#yes I’m watching frenemies in the background

[jellypawss]

Happy New Year from my kitty Squid and I!

[streamdotpng]

If no one is going to talk abt streamer Wednesday au then I guess I’ll just have to do it myself (I have a questions) (and scenario) (yes I searched up the tag to have more things to say) (not much wenclair tho)

What did Wednesday do after the massive ban (who’s her moderator btw ? Eugene ?) ? Like, did she just stare in disappointment at chat ? Told them that Enid is really important to her ? Had a talk with them abt Outcasts discrimination ?

Wait are there any Outcasts in the chat ? How did they react to the rest of chat’s fear ? Did some of them agreed (those who are not werewolves) ?

(A bit unrelated but I have this little idea in my head that Outcasts can lowkey sense when someone else is an Outcast (reason why Wednesday trusted (? I need to rewatch the show) Tyler that quickly) but it’s not like « Oh ! This guy’s an Outcast ! » it’s more like « There’s something about this guy »)

What about Enid ? How did she react ? Did Wednesday even told her ? Or did she saw it somewhere ? (does this Enid watches Wednesday’s streams ? Like the replays or whatever idk how Twitch works)

Also, you said that Enid is kinda running herself ragged (does she have any days off ??) bc she feels guilty about letting Wednesday pay the rent, but Wednesday has to notice that, right ? The bags under Enid’s eyes, how tired she sounds, the lack of colors in her hair. What does she do ? Does she wake up one day, looks at Enid being this 🤏 close to passing out and goes ‘you’re taking the week off, I don’t want to deal with a walking corpse again’ ? I feel like it would be kinda in-character. No idea how Enid would react tho

Assuming that Enid went like ‘… okay’ or had a day off, I kinda imagine her inviting Yoko & Co over (in the weekend cause they’re 21 and all (?) go to college (and also so she and Wednesday can have some not-girlfriends quality time together). Wednesday allowed it bc she knows how a pack friends are important to Enid and the wolf promised her that they will just stay in the living-room while Wednesday streams (what’s her schedule ?) or something else. Then, like 15min after they arrived, Yoko opens the door to Wednesday streaming room (I like to imagine that it’s soundproof) with Divina (that she dragged with her) and she just says « Hi shorty ;) » and leaves.

Wednesday just rolls her eyes bc at this point she’s used to it but chat, after seeing Yoko’s too sharp fangs and Divina’s unnaturally light eyes, explodes. Idk what they’re doing, I haven’t thought that far tbh

And the last thing I have to say is that I headcanon that Wednesday helped a lot for the absolute mess of a cult and blackmail that Morning Song was to Bianca. That’s why they’re friends to me. A little frenemies, there’s still some rivalry, maybe even some tension but they’re friends. If there’s something wrong, like serious wrong, asking the other for help is a valid option (Wednesday still mostly goes to Enid and Bianca to Yoko/Divina but ! The option is here)

Now that I laid the background :

Wednesday’s streaming and Enid’s at work. But are shadows under Wednesday’s door. Some viewers notice and are like ??? but before they can do anything Bianca just opens the door and is like ‘I need you to come with me’.

Now, Wednesday knows her friends allies, it has taken her a lot of time (years) but she learned and studied and them, she knows them. Right now, Bianca may appear calm and collected, or even cold to an outsider, but Wednesday sees that there’s something wrong, serious wrong, so she cuts the stream and goes with her.

Meanwhile, chat just saw some siren barging in, telling -not asking, telling- Wednesday to come with her and Wednesday did. They’re all panicking in the channel’s Discord (if Wednesday has one), like « omg did weds just got sirened??? » « she’s going to get killed !! » « yall i’ve heard stories abt sirens killing and eating people at sea what if they were true ??! » , an exact inch away from calling the police before Wednesday sends a little « I’m fine, stop dramatizing » or whatever

(it’s 1am and most of this hasn’t been reread so if there’s any spelling error, things that I’ve written two times, missing pieces of text or just a general sense of messiness then : sorry lol)

-🦎

Wednesday sighs after the massive ban and continued onward like nothing happened. The fact that she practically killed half her fanbase says alot so the people thatre left behind or trickle in know and are alot more cautious now

yeah definitely! while there are other outcasts in chat, there's smth different abt werewolves yknow? I mean there must be a reason for why they had to be in cages in nevermore

The outcasts are more of the warnjing sort, just hoping their streamer doesn't die to the monster living in her house

(meanwhile Enid is literally having her face cradled by Wednesday while they're both in bed)

Tho idt Enid would watch any of the streams, she respects Wednesday's privacy too much to do so. She does visit the room alot tho, so chat is low key kind of scared and kind of used to the shadow that lingers by the door and the thump of a tail somewhere off screen

Haha.. Totally normal behavior and not a sign of a potential killer in your house Wednesday! I hope you know what you're doing

(Enid's literally happy, her tail is wagging, just how dramatic do they gotta make her out to be 😭)

Don't worry tho, enid goes to work around the time Wednesday starts to stream and comes back by the time it ends so you bet she destresses alot with Wednesday

and she actually has alot of vacation time! The place she works at is pretty generous bc Enid is one of the long lasting employees so it kinda has been saving up. She just works alot bc it's a good distraction and so she can earn for the both of them (not needed but she feels obligated after all the Addams did for her)

As for the pack? You bet Enid is chasing yoko around, they roll around like little kids with Bianca and Divina chatting. They're having fun, good for them

And I totally see Wednesday and Bianca's relationship going how you explaining it!! They're alot more used to each other now but the signs of more and more outcasts being in Wednesday's life is low key giving chat a heart attack

Is aight lizard anon, im surprised people are into this au. Nothing much is coming onto mind but my inspiration here is beastars honestly LMAO

Hope your sleep was nice!

[viatrix-glow]

I HAVE FINALLY FINISHED MY RENDERS/LAYOUTS/WHATEVER FOR MY ENSTARS OC….. and now i will dump a bunch of information about her 🤲🏽

here’s some outfits for her!! tbh the winter one was made on the spot soooo idk if it’ll actually stay

here’s the faux scout cards <3 they took way too long to make and yes i stole the bg of the second one from mika’s card (the first is also from the game). i’m not drawing a background

heres some more info about her. no organization im just gonna spout some rapid fire facts. keep in mind she is a little bit (a lot bit) of a self indulgent oc <3

-she is what i am dubbing a fill-in idol. essentially, she’s an idol who fills in for other units when they’re missing a member for a performance . this is why she works with valkyrie most often (she can take the roll of shu or nazuna for ex songs)

-her first name comes from a song (hikari by royal scandal). no real reason i just like the song lol

-she left switch on very good terms (she’s still besties with all 3 of them). she just left because she thought the unit functioned better as a trio (“you three shine brighter on stage without me~”) she still performs with them from time to time though (usually for smaller audiences, or she just joins them for practice)

-she’s been friends with mika since before they entered yumenosaki (they applied together), and became close to arashi in her first year too. she had planned on trying out for valk alongside him, but got caught up with switch

-speaking of switch! she runs into tsumugi on the day that he first visits the library (with the key rei gives him to get into the secret area) and recognizes him as one of the fine members . she goes with him to the library and meets natsume there (same scene as canon just. she’s there .) she gets along really well with him (and with mugi), which is why she ends up as a member of switch during her second year.

-she used to have a crush on nazuna (product of watching the performances and going to mika’s practices) . not really relevant i just wanted to throw it out there. does she have a crush on someone now? i don’t know

-her last name (yuuta) is intentionally the same as my twst oc, aurelia . they are sisters (aurelia is the older one by a year and a few months -(her bday is 2/2)). my thought is that when aurelia is sent to the world of twst, somehow the people who know her in her or world forget about her, so hikari doesn’t remember her as of now .

-she works part time at the same diner/restaurant/whatever as niki. he has to teach her a Lot about cooking though (she’s getting better)

-she absolutely Hates hates hatesssss rinne and crazy:b when they first start to cause trouble. she’s very protective over her friends and the other idols at es. even though she dislikes eichi for everything he did, she recognizes and appreciates the work he’s put into making es. she doesn’t like how crazy:b throws themselves into others live shows (live shows are so important and personal to units!!), and she gets very snappy and upset with them for it. however, she does her best to keep the peace when she’s around them because they’re under the same agency. after the main story stuff in !! finished though she begins to understand the position rinne +the bees were in, and she starts to forgive them and grow somewhat close to them. i would put them in the frenemies area

-i think her shuffle unit would be flambé!…? i tried to make it branco since they only have 4 members, but since she works with sora so often i think that disqualifies her. i really would like her to be in blend+ but again. same problem

-i think she’s close with anzu too. girlies gotta stick together! her, anzu and naru can go out for girls nights together

-the only unit she doesn’t really fill in for is 2wink because . the whole twin dynamic. kinda hard to replace one . and mam/doubleface obv

ok i’m running out of thoughts it’s 12am but that’s my oc!!!! if u read all of this thank you i love u <3

[howl-fantasies]

I'm feeling' angsty today... So y'know what?

Imagine watching from the other side of the screen...

[name] laying in a pool of her own blood all alone on some random alleyway with the song Skyfall playing in the background as flashbacks of her childhood are revealed to the viewers. No one knows what's happening, and she just closes her eyes and smiled, as memories of her and her "friends" are presented to the screen.

She gripped tightly on her vest, as she let her tears fall. 'Victor.. please, take are of new Gotham, for she... Is my legacy'..

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Oh dear, I was a total mess thinking about your request! I love the angst and the opportunity your idea gives to have a little glimpse of Y/N's past and moments with her frenemies.

Warning: blood, mention of violence, profanities, english mistakes: I’m working on it, sorry it’s not my first language.

Word count: 2.3k

SKYFALL

The rain was pouring on Gotham city. Like any other day when you think about it. And when the rain wasn't crashing on the dirty pavement, it was snow, which was in charge to freeze the citizens to their bones.

She never minded the rain, she thought, while feeling it lick her skin and the blood which was also pouring out of the open wound in her chest, staining the hard road she was feeling against her back. Nevermind, the water will wash it away after all.

It wasn't the first time she was shot. No. The first time, she was 12. She had an errand to make, for Carmine Falcone. Even if she didn't meet the man in person, one of his goons told her she had to deliver a package. A medium one, in which she never knew what was patiently waiting to be given to his men. 

Don't ask question if you're not sure to want to know the answer or if you're not strong enough to keep it a secret. Rule number 2. First being: always think of you and your best interests.

So she delivered it. Without too much trouble, she was already a cautious little thing back then. She learnt it, thanks to her father. Not a violent man or an alcoholic, mind you, but a man way too naive and gullible for his own good. Thinking borrowing some money from wanna be mafiosi wouldn't be an issue, even with highly indecent interest rates.

And he spent it, helping her also too naive mother to buy a dingy gallery where she would be able to expose her art pieces in hope some rich artist or investor will find her. You know? Exactly like in the stupid tv film you would find on a shitty afternoon, when you've caught the flu or something. 

Impossible scenarios they were. The two adults made their first mistake: they talked about it. A lot. In the Narrows. See where it leads? Yes, a disaster. Wanna be mafiosi tricked the couple, vandalizing the gallery then showing their faces the next day in front of their door and demanding their money back. 

Another disaster. A proper beating for her father, a good one for her mother, and for her? Well let's say she was lucky enough not to be home at this moment. All this beating for another disaster on its way: her father having now to work for the mafiosi for free, in hope to be able to pay them back. 

In the next life maybe? Same for her mother, and her. Child labor? Who would it shock in this hell hole ruled by the underworld?

That's how she started working here and there for the Mafia. Simple tasks, like delivering this fucking package, but dangerous ones when a few foes of the clan she was currently working for barged in like cow-boys with machine guns, putting bullets in every body and furniture in the way. 

She was just about to escape when a bullet pierced the back of her shoulder. The white hot pain, the warmth of her own blood, the dizziness following, she was never going to forget it.

She laugh at her past self. She had thought she would never stand near a gun again. How wrong she was. Look at her now, wheezing like a fucking seal in the middle of nowhere because of it. Shit it hurts like the first time. 

Always have and always will, if she was lucky enough to be shot another time. Goodness, she was delirious, thinking about the next bullet to add to her ridiculous pierced body. Victor would have laugh. Goddammit, Victor... He will fucking lose it if she doesn't move her lazy ass from the ground.

Even with her best try, she was just able to move her right hand and arm. "Not good", she muttered. Yup he'll definitely lose it.

Her gaze was now on the dark sky, rumbling peacefully. Maybe he, Ed, or even Oswald or Jim would be able to find her before she painted the entire alley with her blood. Maybe take her to Carter, the biggest jerk but the better underground surgeon she knows.

She met the idiot when she was 15. A tall, blond slender teen with the greenest eyes she had ever seen. He always was a meanie to her, fixing her injuries while yelling in her ears how an imbecile she was and how she didn't deserve his talent.

He was like Ed, well, Riddl-ED, in a way. Always bossy and confident and looking at you like you were a nuisance. The only nuisance he would be able to find in this shitty hole who would let him butcher it willingly, she would remind him frequently, making him frown deeply. After all who, in their right state of mind, would want a bratty teen to stitch or cut them to take out a bullet? Exactly, nobody but her.

She owed him her ugliest scars, poor dude had to practice a bit before being able to do it properly. She also owed him her life. And a lot of money since he decided she didn't have to pay him anymore. "Because we have history dumbass" he would say. 

Ah! More because he was never able to stitch her without being a blushing mess. Got threatened by Victor at least a thousand times for that. But hey, he was a "friend" and an useful one at that. If his help depended of a few titties / butt showing, she was ok with it. 

Victor had to make peace with it. He still points his gun at his forehead though, or shoot a few things or graze Carter's skin from time to time, but his crush on his wife was useful. The blond idiot would die for her, they both knew it. She never told Zsasz, but the other man was her first. This secret, as well as many others will follow her into the grave.

She chuckled. Damn, Victor would be livid if he ever heard about it. Maybe she should have told him, just to see with a sadistic pleasure his face twist in pure fury. He thought he killed all her previous lovers. How wrong he was, and how the truth was hanging just in front of him every time they had to go to Carter's clinic. Ah-ha.

Ugh! She was now tasting her own blood in her mouth. Fuck. The picture of her mouth full of blood made her think of Ed after Sofia’s torture session. Her dear Ed. The dork met her a bit after, grinning like a fool with his bloody mouth. 

"Man, red is also your color I have to say. The combination with the green suit is just stunning. Can give you a proper mouth beating anytime, it would be my pleasure" She mocked. His face was priceless.

Now she was shuddering. Cold. It was always cold in this city. Slowly, she moved her head to have a better view of the damages. Ugh. Her vest was ruined. Oswald will be mad. This one was a present he randomly gave her last year, arguing that since she never told anyone when was her birthday, he decided it would be on Halloween.

Fitting for a witch, he also added. She laughed. He was near the right date, to be honest. She was born in November. First November to be precise. Day of the dead. Well he would learn it during her funerals. Maybe even make her outfit. She hoped so. At least she would be walking to Hell's gates in the proper clothes to show everyone who was the boss down there.

Religious, her? No way. She made fun of Carmine once, when he tried to put some good Christian values in her head. "Carmine, there is no need for I will never reach heaven". He was a bit mad at her for this statement, and gave her a proper scolding, just before she got a proper yelling, when she had to add: "Good lord. Heaven. What for? I wouldn't know anyone here". He was absolutely livid.

Did he make it? To heaven? If someone she knew truly deserved to be here, no doubt he was the one. Maybe he was able to see his mother again. Liza? she hoped not.

Her vision started to fade slowly. Will she saw him a bit before being thrown into the pit of hell? Would he be the one to guide her to the afterlife if it really exists? It would be nice.

He wasn't her father but he told her once, during one of those calm nights before a big storm: "None of my children have understood Gotham like I have or you have, Y/N. You would be a very good queen for the city, if you wanted too." He contemplated his words a bit and added with a fond smile. "But we both know you're too smart to become the woman everyone wants to kill. You prefer playing your mind games and never clearly chose where you stand on the board."

It worked so far. Today was probably the last time she played the game. And she was losing. She always liked to quote Olenna Tyrell when she said the game of thrones was one you played or you died. Gotham was the same. Minus dragons. For now. You were never too sure with the city and its new monsters lately...

Look at Barbara, for instance. The bitch came back from the dead like Voldemort with the help of her antiquity of a boyfriend. See? You're never too sure in Gotham. Oh please, if she dies, make sure she wouldn't come back like Butch. It would be atrocious.

Again, she had to chuckle. Humour and sarcasm were always her favorite coping mechanism. Even now. Better than crying, isn't it? Crying for the years she may have lived, probably with Victor. Crying for the puns she will never make to Ed or Oswald. 

Those three, do they even realize how important they were in her life? She would have preferred not. But here they were. They knew her better than her parents, both dead many years ago. The three criminals appreciated her as much as they hated her, but always respected her skills, her intelligence and never underestimated her. Never. For that, she wanted to thank them.

Y/N took another wheezing breath. She would have loved to thank Gordon too. How interesting he made the city, how he contributed to change the game for the better and worse. How a good man he was, even with his flaws, and also probably because of them. Because he slowly accepted to acknowledge his dark side. Saves his life, if he didn't, he would have ended like Barnes.

She wanted to make fun of Harvey a last time. Damn, more than 15years making fun of the old cop... Creates links you know? He was like the uncle you want to call to make a prank or the one who, you know, would let you drink like hell even if you're underage and keep it a secret from your parents. Yeah. That kind of guy. She'll miss him.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She slowly tried to reach it. Not quick enough to catch it before it stopped though. Shit. With a shaking hand, she finally managed to pulled it out and turn it to look at the screen. Why did she even bother? 

She knew who was calling. And, since for the first time she didn't answer nor sent a text explaining why she wasn't able to, she knew he would immediately call back. And. Oh it started. Track her phone. When it buzzed again, she managed to press the green button.

"Dearest", she wheezed. "Hi."

The deafening silence on the other side of the line made her sigh. He was processing her terrible weak voice.

"Vic. I'm dying." She spoke again. She was never one to wrap thing in sugar and glitters. Both of them knew it and it was one of the reasons he was so fond of her, he told her once.

She heard him take a sudden breath,making her heart clench painfully. She knew what was coming.

"No. You're not."

Denial. Strong denial.

She gritted her teeth and tried to stay awake. Only a few minutes. Just enough to tell him what she had to. As if the gesture would help her to slow the inevitable, she clenched her vest.

"Victor..." She coughs a few times to spit out the blood in her throat and help her to be able to speak again. "... please. Take care of new Gotham..." another painful breathe and cough, "for she... is my legacy".

She was fading. She felt like the time she jumped to make a silly move she had seen in one of her games. But this time nothing will caught her at the end of her fall.

"Don't you dare", she heard him muttering. "Don't you FUCKING DARE Y/N!" and now the yelling. She was destroying him. She knew it. But for the first time, his pain didn't bring any smile on her face. On the contrary, she felt heavy tears roll down her cheeks and swore she was able to hear them crash on the pavement.

"I'm coming, Y/N. And when I'll be there, I'll make you regret making me feel like a fool." He muttered again. Anger and threats his way of coping. Letting him think he was controlling everything, even her death. 

Despite her situation she smiled but never stop crying. "You'll have to be... quicker than the devil himself." Her own voice sounded so distant. Maybe he said something but she would never know. It was too late. He will be too late. She took another breath, a strong shaking one. Only to be able to whisper:

"I love you."

She felt her hand letting go of the phone, she heard her arm smashing the ground loudly but felt no pain. She didn’t feel anything anymore. She could only listen. Listen to the distant voice yelling her name from the speaker of her phone. Then, nothing.

Everything went black. She lost the game.

--

A/N - To be continued?

I hope it was angsty enough for you my dear 🥰💐 have a beautiful day, take care.

[cyraclove]

“I hit you with my car and was the only one to visit you in the hospital” with modern BotW Zelink would be amazing :') (you can choose who gets hit and who visits! it works very well both ways)

Link stared into the windows of the flower display, his eyes traversing the plethora of multicolored blooms for the hundredth time. He’d been standing there for a solid ten or fifteen minutes, the tinny muzak of the hospital’s gift shop threatening to drive him out of his mind. The furled petals of a bouquet of yellow roses shook softly as the refrigerated case’s motor kicked on, looking almost as though they were laughing at him.

He decided against those.

Swallowing hard, he absentmindedly rubbed his palms together as he took stock of his ribbon-bound options yet again.

Sweaty. Why was he so sweaty?

Just pick some, you idiot, barked a voice in his head.

“Excuse me, sir,” said a foreign female voice that startled him from his thoughts, “Do you need some help?”

He turned to see an older, brunette woman with the roundest eyeglasses he had ever seen smiling pleasantly at him, her hands clasped behind her back. ‘Alma’, her nametag read.

He shook his head, scrambling for words. “Oh, uh…no, ma’am,” he stammered, attempting a sorry excuse for a smile, “I’m just…browsing.”

“Are you looking for something specific?” She asked, peering into the cooler. “We have flowers for just about any occasion. Flowers can say a lot just on their own, you know.”

How about some that say, ‘Sorry that I hit you with my car, complete stranger,’ he thought to himself. Link chuckled uncomfortably, knowing that he was definitely going to have to lie to this woman. “I’m here to visit my, er, friend. She was…in a car accident.”

Read on AO3

Alma nodded solemnly, clucking her tongue. “Oh, how terrible. I’m very sorry to hear that. People really can be such careless drivers these days, can’t they?”

“Yes,” he said through his teeth, “they certainly can be.” His eyes were drawn to a bunch of sickeningly pink ‘It’s A Girl!’ balloons, a nearby oscillating fan causing them to bob violently every minute or so. The screech of the colliding mylar made his stomach churn, and he silently wished for death.

“Well,” Alma began, a cool burst of air escaping the display when she opened the door, “I’m sure that we can pick something perfectly lovely that’ll have your friend feeling better in no time.”

The woman pursed her lips as she surveyed the case, humming thoughtfully. She eventually gathered up a bouquet of light blue lilies, their pointed petals tipped with white.

“What do you think of these?” she asked, “We just got them in from Necluda. This variety is called the ‘Silent Princess’, I believe.”

Before he could answer, Link’s phone began to ring, the shrill tone making him jump a bit. He grinned sheepishly at Alma as he fished it from his pocket, groaning inwardly as soon as he glimpsed the screen. Tapping his thumb on the red ‘ignore’ button, he tucked it away.

“Those are great,” he replied, “I’ll take them.”  

Alma smiled brightly, motioning for him to follow her the checkout counter. “Excellent,” she chimed, “Can I put them in a vase for you?”

His phone rang again. Link felt his eye twitch.

“Uh, sure. I mean, yes, please.”

“Would you like to add anything else? We have these precious sand seal plushies that would be just ador—”

“Just the flowers will be fine, thank you,” he said, more hurriedly than he’d intended. Snatching his phone from his pocket, he turned away from the counter and held the cell to his ear.

“What do you want?” He hissed.

A jovial cackle came from the other end of the line.

“Well, if it isn’t CHU’s resident asshole.”  

Link pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger as he inhaled deeply. This was, decidedly, the last thing he needed right now.

“You called me, Revali,” he snapped, “Do you actually need something, or did you just want to be a dick?”

“You wound me, Link,” the other young man drawled, “Oh, no—wait. I’m not the one who’s wounded, am I?”

Link clenched his jaw, the snip of Alma’s scissors on the flowers’ stems suddenly and inordinately loud. He glanced up at the woman only to have her swiftly look away, feigning focus on her task.

“You’re quite the hot topic on campus,” he heard Revali sigh, “I’m almost envious, what with the way everyone’s got your name in their mouths.”

“Who’s talking about it?”

“Who isn’t talking about it? Link, you hit a woman with your car. In the quad, for the love of Hylia. How’d you even manage that, anyway?”

“Okay, look,” he nearly seethed, “It was not in the quad, it was the intersection next to the quad. And it was an accident! I had the right of way, I didn’t see her, and the—the walk sign wasn’t even on!”

“Was she on the crosswalk?”

Link balked as he conjured up the memory from the other day. It had all happened so fast; one minute he was putting on his turn signal, and the next a young blonde woman was sprawled out on the road in front of his car. “I mean…well, yeah, she was on the crosswalk.”

“Then she had the right of way. Pedestrians always have the right of way, genius.”

“I’m hanging up now,” he muttered, disconnecting the call to the sound of Revali’s raucous laughter in the background. His near equal on the university archery team, Revali and Link were self-proclaimed rivals; well-known ‘frenemies’ to the rest of their teammates. While Link undeniably respected him for his skill, he could also be a real pain in the ass.

Releasing a weighty sigh, he faced the counter again, only to be met with a piercing glare of disapproval from the woman standing behind it. His blood ran cold as he and Alma locked eyes, hers narrowed in wordless acknowledgment of his sin. Approaching the register, Link flipped his wallet open and removed his credit card before sliding it toward her across the grey acrylic.

“Ring up the seal.”

-

The ride up the elevator was gruelingly slow, the jarring ding! of the door opening on what seemed like every damned floor made Link’s head throb. The air inside the garishly carpeted box was stuffy and stagnant, the scent of antiseptic stinging his lungs with each inhale. He looked down at the overpriced stuffed animal in his arms and frowned, its judgmental button eyes boring into him. The sluggish chug of the ancient machinery as it whined to a stop was nauseating, jostling him just enough to make him dizzy.

He finally stepped off and onto the tenth floor, referring to the clumsy, smeared numbers written on his palm in red pen. Link wandered down a white linoleum hallway, the idle hum of incandescent lights buzzing overhead as he peered at room numbers; the water in the vase sloshed softly as he went. With the plush tucked under one arm and the flowers cradled in the other, he raised his fist to knock tentatively on a door marked 1003.  

“Come in,” responded a quiet voice from the other side. Link instinctively held his breath as he pressed down on the door handle, inching it open.

The room was cold and clinical, painted and furnished in subtle greens and dull blues. Aside from several dim wall sconces, a large westward-facing window adorned with heavy curtains was the only source of light. Pushed up against the center of the back wall was a slim hospital bed, and in it sat a woman that Link had seen only once before—unconscious on the asphalt in front of his sedan. Her eyes flickered up toward him as he entered, darkening with realization mere seconds afterward.

“What are you doing here?”

Link froze, his thoughts scrambling as both his legs and tongue refused to move. All he could do was stare at her, eyes trained on the clunky, neon-green cast that enveloped her left arm. A purply-green bruise around the size of golf ball sat just below one of her eyes, swallowing the tiny freckles that peppered her cheeks. Her bottom lip puffed out, an angry cut splitting it vertically down the middle.

She looked awful.

And she had somehow managed to be strikingly beautiful at the exact same time.

“Well, I came to, uh,” he started, his words leaving his mouth before he had time to appropriately process them, “I came to see…how you were feeling.”

The young woman scoffed, turning her head towards the window. It was then that Link noticed the sutures running along the underside of her collarbone. Guilt roiled in his stomach for the millionth time that day as she began to speak.

“Let’s see; I’ve got bruised ribs, a couple of chipped teeth, and a concussion. Oh—and my arm is broken,” she replied in a biting tone, “So, I’m not great. Thanks.”

After a moment, he took a few tentative steps nearer to her bedside. He watched her gaze gradually slide in his direction, meticulously studying his movement. Link sighed, looking down at his feet with a shake of his head. His chest felt suffocatingly tight, as though someone had his lungs trapped in an ever-tightening vise.

“Look, I know that nothing I say right now is going to make any of this less shitty,” he told her, “and I’m sure that I’m the last person that you wanted to see today. That being said, it would’ve been even shittier of me to not at least try and come apologize to you. Because I messed up, big time, and I’m really, really sorry.”

The young woman said nothing in response, absentmindedly picking at her fingernails as she considered his repentant declaration. Her brows knitted above her sea-like eyes, consternation marring her delicate features. Link’s resolve just about shattered when he saw the impending tears brimming at her waterline.

“And I brought you this seal,” he blurted out, placing the patchwork creature on the bed near her legs, “You just seemed like, uh…a seal person.”

To Link’s relieved surprise, the corner of her mouth quirked up as she looked at the stuffed animal. Picking it up and setting on her lap, a watery giggle burbled from her chest as tears slid down her cheeks. The chuckle soon morphed into a full-on laugh, a bright, contagious sound that filled the room. Unable to help himself, Link smiled, and was soon laughing with her despite not entirely knowing why.

“It’s cute,” she sniffled, wiping at her eyes.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, it’s really cute. Thank you.”

They smiled through the remnants of their laughter as it faded out, leaving the two in silence again. The setting sun bathed the room in rosy amber and cast fractured, pinkish shadows on the walls. Unsure of what else to do, Link set the bouquet on her curiously empty bedside table. It was then that he paused to take stock of the rest of the room, realizing that it did not resemble what he imagined the hospital room of someone who’d just been hit by a car to look like.

It was devoid of any other flowers save the ones that he had brought, and missing were cards and balloons from well-wishing friends. He furrowed his brow, and his heart sank when the most likely reason for the lack of gifts dawned on him. She must be in Central for school, he thought, and all of her friends and family were wherever home was. Or, even worse—they were around, but couldn’t be bothered to come and pay her a visit. Turning back to face her, he gestured to her plaster-clad arm.

“No one’s signed your cast,” he noted.

She gave him a queer look. “What do you mean?”

“Uh, that’s the thing to do isn’t it? Have your friends write their names on your cast? And put, uh, I don’t know…stickers on it.”

She shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never broken an arm before,” she replied, shooting him a sly look. “I haven’t got many friends, either, I guess,” she added under her breath, face falling.

“Do you have a Sharpie?”

“Oh, um, I think I have a few in my backpack. It’s just over there, on that chair. Should be in the little side pocket.”

Link made his way over to a grey pleather armchair and unzipped the pocket in question, reaching inside to pull out several permanent markers. Returning to the bedside, he held them out to the blonde, presenting her with her choice of color; black, red, or blue. She looked up at him from beneath delicate lashes, grinning as she selected the blue one. She extended her arm, and he sat on the edge on the bed as he gingerly braced it with his free hand. After popping the cap off with his teeth, he scrawled his name on the lime-colored cast as gently as possible.

“Link,” she murmured when he’d finished, “I just realized that I didn’t even know your name until now.”

It was true. He knew her name, simply because he’d had to ask for it at the front desk, but they had never been properly introduced. Not surprising, considering the circumstances under which they came to know one another in the first place. He’d never seen her around campus before the other day, leading him to assume that they must not run in the same circles. That had to be the case, because hers was not a face that he would’ve forgotten.

“My name is Zelda,” she said, “Even though you probably know that already.”

“I do,” he admitted, “but it’s nice to officially meet you. Zelda.”

Her eyes crinkled at their corners when he reached out to lightly shake her fingers that poked out of the cast. He stood up from the bed, shooting her a quick smile before crossing the room to return the markers to her bag.

“Thank you for the flowers,” he heard her say from behind him, “Oh, and for my seal.”

“It’s the least I could do, I think,” he responded, “I mean, considering.”

“Still,” Zelda went on, “It was kind of you to come. I just…I appreciate the company. It was getting a bit lonely here.”

Link stilled at that. So, she really was alone. He almost didn’t want to believe that not even her own parents had bothered to stop by, that not a single friend had sent a card. It had to be a mistake; there was no way that such an enchanting person had no one to call on.

“The, uh, food here must not be very good, huh?” He tried.

She cocked a brow at him. “What?”

“Hospital food. It’s notoriously bad,” he clarified, attempting to mentally signal to her that he was, in fact, going somewhere with this. “If you want, I could bring you something. Later, I mean, for dinner. I think I probably owe you that, don’t you?”

It could have been the sunset, but Link swore that a blush darkened her cheeks ever so slightly when she smiled at him, nodding. “That sounds great, actually.”

“Alright, it’s a date, then,” he announced without thinking, wincing immediately afterward, “I mean, uh, sounds like a plan.”

“Here, let me put my number in your phone,” she offered, holding out her good hand. He fished it from his pocket and handed it to her, watching as she tapped in her contact info with her only her index finger. After a short discussion about what kind of food she’d like to have, they said their goodbyes with the promise of seeing one another later that evening. Link closed to door carefully behind him, glancing back into the narrow window to see Zelda admiring her flowers.

He shuffled into the elevator, wedging himself in between a group of nurses and weary-looking man with a fussy toddler on his hip. It was humid and it was loud, and anyone else might have wanted nothing more than to go home and go to bed. Link stared at Zelda’s name in his phone as the elevator made its agonizingly long descent back down to the lobby, already counting the minutes until he’d get to ride back up again.

-

-

-

I adored this prompt so much, I made it its own thing on AO3. Thank you for the ask! This was so much fun!

[prismadog]

Found Family AU character facts/background (part 7)

well, folks, we've made it to the last one of these posts - minus the upcoming master post. these just seem to get longer and longer, or maybe it's just because the past two have been about siblings? idk, all I know is that I'm a bit tired of writing these atm.

this last one should - SHOULD be shorter, but we'll see. this one will feature our last two characters - Mr. there's-no-such-thing-as-a-demon Joel Smallishbeans and good ol' Copper Dad Pixlriffs.

*did you know that Mesoglea is a word? I didn't until I kept trying to type "Mezalea" and my computer kept wanting to change it. Mesoglea is a gelatinous substance between the endoderm and ectoderm of sponges or cnidarians, or something. there's your word of the day and it's all thanks to the red squiggly line that appears every time I type "Mezalea"

*edit: guess what? y'all get two of these in one day because I felt like writing this last one! [technically, it's already Saturday but to me, the next day doesn't start until the sun comes up so yeah...two in one day! whoo!] the master post will be tomorrow sometime but idk when.

Joel

Joel is the only child to the Mezalean King and Queen, and was less born to them and more born from the Mother Tree - they couldn't have children so they begged the Mother Tree for an heir, She granted them a child who they raised as their own.

he was often alone growing up, never really played with the other children, but he wasn't lonely - so he and others would say - because he had his terracotta clones. he built many of them with his own two hands and the Mother Tree gave them life. he was raised as a prince and often went to the Gathering of the Empires with his father.

he got on well enough with the other children but kept mostly to himself - that is until he met the princess of the Ocean Empire. he noticed the other noble children seemed afraid of her so he took it upon himself to befriend her - plus, she was so different from the humans/clones around him, she was interesting with her pink hair and pearlescent skin and unnaturally blue eyes.

they would meet at the Gathering and spend the whole time together talking about their kingdoms and their hobbies - Joel was really into building and playing pranks on people, Lizzie was into raising axolotls and has a brother who she looks after. the short meetings weren't enough and Joel talked to his parents about visits with the Ocean Empire - it only makes sense since the two empires boarder each other. unknown at that moment, the Oceanic rulers proposed the same thing to the Mezalean rulers.

visits began between the two kingdoms and Joel found himself in love quickly enough - he loved Lizzie, he loved her little brother, he loved the Ocean Empire itself. but he kept his feelings to himself for fear of rejection, that is until he was about 16 when Lizzie came to him with talk of marriage - their parents had been discussing it but didn't want to force their children into it. he and Lizzie talked it over then went to their parents together and promised a future wedding, he also promised that Jimmy could be his best man.

life was peaceful, there were plenty of long visits between kingdoms, him and Jimmy often got into trouble - then the King of the Ocean Empire was killed. Joel tried to be there for her but found travel between kingdoms difficult due to the ongoing storms surrounding the Ocean Empire, he still managed to write Lizzie and once was able to visit - though getting back was just as difficult as getting in.

then several months later the storms stopped and Lizzie wrote to him about her taking the throne - she had said the Queen returned to the sea, though, he didn't really understand what that meant. he returned to the Ocean Empire and was there for Lizzie's coronation. he started visiting regularly for a time and each visit seemed to last longer than the one before it - he was there so often that Jimmy suggested he just move in. he did, with both his parents' and Lizzie's permission.

two years after that, he asked Lizzie to marry him and she said yes. they had two ceremonies, a proper land-dweller one in Mezalea, and another smaller Oceanic ceremony. being King now to the Ocean Empire meant he was basically a trophy husband but he didn't mind, he was happy as long as he was at Lizzie's side. if there was a Gathering, he or Jimmy would go with her, though usually Jimmy stayed home to watch over the kingdom - but he made sure to bring him plenty of stories and food from the Gathering.

Joel received word from his parents that an illness had struck Mezalea and the King and Queen had caught it. he returned home immediately to help where he could, Lizzie often sent aid to him, as did the kingdom's ally Pixandria - he had hardly ever spoken to the Copper King but he was glad for the aid. his parents unfortunately didn't survive and he lost a good number of civilians to the illness. but it was cured, with the help of the Mother Tree and magic from the Crystal Cliffs, and he became King of Mezalea.

with the illness cured, visits started up again between Mezalea and the Ocean Empire, though there was a lot more time spent apart than together but he and Lizzie made it work. Jimmy sent messages and gifts between the couple, often getting some for himself, until of course Jimmy became of age and wanted to travel the world.

Joel and Lizzie saw Jimmy off - it never ceased to amaze him how his two best friends could turn into giant sea creatures that could wipe out a fleet of ships. they managed visits on their own and sometimes he got letters from Jimmy. the letters stopped for a time and Lizzie grew worried, worried enough that storms nearly threatened the kingdom - but then Jimmy finally wrote them again and things were okay, he was in a swamp settlement and the people were taking care of him.

he and Lizzie went out right away to see him and found him at home in the swamp amongst a bunch of fish-human hybrids. he watched as Lizzie lectured her brother then babied him, then helped set Jimmy up as the ruler of the swamp settlement - the Cod Empire. they left Jimmy sometime later but saw him again at the next Gathering.

Jimmy got on well enough with the other rulers, despite the cod head he wore, though Joel noticed some rulers picking on him. he helped Jimmy from time to time, just so his brother wouldn't be alone, but didn't worry too much since Lizzie wasn't worrying - she was extremely protective of Jimmy but if she wasn't stepping in, then there was no need to worry.

Joel had met many of the rulers when he was a child so he knew pretty much everyone there. the only ones he hadn't met before was Count fWhip of the Grimlands, Wizard Gem of the Crystal Cliffs, and King Joey of the Lost Empire. Gem was all right for a mage, he ended up becoming frenemies with fWhip due to the teasing of Jimmy, and Joey was just weird so he didn't really talk to him unless need be. he got to know Pix a bit more when Pix decided to ally himself with Lizzie and Jimmy, and he started calling the man "Copper Dad" since his main trade was copper.

Pixl

Pixl was found by a pair of miners in a cave beneath the sands and was taken back to a large desert village, nobody really knew where he had come from, only that he was gifted with visions of death - of those around him and of rulers of the kingdoms outside of the desert. the villagers thought him odd and a bad omen, at first anyway, because he always knew who would die next and would light a candle for them when they passed.

they accepted him after a time, once they realized that he wasn't actually the cause - he would preach to them about Lady Death sometimes and how she would care for their loved ones. everyone in the village had a hand in raising him, as well as raising other children which was their way - it takes a village to raise a child.

Pixl learned how to farm and mine and care for animals, and he learned to build. his first build, guided by his visions, was the Vigil - it stood tall in the center of the village and was home to 12 different colored candles - only two of which were lit - one for Elfking Scott of Rivendell and one for Queen Katherine of the Flower Fields. the rest remained untouched. these flames never went out and the villagers often questioned him about them - he told them that there will be 12 mighty rulers that would change the world, for better or worse he didn't know.

over the years, he continued building up the village, he watched over the Vigil as Prophet of Death, and started working with copper and trading it for other goods. the people began to go to him for help and looked up to him as a leader, they named him the Copper King - a new candle was lit for himself when he was crowned, something he hadn't known would happen.

he continued leading his people and made a few alliances with other kingdoms - with Queen Katherine and the King of Mezalea. there wasn't a lot of contact between the kingdoms other than the Gathering, of which, he never failed to go to. over the years, he watched rulers age and die and watched their heirs take over. it took a long time for him to meet the children who would one day have their candles lit.

the next candle to be lit was for Pearl of Smallholding, though, he didn't know who she was at the time, he didn't even meet her until many years later. the next few happen fairly quickly - Queen Lizzie of the Ocean Empire, King Joel of Mezalea, and a couple years later Dwarf King Sausage of Mythland - these three he had watch grow up through the Gatherings. shortly after Mythland, Wizard Gem took over as the ruler of the Crystal Cliffs - he had known the previous Wizard and through them, knew of their protégé. a year after Gem was her twin brother, Count fWhip of the Grimlands - a new kingdom that managed to rise up from its own sort of desert. a few years later was King Joey of the Lost Empire and Codfather Jimmy of the Cod Empire - Joey's kingdom had once been named Maztec but had been in hiding for so long that it lost its name. due to his alliance with Joel, Pix decided it best to ally himself with Lizzie and Jimmy as well, somewhat through association but mostly because he liked them.

one candle remains unlit and no matter how much Pixl prays, the answers as to why remain a mystery. he still watches over the Vigil and keeps a count of each rulers' deaths - for some reason, the 11 rulers are allowed to revive themselves every time they die. he finds this odd as well, and a bit concerning.

[amandaklwrites]

Top Ten Favorite Fictional Villains

Another Top Ten! And one of my favorites—my favorite fictional villains! I love villains way too much, and I always look for an interesting one. Villains that are more than just revenge or greed, ones that take another step forward, and I can understand them. So, here you go, with my favorite villains: I hope you enjoy.

1. The Darkling (Grisha Universe)

He was my first experience with loving a villain. In the sense that I wanted to know more about him. I was just out of high school with this series, and from this villain, I learned that you could make your villain so complicated that sometimes they seemed more gray than utter darkness (though I personally don’t think evil = darkness). He inspired my own tastes in villains and how I write villains, and that is why he has a special, dark place in my heart.

2. Maven Calore (Red Queen series)

MAVEN. Talk about an utter complicated, messed up person. You feel sorry for him all throughout the series. At least, I can personally understand how he became a villain, how twisted he became because of complicated, outside sources. But he still made decisions that weren’t right. I think he’s one of my favorites because of the deep, deep layers and scarring attached to him.

3. Loki (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Loki was the first time I fell head over heels for a villain (I still don’t know if that’s a good thing?). He’s snarky as hell, magical, devious, hot as hell, and he’s intelligent. I like villains that are ten steps ahead of everyone (actually, that’s how my brain works, and I share personality types with him, so there’s that…). He’s interesting, complicated, but also flat out mischievous, and he does have a caring heart. I can’t wait to see his new tv series, just to see what they do with the “old Loki.”

4. Rumpelstiltskin (Once Upon a Time series)

I think everyone has a soft place for Rumple. He’s my top villain of the tv series, because he just IS. I know there’s some reasons for his choices, but he ultimately didn’t mean to become the Dark One, not in the way he expected. Yes, he wanted power, he wanted everyone to see him. But once he gets that power, there’s no reason behind it. He just likes to know everything, be ahead of everyone, to be hanging out in the background while the whole world sets itself on fire (yeah, that’s me too). He’s manipulative and cruel, but man, there’s a man beneath the beast, isn’t there?

5. Barbossa (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise)

Who doesn’t love Barbossa? He’s a fantastic pirate villain, one that turns into a frenemy (that’s what I would call him anyway). He completely flips by the fifth movie, but I loved that he was who he was, and he didn’t give a damn what anyone thought. Plus, he’s smart. He had to have some interesting background, because he’s intelligent, he speaks well, and that grammar isn’t one for a pirate. I want to know his past as much as his present, and I love seeing him on screen.

6. Moriarty (Sherlock Holmes fandom)

All Moriarty’s. I love the rich viciousness of this character. The one who likes to play games and watch everything unfold. Honestly, he rarely has his own hands dirty, he’s just the puppetmaster. (Okay, why do I like the villains that are always ahead of everyone else—oh that’s right, because I think of ten different things to say before someone responds, so I know where to turn, what to plan). There is a demented thing to him, and he seems so normal to everyone else around him. And he loves finding someone as smart as he. I’m all for it.

7. Zelena (Once Upon a Time series)

Yes, another ONCE villain. There are so many, but I loved Zelena. I love her transformation, that even though she becomes a “hero,” there are still qualities of her that are just her, even if they could be considered villainous. She’s human, with some magic, and that’s the bottom line. She’s the villain that I connect with, and I love her damn wit and sarcasm.

8. The Headless Horseman (Sleepy Hollow)

He’s scary, that’s the bottom line. And there’s something so mystical and awe-inspiring about him. I love seeing artwork, statues, people dressed as him. My personal favorite is the version from the tv series Sleepy Hollow, because that damn shot of him whipping out an automatic weapon blew my flipping mind.

9. The Devil/Luc (The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue)

I don’t know if you call him the Devil, as he himself doesn’t, but he technically is, or at least, what we consider the Devil. I like the lusciousness of him, the way he likes to show his smile as he makes your life crumble. He has humanistic qualities, that brings him down from that dais he created, but I like that he fights with himself over it. That he sneers, he stays quiet, he listens and watches, he punishes and delights. He’s just so fascinating and cool.

10. Pitch Black (Rise of the Guardians)

Up front, he would seem simple, which goes against what I said about how I like my villains complicated. He’s evil, he’s darkness, he’s nightmares. He’s the living embodiment of fear. Seems simple right? But I love him because he’s not. He may be terror incarnate, but he has the same desires as the heroes: to be believed in. Though his is for all the wrong reasons, you actually pity him at times. It’s not even necessarily about jealous, he just wants to be believed in. And I like that he’s used as a mirror to Jack Frost—a path Jack could have taken. It’s so interesting and I dig it so much.

Runner Up: Kylo Ren (Star Wars Universe)

Oh, Kylo. The bad boy that everyone loves and hates. I love him because to me, he’s like a scared little boy. He wants power, he wants a voice, he wants to find a place for himself. But he went down the wrong path. And he still reacts like a frightened child. He eventually changes and everything he believed crumbles around him, but he still has that path. It’s different and amazing to watch.

[theendofeverafter]

Apple White: A Character Study (Legacy Day and Chapter 1)

Here it is! I’m breaking up these notes into chunks so that my posts don’t get too long. I’ve written a lot, I must admit. Below are my notes on Apple White’s character in Ever After High, specifically in Legacy Day and Chapter 1.

LEGACY DAY ARC

- Apple seems really sincere, even when she's being offensive. She's truly been raised to think her worldview is the only one out there.

- She convinced Headmaster Grimm to pair her up with Raven for room assignments. Maddie was supposed to be Raven's roommate before the switch. So does that mean Apple was going to room with Kitty? Wouldn't Apple request one of her best friends? My theory is that Apple and Blondie were paired up beforehand. Cupid transferred to their school at the beginning of their second year (but after move-in), meaning Blondie would have been in a room by herself. However, this raises another question. Aren't Briar and Apple really close at the beginning of the series? They're BFF(A)s and in all the promotional material together. Does that mean Briar and Ashlynn became close friends during their freshman year? I know they've known each other since they were little, and they were in a small friend group with Crystal, but Briar and Ashlynn seem to become better friends as the series goes on. Much to think about.

- "I'm thoughtful, and beautiful, and I sing the most wonderful songs about woodland creatures." Bruh

- Decorating her roommate's side of the room is dedication lol

- (Side note: In Raven's Tale, the backgrounder girl kisses Hopper during the intro. In Apple's Tale, she huffs and refuses, causing him to transform back into a frog.)

- Apple uses lots of animal labor. Why is it okay when she does it, but not Faybelle? I suppose Apple's animals are doing it out of their "free will", but, like, they're animals.

- Apple addresses Daring as "Prince Daring" at first. That must mean they aren't well acquainted at the beginning of their sophomore year, which…yikes. Aren't they supposed to be married within the next few years? You gotta wonder how the Royals actually feel about being paired up with people they don't know. Wouldn't it be good for Apple and Daring to grow up together so that they could have a healthy friendship? Perhaps the parents worry that they'll dislike each other, putting the story in jeopardy. A lot of this rests on the kids not hating each other, I guess.

- And to that end, Apple pretends like she and Daring are really close for Blondie's MirrorCast. Putting on a show seems to be the Royal MO.

- "…then the prince can wake me, and I become queen. That's when I get my happily ever after. I need her!" This is honestly sad to me. Apple refers to Daring as "the prince" in her speech to Briar. There isn't a personal connection to him. It feels like a story she's been fed for years being regurgitated. Apple is banking on everything she's been taught going according to plan. That's why Raven's rebellion sends her into a tailspin.

- Didn't realize doing a close watch of the show would make me more sympathetic to Apple, but here we are.

- Also, why doesn't she want Raven to know Briar helped her decorate the room? Aren't princesses supposed to outsource help? Is it a pride thing?

- A similarity to Disney: Apple and both Snow Whites can't talk to animals, even though they all seem to have close connections to them. Ashlynn and (presumably) both Cinderellas, on the other hand, can talk to animals.

- Apple doesn't seem to be good at replying to compliments. She likes to say "I know" instead of "thanks", which is…a choice.

- Daring doesn't seem to be all that perturbed by Raven running away from her destiny. Apple, of course, is distraught.

- "I know you'll do whatever it takes." Jesu, Grimm. Ominous much? Apple definitely takes his request seriously, as we'll see later on in the series.

- Some of the stuff Apple sees in the Storybook of Legends has to be wish-fulfillment, right? There's a picture of her singing at a concert. Sis can't sing tho…

- Also, this isn't actually the Storybook of Legends. The book is currently in Briar's room under a carpet. This means that no one actually signed it and everyone's destinies are still up in the air, something I should have realized before I started writing my story. Oh, well. Mattel's plot holes strike again.

Chapter 1

- (Side note: They really invited Lizzie Hearts to Raven's intervention lmao. I suppose it's because she's one of the only named villains at the school, but it's still funny to see her here. Does she even know what's going on? Also, would she want to take part in this? Raven's mom fucked up her entire world. If Raven becomes like her mother, she could try to conquer Wonderland again. I highly doubt Lizzie wants that.)

- Apple needs a magic mirror to regurgitate praise and affirmations every day, on top of all the fawning she gets from the people she walks by. A little suspect, if you ask me.

- (Side note: pan C. A. Cupid. That is all.)

- "She's running unopposed…again." This means that Apple ran unopposed for head of the Royal Student Council in her freshman year. That's impressive.

- (Side note: Maddie and Raven canvassed for the former's run for president. If the show followed its premise, Raven's endorsement should have tanked Maddie's campaign [Raven wasn't popular before Legacy Day]. Maddie apparently doesn't care about this, which makes her a really good friend.)

- (Side note: Almost all the POC are Rebels at the beginning of the show lol)

- (yes I count Raven as POC, it’s a headcanon of mine. I’ll elaborate in a different post)

- (Side note: During the food fight episode, Dexter first glares at his brother for agreeing with Briar before being elbowed by Blondie, forcing him to reluctantly nod along with the Royals. This proves that they've been socialized to reinforce certain behaviors/ideas and keep their peers in line should one step outside the unspoken boundaries.)

- Apple wants to be "frenemies" with Raven. I don't think that's healthy.

Conclusion

Watching the first chapter + Legacy Day episodes critically has helped me see a more complete Apple White. There are so many little quirks that one would only notice after watching the series and reading the books. It makes the show 10x more enjoyable. Hope you like my notes! There were other things I noticed, but I didn't want to inundate everyone with side notes (this is, after all, supposed to be an Apple White character study). Feel free to leave feedback!

[ohtobeaspettyasleah]

Can we get more background on Lori and also a reason why Adele left

Adele Samuels and Lorelei Figgs had known each other for the better part of a decade, not the type of best friends to be attached to the hip 24/7-- they mostly went about their lives after high school following different pathways that would ultimately lead them to communicate on a casual basis. The every second-day check-in, the occasional Snapchat, Facebook tag under a meme that had them both crying with laughter. It was casual, a strong connection that didn’t need constant validation or communication to understand Adele would always be in Lori’s corner and Lore is Adele’s. 

That was until, well, until Lorelei started dated Jacob Marshall. A Character to say the least and Adele’s slightly estranged step-brother, from her Fathers second marriage. In Jacobs short 21 years on earth, he had racked up a pretty hefty tally in regards to misdemeanours and assault charges. Swearing he’d be a better man for Lorelei he enrolled in community college, straightened himself out a little more. Got a job that didn’t see him evading his taxes or being paid cash in hand for jobs that had him running from authority. Sometimes people do indeed change? Other times? It’s just a matter of time before the bomb explodes--you can’t change those who don’t truly want to change. Jacob Marshall was absolutely no exception to the eons-old rule. Adele knew that well before Lorelei ever sensed the change. 

She should’ve known better than to get mixed up with the kid from school who got caught selling cocaine under the bleachers to the football team before their homecoming game. But Lorelei and Jacob always had that on again off again classic toxic frenemies relationship. He had a spell on her, someone Lorelei nor Adele could ever explain. They were entangled well before Adele’s dad married Jacobs mum down at the courthouse on 5th ave-- whatever was meant to be had already been put in place years ago. It’s just the fact Lorelei and Jacob couldn’t have been more different, more polar opposites if they tried. Jacobs had always been the hardass, the guy with the home job tattoos, the roid muscles he swore were all-natural. The crackjaw that swung left to right whenever he’d get on the gear with the boys. The law-breaking, gym junkie with a white card that allowed him to work construction and heavy machinery.

Lorelei? Well, she could’ve had it all. But settling for the only guy that had ever given her the time of day was all she ever knew how to do- especially when throughout highschool? He wouldn’t let another guy ever get close enough to say hello. It was always mental mind games. The suttle manipulation-- always with the gaslighting that had Lore feeling less than. She was smart, bright. But her lack of street smarts always got the better of her. Especially when it came to Jacobs. Fuck, it was always Jacob. 

By the time Grayson had finished with his much need shit shower and shave routine, Lorelei was finishing up with Ethan in the podcast room. Taking in all he had to teach her and all she had to learn. 

“And don’t even sweat it, if you forget I can just show you again, or Gray can-- whoever’s around.” 

“Seems pretty straight forwards, it’s an amazing setup.” Lorelei sat on the chair Grayson would normally sit on for filming podcast videos-- feeling a little lightheaded. Nothing she couldn’t mask. Focusing on her breathing, Lorelei watched as Ethan powered down the monitor and flipped back to the cameras. “Pretty secure security system huh?” 

“We’ve had a few incidences, can’t put a price on security.” Ethan shrugged. “If you want we’re just gonna be hanging out for the rest of the day, so you can stay and chill or go home, either way, its a pretty full day tomorrow, have some errands and shit to do so we’ll need you here from what? Maybe 10?”

“That’s fine, I can do that, do you want me to bring over breakfast for everyone? Coffee?” Lore asked with a soft smile, she was just happy to be needed. Happy to be living. Happy to be in the presence of people who valued her. It was nice. A welcomed change. 

“Monty’s open at 11 so we’ll do burgers for lunch instead, you vegan?”

“Not exactly but I try--”

“It’s the thought that counts.” Ethan laughed as Lorelei followed him down the hall out to the kitchen. “So you staying?” she wanted to. Lorelei would’ve loved to have said yes, but she needed to sleep. Suddenly overwhelmed with exhaustion. 

“Id love it, but I better get going, still have some stuff to do at home so I better--”

“I’ll walk you out” it was Grayson. His hair a sopping mess of dark locks that could’ve used a towel dry. The Grey sweats hanging low on his hips as he pulled over his hoodie-- the same Ethan and gifted Lorelei yesterday. Her favourite. Lorelei stared for a moment too long but ultimately nodded in shyness. 

“Sounds good.” there was a short shared silence for a few minutes while Grayson walked slowly beside Lorelei back to her car. He wasn’t exactly sure what to say, how to act. 

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here for the whole hiring process, kinda have a few things going on.” Grayson pressed his lips together as the pair approached Lore’s car. “Sometimes a bit of fresh air is all I need, but I’m here now and I’m excited to have you here, really, Adele, she uh-- she said good things about you.” Grayson was never a fan of lying, but he didn’t think this little white lie would hurt anyone. A victimless crime. He knew only what Ethan had told him Adele had said. Lorelei blushed. She could instantly feel the heat on her cheeks. 

“She’s such an idiot but I love her, she’s done a lot for me, especially setting this u, couldn’t thank her enough, or you guys, even if I wanted to.” Lore was speaking from her heart, Grayson could already tell she was genuine. Not a lot of people were genuine in L.A anymore. “I better get going.”

“Let me take you out for lunch soon? I feel like you and Ethan hit it off really well, I just want the same kinda opportunity to get to know you, you have access to my bank account I feel like I should at least have your number?” Lorelei chuckled but nodded in response. Grayson had never been so straight forward-- he wanted to crawl inside himself. Someone, anyone had to stop him before it was too late. Because he wasn’t about to stop himself, no not this time. Not with Lorelei. Her name alone had him making sure his inhaler was on his presence 24/7 and he’d known her for all of an hour. Grayson realised at that moment as she asked his assistant to go grab lunch with him, not for him, with him-- that he was in fact pathetic on a new simp level only unlocked by the very few men who fall in love in three seconds flat. 

“Oh yeah, sure lets us, gab lunch-- but I’m pretty sure my numbers on the fridge, I put it there on a pink sticky.” 

“Cool, alright well, ill see you tomorrow, uh here--” Grayson opened Lorelei’s car door for her. She beamed a bright smile. No one had ever done that before. Not for her, she thought it was something that only happened in movies. Sitting down, she strapped herself as her window went down. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow, have a good day Grayson.”

“I’ll text you.” Lorelei laughed as she reversed, shaking her head playfully as she drove off biting her lip. Wondering if she was in fact reading too much into such a small encounter with the younger Dolan. Grayson stood in the middle of the drive speechless with himself:

“I need another shower.”

[gunsatthaphan]

pls i would love more nitiman gifs! its sooo 2016 and its the show we’ve seen like 1000 times. same trope same dynamic but somehow i like all of that in nitiman more than i did in the earlier ones. idk. it has good acting, cinematography and i quite like the sound engineering in this. ALSO plus points for jin being annoyed at bbomb’s advances not bc he’s like ew ur a dude but more in a omg i’m gonna hate u on principle bc i falsely thought you stole my ex and now its too late to backpeddle on this rivalry 😂

yesss omg I know 😂

It's like so cliche and I can think of 10 different shows between 2016 and 2019 that have the exact same tropes and plot LOL but somehow it still got to me 🙈 I can't explain it. I just love it lol.

One of the things I also like is the ost and the general background music, it's nice and diverse and not the same track in every scene lol.

also a big YES to no annoying "i don't like guys"/"but...you're a guy" lines cuz no one needs that lmao. I also like the shifting frenemies vibe between Jin and Bomb. Like they have the classic "A flirts with B who's annoyed af" trope going on, but it's not overdone (and most importantly not cringy) so it's actually entertaining.

The acting is pretty good too!! especially Jin's and Jack's actors are amazing I think.

It's nice to know that other people are watching it too (and talking about it) on here bc I thought I was the only one 🙈 I will definitely continue to gif it! 😊

xxx

[invisibleicewands]

Staged's Anna Lundberg and Georgia Tennant: 'Scenes with all four of us usually involved alcohol'

Not many primetime TV hits are filmed by the show’s stars inside their own homes. However, 2020 wasn’t your average year. During the pandemic, productions were shut down and workarounds had to be found – otherwise the terrestrial schedules would have begun to look worryingly empty. Staged was the surprise comedy hit of the summer.

This playfully meta short-form sitcom, airing in snack-sized 15-minute episodes, found A-list actors Michael Sheen and David Tennant playing an exaggerated version of themselves, bickering and bantering as they tried to perfect a performance of Luigi Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author over Zoom.

Having bonded while co-starring in Good Omens, Amazon’s TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s novel, Sheen, 51, and Tennant, 49, became best buddies in real life. In Staged, though, they’re comedically reframed as frenemies – warm, matey and collaborative, but with a cut-throat competitiveness lurking just below the surface. As they grew ever more hirsute and slobbish in lockdown, their virtual relationship became increasingly fraught.

It was soapily addictive and hilariously thespy, while giving a voyeuristic glimpse of their interior decor and domestic lives – with all the action viewed through their webcams.

Yet it was the supporting cast who lifted Staged to greatness,Their director Simon Evans, forced to dance around the pair’s fragile egos and piggy-in-the-middle of their feuds. Steely producer Jo, played by Nina Sosanya, forever breaking off from calls to bellow at her poor, put-upon PA. And especially the leading men’s long-suffering partners, both actors in real life, Georgia Tennant and Anna Lundberg.

Georgia Tennant comes from showbiz stock, as the child of Peter Davison and Sandra Dickinson. At 36 she is an experienced actor and producer, who made her TV debut in Peak Practice aged 15. She met David on Doctor Who 2008, when she played the Timelord’s cloned daughter Jenny. Meanwhile, the Swedish Lundberg, 26, is at the start of her career. She left drama school in New York two years ago and Staged is her first big on-screen role.

Married for nine years, the Tennants have five children and live in west London. The Lundberg-Sheens have been together two years, have a baby daughter, Lyra, and live outside Port Talbot in south Wales. On screen and in real life, the women have become firm friends and frequent scene-stealers.

Staged proved so successful that it’s now back for a second series. We set up a video call with Tennant and Lundberg to discuss lockdown life, wine consumption, home schooling (those two may be related) and the blurry line between fact and fiction…

Was doing Staged a big decision, because it’s so personal and set in your homes? Georgia Tennant: We’d always been a very private couple. Staged was everything we’d never normally say yes to. Suddenly, our entire house is on TV and so is a version of the relationship we’d always kept private. But that’s the way to do it, I guess. Go to the other extreme. Just rip off the Band-Aid.

Anna Lundberg: Michael decided pretty quickly that we weren’t going to move around the house at all. All you see is the fireplace in our kitchen.

GT: We have five children, so it was just about which room was available.

AL: But it’s not the real us. It’s not a documentary.

GT: Although some people think it is.

Which fictional parts of the show do people mistake for reality? GT: People think I’m really a novelist because “Georgia” writes a novel in Staged. They’ve asked where they can buy my book. I should probably just write one now because I’ve done the marketing already.

AL: People worry about our elderly neighbour, who gets hospitalised in the show. She doesn’t actually exist in real life but people have approached Michael in Tesco’s, asking if she’s OK.

Michael and David squabble about who’s billed first in Staged. Does that reflect real life? AL: With Good Omens, Michael’s name was first for the US market and David’s was first for the British market. So those scenes riffed on that.

Should we call you Georgia and Anna, or Anna and Georgia? GT: Either. We’re super-laidback about these things.

AL: Unlike certain people.

How well did you know each other before Staged? GT: We barely knew each other. We’ve now forged a friendship by working on the show together.

AL: We’d met once, for about 20 minutes. We were both pregnant at the time – we had babies a month apart – so that was pretty much all we talked about.

Did you tidy up before filming? AL: We just had to keep one corner relatively tidy.

GT: I’m quite a tidy person, but I didn’t want to be one of those annoying Instagram people with perfect lives. So strangely, I had to add a bit of mess… dot a few toys around in the background. I didn’t want to be one of those insufferable people – even though, inherently, I am one of those people.

Was there much photobombing by children or pets? AL: In the first series, Lyra was still at an age where we could put her in a baby bouncer. Now that’s not working at all. She’s just everywhere. Me and Michael don’t have many scenes together in series two, because one of us is usually Lyra-wrangling.

GT: Our children aren’t remotely interested. They’re so unimpressed by us. There’s one scene where Doris, our five-year-old, comes in to fetch her iPad. She doesn’t even bother to glance at what we’re doing.

How was lockdown for you both? AL: I feel bad saying it, but it was actually good for us. We were lucky enough to be in a big house with a garden. For the first time since we met, we were in one place. We could just focus on Lyra . To see her grow over six months was incredible. She helped us keep a steady routine, too.

GT: Ours was similar. We never spend huge chunks of time together, so it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At least until David’s career goes to shit and he’s just sat at home. The flipside was the bleakness. Being in London, there were harrowing days when everything was silent but you’d just hear sirens going past, as a reminder that something awful was going on. So I veered between “This is wonderful” and “This is the worst thing that ever happened.”

And then there was home schooling… GT: Which was genuinely the worst thing that ever happened.

You’ve spent a lot of time on video calls, clearly. What are your top Zooming tips? GT: Raise your camera to eye level by balancing your laptop on a stack of books. And invest in a ring light.

AL: That’s why you look so much better. We just have our sad kitchen light overhead, which makes us look like one massive shiny forehead.

GT: Also, always have a good mug on the go [raises her cuppa to the camera and it’s a Michael Sheen mug]. Someone pranked David on the job he’s shooting at the moment by putting a Michael Sheen mug in his trailer. He brought it home and now I use it every morning. I’m magically drawn to drinking out of Michael.

There’s a running gag in series one about the copious empties in Michael’s recycling. Did you lean into lockdown boozing in real life? AL: Not really. We eased off when I was pregnant and after Lyra was born. We’d just have a glass of wine with dinner.

GT: Yes, definitely. I often reach for a glass of red in the show, which was basically just an excuse to continue drinking while we were filming: “I think my character would have wine and cake in this scene.” The time we started drinking would creep slightly earlier. “We’ve finished home schooling, it’s only 4pm, but hey…” We’ve scaled it back to just weekends now.

How did you go about creating your characters with the writer Simon Evans? AL: He based the dynamic between David and Michael on a podcast they did together. Our characters evolved as we went along.

GT: I was really kind and understanding in the first draft. I was like “I don’t want to play this, it’s no fun.” From the first few tweaks I made, Simon caught onto the vibe, took that and ran with it.

Did you struggle to keep a straight face at times? AL: Yes, especially the scenes with all four of us, when David and Michael start improvising.

GT: I was just drunk, so I have no recollection.

AL: Scenes with all four of us were normally filmed in the evening, because that’s when we could be child-free. Usually there was alcohol involved, which is a lot more fun.

GT: There’s a long scene in series two where we’re having a drink. During each take, we had to finish the glass. By the end, we were all properly gone. I was rewatching it yesterday and I was so pissed.

What else can you tell us about series two? GT: Everyone’s in limbo. Just as we think things are getting back to normal, we have to take three steps back again. Everyone’s dealing with that differently, shall we say.

AL: In series one, we were all in the same situation. By series two, we’re at different stages and in different emotional places.

GT: Hollywood comes calling, but things are never as simple as they seem.

There were some surprise big-name cameos in series one, with Samuel L Jackson and Dame Judi Dench suddenly Zooming in. Who can we expect this time around? AL: We can’t name names, but they’re very exciting.

GT: Because series one did so well, and there’s such goodwill towards the show, we’ve managed to get some extraordinary people involved. This show came from playing around just to pass the time in lockdown. It felt like a GCSE end-of-term project. So suddenly, when someone says: “Samuel L Jackson’s in”, it’s like: “What the fuck’s just happened?”

AL: It took things to the next level, which was a bit scary.

GT: It suddenly felt like: “Some people might actually watch this.”

How are David and Michael’s hair and beard situations this time? AL: We were in a toyshop the other day and Lyra walked up to these Harry Potter figurines, pointed at Hagrid and said: “Daddy!” So that explains where we’re at. After eight months of lockdown, it was quite full-on.

GT: David had a bob at one point. Turns out he’s got annoyingly excellent hair. Quite jealous. He’s also grown a slightly unpleasant moustache.

Is David still wearing his stinky hoodie? GT: I bought him that as a gift. It’s actually Paul Smith loungewear. In lockdown, he was living in it. It’s pretty classy, but he does manage to make it look quite shit.

[merinelsa]

Have you ever done a ranking list of your favourite episodes?

not really , the thing with me is that i never rewatch tv shows . i binge through them once and then just watch few scenes in yt , but never rewatch any of it even if it was one of my favourite show. Glee is the only exception , though i really only watch very few eps from the earlier seasons and rewatched s5-s6 twice , though i’d skipped 100, new directions and the wedding during both my rewatches. there are eps like new new york and wonderful that i watch time to time as comfort eps playing in the background . from s3, first time and big brother are the only eps i have rewatched 

i’d only watched glee for the first time last year , so like it’s not been that long to warrant a rewatch , but since i’d binged most of it in one stretch ( had taken a one month break b/w s3ep7 and ep8 because of how much i was getting tired of the shitty storylines of s3 , hence it being my least fave ) i forgot a lot of the non klaine stuff.

but i’ll try to rank the eps , just know that i’m very biased to klaine/kurt/blaine storylines . and the seasons too are ranked in the order i like them 

6 . season 3

22. i kissed a girl

21. pot o gold

20. prom-asaurus

19. yes/no

18. i am unicorn

17. mash off

16. the spanish teacher

15. asian f

14. on my way

13. props

12. choke

11. hold on to sixteen

10. saturday night gleever

9. michael

8. goodbye

7. big brother

6. nationals

5. heart

4. extraordinary merry christmas

3. dance with somebody

2. purple piano project

1. first time

5. season 1

22. the rhodes not taken

21. funk

20. showmance

19.  vitamin d

18. hairography

17. ballad

16. mashup

15. throwdown

14. the power of madonna

13. mattress

12. acafellas

11. dream on

10. home

9. pilot

8.  hell-o

7. sectionals

6. preggers

5. bad reputation

4. wheels

3. journey to regionals

2. theatricality

1. laryngitis

4. season 4 

22. britney 2.0

21. sweet dreams

20. lights out

19. shooting star

18. all or nothing

17. feud

16. thanksgiving

15. the role you were born to play

14. glease

13. swan song

12. sadie hawkins

11. naked

10. makeover

9. girls and boys on film

8. diva

7. glee,actually

6. i do

5. dynamic duets

4. the new rachel

3.  break up

2. guilty pleasure

1. wonderful

3. season 2

22. britney/brittany

21. the substitute

20. comeback

19. special education

18. a very glee christmas

17. the sue sylvester shuffle

16. night of neglect

15. new york

14. funeral

13. never been kissed ( except for the klaine part, the whole ep is a mess)

12. rocky horror glee show

11. rumours

10. audition

9. sexy

8. grilled cheesus

7. blame it on the alcohol

6. prom queen

5. born this way

4. silly love songs

3. duets

2. furt 

1. original song

2. season 6

13. the rise and fall of sue sylvester

12. hurt locker part 1

11. child star

10. homecoming

9. we built this glee club

8. what the world needs now

7. hurt locker part 2

6. a wedding

5.  dreams come true

4. 2009

3. jagged little tapestry

2. transitioning

1. loser like me

1. season 5 ( i’m not going to rank the quaterback )

19. opening night

18. 100

17. tina in the sky with diamonds

16. city of angels

15. bash

14. a katy or gaga

13. new direction

12. end of twerk

11. previously unaired christmas

10. trio

9. movin out

8. the back up plan

7. puppet master

6. love love love

5. old dogs new trick

4. untitled rachel berry project

3. frenemies

2. tested

1. new new york

now top five glee episodes over all

5. original song : don’t ask me what happened besides klaine in this because i truly don’t remember . but the klaine parts are pure heavenly. s2 klaine is something i missed a lot and didn’t appreciate enough during my first watch but rewatching some klaine centric eps has made me appreciate their friendship a lot more. even the stuff leading upto the kiss is fantastic , it’s also an ep that shows how rachel and blaine can get similar but how they react to criticisms and how blaine tries to include everyone when pointed out unlike making a fit out of it with rachel is where they diverge and makes these incredibly different personalities .and the kiss was just to good and sparks were flying everywhere and it is something that glee could never recreate with any other couple. and “ reminds you of your mom’s funeral doesn’t it “” the casket was bigger but yes “ just proves that they are equally dumbasses that fit each other so well

4. wonder-ful : this is just pure comfort ep. it’s so bright and upbeat in the middle of the previous dark eps. so much kurt and klaine . a bit more focus on kurt’s mental health issues, which will later be forgotten but it’s good over here. supportive blaine as always just highlighting how much they understand each other. a lot of burt which is always a plus . a very good mercedes plotline which should’ve been given more time but still is one of the better ones she gets.just seeing how light and loving kurt turns once burt is finally in the safe zone. and ‘you get kinda cute when you get nervous’ and ‘with you in it a wondeful life’ and whatever homoerotic stuff that is going on b/w rachel and cassie

3. Loser like me : the pure angst . i love storylines where they hit the rock bottom from such a happy place and have to find their way to the top by leaning in on each other and supporting each other. great klaine scenes, s5b we where pushed to believe that kurt had it all together, but we finally got to see kurt being an absolute mess and realizing how he contributed to their relationship not working out instead of pitting it all on s4 cheating . confident got help all by himself in a better position blaine , rachel finally getting a storyline that’s interesting and makes her one to root for . This ep always gives me the chills and makes me excited for the rest of the season

2. Tested : It’s genuinely one of the funniest eps ever. amazing rachcedes moment . the guys presenting one of my fave family dynamics in the show. great samcedes and klaine plotline . and i love the way liab is shot , such a well choreographed performance and it really looks like chris and darren had so much fun doing it.

1. New new york : this ep is the perfect mixture of fluff , comedy and angst. And on top of that we get never tried before combination of dynamics like rachel and artie as well as our favourite dynamics like klaine, blam, kelliot . also , out of all the klaine plotlines, this feels to me the most realistic one and really shows how much they want to work out their highschool relationship into an adult setting but they’re still young clueless inexperienced couple who doesn’t really know what they’re doing but still trying to work it out the way they think is the best one to protect their relationship , showing how much they care for each other as we enter into the crazy hard parts of their relationship. also , to see these whole set of highschool friends trying to navigate their way into this busy adult life is so fun to watch .  

[louuieferrignojr]

snapshots (crossposted to ao3)

summary: @alexmanesairstream made a post about malex taking cute photos together so this happened.

--

2008

“Alex, are you sure about this?” Michael asked, taking in the open desert in front of them a half hour outside of Roswell.

Alex bit his lip before looking at his boyfriend, taking in his curls that blew in the wind.

You’re beautiful.

Michael blinked in shock, before a pink tint came across his cheeks. “Thanks.”

“Did I say that out loud?”

Michael smirked, “I’m afraid so.”

Alex cleared his throat, “Well it’s true.”

“So, are we going to play or what?” Michael asked, taking their guitars out of the bed of his truck.

“Hold on, let me get the camera. I need something to remember the first time we tried to perform together...for posterity’s sake.”

“Make sure you get my best angle,” the other teen joked, watching as Alex set the camera down in front of them on the truck bed, making sure the timer was on.

Alex grabbed his guitar and started to play, trying his best to ignore the butterflies in his stomach as Michael began to play as well.

Both boys were too busy staring at each other to hear the click as the camera went off.

--

2018

Click.

“Michael, what are you doing?” Alex opened his eyes, taking in the man beside him. He still couldn’t believe that after ten years Michael Guerin was in Roswell.

And now they were in bed together. Trying his best to ignore the nagging voice of his disappointed father in his head, he smiled and let out a laugh as Michael took another grainy picture of him from his flip phone.

“You know you can get an iPhone now right?”

Michael huffed out a laugh, before kissing Alex on the forehead and snapping a selfie of them at the same time.

Alex looked over at the photo and let out an unexpected belly laugh as he noticed that Michael’s aim at taking a photo was a bit off, taking note that Michael seemed to only get half of his face in the photo.

Michael looked at him with a warm smile at the laugh, before he rolled his eyes.

“Fine, I’ll get an iPhone.”

Alex kissed him gently on the lips in response, before he started moving down and kissing Michael’s chest.

--

2020

“So...are you two?” The unspoken words from Liz said it all, as she took in Alex and Michael in a booth together at the Crashdown. She had been back in Roswell for a little over a month, coming back from her job in California. She knew she wouldn't be able stay away for long, but it helped that her one coworker wanted to start up her own lab nearby and asked Liz to help start it up with her.

She was visiting Rosa and her dad at the diner when she took notice of the two men in the booth.

They were sitting on the same side, arms touching, sharing an ice cream sundae. She had slid into the booth across from them as the question left her mouth.

They froze, just as Michael was about to feed Alex a spoonful of ice cream. Sadly, when he stopped, his aim was off and it hit Alex in the cheek. Liz tried her best not to laugh, but Michael couldn’t help but lick the ice cream off his boyfriend’s cheek.

Alex let out a yelp in response, surprised that Michael would do that in front of Liz. He turned to the other man and let a smile spread across his face at Michael feigning innocence as if he didn’t just lick his face in public.

Click.

The sound of the phone camera taking a snapshot made both of them turn to the culprit.

She shrugged, smiling at the pure happiness on their faces. “You guys are cute.”

Alex swiped her phone from her hands before she could even blink, looking down at the photo.

“We do look cute,” Michael whispered in his ear, kissing his cheek.

Alex could only shake his head fondly, before handing the phone back to her.

“Text that to me,” he requested softly, before turning to give Michael a peck on the lips.

If he made the photo his background on his phone later that night, no one was the wiser.

--

2022

“Who knew that having a photo booth at our wedding would be such a hit?” Michael asked, surprised at the line outside the curtain of the booth that Isobel and Greg rented together for the big day.

Alex had been leaning on his shoulder, tired from all the dancing, before he put his head up and kissed Michael on the lips.

His husband. Michael was his husband. The man he had loved since they were 17 was now with him forever. For richer or poorer. For sickness and in health. He still couldn’t believe it. He felt the need to pinch himself to make sure it was real.

He took in the line, and noticed that no one was moving. Raising an eyebrow, he knocked on the booth, hearing familiar voices inside.

“Isobel! Greg! Get out of there,” Alex hissed, taking note of his older brother’s tie undone with lipstick on his face. He came out embarrassed, but Isobel looked proud.

“It’s all yours boys.” She kissed Greg on the cheek before turning towards the line, “Sorry guys, the grooms now get dibs.”

She all but shoved them into the booth and Alex tried to balance himself on the seat, as Michael gently grabbed his arm so he wouldn’t fall to the floor.

“Our siblings are embarrassing,” Alex muttered, but Michael just kissed his cheek in response.

“Embarrassing yes, but they did get us this photo booth. That was nice of them.”

Alex glared at him, “For us or for them to canoodle in?”

“Canoodle?” Michael smiled, “Hey, no frowning. You gotta turn that frown upside down,” he suggested, before grabbing Alex’s face and kissing him gently.

They broke away seconds later, but Alex was smiling now so that was a start.

“Sorry, I’m exhausted and dancing with my prosthetic did not agree with me.” It was his wedding. He was supposed to be happy, but now all he wanted to do now was take off the prosthetic, take a nice bath with his husband, make out with his husband and sleep with his husband. If he could introduce Michael as his husband in every conversation, he would.

“Well, let’s take these photos and then we can blow this popsicle stand.” Alex let out a laugh at the suggestion, before realizing Michael was serious.

“Michael, it’s our wedding. I’m pretty sure we shouldn’t be leaving the wedding before the rest of the guests.”

Michael shrugged, “And I’m pretty sure Flint shouldn’t be breakdancing on the dance floor with Rosa, but things happen.”

Alex giggled, “I have no idea how that friendship happened, but I’m glad Flint is here.” Flint, Clay and his mom Mindy showed up for the wedding. It was a nice surprise, and a somewhat emotional one for Alex when his mom showed up at the rehearsal dinner the night before.

“Eh, they’re more like frenemies at the moment, but we can work on it. Now, let’s take these photos.”

Alex turned to the camera at the suggestion, watching as Michael pressed the button to countdown until the photos would be taken.

After the four photos were taken, Alex felt Michael kiss his cheek and he turned to catch his lips in a kiss. Alex pulled away from the kiss, smiling.

“Let’s go husband,” Alex grabbed Michael’s hand and pulled him out of the booth and they bumped into Isobel and Greg standing outside of it. The line was gone surprisingly, as were a lot of the guests.

“Just how long we were in the booth?”

“It’s nearing midnight boys, and we want to make out some more in there, so if you wouldn’t mind. We rented it for 24 hours so," Isobel said, pulling Greg back into the booth. Alex laughed at the surprised expression on Greg’s face, as he mouthed for help before he disappeared behind the curtain.

Both grooms jumped in alarm at the sounds that were being made, before they quickly grabbed their photos from where they printed out and backed away.

They made their way to their table that was now empty, noticing the waiters cleaning up and sat down. Michael knelt down in front of Alex, before looking up at him, silently questioning Alex if he wanted his leg off or not. Alex could only nod, letting a warm smile appear on his face as he went about taking it off as gently as he could. Alex closed his eyes and let out a sigh of relief at the weight now being off of him.

Opening his eyes, he looked at the photos they took in the photo booth and couldn’t help but start tearing up.

“Hey, hey. What’s wrong?” Michael's worried tone broke through his thoughts.

Alex let out a watery laugh, before shaking his head.

“Nothing. I just can’t believe we’re husbands. After everything, we made it work. Meeting in the middle...coming home to each other.”

“You’re my home Alex, always and forever.”

Taking note of the final photo of the set, where Michael was looking at Alex with pure adoration as Alex was in the middle of laughing, he could only nod.

“Picture perfect.”

[lacedbeauty]

⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚ lily collins, cisfemale, she/her. yes, i know DELILAH ASTOR. the LIBRARIAN AT WORMWOOD LIBRARY has been in sage lake since 2013, and waited 6 YEARS for their soulmate, HENRY CAVILL / DANIEL SHARMAN / JAMIE DORNAN / ASK MUN / UTP. they’re known around the lake for being WARM-HEARTED & ORGANIZED & PERCEPTIVE, though it’s rumored they’re JEALOUS & INSECURE & MALLEABLE. may they live blissfully through the ageless autumn.

BASIC STATISTICS

FULL NAME: delilah rose astor

NICKNAME(S): lilah, rosie

OCCUPATION: librarian at wormwood library; former vice president of operations in one of the branches of their hotels.

DATE OF BIRTH: june 19, 1988

AGE: 25 / 32

HOMETOWN: new york, usa 

SOCIAL CLASS: upper class

NATIONALITY: english & american

GENDER: cisfemale

PRONOUNS: she/her

SEXUAL ORIENTATION: heteroflexible

ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: heteroromantic

MARITAL STATUS: tba / formerly engaged

SIBLINGS: 6 siblings / 3 older brothers, 2 younger sisters, 1 younger brother

RELIGION: christian

POSITIVE TRAITS: warm-hearted, organized, perceptive

NEGATIVE TRAITS: jealous, insecure, malleable

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

FACE CLAIM: lily collins

HEIGHT: 5'5"

WEIGHT: 110 lbs.

BUILD: slim

EYE COLOR: hazel

HAIR COLOR: brunette

PIERCING(S): earlobes

GLASSES: reading glasses

BACKGROUND

delilah was born in new york city to the famed astor family, who owned several dozen of hotel chains all over the world as well as different real estate around new york. she was basically the middle child, but also the oldest of their girls. after having three boys in a row, her parents were overjoyed to finally have a girl and she was pretty much treated like a princess.

however, their parents demanded perfection from their children in the sense that they always wanted them to excel and achieve great feats. and being the oldest of the girls, they expected nothing less from her. she was sent to the best schools, learned from the best tutors but no matter how well she does, her younger sister who followed her seemed to be doing better. the spotlight soon diverted from her to her younger sister, casting a shadow over delilah as the sibling who was just good enough.

her insecurities began to grow, especially when they always compared her younger sister to her--jealousy forming in her chest even though she cared deeply for her siblings. there was an unspoken sibling rivalry between the two with how their parents made them compete, one wherein she almost always lose. one misstep from her sister though had her parents favoring her again.

when she was twenty-three and her sister was twenty-one, they found out that her sister was pregnant and having an affair with a married man from high society as well. her parents were severely disappointed by her sister and infuriated by the events that transpired as well as the scandal that it brought into their family. so, they tried to mold delilah into their perfect daughter once more, putting all the pressure on her.

unwilling to let the same tragedy befall their eldest daughter, they’ve taken matters into their own hands and arranged for her to be married to someone from a reputable family instead. and not wanting to disappoint her parents, delilah simply agreed with it. they’ve staged a relationship before announcing the engagement. 

it was only a month before the wedding when delilah found herself in their private plane from france heading back to new york after attending a conference in paris. the last thing she remembered was their pilot telling them to brace for impact before everything went dark.

afterwards, she woke up in an unfamiliar hospital with a watch she doesn’t remember owning. she’s never heard of a place called sage lake and no matter how much she tried to contact her parents, it does not seem to get through. 

it took some time for her to adjust to this place and perhaps, she’s still trying to adjust because for once in her life, she has absolutely no idea what to do--no one telling her what she should do or should not do. the brunette found herself working in the wormwood library as a library aide at first before learning enough to become a librarian. her compulsion for always wanting to have things organized seemed like a great fit in a place where organization and stability was needed.

delilah has been told before that she could be a little uptight, but the brunette would deny that and say that she knows how to loosen up. truth is she was just a bit of a workaholic before in an attempt to please her parents and well, anyone she meets really. the brunette has a habit of being a people pleaser, one that she’s trying to get rid of now. she has a difficulty in saying no and feels guilty when she does so. she wasn’t exactly a recluse, but she only kept a few close friends back in new york and most were just acquaintances. being in sage lake though seemed like a great opportunity for her to work on that and become more personable. when she’s heard of the whole soulmate thing, delilah wasn’t really sure what to think of it. though part of her wanted to meet this person who was supposed to be her other half, she was also scared of what if they don’t get along and all that. to her surprise, her soulmate wasn’t a stranger at all...but someone she knew from outside of this enchanted place.

WANTED CONNECTIONS

friends / close friends - please throw some people for her to be friends with who drags her out to have fun or have movie nights with. she has missed on this opportunities so much back in new york. but now that she has a more laxed lifestyle here, she’ll definitely have the time for them.

best friend from sage lake - someone she met in this place and the two of them quickly gotten along. they could have even been the one to show her the ropes of this place if they were here before her or vice versa if she was here first.

antagonistic relationship - someone she simply doesn’t get along with or even some kind of frenemy. for some reason we could discuss, they just don’t really see eye to eye and seem to always be on each other’s throat.

angsty ex boyfriend - although the numbers on their watch didn’t stop when they met, there was chemistry between the two of them and they still wanted to try to be together. their relationship could have been really good at the start but as one of them gets closer and closer to meeting their soulmate, the other could start having doubts over what they’re doing until they just decided to end their relationship.

past flings - just some flirtationships and people she had a date or two with or even casual hookups she had from before.

AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU HAVE IN MIND! honestly, i’m pretty much down for anything so just hmu or give this a like if you would like to plot with my bby. <3

[beaniegender]

Gen Tolkien fic recs

A Tolkien fic rec list? I guess so!! Written lovingly for @tolkiengenweek, here are my ten favorite gen fics in the fandom (a mix of Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion - The Hobbit is nearly unrepresented here, sorry). There’s a focus here on strong friendships and family love. List beneath the cut, from shortest to longest word count!

(If you know that any of these writers are on tumblr and I’ve failed to tag them, please let me know so I can properly credit them!)

1. Pilgrim Through This Barren Land by @naryaflame, 2064 words

Gandalf stays behind after Thorin's funeral to speak to an unexpected guest. 

It’s Gandalf & Maglor friendship (frenemies?) fic set at the end of The Hobbit! Both characters are appropriately badass, and Gandalf’s POV is great. It’s sort of a speculative Maglor-in-the-future fic, which you’ll see on this list that I love.

2. alive and richly colored by @captainelectroniccollectiondonut, 2600 words

Maedhros comes home to his family's house in Formenos after two years away for college. He comes bearing gifts.

I love this little modern AU in a pretty unique setting, and this is a great meditation on Maedhros’s thoughts about his different family members.

3. Throw the Fight if You Want To by..... me, 2722 words

“Doomed you were, and Doomed you are, and Doomed you shall ever be. You have spilled the blood of your kin a fourth time, and lost your right to change course and beg forgiveness. The Valar reject your petition to stand trial and consign you to Endor to find what peace or torment as you may. Go now from this camp; none shall stop you. Do not return.”

Or, Elrond and Elros are there with the host of Valinor when Maedhros and Maglor steal the last two Silmarils. It shakes Maglor enough that the whole plot gets shaken up. What’s a little eternal damnation if your brother and foster sons still love you?

The mortifying ordeal of putting your own fic on a rec list. It’s my contribution to the sappy kidnap fam hurt/comfort genre! (Although I personally see the focus as being Maedhros & Maglor.)

4. Lonely Watches by Canafinwe, 5056 words

Haunted by solitude outside of Archet, Aragorn finds respite unlooked-for in the company of a friend. 

My favorite of a quartet of Aragorn-centric Ranger fics. Gandalf  finds him in the wilds and offers him some sorely-needed friendship. Poor Aragorn, y’all.

5. Grey in the Dark by rhymer23, 11044 words

Fog has descended on the lower levels of Minas Tirith, and a killer stalks the streets. In the Citadel high above the fog, Aragorn wants the killer found. Down where the fog is thickest, a young man raised on the streets is trying to find him, too. These two men, whose lives are so very different, will end up being brought together by the fog. Because in the fog, everything looks different. Everything is changed. 

Minas Tirith murder mystery! The main characters are Aragorn and an OC who I love. It’s a fascinating look both at the beginning of Aragorn’s rule and how he handles it, and at what everyday life is like in very-recently-wartorn Minas Tirith.

6. Many-Colored and Splendid by @acommonanomaly 29839 words

Sometimes it's the people you meet when you're at the end of your rope who can change the course of your life forever.

Perhaps more so when that person is a mysterious stranger whose compassion seems to spring from a deeply troubled past.

Maglor in the modern age fic, baby!! Outsider POV from a New Yorker who meets Maglor at a crucial time in their life. Traces their lives and friendship for years from there. Bonus Finrod sucking at blending in in normal life, too. I love this fic and this OC so, so much.

7. Two Stars in Time by ArlenianChronicles, 43376 words and counting

While undergoing a hunting test, Elurín and Eluréd have a strange setback and wake up under the Two Trees. Lost in a land of old, there is only one person whom they can think of to search for: Adar Maedhros.

A time travel AU within my AU, In Elin Gelebrin, where Maedhros saves the twins after the Second Kinslaying.

We all agree that Eluréd and Elurín obviously deserved way, way better, right? Well now we get it. AU of an AU, so maybe you want to read the background about Maedhros and the Twin Princes of Doriath first, or maybe you want to skip right to the time travel shenanigans. Featuring vaguely sentient silmarils, badass Finwe, and two homesick children who have a chance to stop the darkening of Valinor. WIP, updating regularly.

8. The War of the Ring by morwen_of_gondor, 98904 words and counting

It was foretold in the First Age that Fëanor would never return to the world of the living until Dagor Dagorath. The same was not said of his sons.

At the beginning of The Lord of the Rings, there were few Elves left in Middle-Earth who could ride against the Nazgûl, let alone Sauron. Chief among those was Glorfindel, sent back after his death in the First Age to aid Middle-Earth in the Third. What if he was not the only one sent back? In the First Age, Fingolfin went toe-to-toe with Morgoth. Finrod did the same with Sauron. Neither of them was accounted the mightiest of the Noldor.

In a world where the Sons of Fëanor, reincarnated, returned to Middle-Earth to atone for their crimes, The Lord of the Rings happened very differently. It began in the council of Elrond, but it did not stop there. This is that story.

Y’ALL. READ THIS ONE. Yes, LotR has sweeping, complex battle sequences, a great ensemble cast, a rich and heavily-referenced in-universe mythology, and meditations on the meaning of honor and bravery - but imagine how much more of all those things it could have with seven Fëanorians running around too! I’m in awe of how this author is weaving together so many plot lines, and every single POV has been believable so far. There’s lots of fun unexpected character interactions - who doesn’t want to see Pippin and Maedhros hanging out together? WIP, updating regularly.

9. The Ways of Paradox by naryaflame (again!), 133244 words

How do you pass the time when you know you're facing eternity?

Maglor agrees to appear in a student production of The Pirates of Penzance, and gets more than he bargained for.

This one far and away sets the bar for modern Maglor AUs, in my opinion. The setting (coastal Scotland) and the OCs are all really vivid. This fic fits really nicely with the “grey spaces” prompt for the week, cause the relationship between Maglor and the POV character really resists categorization. Something I love about this fic is that, although the mystery of who Maglor is is definitely a big deal, it’s ultimately the regular everyday characters who drive the plot and conflict. There’s so much more I could say, I LOVE this fic and it’s better than so many published novels that I’ve read!

10. The River by Indigo Bunting, 143512 words

The Fellowship must cross a river before it can enter the land of Hollin. When disaster strikes, Sam and Legolas find themselves trapped between the river, a party of malicious strangers, and each other. A story about friendship and sacrifice.

A cool side-story about the Fellowship as an ensemble, and Sam and Legolas specifically proving themselves to each other. I can always re-read this one for the tense plot and pacing!

[bumblesimagines]

Imagine:

Being frenemies with Jason and dancing with him

Request: Yes or No

Jason stared up at the night sky, watching the glowing stars. He could hear the 'fancy' music playing in the background. He had almost forgotten about the party. Almost. Jason heard the balcony doors open and turned, looking at you. You gave a small grin, approaching him.

"Daddy's looking for you." You cooed with a smirk. Jason rolled his eyes, looking back at the stars.

"Why do you care?" He asked. You shrugged, crossing your arms.

"Just wanted to warn you in case you were gonna run off like the rebellious daughter looking for adventure." You replied. A new slow song started and you grinned.

"Dance with me?" Jason didn't have much of a say before you grabbed him by the waist, your other hand grabbing his and holding it. Jason rolled his eyes but played along, hand resting on your shoulder.

"Did Alfred teach you to dance?" You asked. Jason nodded, glancing down at his feet to make sure he didn't step on you. Not that he cared or anything.

"Head up." You huffed. Jason lifted his gaze, staring into your (dark/light) eyes. You stared right back, head tilting slightly.

"You have different shades of blue." You said. Jason blinked, lips parting as he squinted a bit.

"Really?"

"Mhm." You nodded. Jason took notice of how close and pressed up he was against you. You seemed to have a similar thought and loosened your grip a little but Jason didn't step back, instead, he leaned in. You chose to do so as well, lips parting. Your lips touched but before you could connect, someone cleared their throat. The two of you jumped apart, looking at Alfred.

"Mr. (L/N), I'm afraid your parents are leaving, unless you'd like to stay the night?"

"Even if I wanted to, I can't. My dad would throw a fit." You replied, almost bitterly as you flashed a fake flat smile.

"See you around, Jason." You nodded to him, going off. Jason watched you go, missing the way you held him.

"May I ask what that was about?" Alfred asked. Jason shook his head.

"Nothing.. Nothing at all."

Gifs aren't mine