#RE: JOHN MARSTON. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

reconstructs · 1 year

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some 2 am john marston braindump

john and arthur are the epitome of the golden child/scapegoat (respectively), until john became dutch’s scapegoat. john’s never been academically inclined but has always been cunning and skeptical. have lots of thoughts but i do definitely think that the stark age difference between dutch and john (dutch is 30-ish when he takes john in vs being only mid-20s when arthur is taken in) + the fact that dutch is quite literally the only father john has ever known makes this even more apparent. dutch is arthur’s father-figure but he’s always had hosea; while hosea's always been a paternal presence to john there’s always been an intrinsic bond between john and dutch. dutch taught everything john he knows about gunslinging and hunting and fishing, areas where john excels compared to arthur. arthur’s ‘i just always thought everything came easy to you’ makes me :(((

their sibling dynamic means sm to me n they both deserved better when it came to their pasts fr, but john genuinely cannot conceptualize any sort of family outside of the gang which is why he leaves, understanding dutch’s true nature before anyone really does (+also being a deadbeat dad), then comes back a year later.

john's unable to cope with his grief over arthur's death, and when the opportunity arises to get revenge on micah, he gets tunnel vision and eagerly takes it. of course, this is at the cost of his own life as his actions would have dire consequences; but there's no way it wasn't, at least in a small way, what he wanted. after spending years purposely creating chaos to emulate his life in the gang, he's proved he's unable to fully move on from the past.

as for high/low honor, my john is probably medium, teetering very close to low honor and is outright dishonorable while working for ross.. while i think arthur’s story and arc is about redemption, john’s has always been about survival. he’s never quite believed he’s had a choice. some trees flourish, others die. and he’s done whatever it takes for his family, whether said family is the van der linde gang, arthur, or abigail and jack, to live and thrive even if it’s all been in vain, and even if it’s involved doing the worst things a person can do. also a habit he’s learned from dutch, lmao.

speaking of which - so many of the toxic, manipulative habits and tendencies he’s taken on as a father are learned from dutch and somewhat unlearned in beecher’s hope with jack. a large part of their tragedy is that the day john died is the day that he and jack were finally on the same wavelength. they'd spent so long misunderstanding one another.

also – my john is blind in his left eye, with some light perception, and by 1911 regularly wears an eyepatch to aid in gunslinging and hunting. the visual impairment occurred as a result of being attacked by wolves in 1899; it also means he has no depth perception and is susceptible to being ambushed by those who know about it (looking at javier for throwing that box on top of him in rdr1, lmao). it has helped him as a gunslinger, though.

moreover. my john's hat is arthur's hat with feathers added that charles gave to him, and his classic revolver is dutch's :')

#RE: JOHN MARSTON.#'you're my brother' 'i know. i know' continues to be my cause of death put it on my death certificate

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itsmeglycine · 1 year

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#red dead redemption 2 #rdr2 #John Marston #i'm so so sorry for the re-upload aaaaaa #i hated the messy line and had to fix it #glycine is trying to draw

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azul-marie · 2 years

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little habits of love.

fem. reader feat. arthur, charles, javier, sean, john

arthur —

drawings to amuse.

his artistry is unknown to many but you, and perhaps little jack for all his curiosity. arthur is a private, sentimental man, all his thoughts collecting and manifesting across the pulp of his journal’s pages. but if you ask, even just to tease, you’ll no sooner receive a carefully folded gift of a drawing of something you mentioned to him before — a flower, a wild turkey’s feather, even a sleeping portrait of charles. some are detailed and thoughtful, shadows and light captured alike, while others are messy little scrawls drawn from boredom, of long trips back campward all alone. arthur says nothing of these gifts of his. the only thanks he needs is the way you grin up at him, the way you press those pages between ones of your own.

charles —

blocking sunny rays from a pretty face.

his statue is much discussed, height and build and all, strength seeping through the cloth of his clothing. charles is accustomed to being the tallest, the largest man in the room, save for a mr. arthur morgan. yet it still comes times his body serves for a purpose other than hurt, than suffering — times when the summer sun is high up above the clouds, its rays piercing your eyes, twisting that lovely face of yours into a grimace. he is not aware of when this habit began. charles knew only to spare you from this bother, by standing behind or besides you to give you a slice of shade while you worked. when you notice, the way you fawn so sweetly warms his heart, though he’ll only brush it off as the right thing to do. if it’s for you, it’s always right.

javier —

hands and arms at your beck and call.

he is a gentlemen, posh and proud in his own right. although the two of you live this life of freedom and criminality, javier never forgets to treat you like the loveliest lady you are. on riverbank walks, he’ll cross your elbows together to keep you warm and close. he insists on his hands on your waist whilst helping you dismount your horse. no matter the length of stairs ahead of you, his hand is always outstretched for you to steady yourself on the way down. before you need it, javier’s holding whatever it is out for you to pluck from his grasp, always anticipating your every move. he insists it is the compatibility between you both, how in tune you’ve grown to be. loyalty is his name, and he’s given it to you.

sean —

a quiet vulnerability.

his boisterous, cheeky camaraderie is unmatched by any other in the gang. sean is, at once, the joy and annoyance of every one person’s heart, despite their saying otherwise. but rarely, rarer than double-crossed rainbows or a sober camp party, sean falls silent. it is the type of silence that comes with trust, and a side of love; it is the kind that belongs only to you. where his head rests upon your lap, on your shoulder, your bosom, eyes closed in thoughtful quiet. where he soaks up your whispered words and gentle touches, wanting nothing more than his world enveloped by you. it never lasts long, for sean is too adamant of his feelings to go on without showering you in some sort of affection — but this quiet, his quiet, speaks volumes on his behalf.

john —

senses, touch, only for you.

during the wolf attack, it was all teeth and scapes and blood left behind to mark him. and after, it was pairs of hands after hands, touching his face, his battered body, until the day he finally healed enough to walk. john, plenty touch-starved before, now flinches and flicks off unwanted hands or legs or shoulders when he feels them getting too close. but you are never too close, no, never close enough. perhaps it is the shy of the soul that doesn’t allow him to admit aloud; whereas he snaps and growls at the others, it is by your hand he calms, whether it’s a stroke of his head or a caress of his cheek. it is a trust deeply connecting, said without words. john knows no hurt when it comes from you.

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mintiliciouss · 11 months

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redraw of that one stupid photo

#rdr2 #rdr2 art #red dead redemption #red dead redemption 2 #red dead redemption fanart #digital art #john marston #john marston fanart #periods #I always forget how tumblr tags work. is this shit like ao3? can I start writing anything? do I have to put ‘mentioned Abigail Roberts’s?#john Marston voice DONT WORRY ABIGAIL!! I HAVE WOLF SYMBOLISM I CAN GET YORUE PADS #I’m going a bit delirious I think #rdr2 memes #red d #re d dead

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idyllghost · 2 months

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the people have spoken time to write a chapter 2 for my Johnigail fic

#leo.txt #leo talks to the void #leo talks into the void #I seriously can’t believe people actually like it #like I’m screaming everyday it gets a kudo or another hit #like what the fuck #people have reblogged it telling me they keep re-reading my fic and i go bananas #leo screams into the void #red dead redemption #john marston #abigail roberts #abigail marston #johnigail #Fanfic #fanfic writing

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brujahinaskirt · 9 months

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I love rdr2 for the little things--like how sleeping arrangements over time reflect narrative arcs and interpersonal decay (or bloom).

Just a really quick observation:

The most obvious and important sleeping change, I would argue, involves the Marstons. At the start of the game, John has abandoned and disavowed Abigail & Jack; they sleep on the ground in a flimsy shelter while he, the returning golden boy, sleeps in a bed under a comfortable tent. John's tent arguably affords the most privacy in the game, and this makes sense early on, when he's trying to maintain a distance between himself and everyone around him (especially his family, including Arthur). In Shady Belle, John has welcomed Abigail and Jack into his bedroom, and -- notably -- he sleeps on the floor this time. It's as much a signal of John's growth as a person who is allowing himself to be a little more reachable as it is a sign of his fledgling sense of regret and apology (for abandoning them in the first place), and it is a sign of him warming to the idea of Abigail and Jack as his family. But it doesn't happen all at once; Abigail and John still refuse to sleep beside one another. In the epilogue, as they actively attempt to rebuild their lives together, John and Abigail finally sleep side-by-side as a couple.

I read someone once point out that Uncle transitions from sleeping all over the camp, wherever he happens to pass out, to sleeping directly behind Arthur's tent in Beaver Hollow. This was so cleverly observed. What a powerful sign of the overall degradation of the character of the gang as Uncle (the character most representative of optimism and comfort) begins to fear for his safety and future enough to take physical shelter behind Arthur. What a note of confidence and clarity re: the true person Arthur is beneath the air of danger he has worn like a job title and a suit of armor. (I hunted for that original post to no avail; if it was yours, please let me know so I can link back to it!)

Molly & Dutch and the sliding divide. We start off with a present but muzzled level of friction between these two. Molly sleeps on the only bed in Dutch's lavish tent; Dutch sleeps beside her but... sitting up (haha okay very healthy)... because there's no room for Dutch and Molly. Later, Dutch commandeers the master bedroom at Shady Belle while Molly drunkenly collapses in an isolated place, usually by the kitchen window, blasted with light (see: truth) but far removed from the others, a reflection of her self-isolation and detachment from the gang and anyone who might be able to help her.

Dutch's tent gradually drifts farther away from the center of camp, at its maximum distance in Beaver Hollow. Micah, Cleet, and Joe linger closest to Dutch at this point, noticeably even more so than Javier and Bill.

The slow pull-apart of The Girls. Similar to Molly, after Sean's death, Karen can increasingly be found slumped over drunk in various locations at the periphery, semi-conscious. This is never more apparent than the Beaver Hollow era. Meanwhile, Mary-Beth and Tilly remain sleeping tightly next to one another, not far from Sadie.

God only knows where Micah sleeps.

(Might come back and expand this more later! But that's all she wrote, rushed, for now.)

#rdr2 #redmeta #red dead redemption 2 #arthur morgan #john marston #dutch van der linde

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escuellasceramicdollie · 1 month

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TOO SWEET // HONEYPIE ! ( john marston x fem reader )

warnings: john being a big old softie for reader

no one in the gang appeared delightful & kind-hearted due to all the situations they indulged in were no good and a definitive one way ticket to hell ── however they had their moments of weakness and vulnerability. most of those times were caused by your affection & concern you withheld for each and everyone of the outlaws.

loads of confusion was risen around camp , not as a result of your mother duck persona but as to why a graciously pure lassie like you would want anything do with your significant other : them being the one and only john marston.

not once did it cross your mind that it bothered the others ( change of word, bewilder not bother ) because as you saw it, opposites attract . in this case being a vicious outlaw determined to survive no matter what paired with an angelic sympath determined to have everyone under her wings.

so not once in a blue moon did the gang expect john ( a heartless ladies man ) to commit to a lady who is the complete and utter opposite. not to mention secretly slipping the lady love notes !?

upon re-reading the poem word for word and asking john how his brain managed to write such a beauty. "a piece of cake that was" was his response. it indeed was not. truth being . . our not so cold-heartedly callous john marston actually had a helping hand which he begged for long and hard. for once in his life john was befuddled about the topic of impressing a lady , not many times did he actually have to think he just did what was in his nature.

so as expected the whole idea of sonnets was as fresh as a daisy to him ; in this case this was where javier came into john's masterclass plan. afterall, the mexican flaunted his talent of having an exquisite way with words & that came in handy. yet after many nights of writing & scribbling nonsense to finally compile it together was worth it. but seeing your effortlessly sweet beam when scanning the lines of his hardwork paid off.

"you wrote me a sonnet.. what are you shakespeare?" you attempted to hide your excitement but your colossal grin gave it away. the sun shone down on the pair of you which laid in a meadow not too far deserted from camp, adding a jolly incilnation to the tranquil setting.

"yeah i figured you might enjoy it .. because i wanted to appreciate you having to put up with me." he rolled over onto his side to appreciate your focused beauties staring at the writing. everytime he glanced at you with out fail it felt as if you were pretty as a picture . others may not feel the same towards you but in the end the beauty was in the eye of the beholder

"oh come on! it's not as hard as you think." you roll your eyes playfully, not being able to take your eyes off the piece of parchment that rested in your palms all whilst tackling to avoid john's eyes breathing in every feature on your face.

a comfortable silence drowned the meadow with nothing but the soft sound of trees ruffling against one another & birds whistling sweet melodies.

"i obviously did not mean that in a horrible way by implying that you are hard to put up with i was just saying that-" your apologetic rambling was cut to the chase with a smooch that john wanted to do since he saw your face light up at the sight of the love note.

"you talk too much .. it's cute."

#credits to v6que for divider #rdr2 #rdr2 fandom #rdr2 fanfic #red dead redemption 2 #john marston #john marston x reader #john marston blurb #blurb #john marston fanfic

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xyziiix · 1 year

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•𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝙰 𝚆𝙴𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙽• masterlist

•pairing: Arthur Morgan x Fem!reader (reader is described as a woman)•

Summary: scattering further from the west with the infamous van der linde gang had its moments, moments of loss and mourning.. and moments of contentment and joyousness with the only family you’d ever known, being brought up by the two conmen: Dutch Van Der Linde and Hosea Matthews. Growing up with not-so-little John Marston and a brooding Arthur Morgan, whom your relationship with had blossomed over the years into something much more intimate. Only problem is that the new world was becoming harder and harder to ignore, outlaws like yourselves weren’t so welcome by folks no more, and as they say, ‘maybe sometimes people did not actually change, maybe you just never knew who they really were.’

•Warnings for series: violence, murder/death & gore, language, SMUT!, mentions of SA, ⚠️ !Micah Bell! ⚠️

A/N: hello I am alive!! Sorry I haven’t been updating the series ‘just us’ (walking dead au) i just feel like I only briefly thought about the story plot and started writing it and now I’ve stumbled into writers block with it, I keep on re-reading the last chapter thinking of where I’m gonna carry it on, bearing in mind how it will continue- I mean don’t get me wrong I know the basic plot lines that I’m dying to put into words but I’m really struggling to turn it into lengthy chapters, but I will be sure to try and continue it as I think it could really turn into something amazing! For now I’m gonna be starting this new story as I’ve had time to sit and think and take notes about it! ❤️

for some reason the links don't work for the first 3 chapters, if anyone knows how to fix it please let me know! ive also uploaded this story on wattpad (also under 'LIKE A WESTERN') so go and check it out there, i will make sure to upload all the chapters i write on here onto there! x

✰ = smut

Chapters:

COLTER

[i] ✰

[ii]

[iii]

[iv] ✰

[v]

[vi]

ʜᴏʀꜱᴇꜱʜᴏᴇ ᴏᴠᴇʀʟᴏᴏᴋ

[vii]

#arthur morgan x reader #arthur morgan #red dead redemption 2 #rdr2 arthur #arthur morgan smut #dutch van der linde #john marston #arthur morgan imagine

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opie-nixx · 1 year

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Oral by the River. (CHP. 24)

The tension was thick as I lay on Arthur's cot, my back to him. He sat on a chair next to the cot as he cleaned his gun's. His breathing calm but from how he rubbed the cloth against the barrel and cocked the gun, I could tell he was anxious and upset. I didn't know if it was towards me or because of the situation we were in.

I rolled over to face him. His attention was on me once I rolled towards him, setting the gun to the side and kneeling down before me taking my hand in his.

Arthur: "You feelin okay?" He asked so sweetly as he takes my hand and rests it on his cheek so sweetly

Y/n: "I'm sore, but I'll live." I reply.

Arthur: "I love you." It sounded so serene and genuine. With no fear. I push myself up to sit on the cot and he sits beside me. The cot sinking because of his weight but his warmth drawing me closer to him.

Y/n: "I love you, too."

Arthur: "Sadie and I are getting ready to ride out to get Marston."

Y/n: "Okay." I say as I stand and begin to get dressed to ride with them, Arthur stands with me.

Arthur: "How..How do I die?" That question freezes me in my tracks.

Arthur: "I keep dreamin of a deer and Hosea's voice about not bein a fool and-an"

Y/n: "It varies. For me you always died on a cliffside fightin Micah, for others it could've been a shot to the head or knife to the heart. It varied based on your honor."

Arthur: "Is Micah the rat?..."

Y/n: "If I tell you now, just know nothing you do can change."

Arthur: "No, but I'll be prepared."

Y/n: "Since you came back from Guarma, but I think he was a snitch since the bank heist." Arthur sighed looking around before grabbing my arm and sitting me back on the cot.

Arthur: "I want you to stay, you may know what happens but maybe things are different from how many you have saved. I want you safe. I can't lose you too." That last bit made me pause. We hear footsteps approach our tent and both our heads turn to the approaching presence.

Sadie: "You bout ready, Arthur?" She gives me a smile and nod.

Arthur: "In a minute, I'll meet you by the horses."

Sadie: "Of course."

Y/n: "I'll sit out of this, but I'm more than capable of fighting."

Arthur: "Just stay here until I get back, Charles will look after you." With that he gives me a deep kiss to my lips and leaves.

Y/n: "Arthur..."

--------------------------------------------------------

The rain never let up but the muggy heat took over the day and a blistering cold breezed over us during the night, those who didn't have tents slept closer together or drank a bit more. I yearned for Arthur's warmth, I found myself wishing him to be near where I knew he would be safe, but I know how much everyone means to him.

My ears perked up to the sound of Abigail calling out to John and horse's footsteps approaching the camp. My heart fluttered as I flung myself out of bed and threw 1 of Arthur's jackets over my shoulders and kicked on my boots before stepping out of the tent. I see Sadie and John dismount and Abigail give a running hug to John.

Dutch: "JOHN! What are you doing here?" He shouts as Micah and him approach them. Arthur locks eyes with me and we meet each other half way and exchanging kisses. putting an arm around my waist we watch the argument unfold.

John: "It's good to see you too, partner."

Dutch: "I mean, I haven't sent for you yet."

Arthur: "I went."

Dutch: "But I said that-"

Arthur: "Yeah, I know what you said. But, I felt different."

Dutch: "Is that so?"

Arthur: "Yes." Arthur pulled away from me and I grasped his hand and he gave me a tight squeeze as he came closer to Dutch.

Dutch: "And when springing John brings the law down on all of us, what then, Arthur?"

Arthur: "Well, I guess we'll have another fight on our hands."

There was a moment of silence before I decided to intervene.

Y/n: "Listen, we're all a little on edge right now, why don't we all go sit out for a bit and we can figure out a plan later." Dutch glared at Arthur before looking to me. I returned his gaze before he sighed and looked down.

Dutch: "I had a god-damn plan." He shouts turning on his heel and throwing his hands up in frustration with Micah on his tail, he gave a snide grin and tipped his hat to me. My stomach churned and I rolled my eyes. Arthur's eyes followed Micah who witnessed his actions.

Arthur: "I can't believe Dutch trusts that fool."

Y/n: "Come bathe with me." I whispered catching his attention. He just looked down to me wide eyed.

Arthur: "What?" He responded almost annoyed.

Y/n: "I smell and you're no field of daisies yourself." I joke earning a hoarse chuckle from him.

Arthur: "Yeah, I suppose. Go grab some clothes and let's head out." He smiled. I waste no time strutting to our shared tent and grabbing some clothes for the both of us and a couple towels before returning back to him. He was petting my horse with the utmost gentlest look on his face.

Arthur: "I see you took good care of our girl." He whispers feeding my horse an apple. I walk to the saddle bag of my horse and strap the bag of clothes I collected to it.

Arthur: "I missed you."

Y/n: "I missed you too, Arthur."

Arthur: "Sorry, was talkin to the horse." A gasp escaped me as a smile soon took over as I playfully slapped his arm. He chuckled a bit before grabbing my hand and pulling me in for a kiss. I pull away and put 1 foot in the stirrups and my got a grip on the saddle horn, I soon felt Arthur's hands on my hips as he lifted me the rest of the way up.

Arthur: "I never knew I could miss quite a view."

Y/n: "Aren't you the charmer." I wait for Arthur to mount his own horse and allow him to guide us down to the river.

'I never realized I could miss the voice of a fictional character so much.' I became quiet as Arthur and I trotted down before deciding to stop at some rocks that would be perfect to sit on since it overlooked the river.

Arthur: "I know I came off harsh to you earlier."

Y/n: "I understand, I know everything you know and the person who you trust the most is changing. I just don't want you to die." Arthur's eye's gazed into mine.

Arthur: "I..-I can't say that anyone's ever cared for me in such a way before." He says dropping his head. I take a couple steps to him, placing my hand on his cheek and grazing it in his beard.

Y/n: "Just shut up." I gently push him down to the ground and unbuckle his gun belt. He began to stutter.

Arthur: "Y/n!"

Y/n: "Shut up, someone will hear us."

Arthur: "Someone will see us!" He began to whisper shout and I gave a wicked smile. I unbutton his long johns. His cock springing forward, I wasted no time in grabbing the shaft and looking between the tip and Arthur's face.

I bowed down and licked the crown of his cock, swirling my tongue around the head and pumping it with my hand. Soon I changed tactics and licked his shaft while I looked into his eyes. He had pure lust as he was generating a generous amount of precum which I licked up with a moan. I worked his cock with my hand and mouth like an artist, his hand roughly entwining with my hair as my head went up and down on his shaft.

I soonpull my mouth off his cock despite his slight restraint, long enough for me to moan

Y/n: "Cum."

That was all he needed to hear. He resumed my rhythm and kept fucking my face, never taking his eyes off of what I was doing.

He seemed to have reached his limit since he began bobbing my head in such a sloppy manor and began to breath heavier, soon hot cum poured into my mouth, I made sure not to spit out any, no matter how bitter or salty. I wanna say he kept his cock in my mouth for a solid minute or so before slowly pulling me off.

Y/n: "You seemed to be tense." I chuckled as I wiped my mouth before stripping myself down.

Arthur: "We aren't done." He stripped himself down before gripping the sides of my face with his rough hands, pulling me into a deep kiss. I tried to pull away since he just blew a load into my mouth but he just tightened his grip on me. It was his turn to push me down as he started tweaking with my nipples and they hardened immediately. I could feel a slick moisture forming between my pussy. A moan escaped my lips.

He moved down to sucking and licking my nipples as a hand wandered down to my pussy where he shoved 2 fingers as deep as he could manage. He pumped and curled them, I felt as if I became wetter and louder with each stroke. He played me like a violin and I was there for it, as he bite and sucked at my neck telling me how much of a good girl I was. Orgasm after orgasm I couldn't take it anymore, I wrapped my own fingers in his hair and moaned how badly I needed him.

He wasted no time in flipping me over and pulling my hips up, groping and slapping my ass I could feel the red handprints forming. I soon felt the tip of his cock brush against my folds teasing it against my clit and slick before slowly pushing inside me. I tried to crawl away from how deep he was going inside me, I bite my forearm as he gives me a sharp smack for trying to move away.

Arthur: "Don't give up on me, girl!" He grunts.

Arthur: "You can do it." He moans as he begins to thrust slowly into me.

Y/n: "I haven't felt you in so long." I moan, as he grabs a handful of my hair and keeps his other on my ass. The harder he thrusted the more I could feel my ass jiggle against him. I could hear the smile on his face as he took joy in making a mess out of me.

I could feel the familiar fullness form where the tip of his dick was hitting.

Y/n: "For fuck's sake don't stop!" I moan, this time, he placed both hands on my hips and rammed into me 10x faster than he was before. He had better grip and understanding then most men and I was not complaining. Before I knew it my eyes went crossed as my own cum spewed out making us more messy than before.

I roll onto my back and look towards the setting sun and the darkness of the night sky soon taking over as I try to catch my breath.

Arthur: "We better get in soon or this water will be too cold. He says nonchalantly as he steps into the water before offering his hand to me.

#arthur morgan #future smut #rdr2 arthur #arthur morgan x reader #rdr2 fandom #arthur morgan fluff #im tryin my best #arthur morgan smut #van der linde gang #arthur morgan x female reader #arthur morgan imagine #arthur morgan rdr2 #arthur morgan x you #low honor arthur morgan #high honor arthur morgan #rdr2 x reader #rdr2 fanfic #rdr2 smut

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sednonamoris · 1 year

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a dark alley and a bad idea

Pairing: John Marston x gn!reader

Summary: After an argument with Abigail, John goes into town to drink his worries away. As always you follow, and as always there's trouble - seems like you bring it with you wherever you go.

Warnings: Canon-typical alcohol/tobacco abuse, canon-typical violence, bar fight, blood, jealousy, toxic relationship(s), a singular French man, mild angst, pining, sexual tension ;)

Word count: 2,203

A/N: Just a chapter or two to go until we hit the official RDR2 timeline!!! This has been some time coming, and I just have to say a huuuuuge thank you to the people who read/comment on this story <333 ghost story is very near and dear to me, and sharing it with you all has been such a joy!! Here’s to many more chapters, and an eventual spark that turns this slow burn into a wildfire 🥵❤️‍🔥

Series masterlist • AO3

—

John and Abigail are fighting. Again.

Leaned up against the pole of your tent, you take a long drag from your cigarette that does nothing to dull the headache forming behind your left eye socket. Every word they shout is a stabbing pain. You don’t know what the argument is about, this time, but at a guess it’s John’s failure as a father. Or perhaps Abigail’s incessant nagging. Or, more likely, two stubborn fools fighting tooth and nail not over a son, but over who’s right and who’s wrong and a years old hurt.

Maybe that mattered once upon a time, but the way they carry on now isn’t right for anyone.

The whole of camp is sick and tired of the never-ending arguments that last all day, and the too-loud fucking that lasts all night. It never seems to satisfy them, either, because come morning the fighting starts all over again. Not for the first time, you think about moving your tent to the other side of camp. Even bunking next to Dutch’s new best friend, Micah, would be an improvement.

“Leave me be, woman! Can’t you see I want nothin’ to do with either of you right now?” John shouts in her face.

“Fine!” Abigail fires back. “Swan off with Ghost like you ain’t got a family here! That’s what you always do anyhow.”

“Maybe I will!”

“Useless man,” she seethes.

She sends you a withering glare as she marches away, Jack in tow. You smile thinly in return. No doubt she’s headed to vent to Arthur, and then ask him with those pretty blue eyes to do something fun to take the boy’s mind off things. Then, once John has come back, they’ll argue over that, too.

John shakes his head and curls his lip in disgust, but does exactly as Abigail predicts. He storms past your tent with a come on, we’re leavin’, then keeps stomping on to where his mare is picketed. He never looks back to see if you follow.

You do.

—

These past few years have gone by in a blur, like those moving pictures Arthur told you about once. Hosea’s health has waxed and waned. Familiar faces left. New ones came. Jack is really starting to grow up, and Abigail has blossomed into motherhood in spite of John, who in between arguments has re-devoted himself to gunslinging. To Dutch. He watches over him with pride glistening in those dark eyes of his - a father figure and a moral compass and a leader all at once. Arthur is green with envy and red with an angry sort of shame. You’re just happy that unlike those two, whatever rift once existed between you and John has long since healed.

And now here you all are in Blackwater.

To hear Dutch and Hosea tell it, this now-bustling town verging on citydom was little more than a trading post the last time they passed through. Following the two murders everyone is charitable enough not to mention, the long arm of the law has chased you relentlessly. A failed venture up North led you here, further East than anyone has been in what feels like a lifetime.

You’re trying to see it as a fresh start.

John seems like he’s trying to go back in time.

The ride into town has given him a chance to cool down some, but he still carries a tension and a meanness in those broad shoulders of his. Riding just behind, you take a rare moment to admire him. He’s been growing his hair out. It sits lank just past his shoulder, and as much as it needs a wash you think the length suits him. It frames the sharp angles of his face that even the low brim of his hat can’t hide and emphasizes the lean, untamed power of his frame.

The two of you are wilderness and war, survival and spite. Restless remnants of time gone by. Ghosts, you think wryly to yourself.

Blackwater is just the opposite. Each building is young and alive, cut brick and fresh paint. Wooden scaffolding reveals the newborn bones of structures still being built by construction workers that toil proudly for a city made in their image. Passersby are dressed in clothes that make up for fineness in newness and brightly colored dye. Some of the ladies even have delicate parasols to shield their skin from the prairie sun’s harshness. You spy your own sun-weathered face in the expensive glass saloon-front and manage to suppress a sigh.

John parks his mare at one of the hitching posts there. You follow suit, not at all surprised at where you’ve landed. You, Arthur, and Hosea came to ‘test out the drinks’ your first week here. They’re good. Expensive, but good. The two of them have been scheming away about some mysterious lead they won’t let you in on. Meanwhile, Micah has bent Dutch’s ear about a river boat. You’re still sniffing out leads of your own, and figure the bar will be as good a place as any to start. It just happens John will be drinking his problems away beside you.

“Two whiskeys,” he says to the bartender without preamble. He slaps just enough change down on the counter and takes a seat, oblivious to the glares of customers he’s interrupted. You settle in beside him with a poorly-concealed grin.

“What if I wanted a beer?”

He rolls his eyes. “You don’t.”

You hold up your hands in mock surrender. “At least let me get the next round.”

At that he clinks his glass to yours and taps it on the bartop before swallowing his drink down with a grimace. You elect to nurse yours, already prepared for a long night.

He quickly outpaces you. While John oscillates between pouring his heart out to whatever working girl is nearest and playing increasingly worse hands in the ongoing blackjack game, you begin smalltalking. One of the off-duty construction workers piques your interest. He’s a burly, hairy, mountain of a man who introduces himself as Pierre with an accent you can only place as foreign.

“You speak real good English,” you blurt without thinking. “Where are you from?”

He laughs, a deep sound that comes from his belly. “I have been told I speak English very well, yes. I am from France.”

“Awful long boat ride to break your back layin’ brick.”

“Perhaps so, but I like the work. It keeps my mind and my hands busy. Surely you know something of this, Cowpoke?”

You snort a laugh in agreement and try to ignore the heat that rises in your cheeks at the nickname. It sounds… nice, when he says it. A little romantic, like you’re some lone figure on the American frontier and not a liar, a killer, and a thief.

Mischief and delight dance in the dark brown of his eyes when he catches your fluster. “Let me buy you a drink, hm? Then maybe I will tell you about France, and you will tell me about America.”

—

You’re the warm, happy kind of drunk by the time the sun starts setting. Pierre is kind, and funny, and his stories of France paint such a vivid picture in your mind. You’ve traveled plenty, sure, but never across oceans. It sounds equal parts exhilarating and frightening. He tells you about laying strong foundations, and you tell him about breaking young horses. He explains what to look for in a fine building, and you tell him how to buy decent horseflesh. It’s fun. Freeing, even, to speak to someone outside of the gang like this. Of course he mentions a wealthy old landowner outside of town too paranoid to keep his money at the bank, and of course you’ll rob the place later, but he shares this not to screw someone else over, but because the construction of the old house fascinates him. Because he wants to share that passion with you. Because, you remind yourself, he doesn’t know you are what you are.

He tells a joke - something about construction, you think. It’s hard to tell because he leans in and places a hand on your arm and your mind suddenly goes blank. His eyes smile with him, just as strong and warm as the rest of him. You smile back. Then in the blink of an eye there’s a shout, and before you realize what’s happened Pierre is cradling his bleeding nose after someone lands a vicious right hook.

“You keep your hands to yourself, partner.”

“What the hell, Marston?!” you say, scrambling back from the commotion. But it’s no use; John can’t see past the blood red of his tunnel vision.

To your great dismay, Pierre rises to his challenge. He flashes you a look - apologetic or resigned or disappointed, it’s hard to say - before standing to face off with your idiot best friend, piss drunk and fighting mad. He’s easily twice his size, but what John Marston lacks in muscle he makes up for in meanness. When Pierre swings high, he dives low and takes him out at the legs. And so the mountain topples. Straddled on his chest, John beats and beats and beats on Pierre’s face, until finally the larger man throws him off and comes to an unsteady stand. His face is pulpy. His eyes shine bright with anger and dark with understanding the kinds of company you keep. The bloodthirsty crowd that’s gathered jeer and laugh. They catch John on the fringe and push him back into the fight. Standing opposite, Pierre spits blood in his direction before putting his fists up once more.

The bartender is still shouting for them to stop.

You’re just frozen, watching John defend the honor you don’t possess against a man who probably has more than the whole gang combined.

When their fists collide once again, crowd-goers start passing crumpled bills and calling out bets. Twenty on the skinny one, and I’ve got thirty for Frenchy, and let’s see forty for the cowboy! Even they can see John has more fight in him, no matter how many times Pierre clobbers him with a powerful left hook the idiot can’t seem to block.

Fools. Goddamn blood-blind fools, both of them.

John gets full-body thrown against the bar, all sprawled limbs and wind-knocked-out-of-him. He wheezes an insult, goading Pierre closer. Only you can see the writing on the wall, but the cry of warning comes too late; The moment he closes the distance, John whips a bottle out from behind the bar and breaks it over Pierre’s head. He comes crashing down, over two hundred pounds of dead weight lost to the crunch of broken glass and police whistles.

The moment the lawmen burst through the front doors is the moment you finally unfreeze. You rush over to where John stands lording over his fallen opponent and all but tackle him through the back door.

“What the hell were you thinking?” you hiss at him as you dodge through backalleys and behind buildings. “I was working a lead - He was buying my drinks for Christsakes!”

“Shut up,” he snaps, then tugs your arm and pushes your back to scratchy alley brick with a hand over your mouth.

He crowds close, and you seriously contemplate kicking him in the balls or biting him - maybe both - when three officers run past, clearly hunting for you. His dark leather coat blends with the unlit alleyway, but still you don’t dare move a muscle. The two of you hold your collective breath until the sound of their footsteps fade.

John removes his hand from your mouth, but it doesn’t go far. Rather than retreating, he cups your cheek and lets his thumb brush against your lower lip.

“He was touching you,” he says, half defense and half confession.

Somehow you find your voice. “What if I wanted him to?”

“You didn’t.” Alcohol and iron sit heavy on his breath. His grey eyes are blown black, drunk and something else you’re too scared to name. It’s hard to breathe. You wish it wasn’t.

“What do I want, then?”

He tilts his face forward, so the bridge of his nose brushes against yours. Your eyelashes kiss his cheekbones. You can feel how wide your own eyes have blown, can feel the want and the warmth and the desperate, pathetic hope that builds in your chest and threatens to bubble out of your mouth.

“Someone who ain’t afraid of ghosts.” He doesn’t speak so much as breathe the words into you.

You open your mouth - to respond, to kiss him, maybe - but before you can say another word the sound of heavy footfall at the opposite end of the alley snaps both of your heads to attention at breakneck speed.

“There they are!” a voice shouts, and a whistle blows shortly afterward.

“Fuck!” John curses. “Shit.”

The two of you sprint off into the night, to the edge of town where you whistle desperately for your mounts to follow. Two ungraceful running mounts later you’re off, shaking the police tail with ease on moonlit backroads.

Once the danger has passed you let your heart break to the sound of hoofbeats that lead home.

#john marston x reader #rdr x reader #rdr2 x reader #ghost story #it's insane person johnghost hours :)#ch. 10 #fran writes

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i-am-a-bad-influence-writes · 3 months

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ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ The favorites ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡

Author's note: This is my new favorites list. My old ones are still available through my old masterlist. This one is just updated and I cleaned up the links that didn't work anymore. Sorry to every writer who gets another notice that they have been mentioned, do know that I still love you very freaking much. I'm just going through a re-brand and cleanup phase :)

* = smut

♡ Arthur Morgan ♡

*Thursdays by @the-karma-cafe Summary: in which the boys are curious where Arthur runs off to every thursday night

*Big Iron by @grugruel

*Bold as love by @woman-of-balnain Summary: reader is jealous after seeing mary and arthur hanging out.

*As far as dreams go by @serawritesthings Summary: While Arthur found sanction in his dreams, you would fret about them every night. While he longed for the sweet caress of your hands, you were unknowing, fooled by his stoic facade as your dreams only brought you nightmares. (There is a part 2)

Captive by @queenxxxsupreme Summary: On your way back to camp, the O’Driscolls attack.

♡ John Marston ♡

Dating golden boy John Marston HC's by @devnmon

*It's certainly heaven if you're here, Darlin' by @2dmenenthusiast Summary: You're life with John was constantly filled with ups and downs. Hopefully you can both make it together in one piece.

*Summer love at Bighorn Ranch by @holyratrimony Summary: After his divorce from Abigail, John Marston is a mess. A series of rash decisions lead to John purchasing a rundown piece of land called Bighorn Ranch. As the ranch grows, so does the need for extra hands. When you show up, ready for your new job, John is immediately taken with you. When you get caught in a thunderstorm and show up on his doorstep, soaking wet, will he be able to keep his feelings to himself, or will he confess everything?

♡ Joel Miller ♡

*Say you love me by @thot-of-khonshu Summary: Red wine. Rage. Regret. Reunions. When pride separates you from the man that got away in 2003, you thought you’d never see him again. But when going to tie loose ends for Bill and Frank, you see him and a young companion.

♡ Henry Cavill ♡

L’aurore by @fvckinghenrycavill Summary: a fluffy morning with Henry and his beard that he has to shave.

*Drunk in love by @angrythingstarlight Summary: Drunk Henry comes home wanting a little taste of his favorite snack.

Love bite by @delicate-moon-princess Summary: It was just a little love bite. Who knew Henry could be so dramatic?

*Doctor and Mr. Cavill by @ramp-it-up Summary: Kal’s favorite Veterinarian, nerd activities and Henry.

♡ Henry Cavill's Sherlock ♡

Jigsaw by @andsheloved Summary: as you wonder what it would be like for him to return your affections, Sherlock finally understands what he would sacrifice to fit within your world.

We’ll be alright by @love-strawberry Summary: in which they fight but there's no doubt that they'll end up alright.

♡ Clark Kent ♡

*Need by @aimless-imagines-for-fun Summary: A little make out session between you and Clark gets heated and this time, you two get to go all the way.

♡ Captain Syverson ♡

*And so much more... by @sillyrabbit81 Summary: After a disappointing date, your best friend's older brother picks you up to take you home.

♡ Carmen Berzatto ♡

*After hours by @ilongfor-the-arts Summary: Reader is a friend of his or more of a coworker but she finds Carmy attractive and one day someone says something about him, just for a laugh, nothing really mean and reader chimes in with a “ I’d totally sit on his face”?

*You’re my girl by @ilongfor-the-arts Summary: The meat delivery guy flirts with you and Carmen doesn’t like it.

*“Bad“ at this by @ilongfor-the-arts Summary: They like each other but neither wants to admit it. Tension builds until the kettle starts screaming.

*Learning in public by @ohcaptains Summary: you didn’t think he’d enjoy it that much. didn’t think he’d want more, too.

♡ Halsin ♡

*Oh, to be alone with you by @galacticgraffiti

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redemn · 1 month

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you've heard of people drawing parallels of their muses to 'too sweet' - now get ready for its sibling : me drawing parallels of arthur ( primarily in regards to his relationship with john ) to 'empire now' … this song is so fantastic but overlooked .

see , because arthur tends to express his views in a generally pessimistic light , while remaining much more of a realist about the world and society as a whole . he's effectively grounded into the culture of his surroundings while remaining highly critical of civilisation as a whole , re : his unwillingness to be anywhere around big towns , and rapidly growing technology and cities like st denis . [ … ] but "the way that things are turning / if it falls / i would hold on for all it's worth / the future's so bright it's burning" fits him so well because , despite being relatively negative out of natural melancholia , there's a part of him even he's not aware of that hopes there's a sliver of the world that is as good as the pragmatists think .

and i really think that plays out once sister calderón gives him the talk and tells him that he should "take a gamble that love exists and do a loving act" … in the end , he does take that chance , when he tells john to run , and not look back . the future's so bright , it's burning . not for himself , sure , as his future won't be much longer . but he insists it will be for his loved ones , the few people he has left by the end .

don't even get me started on the two possible endings , like … "darling , i wouldn't sell the world / for all the gold or sterling" like in terms of arthur going back for the money ??? when he chooses not to . when he chooses to run and fight with john not out of cowardice , but out of determination that someone , at least , will make it out of this alive . a family who deserves it more than any other person in their entire goddamn gang . money is nothing to him now if it means the people he loves suffers for that .

fuck the old empire that the old guard had been building for the past twenty years . their rome has fallen , and long live this new empire . arthur will craft its foundations out of his own lifeblood just to make sure it will be steady for the marstons . and i just think that's really neat .

#( ;; sad day today huh. emotional day today for my posts. )#╰ ゜study. * old iron bearing down like wind ; it's built by ruin.#╰ ゜headcanon. * i'll fight forgiveness ; so suffer for my shame.

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sunfir3rain · 3 months

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john marston shenanigans, part no. 2137

first, i was trying to force the boy to fall asleep. but he just sat there. rethinking his life choices maybe.

second, since johny did not want to fall asleep, i decided to take a nice little stroll outside, thinking that, well, maybe he would finally be able to fall asleep normally after he re-enters the house. as soon as i went through the doors, a cutscene with abigail opened. okay, nice, we said goodnight to each other, maybe john would finally sleep. but no. the cutscene ended and there he is. 3 a.m. standing on the bed, dressed in his jammies. abigail- gone.

third: i really wanted john to go to sleep so i made him leave beechers hope and go sleep in the forest. the skinner brothers attacked me when i created my little campsite. and we had to fight with them. in john's stupid fucking jammies.

stupid fucking jammies with a hole on his ass.

#shitpost maybe??#rdr2 #red dead redemption 2 #john marston #that man i so stupid and so fucking idiotic and i like him so much but he is so fucking stupid i hate him but i love him #stinky

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himbo-showdown · 1 year

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Welcome to ROUND 1!

Without further ado, I present the round 1 bracket!

To save space, all characters are listed with their first name only. Look in the Read Below to see an exact list of each poll coming!

Polls 1-8 will be posted Thursday the 30th between 4pm and 6pm EST and remain live for three days! Best of luck to all the contenders!

Poll 1: Arataki Itto from Ghenshin Impact VS Flynn from Skylanders Poll 2: Soren from The Dragon Prince VS Soldier from TF2 Poll 3: Fukuo from Kiki's Delivery Service VS Sheriff Bronson Stone from Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated Poll 4: Daniel Cain from Re-Animator VS Bokuto Kotaro from Haikyuu Poll 5: Indus Tarbella from Epithet Erased VS Milo from Pokemon Sword/Shield Poll 6: Cole from Lego Ninjago VS Din Djarin from The Mandolorian Poll 7: Prince Edward from Enchanted VS Josh Chan from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Poll 8: Knuckles from Sonic Boom VS Alexios from Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey Poll 9: Sun Wukong from RWBY VS Harry DuBois from Disco Elysium Poll 10: Magnus Burnsides from The Adventure Zone VS Kronk from The Emperor's New Groove Poll 11: Beowulf from Skullgirls VS Kaito Momota from Danganronpa V3 Poll 12: Joseph Jostar from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure VS Dick Gumshoe from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attourney Poll 13: Peter B. Parker from Into the Spiderverse VS Will Powers from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attourney Poll 14: Boucheron from Fire Emblem Engage VS Bolin from The Legend of Korra Poll 15: Raphael Kirsten from Fire Emblem Three Houses/Hopes VS Steve Harrington from Stranger Things Poll 16: Metroman from Megamind VS Gillis Soco from Smile For Me Poll 17: Launchpad McQuack from Ducktales VS Kevin from Ghostbusters (2016) Poll 18: Phoenix Wright from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attourney VS John Marston from Red dead redemption 1&2 Poll 19: Arthur Morgan from Red dead redemption 2 VS Fred from Scooby-Doo Poll 20: Grog Strongjaw from Legends of Vox Machina VS Clone JFK from Clone High Poll 21: Rodney from Total Drama VS Professor Birch from Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire Poll 22: Ash Williams from Evil Dead VS Mario from The Super Mario Bros. Series Poll 23: Brett Hand from Inside Job VS Scott Howl from Monster Prom Poll 24: Clark Kent from DC Comics VS Jason Mendoza from The Good Place Poll 25: Andy Dwyer from Parks and Rec VS Galo Thymos from Promare Poll 26: Beelzebub from Obey Me VS Finn the Human from Adventure Time Poll 27: Gonta Gokihara from Danganronpa V3 VS Andolin Kholin from The Stormlight Archive Poll 28: Thor from the MCU VS Hunk from Voltron: Legendary Defender Poll 29: George from George of the Jungle VS Alex from Stardew Valley Poll 30: Mark the Engineer from In Space with Markiplier VS Murray from the Sly Cooper Series Poll 31: Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story VS He-Man from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Poll 32: Raphael Hamato from Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles VS Farkas from Skyrim

Good luck to all!

#announcement #bracket #round 1 #not a poll

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every-character-ever-poll · 9 months

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WEEK FIVE LINEUP

I don't really have much to say here. When this posts(insert time here) I will be reopening submissions! So get ready for that (but please don't flood my form too much). Remember to take a quick look at the weekly lineups before you send in a character if you want to make sure they haven't been submitted yet!

Yuu Suzuno - King of Prism

Zhou Zishu - Word of Honor

Ai Hayasaka - Kaguya-sama: Love is War

Layla Hamilton - Kaleido Star

Hank - To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts

Musa Kamara - Run with the Wind

Yin Fu - Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary

Rain Mikamura - Mobile Fighter G Gundam

Cure Passion - Fresh Precure

John Marston - Red Dead Redemption 1 & 2

Hop - Pokémon

Ai Haibara - Detective Conan

Sailor Saturn - Sailor Moon

Squilliam Fancyson - Spongebob Squarepants

Natarle Badgiruel - Mobile Suit Gundam SEED

Budwin - Papa Louie

Kaito - Ajin

Satou - Ajin

Minato Arisato - Persona 3

Shou - Akumetsu

Hijikata Mamoru - Until Death Do Us Part

Sarah Connor - Terminator

Sisirinah - Warbreaker

Beatriz Pinzón Solano - Yo Soy Betty, la Fea

Noah - Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Alvis - Xenoblade Chronicles

Full Frontal - Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096

Cypher (Amir el Amari) - Valorant

Daud - Dishonored

Emily Kaldwin - Dishonored

Jinx - Arcane

Nickel - Inanimate Insanity

Florida - Welcome to the Table

Fey Truscott-Sade - Doctor Who

Kroton the Cyberman - Doctor Who

Morbius - Doctor Who

Ralph Wiggum - The Simpsons

Ned Leeds - Spiderman (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Penny - Stardew Valley

Pam - Stardew Valley

Kanao Tsuyuri - Demon Slayer

Kazuki Nishina - King of Prism / Pretty Rhythm

eShop Bag - Nintendo 3DS eShop

Arcade Bunny - Nintendo Badge Arcade

Ace Ikebukuro - King of Prism

Mario - PriPara

Mr. AR - AR Games

Kururun - Tropical Rouge PreCure

StreetPass Bunny - StreetPass Mii Plaza

Ushimitsu - Idol Land PriPara

Final Boss (aka Disco) - Face Raiders

Shinji Aragaki - Persona 3

Kicks - Animal Crossing

Sabine - Star Stable Online

Langa Hasegawa - Sk8 the Infinity

Kouji Mihama - King of Prism / Pretty Rhythm

Hayami Hiro - King of Prism / Pretty Rhythm

Bluestar - Warrior Cats

Toma Ibuki - Waccha PriMagi

Nobuyuki Kai - Haikyuu

Sir Gilbert - Animal Jam

Minamoto Kou - Toilet Bound Hanako Kun (TBHK)

Yukina - Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

Elle Woods - Legally Blonde

Chase McCain - LEGO City Undercover

Grimace - McDonald’s

Irresponsible Dad - Happy Wheels

V1 - ULTRAKILL

Topher Bus - Clone High

Moon Lord - Terraria

Therion - Octopath Traveler

Popcorn - Showvember

Eddy - Wii Sports Resort

Shaggy Rogers - Scooby-Doo

William Afton - Five Nights At Freddy’s

Mario - Super Mario

Oatchi - Pikmin 4

Moss - Pikmin 4

Miguel O’Hara - Across the Spiderverse

Tallahasse - Zombieland

Envelope - Animated Inanimate Battle

Nick Jr. Face - Nick Jr. bumpers

Muschio Malto - Divequest

Penny - Brawl Stars

PearlescentMoon - Double Life

The Narrator - Fight Club

Bora - Tally Hall Internet Show

Nanami Kiryuu - Revolutionary Girl Utena

Engine Room - Wii Sports Baseball Championship series

Lemmy Koopa - Super Mario

Anybodys - West Side Story

Garfield - Garfield

Maerad of Pellinor - The Books of Pellinor

Frankie Stein - Monster High Gen 3

Rapunzel - Neverafter, Dimension 20

Tabaqui the Jackal - The Gray House

Asa Mitaka - Chainsaw Man

Grell Sutcliff - Black Butler

Spamton G. Spamton - Deltarune

Neptune - Neptunia

#not a poll #the week ahead #I always get excited when I see characters I know here. Mainly because I don't know many

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pistolenprinz · 3 months

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RDR2 CHARACTERS AS THE MAJOR ARCANA (PT. 3 OF MANY)

I've been really digging tarot lately, and finding a lot of comfort/joy indulging in the universe's energies, so I figured I would try my hand at assigning each of the main gang (with some exceptions) to one of the major arcana, as well as giving my personal interpretations of how it fits. Note: For this post, I've dipped into my own deck (Raven Rogue's Tarotorial), and will be pulling the imagery-specific elements from them. I will cite things as such "Insert text here [Source Name]." Regardless, the actual applications to the plotlines and characters is my own and is my opinion. To cut down on the length of these posts, I've privately paired up gang members that I either think provide a good foil for one another, or those that I just think pair well in terms of discussion. This section will be copy-pasted across all the posts in this series for sake of clarity.

ABIGAIL MARSTON (NÉE ROBERTS) - THE HIGH PRIESTESS

The High Priestess is a formidable force of mediation and balance, sitting between the Pillar of Establishment (Jachin, right) and the Pillar of Strength (Boaz, left). This card offers the balance between masculine and feminine, good and evil, negative and positive [Tarotorial; Card Imagery].

If Abigail has no fans, then I am dead. Listen to me. Listen to me right now. She is a moving force within the gang's dynamic, and I will not let anybody tell me otherwise. And no, it is not because "we all had her", Dutch lied and tried to paint her a villain by weaponizing her previous experiences. But back to Abigail. Like John, there are two things that pull at her: the gang, and her family. Those are her two pillars. She tries, so hard, to balance them and keep them both above the water. Like… She tries to stop John from putting himself at unnecessary risk for Dutch's goals, but also encourages him to do proper work with Dutch and the rest of the gang so that he can provide for Jack. She tries to get through to him via Arthur, but also tries to get through to Arthur with John (knowing their conflict and their former closeness).

If any of you are familiar with the God of War franchise (which is a current fixation of mine), I see her role within the plot comparable to Lady Sif's. And can see the parallels between Sif's relationship with Thor and her relationship with John (and further: Thor's dependency on Odin being comparable to John's dependency on Dutch). That's the vibe I get from it.

MOLLY O'SHEA - THE MOON

The Moon shows a wolf and a dog standing on either side of a path -- these creatures represent the dualities of our wild and civilized sides. Two towers flank the path which seems to present two possible outcomes. Each side has a consequence [Tarotorial; Card Imagery].

Molly is distant from the rest of the gang. She orbits around them, though sits much higher than them. However, she is not unlike them in terms of her complexity. I really think Molly's characterization and her background tends to get overshadowed, and I think those are relevant to her being a representation of The Moon. She comes from "civilized" life. She was born into wealth, and sought adventure through her moving to America. She experienced that "wildness" of the Van der Linde gang, particularly through Dutch, and switched her path to see what it was all about. Unfortunately for her, it led her down a path that is isolating and full of conflict. This is shown in her interactions with other gang members, and through her own words (re: her poetry; "I sit in solitude and scrawl […] I've nothing left. I gave you all.") And, in a way, the imagery surrounding The Moon is isolating. The two sides of a person's nature, split and separated by the towers and winding path. She is alone in her status and in her life within the gang. And try as she may to confide in others (particularly Arthur), the only person that could save her is herself.

#rdr2 #red dead redemption 2 #abigail marston #abigail roberts #molly o'shea #headcanon #characters as major arcana #// we are so back babey

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