafayette asked for because I felt they were quite important to see. So you know, if you read this before you saw those details, I’d recommend you at least glance at it again;). EDIT 2: ok ok sorry to be so indecisive but there is now just a dash more sexy at the very end.

Spoiled Rotten to the Core

A burst of golden light was all it took to bring men to their knees. Was all it took to conjure visions, control minds, bring entire countries to their knees.

King Washington. The name alone made anger rise hot in his chest, made him remember and grieve all the things that name stole from him. 

Being Prince of France in a war-shaken world made everything he’d ever dealt with before feel like nothing. 

No one was powerful enough to stop him. Hundreds, thousands, tried and they all ended up in the same place. Six feet underground—if they were lucky, that is. He’d read it was quite common for decaying bodies to be left strewn about the American countryside with no respect for life or death. It was despicable.

But then, King Washington made Lafayette an offer he would be a fool to refuse.

Famine, war, destruction, plague—it all weighed heavy on Lafayette’s mind. He had done everything he could to secure his country alongside his father, the King. They were one of the few countries still standing that had not fallen to the plague of America, and they were one of the world’s last beacons of hope.

King Washington, who seemed to live on another plane of existence entirely, descended upon their country with fury and destruction in his eye. 

Lafayette hunkered down, sobbing and waiting for the worst to be over knowing that they were done—they were finished! 

Miraculously, they were still standing at days end. 

And then King Washington promised his country could continue to thrive and be sovereign and independent from America—all he had to do was marry him. 

Before Lafayette was able to make the choice for himself, his father was already throwing him on a boat and carting him off to the capital of Washington’s new world. New York City.

Washington’s palace was a grand threat looming over the shore. And Lafayette’s heart was caught in his throat. 

When the boat docked, the area became flooded with eager people, so tightly packed together nothing could break through.

Lafayette was paraded through the city like a prize. Their new King! They cried, weeping tears of joy, but Lafayette wondered if those tears were not of joy but of sorrow. 

Lafayette was granted permission inside that grand structure they called the palace with a blindfold over his eyes. It was yanked off once he was inside and he was allowed to gawp at the sheer opulence and magnificence of the interior. The exterior may have looked like a threatening symbol, but inside? Why it made Lafayette’s heart soar in a very particular way. A way that his heart craved to feel again.

Meeting King Washington was a strange experience. Just like the feeling he got in the palace, he felt the same way about Washington. Cool, stoic, and wearing decadent clothes only worthy of a King.

He gripped his scepter that brimmed with power, and Lafayette was drawn towards it. He craved that gentle golden light that King Washington possessed, craved the power he gained. Worst of all, he craved Washington. 

When he gripped his chin and stared into his eyes, as if he was inspecting a piece of fine china, Lafayette felt an unfamiliar sensation shudder through him. Would he disappoint? Washington left without a single word being said, and Lafayette felt traitorously like he wanted to scream and demand he come back that instant. 

He was laid to rest in the comfiest of beds and surrounded by the hundreds of beautiful things that had caught King Washington’s interest over his years as ruler. 

Was that all Lafayette was to him? He wondered with growing sickness. A beautiful Prince that happened to gain his interest? Interest already so quickly moved on. 

Their wedding was lavish and a display of pure opulence. Lafayette was gifted a grand new ensemble to get married in, and dozens of new outfits to show his station as King. King Lafayette. 

A crown was placed upon his head and the crowd chanted his name, thousands of people from below. Lafayette was overcome with adoration for the people below, and the way he understood he could now control them.

He laid in bed with Washington that night, unused to seeing him in such an informal air. The only thing exchanged was a few kisses before Washington suddenly screamed and shouted that he needed to leave at once. He saw that possessive glimmer in his eye, all for that damn scepter, and Lafayette left him to go back to his own room.

He was disappointed to say the least.

As months with Washington wore on, Lafayette understood more and more that he really was there to serve as some sort of pretty pet. But one that Washington readily spoiled.

All it took was Lafayette pressing a few kisses to his lips, and whatever he wished for was his.

He wished for many things as the boredom grew. He wished for paintings and artifacts from across the world, new animals to be displayed in the zoo, and even a little poodle to try and take the loneliness away. As his boredom and curiosity grew, he began demanding more unique experiences. What possessed him to do so, he wasn’t sure. When he asked George for a traitor to slaughter, so he could revel in the sight of their sickly blood slowly draining out them by Lafayette’s almighty sword. When he asked, begged, pleaded if he might throw them in the tigers den just to see what might happen. The angry thought burned in his heart—it was what traitors to King Washington deserved.

Until it dawned on him heavily one day that there was only one thing in the entire world that could make him happy. Two things, perhaps. 

The power, and the one who wielded it.

He smiled as he entered the throne room to see King Washington, quickly turned to look at him, a little smirk dazzling his face. Lafayette quickly set himself down in Washington's lap, as he knew he so enjoyed, and quietly pressed kisses to his cheek and down his neck.

It was strange, the way he enjoyed him. They hardly ever exchanged a word together and yet here Lafayette was, working to earn his affections. His arm encircled around his waist and Lafayette sighed and shifted closer. 

“You want something else, don’t you?” Washington purred, suddenly bringing his lips to Lafayette’s neck.

He let out a gasp, “Only your affections, my highness.”

“Ah, but you earned that long ago.”

“Did I really?” Lafayette giggled, pressing his nose to Washington’s, “Because it’s my understanding that husbands who love each other are supposed to share.”

Washington roared, suddenly shoving Lafayette back, but Lafayette held firm to his throne. “You dare.” He hissed, unmistakable anger coursing through him.

“Don’t you see it, my highness?” Lafayette dropped to his knees before him, “you chose me for a reason. Two is better than one, don’t you agree?” He hummed, dragging his palms and digging his fingernails up Washington’s thighs. He continued to fume above him, but Lafayette could practically hear that resolve chipping away, could hear a faint humming his ears. “Ah, do you hear it? Bring it out, show me that golden apple and it will show you just how much you need me.” He whined.

He watched with anticipation, could see it like a shivering line around Washington as he reached and pulled the apple from it’s scepter. Lafayette sat up, trying to press forward, his heart hammering loudly, seconds away from everything he could ever dream of—. 

He began weeping as Washington pressed it into his palm, tears rolling down his cheeks as his eyes were opened to the knowledge of the universe. He saw strange men with godly powers crushed by this apple, he witnessed entire galaxies being birthed just with the tap of a finger, he saw the way into every person’s heart, he felt every weakness suddenly overwhelm and consume him before he could begin to breath fresh air again. 

King Washington took the apple from his hand, and brought him up into his lap again. Lafayette grinned, a sickly dark and previously unknown grin to his face. His fingertips brimmed with power that he could feel rushing through his veins. He saw the way to destruction, a clear path ahead of him with Washington at his side. 

“You are beautiful, you know.” He heard Washington growl in his ear, breath hot.

Lafayette hummed and then leered, mind overflowing with new ideas. “Then allow your beautiful King to show you his gratitude for granting him such a gift.” He purred, sliding back down to his knees.

This world was not yet the last they would conquer.