#Really forever. Like one those fairytales in which people send their soul

[danielleslegacy]

Soulmates || Spencer Reid x fem!Reader

MASTERLIST

Request: yes / no (but they are open always)

Fandom: Criminal Minds

Summary: Just a wedding fic, that no one asked for bahaha, but yes, wedding. 

Word Count: 2,404

Warnings: it is just fluff that is all, its tooth-rotting, you’ve been warned.

Pairing: fem!Reader insert x Spencer Reid

All writing is my own, so please don’t steal this. Also, I would appreciate any feedback/comments/requests! xx

*GIF IS NOT MINE SO CREDIT GOES TO THE OWNER*

I smooth my hands down the front of the laced front of my dress, casting my eyes back up to the mirror in front of me. Makeup done in such a beautiful way that my eyes pop, the soft blush that lays on my cheeks making me seem younger and more innocent than I am. Behind me I notice people walking into my dressing room. 

“Oh Y/n,” the voice of one Emily Prentiss says, causing me to turn to face her, “You look absolutely gorgeous.” 

My eyes flash over the girls quickly, their beautiful dresses, similar but not the same, adorning their bodies. My eyes fill with tears as I let out a soft laugh. “Thank you Em.” 

“That boy is going to die watching you walk down the aisle in that,” Penelope gushes, her own voice thick with unshed tears. The group lets out a laugh. 

“Thank you for being here,” I say, reaching my hands out to hold the sides on JJ and Penelope, as they are standing on the outside of Emily, “I just wish my parents were here too, you know?”

The girls nod, “They are here, Y/n, they’re always with you.” JJ says, giving my arm and encouraging squeeze. 

“Alright no crying missy, we’ve got a wedding to do,” Eemily says offering me a tissue, which I take and dab underneath my eyes softly. I let out a breath and turn back to the mirror, admiring my dress one last time, with a firm nod of my head, I turn to the dresser and pick up a bracelet. 

“I need some help with this part,” I confess, holding out the bracelet and my wrist to the girls, JJ takes it and clasps it. A multitude of pendants hang off it, each one for a different person in my life. 

“It’s beautiful, was it from boy wonder?” Penelope asks, obviously catching onto one of the charms on the bracelet, a silver book, it was tiny but it was there. 

I nod my head, a smile coming to my lips, “A wedding present, you guys are on here too.” I say gesturing to the four leaf clover. “The whole team is on here,” a small set of handcuffs on the other side of the clover, a reference to our job. “Mum and Dad too,” I say, finally pointing to the two angels. 

A soft knock at the door frame draws us out of our bubble, “Sorry to interrupt ladies, but it's time,” Hotch’s face is painted with guilt at having to pull us away. A wave of anxiety rushes over me, but it’s gone almost as quickly as it came, and it’s replaced by pure excitement, excitement at the fact that it’s finally time to marry my soulmate. 

The girls slip out the door sending words of encouragement, and waves as they exited. 

“How do I look, boss?” I ask doing a twirl for Hotch, my dress spiraling around me. I stop back to face him and he has a wide, proud, grin on his face. He gives me a nod in response.

“You ready?” He asks, extending a hand out towards me, which I take readily. 

“Yes,” I put simply, it was an easy answer because yes, i am ready to marry Spencer, i am ready to start the rest of my life with the person that i cannot live without. We walk down a hallway in Rossi’s house and just before we walk out and into the garden, we stop. Rossi had offered his house as the venue once again, as it was practically assumed that after JJ’s wedding to Will that Spencer and I would inevitably marry here too. I’m not in view of the group yet, but I can see the garden, lit up in beautiful lights, and a few seats scattered around the yard. Lanterns litter the grass, like the scene from Tangled. A fairytale coming to life. 

The music begins, a classical wedding march, a giggle erupting from my chest. “In a few minutes I’m going to be married, Hotch,” I say as he opens the door for us to walk out of. 

“Yes, yes you are Y/n.”

We step out on the lawn and I feel everyone's eyes on me, but my eyes are only focused on the end of the aisle, only on Spencer. His beautiful all black suit makes him appear even taller than normal, and his hair is styled to perfection. His eyes shine with tears, and in that moment my refill again. I continue walking, my smile staying spread across my lips, and when I eventually meet the end of the isle, I give Hotch a kiss on the cheek. 

“Thank you Aaron,” I say softly. The kiss is returned and he places my hand in Spencer’s. 

“You have something truly magical,” He says, taking a step back to join the rest of our team. No, our family. For the first time I looked over all of their faces, all red and tear filled. 

From beside me Rossi clears his throat, “Welcome, Welcome everybody, we are all here today to celebrate the union of two beautiful people.”

My eyes gather with tears and I flick them up to Spencer’s, his own filled too. I squeeze his hands, my excitement evident on my face. 

“We have all watched these two souls find one another against all odds. I’m sure Spencer could tell you the odds of their meeting, and I asked him once, and he told me that day that it’s a 1 in 10,000 chance that he would meet his soulmate. To which I followed up by asking him, and she’s the one right, kid? The boy just nodded his head. Later that same week I asked Y/n if she believed in soulmates,” He lets out a little chuckle, “See what I did there? She didn’t really answer me, but she did look over at the doctor and smiled. I knew what she meant by that. I am by no means an expert on marriage or soulmates.” 

“Ain't that a fact,” Derek mutters from the small group, referencing the italian’s multiple divorces and we erupt into a fit of laughter. My shoulders shake with laughter and tears fall down my cheeks. Spencer’s eyes focus only on me, his own shining with tears, and I can tell that he knows that this is a memory that he will be looking over for years to come. His fingers dance along my wrists and connect with the bracelet. 

“What are you gonna do?” Rossi continues with a shrug once the group is quiet,”But as I was saying. I am no expert, but you don’t need to be to know that these two souls were made for one another. They share this deep and beautiful understanding of one another, their differences and similarities. The two truly complete one another. I am so lucky to have been able to watch your love blossom from an awkward mutual pining to what I see before me today. I am also honored to be able to marry you to one another. So without further ado, let’s get to the important part. You have both prepared vows, Y/n, you first.” 

I nod my head excitedly, my smile widening as if that was even possible, “So like Rossi, I also asked you the odds of us meeting, and I got the same answer. Only, I asked you after our first date, we had probably known each other for six months at that point, eating ice cream in my apartment while watching Hercules. And it was that day that I fell for you. You couldn’t just sit and watch the movie, you kept telling me facts about ancient greece and greeks gods and goddesses, and I knew that I only wanted to experience movies with you being able to tell me about them.” His eyes twinkle and a tear slips down his cheek, I raise my hand up to wipe it away, “That night I called my mum, and i told her that I had met the man I was going to marry,” My voice catches in my throat, “I told her all about you and how you made me feel and she told my dad, and they both instantly loved you, because i was happy and excited.” 

His finger toys with the bracelet on my wrist, tears streaking his face. “And Spence, if they had met you, I know that they would be all about me marrying you. So my vow to you is to always love and savour every moment we have together, and to never go to sleep angry, and to listen to you always. I also promise to take care of you and to love you forever.” 

Spencer unlinks a hand from mine holding up his pinky to which I link mine around it, letting out a watery laugh.

Tears fall from my eyes, when Spencer begins his own vows. 

“I am a man of science and logic and numbers and facts.” He begins, “When you start falling in love, your brain releases chemicals like vasopressin, adrenaline, dopamine, and oxytocin that light up your neural receptors and make you feel both pleasure and a euphoric sense of purpose. That’s the facts of what love is. And before you, that was an easy enough understanding. I had thought I knew what love felt like. But falling in love with you was unlike anything I have ever experienced before in my entire life. And it took me so incredibly long to figure out why. It’s because all logic went out the window. My first and last thought every day was of you, I worried about you constantly and I could not figure out why. But then I noticed that I just wanted to be around you all the time and I didn't want you away from me. And then I got it. Love, this was falling in love. All those other times in my life where i thought i was experiencing love were test drives in comparison to falling in love with you. So today I vow to you, to continually throw logic away and to love you with all of my being for as long as life permits it. And if the Buddists are right, then the meeting was actually 500 years in the making, and I promise to you that in 500 years I will find you again.”

“Oh Spence,” I whisper to no one by him, reaching up to try to wipe the tears off my cheeks. 

“This ceremony will not create a relationship that does not already exist between you. It is a symbol of how far you have come in these past few years. It is a symbol of the promises you will make to each other and continue growing stronger as individuals and as partners. No matter what challenges you face, no matter how much you succeed, you now succeed together. The love between you joins you now as one. Now for the exchanging of rings,” Rossi states, handing us each other's rings. 

"Y/n, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. As it encircles your finger, may it remind you always that you are surrounded by my enduring love," Spencer says softly, slipping it onto my fourth finger. 

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, my faith in our strength together, and my covenant to learn and grow with you,” I reply, sliding the plain gold band onto his fourth finger. 

Rossi clears his throat, “You two are officially the first members to marry within the BAU, you may now kiss.” 

My smile only widens, as my hands reach up to cup his face softly, and my lips press to his. I feel the corners of his mouth lift in a smile. From behind my closed eyelids I see a flash, but I take no notice lost in the kiss with my now husband. Our lips move against one another, he dips us down slowly yet romantically,, and once we pull apart I miss it, so I quickly press my lips to his and then move back. My smile permanently on my face. The others are clapping and hollering from around us. It is then that I finally notice the camera grasped in Penelope's hand and I’m already so grateful for the pictures that she must have been taking.

My eyes flick back to Spence, “We’re married.”

“Yes we are,” He grins, wrapping his arms around my waist and spinning me around. The group lets out a chorus of laughs and Rossi’s voice breaks through. “Now we eat.” 

We share a beautiful meal, some pasta that I assume Dave made and the conversation flows freely. 

“Remember when you called me on your way to your first date with Y/n?” Morgan teases, “You were so nervous that I actually debated calling an ambulance to make sure you didn’t have a heart attack.”

The group laughs once more and Spencer buries his head into the crook of my neck, clearly embarrassed, “Yeah, well I had reason to be.” 

“Oh wait, that reminds me,” JJ begins, “Y/n called me the day Spence finally asked her out, and you guys, I wish you had been able to hear the excitement in her voice. I know I’m a profiler, but you didn’t need to be to see that the girl was already crazy for him.” 

I let out a soft giggle, reminiscing on that day, and I bring up mine and Spencer's conjoined hands and press my lips to his. 

The soft sounds of Jason Mraz’s ‘I Won’t Give Up’ begins to chime through the air, I stand up, and pull Spencer along with me. 

“Dance with me?” I ask him, and he just nods in reply, pulling me in closer to him. One of his hands rests on my hip and the other encloses mine. I rest my head onto his chest, I can hear the stop patter of his heart beat, as we sway together. He unloops our fingers, and my arms wrap around his waist and his other hand falls in my hair, holding me as close as possible. I feel so protected by the man who I’m going to spend the rest of my life with. 

~

TagList (let me know if you want to be tagged!) 

@saucybeeches​

#spence #spencer reid #dr spencer reid #doctor spencer reid #spencer reid fanfiction #criminal #Criminal Minds #Criminal Minds Reid #Criminal Minds AU #david rossi #aaron hotch hotchner #emily prentiss #jj #jennifer jareau #derek morgan x spencer reid #criminal minds x reader #Spencer ried x fem!reader #spencer reid x reader

[ithilloktewrites]

Unposted Fanfiction Masterlist

This is the Masterlist of my fanfic that is not posted, but I intend to write and post them all. I hope you enjoy what I have for fic ideas. I write many pairings, and am not afraid of rarepairs. I hope to inspire others to write for all the different eras of time that could be written for, as the well, jewel, and god tree can all be used to move Kagome or others into other worlds, at different eras of those worlds. I will update this list with any new ideas. 

Feel free to ask about anything that might catch your eye, or make you a bit curious as to what exactly I’m thinking of with each fic, I’ll be happy to talk about it!

A Twisted Feudal Fairytale - Neji/Kagome

Eventual smut, Rated Explicit

When Naraku tries to send Kagome to another world, he never expected to get caught using the spell in their camp by a bunch of shinobi ready to pummel him into next week to defend her. Who knew that having time and space warped around you would allow you to world hop alongside time hopping?

Accidental Transportation - Kagome/?

Eventual smut, Rated Explicit

The second Hokage had made preparations for the event of the Uchiha’s rebellion after his brother had passed on. The walls he’d had built around the Uchiha compound contained a special seal that had been discovered to be efficient at transportation. All he did was set it to another world, one he’d visited accidentally with his brother when experimenting with a new jutsu. He’d set it to have two triggers. Poor Kagome is one of them.

Akatsuki: Blast To Another World’s Past - Akatsuki/Kagome Harem

Eventual mass amounts of smut. Rated Explicit

Apparently mixing two space-time jutsu had a very high chance of being tossed into another world. But he did not expect the link of the rings all the members wore to transport them with him. He’d seen that the pain and suffering of this world had turned to tranquility and peace. The question was, was it worth staying?

Aspect Of Four Souls: Sakimitama - Itachi/Kagome/Kisame

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit

Midoriko knew Kagome would need a balance for her large soul, or she’d never be able to destroy the abomination she’d made. So she summons two people that would balance her more than the one the Kami had tried to match her to. He was insufficient, and uninterested in her. These two, they would be best for her. They would make sure her Sakimitama was present and in place so she could destroy the Jewel, just as she would heal them as well.

Changing History - Young!Jiraiya/Kagome

The well reopens as Kagome knew it would. But when she materializes in the bottom and climbs out, she finds herself not even in her own world anymore. She finds the well sitting in the middle of a road, and a man with white har, red streaks falling from his eyes that towers over her. When she looks back at the well behind her, she finds nothing. It vanished into thin air. The man is eyeing her suspiciously.  Where is she, and what's going on now?!

Connected Reflections - Kagome/?

Eventual smut. Rated Explicit

Naraku has gone completely silent. No one has seen hide nor hair of him for months. Then the barrier hiding his layer falls. Inside they find a huge bronze mirror. It’s big enough to walk through. Kagome accidentally activates it.

Dreams Of A New Reality - Itachi/Kagome Shisui/Sasuke

Eventual loads of smut Definitely Rated Explicit

The Shikon’s efforts to torture and break Kagome fail. She pulled two men out of the dreams she was having. Now she’s pulled a third. They speak at length on this issue, and easily decide to help her with her task in exchange for finding a way back. In the end, the Jewel tries to force them back, but the bond the well created around them is too strong. Many things have changed in their world with the addition of Kagome, and she didn;t know how many cans of worms she was opening by trying to save them. Including the population of Uchiha that would be living in Konoha. It seems as though a solution has been found for that though.

Dreamwalkers - Itachi/Kagome/Shisui

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit

With dreams of three boys and the fate of the clan they come from clear to her eye at night, Kagome is given a choice. Forsake her world, and save them, or live in a world where she doesn’t really belong anymore

Fugaku had been having dreams of a girl for the past three years. His position weighs heavily on him. He wishes that girl was real, and here to help him resolve the issues between the village and his clan. He didn’t want to stage a coup. But his clan has demanded such of him. He would give that girl anything to stop the extermination of his clan that he sees on the horizon.

Existing Within Each Other - Kakashi/Kagome

Eventual smut. Rated Explicit

Travelling can be a very dull thing to do, especially by foot. Kagome came back one day, reading a series called Naruto. It wasn’t long before she not only had all the books in the series, but all her friends reading it too.

Kakashi had been enthralled by this book that was rated for teenagers. His students started it. He’d even seen Jiraiya reading it! But his curiosity was piqued. This series ‘Inu Yasha’ was good. Only when he finished it, the main heroine, Kagome, materialized on his bed. What fresh Jutsu was this?!

Fighting Hatred - Obito/Kagome

Emotional Angst. Rated Mature

“It’s okay if you like someone else, Obito! I’m used to being left behind!” The painful, watery smile she gave him tore his heart out. Before he could respond, she looked at the ground as the tears streamed down her face. A sob escaped her. He blinked and the stool beside him was empty. The ends of black hair turning the corner like a cat was all he could see of her before she was gone. His chest ached, and suddenly, all he could think of was her. How had he been so blind?

From The Garden Of The Gods: Founders Of The Leaf - Kagome/?

*Please note that I have asked for permission from the original author of ‘From The Garden Of The Gods’ on ff.net, She has abandoned the Suna fic she was writing, and it was plainly stated in her fics as well.

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

Kagome has been dropped into a world she doesn’t recognize, and it’s not long before she realizes that no one understands her. Coming across a village being built, and made of many different shinobi clans, Kagome doesn’t think she could make it on her own in the village.

 Instead she tries to not bring attention to herself, well aware that they would most likely try to kill her or use her horribly. She decides to stay close to the village, but not become a part of it. Her anonymity is scattered to the wind when enemy shinobi attack her small home, hoping to weaken the in-progress village. She’s cornered by three very powerful shinobi, and only her barrier separates her from them.

My Daughter From Beyond The Well - Shisui/Kagome

Rating Unknown. Depends on it I decide for it to be fluffy or not

Marriage within the Uchiha clan meant loyalty to your partner, and while he was never disloyal, it did not mean that he did not have a lover before his marriage was arranged. His wife did as well. What made his so different was the well he had to use to get there. Now, nine years after he was forced to leave her, a small girl arrives in the well. She looks like a carbon copy of him, except for her hair and eyes. They are her mothers. His ex-lover. In her hands, a letter covered with tears, and the strong scent of medicine. Itachi is curious, as he should be. She was another sibling for him to care for. But Shisui, he was enthralled. He had no idea what she was scared of, but he desperately wanted to eliminate it for her. Sasuke wonders why she’s so sad all the time.

Growing Intertwined - Yamato/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

The Final Battle did not go as planned. No one expected the Jewel to throw Kagome into another world. Scared and surrounded by people holding weapons in her direction, Kagome throws a barrier up unconsciously. It’s not long before someone realizes that she’s not going to hurt them, but she was too busy crying, calling for Inu Yasha. The gentle, careful knock on her barrier has her looking up into calm, gentle black almond-shaped eyes. He was crouched in front of her, a sign that he didn’t want to hurt her.

“Nice barrier you got there.”

Hatake’s Saving Grace - Kakashi/Kagome

Rating undetermined. Not sure if just fluff is going into this fic.

Sakumo couldn’t thank her enough. Not when she’d saved his life, and given him grandchildren. Beautiful, blue-eyed grandchildren. And her food saved so many lives.

Hokage In The Well - Kagome/?

Rating Undecided. Not sure if this one will have a pairing. BroTP yes, but as far as shipping goes… no idea who to pair her with for this one.

Kagome had no idea what to think when five men appeared in the well, three of which were arguing with each other. The other two watched from the sidelines. She had no clue what a Hokage was, nor why one of them was not one while all the others were. What fresh hell is this?

Kagome Saves Tobirama - Tobirama/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

Falling asleep in your dorm room with all the nekomata napping in your sweater resulted in waking up in a different world surrounded by shinobi who were being hunted by other shinobi, and you were the only chance at escape. Who knew?

Last Ditch Effort - Hashirama/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

While rooting out and eliminating traitors who wanted the war to continue raging, Hashirama feels a pull. Following it, he finds a girl in the bottom of a well in an abandoned village. She was fighting for her life, and losing. The stinger in her leg would make sure of it. He didn’t know how much the village he’d dreamed of building needed her until he decided to save her.

Like Her Namesake - Neji/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

Irony could describe how he’d found her, and how her name had been marked on the underside of his upper arm forever, just as the bird chained to his can seal had been marked on hers. 

“Kagome, Kagome.

The Bird in the cage.

When will you come out?

In the light of the dawn?

The crane and the turtle slipped.

Who will betray you now?”

Little Kagome - Obito/Kagome

Rating Undecided.

After being found abandoned as a baby, Kagome clings to Obito, and he brings her home when the orphanage turns her away. When Fugaku gives them permission to keep her, especially seeing the bond she has with Obito, he feels his priorities shifting to her. Luckily, she is a full trained priestess with lots of experience protecting herself.

Loving the Hate Away - Minato/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

When offers of training from each member of the Inu Taichi are rescinded shortly after being made, Kagome wonders if there is something wrong with her. But the really kind man from her dreams gives her a small pointer that uncovers the truth about the person she thought she loved, trusted with her life. When she sees the man in her dreams for the last time, she gives him the ability to summon her as thanks.

Making My Way To You - Kakashi/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

Soulmate’s AU inspired by Kakshisninken’s Scribbles series, written with permission to borrow some themes.

Kagome never expected to have a Soulmate, much less one in a different world that paired everyone off automatically. And what’s Chakra?

Marriage Of Protection - Kakashi/Kagome

Smut. Rated Explicit

An illegal, unsanctioned summoning has the Hokage in deep water. He is finally forced to go after Danzo, the problems he’s caused greatly outweigh the benefits to him being the Shadow Kage. The girl he’s summoned now remains a giant target for the rest of the world, and that’s not fair to her. Thus he needs to marry her to someone strong enough to protect her from Danzo and the rest of the world. He cannot select anyone who would be forced to concede to clan politics, which made his selection pool very small. Luckily there is one man, last of his clan. He will do nicely.

Match Made In Hokage - Kakashi/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

When Tsunade informs Kakashi that he is to become the next Hokage until Naruto can take over, Kakashi is stunned. However neither Kagome or Kakashi knew why they or the council had to be present for such a decision.

“However, there is a weakness that must be eradicated. Hatake is both the last of his clan, and not married. This could be taken advantage of. We have selected the best candidate to fill this position. We require Hatake and Higurashi to wed, increasing political ties, and to produce heirs to continue the Hatake line. They will be wed before the mantle of Hokage will be passed. The Higurashi Matron has been contacted and has given both permission and support to this motion. Higurashi has expressed a lack of interest in any partner in the time she has been part of Konoha, and Hatake has expressed interest in her. Thus the motion will carry.”

Kagome stood frozen in both shock and anger at the council and Tsunade’s audacity. Kakashi was in deep shit.

Midoriko’s Gift - Shisui/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

Shisui wasn’t given the chance to use the erasing jutsu. No, he was taken just after he fell. Waking up in a cave with a pretty girl asking if he was okay wasn’t a bad thing either. But how would he know? Both his eyes were pulled out, and he was blind.

Mission Unexpected - Kagome/?

Rated teen. No smut in this fic, no one to pair her with that isn’t Inu Yasha.

 Minato had gone after his students after they’d been forced into and cornered in an abandoned well. He’d tried to get them out quickly, but hadn’t noticed the activated scroll tossed in on top of them until the ground fell out beneath them, and everything became a large, starry void. Surly this was a genjutsu. Why couldn’t they break it then? Amd who is this girl who jumped in on top of them and disappeared?

No Where To Go - Itachi/Kagome

Eventual Smut/ Rated Explicit.

Naraku tried to escape the Final Battle. He had defeated the Slayer and Monk, targeting them specifically. The jewel had told him they were her ancestors. Yet, he had still been forced to run. She had followed of course, nothing but death awaited her in that world anyways. She didn’t expect to out a corrupt politician when she’d only tried to protect him from Naraku, nor did she expect how high up he was. She also healed a boy accidentally, and found herself the focus of an entire village of Shinobi. The political position she found herself in for completing her task made her wish she had faded from existence in her world. But there is no way back now. 

Perfect - Yamato/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit

Inu Yasha’s uncharacteristic behavior has Kagome worried. But he makes her take a vacation. He didn’t know the well had made a second direction, a world slip. After explaining everything to the ‘Hokage’ Kagome makes a deal with him. He sends two ANBU members to assist her in her task, hoping she’ll fall for one of them, and they for her. It would give her reason to stay in Konoha, and the village would be that much more powerful. Yamato and Kakashi never expected the roller coaster that all of them would be forced to ride.

Pop-Up Prophecy - Itachi/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

Kagome is dropped right behind two people. An old man with spiky white hair in a low ponytail, who dwarfed the smaller black-haired smooth  ponytail wearer.

“Ah there she is. Take care of her, Itachi. She is the key of salvation for your clan.”

“Of course Jiraiya-sama.”

Preventing Chaos - Izuna/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

Izuna is stolen from Madara right before he was supposed to die. He woke up to a girl healin him in a place where he recognized nothing. There was a box talking to him, and are those dog-ears on that boy’s head?

Putting On A Show- Uchiha Style - Itachi/Kagome

Smut very early on, Arranged Marriage. Rated Explicit.

The whole Uchiha clan was moved after the ninetails attack not because they were not trusted, but because of a prophecy a man bearing blue eyes and other-worldly knowledge had given them after proving his abilities, and passing on. Of course any soothsayer would know when their progeny would follow them. The only difference is that now Fugaku had been notified of her arrival, and the Uchiha’s involvement in it. The Hokage asked them for a show, and now that Fugaku understood, he would get the show of his life in the only way his clan knew how to give one. Uchiha-style.

Recall: Shikon’s Return - Akatsuki/Kagome Harem

Smut from the very beginning. Rated Explicit.

She’d finally destroyed the jewel. She was spat into a world not her own. When she is come across by Tobi and Zetsu, they note her precarious position in this world and take advantage of it. She’s to become the Akatsuki’s healer for the main groups of shinobi partners, with benefits. (Nod to AwolAngel’s ‘Maid with Benefits’) Inadvertently, they all end up smitten or very fond of her, and she of them. So it’s a no-brainer when Kagome feels yoki coming from the well she’d arrived in, that they’d all follow her to help her destroy it. But the results of this are mind-blowing when they step into a clearing only Kagome recognizes after all of them are pulled through the well.

“You all know there’s supposed to be a large scar on my side, right?”

The unblemished skin on her side could only mean one thing.

Roof Of The Pillars - Hashirama/Tobirama/Kagome/Madara/Izuna

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

The adorable little girl in the bunny clothes had no idea that she would be the end of the feudal wars in another world, and the glue of an alliance through marriage to two sets of brothers from opposing clans. 

But those big blue eyes held peace for all of them.

Saigo No Akuma - Minato/Kagome

Eventual Smut, Rated Explicit.

Kagome’s lost everything to the jewel. After being trained and then transported to another world, she finds herself protecting the village during the Nine-tails attack, which not only ends up saving the Uchiha, but also Minato and Kushina’s only son. Kushina’s last wish was that Kagome help Minato raise Naruto, since he was the Hokage, and that Minato take care of Kagome.

Shattered Again - The Jewel’s Existence - Madara/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

The jewel tried to bring another ally to Naraku, but the Goshinboku interferes and changes which point of Madara’s life he is taken from. The Jewel shatters itself again to keep from being destroyed. This ends up saving both him, and the group he has inadvertently become a part of. With Madara’s addition to the group, Inu Yasha notices how he only has eyes for Kagome. This is a good thing. She’ll be in good hands. He leaves her, and frees her from her promises. Madara is there to pick up the pieces, of both her heart and the jewel.

Shisui’s Resolve: Kagome’s Happiness - Shisui/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

After being betrayed and abandoned, Kagome is dropped into a different world, right in front of Shisui. When brought before the Hokage, Shisui makes an offer that will both save his clan, free them of the curse, and bring them into the village as they had originally been promised all those years ago at its founding, so long as she is willing to do so.

Stuck In His World - Kakashi/Kagome

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

After keeping Kagome and her remaining family from returning to her world through a portal, Kakashi brings them to the Hokage. Normally his paranoia pays off. Rarely does it end up getting him into trouble. This is one of those times.

Uchiha��s Heart Of Konoha - Madara/Kagome/Izuna

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

The well prevents disaster in the shinobi world. It takes Izuna from Madara right in front of him, and delivers him to Kagome to save him. When she goes to his world to tell his older brother, she figured she’d only gain some new friends, possibly help for the task in her world’s past. Not two very powerful, handsome, kind, doting men intent on wooing her, and making her happy in return for preventing their grief.

Uncorrupted - Obito/Kagome

Undecided Rating.

Black Zetsu knew there was a chance that Obito could be sucked into another world while practicing his kamui. Whether the real Obito disappeared or not, the Eye Of The Moon Plan would come to fruition.

Wishing For Backup - Kagome/?

Eventual Smut. Rated Explicit.

Waking up to a kunai held at your throat with a demand for answers by a voice you only recognize from an anime is more than a little jarring, especially when the person really is from that person really is from that anime. Kagome wants to strangle the Jewel now.

Wooing A Higurashi - Madara/Kagome

Envental Smut. Rated Explicit.

How dare she? She stole his Gunbai, yelled at him, and forced him into immobilization for an extended period of time! How dare she flash her teeth at him?!

I will update this list as more ideas are added, or if I post a fic. If I write one-shots, then those will simply be posted to the finished fic list. Of course not all the details are in these summaries. Feel free to ask if you have questions or concerns regarding my fics. I’ll try my best to clear up anything, or just gush. Please enjoy!

[namjooncharms]

Deals with a Demon (1)

demon!jungkook x reader  

( also another supernatural!bts, they’re all different species in this one! )  

Part 2, 

description: all children believe in fairytales until they are proven wrong and demons do not fall in love. yet this one is fated and punished to do exactly that. 

i do take requests btw!<3 so send me some in

warnings: illness, mentions of death, future smut 

okay i know i’m basing these off my fave shows but still. it’s based off a korean odessey. 

at nine years old you were seeing the world through rose coloured glasses, well almost. your life wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t exactly the worst either. you had your full life ahead of you. that was until you got sick,  your small frail body is laying on the hospital bed. fast asleep. the demon lowers his face close to yours, you are so close to death. a smirk has formed on his lips, your little eyes flutter open and he doesn’t expect you to see him but your eyes land on his face. when the demon has realised you’re staring at him he stands away from you, confused. how do you see him? is it because you’re dying? 

“hello.” you say softly, your voice cracking when you do. your voice is so small and crackily that the demon  almost misses it. offering a smile back to you he perched down next to your bed. the demon isn’t particularly sure what he’s even doing in here, he sometimes finds himself watching people, uninterested but interested all at the same time. but there was something about this room, and your soul. it was like the sun, shining brightly, but the demon jacked that up to your soul getting ready to leave, he’d never witnessed such a thing before. 

“hello, little one.” his voice crawls out and he leaned against the railings of the bed. you’re so close to death that he can smell it. the smell is intoxicating. 

you try and angle yourself so that you can look at his face, he looks so much like an angel. even in your bleary state of mind. you smile again at him and he smiled back so you ask the question. “are you my angel?” you asked him and he laughed. 

“not quite little one.” the demon says. “maybe i’ll explain to you one day.” 

maybe you’re young brain has formed up an imaginary friend, one that nobody else can see because any nurse that seemed to enter the room really doesn’t take much notice of him. he talked half the night with you, a boost of energy coming to you and you weakly push yourself up. 

“what is your name?” you asked him. 

“jeon jungkook.”  he may as well tell you, you wouldn’t remember it anyway. 

“jeon jungkook.” your little voice repeats it and you smile again. 

“what’s your name little one?” he asked. 

“Y/N Y/L/N “ you say and you’re quiet for a moment. “can i ask you a favour jeon jungkook?” you ask him. 

his brows twitched and he almost frowned. he didn’t do deals or favours with humans he wasn’t one of those deal making demons, plus it was against the rules. he never had. but he supposed, you’d be dead soon, so what would it matter? 

“what can i do for you?” he asked. 

“can you protect me from the monsters and stop me from dying?” you asked quietly.

 monsters? what monsters? the only monster in here was him. the demon smiled. he couldn’t do that, people died all the time. and you were close.  “of course.” so he holds out his hand offering it to you his pinkie outstretched. your small hand has lifted and you curled your small pinkie around his. it would be harmless wouldn’t it? 

“is it a deal?” you asked yawning, ready for sleep, which the demon took as something else. 

“it’s a deal.” he smirked. 

over fourteen years later you still every now and then thought of your angel, the one who had saved your life.  and you’re getting on with your life. that whole night had just been a dream as far as you were concerned. after turning twelve your family moved to Australia where you lived until you turned you were old enough to move out on your own and when you did you managed to secure a job in Seoul. You’d only been there about a week. you’re not new to the culture and the language  you‘ve been studying since you were small. 

but working at this place called big hit seemed like the perfect scape goat to get out of home and live by yourself. you were happy when the job was offered to you more or less on a plate and you weren’t sure why but you weren’t complaining. you just needed a new life, one that was your own. you loved your parents, you really did but, it didn’t mean you wanted to be stuck under their over protectiveness forever. you fix the bottom of your dress as you walk through the unfamiliar building, having gotten a job as a.. now that you think about it, you don’t know what the job is. 

you frown at the thought as you walk through the doors of big hit entertainment and looked around almost immediately, a woman stands in front of you. “ miss Y/LN ?” she asked and you offer her a small smile and a nod. “ right this way, miss. “ she gestured where you had to go and you followed, your heels clicking off the floor, they made you so uncomfortable but you wanted to impress at least someone. the woman opened the door and you walked through looking around, your eyes falling on the man in the suit who stands up, bang pd nim as you knew him as anyway. “ahh, miss Y/L/N.” he smiled walking over holding his hand out. 

his hand is larger around yours but you smile brightly shaking it with a strong grasp. “nice to meet you too, sir.” you speak and you look around. he offered to take you  a tour of the building and you gladly agree you wish to see where you’d be working from now on and bang pd nim would be more than happy to show you. 

you’re walking around for about half an hour when he takes you to get a coffee, explaining your job, which is basically an assistant to him, helping him with the band known as bts. when asked if you knew anything about them you sheepishly admitted that you didn’t. you’d expected a different reaction from the laugh you’d gotten but being sheltered your whole life meant that you didn’t really know much about anything, but it wouldn’t take long to find out. 

unaware of the six pair of  eyes on you, bang pd nim hands you the mug of coffee and you hold it in your freezing cold hands. one set of eyes is missing, and he’s yet to show his face. “the demon better hurry his ass up.” namjoon grunted under his breath. the eldest looked towards him. “he’s coming. i can hear him.” only gaining another grunt from the leader, the vampire next to him shakes his head and they all look back to you. you’re like a beacon of light. like the sun. glowing, brightly for all to see. 

it’s when he appears that namjoon growls an insult at him, only for the demon to snarl back in response. despite all being different and in no way connected, they all worked well, and most of the time got along well. keeping up appearances was sometimes difficult but they got on with it. “what exactly are we here for again?” the demon scowled, sure yes it was a day off but this was important apparently jimin pointed “ the new assistant. that’s what we’ve been called here for.”  

sighing, another dumb fucking human assistant that would either be a plaything for one of the elder boys or be fired in two weeks for doing something stupid. “her.” taehyung pointed in the direction to show the demon, jungkook turned with a scowl to finally look at you, his doe looking eyes have widened and it’s like he’s frozen. he recognises your soul almost instantly bright, shining as clear as day. “tfuck..” is what he hears but doesn’t realise he’s said it just as you and bang pd nim have turned, the older man is pointing towards them, because he wanted you to meet them. you’re smiling, and he realises that you are you, still shining as brightly as you were the night he fucked everything up for himself. 

“ah, the boys.” bang pd nim started and you turn to look but your heart stops. and every member notice the way you and jungkook are looking at each other. seokjin can hear your heart pounding wildy now and he glances at jungkook. you’re so startled at the sight of him that the cup of hot steaming coffee slips from your hands the mug immediately shattering and the hot liquid has not only splashed onto your bare thighs but has burned your hand from slipping out of your grasp. everything has fallen silent and you’re first to break the eye contact because you think you’re going crazy. you had imagined him. 

“i’m so sorry.” your voice rushed out and bang pd nim shakes his head helping you calling to the boys to get something to clean up. you’ve picked up all the shattered pieces except one and a hand throws itself outward to pick it up just as you have and your hands meet in the centre. an electric shock vibrates up your hand and you pull away with a flinch, the larger hand still there and you look up, eyes meeting those doe ones that you had never forgotton about. 

“move over.” yoongi has gently moved beside the demon who’s still beside you, to help clean up the coffee. bang pd nim has had someone else take the remains of the mug away and you stand up just as jungkook does both still staring at each other and you only look away when pd nim speaks. “i thought you didn’t know anything of bts?” he asked and you smile, a tight lipped smile. “i don’t.” he laughed at that and shook his head. “the boys, miss Y/L/N.” and he pointed. “this is their leader.” 

you look towards him and he holds out his hand. “kim namjoon.” he smiled slightly, and you’re instantly taken with his dimples, you’ve never seen such a thing, you nod, looking from him to to kim seokjin, then min yoongi, park jimin, kim  taehyung and jung hoseok,  lastly him. the angel. your angel. 

he, despite wanting to disappear holds his hand out to you, which you take hesitantly, waiting. if he says the name you’ve thought about for years then you just might die. you wait, fingers lightly pressed against his hand and he says it. feeling lightheaded as you wait while holding your breath because you might pass out.his voice is almost like velvet but that’s not what gets you, it’s the name. 

“jeon jungkook.” 

#jungkook x reader #bts imagine #bts fanfic #bts au #jungkook imagine #bts x reader #jeon jungkook x reader #dwad #dwad1

[if-only-we-could-read-it]

Wip summaries

As promised, here is a summary of most of my current wips (not including the provect gene, aka ‘prov’, my main wip on here, the tag for which is here):

Location: Earth

Short summary: A writer/blogger finds an alien who’s recently crashed on earth.

Longer summary: When Namee decides to spend a relaxing week at her brothers, she wasn’t expecting to witness a plane crash – or at least, what looks like a plane crash.

Realising this could be the inspiration she was looking for, she ventures out into the woods in hopes of finding an interesting story. Instead, she uncovers a spaceship, an alien, and a world-ending plot.

Now she has to hide an alien from the government, stop an armageddon, and teach possibly the cutest girl she’s ever met how to act like a normal human. Easy, right?

 The Unstoppable Force Paradox (first book in the Paradox duology)

Short summary: Assassin is hired to kill immortal girl, only to end up stuck in a much larger scheme.

Longer Summary: Lois Hyde has never failed a job. Trained from a young age to be an assassin, she knows every trick in the book – and quite a few out of it. But for some reason, this job is different. Something about it just doesn’t add up – not least of all that the target seems like the least threatening person on the planet.

When Lois decides to follow her instincts (and her curiosity), she finds herself drawn into a world of the impossible, where mortal is made immortal, man gains the powers of gods, and her own life is thrown into question.

 The Devil’s in the Details

Short summary: Person who goes out of their way to avoid mixing with the supernatural walks in on teenagers trying to do a summoning ritual, gets stuck with a demon trying to steal her soul.

Longer summary: For her entire life, Evie’s avoided the supernatural. No haunted houses, no walking through fairy rings, no visits to psychics or playing with Tarot cards – just a normal, magic-free life. That’s all she’s ever wanted.

So when she accidentally becomes part of summoning a demon set to take her soul, she refuses to accept her fate. When the rest of the supernatural world decide to intervene, however, things get considerably more complicated.

Faced with an impossible task, Evie’s forced to confront the world she so desperately wanted to ignore - and with it, the truth behind her mother’s death.

 The Fall of the Angels

Short summary: Four teens, two with wings, try to save the world from supernatural forces.

Longer summery: For thousands of years, the Caelibi have co-existed peacefully with humans. One group seeks to change that.

Anna spends most of her time on earth, far from home, doing the job she was raised to do: hunt evil. But as the lines become blurred and her world readies for battle, she finds herself doubting everything she thought she knew.

Thea lives a carefully crafted life, avoiding the politics and drama of her society. When disaster strikes, she finds herself pulled back in, forced to confront truths she’d rather avoid.

When Max is attacked by a demon on an otherwise normal night, his life is changed forever. Awakened to a world he never thought existed, he finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy spanning years and must confront the truths and shadows twisted into his very being.

Kit has always believed there was more to the world than meets the eye, but he never imagined it would be so intricately connected to his own life. When tragedy strikes, he finds himself discovering more and more about his mother’s blurry past – and, in turn, himself.

But they must learn fast, because war is coming, and everyone has a role to play.

 ‘Opposites’

Short summary: Two teenagers discover they’re the ‘personifications’ of good and bad luck, and have to defend themselves from those who want them dead.

Longer summary: I rambled about it here.

 Parasite wip

Short summary: Girl gets infected by a parasite, has to figure out how to survive and get rid of it.

Longer summary: When [protagonist] is unknowingly infected with a parasite on a school trip, her entire life is flipped upside down. Suffering from an onslaught of symptoms, unable to find a cause or cure, she finds herself becoming increasingly more desperate.

When she meets [secondary character], it’s like a breath of fresh air – finally, someone understands what’s happening to her. Introduced to a community of similarly infected people, she finds herself filled with a new found determination – so when [secondary character] suggests they team up to look for a cure, she doesn’t question it for a minute. But what does a cure really mean? Is anyone who they say they are? Who can you trust when your own brain turns against you?

(Basically an allegory for depression.)

 Illness wip (potential name: The Miracle Cure)

Short summary: In a false utopia where doctors claim to have found a miracle cure for all diseases, a girl comes down with an illness that can’t be cured. She tries to discover the truth behind the cure.

Long summary: The ‘Miracle Cure’ is supposed to be able to cure anything in the world – as long as you believe it’ll work. If it doesn’t cure you, well, that’s your own fault for not being positive enough.

When Ruby comes down with an incurable illness no one can explain, she’s sent to a Regeneration camp – a place where you’re taught how to ‘think better’ to get the cure to work. Only, people rarely come back.

Once there, Ruby finds herself stuck in her own hell, treated like a lab rat in the name of opening her mind. Upon seeing what really happens behinds the scenes, she can’t help but be suspicious – especially when two other patients share her concerns. Together, they decide to find the truth behind the so-called ‘Miracle Cure’ and the experiments being ran on them, and expose the doctors for what they are.

(Basically an allegory for some kinds of illnesses (and the ‘it’s all in your head, you need to think more positively’ attitude of some people) not that I’m salty).

Fairytale wip

Short summary: Princess gets locked in a tower to wait for her ‘prince’ to rescue her, but her brother doesn’t trust them so he goes to rescue her with the help of the castle mage.

Longer summary: (I don’t really have a nice blurb-shaped summary for this so bear with me) The day after her eighteenth birthday, the Princess and heir of a far away kingdom was sent away to a tower, where she was to be hidden away until a worthy suitor could slay the dragon and go and rescue her from the tower.

Her brother, however, recognised that all of these guys were selfish and just in it to marry his sister, and that none of them would be brave enough to slay the dragon. So, after recruiting the castle Mage into helping him, he sets off on his own journey to free his sister from her imprisonment.

 There’s also the detective wip and the werewolf wip (tag here but it’s mostly empty), both of which are in the ‘rambling on social media about them’ stage, and a few high fantasy novels that I’m still working on/planning. I also have Phosphor, my idea for a comic, that has it’s own tag, but that I’m probably not going to talk about in detail for a while. 

Which concludes this tour of my wips! Since Prov is currently in the planning stage, I’m planning to talk about my other wips a lot more, so please feel free to send me asks on these!

#writblr #writeblr #writer #wip #am writing #'feel free' i say when what i mean is #PLEASE #also i realised something important while writing these: #i write a lot of ace and wlw characters #which is good of course #but i didnt realise how prevalent it was until now

[theonceoverthinker]

OUAT Rewatch: 1X02 - The Thing You Love Most

How in Merlin’s tree trunk did this post end up being longer than the one for the freakin’ Pilot?!

I better watch it, or this is gonna be one wordy rewatch!

If you want to join in on my rewatch train and hear my thoughts, head below the cut because this is another long one! (Here’s what to expect if you do: Fawning over dynamics, getting lost in sexy ladies both on their own and together, fanfiction bunnies a plenty, and a squigin of analysis! Bring a shaker, because there’s hardly a pinch of salt here!)

Chugga, chugga, chugga, chugga, TWO TWO!

Press Release Regina does everything in her power to force Emma out of Storybrooke and out of her and Henry’s lives forever. Meanwhile, the chilling circumstances of how the Evil Queen released the curse upon the fairytale world is revealed. General Thoughts Following up the pilot, a remarkable - practically flawless - episode was a hard task and this episode delivered! It kicks off right from where we ended last time in the present, and we get a cool change of perspective in the past. Speaking of which, let us start off in the past. I love the transition between Regina in the wedding hall to her castle and immediately, we give her some people to talk to and set up her power dynamics. Not only do we get to see two servants, but people closer to Regina’s level, and that’s so important as an audience member to get a feel for her strengths and weaknesses going forward and to paint a picture of someone who has truly exhausted every resource to get what she wants. That makes the twisted tragedy at the end of the episode so much more complicated, though no less evil. Of course, Regina comes out of this episode with so much development. The moonlit scenes (both by the fire pit and in the castle) with Henry Sr (Whose identity was one of OUAT’s greatest twists) spoke to how Regin’s lust for revenge has eclipsed not only her sensibilities of right and wrong, but the love that others in her life (most notably Henry Sr. himself). Finally, I want to point out the scene between Rumple and Regina, because it was so close to being my favorite dynamic of the episode. There’s a level of comfortable tension between the two of them. You can see it in the way that Regina’s not surprised when Rumple asks for more in his deal, and despite Rumple’s silly and insane antics and requests, she’s able to hold steady. Their relationship also contrasts the scene with Regina and Mal. In that scene, Regina was able to take what she wanted. In this scene, she must relent and gagree to Rumple’s terms, and that speaks to the matter of sizing up Regina that I mentioned before and in a way that doesn’t skimp on character development for either Mal or Rumple. In addition, the scene just made me laugh. Fuck! Robert Carlyle is too fucking good! Now let’s blast to the present! The opening is really delightful and gives off a feeling of something being both familiar and new, and it’s a great metaphor for the waves that Emma is already bringing to Storybrooke. In fact, the whole episode - characters and stories - show a shift. Everyone acts just a little closer to either the direction of their character arcs (Ex. Emma and Archie) or to their fairytale selves (Ex. Regina, Rumple, and Archie), and it’s played very subtly. Just like the tick of a clock. Not gonna lie, I laughed hard during the famous apple tree scene. Between Emma’s satisfied smile, the way Regina freakin’ wooshed from her window to go investigate, and how Regina was screaming had me cackling like a hyena. However, in addition to being funny, we also got some more characterization out of Emma, namely impulsivity and external fearlessness. What I mean by external fearlessness is how while Emma is afraid of intangible things like forming connections and trusting, a threat like an intimidating person is a lot less scary to her, and she has no trouble taking Regina up on her threats. I feel that these traits are expanded on, but given a suitable level of retention throughout the rest of the series. Insights I immediately realized how weird it was that we had an actual voice-over intro to the show in Season 1. I totally understand why it disappeared after the curse broke, but just remembering it again was like a cup of cold water to the face. Also, I really wish that we could have somehow had the narrator who did the intro as well as the famous “previously, on Once Upon a Time” be an actual character a-la “Into the Woods,” or hell, make him Isaac or an older Henry! Of course, keep Andrew West, but maybe a Henry who is the Apprentice’s age! XD Between this episode and the pilot, I notice so much pop music in the show’s soundtrack! In later seasons, apart from the rare instance of “Only You” and a couple of 80’s songs at Roni’s or the arcade, we really don’t get instances of contemporary tracks. I’m stuck between that being important or not. On one hand, the change to classical could reflect on the reformation of Storybrooke to its fairy tale origins with the end of the curse and the return of magic, but the contemporary music, at least here, also goes along with the theme of things changing in Storybrooke, and for the better. ALSO, along the lines of music, I couldn’t help but notice how the lyrics of the song specifically resonate with the specific character on screen as they’re sung (Ex. “Don’t be shy” to Mary Margaret, “Don’t wear your fear” to Emma, and “Let your feelings out instead” to Graham’s car and Archie). Neat! Aesthetic stuff that pleases me: Regina’s outfits in this episode are all among my favorite (And her hair in the flashback - high ponytails are the way to go if you’re a fairytale character!), Emma’s bug (So, I won a model of her bug in an auction at NJ con last year and I was sad to see a gray dent in the middle, and just now, I saw that same dent in her bug in the show! I’m so happy), Emma in that tank (How the hell did I not realize I was bi until nearly a year after I started this show?!), The smoke when characters poof around (It looks so good in the beginning of the show - no offense to later seasons - I like the smoke there too, but this smoke is so puffy and like a mix of cotton and its accompanying seeds as they flutter in the breeze), and Lana’s makeup (I normally don’t pay attention to makeup, but with the lighting of this episode, I couldn’t help but notice it) I also really wish we had an episode about Regina’s apple tree! Along those same lines, we see Regina with a horde of baddies, and a lot of them have really cool designs. I’m not saying we needed their stories per se - sometimes a minion can just be a minion - but I wish we could’ve seen a bit more of them. These are some of the “darkest souls,” after all. This episode really made me think about how I felt about Maleficent and the consistency between the character we see here as well as in bits and pieces throughout Seasons 1 and 2 and the one who reappears in Season 4. Now, obviously, we see her story out of order, as Lily not only was already gone but in a meta-sense, not created yet (Some would call it a retcon, but I agree with the perspective suggested once that retconning isn’t really a thing on OUaT due to the non-linear timeline method of storytelling and Mal’s motivations - while somewhat set up - aren’t loosely defined at this point in the series). Some things not evaluated on - the horse, most notably - give me pause, though as to its importance. Arcs I’ll be honest: I’m not exactly sure how to expand upon this section. Here’s my best attempt. Emma journey of belief - I’ll elaborate on this a bit, but Emma’s journey with belief is tied to her relationship with Henry, and as their relationship developed here, as did Emma’s journey. However, as I will also mention, she has a long way to go. The power struggle against Regina - This episode painted a much more elaborate picture of Regina and her power dynamics with others in her life. We see her acting as mayor and the levels of influence she holds over the whole town. The corruption of Storybrooke is clear to all but the most naive. At the same time though, she is not infallible, and those who choose to stand up to her are indeed victorious, but give rise to a Regina who is not only more vicious, but also more sinister and calculating. Favorite Dynamic Emma and Henry! I feel like this episode shows their dynamic even better than the pilot did. Here, they get a bit more banner, and while there’s an intense push-and-pull still there, we get to see more of Henry’s likable and precocious traits and how they mix with a jaded, but less-so Emma. They also get a lot of funny moments! Between and Henry owning up to sending the hot cocoa, more or less demanding Emma walk him to school, and throwing the apple in the hammiest fashion, I could hardly keep a straight face. But more than that, I feel like there’s a good mix of Henry explaining himself, but also not letting a moment of character building drop in his grasp, and not only does he ensure that, but every character that brings him up does the same (Specifically, Archie). Also, Henry’s much more self aware here. Now that the threat of Emma going is averted for the time being, he’s able to express his own understanding of her doubts and build on that logically without letting his belief falter. I love when Regina’s trying to convince him that Emma’s a conwoman and he’s just having none of it. All of this just makes the scene where Regina sets Emma up to hurt Henry by dismissing his beliefs so tragic, especially because it comes from this honest and caring place on Emma’s part. She wants to look out for Henry’s well being, and yet her words are twisted, undoing any good that could come of her well-meaning intentions. When the scene is resolved, it’s not a step in Emma’s journey of belief, per se (She’s very clearly lying about the fairy tale world being real), but in her relationship with Henry, and that’s revealed to be one and the same. I also want to point out the specialness that is their relationship based on the conversation that Emma and Mary Margaret share. Mary Margaret brings up a good point: most everyone who knows and cares enough for Henry are under Regina’s thumb. She controls their livelihoods and make it near impossible to do too much to act in Henry’s best interests. However, Emma, an outsider who is not dependent on Regina (At least at this moment), exists outside this paradigm and is the only one both in a position to and fearless enough to create the change in Henry’s life that will actually improve his situation. It creates a meaningful reason for Emma to remain in Storybrooke and adds a unique challenge to Emma’s usual instinct to not - as Sidney says - “sit still.” Writer A&E are once again at the helm of this episode! Right now, as I work with two episodes, I consider their main strengths to be their depictions of character relationships of all kinds (With one weird exception that honestly surprised me). As for weaknesses, as I know I’ll be expanding on this in due time, overambition. There’s so much set up in this episode as well as the one before it, and while most (within the scope of only these two episodes) gets meaningful resolution, there are some elements that don’t. Rating 10/10...I was conflicted about what to give this episode. It’s great. It’s very fucking great, and a Golden Apple - however repetitious from my last episode. However, this is a rewatch, and with a rewatch comes the acknowledgment and recognition of unused potential of story elements in hindsight, and this episode does show a lot that was never truly acted upon. In addition to background events and characters, some story elements like Emma and Henry pretending to be non believers don’t come back. That having been said, that unused story potential only holds in regard to smaller character and story elements, things that I want to be built on, and that’s a weak criticism at best. The important story elements - the main story points and the integral characters - are treated well by this episode. There’s nuance and charm galore added to our central cast and the story propels us from the powerful pilot into a well-written continuation. So, I took away its * and left it as a 10/10. Flip My Ship Swan Queen - I love the bickering so much! Regina calling Emma “dear” had me giggling like sparkly Rumple after eight cups of coffee! Oh damn, and those intense looks at the hotel! AND the freakin’ apple tree scene! That tension was so thick, you could only hope to cut it with a chainsaw! Dragon Queen - Regina and Mal’s scene is a long and strong, and while I don’t start really feeling it with them until Season 4, I do still love the connection between them. That only friend line implies so much history, and knowing at least the start of their connection really gives extra meaning to that line.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

...So much for keeping these rewatch pieces short, am I right? Hope you liked them and thanks once more to the fine folks at @watchingfairytales for putting this rewatch together! Season Tally (20/220) Writer Tally for Season 1: A&E (20/70)

#watching fairytales #ouat 1x02 #ouat #ouat rewatch #jenna watches ouat #ships mentioned #swan queen #dragon queen

[while-my-tardis-gently-weeps]

Eurovision 2018 - Initial Impressions

So, with the pre-parties getting into full swing, I thought I’d note down my impressions of each of the songs, as well as general comments on each semi-final.

SEMI-FINAL 1

Azerbaijan: Aisel – X My Heart 5/10 Luna moon me unimpressed. Given that this is Azerbaijan that we’re talking about, it’d probably qualify anyway, even with the 1st semi being such a bloodbath, but god I hope not. This is as generic-Eurovision as it gets, complete with the cringe-worthy, nonsensical lyrics. 

Iceland: Ari Olafsson – Our Choice 1/10 To be fair, Ari’s got a good voice, but the only thing that will save this song is to make him sing in Icelandic so that most people don’t understand what on Earth he’s saying. If I thought “luna moon me up” from Azerbaijan was bad, then this song just made that sound positively Shakespearean! Watching it for the first time, this gave me a serious case of the creeps and made me want to run for the hills. It’s almost as if Iceland gave up after last year and just went. “not voting for me despite me sending quality songs, will you? Well then here’s the blandest thing imaginable, see how you like that!” It’s just as well Iceland got the dreaded #2, it’s not like it’s got a chance anyway. Better luck next year.

Albania: Eugent Bushpepa – Mall 8/10 Rock entry, and in Albanian no less! I really like this since the get go. He’s got an excellent voice and seem to work well live too, so I definitely look forward to seeing his performance in Lisbon! 

Belgium: Sennek – A Matter Of Time 10/10 Aaaand Belgium delivers a quality entry that’s slightly out of the left field again! I knew I could trust you, Belgium. So far, this has been my #1 overall. I had high hopes for it ever since Laura was announced and I listened to the two songs she posted on her youtube channel, and A Matter of Time definitely met those expectations and more. She’s a good singer with an unique voice, and the song is dark and atmospheric but sleek and stylish at the same time. With the right staging, she’ll be ready to slay. 

Czech Republic: Mikolas Josef – Lie To Me 7.5/10 This is quite modern for Eurovision and a total earworm. I’m a bit undecided about it to be honest, but I enjoy it for the most part. I suppose it will really hinge on his delivery on stage, but for now it doesn’t strike me as the cold, soulless, off-a-production line kind of pop that usually turns me off. 

Lithuania: Ieva Zasimauskaite – When We’re Old 8/10 I’m feeling a bit devastated by this running order, which probably just destroyed any chance of my girl Ieva qualifying to the final. This is a lovely little song that soothes the soul like a warm cup of cinnamon-spiced tea in the winter. There’s a quite kind of magic to her voice as well that sells the genuine emotion behind the song so well. Her live vocals need a bit improvement, imo, but judging from her recent performance at Riga she’s definitely working on that and getting better. Sandwiched between two high energy fan favorites in an already tough semi though, I’m worried that her song will end up being the bathroom break instead of the slow but charming respite.

Israel: Netta – Toy 9/10 If someone looked up the word “grower” in my personal dictionary, they will see a picture of Netta next to it, along with a link to the MV for Toy. I have to admit, I hated this song on first listen and was completely baffled by how Eurovision fans got behind this, and so quickly too. I was convinced that this was a hot mess that would drop faster than a lead balloon. Well, here I am, placing this in my top five and happily eating my words. This song is catchy as hell and has a way of getting under your skin and into your mind and never letting go, and that’s exactly what happened to me. It’s so clever in how it carries the central message of women empowerment as well, demonstrating with style how a song like that don’t have to involve power ballads and grand-standing divas, and that one can just have fun with it in the mean time. 

Belarus: Alekseev – Forever 7/10 This song, for me, is a tale of two songs. I love the final studio version of the song as well as the MV, but what I’ve seen of his live vocals so far leave me less than impressed and I shudder at the horrendously overdone staging, with the LED suit and everything going on in the background. If Eurovision were based on studio versions alone, this would have been in my top ten, but as it stands right now unless they change the staging and Alekseev shows improvement in his live vocals, I’m of the mind that this song will get left behind, especially since it has Israel and Estonia as neighbors in the running order.

EDIT: I found a much more recent live performance in Yekaterinburg while I’m still working on the rest of the post, and his live vocals show much improvement, which made me a lot more confident about Belarus’ prospects. I’m still a bit worried about it being stuck between two big favorites though.

Estonia: Elina Nechayeva – La Forza 9/10 This is glorious. As a (very) casual fan of opera and a huge fan of stellar vocals, this ticks all of my box in just the right way. If I were to have a complaint about this song though, it’s the fact that the song lack a true climax and a direction it’s building to. Elina commands the stage with that hell of a voice though that you’d hardly notice. This is definitely not the usual Eurovision fare and that, particularly with the genre being what it is, might work against it, but I’m hoping that the jury and the voters at home will be sufficiently wow’d by her vocals that the fact that this is a pop opera piece and not something they might normally listen to cease to matter.

Bulgaria: Equinox – Bones 5.5/10 I don’t know if it’s because I had too high an expectation for Bulgaria after the last two excellent years, but this song just falls completely fat for me, and repeat listens doesn’t seem to improve my regard (or lack thereof) for it one bit. If anything, I’m turned off by it more and more, what with the hype still surrounding Bulgaria and its entry. Let’s hope the staging change my mind. 

Macedonia: Eye Cue – Lost and Found 4/10 I don’t know, people seem to like this but for me this is one of the forgettable ones that have me going “how did this one go again?” before the song even finishes playing. It’s fine enough, but it makes my attention wander. 

Croatia: Franka – Crazy 6.5/10 It’s fine, I suppose, but it’s nothing impressive. I’m sorry, but everything about it screams safe and middle of the road for me. 

Austria: Cesar Sampson – Nobody But You 7/10 This feels like a pleasant-but-safe entry much like last year’s, and all but screams middle of the road, just like last year. But with how Nathan Trent charmed his way into my favorites list during pre-party season, I think it’s way too early to count Austria out yet. With his effortless vocals and the right amount of charm, Cesar might still lift his song into contention for the finals yet. 

Greece: Yianna Terzi – Oneiro Mou 9/10 Epic ethno-ballad for the win! I certainly wouldn’t say no to #Athens2019 even if this isn’t my overall favorite. This is beautiful, atmospheric, and has the chance of being truly spectacular with the right staging. I’ve only seen the studio version, so I can’t comment on her live vocals, but I’m definitely keeping my fingers crossed for this one and hoping that she delivers on what the studio version promises. 

Finland: Saara Aalto – Monsters 9/10 This has the potential to blow up into a huge banger. The song is powerful and just the right kind of anthemic for Eurovision fans to get behind. I really hope Finland ups their game with the staging and styling though because the national finals one rather came out on the wrong side of left field and something like that just won’t cut it for the big leagues. All the best to Saara and Finland!

Armenia: Sevak Khanagyan – Qami 9/10 Armenia took the plunge this year too in sending a song entirely in Armenian, and Sevak,  being such a stellar vocalist, is definitely the guy to take that risk with. He’s one of the strongest male vocalists this year and that definitely shows in how he delivers this song and its artistry and ethnic charm. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing this live and I hope he kills it in the semi and carry the song to a high finish in the final. 

Switzerland: Zibbs – Stones 7.5/10 This is quite a bop with an excellent beat, but I’m not sure this song will cut it in this semi, unfortunately enough.

Ireland: Ryan O’Shaughnessy – Together 4/10 I guess this is better than last year’s...? That isn’t saying much though. The only thing going for it seem to be the gay romance going on in the MV, but even that feels like a cynical ploy to score points with fans. The female supporting vocals also make it feel like the very definition of incongruous, with the mixed message they’re sending out.

Cyprus: Eleni Foureira – Fuego 3/10 This irritates me to no end, and the fact that people I’ve come across seem to like it only exacerbate things for me. Objectively I guess it’s inoffensive in that generic Eurovision way, but there’s just something about this song that just rubs me the wrong way. 

SEMI-FINAL 2

Norway: Alexander Rybak – That’s How You Write A Song 6/10 I have to admit, I had quite the soft spot for him because his victory in 2009 was what introduced me to Eurovision. That said, where do I even begin with this song? This is the furthest thing from his excellent Fairytale, and more closely resembles a kindergarten sing-along. There were quite a few songs I preferred over this one in the Norwegian national finals too, and I’m not sure if I’ve gotten over their losses yet. When it comes to Rybak himself though, you can’t deny that this man has charm in spades and total command of the stage, and he definitely knows how to work his audience. With a better song we might have been able to have #Oslo2019, but alas...

Romania: The Humans – Goodbye 7/10 This is quite a pleasant song, if a bit dated. I really enjoy the instrumental backing as well, with the strings and everything. When it comes to this year’s rock selections though, this isn’t exactly the best (or even the best in this semi).  

Serbia: Sanja Ilic & Balkanika – Nova Deca 5/10 In any other year, the ethnic element and use of traditional instruments would have captured people’s attention and help them forgive a lot of the song’s faults, but with more nations taking risks as a response to Portugal’s win, I don’t think that strategy works nearly as well, if at all, this year. And they’re not even the best Balkan song in this semi, unfortunately. 

San Marino: Jessika feat Jenifer Brening – Who We Are 2/10 Sorry, I prefer the Norwegian “Who We Are” that sadly got left behind in nationals. She’s got a nice voice, I’d give her that, but the song sounds like two different songs thrown together, and not in a good way. The dancing robots are the only things going for it, really. 

Denmark: Rasmussen – Higher Ground 8/10 I always wonder if I’m being too soft on the Nordic entries because of personal biases, but I’d like to think I’m fair even with my soft spot for them. This song, when it comes down to it, isn’t that spectacular and the lyrics can be iffy at times, but nonetheless I find myself enjoying it. Part of that is probably the viking aesthetics. the atmospheric staging, as well as the general musical theatre aura to the whole package. 

Russia: Julia Samoylova – I Won’t Break 3/10 This is another one that makes me go, “I know they’re going to qualify for simply being Russia but please, please find a way to stop that from happening!” Granted, this is worlds above last year’s aborted entry, but then again it doesn’t take much effort to achieve that particular feat. I don’t know if it’s her diction, her vocal techniques, or a mixture of both, but her vocals is grating. 

Moldova: DoReDos – My Lucky Day 6/10 This is one of the songs that I think might become a grower for me. I almost discounted it entirely at first, because the first performances and videos I’ve seen of it were nothing short of disastrous, with the low quality making the whole thing seem cobbled together with tape and some loose strings. With the official music video out and the performance in Riga showcasing them live though, I’m slowly warming up to it, though this still feels rather like Hey-Mamma-lite to me. 

Netherlands: Waylon – Outlaw In ‘Em ???/10 Okay, I don’t know what I think about this song. Or rather, I do, but my thoughts don’t condense into a neat score that I can put on it. Objectively speaking, this is a spectacular song with a genuine spirit to it. Emotionally speaking though, what makes it great also makes it unlistenable for me because I loathe country music as a genre. So, my rational self will be cheering if, or rather, when this advances to the final with a respectable position, but the other parts of me will be lamenting the fact that I have to sit through this again for the final. So, I guess it’s best of luck to Netherlands, see you in the finals, but I wish you came with a mute button...?

Australia: Jessica Mauboy – We Got Love 7/10 It’s a good song, and even without having seen her live I already get the feeling that she probably has great energy on stage. The song itself is fun, but ultimately safe and inoffensive. It will most likely qualify, but I think it needs something more to go further in the finals. Maybe if there’s a killing part like Dami Im’s song in 2016...

EDIT: I promised myself I’d finish this post before watching the London Pre-Party, but that didn’t exactly happen. So, yeah, she absolutely killed it with her stellar vocals, infectious energy, and charm. If she keeps her momentum, then Australia’s more than good to go. 

Georgia: Iriao – For You 7/10 In any other year, I’d appreciate this a lot more, but alas, 2018 isn’t like any other year. I commend them for their choice to keep this in Georgian, and the vocals on this song are quite impressive as well. But, the fact is, with so many other songs with ethnic elements to compare it to, it doesn’t stand out as much as it should because the simple truth is that whatever this song does well, there’s another song that does it even better. 

Poland: Gromee feat Lukas Meijer – Light Me Up 7/10 This is a great song to rock to at a beach party or on a long road trip. But, the thing is, I’m not exactly partial to beach parties. Or road trips. Or anything else summer-y really. So while this is certainly easy to listen to and enjoyable while it’s on, it’s not exactly something that incites passion in me.  

Malta: Christabelle – Taboo 8/10 This song definitely has a kick to it, and I mean it in the best way possible. I love the song both for the song itself and the message of mental health awareness that it conveys, and I definitely appreciates that it manages to carry its message without being preachy. The staging seems to be coming along quite well already judging from the national finals (despite technical difficulties), and I’m definitely keeping my eyes on this one to see how it evolves on the big stage.

Hungary: AWS – Viszlat Nyar 9/10 The story of my journey with this song is a bit like a mixture of my experience with the Netherlands’ and Israel’s entries. I appreciated this song from the very beginning on an objective level, but personally I’m not much of a fan of heavy metal so I was having a hard time really enjoying it despite my eagerness for it to advance to the finals and do very well. Unlike Waylon and his country piece though, heavy metal is a lot less offensive to my personal tastes, so I was able to appreciate it more and more on a personal level as well with repeated listens, to the point that I now consider it one of my favorites of the year, both objectively and subjectively-speaking. I’m a bit worried that the juries will penalize it for its genre, but hopefully it will win over enough televotes, especially those from the younger generations, that it will go through anyway. 

Latvia: Laura Rizzotto – Funny Girl 7.5/10 I like this song for its quirky yet catchy nature, but what really captivated me about it was the aesthetics of its MV. I do think they will benefit from a staging that is in line with the MV, with a theatrical, film noir feel to it. 

Sweden: Benjamin Ingrosso – Dance You Off 5/10 I could have probably been able to tell this was the Swedish entry going in blind. This is all the well-produced slickness that we’ve come to expect from Sweden, but without the energy, soul, and the extra je nais sais quois that put Heroes or Euphoria in a different league. But hey, at least this isn’t nearly as robotic and worthy of trigger warnings as last year’s, which can only be an improvement. And, as a side note: enough with the brown-haired, reasonably attractive young white men, Sweden! I know you can do something different. ...Right?

Montenegro: Vanja Radovanovic – Inje 8.5/10 It’s going to be tough going right after Sweden. But, this song is so different that hopefully that won’t matter too much. This is one of the (many) ethnic entries this year that actually stood out to me. There’s something hauntingly Balkan about this song, and Vanja Radovanovic delivers it expertly. I also like how the song builds itself up to the rising chorus. Anyway, I’m not entirely confident about its chances, but I sure hope to see this one in the finals. 

Slovenia: Lea Sirk – Hvala, Ne! 6.5/10 I have to admit, this one is a bit of a guilty pleasure. The song isn’t anything too special and can definitely be said to be repetitive, but still, I find myself digging the beat despite myself. 

Ukraine: Melovin – Under the Ladder 8/10 I didn’t rate this song at all when I first heard it, but having seen his performance at the national finals, I’m beginning to warm up to it more and more. I’m still kind of trying to figure the song out, but whatever it is there’s something about it that kinds of grab you. 

ALREADY QUALIFIED

Portugal: Claudia Pascoal – O Jardim 8/10 This is quite magical and atmospheric, capable of evoking one’s imagination with the song alone. With the right staging, this will become something truly captivating. 

France: Madame Monsieur – Mercy 9.5/10 France does it again and makes it into my top three for the second year in a roll. The song is unassuming at first, but then builds into something beautiful, tender, and clever. The use of double entendre to convey the central message lends the song a sense of universality despite it being sung entirely in French, which will definitely make a difference in Lisbon because they don’t need the fancy LED or special staging elements to help non-Francophones in the audience to understand what the song is trying to say. 

Germany: Michael Schulte – You Let Me Walk Alone 8/10 Huh, Germany actually managed to surprise me. It’s a nice and comfortable ballad, and I mean it in the best possible sense. What makes all the difference this year with Michael Schulte’s “You Let Me Walk Alone” is how heartfelt and genuine this song is, and that, I hope, is what will make a difference and propel it to the left side of the scoreboard. Not to throw any shades, but I very much prefer this to any paint-by-numbers “pseudo-ethnic” pieces that might arise solely as a response to Salvador Sobral’s win. 

Italy: Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro – Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente 10/10 This is easily my top three, but I’m a bit hesitant to put my support behind without seeing the staging, because we all know how last year’s Italian-language song with a deep message turned out. The fact that they said they’re going to display the lyrics during the performance give me hope, because one of my favorite things about the music video was the way they showed the lyrics in a variety of different languages. But either way, this is poetic and powerful, and something of pure quality like all of Italy’s entries lately. 

Spain: Amaia & Alfred – Tu Cancion 7/10 This comes as a surprise to no one, but this year’s Spanish entry is worlds better than last year’s. At first glance, it’s just the run of the mill saccharine love song, but once you pay attention to it there something genuine about it that grabs your attention despite that. This is not really something I usually rate, but I’d be lying if I say I didn’t enjoy it a lot. 

United Kingdom: SuRie – Storm 5/10 Definitely not my favorite in You Decide by a long stretch, but I can’t exactly argue the point that she gave the best performance of the night. She’s a great singer and performer, but the song itself is rather...lacking. So, let’s hope the BBC still knows what it’s doing in terms of staging because this song definitely needs it if the UK has an hope of not finishing bottom five. Then again, SuRie might surprise us yet. She already made a more than respectable performance out of this song once already, after all. 

Who I want to qualify:

SEMI-FINAL 1: Belgium, Israel, Albania, Czech Republic, Greece, Armenia, Finland, Estonia, Balarus, Lithuania

SEMI-FINAL 2: Denmark, Moldova, Australia, Malta, Latvia, Ukraine, Netherlands, Hungary, Georgia, Montenegro

Who I think will qualify:

SEMI-FINAL 1: Belgium, Israel, Albania, Czech Republic, Greece, Armenia, Finland, Estonia, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan

SEMI-FINAL 2: Norway, Sweden, Australia, Russia, Netherlands, Hungary, Moldova, Ukraine, Malta, Poland

#eurovision 2018 #personal opinion subject to a lot of change #i mean this time last year some of the songs that ended up as my favorites weren't even making beeps on my radar #like at all #so this is more for me to jot down my thoughts at this stage before they change drastically based on pre-party performances and rehearsals

[tragicbeauty1991]

The Trouble With Disney Sequels: Garbage or Grown-Up Fairytales?

The Walt Disney Company is widely recognized as the originator of the animated film and remains one of the best storytellers in the industry. The company's retellings of traditional folk stories and fairytales are perhaps the first version of the story many of us are ever exposed to and are unquestionably the most popular. From classics such as Snow White to the more recent original films like Moana, Disney has given generations of moviegoers beloved characters and Broadway-style musical numbers which the vast majority of us recall with nostalgic fondness and joy. The sequels created by Disney, however, are quite a different story. While original Disney films are typically showered with critical praise and awards, the sequels often fall flat in comparison. Frequently made for direct to video/DVD release sometimes decades after the original, they receive much less attention than their predecessors and (necessarily) feature different voice actors and animation styles that seem to many adults who grew up on the originals to indicate that they are cheaply made and unworthy of the label "Disney" at all. Children, of course, don't notice such things, yet while they are the primary audience, in many cases, the sequels don't seem to appeal as much to them, either.  One could argue that the sequels receive less attention simply because they are not as heavily advertised and because the parents are the ones purchasing (or NOT purchasing) the DVDs; however, while that is certainly a major factor in their popularity, I believe there is more to it than that. Let's be honest...some Disney sequels are just flat-out bad. When compared to their original films the sequels for movies such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Brother Bear, Fox and the Hound, and Mulan (seriously, guys, WHAT ON EARTH were you thinking with the Mulan sequel?!) would probably have Walt Disney shaking his head at the very least and rolling in his grave at the worst. They lack the depth of character and emotion that the first films possessed and really do feel like nothing more than just a money-making scheme to squeeze as much revenue from the well-recognized Disney icons as possible. On the other hand, though, there are several sequels which I think Walt would still be proud of yet consumers have largely ignored. Yet the question remains: If they are of good quality, why aren't they more popular? The answer, I believe, is that the storytelling and the characters themselves have grown up along with the fans of the original films, and while we ourselves have grown up, we don't always appreciate seeing the realistic side of things in what is supposed to be an escapist world of happily ever afters. For the remainder of this post, I am going to focus on some of the sequels which I think deserve a second chance. (NOTE: The following are merely a few examples of the Disney sequels which I personally think are underrated. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list.)

1. Bambi II This is one of those rare situations where the sequel is actually better than the original. While the original Bambi has beautiful animation, it's one of those Disney classics that was made in a time when animation itself was such an innovative concept that a complex plot and well-rounded characters weren't necessary to capture the audience's attention. As a result, the characters are rather flat and we don't get to know the characters well enough to form any deep emotional attachments. When Bambi loses his mother, it is a sad moment, to be sure, but we don't feel it as deeply as, say, Mufasa's death in The Lion King because we don't really know anything about Bambi's mother, her "husband" The Great Prince, or Bambi himself, for that matter. The sequel remedies this nicely by fleshing out the father/son relationship that begins to form after Bambi's mother's death and realistically shows how such a tragic event affects both of them emotionally. Bambi, who has never really known his father, is suddenly forced into a world where he is totally dependent on the stoic old buck for survival, and it's quite obvious from the start that while The Great Prince may be good at doing his job as protector of the forest, he has absolutely no idea how to be a father. There are moments when things get ugly--The Great Prince puts his duty as protector over his duty as a father and Bambi calls him out on his betrayal, wishing his father had been the one to die instead of his mother. OUCH! And it takes Bambi almost dying for The Great Prince to finally admit how much his son means to him. By the end of it, of course, their shared grief allows for a bonding moment and we can see that they have both learned from each other--The Great Prince has begun to loosen up and let his emotions show and Bambi has begun to become a responsible young buck ready to take on the role of herd leadership someday. But the real, raw, emotion in this film has a genuineness to it that you don't usually see in such extremes in a children's movie. It shows a darker, sadder side to things than what we would expect from most Disney films--especially a sequel--but there is no denying its incredibly powerful and touching message of hope for a broken family.

2. The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

As one of Disney's biggest hits, the original film The Lion King raised the bar for animated storytelling and, consequently, makes any sort of retelling, sequel, or spinoff automatically seem inferior at first glance. With rather dark themes like the death of Mufasa interspersed with moments of lighthearted humor and sweet romance, The Lion King manages to keep all of these elements perfectly balanced for a story that appeals as much to adults as it does to children. The sequel, while not nearly as well-known, does a pretty good job of maintaining that balance and even takes it a step further by increasing the complexity of its characters. In the original film, the line between heroes and villains is pretty straightforward. On the side of good, we have Mufasa, the benevolent and wise ruler of the Pridelands, and his family (minus a certain brother) and friends, including innocent young Simba who is cast out into the world to survive on his own after his father's death. On the side of evil, we have Scar, the jealous and power-hungry brother who kills Mufasa and sends his rather idiotic but loyal hyena henchmen after Simba so that he can take over as king. In the sequel, however, things are much less black and white. Simba, now grown up and with a daughter of his own, is portrayed as a well-meaning but ultimately overprotective parent who has allowed his hatred of Scar to blind him to his own prejudice against the lions of the Outlands with connections to his late uncle, including innocent cubs born into a situation which they could not possibly control. On the other hand, we have Zira, Scar's grieving widow who hates Simba and his pride so much that she literally ends up choosing death over accepting help from them--and dies with an eerie smile on her face, no less! We also have Nuka and Vitani, Scar's two biological cubs who are raised in the shadow of Kovu--the adopted son and obvious family favorite whom Scar chose as a successor. Like his parents before him, Scar's choice to show obvious favoritism really messes up his kids. Nuka is probably one of the most sympathetic villains in Disney history, apologizing to his mother with his dying breath on-screen for not living up to her standards and failing to kill Simba. Meanwhile, Vitani is forced to make the very difficult choice of doing what is right and going against her own mother in battle, and Kovu--who has been raised his whole life to believe that Simba and his family are evil--comes to realize m that the lion who he saw as a father was actually the evil one and questions whether that means the darkness that was in Scar is also within his own soul. (Though honestly, the whole concept of Kovu being adopted also begs the question...was there some goodness in Scar after all if he was capable of taking pity on an orphaned cub?) Seriously, Scar's selfishness really did a number on his kids...and Simba, for that matter. In short, while the original film is already quite complex and occasionally dark for children's movie, the sequel takes it up a notch and also keeps some great musical numbers which, while maybe not quite on par with the first film, are definitely catchy and as good as many other Disney tunes and I think deserves more praise than it receives.

3. Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World

Okay, I know I'm gonna get a lot of pushback on this one, but hear me out.... I love John Smith and Pocahontas together as much as anyone else. Heck, as a kid I had a poster of the two of them with the quote, "No matter what happens, I will always be with you, forever," on it. But realistically, even at the end of the first film there is little chance of them ending up together permanently. When Pocahontas chooses to stay behind with her people as an injured John Smith returns to England, it's just about as bittersweet of an ending as we've ever gotten in a Disney film. This very grown-up ending in which the leading lady chooses duty and responsibility over love (even though it breaks her heart to do so) is so atypical for a children's story that it should come as little surprise that the sequel is also very grown-up. Yet for some reason, the sequel is despised while the first film is considered one of the great Disney classics. Why the difference? The ending of Pocahontas, while somewhat sad, still leaves us with the tiniest spark of hope that they will one day be together again. It's an open-ended farewell that shows the couple still very clearly has feelings for each other even if they cannot be together in the immediate future. However, while chances are slim, we are still left with the possibility that John COULD come back from England someday after healing and they MIGHT still end up in each others' arms, whether it's historically accurate or not. (Historical accuracy? Pfft. What's that? This is a Disney film, not a documentary. But I digress...) The problem many people have with the sequel is that it totally cuts off any possibility of this ever happening. But it does so in a way which I think is not only realistic but also respectful of the characters. After years of being physically separated from John Smith by an entire ocean and believing him to be dead, it's only natural that Pocahontas would be ready to move on, so when John Rolfe enters the picture and develops first a friendship and then romantic feelings for her (over what we can assume is likely several months at sea and in England), it's understandable that she falls for him. He is a good man who respects her, defends her, and ultimately ends up leaving his own homeland to be with her, and he really doesn't deserve all the hate he gets in the fandom. By the time Pocahontas realizes that John Smith is still alive, she is already in love with Rolfe. Her heart has moved on, and so, apparently, has Smith's. While they both recall their time together fondly, they have very different goals and priorities in life which would not make for a happy marriage. They realize that realistically they make better friends than a couple, and they part on good terms, wishing each other all the best in their own pursuits. Too often people complain that Disney's portrayal of romantic relationships is unrealistic with the too perfect Prince Charming opposite an often villainous and vain competitor for the leading lady's love. Yet when a very healthy, realistic love triangle is shown in which both men are portrayed as flawed but good people who are grown-up enough to set aside their own desires and feelings of jealousy for her best interest, people still complain. John Smith is undoubtedly a good man and a good friend to Pocahontas...but he isn't a good match for her romantically. And his character isn't vilified for it. Maybe it's just because I have been through a similar situation myself in real life so I can see where Pocahontas is coming from, but I really respect Disney for how they handled this love triangle, and I think the sequel deserves more love than it gets. The music is good, the message is good, and it wraps everything up nicely, giving us the closure the end of the first film lacks.

4. Peter Pan: Return to Neverland 

Last but not least, as huge Peter Pan fan, my list would be incomplete if I didn't mention Return to Neverland. The original Disney film is such an iconic work that even now, over sixty years after its debut, the characters are still wildly popular, showing up in spin-offs like the Tinkerbell movie franchise, TV series like Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and on pretty much every Disney product that features the classic villains (Hook) or the Disney castle logo (Tink). Its popularity, due largely to the appeal of magic and adventure that Neverland presents to children and the feelings of nostalgia the film evokes in adults, has not quite extended to the sequel, however. Everyone knows the story of Wendy, Michael, and John, but Jane's tale remains relatively unpopular by comparison. Part of the reason for this is quite simply that the original Peter Pan was a big hit long before Disney and has been retold so many times in so many different mediums that it is impossible NOT to recognize the characters while Jane's story is strictly limited to Disney...and a direct-to-video sequel, at that...but it is also a good bit more complex and darker/sadder than the first Disney film. However, it is one of the elite few that, in my opinion, maintains the appeal of a Disney original.

As with The Lion King, the first film presents most of its heroes and villains as pretty straightforward in their intentions and fairly black-and-white (which is not true of the characters in the novel, but I'm getting off topic). Peter is mischievous and somewhat irresponsible but generally good and kind while Hook is somewhat sympathetic and justified in his vendetta compared to other Disney baddies but still very much a villain whose first on-screen moments show him shooting a member of his own crew without hesitation or remorse. The only really morally ambiguous character here is Tinkerbell, who, though she comes around in the end, tries to kill Wendy at one point and later willingly helps Hook in his plans to kidnap the girl so that she may have Peter to herself. Wendy herself, though she is less well-developed than some later Disney ladies, shows that beneath the sweet, soft exterior she is surprisingly brave and outspoken for her time, standing up to both Peter and Hook (a reaction which neither one of them is used to) when they push her buttons, even when she faces the frightening possibility of death by drowning/crocodile. After facing such real danger in Neverland from Hook and his crew, growing up hardly seems scary to her anymore. After all, the world she is used to, despite all of its grown-up troubles and worries, is relatively safe. Thus, her trip to Neverland--a realm where she might never grow up--actually ends up helping her transition into adulthood without the fear she had prior to her visit. Peter Pan is not the story of a boy who would NOT grow up but rather of a girl who DID grow up--a coming of age story just like many other Disney films.

Return to Neverland, on the other hand, flips this traditional narrative on its head and instead shows us the story of a very grown-up girl who has forgotten how to be a child. While Pan and Hook retain their characteristics from the first film as hero and villain, the sequel is more complex in the sense that their relationships to the heroine are somewhat reversed and unusual. In the original, Peter comes to take Wendy away to Neverland with the intention of rescuing her from the grown-up world only to thrust her into the much more dangerous position of dealing with threats like vindictive pirates and hungry wild animals, leading her to eventually realize that growing up isn't so terrible a fate as she might have once imagined. In the sequel, Hook comes to kidnap Jane (believing her to be Wendy) with the intention of using her as bait to kill Pan and unintentionally ends up giving her a much needed escape from the dangers of the "real world" which have forced her to grow up too quickly. In fact, you could almost argue that the war is the main villain while Hook is only secondary. Hook was the first real danger Wendy ever faced, and she did so with incredible courage, but to Jane, who has had to live with the daily fear of her father coming home in a coffin and being blown to bits by bombs falling out of the sky, Hook is nothing in comparison. Wendy bravely faces Hook IN SPITE OF her fear of death due to her protective maternal instinct; Jane faces Hook WITHOUT much fear because the possibility of death is so familiar to her that she has become numb to it...which is incredibly sad when you think about it. 

Wendy and Jane are also fundamentally different in which side of Neverland they identify with. Wendy identifies primarily with the carefree Peter and has no trouble believing in magic and fairies and flying while Jane--a natural skeptic after all she has witnessed with the war--originally identifies more with Hook, finding Peter and the boys far too silly for her taste. I always wondered why Jane was willing to make a deal with Hook even after hearing all of her mother's tales and being kidnapped by him, but I now realize that it is because, despite all this, Hook is the most comfortable and familiar face in Neverland because he is a reflection of the person she will become if she remains as bitter about life as she is at the start of the film. Additionally, Jane is used to a world where things are not always black and white and grown-ups sometimes do terrible things for the sake of the greater good. In her world, men with guns--men who have killed other men in combat out of necessity--are seen as protectors and heroes and may bring to mind thoughts of her own father, so it's understandable why she might trust Hook more easily than her mother did. Jane doesn't realize all this, but Hook does, and he takes full advantage of it by playing up their similar situations and earning her sympathy. And it takes Peter's capture and Tink's "death" for her to see that her attempt to avoid all childish things has caused her to become much too much like Hook for her own liking. Thus, in the end, whereas Wendy learned to embrace adulthood, Jane learns to hang on to a bit of the innocence of childhood--a lesson which perhaps resonates more with an adult audience than with children but a valuable lesson nonetheless.

But perhaps the biggest grown-up moment of this film happens right near the very end when we get to see a heartfelt reunion between Peter and an adult Wendy who is still young enough at heart to lift up off the floor with a pinch of Tinkerbell's pixie dust. It is an incredibly bittersweet moment to watch them say goodbye one last time, and though the children watching may not think much of it, I can guarantee you every grown-up who loved the original as a kid probably tears up at this part. As with the Pocahontas sequel, it's not quite the happy ending we have come to expect of Disney, but it's a very powerful and moving way to give us closure for the original. 

XXXX

Well, that pretty much wraps up my list for underrated Disney sequels. What do you guys think? Which Disney sequels are your favorites? Least favorites?

#Disney #disney sequels #bambi #bambi 2 #pocahontas #pocahontas 2 #the lion king #the lion king 2 #peter pan #peter pan 2 #return to neverland

[moonsandstar-s]

The Final Warning - Epilogue

Epilogue - Taking Wing Summary:  As the year draws to a close, peace has finally dawned. The time for unity has arrived. In the Vytal festival, it is time for heroes to rise, bringing glory to their kingdoms. But as autumn dies, the first winds of winter blow over Remnant, chilling the hearts of the people; breathing doubt into their souls. Long-buried secrets will triumph, and every action will have a consequence. Ruby must reconcile herself with her own fate. Weiss struggles to escape her legacy. Blake cannot erase memories. Yang’s search leads her into more peril than ever— but none of them can outrun fate. Shadows turn on shadows, and bonds shatter as they are tested to the limit. For in dividing them, they will fall and burn; at the eye of the storm, no peace lasts forever. In the end and beginning of time, there is a place where the sun never rises, and the dead delight to teach the living. A great danger is rising from the darkness. It’s time to take sides. The final warning is coming. The first chill of winter is the most deadly; it is the chill that kills more than any other. The first betrayal is the most damaging; it is the act that shatters bonds of love and trust, crushing even the strongest heart, tearing teams apart. AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/7745314/chapters/24243870 Qrow Ruby’s journey had taken him on a very roundabout path— crossing over the ocean away from Patch, winding all throughout Vale, taking a wide detour past the school and the city, which he welcomed, and finally sailing over the sea to Mistral, where she had walked for three days with her friends before three more had joined them— his niece, her partner, and Vincent’s daughter. He had been surprised at that, and then almost pleased— no one he knew had the gall to escape the clutches of the tyrannical Vincent, but maybe, Weiss had broken that cycle with her own escape. 

The girl, Blake, who he had found out had run away after the Fall, was back with them again; that pleased him. A team was always better off together, and he knew that— with team RWBY united once more— maybe, just maybe, the cycle of a broken team had been ended. And lastly, Yang had lost her gaunt, haunted look, and she even had something else that surprised him… she had gotten a prosthetic arm. He recognized the logo of the prosthetic that she had donned— the golden joint, imbued with fire Dust and linked to her Aura— it was stamped with the sign of Atlas, and the General. He knew that Ironwood must have taken pity on his niece and given it to her, and for that, he was grateful.

Three more Huntresses had joined Ruby’s journey; Yang, Blake, and Weiss, and he wondered if Tai knew about it, too— wondered if he knew that his daughters were back together again.

If he continued following them all the way to Haven Academy, he’d have a mission again, and he could make sure that no more harm came to Ruby, who he had come to love as a daughter. This wasn’t a mission that Ozpin had given to him; it was one he had undertaken by himself, and there was a freeing exhilaration in it. He almost felt like he could breathe easy again.

Qrow stood on the cliffside as he watched them talking before they set off once more, wind raking through his hair and sending it rippling back, teasing the hairs apart and putting them back together in new ways. It was a beautiful sunset in the west, the sun drawing below the mountains and turning the clouds into a rainbow of golds, violets, and flames. Above his head, the sky was a slowly darkening sapphire, and he let out a long, low breath. The trees whispered together in a secret language, their branches clattering together as the wind picked up, the clouds whipping past as if pulled by on a silken thread.

It was just the kind of day that Summer Rose would have been playing with her children on, ten or so years ago, before she had died. It would have been the type of day that Qrow had looked up at the stars, from wherever he had been on one of his missions, and counted the days until he would see Ozpin again to deliver the report of his findings, and maybe to make him smile, even once.

It was the type of day that Cinder and Salem had tried to destroy, and failed, because Remnant was safe now, safe for today and all the days to come. The Maiden powers were safe, out there in their new host, and they would blossom again when it came time for autumn to rise once more. He could taste the faintest hint of spring on the breeze as the sun went down, a sharp, bittersweet taste. Autumn was behind them, and winter was falling away as new life flooded Remnant.

He pulled out the cane from its holder on the small of his back, running a scarred hand along its length, and he was surprised at the uprush of grief that flooded his veins. It reminded Qrow of how fiercely he— he, of all Huntsmen!— had cared for the old headmaster. They had not been particularly close, not in the way partners were close, or siblings, or lovers, but they had shared something regardless. More than colleagues, more than a mentor and apprentice, more than a Huntsmen under the charge of another; less than partners. But something, and for now, that was good enough. Ozpin’s ghostly aura still hung around the cane, of course, because it had been the last object in his hands before he’d died, and Qrow’s grief subsided into the emotion that clung to it: a calm, content certainty.

As Qrow was readying himself to put it back within the holder, he accidentally levered down the trigger on the top of it. The top of the cane, a silvery knob, twisted and popped off, and he stiffened, wondering if he had broken it in some fashion, before he remembered the cane— like Ozpin— had many, many hidden depths and abilities.

There was a small slip of paper tucked inside in the handle, written in his gentle, sloping handwriting. Qrow looked at it, his mouth slightly agape as he did so, feeling as though the breath had been punched out of his lungs, before the words sank in— almost as if Ozpin himself had breathed them aloud. Qrow could almost hear his voice in the whisper of the wind that curled around his head, pushing back his hair and bringing the warmth of spring with it.

Begin again.

And, impossibly, he smiled.

Yang

Yang exchanged a glance with Blake as they both leaned against a tree, just out of earshot of Jaune, Ren, and Nora. Weiss had gone into the woods with Ruby some time ago, and they were waiting for the two of them to return.

“Do you think they’ve reconciled by now, or…”

One of Blake’s ears flicked, and she looked into the woods with a faintly worried expression. “I can imagine they’ve got a lot to talk about. Ruby’s fundamentally changed, and I can’t see Weiss not being somewhat troubled by it, whereas you and I… well, the changes weren’t so drastic, nor did they remove us so far from what we all knew and loved. At least I’m not the descendant of a huge power… and the same goes for you.” Blake let out a quiet sigh, leaning over and resting her chin on Yang’s shoulder, her nose tickling her neck. “Yang?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

Yang let out a little noise of surprise. “What for?”

“Everything,” Blake murmured. “Without you, I— I don’t know where I’d be. Lost, probably. And Adam would still be out there… none of this would have been resolved without you, Yang. None of it would have happened. If you hadn’t gone to get Weiss, to pursue me, to bind these teams back together again, and to give me the courage to chase Adam from this world… nothing would be solved, if you hadn’t done it. It all culminated into one grand event. And here we are now, even after we’ve weathered the storm and come out damaged… we’re alive. We’re all still together. And ultimately, I don’t think we could have asked for more.”

“Ruby’s always been the one to believe in fairytales and neat, happy endings,” Yang said with a sigh. “I used to, once— once upon a time, even. But… I don’t think I believe in fairytales anymore. Not after my mother, and Adam, and losing you… even if some of those things have been resolved, they leave their mark on you forever. Hearts are breakable things, Blake, and they never get put back together in the same way.”

“But life isn’t a fairytale,” Blake said. “Never has been, and it never will be… but somehow, happy endings do exist in real life. And so do heroes and monsters, the light and the dark.”

“Do you think so?”

“You’re the hero,” Blake told her, voice ringing with certainty. “You’re the hero who defeated every impossible odd that weighed her down. You’re the hero who escaped her own dark. You’re the light who found equilibrium and overcame the darkness. You were even the monster, once, in your own mind, and you changed yourself through force of will. You’re not a fire that blazes to kill anymore, but you are still the same fire that defines your soul. The warmth, strength, and passion. You aren’t the hero because you fight for what is right. You’re the hero because you follow your heart, and you do everything and anything to keep the ones you love safe, even at the cost of your own life. Morality doesn’t make someone a savior… but courage, bravery, and love, do. You are every bit the hero you claim you are not, and I will stand by that until the day I die.  

“Our story isn’t a fairytale. It’s that we made each other better— that in the grand scheme of the stars and worlds and destinies, we found each other, and we held on to each other, no matter what tried to pull us apart. Destiny isn’t a path that one follows blindly. It’s always a choice, and we chose each other, Yang. Love isn’t something you feel, really. It’s something you do, every day— in healing someone, in standing by their side, in never giving up, no matter how much it seems like the ending will be an unhappy one. Ultimately, if you work and try hard enough, you can change your own destiny to a better one. This is a story of Belladonnas and Xiao Longs and Roses and Schnees, Valkyries and Arcs and the Nikos… and it’s a story we’ll never forget, not in this life, or all the lives to come.”

Yang stiffened in her embrace, overcome, her heart brimming with emotion, and Blake’s face— so familiar, so beautiful— filled with worry. “Was I… I’m sorry. Was that right?”

“Sometimes I wonder how I’m lucky enough to have known you,” Yang whispered, still overcome, her voice wobbling. She ran her hands down the sides of Blake’s face, marveling at her, and then placed her hands on the place where her shirt covered her abdomen. There was still a raised ridge of flesh there, a scar from Adam. They both had scars now, another bond linking them from the same trauma. But now, they were healed. “You’re a hero, too. Just in different ways. The girl who helped the White Fang lose a monster, who chose her own fate, who loved her team, who stood by her heart. The girl who saved me.”

She smiled and leaned in to kiss her, tilting her head sideways. “I’m in love with you, Blake Belladonna,” she whispered against the warmth of her lips. “If it’s really destiny that puts us where we are, then I think destiny… I don’t think endings can always be perfect, but this one feels… happier, somehow. I love you. I love you more than anything.” She drew back, catching her breath, before a smile crossed her face. “And in the fairytales, wouldn’t this be where we ride off into our own sunset?”

“A sunrise,” Blake said. “Not an ending, but a beginning.”

Blake leaned forward this time, kissing her under the brisk breeze with the hint of spring and new life, under the flawless blue sky, and the mountains and their future that waited in the distance.

She kissed her, and it felt like coming home.

“I wanted to get us together for a reason,” Ruby said, looking up from where she stared at the ground, her expression troubled as the wind blew her hair to the side. “We need to talk.”

They were gathered in a circle, at the edge of the trees. Clouds were rolling in from the east, and rain misted the mountains in the distant, the air wet with the heaviness of a dawning storm. Ren and Nora looked somber, faces gray in the darkening light, and Jaune and Weiss seemed concerned, but Yang knew what was coming; Ruby had the ‘I’m going to make a speech’ face, one that was very familiar to her, ever since her little sister knew how to talk.

“We’re all in this quest together, and nothing short of the apocalypse is going to stop us,” Ruby told them, meeting each of their gazes in turn. Her face looked older, and there was a faraway expression in her eyes, something wise beyond her years. She didn’t look like a fifteen year old anymore. She was even speaking differently, measuring her words— she had grown into her role, grown up, but at a terrible cost. “I think we all know that nothing’s going to be perfect from now on. But— we can’t be divided any longer. I think that played a major role in what happened a few weeks ago, and that’s how Cinder… that’s how she was able to betray us. She figured out all of our weakness, and exploited them. There’s been a lot of divisions among all of us, since the very beginning— with jealousy or rivalries or simple misunderstandings.

“So that’s why we’re going to end those right here before we continue on. We’re going to do something we should have done before we all lost someone we loved. We’re going to figure each other out. We have to become a real team, to join together on this, or we will fail. And if we fail, we lose our one chance to find out why this disaster happened, and how we can prevent it from happening again. We lose the chance to bring justice to Penny’s death, and Pyrrha’s, and all the others who died because of Cinder. So let’s settle our differences right now.

“Let’s start with the basics. My name is Ruby Rose. I’m fifteen, going on sixteen. I’m the daughter of Summer Rose and Taiyang Xiao Long. I’m Yang’s sister, Weiss’s partner, and the leader of team RWBY. And I’m leading this journey to make sure nothing like this ever happens again, and even to make sure Pyrrha and Penny don’t get forgotten.” She shivered, and a shadow of the younger girl she was only a year ago crossed her face. “I was born in Patch. My mom died when I was only a kid. That’s part of the reason I’m coming on this journey, because I know she’d want me to. And I’m coming because Emerald, who I thought was my friend, betrayed me. I want to know why, what she could possibly have gained from it. More than that… about a month and a week ago, my uncle told that I’m different— that I’m the descendant of the silver-eyed warriors. I have a power I know nothing about, but I do know that I have to live with it. And no matter what, I’m not letting anything break up my team and my friends again. And finally, I want to say that I am honestly glad to have met you— all of you.” She gave a tentative smile to the solemn group. “Anyways, that’s me. Who’s next?”

Jaune shifted his shoulders, before glancing around the group and clearing his throat. “I guess I’ll go— is that okay?”

Ruby nodded, giving him an encouraging look. Yang noticed that she had her hand in Weiss’s, and she turned her face away to hide a smile.

“I’m Jaune,” he said, sounding slightly awkward. “I, uh, I have a mom, a dad, and seven sisters.”

“Someone’s parents were getting busy,” Yang muttered, earning herself a reproving smack from Blake, and a snort from Jaune.

“My mom and dad are great, really,” he went on, “and so are my sisters. I love them to pieces— but they don’t understand what it means to be a Huntsmen, not really… and I think I do, now. I think I finally get it. It’s not about how strong, or ‘macho’, or aggressive you are; it’s about what you’re made of, mercy and the sense of duty, and being charged with protection of humans. And my family didn’t know I was coming with you guys, but that’s probably best. This could get dangerous. But I’m coming anyways because I want answers, too, and it’s what— it’s what Pyrrha would’ve wanted. I snuck into Beacon, as you know. It was a bad thing to do, probably, and I shouldn’t have, but if hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met any of you. I wouldn’t have found new family in Ren and Nora, I wouldn’t have become friends with Ruby, and I…” Grief clouded his gaze. “I wouldn’t have met Pyrrha. And I’m grateful to have met all of you.” He looked around, new confidence in his eyes. “Even if we’ve all lost a lot, it’s worth it, I think, to have known you guys.”

“Is there anything you regret?” Ruby asked, the selfsame grief glimmering in her eyes.

His gaze dropped. “Of course,” he said, before he looked up. “I regret being so pushy towards you, Weiss, and I’m sorry for that. I wish I had gotten to know Pyrrha sooner than I did. I wish I had seen the signs that she was suffering before the very end. And I’m sorry for everything that happened with Cardin and his team, back at the very beginning, before all of this was set into motion… but I think that’s all, though.”

Ruby nodded. “That’s right. Thank you, Jaune, that was good. Who’s next?”

The group was quiet for a moment, before Nora bobbed her head, stepping forward and scanning the group.

“I’m Nora,” she said, perhaps a bit less chipper than she would have been moments before. “Um, if we were talking about family first… well… I never knew my parents, not really. I’m me, first and foremost, and Ren’s partner. I’m joining you guys because it’s the right thing to do, and because I lost a teammate, too, and if there’s anything I can do make her— her death— mean something, it’s to help you guys out. And I want to thank Ruby for coming along with us.” She smiled in Ruby’s direction. “I can’t begin to imagine how hard this is on you, Ruby. If I lost my team and family and friends and partner and then got news I was super-special… I think you’re handling it amazingly, and I’m proud to be following behind you. You’re a good Huntress and an even better friend, and I can’t think of anyone who’d be better to lead this journey.”

Ruby looked surprised. “I— thank you, Nora. That’s really nice of you.”

She nodded, looking down thoughtfully, ginger hair falling in front of her eyes. “And about regrets, huh… well, I’m just kinda here. I know I’ve messed around a lot in the past, but it’s time to get serious, isn’t it? I don’t think any of us saw this kind of thing coming… it’s crazy to think that only two months ago the worst thing that could happen was losing the Vytal tournament, cause that was the worst thing I could think of, and now it’s just really weird how—” She broke off as Ren gave a little cough. “Sorry. I’m rambling. But I wouldn’t be coming if I wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do. So I’m sticking with you guys till the very end, you can be sure of that!”

Ruby gave the first real smile Yang had seen on her in weeks, though it was watery, and her eyes— those bright silver eyes— were still touched with grief. “And we’re happy to have you along.”

This time, no one moved forward to speak up, and Ruby’s eyes flitted over the group before landing on Weiss. “Weiss, why don’t you go next?”

Her blue eyes looked a little startled, but she didn’t let out a protest, a sure sign of how drastically the dynamics between all of them had changed. Only a few months ago she would have argued, but now she merely ducked her head in acceptance.  

“I’m Weiss, if any of you brainless dunderheads hadn’t picked up on that yet.” Her eyes flashed with a bit of her old spirit, and all of them grinned at her words. “I’m heiress to the Schnee Dust Company— for now, anyways, though I’m sure my father will fix that now that I’ve gone and run off on him… but I did it for Yang and for team, and I don’t regret it. Not at all.”

“Without you, I wouldn’t be here,” Yang told her, and Weiss flashed her a grateful glance.

“I’m sister to Winter Schnee, daughter of Ivana and Vincent. I’m partners with Ruby. And I came to Beacon for the same reason that I left Atlas and I’m journeying with the six of you now: I want answers, and moreover, I want to make my own future, one outside of being born into fame and fortune. I’m more than just a bloodline and money, and it’s high time I stepped outside of that and made my own path.” She shuffled her feet on the leaves. “I escaped Atlas because of a sense of owing something to all of you, and to those whom we have lost. I can promise that as long as there is breath in my body, I will seek justice for what happened. For Pyrrha, for Penny, for everyone we’ve lost, and for all the spirits that Cinder crushed.” Her eyes flickered to Blake and Yang. “And because she hurt my team and friends, and you have to go through me to get to them. And… I’m grateful we didn’t lose more.”

Ruby’s knuckles whitened as she gripped Weiss’s hand harder. “Thank you,” she said, her voice choked and constricted, and the heiress gave a brief nod, her own eyes overly bright with emotion.

“I’ll go next, I suppose,” Ren said quietly, coughing to clear his throat before looking up at the pattern of branches framed across the sky, his face weary. “My name, as you know, is Lie Ren, though I go by my surname only…”

“To stop jokes about how he’s not Truth Ren,” Nora piped up, eliciting a small hum of laughter from the group.

Ren’s gaze flickered with fondness as he glanced at Nora. “I suppose that, yes, I am not one for speeches, or for shows of emotion… I believe words should be saved for those whom you hold dear. And Pyrrha deserves that. She was my teammate, but more importantly, she was the pillar of our team, and now we must learn to stand strong in her absence. I was honored to have called her my teammate as long as I did, nor will I ever forget her quiet courage and her unwavering strength. She was a true Huntress, and she was— is— an example we all should look up to, in our darkest times and in our lightest. In our hearts, she will achieve immortality. In our memories, but not in passing, she will live on. We won’t forget.”

They all nodded as one, and Yang bit her lip hard, grief filling her stomach like dark, cold water.

“As I have said,” Ren continued, “this journey will undoubtedly hold peril for all of us, and we may not find answers at all. But we must try, for her sake. And I…” He glanced around, at Blake and Yang and Weiss, at Ruby and Jaune, and finally at Nora. “Selfish though it may be, I am eternally grateful that we didn’t lose more than we already have. That is all.”

Ruby nodded, closing her eyes briefly before Yang reached out, touching her with her good arm. “I’ll go, little sister,” she said quietly.

Ruby squeezed her hand and smiled. “Thanks, Yang.”

“Well,” she said, her voice seeming to echo loudly in the clearing. “I’m Yang, Yang Xiao Long. I’m the daughter of Taiyang Xiao Long and Raven Branwen… but you probably guessed already, unless you’re an idiot, because me and Ruby aren’t exactly the spitting image of each other.” She felt her tension melt away as everyone laughed at that.

“I’m coming with you guys because I owe it to you,” she continued, “and to Ruby, really. She’s still my baby sister, and I still have to be there to protect her, even if she’s not a little baby anymore, and virtually untouchable by the Grimm— there’s still a lot I have to make up to her. And… I guess… after all that happened, I shut down for a little while. I felt like everything I knew, everything I loved, had been just… snatched away. I had nothing, no one. Beacon was gone, Vale was in ruins. My dad fell back into depression after Ruby left for Haven. Qrow left the very same day. Blake had run away… Weiss was gone… Ruby had vanished… Pyrrha and Penny were dead… I had no one, really. Then Sun helped me get back on my feet; he explained to me, helped me realize that it wasn’t all about me anymore, and it couldn’t be, because no one was going to come back. Not unless I took action myself. Fate works in funny ways, but I’ve come to realize that nothing is just going to come to you, no matter how hard you wish and pray— you’ve got to make it happen yourself. You have to take charge. And to find them— I had to do it myself. So I left home the next day and went after Weiss, I was healed with the help of the General, and Weiss and I tracked down and found Blake before we all headed after Ruby… and here we are now.

“I want to say that things can go back to the way they were. But I know they never will. We’ve all been changed for good. And I regret a lot, too. I regret the loss of my arm,” she said, feeling as though she’d swallowed thorns. “But I’m luckier than most to be able to have the use of it again… and I’m so lucky I wasn’t killed. I regret not being there for Ruby in the first weeks we were back home after the fall of Beacon. I regret that I couldn’t save Blake when… when the past came after her. I know this journey has changed me. But sometimes… I don’t think it’s changed me in the way I wanted. I’ve lost so many pieces of who I am along the way, that every day, I’m afraid I won’t recognize who I am when I wake up. I don’t think any of this could possibly have been for the greater good.” Her voice choked up, and she looked at her feet, not seeing the grass, but an impossibly endless tunnel of uncertainty and fear. “And I still have no idea what I’m going to do. lost so much more than just my arm the night Beacon fell… I lost who I was.”

“You’re still Yang,” Weiss said, her voice soft. “You’re still you. We all know who you are. You’re our pillar—”

Nora chimed in next. “— our firecracker—”

“— still our best fighter!”

“— you’re one of the most caring people,” Ren interjected, followed by Jaune, “and you’re really smart—”

“—and ultimately, you’ve changed for the better,” Ruby finished, her expression fond. “You’ve changed, sure, but if we never changed at all, never learned from what we’d been through, we’d stay stuck in the past— stuck, while life moved forward without us. We’d never get to see what we might grow into, shaped by our experiences, both the good and the bad. You’re not as headstrong or reckless, but isn’t that good? I think you’ve found your purpose. Not to be a Huntress, maybe, because you never truly had your heart set on that— but to help, to help Remnant, with your story and your experience. You don’t have to figure it all out right now. You can do it along the way, and we’ll be by your side for every step.

Yang smiled, a watery smile as she felt Blake’s hand slip into hers, before looking around at them all. “Thank you,” she managed, “truly, all of you. I’m… at least I have you guys. And even if I regret a lot of things, I don’t regret being here now, and… I’m ready for whatever gets thrown at us.” She looked around hesitantly. “And if I’ve learned anything from all of this, it’s that we’re always stronger together. When we’re apart, we are weak… but united, we stand tall. So we’ve got to put aside our troubles and work as a team.”

“Alright,” Ruby said, giving her a quick hug before drawing away and looking at the one remaining member who had not spoken. “Blake? Do you want to go?”

“I don’t think I have a choice, seeing as the rest of you have already gone.” Blake gave a faint smile before her face grew somber.

“I’m Blake, Blake Belladonna, daughter of Brian and Maria, ex-member of the White Fang, niece of Khione, ex-lieutanent of Ayran, and the former partner of Adam.” Her voice jumped, as if it had skipped a groove. “I'm so many titles - maybe too many. I've realized those don’t define me, but what does is that I am part of team RWBY, a Huntress, Yang’s partner, Ruby and Weiss’s teammate, and… their family.” She looked towards the darkening sky, and the stars, slowly coming out one by one, were reflected in the deep amber of her eyes. “One month and two weeks ago, I watched Yang nearly die in front of me. And, in my turn, I killed the one who hurt her. Ruby, you’ve taken three lives and watched two others die… I’ve taken two, and watched countless faces die on that night. A nameless child, an ex-partner, schoolmates and peers… and that death and the actions we have taken in the face of it is something we both have in common, and it is a demon we shall both have to grapple with for the duration of our lives.” She inclined her head towards Ruby. “We both killed people the night Beacon fell… but maybe it’s better to remember that without our actions, more people would have been hurt. Death is never a good thing, but some deaths, I’ve come to learn, are necessary if it means protecting the ones you love.”

She frowned, her ears lowering as the wind picked up, wreathing around the silent group. Above their heads, a dark shadow danced through the clouds and dying sun and starlight, and Yang knew it was Qrow. She hoped that he knew she had forgiven him, despite everything her mother had done, and despite how the things he himself had done, and she looked up. The crow soared in a spiraling circle, and as it let out a cry into the night, she smiled, recognizing the rasp of his voice within it.

“All of us suffered terribly on the night Beacon fell,” Blake went on, drawing Yang’s attention back to her. “None of us escaped harm. In a way, the past came back to sting us where it hurt the most. All of us were hurt in some way… mental or physical, but that doesn’t matter, because in any and all ways, damage is done, and the injury is equal. Attributing one or the other to a greater strife only continues to divide us. All of you were hurt, and all of you suffered… but I’m the only one who ran away and didn’t have the courage to confront it. In a way, that makes me a coward, but in another way, it attests to a lesson that I’ve learned from. I grew up in a place that was never stable, and running away was the only thing I ever really knew— it was the only thing that I could count on. By running, I could keep myself safe, but I could purge my own presence from places that would be damaged by it. But I’ve learned another lesson from all of this: running away might seem like the better solution, but a Huntress should never abandon what she has come to know. Courage and loyalty are hallmarks of a better soul, and they’re the signs of one who isn’t a coward. Running away was shortsighted and selfish… my presence might have brought strife, but I didn’t know that my friends— my family— were willing to risk that. They were more than willing to suffer and take on that burden and by running, I hurt them far more than staying would have… and I’m sorry.” Her voice became a choked whisper, and Yang bowed her head, a flood of agony and regret squeezing her heart. “I’m so sorry.”

“We forgive you, Blake,” Ruby said, and the sentence was taken up and passed through the group until it sounded like the rush of the wind.

“Thank you,” she whispered, before she closed her eyes. “I will pursue justice as determinedly as all of you, I swear it.” She took a small breath. “I am here, ready to journey with you, because I’m not leaving you again. Meeting all of you was one of the best things in my life. Ruby, you’re like a little sister to me, and you, Weiss, despite our rough start, I can say I am truly, honestly glad to know you. And Yang… you know what you are to me. You’re everything.” She squeezed Yang’s hand, her eyes clouding with regret. “Even you, Jaune, Ren, and Nora. I can think of no one I would rather be making this journey with.”

Ruby nodded at Yang as she let out a quiet cough, letting her speak.

Yang looked at Blake intently. “Is there anything you regret?”

Blake’s eyes dragged back over to her face, a hundred years worth of emotion shining there. “I regret leaving you most of all,” she choked out. “And sending a letter, that’s all. It was so cowardly, I know… I regret not fighting with all I had to keep you safe. I regret everything I did to hurt you— all of you— following the Fall of Beacon. But I will never have remorse for loving you. It was completely selfish and naive and coldhearted of me to leave, and I will never stop regretting it. And leaving you… that didn’t protect you; it hurt you. Adam wanted to scare me. And I let him. But nothing can ever chase me from your side again, not now, and not ever.”

Ruby looked around before bowing her head. “I want to say one more thing. About Pyrrha, I mean. Because she’d be with us right now if she hadn’t sacrificed herself to buy us time.”

Jaune made a small, pained noise, and Nora reached over and took his hand, comfortingly, like a sister.

“I won’t forget her,” Ruby said quietly. “She touched all of our hearts in different ways. Maybe as a teammate and family—” she glanced at Ren and Nora— “Or maybe as something more.” She glanced at Jaune, who looked as if he had been kicked in the chest. “She meant something different to every single one of us. Jaune, she loved you, and I know you loved her, too. Ren, she was your teammate, and Nora, I know she loved you like a sister. Weiss, she was your idol. Blake, to you, she was an advocate for the Faunus’s rights. Yang, she was your friend… to me, she was one of my best friends. A role model, really. I remember her playing games with me, helping me study, encouraging me to keep up even if I was a bit too young to be at Beacon. I know you, Blake, remember how once, Pyrrha stood up for the Faunus.” Blake swallowed, her eyes shimmering. “And you, Yang, remember how she gave you advice, and remember how she spun alongside you and Blake at the dance, laughing. How she would always have courage even when it seemed like there was none. So my point is that— we won’t forget her. And we will make sure she didn’t die in vain.” Ruby looked around at all of them, feeble winter sunlight falling through the stark branches and illuming her face. Yang blinked at her, struck by the sudden, aching realization that her baby sister, the playful girl without a care in the world— whoever she had been— had died up in Beacon Tower with Pyrrha. A new girl, a new leader, had taken her place, and Yang knew who she was.  

The silver-eyed warrior.

Ruby was just like Summer Rose. She even looked exactly like her, now; Yang could see it. The choppy fringes of her hair, the light of her eyes, the laugh-creases around them, even the stubborn set of her jaw. Even if no one knew what had happened that night at the summit of the Tower, even if no one knew just what had transpired, it was clear to see that it had been momentous. A new power and understanding shone from Ruby’s eyes, her face, lighting her from the inside out. She’s grown up, Yang thought. We all have. These past weeks have changed us in ways we can’t comprehend, can’t even begin to understand. You’re my little sister, Ruby… but you aren’t little at all anymore, are you? Are you even my sister, the the little Ruby Rose I know so well? You never will be again. I know that now. We’re never going to go on adventures through Patch together again. We’re never going to stay up until the early hours of the morning and read books with flashlights and whisper secrets to each other again. We’ll never watch Zwei go crazy when it storms again. We’ll never bake cookies together or help Dad grade his students’ work from Signal again. Because you’re leaving… leaving me, leaving us. This is your destiny… and it’s taking you down a path no one can venture on but you. This path you’re walking is a lonely one, bathed in blood and pain and fate that’s going to get you killed. But in a way, you’re figuring yourself out, aren’t you? You’ve found a new destiny besides just following me. You’re a Huntress, and you’re a hero. You saved our lives that night. And you didn’t let so much knowledge change you, or harden your heart. And I think that’s the most courageous of all.

“So let’s go and confront what’s waiting for us,” Ruby said, holding out her hand in the center of the group. One by one, they stacked their hands on top of hers, until Yang finally topped it off with her prosthetic, the golden chrome glinting faintly in the falling sun, just like a dying star.

“There’s one thing I want to do before we go,” Ruby said abruptly, drawing away from the group, and she knelt, brushing the grass. “She didn’t— there’s nothing to bury here, but I want to make a memorial for her. Like they made for my mother.”

Yang stiffened with surprise, before she looked down at her little sister with a sad smile. “I think that’s a good idea, Ruby.”

They stood over a rock, carved with her initials, the earth freshly turned, with her circlet laid beneath it. They were loosely arranged in a half-circle, and as they watched silently, wind ruffling the branches that encircled the sky above their heads, Ruby knelt down next to the empty grave and began to speak.

“From dust we came, and to dust we must return. One day the earth will dim; the light in the sun will flicker and die, and the moon will sigh and roll over, keeping her back to the world. Our shadows will say farewell to our bodies, and go their own way in the darkness. But today is not that day. Though we have one less heart than we did yesterday, Though we are one soul lighter, one absence heavier, today we still stand, and fight. But your fight is done with. Shut your eyes on this earth. Place your feet upon the pathway to above, when auras flicker and die, you shall lend us light, whence you return to the stars. Death is not the end. Death is but that one last journey that we all venture on in the end, We bid you farewell, not forever, but until we meet again May you find shelter where you sleep. May the waters run clear and the comforts leap into your arms. May the sun shine down upon you, may the rain fall softly upon your skin, may you find peace.   Your battle is over, brave warrior, those who fight in your stead share your blood, your memories, your love, so that your spirit may never die. Hail and farewell, Pyrrha Nikos, Now and forever.

From dust we came, and to dust we must return.”  

Her voice broke on the last few words, eyes shining with unspilled tears, and as she stared at the tomb-marker, Yang wondered if she was remembering a very long time ago, when they were both smaller, and they had presided over the same depthless darkness. There had not been a body at Summer Rose’s grave, and there was not a body now… but the grief was still there, sharp as a thorn.

Jaune was shivering violently, tears running down his face. Ruby’s voice wobbled terribly on the last few words. The heavy gray sky, thick with the promise of a storm to come, sent gusts spinning through the air. But behind those clouds lay the sun, and behind the tragedy lay a chance for redemption.

They came forward, one by one, kneeling down by the tomb, whispering a few words. First it was Jaune, kneeling silently before leaning forward and whispering for a long minute; Yang didn’t catch all the words, but it sounded like a poem, followed by some more words, which she didn’t listen to, respecting his privacy. Then Nora came forward to say her goodbyes, her eyes bright with sadness. Then Ren, looking somber, and then Weiss, and Ruby, and Blake, and then Yang, kneeling down by the marker, her chest very tight.

“Bye, Pyrrha,” Yang whispered, her emotion threatening to overcome her. “We— we’ll keep Jaune safe for you. I know you loved him, and we’ll carry on your legacy of warmth and light. I know you wouldn’t want us to mourn too long. You always wanted us to keep moving forward, and to fight for what was right. We’ll never forget you, but we’ll fight on for you. I— thank you for being so nice to me, for talking to me about everything…” Her voice choked up. “You were one of the nicest people I ever knew, and I’m always going to be happy i knew you, even for a little bit. I won’t let anyone forget the sacrifice you made for us.”

She placed her hand, metal glowing with warmth, on the tombstone, lingering for a moment before she, too, drew away and rejoined the group.

“It’s too late to begin traveling again tonight,” Ruby said. “We should all get some sleep, and rest… after today, I think we all need it. Let’s set up camp.”

They found a clearing in the woods, and Yang settled down beside Ruby, helping her stoke up a fire, enjoying the wordless companionship and comfortable silence between them. She passed Ruby a match, and Ruby lit it with a swift stroke, fire blooming to life and painting her face in warm orange.

Ren and Nora peeled off into the woods with their weapons to hunt for the group, and Yang helped Ruby catch the fire-nest with the flame, watching as it built up and began to crackle merrily. Weiss, Blake, and Jaune circled the campfire, setting up everyone’s sleeping bags, and Ruby sat back on her heels, watching the ever-shifting pattern of the fire, her silver eyes gazing deep within it as if it held all the answers she was looking for.

Yang reached out and took her sister’s hand. Ruby gripped it back, before shifting and letting out a quiet sigh, her gaze dropping away from the flames.

“You’re thinking of her,” Yang guessed.

“Yeah, of course I am… but you know what? It doesn’t hurt this time. Not like it hurt before.” Ruby moved one finger through the grass, not appearing angry or anguished, simply sad. “I’m glad we sent her off. I don’t think she’s unhappy. Wherever she is, I know she’s with Mom and Penny, and I know she’s at peace, Yang. I know it.”

Yang shifted closer to her sister, wrapping her up in her embrace, just like they were kids again. Ruby let out a surprised ‘oof’, wiggling to get comfortable before leaning back and hugging her, eyes closing and veiling the silver light that laid beneath. “I’m always going to be here for you, Ruby,” Yang murmured into her sister’s hair. “No matter what.”

Ruby snuggled a little closer, letting out a quiet sigh. “I know.”

An hour later, after dinner was eaten and the bones discarded, sleeping bags shuffled and rearranged, and the fire had sunken down from a merry, crackling blaze to a dimmer red glow, they all settled down to sleep. Ruby stood up, the fire’s light playing over her face, and they all looked up at her.

“Tomorrow, we set off at dawn,” she said. “All of us— together. Just as it should be.” She looked around at all of them, huddled by the campfire— Weiss’s sleeping bag close to her own, Yang and Blake’s nearer to their team and even closer to each other, Ren and Nora looking up at Ruby from their own corner, eyes bright like cats’ in the light, and Jaune’s, near Ruby’s. “Good night.”

The ‘good night’ was taken up and passed around through the group, and they all settled down, their breathing dropping off into a steady rhythm, one by one. By the time the clearing was stone-silent, with only the dull crackle of the fire and the breathing of the other six, Yang sat up, looking around— Weiss, asleep, looking peaceful with her head pillowed on Ruby’s arm. Jaune, eyes closed, curled up besides the remnants of his team, his face still shadowed with pain, but with the promise of healing. Ren and Nora, curled in close to each other. Blake, asleep, her head resting just below Yang’s heart. Ruby, her silver eyes shining in the firelight as she looked over at Yang.

“Good night, Yang,” she whispered, sounding just like they had when they fell asleep in the same room, back when they were kids.

“Good night, Ruby,” Yang echoed, before settling down and curling up, the prosthetic’s glow dimming in the darkness, fading to the dimmest of red auras. She leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss on Blake’s forehead, lips lingering there as she breathed in her scent, letting it lull her like some long-forgotten lullaby, wrapping her close. Blake let out a quiet sigh, shifting closer, and Yang ran one hand down Blake’s cheek, the gold metal gentle on her skin, before she huddled down into her sleeping bag and let sleep claim her.  

Tonight, no thoughts of Adam, Raven, or the enemies to taunt her, darkened her dreams.

She woke up to chatter and saw Ren dumping water on the smoldering ashes of the fire as Nora helped Jaune pack up the duffels, while Weiss and Ruby pored over a map and argued good-naturedly about what pass through the mountains they should use. Blake was still asleep, and to Yang’s surprise, she looked— peaceful. Normally, while sleeping, Blake always looked conflicted; torn— before she remembered Adam’s words, in that last fateful dream.

The nightmares darken my sleep now, not hers. For a moment, Yang frowned, before a surge of determination shot through her. Let them come. I am stronger now. I’m ready in a way I wasn’t before. My eyes have been opened, and I’m not blind to what I have and what I can lose.

She shook Blake away and hopped to her feet to help everyone pack up for the long journey that laid in wait ahead of them. When the sun broke over the trees, flooding Mistral ground with rays of gold and rose, Yang took a deep breath, letting life rejuvenate her. The long, cold months were finally over. Spring had arrived at last.

“Are you ready?” Ruby looked back at them all, the wind whipping her hair in a choppy black storm cloud around her head. Her eyes shone in the strengthening light, and they all nodded at her silently— remembering, perhaps, another day long ago when she had led them from the place of the relics to the cliff of the Nevermore. They were more than a team now. They were a family, and with a smile, Ruby leapt down from the knoll she had been standing on and led the way out of the forest, into the light.

“Beacon is already heading up repairs, you know,” Weiss said as they followed her, chattering amongst themselves. “The city is half-finished in the month that we’ve been gone. They’ve had funerals for everyone who died— and all the professors, and some of the students, are working together to help the school get running again. Ironwood sent an enormous fund to help them, and they’ve cleared off all the Grimm from the area, and gotten rid of the giant wyvern. All the academies are working together to get the CCT back up, and they think they’ll have it done within two year’s time.”

“A happy ending,” Blake murmured.

Yang gripped her hand. “Not yet, but we’re getting there.”

“And in honor of those who died,” Jaune said, “and those who were wrongly framed, like you, Yang, they want to hold another Vytal Festival tournament this autumn, to show that we still have hope. That we aren’t afraid to move forward, even if we still remember those we lost in our hearts.” He looked up at the sky, golden sun dappling his face. “We’ll never forget them or what they did… even as the seasons change. We’ll remember, and we’ll learn.” There was some veiled, hidden note in his voice— something intermingled sorrow and a quiet regret— that suggested he was thinking of more than just Pyrrha, but Yang didn’t press him for details. Grief manifested in many different ways, and if this was part of their healing process, it was going to happen sooner or later.

“Hey.” Blake nudged her, tilting her head to the side. “Are you okay?”

Yang leaned over and pressed a kiss to her temple, breathing her in, and Blake leaned closer to her with a smile flickering across her face. “Yeah.” She looked up at the sky, the vast blueness that stretched out endlessly ahead, promising something more. “Yeah… I think I am.”

The Bond soared with happiness, more than Yang had felt in months, and she allowed herself to smile as she followed on after her sister, team, and friends. As they walked on through the melting snow, finally succumbing to spring, she looked up at the sky, flawlessly blue with a biting wind that sang around them. She was surprised to feel that she wasn’t sad, or anxious, or angry. Her team was here, around her, the demons waiting to haunt her could not hurt her any longer, and she had made her peace with those who had left, because the people surrounding her now were the ones that really mattered, in the end. No matters pressed at her mind.

She was content.

I know this isn’t a complete ending yet. Ozpin’s gone, Pyrrha’s dead, and we don’t know why Cinder betrayed us… I don’t know where my mother is, or why Ruby has these powers. But I’ve made my choices… and I think I’m happy now, even if everything’s changed. Even if nothing had ended yet like I thought it would. It’s not a happy ending with all ends tied up, not truly… but it is a better ending. This is just the end of chapter one in the book of our lives. I’m healed… heart and head. Weiss and Ruby are okay together. We haven’t solved everything, but we’ve solved what truly matters. Adam can’t haunt Blake anymore, and now, we get to go out there, and figure out our fates by ourselves. We’ve hit rock-bottom in the past… now, there’s nowhere to go but up. We’ll heal Remnant, day by day… because maybe, just maybe, this was our destiny all along, the seven of us. Not to be fancy Huntsmen and Huntresses, but to go out there, like Qrow said, and see the world and fix it ourselves. Blake can help fix the White Fang’s wrongs, follow her destiny and change the world to a better, kinder place, day by day. I can just go with the flow like I always wanted, never abandoning my team and friends, and helping everyone who needs help at the same time. Blake is with me, and my team is by my side. Things might happen in the future, but we’ll never be parted now. What happened to us at Beacon made us stronger, and I’m never going to leave them again.

And that is how it always will be.

She looked over at Blake, and took her hand, finding solace in her partner as she always had, clinging to her warmth in the dwindling winter. Blake looked over, and she smiled, something filled with more promise and hope than the brilliance of the stars themselves.

Yang let out a breath, filled with hope as the seven of them headed into the light of the rising sun.

#RWBY #Bumbleby #Arkos #Renora #Whiterose #White Rose #Team RWBY #Team JNPR #Qrow Branwen #Ozqrow #Qrowpin #Cloqwork #bumblebee #Yang Xiao Long #Blake Belladonna #Ruby Rose #Weiss Schnee #Jaune Arc #pyrrha Nikos #Lie Ren #Nora Valkyrie #my writing #the final warning

[blznbaby]

Today Was A Fairytale

Book: The Royal Romance Pairing: Liam x MC Audience: General Note: The fic is titled after the song 'Today Was A Fairytale' by Taylor Swift. This song came on and I immediately thought of my kinky king and had flashbacks to great moments in the story. I miss him so much :( I suggest listening to it while reading. It kind of played through my head like a music video :). I didn't really edit or put much thought into grammar. Here's my rough draft. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to Pixleberry Studios. I do not own rights to the song. All rights reserved to Taylor Swift

Liam stood in the grand ballroom of the palace and found himself face to face with the most breathtaking woman he’d ever seen. Her hair was dark and flowing, a black demi-mask securely tied around her head, and her shapely figure hugged the fabric of her red gown that popped against the deep bronze of her skin. Even with half her face hidden she was striking. There was something about this mystery woman that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. And it wasn’t just her beauty—there were scores of beautiful women there. Perhaps it was her smile, the almond shape of her eyes, or the way her beauty seemed to radiate from within. She shimmered. She glowed. She was utterly radiant, and Liam suddenly realized that it was because of the light in her eyes. She looked so damned happy. Happy to be where she was. Happy to be who she was. But who was she? He was certain that if he’d ever seen those eyes before, he would surely remember. He stared hard for a moment, then his eyes went wide.

“Marcella!” he exclaimed, shock apparent on his face. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

Marcella couldn’t help but grin. “So…this is a good surprise I hope?” she asked slyly.

“The best,” his eyes twinkled at her. “I can’t believe you came all this way for me.”

Ever since their magical night in New York he’d had trouble focusing on much else. He played that night over in his head a million times with the hope that he would see her again. He hadn’t forgotten for a moment how it had felt to be with her, and he’d spun more than a few fantasies about what it might be like if she were part of his future and there she was, right in front of him. Fate had been kind.

“Liam…I know we have something special. I want to see what it can be.”

“I feel the same way,” he breathed.

The sounds of a dreamy waltz filled the ballroom. Liam extended his hand smiling at her expectantly. She smiled back, a wide, beaming grin that traveled straight to his soul. She put her hand in his, and it was only then that Liam realized he’d been holding his breath. She leaned forward, “I don’t…I’m not sure I know the steps,” she whispered. He smiled confidently, assuring her. “Just follow my lead.”

His hand found her waist, and he drew her close into starting position. He was strong, but gentle as he guided her every movement across the ballroom floor. They moved together elegantly as one, in perfect sync, as hundreds of people looked on. But, in that moment everyone else in the room seemed to fade away as they looked into each other’s eyes. It was something straight out of a fairytale; a girl being swept off her feet by a charming prince. And from that moment on, they knew this was the beginning of something special…

Today was a fairytale

You were the prince

I used to be a damsel in distress

Most women would’ve swooned or run off at his admission, but Marcella didn’t care. So what he was some Crown Prince of Cordonia or whatever the hell it was, to her he was the same guy she’d met earlier that evening. The man was special and not because of his wealth and title, but because he was kind, thoughtful, charming, and admittedly handsome, which was a rarity these days. Liam was relieved. It was nice to be considered a little less than a prince and a little more of himself and he realized that the more he talked to this woman the more he came to like her...

You took me by the hand

And you picked me up at six

Today was a fairytale

Today was a fairytale

He approached the front door of the Beaumont estate, glancing at his watch—5 p.m. He felt awkward showing up unannounced, but he needed to see her. The way Marcella had thrown herself into the courtly life with such grace and enthusiasm hadn’t gone unnoticed. He knew it wasn’t easy, especially for her. He imagined dating for her was quite different back in New York and after everything she had done for him, he wanted to meet her halfway. He drew a deep breath and straightened the lapels on his blazer, nervously pressing his finger on the doorbell.

“You’re a delightful surprise,” Marcella laughed lighthearted.

“…it’s maybe a little silly, but…would you go on a date with me?" Liam asked, hopeful.

Marcella was pleasantly surprised, a glimmer of a smile on her face. “A date?”

“My first true date. I want it to be with you.”

Even though he’d never been on a date before, he was prepared to pull out all the stops for her. He had done all the research necessary to ensure a proper date. That night, he just wanted to be Liam and Marcella. Two normal people away from the pomp and circumstance of court. Awkward icebreaker questions and first-date nerves were foreign to him, but he was excited for every bit of it. He knew it was last minute, but every fiber in his being was hoping she’d say yes.

“Liam…I’d love to go on a date with you!”

Liam was delighted, the corners of his eyes creasing from smiling so hard. “Sounds perfect. I’ll meet you at your room in an hour?” Excitement fluttered inside her like a million butterflies, and she gave a small nod. “I’m in the east wing, fourth door from the right. I’ll see you then.”

Today was a fairytale

I wore a dress

You wore a dark gray t-shirt

“Ya know…I think I prefer this look second to you in no shirt at all.”

Liam chuckled, “I’ll make note that you prefer t-shirts to three piece suits.”

His dark colored t-shirt was the perfect disguise in their incognito adventure. People rushed past, barely sparing them a glance as they continued their romantic walking tour along the busy New York City streets. Liam thought it funny, although they were completely surrounded, they were ignored, no one seeming to notice Marcella sticking out like a sore thumb in a cream colored ball gown. But, he wasn’t complaining, it was nice to be normal for a change and there was no one else he’d rather get lost in a crowd with. It was like the first night they met, before she knew he was a prince. The greatest gift the city had ever given them was each other and it would forever hold a special place in both their hearts.  

You told me I was pretty

When I looked like a mess

Today was a fairytale

Marcella shook and beat at the skirts of her dress, trying to remove any remnants of dirt or dust that may have soiled it from their hedge maze rendezvous. They had to return to the ball before anyone noticed their disappearance. She smoothed down her dress and patted her hair, pulling a twig from her long dark mane and tossing it aside. She giggled at herself, she was sure she looked ridiculous. She turned to Liam, and huffed, “hey, how do I look?”

He stopped brushing the sleeves of his black dress coat to smile at her, his gaze sweeping up and down her body…he had never seen anything more beautiful in his entire life.

“You look like a princess,” he said softly, taking her hand and pressing it to his lips, his eyes growing serious,”…or someone who is about to become one.”

Time slows down

Whenever you’re around

Time ceased to exist as they took off running, weaving through the many twists and turns of the hedge maze, laughing and giggling like two kids, heading for the large tree in the distance just around the corner. Liam was hot on her heels, as she made a beeline toward the center, confident in her victory when he reached out to tag her, his momentum sending them tumbling and rolling to the ground, stopping at the base of the tree. They looked at each other before bursting out laughing like a pair of hyenas. It was something about her that made him want to break all the rules, their game of maze-tag unexpected, but somehow perfect. He had laughed more in that maze than he had in ages, perhaps this was exactly what he needed.

Can you feel this magic in the air?

It must’ve been the way you kissed me

Fell in love when I saw you standing there

It must’ve been the way

Today was a fairytale

The boat slowed in the harbor, Lady Liberty emerging from the mist. Liam stood silent, so much unsaid that didn’t need to be said. He was moved beyond words, in awe of the view, and of her. No one had every planned such a grand gesture to make his dreams come true. No one had ever cared enough to listen and get to know him for him. She had touched him in a way she could never understand. It was nothing short of a dream and it had been so long since he’d allowed himself to dream. He felt wonder, happiness, and for the first time, possibility. He knew he would cherish the moment for the rest of his life.

Liam drew closer to her, admiring her sense of adventure and her unique way of following her heart. Marcella smiled, realizing she had set off something inside of him. Something inside that had been dormant for so long that he didn’t even know it still existed. Throwing caution to the wind, she pulled him into a deep kiss. She was falling for him…hard. There was something about him, and she knew she hadn’t stopped smiling since their eyes met earlier that evening. In the morning she’d be back to reality, but tonight he was hers. Though shocked at first, Liam responded eagerly, giving in to the magic of the experience and trusting her fully. He finally had the freedom to be whomever he wanted to be, even if it were only for one night.

“I’m glad to have met you Marcella. I’ll never forget this night.”

Today was a fairytale

You’ve got a smile

That takes me to another planet

Every move you make

Everything you say is right

Today was a fairytale

Liam led Marcella through the flower-covered arches at the country estate, a swift breeze rustled over the hedges, picking up the sweet scent of roses. Liam picked Marcella up in his arms and spun her around. He always felt like himself whenever they were together, perhaps even his best self. Marcella giggled at his unexpected change. He was different that day…lighter…more carefree. They smiled together looking into the maze, when she spotted a pretty wooden swing hanging from a giant tree.

“Hey Liam.”

“Hey Marcella.”

“Will you push me on the swing?”

“My pleasure.”

Marcella was over the moon. They talked for what seemed like hours, their laughs echoing through the maze. Liam wanted nothing more than to get lost in the maze with her and never find their way out. Liam slowed the swing to a stop, leaning over, wrapping his arms around her waist. She leaned back into him, resting her head against his shoulder breathing him in. Liam tightened the embrace, pulling her to his chest. Looking up, Marcella cupped his check and pulled him over, pressing her lips against his. This. This was what he’d been waiting for his entire life, without even knowing that he’d been waiting. This feeling of being so incredibly alive, like every inch of his skin was awake, all because of her. As he pulled away, he laughed. She looked at him, puzzled. “What are you laughing about?”

He laughed again; he couldn’t help it. “I’m just so happy.”

Today was a fairytale

All that I can say is now it’s getting so much clearer

Nothing made sense ‘til the time I saw your face

Today was a fairytale

Time slows down

Whenever you’re around

Marcella peered over the edge of the waterfall, putting her hand in Liam’s.

“On three? One…Two…Three!”

It were as if time slowed as they both bent their knees and jumped, confident in their leap of faith. They flew through the air hand in hand unable to scream, the exhilarating fall taking their breath away. Their bodies hit the cool clear water with a thunderous splash. 

“Thank you for coming out here with me. For getting to know me. For…for caring about me, Marcella. I’ve never had anyone in my life like you. And now that I have you…I never want to lose you.”

They shared a heated kiss as Liam brought her body flush against him. Marcella reveled in his warmth, running her fingers through his hair, bringing him closer. They pulled apart, breathless, their foreheads touching. They knew they hadn’t known each other long, but whenever they were together everything made perfect sense. Everything was becoming so much clearer.

But can you feel this magic in the air?

It must’ve been the way you kissed me

Fell in love when I saw you standing there

It must’ve been the way

Today was a fairytale

She hitched up the hem of her dress and walked across the palace grounds, making her way through the hedges to find Liam waiting for her at the center. He heart fluttered at the sight of him standing there. Twinkling fairy lights and bright pink and yellow roses surrounded them while the soft sound of chirping crickets played in the background. It was magical. Liam was grateful that she had come out to meet him. It was just as he wished it to be, just the two of them before their lives changed forever. He had so much to tell her, things he’d been wanting to say for quite some time. He had never expected to feel the way he did about anyone or meet someone as incredible as her and he didn’t want to spend another minute without her knowing exactly how he felt. He had never said the words to anyone before, but he knew it was as true as his own name.

“…Marcella…I love you.” He said softly, watching her carefully.

Marcella looked back into his all too serious eyes. “Liam…I love you too.”

Time slows down whenever you’re around

I can feel my heart

It’s beating in my chest

Do you feel it?

I can’t put this down

The stars twinkled in the night sky as they disembarked the boat on their last stop of the evening. They strolled shoulder to shoulder toward the base of the Statue of Liberty while taking in the majestic view. They were back at the place where it all started, finally, they had come full circle.

Liam turned to her, his gaze intense with every ounce of love he could muster as he took her left hand in his. Marcella could feel her heart racing, pounding in her chest. Suddenly, her breath caught in her throat, eyes growing wide as Liam slowly got down on one knee…

But can you feel this magic in the air?

It must’ve been the way you kissed me

Fell in love when I saw you standing there

It must’ve been the way

Liam opened the right box tucked in his hands to reveal a dazzling diamond ring. He looked into her eyes with every ounce of love he could muster, and began to speak.

“Lady Marcella, queen of my heart, I have yearned to say these four words for a very, very long time…” Realizing what was happening, her right hand flew over her mouth.

“Will you marry me?”

Tears streaming down her face, she frantically nodded. “Oh Liam…Yes! A thousand times yes!”

He gently slid the ring on her finger and rose to his feet, looking deep into her dark eyes, his smile more brilliant than she had ever seen before. He picked her up and twirled her around in his arms. They shared a thrilling celebratory kiss as she wrapped her legs around him and he held her body tight against his. He set her down and she stood in his arms, his forehead resting against hers.

“I have never been happier than I am in this moment!”

But can you feel this magic in the air?

It must’ve been the way you kissed me

Fell in love when I saw you standing there

It must’ve been the way

Today was a fairytale

It must’ve been the way

Today was a fairytale

The doors of the church opened, revealing a flower-strew cathedral filled with their closest family and friends. She glided down the aisle on Bertrand’s arm. Looking ahead, she saw him; her future husband, her king, her one true love standing at the altar, smiling, his eyes glistening with emotion. Liam happily received his bride, and the ceremony got underway, his thumb brushing across her knuckles as he held her hands. The pure joy in his eyes as he looked at her was almost overwhelming. She blinked back tears, as she recited her vows and completely lost it when Liam recited his. Everything was wonderful, sweet and heartfelt and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

“By the power vested in me by the kingdom of Cordonia, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Marcella threw her arms around Liam’s neck and kissed him passionately. He slipped an arm around her waist, dipping her into an even deeper kiss. With all the guests erupting into cheers and congratulations, they walked arm and arm back down the aisle. Outside, hundreds of well-wishers cheered as their King and new Queen emerged from the church and stepped into the warm sunlight.

“King Liam! Queen Marcella! Look over here!” They turned as Donnie held up his camera and their lips meet in a sweet kiss, the first of many in this new and exciting chapter in their lives. They climbed into the carriage and pulled off into the sunset, waving….

Today was a fairytale…

“Sorry I’m late. Thanks for your patience, Miss…?”

Marcella blinked out of her reverie and tried to focus on the handsome stranger, who was staring at her, thoroughly amused.

“Uh, Marcella,” she murmured.                                       

He looked at her questionably at the mention of her name, struck with an unexpected, and strangely intense, sensation that he’d met her before.  He extended his hand. “Charmed to make your acquaintance, Marcella. I’m Liam.”

She place her hand in his. “Trust me, the charms all mine. It’s nice to meet you, Liam.”

[afterourhearts]

is this too good to be true

Ever since the epic breakup of my sophomore year, where my fairy tale dream-ladened romantic little heart was crushed to pieces by the reality of a parting I thought would never happen, I’ve sort of been in this love limbo. I’ve jumped from guy to guy, carefully guarding my heart, making sure to analyze the crap out of them before committing to anything, making sure I was the one who cared less and would therefore hurt less if things went awry, making sure attachment did not occur, making sure I was going to find a husband but never become idiotically obsessed again - this was a time intensive and exhaustive process, and one that made me absolutely miserable. I worried constantly about the different options I had for suitors and I worried constantly about the state of my shaken heart and whether it even held any capacity for love again. Anytime I saw potential in someone or they saw potential in me, eventually it would fizzle out because I’d weigh the pros and cons obsessively in my head and then back out because I wasn’t “feeling” it even when the pros outweighed the cons tremendously. I began to become terrified that I would never “feel” again.  I didn’t crave the infatuation that dictated my previous relationship...I think that I craved a real, true, love that would resemble Christ’s love for us and would make me feel peace, happiness, encouragement, and inspiration. But I’d never felt that before (in a guy) and started to worry that this craving would never be satisfied and that this sort of feeling was too good to be true. I resented this craving and wished so desperately that I could put my idealistic dreams to rest once and for all and just learn to love someone and be happy with whatever I could get. I’d talk to my mom about potential suitors and as she caught a glimpse of the anxieties in my heart, I could sense her own worries layered on top of mine and it became so heavy. She told me that I was too picky and needed to get real. I believed her almost enough to settle with the older med student guy who I knew would make a decent living and had a kind heart but whom I felt absolutely no spark with. Mom was happy with him for obvious reasons. I could learn to be happy too, right?

My last semester in Richmond began, and I was pulled away from that potential “settling” by distance. Funny enough, in my mind, I was planning on talking to this guy throughout this semester and decided that if I ended up in Ohio for med school and he also in Ohio for residency, then I would go ahead and date/marry him. It scares the crap out of me to even type this confession out but oh my goodness, friends, I WAS ABOUT TO DO JUST THAT. I’d reached a point in my life where I was utterly convinced that the “love” I craved was the stuff of some Christian fairytale and that I needed to get back down to earth and get real and face reality and be a real adult and that real adults settled for the most financially secure and intellectually responsible decisions (and husbands). A relationship where two people loved God and each other? One where connection was not just emotional and physical but spiritual as well? LOL. Who was I kidding to think I could find that or that I deserved that? Which is why I had decided to settle. Because maybe love can grow out of settling too, and maybe God was trying to teach me a lesson about love that required me to settle. It made me so sad to think this was God’s plan for me in my life, especially because God knows more than anyone how all I’ve ever wanted were kids to adore and a husband I love with passion and genuine laughter in the home. BUT if God wanted me to learn what sacrificial and servant-like love is through settling with someone then I guess I had to just accept that. I didn’t want to, but I thought I had to. 

And then, suddenly, out of no freaking anywhere, a love that was the opposite of settling found me. And I really mean it in the truest sense of the phrase when I say “love found me” because I had stopped looking. I had resigned to a life of settling because I thought that was God’s ultimate life lesson for me. I had accepted a dreary fate. But ... suddenly, unexpectedly, and almost unbelievably ... love found me. 

Let me tell you guys about this guy and how we met. His initials are D.O.R. Last semester, he joined the same small group I was in. We were too shy to exchange any words at small group, but saw each other at a party thrown by a mutual friend named Kevin. At that party we finally started talking to each other and became facebook friends later that night. DOR messaged me on fb the next day and we started chatting and hit it off really well. Unfortunately, winter break occurred and my mind became super distracted. DOR and I’s messages had grown longer and longer and reached a point where I knew we had to DTR soon. We planned a hangout, after which DOR wanted to know if it was a “date”, and distracted/scared little me idiotically decided not to reply to his message because I was scared about the DTR talk. I was scared that it would become real and then messy and then mess up my relationship with him at church, a place where I still was adjusting to and didn’t have that many friends yet. So I ignored that message like the horrible person I was, waited until winter break ended, and then started messaging him again once this semester began, except this time I only sent short/casual messages instead of the super long ones we used to send. DOR, bless his dear soul, has the patience of Jesus himself haha, and still responded to me despite being obviously hurt by how I ignored his question. Except things had changed. DOR was more reserved in communication, probably taking a cue from my own style of communication towards him. To add to that mess, DOR thought I was dating Kevin (the mutual friend whose party brought me and DOR together in the first place) and being the respectable man he is, decided it was not okay to get too close to me if I was truly dating another brother in our church and kept his distance in our subsequent conversations. We sort of mutually decided to just be “friends” even without having that “what are we” talk. In my mind I was going to graduate so why the heck would I start something new and in his mind I was a taken girl so why would he try to mess anything up. We kept talking, albeit friendly and never crossing any boundaries, but feelings continued to grow despite the fact we were trying to push romantic feelings away in order to salvage our friendship. As weeks passed, I began to realize that I could not push away my feelings forever. As I realized the truth of my own feelings, I inevitably started wondering where he stood. Was I as special to him as he had become to me? Did he care about me in the same way that I was starting to care about him? (keep in mind that I didn’t know about his feelings at this point) I started to overanalyze all his words and actions towards me. Because he was trying to push me away from a romantic standpoint (since he thought I was dating Kevin), he said and did certain things that led me to believe I was developing a one-sided feeling. Not knowing the struggles in his own mind about what I meant to him, I assumed the worst, and decided it was time to put the brakes on us real fast before I got way too attached. In what was the most awful week of this semester, I told him I could no longer talk to him outside of church because of personal problems and my own well-being. I think I spewed some crap about how “I need to be around people who really care about me since there are only a few weeks of college left” in the hopes that he would jump in with, “Amy! I am one of those people! Can’t you see? Stay around me!” but instead he jumped in with something about respecting my desires and sent me off with a song dedication (he dedicated One Direction’s What Makes You Beautiful haha). I listened to that song, touched and distraught, but with determination to keep my word and not speak to him again. However, St. Patrick’s Day rolled around after a week of not communicating and he suddenly sent me a message, which made my day because I missed him yet made me sad because I wasn’t supposed to reply. Confused, I asked him why we were talking again when we had said our mutual goodbyes and reiterated my need for our distance. That is when he finally decided we needed to clarify our relationship in person. I agreed. And, on that in person meeting during burger week, as we munched on our $3 burgers and a free Bavarian pretzel, the truth finally came out. He admitted to having liked me but then attempting not to because of a mistaken assumption that I was dating Kevin, and I admitted to having liked him but scared of realizing my own feelings because of my impending departure from Richmond compounded with my fear of commitment and my resignation towards “love is settling with that med student back in Columbus.” We spent like 7 hours in that restaurant but it was the most necessary discussion we’d ever had. As the truth tumbled out of both of our hearts and mouths, what I remember most from that night was him grabbing my hand at the end and telling me how much he liked me and wanted us to pray about the future of us, and all I could think about was “omg he is TOUCHING me” and “omg we’ve mutually confessed what do we now” and “omg...Dear GOD what is happening?” And then, one week later, on March 25, we decided to go for it. 

I thought this was crazy, and maybe I still think it’s crazy, but DOR is different from ALL the guys I’ve ever met. DOR is kind, not just to the ones he likes but to strangers, and not just to societal saints but also to so called sinners. DOR is humble and compassionate, will talk to anyone, is friends with the homeless guys near his apartment complex, buys meals for anyone who asks, and gives all he can even when he does not have enough for himself. DOR is crazy about God, with a faith that can move mountains and a voice never afraid to declare God’s work to anyone who might listen. DOR is playful, always sending funny cat videos to brighten his friends’ days and ready to go on adventures in RVA. DOR is steadfast, committed to his Christ-shaped morals even when close friends have joined gangs and become drug dealers and tempted him to stray off the path he was on, because he knows that at the end of the day he answers to God alone. DOR is forgiving, loving people even when they have hurt him deeply and never holding on to hatred for even the most hateful of people. DOR is encouraging, sending me straight to God’s words when I discuss stresses and calling for us to pray more and praise more. The crazy thing is, I could go on and on about DOR, but even cutting the list off here is enough to see the pattern. DOR is the love I once dreamed about but no longer believed existed. God placed DOR in my life in my truly darkest (emotional) hour, when all hope had been lost and resignation prepared. 

It has been three weeks since we started officially dating, and I have never been happier. DOR has shown me love in a way that I have never, ever experienced. Whereas my old relationship and the only model I have for comparison featured more intense feelings and highs, it also produced a lot of ugly desires and habits, pulled me farther from God, and made me a more selfish and hateful person overall who indulged excessively in that relationship and neglected all my others including family, ultimately contributing to the breakdown of my own morals and identity (yeah, it was as bad as it sounds hence the horrible aftermath). With DOR though, I feel myself loving others more as we learn how to better love each other and God. I feel us loving together and dreaming together and as DOR loves to say, “complementing each other’s weaknesses.” I feel us trying to better each other in a godly way through loving encouragement. I see him love me through a servant attitude and, in response, am encouraged to love him through a servant heart as well. On Easter, we held hands tightly as we watched cute babies be baptized at our church and I actually saw in him a man of God I would be proud to spend the rest of my life with. And that’s freaking crazy. Just a few months ago I was ready to sell my soul to settling and now, here I am, over the moon happy with someone who lights a fire in a heart that was all but extinguished. Is this too good to be true? Is there such thing as too good to be true? 

DOR is...man, idk, but, the closest thing to the real freaking deal. It scares me to say this because the last time I believed this I made such a huge mistake. But this time is different and I just KNOW it. Because I don’t have that feeling of guilt attached to this relationship like I did with that one. I don’t have that feeling of “this feels good but I know it’s bad”. I feel like “this feels good and I know it’s good.”, you know? And this time, I feel like we are walking in the light rather than creeping in the shadows. We don’t need to hide our relationship from anyone because that guilt is not there because the wrong is not there. DOR excitedly introduces me as his gf to every friend he has, and if we were in Columbus I would do the very same. This time, instead of feeling ashamed for my achievements, DOR makes me feel appreciated about the areas I’ve done well in. My ex would tear me down in order to make himself feel superior to me, but DOR builds me up because he wants me to feel loved by him and by God. This time, we also have our eyes on the future instead of solely basking in the present like immature lovebirds. Instead of putting off schoolwork and life responsibilities to gaze ridiculously in each other’s eyes all day, we are instead motivated to study harder so we can prepare for the kind of future we want to spend together (don’t get me wrong though, we still spend a significant amount of time gazing into each others eyes lololol but both recognize this is a honeymoon phase and that we cannot afford to jeopardize our other responsibilities in the midst of this phase.) Most importantly, this time, God is at the forefront and we encourage each other to prioritize Him, recognizing that God has brought us together for what we hope is a greater purpose and we are both super excited to see what that might be. It’s just incredible, because it’s not just about us or about two people staring at each other, but it’s about two people staring in the same direction and looking towards something greater than ourselves. All I’m left to wonder now is...God, is this too good to be true? Because I didn’t settle and I’m in love and I’m genuinely happy and I’m loved more than I deserve and you answered my biggest prayer and I don’t know how to process it yet. But I’m thankful beyond what mere words would be able to express. And God? I know you know it more than anyone. Thank you for the blessing that is David - the blessing that found me when I had just about given up and saved me from a fate I would have never truly accepted. 

#love #settling #happiness #purpose #calling #trust #sacrifice

[promomagazine]

Interview-Ingrid Alice: Fashion photographer creates a wonderland of her own

-Do you agree that you are challenged everyday to create something that has never been created?

Constantly. The sheer number of images that get uploaded to Instagram alone every day (on average 60 million photos per day) creates enormous pressure and an expectation to continuously create images that stand out in a crowd, of well 60 million.

 I do however try my very best to entirely focus on what I am doing and what projects we have on at any given time. Ultimately, I believe in monitoring success by happy clients, successful campaigns, and bookings. As amazing it is to get social media recognition - I see this more of a gentle indication that we are on the right path as opposed to a sign of success.

 -Can you describe your creative process? What do you look for when creating a shoot and do?

My process begins at 3am in the morning, when the world is quiet, I can think clearly and my creative brain kicks in. I often send messages to my team, by daybreak, we have great excitement over our air waves.

Creative conversations will start flying around 5am.

 I look for concept and story line, I am often inspired by poetry, books, music, myths and legends. I look for the “make-believe”, seeing an image in my minds eye, and then creating the visual representatives of that - the story will then transform and develop from there.

 I don’t shoot real life, I’m not an enormous fan of real life. Photography is my escape into a world of wonder and magic. A world of enchantment… where stories are always grand.

 My Team. The people I work with are creative powerhouses. We are a very small team of focused creatives. Mostly however, I look for like-minded people, creatives who share my design aesthetics. People from my tribe who can take an idea and concept and transform it into something BIG. I never work in large teams.

 I look for very strong character driven women for models. Women that are beautiful but fierce. I like strength in my images.

-You have to have a favorite artist in mind that drives your creativity or inspires you, who is it?

Jack Vettriano. His work feeds my soul. I can spend hours searching though his paintings, imagining stories and subtexts in the overall mood of his work. You can feel tension, emotion, love, hate, sadness, seduction, loneliness, youth. I feel like his narratives tell 10 000 stories, each of them different from the viewers perspective and life experiences.

 -How would you describe yourself as a person & artist?

A little peculiar perhaps. Upside down in Wonderland comes to mind. As a person, quiet and reserved, a little too serious at times - most times really. I tend to have strong opinions. A dreamer, a boho flower child with a rock n roll soul with a constant urge to travel the word with my camera and a backpack.

 As an artist, constantly striving, a fierce workaholic. I do not lead anything that resembles a “normal” life.

 -How did you know you wanted to be a photographer?

The short answer is, I didn’t. This creative craft came to me later in my career. I have been a Creative Director for most of my life. A few years ago, I was working on a print publication, where we had to produce a fashion shoot. I took one look at this cool photographer, who spent his days outdoors, creating amazing images, and thought that this looked like a very good way to spend my time.

 Initially I was only going to be more of a hobbyist. However through a series of life changing events, my Photography took on a whole energy of its own. In hindsight I feel so strongly that I could never produce the work my team and I create, had I not had those years working as a Creative Director, and the work experiences that I was lucky enough to enjoy over that time. I believe photography came to me at the right point in my career.

 I do however feel I am at the beginning of this journey and cannot wait to see how my work changes and expands over the next years.

  -Do you have a favorite photographers who inspire you? Why is that?

I am totally and completely obsessed with the work of Sarah Moon and Paolo Roversi. Their use of color and the images they create are hauntingly beautiful and stay with you forever. Tim Burton’s story-telling narrative, simply takes my breath away.

 -In the artistic world of photographers, do you see yourself not only trying to achieve your perfect shoot but also being known for your work?

 All I honestly want in this life - is to create amazing images, work with talented people, and have happy nice clients who I love. With regards to the world of photographers, it is extraordinary to be recognized for what you do, but again as mentioned before - this is perhaps more of an indication that we are“on the right path”. I do not work for anyone else other than my clients, my team and myself. We focus strictly on what we are doing and creating.

 -If you could shoot an editorial anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why is that?

Eze on the French Riviera. The entanglement of the cobbled streets which lead down secret alleyways into hidden squares, with an internal vista of blue ocean skies, makes for a striking backdrop. I can almost imagine walking at night, lantern in hand, down candle lit enchanted pathways, passing Nietzsche, Yeats, Monet, Picasso, Fitzgerald or Hemingway laughing loudly after an evening in one of the small pubs, winding their way merrily down the hill back to their residence. All of whom have spent time in this extraordinary place.

 -What was the main reason that you decided to become a photographer?

After working behind a computer for 16 years, getting up at 3 am and watching the sunrise, while balanced on 6ft ladders, seemed like a very good way to spend time. I can honestly say now, that in fact it is the perfect way to spend time. I feel like I have finally found my way in this world, and it was up a ladder!

 -Tell me about your latest shoot. What was your vision when you created it?

We have the most amazingly exciting shoots coming up and in production. One of them is a series call Sirens, which is re-imagined Neptune's wooden angels, figureheads in the front of shipwrecked ships, that have come to life and continue to stand guard over their long forgotten vessel.

 A project with a mix of digital and 8x10 polaroid. A beauty shoot inspired by the original Grimms fairytales.

 -To be a photographer, you had to undergo a lot of struggles. What was the most difficult obstacle for you when putting together a shoot?

The barrier to entry was getting people to work with me and to trust my vision. This was a totally different industry for me, and not one person was even remotely interested in what I had to offer. I was lucky enough to convince one stylist to work with me on a project - only under the proviso that if she hated my work, I would get another photographer to shoot it. Fortunately it went well - and then I simply went out to work with the best people I possible could. Winning them over one by one on each given shoot. In South Africa, this is a very closed industry - competition is unforgiving. You need to be on your A game all the time.

-Does your personal life ever effect how you compose your shoots or do you have a set schedule/ formula that you follow? What is it exactly?

Currently my schedule is a 7 days a week and min 12-16 hour days. There is no milk in the house, and I’m living a little too much off spoonfull's of peanut butter at midnight. I am hoping to try and find more balance this year.

 Yoga is helping.

 -Who excites you the most (Celebrity) & why?

Audrey Tautou and Kat Von D. Both these women are interesting in a very non traditional sense. The rolls they have chosen to play in life is so undeniably inspiring. I feel they walk the line between strength, femininity, success, humbleness and just downright take no prisoners. It’s wonderful to see women who are unapologetically non-traditional.

  -If you had to pass on a suggestion for someone starting out in photography, what would you tell them?

Focus on your own work. Put your nose to the grindstone and work. Work harder, and harder and then work even harder than anyone else. Find your tribe, collaborate with like minded souls. Experiment and most importantly work on client relationships. Relationships are what build careers. Always be nice and support other photographers. There is so much work in this world. There is enough for everyone.

 Always, always be kind!

 -How is your style of photography different from any other photographers?

 My style is ever evolving and changing. I tend to use a lot of color in my photography at the moment. But perhaps that will change with different projects. I do love colour though :)

 -What are your world-dominating goal.

To continue to work in Photography, get paid for doing something I love so much, and of course travel the world and live an adventurous life - with nice, amazing clients and a creative team that is insanely cool.

 What more could one ask for…. Perhaps to work in NYC or Paris would also be amazing. For a photographer hailing from Africa, working in NYC or Paris is most certainly the definition of world domination.  :)

 |   Ingrid Alice Irsigler  |  084 742 2402   |   www.ingridirsigler.com  | |   Facebook   |   Instagram   |   Linkedin   |  Behance   |   www.bigcitylife.co.za   | 

#fashion week #fashion industry #Fashion Editorial #inspiration #interviews #Designer #photographer #photography #promo magazine

[booksturnmugglesintowizards]

Book Review: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Favourite quotes:

“We who live forever can know no courage, nor do we love enough to give our lives”.

“All my life, I have been told ‘go’ and ‘come’. I am told how I will live, and I am told how I must die. I must be a man’s servant and a mare for his pleasure, or I must hide myself behind walls and surrender my flesh to a cold, silent god. I would walk into the jaws of hell itself, if it were a path of my own choosing. I would rather die tomorrow in the forest than live a hundred years of the life appointed me”.

“They smelled the city long before they saw it, hazed as it was with the smoke of ten thousand fires, and then the brilliant domes – green and scarlet and cobalt – showed dimly through the vapor. At last they saw the city itself, lusty and squalid, like a far woman with feet caked and filth. The high golden towers rose proudly above the desperate poor, and the gold-fretted icons watched, inscrutable, while princes and farmers’ wives came to kiss their stiff faces and pray”.

Vasilisa, or Vasya, loves a good story, a good fairytale. Especially those her nurse Dunya tells her and her brothers on a cold winter night – which is almost every night if one lives at the edge of Russian wilderness, beyond the Arctic Circle. Her favourite is that of Morozko (Frost) – a winter demon that claims the souls of the unworthy and rewards those who display courage in the face of the lethal cold. She loves fairytales and stories because she knows them to be real. The spirits that inhibits them are real – Vasya has seen them. Others in her household might not see them, but they honour them nonetheless, despite Christianity rapidly taking over and replacing the pagan beliefs in the old gods.

Soon, however, Vasya’s harmless stories and games aren’t so harmless anymore. Some years after her mother – daughter of a vedma (witch) dies, her father goes to Moscow to introduce her brothers to the Tsar and to find himself another wife. Vasya’s new stepmother is Anna, and she sees what Vasya sees. But she is afraid. She sees the household spirits as demons, devils. Throwing herself completely into Christianity, Anna and the new priest Konstantin, sent by the Tsar to Vasya’s village, forbid the people from worshipping the old gods, honouring the old ways. Vasya is the only one who sees, who understands the disasters that are arising as a result. The weather becomes worse, the crops fail, the wolves come closer and closer to the village, and Vasya is powerless to stop it. Or is she?

Can Vasya – a fourteen-year-old maiden now – defy her stepmother and make sure that the people remember the old ways and save them? Or will Anna and Konstantin send her to convent before she manages to do anything? And what if Frost isn’t real after all and Anna’s demand for snowdrops in midwinter make Vasya freeze to death – a fate fitting for a vedma?

Most of you know that I have Russian family and am fluent in the language. This is why I have such ambivalent attitude towards books based on Russian culture written by non-Russian authors. Some of those authors, like Catherynne Valente, get it so right that my heart weeps with nostalgia for childhood. Others, like Leigh Bardugo in the Grisha Trilogy, are talented in their own way, but fail to grasp the nuances of the culture and the history. Thus I was apprehensive when I picked up “The Bear and the Nightingale”.

I needn’t have been.

I’ve previously made dessert analogies in relation to reading books, and I must say that reading “The Bear and the Nightingale” was like eating a massive, decadent yet light and smooth, chocolate mousse. There were a lot of things packed in this page-turner, but they flowed so incredibly well that it was impossible to be overwhelved. And the writing was absolutely stunning.

The book strikes a perfect balance – just enough flowery prose, just enough descriptions and metaphors, and just enough references to history to satisfy the reader without overindulging them. And for me, it was a double treat – what with my Russian heritage and all! Although I should say – some of you might find a few “nuts” in the decadent “mousse” that is “The Bear and the Nightingale”. These “nuts” are Russian words that appear quite often throughout the text. Fortunately, there is a very helpful guide at the end of the book to help you figure out what the words mean.

I’m biased, as a Russian speaker, but I never get tired of seeing foreign words in an English text – especially those that fit! Some books, like “Black Widow” by M. Stohl were 90% hit, 10% obvious miss with the Russian vocabulary. “The Bear and the Nightingale” was a 100% hit. In fact, I’m not convinced that the book wasn’t originally written in Russian! It just flows so incredibly smoothly – I “translated” a little in my head and could see how well the grammar structures and sentences worked in both Russian and English narration. Miss Arden, I thus nominate thee an Honorary Russian! Although with the author’s background, it’s not surprising that she’s managed to craft such a beautiful, such a Russian masterpiece.

The book might technically be “fantasy” but it is also a terrific study of a little-known period of Russian history – post-Mongol invasion, pre-Peter the Great. It takes place a few years after the introduction of Orthodox Christianity to Russia (or Rus’, as it was known back then), and makes history and religion both important plot points and significant details of the overall atmosphere of the novel. And one thing “The Bear and the Nightingale” certainly doesn’t lack is atmosphere! I believe that one would enjoy reading this on a cold winter day/evening, curled up in a comfortable chair, under a warm blanket – that’s what I did. Best weekend in a while! I can’t really imagine rushing through a book like this one when you’re on a train, for example. No, these kinds of book demand being invested in them – both in terms of time and emotion. “The Bear and the Nightingale” is tricky to put down! Once you get pulled into it, only Solovey (Nightingale) himself can help you out of it! And that’s only because he would be exhausted of Vasya trying to braid his mane and need something to do.

Like I said above, this isn’t a quick book. But if you’re looking for a novel you could really get into, get invested in the plot and the characters (both the human heroes and the storybook villains), and enjoy the inevitable book hangover that follows, you need to pick up “The Bear and the Nightingale”. To tell you the truth, I don’t think I can wait too long for the sequel! Rating – 8.5/10.

Recommendations

You would enjoy “The Bear and the Nightingale” if you liked:

“Egg & Spoon” by Gregory Maguire

“Uprooted” by Naomi Novik

“Deathless” by Catherynne Valente

#book review #book reviews #the bear and the nightingale #katherine arden #russian folklore #egg & spoon #uprooted #deathless

[jumpsitehq]

150+ I Love My Husband Quotes And Sayings With Images

Looking for the inspirational I Love My Husband Quotes for your husband? Check out the following collection of Top-150 sayings for husbands on love, life, relationship, strength, feelings. Also, check out our Happy Birthday Wishes post.

I AM PROUD OF MY HUSBAND QUOTES

1. “I am the proud wife of one amazing husband.” 2. “I am so proud to call you my husband. I love you more with each passing day.” 3. “Your love gives me wings, I’m so proud and excited to be your wife.” 4. “So many years have passed, but you’re still the same nondescript man with a generous soul, who won my heart. I love you, and I am proud of you!” 5. “Appearances are always deceiving. With your tattoos and bad boy look, at first, my family and friends were all against us, until they met you. You are an embodiment of a true gentleman. You open doors for everyone. You help people with their heavy baggage and most of all; you respect all those around you. I’m so proud that you have proven their first impressions wrong! I love you, my husband.” 6. “As long as you love me, my faith in you is boundless; I will always be next to you, even if all are against you, I will support you. I love you, and I am proud of you.” 7. “You have promised that I will have a friend forever and so I asked you to buy me a puppy. You are the most caring husband in the world, and I am proud of you.” 8. “My soul blooms when I remember the moment when I kissed a frog, and it turned into a handsome prince, you are the king of my heart, I am proud of you.” 9. “Today is our special day, and I decided to send you this text message – it is nice to know that you think I’m crazy, but who is really crazy, it’s you because you have married me. I am proud of you, my love!” 10. “A good wife is a reflection of a good husband. My friends envy me for being a happy and contented wife, and that won’t be possible if not for you, my dear. You give me strength and courage to pursue my dreams, and you treat me like a queen. I am proud to have you as my husband. I love you.” 11. “I have entrusted you my heart, soul, and body, and you lived up to my expectations. I am proud to say that I am the wife of the best husband in the world!” 12. “I am ready to argue with anyone, who says that perfection does not exist because perfection is you. Love you, and I am proud of you, hubby.” 13. “My hubby, we have achieved the highest level of love – friendship, I do not need anybody but you, you can replace for me the whole world, but no one will replace you; I am proud of everything you do.” 14. “My dear hubby, you have done something, for what I’ll always be grateful to you, you gave me a gift – a new life, which is a continuation of our love. You are the sense of my life, and I am proud of you.” 15. “I am a proud wife of a wonderful husband!” 16. “I cannot imagine life without you. I cannot remember life before you. You are the best part of me and the love of my life. I could not hope for a better husband. You have all of my love, my darling husband. I am proud of you.” 17. “I have long been waiting for a man, who will be my support and protection, with whom I will feel equally comfortable while listening to the music of the surf on the coast, and dancing in the rain. This man for me is you, I love you and am proud of you.” 18. “The half of our lives we spent apart, so we were not happy, but now we build a common future, in which there will be only happiness, love, and laughter of children. I love you, and I am proud of you, my hubby.” 19. “You are the reason for my happiness, for my tears of joy, you have never distressed me, and once again I’m ready to tell you how much I love you, appreciate and respect. You are the best, and I am proud of your success.” 20. “I love my husband. I believe in him, and I am proud of his accomplishments.” – Pat Nixon

I AM LUCKY TO HAVE YOU HUSBAND QUOTES

1. “Life is so much better with your best friend. Lucky me, I married mine.” 2. “I am so blessed to have a husband that loves me without limits, trusts in me without fear, still wants me without being demanding and chooses to accept me exactly as I am.” 3. “Have I mentioned just how lucky I am to be in love with you, my husband?” 4. “Every day that I spend as your wife, I realize just how lucky I am to have an amazing life.” 5. “I’m amazed every time I look at my husband. Not just because he’s so good looking (and he is), but because everything that I have ever wanted in life is standing there right in front of me.” 6. “My husband is my greatest blessing from God. His love is a true gift that I am so lucky to open every day.” 7. “We’ve been through a lot already, but we have so many hurdles to cross. I’m just so thankful that we get to cross them together.” 8. “Throughout all of the life’s troubles, you have been there without fail. My life has truly become a beautiful fairytale.” 9. “The best thing about our marriage is that I can still look into your dreamy eyes and feel like the most beautiful, lucky girl alive.” 10. “My love and my life. I am so blessed that you are my husband. I thank you for always being by my side and staying close to my heart. My love belongs to you, my husband.” 11. “My husband is the man of my dreams and a wonderful father to our children. There are many moments when I still can’t believe that I am lucky enough to call you my husband.” 12. “I am so lucky to wake up each morning and see my husband’s smiling face. Each day, we talk and share. Every night, I have the pleasure of falling asleep in his arms. But best of all, I get to love him each minute of the day and be loved by him in return.” 13. “I really believe that my husband was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I’m thankful for him each and every day.” 14. “I am so blessed to have a husband that works hard to provide for this family. I am so thankful for him and his love.” 15. “My husband is the most patient, kind, forgiving, compassionate, funny, sweet, adorable, handsome, protective and hard worker I have ever met in my life. I am so grateful that I have the privilege of being called his wife.” 16. “I may not know where I am heading or what my grand plan in life is. People say I need to find my direction and decide where I want to be…then I found you. I found my way, I found my home, and there’s nothing that makes more sense in my life than that. Thank you for showing me the way, my husband.” 17. “My life started overflowing with a myriad of colors ever since you became mine and I am yours. Waking up and sleeping next to you each day is a blessing of a thousand folds. Coming home to your sweet love is more than I could ask for. My husband, you are the best thing in my life! I love you.” 18. “Choosing to spend the rest of my life with you is the best choice I have made in my life. You are my refuge, my comfort, and my happiness. There is nothing more I wanted in this life! I love you, hubby.” 19. “My husband’s biggest flaws are – 1. He works too hard, 2. He´s too nice. I´m a lucky girl.” 20. “When I first saw you, I have fallen in love with you. I am very lucky to be your wife. Thank you for accepting a flaw full women like me. You are the best thing that could ever happen to me.” 21. “I am the luckiest person in the whole world because I have a loving and caring husband like you. You are the best. Thank you so much for always supporting me.” 22. “Being you wife, I love even a single moment spent with you. You have filled this life with lots of love and happiness. Thank you, baby, for making my life wonderful.” 23. “Your love is simply everything for me; it’s all I need. Thank you so much.” 24. “Without you, I would have been lost somewhere in the race of life. Thank you, dear!” 25. “Without you, my life would have been extremely boring and nasty. Thank you for coming into my life.” 26. “Whenever I tell you that I love you out of the blue, I don’t do it because it’s a habit or I want to make conversation. I tell you to remind you that you are the best thing that has happened to me.” 27. “Yes, I’m happily married and so very much in love.” 28. “Husband, you have seen me at my absolute worst and have loved me all the same. For that, I thank you.” 29. “Nothing feels like home more than the arms of my husband.” 30. “The only thing that can top having you as my husband is our kids having you as a father.”

I AM MISSING MY HUSBAND QUOTES

1. “I’m hurting from within; I feel so sad. I’m lost for words; I miss you real bad.” 2. “Every time you are away, the family misses its provider, your children miss their father, and I miss my soul mate. xoxo” 3. “You are not just my husband. Your love is the ray that lights up my life and the water that quenches my soul’s thirst. I miss you, my hubby.” 4. “My soul mate, that you are. Out from me, you are very far. I hate it when you go away. Come back soon, is my plea today. I miss you.” 5. “I hate it when you come back home late. Loneliness heaves down on me with all its weight. I miss you, my dear husband.” 6. “When we’re not together, my soul feels hollow. My heart feels numb; my emotions become shallow. Like a rainbow without colors, like poetry without rhyme… being away from you are my life’s darkest times. I miss you.” 7. “Missing my husband is the only thing that I like doing even though it makes me feel sad when he is not home. I miss you.” 8. “Watching the rain outside the window makes me feel like calling you back from work and snuggling up with you in a blanket while sipping on a hot cuppa. I miss you, baby.” 9. “My dear husband, do you know how much I miss you? I miss you in my sleep even though you are sleeping right beside me.” 10. “I searched in Google – Why do I miss my husband so much? Google replied – Because he misses you too.” 11. “Night is the best part of the day when I can cuddle with my hubby and afternoon is the worst when I start missing him when he is at work. It’s afternoon, I miss you, baby.” 12. “When I miss you, I don’t have to go far … I just have to look inside my heart because that’s where I’ll find you. Love you hubby.” 13. “The second you walk out from the door for work every morning, this home loses its hero and my heart loses its beat. I miss you.” 14. “Missing you is not my choice without you, there is nothing to rejoice because you are my world and my life. I so miss you my hubby dear, wish you were with me and near, I love you.” 15. “I miss you a lot; I hope you are missing me too. If not, be prepared to sleep on the couch. 🙂 “ 16. “Only God knows my plight when I don’t have you in my sight. Only I know how I feel depressed and blue when I start missing you.” 17. “The sun doesn’t need a reason to shine; the moon doesn’t need a reason to glow, the stars don’t need a reason to twinkle… and I don’t need a reason to miss my husband. xoxo” 18. “Your absence has gone through me like a thread through a needle. Everything I do is stitched with its color.” 19. “I wish you wouldn’t leave me like this all alone; it’s the most painful feeling I’ve ever known. xoxo” 20. “From dark purples to dull blues, my world is immersed in the saddest of hues, when I am missing you.”

ROMANTIC, I LOVE MY HUSBAND QUOTES

1. “Husband, I will love you forever and a day. No matter what, my heart will always be yours.” 2. “I really do love being my husband’s wife.” 3. “I have to admit it – I love a married man: my husband.” 4. “You have given love a whole new meaning. I love you more than anything, my dear husband.” 5. “When I describe my perfect day, it has nothing to do with what I’m doing or what the weather is like outside. My perfect day is spending every moment with you, my husband.” 6. “My husband has put up with my crazy family, seen me at my absolute worst, smelled my morning breath, endured my “quirky” habits and still loves me more than anyone else.” 7. “The most amazing and wonderful thing I decided to do was to share my heart and life with you.” 8. “I wouldn’t trade my life as your wife for all the jewels and gold in the world.” 9. “I would choose my husband in a hundred lifetimes; in any reality; in any world. I would find him no matter what, and I would choose him.” 10. “Behind every great man stands no one. There is no greater man than one that can acknowledge the wife standing right beside him.” 11. “You are my anchor, my safe harbor during a storm. I love you.” 12. “Hubby, you have my whole heart for the whole of my life.” 13. “Husband, in you, I have found my truest friend and the love of my life.” 14. “My husband always makes me laugh, wipes away my tears and hugs me tight. He has seen me succeed and seen me fail. Over the years, he has kept me strong. My husband is my promise that I will have a friend for life.” 15. “Nothing makes me love my husband more than seeing how much he loves our children.” 16. “I’m not sure what our souls are made of, but I know that my husband’s and mine are the same.” 17. “My husband is my best friend, my biggest supporter, my greatest comfort, my strongest motivator, my purest smile and my deepest love. He is my favorite person and my forever. He has all of me. Entirely. Completely.” 18. “Husband, I choose you every day. I’ll choose you over and over again – without hesitation and without a single doubt. In a heartbeat, I will always choose you.” 19. “Husband, I would rather have bad times with you than good times with another person. I would rather stand beside you in a storm than be apart in good weather. I would rather go through hard times together than have it easy by myself. I would rather have you, the one who holds my heart.” 20. “I am completely, utterly, passionately, seriously and deliciously in love with him, my husband.” 21. “I knew my husband was the one the moment I realized I felt safe and sound in his arms.” 22. “Husband, we will finish this life together, and look forward to an eternity together.” 23. “Every married couple goes through tough times. But true soulmates come out of it holding each other’s hands and offering to buy the beers that night.” 24. “I want him today, tomorrow, next week, and for the rest of my days. I love my husband.” 25. “I know that my husband and I have a true relationship because we can tell each other everything. We have no secrets and tell no lies.” 26. “When I first met you, I thought you were perfect. I loved you then. Later, I saw that you were imperfect. I loved you even more.” 27. “Husband, you’re basically my favorite thing ever, of all time, in the history of forever.” 28. “My love, I still fall for you every day.” 29. “A happy marriage is not based on how many years you’ve been together, but how much love is in each day you spend with each other.” 30. “A successful marriage is the coming together of two people who forgive relentlessly.” 31. “Husband, when I lay my head on your chest, I listen to your heartbeat and the only thing I can hear is my life.” 32. “Home is wherever my husband is.” 33. “Any couple can be passionate. It takes real lovers just to be silly.” 34. “Husband, to this day, it’s still only you that can give me that feeling.” 35. ��I’m so much more me when I’m with you, husband.” 36. “The greatest achievement of my life was becoming your wife. I love you!” 37. “You should have come with a warning label that said – Caution: Hot Husband.” 38. “Husband, my entire life revolves around one single thought: how can I make you happy?” 39. “Some of the greatest memories of my life were when I was holding his hand or cuddled in his arms.” 40. “The perfect husband you read about in magazines – he doesn’t exist. That’s because I already married him.” 41. “The rest of the men in this world could learn a thing or two about being a wonderful husband from you.” 42. “I not only love you because you’re my husband but because you always have my best interests at heart.” 43. “So many women claim that all men are the same. Clearly, they’ve never met you.” 44. “We’re a nice pair. Together we rock. Babe, you’re my happy thought.” 45. “If I could write our love story, we’d meet on the very first page. I love you!” 46. “Husband, I love those moments when our fingers are intertwined, and my head is on your chest, listening to your heartbeat. In these moments, I feel truly safe – as if nothing bad could ever touch me.” 47. “As husband and wife, we are best friends for life.” 48. “I love how you make me laugh and wipe away my tears. I love how you always care for me. Husband, you are a blessing from above. I love everything you do and everything you are.” 49. “I knew you were special the moment I met you. We’ve walked the road as husband and wife for quite some time now, but you’ve grown to be even more special to me. I’m thankful that you are my husband, and I fall in love with you more each day.” 50. “My husband is the closest thing to magic I’ve ever found.” 51. “Husband, I knew that you were the one the moment I realized I want to do all of the life’s boring things with you.” 52. “Every person deserves to find someone who makes them look forward to the next day. I am so lucky to have found a husband that makes me ecstatic to wake up each morning.” 53. “Husband, I love you to the moon and back.” 54. “Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a daddy. My husband is one of the few special ones out there.” 55. “My husband and I have the kind of marriage that inspires others to get married.” 56. “Like snow in the winter and sunshine in the summer, I can always count on my husband to be there through every single season of my life.” 57. “In a sea full of people, my eyes will always search for my husband.” 58. “My husband is my solitude, my oasis, the place I go to when my mind is searching for peace.” 59. “And then my soul finally found you, and said: “Oh there you are! I have been looking everywhere for you!”” 60. “Husband, I’m so glad that every other man threw me out, so you could pick me up and show me what true love is.” 61. “As my husband, I want you to know: each day I love you more and more.” 62. “I love you because you brought me back to life. Before I met you, I was a caterpillar in a cocoon. But you drew me out and made me realize that I am a butterfly.” 63. “My husband still manages to make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the entire world.” 64. “I trust you. Not just because you are my husband, but because you are the epitome of what men should be.” 65. “It’s true that marriage comes with responsibilities, but I never feel any of them because I’m with you.” 66. “Times may be hard, but sharing these struggles with you makes things easier. Even the most difficult of life’s burdens are much simpler when I’m with you, husband.” 67. “I used to be afraid of getting old. Now, I look forward to growing old because I get to do it with you, my husband.” 68. “There are times when we may take our relationship for granted. But I want to let you know, dear husband, that I care for and respect you more and more with each passing day.” 69. “My husband never promised me the moon or the stars. He promised to lay on the grass and watch them with me.” 70. “No matter what life puts us, though, my husband will always be the rock that this family leans on.”

FUNNY QUOTES FOR YOUR HUSBAND

1. “I love you, even when you fart in your sleep.” 2. “Marriage is great! I’m so glad to have found the one person I want to annoy for the rest of my life.” 3. “Husband, you are the peanut to my butter and the water to my ocean. You’re the glaze to my donut and the cherry to my sundae. I love you forever and always.” 4. “Babe, you’re the icing on my cupcake! I love you.” 5. “I know it sounds strange, but the best smell in the world is the man that you love.” 6. “I need to start and end my day with it. Can you guess what it is? No, it’s not coffee. It’s my husband’s kisses.” 7. “My husband, I love you even more than my morning cup of coffee.” 8. “I love you with all my butt. I would say heart, but my butt is bigger.” 9. “Your love gives me wings, I’m so proud and excited to be your wife.” 10. “Marriage is a relationship in which one is always right while the other is a husband.” 11. “I have entrusted you my heart, soul, and body, and you lived up to my expectations. I am proud to say that I am the wife of the best husband in the world!” 12. “I love being married. It’s so great to find one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. — Rita Rudner” 13. “I vow to still grab your butt even when you´re old and wrinkly.” 14. “My husband and I are doing a workshop. He works and I shop. Therefore I love him.” 15. “Trust your husband, adore your husband, and transfer as much property as you can to your name.” 16. “Being a good husband is like being a stand-up comic. You need 10 years before you can call yourself a beginner.” — Jerry Seinfeld 17. “I’m not spoiled! My husband just loves me.” 18. “Look, I’m not just his fan – I’m his wife!” 19. “Husband, we’ve stayed together so long because we know for sure that we’d go crazy without each other.” 20. “In our marriage, everything is 50/50. I cook, he eats. I wash, he wears. I shop, he pays.”