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sunshine-theseus · 4 months

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Et Tu, Brute? | Steph Cately x Reader

Words: 2.6k Summary: everyone betrays you. You just didn’t expect her to do the same; "et tu, brute?" - 'you too, Brutus?' – Caesar upon seeing his friend amongst his assassins Warnings: sexual themes, sexual shaming, leaked nudes, angst, I make the arsenal girls assholes sorry. this probably isn't my best but i hope you like it Request by - @liasputellas

The air felt different as I walked into training. I wasn’t sure what it was. Maybe the way Maggie our receptionist looked at me with disgust, or the way the whole locker room went quiet when I walked in, or the way everyone seemed to avoid me like the plague.

The rain was pelting down on us, but I stood alone on the sideline shivering as Jonas gives the rest of the team instructions. Steph seemed to be missing today despite the empty space in bed when I awoke, so I was the odd one out. He finishes and approaches me.

“I think you should take a few days off.” Is the only thing he says.

“Why? What have I done wrong? No on will talk to me.”

“You haven’t seen?” I begin to get nervous, well more nervous than I already was, as he pulls out his phone.

“I thought Steph would have shown you this morning. I wish I wasn’t the one to break it to you.” He types things in and scrolls for a while before finally landing on what he’s looking for. Then he turns the phone to me.

Arsenal’s Star Midfielder, Y/n L/n’s Naughty Pictures Have Been Leaked By An Anonymous Source

My breathing grows heavy, and my head begins to pound. My sight goes into tunnel vision as I reread the headline over and over. This can’t be fucking happening.

I take off stumbling back toward the locker room, seeking some sort of privacy to have the breakdown. I end up sitting on the floor beneath a running shower in some false hope that it will wash away everything, but it’s all for naught. There was only one person I’d ever sent photos to, and it was Steph. She’s the one person I trust with my deepest secrets and she’s not here to comfort me or help me understand why the girls are ignoring. Obviously, it has to do with the photos but, I thought they’d be by my side.

Sobs wrack my body and I lose track of time as the shower continues to run, until I hear boots clacking against the linoleum floors. I scramble to get up and leave before they arrive, but the effort is futile.

They come piling in but stop in their tracks the moment Kim sees my soaking frame looking at the floor ashamed. I try to move around them, but Katie grabs a hold of my shoulder, my drenched jersey sticking to her skin as well as my own. My eyes flick around desperately looking for someone who will let me go, but not even Kyra seems to feel remorse.

“You’re going to go home, end things with Steph and stay somewhere until you figure out where you’re transferring to. You’re not welcome back here.” Katie pushes me back toward the locker room, clearly a sign that I should fucking move and get out, but I’m stood frozen.

“Did you not hear her?” Caitlin begins to approach me, much like a lion approaches it’s prey, but I still can’t move.

“Why are you doing this? Why would I end things with Steph?”

“You’re a dirty cheating bastard that doesn’t deserve her. You’re fucking disgusting.” Despite my want to fall to the ground and cry again, I slowly move to my cubby and grab my stuff, then make my way out.

When I finally pull into the driveway, I become very aware of Steph’s car that fills the space again. I become wary as I close the car door and make my way to the house, fearing what I’ll meet on the other side. I juggle my keys in my hand and struggle to slide it into the lock as they shake, but eventually the wood swings away from me and I step inside.

It’s eerily quiet as I make my way down the hall. Steph’s nowhere to be seen as I pull my now damp kit off and place it in the washing machine, or when I go to our room to grab clothes to change into. I trek back through the house, eventually falling onto the couch, with no sign of my wife.

My phone buzzes and I reach for it in a hurry, hoping to see a message from Steph. Instead, it’s from a small group chat of friends from across the football scene, checking in to ask if I’m okay. I leave them on read and scroll through my contacts to find Steph. I press call, but it goes straight to voicemail.

~~~~~

15 minutes later, keys rattle against the door in a similar fashion to how I imagine mine did, and in walks Steph. When she spots me on the couch she stops in her tracks and the look on her face slowly melts into anger.

“Why are you here?” I admit the harsh tone in her voice feels like a stab to the heart.

“Well, I basically just got fired so I didn’t really have anywhere else to go Steph. Can we talk?”

“I don’t want to talk to you ever again.”

“Why? Is it because the fucking pictures you didn’t even bother to tell me about? Who doesn’t tell their wife that private pictures were leaked?”

“Don’t act like I’m in the wrong! You sent those photos to someone, it’s your fault for trusting them!”

“Who?! You? You’re saying I shouldn’t trust you?”

“No! Whoever you sent those fucking pictures to! Because it certainly wasn’t me who got them!” I freeze once I realise what she’s implying.

“Y- you really think I cheated on you? You think so low of me?”

“There is no other explanation for it Y/n!”

“You… you and the girls are fucking unbelievable. I’ve only ever sent those types of things to you Steph. Only you. You’re the only person I’ve ever trusted enough. You really think I’d throw 6 years together, 2 of those married, away like that?” I take a deep breath as I try not to break down in front of who I thought was the love of my life.

“If you scroll back far enough, you’ll find those photos in our messages. Around 11 months ago, after your birthday. Before this morning you wouldn’t have been able to find them on anyone else’s phones except ours. Which means our messages got hacked.” I stand up and bump shoulders with her as I make my way back to our room, pulling out a duffle bag and packing it.

It takes a few minutes for the brunette to follow me, looming in the door.

“What are you doing?”

“Leaving. Clearly that’s what everyone wants.”

“You’re just leaving? Just giving up?”

“Giving up!? No Steph, I’m not ‘just giving up’. You think I’m capable of cheating. You think I’d throw away all my years of loving you just like that. For what? Some random hookup with a meaningless girl I’d never see again? You clearly don’t trust me, which I can’t live with. I love you. And it’s not just you. The whole fucking team thinks so little of me. I kept my vows, why can’t you keep yours?” I continue to move around the room, collecting items I needed, as I wait for her response.

“I love you.” Is the only thing she can say, so I slip on some shoes, leaving the worn arsenal kit in the washing machine.

“I love you too. But until you can give me a proper apology, and mean it, I’m going to stay with Mackenzie or Sam. I guess tell Jonas I’ll hand in my resignation papers by tomorrow.” She grips my arm as I try to walk past her. Tears pool in her eyes and I can’t stop mine from falling.

“Please stay. We can talk.” She whispers, her bottom lip wobbling.

“I don’t think I can do that right now.” I reply, and I kiss her gently as a goodbye before I walk out the door.

~~~~~

I end up at Sam’s, having officially resigned from Arsenal the morning after leaving, who made a statement later that same day.

We deeply regret that we have to make this statement but unfortunately Y/n L/n has been let go from the Arsenal team due to conflict between players. We wish her the best wherever she ends up.

I spend a lot of time with Kristie or join Sam at training to avoid looking at the horrible things people are saying about me on my phone. Sam likes to claim it’s ‘to feel like I’m still playing’. It just makes me sad, which is why I had every intention of refusing her offer to go again today. Then she told me Emma wanted to talk to me about something.

“Why does Emma want to talk to me?” I poke Sam continuously as she leads me down the halls of Cobham.

“I have no clue.” The cheeky grin I’m very familiar with graces her face but it doesn’t hint at anything.

I push open the door and Emma directs me to sit down, which I don’t hesitate to do. Sam closes the door and leaves us to talk.

“I wanted to discuss your career’s future. You’ve spent a lot of time here with us after the situation, but have you received any offers from other clubs? What are your moves?”

“No. I haven’t received anything, no one wants to take the player who’s had a sex scandal. Not even in the Championship League.”

“Well obviously the transfer window doesn’t open until January, so it’s not on the table to bring you in as a player. But I was wondering, how do you feel about coaching. I’ve seen you give the younger players like Aggie tips, and she comes back onto the field much better, it’s clearly something you’re good at. Would it be something you’d look into doing?” I blink in shock as I try to process the question.

“Uh.. yes, yes absolutely I’d love to. I- I took the coaching courses over the break when I was out of the world cup on injury, so I’m fully qualified.”

“Well I’d love to have you on the coaching team. I’m looking for people to keep the players in line once I leave and I think someone who has played the recent developments in the game would be perfect. I have the contract ready for you to sign, right here, if you want.” She slides the paper over, and I read it over.

Am I really going to do this? Go to my clubs biggest rival? I could never make an appearance at Arsenal as a player or member of the team ever again. No one else wanted me. I couldn’t refuse the only offer I have.

“W- what about the leak? Aren’t I a liability?”

“We’re not stupid. They were personal photos between you and your wife. It’s not your fault and we know that. I want the best coaches for my team. And that’s you.”

Shock washes over the world of women’s football this week as Y/n L/n signs as an assistant coach alongside Emma Hayes at Chelsea. What does her wife, Arsenal and Australia’s star left back Steph Cately, think about this decision?

The day my signing is announced is the first time any of the Arsenal girls, including Steph, reach out to me.

‘What the fuck are you doing?’ From Katie

‘Are you serious?’ From Caitlin and Kyra

‘I genuinely hope you’re happy there. You deserve the best and we couldn’t give it to you. I couldn’t give it to you. I love you and miss you. Maybe we could talk after the derby next weekend?’ I want so bad to leave Steph on read, but I can’t help but reply.

‘We’ll see. Love you’. Kristie takes my phone from me after that.

Training is odd. Being the one running it instead of participating. I like to join in on easy drills, bonding with some players, keeping fit and helping them understand how we want it done. A win-win-win if you will. Emma’s press conference before the game against Arsenal is when things get tense again.

“What effect do you think L/n on the Chelsea coaching staff will have on Arsenal, especially her wife Steph Cately? We haven’t seen them together in quite some time.” Some guy in the back of the room asks the question but it still rings in my ears as I hear it, Kristie watching the conference on her phone because Sam’s there.

“Well I don’t think it should have any effect on their players. Players have to compete against their former teammates all the time, whether as players or coaches. This should not be any different. They kicked her out, they made that decision. We gave her the option to come back into the game when no one else was willing to take that risk, and she’s made us better. As for Steph? I don’t know how she will react. She’s an incredible player, I’m sure she’ll be fine, but that’s none of my business.” I’m grateful for the way Emma stands up for me. She’s one of the few people I now trust with what’s going on behind the scenes of my life and marriage.

It's when we’re in the dugout, the players about to come out from the tunnel, when I begin to genuinely worry. I don’t want to put Steph off her game just by being here, but I’m not going to abandon the team that gave me everything when I had nothing. So I pull on my puffer coat, put in my ear piece, and take my spot next to Emma who puts an arm around my shoulder and squeezes me tight.

Yeah. I’ll be okay.

The game is rough, every time we score, Arsenal comes back with a matching goal. But they’re playing dirty. They’re making unnecessary tackles and getting yellow cards every other minute.

I laugh it off until Steph makes a challenge in the penalty box. Her leg stretches out in front of her, kicking the ball away from Fran’s feet, but she falls on a funny angle and doesn’t get back up.

I walk to the edge of the coach’s box, trying to get a better view as the medics run to her.

I tell myself she’ll be okay. She’s always okay.

The medics bring out a stretcher.

She’s not okay.

“Emma-”

“Go make sure she’s okay. We’ll be okay.” I follow closely behind the medics as they carry her down the tunnel and to the medical room.

I slide into the seat beside her as their team’s doctor checks on her knee, taking her hand in mine.

“You’re here.” She smiles gently at me, and I try not to cry. I haven’t seen her in so long.

“I’m here Stephy. I love you.”

“I miss you.” She pouts then grimaces as the doctor moves her knee.

“I miss you too. But-”

“But you can’t act like everything is fine unless I prove I trust you and regret what I did.” I nod solemnly.

“I promise I’ll prove it. Maybe you can come stay at home again. Just a couple times a week. We can have dinners and catch up. I miss the way you hold me.” She squeezes my hand as she waits for an answer.

“Yeah. Yeah, we can try that.” I press a kiss to her hand.

“But I’m staying at Chelsea. They treat me right here.” Steph pauses, but smiles.

“Rivalry could be good for us. You little Blue.”

It will be a long journey, but we’ll make it through.

#woso x reader #woso #womens soccer #the matildas x reader #wsl #the matildas #steph catley #steph cately x reader #arsenal fcw

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chaotic-mystery · 10 months

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Jaded | J.M.

ꨄ Pairing: bfd!Joel x f!reader

ꨄ Summary: It’s been rocky between you and your secret boyfriend who just so happens to also be your best friends dad, ever since you moved to a new city without him. Surprising him for his birthday probably wasn’t the best idea, for either one of you.

ꨄ CW: established relationship, age gap (Joel’s in his late 40s, reader late 20s) swearing, mean!joel, arguing, Joel saying stuff he doesn’t mean like usual, no outbreak!au.

ꨄ WC:2.6k

A/N: am I an asshole for leaving it the way I did? Maybe. We all knew it was coming though! This honestly broke my heart and I hope it reads how I envisioned it. Let me know what you think! 🖤

🝮Songs to listen to for this🝮

Jaded - Miley Cyrus

Sucks 4 U - Sophie Cates

Complicated - Avril Lavigne

Look After You - The Fray

Over You - Daughtry

About You - The 1975

“Joel..” you muttered with your eyes still closed, your arm extending out to the other side of your bed. Slowly blinking your eyes open and sitting up, you breathed in deeply as you looked around confused. There was no reason you should’ve been calling out his name considering he hasn’t come to see you in weeks. Joel was older, it was unrealistic to think he’d text you many times during the day. He preferred calling or coming to visit when he had the weekend off. The past few weekends he decided to stay home which didn’t bother you, but he didn’t call much either. If he did call, it was short and brief, like it was a chore. Joel used to lay the phone on his bare chest, your voice on speaker while he dozed off listening to how pretty you sounded. That hasn’t happened in months.

You hurried to find your phone on the floor, texting Sarah as fast as your fingers could type.

Hey! Are you guys doing anything for your dad’s birthday this weekend?? Should we drive to see him?

Minutes that felt like hours passed and you bit at the inside of your cheek in nervousness, dying to see her response.

I heard from Uncle Tommy they were throwing a surprise party, but i won’t be able to make it home this weekend, soccer game! Feel free to go tho, I’m sure he won’t mind you taking my place! Love ya xo

Your thumb brushed over the side of your phone as you reread the text about a dozen times, contemplating the idea of going. What if he didn’t want to see you? Could you handle that amount of rejection? You needed answers from him though, what happened to him where he felt comfortable treating you like a stranger? Fuck it.

In a matter of 30 minutes you managed to get every single detail from Tommy, your bag packed and GPS routed to Joel’s house. It seemed a little crazy, a spur of the moment trip to drive 4 hours to confront the man who was trying to ghost you. As you got in your car and your playlist blaring through the speakers, you gave yourself a small pep talk, bracing yourself for whatever was about to happen tonight.

———————-

Finally you arrived at the Millers house, Joel’s truck nowhere in sight. You parked a few houses away so he wouldn’t see your car if he took the same route he always did to get home. Tommy pushed the screen door open and greeted you with his arms open and a grin on his face, a kitchen towel over his shoulder. “Well well well, she does live!” Tommy joked with you and grabbed your bag from your hand, walking up the sidewalk to the house. “Alive and well, just fucking starving and I need a shower before I get dressed.” Your arms wrapped around his torso and hugged him tightly. Tommy knew about you and Joel, he knew not to tell Sarah or lead on to anything going on between you and Joel in front of her. “Well c’mon then! Get your shit and let’s go inside, fix ya somethin’ to eat. Joel’s at work but he’ll be here after. All your shit is still upstairs so go on while I make you something I can find in this god forsaken fridge.” Tommy shouted from the kitchen as you shut the front door. Birthday decorations scattered across the walls and the floor, balloons tied to the lamps. Joel always told you to not make a big fuss over his birthday but you and Tommy never listened. Surprise parties were your thing you did for him, so it was nice to see Tommy continuing the tradition. This would make surprise party number three for Joel since you started dating him, and it stung a little bit you didn’t think to come down and plan one for him regardless if he deserved it or not.

You walked up the stairs to Joel’s room, pushing the door open slowly before poking your head in. It smelled just the same, the cologne you got him mixed with the faintest hint of laundry soap that he swore up and down was the best. Tossing your bag on his bed and sighing deeply, you ran a hand through your hair as you wondered what the hell were you doing here.

I miss you! Can I see you this weekend, maybe grab a bite at that favorite restaurant of yours down here? You hesitated to hit send, your heart racing in your chest.

Too nervous to sit and wait for his response, you stripped and made your way to his bathroom. The hair soap you swore you left was nowhere to be found. There was Joel’s sitting on the shelf, so what happened to yours? They were pretty full and Joel didn’t like to use yours. A pit grew in your stomach, the confusion eating at you. As you stepped under the warm water, your tears started to flow freely. It was like Joel was slowly erasing you from his life, piece by piece. For what?

You washed your hair quickly and grabbed the body soap and your wash cloth. Your eyes couldn’t help but flick down to where your soap bottles used to sit, anger coursing through you. If he wanted to see other people, he should’ve just been fucking honest. As you dried off and started to get ready, your mind replayed everything that could’ve caused this. Your relationship wasn’t perfect by any means, you fought almost daily a few months ago before he stopped calling so much. It would be over nothing, just Joel being stubborn. He’d bring up your age and how you’d get bored of him, how he’s not the man you want, how you resent him for not wanting to move with you, stuff you’d never say about him. He was the one that was embarrassed of you. He never wanted you to meet his friends, and when he got tired of your begging and pleading, he finally took you out with them to the bar. That was a fucking joke you thought to yourself as you recalled that night from a year ago.

“Joel what the fuck was that? Why didn’t you call me your girlfriend when you introduced me to them?” you questioned as you got out of his truck in his driveway. You slammed the door shut and he groaned loudly from inside the vehicle, climbing out reluctantly. “The hell are you on about? I told ‘em we were datin’, is that not good enough?” He loved doing that thing where he’d spin it back on you and make you feel so stupid for even bringing it up. “Oh my god, no It’s not like that! I just wanted to know why you didn’t tell them I was your girlfriend and have been for a year!” you bursted through the front door and threw off your purse, tossing it to the ground. “Well excuse the hell outta me! I thought it was the same fuckin’ thing!” he shouted, following you through the house to his room. “Why does it matter so much to you? If you’re with me, what’s it matter, huh?” Joel's hands grabbed your arms and forced you to look at him, his face riddled with confusion and anger. “Because, Joel! I love you and you’re fucking embarrassed to show anyone that!” The hot tears were streaming down your face as you tried to fight him to let go. His face finally softened and he sighed. “Baby…”

That was so long ago and here you were now in his room, finding out the man you thought loved you had maybe not wanted you anymore. Finally zipping up your dress, you fixed your hair one last time and checked your makeup. Something came over you and told you to open the bedside table you used to call yours, wondering if anything was touched. The cool wood brushed over your knuckles as you grabbed the knob and pulled gently, bracing yourself for whatever could be in there. All of your old pictures of you two were in a pile, scattered like someone was digging through them from time to time. The one that was your favorite was all the way at the bottom. It was of Joel, in the ocean and he looks gorgeous. That was your first vacation together, you both went to go see Sarah’s soccer game and you snuck away together while she was at practice to go swimming. He told you he’d help you learn how to swim so he took you out so far you almost couldn’t touch and helped you get over your fear of drowning. “I won’t let that happen, ok? I gotcha sweet pea. Don’t be scared, I’m here.” You recalled how his arms wrapped around you and you felt so safe. He looked so ethereal, like he wasn’t real.

You closed the drawer and found your phone buried under your towel on the bed, checking to see if maybe Joel messaged you back. Nothing. There was nothing. A sigh of frustration left your lips and you walked out of Joel’s room, looking for Tommy downstairs. He was in the kitchen getting the drinks and snacks out. “There you are! I made ya a grilled cheese but it got cold, thought ya fell asleep up there girl, been almost two hours.” Tommy’s eyes met yours and he noticed you weren’t your normal self. He gave an apologetic smile and rubbed your back softly, “Cmon, we’ve got about fifteen minutes ‘fore he gets here. Help me with the cake?” You gave Tommy a small smile and nodded, reaching to open the box the cake was in. You both were careful not to bump the box on it and set it on the table for everyone to see. His house filled up rather quickly with people while you were upstairs for those couple hours, which to you felt like minutes.

“Everyone get down, he’s here!” someone shouted from the living room and suddenly the lights went out, leaving you standing in pure darkness. Tommy tugged your arm and you snapped out of the transe you were in, crouching down in front of the kitchen table. The front door swung open and there he was, your man. The broad shoulders on the silhouette made your breath hitch and your knees weak. Immediately the lights went on and everyone popped out shouting happy birthday. Joel’s face lit up with a smile and the little confetti poppers went off, small rainbow bits of paper cascading down to the floor in front of him. He was met with many hugs as everyone crowded him, leaving you by the table by yourself. You couldn’t bring yourself to go up there to him, not in front of all these people. Small conversations were forming as Joel was finally making his way out of the clump of bodies, his beautiful brown eyes locking with yours.

“H-happy birthday.” you stated quieter than you wanted. His arm dropped to his side as his smile slowly faded, walking over to you. “What’re you doin’ here?” Joel asked harshly. Was that all he had to say? A lump grew in your throat and your mouth went dry. “Tommy um, Tommy invited me.” Great, now you were stuttering and tripping over your words. Joel was now toe to toe with you, his expression not changing. “Oh” he muttered sarcastically and nodded. Tears stung your eyes at his cold tone and you knew you couldn’t deal with this all night. “Listen, I’ll go if you want me to, just tell me…but if I walk out that door Joel, we’re done. I can’t do this anymore and by the looks of it, you don’t want to do it either. You’ve practically hidden every single memory of me or gotten rid of it and for what?” your eyes were overfilled with tears as they threatened to spill from the outer corners and Joel's head snapped away, his jaw clenching at the silence you shared.

“Yeah, I want you to leave. We’re done.” He didn’t even have the fucking decency to look at you when he said it, when he plunged the knife into your heart. There was nothing more you could say to him to see how hurt you were, how much you wanted him to beg you to stay. You wanted him to tell you why he’d been acting this way for months and why he felt so comfortable acting like you meant nothing to him after three years. You pushed passed him and ran up the stairs to gather your bag. He didn��t deserve you, and that was so clear now. He didn’t deserve all the late nights you stayed up with him and assured him Sarah wouldn’t find out about you two. How many vacations you took him on just to get him out of Texas. He didn’t deserve all the brand new things you introduced him to. Most importantly, he didn’t deserve the amount of patience you had with him. He was as stubborn as a fucking mule, but not once did you ever think about giving up on him like he was doing to you right now.

Mascara was running down your face as you practically sprinted to your car, your bag flailing behind you. You dropped your car keys trying to unlock your trunk and you lost it. You leaned against the trunk with your hands covering your face, sobbing your heart out. You gave him everything, you gave him all of you. “Wait, don’t go..” Joel shouted out of breath as he ran down the sidewalk. You looked up at him through blurry eyes, that burning anger igniting in your stomach once more. “No, fuck you! I’m leaving. I told you if you let me walk out that door we were done and what did you do? YOU LET ME LEAVE!” your voice echoed between the houses but you didn’t care anymore. “You’re nothing but a selfish asshole, Joel. I should’ve known better than to think you wouldn’t break my heart. Fuck you, just go.”

His arms engulfed you and you beat your fists on his chest, crying harder than you were before. Joel’s grip on you tightened as he pulled you in close, shushing you quietly. “Stop, just stop. Shhh” he whispered and petted the back of your head softly. “I’m sorry, I’m so fucking sorry, sweet pea. I think I just got so busy with work and you with getting adjusted in your new place, we were like ships passing in the night.” Joel’s hands cupped your face, his thumb swiping away your tears. “You don’t just give up and act like I don’t exist Joel! Why would you do that to me?!” you demanded and looked at him through tear clumped lashes. “I thought it was easier for you! Jus’ let me prove to you I can be a better man to you, darlin. Please, I need you. I’ve been so lonely without you.” Joel’s tone softened as his voice cracked, a tear falling down his face.

“This is what I’ve been wanting to hear for months. I need some space. I can’t keep doing this shit, Joel. Happy birthday.” You placed a photo of you and him in his hand that you swiped from the drawer earlier. A croak of your name left his lips before you walked away and climbed into your car. You looked at him one last time in the rearview mirror as he stood there staring at everything he just fucked up. He needed to sit with what he’d done, and you had a lot to think about on your drive back home.

#joel miller x reader #pedro pascal #joel miller #joel miller x you #the last of us #bfd!joel #bfd!joel miller #this killed me #joel miller x f!reader #joel miller angst #pedro pascal characters

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genvaddict · 4 months

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Gen V and the V is for Vendetta Pt. 2

After the 15 minute walk back to the dorms from dusties the group parted ways. Marie accompanied Jordan to their room and just as they entered the room, door barely closed all the way Marie spun around in a fury.

“Jordan what the fuck was that?!” She asks.

“What the fuck was what Marie? Is it a crime to stand up and protect your girlfriend now? I’m so sorry for breaking the law. sad face mean it.” jordan says sarcastically.

Marie was annoyed by the earlier altercation but Jordan’s smart ass remarks were actually enraging her now.

“Jordan you don’t think about the consequences you can face. He is the deans son first off and second you know he pushes your buttons to get any kind of reaction in hopes to ruin your ranking and third you didn’t let me get a word in. I appreciate your need to protect me. It goes both ways but there are some battles you and I can fight ourselves.” Marie stated irritated.

Jordan stumbles “I-I know Marie I’m-“

“You’re what?!” Marie raised her voice from frustration.

“Jesus Christ Marie I’m sorry ok! You’re right but the way he was degrading you just sent me to another level. I couldn’t even think straight I was so fucking pissed.” Jordan confesses.

Marie sighs “I get it but he is my partner on a project. He’s someone I am going to have to work with. That should’ve been my moment to set him straight and lay down boundaries.”

“You’re right ok. I’m waving the white flag. I lost my temper and I need to do better.” Jordan says.

“Thank you that’s all I wanted.” Marie says reaching out to pull Jordan in for a hug.

Marie’s hands wrap around Jordan’s wider physical form and she rests her head under their chin.

Jordan pulled her in tighter and kissed the top of her head.

After a few beats of silence they ask “So does that mean we’re going to see him multiple days this week?”

Marie leans back and looks up to see Jordan’s head tilted to the side like they’re contemplating what days they have available to tag along.

“NO! You two literally just tried to kill each other. You need to be 100 feet apart at all times and I need you to trust me.” Marie says softly leaning in pressing her lips quickly to Jordan’s.

Jordan breaks the kiss professing “I do trust you. I have 100% faith in you but unfortunately it’s the entitled asshole I don’t trust.”

“Well do you want me to tell him the legendary story of how Rufus has to piss sitting down now?” Marie says grinning ear to ear.

“I’m going to be like hey! back off before that becomes you!” Marie says jokingly while lifting her hands in a defense position.

Jordan chuckles then pulls Marie in to whisper between kisses into her forehead and cheeks “you’re the most sweetest, prettiest, badass girl I’ve ever met. I don’t know how I got so lucky Moreau.”

~~~~

The next day Jordan woke up missing the presence of Marie next to them. They had rolled over and saw the sticky note Marie left on their pillow.

Hey sleepy head. Left early this morning for class. Miss you already! Meet for coffee at 11? Text me if that works 🖤 marie

Jordan couldn’t help but reread the note again with the dopiest smile. they then heard the pinging of their phone. Grabbing the vought phone they see it’s a message from cate.

Cate: Hey. Talk after our crime fighting class k. Don’t try to book it!

Greattttt they forgot about her wanting a talk with them about last nights shenanigans too.

Jordan rolled their eyes as they went through their closet focused on dressing their smaller frame. Ugh todays going to be a long one.

~~~~

Just as crime fighting let out cate had already caught Jordan before they could even leave the class.

“Ready for that talk?” cate asked surprisingly chipper.

“No” Jordan responded shortly.

“Well too damn bad. We can talk and walk.” Cate said.

As they take off into the narrow hallways Jordan sighs “whatever you’re going to say Moreau probably already beat you to it ok. I’m short tempered, It was her fight not mine, and be smarter about where I beat the dean’s son’s ass.”

“I almost agreed til the last part.” Cate grinned.

“Ok that wasn’t exactly what she said but how I would say it.” Jordan laughed.

“Jordan if I wasn’t there you could have got into serious trouble and honestly we potentially still could if his memory starts to come back or we missed erasing someone’s phone. You’re number 2. Telling you to be smarter is the nicest way of putting it. Don’t jeopardize your future because of jealousy or insecurity or whatever the hell it is. Ok?” Cate says with a serious tone.

“Yeah ok you’re right. It’s just I’ve never felt like this with anyone other than Marie. She gets everything about me and accepts me for me and well to be honest I can’t stand the thought of anyone disrespecting her or threatening what we have especially that little shit.” Jordan says releasing a deep sigh.

“Don’t tell Andre or Luke about this talk either.” Jordan sternly says. “I’m serious.”

“Ok ok no need to get worked up because Jordan Li s finally wearing their heart on their sleeve.” Cate teased. “I won’t tell a soul scouts honor.”

“You weren’t even a fucking Girl Scout.” Jordan says rolling their eyes with a grin as they walk off from cate to go meet Marie at jitterbean.

~~~~

As Jordan rounds the corner to get to jitterbean they immediately spot Marie in khaki cargo pants with a tan crop top and her locs in a half up half down style. Jordan could feel that stupid grin spreading on their face at the sight of her. The grin disappeared almost as fast as it had materialized when they realized who was next to her talking it up. Fucking Daxton. Jordan had to do a quick breathe in breathe out and remind themselves that Daxton doesn’t even remember the altercation they got in at Dustie’s. It still doesn’t help that they know he admitted he wants Marie but who wouldn’t she’s legit the hottest girl on campus, no scratch that in the world. Jordan releases a deep sigh remembering they promised Marie and Cate they would be on their best behavior with this world class jackass.

Jordan pastes the biggest fakest smile as they approach “Heyyyyy babe.” They say as they approach Marie and give her a kiss on the cheek. They side eye Daxton and leave it at that.

“Nice to see you too jordan.” Daxton says sarcastically.

“Heyyyy Daxton saw me in line and came over to ask about us scheduling times to meet. Glad I have a partner who doesn’t play about school work.” Marie says as fast as she can trying to cut the tension.

Before either one can reply Marie hurriedly says “But Daxton yes the library tonight at 6 works for me. I’ll see you then.”

Daxton’s eyebrows raise at the dismal. “Ok cool can’t wait for our study date.” He says smugly looking at Jordan before turning on his heels and heading off.

Jordan grits their teeth and involuntarily clenches their fist in annoyance.

“IT’S NOT A DATE GROW UP!” Marie exasperatedly shouts. “Jordan ignore him. He doesn’t remember the fight or anything he’s just being an ass.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you? I don’t want him to make you feel uncomfortable or anything.” Jordan asks before pulling Marie in for a hug.

Marie returns the hug pulling Jordan’s more petite frame in tighter and giving a quick peck while trying to ignore the bystander’s who pulled out their phones to capture the moment.

“I’ll be ok weirdly he only acts like this when you’re around. I genuinely don’t believe he’s into me. I think it’s just to get under your skin and unfortunately he can tell it’s working.” Marie sighs.

“Marie I think you’re being a little naive on this one. The way he looked at you at the party was full of desire like the creepy guy at a gas station kind of desire. So fuck yeah it’s a little alarming.” Jordan says frowning.

“I don’t think I am and I can handle it. Ok?” Marie asks while nuzzling Jordan’s nose.

“Alright.” Jordan responded less enthusiastically.

MarieJordan your order is up!

Marie leads Jordan with intertwined hands to grab their orders.

“I’m glad I got to see you before my next class” Marie says leaning in for a kiss.

Jordan met halfway lips full of longing and want for this moment to never end.

Marie broke apart “ok I’ll probably see you tonight after my library session with Daxton.“

Jordan rolled their eyes “I’m serious babe if he steps one foot out of line let me know.”

Marie yells “I will! Promise!” As she turns to head to her next class.

~~~~~

It was 6:10pm. Marie had already found a table in the quiet section of the library and laid the notes for the project out. Daxton was 10 minutes late. Typical. Marie hears a sudden shuffling sound from behind. “Sorry I’m late” Daxton says as he pulls the chair out to sit in. He looked a bit more disheveled than normal. His normally slicked blonde hair more so resembled bed head and the bags were heavy under his eyes.

“Hey this might sound weird but is your memory kinda hazy from the party this past weekend?” Daxton asked hesitantly.

“I mean it was a party at dustie’s filled with alcohol and drugs. Whose memory isn’t hazy?” Marie says keeping her eyes on the papers sprawled out on the table.

Daxton hesitates “Yeah I guess —“

“Let’s focus. I don’t want to be here all night. We have 3 pages to fill with Who is an ethical hero and why.” Marie cuts him off trying to change the subject.

“Yeah ok sorry” Daxton mumbles.

~~~~

They were 2 hours in at the library and an hour away before the library would close.

“Daxton you have actually been tolerable and respectful. Why are you the complete opposite anytime Jordan’s around?” Marie asked inquiringly.

Daxton smirked then said with a shrug “I personally can’t stand their smugness and rude attitude. So I just give it back ten fold.”

“Yeah well Jordan has the right to be that smug they worked really hard to get to #2. The attitude is…well. They wouldn’t be Jordan without the attitude. Get over it and stop bringing me into you two’s bullshit rivalry.” Marie responds bluntly.

“I am sorry for that.” Daxton blushes in response.

Marie scoffs “that’s hard to believe.”

“No really. I-I mean you’re obviously attractive but I shouldn’t make you uncomfortable. You know the study date thing was a joke.” Daxton responds looking down.

“Well I didn’t find it funny. I’ll accept your apology if it never happens again. If it does happen again I’ll blow your balls off. Understand?” Marie asked staring Daxton down.

Daxton’s eyes widen and he stutters out “ye-yes damn Marie. I’m sorry.”

A familiar laugh rings out from the bookshelves nearby and all Marie could do was rub her head to try to help the headache this entire situation was giving her.

Daxton pushed back his chair to follow the laugh to find who Marie already knew it to be. Jordan Li whose face was bright red from trying to hold in their laugh with a book resting open against the highest shelf in their taller form.

“Really you’re this threatened by me?” Daxton said crossing their arms with a smirk. “I can’t blame you , I too would be threatened if my competition looked like…well me.”

“Fuck off dickhead.” Jordan spat.

Daxton cocked his head to the side with narrowed eyes “what did you just say?” He asked.

“You fucking heard me.” Jordan snapped.

“You-you’ve said that before.” Daxton mumbles in realization.

“Wha-“ Jordan starts before he is cut off from the mini fireballs Daxton sends flying at their face.

As Jordan’s arms go up in a defensive position they hear Marie’s voice ringing out “IN THE FUCKING LIBRARY??? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!”

Notes: I was planning on this being only 2 chapters but it might wrap up in the 3rd chapter 💛

#limoreau #marie moreau #jordan li #cate dunlap

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mermaidsirennikita · 2 months

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Contemporaries where dirty talk is especially hot? Both during sex and maybe also over text? Thank you!!

Sierra Simone, Sierra Simone, Sierra Simone. Her books are often set in a contemporary world, but they're not, as a heads up, "light" contemporaries. Personally, I wouldn't really go as far as to call them dark romance (well. Thornchapel, I would, but I also wouldn't recommend it as a contemporary as it has such strong supernatural elements lol) but they do have some elements of (light) mysticism as some of them are retellings of old myth set in a modern setting. I'd check out:

Priest, Sinner, Saint/"The Bell Brothers": These are three standalones (M/F, M/F, and M/M) that always have a bit of a religion kink. And a by a bit, I mean a lot. Priest is the book where a Catholic priest (who is actually very naturally carnal and only became a priest because of some deep guilt issues and religiosity) meets a woman who tells him ALL the shit she's done in confession. It's naturally dirty, and he naturally falls head over heels into an affair. Sinner is about a business whose best friend's little sister is about to become a nun, and she (on the advice of her convent, naturally) asks him to teach her about sex so she can experience what she'll miss before she really commits. Saint is about a guy who became a monk in a period of deep emotional crisis, whose ex-boyfriend (he left with zero notice) ends up on a tour of monasteries with him for an article he's writing. Temptation ensues.

The dirty talk in these is naturally very tinged with priest/nun kink stuff, it's SUPER dirty, and I love it. They're also just really good.

Her Christmas Notch books she does with Julie Murphy are a little tamer, both focus on this Hallmark-esque company where the leads film these Christmas movies and, of course, fall in love. I really, really love A Holly Jolly Ever After, because the hero is a former boybander (with a dad bod!) who fucks like a demon and also owns a chain of pizza shops, and his sex tape leaks, during which he's pictured absolutely RAILING a woman from behind, slapping her ass, and saying "and THAT'S how you toss the dough" which I personally think is some of the greatest dirty talk I've ever read.

New Camelot: One of my favorite trilogies of all time, MMF, "what if King Arthur was President, Guinevere was First Lady, and Lancelot was VP, and what if they were all in love with each other and entangled in an intense affair and IT WAS AMAZING". I reread scenes regularly. I love it so much. The dirty talk is obscene. You get the very cool "sit, stay, bark" dom dirty talk from one hero and the deranged "I'm going through it and you're going to go through it with me" passionate dirty talk from the other. Our heroine ain't half bad at it either.

Lyonesse Trilogy: The prequel novella and the first book are out now; it's a Tristan/Isolde/Mark MMF retelling. Mark is perhaps like... the dirtiest dirty talker Sierra has written. He's soooooo much. Like, if you want the condescending dom dirty talking hero, he's The One. The alternating between the "look how good you take it" stuff and "you're so desperate it's pathetic" shit. Why not both???

Act Your Age by Eve Dangerfield has a TON of dirty talk, usually in the DD/lg vein. The hero and heroine roleplay dirty stepdad fantasies a lot, and the way they talk to each other is OBSCENE lol. And I love it.

Minx by Sophie Lark has some amazing dirty talk in the pet play realm. The heroine is an escort paid by the hero, and he has her dress up in a catsuit, wear a caller, drink milk out of a bowl while he calls her Minxie and a good girl and shit lol. I was into it. Idk if you'll be into it. Iiiii was into it.

Sara Cate's Salacious Player Club books have good dirty talk. They're sex club books that kind of deconstruct a different kink in each book (pleasure dom/sub in the first one, voyeurism in the second, MMF/bi awakening in the third, and femdom in the fourth... I'd stop after the fourth) and naturally are filled with dirty talk. Eyes On Me (the second book) may especially work for you because the heroine is a cam girl.

Possession by Adriana Anders has a heroine in a PR marriage with her famous husband end up in a kink camp with him after a scandal, and they... explore a lot. Including consensual kidnapping, an MFM threesome, lots of dirty talk... It's a lot.

Preferential Treatment by Heather Guerre has a heroine who becomes her billionaire boss's domme, so naturally there is a LOT of femdom dirty talk. We LOVE to see it.

Heated Rivalry & The Long Game by Rachel Reid make up a duology of hockey romances about the same couple (m/m). What I like about this is that you follow the same couple over like, a decade, starting when they're like 18/19, and they build up...? Their dirty talk? Like in the beginning, their encounters are more awkward, and then by the end they're using sex toys and like mild bondage and really KNOW each other and what turns each other on. Including the talk.

#romance novel blogging #book recs #romance novels #seriously tho if y'all wanna read a book where people are just talking filth. sierra simone lol

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buffyfan145 · 7 months

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I realized something about how we had a discussion before about using the ship name Haladriel and if we should keep it going forward in the show and I guess now with the season 2 spoilers we've gotten we likely should keep that as the name since we're talking about the Halbrand form and now Charlie's version of Sauron. I'll post the rest behind a cut for spoilers but I think most of the Haladriel shippers know about these and what I'm referring to. So this ship name will always be Haladriel for me and why I'll only use that tag for the rest of the series and beyond.

ETA: Sorry if this comes across as being bitter but I am still angry and upset about a few of the spoilers we've gotten. Even though I love the show anyone who knows me from my other fandoms is I can still be majorly upset if I think one of my fandoms is doing something I think is wrong and possibly could hurt the show (and we've already had way too much hate that was so messed up). I'm still excited for most of the spoilers we've gotten it's just this particular storyline and some casting choices I don't agree with and think are the wrong call.

So as most know we're getting multiple actors playing Sauron starting with season 2 of "Rings of Power". Charlie's still there and from everything we've gotten so far is the main form on the show for the rest of the series. They are going to show him shapeshifting and we'll see another actor playing Annatar/what Fellowship of Fans has dubbed the "original form" of Sauron (which I'm still mad about as Charlie should be Mairon but that's been in my other posts LOL). Then there's possibly a 3rd actor too to play the form Adar knew.

So we're going to have all these different forms but to me I'm certain the only form I'll still be shipping her with is Halbrand/Charlie's version. FOF also confirmed as far as they know Morfydd never had a chemistry test with the new Annatar actor or anyone else besides Calam who is playing Celeborn. So that's another big thing to me too and likely why I won't be shipping her with Annatar or any other Sauron form as it's not Halbrand.

Now I will say with the LOTR books/movies after rereading/rewatching after watching season 1 of "ROP" I do now ship Sauron and Galadriel in them too. However in the films it's Cate Blanchett and Benedict Cumberbatch since he's Sauron's voice actor and I'm also a fan of them so it works that way too. LOL :D

But that's why I'll always use Haladriel as the ship name as I also feel it shows the impact of the show and how it's through the show that made me ship them and realize it makes everything different and more meaningful adding that too it. Plus to honor Charlie too as he's the first actor to play him in live-action and give him a face.

#the lord of the rings #the rings of power #haladriel #galadriel x halbrand #halbrand #sauron #annatar #mairon #galadriel #charlie vickers #morfydd clark #spoilers

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kolbisneat · 2 months

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MONTHLY MEDIA: February 2024

A real grey month broken up by the colours and beauty of art. Here's how I spent the month of February.

……….FILM……….

The Beekeeper (2024) Perfect February movie.

……….TELEVISION……….

Succession (Episode 1.01 to 2.04) Wasn't sure I was going to like this (every single character is just awful) but now I'm keen to see how these awful people are increasingly awful to each other. So far I'm really appreciating every shot that shows the staff and just the sheer number of people responsible for making the lives of these awful people as low-friction as possible. We 100% need to tax the rich more.

Delicious In Dungeon (Episode 1.05 to 1.08) Now having seen more episodes, the shifting animation styles feels more consistent overall and I love the frenetic style during the high-stress/combat scenes. If you like this show then know it's a near 1:1 with the manga but still worth reading.

……….YOUTUBE……….

Pinocchio is a Story About Art and God by Jacob Geller This opened me up to a wholly new interpretation of what the story of Pinocchio is about. Also go watch the Del Toro adaptation on Netflix it's truly a work of art. VIDEO

Vape-o-nomics: Why Everything is Addictive Now by Tom Nicholas In short: everything is a subscription now and it's making everything worse. Worth the watch and looking forward to further installments in this series. VIDEO

This Experiment Undid Our Cities. How Do We Fix It? by Strong Towns Push back against any local government that doesn't want to introduce mixed use zoning into neighborhoods. The suburbs are subsidized by density, it's as simple as that. VIDEO

……….READING……….

How To Watch Football: 52 Rules for Understanding the Beautiful Game, On and Off the Pitch by Tifo (Complete) So I actually read this over the course of a month or two. I'd read a rule or two, process, then read a couple more a day or two later. I don't even really watch football but this helped so much and now I expect I'll crush the fantasy premier league I'm in.

The Big Four by Agatha Christie (Complete) Only my second Christie novel and this felt SO different. Turns out that's because it really is an outlier amongst her other works. So that was reassuring. Not terrible but I wouldn't exactly recommend it as it felt thoroughly disjointed (a result of stitching together a series of unrelated short stories).

The Last Continent by Terry Pratchett (Complete) Hey I love the Discworld series. You know this. I know this. But there's always gotta be an entry that goes on the bottom of any list. I love Rincewind, but prefer the other wizards in a less prominent role. Not one I'd recommend when trying to get into the series and probably not one I'll revisit. Oh well.

Catwoman: Lonely City by Cliff Chiang (Complete) Big fan of Chiang's artistry on Paper Girls and really enjoyed this interpretation of an aging Gotham. It has such a clear and singular voice it covers so much in just four chapters! Really great read.

Silver Surfer: Black by Donny Cates, Tradd Moore, and Dave Stewart (Complete) Every time I read this I love it more and more. It's truly what I pictured comics to be when I was a kid: vibrant, dramatic, and a little bonkers. Why does the villain ride a dragon? WHO CARES it looks cool. I love it all.

Delicious in Dungeon Vol. 4 by Ryoko Kui (Complete) Watching the series and rereading the manga is really making for a great experience. This volume really highlighted that Senshi isn't a man with all the answers. In the upper levels of the dungeon, he's competent, but as they go deeper and face more dangerous monsters, the rest of the party take more of the lead. It's so good. This series is so good.

……….AUDIO……….

Wolves of Glendale by Wolves of Glendale (2024) Comedy music is always tricky but for me, the comedy is second. If I don't enjoy the music having no understanding of the lyrics then I probably won't stick with it. Some tracks strike this balance better than others but I found The Gym to be a good introductory track.

……….GAMING……….

Disco Elysium (ZA/UM) On one hand, I tend to prefer more...active games. Something that requires hitting buttons at the right time. On the other hand, I'm really digging the mystery and complexity of the game. It really feels like I can play this detective however I want without being forced to follow any one playstyle. Not sure how far into it I am but I read the review that it's less a detective game and more a game about being a detective and that really feels right. But I do have to say that it's...rather buggy on the Switch so that might not be the recommended way to play it.

Neverland: A Fantasy Role-Playing Setting (Andrews McMeel Publishing) The Tuesday crew is working towards ridding the island of a competing group of adventurers. Hook wants them gone, the Gnomes want them gone, heck even the Moss Mother wants them gone. But will they be able to do it? And the more lengthy recap is over here.

Oz: A Fantasy Role-Playing Setting (Andrews McMeel Publishing) The Mof1 D&D crew found a (literal) underground magic item shop so did a bunch of shopping after their big funeral heist. Everyone loves a good shopping session!

And that's it. See you in March!

#Monthly Media #Kolbisneat #Andrew Kolb

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francesderwent · 7 months

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I am greatly tempted to skip Five Red Herrings.....wouldn't have to deal with the orgy of train schedules or the endless descriptions of imaginary people's painting styles.....just go straight to Have His Carcase and the most delicious situationship of all time

#someone tell me there's a good reason to reread red herrings and i'll do it!! but i can't remember anything fun about it!!!#Cate reads

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okaystoptellingmetomakeanaccount · 17 days

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LESSER KNOWN STORIES ANY MAGICA FAN SHOULD READ I THINK

NO ROSA NO BARKS NO ARTIBANI

ONLY LESSER KNOWN COMICS

some scarpa will slip in im afraid this is difficult okay.

Thanks btw soony for the inspiration this is actually really fun

One of the earliest Magica stories, this one is from 1969. One of the most creative out there, especially for being such an early one. Also there’s a scene where Magica goes all scarface (i think, i have never watched that stuff i just heard he goes all shooty shoot) and thats quite amusing.

Really sweet comic. Everyone who only knows Magica from ducktales should read this comic to understand how much more complicated her character is in the original comics. It does such a great job at showing the other facets of her character in such a simple way. Don’t listen to the inducks review of m3gr1ml0ck (he’s almost always super based but not this time). Listen to the inducks review of Appie Aap (who is always based because he’s Appie Aap).

Kind of overrated in my opinion but Sarda’s characterization is PERFECTION. Story is average asf (though maybe i need to reread it) but all the little things are so incredibly well done. Molinari is great too of course.

It’s one of the recent more well known comics yeah okay but its mostly known because people thought Vian thought Etna was the Vesuvius (which they solved with a simple dialogue change in the German translation because it really was not that complicated guys) and it should be known for being a great comic instead. One day I will write a really long review about why it’s a masterpiece. Maybe. It perfectly manages to bring back the spirit of the Sarda written comics without some of the annoying quirks of his writing and with the fact that Bruno Enna is writing now and I love Bruno Enna guys robophobia is a masterpiece last hunt is a masterpiece i love bruno enna-

Magica really cares a lot about Ratface. You should read it.

Magica really cates about Ratface part 2. These two comics aren’t must reads but they’re good to help understand Magica and Ratface their relationship. (In italian comics at least. They seem to hate each other sometimes in Denmark)

Talking about Danish stories. Here. (Written by an American and drawn by a Dutchie. Egmont knows no borders) It IS quite well known, but tumblr here seems mostly familiar with Italian comics and this story has never been published in Italy, so I still think it deserves a mention. I was never a big fan of it, but all the inducksers seem to like it and i cant ignore its significance. So here it is i would still recommend.

Magica tells about her ancestor and her ancestor is lovely.

Magica talks about her ancestor and her ancestor is lovely part 2. (these ARE must reads!)

Magica turns herself into a floppy disk and everything you expect to happen happens. You want a typical fun but average Dutch comic? Then i’d recommend this one.

(I wanted to recommend another comic here but tumblr refuses to save it and ive been trying for what feels like hours so im giving up) (for some reason it did save at least this)

I really wanted to suggest more Danish stories but i have either not read them, theyre a gal for gladstone (aka not not well known) or theyre bad.

#magica de spell #disney comics #comic recommendations

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marietheran · 1 month

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LotR reread - book 2, chapter 7 - The Mirror of Galadriel

"Dark is the water of Kheled-zâram, and cold are the springs if Kibil-nâla, and fair were the many-pillared halls of Khazad-Dûm in Elder Days before the fall of mighty kings beneath the stone." *:･ﾟ✧

Hmm, compared with "in Elder Days, before the fall/ in Gondolin and Nargothrond/ of mighty kings" what are the odds she is speaking of Dwarven lords here, and what that she means her own brother and cousin? It looks like the former, but the similarity? -- maybe it's both at the same time.

"And the Dwarf, hearing the names given in his own ancient tongue, looked up and met her eyes; and it seemed to him that he looked suddenly into the heart of an enemy and saw there love and understanding."

I am summarily ignoring "for ere the fall of Nargothrond and Gondolin I passed over the mountains" because I want Galadriel to be there when Elwing is a child and a young woman.

Interesting though how "before the fall of (the kings of) N. and G." seems to be shorthand for "in the Elder Days" (maybe more specifically "during the Long Peace")...

I am trying not to be influenced by that awful interpretation of Galadriel we have in Cate Blanchett. I'm afraid it may not be working.

"Anyone would have thought you had a guilty mind. I hope it was nothing more than a wicked plot to steal one of my blankets." xd

"'That's funny,' said Merry. 'Almost exactly what I felt myself: only, only well I don't think I'd say any more.'" -- what was Merry's hidden wish?? I need to know! Something about Estella Bolger, maybe?? :)

I still don't really think the mirror is all that useful if you can't tell if what you saw belongs to the past, the present, or a potential future.

The Star of Eärendil is bright enough to cast shadows

"You'd make some folk pay for their dirty work." "I would. That is how it would begin. But it would not stop with that, alas!"

I am still convinced Galadriel has very few Marian elements. There are almost-Marian-figures in the Legendarium, but she isn't really one of them.

Btw, looking back through the Silm, the Galadriel here appears so much different to the one we see there (and we even get some dialogue for her in the Silm!) But now she's switched roles; in that dialogue it was her being interviewed by a powerful queen who definitely knows more than she's revealed or wants her to know.

#lotr reread #the professor's mythopoeia #lotr #original post

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oriionours · 8 months

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Ghost Of You

Here's my entry for the Malec discord server's 2023 mini bang !

Firstly, I'd like to thank my beta from the bottom of my heart. Cate, you were incredible. Despite my lack of communication from time to time, you've been exemplary, patient and I've loved every second of working with you.

My artist, Molly, who has done me the honour of illustrating part of this fiction with this magnificent piece of work

Then, a big shout out to the whole team behind this year's mini bang. The Malec discord wouldn't be the same without you.

Finally, thank you all for paying a little attention to this story. I sincerely hope you enjoy it !

I'd like to add that there are currently 4 chapters missing. They'll be arriving later today, I just need to finish rereading them!

Here I'm waking up

Still can't sleep on your side

If I can dream long enough

You'd tell me I'll be just fine

But I know better now

So I drown it out

#my writing #malec fanfic #angst #angst with a happy ending #magnus bane #alexander lightwood #shadowhunters #the mortal instruments #fanfiction

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sineala · 10 months

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Guardians of the Galaxy by Al Ewing

I wrote this review last month for Pride Month but am reposting it here.

No one asked for this, but in honor of Pride Month, I would like to review Al Ewing's Guardians of the Galaxy run, because I reread it last night and it is extremely, extremely, extremely gay and I know a lot of people don't read Guardians so you might not know how gay it is. It is very gay. All my faves are gay now. Plus, it was finally released in one big trade paperback in April, so you can get the whole run in a big book. (Also included is a noir-ish miniseries about Rocket; I didn't read it.) It's eighteen issues plus an annual; it's a pretty fast read.

This is, hands down, my favorite Guardians run. Everything else can move over.

The Guardians of the Galaxy are a team that was thrust into prominence by the MCU, and the subsequent post-MCU runs -- Bendis, Duggan, Cates -- have mostly pulled the team lineup and dynamic into something much closer to the MCU. If you're an Iron Man fan, the run you're probably familiar with is Bendis', which is the one where Tony went to space. I get the impression that Guardians fandom did not like this run much; IIRC, Bendis said he had never read Guardians, and it... kind of showed. It was Not Good.

I understand why Marvel wants to capitalize on the MCU success. I can't claim to have been a longtime Guardians fan before the MCU, but I very quickly became a fan of the 616 team. To prepare to watch the original GotG movie I decided to read all of DNA Cosmic in about two weeks, and I discovered that Phyla-Vell (Quasar, at the time) and Heather Douglas (Moondragon) were my new faves, because what's not to love about space lesbians, one of whom is sometimes a telepathic space dragon. I didn't even know they were a couple until I was halfway through Annihilation Conquest. I observed that they really cared about each other, and then I turned the page and they were kissing. Surprise!

DNA Cosmic also got me shipping Peter Quill and Rich Rider. Rich is one of the few other humans to have a consistent place in Cosmic Marvel; he's a character from the 70s, starting out as a teenager, who was given the status and powers of Nova Prime by the last surviving member of the Nova Corps -- their world, Xandar, is being destroyed -- and then had to defend the galaxy. Eventually Xandar was rebuilt, and Rich went to Earth for a bit and joined the New Warriors. (Civil War happens during the Annihilation event; Rich has some very complicated feelings.) During Annihilation, Xandar is destroyed again, and now Rich has to host the Nova Force and the entire Xandarian Worldmind in his body because he is the last of them. So there's a lot of angst for him. He has a very close friendship with Peter Quill. I dare you to read this run and not ship Peter/Rich. The scene where Peter has to leave Rich in the Cancerverse is extremely angsty. They clearly love each other. They were not, at this time, canonically into each other. But they were obviously BFFs.

So, to summarize, my favorite character elements of it were the relationship between Phyla-Vell and Heather Douglas, who quickly became my favorite Guardians, as well as Rich Rider and his friendship with Peter. Now I was definitely ready for the movie! I think you can see the problem here.

You know what isn't in the MCU? Any of that. Heather, Phyla, and Rich are not in the MCU. So I was disappointed. And then I had to sit through a bunch of Guardians runs where none of these people were main characters anymore because they weren't in the MCU and, thus, everything I loved best about the team wasn't there.

(Also Phyla and Heather have taken turns being dead, and given that they are not big names, they often stay dead for a while; at this point I think Phyla was dead, though she came back before the Cates run, although it was actually her from another universe, and she came with her Moondragon, and 616 Moondragon still existed. This wasn't really explored all that much, until Ewing's run, where the Moondragons merge.)

But then Al Ewing got the book, and he appears to have taken the stance that most of the major characters will be people who have never appeared in the MCU, the character dynamic will be much closer to DNA than the MCU, and, oh yeah, almost all of these people will be queer if they weren't already queer. A bold choice! I'm surprised editorial let him do this. But I am very happy.

Seriously, here are all the characters who are some flavor of queer or in some kind of queer relationship: Peter Quill, Gamora, Rich Rider, Heather Douglas, Phyla-Vell, Noh-Varr, Hercules, Billy Kaplan, Teddy Altman, Avril Kincaid. This is probably the majority of the heroes. You will also note that most of them are not in the MCU.

Literally everyone on the starting team (Peter, Gamora, Rich, Heather, Phyla, Noh-Varr, Rocket, Groot) ends up in a queer relationship except Rocket and Groot and who even knows what counts as queer for those two.

I originally started reading this run because I was happy that Phyla and Heather were both alive again (after the events of Infinity Watch and Infinity Wars) and that they were both Guardians again and also a a couple again; IIRC they were also both in Cates' run but it wasn't really about them. They are major characters here. They go through, uh... let's just call it a rough patch... but they're together again by the end and the universe thing is resolved. And if this were all the run had done, it would have been enough, actually. More than enough. But then the rest of the run also happened.

By the end of this run, Peter Quill, Gamora, and Rich Rider are all in a romantic relationship together. I definitely did not see that coming.

Near the beginning of the run Peter dies. Both Rich and Gamora blame Rich for Peter's death.

There's an entire issue of Rich going to therapy to attempt to deal with his grief.

In the course of this, we find out that Rich talked with Gamora, that Gamora used to be in love with Rich (they did date at one point, so this wasn't entirely out of left field), and also we find out that Rich was definitely in love with Peter. "I loved him too. You know that, right?" Rich asks her.

Gamora's response is "Yes, I know. That makes it worse." So, yeah. That's a thing now.

This is easily my favorite issue of the run. As far as I'm concerned, more heroes should go to therapy. I would absolutely read a comic book about a superhero therapist. A good one. Not, like, Faustus.

If you have ever read a comic book, you will know that Peter is not really dead. He is in another dimension where years pass, having a bisexual polyamorous relationship with a couple people in that dimension. (I wasn't kidding about how gay this was.)

And then eventually he comes back to life, joyously reunites with Rich first (priorities!)...

...and finds out Gamora is now mad at him.

So he has to rejoin the Guardians, defeat the main villain, and navigate his very complicated relationship with Gamora and Rich, who also have to work out their relationship with each other.

But all of them work out their issues, and just as they prepare to take down the villain, Peter tells Gamora, "I love him too. You know that, right?"

And this time Gamora says that makes it better, actually. Character growth! Rich then tells both of them he loves them. It's very sweet.

Anyway, the whole run ends with the team partying victoriously in a bar (Billy/Teddy and Phyla/Heather are both making out in the background, and no, I really wasn't kidding about how gay it all was).

And it's not really as clearly stated as I would have liked, but it is heavily, heavily implied that the three of them, who have their arms around each other, will be spending their vacation together. I'll take it. It's canon now.

If this run has a flaw, it's that the actual main plot keeps getting derailed by tie-ins. I know this is not entirely Ewing's fault, but a good part of this is King In Black and Empyre tie-ins. I didn't read King In Black, but I did fine anyway. Empyre -- which, yes, Ewing also co-wrote -- is probably the more important one to know, otherwise it might be a little confusing why Billy and Teddy are there for half the book. And then Peter and Rich go to the Hellfire Gala (where Rich picks a fight with Magneto), which is of course a crossover with Ewing's SWORD run at the time. It gets to be a bit much.

When it's staying on track, the main plot is serviceable enough. Ewing often has a tendency to make his cosmic work really big-picture and trippy (no, I didn't like his Ultimates run) but he refrains from that here, which I appreciate. The main villain ends up being Dormammu and it's easy to follow. Also watching them put Doctor Doom on the team was pretty great.

I have no idea how well it will read if you only know the MCU -- I'm guessing probably not well -- but if you'd like to see all your 616 faves be gay now, this is the book for you. It's the only Guardians run I've actually bothered buying in paper and not just reading on Unlimited. As far as I am concerned, this book was written for an audience of me and I am 100% fine with this. But if this sounds like your thing, please read it. It is delightful.

#posts i actually wrote

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