#who underwent tragedy

[benoitblanc]

what if i was a loner ridiculed by my peers for investigating the paranormal who had come to expect emotional neglect from the people closest to me and you were a scientist assigned to debunk my work and i was prepared to hate you on sight but you believed in me like no one had ever done before and you challenged my theories and laughed at my stupid jokes and i helped you come out of your shell and embrace the fact that you were deep down just as much of a weirdo as me and you didn't need anyone's approval for what you were doing with your life except for your own and when you put yourself on the line for me over and over and underwent a series of personal tragedies because of it i stopped sleeping because i blamed myself but you told me that your whole life didn't revolve around me and you made the choices you did because you wanted to not because i made you, helping absolve me of my lifelong guilt and unconscious god complex and making me realize that the friendships and bonds we form with other people are just as much of a revelation as the unexplained mysteries of the universe. and we were both fbi agents

[chimerical-daydreams]

if you don't mind me rambling a little bit in your inbox - I love that you've characterized pre wish king as a mostly soft-hearted and powerfully idealistic crybaby, because like you've put into your comic, it makes the gap between him and his ingame self so much more apparent and simultaneously tragic and horrifying. it makes me think about the forces of grief and loneliness and how those just ended up hardening that soft idealistic heart into a terrifyingly self-righteous monster who is so warped by his sadness that he'll do the unthinkable in the name of "protecting" what he wants to hang on to. he made his own choices, but - it's sad, all the same, that he becomes that in the canon timeline.

and fittingly for loops role they play as guide for siffrin, in this au, they manage to help king (huge foil to siffrin, as the game explicitly points out on several occasions) avoid falling to his worst outcome. it's their presence that keeps his heart soft. there's something unbelievably sweet in that. as much as loop tends to devalue themself, they can make a huge difference on others! the tragedy they underwent fuels them to prevent the tragedy from repeating with people similar to them. and as for king... it's just sweet to think that there's a world where he can be a good person and be happy 😭 i love this au a lot

You get it!

There's something so tragic in finding that the monster that destroyed multiple people's lives, freezing all of Vaugarde, willing to kill a child to prove a point (even if he knew about the time loop), is an idealist at heart. That someone so soft could be brought to immense violence under the wrong circumstances.

And Loop, the guiding star. Having hindsight at their disposal, they do so much good that they simply don't notice. How badly everything would have gone, if they weren't there.

Glad you're enjoying the au!

[acethehorseishere]

This isn’t exactly a ‘question’, but in general just appreciation for mm!Ace. I ADORE the way he blurs the line between mastermind and victim. Because yes he’s heavily involved, and yes he’s having a great time. But for each cruel/horrible thing he does I can’t forget that he was basically kidnapped, had a lobotomy forced on him, and underwent who knows what type of ‘training’ to get him on board with this. He’s a horrible person getting sick pleasure out of their suffering, but he’s a victim just as much as they are. Maybe even more so in some ways, because at least the others are confident their thoughts and feelings are their own.

I just. I love the tragedy behind that pretty face and skimpy outfit. Ace is both freer and more trapped than he’s ever been. Freed from the anxiety he’s suffered with for years, but trapped in a web of manipulation he may not be able to recognize anymore. I have so many feelings about him augh!!

Honestly, I'm glad there are people that feel as strongly about this silly little guy as I do. Thank you!

Just one correction, though- he doesn't enjoy the killing game. Or much at all, for that matter. He likewise doesn't care much for everything that happens to the rest of the cast (except for a few exceptions...)

He just acts like he does. He's a host, right? It's his job to be entertaining.

No one wants to see a show where the host is boring. He's a lot less dramatic when he's off-camera.

[tymika-rose]

Aloha to everyone who comes across this post,

If you don’t know- Maui, Hawai’i has underwent the most devastating, traumatic tragedy thus far. The presence of Hurricane Dora has caused great winds to pick up rapidly, causing destruction & a mass wildfire to spread; completely engulfing the historic town- Lāhainā.

Homes were burnt to ashes, businesses, schools, churches EVERYTHING. The people of Lāhainā have experienced a burdening loss of their land & home, some have lost a pet, or/and a family member💔There are still ppl missing; bodies still being found (floating in the ocean, burnt in cars with their ohana or holding on to their other half )

It is truly like a scene out of a movie, but worse. An apocalyptic scene. A destructive heartbreak to all of Hawai’i. All in all, this is history in the making.

I am sharing this hoping it reaches those near & far so the word can spread. If you feel it in your heart to help in any way possible please read each photo thoroughly, repost, share, follow, donate, or simply just understand that right now Maui is not open for travel. Right now Maui residents are stranded; no running water, electricity, food, clothes, gasoline, cell service etc.

They need time to come back from this. WE need time to HELP them; right now all the people of Hawai’i have been coming together to help but tourism will only be getting in the way; will only be using up the valuable resources that the people of Lāhainā need more than ever right now.

If you reach this, Mahalo🤍🤙🏽

the tagged profile mentioned in the pictures are on instagram- please follow for updates & resources/ information.

Other accounts that are good to follow on ig in regards to the Lāhainā Fire:

@gem.in.eye

@hawanemusic

@kakoo_haleakala

@mehanaokala

[lonniemachin]

Ahmed reached out to me to help share his fundraiser. He is urgently trying to raise money to help evacuate his displaced family from Gaza. He has currently made $14,415 out of his $80,000 goal! Please donate, and if you can’t donate, please share!

From Ahmed’s GFM:

Hello everyone, my name is Ahmed Abuzaid I live in Richmond TX I'm fundraising on behalf of our in-laws Al Madhoun family from Gaza. The family from Gaza faced multiple forced evacuations, each more difficult than the last. They walked 17 kilometers from the north to the south of Gaza, surviving bombings and snipers along the way. Upon reaching the Nusirat Camp, they discovered their home had been destroyed by Israeli forces. They found shelter with relatives, lacking basic necessities such as water, food, and clothing, they had nothing but their national IDs and passports.

Al Madhoun family: Khaled Almadhoun (59) is a hypertensive who is currently struggling to afford his life-saving medication. Unfortunately, his medication was lost last month, leaving him without vital treatment especially as he recently underwent a coronary angiography. Elham (56) is a dedicated housewife who selflessly cares for her entire family around the clock. Despite her tireless efforts, she carries the weight of worry for the future on her shoulders. I am highlighting the story of a passionate and ambitious dentist Fatmaalzahra (26), who devoted her skills to serving refugees through UNRWA. Unfortunately, she is now facing unemployment as a result of the catastrophic circumstances. Mahmoud(31) is a devoted employee who has served with Mercy Corps (Gaza Sky Geeks) for over 5 years. Unfortunately, his contract has been interrupted due to the ongoing conflict. Amidst these challenges, his pregnant wife, Wisam (26), is living in constant fear as many hospitals are out of service. They also have a 3-year-old son named Daniel who needs care and protection. Mohammed(33) is a talented graphic designer who has lost his source of income due to the lack of electricity and internet during the conflict. His wife Sally (27) and their young sons, Khaled (6) and Zain (3) have already experienced the devastating impact of multiple conflicts. This family is struggling to make ends meet and provide for their children during these challenging times. Despite multiple evacuations, they continued to face hardships and injuries. With little resources and a desperate will to survive, Fatmaalzahra and her family were forced to evacuate to Deir-Al Balah. During their evacuation, tragedy struck as a neighboring house was brought to the ground, causing Fatmaalzahra to sustain severe injuries to her head, arm, and shoulder from sharp debris. The once-skilled dentist now faced a grim reality as her dominant hand was affected, hindering her ability to perform her work and earn a living. Despite the physical and emotional scars she would carry from that fateful day, Fatmaalzahra refused to give up hope. With determination and resilience, she slowly began to heal from her wounds, knowing that the memories of that traumatic experience would always be a part of her. She emerged from the ashes of destruction, a testament to her strength and unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.

With no time to mourn and nothing left to lose, they are desperately seeking refuge with over 30 individuals in a cramped room that lacks even the most basic necessities. There is no electricity, no water, and no food or medicine available to them, leaving them in a constant struggle for survival. They have lost all hope of finding a safe place within Gaza. Every corner of Gaza is fraught with danger, leaving them with no option but to evacuate to the overcrowded city of Rafah. However, even in Rafah, finding shelter is a challenge as the only available option is unaffordable. People are forced to sleep on the streets in the harsh rainy weather, with children suffering in the freezing temperatures. They are far from their destroyed home, unable to return, and constantly on the move from the North to the South with no safe place to shelter. The situation is dire, and their desperation grows with each passing day.

Despite their already dire circumstances, they have been battling illness for the past three months without access to medical treatment. The pollution, lack of clean water, and scarcity of basic essentials only compound their suffering. With nowhere safe to shelter in Gaza, Almadhoun's family hopes to get out of Gaza legally through the Rafah port. They have registered their name on an exit list. However, with barely any money left they can’t afford to travel to Egypt and start a new life from scratch, the funds from your donations will be used to pay for travel expenses and help them start a new life outside of Gaza, away from the constant danger and uncertainty they have faced. The family is relying on the generosity of others to help them begin a new life and find a place of safety and stability. They have faith in relocating with your generous assistance.

Your donations cover:

-passport fees to renew and issue new ones

-visa paperwork

-Rafah border fees

-document transfers

-necessities (water. food, baby supplies)

-Transportation (buses, trains, taxis)

-Hotels, apartment accommodations

-Food, clothes, shoes, medicine

-School tuitions, uniforms and supplies for children

Your generosity can make a real difference in the lives of these individuals who are in desperate need of help. By contributing, you are providing them with a chance at a brighter future and the opportunity to live in safety and peace. Your support is invaluable and will be greatly appreciated by those who are struggling to survive in the Gaza Strip. Please consider making a donation or sharing their story to help them get the assistance they need. Thank you for your compassion and willingness to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

On behalf of the Almadhoun family, thank you for considering extending a helping hand to this family facing uncertainty and fear. Thank you for being a beacon of hope in times of darkness.

[kismetconstellations]

If you ever find yourself questioning whether or not the Voltron: Legendary Defender showrunners truly despised Shiro, or Shiro fans are simply being melodramatic and hyperbolic when we state as much, contrast the staff's treatment of him with their handling of Pidge.

Compared to their teammates, whose appearances were relatively unaltered, both characters underwent extreme cosmetic makeovers for this iteration of the Voltron/Beast King Go Lion! franchise.

While Takashi Shirogane reclaimed his name and ethnicity from the original 80s Japanese anime, his appearance much more strongly resembles that of a famous character from a completely different franchise.

Pidge Gunderson was gender-swapped, renamed, and de-aged from a "little man from Earth", to Katie Holt, a fifteen year-old girl, with Pidge being a childhood nickname and the alias Katie assumed to disguise herself as a boy when she infiltrated the Galaxy Garrison to uncover the truth about the fates of her father and brother.

Both Shiro and Pidge were given their own unique backstories flavored by varying degrees of tragedy.

And, yet, when Shiro dies two seasons in, we're treated to no dramatic scene of the people who became his found family dropping to their knees, crying out in anguish, and shedding tears over what should be a devastating loss. He's simply gone. No body left behind because it was completely destroyed. By the next episode, Changing of the Guard, with no real sense of how much time has passed, Lance, Hunk, Pidge, and Allura are all referring to Shiro in the past tense, when they refer to him at all, and show no real signs of grief or mourning until the very end of the episode's run time. (Coran doesn't matter, as he's Wacky Comic Relief Man until the plot requires him to fret over Allura, offer exposition, or handle a technical issue on the Castle of Lions.) Even then, each one of them offers perfunctory little sentiments about how Shiro affected their lives (past tense), extending solidarity to Keith for the express narrative purpose of convincing him to move on and let Shiro go.

The episode immediately following, Red Paladin, Lance is set on proving himself deserving of the new Black Paladin title, and Hunk and Pidge are cracking jokes and fooling around inside of the cockpit of the Black Lion, the very location where Shiro's life came to a violent end, as if nothing ever happened.

Aside from Allura donning pink armor to honor lost and fallen heroes, and making a point of specifically naming Shiro as one of them, It's Keith and Keith alone who seems at all seriously emotionally affected by Shiro's absence.

And, even he is over it by the third episode of the season.

And, this was intended to be the permanent status quo. Shiro was not supposed to be brought back in any capacity.

Pidge, on the other hand, is given an appropriately emotional sequence, complete with poignant flashbacks, atmospheric backdrop, and swelling music, when she believes she's found her brother's grave and was too late to save him.

No one cracks jokes or attempts to make light of what happened. She's allowed the appropriate space and time to mourn before realizing that Matt isn't actually dead, and immediately resuming her journey to find him.

Arguably, both Takashi Shirogane and Pidge Holt were altered so extensively, they might as well have been the showrunners' Original Characters. But, it's only the gay, disabled trauma survivor (whom the showrunners intentionally turned into one, as Takashi and Ryou Shirogane in the original Japanese/Sven Holgersson in the English dub was neither forcibly disabled, nor gay) who is cruelly cast aside after suffering repeatedly, while his able-bodied teammates live on to fight another day.

[cosmica-galaxy]

Gooooood morning! (Or night IDK)

How would your ocs + mimics +veteran react to the human bringing home two more children- drill mimic and clock mimic babies? (I'm sure the human would have a cuteness overload)

Have a nice day!

Camron would probably be stunned. Two more young mimics to add to the growing mimic clan?? What are you? An orphanage?! Still, he can't deny that mimics are pretty cute when they're small...and mostly harmless. DJ would probably feel sad for the little ones. The only reason why they would show up here is because their parents met some unfortunate fate...just more causalities in this global war. He'll help integrate them into the "pack" without hesitation. Vee would feel that the human is trying to make the camera base into a mimic sanctuary from all of the young they are taking in...but he can't stop them at all...not that he would want to. The only ones that wind up in the base are those who underwent tragedy in this war...so any lives saved would be beneficial to them all. Buddy would be a little curious, but understanding at why these little ones are here. They lost their guardians, just like the other three. The human, being as kind as they are, decided to take these little ones in as well...and he doesn't complain. Pal feels a sense of sorrow when the two new mimics young join the pack. It's a sad realization that anything can happen to ANY mimic. From those that fly to those that dig underground. He'll have to have some chats with Fellow to see about taking care of this drill orphan. Fiend feels a sense of dread as the human adds the two new orphaned young to the pack. Not from hatred or jealousy...but from the fact that the toilets are managing to kill even CLOCK mimics...some of the stronger mimics that are currently known. It's a grim thought indeed. Still, he makes them nests and helps the human settle them in. Veteran is not surprised by the human's new additions...but it's the fact that they're orphaned that sends an unseen chill through his endoskeleton. What a harrowing thought that even the more stronger and harder to access mimics are falling to the toilets...this is getting serious. None the less, once he warms up to the new little ones, he becomes their "grandpa" as well.

[skrimblo]

Top 3 characters in El Filibusterismo/Noli me Tangere and why 🥺

AHHHH I NEVER DID THESE THINGS im quite bad at collecting my thoughts so sorry if this is messy and near incomprehensible im only good at word vomits #1 simoun: i am VERY very biased about this if ill be honest im so sorry. I genuinely have a love for characters who are so revenge driven that they start hurting others around them (see; percy de rolo from tlovm) not only that his transformation from the idealistic crisostomo to this ruthless cynical simoun is genuinely so staggering and great i genuinely love it so much. His philosophy of evil for evil and how he generally carries himself throughout the novel is also amazing and its so good because of it whenever were seeing moments of his "evil guy" persona crack (when he saw maria claras locket; finding out maria claras death) AND HE HAS WHITE HAIR CMON #2 Elias AGAIN BIASED AS WELL im so sorry i love self sacrifical characters ok. But also his loyalty to crisostomo in noli is sooo !!!!! elibarra aside i genuinely love how loyal this man is that he saved crisostomos ass like three times and then dying whilst doing so :( His wants for a bloody revolt being tempered the more the novel progresses due to understanding more of others viewpoint like from pilosopo tasio leading him to understand that a it would only cause innocents to suffer is so good, further more refusing his plans on revenge then redeeming himself by sacrificing his life as well shows so much of his growth as a character plus ang pogi nya pa keme lng #3 Basilio I havent finished el fili yet forgive me but i love how basilios so optimistic in the novel like SOMEONE SAVE THIS DUDE he doesnt deserve the shit he went through!! but also his optimism and hope for the future being constantly challenged by simoun is so!?@? his rejection towards simouns offering to join the revolt despite the tragedies he underwent from the hands of the friars shows so much of his strong values. Those values inevitably cracking by leaving that optimistic mindset and joining the revolt after losing juli since he no longer has anything else to lose made me so sad man :( someone save him

[kkakorrhaphiophobia]

CHAPTER 4: THE SCHISM OF THE SCHOOLS

From "A Complete History of the Endless Woods and Beyond"

Third Edition, Published by the Camelot Historical Society

The Great War between Good and Evil marked a turning point in magical history, culminating in the unprecedented Villain Exile of 224 A.E. (After Enlightenment). Following the conflict, the known villains were banished to a magicless isle, permanently altering the balance of power in the Endless Woods.

The School for Good and Evil, established centuries prior, had been governed by two immortal brothers whose true names have been lost to time. Historical records refer to them simply as the Twin Masters, who maintained an uneasy equilibrium between the forces of Good and Evil for over a hundred years. Their reign ended in tragedy when one brother slew the other in what scholars now call the Night of Fraternal Betrayal.

The surviving School Master, forced to bear an eternal mask as punishment for his fratricide, retreated into solitude in the School Master's Tower. From this vantage point, he observes the Storian—the magical pen that writes all fairy tales—as it chronicles the fates of students. Whether this surviving brother represents Good or Evil remains one of history's great mysteries.

The School's student selection process underwent a significant change following the Great War. While children from villain families on the magicless isle may enter through an annual lottery system (limited to 120 slots), a curious tradition emerged roughly 200 years ago: every four years, two children are taken from villages beyond the fairy tale realm. These pairs invariably consist of one child of conventional beauty and virtue, and another marked by peculiarity and perceived malevolence.

Perhaps most notable is the complete dominance of Good in fairy tale outcomes over the past 150 years—a phenomenon scholars attribute to the surviving School Master's punishment. Every villain has met their demise without exception, marking the longest period of uncontested Good victories in recorded history.

[Footnote: This historical account draws from surviving documents and eyewitness testimonies. Some details, particularly regarding the Twin Masters' early reign, remain subject to academic debate.]

#schoolforgoodandevil#idontknowhowtousethis #sfgae#au

[spotlightlowlife]

Charlie vs Stolas

Leading character princess of reigning royalty, outshone by a supporting branch family prince, from the spinoff.

Their backgrounds

Charlie's is virtually unknown. Princess of hell who understands what's good and bad, she seemingly grew up with her parents but was distant from her dad for no particular reason, her mother has been absent for seven years and Charlie's age is unknown. Starting up her own business was no issue and keeping it running is not a problem, she's a princess and she can do what she wants. How old is she?

Stolas was an innocent child who seemed to have been raised by underlings in his own palace. His parents are absent but his dad shows up to buy his affection before letting him know he is betrothed. He is in his mid 30s, a dad who is getting a divorce.

Their characters and motives

Charlie is 'nice'. She is friendly enough and she wants to help. She is also clueless and immature at times, she knows as much as the audience and needs other characters to move the story along, the story not her story.

Charlie HAD always wanted to see the best in the demons around her, she is also upset by the exterminations, so she set up her hotel to rehabilitate those of hell which would earn them an upgrade to heaven, hopefully.

Charlie now is picking up where her parents left off, voluntarily it seems. She hopes to show those of heaven that there are demons who could move to heaven, which now doesn't seem all that different from hell, those Charlie meets from heaven aren't great and what happens to a reformed sinner, do they become exterminators?

Stolas is shady, he is proper and professional publically but behind closed doors he has his fun his way with his target, when alone he is bored and lonely. Stolas appears to have existed in apathy once he lost his innocence, reserving energy for his superiors, the highlight of his life being his daughter he was made to have and Blitzø, his plaything he is catching feelings for.

He seems to do some work and was born to serve a purpose. He enjoys scholarly things has kept grimoires since childhood, one being integral to the plot.

Their alternative forms

Charlie, after years of teasing we see what she turns into. That can't be it? We had seen Sara and Emily change their faces so it seemed possible that smaller and larger transformations existed.

Though considering she went into war determent to fight, tragedy that was expected to happen was happening, but all we got was pretty sailor satan who couldn't get far without dragged her two pets Razzle and Dazzle along, who both could become something grand.

Charlie's other form was so unspectacular, one of her pets paid the price for it.

Stolas, as I have said before, has a transformation that steps outside the artstyle, void of color apart from some outlines, it's so out of place is it that he steals any scene and I wonder what the thought process behind his look was, who come up with it and if it was from a time before the series underwent a tonal shift.

Their relationships

Charlie has friends who all appear to be as good as on her payroll. She is bribing Angeldust into staying, this is the foundation of their friendship. Charlie runs a hotel, she's boss and landlord.

Charlie has parents and though she doesn't see much of them, their relationship seems fine.

Charlie has pets, they're cute, it's hard to understand if they're pets or servants? Charlie hardly interacts with them and I don't even know which one died.

Charlie has a girlfriend, Vaggie, there is no chemistry, at all, nothing indicates that these two are particularly close in any way other than Vaggie reigning in Charlie's silliness, but she's not alone and Charlie is very silly. Charlie's goal of rehabilitating others doesn't seem all that interesting to Vaggie, she's often just the sighing sidekick who could be elsewhere. We are explicitly informed that they are girlfriends for the first time when Charlie introduces Vaggie as such to her dad, the scene was about what Charlie's dad had to say. Vaggie turned out to be an angel, Charlie didn't notice, the angel specific blood, the extermination occurring at the same time and the cross or X, Charlie helped, they liked what they saw and the two have been side by side since, Charlie may well be the cutest sugarmama ever.

Stolas so far seems to have professional relations with those who hold some power.

Stolas is divorcing Stella, who he was forced to marry, who he didn't like and cheated on. The divorce is bitter and he comes to life bickering and forgetting all else.

Stolas appears still has imps around him as quiet servants who aren't treated well.

Stolas is in a transactional situationship with Blitzø, someone he has held affection for since childhood back when he was an innocent child not yet tarnished with elitism, bitterness and frustration. He has separated Blitzø from all other imps, who he doesn't care for. His first thought upon seeing his childhood friend, who was in a compromising position, was not 'how are you?', 'where have you been', 'I've missed you, it was 'let's have passionate sex', this was following being humiliated by his wife at their anniversary 'not divorced' party, the fling he cornered Blitzø into what would be the springboard to get back at Stella.

Stolas begins to see Blitzø as less of a plaything upon both of them being humiliated by his superior Ozzie and the occasion Blitzø helped him find his daughter, not that he had much choice. In acting upon his new outlook, he seeks to liberate Blitzø from their agreement with a solution where Blitzø, who held no power, doesn't lose out.

What we get

Content matters, good or bad actions are something that's better than nothing, even quantity over quality becomes welcome when the alternative is nothing.

Charlie is simply there, in her own show free to look on as others achieve in her place. Charlie sees herself as down with the sinners, they're 'her people' and 'her family', she's not well known or respect her. Charlie is a fun girl like many default characters we would normally see as extras, little is her fault or her problem.

Stolas is regal, well known and respected, his newfound freedom bothers him but has allowed him to take some power back, unfortunately this is has been directed in a harmful way and it's entirely on him, his boredom and frustration have lead to his sweet and sour situation. Stolas is a true sympathetic villain.

[haleigh-sloth]

This chapter would have been fine if they hadn't thrown in the tidbit about Touya slowly dying, Why did we go through all that for? For him to still die (hopefully not)? Then the Todoroki family will go through the tragedy of losing him again?

He defied the odds in the past. Hopefully, he'll do it again now that he has a reason to live for. I'm hoping for some type of miraculous recovery.

In the best case scenario, Tenko is alive and has a healing quirk that he can use on Touya. I just don't want Touya to die after all of that.

Hopefully Horikoshi is just fucking with all of us once last time before he ends this manga.

Tenko saving his physical condition is one option, though I’m skeptical of that. I feel Tenko helping spinner out is more in the cards since he really underwent some permadamage. Toga just needed blood transfusions lol.

With Touya, his tear ducts are back. It’s been made such an emphasis that he can’t cry. But now he can. Phosphor from Shouto I’m GUESSING (key word here) has healing properties. Especially because the science behind phosphor has a red and white form, and the white form is a flame retardant. I’d link you to the meta by @/Hamliet wrote a while back, who got all of this information from her organic chemistry professor sister, but I’d have to dig for it and I don’t feel like it. She might have the link if you ask her or search for it in her blog.

I think the emphasis on his tears, the fact that he has them after talking to Shouto, the creator of phosphor, shouldn’t be ignored imo.

[reccyls]

William Chapter 18 POV story

Finest Evil, Finest Love

Half summary, half actual translation. Context below the cut.

Context/Summary: William has been hmm, framed isn't the exact right word, but he's been accused of collaborating with a group engaging in things like morphine production and trade, blackmail, human trafficking, slave labor, etc. Thus in order to prevent Crown from being investigated, he left on his own.

A few days later, it becomes clear that anyone who has ever associated with William, namely a bunch of people that he has kind of been a patron to, are being kidnapped and imprisoned in the Tower of London. They are also being tortured for William's location.

Kate thinks that this is a lot of effort to go to just for one man's location, and slowly she starts unraveling the actual plan: by torturing the people to the breaking point, the prison guards hope to turn them against William. Get the prisoners to think that it's all William's fault: he's a murderer and monster who deceived them, and it's because of him that they're in this situation. Among all the prisoners, surely there'd be one resentful enough to see an opportunity when a guard "accidentally" leaves a weapon out. And when William comes to rescue the prisoners, just have the people he was set to rescue be the ones to kill him instead.

So obviously, nobody wants that to happen. Kate, Liam, and Alfons go to the Tower of London to try and free the prisoners before William can, but they are just a little too late.

William and Kate reunite at the Tower of London just as the prisoners have been freed. He didn't expect to encounter her there. But he quickly figures out that she must be here to free the prisoners first, just in case that the prisoners were a trap for him.

However, before Kate can tell him to leave, some of the prisoners arrive. He recognizes them, looking at him with mixed emotions. While he knows that Kate wants him to leave, he still has something he needs to do here first.

He orders them to approach him, he's here, after all. He recognizes one of them as Charlie, a young man with a revolutionary spirit. Charlie, however, has internalized everything that was written about William in the news article and shaken from the torture he underwent, and thus thinks William is responsible for everything, calling him a demon and a murderer.

William can feel Kate's distress at all the accusations being hurled his way. He thinks that if this is enough to hurt her, then she really shouldn't be by his side. She won't be able to be truly free if she's chained by the pain she feels when others are hurt.

Kate tries one more time to convince William to leave. However, Charlie won't let William go. He doesn't want to be accused of being William's collaborator, so he pulls out a knife he picked up from one of the prison guards, and runs to stab William, who makes no move to avoid it. If this is what Charlie wants and needs, then he's not about to get in the way of that. After all, he doesn't believe that he'll die here.

He's cursed to meet his tragic end as befitting his fairytale curse. The current situation is missing something to make it a true tragedy. So, he's quite certain that even if he were to be stabbed, he wouldn't die. The only thing that he'd regret is if Kate, standing nearby, would blame herself for something she couldn't control.

But as Charlie runs to stab him…

(--?)

I heard the sound of the knife that sought freedom hit its target. Before my eyes, Kate's hair curled through the air as if in slow motion.

(…Kate?)

Liam: Kate!!

As Liam's distant-sounding shout pierced through the air, I caught Kate's collapsing body in my arms.

William: …

I didn't need to ask her why she did it. Her actions, and the red engraved on her body, spoke more eloquently than words ever could. It was all for her own selfish love.

"Even if you wish for your own destruction, I won't allow it." "That is my conviction, what I want to stay true to." "Because I and I alone am my master." "Look, William." "When loving you, am I not the most free I have ever been?"

(…Yes. Yes, you are.) (You have chosen to be true to what your heart desires.)

-Start flashback- Kate: I… Kate: When I die, I want to be able to think that I am here because I've been able to choose to pursue what is precious to me. -End flashback-

As she lay in my arms having made that choice, her white clothes were being dyed deep red. The color of her desire. The color of selfish love, of the pursuit of freedom.

When we first met, I had imagined it. The sight of her throwing off all shackles, how she could be a flower blooming in the darkness-- How beautiful such a sight would be.

And now in my arms, the blossoming crimson of her, now free and unshackled… far surpassed my expectations.

(Beautiful.) (So absurdly beautiful.)

William: …Kate. William: …On the night that we first met, I remembed wiping off the blood that stained your cheek.

My hand carressed her pale cheek. What name should I give to this surge of emotion welling up from the dark abyss of my heart? If I could put a proper name to it, would that make you happy?

William: Ever since then, I've always thought… William: …that red suits you best.

The wish that I never had any intention of realizing has now fallen into the palm of my hand. If I decided to consume it, have it dance atop my tongue, if I fully savored its flavor- How sweet would it taste?

(My foolish, lovely, pitiful robin.) (If even the fear of death can't stop your love-) (-then someday my destiny shall surely kill you.)

Because even now, even with Kate bleeding out in my arms, I had no desire to avoid meeting whatever fate was in store for me.

Allow me to offer you the finest evil (love) that will lead you to your ruin.

[johaerys-writes]

pls pls pls pls pls drop more lore on WMD!

Oh gosh can I just tell you how much I love you for asking me more about this alsfhdj original fic writing is so much lonelier than fanfic because you can't really scream about your OCs the same way you would about a well known character, but so much of my brainpower has been going into writing & plotting this one lately so YEAH anyway thank you thank you 🥹🙏 Here's a few tidbits of lore:

1. WMD is short for "watch me drown" which is the temporary title of the doc, both because I've had "Oh No" by Biig Piig on repeat for this story, but also because part of the story has to do with eldritch horror-type entities that pull your mind into a separate plane which is like an abyss/the bottom of the sea 👀

2. The main character is a human/synthetic hybrid who was recruited as a child into a company/organisation that created super soldiers essentially, so he was vigorously trained and he also underwent a series of procedures to give him extra abilities (resistances to the elements and certain kinds of damage, having a sort of built in "interface" in his head so he can communicate with others in his team without risk of interference, being able to scan and map out places quickly etc). People like him are often used as mercenaries or members of private armies or are hired by the actual army or the police force for sticky and difficult situations. When children start disappearing under mysterious circumstances and their bodies are found under more mysterious circumstances, he and a few members of his team were hired as extra guns and also to investigate the places where evidence was found as reconnaissance experts. After years of fighting bullshit wars and seeing ppl in his crew dying over and over again, he sort of becomes obsessed with that case and makes it a personal mission to find those kids and stop whoever is behind the abductions/rapes/murders. Only he does a little TOO well, he gets too close and sees things he shouldn't have and his team is wiped out, but he manages to save one kid and take it to relative safety before fleeing (of course after that he is blamed for everything that had been going on and the media goes on a sort of crusade against synths)

3. The other protagonist, the kid, grows up barely scraping by and basically fending for himself in the Big City, blending into anonymity as much as he can. Eventually he gets involved with the underworld in order to survive and he makes some questionable connections, but he manages to track down the main character, and together (alongside a crime boss whom the kid has befriended and who is helping them for his own nefarious reasons LOL) they try to find whoever was behind that ring because the abductions never stopped.

4. Needless to say the kid has a MASSIVE crush on the MC and has been thinking about him for years at this point LMAO he definitely has a saviour kink and no one else could ever compare 😩🙏 The MC is way more sceptical bc the boy is like half his age and also despite how full of horror and tragedy his life has been he has little to no experience with love/romance since so much of it was spent either following orders or surviving. So he definitely has a crisis right there the moment he sees the skinny and terrified little creature he'd rescued back then all grown up and drooling after him ahah. They end up having their fair share of awkward sex and complicated feelings for each other, in the process of dismantling that child trafficking ring (/unhinged eldritch monster loving cult 😬)

Anyway lol I'll stop here but once again thank you so much for letting me ramble about this story 🙏💙

[gcthvile]

Thyri

Name: Thyri (formerly known as Milly Brandt on Earth)

Nicknames: Thy, Ri, As-Grouch (by Tony), Valky-Tude (also by Tony)

Age: 1,500 years old.

Height: 6'0

Sexuality: Pansexual

Background:

Thyri was born into a prestigious family in Asgard, the realm of the gods, known for their long lineage of legendary warriors. Her parents were revered warriors themselves, known for their bravery and unwavering loyalty to Asgard's cause. From a young age, Thyri was immersed in the traditions of her people, taught the ways of combat and valor alongside her siblings.

Growing up, Thyri idolized her parents and dreamed of following in their footsteps, eager to prove herself worthy of their legacy. Under their guidance, she honed her skills in swordsmanship and archery, displaying a natural talent for combat that surpassed even her siblings.

Tragedy struck when Thyri was still in her adolescence. During a fierce battle against the forces of darkness that threatened Asgard's peace, her parents fell in combat, sacrificing themselves to protect their comrades. Their loss left a profound void in Thyri's heart, fueling her determination to carry on their legacy and defend her homeland with unmatched ferocity.

Determined to honor her parents' memory, Thyri dedicated herself to her training, pushing herself to the limits of her abilities and beyond. Her relentless pursuit of perfection caught the attention of Odin himself, who saw in her the potential to become one of Asgard's greatest warriors.

Bestowed with the title of Valkyrie, Thyri joined the ranks of Asgard's elite guardians, tasked with the sacred duty of ushering fallen warriors to Valhalla. As a Valkyrie, she soared across the skies on her majestic steed, wielding her enchanted sword with grace and precision, inspiring fear in the hearts of Asgard's enemies.

But beneath her stoic facade, Thyri harbored doubts about the never-ending cycle of violence that consumed her homeland. She questioned the morality of war and longed for a world where peace could flourish without the need for bloodshed.

Her doubts came to a head during a pivotal battle against a powerful enemy that threatened to engulf the Nine Realms in darkness. As the conflict raged on, Thyri witnessed the senseless loss of life and the toll it took on both sides of the conflict. In a moment of clarity, she realized that there had to be another way to achieve justice and harmony, one that didn't rely on the sword alone.

Against Odin's orders to press the offensive, Thyri chose compassion over conquest, seeking to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Her decision sparked outrage among her fellow warriors, who saw her actions as a betrayal of Asgard's traditions.

Cast out from her homeland and stripped of her title as a Valkyrie, Thyri found herself adrift in the cosmos, haunted by the memories of her past and uncertain of her future. It was during her journey through the stars that she discovered Earth, a world brimming with life and diversity unlike anything she had ever known.

Inspired by the resilience of humanity and the spirit of cooperation among its people, Thyri vowed to protect this newfound home from any threats that may arise. Taking up the mantle of a fallen hero, she adopted the name Thyri, a symbol of her commitment to atone for her past and forge a new legacy as a guardian of Earth.

After arriving on Earth, Thyri, now operating under the alias Milly Brandt, found herself drawn into the clandestine world of SHIELD, the covert organization tasked with protecting the planet from extraterrestrial threats. Under the watchful eye of Nick Fury, she underwent intensive training and adapted to the nuances of life on Earth, all while keeping her true identity hidden from her new colleagues.

As Milly Brandt, she proved herself to be a valuable asset to SHIELD, utilizing her formidable combat skills and keen intellect to thwart numerous threats to global security. Her unwavering dedication and unassuming demeanor earned her the respect of her fellow agents, though few suspected the truth behind the enigmatic newcomer.

Despite her newfound purpose and sense of belonging within SHIELD, Thyri struggled with the weight of her past and the secrets she harbored. The memories of her life in Asgard and the choices that led to her exile weighed heavily on her conscience, threatening to unravel the fragile facade she had built on Earth.

As she delved deeper into her work at SHIELD, Thyri found herself confronted with echoes of her past, facing adversaries who tested her resolve and forced her to confront the demons she had long sought to bury. With each battle fought and each victory won, she grew more determined to redeem herself and make amends for the mistakes of her past.

But as tensions within SHIELD began to rise and dark forces threatened to tear the organization apart from within, Thyrinfound herself at a crossroads, torn between loyalty to her newfound allies and the truth of her identity. Forced to confront her past in order to secure the future of Earth, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery that would test the limits of her strength and resilience.

Reunion

As Thor's banishment to Earth unfolded, Thyri watched from afar, torn between conflicting emotions of relief and apprehension. She had worked tirelessly to conceal her true identity and distance herself from her past, fearing the consequences of her secret being exposed to the world.

When Thor's arrival on Earth coincided with Thyri's tenure at SHIELD, she found herself faced with a dilemma unlike any she had encountered before. Despite her efforts to maintain a low profile, the sudden reappearance of her former comrade threatened to upend the delicate balance she had worked so hard to maintain.

Desperate to avoid contact with Thor and the potential revelation of her true identity, Thyri kept her distance, watching from the shadows as he navigated the unfamiliar terrain of Midgard. But fate had other plans in store for them, as their paths inevitably crossed in a moment of chance encounter.

In a moment of excitement at seeing a familiar face from her past, Thyri's guard slipped, and she found herself face to face with Thor once more. Before she could stop him, he greeted her with open arms, oblivious to the danger his presence posed to her carefully guarded secret.

In a rush of emotions, Thor's exuberance betrayed Thyri's trust, as he unwittingly revealed her true identity to the others gathered around them. Shock and disbelief washed over her as the truth of her past was laid bare for all to see, threatening to unravel the fragile facade she had built on Earth.

As Thyri grappled with the fallout of Thor's revelation, she realized that the time for hiding was over. Embracing her true identity as a fallen hero from Asgard, she stood tall in the face of adversity, ready to confront the challenges that lay ahead with courage and determination.

Personality

Thyri possesses a rare combination of strength and vulnerability, shaped by her tumultuous past and unwavering sense of duty. Beneath her stoic exterior lies a compassionate soul, deeply affected by the suffering she has witnessed throughout her life. Despite the weight of her burdens, she remains fiercely determined and resilient, refusing to succumb to despair in the face of adversity.

Courageous and honorable to the core, Thyri embodies the virtues of a true warrior, guided by a steadfast moral compass and unwavering dedication to justice. She is willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good, even if it means confronting her own demons and making difficult choices along the way.

While Thyri may initially come across as guarded and aloof, she harbors a profound capacity for empathy and understanding, forged through her experiences on both Asgard and Earth. She forms deep connections with those she trusts, valuing loyalty and camaraderie above all else.

Despite her past mistakes and the scars they have left behind, Thyri refuses to dwell on regrets, choosing instead to focus on the future and the opportunities it holds for redemption and renewal. She approaches each challenge with a fierce determination and unwavering resolve, drawing strength from the bonds she shares with her allies and the knowledge that she is fighting for a cause greater than herself.

In moments of uncertainty or doubt, Thyri relies on her inner strength and resilience to persevere, refusing to back down in the face of overwhelming odds. Her journey of self-discovery and redemption serves as a testament to her indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to forging a brighter future for herself and those she holds dear.

The Avengers

Thor

Thor's arrival on Earth marks a significant turning point in Thyri's journey, as his presence forces her to confront her past and embrace her true identity. Despite their initial differences and the challenges they face along the way, Thyri and Thor share a deep bond forged through their shared history as warriors of Asgard. As they navigate the complexities of life on Earth together, their relationship evolves from one of tentative allies to that of trusted confidants, united by a common purpose and a shared commitment to protecting their newfound home.

Steve Rogers

Thyri's relationship with Steve is characterized by mutual admiration and respect, rooted in their shared values of honor, duty, and sacrifice. As two warriors from vastly different backgrounds, they find common ground in their unwavering commitment to serving the greater good, often serving as each other's moral compass in times of uncertainty. Their camaraderie is built on a foundation of trust and mutual understanding, as they stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of adversity, ready to defend Earth against any threat that may arise.

Natasha Romanoff

Thyri's relationship with Natasha is one of cautious camaraderie, born out of mutual respect for each other's skills and abilities. Despite their differences in background and temperament, they share a deep understanding of the sacrifices required to be a warrior, and a willingness to put aside personal differences in pursuit of a common goal. As they fight alongside each other on the battlefield, they develop a bond built on trust and mutual reliance, forming a formidable team capable of taking on any challenge that comes their way.

Tony Stark

Thyri's relationship with Tony is characterized by a combination of admiration and exasperation, as they often find themselves at odds due to their differing approaches to problem-solving and conflict resolution. Despite their occasional clashes, they share a begrudging respect for each other's abilities and a mutual desire to protect Earth from any threat that may arise. Their dynamic is marked by witty banter and playful rivalry, tempered by a deep-seated sense of camaraderie born out of their shared experiences as members of the Avengers.

Clint Barton

Thyri's relationship with Clint is one of mutual respect and trust, grounded in their shared experiences as skilled fighters. Despite Clint's initial skepticism towards Thyri due to her mysterious past, they quickly develop a bond forged through their shared dedication to the team and their willingness to put their lives on the line for the greater good. As fellow warriors, they share a deep understanding of the sacrifices required to protect Earth, forming a formidable partnership on the battlefield characterized by seamless coordination and unwavering loyalty.

Bruce Banner

Thyri's relationship with Bruce, and his alter ego, The Hulk, is one marked by a mixture of awe and concern. Initially wary of Bruce's unpredictable transformations and the destructive power of Hulk, Thyri gradually comes to see past the surface to the man beneath the monster. As Bruce struggles to come to terms with his dual nature, Thyri serves as a steadfast ally and confidant, offering him support and understanding in moments of uncertainty and fear. Despite the challenges they face, their bond grows stronger over time, as they learn to trust each other and work together to harness Hulk's power for the greater good.

Other marvel characters

Loki

Thyri's relationship with Loki is one of profound complexity, shaped by a mixture of history, rivalry, and begrudging respect. As fellow inhabitants of Asgard, they share a long and tumultuous history, marked by moments of camaraderie as well as betrayal. Despite their differences and the animosity that often simmers beneath the surface, Thyri and Loki share a deep understanding of each other's struggles and motivations, forged through their shared experiences as members of Asgard's royal family. Though their relationship is fraught with tension and mistrust, they are bound together by a common heritage and a sense of obligation to their homeland, leading to moments of reluctant cooperation tempered by underlying suspicion.

Brunhilde

Thyri's relationship with Brunhilde, also known as Valkyrie, is one characterized by mutual respect, admiration, and a shared sense of duty. As fellow warriors of Asgard, they once fought side by side as members of the Valkyrior, tasked with defending the realm from threats both internal and external. Despite the tragic circumstances that led to Thyri's exile from Asgard, Brunhilde remains a steadfast ally and friend, offering her support and guidance as Thyri navigates the complexities of life on Earth. United by their shared experiences and a common bond forged through countless battles fought together, Thyri and Brunhilde stand as kindred spirits, bound by their unwavering commitment to protecting those in need and upholding the values of honor and valor that define their legacy as warriors of Asgard.

Stephen Strange

Thyri shares a mutual respect with Strange, admiring his mastery of the mystical arts and his dedication to protecting Earth from supernatural threats. Their paths occasionally intersect when facing otherworldly adversaries, and they form a formidable team when combining their unique skills and abilities.

Peter Parker

Thyri sees Peter as a kindred spirit, recognizing his youthful idealism and sense of responsibility. She admires his courage in the face of danger and often serves as a mentor figure, offering guidance and support as he navigates the challenges of being a young hero.

T'Challa

Thyri respects T'Challa's leadership and wisdom, recognizing him as a noble and honorable ruler. They share a common dedication to protecting the innocent and upholding justice, often collaborating on missions that require their combined strength and expertise.

Carol Danvers

Thyri admires Carol's strength and resilience, seeing her as a role model and fellow warrior. They share a deep bond forged through their experiences as powerful heroes, and Thyri often looks to Carol for guidance and inspiration in times of uncertainty.

Bucky Barnes

Thyri empathizes with Bucky's struggles with his past and his efforts to atone for his actions as a brainwashed assassin. They share a mutual respect forged through their experiences as warriors, and Thyri often serves as a confidant and ally to Bucky as he seeks redemption.

Wanda Maximoff

Thyri feels a sense of kinship with Wanda, empathizing with her struggles as a powerful being grappling with her own identity and place in the world. Despite their differences in background and abilities, they share a bond forged through shared experiences of loss and redemption, serving as sources of strength and support for each other in times of need.

Extra information

Despite her stoic demeanor on the battlefield, Thyri has a hidden talent for storytelling and enjoys regaling her fellow warriors with tales of Asgardian lore and epic battles from her homeland.

Thyri has a soft spot for animals, particularly horses, and often spends her downtime at the stables, bonding with the majestic creatures and honing her skills as a rider.

In addition to her prowess in combat, Thyri is also a skilled artist, finding solace and expression through painting and sketching during quiet moments of reflection.

Thyri has a weakness for Midgardian cuisine, especially Earth's desserts. She can often be found indulging in sweets like chocolate cake or ice cream, savoring each bite with childlike delight.

Despite her imposing stature and fearsome reputation on the battlefield, Thyri is surprisingly fond of music and has a talent for playing the harp, finding solace in its melodic strains during moments of solitude.

In her downtime, Thyri enjoys exploring the natural beauty of Earth, often taking long walks in the wilderness or hiking through rugged terrain to reconnect with the world around her.

Thyri harbors a secret love for poetry, often composing verses in her spare time as a way to express her innermost thoughts and emotions.

hope you guys like her!

tags: @missstrawbs2001 @jackiequick @blueboirick @cherrysft @meiramel @purpleprincessonfyre @ask-missparker @askstevella @therealdaydreamstark @rickb-chaos @luna-d-marsh @rooster-84 @gaminggirlsstuff

[asideoftrashplease]

The TRUE tragedy of the broken shuangjie promise

is that JC loved WWX SO MUCH that he was willing to DIE for him, and WWX loved JC SO MUCH that he underwent an incredibly dangerous and painful surgical process to rip out an essential part of himself — but because WWX KNEW JC wouldn't want this, because he KNEW it would hurt JC, and BECAUSE HE LOVED JC, he kept it from JC.

And the tragedy is that over time, it was those little lies he told to keep the secret that ultimately forced them apart. The main issues:

At its weakest, YMJ and JC as a sect leader were getting criticized for being unable to keep WWX in check. And it started from a small thing: WWX refusing to carry his sword

Then came WWX’s decision to break the Wen remnants out, and then to defect from YMJ to protect the Wens.

And finally, JZX and JYL’s death. I feel like there's sometimes a lack of clarity as to what exactly was the betrayal that JC perceived, what was the last straw at the Nightless City, when it was EVIDENT that WWX didn't intend for JYL to die? It was NOT "you killed her.” It was: YOU SAID YOU COULD CONTROL IT. JC says this at the Nightless City, and WWX (who is having 99 mental breakdowns all at once) admits "I can't. I can't control it”

To JC, the unspoken crux of the issue is: Why can't you just do the little things that would make life so much FUCKING easier for me? Why can't you wear your sword? Why are the Wens more important than YMJ (than ME)? Why can't you give up demonic cultivation, which only draws criticism and suspicion from the rest of the cultivation world, and which you can't even control? We don't need it anymore. The war is over. Why can't you go back to proper cultivation?

And the answer that JC comes to is: because you don't give a shit about me.

You just care about your "justice", and you're addicted to the power, and you SAID you could control it. You SAID. I TRUSTED you. And now my sister is dead and my nephew is an orphan and my shixiong is a black stain on YMJ's name who I have to denounce. All because you didn't give enough of a shit. All because you only care about justice, and you don't care about me.

The crux of the betrayal is that JC loved WWX so fucking much. It's: "I would have died for you. I DIED FOR YOU. I was tortured and mutilated and burnt. I defended you and stuck my neck out for you. I put myself and YMJ in the line of fire for years."

"And you don't give a shit about me."

But what the core reveal does is that it flips everything around for JC. Why won't you carry your sword? Why won't you give up the Wens? Why demonic cultivation? WHY DID YOU LOSE CONTROL? And it's not "because you don't give a shit" at all.

The TRAGEDY is that all this happened NOT because WWX didn't care, but because he cared TOO FUCKING MUCH. This happened because WWX loved JC SO FUCKING MUCH that he underwent a dangerous and incredibly painful operation to dig out an essential part of himself to give to JC, and he loved JC SO MUCH that he kept it secret for nearly 20 years.

All because he didn't want to see JC cry. All because he knew it would worsen the insecurities JC already felt.

But with the core reveal, JC is now learning that WWX did ALL THAT because he loved JC. It turns "you don't give a shit about me" on its head. But so what if he's found out now? After everything that's happened, how do they go on loving each other? Is it too late? When he brings up the broken shuangjie promise at the temple, it almost feels like he's asking "Why can't we go back? CAN we go back?? Tell me that we can go back, please." And WWX says: "I'm sorry. I broke my promise."

It's too late to go back. They've gone too far down separate roads for them to still be the people who were able to keep that promise.

[highqueenofelfhame]

who am i posting two drabbles in the same week??

rowaelin // 2709 words // masterlist

It was always easy to tell if Rowan had a good or bad day at work.

When it was good, he would sweep in and drop a kiss to Roux’s chubby cheeks if she was awake. If she wasn’t, he would disappear upstairs to check in on her before coming back down and getting a rundown of the day from Aelin. Sometimes she would heat up leftovers from dinner for him to eat, others they would sit and finish whatever movie held her attention before she slipped out and retired to her home in the renovated pool house for the night.

When it was bad, the signs started as soon as he pulled into the driveway. The lights would flash through the window, the garage would open, close, and then… silence. It could be anywhere from five minutes to an hour before he would get out of his car, slowly push the door shut, and quietly trudge in through the mud room. Aelin would barely hear him put down his keys and bag by the door. His footsteps up to Roux’s room were nearly nonexistent if it weren’t for the creaking of that fourth step from the bottom. 

Sometimes he would get into the tiny twin sized bed with his daughter and fall asleep shielding her with his body. Other times he would sit with her while he decompressed before coming down to check in with Aelin on how the night went. On the bad nights, he seldom ate anything at all. He just went through the motions of getting ready for bed until he inevitably passed out from whatever hours-long surgery he’d endured that day. 

Tonight was no different. Aelin tried not to count the ticks of the clock above the fireplace while she watched tv, her stomach twisting with anxiety at the ninety-two minute mark. An hour and a half was almost the longest he had ever stayed in his car like that. She knew it was turned off, so there was no need to worry about fumes. It was just the idea of him sitting in the dark silence while trying to unravel the tragedy of the day that was eating at her. 

The last time this happened, a young girl about Roux’s age had died on his operating table. It wasn’t anything he had done wrong, no. The little girl had just been too badly injured in the car accident. Everyone knew it was a long shot to save her. She’d barely had a pulse when they wheeled her into the operating room, her heart having stopped twice in the ambulance on the way over. 

It wasn’t a story she had learned from Rowan himself, but from one of his closest friends at a barbeque for Roux’s fifth birthday a few weeks back. Aelin’s heart had broken as he quietly recounted the nightmare to Aelin where Rowan couldn’t hear, the two of them sipping their beers while keeping an eye on the father to make sure he didn’t get close enough to hear. It had ended with Aelin needing to turn away to wipe away a few stray tears before anyone noticed, and Fenrys gave her a brief hug. The pair had been busted then, Rowan’s eyes narrowing slightly at the blonde man beside her. Caught red handed learning a story he didn’t want to speak of, she had thought.

There had been a few other times since then that he’d taken his moment of silence, but nothing this long since that had happened. It had Aelin’s mind reeling with what might have gone wrong, her body itching to make her way to the garage to check on him and make sure he was okay. But there was a line there that she didn’t want to cross. She didn’t want to intrude on whatever process he underwent to come down after a hard day. 

But her eyes didn’t leave the garage door, her body turned so she could see his face when he came in. As much as he needed to be sure that Roux was okay when he had shitty days like today surely was, Aelin needed to make sure that he was okay, too. For a thousand and one different reasons, she ignored why that was. She was his nanny, he was her boss, and she was only worried because she cared for him in the way that all nannies cared about the families they worked for that treated them well. Right?

The movie she’d paused was long forgotten, the brand of the television bouncing from side to side on an idle screen.  It was another three agonizingly slow minutes before the garage door opened, the scrape of the sill against the floor as deafening as it was startling. And then there was the look on his face. 

Much like a couple months ago, his face was hewn from stone. Even from here she could see the signs that tears had slipped past the iron clad dam he usually had on his emotions. Red cheeks, slightly puffy under eyes. His nose had been kissed by grief, raw from how many times she assumed he’d blown or wiped at it with a tissue or his sleeve. The usually straight posture he had was deflated with shoulders that slumped inward. 

The one thing different about this than the others was that he had immediately zoned into where she sat on the couch, his eyes roving over her face and what he could see of her body. Almost like this time it was her that he was checking on, that he needed to know was okay. 

Aelin opened her mouth to speak, but he held up a single finger before making his way upstairs. When he was halfway up, he looked at her over his shoulder one more time before she would disappear from his view. 

The soft jiggle of Roux’s door handle being turned was her cue to rise from the couch. Her feet carried her to the kitchen where she immediately started a kettle for some tea and then began pulling the night’s dinner from the fridge to warm him a plate. If he didn’t come back down, it would be there when he did. Worst case scenario, she would just force him to eat breakfast in the morning even if it meant waking him from a dead sleep.

Fifteen minutes hadn’t passed when she heard that creaky step announce his descent. Aelin stayed quiet in the kitchen, readying two mugs on the island for tea while the microwave hummed a quiet song behind her. If she wasn’t always so acutely aware of Rowan Whitethorn, she probably wouldn’t have heard his bare feet as he made his way into the kitchen. Still, she said nothing in case he didn’t want to talk and simply proceeded to make his tea precisely how he liked it. 

As she placed the kettle down on a dishrag, Rowan’s arms braced either side of her, locking her in place where she stood. He was so close that his chest was pressed against her back. Even through their shirts she could feel the heat radiating off his body, off his biceps that rested against her shoulders. And then his forehead was gently resting against the back of her head while he took a deep breath, almost like he was… savoring the way she smelled. Like she hadn’t been wrong when he first walked in and she was the one he’d needed to know was safe. 

Instead of freezing up like her body wanted to, she kept up the task of making the tea. Or trying to, anyway. The few times she had been this close to Rowan had always resulted in her brain short circuiting, and more than anything she was trying to not make a mess of the boiling water and the glass cups she handled with shaking hands. 

“I made you tea,” she whispered, pushing the cups toward the side of the counter with the barstools.

“Thank you.” More-so than usual, Rowan’s voice was low and gravely. Another tell that at some point he had almost definitely been crying. The only other time he sounded like that was first thing in the morning or the few times she’d been around him when he was drunk and exhausted, accent heavier than usual and voice so low it gave her goosebumps.

Instead of replying she just nodded slightly so as to not disturb him. He simply kept breathing in the scent of her lavender shampoo, each exhale tickling the back of her neck and shooting small zips of electricity down her spine.  The microwave beeped three times to proudly alert that his dinner was finished, but neither of them moved to deal with it.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Moving her gaze from the tea, she looked down at his hands. His knuckles went white at the question and he inhaled deeply one more time before turning her so she was facing him. 

Their faces were so close that she could count the small smattering of freckles he had across his nose from summers spent in the sun. The rich green of his eyes were more prominent than she’d ever seen them, the color enhanced by the vessels that were bloodshot. Gold and brown and every shade of green she could name was swirled in his irises. They weren’t just green anymore than hers were just blue. 

“I lost a patient today.” His words weighed heavily between them despite being barely more than the minty breath across her face.

“I know.” Rowan nodded once, his fingers ghosting over her hip. For several heartbeats she watched his hands almost touch her, graze her skin, and pull back into fists before starting the process over again. Like he was fighting himself not to touch her even though he wanted– or needed– to. 

“It’s okay,” she murmured, looking up at him through thick lashes. “You can– it’s okay.”

Consent seemed to be the key. Rowan was tender as he gathered her up in his arms, treating her like she was one of those cups behind them that might break if handled too roughly. Knowing he needed some sort of physical affection, she melted into him easily. That thing that had been brewing between them, that she had convinced herself was all in her head, was now a wire pulled taught as she pressed her cheek against his chest. 

Rowan let out a shaky breath, his lips pressing to the top of her head in a lingering kiss. Her own arms wrapped around his sides, hands sliding over the muscles of his back before meeting in the middle. With feather light touches, she traced invisible shapes and lines with her fingernails over the fabric of his t-shirt. One of his hands cradled the back of her head with his thumb making soft soothing strokes over the side of her neck. The other was splayed across her back to keep her tightly pressed to him. 

She didn’t have any complaints. He was freshly showered– likely using the facilities at work– and smelled like pine and snow and so distinctly Rowan. Aelin wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but the way he smelled was quickly becoming one of her favorite things in the world. And even if this was all only in her head, she would take this small gift from the gods and run like hell with it. 

The cocoon of his arms shifted around her and he pulled back enough to look at her face. His fingers slipped between the silky strands of her hair until they rested in the little dip at the base of her skull with his thumb on her jaw. So much emotion swirled in his eyes as she looked up at him, not knowing what was going to come next. Her heart pounded like a timpani all the same. 

“The woman that died on my table tonight shared a birthday with you.” Aelin noticed the way his throat bobbed as his thumb brushed the corner of her mouth. His brows were furrowed, his muscles tight beneath her fingertips. “I didn’t know that until after, but… her hair was almost the same golden hue. Her eyes were blue. Not like yours, nobody has eyes like yours. But they were still blue. And in the brief second I saw her barely conscious before she was put under, from across the room they looked close enough.”

“Rowan–”

“I couldn’t save her. I tried but I couldn’t save her and all I could see was you on the table.”

“I’m right here,” was the only thing she could think to say. It seemed to be just enough because he nodded, leaning forward to rest his brow against hers. Their breath mingled between them, his eyes falling closed as he steadied his ragged breathing. Aelin was almost positive she could feel his heart thundering away in his chest– or maybe that was her own pulse she felt down to her fingers. 

Rowan’s eyes opened once more to search hers, his calloused thumb catching her full bottom lip as he said, “I think it’s about time we stop dancing around this, yeah?” 

“Not like this,” she whispered, the words falling like stones between them. His head lifted, eyebrows pinched together. “I don’t– I don’t mean no. I don’t–” Aelin let out a shaky laugh and moved her hands to his sides. Rowan didn’t move away, which was good considering the bang up job she was doing with words at the moment.

“You think this is just a grief response.”

“I think you’ve had a really long and hard day and I don’t want you to do or say something you’re going to regret tomorrow–”

“I could never regret you, Aelin.” 

And then his lips were pressing softly against hers, asking permission where she didn’t feel like she ever needed to give it in the first place. For months she had known that she was his, however he wanted to have her. That she had desperately wanted it to be this but never would have pushed without him giving in.

So she kissed him back fiercely, relishing in the way his hand tightened on her hips but softened where he held her face. She breathed every second of the moment in, the same way she had all the others.  It had been months of push and pull, of subtle touches and words with double meanings. Rowan and Roux were everything that she wanted for her future. She just couldn’t believe he wanted her to be part of theirs. 

They kissed until the tea had cooled and his dinner was cold. What he had been hungry for wasn’t food, she found out, when he carried her all the way up to his room and quietly shut the door behind him. He had been starving for her, to feel his hands over her soft skin, to feel her nails leaving marks across his back. Rowan swallowed up her moans as quickly as she released them from swollen lips and chased her own release with his own. 

They both drifted to sleep like tangled vines. When she was the first to wake just after the sun came up– her biological clock alerting her that Roux would be up and wanting breakfast soon– anxiety had begun to pool in her stomach. What if he did regret last night? If it had all been the result of grief and him needing a warm body to coax him into a dreamless sleep? He was her boss, and she loved Roux more than any of the kids she had ever nannied for. What if she had just thrown that all away on a whim? 

Her mind was reeling as she laid beside him. Back and forth she went about whether or not she should quietly leave, and just as she decided that she maybe should, Rowan began to stir from his deep slumber. His arm tightened around her waist, tugging her closer as he rubbed his nose against her shoulder. A laugh almost escaped her lips, but worry had an iron-clad grip on her nerves. 

It all vanished, though, when he opened his eyes and saw her next to him. Because the moment his sleepy eyes met hers, Rowan smiled.