#which. spoiler alert. is never since he started working again

[wings-of-flying]

it's not even new year's yet, but i'm saying it now cause otherwise i'd forget. my resolution is gonna be to cook independently

[shangchiswife]

dating aragorn headcanons!

hi guys this is the first time in a while that i've written something so i hope that you enjoy. i just recently rewatched lord of the rings and i'm obsessed with aragorn again so here are some headcanons!

aragorn x gn!reader

Aragorn is the biggest gentleman ever. You basically won the lottery when you started dating him.

The lyrics “In a world of boys he’s a gentleman” are about him 100%. Taylor Swift you are not slick at all.

Do not be fooled by his rugged looks, this man is the biggest romantic. He will plan the most romantic dates for the two of you even when he’s busy trying to be King. Even when he’s busy with his kingly duties he will still find a way to shower you with affection. Whether it’s leaving little love notes on your nightstand or bringing you a flower bouquet, he always wants you to make sure that you know that he’s thinking about you.

Aragorn’s love language is through acts of service. He wants to do everything for you. You are his first priority. You’re not feeling well? He’ll drop everything in his schedule to make sure you’re alright. Your weapons aren’t clean? He’ll clean them no problem. You’re cold? Bro will gladly take off his shirt and give it to you so that you’re not cold anymore.

When you guys were trekking through Middle Earth this man made sure that you got as much rest as possible

“Aragorn it’s my turn to take watch” you had said, rubbing your eyes with exhaustion. He walked over to you and put a hand on your shoulder. “You’re still tired, rest, sweet one, I’ll take care of it.” “But-” “No buts,” he said as he pushed you down gently. “Alright well I’m taking your shift tomorrow night,” you grumbled as you put your head in his lap and immediately fell asleep.

Let's just say he didn’t let you take the shift the next day.

He is soooo overprotective of you. He’s always been very protective over those he cares about but he’s especially protective over you since you’re his number one priority. Aragorn's actions are driven by genuine concern and love. He simply cannot bear the thought of losing those he holds dear and will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.

He’s the person who taught you how to fight. You were so embarrassingly bad at first but Aragorn never once made fun of you. He was patient even as you started getting annoyed with training. He was determined to make you a great fighter and it worked.

During the fellowship, you fought fearlessly alongside Aragorn and took down hundreds of orcs together. At one point, Merry even playfully called you guys a power couple because of how hard you both fought together, which made you both grin at each other.

You and Aragorn are basically the hobbits’ parents. They all love you so much and look up to you both with the utmost respect. You both admire them a lot too. Their loyalty and determination never fail to inspire both of you to keep going, even when things get tough and the future feels uncertain.

You’re also best friends with Gimli and Legolas. They have so much respect for you. They are also always trying to one-up each other when it comes to you so they can be your favorite. Spoiler alert you could never choose between them!

Gimli often pretends to be grossed out by displays of affection between you and Aragorn, and likes to tease the two of you with mock disgust. “Oh, just get a room already!” he’d say which would make you and Aragorn laugh. However, deep down, he secretly harbors a soft spot for romance and enjoys witnessing the love and affection between you two. He may grumble and groan about it on the surface, but in reality, he finds it heartwarming to see the bond you share and the happiness you bring each other. 

Aragorn isn’t really big on PDA but once you’re alone together, he's affectionate and attentive, making sure you feel cherished and cared for in every moment you share.

In public, he keeps it subtle with affection, but every now and then, he'll gently caress your palms or hold your hand, just enough to let you know he's there. It's his quiet way of showing love without drawing too much attention.

This man loves to give you forehead kisses. Whether you're feeling on top of the world or weighed down by the challenges of the day, Aragorn's forehead kisses are his way of saying that he’s always going to be there for you.

You often find yourself snuggled against his chest, your hand resting over his heart while his arm encircles you protectively. His fingers trace gentle patterns on your skin, a soothing sensation that relaxes you. 

He also has the softest singing voice. It’s so pretty. He mostly sings old Elvish tunes but sometimes he’ll sing some songs in English.

You and Aragorn both share a love for animals, and you often find yourselves adopting stray creatures in need of a home. He's clearly a dog person through and through (I don't make the rules), but he has a soft spot for cats as well.

You love it when Aragorn tells you stories about his past. Whenever he starts recounting his adventures, you're all ears, completely mesmerized by his past. Secretly he loves your fascination with his stories and it fills him with a quiet sense of warmth.

You have a shared love for adventure and often find yourselves exploring new places together, whether it's hiking through scenic landscapes or just going around Gondor.

He is also the best listener. You tend to yap a lot but he does not seem to care at all. He will listen attentively, asking questions every so often, drinking in your every word. He always wants to make sure that you feel heard. 

Aragorn also dreams about starting a family with you. He's always imagined the joy of being a father and raising children together, but he'll only take that step if you're both on board and excited about it. Your comfort and readiness are his top priorities, and he wants nothing more than to embark on this adventure together, hand in hand.

[igotanidea]

Not trying: Dick Grayson x reader

She was not trying to get his attention.

And anyone who would even come as close as to suggest that, was being scoffed at, almost laughed at, and brushed off using the classic argument of her being too busy to deal with stupid gossip.

But people were not stupid.

And definitely not the GCPD detectives and officers, of which Y/N had the pleasure to be one.

There was no way to miss the days when she was dressing differently, trying to look pretty. Days that happened to be the ones when Dick was having an office duty and wasn’t on field.

Days when she was sad and internally calling herself off when it turned out he took an unexpected day off or something kept him outside the precinct.

Days when she was faking a smile just so he wouldn’t think she was weak or something.

She was not weak.

She was human.

And in this particular case, being human came with falling in love out of the blue with the guy that couldn't care less, because –spoiler alert!- you cannot possibly plan love.

So she was hurting and cursing that part of her that made her keep on trying over and over again.

Spending days at work, full of energy not trying to get his attention, and evenings in front of TV wishing and praying for this hope to just go away and never come back. It was simply heartbreaking to have it regrow every morning just to tear it away at the end of the day.

Like freaking Prometheus with his liver.

But there was one thing similar between them.

They both suffered because of love for humanity – or in her case – one particular human.

***

It was like that for months now, and finally, all those self-doubts and sadness took over her completely.

So at work, she was avoiding people. She closed herself in her office, deciding to put that teary attitude to use to do some cleaning and remove old files.

Clean space, clean head right?

And those tears that finally started falling down her cheeks were definitely going to be helpful with dusting.

She was crying at work.

How pathetic was that?

But it was okay. It was okay. It was okay.

But now that she'd finally let her tears out, she couldn't stop, as though it was a build-up of all the times she'd held the tears in and her body just wasn't having it anymore.

And since life has a tendency to play mean tricks on people, the moment when she looked like a panda with smudged mascara and red nose that would put Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer to shame was the exact moment her office door opened with a loud thud and the Chief walked inside.

“Y/L/N. You good?” he muttered, torn between his boss-like attitude and sudden awkwardness upon seeing one of his best detectives in such a state.

“Uh-huh. Yeah. Yeah, I’m perfect. Why?”

“Um…” the man looked at her dirty, teary face that was speaking for itself. “No reason at all. At all.”

“Is there anything I can do for you,” she inquired as she grabbed some tissues and wiped the stains away – or so she thought – actually making it worse.

“We got a crime scene. You’re going.”

Little did she know, her boss was having second and third and even fourth thoughts about putting her into investigation in this state, but no one else was available. And – to add to his desperation – the first clues were pointing to the crime of vengeance which were her specialty.

“Great. I’m coming.” She instinctively grabbed her gun from the shelf, but before it ended in her holster the boss capably took it from her, shaking his head.

“No.”

“But-“

“Y/L/N this is an order. You are not to take it.”

“But how am I supposed to-?”

“You can take Grayson.”

“WHAT!?”

“In fact, you both will be assigned to this case. This boy needs to get his head out of his ass. Maybe you’ll be the one to teach him some humility.”

“Huh. Yeah…” she stuttered with the greatest amount of sarcasm in her head. Because the woman who was In love with a man was definitely not going to add to his ego, even if only subconsciously. 

***

“Y/N!” Dick grinned, which would probably be a little less weird if he was not standing in front of a dead body.

“Grayson,” she muttered, sticking hands in her pockets, putting on the most indifferent face expression possible.

“You look different” he looked at her with an insightful look.

“Now that’s quite an observation, detective.” She mocked back. Anyone would notice her make-up less state, bloodshot eyes, disheveled clothes,  and messy hair.

“Were you busy in that little office of yours?”

“The hell, Grayson?!” Y/N instinctively reached for the gun, but obviously did not find it and sighed in frustration. Screw her boss.

“Whoa! No need to get defensive. You just look a little – I don’t know – left high and dry?”

“I swear to God, if you don’t cut that bullshit, you’ll be the next one ending up in a body bag.”

“You wanna come at me, detective?” he smirked.

“Why am I being punished with working with you…” She grabbed the bridge of her nose, squeezing it, sensing the massive migraine coming.

“Cause you’re clearly the only one who can make me get my head out of my ass.”

“Nice. Chief told you that too?”

“Nah, I just bugged your office.”

“You do realize that’s illegal, right?”

“I’ve been authorized.”

“Oh yeah? By who?”

“By my human instincts and care for my friend.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it in a gesture that was supposed to be reassuring. “You’ve been sad lately and –” the brush of his hand on hers made her shiver and – despite everything she did not want to do – take a step back.

“Let’s focus on work shall we?” She moved to talk to the CSI and technicians to get details about the traces and the technicalities.

“Yeah, if that’s what you want.” He shrugged “But you are boring!”

She was not boring, merely trying to save herself from any more possible heartbreak – or worse – ridicule.

***

A few weeks later, with the investigation still on, they were both buried to their necks in paperwork, searching for dots and connections and any possible explanations and seemingly invisible tracks their culprit may have left.

And working together involved late nights spent together at the precinct, countless nights of Chinese takeout and getting closer, which was both a curse and a blessing.

Blessing because she learned a lot of little details about him. Like for example that he wasn’t just the son of a billionaire who was playing a cop. Like how he actually wanted to separate himself, make a name for himself and not be only known as “the adoptive alumni of Bruce Wayne.” Like underneath all that goofy act he was actually deeply caring and involved in his work, in helping people and making the city a safer place. Like his eyes were sparkling every time he mentioned his siblings or how his mouth twitched in restrained laughter when she said something that was sarcastically funny.

And a curse, because all those little details only made her fall for him harder. And even if she skipped on that not-trying-to-look-pretty act, because investigation took much more of her time and effort, the longing was still there.

“So, what is that big brain of yours telling you about this?” he asked, throwing her off her thought that at the moment had little to do with the crime.

“About what?” she muttered, trying to figure out what he was talking about for the last couple minutes before she spaced out.

“The newest evidence obviously!” Dick laughed, rummaging through his box of beef Chinese, putting his feet on the desk.

“Hey, watch out!” Her first reaction was rushing to save the documents from the inevitable sweet and sour sauce stains.

“Relax, Y/N. It’s not like I’m going to mess anything up here.” The chopsticks were thrown up with undeniable capability, swirled in the air and landed back in his hand without any damages done to the files. “See?”

“Show off.”

“And yet, this show off made you distracted, didn’t he,” Dick asked as he leaned forward, meeting her eyes.

Too close!

“For the record—” she started and then her eyes grew wide as a sudden realization hit her. A second later, she was throwing the papers away in a haste to get to something.

“Hey! Whoa! Y/N! What-?”

“Shut up, Grayson!”

“Shit, I really have to set you up with my brother Jason. He needs a girl in his life and you two will bound hard over the love of telling me to cut on the talking and-“

“I said shut up, Grayson!” a bunch of papers hit his face. She couldn’t even bring herself to care that the man she was in love with wanted to set her up with his brother. She just figured out the entire case. All hecause of a pair of chopsticks having been thrown into the air.

“What are you looking for?”

“Here!” she exclaimed happily pointing at some pictures from the crime scenes and an alleged instrument of crime.  “See? We were wrong all along! From the very beginning. This is why he never left any traces!”

“What are you talking about? I don’t-“

“Hush. You don’t need to understand a single thing. Just grab your gun and badge and follow me. Come on, pretty boy, we don’t have much time and I know exactly where we’ll get the perpetrator.”

Dick could only stand there in his feet rooted to the ground, watching Y/N figuring the whole case out, the wheels in her brains turning faster than a race car, face flushing from excitement, pupils dilating.

Pretty and smart, even with her hair in a messy bun and plain clothes on. Or maybe – especially because of that, since jeans and t-shirts could never suppress her natural beauty?

“Grayson! Come on! Don’t freeze on me!”

“Coming,” he replied as her voice slowly reached his ears. He realized there was no way he was going to let her go anywhere alone. Even if he couldn’t understand a single thing from her rambling and running around, the least he could do was to keep her safe.

***

“Are you absolutely sure about it?”

“Are you chickening out?”

“Your hands are shaking, Y/N.”

“That’s why you are the one with a gun.”

“And killer fighting skills.”

“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.”

“That tone of sarcasm is completely unnecessary, you know. And after we are done please do remind me to introduce you to Jason—”

“Don’t you ever shut up?”

“Don’t you know the answer to that by now?”

Y/N sighed deeply in frustration, fighting the urge to curse at him with the strongest cursing words known to humans. And maybe even inventing a few by herself.

“Seriously, Y/N, are you sure that-?”

“Hush!” she put a palm to his mouth, noticing some movement in front of the house they were currently observing from the camouflaged car. “See that? Told you I was fucking right!”

“There’s no need to brag, you know.” He muttered, his voice muffled due to her hand still on his face.

“Admit it.”

“Admit what?” He looked at her with an incredulous look.

“That I was right.”

“Well for the record, I was the one who made you come into a conclusion-“

“Un-fucking-believable.”

She swiftly left the car, abandoning her need to hear the praise from him to the benefit of catching the culprit that has been invading her waking and sleeping hours alike. She was not going to beg for attention, this time for real, sneaking to the house the criminal ring was clearly having some sort of meeting.

And then, there was the one. Looking like a regular person, even if he was exceptionally handsome, but rotten to the core.

“See? That’s the one who-. Dick?” Y/N turned around, but not spotting her partner anywhere. Fuck! Really?! He was leaving her now?! Of all the times and places?! Now?! Was he really so jealous and self-conceited to not help her finish their joint case?

And here she was, thinking she saw something special in him. Something hidden under the surface.

Stupid heart. After all this time they spent together, seemingly building something, she was right back to the beginning, when she was not trying.

And what was she supposed to do now?

Coming inside alone? Reckless.

Calling for freaking SWAT teams? Before they would get here, the meeting of criminals would be over.

Wait till it was over and chase the leader alone?

Listen to their plan and use it later on?

She was a detective with skills, but not a spy!

And she made that one rookie mistake when leaning too much upwards she was seen.

“Hey! There’s someone outside the window!”

“Oh great…” she muttered and only a quick duck saved her head from being hurt from all the glass shattering due to the bullet fired in her direction.

“Get her! She could be a cop!”

The four men broke from the table, grabber whatever weapons they possibly could and rushed right after her.

“Fuck!” She took off running because despite her agility, speed, and quick thinking she physically was no match to the tank-like men. “Fuck you, boss for taking away my gun permissions!” She hissed to herself, running away. “Fuck you Grayson for leaving me alone! I can’t believe I fell for you!”

“You fell for me?” a familiar teasing voice echoed somewhere from behind, but nowhere to be seen.

And it made her stop.

“Dick?” She turned around to search for him.

And it was another mistake.

An iron grip on her arm and sudden harsh yank back serving as a perfect example of her stupidity.

“I got our little bird.” One of the men laughed maliciously.

“Well, I am not exactly little,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. Her only chance was to tread carefully and hope that stupid fucking Grayson will figure out a way out of this mess. Stupid fucking hope that got her in said mess in the first place.

“Huh?” the goon frowned.

“I said-“

“Let the lady go.” Y/N’s words were cut off abruptly by something that seemed like Dick’s voice, but a little more… distorted?

The hell was going on here?

“I really do advise you to let the lady go.” The same voice said again.

“Oh yeah? And who’s asking me to do so? Show your face unless you are all talk.”

“Seeing me only comes once for certain people. And believe me when I say that most of those encounters end up bad when you cross paths with me.”

A man’s silhouette emerged from a few meters ahead, covered by the darkness of the night. At least at first. But as he moved closer, both Y/N and the goon froze, though either of them for a different reason.

“Shit,” she muttered.

“Nightwing,” the goon hissed, tightening the grip on Y/N.

“Hello to you both. Wonderful night we are having, aren’t we?”

“I could argue with that-“ Y/N rolled her eyes. She was definitely going to have bruises tomorrow. That was, if the most talkative of the city's vigilantes wouldn’t actually cause her to end up dead. 

“Congratulations Nightwing, you got me. But there are much more of us in-“

“In that little hiding spot that’s not even properly hidden? Not sorry to break it to you, but Robin and Red Hood are currently dealing with them.”

“Huh?”

“Not very smart, are you?”

“Hey!”

As the goon was getting distracted, Nightwing (?) sent Y/N a very familiar, discreet look and she nodded almost immediately, and suddenly all the pieces of the puzzle formed one clear picture.

“He’s right, you know. You are not very smart,” she picked up the tone immediately.

“Hey!”

“She is a cop,” Nightwing pointed out.

“She is?”

“Yeah, I am. And since I saw your face, I can absolutely guarantee you, I won’t stop until you are behind bars. Unless-“

“Unless obviously you surrender willingly. Maybe then she can strike a bargain for you?”

“That might actually be a possibility,” Y/N teased. “But I’m not sure. Do you think our fella here deserves to be treated lightly, Nightwing?”

“I’m not sure. Are you hurt, Y/N?”

“Can’t lie that my arm is getting a little sore here. If he keeps holding me like this we might also charge him with violation of physical integrity. That’s 3 to 5 years, I believe?”

“And in this case we’re dealing with assault on a public official. Quite an incriminating circumstance.”

“So what do you think, maximum penalty?”

“And the conspiring charges too.”

“And the murder involvement.”

“I say 15 if not more.”

“I’d say more.”

“You wanna bet?” Nightwing smirked.

“I had nothing to do with the murder!” The goon got a little overwhelmed by the quick-paced exchange of words, of which he couldn’t comprehend half of them, loosening the grip on Y/N. And she was quick to use it against him, finding her leverage in using four sensitive spots to knock the man down.

Half an hour later all four men involved were handcuffed and escorted to the police station. 

And after Y/N made her official oral deposition with a promise to submit a written report first thing in the morning, she was finally left alone for a moment of peace.

“Did you really use that Miss Agent trick?”

“It worked didn’t it?” she crossed arms on her chest, looking at Nightwing in a mocking way, without any sympathy at all.

“You know, most of the ladies I know would be at least a little grateful for me saving them.”

“Mhm. That would actually involve the saving part.”

“Let’s check. You are breathing. You are intact. Clearly neither your tongue nor your brain got damaged. Looks quite saved to me.”

“You left me!”  

“For five minutes! Not my fault you are so terrible at self-defense!”

“Not my fault you are terrible at being open with such secrets!”

“It was to protect you!”

“Dick…” she sighed heavily, daring to whisper his name.

“Y/N…” he responded, taking a few steps forward, taking her hand in the same gesture he did all those weeks ago when they started working this case together.

“I thought we were partners? At work” she added quickly

“You fell for me,” he asks, the left corner of his mouth traveling up.

“Oh, now you have a good memory?”

“Did you?”

“NO!”

“Really? No? That's your final answer. Or maybe it’s not,” he pulled her closer and wrapped arms around her waist, preventing her from running away again.

“Yes. I mean, no! I mean- damn it…”

“So, if I were to commit the act of violating the physical integrity of a public official...” he leaned forwards. “what would you say Y/N?”

“What happened to me meeting your brother?”

“I said you have to meet him. Never said why.”

“Oh? And why?” she smirked looking from above his arm to check if they were alone.

“To make him jealous, obviously.”

She chuckled softly, checking the surroundings once more, before slowly reaching to remove his mask and meeting those pretty blue eyes and familiar face.

“Hello there.”

“Hello to you too.”

Their lips were now inches away from each other.

“Which brother are we talking about? Red Hood? Heard he’s hot…”

“Do you ever shut up?” Dick grinned before leaning forward and finally capturing those lips he’s been dreaming about for weeks now.

And kissing her was effortless.

Like he was not trying at all.

[kandy-sticks-zaza-blogs]

Hi, I was wondering how the TFP autobots and decepticons would react to a cybertronian with the personality of Vander from Arcane and has the same backstory?

You don't really have to do this and sorry for my english😅

Transformers Prime x Vander!Reader

Well I guess I would try write this and make it correctly since Vander became you know spoiler alert. Sorry for not replying during 1st of march @savios-posts

Vander become werewolf but you become Empurata.

Autobots

Optimus

He is surprised that you treated Jack,Miko and Raf as your children.

He knows that you missed your sparklings

He met you before the war and when he used to be Orion Pax he always went to your bar drinking your energon and how he missed the taste.

Ratchet

Ratchet loves how you didn't break his gadgets when you came in.

You always cared about Ratchet health and worried about him when he overworked himself.

You always make Ratchet rest while your in charge.

Arcee

She see you as a family since you fought along side her.

You cared that she got herself hurt that made you worried alot as she assure that she said that she is alright.

When Arcee missed Cliffjumper you comforted her when she lost him always reassure her.

Bulkhead

Two gentle giant big robots that protective of eachother.

Miko love seeing you two play fight with eachother

Bumblebee

Bee finds yo comforting seeing you as a parental figure.

Whenever you've gone to far beating up Decepticons Bee stops you by hugging your back if you have a problem.

"....Thanks Bumblebee."

Smokescreen

Mentor and Student dynamic.

Mr Destiny Child loves being treated as a son when he is training with you alot.

Wheeljack

Finds you pretty chill and amusing.

When he got injured you began to care and protective of him.

Ultra Magnus

He respected that your strength and protection for the one you cared.

When he lost his hands you touch his clawed hands reassure him that everything will be alright.

Decepticon

{Empurata Zombie version}

Megatron

You two worked at the same cabe when you two were miners before the war.

When you started complimented him that he think that you are flirting with him which actually works.

When he became Gladiator you congratulated his victory all the time after when he became Megatron you both began to fight eachother and argue.

He never see you again as he misses you every stellar cycles.

He see you again when the portal opened, his spark drop when he saw you turn into a empurata victim and a zombie by attacking him.

When he wait for you to regain your memories you recognise his scent as you hugged him.

Starscream

He see you locked up in the cell as he teased you by making funny face and making you as you clawed him.

When you regain memories you follow Starscream like a dog as he felt embarrassed about the whole situation.

Knockout

He is ordered by Megatron to make you remember and cure you but its hard when you are clawing at his paintjob which mad him mad.

He regain your memory when Megs is near you.

You began to become more gentle around his tool as Knockout find you amusing how you are so soft.

Breakdown

He want to fight you but cannot because Megatron said he will handle it when he first met you.

You two would fight alot playfully but also hang out alot on the mission.

Soundwave

He find you inferior when he see you again he knew you when you were still a miner and a bartender.

You began to help around the ship when Soundwave is busy.

Shockwave

Empurata are a tragic when the damned get their head removed being replace by a unrecognisable face you don't remember who you were before.

You slept with anyone on berth all day for comfort as Shockwave let you sleep on his berth since he is sleep deprive.

Dreadwing

Finds you intimidating but you are very nice since he cant hate you for this.

You protected Dreadwing from Megatron as you stopped him going full murder on Starscream.

Dw guys he's alive /Delusional

Arachnid

When you first met her began to feel snappy towards her knowing she's dangerous as she finds you interesting.

She try seducing you and manipulate you denied as she got annoyed.

[pikatrainer99]

Branch from Trolls has PTSD, paranoia, depression, and anxiety and you can't change my mind! (Part 1: Trolls) (SPOILERS FOR A MOVIE THAT CAME OUT 8 YEARS AGO BUT JUST IN CASE 😅)

(This entire three-part analysis was SUPPOSED to be completed in its entirety by the end of May since it's for mental health awareness month, buuuut...I couldn't finish it in time (had to take a break and take care of myself because my PTSD has relapsed lately...AGAIN... I've been getting triggered really easily by just about anything and I hate it so much 😑), but at least the FIRST part is ready in time...so here we go!

Branch is my favorite character in DreamWorks' Trolls franchise, and for many reasons. One of them being that he is very relatable. As someone with PTSD, paranoia, depression, and anxiety myself, I find it easy to put myself in Branch's tiny Troll feet and feel how he feels. (I also headcanon him as autistic, which I also am, but that's a post for another day). With this series of posts I will be analyzing his character journey and how his mental struggles affect him and his life. I will only be going over the three theatrical films in the franchise in these analysis posts, because, while his mental struggles are ABSOLUTELY present in the TV shows, I haven't seen every episode of the TV shows and I have a lot to discuss with just the three movies because I love Branch and relate to him so much.

So, to start this analysis, let's take a look at the first Trolls film. When Branch is first introduced, he is a grumpy, depressed, pessimistic gray Troll, and the only Troll in the village who doesn't sing, dance, hug, or party.

He instead chooses to spend all his time working on gathering supplies and rations for his, as he says "highly camouflaged, heavily fortified, Bergen-proof survival bunker." He lives in the bunker and has enough provisions to last him ten years…eleven if he's willing to store and drink his own sweat…which he is (gross).

Branch always feels the need to be crazy over-prepared for everything (so do I), no matter how crazy it drives the others (same here). The other Trolls all say that he ruins everything by interrupting their fun and panicking that "The Bergens are coming!" when in reality there's no Bergen in sight and there hasn't been for 20 years by that point and he's just paranoid. To them, he's basically like the boy who cried wolf…or in this case, the Troll who cried Bergen.

When Poppy invites Branch to her party, Branch immediately declines, saying that he "wouldn't be caught dead at her party" before adding that all the others "will be caught and dead" because of how big, loud, and crazy it's going to be. Branch frustratedly declares that Poppy's party is just gonna lead the Bergens right to the Trolls, and they all just brush his warning off because they haven't had to worry about Bergens in 20 years. That night, during the party, Branch is out collecting more provisions and he looks at the party from afar, scoffing at the others and their carefree attitudes before retreating back to his bunker. Before he knows it though, Poppy is banging on his door because a Bergen attacked the party and took all her friends. Branch, in his paranoia and anxiety, drags Poppy inside the bunker with him and sets up all his traps as they sit and wait in silence before Poppy tells him the Bergen is gone.

Branch, still paranoid, doesn't believe her and says that it could still be out there "watching…waiting…listening…" He clearly feels like he can never let his guard down, always on hyper-alert, checking for any danger. This is a common symptom of PTSD - hyper-vigilance (I have this symptom myself), and it can contribute to paranoia, making it even worse (it definitely does for me, and it looks like it's the same for Branch).

When Poppy asks him to go to Bergen Town with her to save everyone, Branch, with no hesitation, says no, that they're not his friends, they're Poppy's friends, and that he's staying in his bunker because his bunker is safe. He takes her down to the lower levels of the bunker, and this is where we see some obvious evidence of his mental state. There is frantic fear writing ALL OVER THE WALLS, and it says things like, "Run", "Danger", "Bergens eat us", "Teeth in the night", among many other things that are hastily scribbled and illegible (though Branch has bad writing in general, so it's already hard to read, but my point stands). He's even got multiple papers with horrifying drawings of the Bergens hung up on that wall as well. I have never really seen anyone else in this fandom talk about the writing all over Branch's walls, so I'm gonna talk about it myself. It makes it look like the poor guy spiraled, lost control, and had a manic episode…or eleven.

(Seriously, just LOOK at all this!!! This man is NOT okay!!!)

He's clearly TERRIFIED of Bergens, and wants to do everything in his power to avoid ever encountering one (which, fair, they do wanna EAT the Trolls, so that's a valid fear). Branch's fear of Bergens though, is not a normal fear, it seems to be a phobia, which would explain the paranoia. Obviously there's something going on inside his head involving Bergens that will definitely be revealed later. (foreshadowing)

Poppy completely disrespects Branch's needs, wishes, and privacy by letting all the other Trolls into the bunker while she goes to save her friends that got taken. This kinda made me upset because Branch clearly didn't give her permission to invade his personal space like that and make his own home suddenly feel unsafe with everyone there going through his stuff all at once. He freaks out when it's "Hug Time" because he doesn't want to be touched, especially not by all these Trolls he doesn't trust, so he packs a backpack and goes after Poppy, saving her from some spiders.

(This is honestly really upsetting to watch, she totally disrespects and ignores his boundaries here and it hurts to see him freak out over Hug Time because I also hate being touched, which means I also dislike hugs as a result of that...I only willingly hug my grandparents, that's it, no one else, not even my own parents.)

The whole way to Bergen Town, Branch is gloomy, brooding, and irritable. He tells Poppy that the world isn't all "cupcakes and rainbows" when she asks what happened to him to make him the way he is.

Poppy and her constant singing get on his nerves, the worst instance of this being when she starts singing at night when he's trying to sleep, making him angry enough to throw her ukulele into the campfire, burning it.

(This scene always gets a laugh out of me, the way it's animated is just perfect comedy XD)

Singing is clearly triggering for him, which we find out why later on when he adamantly refuses to sing with the others when they're trying to help Bridget get a date with King Gristle by giving her a makeover. Poppy asks him why he won't sing and he responds with (probably) the most iconic line in the entire film (and not one that people seem to be able to take seriously…but I take it as seriously as can be): "BECAUSE SINGING KILLED MY GRANDMA, OKAY?!"

(His facial expressions here as he tells the story of what happened to his grandma are just...DreamWorks nailed it, and also the knee hugging pose...he's just like me for real 🥺)

We then see a flashback of a young Branch, happy and colorful, singing his heart out, but the Chef Bergen comes for him and he's so lost in song he doesn't notice, or hear his grandma warning him.

This causes his grandma to push him out of the way, and get taken instead.

Branch is so distraught by his grandma's sacrifice, that he loses all his happiness and becomes depressed, turning gray in the process, and vowing to never sing again.

(This poor child had to witness his grandma meet her untimely demise...and he blames himself for it...that's really depressing in my opinion, I seriously don't understand why people find this scene funny, it triggered my own PTSD really BAD the first time I watched it...I'm used to it now so I don't have my PTSD triggered by it anymore but it still hurts to watch.)

Now the bigger picture is clear. He's got PTSD and paranoia involving the Bergens because of what happened with his grandma as a child. His grandma's sacrifice also started his severe depressive state, as evidenced by him turning gray immediately after she got taken. When the flashback ends, Branch is staring silently and sadly out the window, looking like he's trying not to cry, his depression getting a hold of him once again.

(Again, DreamWorks really nailed the facial expressions here...he looks so broken 🥺)

I understand how he's feeling in that scene, my grandma is my LIFELINE, the person I feel the safest with…seriously I confide in her and tell her more things than I tell my own mom because I trust my grandma more…I even stayed at her house for a while a few years back during my worst mental crisis ever just so I could have the feeling of constant safety and less nightmares…so if something ever happened to her I wouldn't be able to live with myself. Singing is a trigger for him, and so are Bergens in general…which makes me upset at the others, AGAIN, when they sing the song that Branch was singing during that time���my thoughts were like, "Come ON guys, that song is probably the most triggering song for him…" As you can probably tell, I get upset with the others quite a few times whenever I watch this film, because of how they treat Branch. Eventually the entirety of Troll Village is thrown in a pot, ready to be served for Trollstice, and it's here where Branch's character development really becomes apparent. Poppy turns gray, quickly followed by all the other Trolls, and Branch looks around at everyone turning gray, like him, and, desperate to do something about it and help the girl he's now grown to love, he finally breaks his 20-year-long "no singing" vow as he begins to sing "True Colors" in what is probably the most beautiful scene in the entire film (I know it's my personal favorite scene).

(There they all go...turning gray...and Branch is just looking around at everyone, clearly upset by this.)

(His expressions here...you can tell he's thinking, "I've gotta do something!" And he does, and it's beautiful 🥺)

Thanks to Branch, Poppy and the other Trolls are able to regain their colors, and thanks to Poppy, Branch FINALLY regains his colors after 20 years!

(He's getting his colors back! I always feel so happy when I watch the True Colors scene, it's just so beautiful and satisfying 😌👍)

(They're so cute, look at them dance together 🥺! Broppy is best Trolls ship and no one can convince me otherwise, these two are PERFECT for each other 😌)

He thanks Poppy for showing him how to be happy, stating that "happiness is inside of all of us, sometimes you just need someone to help you find it", quoting one of Poppy's lines from earlier in the film. Branch now feels comfortable singing and dancing with Poppy and the other Trolls as they teach the Bergens that same lesson by singing "Can't Stop The Feeling", which helps the Trolls finally make peace with the Bergens after many many years of fearing being eaten by them.

Poppy is crowned queen, Branch finally asks for (and gets) a hug from her even though it's not Hug Time, and the movie ends.

(They are so adorable I can't take it!)

This is not the end of Branch's journey though, there's still two more movies to cover! I'll be covering the second movie hopefully soon, so I hope you look forward to that, and I hope you enjoyed this character analysis on Branch in the first movie! If I missed anything please feel free to let me know in the comments! I sometimes miss things especially with relatable characters because sometimes there are aspects that trigger me so I try to forget about those aspects, and sometimes the character as a whole just hits too close to home and writing analyses on them is too overwhelming because of that (Branch is one of those characters, so it took me ages to write this and gather all the GIFs and images...and also this entire analysis was written ENTIRELY from my memory of the events in the first movie, so there's that part too). Also please excuse the potato quality images and GIFs...I tried my best to find good ones but most of them I found are just REALLY bad quality so...sorry about that 😅

Okay, that's about it for this post! I'll see you guys next time for another Branch analysis, this time for Trolls World Tour! Catch ya later! 👋

[zionanelequaso]

I’ve already decided I’m yapping. batman x bill cipher lore BEAM!!!!

warnings: yaoi, gravity falls spoilers, angst, yaoi, yaoi, did i mention yaoi, tbob spoilers(???)

okay. so. all the shit in gravity falls IS canon, but after stan punched bill into oblivion, bill met the axolotl and they made a deal. if bill somehow redeemed himself to the point of at least only being a little prankster, the axolotl would send him back to earth. so, the axolotl sent him to the theraprism, where 1 second in our world is 100 years there (this comes in handy for me). I still haven’t decided how many seconds in our world he was in there.

eventually he managed to redeem himself to the point of just being a mischievous being. so, the axolotl decided to send him somewhere that wasn’t gravity falls so he could have time to choose if he wanted to say sorry or not (keep this in mind). also bill got his powers back because the axolotl was feeling nice. bill got sent to gotham, and was just floating around before he met Batman. Immediately, he was quite enamored! having long moved on from ford (somehow.), he decided to start watching batman like a hawk. and follow him everywhere. and I mean everywhere. from the start, he knew Batman was bruce, yes, but he didn’t let him know that until the second time they crossed paths. yes, the second. so then, when batman was like “wait what” he went “ok so now you know I know who you are I’m gonna follow you like everywhere mk??” and for some reason, bruce (i switch between calling him either batman or bruce it just depends on how I feel okay) could find himself taking a slight “liking” to bill as well.

spoiler alert, they do get freaky on multiple occasions I’m just not writing about that stuff because I’m a minrorooririijhehjdjshdjia. leave that to your imagination FREAKS!!! (the only reason I’ve even included this fact is because I’m hypersexual!!! I won’t talk about them actually being freaks I’ll just include suggestive stuff leave me alone!!! [sorry I feel the need to apologize and explain myself a lot ok])

okay so there are multiple different ways this can go, but I mostly include 2 (with an occasional secret 3rd and 4th option)

option 1 which is actually the secret third option: since I haven’t watched or read anything with genuinely serious robins + I love love love silly robin with all my heart and soul, there’s this one, where robin (based off of Lego robin) has to just watch bill go BAZINGA over batman and be very confused.

option 2 which is actually the secret 4th option: everything basically stays the same, except ford somehow also got sent to gotham by the axolotl (with intent of having bill and ford meet up or something to see how bill reacts.) depending on how you’d feel, they can either meet pre-batman and get their yaoi back, or stanford can meet joker, have yaoi with that guy, meet bill and go “fuck off,” or they can just never meet and at some point stanford gets super close to redeeming joker. this part is a big joke my friend from school made that I expanded on but I think it’s super funny

option 3: everything stays the same, it’s just bill, batman, and the rogues.

option 4: bill comes in contact with the Justice league and somehow becomes a part of them. not explicitly, but yk he’s just there. this is probably my favorite

so, however this goes, there will always be a thing where bill gets sent back to gravity falls WITH batman (and others, depending on which interpretation you’re talking about [UNLESS you’re talking about the thing where stanford and bill DO cross paths]), and dipper gets the whole fam out, stanford tells batman everything, and bill just LOSES IT.

everything he’s worked for, just gone down the drain.

so, he can either become evil again and have to get ANOTHER redemption arc (but this time without the axolotl), or he can have a breakdown on the spot and beg for forgiveness.

if you choose the first option, he will get forgiven by his peers, but the pines family will still be wary. also, he’ll get the fuck out of gravity falls as soon as he can

if you choose the second option, bruce can either forgive him or not forgive him, which then evolves into either the 1st option or even more of a breakdown until either the 1st option or batman forgives him. that make sense??

and that’s basically it! here’s some stuff about bill

1. he actually did care about stanford or something in the past, he just felt like he had to purposefully hurt him so it wouldn’t have to be on accident (like his family)

2. he finally learned how to not feel the need to push people away!! yay!!!

3. he would get married to bruce. this is canon I’m bill’s 3rd eyelash

I wonder how alex hirsch would feel if he knew that someone out there shipped bill cipher x batman. that someone is me.

also jfc that was a lot more than I was expecting but it was super fun to write!!

[iam93percentstardust]

an idea: in [insert fantasy setting here], steve is part of an elite demon hunting group called shield. his team is the best of the best and steve takes a lot of pride in stopping the forces of darkness, i.e. demons. on what should have been a routine hunt, steve stumbles across what he thinks is just a young incubus (spoiler alert: it's tony). he's always had a problem with killing children, even demonic children, and, well, incubi, aren't nearly as troublesome as other demonic entities, so he lets tony go. tony takes a few steps away, ages up to his actual age, gives steve a cheeky wave, and disappears. steve feels a little foolish, but it's fine. tony wasn't doing any harm when steve stumbled across him, so letting him go was fine, right?

this turns out to be a bit of a mistake because tony starts popping up wherever steve is. he never sees him on another hunt, but sometimes, steve will see him at the bar before a hunt that inevitably turns out to be a bust because the demon they're hunting is long gone. it happens often enough that steve starts to wonder if tony is part of the resistance that's working on smuggling demons out of this plane and back into hell, and he regrets not killing tony when he had the chance. but even though tony also keeps showing up wherever steve is after his failed hunts, he never lets steve get the drop on him again (and steve starts to wonder if tony really is just an incubus because he's never once fought an incubus this fast and slippery before). instead they wind up bantering while they fight before tony disappears without a scratch on him (or on steve, and if he was thinking straight, he might find that odd that neither of them has gotten injured during their fights).

inevitably, their fights stop being fights and start being arguments and then they stop being those too. tony is smart and pretty and he has ideas about demonic liberation that steve's never heard of (is shield doing the right thing by hunting demons? he doesn't know anymore). one thing leads to another and all that and steve and tony eventually tumble into bed together. they spend a very hot night together (and steve doesn't even feel a little worn out by the end of it, which is weird since incubi are supposed to feed on sexual energy), but steve has a hunt the next morning so he leaves tony alone in the bed and goes to join his team…

…who have been slaughtered. in fact, nearly all of shield was killed during the night. furious with tony (and himself for letting his guard down and listening to a demon), steve returns to the hotel room only to find that tony has long since disappeared.

guilt-stricken, steve takes vows as part of his penitence. ten years later, steve is the priest of a small church in a small town living an unglamorous life that's very different than the one he led as a demon hunter. it's a good life, but he never stops being guilty over what happened the night shield was wiped out (and he never stops wondering why tony didn't kill him too).

and then tony walks into his church

[gonzo-rella]

You're Still You | Cameron Frye

MASTERLIST | AO3 | KO-FI

Pride Month 2024 #2

Nonbinary version

Requested by: @telfords-genderfluid-prospect

So....I gotta ask, how would you feel about writing a drabble of Cameron finding out his crush is genderfluid and still wants them?

Relationship(s): bisexual!Cameron Frye x genderfluid!reader (romantic)

Summary: Cameron has had a crush on you for years, but will your admission be enough to change that? (spoiler alert: no)

Warnings: Eating mentions. Barely proofread. References to transphobia. Coming out scene. Reader is implied to be AFAB if you squint (apologies; I couldn't figure out how to completely write around it), but it's not heavily implied and it's never stated explicitly. (Let me know if I need to add any)

Word count: 1.6k

(A/N: This request, like most of my requests, is almost two years old, so apologies that it took so long for me to get around to writing it! Hopefully you're still interested in reading this, requester. It ended up being longer than intended, but hopefully that's alright! In honour of Pride Month and my ongoing genderfluid crisis, I figured I'd finally write out this one. I know that genderfluidity means different things for different people, so hopefully my way of writing about it works for you. Since I'm no longer a high schooler (which I was when I received this request), I decided to make the characters' ages ambiguous. And, since I work in retail and that seems to embed itself into a lot of my work these days, this version of Y/N is a cashier, the most exciting of Y/N's many professions.)

Today was the day. Cameron was finally going to ask you out. What sparked this sudden sense of urgency? This uncharacteristic courage? Well, when you had served him and Ferris on your Friday afternoon shift, Cameron had watched you scan his bag of Doritos with so much adoration in his eyes that it was a wonder you hadn’t picked up on it yourself. As they left the store, Ferris warned his best friend that he would tell you about his feelings on his behalf if he didn’t do it soon. Cameron knew that Ferris had made plenty of empty threats over the course of their friendship, but he didn’t care to find out if he would keep his word this time. After all, he was sure Ferris thought he’d be doing Cameron a favour either by making you aware of his feelings or incentivising Cameron to tell you himself. And, if Ferris was known for anything, it was doing favours, even unwanted ones. So, as to not appear like a bashful middle schooler, he decided he would bite the bullet and be the one to tell you himself. This delighted Ferris to no end, who clapped him on the back and offered him a, “Go get ‘em, tiger.”

You had mentioned to the boys that you finished at 6pm, so he made it to the store at 5:52pm- he knew the specific time because he couldn’t help but anxiously glance at his watch. Then, he stood outside- out of view from the window- for the next four minutes trying to build up the nerve that seemed to have left his body with every step he’d taken to the place. When he finally managed to take that final step to the counter, he was sure his knees would buckle under his weight. Suddenly aware of your confused stare, he quickly realised that he should probably buy something, so he grabbed the nearest thing- a pack of chewing gum- and placed it on the counter.

“Hello again,” you greeted with a smile.

“Hey.”

A more nervous, but nonetheless sincere, smile crept onto his face. His cheeks burned. You looked at him expectantly, which prompted him to start digging around in his pockets for some change. He handed you a dollar bill, trying his best not to let his fingertips brush against the skin of your palm, and you handed him the change, unabashedly making contact with him. He pocketed the coins and the gum, and then he just stood there.

“Do you… need anything else?”

His eyes widened. The words he wanted to say wouldn’t come out just yet. You knitted your brows.

“Are you alright, Cameron?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” he insisted in one of the least fine voices you’d ever heard. “I was, uh, I was wondering… if maybe you wanted to hang out, after you finish work.”

Your face softened, and its expression of confusion and mild concern morphed into one of surprise, relief and mild glee.

“Sure. I was gonna go grab some pizza. You wanna come with?”

Another smile broke out onto his face.

“Uh, sure. Should I just… wait outside?”

“You can wait in here if you don’t mind pretending to, like, browse our wares for the next five minutes.”

He chuckled and nodded.

“Alright.”

You watched with a smile as he wandered up and down each aisle, feigning an interest in confectionery by picking up a KitKat and studying both sides of its packaging intently. He stole a glance at you to gauge your reaction, and to his delight your laughter filled his ears.

As soon as 6pm rolled around and your replacement sluggishly made his way out from the back, you grabbed your jacket and bag and followed Cameron to the door.

The pizza place was down the street. On the short walk, you told him about how you went there after a lot of your evening shifts. Much to his relief, you were able to talk for the both of you, allowing him to get his head around the fact that you had agreed to hang out with him. Before he knew it, he was sitting opposite you with a cheese pizza between you.

“Do you normally not have any plans on a Friday night?” you asked him before you took a bite. “I wouldn’t have thought Ferris Bueller of all people would let his best friend not have any Friday night plans.”

Cameron chuckled. He finished chewing, then swallowed.

“He, uh, gave me the night off.”

“Well, I can’t promise I’ll be as good company as Ferris,” you joked. You paused, before continuing. “So, why exactly did you want to hang out with me? I mean, I know we talked in class, but the only time we’ve ever spoken outside of school is when I’ve been at work, or at senior prom. I wouldn’t have thought I’d be your second choice.”

He blinked, trying to formulate a response. Assuming that you’d said something to upset him, you cringed.

“Oh, shit, was that insensitive? I don’t really have many friends, either, so… Yeah, sorry,” you apologised. “You know, hanging out with you is way better than watching a movie at home alone in the dark. And, that’s really saying something, because I like watching movies at home alone in the-”

“I like you. A lot.”

You stopped rambling and stared at him, taking a second to process his words.

“But,” he added, clearly panicked by your reaction. “It’s fine if you don’t feel the same.”

“Uh, Cameron-”

“I’m sorry,” he blurted preemptively, no doubt out of habit.

“You’re sorry? For what?”

“For saying that.” “You don’t have to apologise,” you told him. “Look, I… like you too, Cameron. Really, I do.”

“You do? I swear you don’t have to worry about hurting my feelings or anything.”

“I like you. A lot.”

You couldn’t fight the small smile that tugged at your lips. Once again, he didn’t know what to say.

“But, there’s something that you don’t know about me,” you continued. “And, I think it’d probably be a dealbreaker. So… I don’t think us being anything more than friends would work out.”

Cameron nodded slowly.

“Okay. Do you mind me asking what it is?”

You eyed him nervously.

“You don’t have to,” he insisted. “But… I don’t know what you could say that’d make me think any differently of you.”

You breathed out a small chuckle, then chewed on your bottom lip. You glanced around to check that no one was listening in, and it seemed like everyone else in the place was wrapped up in their own conversations.

“I’m… I’m genderfluid,” you explained, saying the word like you’d never had to say it aloud before. “So, to my knowledge, you’re a boy, and that’s how you are all of the time. But, that sort of thing changes for me. I’m not one thing- one gender- all of the time. But, for me, it’s not this fixed thing. It can change by day, by week or by month. Does that make sense? I haven’t explained it to anyone before.”

Cameron nodded.

“Yeah, I think so. Sometimes, you feel like one gender, and then other times you’ll feel like another, and it changes by itself, right?”

“That’s the gist of it.”

“Okay,” he hesitated. “For what it’s worth… I support who you are. Not that it should matter what I think about it, or what anyone else thinks about it.”

It was as though he knew you didn’t have anyone in your corner yet. Tears brimming your eyes, you sighed a breath of relief and allowed yourself to smile. 

“Thanks, Cameron.”

His eyes widened a little when he noticed your tears.

“Are-are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m okay. Better than okay, actually. I’ve never told anyone that before. And, I never really expected anyone to be all that supportive of it. So… thank you.”

He relaxed and returned your smile, his heart melting at how happy you looked. The pair of you basked in the warmth of the moment.

Then, you spoke again.

“So, uh, do you wanna be, like, real friends at least, maybe?” you asked. “Not that you have to, just because you’re the only one who knows-”

He locked eyes with you, clearly hesitant and apprehensive.

“Actually… how I feel about you… hasn’t changed.”

You stared at him incredulously.

“Really? And, you’re not just saying that? ‘Cause I’ve always kinda worried that I’ll tell someone about this, and they’ll say it’s fine, but then they’ll just pretend like it’s not a thing, and that they’d just choose to see me as the one thing they’re okay with all the time. Not that I think you’re a scumbag or anything. I’d just rather you be honest.”

Cameron’s cheeks turned red. He reached up to scratch his neck. For a moment, he couldn’t look you in the eye.

“Well, I, uh, I’m not really a guy who… only likes the one thing.”

His gaze flickered up to meet yours once again, and you understood what he meant. You could also tell it wasn’t something he’d admitted many times before, if ever.

“Oh. Okay. Obviously, I’m fine with that. And, I hope you are, too.”

He let out a chuckle that was half-nervous, half-relieved.

“Mostly.”

You smiled at him reassuringly.

“So… you’d be okay with being with me? Even though I wouldn’t just be something easy like your girlfriend or your boyfriend or whatever?”

“Of course,” he said. 

He finally gathered the courage to reach across the table and grab your hands, not caring that they were greasy from the pizza. 

“You’re still you, no matter what. That’s all I care about.”

[mask131]

Would you mind me asking you another Oz related question in this since your Oz blogs inbox has been closed

Does the Oz witches represent the calssic elements (fire, water, air, earth)?

It has been closed? Damn, thank you for telling me! I had opened it when I created the blog, I never closed it... And I was wondering why everybody came here to ask their Oz questions X) Tumblr is doing its silliness again...

While I will reblog this to my Oz blog (and re-open my ask-box there...) I will answer you directly, with my apologies for you being forced to come all the way to this hell-hole to express your curiosity X(

So, originally, in Baum's books (or any of the Oz books), the witches are NOT element-inspired or based. They do have specializations in their powers (like Mombi with illusions and transformations) but there is no elemental motif in there. However, the idea of the witches of Oz being linked to the four elements has been reused several times in adaptations.

Technically speaking, the association of the witches with the elements started with the MGM movie - where the water-vulnerable Wicked Witch of the West wields fire, while the Good Witch Glinda opposing her manifests things such as bubbles and snow, evoking a water-motif. [Interestingly, the MGM movie only invented the bubbles and fire part, the idea of the Good Witch of the North having snow-based power comes from the stage-musical-adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Baum himself, where he had the Witch of the North - Locasta - commanding over spirits of the wind and the cold].

This elemental motif was taken back and expanded upon by Disney's not-a-prequel-but-still-sort-of "Oz: The Great and Powerful". Since it is based on the MGM movie, they took back the idea that Theodora's magic allows her to naturally wield and create fire. Evanora/Wicked Witch of the East got a control over lightning and electricity (which seems to be a nod to how the protective spell of the Ruby Slippers in the MGM movie takes the shape of electric bolts). Glinda still is linked to water in the shape of bubbles and fog/mist (she was supposed to also unleash a blizzard and snow-storms in the first drafts of the movie), but she is also added a light-motif (as it is pure light that comes out of her wand when she confronts Evanora).

The other major work I know of that explores the idea of the Witches being elements-based is "Emerald City". It is strongly implied and hinted at in the show per se, it was explained in more details by additional material - in their universe, the four "breeds" of Witches have specific affiliations with the elements from which their magic depends. Eastern Witches are linked with air - with the Witch of the East being in charge of controlling and regulating the weather of Oz, from tornadoes to snowfalls. Western Witches are linked with water - seen with how much Mistress West appears or uses waters of all sorts (and a joke on the Wicked Witch of the West' weakness being originally water). Northern Witches are linked to stone, with their most terrifying ability being to turn people into statues (probably a nod to what Mombi wanted to do to Tip in "The Marvelous Land of Oz"). As for the Southern Witches they are fire (spoiler alert, but the existence of a young witch with pyrokinesis is the proof needed to reveal that Mother South is still alive).

However this is all from adaptations derived or inspired by the MGM-tradition: in the Oz books, and in a lot of other adaptations, the Witches are not truly elements inspired... However there are many elemental spirits in Baum's cosmogony - from the Nomes (rock) to the Mist Maidens passing by entities like Polychrome the Rainbow's daughter. LOT of nature spirits going around. The witches themselves however are not really "aligned" to any element (the Good Witch never shows mastery over snow, the Witch of the West never uses fire, etc...)

[gorogues]

It is an on going puzzle for me to find romantic matches for the Rogues and I decided to look at all the female characters that DC has. DC has in total about 3000 characters. So you can imagine what it was like sifting through most of it. One of my problems that I was having was that I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking for. Romance is tough and it’s harder when you’re trying to fit characters together.

Usually when I watch a show. I can figure out the love interest in a couple of episodes but I imagine the writers have something to do with that.

Writing a romantic story is an entirely different thing and should be a neat experience for me. The problem I’m having is the 2 chosen characters Patty Spivot & Angela Margolin. There side characters that work with Barry so finding the goods on them would be immensely difficult. So I was wondering if you’d be interested in making a profile on them for me.😅

As well as pointing me in the right direction for the comics that showcase their personalities best. Please.🥺

Sure thing, though Angela was a Wally West-era character, not one of Barry's (she basically replaced him when he left). She didn't appear for very long, so I think Kelson Vibber's biography of her has everything you need, including a list of notable appearances. Plus, here's her bio from Flash Secret Files #2 so you don't have to look for it.

Kelson also has a biography + issue list for Patty which you might find interesting, though it hasn't been updated in a while and doesn't cover her modern history. So I'll give a run-down of what Patty's done since about 2010.

She first began appearing again in Flash: Rebirth #2, as part of a retconned flashback to Barry's early days. It was a minor appearance, but introduced her to a modern audience. In Flash v3 #1, we were told that she'd left Central City to work in Blue Valley because she'd gotten tired of David Singh's attitude and all the big city murders. In Flash v3 #9, Barry called her to help with a murder case, and despite Forrest's pessimism that she wouldn't come back, she returned in #10 and had a fond reunion with Barry. She insisted she wouldn't help because she was tired of murders, but got pulled into it nonetheless, especially because there was a child involved (spoiler alert: the child was Eobard). She managed to crack the case with her forensic skills, and acknowledged to herself that she left Central City due to her unresolved feelings for Barry (who was married), but then Eobard re-aged himself and tried to kill her. She was rescued, but Barry tried to convince her to stay in Central City and she confessed her feelings and said that's why she had to leave; he said they'd always be friends and she agreed to think about staying.

Then Flashpoint happened, and in that altered timeline she became Hot Pursuit after the murder of the first HP. She stated that she did in fact reluctantly return to the job in Central City, but the Hot Pursuit gig called to her and then she found herself in Flashpoint with memories of the original timeline. She was killed while helping Bart Allen, but then Flashpoint ended and the timeline was reset with the New 52.

The New 52 really bums me out, so I'll be brief with it. She and Barry had just started dating when Flash v4 #1 began and didn't know he was the Flash, and she blamed the Flash for Barry's 'death' after he fell into a wormhole. Stuff happened and Barry didn't tell her about his secret identity, but she found out accidentally in the midst of a battle and was okay with it -- she stood by Barry and they continued dating even though he hadn't been honest with her.

But eventually Barry was replaced by a meaner version of himself from the future, and he horrified Patty with his violence. She convinced him to be better and find a less murdery way to stop a villain, which he did, but she was decidedly unimpressed by his claims/bragging that he stopped a guy without killing him, and she told him she never wanted to see him again. The present-day version of Barry returned, but the two of them broke up off-panel anyway, and she hasn't been seen since. It was pretty abrupt.

Basically, Patty's modern self -- she had a lot less characterization in the Bronze Age because that was the way of comics in those days -- is that she's kind and caring above all else, and that tends to override her better judgment at times. She didn't want to return to Central City and its violence, but did so anyway because she cared about others, especially a vulnerable kid. She stuck with Barry when he needed her despite his lack of honesty because she loved him and knew he needed her. And she became Hot Pursuit and gave her life to help Bart because she was brave and determined and maybe was more of an action junkie than she might admit to herself. I guess you can extrapolate from that, leaving aside the weak plot decision to have her break up with Barry off-panel. I think the new writer on the book wanted to go in a different direction, but that was a crappy way to do it.

Flash: Rebirth #2 Flash v3 #10-12 Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #1-2 Flash v4 #1-40, plus annuals 1-3

[hannahwatcheshorror]

SAW III (2006)

This film starts directly where the last movie left off, we hear Amanda’s echoing “game over” and Donnie Wahlberg is trapped on the floor in the kill room from the first film. This SAW makes me squirm. After years of watching horror films to numb my squeamishness the first two scenes of this movie had me so incredibly uncomfortable even while rewatching I decided to pause the movie to work on my review. One of the more twisty SAW movies but certainly a good one or at least an interesting addition. 

⭐⭐���.5

I mentioned before that this particular SAW makes me squirm and I think it is the classroom chain scene that really did me in but Donnie-boy bashing up his foot with the toilet didn’t make me feel great either (this isn’t a great day for feet, I just saw MISERY). Having just watched the offensive scene I find that there is no way I can rest my body that feels comfortable anymore, I feel like I have hooks in me now and it is gross (cause even the next trap involves hooks in the ribs, yucky).

While our little hamster goes around in the maze trying to figure out all the traps that are related to him and his dead son, Jigsaw John and Amanda have kidnapped a surgeon to work on his tumor brain and that is all sorts of out of hand. Our hamster guy absolutely did NOT try to save the lady in the ice room, he dicked around until she was completely frozen and then thought, “Welp, better go get that key I need to progress anyway!” When I watched before I thought he tried to save her but he absolutely did not, I know it’s supposed to be poetic justice since she didn’t do anything to help save his son but it was just very lame here (what were they gonna do, though, have a naked lady running around with him all film?).

Our main guy again waits around while the next victim, a judge, has to endure (fresh) rotten pig juice being slammed into his face. It is so gnarly and maggoty. This time our boy acts just quick enough to get the judge out of the sluice in time. Oh, and HOW could I forget the open brain surgery in a dirty room when the surgeon has an explosive device locked on her neck? My heart is in my stomach which is in my throat. This may have a bad rating with those tomato people but I get such a visceral reaction from this movie that something has to be said.

Ugh, then our main guy continues his inaction and gets the judge and his son's killer killed. He is really a very useless fellow, he couldn’t even be nice to his daughter in the beginning of the movie! The first time he has any real action is when he shoots Amanda for shooting his wife and then when he is ignoring his wife and he goes ahead and murders John which sets off his wife's collar and kills her.

It was bonkers twisty at the end and it turned out the reason why so many of the traps didn’t have clear paths out was because Amanda set them and she is just a plain old murderer whereas Jigsaw is a sophisticated player of games. Also this whole trap was a game for Amanda to test if she could be the new Jigsaw which, spoiler alert, she cannot be. She is too emotional and is a killer and that is no good for John-o. The movie ends with only the main guy alive and we find out that John has his daughter locked up somewhere but, since John is gone, we will never know where she is.

[internals1ut]

Hi! I just see another request about Dom Mc and Tohma and hmm😏😏

Can say anything since I read it in the middle of the night when I supposed to prepare for my tomorrow test-

🫂❤

I just wonder...

If Dom Mc domming the ghouls... Who will be to most surprised that they're bottom or actually enjoying it? Or maybe surprised that the Mc actually a Dom? And who will cry the most?

Just want your opinion, so you can answer this when you have free time(⁠.⁠⁠❛⁠⁠ᴗ⁠⁠❛⁠.⁠)

(I hope you don't mind that I want to be 🫂❤ anon :3)

Thank you once again for giving us free meal-

🫂❤

Hello 🫂❤ anon!

Just so you know these aren't free.... Your payment is to join my discord server linked on @internalscream1ng carrd! (You don't have to I just need an excuse to plug this in lol)

I'm so happy you and others have been enjoying Dom MC whether it's the female or the male one. Kind of makes me turn around on my Lucas x Kaito x MC ship and make her/him/them a top ^^ But however people want to portray them all depends on them! For me I'll continue to write MC as a switch though since I am assuming everyone is seeing them as a "reader" than MC since no canon name wahhh ( from what I know if I am wrong, uhhhhhhh out me -)

But enough of my rambles let's see which TKDB Boyz ( Out of my list on who is a bottom ofc) is most surprised who is a bottom!

18+/nsfw/minors gtfo

Kaito - When he got with MC he assumed he would top. I mean he talked about such a big game beforehand. But once in the bedroom, he got shy. So MC offers to take the lead and afterwards - he has never been the same ever again - he will lay there once MC is done. Did he enjoy it? Let him think about it

Tohma - I made a post about him here . He did enjoy it , but it was probably a one or two time thing before never again.

Leo - Of course he will like it when he doesn't have to do the work. He is such a pillow princess , he thinks he is too pretty to do any work during sex. But is gorgeous when he tears up and begs ~

Haru - He was shocked at first and gave a little "wait a minute"- once it was all done and over with. He starts to question MC about how they know about these kinds of things - soon his questions become too much that even MC got flustered. Haru did not dislike it at all! However Towa got jealous.

Romeo - HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?! THIS BB TOPPED HIM?! THE FICO?! GAH!!! NO ONE CAN FIND OUT ABOUT THIS!!! HE WILL DESTROY WHOEVER FINDS OUT!!!! NEVER AGAIN WILL THAT HAPPEN!! IT'S ALREADY BAD ENOUGH THAT TAIGA DOES IT TO HIM HE DOES NOT NEED ANOTHER!!! NO NO NO!!! It will be a one time thing, he didn't dislike it, but he is too embarrassed to do it again.

Yuri - BOTTOM BITCH BOTTOM BITCH EVERYONE POINT!!!! Here is that post that I made recently of Fem MC domming but just think about it! He will call MC topping a "learning" experience not that he wants to enjoy it ( spoiler alert he did like it)

Subaru - He was a crybaby during sex. I wrote him sobbing before here and here . So he will get teary eye during sex. He does like it from MC but he doesn't want them to be too rough, he got Lyca for that and that is enough.

Edward - He will try and tell MC what he wants done but MC does their own thing and leaves Edward in small shock, not disappointed though. "You know... I've seen some things - some what we did I already did - But I am more surprised the Honor Roll will do these kinds of things... So naughty"~

Sorry this took a moment I hope you enjoy it!

[laxmiree]

[CN] MLQC Lucien’s Entrapment date translation

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

“The artist once hoped to put the butterfly on a glass cover and keep it with him forever. But later, he discovered that even when he let the butterfly go, it flew back to him.”

“It gave him happiness he had never felt or imagined before.”

“I love you.”

“Everything about you, every time you approach me... makes my heart beat excitedly.”

“It makes me fall in love with you again and again... for countless times.”

Translation under cut

(T/N: VERY RECOMMENDED TO HEAR THE VOICE ACTING, ESP THE I LOVE YOU BC IT’S JUST *clenches fist* SO GOOD. BLESS XIA LEI FOR GIVING US THE MOST TENDER, LOVING, AND SEXIEST 我爱你. Anyway I subtitle this date on youtube(turn on CC!) and don’t forget to come back here if you want to read my rambling slash analysis about this date if you want to, I’ll put it on the bottom part of this post-)

[Part 1]

A breeze blew the balcony curtain, and the clear blue sky was intermittently visible through the gap.

The light and shadow of the lamp brushed over the meals on the table and also reflected on Lucien's clear and elegant profile.

I withdrew my gaze and gently rubbed my coffee cup. After a few moments, I couldn't refrain from sneaking another glance at Lucien.

I heard a soft sound of metal touching the porcelain plate. Lucien put down the knife with a faint smile in his voice.

Lucien: Seems like MC has been secretly watching me since this morning.

Lucien: Is there something you want to talk about?

My small movement got busted. I paused a little and calmly denied it.

MC: ...Nothing, I'm just a little curious about your current condition.

MC: After being together for so long, I rarely see you drink as much as you did last night…

[Flashback start]

Some time ago, our work at hand came to an end, and we finally had a chance to relax.

With the intention of unwinding, we arranged a vacation to the city where a classic romance movie was set.

It was Valentine's Day, and romantic decorations could be seen all around the small town. The hotel also sent flowers and local red wine.

After a day of strolling around the old streets, I pulled Lucien to sit on the balcony sofa and enjoy the scenery at night.

The smell of red wine diffuses in the night. Lucien picked up the decanter and swirled it, then poured the wine into the glass.

I took a few sips, and the mellow aroma of the wine spread in my mouth.

I comfortably exhaled, and my tense nerves became relaxed. I saw a book of Spanish poetry on the corner of the table and opened it casually.

After stumbling over a few lines, an unfamiliar phrase caught my attention.

MC: distancia íntima…

I didn't know why I repeated it, and I saw Lucien on the sofa, gazing down at the color of the red wine.

So I gently leaned my head, rested my chin on his shoulder, and dragged the tail notes.

MC: Professor Lucien, I don't quite understand this part.

Lucien put down his glass and glanced over the line of poetry that I pointed to. Then, his gaze fell on my face.

Lucien: It refers to an interpersonal distance of 46 cm, which is also the minimum distance for self-defense.

Lucien: Typically, it is reserved exclusively for family members… or lovers.

Lucien's fingertips fell to my lips, gently wiping away the faint red wine stains. I asked him a follow-up question.

MC: What will happen if we overcome this distance?

Lucien: Then both parties will unconsciously want to share… love.

As Lucien spoke, his face approached mine a little closer. I could almost smell the faint scent of alcohol on his breath.

There seem to be unspoken and heavy emotions between our eyes. I put down the glass, smiling, and hooked Lucien's neck.

MC: What is it?

Lucien bowed his head along with my force. His falling bangs brushed my face.

Lucien: I find that there seems to be something else more worth focusing on… I can't wait for this 'lecture' to be over.

MC: Pfft, why are you getting more and more straightforward?

Lucien: [chuckle] I prefer to describe it as something "uncontrollable" rather than straightforward.

Lucien: I've heard that when your heart feels excited, your words or actions will unconsciously show it.

Lucien: (whisper) Just like right now, when I think that MC is very cute…

A drunken kiss fell on my lips along with his words.

The unfinished poetry book fell to the ground with a thud, but no one bothered to pick it up. I clutched the corner of Lucien's coat and instinctively responded to his kiss.

The moonlight is gentle. Between our intertwined breaths, I heard a vague whisper on my lips.

Lucien: (whispering between the kisses-) ...I love you...

My heart suddenly beat a little faster. I pulled away from Lucien, slightly panting. I want to hear more clearly.

MC: Y-you just said…

My words were interrupted by his lips that were chasing mine. I don't know if it is because of alcohol, but Lucien is a little more irresistible than usual.

As the kiss deepened, I gradually lost my focus. I can only close my eyes and cater to his demands.

But that whispered phrase lightly tickled my heart, with little tickles appearing now and then.

[Flashback ends]

[Part 2]

Lucien: MC?

Lucien's voice came to my ears. I looked back and saw Lucien looking at me with interest.

Lucien: Your ears are red... Did you think of something?

MC: (blushing) ...No, it's probably because the coffee is too hot.

I pretended to blow on the coffee in my cup and spoke in a casual manner.

MC: Speaking of which, do you remember what you said to me on the balcony last night?

Lucien tilted his head and seemed to think seriously for a moment.

Lucien: [chuckle] I can't quite remember.

Lucien: It seems that a lot of things happened and many things were said last night.

Lucien: Which one would MC like to hear? Maybe you can give me a hint?

Lucien's expression reveals a little bit of innocence as if he really can't remember the whisper that brushed through his lips.

I opened my lips, and a jumble of chaotic memories accompanied by hot whispers flashed through my mind.

How does this remind us that at that time we were on-

After a moment of staring at each other, I blushed and changed the subject.

MC: ... N-nothing, let's talk about it later.

(they really did ‘that’ on balcony-)

Lucien didn't ask any more questions, as if he didn't notice anything unusual. But I couldn't help thinking, how can I hear him say those three words again?

My heart skipped a beat when I glanced at the book of poems on the corner of my desk.

When I was flipping through the book last night, I saw that there were quite a few love poems included in the book. Maybe… I can use this to create an opportunity?

Thinking of this, I naturally picked up the poetry book and raised it at Lucien.

MC: I suddenly remembered that I hadn't finished reading this book yet.

MC: How about this… Please teach me to read some poems for the occasion of Valentine's Day, Professor Lucien~

I put a little more emphasis on the word "for the occasion".

Lucien looked at me for a moment, got up like he understood what I meant, and then sat beside me.

As the other side of the sofa sank down, I leaned towards Lucien, watching him take over the poetry book as he carefully selected the titles.

I looked at him expectantly. However, I heard Lucien speak in distress at the next second.

Lucien: There are many masterpieces in this poetry collection. Which one does MC want me to read with you?

...Have I not implied enough?

I was a little stunned, and unconsciously spoke.

MC: It's the kind of confession that says I love you-

I abruptly stopped talking for a moment. My ears flushed a little.

... I'm obviously here to set up the conversation. How come I fell into the trap before Lucien did?

I blinked unconsciously. Lucien rested the poetry collection on his chin and thoughtfully looked at me.

A few moments later, a warm hand fell on my shoulder. Lucien hugged me and brought us closer together.

I could almost smell the faint scent of cedar on him- it was the same scent I had been deeply tainted with from last night.

(heh, 'deeply tainted from last night')

Lucien: There is only one copy of the book, so I will have to ask this classmate to read it with me.

His fingertips stopped at a page of the poetry book as he spoke.

Lucien: Aquite amo (Here I love you)… I think this is the one that you like.

Lucien: Andan días iguales persiguiéndose (Days, all one kind, go chasing each other)…

His low reading voice came like a soft evening breeze passing through the twilight-shrouded pine forest.

I held my breath and subconsciously turned my head to look at Lucien. I belatedly discovered that we were already so close.

His side profile is just a short distance away, as if I can drop a kiss on his jaw by just tilting my head.

Noticing my gaze, Lucien raised his eyes to look at me. His voice filled with a couple of imperceptible laughter.

Lucien: [chuckle] Fellow student, please pay attention.

MC: (blush)...I'm paying attention!

I blushed and looked at the page, but I didn't know where I should focus on.

There was a gentle, meaningful laugh ringing in my ears. Lucien raised his hand and held my fingers.

I felt the soft touch of the paper through my fingertips. He guided me across the paper and landed on one line.

Lucien: I have already read this far.

Lucien: Aquí te amo y en vano te oculta el horizonte.

Lucien: Here I love you and the horizon hides you in vain…

The long-awaited words just suddenly came to my ears. My heart beat a little faster, and I instinctively responded to his voice.

MC: Te estoy amando aun entra estas frías cosas (I love you still among these cold things)...

The room echoed with our overlapping voices as we read it to each other. But my eyes gradually began to wander.

I snuck a glance at Lucien, and leaned closer to him. The idea of being "greedy" probes a little bit.

It seems that I want so much more than that.

It would be nice to hear him speak his love... in a straightforward way.

[Part 3]

I pursed my lips in distress.

I know that Lucien won't refuse if I ask him. But a direct request is not as romantic as being unable to restrain your emotions.

But under what circumstances would Lucien say love?

The sound of reading stopped at some point. I belatedly raised my head and met Lucien's gaze.

Lucien: I finished reading the poem that MC wanted to hear. Should I continue?

MC: No~ I want to arrange some other activities.

MC: When traveling, we can't stay just stay in the hotel.

Besides, it is easier to create opportunities in a new environment!

I planned to get up from Lucien's arms, but he caught me by the waist, and I fell back into the embrace behind me.

Lucien's chin gently rested against my shoulder, mimicking my affectionate actions from last night.

Lucien: I have an alternative plan. Would you like to hear it?

Lucien: When I checked in yesterday, the front desk recommended the nearby home gallery and said it would be a good place to visit.

MC: A home gallery?

Lucien: Um, it was converted from a personal residence. The gallery owner changes the theme from time to time and selects paintings for display.

Lucien: The works on display are not those of famous artists. But the personal touch is stronger, and the atmosphere is quiet. The theme in recent days happens to be "lovers".

That sounds like… a good place for creating an opportunity.

I hugged Lucien's arm and nodded with joy.

MC: Well, let's go check it out~

The gallery mentioned by the receptionist wasn't too far from the hotel. Lucien and I strolled along the street, sometimes pausing to look at the roadside scenery.

After about ten minutes, I saw a building with a "Galeria" sign. Curious, I went ahead and pushed the door open.

The room was full of paintings. The elderly owner got up from behind the board and said some words to us with a smile.

Lucien nodded his head in response; I tugged on his sleeve curiously.

Before I said anything, he explained in a low voice.

Lucien: He said that the art exhibition is open, and painting tools are provided to create your own paintings.

Lucien: If you don't mind the surroundings, you can do it in the living room. Or if you don't want to be disturbed, you can also reserve a room. You can decide after the exhibition.

The old man gestured kindly towards the deep corridor in response to his words. Then he sat back at his drawing board and continued to paint.

Not wanting to disturb the old man's work anymore, Lucien and I glanced at each other and lightened our steps in unison.

The daylight flows quietly on the varnished floor, and various portrait paintings hang on the dark vine-patterned walls.

The brush strokes are either smooth or rough, but the faces drawn out are filled with love. I leaned close to the painting frame and carefully examined it.

MC: It seems that not all the portraits here are made by professional artists.

Lucien: Indeed, it is more like a portrait of a lover painted by a visitor on a whim.

I can't help but think of the scene in the movie where the young artist is at a loss as to what to do with his beloved and smile gently.

MC: It is indeed very appropriate to leave this kind of painting for each other in the "holy land of love"~

Lucien: Then, can MC paint a portrait for me?

I blinked in surprise and suddenly thought of something.

Last night, Lucien said that the intimate distance would make people unconsciously want to share their love.

Maybe this can be used to quietly close the distance and create an atmosphere that makes Lucien open his mouth!

Having made up my mind, I nodded with a smile.

MC: Then I'll invite Professor Lucien to be my model this time~

The door of the room was closed silently.

The silence slowly spread, and I could hear the rustling sound of swaying trees from time to time. Lucien looked around and saw the narrow prop bed in the corner.

Lucien: As a model, I have to maintain a pose for a long time… MC, do you mind if I slack off in this way?

As Lucien spoke, he walked around the table and chairs, and sat on the side of the prop bed. I coughed and spun the paintbrush twice.

MC: Sure. So, does Professor Lucien have any ideas about the modeling?

Lucien bent his slender eyebrows.

Lucien: I'll leave it up to the artist to decide.

Lucien: I'm willing to work with you on whatever you need.

Our eyes met for a moment. I held my drawing board and went to stand beside Lucien.

MC: Then I would like you to take a more relaxed pose, Professor Lucien.

As I said that, I pushed Lucien's shoulder. He cooperatively fell back on the pillow and looked at me sincerely.

Lucien: Is this enough?

MC: Let's get a little more relaxed.

MC: I want to portray the way you look when you're at ease~

I explained solemnly and leaned down to unbutton his coat.

MC: ...You should also dress in a way that brings out your sensuality, don't be so tense.

MC: Imagine that you're in the bedroom at home.

His coat fell to the bed sheet, making the atmosphere a little quiet and charming. Lucien looked at me and slightly moved his eyes.

Everything is going as expected. I sat down on the chair beside the bed. And I was beginning to plan how to move forward when I heard Lucien speak.

Lucien: Is this enough for you?

Lucien asked as he lifted his hand and unbuttoned his shirt one by one while I watched.

The collar that was buttoned to the top slowly opens up, and the smooth lines outline the firm shapes, which are gradually hidden behind the bottom of the hem. My ears suddenly turned red.

MC: I-I...

Lucien: I just think it will be more in line with the state that MC wants.

Lucien: (whisper seductively) Or do you need me to relax a bit more?

Lucien's fingertips continued to move down; his tail note was slightly lighter. For some reason, I suddenly felt that the air seemed to heat up a bit.

I quickly averted my gaze and subconsciously tightened my grip on the brush.

MC: No need, this will do!

As I said that, I hurriedly sketched out some lines on the board.

Lucien's soft laugh came to my ears. After the rustling of the fabric, the room returned to silence, with only the rustling sound of the brushes stroking over the canvas remaining.

In addition to wanting to create an opportunity to hear Lucien say those three words, I also wanted to give him this painting as a memento of our Valentine's Day trip.

Dark hair, slender eyebrows… I depicted every emotion stroke by stroke, and the familiar outline gradually emerged on the paper.

It's just that every time I look up, I can see Lucien's smiling eyes.

My face was getting hotter and hotter, and I started to avert my eyes.

The artist's red face when facing the model in the movie came to my mind. I hastily withdrew my gaze and huffed in empathy.

…It turns out that the scene was not exaggerated.

Gazing at the person you like for so long, you really can't control your heartbeat.

I tried my best to maintain my composure and finished most of the painting. Then, Lucien's phone suddenly rang.

He helplessly blinked at me. Before he could say anything, I handed over the phone.

MC: Let's take a look. What if it's news from the research institute~

Lucien took the phone, but his body still remained in the same position as before. He just raised his hand a bit and looked at the message.

The screen's glow shines on his face, sharp and gentle, wonderfully distinguishing between light and dark. Lucien glanced at me, smiled softly, and spoke.

Lucien: Can Miss Artist continue like this?

Realizing this opportunity, I put down my drawing board and got up from my chair.

MC: The angle has changed a bit. Let me correct it.

I said and touched Lucien's cheek, and quietly guided him.

MC: But I didn't expect Professor Lucien to be so calm when he posed in front of me in such a "seductive" way~

Lucien cooperated and tilted his head. His soft bangs brushed against my palm.

Lucien: After all, the job of a model is to work with the creative process.

Lucien: And in the eyes of Miss Artist, now I should be no different from a… butterfly

MC: Now the positions are switched.

I smiled, seeing that Lucien also seemed to have lost in the memory, and then he opened his mouth.

Lucien: The artist once hoped to put the butterfly on a glass cover and keep it with him forever. But later, he discovered that even when he let the butterfly go, it flew back to him.

Lucien: It gave him happiness he had never felt or imagined before.

MC: From the butterfly's perspective, it also reaped the happiness that comes from being willing to stop… The artist and the butterfly are meant to complement each other.

MC: Just like now, you are a "butterfly" that complements me.

Lucien silently looked at me for a moment and bent the corners of his lips.

Lucien: That's right. As you said, painting is a two-way street between the artist and the depicted subject.

Lucien: So, now I will also do my best to assist.

Lucien winked as he talked, and his posture became more relaxed.

I went around in circles and didn't hear the expected response. I pursed my lips and took a roundabout approach to lead him.

MC: Professor Lucien is a very cooperative model. He's probably the ideal partner for any artist~

Lucien: Perhaps. But this kind of close observation is a privilege that belongs only to you.

My heart skipped a beat.

MC: ....Will Professor Lucien have a special feeling when facing the artist like that butterfly?

Lucien: I have.

Lucien said and looked at me.

Lucien: Facing you, I seem to have no way to restrain my heartbeat.

Suddenly, his drunken confessions from last night come to mind, intertwined with his whispers at this moment.

Lucien: (whisper) Just like now. By simply looking at you, I can't help but want to…

Lucien paused.

Amid the accelerated heartbeat, he held my hand that was touching his cheek and slowly rubbed it. The already close distance was shortened again, and my wrist was warmed by the heat of his breath.

Bathed in a faint soft light, he stared at me and spoke softly.

Lucien: (continuing his whisper) So, I'm also a little curious.

Lucien: (still whispering) Now that MC is facing me, what are the thoughts in her heart?

[Part 4]

The church bells rang in the distance, and the birds fluttered their wings and flew past the window.

The shadow of the daylight reflected on Lucien's profile, and the air between us seemed to be stained with lingering and deep affection.

I gazed into Lucien's dark eyes and picked up the painting I was about to finish from the chair.

MC: All I want to express is here.

MC: In that movie, the moment the main character saw the painting, they understood the artist's intention…

MC: So, can you feel my emotions by looking at this?

Lucien looked at the painting. His eyes lingered on every spot as if he was facing a priceless work of art, and there seemed to be some emotions surging in his gaze.

Lucien: Mm, every stroke is full of tenderness and… yearning.

Lucien: Did I get it right?

Seeing his serious expression, I opened my lips hesitantly.

I painted each stroke of the painting with love. How can Lucien didn't feel it…?

Or is my drawing skill so clumsy… that I can't even convey my emotions?

I doubted myself and forcibly raised the corners of my mouth.

MC: It's not wrong, but it's not the right answer either. What I'm trying to express is- ah, just forget it.

I sat back in my chair, feeling a little bit defeated, and sighed unnoticeably.

A very soft sigh came from behind me. Accompanied by the rustling of clothes, I was swept into a warm embrace.

Lucien wrapped me from behind and held the paintbrush together with me.

His faint cedar scent surrounds my body. Lucien leaned close to my cheek and spoke in a low voice.

Lucien: Remember what I told you about "intimate distance"?

Lucien: Within 46 cm, you can feel every subtle change in the breathing and temperature of the person in front of you.

Lucien: For me, you are the only person who can enter this distance.

The brush we hold lands on the canvas. Amidst the rubbing sound caused by the friction of the brush and the canvas, the unrefined half of the face gradually becomes clear.

Lucien immediately put down the paintbrush. He didn't let me go and maintained our hugging position. We looked at the drawing board together.

The canvas shows him lying on the edge of the bed with a faint smile on his face.

However, upon closer look, I find that although the brushwork is more refined later on, something seems to be missing in how the painting subject is portrayed.

I opened my lips but heard Lucien speak.

Lucien: You noticed it too, didn't you?

Lucien: Even I can't paint a true portrait of how I look in your eyes.

Lucien: (whisper) Relaxed, disorganized, and also perhaps a little bit of what you call "playing tricks"… Only in front of you, everything about me will be open without reservation.

Lucien: (whisper) This is a side only you can see… And when I put the brush to the canvas, I can't pour more love into it than you do.

I looked at Lucien, a little stumped for words. In addition to the full attention in his eyes, he also showed a little helpless smile.

Is it possible that he has already understood what I want to express?

So why did he keep avoiding the word "love"? It's like he was trying to bait me to say the word….

I suddenly thought of something and broke free from Lucien's embrace with a little effort.

Then I got up and pressed him down on the chair, unsurely asking him a question.

MC: Your reaction to many things seems to be different than usual today.

MC: …Lucien, are you also planning something?

Lucien: Hmm? 'Also'?

Lucien's voice hid a deeper meaning to it. I opened my mouth and finally admitted with a blushing face.

MC: I admit, I have indeed been trying to bait you to say something to me… What about you?

In the gradual acceleration of my heartbeat, I met with Lucien's gaze.

Lucien: Of course, I… have the same purpose as you.

I blinked in astonishment.

MC: For what reason?

Lucien: For what reason…?

Lucien gently repeated my question, and his warm breath close against my skin.

Lucien: At first, I just thought that the way you worked hard was cute, and I wanted to see more of it. But then I became "greedy" too.

Lucien: Rather than fulfilling your wish, I rather see MC's most instinctive desire for me being revealed in the intimate distance that only belongs to us…

Lucien: Together with the most straightforward expression of love.

Lucien: But looking at it now, it ended up backfired. So, in order to make amends, I'm willing to accept any punishment.

Finally, there is an explanation for this man's various "unromanticism" today. I snorted softly and suddenly thought of something.

MC: But speaking of which, did Professor Lucien remember wrongly?

MC: When we were reading the poem, I was "tricked" into saying I love you first.

Lucien spoke with a voice that was filled with inaudible grievances.

Lucien: But those are the words of the poet, not yours.

Lucien: What I want to hear is a straightforward confession from MC.

I was stunned. I couldn't help laughing when thinking about how I precisely thought the same thing as him. My fingers pulled on Lucien's tie, and I moved closer to him.

Our breathing is gradually intertwined. I asked him a question in a soft voice.

MC: So, is the distance between us now less than 46 centimeters?

Lucien gazed at me and suddenly grabbed my waist.

Lucien: (chuckles, then whispers seductively) I think… It can still be a little closer.

The hands on my waist tightened a little. I leaned over to get close to him and spoke in a teasing manner.

MC: Doesn't Professor Lucien want to take the initiative this time?

Lucien looked as if he was allowing himself to be captured, but his eyes weren't wavering.

Lucien: After all, it's punishment time. So, I'm going to hand over all the initiative to you.

Despite saying these words, his hand did not loosen up in the slightest. Instead, he caressed upward, bringing me closer to him.

I couldn't suppress my laughter. I whispered as I bowed my head.

MC: How cunning.

I kissed Lucien as soon as the words fell.

A slightly cool sensation comes through equally soft lips, and my heart trembles with each restless movement.

I sank into the seemingly passive yet irresistible demands of the person in front of me.

The strength of my body was drained away before I knew it. I half-kneeled, half-sat in his embrace, and couldn't resist closing my eyes.

Entangling, deeply penetrating… The tip of his tongue lightly swept my sensitive upper palate. I shuddered and instinctively wanted to struggle.

But I was firmly confined and had nowhere to escape.

…I don't want to stay away either.

Until every breath that reaches deep into my soul gradually becomes fully tainted with his breath.

I could hear the rustling of the curtains brushing against the window and the sound of people walking in the hallway, but I didn't care about it anymore.

My senses, my everything… All melted in this kiss and the depth of his eyes.

Between our melded breaths, I slightly pulled myself away from Lucien and instinctively opened my mouth to speak.

Lucien: (with the most tender and loving whisper between the kisses) I love you.

MC: (whispering at the very same time as Lucien) I love you.

Coincidentally, our unanimous whispers were intertwined in the air. In just an instant, my heart was filled with happiness, flying like a feather in the warm sunlight.

I raised the corners of my lips and stroked Lucien's cheek.

MC: Is Professor Lucien satisfied with my expression?

Lucien clasped my hand and interlocked our fingers together.

Lucien: (whisper) It's even better than I imagined.

Lucien: (whisper) Everything about you, every time you approach me... makes my heart beat excitedly.

His warm breath brushed against my ear. Lucien tilted his head again and irresistibly chased after my lips.

The spring scenery is deeply reflected in his eyes, and I also saw my figure reflected in them.

After those whispers, I heard him whisper once again.

Lucien: It makes me fall in love with you again and again... for countless times.

[Personal Rambles + Date analysis(?) corner]

I love this date. Personally, I would even say that I like this date better than last month’s SP and SSR. I think it is worth being the one date where it has ‘I love you’ in it. Not just ‘I like you’, or his ‘definition of love’.

There are many things I want to scream about this date- but to keep it simple, I’ll just talk about some parts that I think are really interesting this date.

[Here I love you]

Okay, so the first one is the poem, ‘Here I love you’ by Pablo Neruda. I like this part because their poem exchange reminds me of the scene from Lucien’s Blossoms date where they wittily quoted poems to each other (something that sadly, gets lost in translation:”).

But anyway, back to the topic of my interpretation of how some lines of this poem coincided with parts of the dates and their story in general.

First of all, I love how PG choose this poem that explores love and fear of losing someone you love, which is THE big angst theme for Lucien.

"In that hazy memory, he seems to have lost someone."

—In his dream, he also sat with a girl under a tall tree, painting. He never understood why but when they drew a seedling on the paper, he would draw a glass to cover it.

Until just now, after he experienced the moment of losing the only color in his life, Lucien understood his choice in the dream.

—This is a fear of losing someone again.'  - [R&S Eternity and a day.]

There’s a reason why PG chooses to torture this man by making him believe that MC is dead after chapter 18 [R&S Not Planned On] and making him watch her die again and again in [Main Story S2 chapters 13 and 14]. Because he already lost so much in life, he’s probably the one who fear losing MC the most.

Here I love you. The word here indicates that the poet is the one who stays and waits in one place. Just like Lucien, who is always waiting for her to take him home in S2. He doesn’t mind waiting for her answer no matter how long. It’s also something that’s highlighted in [Dating Reality Show Date]. Where we learn that he was the one who fell at first sight and waited for MC whose love is something that grows with time and his companionship.

This is a port. Here I love you. Just like ships that always come and go in the port, so do people. But ships can always come back to port after they parted. The butterfly can always fly back to the artist even after the artist lets her go. I’ll dive deeper into it in its own section ;)

I love what I do not have. It really reminds me of what MC said in the only color call. Where she said that to love someone is to love them as an individual, and there’s no requirement for a special relationship. You just want the person you love to be happy, not to ‘have’ them :”.

The moon turns its clockwork dream; The biggest stars look at me with your eyes. Lucien will unconsciously reveal his sides that he doesn’t even notice. Only in front of her, he will open up everything about himself without reservation. ‘The biggest star’ is the love in her eyes as she gazes at him as if he’s the only person she can see in this world.

“You noticed it too, didn't you?”

“Even I can't paint a true portrait of how I look in your eyes.”

And the opposite also true, because he too, always gazes at her as if she’s the only person he can see in this world.

The spring scenery is deeply reflected in his eyes, and I also saw my figure reflected in them.

[Distancia Intima]

This one is probably the shortest part ahah, but distancia intima or Intimate Distance is the nearest space around our body and is reserved for an intimate person like a family member or lover.

For Lucien, it’s a space that only belongs to one person. Only in front of her, he can show his most unreserved sides.

But on the other side, it also means that she’s the only important person left in his life. Whether as his ‘family member’ or lover :”...

[Reverse Artist and Butterfly]

OK BUT, this one is definitely an unexpected twist, but pleasant. I love how in the process of confessing ‘I love you’ we get taken back to his very first definition of love, the Artist and Butterfly.

“If you can meet that artist, tell him this for me. That he actually doesn’t love the butterfly, does he?”

“Why do you think that the artist doesn’t love the butterfly? If you love someone, aren’t you supposed to move heaven and earth to tie them to your side?”

“But that is too selfish.”

“Yes, even I find it selfish.”

“But if he doesn’t do that, it’s likely that the artist will lose the butterfly.”

“And then his life will be like how it was before, his whole world would just be black and white.”

“If he really loves the butterfly, then he wouldn’t want to see them suffer, right?”

“Maybe I’m too simple, but for me, genuine love is simply loving that person as an individual, and I wouldn’t need a special relationship with them. I’d just want them to be happy.”

“If you were this butterfly, and there was someone who wanted to confine you to their side so they could keep you together with them forever…”

“Would you be willing?” - [The Only Color Call]

For him at first, to love is to bind someone by his side, but for MC to love is simply loving the person as an individual and wanting them to be happy. It reminds me of the saying ‘If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't they never were.’

The artist let the butterfly go, but the butterfly flew back and decided to stay with the artist because it is happy to be by the artist’s side. This happiness is a two-way street because the butterfly’s willingness to stop also brings the artist happiness he never felt before… Their choice of being by each other side is the longest confession of love.

It is even more interesting that this date talks about the identity exchange between the artist and the butterfly. All this time, we usually thought that Lucien is the ‘artist’ while MC is the ‘butterfly’ but it seems that, the reverse also works.

Because Lucien also brings color to MC just like the butterfly to the artist. They color each other’s world.

Perhaps for everyone, the world was monochromatic at the beginning.

With time and encounters, the world gradually became stained with colors, giving value to different people and things.

Slowly, the whole world becomes colorful as it interacts with memory. It also has smells and sounds.

Until the most special existence appeared that makes the color of this world more distinctive.

It's as if the whole picture has been retouched so that everything has a new meaning.

While we quietly shared the cake, I looked at Lucien's face lit by the warm lights.

“Lucien, you’re colorful right now” – Lucien’s 3rd birthday date

-and because MC too, just like the artist, also greedily wants to keep him safe forever. But because she knew that she couldn’t stop Lucien from walking towards his aspiration, all she can do is let him go and try to catch up to him.

Both of them learn to let go as the artist and also choose to stay as the butterfly because it’s what makes them happy.

[我爱你]

From ‘Can you teach me how to love?’ to ‘I love you.’ LOOK AT HOW FAR HE’S GROWN. I can’t believe it’s been days since the date and the PV but I still sob every time I heard him say that. It’s been a long process, even though he’s been declaring his love in his own way, whether it is his wordless declaration of love in S1 chapters 35 and 36. Or the wheat field as the representation of his heart, with the ebbs and flow of the tide as his heartbeat in S2 chapter 34.

I love you is special as the most straightforward way to declare one’s love. I love how on this date these two fools tried to trap each other into confessing but ended up confessing instinctively at the very same time lmao. The situation is really funny, with MC who’s trying her best to create an atmosphere where Lucien would say I love you vs Lucien that knows all along about her plan, even manages to trap MC into confessing first but ends up feeling dissatisfied with the confession because it’s the poet words, not hers (-how childish-).

On this date, both of them ended up becoming greedy, wanting to hear the most direct love confession from each other.

I snuck a glance at Lucien, and leaned closer to him. The idea of being “greedy" probes a little bit.

It seems that I want so much more than that.

It would be nice to hear him speak his love... in a straightforward way.

-

“At first, I just thought that the way you worked hard was cute, and wanted to see more of it. But then I became “greedy” too.”

“Rather than fulfilling your wish, I rather see MC's most instinctive desire for me being revealed in the intimate distance that only belongs to us…”

“Together with the most straightforward expression of love.”

“What I want to hear is a straightforward confession from MC.”

-although both of their plans also end up backfiring as neither of them gets the straightforward love confession from their plans, MC was unhappy, and Lucien ended up taking the initiative to open up the first because he can’t stand seeing her in distress.

“It's not wrong, but it's not the right answer either. What I’m trying to express is- ah, just forget it.”

I sat back in my chair, feeling a little bit defeated, and sighed unnoticeably.

A very soft sigh came from behind me. Accompanied by the rustling of clothes, I was swept into a warm embrace.

It’s interesting sometimes how they sometimes mirror each other, having the same expectation and desires, while also opposing each other on the other occasion, like their belief and the way they see things. But one thing always remains the same, and it’s the fact that they’ll always yearn for each other.

In the end, they learn that they don’t need to go that far. They just need to follow their heart. Because whether when sober or drunk, the heart knows when to beat faster simply by the presence of each other. The most perfect explanation of this mutual eternal heartbeat is ‘I love you’. And he will keep falling in love, again and again, countless times simply by her close proximity or existence alone.

My final words; I’m very, very satisfied with this date~

[i-choose-the-danger]

Lesson Learned

Whoa, new fic alert! I'm surprised at how quickly I wrote this one. Don't expect that speed to become a habit though. 😂 This is a Hogwarts Legacy fic, so obviously if you play the game or plan to and wish to avoid spoilers, you should probably save this fic for later.

Summary: Ominis has offered to help the new fifth-year student catch up on learning charms. Sebastian gets volunteered as tribute to be the student's practice dummy, and also learns never to go behind his best friend's back again. Fic below the cut.

**A little background info for those of you who don't know anything about the characters but still want to read it and not feel completely lost:

Ominis Gaunt (yes of THAT Gaunt family) and Sebastian Sallow are 5th-year Slytherin boys and they've been besties since they met at school

Anne Sallow, mentioned a few times, is Sebastian's twin sister who became too ill to go to school any longer and now stays home

Ominis is blind, born that way (not something I made up, it's canon)

The other student is the "main character" aka the player in the game/story, and they've started Hogwarts as a 5th-year so they have a LOT to catch up on

For the purposes of this fic, the character is a female Slytherin and I've named her Kathryn

the "Undercroft", where this fic takes place, is basically a hidden room in the castle that only Ominis's family knows about... Ominis only shared this secret with Sebastian who then shared it with the main character when he shouldn't have

I think that's all the background info you need to know if you don't know the game's storyline. Time-wise, this fic takes places somewhere in the middle of the school year, after Sebastian told the other student about the Undercroft and I'd say not long before they start looking for the Scriptorium for those of you who know the storyline.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kathryn anxiously paced in a circle across the stone floor in a corner of the Undercroft. Her nerves getting the better of her, she fidgeted with the spell book in her hands and began to rotate it cover over cover as she walked. There was a lot of work she needed to do if she was to get her magical knowledge up to snuff with the other fifth-years before the O.W.L. exams began at the end of next term. The one subject she seemed to excel at was potions, which Ominis struggled with quite a bit. In exchange for tutoring him, he had offered to go over charms he'd been taught in his earlier years. Kathryn was about to give up on waiting when she noticed the red glow pulsing and growing brighter near the entrance gate.

"Oh good, you made it!" Kathryn exhaled. She smiled as the gate lifted and Ominis strutted underneath it as he extinguished his wand. She took a seat on the floor, folding her legs underneath herself and placing the spell book beside her. "I was starting to think that you'd forgotten." Her fingers buried themselves in her long dark hair and twisted around the strands.

"I promised you that I would come. You know I'd never break my word. I had to make sure there were no prying eyes around." Ominis furrowed his brow when he realized her voice came from below him. "Are you sitting on the floor?"

"It's usually how I study."

"Well, that will not do. You deserve better than cold stone. Just a moment." Ominis didn't need his wand to navigate the Undercroft. Having spent so much time down there over the past four years, the area was completely committed to memory. He disappeared around a corner and came back just as quickly pulling what looked like two large green velvet couch cushions behind him.

"Where in the world...?"

"I deserve a medal for being able to memorize and navigate Sallow's 'organized chaos', as he calls it, down here." He handed a cushion to Kathryn and dropped the other behind himself before sitting down onto it. "Much better. Did you have anything specific you wanted to go over today?"

"Madam Scribner helped me find a copy of Standard Book of Spells for first-years with braille and said I could keep it for the term as long as I bring it back in perfect condition." She placed the book on Ominis's knee and kept her hand on top of the cover until he took the book in his hands. As he started to flip through pages, she added, "I feel silly having to look through a first-year book and not knowing some basic spells and charms. I really do appreciate you offering to help."

"I don't mind. Sebastian brought you here to have a safe space to practice, so it only makes sense to utilize your time learning what you can."

"I still feel bad about that. If I'd known it was your family's private-"

"Nonsense," Ominis cut her off with a dismissive wave of his hand. "That fault lies with Sebastian, not you. I feel awful about snapping at you when I found out, so I suppose that makes us even."

"Fair enough. I got up to page thirty-two before morning classes started. I managed to spongify one of my books, which was fine until I realized I didn't know how to undo it and it bounced around every time I put it down." Kathryn huffed at herself, taking a seat on the cushion Ominis had given her.

"Ah, rookie mistake. Always learn a counter spell first." Ominis turned several pages in the spell book. "Twenty-nine, thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two..." He brushed his fingers across a line of bumps on the page and let out a quiet chuckle.

"What?" Kathryn asked.

"It's an... amusing spell," he told her. Ominis leaned his head from side to side in thought. "It's not one you see used very often. I don't think I've ever seen it used during classes."

"Well, now you've piqued my curiosity." Kathryn craned her neck to try to read the page Ominis had the book opened to in his lap. She lightly tapped a fist against his knee. "Come on. I want to cram the past four years of your knowledge into my brain before Christmas break. What is it?"

"It's called rictusempra." Ominis grimaced as a small wave of embarrassment came over him. "It's a tickling charm," he added, angling his face down towards the book in his lap.

"I beg your pardon? You're kidding." Kathryn scoffed and looked up at Ominis, whose cheeks were now dusted a shade of pink. "You're not kidding. Is it that bad? What happens if I use it?"

"It's what one would expect. It hits you here," Ominis mumbled, bracing an open palm over his stomach. He stretched his fingers out and wiggled them around. "It feels warm and kind of fuzzy at first, but then it wriggles out and becomes increasingly unbearable. It tickles like mad and you have no way to block it because it feels like it comes from inside you, if that makes any sense. Ugh..." Ominis buried his face in his hand and could feel himself blush.

"You speak from experience. Sebastian used it on you, didn't he?"

"Oh goodness me, Sebastian knows better than to try something like that. He may be brash and completely reckless, but he's not suicidal." Ominis closed his eyes and laughed at a memory sparked from the conversation. He gazed in Kathryn's direction. "It was Anne, his twin sister. I can't remember why, but I was in a foul mood and they were having none of it. Sebastian tried to cheer me up and nothing helped. Then I heard her cast the spell and I reacted almost instantly." He shuddered and scratched around his torso as if he could still feel the effects of the spell. He felt a light squeeze at his ribs and jerked away from the touch with a gasp, swatting his hand out towards Kathryn. "Noooo no no. That's not wise."

"So you're already ticklish to begin with," Kathryn giggled. She thought for a moment and looked at the book that was still open to the spell page in Ominis's lap. "This doesn't say what happens if you cast the spell on someone who isn't ticklish though. Would it have the same effect on them or would it be useless?"

"You really do have a habit of making me think of things differently, don't you?" Ominis quirked an eyebrow while he thought over the question. "I actually don't know. And you're the first person I know to even ask. I suppose we'd have to find a willing practice dummy."

At that moment, they heard the gate open behind them and heavy footsteps echoing down the stairs through the chamber.

"Ahh, there you two are. I figured you had to be down here when I couldn't find you in the common room or Great Hall. I guess this means you're not mad at me anymore for letting Kathryn into the Undercroft?" Sebastian directed at his best friend.

"Of course not. I understand why you let her down here. Whyever would I still be upset?" Ominis's tone was less than sincere, but Sebastian didn't pick up on it. "You have excellent timing though, Sebastian. You're a perfect dummy," he added, smiling as he imagined the scowl Sebastian must be wearing.

"I am NOT dumb!" Sebastian put his books down on a nearby chair and crossed his arms over his chest.

"He means a practice dummy. No one is calling you dumb," Kathryn said, scolding Ominis by lightly backhanding his shoulder. "Ominis has been kind enough to spend time teaching me some charms and spells that you learned in previous years so I can catch up."

"Is that so? I can teach you spells that aren't in those books too. Just say the word." Sebastian felt a small pang of jealousy in that moment, even though he would never admit it. "So why do you need me to be your practice smarty?"

"Oh for Merlin's sake." Ominis groaned and rolled his eyes.

"This spell has to be used on a person and I didn't feel comfortable using it against Ominis. Besides, I wanted to test a theory." Kathryn stood and held out her wand towards Sebastian. "Odd question: are you ticklish?"

"What?!" Sebastian squeaked. He wrapped his arms tighter around himself and tried to remain calm as he took a few steps back. "I mean, of course not."

Sebastian glanced over at Ominis, who was wearing a smile that could only be described as pure evil. Ominis was fully aware of how sensitive Sebastian was, having heard him and his twin sister have countless tickle fights when they were younger.

"Oh, perfect! Let's see what happens then. Rictusempra!"

"No, wait!" Sebastian didn't have a chance to grab his wand and attempt to shield himself from the charm. A puff of silver glittery smoke shot out of the tip of Kathryn's wand and collided into Sebastian's torso. The boy gasped and instantly turned away from his friends as he doubled over, clawing at his vest.

"Did... did I do it wrong?" Kathryn asked.

"Not at all," Ominis replied in her direction. He stood and dropped the textbook back onto the cushion. "I suspect he's being stubborn and trying to fight it. What is he doing now?"

"He's kind of hunched over and jumping around like he needs to find a bathroom. I wish you could see him. It's utterly ridiculous." Kathryn clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle her own laugh as Sebastian squealed.

"Rictusempra is meant to weaken your opponent. The spell starts to dissipate once its victim is too weak to function." Ominis heard Sebastian starting to hiss through his teeth to suppress his laughter. "Sebastian, you're only making it worse for yourself. And you're not being very helpful to Kathryn either. Bad form," he scolded. He cleared his throat to hide a deep chuckle when Sebastian squealed again. "She needs to see how these spells work to understand them."

As if on cue, Sebastian's legs gave out and he fell to his knees. He couldn't fight the wriggling sensations against his ribs and stomach any longer and giggles rumbled in his chest before flowing freely from his lips.

"Okay-hay-hay-hee-hee! She see-hee-hees!" Sebastian's dark hair was a complete frumpled mop over his eyes. His shirt was untucked and his vest was twisted around his torso as he continued to claw and swat at the tickling sensations pulsing through his body. "Please! I ca-ha-ha-ha-han't!" He was laughing so hard that his eyes were tearing.

"If you actually feel pity for him and want to stop the spell, there's another that would immobilize him. Simply aim your wand at him and say titillando," Ominis told Kathryn in a hushed tone.

"And that'll stop the spell?" Kathryn was skeptical knowing what the incantation translated to, but she knew Ominis wouldn't teach her a spell that would hurt someone. It seemed plausible to her that a counter-spell would have similar terminology.

"You have my word." It wasn't a lie... exactly. Ominis could never lie to her, but he was still quite the cunning Slytherin when the need called for it. He was also still annoyed at Sebastian for letting Kathryn into the Undercroft without his permission. There's that old saying about payback...

"Titillando!"

"Oh my God, NO!" Ghostly transparent purple-tinted hands appeared around Sebastian and started tickling any spot on him they could reach. He no longer had the strength to hold back his laughter and outright screeched before bursting into cackles and curling into a fetal position on his side as he repeatedly kicked at the air. "Help meeeee! I can't brea-hee-hee-heethe!"

"Ominis!" This time Kathryn backhanded his shoulder with a force that nearly knocked him off balance. "He's going to pass out."

"He'll be fine. The little prat had it coming. Just give it a minute." Ominis continued to listen to Sebastian's deep laughter and occasional squeal, closing his eyes and laughing himself as it reminded him of happier times they had together before Anne had gotten sick.

"I do not want to be sent to Azkaban for murder! Call them off!" Kathryn tried to sound stern, but she knew Ominis could sense the amusement in her voice.

"Very well. Spoil my fun then. Finite incantatem."

As Ominis spoke the spell and aimed his wand at Sebastian, the ghostly hands vanished. Sebastian spread out his limbs, collapsing face-down on the stone floor and taking in gulps of air.

"Sebastian?" Kathryn bit down on her thumb and felt incredibly guilty as Sebastian lifted his head and turned it to face her. "Are you... okay?"

"Don't. Touch. Me. You two... are in... SO... much trouble... when I can see straight," Sebastian mumbled in between fleeting breaths and residual giggles.

"Me?! I just did what Ominis told me!" Kathryn glared at the blond. "You said that would stop the spell!"

"Did it not? I was truthful," Ominis stated with a shrug. A red light pulsed from the tip of his wand as he held it out and slowly stepped over to where he could hear Sebastian still panting. Crouching beside his best friend, he kept his voice low. "I thought you knew me better, Sebastian. I never get mad at you. I get even." Ominis extended an arm and felt around until his hand touched Sebastian's hair. He gave it a few semi-sympathetic pats before standing back up. "Although, I do confess that I may have gone a tad bit overboard."

"If you could see how destroyed he looks... Overboard is an understatement," Kathryn sighed. She offered her hands to Sebastian and helped him to stand.

"Overboard?! I almost died. I felt my soul leaving my body." Sebastian draped an arm around Kathryn's shoulders and leaned against her as his other hand massaged into his aching ribs. "I'll let you off the hook this time because you're learning." He glared at Ominis through the dark curls that were still matted against his forehead from sweat. "YOU on the other hand, you'd better sleep with one-" he caught himself in the middle of his own sentence as he realized what he was saying.

"Oh I dare you to finish that," Ominis hissed. He chuckled darkly. "Anne isn't the only one who knows your weak points. Perhaps I should teach Kathryn the body-bind spell next and you can show her how well it works."

"Perhaps you two can keep me out of your nonsense and just help me with my homework so I don't fail and watch you go on to sixth year without me," Kathryn interjected.

"Quite right. I apologize. We have work to do," Ominis admitted.

"I need a shower... and a nap now." Sebastian let go of Kathryn and stood up straight, wincing at the soreness in his torso from laughing so hard. "This is far from over though. Watch yourself," he added to Ominis as he passed by to head back to their dormitory.

"He's not serious, is he? I'm going to feel horrible if I started something between you two." Kathryn folded her arms over her chest.

"Not to worry. Our friendship is complicated, but solid." Ominis' jaw clenched as he thought about his siblings. "As I hate my actual family, I assume this is how real brothers would get along. He'll forget about it by tomorrow."

"I'll take your word for it. Let's go over a few more spells before dinner, hmm?" Kathryn sat back down and grabbed the spell book, flipping through pages. "Preferably some I can use in dueling. I have a feeling Sebastian won't go easy on me if Professor Hecat pairs us up again."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The end! Hopefully y'all liked it. I have other Hogwarts Legacy drabbles knocking around in my head too. I love these two Slytherin boys so much. 😭 As always, likes and comments and reblogs are appreciated and encouraged. Thank you! 💗💗

[veronicaleighauthor]

My Thoughts on “Moods”

It’s been forever and a day since I’ve written a rambling post on a book. Here we go!

::Spoiler Alert::

As you well know, I’m a huge fan of Louisa May Alcott. I’ve read many of her works, read the biographies on her, online articles, I’ve watched the American Masters docu-drama about her like a thousand times. I’m always eager for new bits of information regarding Alcott – like whenever new stories of hers are discovered. Those who are familiar with her life and works have probably heard about the first novel she published. No, not “Little Women.” Her first offical novel was called, “Moods” and it was published in 1864, four years before her best-known children’s classic. What was “Moods” and why haven’t we heard more about it?

Rather than writing “moral pap for the young,” Louisa May Alcott started out writing romances and “blood and thunder” tales. Gothic fiction, murder mysteries, thrillers…In 1860, she had an idea for new novel, and spent four weeks straight in what she called a writing “vortex.” She ate only when her family brought her meals, rarely slept, and didn’t stir often from her desk. Her world revolved around this novel and when she finally surfaced from her work, she was mentally and emotionally exhausted. She was uncertain of its quality; however, her family loved the book. She attempted to send “Moods” off for publication and there were editors interested in it, but only if she shortened it. Louisa put it away for a few years, only returning to it after publishing her acclaimed “Hospital Sketches.” Again, the editors wanted it shortened and she finally complied, believing it improved by the edits. Except for the ending, she wasn’t entirely pleased with that.

Three hundred dollars was her reward for her efforts. The payment helped her family immensely. The reviews were mixed though. One stinging review in particular stood out, authored by a certain Henry James (who later wrote “The Portrait of a Lady). He was especially insulting to it, and her in general, believing Louisa offered nothing fresh on the topic of which she wrote, but that there was no reason she couldn’t write a good book one day. The publisher rereleased the book again in 1872, following her “Little Women” fame, but it had been without her consent. When that publisher went bankrupt, Louisa got back her copyright and rewrote “Moods” yet again and published it as she wanted it. It was the book she just couldn’t let go. Despite what Henry James said, it had been inspired from life. The heroine was similar to Louisa in many respects, one character was based on Henry David Thoreau and another was based on Ralph Waldo Emerson – two men Louisa was known to have crushes on.

So, what was “Moods?” Was it any good? Or was Henry James justified in his criticisms of it? We can’t know what “Moods” was when Louisa wrote the first version of it. That draft has been lost. But when it was published for the first time, the public believed it was the story of a love triangle. However, in my uneducated mind, I believe it was meant to be a commentary on marriages and how they were not the “end all and be all” as it was once mentioned in the book. That was how I interpreted it anyway. Let’s begin with the heroine, who I would have rather seen remain single than end up married. I’m sure you can guess what happens in the course of the story.

(Maya Hawke as Jo March in 2017. I think she’d do a fantastic job portraying Sylvia Yule, so I’m using her for this post.)

Before our beloved Jo March, there was tomboyish, moody Sylvia Yule who bucked convention by wearing boy’s clothes to work in the family garden, snuck into her neighbor’s library to borrow a book, who preferred to go on camping trips with her brother and his friends, to settling down and marrying. Yes, she is determined to never marry. It isn’t long before Sylvia notices one of her brother’s friends, the bold, blunt Adam Warwick, who matches her in temperament and principles. She falls in love with Adam and is distraught when he abruptly disappears. A misunderstanding follows, leading her to believe that he married another. Despite having refused her brother’s other friend, Geoffrey Moor’s offer of marriage, when he proposes again, she accepts. Sylvia is determined to be happy with her new husband and it does seem it will be a successful union…until she encounters Adam Warwick on their wedding trip.

The truth is revealed – Adam isn’t married at all! He is free and wants to be with her, unaware that she is now a wife. They decide to keep their love a secret from Geoffrey, who is a good man and adores Sylvia, and who is a friend of Adam’s. Sylvia can’t handle living a lie and becomes convinced she must confess all to her husband. Deep down she wants to part ways, possibly even divorce. Geoffrey is brokenhearted when he hears this, but divorce is not an option. Not for him, not for her, not for the world they live in. He decides to go to Europe, to find some peace and maybe to one day come back if she wishes. As Sylvia sees him off, she is astonished to find that Adam will accompany him, in attempt to mend the friendship between him and Geoffrey. Sylvia later comes to the conclusion that marrying Adam wouldn’t be in her best interest as their marriage wouldn’t likely be successful. They were too alike; their union would be “uneven.” She summons Geoffrey back, to reconcile…the ship he is on sinks but his life is saved, thanks to Adam who gave his life for him. A broken-hearted Sylvia dies not long after Geoffrey’s return.

Though I loved “Moods,” there is one part of Henry James’s review I do agree with. He totally disliked Adam Warwick and I did too. For the life of me, I couldn’t see why Sylvia was in love Adam. Pedantic – I found him to be a pedantic jerk. But I guess there’s no accounting for first love. The other part of the story that I didn’t like was that Sylvia was killed off in the end. In the 1882 version, the ending was changed to Sylvia living and she and Geoffrey Moor continuing their marriage, which I feel was more of a realistic outcome for that era. I’m sure there were many couples who married and one or both spouses believed it was a mistake, but carried on I’m thinking of Newland and May Archer in “The Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton. That was what they did in those days. Divorce existed, but not in polite society. Not for women anyway. Men could survive divorce, remarry, and there would be no judgment. Divorced women were scorned, shunned, and tended to “disappear” from that world. Ellen Olenska did as much in “The Age of Innocence.” That would have been an intriguing twist though – that Sylvia divorced Geoffrey Moor and had to deal with the 19th century repercussions of her actions.

All in all, I give “Moods” four out of five stars. I don’t think it was Louisa May Alcott’s best work – that honor goes to “Little Women” and “A Long Fatal Love Chase.” The writing was great – I just feel the editors had too much influence on the first version. Lousia May Alcott worked best on her own, she knew best how to craft a great novel. I’d really like to see an adaptation of “Moods” someday. The story may not have struck a chord with 19th century audiences, but I think it would be a success in the 21st century.

What about you? Have you ever read “Moods?” What were your thoughts?

[beansnsoup]

How about Luigi and Reader getting married having a baby(ies)? Reader could have twins if you like. And maybe things Luigi and Reader do before, during and after the pregnancy.

Feel free to add in some reaction from Mario, the Mario Family and friends as well, if that’s alright! Thx!

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO ASK THIS OMGGGGGG

GOING TO MAKE THIS HEADCANONS BECAUSE I HAVE SM TO SAY!!!

☆

Luigi Headcanons

☆ Pregnancy and having kids

Warnings: pregnancy, afab, fluff, husband!luigi

When you tell him you're expecting, he's over the moon excited.

Mario can't wait to be an uncle, and his parents are freaking out over the fact that they're going to be grandparents.

Also, you have boy/girl twins, literally iconic.

So, for starters, he does everything in his power to take care of you. Like get the food you want, clean the house, get you blankets, pillows, etc.

Mario will also let him skip some days of work so he can take care of you, especially the days leading up to you giving birth.

When it does come to that day, though, you are very much cursing out every single person in that room, including your husband.

Giving birth to twins was everything but easy, but it all turned out in the end.

You had the pleasure of having one boy and one girl, and spoiler alert they grow up to be the most iconic duo.

Days after giving birth, you and Luigi would take turns putting whichever one decided to start crying back to sleep.

His mother also graciously gave you her two favorite records filled with different soft Italian music that she used to us to put Mario and Luigi to sleep with.

Luigi definitely dances with them, like when they get to be toddler size, he'll prop each kid on each of his feet and glide them around your living room.

His mom also taught you how to sew because who actually knows how to sew?

Every Halloween, your costumes are matching. One year, you all dressed up as the ghostbusters.

Not to mention, Mario is a wonderful uncle. He'll take care of them on the nights the two of you want a date night or alone time.

Their grandparents also very much spoil them, his mom making any food they desire, and his dad taking note of each hobby they have for future birthdays and holidays.

If you guys decide to raise them in the Mushroom Kingdom, they are most definitely going to turn out to be little adventurers.

Luigi reads them stories every night, he doesn't care if they want to read the same one over and over again, he'll do it, he loves every moment he spends with you and his kids.

Back to the adventure thing, Toad is almost always the one that takes them places. He gives them little trinkets all the time.

The twins definitely have the trope of one being more confident than the other.

The twins also had that phase where they fought a lot, which Luigi hated seeing since he was so thankful to have a brother like Mario and never fought with him.

When they get old enough to start dating Luigi goes protective dad mode so fast, he's like the dad that slyly asks question in the most nicest way possible while they wait for his kid to finish getting ready.

He also gets major anxiety after he gives in and let's them go out without parental supervision. You have to sit next to him until the two of them return to ease his thoughts.

Other than all of that, you'd both sacrifice anything for your kids.

I'm so sorry for posting being so slow 💀