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guess-my-next-obsession · 2 years

Note

Ok god Pedro x Taylor ya killing me (more than usual 🙃) I was going to say all too well with Pedro but it’s been done so how about a little smutty action with Javi P and Cruel Summer 😏

Cruel Summer

pairing: javier peña x reader

warnings: NSFW 18+ (MINORS DNI), angst, secret relationships, alcohol consumption, unprotected sex, creampie, fluffy ending, me not bothering to read this twice or revise sry lmaoooooo

words: 4.9k

javier peña masterlist

Fever dream high in the quiet of the night, you know that I caught it. Bad, bad boy, shiny toy with a price, you know that I bought it.

Javier Peña. The name that had been itching at the tip of your tongue for the last three weeks. The name that you’d tiptoed around blurting out to your roommates every time they demanded more information about who you’d been sneaking off to see every night once they’d all gone to sleep.

You’d known him through a long line of mutual association. He was in your eldest brothers graduating class, the pair went to police academy together, and then went on to join the Sheriff’s Department together until Javier decided to join the DEA.

He had a reputation even before he ever left Laredo. Given the relatively small population of the city, a young man with the charm and appeal of a young Javier Peña had become almost a household name—as long as you household had a teenage girl in it.

Though he surely didn’t sleep with every girl that showed him interest, he did flirt with a good portion. It didn’t matter if the girls were sisters or cousins, friends or enemies—if he found them interesting, he’d give it a shot. This didn’t necessarily earn him any points in the “good guy” department, but Javier never cared much about what everyone else thought of him in those days.

It wasn’t until he went off into the real world that his physical exploits really took flight. Though it wasn’t exactly as common knowledge as his work with taking down Escobar, his reputation as a womanizer in Colombia somehow found its way back home.

Most women knew to stay away from him, but only a few were able to actually go through with it. He was a natural charmer, never having to lie or manipulate his way into women’s hearts—he was just simply likable. With his dark hair and dark eyes, that mustache and the tightness of his blue jeans, or even just the broadness of his shoulders compared to his tiny waist—he drew women in whether they set out to or not.

And you were no different.

On your twenty-fifth birthday, your friends-slash-roommates took you out on the town, the four of you bar hopping all around Laredo’s tiny bar scene. At one particularly boring and deserted honky tonk, you spotted him—his lips molding around a crystal glass filled with golden whiskey, his eyes closing shut at he tossed it back.

It was like everything else in the room faded away, little by little, until the only thing you could see was him lifting his cigarette to his lips, pulling in a drag before exhaling it. Your eyes followed the swirls of smoke through the neon-lit room, the clouds making shapes as they danced in the light.

With a clearing of your throat, you excused yourself with the ruse of going to use the restroom, your friends all much too drunk to care. It had to be the alcohol in your system that gave you the confidence to approach a man ten years your senior—a man that had been associated with so many beautiful women over the years who never made the cut—but soon you were standing by his barstool, gesturing for the bartender. You and Javier made eyes with each other, yours flickering to his lips before you turned away with a growing smirk.

“Can I get a glass of whatever he’s drinking?” You leaned over the counter to talk over the music. The old man nodded at you before pouring you two fingers of mid-shelf whiskey, you handing him the cash plus tip in exchange for the drink. “You know, I don’t really like whiskey.”

Javier chuckled and turned his body towards you as you sat down on the stool beside him. “Then why’d you get it?”

“Oh, I just wanted a reason to come over here and start a conversation.” You shrugged and turned back to him, swirling the black straw in your glass. “I, uh, I think you’re friends with my older brother.”

You told him your brothers name and watched as his eyes lit up in remembrance, his head nodding and smile softening now that he placed your face in his memory.

“You celebrating something tonight?” He asked after a couple minutes of conversation, noting the tiara you’d been forced to wear.

“Oh, yeah. It’s my birthday. Twenty-five. One year closer to death.” You chuckled nervously at your morbid joke, lifting your whiskey to your lips and taking a sip.

“Just wait, it doesn’t get much easier. And your back is gonna start to ache anytime you do anything resembling exercise.” He joked and gestured for his tab. You took a deep breath as you tried to make your intentions known before he left the place, your heart thudding in your ears as you watched him pull out his wallet.

“Anything resembling exercise? That’s too bad. I was hoping you and I could burn a few calories tonight.” He froze midway through pulling two twenties out of his wallet, his eyes turning to yours with a darker look in them than just a second ago.

“I’m older than you,” he reminded you, only earning a nod. “I’m not a great guy.”

“I don’t care.” You shrugged and leaned over further. “I’m not looking for a great guy tonight. I’m just looking for some fun.”

“Your friends gonna approve of you leaving with me?” He handed the bartender the money without even looking his way, murmuring for him to keep the change as he kept your eye contact.

“They don’t need to know.” You shrugged and his lips curled into a mischievous grin, nodding before telling you to meet him out front in five minutes.

With some lie of not feeling well, you managed to escape your group of friends—sealing your fate with the sound of Javier’s truck door closing after you climbed inside.

Killing me slow, out the window. I'm always waiting for you to be waiting below. Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes. What doesn't kill me makes me want you more…

“Are you trying to get me caught?” You scolded with a grin as you climbed into the passenger side of his truck, his headlights shining bright into your darkened home. He reached over and tugged you flush against his body on the bench seat, your jeans sliding with ease against the leather. You giggled as he leaned over and sucked a mark into your neck.

“Why do you even care if they know?” He mumbled against your pulse, poking out his tongue and soothing the purple mark.

“Because someone has a reputation that precedes him. And I know for a fact that two out of three of my roommates cannot stand Javier Peña. Something about their older sisters getting dumped by the guy.” You teased with a smile as he pulled back, his smirk sheepish as he studied your face.

“I’m not that guy anymore.”

“I know that, but they don’t.” You leaned over and kissed his lips deep enough to make him want more as you pulled away. Stroking your fingertips over the side of his face, you smiled at him. “Come on bad boy, take me back to your place already.”

“Your wish, cariño.”

Hang your head low in the glow of the vending machine, I'm not dying. You say that we'll just screw it up in these trying times, we're not trying.

Javier stood with you outside at a rest stop about 50 miles outside of town, the two of you driving on the highway just to have something to do.

Moths swarmed overhead in the buzzing streetlight, your throat humming as you tapped your chin in front of a vending machine. The light from inside the glass casted a yellow glow on your skin as he watched you press the keypad, your lip bitten between your teeth.

“Ta-da,” his smile was soft but full of unspoken concern as you handed him a bag of potato chips. “What’s wrong? Not a fan of Lays?”

“No, it’s not the chips it’s just…” He chuckled at his own nerves before shrugging, his eyes lowering to the concrete beneath your feet. “How long are we going to keep this thing up? The hiding and seeing each other only in the middle of the night thing.”

“I don’t know,” you shrugged and turned back to the vending machine, pressing the keypad and getting something for yourself. “I thought we agreed that we’re both too screwed up right now for something more…serious.”

“I mean, we agreed on that at the beginning of the summer, but that was two months ago now. I’ve become…less screwed up since then.” He noted the way your eyes didn’t meet his as the two of you slowly walked back to the truck together, the silence between you thick with tension. “Never mind, you’re right. We’d just screw it up.”

“Let’s just keep it simple for now. We don’t have to overcomplicate things, right?” You turned to him and looked into his eyes, desperate for him to just let the topic go for now so things could go on as they were. Relationships brought complications, but this fling was the most uncomplicated thing you’d ever known—up until just a second ago, at least.

“Yeah,” he smiled through his disappointment. “Let’s just keep it simple.”

I'm drunk in the back of the car and I cried like a baby coming home from the bar. Said, "I'm fine," but it wasn't true. I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you…

The night had started off well, Javier inviting you out to a bar during the week in hopes of reducing the chance of being seen together by your friends. The two of you indulged in some rare PDA, the drinks and kisses flowing generously as you tucked away into the corner of the bar.

Both of you had already been more drunk than you’d ever been around each other before, the late-summer heat now turning to a slight chill as fall approached, putting pressure on your summertime fling. It felt almost like a last hoorah, one that neither of you were prepared for.

“Shit,” you were mid-giggle when your eyes locked on your closest friend entering the bar with her boyfriend. Her eyes found yours as though it had been her mission, her lips parting and head tilting as she took in the closeness of the man beside you.

“What’s wrong, cariño?” Javier leaned over and tried to place a kiss to your neck, but you shoved him away out of sheer panic. His glassy eyes narrowed in confused hurt as he looked at you.

“My friend’s here, I don’t want—“

“Hey,” she approached your booth with a curious smile, eyes flickering to the drunken and now very upset man beside you. “So this is the mystery guy, huh.”

“No, we’re not…not a serious thing or anything.” Javier scoffed at your words and excused himself, sliding out of the booth and stumbling his way out of the bar. “Fuck. Sorry, I’ll fill you in when we’re at home. I gotta go check on him.”

Javier was standing by the pay phone outside of the bar when you found him, his body swaying as he tried to stay upright to dial his father’s number. You walked over to him with a soft frown, eyes conveying your guilt. He chuckled and hung the phone back up on the receiver before shaking his head.

“Go back inside, I’m fine.” He tried to walk off towards the road, but you caught him by his bicep, pulling him back to you. You held his face in your hand and pulled him down for a kiss, Javier pinning you back against the payphone, his hands gripping your hips.

“Let me call a cab.” You breathed out when he gave you a second of relief from his searing touch. Turning around in his arms, you felt him hug you close from behind to keep himself steady, his chin resting over your shoulder as you called up a cab. Hanging the phone back in the receiver, you tested your own balance as you walked him over to the bench outside the establishment. “You know that I care about you, Javi, I just don’t want either of us to get ourselves into something we’re not ready for.”

“And you get to make all the decisions. Yeah, I got it.” He chuckled darkly and hung his head.

After ten minutes of tension, Javier finally lifted his head and turned to you, this time with a more pointed expression than before.

“But what if I wanted to decide something, huh? Do I just not get a say in this?” His words slurred together, your head aching as you tried your best to work through your drunken state to hold a conversation with him.

“Javier, do you actually think this would work out between us long term? It’s for the best if we—“

“Oh, fuck that! Like you know what’s in my best interest.” The taxi pulled up and you managed to convince him to join you in the backseat, quickly giving the driver your address before turning back to the drunken man beside you. “I don’t want to keep secrets just to keep you, cariño. It makes me feel like shit. Like I’m still that asshole from all those years ago. Like…like I haven’t changed at all.”

“Javi, you’re not—wait, are you crying?” You searched his face in the dark of the backseat to see him sniffling, wiping his cheeks.

“No.” He was definitely crying, his voice croaking with the lump in his throat. You wanted to chuckle at the entire situation, this hard and usually very smooth man now a sniffling crying mess in the back seat of a taxi, the two of you drunk off your asses.

“Oh, Javi. Come here,” you pulled his head to rest on your chest, kissing his forehead and rubbing his arm. “We’re just drunk. We’re saying shit that we don’t mean.”

“Yeah,” he nodded against you and his tears slowed to a stop. “You’re probably right.”

And I snuck in through the garden gate every night that summer just to seal my fate, and I screamed for whatever it's worth, "I love you,"—ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?

It had been a week of radio silence, Javier not picking up your phone calls, always managing to be conveniently absent whenever you dropped by his father’s house. You missed him more than you imagined you would. You’d convinced yourself all throughout the romance that you’d be okay if it ended tomorrow, and it was easy when tomorrow never seemed to come around. But it was here now, and the icy chill you felt as you laid in your bed alone was too much to bear.

Your friends had all been made aware of your secret romance, the two that had problems with Javier predictably upset with you for giving him the time of day. But the friend that caught the two of you in the bar stood by your decision, noting the way Javier seemed to be head over heels for you up until you’d shoved your foot in your mouth and ruined it all.

“Still up?” She was downstairs watching a movie with her boyfriend when you crept into the kitchen, desperate for something sweet to take away the ache in your heart. “Babe, why don’t you just go over to his place? Wake him up and tell him how miserable you’ve been since the fight.”

“I’m not—“

“Don’t you dare say you’re not miserable. Have you looked in a mirror? Honey, you haven’t showered in five days. You look like death.”

“All the more reason not to go over.” You shrugged and tore out your beloved pint of ice cream from the fridge, grabbing a spoon from the drawer and digging right in.

“Get upstairs and take a shower before I hit you with my chancla. You love that man, idiot. Go tell him.” You groaned at the idea of confessing your feelings to a man, but it was the truth. You did love him, in the strange little way your heart knew how to, at least.

“But what if everyone talks shit—“

“Does he care about everyone’s shit talking?”

“Well, no.”

“Okay, then there’s nothing stopping you. Now go!” She used her parental voice and pointed at the stairs, your head nodding as you began to find your confidence.

Putting your ice cream in the freezer, you jogged upstairs and took the worlds fastest shower. Your hair was still sopping wet as you tugged on a pair of leggings and long sleeve, finding your slippers and grabbing your keys before practically sprinting out of the house. “Wish me luck!”

“You don’t need it, that man is in love with you!” Your friend called back, bringing a smile onto your face as you closed the front door and leapt over to your car.

You drove quickly through the town until you reached the ranching neighborhood, your wheels rattling as you sped through the dirt roads, tires kicking up dust and gravel until you pulled into Javier’s driveway.

You walked around back, sneaking in through the gate like you’d always done when he told you to come over. When you stepped into the backyard, you were surprised to see him up, sitting on the step of his back porch nursing a cigarette. His brows furrowed as he took you in, eyes raking over your form before he was sighing out smoke.

“What are you doing here?” His tone was soft and defeated, tired and thick with resentment as his eyes faced the ground.

“I, uh, hadn’t heard from you. Wanted to make sure you were okay.” You approached him carefully, stopping a few feet in front of him as to allow him space.

“Yeah, well, I’m fine.” He dug his cigarette into the ground with his boot, standing up and looking down at you from the top of the porch. “Anything else?”

“I think I’m in love with you.” You confessed in a sigh, eyes softening and brows lacing together.

His pained look turned to one of amusement, a chuckle falling from his lips as he stepped down to your level, his hands cupping your face as he reached you. You chuckled as his eyes studied your face, his lips only an inch away from yours. Your voice was a whisper as he leaned in, his tobacco scented breath fanning across your lips. “Isn’t that the worst thing you ever heard?”

He shook his head as he pressed his lips to yours, his hands slipping from your face to grip your waist, tugging you against his body. You moaned as the kissed deepened, your arms crossing over his shoulder as he hoisted you up around his waist, carrying you inside the house.

“Stay quiet for me, cariño. Can you do that?” He whispered against your lips as he stepped up the staircase to his bedroom, your head nodding eagerly as you hugged him closer.

When he stepped inside his bedroom, he set you down, his hand cradling your jaw as his foot shut the door behind him. You giggled as the two of you stumbled back into the room, practically falling onto the bed.

“Javier, you okay?” His fathers voice sounded from the other side of the door, Javier covering your mouth with his hand as you started to giggle.

“Yeah, pop! Just tripped!” He gave you a playful glare and pecked your lips to shut your laughter up. He waited for the sound of his fathers footsteps walking away from the door before he pulled away, shaking his head as he hovered over you. His eyes were soft, his smile sappy as he combed your damp hair out of your face. “You love me, huh?”

“Don’t rub it in.” You rolled your eyes and blushed.

“You wanna hear a secret?” He pecked your nose.

“Yeah,” you nodded and grinned at him as he pulled away again.

“I think I’m in love with you, too.” That was all the two of you needed to get you going again your hips straddling his as you flipped him over. Both sets of hands moved swiftly and frantically as you tried to tug off your clothing. Javier got frustrated with the buttons on his shirt and tore it open, the sight earning a moan from you as you finally kicked off your leggings. Javier grinned and flipped you back over, standing up off the bed and peeling his jeans off before joining you in the center of the mattress. “Tell me something, baby, are you done keeping me a secret? Because if I’m going to have you again, I want it all. The dates, meeting your friends, meeting your parents. All of it.”

“I’m done keeping you a secret. But…promise me we’ll ease in to this.” You looked up at him as he rested his hips between your thighs, your hand stroking his cheek. Javier’s eyes softened even more than they already were, his head nodding as he leaned in to kiss you softly.

“No sudden movements.” He mumbled against your lips and made you chuckle into his kiss, his chest rumbling against you as he laid on top of you. “We’ll take it slow. Just needed to hear you’re in it like I’m in it.”

“I’m in it, Javier. Deep in it.” He moaned at the desperation in your voice as you spoke, his cock grinding against your folds as he kissed you again, your arms pulling him tight to your body and legs wrapping around his waist.

“You wanna know a perk that comes with being in a serious relationship?” He mumbled against the skin of your cheek as he kissed his way to your ear. Your body was covered in chills as he spoke, a guttural moan spilling from your lips in response. “Means you can feel me raw like you’ve been begging for.”

“I haven’t been begging—“ He pulled away to give you an amused raise of his eyebrow to challenge your lie, your cheeks flushing pink. “Okay, I’ve been begging. Do you want me to beg again? Or are you going to stick it inside me and fuck me like you love me?”

He wiped your smirk away with his cock pressing deep inside your wetness, your jaw going slack as you kept your eyes locked with his. “I do love you.”

“Oh, fuck.” You whined as he drew his cock out and slid back inside, your nails digging into his back as you kept him flush against you. Javier grunted as his thrusts sped up, hips snapping against yours so loud that his father definitely hear all the way across the hall. He was fucking you breathless, and when you opened your mouth to speak, his thrusts interrupted your sentence. “Oh—fuck—yes—I—love—you.”

“My dad’s not gonna be happy in the morning,” he chuckled in your ear as the bed creaked with the weight of his thrusts. “We should wake up early and cook him breakfast as an apology.”

“W-we?” You asked through his thrusts, earning another chuckle.

“He should meet the girl I’ve been sneaking in through the back door all summer, don’t you think?” His hand slid between your bodies, hardly enough room to do much, but he still managed to stroke at your clit. Your grip tightened around his back as your orgasm began to build, Javier’s teeth biting at your earlobe. “You love me, cariño?”

“I love you, Javier.” You nodded as your face remained buried in the crook of his neck. He groaned at the sound of your confession, his hips working deeper and fingers strumming faster. “I’m going to cum, Javi, baby. Please…please!”

“Cum for me, cariño,” he growled in your ear, his knees sliding against the sheet as he struggled to continue at his brutal pace. “Come on, baby. Let me feel it. Give it to me.”

“F-fuck! I’m…oh my god!” You started to cry from the force of the orgasm, your body shaking as your mind went blank with pleasure. Javier didn’t last even a minute after feeling you squeeze him, spilling inside of you with another animalistic growl straight into your ear.

“Mi bebita, te quiero mucho.” He kissed your cheek and buried himself to the hilt, your head nodding as you remained completely fucked out in his embrace. He pulled away after feeling one of your teardrops on his shoulder. “Hey, are you okay?”

“Yeah, that was just really good.” You chuckled as he wiped your tears away. “I think it would be really nice if we made your dad an apology breakfast. But I can’t promise I won’t have red cheeks the entire time with the knowledge that he’d heard me getting absolutely wrecked by his son.”

Javier laughed at that, his lips pecking yours before he pulled out and laid down beside you, cuddling you close. “He’s probably going to be just as red as you, baby.”

“And you?”

“I’ll be too busy with my thrown out back to blush.” He grunted and reached to hold his lower back, the area hot and tense. With a chuckle you urged him to lay on his stomach, your thighs straddling his as you started to massage him. He let out a thankful moan at the feeling of your hands against his sore muscles. “I warned you that night at the bar, do you remember?”

“Hey, you made it three months without throwing your back out. I think that’s something to be proud of.” You leaned over and kissed in between his shoulder blades. “I’m glad you forgave me.”

“I’m glad I did too, cariño.” He hummed, a smile forming in his face. “Now get back to work.”

“Yes, sir.”

•••

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ashleyh713fanfics · 3 months

Text

Dazai x Odasaku!Sister

Chapter 2 "I Could Really Go For Some Curry"

Summary: After Dazai lost the previous bet, he is now officially Odasaku's little sister's boyfriend. But does she really know what she's asking for? How could she want to date a demon?

Warning: Self destructing Dazai, Odasaku death mentions, slight bsd wan content mention, manipulative behavior from both sides. I gave Oda's sister a name but you can imagine it as y/n.

(This is chapter two of my fanfic "Timeless" which is now on A03. It carries on from the three part intro I posted a couple days ago. I'll link it below to fully understand the story. )

Three Part Intro Here: (just cause the first chapter is so long) Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

A03 Version Here:

Word count: 5k

----

Walking down the long port mafia corridors, Dazai placed his hands inside of his pockets before tuning out the world around him in order to fully envelop himself in his own dark thoughts.

Last night's events appeared a moment later, causing the boy’s eyes to narrow with distasteful memory. He didn’t mean to agree to Odasaku’s sister's foolish request for him to be her boyfriend, it just sort of happened in the moment.

And the longer he got from that moment, the more Dazai Osamu regretted it.

Now don’t be mistaken, it wasn’t like he actually cared about the girl. The mafioso knew he was incapable of such a thing. Sure, he was enticed but it was surface level at best. The truth was, if she was anyone else Dazai would’ve already broken her for fun.

But it was the fact that she was Odasaku’s sister that made him hold back from such a desire. He knew deep down that his old friend wouldn’t have wanted her to be destroyed, especially by his fingers. Hell, the boy knew he wouldn’t have wanted Dazai anywhere near her.

That’s what Ango said, why Oda had kept her a secret, why he kept her out of Yokohama and by giving into her request he knew he was already dishonoring his memory in the worst possible way.

But try as he may, Dazai just couldn’t walk away, knowing that a piece of his precious found family was still here in this world. He had wished for it, craved it with his entire soul as he grieved his death.

And like a miracle, Asagao had appeared to answer his prayer.

That’s why he agreed, it wasn’t because of her, it wasn’t because he had grown a heart suddenly, it was to use her. It was to keep Odasaku in his life no matter how small.

He was selfish, so unbelievably selfish, wanting more than he deserved.

But even the brutal port mafia executive knew that his reasonings were fucked up. He knew that he shouldn’t be manipulating such a pure soul into his own whims. But how else was he supposed to do it? Dazai only knew how to exploit and control.

Pushing his fingers to his chin in silent thought, Dazai paused his steps. He supposed he could play the part of a devolved lover while using her. That’s what she wanted anyways, right? She did ask him to be her boyfriend. But how could he do that without being manipulative and underhanded in order to not shame Odasaku?

He then thought back to his past “relationships” before frowning to himself. Now that he mentioned it, the boy never did anything besides that. He always just used women when he saw fit and left them crying once he was finished with his physical needs.

Well that wasn’t gonna work.

Damn it, being a good person was harder than he thought.

Although that’s when a familiar voice broke through his personal bubble as a flash of annoying orange crossed his vision. “Hey, shitty Dazai. What are you doing standing in the damn way like that? You finally figure out how insufferable you are?”

Already feeling a sense of dread in his throat, Dazai then looked up from his solitude in order to focus on his idiot partner in front of him. And just like that, any deep thought flew from his mind in order to participate in his favorite activity.

Pissing the kid off. “Wooow, that’s a big word for you Chuuya, I didn't know you had it in you, considering you’re so small..”

Already seeing his eyes twitch in response, Chuuya’s face filled with anger in order to reach forward and grab onto Dazai’s jacket with a rough shout. “Ha?! I dare you, say that to me again jackass and see what happens!!”

The boy only smirked though, enjoying the pure reaction he got. Chuuya never failed to bring him entertainment. He was the best toy around. Every word that got under his skin was like music to the demon’s ears.

And although he wouldn’t ever admit it, Dazai knew that his partner brought life to the boring mediocrity of his sad pathetic life, if only for a moment. They were the closest thing each other had to the term “friends”, in a fucked up, manipulative, forced to be together kinda way.

Yet even so, Dazai couldn’t help but enjoy poking fun at the boy. Perhaps it was because Chuuya was so human to him while he was the opposite?

Turning his head up in challenge, Dazai then indeed dared. “What, am I too tall for you to understand me the first time? Can’t hear me all the way from up here, Chuuya? Or should I say petite mafia?”

Then all at once, Dazai reveled in the boy’s face, his eyes practically bulging from his skin as he tightened his grip on the bandaged boy with unmatched fury. “P-Petite?! Who are you calling petite, you social misfit!”

Shaking the boy around a couple times, Chuuya then seemed to realize the manipulation before roughly letting go of his shitty partner with an aggravated sigh. “God, the first thing I have to see once I get back is your shitty face? Talk about bad luck.”

Dazai only nodded in response though, his shoulders moving in a disgruntled shrug. “You’re telling me. I was enjoying my day until you came along and ruined it.”

And for once, it seemed like the boy’s agreed on something, Chuuya’s eyes immediately moving past the bandaged annoyance in order to shove his hands into his pockets. “Well that makes two of us, shitty mackerel. Now get out of my way. I gotta go inform the boss about the mission. Do me a favor and go kill yourself while I’m gone.”

Yet that’s when Dazai’s eyes sparkled with pure joy for his partner’s dark request, lifting his hands up in an excited and bubbly wave. “Say less!”

Realizing his words had the opposite effect, Chuuya then paused for a moment before closing his eyes with an exasperated mutter. “Such a pain in my ass, I swear.”

Of course he’d be happy about that kinda request, the sick bastard.

And as Chuuya started to leave, Dazai couldn’t help but lower his eyes in silent thought. What would his partner say to Odasaku’s odd request to be good? Would he laugh at him, would he tell him that it was impossible? The boy didn’t know.

Chuuya was always so real and human, surely he would be able to treat Oda’s sister with the care that she deserved. If he was in Dazai’s position the boy would’ve probably had a million ideas on how to go about Asagao’s ridiculous request.

But he wasn’t Chuuya, he wasn’t human, he was something else entirely.

Something wrong.

Dazai knew he didn’t have the capacity or ability to carefully hold Odasaku’s greatest treasure between his fingers and not crush her. He was inadequate and insufficient in every possible way.

Allowing his voice to escape a moment later, Dazai turned towards the red haired kid slowly. “Hey Chuuya..”

The boy only expected another insult though, his shoulders immediately going rigid in order to turn back with a high pitched short. “What?!”

And for a moment, Dazai remained silent, willing the words to his mind. How do I be good? How can I honor Odasaku’s wish when I’m so defective? How can I be more human like you?

Pushing his lips together in order to suck in a heavy breath, the boy then dropped his hands before giving Chuuya a tight forced smile. “Nothing, never mind.”

Chuuya paused at that though, his head turning at the strange new atmosphere only for Dazai to add playfully. “I was just going to say that your outfit today is super tacky. Where did you get it from again? The emo bargain bin?”

Then all at once, all the concern seemingly drained from Chuuya’s face in order for it to be replaced by pure visceral hatred. “You..that’s it you bandaged wearing freak! I’m gonna make you regret that!!”

And as he watched Chuuya stalk over to him in order to wash the unpleasant feelings and emotions from his mind the boy smiled bitterly. Who was he kidding? He could never ask such a ridiculous thing.

Dazai knew the answer already anyways.

He knew that anything other than this was impossible for him.

Asagao would be disappointed in him also, just like he knew Odasaku was.

-----

Humming to herself, Asagao skipped through the kitchen, mentally making a checklist of everything in her mind before turning towards the clock on the left in order to physically jump and try to hype herself up.

It was almost time, everything had to be perfect.

The girl then frowned to herself in order to place a hand to her head in confusion. There was something she was missing. But what could it be? It’s like it was on the tip of her tongue.

Rubbing her face, Asagao’s face then lit up with realization before quickly grabbing the large framed glasses by the counter in order to shove them back on her face.Then all at once, the familiar blurry sight reappeared like magic causing her to sigh in relief.

Ah, that was a close one.

The last thing she wanted was to ruin this with her freakish clever eyes.

Just then, she heard the doorbell ring only for Asagao to quickly hurry to the surface and throw it open with an excited gasp as she beamed. “Osu! There you are! You really came back! Ah, I’m so happy! Come in, come in, make yourself at home!”

The boy himself felt rather whiplashed by the sudden joy, his fingers reaching up to the doorframe and leaning forward with a cocky smirk in order to invade her personal space. “Ah, Asa-chan. You missed me that much? I’m flattered, really.”

He expected her to blush at the distance yet the girl only nodded her head like the answer was obvious to her. “Of course! I’ve been thinking about it all day. This is the first time someone’s actually come back when promised they would. Why wouldn’t I be happy about that?”

Her words were rather sad but it didn’t show on her face, causing Dazai’s eyes to watch her curiously. It was like she didn’t allow the reality of her words to fully register inside her brain. Was that some kind of coping mechanism or something? It certainly seemed like it.

She did that a lot, with Odasaku’s death and now with that depressing revelation.

So much so, Dazai couldn’t help but tease her about it, not knowing how to do anything else. Sure, a good person would’ve felt pity or tried to reassure her about it, but that wasn’t something that the boy was capable of.

Turning his head in fake sympathy, he mocked. “What a pitiful little thing you are, darling. I bet you were so lonely back home, what with no friends or family. My heart is bleeding for you.”

He hit her where it hurt, knowing that it would garner a reaction of some sort. Perhaps once she realized who she was letting into her home then she would rethink this entire ridiculous agreement and run away like she should’ve in the first place.

Yet Dazai was certainly surprised when Asagao replied a moment later with absolutely no annoyance or sadness. No, she only looked rather unbothered about it. “Your bet is correct! To put it plainly, everyone back home hated me. The minute I stopped masking and took off my glasses they ran for the hills!”

He then watched in stunned silence as she gave a carefree girlish giggle of unbothered misery in order to turn around from Dazai and walk back into Odaskau’s old apartment. “Now what are we standing out here for? Come on, the foods gonna get cold if we wait anymore..”

Watching her disappear into the room, the boy couldn’t help but remain quiet, feeling his fingers fall from the doorframe and down by his side. He thought for sure she’d get mad at him or cry about his little comment.

But it was just like before, she didn’t register his words, like her mind didn’t allow her to.

Damn it, she was the complete opposite of Chuuya. She wasn’t hot headed or pathetically reactive. This was new territory, something he wasn’t used to at all.

Because of that, the mafioso then frowned before forcing himself into the familiar apartment with unsure and uneasy steps. He didn’t like this, the feeling of not being in control. He needed to get it back and fast.

Yet the further he got into Odasaku’s place, he felt his heart twist with familiar pain and grief. The ghosts of the past were back, circling around him as he reluctantly sat at his usual place, his fingers touching the cold wooden table with a sigh.

It was just before, everything felt empty here.

Although that’s when the fifteen year old looked up only to find a steaming bowl of curry in front of him as his eyes couldn’t help but widen in memory, recalling Odasaku’s last words to him.

Holding on for dear life, Dazai felt his knuckles turn white as he watched his only friend, the only man who understood him slip from life. “People live to save themselves, it’s something they realize before they die, huh?”

Then the boy watched as Oda’s lips formed into a small smile as his eyes fluttered close, his voice hoarse and hauntingly final. “I could really go..for some..curry..”

Blinking back to reality, Dazai stared at the seemingly mundane dish before his fingers curled against the table with unexplainable emotion. And if the boy knew how to cry or even what that concept was, he knew he’d be sobbing at this very moment.

Luckily though, the suffocating feeling was overtaken when Asagao slid into the spot across from him before smiling happily in order to pick up her chopsticks. “I hope you don’t mind, Oda’s letters didn’t say what your favorite food was so I just picked mine. Ah, I’m so excited. I could really go for some curry right now.”

And the moment the words left her lips, Dazai’s head immediately snapped up with anxious desperation he couldn’t hide. She had just said the same thing Odasaku did, she just said his last words. Didn’t she know the weight they had?

Just hearing them again, it felt like he was here right now. It was like his best friend was telling the boy that he was still around in her eyes. It was overwhelming, the empty hole inside his heart suddenly becoming full with a feeling he thought was lost the day he died.

Asa seemed to notice his silence though, her head turning in concern. “Do you not like curry? Ah, sorry, I didn’t ask first. If you tell me what you like I can make it next time. I’m a pretty good cook, you know?”

Dazai only shook his head though, feeling the very familiar fifteen year old pathetic kid overtake him in order to whisper back a sad broken reply. “N-No…I like it…”

And thankfully, Asagao didn’t point out the uncharacteristic tone, her head only nodding in confirmation before changing the subject, something that Dazai was incredibly grateful for.

Mostly because he knew he was falling apart by the second. “Since you’re here, I thought we could talk about our agreement last night. Like go into specifics and such..”

Shoving down the unruly emotion in his throat, the boy recalled back to his statement before pushing his head up with forced interest. What was she talking about, what did she want him to do? Because whatever it was Dazai knew she was looking in the wrong place.

A loyal boyfriend, a lovesick fool, a cheesy romantic? Yeah, that wasn’t gonna happen. Sure, he could fake those kinds of things but only for so long. She was so passionate about wanting him last night. What a delusional girl.

He already knew he wouldn’t be able to offer anything of value.

Turning his head in fake flirty intent, Dazai lowered his eyes sensually, hoping it would make her uncomfortable. “Specifics? Ah, Asa-chan you're so dirty. What did you have in mind?”

Asa only put her hand up in response though, stopping whatever depravity he was implying. “Now, I don’t want you to be mistaken, I know I asked you to be my boyfriend but I wouldn’t expect you to do any of that mushy touchy stuff or anything like that. I know that’s not your style anyways and I don’t wanna force you into something uncomfortable.”

At that, the boy couldn’t help but drop the act, his eyes turning in confusion. What? If she didn’t want that mushy crap then why did she even ask for all this in the first place? She said that she had fallen for him. Was that a lie?

Although that’s when Asagao shrugged her shoulders plainly. “I mean let’s be honest here, the only reason you're here is because you’re using me.”

Feeling his fingers pause on his chopsticks, Dazai paused in order to look up at her innocently in order to try to fool her. “Oh, am I?”

Asa wasn’t fooled though, the girl only humming back. “Mhmm. I’m useful to you because I’m related to Oda and if I was anyone else you wouldn’t have ever agreed.”

Then all at once, Dazai felt his stomach drop in guilt for his own black soul.

Shit, she had read him. She had seen through his real intentions so quickly. Well of course she did, Odasaku did say that her world spun as fast as his. But then that begged the question, if Asagao knew about his cruel intent, why was she still humoring him?

He received his answer a moment later, watching as Asagao simply placed her chopsticks down in order to turn her eyes back at him with cruel and calculating vigor.

“Ah, don’t worry about it. If you must know, I’m using you also, Osamu.”

And even though her eyes were blocked by the large rimmed glasses on her face, Dazai already knew what kind of expression was underneath. She was looking at him just like last night back in that alley. He remembered it in an instant.

That cruel hollow look she showed him before, it was the same now. He knew it was.

It was like she was eying some kind of prey, and unlucky for him Dazai seemed to be the one on the menu today. So they both had plans to use each other? That was her play? How interesting.

Allowing her to continue, Asagao then lifted her hands up before speaking with precise precision. “We both want what each other can offer. We both are searching for my brother in different ways and think we can find it in each other. That’s why I suggested our partnership in the first place. Because it would be mutually beneficial.”

Twisting her lips into a sly calculating smirk, Asagao then placed her fingers underneath her chin in order to lean forward and finish. “Besides, once I found out how connected you two were, I knew I wasn’t going to let you go. I’m sure it’s the same for you, right, Osu?”

And it was, it was the exact same, so much so that he didn’t want to admit it. Odasaku was right, they did have the same minds. They both saw each other as chess pieces on a board and collected each other for their own personal games.

They both had plans to use each other in order to will Oda Sakunosuke back to life.

So much so, Dazai felt his entire tone shift, allowing the demon prodigy to overtake the conversation and his eyes to darken with sickening glee. “Ah, you got me Asa-chan. Nothing gets past you, does it? What do you suggest then? What can you offer to me?”

Asagao didn’t seem to mind though, her entire demeanor calm even though she was making a deal with the devil. “You come over every once in a while and tell me stories about my brother and in exchange I’ll show you a letter in return for each one. That way we both keep him in our lives.”

Waving her hand away, the calculating aura then dissipated slightly in order to smile sweetly in the direction of his hollow empty eyes. “And once I stop becoming useful to you then you are free to throw me away and move on. Although, I do ask that when you decide to do so, you don’t tell me. I absolutely despise endings. I like to live more in the moment then think about the horrors of the future.”

Her offer was tempting to say the least, with it he would be able to use the girl as he pleased for his own desire while she did the same. He wouldn’t have to change his underhanded and manipulative ways because Asagao would be fully aware of what he was trying to do.

It seemed perfect, too perfect actually. Was Odasaku’s sister really okay with them using each other and then throwing them away when the time was up? Sure, he would be able to do it no problem but Dazai wasn’t sure about her.

What if in doing so he managed to crush her accidentally? He didn’t trust himself not to. Not at all. Hell, Dazai knew the damage he could do if left to his own devices.

Pushing his hand underneath his chin in silent thought, the boy’s lethally dangerous gaze then followed her as he made his way around the table and into her space.“And what if I shatter your poor little heart in the process? Like I said, I’m not a good man, sweetheart. I know you said you’d be fine with me breaking you, but have you really thought about what that really means?”

Yet try as he may, Asagao was not shaken, her shoulders simply shrugging to his very obvious threat in order to turn and meet him halfway. “If you’re trying to scare me it’s not going to work.”

The boy only hummed though, his fingers reaching forward in order to trail a calculating line across her cheek. “Isn’t it? What if I told you that your big brother wouldn’t approve of you hanging around me so much?”

And for a moment, Asagao froze, but it wasn’t because of his touch, her eyes moving down before answering back less confident than before. “.. I don’t believe that. My brother wouldn’t have written about you so much if he didn’t want me to know about you.”

She believed that with her whole heart, knowing that Oda’s letters held so much love and care for the fifteen year old boy. If her brother didn’t want her to find Osu then he wouldn’t have ever said anything.

He must have known how much it meant to her, to have someone to relate to after so many years. Of course she’d never actually know though, considering Asa never had the opportunity to ask him. Everything was just an assumption, but this was one assumption she was actually confident about.

Dazai didn’t seem to think so though, Ango’s poisonous warnings still fresh in his ears.

“You asked why Oda never mentioned her to you. It’s because destruction and corruption follows you everywhere, Dazai. He knew how black your soul is and what you could do to her if given the chance. The demon prodigy has no place out of the darkness, and I'm sure you know that also.”

He knew his best friend more than anyone, even more than her. Of course he didn’t want Dazai near her. If he did then he would’ve told him about her years ago. And here he was, dishonoring his memory because he was too god damn selfish to live in a world without him.

So much so, he urged for her to understand how wrong she was.

Trailing his fingers down, Dazai then darkened before latching his thumb and forefingers onto her chin in order to force her head towards his with a rough display. He felt the tips of his nails dig into her pretty pink cheeks in order to dip his head down until they were mere inches apart.

Then all at once, the port mafia executive allowed every bit of evil to show in his eyes before speaking cruelly across the space just above her lips with a cruel hovering smile. “Yes, but hearing about me and actually being here are two completely different things, darling. I’m sure Odasaku didn’t expect you to be near so much danger so willingly, so eager to give yourself to the darkness.”

He left her there in the madness, in that helpless controlless position, waiting for her to break away or cry for his rough movements. No, she needed to walk away, she needed to go because he wasn't going to. He didn’t have the strength to do something so kind.

Feeling his fingers dig further into her flesh with unsaid desperation, Asagao’s lips then began to move between the space underneath his, her breath coating the distance as she spoke. “You don’t have to do this, Osamu. I already understand. I understand that you don’t want to lose the last piece of my big brother you have left. You’re scared, scared that you’ll be left with nothing again..”

Dazai's eyes then flashed with anxiety before pulling away only slightly in order to see Asagao’s warm reassuring smile. “Have some faith in me, Osu. I’m not as fragile as you might think.”

Feeling his heart twist and turn in every single unpleasant direction, his fingers started to turn numb between her skin. She already knew what he was trying to do, she knew he was giving her a way out and still wasn’t taking it.

That’s when Dazai felt his entire body tense as he felt her fingers reach forwards in order to cover his hand with her own before closing her eyes in equal emotion to what he was feeling.

And when she spoke, it was so sincere and honest, shaking him to his entire core. “Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.”

Almost immediately, he felt his fingers snap back from hers, not liking the close contact before he leaned away with wide eyes. What was she saying?

Touching someone else was child’s play for him but he never liked it when someone did it back. It was too vulnerable, too exposed. And it was the same here, the boy trying his best not to show the pure panic on his face.

What she just said, she didn’t mean it anyways. She couldn't have. Everyone always disappeared from him, everything eventually slipped through his fingers. How dare she make such a ridiculous promise. How dare she give him hope that it will be different this time.

It wasn’t different with Odasaku and it won’t be different with his precious little sister.

Because of that, Dazai’s voice couldn’t help but come out bitter, knowing better than anyone how unfair the world was to him. “You don't know that.”

Asa then paused before putting a finger to her lips in silent thought before answering back with a nod of understanding. “Well no, I guess I don’t. I can’t predict the future or anything. But why do we gotta think that far ahead? Why can’t we just enjoy the time we have right now?”

Oda’s sister then closed her eyes before thinking about the meaning of her own words. Perhaps Osamu was right, perhaps things would turn out bad for them in the end. But if that was the price she had to pay to finally get closer to her brother, she knew she would gladly take it tenfold.

Besides, if there was a possibility of things ending horribly then that meant there was also a possibility that things could do the opposite. And whether it was foolish or not, Asagao chose to focus on the impossible odds that this could work out okay.

Then she opened her eyes before smiling softly. “For today, all you have to worry about is being yourself and I’ll do the same. It’s as simple as that.”

Picking up her chopsticks once more, Asagao then beamed before purposely changing the subject before he could disagree with her positive statement. “Now go on, tell me a story about my brother. I’m dying to hear one!”

But for Dazai, the boy felt his fingers curve into his bandaged arms with an emotion he didn’t know he possessed. He thought that Oda’s sister would’ve been disappointed by him and maybe that would be true in the future but today it seemed that wasn’t the case.

And that was enough to make him strangely happy, feeding into the delusion automatically in order to look down at the curry on the table. “Well, one night we were talking and Odasaku thought I mentioned curry so I told him that we should cook one night and make one all together..”

He then watched as Asagao leaned further into the table, absolutely entranced by his every word like it was her life support. “Oooh what kind were you going to make?”

Feeling his lights start to light up with memory, Dazai recalled the conversation with ease. “Well at first I suggested that we all bring something and put it in a pot, but then I got the idea to make my world famous special superhuman stamina hot pot! It’s made with leftovers from my last superhuman hot pot that I accidentally burned mixed with vinegar and tabasco that’s wrapped and concealed with kindness and love!”

The boy then chuckled to himself as Asagao gasped in pure awe. “Wow, that’s a lot of ingredients!��

Nodding back happily, Dazai beamed. “I know, right?! But out of all the ingredients love is the most important part. You can’t forget that!”

The girl then pushed another bit of curry into her mouth before swallowing with an excited reply. “Wait, what did my brother and Ango say about it though?”

Pushing his hands on the table, the boy let another chuckle escape his lips, remembering the conversation clear as day. “Ango said that it wouldn’t be good but when he asked Odaskau he said..”

Asa then watched as his words gave out completely, his eyes softening in order to slump down back into his seat with a sad grief filled smile as she pleaded back. “What did he say?”

The air was solemn, coursing through both of them immediately before Dazai spoke again, except this time it was far quieter than before. “He said… Why wouldn’t it be good? Dazai said so ..”

His face showed with so much admiration and unexplainable sadness that it caused Asagao to soften as well before smiling at the bond the two shared that she would never understand. “It sounds like Oda knew a good hot pot when he heard it.”

Then all at once, she watches the fifteen year old boy’s face light up with pure joy at Odasaku sister’s words, that small giddy excitement coming back tenfold. “He did!! I mean why wouldn’t it be good?! It’s eye-meltingly, cheek popping-ly good! So Odasaku promised me that he would try it! Ango looked like he wanted to die though! It was so funny..and then..”

And as he spoke stories of his old friend, he couldn't help but soak in Asagao’s responses, her eyes never leaving him even for a moment as he spoke about Odasaku so honestly for the first time since his death.

She reveled in it just as much as he did, hanging on every word like they were the only things that mattered to each other. And they were, Odasaku’s memory was the most precious thing either one had.

So much so, Dazai couldn’t help but feel his shoulder relax for the first time in weeks. Feeling that same calm, comfortable peace he did whether he was at Bar Lupin.

And for a couple delusional moments, Oda somehow felt alive again.

#bsd dark era #bsd dazai #bungo stray dogs #bungou stray dogs dazai #dazai osamu #fanfic #bsd chuuya #bsd odasaku #dazai x odasaku!sister #oda sakunosuke #odasaku sakunosuke #bungo stray dogs odasaku #oda sakura #pm dazai #dazai x reader #dazai x you #dazai x y/n #dazai x fem reader #dazai angst

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elephart-hi · 2 years

Text

Some background on Oak and Suren for anyone who needs a refresher (with new edits)

This is after Cardan became a snake

This after Cardan’s head was chopped off at the coronation during the sentencing

Here are my thoughts

SOOO first thing that confused me with the description was that Holly called Suren the changeling queen (check my edit!) !!! One bc she is technically no longer a queen and two in order for her to to be a changeling Suren would have had to leave fairy for the mortal world!!!

But the discription also calls her a runaway soooooo maybe she ran away from fairyland and became a changeling that way (check my edit!)

Also let’s not forget the boon she owes Oak!!!!

Or that they were almost betrothed lol cute

So a reluctant prince on a quest with a scary queen

Hmmm

sounds a lil familiar

I can just imagine Cardan saying that the Greenbriar men have a pension to both being lazy and besotted with terrifying women

I’m so excited for this book

Edit:

TOTALLY MISSED THIS!!

@painfullysensible

SHE IS ALREADY A CHANGELING so ur telling me this poor 9 year old child was raised in the safety of the mortal world ONLY TO BE DRAGGED BACK TO END UP LIKE THIS!!!!

(From Suren’s wiki page)

So you mean to tell me that poor baby Suren was raised as a happy little changeling child going to school in the mortal world (where her evil parents dumped her for their own greedy purposes) playing video games and having a safe normal mortal life….

Until her wicked parents FORCEFULLY dragged her back to fairyland when THEY decided she would finally be useful to them.

AND THEN PAINFULLY ENSLAVED HER

they bound her with a cursed bridal and stitched a crown permanently onto her head and chained her wrist BY PENETRATING HER SKIN AND PUTTING A CHAIN THROUGH IT TO LEASH HER

What THE F&$@ I’m livid

So my NEW THOUGHTS With this additional information:

First of all Suren is a FANTASTIC CLONE CHARACTER TO THE WHOLE DUERTE FAMILY

Vivi was taken to the mortal world to be protected but then was forcefully dragged back around the same age that Suren was, by her own evil parent who wanted to use her (remember the Prophecy that made their mother run in the first place! It went something like: Eva’s child will be a more powerful weapon than One that Justin could ever forge) Madoc wanted that weapon

Jude and Tayrn also we’re stolen from the only life they ever knew. And Jude ended up being that weapon from the prophecy and Madoc knew that and definitely wanted to manipulate her to gain control

Suren is also a clone to Cardan, who was physically abused his family (like she was) and then was used as a puppet king (like she was) (yes jude treated him way better but it was still what happened)

AND OAK OMFG DONT GET ME STARTED ON HOW OAK AND SUREN CLONE AND FOIL EACHOTHER

The tl;dr Suren suffered the fate that Madoc would have subjected to Oak to, furthermore their lives and stories clone the other’s

A royal heir stolen away as a child

Lived a normal life til the time came for their parents to exploit them

To be used as a puppet king/queen

So they were again stolen away from the only life they ever knew

Also bonus their lives have been split between elfhame and the mortal world at opposite times of their lives

Let’s get into it

Madoc LITTERALLY was going to use Oak as his own puppet king!! It’s the whole reason Jude went through with everything!!! She sent Oak to the mortal world to protect him from that horrible and dangerous fate!

Oak was a royal heir stolen by Oriana. Then he was raised and loved by her, Madoc and his adoptive sisters.

Oak was SO LOVE IN FACT that when the opportunity came for his father to exploit him, his adoptive sister literally took over the country to prevent it from happening

Right before Jude found out about Oak, Vivi was like come back to the mortal world with me. Jude was like I’m not sure if I know how to be a human anymore… maybe I could learn, (learn to not be a power-hungry monster girl anymore) I could just turn over Cardan to Madoc, he’s never done anything for me anyways, maybe I could be human and live with my sister. BUT THEN SHE FOUND OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT OAK FROM ORIANA and so she had to construct the whole plan to betray Madoc and Cardan and to take over Fairyland.

Just so Oak could have a chance at the normal life she and her sisters never got so to protect him they stole him away from the life he had always know to live in the mortal world

JUDE WENT THROUGH HELL TO KEEP OAK SAFE, yes she kept at it bc of her lust for power but it all started with her love for Oak. This is how Loved Oak was. His family, specific Vivi, Oriana and Jude, went to great lengths to protect Oak

BUT POOR SUREN

she was royal heir stolen away to the mortal world and was raised their until the time came for her parents to exploit her

She was then again stolen away from the live she had always know and was abused and exploited as their puppet queen!!!

No one protected her

Except for Oak.

The boy prince who almost suffered the same fate as she did. Oak Interceded for her and was the reason she was granted Leniency

THE STOLEN HEIR WILL BE AMAZING

I can’t wait to know the actual canon back story for surens life in the mortal world and how everything went down ABBDJSUSHDHE AHHHHHH

#oak greenbrair #queen suren #tfota #holly black #the stolen heir #the cruel prince #the wicked king #the queen of nothing #jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #edited

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eisforeidolon · 8 months

Text

OMG, when manipulating people, Lucifer appears to people as their romantic partners, episode 15x19 is PROOF of D/C!!!!

Except Lucifer didn't only appear as love interests or only use love interests to manipulate people. Although we didn't know who was doing the manipulating at the time, he appears to Sam as John in episode 11x04, to further convince him the dream visions he's getting should be followed. We see him manipulating Rooney in episode 12x08, and he is using Rooney's religio-political aspirations as his hook, not a person at all - let alone a dead love interest. We also know he manipulated plenty of vessels offscreen by unknown means - I doubt the Archbishop of Saint Louis was pining for an old lover. Furthermore, I'd posit that Sam knows Lucifer better than anybody but God and Michael by 7x02 post-Cage. So if Lucifer really did only appear as love interests? Hallucifer appearing to Sam as Dean in that episode would be "proof" of wincest.

So there were non-love interest manipulations and manipulations we didn't see onscreen that probably weren't centered on romantic partners. Which is enough to put holes in the theory alone, because its entire substance is just Lucifer appearing to someone = dead love interest. But why stop there? Let's talk about the context of the ones that are supposedly clues Castiel has to be a dead love interest, just because Lucifer did appear that way a few times.

Nick was obsessed with his wife and son's murder, and Lucifer's first salvo was causing Nick to hallucinate a baby's cry and a flood of blood from the empty crib before appearing as Nick's wife, who (unlike the son) could actually talk enough to make a specific bargain. Murders that we find out later were committed by *gasp* demons on Lucifer's orders to make said potential vessel desperate and vulnerable. The hallucinations Lucifer gave him pointedly included allusions to his dead son as well as his dead wife, so it clearly wasn't just about a romantic connection. It was his current weak spot, he was broken because his family were murdered.

When Lucifer goes to Sam in 5x03, Sam is trying to just sit the apocalypse out and live a normal life, hoping that will work to prevent anyone else getting hurt. Just like he thought he could sit the hunt for the demon out at Stanford. Even if Jess had just been his buddy, the girl who fucking died the last time he tried to live a normal life would still be exactly the right metaphorical knife to the ribs in that situation where Lucifer wants to imply that people can't change and there's no reason to hope the world won't end. Even Dean isn't a better choice there when the parallel of Sam getting normal people hurt by existing in their vicinity is so obvious. It was his current weak spot, putting innocents in danger.

Vince Vincente is depressed at least partially because his ex-girlfriend committed suicide after he treated her like crap and therefore blames himself for her death in 12x02. He does say in the moment that all he wants is her back - but actually, we learn an episode later that part of the deal he made with Lucifer was to heal his paralyzed sister because Lucifer sure as hell didn't do that out of the goodness of his heart. So again, even though it did involve a dead girlfriend, that wasn't remotely the only vulnerability Lucifer exploited, just the one that fits their theory. It was his current weak spot(s), the women in his life that he failed/couldn't help himself.

In each case, Lucifer is just using the best weapons he can bring to bear on the weak spots of vulnerable people, y'know, how a manipulator operates. That they involve romantic partners isn't actually the main reason for their use, and again, isn't his only shown tool of manipulation.

So Lucifer doesn't only use romantic partners to manipulate people, but even when he does it is about what the target's current vulnerability is that he can exploit to get what he wants. Which brings us finally to talk about that scene where he tricks the Winchesters with Castiel's voice in the penultimate episode. He needs to get into the bunker to use the Winchesters to trick the reaper to make sure he has the right death book. Sam and Dean are both inside. Most of their dead allies have been dead for a while so the shock and trauma has worn off/been buried - or they are alive enough to take a phone call and say no, they aren't at the bunker's door, actually (if Lucifer even knows enough to know who they are). But Castiel? The trenchcoated angel just carked it again a hot minute ago and wouldn't be able to get through the wards, making him the perfect tool for the job. It literally wouldn't matter if it was Dean or Sam, he's the entity in that moment they'd be least surprised to see resurrected and would open the door for, which is what Lucifer needs. No twue lurve necessary.

This is not the literal stupidest meta they've ever tried to pass off as valid. But yet again, it falls on its face if you actually examine it as a premise. Because they don't remember enough of the canon to know their theory is actively contradicted by other examples they forgot. Because they very pointedly pick and choose what context counts as important. Because they refuse to see other logical interpretations which are very obviously right there. Ultimately and fundamentally? Because they start from the premise that D/C has to be totes real and actively ignore everything and anything that doesn't lead to that conclusion - which is pretty much the entire canon, once you put their "proof" back in its original context and remove the distorted shipper goggles.

#bad meta #destihellers #destiew #mention of wincest #long post #lucifer

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kaczoartreviews · 2 months

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Saltburn: A Ticket to the 'Why Did I Even Bother' Zone, or How I Nearly Aged Prematurely

reading time: 4 min.

"We’re all about to lose our minds," I muttered. The cold wind swept through the deserted street as I stood before the old cinema in my hometown, its faded sign barely discernible against the dimming evening sky. Leaning against the cracked concrete wall, I stared blankly at the poster on the entrance, announcing the latest blockbuster. "But wait, the movie's already been out for four months," I thought to myself, hardly surprised they hadn't taken it down yet.

The poster showcased a kaleidoscopic image of the cast from "Saltburn," the latest film by Emerald Fennel, a renowned director known for her previous work, "Promising Young Women." Despite the dramatic display, my gaze remained disinterested, unimpressed by yet another Hollywood spectacle. It visually reminded me of "Everything Everywhere All at Once," a film I appreciate along with the poster's artist, James Jean. However, as I scrutinized the poster, my mind wandered, unraveling the film's plot with a critical eye. Each scene played out in my imagination, increasingly clichéd, as I mentally dissected the storyline and characters. With a resigned sigh, I pushed away from the wall, already thinking of watching the movie on my laptop from some available sites in the comfort of my home.

Saltburn, a film delving into a pathetic obsession with identity or just another narrative exploiting the eat-the-rich trope? I doubt this movie will capture your interest, despite its stunning filtered visuals reminiscent of "Call Me by Your Name" and a talented cast. The movie's narrative is obscured by an atrocious font, which would saltburn(ed) even your eyes. In one scene, we witness the main character, Oliver Quick (played by Barry Keoghan), discussing his relationship with Felix Catton (portrayed by Jacob Elrodi). Oliver, a walking conflicted contradiction, professes his love for Felix while simultaneously denying being in love with him.

We're introduced to Oliver's one-sided obsession with Felix at Oxford in 2006. As the story unfolds, Oliver becomes increasingly desperate to get close to Felix, fabricating a tragic backstory to maintain his proximity. He even hooks up with Felix's girlfriend in an attempt to further infiltrate Felix's life. When both Felix and his girlfriend become wary of Oliver's fake poverty act and clinginess, Oliver manipulates Felix by feigning his father's death, eliciting pity. The movie portrays Felix as a wealthy, naive individual from a long line of affluent families, suggesting that he may attempt to rescue Oliver from his fabricated misery. This leads to Felix inviting Oliver to their Saltburn Estate for the summer.

During Oliver's stay, his obsessions lead to erratic and messy behavior. He begins to exert control over Venetia (Alison Oliver), Felix's sister, by flirting with her and showing his not-so-twilight-Saga-Edward-Cullen vampiric tendencies. Let’s just say, this behavior doesn't sit well with Felix nor Farleigh (Archie Madekwe), the Catton siblings’ cousin, who witnesses Oliver's nightly activities and then shares them with Felix. Oliver manipulates multiple members of the Catton family, including persuading Lady Elspeth (Rosamunde Pike) to believe false accusations against her friend Pamela (Carey Mulligan). When Oliver confronts Farleigh, he threatens him with banishment, but ends up engaging in giving Farleigh a handjob. But hey, do not ask me why suddenly Oliver thought that would be the most effective way to threaten Farleigh. In the end, both characters are sent away from the estate. However, Felix eventually discovers Oliver's lies, leading to Oliver hitting rock bottom. The movie fails to adequately showcase Felix's realization of Oliver's lies, making the plot twist unexpected but ultimately nonsensical.

Oliver's psychotic breakdown culminates in him killing Felix in the estate's garden maze on Oliver's birthday. Unable to be with Felix, Oliver adopts his identity and proceeds to eliminate all members of the Catton family. He orchestrates the deaths of Venetia and Lady Elspeth, manipulating them into suicide and murdering Lady Elspeth on her deathbed. Sir James (Richard E. Grant) dies after Oliver's departure from the estate, following the killings of the Catton siblings. Towards the movie's end, Oliver confronts Elspeth, ultimately taking over the estate and obtaining all its assets. The director's choice to reveal Oliver's entire plan near the end seems unnecessary, as the audience is already aware of his obsessive nature from the beginning. I think having been spoon-fed this plan of his wouldn’t change anything we were already aware of, hence the uselessness of this scene. Additionally, the portrayal of Oliver's depraved mind through graphic scenes, like his bathtub snack time or the grave scene, feels gratuitous and fails to add depth to his character. While these scenes generated attention on platforms like TikTok and other social media, they didn't effectively convey Oliver's uncontrollable obsession and desire, meaning instead of creating such useless scenes focus on the uncontrolled-individual-with-undeveloped-two-dimensional-personality that was portrayed there. The fame this movie received on social media, underscores a lack of understanding among mainstream audiences regarding the level of cinematic gore depicted in certain films. As evidence, you should not even dare look up the summary of the plot to "Titane" by Julia Ducournau.

Overall, I'd give this movie a 2 out of 5 stars. While it touches on themes of desire and obsession, the execution falls short. Despite some memorable moments like Jacob Elordi smoking and Archie Madekewe singing Pet Shop Boys' “Rent,”, which is cinema on its own, the film largely feels like a two-hour agony. I won't be watching movies from our old cinema again; the disappointment in modern filmmaking isn't worth the wrinkles on my forehead. For this portrayal of British classicism in the 2000s, I recommend streaming the movie on Amazon Prime Video.

category: Film, Culture, Psychological Thriller Drama

rating: ⭐⭐/ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

youtube

written by Michaela Kaczorová

#art blog #movie review #student review #saltburn 2023 #saltburn review #film #culture #psychological thriller #drama #Youtube

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kuruparlayan · 1 year

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Adonis' origins and immigration.

note : Adonis' origins are purposefully blurry in the narrative, and so will I be, but making it as precise as I can. Given the canon facts we are given, Adonis most likely falls under the exotic prince from small foreign country you never heard about romantic trope, both to avoid too direct sociopolitical commentary and due to the trope's popularity in Japan. tw; heavy sociopolitical subjects referred

When his origins were leaked despite the danger attached, Japanese media rumored Adonis as a foreign prince / the son of a King. Those labels are not exactly true, as the Middle East does not have those titles for aristocracy, and the empiric monarchy was overthrown to turn its inner countries into republics. They do not exist in this day and age.

Adonis' country is in Anatolia, which is continental portion of middle east and western asia with a very tumultuous history of empiric wars constantly reinventing its borders and influencial powers, is thus a republic. And as its "prince", Adonis is the son of the principality's Emir, which in this case means the emirate's political leader.

With stories named such as 1001 Arabian Nights, but a name like Adonis being Turkish, it is a problematic in the writing of putting other asian countries outside of East Asia as a monolith. For intent and purpose, Adonis comes from Arab ancestry.

Unfortunately, due to a tragic history of genocide to the indigenous populations and raging wars between empires, the country finds itself in disarray. However, its modern day largest issue is attempting to heal from the, not scars, but open wounds from the world's powerful nation manipulating the political scene to keep the region in poverty so labor and resource exploitation is easier for them.

As an indigenous leader, Adonis' father is the head of the current reigning party attempting to introduce socialist systems in the country to focus on helping its local indigenous residents while combating the extreme conflicts on the public front and behind the scenes, making it an uphill battle. This explains why, despite Adonis' family holding a prestigious and powerful title, he grew up in extreme poverty. Having to fight his sisters to have a share of food, going hungry for a long while and not having a lot of luxuries in life.

Adonis' father's occupation had him lead an incredibly difficult life out of the love of his country and the wish for his children to grow in a better environment. Adonis has always seen it as a noble, humble and especially brave way of life which he greatly admires as his own morals show : to Adonis, his father is not a king, a monarch, a noble, he is only a loving guardian who loves his people and dedicate his life to protect.

Sadly, his position of power made it so, behind the scenes, Adonis' whole family had a target behind their back, with governments of nations of privileged power wishing to put their own totalitarian, manipulated leadership through underhanded means such as weaponizing terrorist groups, blackmail, corruption or assassination.

As someone related to the Emir, Rei Sakuma naturally came in contact with Adonis while consulting doctors and professors in search of a cure for he and his brother's illness. As thanks for helping him and offering him warm hospitality, Rei accepted the request to help Adonis, the younger child of the Otogari, to move to Japan through the Sakuma family's monetary and sociopolitical resources.

Adonis was specifically requested as the little brother his sisters wished to protect ; as they were adult women, when the Otogari saw the opportunity to move one family member to safety, Adonis was chosen without him knowing at first. They later were able to move to Japan after having fought on their own.

Despite the opportunities and nepotism, gaining Japanese citizenship turned out to be very difficult for Adonis' family. Although their mother had citizenship, they were born elsewhere, and as she was out in the frontline to protect the country and her family, she was not physically present in Japan to go through the systemic channels.

Discrimination and oppression unfortunately played a large part in the systemic difficulties, which is why Adonis is so grateful to simply be alive and be able to live in Japan : it was a harrowing journey from beginning to end. Adonis and his sisters' last name is even their mother's due to their parents hoping it would help them move to Japan in safety.

As mentioned before, Adonis is a very innocent, composed and non-confrontational individual, aiming for peace in present and future for all. Therefore, his pure heart is not the type to complain about the negative, but show compassion to difficulties when presented to him or mentioned : a very important distinction.

Adonis will not talk about the difficulties in his life, not grasping how heavy the weight of his life since he was born had been ; in his mind, this is his business and nothing he should burden people with ...

#.kuruparlayan ( headcanon )#I so hope nothing goes hard against canon I did my best piecing so much reading together bid;asukfbaig;ns #please feel free to message me about scenes I might have missed with Adonis #IVE BEEN MEANING FOREVER TO POST THIS just had to put everything down omg

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ofthcshvdes · 2 years

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Hello! I’m July and these are my muses! I decided to put all their mini intros into one bulk post for now so it’s easier to digest!! I’m still working on all their pages and bios but I have them all worked out in my head so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Josefine:

Dreamshade, Black Jaguar, 530 years old, deceit manipulation.

A high profile lawyer- Josefine isn’t one who can be caught off-guard easily. She’s vivacious, cunning and decisive. Her ability of deceit manipulation means she can convince anyone that anything she says is true- if she give it enough gusto. Be wary around this big cat, she’s a good ally to have however she may not be telling you the whole truth: whether friend, or foe.

Celine:

Human, 25 years old (23, on her official website), minor healing.

You’ve no doubt seen her in an advert, on a billboard or you’ve heard her latest single playing on the radio, but you’d be mistaken if you thought the starlet was a conceited snob. Celine is a little sweetheart who has been following her sisters dreams since she was young and has found a fame equal to her talents. However, a curse inflicted on her by a die-hard fan (who was trying to make her fall in love with him) has caused a strange side effect- petals fall from her hair when she feels a strong emotion, sometimes building up such a mess that it seems unbearable- however just wait 45 minutes and they’ll disappear on their own!

Gabs:

Spirit Warrior, 23 years old, Telekinesis, aligned with House Beltran. Enchanted Ring .

Being born into a family that deals mainly in crime, Gabs has had a rather strange upbringing to say the least. With her grandfathers empire growing, her mother uprooted their family from their home in Rigbarth to settle in Selphia and assist Gyeonggu “Giovanni” Ryu with his work. The Ryu’s set up multiple restaurants and businesses all across the city to launder their money- however to their surprise they all boomed and ended up becoming very popular places for the people of selphia- and other cities to visit. All the locations are named “Giovanni’s”, merely stating what the actual business is after the initial name (Giovanni’s pizzeria, Giovanni’s korean-italian fusion, Giovanni’s dream stone evaluation etc.). Her mother, Sunny Ryu, wants Gabs to understand the true value of money rather than continue being the spoiled brat she is, Gabriella has found herself working at these various businesses to help her family out.

Val:

Spirit Warrior, 28 years old, Magical Constructs, aligned with House Beltran. Dragonbone Staff. (The Scorned Scholar)

There is no honour amongst thieves, this is something Valerie Kaur knows to be true. A relic hunter by trade, if you hire her to find an item for you there’s a 100% chance she’s going to sell you a forgery that will turn to sugar glass after a few months pass. However, if you try to complain to her, she’ll show you the fine print on the contract you signed which gives her all rights and ownership to any relic she retrieves- essentially making her exploits legal (she had Josefine read it all over, it’s fine). Despite her slippery nature as a businesswoman, Val is a solid friend and is always there when those she loves need her. She’s also a skilled sorceress, having studied magic for the majority of her life- she’ll help you out with anything you need if you’re nice enough to her. She holds a deep grudge against the wizards apprentices as she was refused by Rasmodius for being “too unpredictable” and “possessing volatile magic”.

Petyr:

Dreamshade, Grizzly Bear, 330 years old, Earth Manipulation.

A bounty hunter by trade, Petyr is well versed in the strengths and weaknesses of various creatures that inhabit the lands surrounding Selphia. Originally from the town of Orre, he relocated long before the Boundary laid it’s curse upon his kinsmen and women. He lives in a cottage on the outer edges of Selphia with his husband and their adopted daughter, a family man through and through he keeps their photos on him at all times and has a lunch packed with a note every day by that girl he rescued so many years ago. Petyr knows his work is dangerous, thus makes sure to message his husband and daughter throughout his days when on the job- to alleviate any worry they may have. Known for his darker sense of humour, he’s been known to send a selfie in a precarious situation or with a monster in the background to his family, knowing he’ll be scolded when he gets home later on.

Bitna:

Dreamshade, Daltokki, 29 years old, Blood Healing, House Vanitas

Taken in by her uncle Haneul at a young age after the tragic passing of her parents, Bitna has tried to live her life fully in their absence and make something of herself so they’ll be proud of her. She’s always had an interest in fashion, studying it in college and pursuing a career in blogging and writing columns for various websites and magazines as a freelance writer until she broke into influencing. She still writes in her downtime but the majority of her time is taken up with photoshoots and filming for her various social media channels. She’s very cheerful on the exterior, but is haunted by the death of her parents, although she’d never show it in polite company.

Bryan:

Human, 32 years old, potioneer

Bryan is a sweet soul who only wants to help people, extremely smart he was given the opportunity to graduate high school early, but refused so as to not leave his friends behind. His impeccable studying skills allowed him to graduate medical school with top marks and while he could have made moves to become a high paid surgeon or private doctor, he instead opted to be a General Practitioner, able to help as many people as possible. He’s very protective of his little sisters, Barbara and Celine, and constantly worries about his superstar siblings wellbeing as he’s well aware of the diets she goes on to maintain her image. Despite being so close to fame, Bryan is very down to earth and tends to shy away from those who want to get to know him just to get to his sister.

Min:

Dreamshade, Viper, 903 years old, Weapon Proficiency - Touch

Raised in the wildwoods, Min’s family believed themselves to be above those mere mortals known as “humans” that lived beyond the trees edges. Their fealty to the Lady of the Wildwoods was absolute and unwavering. Min didn’t enjoy having to follow such strict rules and thus parted ways with her family to explore the world outside of the woods. Although it appears that her parents weren’t quite so truthful about their refusal to breach the borders as she was handed the responsibility of an infant sibling who’s human Mother didn’t want anything to do with him. She raised Simon dutifully until eventually she met her husband and they had children of their own. While attending an appointment with her son, Nemo, their elder daughter spent time with her Uncle Simon and tragically turned to seafoam after giggling at the ice cream splotch on his nose.

Regina (Meemaw):

Human, 69 years old, ecological empathy

Everyones Meemaw, Regina prides herself on her family first and foremost. She was born a city native, but on a family vacation to the countryside she fell in love with a bumpkin who stole her heart with a cob of corn and a crooked grin. They eventually grew up and took on his family farm. Her ability helped her maintain the crops and livestock and she loved everything about her life, they had kids and eventually grandkids and her home was always warm and full of laughter. When her grandson got called to be head of Beltran- she was proud, but mostly worried. She tries to keep her nose out- but she simply cant sometimes

#cag: intro #tw: spiders #tw: snakes

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atjsgf · 1 year

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📓 📓 📓 (plot per book pls!!)

ALRIGHT LET'S DO IT!

MISS AMERICANA AND THE HEARTBREAK PRINCE

So I have this reylo fic I’ve been meaning to write for years called Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince. It’s a high school AU that is based on A Cinderella Story (one of my top five fave movies of all-time) but doesn’t follow it exactly–it’s a little darker, just bc of the nature of adapting the characters’ backstories, especially Finn and Ben. (They are all seniors unless otherwise specified.)

Rey plays the role of Sam/Cinderella. Her mom died when she was young, leaving her to be raised by her abusive stepfather, Brendol Hux. Said stepfather favors his kids, Hux and Phasma (Armitage goes by his last name. Phasma is a nickname, but I think she has a real one that gets brought up). However, he also puts a lot of pressure on them as athletes (unsure what sport they do, figure skating maybe.)

In ACS it’s a running gag that Sam’s twin stepsisters are really bad at their sport (synchronized swimming). In this, they’re good, but it’s to their detriment. (The exploitation of underage athletes is a recurring theme in this fic.)

(I like the trope where the evil stepmother–or stepfather in this case–is abusive to the step-siblings, too, just in a different way, just bc it strikes me as more relatable.)

Rey works at the business Brendol runs, a mechanic shop/diner. She’s saving up money for college, but she’s also kind of forced to work long hours by Brendol. Her fairy godmother is obviously the manager of the diner, Daae Leira.

Finn is Carter, but instead of acting, his whole thing is that he was a competitive athlete who fought for emancipation from his abusive family and won, and now he wants to major in journalism to shed light on the issue.

Rose is Astrid (the DJ in the movie, she does have a name) who wants to major in broadcast journalism. So they both work on the school paper and that brings them together.

And ofc, Ben is Austin. Captain of the water polo team, known for being aggressive and competitive, but secretly wants to be a writer. He has this kind of ruthless reputation for having gotten his own sister expelled by planting weed in her locker to prevent himself from getting kicked off the football team for having it.

In reality, he got Cara expelled because his football coach–abusive, manipulative Snoke–was about to turn his attention to Cara, who had joined the girls’ water polo team against Ben’s advice. And Ben was terrified of Cara getting tied up with Snoke the way he had by that point. (Cara now goes to a boarding school in Northern CA, as opposed to the San Fernando valley where everything takes place.)

Anyways, Ben’s friends are Poe Dameron and Sage Skylstad. Poe is on the team with him and Sage is someone he’s been friends with since middle school.

Ben and Rey have this online relationship. They know they go to the same school, but other than that they don’t know the other’s identity. When Rey finds out, her fear is less about Ben being super popular (he’s not), and more about him having that asshole reputation. (A more mild stressor is Sage–everyone at their school is convinced the two are dating, because of the whole “men and women can’t be platonic friends” thing. They are not and both find the idea gross.)

Anyway. Rey gets her Cinderella moment, Snoke gets exposed by Finn and Rose, Ben gets his “I’m throwing away YOUR dream” moment, and they live happily ever after. I also wanted to do some sequels about them in college, Poe/Cara getting together, stuff like that.

BETWEEN TWO POINTS/IN SCREAMING COLOR

So I had this idea for a series of Community fics. The series is called Between Two Points. The first three would each center on one ship. The first one, called In Screaming Color, would be Abed/OC. The second one would be Britta/Troy and the third would be Jeff/Annie. However, I think if I went back and did it now, I’d probably change it to Britta/OFC and Abed/OC/Troy, so I’ll outline it that way from here.

In Screaming Color would just be Abed/OC, Troy would come into play later, I think it takes place after he leaves but while they’re still in school. The OC–I’ll call her Drew for now, that’s when she was my self-insert but I think I’d wanna make her a full OC if I wrote this–is a Dance major. She’s had a crush on Abed for awhile, ever since the Who’s the Boss debacle where he made the instructor cry or whatever, I need to rewatch the show. (I vaguely remember that I had to move the timeline and have this episode be earlier for things to make sense.) She was in that class and fell in love with how passionate Abed is about things like sitcoms–she’s also deeply passionate about things like that (she writes fanfic, etc) and felt a connection to that.

However, Abed remains basically unaware of her existence until he has to do a music video for a class. She auditions for the main role (a ballerina in a music box who falls down and has to find her way around the music box–that’s my working theory on what it is, although I may change it if I think of something more thematically relevant) and gets the part.

From there it’s this psychological thing where there’s a lot of miscommunication (mostly on Drew’s part) and false assumptions (mostly on Abed’s part) where she’s trying to make it clear that she’s genuinely interested in him, but he rebuffs her because he finds the trope of a director getting involved with actresses on set to be tired. (Feminist king.) And also because, you’ll remember in an early episode that Abed says “a lot of girls like me because I’m adorable and my aloofness reminds them of their fathers.” Even as he starts to like her, he thinks that she’s only interested in him because of the director persona he puts on.

Eventually they have an actual conversation where she admits when she started liking him and why–she doesn’t like him because he’s aloof, she likes him because he’s deeply passionate about stories and storytelling and she can see that in everything he does, even if nobody else sees it that way. And they end up dating and are cute <3 In fics #2 and #3 they can often be found in the background doing fun things and acting out their favorite tropes. (Drew introduces him to the idea of acting out tropes instead of specific scenes or movies that exist, and he becomes obsessed.)

Fic #2, currently untitled, would take place after the finale and would be a Britta/OC that ends in a decision to not get married but instead have a non-legally binding promise ceremony, because Britta doesn’t want to get married but she does want to be with the OC forever. I still like Troy/Britta, but idk if I see them working long-term, and I also think it would be a fun exercise to look at Britta and see what she would need in someone as a long-term love interest.

Fic #3, also currently untitled, would see Annie coming back from Quantico for Britta’s wedding, years after leaving in the finale. She would have gone through a lot of personal growth in the years in between, and the fic would have her and Jeff get together in some way. Idk, I haven’t thought that hard about it, I just like them.

(I also sometimes toyed with the idea of a fic that takes place in before fic# 3 that sees Annie having that personal growth in Quantico–it would be a Criminal Minds crossover and she’d be in the BAU.)

And the final fic, Fic #4 would go back to right after Fic #1 when they’re all still in school. It would be an anthology fic where each chapter is about Drew’s relationship with the other members of the study group–how they met and what their dynamic is and when and why that member accepted her into their circle. For example, I wanted to move that one episode where Jeff gets bullied by some teenagers to be later in the timeline, and have Drew get involved, and that’s how she and Jeff connect.

The last chapter–maybe the last few chapters, or maybe I’d make it a separate fic, idk if I could do the character work necessary in one chapter. But it would overlap with fic #3. Like Annie, Troy comes back for Britta’s wedding. (I think he and Britta are still close and there’s a lot of affection there even though they know they weren’t supposed to be forever, and I think Troy is really happy Britta found her person.)

Anyways, this would be when Troy/Drew/Abed gets together as a polyamorous triad. I think both Troy and Abed had those feelings before but never addressed them because they didn’t want to ruin their friendship and because it felt kind of off somehow. But Troy was gone for awhile and Abed didn’t fall apart–in fact, he’s proven to himself that he is capable of being in a long-term relationship that’s healthy. Their relationship has already undergone the worst scenario possible, so I think they’re more confident that if they broke up, they’d still be friends. And that feeling of off-ness is gone with Drew in the mix.

(Abed and Drew admit to each other that even though they love each other atp, there always felt like there was a missing space in their relationship–it’s just generally this idea that the three of them are supposed to be in this kind of relationship with each other and that’s what’s always been right for them, they just had to wait for the pieces to fall into place.)

Drew also panics when she realizes so many tropes are based on monogamous relationships until Abed reminds her that she is a writer and she can make up new stories for them, which she does.

WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?

This was gonna be a reylo role-reversal AU. With Cara in the mix, things that unfolded in canon shifted, and, long story short, Snoke was unsuccessful in turning Ben Solo to the dark side, so he set his sights on Rey instead and since she had no support network, he succeeded. Now Rey is the leader of the Knights of Ren who finds herself inexplicably drawn to smuggler Ben Solo. Would also include Finnrose (maybe a role reversal on them, too? Stormtrooper Rose and maintenance worker Finn?) and Damara (not role reversal I don’t think bc I can’t see Cara as anything other than an engineer, but their relationship may be different in some way.)

I honestly didn’t have a lot planned for this lol, it was just something I was toying with. I obviously wasn’t the first to come up with the idea but I thought it would be fun to explore and put my mark on it.

#cat #qna #ask meme: unwritten fics

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senatushq · 1 year

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Apollo

NAME/ALIASES. UTP AGE & BIRTH DATE. Prehistoric & Unknown SPECIES. Aspect GENDER & PRONOUNS. Male & He/Him or He/They AFFILIATIONS. UTP OCCUPATION. UTP

History

Fallen in the battle between the Elder Gods and the Great Old Ones, a struggle that would come to be known as the Titanomachy, Apollo and his sister died side by side and were later resurrected after their Uthenera in the divine realm of Elysia high above Hyperborea. He awoke shortly after his sister in the vessel of a former light elf, his sister, Artemis, aided their mother in ushering him into this form moments after her own reincarnation. Apollo returned to the battle to fight alongside his divine father, Ulthar, together they pushed back the forces of the Great Old Ones, the Titans that had ruled the earth for an immemorial period of time. In Eden, Apollo came to be known as a protector of warriors, companion of Adam and nymphs alike, alongside Prometheus, the eladrins, and the avariel, Apollo took to the creations of the garden with zeal. Known for his obsessive nature, Apollo developed a fondness for storytelling and prophecy, he’d bless those that he’d become affectionate towards and in one such occurrence the Graeae spoke through them of the inevitable fall of Eden, and the Two Trees that bathed the garden in immortal light. While the great majority of the divine either fell into Uthenera, or retreated to Elysia to dwell upon Mount Olympus, Apollo and his sister opted to stay and live among the archdruids, the avariel, and the varied specters of humanity that permeated the doomed garden of the Gods. While Artemis was invested in protecting the fruit of Eden, Apollo was more interested in seeing how the events would unfold and how he might influence them to his own benefit.

As the Graeae had foretold, the garden fell and Apollo emerged from the ashes of the seraphim’s rebellion unscathed. Artemis was obsessed with finding those that she found most worthy of Elysium, shepherding demigods to safety while Apollo’s interests lay elsewhere. Mortals were inherently fascinating creatures, however short-lived. He had many lovers, tales of his exploits would be passed down from the Greeks to the Romans and permeated into modern civilization. Patron of the Oracle at Delphi, his followers were among the most influential in the ancient world, captivated by an heir of Sparta, Apollo’s lover met a tragic end but demigods were not so easily destroyed. He tied the demigod’s soul to the mortal realm, even as Apollo shepherded him to the fields of Elysium where he’d live eternally. An observer, time and time again Apollo has returned to the mortal realm to aid or hinder the efforts of others depending on his mood, Artemis’ insistence on being present for the rise of their divine ancestor has led him back to the old stomping grounds - if only to see firsthand how the events might unfold.

Connections

Artemis: Sibling deities, Artemis was always seen as the protector of women and young girls while Apollo was the protector of men and young boys. While their motivations have always been at odds their loyalty to one another has never waivered.

Nettelia: Companion of Eden, Apollo taught the beginnings of the lessons she’d later take on in the healing arts. His patron long after the fall of Eden.

Pythia: Vanquisher of Python, Apollo alongside his sister Artemis bested Pythia in the rebellion of angels and looked on as Oztalun cast the fallen seraphim into the Inferno.

Abilities

Immortal: possessing the body of a demigod, Apollo is ageless and endless. Even if someone manages to destroy his form, he will pass on into Uthenera until his spirit returns to take another vessel.

Vitality: both the healer and the plague, Apollo is able to both imbue people with any sickness that he can imagine, and reverse it.

Oracular: able to bestow the ability to see the future on others, can manipulate the host to provide an oracle for him when needed.

Meter: with a few lines of rhyme, Apollo is able to curse an intended target who listens to the length of it.

Weaknesses

Divine: Incapable of telling a lie.

Wrought: Iron will burn him, it’s one of the few metals capable of piercing his skin.

Vessel: If Apollo’s body is destroyed he will need to possess another.

Elven: A seraph blade through the heart will kill him, sending him into Uthenera.

THIS SKELETON IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

#aspectskel #closedskel #closedaspect #apollo

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madamhatter · 2 years

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As I am taking a dive back into Sophie’s mafia verse, I decided to do a brief explanation of it. The general information regarding the verse can be found on its about page, though the information is very short and concise to make it flexible.

Please note that under the readmore you may face disturbing and graphic content being discussed, being not limited to: organ trafficking, murder, manipulation, gore/viscera, killing/death, manipulation, exploitation and more. This also technically contains HMC spoilers, so please do not read if you do not want to know the story’s twist.

As a result of her father’s sudden passing and the discovery of his great debt, both Fanny and her eldest daughter, Sophie, are trying to figure out solutions and the shadowy figures their family is indebted to. The mother instructs Sophie to continue running the business as needed while she continues as the fact of the corporation - a typical set-up. However, in seeing how the family she preserves, protects, and provides for as in dire trouble because of her father’s mistake, Sophie plunges in to uncover the mystery.

Scampering through and getting into places she should never have gone to, Sophie Hatter manages to stumble upon the organization. All it took was some months of sleuthing and pulling her own strings to confront the beast that may soon haunt, terrorize, and harm her family.

Coming to the picture are the two leads of a U.K-wide ‘mafia’ - two women into their fifties and forties by the aliases ‘Witch of the Waste’ and ‘Fireheart’ (Lily Angorian). The former acts as a demonstrating figure to the ‘family,’ while the true brains of the operation is the latter. Most unfortunately for Sophie, she managed her way to finding the true villain. Which left Fire Heart mighty impressed on her efforts.

What would you do to protect your sisters? What haven’t I done already?

In order to repay her father’s numerous debts and keep her family safe, Sophie agrees to become Fireheart’s affiliate and informant. As a skilled seamstress and hatmaker and her regular work, the connections she presents to Fireheart are far to great to let go of. In most situations, she acts as a representative for the woman without necessarily having any significant power or presence. Much like how she steps in for her mother anytime she abandons her work, Sophie does the same for Fireheart.

(OPTIONAL) Their line of business, however, is one that would never allow for anyone’s hands to stay clean. As an extended part of her work, Sophie has been forced to work with organ harvesting, a main source of income for the group. In sadistic fashion, Fireheart has instructed Sophie to prepare, handle, and extract vital parts from still-living victims. It is something that does not happen as frequently anymore - but it was relentless during the first few times it happens. It still haunts Sophie and taxes her mind what she has done - and her mind shuts down when needing to do the work. Since she acts more of Fireheart’s face, these instances have been few and far, but it still looms over her.

(CANON) Fireheart and Witch of the Waste’s main source of income for the family is organ harvesting. Sophie has little information on the matter but has been threatened to be taken care of by Fireheart’s sadistic ways. Sophie’s main focus of the family is to keep connections and help Fireheart gain more clients who can easily fall for her schemes.

#( verse: taken by a stranger )#( in which we learn about the eldest ; headcanons )

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nabaabaher · 11 months

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Examining the novel, One Of Us Is Lying through the feminist and postcolonial literary theory

What does the text reveal about the operations of cultural difference - the ways in which race, religion, class, gender, sexual orientation, cultural beliefs, and customs combine to form individual identity - in shaping our perceptions of ourselves, others, and the world in which we live?

In the novel, Jake Riordan was portrayed as the toxic alpha male, a dominant and controlling young man. This behaviour was mainly demonstrated through his actions and interactions with other characters. In chapter five, Addy and Jake planned a trip to the beach, where Addy initially wore a loose sweatshirt. However, Jake advised her to change her outfit, as he prefers when Addy wears tight clothing that reveals her body figure. He stated, "You wearing that, Ads?" It’s not a criticism, exactly, but I’m in Ashton’s college sweatshirt, and Jake’s never liked me in shapeless clothes. "It’ll be cold at the beach," I say tentatively, and he grins. "I’ll keep you warm. Put on something a little cuter, huh?" (McManus). This interaction highlighted Nate’s controlling side, in which he believes that others should follow his orders. In general, clothing is a form of identity and individuality. Therefore, controlling such a personal decision showcased the type of power Jake had in his romantic relationship. Moreover, following Addy and Jake’s dramatic split, Addy reflected upon their relationship and how Jake had an influential role in controlling her life and making decisions for her, even when it came to her physical appearance. When the two split, it became apparent to Addy that she was unaware of her interests and hobbies because Jake always decided what they would do. When Addy was conversing with her sister, Ashton, she asked Addy what she did during the weekends. Addy admitted that most of her time was spent with Jake. She stated, "But that iswhat I’d do," I whine. Pathetic, but I can’t help it" (McManus).

Unfortunately, Addy wasn’t the only woman Jake controlled. Janae was also a victim of Jake’s abusive and dominating behaviour. In chapter 29, Janae revealed that Jake recorded a conversation she had with Simon and used it to manipulate her. She stated, "He said he’d give the recording to the police and pin everything on me if I didn’t help." (McManus). This was another instance where Jake used his power to exploit women and force them to follow his orders. Furthermore, Janae mentioned how Jake used his power to taunt the group that was in detention. He purposefully expanded Simon’s original plan to ensure that the group was questioned by detectives. She stated, "He liked having that control. She stops for a second and glances at me. "I guess you’d know about that"" (McManus). This statement clearly implies that Jake intentionally used his power to punish others and create chaos. Such controlling power may have made the young women feel powerless and defenceless, unable to protect themselves from Jake.

If more toxic alpha males existed in the world, it would be likely that there would be even more vulnerable women who were exploited, silenced, and expected to follow the commands of males. This would impact the world in a negative manner because toxic alpha personalities would use their power to their advantage, causing corruption and injustice. For instance, toxic alpha male politicians may make political decisions based on their personal agenda without considering the needs of others or how they may impact the global community. These politicians may use their positions of power to control, manipulate, and dominate communities. Women who fall prey to such personalities may also experience the same challenges as Addy, who started to question her identity. Following her split with Jake, she had freedom that she had never had before. However, her lack of personal identity made it difficult for her to make simple decisions. This was because Jake had dictated her life to the extent that she didn’t understand who she was or what she liked. If these personalities dominated the world, there would be many vulnerable victims struggling with their identities because they would expect a toxic alpha male to make decisions for them.

2. How are women represented in the text?

In the novel, some women, including Ms. Calloway and Addy, are presented as characters whose identities and behaviours revolve around men and male approval. From the beginning, Addy’s mother, Ms. Calloway, was portrayed as a self-absorbed, narcissistic, and materialistic woman. In chapter two, Addy revealed that her mother was married several times and finally started dating a younger man with whom she was clearly uncomfortable. She stated, "I don’t want to. Especially not with Mom’s boyfriend lurking in the doorway behind her, pretending his curiosity is actual concern. Justin is twelve years younger than my mother, which makes him five years younger than her second husband and fifteen years younger than my dad. At the rate she’s going, she’ll date Jake next" (McManus). Based on Addy’s statement, it becomes apparent that Ms. Calloway has failed to maintain a long-term romantic relationship. However, the "single life" wasn’t ideal for Ms. Calloway because she was constantly dependent on men for her happiness. This may explain why Ms. Calloway had a long history of dating other men to fulfil her emotional and physical desires.

In the final section of the novel, readers learned about Ms. Calloway’s parenting style and how that directly influenced her daughters and how they perceived themselves. In chapter 26, Ms. Calloway initiates a verbal argument with Addy about the importance of having a man present in a woman’s life. She argued that Addy should be more respectful to men and maintain her physical appearance to ensure that she is a desirable woman. She stated, "Don’t be ridiculous. That’s the last thing you need. Have a few dates with a boy like TJ, even if you’re not interested, and other boys at school might see you as desirable again. You don’t want to end up on a shelf, Adelaide. Some sad single girl who spends all her time with that odd group of friends you’ve got now. If you’d wash that nonsense out of your hair, grow it a little, and wear makeup again, you could do muchbetter than that. Now’s the time to find a decent boy with a good future who’s willing to take care of y—"(McManus). Ms. Calloway’s statement revealed two strong messages. Firstly, a woman’s physical appearance should please and attract men. Secondly, her statement also implied that men who are pleased will react generously by supporting women financially. This means that Addy needs to establish and maintain a relationship with a young man who she can depend on to support her in the future.

Unfortunately, Addy has internalised Ms. Calloway’s beliefs and implemented her mother’s teachings into her relationship with Jake. Addy has allowed Jake to control what she wears, where she spends her time, and what she does. For instance, in chapter five, Addy followed Jake’s orders when he asked her to change her clothing. He stated, "Put on something a little cuter, huh?" (McManus). Addy could’ve ignored Jake’s request and stayed in her loose sweatshirt. However, it becomes evident that Addy relies on Jake to make decisions for her. This may stem from a lack of trust or identity, where she fails to understand her needs, wants, and interests without Jake’s assistance. When Addy tried to explore her identity through changing her physical appearance, she suppressed those desires because it wouldn’t please Jake. She stated, "Ashton is even blonder than me, but her hair is cut in chin-length layers that our mother hates. I think it’s cute, though. If Jake didn’t love my hair so much, I’d consider a cut like that" (McManus). This statement implies that Addy is willing to ignore her wants to avoid Jake’s disapproval. Such attitudes were heavily influenced by her mother, who preached the importance of maintaining her physical appearance to be desired by men.

References

McManus, Karen M. One of Us Is Lying. London, Penguin Books, 29 May 2017.

#High school/Alpha male/Addy Prentiss/Romance

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jadelotusflower · 2 years

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Robin Hood Rewatch: 3x12 - Something Worth Fighting For Part 1

So here we are at the end of the rewatch - it only took me two years! Since this was a two-parter I watched them together, and will post the final episode tomorrow.

This episode is mostly setup (with one obvious exception), but that doesn't mean I don’t have nits to pick! What has this rewatch been but an outlet for my own meandering complaints?

Robin has his ear (literally) to the Great North Road, and is about to shoot two arrows at the rider he hears, when Kate gives a sultry whisper in his ear “I bet you can’t do it with three” and WHAT THE FUCK AM I WATCHING?!?

I’m sorry, but given the last time we saw Robin shoot three arrows at once was after Marian’s apparent death on 1x13 this really feels like a kick in the teeth. What is the point of this opening? I suppose to remind us that - despite all evidence to the contrary - Robin and Kate are in some kind of relationship. Or to make me lose my lunch.

Kate places the arrow in his bow, and Robin unseats one of Prince John’s men from his horse.

He’s carrying a letter to Isabella saying that King Richard will return within the month, and his loyal troops gather at Loughborough (which just over the county in Leicestershire), and they need men to be ready for him. Robin has a surprisingly subdued reaction.

John and Much arrive to tell them Clun and Nettlestone have been cleared out of men - which means that Locksley is next.

I do kind of like the full circle that 1x12 started with announcing the return of the fake Richard, and 3x12 starts by announcing the return of the real one (even if it never actually happens).

Keith Allen has returned to the credits, and Clive Standen added (together with clip). We’re playing with a full deck to finish things off.

This episode is written by Ryan Craig, who penned the dull-as-dishwater Lost in Translation earlier this season. Because when choosing who to tap to write the penultimate episode of your series, you go with the guy whose claim to fame is a filler ep. At least the director is stalwart Matthew Evans, who directed among others 1x12 and 1x13, so there is some symmetry there as well.

In Locksley, we have Isabella’s new henchman Blamire (who has a deep gravelly voice) in charge. The gang rescue the men but for once Robin curbs his murderous instinct and doesn’t shoot him.

Archer arrives to see Isabella, and Blamire demonstrates his competence by recalling he was meant to hang in York and that Guy and Robin rescued him. Isabella orders his arrest, but he reveals they are siblings and uses the information Guy told him last episode to prove it.

@ravenya003 pointed out that it’s possible Archer abandoned Guy and Robin for Isabella partly because he believes women are easier to manipulate, and he tries it on here, saying that between his power and her skill they’d be unstoppable, then playing the “sister, don’t forsake me” card when it doesn’t work.

Isabella continues to employ the power move of getting very close to the person she’s speaking to and then yelling in their face. She’s not having any of his guff and orders him taken away.

But while they were getting weirdly up close and personal with each other, Archer stole a key and slips the guards.

Tuck and Robin have a very confusing conversation where Tuck wants to use the Locksley men to fight, and Robin wants to protect them. It’s almost like Ryan Craig didn’t read the script for 3x02 where they explicitly set up calling on the men to form an army.

Isabella is worried about failing Prince John and dying for it. But she knows her enemy, and that to get to Robin, she must go through the gang. And there is only one family member that’s available to her to exploit.

So we get the return of Rebecca with a weird little side braid - Maggie is sadly absent from this episode. But rather than do the obvious and hold her captive, Isabella gives her half a locket and tells her to plant it on Robin, to make Kate believe he still holds a candle for her.

Um, how does Isabella know about Robin and Kate? Is she just guessing?

It’s unclear if there’s a part of Isabella who does believe Robin “still loves” her or if it’s all for show - I lean towards the latter, because Isabella knows he never loved her to begin with. The potential was there, but the relationship was too short lived for her to actually believe it was anything more than it was, even if his betrayal cut her so very deeply. On the other hand, they’ve leaned full on into crazy ex-girlfriend (even though the situation’s a lot more nuanced than that) so who knows.

After a token refusal, Rebecca capitulates and rather than tell Kate about Isabella’s machinations, dutifully gives Kate the locket and then hides the other half in Robin’s bag.

Ah, Rebecca. Terrible to the end. It’s really very sad, because Robin seems genuinely touched that she hugs him.

A far more interesting dilemma for Kate would be Rebecca planning to take Maggie and leave for somewhere safer, and Kate torn between duty to her family and desire to stay with the outlaws. But the show really can’t let go of the Isabella/Robin/Kate drama.

Back at camp, the locket half falls out of Robin’s bag and Guy recognises it as Isabella’s, and this actually sows more discord than she actually intended, because now Robin thinks there’s a spy among them. Would he have been so quick to turn on Allan later if he hadn’t found the locket?

Archer meets some dude in The Trip, and apparently he is familiar with Nottingham, because he claims the guy hasn’t moved for ten years. Who were Archer’s adoptive parents? LOL at Malcolm apparently hiding his illegitimate baby within walking distance.

Robin very listlessly outlines his plan to take Nottingham Castle and hold it for Richard.

At the beginning of this season I said that this was Robin’s slow march to death, and by this point it’s pretty clear he’s Done. He’s holding that dagger like a talisman, preparing for the last hurrah but with none of the excitement and anticipation he should probably feel at Richard’s return, ostensibly what he has wanted for so long. Instead he seems rather wrung out, not quite capable of feeling much of anything, shifting into soldier mode so he doesn’t have to.

It’s also raining throughout these next scenes which actually makes them quite atmospheric.

Guy suggests they use the super secret tunnels underneath the castle that Vaisey had built after returning from the Holy Land. In my alternate season 3 fic which I started writing before this season aired for the first time, I also had Vaisey build under the castle and kill the workers, so this amuses me.

Guy admits that he was the one who silenced the diggers and no one even bats an eye. But I guess in for a penny, in for a pound - if the gang has to overlook the murder of Marian and Matthew, they have to overlook the rest of Guy’s extensive body count.

The guy in The Trip also knows about the tunnels for some reason, and sells the information to Archer.

Oh, I spoke too soon. Kate objects to Guy’s plan, because she doesn’t trust him and thinks it’s a trap. Guy says they want the same thing, Kate calls him out on not caring about the people and he admits to it - he just wants to make Isabella pay.

Now you’d think Kate would be happy about this, since she also harbors (equally unjustified) murderous intent towards Isabella, but instead she snaps “now that sounds more like the Gisborne that we all know and love.”

Robin puts his foot down, reiterating that Guy is one of them and foreshadows that they will share the same fate. He really has gone from “I can never forgive Guy” two episodes ago to “I’d trust him with my life” at the speed of light. But I guess Robin doesn’t do anything my half measures - except perhaps his relationship with Kate.

Kate reiterates that she’ll never trust Guy, Robin asks her to trust him. But what Rebecca said has gotten to her - it’s idiots all the way down this episode apparently, because she knows that Isabella gave her mother the locket, and a bit of critical thinking would have told her it was an obvious ploy.

Or she could just...tell Robin what her mother said and see how he reacts? But that would have solved this stupid subplot too quickly.

And somehow questioning Guy’s loyalty turns into suspicion of Robin’s - but it does indicate that Kate is insecure in their relationship - clearly it is not like she expected and I suspect there’s not much romantic validation in it for her. On screen, all we’ve seen him do is tolerate her.

She’s talking about the two of them (“I’m here, with you”) and he keeps talking about the cause (“you’re helping, you’re making a difference”) and the disconnect between them could not be more clear. It’s also clear at this point that she could have gone back to her family at any time, and the only reason she remained with the outlaws was to be with Robin.

Kate asks Robin to tell her that he needs her more than her family do, and of course he cannot, physically removing her hand from his face and walking away.

Face it Kate, He’s Just Not That Into You. I mean when you ask your boyfriend if he needs you, and he reacts like this it’s time to pack it in.

The Locksley Theme is gently playing while Robin and Kate are talking, but then as Kate finds the locket and put the two pieces together, it seems to turn into a version of Marian’s Theme? Which offends me.

Isabella’s machinations continue - she really is the true successor to Vaisey when it comes to psychological manipulation. She issues a pardon for Allan.

Archer sneaks in via the secret tunnel and offers to trap Guy and Robin for Isabella.

Tuck and John hear the proclamation of Allan’s pardon, and John forgets all about Allan calling him family last episode, playing right into Isabella’s hands.

Much notices Kate is gone, and Robin really could not care less. I’m sorry, I have to laugh, because he literally SHRUGS AND TURNS AWAY.

Much wants to go find her, but Robin says she can take care of herself, and they’ve got a castle to conquer.

John barges in, takes hold of Allan by the throat and calls him a traitor and Judas. This is so hard to watch. He’s your family, John! Don’t be like this!

And in a wtf reaction, Guy is smirking in the background?

Allan swears he hasn’t done anything, and appeals to Much first, and he looks conflicted but says nothing. Then Guy (which sets John off again), who kind of shrugs and looks vaguely amused. Then Tuck, who looks to Robin. And finally, Allan very plaintively says Robin’s name, who has immediately shifted into wide-eyed angry mode and cannot be reasoned with.

“So you think I’m a coward. Is that it, yeah? What that I’ve...sold you out to save myself somehow, yeah?”

Much says what they’re all thinking, that he’s done it before. Allan: “I know, and every day I wish I could take that back, you know that!”

Robin orders him tied up, and angrily says they’ll sort it out when they return. But neither Allan nor Robin will ever return to the camp, and will never be reconciled to each other.

John ties him up and growls at Allan not to look at him as he does so, which is absolutely brutal. Allan also gives a last pleading look to Much

It’s just so unbelievably sad that after everything, they can’t trust Allan, that no one even thinks that this is a ploy by Isabella, and that if he really was a traitor, she wouldn’t be announcing the fact. Idiots all the way down.

I present, for your pain, a tableau entitled Allan’s Heart Breaks in Half.

This scene really, really hurts. Come on gang, family means no one gets left behind!

Especially when it’s followed by the rest of the gang all farewelling each knowing it could be the last time - Tuck gets handshakes, Robin Much and John all hug, and Guy stands awkwardly in the bakground. It’s just so undercut by the knowledge they’ve just left Allan tied up in the camp, given no benefit of the doubt, no fond farewells. Less grace is extended to Allan than Guy, who was their enemy literally five minutes ago.

However Allan is able to free himself, and no one would blame him if he left these ingrates to their own mess.

Guy shows Robin and Much the secret entrance through a grave.

Isabella gives Archer his money: “If I ever smell your fetted odor anywhere near Nottingham again, I will have you dipped in blood and torn apart by starving dogs.”

She idolises her mother, calling Ghislaine a saint, and: “I will kill a thousand times to keep my mother’s sacred memory pure.” It’s too bad we never got to see little Isabella interact with Ghislaine in 3x10 to support this. This is also undercut by the fact that Isabella destroyed the only keepsake of her mother - the locket - earlier. As always she is a mess of contradictions that the show has no interest in exploring.

Archer assures her she’ll never see him again.

Kate returns home: “I thought I loved him. I didn’t know I could love someone like that.” Um, like what? What exactly has Kate gotten out of this relationship other than to be held at arm’s length?

But this sufficiently guilts Rebecca and she confesses what she did and Kate leaves again.

Allan laments he’s given the best years of his life for nothing, but then sees something unbelievable - it’s Vaisey and his army, but we don’t know that yet.

Two guards ambush him and he fights them, and a nice little moment is him ducking so the guard flips over him - the same move Djaq pulled at the beginning of 1x13. He rushes off to tell Robin what he’s seen.

John and Tuck actually get a nice little moment before the gates of Nottingham Castle. John: “It’s quiet isn’t it? Calm. Like when you’re hunting, the moment you spit you’re prey. Your stag. There’s a stillness, just for a moment, when you wonder whether you can go through with it. Whether you can slaughter this beast with so much...” Tuck: “Dignity?”

They are joined by the men of Locksley to stop the supply train when it leaves. Tuck’s plan, inspired by John, is non-violent resistance; he makes a speech, finally giving David Harewood something to do after half a season of absolutely zero material

Robin, Guy and Much fall into Archer’s trap, to be buried in limestone. Robin suggests Guy get on their shoulders to try and reach the top, but Much insists that Robin has to be the one to live. Surprisingly, Guy goes along with this.

Allan gives a last smile as he runs from a hail of arrows - but then he is struck by one, then another, and another. He tries to crawl despite being shot in the back and is confronted by Vaisey who we must assume finishes him off. It’s desperately sad.

Back in the limestone, Robin grabs hold of the grating with one hand and tries to pull Much up with the other, but he and Guy are buried.

John, Tuck, and the Locksley men sit down on the bridge as Blamire leads out the supply train and Archer watches.

He appears to be holding some kind of bracelet - what is the significance? It seems like this should have been a keepsake of Ghislaine’s that fuels his twinge of conscience, but there’s no context. If it was, it would have made a nice contrast to Isabella, who destroys her mother’s heirloom, whereas Archer’s prompts him to do the right thing.

Blamire draws his sword but Tuck stares him down. He seems reluctant to go through with it, which seems odd given his true allegiances.

Isabella appears on the battlement with a crossbow and shoots Tuck in the shoulder.

Kate appears, urging the guard to start with her if they’re going to kill them. He’s about to do it, but Archer launches a throwing star into his back they all storm the castle.

Why does Archer have a change of heart? Was he so moved by seeing Kate and the rest offer their lives up? Or perhaps he realised that he would get no more from Isabella and could not manipulate her further, and it would work to his advantage to switch sides and see what he can get out of Robin and Guy.

Archer tells Kate they need to save Robin, and releases the door to let the limestone out.

Kate goes to Robin, performs CPR and tells him she needs him, while Archer helps Guy and then Much (using some kind of elixir to help revive him). She then tells him she thought she’d lost him, and he parrots it back to her.

She reveals her mother planted the locket, and Robin realises that means Allan’s innocent. Robin: “She’s been playing with us all along.” NO SHIT SHERLOCK.

Isabella demands help from Blamire, and it seems he was never really working for her at all. He tells her to deliver Guy to the tunnel if she wants to save herself.

Kate confronts her and they fight. If there was any actual reason for these two women to hate each other it would have felt like an earned showdown, but they don’t, so it doesn’t.

Robin claims the castle for King Richard and and the people, charging Isabella with High Treason and crimes against the people of Nottingham. She’s back in her vulnerable state - hair down, outer armor stripped, laces loosened.

They find Allan’s dead body at the castle gates, but we have no time for sorrows, because Vaisey arrives with his army.

They retreat inside, and to be continued...

This episode was mostly setup for the finale, moving all the pieces into place. Allan’s death wasn’t given the weight it really deserved, the Kate subplot was unnecessary, John and Tuck had a good dynamic but we’re wasting time with Archer.

There was really no need to introduce him now as a backdoor to next season. There is a precedent with replacing your lead character - Robin of Sherwood ran for another season with Jason Connery after Michael Praed left (and they managed to make the reasoning pretty meta) - I can only assume Archer was a pitch to the BBC as to how the show could go forward, but it just feels like a waste of time - even when season 4 was in discussions, it was clear Sally Wainwright was unlikely to continue with Archer and it would be a soft reboot rather than true continuation.

So it’s very annoying to bother with Archer, a terrible character, rather than focus the time on the ones we actually care about. Season three in a nutshell!

#robin hood bbc #robin hood rewatch #3x12 #something worth fighting for part 1

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gotnofucks · 4 years

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What’s Your Escape

Pairing: dark!Sherlock Holmes x Reader

Summary: Sherlock could never resist a mystery, especially not one as deliciously wrapped as you.

Words: 4.5k

Warnings: Non-con/dub-con, smut, harassment, jealousy, 18+ ONLY

A/N: Spoilers for Enola Holmes

MASTERLIST

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It was your duty to make sure that the young miss could escape quietly. You put extra padding on her shoes and made sure the mud outside the window was spongy. She would need something strong and long to climb down from here, so you sew together a few old curtains to make a rope and put them in the chest in her room. If she follows the plan, she will leave, and none will be the wiser. You hoped she would make it back before noon, or you’d have to answer the masters of the house why their sister was missing.

You liked living here before the brothers returned. Things used to be fun at the Holmes ancestral manor before Mycroft and Sherlock returned after their mother’s disappearance. You would have thought they will leave after bringing back Enola under their roof, but they seemed to have reconnected with their roots and to your displeasure stayed.

Eudoria Holmes had hired you as a second housekeeper after Mrs. Lane started getting up in the years. Or well, that’s the story she told everyone else. Eudoria had rescued you from a life of abject poverty, brought you to her estate and given you a roof and work. She saw in you a fire that she claimed would light the way for many women to come. You had trained with Enola since childhood under her mother’s direction, but you were more mentally skilled. While Enola could jujitsu her way out of a situation, you could read a person, manipulate them into letting you go. Together, you both made the best team.

Everything changed when Eudoria disappeared. You knew one of you had to stay here to keep an eye on the Holmes brothers, so you helped Enola escape while you stayed. You didn’t think anyone would suspect you had a hand in her daring getaway, but then you hadn’t met Sherlock Holmes before. Since the morning Enola was missing, his eyes followed you like a bloodhound’s to meat. You could feel them, the weight of his gaze heavy on you. If you would look up and catch him, he would get an irritable look on his face, like he’s stuck trying to undo a knot for a while.

You were glad when he left the Holmes Manor for London to search for his sister soon enough. His looks made you antsy and you had to bite your tongue on various occasions to set him straight. For years you had lived unrestrained with Eudoria, and suddenly being thrust back into your duties as a housekeeper proved to be more difficult than ever. More so now that Enola was back as Sherlock’s ward.

Things could have gone back to normal for it seemed Sherlock was more liberal than Mycroft when it came to their sister. Yet, he was a man of society. Intelligent as he may think her to be, he was still of the mind that she must marry a suitable gentleman, after which she could frolic wherever she wished. It fell on you to help Enola escape the Manor, to go away for a few precious hours at night to spread her wings and breath freely. You’d been doing so for nearly a month and every night your exploits had gone without a hitch.

You’d just seen her down the curtain rope, waving to her from the window as she climbed atop her bicycle and rode away into the dark. You sighed, wishing you could perhaps go too. But you owed a great debt to both the Holmes woman, and you would continue to serve them as long as they would desire.

“Would you like me to help you climb down?” Said a voice behind you and you turned suddenly, clutching the windowsill to support yourself. Sherlock leaned against the doorframe, his curls slightly mussed.

“Mr. Holmes” You breathed, heart hammering unevenly in your chest. Your first thought was that your secret was out, and Enola would be made to marry a stupid man while you’ll be thrown on the streets. He walked languidly towards you, wearing a robe that stretched over his bulky frame. For a man so huge, he carried himself with a lot of grace. Stopping a few feet from you, his eyes followed the rope that dangled out the window and a smile tugged at his lips.

“I’d wondered why she looked so tired every day, and why you spent so much time doing her laundry. The mud must be difficult to get off, hmm?” He asked, his hand pulling out his pipe from his pocket that he deftly lit and popped in his mouth.

You didn’t answer him, watching him, deciphering him. He was a mystery to you because he was so open. Unlike others he didn’t wear a mask of polite diplomacy, his disdain for things was expressed in no uncertain terms and he rarely bothered hiding his true thoughts. While you could outsmart a liar, talk a stupid person into doing what you want without them realizing, you had a hard time reading Sherlock Holmes. He had little need to lie unless it was for a case and he was certainly not stupid.

He stared at you for a long time, smoke drifting from his pipe while you refused to cower under his gaze. His lips twitched in amusement, eyes raking over your form before finding yours and he took a step forward.

“You are good at hiding I must say. Almost perfect in fact, but these eyes, they give you away. Your tongue drips with honey while your eyes burn with fire and ice. If someone knows where to look, your game will be over before it begins.”

“And what are you looking for Mr. Holmes?” You asked.

He set his pipe down before coming close enough to brush his front against yours. You stiffened slightly, feeling his hand going around your waist.

“I’m looking for a reason.” He whispered, his hand catching hold of the rope behind you as he started pulling. You stayed between him and the window ledge, staring into his eyes, his knuckles grazing your back occasionally until he pulled in the entire rope. Letting it fall on the ground, he almost bumped into you when he leaned forward to shut the windowpanes behind you. His breath was on your face and you resisted the urge to dash away from him.

“You need to leave” You said at last. Sherlock shook his head, arms resting on either side of you now. He breathed deeply, taking you in. His blue eyes, one with the slightest tinge of brown gleamed at you. Only a faint light came from the candlestand in the corner now that the windows were closed, and you saw reflected in his eyes an emotion you were entirely unfamiliar with. Desire.

He leaned forward, his one errant curl tickling your forehead and you felt his breath on your mouth. Your hands shot out, pushing against his chest.

“Leave, now.” You said, sharp and commanding.

“Make me”

You gulped, the intimacy of a man not something you were used to. He was too large to even think of physically getting away. You must, like he said, make him go away.

“I can’t get you to leave, but if you stand at the end of the hall, I can convince you to come to me.”

His eyes lit with intrigue, a most sensual smile tugging at his lips. You were doing what he loved the most. Playing a game.

“And what if you cannot?” He asked. You met his eyes head on, not an ounce of fear in yours.

“Then you can have what you so clearly want.”

You could almost call his grin boyish, an excitement taking over his features as he finally pushed away from you. He cocked his head at you, appraising you as his tongue darted out to wet his lips. He nodded, turned around and walked out of the door and stood at the end of the hall. He spread his arms as if to say, your move.

Your feet carried you across the room, measured stride that gave away nothing.

“I think the deal was for you to make me come to you.” Sherlock remarked as he saw you walking forward.

“It is” You stated before quickly taking hold of the door and pulling it shut. You had a brief glimpse of the shock on his face, then heard his feet thundering as he ran towards you but by then you had locked the door and rested against it.

His fists hit the wood and for a moment you were convinced he would break it down. But then you heard his chuckle, like he was proud to have been played as such.

“I’ll come back for you” He said aloud, and his feet retreated while you sank down on the floor. Your heart was loud in your ears and hands slightly trembling. Maybe its time you brushed up on your jujitsu.

+++++

Sherlock let Enola leave every night, giving no impression he knew what she was up to during the day. She was far too happy (and sleepy) to give it much thought and the days went by as normal. Or well, maybe not for you.

If you thought he was looking at you before, it was nothing as compared to now. He was everywhere, watching you from the corners when you cooked and cleaned. You were glad for other people’s presence in the Manor, for you feared being alone with him. Each night, the moment Enola climbed down you would shut the door to her room, sleeping there. You couldn’t risk making the journey across to your own chambers. That was a risk you weren’t willing to take.

“Mr. Kennedy would be over for dinner tonight. Make the necessary arrangements” Mycroft told you at breakfast. You nodded, dreading the extra hours of cooking you’ll have to do. Thank god Mrs. Lane was still well enough to bear most of the burden. Sherlock’s eyes as usual were on you and you wondered how no one noticed.

“Do you still have mother’s favorite infusion?” He asked you and you nodded. Eudoria will not be happy with them taking liberties with her stuff, but you weren’t about to argue. “Get me some, please.”

“Of course, Mr. Holmes” You sped away, grateful to be away from his company. You always loved the storeroom where Eudoria kept her infusions. A sweet smell of herbs along with polish permeated the air and it warmed you from within. You tinkered with the numerous jars that littered the shelves, dust coating them for they haven’t been touched in months. You were rummaging in one of the upper shelves when you heard the door behind you shut and you turned to see Sherlock turning the key to lock it.

“Are you done running away from me?” He asked, putting the key in his jacket. The room was just a small storeroom, crammed with different knickknacks everywhere. Sherlock’s body seemed to take all the space in the room, and you felt claustrophobic. He only needed to take another step to close the distance between you and you stumbled into the shelf behind you, jars clinking against each other.

“What do you want?” You asked, feeling both irritated and anxious.

“You’re smart enough to figure that out by now.” He said and took that step forward, bringing you chest to chest. You wished you’d worn a corset which would have provided an extra layer of protection. All your training with Eudoria had not prepared you for her son. He smelled like the pipe he smoked and the rich musk of ink and parchment. You tried not to breath too deeply.

“Mr. Holmes, this is most inappropriate.” You chided and he breathed out a laugh. His face neared yours and his eyes held yours in a way that you couldn’t look away if you wanted to.

“You intrigue me like no other. The restraint you have…You’re a burning match and I keep creeping closer and though you threaten to burn me you’d much rather smother your flame. Why?”

His words heated you, a tingling starting in your belly as you shook from the force of him. His finger raised slowly, very slowly to your cheek and you turned your face right before he could touch.

“How will you get out this time? What’s your escape?”

He was so smug and amused you very nearly growled at him. Your eyes took in the room, trying to see how you can get out of here. He was blocking the only exit with the key in his jacket. As established previously, physically fighting him was not an option. You thought about it and finally turned to look at him.

“I propose a challenge” You said, and he grinned like it was just what he was waiting for. “You hide that key anywhere in this room while I shut my eyes. If I find it, you let me leave.”

He leaned even closer, close enough for his nose to graze your head.

“And what if you don’t?”

“Then you can have what you so clearly want.”

He pulled back and produced a handkerchief from his pocket that he offered to tie on your eyes. You took it and did it yourself. You’d rather he not touch you at all. You could hear the shuffling of his feat, slight movements to your left and then the clinking sound of metal hitting an object. He gave you the go ahead and you took off the blindfold.

You looked around carefully, examining every surface and box and jar. Your keen eyes judging what was moved from its position. One glass jar to the far right caught your eye and you almost went to pick it up before you stopped. You titled your head, looking at Sherlock who seemed to be observing you most intently. To his surprise, you stepped towards him and placed a hand on his chest, moving it until you reached the pocket in the inner lining of his jacket and found the key.

His eyes were wide, both aroused and impressed.

“How?” He asked and you smiled a little at his fascination.

“I almost went for the jar, that was the only one with fingerprints marking the dust layer. But then I noticed your jacket which had dust stain too. You dropped the key in there but put it back in your pocket, not wiping your dusty hands.” You explained.

His arms caged you before you could blink, holding your body to his and mouth at your ear.

“No, you said you’d let me leave!” You protested. His warmth was seeping inside you, smell overpowering your nostrils and you pushed.

“I have never wanted a woman more in my life. I’ll let you leave, but only because I know I will have you. Go now before I am tempted more than ever.” He released you and you unlocked the door, stumbling outside and running away without looking back.

+++++

Two months, that’s how long you held him off with the power of your brain alone. He would corner you and you would play a game of wits. Every time you had escaped, sometimes narrowly, but it all changed this night.

You didn’t know what was happening until Sherlock almost drove his fork into the tabletop. He was positively seething, eyes glaring at Mycroft’s colleague who was over for dinner. It was not until he turned those eyes on you did you understand what had him on edge. Mr. Shephardson had referred to you as ‘my dear’ and ‘sweet girl’ multiple times now, and with each new endearment Sherlock’s fist clenched harder until you worried he’ll dig his fingers in his own palm.

You shrugged away his glare and continued serving, smiling at the man old enough to be your father. It was not like you cloud go, just turn away and leave, it was your job to be kind and serve the guests. It was one of the longest dinners of your life, one that left you utterly uncomfortable and confused. The guests departed and you were left alone to clean the table. You had just started stacking the plates together when Sherlock marched towards you, a frown marring his handsome face.

“Ten minutes, my room. Don’t make me drag you” He warned and went away as quickly as he had come. You shivered slightly and moved your hands faster, collecting the dishes, and putting them in the kitchen for a wash. You had no idea what he wanted, but he was angry enough that you wouldn’t push his boundaries. You wiped the table next, legs jittery as you knew time was running out. Finally, you rearranged the chairs and put away your apron before climbing the stairs to make you way towards Sherlock’s room. You were halfway up when he came thundering down himself, almost colliding with you.

“I was just –” You started speaking but he cut you off by lifting you in his arms and making his way up. You bounced in his arms as he climbed the steps, his jaw clenched in anger.

“I told you I’ll drag you myself if you don’t make it on time.” He snarled and you were too shocked to make a noise until you were in his rooms and the door was shut and locked behind you. You had to admit you were afraid of him then, his chest heaving in anger as a vein pulsed in his temple. He stalked towards you, removing his jacket as he came and you nervously moved back.

“Mr. Holmes please –”

He cut you off again, voice sharp and so commanding your knees knocked together.

“Say my name. Now”

You gaped at him, unsure what was happening. Here you thought it would be another tedious game between you two, but the mischievous glint had disappeared from his eyes. They were dark like a thundering sky, boiling over with rolling clouds.

“Say my fucking name now!”

“Sherlock!” You yelped, your eyes wildly looking for a way out. He was not himself. This is not the man you wanted to be left alone with for even a minute. But he had different ideas and he crowded you against the wall, assuming his favorite position in front of you with his arms acting as a cage.

“Say it again.” He ordered right in your face, voice dark and slow.

“Sherlock” You whispered and saw some of his anger leave him. One of his hands reach out to tangle in your hair and pulled you forward, your lips a hairsbreadth away from his when you started struggling. “No, no Sherlock. Please don’t” you pleaded.

He was so close you could make out every detail of his face, you could taste his breath on your tongue.

“You had a jolly time smiling at that man tonight, yes?” He seethed and you shook your head. You didn’t know he’d get so angry and jealous.

“It is my job” You argued and his arm tightened around you, squeezing until you were sure you’d be bruised tomorrow.

“I am your job!” He said and pushed away from you. “Name your challenge. Tell me how you’ll escape from me today.”

From the look on his face, you didn’t think he’d let you leave anywhere. Your eyes shifted from one place to another, wondering what you could do to get away from here. Fear permeated the air, making you lightheaded. You finally spotted his small safe hidden in the corner of the room.

“If I can open that safe you let me leave.”

“And if you don’t?”

You gulped audibly before answering. It was a question frequently asked and just as frequently answered.

“Then you can have what you so clearly want”

He smiled a satisfactory smile, moving away to sit on his bed. You forced your legs to move, inspecting every inch of the safe. It was small in size, golden in colour and had a very distinctive keyhole. You surmised that the key must also be golden, small going by the size of the safe and if you looked at the keyhole carefully, it must be sleek too to fit inside.

You made a mental tally of where he could keep the key in the room. But before that, you thought about what Sherlock Holmes would keep in a safe. It must be very valuable going by how expensive the safe itself looked, and if it were valuable then he would not just leave the key laying around in his room. He had only just returned to the manor after a long absence, things had changed behind him. He was once again living with his brother who he hardly trusted. There was only one logical place he would keep the key then.

“Please stand up” You said to him and he did, coming to stand before you. You tried not to look in his eyes as you scanned his body, thinking where he might have put the key because you were sure it was on his person. He had removed his jacket, leaving him in his shirt and pants. You took in every part of him and finally plucked the pen from his pocket. On its cap was a golden clip that you broke away and took with triumph towards the safe.

You inserted the clip into the keyhole, and it entered smoothly and your grin widened. You threw a smug look at Sherlock over your shoulder and turned it, but it didn’t move. Frowning, you put more force into it and tried to turn it. It stayed stuck.

His laughter made you freeze, and you let the clip fall from your hands. You faced him ashen faced, eyes wide and fearful. He took his time coming to you, victory sparking in his eyes. You corrected your posture, hoping you have wiped away every ounce of fear from your face. You weren’t about to let him gloat over you.

“I’ve told you before, you can hide very well but your eyes are your undoing. You can’t hide your heart from me when it shines so bright from behind your eyes.”

His hand took yours and slowly slid it down his chest until it rested on his buckle.

“Right before your eyes, had you been daring enough to see.” He said and you saw on his belt buckle a golden key. You looked at him and saw heat in his eyes, heat and desire that scared you more than anything. You left behind your rational thinking and made a run for it, rattling his door before he came behind you and hauled you up by your waist, throwing your body on his bed.

“You can’t break the rules of the game. When you won, I let you leave, now that I won, I’ll take what I want.”

He climbed over you, straddling your lower half as his hands sank in your hair and finally pulled you into a kiss. His lips folded over yours, kneading yours gently before his tongue probed inside to taste you. You wiggled in his hold, his passion burning you as you tried to come to terms with the situation. He was not brutal in his ministrations and coaxed a response from you, your lips moving against his on their own. You let out a soft moan, which made him sag against you.

“I’ve waited so long to have you, to have you burn me in your fire. Tell me why, for I can’t figure it out. Tell me why you suppress the storm that I know howls inside you.”

His eyes were open, urging you to talk about a part of you that you buried under layers. His let his fingers massage your head, and you sobbed. Even pinned under him, held down with his weight, his words were heavier to bear. He wanted a reason. Your reason. Right now, in the position you were in, with your heart thumping away in your chest, you couldn’t keep it in.

“If I go out to live my life, your sister can’t live hers. I owe everything to her and Eudoria, and if I have to sacrifice all my dreams to make hers come true, I’ll do it over and over again.”

His lips were on yours before you were even done, hands working to rid you of your dress. You resisted, a protest on your tongue.

“Please, don’t. I can’t, not this way.” You beg and he pulls away but only to discard his own shirt.

“I will not wait any longer. I will make you mine, I’ll have you tonight. No questions asked.”

How he managed to remove the dress from your squirming body you didn’t know but you lay before him more exposed than any man or even woman had ever seen you. Parts of you hidden under layers of cloth for years had become bare before his gaze and he revered them with his hands and mouth. Your back arched once his mouth sucked on your nipple, causing a deep heat to pool between your thighs. You squeezed your legs closed but he pried them apart, his already huge body looking ginormous as he nestled between them.

“I am going to taste you and I will claim you. It will happen, no matter what.”

He made good on his promise, bringing you incomprehensible pleasure with his tongue on your most sensitive region, making slurping noises that could make a street woman blush. You don’t remember when you ceased struggling, when your hands pulled instead of pushed. You panted for him, ached for him.

When he entered you, it was a pain the likes of which you had never experienced before. The stretch was uncomfortable, your legs trembling as you cried. Sherlock shushed you, promising it will be better soon. With every thrust the pain lessened and when he started teasing the nub between your legs you finally moved past the pain to focus on the pleasure. You were sobbing in need, begging him for something you didn’t even know what. He knew. He saw in your eyes what your mouth couldn’t say and gave you what your body desired.

You shattered below him, falling apart in a million pieces and he gathered you back into his arms, putting you together one kiss at a time. He was nearing his limit, hips pumping into you and your eyes rolled.

“After tonight, no more escaping. You’ll be mine, completely.” He vowed and you felt the warmth of his seed fill you. You lay beneath him, sweaty and battered, tear stained face anguished at what just happened.

Sherlock pressed kisses along your throat and chest, marking you.

“You never have to smother your flames from now one. You can burn as bright as you want, you can soar as high as you want. I will make all your dreams come true. You won’t just be a housekeeper. You’ll be the mistress of this Manor. I’m going to keep you, forever.”

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taglist :

@shooting-star-love @what-is-your-wish @stanmysoul @sweeterthanthis

#dark!sherlock x reader #sherlock holmes x reader #dark!sherlock holmes x reader #sherlock x reader #enola holmes #henry cavill x reader #dark!henry cavill x reader

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blackfemmecharacterdependency · 3 years

Text

BFCD Reviews by Nesha: Final Space, Season 3

Everybody that know me know that I’m high class #Quillective trash and my main thoughts and feelings go out to Quinn Ergon and Gary Goodspeed - precious Gemini gems, and of course the BABIES: Little Cato, Ash and Fox #NeshaLuhDaKids I had some attachment to Avocato once upon a time, but that n***a got on my LAST nerves this season, so we currently at “Do you, Boo” status by the end of S3, and eventually, yes, I’ma get to why that is.

Disclaimer for somebody who stumbled across this post because of the fandom tags - I am an independent partaker of this content, not “part of the fandom,” and my audience in particular is NOT for everybody. SO: If you may have been criticized in the past for casual racism, tone deafness to Black women’s concerns or accused of misogynoir or antiblackness, leave now.

If you don’t like cussing, AAVE, general ratchetness and mean lesbian energy, you too might wanna go. A bitch can be eloquent, but I type like I talk, at times, so it is what it is and I don’t curate for kids, dudes, or nonblacks. That’s just what that is.

I wanna start with Ash Graven. This season is about Ash more than anybody else, despite the fact that there was a lot of emphasis on Avocato’s toxic ass man pain and growth in Quinn and Gary’s relationship, ULTIMATELY, nobody in the crew did more coming into fruition as Ash did, and I have a lot to say about her, because I have a lot of feelings.

♡ Ash Graven

1. Ash is a kid. Lol. Everybody got very confused because of the unnecessary transformation that Invictus gave her. Ash did not “grow up,” her body was altered. That’s a fuckin kid in a woman’s body. A kid who has previously been living with survivor’s guilt, parental abuse/neglect/exploitation, chronic trauma, and a disastrous superpower that most people could not be trusted to carry. She’s a child having a coming of age moment in this season that is mostly molded in manipulation. If you hate on Ash, go fuck yourself. ESPECIALLY if I’ve caught you stanning other characters who have been shit characters, in this fandom or not. Ash was dealt a shit hand and nobody had her back but her brothers, and she’s done what she could and thought was best to care for them. Anybody that missed that - just don’t have kids, K.

2. Ash has no parental guidance. As far as she knows, the only adults who have ever had her back are dead and the ones that she’s stuck with now, she GAVE a chance to try to trust them. She gave Quinn a chance to try to see some of Nightfall (the only adult that we’ve seen not exploit her) in her. She gave Gary a chance by choosing him over Clarence, when she had to make a choice. She even gave Clarence’s ass another chance - with which he responded by dying to not fail her. Now, she has Gary, who just a few days or weeks ago, idek, forced her to try to summon her powers while she was both injured and also upset over having to leave her brother behind - TO SAVE HIS GIRLFRIEND! And she got snatched away in the process and left behind with the enemy, to be mentally assaulted and returned changed, only to have them not trust her.

I love Quinn too. I love her dearly. But the facts were that she was dying and having an episode that nobody could really help with, and Gary didn’t take the time or consideration to think about the stress that he was putting on Ash by putting her in the position to make her feel like she needed to save Quinn for him. Whether or not she was the only one who could, that is a lot to put on a child, and not only did he do it, but he didn’t even seem to think that hard about it whenever he then left her ass. Sure, he was glad when she was returned, but that was a fucked up situation that yet another adult put her into, and the first thing that he should have wanted to do when seeing her was to apologize and try to make it right. It was a huge miscalculation to treat her as a potential enemy that he and Avocato needed to vet. EVEN IF that’s what she was to them, both of them should have had the sense to assess while still treating her as the kid that they supposedly knew.

3. Most of her trauma has been recent and continuous. She looked up to Nightfall, watched her die, and had a meltdown. The events from Season 2 (with Clarence almost killing Fox and leaving him to die, her leaving his side to help out, seeing that Sheryl was treacherous to her own son, losing Nightfall), and the events that are taking place in Season 3 are only in the span of a few months.

They were only stranded for a month whenever we see them surviving together. That girl has had more happen to her to hurt her than to help her and nobody around her BUT Little Cato has been sensitive to that. And they are all fucking adults.

These things being noted - changing Ash’s design was the absolute worse fucking thing. Aging a girl up to make the bad things that follow more palatable is what that seems to be. Ash is still a kid. And THEN, they allegedly made her a queer kid. I say allegedly, because that “reveal” was so poorly done and subtle and weak that I, an almost 40 year old queer, didn’t realize that that’s what they meant whenever they said that they were gonna reveal somebody as a character who is part of the LGBT community.

So... FS production just gon’ decide not only to transform her body into that of a woman, when her mind is still full on traumatized child and hormonal teenager, but also, she likes girls, and they didn’t even do it in a cohesive way that added to the story. They threw it in, like, “BTW, she likes girls, and also, she’s full grown now.” then immediately went for the “Villain” lever, and bitches just ate that shit up. Fuck y’all, forreal.

& Fox

He didn’t deserve that shit. And, I know a lot of people felt that he was pointless and boring, but his ass was sweet and caring and searching for love and acceptance. As a background character, I liked him. But, he was literally just fodder for Ash’s downfall, which was unfair and problematic, considering that his ass is definitely Black coded. Don’t play. He was voiced by a Black man, spoke with a blaccent, and definitely would be read as Black if you wasn’t looking at him and seeing an alien. They gave him a sacrificial negro trope, the big friendly negro that can kill you but loves everybody trope, and they used his death to just push some narrative forward to set up the one verified queer character as a villain. They got they ass in a vehicle and rolled right over another Black character, and another queer character. Chile...

♡ Little Cato!!!

My precious have not been getting some good for too long, and I have had it. He’s not focused on so much this season as he is in the background of other people’s stories, but a very important takeaway is and will always be that Little Cato, aside from Fox, really was the only one here who consistently treated her like she mattered, so it made a lot of sense that he could be the catalyst for her finally having ENOUGH with these people.

I really wish that he could have found out the truth about his past from Avocato, because that’s really who OWED him that truth, but Ash did the thing that I’d expect and told him, to be honest with him. She even told him that Avocato wanted to tell him and that she took that right away from him, because she didn’t believe he deserved it, and I’m respecting her for that, too. I wish she could see how much it hurt Little Cato for her to try to take him away from his home.

Little Cato has lived before, for a while, and he’s not mature enough to behave as a man, but he at least has a loving foundation to draw from, and having had that support, this is more of his home than it is Ash’s. He doesn’t know how to explain that to her, and she doesn’t know how to understand that for him. Just a tragic situation for two kids with a lot of problems.

♡ Quinn Ergon & Gary Goodspeed

Quinnary notes that might not be featured in the BFCD Reviews by Nesha: (Quinn Ergon/Nightfall x Gary Goodspeed) rundown -

I've had two favorite parts of this season so far and they're very mediocre things that you wouldn't think would be like my favorite part but they are. One of them was that the first thing Gary does when she wakes up is to ask her about her sister (someone obviously very important to her who he's previously promised to allow to let live through Quinn's memory and says he wants to hear about her when he's trying to keep Quinn from dying). Because... He really did care and wasn't just saying something to keep her.

Quinn's mother fucked her up in a way that is so frustrating because Black mamas really will traumatize you about their younger kids. That shit hurt. You showed your daughter dead bodies to make her think about that in the event that your other daughter might be in battle? Bitch wtf

Whenever we say that Black girls are programmed to put everybody ahead of us, that's unfortunately not just including Society, it's in households too. And Quinn comes from this place where that is her reality... Then she meets Gary and he doesn't even register for her as anything special. He doesn't appear impressive or incredible in any way... But he (admittedly) weirdly locks on to her and shares himself - thinking that he's showing himself to her, and ultimately he DOES. And he wants to see her too, beyond all this, who she is, at her most humane. He wants to know about her sister. About someone who mattered to her enough to have the helm of her trauma when she was out of touch with reality. Very soft. Very sweet.

The other was when they were talking about how they met and stuff and Gary absolutely cringed thinking about how corny he was when he approached this woman. A lot of dudes never do that. The complaint of earlier seasons that Gary was overbearing, obsessive and creepy , if you missed the fact that he has terrible abandonment issues from his father’s death and his mother’s rejection, here we have him, in his adult state, looking back at the way he was and being embarrassed about it, and that’s growth!

A close third is whenever at the beginning of the Season he says "Quinn it's been a month eventually you have to open up to me about what you've been through" and she says "I will in time" and he respects it but he reiterates that he's there whenever she needs him. I don't think that people realize how revolutionary that kind of statement is especially for a character like Quinn to hear - who has always felt like she had to take charge, had to take the lead, had to make the sacrifice.

Even when she realized that she was dying, she didn't want to burden him with the information. Not even like ‘a thing that she knew if that could help prevent it and she didn't want him to have to go after it,’ but... she didn't even want him to have to deal with knowing about it!

Maybe she thought that she would just drop, maybe she didn't realize that he was going to have to see her in that condition. And then once she realized that he was going to have to see her in that condition one of the first things she says is "I should have told you." Girl is on her deathbed wishing she had done it differently, for Gary's benefit.

I saw somebody on Twitter tried to come for her about not going to Gary after he killed Fox (you know, shortly after her surgery to save her from the very brink of death, and listen... Quinn comes to see about Gary when she can. She’s done it several times. In fact, I’ma make a whole POST about Quinn and Gary moments SPECIFICALLY to point out to haters in the main tag - where they got Quinn Ergon, and by extension, me, FUCKED UP.

Stop Playing in Quinn Face

HI! HELLO. ACTUALLY MY FAVORITE PART OF THIS SEASON IS THAT QUINN AND GARY JUST FUCKED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANKS. OK. Back 2 bidness

See.. after Gary and Quinn got over the humps of Quinn’s Final Space poisoning... everyone got it... nobody told her until Avocato was mad and told her during a lash out, and let me say something about Avocato’s fucking audacity this season...

♡ Avocato (Note: His name is A-V-O-C-A-T-O. Some of y’all be tryna stan and y’all can’t even spell his name.)

I done seent Avacata, Avocata... That’s not that dude name. Be writing whole ass expositions about some other Ventrexian n*gga. Hope this helps:

AVOCATO. Listen, boy. YOU decided to be a traitor to your people and your king and queen. YOU decided to dedicate your cause to the Lord Commander and lied to your son his entire life about killing his parents, raising him, and never talking to him about it.

Yet and STILL - whenever you had the chance to finally tell him, you ain’t do the shit. Lord Commander gave you the perfect ass opportunity - WHEN IT CAME UP, and even then, with that boy looking you dead in the face and being glad that now he knows everything... you ain’t Ventrexian man up.

Then, whenever you were supposed to be checking on Gary after his traumatic murder fight with Fox and Invictus, you turned it around and literally made it about you. attacking him in the process and only after a physical fight did you apologize. (And y’all still didn’t get back to what had happened to Gary, which was no real fault of his own).

Fast forward to after you willingly agreed to stay behind and fight and y’all lost. Now, it was Quinn’s turn to be the center of your blame and you lashed out at her because everybody is dying, despite the fact that y’all agreed to stay behind and fight, nobody even told her that y’all were sick, AND you still wasn’t 100 with Little Cato.

You just had a lot of mothafuckin audacity this season, Avocato, and I personally was not here for the shit. Even when Ash blasted yo ass, your main thought was to threaten to kill her if she took Little Cato, instead of assuring her that despite what you’ve done, Little Cato was safe with you. No, she wouldn’t have listened to you. But, the words you chose tell us about who you are and how you are. You a war mongering killer that don’t ever take responsibility for his shit, and even in those brief moments that you do, its always somebody else’s problem.

I’da thunk that LC getting snatched away would be humbling for you, but I guess you were chosen by the writers for minimal growth. Bye, Avocato. Witcha bitch ass. We is not cool right now, but you do you. Hope you find some growth up there in ya ass, where ya head been. 😁 Can’t believe I mourned yo ass. You coulda stayed dead as hell.

FINALE NOTES:

OK BITCH OK THIS FINALE WAS HYPE!

Let me pull it up so that I can liveblog it for the shit that I need to conclude this journey.

We start out after Ash done took Little Cato and burnt off. Gary and AVOCATO done said they finna go get they son. Chile, I cannot handle Biskit voice. I like that lil’ dude but ya voice, Mane. I can’t with it.

OK OK OK... Whenever Quinn comes up to Gary to talk to him and say potential goodbyes, she look like she wanna say some and that makes me think about whenever she looked like she wanted to say something in season 1 and didn’t. Quinn as grown a lot in her feelings for Gary, but she still has that hard time with talking about her feelings, but I love that you can see them in her face.

Chile... these folk was kinda taking they time gettin started, huh? Knuckas, do y’all remember that everybody finna die of FS poisoning? Lol. Also... why didn’t they start hallucinating and shit? I guess its not until it covers ya face?

NIGHTFALL. 😥 I love you, Sis. I miss you. But, “Because I’m you and WE think of everything...” YES. I HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT! EVERYBODY EXPECTS QUINN TO THINK OF EVERYTHING AND WHENEVER THEY DON’T THINK OF THE THINGS, SHE GETS BLAMED FOR MAKING THE TOUGH DECISIONS THAT NOBODY ELSE COULD EVEN MAKE. Underappreciated, really. And people still mark Nightfall as a villain, despite the fact that she not only sacrificed herself, but also came specifically to help another Gary. Sidenote - Nightfall didn’t actually pursuit Quinn’s Gary until Quinn was trapped in Final Space and she thought she got a signal from him. So, I’m still salty AF that she been labelled as a villain just because people don’t like her, when her actions have all been to try to help. Here is no difference. She thought of the things that she didn’t think a younger version of her would think of, and left it for Quinn to find. Nightfall be on RNS, and most of y’all didn’t deserve her.

Quinn’s identity crisis is so sad, but I liked that Nightfall EVEN thought about that. And Sheryl... you kinda starting to grow on me. I hate to give shitty mothers who find compassion in old chance a try, but she do seem to really be giving it a go.

Ash is so fucked up that she rushes right into the devil’s arms. This reminds me of when trafficking victims go back to their abusers because they don’t have the resources to adjust in the system. 😪 She REALLY believes what she’s saying. She really feels like Little Cato is safer with Invictus with the Team Squad. That’s sad as fuck, bruh.

THE. ACTING. AND. ARTWORK. IN. THIS. CONFRONTATION. SCENE.

Avocato... I’m proud of you for FINALLY taking responsibility ad opening up about it. Little Cato’s reaction is precisely how kids in the system are, as well. They wanna be at home with their parents, no matter who their parents are or what they’ve done. and Avocato meant what he said and did what I referred to earlier as “Ventraxian man up.”

“I’m sorry we failed you,” from Gary was so important. Because, they technically did fail her. Had Ash seen the same amount of love from Gary as she’s seen him give to others, she might have been more receptive to the truth and less susceptible to lies. But, as she had just said earlier, it was too late for kind words. She’s currently beyond accepting them from him. For a brief moment, it breaks through, but without that ability to know love from an adult properly, she can’t accept that apology right now.

H.U.E. with his big robot, Lord Commander...EYE. There’s so much happening right now bitch processing has left the room girl. Biskit did so damn much this episode. And it was good to see everybody on the team have a moment to help things, instead of like one person having to handle the bulk of things.

Quinn’s begging voice... its such a contrast from whenever she sent out the SOS in season 1 and was afraid and angry. Like... the desperation here shows her softness.

Ash’s RAGE Bitch...

Gary’s “I love you...” She looked so happy! And then she just sat with it. I feel like she definitely loves him too, but she doesn’t communicate that way. But, her FACE. She was just... did she think that he didn’t before, or was she just speechless because she didn’t expect to hear it? Because, we gotta be real... Sis probably has not ever heard those words from anybody before. And that first time, when it’s really there is a DOOZIE. She had an abusive mother, a seemingly jealous or competitive sister, and we saw how nobody in the Infinity Guard respected her ass when she was serving them the real. I think this is the first time she’s been in love or felt it and when Gary said it, she had to collect herself. The way she ran to him and jumped into his arms??? SHIPPING CRACK. And Mooncake was a part of their hug too. I have a lot of feelings about this dynamic since Quinn and Mooncake are the only characters that we’ve seen Gary have these “love at first sight” reactions to and Mooncake is the first character that I recall Quinn being nice to in S1.

So.. my heart was very full when they ripped it from my chest moments later. Mooncake has been watching Team Squad members be self sacrificing for a little while now, and he loves his family and Gary so much that he rushes straight towards danger. (Sure, I don’t think that he estimated how powerful Ash could be at this moment), but he had to at least consider that he might be caught or left behind.

Bitch, Ash is GONE. She said, “Fuck all y’all!” Not knowing whether or not Mooncake is destroyed makes it very hard for me to know how much I can stand this, but I also want to hope that he is gonna survive. Quinn having to make the decision to lightfold is hella sad, but even though Gary is destroyed, he has to know that this is exactly how Ash must’ve felt whenever he had to make the call to leave Fox behind. She hated to do that to Gary. She even seemed more regretful about it than Gary did whenever he had to leave Fox and when he left Ash. Sure, its because she loves him more than he loved Fox and Ash, but its a terrible position to be in to have to hurt somebody you love like that. On the other hand, they gave her hella shit for them not escaping when could have the first time, so naturally, she was going to make this decision.

It very much sucks that Invictus is free and my brain can’t eeem FATHOM what that means for everything and everybody, but the Final Space poisoning left the Team Squad’s system, so maybe there is a rejuvenation of some sort in Invictus’ power? Or does Final Space poisoning leave your system as soon as you leave Final Space? I don’t think that was clarified.

Anyways, I still don’t hate Ash. Y’all can say whatever about it, but I see sad white boys get forgiven all day every day on this site, and I’m upset, but I’m not letting my baby go. I’m not cheering her on, but unless she dies, I’m gonna hope for the best for her, like I said here.

DAMN this season was some shit. Ionknow if I’m emotionally capable of watching another season of Final Space in progress. If they make it back for another season, I will most likely just wait until the end to dive in and let them shock my senses all at once instead of on a weekly goddamn basis, because GODDAMN GODDAMN GODDDAMN!

@andromidagalaxie @daintyurbanprincess @shslargue @space-finally The Quinnary Moments Masterlist probably won’t be ready by Quinn’s birthday, since her birthday is the day before Juneteenth, but I’ve started on a little fic that I might have the first installment of posted by then. We shall see.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Here is my JOURNEY during my first watch of the first two seasons of the show. (I watched Season 3 in progress and waited until it was over to write up this review) and my probably incoherent tag of whenever I do me a lil’ liveblogging: Nesha Watches Final Space, and here is my review on Quinnary: BFCD Reviews by Nesha: (Quinn Ergon/Nightfall x Gary Goodspeed) FINAL SPACE

#Final Space #BFCD Reviews by Nesha #Nesha Watches Final Space #Nesha Watches #Quinn Ergon #Quinn Ergon commentary #Final Space season 3 #Final Space spoilers #long post

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