#and Diana is also pretty bad at opening up to people but only because she isn’t aware she has any problems to begin with | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

deathsbestgirl · 8 months

Note

wanna hear all you have to say about fire / phoebe <3

oh mikaela, i hope you're prepared <3 (some of this is more well thought out than other parts, tbh the longer i watched the harder it got to put my thoughts into words because phoebe is truly maddening — like you said about scully, phoebe is bad enough for me. i didn't need them to go as far as they did with diana. i get it !!!)

phoebe’s first scene hits pretty hard. because just before she enters, mulder & scully were talking about court, scully was teasing him “must be an x file” and his face is just SO CUTE because as much as they tease each other, i just don't think he's used to it yet. and scully always does it so affectionately (no other motive than she likes him & teasing him is fun)

and it's just. he's so sure he locked the car. he doesn't understand how scully was able to open it and then scully sees the tape. before we even meet her, we see how she invaded his space. breaking into his car to play a cruel “joke” to ask for his help (that's just not how you ask for help, these are adults, they're professionals — i'm so mad about it). phoebe opens the door right on time, so she's also nearby watching so she can get the timing right. it's creepy & calculated. like scully was scared, the way she gasps & jumps. cruel.

i really don't know how to put this into words but “aren’t you going to thank me? …[for] saving your life” haunts me. she does this terrible thing she knows would frighten him (and anyone else he's with...) and then tries to make it look like a favor to him. like he's lucky to have learned this lesson, that she's waltzing back into his life — with a puzzle, people for him to help, a case that we’ll learn soon is all about one of his biggest fears.

and then he talks about her driving a stake through him and she sees that as the perfect opportunity to kiss him (i am not a fan of kissing someone to shut them up, no matter the context. let them speak bitch). waits for scully to exit the car, so she can witness phoebe stake her claim on him. a kiss he doesn't return, but doesn't exactly reject either. after, he tries to move forward, introducing the two women. phoebe immediately tries to set scully against them, against her. “she hates me.” it's an attempt to isolate him and make him more vulnerable to her tactics.

what really hurts is the way it kind of works. he lets scully stick around for learning all about the case, talks to her about phoebe a little, and then tries to protect her — when she isn't the one who needs protecting. but he knows phoebe's games. she will try to drive a wedge between them. she's already started with “she hates me” — it's belittling scully. creating a fake scenario of scully vs her. she's dismissive, acts like she forgets scully is there listening to everything she says. (the way scully always observes him, follows his lead — it's special, and it helps her figure out how to navigate the situations they find themselves in. this is no exception.) phoebe tries so hard to make it just her & mulder, and he falls right into that trap.

there's just something so distasteful about bringing up a private joke in the company of others who aren't in on it. again, staking her claim and another way to push mulder & scully apart, to isolate mulder, cut off his relationships & resources so they can go back to where they left off.

scully sees so much. she was obviously put off by their introduction, but had mulder’s response to phoebe been different, more receptive, happy, excited… she may have been able to look past her distaste. the way he becomes practically docile, which is very unlike mulder except in situations with people who have hurt him, taken advantage of him, neglected or abused him… scully understands exactly what's happening. here, she doesn't even say anything yet. she comments on his behavior, but the only thing she actually says about phoebe is he won't be able to get rid of her just by taking the case to their arson guys. they both know he isn't walking away having done nothing for the case, for phoebe. they both know her motives aren't simply the case. (and god, it could have been so easy for phoebe to be genuine. asking mulder for help because she know he can solve the case. respectfully, professionally. it could have been easy enough to swallow that she's a woman in a male dominated field and uses her ‘feminine wiles’ to get what she needs. but it isn't just that at all. phoebe knows the effect she has on mulder and uses it. it's twisted. someone who has grown would not continue to act this way.)

[i talked about “mulder, you just keep unfolding like a flower” (with welsharcher’s tags) here]

the comparison beatty makes of the case & phoebe:

this is so sick actually. and scully is observing all of it, keeping herself on the outside.

something here about scully making sherlock & watson theirs <3

and oh god the rest of this scene!! this is what i mean about mulder “protecting” scully. the way he shares this … is a lot.

scully asks and mulder answers. one of my favorite things about them. they don't tend to just volunteer information, even to each other, without some kind of prompt. scully gives him the space to talk about it, never says too much but she says enough. her phrasing is SO important. she repeats what he just told her in a way that frames it as wrong and then mulder makes the same comparison beatty did, of phoebe to fire. but in the negative way we're meant to understand.

it's a little maddening that he's so aware. she was brilliant, he got in over his head, her mind games (manipulation, cruelty, forcing him to face things instead of letting him do it in his own time) and it’s a perfect contrast to scully. she’s the opposite of scully in every way. where phoebe is fire, scully is ice. where phoebe is cruel, she's so kind & gentle & supportive. where phoebe is manipulative, scully is supportive — literally so supportive, constantly throwing him a lifeline, making sure he knows he doesn't have to do it alone but (mostly) respecting his choice.

she lets him face is demons, but she’s going to continue working the case. because they're partners, and she can tell they're not going to get very far.

also. everyone should read kae's posts about fire/phoebe. they are the best ones:

fire script

scully is not jealous with kae's tags

scully knows phoebe is Awful

and bonus: i did one of my episode posts lol (genuinely don't remember it oops)

#fire #phoebe greene #mulder and scully #the x files

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mellowwillowy · 4 months

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hi!! i have a some questions abt the lore or whatever u want to call it!!

whats the relationship between yulian and eve or eve and reader

is there more facts abt A-01

also whats A-01's real name if she has one

ALSO LIVE LAUGH LOVE A-01 <3333 >:)

I shall officially nominate you as A-01's first follower *simba pose*

Old art warning

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

Yulian (Adam), Eve, and Reader are the three main subjects of a project called 'Project Eden' led by 3 exceptional scientists.

Diederich, Diana, Castiel (Scientists)

Adam, Eve, and 'Reader' are referred to as '𝙰𝚕𝚙𝚑𝚊' while Yulian and A-01 are referred to as '𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚊'.

Yulian/Adam, A-01, Eve

About this Alpha-Beta in a nutshell: Take Alpha as the original good while Beta is just a replica of Alpha, most Beta's appearance is strongly based on their Alpha's.

Yulian and Eve don't have that much of a history since the childhood timeline is supposed to be Adam and Eve. Due to one thing and another, Eve is set to fall in love with Adam no matter what the condition is but Adam's setting is still unknown. Eve and 'Reader' had a rather bad history because, in a nutshell (w/o spoiler because I'm delusional that one day I will write something for this), 'Reader' was married to Yulian (who is literally Adam's copy-paste) when Eve is set to love Adam no matter what the condition is? Oooh, sounds like Eve is about to push Reader down the stairs to death and make Yulian trials Eve for this first-degree murder ^^

A-01 is 'Reader's' Beta (Well, she might not actually take Reader's appearance since this Y/N based lol). A-01 only has one goal in her life and that is to pay back tenfold of what 'Reader' had done to her. A-01 reconciled with herself and accepted that Reader is Reader and not 'Reader' tho (yayyy).

A-01 doesn't have a name as she is only named after codes by the scientist. But here are some of the names she used: Aoi, Seong-Min, (spoiler), Acquillina (Counterpart Appearance), and so on. The rest are not so important as the most important is the name she used in the main story. It's confusing! It's a story I modified from all the stories I've had in mind since I was a middle schooler, you get the drill! A story that lacks any interesting shits! There is a lot of modification for everyone but they still stay true to their original lore, only a few additions and reductions!

Here is a treat for burdening your brain in trying to read everything.

A-01:

Alright, pretty little anon. Oh, I'm sure your brain couldn't contain this disastrous literary of a 13-year-old but your interest flatters me. I am considered as one of the 4 important protagonists to each respective story. Back then, I was written in a story that is so dumb that you will cough out blood from just reading the prologue, shameless! (Shakes Head) But now, I am given a new role and that is to take the role of an antagonist in the story of, urgh, 'lovebirds'.

I'm sure you will love every moment of my appearance, after all, I take the 'Mommy' role very seriously, child of man, you people never fail to fascinate me with such names.

In short, I am here to hunt down the protagonist, or should I say, 'Reader'. Let's just say I hold an immaculate grudge toward 'Reader', so much that I just want to rip apart their skull open and devastate their little husband.

Name? I can't tell you that. But in a much more light-hearted setting, I am often called Aoi, adorable no? Oh, and should you ever wander too far in this 'library' for just a speck of my information, I'd suggest you give up. The Master of the Theatre and Master of the Archive are not kind enough to write an encyclopedia of me so just send me a letter and I'll be kind enough to spare you some of my time to have a chat with you.

- 𝑨𝒐𝒊

#A-01 the Omission #LIfE Project #Yulian the Corruption #Adam the Genesis #Eve the Regular #Project Eden

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fictionfixations · 10 months

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I don't know how long AO3 is gonna be down so I'm gonna post the fics for WC/DC week for yesterday and today ----- July 10th | Scar Reveal |

Jason often got used to his imperfections. His flaws.

He understood that that thing could generally be a turn-off to other people, so he ended up fully existing in the cape community. Because everyone understood. They wouldn’t pity, there would just be understanding, because they all had scars. They all had their bad moments, that was just how it worked.

Except, he’d gone undercover, as Neal Caffrey.

Back into the ‘normal’ world, where things were different. People in New York wouldn’t expect an art forger to have bullet wounds and knife cuts, but those in Gotham would. It was like an average Thursday for them, and why children would be taught in schools self-defense.

In a way, he was double out of his depth, considering he was effectively out of the cape community, and out of Gotham.

He’d been in Gotham for most of his life, and the one time he left, he died, so there were some bad memories there.

Regardless, all in all, it led to a whole lot of issues, in which Jason was probably not the greatest person to act undercover (he’s pretty sure Dickie-bird would be the better choice to pose as Neal, but Dick was also famous. Jason, however, was legally dead).

So Jason endured.

He’d jokingly flirt despite never having actually been interested (it was why he had so much fun flirting with Diana. Like meets like, gay meets gay– And not to be sexist, but it was generally that girls outside of Gotham were softer. Or at least the ones that threw themselves at him. Likely they just saw his muscles, and fantasized of some buff guy to protect them. However, he’d ended up losing all interest after Talia had taken advantage of him once he’d been resurrected. He couldn’t have.. consented, then), And generally just became the complete opposite of who he really was.

It was freeing in a way, but also constricting.

Freeing because no one would expect the worst of him. No one would see the hood before the guy, and he generally did not have to worry about that. But they’d also label him as a criminal. Honestly, Neal Caffrey’s crimes weren’t even that bad, yet so many had treated him as if ‘once a criminal, always a criminal’. It felt.. racist? Well not racist racist but. That-ist. Criminal-ist. He was failing at his word game at the moment.

So it was constricting. Especially with the stupid tracker anklet. Goodbye privacy. He’d always been expected to run at any chance, and it felt like sometimes, that it’d been a mistake ever trusting some of them because they’d never share that same trust.

But with all his friends effectively cut off from his life (unless he called them on his very non-approved phone), it felt stifling, and humans were social creatures.

It only was natural that he came to rely on Peter as a partner.

Except sometimes he’d have moments where it felt like his eyes had been opened, like he’d dipped into cold ice water and had a moment of clarity, where Peter would do something that made him realize that, no, they weren’t a team. He wasn’t even a sidekick. He was just a CI that Peter would never actually trust, no matter how much friendship they build.

And fuck, it felt worse then Bruce. And Bruce was, well, Bruce!

It hurt like a bitch, and he wasn’t being sexist! He knew some pretty tough girls, and bitch slaps have very much earned their right to be called something other then just a slap, because the sound would fucking echo in a room, and it’d sting like hell.

Truthfully, Jason didn’t know if he was ever gonna be released. Well, the days would drag on of course, but the way they thought made him feel like they were just gonna pull shit to keep him as a CI, with the shitty pay and honestly sometimes shitty people.

Despite all of that, he could get along with some people. ..Mainly Diana. Again, like meets like. She’s faced discrimination, he’s faced discrimination (and even when he was just a street kid, automatically thought of to be a thief. They weren’t wrong about him, but some people kept to their morals even if it killed them). It was cool beans.

So regardless, he’d been mainly content. He didn’t know how much of that was him being so used to pain and dysfunctional teams and partnerships and whatnot, but he could enjoy the silver linings (and people used to say he was a glass half-empty kind of person, hah).

White Collar crime was the perfect place to take a break. Without any hardcore action, he could relax for a second (not that he didn’t miss it sometimes).

Until it wasn’t actually white collar and their suspects had guns, which, fucking hell, he hated these suits (how do people fight in these things!?). They were just a little bit too tight in some places, and it’s not like he could get one tailored for him with enough space that it’d be comfortable because then they’d wonder where the hell he got the cash and assume he scammed someone.

Woo, some pent up resentment there.

Unfortunately, this was one of those times where their suspect had a gun. Hurray for him. Except apparently not all FBI are trained enough to avoid it (or maybe they were but got rusty with time), and so he did the valiant and ‘hEroIC’ duty to take the bullet, which ow? But also, hey, not that bad.

At least they weren’t the ones that really dug in there and would scratch at you when you try to pull it out, so small wins.

Of course, Jason made the dumb decision of forgetting about his scars that when the medical people (he wasn’t paying attention) took his shirt off, everyone stilled.

And he zoned back in, frowning at their pale and speechless faces, before he looked down at himself, and realized oh.

It was another oddity of his. While many in the cape community had scars that decorated all over their body, almost like a piece of art, however messed up that would be, they didn’t have what he had.

Not to be pretentious, but it wasn’t everyday someone came back to life, and thus he had the horrid autopsy scar that would horrify even the most veteran of heroes.

With its raised skin that you could almost trace with your eyes where they made the cut, it made a lot of people squeamish. And for good reason.

“Fuck,” he cursed.

Neal Caffrey shouldn’t have a stupid autopsy scar, and they’d be horrified and maybe pity him for whatever he went through to get that (assuming it’d been done on a live person, which that seemed more horrifying because he knew they covered the eyes, stitched the mouths, suck out the blood and fill it with stuff..), in which he might’ve ruined his cover.

After all, Neal Caffrey was smooth where he was rough, and logically never should’ve been in that big of a trouble to have been hurt so bad.

Sometimes he wished that there were ways to remove scars, but he also knew that his body would feel wrong without them, that it wouldn’t truly be his.

Like how the white streak was his too, and to get rid of it felt like he was covering up a part of himself. A part of himself that basically meant he survived.

And fucking hell.

No matter how hard he puts himself into this role, to encompass anything and everything that Neal Caffrey as a person is…

He is not Neal Caffrey, and Neal Caffrey was never him. ----- July 11th | Identity Reveal | “Your reputation proceeds you…”

Neal had a secret.

For the vast majority of his life, he was a Shadow, an assassin for the League of Assassins.

If you asked him, he couldn’t tell you who his parents were, or his real name was.

Neal Caffrey didn’t exist.

For a while, he didn’t think he could ever leave, and so he barely entertained it as a thought. What was out there anyway? Freedom?

He wouldn’t know how to live. With too much blood on his hands, he never felt like he could fit into a sort of apple pie life.

But then the Demon’s Heir had left.

The news spread like a wildfire, of the heir who left the nest and ended in the clutches of their enemy, Batman.

And for once, hope blossomed in his chest. It sparked and it grew, until every passing day he’d imagine being free, being able to metaphorically spread his wings and just. Fly.

Of no longer being stuck in a bird cage, only being let out with clipped wings.

‘No more’, he thought.

If the Demon’s Heir could leave, could manage to have a stable life even with all the blood that stained his hands, even with all the messed up teachings and trauma, could become accepted, then who's to say no one else could?

And so he left.

He wasn’t all that important anyway, so it wouldn’t be as much of a priority to look for him, but he couldn’t explain how utterly joyful he felt when he was free.

Such huge relief, as if a weight that had been tugging him down to drown had finally lifted. Where he could breathe.

The former assassin had taken up the name of Neal Caffrey, going a little bit ham.

Enjoying things that he never would’ve been allowed to otherwise. And so what if he forged stuff? It barely stood a chance against the body count he had before.

Yet he let himself get caught, knowing if he took it too far he’d be found. Neal refused to let himself become an Icarus, flying too close to the sun by becoming too infamous, and then being shot down by the League.

So he became just another face, until he ended up becoming the CI for the New York White Collar branch.

It was fun.

Sure, it hurt sometimes when they’d no doubt think that he couldn’t really ‘reform’, but he also knew he deserved it. Knowing that they’d hate him if they knew how many lives he’d stolen, over the many years he was in service to the League.

Neal wondered if it was so hard to believe that he truly did enjoy being in their company, however, or if the personality that was Neal Caffrey made his real self seem unbelievable.

It was generally okay. A lot of times there’d be references to media culture and the like, but Neal had been basically sheltered for a large part of his life to where he’d often have not had or seen anything that the other agents would speak about, which would cause them to gape at him in shock.

(“What, were you sheltered or something, Caffrey?”

Neal smiled mirthlessly. “Something like that. It was all traditional, you know? Barely any technology, no art, no music, not even any books unless they were instruction manuals, or something educational. Terribly boring. It was just ‘work, work, work’. Never thought about leaving until someone else did, and then I realized that was something you could do, so then I did. I became obsessed with art, but you know that. I don’t really regret it. I wasn’t really my own person, then.”

“..Ah. … ..Were your parents really strict?”

“I don’t remember my parents,” he stated bluntly. “I don’t even remember who I was before I became, well, me. Neal Caffrey. I’m sure you know it’s fake, but it's similar to new and carefree. Honestly I don’t remember anything from when I was really young. I refuse to defend that place and say it was like a group home or an orphanage like I want to. It’s bullshit. I can’t even tell you if I was kidnapped, if I went willingly, or if my parents were assholes and sold me to them. I’m not afraid to say that that part of my life was hell, but it was all I had for a while. I guess you could say it was a cult. Surprising, huh? Who knew Neal had such a story. But I don’t regret being here. I have so much more freedom, even if I’m stuck in a radius. It’s good, actually. I’m less likely to be found. If my feats kept going, I likely would’ve ended up on their radar, and killed for abandoning duty. It was a join or die thing, y’know?”

“Oh. I. ..Neal..”

“Was that too much? I guess it’s a lot, since you are in White Collar. Sorry for dumping it on you.”

“No, I- Well, maybe. Why didn’t you tell anyone? If you tell us the name then we can let people know and get it dealt with.”

Neal shook his head. “Too risky. ..Now that I think about it, I think I was in WITSEC for a while before I got involved with the.. cult. That’s right. My dad was a corrupt cop, so they didn’t like me much. Besides, I’m more likely to be registered as a foreigner, even if I might’ve been born here.”

“Wait, you’re not–?”

“I know! My accent is so convincing right? I was in an entirely different country- A new continent, really. Doubt I could be considered American anymore.”)

It all came to a head when one day, the Demon’s Heir had come to the White Collar office.

He didn’t even know why Damian might’ve been there, especially in New York, but instinct came first, and he rushed to greet him, falling down onto his knees to acknowledge the other as superior.

He tuned out anyone else around him, keeping his attention on the heir, and only on him.

"Your reputation precedes you, my أمير. Are you going to take me back?"

There was a minute flinch from the heir, giving away his surprise.

"Back? Tell me ظل, what are you doing here?"

Neal didn’t hesitate to confess the truth. No matter how much he enjoyed his life here, you couldn’t get rid of loyalty that easily, especially loyalty that’s been so deeply ingrained.

"حرية. You were able to leave, so I thought I might be able to as well. I am a CI. A nobody. A ظل would've been expected to stay off the radar, so instead I let myself get caught. I wasn't a league native anyway, merely brought into the fold when I was young. I am older now, and I'm content with my life as it is."

Damian stared at him for a long time.

"-tt-. لا. I will not. The rules state that those who wish to leave shall be beheaded. However, I have seen the kindness of this world in the time I have been gone, and thus I shall spare you. Do not make me regret it ظل, or I will come for your head."

"Thank you, my أمير."

“Do not thank me for giving you the least of mercies. If you are caught, you will face a fate worse than death.”

“I know.”

“Stand up.”

Neal stood up.

“I will try to avoid you, so that you are not found. Someone else will return. Be safe.”

…

“Neal? What the hell was that!?”

He startled, turning around. “I.. I think I’m free.” (notes:

Gray Son? Demon brat? idk cult damian likely

Jake Daniels - Two Face

HAHA 7/11 --- like 7-11

https://archiveofourown.org/works/46533643

what if: damian escaping gave neal hope to get out of the life as a shadow (assassin) so he ran and he never looked back

"your reputation proceeds you, my أمير. are you going to take me back?"

"Back? Tell me ظل, what are you doing here?"

"حرية. You were able to leave, so I thought I might be able to as well. I am a CI. A nobody. A ظل would've been expected to stay off the radar, so instead I let myself get caught. I wasn't a league native anyway, merely brought into the fold when I was young and wanted more for my life. I am older now, and I'm content with my life as it is."

"Thank you, my أمير."

(or i could just have neal be dick and a talon finds gray son. or with damian.. but ;-;)

i feel like lately ive been ending up stumbling into writing fics that require the use of google translate because i end up including more languages

and im so sorry if its butchered (dude i know how much it sucks now i was comparing it to a latin sentence i translated and then looked at google translate and it was horribly wrong. it most likely wont get wrong with single words however so im jujst gonna. fhsduifh)

أمير = prince, lord osmething something (or i hope it does)

ظل = either shadow or shade but then when it switched to shade it changes to a something instead of zala so im just sticking with the first one

حرية. = Freedom.

لا = no

looking at google translate it looks like arabic is meant to be read from right-to-left instead of left-to-right which oop ;w;;;)

#read on ao3 #wait no actually dont #fanfiction #dc fic #white collar #wcdcweek #wcdcweek 2023 #ao3fic

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ellenchain · 5 months

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Pirate AU! (I haven't watched Black Sails at all)

47 is a spy working for period-appropriate ICA organization which is really run by the British aristocracy in service to the crown. He takes out key figures which improves circumstances, albeit half of the time only temporary until the position gets filled with someone worse. He unknowingly spreads colonization around, destabilising communities.

Lucas, mercenary for hire, can't bear to live in a world where decision makers tell him what to do, especially if what to do is either be miserable or spread misery. So he steals a ship of his employer Cobb, although officially it sank, dragging the whole crew to the depths of the ocean. He repainted it and hoisted the jolly roger.

Bit by bit he starts to commit acts or piracy but with the goal of fighting against colonization. Naturally the ICA eventually gets wind of that and sends 47 out to take care of the pirate captain.

His subtle methods won't work, Lucas sees through every disguise and when getting him on land fails, 47 sneaks aboard the ship.

He thinks he's getting lucky when a British ship attacks, easy to take out Lucas in the fight. But he realizes that things don't add up and Lucas is no a merciless monster but takes care of his crew, distributes wealth around and offers to take the defeated crew on if they swear loyalty.

Lucas finds him and offers a truce. 47 will stop trying to kill him and allows Lucas to show him the world for what it really is.

The story looks optimistic at this point but of course the ICA doesn't like that 47 is compromised and sends more hitmen and Lucas bit off more than he could chew when his pirate fleet expands and he's losing control of the crew who sometimes commit atrocities because they can instead of serving his goal.

Cue drama, heartbreak, desperate fights, yelling and, if this is a true gritty pirate au, everyone dies.

omg you put so much effort into this, it sounds fantastic!

Lucas would fit the pirate role so well. Basically that's what he is a bit in canon too - I mean, he has a very strong sense of justice, but somehow also agrees with taking hostages (but not hurting them!), blowing people up (but only the bad ones!) and robbing organisations for his own military base (but only the ones doing bad things! Jobs and people attached to them are somehow irrelevant)

So yeah, he fits pretty well as a (modern) pirate 🏴‍☠️

I love 47 as a spy - the best the Crown has to offer. Diana is proud to have him. But just like in H2, she lets herself be talked to after 47 returns from Lucas' ship (and she will join them of course!)

(Let's not talk about the spicy details that Lucas probably captures 47 first and puts him in a small cell on the boat, but brings him food and water regularly and talks to him, perhaps opening his linen shirt with the tip of his sabre and watching him intently as he tells of his plans to bring down the Crown, 47 tied to the floor, letting Lucas do whatever he has in mind and - )

And I do ask to avoid everyone's death, we have H3 as a heartbreaker, that's enough 💔

#Hitman asks #pirate au #this is fanfiction material #but what is time #recently there is literally none whatsoever #we all know I last updated Vicarious in August #and I feel the shame everyday #but I will continue #and in my heart there is this wonderful pirate AU

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moonlightperseus · 6 months

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That's fair, if it makes you feel better I experienced the opposite in a way (I was pretty much directly told I'd have to quit my job, which if I think about it is obvious, but I'm still so sad- I love my job and the people. Part of me is like "it's okay, I can quit my job, go to school, ask for my job back <3" as though It makes any sense to go back to my CASHIER job after completing four years of nursing school)

And that's completely understandable, everything is one day at a time. I'm sure the future will be better!!

I would love for that to be something I'm capable of but instead I'm way too?? Bad at consuming media. Like TWO of my friends LOVE sandman so I was like "okay I'll watch it for you guys" put it on and didn't pay attention to a single second.

I honestly judge that one less I tried so hard to watch Titans so go off. I know she appears in some Wonderwoman comics because I opened volume 8 and she was PISSED about something I missed because I only had volumes 1,2 and 8. But it was definitely largely important. (It should've been the new 52 run) hopefully you like the one you have open!!

I use it a lot at work to make my hands feel right again, that's it. But you're right!! It's all personal and that's what matters.

i have a tag on the first book so I know when it's available and then I'll probably try it. I'm glad you've been enjoying it! And that makes sense I get that (personally if I DO start reading it I'll probably google all the vibes because I hate suspense- it's why I got yelled at the last time I read a book my friend recommended. Apparently I "spoiled the end of Gideon" and "found out the whole thing harrows trying to figure out in Harrow" and I was like ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ but now no surprises)

I went to the library yesterday!! I had to go to work to get something so I just kept running errands so I went to the library and I asked for an online library card. I spent like all night after that just *looking* at my options now. I picked a sad book (my favorite kind) that I need to remember to read and tagged a bunch for later (including, like I said, the Raven Boys- audiobook I think)

i got to issue 11!! I know that's not a huge jump but I decided I was gonna read a couple and then I did. (because your site is so linear, and like just automatically goes to the next issue, it's a lot harder to stop lmao)

Did you read the annual with Harley and Lobo? On my old old site that was counted as something else but not yours so I imagine you did?

and tbch I haven't read ground zero yet, I own it but I just haven't cracked it open. That all sounds great though.

His name IS Jake. HOWEVER he got the nickname Music Man because he just started playing music out of his pocket because the radio wasn't good enough so I started calling him "music Man" and then I heard his co worker call him Jake so boom Music Man Jake. But if it helps I have to physically restrain myself from instead calling him music man *Kyle* for some reason. (I believe it's because of the existence of Theatre Gay Kyle and Crackhead Kyle already in my life)

I know of that too but I also don't remember where it's from. And she IS in fact significantly better than all of them. Everyone knows boys drool girls rule. She can fuck'em all up and I love her for that.

I think, in all honesty? I don't know how much you'll *like* year zero (Dinah's in it but not largely, Diana Might have a larger role? But iirc it's not really the marks you're trying to hit) HOWEVER that being said, it's a very short run so I'd say go for it. I'd you don't like it and it's hard to get through just stop.

Have a good day <3

boy howdy my life has been busy, apologies for my delay in response.

as it turns out, and now i can say it bc before i was paranoid somehow someone would find my blog and relate it to my job and learn the news this way, i am losing my job in the sense that my place of work will be closing end of january. i’m gonna miss my coworkers most of all and a good amount of the dogs as well but i’m otherwise handling this news pretty well i think? idk like i’ve said i’ve been so burnt out and i thankfully have the fallback of being able to go back to living with my parents while i recalibrate. i have a feeling i will be sadder the closer it gets to closing time but for now i’m putting emotions about it on a shelf for later.

oh that’s totally fair. i definitely don’t consume every media friends like/recommend bc i don’t have the time and tbh not everything interests me but if the interests vaguely line up i do try. or at least im trying to try. and sometimes trying to try things that don’t necessarily sound particularly interesting but sound like they could be surface level fun and there’s nothing wrong with enjoying something at surface level. idk. its hard to commit to starting new things to be invested in. there’s just not enough time in the world.

(personally if i ever end up in a time loop i will be fucking around and consuming as much media as possible before looking for a resolution.)

i think i honestly stand by the fact that titans has some really good moments. but it just also has some really bad moments. i wouldn’t say it’s balanced necessarily but god the good stuff is so good to me and i am willing to suffer through the bad. (and to some degree. some of the Bad honestly became comedic to me-though bald connor will never be one of those that shit was god awful. boy needs his hair, i’ll say it.)

congrats on going to the library!!! huge step and i love that for you!! you are SO valid re googling the vibes. i didn’t feel like there was a whole lot of suspense in the first book personally but i also was not surprised by two of the “dramatic reveals” but i may have also been potentially over analytic of the first book so i’m not sure i’m the best judge of character.

ALSO!!!! the locked tomb!!! love that series!! they make for great audiobooks though a little confusing and confusing stuff is harder in audiobook format bc i can’t easily reread bits until my brain has digested them. but it’s so much easier for me to get through an audiobook because i can do it while doing other stuff.(i feel like i’ve already talked about audiobooks so i’m not gonna continue on the ramble that’s forming in my head and move on instead.)

i try to make it my philosophy that any progress no matter how small is still progress so congrats on making it to issue 11. i definitely agree that it’s a little too easy to just keep going thru the issues on that site bc i’ve definitely been like “i’ll read a few” and then binge a whole lot. ah well.

i did read that annual! all the annuals were put at the start of each year so i read them before each year.

ground zero is definitely fun if you can put aside the joker of it all! would recommend!

i have not done any more reading of the injustice verse because again. life been busy. but i do think i’m gonna give year zero a try before starting on injustice2 just because it is so short. i keep telling myself i should start on it and then i am so easily distracted and lately i’ve been on a sudoku kick. my sister also shared this house flipping game with me and it’s fun but very frustrating bc it doesn’t run well on my computer so i don’t know how long i’ll keep up with that game.

ahjsjd that’s valid. i take it he was playing it out of his phone in his pocket and not a very small but very cool tiny instrument in his pocket anksdjs

life has been hectic but i’m hanging in there and doing relatively well right now. hope you are also hanging in there and doing relatively well!!

#comics anon #abby replies #anon #i actually typed this out in one go look at me!

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hocusbogus · 1 year

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Seoul Blog: First Day at Myeongdong

First day in Seoul.

It’s been a month, a lil more than a month and I don’t know if I am still retaining the memories correctly to be able to pen them down here. I do have vlogs to go back to but the details can never be captured in the vlog.

Our flight to Seoul was around 11.30pm I believe, this was my first ever long distance flight albeit its only 6.5 hrs. We were separated during our journey because we couldn’t check in online and had to check in at the counter, when we did that most of the seats were already taken and they only have singular seats.

I had to sit next to a loud ass group of friends the whole flight, god bless my airpods (that I got as a birthday gift from Safwan), I was actually planning to self pamper with a sheet mask and read but I was literally sitting in the middle and we all know that’s no one’s favourite seat.

When we landed it felt surreal, I was expecting cold weather right away, silly me. We were indoors so of course it was heated. The immigration process was quite smooth and we picked our luggage up.

Something interesting happened, I went into the toilet and somebody left their passport there, a Malaysian as well. I passed the passport to Diana because i urgently needed to pee, thankfully it has the stranger’s detail on it so Diana managed to return it to her. Random.

The nightmare begins when we took the train headed to our hotel, and realising that it was all stairs, they do have elevators but definitely not where it matters because all the exits are via stairs.

When we reached Myeongdong, Diana was left on the train because people were blocking her way! It was hilarious but stressful, the fact that the next station where she had to switch platform was full of flights of stairs must be traumatising.

We took exit 9 (yes I still remember) to get to our hotel, we stayed at L7 Lotte Hotel, and while carrying our 25kgs worth of luggage each two oppas came and helped us, although it felt slightly too late because it was literally a few more steps. But, we were thankful for the help though, because a lot of people just walked past us.

Thankfully the hotel were literally 100m away, or perhaps even lesser, it was like 50 metre away, I’m bad with distances as you can tell, how can 100m be 50m just a few words later. The cold air hit our faces like bricks, but it felt so nice.

The first 24hrs in Seoul felt so stretched, maybe because we had a full day and it felt like the day started at 11.30pm for us. We explore Myeongdong after dropping our luggages at the hotel, randomly went into a Michelin Star (Myeongdong Kyoja) restaurant and was so mind blown by their mandu and cold noodles, and the soup noodle I’m sorry I don’t know what it’s called.

Bookmarked a lot of places with “We’ll come back” and most of them we never did. We totally lost it at Olive Young, that was when I found out that my Wise Card was not fully activated, I even reminded Diana to activate her card learning from what happened to Hayley in Bangkok. I ended up not being able to use the card at all and had to transfer all my KRW to Diana’s card.

We also shopped at Baviphat and went to grab coffee at this newly opened cafe on the second storey of a building that I no longer remember the name of, just to wait till 3pm so we can finally check in to our room and freshen up.

It was pretty much just spending time at Myeongdong on the first day and taking in the people and night life by repeating our chant “can’t you believe that we’re here?”

Another core memory was standing in front of a closed down Banila Co. eating roasted squid and being so overwhelmed by it because it was like bottomless and never-ending.

It was the best.

First Day Vlog here https://youtu.be/naZXzzWB7DA

#seoul #myeongdong #seoulmate trip

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unoriginalmess · 3 years

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Untitled Feralnette Fic Ch. 1

Hiya there anyone who happens upon this first chapter of this fic. I would like to start out by saying that this is my first fanfic ever. I've been wanting to write a fic for the miraculous fandom for a while but I haven't had any inspiration until I stumbled upon this glorious AU created by @bigfatbreak. I highly suggest checking out all of their posts about this au because they are hilarious and genius and about 100 other amazing adjectives that could be used to describe them and their posts. Anyways enough with my rant and let's get on with the fic. ⚠️Slight angst⚠️ ⚠️Swearing⚠️

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When Marinette got home after her and Luka's breakup, all she could do was cry. She wanted to be with him, but her Ladybug duties came first. If lying is a deal breaker for him, then maybe it was best that they ended it now while their relationship was still in its early stages. Still, she couldn't help but feel the loss of her first relationship. She ended up crying for a whole entire day. She just hoped that Hawkmoth(or Shadowmoth or whatever the fuck he wanted to be referred to as this week) wasn't feeling particularly akuma-y today, because she didn't know if she could bottle up all these feelings, even though the world is relying on her ability to do so.

Ugggghhh!! It has been exhausting having to be "happy and perfect Marinette" and "happy and perfect Ladybug" All. The. Time. She's also pretty sure that Hawkmoth had discovered the similarities in her personality as Marinette to Ladybug, and that's why she's been targeted by multiple akumas lately. She has had to have her emotions under control even more than usual. If only there was a way to get Hawkmoth to stop targeting her. Maybe she should just not give a fuck anymore. Haha as if! It couldn't be that easy! Could it?

The more she thinks about it the more it starts to make sense. If she just let herself go completely crazy as Marinette, she would be killing like 10 birds with one stone. She would get hawkmoth off of her trail, she wouldn't have to deal with having to hide her emotions all of the time, she wouldn't have to deal with the added stress of maintaining her perfect persona, she wouldn't have to deal with the stress of Lila's lies taking her friends away if she didn't have friends in the first place, and so much more stress would be taken off of her plate! It was perfect! It might hurt a little at first, but it's for the best in the end. She spent that night planning out her outfit for tomorrow, doing her homework, and going to sleep knowing that, in the morning, François Dupont isn't gonna know what hit them.

....

Adrien Agreste had been having a rough week. He had been abandoned on patrol by ladybug, been broken up with by his girlfriend, and was feeling completely and utterly alone. He knows that his lady has been feeling overwhelmed by her guardian duties lately, and that he 100% deserved that verbal lasting that kagami had given him but he couldn't help but feel this way. He was also feeling guilty about lying to kagami and leading her on for so long. After she broke up with him he took some time to assess his feelings for her and realized that he had more of an admiration for her than an infatuation. He definitely didn't feel the same way about her that she felt about him. She told him that she LOVED HIM, and he was so distracted (blinded) by ladybug that he didn't even process her confession. So, he was looking forward to Sunday morning. He cleared his schedule and on that beautiful Sunday morning, he did what he is only allowed to do on very rare occasions: sleep in. Or at least... thats what he had planned on doing.

When Nathalie had knocked on his door that morning Adrien was not in a good mood. He vaguely heard her say something about father wanting him downstairs in some amount of time for something involving a business partners child and some other robotic sounding words that his half asleep brain couldn't process completely.

"I have a cleared schedule this morning, Nathalie. What could father possibly want me for that is more important than my precious sleep?" He asked snappily.

"Your father wants you downstairs to welcome the new guest that will be living in the house for the rest of the school year. You have 15 minutes to make yourself look presentable and I suggest leaving the attitude upstairs," she half informed/half reprimanded him. As she walked away, Adrien reluctantly rose from his nice warm bed and went to go get ready with only one thought racing through his mind: Who could possibly be staying with them?

....

Felix Culpa was not looking forward to living at the Agreste mansion for the rest of the school year, but for their parents' sake they would do what they had to. It wasn't all for their parents either, they were also concerned about the strange "dissapearance" of Emilie (who was his aunt in all ways except blood relation) and about the treatment of Adrien since said "disappearance".

You see, Felix Culpa is the heir to the Culpa Fabric Empire. The Culpas have been the sole fabric supplier of the Agreste brand since the very beginning. Felix's mom Diana was best friends with Emilie since their college days. Diana and Emilie made the deal with the two brands because as best friends who are both involved in the same industry, it just made sense to have a business relationship with each other. Diana never really cared for Gabriel as a person, but she could tell that he loved Emilie more than anyone else in the world so she could tolerate him for the sake of her best friend.

When Emilie went missing, Diana was absolutely devastated and tried anything she could to find her. She invested in missing person ads as large as billboards, organized search teams, tried to aid the police in their search for her in any way she could, but there was no leads, no legitimate calls to the number on the billboards, and the search team came up empty handed. While she was doing all of this to try to find her, she couldn't help but be furious over the fact that Gabriel was doing nothing to help in the search. All he did was hole himself up in his oversized mansion and call it a day.

The last straw for Diana was when Gabriel tried to use the "grieving my wife" excuse to try to abuse their business arrangement. That day, she told him that the Culpa brand would no longer be associated with the Agreste brand and that after the new collection is released, he would need to find a new fabric supplier. She knew that the Agreste brand would take a huge hit from having sub-par fabric, but she never thought that Gabriel would try to make up for that fact by using Adrien as a walking mannequin and locking him up in the desolate prison that he calls a home. As soon as she realized that he was doing this she scrambled to find a solution.

That is how Felix ended up here, standing in front of the mansion they would be living in for the next 9 months in exchange for Gabriel getting back into the Culpa brand's good graces. Don't get them wrong, they were excited about being able to be in Paris, home of the most innovative fashion pieces in the world, and about being able to see their honorary cousin Adrien (who wasn't half bad to be around despite him having no backbone whatsoever when it came to anything involving his father) but dealing with Mr. Agreste was definitely one of the low points of this arrangement.

They decided to just get it over with and knocked on the door. It was opened by the man that their cousin affectionately referred to as Gorilla. They nodded a thank you to the man, remembering that he was a man of few words, and proceeded to the bottom of the staircase. Mr. Agreste stood at the top with a very tired looking Adrien a few steps down. Felix wasn't even slightly surprised that this is where he chooses to welcome his guests, looking down on people must give him some sort of power trip or something. It's almost as if he heard the phrase "It's over, Anakin, I have the high ground," and made that his own personal motto. Whatever, let him have the feeling of false power if he wanted it, Felix knows that they have all the power in this situation and they're sure that Gabriel knows it as well.

"Hello Felix," Mr. Agreste greeted them with the same amount of warmth in his voice as liquid nitrogen, "while you are staying in this house you will abide by my rules. Adrien will inform you of them and show you to your room. You will attend school with him in the morning and I'm sure that you already know that you must represent not only the Culpa brand, but also the Agreste as well. I will be in my office working, do not disturb me. Contact Nathalie with any questions that cannot be answered by Adrien." He finished his spiel and left to what Felix assumed was his office space.

"Hello Felix!" Adrien greeted him with as much enthusiasm as he could muster in his sleepy state. "Come with me and I'll show you to your room."

Adrien led Felix to their room and listed all of the rules of the household that they were expected to follow. And... wow. Felix could not believe that their cousin had to live like this. The only social interaction this kid gets is at school and fencing? Pre-approved outings only with people determined socially acceptable by Gabriel? And if he gets even one "B" he isn't even going to be allowed to go to school at all? Felix knew that the living situation was bad for Adrien but know the only question running through their head was: What did they get themselves into??

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And... thats it for chapter 1! Mostly background info at this point, but next chapter will be the class' reaction to feralnette and felinette meeting for the first time. I just want to say thanks again to @bigfatbreak for giving me the inspiration to write a fic for the first time ever. Feel free to leave constructive criticism, I'm always looking to improve, especially at writing since this is my first time posting anything I've written online, so I want to get better so that I can make better content for you guys, gals, and non-binary pals. If anyone wants to be tagged just let me know and I'll make a tag list for ya. :)

#feralnette au #felinette #miraculous ladybug #ml fanfic #adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #felix culpa #also in case i havent made this clear enough PLEASE go check out bigfatbreak #they made this fantastic au #i would love any title ideas if anyone has any because if you couldnt tell by my username im super unoriginal and cant make titles #if not it might just end up being untitled feralnette fanfic forever

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moonlit-imagines · 3 years

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Headcanons for being Diana’s child

Diana Prince x child!reader

warnings: ww84 spoilers ahead!

a/n:

prompt: anonymous: “Lacey! I see you're taking request for ww84, would you write HC for being Diana's child? I'm not sure you're up to HC though. Hope you have an amazing year ;)”

growing up with so many stories of your mother’s home

that and stories passed down from your grandmother

“and asteria held back mankind in order for the amazons to survive. our people shall never forget her sacrifice” -diana

“tell me another!” -you

“i can’t tell you all my stories! then what would i have left to say?” -diana, giggling as she tucked you in and gave u a kiss on the forehead :)

you had to keep her secret growing up

😔sadly you couldn’t tell everyone you had the world’s coolest mom

buuuut a mom who works at the smithsonian isn’t NOT cool

👉👈exclusive field trips at school

“y/n, can you ask your mom if i can touch that?” -classmate, pointing to a display

“i already know the answer and it’s ‘no’” -you

actually knowing a decent bit about the stuff there

and the people too!!!

“if it isn’t our archaeologist in training, how’s school going?” -mom’s coworker

“pretty well! how has it been here?” -you

“busy busy busy” -coworker

diana teaching you ✨self defense✨

you were half amazon, but you shared many of her traits

that included her speed and strength

*ahem* and badassery

“okay, y/n. you are much stronger than your friends, but they cannot know that. you must be careful not to hurt anyone by mistake or show them how powerful you are” -diana

“so i can’t give my friends piggy back rides?” -you

“i would advise against it, just in case” -diana, chuckling

on your first try against a punching bag

you uh. destroyed the punching bag

“uh...we’ll work on that, yeah?” -diana

“i can’t lie, mother, that was pretty cool” -you

she opened up about steve to you and only you

“he gave me this watch right before he...he saved the world. i wish you could have met him” -diana

“he sounded brave. and really sweet. i mean, at least you got to know him” -you

“that’s true, my love. i am very lucky to have known him for what little time i had, i will cherish it forever” -diana

you were very wise at times. and she enjoyed learning what it was like for her mother to raise her

and although she felt guilty making you hide your true self from the world, you understood that it was necessary

you were not able to grow up as free as she did, but you assured her that it was not a bother at all

you guys totally go on “lunch dates” on saturdays because life does get busy for the both of you and you guys make time to catch up

you tease her when there’s sightings of a woman saving the day

“busy day of work, mother?” -you

“what can i say? i can’t keep myself away from the action” -diana

“when will you let me get a piece of the action?” -you

“your time will come, y/n” -diana

dont let me forget that your mom is super affectionate!!!! (as long as you’re comfortable with it ofc)

kisses and hugs and little notes and alway fixing your hair and cupping ur face just cuz she wants to see her baby!!!!!

oh also!! you can go out whenever you want really because she trusts you to come home on time and knows you can hold your own

“going to see star wars with some friends, mom!! see you in a few hours!” -you

“no problem, do you need money for your ticket or snacks?” -diana

“all taken care of! love you!” -you

“i love you too” -diana

and then stuff got really weird!!! weirder***

starting with the gala that your mom had to go to, you got the house to yourself

it wasn’t all that spectacular really but that’s what happened

meanwhile......

*after meeting steve again* “oh, gosh! i have to call my child and let them know that i’m not coming home tonight!” -diana

“w-what? you have a kid?!” -steve

ngl your mom did not want you to have ANY part of the dreamstone stuff

but she also did not want to leave you alone so ye you had to go to cairo with her and steve but you were really happy to meet steve

“your mom told me that you like history” -steve

“some of it. i do like her history though, i can only hope to see where she comes from one day” -you

“well, i accidentally crashed into themyscira, maybe you will, too” -steve

“wait...you found themyscira on accident??” -steve

“don’t get any ideas, y/n” -diana

“but now we have an invisible jet! it’s like this was meant to be!” -you

once your mother started losing her powers, it was your duty to step up to the plate

and you did a pretty good job for your first time hero-ing

“they remind me so much of you. that’s a good thing” -steve

“the world is not ready for them” -diana

being a pretty badass detective when it comes to max lord and the dreamstone

oh! and then meeting barbara. she was pretty cool

jk she was a lil wild ngl

and it was between defeating her and saving your mother and her first love, you knew which was more important

and your mother was proud of how responsible and caring you had become

soon enough, she did have to renounce her wish

and you had to say bye to steve

“hey kid, it was really great knowing you. i’m so glad that your mom has a kid like you, you’re gonna do great things” -steve

“and i’m glad my mom got to see you one more time, but i’m sad to see you go. goodbye steve” -you

feeling REALLY bad when your mom was crying next to u

but there was still work to be done

she had armor for you and another from asteria herself

and you two were about to get down to business

“y/n, before we go any further, i have to let you know that this is a one time thing. you will have more opportunities in the future, but after this, you should go back to normal. be a kid for as long as you can. it goes by so fast, i don’t want you to miss out on a second of it” -diana

“i know, mother. i understand” -you

clashing with max

and reminding him of the ✨child neglect✨ that he is at fault for

it was a very rough and emotional couple of minutes

but the world was.....mostly saved

it needed some time to be put back together

and you and your mother had to return to normalcy

“i’m very proud of you, y/n. one day you’ll make an excellent warrior. but you know that there’s no rush” -diana

“i know, mother. but you have to admit, we make a pretty good team” -you

taglist: @locke-writes // @captainshazamerica // @ravenmoore14 // @thisetaernallove // @randomfandomimagine //

#diana prince imagine #diana prince x reader #diana prince #diana prince x child!reader #diana prince x daughter!reader #diana prince x son!reader #wonder woman #wonder woman x reader #wonder woman imagine #dc comics x reader #dc comics imagine #dc comics #justice league imagine #justice league x reader #justice league

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cacoetheswriting · 3 years

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lonely this christmas

Pairing: Spencer Reid x fem!Reader Warnings: mild mild cursing, mainly just fluff !!! Word Count: 2.9k Summary: Reader admits to Spencer she will be spending the holidays alone but he’s got other plans.

A/N: starting off the month of december with a christmas centred fic!! hope you like it <3

Being alone on Christmas wasn’t unfamiliar to Spencer. In fact it was pretty much the opposite. Being alone on Christmas was typical, ordinary.

The nature of his job being what it was, he usually ended up working over the holidays anyway. Therefore he never made any plans with his mom because most times he just ended up disappointing her. Being alone at Christmas was fine. Being a disappointment however, completely different story.

As years went by Diana stopped noticing his absence. Of course if Spencer was to visit her at the sanitarium over Christmas she would welcome him with open arms, but he never does. He used to feel incredibly guilty about it, but that too passed with time.

There was no indication that this year would be any different so he kept his schedule clear. However, the twenty-fifth of December approached fast. Very fast. The closer it got the more it was shaping to be the first holiday season, in a long time, the team would get to spend with their families. And even Spencer found himself considering going home to Nevada; seeing his mom.

A tab of the airline website was constantly open on his desktop. He checked it regularly; hovering over the option to buy a ticket.

That’s how you caught him one day.

You observed from your own desk as Spencer leaned back in his chair, one hand still holding the mouse. The wheels inside his brain clearly turning; evaluating all of the options and possible outcomes.

“Hey, doctor.” You called out grabbing his attention. “If you spend any more time thinking about whether you should go home for Christmas, all the good seats will be gone.”

He chuckled. “I guess you’re right.” “As always.” You shot him a playful wink as he turned to once again look at his screen.

“There. Bought.” Spencer exclaimed after a brief moment of silence. “My mom will be happy.” “When was the last time you seen her?” You asked curiously. “It has been more than six months at this stage.” He answered while standing up.

“Coffee?” He gestured to the empty mug on your desk. You nodded. “You read my mind.”

The two of you walked towards the kitchenette in the office. It was quite late on a Friday night meaning everyone had cleared out for the weekend. Only the usual suspects remained; Spencer and you.

“When was the last time you were home for Christmas?” “Three years ago. How about you?” Spencer asked, tilting his head slightly to look at you. “Oh, I honestly don’t even remember.” You replied shrugging your shoulders.

“So your family must have been happy to hear you were getting the chance this year to spend the holidays with them.” The brunette doctor switched on the coffee machine and leaned against the wall while you elegantly hopped up onto the counter.

“Actually, I didn't tell them.”

Spencer furrowed his eyebrows. “How come?”

He watched intently as you chewed on your bottom lip - a bad habit you failed miserably to break. In that second of silence you wondered whether you should tell him the truth. He was always so open with you, honest. It would only be fair to repay him with the same sincerity. So you took in a quick breath, and exhaled it quietly before looking up to meet his amiable gaze.

“My mom and I got into this huge fight a couple of weeks ago. She tried to set me up with this guy because in her eyes it’s unacceptable that I’m single. She doesn't think it’s right that my younger sister is getting married next summer and I haven't had one relationship in my life that lasted longer than a month.” A soft sigh escaped you. “I told her to butt out, using much harsher language than that of course.” Your mouth twirled into a smile; trying to make light of this conversation. Being no stranger to your frequent use of profanity Spencer smirked.

“We haven't spoken since. She hasn't formally invited me over for the holidays which she always does, even if she knows I won’t be able to make it, and whenever I bring it up with my dad or my siblings they change the topic so.” You shrugged once again while nervously dangling your legs. “It’s easier not to go.”

Spencer nodded slowly, taking in all of the information you just unloaded. Shaking your head you reached over to grab the coffee pot and poured some into your mug.

“I’m sorry doctor. I didn’t mean to just lay it all on you like that.”

He stepped towards you. “Don’t be.” Holding his own cup in front of him, he smiled kindly. “Thank you for telling me.” You began to pour the black hot liquid into his mug; a slight shake to your hand. “Thank you for listening.” “Anytime.”

Spencer placed his full cup on the counter beside you and began to rummage through the cupboards in search for sugar. “Y/N I gotta ask, and obviously if you don't want to answer me you don't have to.” He cleared his throat as you took a sip of your bitter black coffee. “Why didn’t you want to go on a date with the man your mom suggested?”

Once he successfully located the sugar, he straightened his shirt and plopped two cubes into the hot beverage. He offered you one but you shook your head, taking another sip.

“I get that it’s not really my place but it just seems a small price to pay for being able to spend Christmas with your loved ones.”

“If you must know doctor, I prefer to meet people through work. Prison systems and such.” You joked, a wide smile gracing your features. Spencer rolled his eyes. “And how is that going for you?” “Surprisingly well. I have a date shortly after we’re back from the Christmas break.” He arched his brow and smiled at you; playing along as you continued. “Solid guy. Only murdered five people.”

You beamed at the brunette doctor who was grinning back. “Maybe I should consider adding prisons to my dating pool.” You let out an over-exaggerated gasp and placed your free hand over your chest. “Is doctor Spencer Reid really on the market?”

Spencer shook his head. His light curls bouncing finely, matching his every move. He lowered his lips to the brim of his mug and took a sip of his coffee before focusing on you. “No, but for the right girl I’d consider it.”

Without thinking you raised your free arm and adjusted his tie. Flattening down the edge of his collar, you could feel his eyes on you. Yet for some reason you were suddenly afraid to look up and meet his gaze. Strange. Or maybe not so strange.

“Lucky girl.” You said in a mere whisper. Letting your hand fall, you stepped off the counter with a light bounce. Spencer cleared his throat and the two of you walked back to your seats.

The next few hours were spent working in silence. You tried to focus on the mountain of paperwork on your desk, yet instead found yourself glancing at the young doctor every other second - secretly hoping he would also be peeking up at you. And he was. Just not when you were looking at him.

“Y/N if you want you can come with me to Nevada, spend Christmas with me and my mom. ” Spencer proposed out of the blue. He got up out of his chair and grabbed his jacket, slowly putting it on. You smiled at him. “Thank you doctor but I will honestly be okay alone.” Pause. “Plus, I wouldn't want to interfere.”

He was about to protest, say you wouldn't be interrupting, but he bit his tongue. He didn't want to seem pushy. “If you change your mind, let me know.” He reached for his bag and threw the strap over his head. “Just do it quickly or all the good seats will be gone.” He teased. You giggled. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. ”

The brunette agent hesitated. He swayed on his heel for a moment before approaching your desk. “Can I give you a ride home?” He asked, eyes locking with yours. “There’s still a couple of things I want to get done but thank you for the kind offer.” Spencer nodded. A faint look of disappointment appeared on his face. “Goodnight Y/N.” “Goodnight doctor.”

Christmas was upon you in the blink of an eye. On the last day before break the team exchanged Secret Santa presents before enjoying a pizza party. This year you had Penelope who squealed over her gift as everyone watched in amusement; you included. Resting against the wall, you observed as the blonde jumped around the room with joy. Her smile made you smile.

“Good job on Penelope’s gift.” Spencer appeared beside you holding two plastic cups filled to the brim with eggnog. He handed you one before making himself comfortable next to you, his arm pressed gently to yours. “I don’t know what you're talking about doctor.” You responded, tilting your head slightly to look at him.

“I like your Christmas sweater.” A small smile circled your lips as you reached out to flick the little bell sown onto the top of the Santas hat on his jumper. Spencer chuckled. “Thank you. You know, I really couldn't decide between this or the one with the Home Alone reference.” “Ah, the trusted Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal sweater.” “That would be the one, yes.” The two of you beamed at each other.

“I’m surprised you know what Home Alone is doctor.” You teased, nudging him playfully in the arm. Spencer laughed. “If I’m being honest, I was more intrigued by the booby traps than the plot of the movie.” He retorted as you sipped on the eggnog; slightly rolling your eyes at his response. “Of course you were. Don’t tell me you tested them out too?”

He averted his gaze without responding, clearly a little embarrassed. “Well...”

You couldn't help but giggle. Slowly, you leaned in towards him so that your lips were now at his ear. The brunette agent shivered as your hot breath hit his skin, however he didn't move away.

“Don’t worry doctor, I did too.” You whispered.

Instantly, he turned to look at you once again. His face was now inches away from yours, and as he stared oddly into your eyes the air caught in your throat. The two of you hovered right there for a moment, not moving and quite soundless, simply feeling each other's presence - as if there was no-one else in the room, no party.

Eventually you broke the eye contact and took a step to your right, moving away from him. Suddenly feeling timid, you took another sip of your beverage while your free hand ran through your hair. Spencer also looked away. His mind racing a million miles per hour; he should have kissed you, right? No. Not in front of all these people, your colleagues. That would be bad. Unprofessional. Would you have even wanted him to kiss you? Did you like him like that? He hoped you did.

The party soon drew to a close. You were lost in conversation with Emily while Spencer was trying to teach Morgan and Rossi some card tricks. Your gaze kept averting in the direction of the young doctor every once in a while; Emily of course noticed. “Tell me again why you’re not going to Nevada with our resident genius?” A puzzled look now present on your face. “How did you-”

“Reid told Morgan who told Garcia who told me.” She interrupted. You laughed at the ridiculousness of what she just came out of her mouth. “It’s like I’m in high school all over again.” She laughed under her breath.

There was a brief moment of silence.

“So, why aren’t you going?” Emily pried. A quiet sigh escaped your lips. “Like I told him, I don’t want to interfere.” She rolled her eyes; not buying into your bullshit. “He wouldn't have invited you-” “Fuck, please I don’t want-” She raised her hands in front of her. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry.”

Glancing at the time, you excused yourself wishing Emily a wonderful and happy Christmas. Quickly and quietly, you headed to your desk and put on your winter coat. As you grabbed your handbag you turned to face the remaining partygoers: “Happy holidays everyone!”. Your eyes briefly locked with Spencers who shot you a shy smile as you mouthed ‘Merry Christmas doctor.’ before hurrying out the door.

Two days later it was the twenty-fifth of December. You woke up on your couch, having fallen asleep during Christmas movie marathon, to the sound of your phone ringing.

Yawning, you reached for the device. Spencer. Answering, you pressed it to your ear and croaked; “Hello.”.

“I hope I didn't wake you.” “You did actually.” You responded yawning once again and gradually scrambling to your feet. You ambled towards the kitchen, straight for the coffee maker. “But I could never be mad at you doctor.” “I’m glad to hear that.”

There was a short pause.

“How are you?” He asked, his voice kind. “I’m okay, no need to worry about me. Shit-” “Y/N?”

“Sorry. I just realised I’m out of coffee grounds.”

Spencer chuckled on the other line. “It’s not funny doctor. I’ve no coffee and everything is closed because it’s Christmas.” “You could always switch to tea for the day.” Rolling your eyes, you smirked. “Right, because I’m such an avid tea drinker.”

There was another short pause.

“How was your flight? How’s Nevada? How’s your mom?” You asked changing the topic, making conversation. The young doctor didn't respond. “Hey, are you there?” The line cut-off. Weird.

‘He’ll call back later.’, you thought and headed for your bathroom.

An hour later you were showered and dressed. You switched on the lights on your poorly decorated Christmas tree and were about to make yourself comfortable on the sofa when a knock on the door caught your attention. You scurried over, without looking through the peephole to see who it was, you opened it.

“Spencer.”

“Merry Christmas Y/N.”

The brunette doctor smiled as you furrowed your brows. “What are you doing here? I thought you were in Nevada.”

“I was. I got back early this morning.”

He waited for you to invite him in before shimmying passed. He set down two tote bags on the kitchen counter before turning to look at you once again. Lost for words, you locked the door and approached the young doctor. Slowly you peeked inside the bags. “Supplies.” He simply stated while taking off his coat.

“You didn’t really think I’d let you spend Christmas alone, did you?”

Your heart skipped a beat. “You didn't have to do this doctor.” “I know.” He shrugged before reaching into one of the bags and unpacking the items. “I wanted to.” He held up a bag of coffee grounds and you couldn't help but giggle delicately.

“Thank you.” Your fingers brushed his as you grabbed the bag sending a shiver down your spine. Spencer froze feeling the sensation too. Nervously, he let his hand fall but the half-smile on his face remained.

“Where did you get this stuff anyway?” You asked as you walked around to the coffee machine. “I packed what I had at home.” Nodding, you began to prepare two cups. As the appliance whirred, you turned in your spot. “What about your mom? Wouldn't she have wanted to spend Christmas Day with you?”

Spencer continued to unpack the bags, neatly placing each item on the counter in front of him. “We spent all of yesterday together.” Pause. “And besides, she’s the one that urged me to come here.” He peered up at you, resting his palms down on the kitchen counter. The second his hazel eyes locked with yours, the flush of your cheeks turned a slender pink.

Not really thinking you ushered back towards him. The brunette doctor watched you attentively. Gently, you placed one hand on top of his and gave it a tender squeeze. “Lucky me.” You whispered staring deep into his eyes.

Spencers smile spread wider in unison with yours. After a few seconds of pure comfortable silence, he cleared his throat. “Do you think your prisoner boyfriend would mind if I asked you out on a date?” A faint giggle escaped your lips as the shade of your jowl turned from pink to bright red. “Even if he does-” You took another step towards Spencer, closing the space between you. “-I think you could handle him.”

Spencer chuckled. Using his free hand, he placed a loose strand of your hair behind your ear. His thumb stroked your cheek in the process and you angled into his pleasant touch.

“Thank you for being here.” You muttered, unintentionally chewing on your bottom lip.

He cupped your face as his gaze moved briefly down to your mouth before once again locking with yours. “Thank you for having me.” His voice soothing, not quite matching the fervour in his eyes.

In the space of a single heartbeat, he leaned down and his lips crushed against yours passionately. You let go of his hand and placed both your palms on his chest; tugging lightly at his shirt to try and pull him in even closer. Spencer did not waste a second, his now free arm moved elegantly around your waist.

The two of you pulled away breathlessly. He gently pressed his forehead to yours as you smiled. “Merry Christmas doctor.” “Merry Christmas Y/N.”

masterlist

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jeweled-blue-eyes · 3 years

Note

I thought I was a loner in finding it weird that Diana, who has been portrayed throughout the series through Claude's memos as a literal goddess in Claude's eyes, with discourses pointing out that claude literally WORSHIPPED her, happens to be addressing claude as "his majesty". Like I thought she was the only person with whom he could explore true intimacy. And their very addressal indicates class-distinction. Athy says she too "likes" him. Feels like they weren't intimate either. Sex≠intimacy

Right? It's odd isn't it? Many of us had been headcanoning that Claude and Diana gave each other pet names when they weren't even on first name basis.

"I thought she was the only person with whom he could explore true intimacy."

I'll be frank. I cannot believe that they ever experience true ultimate intimacy. Claude is the kind of person who has a hard time opening up. (It took Athy almost 10 years.) Even pre dark magic! Claude would not show this degree of vulnerability towards Diana only after 1-2 years, considering the amount of trauma & betrayal he endured. I doubt he ever talked with Diana about the things the Empress or Anastacius had done to him. Even with Athy he preferred to show her his memories over talking because he knew he was just that bad with words.

Remember the memories she got when she was in coma? How Claude treated Diana after she got pregnant and when she refused to abort Athy?

"I almost died today, miss. [...] It would be nice if I could talk to you in these dreams..."I" can only stand here staring at her. And this dream ends when "I" turn around and leave the room as if I don't know her."

Claude had been ignoring Diana for quite some time. And when he does finally gather the courage to speak to her he says this:

"I have lost. It feels as if I had been played by you all along. I'll beg if you want me to. [..] Yes, I'm aware this is nothing but a stupid game of emotions. But knowing that I still end up showing all my cards again."

To him everything is either a game or a competition (example: Anastacius & Claude (power), Penelope & Claude (love)). There has to be a loser or a winner and up until now he preferred to win. I also find it strange that the first thing he says after ignoring her for days, perhaps even weeks or months is an accusation. He accuses Diana of playing with his heart, implying that she wants him to lose his dignity and beg as if it was his life at stake and not hers. Not to mention he indirectly compares her to his bad ex. For me that's a sign that he never fully understood her character at all. And even Diana is suprised at his outburst. She too did not see all sides of him. Not even when she died.

For me intimacy means that you can talk about anything and you know how another person can react in a certain situation. Diana & Claude are supposed to be soulmates yet she didn’t recognize that Claude was in no position to raise her child. When he already tried to pretend Diana didn’t exist before she died, that should ring an alarm bell, that he might try to use, I dunno magic, to forget her and her child when she dies? I mean he is an accomplished magicean?? He was also known to murder and torture people after he rose to power. 0/10 no dad material.

(at least at that time)

As for the class distinction...Claude needs a woman who is equal to him. It doesn’t have to be status, if he would’ve just allowed Diana to treat him equally, then I could’ve maybe considered them as a couple.

Actually I wouldn’t have minded if the author had gone all in with yandere toxicness. it’s just confusing how she is sending me mixed signals about their relationship: one one hand we are supposed to think they are soulmate couple goals on the other hand Claude is pretty much the texbook definition of an abusive parent (without the physical abuse aspect). It’s contradicting.

I’m very puzzled because I know that’s not what the author wants us to think, but it’s what comes across. The pure love faction™ (Claude & Claudiana stans) and the Critics™ are simultaneously in the right and in the wrong with their interpretation of Claude’s character.

#claude criticism #<- tagging this now so you can avoid it if you want #answered asks #anon #wmmap #who made me a princess #sbapod #suddenly became a princess one day #claude de alger obelia #claudiana discourse

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whatanoof · 3 years

Text

I Wished for your Happiness

Rating: Teen

Pairing: Maxwell Lord x Reader

Word Count: ~1.6k

A/N: What if instead of Alistair wishing for his father’s greatness, he wished for his father to be happy in a universe where Reader died years prior?

I’ll admit, I was inspired by the Diana x Steve dynamic, and wanted Maxwell to have to go through the same emotional rollercoaster.

“Then I wish for your happiness, Daddy.”

---

“Max!” Your eyes fly open and you bolt straight upright in a strange bed. A strangled gasp tears into your throat and you claw at your chest, searching for the source of the phantom pain. Something isn’t right.

You tear the covers off of your legs, stumbling onto the hardwood floor of a strange bedroom, in strange clothes, in a strange home. Where are you? The last thing you remember is the cold sterility of the hospital and Max’s tearful eyes. He was holding your hand, and his palm was sweaty, but you latched onto that sensation because it was better than focusing on the gaping hole in your chest.

But, this isn’t the hospital. And as you look out the window, you see that it’s not even New York. The Washington Monument shines in the distance. You’re in D.C. How did you get here? Where’s Max? A cold dread settles into your chest, where the phantom pain still throbs as your only tie to the memory that… you died. You’re hyperventilating, raggeds breaths dragging in and out of your chest. Have to calm down, find out what’s going on. You clutch your chest as you stumble back to sit on the bed. You died. So how…? Is this the afterlife?

There’s a mirror on the wall right outside of the bedroom. The woman staring back at you from the reflective glass isn’t you. This isn't your body. She has the same hair, similar features, and roughly the same body type, but it’s not you. Jesus Christ, you need to find Max. He’ll know what’s going on, and even if he doesn’t it will all be okay when you’re home with him again.

With new purpose in your stride, you walk to the closet, dress, and leave the apartment. You thank whatever god is out there for dropping you into a body so similar to your old one, because if you had needed to acclimatize to moving in a different weight and balance, you wouldn’t have made it out the door. It’s the small blessings.

Have to find Max. You get outside and start walking before you realize that you have no idea where you’re walking to. It doesn’t seem to matter, though, because it’s like your body knows. It guides you down a street full of stores. Their windows are glaringly bright and colorful, boasting newer high-tech televisions and home tools. You catch a glimpse of a newspaper headline. It’s been two years since you died. Alistar will be so big now. Alistair.

You can’t believe it took you so long to remember the small boy with stars in his eyes. When you had first started dating Maxwell, he had made it clear to you that Alistair was a given in his life. You hadn’t minded, but as you found yourself falling for Max, you also found yourself falling in love with his son’s bright optimism and mischievous smiles. It seems that your memories are coming back selectively, but slowly.

A bright television screen catches your eye, and you slow down. There he is. He’s got a few more wrinkles, and his hair has been re-dyed recently, but that’s your Maxwell on the screen. Apparently, Black-Gold Corporation took off, just as he said it would. That’s where you will find him, you feel it just as strongly in your heart as the constant aching pain. Now, if only you could begin to find it.

---

The front office is a flurry of activity, with people shouting on phones and paper flying into the air with the constant breeze that seems to exist. It’s a product of the doors opening and shutting, and workers power-walking through the lobby, and it’s making it hard for you to focus or keep standing at all, because as soon as you walked through the doors, the force that guided you here has left, and all you have left to stand on is shaky legs that weren’t yours two hours ago. You approach the front desk tentatively, “Excuse me?”

The harried looking woman barely glances at you before shoving a form your way. “Mr. Lord is very busy right now ma’am, so if you will just fill out the form stating intent for your purchase of shares, we will add you to the waiting list.”

“Um, I don’t want to purchase shares.”

She stops then, and her piercing stare bores into you, “Well, I am very busy right now, so if there is nothing else…?”

A child’s voice screams your name, loud enough that everyone’s head turns to the source standing at the elevator with a pretty blond woman.

“Alistair!” You almost sob when you see him. You were right, he is so big, but he still has the same eyes and brilliant smile. He breaks into a run, and you rush towards him too, meeting in a bruising hug in the center of the room.

“You’re back! How are you back?” He’s crying, and you swipe the tears messily with your thumb as you fight to keep your own composure strong.

“I don’t know, Ali. I don’t know.” Fuck it. You let yourself cry. He’s here, you’re not alone anymore. “How did you recognize me, Ali, I’m not--”

He pulls away then and grabs your hands, a sternness beyond his years on his face. “You have to come. Something’s wrong with Daddy.” Cold dread spikes through your chest, and you stand wordlessly.

---

If you thought the front office was bad, the upper bullpen is an absolute hurricane of motion and voices. Alistair anchors you to reality, his tiny but strong hand leading you to a large frosted glass wall. There’s a door, and he pulls it open without hesitation. There are two men in the room, one relaxing in an armchair and the other poised behind a large desk. They stop talking when you enter, and you almost freeze with the severity of the gazes that land on you as Alistair shoves into the office. But the little boy is undeterred, marching right over to the man behind the desk and placing your hand into his.

“Alistair!” Max chuckles nervously, his gaze darting over to his apparent client. “Who is this?”

You’re frozen in time, gasping like a beached goldfish as you stare at Maxwell. You’d seen him on the television, but now he’s right here, and he’s so familiar and unfamiliar at the same time that you don’t know how your borrowed brain will ever be able to process it.

“She’s back” is all Alistair says before looking expectantly at you.

“Max?” You whisper.

He looks blankly at you for a second, “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

He doesn’t recognize you. How could he, when your real body is probably buried in a cemetery somewhere? Your heart sinks, but there is one thing you could try. “Lorrie, it’s me.”

His worried brow creases at the nickname, “How do yo--” He stops, and recognition floods his face like headlights. “No. That’s impossible.” He turns to the man in the chair across from the desk, “Get out.”

The man all but hightails it out of there, but you’re only vaguely aware of it because you can’t seem to tear your eyes away from Max, who’s apparently having a crisis.

He chuckles, the look in his eyes slightly wild as he shakes a finger at you, “That was a clever trick. I don’t know how you did it, but you won’t fool me. Amazing, how you changed your appearance like that--”

“Lorrie, please. I know I don’t look like me, but the last thing I remember is the accident. And the hospital.” You choke back a whimper at the memory of the burning pain, and the phantom in your chest pulses brighter and sends another streak of agony through your body. “I’m back. I don’t know how.”

“No, no no no no, you died. I buried you.” His hand falls away from yours, and he begins pacing. He whips back to you suddenly, “I’m hallucinating. This is all some figment of imagination, right? From the stone, that stone. I knew there could be side-effects like this but--”

“Lorrie.” You know that you shouldn’t push while he’s in this state of desperate rationalization, so you simply try to pack every vulnerable emotion into that one word. You try to implicate every feeling you’ve ever had for him, those mornings waking up next to him, the sunny picnics around the Washington Monument with Alistair, and the heat that you felt every night with him.

“Tell me you’re not here.” He grabs your hand, kneeling in front of you as he presses it to his forehead. His hair tickles your fingers, and you raise your other hand to brush it out of his face. “Tell me that you’re not her. Because if you’re back... “ He takes a shaky breath. “I didn’t wish for it.”

“I wished for you to be happy, Daddy.” You had almost forgotten that Alistair was still here. His eyes are staring through you to your soul, his lower lip is trembling and he’s shifting from side to side as he watches you. “She made you happy.”

Max’s head snaps up at that, focusing first on his son, then turning to you with a piercing intensity. All you can do is shrug at the silent question in his eyes, “I woke up like this?”

The joke falls flat, but it’s all that he needs. His arms are around you before you can blink, his nose burrowed into the crook of your neck. Alistair collides with your leg, his other arm going to hook around his father’s, and you relax into the hug. Your arm settles on Alistair’s head, and you stroke his hair. You let out a breath that you didn’t know that you’d been holding, because it’s all going to be fine now. Come what may, you’re together. You’ll do anything within your power to hold onto your regained treasure.

#maxwell lord x reader #maxwell lord x you #alistair lord #fluff #lil bit of angst #hc that kids are pure enough to see through the stone glamour for resurrected loved ones #alistair is nothing if not pure

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rachaelswrites · 3 years

Text

Green Light, Red Light

Spencer Reid x daughter!reader

Based on Criminal Minds Season 12 Episodes 21 and 22 “Green Light” and “Red Light”

Word Count: 1,796

Warnings: kidnapping, gun violence

A/n: Part of the Episode series (also was a request)

You were used to seeing Cassie in the mornings, but today she wasn’t there. There was another girl, but she looked too young to be a nurse.

“Where’s Cassie?” you asked. Your gut told you something was wrong and your dad always said to trust your gut.

“Cassie isn’t here today,” the nurse said, “I’m Carol,” she stuck her hand out for you to shake but you declined.

“I’m sorry about her. She’s so much like her father,” Diana said, resting her hand on your shoulder.

Carol bent down in front of you, “Speaking of your dad, I’m taking you two to visit him today. Would you like that?” she was talking to you like a child. You were technically a child, being only twelve but you were a lot smarter than kids your age.

You shook your head, “No. JJ or Emily always take me.”

“Don’t be silly Y/n,” Diana said, “Let’s go see Spencer.”

You had no choice but to comply. Maybe this could be your way to warn your dad about what was happening. On the bus ride to the prison you sat in between Carol and your grandmother.

“Come on Y/n, smile a little. We’re seeing your dad today,” Carol was trying to get you to trust her, but you were too smart.

“I don’t care,” you moved seats away from her, “I don’t like you,” you said under your breath. The lady you were now sitting next to you heard what you said and laughed a little.

You noticed as you were walking down the hallways to the visiting room, Carol acting strange. She would walk on different sides of the hallways and look down at certain times. You knew there was something up.

You got to visit Spencer first. You were sitting in a chair and your dad was pushed inside. He didn’t look like himself, he looked like he hadn’t slept in days, “Dad!” you reached out to hug him but he stopped you.

“We can’t touch,” he nodded over to the guard watching you two, “I’m sorry,” he sat down on the chair across from you, “What’s wrong? You look upset?”

“I mean my dad is in prison so, sorry if I’m upset about that.”

“Besides that. Tell me if I can do anything.”

You sighed, “I don't know. Something just feels off about the nurse.”

Spencer raised his eyebrows, “I thought you liked her?”

“I’ve never met her before dad.”

Spencer leaned forward towards you. He had done some reading about kids acting up when something happened with their parents but this was something else, “Stop messing around Y/n,” he said seriously, “If something's going on, tell me.”

“I just did! I don’t know any Carols,” you didn’t understand why he was getting mad at you.

“Who’s Carol?”

“Cassie’s replacement? Carol said you hired her?” you knew for sure there was something wrong now, based on the look on your dad’s face.

“Y/n, I didn’t hire anyone besides Cassie.” Spencer was now confused himself. What were you talking about?

“But-” you were interrupted by the door opening and Carol walked in.

“Come on Y/n, we have to go now,” she said, reaching her hand out for you.

Spencer grabbed onto you tightly, ignoring the no touching rule, “Y/n, no.”

“Dad?”

“Spencer I’m sorry but I have to get her back now. She has school tomorrow. I wish you could have more time,” Carol faked her sympathy. She knew Spencer would recognize her. This was her way of throwing him off.

“She’s not leaving with you,” he turned to the guard, “I need Emily and my lawyer here. My daughter isn’t going back with her,” he was still holding onto you, “She’s not leaving here.”

“Back off inmate,” the guard said, pulling you away from him. He gently shoved you to the door and into Carol’s arms. She tried to wrap her arms around you but you pushed her off.

“I want to stay!” you yelled but the door was already closed in your face. Carol grabbed you and started walking towards the exit. Diana was nowhere to be found. You heard your dad yelling for you but there was nothing you could do. Surprisingly Carol was a lot stronger than you and it was hard to get her hands off.

“Diana said you were a good kid. I guess she was wrong.” she sneered.

“You’re not who you say you are. Why didn’t my dad want me with you?”

She laughed, “I’ll tell you later. We have someplace to be.”

~~~~~

Carol told you her real name was Lindsey and your dad worked a case that she was a part of. Lindsey had taken you and Diana captive. She put Diana in the truck of the car and put you in the passenger seat, “If anyone asks, I’m your babysitter. If you yell for help, I’ll kill her,” she gestured toward the trunk of the car as she got out at the gas station.

“Can I get some air? I get car sick.”

“Sure. Just stay by the car.”

You knew the team would realize you were kidnapped and would put out an AMBER alert on you, hopefully someone would recognize you. Lindsey had dyed her hair and cut yours. There was another person filling up his car. He smiled at you and then at Lindsey. You heard the AMBER alert go off on the guys phone and on Lindsey's. She checked it and whipped her head up to you, “Get in the car. Now!” she hissed.

You did as she told you and climbed back into the passenger's seat.

“I think I see the people you’re looking for,” the guy had called the cops and was reporting you two, “Their hair is different but I’m pretty sure it’s them. I’m at a gas sta-” before he could finish, Lindsey shot him.

You jumped back out of the car, “Why did you do that?”

“Are you really that stupid? Get back in the car,” she pointed the gun at you and shot. It just grazed your arm. Enough to scare you and make you bleed, “Put pressure on it. I need you alive.”

You scrambled back into the car and found some napkins to cover the wound. Her phone rang and she answered. Her gaze kept shifting from you to the trunk. She opened the driver’s side and shoved the phone at you, “Speak.”

“Hello?” your voice was shaky.

“Y/n? Is that you? Are you ok?”

“Dad! Please help me.”

Lindsey took the phone back, “She’s alive,” she hung up and got back in the car, grabbing gasoline. She poured it around the car and opened the trunk. She yanked Diana out and shoved her into the guy’s truck. She walked around to your door and did the same. She then set the gas station and drove off, leaving the building burning behind you.

Once at your new location, you were met by another man. He grabbed you, while Lindsey had Diana.

“I thought they weren’t supposed to be harmed,” the man said, motioning to the napkins that were placed on your arm.

“She’s a brat and needed to be shut up,” she replied

“And you’re a bitch.” you responded.

The man laughed but Lindsey grabbed you roughly by your hair, “Keep talking like that and I’ll make sure you die slowly,” she let you go and shoved you forward, making you fall.

“If your intention was to not hurt me, you’re doing an awful job,” you stood up and brushed yourself off.

They led you into the cabin and tied you and Diana up in one of the bedrooms.

“Y/n, you look awful,” she wasn’t in one of her clear head moments so she didn’t really understand what was happening.

“Well, being kidnapped that happens.” you said blatantly. Not really thinking about softening the blow.

Diana’s eyes grew in shock, “We’re kidnapped? How’d we get here? Where’s Spencer, is he coming?”

You shrugged. You could tell the injury in your arm was getting to you, because you were growing tired, “I’m sure the team’s working on it. They’ll get here,” you slurred. You heard Diana try to tell you something but you lost consciousness.

You weren’t sure how long you were out but you remember being woken up by someone shaking you and calling for a medic. You opened your eyes groggily and saw a familiar face, “Emily?” you tried to move but you were still bound to the chair.

“Oh Y/n, let’s get you out of here,” she helped Rossi untie you and helped you stand up, “Can you walk?”

You shook your head and she carefully lifted you into her arms, “Is my dad here?”

“He’s at Quantico. He’s been worried about you,” everyone was worried about you. There was no way Spencer would be able to handle losing either you or his mother.

“I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do,”

She set you on one of the gurneys that the medics had brought out, “You did everything right. Spencer would be proud,” she lifted your head up with her hands, getting a good look at your injuries, “They really did a number on you huh?”

You nodded and laid back on the gurney, “Can I see him soon?”

“Yeah. The medics just need to check you out,” she followed as the medics wheeled you into the ambulance, “I’ll stay with you if you want,”

You nodded again and she stepped into the back, sitting next to you.

Your injuries weren’t bad so they were able to patch you up in the ambulance. Emily was with you in the elevator. Diana was cleared before you so she got back sooner.

“Excited much?” Emily teased since you were bouncing up and down on your heels.

“Sorry. It’s just been so long since I saw him as a normal person,” you explained. Emily placed her hand on your shoulder as the doors opened. The rest of the team was waiting for you.

The doors had just barely opened before your dad pulled you into a huge bear hug. He wrapped his arms completely around you and rested his chin on the top of your head, “Oh my god Y/n, I’m so sorry,” he kissed the top of your head and pulled away, “This never should've happened to you,” he looked you over and saw the bruises on your wrists and the bandage on your arm.

You noticed his gaze had shifted to your arm and you placed your hand over it, “I’m fine dad. I’m just glad everyone’s ok.”

He pulled you back into a hug, “I’m never leaving you again like this. Ever,”

Taglist

@ssebstann @peachyprincessss @emmy-writes-sometimes @dudele @kerrswriting @laura-naruto-fan1998

#x daughter!reader #x teen!reader #spencer reid daughter #spencer reid x teen #spencer reid x daughter!reader #spencer reid fic #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid #criminal minds fanfiction #criminal minds fic #criminal minds #bau #episode

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elisaphoenix13 · 3 years

Text

Consequences Of Pitching Practice

"Bah!"

"That's all well and good but you still haven't given me the screwdriver."

"Nnmmmnnn." Lucy answers while slobbering all over said screwdriver.

Tony huffs fondly. "Don't let your mom see that. I don't need another lecture about how unsanitary that is." He takes the screwdriver and chuckles when the baby glares at him. "It's also unsafe. I kind of like you."

Lucy babbles at him angrily as Tony wipes the screwdriver free of drool and he offers her one of her actual toys. It's not that he didn't offer her her own toys in the first place, it's just that Lucy had an uncanny ability to get her hands on whatever she wanted. Even when she was confined to a highchair or something. It wasn't anything magical, Tony and Stephen made sure of that, Lucy was just a typical, curious baby.

Tony had a feeling he may have been the same way as a baby.

"If you keep back talking me like that, you won't have lab time with me anymore." Tony says as he tightens a screw.

"Mmmfffbbb!" Lucy retorts and the engineer looks over at her to find that she had somehow gotten her hands on a different screwdriver. Which she was currently drooling on the rubber end of.

"Maybe I should take that as a clue that it's lunchtime for you." Tony says. "How about a bottle?"

Some happy beeps and whirs grab Tony's attention and he looks over at the kitchenette to find DUM-E excitedly starting a bottle. The first ingredient? Grease of some sort. Tony wasn't even sure when the robot grabbed that.

"No, no, no. Lulu can't have grease. You finish that for yourself!" Tony reprimands as he walks over to make a proper bottle. He partially ignores the sad noises DUM-E makes and takes the bottle over to Lucy. "Here you go dolcezza. How about something sanitary to put in your mouth?"

Lucy eyes the bottle her father holds out for her and Tony's eyes widen when she actually throws her screwdriver across the room and takes the bottle. He looks over to where the tool had landed when he hears a crash and finds a separate project emitting sparks from where it had been hit. Six months old and she had quite the arm.

"Maybe we should make a baseball team." Tony says calmly. "You can be our pitcher. Diana was kind of like that too but Cassie corrupted her."

For once, Tony doesn't get an answer from Lucy, but she was too busy with her lunch. Something he should probably be thinking about at the very least.

"Think your mom would make me a sandwich if I asked him nicely?"

A pointed look from the infant makes him chuckle.

"Probably not, huh? Not when I'm down here with you and tinkering for f--"

A low hum distracts Tony and he swivels around when it gets louder by the second. The machine Lucy had damaged with the screwdriver was spitting sparks like an angry cat, and it was glowing brighter and brighter. Tony barely had the mind to turn back and grab and cover Lucy just before the thing exploded. The force of the explosion sent them to the ground, but Tony made sure to keep Lucy secure in his arms. When he recovers and sits up, he winces as his ears ring and the first thing he hears is Lucy crying. Her poor ears were probably ringing too and he knew that Stephen was going to have a fit when the sorcerer undoubtedly came to investigate. Both Friday and Victor tended to snitch on him, especially when one of the kids was in the lab with him.

"I'm sorry dolcezza." Tony says to Lucy in an attempt to soothe her. "Daddy should have checked to make sure you didn't do so much damage."

He carefully gets back to his feet as a window opens to ventilate the smoke, and checks Lucy over to make sure she's unharmed, glad to see she wasn't and was already calming down. Her cries had already turned into whimpers and she had grabbed one of his fingers to stick into her mouth to help soothe her further. Tony coughs and waves away the smoke in the air, noting that DUM-E was actually in the process of putting out a small fire by the machine. It wasn't the only thing Tony noticed either. There were two extra bodies standing by the burning remains of his project, and when the smoke finally cleared away, Tony froze.

The two people that were also waving away the smoke and coughing were his parents.

Howard and Maria were standing ten feet away from him and all Tony could do was stand and stare.

That project was in no way a time travel machine, but clearly that's what had happened. His parents were somehow pulled from the past with a half finished machine that Lucy broke with a screwdriver, and Tony was floored. The last time he saw his mother was the night she died, and his father during the time heist.

"Tony!" The engineer blinks and looks over at the door with wide eyes as Stephen rushes in and over to him. "Friday told me there was an explosion. Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah. We both are. Lulu was just a little spooked…"

"Tony?"

Howard's voice draws the attention of both men and Stephen's eyebrows fly up toward his hairline.

"What exactly were you working on?" Stephen asks Tony.

"Not a time machine."

=======

"She's so darling." Maria says as she takes Lucy from Tony. "What's her name?"

"Lucy." Tony mumbles and watches the interaction with fascination.

Once they had gotten over the initial shock, Tony managed to explain what happened before promising to find a way to send his parents back to where they belonged. For now though, they were stuck in the present time and Tony was already preparing for anything. Maria wasn't the problem...it was Howard. Tony had no idea how things would go when it came to his father.

"Who is her mother?" Howard asks.

There it is. That didn't take long, Tony thinks to himself. He then points to Stephen.

"Him. Meet my husband, Doctor Stephen Strange." Tony says.

"Did you adopt?" Maria asks.

"Yes...but not Lucy. Stephen is literally her mother. The girls were made with magic." Tony explains, and Maria brightens when he mentions the girls.

"There are more?" Maria asks while Howard simultaneously says, "Really, Anthony? Magic?"

Stephen was the one to answer Howard before Tony could open his mouth again. The doctor didn't even have to say anything. He simply displayed his magical abilities and Howard actually closed his mouth.

"How many children do you have?" Maria asks again.

Tony looks at her and genuinely smiles. "Seven."

"And a half." Stephen adds and Tony chuckles.

"That's a long story." Tony explains to his parents.

"Where are the others?" Howard asks.

"Somewhere." Tony says flippantly.

"Peter is out patrolling, Harley and Thomas are running an errand for me, Diana is downstairs with Cassie, and William is napping with Valerie." Stephen tells them. "Tea?"

"Yes, please." Maria says and Stephen walks into the kitchen.

Tony could only watch his mother play with Lucy. Even Howard seemed content to spend time with his granddaughter, so Tony joined Stephen in the kitchen and finally took a shuddering breath. Stephen looks over at him with concern and Tony waves him away.

"I'm alright."

"Wondering if it's all a dream?" Stephen asks.

"Maybe? It was nerve wracking just seeing my father during the time heist and now he's actually here. Sort of." Tony tries to explain.

"You have a chance to tell him what you want to." Stephen says. "And...I understand how you're feeling."

He reaches over and carefully grabs Tony's right arm, and looks at the scars traveling from the top of his hand and up his arm. They disappear briefly under his sleeve, but then reappear at the collar of his shirt and finally stop just below the right side of his jaw. Tony supposed Stephen had a point. Stephen probably felt that having Tony back was just a dream for a while. But Tony was here to stay.

Howard and Maria had to go back.

"You've made it very clear that I'm only allowed to die of old age or caffeine overdose." Tony chuckles and Stephen looks at him flatly.

"Preferably the former."

"That's the plan. Where's Athena?" Tony asks as Stephen gently drops his arm and turns back to the tea.

"Upstairs with William and Valerie. Tibbs is sleeping in his cat tower."

"The chaos will start up any second now regardless." Tony huffs and Stephen picks up the tea he finishes and takes it back into the living room.

Tony follows him, finding Lucy surprisingly with his father, and giving Maria a chance to drink the tea Stephen offers her. The chaos truly did erupt after that as he expected. Maria was only halfway through her tea when the kids that were out and about came home, Cassie and Diana came upstairs, and William and Valerie shuffled out of the little girl's room. Harley and Peter had expressions on their faces that made Tony think that they knew who exactly their visitors were, but they didn't say anything.

"Here's the rest of the brood." Tony announces. "Brood and a half." He says motioning to Cassie.

"I'm sure it's always exciting here." Maria says with a smile.

Stephen snorts. "If it's not the kids, it's our friends. Sometimes it's both."

"But it's our life. I don't think any of us would trade it for anything." Tony says.

Not even for one more day with his parents like he might have wished for once upon a time. He got his wish anyway, just not the way he thought he would. Because Lucy liked to throw things.

Tony told himself that he wanted to say things to his dad if he ever got the chance to, but just like the time heist, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He didn't want to see his parents off with another bad memory, and he didn't want to do that to any of his kids. They deserved a good memory with their grandparents...and Howard was being pretty decent so far. He could be civil too.

=====

To Tony and Stephen's surprise, Howard and Maria enjoyed spending every moment with the kids. Stephen at first kept an eye on them to make sure they didn't force any of their beliefs on them (or try to parent them in their own way), but he was able to relax after a little while. The older couple were content to spend time with the kids as grandparents usually did. Watching movies, playing games, cooking, and sharing each kid's hobbies.

Tony unfortunately couldn't spend much time with his parents because he had to fix the project Lucy had thrown the screwdriver at. He had to find a way to return his parents to their own time since he knew they didn't belong here. No matter how much he might have wanted them to stay and see how his life turned out.

Maybe they would go back to his seventeen-year-old self and tell him everything would work out okay. Even back then, Tony probably wouldn't listen to them, so he could see their attempt to reassure him being ignored.

It only took Tony a couple of days to fix the machine so that he could send his parents home. He let them, Stephen, and the kids know...and spent the rest of the night and up until the next afternoon with his parents. When it came time to take them back downstairs, they all went to say their final goodbyes.

"Do they have to go?" Diana pouts and Maria smiles as she pats her head.

"I know dear. It's unfair, but I'm glad we got to see you and your brothers and sisters." She says softly. "You be good for your mom and dad."

"I will."

Maria and Howard were quick to accept Stephen's role as the kids' mother once they explained how it started. How it started as a bit of a joke but overtime became serious...and then true when Diana was born. Of course they weren't used to it since their time was almost forty years prior, but even they knew anything could happen that far in the future. That things and people were becoming more open-minded.

"Thanks for teaching us some more of your recipes." Harley says, making Maria smile.

"Of course. I'm glad to see you enjoy cooking."

He shrugs. "Sometimes."

"Make sure you surpass your father." Howard says and Peter grins.

"We will."

After the kids finish saying their goodbyes -- and of course Lucy throws her teething ring at them -- Howard pulls Tony aside. Stephen watches with a raised eyebrow, but Tony subtly waves away his concern and the sorcerer turns his attention back to Maria and the kids.

"I'm glad to see you've done well for yourself." Howard says.

"For the company?" Tony asks.

His father sighs. "No. I'm glad to see that you have a family. A good one. Your children are all amazing and I'm not even talking about their potential." Tony looks at him in surprise but doesn't interrupt as Howard continues. "Your spouse...I don't know how things are in this time...but he's good for you. I…" he sighs. "I'm not good at this…"

"It's okay. I think I know what you're trying to say." Tony reassures. "I love him. I love my kids...and I would do anything to keep them safe. I have and I always will."

"I'm proud of you." Howard says softly. "I know our relationship wasn't the greatest, but I wanted to make sure you knew that. I doubt you need to know that or if you care--"

"Thank you." Tony says. "It means a lot."

"I'm glad we got to see you happy."

Tony felt just a tiny bit lighter after that when they rejoined the others. He hugged both of his parents goodbye, watched as his kids and Stephen did the same, and then booted up the machine that would send his parents back. Tony made sure Lucy didn't have anything that she could throw and make a mess of the machine again, and then finally hit the button. He looked at his parents as the machine hummed loudly, and returned the smile they gave him before they disappeared from sight and the machine powered down.

Stephen walks over to Tony as the kids head back upstairs, and wraps his arms around his neck. "Any regrets?"

"No."

Not at all.

#supremefamily #stephen strange #ironstrange #tony stark #mama bear au

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last-level-in-druid · 2 years

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Fair's fair. Four of your choice for Didi, Khalida, Praes, and Sulfur.

Oh no, I gotta talk about my OCs, how dare you do this to me??? (Also you didn’t give me as many blorbos so I’m adding Yezsra the OG disaster Paladin)

Didi

💥 It’s Didi…Emotions really aren’t her thing. But right now she’s having a bit of a hard time with her rage. Hopefully between her dad and her boyfriend they can help her through.

🕷She’s scared of failure. Both failure to protect the ones she loves and just like, in general. She’s one of those people who if she’s not immediately great at something it’s stupid and not worth her time. Being bad at something makes you look weak. So maybe that’s it? Looking weak?

📖 I almost feel like this one’s a cop out, but Deeds’ book collection back home was incredible. Reading was her only form of escape for most of her life, and boy did she need an escape

☁️ When she was super little (I’m talking 3-4) Odo would go to the duck pond in the park, just the two of them, and feed the ducks. Diana and Alfrik both hated it, but for different reasons. It was Didi’s favorite thing for the longest time

Khalida

💢 Don’t know if I’d consider it a habit, but her unknowingly changing shape when she’s not paying attention def takes some getting used to.

🍩 this is based on nothing but she strikes me as the kind of person who goes wild for a good tiramisu

🍁Khalida loves spring. The pretty flowers, the birds come back, it starts to warm up finally…something tells her The Dale springs aren’t the same.

💗 unfortunately for her, the gay panic is extra noticeable. Not only does she unintentional shapeshift into looking more like who she’s crushing on but I’m very concerned about this new wild magic table that’s been teased

Praes

🤥 the weirdest thing? Praes is canonically an EXCELLENT liar. The one time she’s told a lie she rolled a nat20 on deception. Then that night she got pickpocketed and the next day arrested, so she thinks that’s her punishment for lying.

☀️ Praes is absolutely a morning person. If the sun’s up, she’s up! The only person in the Interlopers who may be moreso is Oscar

🍼 I feel like Praes hasn’t been around kids so much, but she loves the few that she’s met. The urchins in Port Callum were nice.

🔫 this poor girl trusts people too easily. Because people are good, right? Who would want to harm others? Someone please help this child see the red flags!

Sulfur

🙈 Sulf doesn’t like to show their struggles. They’re there to pick everyone else up. They need to be in a happy mood

🌌 So in September/October, when the Barovia Brainrot really kicked into Maximum Overdrive, I had a dream that basically boiled down to “yellow tiefling hot”. I woke up and opened up my Didi notes and Sulfur happened

📎 They’re one of those people who are just scary good at every instrument. Like give them 10 minutes and they’ll start banging out the tunes

💧Sulf had their bags packed and ready to go when Didi broke it off. They were planning on leaving that day, that’s how sudden this was.

Yezsra

👊 Yezsra isn’t as quick to violence as she once was. In the Underdark it was “I gotta get out, gotta get home” but now? Now that she’s got a family that she loves she’s content to chill, with the occasional mission

👨‍👩‍👦 Yezsra has her mother, her partner Tezzerin, and their “son” Fissure. They may have had other kids at some point but that’s never been discussed or fleshed out, but cute lil half-drow, quarter-orc babies sound adorable

📣 my only character who’s probably louder is Didi, but that’s mostly because Deeds never shuts the fuck up. Yezsra’s actual voice is BOOMING. The half-orc side really shows there

🌪the biggest change I made to her was that she started taking levels in Paladin at level 5. It was pure happenstance, and it worked really well with her overall story. Also the reason I play Paladin so much

#d&d #didi #praes #khalida #sulfur #yezsra #my blorbos #dungeons and dragons #the interlopers game #dnd #ask meme

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terpia · 3 years

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Early Modern Drama Rec List (Non-Shakespeare)

So I just spend a year reading a lot of early modern drama and I thought I might as well put my degree to a good use and make a list of some of my favourite lesser known (i.e. not written by Shakespeare) early modern plays. All of these plays are in the public domain, so it should be very easy to find them online.

Comedies:

The Roaring Girl by Thomas Middleton and Thomas Dekker - a fictional story featuring a dramatized portrayal of a real person, Mary Firth, also known as Moll Cutpurse. Moll was a notorious pickpocket, wore a doublet and breeches, smoked a pipe, cursed, and was generally infamous for her 'mannish' behaviour. And she's a character in this play!

It is open to interpretation how positive the play's depiction of Moll really is, but she does play a very important role in getting the main pair of lovers together and ends the play happily continuing to live her life the way she wants, which is in itself pretty incredible. Overall, just a really fun read.

Galatea (or Gallathea) by John Lyly - a 16th century play that is both gay and trans??? Sign me up! In a village where the fairest virgin needs to be sacrificed to Neptune every 5 years (or he'll drown everyone), two fathers decide to disguise their beautiful daughters as boys and hide them in a nearby forest. While wandering around the forest the two girls meet and, falling for each other's disguises, fall in love. In the end (spoilers for the ending, but this is not exactly a play you read for the plot, lol), Diana stops Neptune, the two girls find out each other's true identities and decide they're still in love, and Venus turns one of them (we never find out which one) into a boy so that they can get married.

As must be clear from this summary, this comedy plays around with gender a lot. To add to the gender cocktail, remember that the two girls would have been originally played by boys. Although the ending was seen as heteronormative by early queer critics, the emergence of trans criticism within queer theory has led to a lot of interesting readings of the play. Well worth a read.

(also, if you have a device on which you can play DVDs and some money to spare, consider buying a DVD of the Edward's Boys production of the play. Edward's Boys is a group that replicates the format of early modern boys' companies, with all roles in their productions being played by boys. I will admit, when I bought a DVD of their 2014 production of Galatea, I expected to watch a glorified high school performance, but it turned out to be so good. All the boy actors were amazing, way better at performing Shakespeare than a lot of Hollywood actors. This just straight-up felt like a professional theatre production, I highly recommend it.)

The Knight of the Burning Pestle by Francis Beaumont - I don't even know how to describe this play other than 'fantastic and fun'. A meta-theatrical city comedy, which starts with a pair of audience members (who were actually two dressed-up boy actors from the boys' company performing the play) jumping onto a stage and demanding to see a different play than the the one being set up. Things get only wilder from there.

A genuinely really funny play. I don't know of anyone who has read it and hasn't immediately loved it.

The Sea Voyage by John Fletcher and Philip Massinger - one of the least well known plays out of this list, which is unfortunate because this play is really fun. Short and sweet, it's a story of a bunch of (surprisingly honorable) pirates, who get shipwrecked on an island inhabited by a tribe of Amazon-like women. Predictably, hijinks ensue. An interesting look into early modern gender relations (apparently the main reason why living without men would be difficult for women is because of how horny they would get? I think Fletcher and Massinger need to take a lesson or two from Lyly).

The Alchemist by Ben Jonson - want to see three assholes con a bunch of idiots in increasingly ridiculous ways? Then this is the play for you.

Jonson's city comedies, which satirize the people of early modern London, tend to be much meaner in tone than Shakespeare's comedies and the other comedies on this list, but in many ways, that's what makes them fun. Viciously clever and at times really funny, there's an edge to the writing that makes it very entertaining. I had a lot of fun reading this (Jonson's Epicoene is also great, if you want a comedy that's even meaner and also has some very questionable gay stuff in it).

Tragedies:

Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe - probably the most famous non-Shakespeare early modern play, and for a good reason. It has everything; pacts with the devil, a melodramatic anti-hero protagonist, homoeroticism (I mean of course, it's Marlowe), and a suitably gory and tragic ending. What more can you ask for?

The Tragedy of Mariam by Elizabeth Cary - this play is more interesting than fun, but I think it's still well worth a read. It's the first original play written in English by a woman. The play takes place in ancient Palestine. It looks at the way Mariam, a Jewish queen, reacts to the news of the death of her husband, the tyrannous Herod (yes, the baby-killing guy from the Bible). Most people seem to be relieved. Except oops, Herod is not actually dead.

A fascinating look at gender ideology in the early modern period, with the play centering around the conflict of a woman who tries to live up to the ideals of a perfect wife and woman, while stuck in a marriage to a tyrant. This play would also be a great read for anyone interested in how gender and sexuality intersected with race in early modern England, because this play uses a lot of racialized language to describe women.

The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster - a classic revenge tragedy. A recently widowed Duchess wants to marry her steward, but her asshole brothers throw a fit. Intrigue and death ensue. At one point a fake wax hand and some fake wax corpses appear on stage.

This play basically reads like a good thriller. Fucked up in a way that only an early modern revenge tragedy can be, this is a fun and thrilling read.

The Changeling by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley - speaking of fucked up. If you're planning to read it, be mindful that this play contains sexual assault. It's a story of a young noblewoman called Beatrice, who wants to get rid of her fiancé after falling in love with a visiting nobleman. To do it, she enlists the help of her villainous servant De Flores. Things end up going extremely badly.

This play can get very uncomfortable at times, but just like The Duchess, it's as gripping as any good modern thriller. Very engaging. The ending is as engrossing as it is stomach-churning, although probably not for the reasons it was originally meant to (reading criticism about The Changeling, it is genuinely shocking and disheartening to see how long it took for critics to start addressing the clear issues of consent in the play). The story also includes a bizarre virginity test that uses a potion which makes you drowsy or which makes you sneeze and laugh depending on whether you had sex or not, so hey, at least that's fun?

Antonio's Revenge by John Marston - ok, so this is definitely the least... good of the plays I've recommended so far, but listen. Do you like trainwrecks? Do you like violence so over-the-top that people to this day wonder whether it's actually supposed to be a parody of the revenge tragedy genre? Are you looking for a reading experience that will make you go 'what the fuck' throughout? If so, this is the play for you!

Very much in the so bad it's good category. Ridiculously gory. The only thing that makes it better is knowing that it was originally played by children (on a related note, I haven't seen this production, but I know that this play has also been played by Edward's Boys). If you like horrible, gory horror movies, you'll probably enjoy this play.

That's it for now! Hopefully at least a few of these plays catch your interest.

Btw, LibriVox, which is an organisation that makes public domain recordings of public domain texts, has most of these plays available as free audiobooks, if you're interested!

#early modern drama #early modern england #book rec #i don't know how else to tag this #i keep spending way too much time on these extremely niche posts #but hey i had fun writing this and maybe it'll end up being useful to someone who knows #alex's boring history corner #kind of???#shakespeare

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