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#c: when this scene came on and there were people who can see my screen
nieceeee · 8 months
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“It’s Better This Way.”
P/S: baby daddy!eren and reader are having casual conversation like old times
W/C: 1146
A/N: cute SFW fluffy scene just showing their relationship together. No triggers, light flirting, baby mentioned…
Little snippet of the backstory of my OC (substituted for Eren) showing their relationship dynamic and maybe a few mixed feelings. Wanted to do something cute and simple. (Note: Eren is now in a relationship but wasnt @ the time of conception or in previous fic ‘Let Me Help’) lots of dialogue this time
Previous fic: Let Me Help
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“Aye yo, whats up baby mama!” Eren says as you pick up his daily call. “Ugh E, you know I hate when you call me that.” You say, rolling your eyes. You shift the phone to the right side pressing it between your ear and shoulder. “I mean is that not who you are though,” he concluded. You could hear the shrug in his voice. “I would prefer you call me by my name or at least the mother of your child.” you express. “I don't get the negative connotation behind it anyway. You had my baby. You are my baby’s mother therefore you are my babymama.”
Knowing this conversation wasn't going anywhere, you decided to switch the subject. “Anyway, are you coming by to see c/n today?” You ask as you rummage around your room. “I’m going to try. Things have been a little iffy on my end.” He said with a release of breath. You press the speaker and lay the phone down on the dresser. “Issues at home?’ You question as you reach into the top of your closet to grab your shoes. “Unfortunately. I don’t know man. I mean he’s 6 months old. I thought she would be over this by now.” He said.
You and Eren hadn’t been together when he found out about your pregnancy. And when he finally found out, he was already in a different relationship. It wasn’t the easiest thing for him to get back home and tell his then girlfriend that he had a child with his ex. She initially left him out of anger but eventually came back around to try again. Of course, they were still having their own problems in regards to his relationship with you but he refused to let her be a barrier between him and his son. You and Eren had been on and off for years and were best friends well before then so your relationship was pretty much solid before she ever came along, still that didn't stop her from acting the way that she did. You could see how stressful it was on him some days but you both tried to make the most of it. “Well, Rennie baby, if you want it to work then it will. But things like that can take time. But don't get discouraged. You’re a good man and an amazing father.” You encourage him.
You pull a black bodycon dress dress with a thigh spilt and keyhole neckline out from your closet and press it against your body as you speak. “How is he doing anyway?” He asked “Acting like his daddy. Always making noise and trying to eat anything he gets his hands on.” You tease. “Sounds about right. I miss my little man.” He sighed. You laugh to yourself. “Eren, you literally just saw him yesterday.” “Yeah, and that’s way too long. Where is he anyway?” He questioned. “He is in his crib taking a much needed nap.” You say. The sound of a FaceTime call coming in grabbed your attention. “Damn E, I was changing.” You say as you rush to swipe to answer. “I mean, it’s not like I haven't seen it before.” He teases. “Boy, don’t get cussed out.” You say as his face comes into view on the screen. “Can I see him” he asks. You roll your eyes and walk across the hall to the nursery.
Opening the door slowly you turn the camera around so that he can see into the crib. His face softens at the sight of his son as he snaps a few FaceTime photos. After he is finished, you creep your way back out of the room, “My little man is so handsome. Looking just like his daddy.” He smiles. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re full of yourself?” You remark, propping your phone up on the dresser as you walk back into your closet. “No, but I’ve been told I fill people up. You would know.” He playfully shot back. “See this is why you keep getting in trouble now, that mouth of yours.” You say. “I would respond but I’ll let you have that one, where are you going anyway?” He asked. “If you must know, I have a date.” You say checking yourself over again in the mirror. “A date? With who? Since when are you dating?” he fired off questions. “Okay, first of all, you’re c/n’s daddy not mine. Second, you don't know him. And third, why does it matter.” You respond, placing a hand on your hip.
“Cause I need to know who got you out here in this freakum dress like you grown.” he fussed. “Boy, I am grown.” You laugh. “Yeah, aight. Don’t get no whoopin.” He said. “Been there. Done that.” You teased, sending him a wink. You both start laughing again. “But seriously y/n, you look amazing.” He said gently. “Thank you Rennie.” You smile. You pick up two pairs of your heels and hold them out in front of the camera. “Which shoes?” You ask him. “Nude, you only wear red bottoms for me.” He smirked. You roll your eyes again. “You are seriously a hopeless flirt.” You say as you slip into the nude stilettos with clear straps that he chose. You grab a matching set of earrings and a thin chain necklace to complete your fit. “Okay, final look?” You say to him and you give him a spin. He watched you intently, looking you up and down. “Reeeeen.” You whine, “Serious opinion.” “Seriously?” He questioned. You nod at him. “That. Right there. Is why you’re my baby mama right now, cause damn y/n.” He responded. You shake your head at him as you feel the heat flush your face. “Whatever, I have to get ready and go.” You grab your purse and your phone and walk towards the door.
“If you decide to come by text my mom. She’ll be here with c/n.” You tell him grabbing your keys. You say goodbye to your mother as you walk to your car. “Okay, have fun. Be safe. Let me know when you make it.” He sounded off. “I know. I will. Will you be here by the time I make it home?” You ask him as you open your driver’s side door and get in the car. “Depends on how late you get back so just text me when you’re on the way.” He says. “Okay, I'm going.” You say. “Okay, I love you babydoll. Talk to you later.” He responds. “I love you too E.” You reply. He smiles and blows you a kiss before hanging up. You sit in the driver seat for a few moments, letting out a bittersweet sigh. It’s better this way you remind yourself as you start the car and pull out of the driveway
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ellssbellss · 9 months
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(NEW!) Lavender Roses ~ Kyoya Ootori x Reader
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pairing ~ Kyoya Ootori x Reader
In which a rational head hides a generous heart, but you have always known how to see past his walls and help him bloom into the gorgeous rose he is. Enjoy a slow burn between an honor student and our beloved glasses character!
Happy 1 year to Lavender Roses and this entire, wonderful blog. Without you, this story wouldn't have reached as many people as it has. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much.
-> summary: "But not anymore. You haven’t been alone for a long time, (Y/n), not since you joined the club. Not since you met me."
-> word count: 8.3k
tw! the scene on the cliff gets a little intense, mentions of blood, demeaning language against women, slight PTSD, weaponry (knives), verbal assault, physical assault, sexual misconduct. kyoya is dumb and so are you.
legend:
(M/n) - mother's name
(n/l) - native language
(s/c) - skin color
see masterlist! masterlist
taglist! @abbysblogsstuff @sunukissed @kisskissshutmydoor @idonia-dovahkiin @greensnakegoblep @vervainnnn @desert-fern @delievia @obeythemasters @luca-nightshade @sweetandsourwrites @wrzloyd @1234567890nono @inactivecrofters @katiebwalczak03 @reader3 @radical-bunny @stevexbucky404 @localgaytrainwreck
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The Sun, The Sea, and The Host Club! pt. 2
Kyoya lounges as he writes, a foreign feeling of contentment wrapped around his frame.
Soft bursts of images sift through his mind, you over his lap, your arm on his side while his gravitates towards your hip. How close your mouth was to his and how badly he wanted to taste it. How he had basically lunged at the chance, not that you were complaining.
That had caught him off guard. 
As he was writing, the megane realized he had never been a fan of romance. Above multiple reasons, he never saw the point. His father and mother had married for business instead of love, creating an environment where affection was not celebrated or practiced. He would see couples in the hallway and roll his eyes, thinking that they were wasting their time. 
When he voiced these opinions one evening to his sister Fuyumi, she gasped. 
“Kyoya! You really think love is a waste of time?”
“It’s a chemical reaction, Fuyumi, that’s all.” He had explained in a monotone voice, barely giving her any attention as he was typing away at his computer. “Your brain releases a certain neurotransmitter when you find someone attractive and compatible, and it tricks you into thinking you’re in love. Companies leech off this, creating Valentine’s Day, cards, encouraging weddings and all this nonsense.” 
He pushes his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. “I am not one to be fooled, and I will certainly not allow myself to be tricked by my own mind.” 
Kyoya ended his bored rant with an amused chuckle, feeling sorry for the suckers out there who lost precious time and money on something that could never really last, at least not forever. 
But Fuyumi just stood there, leaning against the doorway with a small smile on her face as she looked at her oblivious brother, too young to take the world as seriously as he did. 
“You can tell me that when you meet a wonderful man or woman, and we will see how you feel about how you want to spend your time.”
Kyoya scoffed. “Please, how I feel is irrelevant. My work is what deserves my time, end of story.”
Then his phone rang, and he paused his typing to see a contact picture flashing on the screen. Leaving his chair, he had walked to the door of his bedroom as he answered the call. 
“Hello, give me one second, please.” Then he turned to her, a little brother shoving his sister out of his room.
“Goodnight, Fuyumi.” The door closed behind him with a clack, and Fuyumi heard her brother pick up his conversation as he disappeared into his room. “Hello, (Y/n), thank you for calling me back…”
Kyoya smirked as he came back to the sounds of the beach, waves and laughing people filling his ears as his thoughts ran away with him. 
He had met a wonderful girl. And he could barely fathom how he was lucky enough to understand the feeling his sister was talking about. The pull he had to you was intense, and it was something he had never experienced with anyone before. 
The sun had reflected off of your (e/c) irises so perfectly in that moment, and the short distance had enticed him heavily, that the pull tugged and tugged. 
He hadn’t even confessed yet, and you had somehow convinced him to give in to his own temptations. 
“Kyoya! What should I do?!”
The ravenet broke out of his thoughts as his best friend ran towards him, arms holding a bucket of snakes in their grasp. 
Kyoya simply arched his brow.
“I wanted to scare Haruhi and (Y/n) with these rat snakes, but the twins said that anyone would find them creepy, so it wasn’t a true weakness! And now I don’t know what to do!” Tamaki whined, his voice rising as he shuffled on his feet, anxious about the snakes in his grasp. 
The club director’s spectacled gaze fell onto the snakes, twisting inside the plastic bucket without a care in the world. Taking a closer look, he let out a deep sigh.
“Those aren’t rat snakes, Tamaki. They are poisonous Habu snakes.” Kyoya turns back to his book. “Rat snakes aren’t even native to Okinawa.”
“What?!” Suddenly, the prince of the host club is running around in circles, whining while juggling the bucket in his hands. “What do I do with them?! C’mon, Kyo, you gotta help me out!”
“Tamaki, Kyoya!”
Both boys freeze as they watch Haruhi race towards them, her feet kicking up sand as she meets them at the chair. 
She’s breathing heavily, her eyes wide with fright and worry as she heaves. “Help, please, you’ve gotta help me.”
Forgetting about the bucket completely, Tamaki rushed over to Haruhi, pulling her close to him to try to ease some of her worries. “What is it, Haruhi? Are you hurt? What do you need?”
“It’s (Y/n). I thought we could handle it, but things got out of control. She told me to come get you.”
“What?” Kyoya sits up on his chair, quelling the anxiety in his chest. He admired Haruhi for being a girl who is very put together, so for her to fight the fear in her voice so adamantly is concerning. “Is she okay?”
“What’s wrong with (Y/n)?” Tamaki says calmly and firmly, trying to get some answers out of his panicking honor student. 
“These boys! They were- they-, god just follow me!” Flustered she turns around, sprinting away from the two hosts.
Kyoya and Tamaki rush in pursuit, agony filling into their chests. 
As the cliff comes into view, Kyoya catches Haruhi’s concerned gaze rise to the top of it, his own eyes following. Three shadowy figures struggle in the sunset, and his heart plummets as one of them is pushed to the high edge. 
In the distance, a piece of fabric lies stagnant in the sand, and Kyoya curses as he passes by it. A Hawiian shirt, ripped and torn as it lies helplessly in the sand. 
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“No, no wait. Stop!” You struggle as Ren pushes you back, your heels leaving the ground as he holds you over the cliff's edge.
“Yeah, yeah, you know what?” The alcohol on his breath is rancid as he sneers, Aoi grinning behind him. “I ain’t got time for difficult chicks like you. Might as well leave you out to sea.” He jostled you, and relished in the way you flinched. 
“Don’t! Don’t, please, don’t. It’s too much. Please, don’t let me go.”
“Oh, now you’re begging for me to hold you? Where was this a few seconds ago, sweetheart?”
“(Y/n)!” Hearing Tamaki’s voice was sweeter than any cake that Honey could’ve given you, making you want to cry out in relief as you looked behind the two thugs. 
Ren and Aoi freeze as you see Haruhi, Kyoya and Tamaki round the corner of the bottom of the cliff, concern and determination shining in their visages.
Meeting Kyoya’s gaze, you wriggle around some more, trying your best to shove Ren off of you without any friction below you. “Tamaki! Kyoya! They’re going to-”
You're quieted with a hand covering your mouth, Ren shouting in your face. “Be quiet! We aren’t doing anything!”
Kyoya’s jaw clenched at your plea, and he pumps his legs into a faster run, trying to get to you as you are, dear god, dangled off a cliff. “Let go of her!”
Aoi turns to Ren, and you see panic in his eyes as your three heroes charge up the rocks. “Ren, we gotta go. Like now, they don’t look happy.”
“Shut up, I know that.” Ren snarls before he forces a grin and turns to the boys, holding you up by one hand now.
“You want me to let go? Well, whatever you say.”
“No!” Kyoya called, but it was too late. 
Ren’s fingers go limp, any tension that was holding you up above the waters below disappearing as the fabric of your bathing suit slips from his grasp. 
The air whipped around you as you watch the cliff get smaller and smaller, plummeting towards your greatest fear. You feel a scream bubble up to the opening of your throat, but no noise dares to release, shock taking over your entire body.
Cold, sharp pains spider through your back as you hit the water, knocking all the wind out of your lungs in one single splash. The feeling of watery nothingness surrounds your skin as it pricks you. At the waterpark, the lazy river had tried to pull you into its flow, desperately and immaturely trying to take its next victim. 
But the ocean was experienced, eerily calm as it let you sink. And sink. Wrapping its deep silence around your form, you don’t think you’ll ever stop sinking. 
And as you begin to cry at the thought, water fills your lungs. 
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“(Y/n)!” Haruhi tried to call, but you were already out of sight, plunging into the water below. Panic clouded Kyoya’s mind as he ran, all of his thoughts zeroed in on the conversation that he had just had with you minutes before. 
I just don’t like the idea of being deprived of oxygen. Then I’d just sink, and be lost.
And now you were lost to him, falling into something you so desperately had tried to avoid. 
In his pursuit, a hooded man, much shorter than Kyoya, tried to step in his way. The kid grabbed at him, and any anger Kyoya had in his body went into a singular push, sending the man tumbling to the side. “Get out of my way.”
Reaching the edge, Kyoya didn’t think twice. Discarding his precious glasses to the side, Kyoya shoved the problem of the disgusting man in the red shirt out of the way, and took the dive. 
Long and lanky, he arched into the dive, his nearsightedness making it so your figure was just a blur from this distance, but he targeted it. His palm reached out and willed you to be closer, willed you to be okay. 
“(Y/n)!” He called as your fuzzy figure disappeared into the ocean with a harsh slap, the sound echoing in his ears. Kyoya’s own fall ended as he dipped into the water soon after, cursing his terrible vision as he looked around. 
A relieved exhale presented itself in bubbles when he finally saw you, drifting limply as the current pulled you along. Kicking hard, Kyoya stretched his muscles and his lungs as he held his breath, fighting against the density of the water. As he got closer, his stomach turned when he saw a small vein of red seeping from a cut in your leg, which only made him swim faster towards you. 
Finally, his hand grasped your floating one, and in one quick movement, pulled you against his chest. With your weight against him, his logical mind rebooted, and he tucked your head under his chin as he swam up to the surface. 
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“(N/n)-chan!”
“Kyoya-senpai!”
The voices seemed so distant, your skin clammy and gooseing against the beach air. Something was moving you, you could feel a familiar pressure against the small of your back and behind your knees, but it didn’t distract from the wave.
Your blood waved, splashing and swaying against the walls of your veins. It felt like your muscles had melted into liquid, and you were still in the pool, being bobbed and pulled into the black of the ocean. 
But then there was a shade of orange behind your lids, and blinking made it brighter. Something dragged over them still, tugging your eyes open as the sky moved above you. 
Tufts of black hair and a very sharp jawline were the next visions to come into your view, and the waving stopped, replaced by the firm steps of Kyoya carrying you to safety.
“Kyo…” Your voice was hoarse, raw from unconsciously coughing up water as soon as you had reached the surface. 
He didn’t respond, his gray eyes covered by his wet hair, but his grip on you tightened ever so slightly. 
Instead, he looked forward towards what you would assume to be your friends, but you were too focused on the deep orange the sunset casted across the clouds. 
“Where’d they go?”
“We took their ID cards and asked them to leave, not before showing them what’s for.” A voice said. Hikaru..yeah, Hikaru.
“The girls went back to the hotel and Mori called a doctor. He should be here any minute.” Kaoru follows like he always does, and the comfort of their routine brought you back to reality, especially when they mentioned the doctor.
“I’m fine, guys. I really don’t want to see a doctor.” You say, sighing as you leave Kyoya’s grasp. When your feet hit the solid ground of packed sand, you wobbled a bit, and Tamaki came into your line of sight. 
His arms helped steady you, but he didn’t let go as you straightened out. “What were you thinking?”
Still a little dazed, your brow furrows. “What do you mean?”
“Tamaki, stop.” Haruhi says as she stands next to you, giving you one of her jackets to wrap around yourself. 
“No, no.” Tamaki’s voice is low, collected. It shook you. “What were either of you thinking? You know, you aren’t martial arts masters like Honey and Mori-senpai.”
“Duh, don’t you think I know that?” You chuckle a bit, trying to lighten the mood, but you’re getting more and more frustrated by your best friend’s accusatory tone.
“You think this is funny?” Your prince is in disbelief as he raises his hands from your shoulders to the base of your neck. “Why did you confront them? What made you think you could stand a chance? You against two boys?”
“It doesn’t matter if they were boys and I’m a girl. They were harassing our guests, they needed to be stopped!” The emotional toll that today’s events have taken wore down your patience, and now you’re raising your tone, lacing it with betrayal and disbelief.
“We were there, Tamaki, we had to do something!” Haruhi takes a stand, trying to talk some sense into your best friend. 
“That’s no excuse, you idiots! Don’t forget that you are girls!”
“Kyoya.” Turning, you look back at your director for some support. “Tell him we did the right thing.”
But there is no answer. Kyoya just stands there with his arms folded, his mouth formed into a straight, formidable line, securing all of his thoughts behind a single wall. Water drips off the ends of his hair onto his toned torso as his jaw clenches, not breaking eye contact with you. 
“Kyoya?”
“You ran into a situation unprepared, unyielding, and irresponsibly. You put yourself in danger, self-sacrificing your safety for the needs of three girls you barely know.”
If Tamaki’s serious tone was shaking, Kyoya’s was chilling. It was cold, unrelenting as it jabbed into your heart with every syllable. “Are you mad at me right now? After you jumped off a cliff to save me?”
“I wouldn’t have had too, if you had been as smart as I thought you were.”
Defensiveness burns inside you. “I did what had to be done! Yes, it wasn’t safe, but it was me or those girls, and I couldn’t let them get hurt.”
“But you could put yourself at risk?”
“It’s different!”
“How?” With haunting grace, Kyoya outstretched his hand in order for Hikaru to place his lenses into his palms. Using the fabric from his shorts, he cleans them off the best he can, and slips them onto his nose. “The worry you felt for those girls when they were grabbed, and the worry that not only I, but everyone here felt for you when they saw you dangled at the edge of a cliff, you tell me how those are different.”
Heaving a heavy sigh, you run your hands over your face, not being able to put your feelings into words. “It just is. And I’m sorry you had to come save me, but I can’t understand why you’re so mad at me right now.”
“You can’t, or you won’t?”
“I don’t think I did anything wrong!”
At that, Kyoya’s piercing gaze sharpens, and you see his adam's apple bob, a signal that he is calling upon his immeasurable self-control. “You don’t think so? Fine.”
He steps forward, walking towards you and then brushing your shoulder as he passes your form. 
“Kyoya, where-?”
“I don’t think we can speak again until you can admit that you were wrong.”
And with that, his form becomes a spot in the distance as he leaves you in the dusk. 
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Soon, you left the others to wander around Kyoya’s guest house aimlessly. You frowned at every framed picture of his family, even ones where he was young and round, not sharpened by what his world had to offer. 
You climbed to the second floor, only to come to a line of doors. 
“Bedrooms…” you confirmed under your breath, running your hands along the wall as you passed them. “But…which one..?”
On the door handle on the second room from the end of the hall, a yellow rose was tied around it, welcoming and ironic all at once. 
A sad smile came to your face as you plucked it off the knob, then turned it, still holding it in your grasp as you entered the room. 
The room was generic, but you noticed a bouquet of yellow roses sat on the bed, tied with a lavender ribbon. There was a note in the gorgeous arrangement, and you plucked it out from it’s stand. 
Dear (Y/n),
My room is the one at the end of the hall, next door to this one. Should you need anything, you may let me know, and it will be done. 
Have a restful night. 
Sincerely, 
Kyoya Ootori
Swallowing, you set the note down and fiddle with the petals of the roses, Haruhi’s jacket softly brushing against your wet form. That note must’ve been written before everything had gone down, and your heart turned a little at the thought of him coming in here and placing these here with care, knowing how touched you would be when you saw it. 
Putting them on the nightstand, you drag yourself to your shower. While the hot water runs down your body, you rest your head against the tiles, trying to think your way through this. 
Tamaki was frustrated, Kyoya was pissed, and Haruhi was almost hurt. Everything today had been overshadowed by a single action by two terrible people, and you hated it. The drama that had been going on lately, and the stress of the dinner with your family and Arai, had left you tired, emotionally and mentally. To make it worse, the person you wanted to talk to the most about everything that was going on in your head currently was not talking to you. 
Lifting your head, you let the water splash onto your face before getting out and dressing into something that was finally more your speed. The week had been full of dressing you to the nines for the perception of others, but as you prepared to have dinner with your friends (or who you hoped were still your friends), you could wear something that expressed who you were, not who someone wanted you to be. 
As you fixed your face and hair, a knock sounded at your door, methodic as it rang against the wood. 
You almost wanted to ignore it, but the possibility of Kyoya being on the other side was too intriguing, and you rushed to the door, calming down before coolly opening it.
“So, now you decide to-oh. Hey.” Hiding your slight disappointment, you look up to see Mori standing in your doorway. “What’s up, Mori-senpai?”
“Dinner’s ready.” His mouth is curved a little at one side, and you can tell he’s trying to be a little more joyful for you, considering everything that happened. 
He then raises his hand from his side, and presents an Ootori Hospital First Aid Kit. “Kyoya wanted me to give this to you. For your leg.”
Eyebrows raising, you take the kit. Throughout the drama, you forgot about the cut Ren had made on your calf. Seeing it now, the salt water helped stop the bleeding, and it was scabbed over, now just serving as a reminder of what you had gotten yourself into. 
“Thank you, Mori.” Your gratitude came out as a sigh as you set the med kit down, and Mori watched as your form slouched ever so slightly.
“(Y/n).” 
“Hm?” Looking up at him, he swallowed at the tiredness in your eyes. Doing what he thought was right, you felt the stoic place a comforting hand on your head. 
“I can teach you. So can Mistukuni.”
“Teach me? Teach me what?”
“How to protect yourself.”
Two times you had been subjected to the whims of a confused, angered man. And both times, no matter how you had tried to fight against them, you were still untrained, still ignorant of the ways to use your power to its fullest potential. This time, when you looked back at your friend, your eyes glimmered. 
“Really?”
A firm nod came from the tall man, and you couldn’t help the sigh of relief that expelled out of you. Arms opening, you reach out and hug Mori around his waist, nuzzling into his long frame.
“Thank you, Mori.”
The hand on your head tightened for a moment before he stepped back. “I’m gonna go get Haruhi, and we’ll walk down together, yeah?”
Nodding, you step out of your room, closing the door behind you. “Yeah, sounds good.”
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The minute Haruhi had stepped out of her room, your eyes lit up.
A pretty pink nightgown draped over her shoulders, ruffles shooting out the side of her collarbone. She looked beautiful and elegant, and it was refreshing to see her out of the clothes that reminded you of the fight on the cliff. 
And if you thought she was beautiful, the rest of the hosts clearly didn’t disagree.
As the three of you stepped out into the dining hall, the twins immediately shot up, mouths agape as Haruhi glided into the room. 
Even Honey smiled as he stood on the chair of his seat, milk chocolate eyes glittering with the sight of her.
“Woah!” The boy-lolita said, and you stepped aside as he and the twins surrounded the honor student, complimenting her as she smiled gratefully. 
Turning towards the long dining table, you see two figures. Tamaki fights the blush on his face as he stares at Haruhi, but still chooses to sulk at his place at the table. His purple eyes meet yours, and then they slide down, and your stomach coils as he turns himself off to you.
Daring to glance at the person sitting across from your prince, Kyoya leans into his chair, his black journal perfectly perched on his lap as he writes, and you swallow. 
Knowing that Tamaki was a ticking time-bomb, you take your chances, walking up to the Shadow King. 
“Is this seat taken?”
No response. Looking around, you see name cards propped against the plates, your name clearly written in a very familiar cursive. Must’ve been the preparations he had made before.
“Looks like it is now.” You say awkwardly, shuffling the chair out and sitting down next to the ravenet. “I, uh, I got your note. And the roses. They were really beautiful.”
His pen pauses, and his dark eyes lift over his pages to stare into space. Then Kyoya’s eyes shift down, and his writing continues.
Folding your fingers over, you wait silently as the other hosts fawn over Haruhi, literally twirling your thumbs. Tamaki is sitting across from you, avoiding your eyes. Rolling your eyes, you twist your mouth as you try to catch his gaze, and being the pushover he is, he holds it after a moment.
You tilt your head, sitting aggressively back in your chair. You’re mad at me too, now?
Violet eyes roll. He’s not mad at you, just hurt. Talk to him, mon ami.
You think I haven’t tried?
Clearly, you didn’t try hard enough. Flipping his blonde hair away from his eyes, your best friend gives you an incredulous look. The man jumped off of a cliff for you. 
I didn’t ask him to do that.
You wouldn’t have done the same for us?
Your lips part a little, but you look away for a second before meeting his eyes again. A blonde eyebrow raises and Tamaki rests his chin in his hand.
I would’ve jumped off that cliff too if Kyoya hadn’t beaten me to it. We’ve all been through a lot today. Violet eyes are drawn back to the host in pink, and you sigh as they become distant. 
Reaching across the table, you tap it lightly, hearing the writing beside you pause for a moment as Tamaki looks back at you. 
You’re not going to tell her she looks nice? I figured you would’ve been all over that dress.
We aren’t speaking right now. 
Your expression morphs into one of disbelief and slight annoyance. What? Why?
She acted childish, running up there with absolutely no regard for herself.
So did I, and you’re talking to me.
Deadpanning, he smacks his lips together. This isn’t talking! We probably look like crazy people right now.
A small smile takes up the corner of your lips, and he simpers back. Plus, I can’t stay mad at you.
Your eyebrows raise, an equivocal gaze clouding your eyes as you glance over to Haruhi and the twins. I doubt you can stay mad at her.
He straightens his back as a blush rises to his cheeks as Haruhi’s skirt swishes with her movements as the rest of the hosts make their way to the dinner table. She sits down next to him, a challenging look on her face as she spies on him from the corner of her eye.
Tamaki narrows his gaze and turns back to face you, a sigh rolling through his lungs. We’ll see.
The twins pull out a chair and sit, Kaoru to your right and Hikaru to his. After everyone gets situated, plates are filled with delicious looking crab legs and side dishes, creating an array of a colorful feast. 
Cracking shells filled the air as no one bothered to speak, the tension of the room encasing your group into a box of crushing glass. Haruhi began to make a pile of empty shells on her plate, sending the prince that sat next to her in a state of disbelief. 
Digging into your own dinner, you look over to your left to see Kyoya still writing, his portion of the catch of the day remaining untouched. 
“You’re not eating?” Your voice raises barely above a whisper, afraid that if you broke the silence, the tenuous glass of tension would come crashing down on you. 
Not even a glance from the megane. You send a pleading glance to your friend across from you, but Tamaki shrugs. Third times the charm?
Putting your cheek in your teeth, you try to get closer, pulling a strategy that has worked before. “What’re you writing about? Can I see?”
You sulk as Kyoya turns away from you, bending the spine of his book so that the pages are fully covered from your view.
Kaoru, having seen the whole thing, gave a wide eyed look to his brother. “Well this is uncomfortable.”
“Yeah, kind of awkward.” Says his twin.
Defeated, you sit back, smiling weakly as Kaoru puts a few extra crab legs from his plate onto yours. 
Pleasured grumbles interrupt your self-pity as you and the twins look across the table to see Haruhi demolishing crab legs. Everytime she opened her mouth, she made an ‘ah’ sound, a blush coming onto her cheeks as she relished in the seafood taste. 
“Oh my god,” bits of crab fall onto the corner of her mouth as she groans. “These crabs…taste in-crab-ible.” A cute, muffled chuckle escapes out of her full mouth as her stack of crab shells continues to grow. “Get it?”
Tamaki is caught in the splash zone, shells and crab crumbs being tossed into his space as he sits next to her. “Don’t you think you’ve had enough? Geez, Haruhi, give it a rest.”
“Hm?” Her sarcastic tone goes up in pitch as she fills her stomach with more crustaceans. “I thought you weren’t speaking to me.”
A tick appears inside the veins of Tamaki’s forehead as he grumbles. “You trying to be cute?”
Haruhi just shoots him a victorious side eye, taking another huge bite of her food. 
Something broke inside the prince and he sighed harshly, slamming his napkin on the table as he rose. “Okay, fine. I get it. It seems you refuse to admit that you were wrong.”
He pushes out his chair, putting his hands in his pockets. “See if I care then, I’m going to bed. Kyoya?”
A voice that must’ve been foreign to you by now sounds a hum as Kyoya stops his writing immediately, giving all of his attention to Tamaki. 
“Will you show me to my room, please?”
“With pleasure.” Kyoya then stands, an aura of nonchalance cascading into your space as he slides by you. “Excuse me, everyone.”
An air of ice surrounds you as Kyoya doesn’t give you a sparing glance, his cold shoulder sending a shiver down your spine while he and Tamaki walk out of the dining room, the large doors closing behind them. 
Haruhi’s confidence dissipates as she watches her prince leave the room. Swallowing her food, she sadly cracks a new crab leg, the overconfident display now being replaced by a sincere realization. 
“Maybe he’s right. Maybe I should learn to protect myself.”
Looking towards Mori, you share her sentiment. “Yeah, it might be a good idea.” You say, relaxing into your seat. 
Hikaru and Kaoru reflect each other as they put their heads in their hands, giving the both of you empathetic glances. “So that’s it, they got to you, huh?”
Nodding, you look down. “Kyoya can be cold, sure, but he’s never just ignored my existence. Maybe I could take a class or something, I don’t know.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to learn martial arts…” Haruhi thinks out loud, now only picking at the food she had been devouring moments ago. 
“But that’s not the real issue here.” The twins say, folding their arms onto the table.
“To be honest, we were all a little worried about how recklessly you two acted.”
Looking up from your plate, you and Haruhi both shoot Hikaru a confused glance. 
“What do you mean?” You ask, bending around Kaoru to mee Hikaru’s gaze. “We didn’t cause you guys any trouble or anything.”
“Are you serious right now?” Kaoru asks, giving you a disbelieving look.
“Yeah, I mean you guys didn’t have to sprint up a cliff to help (Y/n) and fix my mistakes,” Haruhi reasons. “So you guys were fine, right?”
“That’s not true, Haru-chan.” Honey kneels on to the seat of his chair, his palms resting on the table as leans forward. “I think you guys should apologize, kay?”
“We were all worried, of course, but Kyoya-senpai and the Boss almost had a heart attack.” Kaoru says, speaking with his hands as he waves his fork around.
“We think you need to apologize to them the most. Both of you.” Hikaru states, the hand under his chin moving to support his cheek. 
“But you were worried about us?” The twins looked to their side to see your eyes switching between the both of them. “But why?”
That earns you a deadpanned look from the brothers before Hikaru drops his head on the back of his chair, and Kaoru rests his head on your shoulder with a whine. “You’re both hopeless.”
A small chuckle rises out of you as you rest your head on top of the sneaky twin’s, your mind flashing through the previous events. 
Stubbornly, you knew that you had done the right thing, and that you would’ve made the same choice if you were given a second chance. 
But then you imagined the boy on your shoulder being grabbed by his shirt, hung over the edge of a cliff reaching higher than you thought it could reach, and your gut twisted. Then the image flashed to where Honey was held and Mori was running after him, or Hikaru, then Tamaki.
Then Kyoya. And you immediately understood their worry.
Swallowing wetly, you took a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry you guys.”
The twins raise their brow in surprise, and when Haruhi voices her apology too, it melts into a content simper. 
“Awe, come here you little runt.” Somehow pulling you and Haruhi out of your chairs and into their arms, the hosts embrace you in a tight group hug. 
“Don’t get all soft on us now, (Y/n).” The twins say as Honey rubs his cheek against a smiling Haruhi. You laugh and push them off, just in time to see the natural type’s face fall as her color disappears.
Hikaru notices immediately, holding her side. “Is something wrong?”
Haruhi’s stomach makes a concerning gurgle. “I don’t feel so good.”
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And that was how Haruhi ended up in your bathroom, heaving her guts out in your toilet. 
You’re sat on your bed as you hear the toilet flush, looking out one of the massive windows in the room as the moonlight lets itself in. 
The light from your bathroom seeps into the space as Haruhi walks out, weakly falling onto your bed with a light thud. There’s a beat of silence as she flips over, both of you lost in your own thoughts.
“We kind of fucked up, huh?” You joke, still looking out at the ocean as it calmly waved against the shoreline. 
“Yeah. We did.”
“Who do you think we should apologize to first?” You ask, meeting her eye line as she continues to focus on the popcorn ceiling. 
She just shrugs, at a loss for the next step. “Should we go together? Or one at a time?” 
“Probably one at a time. I’ll go to one, and you go to the other, and then we can just switch.” Sheepishly, you sigh. “Besides, I think that I have a little more to apologize for.”
“It could’ve been either of us, (Y/n).” Her low voice echoes off the walls. “If you had run in front of me, it would’ve been me who would’ve gotten thrown over.” 
Another small silence blankets over you before you nodded your head sharply. “If we’re gonna do this, we gotta do it now.”
Haruhi props herself up on her elbows as she watches you push off the bed, an air of confidence surrounding you. “Now?”
“Now.” You stop in the mirror, checking yourself over to make sure you are presentable. “We will get the hard ones out of the way. You apologize to Tamaki, and I’ll apologize to Kyoya.”
“You sure you’re not rushing into things?”
“Nope! Just gotta get it over with.” Head held high, you walk out the door with Haruhi on your heels, picking up the first aid kit so you could return it to its owner.
You and Haruhi walk from your door to the end of the hallway, a lavender rose on one and a red rose on the other. Stopping in front of your respective hosts doors, you each raise a fist, preparing to knock. 
“Ready?” You ask.
“Ready.” She sounds confident, affirming. 
Then each of you turn around and switch places, losing gusto as you walk into Tamaki’s room. 
Knocking softly as Haruhi enter’s Kyoya’s room, you step into the prince’s chambers, searching for the signature strands of blonde hair. 
He jumps from his corner, the phone to his ear tumbling out of his grasp as you spook him with your entrance. Blowing out a breath, Tamaki runs a hand through his hair, tuning back into his conversation. 
“Yes, Grandmother.” Your heart sinks as his tone loses the flamboyant flair you had come to enjoy. “I understand. Goodnight.”
Hanging up the phone, he turns back to you as he hangs up the phone. With a hand on his hip, your regular scheduled Tamaki is up and running, an exaggerated frown on his face. “You can’t just barge into a man’s room like that, mon ami! Think of your manners!”
Looking down, your fingers tighten on the med kit in your hands. You chuckle at his words, but it quickly quiets when you remember what you came in here to do.
Since you chickened out of one apology, the least you could do was try to get through this one. 
Raising your eyes to meet his, blonde eyebrows rise as he senses utter sincerity in your gaze
“Tamaki, I’m so sorry for making you worry.” Earnest honesty blends into your words as you pour your apologies out to him. “Everything happened so fast, and I wasn’t thinking straight when I saw those men try to take advantage of those girls. I just got so mad, ya know? No one deserves to be treated like that.”
Tamaki parts his mouth, but sees that you have more to say, and closes it.
“Haruhi and I tried to run, but they caught the back of my shirt – well, it was Kyoya’s shirt because he let me borrow it earlier today – and I was forced into a fight or flight mode.”
“And you chose to fight.” The prince’s hands pocketed themselves into his jeans. 
Nodding, your actions became a little frenzied. “I wasn’t going to be helpless again, not like that time in the dressing rooms during the physical exam. I can take care of myself, and I wanted him to know it. I wanted him to know I am strong and independent and I wasn’t going to let them do whatever they wanted to me.”
An annoyed sigh shot out of you as the moments on that cliff replayed in your mind. “But one of the guy’s had a knife!” You gesture to your leg. “And it all got out of hand so quickly that it seemed like I blinked and all of a sudden I was being held over an endless sea. I was stupid, and reckless, but I just wanted to help and save them, save myself that I completely–”
Your face collided with a shirt, soft and lavender-scented as your best friend embraced you. Your rapid heartbeat echoed against the close proximity of his chest before it slowed, and you breathed as you wrapped your arms around him. It was a tight embrace as one of your palms grabbed onto the cloth of his button down like a lifeline while the other pressed the med kit into his back.
“I’m sorry.” The apology is muffled as you nuzzle against him. 
Pulling back, Tamaki looks down at you with a gentleness only he could provide. He grabs your hand and pulls you to an empty chair. “Here. Sit down.”
Brow furrowing, you sit as the large, red loveseat molds to your tired body, and you fight against your instinct to melt into the cushions. 
Your confusion takes precedence, though, as Tamaki sits on the floor below you, crossing his legs before holding out his hand. “The med kit?”
Once you hand it to him, he pops it open and scans over the supplies. He stretches his hands and cracks some knuckles before shaking them around, as if they had been asleep for hours and he was trying to wake them up. 
“I might not be good at all the medical stuff like Kyoya, but I can clean up a scratch or two.”
A light giggle rolls out of you as an intense look of concentration sculpts into his features. Setting everything he thinks he needs to the side, he opens his palm again. “May I?”
Rolling your eyes, your heart blooms at your friend's gentle touch as he begins to try and fix what you broke, even if that was what you had come here to do in the first place. 
Eventually, Tamaki breaks the silence that had lulled over the two of you as he applies a cleaner to your cut. “That was my grandmother on the phone.” 
Wincing at the medicine bubbling out of the cut, you nod. “I heard. I didn’t know if you wanted to talk about it.”
“There’s not much to say.” In comes another rare instance like the one at the Tiki Bar. An aura of calm maturity takes the prince’s form as he sits in front of you, completely concentrated at the task at hand. “She was angry, like usual.”
“Did she yell at you again?”
His nod twists your heart on its chambers, but his eyes flick up at you to stop you from giving him any pity before going back to the task at hand. “She is an angry woman. She was widowed when she was young and since then has had a pessimistic perspective on life.” A sad sigh escapes him, but he still manages to keep a serene smile on his face. “She is not a woman I will ever completely understand, but I think, for the rest of her life, I will always strive too. While I may never be on her good side, I want to always put my best foot forward and keep my mind open, so that I might see the world through her eyes. Understand what she is dealing with even if I don’t agree with her actions.” His chest shakes with a low laugh. “It seems I’m stuck doing that for all the women in my life.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m telling you I understand.” Tamaki rifles through the bandaids and picks one that must’ve come from some sort of Valentine’s Day collection: shiny, red hearts with a white background. 
He places it gently over the scratch Ren had left you with, running his thumb across it in a loving gesture. “You were put in a terrible situation, and you did the only thing you, (Y/n), are programmed to do. Survive.”
His fingers swim through his hair again, and his violet eyes are swimming with genuine kindness with a hint of concern that you don’t think will ever fade away. “You're always by yourself. Your parents leave you alone in your home enough times, and you learn to depend on only yourself, because no one else has ever stepped up to the plate. You never call any of us for help, even when we are so close, until it’s too late. Until you realize that you pushed yourself too far.”
Leaning up, Tamaki puts his hands on the arms of the chair as he becomes eye-level with you. “I get it now.” A soft smile curls onto his handsome features. “I’m sorry I yelled at you on the beach. You grew up without relying on anyone else.”
Your eyes had gone wide and began to shine as Tamaki stood to his full height and held a hand out to you. “But not anymore. You haven’t been alone for a long time, (Y/n), not since you joined the club. Not since you met me.
Emotion wells up in your throat, making it hard to swallow as you quickly take his palm, jumping into his arms again with vigor. You feel him chuckle against you as he lifts you up in the air for a moment before setting you on the ground, your new band aid twinkling in the moonlight. 
“So, you forgive me?” You say, wiping the small, joyful tears away before he could see. 
“If you can forgive me for comparing you to my grandmother.” 
“I was just going to ignore that. It seemed like you were on a roll there.” 
You both laugh as Tamaki hands you back the med kit. He taps the top of it with his finger. “I think you need to return this.”
A different kind of feeling stuffed your airflow now as you looked out of Tamaki’s open door to the one across the hall, a lavender rose lacing the doorknob. 
“Yeah, yeah I do.” 
Feeling your feet begin to drag across Tamaki’s carpet, you force yourself to feel lighter, invigorated by your friend’s words. “Thank you, Tamaki.” You smile up at him as you pass through his doorway. 
At your grin, Tamaki squeals in his place. “Awe, you’re so cute, mon ami! No need to thank me, no need at all!”
You simper as you flick him on the nose and close the door behind you, taking the treacherous steps towards the Shadow King’s door.
The feeling of your thumping heart began to ring through your frame, but you willed it to calm down. Looking around, you tried to spot Haruhi in her door frame, waiting for you to be done talking with Tamaki so that she could tag in, but it was so late that she might’ve just fallen asleep. You would understand, especially if her conversation with Kyoya was as emotionally taxing as yours was with Tamaki. 
Every nerve stood on end as you raised your hand to knock, but hesitated. Would he be mad if you made so much noise in the middle of the night? Plus, if he had fallen asleep, he wouldn’t just wake up with a simple knock. The man slept like the dead who had turned to stone. 
Your hand hovered over the doorknob, careful of the thorns guarding the purple rose. Did he even want to see you?
The image of his softened gaze as it dropped to your lips and then back to your eyes, shrouded in sunset as Kyoya’s hand gently lifted to your waist filled your mind, and it motivated you to turn the knob. 
You had to salvage this. All he had asked was for you to admit that you had done something wrong, and now you were prepared to do that. It had taken some convincing, but you were ready to set aside your pride. Besides, to endure another moment of his gaze without the touch of softness he saved just for you would be hell compared to a little bruise on your ego. Maybe he will forgive you for waking him up.
You cringe, knowing you’re being way too optimistic.
The door doesn’t creak, the well-oiled hinges of an Ootori household silently as you sneak into Kyoya’s bedroom, barely opening the door a smidge before you see a shadowy blob on Kyoya’s bed.
Squinting your eyes, you struggle to peer into the darkness, and you open the door another centimeter, letting the light of the hallway bring some illumination to the shadows. 
The med kit drops onto the carpet, not a sound adding to the empty soundtrack of this moment. 
Shadows merge and billow before defining into bodies. Haruhi’s pink dress comes into view as the small amount of light grasps onto her form, revealing her as she lays wide-eyed on the bed. Her back sinks into Kyoya’s comforter as she looks up, blinking mildly at the form hovering over her. 
Long tingles of darkness form into a body you admire, the man you adored caging your best friend under him like a predator. His muscles tense as his arms work to hold his body just above her, his naked torso defined in the contrast of the night. 
Haruhi says something you couldn’t possibly hear over the blood pumping through your ears, and you see a smirk curl onto his face as if she said something clever, and Kyoya drags a thumb over his lip. 
The image is burned into your skull as you race back to your bedroom, only a wall separating you and the betrayal next door. 
Haruhi and Kyoya?
Haruhi and Kyoya?
Tears now welled in your eyes as you rushed to the comfort of the bed that wasn’t your bed, in a room that wasn’t your room. 
Fuck! Your mind screams as you shove your face into your pillow, rocking back and forth as the picture of them together keeps flashing behind your eyelids, a persistent roll of film filling in all the areas you didn’t see in the dark. How their bodies must be closer now, closer than you and Kyoya ever were. 
A hiccup escaped as the pressure in your chest tightened. Kyoya’s aversion to physical touch made it so he constantly kept an arms distance from you. Yet here he was, chest to chest with your best friend who you had grown to love like a sister you never had. 
Your fingers dug into the pillow as before you threw it across the room. Yanking the covers over your head, you begged and begged anybody that was listening to turn back time. 
Turn it back to the moment on the beach chair, under the umbrella in the glow of the sunset. Rewind to Kyoya serving you your favorite food with his sleeves rolled up, or the two of you linking fingers on a piano bench, the moonlight cascading down his soft smile effortlessly. 
A hand claps over your mouth to keep any sob from passing through and sounding through the wall, and you realize that even though the ocean was outside your window, you still couldn’t find your breath.
It seems that Kyoya didn’t deserve to win those pictures after all, because the image that still pulses into your vision causes you to sink into darkness. You find a new worst fear as Kyoya’s name echoes into your mind as you become lost. 
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Next Time on Lavender Roses!
“I never noticed. Haruhi is perfectly suited to be accepted into an elite all-girl’s school.. And that’s exactly why I can’t let her transfer!”
“But (Y/n)’s been here for years, why does she want to transfer too?!”
A Challenge From Lobelia Girls Academy!
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hey there, just wanted to apologize for ruining your day and leaving you in suspense :)
thank you for being so patient, there is always more to come :) comment if you can! i'd love to hear your thoughts.
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drconstellation · 24 days
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Wickedly Witchy Food Bribes
Warning: This post is full of F-words...like food, fizzy, and - well, that's why there is a cut.
Anathema might be a modern day witch, but she still follows some old traditions. Like trying to feed children when they came by her house out of the woods.
There are traditional stories, like Hansel and Gretel, where young children are left to wander in the woods alone and a witch finds them and lures them in to her house with sweet food to eat. They are captured and fed to be "fattened up" before being cooked and eaten. Eating the children was supposed to give the witches eternal youth, and the children were wandering in the woods in the first place because the poor often had too many mouths to feed and it was one way to reduce the number of souls under their roof. Cruel, but reality.
In S1 there are three main scenes where the youthful Anathema offers the members of the Them food when they come to Jasmine Cottage.
Making Lemonade from Lemons
In Ep.3 Adam comes upon Anathema smashing plant pots in the garden of Jasmine Cottage as she takes out her frustration about losing The Book. She invites him side and offers him lemonade, while they discuss all the things are supposedly wrong with the world, and then she gives him the New Aquarian magazines to take away and read.
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He devours them, and their ideas, and that night, as he sleeps, fizzy sherbet lemon sweets by his side, he transforms a nuclear reactor into...something else.
Chocolate
At the beginning of Ep.4, the whole gang of the Them arrive at the cottage when Adam returns the magazines. Anathema greets them at the door and offers then "candy," a distinctly American term for an American witch, and the candy she offers is - chocolate. This also originates from the Americas, so this is an all-American food bribe in this instance.
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Sandwiches
A short while later, still in Ep. 4, after the Them have helped a battered Newt get to Jasmine Cottage so Anathema can assist following the car crash, the witch offers the children sandwiches. You hear this offer off-screen, so to speak, as the camera is focusing in on Adam as he gazes at the picture of the devil on the kitchen wall.
Sandwiches, people. SANDWICHES.
j. f. c. Anathema
SHE OFFERED THEM LUNCH!
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mn'kay I'll calm down for those that aren't making the meta-connection here...
The TL:DR version is sandwich -> lunch -> er, love? (see the end for further reading)
The key here is what Wensley says to Anathema on turning down the offer:
I have a very nutritious lunch waiting for me at home. My mother asked me to come home with an appetite."
Awww.
Not only is Wensley the one who defeats Famine in the end, this line also tells us he has a family who loves and cares for him very much, and they have plenty of food to feed him with. No one is trying to dispose of their unwanted offspring in this rural village.
So there you go . Food doesn't have to all be about f- *ahem* It can be for more familiar things as well.
For further reading about the connection between lunch, bread, and Mrs Sandwich:
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rebeccalouisaferguson · 6 months
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ORIGINAL-CIN: Not only did you take on the grueling lead role of Juliette, you also served as Executive Producer  on the series.  Did you not know the pain and suffering you were going to have to go through taking this on?
REBECCA FERGUSON: I know, and it is never happening again. (Laughs). No, you know what? For the role of an Executive Producer, I literally had to google it whilst I was offered it, because I didn't really understand what it was. 
Obviously I've been in this world for a long time, but I haven't had to care. I just came on set, did my acting and left for the day.
So when Graham Yost said, we would like to offer this, I remember thinking all I care about is learning the business. So if I would like to produce myself, who better to walk behind then Graham Yost? He’s a phenomenal showrunner and writer.
I also think it was the feeling that if you're going to give your life to something for a bit of time, I'd like to have a bit more control of the narrative, the creative aspect,  the cast and all of the departments.
It's hard to trust people, and if I am going to take on such a huge responsibility I need to know that it's going to be great! Now it turns out I can trust Graham with blind eyes. But yeah,  it's a learning curve and I really did love every minute of it.
O-C: Setting aside all of the behind-the-scenes work, what you put yourself through on-screen was pretty darned impressive. So much action, the emotions and the trauma of this character.  How did you even prepare to play her on that level?
FERGUSON:  The preparation for that came before I started honing in on the producing aspect. I wanted to be on top of it. I read the script so many times and spent so many weeks in the writers room, getting a feel of how Graham does it.
The fact that when he does other shows, he's writing it every day in a room, then he has to run the show. Then there are people on the ground who help rewrite whilst the actors are actually doing their scenes.  I found all of this so fascinating and quite helpful getting me into character.
So for me, I'm preparing everything that I think is needed and we work together.  When it comes down to the physical aspect of it, the training, learning the accent, and understanding her, I do all of that months in advance. I put a lot of effort into it.
O-C: I think what blew me away most was the sets. As a viewer we really get that sense of claustrophobia, being in this Silo with no way out.  Plus, continuously running up and down those stairs!
FERGUSON:  Obviously we don't have as many stairs as you see but trust me, it was exhausting.  After one take I was ready for a nap!
O-C: The series really makes you think about never being able to experience sunlight or fresh air. Could you ever imagine living in a world so immersive and  so contained?
FERGUSON: No, and that's the fun part of this entire project, visualizing and imagining when it happened.
How did it happen? Why did it happen? We were the children of the children. So you have to imagine that the people we are playing have been in there for their entire lives.   We don't know anything else and that's so interesting.
To back it up and think, “What were the first people like in there?” The fact that they created a working and sustainable life, creating  agriculture it's an incredible salute to the human race of recycling and resources and the reuse of things. 
I think that's what we would do, we have to survive. But there are always rebels, people who question and that’s the basis of the whole series.
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marinersubmariner · 6 months
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Ahsoka series thoughts
I wasn’t going to post this because most of the recent Star Wars stuff gets worse upon reflection and it bums me out. Plus it’s all been said better elsewhere and the last thing the internet needs is more Star Wars complaining. But I also like reacting to what is basically the only fandom thing I ever think about on an ongoing basis! And I type it all out to myself anyway! So here you go. More Star Wars complaining. Bon appetit
I actually overall had a pretty good time watching this show, because there’s a deeply-ingrained part of me that simply likes hanging out in the SW universe. I AM, in fact, just here for the vibes. 😔✌️ Unfortunately that doesn’t tend to carry over into long-term affection for the Disney+ shows themselves, and the only series I find myself still caring about and thinking fondly of when it’s not immediately in front of my face is Andor (every part of that show but especially Luthen’s speech and the whole mood of that scene and how I felt watching it is STILL in my head.) Star Wars would be so good if it was good, etc.
On a visual level, for a Volume show it didn’t look too terrible for the most part. What it lacked in dynamic lighting or convincing realism it often made up for in atmosphere, and they did a better job on some of the larger environments. At least until the finale, which devolved into a bunch of plain rooms. I thought Seatos looked nice, that was my favorite new location—the moody red forest and the map hologram on the cliffside were really appealing. (side note: I had to google what that planet was called because it takes me a while to learn new places when they don’t put the names on the screen, and in my head I was picturing it spelled like C-DOS. GLaDOS’s cousin.)
I was REALLY thrown by Sabine training as a Jedi because it came out of nowhere and I don’t see how it fits her character, but I am otherwise generally a fan of the “anyone can be a Jedi” thesis. I know it’s controversial because by now it’s been very established that space wizardry is a highly selective genetic trait, and of course surprise superpowers aren’t as fun or special if just anybody can do it… but going all the way back to the OT I always felt like Luke’s journey had more of an everyman quality to it, that he chose to follow that path and he trained and he learned to tap into the Force. Some people are born to be better at it, some people are way too strong with it and have to learn to control it, but theoretically anyone can do it. The Force connects ALL living things, so it makes sense to me that anyone should have the ability to access it, even if that only manifests in faint or subliminal ways (“I have a bad feeling about this,” that old theory).
I’m just not convinced they should have gone this route for Sabine! Her relationship with Ahsoka still doesn’t make sense to me, they didn’t flesh it out at all and I can’t track it from what we saw in Rebels. And it also disappoints me that she did ultimately work out how to use superpowers because I enjoy the dynamic of non-Force sensitives who are nonetheless very narratively important, even when you mix them in with the magic users who tend to suck up all the story weight. I like it when the magic is a little more rare and unique and hidden (particularly in the OT and ST eras!), and as much as I love space wizardry, that mythic element seems to work a little better at movie scale than at tv scale.
So I’m kind of a big hypocrite when I say anyone can use the Force when I also still want it to be special and exclusive, lol. I guess logically I like Force usage to be all-inclusive (or at least have that potential) but narratively I like it to be rare. ???? IT’S CONDITIONAL, OKAY. I contain multitudes.
I still have a really hard time connecting to live-action Ahsoka and I don’t think she seems enough like her animated counterpart for me to feel emotionally invested in her. It’s just a lot of Rosario Dawson doing a Knowing Smirk and posing with lightsabers. It was especially stark in comparison to Ariana Greenblatt’s younger version, who seemed EXACTLY like animated Ahsoka—which admittedly is not a fair comparison because she was literally playing the animated version, but she got the voice and mannerisms down so well.
Really all the animated characters seem so thin, and while I did like Sabine and I warmed up to Hera, forcing this all into live-action has the two-fold effect of not being enough for people who are familiar with the cartoons (because we don’t need the Cliff’s Notes versions of their characters, we know them and their story, and this just seems like cosplay versions of them clunkily recapping us on how they know each other) but ALSO not being enough for general audiences who haven’t seen the cartoons (because who the hell are these thinly drawn characters referencing a bunch of backstories and events we’ve never seen??). It’s like, yes, I recognize them from the cartoons! But that recognition alone is not enough to carry an entire series! Whereas if they’d just gone ahead and made a sequel cartoon they could’ve actually made a plot and it wouldn’t feel like they spent all this time on what only amounted to setup for something else.
I DID, however, feel like Ezra was the most successful translation from animation to live-action—I loved him a lot and he felt most like his actual character to me. (well. him and Chopper. lol) I understand why they gave him a beard but I hope he ditches it, then he’d be perfect. I can’t even wish for them to do away with the colored contact lenses because I know they won’t, but obviously those are awful across the board. It’s so distracting for everyone to have dead doll eyes, but apparently cosplay accuracy is more important than staying out of the uncanny valley. “We have to literally give them these goofy-ass cartoon eye colors! Otherwise twitter will riot!!!”
I just do not understand why they would make this show with its entire main cast from the cartoons, that is a direct sequel to the cartoons… not a cartoon. (I mean, from a cynical standpoint I get it—they have a ready-made premise and characters to continue churning out live-action Star Wars Content™ in lieu of actually making any more movies. But I don’t LIKE it.) People who know the characters are distracted trying to do the mental gymnastics required to align new voices/faces/mannerisms/personalities with what they already know, and people who don’t know the characters are totally lacking any of the context that would allow them to care and not be bewildered.
They throw Thrawn’s name around soooo much before he shows up, they make such a huge fucking deal about Thrawn, and we’ve never seen Thrawn in live-action before so it has absolutely no meaning to anyone coming into this cold. Even for me, watching it as someone who knows who Thrawn is, it feels completely stupid to treat it like something that has so much weight in the universe when within this story he has never existed before now. You say a name ominously and this is supposed to matter? Why? Who cares? You’ve never even shown this guy. It feels like I’ve missed something even when I’ve watched everything there is to watch. There are ways to build suspense around an unseen character, but just saying their name a bunch without showing why anybody should care or where all this talk came from in the first place is not it. They’re not connecting these dots, and certainly not in a way that makes for a compelling viewing experience. None of these stories stand on their own anymore, it’s like it’s all just references piled on top of references. They’re so busy talking about past events and setting up future events that they’re not really bothering with current on-screen events.
I did think Thrawn’s intro scene had some pretty cool gravitas, but here’s where I admit that I don’t care about Thrawn. 😬 Now, GRANTED, I’ve only read the Thrawn trilogy and watched Rebels, so I don’t have any exposure to his other appearances in the current EU. But he irritated me SOOOO MUUUUUCH in the original books that I’ve never wanted to seek out more. He’s a stream of deus ex machina gotcha moments, “I’m always ten steps ahead of the heroes because reasons,” and I never found it interesting, it was always just annoying. “I study art so I know everything forever” uggghh shut up. But! At least that guy was competent! This version of a brilliant strategic mastermind written by dummies is even worse. He’s not intimidating at all.
And I mean, a good way to maybe get me to care about Thrawn would have been anything approaching fandom’s invented odd couple adventures for Thrawn and Ezra post-Rebels, but instead the implication here is that they have done absolutely nothing and have not interacted at all throughout their entire exile. Complete stasis for both of them. Like, I hate the vague tell-don’t-show of the Sabine and Ahsoka stuff, but it’s doubly boring to not even have the suggestion of anything happening in that intervening time period. What a transparently lazy way to shuffle Ezra and Thrawn off the board for the OT just to zip them back and pick up where they left off to fill in some dead space before the sequels.
That first shot of Enoch’s weird FACE HELMET was so bizarre I was really excited—the combination of gold and an unsettling molded face mask reminded me of Death Stranding, so for a second I was like omg weird Kojima Star Wars, holy shit. But it was really only one weird visual that wore off quickly. Just another different action figure, nevermind. And then I learned he was AMOS FROM THE EXPANSE so I just wanted him to take the mask off. Classic mask guys: I know you’re hot underneath there!!!!!!
I was enormously frustrated with the finale because, while I had decently enjoyed the journey, it really made it clear how futile it had all been and it wasn’t fun enough to overlook the emptiness. Ahsoka and Sabine facilitated the one thing they were trying to prevent and they’re fine with it. It was one long “To Be Continued” and like. I dunno. It would have been nice for a tv series to have SOMETHING within its scope that was being built to.
I liked Baylan and Shin a lot (new characters we’ve never seen before??!?!? who have cool outfits and cool vibes??!???!? LOVE IT) but toward the end I started to get irritated that we had no idea what Baylan was really up to and I assumed we would find out in the finale. Haha NOPE!! The lack of resolution makes it an even bigger bummer that Ray Stevenson is gone and they’ll have to recast to continue. From a logistical standpoint it just seems so odd and unbalanced that the season started with them and then by the end they only merit a few seconds of silent check-in without ever clarifying their reason for being in the story in the first place. (Obviously I see they’re bringing Mortis into this somehow [completely unclear to non-cartoon viewers!!!], but. What ABOUT it???? SHOW YOUR WORK)
Seeing the World Between Worlds was cool and I enjoyed the resultant Ben Solo clowning. :) (I also was comforted by seeing people excited about that, because my initial gut reaction was to be ANXIOUS AS HELL about them using up things I want for Ben on other characters. Noooo you should be saving that for my boy!!!! Please don’t chip away at my delusional hopes for the future, I need those to survive!!!!!!!) But the more Anakin’s corpse gets dragged out and bandied about the less sense it makes that they didn’t bother to use him in the sequels. You know, the conclusion to the saga about his family. The place where it would have made the MOST sense to use him. Nah. Anakin Skywalker throughout his entire life and afterlife: “Fuck them kids.”
I do think it’s cute to see Clone Wars-era Anakin and I’m glad we’ve progressed to a time where people appreciate Hayden. But I am also personally in dangerous territory of being like “I’ve had enough of this dude.” Between this and Obi-Wan suddenly Anakin is all over the place… while being markedly absent from the part of the story that features his legacy dooming all of his descendants. I don’t wanna be a person who holds a grudge against a fictional character for choices made by the writers, but I do find myself feeling more like “piss off, ghost!” because of TROS. If you’re gonna be an absentee father then GET OUTTA HERE!
Too bad Marrok was a nothingburger and went out like a total punk, because he looked so much like a Star Wars version of Rinzler I was losing my mind. Tron AU 4ever
Huyang was great, David Tennant has an excellent droid voice. And of course I loved the talk about Kanan 😭 But I’m bummed that lightsaber construction—!!!!!! one of my personally monumental longtime wishes for live-action Star Wars!!!!!—got rushed out in such an anticlimactic way on a mediocre tv series. Sigh. Glossed right over it just to cram another lightsaber in there for some bad action scenes. I actually liked Ezra only using the Force and Sabine only using a lightsaber so they had like a tag team “two halves of one Jedi” thing going on.
The zombie stormtroopers and their loud undead moaning were so stupid. I believed what the internet was theorizing, that all those troopers were dead to begin with, but I guess not? (I was really expecting that reveal in the previous episode with the group that got wiped out in the outdoor battle.) They were scarier and cooler as quiet automatons. The Spirit Halloween shambling zombie garbage really ruined it.
I was pretty intrigued by the whole “other galaxy” premise and the ancient artifacts/magic. I love the Zeffo aesthetic, and I love the Nightsisters so seeing the Great Mothers was really cool. But Peridea was such a dull environment it wasn’t as awe-inspiring as it seemed like it should have been. I did like the giant monuments and whale bones, and the crab guys were cute, but otherwise… not a lot going on. I know the universe is a big place and most of it is more likely to be dead and empty than not, but also. It’s a fantasy. And I wanna see COOL ALIEN STUFF and WEIRD ENVIRONMENTS.
I enjoyed the duels between Sabine and Shin—the first one on Lothal was particularly cool because as it was happening it dawned on me that, holy shit, is this the first time we’ve ever seen a live-action lightsaber duel between two women?!?! And I had to scan my memory banks to be sure. Sometimes… you spend so long in a dude-centric universe and become so desensitized to it… you can’t even tell when you’ve reached the light. 🤧 So anyway that was fun!! They also had some real copycat Reylo moments that made me laugh. (Shin threw Sabine into a tree!!!!1!1!)
The Purrgil were nice. :) I also liked that the Peridea boneyard had some brief glimpses of SPACE SHRIMP?? I did wonder as we were getting such an up-close look at Purrgil baleen if they actually ate space krill, and welp, I guess so. Just some regular whales in space. Star Wars was jealous that everybody’s favorite Star Trek is the one with the whales.
The “bokken Jedi” phrase Baylan introduced here is interesting to me because it’s nice to have something to describe a concept that I LOVE: the late-stage kids informally trained in the wild who have no idea what they’re doing. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed thinking about in terms of the sequels (see: one of my old meta observations that I’m most proud of!). The one thing I don’t love about it is more just straight-up copying Japanese words and concepts—just because Star Wars started that way doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it. :/
One unequivocally good thing I will say about this series is that I LOVED the music. The end credits in particular were awesome, I watched that all the way through every time.
The only things the finale left me looking forward to were Dathomir and whatever the fuck weird Force mythology they’re gonna get into, but I’m not exactly holding my breath about any of it. It’s not like they can make any sort of seismic shift since obviously the sequels still happen. ……Unless they break the Force so hard that they go full alternate universe………….. or they break it several years down the road right when Rey is born and actually cause the dyad to form… oh god
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eirian · 8 months
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im gonna ramble about my old hetalia fandom experience and memories for a minute bc im feeling nostalgic. snip snip
so i got into hetalia in 2012 after seeing a screening with my friend @mephilesthegay at an anime con. i dont remember much about the process of me falling in love with it at the time, but i do remember tumblr was a huge influence on that--i discovered the ask blog community, which was SUPER huge in the hetalia fandom at the time, and i wanted in! so, i made askdeadpreussen, which was my first and most loved hetalia ask blog for an au of prussia where he was...dead. lol. b/c if u know hetalia u know that theres a whole thing about prussia being dead at some point
i think the ask blogs were what really drew me into the fandom part. i had multiple ask blogs--dead prussia to start, and then a BUNCH of 2ptalia blogs...even a 3p/4ptalia blog at one point! it was a fun way to interact with other fans and artists as well as work on my own art skills. i really do miss ask blog days ngl but my energy would not allow for that as much x'D
but ya like. i made so many friends from my hetalia days! i still have a couple :) we've all kind of moved on from it of course and gotten other interests, but we all still have that tying us together
its crazy how hetalia held so many different interest points for me. honestly the base hetalia concept wasnt necessarily what appealed to me (the whole humanized country thing); it was mostly the way the characters interacted with each other and their relationships as people rather than nations. that, and the whole au scene that came from them. oh my god the aus...even the canon ones! its crazy how many canon variants hetalia has. mochitalia, nyotalia, nekotalia, chibitalia (even tho chibitalia is just..them as children so its not rly an au per se)--i consider 2ptalia canon as well b/c the creator made it. but the fandom made so many cool aus themselves as well! demontalia and wingtalia and monstertalia were just a few that i remember and loved!
i think i was way more into 2ptalia than base hetalia anyway. 3p/4ptalia was a big interest by extension but not a lot of ppl really liked 3p/4ptalia. i was one of the weirdos that did x'D i just love "same but different" stuff !!!! i think thats where i got it from, was the 2p/3p/4ptalia stuff
hetalia really shaped a lot of who i am, at least in regards to interests and stuff. plus? the art style i had when i was big into hetalia is probably the best art style i ever had. it was definitely Me, and i still try to use it every now and then--you can see it in my "natural" art style that i try to use sometimes. hetalia really influenced my childhood for better or for worse, including my early art career lol
anyway. all of this to say despite its glaring flaws, i appreciate that hetalia was a part of my life at one point. for one reason or another it got me interested in learning new languages and learning about new cultures, which whether intentional or not, it happened, so theres also that. this isnt me praising it for being ~culturally explorative/appreciative~ or anything like that bc it obviously has its problems, but im just saying for me personally it did open up new worlds and ideas to me that i dont think i would have had if i hadnt been into it--friends, creative ideas, artistic expressions, fandom experiences...all of that was thanks to hetalia for me
so ya. end of ramble there lol
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shinydelirium · 2 years
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MLQC Season 2 Chapter 30:  Day and Night (Kiro) Part 1  Translation [CN]
***WARNING*** THIS POST CONTAINS HEAVY SPOILERS FOR CONTENT NOT YET RELEASED ON EN SERVER!!! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!***
[Interrogation]
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In a remote suburb, the lights of a NW secret laboratory shone bright.
Researchers in hazard suits surrounded the transparent medical cabin. A line of warnings flashed on the observation screen—
Subject evolution completion: 96%.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion pierced through the quiet night, destroying one side of the laboratory wall.
Within the thick smoke, flames soared into the sky as several figures appeared from the blasted hole in quick, orderly fashion, covering up everything that had happened.
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In another building not far away, an office desk in the room vibrated for a moment.
Lucien picked up the rattling teacup, lowered his head, and took a sip.
His eyes remained on the experimental records in his hands, a dark expression on his face.
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Du Wen: Are you still sticking with that answer, Miss MC?
A blinding light hit my face, burning into my eyes.
It was pitch black all around me and several people hid themselves in the shadows making it difficult for me to see their faces. Sitting in his wheelchair, Du Wen gave me a friendly smile.
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MC: …I’m telling the truth.
I didn’t understand why Du Wen came to question me. My limbs were numb and aching from being tied to the chair for so long. I could only sit there while I adjusted myself into a more comfortable position.
MC: On that day at Monument Square, I strictly followed the organization’s instructions and witnessed CORE’s destruction.
MC: Because I managed to escape, you thought it was strange. Now I'm tied up here all night being interrogated like I’m some kind of prisoner.
MC: Isn’t that a bit of an overkill?
I raised my voiced as I stared back at Du Wen.
The night that Gavin destroyed CORE at Monument Square, everyone who was there was arrested by the Special Task Force as planned and I was sent home through secret arrangements.
In order to not draw suspicion from GR, I decided to come to headquarters and report the situation.
Although I knew I was going to be investigated, this prolonged torture still left me feeling exhausted.
Du Wen: No need to be defensive, Miss MC. We’re just asking a few questions. How can this be considered an ‘interrogation’?
Du Wen: After all, you’re a key witness to the destruction of CORE so we can only find out the real truth from you.
His voice was oddly harsh. I dug my fingernails into my palm, trying to fight against the building fatigue.
MC: You don’t have to be so pretentious. Besides…
MC: Even if I did see it with my own eyes, I have no way of proving that that thing was CORE. I’m only stating what I saw.
I purposely changed my tone as I frowned and pretended to think.
MC: And the fact that both BS and NW were at the scene, I assumed there must be something going on.
The room became unbearably quiet. I held my breath as I thought about what to say next.
A sudden text message broke the silence. The GR members hiding in the dark glanced down at their phones and then at Du Wen.
Du Wen looked at them and when he turned back around again, he gave me a meaningful smile.
Du Wen: For security reasons, I’m afraid we’ll have to cut this short. Thank you for your understanding, Miss MC.
After he finished talking, he motioned for the GR guard to untie me. Then, he maneuvered his wheelchair and left.
I lowered my eyes and calmly watched from my peripheral vision as everyone else quickly evacuated feeling a little confused.
The interrogation ended abruptly and it seemed that they had something more important to take care of. Could it be related to what I said just now?
GR Guard: You’re free to go.
I moved my sore wrist. Then something suddenly occurred to me and casually said.
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MC: By the way, you better be careful of that man who was with me and Little Stammer last time. He’s very difficult to handle.
GR Guard: You mean Shaw?
GR Guard: Let him suffer a little longer and besides, he won’t be coming back to bother us any time soon.
I was surprised for a moment, then pretended to be calm as I got up and walked out of the room, feeling a bit uneasy.
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The only light in the dark hallway was the sunlight coming in from the central spiral staircase, barely illuminating the emptiness here.
I walked towards the door and while looking around the deserted place, I called Shaw’s name.
Unexpectedly, no one answered which inexplicably calmed the anxiety in my heart. After much contemplation, I sent him another text.
All of a sudden, a faint beam of light caught my eye. I followed it and saw a room at the end of the hallway. The door was ajar.
I involuntarily stopped as my mind raced.
Now that GR is too busy taking care of the incident back at Monument Square, this might be my chance to look into that mechanical box…
With this thought in mind, I tiptoed over to the room and peeked through the crack in the door.
What caught my eyes were the bookshelves aligning the walls and the many documents that were arranged neatly.
After making sure no one was around, I took a deep breath and carefully pushed open the door.
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The spacious room was empty except for a traditional desk opposite the bookshelf.
I walked in quickly and placed a metal ball bearing on the windowsill. Pressing the button, a silver halo was reflected in the center of the sphere.
At the same time, a standard “900” appeared on the outer edge of the halo and in the next second, it changed to 899.
I never thought that the teleporting ball bearing I had prepared in case of emergencies would come in handy.
But I only have fifteen minutes.
With my mind made up, I quickly turned around and started rummaging through the bookshelf. But after reading several copies, there was nothing but charitable foundations.
I couldn’t help take another look around the room again and found that all the furniture was a bit shorter in height than normal. Also, the desk had no chair…
MC: …Is this Du Wen’s office?
But why does he have an office in GR? As I pondered this, I heard the sound of an electric wheelchair rolling outside the room.
MC: !
The next second, the door was pushed open. I tried to steady my breathing and peered out through the gap between the curtains.
Another person appeared at the door at the same time as Du Wen. HIs silver hair gave off a cold glint against the sky light and his familiar face showed no emotion.
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My eyes widened in surprise.
It’s Helios!
[Covert Cooperation]
I was shocked to see the two of them walk in together as a million questions filled my head.
Why is Kiro here and with Du Wen?
Seeing those indifferent eyes, I couldn’t help pursing my lips. Did he encounter something dangerous and that’s why he chose to appear as Helios?
I can’t help but think about the night he left. The unfriendly look on his face when NW showed up out of the blue as if he was expecting them.
Those unresolved clues came up again and again. I wanted to think rationally but my eyes kept being drawn back to Kiro.
As I was thinking, Du Wen has placed his wheelchair at the desk. He skillfully took out some tea from the drawer with the attitude of a host serving his guests.
Du Wen: Would you like some tea?
Helios leaned against the door in a lazy manner without lifting his eyes.
Helios: I’m here to tell you that the key experiment of the NW project is already underway.
Helios: You’re still a step behind.
He paused and a hint of mockery showed in his eyes.
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Helios: Are you afraid of another repeat of “New Year’s Eve”?
Du Wen’s hand pouring the tea suddenly stopped. The smile at the corner of his lips was stiff as though he was trying his best to hold back some kind of anger.
Du Wen: But I don’t think it’ll do you or me any good if it happens again.
Helios: Leave everything to NW.
Helios casually flicked his wrist and a small USB flash drive landed in front of Du Wen. He bent his fingers and knocked on the door frame twice indicating he was leaving but his body suddenly froze.
His eyes cut straight through me like a knife and I couldn’t help but shrink back a little.
As soon as our eyes met, those uncaring eyes wavered for a moment followed by a flash of shock as he studied me.
…Oh no, I’ve been found out.
I quickly looked away but I could still feel his gaze on me. I raised my head again.
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The light in those azure blue eyes darkened like he was glaring at me.
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MC: ….?
Helios: Does the random appearance of that mechanical box recently have anything to do with you?
The abrupt change of topic shocked me. Even Du Wen was a little surprised.
Helios walked back into the room and his unhurried steps eventually stopped near the windowsill.
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He leisurely leaned against the wall, moving the curtains a bit as his eyes swept over me casually.
The faint silver light of the teleportation ball casted over his eyes. He lifted his eyebrow in a relaxed manner and then took an involuntary step, directly blocking me from view.
My sense of sight suddenly became narrow and dim. The only space I had left was covered with his body in front of me.
A few strands of his silver hair peeked through the gaps in the curtains and swayed playfully above my head.
I clenched my hands and resisted the urge to reach out and tug his hair.
Du Wen didn’t say anything for a long time. The soft sound of the tea pouring into the cup stopped and he seemed to laugh.
Du Wen: The purpose of GR is to pass judgment on Evol. How can that thing be related to us?
Helios sneered sarcastically.
Helios: Why didn’t I get to witness how many Evolvers be judged by these “small syringes”?
Du Wen: I think you misunderstood something.
Du Wen: Strictly speaking, the role of the “small syringes” is to see whether it was possible for an ordinary person to become an Evolver so we tested them and we were surprised.
Du Wen: What’s more, the result was not our intention.
Helios: Just a bunch of puppets.
Helios: The one behind all this, how long does he think it will last?
His voice is cold, without any impulsiveness but absolute certainty.
Helios: He should be more worried about GR’s survival.
My heart skipped a beat. Is Helios talking about the mysterious GR president? Or is it something else?
Du Wen: Since everything is for the survival of ordinary people, what’s all this about “puppets”?
Du Wen didn’t seem to care about the contempt in Helios’ words and took a sip of tea.
Du Wen: It doesn’t matter how slow you walk, as long as you walk steadily.
Du Wen: I believe in the near future, Evolvers will forever cease to exist in this city.
Du Wen: Isn’t this the world we all want to see?
I shuddered from his words. He was like a poisonous snake, spitting out its venom.
It doesn’t sound like there is any correlation between the mechanical box and GR but I know for certain that they are planning something more dangerous.
I couldn’t help lowering my eyes. The numbers beside me kept ticking away, making my mind even more confused. At the same time, a broad hand suddenly appeared in front of me.
Sensing my doubts, Helios curled his finger twice.
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MC: …?
Tentatively, I reached out my hand and just when my fingers were about to touch his palm, his hand immediately grabbed the back of mine.
He squeezed my fingers tightly with his thumb resting on the inside of my palm while he lightly stroked it.
My body became numb from his actions causing me to shrink back a little but he didn’t want to let go. He continued to squeeze my fingers and wreak havoc on my nerves as I tried to keep my mind focused.
His thumb moved back and forth. Thinking carefully, I immediately understood.
It seemed to be an “arrow” .
I turned my head to look in the direction of the arrow and my heart skipped a beat.
Only one minute left!
I quickly tapped Helios’ palm twice, thanking him, and then proceeded to make my escape.
A cold touch ran over my fingertips as my vision blurred. When I looked up again, I was already in an unfamiliar alley.
The GR headquarters behind me was hidden amongst the tall buildings, looking ordinary and insignificant.
I walked out of the alley without looking back and couldn’t help recalling what transpired a moment ago.
If what Du Wen said is true and the mechanical box has nothing to do with GR, then who could it be? Is it someone from BS who wants ordinary people to have Evol?
Or is there someone else hiding in the shadows, under the guise of these known forces, silently pushing their agenda?
I sighed heavily, always feeling that things were moving in unexpected directions.
What makes me more concerned is why Helios was there and why was he cooperating with Du Wen?
Without thinking about it, I remembered the angry look he gave me just now and couldn’t help but flinch.
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MC: He’s probably going to yell at me for being reckless again…but I managed to get away so I can at least get a “free pass”, right?
Helios: Hardly.
A sudden voice came from behind me. At the same time, my collar tightened like I was being lifted up.
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I turned my head and was met with a displeased face.
-End of Part 1-
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swanhookheart · 1 year
Text
My thoughts on “Seeing Red” and, well, a lot of s6/7
CW: attempted rape
Sorry I keep going on about it, but it frustrates me a great deal. As a lot of you know, this is my first time watching Buffy all the way through. I’d stopped at season 4 before and just kind of forgot and thought I’d finished the series, but alas. Oops. I just finished the show, and I am mad. 
Y’all warned me - explicitly, repeatedly - that something was going to happen between Spike and Buffy at the end of season 6 that would absolutely throw me, and I went in anyway. I knew it was coming, and I knew I’d be upset by it, but... jesus christ.
I’m positive there’s been discourse about this for 20 years and that I’m not contributing anything new at all to this conversation, but I’ll still make the point as concisely as I can: what happened in that episode - that is, Spike’s attempted rape of Buffy - shouldn’t have happened at all. 
For starters, it’s OOC for Spike. I’m not going to pretend like Spike was some saint before or like their relationship was without toxicity. Lmao, it was very decidedly a mess. But there was something real there - something that made him genuinely seem to want to grow. A shift had already occurred in their relationship, and it happened when she came into his crypt as Buffybot, realized he was willing to die to protect not just her but Dawn too, and kissed him. I’m approaching this through a Captain Swan kind of lens because I’m CS trash forever and always, but that moment in particular very strongly gave me “you traded your ship for me?” vibes and it signaled a major change in their dynamic. Maybe she wasn’t ready to view him the way he wanted her to - as a romantic partner or love interest - but the viewer could tell that her assumptions of who he was were beginning to crumble and she was beginning to recognize something kindred in him. 
The reason that attempted rape, specifically, is OOC is because rape is about possession, power, dominance. While Spike has exhibited decidedly abusive behaviors in the past towards Buffy (watching her, taking her pictures and clothing, locking her up, Buffybot, etc.), his fascination with her has seemed predicated on the fact that she is his equal. Though she doesn’t admit it to anyone but him and even still never overtly, she’s a little fucked up and kind of in love with death. There’s a darkness that exists in her, and aside from that darkness, a kind of weight, too. Though she has no shortage of people who love her, they can never fully understand her because of what she is, what she’s had to do, and what she’s seen as the slayer. Though she “fits in”, there’s this piece of her that will never fully be able to belong to the group because of her destiny. She feels things deeper than she often lets on, and she doesn’t always know how to deal. Spike is her fellow outlier, also kind of in love with death, and beneath the bravado, someone who likewise experiences things deeply if not always healthily. He’s fascinated by Buffy because they are equals in so many ways. They’ve been “dancing” all this time, each refusing to kill the other, because on some level, they see themselves reflected in the other. To perpetrate an act of rape against her would be to assert himself as superior to her, and this doesn’t quite fit with the character.
Now, I absolutely get that there needed to be some awful thing he did - different than what we’ve seen from him so far - to get him and the viewer to recognize that he is soulless and to jumpstart his whole redemption arc. I do understand that something bad needed to happen, I just don’t think that was it. What would have worked so much better in that scene - and what I actually, honest-to-god thought was being foreshadowed all season long - was him attempting to turn her into a vampire. Truly, deeply, I thought that was going to be the scene I’d watch on my screen. All the hints dropped earlier in the season were that a) Buffy missed being dead, b) Buffy was leaning into the darkness to feel anything at all, c) there was something kindred between the two of them, d) they both knew there was no shot at them being together for the exact reason there was no shot with Angel - because he was a vampire and she was a human; she wanted a LIFE with the person she loved, and neither could give her that. Moreover, Spike’s solution to this problem throughout the whole season seemed to be basically “if I can’t be like her, maybe I can help her be more like me; that way, we can be together”. You take all of that together, and it’s all but screaming at the viewer that the “solution” is to turn her into a vampire. As far as he was concerned, it would solve their problems: she gets to die, she gets to embrace the darkness, she can finally admit to him and to herself that they are alike, and there’s no longer an excuse for them not to be together. Bam.
And we STILL could have gotten that moment from him where he realizes he’s gone too far, hurt her in a way that he’ll need to move heaven and earth to ever find forgiveness from, and he’d STILL have eventually arrived at the conclusion that trying to drag her into the darkness is wrong and what he needs to be doing is trying to bring himself and her into the light. The end result of Spike sacrificing himself and saving the world still could have been achieved, only the trigger for that could have been altered to better fit the narrative. 
It’s not just about fitting the narrative, either. It’s about disempowerment and slut-shaming. Did anyone else get the sense that s6 and s7 were both heavily pushing a really dark, misogynistic narrative??? I really got the message from seasons 6 and 7 that “casual sex = dark, morally wrong, irresponsible, and you’re just asking to be raped because your behavior is inviting them in” and then “minimal physical contact is the only path to true intimacy, and it’s healthier, more responsible, and morally right”. This is a show about a woman navigating her teens and early 20s. Equating consensual sex with badness and only softer, less physical moments of contact with goodness flies in the face of all of the female empowerment this show claims to be about. Women are people, people have sex, and some of that sex involves some, uhh, non-vanilla stuff! That’s perfectly okay, so I wasn’t really on board with the kind of “hot sex = BAD” message the writers seemed to be trying to push. 
Something that goes along with the previous point is, if you’re going to have an attempted rape plot point in your story, DO NOT GIVE THAT CHARACTER A REDEMPTION ARC. Under no circumstances should the Buffy writers have included a scene like that and then written season 7 in such a way that the viewer is encouraged to root for an attempted rapist. No matter how it was intended, whether they meant to or not, the message they sent with this subplot to the fans of this show (many of whom were young women, btw) was that rape or attempted rape could be excused or even completely forgotten about under the right circumstances or that it wasn’t that big of a deal. It took something huge and triggering, and it trivialized it to the point where it wasn’t even shown to matter in the series finale. Again, whether the writers meant this or not, the message they sent to viewers was that, if this kind of thing ever happened/happens to us, we can totally just move past it if the guy says/does the right things afterwards. The idea of attempting to turn her into a vampire more or less escapes this rut because vampires don’t actually exist and it’s not going to be immensely triggering or come off as victim-blaming to the millions of people who have survived such traumas in reality. It’s not going to paint one of the most difficult moments in a viewer’s life as something easily gotten over or forgotten about in favor of her abuser’s redemption. 
The show tried to have it both ways. It tried to have Spike do something utterly irredeemable, and then it tried to tell us all about his redemption arc. Spike’s character was headed toward redemption, so that’s why I lean towards the idea of having him attempt to turn her into a vampire as a switch for that scene. It’s still bad enough to convey the message that he’s soulless and this is reprehensible, without tapping into viewer trauma, relying on shock value, making him irredeemable, or throwing off the narrative. The alternative would be to have had Buffy finally kill him, write James off the show, have Buffy realize that soulless beings (including Anya) really can’t be trusted, and call it a day. They should have picked one or the other, but not both. You can’t ruin a character and then ask me to cheer for that character. But you also can’t tell me that that scene made any actual sense for the character. The whole thing is just a mess.
Really, it feels like the writers bit off more than they could chew, and this happened a lot in s6 and s7 with things like alcoholism and addiction. It came off as them wanting to tackle more irl social issues to be relevant and edgy, but they were ultimately writing a fantasy/action/comedy and that wasn’t necessarily the place to try and shoehorn such sensitive issues. At least, they could have retained the gist of the stories they were trying to tell without being so heavy-handed in the way they chose to tell them. Either you do tackle real social issues and you do so with the respect and tact they deserve (which, again, just doesn’t seem like the right approach for a show that’s not about those things and is also extremely difficult to pull off well anyway), or you leave them out. 
Anyway, I have a lot of feelings about this (clearly). I made it through to the series finale, but I will never fully respect the last two seasons as canon. This is some of the most irresponsible and frankly just bad storytelling I’ve ever seen. 
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asshlyyyy · 2 years
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Thank you @girlnairb for tagging me in this! This one is quite long so if you don’t want to read it go ahead and just ignore this. However! If you want to get to know me a little bit more... Go ahead and keep on reading!
Here is the original post! I shortened some of the questions! @aconflagrationofmyown came up with this. Don’t take offense when I said the options were bad! I mean it nicelyyyy
1. When and what was your first exposure to Elvis Presley?
100% It was Lilo and Stitch. And because of that damn movie, I thought Elvis was born and raised in hawaii. You can’t tell me otherwise you thought differently.
2. And what was your first impression?
Well, I was a young little child. I probably just thought that it was good music. This was years ago, so I’m going off of brain memory right now.
3. Lace shirt or jumpsuits?
Jumpsuits. I thought about this for awhile, because there are way more jumpsuits, then lace shirts. Now, you can never forget the feeling the lace shirts give, but those jumpsuits... They are something else.
4. You can steal one of Elvis/Austin/s outfits, what’s it going to be?
Okay, I don’t know how many of you have seen, “Elvis, that’s the way it is”, but the shirts he wears when they are practicing. The bright purple patterned one, the red aututom kind of one. I want those, but if we’re only doing one. I would take the red one. This one!
5. What’s your favorite random Elvis quote?
UH- I don’t necessary know any off by heart. There isn’t something that I am necessary quoting. Call me a fake fan all you want. I have issues ;-;
6. Did you find Austin Butler’s lips distracting despite them being in a movie about the King of plush upper lips?
Some moments yes, some moments no. I think where there was nothing else to look at... 100%, other times when my eyes are flashing around the whole screen... no. 
7. What’s an aspect of Elvis’ character you wish more people appreciated?
There are like three things. A) He was a reader, and I hardly ever see it mentioned in any types of fics. (From my knowledge) B) Dude was hella religious. He loved God and its hardly shown in some fics. Sure, it hardly needs to be shown, but. C) Dude was hella afraid of sex. Truely, when he was sent off to Germany and he learned what prostitutes were... dude was scare. And I a lot of people in their mind few Elvis as someone who was sex crazed.He was scared earlier on. These are just my opinions. And fics are written in our own way, but its nice to see real aspects of Elvis in them.
8. You meet Col. TOm Parker for the first time, forewarned with the knowledge of what a scumbag he is, what do you do? (Multiple choice, check out the options on the original post)
C) You encourage Elvis to leave him and break the contract
9. What was your favorite aspect/ scene from the Elvis 2022 movie?
1:59:55-2:00:59 (I just love seeing all the jumpsuits)
10. You can only choose only one song or piece of media to convince someone to become ab Elvis fan, what is it going to be?
This picture. Because you cannot tell me you... that you don’t feel some type of way... The no undershirt.. the messy hair... You can just tell how tall he is... UGH.
11. How many children would you give Elvis Presley from your own - or theroretical- womb?
Three or four... Yes, I would say three... and if another one happens... oopsies. I wouldn’t be mad.
12. Where are you hanigng out with E.P.?
Well, I personally don’t like leaving the house. So, 100% Graceland. Not only is it just a beautiful property inside and out... There is so much stuff to do there.
13. What is the peak Elvis era?
1968-1977. LISTEN, older Elvis is getting to me. Obviously if you have read my recent fics. We got some hella good hits also after the comback special and up till he died I mean- Lets, ignore his looks the closer we get to his death... but the energy, the music, UGH.
14. How long have you been an Austin Butler fan?
First time I saw him was when I was watching Zoey 101. I might’ve been only 6 when season four came out, but I still found Austin cute. Then again in iCarly, I was like... he cute. Then AGAIN in Wizards of Waverly place. THEN AGAIN, in Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure. His early stuff yes, haven’t really been like ya know. I am a fan, I wouldn’t say die hard fan.
15. What kind of ELvis chick are you?
Uh, so there's two options. I am going to make up my own? I am someone who will do everything for this man, because that’s just how I am with any partner. I wouldn’t be something he sampled, or a fling? Because I wouldn’t know how to handle that.
16. Is Austin Butler an honorary southerner now?
Again, these two options suck. Because on one hand it’s “Hell no” and the other “He’s been possessed.” Listen... actors have to learn how to do accents. Doesn’t mean they become an honorary person from that area. 
17. Pick your poison in the fan-fiction realm.
Angsty fluff
18. Spit or swallow for this man?
Swallow, I am not explaining.
19. Would Gladys approve of you?
Yes, because I would do anything and everything to make this women love me. Along with Vernon. I want to be loved by everyone in that family. If not, that’s all I’m worried about. Is it me? Did I do something? Not to mention, I would treat her boy well. Like, I will buy this guy shit even though he don’t need it after a certain point.
20. Which of Elvis’ cars if your favorite?
I may know nothing about cars, but damn... I know a nice car when I see it, and Elvis had some nice ones. My favorite is this one! Yes, it is to a video... I- This was the best I could do. Don’t get me wrong, the pink cadillac is a classic and the purple one as well. But there is something about the 1973 Stutz Blackhawk... I mentioned it in my Just the Nurse fic, and I- Maybe it’s the black with the red interior... But UGH.
21. What are your odds for beating this man at karate?
Odds honey? My odds are at a 0. I am small. This dude could walk over me-
22. If you could meet Elvis and have enough composure to tell him something, what would it be?
“It’s okay to ask for help. You are not alone in this situation in the slightest. People want to help you.”
23. What are you top 3 go-to Elvis songs?
FUCK. I knew somewhere at some point someone would ask me my favorite Elvis song, or my top so many Elvis songs. So, goddamn it. Also... I totally used the medley one from Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis cause... hehe. It’s TECHINCALLY ONE SONG.
Burning Love
Promise Land
Long Tall Sally/ Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On/ Mama Don’t Dance / Flip, Flop and Fly/ Jailhouse Rock/ Hound Dog
24. What’s a hoppy or pasteime of yours you wish you chould share with Elvis/Austin!Elvis
Painting! I feel like Elvis would’ve made some interesting art!
25. What’s the Elvis 2022 quote you’ve been mumbling to yourself ever since you heart it?
43:18-43:20, “I am not!”
26. If you could spare him one tragedy what woult it be?
100% Gladys’ death. If she didn’t die, not only would she have convinced him to leave the Colonel, he would’ve been better in the mind set as well.
27. Is there a modern artist that sorta scratches for you the itch that Elvis’ absence leaves?
I’m taking this in the sense that... A modern artist you love that gives you the same happiness that Elvis’ songs do. 5 Seconds of Summer. Hands down. Thank you.
28. How did you react at the end of the movie when In The Ghetto started to play?
E) I may have appeared emotionless but in fact my soul was leaving my body and I don’t think it’s returned quite yet.
Okay! I first saw this in the theater with my mom and granny! I did not want to cry in front of them. When I watched it again when it came out on prime... I balled my eyes out.
29. If you’ve got a favorite gif or photo insert it here and bless us all.
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For once I’m early on something and I haven’t seen them do this... This took a long time just to say... I can’t- It took me quite some time.
I tag // @presleysnotes, @heavenlybutler, @venus-haze, @emmymaehereeeeee, and @murdererfromthestart​... Because those are the only people I talk to.
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winderlylandchime · 4 months
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2/2 Emmett just popped up on screen with that black eyeliner look ‘OKAY EMMETT! LOOK AT HIM! This might be the only good part of this fucking episode’ Em/Ted tell Brian he must be sad over the break up ‘of course he’s sad! And i am too! Finally someone acknowledges his feelings! (Brian says he’s not devastated and theyre not sorry) you know he might be onto something there besides that one little lie. Why is Emmett being passive aggressive towards Brian about Blondie? Bri Bri isnt gonna be happy about Mike and Ben. Fuck them both. This is partly their fault’ And we are now at the Lindsay dinner scene ‘what the actual fucking fuck is happening this season?! Did i have a fucking stroke? What the fuck is happening?! SEE I TOLD YOU HER MOM IS A BITCH’ And we are at the second worst scene aka Brian/Mikey ‘Brian! And he’s drunk. Fuck you Ben! He has every right to want some answers. CALL HIM OUT BRIAN! FINALLY! Whats wrong with enjoying clubbing at 30…..5? TELL HIM BRIAN! EXACTLY BRIAN! HE WAS PERFECTLY HAPPY! Yes, he was happy! What the fuck would you know Mike?! Oh Mike is still upset because Brian never told him he loves him in that way?! (Mikey says Justin left because of Brian) *gasp* what the fuck? (Mikey says who wouldnt) *bigger gasp* WHAT? (It shows Brian’s face) you can tell mike is the last person he thought would say that. Punch him again please. He looks completely broken(It shows Justin) *even bigger gasp* oh i just lost a very tiny bit of love for him because why would you allow him to say all that? What the fuck? *looks at me with teary eyes* why would they say that to him? Who would write such horrible things? Why is everyone okay with people talking that way to him’ Lindsay comes on ‘oh get lost with your bad haircut! I need Brian to make sure he’s okay’ ‘BRIAN! Ignore what Mike said, he doesn’t know anything. (It shows Brandon getting head on the dance floor) HA HA he’s getting kicked out. Fuck you baywatch’ Ben shows up on screen ‘i will pay to never see Ben and Mike again’ and we are at the scene with Jen/Justin and his loft(?) ‘This is an infection waiting to happen. I MISSED JEN! He wants to live here?! (Justin says jen wasnt happy when he moved in with brian) but now they are best friends and that’s all that matters. EXACTLY JEN I ALSO WISH THEY WORK IT OUT! And they will! So he is fully aware of everything Brian did for him but it somehow isnt love? And he still allowed Mike to say all that to him?’ Justin says thats not love it’s sacrifice *long pause* ‘damn it, i hate that he’s right BUT Blondie’s change came out of fucking nowhere this season and Brian’s change doesn’t count cause clearly writers are on drugs.’ And the Brian/Brandon scene is up ‘fuck off Baywatch. HE IS THE HOTTEST GUY! THATS RIGHT! Were? Brian hit him with the stick, i am begging you! Baywatch, on your best day, you are still less hot than Brian on his worst. Theyre gonna bet? Im confused (Mikey pops up on screen) man, fuck you’ ‘i dont wanna sound rude but why is the show political again? Cant we focus on Brian and Justin? I get it was real life cause I remember that…kinda..but we kinda did this already’ and the Britin scene is up again ‘BRIAN! JUSTIN! Please make up! Im begging you. (Brian says hes not rage and justin looks away) okay but why does everyone expect him to save the world all the time? (Brian asks if Justin is okay) no, he isnt! He lives in a dump! Hepatitis C waiting to happen!’ *he pauses the episode after justin says he has to go and they just look at each other and he puts his cast to his face* ‘look at them! Look how theyre looking at each other! LOOK AT BRIANS FACE! That is not a person who is okay. He looks broken.’ *you are my sunshine starts playing and he immediately gets teary eyed* ‘DO THEY THINK THIS IS A FUCKING JOKE?! HES HIS SUNSHINE AND THEY TOOK HIM AWAY! WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST WATCH?!’ He then looked at me and just went ‘i can’t continue this shit if they dont get back together in the next episode. I cant do this, man.’ And then he got up and went outside
Sure Brian's not devastated. I mean he does just want Justin to be happy even if it's at his expense but also god forbid he even think about what he wants (in terms of a relationship, obviously when it comes to material possessions Brian is in the Donna and Tom camp of "treat yo'self.")
His commentary about the Brian/Mikey scene is completely and totally correct. It is such a heartbreaking scene. And yet everyone can look at Brian and somehow still believe he has no heart and that it cannot break.
Jen defending Brian this season is everything! I am glad we get that AT LEAST.
Blondie’s change came out of fucking nowhere this season and Brian’s change doesn’t count cause clearly writers are on drugs. <- I need that on a t shirt, thank you.
OHHHH AND BROTHER'S HEART IS BROKEN with that last scene. I am so sorry.
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benkenobee · 3 years
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ROB ROY (1995) dir. Michael-Caton Jones “And what did he do to you? Your selkie?” “You wakened me before the best of it. But he would have ravished me for certain.”
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hurdlehoops · 3 years
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SPN did Market Research for Dean & Cas
Disclaimer: Yes this is a sock for safety reasons. Post is long, but please read it.
No shit there I was checking my email, as you do, and I saw I had a screener from one of the market research groups I’m signed up with.  On average, I do a market research thing every 3-4 months because I like non-reportable money. And giving my opinions. And talking to people behind 2 way mirrors without having to go to a police station.   
Market research itself was early December, 2016. First email contact with the screener was late October or early November. 
I see it’s an “offsite,” meaning a market research company is subcontracted by another company who wants to do the market research at their own facility, but doesn't want to find the participants on their own, so they use the Market research company (in this case Schlesinger and Associates) as an intermediary. I can’t remember if this screener identified itself as being for TV, not all do, some might identify only as entertainment, and some might be even more vague until you get into the screener. Regardless of the identification for the screener (TV or entertainment), I fill out almost every screener I receive unless it’s obvious, from the subject, they won’t want me (ie looking for certain types of professionals)- it didn’t matter, then, if the subject matter was something I particularly like, I would’ve filled it out anyway.  
After normal, but more detailed than usual demographics questions, the screener asked about TV habits. Eventually,  it said the word “fandom” and asked what TV fandoms I’d count myself in.  It was roughly a list of 20 shows and listed “fandom” (defined as I watch every episode and read additional materials about the show. Note this is not what fandom itself would consider fandom, but people most fandom dwellers would still count as GA).  Beyond fandom, one could indicate they: watch all episodes but don’t seek out more,  watch most episodes, have seen some episodes, watched a few, or haven’t watched.  (I just got a screener for soap operas and realized that part was the same and made note). Therefore, fandom, to corporate, are people who watch everything and maybe buy some swag for the show- magazines/shirts. Then, they asked about conventions I might have attended.  And then asked about my dream vacation, so I babbled a lot about my dream to go to SDCC (I hadn’t at this point). Supernatural was on the list of shows, so I made sure I answered the essay questions about it, because why not? It was my favorite of what was listed.  It was a long screener. I don’t remember the rest. Though sometimes I might remember a detail if a screener reminds me of it. Most fun screener I’ve filled out.
A few days/weeks later, I got a call for step 2- the phone screener for the people that sounded good when filling out the form. And where they try and make sure your answers match or fit that same person who answered them. I passed step 2, and was told there would be homework, and asked ifI’d have time for it, since I would only have so many days to watch the assigned material and write essays about them. 
Homework arrives: I have to watch and write essays on all the bonus features of Supernatural S10. There might’ve been something in there from another year, too. And all the bonus features from some season of  Big Bang Theory.  Essays for all of it, too.  And I mean essays, not short answers.  It was like the SATs, and I was analyzing blooper reels (among other things).  I still don’t get why they wanted essay questions on blooper reels, but I’ll always happily write one again cause that was the funniest essay to have to write! 
I had to both print and bring and email all my answers ahead of time.  I did not keep them.  I’m honestly curious what I might’ve written.  
So in December, I get to go to WB’s market research department. Fun fact: the entrance to that building faces what had recently been the Supernatural poster. I check in. At this point I think it’s a group. Because most market research is done in groups. Also they said I was there for the “DVD bonus features study” 
I wait in the lobby, but I’m surprised there seem to be very few others around. I don’t think I got there too early, but all the others were taken back before me. And they didn’t seem to be there for the same study.  Oh and I wore business casual clothes but had some show-based earrings for fun.  
Finally a nice lady brings me back to a room. She turns off the lights and gives me a fancy remote and has me play with a new system for watching bonus features. I had to start with BBT. Then we did something else. Then I was allowed to scroll through and I picked Supernatural, and answered all the things.  By this point I figured I would be released soonish   because I was supposed to be there only for an hour. And this was at least half an hour at the most. No clock, though and cell phone off.  Maybe this part went faster than I remember, but it was less interesting so it felt longer? Or less interesting compared to what came next. 
We switch gears. I’m no longer allowed to pick what we watch and talk about my thoughts on if SDCC panels belong in bonus features.  (Me: should have a preorder and you get to watch it when the season airs with DVD to arrive when season ends. Silly to watch it after the season when it’s mostly vague spoilers for the first episode or so). Obviously WB doesn’t listen to me about everything.
Oh! In the screener as part of normal demographics, I was asked about my sexuality. It isn’t completely rare (I can talk about another market research where you had to be queer to be part of it), but there were some short answers about representation or something similar. Something that is significant *now,* but at the time I didn’t notice as being too weird.  Since they probably had me listed to the people behind the mirror as X (if they even got my name) Y resident, bisexual, age.  I very specifically said stuff to her about representation cause I wasn’t gonna miss my shot.
Anyway so we switch from dvd extras and she queues up video from another file.
She puts a scene of Supernatural on and has me watch. Then repeats it. And asks questions about my opinions on what’s happening.  Then has me watch and only pay attention to Character D and tell her what I think his emotions are.  Then again but with Character C.  
Complete torture… lol… at this point I’m confused, but enjoying this torture.
So there I am watching the Crypt scene over and over and analyzing it.  And talking about their feelings.  
And then I stop her and say something to the effect of “look I’m bi. There’s not a lot of good representation on what being bi is like.  But from episode 1 I’ve known Dean is Bi.”    And I babbled about how important a macho badass but closeted character is for representation. And that I hoped they did more with that.  I included some anecdotes from other lgbtq friends and straight allies and how they all felt as I did- Dean is Bi, Cas is whatever he wants to identify as, and we felt we recognized our experiences on the screen and hoped for continued and louder representation. 
Bam. My interviewer was called out of the room by the people behind the mirror. Suddenly I’m getting a whole new set of questions
Like this is the most baffling and amazing thing that's happened to me in years. It imprinted in my mind, and I haven’t mentioned it to too many people, because of the NDA and being afraid to jinx things. But now I don’t feel like it matters to be as quiet. Obviously I don’t want WB to go after me but... market research isn’t unusual, just mostly used for spin-offs or new shows not for plot points of shows already happening. At least, that’s my understanding. 
The interviewer  comes back after a short discussion with whoever was behind the glass. Asks a few more questions
We’re now very much going into various things about what I’d just said. I took my shot. And apparently it paid off big time.  At some point she’s pulled out of the room again and given a paper with more questions. Some were about Dean’s bisexuality, or how I, and anecdotally my friends, saw him as bisexual.  Others were about the potential romance. None, that I remember, were about Castiel’s sexuality- I guess that was a given or not important. 
I don’t know if any of the writers were behind the glass from the beginning, but I felt like they stalled to get someone there, maybe.
The interviewer was baffled and made sure I knew nothing that was happening was normal.  They wanted to ask me more questions than they usually care to get out of their market research volunteers. 
So those are the most important parts. Basically almost everything I was asked after that was about character analysis and queerness and a whole bunch of other things that were related (I also mentioned needing more disability rep, too).  I was back there for at least 2 hours.
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fangirl-everythang · 3 years
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Smoke Break C. T. H.
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Summary: At Calums' party he leaves for a smoke, y/n joining him later on. Some rando pukes on y/n leaving the two to get away. He maybe receives a gift.
Warnings: Swearing, Sex, Oral sex, smoking, mentions of alcohol.
Word Count: 3475
Calum's POV
Who the hell are these people? It's a party for me and I know no one here. Fucking great, Oh yeah mate, trust me it's gonna be HUGE. You'll love it. This is the last time I listen to Ashton. Do I look like I'm fucking having a great time?
We need to get him a girlfriend. They all tell me I need to settle but I'm known as the lone wolf it never works with the lifestyle we have. Well somehow Luke and Michael make it work but to me it's exhausting.
"Aye mate, having fun?" I turn to see dyed hair and I know it's Michael.
"It's fine." I huff as someone shouts happy birthday once more. I see Roy across the way with some chick and he shrugs at me. I would've just preferred to go see Mali but she's always busy now. I just look at Michael while taking a sip of the beer in my cup I've been on this one since this shit of a party started.
"It could be worse you know? You could-" He's interrupted by Crystal who leans up and whispers in his ear he nods and begins to grab her hand. "We're gonna head out she's not feeling well." He gives me a sympathetic smile. "Happy birthday." is all he says when they begin to leave the room. Welp, there goes another friend.
I haven't seen Ashton since the party started and Luke definitely is getting it in with Sierra right now. Literally, all over each other, it's truly disgusting if you asked me. Deciding to move away from this wall I head to the kitchen to throw this drink away, taste watered down because of the ice. Pushing through the moving bodies and the lights everywhere, I dump that shit in the sink. Ashton comes my way trailing a girl behind him, "There you are! Y/n showed up?" I see the hair of a girl just talking to someone who's just come behind her.
Y/n has been around us for a while. I don't know when but our friendship started after we met at a party. She was waiting for Arzylea to join her when we started talking. Next thing you know she was a part of our inner circle. Not gonna lie, She's my favorite person in the group. Everyone thought that when Arz and Luke broke up, she would leave too but she's still here. And she keeps that group chat very entertaining shall I say. We've hung out a few times, with her it's different though. I don't feel the need to be THE Calum Hood bass player for 5SOS, she knew of me but cared more for the person I was. She asked questions even though she knew the answers. I just felt relaxed with her. As more people entered the kitchen, I go to the back porch where I don't see anyone. There are too many people and I don't even want to think about how to clean this up. Pulling a cigarette from the pack I just let the smoke fill my lungs and slowly exhale while leaning against the siding of the house.
"You know that's an awfully bad habit you have Hood." The familiar voice speaks, forcing me to open my eyes.
I chuckle, "Why aren't you enjoying the party?" I ask her.
"Come on you know that's not my scene." I nod silently agreeing. She looks stunning, the way her dress hugs her body, she's so effortlessly flawless. Most girls have to go through a tribal ritual to look as amazing as her. "Stop that." she laughs.
I shake my head slightly to remember what I just did. "Sorry I-I didn't mean to um yeah fuck." I stumble for words she just nods. "It's okay.'' she looks down and fumbles with her hands. It's cute how she does that, almost like she doesn't know she's the most beautiful person in the room. A harsh gust of wind pushes past and she shivers. I look at her and open my arms with my jacket she rolls her eyes but gets closer. Holding the cigarette with my mouth to free my hands I just pull her closer until I feel the warmth of our bodies touch.
"Thanks" She mumbles against my chest. She looks up at me before pulling the cigarette between my lips, just as I'm about to protest she takes a puff. Watching her smoke is by far the hottest thing I've seen, and I've seen Luke naked.
"Oh look who's punkrock now?" I smirk at her as she brings the burning toxin to my lips. Her laugh. Sounds like fucking angels I can feel her chest moving through my shirt. "Can I be in the band now?" She raises an eyebrow.
Dropping the small bud I just laugh along with her. "hEYYY I'm serious" she wines.
"Sure you are." I smile at her.
"No offense Cal but your party blows." She looks at the lights jumping on the hardwood of the deck.
"It's more of Ashton's," I admit. One hell of a birthday. She wraps her arms around my waist and places her head on my chest. "Happy birthday Cal," she whispers.
"Thank you y/n." I can feel my pulse in my throat. Being with her makes me so comfortable but yet I feel like I'm on fire. She gets me like no one else could imagine. I place my chin on the top of her head and just hold her. I don't want this to end. "Did Ashton invite you?" curious to how she showed up. In the group chat she said she had plans this weekend. I was really disappointed because if it wasn't clear enough I like her a lot.
"Something like that." She reaches for her phone and scrolls through her text. "From Ashton at 6:58 am," she begins to read slightly pulling away to look at the screen between us. "Hey Y/n! know you're busy this weekend but that doesn't matter because Calum likes you and won't admit it but it would be cool as lemons if you could show up." I'm going to fucking kill him. I hope he likes his ashes being burnt with that fucking lemon tree. She smiles at me and I feel like I could evaporate right the fuck here. Oh Ashton. I will kill you. The door next to us opens and some random guy comes out drunk as hell. "Oh h-hey you three," His burp interrupts him, "It's a great party in thheere"
As he stumbles Y/n goes to keep him upright, but his body has other plans. The foul smell that comes from the vomit projecting on Y/n is awful. He apologizes but quickly goes back inside wiping his mouth on his shirt. "Are you okay?" I ask her equally as shocked. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, I grab her hand without waiting for a response and drag her inside. After her many protest and looks from random people that can smell the bile on her, we make it to the stairs. There are too many fucking people here. Constantly pushing past bodies I know none of these bathrooms are cleared. I walk her down the hallway to my bedroom door when someone interrupts me. "Dude, I've been trying to get in there all night. It's locked. Complete dipshit of an owner right." He smirks reaching for a high five. I roll my eyes at his gesture and grab the key to open my door. His smirk fades into one of realization. He tries to apologize but I shut the door in his face after Y/n follows me inside.
I take off my shoes and she looks at me questioningly. "I have a bathroom in here you can use Y/n." as I relock my door. The last thing I need is for some stranger to come messing with my personal stuff.
"You shouldn't have-"
"Shut up. Some stranger just threw up on you. I would prefer to be in here with you than out there where I don't know anyone. Now go shower." She starts to argue but I just help shove her in the bathroom while closing the door. She knocks from the inside of the door, "Yes Y/n?" I smile at her playful banter.
"I need help. I can't reach the zipper" she says through the wooden door. I release the handle and nod. right she can't see me. Opening the door I walk in, "So your plan was to lock me in here?" She smiles looking through the mirror at me while moving her hair to one side of her shoulder.
"Not exactly, I was gonna kidnap you later." I grab the small zipper and begin to undo it. No wonder who the hell can hold this tiny thing. Once I get it down she thanks me. "Just throw it away okay?"
"But-" I stare at her and she agrees. Closing the door to let her shower. Clothes, she needs clothes. I walk into my closet and grab a t-shirt and her emergency bag. She came up with the idea since no one knows how to bring clothes anywhere we all have one outfit at everyone's place. Thanks to Michael she had to wear the outfit here, but her undergarments are still there.
I knock on the door and she's still in the shower so I leave the shirt and the bag on the counter in the steamy room. Walking out I take off the skinny jeans I'm wearing and change into sweats and a t-shirt.
So many options. Who ever came up with Netflix is a fucking genius. My phone buzzes next to me and I see Ashtons Name. A text, great!
From: Daddy 1:17 am
Bryana's here. Gonna go Catch up.
I just send him an 'Ok' because we all know they're still stuck on each other and there's no way in hell I'm going down there. About 20 minutes into big mouth Y/n walks out of the bathroom wearing the clothes I left for her. No one's ever looked that good in my shirt, shit I don't even look good in my shirt. "Thank you Calum" she quietly commented. "No problem." I pat the spot next to me and she climbs in the bed. I hit play on the tv remote as the show continues to play. I can't even focus on the hormone monster on the screen, this feels so fucking right. I feel her playing with my hand as she watches the screen intently. Her brow furrowing when she doesn't get the concept of Jay being a magician or the way her eyes crinkle when she laughs. I could literally just watch her all day. I mean I know she doesn't like me but I can't help but imagine what a relationship with her would be like. I don't want to jeopardize our friendship but this, this feels more important. It's just not fair I mean there's tour and I wouldn't want to be away from her that long if she were mine. I don't understand how she's single I mean look at her. And you don't find many girls with a personality like hers, she's so kind-hearted and the most humble person I know. When we were in Bali, everyone went to this pool resort and we thought she went missing for the day. But she returned home after visiting orphanages and helping at the village day clinic. I don't want to be selfish but I'll be damned if I let her go. I'm so thankful for that girlfriend of Luke's to bring her completely unbothered, outgoing, and amazing friend with her to that club in New York.
"Did you hear me?" The soft voice brings me from my thoughts. I look down at her "No what?" She starts laughing. I see a black screen on the wall and look at her quizzically. She raises her hands in defense "It's been off for the past 15 minutes." she shrugs. "You looked deep in thought." I just stay silent and look up at the ceiling. ''You can talk to me you know?" she whispers.
"Have you ever wanted something you can't have?" I ask. She chews on her bottom lip before responding.
"I suppose, I mean in regards to what?" but I cut her off, "Why'd you come tonight?"
"It's your birthday." she states clearly confused. "Ashton's text doesn't bother you?"
"I didn't think it would have to bother me?-"
"You had plans."
"You mean much more Cal." I let her words sink in. Did she like me the way I like her?or maybe she doesn't and I'm really hoping for something? No. This could never work. I don't do relationships.
"Do you wanna keep watching? " I ask her hoping she'll say yes.
"That was the last episode" she says as she turns to me a glimpse if hope in her eyes. "We can just talk Cal."
"I'm actually pretty tired." She nods, a small frown on her face as she goes and turns the light off. "Night Cal"
"Goodnight Y/n." I whisper before pulling her closer to me. I feel her muscles relax and soft snores escape her lips.
* * *
The sun in the room feels warm against my skin. Opening one eye I see the contract of the bright light against the walls. As I go to move the curtains I feel a warm presence next to me turn. Well, fuck me. Her shirt came up just the slightest to exposed her black lace panties to me and damn is it a sight. Look away. Look away. Look away.
Physically getting up from the bed she pouts and rubs her eyes. "Cal? " her slightly rasped voice speaks. "Yeah just closing the blinds. "
"Can you leave it just a tad. " she ask pulling the covers over her. "The soft light is nice. " I mean I can't say no. "Come here. " she demands and I get back in bed with her. "I should probably start cleaning soon. " I say as a line ass excited to leave the room. All I can picture is how good she looked in these panties and I need to take care of this soon.
"No you won't, since when have you cleaned? Plus I told you I'd help. " my dick is straining against these fucking briefs.
She softly traces random patterns into my skin as we just lay there admiring the room. "Cal" she mumbles.
"You've got an uh-problem. " the blood rushes to my cheeks as she notices my boner. "Sorry i-" I begin to excuse myself from the room hoping a black hole could appear. That would be great.
Surprisingly enough she pushes me to keep me in place. "It just occurred to me that I never got you a gift."
She runs her fingers over my manhood, "Can I make it up to you?"
"Y/n I don't think-" Oh fuck. My dick twitched at the sight of her removing my shirt leaving me speechless. The black lace that clung to her, which landed us in this situation, looked even better than before. "Um you -uh" I start mumbling trying not to look at her body for too long. I mean I could but I'd cum no question.
"It's either a yes or no?" as I was about to answer she started running her hand along the thin black lines. My eyes never leaving her hand as she teasingly rubbed her clit through the fabric. "You see Cal, I want you as much as you want me."
Fuck friendship. I replace her hand with my own to feel her. Fuck how long I've waited to do this. She pushes my hand away from her core while leaving open mouth kisses down my jaw. Licking my earlobe, she whispers, "You're the birthday boy."
She scoots further down the bed until her face is near my groin. This is a sight I could get used to. She slips her fingers in the band and starts pulling my briefs down. Her eyes light up once she sees my throbbing shaft. "You have such a pretty dick." Her thumb runs over my tip causing me to shudder and if possible made me harder. "Y/n you don't have to." My voice cracking a bit, why the fuck was I so nervous.
She rolls her eyes as she kisses my tip her tongue licking along the vein. She slowly begins taking me in her mouth, "Oh fuck y/n" I moan as she swallows around me, her hand pumping what she can't fit all the way. Her mouth is so warm and she's so fucking perfect. My head hits the headboard as my other hand laces itself in her curls as she bobbed her head along my length, letting every sound fall from my lips. Accidentally I pulled her hair which I was going to apologize for until she moaned. The vibrations that sexy ass sound I thrusted up. Fuck no I want to be in her.
"Y/n stop." She let her teeth graze my dick as she moved her mouth off of me. My stiffened member glowing with her saliva.
"I'm sorry this was a bad-" She started mumbling getting off the bed and fixing her hair.
"No!" I yelled surprised at my own tone. "I mean um you're great I just- I want to be in you." The redness on my cheeks very visible. She hesitates before sliding her panties off, "We don't have to I'm sorry I just thought that's where this was going and I-" She kisses me softly and I shut the hell up.
"Calm down, I was just thinking." She says straddling my lap removing her bra. "And before you ask what about well," she lines me with her entrance "It was whether I wanted a condom or not." Our moans are in unison as she slowly slides onto me. Feeling her tight walls stretch around me, her dripping arousal glistening in the soft lights of the sun. The whimper that came from her mouth as she takes all of me. "I'm on the pill and it's your birthday meaning you get the full experience." She says after a moment of her adjusting, sending a playful wink my way. She begins to move and I swear no one has ever felt this good. My hands find their way to her hips slowly rocking her back and forth.
"Fuck Cal" She whimpers as she begins to ride me. I move one of my guiding hands to find her sensitive nub, tracing small circles with the pad of my finger. She jerks back from the touch causing me to smirk, someone's sensitive. I place my thumb over her sensitive nub yet again rubbing back and forth eliciting a moan from her. “Cal I can’t-“ Grabbing her hair pulling her face closer to me, “ You can and you will, got it?” She whimpers nodding in agreement, “I’m not cumming till that pretty pussy of yours is pulsing.” Slowly grinding my hips up, grazing her g-spot with my tip. “Cal-fuck, this was supposed to be your gift.” Grabbing the back of her thigh slowly bringing her body closer to mine, I turn us so she’s underneath me.
“Go out with me and we’ll call it even yeah?” I ask her before continuing to thrust into her. Our moans fall in unison as I pick up the pace. Thrusting into her faster than the time before, the only sounds heard throughout are those of our moans and skin clapping together. My mouth finds its way to her neck, assaulting the soft skin in the area- leaving a reminder for this evening. I can feel her tightening around me, edging me close to my own release. “Cal I’m close.” She manages to mutter as I find my way back to her clit, rubbing fast purposeful circles. Watching the way her pants and moans fall through her lips to the glistening of her chest as it rises and falls with each breath. The sight being enough to drive me to the brink of insanity, “Cum for me y/n.” Almost instantly her eyes roll back as she arches her back, her pussy tightening without mercy forcing my own orgasm to appear. My hips jut forward as I release into her , slowly edging us both along. Our panting is the only thing to be heard as a gently collapse on top of her. “Did you mean it?” She ask, moving the hair from my forehead.
“If you mean me asking you out, yes.” She smiles and pulls my face closer to hers. “took you long enough.” She whispers before attaching her lips to mine.
A/N: (Also posted to Wattpad) I hope you enjoyed it. I'm actually really happy, I've been doing quite a bit of writing so yay! We have another calum smut blurb on the way.I also need help deciding who's the endgame for my Loki/Bucky love triangle but all with time. Anyways I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!
XOXO Janelle
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Interviews - Henry Cavill x wife/actress reader
Summary: You and Henry have been married for a couple years now, and when you’re both part of the Witcher cast, fun interviews are to be had.
Warning: nothing but a good time, btw I’ve never written anything like this so I hope it’s good enough that I might feel motivated to write more
-Readers Witcher character is loosely based off my Geralt fic from here (just a little self promotion), but in this case you play a full vampire in this Witcher universe
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The days have been long and grueling, filming hours upon hours of stunts and regular acting had taken its toll. Not to mention the countless times in hair and make up paired with costume changes and traveling to film on certain locations.
To say being apart of Netflix’s The Witcher was full of tiring days and some accidental bruises would be a huge understatement. But none of that mattered, nor did you bother to complain when through the thick and thin of it all did you have Henry with you along the way. And your favorite big slobbery bear, Kal whenever he was allowed on set.
Fortunately for you in the beginning of all the craziness, the casting and writers had wanted you specifically for the part of Y/C/N in the new series before Henry even auditioned for the role of Geralt, that was soon given to him after you accepted your fresh role of vampiric heroine.
It was ironically strange in a good way, you had watched your dork of a husband play the Witcher: Wild Hunt a few times before, eventually learning of what Geralt of Rivia was, who Y/C/N was in the story, who Yennefer and Ciri were, Tris and even Jaskier.
Who would have thought that you’d finally get to snag a role side by side with Henry in quite literally one of the most fantastic shows you’ve ever heard of. You didn’t even need to see the show yet to know how well it was most likely to be reviewed. Being a key character in the grand storyline was enough to convince you of how amazing it would most certainly turn out in the finished product.
And after all was said and done, you couldn’t believe how well loved and popular the show truly became in the following months after shooting and its eventual release onto Netflix. The after parties and cast celebrations truly made you blessedly grateful for pulling through to the vary end.
Then again you had your mans Henry by your side every step of the way. He was your rock and you were most definitely his. You know life on set would have been far less entertaining and dreadfully long if not for the lovely company of your dear Witcher, Henry. And so far after the fact, you and a good portion of the cast have been placed in random interviews for the majority of the day.
Reason being, The Witcher has at long last finally premiered and as per usual the people and media live for those cast interviews that always reveal some interesting events. So far this morning you’ve done some interviews with Anya that have gone perfectly fine since the two of you seem to click so well.
Also it helps ease the anxiety of your fellow newer cast mates to the world of continuous interviews with an experienced veteran actor like yourself, who’s gone round the ring more times then you can count. Though you can’t help but wonder how Henry’s doing, considering you’ve been separated since the sessions began at 10am, you’ve had lunch and now it’s about 1 in the afternoon with more hours to go.
Luckily for you, you’ve just been informed of another interview with the man of the hour himself. Saying your goodbyes and well wishes to your fellow cast mates, you stand and follow the guide into the advised place. Aka some really nice hotel room that’s been done up real nice for efficient interviewing, complete with the Witcher insignia on a large background poster and three chairs that happen to look rather comfy.
The camera and sound people nod in acknowledgment as you walk in, you nod back no doubt making their day with your friendliness and adorable smile that quite literally lights up a room. Soon you spot the bubbly yet nervous interviewee who instantly welcomes you into her space like you’re an old friend.
You sit, a bit confused as to where your partner happens to be at the moment, the interviewer, Lauren makes small talk before a door opens and her big bright doe eyes go wide in nervous excitement. A telling smile upon her face as she shifts in her chair before looking back to you again with a happy grin.
Henry says a quick hello to the behind the scenes crew before waving to Lauren, you smirk while watching him get comfortable next to you, “Well, well, well. Get lost on your way up, you know they have guides for a reason.” You tease as he chuckles at your humorous jab, relieved to see you again after a couple hours apart.
“Traffic.” He quips with a shrug.
“Uh huh.” You mutter with a shake of your head before drawing your attention back to Laura, “Can’t take him anywhere I swear, he does this all the time.”
She laughs as Henry pretends to gasp at your teasing, you chuckle along with them before she finally collects herself, “Well, welcome back to London. It’s fantastic to have you both in town once again, and your big beautiful faces all over Leicester Square.”
You both laugh, “Right.” Says Henry, “I guess we do look pretty cool.”
“Hell yeah, I mean where else can I see myself with a giant sword on a building? And anyways look at this beautiful mug,” You say gently squeezing Henry’s cheeks in your hand, “he’s literally killing it out there.” They laugh as you give Hen another playful squeeze before letting go and setting your arm against the chairs cushioned armrest. 
“Alight let’s start.” She says enthusiastically before glancing down at her cards then back up to you and Henry. Then into one of the two the cameras, “Hi I’m Lauren from Entertainment Weekly and today we’re here with the two stars of Netflix’s The Witcher.” She says enthusiastically while giving a nod to you two, indicating that the camera is now focused on you both, “Henry Cavill and Y/N Cavill.”
You both smile in acknowledgment as Henry gives a slight nod, “How you doing?”
“I’m great,” She beams, “So, I’ll get right into it, what do you like most about the story? What really drew you into the script that made you say, yes this is going to be awesome?”
Slapping a hand against Henry’s muscular leg, you hum, “I’ll let Hen take this one he’s a real expert on the linguistics of the whole show.”
“Thanks Y/N/N.” Replies Henry, bemused that you’re making him take the first question.
You nod to him knowingly with a smirk, “Of course.” Knowing how much he loves to talk about the show and also because you’d rather have him use his energy to talk about it then do that yourself. Priorities, right, though in your defense it’s been a long day.
“Well I absolutely love the games and the books themselves are phenomenal works of literature.” He explains, his face glowing with that usual glimmer of excitement in his eyes, “The story and the world of the Witcher is just so rich and full of potential that when I signed on for the show, I immediately knew it would be amazing, no doubt.”
You lean into the arm of you chair, “And of course I was there so that’s always a bonus.”
“That too.” He smiles adorably, “That too of course.”
Lauren smiles, “Great. So, what was it like working together, how was it having your characters interact with one another?”
You smile, setting a hand against Henry’s forearm, “This guy right here.” You deadpan before waving him off dramatically, “So annoying, my god he whined all the time and he was such a drama queen dear lord so ugh....” You start cackling before you can even finish the sentence causing Henry to loose it as well and with that the interviewer.
Shaking your head you rest your hand against his shoulder, “I joke, he was a gem to work with as usual...I mean I feel incredibly blessed to be able to act alongside my husband for months and months every single day. It’s a rarity in this line of work and I’m grateful to have shared this experience...and I guess more so this whole adventure with him as well.”
The interviewer aww’s as Henry tilts his head to lean into your hand that’s still resting atop his shoulder before pulling away just as quickly, the intimate sentiment not going unnoticed by you or Lauren who looks to be enjoying your loving yet calm energy with one another. “That’s so sweet, what about you Henry?”
“Oh yes absolutely,” Agrees Henry to your recent statement, “not only did I have her by my side through it all but the dynamic of our characters interacting together was so fun to shoot. I think the audience will really be able to see their relationship grow on screen into something strong and beautiful like in the books.”
Slow clapping you give him a curt nod of approval, “Well said.”
Lauren smirks, “Seems like it. Well, I was able to catch the premier yesterday and I gotta say...it was fantastic! I couldn’t believe how diffident the two of you looked from how you are now.” She gushes enthusiastically.
The corners of Henry’s lips curl into a proud smile for the fellow crew of the Witcher’s, “Oh that’s great then, honestly we gotta give all the props to the costume and makeup team, they’re so talented and know how to make us look like real badasses.” He adds.
You nod in agreement before grinning at a positive memory of your first interaction with Henry as Geralt, “Oh for sure, I remember during the early stages of production when our characters met each other for the first time, before this we came to set together but went separate ways to shoot our own stuff in the meantime so I never got a real look at him.” You recall with a bright smile as Henry watches your every move, beaming just the same.
“It was so funny, I was in the tent with Freya Allen, the wonderful girl who plays Ciri, and then suddenly her eyes got all big and nervous and I was like, that’s not me right? Something weird didn’t just happen with my costume? And then I turned around to find this man, wig on, face a mess, and his eyes looked so fearsome and different...it was a bit startling.” You say with a chuckle, “I clearly wasn’t expecting to see Geralt right then and there. He just looked so unlike Henry.”
“Yeah, I was almost hurt.” Laughs Henry, “She had to like squint and make sure it was me.”
Rolling your eyes, you shrug, “He had some real creepy looking colored contacts, yunno?”
Henry fake scoffs, “You’re one to talk, I mean when I first say her, Y/N’s eyes were red and she had fake blood spattered all over her face and shirt. Oh, and not to mention those fangs they put on your teeth...we probably traumatized poor Freya that day.”
“Oh shit you’re right!” You exclaim with a snort of concealed laughter, “God I completely forgot about how I looked...now since I think about it, I did that a lot too. I would just walk up to people and be completely oblivious as to what kind of nightmare I looked like, honestly I might have scared one of our producers a couple of times.” You add with a half nervous laugh, it’s true, you did scare some of the crew unintentionally. Most of the time.
Lauren lightly chuckles, “That sounds like you were quite the sight to see then.” She says before glancing back down at her notes, “Alright I have’ta ask, is there anything that you two took home with you from set?”
“Besides Henry every night,” He holds back a laugh while covering his mouth as you nonchalantly continue, “Uh, yes actually I got to take home Y/C/N’s wolf ring that I loved so much and just thought was the coolist thing ever and....uh, I might have stolen some socks too.”
“So that’s why after filming the amount of socks of yours I had to fold increased?” Wonders Henry with a surprised snort of realization.
Turning your head to give him a “no shit” kinda look, you look back at Lauren, pointing your thumb at Henry, “Master sleuth right here, but hey, he folds my laundry.”
“Aw that’s great.” Adds Lauren with a smile before turning her attention to Henry, “What about you Henry? Take anything from set?”
“More then Y/N did actually...”
“He just about took the whole makeup trailer most nights, I swear.”
Henry chuckles, “That. Is true.” He agrees with a nod, “Interesting enough, at home I’ve got Geralt’s armor hung up in our living room and a multitude of other nicknacks that I’ve collected during filming.” He adds, glancing over to you, “So uh, yeah, we were fairly lucky to be able to snag what we could.”
Lauren smiles, absentmindedly shuffling her cards, “That’s awesome to have such special memorabilia, you guys really are fortunate.” She adds before reading off from another card, “Alright you two, care to play a game called guess the image? Witcher style.”
Your face perks up at this, you’re a sucker for interview games and Henry knows it, “Are you reading my mind or something, I have been waiting all day for someone to ask about playing a game.” You gush rather enthusiastically. 
He smiles at your adorableness and how excited you’ve just become, Lauren grins, happy that her suggestion has been so well received, “Okay so how it works is, I’ll show you an image on my iPad and then you have to guess who or what I’m showing you.”
“Oh, cool I’ve heard of this,” You reply, turning to Henry with a smirk, “Loser has to clean Kal’s yard poop for a week.”
Rolling his gorgeous blue eyes he chuckles, “You’re on.”
“Alright, the stakes are high, you two ready?” Beams Lauren, holding her iPad to her chest as she awaits an answer.
“Yes, I’m ready to kick his ass.” You quip, leaning an arm against your chair while Henry does about the same, though he does his best to contain his laughter.
“Okay, first image.” She holds up the device to show some sort of weird golden thing, it’s shiny and hard, worst part is that you’re not entirely sure what the hell it could be.
Sensing your confusion Henry nudges your shoulder, though you ignore it before he smartly answers, “Oh, is that...Renfri’s brooch?” Little shit knows exactly what that is, of course he does.
Lauren claps, “Correct.” Zooming out of the image to show the full picture of the golden brooch, “Right on, that’s one point for Mr. Cavill.”
You scoff playfully, “Beginners luck.” While Henry side eyes you with a humorous grin upon his plush lips, he nudges your arm, “I’m going to really enjoy not cleaning up Kal’s grass turds for awhile.” He mutters lightheartedly, though you know deep down he’s being serious, no way is he going to win this, you think. You won’t have it, hopefully the next few pictures aren’t as difficult, Kal duty is not fun by any means.
“Shut up.” You grumble with a dismissive wave of your hand, though just teasing of course.
“Okay next image.” This time the blurred photo looks much more familiar, soon it clicks as to what the obscured blurriness actually is, yes!
“Got it! Anya’s er I guess Yennefer’s dress from the fight at Sodden.” Lauren giggles, zooming the image out to reveal Yennefer in her tasseled blue and purple dress from the battle at Sodden Hill. “I’m amazing I know.” You boast at Henry with a casual little bow in your seat.
“It’s the second question.” He deadpans, eyes crinkling in amusement as you shake your head at him.
“Pffff get outta here.” You mutter back, gently pushing his arm off of your chairs armrest and setting yours in its place while he gives you a fake shocked expression.
In turn you can’t help the smile that tugs at the corner of your lips, so instead of saying some sassy remark that would no doubt get a reaction out of him, you turn your attention back over to Lauren who’s looking over her notes again.
“Fantastic,” She says, glancing back up at you and Henry, “you’re both tied with one point each. Alright, anyone know what this is?” She asks showing something red and fuzzy, a bit of dirty skin showing from one corner but with The Witcher this bloody image could literally be anything.
The both of you squint, puzzled as to what this could be, “Y/N you got any ideas.” Wonders Henry, brows furrowed as his face contorts into deep concentrated thought.
Raising a brow, you hum, “If I knew I wouldn’t tell you.”
“Fair point.” He chuckles.
Lauren smiles, “Any guesses?”
 After a few concentrated moments, Henry shrugs in defeat,  “I’m stumped.” He admits as you study the image harder, mind racing to put the pieces together as to what the hell you’re looking at.
“No, I think I might know this....erm is it...me?” You wonder, voice raising in question, hoping to be correct about this or face the teasing of Henry.
Lauren quickly zooms out of the obscured image, “It is!” She says excitedly, revealing the picture of you from your characters debut in episode 2 where you save a girl from a werewolf, your mouth is covered in blood and so is most of your costumes chest area and left arm from the struggle. Not to mention the make-up teams fun 20 minutes of throwing fake sticky blood all over you to get the right look for the taxing scene.
You grimace a bit, “Oh god that was quite the day on set,” You recall with a half smile, “I was doing stunts all day covered in that red syrupy dye, I think it took a week to get out of my skin.”
Henry suddenly snorts with laughter, “Right! That reminds me, I thought Kal had gotten cut or something, it was just Y/N who had hugged him not realizing she still had some fake blood on her arm.”
“Jeez that’s right, I felt so bad, but I couldn’t stop laughing once we realized it was just me.”
Lauren grins, excited to hear some hidden information about little things that happens behind the scenes, “Oh wow that must have been a sight, alright Henry, Y/N’s taken the lead with a two to one score.” She says as you playfully nudge his strong shoulder. “Second to last image, what is this?”
Without missing a single beat Henry replies, “Jaskier.”
Squinting at the image you lean closer to the iPad, “How the hell do you see Jaskier?”
Smiling the interviewer zooms out to reveal the bards full outfit from the banquet scene, though he’s in the background of a fight between Geralt and some Cintran knights. “Right on!” She exclaims as you lean back into your seat dumbfounded, shoulder flush against Henry’s as he clutches your arm and squeezes it affectionately.
Ignoring his silent show of victory you shrug, “And they say he’s just another pretty face,” Earning a laugh from Lauren and some of the crew as you smirk at the camera, face them shifting to apologetic, “also I’m so sorry Joey you beautiful bastard apparently I’m blind. Uh, we don’t have to dwell on it, Lauren whatcha got?”
“You guys are both tied with two points each, last chance to win.” She replies before glancing down at her iPad, “Alright, what is this?” She asks, her iPad showing that of fuzzy bright colors, with a small corner smear of dull white that clearly wouldn’t make much sense to the untrained eye.
Smirking you glance at a puzzled Henry before sitting up in your seat, feeling rather good about yourself, “Would that happen to be, Hen in Stregobor’s illusion?” You answer with, though sounding a bit as a question considering you aren’t entirely confident as to what image this is.
Lauren’s brows raise in surprise, “Henry, looks like we have a winner. Y/N you are correct.” She beams, enlarging the image to reveal Geralt’s side profile as he talks to the old wizard while the background stays colorful and shrouded in various arrays of sunlight..
Shaking your fist victoriously in the air you give a couple enthusiastic whoop whoops while Henry simply takes it like a champ, “Have fun cleaning up Karl’s monster turds, cause this lucky lady doesn’t have to.” You boast as Henry and the crew laugh.
“Well that was something,” Beams Lauren, “I’m so glad to have chatted for a bit about your guys’ amazing new series, and maybe ended a relationship in the process.” She says jokingly as both you and Henry chuckle.
Patting his thigh affectionately, you smirk, “He’s a tough old bear, but yeah, it was awesome having you talk to us.”
“Yes, take care now.” Adds Henry while the interviewer Lauren stands, saying her goodbyes as she goes to exit the room.
The camera crew take a small break to adjust things and whatnot as you and Henry wait patiently for the next interviewer. He turns, an adorable smile pulling at his lips while you pretend to ignore his fiery gaze. “Well that went pretty well, minus the fact that I’m on Kal poop duty for a week...but uh...” He leans in close to you now, “I missed you all morning.”
Breaking out into a smile you raise a brow, “Boring without me huh?”
“Always.”
You casually shrug, “I figured as much. Don’t worry, we have a hotel all to ourselves tonight.” Your brows wiggle suggestively causing your blue eyed lover to shake his head with amusement.
“Say it louder next time.” He jokes.
Side eyeing the oblivious crew you begin to speak a couple octaves louder, “Henry I can’t wait to fu..” Suddenly his hand presses against your mouth before you’re able to call any attention to yourself. He gives you a warning look before slowly pulling his hand from your mouth.
You grin mischievously, “I wasn’t gonna say that...”
“Sure Y/N,” He mutters in your ear as a new interviewer walks into the room and finds their chair, “and I’m wasn’t going to make you scream tonight.”
Your brows raise in surprise and admittedly slight arousal at his choice of wording in this room of all places. Eyeing him up, face still showing surprise, you finally break out into a satisfied smirk. “You know what? I think you should consider changing your offer.”
He thinks deeply for a moment, though you know he’s only pretending to get you riled up, “Hrmm...maybe, possibly, should I? Should we? You are my co-star after all, that wouldn’t be very professional now would it Y/N?” He states with a shit eating grin, all done while the crew and interviewer get ready, minding their business and completely unaware to yourself and Henry’s teasing.
Scoffing playfully you lightly swat his arm, “We are way past being professional.”
He chuckles, looking from you to the rest of the room, “Oh, they have no idea.”
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cjsinkythoughts · 3 years
Text
FATWS One Shot #7 - Revels
Word Count: 2921
Warnings: Cursing, That’s All, it’s a Really Tame One Shot
Setting/Characters: Party Scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron; Lots of Characters so I’m Not Gonna Name Them All
A/N: I know…it’s very late. I wanted to have it out on Friday, but I dunno, guys. My motivation as of late has been very low. I finally decided to just sit down and write tonight. So here it finally is!
This one is pretty mild compared to others. There’s a few feeling things in here, but it’s mainly just the reader hanging out with the team. The ending’s written a bit weird, but I didn’t know what to cut it off because the writers did a nice job of making the Mjolnir scene flow into the scene with Ultron’s appearance, but I didn’t want to write the whole fight with Ultron, I just wanted the lifting scene.
Listen here, though! Prepare yourselves to be conflicted even more with Steve! I made it a lot more…touchy than I was planning on. Don’t come at me! It needs to be done! This’ll be one of the last ones focused on Steve like that though. The next one is reader and Wanda bonding and then after that I don’t have any more planned for AoU, so we’ll be going to Civil War, which is where reader meets Bucky officially. So Bucky’s coming soon!
I’m gonna update my WIP List and - maybe - my One Shot list and post those later, along with a poll because I dunno which series I wanna start on next.
Thank you all so much for your patience, understanding, and support! As always, not beta’d, so please excuse the mistakes, all are mine! Be kind to yourselves and others! Enjoy and stay tuned!
FATWS Series Masterlist
cjsinkythoughts Masterlist
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*******
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
You set your bag down and looked at your phone, vibrating from where you just left it on the counter. You looked at the time and squinted. Seven. You supposed it wasn’t too late, but you weren’t expecting any calls. 
Tired, your feet dragged as you moved across the room to get your phone. You were helping Fury set up the Helicarrier again while still remaining “dead” to everyone. It was the last thing you were doing before joining the Avengers full time. You were a bit hesitant to be in the spotlight after all these years, but after much pressuring from your team, especially a certain blonde, you finally caved. It was time for a change anyways. It might even be good for you.
Speaking of blondes, Bubba flashed across your screen, a picture of him with some scruff that you took one day in spite of his protests because you’d never seen him with a beard before lighting up behind the contact name.
You answered it, rubbing your eyes with the heel of your hands as you did so. “Hi, bubs. What’s-”
“Where are you? I miss you. Are you coming soon?”
You chuckled at his whines, an eyebrow raising as you processed his words. “Whaddya mean? I’m at my place. Where am I supposed to be?”
“Honey!” You giggled at his groan, finding it amusing how childish he could be at times. “The party? Tonight? Remember? You promised you’d come. I don’t wanna be here without you.”
“Oh shit,” you hiss out. “That’s tonight?” Moving across the kitchen to check your calendar, you scrunch up your face when you see ‘Avenger’s Tower 6 pm’ written in the square. “It’s Saturday. Aw, Stevie. I totally forgot.”
“Oh. So…are you - are you not coming, then?”
Frowning at his fallen tone, you shake your head. “I’ll be there. Just…give me a bit.”
“No, no. It’s okay. You sound tired. You don’t have to-”
“I’m on my way, Steve. I did promise after all. I’m an hour out.”
You could hear his surprise in his voice. “An hour? You’re not in D.C.?”
“I’m a little bit upstate. Just in a safehouse while I help Fury work on something.”
He let out a contemplative hum from the other side of the line. “That secret project you still won’t tell me anything about?”
A smile appeared across your lips as you walked to the bedroom to change into something a little more appropriate, settling for a comfortable romper instead of dealing with a dress. “You know I can’t, bubs. You haven’t told anyone, right?”
“No ma’am.”
You giggle softly. “Alright. Thank you. You’ll find out soon, probably. It’s almost done. Promise.”
“Then you’ll come live here? With me - the team, I mean? I miss you. The team missed you. On the raid.”
“Oh yeah. How was it?”
“Get here and I’ll tell you.”
You laughed, shaking your head. “I’m coming, I’m coming. See you then, bubba.”
“Okay, honey. See ya then.”
*****************
It was nearly nine when you got to the Tower, but any party thrown by Stark didn’t end until at least ten, so you knew you were fine. Just…fashionably late. A concept you knew Tony understood and you wouldn’t hesitate to remind him if he brought it up.
You were pleasantly surprised by how tame the party was. Sure there were a hundred people you doubted even Tony knew, but no flashing lights, the music wasn’t blaring, and no one was grinding on anyone. Everyone was just talking, drinking, and having a good time.
“Hey! There you are! Capsicle said he called you, but that was hours ago!”
Speak of the devil. You grinned and let Tony pull you into a hug before taking the drink he offered. “Yeah, well, I had a few things to do today.”
His eyebrow quirked up. “A few things, huh? Anything I should know about?”
“Nope!” You popped your lips and gave him a smirk. “Not everything’s about you, Mr. Stark.”
“Yeah, well, we missed you this week. Fun raid.” He looked you up and down and nodded, gesturing to your outfit. “Alright, you know what? I accept this. This is okay. Not what I had in mind, but you pull it off.”
You laughed, shoving his shoulder playfully. “It’s comfortable, okay? Where’s Steve?”
The billionaire rolled his eyes and gave you a look. “Don’t worry your pretty little head. He’s over playing pool with Wilson. C’mon! I wanna get you drunk and complain about my perfect, heroic, billionaire life to my favorite teammate!”
“I just need to tell him I’m here.” You snicker. “And don’t let anyone here you say that. I don’t want my rep to become Tony’s favorite.”
He chuckled with you and gave you another squeeze. “Alright, alright. Come find me later, though. I do have something I need to show you.”
You shook your head, already knowing where the conversation was heading. “Tony! No! I don’t need a suit! Thank you, I appreciate it, but I’m really okay. I like fighting in sweatpants.”
“Fine!” He huffed out. “But at least let me show you some designs I came up with. I put a lot of hard work into them, you know.”
Tapping his chest, you nodded. “I’m sure you did. I’ll come find you and you can show me, but that’s it.”
He smirked, drawing an ‘x’ over his heart with his finger. “Cross my heart.”
“I’m serious, Tony!” You point at him as he started walking away. He just blew a kiss towards you, making you laugh and roll your eyes again.
Turning, you scanned the room for the pool table where, supposedly, Steve was playing with Sam, who you had no idea was gonna be here. You’d been helping him out with the whole James - Bucky, you reminded yourself - Barnes thing during your free time. No such luck yet. The man was literally a ghost, even for you.
You couldn’t stop the smile on your lips when you finally caught sight of him, his brown leather jacket hugging his shoulders a grin on his face as Sam talked to him about something. Quickly making your way over, your arms wrapped around that ridiculously tiny waist, crossing over his stomach. You felt him tense at the sudden contact, before he relaxed at a kiss to the nape of his neck and spun around.
The beam he gave you made your heart flip, his muscled arms winding around your neck. “Y/N! You made it!”
His boyish excitement made you laugh. “I told you I’d come. Hi, Sam.”
Sam nodded and waved. “What’s good, Y/N?”
“Who’s winning?” Slipping out of Steve’s hold, you leaned over the table to study the games process.
“We just started a new one.” Steve informed you. “Wanna join?”
You raised an eyebrow at him. “You sure you wanna be embarrassed in front of all these nice people?”
“Oooh!” Sam winced. “Smack! Alright. Put your money where your mouth is, Y/L/N. Ten bucks says I win.”
“You’re on, Wilson.”
A few more drinks, a couple games, and thirty extra bucks later, Tony called you over impatiently. Steve gave you a questioning look as you heated up, Tony waving his arms dramatically and shouting your name. God, he’s so embarrassing.
“He wants me to look at suit designs.”
Steve frowned at your explanation. “I thought you told him no?”
You chuckled. “I did. I’ll be right back, bubs.” After kissing his cheek, you head over to Tony. From there, you end up bouncing around from teammate to teammate, laughing and joking around with them.
Until Steve dragged you back with him again. “Excuse me.” He interrupted you, Clint, and Natasha’s chatter, grabbing your elbow and taking the drink you had in your hand. “I’m stealing you.”
“C’mon, man! It’s called sharing!”
Natasha laughed and nodded in agreement with Clint’s statement. “Everyone’s gotta have a turn, Rogers.”
Steve hummed, walking backwards and pulling you as you giggled in amusement. “You just had your turn, Romanoff.”
“Sorry guys.” You shrugged when the two looked at you incredulously. “Captain’s orders.”
“Damn right.” Steve nodded firmly.
“Watch your language!” Clint shouted with a pointed finger.
You raised an amused eyebrow at Steve’s groan. “Your language? They do know that you have, quite possibly, the worst mouth on the planet, right?”
He sighed, pulling you to the side of the room and wrapping his arms around your waist. “It’s something that happened on the mission. Which you would know if you were there.”
“Steven.”
He blinked innocently at you. “What?” At your pointed look, he let out a sigh, dropping his forehead to your shoulder. “Did I do something wrong? Is that why you’re avoiding me?”
“Who said I’m avoiding you?”
“C’mon, honey.” He lifted his head, his eyebrows furrowed together. “Don’t hurt me even more. I know you have.”
You shook your head, lips turning down and hand raising to cup his cheek. “Stevie, I’m not. I promise. I’ve just…I’ve just been busy.”
He pouted. “With Fury?”
Giving him a weird look you shook your head. “No. I mean, yes, but I’ve also been helping Sam out with your friend while you help the team with the rest of the HYDRA bases. You know that. What’s going on with you?”
“I’m sorry.” He sighed, ducking his head to your shoulder again. “I’ve just missed you.”
“I know, bubba. I’ve missed you too.”
The real truth was you had been avoiding him. Not on purpose. Kinda. You just felt something different around him. Something you’d never dealt with before. And you didn’t want to deal with it now, so you haven’t been. It was why you were so hesitant about becoming a full time Avenger. Well, that and the fact that you’d been in the shadows for a decade and you weren’t sure how well you’d do in the light.
“Where’s Sam?”
“He had to head home. Long drive. His excuse, not mine.”
You gasped in offense. “And he didn’t even say bye?! Rude!”
Steve chuckled, his nose brushing against the skin of your throat, breath tickling your collarbone. “I’m sure he’ll call you in the morning or something. Apologize for leaving so abruptly.”
You hummed, swallowing the lump that suddenly appeared in your throat. “Tell me about the language thing. What happened?”
He groaned, but straightened and told you about him accidentally scolding Tony, before he proceeded to tell you about the rest of the mission, including the Maximoff twins. 
“Why is it that war always seems to breed more war?” You asked with a sigh.
“They’re just kids trying to do what’s right.”
“We all start out that way, don’t we?” You shook your head. Kids. they shouldn’t be fighting in a war. They shouldn’t have to deal with that. “It’s just a shame.” Your voice is muffled by his shirt after you pressed against his chest.
“Yeah.” He sighed out. “Wanna go get a drink?”
Pulling back from him and looking around, you noted that most guests had already gone and it was dwindling down to just the Avengers and a couple allies. “Yeah. Wanna sit down too. I’m kinda tired.”
“Alright, honey. Let’s go sit down.”
It wasn’t even half an hour later when you were all sitting around the middle of the room, everyone else having gone, but Dr. Helen Cho, Rhodey, Maria, and the team. You were in the same boat as Helen, who was basically passed out on an armchair. You’re legs thrown over Steve’s lap, stretched out to let your feet rest on Thor’s thigh, who was on the chair on the other side of the captain. You were hugging Steve’s arm, your head resting against his shoulder, a small smile of content across your features as you listened to the team banter and tease.
You started laughing at Clint’s comments towards Thor’s hammer while spinning the drumstick he had for whatever reason. “Ah, whosoever be he worthy shall haveth the power! Whatever, man! It’s a trick!”
You and Steve exchanged amused grins as Thor challenged Clint, who stood up with no hesitation and headed to the hammer.
“This is gonna be good.” You chirped, taking the bottle Steve handed you as the archer stopped in front of where it was placed on the table.
Clint stuck his tongue out at you, before turning back to Thor and gripping the handle. He tugged for a moment, grunting, before laughing in slight embarrassment. Chuckling, you snuggled closer to Steve’s side, your eyes feeling heavy. He turned his head to nose your temple and kiss your cheek.
“Oh brother.” You giggled, sitting up with interest as Tony stood up and unbuttoned his suit jacket.
“Alright, so if I lift it, I-I then rule Asgard?” Tony asked in clarification, slipping his hand through the strap.
“Yes, of course.” Thor confirmed with an amused smirk, shooting you a wink when you nudged his knee with your foot.
Tony braced himself, setting his foot on the table. “I will be reinstituting prima nocta.”
You rolled your eyes, scoffing. “Oh God, Tony.” Steve squeezed your knee with a slight chuckle as the billionaire tried lifting it to no avail. You gave him a weird look, watching him leave the room, before turning to Steve. “What’s he-?”
“Alright! Let’s try this again!”
Another fit of laughter left you and the team when Tony strutted back in with his Iron Man glove on. And when that didn’t work, Rhodey joined him with his War Machine glove. 
Your eyes were watering and you tried holding in your laughter, but you couldn’t help it, pressing your face into Steve’s arm to muffle the sounds. You felt his shoulders shake with silent chuckles, which didn’t help your own.
When Bruce went up, an awkward silence filled the air after he tried Hulking out, but then you started laughing again.
“Your turn, bubba.” You nudged the blonde, who gave you a look, before shrugging and patting your thigh. 
“You gotta get off then, honey.”
You rolled your eyes but swung your legs off him, letting him stand up. He rolled his sleeves up, stepping up to Mjolnir, a few encouragements from the team, before pulling on the hammer. You thought you saw it shake a little, but Steve yanked some more and it didn’t move, so you figured you were imagining it.
Steve sighed and let go, putting his hands up in surrender with a grin like the good sport he was. Thor laughed. “Nothing.”
You shrugged at the super soldier who plopped back down besides you as the others tried getting Natasha to go up. “You tried.” 
He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms and leaning back. “Well if Romanoff isn’t going…your turn.”
“Wh-what?” Your eyes went wide.
“I did it.” He gestured to the hammer. “Now you gotta.”
“Hold on, hold on. We didn’t agree on th-”
“Honey.” He gave you a little pout, cocking his head to the hammer. “C’mon. Just a tug.”
You narrowed your eyes, but your lips turned up and you straightened off the couch. “This is peer pressure. Captain America, everyone.” He chuckled as you stepped over to Mjolnir. “It’s not gonna work.”
Tony snorted. “Not with that attitude.”
“C’mon, Tones. If none of you could.”
The billionaire shrugged with a grin. “Never know if you don’t try.”
You deadpanned at him, gripping the handle and trying, in vain, to pull it. You didn’t put nearly as much effort as everyone else. “Wow. Look at that. What a surprise.”
“What was that?! You barely touched it!”
Giving a shrug, you started back to your seat. “I’m guessing if you’re worthy or whatever, it wouldn’t take that much to lift it.” You fell onto the couch, your head landing in Steve’s lap as you looked upside down at Thor and pointed at him. “But I do have a question for you.” The god looked at you in interest, gesturing for you to continue. “What does worthy mean? Like, what makes a person worthy to lift it? You couldn’t lift it a while back - I know, I read the files. SHIELD agent, remember?” You added when you saw him open his mouth to question you.
You blinked at him curiously, tilting your head, watching as his brow furrowed. Tony cackled and clapped at the silence in answer. “Oooh! She got you! All difference to the Man Who Wouldn’t Be King, but it’s rigged. And the lack of response to Y/N’s question just makes it more obvious.”
“That’s not what I meant-”
“You bet your ass.”
You rolled your eyes, letting it go as Maria teased Steve about Clint’s foul language. “Did you tell everyone about that?” Tony ignored Steve’s question and continued to ride on Thor and his hammer.
“Why are they trying to make sense of it?” You questioned, highly entertained, but also very tired, turning to press against Steve’s stomach.
“It’s Tony. I couldn’t tell you. C’mere.” Steve shifted you so that you were sitting up, but he was holding you more comfortably. “Try getting some sleep.”
You hummed and nodded against him, but a high pitched whine made you wince and stand up, Steve unconsciously standing a bit in front of you. A suit of Tony’s, damaged with wires hanging down and oil leaking out or places that didn’t have metal keeping them in, came in and you inwardly sighed at the bad feeling tugging at your gut.
So much for sleep.
***********
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lunarflux · 3 years
Text
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"i promised i'd forget, but you're all i see when i dream the night away"
bang chan x reader
genre — drama!au
suggested background music: x
note: like i said - i put a lot of my life into writing. something similar to this happened to me today, and i'd like to think that music is getting me through it. i wanted to add more of a "post credits" scene for chan and o/c, but this is how my day is going and how this situation ends.
The world never felt so heavy.
You'd never thought that scrolling through social media could create this bleeding ring in your ears, yet somehow here you are, unable to look at your phone. The photo you stumbled across had already been burned into your memory. There were times when you could forget what song you'd just listened to, and yet this one image had suddenly been burned, a permanent nightmare in your mind.
Your ex looked happy. It wasn't a bad breakup, but after a year, you couldn't expect him to stay single forever. You'd both agreed to move on, and while you swore you had, seeing the photo of him with a beautiful girl kissing his cheek made your shoulders heavy. Staring at your blacked out screen, it was like the photo was still there, and no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't keep yourself from seeing it. Every time you closed your eyes, there he was.
Happy.
You fumbled with your cell phone, placing it face down on your desk before your boss could catch you. It was hard to hide the look on your face. It was pain, sadness, and confusion. How was it that after all this time, you hadn't succeeded in moving on, but he had?
Was it you? Or was this girl really so special that you were worth forgetting?
The feeling of being forgotten - it's seeing the dust gather on photos and the doorknob that he will never open again.
It's over.
"Do you have the paperwork for the meeting tomorrow?" Chan popped into your office, placing a fresh mug of coffee on your desk. You'd started here only six months ago, but he already knew that you liked your coffee light and sweet. "Jisoo wants to make sure we're not missing anything before -"
"Yeah, I have it." You said curtly, looking back at your computer, typing away at your report. "I'll bring it to you later."
"I mean, I can wait for it if you have it ready."
"Chan," you looked up at him. "I said I'll bring it to you later."
Chan looked at you with mild concern. Sure, there were a lot of women in the office, and the men had eventually learned when not to step on toes in the case of any mood swings because of work stress. You weren't one of those people though. You were the type of person who'd rid the stress with a bar of chocolate and be done with it. You'd never snapped at him before.
"Okay." Chan backed out quietly. He ducked into the next office over. Knocking on Minki's office door, he peered in.
"Hey," Minki stood up. "I gotta bring these to the fourth floor, can you watch the phone for me?"
"Yeah, no problem." Chan smiled before taking a seat.
Ping
He knew that you and Minki were office best friends ever since you got hired. While he didn't mean to see it, Minki left his messenger open and slowly your messages came flooding in.
x: he moved on x: am i supposed to be upset? x: we broke up a year ago, so why do i feel so defeated haha x: maybe i'm just decomposing. why do i feel like this x: can we get drinks later? i know you hate it when i drink to drown out my sorrows, but i just can't be here right now.
Damn.
Chan swore he didn't mean to see all that. That would explain the mood though.
x: i didn't think i'd miss him this much. i just want to forget about it.
Taking in a deep breath, Chan pulled out his phone and made a call.
**
"Chan, why did you need me for this stupid client dinner? And who the hell has dinner at 4PM?" You continuously complained as he drove you down the road into the next district.
"Just relax, it'll be fine."
You rested your head against the passenger side window. As your breath fogged up the glass, you scribbled little hearts, peppered over the skyline as Chan drove. It wasn't until you started seeing signs that you realized you were at Banpo Bridge. Chan pulled into the empty parking lot.
"The client wants to have dinner here? What are we doing - getting takeout?" You jested.
Chan opened your door. "Go sit over there, I'll be right back."
You took your seat right by the edge of the water. The weather really was perfect today. The fresh air helped clear out your thoughts. Even though the breakup was a year ago, seeing that photo really made it feel like it just happened yesterday. Your heart broke twice, and yet you couldn't bring yourself to think that you hate him now. You loved him as a memory - a beautiful, happy memory, and it was time to let go now.
Chan re-emerged next to you, a bag with four bottles of soju and piping hot ramen in his hands.
"Um -" You nearly laughed at the sight of him struggling to carry everything. "Am I missing something? Are the clients your drinking buddies?"
"Sit, sit, please." Chan arranged everything down on the ledge.
"Not that I'm ungrateful, but I am confused."
"I, uh." He sat down next to you, removing his jacket. "I'm sorry. Please don't be mad at me."
Stopping halfway from opening a bottle, you looked up at him.
"y/n, Minki had me watch over his desk, and I... I'm sorry, I saw your messages."
"Chan, that was private." You looked down at your shoes, feeling the heaviness in your chest again.
"I know. And I'm sorry." He grabbed the bottle from you and opened it himself. "Minki had to run to another meeting, and I saw how sad you were. I just figured I'd help you escape for a bit. I called in a favor from the interns to watch your stuff, so we could... do this, I guess."
You'd always known Chan was a softie. He was that guy in the office who never forgot about birthdays and important events. He was never late, and he would do everything he could to help out the new people. Even to you, he was a big help whenever you needed it.
"Again, I'm sorry." He poured two shots and handed you one. "But you looked like you needed it, so - cheers."
You watched him as you threw back your soju. You stifled a smile, "Pitiful, isn't it. Still feeling like you've been dumped even after an entire year."
Chan winced as the alcohol hit the back of his throat. "Not at all. Who said that a year was the right time to get over someone? There's no rule for that."
You continued to sip slowly, watching him open up all the snacks.
"I haven't had a girlfriend in years, and I swear, after my last girlfriend and I broke up, I couldn't stop thinking about her even because of the littlest things. It wasn't a bad breakup, but when you have so many happy moments with someone, you can't help but feel sad when you see that person making new moments with someone else. It makes you wonder if that could've been me, y'know?"
It couldn't be stopped. One deep breath and suddenly all the tears started pouring out. You couldn't control your breathing, and it felt like the weight of the world finally came crashing down on your chest, reminding you of every little happy memory that had to be released into the ocean like confetti.
Chan rushed over, placing his jacket on your shoulders. He hushed you, rubbing your arms to warm you up. Crouching down in front of you, he pulled you up and brought you into his chest.
"Wait, I'll get makeup on your shirt -"
He laughed at your childish worries. "It's just a shirt. Just go ahead, it's okay. I can get it dry-cleaned, and you're worth more than some shirt."
Feeling your tears soak up in the cotton, you just cried, and Chan let you until it felt like there was nothing left. You chest was still heaving, but you felt the weight lift slowly. The sea air started filling your lungs again like an icy burn.
"I'm sorry." You finally looked up, mascara stained on your cheeks. You smeared what you could from your face before sitting.
"Stop apologizing." Chan sat down beside you again. "Do you feel better?"
"A little."
Placing his hand on yours, Chan smiled. It was a warm gentle smile. He squeezed, "It will get better. I promise."
"I just feel like everyone keeps moving on, and I'm just stuck here."
"Where is 'here' to you? 'Here' to me is existing with a good job with good friends and a good life. 'Here' is anything you're doing happily without him." He reached up to cup your cheek. "I know you feel miserable, but your body won't let you feel this way forever. And neither will I. Please don't feel as if 'here' is an awful place. 'Here', you have me, and I'll stay until you're not sad anymore."
Peering up at him with red eyes, you smiled with whatever energy you had. Sadness still sat on your shoulders, but it didn't feel so awful anymore.
Chan nodded towards you.
"Until you're not sad or until you ask me to leave - I'll be here for you."
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