#and this is the dynamic I feel about Roman and Gerri | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

nativehueofresolution · 7 months

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i find the gerri backstory lore that we've gotten across several interviews to be interesting for many reasons - but it stands out to me how much potential insight it gives into gerri's side of romangerri. j smith-cameron's mentioned gerri's husband baird being quite a bit older than her and being an important figure at waystar, and that was kind of gerri's way in to waystar. connor suggests in "dundee" that there was a possible affair between logan and gerri when she was "the new thing", and j and brian cox have both said they believe there was probably a mutual attraction that didn't go anywhere due to logan's respect for her husband - it's been indicated in interviews baird/gerri and logan/caroline were quite close friends at one time, which is supported by the fact they were shiv's godparents.

i don't imagine present day gerri has any regrets about not sleeping with logan per se - she takes care to avoid mess - but on the other hand, i can see it being a little irritating that the deal-breaker in this equation was the fact that gerri was 'claimed' by another man. and given the culture of waystar and the business world in general, i think it probably took a long time for gerri to stop being thought of as 'baird's wife' and having to endure jokes about sleeping her way up with baird and/or logan (the fact that connor apparently clocked their attraction i think means others would have too, even if it was never consummated).

roman on the other hand doesn't even remember gerri's marriage or baird at all until he gets some serious prompting, and he clearly thinks of gerri's role as something due to her merit - she's got killer instincts and is good at her job. he has a childlike reliance on her ability to get him out of trouble at times, but that's again based on his ideas of gerri being really smart and powerful so she can save me, not any potential connections. she's firmly her own person in roman's mind (as much as any non-roy is a person to roman). so now gerri has this princeling who's obsessed with her - and suddenly she's on the other side of the equation as the older partner with a young flame, and he just so happens to be the son of the man who passed on an affair with her but he has no thoughts about her late husband and in fact repeatedly pursues her while she has other boyfriends. i think there's kind of a power rush that would come from that role reversal. from having to claw her way up from being a powerful man's pretty young wife to now being the older woman a powerful younger man desires because of her domineering qualities; from being dismissed by the father to chased after by the son; roman suggesting a relationship that's a combination of business and pleasure so she can help him land ceo after living through many years of insinuations she was angling for that type of arrangement. quite apart from the ways in which roman's feelings for her are a useful tool, i think it'd be hard from her to completely ignore the satisfaction the role reversal brings.

of course, it's not a true reversal, and gerri knows that - she understands that she will never truly outrank him and so giving him power over her is dangerous, so she never fully goes for it. roman sexually harasses her and she's punished for it; roman throws her under the bus when it suits him and tries to brush off how her career has been derailed because of his actions. but even so, i think the illusion of being on the other side of the power/sexual dynamics she's had in the past would continue to have a certain sway for her.

#i admire how the show never really dives deep into characters' backstories and is very present day focused.#the bad version of succession would have so many flashbacks #but that said i think that these backstories are out there to find because they add a lot of interesting dimensions #romangerri #gerri kellman #succession #kaitlin speaks

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lyinginthesnow · 11 months

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Omg what would Roman be like on Bad Succession

ohhh boy..

overall i think it would be very inconsistent how taken seriously he is. He’d confess that humour is a coping mechanism, w/ a flashback depicting how it all started in childhood when he invented entertaining stories about where his bruises came from, or smth similarly on the nose. But despite this, in most episodes, he’d be reduced to a comic relief character. (The show would NOT be self-aware about this.) His purpose would be to inject fun into the bland dynamic of the Brooding Male Protagonist (ken) and the No Nonsense Girlboss (shiv). But his dialogue would be declawed. No incest jokes. He’d have, like, marvel movie one-liners and flirt with attractive age appropriate peers.

Literally all nuance and ambiguity would be removed from his sexuality. It would be a cut-and-dry internalized homophobia thing. He wouldn’t understand his discomfort with heterosexual sex until, during management training, he would be free to spread his wings away from his Evil Dad and explore his attraction to men. He’d have a secret relationship with Brian, and Normal Gay Sex would ✨fix him✨. He’d realize Love Is Love and there’s nothing wrong with him !!! :)

At one point in season 3, to appeal to his father, he would softly say the price of milk, and Logan would pause, and with growing confidence Roman would list the prices of various other grocery items, and because of Roman’s newfound humility, Logan would feel connected to his son and they would bond. Gerri would exclusively be a caring mentor figure, and Roman would explain that she’s like the mother he never had. Roman would have a one-season arc where Mencken (who he’d have NO sexual tension with btw) indoctrinates him down the alt-right pipeline (that’s how it would be framed lmao), but Shiv would manage to deradicalize him, like “Roman, look at me, this isn’t you”, and they’d save the election with the power of love. There’d be like a million flashbacks to his child self behind the bars of the dog cage.

#ty for the ask :) this was fun and absolutely repulsive to write #roman roy #succession #ruby (unfortunately) watches succession #mailbox

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motions1ckness · 10 months

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“Sweetheart”

This is pt 2 to my last story “Don’t Call me Kid”!! Read that first so this’ll make sense! ♡

Summary: After Kendall’s birthday, your relationship with Roman seemed beyond repair. Until he comes into your office to talk about Caroline’s wedding. (3x08)

Content: Established relationship, f!reader, insecurity, repressing emotions, bit of angst, implied body image issues, mention of age gap, dom/sub relationship dynamics, fluff?, roman hating himself

It’s been almost a week since Ken's birthday, and you've been doing your best to avoid Roman Roy. I mean, you work with him since he’s technically your boss. Luckily, you have your own office, helping you isolate until he apologizes, which he hasn’t yet. He hated talking about his feelings. But, he hated your absence more. Before all this, Roman had invited you to Caroline's second wedding as a plus-one. The thought of having to brush off Roman's actions and show up as his date made your stomach knot.

But the wedding was in two days, meaning the flight was later today. The miscommunication between you two made it unclear if you were still going. While wrapping up an email, you heard a patterned knock at your door. To no surprise, you saw Roman through the glass with his head hanging low. Great. You slightly rolled your eyes as you signaled him to enter. This will be swell.

He shuffled to the couch, indirectly facing you. He seemed anxious. You took notice of his abnormal behavior the past week, being less involved in conferences and more in his head. Like someone turned off his neuro receptors. He started picking at his nail beds, refusing eye contact with you. Again.

You scooted your chair, making him clear in your eye line, “So, what’s up?” acting oblivious. Of course, you knew why he was there. You both did. But perhaps he could dumb it down because 'you’re so young.'

He cleared his throat, scratching the back of his head “ I was just, uh, checking in. Like seeing if you were going to Italy still? You know, with me? Like is that still a thing?” On the last question, he eventually met your gaze. His delicate eyes made you empathetic. You can't shun him out completely? He needs to apologize. He needs to apologize.

Cocking your neck, “I don’t know ‘sweetheart.’ I might try to fix you with my terrible, aching savior complex because ‘I’m just so young and naive.’” Using his own words against him. Making it evident you were not over that night.

Roman shuddered at your response, darting a remorseful expression your way. You didn’t like fighting with him, and the last thing you wanted to do was argue. But you couldn’t let him get away with this. “Y-yea, whatever y/n, I’m a piece of shit. Okay? Fuck, is that what you want me to say?” He stood, throwing his hands up, peering down at you.

You scoffed, “Yea, whatever Roman, you’ve answered your question,” you fixed your attention back to the computer until Roman angled the screen towards the window, forcing you to stare at him.

“No, c’mon y/n. Fuck,” fighting with himself, if he could be vulnerable. “I just, don’t want to fight anymore. I mean c-c’mon. F-fine I’m sorry, there. Y/n, I'm serious. I am sorry. P-Please.”

Reconciliation isn't recurring between you two, especially when he’s begging for your forgiveness. His puppy dog expression helped his apology, “Okay. Thank you for apologizing. I just, I think I need some space. Maybe I'll fly separately,” you attempted to put on a sincere smile. Trying to ease the blow, hoping this doesn’t cause his insecurity to run rampant. You weren’t rejecting the invite, but you worried how Roman would react.

His face dropped a bit, not completely satisfied with your response, “Okay, I, uh, I guess I’ll see you there then.” He thumped on the top of the door frame as he left your office. Shit. Is he disappointed?

—

You flew in with the rest of the staff. Gerri kept you company, talking strategy about GoJo. Your flight arrived first, beating Roman to the shared room in the Villa. It was beautiful. You threw yourself onto the massive mattress, allowing your brain to rest for the first time since the party. You could’ve fallen asleep; until you heard a gentle knock at the door, followed by an entrance.

“I can see you had a lovely flight,” you turned your head to see Roman shutting the door behind him. A faint smile appeared on your face. “C’mon, we need to walk down for welcome drinks and see this, Peter Onion motherfucker,” having a slight smile, he stepped to the edge of the bed, holding his hand out for you to latch onto.

You pull yourself up while fixing your hair. You two were close, still holding hands, his other resting on your hip. He scanned your body, “You look fucking hot y/n, but maybe less ‘I want to fuck my boss’ and more ‘I'm meeting my boss's mom.’” You smirked at his comment, pulling away to get your bags left outside the door.

The two of you faced away from each other and started to change, “You know, I like spending time with you Rome,” turning your head to meet his gaze. You didn’t want to say love. Worried he’d freak out at the phrase.

He adjusted his shirt, smiling to himself, “Yea, I like spending time with you too.”

#roman roy fanfic #roman roy #roman roy x reader #roman roy x you #roman roy angst #roman roy fluff #succession fanfic #succession #kendall roy #waystar royco #roman roy drabble

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peniscat · 1 year

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helloooo do u have any romangerri fic recs.... u seem like a very trustworthy person to ask about this <3

i have several <3

you can't do romangerri fic recs without recommending the you could make a killing series by gaycoruscant. the first part is set during argestes and the second one during this is not for tears. both roman and gerri's voices are perfect in these and there is a very interesting take of gerri and logan's relationship in the second one too, which i enjoyed. i can also recommend the author's other fics, they're wonderful as well.

basically anything @humanveil has ever written but especially heaven help the fool who falls in love! it's technically more of a gerri character study but i feel like it gives great insight into the dynamic between roman and gerri!

another great author is @catherineflowers29, and one fic that i repeatedly keep thinking about is the price of an egg. it's delightfully deranged in all the best ways and i really like it.

show me what you're good for by parhelion_storyline changed my brain chemistry when i first read it so it's obviously a rec. lamb by madelinedrive (also known as the wonderful @loverboyromanroy) is a great au that stuck with me for a long time. i also enjoy fics by JustLikeAPapercut, especially if i'm in the mood of something a little softer (or like. as soft as it can get with these people).

finally. i know this might seem like an odd choice but the least likely outcome by berghain is pretty incredible. i know, i know, it's a secret kid fic, but you will change your mind about secret kid fics after reading this. at least i did! it's not completed yet but it regularly updates and i'm personally fairly invested.

#thank u for trusting my taste <3 also everyone pls send me your recs i am desperate for new fics #fic rec #romangerri #answered

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oreganosbaby · 1 year

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What are some notably bad takes you've seen on the Dick Pic incident?

Ok my biggest frustration with Dick Pic Incident takes are that most of them tend to take it as a very conventional #metoo sexual harrassment narrative. This flattens their characters and their relationship so much. Within this narrative, Roman is the predator and Gerri is the victim. Imo, the people who have this take are more likely to see Roman as being a sex pervert and are not the type to see Gerri as being predatory or as betraying him. I don't agree with literally any of those takes, obviously.

I feel like the whole narrative of Gerri as victim and Roman as predator completely misunderstands the intention of the dick pics proper because they are unable to let go of the socially normative idea of what an unsolicited dick pic is for. So, people tend to assume Roman intended to impose his will over her, to sexually threaten her, humiliate her or undermine her. This also leads to a misunderstanding of why the dick pic was so fucked up for Logan and why it was the final nail in the coffin for Roman. The idea that Roman was doing this with aggression goes against his entire deal as being the inverse of his father’s masculine ideals. Roman sent those pictures out of this hysterical overflow of psychosexual anxieties regarding the possibility of genuine emotion without the pretense of business. It parallels his anxieties about his mother’s wedding wherein he identifies with his mother and his anxieties about Logan’s feelings toward him. It seems people are forcibly decontextualising the incident so as to make it fit a particular narrative since that's the only way they can make sense of this or they're misinterpreting his character entirely as someone who is far more proactive and by extension, masculine than he actually is.

The other element is people misinterpreting Gerri's feelings about the dick pics. Like, she's not traumatised and she doesn't feel threatened by him. To some degree, Gerri legitimately sees herself as superior to Roman and able to control him to some degree. With the dick pics, he was getting out of her control but, I still don’t believe she understood this as him asserting himself or sexually threatening her. To Gerri, it was him being hysterical and clingy because if he really were asserting himself, he’d be able to act more independently and he clearly isn’t. His attachment to her is really the crux of her problem with this. What she wants is for him to let go of this libidinal attachment to her because she sees it as weighing her down and for him to learn to manage his libido so he could use it for more productive ends. Roman is unable to do this because his libido is what has guided every major career decision he’s made; it’s the libido that goes first, not the professional goals. She didn’t fully understand this and this is also why she thought their interests were aligned.

I think that both have a hard time situating themselves in relation to each other within the hierarchy. Within their “special conference calls” it’s simple but, in business, it isn’t. Roman assumes Gerri sees him for him-- that she sees him as impotent but, Gerri doesn’t see that and she expects him to “mature” out of this and advance himself. Both understand that regardless of her expectations, Roman’s power does largely come from his relation to Logan. The dick pics were obviously a huge liability to Gerri and she understood Roman as getting preferential treatment because he’s Logan’s son-- after all, that’s why she’s stuck with him in the first place. I think Roman can’t calculate the weight this has so, while he’s aware that this matters and it’s why she’s stuck with him, he likely didn’t expect his father to even suggest killing Gerri in favour of him. I think that a lot of people miss the complexity of the power dynamics here and don’t understand how Roman sees himself within the hierarchy.

#succ sesh #myplasticadversary #dalia replies

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dramaturgical-sense · 1 year

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succession fic rec list

In honour of succession s4 coming out, I thought I’d make a list of my favourite succession fics. These are all either romangerri or tomgreg, but other characters tend to feature fairly prominently. I’ve split these fics up into two categories: missing moments in canon and fix-it fics. The first category features fics that stick closely to the events of canon and are true to the tone of the show. The latter includes fics that try and give the characters more functional and healthier relationships, and are more optimistic. Fics with an asterisk are my personal favourite.

As always, check the tags and warnings on ao3 before reading. And without further ado, see below for the fics :)

romangerri

missing moments in canon

the nutcracker [M] by @thefudge [1,218 words] - “Roman. Behave.” (or Gerri and Roman see The Nutcracker. Holiday prompt).

This fic would fit right in with one of the early s2 episodes, it nails their dynamic from that era perfectly. It’s a romangerri classic: sexual-but-not-really-sexual contact, and its super hot. A must-read.

Must Be Love [T] by @everybodyilovedies [2,719] - On the plane ride back from Tuscany, Kendall and Roman get some time alone to talk about dickpicgate, and the woman at the (attempted) receiving end of it.

Even if you aren’t a romangerri shipper, I would recommend this fic just for the hilarious dynamic between Kendall and Roman. The author manages to tease the possibility of a reunion between Roman and Gerri, while also staying true to the events of canon.

the true encounter [M] by wellprince [1,354] - “Hell yeah he is,” Roman says. “He’s about to splash his cum all over this great white nation of ours. And I’m the invisible hand behind the handjob. Look, you’d love him if you met him.” That’s probably not true. Gerri doesn’t love anyone. Whatever.

This fic is the perfect coda to ep 3.06. Not only is it really well-written, it also functions as a great analysis of Roman’s character, his sexuality issues and explores what pulls him towards both Mencken and Gerri.

**You Could Make a Killing [M] by gaycoruscant [3,633] - After watching Logan slap Roman, Gerri struggles with conflicting loyalties.

This fic explores the contradictions of Gerri’s relationship with Roman and her support of his father. Gerri is beautifully written - she’s multi-faceted, and the author does a really good job getting into her head. The writing is beautiful, and there’s a delicious tension between Roman and Gerri throughout.

fix-it fics

live near your fire as winter blows [E] by @alittledizzy [10,047] - Roman invites Gerri to a cabin in the Catskills and they manage to work through some (not all, but some) of their shit.

Roman and Gerri get their shit together in a way that feels very in-character. I especially enjoy how the author has handled the age gap - this fic does not shy away from the fact that Gerri is an older woman, which makes both her character and the sex scene feel really natural and authentic.

Ring the Bells That Still Can Ring [E] by moreculturelesspop [1,800] - Roman considers fatherhood and an alternative life with Gerri.

This fic is exactly what I imagine the inside of Roman’s head sounds like. It’s very well-written and presents a really interesting study of Roman’s views on parenting and his feelings towards Gerri. Fantastic Roman POV.

holiday [T] by @dollsome-does-tumblr [2,107] - Gerri steals Roman away for breakfast on the last morning in Tuscany. Set after 3.09.

If you’re worried about what will happen to Roman and Gerri in s4, or still hurting after the s3 finale, read this fic. This fic gives a real sense of closure to the events in Italy and still leaves open the possibility of a reunion in the future.

tomgreg

missing moments in canon

**the old way with the sledge [M] by @round-thedecay [4,390] - Tom takes care of Greg, with many layers of bargaining, withheld information, and slaughterhouse imagery in between. Meanwhile: Tom's marriage will be a slow death.

I can literally hear Tom and Greg’s voices in my head as I read the dialogue in this fic. Even though Shiv only shows up at the end, she feels like such a presence throughout this fic. Both her character and relationship with Tom are really well-handled.

Subterranean Homesick Blues [M] by @envius [9,077] - After a month of separation, Tom gets everything he thought he wanted.

The author really understands the dynamic between Tom/Greg and Tom/Shiv, with both relationships feeling balanced and in-character. This is MY s4, so no matter what happens in the show, I know I’ve always got this fic.

Three Legs [E] by @neroxsporus [6,603] - Tom and Greg celebrate Greg's moving up. It's hard to say who gets more out of it.

Excellent coda to ep 2.04, where Greg uses Tom as a human footstool. This fic nails the weird, homoerotic aspects of their relationship and explores the culture of toxic masculinity and power at Waystar. Very funny and in-character.

**Saturn's Stomach [M] by baffledbear [6,549] - Things take a turn for the worse when Logan invites Tom and Greg on a secluded hunting trip in Virginia. Deep in the wilderness and with nowhere else to run, the pair must rely on each other in order to survive a deadly game.

This fic feels like it is written by someone who really understands Tom’s arc and what the narrative is trying to convey. The ending is incredibly satisfying, tying in many of the themes from the show. The relationship between Tom and Greg develops in a really plausible manner, and while they are endgame, Tom and Shiv’s relationship is still incredibly meaningful throughout.

fix-it fics

put your money where your mouth is tonight [E] by asphaltworld [6,964] - Greg smokes and tries to think of what to do, like, with his life in general.

Greg loves being a sugar baby: The fic. This is a very plausible take on Greg’s character, and the author does a really good job delving into Greg’s POV and his thoughts on Tom. This is a fun, lighthearted read that fits in well with the end of s3.

#succession #tomgreg #romangerri #tom wambsgans #greg hirsch #roman roy #gerri kellman #fic #fic recs #if you want to be taken off the list or i forgot to tag your tumblr #message me and i’ll fix it

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rometabss · 11 months

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can i just say.... having roman and mencken not actually fuck is an insane loss like alright yaoi brain aside, it wouldve rlly just made sense for them to do it 😭😭😭 like thats the essential part of their dynamic, the sexual aspect. and i get it doesnt have to culminate to showcase it and sometimes that very much Is the point but i dont buy it with them.

roman not fucking gerri or his personal trainer or eduard or lukas? i buy it. but mencken is just a whole different thing. he's dominant, hes authoritative, he genuinely has an upper hand within the power dynamics, and i think whats also peculiar about it is that i dont think roman's particularly ashamed of his relationship w him, even tho its tonally sexual, because logan approves of it. obviously not its sexual nature, he doesn't know about that, but roman suggests mencken and shows him off and logan is satisfied with it. this relationship is a product of logan's approval, what roman so badly aches for, so even tho logan isn't aware of the genuine sexual tone of it, and definitely wouldn't approve of that, he nevertheless approves of mencken himself. and thats something logan hasnt had for any of roman's other sexual interests! so yea, i think roman doesn't feel bad about it, cause maybe he can delude himself into thinking it's all good bc dad likes mencken! and he is proud of roman for bringing this connection in!

so yea i think roman would have actually fucked him (still would) what else can i say

#like dont get me wrong hed def let him fuck him up #but i dont think hed feel shame deep in his gut when mencken fucks him #maybeeee post funeral but well #those are different circumstances #like yea i think hed let himself have sex w him and itd be FINE itd all be ok #sex w mencken could kinda fix him now that i think about it #roman roy #succession #romencken #jeryd mencken #roman x mencken

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schmweed · 10 months

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#Gerri Kellman #Roman Roy #I LOVE this scene so much.#The full gifs show it better but I want their faces up close on my dash #but I love the dynamic of the capable scary General Counsel who shows a wary but gentle tolerance for this Roy child in particular #The sweetest of Caroline's kids most of the time. and Gerri would know having pretty much watched him grow up #On the other hand we have his delightfully super flustered fidgeting which is saying something given that Roman is fidgeting on legs #I love her joke about being in America. who else would Gerri Kellman rib like that? No one but the tiny puppy yapping at her well-shod feet #I love her “Be brave” and Roman's body language in the last gif! With his “Yes Mommy”.#Pretending she's boring but he's soaking up her caring words and attention all on him.#She's literally the ONLY person on earth (apart from Logan when he's rarely happy with Roman)#who can encourage and comfort and cheer Roman up. unlike Logan however #Gerri's gentle demeanor doesn't leave Roman feeling like the other shoe is about to drop anytime. No bad taste in his mouth.#Succession #my gifs #Culkin and Cameron-Smith MUST both win. They were INCREDIBLE and only kept raising the bar until the end.

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succession-thoughts · 1 year

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This might be unpopular, but I feel like Roman was kinda in the right in his convo with Gerri in Living+. I'm not talking about him firing Gerri, that was him having a hissy fit and was not well thought out. And I'm not saying Gerri was wrong to be upset with him for firing the other executive, that was kind of a mess and he's spiraling for sure. HOWEVER, I think it's fair for him to say "I need you to respect me." Like, whether or not you and I think he's earned it or good at it, whether or not Gerri thinks he's ready for it, he IS her boss now. Not that that's an excuse to be shitty to people, but when she acts like they can just pick up their old dynamic where he's the dumbass and she's the smart one and she can just yell and walk all over him, that puts him in a tough spot. He either takes it and confirms to her that he's a weak leader, or he doesn't and he's a monster. Kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place. There's a lot going on here, clearly, but the discourse around that scene seems to be "he's out of control and has no idea what he's doing" or "he's turning into Logan in a bad way", which both have some truth to it, but I think that over simplifies it. There are no good options for him and it's sad.

#and yes this is an oversimplification too thats what makes the show so great #but i just wanted to put my two cents in on that #succession #succession hbo #hbo succession #roman roy #kieran culkin #gerri kellman #j smith cameron

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scarletttries · 1 year

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Stewy x Roy!Reader Headcanons (Succession Request):

Pairing: Stewy (Succession) x Roy! Reader

Word Count: 2.7k

Warnings: Nothing smutty but quite a lot of drug related content. The story doesn't reflect any judgement of mine on drugs but was more what I thought would make most sense for a reader who was close with Kendall and Stewy :)

Author’s Note: Thank you to the lovely anon that sent me this request, I am always up for dipping into the Succession brain rot again! Fellow succession fans please send me your Roy family thoughts any time 😊 Succession Masterlist here!

Stewy x Roy Reader Headcanons:

- Everyone thinks they had a unique childhood, and maybe that's true, but growing up a Roy created more than its fair share of doubts and bizarre experiences that shaped you into the person you are now.

- Much to Logan's distain you chose to work outside of Waystar, preferring to spend you time focused on much more ethical endeavours. That was until he fell ill on his birthday.

- No family event was ever without drama, but having to rush Logan to hospital was a new level of intense even for you. Suddenly everything was a flurry of decisions; medical, family, business, all the things you had tried so hard to escape, firmly taking you back in their grasp.

- Kendall had always fancied himself a leader, your brother immediately stepping into the limelight and offering to take over as chairman of Waystar. No sooner than Gerri asked the question of succession Ken was dragging you into the nearest empty room, trying to form an alliance, knowing you would at least be there for him. No matter how many times you had to pull him of tourble or drive him to rehab, you always did it with a smile, not judgement, a rare, safe dynamic amongst the Roy toxicity. He knew you'd tried to keep away from all the pressure of Waystar, but your brother needed you yet again and you knew if you didn't stick by his side he'd fly so close to the sun you'd barely recognise the charred figure that remained when he came crashing down to earth.

- By the time Connor found you in the waiting room you'd officially been announced 'Executive Advisor' to Kendal's 'CEO', a little disappointed and concerned that you'd been dragged back into the organisation you had bonded over escaping, and finding your own place in the world.

- Roman would make jokes about you being a sell-out, Shiv insisting this had been your plan all along and that you were just as ruthless as the rest of them, sibling rivalry stoked for decades by Logan until there was barely an ounce of trust to share amongst the five of you.

- It was almost disheartening how quickly you found your feet back in corporate life, firmly planted at Kendall's side to ensure he stayed true to himself and didn't crumble under the enormous weight of his own name. You knew he could do something special with his work if he stayed true to himself, watching him find his feet, only to have the ground beneath him crack open at Gerri's reveal of the loan set against the value of Waystar and the plummeting stock threatening to bring those payments into reality. You sat quietly at his desk as Gerri left you with the news, watching the hopeful vision Kendall had for his time as CEO slip away in record time, only one viable solution seeming possible.

- That's how you found yourself sat in an unusually casual coffee shop waiting to meet Stewy. You could feel your heart flutter as you thought about the last few times you had seen him, usually picking Kendall up from a bender at Stewy's request and watching his lingering gaze follow you as you'd take your brother away. Even though you'd only met a dozen times, and it had been years since your paths last crossed, as you watched him step through the glass door you couldn't help but match his slight smile. The one he'd always given you as you sat on the little balcony of his first shitty apartment after you'd put Kendall to bed, and stayed just long enough to exchange a few abstract words over a hastily brewed pot of coffee. Stewy had been friends with Kendall long enough to begin to understand what it was like to be a Roy, to have the expectations that brought, along with the uncertainty, and talking to him on those late nights had always felt like one of the few times you could honour both parts of yourself, the Roy and the person you chose to be. As he waved you over to the counter you couldn't help but think how much he still looked like the warm, excitable twenty something you'd seen all those years ago.

"(Y/n)! I should have known Ken would send the most charming Roy to ask me for a favour, he always knew my weaknesses!" He joked, pulling you into a soft hug as you attempted a handshake. "You gotta try these before we talk business." He grinned, hopping over the counter to reach a few pastries, throwing down an unnecessary amount of bills for the bemused barista.

"You haven't changed a bit." You said with a smile, giving an apologetic wave to the girl behind the counter and leading Stewy to a table in the quietest corner of the shop.

"You look good too (y/n)! I can't believe it's been years! And now look at you, top of the office at Waystar, just like you said you'd never do." He mocked, sitting across from you and pulling the chair as close as he could manage.

"Yeah about that.." you explained the situation; Logan's illness, the debt, the stock price, Kendall's solution. He listening intently, the wide black expanse of his eyes reminding you all too well of Kendall's darker moments.

"Fuck it, yeah I'll help Ken out. For old times sake, and because he sent you." He gave you his most charming smile, all effects thoroughly counteracted by the familiar bloodshot lines in his eyes.

"We really appreciate it Stewy, you're really saving Kendall, both of us, here." You said sincerely, hoping some of it would breakthrough his facade, but he just smirked in response,

"I'll be seeing you round the office then."

- That wasn't an empty threat. From theo moment the equity agreement was announced, much to Logan's distain, Stewy was a regular fixture by yours and Kendall's side. He seemed to be enjoying the chance to reconnect with you, without the usual interruption of a drunk Kendall to which you had previously been accustomed. You found yourself feeling that familiar smile creep across your lips when he'd hold open the conference room door, his assistant readily holding a coffee for you. It was easy to get swept up in his charm, the nights of years past still casting a beautiful glow over all your interactions, but like so much that this job offered you; it was empty bullshit. He was just a charming guy, disappearing to the bathroom for his next white line and coming back with a compliment or memory or line to keep you onside. You had been through enough of that with Kendall when he was younger, seeing how hard he was fighting his addiction with Stewy back in his life. And so when Stewy would get a little more obvious, you made sure to politely decline his advances, making it clear that he wasn't what you were looking for right now.

- "What are they even looking for? I'm rich now, and I'm smart and we've got history. And i'm good looking!" Stewy ranted to Kendall as they sat in his office late one night, the sting of each of your rejections starting to make him feel like that scared kid again, too nervous to ask out his best friend's sibling but excited at every tiny opportunity to see them.

"You're a beautiful man Stewy, but they're looking for someone who can make it through the day without running to the bathroom to do a line." Kendall replied darkly, confident your experiences caring from him wouldn't have left you in a hurry to fall back into that role.

"Are you shitting me? Does anyone actually do their job sober now?" Stewy spat back in disbelief,

"(Y/n) does." Kendall retorted, raising an eyebrow as his friends exasperated expression. "I'll tell you what Stewy, even though I think it's disgusting you want to date a Roy, if you try cutting back, even if just for little while, I'll talk you up next chance I get." The gauntlet laid out by Kendall was quickly accepted, Stewy extending his hand to his friend's surprise

"Easy, fine, no problem!" Kendall recognised the determined look in his eye, the one he'd seen in the mirror the first time he actually managed to stay sober for more than a week.

"Is this just about the challenge, or do you actually like (y/n)? Don't fuck with me." Kendall said seriously, not yet accepting Stewy's outstretched hand. He saw the glimmer of sincerity in Stewy's eyes as he nodded solemnly,

"It's not like that, man, you know how long I've felt like this. They're special."

- It was fucking hard. And it didn't happen that first week, but after a little while and with new found respect for Kendall's sobriety, Stewy stopped with the coke and pills and focused on showing you and Kendall how serious he is about making this work.

- So true to his word, one day Kendall would find a chance to corner you and ask if you'd noticed anything different about Stewy. And of course you had. He's gone from cheesy flirting to being sincerely kind. Less frantic in his energy, calmer, and while you'd always enjoyed spending time with him, there was something about this version of him that was even nicer to be around.

"He's doing it for you, you know." Kendall clarified, putting the words to a suspicion you couldn't help yourself having over the reassuring weeks. It was hard to miss the longing looks across meeting rooms that seemed to have shifted from flirty eye contact, to heartfelt wanting. Finally it started to feel like this was something that might really work.

- "Stewy!" You called out, chasing him into an elevator at the end of another long day in the office. He lit up a little at the sound of his name leaving your lips, the way he always did when you were younger, like your presence was enough to give him more hope than he started with. "Do you have dinner plans?" You asked warmly, the understanding of what that meant flickering across his face as he nodded happily, a grin spreading across his cheeks so wide they threatened to ache.

"I do now."

- Dating Stewy would be the easiest thing in the world. Even though you'd spent a lot of time living in completely different worlds, deep down you know each other to such a fundamental level that it felt natural to anticipate each other's needs, wants, and moments of weakness. Stewy had spent a lot of time bouncing from fling to fling, never really settling down and telling himself he was happiest that way. But having a person that really got him, that saw beneath his showy exterior to the sensitive soul beneath would be a comfort that he never wanted to stop feeling. Years of playing games with women would be replaced by total transparency with you, never thinking twice about telling you exactly what we wanted.

- Conversation with Stewy would flow with no effort from that first dinner until your first Waystar event as a real couple. You tried to brace yourself for the catty remarks from your family, Roman and Shiv scoffing and seeming to seeing it as just another ruthless ploy for company power. But nothing could have softened the outburst from Logan at the implication Stewy had taken another thing from him. The party crowd seemed to fall silent as he bellowed at you,

"You're in bed with the fucking enemy!"

"Dad, Stewy's not the enemy." Kendall tried to mediate, selflessly stepping into the line of fire for you both,

"I don't want to hear another fucking word from you! It's not enough to sell my company to this guy, but you threw in one of your siblings!" Hearing yourself be referred to like a business asset reminded you of exactly why you'd steered clear of working for Waystar in the first place, your name always trading for more than your humanity. You excused yourself from the party, dashing onto the nearest balcony, desperate for air and the feeling of no longer being inside that insidious office. As the door slowly closed behind you Stewy followed you out in the cold night, wordlessly letting the jacket drop from his shoulders and trying to wrap it around you. You shrugged it off, taking a step further away from him, not raising your gaze from your shoes as you spoke.

"Don't." He faltered, wanting to take a step towards you but desperate not to push you further away in doing so.

"I'm sorry your old man reacted like that, but you know he just doesn't like to feel like he's losing. Like he's losing you." He was thoughtful as he spoke, timidly taking another step towards you, trying to get your eyes to meet his.

" He's right though," You said, trying to suppress the sniffle breaking through your words, "This'll never work between us Stewy." Before you could turn away from him again, he placed his hands on your shoulders, tone confident and resolute.

"This will work. Because I know you, and I know Ken, and I know how you Roy's think. And this is real (y/n)! This isn't a business strategy, or a chess move, or an investment I'm waiting to cash in. I have loved you since I was a twenty year old moron desperately hoping my friend wouldn't be able to hold his liquor so I could call you, and get to the part of the night where I got to feel like a real person for once. The rest of it never mattered. For me it's always been about you. And I want to do this for real, and I'm giving this my all because I know we'd be great together. But only if you want that too."

The intensity in Stewy's stare was clear, the sincerity in his tone cutting through decades of Roy mistrust and uncertainty. You could see all of him in that moment, the sweet young man that made you coffee at midnight, the hard worker who'd made a name for himself against all odds, and now the thoughtful, kind person he'd grown to become. The person that cared for you because of and despite your last name. Your slowly spreading smile told him his words had made it past your defenses, his hands moving to cup your face as his lips pressed softly to yours, full of hope and promise for a happy future together.

- With renewed belief in the possibility of something real with Stewy, it felt easy to start actually making plans together. Leaving the office no longer meant heading back to your apartment alone, with Stewy firmly fixed to your side, eagerly figuring out where your evening should take you. You can expect Stewy to know about every new restaurant opening, every hot new bar, your names on every list on opening night with a handshake greeting at the door from the owner.

- Knowing how difficult it can be at Roy family events, Stewy insists on being by your side for all of them, a friendly face in both yours and Ken's corner no matter how the inevitable drama plays out. More often than not he also has an excuse in his back pocket for when he realises you 'need to get called away for work' leading you to a car waiting outside to take you on an actual vacation with no family involved.

- Even though you and Stewy both have all the resources a person could ever hope for at your disposal, the nights that mean the most to you are when you just stay in, sitting on a now much more elegant balcony, but still sharing coffee and a cheap blanket as you reminisce about your youth and talk about the world you want to make happen for you both.

- Now that Stewy finally has you, he'll do anything to protect you and keep you close, knowing that the life you can make together is so much greater than the ones you could try and live apart.

#writing #fanfiction #one shot #requests #succession imagines #succession imagine #succession headcanons #succession hbo #succession #kendall roy headcanon #stewy succession #stewy x reader #stewy hosseini #kendall stewy

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cakebatteronabrickwall · 9 months

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Roman and Gerri are a dynamic that is hard to handle and I'm not saying there is a definitive answer but I am saying that one can't just conveniantly leave out important dots that were made to be connected. Not denying that there is fondness between them, their humor and general assholery seems to be on the same wave length, which is why they enjoy the company they keep, but this is a deeply exploitative dynamic on both ends for different reasons. I wrote way too much about this, but here it goes-

Gerri's perspective:

Before their brief phone conference era, Gerri fixes the rocket launch disaster for him and notices that he takes to her because of it; think of him calling her about Vaulter. After the Hunting insanity he asks her advice which is when she realy knows there is something to be had here and then the phone call happens, which... look. Is there ever an indication Gerri enjoys this on the sexual gratification (not attraction, but I'll get there) level that Roman does? Not really, she can't quite believe it, finds it funny/ interesting but it is simply also such a perfect bonus to know this Roy sibling is with her while Kendall is out and god knows what Shiv might be up to. On the yacht he is also the one to defend her right away about cruises which on one hand, sure, is because they are fond of each other but you can't deny how conveniant that is as well. Throwing her weight behind Roman also seems to be paying off during season 3, he literally causes her to be interim CEO by nuking his own chances. It all blows up though with the dick pic, something that is implied Gerri isn't comfortable with (rightfully so, obviously) but seems to have maybe accepted for a time because of their "alliance". But when it all blows up, especially towards the end, she turns her back because it isn't worth it. "How does it serve my interests" is a fun callback but it is also quite literally the entire summary of Gerri's approach to the relationship. She might feel sorry in a way, but season 4 clearly shows how she does not talk to Roman after this, does not interact if she doesn't have to. Like, why would she comfort Roman on the boat, he just tried to fucking fire her and then he actually fires her because he is spiraling. The last real interaction between them has to be at the election party, because at that point it isn't just 90% business for Gerri, it's 101%. She will get something out of this and, honestly, good for her that she gets re-hired in the end; if anything she was made for this type of environment. It actually speaks to her character that she isn't into the funeral recording, a very human moment but it's important that that is the only thing we get from her on screen. What about the script? Sorry, didn't really happen, did it and it is for the best. (I would have found it insane if Gerri was the one to get through to Roman when Shiv can't, like, no)

Roman's perspective:

Not exactly news that he can't seperate business and family; getting the top spot is literally earning daddy's love and the only motivation for Roman in the first place. So, in comes Gerri, a person he has known for a long time (I want to let the implication "since childhood" slide, because that sounds unnecessarily creepy, but just know I have considered it), and she fixes his mess and holds out a helping hand. She provides guidance that he wants from his father but can't have, because it makes him weak and therefore less in Logan's eyes. He keeps reaching for Gerri in the way that, in an ideal world, he would for his father. But, and this is the most important thing, Roman goes to Gerri whenever he fails to perform masculinity (= heteronormativity=business). Dad calls him a moron? Gerri. Failed phone sex with Tabitha? Gerri. Failed sex with Tabitha? Gerri. Tabitha didn't want his proposal (it's not how you get someone to stay), maybe Gerri does. This is so interesting, because that is the text pretty directly pointing out that whatever Roman and Gerri have is neither romantic nor sexual attraction; because this is in many ways what he had with Grace and Tabitha- only this time it is someone who can actually fill out the paternal role (not mommy, never mommy) because of the business side of things that parallel Logan. Gerri playing into the humiliation kink on the phone is paralleled by Roman listening to dead Logan's fake voice message. And when he sent that dick pic to Gerri but it ended up with Logan... do you really need me to go on?

On a side note; isn't it interesting that any form of "sexual" interaction between Roman and Gerri needs this layer of seperation- phone call, screen, or bathroom door, a home video on the TV (okay that one isn't sexual anyways but still), you get to pick. And then in season 4 he can't even look at her... well. Season 4 also generally cashes in on the Logan and Gerri parallel; when she tells him "i could have gotten you there" and walks out on him a few days after his father, who had just made a business related promise, died..huh. And when she walks into Waystar at the very end, unaware of him, it might as well be Logan's ghost which is why Roman reacts the way he does after.

tl;dr: This ain't romantic or sexual, and it is a shame to not afford it the complexities of being fucked up; it's also not some doomed romance like... no. Gerri kinda got what she wanted in the end, Roman didn't. Shouldn't. At least he's out.

Picture of me after typing all that:

#girls this isn't even deep analysis it just needed to get out #and don't get me started on the bathroom stuff alone hello #Also #and I haven't checked this #but what if Roman enjoyed martinis before Gerri? Absolute fucking chaos #source- I made it up maybe.#quasi love of his life the same way his father was #sorry not sorry #and don't take this as a joykill beautiful people you rock on with whatever take you have #succession #succession season 4 #roman roy #gerri kellman

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dollsome-does-tumblr · 8 months

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i've been exploring chatgpt (my horror, my nightmare, my nemesis, my reason for giving up) lately because it was getting a lot of attention at work, and what really astounds me about it is that when you tell it to put supporting quotations in, it just fully makes stuff up. the supporting evidence is literally!!!!! fake!!!!!!!

for example, i just told it to write me this essay: Write a 500 word essay explaining why Gerri Kellman from Succession is in love with Roman Roy. Include four supporting quotations from the show.

... and it spat up this pack of lies! also, chatgpt is not good at writing succession dialogue!

disclaimer: okay, admittedly, except for "you know, i wish i was allowed to have desires." i would pay one zillion dollars to hear jsc drop that one on us as gerri. it is not amazing writing, but it is made to be said in her dulcet tones and immortalized in 1000 gifsets.

A FAKE ESSAY BY THE EVIL INTERNET ABOUT ROMANGERRI

Title: The Complex Affection: Gerri Kellman's Love for Roman Roy in Succession

Introduction

"Succession," the critically acclaimed television series, intricately weaves a web of power dynamics, family struggles, and intricate relationships within the Roy family. Among the myriad of characters, the relationship between Gerri Kellman and Roman Roy stands out as a compelling example of unexpected affection. Gerri's unspoken and complex love for Roman is subtly portrayed throughout the show, revealing a unique connection that transcends the conventional boundaries of power and status. This essay delves into the reasons behind Gerri's affection for Roman, supported by key quotations from the show.

Shared Vulnerability and Wit

Gerri and Roman's dynamic is characterized by a shared vulnerability that draws them closer together. Gerri finds herself attracted to Roman's quick wit and sarcastic humor, which provide moments of genuine connection amid the often tense family environment. In Season 2, Episode 8, Gerri remarks, "You’re very charming and funny, but it’s a defense mechanism. So, you’re very guarded too." This quote highlights her perceptive understanding of Roman's emotional armor and hints at her admiration for his protective facade. This shared insight into each other's vulnerabilities creates a bond that goes beyond the surface.

Emotional Support and Trust

As the show unfolds, Gerri becomes a trusted confidante for Roman, offering emotional support and understanding that he struggles to find within his family. In Season 1, Episode 7, Roman confesses to Gerri, "Sometimes, I feel like I can only really talk to you." Gerri's role as a sympathetic listener and her ability to provide Roman with a safe space for his emotions showcase her genuine affection for him. This level of trust and emotional intimacy further deepens their relationship.

Challenging Status Quo

Gerri's love for Roman is not just about affection; it challenges the Roy family's established power dynamics. Gerri, as General Counsel of Waystar Royco, occupies a significant position, yet her feelings for Roman disrupt the conventional boundaries of power and social status. In Season 2, Episode 3, she admits to Roman, "You’re the one Roy that doesn’t take advantage of me." This confession underscores the unorthodox nature of their connection and suggests that Roman's treatment of her is one of the reasons she's drawn to him.

Unfulfilled Desires

Throughout the series, Gerri's unfulfilled desires and the limitations of her personal life come to the forefront. In Season 1, Episode 3, she tells Roman, "You know, I wish I was allowed to have desires." This line reflects her suppressed longings and suggests that Roman, with his reckless demeanor, represents a certain freedom and indulgence that she craves. Her affection for him might stem from his embodiment of the boldness she feels constrained from pursuing.

Conclusion

Gerri Kellman's love for Roman Roy in "Succession" is a multifaceted and compelling aspect of the show's intricate character dynamics. Their shared vulnerability, emotional support, challenge to the status quo, and unfulfilled desires all contribute to the complexity of their relationship. Gerri's affection for Roman transcends the boundaries of power and social norms, providing a unique lens through which to examine the characters and their motivations. As the series continues to captivate audiences, the intricate dynamics between characters like Gerri and Roman continue to illuminate the human complexities that lie beneath the surface of wealth and power.

#i frankly don't even know what to tag this #my existential meltdown???????

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