#we could have had it AAAAAALLLLLL

[fookinstevienicks]

sitcom/drama trope i absolutely despise: woman breaking up with a man then getting mad and having a public fit and berating and insulting him when the man sleeps with someone else within a short period of time, and *literally everyone acts like this is okay and the man is the one in the wrong*

like my fury about this plot device goes all the way back to friends, and honestly fuck that show for making me be on ross's side for once, but i just saw a gifset about this same situation in ted lasso after keeley broke up with jamie and it gave me war flashbacks (tbf keeley did not throw a fit but the intention of the show was definitely that this was Bad Behavior by Prick Jamie). like i 100% do not agree with this weird cultural take that a person Must wait an unspecified Proper Length Of Time before daring to put their hands on another person after a breakup. as far as i'm concerned once you break up with someone it is literally none of your goddamned business who they're fucking and how long it took them to do it, and i hate media that uses it as a shortcut to say See This Prick Really Is Trash

anyway it also just highlights a bit of keeley's unaddressed hypocrisy for me

[sugdenlovesdingle]

I wish instead of The Incident, it had all been about Aaron being insecure and biphobic (ie Rebecca lying about sleeping with Robert and getting pregnant and Aaron believing her because everyone around him was telling him he should).

Biphobia still a big thing in the queer community around here, and would have been nice for a) Robert to not be in the wrong for once and b) Aaron to realise he needs to grow a bit as well (instead of throwing his fists about).

I love Aaron but he tends to either be a victim/lashing out. Would have also been a nice change for Robert to be innocent for once, while the Dingles, his own family and the Whites all kicking off at him. They could have kept the same story...just with no Incident and more exploration of Robert's mental health.

I can just imagine Chrissie knowing the truth and winding Robert up, Chas/Paddy/Cain/Liv being very vocally glad robron were broken up, and the Sugdens being useless/judgmental/comparing him to Andy (and all of the abandonment trauma that could have dragged out of Robert).

Idk, just would have been entertaining! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

I've read a few fics like that - back when we were in denial about The Incident and there were SO MANY theories on what had happened instead and Ross or Adam being the father.

But yes Aaron getting called out on and working on his biphobia would have been good. Robert was always explaining himself and reassuring him that him being bi didn't mean he'd cheat but it was always "i can't be both" and Aaron worrying Rob would run off with a woman. When Robert would have done just about anything to make sure Aaron was happy.

It would have been nice if Rob would have been allowed to have friends outside of Aaron and Vic. Like him and Vanessa. Both came out later in life, both dating a dingle (at the time), Vanessa liked him, knew what it's like to have everyone shit on you and your choices... but outside the reunion and that one double date mini plot... *crickets*

We could have had it aaaaaallllll

[roselightfairy]

Rewatched TFA too and I’m just stuck back in WE COULD HAVE HAD IT AAAAAALLLLLL

[l1teraryangel]

In Another Life (Ch. 9)

“Let me get this straight…” Other Ryou inhaled and pointed to the battlefield where Kek and Bakura’s cards lay. “You guys… have this children’s card game… that has literally been used to determine the fate of the world and take lives. That’s… insane.”

Bakura grinned and set a trap card behind his monsters. “Sanity is a slippery slope in this world, my friend.”

Touzoku-Ou, lying on his side behind Bakura, exaggerated a yawn. “You think this is crazy? Back in my day, we used our souls to summon monsters. If they were destroyed, you bet your ass you were the one feeling it.”

“Listen, old-timer,” Kek grunted, rearranging the cards in his hands. “I tried to recreate that shit with shadow magic, and everyone was like, ‘Kek, no! Kek, stop torturing people! Kek, you can’t use card games to invoke suffering!’ I was all for fighting as one with your monsters. The pain hurts so good.”

“You freak,” Bakura snickered. “I remember your fight with Mai. Got your head chopped clean off.”

Kek licked his lips, winking at a paling Ryou. “That was a fun fight.”

Malik feigned dragging a knife across his darker half’s throat. “If that’s what you’re into, I’ll do it, but I’m gonna be pissed if you die on me.”

The group, including Ryou, laughed. From within the protective circle, Other Bakura and Other Touzoku-Ou snorted, rolled their eyes, and physically displayed as much displeasure over the tedium as they could. Ryou, noticing how completely bored and antsy the two men were, was happy to enjoy their misery from the safety of the group surrounding him. It brought him a sense of victory to be so free while they sat in a cage.

“We should invite Mai to hang out more often,” Kek said while dealing a devastating blow to Bakura’s life points. “She’s probably lonely with so much of the friendship squad preoccupied with relationships and careers.” He nudged Malik in the stomach. “We could set her up, I bet. Opposites attract, right? Think Sister wants a girlfriend with a big ol’ pair of tits to su—”

“Nope, nope, nope!” Malik shoved his pointer fingers into his ear canals. “I don’t want to think about my sister’s love life, much less her sex life.”

Touzoku-Ou sneered at the blonde. “You’re such a priss, Malik. Wouldn’t bother you if he tried to set some other chick up with what’s her face.”

“Mai,” Bakura supplied. “You haven’t had a chance to meet her, have you? She’s not too bad. Fiery and independent. Great set of tits, if you’re into that. Think Dog-Boy had a thing for her for a while before he decided he wanted to suck the CEO’s cock more.”

“Talk about opposites attract,” Malik muttered, shaking his head. “I’m surprised he decided to give Kaiba a chance after some of the shit they’ve fought over. Kinda always thought Jonouchi would end up with Yugi, at least before Atem showed back up.”

“They talked about dating a long time ago. Like… before Battle City.” Bakura wiped Kek’s monsters from the field with a spell-trap combo. “Decided their love for each other was platonic or some shit. Personally, I would have at least gotten a blowjob before shutting away my ‘love’ for someone. But whatever floats the Mini Pharaoh’s boat.”

Kek’s points dropped below one thousand, and he narrowed his eyes at Bakura. “That was cheap. And how do you even know some of this shit?”

“That was perfectly legal, loser. As for your question… Yugi confided a lot more in Ryou than you realize, especially when it was about things that involved his other friends.”

“You eavesdropped?” Malik scoffed. “Ryou’s right. You are a pervert.”

“Call me what you want, Ishtar.” Bakura waited for his turn, a smug smirk curling his lips. “When you’re trapped in an accessory for three thousand years, you learn to take your fun where you can get it.”

His counterpart chuckled. “He told me once he used to fill Ryou’s dreams with erotic images just to watch him beat off.”

The Ishtar duo cackled as Bakura’s face turned beet red, and Malik teased, “I didn’t know you had a thing for him aaaaaallllll the way back then. Damn, things are starting to make sense.”

Bakura countered by flipping up his middle finger and taking the last chunk of Kek’s life points out. “It wasn’t about having a thing for him, it was for the sake of amusing myself. Fuck both of you. And you.” He glared at his tattletale lover.

“Hey, I would have done the same. And it would have been for perverted reasons. Aaaaand I would have owned it, because unlike you, I knew I wanted Ryou the moment I saw him.”

Kek cleared the field, handing his cards to Malik to shuffle and neaten back up. “To be fair, Bakura did have a demon goading him towards vengeance for the first however many years he knew Ryou. Hard to think about sex when you’re hearing ‘KILL THE PHARAOH’ on repeat.”

“You know that from experience, do you?” Touzoku-Ou asked, switching places with Bakura.

“Kinda. Mine was more like ‘KILL EVERYONE ESPECIALLY THE PHARAOH’. No need to dive into the specifics, though.”

Malik perched in Kek’s lap, turning his darker half’s body into a personal recliner. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you two. I managed to multitask just fine, mantra be damned.”

“You had the power of teenage hormones, Ishtar,” Bakura jeered and shuffled the deck he and Touzoku-Ou built. He offered it over to the ashen-haired man, who thanked him with a peck on the back of his hand. 

“Yeah, well… Fuck you.”

“Excellent comeback, Albi. Remind me to write some down for you later.”

“Fuck you, too, Kek.”

“Eh, it’s almost our turn to be primary caretakers for the bastards over yonder. We’ll talk about that later, though. Worry not, my lovely light, your interest is accruing.”

 ***

 After wandering around the circus grounds, efforts to find his alternate self’s boyfriends completely futile, Ryou stumbled upon someone he at least recognized inside a mostly empty tent. Relieved, he waved them down, exclaiming, “Malik! Can I borrow you, please?”

The Egyptian spun around, flaxen hair swishing over his shoulders, and Ryou froze mid-step. His Malik always sported heavily-lined eyes, usually with his favorite black kohl. Sometimes he dabbed a highlighter over his cheekbones, maybe rubbed on a smear of maroon lip color if he felt like leaving marks on Kek’s face and neck. The Malik in front of him, however, leveled up his makeup game.

Metallic gold and bronze shimmered atop his eyelids, outlined by a smoky warm brown and artistically smudged black eyeliner. His whole face showed depths of contouring and highlighting, bringing out his naturally stunning and exotic bone structure. His lips, overdrawn by a smidge to sharpen their shape, reflected the same gold as his eyelids.

“Hey, Ry! Actually, since you’re here, can I borrow you? Yugi borrowed my mirror, and I want to finish up this look so I can get fitted for tomorrow’s show outfit.”

“I-I… I would love to help…?” Ryou snapped his jaw closed, breathing through his nose. “You already look great, though. What else do you need?”

Tugging his hair back into a tight ponytail, Malik beamed and winked. “You’re sweet, Ry. I want to add more pizazz. Maybe rhinestones or beads? I’ve got some spirit gum for tomorrow, but let’s just use eyelash glue for now.”

Blankly nodding, Ryou sat beside Malik on a plastic stool. “Why not do this in a bathroom or something?”

“Bleh, we’ve been on the road for so long, I needed the fresh air. It was working fine until Yugi ran off with my mirror. Think he’s sick of being cooped up, too.”

Brushing one speck of glue at a time, Ryou applied the gold and bronze beads per Malik’s instructions, dotting them along the outer edges of his cheeks and hairline. “Have you seen Bakura and Touzoku-Ou, by chance?”

“Lost your loverboys?” Malik batted his eyelashes, smirking when Ryou blushed. “I’ve been paying more attention to my makeup, sorry. I know Bakura was with Kek at the tomb maze, but I think they should be done by now. Maybe they’re with Mai, going over outfits and makeup plans? Think Bakura is going with a darker, more demony theme for his act this time around. Bet it will look rad.”

Unable to contribute to the conversation, Ryou fell silent and finished the last bead, firmly holding it to Malik’s forehead with tweezers. The blonde hummed, his eyelashes fluttering closed, and carried on, “Has Touzoku-Ou told you what he’s doing for his look this time around? I know Kek is sticking with his classic black and gold. He worries changing it up too much might get in the way of his performance.”

“I don’t… think we’ve talked about it. I'm not sure.”

“Well, I'm sure he’ll look good whatever he wears. Hard not to with a body like that.”

“Yeah, that’s true…”

When the pressure on his forehead disappeared, Malik glanced up at Ryou. “What about you? What are you going to do?”

‘Hopefully go home, since otherwise my act will be a flop…’

Shrugging, Ryou set down the tweezers among the rest of Malik’s kit. “I’m still deciding. Guess I need to figure it out. Maybe I’ll ask around for some opinions.”

“I think you’d look good in somber black, like Bakura, but with a few flashes of red and gold, like how Touzoku-Ou usually wears. Maybe some body painting, like swirls along your curves, a paw print on your chest. Ooh, a snake on your bicep to reference Diabound? Touzoku-Ou would eat that up.”

“Um, yeah, that might be…”

Malik rose to his feet, pulling Ryou in for a hug. “I know you’re shy and prefer sticking to more plain looks so the animals keep all the attention, but going all out once in a while is fun.”

‘I’m shy…? I mean, I probably wouldn’t want to perform in a circus, but I don’t think I’m shy. Guess this version of me is a bit different. Funny that he performs, though, if he is normally so withdrawn.’

“I’ll consider it, Malik. Thanks,” Ryou sighed into the blonde hair, scrunching his face as it tickled his nose. “I should probably get back to my search.”

“Wanna walk with me to Mai? I’m sure that’s where they are. Pretty much everything is done being set up.”

Since he had absolutely no idea where Mai was, Ryou agreed and let Malik lead him out of the tent. The sun sat lower in the sky, lighting the clouds with splotches of purple tucked inside the red and orange glow. The pair walked among the stands to a large trailer — larger than the RV his alternate self resided in — decked out with fairy lights and ‘MK’ painted boldly across the door.

Malik knocked and promptly let himself in, Ryou at his heel with a bit more pause. Mai Kujaku, a vision of the usual loveliness as Ryou expected, analyzed Kek, recognizable from the back by his infamous hair. She skirted around him, viewing his face and body from every angle, oblivious to the newcomers. 

“What’s cookin’, good lookin’? That what you’re going to be rocking for the show?”

Ryou couldn’t see around the door, but he sensed the finger guns accompanying Touzoku-Ou’s flirtatious tone. Malik shot back a cheeky grin.

“You know it. And what a perfect coincidence that the two handsome dorks I was looking for are here together.”

“Why?” Suspicion dripped from Bakura’s words. “What do you want?”

Waving off the question, Malik pulled Ryou from behind the safety of the door, ignoring or oblivious to Ryou’s spooked eyes and slack jaw. “I don’t want anything. Just delivering a present.”

The men jumped to their feet at the sight of Ryou. Bakura, being closest, lunged forward and wrapped the slighter male in a bone-crushing hug. Heat blushed Ryou’s cheeks while the breath on his ear shivered down his spine.

“There you are…! We were getting worried you weren’t going to come out,” Bakura whispered, low to keep the words private. He planted a kiss on Ryou’s temple and pulled back to let Touzoku-Ou squirm into the hug.

“Ryou.” He nuzzled into his neck, trailing kisses from shoulder to ear. “My precious gem�� Can we step outside to talk?”

Mai called over Kek’s head, “If you’re leaving, don’t take too long. I’ve still got to work on you three, Malik, Yugi, Atem… And then I have to get everything approved by Seto. You know how picky he is about his visions.”

Malik laughed and swung his arms behind his head. “Hey, I’m easy. Slap on some black shorts, add some tulle or silk accents, send me on my way.”

“You’ll need something for the top, or we will have to brainstorm body paint designs.”

Bakura growled and pushed Touzoku-Ou and, by extension, Ryou towards the door. “Yeah, yeah. Jabber on. We’ll be back.” The door slammed shut behind them, and he jerked his chin to a tree a few meters off. “Over there, away from nosy gossipmongers.”

Ryou dragged his feet behind the two, staring hard into their backs. They weren’t angry, from what he could tell, but he wasn’t used to resolving conflict he himself caused. Of all the fights the trio experienced over the past three years, most of it came from Bakura and Touzoku-Ou. Once or twice, when their actions affected Yugi or his close-knit group, Ryou took the offensive. And, consequently, Bakura or Touzoku-Ou would apologize. They hated upsetting him, and they never got angry with him unless he put himself in harm’s way.

His lower face painfully rammed into the skull of Touzoku-Ou, which brought him back to the present immediately. The man whirled around and steadied him, eyes squinted with concern. “Are you okay?”

“S-Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”

Bakura circled around and used his fingertip to massage Ryou’s sore points. “Gotta be more careful, Babe. Touzoku-Ou’s head is like a brick wall. You could have busted your lip right open.”

Kicking Bakura’s shin, more joking than spiteful, Touzoku-Ou mumbled under his breath, “You’re the hardheaded one, dipshit.” He grasped Ryou’s hands and kissed each. “Seriously, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Really.” Ryou found the patches of grass by his feet very interesting, an excellent distraction from the heat bubbling up in his body and the two attentive, strikingly handsome men in front of him. “I should be asking you. It was my fault.”

“Nonsense. This idiot could take a jackhammer to the skull and be fine,” Bakura snorted, bursting into a full laugh when Touzoku-Ou kicked him significantly harder than before. “Now, onto more important matters… Ryou, I—”

“We,” Touzoku-Ou corrected while shouldering Bakura.

The latter rolled his eyes, but nonetheless adjusted his words. “We wanted to apologize for earlier.”

Ryou’s mouth dropped into an ‘O’-shape. ‘...What?’

Touzoku-Ou scratched at his head, eyes flickering between Bakura and Ryou. “You weren’t feeling good, but I kept messing with you… And then Baku was messing with you… And we weren’t respecting your feelings.”

“We should have backed off,” Bakura agreed, and his hand reached to stroke Ryou’s cheek. “We made you feel pressured… And we made you cry.”

“We also heard you… in the bathroom.” Touzoku-Ou laid his cheek on Ryou’s shoulder. “I didn’t realize you were getting so homesick. We can go talk to Kaiba, if you want to sit this show out. I can handle your section with Diabound. And then once this part of the tour is done, the three of us can take a vacation, go back to your hometown, whatever you want.”

‘This… is really sweet. But I don’t know how to tell them they have it all wrong.’

Bakura’s gaze drove deep into Ryou’s. “Ryou… Please say something. We are sorry. So sorry.”

“Extremely sorry,” Touzoku-Ou muttered and nuzzled closer. “Please, my gem, forgive us. My heart couldn’t handle you hating us.”

“I-I could never… I don’t hate you…! You’re misunderstanding!” Ryou stammered, swallowing the nerves knotting up his throat. “I was never angry at either of you…! It’s… Um, it’s complicated…?”

They stepped back, their eyes searching his. Bakura spoke, “Then, Ryou… Please tell us what’s wrong. We love you. We’d do anything to make you feel better.”

Before Ryou could formulate a believable excuse, an unidentifiable voice rasped, “Massssterssss.”

His eyes snapped to their widest as Diabound slithered towards the trio, her colossal body flattening the grass beneath. Her silver eyes tracked him like prey while she serpentined around both Bakura and Touzoku-Ou’s legs, forcing him to stumble backwards.

“Diabound…!” Touzoku-Ou snapped quietly, throwing glances over his shoulders. “You know you aren’t supposed to leave the pen when volunteers are around.”

“Much less speak, you damnable creature,” Bakura growled and pushed her head away from his face. “Are you trying to be turned into some science experiment? What if someone heard you?”

Ryou felt his knees wobble as the snake’s mouth inched open and the gravelly, sexless voice declared, “Not my masssster. Ryou gone.”

“What are you hissing about?” Touzoku-Ou gently repositioned the snake’s head, directing her to look at Ryou. “He’s right there, you silly serpent.”

“Not my masssster,” She repeated, and the voice carried a more assertive hiss to it. “Not my Ryou. He ssssaid sssso. Give back Masssster. Want Masssster.”

Baffled by the creature’s strange behavior, Bakura and Touzoku-Ou shifted their eyes between Ryou and Diabound. Their eyes lingered on Ryou’s unsettled stance, his disquieted, doe-eyed gaze. Something clicked in their brains, and their eyebrows slanted down, narrowing their incredulous eyes.  

As the two stepped around the massive snake and approached him, all Ryou could think was: ‘You friggin’ blabbermouth.’ 

***

 “Victory!” Malik grinned and flipped his fingers into a ‘V’-shape. “Suck my dick, Mr. King of Thieves.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Touzoku-Ou grumbled. “This modern ripoff is stupid. It used to be about spiritual strength, but now you rely on trap and magic cards to save your ass. And half the stuff you pull off is bullshit.”

Bakura chuckled and kissed Touzoku-Ou’s shoulder. “Pouting over a loss is beneath you. Do what I do when Malik wins: kick his ass.”

Jokingly, Kek growled, “Watch it, tomb-robbers. I’ll kick your ass if you touch Malik.” He proceeded to pinch Malik’s exposed midriff, snickering when his other half slapped his hands away.

Other Ryou, interest piqued by Kek’s words, poked Touzoku-Ou’s shoulder for both his and Bakura’s attention. “What’s it like, robbing tombs? Isn’t it dangerous because of the traps?”

“Not if you know how to dismantle them,” Touzoku-Ou boasted and crossed his arms, lips reverting into his cocky smirk. “Which I did. I also avoided them entirely thanks to Diabound. Hard to get caught in a trap if you go right through it.”

“What’s Diabound?”

The pair of thieves considered him for a moment before Touzoku-Ou lifted himself off the ground. Malik frowned, opening his mouth to protest something beyond Ryou’s knowledge, but Bakura flicked the coin from his deck carrier directly into the center of his forehead.

“Summoning Diabound doesn’t use that much magic, Ishtar. Besides, we’re getting the gods to help, right?”

“You’re assuming they will. They might not be able to.”

Kek nosed Malik’s cheek, his tongue darting out to lick the corner of Malik’s mouth. While the other screeched in disgust, Kek leered, “Let him show off, Albi. And stop being dramatic.”

Under the assumption Malik was too distracted to argue his point further, Touzoku-Ou summoned his heka, diving deep into his soul to call forth his ka. Ryou and his fellow other-realmers watched, him awestruck and them morbidly curious.

Through lights ranging from heavenly white to scarlet and sparkling with flecks of gold, the body of a divine serpent sprung forth, coiling around Touzoku-Ou protectively. Above its snake half, Diabound’s humanoid upper body materialized. The feathered wings both at its hips and shoulder blades shimmered like diamonds.

“W-Whoa…” Ryou breathed, and he gasped when the giant beast turned to him, reaching its massive hand towards him. “Um… G-Guys?”

“It’s okay,” Touzoku-Ou chuckled. “Diabound might recognize you aren’t our Ryou, but he won’t harm you.”

Bakura also laughed, a gentle sound as opposed to his more iconic howling. “Diabound acts on Touzoku-Ou’s will, so he guards Ryou like a mother bear.”

Comforted by their assurance, Ryou touched the giant creature’s extended palm, unable to hold back breathy sounds of astonishment. The snake portion of the creature slinked over and flicked it’s arm-sized tongue along Ryou’s leg. He giggled.

“That tickles!”

Malik grumbled, “Sure, licks Ryou, tries to eat me and Kek. I see how it is.”

Kek snorted. “You would think it would be opposite, considering I know Touzoku-Ou likes to —”

“Hey!” Touzoku-Ou snapped, cheeks reddening despite his complexion. “Asshole! It was an experiment that you shouldn’t have even walked in on!”

With the outcry, Diabound faded, but Ryou couldn’t even be disappointed; apparently there was juicy drama and sexy talk afoot. 

Falling to the ground, Bakura rolled with laughter. “Hypocrite! I thought you wore your pervert badge with pride?”

“It’s not perverted to explore my sexual desires and try new things! The modern world has a lot of novelty, and Ryou was perfectly happy to help!”

“Of course he was.” Bakura cured his cackling with wistful eyes and a swipe of the tongue. “Ryou loves a good experiment. Don’t you remember how we ended up with a couple of dumb blondes in our bed?”

Grimacing, Malik glared at the white-haired yami. “We agreed never to speak of that again! I do not need to remember the events of that night… And now I can’t help it. Kek!” He shook his darker half’s shoulder. “Do that thing! Repress my memories!”

“Nah, Albi,” Kek drawled, face ever so slightly flushed. “That was a good night. You’re just pissed cause you got stuck with Bakura instead of Ryou since a certain self-proclaimed king was hogging him.”

“I’m a thief. Selfishness runs in my blood.” Touzoku-Ou gave Malik a finger-gun and winked. “Maybe next time you can get to him first.”

“Oh, no! We’re not doing that again! It was a one time thing because you, Bakura, and Kek thought it’d be funny.”

Bakura smirked. “It was funny. And hot. Don’t pretend you didn’t enjoy it, because I don’t recall a single objection while Kek and I—”

“Shut up, Ra dammit! You know what? Fuck watching these bastards. They’re your lookalikes, so you two can take a double-shift. Kek, we’re leaving!”

Excitement tangible, Kek’s tongue lolled out his mouth. “Are we going to start working off that interest? ‘Cause with all this remembering, I could use a little one-on-one time with you.”

“I don’t fucking care what we do, as long as they,” Malik motioned to the sniggering Bakura and Touzoku-Ou, “are not present.”

Lapping at his lips, Kek swooped down and scooped Malik into his arms. “Sweet. See you guys later! Hope you don’t get blue balls.”

Ryou watched Kek rush out of the room wearing a manic grin. He expected it would be a while before he saw them again. Not that he could blame them. The image got his blood pumping, too, and he wasn’t even around for the supposed fivesome.

Touzoku-Ou stretched and helped Bakura back to his feet. “How shall we pass the time now? We know each other’s decks inside and out, so dueling will be boring.”

“I was already bored of dueling.” Bakura shrugged and cracked his back, wincing at the sensation. “Sitting hunched over on the floor is uncomfortable. We should have dragged over a table and chairs.”

“You’re getting soft,” His boyfriend teased, poking at his belly. “Maybe we should make a trip Kaiba’s gym once we get Rohi back.”

At the term he recognized to mean their Ryou, Other Ryou peered over at the still form. A part of him ached, knowing the taunts his Bakura and Touzoku-Ou threw at him earlier were true: he was only a temporary guest, a substitute for their chaste affections and flirtations. The one they really loved was trapped somewhere outside his own body. Once he returned, Ryou would be cast back into his own realm along with his murderous pair of ‘boyfriends.’

His eyes wanted to water, but he wouldn’t give the killers the satisfaction. Instead, he yawned and announced, “If you two are sticking around here, I’m gonna go take a nap. I need to take advantage of my time away from them.” He didn’t bother gesturing, knowing both pairs of men knew who he was referring to.

“Go for it,” Bakura acknowledged with a grin. “You probably need a break after everything you’ve experienced today anyway.”

“Sleep well, little one.” Touzoku-Ou winked and blew a kiss. “Sweet dreams, as they say.”

Ryou tried to hide the longing in his eyes and bit his tongue to resist the temptation of inviting the men to accompany him.

 ***

 They dragged him away from the trailers, tents, and RVs. Every time he started to speak, they shushed him or squeezed his wrist to the point of drawing a whimper. Behind them, slithering proudly, Diabound kept her eyes on Ryou.

When they were far enough from the circus grounds, Touzoku-Ou shoved Ryou ahead of them. He managed to catch himself, but Diabound struck soon after, coiling her body around him until his knees buckled. She seemed proud of herself for subduing the imposter on behalf of her masters.

They loomed over him, blazing eyes ready to burn him to cinders. Bakura nudged him through a gap in Diabound’s hold.

“This is starting to make way too much sense. Did you enjoy listening to us prattle on about our love for the boy whose face you stole?”

Touzoku-Ou bared his teeth. “Who the fuck are you? What have you done with him, shapeshifter? So help me, if he’s hurt, I’ll strangle you myself.”

Through coughs and gasps, Ryou actually laughed. “Here I was thinking this world was normal, no magic to be seen. Now there’s a talking snake and shapeshifters apparently?” He winced as Diabound hissed by his ear. “Could you call her off? She’s heavy, I can’t breathe… How can I tell you anything?”

“Give us one reason not to let her squeeze the last ounce of air from your lungs,” Bakura sneered, crouching so they could look in each other’s eyes. Touzoku-Ou followed suit, squatting by Ryou’s head.

“How — ow! — about the fact that this is very much his actual body that you're hurting right now?” Their eyes, distrustful, full of loathing, buried into him. “Seriously? Ask your — fuck… — snake! I told her as much.” Ryou managed a weak glare at Diabound. “If you were gonna blab on me, couldn’t you at least tell them the whole story?”

“Diabound?” Touzoku-Ou nodded towards the beast. “What did he tell you exactly?”

She tilted her head, reaching into her recollection. “Not Ryou you know… Another universssse… Am ka … Egypt… Pharaoh and demon god.”

Ryou groaned, wiggling in the coils of muscle, frantically trying to remove the pressure on his spine and groin. “That’s a very — ouch! — abridged version. Kinda skipped a lot of detail.”

“Give her a minute,” Bakura snapped, and Ryou flinched, sincerely nervous the man might strike him. “She might be a magical creature, but she’s still a snake. They’re not built for memory recall.”

Diabound, ignoring their vehement argument, continued to rasp, “Not the Ryou ussssed to. Hissss body, different ssssoul. No blab.”

The two men, eyeing him, stood. Touzoku-Ou snapped his fingers. On cue, Diabound released her hold and slithered off Ryou’s body. He couldn’t resist, through inhales and exhales, grumbling, “Yet here… we are… Blabbermouth.”

“What does all that mean? Not the Ryou you know or are used to?” Bakura, rather than allow Ryou to catch his breath, demanded.

While opening his mouth, sarcastic response on his tongue, Ryou noticed the switchblade his doppelganger held. Instinct overtook him, driving him to crawl backwards, away from potential harm. They recognized his fear, and Bakura appeared to falter, lowering the blade back into his pocket. Regardless whether they felt bad for frightening him or simply disliked seeing their boyfriend’s face twisted in terror, Ryou appreciated the gesture.

Fighting through his air-starved lungs, Ryou shuddered and whispered, “I… I’m not the Ryou you know… But I am Ryou. I don’t understand all the details, and I definitely don’t know why this is happening… But I am Bakura Ryou.”

“Bakura?” Bakura echoed dubiously. “I don’t get it. Are you me or are you Ryou?”

Ryou frowned. “My full name is Bakura Ryou. Bakura’s my surname. Why? What’s your Ryou’s last name?”

“Imamura,” Touzoku-Ou answered. “Imamura Ryou. Weird that you share a name with your boyfriend. Or does your Bakura go by a different — why are you laughing?"

 “So-sorry. It’s—” Giggle. “It’s a long story, but you calling it weird was just very funny. Ah, Gods above, I needed that laugh.”

His laughter eased what remained of their tension, their body postures relaxing significantly. Touzoku-Ou stepped closer, offering his hand to Ryou and helping the shaken male stagger upright.

“So, for clarification,” Bakura mused, holding his chin. “You’re saying you are Ryou, just from some weird alternate plane of existence? Where apparently you share my name?” He cocked an eyebrow as Ryou devolved into laughter again. “Am I wrong?”

Ryou waved one hand, holding his belly with the other. “Hehe, close enough. You have the right idea.”

The two men, not understanding the apparently hilarious statements they had made, waited for him to catch his breath. Diabound, gazing between her masters and master’s imposter, released a hiss-like sigh. “Boring now. Am hungry. Want foodssss.”

Much to her masters’ chagrin, her declaration restarted Ryou’s fit of hilarity.

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

AO3 Link: In Another Life - Chapter 11 - LiteraryAngel - Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (Anime & Manga) [Archive of Our Own]

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[slightlydensedragons]

we could have had some big digging claws and lack of baldness and I would have been pleased with this beast.

And the only genes I wanna use reliably is a gem genes.

we could have had it aaaaaallllll

[foreverrhapsody]

WE COULD HAVE HAD IT AAAAAALLLLLL

*whispers* I have an insane theory of Karl Davies playing older!Seb as ghost of Christmas Future :3 

[theodoradove]

TIL that the 1932 batshit bizarrefest film Thirteen Women originally had even more queer content before David O. Selznick bowed to the Production Code and cut some scenes and I am sad about it

[rose--hathaways]

seeing ben barnes as the darkling has ASDFGHLADJFJFLS my brain suddenly i am 15 years old and fancasting him as everything again

[okayto]

@mydonkeyfeet replied to your post Show us pics please

Okay so, I’ve got this children’s collection that we WANT to be able to keep in bins facing out (because they’re so skinny, call numbers have to go on the front most of the time anyway, and we think overall this would increase their use) but we can’t FIND bins that work with the shelves we have and idk if these would work, but they’re SO PRETTY. Alas, we would need like 30.

FOLDING WIRE EASELS MY BELOVED

(They’re actually why I got this catalog in the first place: I had to order a bunch. We have a variety of styles, but I like these because for tall and especially paperback books, they’ve got the upper support. And colorful bookends are just fun.)

Book carts are so lively I want them aaaaaallllll

(If I was given a choice—which I am not, we have many carts but I would absolutely buy more if we could—I would love a yellow or orange one, but might go with purple to more easily disguise the inevitable scuffs and marks. My current carts are a light grey flatbed and a dark grey sloped shelving one.)

Pizza bookmarks?? Please??????

Look I have absolutely no reason to have an expensive makerspace cart except at home, where I have no room, but hot dang do I love shelves and storage. And if I could I would have so many display shelves.

going through the Demco catalog circling things I want like a kid preparing for Christmas

[thegirlwithmanynames]

I’m crying, Italian commenters are more enthusiastic about Gabbani than Graham Norton is about the UK’s entry every year

[curiositysilencedthearchive]

*sees alana and abigail* *rolling in the deep plays in the distance*

[lenaellsi]

Your rqg art means so much to me, your designs are incredible and I’m so happy you’re a part of this fandom!

If you had to pick, do you have a favorite moment/scene from each season or arc that you’d be willing to share?

Thank you so much my friend :’) I love seeing your art on my dash and sharing this fandom with you!

My list of favorite scenes is going to have a very noticeable bias but I feel like it is not a secret who my favorite is at this point SO:

London - episode 25 for No Particular Reason

Dover - JENNIFER, NO (also dinner with Barnes)

Paris - too many, Paris is my favorite early arc. Standouts are the scene where Zolf wakes up in the tube in the mr ceiling lair (scariest moment of a podcast including all of magnus), the zoscar water dunking scene (!!!!!!!!), and the entire escape sequence

Airship 1.0 - Sasha meeting Campbell and chilling with Earhart, Sasha is so good :’)

Prague - bertie’s death scene (not being mean I PROMISE I just think it was super cinematic and well done)

Cairo - Howard carter full stop

Damascus - fully obsessed with every Wilde scene in this arc tbh but particularly his pun war with Sasha. Precious. We could have had it aaaaaallllll

Rome: Einstein’s moment with azu is so sweet, I love their little friendship. Also Ed!!!

AR - just knowing Sasha got a satisfying and peaceful ending was enough :(

Japan - the ‘Zolf is back’ reveal, “they don’t like me when I’m warm”, Zolf stealing Wilde’s sake, meeting the kobolds, zolf’s angry cooking, the reveal of Barnes and carter as the b team, azu and Zolf with Earhart

Airship 2.0 - all of it. Perfect arc give me 100 more eps. But The Lapel Pull is important to me

Northern Wastes - 174 because I love pain and 177 because I love pain and healing and 179 because I transcended my physical form

Garden - RIP TO THE ROPE I’LL NEVER FORGET YOU (also Wilde angy singing)

London 2.0 - group hug :’)

Svalbard - skraak and cel wanting to see the cool tourist stuff and Zolf promising that they could come back on a trip after the world was fixed. Zolf’s love language is promising people holidays once the apocalypse is over

London 3.0 - gay Shakespeare robes, 207-208, meeting Chaucer, and most recently 217 (That Part)

[coolest-martin-kid]

So you guys remember when an anon pointed out I was seemingly a huge Renny fan and I was like don’t get me started cuz I won’t shut up? Yeah, I got started because I watched the Renny videos (all three in a row bc I love myself) again and now I have massive brainworms so I’m momentarily taking the mike (lol) from our one and only Cupid and gonna go on and on and on about my Renny feels under the cut, sorry not sorry

Okay SO LIKE. So LIKE I’m just sort of sitting here wondering why Renny’s my most favorite pairing here??? Because clearly they’re doing something really well I mean they are murdering us all with minimal effort and we all are here for the murder but like I wanted to REALLY get into it because after the years I still die. And frankly

So numero uno: The journey?

Like looking back there were signs that this might eventually happen basically more than half a year before it did and they really went from denial and messing around to straight up having feelings and everyone was secretly rooting for them and I feel like WE ALL KNOW THIS but I included it anyway because this is clearly one of the reasons it works so well so I’m not about to ignore actual slowburn where love wins :P

ALSO I ORIGINALLY FORGOT TO ADD THIS BUT: while we were sort of expecting it based on their interactions, it’s overall still an unexpected couple? and that makes it aaaaaallllll the better too tbh if you ask me, especially bc they stayed together and are working so damn well.

I’m thinking it’s also bc they are hella cute

Like CLEARLY they are adorable together duh wow Harley, but it FEELS very believable and I think this branches like three different ways; 1) being cute as the characters as is while not even GETTING OUT OF CHARACTER, good job guys 2) Yellow Cam (:P) and Michie hella click and similar with how Dani pointed out that Christie and Linda just had miles better vibes for Dethan. I think the same applies here, their chemistry clearly works wonders as is 3) atticus and cam look SURPRISINGLY GOOD TOGETHER?? and they also have chemistry as is, even out of character, they have a Vibe that I’m here for. like they are dorky-cute, and somehow, somehow it WORKS, it’s nice to look at them together, it’s very cute and also attractive in a surprising sense? I have no idea what I’m trying to say but I hope it makes sense LOL.

sidenote I’m forever grateful for Michie for bringing the attention to Toxxie because they LEGIT look like them in edits and then it gets hot and I’m always here for that too :P

I also think it is actually amped up by the future kids they have?

This might not make much sense but imma try to explain what I mean. This might fully be because my character is Mikey and he adores the Keaner-Weir boys like to the moon and back (like we all do tho tbh) but for my character they are also some of the most important ppl. Beyond that I think the FCs were just so perfect, so fitting, and those characters are ALSO portrayed so good (ily Mira and Rae) that it just makes me emo to think about the connection there. and me personally I’m just like LOOK AT THESE PRECIOUS BOYS THEY MADE who are as dorky and sweet as them but also really out there being successful, wow. It just makes me FEEL things alright even if it maybe makes no sense. but I will say I’m very glad we have this reunion and Rory could interact with them, it is. so. sweet. also the Anthony choice just feels like the icing on the cake huh? Wow. Things I didn’t know I needed but am very happy we got.

Hell maybe even the fact that Cam K is a busy man :P

I feel like always getting just enough sweetness even with breaks between one-on-one interactions elevates it because when they DO interact it’s all the more deadly. Or that just me? :P And especially now that they’re married and we know they are actually always together, so the characters won’t start missing each other but WE don’t see it 24/7 so WE kinda do. idk I’m loving that tbh. it’s just like “Renny!! Give me my due dosage of death! Ok thank you see you next time!”  sjdhfkgfhgljhk also I love the way Rory would barge into Benny’s inbox from time to time, that was already a Thing back when we originally did this, and it’s so cute that’s still a thing like omg no one touch me

ANYWAY if you actually read all of this HOLY SHIT ARE YOU OKAY, and yeah. I love them. I had to let it out. That’s all.

(it wouldn’t have been me without an innuendo, don’t even @ me :P)

[sablesides-writing-corner]

Hi, Can You Do “Don’t Touch Him/Her/Them!” With ThVi Where Thomas And Virgil Get Kidnapped?

Virgil was a worrier, yes, but these days it seemed like he was more worried than ever. The slightest sounds seemed to set him off, small crunches of the leaves causing massive panic attacks.

Thomas, his boyfriend, took this as a sign that maybe Virgil needed a few days to relax. So he'd decided to take him out on the town for a week.

"And remember that cafe! That's where we had our first kiss!" Thomas said, pointing across the sidewalk.

"And you spilled your coffee aaaaaallllll over that sweater," Virgil said with a smirk. Thomas elbowed him in the side.

"You getting hungry? Because I sure am," Thomas said.

Virgil laughed "I'm assuming you want to pay a visit then huh?" he said.

"No, real food, I want real food," Thomas said. So they walked on for a while to look for a restraunt.

They'd gotten about halfway to their decided location when Virgil felt a chill run down his spine.

"Well well well, what do we have here?" said someone from a nearby alleyway. Virgil held Thomas closer to him on instinct.

"Couple of trespassers from the looks of it, we dont like trespassers," said another voice.

"This ones pretty cute, though, I dont think I mind him," a hand reached out for Thomas.

Virgil snarled and kicked in the direction of it "DONT TOUCH HIM!" it took all his courage to cry out the words, he hoped it was loud enough to notice.

"Fiesty one huh?" said the first voice "knock him out, I dont like strugglers." and Virgil's vision went black. The last thing he heard was Thomas' screams.

They woke up tied to chairs, which were tied together around their waists. In what seemed like an abandoned barn.

"Thomas? Thomas are you alright!?" Virgil tried to turn, Thomas had appearently gotten the same idea because their heads bumped together halfway there.

"I'm fine stormcloud, its gonna be ok," Thomas said. He lifted his head and scanned the room.

"Thomas, theres a secret pocket in my jacket where I store my phone, I need you to get it out and call for help," Virgil said, voice shaking. Thomas did as he was told, the authorities show'd up almost hours later. By the time theyd been picked up the couple was covered in bruises and scratches and blood.

But that part didnt matter once they were home. Once Virgil could curl up on the couch with Thomas' head in his lap, and run his fingers through his hair as he tried to forget the days events.

"Its gonna be ok storm cloud, we're safe now, and it's all thanks to you," Thomas said.

"I know. . . I'm just glad you're ok. . ." Virgil said.

They waited there a while, and then Thomas drifted off to sleep, peacefully, as it should be.

[riseandshinelittleblossom]

Hoping for Home Ch 7 - “Breakeven”

A/N: I want to take a moment to thank everyone still with this series for your patience and support. Also, I’d like to apologize for this chapter- these characters really do have a mind of their own and some of them just wouldn’t be silenced. Expect the next one to be rather lengthy as well, as Liam says he needs a turn next bahahahahahaha. Without further ado...

Catch up here

Song to accompany: “Breakeven” by The Script

Word Count: 4949

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters except my ocs. 

Tags: @ao719 @cocomaxley@leelee10898@fullbeaumonty@choiceswreckedme@ritachacha@itsstillnotwhatyouthink@blackcoffee85@indiacater@drakesensworld @carabeth@daniv2278@cosigottahavefaith@gibbles82@innerpostmentality@perfectprofessorherokid@darley1101@jovialyouthmusic @liamxs-world@thequeenofcronuts@blznbaby@stopforamoment @zilch3382@wannabemc2 @jlouise88@lodberg@jasieschoices @aworldoffandoms @lynne1993 @valtorian-duchess @bbrandy2002 @hopefulmoonobject @dianalend @desiree-0816 @emichelle @lettersofwrittencollective

        Libby's eyes went wide as she stared down at her tablet. Her hazel orbs flew over the words as she scrolled, her face getting hotter by the second. She reached up and locked the screen before tucking the device under her arm and stomping down the hallway.

       She and the twins had been at the palace for eight days now, and she was pretty sure she'd find Liam in his study as usual.

      Rounding the corner she slammed head first into Drake's broad figure.

     “Scott, are you alright?” He questioned gripping her shoulders.

     “I need a word with my King, Drake.” She said through gritted teeth. He released her holding his hands up in mock surrender.

     “The study…” he offered but Libby cut him off snapping,

     “I know that!”

      She swung open the door without knocking and Liam stood up from his chair behind the desk.

     “Okay you look angry.” He commented, pushing his glasses back up his nose so that they sat flush on his face.

      The ginger woman unlocked her tablet and slid it in his direction. “Have you seen this shit?” She seethed.

      Liam gingerly picked up the device.

      “‘An Heir and a Spare’? He read the headline. He quirked his eyebrow and looked up at Libby who flourished her hands, urging him to continue.

     “The Phantom Duchess Valtoria made her return to court recently, holding a gala to introduce her heirs. 

     Sources say the twins, a boy and a girl, are sixteen. 

      As if their presence alone after their mother's years of absence wasn't enough, sources have informed Cordonian Insider exclusively that the heirs to Valtoria (along with Lord Barthelemy Beaumont of Ramsford, Lord Abel Dunbar of Whipstaff, and Ms. McKenzie Walker, daughter of Sir Drake Walker, Guardian of the Realm) were involved in a terrible accident Wednesday night involving a stolen vehicle.

     We contacted both Valtoria Medical and the King's guard for comment. Although it has been confirmed that no charges will be filed at this time, both parties otherwise refused to comment.

     What may be the juiciest news to explode from the return of the Phantom Duchess, however is the parentage of her heirs in question.

    Our faithful source has confirmed that both His Majesty King Liam and his once close confidant Lord Maxwell Beaumont of Ramsford have given DNA samples in what can only be described as the biggest Royal scandal to hit our tiny nation since the nearly naked  photos of Lord Tariq and the Duchess hit tabloids close to twenty years ago.”

    The King placed the tablet on his desk and removed his glasses. He pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh, turning from Libby to face the window.

    Silence reigned over the room, save for the sound of the Duchess's bare foot tapping against the marble floor.

     “You had to expect something like this, Libby.” Liam said finally turning to face her.

    “Rumors to spread about me? Yes. I can handle that. But this? Liam fuck aaaaaallllll of this. They are minors, Your Majesty. Children. Fix this, Liam. Now. Or so help me Emma, Will, and I will fly out of here so fast it will make your crown spin.”

      Liam opened his mouth to speak, but Libby was already stomping out of the door, slamming the hard wood behind her.

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

       Maxwell peered over the fan of playing cards in his hand. Texas holdem was a game he'd been playing since he was a teenager, and he had never found himself losing so spectacularly before. 

     Placing his hand down, he eyed Will carefully. Emma and Mackenzie had already folded, leaving the two males in a tense standoff.

      "Straight flush," the older man announced smugly, reaching forward to rake the pot towards himself.

      "Not so fast, Mr. Beaumont." Will smirked laying down his cards revealing a royal flush.

      Will swatted Maxwell's hands away raking the loot towards himself instead.

     "How? How did you even manage that?"

     Emma giggled, "Mom taught us Texas holdem when were like, 9. It's sorta Will's game."

     "Apparently," Maxwell landed against the back of his chair, arms crossed over his chest. "Well I'm broke. No more bets for me."

    The group began to clean up the cards and chips when Drake entered the room. 

     "Mack, school. I agreed to let you come if you stayed with your homeschooling. I just checked and you are quite a few days behind, Ma'am." he looked down his nose at his daughter as she lowered her head.

     "I forgot?" she tried.

     "Now." Drake pointed towards the door.

      Mackenzie waved to her friends and Maxwell before heading out, Drake on her heels.

     "Mr. Beaumont?" Emma began stacking the poker chips neatly. 

     "Call me Max. Or Maxwell, please." 

     "Max," she nodded thoughtfully before continuing, "What was my mom like when she was young?"

       Maxwell froze in place for a moment. He cleared his throat loudly, "She was... uh...well she was...what exactly do you want to know, Emma?"

       "Did you love her?" 

       Will stomped his sister's foot under the table and she whipped her head in his direction, hissing.

       "Rude." He told her, rolling his eyes.

      "It's okay, Will. I think it's a fair question given the circumstances. I...I did love her, Emma. Very much." Maxwell answered honestly.

      "But she was in love with Liam?" the young blonde pressed.

     "I'm not entirely sure. Sometimes I think that she was, but after Liam's coronation maybe…. Bertrand and I pushed her to stay. Looking back now I think that was selfish. I'm not sure where her heart was anymore."

      "And you loved her anyway? Even though you and your brother tried to force her to marry the king?" 

       Maxwell nodded solemnly.

     "But why? Why would you do that to her? Or yourself?" Will chimed in.

      The older man fixed his stare into the distance, trying to find the right words.

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

         New York, New York- Royal Engagement Tour- 16 years ago

       "I don't want to marry Liam. I don't want to be the queen. I want to be with you!"  Libby insisted.

     "That's...it's insane is what it is. Don't say it out loud. Liam is going to ask you to marry him tomorrow. I know it. You know it. That guy knows it, dontcha bud?" Maxwell snagged a passerby who looked frightened.

     "Sure dude, just let me go." the stranger spoke.

    "Sorry." Maxwell released the man's jacket and he scurried away.

     "So what if he does? The world won't stop if I say no. Contrary to popular belief kings don't always get what they want."

    Maxwell stopped dead in his tracks. After a few steps, his rusty-haired companion noticed and she turned around to face him.

     "Liam does. Every time Liam gets what he wants. And the guy is so fucking likeable you want him to." Maxwell's voice was so low Libby barely heard him as she approached. 

     He stared down at his feet as the sea of people around them carried on with their lives. Meanwhile he clenched his hands into tight fists at his side as his entire world came crashing down inside.

     "To hell with that, Maxwell. I don't fucking love him. He can't force me to marry him."

      He shook his head, willing the years in his eyes to dissipate.

      "What if….whatif we don't leave? New York is my city. Liam has no power here. We could stay here and get jobs and-" 

      Maxwell looked up at her, his eyes so cold that Libby had to take a step back from him.

     "Cordonia is my home. Liam is my King. If you want to stay here, fine but I...I don't want to be with you, Libby. We're friends. That's where it ends. It has to."

      "Friends don't know the way you taste, Maxwell. The way you feel pressed so close…" 

    Libby wrapped her arms around his waist, lips grazing his jaw as she pulled him close, but this time he didn't return her embrace. Instead he pushed her hands away and turned on his heels stalking back towards the hotel. 

     "I said what I said, Libby. Stay or go it's up to you." He called over his shoulder.

     "Maxwell, wait! Maxwell!" 

    All around him the song of New York City played louder in his ears as again he blinked back tears. 

     " για το στέμμα(gia to stémma)," he whispered to himself.

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

      "For the crown." Maxwell stated.

    Something about the finality of his tone told Will and Emma that any further questions would be inappropriate and so neither said anything. 

      "Emma, may I borrow you for a moment?" 

      Everyone turned at the sound of the Queen's voice and the blonde girl quickly offered a brief curtsey.

     "Of course, Your Majesty." 

     Her eyes darted briefly to her brother and he gave her a smile, instantly assuaging her fears.

      As the two remaining packed away the last of the poker kit, Maxwell rocked on his feet awkwardly, unsure of what to do or say. 

     He had spent as much time as humanly possible with the twins together and he'd caught a few solo moments with Emma, but he felt out of his element when it came to Will. 

    The boy clearly harbored complex feelings about his mother and the situation they found themselves in. It was for that reason Maxwell was unsure of how to approach him.

     "Do you think I could ask you a favor, Max?" Will questioned and the older male exhaled relieved the silence had been broken.

    "Sure. What's up?"

     "I need to find a dark room."

   Maxwell cocked his head to the side.

    "Like a room with exceptionally heavy curtains, or…?"

     Will scoffed, a small chuckle escaping him. "Nah, nah. I mean like...a photography dark room. Is there any way I can access one around here? Or do you think maybe the King would let me make one...like a temporary one?"

    "Oh! Photography! Pictures. Yeah, there isn't one in the palace, but I have one at my house in the capital. I'm a bit of an ametuer photographer myself."

    "Me too," Will jammed his hands in his pockets.  "Could I...do you think I could use it?" 

    "Sure! That sounds like fun. We could uh...I could help if you wanted. We'd need your mom's permission first but.."

    "I'd really like that. Your help, I mean. Lemme go talk to my mom."

   "Absolutely. You do that and I will definitely...not...do that. I'll just wait for you out by the fountain."

     Will strode uncomfortably out of the room, leaving a thick tension hanging over Maxwell.

    Smooth, Max. Real smooth. If Libby agrees to this, it shouldn't be awkward at all… he thought, puffing his cheeks before exhaling loudly, heading for the palace  fountain.

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

    "These are really good, Will. Did you take them here at the palace?" 

    Libby was leafing through the photo prints her son had developed a few days prior. They were still life mostly: Roses, apple trees that sort of thing. 

     She had been shocked that Will had asked her to accompany Maxwell to his home in the capital, having forgotten entirely how much Lord Beaumont loved photography as well. 

      Maybe they're Maxwell's after all. She pondered.

     For sixteen years the not knowing hadn't been as front and center in her mind as it had been the past two weeks. 

     William shrugged, "Some of them. The roses are from Valtoria. I'd like to go back and poke around with my camera more. Max says the natural lighting is better there. Especially during the golden hour."

     Libby nodded, tucking her bottom lip between her teeth.

     She had very much enjoyed the time they'd spent at the palace thus far. Watching Liam interact with her kids warmed her heart, even if the moments he had for frivolity were few and far between. Of course she couldn't keep her mind from flopping- one moment she was excited at the thought of Liam being their father and finally being with them; the next she was terrified that if they were the heirs to Liam's crown that he would snatch them away from her like a thief in the night. Would he actually take them from her? Libby honestly wasn't sure.

           Mostly Liam was the same as he'd been when she'd met him over a decade ago, but inevitably some things were different. Where before he had been a timid ruler with a soft voice, she had learned that now the King of Cordonia was not afraid to put his foot down, his voice mirroring that of his late father when he didn't know that Libby was listening. She wondered if it were simply experience in ruling that had changed him. 

      Then, of course, there was Maxwell. 

    He had seemingly avoided her at all costs since the hospital, although she had heard from both children that he was with at least one of them during almost every waking moment. 

     She had worried the twins would begin to feel smothered, trapped with one of their potential fathers around all the time, ripped away from their lives in Georgia, and with little to no time spent with their peers. However they'd surprised her with their maturity and also their mutual desire to get to know the men that Libby had once loved so dearly.

      She stacked the prints neatly on the desk beside her before crossing the room to sit on the edge of Will's bed.

     "Do you have plans with Liam or Max today? I was sort of hoping you and I could talk. I feel like I haven't seen much of you this week." 

      Libby reached down to tenderly brush her son's hair from his eyes and he shook away her touch.

      "I'm supposed to spar with Liam and maybe Olivia later." he said gruffly, sitting up to lean against the headboard.

      Libby frowned then stood up and sighed, wiping her hands on her pants.

     "Well okay then. I guess I'll just see you when I see you then." 

      A pang of guilt hit her stomach as she headed for the door. What can I do to reach him? 

     "I love you, son." She told him.

     "Love you too, Ma. Can you close the door behind you?"

**********

           Emma was in love with having a ballroom at her disposal. She spun in the center of the opulent room, eyes focused on the ceiling murals. 

       Giddy and feeling light as a feather she popped her ear buds in, her playlist coming alive.

      She moved her body to the beat, years of hip hop dance lessons taking control of her movements. Eyes squeezed shut she shimmied and shook across the polished floors as if it were second nature to her.

     And she was good. Not that she liked to brag about it, but she had always been ahead of her peers in class and more than one teacher had commented on her natural talent. It was as if she were made to move, the rhythm flowing through her body effortlessly.

      She was too busy popping and locking to notice Maxwell sneak into the ballroom to watch. Despite his best efforts he couldn't stop his lips from turning up in the widest smile his face could muster. 

      When she bowed to her imaginary audience, staying slumped over for a few moments to catch her breath, Maxwell began to clap for her with an enthusiasm he hadn't found in himself in many years.

     The young girl shook her head, obviously startled as she yanked the buds from her ears.

      "I'm sorry. I don't mean to scare you. But how could I not applaud a performance like that? I wish I could have heard the music with it, but you murdered that beat I'm sure."

     Emma's cheeks flushed. "I'm not used to anyone watching."

      "Well you were incredible. You know I used to be a dancer myself. Hip hop, break dance, tap. I took lessons for years."

    "And ballroom right? Mom said you and Duke Bertrand taught her all she knows." Emma smiled, fingering the wires in her hands.

    Maxwell nodded in response but he didn't speak.

     "Can I ask you something?" She questioned. Another nod. 

     "Why do you get so quiet when I mention my mom? I feel like there's something neither of you are telling us about your history together. Maybe it's none of my business- Will is always telling me I need to learn to read the room, but I-"

     The dark haired man held up a hand to stop her and she tucked her bottom lip between her teeth. 

    In that moment she looked so much like Libby it made Maxwell's heart sink to his feet. He jammed his hands in his pockets as he slowly walked towards the girl in the center of the room.

     "It's been almost seventeen years since your mom left Cordonia. Seventeen. In that time I've obtained two degrees, lost and regained my sobriety, earned tenure at Cordonia University, and gotten married and divorced twice. Through all of those years, there was only ever one constant. I couldn't make myself unlove Libby Scott,"

      He paused, now standing in front of Emma, her eyes transfixed on him. She sank to the ground, tucking her feet underneath and patted the spot beside her. Maxwell chuckled, but he took a seat, legs bent, wrists resting over his knees.

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

     Drake wandered into the library, decanter and tumbler in hand. For all of the years he spent growing up in the palace, it was the one place that he felt like no one would bother him and he often sought solace in the large gilded room.

     He cocked his head as he gazed at the far wall noticing the secret door there was cracked open. Shuffling over he and opened it wider, stepping inside.

     At the far side was a dead end, an old stone wall that he had always assumed had once been an entryway to yet another of the many hidden tunnels below the palace. That's where he found her, sitting cross-legged in short cotton bottoms and a simple white camisole. 

     Libby's back was propped against the wall, her strawberry blonde hair falling and framing her face perfectly. Her eyes were puffy, though he couldn't tell if it was from tears that she'd previously shed or from the half-empty decanter that sat beside her.

    “You remembered this place?” he said pulling the door closed behind him.

    Libby grinned as if she'd done something that she should be proud of.

    “I'm sorry. You told me once that if I ever needed a place to hide…”

    “I did, but what are you hiding from?”

     The redhead scoffed. “Uh, my life, Drake. I'm hiding from my life.”

    His steps reverberated off of the stone in the hollow expanse as he closed the distance between them, his feet scraping and shuffling as he twisted his body to sit next to her, mirroring her posture.

     “I can't do this, Walker. There's a reason that I left to begin with. Now my son hates me, the press is having a field day, there's Liam and Maxwell and the feelings that this...this place invokes in me...I'm just not…” she covered her face with her hands, propping her elbows on her knees.

    “I can understand that.” He told her pouring himself some of his whiskey. “So how can we fix this? What do you need?”

     She groaned, uncovering her face, head lolling to look at him. “I need to blow off some steam. I need to get off. These past few weeks I've been wound so tight I feel like I might explode."

     Drake's Adam's apple bounced as he swallowed hard at her confession.

    “I can also understand that.”

    “I'm sorry, Drake. That was out of line.”

    “No, don't be. I asked, right? You were just honest.” He swirled the remaining whiskey in his glass before downing it. “I'll let you in on a little secret. It's been... Almost four years for me.”

    Libby let out a guffaw that echoed throughout  the tiny chamber. “I somehow find that hard to believe, Walker.”

    She raked a hand through her hair. “It's been two for me.”

      The friends were silent for a long time before Drake set his tumbler on the ground beside him.

    “Maybe we could...I mean... we're friends, right? Maybe we could give it a try. Purely as a way to release. I'm not looking for love, and I know that you aren't either. But we are two grown, consenting adults that both recognize we have the same...need right now.”

      “Yeah? No strings attached?” She laughed.

     “Libby, I'm serious. I'm up for it if you are.” 

    She stared at him,eyes scanning over his features in a way she'd never considered much before. His five o'clock shadow dotting along his perfect square jaw;the deep brown of his eyes and the small wrinkles at the corner of them.

     There was no denying that Drake Walker was an extremely handsome man. There was a brief time, when they were young, that Libby had considered herself attracted to him, but the feelings were fleeting and she'd never revisited the thoughts. 

     “You know what? Fuck it.” She finally whispered cupping his face in her hands as she crashed her lips into his.

      He fell back a bit, his head slightly glancing off of the stone wall behind him. His hands wrapped around her petite form, gripping her ribcage just below the shoulder blades.

        She flicked her tongue across his chapped lips and he was happy to indulge her, parting them to allow his tongue to jut out, gently massaging hers into his mouth.

     Libby swung one leg over his lap straddling him as she wound her fingers through his mahogany hair. She inhaled sharply, her lungs burning for air, and she was rewarded by the smell of her newfound lover-whiskey and pine mingling together- as she breathed him in.

     Drake broke their kiss, his lips trailing softly down her jawline, teeth nipping at the sensitive skin below her ear.

     “Fuck, Walker. I can't remember the last time I was this turned on.” She told him, and she meant it. Something about the dim light from the candles that Libby had brought with her, the smooth cold stone beneath them, and his firm callused hand yanking at the hem of her camisole was driving her wild.

     The man chuckled, his lips now caressing the usually untouched skin of her throat, below her chin.

      He nipped at her wildly, though he was careful not to leave lasting marks.

     She rocked her hips against him, her center begging for friction and a low growl escaped him as he finally ripped the camisole over her head, tossing it to the side. 

    The briskness of the air around them drew a gasp from her as he deftly filled his palms with her breasts, the returned warmth coupled with his gentle massages pulling a long, low moan from her.

     He kissed over the flesh of her upper chest slowly making his way down to find one semi-hardened nipple and he quickly sucked it between his lips, tongue rolling and flicking over it as she tugged his hair at the roots.

     He rolled the other between his thumb and forefinger before ghosting his hand against it.

     She was dripping now, a white- hot tingle growing at her core and she continued to rub her hips against him.

     Libby reached down and unfastened his faded blue jeans, leaning back slightly to plunge her hand down the front of them.

    “Christ, Scott.” Drake croaked as she palmed his hardened shaft, using one finger to gather the small bead of precum at the end and smearing it around his tip. She gave him a gentle squeeze and he hissed in response, his hips jerking forward slightly.

    He raised himself up on his palms enough for Libby to rip his jeans and boxer shorts down, freeing his member.

    She licked her lips at the sight. A part of her had always suspected that Drake would be an otherworldly lover, but she hadn't quite expected him to wield such an impressive tool.

     One rough, calloused hand found her clit tracing tight circles around it over the fabric of her shorts.

    “Drake, I can't...take it...anymore.” she told him through sloppy breathless kisses placed hastily against his lips. “I need you. No more teasing.”

    “I'm not... teasing, Scott. I'm... trying..to...fuck you... properly.” He responded.

    She broke the kiss with a frustrated sigh. “The whole point of this is to help release some tension, right? Not drive me insane with it.” 

     Drake laughed out loud as she rolled her eyes, yanking her shorts and panties to one side. 

     “Please,Drake. Now.” She panted and he grabbed his length, obediently lining it up with her center as she slowly lowered herself onto him.

     She cried out his name as he filled her, the walls of her center stretching to accommodate his every inch.

 She gently rotated her hips, grinding her clit against him as she adjusted.

    “Fuck Libby. You're so fucking tight, baby.” He growled in her ear as he buried his face in her neck, nipping and suckling the vulnerable area.

     “I think its just….I think it's just you, Drake.” She panted as she began to bounce her body slowly against his length.

     He popped his hips, thrusting up into her, his tip tapping that spot and she hummed in delight, quickening her own movements.

     His eyes traveled down her body flicking rapidly between watching her supple breasts bounce and the sight of himself being buried inside of her.

   “Fuck, Scott, I don't know if I can last.” He admitted only slightly embarrassed. He reached between them rubbing the pad of his thumb over her sensitive nub, trying to match the haste of her bouncing.

     “God Drake. It's okay. I'm close, just keep...just don't stop. Fuck!”

      Libby threw her head back as she felt her coil snap. Like a jolt of electricity coursing through her, she trembled as her nectar spilled onto Drake's cock and she clung to his shoulders as if her life depended upon it.

     He rocked his hips slowly, pushing her through the release until at last she felt his movements falter. A low, guttural grunt fell from his lips and she could feel his seed spilling into her.

     Her vision was still blurred when she placed her forehead to Drake's, her lips dragging across his sloppily as she tried to combat her momentary dizziness. Her breath was still ragged, their bodies slick with sweat and she opened her eyes finally to peer into his.

     “Wow.” He breathed. All Libby could do was nod, but only a moment later she came to her senses. This was Drake Walker and this was a one time thing. She shook her head as she swung her leg over his lap returning to her previous perch beside him.

    The coolness of the stone wall was a welcomed sensation as she leaned against it sucking in big breaths to calm her racing heart.

     “Well, Drake... consider the...tension broken. You, uh, you certainly held up your end of the deal.” She turned her head to look at him, his face still flushed.

    “Glad to be of service, Your Grace.” he chuckled.

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

         "Go on," Emma urged, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

      The man that could be her father sucked in a long deep breath, raking his hands through his hair.

     "I knew I loved your mother the moment I laid eyes on her."

       Emma waved her hand insistently, so engrossed now there was no going back.

    "Before your Mom I was a wild child by courtly standards. I partied, alcohol and drugs, sex with various people- all things that I most definitely am not condoning," he paused to quirk an eye at Emma and she laughed. "I was just the spare to the heir ya know? No one ever expected much out of me and I guess I didn't expect much out of myself because of that. I was never going to be anything. I was just going to coast through life on my family's money and never get married. No kids. Just an endless party."

     Maxwell's gaze fixed into the distance as he gathered up his thoughts. He fidgeted with a pack of gum he'd produced from his pocket, spinning it between his thumb and forefinger.

      "Then I met Libby. That very first night-she was our waitress ya know- I just...standing next to her made me want to be better. I, I can't explain it, but I wanted to be the best me that I could so that maybe she'd notice me. 

      As time went on she did, but it was more than that. She believed in me. Trusted me. Pushed me to see the parts of me that only she could see."

     Maxwell craned his neck to look at Emma, her bottom lips still tucked between her teeth. 

   "I shouldn't be telling you any of this." he huffed.

     "I'm glad you did. So often when kids ask, their parents never really answer." Emma told him resting her hand on his forearm.

    Maxwell's eyes went wide at the thought. This could very well be the first heart to heart he'd have with his daughter, assuming she were his.

      After a few moments of silence the young blonde continued, "That's why your marriages didn't work out, isn't it? Are you still in love with my mom?"

     Maxwell dropped his head, peering into his lap. 

    "Yes. In spite of myself, I'm still madly in love with Libby."

[thewolfisawake]

FE3H

Favorite character: 

I can’t just name one. Claude, Sylvain, Ashe, Lysithea, Hilda....I mean, there’s just so many to like. 

Least Favorite character:

Uhhhh, I believe everyone has enough development to like all the characters at some level. However, if I have to go with anyone it’s probably Leonie. I like her interactions with literally anyone else EXCEPT me. It grates so much to hear how much she is on Jeralt’s dick and I was ready to fight when she claims I do not appreciate him. Like this is the man that raised me, who the fuck are y--

Also Felix. Like what the fuck is your problem man? It’s not a competition of what you’ve suffered but goddamn, have some humanity of what happened to your friends. Why are you a dick to people who just want to know about you or just in the same vicinity? There’s a line between being people-avoidant and being a jackass and he rides that so often. And it’s a bit sad because I thought I’d love him a lot since, as I’ve been told, he was ‘my type.’ 

5 Favorite ships (canon or non-canon):

Aaaaaallllll ships are both canon and non-canon so it’s fan-tucking-fastic. 

Claude/Byleth - Everyone says that he’s so underwhelming in terms of meeting back again. But this man who trusts NO ONE had faith that you would come back to him and never once doubted that. That’s a ride-or-die right there. Also they are like, power couple y’all. I mean that’s any house leader with Byleth but I really do find Claude to be the brains while Byleth can bash the fuck out of anything. 

Mercedes/Sylvain - Okay this is a bit cheating since I haven’t gotten to A support for this one yet but Mercedes knows what’s up with Sylvain’s behavior and she doesn’t fall into it but isn’t a dick about it. Also Sylvain is legitimately upset by her circumstances. And I find that ‘I see through that’ to be something endearing to me. 

Sylvain/Felix - This is a case of I like what the fandom does with this more than I care of what happens in the game. I know of their angst potential which is huge and always a plus to me. And, apparently, their end game is really intense but ‘sounds like love to me.’ But I....I just don’t like what I’ve seen of Felix but some people have been able to infer and see aspects I just can’t and put it with these two and I like that.

Lorenz/Dorothea - OH man gonna get so much flack for this. But. Here I go. Their supports felt like such growth for both of them. And even their nervous energy of being flustered was so cute to me. Plus it’s like a fairytale sort of ending with them together. Just saying. 

Hilda/Marianne - How many times can you propose to your wife? Apparently as much as you can make things to give her. I can’t even explain all of what I love of them. Just that they are cute and Marianne deserves happiness goddammit.

I haven’t gotten through all the routes to have enough of an idea for everyone but I like a lot of ships. A lot of them are cute. 

Character I find most attractive:

Based on looks alone? Claude, Felix, Dorothea and Petra.

Character I would marry:

Claude. Like he’s smart, funny, and strong. But in addition, I connect to his disconnect with his heritage as being what he is will do. I think he’s ambitious...honestly far more than I ever would be but he’s not ruthless in his way of going about it. And also, pet wyvern. 

But on the other hand, I’ve been invaded by this fake himbo that is Sylvain. And he is problematic. Problematic as fuck. But at the same time, he’s kind and doesn’t give a fuck what anyone has to say about him. And I think I can live with that. 

Character I would be best friends with:

Ashe. He’s just such a sweet heart, it’s hard to not befriend him.

a random thought:

But why make them into ‘heroes’ and not just exterminate them if they’re thieves? I’m just saying, a lot of this could have been spared if someone decided to deal with their enemies years ago. What do you mean the entire cast wouldn’t exist?

An unpopular opinion:

More time should’ve been put into the other countries that Fodlan trampled. Duscur, Brigid, Dagda and Almyra were all places related to characters and they should’ve explored it through them if they were never gonna be visited. It felt like such a disservice to Dedue and Petra in particular because their lives were changed because of war-mongering that ended up with both of their lands being taken by some part of Fodlan. Why are we brushing this aside? 

My Canon OTP:

I don’t think I love one more than the other since there’s so many pairs that are interesting and should get some attention.

My Non-canon OTP:

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh. Edelgard/Claude because just the sheer amount of political intrigue that brings. They are both ambitious people and are sure in their dream. They are willing to pull out the stops if it means giving themselves the chance of success. I feel like their dynamics would have changed if they were able to support each other because I think they’d soon figure out there’s more to the fronts they put on. I could look at them and think they’d be that stone-cold royal couple that you couldn’t fuck with even if you tried. 

Most Badass Character:

Look. There was something spiritual about going into the final battle and having Claude single-handedly tank and kill multiple ‘sub-bosses’ and then successfully grievously wound and outrun the main baddie when my ass struggled to survive. And then barbarossa class? * chef’s kiss* Why did everyone keep that from me?

Most Epic Villain:

I didn’t find any of the villains cool to be honest.

Pairing I am not a fan of:

Mmmmm, I don’t think I have any I think ‘absolutely not.’ 

Character I feel the writers screwed up (in one way or another):

From what I have heard and get vibes from? Edelgard. I thought it weird and a bad sign to learn that Silver Snow is attainable only if you don’t go through Crimson Flower. Like? Why? You didn’t split any other character’s route. I save any reverence or judgment for when I get to her route but I feel like Edelgard had a difficult job to pull through with and it probably should be the longest and most heavy one. But I don’t feel this is what happened. And that hurt Edelgard more than anyone else.  

Favourite Friendship:

I like most of the Kingdom kids. I actually feel like they’ve been friends for forever and just know how to deal with each other’s bullshit. And despite all the hardships, both known and not, they are here (until they’re not) and still putting their neck out for their friends. 

Character I most identify with:

Mercedes. I too love sweets, want to take care of people, and tend to miss things entirely. And somehow ends up feeling like the older sister when I definitely didn’t do anything to earn that. 

Character I wish I could be:

Dorothea.