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hourglassfish · 8 months

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On Season 1, Episode 7 Part Three : Risottogate

OK look,

Go and get yourself an ecto cooler or something, cus this is long, OK? This is long.

You comfortable?

Alright, let’s go.

don't forget the Xanax!

Elevated Beef (stock)

There’s a connection drawn between Sydney and veal stock in the Bear. She spills it all over herself during Brigade. Claire interrupts Carmy purchasing veal stock for menu testing her bone broth idea at the end of 2:2. It’s an interesting ingredient to align her with: a staple of French cuisine, something you’ll find in a professional high end kitchen but not necessarily at home, a distinctive, practical component which provides a subtle, solid umami base for a range of dishes.

The first time this connection is drawn is during one of my favourite interactions: the ‘plum haribo’ story in Brigade. Marcus has decorated his work station (I love him), and despite the fact that Carmy says he’s having flashbacks (eeeeeeek), I think he is happy to see this coming together of his two worlds.

They start talking about this fancy plum dish, and a gelee component (which will reappear in Honeydew!) that had to have a very specific texture. Carmy has been talking about the dedication needed to make this dish work with pride, presenting the texture of the gelee as a huge challenge, something it took someone a year to figure out. Sydney cracks it in less than a minute. Veal fat. She knows what’s needed, and she knows why: it congeals when it’s cold. Boom!

Carmy’s response to this always amuses me. He is not…dismayed exactly. Not quite. After all, it’s a reminder of her brilliance, and also that that world is not so far away. That being said, she cuts across a punchline here; and what was a mystery to the best chefs in the world for a year is immediately obvious to her, to the extent that it’s not even really a flex on her part: she states it quite diffidently. Marcus’s gleeful ‘Mission Accomplished’ is very different from Carmy’s, which is a bit more ‘…oh.’.

On rewatches where I feel charitable, Carmy then implements the brigade cus he's been reminded that he has someone close by from that world, he has an ally that speaks his language, who is talented. On days when I feel less charitable, I combine this with him later talking her through the differences between stock/jus/demi-glace in front of Tina like an asshole, and see him handing the brigade over at that specific moment, in the specific way that he does as passive aggressive. Most days I’m with the former! Still…we’re back in the grey areas of Syd and Carmy’s dynamic. Where all the good shit is!

He's so glad she figured that out so quickly, absolutely not feeling a type of way about it, nope, not at all

I wanted to start with this story cus it opens up three things for me:

a) just a frisson, a hint, a delicious drop (!) of competition between Syd and Carmy

b) the question, beloved by fanfic writers everywhere, of what the dynamic between these two might have been if they had met in a different context.

c) a third, messier thing, about Carmy going away, tooling up, coming back and it needing to be worth something, that going way. As far as he knows at this point, It didn’t achieve what it was meant to achieve, it didn’t get Mikey’s attention. Maybe he didn’t need to leave Chicago to do it. Sydney's talent tickles that tension, as does Marcus's (trios, trios!). So what was it for? What were the past few years of his life for, if a bunch of this stuff was in Chicago all along?

Who was Carmy away from Chicago? Who is he without his family? We’ve only seen one flashback so far, very much from inside Carmy’s head. The way he tells it is very different from what we see. At Al Anon, he describes himself like this:

‘when somebody new came into the restaurant to stage, I’d look at them like they were competition, like I’m gonna smoke this motherfucker’.

But you're tall and sexy, so don't worry about it babes

Gosh. Yes Chef!

I don’t think Carmy holds anything like this level of aggression towards any of the original staff of the Beef: it would be absurd: they don’t have his training or experience. For the most part we see doing the work of pulling a team together, which explicitly involves putting that kind of competitiveness to the side.

I don’t think he has this energy for Sydney.

Not quite.

I do think it’s an important thing for us to learn about his character. I do think that we are told it at the beginning of Episode 8, after Sydney has quit, because there are ugly feelings around the risotto dish. I do think that those feelings drive a lot of how Review goes down, and that Carmy knows this.

This ferocious comparison and competition, used as a driving force, is a part of who Carmy is, and a part of the kitchens that he has come from. In another context, Sydney would have just been competition. And he’d have been trying to smoke her.

Let’s follow a humble bowl of risotto through THREE EPISODES, and about 5000 words, good GOD.

Tracing the Journey of the Risotto: Unanticipated

I tried to find appetising pics of her cooking the risotto but mostly it doesn't look very aesthetic, so here is Syd in my fave of her scarves.

A Risotto, playing on ‘tongue in cheek’ is first tentatively pitched in Sheridan, as an idea for a new menu that they have ‘spoken about’. Carmy is… noncommittal. He’s not into it, but he doesn’t say that, he just doesn’t really engage. I think there are a bunch of valid reasons to not be into it, tbh. I’ve ordered risotto to go. It’s always kind of gluey and disappointing. Sydney isn’t given a clear no, so she decides to cook it: it becomes something she has to convince him on.

He doesn’t get to try it in this episode as there are drugs to sell and about a million different fires to fight. We know that she dreams about this dish though. In this episode she talks about how thinking about her mistakes with Sheridan Road keep her up at night, but the last images of the episode are of her dreaming: beef… raspberries… cola… fire: there it is. Cola braised short rib. We’re back in the realm of deeply personal creative expression that I spoke about in part two. That anxious energy around failing with Sheridan Road? Is going somewhere else, is being transformed. This is important, and has the potential to be profoundly healing. This dish has meaning for her.

The dish returns in Ceres. Syd is an unstoppable force with the dish, and having said she wants to be listened to, is not listening to several requests from Carmy for more time. Stressful! He deals with it well, at first. He is calm, and polite and asks her to hold on. Which is not a no. But then -

‘I know everybody you used to work for, I called them before hiring you’

oooooh weeee.

There is nothing wrong with him seeking out references. His reasons are logical, and he’s transparent about them. Personally? I think it’s sensible to let employees know you’re seeking out references to avoid paranoia, but it’s not a legal requirement. People do it informally via whisper networks all the time, both purposefully and by accident. Gotta say though, the phrasing and the timing of this ‘reveal’ made me wince.

There are a million different theories of feedback, of how to give and receive it well. One argues that feedback must be asked for, accurate and measurable. If it’s not measurable, then you are nitpicking. If it’s not accurate, you’re hating. If it’s not asked for, or at least delivered in an environment where it’s anticipated, it is unlikely to be received well. Carmy, unfortunately, delivers a whopper of unanticipated feedback here: ‘me and all your old bosses (I know EVERYONE YOU USED TO WORK WITH)have been talking about you and they all agree on this flaw’.

YIKES

Would I let Syd stab me for a bowl of this? Maaaaybe. Maybe.

My reading is that he wanted to ask for her patience, and to say that his decision to pace out the changes is coming from experience, but he’s being backed into a corner, so he summons up the spectre of her old bosses for back up. Syd had opened up last episode, and is still very vulnerable about Sheridan, so he unintentionally wounds her here. We can read this in her response. He says her employers said she was smart, talented, green and impatient, she hears ‘me and everyone you’ve worked for think your business failed because you were green and impatient, that’s why you’re here, and why this dish can’t go on the menu’. This dish is getting entangled in so many other things about where they’ve come from.

He does take the time to reframe it: outlines his practical concerns, and starts to articulate that he wants to maintain calm before they make more changes -

And then Sugar is banging on the door, demonstrating his point.

At this point, Carmy is trying to build a parachute. They don’t have one when Jimmy comes to visit in Hands, but they do have one that becomes Richie’s bail by Braciole. Reserve building takes steady, dull consistency, but this isn’t communicated, and they don’t agree on a timeframe for the menu development, or even to come back to this conversation. This is small stuff, I know I sound nitpicky! But in my experience managing people, tension builds in the unknowns, in the places where there aren’t specifics, especially when you have a team member like Sydney who is ambitious and dynamic.

Sydney is firmly in the realm of the job that Carmy specified here. He is dialling business, she is doing everything else. If you’re a nerd and you zoom in on her CV, she has done menu development before. She is green, but not that green. She is impatient, but she also doesn’t have the same complicated relationship with change at the Beef that pretty much everyone else but Marcus does. The risotto is the first unofficial test of the impact of strain on their (messy ass) working dynamic, to Review’s much more official gauntlet.

Why would they write a proper CV and film it if they didn't want me to spend 5 minutes hitting pause repeatedly until I'd read it?

*squints* designed daily specials with complete creative control! At Alinea! A THREE STAR MICHELIN RESTAURANT! At the time they wrote this, it had held and retained those stars for twelve years! She is not new to this!

Tracing the Journey of the Risotto Two: Unmeasurable

They try again with the risotto later. She is a little more patient, initially. She makes the effort and he thanks her for it. He tries it, which she really wanted (surely that will convince him!), and she has modified her request, from to-gos, to trying it as a special. Her equivalent of baby steps. She listened. She’s trying. Lovely Angel and my main man Ebra come by, taste and support Carmy’s ‘tremendous’.

But here Carmy gives feedback that isn’t measurable. It’s not perfect, but he doesn’t say why, even though he knows, and it’s an easy fix! He’s nitpicking, because he doesn’t, for a bunch of practical reasons, want to put risotto on the menu, but doesn’t want to shoot her down. He asks her if she understands after she has explicitly said that she doesn’t (cus he’s not being up front), and then doesn‘t explain himself. He’s not really asking if she understands, he’s telling her to stop. It’s not really the dish that’s not ready, not really, it’s him, he’s not ready to make a new raft of changes, to think through the gap between the Michelin star excellence he has come from, and the budgetary, practical restrains of where he’s at.

I think this is really fair. Or at least understandable. Carmy just wants to catch a breath, and he has to have oversight on so many different things at once, adding something else to that must feel terrifying. But the way he communicates this shuts down and restricts: he switches the dynamic from one where they listen to each other (which requires that they both explain themselves) to one where he tells and she does. It doesn’t really give her anywhere to go, so her frustration is inevitable and also understandable. Measurable feedback! Clarity. If you don’t want risotto on the menu Carmy, rip the band-aid, and say it, and say why. Get her to work on something that is going to fit with the menu in a different way, in the way that you want, and be clear about the way in which you want to shape it!

He knows he’s not been great here. Carmy apologises for ‘being shitty’ later in the episode (as others have noted, it’s a shit apology) and he also starts his apology with ‘needs acid’ in 1:8. He knows that a lot of Review is to do with this dish.

When Carmy apologises about being shitty later in Ceres, she doesn’t mention that she put the dish out earlier. It’s framed as a little moment of.. if not revenge, then a little something for herself. I think she knows it’s not OK, not really, or she’d have mentioned it, and her face says a lot when she says it’s cool. I’m not a chef, I only ever worked FOH, but my instinct is that its dodgy and it fills me with unease. A grey area. A pop of tension.

Tracing the Journey of the Risotto Three: Hating

Whenever I think about the strikes, I think about the broader ensemble in this show.

The next time the risotto turns up, it’s being mentioned in a review. A lot happens here, so I’m gonna bullet point out all the references, then analyse some of them afterwards. I’m also gonna jump a whole bunch, cus I want to stay tightly focused on the risotto itself, and the dynamic between Syd and Carmy as relates to it:

Ebra reads the review out!

Syd has a lovely, gentle smile for Ebra as he reads it, her whole body relaxes as she taps at the tablet. This validation clearly means a lot to her. Ebra’s dynamic with both Sydney and Marcus is consistently a joy to behold. When he tells her in Dogs that she’s given Marcus a lot of confidence, she glows, and I think it’s something she really needed to hear. He’s subtle about it, but he never makes her life difficult when she implements the brigade. There’s something about the oldest member of the team, reading the review out, a little haltingly cus English isn’t his first language, that doubles down on the love that can be present in the Beef, making it all the more jarring when –

Carmy cuts across this and starts talking about the day’s opening with a ‘stop reading that shit’

Fam ‘that shit’ just described your food as elevated and elegant! In the foodie heaven that is Chicago! In your restaurant which is kind of failing! It’s your team’s first review since you’ve been there! So straight away you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop, because what has got his knickers in a twist?

Carmy is justified in being pissed off about Syd’s actions here. What he is not justified in, is not finding a way to celebrate the review itself with his team, who deserve to have this moment. It’s a milestone for them to get some external validation, and the restaurant, quite frankly, needs it. A five star review! Tina squeals with delight when she hears it. Before a new program and a busy shift is the perfect moment to read this out, and go into the work feeling good. A united, gassed up team? Would have killed those to gos.

Sydney is also responsible for this messiness though. In going rogue the episode before, something which could have been about the team becomes about her in a way that is sticky, and it becomes harder to celebrate. It was not her intention, but this is the outcome.

Ebra ignores Carmy

(cus he’s redundant and white JK JK don’t cancel me)

There is a double edged shout out to the team

‘the staff moves are next level’: this is such brilliant, important feedback from a team that has had to weather so much change! Also calls back to Richie: ‘Uh oh, Sydney making moves!’ in the car in Hands.

‘The sandwiches are so delicious as ever, but the standout dish that... that, that encapsulates all, this was the risotto with braised beef. The rice was luscious with a surprising ribbon of brine running through the sauce. The chef obviously knew what she was doing’

THAT REVIEWER IS A SNITCH

Did Syd know that reviewer was a reviewer? I dunno man. Maybe! She’s Chicago born and bred, knows the food scene well. It’s not outside of the realm of possibility that she’d recognise him. Maybe she just wanted some good immediate feedback, while she was feeling shitty! Maybe all she wanted was him to send a message back to the kitchen that’s like tell Syd the risotto was great: the impact of his Review but on a much smaller, less disruptive scale.

I think it’s genuine coincidence, which unfortunately looks… not like that. The thing is: the reviewer being a reviewer isn’t what the issue is. The issue is giving food not signed off by her boss to a customer. She'd have never gotten away with that at the places where she was before. Putting the dish out is going rogue, regardless of who she gives it to. It’s not a team move. If Carmy called in her old bosses for back up, she calls in his potential new customers. Eek. EEK.

Sydney desperately tries to get Ebra to shush, to no avail

(extremely funny work from Ayo, but also he’s pissed, and she either already knows it, or already antipates it – it’s hard to get a read on how long they’ve been in and when they learnt about the review)

‘river of brine, huh?’

Carmy, you little snark!!! This is very much his wheelhouse of expressing displeasure, he loves a little jab to the emotional solar plexus. My reading of his line is that what the reviewer tried and what Carmy tried are different, because if it had a ribbon of brine in it, I think that means that there was enough acid. Syd has two dishes, and she’s specific about Carmy trying one and not the other, so my reading here is that Carmy’s POV is not only did a dish go out of my kitchen without my sign off, but it was different from the dish I was given to try. Wince. Wince, wince, wince.

Sydney and Carmy have a fucking excruciating conversation.

Just the worst.

Carmy is not happy, but feels unable to voice this in a way that seems reasonable: he’s busy and stressed about to-gos, he hasn’t moved past the unreasonable feelings of resentment and annoyance to the clarity which enables you to articulate how you feel and why, and because Syd’s gamble paid off! It’s a net positive for the restaurant so it feels counterintuitive to reprimand her, but there is a conversation they need to have. He really does not want to have this conflict, because it’s complicated, and is, like most big blow outs over something small, about so much more than a plate of risotto. He breezes over the conversation, but you can’t start with that ribbon of brine opener and then tell me shit’s not weird.

Compare this to Brigade, when Sydney is asked what’s up, and she is brave enough and vulnerable enough to be like – here are the things that weren’t OK, here are my expectations, here are my boundaries.

On the other side of the conversation, Sydney knows that she has slipped across a slightly odd boundary, but doesn’t acknowledge this. It’s good he liked it! All’s well that ends well. Right? RIGHT? But if he hadn’t? Very different conversation. It doesn’t matter who he is! He could have been anyone - someone that left a weird Instagram comment later, or someone who didn’t finish the meal and complained. Whatever the case may be, giving it to him unofficially was not an act of partnership, or listening, even if the initial communication was shitty.

She knows she’s overstepped, but she doesn’t apologise and doesn’t acknowledge the specifics of what she’s done wrong, because she does not want to have the conflict that could come out of this either. She seeks affirmations that they are OK rather than trying to actually find out how Carmy feels and why, because at this point she doesn’t really want to hear it. She is seeking this conversation out 20 minutes before open! It’s not the time for a thorny, complex discussion.

Compare this to Brigade. Carmy knows Sydney is pissed, and makes the effort to speak to her, in private, armed with the peace offering of Ebra’s Suqaar. He is very careful in that conversation to ask open questions (‘what’s going on with you? Say more?’) that enable her to respond honestly. He persists despite her having her walls up around the fact that she’s pissed. Sydney does not do this. The power dynamic makes it hard, but still. If she wants the connection needed to power reconciliation, that bravery needs to be in play.

are you sure we can't just power through this with sexual tension?

Sweeps congratulates her and tells her she’ll have to tell her dad

Hope Mr Adamu got a newspaper clipping!

Carmy says the sandwiches are totally different and the reviewer is a fucking hack. Syd looks sad.

This moment is why I opened this essay talking about veal stock. We are back in a moment with a gap between what has been said, and what has been heard. The reviewer said the sandwiches were delicious as ever. That’s not a criticism at all! These are not words that justify being called a hack! Carmy is pissed because the reviewer says they are delicious and they always have been, that Carmy has not improved on the staple that was there before him.

And that shit hurts his ego!

His whole thing was going off to learn ‘how to be better than mom and dad’s piece of shit’. We know he’s changed a bunch of things about the sandwiches. In Hands, Sydney mentions that they’ve switched to market produce, which I’m sure is not unrelated to Richie’s ‘You’ve been here for two weeks and we’ve had money problems for two weeks’ in System. In Carmy’s time there, the bread’s changed, the method for cooking the beef has changed, the way they braise onions has changed.

To that customer? Delicious as ever.It’s not a dismissal, or an insult. It is a reminder that Carmy didn’t have to leave, and go through all he went through, that there was delicious food and skills to be learned and refined without it. We know Michael was a talented chef. Even now, with all of where he’s been, Carmy cannot surpass him or his memory.

The person that does surpass that? Is Sydney. With food his palate did not deem good enough! Sydney who has not had to leave Chicago and her family. Sydney who has found a way to be creatively free, even at The Beef, in ways that Carmy has not really been able to, because his primary concern has to be money. There is understandable resentment here. But there is competition to the way Carmy cooks, something to prove, someone to smoke. There are reasonable feelings here, but some of them are really ugly, too.

Tina describes Syd as Jeff’s friend

This is a strange little line – because we know that Tina respects Syd as a chef at this point, and she doubles down on it later when she asks Syd to teach Louis skills, like she herself has been taught. So why’s it there? My feeling is that it’s there to remind the audience of what Syd and Carmy’s relationship is usually like. I wouldn’t call it friendship, I think they operate in a weird place that defies labels, but they have this synergy which drives the business. Tina evoking that in this moment draws attention to the fact that they are not in that space right now.

He's just got a very sweet face, it's hard for me to believe he's in trouble at school

Richie has a loud, performative conversation with Carmy about many things, but for the purpose of this section, he states that they don’t do risotto, asks if they’re going to, and Carmy definitively states that ‘no, they’re not going to do that’ he also repeats Syd’s phrasing that it was ‘an accident’

She stabbed the wrong ass if you ask me!

Nah, but for real, this is nasty work. I’m gonna come back to it in the next (penultimate!) bit of writing about the Beef, the Bear, Richie & Michael, Syd & Carmy. For now, I will simply say that Carmy is doing up major pass agg here, and it’s nasty to watch. He’s really, really unhappy with her, and he’s struggling to hold it in, so it’s coming out in unhelpful and unpleasant ways that feel like humiliations in front of the whole team, and punishment.

There are really valid reasons for Carmy to be annoyed and to not want to talk about it right now. The problem is that If you don’t create a pressure valve you take responsibility for, you will end up a) exploding instead (lol) and/or b) releasing that frustration in unhelpful and harmful ways.

They move towards this with their ASL sorry in Season Two. But here, Carmy says and implies a bunch of things to Richie that he needed to say explicitly to Syd two episodes ago, and two minutes ago: that he has no intention of putting risotto on the menu, and that he thinks her saying it was an accident was bullshit. He wants Syd to know it’s not OK without the hard, painful work of having to engage in conflict with her. It’s shitty.

Sweet Louis asks what a ribbon of brine is

He seems like a good boy, bring him back!

A BUNCH OF STUFF THAT I WILL WRITE ABOUT NEXT TIME HAPPENS

Richie, Syd and Carmy, it’s delicious (a nightmare).

Syd attempts a second conversation with Carmy – having vented some frustration at Richie, and seeing how her workload is piling up and becoming untenable, she is much more open here. Carmy is not.

She’s blunt – we’re not on the same page. Carmy lies and deflects – we’re good, let’s get through the shift. He has his hands on his hips, with as much of his body turned away from her as possible, during this conversation, and walks off half way through it. Even if everything had gone right, this shift would have been a nightmare for Syd.

Everything is awesome!

The penultimate mention of the risotto is here. There is very little I can say that has not been brilliantly said by eatandsleepwell here - https://www.tumblr.com/hourglassfish/726487509540962304/eatandsleepwell-melonatures-this-one-second?source=share so I’m gonna link it.

That’s the last we hear of risotto for now, other than a quick reference to Syd as an arrogant and condescending ribbon of brine from Richie later. It doesn’t turn up on the tasting menu at the Bear, where it defo feels like a riff on risotto could have replaced one of their pasta dishes. That switch from rice to pasta feels pointed.

Spaghetti

Let’s treat The Beef as a character. If Sydney’s ingredient motif is veal stock, then The Beef’s is that family spaghetti.

Cheap and simple. Fucking delicious. Makes no sense and shouldn’t work, but was somehow the best seller on the menu. Distinctively Italian. Stuffed full of drug money(!). Always, always presented at the table with love, like a gift. You can elevate it if you want, but the fact of the matter is that even at its very best, it’s only gonna hit so hard cus it reminds you of simpler times, like the ratatouille (that is not a ratatouille!) from the movie Ratatouille.

Carmy rejects that meal at the top of the series. It ‘doesn’t make sense on the menu’, so he doesn’t care that people loved it. So far, so EMP. When he starts to cook it in episode one, it feels like a relenting to Richie’s bullying, and him throwing WHAT WE NOW KNOW WAS PROBABLY A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS in the bin at the end of the episode feels like this exhilarating rejection of mediocrity. They change the lines for System, but in the pilot, Carmy literally cannot make the spaghetti, that last lesson from Michael is a real missing puzzle piece.

In Braciole, when he gets the recipe, he goes to cook it, for family. It’s really nice, that scene, feels comparable to Sydney making omelette. It’s quiet, and Carmy seems content, if wistful. The pork instead of beef panic of earlier is put to the side for now. The previous day, Carmy has gone to Al-Anon and confessed, unburdened himself. Then followed two quiet days and a blue hued night of atonement: he reaffirmed his commitment to Richie, paying his bail and keeping watch all night, gave Tina the night off, apologised to Marcus and acknowledged that his behaviour towards Sydney wasn’t acceptable, as well as speaking to her about her dish, like an adult. Carmy has to do all of this before he finds the money, before he gets the validation that he’s really longing for from his brother.

JAW getting his Emmy, his Golden Globe, his SAG Award, his Bafta, his future Oscar Winning role.

If The Bear at its core is about grief, and the void that Michael’s death leaves, then one of the big journeys of Season One is the subsequent death of the Beef, ready for its rebirth as The Bear in the following season. Review is the short sharp stab to the gut, of Sydney leaving, and taking any hope that it can be reformed as is, with her work. I don’t think the nature of a puncture wound, and the shortness of that episode are unrelated.

Braciole is more of a death rattle: Jimmy’s debt keeping them trapped in shitty work they don’t want to do, situations that spiral out of control and descend into violence, their parachute turned to bail money. But Michael wanted more for his brother than that, and he has left him a foundation. He does not have to burn the place down, there need not be smoke and hellfire. There’s another avenue for rebirth, one where ‘set this place on fire’ does not have to mean an insurance scam, but instead can mean an ignition of all their ambition and dreams.

To get there there has to be an ego death first, a moment of hubris that gets our protagonists fresh, and clean, so they can move to the new. Sydney sees and experiences the worst of herself (more on this in the final part!). Richie gets stabbed (more on this in the next part).

Carmy? Carmy has to encountera crisis where not only could his training not save him but many of the lessons he learnt while he was away and his reasons for going in the first place actively made the situation worse, and those that had faith in him and his preferred system turned away from him, deeply hurt. His ego gets in the way of connection, and it shatters the partnership that he needs to make it all work. He is clinging to old ways of being that has not served him, but he needs to move forward into what is new. And he does.

Well.

He tries.

SMDH

WHEW

Another long one, sorry fam. I’m almost there though. Am I sorry? No, I’m grateful if you read it, and I hope you enjoyed it.

I hope I’m pulling this together coherently, that I’m showing a sort of throughline to the way I view Episode 7. I don’t think Sydney is perfect! I do think her walking out is narratively and politically (the show wants better for the workplaces its drawn from) necessary, and I hate, hate, hate the simplification of that decision to ‘he shouted at her so she bailed’. Please, you can’t think this show is well written and think her decision is as simple as that, it doesn’t make sense. That exit is crafted so that it is inevitable, there is a movie’s worth of build up to it.

We’re looking at Richie, Syd and Carmy next time, fam. I am trying so hard to cut it down cus it’s currently sat at 15,000 words, but I’m gonna try really hard to edit down, OK? I’m gonna try really hard.

I can’t respond but I value reblogs and comments so much!

This is part of a five part series! You can find the rest here:

Expect More: Syd and Carmy's relationship,

I know you'll be listening: Marcus, McDonald's and Freedom

Risottogate

Hiring New Fucking Broads: Syd, Richie and conflict;

"That's Not You" The Moment Syd Walks Out

#the bear #carmy berzatto #sydney adamu #the bear meta

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w1ldthoughts · 6 months

Text

Ruin My Life

A/n: Technically anon requested and was gifted to me by someone who I very much adore @justhereforherbert 💙 (go read her entire Masterlist it is gold)

Hope you all like cheesy fiction

For as long as you could remember, you’d always wanted one thing. There was one goal in mind and you were set out to do everything possible to achieve that goal. By the age of 5, you could play the piano and the guitar and your parents sent you to any and every theater camp imaginable to ensure you had all the tools needed to succeed. Being an actor full-time was hard. Your first role was as a background character in a show that was canceled after one season. Then there was a recurring role in a CW teen drama that only lasted two years. Finally, a year ago you had your big break, starring in your first feature film. Things were actually starting to come together.

“This press tour shouldn’t be too bad, especially for your first one. Of course we’re starting here in LA for the big premiere, then New York, London and we’ll do a stop in Paris. It’ll go by fast.” Your assistant Anna rambled on as you nodded your head without looking up from your phone. Justin had just left the facility and was on his way over.

“We have hair and makeup set. Your nail appointment is tomorrow at 2 and the final dress fitting is on Friday anytime in the afternoon.”

Placing the phone on the counter, you thanked her for keeping your life in order and let her know you wouldn’t miss anything this week. You’d only been looking forward to this your entire life.

“Now, I know your family RSVP’d a few days ago but are you sure you don’t want a plus one? I mean—oh. Speak of the handsome devil.”

The door opened and in walked the only person that could even be a potential plus one, in a dream world.

“Hi guys, I brought dinner.” He held up the bags and set them on the counter and nodded toward Anna’s iPad. “What are you two working on?”

You laughed to yourself as Justin and Anna settled in and immediately started eating as she scrolled through your schedule to get him up to speed. “Does everything look okay? Would you give it the Herbert stamp of approval?”

“I would…but there’s a question mark here by the plus one on your guest list for the premiere.” He pointed out.

Anna gave you a look, anxiously waiting to see where this was going. But she also realized she might not want to be here for this so before the conversation continued, all of her things were packed and she was out the door.

“Okay. Now that she’s gone, I can freely do this.” His lips were on yours immediately, a soft and delicate feel against your own left your breath catching in your throat. Sometimes when you kissed him it felt urgent, like you were operating purely on instinct and couldn’t get enough. This felt warm, reassuring…safe. Like the entirety of your relationship was wrapped up into one simple embrace. There is home here, there is love. Justin pulled away to catch his breath, running his thumb to smooth over your brow. “I’ve been thinking about some things. About us. We’ve been together for a while and it’s been the most amazing year and a half of my life and you mean the world to me. You know that, right?”

You nod, not knowing where he was going with this.

“I think—no. I know, I should be your plus one at the premiere.”

“Excuse me? Who are you and what the hell have you done with the real Justin?”

His lips curl into a slight smile, holding you at the waist to pull you close. “Look, I’m not saying I’m ready for the MET Gala or anything. But I do think that I should be there, by your side and support you like you’ve supported me. “We only share what we want. No hiding.”

“You’re right but I’m usually up in a box with a bunch of other people. Are you sure you’re comfortable with that? If we do this, there’s no going back. You barely post social media content that isn’t an ad, you really want to do a movie premiere with me? In public? Together?”

“Yes,” he urges, without breaking eye contact. He was actually being serious about this. “People are going to find out about us eventually, it should be on our own terms. That way we can control the narrative.”

It’s almost like you’re waiting for him to say he’s kidding. For as long as you’ve been together he’s always valued his privacy, it was something the two of you had in common. But maybe you could still be private without being hidden. “You’re a diabolical genius who’s getting a little too good at this media training thing,” you place both of your arms on his shoulders with a sigh, “then you flash those freaking dimples and you keep getting away with it. I’m onto you.”

“But seriously Justin, I want us to meet with Ashley and figure this out. The last thing I want to do is ruin your life.”

“Y/n,” he whispers. “You are stuck with me for the foreseeable future. We can do this.”

You let out a content hum as he presses a kiss to the side of your head, setting up a meeting with Ashley in the morning.

Three days later…

The nerves were definitely starting to kick in. You were desperately hoping not to trip or make a fool of yourself. All you had to do was walk down the carpet, smile for the cameras and go inside. It was the most simple yet stressful thing in the world.

Your boyfriend’s comforting hand found a place in your lap, bringing you back down to Earth. “You’re going to be incredible today. And this dress? Looks fucking incredible on you.”

It reminded you of the times you’d talked him off the ledge after a bad loss or helped nurse the bumps and bruises that inevitably accumulated during the season. In a few short months, you’d be doing it all over again. You were thankful that he could be your rock when you needed it. The car came to a stop just as you stepped out of your daydream. Before the door opened, you turned around and locked eyes with him, “let’s do this” he mouths, looking more confident than you could ever hope to be.

Y/n! Y/n! Over here!

Smile!

Is that Justin Herbert?

Y/n and Justin, look this way!

How long have you two been a couple?

He was the most solid presence the entire time, holding your hand and smiling for the camera at every turn. Then there were solo shots of you and pictures with the rest of the cast before entering the cinema.

“Justin we have to ask. You attended a movie premiere last week with a certain up and coming actress. How was that experience?” Daniel Popper of the Athletic asked at OTAs.

The quarterback laughs quietly before formulating a response. “Um yeah it was fun. I got to go in and watch my girlfriend’s movie in a room full of people who worked really hard on it. The movie was great and I had a great time. Thank you.”

“One follow-up question Justin. Y/n was on Jimmy Kimmel last night and said she could break down an NFL defense right now if she needed to. Do you two watch a lot of game film together?”

He recalled the exact moment Daniel was talking about because he’d been in the green room with Anna and the rest of your team watching the entire thing. “She’s probably right. During the season we do have to get creative with our quality time so I do go through some film with her so if it came down to it, she very well could dissect an NFL defense. I’ve definitely given her a lot of the information she needs.”

“I think that’s it. Thank you, Justin.”

“Thank you, guys.”

The only way this controlled chaos was working was because they did things their own way. No People Magazine exclusives or DeuxMoi anonymous tips and any and every interview you did had a “no ask” list or a limit was placed on the number of questions that could be asked about your relationship. Justin would rather die than have his every move documented on social media and there was no way in hell that you’d allow that to happen.

“There’s no way I would ever wear that.” He cringed at the phone, emphasizing his point. A small part of you wanted to laugh because he looked like a toddler on the verge of a temper tantrum but you really needed to focus.

“Well babe, unless Nike suddenly started making custom suits then you’re going to have to expand your horizons. If I can figure out the difference between cover one and cover two, then you can wear sunscreen every day and wear pants that aren’t khakis.”

Justin shrugged at the last part, “it’s not New York Fashion week I’m playing football. No one cares what I wear.”

“But for the Oscars, I’ll definitely make an exception, because we’re going.”

You sat up from your spot next to him and smiled. “I appreciate and adore your enthusiasm but let’s just be real here. I’ll be lucky if I get invited, let alone nominated. This isn’t some little award show, it's the freaking Oscars. Might as well be a shot in the dark.”

As much as you’d been hearing the whispers about your performance there was still some doubt. It was your first role on a stage this big and with all the changes in your personal and professional life, it was hard to assume that anything would go according to plan. But even though life continues to be unpredictable, you were sure about one thing. More like one person.

“Hey, look at me.” He smirks, sitting across from you so your knees are touching. Justin holds out his hands for you to hold and when you do he instructs you to close your eyes and take a deep breath. “Now we’re going to say positive things that we want to put out into the universe. You will get nominated for an Oscar.” He waits patiently for you to repeat him as you chew on the inside of your cheek.

“I will get nominated for an Oscar.”

“You will win.”

“I will win.”

“We will celebrate your win…together.”

“We will celebrate my win together. Now it’s your turn.”

The man chuckles and allows you to guide him this time. “You will get to the Super Bowl.”

“I will get to the Super Bowl.”

“You will win.”

“I will win.”

“We will celebrate together.” The two of you say simultaneously. “Looks like we’ve got work to do.” You tell him with a laugh.

He lets you scoot closer so you can lean your head on his shoulder. “And celebrations to look forward to.”

Silence washes over you as each of you think about your respective life plans. Award shows, Super Bowl parades and everything in between. The thought of walking alongside you through it all brought him inexplicable joy.

He broke the silence stating,“I may have lied to you before, you did ruin my life.”

His confession sent chills down your spine. “What? What do you mean, what happened?”

Justin wraps an arm around you, reaching down to kiss your forehead. “I thought I had everything figured out before I met you. Now, you’ve come in and flipped my entire world upside down. And I’ve never been happier. You’ve ruined me, in the best way. If you ever tell anyone I said that, I’ll deny it.”

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. And for what it’s worth, I think you’ve ruined me too.”

#Justin Herbert #justin herbert imagine #justin herbert x reader #justin herbert fanfic #justin herbert fluff

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bleedingoptimism · 1 year

Text

part one.

”I hope he sees it and it fucking breaks his heart.”

/tap/

“I hope he sees it and it fucking breaks his heart.”

/tap/

“I hope he sees it and it fucking breaks his heart.”

/tap/

Eddie has seen the video a hundred times already, and everytime he rewinds the last part and watches it again, and again, and again.

Not that he needs to watch it to hear the song all the time, it’s playing fucking everywhere. And some radios even left the part where Steve says he’s allowed to be a bitch about it.

Karma is the bitch.

He was in the middle of a tour in Europe when the video went viral. He got a text from Chrissy saying ‘Don’t go on twitter’ then another one five minutes later that said ‘Sorry’.

He obviously went on twitter after that, ‘Barbie and the Kendolls’ was trending and so was ‘Who is Eddie?’ and ‘Marry Me Instead’

He called Chrissy after, they hadn’t talked in a while but she was the only one who still talked to him after he broke up with Steve, turns out she wasn’t really sorry for the song going viral, “I love you Eddie, but you kinda deserved it” she told him.

He knows he does, doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt, doesn’t mean he doesn’t want Steve back.

They had been so happy, they were so in love. Living together in a small duplex downtown, friends and band members always coming and going. Eddie was getting his big break in music and Steve was starting his experimental band with the girls.

Barbie and the Kendolls was actually a joke name Eddie came up with because Chrissy always called Steve ‘Kendoll’ and Steve called her ‘Barbie’. He didn’t really know how to feel about them keeping the name.

Actually, he kind of loved it, he’d always had a thing for Steve’s bitchiness.

He fucking missed him so much.

He’d screwed up big time.

Back then he’d thought he was stopping Steve from achieving his dreams by being with him. Steve always talked about marriage and life together and kids someday.

Eddie always talked about life on the road and his hate of white picket fences.

It had never occurred to him that when Steve talked about marriage he meant marrying him.

Eddie had spent the last year of their relationship waiting for Steve to break up with him.

In the end he couldn’t take it anymore. He broke up with him first.

He had no idea Steve was going to propose.

Even after, when he'd talked to Robin and asked how Steve was doing, she never told him.

“How do you think he’s doing Eddie? You… shattered him. Don’t call here again, please.” That was the last time he’d heard from him and the last time he spoke with Robin too.

Chrissy kept in touch but she never talked about him, ‘don’t ask me, you don’t have the right’ she’d told him once.

He knew that, and Eddie had regretted the choice the second the words left his mouth, but he couldn’t take them back.

He had even tried to move on, but you can’t move on from perfect. There’s nothing else that’s worth it.

So Eddie never did stop asking about him.

After the song goes viral and the band starts getting more famous Chrissy confessed to him that Steve hates and loves the fact that’s the song that got them on the map.

The thing is, Eddie wants him back. Yes, he made a mistake. Yes, it’s been almost a year. But he still feels the same about Steve, he wants him, he wants to marry him, he just didn’t know he could have it all. It didn’t seem possible, to be so lucky, to have his music and have him.

And he got scared and did what he does best, he ran.

But there’s another thing he’s good at.

And that’s writing songs.

He’s going to win him back. He’s going to mend his heart. And he’s going to do it the same way Steve tried to break his. With a song.

part three

#steddie #stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #i wrote something

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luffyvace · 3 months

Text

Tanjiro x male reader<3

Tanjiro x male reader won second place in the poll!! :) enjoy tanjiro stans<3

Starting back at the final selection let’s say that’s when you met

just to clear things up

and you two started dating some time after that

of course eventually making it official

tanjiro was quite flustered when he realized his sexuality might be different from tradition

but he wasn’t afraid to be bi/gay/pan or anything

he just thought- ..! Actually he never really thought of that type of thing..

I mean he was kinda too young

but now that your together!

he has time to figure it all out :)

tanjiro is such a sweet lover!

and helpful!

and caring!

(Really he’s a ball of love)

if you feel tired he carries you

(Even if your both beat up after a mission)

if you need water he’ll spare you some of his or go fetch some

And he’s always down to spar at any type of day!

I will say he’s not thinking about you in that way when you take your shirt off

but when you do he definitely admires you!

you might have abs seeing as though the demon slayer corps has………...harsh (brutal) training 😅

if you do then he sees it as a result of your hard work!

same with scars!

especially with scars<3

he can 100% relate and you two share stories about each one

if you have any—you probably trauma bond

you guys just end up talking all night long about your past, everything that happened, your pain, whether you want revenge or not and so on!

It strengthens your trust and relationship with each other

btw if anyone asks why your together as two males or how you know you actually like men..

tanjiro will humbly and politely educate (lecture) them on how important you are to each other, how you met, why/when you started dating and even if they don’t like it, it’s simple to walk away instead of disrespecting your relationship!

I hope y’all don’t run into uzui..

(y’all do)

that man has THREE wives why wouldn’t he question when he sees you two?? 😬🧍‍♀️

tanjiro had to hit em with the quick fix cuz when I tell you he did not let that slide 😂

especially with how slick uzui mouth be gettin..😒

Tanjiro also has learned to adjust to scavenging for food (he grew crops with his mom)

as well as inosuke (he grew up in the wild) and zenitsu (he used to have crops with his sensei)

so if you can too, great!

if not the 3 of them work together to make the 4 of you meals

and after they learn how to stop burning them

theyre pretty tasty too!!

don’t expect inosuke to share.

do expect inosuke to take

-note to self, m/n.

zenitsu doesn’t see the attraction to males instead of females

he won’t judge but will ask you two if your sure your into males

and after tanjiro gives him that lecture about being respectful-

he doesn’t question it again

LOL

inosuke straight up don’t care

he doesn’t really view relationships in a romantic way

its more so between “they’re beneath me” , “they’re above me, I must beat them”

so no worries about him judging either 😋

if nezuko doesn’t like you

it’s not to say tanjiro won’t date you because of it

but I’ll honestly say it plays a factor

If sweet nezuko doesn’t like you it prob means something..🤨

she has good instincts so tanjiro might start to assume you have ill intent or smth 😬

he’ll try to get her to like you and if she warms up to you he assumes it might’ve been personal 😂🤷‍♀️

but if she doesn’t..

he finds you like 30% less attractive🧍‍♀️

if she does like you from jump, she starts to protect you as well

and loves to spend time with you when she’s outside her box

tanjiro adores this and you three cuddle or play in each other’s hair whenever you have the time

It also makes him happy if you accept nezuko as a demon quickly

after missions tanjiro finds you, nezuko, zenitsu and inosuke

then cries

like your all just a crying mess tbh

i mean unless your like emotionally unavailable..

BC I DON’T SEE HOW YOU COULD NOT CRY AS A MINOR WHO HAS TO KILL LITERAL HORRIFYING BEASTS FOR A LIVING?!?!?!?

Tanjiro will help you achieve your goals as you likely help him achieve his

even more so after that night you had where you opened up to each other about your past

(again, only if you have truama)

tanjiro is really grateful for you

before all he had was nezuko

and aside from zenitsu and inosuke

now he has you!! 💗

tanjiro’s love languages are acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation and (shy) physical touch

actually maybe some gift giving when he can too!!

so all?!

such a green flag 💖

for acts of service as I said he’ll genuinely do any sane thing you ask of him

he cares about you that much

he won’t bother to complain about being tired either

he automatically assumes your either doing worse or he’s fine

as for quality time he gets really relieved when he gets sent on missions with you

at least he can be there to see and protect you

(or maybe vice versa 😂)

he’d beat himself up about not being able to protect you more if you get serious injures

tends to your wounds everyday then trains vigorously

to get stronger and protect you as you fight along side him when he fights muzan

if your gonna fight along side him in that battle? He’s gonna need to be strong enough to protect you.

he doesn’t want to loose you.

especially not to that man.

he lost everything to him.

he won’t let it happen again.

💗💕💖🍡♥︎

for quality time outside of missions ✌︎('ω')✌︎

tanjiro likes to train, cuddle, go on walks, go shopping, chit chat :)

All that good stuff <3

with words of affirmation he really just praises you all the time

”you did your best today in training! I could tell! :D”

“You look great today m/n!! I’m glad your wearing the (favorite men’s jewelry piece) I got you!”

”I can definitely tell your getting stronger, m/n!!!”

it can also be

“get a good nights sleep, m/n! I love you!”

”be careful on your mission okay? I love you, m/n!”

“thank goodness we surviveeeeed!!! I love you m/n!! I love you so much!!”

now lastly for (shy) physical touch

he is nervous to touch you

he doesn’t wanna make you uncomfortable, yes that’s the last thing he wants

he doesn’t know how to execute it so he ends up either asking or making it very obvious of what he’s trying to do

that way you can shut him down early on just in case

and you won’t feel pressured to let him if you dislike affection

which mind you he does asks if your okay with it first

so that’s likely not the case

if you did mention your distaste for physical affection, however, it’s duly noted in his mind and will keep it to a minimum

your gonna have to discuss boundaries or else he’s gonna act like you have the plague trying not to upset you 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

Tanjiro doesn’t dislike pda or anything

he’s just a bit embarrassed about it

maybe if it’s more subtle like resting your head on his shoulder, then yeah that’s okay!

hugging too!!

but direct kissing or hand holding?

his face is a cherry and he’s apologizing to the passerbyers for disturbing them

even if they don’t mind

he’s self aware when it comes to not disturbing others

tanjiro can be a little flustered/shy about things but he’s certainly isn’t embarrassed about your relationship!

he’s quite proud, actually!

will happily tell/correct anyone that asks or misjudges♡♡♡

It’ll make me happy if you enjoyed this, so hopes to you did!

(apologies for the procrastination, and thank you for your patience lovelies!)

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lilsedge · 5 months

Text

I’ll hold you

Gif credits to @domysterio

Dominik Mysterio x fem! reader

For my love @judgementdaysunshine

Warnings:

Dominik and Y/N were best friends since they could remember. Their parents don’t even remember how they became so close. Wherever one went, the other followed without fail. Especially when Dominik was in the custody fight between his uncle and father.

Y/N’s parents tried to get her to stay home, but Dominik begged and cried. In the end, she went and Dominik was happy.

Being close, they also experienced their worst days together. They were well aware of the appropriate approach to take when the other person was upset.

These two were also wrestlers. They trained together. Worked out together. Even signed their contracts together. Regardless of perceptions of being too close, why should it matter?

As they got older, they weren’t as attached at the hip as they were younger, but they always kept their weekly lunches and their every second day workouts. It’s just as they grew older, they didn’t need to be attached.

Dominik was currently SmackDown tag team champion with his father and Y/N was SmackDown women’s champion. She was going to be defending the title against Ronda Rousey. As a former UFC fighter, she knew how to use force to achieve her goals.

Y/N was standing out in the ring, watching as the ring announcer announced Ronda. The girl was holding on to her title with a tight grip as they announced her name.

She turned around to look at Dominik, who was standing ringside with his father. Dominik knew that girl was a wreck today. The day started off horribly, making her incredibly nervous.

It was almost towards the end of the match and Ronda did a number on Y/N’s arm. She was favoring the arm a lot. She tried to mask the pain every single time Ronda went after it again or she landed on it. Dominik could see right through her. He was conscious that she probably wouldn't make it through the match, and he loathed that.

Ronda wanted to end the match. That’s exactly what she did. She managed to send Y/N into a suplex and got her in the armbar. Of course, the armbar had to be on Y/N’s bad arm. It filled her face with pain. Realizing she was too far from the rope, she knew she couldn't grab onto it.

Y/N had to tap. Her hand hit the mat three times, and the bell was rung. Ronda didn’t let go yet until Y/N was screaming in pain. The ref got Ronda off of the poor girl. She crawled back to the turnbuckle, cradling her injured arm. The disappointment finally washed over her face. She had just lost a title to a stupid submission.

Dominik made his way into the ring, kneeling right in front of Y/N. He was looking into her eyes, but they didn’t meet his. She was too busy focusing on the fact her title was being lifted by someone else.

“Hey come on,” Dominik says, pulling her attention away from the girl behind him.

“I’ll hold you,” he says, finally moving out of the ring with her.

She laughs and lets him carry her backstage. He was being careful with her hurt arm. Rey starts making some jokes as they make their way backstage and it takes Y/N’s mind off the pain. She appreciates Rey for doing what he does, but all she wants is to be in Dominik’s arms. As that was her safe place.

#wwe x reader #wwe fanfiction #wwe imagine #dominik mysterio x reader #wwe

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deliciousangelfestival · 1 year

Text

The Audacity Of This B - Lloyd Hansen Series

Character: Lloyd Hansen x Rich!Female Reader

Summary: Reader's ex-fiance suddenly visits her. What does he want? And how will Lloyd react?

Words Count: 4.200,-

Warning: 18+, smut, death character, bad words.

Authors Note: Thank you for leaving any comments, likes, and reblogs.

I love you all. 💕💕💕😘😘😘

If you have any feedback or want to ask any questions please send it to my inbox.

This chapter is from Lloyd Hansen's Series - 3 Billion Divorce.

Check out Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Extra Story

And check out my other stories from Masterlist.

Some relationships couldn't work out. It happened.

Like Ethan, his biggest regret is losing you.

That was his fault for letting his insecurity win.

Seeing you with someone else makes him want to puke.

His pointed finger moves between you and Lloyd. “You’re married?”

You move closer to Lloyd to rest your hand on his chest. You look at him with a warm gaze; Lloyd smiles back at you without any signal.

He's a good actor.

“ Yes.”

Ethan crunched his face when he saw the intimate act. He altered his gaze. “I don’t believe you.”

"You chose him over me ?!"

"Ethan, if you came here to disrespect my husband, get the hell out."

Ethan took a step back. You've changed.

He knew there was a big gap between you both. His parents always compare your achievements to his.

Everyone said he would be the luckiest person to have you as his wife. It felt like his pride was being stomped.

"You're missing a good chance, Y/N."

After Ethan left, both of you were still in the same position. You tried to push Lloyd away, but he didn't budge.

He wondered how you ended with Ethan. “Do you like him?”

You were silent then he saw you smile for a second “At first.”

Lloyd clenched his fist; the thought of you with someone else just irked him.

"So… he's your type huh?" Lloyd sneered like he was mocking you.

"He wasn't my choice. When I studied abroad, they chose a fiance for me without my knowledge."

To be precise, your grandmother chose Ethan. She picks her closest aid to monitor you.

If your relatives couldn’t tame you, your husband could do it.

“I thought I found a good guy. He was sweet at first, but it didn't work out."

He smiled, but his displeasure was obvious. “There shouldn’t be any secrets between us, honey.”

You scoffed. Lying doesn't work with Lloyd."I despised him."

Lloyd thought so.

“It’s difficult to break the engagement. Since both families benefit from this.”

At that time, L/N company with Wielder Construction needed to work together to remodel the train station in New York.

“They basically sold you.”

“It’s a normal thing in my family.” Your uncles and aunties got married not by their choice, except by your parents.

“Ethan was sweet and respectful. He visited me when I studied at Oxford. He left a great impression. I thought why not give it a try? On the semester break, I went to his place to surprise him. But what I found was, he had a sex party, and he made out with my cousin. Turned out she went to the university with him.” You felt betrayed when you saw the vulgar scene.

“You told your grandfather?”

You nodded. “And he saw the video but he told me to stay silent. That’s when I realized he needed this marriage too.”

“I almost gave up and accepted my fate to have a lifeless marriage. But then I remembered grandfather hated people who lost his money. He will toss anyone who he thinks is useless."

"So when Ethan asked to invest in his new business, I gave him 500 million dollars and I told my grandfather. He appreciated that I gave Ethan a chance."

Lloyd coughed. Every time you mention money, it is always an outrageous amount. Your ex is an idiot.

“It was your scheme from the beginning, you know he will lose it.”

He learned you are also a risk taker since you don't mind losing that money to get what you want.

You chuckled. “It was big news and the media loved to see the downfall of rich kids.But the most important part is my grandfather who was really mad. He didn’t want a stupid grandson-in-law. And he cut the engagement."

Lloyd learned that you are pretty manipulative when he heard the whole story. He could probably finish all his missions faster if you work with him.

"Do you want me to handle him? He seems like trouble like your relatives."

You shook your head and made a cross with both of your arms. “I don't want to get in any trouble since Ethan’s father is Robert Wielder.”

That last name was familiar. Lloyd's expression was enough to tell that he knew. You nodded. “Ethan's uncle is the President, Nolan Wielder. I don’t want to deal with the Secret Service, FBI and CIA.”

Lloyd agreed in his line of work; he knew some people he couldn't touch. "You're right it's a pain in the ass."

"What does it mean you will miss a good life?"

“I didn't follow his update after the engagement broke. But it seems like he has started joining politics."

“Him?” Lloyd didn't believe it when you said that, but when he looked down from your office window. There's a billboard with Ethan's campaign photo.

“Wielder has a long history in politics but only for the male heir. Nolan only has a daughter, and the only male heir to continue their tradition is Ethan. Robert is ambitious to make his son a President.”

He gathered all the dots and could figure out that Ethan came here to check on you. And want to marry you since he still single.

Voters prefer married candidates.

You sighed heavily. “I miscalculated the bad outcome. I'm sure his father will call me.”

Your guess was correct, after a minute your secretary knocked on your door.

"Miss, there's some,-"

You move closer to your table and pick up the phone. "Hello?"

“Ah, my dear Y/N. How are you?” The older man's voice sounds friendly but vicious at the same time.

“I’m good.”

“I hear what happened with your family. It’s tragic but necessary to get rid of the rotten parts.”

You didn't say anything because he didn't help you when you struggled.

“I'm inviting you to the gala dinner. I insist. I heard you also got married. I’m sad you didn’t invite me. I want to get to know him.” The other side seemed to know you didn't want to talk, so he cut to the chase.

“Yes, Robert.”

You lowered your head and sighed heavily. "Do you have suits, Lloyd?"

“Why?”

"We got invited to the gala dinner.”

Lloyd was bored and decided to walk around at your company. Jimmy stood before him, lifted his left palm and pointed his fourth finger.

Lloyd raised his eyebrows. “I don’t understand sign language, old man.”

Jimmy rolled his eyes. “This generation…" He sighed heavily. "What I meant was you should give Y/N a ring.”

Lloyd pinched the bridge of his nose. Both of you forgot the most important thing to make acting as husband and wife more believable. No wonder Ethan doesn't believe you when you tell him you got married. A woman like you needs to wear a beautiful ring.

Lloyd picks up his phone. “Find me the most expensive wedding ring, size 13.”

Lloyd entered your room and saw you dressed in a gown. You look elegant and mature in the evening dress.

You also saw him looking good. He was dressed in a perfectly fitting black suit. He seems like a gentleman.

He knelt near you and pulled a red velvet box from his pocket. “Y/N L/N, I swear on the 3 billion dollars I will never betray and let you get hurt. Because you're the greatest asset that I ever had.”

Your heart skipped a beat for a moment. You knew it was only for an act. “I do. From now on, let’s get along."

Lloyd didn't know why, but he thought the proposal was real for a moment. He must keep his head clear and remember this is just a contract.

He stood up and sat on the side of your bed. "Is this a good idea to show my face at the gala?"

"It's perfect timing. All the guests know me. If I introduce you as my husband. No one will bother me anymore."

At the gala.

Everyone gasped and whispered when they saw you walk into the room.

You force the corners of your mouth to curl up when you greet other guests.

You whispered to your partner, "I just came back 2 days ago, and it seems they knew everything."

Lloyd chuckled.

One of the most effective weapons is gossip. "Walls have ears, my dear." Lloyd played his part well.

Too well. He stroked your hair and kissed your temple.

In other people's eyes, both of you look close and intimate. And with the ring on your fingers, they believe you are already married.

The host of the party sees it too. Ethan and his father, Robert, saw you and Lloyd look like newlyweds.

Ethan tried to fake a smile, but it was seen through. Robert notices his son wants to cry. He whispered, "If you didn't invest in that fake start-up, both of you are married now. Now look, she chose a mercenary to be her husband."

You gripped Lloyd's arm tighter when you greeted Robert and Ethan. The older man seems friendly and welcoming, but his conversation always leads to gaslighting.

Robert gave a quick kiss on both of your cheeks. "Welcome Y/N." Then he moved to Lloyd. He didn't bother to offer a handshake, "Mr. Hansen. I heard about your work in Prague. It was impressive but such a mess."

Lloyd doesn't bother when someone underestimates him. In his line of work, he already used too with harsh words.

You must keep the act longer since you got seated at the same table as the host party. They changed it at the last minute.

After everyone got seated and talked, Robert broke the mood by asking, “When will you get divorced? You signed prenup right? My lawyers will help you.”

You raised your voice. “Excuse me?”

“You picked a dangerous man to be your husband, Y/N. His hands had taken out hundreds of lives. You deserved better."

You crossed your arms; you decided not to be friendly with him anymore. “Not so different from us. There’s no big business without the blood of innocent people.”

What you meant was you weren't that innocent too. You knew the company your grandfather was built with real tears and blood.

"I think this conversation will only disrespect my husband. So I think we will leave." You start to move from your seat.

"We're not done yet."

"L/N company won't stop donating to your brother next year election campaign."

"My brother will be forever grateful. What I want to ask is the 500 billion dollar project. Your uncle promised me I would be part of it, and I got 20%."

“Then your project will get into trouble, my dear.”

"You need my connection. Without my help, you won't get it easy, Y/N. Remember, I've been playing this game longer than you."

"That's bullshit. Your company doesn't take part. And it was my uncle who promised you, not me. I'm not your business partner."

You clenched your fist holding out any anger. The audacity of this old man. He didn't do anything to get this mega project. For those 4 years of running and hiding, you are still reaching out to a potential business partner.

You were lucky; you found your grandfather's old notebook before you got cast out.

Inside he wrote some contacts of business partnerships that he worked with.

"I will be straight to the point, Mr Wielder. My answer is No." You lift yourself from the chair.

“If you leave, you will miss a chance to be the 1st lady.”

Before you could say anything, Lloyd had already stabbed the table knife between Robert's fingers to the table.

It made everyone near the table gasp and get scared. Even the musicians stop playing their instruments. Lloyd waves his hand to signal everyone to look the other way. He already controls the rooms.

He smiled but sounded displeased. "I've been reading about your son's campaign situation. His name doesn't have a strong brand. He will lose the election if he doesn't have L/N company to back him up."

"Now, I will give two choices." Loyd is pissed; these people not just disrespect him but you too.

"I will stab your son's eyes or slit his throat with this knife?"

Lloyd said with a calm smile. But everyone at the table felt fear. Ethan wants to move, but his father makes an eye signal not to stay in his position.

Robert keeps his composure. "Both of them don't give me any benefits."

"Exactly."

Robert noticed you didn't tell Lloyd to stop, which means you supported his doing. "I see; we couldn't reach the same point of view. And I apologise."

"That's great.” Lloyd pulled the knife from the table.”You've known my line of work. Keep your hands away from my wife."

He stood up and linked your arms to him, and put his hand on your back. Both of you left the party.

Ethan could only watch your back before he asked his father, “Do you want me to give him a lesson?”

Robert snapped, “No, stay here and play with your dick.” He is pissed that they wouldn't be humiliated like this if his son were good and could tame Y/N; they wouldn't be humiliated like this.

Inside the car on the way home, both of you were silent. It made Lloyd restless. "Y/N, did I make a mistake?"

His act could ruin your good image and business for having a lunatic husband.

This is the first time you saw him lose confidence. You shook. "You didn't do anything wrong."

He didn’t believe it.

You smiled and held his hand. "It’s true, Lloyd. Everyone will know I have a husband who is not a coward and doesn't take shit if someone underestimates him."

After you said that, he finally felt relieved. He is grateful for the nighttime; if it was daylight, you could see his blushed cheeks.

'Growl.'

"Sorry, I couldn't eat anything at that party." You pick up a phone and start typing to order food, "I'm craving a cheeseburger; what about you?"

"Same."

Back at your shared apartment.

After the two sets of cheeseburgers and 3 bottles of wine, both of you felt comfortable with each other.

Lloyd saw you were already drunk because you kept playing with a fork. He asked, "Is Wielder superior to your family?"

You felt dizzy and moved your chair closer to Lloyd. You nodded your head multiple times and opened your arms. "He gets along with the mafia; he even blocked the importer ship that belongs to my grandfather. Since then, Grandpa has chosen to keep his enemy close."

Lloyd chuckled, seeing you being dramatic at explaining things. "Did you forget that you are a reliable husband now?"

That’s right; you have someone to rely on. You don’t know if it’s because of the alcohol, but you want to kiss him.

Your gaze didn’t move from his lips.

“Can I kiss you?”

Lloyd didn’t expect your question.

Don’t need any answer.

Soon both lips collided, and a tongue entered your parted mouth. You could feel a strong hand wrapped around the back of your neck. Lloyd bit and sucked your lips several times, then smirked. “Are you sure you want to do this?

Your heart was beating fast as if it could pop out of your chest at any moment. “Maybe?” You have a long giggle before you pass out.

Lloyd catches your head before it hits the table. He sighed heavily since you woke up the fire inside of him.

The next day, when you wake up, you feel a headache. You didn’t remember what happened after you finished the third bottle of wine. When you want to get another sleep, your phone rings.

‘RING’

You weren’t ready to accept any call, but it was your secretary. He never called in the morning unless it was important.

When you listened to what he said, the hangover you had immediately went and jumped off the bed.

Lloyd, an early riser, was sitting in the living room. He was enjoying the morning coffee while looking at your door.

Your door suddenly opened.

“Morning.” He noticed you were already wearing an outdoor outfit, not the usual one. “Where are you going?”

You were fixing your jacket. “There’s an accident at one project site. I must check before the media comes and talk with the project safety manager.” You didn't want this accident to stop the progress.

This will be your first time handling the project independently without your grandfather's guidance.

While preparing all your stuff, Lloyd hopes for something different.

“You didn’t remember what happened last night?"

“No.”

He made a mental note not to let you drink because you don’t remember.

At the construction site

Lloyd didn’t have a good feeling when both of you arrived at the location. "I don't like this."

"Me too. But I have to be responsible."

"That's not what I meant. Something doesn't seem right."

When you visited the site, a group surrounded you and brought you to the location. In just a second, you got separated from Lloyd.

“Y/N!”

You couldn’t hear his scream. One of the employees said, “Miss Y/N, over there is where the accident happened.”

When you followed him, you felt pain in your back. Before your hand could touch it, your head was covered with black cloth.

You got kidnapped again.

Lloyd wasn’t fast enough this time because the kidnapper used a helicopter.

"Fuck."

He took his phone. "Find out which idiot used a helicopter in the daylight to kidnap my wife!!!"

Somewhere in an unknown location,

"Urghh." Your eyes are still closed because of the dizziness.

With the hangover and the headache you got from the back hit made you puke.

"Geez, Y/N this is an Italian leather shoe."

That familiar voice made you open your eyelids. "Ethan, what the fuck? Not you too."

"Y/N, I'm sorry. This is the only way I could talk to you."

"This is an idiot move, you idiot."

"Stop talking like that. Y/N, let's just say this is intervention."

"For what?"

"Your husband. Y/N please leave him. He's not good enough for you."

You rolled your eyes. "You just want my money."

"Uh, you make this difficult Y/N. Seems like I can't have a conversation with you."

He snapped his fingers and someone appeared holding a gun.

He heavily sighed, if you just give him another chance, both of you could have a happy life.

"Get rid of her." He said that before he left the cottage.

'That's it?'

You were shocked with how your ex-fiance negotiated. He didn't even try and just gave up.

This is the biggest of the red flags you see in him. Giving up quickly and not wanting to admit his own mistakes.

You know the hitman getting closer. "Wait, wait. I could give you more money. 4 billion dollars."

The killer laughed mockingly, thinking you would never have that much money. "Yeah, like I could be a billionaire in one day."

Based on his voice you realised he's not American no wonder why he didn't believe you.

He aimed the gun closer to your forehead.

You closed your eyes, accepting your fate.

'BANG.'

At the loud gunshot, something warm and damp splashed on your face. You inhaled the fishy smell.

"ARGH!!"

You were shocked; you weren’t ready.

Blood splatters on your face.

That was the first time you had someone die in front of your eyes.

Since you became the target of your relatives, there was a time you got into a dangerous moment.

"You should've accepted the money." Lloyd's voice made you feel safe.

You were on adrenaline; your eyes kept seeing the hitman who had a bullet pierced into his forehead.

Lloyd took off his jacket to cover your face.

"Send the dead body to Wielder house." He gave instructions to his subordinates.

"Did he hurt you?" Lloyd ran to you and then cut the rope around your hands. You immediately wrapped his shoulder with his arms, rested your head on his neck, and cried.

"No. Take me home. Please." Your crying made him feel more guilty. He holds you tighter.

When he found who it was, he immediately drove to the hidden cottage while his team ruined the Wielder building. That old man Robert will get another stroke. His stupid son tried to kidnap his wife.

You went home and took a shower for the 5th time. No matter how much soap you put on your body, you could still smell the blood. You want it to disappear.

It's the first time you got covered with blood from head to toe. And you hope this is the last time.

In the end, you can handle it and sit on the floor. “ARGH!!!” To let out your frustration.

“You were stressed and scared, didn’t you?”

“Isn't it obvious?"

“Y/N.”

You saw him already taken off his shirt; he only wore his brief. You didn't have the energy to ask him why.

“I gave you my permission to use my body.”

“...”

“To release some stress. It’s my fault you got kidnapped.”

He shamelessly looked up and down your body. “I’m dying to touch your body, and I haven’t shown you my night duty as your husband.”

There was silence; your brain couldn’t think at all. You only have two choices, go to a psychiatrist to talk about your problem that ended without any solution or fucked Lloyd to release the stress you’ve been holding for years.

“Fuck it.” You kissed him, which surprised him for a while, but he didn’t want to miss the chance.

Lloyd's hands grasped your breasts and gently twisted your nipples. You gasped, and your heart beat faster and faster.

He licked your pink nipples and tugged at them lightly with his teeth. You saw his perfectly toned body was breathtakingly hot. You hold his shoulder.

“Can we continue this in the bedroom?”

“Yes, wife.”

He lifted your body while you hugged him by his neck. When he found the bed, he put you down gently. You spread your legs apart and wrapped your legs around his waist. You are already wet. His manhood pushed in.

It felt so good.

Your body trembled, and Lloyd enjoyed you watching your face. At the climax, he shoved his penis deep inside you. You felt the blood of your body rush down.

He slowly pulled out his manhood, rested beside you, and gently caressed your cheek.

Your finger sweeps his messy hair. “This is,-”

He left small kisses on your shoulders, lay beside you, and pulled you into his arms. “Don’t say anything, both of us need this.”

He was right; you were exhausted. You closed your eyes and burrowed in his arms.

Lloyd pressed his lips to the top of your head. “Sweet dream, sweetheart.”

'RING'

"Urgh", The grumble voice came from Lloyd, who woke up because of the annoying ringtone.

"Sunshine, if it's another accident, just send Jimmy."

You also didn't want to pick up the phone, but the only people who knew this number were the people you trusted.

You couldn't turn your body to the nightstand since you were still trapped in Lloyd cuddled. Only one of your arms could reach the phone beside you.

"Hello."

"Y/N, in another 5 minutes there will be another call. You have to answer it."

"Wait a-"

Jimmy had hung up the phone before you could ask.

Lloyd, who still closed his eyes, kissed your temple.

"Whose that?"

"Jimmy, he told me to answer the next call."

"Hmm, you should."

You became fully awake and curious about what Lloyd and Jimmy knew that you didn't.

'RING.'

You immediately answer, "Hello."

"Miss L/N."

You hold your breath for a second when you hear the voice. You only know it from the television.

You pushed yourself from Lloyd's firm grip, which made him whine. There's no way you answer the phone while looking at the naked man.

You cleared your throat "Mr. President."

"I received a package from you. This is useful to stop my brother's ambition. There is no way I would let my spoiled nephew enter politics, and ruin my hard work."

You agree with what he said. You didn't like Robert. If you have to choose, you prefer to work with his older brother, Nolan, because of his work ethic. He loves his country and tries to make it better.

Nolan knew his nephew didn't have the guts to enter politics. He prefers to choose anyone smarter than his nephew.

So this is what Lloyd's doing. You caressed his hair. "Glad to help."

"And…"

“Your husband has a quiet reputation. Perhaps sooner I will need his skills.”

“I really recommend his service sir.” Your reply made the other line laugh. Both of you made small talk before the call ended.

You put down the phone and grab his head to kiss Lloyd.

He pulled you back into his arms again."You seem happy.”

“Yup." Of course, you were delighted; the country's leader called you personally. You giggled. "I got a new friend and a potential client for Hansen Security.”

Lloyd could only enjoy this peaceful morning. Not just you get rid of the stupid ex-fiance, but he also receives a powerful client.

He thought if this was married life, it was not that bad. Lloyd can't explain for some reason but wishes this fake marriage would last forever.

Thank you for reading, besties. 💓🥹

A/N: All mistakes are on me. I will fix it when I get more inspiration.

The next part will be the aftermath of their divorce.

Taglist, thank you for the reblogged 💖😘

@motivation-idontknowher

@evansce1

@chibijusstuff

@jasminxts

@alchemxx

@imsolatetothegame

@thorinmistress

@bree-lyrie

@another-tblr-fangirl

@buckysteveloki-me

@cherrybubblebullet

@supraveng

@avery-1999

@ridingthehotmessexpress

@hoely-maria

@katymae12344

@g-c-e

@rookiemartin

@my-regrets

@openup-yourmind

@magnificentsaladllama

@patzammit

@krissy25

@stressed-out-gisele

@eralen

@readingislife

@ara-theo

@rebeccapineapple

#lloyd hansen x fic #lloyd hansen x you #lloyd hansen x reader #lloyd hansen #lloyd hansen x fem!reader #soft!dark lloyd hansen imagine #soft!dark lloyd hansen x y/n #soft!dark lloyd hansen x reader #soft!dark lloyd hansen #chris evans characters #chris evans x y/n #chris evans x reader #the grey man #3billiondivorce

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sydasrev · 2 years

Note

hello!!! could i please request BNHA angst where Aizawa has a daughter but never pays attention to her, even since a young age. Aizawas always worried with school work or with hero duties or with this class. TYSM! <3

the ending could be whatever you wsnt

Thank you for this request!

PART1

CW: Angst, depression, Parent Neglect, Self-Harm, etc.

I hope this was good! It was kinda rushed. </3

Angst to fluff

word count: 471

I’ve decided to make this a series, because if I decided to write this whole thing down it would be about 1000+ words, and it would take like a month to write and fix everything up !

ever since you were a baby, you were passed around. Handed to one person and then the next. You were always applauded for being able to take care of yourself at such a young age. During your elementary years you would be lucky to see him a few times a month, But as the years grew the amount of times you saw your father lessened, you'd usually see him every other month, but your conversations together always ended up in someone arguing. You lived by “yourself” and your cat, Soari. Sometimes you had one of your friends check on you if you needed something, and of course, your dad would drop by every now and then to check up on the house and to see if it was clean. You really tried your best to be the best daughter you could. you’d leave dinner in the fridge for your father to bring to lunch, tell him about your achievements, but he always seemed tired, stressed out or uninterested.

you were now in High-School, attending Yokosuka High School, a school for people who don’t use their quirks. Your grades are not the best. But who would care? Clearly not your father. You could have good grades if you wanted. But there was no point.

Your father would usually get calls from the school every now and then about punching another student, failing a class, concerning scars on your legs/arms.

MAY 27, 2018.

Today, Mr. Ito, your principal called you into the office. You had no idea what it was about. Probably about grades or something between those lines.

“Y/N, I’ve called you here to talk about your grades and how you’re doing at home.” Mr. Ito said with a cheeky smile. Huh? Why does he want to know about my home life? I’m doing perfectly fine on my own. You thought to yourself.

“So, it seems you’re failing 3 classes out of the 7 you have. What’s going on with that?” God. This was so embarrassing. You just kept your mouth closed and looked down into your lap.

“Ok, then. Don’t speak if you don’t want to. But I’ve also wanted to tell you if you needed anyone to talk to, you could always talk to Ms. Satori, our counselor. She’s located at B11 on the 2nd floor.”

You looked up

“Is that all?” You asked Mr. Ito with an annoyed tone in your voice.

“oh!” He exclaimed

“No actually, I forgot to tell you, I’ll be calling your father later to talk about so after school activities to get you more active!” “uhm.. ok. Goodbye Mr. Ito.” You said. as you walked out his office you headed straight to the bathroom, you didn’t wanna go to 5th period, nor 7th. You just wanted school to be over.

#bnha angst #aizawa x daughter #sydasrev #aizawa x reader #aizawa x rea #aizawa x reader angst #tw: depression #part 1 #mha angst

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anonymoushouseplantfan · 8 months

Note

“They’ve been “lazy” for around a quarter of a century and it has never mattered.”

Beg to disagree. Their popularity has had dips over the years but what boosted them was Harry’s implosion (Harry who used to be the most popular royal).

What kept them insulated was (1) The King has always been the media’s favorite whipping boy and (2) The King largely gave them cover for not working as hard by picking up the sla (not that rabid Wales fans or even William will ever acknowledge how hard he’s still worked so William had time with his kids he didn’t always have). It’s him, not Anne who is the hardest working Royal, doing over 400+ engagements a year PLUS having his own actually impactful legacy projects (far more than just Prince’s Trust).

We’re not even a year in and now that Harry is yesterday’s news, the media will need to find new targets. The erosion of their popularity has started and it will continue unless they step up because as The King gets older, it will get less and less acceptable to beat up on an old man in the press, and the media also has a comparison in Charles to ask why William isn’t doing more or can’t get an adequate balance between bread & butter vs his foundation work.

Already in the last YouGov poll, The King was more popular than Catherine amongst millennials. It

will be interesting to see where their polling numbers are a year from now…

First, it’s not a competition between royals. I’m not sure who is trying to make it into a competition, but it is not BP. That’s why we are getting “united family” pr, and even David Linley is getting “confidante to the king” pr. I think Harry accurately quoted his dad as saying “don’t make my final years a misery, boys.” The common goal is to give Charles a successful reign and keep a lid on the family drama. Everyone is singing from the same hymn book.

That’s because they recognize that Charles’ weak spot is his spotty family record. Just as a light workload hasn’t hurt the Waleses, a heavy workload hasn’t my helped Charles that much. He is very hard working and has executed fantastic projects, but his family life has been an utter disaster and that he colored his royal career. QEII’s family record was also spotty, but she had solid historical achievements that dwarfed that. Charles does not have that.

Thus they are desperately trying to build up Charles’ family record. The fact that he has kept the family together after Harry’s implosion and QEII’s death has a lot to do with his current popularity. I don’t necessarily agree with the “extended family” concept they are going with (particularly where Andrew is concerned), but they are committed to it and it has been working so far. “Grandfather King” is an effective concept, but it requires a family that more or less gets along.

And that requires a good relationship with William and his kids. A competition with William is not good for Charles, as William (and George after him) is his legacy. William being a successful Prince of Wales validates Charles’ questionable life decisions. William’s successes enhance Charles’ reign.

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luis-block · 1 year

Note

Can you do some bishop x follower!reader headcanons?? A little nsfw if you want ;)

I got carried away with this lol It is over one thousand words overall. I did put the NSFW content under the cut. And thank you for the request! (this post is tagged NSFT instead of NSFW as it actually shows up)

Warnings: Suggestive themes, Canon typical violence, Naughty stuff under the cut

Bishops x follower!reader headcanons, with NSFW 🔞

Shamura

Depending on your height, they may insist on you sit on their shoulder when out of the temple. They aren’t undermining your capabilities to defend yourself, but they just worry about you. The upside is you get spoiled AND get to cuddle into Shamura’s shoulder all day, such a win.

Loves to tell you stories when you have trouble falling asleep. They are a master storyteller and can make the readings from the Old Faith’s scripture interest even the biggest of heretics. Their voice lulls you to sleep every time.

Likes to make sure all your needs are met. Whether it be that you have plenty of nice clean robes that match their own, having handmade meals for every meal, or even that you have a piece of jewelry that has their symbol on it, so others know that you are taken.

Kallamar

Being a swimmer is a MUST. So if you don’t know how to swim he will be more than happy to help. It is one of the biggest bonding activities you both do. You will free dive as far down as you can with Kallamar swimming down, collecting shells and bones from dead followers all the same.

He likes to hold you as you two dance. With your stature being smaller than his (even if you are a follower with a tall height) it just makes it easier for you both.

Even if you are out with him, he makes sure you have a weapon on you. What if he lost you and you got attacked, huh? It just gives him a piece of mind that you can defend yourself. It is one of the things he will not let slide.

Heket

She loves it when you collect flowers for her. It is just such a simple act of affection that she will never get over. You have tried to collect enough flowers to make her a flower crown that would fit her. You got a fourth of the way done before it got caught in the wind and blown away. The sentiment was still there, so it was ok in the end.

Heket likes to walk with you in the fall weather in Anura. The brisk morning air is always refreshing, and watching you jump into leaf piles whenever you pass one is also a big bonus.

Will commission matching jewelry for you both. Part of it is that is to show your strong emotional bonds and deep commitment to each other. The other part of it is to let new and current followers know that you are taken. Some still seem too dense to get the memo, but it has gotten better than it used to.

Leshy

Leshy has a mean game that you both play on the other followers. He asks you if you would like something, you say what you want, and he makes a random follower go and get it! Most of the time you have pity on the follower and ask for something easy to acquire. But if it is a follower known for being an ass to others or has wronged you in the past, you will ask for something impossible for their skill level to achieve. Coming back empty-handed results in an impromptu sacrifice.

You will get ahold of his leaves that shed from his body and make shawls for yourself. He thinks it is genuinely the cutest he has ever seen. He will collect the leaves he notices falling off and bring them to you so you can make more.

Will not admit it out load, but he has the biggest soft spot for you. Has the biggest crush on you even when you are together. He likes to find cool precious or semi-precious rocks for you. Is still kind shy about it, you blush and giggle every time he does it.

🔞⚠️ NSFW under the cut ⚠️🔞

NSFW headcanons!

Shamura

They are a service top all the way. Wants to make sure you are satisfied. (Or overstimulated, whichever you like more) They will be willing to bottom but prefers to be the one pleasuring you.

Shamura likes to hold you in their hands when you two are getting nasty. It is incredibly intimate for them and makes them feel close to you. It also feeds you size kink, which is also delightful.

They haven’t mentioned it to you directly, but they love it when you are vocal. You’re not sure if it is a dominants thing, but they want everyone in the temple to know who’s you are. They will often egg you on to be louder if you are ok with it.

Kallamar

Kallamar is a switch that is more comfortable being a bottom. He is worried that if he is on top, he might hurt you, at least that is what he says. He truly revels in that fact that someone who is (or technically was) a follower is having their way with him.

Will do whatever position you want him to do. This man will do the banana splits if that’s what you want.

Would be shy about it but would love to be pegged. Not being in any sort of control would be euphoric for him. And he would be like putty in your hands. Just don’t tell any of his siblings, ok?

Heket

Heket is also a switch but is usually the dominant one. She loves making a mess out of you and will make you say your darkest desires. This is especially true if you show embarrassment, she will double down and she will know by the end of the night.

She isn’t mean in bed but won’t deny that she can be a bit of a bully. Heket can say the nicest things while forcing you to your knees with the best bedroom eyes you have ever seen.

Will call you a “Good little follower” if you are into that. But that also means you will be required to call her your Mistress. But that isn’t really a bad thing in your eyes.

Leshy

Leshy is a top. He has trouble being the bottom, due it his wandering hands that can’t stay to themselves. He also can’t help that you are so attractive to him! You are his kryptonite, in more ways than one. He is also a notorious tease in and out of bed.

His favorite place is in the baren parts of the Darkwood forest. He has an exhibitionist streak that simply can’t be ignored. He is a bit more primal due to him being a bit younger than his other siblings. So, he likes to be more in the open when you too are intimate.

Out of the current Bishops, definitely has a breeding kink. If you don’t want kids, he will respect that. but if you would at least roleplay it with him, he will be a goner. And if you do want kids? Be prepared, you are in for a ride.

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