#where he continued to sexually harass crew members

[alittleworldlywise]

My toxic trait is that I'm forcibly reminded of The Portland Mercury's "Silence on the Set: Claims of Harassment and Assault Within Portland’s Film Community" (which is primarily about sexual harassment on the sets of Leverage and then The Librarians) every time I hear someone evangelize about Leverage

[twopoppies]

What is the back story in Lou Teasdale and the band. I know she was their stylist(?) but was there specific drama with her and the band or the individual guys? I see her on Lottie’s instagram sometimes and I don’t get a good vibe from her.

I mean, I don't like her at all. She always seemed to use her relationship with Harry in the most obvious way to boost her own career. Plus, she just made their hair look shitty most of the time (Harry's more than anyone else's). And she just comes off as very self-absorbed and phony (IMO).

But there's no real "back story". She was 1D's groomer/hairstylist for years. She continued to work with Harry briefly afterward and did a few shoots with him. But thankfully, he replaced her on tour and then on shoots, as well. When she was working with the band, Lottie was her assistant for a few years. That's how Lottie got her start. And then they started Tanology together, so they're business partners.

The only weird part with them is that Lou and Caroline Flack were besties, and Caroline was dating Lewis at the time she died. Lottie very quickly got together with Lewis after that, and I think it caused some fallout between her and Lou. Perhaps that's been sorted out now.

The only "drama" where the boys are concerned is that a couple of years ago, she went on some podcast and was talking about the atmosphere of sexual harassment on tour and alluded to the guys hooking up with female crew members and then getting them fired. And she said some dumb stuff about how she was never a part of that because she knows better than to shit where you eat, and they were all too young, anyway. 🙄

[give-grian-rights]

iyo who is worse. Aphmau or S.G?

probably aphmau? I want to say Sam for joining discord servers and reading through chat histories, and actively defending every piece of shit thing he did. but at least he's not active on youtube nearly as much.

Aphmau's husband does basically the same thing as Sam, on a much more delusional level, AND she still uploads everyday to the point where she has merchandise in REAL STORES.

Her husband, Jason, literally decided YES let me have my wife make an insert oc for me, because HOW DARE these literal children ship MY WIFE, with fictional characters SHE WROTE to be in a relationship with her character. and then continued to bully people online about it to this day. that's without mentioning sooo much else.

shes literally had her irl kids voice act for her series, y'know, her series with incest, pedophilia, sexual harassment and human trafficking??? like sure Sam DID have kids on, but at least it wasn't his own and putting their full names and identities on the internet.

like i don't know. if we're saying JUST Aphmau, not her husband, and JUST Sam and the content he made, not the actions to fans/crew members, it's still a hard choice. I think Sam was more malicious and Aphmau more oblivious and willingly ignorant/insensitive.

[bittcrblue]

I’ve been watching Star Trek lately to decompress from the sheer amount of shit I have to do this week, and wrote a little AU ficlet this evening when my tutoring sessions got cancelled. It’s very dumb, I hope you enjoy!

Essek is the only Vulcan currently serving on the USS Eden Horizon. While he is neither a fool nor forgetful, he is certain that he, nor indeed anyone, would be capable of forgetting as much, given the series of inane, banal, and childish nicknames that his crew members insist on assigning him.

“Hey, Pointy!” calls Lieutenant Brenatto as she enters the laboratory where he is conducting his experiment.

Essek does not sigh, nor does he cease his work or halt in his movements; instead, he finishes logging his observations and locks his PADD before turning around. 

“Lieutenant Brenatto,” he states. “I assume your work in Engineering is going fruitfully, if you have the time to spare for further inter-species sensitivity training.”

“Oh, fuck, you’re not serious, are you?” Veth Brenatto groans. “Come on, you already cried sexual harassment about me calling you Hot Boi, and now Pointy’s out too? Grow up, would you?”

Essek simply folds his hands behind his back and blinks at her.

“Ugh, whatever.” She crosses her arms and scowls at him, her impressive brow furrowing. He is reminded of the fact that she has a small infant by the ferocity of that scowl, but Essek was raised by Deirta Thelyss, and is not cowed.

He should have taken the posting at the Vulcan Science Academy, he thinks, as he so often does, before remembering that, had he done so, he would be forced to interact with his mother and brother every day, along with the rest of the drooling Elders, so obsessed with their beloved Surak’s principles and the stagnation of their culture due to a veneration of logic above creativity, above progress. This would certainly leave Essek with no other avenue but to strangle himself with his own robes so as to save himself from their lunacy; as that would be most illogical indeed, it is for the best that he chose Starfleet, despite the strange mannerisms of its members.

“I came to tell you that Cay-Cay got roped into helping Beau with something real hush hush for Fjord, so he won’t be able to make your weird science flirt lunch date.” 

“You did not have to make the trip when a message to my PADD would have sufficed,” Essek rebukes. “Furthermore, I have no such standing arrangement with Commander Widogast, and would thank you to not refer to our disagreements as… weird science flirt lunch dates.”

“You know, I used to have weird science flirt lunch dates with Cay-Cay,” Veth Brenatto continues wistfully, ignoring Essek wholesale. “I’m happily married, of course, but you know, all these years out here in space…”

“I did not ask,” Essek says, and powers down his station. “I hope that Commander Widogast’s meeting with First Officer Lionnett is fruitful. Good day, Lieutenant.”

“We’re literally about to walk in the same direction, you weirdo,” Brenatto calls after him as he begins to make his way to the crew mess. 

While it is true that he often spends his meal times in intellectual debate with Commander Widogast, they are hardly dates; rather, Essek is eager to engage in intelligent conversation with a near-equal. The irony is not lost on him that he has found more stimulating arguments here, on a Federation vessel, than he ever did on the Vulcan research vessel Everstorm on which he served as Science Officer before his transfer. Even the strange Doctor Clay has offered interesting points of view at times, when he is not in his medbay or the botany labs cultivating the hallucinogens which he provides to the crew under the guise of mental relaxants. 

Essek has not partaken, despite encouragement to do so from no less than seven members of the crew. This is not out of some slavish regard to regulation; his mind is his greatest tool, and it needs no dulling. 

Upon arriving in the mess, it occurs to Essek that he is indeed without his usual partner for meals during this particular shift, and he decides to eat alone when he is hailed, enthusiastically, by Nurse Lavorre.

“Yoohoo, Essek, over here!” she calls. “Come sit with me!”

Essek does not smile, but he still crosses the mess to sit beside her. “Hello, Jester,” he says. 

“Oh my gosh, hi!” she appears to be eating replicated ice cream for her mid-shift meal, which is highly irresponsible for a medical professional, but utterly in character for one Nurse Jester Lavorre. “How did your black hole thingy go?”

“My experiments on the gravitational anomalies are proceeding well.” Essek partakes of his soup with satisfaction, both at the mild taste of his meal and the satisfaction of a well-conducted experiment.

While he may be a smooth talker and, Essek suspects, a charlatan, Captain Fjord Stone is loose with his ethical restrictions, and Essek has been able to green-light far more experiments on the nature of space, time, and gravity than he was ever allowed on Vulcan.

“That’s great!” Jester seems genuinely pleased for him. “I bet Caleb is crawling up the walls in the ready room, driving Beau crrrrraaaazy. He wanted to be there tonight when you finalise the experiment, but probably he and Beau will be working all night.” She frowns. “We could record it for him?”

“It will be recorded, as all experiments are, for Starfleet logs, and are accessible to all with appropriate clearance,” Essek reminds her. Indeed, Nurse Lavorre is not a person with such clearance, but if she wishes to be there when Essek unveils his dark star he will not be the one to stop her.

He has found that Jester Lavorre tends to get what she wants. Even the Captain is weak to her whims.

“So, anyway, I got a holo from my friend Calianna on the USS Mist, I don’t know if you know her, she actually caused a kind of huuuge fight between Beau and Caleb when we all first met, but anyways, she discovered this cool new species of lizard on a ground mission…”

Essek listens to Jester chatter about her friend’s expedition while he finishes his soup, occasionally asking a question when she seems liable to halt her tirade. The conversation has progressed from Calianna’s lizards to Calianna’s skincare routine, Jester’s mother’s skincare routine, questions about Essek’s own skincare routine (extensive), and is currently on the betting pool in the sickbay surrounding whether Ensign Nydoorin’s facial markings are tattooed or cosmetics, as nobody in Sickbay has gotten close enough to her face to attempt to wash them off, when Essek feels a warm weight in his lap.

He looks down to see Commander Widogast’s cat sitting in his lap like a large, red, furry loaf. Mrow? Frumpkin vocalises, head cocked.

Essek scritches under his chin. His Vulcan touch telepathy conveys a sense of contentment, curiosity, and the urge to lick his testicles. Essek ignores that last, and focuses back on Jester.

Jester is squealing. “Aww! Look, Frumpkin came to say hello! I bet Caleb asked him to check on you, I bet he misses youuuuu soooo much.”

Essek would know if Caleb and Frumpkin shared a telepathic bond which allowed Caleb to give his cat orders and instructions. “I doubt that very much,” he says. “Caleb is a human, and Frumpkin a cat. Neither of them is telepathic.”

“Sure,” Jester says, and smirks into her ice cream. “I know the truth, you can’t hide from me, Mister Essek.”

“I am not hiding,” Essek says.

“Sure,” Jester repeats, smiling the whole time.

Essek does not sigh. While he appreciates Jester’s company, he wishes he were eating with Caleb right now.

Frumpkin purrs under his hand, radiating smugness.

[thejeweloftheworld]

82 posts created

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

I just got a stark reminder of why theater kids are the best.

I went to a high school production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" in a town I've never visited before. It was a great show. (I didn't care for the musical but that wasn't the actors' fault.)

After the curtain call and cast/audience mingling, someone turned on Bohemian Rhapsody.

Do I even need to say more?

But I will, because:

Snoopy standing on his dog house shaking a trashcan on the first "throw it all away"

Multiple cast members screaming for Schreoder and dragging out the prop piano on "mama" followed by dramatic piano playing

Lucy and Charlie Brown scream/fight singing back and forth during the demon arguements

The crew member that decided to turn the spotlight back on and start swinging it around

The full cast hug circle near the end followed by them all "dying"

Did I mention that this was opening night?

27 notes • Posted 2021-07-14 04:34:12 GMT

#4

Uhhhhhhhhhgggg. I have a shipping problem.

Some context:

For me, there are two kinds of ships: those where I think two people would be a nice couple and would like to see them get together and those where I think they would make a terrible couple but the story possibilities are interesting.

Most of my "problematic" ships fall into the second category. There is, however, a recent exception:

Blitzo x Stolas

For those who aren't Helluva Boss fans, these two are in a quid pro quo sexual relationship. Stolas is in love with Blitzo and occupies a position of considerable power over him. Stolas is royalty while Blitzo is an imp, basically second-class citizens in hell. Blitzo's business is also entirely dependant on Stolas's continued support. Stolas is also cheating on his wife who is very much not okay with it.

Blitzo has no interest in Stolas sexually or romantically but he's comfortable with the transactional nature of their relationship. He's even shown to be proud of his manipulation of such a high-ranking member of society. However, is shown to be disgusted and uncomfortable with Stolas's public flirting and over the phone harassment.

It's a deliberately nuanced situation.

My problem is that I really want these two to get together as a couple, especially after the most recent episode, and that makes me feel really icky. From what I can tell, a lot of the fandom feel this way.

28 notes • Posted 2021-06-06 16:22:52 GMT

#3

Bill had decided to be merciful, which, of course, meant that he had found a new and exciting way to be unspeakably cruel that did not result in the deaths of everyone involved.

- A random unconnected line that popped into my head

67 notes • Posted 2021-07-20 23:51:48 GMT

#2

Some of My Gravity Falls Headcanons.

Dipper goes back to school and becomes an instant heartthrob. His summer transformed him from an antisocial loser to a dark and mysterious loner.

Wendy started babysitting really young and, without much else to do, brought the kids to the Mystery Shack. That's how she got to know Stan.

Manly Dan noticed when Stan replaced Ford but made the mistake of asking McGucket about it. Neither of them remembers this encounter

Mabel and Gideon give it another shot at some point. (I'm not saying it went well.)

Gideon really wants to talk to Ford but can't work up the courage.

Ford wants to "have a chat" with Gideon but doesn't trust his temper.

Wendy and Gideon become frienemies after Weirdmageddon because Gideon can't relate to kids his age and Wendy doesn't trust him to give up magic.

Ford had a meltdown after seeing the shapeshifter in Dipper's form when he locks up Mr. Whats-His-Face.

Ford "dismantled" the portal with a sledgehammer.

Stan was really upset by the Marilyn incident.

Bill is genuinely afraid of (sane) McGucket.

149 notes • Posted 2021-07-08 12:28:39 GMT

#1

I've seen a lot of posts (and videos and theories and fanfics) explaining how x character is a lot like Bill. Well, I would like to propose that:

Each member of the Zodiac represents a different part of Bill's personality.

Gideon is his greed, power lust, and possessiveness

Pacifica is his superiority complex

Robbie is his persecution complex

McGucket is his avoidance of his past

Soos is his thoughtlessness

Wendy is his facade ("Says he's happy/He's a liar") and irresponsibility

Stan is his apathy and dishonesty

Ford is his ambition

Mabel is his toxic idealism (the world should be this way and anything else is bad)

Dipper is his obsessiveness and scheming

This list isn't perfect as these traits and issues match multiple characters but I like to think of characteristics as things they had to overcome throughout the show.

Gideon began to care about others, respect their autonomy, and live a simple life

Pacifica accepted that she's not a perfect being and started on the road to self-improvement

Robbie trusted the goodwill of others and appreciated the good things in his life

McGucket took accountability for his past

Soos became more self-aware and aware of how his actions affected others

Wendy opened up about her problems and took responsibility for others

Stan expressed his emotions honestly rather than stewing in them

Ford found happiness in the simple things in life, the things he already had

Mabel acknowledged that the world wasn't (and probably shouldn't be) perfect

Dipper loosened up and accepted that even with all the knowledge in the world, he'd never have total control and that was okay

I really like this interpretation because rather than overcoming Bill in some big fight, they each overcame little bits of him in themselves. The Zodiac didn't work because Stan and Ford still hadn't fully worked through their issues. Stan wasn't ready to forgive Ford or acknowledge how important his family was and Ford was still clinging to his glorious purpose of defeating Bill Cipher.

Please feel free to add on or ask questions. This was a little on the spot so it could probably do with a little more fleshing out.

153 notes • Posted 2021-07-07 18:53:58 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[mordoriscalling]

48 Weeks (4/4)

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3)

Throughout the 48 weeks that Geralt and Jaskier spend apart, their relationship develops.

Aka, part 3 of the Singer and the Sailor AU no one asked for but I wrote anyway. The events of this story happen after Stay or Sail Away but before Homecoming.

Weeks 37-48

Week 37

“I think I’m gonna write a book,” Jaskier announces.

“What about?”

“I’m not sure.”

Geralt snorts.

“I definitely have a story in me to tell,” Jaskier says defensively, “I can feel it. My music is about stories too, but I’m not ready to write a book yet.”

“When you think you’ll be ready?”

Jaskier smiles in a way that doesn’t bode well. “Maybe after my dear White Wolf tells me of all his sea adventures.”

Geralt does not like the implications of this. “No.”

“Geralt!” Jaskier whines, “You wound me! First you bewitch me body and soul, and now–”

“Don’t quote Pride and Prejudice at me, it’s not working.”

Jaskier pouts. “At least one little story? Pretty please?”

Geralt sighs. He still hasn’t learned to deny Jaskier anything.

Week 38

“I know this is a weird question but... is Eskel straight?”

Geralt feels a chill down to his very bones. “What?”

“I just... need this information. I don’t want to jinx it so I won’t say anything more for now.”

Geralt clenches his jaw. Eskel’s only two months older than him and in some ways, the two of them are all too similar. “He isn’t”, Geralt answers, “he’s mostly into women but there’re some men who catch his eye.”

Jaskier smiles like a cat that got all the cream. “That’s fantastic.”

Geralt grips the phone so hard his knuckle go white. “Indeed,” he grinds out.

Jakier’s face falls. “Geralt, what’s–”

“Have to go.”

He hangs up without another word and tries not to let this hurt him. He did see this coming. Yet, all the moments he and Jaskier shared, all the songs Jaskier sent him, everything of this is right there, painful like hell.

He misses home more than ever.

Week 39

“Geralt, what’s wrong? Talk to me.”

Geralt doesn’t want to. He didn’t reply to any of Jaskier’s frantic texts since the last video call. He only sent a message about when he would be able to talk this week and sure enough, Jaskier called at that time. Geralt wishes he didn’t. He wishes Jaskier just left already.

“Not bored of me yet?” he asks bitingly, all the bitterness of the past week coming up to the surface again.

Jaskier blinks. “I don’t understand.”

That angers Geralt even more. It’s not that hard to understand that he’s fucking hurt. “Stop fucking playing with me,” he growls, “Just say you want Eskel and leave me the fuck alone.”

“What.”

“You seemed happy to hear that he’s into guys,” Geralt answers, “so fuck off and go to him.”

Jaskier’s eyes widen. “Oh gods,” he says, then starts laughing.

“This isn’t fucking funny,” Geralt spats, furious now. Rejection is bad enough but ridicule is so much worse than that.

Jaskier stops giggling abruptly. “Oh no. I hurt you.”

Geralt grits his teeth and doesn’t reply.

“I’m so, so sorry.” The look in Jaskier’s eyes seems sincere. “I asked about Eskel’s sexuality because I have a plan to set him up with my friend Essi. I was happy to hear that he’s mostly into women because Essi is most definitely a woman, and a wonderful one at that. I’m trying to talk them into a blind date because I’m just sure they’d hit it off.”

Geralt suddenly feels like an idiot.

“I didn’t want to give you that impression,” Jaskier goes on, “I apologize, dearest. Eskel’s great but I love you.”

Geralt finds he can’t say it back today; Jaskier is too good for him. Instead, he musters an apology. Jaskier accepts and slowly, the tension between them eases, but the hurt lingers for some time.

Week 40

“Lambert is such a prick.”

Geralt huffs a laugh. “I see the first meeting went well.”

Lambert returned from his deployment a few days ago. Jaskier met him and Aiden yesterday.

“Well enough, I suppose,” Jaskier replies, “We called each other names but that was the fun part.”

Geralt chuckles. Jaskier rambles on about what’s going on back at home: Ciri's doing good at her piano lessons, Yennefer still tolerates Jaskier, Eskel and Essi have agreed to go out together. As Geralt listens to the cheerful chatter, his chest tightens.

Christmas is in two days. Spending the holiday on the ship isn’t bad – their celebration is almost like home – but Geralt hasn’t seen his loved ones in nine months. Usually, he would be on his way home around this time. Nine months is how long his deployments typically last. When they’re longer than that, being away from home starts getting unbearable again.

The sea can’t soothe him today.

Week 41

It’s their last video call of the year and Geralt wants to come clean.

“My hair used to be dark brown, even darker than yours.”

“Geralt, you really don’t have to–”

“But then in went white in a matter of a few weeks.”

Jaskier says nothing for a while. He looks unsure but Geralt waits for him to ask. Finally, he does. “What? How?”

“Blaviken.”

“Blaviken?”

Geralt swallows hard. His hands start sweating but he makes himself go on. “That was the name of the ship. I was twenty-seven, only a lieutenant. There was a sub-lieutenant there, Renfri. She and I... we had an affair, but we broke it off before we got deployed. During the deployment, she... she wanted to take revenge on one of the officers in command who harassed her in the past. She had a few of the guys on the ship on her side. They... took one crew member hostage, demanding the officer’s immediate resignation.”

“Holy fuck,” Jaskier breathes out.

Geralt’s heart is hammering in his chest. He forces himself to continue. “I was ordered to reason with Renfri but I didn’t succeed. She told her guys to attack me. I defended myself and knocked them out. Then Renfri attacked me herself because I ruined her revenge, and I...” He takes a deep breath and takes in Jaskier’s face for what he knows is possibly the last time. After drinking his fill, he looks away and confesses, “I hurt her too. Really badly. She never fully recovered and left the Navy the moment she could. I faced trial, it was a miracle I didn’t get expelled. People started calling me a Butcher and I was so fucking...” He trails off because his eyes are starting to prickle. The cruel disillusionment of that time – when he realised he would never be a hero after what he’d done – hits him all over again. It haunts him, even now, just like the way Renfri’s body went limp in his arms.

When he can speak again, he only adds, “After everything, my hair went white.”

He can’t even glance at Jaskier. A mixture of self-hatred, shame and remorse rises up his throat like bile. He listens to the ringing silence, waiting for Jaskier to finally say that it’s over.

Jaskier’s words are quiet and sorrowful, “I’m so sorry you went through that.”

It’s such a shock that Geralt can only stare. Jaskier’s eyes are brimming with compassion, which he never got from anyone but his family. No one else cared what truly happened on Blaviken. He was reduced to the Butcher, hated and feared. His infamy followed him like a shadow and Geralt wanted to out-run it more than he ever wanted anything in his life. And so, he worked himself to the ground to prove himself, then to keep his job because Ciri came into his life.

Eventually, he got promoted to lieutenant commander, then to commander three years ago. From the Butcher he became the White Wolf, known not for how he had hurt people but for how he cared about crew safety, demanding complete adherence to the rules. He’s now feared for his strictness, and it’s said that he could even become a Royal Navy captain.

Yet, Geralt noticed that he'd started drifting away from his family, especially Ciri, he slowly understood that enough was enough. The sea is what Geralt knows and finds solace in, but he wouldn’t be where he is now without the support of his loved ones. He’s been choosing the sea over them for long enough. 

And now, somehow, Jaskier has become one of them. It’s irrational and too quick but Jaskier tells him he loves him even when he knows about Blaviken. Geralt decides he wants to keep him in his life indefinitely.

Week 42

“Happy New Year, my love.”

“Happy New Year,” Geralt replies, a smile tugging at his lips. He’s sure the year will be happy, with Jaskier there.

“I have a song for you,” Jaskier says, “to kick this year off with something good. It’s just... what I wish for us.”

“Something good” doesn’t begin to cover it. The song is slow and sensual, and it speaks of being in love. Of Jaskier being in love with him, loving and admiring him despite and because of knowing him well. Geralt listens to the song on repeat until he dreams of it, wishing that it was true.

He suspects that Jaskier has a wrong idea of him – an ideal which he won’t be able to live up to once he comes back. There’s a good chance that he’ll let Jaskier down and what they have won’t last.

And yet, he’s selfish and wants it to be real.

Week 43

Jaskier turns thirty-six today and Geralt has only one thing to say.

“I wish this too, Jaskier.”

Jaskier’s smile is watery and beautiful. “Happy birthday to me, indeed.”

Week 44

“Ciri keeps talking about that boy –”

“What boy?”

“You know, the new one in her class? Dara?” Jaskier looks at him expectantly. After a moment, the name rings a bell. He nods and Jaskier goes on, “I think she likes him.”

Geralt freezes. “Likes him?”

“Well, not likes him likes him but... they’re attached at the hip already. It’s great to see her make a friend like that, you know.”

Geralt hums in understanding. Ciri is friendly but other children are a bit hard on her. Many teachers are fond of her and the kids are jealous, thinking that it’s because Ciri’s parents are of high status. Ciri did earn her position as the favourite but it is true that no teacher would want to get into the black boots of a high-ranking government official and a Royal Navy commander. Now, Jaskier entering Ciri’s life only added fuel to fire in this aspect.

Sometimes Geralt thinks he shouldn’t have fought Yennefer tooth and nail when she wanted to send Ciri to the poshest school they could afford at the time. Geralt didn’t want his daughter to grow up in that environment but Yennefer wanted her to receive a top-quality education. In the end, Ciri went to a state school with high educational standards, but when the problem with other kids’ treatment of her appeared a few years later, Geralt regretted his stubbornness.

At least Ciri has always taken it in stride. She’s even more stubborn than he was, refusing to let it get to her, and Geralt adores her for it. It’s a relief, though, that she’s finally made a close friend.

“Thank you for looking out for her,” he tells Jaskier.

“Honestly, Geralt, I’m honoured that you allow me to do it. Yennefer would never let me.”

Geralt chuckles. “She wouldn’t.”

“And yet, despite her clear disdain of me, I’m starting to like that witch-bitch.” Jaskier sighs dramatically. “Alas, it appears she’s actually admirable and has a good taste in everything. Especially men.”

Geralt rolls his eyes.

Week 45

“Essi and Eskel are now a couple!” Jaskier exclaims excitedly in lieu of greeting.

“That was... fast.”

“That’s because they’re a perfect match!” Jaskier boasts with a grin, “I knew exactly what I was doing, I’m one of the best matchmakers out there.”

“What does it make Lambert?” Geralt asks.

“What do you mean?”

“He did matchmake you. With me.”

Geralt can clearly see the moment the realisation hits Jaskier.

“God-fucking-dammit, I’ve been bested!” he laments, "By fucking Lambert!”

Geralt quickly regrets pointing that out. Jaskier refuses to shut up about it.

Week 46

It’s Geralt’s forty-first birthday. The crew sang him happy birthday to his utter disgust, at which the fuckers were delighted, and now it seems that yet another person wants to celebrate his existence.

“I have a gift for you, love,” Jaskier says with a smile.

He props the phone against what Geralt assumes to be the music rack. When Jaskier sits down, Geralt gets a great view of his face as he starts playing.

The slow piano melody entrances Geralt at once. After some time, Jaskier starts singing, his voice low and soothing. The song is full of gentle, loving, grand promises. Geralt’s breath is taken away as he watches Jaskier sway to the music with his eyes closed, basked in the afternoon sunlight, looking like a creature from another world.

All the songs Jaskier’s written for him speak of such a strong feeling that Geralt is afraid to reach for it when he returns. If it were to crash and burn, the disaster would be spectacular. All his previous relationships ended badly; he knows he should be cautious.

And yet, Jaskier lures him in. He’s bright and full of life, ridiculous and annoying, warm but sharp. Jaskier feels like safety, he has from the start. And so, Geralt lets himself have this.

“Siren,” he murmurs after the last notes of the song die down, “thank you. It’s a beautiful gift. You are a gift.”

“Godness, Geralt,” Jaskier breathes out, “don’t say such things.”

“Why not?”

“I can’t be responsible for my actions when I hear you say something like that.”

“Maybe I don’t want you to hold back,” Geralt replies, “You are a gift.”

Jaskier’s gaze darkens. “Just you wait, Geralt Rivia,” he says huskily, “the things I’m going to do to you–”

Week 47

“All right, young lady, time to show off!”

Jaskier angles his phone so that the camera shows both him and Ciri as they sit by the piano in his house. Ciri smiles at Geralt and waves in greeting. Geralt smiles back, giving her an encouraging nod, and she places her fingers on the keys.

“Ladies and gentlemen, and everyone in-between and outside of that spectrum,” Jaskier says in an announcer voice, “I present to you Cirilla Vengeberg-Rivia, who will play Chopsticks for this esteemed audience!”

Ciri snickers and then begins. She plays slowly, yet to Geralt’s untrained ear, she keeps the rhythm and doesn’t miss any notes. The song lasts only a minute or two but Geralt is still very proud of her.

“Good job, Cub,” he tells her, making her smile.

“Indeed!” Jaskier seconds, “You’re a talent, sweetheart.”

“Maybe I got it from dad,” Ciri jokes.

The joke warms him to his very core but he snorts because the very notion is beyond ridiculous. “I wouldn’t be able to play well if my life depended on it.”

“Have you tried, though?” Jaskier asks with a smirk that bodes trouble.

Ciri grins like a brat she is. “We could learn together, dad.”

“A splendid idea, Ciri!” Jaskier exclaims. “Now, how can we talk your dad into it?”

Geralt faces two pairs of bright eyes and matching mischievous smiles, and he knows he can’t say no.

Week 48

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t believe it.” Jaskier lets out a small laugh. “Am I dreaming? Just... it’s been so long.”

“Hmm.”

They don’t talk much, only smile at each other. Geralt can almost sense Jaskier’s excitement through the screen, and he shares the feeling.

Tomorrow, he returns to his family. Very soon, finally, he comes back home.

To Jaskier.

*** 

A/N: Thank you for reading! If you’d like to revisit this fic as a whole, you can do so on AO3. 

The list of "Jaskier's" songs in this fic: Vor í Vaglaskógi by KALEO Movement by Hozier Wish That You Were Here by Florence + The Machine Pass Them By by Agnes Obel Muddy Waters by LP Venus by Sleeping At Last Coming Home, Pt. II by Skylar Grey Angels by the xx I Hold You by CLANN

It would be... a hell of an album.

[justthehiddleswrites]

Silken Sails Masterlist  | OFC x Multiple Marvel Characters | Pirate AU | Outline of Remaining Chapters

Summary:  Charlotte Liddell dreams of a life of adventure on the high seas.  She sets sail for the Caribbean which ends up entangling her with the hunt for the lost Spanish ship Viuda Negra and untold Spanish treasures.  Along the way, she crosses paths with British Navy Officer Steve Rogers and famed French pirate Loki Laufeyson.  Will she keep her wits about her?

Warnings: violence, death of characters, sexual harassment, smut (sex), mentions of pregnancy, pirate typical violence

Chapter 3 | The Betrayal

Loki and Charlotte become paramours. She helps him with strategy and issues with the crew. Before long, she is as well respected as Loki on the ship. Charlotte sings when the musicians play.

They speak about why he wanted to the logbook so badly. He tells the legend of L’homme de Fer or Antonio Áspero and the Diamond Azure. Charlotte drifts to sleep.

The Legend:  Antonio was one of the Queen’s must trusted advisors.  So much so, that he was entrusted to make sure the Queen’s favorite niece safely made it to the New World, where she was to be married to an Governor there.  Among her dowry is the prized Diamond Azure, a rare blue diamond.  But the Queen does not realize that Antonio is in love with the niece.  He steals the ship and turns pirate with his love by his side.  During a violent storm, his ship and the dowry of the niece is lost forever.  Or so everyone thinks...

Le Méfait docks at Nassau and sells its bounty to a local merchant. Loki is feared by the locals. The barkeep, Natalie, warns Charlotte of Loki and his quick temper and tells the story of Loki’s past. Charlotte is shocked to hear.

Loki’s Past:  As the second son of a French nobleman, Loki was never destined to inherit anything.  His older brother was always the favored one.  Loki used his cunning and skill to first gain a ship, he quickly turned pirate.  He hopes that obtaining the treasure will prove he is worthy to his father.  

Back on ship, Charlotte waits until they are alone to ask about his father. Loki asks where she heard about that, she tells the truth. He confirms everything. She asks if this legend of the Iron Man is a feeble attempt to one up his father. Loki yells and storms away.

The ship starts to wander at sea while Loki attempts to locate the wreck of La Viuda Negra. They start to talk of mutiny. They approach Charlotte about helping and becoming the new captain. She agrees. As they approach a deserted island, the crew mutinies. Loki does not expect Charlotte to side with the mutineers. They leave him on the island and name Charlotte the captain. She renames the ship the Magpie.

Loki is near death when he is found and taking onboard on the HMS Valiant. The crew member that helps him is the Midshipman Steve Rogers.

Chapter 4 | The British

Charlotte establishes herself as the captain of the Magpie. Fearsome but fair. The crew prospers and the treasure of the  La Viuda Negra and the former captain Loki is forgotten. Charlotte

Upon their most recent docking at Port Royal, everyone is on edge because of the increased British presence. There is a talk of the new commander Rogers who is hellbent on ridding the seas of pirates. While there news also spreads that Captain Loki has escaped his imprisonment and obtained a ship he has named the Verity. Sounds like he is determined to find the treasure.

This spurs Charlotte to speak to her quartermaster James Barnes, about Loki’s efforts to locate the treasure. Barnes explains why Loki needed the logbook but explains that Loki never divulged the full plan but suggest they head to New Providence Island because he knows a man who can help decipher the logbook.

As they set for New Providence, they run afoul of the British Royal Navy. In the skirmish, the British board the Magpie. They managed to capture or kill the British and get away. Among the captured is Commander Steve Rogers.

Charlotte speaks to the prisoners and tell them to join the crew or die. Some of them choose to join but some remain loyal including Steve. Charlotte promises to kill them at first morning light. As the night wanes on, Steve can’t sleep. He listens to the crew talking about Captain Loki and La Viuda Negra. Steve devises a plan to save his life.

As he is brought on deck for his execution, he asks for an audience with the captain. She denies his request. She draws her sword and he blurts out that he knows Loki’s plans. Charlotte lowers her sword and has Steve taken to her quarters.

Chapter 5 | The Hunt

Charlotte slams the door and throws Steve across the room. She demands he tell her what he knows. Steve balks. He wants assurances that he and his men will not be killed. She gives her word as a pirate. Steve mentions that his ship was the ones who capture Loki and he served as the guard for the travels back to port. During that time, Loki became sick with a fever. He mumbled on about an island of ghosts or île de fantômes and someone named le forgeron or repeated the name “Bruce”. Charlotte thanks him for the information. She releases his bonds. Steve comments that she remains him of a girl he met once in Bristol. Charlotte mentions that was a lifetime ago before heading out to free the rest of the men.

Charlotte assigns Barnes to keep an eye on the British soldiers particularly Rogers as she doesn’t completely trust him. Barnes agrees. They continue to sail towards New Providence. Steve quickly endears himself to the crew for being quick to help out. Charlotte has even begun to develop feelings such that Steve spends his nights in her quarters.

They make it to New Providence and Charlotte, Barnes, and Rogers go to find Bruce Banner, the Blacksmith. They hear mutterings as they make their way through the port. They find the blacksmith’s workshop in shambles. Bruce is found shirtless, his pants torn. His hands are bloody. They ask what happened and Banner answered that Loki’s men made him angry. They attempted to kidnap him and force him to go with them to  île de fantômes. Charlotte asks why he won’t go. Bruce says the island eats ships and he has left the pirate and cartography life behind. He has a family. Charlotte pulls out the piece of logbook and asks Bruce if he knows what the markings mean. Bruce puts on his glasses and asks where she got it from. She says she stole it from Loki. Bruce’s eyes widen and he asks if she has a death wish angering Loki, She says she will take her chances. Bruce indicates that the markings are the safe passage to land on  île de fantômes safely. Charlotte thanks him and they make their leave.

They set off for  île de fantômes but not before a small skirmish with Loki’s boat as they leave dock. Barnes sustains an injury that renders his arm lame. Steve asks Charlotte about her exact relationship with Loki, she lies and they continue an amorous relationship.

Chapter 6 | The Face-Off

It is a race to the Island of Ghosts and they sail into a fierce thunderstorm which delays their voyage. The crew is starting to show discontent but Steve rallies them with the stories of what the treasure holds. Charlotte sings.

They reach the outskirts of the Island of Ghosts there is a heavy fog. Charlotte ordered the boat drop anchor and stop as Bruce indicated. She orders that they continue on longboats. The crew is skeptical but they comply. As they row through the fog, they see the remants of many a ship, Spanish, French, and English. They hear yelling and row towards it, they discover that Loki’s ship Verity has crashed into the tall rocks and the ship is sinking. There are a few row boats going ashore. Charlotte send one of the three longboats back to the Magpie to have them salvage what they can from the Verity.

As they continue along they come across the near pristine remains of La Viuda Negra. They board it but find no treasure aboard. It appears that the treasure was dragged ashore. They make landfall and head inland where Bruce’s notes indicate they will find some caves.

They find the caves and they entered with caution. Once inside, they confront Loki and his minions. A fight ensues and Loki and Charlotte face off. They trade barbs and swipes with the swords. Charlotte mentions to Loki he wouldn’t want to kill the mother of his child which momentarily dazes him and Steve hit him over the head with a Spanish “shield” he found in the cave. They tie Loki up on Charlotte’s orders.

They continued into the cave and come up the skeleton of Antonio Áspero, which is noted by the heavy metal plate across his chest. He is perched in front of a rock wall which is inscribed with Spanish words. They push through the wall and locate the treasure. They are all now rich beyond measure. Charlotte tells them to load as much as they can onto the long boats. Steve hugs and kisses her despite the news of her impending pregnancy.

Chapter 7 | The Departure

the treasure has been divided amongst the crew of the Magpie and they set off for Port Royal to unload their prizes and drink their profits away. Steve asks Charlotte what will become of him now that the treasure has been claimed. She says he is free to go if he wants or he could join the crew. She is in need of a new quartermaster as Bucky is planning on captaining Loki’s ship which he has renamed Winter. Steve isn’t sure. They don’t make decisions that night.

When they arrive at Port Royal, they are immediately boarded by the British Navy. Charlotte and the pirates are all captured. Charlotte pleads the belly and Steve looks shocked. As she sits in jail, Steve comes around the corner. He is free but not in uniform. She asked how he managed to bargain his freedom. He mentions his uncle is well to do in Jamaica. Charlotte narrows her eyes and says “Woodes Rogers?” Steve averts his eyes as he displays a key and opens her cell. She asks what he is doing? She has been granted a pardon on the condition that she and her “husband” and father of her child leave the Caribbean. She asks where they are to go. Steve says he doesn’t know, Boston maybe New York.

Steve comments that he is aware he may not be the father and she probably doesn’t love him but once the baby is born, she will be executed and this way she can stay alive. She agrees and Steve smiles as she leaves the jail

Several years later, Steve returns to the home in New York, hoping to find Charlotte but the home is dark. He finds a note on the desk. She tells Steve she can’t stay anymore. She tried to make a go of it but being a wife and someday a mother is not the life for her. There was never a baby all those years ago. She is going back to the sea. Steve smiles wistfully. He knows he could never tie her down.

Flash forward several months. Charlotte is back in her pirate gear and at the helm of new ship which she has named the Ghost Queen. She is part of Loki’s crew once again, who somehow managed to escape  île de fantômes,

[thewatermelloncat]

Bad Places

A/N: I was inspired to write this after reading a post on Buzzfeed about sexual harassment females have endured in their workplaces. One example hit me deep and I decided to write this in response to it. I wanted to spiel off about how this shouldn’t have a warning because it is unfortunately reflective of the world we live in today. But I have included one because it’s a rough subject to deal with. So, read at your own discretion.

Warnings: Sexual harassment (verbal)

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

The sky of the Isle was beginning to be lit by the first few stars poking through the clouds, as you worked with Harry on the deck of the Lost Revenge. Of course, you hadn’t meant to be working under the light of the stars and the lanterns that glowed from the wharf, but such as the nature of having many things to complete in a day, sometimes things ran later than expected. So here you and Harry were, finishing the day’s tasks before the light of dawn.

The ship was peaceful while you worked without the rush of crew members on the deck. You and Harry didn’t talk much - aside from discussing the task at hand - you didn’t really know each other well seeing as you’d only joined the crew the previous month. He was also much higher than you in rank, and it seemed inappropriate for you to try and make conversation with him. But it was nice to work in silence sometimes.

If only it could have stayed that way.

 At the first sound of a wolf whistle you didn’t think much of it. Boys and men on the Isle weren’t the most considerate when it came to manners, and unfortunately you were used to it. You kept your head down and remained focused on rethreading the sail laid out on the deck. Though your lack of attention seemed to annoy the group, which one of them notified you of in yelling, “Bitch!”

At his words you look up to see a group of four or so young men up on the wharf, looking down at you from the railing. You say nothing, giving them nothing more than a glare before tending back to the sail.

“Come on baby, I could rock your world better than that ship!”

The words call your attention back up to the wharf, where if you’re not mistaken a sexual gesture is being made. In disgust you turn away. With your eyes back on the ship you see Harry stopped where he is working, looking up at them with an annoyed glint in his eyes. But before you can think about that further you instinctively put your head back down and get back to work.

And with the lack of your attention, the young men on the wharf move away.

 The sound of your hammer pounding at the loose nails on the deck had become rhythmic by the time you were disturbed again. It had maybe been an hour since your encounter with the young men, and you’d been stupid to hope it would be the last of the night as a group of middle-aged pirates stumble across the wharf. You can hear them conversing lowly to themselves as you feel their eyes on you.

“What you doing a man’s work for, gorgeous?” one of them calls out leaning on the railing, his friends stopping behind him.

It was clear to you that they’re drunk but it doesn’t make it any better as you feel uncomfortable in your own skin. You don’t dare to look up at them, not wanting to see a group of men over twice your age gawking at you. If you’re honest, you’re expecting them to yell something else out at you, but it’s Harry’s voice that surprises you.

“I’m incredibly flattered, but I am a man” he calls back to them from the other side of the deck from you, stacking boxes.

You can’t help but snicker under your breath at his quick and effortless reply. You’d only seen Harry as a serious figure in the dynamic of the crew, and for him use a sense of humour to deflect a comment off of you without missing a beat filled you with a sense of gratitude.

And it seemed to have its effect as the group of pirates continue to stumble off from the wharf.

 When the next chorus of wolf whistles sounded, you and Harry were working together inspecting the state of the ropes and checking the pully systems on the masts. You tried your best to tune them out and the resulting comments that followed. Harry also seemed to be watching them out of the corner of his eye as you both remained about doing your work. It wasn’t until you both moved to the mizzen that they caught your eye as you walked past them.

“When you get off you should come back to my place and get me off, if you know what I mean?” one called to you before you could avert your eyes. Following their comment, the group around them joined into a performance of sexual noises and inappropriate movements.

At the post of the mizzen you turn away from them but the sound follows you. You keep your head down with your eyes lowered to the ground as your hands mechanically go about checking the tension of the ropes.

Eventually with the lack of reaction the group move along, but still you don’t look up. It isn’t until you hear Harry’s voice that you raise your eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asks softly. Somehow the surprisingly caring tone of his voice makes you feel worse.

You nod, though you know he can see through it. You were supposed to be fine. The Isle doesn’t allow for you to be anything else; nothing was supposed to faze you. Men were supposed to behave in that way, it was normal. You had to be strong, you had to be fine. You were fine.

 It was a relief for you to finally be sweeping the deck, it meant your work was almost over. Soon you would be able to return home to rest up before the next day. A smile started to spread on your face at the thought of going to sleep, only for it to drop when you hear a rowdy group of boys parading along the wharf.

You close your eyes in the hope that they’ll pass you by without an incident, surely three in a night was enough. Daringly you hold your breath as if it would help you to maintain hope, only to sigh in despair when it doesn’t work.

“You’re wearing too many clothes. Take them off!” the apparent leader of the group calls out.

Instinctively you hug your coat tighter around your body, wishing that you were suddenly wearing more layers. Just them looking at you, knowing that they were wishing you were baring everything for them to see, made you feel violated.

At your reaction one of the men guffaws and turns to the man who spoke. “Wonder if she’s a virgin” he says hitting his friend on the arm.

You gasp and spin around to the other side of the mainmast post, hiding from their view. The rope tied around it presses into your back uncomfortably as you lean against it, but you don’t care as you push yourself further into the post, wanting to be swallowed up by it. Your world goes fuzzy as the words echo around in your mind, and you’re vaguely aware of panicked breaths expanding in your lungs.

Out of the corner of your eye you half watch as Harry storms to the gangplank holding his hook in a tight grip, but you miss the words he yells at the group before they slink away. The only sound you can hear is the beating of your own heart.

You come to as Harry stands in front of you placing a gentle hand on your shoulder. “Come on, I’m gonna walk you home.”

At his words you want to protest and remind him that you both still have work to do, but you don’t trust yourself to speak. You want to stay to complete your tasks, showing dedication to the crew, but your drive for survival has kicked in and you just want to get out. So, you hesitate before you nod your head.

 The streets are nearly empty aside from the homeless and those passed out drunk outside of the taverns, as you and Harry walk through the streets of the Isle. He hadn’t said a word since you’d both left the ship, but you hadn’t either. Though you felt his eyes watching over you as you walked.

Nearing the end of the market you step away from the glow of the lanterns on the main street and into the darkness of the alleys. The sudden absence of light doesn’t bother you; you’d walked these alleys plenty of times before. It isn’t until you hear a group of men laughing that you subconsciously step closer to Harry, who reaches over and puts a protective arm around you.

“It’s alright, I got you” he calms, looking down at you.

Although you can’t see the men your heart still pounds in your chest, and without meaning to you shrink into his touch, comforted by the warmth of his arm around you. For the rest of the walk to your home you’re scared that it might leave you, but it never does.

 When you reach the stairs before your rickety loft you expect Harry to leave you there and then, but instead he continues forward guiding you up the steps. And still at the top of the stairs he waits while you fish your key out of your pocket and unlock the door.

“You alright?” he checks again once you’ve stepped through the doorway.

You nod to him with a small smile. “Thanks for walking me home.”

He makes a dismissal noise and shakes his head. “Not a problem. I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow” you agree as you begin to close the door, but you hesitate before it shuts. “Harry?” you ask pushing it back open.

“Yeah?” he says turning around from facing the staircase.

“Uhm” you hesitate again before getting your words together. “Why were you so nice about this? Most guys wouldn’t care, they’d probably join in.”

“I have two sisters” he begins, leaning against the railing. “One older, one younger. I know Harriet has to deal with it already, and it seems like she takes it all in ‘er stride, but I see how it affects her.” he stops, sighing slightly. “I don’t even wanna think about CJ having to go through it when she gets older.”

“Well, at least she’ll have someone like you to protect her through it” you tell him.

“She will” he agrees, a small smile spreading on his face as he looks away from you.

“Good night Harry” you say, drawing the conversation to a close.

Harry nods a goodbye to you before making his way down the stairs and disappearing into an alley. Even long after he’s gone, you look out across the Isle watching the lanterns shining like stars in the streets past the alleys where you live, thinking that maybe the Isle isn’t such a bad place.

[milarvela]

By his own admission, John Barrowman has always been notorious in showbusiness circles. 'I'm known for my jokes, my sense of fun, my high jinks,' he says.

But those 'high jinks' have come back to haunt him recently as a result of serious allegations against his former Doctor Who co-star Noel Clarke.

John's role as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who began in 2005 and the character was given his own spin-off series, the far more adult Torchwood, a year later.

It launched a hugely successful career for John on both stage and screen, taking in leading roles in West End musicals, big-budget US TV shows such as superhero series Arrow, and homegrown light entertainment favourites like All Star Musicals and most recently Dancing On Ice, where he's one of the judges. He was by anyone's measure a family-friendly favourite.

Then a couple of months ago the sky fell in. Following accusations of sexual harassment against Noel Clarke, who played Mickey Smith – the boyfriend of Billie Piper's character Rose – in Doctor Who from 2005 until 2010, historic footage emerged on YouTube of a sci-fi convention, Chicago Tardis, in 2014, released by The Guardian newspaper which had investigated Clarke's behaviour on the Doctor Who set.

In an interview in front of a live audience, Clarke is seen regaling fellow cast members Annette Badland and Camille Coduri with tales of John's behaviour on the set of Doctor Who, exposing himself 'every five seconds'. Clarke then jokes with the audience not to do this at their workplace or they might go to prison.

The allegations levelled against Clarke are extremely serious. At least 20 women have come forward to accuse him of sexual harassment and bullying, 'inappropriate touching and groping' and secretly filming naked auditions before sharing the videos without consent.

He denies all the allegations, but BAFTA has since suspended the Outstanding Contribution award it bestowed on him just weeks earlier, and the BBC has shelved any future projects he was working on with them.

Now John's behaviour on the sets of both Doctor Who and Torchwood has come under scrutiny once again. The furore has led to a video of Captain Jack Harkness being expunged from the current immersive Doctor Who theatre show Time Fracture, a planned Torchwood audio production featuring John and former Doctor Who lead David Tennant being scrapped and doubt about whether he will be invited back to the Dancing On Ice panel.

ITV will announce the line-up for the next series in September. John immediately issued an apology following the emergence of the video back in May, but today he's decided to speak exclusively and candidly to Weekend to give his side of the story.

'The moment has come to set the record straight,' he says from the Palm Springs, California, home he shares with his husband Scott Gill. 'This is the first time – and the last – I will address this subject. And then I plan to draw a thick black line under it.'

Firstly he says it's important to set the scene. On the set of Torchwood, which followed a team of alien hunters and explored themes of sexuality and corruption, he had what might be called a 'relaxed' attitude to nudity, and would wander around in an open robe. But it's claimed that he was well known for flashing and mooning at cast and crew alike on both the Doctor Who and Torchwood sets.

As Captain Jack Harkness I was the star of Torchwood, so I felt it was down to me to lead the company and keep them entertained,' he explains. 'When I was doing a nude scene or a love scene it was clear in the script I'd be naked and everyone would have known about that at least 48 hours in advance. So I'd be waiting in my trailer wearing just a robe with a sock over my "parts". Then, if I were standing waiting to film a scene where I needed to be nude and someone came into view, I'd make a joke to put them and myself at ease. My actions were simply designed to defuse any potential awkwardness among the cast and crew.

'I've never been someone who's embarrassed about his body so it didn't bother me if anyone saw me naked,' he adds. 'The motivation for what I'd call my "tomfoolery" was to maintain a jokey atmosphere. There was absolutely nothing sexual about my actions and nor have I ever been accused of that.' Whether this sort of behaviour would defuse any awkwardness, or actually foster it, is debatable.

WHY I'VE GONE INTO THERAPY

This scandal has clearly not left John unscathed. 'It was upsetting my mental health,' he tells me. 'My husband Scott suggested I talk to somebody. I won't discuss what I've said in therapy sessions – that's a matter of doctor/patient confidentiality – but I don't mind admitting it's helped me a great deal.

'It's made me aware that despite how much cancel culture may talk about respecting people's mental health, too often they don't respect the mental health of the people they're trying to cancel. So I needed to understand what was happening, which is why I went to speak to somebody.'

Has he had more than one session? 'Yes. It's a conversation that's still going on,' he says with a wry laugh. 'Seriously, whatever the situation, if you feel you need to reach out to someone it's very important to keep talking.'

'If what happened had taken place in the changing rooms after a rugby match it would be regarded as no more than a prank,' he continues. 'On the other hand, it's never going to happen in an accountant's office or a supermarket. But my job is not a regular nine-to-five, we're a family working long hours and in close proximity to each other.' Again, one has to bear in mind that a rugby changing room would be an all-male environment. There were many women in the cast and crew of the TV shows.

'In the theatre quick costume changes happen in the wings all the time, with everyone stripping off to get into their new outfits in time for the next scene,' he says. 'Girls might be braless, boys only in jockstraps. That's just how it is and no one gives it a second thought. But I accept that my behaviour at the time could have caused offence.'

Although John's recollection is that no one complained at the time, and he says that no one has complained since, at one point he was called in for a private conversation with Julie Gardner, an executive producer on Doctor Who and Torchwood. She has confirmed to The Guardian that she did receive a complaint.

'My antics had come to her attention and she told me I should rein in my behaviour,' he recalls. 'In blunt terms, she had just two words of advice: "Grow up!" That struck a chord. I did as I was told and my behaviour changed overnight. I'd still be full of jokes and fun, but no more naked pranks. I can see now my actions were pretty juvenile but this was a different time and it's something I would not do today.'

When these rumours were swirling back in 2008, it's also said John exposed himself during a Radio 1 interview in which his behaviour was being discussed. He denies this today.

'I was being goaded by the presenters about my reported behaviour on the Doctor Who set. I went along with it but I didn't actually do anything inappropriate in the studio. What would have been the point, it was on the radio? Still, it created such a stir that the following day I decided to make a full public apology and get on with my life.'

And that might have been that, but for the accusations against Noel Clarke coming to light. 'It seems to me that I've become collateral damage to a much bigger story,' says John.

Given his and Clarke's high profiles and the severity of the allegations against Clarke, this is hardly surprising. Has he spoken to his former co-star since the balloon went up?

'I have not.' Does he plan to? 'I do not. But listen, I'm not trying to cast myself in the role of victim here.' That said, he clearly resents these stories re-emerging, although he has had messages of support.

'In fact many members of the cast and crew have been in touch since this latest storm blew up giving me their support,' he insists. 'I won't name them because I don't want anyone to find themselves in the firing line.'

However, Gareth David-Lloyd, who played bisexual Jack Harkness's lover Ianto Jones in Torchwood, has chosen to go public about working with John. 'In my experience John's behaviour on set was always meant to entertain, make people laugh and keep their spirits and energy high on what were sometimes very long working days,' he said.

'It may be because we were so close as a cast that professional lines were sometimes blurred in the excitement. I was too inexperienced to know any different but we were always laughing. The John I knew on set would never have behaved in a way he thought was affecting someone negatively. From what I know of him, that is not his nature. He was a whirlwind of positive energy, always very generous, kind and a wonderfully supportive lead actor.'

In the weeks following this new public scrutiny John has had time to reflect, and has come to the conclusion there are two issues. One is the aftermath of the #MeToo movement; the other is cancel culture.

'I'm a supporter of #MeToo because no person should ever feel that in order to succeed in their career they can be coerced into doing something sexual against their will.

'My problem with cancel culture, on the other hand, is that it can take the form of intolerance and prejudice. It's a culture with no shades of grey. There's no leeway for forgiveness or room for recognising any change in someone's behaviour. Cancel culture tends to talk at you or past you or through you, rather than listen to you. Dialogue is extremely rare.'

He sounds upset now. 'Look, I'm in a good place,' he insists. 'I've got a great husband, a great family, a great "fan family" around me. But I've found it difficult. And yes, some of the things that were being said have been hurtful.

'Scott and I would go to bed on a Saturday night dreading the stories in the Sunday papers. And then I'd wake up to lies. One newspaper printed as fact that I'd been dropped as a judge by Dancing On Ice. Well, apart from the fact that the new panel isn't decided until the autumn, no one from ITV had spoken to me or my agent about this latest upset.'

Ashley Banjo, leader of dance troupe Diversity and a fellow Dancing On Ice judge, has only worked with John for the past couple of years so did not know him during the time of the behaviour he's now being scrutinised for, but has publicly spoken out in support.

'I've told John I'd readily work with him again,' said Ashley. 'He's always fun on Dancing On Ice and he's been very respectful and considerate. I'd like to see him come back. The impression I get from this story is it's something small and historic, something blown out of proportion. What I'm not a supporter of in regard to cancel culture is when the speed of allegation is much faster than the speed of investigation. Before I make a judgment I want to see and understand the facts.'

There has been outrage on Twitter, with many users pointing out that John's 'tomfoolery' could be regarded as indecent exposure, and that the fact it happened among work colleagues is no excuse. 'You don't do that in work. You don't do it full stop. If you did it in the city centre you'd be arrested,' posted one user.

So does he regret the way he behaved? 'You can't wind the clock back,' he says.

'They were different times, which is why I wouldn't do now what I did then. I've acknowledged that by the way my behaviour has changed. The trouble is that certain cancel culture enthusiasts are not allowing me to acknowledge it. I've always believed that the reason I was put on this planet was to bring joy to people, make them laugh. How I do that has evolved over the years. I'm still using humour, just in a different way than might have been the case ten or 20 years ago.'

Now, he says, he wants to move on, both personally and professionally. Many years ago he bought a house for his parents down the street from where he lives with Scott.

'They're getting on now and I've been their primary carer throughout the pandemic, doing their shopping, getting their prescriptions from the pharmacy and so on. My mother broke her pelvis at one stage but she's on the mend now. I'm just thankful I can keep an eye on her and my father. I'm thankful too to the scientists for coming up with the means by which we can combat Covid via vaccinations, and the healthcare workers for administering them and looking after us so selflessly. We owe them a great debt of gratitude.'

What about professionally? 'Well, I'm at the early stages of putting together a show full of anecdotes and songs that will tour throughout the UK when restrictions are finally lifted. As far as I'm concerned, it's back to business as usual.'

But it remains to be seen later this year with the announcement of the line-up for Dancing On Ice whether John's career too might be put on ice.

***

I can see now my actions were pretty juvenile but this was a different time and it's something I would not do today.'

Well, to be blunt, he’s too old to be doing it anyway, people would just roll they eyes at a pathetic old lech instead of maybe giggling at a younger man’s adorable/innocent/whatever tomfoolery.

'In fact many members of the cast and crew have been in touch since this latest storm blew up giving me their support,' he insists. 'I won't name them because I don't want anyone to find themselves in the firing line.'

I think he should name them. Just for fun. Come on! Because I doubt there have been (m)any. If this story teaches anything, it’s that whatever you say/do can come back to haunt your celebrity status years later in most unexpected ways. Or maybe he was always the intended main course, Noel Clarke only the appetiser...

[george-mackay-macfine]

Harassment

Requested

Synopsis: George helps you deal with a group of guys who won’t leave you alone. 

Word count: 1,889

Content warning: This contains mentions of harassment, sexual assult and abuse. Please read at your own discretion. 

“Well, I took a stroll on the old long walk of a day - I- ay- I- ay.” Dean and I sung, or rather screamed into the microphone jumping around the stage when Dean went roque and hopped off, trotting into the crowd as they clapped along with us. 

“I met a little girl and we stopped to talk of fine soft day -I -aye.” Dean winked at a girl who sat at the bar, playing with her drink. 

“And I ask you, friend, what’s a fella to do.” I sung following Dean of stage. He grabbed my hand and helped me onto the bar, following me up. We walked towards George and the rest of the 1917 cast and crew. “Cause her hair was black, and her eyes were blue.” I held my hand out towards Sam who was laughing at us. 

Dean and I’s theatrics continued through the middle of the song, trotting up and down the stage, holding onto each other, ourselves, and members of our audience before we hopped of the bar and back onto the small stage. 

“When I woke up I was all alone.” Dean wrapped an arm around my shoulders. I turned to look at him, turning my face into a sad frown. “I know who’d leave me right.” He laughed into his microphone. 

“With a broken heart and a ticket home.” I sang back to him. 

“And I ask you now, tell me what would you do?” We sand together. “If her hair was black and her eyes were blue.”  

“I’ve traveled around I’ve been all over this world, boy’s I ain’t ever seen nothin’ like a Galway girl.” Dean finished throwing an arm towards the audience for us to be greeted with a round of wild applause. Dean and I took a bow, hands thrown together between us. 

“Thank you.” Dean shouted into the microphone. “We’re going to be here until they kick us out.” I shook my head unable to stop laughing as we replaced our microphones. 

“I’ll be back in a minute, bathroom.” I called to Dean as I walked towards the bathroom. I shuffled past Dean and quickly used the bathrooms, as I was coming back out I was cornered by a group of three young guys. 

“Loved the song.” The first smirked at me. 

“Really loved it,” The second added. 

“Thanks.” I went to walk past them, only to have my escape blocked by the third. 

“How about a drink?” The third smirked down at me like I was a deer walking into the lions den. 

“No, thank you though.” I went to walk around again, the second blocking me this time. “I’m really sorry guy’s but I’m here with some friends.”

“We can be friendly.” Jerk number one smirked, his hand boldly touching my arm. “Really friendly,”

“No, thank you.” 

“C’mon, You’ll have fun.” I looked at them all, none of them took their eyes off me. 

“I don’t want any trouble.” 

“Trouble never looked so fine.” Jerk number two smirked at me. 

“I’m going to go.” I pushed between the two, only to have my body stopped between the pair. “Let me go,” I groaned pushing them. 

“But you look so good here, between us.” Jerk number three smirked down, I felt his hand go into my hair pulling it roughly. I let out a groan of pain. “Especially when you make that noise.” 

“How about you let us take you home?” Jerk number one let out a low whistle. 

“No, thanks.” I was beginning to panic as I struggled to find a way out. “Just let me through please, I have friend’s waiting for me.” 

“We can make it quick.” One of them whispered in my ear. “We’ll enjoy it.” 

“Y/N.” I heard a voice call. “Y/N where’d you go.” 

“George.” I called back, turning to look as George turned into the hallway. He stopped when he saw my situation. 

“Y/N, everyone is waiting we’re gonna leave.” He stepped towards me. 

“Y/N… Pretty name.” Jerk number two touched my arm. “I think she’s going to hang out with us, thanks though.” 

“Y/N, I’m serious everyone is waiting.” George stepped towards me again. 

“We’re serious mate, she’s not coming with you.” 

“I’m coming.” I pushed the guys away and walked towards George. When I was close enough to him I grabbed his hand, and let him pull me towards him. “Thank you.” I whispered as he pushed me in front of him. 

“What happened?” 

“Can we talk about it later?” 

“Of course.” George squeezed my hand. He lead me back to the group, I saw Dean sitting with the dark haired girl his arm wrapped around her waist as they chatted carefree. The rest of the cast and crew drank and laughed. “Wanna get out of here?” I nodded my head. “We’re gonna go get some food.” George announced to the party. 

“See you all tomorrow.” I waved my hand still firmly in Georges, being waved goodbye as we walked to the front door. 

_-_-_-_-_-_

“Thanks for letting me stay the night.” I whispered to George as I sat on the edge of his large king bed in his hotel room. “I really didn’t feel like being alone.” 

“What happened, in the bar?” I knew it’d come to this, and I knew George deserved answers. 

“I went to the bathroom, and when I came back those guys were there… They kept touching me and pulled my hair.” I felt tears well in my eyes as I remembered what happened. “They kept trying to get me to go home with them.” 

“And you didn’t want too…” The way George said it, I could tell everything was making sense to him. “I’m sorry, Y/N.” 

“That’s never happened before, at least not like that.” I wiped one of the tears off my cheek. “I’ve had guy’s touch me before, and grab me as I pass them, whistle at me on the street but it’s never been that close before.” 

“You deal with this sort of thing a lot.” I chuckled despite myself. 

“A lot of women do.” I looked up from the blanket to him.  

“If that ever happens again Y/N, I want you to remember… Women do not need to be polite to someone who is making them uncomfortable.” He stood up and walked around so he was sitting beside me, his hands enveloping mine. “If someone ever does this again I want you to scream, throw punches, get someones attention…” He reached up pushing some hair behind my ear. “Beat the all mighty fuck out of them,” 

A/N: This started out as a cute fluff idea, but upon seeing an article about a domestic violence case in Australia where a man set his wife and their three children on fire in their car, killed them all (And himself) I was motivated to remind people to stand up for yourselves, and seek help if you need it. 

Domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment is never acceptable. If you need help reach out, and get it. People want to help you. 

[antoine-roquentin]

President Mary Kay Henry’s deputy Scott Courtney departed in 2017 in the wake of a BuzzFeed expose of sexual abuse.

Henry appointed an external advisory board to address sexual harassment. Thinking it was bona fide, a former SEIU staffer sent a memo that had already gone to the Guardian (in a big mistake to Henry and a “ombudsman,” not the new board) about the misconduct of Martin Manteca, Organizing Director of SEIU Local 721, the Southern California Public Service Workers Union, with 95,000 members. In 2016, a staffer complained of having been demoted after complaining about Manteca; she was not the first to allege he’d been abusive. More than 60 staffers in Manteca’s local filed a petition decrying his retaliation.

That led to an investigation…by the SEIU ethics office. Readers who know this terrain will recognize that for a probe to have the veneer of independence, it need to be led by an outside party.

As Elk reported in early December:

In depositions, obtained by the Payday Report, 16 SEIU staffers provided testimony against Manteca. The staffers painted a picture of a boss who not only sexually harassed women in the workplace but one who would become physically confrontational and harass those who tried to stand up to him in solidarity with his accusers.

“He was an absolute sociopath,” said one staffer who wished to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation. “If he was on the floor of your office, you hid at your desk. You didn’t want to see him. He was such a terror.”

Elk posted most of the affidavits in a case filed by Mindy Surge against SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West. They cover sexual misconduct, including assault, by SEIU officers and mangers such as Dave Regan, Stan Lykes, Marcus Hatcher (who was eventually fired), Chokri Bensaid, and Pedro Malave (fired after a PayDay report expose). We’ve embedded them at the end of the post. They make for vivid reading.

As Elk describes, SEIU took no action against Manteca in the 2016 investigation. Elk describes another allegation, in 2018, of Manteca earlier making advances against her, which again failed to generate any sanction. Things continued to snowball:

However, despite numerous accusations of sexual misconduct and two investigations by SEIU, Manteca was allowed to continue in his post as deputy trustee of SEIU Nevada in addition to his duties as Organizing Director of the SEIU’s chapter of the SEIU Local 721, the Southern California Public Service Workers Union.

While serving as deputy trustee of SEIU Nevada, Manteca was once again accused of harassment. In a lawsuit filed in March of 2019 and obtained by Payday Report, Manteca is accused of harassing a female staffer Debbie Miller for seeking a disability accommodation for her struggle with diabetes.

Today, Manteca still serves in his position as the Director of Organizing of the Southern California Public Services Workers’ Union, where he makes $130,000-a-year…

SEIU #MeToo activists say that staffers like Manteca and Regan, who participate in hostile takeovers known as “trusteeships” of other SEIU locals, rarely face punishment. They are known within the union as part of the “wrecking crew,” a crew of bureaucratic union staffers that are intensely loyal to DC union leadership, often at the expense of local administration.

Ironically, while SEIU has used federal trusteeship powers to take over dissident unions, it has failed to use trusteeship to punish those like Regan, who stands accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct. Indeed, SEIU has even permitted Regan to use his union, SEIU-UHW funds to defend the union leaderships against sexual misconduct allegations.

Notice that the only #MeToo supporters who are trying to combat these apparent serial abusers are SEIU members; there’s no evidence of interest, much the less help, from the rest of the movement.

[agiearts]

Genre: Angst, fluff, Smut

Synopsis: Y/N is not enjoying the concert in Seoul due to harassment of the guy behind her pinning her to the barrier-fence. No one cares, no one notices, and no one takes actions until Jimin found the situation angering him.

A/N: I really hope you enjoy this one shot, it’s my most liked one on archived. So I hope you enjoy as well <3

Warning: Sexual Harassment 

He pushes me hard up against the fence which is separating the crowd from the stage. He holds my hips like he owns me, the music blasts, fans shout and my screams is easily confused to be similar. He thrusts against my ass to my cries, but no one notice. Several times he tries to kiss me but I refuse. I feel pinned and stuck, and I prayed for their concert to be over because I couldn’t concentrate with this harassing dude touching me, purposely taking advantage of the crowds disguise. I bawled my eyes out leaning over the fence nearly choking with the lack of air. Suddenly a certain someone saw my pain, heard my screams, but he had a job to continue.

The arena faded to dark only to the light-sticks dull enlightenment. Before the stage lights truly faded, his shadow unlike everyone else ran off. Two warm hands suddenly grabbed my shoulders from across the fence, and there’s a whisper to my ear. “I’ll help you over the fence”, his angelic voice was to identify at once. But my heart was already rushing with adrenaline so nothing changed as I got over the fence. Only the hint of relief hit me once his hands ripped away from me and i was dragged away.

Into the the slightest of light his identity was confirmed to what I thought. Jimin’s eyes looked worryingly at me, seeing the already red and bruised hands of mine from the forced grips, made his expression angry along with sorry. He handed me his water bottle to get me hydrated and to hopefully get me to calm down. “Stay here”, Jimin had no time to stay around and rushed back on stage.

I could hear their steps and voices, but then something interrupted it. A crew member had spotted me and marched hasty towards me as I was seen as a threat. “You’re NOT allowed to be here!” He grabbed my already bruised arm, dragging me painfully through several hallways to end up in an isolate room. I was thrown inside and cage within the four concrete walls. I banged on the door trying to explain. But like anyone would have believed my story… literarily any fan would have come up with a similar excuse to meet them, only that my story wasn’t an excuse. Never had I believed things would turn out so horrible, all I wished for and payed for was seeing my idols perform. That was all I wanted… Now I’m here, locked up in a isolated room, crying for help as I’m feeling the angst place itself up my throat.

The boys ends the show without any regrets or much hardship. Jimin rushed to redress into normalised clothing: white t-shirt, black hoodie, dark blue jeans and original yellow timberlands. He looked around finding her nowhere, he ended up asking the crew. Their answer made his fingers tighten in a fist, and he raised his voice slightly between his gritted teeth. “I got her back here! Where is she?”

I was locked in the old storage area and I was panicking. I placed myself into the very far corner as I kept staring at the door, praying for just anyone to open up. Then, the door suddenly burst open. Jimin walked with long steps toward me opening his arms. I let myself find comfort in his kindness. “I’ll get you out of here safely, don’t worry”. He grabbed my hand gently with his knowledge on my bruising, dragging me back all the hallways from before, and through the rest of their group. They reacted confused, but they smiled apologetically once they saw my teary eyes. I felt so out of place, I wanted to disappear at the same time as it was so surreal that it still didn’t reach my mind who’s holding my hand. Jimin was shouted after by his fellow members, but he shut them out as the exit door closed behind us.

He flipped up his hoodie and covered his lips and nose behind a mask. He turned to me and smiled with his eyes so gently, reaching for my hand he intertwines our fingers like a couple. “Where do you live? I’ll walk you!” “Grand Hotel, I’m just visiting Seoul”. I’m just half Korean, but have lived here all my life. But in Ilsan, not in Seoul where my dad is born and raised.

Jimin kept me close as we were walking, both silent most likely because he would easily be recognised if overheard.

It was getting darker outside, nearly all light was gone. Walking in the entrance of the Hotel lobby I prepared myself to say goodbye to him. But that wasn’t his plan. “Which room?” He smiled at me behind the mask still holding my hand. “4-21, why?” “Just wanna make sure you get back safe, all the way”

During the short elevator trip I think It finally went up for me who was offering me help. Also he removed his mask, underlining the realisation. I felt the heat arouse in my system, my cheeks flushing red with him looking at me. Everyone said he was so short, but not to me. He was tall enough to lean his head to the top of mine if he stretched his neck just a little.

“What’s your name?”

“Oh, I’m Y/N”, I said shyly.

“Woah, such a pretty name!!” He smiled at me.

4th floor, he let go of my hand. I opened the Hotel room door and walked a few steps inside, Jimin stood in the door opening leaning against the door, keeping it from gliding shut. “I’m sorry what happened to you. I was going to act sooner but I couldn’t. And sorry I just had to leave you, but …”

“Omg, Jimin it’s okay, I totally understand. Thank you so much”

He invited me in for another hug. And I knew from just the two I’ve received, that his hugs were the absolute best. But this one was more, idk what to call it… electric maybe. He smelled so good, I just realised, and he was so warm and caring. As we pulled away from each other our space did not extend. His hand slid gently down my left side ending up resting at my hip, his right hand, to my surprise, cupped the left side of my face. His thumb wiping away remaining tears. Our eyes met and It felt as drowning or drifting through a galaxy. His smile faded to become blank-ish.

“Y/N… Can I kiss you?..” He spoke so gently and low for just my ears.

“Really?”, I reacted with whispering in slight shock to his sudden request.

“Yeah”, he whispered very low as he closed his eyes while decreasing our distance, leaning slightly down. His plump lips suddenly presses up to mine, pecking them so sweetly. One intimate touch and all my senses swelled up. A kiss without sound, just a gentle little peck. But turning to so much more. I couldn’t hold myself back wanting “just one more”, Standing slightly on my toes i kissed him. His mouth went to dance with mine, clearly giving into it as well. He hummed pleasurable, “hmmm”, into it as he took a step towards me, pulling us even closer, and the door shut behind us. The kisses were no longer muted. Repeated small smack sounds and “hmmms” from him made me all warm and fuzzy inside.

I hadn’t realised his sudden struggling need before he tried speaking. His body was clearly exited with dissatisfaction, building up a scream for escape.

“I’m sorry Y/N, I didn’t intend this.” In my mind the sentence would stop there like the fair and soft boy he is, but he ended up revealing a side of him I never had thought existed. But believe it or not, Idols are humans too. He’s a boy, boys get horny...

“I helped you, and now suddenly it seems like I could need some help too…” he was still shy, but his little smirky smile was too honest.

He pulled me back into wet kisses. And i let him, let his hands glide to underneath my merch-sweater. Jimin realized the 5 lettered name written at its back, he was the one out of seven. I chose him, and it seems like he chose me.

He grabbed the back of my thighs underneath my ass, pulling me to hook my legs around him, not interrupting any kisses. He let me fall back into the sheets carefully. He leaned down to kiss my forehead before he unbuckled his belt and removed both mine and his shoes. As he took of his jeans his phone dropped out of the back pocket. His screen was overflowing with messages and missed calls, mostly from Hoseok and Jungkook. While most of the messages was from Namjoon.

I couldn’t read what it said, but did it really matter? Jimin did seem to avoid them anyway. I tried staying there in the moment, with him, Jimin...

He seems tense and tired, yet passionately loving and cuddly. He embraces me with lots of bare skin. Feeling his heat i gasp loudly, starting to feel my underneath pulsating with his close presence.

Our lips reconnects and his hands travel down, making me moan into his mouth as he suddenly press against my clit. I feel his smile against my cheek right before he starts trailing my neck with light suctions and tiny love bites.

I placed my hands to his tense shoulders, then pulling him in for a hug.

“Jimin...”, he didn’t even recognize it himself, how tense he was. I know they work hard, i know he lacks rest. “Oppa, Please relax”

“Call me that again!”

“Oppaaa”, i pouted playfully, with a slight giggle.

“Fuck, you sound good!” He was thriving as we continued kissing. His tongue licking into my mouth increasing the intensity.

His member was painfully hard, with the slightest touch he winced with a facial expression exploding with painful pleasure.

“Take your boxers off if it hurts”

He didn’t hesitate the slightest, kicking them off like he hadn’t done anything else. His thighs was so thick, along with his manhood above and between them.

Jimin pouted at me intensionally.

“If it hurts so much, can i help in anyway?”

A wild smirk spread across his face, and he leaned down to my neck as his naked body hovered over me. Two kisses placed up to my ear before he whispered into it with a low, sexy voice.

“Ride me baby!”

I had never rode anyone before, in fact just barely had sex in normal positions... or sex at all, so much experience wasn’t on my side. But something inside me really wanted to, a strong desire to sink down on his throbbing needy member.

I pushed him off me, rolling him over. Jumped off the bed only to easily slide the thong off. Jimin not taking his eyes of me once, his gems shone with impatience. Back on the bed i sat on his stomach feeling the uneven surface to my underneath. His short fingers helped me prepare, he already made me a slight mess above him. He smiled at me as i catches my breath.

“You look so beautiful under pleasure Baby!”

His hands held my hips, it was my turn. Alining, holding onto the sides of his stomach . He gently pushed me down on his length, stetting me with it all. We tried staying silent, i whimpered between my heavy fast breaths. Jimin leaned his head backwards opening his mouth letting out a moan, with a grunt following and i saw his adamb’sapple bop with his gulp. He bounced me once with surprise. And to his surprise i moaned a loud scream. He grunted again and smirked as i bit my lip to silence.

He started moving my hips to roll with his member inside me. His face bloomed with pleasure, and it decreased with struggle as i gently started moving up and down together with his motions.

“Ahhhh grrr.. Y/N-ah!” Jimin whimpered.

He made me fasten leaving us both loud. The room’s scent was a mix of manly cologne and rough sex, never thought it could be such an addicting smell.

With every thrust and bounce his cock stretched me out and hit the same spot of pleasure each time. I moaned his name with the knot building in my stomach.

“Jiminahh! Ah!”

“Come on baby! Cum for oppa!”

I clenched around him leaving my juices dripping down on his crotch. Pulling out, Jimin went immediately to finish his climax. His liquid spilling all over his abs, leaving it a sticky mess. I wiped it off for him with the towel nearby.

Both of us redressed slightly. He put on his boxers again, and before i knew he covered my torso with his white T-shirt.

He snatched my waist to collide with his, leaving my ass up against his crouch. He held me close, pulled the duvet to cover our bodies, cuddling me as we both continued to regain oxygen from our highs. I felt his breath brush to the back of my neck, his lips almost touching it as well. I could feel his arm push me down with it’s natural weight, he wasn’t tense anymore and i believe he managed to relax.

“Thank you sweetie. I loved that!” The words slip his and my heartbeat fastened.

It was all over, the concert, the unplanned sex, the time with him... i would all lose it in the morning. Like I wasn’t already crushing on him or rather deeply in love from before, but now... we suddenly had a connection. There was a feeling there that wasn’t the kind of love between a fan and an artist, i felt need, real hopeful need of waking up with him besides me. His wet sweet kisses to heat up my body, his real smiles up close with dimples to display.

Oh gawd what have i done...

“Y/N-ah? Hello??” Jimin had turned me, facing him and he waves his hands in front of my glare. I snapped out of the negative thoughts, but they left a reality effect to the situation.

“Something wrong?”

The expression on my face gave me away. I looked at him with a sudden tear sliding down my side.

“OH Y/N? What’s going on?”

“Sorry i troubled you Jimin, made you break rules... you shouldn’t be here, you should probably have been sitting alongside Jungkook working on new songs, or dance with Hoseok to practice new choreographies right now... yet here you are. With some fan that in reality will never be more than just that... a fan.”

“What do you think i am? A international fuckboy? Our fans is my world, you’re everything to me. I love you all, and i hope i state that enough. I may be crowded with girls, and are able to get anyone i would like at any time. But i don’t, because I don’t use girls that way. I respect them, their body’s and souls, their beauty and charms. “

“What Just happened between us was a mistake maybe, I don’t really know you, but i like you... I loved what we just did. I felt a type of connection from the first touch when i pulled you over the fence... But you’re right I shouldn’t be here, but i am and i’m not leaving yet either. I haven’t felt this down to earth and relaxed in months” Jimin spoke convincingly and real, straight from the heart.”

“You won’t?”

“No are you crazy! I don’t just have sex and leave, that’s prostitution! And you’re not a doll either. You’re beautiful, adorable and real good Y/N-ah!”

“Don’t worry, i can stay the night if you want. With cuddles, can’t live without!”

He wrapped himself closer around me, kissing my bare shoulder. He brushed along my arm with his fingers, making me sleepy as i was pretty tired.

-

A little space was left between us as we fell asleep. Both tired. Jimin’s eyelids shut with the weight they provided, yet he slept lightly.

My fantasy was running wild, why now out of any night... I was being loud, whimpering as he played with me inside my head.

My deep breaths and whimpers, and some slight moans joining in once in awhile, awakening the blonde boy besides me.

Laying there he stared at me with awe and a tiny smirk across his face, probably not clueless to the lustful pictures in my unconsciousness.

I had a wet dream, something i’ve never ever had before.

I suddenly whisper his name with whispers developing afterwards.

“Jimin-ah!”

Jimin couldn’t hold himself from granting it. He planted both his hands to either side of my body holding his own above mine, leaning down kissing me to senses.

“Having a wet dream about me sweetie?” He smirked at me from above.

I felt the warmth pulsate in my body as he said it and I understood i’d been loud.

“Rude of you not to share it with me” His body went on top of me, he cuddles to my chest. Then leaving hickeys to my neck and by my collarbones.

“Jimin...”, he looked up at me.

“Please kiss me again...”

I didn’t need to ask twice. But with his kiss i teared up slightly, but tried my best to keep the sadness hidden from him.

He sat down besides me, pulled me to his lap and kept me close to his chest. We intertwined out hands.

“Before i fell asleep last night... I couldn’t strop staring at you.” Jimin blushed.

“I started thinking.. so i’ve been thinking.. I trust you... so can you keep a secret?”

I nodded.

“Give me your phone”

He opened the camera, made it face us and i just cuddled up to him as he did the same, for the photo. He saved it with a new contact.

“There i’ll send the photo to my phone aswell. You can keep us secret right?”

“Can you do that?” I asked him.

“Not really, that’s why it’s a secret! I don’t just wanna leave you now.. i haven’t been able to relax like this in ages! I would need someone like you when i’m not able to relax... also i’ve never really met someone like you before” portraying me his eye smile!

“What you mean!”

“I mean i like you, and maybe i want to keep seeing you... Even though I won’t have time. I’m not telling you to wait for me, but someone to text time to time would have been great”

I didn’t know what to answer, but...

“I’ll wait for you, if you want to!”

Jimin smiled and giggled, kissed me deeply before leaving the bed.

“Then i’ll text you some time then” He smiled towards me as he redressed what he had left of clothes as he rejected the t-shirt as i offered to give it back to him.

“I hope so” my cheeks burned.

He kissed my forehead. “I have to go now, have a lot to catch up on. But we’re not leaving Korea for another month now... sooo.. see u around maybe?”

I smiled and nodded shyly before he had to leave.

-

Jimin continued to keep contact once in a while. Usually i just got some selfies here and there which i plastered my room with. And sweet “miss u” messages and “good nights”

We met up in secrecy time to time as well, he also granted me a new concert with them because he felt bad about the other one.

He was the sweetest, and though we always were apart i felt more loved than ever.

[goodwriterwithbadhabits]

Painted Pariah

Warnings: Swearing, sexual harassment, alludes to sexual assault, attempted kidnapping(?) OOC moments. Read at your own risk

Masterlist

~~

Han Jisung was completely aware of his soulmate bond, it was obvious and simple if he got a mark on himself, his soulmate did too, and vice versa. Mostly it- was bruises, the occasional scratch from one of Minho's cats and scrapes from constantly falling over. On a rare occasion, there were larger marks, like when they managed to nearly break their finger and left him with a bruised appendage two hours before a concert. Luckily, they couldn't feel each other's pain, and for the most part, Jisung tolerated his bond.

Today was not one of those days. When Minho had woken him up, laughing at something he wouldn't tell Jisung about, he just figured maybe his soulmate had gotten a black eye, but no. This was much worse.

A large, circular bruise adorned the left side of his neck, and a matching one was painted on his left collarbone.

Hickies, and not ones Jisung himself had gotten.

It took a lot of energy not to scream as he stared at the offending marks. They stood out against his skin and he knew that everyone was going to see. Worse, the press was going to see.

“Jisungah? Are you okay?” Hyunjin asked, poking his head into the bathroom. The older man's eyes got wide when he saw the marks.

“Hyunjin!” Jisung barely managed to get out as Hyunjin turned to tell the others. He chased his older brother but came skidding to a stop as he saw the others staring at the two of them from the living room. A hand landed on the side of his head, yanking it sideways to examine the marks in the light.

“Han Jisung, are those hickies?” Changbin asked from behind him.

“They aren't mine.” He defended immediately.

“It doesn't matter if they aren't yours, if we can't cover them up, you're going to be in so much trouble.” Chan reasoned. Changbin let go of his head, coming round to look at him in the face.

“There are going to be so many rumors if someone sees. Rumors about you, about your soulmate, about JYP, its going to be hell.” The oldest of the bunch sighed. “What the hell are we going to do?”

“I don't know?” Jisung nearly cried. “I didn't ask for them, its not my fault.”

“But you have to take responsibility for this.” Chan retorted.

“Says who? Its not my fault I have a soulmate, and its not my fault that I haven't found them yet.” Jisung knew getting angry wasn't going to help but he didn't want to feel so helpless.

“That's enough!” Minho interrupted. “Both of you need to calm down.”

“You can borrow my turtleneck.” Hyunjin offered.

“That is a start.” Minho sighed. “Look Chan's right, you have to take responsibility for hiding these, but Chan, Jisung is right too. Its not his fault.”

“I know, just don't fuck this up for us.” The whole room paused, realizing what Chan had said.

“Excuse me? What are you trying to say, Chan?” Jisung couldn't believe his ears.

“I- you know what I meant.” Chan defended.

“You mean you don't trust me enough to protect our image.” Jisung hissed.

“That's not what I meant.”

“Its what it fucking sounded like.” The mix of thoughts about how his soulmate got the marks, worry that he'd get the entire group in trouble, and now hurt, hurt that Chan didn't trust him, even after everything, was translating into Jisung's brain as anger. As much as he hated how he sounded, hated showing this side of him to his members, he couldn't stop.

“Watch your language.” Chan chided.

“Watch your fucking back, Christopher, clearly I can't be trusted. I'll see you at the venue.” Jisung stormed back into his room to get dressed.

“Hyung? Are you okay?” The sound of Jeongin's quiet voice as Jisung slid on a turtleneck made him just a little more annoyed.

“Did they really send you in here to talk to me?” He practically laughed, sitting on the edge of the bed to throw on socks.

“No.” Jeongin took the spot next to his hyung. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. I've never seen you so upset.” Jisung glanced at his little brother, breathing out a sigh.

“Honestly I'm not okay. We're supposed to be a group but Chan, he doesn't trust me.”

“I trust you.” Jisung couldn't help but smile when Jeongin did.

“Thanks. I'll see you at the venue, okay?”

~~

Hours later and Jisung was now actively avoiding his bandmates. He felt awful about saying all those things to Chan, but the other half of him was still annoyed. He understood the stress of everything Chan was going through, the comeback, leading a group of people, writing music, keeping up their image, but Chan wasn't the only one who was stressed. Jisung was also a songwriter, he had his part in the comeback, in the image, but Chan made it seem like he was the only one who got stressed.

Sighing Jisung pulled at the collar of his turtleneck, even though he was alone in the studio he didn't want to risk someone coming in when his shirt was off. Pausing the music he was working on he pulled the headphones off and checked his phone.

0 new messages.

Nothing from Chan or Changbin, or even their manager asking where he was. He knew it was about time to make his way to the venue, but he wasn't really ready to face everyone.

“Don't really have a choice do I?” He sighed, setting his phone back down and saving his work.

Just as he had left the room, putting in his headphones in, he ran into someone, literally.

“Hey, Han-ah” Bambam greeted, setting his hands on Jisung's shoulder to steady him.

“Hello hyung!” Jisung slapped a bright smile on his face to speak to the older man.

“What are you doing here? Don't you have a concert tonight?”

“I was just about to head out, the venue isn't far.”

“But why are you here, shouldn't you be with your group?” The worry on Bambam's face was almost enough to make Jisung's will crumble. Almost.

“I was just working through some stuff.” Jisung absentmindedly tugged at the collar of his shirt, unknowingly flashing Bambam one of the marks. “Don't worry hyung.”

“Alright, can I ask an unrelated question?”

“Um, sure?” Jisung shrugged, having a hard time saying no to his elder.

“If I brought my good friend with me to your concert tonight, would you and the other boys be interested in meeting them?”

“Probably, we might be a little sweaty but we like making new friends. I would ask Chan though.” Bambam waved off the thought of asking Chan with a sly grin.

“No need. He can't say no to me. Thank you, Han-ah. I'll see you tonight.” Bambam walked away happily, leaving Jisung with the echo of “Yah Y/n! What are your plans for today?” fading in his ears.

“Well, glad someone is feeling better.” Jisung let out a breathy laugh, finally getting the courage to make his way towards the venue. As he walked his fingers absentmindedly ghosted over the marks, over the cloth covering them. His soulmate had been with someone that wasn't him. What if they were in love with that person, and didn't care what happened to him? Would they ever meet so he could ask?

The sound of Jisung's phone ringing jolted him out of his thoughts, just as he was about to get in the car.

“Han-ah!” Minho greeted. So much for being at peace.

“Hello, hyung.”

“Hey I was going to text you but I figured you didn't want to look at your phone.” Minho huffed.

“Are you okay, you sound out of breath?”

“Our manager found us a room large enough for dance practice. That way you don't have to dance in a turtleneck, or accidentally expose something out on the stage.”

“I'm on my way over now.”

“Great! I have your practice bag here already.”

~~

When Jisung walked into the practice room, the other members were already warming up.

“Where were you? You should have come here with your members!” Their manager began to berate him.

“I know.” Was all Jisung could manage out.

“I know? I'm glad you know, now tell me where you were?” Jisung didn't answer as he slipped the turtleneck off to trade it for his practice shirt. “Were you with whoever made those? You know the ban, you can't date-”

“For two years. Yes, I know. I signed the fucking contract. Now if you want to get off my ass, I need to practice.” Everyone looked at him in shock, but their manager just glared, turning away stiffly.

“I'll be back in two hours when the makeup crew is ready.” She told Chan who nodded.

“Jisung.” Changbin began, making Jisung sigh.

“Yeah I know, not helping the image.”

“Actually I was gonna ask if you were okay? We were getting worried.” Jisung gave a tired laugh.

“My bandmates don't trust me and I'm slowly ruining our image, I'm fan-freaking-tastic, hyung.”

“Jisung.” Chan started, clearly upset that Jisung was so hurt by his words.

“Don't, hyung. Lets just practice, please.”

“Alright, but I want to talk to when we're done. Preferably before the concert.”

“Yeah no problem.” The lie felt heavy in Jisung's mouth, but he just went with it.

~~

Someone cheering as the final notes of My Pace echoed through the room made most of Stray Kids jump. Standing in the doorway was Bambam and another person, both clapping excitedly.

The others made their way towards their elder, greeting him excitedly, but Jisung walked towards the windows where his water was.

“Jisung, come meet Bambam hyung's friend.” Turning Jisung made eye contact with the girl standing next to Bambam. You were cute, Jisung couldn't lie about that, but he noticed how uncomfortable you looked surrounded by all the boys. You tugged nervously on the collar of your sleeveless turtleneck while your other hand gripped Bambam's. You looked to be maybe 18, possibly a little older, but not by much. Jisung didn't make it across the room when you suddenly went rigid, staring not at his face, but at his neck.

“Y/n, are you okay?” Bambam asked, but you didn't say anything, just continued to stare while backing away.

“I can't- I can't be here, oppa.” You whispered, making Jisung's heart clench. “I'm sorry, it was nice to meet you.” You bowed quickly before practically running from the room.

“What the-” Before Jisung could finish, Bambam had grabbed him by the collar and shoved him against the far wall.

“Hyung!” Chan nearly shouted as the others exclaimed in shock and surprise.

“What the hell did you do to her?” Bambam practically growled.

“Nothing!” Jisung squeaked. “I've never met her before!”

“Then why the hell did she react like that then?” The dark side of Bambam was honestly scary, Jisung was almost certain this man was going to beat the living shit out of him.

“Hyung, please put him down. I'm sure there's a logical explanation for all of this.” Seungmin reasoned.

“I swear to god Han Jisung, if you've hurt her, they will never find your body.” Bambam shook Jisung once more before dropping him.

“I don't think it was Jisung himself that scared her off.” Jeongin offered, rather quietly. Everyone in the room turned to look at him, which made him shrink just a little bit. “She seemed really overwhelmed when we all rushed over to her, but it didn't look like she was looking at his face when she bolted.”

“His neck.” Chan realized. “The hickey on your neck, she probably saw it.” Jisung was so confused.

“Why on Earth would she freak out over a hickey on a guy she's never met?” He gasped out, flinching hard when Bambam turned back to him.

“Because she has a matching one.”

“Why would she-” Jisung stopped himself as he realized what was being implied. “Woah hold on. You guys think she's my...” He couldn't finish his sentence, couldn't even believe the thought.

“Your soulmate.” The room was quiet for a moment as Jisung processed the information.

“So, why did she run?” Felix asked quietly. “She might be scared, finding your soulmate can be pretty daunting.” Minho shrugged.

“And from the marks, she probably already has a boyfriend-”

“She doesn't” Bambam interrupted Seungmin sternly. “Its not my place to tell you what happened but I know why she bolted. I'll try to get a hold of her. Just focus on your show okay? And Jisung-” Jisung flinched again as Bambam hesitated to set his hand on the younger boy's shoulder. Opting not to the older boy simply said; “I'm sorry, I know I scared you but I'm very protective of her.”

“Yeah, um, no problem.” Jisung stuttered, still thoroughly terrified of the man. Bambam just nodded and made his way out of the room. Every fiber of Jisung's being was shaking, today had been an emotional roller-coaster and it was only 4pm.

“Are you okay?” Chan's gentle voice drew Jisung back into reality.

“I really don't know hyung. Today has been a lot.” Jisung confessed.

“Jisung, I want you to know, I do trust you. With my life even, but this morning, I was just so worried, I wasn't thinking.”

“Its okay, I wasn't thinking either.”

“Yeah you both said some pretty mean things, we thought the band was gonna break up for a second there.” Felix half-joked, with everyone nodding in agreement.

“Still brothers?” Chan asked, a lopsided grin forming on his lips, and his arms out for a hug.

“Still brothers.” Jisung nodded, stepping into the hug.

“You still have to apologize to the manager.” Chan reminded him, making Jisung whine.

~~

The boys didn't hear a word from you or Bambam until the show. Chan noticed them watching from the side of the stage during their speeches and waved like a small child, which made the others wave as well. Jisung kept finding himself glancing over at the pair of you. Finding it strangely comforting that the person who was possibly his soulmate was waiting to meet him at the side of the stage. He also wondered how you knew Bambam.

One the show was over and the boys were giving their final bows, Jisung glanced over, only to find both of you gone. Luckily you hadn't gone far. As the boys made their way backstage Jisung found you in the green room, talking to one of the makeup girls, with a smile on your face. A smile that Jisung found himself loving instantly. But the smile dropped from your face as another man came up to you. In fact, your entire demeanor changed, from relaxed and at peace to tense and defensive. He didn't recognize the guy, he wasn't even wearing a pass like everyone else was. Jisung was sat closest to you two, playing on his phone, and from his position, he could hear you talking.

“What the hell are you doing here?” You hissed.

“I was looking for you, baby.” The guy's sweet tone make Jisung want to gag.

“Don't you baby me. I'm not your baby. I am nothing to you. And you are nothing to me.” Glancing up from his phone Jisung watched in mild horror as the guy grabbed your hand, attempting to kiss the back of it. You yanked it from his grasp, “Don't you touch me.”

“Y/n, baby, don't be so mean.” The guy was really getting on Jisung's nerves, but when he started backing you into the wall, he had to step in.

“Hey, why don't you leave her alone.” The guy looked at Jisung and scoffed.

“Why don't you stay out of mine and my girlfriend's business, squirrel boy.”

“She's not your girlfriend, crow tit.” Jisung stood, hoping that maybe one of the more muscular boys, preferably Chan or Changbin, would help him out.

“Yes she is, and she's leaving now.” The man grabbed your wrist, attempting to pull you out of the room, but you almost immediately turned back and grabbed Jisung. The fear in your eyes was all Jisung needed to see before he was grabbing the man's wrist and halting him. At this point, Chan and Hyunjin had both stood up.

“Let her go before we have to do something drastic.” Jisung's voice was calm and get held an undertone of unrelenting rage that made more than one of his bandmates just a little frightened.

“What could you do to me, kid?” The guy asked smugly. “Your scrawny ass couldn't-” Jisung cut the guy off with a punch that surprised even Jisung.

“Jisung!” Seungmin chided.

“Not now, Seungmin.” Chan hissed. “Its time for you to go.”

“This isn't over.” The guy hissed.

“Actually, it is. I ever see you near her again, I'm gonna do a lot worse than throw a punch.” Jisung threatened. The guy clearly wanted to retort but instead growled and stormed out of the room.

“Can you make sure security sees him out of the venue?” Chan asked a staff member who nodded and left the room as well.

You let go of Jisung, and let out a shaking breath.

“Thank you, oppa.” You bowed to Chan, then turning to Jisung you opened your mouth to say something but instead just bowed and left the room. Jisung glanced at his members who all motioned for him to follow.

Out in the hall he saw you turning a corner, walking quickly, making him jog to catch up.

“Y/n, hey.” He called, grabbing your hand when he got close enough. “I think we need to talk.” You stopped moving but didn't look at him. Without warning, you turned and wrapped your arms around his torso, hugging him tightly.

“I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.” You gasped.

“Hey there's no reason to be sorry.” He assured. “He was being creepy.”

“Its not just that. I'm sorry I ran off earlier. Bambam oppa told me what happened.” You backed away, wiping your eyes to stop yourself from crying. “I'm sorry you had to have these marks.”

“Hey, as long as you had a good time getting them, its fine with me.” Jisung tried to joke, but seeing the fresh tears well up in your eyes, his smile quickly fell. “Did he? Is that why?” You couldn't seem to answer as a pair of staff members walked by. “Here, come with me, we'll go somewhere private. If that's okay with you.” He offered you a hand and a soft smile.

“I barely know you, and you're already trying to take me to a secondary location?” You half-joked.

“I won't hurt you, I promise.” He assured, the smile on his face increasing exponentially when you placed your hand in his.

Leading you through the halls of the building, he easily found the roof access. Once on the roof, he let go of your hand, letting you have some space as you walked to the hip height ledge.

“You know I don't think we were properly introduced.” He started. “I am Han Jisung, but I'm known as either J.One or Han.” He introduced, bowing deeply, which made you chuckle.

“Nice to meet you, Han, I'm L/n Y/n. And I don't really have a nickname.” You realized, turning towards him to sit on the ledge of the building. “Are we really-” You stopped, not wanting to admit it.

“I think so, I mean, did you once almost break the middle finger on your right hand?” He asked, sitting down next to you. His presence was comforting, and yeah, you could definitely feel something there.

“Yeah, I punched the living daylights out of this guy who tried to grab, me” You vaguely gestured to your chest as you half explained.

“Holy crap.”

“About last night-” He cut you off, waving his hands.

“You don't have to tell me if you aren't comfortable. If we really are soulmates, then I have my whole life to learn about you.”

“What a romantic.” You laughed. “But I feel like I should tell you. Bambam knows, which is probably why he tried to kill you.”

“Hey, if he, if he did something to you, we can have him arrested.” Jisung assured you.

“He, he didn't get that far. And he isn't worth the effort. Its honestly just keeping him as far from me as possible.” Jisung wrapped his hand around yours where it rested on your lap. “I meant what I said back there, if he tries to get close to you, they'll never find the body.” You let out a laugh at his words, which made him grin. “Hey, I mean it.”

“I know you do.” You finally looked at him, studying his face. “But I couldn't even tell you his last name.”

“Really? How did he get into the venue then?” “I don't know honestly. We met last night at a party. It was supposed to celebrate me coming home, so he must be a friend of a friend.” You explained. “We may or may not have been drinking, but legally I wasn't.��� You joked. “The two of us ended up, making out in a closet.” You muttered the last bit, rubbing the back of your neck sheepishly. “He kept trying to take it further, that's how we got these.” You gestured to the marks on your neck. “But I didn't want to. He just wasn't taking no for an answer.” Your voice broke, as your gaze fell.

“Hey, hey, look at me.” Jisung's hand cupped your cheek, bringing your face up to meet his eyes. “Its not your fault. Don't you dare blame yourself.”

“I'm just thankful it was me and not someone else.” You murmured, almost too quietly for him to hear, almost.

“No, do not think that way. It shouldn't have been anyone. I know the statistics, and the fact that it happens at all is abhorrent, but don't think for a second that you're some kind of martyr.” He let go of your hand and brought his other hand up to your face, partially squishing your cheeks. “If I had met you last night, that never would have happened. Men like him are pigs, they're scum. I know I can't just tell you to stop thinking about him and what he did, but I want you to know that I am never going to let that happen to you again. I will never do that to you, none of my brothers will ever do it either, and if they try, so help me, God himself is going to have to come down from heaven to stop me from smiting them.” He wiped a stray tear that cascaded down your cheek. “I don't want you to be afraid ever again, you hear me. I'm going to do everything in my power to keep you safe, okay?”

“Okay.” He pulled you against his chest, pressing a kiss to your hair.

“No one is going to hurt you as long as I'm around. I promise.”

[grass-skirt]

what are your least/most favorite anime trope?

Okay this took me a long time but in my defense I was giving it serious thought! So here’s what I’ve got so far. 

Tropes I love:

Characters who are adorable and tiny and also unreasonably powerful

Shark teeth. Allow me to repeat myself. SHARK TEETH!!!!!! I fucking love characters with shark teeth.  

Cat ears. I’m not gonna lie, I like cat ears. On boys and girls. Cat ears for everyone (everyone who is cute).

Characters who are really nice but who look super scary. I’m not talking about delinquents who are secretly softies. I’m talking full Angel Densetsu–characters who are super nice and don’t even try to be scary in any way but unfortunately for them they come across as so intimidating that they can go “Excuse me you dropped your pencil” and ppl freak out because they think they’re about to get stabbed

Giant, terrifying, massively powerful man with super scary face!! ….and a tiny adorable child on his shoulder who loves him.

Misunderstandings used for comedy. (You know, like the school delinquents all becoming terrified of a character who is actually a total softie)

Your standard 4 Heavenly Kings style overpowered groups. Like the Student Council or the neighborhood delinquent crew.

I do kinda like tournament arcs. They can be a lot of fun.

Super hot androgynous characters who more often then not are evil. Is it bad representation? Yes! But they’re cool and hot so like… yeah

Super buff giant women. Are there enough of them? Hell no. But I love them when they are there.

Local girl is dumbass but boy does she try her best with a whole lot of aggressive enthusiasm! (Think Little Witch Academia)

Smug evil women. The real powerful ones who the main characters try to yell at and defy but she’s just still there grinning smugly and talking about how cute they are for thinking they can stop her.

Tropes that should die:

Female characters who are supposedly super strong and powerful but never fucking get to do anything ever. 

Sexualized earlier mentioned tiny, cute, and powerful characters (”they may look like a 10 year old but they’re actually an adult or thousands of years old!” doesn’t make it any better) 

Incest subplots… which is a different but kind of related topic since it’s usually younger sisters who are in love with their older brother or vise versa)

Perverts who never shut up about saying gross things and harassing every single woman around them but are still core members of the main group and will never fucking go away or die. And like 5 year old boy characters who are perverts and are used to creep on women in a secret and ~non-predatory because they’re just a child~ way

I really could just say fanservice as a whole. I mean, take your pick. The female character who just ~loves~ telling the MC to feel her giant boobs? Dudes tripping and falling face/hand first into a girl’s boobs? A group of boys peeking on the girls in the hotsprings episode but getting yelled at and slapped so it’s all okay b/c the girls can stand up for themselves (or not)? Female characters constantly talking about each others’ boobs and groping each other? Female characters being kidnapped and stripped and chained up naked and possibly tortured so that 40 year old animator and manga artists can get off on it? Burn it all. Sex and sex appeal and all that isn’t inherently bad, but jezus anime and manga cram a lot of it into inappropriate situations and in super sleezy, gross forms.

Characters acting like they need to dedicate their entire lives to the shit they said when they were 5 years old (aka, fantasies about girls’ physical and emotional purity because they’ve spent their entire lives in love with 1 person only)

Similarly, harems where a ton of girls fall in love with a dude because he’s like… kind of nice sometimes. That, and the reverse of where there’s a million girls all in love with the same guy because he’s emo and brooding and mean (we all know I’m talking about Sasuke and Tobey Maguire in Spider Man 3)

Characters who want to say something important (usually confessing their feelings), starting to say it, and then going, “…No… It’s nothing” *fake smile*

A never ending series of massive villain and hero powerups. Oh, you just beat a villain who could blow up the entire earth? Well this next bad guy can blow up the whole solar system. And then the next guy can blow up the whole galaxy! (cue training arc and/or massive gifted powerup.) Ya can’t substitute good writing and an interesting plot with characters who can destroy an increasingly large number of buildings or planets or galaxies.

Oh, and here’s another related one. Where the main character scarifies his abilities to temporarily gain the power to defeat the bad guy who was so overpowered that there was no other way to defeat him. Aaaaaaand then he gets his powers back 1 or 2 arcs later with no long term consequences for the supposed sacrifice. (Looking at you, Bleach.)

Overly complicated attempts at philosophical depth that don’t actually mean anything and barely even relate to the plot. “This world is but a hollow egg, propped up by a sea of roses with thorns that are built from the hearts of men who dream of honey but can’t grasp the apple before them…” *Followed by 5 more minutes of back and forth debate delivered through abstract symbolism and then the villain and MC sword fight.* Symbolism is real and can be done well and with genuine meaning behind it, but a lot of the time there’s just nothing actually there. Plus, symbolism is something you show. You can’t just have a dude say metaphors about apples and dreams for 5 minutes and have it count. 

This one’s actually a bit more serious IMO. You know the whole Naruto/Sasuke dynamic? The one where person A and person B are friends, and then person B decides to do horrible things and hurt everyone around them but person A still views them as a friend no matter what? Yeah not a fan. Friendships aren’t a contract where once you call someone a friend once you need to be their friend for the rest of your life and tear yourself apart trying to help them. It sets bad expectations to kids about what friendship is when they think that their friends will continue to want to spend time with them and see them as their friend regardless of how shitty they’re being.

Alright that’s all I got for now!!! 

[fandomshatewomen]

Hey uh, did you guys hear about what happened to Eliza Dushku on Bull?? It's very bad (twitter(.)com/elizadushku/status/1075481945805594624 here is what happened, tw for rape mention and sexual harrassment)

Ok so I followed it to the article and because you only get two free articles I will be including the description of her harassment and her subsequent firing under the cut. But if you can please please support this article and visit the link and Eliza https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2018/12/19/eliza-dushku-responds-what-happened-cbs-took-job-and-because-objected-being-sexually-harassed-was-fired/OCh7h0pwg4Aq7xfwOUasyO/story.html

Ok so I didn’t realize how long the article was so please please go to the link and read it for yourself! tweet about it and make sure not to watch Bull! get the show cancelled! Micheal Weatherly deserves to lose his income like Eliza is losing out on a show.

mod ali

The narrative propagated by CBS, actor Michael Weatherly, and writer-producer Glenn Gordon Caron is deceptive and in no way fits with how they treated me on the set of the television show “Bull’’ and retaliated against me for simply asking to do my job without relentless sexual harassment. This is not a “he-said/she-said” case. Weatherly’s behavior was captured on CBS’s own videotape recordings.[…]

In explaining his bad behavior, Weatherly, who plays Dr. Bull, claimed I didn’t get his attempt at humor. That’s how a perpetrator rationalizes when he is caught. For the record, I grew up in Boston with three older brothers and have generally been considered a tomboy. I made a name for myself playing a badass vampire slayer turned tough LA cheerleader; I have worked with numerous leading men, including Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, even CBS’s own David Boreanaz. I can handle a locker room. I have been on Howard Stern and was hired by Kevin Smith for a film where I wore a black leather cat suit and played a member of an international diamond-thief-gang-ring. I do not want to hear that I have a “humor deficit” or can’t take a joke. I did not overreact. I took a job and, because I did not want to be harassed, I was fired.

THE HARASSMENT Weatherly harassed me from early on. The tapes show his offer to take me to his “rape van, filled with all sorts of lubricants and long phallic things.” There was also his constant name-calling; playing provocative songs (like “Barracuda”) on his iPhone when I approached my set marks; and his remark about having a threesome. He made the threesome remark to me about himself and me in a room full of people. Minutes later, a crew member sidled up next to me and, with a smirk, said in a low voice, “I’m with Bull. I wanna have a threesome with you too.” For weeks, Weatherly was recorded making sexual comments, and was recorded mimicking penis jousting with a male costar — this directly on the heels of the “threesome” proposal — and another time referring to me repeatedly as “legs.” He regularly commented on my “ravishing” beauty, following up with audible groans, oohing and aahing. As the tapes show, he liked to boast about his sperm and vasectomy reversals (“I want you to know, Eliza, I have powerful swimmers”). Weatherly had a habit of exaggerated eye-balling and leering at me; once, he leaned into my body and inhaled, smelling me in a dramatic swoon. As was caught on tape, after I flubbed a line, he shouted in my face, “I take you over my knee and spank you like a little girl.”

One day, when my now husband, Peter Palandjian, visited the set, Weatherly made us all watch as he pretended to urinate on an indoor office plant, then spun around pretending to shake himself off and pull up his zipper. The tapes show Weatherly routinely exclaimed “yellow card” after distasteful remarks. I learned from crew members that, because there had been previous harassment training on “Bull,” Weatherly’s delight in yelling “yellow card” was his way of mocking the very harassment training that was meant to keep him in line. Weatherly also bragged about his friendship with CBS chief executive Les Moonves. He regaled me with stories about using Moonves’s plane, how they vacationed together, and what great friends they were. Weatherly wielded this special friendship as an amulet and, as I can see now, as a threat. 

Weatherly did all this. His conduct was unwelcome and directed at me. Watching the recordings in the settlement process, it is easy to see how uncomfortable, speechless, and frozen he made me feel. For Weatherly’s part, it looks like a deeply insecure power play, about a need to dominate and demean. In no way was it playful, nor was it joking with two willing participants. It was not “Cary Grant ad-libbed lines,” an incredulous Weatherly excuse which, even if true, asks us to believe that Hollywood behaviors from 70 years ago might be acceptable today. What is hardest to share is the way he made me feel for 10 to 12 hours per day for weeks. This was classic workplace harassment that became workplace bullying. I was made to feel dread nearly all the time I was in his presence. And this dread continues to come up whenever I think of him and that experience.

[justthehiddleswrites]

Silken Sails Masterlist  | OFC x Multiple Marvel Characters | Pirate AU | Chapter 2 | The Legend of  El Hombre de Hierro

Summary:  Charlotte Liddell dreams of a life of adventure on the high seas.  She sets sail for the Caribbean which ends up entangling her with the hunt for the lost Spanish ship Viuda Negra and untold Spanish treasures.  Along the way, she crosses paths with British Navy Officer Steve Rogers and famed French pirate Loki Laufeyson.  Will she keep her wits about her?

This Chapter:  Charlotte has settled into life aboard the Hawk with Clint. After the death of the ship’s cook, Charlotte takes over duties as cook. The ship changes course to hunt for the treasure of La Viuda Negra and the famed Spanish pirate, Antonio Áspero. But they are not the only ones looking and they encounter the French pirate, Loki Laufeyson. How will Charlotte fare?

Warnings: violence, death of characters, sexual harassment, smut (sex), mentions of pregnancy, pirate typical violence

-

Life at sea was not what Charlotte expected. She wasn’t sure what she expected, but she didn’t expect to be heaving overboard every ten minutes. This continued for the better part of a week before Clint took pity upon her and gave her a spicy tasting root to chew on, soothing her stomach.

Once she got her “sea legs”, Charlotte spent most of her days exploring the ship. In particular where the cook stayed and prepared the day’s food. She was most comfortable in a kitchen of any sort and for another. The cook was the only man besides Clint who didn’t leer at her at every opportunity.

“Ignore them, my dear.” Clint offered when she brought it up one evening.

“It is hard to ignore ten sets of eyes boring right to your soul.”

“You must try.” Clint kissed her forehead. “They would never lay a hand on you with me on board.”

Charlotte squirmed at the thought. “I am certain but I still notice them undressing me with their eyes.”

“Rid your head of these notions. If their stares bother you so, perhaps you would prefer to stay away from prying eyes?”

“Where you suggest I stay?”

“The ship’s kitchen might work. The cook is half blind. And the rest of the men avoid it.”

Charlotte smiled. “I like the sound of that.”

Clint smiled back. “I like when you are happy. I hope you are as happy when we arrive at Port Royal.”

She stifled a shudder. Charlotte found her unexpected betrothal unsettling. She left Bristol to find adventure, not a husband and a life of keeping house and tending to children. She would need to find a way out of the arrangement, but for now her priority was to survive the voyage.

-

“Here is how I would use the salt pork.” the old man explained as he chopped the meat and slid it into the big pot.

Charlotte sat in awe as the half blind cook worked miracles with the modest food aboard ship. Crandall was the cook’s name and the amount of knowledge far outstripped anything she learned at her mother’s skirts. She spent every day learning from him.

“And this—” Crandall opened up a cloth to cough into. “will add the flavor.” He sprinkled a powder over the stew.

“And you sure you are well, Crandall?” Charlotte inquired. She seen enough back home to realize what was happening.

“Right as rain, love.” Crandall lied. “Now stir until bubbling.”

Within the week Crandall was dead, his body tossed overboard. And Charlotte took over the duties of the ship’s cook. The men soon started hanging out around the kitchen more and more.

“If I had realized the view was so nice, I would have stepped in here a long time ago.” A man called Mullins commented.

He ran his hand up Charlotte’s sleeve. She wore the breeches and shirts of a man with her dark auburn hair tied up behind he. Charlotte found her skirts cumbersome on the ship.

Charlotte slammed a hand down on the table. “Can I help you with anything?”

His lips curled to a smile, exposing his yellowed teeth. “Many things, love, but we would need to rid you of these…” He tugged at the shoulder of her shirt as he leaned on the table. “… garments.”

In a flash, Charlotte grabbed the knife and thrust it into the tabletop, centimeters away from Mullins’s hand. She turned around and landed a knee to his groin. “My garments shall stay where they are. And I suggest if you like to keep your body parts where they are, you steer clear of me.”

Mullins backed away in a hurry. From then on, the men avoided the kitchen and Charlotte. The weeks dragged on, and she settled into a routine, cooking by day and listening to Clint tell stories at night.

“The men are talking.” she muttered one night as she changed for the night.

“About what?” Clint pulled the blankets back.

“They say we changed course. That we are going on the search for something.”

“Have you ever heard of Antonio Áspero?”

She shook her head. “No… Is that some sort of pirate?”

“Only the most feared Spanish pirate to sail the Caribbean. The stories say he wore a metal plate under his clothes in battle. It earned him the nickname El Hombre de Hierro or Iron Man.”

Charlotte settled underneath the blankets. “And why would we change course because of him?”

“His last voyage was to deliver the dowry of a Spanish noblewoman to the Carolinas. They say the dowry’s worth rivaled the Crown Jewels. But the ship disappeared in a storm off the shore of an uncharted island. The men think they have found the location of that island in a logbook.”

Clint pulled out a folded piece of paper and showed it to Charlotte. “This logbook speaks of an island of wrecked ships not far off of the intended course of Antonio’s ship.”

He folded the paper again and tucked back into the pouch around his neck. “A treasure that great is too much for any man to pass up.”

Charlotte settled against Clint’s chest. His even breath soothing her. “Tell me more about Antonio Áspero.”

She drifted off to sleep in Clint’s arms that night, hearing of the tales of the Spanish pirate and his ship La Viuda Negra.

-

Charlotte woke to the ship rocking and rumbling. She dressed and ran up to the deck. A fog settled low on the water. The men scuttled about the deck as Charlotte stood dumbfounded. Clint bumped against her shoulder, carrying a bow and arrow.

“We are under attack, love!” He yelled. “Hide in the galley. If they capture you, tell them you’re Charles Liddell, the ship’s cook.” He kissed her and shoved the pouch into her hand. “Keep this safe.”

She nodded as she headed under deck and Clint climbed one of the masts, weapon in hand. Charlotte shut the door behind her and moved a barrel in front of the door. There was rumbling and cracking of wood. The entire ship threatened to tip from the shaking. A great boom shook the ship as the mainmast fell from a grapeshot. Then silence.

Charlotte backed up against the wall. The sound of voices muffled by the wooden planks of the decks above. The door rattled as someone on the other side of the door tried to open it.

She cowered in a corner and ducked her head as the wooden door splintered, and two men stepped through the door.

“What do we have here?” the taller man said as he caught sight of Charlotte in the corner.

“Oi, boy!” the other man with a scraggly beard gestured for her to step out.

Charlotte scrambled to her feet and pulled up to her full height.

“What’s your name, boy?” Tall Man asked.

“Charles Liddell. I’m the ship’s cook.” She recited just as Clint told her to.

“Young to be a cook.” Scraggly Beard said to Tall Man.

“The former cook died some weeks back. I took over duties.” She summoned all her courage. She prayed her true identity was not found out.

“Take him up on deck. Captain’s orders.”

Scraggly Beard grabbed her by the scruff of her shirt and dragged her out of the room with Charlotte’s feet scrambling for purchase on the floor. Once on deck, she was tossed towards the rest of the crew. Charlotte looked around for Clint, but there was no sign of him. Her heart sank.

“Gentleman…” a rich voice cut through the noise on deck. “… I am search of a specific item.”

The pirates parted to allow the man that Charlotte can only guess would be the captain to address them. Charlotte’s breath caught in her throat. The captain was breathtaking, with a long black and green coat and long raven hair falling upon his shoulders. Charlotte had never seen such a handsome man.

“Can anyone help me?” he grinned as he nodded at one of his crew grabbed the nearest Hawk crew member and dragged him to his feet. “You look like an enterprising fellow.” The captain’s lips curled into a devilish smile. “Can you help me find a logbook?”

The man, Nelson his name, paled. “All the logs are in the captain’s quarters!” he screeched. “I don’t know anything more Captain Loki!”

Loki’s head dropped. “Pity.” He raised a hand to the man holding Nelson by the arm. That man raised his knife and slit Nelson’s throat with no warning. Charlotte turned her head at the sight and gagged. “My men already checked the captain’s quarters and found nothing.”

Loki stepped forward as his crew pitched Nelson’s body overboard. The buckles on his belt clinked against the metal of his sword’s scabbard. “Anyone else ready to help with the location of the logbook? Or should I find another volunteer?”

The tone of his voice caused shivers to run up and down Charlotte’s spine. Surely he won’t kill us all, Charlotte thought. She then remembered Clint’s stories of the treasure and realized the pouch around her neck held what Loki was looking for.

“I can show you where it is Captain.” Mullins’ voice stated. “I can take your men to it.”

Charlotte narrowed her eyes at Mullins. She should have known the man would turn on Clint and the rest of the crew the moment it gave him an advantage. He was nothing more than mercenary.

Loki gave Mullins the once over with suspicious eyes. “Parks! Follow this man. If he does anything not to your liking, kill him.”

A man stepped forward and grabbed Mullins hard by the shoulder as Mullins led them down below deck. Charlotte knew where he was taking them, to the bed Clint and her shared. She gave silent thanks that she had torn her dress to rags weeks ago. Several minutes passed as Loki paced the deck. His eyes caught Charlotte’s, and he gave a smile which caused her stomach to flip into her throat.

Mullins emerged with logbook in hand, a broad grin upon his face. “Here you go, Captain. As promised.”

Loki snatched the book away with slender fingers, his hands ran up and down the cover. “Excellent work. Parks…”

Parks grabbed Mullins from behind and held a blade tight against his throat. “But I gave you what you wanted!”

“And you did so eagerly and willingly. I can’t have a man whose loyalty sways with the changing wind on my crew.” Parks drew the blade across and Mullins died with a gurgle.

Charlotte wished she pitied poor Mullins’s untimely death, but the man was a flea and in her heart deserved to die.

Loki gathered his crew and they spoke amongst themselves.

“What are they doing?” Charlotte asked the crew member closest to her.

“Deciding who they will take on board as crew from the Hawk.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened, she didn’t know which prospect was more scary, being left to float in the sea on the Hawk or being recruit aboard Loki’s ship.

“Liddell!” Tall Man called out. Charlotte rose to her feet. The other men looked at her with varying expressions of horror and pity.

Charlotte walked until she stood toe to toe with Loki. “Sir?”

Loki leaned close to her face. “Already compliant. I will like you. Our ship is in desperate need of a competent cook. I hear you may be able to fulfill that role.”

“You have the supplies, I can cook it.” She boasted.

“Confident boy, aren’t you. Welcome to the crew of Le Méfait. Find Quartermaster Moss and sign the contract.”

Loki stepped away, and Charlotte shuffled along with the rest of the crew. She found aboard Le Méfait and face to face with a gruff elderly man.

“Charles Liddell?” He looked her up and down.

“Sir.”

“Here.” He shoved a piece of paper underneath Charlotte’s nose. “Everyone gets an even share of our haul. Captain gets an extra share. Keep your pistol fit for service. No smoking.”

Charlotte’s mind swirled with at all the information coming in at once. She never expected pirates to be this organized.

“Oh…” Moss continued. “… and we settle all disputes by first blood.”

Charlotte scrawled the name “Charles Liddell” onto the paper.

-

Charlotte did her best to keep a low profile on board, sticking to the kitchen as much as possible. Unlike aboard the Hawk, the crew of Le Méfait kept out of the kitchen. Except for the Captain.

Loki Laufeyson believed it was his obligation as captain to observed the day-to-day operations of his ship and crew. He found himself more often than not lingering in the ship’s kitchen. There was something about the ship’s newest cook that intrigued him. He needed to know more about Charles Liddell.

“What is that delicious aroma?”

“Stew.” Charlotte answered, not raising her head to acknowledge her captain.

Every day it was the same. Loki made some excuse to spent time in the kitchen with her. She did her best to answer his questions without raising any suspicion.

“And where did you learn to cook such appetizing food?” Loki grabbed one of the knives and flipped it in his hand.

Charlotte searched for a plausible story. Telling Loki she learned at the skirts of her mother would create more questions. Loki’s eyes pierced right through Charlotte. She found his stare so unnerving and yet she did not want him to leave.

“Uh..” she fiddled with a nearby rag. “… Crandall, the Hawk’s former cook, taught me everything.” She hoped the answer would satisfy the captain’s curiosity for another day.

Loki leaned forward and plucked a cut vegetable off the table before popping it into his mouth. “He must have been a talented cook.”

“Thank you, Captain. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must tend to the flame.”

Loki nodded and turned to leave. Charlotte glanced over her shoulder. The tight breeches hugged the curves of Loki’s backside in a way that made Charlotte’s cheeks flushed. She was so distracted she allowed her arm to travel into the flame.

“Shit!” she screamed as she flailed her arm in the air in a vain attempt to extinguish the flames.

In a flash, Loki tore her shirt from her body and threw it to the ground where he stomped upon the fabric.

“Are you okay?” He asked as Charlotte cowered to hide her torso.

“Fine. Just leave!” she bit back.

Loki spied strips of fabric covering her body.

“Mr. Liddell, are you injured? We a doctor—” Loki reached for her.

“I’m fine, Captain! Just leave it be.”

“If you are not injured, then why…” Loki’s eyes widened in realization. “… oh.”

With her back to him, Loki plucked the ribbon holding back Charlotte’s hair and the deep red strands fall along the bare skin of her back.

“I have been blind. What is your proper name, girl?” Loki’s fingers lighted on Charlotte’s shoulder.

She turned, and Loki saw the tears on her cheeks. “Charlotte. Charlotte Liddell.”

Loki licked his lips. “Well my dear Charlotte, it is rare one can keep secrets so well from me for so long.”

“I’m sorry, sir. Please don’t kill me.” she begged.

A hearty laugh bubbled up from Loki’s chest. “And lose the best cook the ship has had in years? I think not.”

“But having a woman on board is bad luck.”

Loki flicked a lock of hair off her Charlotte’s shoulder, his finger traced her collarbone. “I have never subscribed to such antiquated ideas. You are of use to the ship, therefore you are welcome aboard.”

Charlotte gave a smile. “Thank you.”

“I won’t disappoint you.”

Loki’s eyes lingered on Charlotte’s curves. “I’m certain you would never disappoint me, dove.”