#yes i do have genius ideas years after the season came out | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

niemernuet · 2 years ago

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Fuck it, shameless Moïc h/c for the end of this week.

H.B.D.M.F.

rating: M

pairing: Marco Odermatt/Loïc Meillard, Daniel Yule/Justin Murisier

characters: Marco Odermatt, Loïc Meillard, Justin Murisier, Gino Caviezel, Semyel Bissig, Daniel Yule

length: 3'500 words

"If I didn't know you'd never do this I'd say you gave Mike the idea," Marco grumbles. The cover protecting the garments hanging from the closet door is only flimsy plastic and rustles noisily as Loïc pulls it off with a flourishing move.

"I would absolutely do it…" Loïc says, folding the plastic neatly as if it were bed linen.

"I was joking," Marco throws in, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"…but I didn't," Loïc finishes. "I wished I had, though, that was a real stroke of genius. It will look amazing."

With a dramatic groan, Marco falls back onto the bed of their hotel room. Loïc puts the plastic onto the table, and lies down next to him, his head propped up on his arm. He smiles as the fingers of his free hand wander over Marco's chest.

"You will look amazing," he whispers, and leans in for a kiss.

Marco sighs, and wraps his arms around Loïc, forcing him do lie down flat next to him. Loïc's weak protests die in another round of kisses.

"I still like my idea with the Christmas sweater," Marco says when they manage to pull apart again. "Like Beat did last year. I could say it's in his honour, because he's about to retire."

Loïc snorts. "No!" he deadpans. "Absolutely not. Also, you don't even have a Christmas sweater with you."

For a second, Marco lets go of Loïc and checks the watch on his wrist. "The shops are still open," he says, "and we're in the middle of the city."

Loïc's eyebrows rise over his forehead. "You want to leave me here all alone to go buy a Christmas sweater…for Beat?"

Marco laughs, and hugs him close again. "When you put it like that," he mutters against Loïc's lips. It is the last thing he manages to say for a long time.

-----

Justin's suggestion came towards the tail end of a cosy evening in another short training camp between races.

"You should separate."

The other three froze mid-movement, and stared at their friend. Gino was the first to move because he started to dribble tea down his chin, and his coughing and sputtering woke Loïc and Marco.

"Excuse me?" Loïc asked, and continued shuffling the deck of cards.

"I mean it," Justin said, and looked at Loïc and Marco again. "One of you should switch training groups. I'd suggest Loïc because you're also doing slalom."

"What the fuck are you on?" Marco echoed Loïc's sentiment.

Justin did not care about the shift in the atmosphere, and leant over the table. "I've wanted to say something way earlier but at first I didn't dare because I thought it's not my place…"

"It isn't," Loïc interrupted him coldly.

"…and these past few weeks we’ve always had cameras and microphones for your bloody series around," Justin continued unperturbed. "But I just wanted to say it because for us it was the best thing to happen…and also I don't want to feel guilty when this all blows up." He waved his hand between Loïc and Marco, and picked up his new stack of cards with the other. Loïc and Marco looked at each other.

“Thanks…,” Loïc broke the growing silence. “…but not everything has to be the same for everyone.”

Justin shrugged. “For us it just became too difficult to compete against each other. And it’s not like we don’t see each other during the season��somehow, we always manage to find somewhere to be together.”

“Yeah, we know, in the ski room,” Gino threw in. “Neither you nor Daniel are exactly subtle…or discrete.”

Both Marco and Loïc burst out laughing while Justin glared at them from across the table.

-----

“No!” Loïc says, and tries to wriggle out of Marco’s grasp.

“Yes!” Marco answers, and presses one kiss after another on Loïc’s shoulder while his hands try to pull the towel from his hips.

“Absolutely not!” Loïc says, and swats his hands away. He turns around in Marco’s arms and, before he can kiss him, grabs Marco’s chin between his fingers. “I told you to get dressed. We’re about to be late.”

“I did get dressed,” Marco manages while his mouth is compressed to an O. Loïc snorts, and looks down his body, the bare, still damp chest and the tight boxers covering only the essentials.

“Well, I tried,” Marco adds. Loïc gives him a look that tells exactly what he thinks about Marco’s try, and unceremoniously pushes him down into the chair next to the desk. He rummages through his toiletry bag, and squeezes a dab of foam out of a can while Marco watches, his arms wrapped around Loïc’s ass, and his chin resting on his stomach just above the towel.

“Are you sure we can’t…?” he asks, and looks up at Loïc with big, pitiful eyes.

“One hundred percent sure,” Loïc says without mercy, and starts to spread the foam in Marco’s hair, still wet and dark from the shower. “Because if we do it now, you’ll have no incentive to behave tonight. And I need you to be on your best behaviour.”

Marco purses his lips as Loïc grabs the flimsy hair dryer that is a part of every hotel room in the world.

“You drive a hard bargain,” he muses.

Loïc grins down at him but the hairdryer’s tinny screams drown out his answer.

-----

The misery crept in gradually, and if anyone of their group still remembered Justin’s words from the previous season, they did not dare mention it. It was as if the launch of the series, so short for all the time it had occupied their life, had set them on different trajectories, and the longer the season went, the more they drifted apart, Marco to the highest top, and Loïc to new lows. The cracks turned into a deep rift in Beijing, at the end of two miserably cold and uncomfortable weeks in this almost hostile environment. Marco knocked once but did not wait for an answer, and simply barged into the room where Loïc was bent over one of the suitcases littering the ground.

“Come back!” he whined as he hugged him as hard as he could, the can of Chinese beer uncomfortable against Loïc’s skin. “We haven’t celebrated my medal yet.”

Loïc’s whole body tensed, and futilely he tried to wriggle out of Marco’s grasp. “We did,” he said. “I only left five minutes ago.”

“You poked your head through the door on your way back from physiotherapy, that’s no celebration. You have to come back now!” The last sentence sounded petulant, more an order than a request. Loïc turned his head when the sharp smell of beer-breath hit him.

“I have another race tomorrow,” Loïc said. He tried to push Marco away once more but still he would not budge.

“Marco!” Loïc snapped eventually, and roughly shoved him away. Marco stumbled a few steps back, and for a moment they silently stared at each other. They knew each other well enough to see the unspoken, accumulated hurt and tiredness in their eyes, and the resentment that had grown like a fungus in them.

“You’re really showing how happy you are for me,” Marco said quietly before taking a gulp from his can.

A pained expression washed over Loïc’s face for the fraction of a second. “I am,” he laughs joylessly. “I’m always so happy for you, even while I’m trying everything for my own races. I don’t know how much you’ve followed them…you have to read a bit further back in the rankings.”

Marco did not pretend to laugh. Two deep lines appeared around his lips as he tried to swallow around the bitterness. “You think I’m not supporting you enough.”

“Nonsense,” Loïc says, still with the same, unfriendly smile. “I know you will always come to me for the after-after-party of your victories and interrupt my preparations. What more could I want?”

Marco shook his head. “I will always help you, however I can. But in the end you still have to race yourself.”

Loïc jumped up, staring at Marco with wide eyes, the fury trying to burst out of him. “You don’t know how it is on this side here,” he growls. “You have no idea how it is.”

“And neither do you!” Marco yelled. Loïc hissed, and pressed his forefinger against his lips but Marco ignored him. “You don’t know how is when the entire fucking worlds expects you to make up for literally everybody’s mistakes! How could you?”

This time it was Loïc who took a few steps back, his face turned into a mask. For a few seconds, they simply stared at each other.

“I can’t do this anymore…,” Loïc said eventually, almost too quiet to understand. “Not like this.”

“Yeah, well, neither can I,” Marco barked at him, “but I fucking have to, don’t I! Because nobody else does!”

Loïc shook his head. “I don’t mean…,” he began but caught himself. “I need to sleep.”

This time, Marco did laugh. “Yeah, right, your race tomorrow. Good luck!” Without waiting for an answer he whirled around, and stormed out of the room.

-----

“Why are the buttons underneath this stupid flap?” Marco rants. “How am I supposed to close them when this thing is in the way?”

Loïc turns around from the mirror where he has been adjusting the bow tie around his neck, and hurries across the hotel room.

“Don’t bend it like that!” he hisses, and pushes Marco’s hands away. “You’re going to make creases in the fabric.”

“And?”

“And?” Loïc echoes. “This is a tuxedo! It’s supposed to look pristine!”

Marco sighs heavily, and shrugs. “I guess I’m just too stupid for this outfit. You have to close it for me.”

He cannot hide the grin when Loïc throws him another fondly exasperated look and begins to button the dress shirt from the bottom up, knowing full-well they both enjoy their little games. Loïc focuses on the small buttons, closing one after the other, even when Marco begins to caress his cheek, and leans in for a kiss.

“You’re so transparent,” Loïc chuckles, and pushes with his hand against Marco’s chin, forcing him to look up.

“Do you have to close the top…?” Marco begins but cannot end the question.

“Yes!” Loïc says, and grabs the abandoned bow tie from the bed. He puts it around Marco’s neck, and steps even closer, until their bodies seem to intertwine, as he tries to pull the hook through the clasp hidden underneath all the cloth. Only when he wants to step back and inspect the evenness does he realise that Marco has him in a hug again. He smiles, waits for Marco to move and, when he does not, combs his fingers lightly through his hair while controlling the direction of his bangs.

“You look fantastic,” he eventually says.

“All thanks to you,” Marco answers, and leans in for another kiss.

-----

It was Krugi who brought the message, and who was there when Marco realised what Loïc had meant with his words in Beijing. The news broke late in the endless drudgery that followed the season’s ending and almost made him regret ever having won that stupid globe. There was another short interview in front of a camera, for a moronic website that made him pretend to have fun while drinking a beer. He could not remember what he said when the question turned to the change in the group. It was Loïc who gave the quotes for the breathless articles that followed; he had always been better at hiding anyway. He had no problems to talk about how painful that necessary step was, and even managed to drop the word ‘family’ once or twice, sending it like darts across Switzerland right into Marco’s heart. They did not change one word when they came together for the final training before the season’s start in Sölden. There was too much to do anyway, on skis during the day but especially afterwards, in the hotel. Dozens of journalists had arrived, and all wanted to know the same damn thing about the coming season, forcing the athletes to repeat themselves until they could not talk anymore. Marco had been honest to their questions, maybe too honest. He did not feel the same excitement for the coming race that he did last year. Nobody questioned the flimsy reason he gave.

There was little more than one empty hour between dinner and an acceptably early night that they had to fill. Loïc kept his focus on the board game he had suggested, as if nothing at all had changed, while Gino was the one who threw cautious glances across the room where Justin and Marco watched a hockey game on the television. Meanwhile Semyel, back from a long injury, tried very hard to become invisible.

Justin lost his patience first. “Okay, that’s it!” he said all of a sudden, and jumped up. “I am going up now, and I’m going to shag Daniel.”

“What?” Semyel squeaked.

“Ignore him,” Marco said without taking his eyes from the television.

“You could do this too, if you weren’t a pair of fucking cowards!” Justin snapped, and left.

For a few seconds, nobody spoke. Then, Marco stood up, and turned the game off. “I’m going to bed,” he muttered, and walked out without another glance to the rest of the group.

Loïc threw his cards down, his eyes suddenly empty and sad. “I think I’m calling it too,” he mumbled. ��Sorry.” He saw Gino bury his head in his hands, and Semyel staring in utter confusion before his vision turned blurry from the tears trying to burst out. He hurried through the hallways, not towards the room but the back door, and stumbled out into the cold night. The grass of the hotel’s small park was trampled down because they had taped the televised interviews there, and because there was not even a hint of winter around, the temperatures not even close to freezing. Loïc took deep breaths, focusing on nothing else until he felt the tears retreat, and he flinched violently when he finally realised the dark figure hiding near the fence.

“Also not taking the gamble?”

For a second Loïc pondered whether he should simply run. “What?” he asked instead, and hastily wiped his palm over his cheeks.

“You’re bunking with Daniel, right?” Marco asked. “That means there’s a 50:50 chance they’re in one of our rooms.”

Slowly, Loïc’s eyes accustomed to the dark, and in the sparse light from the street lamp across the alley he managed to recognise Marco’s lopsided grin. He chuckled, and another row of tears he had thought had left rolled down his cheeks.

“Yeah, that’s…frightening,” he said. He froze when Marco suddenly moved closer, and held out his hand, and only after a long hesitation did he grab the tissue.

“Who are you and what have you done with the old Marco?” he asked as he wiped his eyes

Marco snorted, and buried his hands in his pockets. “Things change.”

“Yeah,” Loïc muttered. “They do.” He stuffed the tissue in his jacket as silence spread between them. Marco’s eyes still rested on him, and though every passing second brought back a tiny bit of something Loïc thought to have lost forever, he did not know how to go on.

“How was your summer?” he finally asked, and wanted to punch himself in the face.

Marco laughed softly. “Had better.”

Loïc nodded, looking down on his feet. “Same.”

-----

“So glad that’s over.” The award is still the same heavy, ugly bronze of a man pointing towards the heavens as it was last year, and rests uncomfortably in Marco’s lap. The streets of Zurich are comparably empty for this time of night, and their cab moves along at full speed.

“I’m not,” Loïc says, and in the dark Marco hears his smile more than he sees it. “I could see you like that every day.”

Marco snorts, and shakes his head. “Don’t get used to it. That was a one-time thing.”

“Bow ties suit you.”

“I will burn it as soon as we’re back.”

Loïc laughs, and grabs his hand. “I’m pretty sure that’s a rental, and Mike has to return it tomorrow.”

“Sounds like that’s his problem,” he insists, though his pout softens when Loïc leans across the bench for a kiss.

“Thanks for inviting me,” Loïc whispers.

Marco droops to the side until their foreheads touch, and he smiles. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

-----

“Also tell him he needs to buy milk on the way home, I emptied the last bottle before I left.”

“Dude!” Marco exclaimed, and turned his head. “You have a phone too! Call him yourself!”

Justin shrugged under the blanket in the other bed, his face illuminated by the sickly shine of his phone. “Why? He can hear me just fine.”

“I can indeed!” Daniel’s voice sounded faintly through Marco’s phone. “Will do. Love you!”

“Love you too,” Justin shouted.

Marco groaned, and turned his back towards Justin again. On the screen of his phone, Loïc was still shaking with suppressed laughter.

“Sorry about that,” Marco said softly. “He’s been insufferable these past weeks.”

“I can hear you,” Justin muttered.

“Good.”

“To be fair, I would be insufferable too if my roommate constantly facetimed through the night,” Loïc remarked. In the background, Daniel laughed.

“So you want me to hang up?” Marco asked innocently, and grinned when he saw Loïc’s eyes widen.

“No! Please don’t.”

Amiable silence fell between them as they smiled at each other. The small, cold screen was only a weak replacement for the touch they were craving, and they both could not bring themselves to end the call, even though they had talked at length about all the things that had happened in the past twenty-four hours since they had last spoken to each other.

“You don’t know the good news yet,” Loïc began after a while. Marco raised his eyebrows, and waited.

“The weather’s changing, and the coaches want to leave Reiteralm one day early. That means we could meet up before Val…” He did not end the sentence when he saw the sorrowful look in Marco’s eyes. “What?”

“I’m not staying here,” Marco sighed. “That stupid award show…”

Loïc’s face lit up. “Of course, how could I forget! You’re going to be Sportsman of the year!”

Marco rolled his eyes. “No, I’m not.”

“Of course you are,” Justin threw in.

“Dude…,” Marco growled.

“Sorry.”

Loïc’s head shook again, half hidden behind his blanket as he choked down the laughter. “He’s right,” he said when he could speak again.”

“Whatever,” Marco muttered. “I wanted to decline the invitation but Mike forbid it.”

“You can’t cancel!” Loïc hissed.

“He wants me to wear a stupid bow tie. Can you believe it? I should fire him as my manager.”

Loïc’s face lit up. “Really? Like, a tuxedo? Oh my god, you will look so elegant!”

“Don’t you start too!” Marco warned, and sighed heavily. “I don’t even know how to tie these things.”

“It’s not exactly rocket science,” Loïc smiled.

“For you maybe. I’m sure you have worn them before.”

“Of course.”

Marco chuckled at Loïc’s smug grin, though he stopped when a thought occurred to him. Loïc saw the change, and frowned.

“What?”

“I haven’t rsvp’d my plus one yet,” Marco said, and with a smile watched as Loïc’s eyes grew to the size of saucers.

-----

Epilogue:

“We have exactly one minute to find a place before I tear your clothes off,” Daniel mutters in Justin’s ear, and presses against his back.

“Patience,” Justin smiles, and grinds against Daniel, realising with satisfaction how excited Daniel already is.

“No patience left!” Daniel says. “Not after I watched that run of yours. You have no idea how hot you looked.”

Finally the elevator arrives, and they push inside. Daniel has Justin pinned against the wall before the doors are fully closed.

“You’re acting as if I’m the first person ever to race down the Streiff,” Justin manages between breathless kisses.

“Maybe not the first,” Daniel answered, “but by far the sexiest.”

Too soon the door opens to one of the basement levels of the hotel, and they stumble out, barely able to separate their lips from each other. They walk past closed doors until they arrive at the one with a simple sheet of paper with the logo of Swiss Ski printed on attached. Justin pushes the handle down, his mind too occupied with Daniel and Daniel’s hands wandering under the layers of ski clothes to realise that…

“What the hell?”

Instantly, Daniel and Justin break apart, and stare at the two people surrounded by hundreds of pairs of skis.

“Do you mind?” Loïc exclaims, and holds his thermal undershirt against his chest as if it could conceal the obvious while Marco simply stares at them with his mouth agape.

Daniel recovers first, and without a word shuts the door with a loud bang. For a few seconds, they both stare at the flimsy slab of pressboard that shields their eyes from the scene on the other side.

“On the plus side that means my room is free,” Justin eventually says, and looks at Daniel.

#happy birthday to me #text #rpf #alpine skiing #moïc #justiel

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chocolatemilksmoothie · 3 years ago

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Any Sport in a Storm

Listen I didn't get the time to do this w the last 2 eps (even though I had a lot of thoughts and feelings believe me) but I'll do it now bc this episode was so cute? And it surprised me too! Let's see

all the coven heads ignoring him is unsurprising, tho Raine hesitating didn't escape me. even under Terra's control they seem a bit concerned

Belos being like a single working parent leaving notes on the fridge or smth

so. the old golden guard sigil is also the Gravesfield sigil? I already had noticed it looks similar to the Emperor's coven symbol but the bird's wings are more closed. thinking...

grown witches let's stop bullying the literal teenager

"Little Prince" is the cutest nickname ever and if Darius is the closest thing Hunter will get to a mentor figure I love the idea of it going from a condescending name to an affectionate one. I love it

seems Darius and Eber are very involved in Belos plans? what are they doing

Darius knew the previous Golden Guard? He was his mentor?? There was a previous Golden Guard???

So I was wondering how or why he would be sent to Hexide, turns out it wasn't Belos idea at all. Makes sense

Willow is an absolute badass and I love her YES GIRL GO

like SHE'S SO POWERFUL god

HER DADS? awww jock nerd family!

Luz dropping all the books really got me for some reason. my child

"spill it hermosa!"

I suspected Luz and Amity would be busy elsewhere, and really enjoyed their B plot! Theorizing just like us about the mysterious person, the answer was the simpler option

I had assumed Eda had brought the books and sold them at some point. It was smth like that but without Eda lol

Tiny Nose has a name now also? good for her

To the surprise of no one, he sucks at interacting with other kids but this is even worse than expected lmao authority! and rules!!

heck yea Jerbo fight the system!

Professor Homunculus is a big jerk. tho we already knew that

Glad our boi Hunter gets to show off a little with the flying skills, he's had a, uh, rough season. He also got attacked by Puddles

I thought Caleb was the name of the museum guy obsessed with witches but it was actually Jacob generic english man names got me confused my bad

"hm, I don't feel sick" oh you clueless child

Gus being suspicious and protective I love my son

the Best and the Brightest I love them

Two "half-a-witch" witches huh? Loved the parallel but also ouch. Guess that's a common insult for kids who struggle with magic which is yikes

Skara tactical genius hell yeah!

"now I'm only scarred emotionally ;)" girl omg

I hope Viney and Jerbo can reconcile after this. He looked terrified lmao we take sports very serious here

I love Hunter's teleporting technique. sneaky boi

TEAM SPORTS. TEAM SPIRIT. Hunter making friends!! and he came up with the team name! Cute and creative

"Icepack for Steve"

seems training for the emperor's coven is brutal. Yet to hunter it's whatever lmao oh boy

also one free day a year.... yikes

Darius pushing Hunter to make choices for himself let's gooo

Boop

and he gave him a phone scroll thingy 😭 which means he can keep in touch. Typing like an old man

I hope he won't get in trouble for it but Belos is ancient af he probably thinks social media is the real dark magic so he'll never see it I guess

sewing is indeed a very helpful skill to have

so third time was the charm, after Luz then Amity tried to reach out it seems Willow and her team might be his first real friends!

what's his username I need to know

I already liked Darius as a fabulous jerk and antagonist but now I'm super interested to see more of him

also his past with Amity's dad SPILL THE TEA! bitter exes? former besties? rivals since forever? is it a one sided aggression thing? please I need it

and he follows him on social media just to scoff and mute him, petty king

obsessed with Amity and Luz showing up at the end like oh did we miss anything imporWHAT

Little Prince!!

So yeah, very cute and fun over all, and revealed more than I expected. S2 has been fantastic non stop. Glad Hunter got to have some fun bc I feel he won't for too long

oh, spoilers for the upcoming episode synopsis:

So next week we'll have Amity and Luz focus, and it seems Amity wants to impress her dad so we might get more Darius too! Show me the handsome witch again!! Not expecting to see Hunter next week but maybe more Willow and Gus. I love them. I do hope we keep seeing the Emeralds hanging out in the future as a club and having practice and playing matches, idk. also show them talking w hunter through the scrolls? it'd be cute

#toh #toh spoilers #the owl house #the owl house spoilers #long post #any sport in a storm #hunter toh #the golden guard #willow park #gus porter #luz noceda #amity blight #skara #viney toh #darius toh #raine whispers

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crellanstein · 4 years ago

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Prodigious

I find it odd how the fandom focuses so much on Aang’s childhood being ruined when he learned he was the Avatar at 12, but there’s very little talk about how discovering she was the Avatar as a toddler affected Korra’s life and how she was raised.

But we’ll circle back to that...

Because this is a good starting point to talk about one of the most prevalent themes in the story, which the mainstream discussion of tends to only focus on a few characters -- That is the Child Prodigy.

We’ll start with the two most obvious. The ones we always talk about.

Azula.

The clearest example of your typical child prodigy (if there is anything typical about a prodigy). Azula showed early mastery of very advanced Fire-Bending techniques, and is the only Fire-Bender to use blue flames, which was intended to make her stand out amongst the other villains but is also indicative that her Fire-Bending is more pure and powerful (blue flame is produced when burning pure O2 or fuel without contaminant at a very high temperature).

All this lead to her being praised and favored by Ozai as a child, but as double-edged swords go, this also meant she had a lot of pressure on her shoulders to never fail, and she rarely did. Her ego matched her talent, and let’s be honest she was the baddest bitch the show had ever seen. Conquering Ba Sing Se, defeating the Avatar in combat, and dropping some of the most devastating lines of dialogue in villain history; she was a force nobody wanted to reckon with.

And that become a problem for one asshole in particular...

Being jealous of his own child is just one item on a laundry list of reasons why this guy is the worst father in the history of fathers. Azula had begun to outshine him with her victories, and Ozai’s maniacal ego couldn’t handle that, so he left her behind to babysit the Fire Nation while he went out to burn/conquer the world, which also was her idea.

And while this wasn’t the only thing that aided in her demise, it certainly was the final straw which sent her spiraling down into this...

In the end Azula is a sad example of how certain unfair expectations are placed upon talented children, and the more they succeed, the more these expectations grow and weigh on the them until they either disappoint those looking down on them or surpass and embarrass their elders.

It is a lose-lose situation which inevitably destroys them.

There is a similar example of the child prodigy, but his story goes a little different.

Aang.

Even as a twelve/thirteen year-old boy Aang by far has the most impressive stats among any character in the Avatar universe.

Basically mastering 3 of the 4 Elements in less than a year, after mastering Air by the time he is twelve (not to mention inventing his own Air-bending move, the Air scooter).

Aang is an example of a child prodigy who had too much thrust onto him at too young an age because of the talent he showed; because of this he panicked and ran away, and the world was worse off for it.

Aang/Sokka/Katara’s story is all about how in times of War, responsibilities normally handled by adults are pushed onto kids who then have to grow up very fast in order to deal with it all.

The message is clear. War robs the young of their childhoods.

Now, let’s talk about a different kind of child prodigy.

The Unacknowledged.

Yes, of course I’m talking about Toph, the greatest Earth-Bender to ever live.

Because of her blindness, Toph’s family tried to keep her sheltered and safe by hiding her from the world. Refusing to believe she could ever be more than helpless. Anyone who has seen the show knows that is far from the truth.

But because her potential went unseen, there were some negative effects to her personality. Initially, she resented her parents, and rebelled; which established a certain level of independence, a bad attitude, and a hot-headed streak. Over time spent with the Gaang these behaviors subsided because she finally had friends and they accepted her for who she was. By the end of the series she was fully willing to accept aid from them when she needed it, like holding on to Sokka’s arm in environment where her bending couldn’t help her “see”.

Toph’s story is a foil to Azula’s, both showed immense talent and badassery, but while recognition of Azula lead to ever-mounting pressure for her to succeed; the lack of recognition for Toph created a need for her to be acknowledged and set an undercurrent of frustration which leads to her acting out in the ways she does.

The lesson to take from Toph’s story is not to shelter your kid from the world out of fear for their safety, and to be open to recognizing their talents, not shun them.

Next are two more Unacknowledged.

Katara and Sokka.

Their story, and the reason behind their circumstances, is one of the more complicated and nuanced ones in the series, so here we’ll focus on how it fits into the subject of discussion.

Because of the War, Katara was robbed not only of her mother but also of any Southern Masters to train her, and any role models Sokka could have looked up to left with his father to fight. Because of this Katara’s potential and Sokka’s genius went unacknowledged not due to neglect but rather due to circumstance. (Yes, I think Sokka is a genius, how many 15 yr olds do you know that can plan an invasion, design submarines, and spit poetry off the cuff?).

This is a further example of how War robs kids of necessary childhood experiences, and these two robberies had particular effects on both Katara and Sokka’s character developments.

Sokka had the responsibility of protecting his home put upon him at a young age. The men of his tribe leaving prevented him from completing his rite of manhood until the Gaang ran into Bato of the Water Tribe, and early on Sokka was constantly trying to prove himself as a man and a leader. Sokka is one of the smarter characters of the series, but he rarely got credit for it until the third season. Not to mention that because he wasn’t a bender he often seemed less useful than the others. The circumstances of war made his talent go unnoticed and because of that he often was unsure of himself and overcompensated to prove something.

Speaking of talent going unnoticed.

Katara is definitely one of the more talented benders of the series. After training herself for years with little progress, she essentially mastered Water-Bending in a few weeks under Master Pakku. While her anger towards the Fire-Nation mostly centers around the loss of her mother, it can’t be ignored that the delay in her training was a direct result of the Fire-Nations’ actions. Toph’s anger and frustration vented itself as rebellion. However, the same frustration and anger is within Katara, but because she wasn’t as natural a bender as Toph she sought to learn and be respected, and when that was denied to her is when that anger bubbled to the surface in some terrifying ways.

While Toph’s talent went unnoticed because of her families neglect, Katara and Sokka’s wasn’t acknowledged because there was nobody to acknowledge it. Because of that both brother and sister wanted to prove themselves to the world.

And then there is Zuko.

I know what you’re thinking. Zuko wasn’t a prodigy, his Fire-Bending skill didn’t catch up with Azula’s until the finale and he never mastered Lightning-Bending, but this section is about the Unacknowledged.

Zuko had many other talents besides Fire-Bending, he was a master swordsmen, and was able to successfully break into every secure facility he attempted in the show (which was almost every secure facility the show featured). Unfortunately, these talents were never recognized, because the only thing the royal family cared about was bending ability (It’s possible the reason he learned the sword was because he lacked skill in Fire-Bending).

As per usual with Zuko, this part of his tale is quite sad. Many can relate to being outshined by a sibling, and when it becomes all too clear that one cannot match another’s talent it’s quite understandable to focus on what they do excel at, but even then there is no promise of recognition for their own talent. Zuko was even mocked by his father during the solar eclipse when Ozai tried baiting him into attacking with his swords.

This lack of recognition is one of many sad aspects of Zuko’s early life, but it is a definitive example of one of the hardest unacknowledged prodigy’s cross to bear. The Outshone prodigy, one whose talents are never noticed because a bigger and brighter star stands in the way of such recognition, and arguably the most frustrating type mentioned here. Toph/Sokka/Katara all came from situations were there was no recognition being given to them or anyone, but Zuko had to bear watching massive amounts of praise be piled on to his sister while he and his accomplishments went by the way side.

Ozai summed up the situation best.

“Azula was born lucky, Zuko was lucky to be born”

Alright now where have I been going with all this?

So, far we’ve covered a lot of wrong ways to treat a child, whether they show talent or not, and how the circumstances of war can also take many things from children.

But what happened to Korra?

(Before we get into to this I should state that I like Korra, and the purpose of this is not to bash her as a character or her arc, but rather to give a little of my insight into it.)

It’s well established that Aang was told of his heritage too young, and that was a detriment on his development into an adult, but what would have happened if he realized his powers himself not long after he could walk? We’ll never know, but we do get to see the effects it had on Korra.

When she revealed herself as the Avatar, Korra set her entire life in a new direction, and because Aang tasked the White Lotus with finding and training her that direction was out of her control. There are two key differences between Korras’ and other Avatars’ lives.

1. She grew up in isolation on a White Lotus compound.

Every Avatar before Korra we know of spent a portion of their early lives traveling the world in order to master the elements; along this journey they not only learned how to bend the other 3 elements, buy also many things about the 3 other nations and the world they are tasked to protect as a whole. By confining Korra in safety and bringing the masters to her the White Lotus deprived Korra of this opportunity to learn and grow and understand the world and the people within in. It also deprived her of learning modern bending styles until she reached Republic City.

While this might have kept Korra safe from the Red Lotus, it grew within her a naiveté about how the world worked, and because of this when she actually did venture out into the world she was terribly unprepared for it.

2. She was trained and mastered 3 of the elements by the time she was 16.

Most Avatars don’t know they have this power until they reach 16 and then they spend several years learning to control it. Korra’s natural talent in the bending lead to her training being expedited not by necessity like Aang’s, but due to her talent and eagerness. Korra excelled at the physical part of being the Avatar and because of this by the time she reached maturity she had become over-confident in her abilities and true to what her Fire-Bending master said in Ep.1 she lacked restraint.

I’m not saying her bending isn’t great, but rather because it is so great it’s her go-to solution to anything, and she enjoys that so she uses it with enthusiastic gusto and not a lot of thinking before striking.

This overconfidence coupled with her naiveté of the world is what lead to many of her rash decisions and actions, most of which had negative consequences, and I believe are the reason behind some fan are dissatisfied with her. Aang had been almost the complete opposite, even by the age of twelve he was an experienced world traveler and an incredibly humble guy.

Some may have been dissatisfied by these character decisions, but they served a purpose, they are only the beginning of her arc. The internal challenge Korra must overcome through 4 seasons is to humble herself before the world, and learn from it. This was finally achieved in the 4th season when the metal poisoning in her body forces her to face others in the world as equals, only then had she completed her journey.

And why did it all go this way?

Because she is a very unique child prodigy, what she demonstrates in the first episode of LOK would be akin to a toddler playing the violin or hitting a three-pointer; she could bend 3 elements close to just after learning to walk. That is the kind of prodigious talent rarely seen because it is mostly impossible. How does a rational person handle a child like that?

It’s a tough question, and something this essay has been circling around the whole time. Each example here is the wrong way to handle talented and different children, but what is the right way?

As always look to Iroh.

Who treated his surrogate son Zuko with both respect and compassion.

Unlike Toph’s parents, Iroh worried over Zuko’s well being, but also allowed him to be independent, make his own decisions, and take his own risks.

Unlike the Nomad Leaders, he didn’t want Zuko weighed down by his position in the world and the responsibility that came with, and always encouraged him relax and take advantage of the moment.

Unlike Ozai, Iroh would always be there to support Zuko in his victories and his failures. Iroh shows him the right path but does not force him down it.

And even after Zuko betrayed and abandoned him.

Iroh was never angry with him, and embraced him upon his return.

He wanted Zuko to grow and be a better man. Even if Zuko wasn’t a prodigy like his sister.

And that is the answer here. The way to raise a prodigy is the same way anyone should raise any child. Love, Support, a Guiding Hand rather than a Forceful Shove, Recognition of What Makes Them Unique, and Forgiveness When They Falter. The problem comes along when you start treating children differently because you see them as different or special. All children are different, all children are special.

Kids are kids, and they all deserve a proper childhood.

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samdeancass · 3 years ago

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Lockdown

Requested by: Anonymous

Pairing: Jake x reader

Genre: Fluff

Characters: Jake, Y/N, Charles, Captain Holt, Terry

Words: 1180

A/N: Based on Season 2, Episode 7.

Description: When the precinct goes into Lockdown, Jake and Y/N find themselves locked in a room together.

The whole precinct gathered around the desk that was currently occupied by a mysterious package that had arrived just mere seconds ago. Whispers and mutters travelled around the room as everyone wondered what it could be. The group parted away when Captain Holt walked came to investigate.

He bent forward and peered at the package, studying it. “It seems that the precinct needs to be locked down.” The whole room emerged into an uproar as loud protests and shouts echoed along the walls.

A loud whistle was blew and the station came to a standstill. Everybody turned to the sounds direction, which was emitted from Terry. “Everybody needs to calm down. This is for everybody’s safety. Now, we all need to find somewhere comfortable to sit for the next few hours.”

Groans and mutters were heard as everybody knew that Terry was right. You looked around the room and spotted Jake sitting at his desk, lying back with his eyes closed without a care in the world. A smile sprung onto your face as an idea popped into your head.

Sneakily, you made your way over to him; putting a finger to your lips when you passed Charles’s desk. You moved your arms midway in the air and proceeded to scare Jake. “I know your there, Y/N. I’m not known as an amazing detective/genius for nothing, you know.”

He opened his eyes and looked up at you, a cheeky smile on his lips. “Seriously! How did you even know?! I was quiet the whole time.” Jake sat up and swivelled his chair around to face you. “Yes, that is all true, but your forgetting one thing; your perfume. I smelt it as soon as you walked past me.”

“Godammit!” You stomped away, unaware of Jake looking after you. “You have a crush on them, you know? The way you look at them, it’s as if you’re in love.” Jake stood up from his chair and shook his head at Charles. “No, I don’t. It’s just bants, nothing more.”

Jake began to walk away, unaware he was taking the same steps you had mere moments ago. “Oh yeah, then why are you following them?” “I’m not. I’m getting something from the vending machine.” Charles chuckled at Jake’s defensiveness, knowing full well that his best friend was in denial.

Jake stood in front of the vending machine, a whirl of different thoughts running through his head, when he head a loud crash come from the storage room behind him. He raised an eyebrow and went to investigate, bursting into laughter at the scene in front of him.

“What the hell are you laughing at, dipshit?! Come and help me up, but don’t let that door close. There’s no handle on the inside.” Jake walked inside, accidentally kicking the boxes that were holding the door open, causing it to swing shut. Your eyes widened with frustration. “Jake Peralta! You are a complete dumbass!”

After helping you up, the both of you banged on the door for what seemed like hours, your voices becoming a little hoarse due to all the shouting for help. You slid down the wall and put your head in your hands, heaving a heavy sigh. “How did I manage to get stuck in a room with the most annoying person on the planet?”

Jake slid down to the floor aswell, hugging his arms around his knees. “I think I should be the one asking that question.” You lifted your head up and gave him a death glare, causing Jake to let out a chuckle.

You both sat in silence for a while. Jakes mind began to wander, going back to what Charles had said to him. A longing feeling grew in the pit of his stomach which he tried to push away. “I can’t be in love with them.” All of a sudden, every prank, every touch, every smile that the both of you had shared over the years finally made sense to him. He had never noticed before but he always seemed to focus on you, for everything. He always wanted to be partnered with you, needing to be close to you.

As this realisation dawned on him, Jake could feel an anxious pit growing in the bottom of his stomach. He needed to tell you how he felt whilst it was just the two of you, without any nosy Charles’s poking around. Jake shuffled closer towards you.

You looked over at Jake, who had moved closer to you. You had expected to want to move away, considering how much he got on your nerves, but you found that you wanted to be closer to him, to feel his warm hand around yours.

Jake looked down at his hands, which he was wringing nervously. He took a deep breath and turned to face you, taking your hands in his. “Y/N, I need to tell you something. Something that I have only just realised.” You nodded in an encouragement for him to keep going.

Taking another deep breath, he continued. “I don’t know how you’re going to react when I tell you this, but I do know that I have to. I’ve always wondered why I always centred my pranks on you, why I always want us to be teamed up together for a case. I finally realised a few moments ago that it’s because I love you. I have done since you first started at the precinct.”

Jake looked down at the floor, clearly shy of admitting his feelings to you. Unwrapping your hand from his, you tilted his chin up and your eyes locked together. The both of you leaned toward each other, slowly and without ever breaking eye contact. Closing you eyes, you softly pressed your lips against his, letting the feeling of his kiss wash over you.

He immediately kissed you back, moving his hand to the bottom of your back. Jake pulled you flush against his chest needing, no wanting, more of you. You lifted your legs up and settled in his lap, wrapping your arms around his neck. His hands travelled underneath your shirt, spreading wide against your skin. Your fingers nipped at the hairs at the bottom of his neck, causing a low growl to emit from his mouth.

You pulled away and cocked an eyebrow at him. “What? I like somebody who can take control.” You shook your head at him and leaned down for another kiss when the door opened and the both of you fell out in each others arms.

“Guys! I’ve found him!” Jake looked up and groaned as Charles was stood over you. “Charles, dude. Seriously!” He gestured to you laying on top of him, a slight red tinge emerging onto your cheeks.

“Sorry, Jake. You’ve been gone for a while and I got worried.” Jake stood up from the floor and held out a hand for you to take, which you gratefully accepted. Jake wrapped his arm around your shoulders and pressed a kiss to your temple before walking past Charles.

Charles’s eyes widened in realisation. “I told you Jake. I told you you were in love with them!”

#jake peralta #jake peralta imagine #jake peralta fanfiction #jake peralta x reader #jake x reader #terry jeffords #captain holt #charles boyle #brooklyn 99 #brooklyn nine nine #brooklyn nine nine fanfiction #brooklyn 99 fanfiction #brooklyn nine nine imagine #brooklyn 99 imagine

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x-raei-s-art · 2 years ago

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Ok so... I decided I would redesign and potentially rewrite some aspects of Tmnt 2012, and we'll since I've been brought back to my 9-10 year old hyperfixation of mutant turtles, I went straight to character redesigning. Hope you enjoy my process lmao 🦐

A collection of beta designs of my redesigns of 2012 tmnt, and of course April was one I prioritized first, and I quite like it so it may be permanent (I could tweak the hair a lil more though)

(rough sketches)

Final result

Since she is a Krang expirement, after all they did give her telepathic powers I kinda wanted to explore that part of her as it was in like maybe by season 2 it was established she was a "mutant", but it was never heavily explored.

I kind of wanted her outfit to have more pop and make her stand out instead of the weird clothes she has, and since it takes place in 2012, I wanted her to fit like early 2010's teen heroine aesthetic (oh and she will be Hispanic cause I said so 🤪)

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Onto the great legend, tech genius, Donnie. I wanted to to stay true to his original design. Just added some goggles and some mixed toxic chemicals bottles on his strap, cause from what I've seen (I haven't watched the 2003 or 1987 yet) 2012 Donnie and Bayverse!Donnie are the only ones who mess with chemicals and expirement with antidotes so I wanted to heavily reference that.

Also donnie 2012 doesn't have the best tools and materials to work with when it comes to tech unlike Rise!donnie so I'm debating on if he should have the same skills he's always have and putting junk together and making it work, or up his knowledge to !Rise or !Bayverse level

Yes I did steal rise!donnie's goggles at first but than I looked for refs to redesign it and I got the bottom left *first image* as my final result so yeah (did try to do bayverse donnie's goggles but it was to much detail)

I do gotta admit, I put more effort on trying to write donnie's traits while designing him than the other boys 😀

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Now onto the Leader Blue, Leo. After all this is 2012 versions so yeah he's leader lol

So Leo was kinda a struggle, because I wanted him to have something that would make him different than donnie. The first thing I came up with was one of those fabric arm brace, with the Hamato Clan symbol. In Japan, when someone's a president to a club (from what I've seen in the animes) they are wearing the arm brace with the symbol of their club. So that was my first idea.

I was going to leave him with his original design until I went into looking at the other outfits he's wore on the series, and I got inspired with season 4 finally and decided to give him the fishnets he wore so yeah lol

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My boo, my bae, Raph the Violent Fucker His design was basically what made him look "bad ass" and "he's fucking stupid for that" vibe cause yeah thought it would be funny

with Raph I had an idea of what I wanted him to have. I first relied on the crack of his shell to giving me an idea, and that was that he was a reckless kid. The scars on his face and legs are due to reckless self-injury (not purposeful SH) or Leo.

Leo and Raph were always competing since kids so when they got their weapons Raph wanted to fight Leo, and of course not being trained, Leo swung his sword wrong and hurt his bro (I might add a couple of scars on Leo too just to be even)

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Now the precious boy Mikey is up next. His head shape was a pain in the ass to draw, and I might redraw him cause I'm not very happy with it. Though the general idea is drawn on here so I will use this ref for now.

There wasn't much thought put behind his design, I was just thinking about what would he wear to stand out from his brothers. I was struggling with how he would wear the wrapping on his leg so I came up with what's on the sketch (I don't really like but it does give me another idea). I did add stickers because I think April would just decorate him with stickers.

I also added more freckles on him because, I can

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I will say that these are just some beta designs and I will try and improve them, I might start writing about the relationship dynamics first before another redesign, maybe then I could get a better idea of what I should improve, keep, or change all together so for now I hope you found my lil hyperfixation on mutant turtles interesting lmao 🧍‍♂️🪄

#raei art #raei talk #tmnt 2012 #tmnt april #tmnt donnie #tmnt leonardo #tmnt ralph #tmnt michelangelo #tmnt rewrite #tmnt redesign #bayverse tmnt #rottmnt

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georgiapeach30513 · 2 years ago

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Kinktober 2022 Teaser

Yes, this is a teaser, and I'm SORRY. I am trying to get on top of this. But just for funsies, what character do you think is going to have what kink? AND this year it's going to be littered with Easter eggs...well, we'll call them Jack-O-Lanterns. Let's see if you can figure it out before the 31 days are up??

I've been brainstorming with @tis-thedamn-season on these one shots for a couple of weeks, and she came up with the most genius idea, but I can't tell you 🤷🏻‍♀️ this year is going to be a blast, but if you look at some of these kinks, they will get a bit dark, so PLEASE read ALL warnings ahead of time, you're the one that's responsible for what you consume on the internet. There will be a bit of an underlying theme in each of these, just pay attention. I'll be curious to know if everyone can find some Jack-O-Lanterns. And this is going to be a bit of a way for me to kinda explore a trope I've been wanting to tackle 😏

Keep in mind, these will have more than just those kinks specifically in each of them. So there will be more fun for other things in each part! I can't wait to have fun with these yummy men! It's going to feature characters portrayed by Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Henry Cavill, Chris Hemsworth, Charlie Hunnam, Clayton Cardenas, Jensen Ackles, and Jared Padalecki. And with there being a total of 34 guys and only 31 days, clearly we're going to be getting more than one on a few days!

Also, I do want to do something similar for December, 25 Days of CHRIStmas...but I want it to be about the current stories I have going on. I may eventually do a poll of which couples/throuples you want to see, and it won't just be limited to series. There's a few one shots I wouldn't mind re-exploring (Frank/Piper/Fisher, Johnny Storm/Firefly, etc.) just let me know some ideas, and I'll get a poll out after Kinktober. I'm so in the mood for SPOOKY season because I saw pumpkins on the shelf 😂😂

#kinktober #kinktober 2022

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justanotherthrowaway1950 · 2 years ago

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Why I Disagree With The”Ozai Killed Lu Ten” and “Azulon Wanted Iroh to Adopt Zuko Headcanons”

Two popular headcanons in the ATLA fandom is that (1) Ozai was directly responsible for killing Lu Ten and (2) that Azulon wanted Iroh to adopt Zuko to be his heir after Lu Ten’s death.

For in regards to (1), the idea is that Ozai, realizing that if Iroh and Lu Ten conqueror Ba Sing Se and functionally end the war, he will never have a chance to a make a bid for the throne, let alone a successful one, works with his spy contacts, a fraction loyal to him, and/or the Earth Kingdom to betray Lu Ten’s unit’s location so that they get ambushed, hoping that Iroh’s resulting grief will cause him to withdraw, and thus not only lower his popularity among the Fire Nation masses and nobility, but also make Azulon realize that he is the superior heir, especially since he has two living heirs unlike Iroh.

For it is repeatedly shown in the show that Ozai does not care about his family or nation, but instead only cares about himself and how he can best serve his insatiable need for self-aggrandizement. And it is all but said that Azula gets her cunning and manipulation skills from her old man.

So by having Ozai be directly tied to Lu Ten’s death, it not only shows how utterly selfish Ozai is, but also shows how skilled he is in terms of political maneuvering.

Or in other words, it enhances the symbolism of Ozai being the physical manifestation of how the war has twisted the Fire Nation Royal Family and the Fire Nation into an out of control flame liable to burn the entire world down even if it means they get reduced to ashes as well.

That and it helps explain why Azula was prepared to give a performance the same day that word of Lu Ten’s death reached the palace: because Ozai already had word that his plot was successful before official word reached the palace, and so prepared Azula so he could make his bid for the throne once word reached Azulon.

Meanwhile, in regards to (2), this headcanon came about since it doesn’t make sense that Azulon, who is not senile and is supposed to be a political genius, would not only kill his only remaining male second generation heir, and thus leave his dynasty at risk of collapsing due to a bad flu season or a successful terrorist attack on top having his only second generation heir be a 9 year old female, but also futher traumize his favored child by essentially having his beloved nephew be killed in cold-blood due to his brother’s callous request.

(Yes, Azulon is a political genius considering he ruled for over 75 years without facing any real opposition to his rule, as far as we know, despite fighting an increasingly bloody war for the entirety of it.)

So people try to fix this inconsistency by having Azulon tell Ozai during their conversation after Azula and Zuko’s performances that he intended for Iroh to adopt Ozai’s first-born son since he knew that it would eat Ozai up to have his unfavored child supplant him in the line of succession

(Considering Ozai would have thrown Zuko out as a newborn if not for the Fire Sages and Ursa pleading with him, and Ozai constantly berating Zuko for his lack of bending prowess while at the same constantly praising Azula for her bending prowess, it is safe to assume Azulon knew that Zuko was Ozai’s unfavored child.)

That and he could tell Ozai to make more heirs with Ursa while he could not do the same with Iroh due to Iroh lacking a spouse, and Azulon (presumably) not wanting his favored child to enter a loveless marriage to make more babies, especially at his advanced age.

But Azulon’s order got twisted by Azula, who either did so because she loved tormenting Zuko, only to have it work out in Ozai’s favor when Ursa overheard Azula and earnestly believed her, or because Azula was in cahoots with Ozai, who knew that the only way he would ever get his hands on Ursa’s OP poison was by making her think that Zuko’s life was in danger without rousing her suspicions if he directly told her that, with the latter scenario being supported by Azula’s devious smirk after she told Ursa about Azulon’s order to kill Zuko.

Also, this headcanon serves to show the depths of Ozai’s, or in the latter scenario, Ozai and Azula’s cunning and depravity since in the former scenario, Ozai was able to use his daughter’s taunting in order to eliminate Azulon despite not planning to do so.

While in the latter scenario, it shows how Ozai and Azula’s disregard for family, as well as their ability to feign innocence when needed and make and enact intricate plans, allows them to achieve their goal of acquiring power no matter how many lives they have to ruin or put at risk.

However, I disagree with both headcanons since I think they not only dilute the messages the show was trying to send, but also because they are steeped in ableism and post hoc retconning.

For in regards to (1), I think the headcanon takes away from Iroh's redemption since it was him realizing, among other things, that he had been inflicting on Earth Kingdom families for decades the same pain and emotional trauma that the EK soldiers who killed Lu Ten defending their homes inflicted on him that led him to change.

So if Ozai was the one responsible for Lu Ten’s death, Lu Ten’s death would not longer be Iroh facing karmic justice for ripping apart Earth Kingdom families for decades, but instead Iroh failing to engage to in (enough) court politics, as well as failing to recognize that Ozai’s resentment and lust for power made him more dangerous than any enemy he ever faced in combat.

Moreover, I think (1) takes away from one of Avatar’s main messages, that the Fire Nation, or more specifically Ozai, is not the source of all tragedy and evil in the world. For by having one of the main driving tragedies of the show be mastermined by Ozai, it makes it seem like all conflict in the show is caused by Ozai, which I don’t think was supposed to be the case considering the existence of Long Feng, the Dai Li, and Hama, among others.

Meanwhile, in regards to (2), just like fans try to downplay Iroh and Zuko's past villainous actions due to their redemption arcs causing a halo effect, fans evaluate characters not based on their actions, but instead based on how well they treated Iroh and/or Zuko.

For example, Katara gets a lot of hate for being harsh and “mean” towards Zuko until she forgives him at the end of The Southern Raiders even though she arguably treated him a lot better than he deserved to be treated considering he spent most of the last year trying to jail and/or kidnap them and helped Azula conqueror Ba Sing Se and kill Aang after she opened up to him under the catacombs.

So in regards to Azulon, since he was “nice” to Iroh, fans try to make it so that instead of trying to have Iroh’s beloved nephew killed in order to punish Ozai and/or to eliminate a weakling, Azulon instead was going reward Zuko, who was born with a golden heart, by making him Iroh’s new son, as well help Iroh heal by allowing Zuko to serve as his surrogate son.

Especially since he knew that Zuko already had the qualities needed to be a “good” Fire Lord, and so only needed to get away from his abusive father and sister to reach his full potential.

And yes, Azulon knew that Ozai and Azula were abusing Zuko, that they were inherently vile beings who should never be anywhere near the throne, and that it was due to said abuse that Zuko was languishing behind Azula.

This even though Avatar is a franchise that states multiple times that nurture, not nature, is why people do evil in their universe.

(Often in this genre of fics/headcanons, Ozai and/or Azula are deliberately sabotaging Zuko, and yet Zuko is not only still above average for his age, but also has moments of brilliance that are often covered up by Ozai, but don’t go unnoticed by Azulon.)

In fact, the only reason why Azulon didn’t get rid of them is due to a combination of fearing bad optics and out of a misplaced sense of familiar affection towards them.

However, I dislike it because it only exists as way to make Azulon seem better than he was since he was “nice” to Iroh, a fan favorite, to show that Ozai and/or Azula are so inherently vile that even Azulon recognized them for what they are, and that Zuko was always meant to be Fire Lord.

And this is because Azulon himself is responsible for not only perpetuating the cycle of abuse within his family, but also for perpetuating the war for most of its existence.

For just like his father favored him over another family member, Azulon favored Iroh over Ozai to the point that despite Ozai clearly showing behavioral problems either from being born with a low-empathy personality disorder or due to being neglected by both his father and brother, Azulon ignored them.

Just like his father abused him by raising him to be a callous, genocidal warlord who cared for little except for conquest and bending strength, he abused his children by raising them in the same fashion.

In fact, it was Azulon who not prosecuted the war for 75 years, but also committed the Southern Water Tribe Genocide, a genocide so through and complete that by the time Katara released Aang from the iceberg, there were only four Southern Waterbenders alive (Katara, Hama, Sika, and Siru), with only one of them having any knowledge of Southern-style waterbending.

It was Azulon who sought to find Ursa and marry her to Ozai for the sole purpose of producing firebenders that were prophesied to ensure that his line would continue to rule the Fire Nation for centuries.

And despite more likely than not being aware of how Ozai was emotionally abusing his kids, for even Iroh, who was often not at home due to fighting in the war, was aware of the dynamics present in the Ozai-Ursa household, did nothing about it despite being the only person in the Fire Nation outside of maybe Iroh and Lu Ten with the status and power to check Ozai.

So no, I don’t think Azulon ever wanted Iroh to adopt Zuko, and I think he earnestly ordered Ozai to kill Zuko in order to essentially kick Ozai, his scapegoat, out of the royal family without actually having to do so.

For if Ozai refused to kill his innocent son, Azulon could then banish Ozai by saying he refused to comply with the Fire Lord’s orders.

But if Ozai followed his orders and killed Zuko, then Azulon could banish Ozai since what he was telling Ozai was just a secret test of character to see just how power hungry Ozai was, a test that Ozai obviously failed in this scenario.

So in either scenario, Azulon gets rid of his hated son without actually having to state his real reason for doing so: because he hates Ozai.

Like if we are being honest, it is no-win scenario for Ozai, who only managed to come out ahead due to Ursa unexpectedly being a master poisoner, kinda of like how Zuko’s banishment was meant to be a no-win scenario for Zuko since its real purpose was to eliminate his claim to the throne for good without Ozai having to outright say it, only for Zuko to come out ahead by first “killing” Aang, and then by becoming allies with Aang, both unexpected outcomes from Ozai’s POV when he first issued the banishment.

So to conclude, the reason why I disagree with the “Ozai killed Lu Ten” headcanon is because I think it increases Ozai’s role in the story too much by making him directly or indirectly tied to most of the tragic events in the setting, when the existence of characters like Hama and Long Feng show that was not meant to be the case.

Meanwhile, I disagree with the “Azulon wanted Iroh to adopt Zuko” headcanon because it simultaneously assumes that Azulon by his advanced age had any shred of decency while also painting Ozai and Azula as uniquely bad, when the reality is that Azulon by his old age is one of the most vile characters in the whole franchise and is a huge reason for why Ozai and Azula turned out the way they did due to perpetuating the cycle of abuse.

#azulon #fire nation #fire nation royal family #azulon meta #fire nation meta #fire nation royal family meta #atla discourse #atla fandom #ozai is not the only source of pain in the world #azula is not the only source of pain in the world #azulon is a pro-eugenics genocidal colonizer and imperialist #justanotherthrowaway1950meta

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superfamilyexchange · 2 years ago

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Creator Reveals!

Thank you to everyone who signed up and participated. The works were spectacular and filled with so much love and creativity. It was a lot of fun to see so many people enjoy their gifts. Giftees, if you haven't had a chance, don't forget to leave lots of love for your Gifter!

Creators, you are now free to post about your fic. Be sure to tag us here on Tumblr so we can reblog. For those who haven't had a chance to read all of the fabulous works, check out all of this year's gifts on our AO3 Collection page.

And finally to the Creator Reveals!

Below the cut...

back on the track by wingheads for ralsbecket, Artwork

ever since he could remember, steve has always wanted to visit the grand canyon. superheroing and raising a family has kept him busy, but for their wedding anniversary, tony packs up steve and the kids for a cross-country road trip to arizona.

Hope Your Heart Is Strong Enough by Coffee_and_notebooks for Infinitywrites, 7.1k Words

"They're marrying me off to Lord Stone," Tony admits, and Jarvis immediately frowns. "Are you certain?" "I heard them talking about it." "I always told you that sneaking around was going to get you into trouble one day. But I see it has done some semblance of good. You cannot allow this to happen. I will not see you waste away under Lord Stone's mercy."

everything the heart desires by ArabellaAM for Coffee_and_notebooks, 16.5k Words

Omega!Tony is a new pianist that's just started working on this season's London balls. It's not what he wants to do, but it pays well, and money is important as a single parent when he has a two-year-old at home. Alpha!Steve is the heir of the Rogers' title, but that's not the only thing he's known for: in all the years he's been the most coveted bachelor, he's never been seen dancing with anyone at the balls, and is rumored to have sworn off marriage. He thought so too, at least until he crosses his gaze with that pianist for the first time. Then, everything changes.

Concentric Circles and Shiny Corners by geekymoviemom for Skeeter_110, 6.7k Words

Parenting a genius kid is hard. Parenting a genius kid with super powers is even harder. So, it would follow that parenting a genius kid with super powers while loopy on painkillers would be… well… interesting. Or, Peter needs his wisdom teeth out, and everything is shiny.

Trying to Find My Way Back by ralsbecket for geekymoviemom, 5.3k Words

After half the universe got Dusted, Peter didn't find a lot of things surprising anymore. (Except for when a girl with star powers landed him in another universe; admittedly, that was a surprise.)

The Best Laid Plans by ChocolateCapCookie for imeanthatsprettysnazzy, 3.6k Words

“Pete, we need to set dad up with Mr. Rogers!” said Harley excitedly. “Think about it, they’d be perfect for each other! Dad’s always so tired and stressed, he could use someone like Mr. Rogers to calm him down a bit. And I know Mr. Rogers is single, he’s always talking about it being just him and his dog…” “Harley, this is a stupid idea,” Peter interrupted. “You don’t know that Mr. Rogers is into men. And even if he was, what do you want to do, lock them in a closet together?” "Yes." "No, Harley"

hard at work by starksnack for captainstars, 1.5k Words

Whoever came up with Take Your Kid To Work Day probably never worked for SHIELD. Or had a three-year-old who loved food but sometimes thought non-edible things could be edible with the power of imagination.

forecasted therapy by parkrstark for tamaranianprincess, 1.5k Words

Tony can’t help but think about all the reasons why they shouldn’t when he and Steve adopt Peter.

Till Forever Falls Apart by Infinitywrites for starksnack, 4.3k Words

“Hey bubba! How are you?”, “I’m shiny, Daddy! But Papa is not feeling so good”, “What do you mean, Tesoro?” “Papa is hot and sleepy”, Well, that’s fact, Tony thought, chuckling to himself. (or) When Tony Stark is half around the world for a Business Trip, Peter Parker, His 5 year old son, calls him to tell him that Steve is not feeling so good. Cue Tony coming back and reassuring and taking care of his Sick Omega Husband.

Hello, I love you, won't you tell me your name? by Perlmutt for VeroCaroline, 5.6k Words

Peter has an existential crisis on his first day of kindergarten.

Build with love, your life by captainstars for UisceOneLove, 4k Words

“Oh!” Peter gasped. The kid’s reactions reminded Tony of the emojis Rhodey liked to send him a slew of. “Are you going to make me, like, your protege or something, Mr. Stark?????”

The (Totally Not Fun and Really Scary) Adventures in Rescuing Tony Stark by Girl_Back_There for Pookiethefrickinbunn, 12k Words

Iron Man is missing, presumed dead after his mansion was attacked by an international terrorist. So, who's going to rescue the day? Iron Man's teenage son of course! Accept this is way more than Peter has ever encountered as New York's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Peter needs help to find and rescue his dad and the only person he can turn to is the one person he never wanted to see again. His ex-papa, Steve Rogers.

How Do You Know They're Yours by UisceOneLove for lizzeth, 1.5k Words

Peter has a question for Steve and Natasha.

An Act of Love: Confession by Skeeter_110 for ChocolateCapCookie, 2k Words

If there's one thing everyone needs to know about Tony Stark, it's that he absolutely loathes magic; especially when it's used against him. Like now. Loki decided that it was a great idea to put a spell on Tony and Steve that made them, not only have to take care of some random baby, but also not able to leave Tony's floor until one thing happened; a love confession.

Love is another Higgs particle by VeroCaroline for wingheads, Artwork

Tony is trying to create a worm hole just to find there are other universes that look the same, but are very different! Tokophobia is definitely a new word in Tony´s dictionary. The A/B/O fan art you´ve never asked for…

Warning: Secrets May Have Consequences! by Pookiethefrickinbunn for parkrstark, 5k Words

The brain fog slowly began to seep out of Steve’s head and more and more details came to him. He had been on his way to pick up his boyfriend's 11 year old son from school. No, scratch that. He had picked him up from school. … “Steve! Help!” Peter screamed and without a second thought Captain America stormed the room. In an instant three men were on him, attempting to tackle him to the ground. Steve easily shook them off, leaving them incapacitated on the floor, only to realize a few seconds later that fighting him was not their main objection. Getting the syringe full of Super Soldier tranquilizers that was currently lodged into his neck was. Steve felt his world begin to tilt and suddenly he was hitting the ground hard. All the while Peter was screaming for him. Oh God. Peter They had Peter.

The Joys of Early Morning Hunts by lizzeth for Perlmutt, 3.5k Words

During the mer's morning hunt, humans have breached the peaceful dome in which the fishfolk of SHIELD reside. In the panic of swimming to their caves and seeking spots to hide, Tony finds himself desperately looking for his gup, Peter. But the humans are close, where could Peter of gone?

Look Into His Angel Eyes (One Look And You’re Hypnotized) by EmmaElsa0000 for Neverever, 2.3k Words

Tony never thought he’d find a family. Yet here he is, his “family” now being a tall blonde, the living embodiment of a puppy dog, a scary redhead in heels, and a grumpy air force pilot.

Finding A Way Back by Neverever for MercurialMagpie, 4.2k Words

When Tony hurts his back, ex-husband Steve stays with him to take care of their son, Peter. Peter likes this arrangement a lot.

The Artistic Method by MercurialMagpie for ArabellaAM, 2.5k Words

Steve is perfectly happy with his life, and his career teaching art. That is, until a bright young man and his brilliant father intrude on his peace.

when your waiter looks like a greek statue by imeanthatsprettysnazzy for Girl_Back_There, 1.8k Words

Sadly, it was getting harder for Tony to pretend that he hadn’t caught feelings for the cute waiter. Peter wasn’t a little kid anymore, and he was capable of recognising that Tony had a crush on the man now – he wouldn’t have caught on to that little detail when he was a kid, and boy, did Tony miss those days now. “I reckon you should just go for it,” Peter said decisively. “He seems like a cool dude" (or, single dad tony realllyyy needs to go on a date, even if his son is the only one who seems to think so)

Home for the Holidays by tamaranianprincess for EmmaElsa0000, 2.2k Words

Steve surprises his husband and son when he comes home from overseas.

Thank you, creators, for all of the love and work you put into your gifts! Hope to see you all again next year!

#superfamilyexchange #superfamily #superfam #work reveals #creator reveals #steve rogers #tony stark #peter parker #gift exchange #captain america #iron man #spider man

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fortheloveofwonderland · 4 years ago

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Sixty Six Percent [Spencer x fem! Reader]

A/N - This is for my “girls night out” square on my CM bingo card for @cmbingo, which you can find the masterlist for here. Also loosely based off this prompt I’ve been wanting to write for a while - Our best friends are that awful “cute” couple that make out in public and call each other “sweetie” and “sugar” and god they’re awful, let’s talk about how awful they are – develops into “oh we’re that awful couple now”. Includes some Galvez and is set circa season 14 ish. Bottom right image taken from Kirsten’s Instagram.

CW - not much really - just drinking and fluff.

In which girls night takes an unexpected turn when it coincides with boys night.

WC: 2.2K

Find my full Masterlist here.

Western’s bar in DC on a Friday night had been a must for girls night out. It was known for its cheap drinks, loud music and packed dance floor. Everything you and the girls were looking for.

When your closest friends worked for the FBI, arranging girls night was always a near impossible feat. You’d lost count of how many times Penelope, Emily, JJ and Tara had to bail on your plans because another case had come up.

You understood, you’d been best friends with Penelope for years now and you appreciated their schedules were hectic but you were always left downtrodden when they’d had to cancel again.

But finally after weeks of cancellations and rescheduling, tonight they had been free for girls night.

Shots were flowing and you all showed off your moves on the dance floor. You and Tara being the only single ones of the group danced with a few men but it was all harmless flirting, nothing serious.

You weren’t looking to take someone home tonight.

It was nearing midnight and you had all taken a break from dancing to rehydrate with vodka. You noticed Penelope’s eyes shift away from the girls across the room and her perfectly sculpted eyebrows knitted together.

“What is it, Pen?” You asked her, having to speak loudly to be heard over the music.

“We can’t just have one night.” She rolled her eyes but then her face broke out into a large smile. “Excuse me.” And with that she sauntered off.

Your gaze followed where she had gone to see her throwing herself into the arms of her boyfriend, Luke Alvez.

You chuckled to yourself, nudging Emily in the arm.

“They just can’t stay away from each other can they?” You laughed.

“It’s disgusting really.” Emily also laughed.

“Looks like they're having a boys night. We should probably go and say hi.” JJ shrugged.

“I suppose it would be rude not to.” Tara agreed.

The four of you followed in Penelope’s footsteps across the room. You’d met most of the team over the years thanks to Penelope and you said your hellos to Luke, Rossi and Matt.

The last man you came to had incredible hazel eyes, which even in the dim lighting of the bar you could see were flecked with gold. He had a light stubble on his cheeks and untamed curls you had a sudden desire to run your fingers through.

Spencer Reid, you assumed. You’d heard of him countless times but for whatever reason the two of you had never met. You got the impression he avoided social situations in lieu of more academic pursuits.

You’d heard stories of his time in prison and looking at him now it struck you that there was a hint of sadness in those hazel eyes and you assumed that must be why.

“You must be Spencer.” You smiled a little shyly at him. You had no idea he’d be so attractive. “I’m Y/N.”

He smiled at you but you noticed it was stifled. Like he knew the fact you knew his name meant you knew what had happened to him.

“Yes, I’m Spencer. I’ve heard a lot about you Y/N, I can’t believe we’ve never met before.” Despite the sadness about him, his eyes seemed to sparkle as they looked at you and it made you feel hot under the collar.

“Me either.” You couldn’t help but beam, had Penelope been hiding him from you? He was just your type.

You turned to look at your friends briefly but were surprised to find them gone. Tara, Emily, JJ and Matt were now dancing in the middle of the floor while Rossi propped up the bar, sipping his single malt.

A few feet from where you were standing with Spencer, Luke and Penelope were swapping saliva in an extremely NC-17 fashion.

He had his hands on her voluptuous backside and her fingers were clawing at his shirt.

“Are they always like this?” You turned back to Spencer with a grimace.

He shrugged.

“Not always but often enough not to be phased by it anymore.” He chucked a little.

“Young love.” You laughed too.

“They’re actually pretty cute when they aren’t pushing the boundaries of public displays of affection.”

“Pen always refers to him as bunny, it makes me sick.” You laughed harder.

“Oh gosh.” Spencer pulled a face. “They flirt over the phone on cases all the time. It takes forever to get an answer out of Garcia because they have to flirt in every single call.”

“I bet he hasn’t described to you their sex life in graphic detail. Because Penelope has.” You shudder a little. “I know more about Luke’s anatomy than I ever needed to know.”

“That’s...that’s unfortunate.” Spencer laughed.

“Yeah that’s one way to put it.”

“Can I buy you a drink?” His smile was much less sad now, and more genuine as he looked at you. The way he was smiling at you made you feel weak.

“That would be really nice.” You nodded.

You followed Spencer to the bar where he ordered you both a drink and paid. He then led you over to a small booth away from the chaos where you sat next to him to allow you to be able to converse over the music. At least that’s what you told yourself.

It had nothing to do with the fact you wanted to be close to him. Absolutely nothing.

“One time we were on a case in Boston and I called Garcia and for whatever reason she thought I was Luke and she started graphically describing what she was going to do to me, Luke when I got home. It was...disturbing to say the least.”

“Oh wow. That sounds...horrible.” You laughed.

“I’ve not been able to properly look her in the eye since.” Spencer pulled a face.

“They are the definition of sickening. But they’re happy. I guess that’s all that matters.” You shrugged, sipping your drink. “They’re lucky, one night stands have never worked out that well for me.”

“No?” Spencer looked inquisitive. “I’ve never had one.”

“Really?” You raised an eyebrow at him. “I thought everyone had had at least one.”

“Statistically only sixty six percent of American’s have had a one night stand before.”

“I forgot Penelope told me you were a genius.” You laughed again. “That’s a surprisingly low number.”

“It’s still over two hundred and sixteen million people.” he didn’t even look as though he had to think to know something like that. You were impressed and felt slightly inadequate in comparison to him.

“Oh, in that case I suppose it is a lot.” you didn’t really know what you could say to that. “Can I ask why you’ve never had a one night stand?”

Spencer contemplated his answer this time. Facts and statistics rolled off his tongue but when he had to speak of personal things it often took him a moment to find the right thing to say.

“I suppose I’m a romantic at heart. One night stands seem kind of...disheartening to me. I’m not saying never but I’ve never felt the need thus far in my life.”

“See I don’t agree.” you turned in your seat so you could look at him properly. This close you could really see his incredible bone structure, high cheekbones and a sharp jawline. You wanted to run your fingertips over the delicate curves of his face, kiss the stubble on his soft skin and make your way to those plump lips of his. “Being single is hard, especially when your best friend is Penelope who is and is all loved up with Alvez. One night stands provide a little solace from the loneliness I guess.” you shrugged, trying not to sound like you were throwing a pity party for yourself.

“But isn’t it just lonely all over again when it's over?” Spencer leaned closer to you and your eyes were fixated on his lips.

“I don’t know.” mirroring him, you leaned closer. “We could always find out.” you smirked at him. You had just met him and you knew being so brazenly flirtatious could be dangerous territory. But you’d gone all these years without ever crossing paths so you supposed if this went south and Spencer rebuffed you then avoiding him wouldn’t be that difficult.

His facial expression didn’t change so you had no idea what he was thinking or how he had taken your advances. He leaned even closer and your eyes were still locked on his lips.

“Are you asking me to come home with you Y/N?” his eyes were dark, lust perhaps?

“I’m asking you to join the sixty six percent Spencer.”

For a few long seconds neither of you moved or spoke. Spencer eyes fell over you, lingering longer on your lips. You shifted a little in your seat feeling hot under his intense gaze. He leaned even closer and you thought he was about to kiss you, but just as he inched towards you, a voice snapped you back to reality.

“Y/N there you are!” it was Emily. “And Spence, hey.”

“Hi Emily, what’s up?” you would never forgive her if she had gotten in the way of Spencer kissing you.

“Come and dance, it's girls night!” she tugged your arm, pulling you so you were on your feet.

Spencer shuffled out of the booth behind you. As Emily started dragging you towards the dancefloor, he came close to your ear and whispered “I’ll come and find you later.” and then he headed over towards Rossi who was still propping up the bar.

You danced with the girls for hours, even Penelope when she came up for air and pried herself away from Luke for more than a few seconds. The drinks kept flowing, laughter was aplenty; it was a great night all round. It had been worth waiting for.

Around three am you and the girls decided to call it night. You were a little tipsy and your feet hurt from all the dancing. You had lost track of Spencer earlier in the night, you were a little disappointed but it was probably for the best. A one night stand with your best friend's colleague would no doubt only end in disaster.

You said your goodbyes outside, hugs and cheek kisses were dished out and they all promised you would have another girls night as soon as their schedules allowed. You lived on the other side of town than the girls so you waved off their cab from the curb and awaited the next one. It wasn’t long before another cab pulled up and to your confusion the rear window rolled down as it came to a stop.

“Told you I’d find you later.” Spencer smiled at you from the backseat.

You tried to hide your blush as you slid in next to him.

“I thought you left.” you buckled yourself in and almost immediately Spencer took hold of your hand.

“Not without you.” he leaned closer and then his lips pressed against yours in the backseat of the cab and you felt your whole body turn to jelly at the sensation. He used his free hand to cup your face as he deepened the kiss.

You felt a jolt of electricity coarse through you, something you had never felt before. Your lips moved in such a synchronized fashion it was crazy to think you had never done this before. You felt as though you’d waited your entire life for this moment.

The kiss lasted a few minutes and when it ended you both panted slightly, trying to grasp at the air that had escaped your lungs. He kept his hand on your cheek, stroking small circles on your skin with his thumb.

“Are you ready to join the sixty six percent club Spencer?” you smirked at him in the dark.

He kissed you again, softly this time, more cautiously.

“I’m quite comfortable in the minority. And I already know I am not going to be able to settle for one night with you.”

Your heart melted at his words, and the loving look he was giving you. You squeezed his hand, kissing him once more.

“If you take me for breakfast in the morning, you can have as many nights as you like.” you winked at him which made him blush a little.

“I’m sure we can arrange that, my love.”

“Thirty four percent it is then.” you laughed, settling your head on Spencer’s shoulder. He wrapped his arm around your shoulders and kissed your head.

You would have to berate Penelope for not introducing you to Spencer sooner. But you might also need to cut her and Luke some slack, because you had a feeling you and Spencer were going to become an awful, cutesy couple just like them. But when it was happening to you, you didn’t mind so much. Maybe you’d even let Spencer call you bunny…

...On second thoughts, maybe not. Somethings would never change. You’d leave the cringey nicknames to Penelope and Luke. At least for now anyway. Tomorrow was another day.

#spencer reid #dr spencer reid #spencer reid fanfiction #cmbingo21 #criminal minds #criminal minds fanfiction #penelope garcia #luke alvez #emily prentiss #tara lewis #jennifer jareau #david rossi #matt simmons #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid x y/n #spencer reid x fem!reader #spencer reid x you

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inkandpen22 · 3 years ago

Text

Permanent Chaos (4/?)

Pairing: MGK x Female!Reader

Word Count: 4k

Warnings: mild swearing, mentions of underage drinking

Part Summary: Sam hosts a party and Y/N makes a not-so-great acquaintance of a certain rock star.

Masterlist

Sam’s house is filled with people. I know the majority of the partiers, the rest I can recognize from whatever field of entertainment they’re in. The music is blasting over the speakers and the voices fill the remaining space.

I search around for him. I manage to find him in the family room on the couch. He’s chatting with a group of people, including Penelope. I make my way over, shuffling between bodies. When I appear out from within the crowd, Sam gleams.

“You made it!”

“I did!” I giggle.

We hug and he introduces me to the girl beside him. “Y/N, this is Cara.”

As if I don't know who Cara Delevigne is, I may be busy but I don't live on Mars. I smile at her kindly. “Nice to meet you!”

“You too! I’m a huge fan of your work on TSL!” She gushes, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

The Seasons of Life is often shortened to TSL, just a side note.

Cara’s accent is so pretty! She’s already a model then she has to have a British accent as if she wasn’t perfect enough!

“Aw, thank you so much!”

Sam slips by me. “I’m going to go get us a drink!”

"Oh wait, Sam!"

“I know what to do!” He shouts back without stopping. I should know better. With how much time we spend together, he would know my order.

“That kid,” I sigh to Penelope and Cara.

The two giggle and we go on to talk about this and that. Fun enough, Cara leaves for Paris tomorrow for a fashion show. Must be exciting to travel so often and to wear the most amazing clothes. She’s quite funny. Her personality is so vibrant and warm. I can see us being good friends.

A loud voice echoes through the house and the three of us look toward the archway to see who it’s coming from. Bodies block the view so I turn my attention back to the girls. Penelope and I discuss the photoshoot in two days and Cara talks about her experiences with Vanity Fair.

“Hey, Cara!” A voice greets behind me.

I don't turn around, but I can feel their energy hovering over me. They shuffle to stand right beside me. I glance up, but can't recognize them.

Cara stands up to hug them. “Good to see you! How are you?” She keeps him in an embrace.

“Great, great!” The guy, who’s back is to me for some reason seems familiar. I can’t quite put my finger on it.

“You know Sam?” She questions as they part.

“Not really, I came with a few friends.”

I look over at Penelope for a hint as to who it could be. She shrugs and watches the two interact.

“Speaking of, have you seen him? I should say hi.” The man asks.

“He went to the kitchen to get a drink for him and Y/N.”

The man turns around and he peers down at me on the couch. I should’ve guessed it… MGK. The hair and a million tattoos should've been a dead giveaway. That bright blonde mess of a hairstyle.

“Colson, this is Y/N Voss,” Cara introduces us.

He glances down at me with a smile. “We’ve met actually,” he claims.

My head tilts, I can’t recall when we've met properly.

“Today after I performed on James’s show,” he describes, towering over me.

“Oh! Awesome!” Cara sits back down next to me.

All I can do is stare at Colson in confusion. “If you count glancing at one another from across the room once as meeting,” I reply a bit snarky.

He gives me a toothy grin and eases down onto the cushion ottoman right across from me. “It was more than one glance,” he argues.

“You would know, you’re the one that never looked away," I fire back.

Cara and Penelope exchange a glance, snicker, then leave the scene together. They offer their goodbye before giggling away. They're smart.

Colson seems to have not noticed or at least doesn’t care. He moves to take Cara's spot on the cushion next to me. “You would’ve had to been looking to have noticed that I never looked away.”

My head rolls back, with a mocking laugh. “Well aren’t you a genius!”

He rests his arm on the back of the couch behind me. “I like to think so.”

“One vodka tonic.” Sam interrupts, holding out my drink.

I take it bitterly. "Thanks."

“Sam huh?” Colson stands up and the two shake hands. “I’m Colson, nice to officially meet you, man!”

Sam treats him like an old friend which annoys the heck out of me. Colson so far has only shown his arrogance to me. “You too! Great seeing you today at the show. Your performance was amazing.”

“Thanks, your interview was hilarious!” Colson fakes charming better than some actors.

“You watched?” Sam asks.

“Yeah, I stuck around just off-camera. You two are great!”

Watching these two talk each other up is a bromance waiting to happen.

Sam gestures to me with his glass. “Y/N here is the real comedian. There’s never a dull moment with her."

“I'm sure.” Colson peers down at me with a bright smile. "We’ve only just met and she’s already sparked a debate with me.”

I narrow my eyes at Colson, what’s he trying to start?

Sam settles down on the ottoman where Colson was. “What about?” He is all for the conversation and is jumping headfirst into the tiff between us.

Colson smiles but I see the mischief in his eyes.

“It wasn’t a debate” I rise to my feet in front of the boys. “If you would excuse.” I step away from the couch a little irked.

“Oh come on now Baby, I’m only joking,” Colson calls not bothered.

“Oh no,” Sam laughs behind me. “Best not call her that or any pet names for that matter. She hates them!”

I don’t even acknowledge them on my walk out of the room. Cocky, annoying, ugh! It’s been maybe five minutes and he’s already managed to irritate me. Maybe all the things they write in the tabloids about him are true. A spoiled, arrogant, womanizing jerk. A piece of the worst parts of the industry. I'm going to go find the girls and stay far away from Colson Baker.

________________________________________

On the set of the Vanity Fair shoot, the atmosphere is lively and carefree. The theme is an 80’s vintage style and since it’s coming back the magazine is mixing old with the new. Sam and I are in an old-fashioned record store and it’s wicked! The walls are teal and remind me of an old Taco Bell. There are rows and rows of just vinyl records. My hair is teased in an 80’s rock band kind of hairstyle. 80s music has been playing on set all morning to set the mood. I'm living for it!

A lady approaches me with a huge light wash denim jacket.

“No way! I get to wear this!” I gush.

She helps me put it on and I’m dying from how awesome this shoot is.

I immediately go to Sam's trailer. “Sam! I’m rocking the denim on denim look!” I show off my high-waisted light wash denim shorts with a black bulky leather belt around my waist.

He laughs. “I appreciate the denim on denim but I have to say my favorite part is the old Bon Jovi T.”

The photographer, Adam, comes up with this brilliant idea for me to stand on the crates of records. Where the two rows in the middle of the store meet, there’s enough room for me to stand. Once I’m up there and I can find the balance in these red heels, they have Sam join me.

“Sam, grab her leg and look up at her as though you’re keeping an eye on her,” Adam instructs.

The camera flashes and between snaps, I change my facial features.

“Good! Good! Let’s get some shots from the counter!”

Sam helps me down from the crates and I hop down. We get a shot of me laying across the counter with a red sucker in my hand and Sam hovering over me. This shoot is incredibly fun and I can’t wait to see the finished product.

Sam and I change outfits and Adam asks if he can get a video for the website and YouTube channel. Of course, we said yes. It’ll be a montage of an interview of us individually and then of us just messing around throughout the store with 80’s music playing in the background. Adam has me sit on an 80’s style floral couch they set up in front of a backdrop in the back room. The whole setup is very comfortable and intimate. Only us, a few lights and a camera with the radio playing. Sam is in makeup and dress for the part of the video of us being candid.

“You can sit however you like!” Adam instructs, meaning I’m sitting too formal with my posture straight and legs crossed. “Act like we’re just hanging out or something.”

I adjust myself and crisscross my legs, slouching a bit.

“Much better!” he compliments, staring down at the camera. He hits up on a stool and positions his camera on the stand. “What’s it like to be on the cover of Vanity Fair?”

“The whole experience is unreal! I remember having a subscription to Teen Vogue growing up. My friends and I loved them!”

“Would you describe your style as modern or classic?”

“Classic for sure!” I gush.

Adam snickers. “What’s your favorite decade for fashion?”

I laugh and gesture down at my outfit. “The 80’s.”

“Does anyone from the 80’s inspire your style in particular?”

I tap the tips of my fingers together and hum. “That’s a toughy! I guess I would have to say Demi Moore for the hair. Specifically, her haircut from About Last Night… that’s where I got the style for my hair actually. Another big one would be Cindy Crawford, such a fashion icon!” I could talk about fashion all day and the icons idolize.

“Heels or sneakers?”

“Depends on the occasion. Sneakers for everyday things, I could never live without my trusty Converse. Yet, I would wear heels if I’m dressing it up a bit.”

"Are you more of a girly-girl or tomboy?”

“People who know me well would say I’m a girly-girl but I also don’t mind downplaying it from time to time. I’ve gotten better lately at relaxing and no being so “on” all the time.”

“Hair up or down?”

“Half up, half down,” I wiggle my eyebrows playfully looking into the camera.

Adam chuckles behind the camera. He changes topics. “You’re from South Carolina originally...”

My heart sinks a little at the mention of home, but I hide behind a smile. “That I am.”

“You haven’t been back in almost a year, do you miss it?”

I play with the ends of my hair, examining my lap. Avoiding the camera lens. I look at anywhere but there. “If I were to miss anything about South Carolina, it would be the gorgeous landscape and southern food."

“You have three siblings, correct?” Adam asks next.

“I do, an older brother and sister, then a younger brother.” I list.

“What do they think about the show and your career?”

I nod. “They support me but the distance is hard. As you said, we haven’t all been together in almost a year.”

“Do you have any plans to go visit home soon?”

I sigh, “sadly no, my work keeps me quite busy.”

The interview goes on and we discuss how my style has evolved since I was a teen starting out in the business. I’ll admit, the topics about home and family sucked. Work and personal life are two separate jobs, my worlds can’t collide. I never bring South Carolina into it.

______________________________________________

After the shoot, I received a call from Cara when we were finishing up the photoshoot. Last night, Cara, Penelope, and I had a blast! I completely forgot about the whole tiff with Colson once I reached them in the kitchen. Since then, we’ve been three peas in a pod. While we were talking on the phone, she invited Sam and me to dinner at The Ivy.

“A small gathering of friends,” she told me and asked for us to be there by seven.

Jump ahead to now and Sam is parallel parking the car. I hop out and wait on the sidewalk for Sam to walk around. Our hands' interlock and the paparazzi take notice of us when people on the sidewalk pull out their phones.

“Y/N! SAM! SAM! OVER HERE!”

“HOW’S FILMING GOING?”

“It’s good to be back on set!” I cover my eyes with my clutch.

“YOUR INTERVIEW WITH JAMES CORDEN WAS GREAT!”

“SOCIAL BLEW UP AFTER THE INTERVIEW!”

Sam asks for the guys to make a path so we can get through without issues. He releases my hand and presses his palm to my lower back protectively.

“WE’VE ALREADY SEEN Cara AND PENELOPE GO IN!”

“A FEW PEOPLE ACTUALLY!”

“ARE YOU ALL MEETING UP?”

“Maybe, maybe not!” I look into one of the video cameras and wink.

The guy behind it gets a hoot out of my expression.

Sam and I reach the restaurant and the men let us go in unbothered.

“WE’LL LEAVE YOU ALONE TO YOUR DINNER!”

“Thanks guys, see you later!” I wave to them and their cameras shoot rapidly.

The noise dies down when we go back further into the restaurant. Sam spots Cara in the back and guides me back there. Tables are lined up in a long row and the majority of the seats are filled.

Cara, cool as a cucumber pulls me into a hug. “Hey Y/N! So glad you two could come!” She sits Sam and me across from each other near the middle. She insisted that I sit by her so we could chat. We get to talking about the Vanity Fair shoot today then she’s pulled away when another guest arrives.

The waitress comes up behind me and requests my drink order.

“I’ll have a sweet tea please.”

“We only serve unsweetened.”

I hate it when they say that. “That’s fine, thank you!” Sam eyes me and I pout about having no sweet tea.

“You realize there’s sugar right here.” He slides me the packets of sugar.

“Yes but it’s not the same. There’s sweet tea at every restaurant where I’m from and I come here boom! Sweet tea is nonexistent!”

"What’s the drink that’s carbonated?” He’s asking to be annoying because the west coast and the midwest disagree on the name.

“Pop!” I glare at him.

“That’s right! Pop! Sounds like you’re saying pot every time.” He laughs at his own joke, finding himself humorous.

“It’s soda by the way," he corrects.

“Uh uh,” I refuse to change my ways, “it’s pop.”

The empty chair next to me slides back and when I glance up to see who’s doing it, an instant headache hits my brain.

Sam greets Colson warmly with a handshake. I shoot Sam another glare. He’s acting neutral but that shouldn’t be a choice in this case. He was my friend first!

Colson removes black Ray-Bans from his face and positions them on top of his head.

“Hello Y/N.” Colson sends me one of his charming grins so many teen girls swoon over.

“Hi,” I reply, not attempting to hide my disinterest. I curve my body away from him and towards Cara, legitly giving him the cold shoulder.

The dinner goes on without a hitch surprisingly, considering the circumstances. Penelope leans down over the back of my chair to say our goodbyes.

I turn around in my chair to face her. “See ya tomorrow.”

“See ya,” she rubs her hand up and down my arm.

She and I exchange kisses on the cheek. “Love you!” We say in unison as we part.

“Later Sam!” She wiggles her fingers at him in a wave.

Sam and I stick around a while longer since Cara and I have gotten into a deep conversation about our shared love for vintage things. A conversation about our collections of records alone went on for twenty minutes. I hadn't noticed that it was just four of us now. Sam and Colson have been talking most of the dinner.

A pair of hands rest on my shoulders and steal my attention away from Cara. “Y/N, you ready to go?” Sam asks.

“We’ll head out too!” Cara announces with her sights directed behind me.

I look over my shoulder and Colson is standing beside Sam. The four of us walking out together… how convenient.

I grab my clutch, sticking close to Sam to dodge Colson.

The four of us walk toward the front of the restaurant and right when we reach the steps leading outside, Cara announces that she forgot her purse.

“I’ll be right back!” She urges us to go on without her.

The cameras waited for us as I assumed they would. They’re capturing every minute of us waiting for Cara.

I place my hand on Sam’s shoulder, “would you go help her?”

“You sure?” His eyes flicker between me and Colson.

“I’ll be fine,” I assure him and he promises he’ll only be a second.

“Go to the car so you aren’t bothered,” he refers to the paparazzi.

“I’ll walk her,” Colson offers.

Sam gives him the go-ahead as he goes off to help in the search for the purse.

I’m left with the one guy I was avoiding. I grip the keys in my hand and walk down the brick steps to the sidewalk. I hear Colson behind me and stop to address him. “I can walk myself to the car.”

He raises his arms mocking a surrender. “I don’t doubt your ability to walk, just helping out.”

“I don’t need your help,” I scoff, starting to walk again.

“I never said you did,” Colson sassily replies.

*Click* *Click* *Click*

A man runs around me to get a photo of me straight on.

“Y/N! Y/N! WALKING IN WITH SAM AND LEAVING WITH MGK, ANY EXPLANATION?”

I pause for a moment, making eye contact with the man behind the camera. Is he honestly trying to start drama? What lies are he going to sell? I’m only going to the car because Sam requested. The only reason Colson is even near me is that he’s so freaking persistent.

I push back the aggravation and force my lips into a kind smile. I can’t have a single moment of weakness. I can’t give in to my emotions like others. “Sam is helping Cara with something inside. Colson was kind enough to walk me to the car.”

“HOW LONG HAVE YOU GUYS KNOWN EACH OTHER?”

I purposefully answer quickly so Colson doesn’t even have the chance to think of a response. “Not long, we met the other day backstage at The Late Late Show. We have a lot of the same friends and had no idea!” I peek over at Colson and he gives me a knowing look. I dismiss it and go on with my charade. I will not let this jerk mess with my career.

“ANY CHANCE OF HAVING COLSON GUEST STAR ON THE SHOW?”

“That would be great!” I lie my butt off, “having more friends on set would be fun!”

“COLSON, HOW’S YOUR NEW ALBUM COMING ALONG?!”

“We’re in the recording stage right now. Should be released sometime this summer," he answers.

“FOLLOWING UP WITH A TOUR?”

“Of course!” he chuckles.

I unlock the car and move around the guys to reach the door.

“WE’LL LET YOU GUYS GO ON. ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR NIGHT!” One of them departs.

“Thank you! You too!” I wave goodbye.

Some stick behind to get a few last pictures but for the most part, they all disburse. The ones remaining, however, keep their distance.

I yank on the handle of the door and Colson holds it for me. As if he's a gentleman. I begin to climb in, prepared to yank it shut in his face.

“Friends huh?” Colson chuckles.

I turn around abruptly and check around the general area of the sidewalk for any cameras. Seems the remainder of the guys have left. I shut the door and Colson removes his hand in a rush.

“No, not friends! I only said that to please the public," I huff.

“Ouch!” he acts offended, placing his hand on his heart. “I did find it interesting that you claimed we met backstage the other day so I was right!” He chuckles, believing he caught me.

“No, no, no, no!" I shut that thought down quickly. "The only reason I made that up was that it’s not good for my image if I admit I was at a party. People tend to assume that heavy drinking and drugs occur at parties. I can’t be associate with that scene!”

“Oh, so it’s alright to lie?” He crosses his arms and snickers, glancing down the street toward the restaurant.

I roll my eyes, of course, he doesn’t understand, why would he? “You don’t get it” I scoff, dismissing him. I turn and reach for the car handle again.

“So what if you were at a party? People drink, if some have a problem with that, that’s their problem. Oh! I forgot! You're America's Sweetheart! The perfect angel princess with a spotless record,” he mocks.

I slam the car door shut, having hit my limit. I keep my voice hush. “It’s not that simple! I'm not like you! I can't be caught partying! If the country, the world, sees the truth then my image is ruined! I've been doing this since I was a teenager! I worked way too hard for far too long to lose everything over a stupid mistake!”

Colson’s face falters from his usual carefree expression to one of seriousness.

“Found it! Let’s go!” Sam announces loudly to the whole block.

I toss him the keys and glance back to Colson who stands there in a stillness I have yet to see from me. His stare makes me want to hide. I feel as though I’m under a microscope being studied.

“Toodaloo Y/N! ‘Till next time my pals!” Cara strolls down the sidewalk.

It’s evident she’s had a couple of drinks. She sways further down the sidewalk and comes to a stop once she notices Colson isn’t following.

“Later Cara!” Sam shouts over the top of the car behind me.

Colson and I stare at each other I’m guessing for different reasons. He appears lost in thought and I’m desperately trying to figure out why. If I look away, I fear he’ll break to pieces or something.

Cara pauses. “Colson? You coming?”

He holds out for a moment but finally breaks eye contact with me. "Yeah."

When I’m no longer staring into those black works of art I regain my ability to move. I hurry into the car and Sam says his goodbyes again over the top of the car. I buckle my seatbelt when he climbs in. Watching strangers walk up and down the sidewalk, I’m perfectly aware of Sam starring me down.

He pulls onto the street. “Are we gonna talk about it or are we doing silence?”

I reach over and turn up the radio.

“Of course you make your own option.” Sam watches me, waiting for some sort of explanation.

We come in at the end of a song and the next one is oh too recognizable. The classic rock sound that is a part of all of Colson’s music plays through the car speakers. His vocals enter the soundwave and I groan loudly over the music before turning off the radio.

"No music then!" I snap.

__________________________________

Masterlist

Tags: @canyoubuymetoast @bri-3530 @asil1652 @andstilltryingtofindmyself @nadia2021 @olafsidehoe @mgkobsessed @fairywriting101 @ferrell-cat @naylanae-0308 @tonystarkswife10 @alexsa5 @brocksbabyyy @stormrider505 @magnificenthumancopangel @sarcasticfangirlus @lilramencup95beech @missyviolet123 @skeleton-gxr @glitterybearllamaflap @margaritaville20 @amoresix @thysagclub

#mgk smut #mgk fanfic #mgk imagine #mgk #mgk x reader #mgk aesthetic #machine gun kelly #imagine #fanfiction

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tricksters-captain · 4 years ago

Text

Benedict Bridgerton / Anthony Bridgerton Imagines - Best Man Wins Part 3

AN: Here’s part 3! A little bit of a filler chapter but I promise things will start to pick up quickly!

(🎶🎶🎶) = Link to song

Overall Summary: Entering a society you thought you had left behind, you find yourself in a tricky triangle with two gentleman you never thought you’d fall for.

This Chapter: A sibling rivalry like no other.

(PART 1) // (PART 2)

Pairing(s): Anthony Bridgerton x fem!Reader, Benedict Bridgerton x fem!Reader

Word Count: 3,169

Warnings: None

Anthony reentered the Bridgerton house to see Benedict sat on the settee with Eloise and Francesca munching on some chocolates that Francesca had received as a gift that morning.

“Benedict, may I have a word?” Anthony asked, pulling off his gloves as he entered the drawing room.

“Go ahead, Brother.” Benedict said through a mouthful of chocolate.

“Privately.” Anthony shot a look at his sisters to which neither moved.

Benedict sighed as everyone in the family knew of the girls stubbornness and so he left the room with Anthony.

They entered Anthony’s study where Benedict sat down in the corner on a comfy chair and Anthony leant against his desk.

“What is it, Brother?” Benedict asked, popping a chocolate he had brought with him in his mouth.

“What are your intentions with (Y/n) (Y/l/n)?” Anthony asked with complete seriousness.

Benedict chuckled lightly as he leant forward.

“What ever do you mean, Brother?” Benedict pondered.

“I know you paid her a call today. And you danced with her last night.” Anthony informed his younger brother.

“So?” Benedict couldn’t understand why his brother was being so serious.

“Do you wish to marry this girl?” Anthony asked the same question as his mother had to him.

“Anthony. She’s a beautiful woman. The most beautiful I’ve seen in a very long time. If I wish to spend time with her, it doesn’t mean I wish to marry her. Why are you so curious about this one? I’ve danced with many other girls before.” Benedict had an idea. He wasn’t stupid, he knew that Anthony had paid (Y/n) a visit too that day.

“You haven’t sent flowers to a girl before.” Anthony stated. Which was the truth, none of them had.

“Neither have you, Brother.” Benedict retorted.

“Seems we have a situation here.” Anthony folded his arms across his chest.

“Seems we do.” Benedict rose to his feet and mimicked his older brother.

“I say...” Anthony sighs. “...We both can spend time with Miss (Y/l/n) if we wish and if anything comes of it then we shall see just which brother she prefers.”

Benedict could see the mischievous glint in his brother’s eye.

“But we do not let this get in the way of the family. If this spirals out of our control and comes between us then we both agree to leave the girl alone?” Anthony added.

“Agreed.” Benedict held out his hand and the brothers shook on it.

Surely this was just harmless courting... there wasn’t any wedding bells ringing just yet...

After a long day of suitors, you decided to flop on the settee with your book and curl up comfortably, munching on some of the treats that were brought to you today.

“Oh sit up, (Y/n).” Your mother chided you as she went to leave the room. “It’s unladylike.”

“There are currently no men in this house. I may sit how I please.” You argued as you popped another macaroon into your mouth just to irritate her.

“Stop eating all those sweets too! We have another event to attend tomorrow night and you don’t want me instructing the tightening of your corset if you are bloated because of it.” Your mother called back before disappearing into the house.

You groaned and pushed the pack away, taking only one extra.

You felt the sun through the window find it’s way to your face, warming you. It truly was a lovely day outside and you had been stuck indoors the entire time.

“Lottie!” You called out as you pushed yourself to your feet.

“Yes Miss.” She appeared quickly as she flattened her skirt.

“I shall like to take a stroll.” You announced, putting down the book that you had failed to read all day

“I shall fetch your coat and cap, miss.” Lottie rushed out into the hall to which you followed.

You tied your cap to your head and Lottie helped you with your coat before you left the house.

You walked in silence, raising your head slightly to feel the sun as Lottie followed a short distance behind you.

“Miss (Y/l/n)!” A girls voice cried out.

You looked across the street towards the park where you spotted two young girls heading towards you.

You recognised the both of them from the night before. One had the familiar chestnut hair of the Bridgerton family and the other a rather bright red head of hair.

“I don’t know if you remember me, Miss (Y/l/n) but I’m Penelope Featherington.” Penelope lowered her head as she greeted you with a bright smile.

“Of course I remember you, Miss Featherington.” You had some recollection of an orange haired tot.

“Please call me Penelope.” Penelope insisted.

“And you must call me Eloise. I remember how kind you used to be offering for me to play with you and Daphne when all I wanted to do was play with Colin and the boys.” Eloise greeted you with the same enthusiasm.

“It’s pleasure to see you again, Eloise. And I must extend the same invitation, you both must call me (Y/n).” You were thankful for their warm welcome. Before this social season you were terrified no one would wish to speak to you after your fathers scandal.

“You simply must promenade with us!” Eloise took hold of your arm as she guided you towards the park.

“How is your brother Colin? I remember how he used to pull Daphne’s hair and make her scream for your mother.” You couldn’t help but giggle at your childhood memories.

“He is off seeing the world. He left after the last season and only seems to come back for a handful of weeks at a time.” Eloise explained. He had always been the naughtiest of the Bridgeton siblings yet the one who seemingly could always get away with murder.

“And your sisters, Penelope?” You queried.

“Still unmarried despite Mother’s attempts to sell them to then men of the ton.” Penelope mumbled to your enjoyment.

The three of you laughed together as you walked through the park.

“Mother has not stopped talking about you since she saw you last night. I believe she’s already written Daphne three letters insisting they come down to London earlier than they had planned.” Eloise told you as she squeezed your arm.

“Oh goodness. I hope Daphne doesn’t trouble herself and rush down just to see me. We haven’t seen each other in lord knows how long.” You shook your head at Violet’s attempt to rekindle old relationships.

“11 years to be exact.” Eloise spoke up. You furrowed your eyebrows at her in curiosity and amusement.

“Lady Whistledown.” Penelope explained for her.

“That woman really does know everything, doesn’t she?” You chuckled.

“Incredible woman, I think. I’ve searched for her but my efforts have resulted in nothing so far.” Eloise pouted at the idea she hasn’t been the genius to unmask the anonymous writer.

You felt yourself shiver slightly as the wind blew past the three of you. The clouds had made the sky overcast and the wind had picked up sending through a chill.

“You must come back with me and Penelope and have some tea to warm up. You can’t walk all the way back to your house in this cold. You can borrow one of our carriages.” Eloise took notice of your shudder and you couldn’t refuse in a polite way as she was right and so you found yourself at the Bridgerton house front door.

“Mama! I have a guest!” Eloise announced loudly in the house which made you laugh again. Eloise hadn’t become any more ladylike than she had been as a toddler.

“Eloise, you mustn't shout.” Violet had begun to scold Eloise as she exited the drawing room but her face lit up at the sight of you.

“Miss (Y/l/n)!” Violet’s face shone as she announced your name.

“Please, Lady Bridgeton, call me (Y/n).” You squeezed her hands as she took hold of your own.

“(Y/n), I believe I told you to call me Violet.” She gave you a jesting warning stare and you nodded with a smile.

“Violet.” You started. “I’m sorry to arrive unannounced, I bumped into Eloise and Penelope in the park and Eloise insisted I come back to warm up.”

“No worries, my dear! No worries at all! I’ll have a fresh pot of tea brought up with some cakes and biscuits.” Violet guided you all into the drawing room to which you spotted Francesca playing the pianoforte.

“(Y/n)!” Francesca paused her playing to greet you.

“Oh my goodness. I thought Eloise had grown so much. Now look at you!” You gushed over the beautiful girl. “Both of you have blossomed into such beautiful women.”

“Thank you.” Francesca smiled warmly at you. “But I am not the seasons incomparable, that is you.”

“As Whistledown writes.” You mutter.

“As the reaction from the ton’s men last night proclaimed.” Eloise laughed along with her sister.

“Still, I gather you’ve been busy today with callers.” You gestured to the flower displays around the room.

“Not as busy as your residence. I hear every man in the ton went to call on you today.” Francesca brushed off her own accomplishments.

“I bet it’s exhausting. Constantly, ‘hello, oh yes thank you for the flowers that will die in a couple of weeks if not days, goodbye, hello, oh yes thank you, goodbye, oh hello, another man coming with the intention to enslave me as his wife’...” Eloise mocked the gentleman which made you burst out in laughter that you could not contain.

“I’m glad to know you find my sister as amusing as she finds herself.” Anthony’s voice seemed to come from nowhere.

You spun around to see him stood in the doorway. Just as handsome as he was earlier that day.

“Lord Bridgerton.” You bowed your head in greeting to which he replied with the same.

“I was just coming to find my mother.” Anthony told you. “But I am glad to have found you instead.”

“Are you saying you’d rather see someone more than your dear mother?” Violet came up behind Anthony with a maid holding a tray of tea beside her.

“There are very few people I’d rather see than you, Mother.” Anthony tried to charm his mother but she only responded with a ‘hmmmm’.

You couldn’t help but smile at the exchange.

The maid placed the tray down and Violet began to pour cups of tea.

“Tea, Anthony?” She asked her eldest who had been watching you as you sat down on the settee beside Eloise and Penelope.

“Just a small cup, please, Mother. I had intended to go to the club shortly.” Anthony sat himself down on the opposite settee, his attentions never leaving you.

You glanced towards the man and felt your cheeks flush slightly at his bold stare.

“Where has Benedict got too?” Eloise questioned her older brother.

“I believe he is in the back garden getting some air.” Anthony responded, finally letting his attention move from you over to his sister.

“It was lovely all day until just now, the clouds covering the sun suddenly made the temperature drop.” You spoke up as you took your tea from Violet.

“It has been one of our colder starts to the season.” Violet sighed.

“I don’t mind it being colder than usual. Saves me from sweating through my ridiculous dresses.” Eloise stated which earned a disapproving look from her mother.

“Eloise!” Violet scolded her quietly.

“It’s quite alright. I must agree that conditions can become quite unpleasant in the summer when we are expected to look our best.” You were on Eloise’s side. It had been terrible working hot summer days in the thick second hand dresses you often wore as a lady’s companion.

“I bet summer by the sea was enjoyable these past few years however?” Anthony asked as if he had read your mind.

“Indeed. We were very fortunate.” You didn’t want to expand on the matter as your mother had warned you about speaking of your previous life before society.

“What did you do all these years out in the country?” Eloise pressed but fortunately Violet cut in.

“Eloise enough! (Y/n) has not been here five minutes, she does not need your interrogation.” Violet quietened Eloise to which you were grateful.

You sent her a subtle smile which Anthony didn’t miss.

He had too wondered what your life had been like after your father’s scandal but he knew it wasn’t his place to ask... yet.

“I hear from Eloise that you sent Daphne news of my arrival?” You were the one to initiate change of topic.

“Oh yes! Daphne has written back and has expressed just how terribly excited she is to see you again, Dear.” Violet smiled widely as she thought on the letter.

“I can’t imagine just how beautiful she must be now after seeing Eloise and Francesca so grown.” You were excited to see your old playmate but you also felt nervous. Daphne had always been the pretty one, the clever one out of the two of you. After seeing the other Bridgerton daughters, you couldn’t even begin to picture what Daphne looked like now.

“She was named her season’s incomparable, however, I fear that may not have been true if you had returned earlier.” Anthony placed his cup down and smirked mischievously at you.

“It is a good thing that (Y/n) returned this year instead then.” Violet sent Anthony a sideways glance.

“Mother, may I steal our guest away for a tour of the house since she has not visited in such a long while?” Anthony had a playful look in his eyes which his mother never failed to notice.

“If (Y/n) agrees to it.” Violet looked towards you.

“That would be lovely. I was only just gushing over the wisteria from the house in Benedict’s bouquet earlier today.” You suddenly regretted your choice of words as you said them. It was awkward enough for you to have received flowers from both brothers only for you to mention it in front of everyone.

“I assured Benedict you’d like them.” Violet only smiled warmly as Fran and Eloise shared a look.

Anthony rose to his feet and offered you his arm.

He lead you from the drawing you and began his tour.

“I must admit I didn’t expect to be seeing you again so soon.” Anthony smirked as you walked alongside him.

“I simply ran into Eloise and Penelope in the park and Eloise insisted I visit and use one of your carriages to travel home.” You explained again even though you had mentioned it earlier. “If that’s still alright, of course.”

“I insist. The walk to your residence may not be very long but in the wind it can be disagreeable.” Anthony looked straight ahead as he spoke which allowed you a closer view at his side profile. He had a strong jaw and the curve of his lips was enhanced by the light from the window ahead which made you nibble down on your own. It was almost enough to make you forget it was rude to stare.

“I feel I must apologise for my intrusion. You had told your mother you were meant to be heading for the gentleman’s club. I fear I am keeping you.” You tried to keep from a silence falling between you two.

“Believe me, Miss (Y/l/n), there is nothing I would rather be doing than this right at this moment.” Anthony glanced down at you with honest eyes. It caused your chest to tighten.

“I must admit I find that hard to believe.” You tried to hide your smile as you tested the man.

“Is that so?” Anthony cocked his eyebrow at you. “And what do you suppose I would find more interesting than spending this time with you?”

“Oh boyish things I suppose. Watching boxing, gambling, visiting the theatre after hours.” You smiled as you listed off the events on your fingers.

“Are you insinuating I visit the theatre’s after hours? I thought we had already discussed these matters earlier, Miss (Y/l/n)?” Anthony feigned hurt as he spoke.

“Discussed? No. I’d say we approached the topic of your rakish reputation before my mother interrupted and you fled the house.” You were having too much fun with this.

“Fled? Now that is where I have to disagree. I would never flee anywhere.” Anthony continued walking you through the house as you conversed.

You spotted from a distance, the backdoor of the house was ajar and through the window you could see Benedict sat in the garden with a book and a pencil.

Was Benedict an artist?

As you grew closer to the backdoor you suddenly felt a nervosa rise in your stomach. You didn’t think you were quite ready to speak to both Anthony and Benedict alone.

“Do you suppose we should return to the drawing room before Eloise starts conspiring where we have gotten too?” You stopped in your step to try and turn both you and Anthony around.

“You’re right. I don’t doubt she has already been gossiping with miss Featherington about our whereabouts.” Anthony turned on his heels and you both started back to the drawing room.

“Will I be expecting to see you at the Helliwell’s ball the day after the next?” Anthony asked as you drew closer to company once again.

“Yes. My Mama has already accepted the invitation so we will be attending.” You informed him.

“Well, until then, Miss (Y/l/n).” Anthony stopped just before you reached the door to the drawing room and faced you. He pressed a light kiss to your knuckles and hovered your hand before his lips. “I must be off to the club now but I will send a carriage for you before I go.”

“Thank you, Lord Bridgerton.” You nodded your head politely.

“Please, it’s Anthony.” Anthony smirked at you, refraining from sending you a wink as he backed away.

“Is that Anthony off, dearest?” Violet asked as you reentered the drawing room.

“Yes.” You nodded. “Which does remind me that I must be off home before my mother worries I've been gone too long.”

“Well, it’s been lovely seeing you, Dear.” Violet rose from her seat and embraced you warmly.

“Thank you for having me.” You hugged her back with a grateful smile. “I will be back soon no doubt.”

“I’ll be holding you to that.” Violet held her finger to you with a gay squint.

You heard the horses out front and you knew this was your cue to leave.

You bid farewell to Penelope, Francesca and Eloise before entering the carriage.

As you looked back at the house, you felt something arise in you. It was a worrying feeling. A worry that the attention from both the Bridgerton men was going to get you into trouble or worse...

(Next part soon!)

If you’d like to be added to the taglist then either private message me, leave an ask in my inbox or comment on here!

#Anthony Bridgerton #Anthony Bridgerton x reader #Anthony Bridgerton imagines #Benedict Bridgerton x reader #Benedict bridgerton #Benedict Bridgerton imagines #Violet Bridgerton #Bridgerton imagines #Bridgerton #Eloise Bridgerton #Daphne Bridgerton #Jonathan Bailey #luke thompson #imagines #series #best man wins

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scribblingfangirl · 4 years ago

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WITH LOVE, THE GOSTS | Julie and The Phantoms - Part Three

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Author’s Note: I decided that this fic trilogy occurs a year after the season one final, making Julie and Y/N almost (or already) 17. Also… this part turned out waaay longer than expected. Which is why there is going to be a fourth part because I have one last idea but didn’t want to rush to write it. And to think this all started because of a rushed (haha) 1k Oneshot. I should really start to write more spontaneously, it seems like good things come out of it. Anyway, Enjoy! :D

word count: ~ 3.9k

summary: Even after meeting the boys they still aren’t tired of helping you out and they each have their own little ways to do it.

warnings: // (english is not my first language, not beta-read)

| PART ONE | PART TWO |

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Knowing that ghosts existed was an absurd feeling (even though you had always believed or hoped that there was more out there than just this world, especially with all those planets that had been discovered by NASA), but knowing that there were three certain ghosts that liked you enough to kindly haunt you, well… that was just plain unimaginable somehow. Yet, still less anxiety awakening than you expected.

After Julie let you meet the guys for the first time you thought you were prepared to accept that you would not be able to talk to them unless they played something (after all, you had Flynn to groan about that), but the occasional giggle from Julie and her glances into nothing still sent chills down your spine.

So you started to always look around very suspiciously whenever you were over at her house and make obscene hand movements just to be sure that the boys would move before you walked somewhere or sat down (which just earned chuckles from Flynn and annoyed sighs from Julie - “Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they can’t see you. They know where you are, so please stop, or else my dad will call your parents and send you to Dr Turner as well.” The boys found it hilarious and liked to imitate you whenever they came too close to you.)

The boys also still kept doing little things for you, just not so in secret anymore (though… Reggie was never one for subtlety). Whenever you seemed to have had a bad day (or whenever they just wanted to make you smile) you knew you could count on them having something prepared for you.

You soon discovered that anything related to food (which sometimes were extremely odd and bizarre combinations) was Luke’s doing (except for pizza and meatballs, according to Julie that was always Reggie). And you knew it was Alex whenever it was something more calm and soothing, yet sometimes a little bit clumsy. And whenever it was blatantly obvious and/or slightly weird (in a good way!) it was Reggie.

Well, no. Not always in a good way. One time you came back from school and your whole room was filled with glitter and butterflies and a small note with a little ‘Sorry!’ on it was pinned to your desk - cleaning that had been a pain in the a-. But you couldn’t be angry at Reggie, even though you weren’t quite sure what his ultimate goal would have been.

Speaking of REGGIE...

All those helpful little deeds and nice gestures were always done within the limits of your house (mostly room) or Julie’s house and the studio, which is why you almost let out a loud yelp when suddenly during a math test your pen started to move on his own, filling out the empty space (because yes, you hadn’t been doing very much other than staring helplessly at the paper in front of you). Quickly you grabbed the pen as well (loosely and while trying to ignore the fact that you were practically holding hands with one of the guys) so that nobody would see a floating pen as you did a few weeks ago at Christmas.

From the corners of your eyes, you saw Julie slightly move her head towards you, as if she was listening to you - or rather someone right beside or behind you. ‘Of course. I can’t see them, so the only way to help me is by physically grabbing the pen, but Julie can hear and see them, so they (whoever this is - because let’s be honest, none of the guys really looks like a math genius) only have to tell her the corrects solutions and how to get there. My money’s on Alex.’

You were kind of shocked, and weirdly proud when Julie came up to you after class and said: “Reggie’s not so questionable after all, huh?” (Though… you should’ve guessed it, you did say subtlety wasn’t Reggie’s strong suit.) So you just giggled and shook your head while leaving some of your books in your locker (alongside the fact that Reggie was probably almost (if not!) hugging you from behind - you shuddered at that thought, it’s not like you were already awkward around living boys your age, no need to add ghosts to that list!)

A week later you and Julie entered the studio with blank faces and hanging shoulders. Julie threw a weak little wave towards the piano and sighed while you threw the blankets and snacks you were holding carelessly on the ground and let yourself fall face-first onto the couch, not being able to hide your smile anymore.

“We got our math exams back… yes the one Reggie helped us with.”

You couldn’t see what Julie was doing, but you heard her gasp and whisper “No! Reggie…” after a while. Then she was standing beside you, nudging your shoulder and willing you to sit up, but you didn’t bulge, needing a few more seconds to wipe the smile off your face again.

Faking to disgruntledly accept defeat as Julie’s nudges got stronger (the couch was really comfortable, you totally understood Luke now) you sat up and looked at Julie. “Who’s going to tell them?” you said with a heavy voice and felt how the couch dipped beside you. Raising your eyebrows you quickly glanced to the side (obviously not seeing anybody or anything) and looked back at Julie questioningly.

She nodded, telling you that it was indeed Reggie and gave you the okay to drop the bomb.

You sighed as you turned back around, facing the wall on the other side of the studio and hoped that Reggie would ignore the fact that you were probably talking to his ear or something. “So Reggie… the help you gave us on the math final? Well…,” you couldn’t keep your face straight any longer and jumped onto the couch, “WE ACED IT! I WOULD HUG YOU IF YOU WEREN’T MADE OUT OF CUTE AIR!” (Okay… maybe there was a little bit too much serotonin involved.)

Julie added smiling, “And I’m happy to announce that due to my good grades my father allowed Julie and The Phantoms to play at the upcoming Summer Music Festival!”

A guitar riff filled the studio, followed by a short drum intro and with a ‘puff!’ the boys appeared in front of you, beaming and glowing at the news. Reggie even threw a wink at you when you smiled back and said: “Thank you!”

Don't look down 'Cause we're still rising Up right now And even if we hit the ground We'll still fly Keep dreaming like we'll live forever But live it like it's now or never!

This allowed LUKE…

The music festival was an experience you would never forget. You were very happy Ray managed to persuade your parents to let you accompany Julie (sadly Flynn had no such luck). Not only did you turn 17 and the boys made sure to have the whole crowd sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to you (as soon as you were back home you would add an extra point to your to-do: ‘find out how to kill ghosts a second time’), but the boys rocked the stage and Julie stood up taller and shined brighter than ever before.

Gone (yet not forgotten) were the painful shocks and the fear of never performing again and the serenity of the guys was visible.

It was the last night of the music festival when Julie got the phone call from her father. He would come by to get her the next morning and they would drive directly to visit other family members and spend the rest of the summer holidays there.

Of course, Julie was excited to see her cousins and aunts and uncles again, but she also felt bad to leave you to drive back alone (you had come with your car jam-packed with all the necessary equipment you needed and that wasn’t provided by the festival).

“Don’t worry! It’s only a four-hour drive! I’ve got good music, podcasts and audiobooks to keep me company and back home Flynn will be waiting. It sadly looks like I’m going to survive without you.”

Early the next morning Julie and some newfound fans of Julie and The Phantoms helped you load the equipment into your car and you said goodbye to Julie. Expecting the boys to just directly puff back to Los Feliz you didn’t waste any time and entered your car, connected your phone with the stereo and started to blast your favourite Broadway musicals.

You must’ve been on the road for half an hour when suddenly the playlist stopped and ‘Wake Up’ started to play.

So wake that spirit, spirit!

Confused you scrunched up your nose and touched the touch screen displaying the music system, trying to change it back to your playlist. But instead, the music changed yet again.

(Don't stop me now) 'Cause I'm having a good time (Don't stop me now) Yes, I'm havin' a good time I don't want to stop at all

“What the hell?” you muttered, staring at your stereo for a quick second before focusing back on the road, “Why you always going crazy on me dude?”

Once again the music switched.

Why you gotta be so rude? Don't you know I'm human too?

It took you a hot minute to understand what was going on and then you couldn’t stop laughing.

Don't laugh at me, don't call me names Don't get your pleasure from my pain

“Oh, I’m sorry,” you said mockingly, looking at the empty passenger seat, guessing that that’s where your invisible friend was sitting. “Your pain? I’m not the one who is able to puff wherever and whenever their heart desires and who sneaks up on innocent people.”

Silence.

“For what it’s worth. I’m sorry. I really am. It’s not like you choose this life, you deserved better than this. But I’m really glad I was able to get to know you. I’m really thankful for the light and happiness you brought back into Julie’s life.”

Don't you worry 'bout a thing

But I'm still learnin' to

using technology

You laughed. “Impressive skills nevertheless. Knowing three fitting songs and then changing them at the right time? Let me guess, Luke? Because I don’t think all of you three would fit into my tiny car full of musical equipment.”

At first, there was no music yet again, but then the slow melody of a (for you) well-known song flooded your car. It was the one Trevor Wilson song you never understood until you met the boys, the one song that was so totally different to his usual rock sound (except for the refrains, which, as you later would find out, were parts of the original lyrics Luke wrote for his version of the song).

I sing to remember the stories that used to be But I don’t write to create what could have been And as I scream words into the darkness around me They come out like a dying whisper

The kindest thing to do is to silence them and let them die To unleash my heartfelt sorrow into the sky And diminish the will to fight That pulses like fire and screams with pain through my veins

But life’s not always beautiful, it’s rare So I’mma chase it, watch you make it

Don’t need to introduce himself You will want to know his name Pushing your foundations down He is here to stay

Don’t call him a breeze when he’s a hurricane Don’t call him a tremble when he’s an earthquake Don’t call him an inconvenience Please just say his name

Leaving lyrics in my hands That I swallow like pills Like hurtful words, they rip and claw And press painfully against my chest

But no matter how painful they are I will soak them up, thinking of our hopes and wishes And as each word pushes a new pulse through my veins I keep staring out on the grave of our shared space of mind

Life’s not always beautiful, but it’s rare So I’mma chase it, watch you make it

Don’t need to introduce himself You will want to know his name Pushing your foundations down He is here to stay

Don’t call him a spark when he’s a lightning bolt Don’t call him a flicker when he’s a raging flame Don’t you dare to underestimate him Please just say his name

But even when the word flood finally comes to an end Fidgeting hands remind me of music never played

I owe him my voice I owe him my sound

So I give him this time I give him this space To sing it out loud To let him declare And let me be proud

What’s his name? (His name is Luke!) What’s his name? (His name is Luke!) What’s his name? (His name is Luke!)

How long do we say his name? (Until we explode!)

My name is Luke! (Tell your friends!)

Tears were rolling down your cheeks, the song now more emotional than ever before. You couldn’t imagine how this song must affect Luke. Thinking that his bandmate abandoned him (which honestly… he kind of did, only mentioning him in one song, not giving any money to their parents and so on) up until he heard the song for the first time.

“Luke…”

Forget about it Let's forget about it

The ensuing silence wasn’t awkward. You hummed along to the music Luke selected, sometimes it were old classics (probably his favourites), other times it seemed to be random newer hits he probably never heard before mixed with some songs from your favourite playlists.

It was nearing midday and your stomach made itself known. As if on cue a road sign hinted at a diner just up ahead. Setting the blinker you pulled into the parking lot a few moments later.

“I hope you don’t mind. I know home’s only like an hour away, but...” you began to trail off, not knowing where to look at and your stomach finished your sentence. And before you were able to grab the door handle it sprung wide open.

“Uh, what a gentleman. Thank you very much.”

The meal was over in a flash and once more you realised how much the boys actually knew about you without having actually interacted with you (perks of seeing other people without being seen themselves?).

It’s like Luke could read your wishes just from your facial expressions. Whenever you needed salt or pepper they were right there. Whenever something was too salty or had too much pepper on your drink was being pushed closer to your side. And when you accidentally spilt something and needed more napkins they magically appeared.

When you then spotted a cute little guitar keychain that reminded you of Luke that was being sold as a souvenir at the check-out it was suddenly safely tucked into your back pocket (though that was really really risky, and while you did not condone it you couldn’t really stop a ghost).

Back in your car, you didn’t even bother to turn on the stereo, knowing that Luke would take over as soon as your hands were on the steering wheel again.

However, a glance to your right presented you with a map of your surroundings, a big x hastily drawn over the Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino, which was basically just around the corner.

“You want to go swimming? We- I just ate! And my bathing suit is somewhere under that mountain of equipment on the backseat.”

Let's just get naked, just for a laugh Let's just get naked It's a trip and a half

You laughed at that, rolling your eyes and shaking your head, before stowing the map away and turning on the car. “I guess catching Reggie in the shower isn’t enough anymore?”

Hey!

“You started making it weird buddy.”

It had started to rain when you finally pulled up in your driveway, but you couldn’t be bothered to rush inside, enjoying the feeling of the cooling wetness on your skin.

“Look at that,” you said to nobody in particular, not knowing if Luke was still around or if he puffed back to the garage, “I didn’t even need to go swimming after all.”

He was. Sitting in the passenger seat, face on his arms while he leaned on the open car window, he watched you dance in the rain with a smile on his face. He was glad he decided to stick around and keep you company on that road trip. You gave him the courage to listen to My Name Is Luke for the first time (and getting to see you smile while showing off his impressive music knowledge was a bonus too). Because without knowing, you were doing little deeds for the boys too.

And made ALEX…

Whoever wrote that “Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain”-quote totally forgot to mention how dangerous small summer storms can be.

Well sure, it might have been your fault for staying out for too long and deciding to let the sun that came out a little bit later dry you instead of changing into fresh and dry clothes, but whatever happened happened and you got sick. (It’s not like you had anything better to do during the last few days of your summer holidays, right?)

Flynn had been a great friend and hung out almost daily at your house, playing board games, watching movies or tv or even just discussing upcoming Julie and The Phantoms possibilities with you. But your dearest little helper had been Alex.

The blond drummer had turned into the tall brother you never had but always wanted (focus on tall because the age thing with ghosts is seriously confusing) even if he was invisible to you 100% of the time. You had the same interests and were able to bond without actually having to say any words, little gestures and reciprocations on your side were more than enough.

Julie had come up with an easy solution and had bought you some of those sound buzzers (like the ones that dogs and cats use to communicate with their owners) and recorded some simple words and phrases the boys liked to use on them. Now the boys just had to press them to be able to communicate with you without having to use pen and paper or Julie herself (sure your parents were a little bit weary and confused, but you said it was for a longer school research project and that shut them up).

Now, feeling way better than during the last few days, but still very tired, you were sitting in your bed, not really focused on the tv show (or was it a movie?) that was playing on your computer. You had been contemplating and mentally preparing yourself to get something to eat and to drink for the past 15 minutes, but the thoughts alone were exhausting and binding you to the bed. Just then a tray with a water bottle, meds and a fruit bowl floated into your room.

Suddenly wide awake and full of energy you clumsily jumped out of your bed and grabbed the tray, throwing a quick glance out of the door to see if your parents were around and slammed the door shut, wincing at the loud sound and hoping that Alex had walked out of the way (not that it would have hurt him, but you know - rude).

“Rude.”

See? He thought the same. (Julie had to specifically add this word for Alex.)

“I know, I know. I’m sorry. But I would like not to get murdered or have Sam and Dean Winchester on my back because my parents think I’m possessed and need to be exorcised.”

“Me.”

“You what?”

“Me.”

“Alex… I need more context.”

“I do. Me.”

You just blinked blankly at the sound buzzers, trying to piece together what Alex was trying to say.

“Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. M-”

“THAT’S ENOUGH Y/N! WHATEVER THAT SCHOOL PROJECT IS, TELL IT I HEARD IT AND I DON’T CARE WHAT IT WANTS!” you heard your father's scream come muffled through the door.

The audience laughter from sitcoms filled your room and you groaned, grabbing a pillow and smashing it against your face.

Faintly you heard the telltale sound of a pen scribbling something on paper and when you peeked from behind the pillow a note was floating in the air in front of you. “You mean exorcise ME! You would be the one surviving!”

“What? Oh my god… yeah okay, YOU get exorcised… same thing. Both aren’t allowed to happen. Forgive my fever brain.”

“No.”

“Fork you, Alex.”

“No.”

“I have Carlos on speed-dial, I’m sure he already came up with other methods to get rid of ghosts other than the salt thing. He already told me that he’s sorry and that he thinks I might get haunted by you too with the amount of time I spend at their house.”

“No. Food.”

Confused at that topic change it took you a few seconds to answer. “What?” Looking around your gaze landed on the tray that you had deposited on your desk. “Oh right! Boy, I completely forgot how thirsty and hungry I am. Did I say thank you? Fang u!” you mumbled with your mouth full of fruit.

“No. Food.”

You swallowed down your food and took a big gulp of water. “Yes Alex, thank you. I am eating. You see? Here I am, here’s the food. The food is here and now whoops - ifs gan!”

You could basically feel the annoyance radiating from the ghost and weren’t really shocked when the pen started to scribble something down again.

“No! Argh!” He really wrote Argh… that dork really wrote Argh! “You can be worse than Reggie sometimes, but you do it on purpose and I’m just sorry for Reggie. A) Carlos thinks he got rid of us by making a french dip and B) You’re awfully lively for a supposedly sick person. I might need to use the buzzers more and see what other reactions I can provoke from your parents.”

Crumbling the note in your hands you thought ‘Challenge accepted’. “You know what? I think I’mma go back on Reggie’s offer and actually let him introduce me to Wilbur. He might know some stuff I could use to blackmail you. And you’re right! I feel much better, just very tired, but that’s nothing a little bit of fresh air can’t fix! Toodles!”

You left your room, leaving a flabbergasted ghost behind who had lost his snapback with the number of times he had been combing through his hair with his hands. And while angrily pressing a pink buzzer, the buzzer wasn't the only thing that screamed “WILLIAM!” after the girl. (That was another important sound Alex wanted to have recorded.)

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Taglist: @sunsetcurvej @ifilwtmfc

#jatp #julie and the phantoms #jatp x reader #julie and the phantoms x reader #luke patterson x reader #reggie peters x reader #alex mercer x reader #jatp imagine #julie and the phantoms imagine #jatp fanfiction #julie and the phantoms fanfiction #jatp one shot #jatp oneshot #julie and the phantoms oneshot #julie and the phantoms one shot #my writing #viascribbles

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theolsentimes · 3 years ago

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Mary-Kate Olsen's Singular Style

She came to fame as a twin, but the actress's cultish look is entirely her own. Here, with Lauren Hutton, she pays homage to another fashion inspiration, Grey Gardens. Written by Laura Brown, with photography by Peter Lindbergh (Harper's Bazaar, 2007)

VIEW GALLERY

Mary-Kate Olsen may be the only young actress who breezes into her local Starbucks wearing towering, fashion-fierce Balenciaga boots, who arrives at her latest premiere (in Mary-Kate's case, for the new season of Showtime's Weeds, in which she plays a devout Christian with a pot fetish) sporting an oversize cross, and whose favorite band is Led Zeppelin. She may, in fact, be the only young actress who knows who Led Zeppelin is. MK, as she is known to her friends and family, is also a punctual and professional sort. She arrives for a poolside tea in Los Angeles 10 minutes early, ordering a hot chocolate while explaining her fetish for all things sweet — "I'm a candy girl, like Tootsie Rolls and Swedish Fish" — and objecting when the waiter tries to take the sugar bowl away. She is wearing a nautical striped T-shirt (her mom's, from the '70s), tucked into two black Wolford slips rolled down and turned into a tight, Robert-Palmer-video-style mini, and multicolored sparkly Christian Louboutin stilettos. She's just had her hair colored, returning to a sunnier shade after some experiments with both peroxide ("I woke up one morning and was like, I want white-trash hair today") and the dark side (an auburn-haired near-Goth moment last year). She's carrying a large black fringed leather Prada tote — she doesn't do small bags — and her fingers are covered with rings, most notably two vintage coiled gold snakes stacked on top of each other. ("They remind me of twins, sort of double headed.") Altogether, the effect is less her famed "bag-lady chic" than an edgy, body-conscious, and, yes, sexy silhouette. If she weren't 21, she could be 40. And French.

Few people need reminding that Mary-Kate — with her twin sister, Ashley — literally crawled into celebrity aged nine months (courtesy of Full House) and has not been out of the spotlight ever since. She has been a celebrity for more than two decades. Perhaps that's one reason she seems as if she came out of the womb worldly, the textbook old soul. "Yeah," she says with a small shrug. "I get that a lot." With all of that attention and all of the money (her and Ashley's company, Dualstar, has famously become a "billion-dollar business"), Mary-Kate could easily have ended up the type who wears pink terry cloth and carries a variety of small dogs. "Could you imagine?" she says with the politest version of a snort. "No way." She credits her exceptionally close-knit family (she has five siblings) and, interestingly, early stardom with helping her keep her perspective. "I think it helped that I started in front of the camera, so it didn't come as a shock. If I was a teenager and was thrown into the spotlight, I don't know how I would react, to be honest." Though the tabloids are all too keen to brand her a skinny, nervous deer in the headlights, in person Mary-Kate is easy in her skin, confident and surprisingly tactile, curling up in her seat and touching you on the arm to make a point. She laments the generic style of most actresses and cites only men as style inspirations: "Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp. Men, they just dress the way they want, and they don't think about Who Wore It Best." She doesn't much care for Who Wore It Best, noting she avoids those pages by "wearing vintage so often. I just dress the way I feel instead of looking for what's the new handbag." If Mary-Kate and Ashley have their way, more people will be wearing clothes and carrying bags the way they do. They have just shown the fifth collection of their ready-to-wear line, the Row, and recently launched a contemporary label, Elizabeth and James, named after a sister and a brother. The Row's holiday collection (in stores next month) is a slick mix of skinny leather pants, razor-cut blazers, butter-soft, slouchy tees, and a destined-to-be-cultish pullover fur. Lauren Hutton, who stars in the Row's Spring '08 look book, says, "The clothes are extraordinary. A man I was with just loved them. The pieces are just so genius, soft like a baby's skin. Simple minimalist stuff, but really spectacular." Mary-Kate, designer, faces an interesting challenge. She has to marry Dualstar — which has made its fortune selling tween-tastic DVDs and pastel Mary-Kate and Ashley T-shirts at Wal-Mart — with her increasingly edgy and subversive taste. Dualstar executives, some of whom have worked with her since she was a child, often nag her, mom-style, about pulling her hair back "or wearing a color," she says with a laugh. "I had this event recently, and I was like, They're going to be so happy that I'm wearing ... purple. I actually have to think about those things, though, you know, so I don't get trashed." Get trashed sometimes she does. Hutton says, "Once in a while, she'll wear something and I'll think, Oh, baby doll, take another look. But to have the bravery, to take the chance to do that, is pretty wonderful. She is making her own way, which is hardly ever done in Hollywood." Of Mary-Kate's penchant for gigantic Balenciaga heels, Jenji Kohan, the creator of Weeds, says, laughing, "I'd be like, 'It's Tuesday. Do you really want to be wearing those shoes?' But she pulls it off." Designer Giambattista Valli, a friend, says, "She likes to take risks, but because she has such strong personal style, she always manages to make it work. Even if she had nothing on, she'd have style." And MK chic is spreading. "Sometimes I'll look at people or at a magazine and I'll do a double take because I'm like, Oh, my God, that's my outfit, but that's not me," Mary-Kate says. Playing with her wire-rimmed aviators, she jokes wryly that she should have bought shares in Ray-Ban. (She and Chloë Sevigny pretty much brought back white '80s Wayfarers.) She tends to fall in love with a look, then wear it until she's done. "If I put together a good outfit, I'll wear it for three days and then switch it up with a blazer," she says. "I still love my vintage jeans, my tights, and my pants, though." She didn't start wearing heels, in fact, until a couple of years ago: "I kept watching Ashley walk around in them so gracefully, and I'm such a klutz. But I ended up loving heels, and I don't usually take them off." She wears precisely one pair of flat shoes: Chanel's knee-high patent-leather gladiator sandals. This season, it's Balenciaga's fall collection — all of it — that has Mary-Kate obsessed. She is close to designer Nicolas Ghesquière and says, "He is so talented, but he's the nicest, most down-to-earth guy, and that makes everything he does more brilliant. I bought everything, but I haven't got anything yet," she says like a girl impatiently waiting for Christmas. Will she wear the new pieces with her infamous clodhopper boots? "Uh-huh. Wore them the other day, actually." Mary-Kate always goes with her gut, even if some people (back to those tabloids) don't quite get it. "The tabloids say things about me? What do they say?" she asks archly. "People are going to write what they want, and everyone's going to have their own idea of who I am. But I'm not trying to be friends with the people who are reading them, really." After a rough couple of years filled with near-forensic scrutiny of her weight, she'll have you know that she does eat. "This is not going to sound good," she laughs, "but I like making crispy tofu sticks with peanut sauce. I love my sashimi and my salmon and my vegetables." She observes, "Stress plays a big role in how I look day-to-day. I've always been very active — Pilates, yoga. I grew up horseback riding every day for hours. I love dancing. I usually last longer than anyone on the dance floor." A common image of Mary-Kate has her emerging from a coffee joint with an oversize cup. "I always get creamed for having my Starbucks cup," she says, sighing. "But the only time people get photos of me is when I'm getting coffee, when I can't sneak away from the camera." She also resents the pictorial implication that she and Ashley are dilettantes. "They take photos of us going into our offices, and it's 'Mary-Kate and Ashley shopping again.' But I'm going to work for eight hours, and we're working so hard. ..." She trails off. "It just shows how people want to think of you." Mary-Kate is not above celeb watching herself, however. Newly obsessed with Victoria Beckham, she notes she avidly watched Beckham's Coming to America documentary: "She's running around in a bikini and heels, and I'm like, Oh, my God! I do that, too!" How positively Grey Gardens. "I run around my house naked with heels all the time. It's so funny. All my friends will tell you I love running around in kimonos and jewelry or naked with jewelry." More people will be watching Mary-Kate soon, thanks to her role in the Emmy-nominated Weeds. "I am a very good Christian girl," she says with a wink. "She has her moral beliefs — and she happens to smoke pot." Of her newest cast member, Kohan adds, "Mary-Kate is complicated. She's a big celebrity, a huge media icon, but you have to separate the media images from someone who has the same issues, the same desires, as anyone else." Of course, Mary-Kate's image, in all its incarnations — from high fashion to small screen — is her strongest asset. And she has yet to settle on one. "I feel like I've lived 10 different lives already and I'm only 21," she says, almost as a reminder to herself. "But I also feel like I'm entering a new chapter." One thing on which she is clear, though: She doesn't need to be looked at all the time. What would she do for a day if she were invisible? "I would probably go to a restaurant with my friends, who would be able to see me, of course," she adds pragmatically, "and I would sit outside and enjoy a nice lunch with them. Then I would walk down the street." The old soul takes a sip of her little-girl-sweet hot chocolate. "That's what I would do."

#Mary Kate Olsen #mary kate and ashley #Ashley Olsen #harper's bazaar #magazines #articles #photoshoot

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i-love-hobbies · 3 years ago

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Eda's reckless behaviour and overall mental health

Summary

Eda is a genius, but is very emotional when making decisions (not anger, but fear, stress ect.)

Her reckless behaviour and apple blood problem in my opinion are her ways of running from reality.

In season 1 she made a bit of progress on this issue. Then the finale happened. Then she made again progress and s2ep7 did a complete reset. And she is making progress now again.

Eda's intelligence

She's been a criminal for thirty years. She has been in the shady business for an extremely long time. Yes magic definitely helps but you also have to find a way to be on top of the game, so you can survive.

Remember Tibbles' shrinking potion. She can't really use a lot of magic if she is shrinked or poisoned and dead, can she? Not to talk about her enemies which you'd think would attack her now that she is magicless.

They haven't on screen, yet. The only ones that tried are Adegast and Tibbles and they both died without her using any magic (or close to nothing).

Now we know that she doesn't make plans a lot on screen. In s2ep3 especially she just let's Luz make the plan but that's because she is her mentor.

In s2ep6 Luz used sleeping needles which is wild magic so no, it's not knowledge coming from Hexside. Also the pickpocketing Luz mentioned.

Teachers don't do the tests instead of students.

She teaches her everything that isn't glyphs. I wouldn't be surprised if she has told stories to Luz about her best "outsmarting everyone in the room" moments.

Now we have seen some of her problem solving on screen. One of which was in ep.18 fight only using her channelled magic trough the staff (im not taking credit for noticing this, have no idea who did though) and used the bridge.

Also if she can telepathically talk to her staff. Owlbert saving Luz was probably her idea.

She had her impact on Raine's rebellion as well, without having magic or turning into a harpy.

"You are not our mom!"

"Wow, we actually helped people this time!"

"Bye, mommy Eda!"

In the back of her head she knows exactly what to do, everytime something happens.

Eda's mental health

Eda's curse and the nightmares it causes. The father incident. The fact that she probably thought Lilith was scared of her.

Lilith's hidden guilt and her taking her father's eye out don't mix well together. I wouldn't be surprised if they barely spoke even if they lived in a house together.

Her losing Raine.

Her faith in the emporer being broken.

She has seen a lot of death, that does impact people.

Season 1

At the beginning of the series she was making a lot of bad choices which don't aline with her experience.

The series starts with her getting caught by Warden Wrath. Instead of just sneaking, they were just walking comfortably in the corridors.

They are kids, one from another dimension, but her... She doesn't know better? And for a paper crown that she can replace by stealing from someone else.

Next episode we are introduced to her morning drink later on confirmed to be for adults only. And that drink didn't get a mention for the rest of the season. In that episode she is also not the most clear-headed. She didn't try to sneak, she didn't use potions. Didn't try to plan.

A list about her being impatient can go on and on.

So when does she think. When she realises it's dangerous (aka when it's right in her face). Literally in the first episode the moment she started doing stuff is when she got caught and spat on the warden's face.

In episode 2 she didn't do that because she didn't know if Luz was alive and had a hard time bottling her feelings. Like if Luz proved to him to be hard to keep tight up he could have killed her, the girl that came back for her and her son yesterday. And she proved to Eda that she is a little dangerous the previous episode with her fireworks.

Eda was rational again, after she was with both King and Luz.

As the series went on though she started to calm down a bit.

Firstly, the fact that she was so focused on fixing her card problem, after Tibbles scammed her, that she trew them away in another dimension.

I was wondering how she overcame it so quickly.

It also shows her knowledge of how to handle this type of problems which brings up a question. How did she learn it?

Secondly let's compare the first half of the season to the second.

1. Everything I already pointed out and was hiding the curse. The stuff that happened in ep.5. Her refusal to be parental in ep.7. Body swapped.

2. She gets scammed again (this time though, how do you expect that someone was digging their own grave). Didn't use a sleeping spell on the slitherbeast immediately instead was just standing there. Got caught by the fun police. Worsened King's stage fright.

In ep.15 because of her ignorance Luz and Amity almost die. Except that is not the full story. She had at this point a lot of faith in Luz and this was her friend's mind.

For Amity it's not that she hated her. Amity actually saved her in ep.12. It's because she wasn't that important for her to realise. "Omg Willow is at the very least extremely mad at her."

It's again a refusal to think, but for a stranger and not really on purpose. It was just a habit of hers.

Episode 18 and 19

At the beginning of the episode. Eda hid the curse, again.

When she learned that Lilith had kidnapped Luz. She didn't try to make a plan. She just revealed herself in all her glory while her magic was disappearing.

Shot the staff in a wall while she was having no idea, what that was supposed to accomplish.

Luz showed up and she finally started thinking.

Afterwards Lilith said we all know what and for the first time Eda's anger was the leader of her choices and Luz almost fell on to the spikes.

So then, for the very least a night, she was stuck in her mind with something, that was chasing her. She woke up to Emporer Baby the B*tch, who was telling her, he was about to go after Luz.

And no she didn't believe in Lilith, but was so overwhelmed. It was insane. So she begged. After some more running, she woke up to Luz in the Comformatoriam.

Next, she was about to get petrified and for awhile this was the calmest things have been since she got caught. Then Lilith shows up (ah yes she existed).

King jumped "She was trying to help!". Wait King was there.

Petrification beam go.

PURE PAIN!

Then she got the idea for all of them to fly away. Lilith shared the curse making the confusion even bigger. Then her magic is gone (that was a thing). She learned that the portal is destroyed. Now she was living with Lilith and might have starved to death with everyone else in the house.

After all of this she not only tried but HAD TO pretend that she was mentally stable, so they could survive this mess.

Season 2A

In episode 1 she told Luz not to go after big bounties and then tried to steal from a coven's ship.

At this point her emotions are the only thing that made decisions while they were also getting hidden. Don't get me wrong she did help and should, especially Luz but it's ALL feelings. She didn't think about consequences, which sometimes are good.

She didn't attack Lilith cause it's just not the time, she's scared from her own anger. Plus she can't really stand being with the roller coaster of emotions, that came with being in one room with her.

This didn't mean she didn't work with her and hadn't listened to the backstory, though.

The episode ends with her and everyone else not being close to dieing. Finally!

So now what? She tried to think about Lilith? Yeah, she probably preferred not to.

Then her glyph almost kills King, but Lilith showed up and helped. This is probably a familiarity she missed. So again she decided not to process it, but it definitely sticks.

She also didn't notice Luz being hurt.

Next episode, we saw Eda taking a shower which means she has healthy coping mechanisms, at least one, self-care and is not yet a workaholic.

Luz's apple blood joke is concerning.

After the events of episode 3. Luz probably told her that Lilith stayed with her and King, instead of just leaving them, get killed by Jean-Luc.

Then Eda still isn't certain where she stands about everything and Lilith just left, with her final act being, giving King mental issues.

Throughout this whole thing her mom was there with her cures/annual accidental attempt to kill her favourite daughter.

In this episode, Eda fell for apple blood signs. Rationality is out of the window.

In ep.6 she decided to help, with students getting palisman. Again not thinking about all the trauma, but finally doing something against her first instinct.

In ep.7 she heard King's "Le-" and refused to fully process, where the heck is he gonna go.

She also punched someone, cause this is gonna work?

Now she has reconnected with Raine having no idea should she even think of a romantic relationship again? And decided to be useful at least for something since she "can't raise kids".

She was helping and being very good at it, but it came from fear of loneliness.

Then she heard that Belos has a plan and just is overwhelmed. What if the kids get hurt, is she powerless?

Oh, look! Raine might be dead!

Next episode she overworked herself.

In between ep.8 and 9 she was trying to scare the beast into transforming. (She is losing her sanity. Literally the previous episode told her not to do that.)

In episode 9 again it's all emotional. She wants to feel better and be stronger, so she told King to blast her (almost blasting Amity), hit fool's blood even though Amity said the lake is further ahead.

Luckily she showed progress too.

She ate voles, which was against how she was feeling.

In ep.10 she was scared of letting Luz in the portal. I'm not saying she wouldn't have before, but I don't think it was easy.

Right now, after s2ep10, I think she isn't the most mentally stable. But she is definitely working on it.

#toh #the owl house #eda clawthorne #toh eda #eda the owl lady #edalyn clawthorne #the owl lady #toh lilith

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