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whereianonymouslypostfics · 1 year

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Silver Springs Part 9

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x reader

Word count: ~13.5k

Summary: Wanda tries to leave her mob life behind to start a family with you

A/N: Finally! The confrontation we’ve all been waiting for. So excited for them to call Vision out for being a little shit. ❤️

Chapter Warnings: Sexual content, blood, violence, and torture

Unsurprisingly you’re tired when you wake up, but you drink another cup of coffee with breakfast before heading out to work. You talked to Wanda about confronting Vision after you come home because you want to be present for whatever piss poor lie he tells. You want him to see you as something other than stunned because he can’t have the satisfaction of knowing you were upset. Wanda reluctantly agrees to wait, and decides to contact a couple of people about how to deal with Vision. She doesn’t say who it is of course, but she talks to her brother and then two of her best people for this particular job because she has nothing else to do but wait.

She considers talking to Nat or Yelena about what you told her, but she’s not sure she wants to. She is a little frustrated with them for keeping your secret when it affected your wellbeing to the point that it has. However, she’s equally glad that you have people that you can count on when it really matters. She’s just not sure she can get into it with them without asking why they didn’t try to get her to fire Vision.

Wanda sighs as she stares out the window from her kitchen counter. She doesn’t know what to do with herself and it’s not even noon. She briefly entertains the idea of wandering around, but she doesn’t want to draw attention to herself. She never is really seen unless she has something to do, or if something is wrong. Not to mention, people are still a little on edge about the aftermath of the Clark incident.

Fletcher jumps up on the counter a ways away, and Wanda sighs before she holds her hand out for the cat. The tabby hurries over to head boop her before trying to stick her head in her coffee mug. Wanda pushes her away while scratching her chin and Fletcher just bats at her with a meow.

“What should we do today, Fletch?”

The tabby just purrs as she steps into Wanda’s lap and nuzzles her before licking her chin. Wanda sighs as she just scratches her for a few minutes and thinks about how things have developed over the past few days. Someone, probably Vision, sends you flowers at work the same day that someone’s stalking you. Rumlow barely shoots Boone in the middle of the night through the window, but then he just flees. Thinking back on it, it seems like a pretty pointless trip overall. Rumlow clearly wasn’t told to kill Boone, but maybe just to scare them and get them thinking they weren’t safe. She wasn’t sure what Vision was trying to accomplish with that, but then you were poisoned the next day.

Wanda thinks back to your hospital stay, your very short stay and frowns. Again, if Vision really wanted you to suffer, he would have made sure you stayed in the hospital longer, right? Why was he just toying with them and half-assing everything? If he was smart, which Wanda hates to admit it, but he is, he wouldn’t do things pointlessly. Each effort costs money, and time and risks revealing him, so what was the point?

She tries to think about each event as an isolated incident. When you were sent flowers, you immediately texted her a picture asking if they were from her. The only thing that did honestly was make her a little jealous, but you’d soothed her jealousy easily enough. That same night someone surprised you after work, but they just ran away after placing a creepy doll in your car that amused you more than anything.

Suddenly Wanda remembers what Clark told her seconds before dying. He’d mentioned that Vision wanted to ruin her marriage. This was hardly news, but having him orchestra these honestly poor attempts at doing this exact thing was confusing to say the least. She’d figure that if Vision was going to have a go at this, that he was going to do a better job. He’d only worked alongside her for years, and had enough time to figure something more devastating out. It wasn’t that she wanted this per se, she was just underwhelmed and as a result suspicious of what was to come.

Would confronting him now with very insubstantial proof of his involvement be worth it? She honestly didn’t need proof that he was involved to want him dead, to actually kill him. He was a pain in her ass and based on what you told her, a despicable human being. She wanted him gone, but she was reluctant to do it quite yet.

Maybe when she confronts him tonight, she’ll have Steve, Bucky, and whoever else is free be there. Have him outnumbered and cornered for when she interrogates him.

The thought of what he’s done makes her blood boil and she tries to take a deep breath to calm down. She doesn’t want you to be there tonight, she really doesn’t because she’s not sure she’ll be able to hold herself back in front of you. Whatever justification, whatever lie he comes up with, she’ll want to punish him for it, and if that means a bullet between his eyes, she’ll be the one to do it. Despite your anger at him, she’s not sure you want to witness this, but she doesn’t feel right asking you to sit it out. You’re just as involved as she is, more so even and you deserve to see this through.

Wanda stands up with a sigh before rolling her shoulders and looking around the room. She has nothing that she wants to do here, so she may as well go blow off some steam. She texts Steve that she’s heading down to the shooting range and to join if he wants.

When Steve sees her text, he’s quick to get ready and meet her down there. Wanda only goes to the range for three reasons. One, she has something she needs to prepare for like a particular hit or a meeting that won’t end well. Two she’s training with you or someone else, or three she’s angry and wants to pretend the targets are someone’s face. Steve’s not quite sure which one it is, either option one or three, but there’s no way of finding out unless he goes down there with her.

He arrives to the private range to find her already going through an entire magazine on a target at the far wall. She’s wearing her earmuffs and she didn’t see him come in, but she still somehow knows he’s there. She turns to him before setting the gun down and ejecting the empty magazine and replacing it. She slips her earmuffs off so she can talk to him.

“Hey. Have you talked with Bucky?”

Steve just nods because he’d been in touch a little while ago just to check in. He says this before moving next to Wanda and setting down his case that has three of his guns in it.

“Yes, Y/n’s fine, busy.”

Wanda shakes her head before pressing the button nearby for a new target. She watches Steve open his case and get his guns set up before sighing in exhaustion. She’s tired and she really wants this all to be over. She’s hoping that the end is near, and she doesn’t mean hers.

“No, I meant if he told you about last night at all?”

Steve doesn’t have to think about his answer, and he nods as he loads his handguns and sets them down beside his rifle. Bucky had told him that Wanda was thinking about going after Vision sooner than initially planned. She was losing patience and he was getting bolder and pissing Wanda off.

“He said that Vision’s telling lies and you’re thinking of confronting him later today.”

Wanda just nods before agreeing that she’s planning on talking to him tonight. You just wanted to be involved, so they were waiting until tonight.

“Ideally we’ll have Nat and Yelena there too, the more the merrier.”

Steve almost laughs at this, but he realizes that Wanda’s serious. She’s serious and she’s anxious about what’s going to happen. She’s probably down here to blow off steam and think about what she’ll do. She has enough information to reach a verdict, but she does want someone else, her closest confidants to be on the same page so they can understand.

Steve understands why their presence is necessary and he nods before taking out his phone.

“I’ll see if they’re free after this.”

Wanda nods before smiling in thanks and putting her earmuffs back on. She picks up her gun before taking aim and shooting once again.

You are having a pretty good day considering the night you’d had. After making an announcement about labeling all food items left in the back, you resumed your normal day and saw your many appointments. Most of them were easy, and a few interesting, but your mind wasn’t really on work today. You were thinking about Vision and how everything he’s done in the past week, assuming he’s responsible, has just been a nuisance more than a real threat. If he’s wanted you dead, he would have found a way to do it by now. He was toying with you or trying to piss you off with only a little success.

You have some time between appointments, and you find yourself wondering what it takes to make someone like him go to such lengths. You assume his endgame is to win over your wife, and despite his less than stellar start, everything he’s done seems to be with that goal in mind.

He wants you out of the way but given that Wanda knows he’s responsible, does he really believe she’ll choose him?

You sigh in defeat as you see that your next appointment is here, and you grab your stethoscope before heading downstairs. You only have a couple of more hours until you’re back at the compound and can confront Vision with Wanda and the rest of the gang. You just hope it’s worth it.

Vision is not surprised to be called in by Wanda later in the afternoon. He claims he has some things to finish up but that he can be there later tonight. She agrees and Vision just smiles as he sits back down at his desk and fiddles with the device in his hand. He’s contemplated sharing the recording on his phone, but then he feared it would be confiscated and then he wouldn’t have it anymore, so he’d put it on a USB and was going to give it to you or Wanda depending on his mood.

He's already drafted a text to you with an audio file of the recording so you can have it just minutes before he shares it. He wants you to be able to go over it in agonizing detail to your heart’s content. He smirks at the idea before pocketing the drive and stifling a yawn. He’d called Rumlow earlier and gone over the plan with him for later this week.

He was getting bored of dragging this out, so he was going to do his best to make sure this all comes to head by the end of the week. He just needs to make sure that you and Wanda are still fighting by then, but considering what he’s going to share in just a few hours, he’s certain that won’t be a problem.

When you finally leave work, you’re a little sore from your last appointment. You’d done most of it on the ground next to a nervous dog and your knees ached from kneeling on the tile floor. You feel older than your years as you get into your car with Boone settling in the back seat as usual. You take a deep breath before speaking into the emptiness of your car.

“Are you ready for this, Bucky?”

He’s been in contact with Steve and then Wanda while you worked and was able to confirm that Vision would be there at 7. That gave you just enough time to get home, change and meet with everyone who would be in attendance besides the blonde. He tells you this and you just nod to yourself. You feel your anxiety increase at the thought of this meeting’s outcome. Vision has to be prepared for Wanda to call him out for lying to you, but you’re just uncertain of how he’s going to react.

You’re not afraid for Wanda. You know, despite hating him for it, that Vision would rather hurt you ten times over before laying a finger on your wife. You’re not even particularly worried for yourself because your very capable friends will be in attendance and they will certainly be armed.

You suppose you’re mostly worried about Vision surprising you again with his insidious way. You’re afraid of being humiliated in front of all of your friends, and ridiculed about your insecurities and you’re not looking forward to it. You don’t tell Bucky this because despite the fact that he knows some of what Vision did, you don’t think he knows everything. You trust Nat and Yelena to keep it a secret, but now Wanda knows, and you’d be shocked if she doesn’t bring it up during the meeting.

You’re almost disappointed when you arrive to the compound and you take your time to get Boone out of the car before meeting Bucky at the elevator. He realizes you’re tense and he just offers you a smile before patting you on the back.

“Try to relax for a few minutes. Get something to eat, and remember to bring Boone to the meeting.”

You had forgotten about this detail. His presence always made you feel better, and if things got rough you knew having him close could calm you down. He was also still your security detail until further notice, and he had a gun, knife, and pepper spray in his harness pouch.

You nod in agreement before telling Bucky you’ll see him soon. Boone leads the way to your rooms and you take a deep breath before opening the door.

“Wands?”

You call out into the quiet room to find the immediate areas empty. There’s food on the stove, but you can’t entertain the idea of eating until you find your wife. You lay your bag down on the counter before heading toward the bedroom.

You find Wanda sitting in bed with her eyes closed with Fletcher wandering the room. You can tell that she’s already ready for the meeting given how she’s dressed in a suit and she has a gun sticking out from under her jacket. Her legs are crossed and she’s taking deep breaths every few seconds. You realize she’s trying to calm herself down as well and you just move to the closet to find what you’re going to wear.

“How was work?”

You turn back around and see that Wanda’s eyes are still closed so you start undressing with a shrug. You move a little slower when removing your pants but she doesn’t notice as she continues to focus on her breathing.

“It was fine. No one fed me and no one bit me.”

Wanda smiles slightly at your words before she opens her eyes to see what you’re up to. You’re buttoning your shirt and reaching back into the closet for a jacket. Wanda waits until you make your selection and slip it on before speaking up.

“Are you sure you want to go to this, Y/n?”

You knew this was coming so you already have your answer prepared when you turn to see Wanda looking at you with an unreadable expression.

“No, not really, but I feel like I need to go. Plus, everyone will be there, so I’ll feel like I’m missing out if I don’t.”

Wanda thought this would be your response so she just nods and starts to stand up. She wants to get this over with, but she also wants to make sure you’re as prepared as possible. She holds out her hand to you, and you don’t hesitate to close the distance and take her hand with a sigh.

“Okay. I want you to be prepared though. If he says something disgusting or incriminating someone will hurt him.”

You assumed this would happen, but Wanda not saying specifically that it would be her makes you wonder what she expects. You nod before bringing her hand to your lips with a smile.

“As long as I get to watch.”

This gets a small smile out of your wife and you count that as a win before you drag her out to the kitchen. You both should eat something before you go, and you manage to lie down for ten whole minutes before it’s time to leave.

You’re a little anxious as you follow Wanda, and she can tell so she squeezes your hand. “It’ll be okay, detka. We’re all going to be there with you.”

You nod before following Wanda into Pietro’s office that is more than spacious enough for the small crowd that’s gathered.

Yelena’s sitting on the window sill staring outside at the moonlit grounds while Nat’s chatting with Steve on one of the couches. Bucky’s standing in the corner behind the desk where you assume Wanda will be sitting. You follow Boone’s lead and greet Yelena before sitting in one of the chairs in front of the desk. Wanda takes survey of everyone in the room before sitting behind the desk with a sigh. You’re the only one not armed as far as she can tell, but that’s fine for now. If you end up needing a gun then there’s going to be a lot of trouble.

“Thank you all for coming. Y/n and I appreciate your support.”

Wanda sets her laptop on the desk and opens it briefly to make sure her notes are all there. She’s written everything down because it helps her organize her thoughts and reach her decision on how to handle this. When there’s a knock on the door, she sits up straighter in her chair before calling Vision in.

The blonde had expected only two fewer people than were in attendance. He knew you’d be there as well as the body guards, but Yelena and Nat’s presences are a bit of a wrinkle. Still, he smiles slightly as he closes the door behind him and fiddles with his tie.

“I wasn’t expecting a full house, but okay.”

Wanda frowns and everyone follows suit as he turns to you briefly before addressing Wanda. Boone’s staring at him and his hackles are up as he prepares for whatever happens next. Wanda gestures for the chair beside you silently.

“Good to see you again, Y/n.”

You just frown before offering a tight smile and saying the only thing you plan to during the meeting.

“Vision, I wish I could say the same.”

He doesn’t seem surprised by your response, if anything he expected it and he’s smiling to himself. He opens his mouth to say something, but Wanda cuts him off with a scowl.

“The reason for the full house, Vision is that I wanted to ask you something that they’re all going to hear the answer to eventually.”

Wanda’s jaw clenches as she watches Vision turn to her with a curious look as if he doesn’t know why he was here. She takes a breath to compose herself before deciding to get to the point and save them all some time.

“What can I answer for you, Wanda?”

You grit your teeth as Vision eyes your wife curiously. You realize you’re going to have a harder time at this than you thought if he’s going to be oh so eager to help the entire time. Wanda feels similarly and she cuts right to the chase to save them all from the disingenuous performance.

“Why did you lie to Y/n about what happens during interrogations?”

Vision frowns in confusion before shaking his head in response. You feel your phone vibrate in your pocket, but you ignore it as you watch Vision try to pull one over on your wife.

“I’m not sure I know what you mean.”

Everyone knew what she meant, including Vision, but apparently, he wanted Wanda to say it. She glared at him before leaning forward to bite out her response.

“You told her that I have sex with them, with Clark. Why?”

Vision actually smiles and you feel your hatred for him increase ten-fold at the sight. You force yourself to stay in your chair, but your grip on the armrests is painfully tight as Vision just deadpans.

“Because you did, Wanda. What’s the point of lying when I have proof?”

Wanda’s on her feet in a second and she practically snarls at Vision in anger.

“That’s bullshit! You can ‘t have proof when it didn’t happen.”

Vision merely reaches into his pocket and everyone but you, stiffens in anticipation. Yelena’s hand goes to her gun and Steve and Bucky stand up straighter, ready to move if needed. When Vision just pulls out a thumb drive and just holds it out to Wanda everyone is confused.

“Why don’t you look at that and then say that again.”

Wanda’s baffled by Vision’s insistence that this truly happened. Is he that delusional or did he scrounge up something he believes backs up his story? She just stares at it angrily, but makes no move to take it from him as she considers her options. Vision simply places it on the desk before he sits back in his chair and shrugs. He turns to you and you instantly brace yourself.

“If you’d rather, Y/n, you can look at that text, it has the file attached to it.”

You frown in confusion and hate that you’re already reaching for your phone. You see a text from an unknown number, presumably Vision and it has an audio file – nearly 2 minutes long attached to it. You look to Wanda who seems as confused as you are, but you put your phone back in your pocket right as your wife goes to grab the drive.

“That’s probably a better idea.”

You and Wanda glare at him again as the redhead opens her computer and inserts the drive hesitantly.

“I don’t know what the fuck you think this is--.”

Wanda trails off as she opens the file and plays the recording attached for everyone to hear. You’re confused at first as it starts, but this slowly becomes horror as you recognize the voice as your wife’s. The breathy moans and the accompanying pleas make your jaw drop.

Oh god, fuck, fuck – ah shit, please!

The second voice that you hear a few seconds later is one that you’ve only heard once but given how recently this was you recognize it immediately.

Fuck yeah. God you’re so good. Je—

The recording is stopped once Wanda manages to snap herself out of her shock and horror. However, it’s too late and the very damning proof that Vision insisted on has already been heard. Wanda’s still trying to figure out how the fuck Vision made this happen as she slams the computer shut and yells at him.

“What the fuck! How the hell did you manage this you bastard? That’s not--!”

Wanda trails off because she can’t say it’s not her. She unfortunately recognizes her own voice, and Clark’s and despite never even touching him she can’t explain what Vision’s given her. She storms around the desk, ignoring her friends’ shock, confusion and disgust as she grabs Vision by the shirt and yanks him out of his chair.

“You did this. You screwed with something, made this to fit with your lie. I never did this! Tell them I never did this!”

Wanda’s wide-eyed and breathing heavily as she throws Vision to the ground. He just smiles wickedly up at the bewildered redhead before turning to you. You’ve said nothing this entire time, you’re just sitting as stiff as a board while you barely breathe. You’re still trying to convince yourself that it’s a lie, but you just can’t put it together, not with so little time, and not with so many people watching you.

“I guess you really aren’t enough, hmm, Y/n?”

This catches your attention and you turn to Vision at the same time that Wanda pulls her gun on him. She’s shaking she’s so angry, but she’s looking at you as you continue to look dazed and overwhelmed. You realize you need to get out, and you stand slowly before you start to retreat.

“I-I need to go.”

Wanda keeps her gun trained on Vision who is still smiling up at you as she takes a step towards you.

“Y/n, no, please. Don’t go--.”

It’s too late and you’ve already turned around and fled before anyone could stop you. Boone races after you and the door slams shut behind him. Vision’s laughing but it’s cut off as Wanda slams her foot into his chest forcing him to the ground. She considers shooting him right now, but she’s more worried about you and needs to run after you.

“You son of a bitch!”

Wanda tucks her gun away and runs to the door, but not before shouting over her shoulder. “Don’t let him leave!”

When the door slams again, everyone but Vision is left with whiplash and no one speaks for a full minute. It’s Bucky who speaks first since he’s reached his decision the fastest. He doesn’t—he refuses to believe that Wanda would cheat on you. This entire thing, this entire week has been orchestrated by Vision as some sick scheme to break his friends up. This was just part of that, and the tape, regardless of how disturbing and incriminating, it couldn’t be real.

He moves from where he’s standing and hovers over Vision with a scowl as he contemplates how to punish the blonde.

“You sick fuck! How did you manage to pull this off?”

You don’t even know where you’re going when you start running. You just run for the nearest door and storm up the stairs before finding an elevator. You frantically press the button and mutter a curse under your breath when you hear the door to the stairwell open behind you.

“Y/n, wait!”

As soon as the door opens you rush in and press the close door button praying that it closes before Wanda catches up to you. You breathe a sigh of relief when it closes and you press the button for the top floor before pressing the two below that. You don’t want Wanda following you, and this is the only way you can think of to stop her. You can barely see past your tears and you jump when you see something move in your periphery. You spin around and see Boone standing behind you and you kneel down to pull him into a hug.

“Hey bud. We’re going to play a game, okay?”

Wanda waits until she knows which floor you’re going to before heading for the stairs. She doesn’t even know what she’s going to say to you. She has no idea how she’d react if she were in your place. It’s not something she’d ever want to experience and she hates that Vision’s managed to take all of her expectations and throw them out the window. She thought he was simply going to admit to being a liar before addressing his entire plot. She didn’t even get to mention any of that and Wanda hates that he’s managed to manipulate them all so easily.

She’s breathing hard by the time she runs up four flights of stairs, but as she exits the stairwell, she doesn’t see you anywhere. She doesn’t hear anything and as she hurries down the hall there’s no sign of you or Boone. After spinning around uselessly for too long, she reaches into her pocket for her phone with shaky hands. It takes her three tries to unlock it but then she goes to her app that’s connected to your tracking devices. There’s one in your car, phone, and then one in your shoulder. The two dots on the map aren’t very far from her and she turns around before heading in your direction with a confused frown. It’s not until she reaches the door to the roof that she realizes where you are. She puts her phone away and swipes her keycard before pushing her way through the door and hurrying up the stairs.

When she bursts into the cold night air, she doesn’t see you immediately. Rather she sees two glowing eyes staring at her off in the distance. She realizes belatedly that it’s Boone and she goes to move toward them when she hears something behind her. She turns but doesn’t see anything immediately and is about to turn around back towards Boone when she realizes there’s something at her feet.

She kneels down to pick it up and her heart stops when she realizes it’s your phone. She curses under her breath before taking her phone out again and checking on you again. She sees you moving and takes off back towards the door with Boone on her heels. She realizes you used him as a distraction, and by leaving your phone, she assumes you know about that tracker but probably not the one in your shoulder. She’d juggled with the idea of planting one on you just in case, but she’d never told you about it. She still feels guilty about it, especially now when she realizes you really want to be left alone, but at the same time she’s glad that she can keep track of you.

“Fuck.”

You just need to get out of this building. You can’t spend another second here and as soon as you arrive to your room you start packing a bag. You grab what you’ll need for work tomorrow as well as your money and some of Boone’s food. You feel guilty about leaving him on the roof, but you knew Wanda would find him. You just needed to buy yourself some time to get away. You can’t talk to your wife right now because you’ll just scream at her and you don’t want to say anything you’ll regret. You don’t know what to make of Vision’s weird sex tape and as much as you hate it you’re going to have to listen to it later to try and figure out what it means.

You leave quickly, letting the door slam shut behind you as you head for the stairs again. You push the door open only to see your wife rushing down the stairs in front of you. You sigh in defeat before shaking your head and turning back around. There’s no point of getting exercise now. You’ll just use the elevator since Wanda’s already found you. Boone comes running out of the stairwell too and you’re at least glad to see him.

“Y/n, detka, please. Don’t go. Let’s talk about this, please.”

Wanda starts to panic when she sees you have a bag, and you won’t even look at her as you continue to shake your head as you make your way to the elevator. You press the button before she reaches out for your arm, and you react immediately.

“I swear I didn’t do this. I don’t know how, but Vision--.”

She’s cut off as you yank your arm away and step back from her. You can’t do this right now. You need to get as far away from her as possible.

“Let go. I-I can’t talk about this right now. I need space, okay?”

Wanda looks to you and then Boone who’s got his ears pinned back as he reluctantly growls at her. He’s not sure what’s going on, and he’s not used to his mothers fighting, but he knows whose side he’s always on. Wanda doesn’t reach out for you again but she does try to get you to stay.

“Okay, okay. Just don’t go. I’ll sleep somewhere else tonight, please.”

You shake your head again as you take a deep breath and look to your wife. You nearly break down when you see how upset she is. She’s crying and she’s flushed from running after you for so long. She sees tears in your eyes as well and feels a desperate need to hug you, but she’s aware of Boone watching her carefully, so she holds back.

“No, you stay here. I just—I’m going.”

Wanda realizes that short of forcing you to stay she’s not going to stop you from leaving. You don’t want it, but Wanda reaches into her pocket and puts your phone in your hand.

“At least take Bucky with you.”

You are going to refuse this too, but honestly, it’s not a bad idea. Sure Vision’s accounted for right now, but who knows who he’s enlisted for help. The last thing you want is to be killed while you’re running from Wanda. You sigh in defeat as you step into the elevator and push the button for the parking garage. Boone’s by your side immediately and Wanda’s at least grateful that he’ll be with you if no one else.

“I’m leaving in 3 minutes.”

The doors shut between you two and Wanda’s already pulling out her phone to call Bucky.

The four friends didn’t just stand around and wait for Wanda to return. Yelena was the first to stand up and punch Vision in the face. She curses at him in Russian before spitting on him in disgust. He was a sorry excuse for a man and she needs Wanda to get rid of him. After all the hurt he’s caused you, he pulls something like this? She’s not sure how he pulled it off, but Wanda’s reaction said it all.

All of them had been horrified and struck dumb by what they heard, but despite what it sounded like, it couldn’t be right. There were ways to alter things to fabricate a story, and despite how unsettling it is to think of Vision having basically a sex tape of Wanda, it would be less disturbing than Wanda actually cheating on you with Clark.

“Come on Vision, fess up. Tell us how you did it.”

The blonde just lays on the ground with blood gushing from his nose as he stares at her in stubborn silence. Nat and Steve are sitting on the desk in front of him, watching as he tries and fails to keep the blood off his shirt. Bucky’s about to hit him again when his phone rings and when he sees that it’s Wanda, he hurries to answer it.

“Hey, did you--?”

He trails off as Wanda starts trying to explain what happened. Given how quiet the room is almost everyone overhears her frantically telling Bucky that you’re leaving and that he needs to follow her.

“She won’t talk to me, Bucky. She’s leaving for the night or longer, and I need you to go with her, please.”

Bucky’s already heading out the door and shooting everyone a look as he leaves. Vision’s smiling at the fact you’re apparently leaving, and despite how distraught Wanda sounds, he’s glad that his plan has worked so far. He doesn’t have much time to gloat before Steve’s hitting him again and forcing him onto his back. He pins him to the ground much like Wanda had before glowering at him.

“You think this is funny? You’re trying to ruin her marriage so she’ll run to you, is that what you think will happen, huh? Talk!”

Vision just starts laughing and Steve’s about to hit him again when Nat speaks up. She reaches out for Steve, putting a hand on his shoulder to stop him as she gives Vision an appraising, disgusted look.

“He’s waiting for Wanda. This is all just a sick game to him. I hope you know she’s going to beat your ass for this, Vision.”

Steve frowns at this but can’t argue with what Nat’s saying. He doesn’t even get a chance to think about it when the door flies open, and slams against the wall signaling Wanda’s return. She storms over to Vision seeing him still on the ground she goes to haul him to his feet as she screams at him.

“You piece of shit! Why would you do this to me, Vision? Why do you hate me so fucking much?”

Wanda slams him against the wall once, twice and then a third time before preparing to punch him. She’s wiped out from running all the way back here, and she needs to sit down before she passes out, but more importantly she needs to beat Vision until he can’t see or think anymore.

“I don’t hate you.”

This is the first time he’s spoken since she left the room and everyone turns to him in confusion. It certainly seems like he hates her, and even after she punches him in the nose again, and throws him onto Pietro’s desk he’s still smiling. He lands on the ground in a bloody heap and Wanda is still seething as she watches him crawl towards her.

“It sure feels like it.”

He’s shaking his head and Steve comes to stand beside Wanda because he’s sure she’s going to want to take this downstairs soon. He’s also slightly worried that she’s going to pass out. She’s breathing heavily and she’s flushed from more than just anger, but she stands steady as she looks down on him.

“I don’t. I love you, and if you were with me you wouldn’t have to step out to be satisfied, Wands.”

Wanda grabs Steve’s shoulder to steady herself as she kicks Vision in the face sending him flying backwards onto the ground again. He’s passed out and everyone’s grateful for it as Wanda takes a deep breath and glances around the room. Nat’s watching her with an expression that gives nothing away, and Yelena looks pleased with Vision’s current state. Steve’s eyeing her with concern but she ignores it for now as she forces herself to breathe.

“Let’s get him to the basement.”

Bucky’s shocked to find you waiting by your car with Boone when he charges into the garage. Without a lot of notice, he’d almost neglected to go by his room and grab a bag and a couple of extra magazines. He’d taken 5 minutes but he was certain you’d be peeling out of the garage and getting out as fast as you could. Instead, you were waiting patiently for him to arrive before greeting him with a blank face that gave nothing away.

“Buck, you don’t have to come with me. I won’t tell her if you don’t.”

Bucky nearly laughs at this but he holds back since he has a feeling you wouldn’t appreciate it right now. Your lack of enthusiasm and the fact that you don’t say Wanda’s name makes him realize you’re trying to distance yourself from what just happened, at least until you’re alone.

“Not a chance, kid. Lead the way.”

You look at him for a moment before you just nod and get in your car. You let Boone sit up front because it’s that kind of night, and you pet him with one hand as you steer with the other as you head to your destination. You only see this hotel practically every day on your drive to work, and you figure being close to there will benefit you tomorrow when you have to go in on very little sleep.

The ride’s silent and that reminds you that you didn’t bring your coms and you won’t be able to communicate with Bucky during work tomorrow, but that’s okay for now. You’re too ticked to really care about anything other than listening to the recording that’s practically calling you from your pocket. You park in the hotel lot before you reach into the back seat and grab Boone’s service animal vest. He’s never felt like more of service animal to you than in the past week, and you switch his harnesses out and replace the supplies carefully as he licks your face.

“Thanks, Boone.”

You get out of the car and grab your bag from the back seat already thinking about how poorly you’d packed.

You turn to find Bucky and are grateful that he doesn’t say anything before following you inside. You walk to the front desk not really paying any mind to the looks you get with Boone by your side. The person behind the desk notices his vest so she simply smiles before greeting you and Bucky once she knows you’re together.

“Good evening, how can I help you?”

You have a lot of answers to that, but you merely smile back before requesting two rooms. If this throws off the clerk, she doesn’t mention it before asking if you want them to be adjoining. You think about saying no because he’s going to undoubtedly hear you crying your eyes out, and that’s going to be embarrassing. However, you also don’t want a complete stranger to hear you either. You turn to Bucky deferring to him.

“Whatever you want.”

He nods before asking for rooms near the stairwell and the brunette offers a smile before handing you two key cards. You thank her and look around the lobby briefly taking stock of your options before heading to the elevator.

“Rooms 505 and 507.”

Boone steps in the elevator first and you and Bucky follow him wordlessly. You sigh in exhaustion before putting a hand on your stomach with a groan. You’re not sure if you’re hungry or nauseous honestly, you’re a bit of both, but you ignore it for now as you watch the floors go by.

“Are you okay?”

You decide to answer this in the easiest way possible. You figure he’s asking about your stomach and you just nod before deciding to lie. Any unsettled feeling is almost certainly from tonight’s events and you’re going to believe that until proven otherwise.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I apologize ahead of time, Buck. Tonight’s not going to be pretty.”

He just nods as the doors open on your floor and you step outside with a grimace. You are not looking forward to spending the next night or so here. You knew you wouldn’t be able to sleep next to let alone in the same room as Wanda tonight, but maybe running away to a hotel was a little premature. You were feeling guilty, but didn’t want to go back to your wife until you had answers. Or at least a little clarity about the entire situation.

You feel Bucky reach out for you as you arrived to the room you’ll be sharing with Boone. You turn to him and see his kind smile and you almost start crying immediately.

“I understand, but I’m here for whatever you need, okay?”

You nod in understanding and whisper a quiet goodnight before leaving Bucky standing in the hallway. He sighs before entering his own room and pulling out his phone. He looks around the room with a sigh before throwing his things on the bed. He’s exhausted from the events of tonight, but he’s going to stay up for a while longer. He opens one of his bags to check his things before he decided to just get it over with. He texts Wanda that you’re set up for the night before taking a deep breath and looking to the door between your room and his.

Tonight, definitely wasn’t going to be pretty.

When Vision comes to, he’s been stripped of his jacket, phone, gun and his tie. They’re thrown haphazardly in the corner, and Wanda just sits in a chair in the corner as she stares at him. Steve is standing beside her and Yelena and Nat, although gone, have checked in. She’d sent them to Vision’s place to see if they could find anything that would help her exonerate herself. She hates to admit it, but after thinking on it, she figures that if Vision had one recording of her, he likely had more. Despite how violated it makes her feel, she’s almost hoping to find something that she can use to get you back to her. She’s distraught because she’s afraid you believe what Vision claims, and she hates that you won’t talk about it with her. She understands your confusion, frustration and your betrayal, but she just hopes you take the time to really think about it and realize that she couldn’t have done this. She wouldn’t have done this to you.

She didn’t remember about the copy that Vision had sent you until a few minutes ago, and she dreads the idea of you listening to it. She had briefly seen how long it was, and she couldn’t even consider what the rest of it held. She wanted to reach out to you, but she needed to respect your desire for some space even if it killed her. She’s brought back to the present by the sound of Vision groaning and she just scowls as he looks around before his gaze settles on her.

“Good you’re awake.”

Wanda didn’t really mean this. Honestly, she wouldn’t have minded if he never woke up, but part of her wanted answers for this, and she was going to get them. Despite being present, she didn’t plan on giving Vision the satisfaction of being touched by her. If she had to guess he’d probably get off on it and that was the last thing she wanted for him.

He turns to Steve with a frown before turning back to Wanda with a disappointed look.

“You know, I was really hoping this would be just us.”

Wanda grits her teeth before rolling her eyes at his insistence on being such a pain in the ass.

“And I was hoping to be in bed with my wife, but you fucked that up too.”

Vision just grimaces at the thought before he shakes his head and looks to Steve again with a glare. He doesn’t want the older man here, but he doesn’t get a chance to say this again before Wanda speaks up with a scowl. She leans forward in her chair and tilts her head slightly as she cuts Vision’s bitching off.

“What I really want though, is for you to tell me how long you’ve been a fucking pervert.”

Vision strains and pulls against the ropes around his wrists when Wanda says this and he just shakes his head before offering an unsatisfying answer.

“I’m not a pervert, Wanda, I--.”

He’s cut off when Steve backhands making him curse under his breath from the force. He scowls and spits out some blood and maybe a tooth before gritting his teeth. Wanda just watches him unamused before she sits back and crosses her arms.

“Wrong answer. Try again.”

You realize the fault in your plan as soon as you sit down on the bed and pull out your phone. You stare at Vision’s text and the sound clip that’s 1 minute and 49 seconds. That seems like an agonizingly long time to listen to your wife have sex with someone else. You stop at this and clench your teeth at the thought with a shake of your head. This isn’t something that actually happened and you need to keep that in mind as you listen to this. You take a deep breath before digging in your bag for your headphones. You’re not playing this out into the room because it feels wrong. Not to mention Boone is lying on the ground at your side and he’s going to undoubtedly be confused by the sound.

So you take your headphones and put them in your ears and just lie back in bed. You hold your breath as you try to remember what Wanda told you earlier this week. She told you that she loves you and that she would never even consider being with anyone the way she is with you. You keep this in mind as you press play on your phone.

Even the first few seconds that you’d already heard are brutal and you’re clenching your teeth hard to keep from screaming, or crying or both. You realize that lying in bed was a terrible idea and you jump up and walk around as you continue to listen to the recording of your wife and Clark. You’re about half way in when you realize how odd it sounds. You retreat into the bathroom, and Boone follows you curiously. You feel your face grow hot and your tears start to fall as you climb into the bathtub and start to cry.

You flinch at each loud moan from either person and you shake your head as you start to mutter under your breath.

“It’s not real. It’s not real.”

You don’t realize that Boone’s joined you in the bathroom. He stares at you in confusion before he sits on the floor beside the tub. You try to control your breathing but you’re still near panting by the time the recording ends. You take a moment to recover from it as you think about what you just heard. You could tell a couple of things just from your first run through. Wanda sounded different, and you weren’t sure how, but you were going to figure it out. Second, Clark sounded off too. You couldn’t be sure because you didn’t know him and you’d never had sex with him, but he sounded forced.

You couldn’t put a name to it and you groan loudly when you realize you’re going to need to listen to it again. You decide to be strategic about it, at least as much as possible and you decide to listen to Clark this time. You open your eyes and nearly jump at the sight of Boone watching you over the tub. You sigh before patting your lap and your dog quickly jumps to his feet to hop in the tub with you. He lays down beside you with his head in your lap and you sigh happily before kissing his head.

You look back to your phone and unlock it before pressing play.

Wanda’s beginning to worry that Vision isn’t going to crack. He just continues to insist that he’s not creepy (which he is) and that he’s in love with her (which unfortunately she believes). She sighs as she decides to take a different approach. Vision’s so bloodied that he probably can’t see out of his eyes well, so Wanda moves to take Steve’s place. He sits down in her chair reluctantly once she gestures to it before she sighs heavily.

“Vision, I don’t understand why you won’t tell me when this started. Have you been listening to me in bed with my wife for years?”

Wanda continues to circle Vision until she’s standing in front of him again. She shoots him a smile that he barely sees as she kneels in front of him.

“Does that kind of thing get you off? Or is it something else?”

Wanda waits for him to give any indication that he’s going to answer, but after a little while she gives up. She sighs before walking over to where his phone is sitting on his jacket. She picks it up and turns it on only to see its security is set to be unlocked by a face. She laughs slightly realizing this might be an issue. Still, she gives it a shot and walks back over to Vision and holds it in front of him.

“Smile.”

He looks up in confusion until he realizes what she’s trying to do, but it doesn’t matter. His phone doesn’t recognize him and Wanda just chooses a different unlock option. The code takes six digits, and Wanda takes a second to think about it. She puts her birthday in and it immediately unlocks, and she can’t help but scoff.

“My birthday? Seriously?”

Vision just shifts uneasily as Wanda begins to look through his phone. She goes to this gallery first which is mostly boring. She doesn’t see anything particularly incriminating until she goes to his downloads and sees the audio files. They’re just labeled by date and the first one is from nearly 10 years ago. She frowns at this before digging into her pocket and yanking out a pair of headphones. She’s not making this mistake again, and despite how stoic Steve is, she doesn’t want him to hear her have sex twice in one night.

Vision tenses when he realizes what she’s doing, but he’s powerless to stop her. He jerks slightly but she pays him no mind as she puts her headphones on and listens to the first file. She doesn’t say anything as she listens, but she stiffens and turns to face Steve with a stricken look on her face. He doesn’t get to ask before Wanda moves to the next file which is dated around the same time.

Again, she listens and her jaw drops in shock. These are all her. Each one of these recordings are her in bed with someone, most likely you, she can’t be sure but given the timeline that would make the most sense. She doesn’t listen to them long enough to hear her say a name, and the recording is distorted so it muffles any noise that isn’t coming from her. She listens to one more to confirm her suspicion before scrolling through the list of nearly 2 dozen files. The most recent dating last week. This tells Wanda that whatever he’s done over the years has continued since they moved back to the compound. She listens to the most recent one and her face flushes at what part Vision’s kept and she turns it off immediately at the thought of him listening to this.

She shoves his phone in her pocket before spinning around to glare at him. She’s breathing deeply to try to calm herself down because honestly beating him more at this point won’t get him to talk. She’s certain he’d rather die than admit to being jealous of you.

“You sick fuck. You’re disgusting. I can’t—I can’t believe you’ve been listening in for years and saving it on your fucking phone.”

She can’t help but smile as he flinches and she reaches out to grab his face to force him to look at her. He groans in pain but doesn’t resist much as Wanda shoots him a taunting look.

“Do you listen to them every night pretending that you’re the one fucking me? Are you that pathetic Vision?”

He doesn’t say anything in response, but his eyes harden at her jibe. She lets go of him before watching him squirm as she stares him down. She twirls the ring on her finger, wishing that you were here with her as she taunts and tortures Vision.

“You’re getting off on this aren’t you? That’s why you’re not talking. You want me to touch you, tease you a little? Well, that’s not going to happen. I’ll leave you here to rot before I give you anything.”

Wanda stands up and turns toward the door intending to leave. Vision realizes this as Steve stands up, and he speaks up to stop her from leaving.

“Then you won’t know how to stop it.”

Wanda groans under her breath before she turns around to face Vision with an unamused look. Steve’s already gathering up all of the weapons on the table and packing them up. If Wanda really is going to leave him here, there needs to be nothing in the room when they lock it behind them.

“Stop what, Vision? Your recordings? You don’t have to worry about that.”

Vision shakes his head before smiling cruelly at the redhead who’s halfway out the door.

“No, the hit I’ve already put out on Y/n.”

Two hours and a dozen times listening to the recording later you’ve come to one important conclusion. This was doctored. It’s not really Wanda with Clark and you thank whoever is listening that you know this for a fact. You’re not sure how Vision pulled it off, but if he was working with Clark maybe he’d had him record his part with someone else, either way you didn’t want to think about it.

You also certainly didn’t want to think about the implications of Vision having a recording of your wife having sex. You realized the more you listened to this one that Wanda was younger, this was years old and the possibility that Vision had been recording her somehow, recording both of you made you sick. You nearly gagged at the thought of Vision listening to this and doing who knows what. You curse under your breath as you rip the headphones out of your ears and stand up. Boone startles as well and is quick to follow you back out into the room. He’d fallen asleep with you after you didn’t appear to be doing much, but when you grab his leash, he gets excited.

“Let’s go for a walk, Boone.”

He just barks in excitement and you hush him before grabbing your jacket, keys and phone. You stop short of opening the door and decide to grab the gun from in his pouch and stick it in your pocket. You almost want to go home now that you know Vision’s really just continued to prove himself as a manipulative shit by making up something this elaborate. You sigh in defeat as you open the door to your room and find Bucky standing outside of his waiting for you.

“How did you know?”

He just shrugs and you groan in response before waving him along. You’re starving and you need to eat before you go to bed. It’s nearly 11 but you knew a grocery store around here that was 24/7.

“I’m starving, let’s go to Sprouts.”

Bucky just nods as he follows after you in silence. He’s a little surprised to see you looking pretty good all things considered. Sure your eyes are red and you’ve obviously been crying, but you almost seem lighter and less burdened by Vision’s lies.

He doesn’t get a chance to ask about this when his phone buzzes with a text from Nat. He takes it out as you ride down the elevator and his eyes widen.

Look what we found in Vision’s place.

Attached to the text is a photo of what Nat and Yelena must have found and laid out on his bed. There were hundreds of pictures of Wanda, with a dozen or more tapes and recorders laid out on top of them. There are a couple of articles of clothing and a gun or two that he doesn’t recognize but that doesn’t matter as much as the other stuff. The idea that Vision has been listening in on you and Wanda for years is disgusting, horrifying and unbelievably creepy. He lets out a breath as the elevator doors open and he follows you out without a word.

If you wonder what the text was about you don’t ask. You’re distracted by your desire to eat and you just hurry to the front door and to the parking lot. You stop and let Boone pee on a tree before you pull out your keys.

“Come on, I’ll drive.”

Bucky just nods and swallows the bile he tastes rising up his throat at the thought of Vision stalking your wife.

Steve’s phone beeps as Wanda stares down Vision and he pulls it from his pocket to see a text from Nat. His eyes widen and of course Wanda notices this but she decides to focus on the more pressing matter.

“Let me guess. You have Rumlow going after her? You’re hoping she’ll stay away from here, from me long enough to be an easy target?”

Vision doesn’t speak immediately. He’s a little surprised by how easily Wanda came to this conclusion. She scoffs before shooting him an offended look that he honestly doesn’t know what to do with.

“Do you honestly think I’m stupid? I knew you were behind everything that’s happened in the past week as soon as Clark ratted you out. I was just giving you time to fuck up and reveal who you were working with, but I’m tired of waiting.”

She shuts the door behind her again before taking out her gun and pointing it at Vision. He looks startled and a little concerned when she aims down. She considers just killing him or being spiteful and shooting him in the crotch, but in the end, she decides to shoot him in both of his legs. Now he won’t be able to run away even if he does get out of here.

Wanda leaves him screaming in pain as she locks the door behind Steve and hands him the key. She doesn’t plan to come back for Vision, but she might ask him to finish him off or clean him up later depending on which comes first.

“What did Nat send?”

Steve can’t help but flinch slightly but he doesn’t hesitate to show Wanda his phone as they walk to the elevator.

“They’re bringing it back, but it’s all just proof that Vision’s a pervert.”

Wanda looks at the picture and feels a chill run down her spine. She shudders before handing his phone back with a shake of her head. She’s so creeped out she can’t even put it into words. She feels violated and betrayed by someone she used to trust. She’s also furious that they didn’t have this proof before you left earlier.

“That’s just so disgusting. Have you heard from Bucky?”

You get in the driver’s seat and wait for Bucky to get settled before you start the car. You are about to back out of the spot when you just sigh and put the car back in park and look to your friend. You feel bad about dragging him around with you, and you know you need to do better. He turns to you not quite sure what to expect, but when you turn the car off, he just waits for you to gather your thoughts.

You’re starving, truly starving, but the idea of going out to get food and then come back to this depressing hotel room makes you feel horrible. You want to be home right now and you want to see your wife.

“Bucky, don’t hate me, but I want to go home.”

He surprises you by just smiling and nodding in agreement. He gets unbuckled before opening the car door and following you back inside.

“I’ll get us checked out.”

Steve shakes his head as he looks to his phone again to see that nothing new has come in since Bucky told him that you two were at the hotel. He’s not sure how he feels about you leaving Wanda. He understands that you were overwhelmed and that you just didn’t want to talk about it, but to leave so suddenly? He supposes you don’t know that Wanda’s a wreck and now dealing with the revelation of Vision’s transgressions, but either way he wishes you were here.

As he looks to Wanda who just frowns and nods in defeat, he wishes he had something good to tell her.

Wanda arrives to her dark and quiet rooms and immediately breaks down. She’s so exhausted, so emotionally drained from this evening that she doesn’t even have the energy to move from where she’s collapsed on the floor. She’s so mad at Vision for doing this to her, to both of you, and for still being a threat despite bleeding out downstairs. She hates that the precious time she’s spent with you over the years, just the two of you at your most vulnerable has been invaded and exploited by someone so sick.

She wipes at her eyes and opens them at the sound of Fletcher yowling certainly out of anger. She’d been left alone for much longer than planned and she was expressing her discontent now that someone’s returned. She head butts Wanda’s legs and puts her feet up to try and climb her, but Wanda pushes her off. She’s not in the mood and this makes Fletcher madder. She lays on her back in front of Wanda flicking her tail angrily as she watches the redhead continue to cry.

“Not now, Fletcher.”

When Wanda manages to make herself stand and head to the bedroom, she’s near catatonic. She doesn’t know what she’s going to do about Vision, or what she wants done with all of the creepy stuff from his apartment. She certainly doesn’t want to listen to it. Maybe once you’re back you both can have a bonfire.

This makes her remember about the most recent recording she’d listened to. That had certainly happened in this very room and she immediately jumps out of bed and starts looking around for a bug. She takes out her phone and uses the flashlight to look under the bed, but when she doesn’t see anything there, she moves to the bedside tables. She looks at the lamps, flipping them over before practically slamming them down when she spots nothing suspicious. She curses as she opens the drawers to the bedside tables before getting on her knees to look under them. She stops at the sight of something that doesn’t look outright suspicious but she can tell it’s not supposed to be there.

Wanda reaches into her pocket and grabs Vision’s phone before unlocking it again. She’s not sure if the device is connected directly to his phone, but she decides to check. There are the standard apps that she doesn’t care anything about, but there’s one she doesn’t recognize that she immediately opens. She sees a list of three devices: Bedroom 1, bedroom 2 and car. The first and the last are shown as offline, but the second one is online. She grabs the circular device from underneath the table and throws it on the ground. She then pulls out her gun and smashes it against the device until it breaks. She looks back to Vision’s phone and watches as it switches to offline and she feels her breath catch.

That little…

Wanda breathes a sigh of relief as she throws Vision’s phone aside and gets to her feet. She takes a look around her room and wonders how long she’ll have to be in it alone. The thought of you makes fresh tears fall. She’s not sure what she’ll do if you stay mad at her. She wants you to come back, but she knows reaching out to you tonight will only make things worse. She just hopes that you are being safe wherever you are, and that Bucky and Boone are watching out for you.

“Boone, watch it.”

You nearly trip over your dog as you tiredly make your way into the elevator. It’s nearly midnight and you drove all the way back to the compound because you didn’t want to be alone with your thoughts anymore. You also just wanted to see your wife and apologize for overreacting and leaving her when you should have just talked it out. You stifle a yawn as the elevator climbs to your floor before reaching out for Boone.

“Ready to sleep buddy?”

He starts panting excitedly and jumping around and you just smile before patting his head. You feel bad about dragging him all over tonight, but you know he doesn’t really mind as long as he’s with someone. You start at the ding signaling your arrival and you take a deep breath as you step out. You hope Wanda isn’t too mad at you.

Wanda’s awoken by the sound of a door shutting nearby, and despite being only half-awake she jumps up and reaches for her gun. She hadn’t even gotten around to changing before she crashed and her clothes were wrinkled and her hair a mess. However, that’s not her priority at the moment because as far as she knows she’s alone and probably will be for a while. She hurries out to check out the noise when she sees a shadow bending over in front of the front door.

“Don’t move.”

You had expected it to be dark when you got back, but you hadn’t realized Wanda was still awake until she came running out of the bedroom. You set your things down and are about to turn on the lights when you see her point something at you and your hands fly up. She tells you not to move and you don’t but you open your mouth to apologize for surprising her.

“I know you’re probably mad, but don’t shoot.”

Your voice immediately makes Wanda drop the gun and you take that opportunity to turn on the lights so you can see her.

“Y/n?”

She’s shocked to see you here, that you’re back already but you don’t give her a lot of time to process it before you move towards her. You shoot her a questioning look as you raise your arms and Wanda nearly tackles you in a hug before you can even ask.

“Y/n! You’re back. Thank God.”

You smile widely as you hug your wife back tightly. You sigh in relief, exhaustion, happiness, maybe all three as you shake your head and just revel in the feeling of holding Wanda in your arms.

“I’m back. I’m sorry for leaving, I shouldn’t have done that. I just needed time and a chance to work things out on my own.”

Wanda just shakes her head as she pulls away from you just enough to look at you. She’s exhausted and she can tell that you are too. Your eyes are red and you look like you feel guilty and nauseous at the same time.

“No, it’s okay. I get that. I just—are we okay? What did you work out?”

You sigh heavily before you just take Wanda’s hand and lead her to the couch nearby. You’re about to fall asleep standing up and you need to sit down before you actually collapse. You’re about to tell Wanda what you found out, but her soft hiss catches your attention. You frown as you turn back to her and realize that you caused it when you look at her hand. Your frown deepens and you carefully hold her hand closer to inspect the red, broken skin over her knuckles.

“Babe, you need to take care of this.”

It doesn’t take a lot of thought to figure out what happened, and you feel your guilt hit you again for leaving your wife to deal with this alone. Well, she’d had your friends but you should have been there with her as well. You stand up to go find something to clean her wounds with but she stops you before you can go far. She squeezes your hand with a pleading look and you are powerless to resist.

“First tell me if we’re okay, please.”

You don’t hesitate to nod and you offer Wanda a sad smile as you pull her gently to her feet. You’ll walk and talk to appease her and yourself. You look to her other hand and as you suspected that one is a little banged up too. You just hope that Vision hurts more than she does.

“We’re okay, Wands. I-I listened to the recording because I just had to know.”

You don’t realize you’re leaving Wanda hanging as you look for the hydrogen peroxide underneath the bathroom sink. You find it and set it on the counter as you look around for gauze or cotton balls with a sigh.

“Do you know now? “

Wanda’s question makes you stop and when you turn and see how anxious she looks you drop what you’re doing and stand back up to hug her again. You curse yourself for not being more reassuring before you rush to explain yourself.

“Yes, I’m sorry. Vision is a disgusting; devious fuck and I really hope you killed him.”

When Wanda shakes her head, you can’t help frowning, but she explains before you can ask. She holds you close before closing her eyes at the thought of what was discovered.

“Not yet. Nat and Yelena searched his apartment, and they found a lot more.”

You stiffen at her words but you try to focus on cleaning up her bruised and battered hands. You carefully put band aids on the spots that look the worst before daring to ask.

“A lot more what exactly?”

You finish cleaning Wanda up and she shakes her head as she decides not to tell you. Unfortunately for her, you’re smart and you realize what she’s trying to tell you. You feel yourself growing angry at the thought of Vision having more of what you’d heard. How could he have done this for so long without you knowing about it? That’s something you don’t want to consider, and you shake your head as you scowl in distaste.

“That fucker.”’

Once Wanda’s wounds are taken care of and you finally get some food, the two of you fall into bed. You’re exhausted and already grieving the fact you’re only going to sleep for a few hours before you take a deep breath. You hold Wanda close to your front as you cuddle her from behind. You kiss her shoulder before you shift so you’re holding your wife even tighter against you.

“I’m sorry about tonight. I really am.”

Wanda sighs and is about to tell you that it’s fine, that she understands, but she stops short. Despite this being true, she was also terrified when you left tonight. She thought you were going to leave her and not come back. You scared her tonight, and she doesn’t want to make you feel bad, but she knows that being honest with you is important.

“You scared me tonight, Y/n. I thought you were gone for good.”

You frown hating to hear that you caused Wanda so much distress. You just try to make up for it by reassuring her that you’re here now and you don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.

“I promise I’m not going anywhere, Wands. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

Wanda just holds you tighter in response, and you close your eyes and let your exhaustion send you into a dreamless sleep. You sleep so soundly you don’t realize your alarm is going off for nearly two minutes. Both you and Wanda are exhausted enough to not hear it, and it’s only Boone barking and jumping on you that gets you to wake up.

You curse as you pull away from your wife to defend yourself from the large dog who’s trying to climb in bed with you.

“Boone, no! Get down.”

You groan loudly as you push Boone off the bed and then fumble around for the device that is still screeching loudly. You don’t realize that Wanda is reluctantly getting up as well until she looks over to you and Boone who are glaring at each other. You sigh in defeat as you give up and climb out of bed. Boone sticks his face to the carpet and starts sniffing a pile of broken plastic that you hadn’t noticed last night, and you hurry to stop him.

“Leave it, Boone. Don’t eat that.”

Wanda watches as you bend over to pick up the scraps of plastic from the recording device with a grimace. She’d meant to clean that up before you saw it, but now she just had to talk about Vision first thing in the morning and she frowns at the thought.

“What’s this?”

You’re still picking up the tiny shards of plastic so Boone won’t eat them when you look around for more and see a phone you don’t recognize. You reach out for it and Wanda’s getting out of bed before you can ask about that.

“That’s Vision’s phone and bug that he’s been listening to us with. It’s obviously broken now.”

You turn back to Wanda with a shocked expression that quickly turns to disgust before you shake your head. You hand Wanda the phone because you figure she wants to hold onto it before tossing the destroyed bug into the trash.

“That gross fucker…where is he now?”

Vision is passed out by the time Wanda visits him later in the morning. Despite wanting to gloat a little, you decide to take Wanda’s advice and not visit him quite yet. She wanted to see if he had a contingency plan for if he ended up not being able to talk to Rumlow about your hit. If it was already scheduled maybe he would change this if you and Wanda weren’t fighting.

It was unlikely but Y/n only had two more days at work before her weekend, so she was just going to be extra careful and only go from point A to point B. They were just going to have to see how things went.

Wanda is trying not to worry too much about that right now, but she honestly just has to believe that everything she’s done will be enough to keep you safe. She plans on talking to Vision again soon, but for now she just needs a bit of a break. She heads back up to your rooms to lie down for a while. Despite Boone not being allowed in the bed because of how much he sheds, Fletcher is somewhat immune to rules. She at least seems to think she is because after Wanda falls asleep, Fletcher comes to curl up next to her.

You are at work wishing you could curl up and go to sleep when lunch rolls around. You’re tired and today’s not even half finished, but you take the lunch hour to catch up on work and check in with Wanda. She’d told you that she was going to let you know how it went with Vision, but she hadn’t reached out yet. You pulled your phone out and started to dial Wanda when Bucky speaks up in your ear. You kept forgetting he was there.

“Hey, Wanda says she’s about to call you.”

You nod at this before you decide to call her first. You thank Bucky and take out your com and place it on your desk. You wait for a few seconds as it rings, but eventually you hear your wife’s tired voice.

“Hey detka.”

You cringe slightly before looking at the clock. You hadn’t realized that Wanda would be asleep.

“Hey, sorry did I wake you up?”

Wanda sits up in bed before shaking her head. She had just been resting and doing some reading when you’d called. She’d visited Vision this morning and was still mulling over what he’d said. She told you a little about how Vision was entirely unhelpful in regards to telling her how you were going to be targeted. This wasn’t a surprise to you despite being a disappointment and you sigh before nodding in understanding. Of course Vision wouldn’t do anything to help you, even if Wanda asked for it. You think about what to ask first but Wanda beats you to it.

“I’m sorry he wasn’t any help. I can go back and try again later, but he’s really out of it. I probably need to have someone treat him or give up. He’s on his last leg.”

You hum at this as you try not to be too pleased about hearing that Vision is near death. As much as you hate him and he hates you, it doesn’t seem like good karma to gloat about his current condition. You just sigh as you try to ward off the headache that’s been creeping on you all day.

“Whatever you want to do, Wands. I don’t think he’s going to do anything that might help me though.”

Wanda scowls because she hates to admit it, but she’s almost certain that you are right. Short of giving Vision everything he wants, meaning leaving you for him, there is no way he’d spare your life. She curses him once again for being a vindictive and insecure asshole. Wanda is about to say that she agrees with you, but your office phone rings indicating that someone’s paging you.

“One sec, sorry.”

You answer the phone and have a brief conversation with one of the assistants about an end of day work in euthanasia. You hate adding those at the end of the day, but you won’t say no since it sounds like the dog is in bad shape.

“That’s fine. Go ahead and add it. Sure, thank you.”

You try not to think about how you won’t be home until late as you turn your attention back to your wife.

“Sorry. Did you catch any of that?”

Wanda nods and says exactly what you’re thinking and you just smile before nodding in defeat.

“Yeah, sounds like you’ll have a late night.”

Taglist: @whitewidowsbite, @exclusivitymajor, @natswifeysblog15

Part 10

#wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x female reader #wanda maximoff fanfiction #wanda x reader #wanda x you #natasha romanoff & reader #natasha romanoff #yelena belova & reader #yelena belova #pietro maximoff #silver springs #mob au #marvel fic

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thesoftboiledegg · 2 years

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This was such a great episode! I expected crazy shit to happen, especially with the hyper-realistic video game. I was like, "OK, this entire episode is going to turn out to be a simulation" and was pleasantly surprised when the "hyper-realism" was just a joke.

Anyway, it makes me so happy that Beth is bisexual. I figured she was, but the show never stated it either way. That's four out of five--only Morty is left. And to be honest, I think he's bisexual after his weird, unexplained obsession with Bruce Chutback in season 5, but the episode didn't outright say it.

I loved watching Beth and Space Beth fall for each other and go on dates. And OK, they're the same person, but they've made different choices and had wildly different life experiences. This created some tension and intrigue because they're not just repeating the same words and phrases back to each other like an echo.

Sarah Chalke gave a great performance, too. I'd say this is easily her best performance in the entire show. The dialogue was so natural that it sounded like it came from a live-action drama and not a cartoon. Rick and Morty has always had decent dialogue--and Rick in particular sounds like a real person talking at times--but this was another level of realism.

These new writers definitely know what they're doing. Damn.

I could NOT believe it when Rick said that he's fooled around with other Ricks. Holy shit. I actually paused and rewound the video because I was like "...did he seriously just say that?" It's been part of fandom culture for years, but I NEVER thought it would be in the show. Especially with C-137, who's a notorious Rick killer and hates them almost as much as he hates himself.

This makes me so happy! And it's yet another confirmation that Rick is pansexual. Give it up, homophobic fans, because the evidence just keeps mounting.

And like the other episodes in seasons 5 and 6, "Bethic Twinstinct" shows a new side of Rick--someone who's calmer, more patient and willing to help his family instead of just taking what he wants, then throwing a hissy fit when they get sick of it.

Rick's relationship with Jerry is changing, too. He says that he installed the "pillbug protocol" because he got drunk with Jerry one night (that's pretty big in itself) and installed the protocol because Jerry said that's what he "wanted most in the world." Rick wasn't being an asshole. He actually gave Jerry something that he wanted.

And yeah, Rick could be lying, but I think he's telling the truth this time.

Overall, this episode was a good combination of everything. Beth exploring various aspects of her personality, Rick bonding with Beth and his grandkids, Jerry letting out his frustration instead of being passive. Admittedly, Morty and Summer didn't do much, but they were still fun. I enjoyed the meta jokes about how they've had a million Thanksgivings and don't even know how old they are at this point.

This episode didn't explain those creepy posters where Space Beth appears to be controlling her family, so I'm guessing she'll turn up again--and this time, it might not be so friendly.

Anyway, the one part I disliked was the ending. The implication was "Haha yeah, Jerry's got two hot wives that will fool around in front of him." Normally, I'd call it lowkey sexist, but this episode did have Beth and Space Beth exploring a romantic relationship without Jerry's involvement. Still, I'm not a fan. I guess they're cucking Jerry in there? lmao.

Some might dislike this comparison, but Rick and Morty is starting to remind me of Moral Orel, especially with this episode in particular. Both shows start off as rambunctious comedies but explore more mature and dramatic themes as they go on. Honestly, "Bethic Twinstinct" wasn't that funny, but the character development is a worthy trade-off for me.

#rick and morty #rick sanchez #beth smith #jerry smith #bethic twinstinct #review

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ndplatypus · 6 months

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My issue with Stolitz is how fucking sloppy and toxic the writing had portrayed them.

Like they can’t decide if they are toxic or just both victims of each other- but also they have to be so kinky and dirty and sexy because it’s hell and sex sells and 80% of our show is just dick jokes and fetish shit.

Let me remind you the show, start out, with Stolas calling blitz on a job, knowing he’s in danger, and ignoring that to proposition him into sex.

Stolas, in the show, using his power and position, to force Blitz into a sexual relationship with him, to get a book he needs to do his job, and run his business, so he can work and make money to fucking live.

And don’t tell me “the pilot doesn’t count” because Stolas acts like this for a majority of season 1. Don’t set things up to then just not follow it through because you changed your mind on how you want your character to be presented when you’ve already strongly established them one way,

It’s been (vaguely) implied that there is a class system and racism issue with imps and other demon species. Stolas literally fetishizes this multiple times in the show, his “impish little play thing”

Stolas, by his own words and actions, gets off, by sleeping with a lower class demon, whose entire lively hood, a business he started- (which in the show is implied it’s unusual for an imp to even own a business because AGAIN implied racism and class issues) depends on him meeting up with Stolas once a month to fuck him.

Yes, Blitz is attracted to Stolas, the show tells us he does have feelings for him, but they also show him being physically uncomfortable with how Stolas speaks to him and treats him.

This was all very apparent in season 1, this power imbalance, and the toxic nature of it all.

But season 2 throws that away entirely.

Setting up they met in childhood (though Blitzo literally being fucking bought by Stolas’s dad to be his “playmate” isn’t exactly a a cute start to me, especially after we know Blitzo now as adult essentially sells himself to Stolas once a month in exchange for his book, again which he NEEDS to run his business) and setting up Stolas as this victim of his terrible abusive wife he was forced to marry and oh he actually loves Blitzo actually and really Blitzo is the problem here. Because Blitzo stole from him and it’s Blitzo’s fault actually for using Stolas-

Because oh yeah the show also essentially now makes Blitzo the one who started the deal, as a way to take the blame of Stolas perhaps because maybe they realized how weird and questionable their relationship was as is.

But here is the thing, you can’t just rewrite what’s been established without actually addressing the core issue and pretend it’s all actually okay now.

You can’t set up this extremely toxic dynamic, that includes and revolves around classism/racism and a very creepy power dynamic between a prince and an established lower class/oppressed race then be like-

But Stolas is sad and uwu baby and try to rewrite it as Blitzo being the main problem in their relationship.

That doesn’t fucking work.

You can’t establish a dynamic of rich fuck propositioning a lower oppressed class character into sex for something the oppressed character needs to survive, to keep this business that he shouldn’t even be able to have because of said oppression established in the show- then say actually no they do love each other it’s all just tragic miscommunication.

You also can’t tell me Stolas actually loves Blitzo, and this is just development and he’s changed because that’s not what you’ve written.

This isn’t Stolas realizing he’s been fucking awful and growing and changing because you haven’t written that. He isn’t evolving as a character because you just are suddenly rewriting him and changing his character from you’ve established.

Like you can write yourself into a corner, and have trouble figuring out how to fix this relationship, but that involves the characters actually addressing their issues and moving to make them better.

Not rewriting your character and their feelings and motivations completely to make the ship more palatable.

Season 2 stolitz fails because of how you established them in season 1.

Again you haven’t developed them you’ve just changed their relationship/dynamic/development on a whim that feels undeserved.

I’m not saying Blitzo is a pure victim here because he’s honestly an asshole to everyone and still gets forgiven by everyone because he’s the main character and these writers can’t actually have anyone address their damn issues because then they’d have to admit their characters are toxic and not in the funny haha they in hell way.

Stolitz is the worst because of how you try changing their relationships tone without anything being earned.

Don’t set up class/racism issues and fetishize them if you never actually want to address them and just plan on making owl boy your uwu sad bottom boy who really is just the victim guys really I swear!

Like y’all had a good thing I genuinely liked season 1 because of the things that were set up and the potential these characters had for growth.

By why grow they organically when you can just change their personality and motivations and feelings on a whim because you don’t know actually know how to address the issues you’ve set up.

Like if you want to set up toxic relationships as a joke or adult humor fine, but don’t ask us to then take anything seriously. Don’t write dog shit and ask us to review it as gold. Don’t write a toxic fetish relationship that’s set up as a horny fetish porn dynamic that gets off on its own toxicity then ask your audience to treat it like a mature well developing relationship.

Stop trying to be bojack when you don’t have the skill to pull it off

#helluva boss #stolitz #stolas #Blitzo #critical #helluva boss critique #helluva boss criticism #toxic ass writing

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thestobingirlie · 11 months

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I have to rant about this because I just noped out of a fic because of it and I need your opinion on it but,

One prevailing fandom trope in any Steve-centric fic that bugs the shit out of me is when they make Steve's popularity absolutely tank either after he drops Tommy and Carol, or after Billy shows up.

Because firstly, just because Tommy and Carol are no longer friends with Steve doesn't mean everyone else will suddenly stop liking him to. In fact, based on Barb's reaction to Nancy potentially dating Steve (excited) to when she brings up Nancy being friends with Tommy and Carol (which Nancy reacts badly to), Tommy and Carol have a worse reputation than Steve does at school so wouldn't people be happy that Steve dropped them?

Steve's also on multiple sports teams and let me tell you as a former sports team player, you don't successfully play on or captain a sports team without at least kind of being friends with/getting along with the people on that team. Getting beat up by a "loser" like Jonathan probably would get him sympathy instead of scorn considering how people seem to feel about Jonathan in general (and because I know that news of those pictures got spread around the school so people likely thought Steve was just being an ongoing victim of Jonathan's creepiness). He's also a rich, attractive, and funny guy. There's no way people just decide to drop him because he dumped Tommy and started dating Nancy.

Then there's the fact that when Billy does show up, Steve is still King Steve enough that Billy almost immediately knows that this is the person he has to beat in order to be Top Dog. He specifically says that everyone keeps talking about King Steve, so why would they be if Steve dropped off the social ladder a year ago?

No one can also convince me Steve stopped being popular after Billy beat him up because firstly, Tommy being his friend isn't an indicator that Billy is now popular (as stated above, Tommy was obviously less liked than Steve was), nor is doing 1 impressive thing at a party half the people will probably be too drunk to remember. He also wouldn't lose popularity from dropping basketball because 1) a bad concussion isn't bad enough to take someone completely out of a sport like basketball once it heals and basketball season wouldn't properly start until a full month or two after the events of S2, so he wouldn't quit because of that and despite what many, many fics try to do, Steve is would not quit to avoid Billy. He just wouldn't, it's so out of character that that's the reason I noped out of the fic I was reading.

This is also not even mentioning that everyone seems to think that if Billy is popular or king of the school, then Steve just HAS to be a friendless loser, which is such a blatant attempt to just dump trauma on Steve. I mean, if they want to make Steve lonely and friendless for the Tragic Backstory, at least have the reason make sense, like Steve pulling away after multiple counts of almost Dying because he just can't relate to kids his own age anymore.

Not to mention the fact that Steve is probably one of the least developed main characters and chances are the fact that we don't see or hear about Steve's other friends is because 1) less people they have to cast/take up screen time and 2) the Duffers just genuinely seem not to give a fuck about developing Steve or his backstory at all.

Anyway, sorry for dumping into your asks (I sincerely hope this is coherent), but this has been bugging me for months and I needed to get it off my chest.

oh yeah, that shit bugs me too. like, i don’t think steve had any super close friends other than nancy, but boy was still popular, he still knew people, he had a place to sit at lunch!!

and that’s actually interesting, about steve being well liked, but not tommy and carol. i’ve never really seen that kind of separation in fics, but it would be fun to have something about steve being the most popular of the group, and tommy and carol being the ones that drop popularity after the split.

steve being super sporty essentially means he always had people to hang out with lmao. and i do see steve obviously not playing basketball for a while, and no longer being captain, because i figure you have to play the game to be captain lol. i honestly don’t know much about sports tho, so i don’t know if you could just jump right in after not playing for a while, but yeah, steve wouldn’t just drop out because of billy. like, the other basketball guy called billy a douchebag. i think it’d be fun if in a fic, everyone turned against billy after the fight.

yeah, steve’s friends aren’t at all relevant to the plot, so we’re not going to see them. and i’ve said this before, but while s2 steve is lonely, he’s not alone. he has friends, he’s popular, but he’s increasingly not seeing any point towards the whole thing and essentially becoming disillusioned to the idea of being the king of hawkins high. but like you said, he’s not a friendless loser.

#steve harrington #stranger things #asks #somuchfuckingsalt

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pianocat939 · 1 year

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Hi can I please request Yandere Casey Jr HCs please I’m fine with platonic or romantic (or both ) 😊 love to see what you come up with

I KNEW THIS DAY WOULD COME. THERE IS NEVER A ROTTMNT WRITER'S BLOG WITHOUT SOMEONE WHO REQUESTS CASEY JR.

Anyway this can be read both platonically and romantically.

Also my analysis probably isn't going to be as accurate as I usually have since homie only appeared in the movie.

Tw: Stalking, trauma, mentions of murder, I can’t write him for shit ;-;

General Yandere Casey Jr Hcs

Type: In denial + Stalker (I'm struggling so hard help-)

He gives huge stalker vibes, especially in the first few scenes where he's trying to find people. Like you saw how he approached April? Boy is speedy.

This is my own interpretation but during the scenes of the movie, especially when he got sent to the future, he seemed almost in denial of having to leave older Leo.

So now that we know why I think he's these specific types let's elaborate on them a bit more.

Stalker. He's the type to go out and physically do it rather than using technology or other people to do the work for him. This also means the times you leave your house everything is exposed to him. Every minuscule little detail.

A possible item hoarder as well. He thinks it's interesting to steal photos of you or papers you've touched. I don't think he would have a shrine but definitely keeps a few things in his pocket.

In denial. He would 100% try to justify his stalking as protecting. I don't give a fuck about what other humans think, after the movie, it makes sense (Bro literally went through so many deaths since like 9).

You know this is kind of an iffy statement but maybe he'll be the type who doesn't even realize his actions are wrong until someone tells him. I don't know how I got this idea, it's just a random thought.

"What? I'm being creepy? How? I'm just protecting them, you never know what could be out there."

The reason he even develops his craziness (no I don't have a better name) is an overall build-up trauma of all the events that's occurred throughout the apocalypse and childhood.

He's honestly the mildest of all the yanderes I can think of in the rottmnt verse. He has rationality somewhat like Donnie and is able to have quite a clear mind even during times of crisis. Ex. the scene where Leo and Casey are trapped underneath the debris.

The only occasions he would kill are under dire circumstances or if he knows something's fucked up.

All in all, not too bad.

"Hm? Oh, this is a photo of you I found in your house, hope you don't mind I took it!"

——————————————————

Sorry, this is short compared to most of my hcs, I have a hard time writing for him since there's less material of him to base off of (because I like using canon traits when incorporating it into my yandere stuff).

- Celina

#yandere #yandere x reader #rottmnt #yandere rottmnt #yandere tmnt #tmnt #rottmnt x reader #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise of the tmnt #tmnt 2018 #Casey jr

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lily-174 · 2 years

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stiles + ‘ just play along please’ prompt, please? or anything that comes to ur mind w stiles, really :)

‘just play along please’ - stiles stilinski

trigger warning: none really, danger ig?

requested: yes! i hope you enjoy this, this is just what came to mind. keep sending in requests:)

you and stiles, you’d been friends for a while. you, scott and stiles are best friends, they’d tried to keep you out of all things supernatural but you were smarter then that, you knew those boys so well. they couldn’t lie to you without you figuring it out. you’d helped them with everything, and throughout the time you’d been friends, almost dying a hundred times you’d developed feelings for the stilinski boy. you didn’t want to ruin your friendship with him and you both were in scotts pack so you didn’t want to make anything awkward or cause problems. plus you were sure stiles still had that stupid obsession with lydia. truthfully, after stiles came back from being void. you knew he wasn’t sleeping properly, you had stayed at his a few times to see if you could help. you and him were close friends and you didn’t want to put that at stake.

you were at school, utterly exhausted dragging yourself through the corridors, you felt like shit. the past few night your dreams had been full of awful memories. they played on your brain 24/7, that was when you felt an arm over your shoulders, it startled you, but when you looked up and saw it was stiles you were relieved. he slowly brought his arm off you and held your hand, you found this extremely suspicious.

“what are you doing?” you questioned his noticeably strange behaviour.

“just okay along, please” his response confused you further, but you listened none the less, you played along holding his hand until you noticed him looking over at lydia. and as you turned the corner you completely let go of his hand, slightly storming off like a toddler. did he just use you to try and make lydia jealous?

“woah! where are you going?” he follows you, you ignored him trying to walk further, then he grabbed your arm careful not to hurt you and pulled you into the boys changing rooms.

“y/n, what was that?” you scoffed.

“me? no. you stiles, what the hell was that? you just acting like that with me infront of lydia! what the fuck is wrong with you? do you think about anyone else’s feelings or just your creepy little obsession with lydia! you cant play with people’s feelings like that stiles!” you exclaimed, he was completely taken back. feelings?

“i’m playing with your feelings? wait- you think i would use you like that? y/n, you know me better then that! or i would’ve hoped so! i only did that, cause one of those new freshmen came up to me asking if i had a girlfriend, and your the closest thing i have to one-“ he stopped himself internally cursing for what he had just insinuated.

“i’m the closest thing you have to a girlfriend? how’s that? wouldnt that be lydia?” you rolled your eyes, you were too tired for this shit.

“you know what, fuck it. y/n, i don’t want lydia. i fucking want you! how has that not been made clear yet” before you could even process the words he’d said he pressed his lips to yours, he was kissing you. stiles fucking stilinski was kissing you, you kissed him back your hands gently rested on his cheeks, one slowly moving to the back of his head to run your fingers through his hair, while his hands rested tightly on your waist pulling you as close to him as possible. you both pulled away from the kiss your foreheads touching, out of breath you both were smiling.

“i like you a lot y/n”

“i like you a lot too stiles”

#stiles stilinski x reader #stiles stilinksi imagine #stiles imagine #stiles stilinski #stiles stilinski fluff #stiles x you #teen wolf stiles #teen wolf #teen wolf smut

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canonmisogynyvictimstournament · 8 months

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PROPAGANDA

JANE CROCKER (HOMESTUCK)

1.) Pretty cool character in the comic proper, the alpha kid’s whole thing is just taking a break from the cool plot to have a teenage drama break but she has some quite interesting moments and a personality. Then in Homestuck 2 and the Epilogues she out of nowhere becomes an actual fascist girlboss(/neg) who abuses her gay husband (cause she can’t handle that he isn’t into her despite getting over that already) and puts shock collars w/leashes on her niece who she keeps in a cage and gives dog food. She also suddenly gets super xenophobic towards trolls (despite being very good friends with Calliope who is an alien). All of this to make her an actual fascist dictator. They couldn’t think of a more interesting way to make a follow up story to the most convoluted and lore dense piece of media this side of the afton criticality other than giving one of the less popular a fascism bomb and going “oh shit they’re gonna do the bad and racisms (but it’s against aliens so it’s smart commentary)”

2.) its clear shes supposed to be an inversion of the typical american housewife but she got so caught up in the bullshit going on in act 6 and some stupid romantic drama with her sort-of brother (she didnt know at the time) that any character development was completely sidelined and thus she just stayed at "housewife" without any inversion or character development which just looped back around to being misogynistic

3.) Caliborn (other character in Homestuck) called her an "IDIOT WOMAN." and "STUPID EARTH COW." and a "DUMB BITCH." :(

JADE (DRAGON QUEST 11) (CW: Mind Control)

1.) Despite being a calm and collected big sister protector to the party as well as a warrior princess, Dragon Quest is basically required to have one sexy female party member and with the other two being a girl who looks like a child and the other basically being a nun that left Jade, so despite it not being in her character at all she gets attacks that make her attack enemies with her butt and get the classic bunny girl costume. The worst of it is that there's a timeskip in the game and a lot of the party members get a little side adventure during it to flesh them out more, well instead of that Jade just get's captured by a monster and brainwashed into being a sexy demon for him, and said demon form/her vamp form is just get in the bunny girl outfit but with paler skin and red eyes. And once she's rescued she can go back into that form somehow and get's access to all the charm skills because 'of course'

2.) She's a cool martial artist but she also has skills like Blow kiss and sexy beam that do not fit the no-nonsense fighter she's introduced as. I haven't even finished the game yet but there's a sidestory where you get to walk around as her but a monster puts her in a cursed sexy bunny costume and you can't change her out of it even though the game has a system for cosmetic changes and doesn't restrict it anywhere else so far, also the monster's wife blames her for trying to 'seduce' her husband the monster, the same monster that put her in a bunny costume and keeps being creepy and flirting with her and also captured her and enslaved her. She fights back and beats them both but Booga activates the curse on the bunny suit, and makes her faint. I haven't gotten to the point where she comes back to the party yet.

#polls #round 1 #week 1 #new #cw mind control

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sunshinechay · 1 year

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Sorry not sorry you NEED to info dump me on prapapski I need to be convinced to watch this show. Im on the edge of getting into it, but im feeling lazy LOL. Push me into the void! Im ready!! Im immune to spoilers, just lay it on me XD

Well, you asked for it. Haha XD Putting it under a cut because this is long! sorry not sorry

First of all, PrapaiSky has, in my opinion, god tier relationship development. Prapai starts off as a total fuckboy, who is creepy to say the least, who becomes just the best boyfriend one could ask for to his Sky. I’ve described Sky before as a traumatized little bumblebee and I think it holds up. He can be prickly, standoffish and even downright mean, but he is also funny, fierce and an extremely loyal friend. He actually goes through the trouble and trauma of calling his ex to find out where the illegal street race is supposed to be taking place because Rain wanted to break in so he could fuck some shit up for Phayu. Sky, underneath it all, just wants someone who will love and cherish him. He has so much fear and anxiety and even depression linked to his romantic past. The way he acts is helpful in deterring most people, but Pai is not most people. XD

They start as a one night stand, that only happens because Prapai makes a bad (semi) joke/proposition after Sky chases Rain into the illegal race track. Sky needs to be able to leave without security taking him away and, it is implied, doing him physical harm/possibly killing him. Pai says he can get Sky out of the race but Sky has to do something for him. Implying but never outrightly stating that what he wants is sex, to which Sky agrees because he doesn’t want security to get him. This in itself does boarder on sexual cocertion, which is a big ass yikes, though it is clear through context clues that while Sky might not be happy to be put in this position, he definitely enjoys the sex, though he does not have a high opinion of Pai afterward. Which honestly, would anyone? I know I wouldn’t haha. Of course we realize later than even if Sky had said no to Pai, Pai would have gotten him out anyway because Pai is a lot of things but he is not that kind of asshole.

Ngl, Prapai is pretty creepy towards the beginning of his persuit of Sky. Like the first episode or so of their story (ep8 for the series as a whole), I want to smack Pai across the head and tell Sky to run very far away. But that does not last long and as soon as Sky realizes that Pai is just your home grown, organic, garden variety fuckboy rather than the actual scum of the earth that his ex is, he is more open to at least spending time with him, since Pai is so persistent in his persuit.

You see Sky is a domestic violence and sexual assault survivor, a fact he has told literally no one since it happened. Not Rain, not any of his friends, not even his dad. It’s often why he acts the way he does. He is very afraid to let anyone, including his friends, get to close to him emotionally. Prapai blatantly doesn’t listen to any of this, and keeps pursuing Sky because he genuinely wants to know Sky and wants to be with him. He is so tight lipped about it that he hasn’t even told Rain his ex is a guy. He doesn’t tell Pai about his past until the last episode, after Sky’s ex attempts to sexual assault him.

It’s around the time that Sky gets sick that you really start to see the kind of couple they will become. Sky gets sick due to his trauma. Sky begins to have nightmares around this time, which starts to cause panic attacks as well as insomnia. It is in part because of Pai insisting he be allowed to woo Sky. Pai still does not know about Sky’s trauma and thus thinks that Sky is just a tough nut to crack but if he keeps going he can do it. His smile is just so adorable that you mostly forgive him for his crimes, though I did side eye him a lot during these first few episodes.

One of the things I love about this part though is that, if you pay attention to what Sky is thinking about the whole situation, it ultimately isn’t even really about Pai, more the idea of history repeating itself. Sky’s self esteem and self worth, understandably, takes a pretty big nose dive in the wake of what happened to him and the things that Sky says to himself point to him not believing that someone like Pai could actually have feels for him, that there is no way Pai is serious about all of this. He just wants to have fun and get some sex out of the deal. Which is a big problem for Sky, because he, a) already knows exactly how good at sex Pai is and (I think anyway) would definitely be down for a repeat performance and b) is actually starting to really like Pai. He likes that Pai had an easy going guy who, on the surface at least (not just on the surface Sky), just wants to get to know Sky and have fun with him. He likes that Pai doesn’t react when Sky is mean to him, just teases Sky about it. He likes that Pai tries to bring him meals because he knows Sky is a college student in a really competitive faculty. He is terrified that he will get in too deep and fall in love again only to have the rug ripped out from under him and be left more broken and more damaged and more unloveable than he already believes he is.

Sky ends up fainting in class, which freaks the hell out of his friends, which are another friend group that I love, though they do not have enough development in my opinion. The problem is, because they are all in the same faculty, they have a lot of responsibilities in terms of school work and getting everything they need done. Sky can be excused because of his illness but the rest of them can’t. Rain ends up calling Pai to come and take care of Sky because someone needs to stay with him and Sky’s father doesn’t live close enough to Bangkok to come and Rain has too much school work that he won’t be able to finish if he tries leaving to get it and coming back. To Rain, Pai seems like the more logical option, since Prapai isn’t in school and thus doesn’t have those responsibilities. As well, Sky knows Pai and Rain thinks (only somewhat incorrectly) that they are close enough that Pai is an ideal choice to be Sky’s caretaker.

Pai gladly agrees and proceeds to take the best care of Sky he knows how to provide. Dude literally googles how to take care of sick people at home and even calls his mother because he doesn’t want to fuck anything up. The sick montage is so fucking adorable. As Sky starts to get better and better, the two spend more and more time together. Like Pai actually calls the president/CEO of his company (aka his dad because of course haha) about needing time off and ends up doing a whole bunch of work at Sky’s dorm so he doesn’t fall behind but also doesn’t want to leave Sky. The man dotes on Sky like Sky is the more perfect being in the universe (as he should!). Sky, for his part, starts to realize that Pai isn’t like his ex. That Pai is much better than his ex. He’s still not sure how much he’s willing to believe but oh boy is Sky falling even harder than he was before. It is definitely a “Prapai fell first but Sky fell harder” situation going on. It’s the best! At one point, Sky wakes up in the middle of the night to see that Pai has fallen asleep next to him on the bed, laptop open, papers everywhere, because Sky was holding his hand (because nightmares) and he didn’t want to go anywhere. Sky goes to touch Pai and ends up accidentally waking him up. Pai realizes the way he fell asleep and goes to clean up his work papers, only for Sky (who was pretending to still be asleep) to grab his arm and pretend to be having another nightmare so Pai wouldn’t leave. Don’t try and tell me my boy isn’t already completely gone over Pai, because you would be wrong! Boy wants to be close to Pai, but at this point, doesn’t have the words or courage to ask for the kind of physical and emotional closeness that he craves. With Pai caring for him though, he is slowly starting to find the words/build up the courage.

The funny thing is that Pai basically ends up a squatter in Sky’s dorm. He ends up there all of the time. To hang out with Sky, to eat with Sky, even just to sleep (which Sky makes him do on the floor haha). At one point, he manages to get Sky to agree to go out on a date with him and they still end up back at Sky’s dorm after. This also leads to one of the best of their romantic scenes. Prapai tries to draw wind on a piece of paper, and later Sky’s hand, but can’t because he was a business major, not an art student. He doesn’t know anything about art (Prapai’s brother, even makes a comment to him about how Pai would skip art class when he was in high school). Sky ends up also drawing an image of wind on Pai’s hand and Pai literally traces an image of it and gets his brother to make him a lapel pin of it. Boy is so fucking corny that when Sky sees it for the first time, Pai tells him it’s so everyone will know who Pai belongs too. Corny, but effective I suppose because while playfully embarrassed, it is VERY clear how much Sky loves the idea. Boy even shows up at Sky’s school during the end ceremony for the freshmen week, just because he heard from Phayu that it was going to go on all night and he was worried about Sky getting sick again because he is still recovering (which to be fair, literally all of Sky’s friends are worried about the same thing).

Even the rare time he ends up actually going home, Pai still ends up at Sky’s dorm. Granted it was because he thought something bad was happening to Sky…well he wasn’t wrong, just not the kind of bad that Pai was expecting. Sky got an extra assignment that day that was due the next day and that he will definitely not finish in time if he doesn’t have help…so he calls Pai, who races over because he thinks Sky’s hurt or dying and yeah no, he’s neither of those things. It’s also the first time we see him get angry with Sky and even then, boy manages to keep an absolute lid on the whole thing. It’s easy to tell he’s angry, but he keeps calm and explains to Sky that Sky needs to explain better when he panicking and he calls Pai. You know, cause Pai is very glad that Sky would think to call him and will definitely come no matter what, but god damnit don’t scare him like that next time Sky! Haha. Healthy communication! That’s the way to do it. And of course because your boy is a simp, he still helps Sky’s complete his assignment and even drives him to school the next day.

According to Pai, the whole thing is worth it because Sky kisses him. It’s a really cute scene where Sky asks what he can do to make up for making Pai panic and Pai jokes that as punishment, Sky should kiss him. He very clearly does not expect Sky to do anything of the sort, which leads to an adorably shocked expression when Sky actually does kiss him, pictured below. Boy even manages to score some more points when Sky tells that a single kiss, especially from Sky, sounds like a shitty rewards for helping him. Pai tells him that different people put different value on stuff and Sky is priceless to him. 👍👍 You go Pai, you win over your boy with corny lines and earnestness.

All of this happens around episode 10, which along with episode 11 are two of my favourite episodes of the series. These two episodes are, for the most part, the two of them existing in their little love bubble, getting to know each other and learning how they fit together. We get to see them develop their communication skills with each other a lot more, though it definitely isn’t perfect. In episode 11, Sky makes his last ditch effort to drive Pai away…by making him clean the bathroom in Sky’s dorm XD. Despite not really knowing how to clean a bathroom, Pai does it anyway, and then, on Sky’s orders, tidies up Sky’s entire dorm room. Pai wants to prove that he committed to Sky. But honestly who wouldn’t be, Sky is fucking amazing. Pai is committed to showing Sky that he’s in for the long haul, that he isn’t going anywhere any time soon, no matter how much Sky tries to push him away. He wants to be around Sky for as long as Sky is willing to let him be. It’s to the point where he almost refuses Sky when Sky finally says he’s giving in and is willing to have sex with Pai.

Sky literally gets on top of him and takes off his shirt and ya boy Pai is still trying to explain that he doesn’t want just sex from Sky. He wants Sky’s everything. He gives in though and the two of them have sex (read make love) because of course they do. Pai might be a lot of things, but he is not going to turn down sex with Sky, ever, for any reason. If his Sky wants sexy times, sexy times they shall have. This is also the nc scene where my icon comes from. It’s my favourite shot in this entire show. Fort and Peat act their asses off and you can really feel about much they love each other even if Sky is not ready to admit that he loves Pai just yet…and all they do is stare into each other’s eyes. I’m an deceased, bury me now, I am so gone for them it’s insane. I have no rational mind left. Leave me in this second, to stare at them as they looking into each other’s eyes. So much love unspoken but both know it’s there, even if they aren’t ready to fully talk about it. (I am in a glass case of emotion!!)

Episode 12 is…a wild ride. There are happy times, blow jobs if you watch the extended box set version of the episode but there is also the final test of their relationship which is literally Pai’s fuckboy past coming back to haunt him and Sky trying desperately to detect himself from Pai as a result. It all in the end leads to the endgame of the episode, which is Sky (after breaking up with Pai earlier in the episode) going back to his dorm for the first time in days, to find Pai has somehow got in (my money is on Joy, the dorm manager and grade a gossip who has been enabling Pai since day one, though Pai says he ‘found a key’ 😒), waiting for him. Turns out, yeah he found Sky’s journal and ends up reading out loud.

It’s a scene that I love because it completely lays bare what Sky has been thinking the entire time. How much he loves Pai, even though he doesn’t have the courage to say it out loud. I also hate it because it is completely heart breaking as Sky spends so much of it desperate for Pai to stop reading it out loud because he doesn’t want to be reminded of what he was thinking when he dared to be happy with Pai. Poor boy believes himself to be so unloveable that he genuinely questions if there is even a way for him to get Pai to only pay attention to him, to not get bored of him, to only love him. Like he could almost believe Pai was before he saw Pai seemingly cuddling close to someone on a couch at a party they had gone too. It was definitely a bone head move on Pai’s part, to allow his old hook up to get that close to him, but he also spends the entire scene attempting to gently disengage the other boy from himself so he can get back to Sky. Pai might have a master’s degree but he is also dumb as hell sometimes and is often nice to a fault and doesn’t want to be rude to the other boy. But remember, Sky is very traumatized little bumblebee who jumps to conclusions because his trauma takes over…trauma Pai still doesn’t even know he has!!! (Seriously, at this point the only thing Pai knows is that Sky dated someone in high school, that that boy is responsible for the nipple piercing that Sky no longer has in and that the relationship between Sky and his ex ended badly…that’s it!) (Side note, Pai is just obsessed with Sky’s nipples. This never goes away, not that Sky seems to have much of a problem with it beyond token protests lol).

This is also their “I love you” scene. After he finished reading the journal, Pai tells Sky that he loves him, after faking him out by saying he doesn’t like him anymore. (Seriously what is it with Pai and Phayu. Both used this tactic when telling Sky and Rain that they liked him. Rain almost cries, Sky actually cries.) Despite it all, I can’t get too mad at Pai for this. Again, Pai is many things, but his patients is not infinite and a little petty revenge when he’s still angry enough to say it, well I get that. After he confesses, he asks Sky how Sky feels about him, to which Sky, still kind of sobbing, though in relief at this point I think, admits he is also in love with Pai. Such a happy scene but even then, it still does break my heart a little as Sky also begs Pai not to leave him. Pai answers that he never will, and we as the audience definitely knows that’s true but it is still sad to hear Sky say it. Pai is a simp, there is no other word for him. Boy exists only to love Sky at this point…well he also works for his dad’s company and loves motorcycle racing but really that’s all secondary to just how much he wants to shower love and affection on Sky.

The two talk it out. Love to see them engaging in that healthy honest communication (takes notes Kim!). Sky might not be over his trauma, but even if Pai doesn’t know about it to reassure him and help him tackle it head on, Sky knows that he’ll be able to get through it as long as he has Pai and as long as he knows Pai is committed to him and loves him. Pai is never not going to be committed to you Sky, you have nothing to worry about.

We even get a shining example in episode 13 when after having another nightmare, Sky calls Pai and asks if he can come over. Pai literally drops everything (he was racing that night and if I recall correctly, doesn’t do a race because of Sky’s call. Not a big deal, but it definitely shocks Phayu) and races over (hehe). This show actually has one of the only real aftercare scenes I can remember seeing in a bl, as Pai help Sky to clean up after they have sex. Score another point for Pai over the asshole ex, as the ex never did this for Sky ever and always made him do it himself.

Look at the smile on those boys faces! They are so blissfully in love, it’s rotting my teeth as we speak! Of course this means that something else has to come in a fuck shit up and boy does the asshole ex ever fuck shit up. The first time Sky wants to go an watch Pai race, he runs into the asshole ex (who’s name is technically Gun, but I’m sticking with asshole ex). We get lots of flashbacks about their relationship and we get the full picture and turns out that not only is the ex an asshole, he also could be considered a groomer…As he was a fully grown ass man when they met, while Sky was 15-16. I think the asshole ex is about the same age as Pai and Phayu. The ages in this whole show are funny but if we assume that Pai is about 24-25 in present, than the asshole ex can’t be older than that, but is likely around the same age…which means he was at least 21-22 to Sky’s 15-16 when they ‘dated’. (The ages in this show really are fucky. We know Rain is 19 at the beginning of the series, but we never find out if Sky is older or younger than Rain. I’m inclined to say older but who the hell knows but they were likely born the same year. That puts Sky at 19, but also time has pasted since the start of the series, and they’re in their second year of uni now but no birthdays have been mentioned so ahhhhh! This is also one of those times we can’t use the actors ages as Fort, despite playing the older Pai was 21 when they filmed this series while Peat, playing Sky, was 25).

Long story short, the asshole ex all but kidnaps Sky. He comes up with an extremely convoluted plan to get Sky away from Pai, by tricking Rain into believe Pai is asking him via security guard, to take Sky back to his condo as Sky was saying he wasn’t feeling well (which after seeing the asshole ex, I would have said the same thing). Rain goes back to the race and Pai, being the absolutely amazing attentive boyfriend he is, realizes that someone lied to Rain in an effort to get Sky alone and together with Phayu and Rain, races to condo to save Sky.

There is a heavy trigger warning for abuse/IPV and sexual assault in this episode. While what happens in episode 8 is mild and could be considered either way depending on how you interpret Pai’s intentions and Sky’s reaction/actions, there is no such confusion with this episode. The ex gets Sky alone with the express purpose of fucking with him and assaulting him because he really is just that horrible of a person. Despite saying he “threw Sky away because he was bored of him” he still wants to continue to ruin Sky’s life because Sky finally felt safe enough to begin the long process of moving on. There isn’t any actual assault, the weather boys manage to get there before anything happens and stop him. With Pai almost beating the asshole ex to death. The only reason he doesn’t it because Phayu begs him not too. (You should have just done it Pai, the fucker deserves it.) There is however a flashback where we see the beginning of when the asshole ex’s friends (yes plural) assault Sky while asshole ex watched. It is difficult to watch, so proceed with caution.

Sky has gone kind of catatonic and Pai is the one who manages to get him to respond. He also takes Sky home, like to his family home, not to Sky’s dorm, where Sky is finally able to be honest with Pai about what happened to him. It’s a heart break but also heart warming scene. Listening to Sky explain in his own words what happened is heart breaking (like I cried the first time I watched this scene), but Pai’s response is heartwarming. Sky spends a lot of time insult himself and I absolutely love that Pai never tries to tell him he’s wrong. Like Pai knows Sky is wrong about the way he sees himself. He knows Sky isn’t broken or trash or any other awful thing he might call himself, but Pai also knows that just saying “no Sky you’re wrong, you are not those things” isn’t going to help in that moment. Sky will not respond well to being told that. So instead he is quiet and he listens. Really listens and affirms that he is there for Sky, that he isn’t going anywhere, that Pai loves him and Sky can love Pai. That Pai is the only one who gets to have Sky while they are together. (Another trauma by the asshole ex is that the ex tells Sky, right before he’s about to be sexually assaulted, is that he is bored of Sky and so he is letting his friends have his now broken toy…I really hate this man so much. Side note though, the actor who plays the asshole ex does such a good job. I really want to see him in more things, though hopefully not in a villainous role this time haha).

It’s a really amazing scene and once again Fort and Peat (especially Peat) brings their absolute a game. You really feel for Sky. Like I always wanted Sky to have nice things the whole time, for him to be able to move on, but after that scene. It increases tenfold, especially when you realize that while Sky’s life is not magically going to get better, he is not going to just wake up tomorrow and not be traumatized, he is going to be able to move forward. He finally has the support, space and feeling of safety he needs to truly be able to move on, not just for Pai or his father or his friends, but for himself. He wants to get better for himself and Pai is committed to making sure he is there every step of the way. Pai is committed to making sure that Sky knows that “the wind will always protect the sky” (not sure if that’s the direct quote from the show, but I’m pretty sure it’s pretty close).

(Actually footage of me approximately 30 seconds into episode 8.)

I really honestly love both couples in this series, but something about PrapaiSky has me in a chokehold. The growth the two of them have, not just personal growth but the growth of their relationship. They go from being this couple where one doesn’t know if he actually even wants to have sex with the other/wants to have him around/feeling like he needs to push him away to protect himself and the other is pushy and only barely respects the others boundary to a couple that understands each other and are there for each other. They figure out how to communicate with each other in a healthy way. They learn about each other, to respect each other. They confide in each other. While PhayuRain seems to be aware of some details of Sky’s past in the special episode, I definitely get the feeling that Sky never really tells them the whole truth about what happened to him. They know the broad strokes but nothing in detail while means that for better or worse, the only person Sky ever tells everything too is Pai. I know that Sky will have the courage one day to tell his father, and probably Rain as well, but that day hasn’t happened yet.

Prapai actually does a pre-proposal to Sky in the special episode. Telling him that he wants to marry Sky one day, really marry him. Pai really hopes that same sex marriage will be legalized in Thailand soon because he wants to be married to Sky in the eyes of the law too. Partly to get married but also partly to make sure he can continue to take care of Sky in the future, the way any legally married couple can. Pai also tells Sky that he is completely willing to wait until Sky is ready. Whether it’s after Sky graduates from school, or after he gets his first job or builds his first house, he doesn’t know, but when Sky is ready, he’s going to proposal for real. The thing that endears me to it even more, is that Sky even asks what will happen if he’s never ready. Pai just tells him that that’s okay because he’s going to take care of Sky forever.

Pai makes it clear from day one that he wants to be with Sky. By his own admission, it was mostly about sex at first. Sky was that one night stand that he couldn’t forget, but Pai realizes very quickly that he doesn’t just want sex from Sky. He wants anything and everything that Sky is willing to give him. It might take Sky a little while longer to really admit that he feels the same, but he does get there.

Pai is, in my opinion, in a lot of ways, the perfect match for Sky. He is pushy, but Sky needs someone who is pushy sometimes, to force him to confront things he knows he needs too, but would rather ignore. He needs someone who reminds him to take care of himself, to make sure he eats when he’s working and sleeps when he’s tired, even if he is in a time crunch for an assignment. Sky needs someone who will occasionally worship the ground he walks on, to remind him that the things he tells himself in the darkest parts of his mind aren’t true. That he has people who love him. That Pai loves him unconditionally and will not hesitate to show him.

Sky conversely is also perfect for Pai. Pai needs someone who is willing to call him out, who is doesn’t put up with his bullshit but can also be equally as playful and daring as he is. (I’m looking at you board room sex from the special episode and the implication that Sky planned and prepped for the whole thing.) Pai needs someone who forces him to mature a lot, to develop the kind of good communication skills you need if you want a working relationship. Pai needs someone to worship. He needs someone who will take charge occasionally, someone who knows who Pai is and knows how to interact with him better than he knows himself.

I am so not normal about PrapaiSky haha. They are just so good and while they may not be everyone’s cup of tea (and that’s okay) they definitely are mine. Both Fort and Peat do such a good job with these characters and are able to make me believe in these two in a way I don’t think other actors could. I’m going to be rewatching Love In The Air for a long time, and obsessing over PrapaiSky for equally as well haha, and I’m definitely okay with that

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demetriandelibinaryboyfriends · 7 months

Text

@allvalleyskillschallenge

Prompt: Back to School Pairing: YasMoon More cheer content for Best Lesbians!!!

***

You’re at the mall with your boyfriend, he’s upset He’s yelling at you while completely drenched in sweat He doesn’t get nonviolence like I do

I’m in Marseille, it’s a typical summer night Watching the kind of sissy chick flicks he doesn’t like And he’ll never smell like roses like I do

But she wears short skirts I wear t-shirts She’s cheer captain And I’m on the bleachers

Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find That all that macho shit Won’t keep your chakras aligned!

If you could see that I won’t get a tattoo of you Without asking first because that’s creepy You don’t belong to me And I think you should flee

Walking the halls with you and your lecturing I’m sort of shocked that you still want to hang with me Seeing your laugh and thinking to myself “I’m glad Moon forgives easy”

And I see your ex acting like he’s worth your time After all he ever did was treat you like some prize You said it was love but I know better than that Have some self-respect and don’t you dare take him back!

But she wears high heels I wear sneakers She’s cheer captain And I’m on the bleachers

Know I’m nobody now, and I’m just some tryhard But despite how Hawk’s changed He’s got no clue who you are!

If you could see that I know all your favorite smoke spots Music, movies, outfits down to your bikinis And where you go on shopping sprees

Flying home to see you on the prom night I know they thought that I came for Demetri But he’s only a beard to me And you’re all I see

Oh, I remember you leaving me behind For the school karate gang But you’d end up in a bind ‘Cause mean kids are all the same

And I know that I fucked up And I know I was a bitch But if it meant there’d still be an “us” Then for you I’d make a switch

Do you see it when we’re tanning by the poolside? Do you see it when we’re sitting in the booth and I’m like please Why can’t you see me?

And I know I’ve missed my chance over and over And longing’s not bringing you any closer Even if I have to plead But you belong with me Maybe someday you’ll see

You belong with me And one day I’ll feel free To say what I wish we could be And what you mean to me

***

@karatecaulfield pspsps

After I made this, I...maaaaaay have gotten kinda carried away with the YasMoon cheerleading content and wrote them a dumb little You Belong With Me cover. Whoops ^^;

So You Belong With Me has actually always kinda given me YasMoon vibes, but like...in a roundabout way? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know that technically Yasmine and Moon BOTH canonically wear short skirts and high heels (which like. Good for them!!! It's such a Look and they slay!!!), but it makes me think of post-S1 YasMoon, where Moon was still one of the most popular girls in school, and Yasmine...definitely was not anymore. And we DO know that Yas started dressing more "modestly" from S3 onwards (as annoying as it was that she had to give up her "evil slut clothes" to undergo character development ig -____-), so it doesn't seem out of the question for Moon to keep the skirts and heels while Yas transitions to more casual, mundane stuff so as not to draw attention to herself. Definitely wouldn't blame her for wanting to stay under the radar after the wedgie video went viral lmao

Also TELL me Yasmine wouldn't look cute as fuck in pink tennis shoes and/or pink converse!!! Like come on!!! Girl would be ADORABLE in bright barbie pink stereotypical "not like the other girls" clothing and the more I think about it, the more I NEED to see this in S6. Also because it would be really funny if Moon just like. Had a thing for mean people in casual sportswear XD

Actually, went a bit apeshit and made this entire thing pink💗💗💗 What can I say!!! They just look so good in bright girly feminine colors!!! I have SUCH a weakness for hyperfemme4hyperfemme lesbians tbh. Same for hypermasc4hypermasc gays, hyperfemme4hyperfemme gays, and hypermasc4hypermasc lesbians 💖 Idk there's just something so special about queer couples who don't give a single flying fuck about The Straights™️trying to impose their "one person MUST be masculine and one person MUST be feminine in all couples!!!" brand of heteronormativity on LGBT folk. Masc4masc pairings that feel 0 desire for any femininity in your romantic relationship I love you, femme4femme pairings that feel desire for any masculinity in your romantic relationship I love you--

Yes I know realistically speaking most LGBT and non-LGBT couples are a pretty solid mix of masc and femme between BOTH people but I'm trying to make a point here akjsdiulfhkdufh

Fun fact: I was reading cheerleader anecdotes while researching how cheer squads work, and I learned the stereotypical pleated cheerleader skirt is...actually considered kind of dated??? At least in the actual cheer community. Which I think is a damn shame, because those skirts are cute as fuck D: But TBH Moon is popular enough that she could wear the most dated pleaty cheer skirt on the market and STILL rock it. Plus make it look "cool" and "retro" XD And we damn well know Yasmine will think she looks hot regardless <3

ALSO idk if I've ever mentioned this before, but it blows my damn mind that Yasmine is practically wearing the lesbian flag during the scene where she signs Demetri's cast :O Take away that blue stripe and she literally would be??? Like that whole but needed to be any more ragingly queer-coded than it already way XD NOT MY GIRL SAYING SHE KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE PUBLICLY HUMILIATED TO THE POINT OF BEING OUTCASTED AND OTHERED. WHILE WEARING A GODDAMN LESBIAN SWEATER. AND THEN IMMEDIATELY "STRAIGHTENING" THE HOMOPHOBIC JOKE ON HIS CAST AND COVERING BOTH THEIR GAY ASSES IN ONE FEEL SWOOP AJDIOSUHYFDUG Lesbian queen!!!

Also this subtext is going to make me go fucking INSANE I swear to GOD

Rambles specific to the dumb little song I wrote under the cut!

Basically the scenario I'm imagining here takes place during S3. A recently fallen-from-grace Yasmine is now at the bottom of the school food chain, forced to watch from the sidelines as her ex-best-friend (who STILL gives her the time of day for some reason) remains a popular, universally-loved socialite. And she finds herself in a strange position.

She can't help being a little envious, of course, since she remembers when she was that widely respected. It leaves a sour taste in her mouth that she once ruled the school, and now her second-in-command is blossoming and thriving while she's been reduced to a pathetic laughingstock. And with Moon expanding her circle as Yasmine's shrinks, Yasmine always ends up feeling left behind.

But it's more than that. With Moon soaring high while she's crawling through the dirt trying to catch up, Yasmine believes more and more that she's not worthy of her best friend's time. Like Moon has outgrown her in a way that leaves her feeling desolate and lost.

And yet Moon lets her stick around. Yasmine knows she should spend more time counting her blessings and less ruminating on her newfound status as the school loser.

Because, for some strange reason, Moon doesn't actually seem to care. For now, that's enough.

Unfortunately, her enduring popularity doesn't make Moon immune to the kind of self-interested assholes Yasmine's trying not to emulate anymore. Moon's ex--the subject of many a horror story concerning the Valley in Yasmine's absence--can't seem to leave her alone. Whether it's making passes at her when she's very clearly not interested or wrecking her science project because he can't stand to see her happy without him, the guy cannot for the life of him take a hint.

Moon vents at lunch one day that she loved him, and it broke her heart to watch him turn into such a jerk. Yasmine hopes for the sake of her own sanity that her friend is exaggerating.

Because Moon really, really needs to set her sights higher than some possessive creep who gets her name branded on his skin after a month of dating, and then acts like it cosmically bound them forever. The issue is that Yasmine has no idea how to convey this tactfully enough that Moon will actually listen.

For the most part, Yasmine is grudgingly happy that Moon grew a backbone. But she misses when her opinion had more sway, based on force and conviction alone.

It's times like these she wishes the two of them were on speaking terms over the summer. Then Yasmine could've told Moon to fucking run.

Moon's ex gets better, at least. Stops being a raging ass. Actually steps back and respects Moon's relationship with Piper.

(As sad as that thought makes Yasmine, for whatever reason.)

And yet he still watches her walk by with those big, sad eyes of his, like she's eternally the most tear-jerking scene in some depressing drama. When Moon stops to chat with him--friendly and kind, even after everything--whatever she says flies in one ear and right out the other.

It's so fucking pathetic. Hawk puts her on this shining pedestal of divinity and utter perfection--his own personal angel of salvation. But ask the boy so much as her favorite color or her favorite animal or her favorite store at the goddamn mall, he would bluescreen faster than a Windows Vista.

And frankly, Yasmine doesn't give a shit about his stupid fucking redemption arc. Good for him that he's not acting like a human dumpster every second of every day, but Moon isn't obligated to patiently help him wade through the muck of his own bad decisions. Fix and tidy up his perpetual list of issues.

Moon is more than some trophy to hand out for not being a shithead.

She's a whole human being, with thoughts and dreams and hopes and feelings. She likes turquoise jewelry and yoga and California rolls. She wants to be a massage therapist, but is worried it would pay like shit. She likes spending quiet, thoughtful nights walking around hidden corners of the bustling city. She realized she had a talent for baking and cooking when she made weed brownies to give out at school. She loves decking herself out in glowsticks at raves because it makes her feel like some mystical fairy. She listens to mostly electronic and top 40s bubblegum pop, but every now and again, she craves nothing but a good classical piano piece. She adores trashy romcoms, and has only ever been taught to be ashamed of it. Especially by people like Hawk.

And she's the most incredible person in the world.

She’s the reason Yasmine boards that plane back to LAX, if she’s honest.

Sure, it’s got something to do with her father’s frequent pestering about her love life. The exhaustion of constantly faking enthusiasm for a relationship that has only ever been a cover-up. And she isn’t keen on missing junior prom for a ceremony ushering in a stepmom scarcely better than the one who gave birth to her.

But the moment she sees that blue dress, that curled hair, that euphoric beam when Yasmine walks over…

Nothing else at that dumb dance even registers.

And yes, she dances with Demetri. Grinds on him as much as she’s expected to. Even stays for the afterparty to make out with him for good measure. She has to keep up appearances, after all.

But with Moon tired and headed home, Yasmine excuses herself after 20 minutes, suddenly no longer able to stand Demetri's mouth on hers.

In the coming weeks, Moon seems to buy into Hawk's song and dance hook, line, and sinker. Somehow, sad puppy eyes and pining stares and sob stories about how he's "lost his confidence" are enough to make up for him not knowing any more about her than a stranger of the street. All the conversations they've had and dates they've been on and intimate ways they've entwined their bodies, and Hawk has managed to ask Moon so remarkably little.

He's learned so remarkably little about the girl he's convinced is his soulmate.

And it's beyond frustrating to see Moon worrying herself over Hawk's neverending teen angst and annoying inner demons when Yasmine worked to better herself, too--and all she expected in return was a halfhearted pity friendship. When Yasmine's the one who can make Moon laugh without even trying. When Yasmine knows Moon's brunch order and favorite spa treatment. When Yasmine has seen Moon high and wasted and everything in between. When Yasmine's the one who always held Moon's hair back when she yakked her entire stomach contents into the toilet.

When Yasmine's the one who rarely leaves Moon's side. When Yasmine's the one who sits closer than just friends in every restaurant booth. When Yasmine's the one who sneaks longing glances at Moon not out of some mopey self-pity that she can never get the girl, but because she simply can't help it.

She'd look at Moon forever if she could. She'd gladly spend eternity taking in everything that was Moon--everything she'd ever been and everything she'd ever be--and never expect a damn thing for it.

And again and again and again, Yasmine is overlooked. Nothing but background noise in Moon's solemn duty to take care of a boy who will never deserve her.

And it's pathetic, really. Moon had a girlfriend. Kissed her in front of the whole school. Yasmine saw the instagram pics. It's not like Moon isn't open to being with girls that way.

Yet every time Yasmine wants to finally tell the truth, something stops her. Something holds her back. Something whispers in her ear that Moon would laugh in her face. And perhaps it has less to do with them both being girls, and everything to do with how they feel worlds apart these days.

After all, what hope is there for the cheer captain to love you back when all you are is that joke of a Front Wedgie Girl sitting in the bleachers?

#allvalleyskillschallenge #yasmoon #yasmine x moon #moon x yasmine #moodboard #aesthetic #yasmine cobra kai #moon cobra kai #cobra kai #cobra kai season 1 #cobra kai season 2 #cobra kai season 3 #cobra kai season 4 #cobra kai season 5 #wlw #lesbian #femslash

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thatiranianphantom · 11 months

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Hi there.

Your ship is dead. Bullying a grown man and hiding behind ‘bUT IM A TEENAGER” is bullshit. If you have ANY ounce of dignity, just stop fucking watching the show. You are going to drain yourself and drive yourself crazy over a fictional tv ship which you don’t DESERVE. Maybe I might have had sympathy for you in season 4. Before you bullied half of the cast and lili to tears (do you remember when she had to come out and say ‘it’s a fucking tv show’ only for you to STILL whine and cry and throw your bottles? Ted is right. You are the most disrespectful, selfish freaks of fandom I’ve ever come across and I hope to god you grow the fuck up and get TV comprehension skills. Because you have ZERO. Crying about the ratings which have been falling since season 3 is not going to bring back your CORPSE of a ship. Betty and Jughead don’t even like each other and you expect them to fuck? You will cry when the writers are “sexualising teenagers!!!” But when Betty and Jughead were having roleplay sex as 16 year olds it was fine?

You cried and begged and demanded bughead sex scenes and bABY JULIET when these kids were 15/16 years old and you call out the writers for being creepy now? NOW???? You call Archie disgusting and using Betty as a “baby maker” doll, housewife, but you have wanted that woman (or CHILD) fucking rat boy and having his kids since they were literally kids themselves? Do you see the hypocrisy or should I continue?

“How DARE the writers have Betty change everything about herself for Archie that is so GROSS AND MISOGYNISTIC.”

Yep. And Betty didn’t do a serpent dance at 15 to fit into Jughead’s world?? Now that is changing herself for a boy.

You’re hypocrites and are salty because your ship is dead, the actors despise each other, and you can’t make Sprousehart edits without the feeling that it may be wrong, because rat boy is an abuser. Barchie have never tried to erase bughead. Because it happened. It was cute, and it was a thing that happened. Betty loved him.

But the fact that you constantly delude yourselves with insane theories which are wrong every single time to erase barchie is hilarious. Seriously. “It’s an au!! “Archie’s light gives Betty headaches!” “We are going back to 5x17!” “Jughead shielded Betty” “the season 6 universe was erased!” That makes it clear you see barchie as developed, and real. And a THREAT which you can’t shop unless you erase it. You can’t hide behind “it’s forced! “It came out of nowhere!” Barchie was building from the first episode. If you cannot understand the point of two mains Archie and Betty, slowly getting feelings while being with other people; you are either stupid, or a child. This show was RULED by bughead and lili and Cole can service. The teen choice award you keep talking about? WAS VERY CLEARLY THERE TO HYPE UP THE ACTORS DATING. If you can’t get??? You’re an idiot or a child. If you can’t understand the point of a slow burn which was Betty and Archie being sidelined by a psychotic fandom who bullied the writers into four season of bughead fucking in a bunker and varchie arguing with hiram, you are an idiot. Sweetie. BABES. When the fifties are over and Archie and Betty have fallen in love AGAIN, and they return to a riverdale free of darkness, Toni and Cheryl are together, Veronica and Reggie— and Jughead and Tabitha, what are you going to do? Implode? Delete? Murder a crew member? I don’t know what you will do but holy shit it will be entertaining to see you fall. A fandom who spent 7 years terrorising barchies, cast members and writers, making fake sexual assault allegations for each cast member, being disgustingly racist to Vanessa and ash, and body shaming Lili. Bullying KJ until he very clearly went off of the edge in the pandemic, and for some reason also going after your GOD rat boy. I’m saying this to you and all of you. Yes, barchies and Choni’s have said some awful things, as well as varchies. But nothing can top the entitled brats you are. And I hope when Lilis contract os over, and she reveals Cole was an abuser, she tells you all to go and fuck yourselves.

.........

..........

........

wut????

This manifesto is so very confusing to me. Somehow, you've both been stalking my blog and been paying no attention at the same time.

I'll admit, I didn't read much of this, but a few things

This is now the second time today that someone on the internet accused me of being a teen. I'm flattered, don't get me wrong, but what is it about this? I am a grown ass adult. Is it something I am putting out there?

Oh please, please desperate BA anon, may I have your sympathy back??????

"Ted is right." Oof, anon. Very oof.

I would like you to go on, anon, please point out to me where anyone thought the Serpent Dance was a good decision? And where the seasons 1-4 sex parties and girls with one character trait were?

The BA stuff, I can't....I can't even....what?

What teen choice award do I keep talking about???? I am so confused????

The only thing in this.....jumble of words that offended me was you calling Cole "rat boy" (also did you imply that I love Cole? Have you....read my blog?) because I have rats and excuse you, they're amazing. Look at this leetle boy

Apologize to him this instant!

Look how upset you've made him!

#answered #anonymous #What teen choice award??????

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gwenthebard · 7 months

Text

I feel like more people ned to be aware and conscious of the fact that pretty much every single argument against age gap relationships I've ever seen has either been

-extremely infantilizing of adults

-extremely isolating for older people

-swung back into justifying toxic relationship dynamics pretending it's a healthy approach

or all of the above

Like, saw a thing about people talking about a fifteen year age gap between two characters (roughly 25 and 40) and like, besides the point it's fictional characters, people were treating it weird as fuck? Some of the weirdest I saw, roughly paraphrased:

"He's gonna die way before her" Yeah. Hate to say this but that whole "average lifespan" thing isn't a one or two year gap for most people. You can be the same age and your partner might die decades before you. My family a lot of the women live into their 80s and 90s and a lot of the men died in their 60s. Loving someone is knowing you might need to go without them one day, and still choosing to take advantage of the time you have together

"I wouldn't even have anything in common with someone ten years younger than me and I'm 40"

How? Like, I still am not sure what this means. Like, hobbies and goals wise? I relate to a lot of people of different ages, and maybe that's me being queer and stuff. Do you mean like, personality? Cause, like, you don't need to have the literal same personality of someone you like and this is why you do hear creepy shit like people being "mature for their age". This is literally the sort of thing that causes scenarios where you see friends with age gaps having the same interests and hobbies, and the older one is treated as being flirty or even predatory even if they're both adults

"You're brain's not even fully developed until 25 and even then it's a few years before you're actually mature"

Okay, on top of the "brain develops until 25" thing being a literal myth caused by the fact your brain never stops developing and the study that gets cited only went up till age 25, literally adults. Like, will they probably make mistakes theyll regret? yeah 50 year olds are doing that. Are they probably less mature than people older than them? yeah but also there are 70 year olds thinking 40 year olds are immature children. Is the age gap something to be aware of? Yes, this is why you talk things out and set boundaries and goals and keep open communication. But like, to say two people who meet as adults and form a relationship aren't actually both adults is ???

TLDR: why is it literally every time people argue about age gap relationships it feels like everyone against them completely just literally has no hobbies or goals past what is expected of their age, and they think literally everyone younger than them are children while everyone older is a wise old soul with infinitely more maturity and knowledge

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rappaccini · 7 months

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Someone said Spiderverse movies took everything that was wrong with comic gwiles and fixed it...what do you think about that?

mmmm.... mixed bag. it takes the superficial problems with gwiles and fixes them, but it takes the fundamental ones and makes them so much worse.

[cut for length and hate of a fanship juggernaut-]

the problems with comics gwiles:

first, the circumstantial. the things that weren't executed well but could be redeemed in other continuities.

the age gap: in the comics, gwen's 3-4 years older than miles. in that famous panel of them making out, she's 20 and he's ~16. yikes!

the maturity gap. similar to age gap, but less dependent on age. age gaps become less and less important as time passes on. maturity is a little different, and dependent on your experiences. even when miles is ~23 and dating a 26-27-year-old gwen is appropriate, she's still spent a year and a half in supermax being beaten every day by dozens of criminals with no way of protecting herself and they're still at different developmental stages. she's been through shit he won't be able to help her with, and it wouldn't be fair for her to force him to deal with trauma he isn't equipped for. don't force a grown woman to infantilize herself to make her younger boyfriend comfortable, or a black boy to speed past his adolescence for a relationship with a woman he's too young for.

the lack of chemistry. they sincerely do not seem attracted to each other. whenever they're clinging to each other in sitting in a tree, it's cringy and weird in no small part due to the age gap and because...

the lack of connection. in the comics, miles and gwen aren't really friends. they're usually on the same team during crossover events, but that's basically it. they don't hang out as civilians, they don't have fun together as heroes, and they have little to talk about other than whatever mission they're currently on. they're basically just coworkers with a mutual friend/mentor in peter.

the context of the initial romantic spark. it isn't gwen and miles sincerely developing feelings for each other. it's them being told by god that the only way they can be safe and happy is if they make out, marry and pump out superbabies... and then saying 'well, god wanted us to kiss, so let's do it.' no matter what, if they pair off, that's the basis of their relationship: being ordered to get together and told if they don't they'll never be safe or happy.

and as for the most fundamental parts, the things written into their characterization and the themes of their stories that can't be changed without changing the meaning of who they are and what they're about:

on an emotional level: miles is into gwen because he's a teenage boy who sees a pretty girl with superpowers, and he thinks being with her will make him cool in front of his friends. siat literally starts and ends with miles bragging about the encounter to his bros, hyping it up as this hot romance that's definitely maybe gonna turn into something (... but then when we actually see it, it's awkward and she turns him down-- so he's lying to them) and shortly after siat, he'd keep bringing gwen up to his hero friends, calling her his girlfriend, trying to impress them. (they don't buy it fwiw)

gwen reciprocates the kiss in the moment but never mentions miles again in her entire solo run (except to make a dig at how now that she can turn invisible, looks like he's not so special anymore... so there's baggage there,) therefore she wasn't too into it. so she kissed him for reasons other than attraction. probably because at that time, gwen was extremely lonely and vulnerable (she was depowered, she had to spend the holidays alone because her father was in jail, she was grieving her peter, she was being exploited by a creepy mob boss who was absolutely going to do far worse to her) and having a future where she's safe and secure dangled in front of her face made her desperate enough to try giving in to it. on a personal level, gwen sees miles as an easy escape from her problems.

if you see the girl you like as a status symbol, or the boy you like as a get out of jail free card, you shouldn't get together.

on a sociocultural level: miles and gwen are both in stories about being marginalized people in a story and world designed for white guys. both contemplate assimilation-- miles, by distancing himself from his culture to appeal to white new york, and gwen by submitting to various powerful men who want to control her-- and this relationship would lock them into an assimilation plotline forever. (controversial take: just because a relationship is interracial doesn't mean it can't be regressive in other ways! intersectionality is important to consider!)

miles obtaining a blonde, blue-eyed white girlfriend (who even wears a white costume) he mostly sees as a status symbol and having ambiguous-looking kids with her as he becomes a celebrity supercop in a world without his community and family solidifies that he sold out and committed to placating a presumably-white public.

and gwen attaching herself romantically to a more powerful man who everyone likes better than her, marrying him, giving up her personality (gwen-65 would never like living gwen-8's life), social circle (where are her friends and family), interests (where's her band) and goals to support his (miles is the one who wants to lead a super-team, not gwen), and having his kids (even though she's indifferent at best to the idea of motherhood) solidifies that she's submitted to the limitations of patriarchy and is settling.

it's important for these characters to be tempted by those easy answers to their problems, and to have a moment of weakness where they contemplate giving in.

it's more important for them to resist that temptation.

on a meta level: comic gwiles happened back when no one knew what to do with miles so they just hurled all peter's leftovers at him. his villains. his plotlines. his leftover love interest.

miles morales is the other spider-man. gwen stacy is the other girlfriend. let's pair the spares so we can lump them off in their own little corner and we won't have to put effort into giving them their own stories!

miles was getting all kinds of bullshit about not being spider-man from the fandom. handing him one of the most famous Spider-Man Love Interests was a way of saying, 'see? yes he is! gwen stacy falls in love with spider-man, and she falls in love with miles, so miles is spider-man! and he's not just spider-man, he's an even better spider-man, because this spider-man gets a gwen who lives! a superpowered gwen to have superpowered babies with!'

on gwen's end, she's gwen stacy. she's the girl who is defined by being spider-man's girlfriend, living to make him happy, dying to make him sad, her existence totally determined by being desirable to the male hero. spider-gwen was meant to set the character free from that: now she's the hero. she has the power and the responsibility. she never has to be dependent on the male lead for her existence again.

so taking the one version of gwen whose purpose is to be her own person and turning her into Spider-Man's Spider-Wife and Mother Of His Spider-Babies implies that the Real Tragedy of gwen's death was that the hero didn't get to save, marry and make babies with the girl, not that the girl fucking died and never got a life of her own. it makes a girl's life, death and story about a guy. again.

... yeah it's irredeemable. you can't change these things without changing miles and gwen into different characters. so the ship doesn't work unless you want their stories to be tragedies about two people who try to define their own narratives, but give up and settle.

(and the whole point of their characters is that they're meant to succeed. they aren't supposed to be tragedies about trying to fight the system, giving up and submitting to it.)

literally the only thing about comic gwiles that works is that they look hot together and on a surface level, the idea of them falling in love is neat. but the second you look deeper and actually think about what it would mean for them and their stories the whole thing falls apart.

as for the movies

the age gap: 15 and 16/17 is appropriate. no notes.

the maturity gap: in between films, miles spent the last year and a half in a stable loving home, going to high school, moonlighting as a superhero. yes, he's had mental health struggles and been dealing with grief and stress, but he's in a safe environment to process those feelings and has at least one friend who he can trust with his secret.

meanwhile on top of her own grief over her peter and stress over the hero-teenager life balance, gwen's lost all her friends, been manhunted by the cops for a year and shot at by her dad, ran away from home, and spent 5+ months homeless, being manipulated and neglected by the adults in the society, living as a full-time superhero with adult responsibilities, all while knowing she's likely doomed to die soon.

by the time they reunite, gwen's had to mature a lot and miles simply hasn't. it wouldn't be fair for gwen to act like none of that shit happened to make miles happy, or for miles to take on all that emotional strain to make gwen happy.

the chemistry: now exists! i buy that miles and gwen would be attracted to each other.

the lack of connection: complicated. if nothing else now that they're the same age and had that day of working together in itsv, i buy that gwen and miles would want to be friends, and that if they got to spend time together, they would be.

however, they still barely know each other. they spent one afternoon hanging out and fought together for one night, and then never spoke to or saw each other again for a year and a half. and during that time they've been hung up on the idea of meeting each other again, and that a relationship would be the solution to their problems. they like the idea of each other better than the reality.

by the time the trilogy wraps up, they'll have known each other for a week tops, spread out over that long a gap of no contact. deciding to date someone (let alone deciding you're in love with them) with that little time spent actually knowing each other doesn't make sense.

sure it's possible that they could take time to reconnect before getting together... but it's also equally likely that doing so will make them realize they're only interested in the idea of each other, and are better off as friends.

the context of the romantic spark. gwen and miles spending time together, striking up a friendship, and thinking 'you're cute and we understand each other and i like being around you, let's do more of that'? without the universe breathing down their necks insisting they have to make spiderbabies or else? works!

BUT. itsv ends on gwen telling miles she's only interested in a friendship. and they don't interact for a year and a half. teenage crushes are intense... but they also burn out fast when there's distance, especially when you have shit as heavy as what gwen's dealing with going on, and when you're building stronger relationships with other romantic options (pav and hobie). by the time atsv begins, gwen would've moved on.

gwen being this starstruck over him does not feel realistic. she's not in love with him, she's fixated on him.

in the circumstantial sense, yes, movie gwiles is an improvement.

but. in terms of the irreconcilables:

on an emotional level:

miles is still into gwen because she's pretty and powerful, but also because she's smart ("smart girls are where it's at" = miles thought gwen was a gifted kid like him, and that was part of her appeal). he looks up to her skillfulness and wants to be a better hero so he can be on her level. he empathizes with her grief and guilt over a loved one's death and the double-life stress. the thing that first made her stand out to him was that she laughed at his joke-- she made him feel less alone in a situation where he felt like he couldn't belong.

so at least his crush isn't kiddie-pool deep anymore.

but. he barely knows her. he's spent a year and a half dreaming about what it would like to be with her; most of what he thinks of gwen is just projection. he's withdrawn from everyone in his life and assumes a relationship with her will fix all his problems-- that he won't be lonely, insecure or stressed anymore as long as he can prove he's powerful enough to reach this unreachable girl.

and since reaching gwen means proving he's an elite enough student to go to princeton... or an elite enough spider-man to join the society, she's the reward for him achieving that status. she's still technically a trophy.

at least gwen likes miles because he's kind, smart, funny and the first friend she's made since peter died... but. that's the thing.

she's still hung up on her peter parker. still guilty about his death, refusing to let herself make new friends. she still wants to protect him (shielding miles from the canon event/anomaly revelations), she still wants to save him (gwen getting flashbacks and panicking when miles is in the rubble in mumbattan... and ending the film committing to saving him again).

gwen sees miles as her redemption for failing to save peter. if she can protect him, save his life, be his girlfriend, then she can forgive herself.

(and since she's a runaway, he's an escape from a world where everyone hates her, from her responsibilities. the movies say it themselves: he's peter pan, she's wendy. you do know how peter pan ends, right?)

the problem still exists for miles, it's just reversed now: comics miles sees gwen as a means of getting the status he wants. movie miles sees the status as a means of getting gwen... but he still shouldn't need either to find validation and understanding.

and comics gwen still sees miles as an escape from her problems... but now it's even worse, because she's using him as a replacement goldfish for her peter. unfair to miles, unhealthy for gwen.

on a sociocultural level:

they're still in assimilation narratives.

miles thinks no one in his community understands him and considers going to pwi princeton so he can find those people. then he jumps at the chance to join the spider society, full of said people (mostly-white guys policing a white guy's status quo). he thinks if he gets gwen, a white girl, to be with/vouch for him, he'll be accepted by the status quo and treated as the exception.

so far, he's committed to rejecting the aspects of the status quo that he dislikes. which is great! but is he going to go all the way, or is he going to stop at 'actually, the societal conventions that benefit me can stay.'

(even if gwen survives, that subverts nothing because she'd be surviving to be his girlfriend. he's still the one who profits the most, especially if he gets the Hero Moment of saving her. he gets the prize and the big photo finish.)

gwen's surrounded by mostly-men in control of the status quo, and was told for months by them that her role in this story is Someone's Girlfriend.

the only woman in the inner circle, jess, is a happily married pregnant woman who reinforces the system because it works for her (even though the most she can be in it is the male leader's number two), and dislikes when gwen isn't obedient.

then gwen exclusively befriends guys who push her towards her designated boyfriend even when they barely know him, is catty to margo over male attention, only rebels against the status quo on behalf of the boy and not herself, and reassures that boy when he's jealous over her and hobie that she's remained loyal to him all this time despite never being in a relationship in the first place and never expecting to see him again.

she ends atsv by disowning all her female relationships (the mjs, jess), making nice with her dad, accepting her role as Miles's Girlfriend despite knowing it will kill her. then she forms a mostly-male team (including two girls who are only there for the boy, not her) to save him and declares with a smile that this is what she needed all along.

(who wants to bet the second miles turns up, she'll hand the leadership of her own band to him too.)

essentially, gwen's totally given in. she's settling for 'hey, maybe my boyfriend won't get me killed this time. that's enough, right?' (no!!!)

on a meta level:

the movies do a lot to establish miles as his own character with his own world and his own story (which is exactly what he needs!)... yet. the one thing that isn't his own is his love interest.

they might not have said outright that gwen's Peter's Girlfriend. but they whitewashed peter65 to make it clear they would've gotten together before he died and remove all hangups gwen would have about being attracted to miles. they made gwen's attraction to miles based on her fixation on her peter. they confirmed that gwen dating spider-man is a canon event.

the audience may not have read the comics, but they've seen the amazing spider-man movies. they know gwen's peter's girlfriend who dies because he can't save her.

miles's entire storyline is about being ostracized for being Not Spider-Man Enough... but miles and gwen are still being paired romantically, gwen implies that her hangup is she wishes it would end well and miles assures her that they'll be different. once again, miles being spider-man hinges on whether he obtains and keeps a romantic relationship with gwen.

gwen's entire story is about... how if only she could end up with her high school boyfriend. and her happy ending depends on how supportive she is of him.

her death's going to be revealed as a canon event in btsv. odds are, she'll live because miles saves her. because, as he said, he's Different (tm).

so spider-gwen's been regressed to something she's never been before in the comics, to the thing she was created to never have to be again: the hero's girlfriend.

whether gwen lives or dies, even if he isn't the one who saves her, her story's still about being an ideal for the hero to strive towards, obtain and keep. the only difference is now she gets to hand herself to the hero and say 'i'm okay with this somehow' so he's absolved of the responsibility for taking her protagonism away

so to recap, the writers clearly did some heavy lifting to redeem some of the relationship... but only on miles's end, and only half-measures:

comics miles has a shallow attraction to gwen largely based on achieving status through having her. movie miles has a genuine emotional connection with gwen but still doesn't know her well and is still reliant on her for validation.

comics miles's relationship with gwen is dependent on his willingness to become palatable for a white audience at the cost of being a resonant character for the community he was created to represent. movie miles gets to define his own narrative without being stereotyped or sanded down to fit into a white mold... but as long as he can pick and choose what aspects of assimilation benefit him the most, he'll embrace some of it.

comics miles is handed gwen as an attempt by the writers to make his haters see how much like peter he is, rather than doing the work to give him something unique. movie miles isn't Diet Peter Parker anymore, but he's still dependent on getting gwen to be considered spider-man enough.

but on gwen's side... it's worse than in the comics.

comics gwen doesn't need a relationship with miles to feel good about herself or take part in the story. movie gwen does and is only rewarded by the narrative when she's prioritizing him (she can only find happiness with him and none of her other friends even when they know her better than miles ever did, she can only reconcile with her father and stop being homeless because she's getting miles's photo, she can only stand up to the society and miles's parents and form her own hero team because it's in defense of him and it's a given that he's going to take control of the team the second he rejoins it, she can have a pov in the second movie as long as it's all about how much she misses miles, she can only be in these movies in the first place because she's going to be his girlfriend).

comics gwen is resisting (so far) the urge to give in and assimilate back into the male gaze. movie gwen completely caved to it by the end of the second movie.

comics gwen's narrative understands that she has to be not only alive, but her own agent in control of her own storyline, with plots that center her as an individual; she literally cuts gwiles off in its tracks because she recognizes they're being manipulated and wants them to make their own choices. movie gwen's narrative fully believes that the only problem was that she didn't get to live so she could belong to a guy, and her character was written from the ground up to be accepting of that (hence, why movie gwen doesn't beat her peter to death for being an incel like she does in the comics).

the circumstantials are fine. they have the surface-level connection to make a romantic attraction plausible, and the lack of familiarity could've easily been fixed with a shift in the timeline or an indication that they'll get to know each other more before they get together.

but the fundamental aspects of their characters are still undone by it.

the only way this ship works is if that's the point, and they need to recognize that and move on from each other.

(there's enough time to do it too... but will they?)

in conclusion: it's worse!

#spiderverse salt #asks #gwen stacy #miles morales #spider gwen salt

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sixty-silver-wishes · 6 months

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things I would love to see in a staged/sound film "caligari" adaptation-

francis, alan, and jane just being friends before alan is killed. the film only shows these three interacting once, but they're heavily implied to be really close, and I think one scene is all that's needed to show the chemistry they could have- while introducing a plot-relevant character dynamic and having a lighter moment in between the suspense and horror in the scenes before and after it. I'd love to see more of how much they mean to each other; we see francis and jane are devastated after alan's death in the original, and it would be interesting to see how much alan's death disrupts the previously-established dynamic between the three.

retaining the liminal, dreamlike quality through not explaining major plot events. develop the characters, elaborate on the script, maybe even make some plot changes, but I don't think everything should be explained- especially why alan asks when he's going to die, why cesare doesn't kill jane, and why caligari targets his specific victims. any adaptation that tries to explain these particular elements sort of falls flat; the plot holds up because it operates on "dream logic." stuff just happens and it doesn't make any sense, but we as the audience are expected to just go with it and draw our own conclusions.

exploring the symbolism. it can be hard to do this without being too on the nose (which I didn't like about the bbc radio version, despite the fact I thought it made some otherwise really neat choices, such as having cesare played by a countertenor singer and not giving caligari any dialogue), but there's a lot of symbolism to be interpreted. no matter what interpretation an adaptation takes, I'd be really interested to see how different adaptations read the story differently.

don't give caligari a backstory or motivation. it's okay to have campy villains who are pure evil for the sake of being pure evil; he's interesting in the original because he's more of a symbol than a character. and for the love of god, make him Creepy. I want to hear this guy talk in a voice that makes the flesh crawl off my back; every sound adaptation I've seen has just made him sound like a normal guy. for an idea of what I'd be looking for, my dream voice casting for him would be tim curry.

on the subject of sound, if you're going to adapt a silent film into a medium with sound, use it to your advantage. I want to hear the creak of floorboards as cesare walks towards jane's bed, the overwhelming noise of the fair that he wakes up to, and oh god, think of the porridge scene. no dialogue, no music, just stirring and chewing and breathing. eugh.

animation and/or shadow puppetry! I think with the addition of sound, animation would be the best way to preserve the vibes of the original due to the strong element of suspension of disbelief. this will probably never happen, but I would love to see a stop motion animated adaptation, due to the association with the uncanny valley. get del toro on that shit. and as for a stage version, utilizing shadow puppetry would be really neat for some sequences, like alan's death. I believe they actually do this in the ballet version, and it looks amazing.

keep cesare's death the same. please. don't shoot him, don't stab him, don't beat him to death with a club. just have him collapse and give out. it may seem less climactic, but it's so much more effective.

#the cabinet of dr. caligari #rambles

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starlit-hopes-and-dreams · 2 years

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Chapter 6 ~ It's been a long day

Hidden Depths

Previous ~ Masterlist ~ Next

Genre: Fantasy whump

Written per Whumptober 2022 prompts

CW: captivity, hallucinations, gender confusion, dry-heaving, implied intimate whumper, creepy whumper, parental loss

WC: 3699 3708

AN: Um, yeah, I fell behind on this one, sorry! I also... wrote a lot of words. So, this is another break chapter, a little more of a break than the last one. Just some more character development and we get to meet Resh's sister! Isn't that exciting? :D

Resh

Cold. Why was it so cold?

Resh shivered, pulling his arms up to his chest. One of them didn't feel right, but he couldn't keep hold of the thought in the twilight state he currently resided in. All he knew was he couldn't get warm.

"Resh, wake up. Wake up!"

Was someone calling his name? He wanted to sleep. No, he wanted to be warm.

His wish was granted, although not in the way he wanted.

Warmth raged through his body in a flashfire of agony, originating from a point of impact near his ribs. Near his kidney, more like. Resh screamed, curling up in the fetal position as stabbing pain ricocheted through his entire body with no signs of diminishing. His skin flushed, then chilled, then flushed again.

Resh sobbed. Gods, please make it stop. Please let it stop. Please.

Bits and pieces of conversation filtered through the pain, although his mind couldn't grasp the meaning.

"Well—wasn't moving!"

"Just lying here..."

"today. Has to—"

"—dying?"

That last word registered. Oh shit, he didn't want to die. He couldn't. Someone… someone needed him. He sniffed, tried to control his breathing.

Something touched his face, and he flinched away, but the contact persisted–gentle, soothing. A hand, a small one, brushed his hair back.

"Resh, you need t’ get up. You need water, and t'see old man asshat."

Resh opened his eyes, blinking to clear his vision. No tears fell, and he suddenly became aware of how dry his mouth was. Focus, he needed to focus. What had the voice said? He cried out again when something nudged him in the back.

"Do you want him t’ die, dickhead?" the voice in front of him chided. Then, under their breath, "Swear to gods, nothin but a bunch of dimwitted fucktards down here."

An indistinct mumble from over Resh's shoulder. He didn't catch the words but heard Carr's reply. It had to be Carr; nobody else spoke like him down here.

"Mother's cunt, give him a fuckin minute, then."

Resh choked on a laugh, despite the waves of pain it caused.

"Thank fuck," Carr muttered. "If you can laugh, you can get up."

Yeah, Resh was thinking that was gonna be a no. He shook his head.

"For fuck's sake. Pretty sure I'm alive and you're half-dead cuz you gave me your shirt. And some other stuff. So now I owe you. Again. Now, let's sit up." Carr's voice was firm, and he slid his arm under Resh's to help, giving him no choice.

Dizziness washed over him, along with—surprise, surprise—even more pain. He bit his lip until he tasted blood, leaning heavily against Carr's small frame when he moved to brace Resh's body.

"Good, that's good," Carr said.

Was Carr encouraging him? Without even cursing at him? Maybe he was dying. A wave of heat washed over him, followed by a chill so severe his teeth started chattering. His body felt strange, his and not his at the same time.

Not his would actually be preferable right about now.

"Now, up. I'm gonna stand on your left side, fucktard over here is on your right if you need him." With that, Carr ducked under Resh's left arm.

The guard ended up having to help. He was just too weak, and Carr too small to support all his weight.

The room tilted and spun, even worse than before, and he heard Carr grunt when he put too much weight on him. Resh twisted his head to check on him, his apologies no more than croaks from his dry as fuck throat. Carr was injured too, he remembered. Carr—Resh started, trying to focus as he looked at him. At her? Carr's hair was longer, falling to her shoulders instead of in short, choppy pieces barely a hand-length long. It gave him, her?, a distinctly feminine look.

Resh reached out with his splinted right arm, trying to touch what shouldn't be there. "When did your hair grow so long?" he whispered. If it was real, he couldn't tell.

Carr jerked her head away. "What're you doin? Don't turn into a fuckin creep on me now! And my hair isn't long. It's the same as it's been since I got here."

"It is?" Resh asked, feeling very confused. He overbalanced when he tried to study Carr's features, and the guard on the right sighed, steadying him.

"Let's get going already," the guard said.

Carr moved, and Resh hobbled along, using her as a crutch. The bricks lining the hall swam in his peripheral vision, and the floor felt unsteady, but Carr kept him moving. It hurt less now, the pain subsiding into a dull ache beneath the freezing, or burning, layers of his skin.

"Sorry," he grunted, having put too much weight on Carr again, causing her to squeak. Him. Fuck. "You look like a girl with long hair," he explained. Then, Resh shook his head; Carr couldn't hear his thoughts. Could he?

"What the fuck?" Carr asked, stopping in his tracks. "Why in the name of any ratass fuckwitted bastard on this godsdamned planet would'ya say somethin like that?"

He stumbled at the sudden change of pace, and the irritated guard walking on his right steadied him by grabbing his splinted forearm. What had been numb exploded in a burst of bright, shocking pain. Black spots danced in front of Resh's eyes, and his hoarse scream ended on a gag as his stomach twisted.

Carr yelped when Resh's knee buckled. Even through the blinding agony pulsating through his arm, he knew he was hurting Carr and pushed away from him. Luckily, the guard on his right caught him before he fell.

Unfortunately, Resh had nothing to throw up when he dry-heaved because he would've loved to puke all over that asshole's uniform. He swallowed convulsively, trying to suppress further episodes, and eventually, the pain in his arm subsided into a throbbing ache. It felt almost exactly like when he had first broken it. That was just fantastic.

"Carr, you okay?" Resh asked when he could finally speak again.

Carr didn't answer, too busy lambasting the guard with the worst language Resh had ever had the pleasure of hearing. He just couldn't understand how Carr was getting away with it.

At least, not until Carr said, "The prince’ll roast your asses over the Reaper's pit of flames himself if you dumbfucks don't get Resh to that godsdamn quack of an herbalist. Mother's tits, how hard is it not t’ hurt someone for ten minutes? Fuckin pieces of shit."

Marcus wanted him to live, huh. It was a joke; it had to be a joke. The prince had been doing his damnedest to kill Resh ever since he'd tried to run, it felt like. But no, he knew better. Marcus wanted him to suffer. It was hard to suffer if one was dead.

They started moving again, although one of the other guards replaced Carr as his crutch. Where was his staff? Carr was limping down the hall in front of him, and Resh wanted to give it to him.

"Take my staff, Carr," Resh mumbled. He was so tired he almost cried when they reached a set of stairs. How was he supposed to climb those? “I can’t…”

"You don't have your staff," Carr threw over her shoulder. "And we have'ta go upstairs t’ see Mieste. It's evenin, you've been lyin in your cell all day."

"Thirsty," he complained. And no wonder, if he hadn't moved from the floor of his cell since… since when?

"I know," Carr said, starting up the steps behind one of the other guards. "You gotta climb t’ get some water, though."

He couldn't do it; he couldn't climb these stairs.

The guard forced him to try, anyway. Resh's leg gave out on the first step, and he fell, barking his knees on the hard stone. Tears sprang to his eyes, or tried to, at least, blurring his vision. He didn’t have the strength to rise again, and embarrassed heat burned his cheeks when the guard all but carried him up the stairs and into… into Marcus' torture chamber?

Resh took one look at that awful plant covering the wall, its frilly tendrils waving in the air, and pulled against the guard's hold when he dragged him closer. But his efforts were weak and only hurt besides. He turned into deadweight instead, refusing to go towards the chains, towards more torture.

The guard cursed as he lost his grip, and Resh fell to his bruised knees with a yelp. He started to back away awkwardly but froze in place when Marcus approached. Since when did the prince wear glasses? Resh shook his head.

"What's going on here?" Marcus asked, his voice gruff.

Resh felt paralyzed, unable to answer even though he knew the price of not responding. But then he saw Carr's face peek around Marcus' body. Red-gold hair fell in waves around her face, and her eyes held worry, concern. She wasn't restrained, from what he could tell. He wondered if the prince even knew she was there. Resh tried to tell her to get out with his eyes, not wanting Marcus to notice her if he hadn't already. She was too pretty. Marcus liked the pretty girls.

Carr stepped around Marcus. "Resh? You alright?"

Fuck! She had spoken. "Carr, get out. Get out now," Resh begged.

"What? I can't. I'm supposed t’ help Mieste," Carr said, her brows drawing together. "The table's right there." She gestured to the chains. "Let's get you fixed up."

Resh shook his head, panic rising. He couldn't… he couldn't take another round of that pain… he couldn't. Marcus came closer and reached down, messy gray hair falling across his face. Gray hair? Resh blinked, wondering if his mind was playing tricks on him. He flinched when a cool hand brushed his forehead.

"He's burning up. Hmm, probably a reaction to the toxin. I told Marcus it was risky using that particular plant," gray-haired Marcus said, pushing up his glasses.

Had the prince gone insane, talking about himself in the third person? Normal Marcus was bad enough; Resh didn’t want to know what an insane Marcus would do.

"I think he's… seein things," Carr said.

"Hallucinating?" Marcus asked. "That's not good. Hmm, I think I brewed up an antitoxin. Where did I put it?" He turned away, walking through the wall with the plants and disappearing.

Resh grabbed Carr's leg. "Carr, get out while he's gone. Marcus… he… you're a girl, this is not a good place to be a girl. Please."

"Fuck's sake, Resh, I'm not a fuckin girl. Get offa me." Carr extricated herself from Resh's hold.

"You don't understand," Resh said, desperation limning his tone.

Carr knelt beside him. "I understand perfectly fine," she hissed. "Quit fuckin sayin shit like that. I'm a boy, do you hear me?"

Resh couldn't look away from her, no, his hazel eyes, from the flecks of amber swimming in the green. A boy, that… that was good. So why was Resh's heart beating so fast, why was he still so afraid?

"Here, drink this," Carr said, offering him a cup.

Where had that come from? Resh couldn't remember. He took it, drinking without even bothering to wonder what it was.

As long as it was wet, he didn't much care.

~~~

"I want to see my brother!" a high-pitched, child-like voice shouted.

Orla's voice. Why was she so upset? Had someone said something to her again? Resh would set them straight. As soon as he could pry his eyes open.

A male voice, too soft for Resh to catch the words, responded to Orla. That wasn't right. There shouldn't be any male voices around his sister. Resh had worked hard to get his family into the tiny flat they currently occupied. There was a lock on the door and everything, although that certainly hadn't come with the room.

"I'm not leaving until I see him," Orla replied stubbornly.

Resh smiled. His sister was usually sweet and easy-going, but when she had her sights set on something, she could dig her heels in like no other. He tried to roll over, but his body didn't respond. He grunted his disapproval. He must've worked too hard last night, pushed things a little far with his magic.

"Resh, you awake?" another familiar voice asked.

Familiar, but… Resh couldn't place it. That voice didn't belong in his flat either, which worried him. There were too many people he didn't know; were they in trouble? About to get kicked out? He was pretty sure he'd paid for the week, but he couldn't… he couldn't move his arms.

"It's okay, Resh."

A hand brushed some hair back from his face, and Resh turned into the caress automatically. There was a sharp intake of air, but the hand didn't withdraw. Resh finally found the strength to open his eyes.

"Carr?" he asked, struck by the way the lantern light flickered in her eyes. His eyes. Fucking shit, what was wrong with him?

Carr withdrew his hand, and Resh squeezed his eyes shut to hide his disappointment. When was the last time anyone had touched him with any sort of tenderness? The thought made his heart ache.

"What's fuckin wrong with you is you've been out of it for days. Please tell me you're back," Carr said plaintively.

Resh opened his eyes again, shock rolling through him at Carr's tone. Had he said that out loud?

"I mean, I'm fuckin tired of playing nursemaid. I'd rather go chop rocks or whatever with the other lowlifes than spend another day watchin over your half-dead body."

Carr sat back on his heels, and Resh realized he was laying on a cot. He jerked his arms again, but they were tied down. Bits and pieces were coming back to him now. Carr's arrival. The thorn collar choking him. Waking up in the torture chamber. Pain, all-encompassing, nerve-searing, never-ending pain. He shuddered, his throat closing up. Carr screaming as Marcus plunged the dagger into his leg.

"How's your leg?" Resh asked, latching onto that last memory.

Carr reached over him to untie his hands. "Had worse cat scratches. Why you worryin 'bout me, anyways? You're the one's been hoverin ‘round the veil."

Resh snorted. Of course Carr would refer to a stab wound like that. He tried not to think about the kind of life he had lived to feel that way. Instead, Resh tried to sit up.

Tried was the operative word because he didn't dare use his right arm, and his left arm was weak, shaking under the pressure he attempted to put on it.

"Sorry," Resh said when Carr helped him up. He massaged the fingers of his—he looked down—newly splinted right arm, pressing his lips together when he realized he could feel them again. Just a little but—he could've cried. Instead, he looked around the room.

His cot was wedged in the front corner of the herbalist's workroom, so he was able to lean back against the wall, the stone cool against the bare skin of his back. The entire wall opposite his cot was covered in cabinets. Cabinets on the wall and cabinets underneath, holding various medical instruments and potions in the process of steeping. Resh’s eyes skipped over the wooden table at the center of the room, where Marcus had almost carved his eye out.

"Guess you're stuck as a nursemaid for a little longer," he said, half by way of another apology and half to distract himself.

He suppressed a grin at the scowl Carr gave him. Instead, he took the cup Carr offered with a suitably serious expression, sniffing at its contents.

"Just water this time," Carr said, sitting on the floor and rubbing his right leg. He stopped as soon as he noticed Resh was looking.

It was hard not to say anything, but he knew Carr wouldn't want him to ask again. You didn't admit to vulnerability on the streets. That was as good as announcing you were easy pickings. Voices raised in the other room again, and he was reminded of what had woken him up.

"Please tell me that isn't my sister out there," Resh begged.

Carr bit his lip.

Fuck. Orla shouldn't be here. Resh had only missed one visit. But something in Carr's expression made Resh ask, "How long have I been out?"

"Umm… for a bit," Carr said, looking away.

Well, that was evasive as fuck. Carr's shoulders were hunched, and he was pointedly avoiding eye contact. Resh sighed, contemplating pushing the issue. Did it truly matter, though? It wouldn't change the fact that his sister was here. Or that the voices were coming closer.

Carr jumped to his feet as the door slammed open. Resh's sister stormed in, followed closely by Marcus, Mieste, and a guard. Shit.

"Oh, thank the gods!" Orla exclaimed when she caught sight of Resh in the corner. "Reshie, why didn't you send word? I've been worried sick about you."

Resh grabbed the blanket at his waist, pulling it up to his chin. He had no shirt on and no idea what bruises or other injuries remained after the undisclosed amount of time he’d spent incapacitated.

Then, he drank in the sight of his sister. Orla was wearing a long-sleeved blue dress embroidered with little white flowers, appropriate for early spring, and even had proper boots to go with it. Her head was covered with a pink scarf, but Resh could see brown fuzz covering her scalp where it had slipped. She had gained more weight since Resh had last seen her, which softened the sharp lines and hollow spaces her illness had left behind.

Sharp brown eyes assessed him, and Orla stamped her tiny boot on the ground. "You've been ill, haven't you? I told the queen something was wrong."

Resh's mouth dropped open. Orla had spoken to the queen? Then he glanced behind her to where Marcus was leaning against the doorjamb, looking irritated and bored. Mieste ignored everyone and went to his workstation, the scrape of pestle against mortar filling the room. The guard stood at attention on the other side of the door.

Motion caught Resh's attention as Orla advanced. Carr twitched from where he stood next to the cot, then looked over his shoulder at Resh, a question in his eyes.

Should I let her come closer?

Resh stared back. Gods, please no. He couldn't tell his sister to stay away, but he also didn't want her to come close enough to see any lingering wounds.

Carr gave the slightest tip of his head, then stepped forward, placing a hand on Orla's shoulder to halt her progress. "Hey kid, it may not be safe for you t’ be this close. His illness may still be catching."

Orla's eyes widened, and she looked up at Carr, who only stood half a foot taller than her at most. "Are you helping take care of my brother? Is he going to be okay?"

Letting his hand drop, Carr looked over at Mieste, then back to Orla. "Um, yeah, and… yeah, he should be fine. Right, Mieste?"

"Huh?" Mieste looked over his shoulder, pushing up his glasses with purple-stained fingertips. "Right, that's right. Danger has passed now." With that, Mieste turned back to whatever concoction he was making.

"Thank you for helping him," Orla said to Carr, her eyes shining.

Resh's lips tilted up as his sister threw her arms around Carr's waist, squeezing him in a hug as tight as Orla's frail body could manage. Carr's whole body stiffened but Resh watched him slowly relax. Watched as Carr awkwardly patted his sister's back when she sniffed into his chest.

"No problem, kid," Carr said, his voice a little strangled.

Finally, Orla stepped back, dragging her sleeve across her face to wipe her nose. "Resh, when you're better, you'll come to see me again, right? When do you think, a week, two?"

Oh no. Resh's heart sank, having no way to possibly explain his absence to his sister. A quick glance over Orla's shoulder revealed Marcus glaring at him. "Um… I don't know how long it will be, La-la. Things have been… pretty busy here. And I'll have a lot of work to catch up on."

Orla's face fell, and she poked her lower lip out. Resh had to remind himself he wasn't lying, per se. Instead, he was protecting his sister. It was a shitty difference, but it was all he had.

"But don't worry about me," Resh hurried to add. "I'll be fine, and I'll try to… write." It was the best Resh could offer her, and he didn't even know if that much would be possible. He fought his tears away, not wanting to show his sister how upset he was, how much he missed her. "How are you? And… and mom?"

"Oh, I'm good!" Orla said brightly.

Too brightly. Resh tilted his head, trying to listen to the meaning between his sister's words.

"The queen told me I have to attend school at temple now that I'm feeling better, so that's been fun. The temple on the grounds is so pretty, and they have so many books…" Orla trailed off, twisting her hands.

The grounds. A pretty temple with lots of books located on a place with grounds. The queen.

"Why are you attending the temple on the palace grounds?" Resh asked, his heart thudding painfully in his chest. Of course, he knew the answer, but he still hoped he was wrong.

Marcus moved away from the wall, placed his hands on Orla's shoulders. She looked up at Marcus and smiled sadly.

That sadist's hands on his sister was possibly the most horrifying sight Resh had ever seen. And with Orla looking up at Marcus like that… like Marcus had been kind to her… like she was grateful…

Resh swallowed, hoping he wasn't going to be sick.

Marcus smirked at Resh when Orla looked away, obviously relishing the news he was about to impart.

"Your mother is dead, and your sister is a ward of the Crown. The queen took a liking to her, and now she's training to be a lady-in-wait."

Image Description

[ID: The banner is a blue-green background, with tree branches arching over a set of blue-green eyes, forming an approximation of a face. The words Hidden Depths are written in white above the eyes. end ID]

#whumptober2022 #no.9 #tears #altprompt #no.20 #it's been a long day #fetal position #OC #writing #captivity #hallucinations #gender confusion #creepy whumper #parental loss #intimate whumper implied #fantasy whump #whump writing #whump #hidden depths

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