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that-sarcastic-writer · 8 months

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A Love Game

DI!Single!Dad!Leon S. Kennedy X F!Teacher!Reader

Summary: You hear a glimpse of Leon's relationship with his daughter. And later he makes you a proposal you just can't refuse

Warnings: mild sexual content, still minors dni, brief phone sex, allusions to sex, Leon has a mouth on his as always, bit of soft!dom leon, mostly Leon being a soft dad on this one, foul language (as always), no use of y/n

WC: 3k

A/N: so I'm totally in love with this dynamic! And yalls support was insane. I literally wrote two separate drafts of a continuation of these two and whichever I finished first was gonna be posted, so the light smut one won bc I'm tired atm and didn't feel like sitting in front of my computer for 6 hours🙃 so this short part will have a second part to it with full spicy time. And another standalone part with these two (coffee and other things) having some more spicy time is also in the works, so stay tuned. Besitos <3

Universe Masterlist

Leon blinked slowly, his eyes now starting to grow sore from staring at the bright computer screen for so long. But he just hadn't had time to finish this stupid report. Sure, he has had two whole days to get it done, but with a tiny human clinging to his arm every waking minute, it was a bit more complicated than he thought. But he couldn't possibly ignore his little girl when he barely had the time to be with her without having to worry about stopping some mad scientist with too much time in their hands. He didn't mind though. His little girl was more important than anything else.

Still, he took advantage of the little window of time he had now. He had given Isabella dinner a little over an hour ago. Then left her in the dining room to finish her homework. She had always been a smart girl, responsible with her homework, she never fussed when he asked her to do it, so it didn't worry him in the slightest to leave her to do her own thing. She tended to get distracted when he was around anyway.

Though, maybe an hour had gone by when he heard tiny feet pad bare through the wood floors and he saw a mess of chocolate brown strands sticking from its bun peek above his computer screen. He slowly lowered the screen until it was almost shut and he was met with a pair of sapphire eyes that were a replica of his own. He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Daddy." She took a step closer to him, her eyes big like she wanted to ask him something.

Leon sat up fully, setting his laptop aside and nodded at her, giving her his full attention now. "What's up bee?"

"Can I.. uhm.. I can play with your switch now?" She asked, dark lashes batting as she fiddled with her hands. As if she had to give him puppy dog eyes for him to say yes. He kept his face serious though.

"You wanna play on my switch?" She nodded. He ran his fingers over his light stubble as if he was thinking real hard, he pursed his lips in thought. "I dunno hun, did you finish your homework?"

"How did you know I had homework?" She asked with an adorable frown on her face, it took Leon all of his willpower not to break then.

"Well I do now." He slipped a smile and she pouted. He couldn't help but chuckle at his little girl. He took her in his arms and sat her on his lap. "Well I knew before. Wanna know how?"

Her head perked up. "How?"

Leon leaned into her ear with a smile, "'Cause dads know everything about their little girls." He pressed a kiss to the side of her hair and set her back on her feet. "But yeah, Miss Pretty Teacher told me."

"That's cheating!" She whipped her head around with a gasp and glared at him. He again couldn't hide his laugh.

"Yeah alright, you caught me," he raised his hands up at her in surrender. "You can play on the switch for a bit. Do you remember how to turn it on?"

Izzy proudly nodded and skipped over to the large TV hooked up to the living room. The TV had been on, nothing playing, but just on, since Leon had intended to play some white noise in the background but never actually loaded up anything. He switched to the right input as he watched Izzy turn on the Switch. It took her a second to remember how, but she was happily skipping back to the couch with the controllers as the loading screen came up before Leon could get up to help. He shook his head to himself, but he puffed out a breath when Izzy jumped on his lap, rather hard, the little girl giggling when he groaned.

"Jesus Christ, when did you get so big?" He chuckled, fixing her on his lap so she wouldn't fall and watched as she scrolled through the games until she found Mario Kart.

"I turned seven in October, remember?" She piped up, genuinely reminding him of such an important date, as if he would ever forget. He nodded.

"I know, Izzy. I took you to Dave and Busters with Amara, remember?"

"Oh. Yeah, you're right. That was fun. We should go again sometime! Please daddy?" She turned her head to look at him with this smile on her face and her big blue eyes.

God, what did he ever do to deserve this kid?

He pressed his lips to her forehead and nodded.

"'Course. I'll talk to Amara's mom, okay?"

He watched as Izzy excitedly nodded and cheered happily before she got lost in the game in front of her. He didn't mind her having screen time. It wasn't like she had an iPad glued to her face twenty-four-seven. He let her play once or twice a week, and maybe a third if he was feeling like playing with her. And she was more than happy to spend that time with her dad.

Tonight he wasn't really feeling playing, so he watched her do her best. To her, she was the biggest winner there ever was, throwing turtle shells and bombs at practically nothing and hitting the wall with every curve, but she had fun with it, so he let her be, cheering her on whenever she finished a race, even if it was in ninth or eighth place.

Maybe thirty minutes had passed when he felt his phone buzz beside him. He took his eyes away from the colorful screen to look at his phone. It lit up with a text, and his smile grew wide at the name.

My pretty teacher.

He grabbed his phone and quickly opened the conversation. You had been texting back and forth all day, for days now, after what he considered a perfect first date, but he just hadn't gotten around to match your schedule to plan another date. So you had resorted to texting and maybe calling once here and there. But God, he was really missing you right about now.

My pretty teacher: sorry, I went to dinner with my mom and sister. And I just got home. Hru?

He bit his lip as he attempted to type into his phone one handed.

Me: It's fine. I'm ok. With izzy.

My pretty teacher: awww🥰

Me: Can you call? I'm texting with one hand at the moment.

You saw the message, and he could see the three text bubbles appear and disappear. Until they didn't come back. He mentally grimaced at himself, maybe the idea of talking to him while Isabella was there made you uncomfortable? Shit. He hadn't thought about that. Christ, he hadn't dated in so long he had forgotten that being a single dad wasn't exactly the biggest turn on. No matter how much one liked kids.

His anxiety riddled brain stopped racing when he saw your contact name pop up on his screen as his phone started ringing. He grinned to himself. He glanced at Izzy— her full attention was still on her game, he shrugged and answered the call. He set his phone down, still having one ear bud in from when he was working on his laptop.

"Hey Miss." He spoke first, his heart racing in his chest a bit.

"Hi Leon." He could hear the smile in your voice. That shy smile he thought was the prettiest thing.

"You busy?" He asked, still a bit worried he was interrupting you in the middle of something. Though the indistinct sound of TV playing in the background let him know that maybe you weren't that busy.

"Not really. I got home a little bit ago so I was just about to run myself a bath." You answered, walking back and forth between your bedroom and the bathroom connected to it. "You?"

Leon tried his hardest not to think about your words too much. Not right now.

"Nah. Just watching Izzy play on my switch. She's kicking ass in Mario Kart." He heard you blurt out a giggle, which made him chuckle, but what made him actually laugh was Izzy shooting him a frown over her shoulder.

"Daddy, that's a no-no word."

Leon snapped his head down at Izzy and he frowned, not sure if he heard her correctly, "What's that bee?"

"I said that's a bad word."

"What is?"

"Ass."

Leon almost snorted at the way she said the word. With a frown and her lips pursed. He didn't care if she said bad words or not. He sure as hell said them all the time, but he encouraged her not to repeat what he said, in front of other people, at least. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"So don't say it. I'm an adult. I can say them." When she kept looking at him, he placed a hand on top of her head and —gently— turned her head back towards the TV screen, despite her protest. "Keep playing your game, Isabella. Or you can't sit on my lap anymore."

All Leon could hear was you attempting to muffle your laughter, but he could hear your giggles loud and clear. He only rolled his eyes, but he had a tiny smile of his own.

"C'mon don't laugh, being a parent is hard. Are you the one teaching her this no-no bull— B.S?" He caught himself, closing his eyes when you laughed even more, now not even bothering to hide it.

"I have to! I have a swear jar, I'm sorry. I gotta set an example."

He actually laughed at this, remembering the mouth you had on you when he had you on his bed.

"Yeah, well, you weren't so pure and innocent when you were screaming—" He caught himself again, his own eyes widening when he remembered Isabella was right there and he sighed out softly. "Give me an hour and I'll give you the answer you deserve, Miss."

You stayed quiet for a second, not because he offended you, but because you needed a second to breathe and control the heat that flashed between your legs at his insinuation. You exhaled deeply before responding.

"You're what again? Playing Switch with Izzy?

Leon hummed in response. "She is. She's sitting on my lap so I'm being forced to watch."

"I'm not forcing you!"

"On your game, Isabella. Stop listening to my conversation."

"Does she have her own Switch or something?" You asked, now sitting on the edge of your bathtub as hot water poured from the faucet.

"No. It's my Switch. But I leave it in the living room so she can play sometimes." He answered you with a shrug you obviously couldn't see.

You chuckled softly, "How old are you again?"

"Thirty-eight, but that's besides the point. I barely have time to use the thing. I mostly bought it for Izzy." He wasn't lying— entirely. He sometimes played, late at night by himself when he wanted to drown himself in a bottle of whiskey. He would choose to play a game to blow off steam instead of getting drunk with his little girl sleeping in the next room or passing out drunk at some shitty bar.

"I'm very convinced by that." You snorted, making him sigh out at you.

"Hmph. Whatever. You wouldn't understand how cathartic throwing green turtle shells at tiny cars can be."

"Oh I bet."

"Daddy?" You heard Isabella's voice through the phone and your heart warmed.

Leon looked down at Izzy, "Yeah?"

"Who are you talking to?" She asked with genuine curiosity, her very glorious race tournament now over and her attention was on him.

He heard you go silent, most likely having heard the little girl and he sighed out, his eyes landing up on the ceiling for a second as he thought of his answer.

"Just a friend, bee." He ultimately decided on that answer. It wasn't that he was ashamed of being with you, not at all, but Izzy was still young, and even he knew there had to be a proper introduction of you outside of your teacher role. He actually wanted to do this the right way.

"You fuck my brains out last week and I'm just a friend now?" He heard you comment in his ear and he groaned out.

"C'mon, that's not fair." He leaned back into the couch, his forearm over his eyes now as he basically had two women all over him, pressing him with way too many questions for his liking.

"I'm just giving you a hard time, Leon. I get it." There was humor in your voice, lightheartedness and even though he couldn't see you, he had a feeling you had that gentle smile on your lips. That eased the pressure on his chest.

"Listen sweetheart, it's almost Izzy's bedtime," His eyes were on Izzy now, and with his eyes he was nudging at her to start wrapping up her game. She pouted, but didn't otherwise fuss. "Call you in an hour?"

You both had this dumb, lovesick smile on your face, if only you could see the other.

"I'll be up."

The warm water, the foaming body wash and the intoxicating smell of your favorite candle had done wonders to relax you. When you left the bathtub you felt like a whole new person. Though there still this tug of butterflies in your stomach as you anxiously waited for Leon to call you.

You sat on the edge of the tub, warm and fluffy robe wrapped around your naked body as you mindlessly scrolled through your social media for a little while before you decided to check out for the night. You nearly slipped right off the tile when your phone buzzed and you felt a cold shiver run down your spine.

"Hey, sorry about, y’know, earlier. Izzy and I are like that." You smiled at the sound of Leon's voice, now a bit hushed but more relaxed and carefree, like he now could say whatever the fuck he wanted.

"It's okay. It was cute, hearing how you talk to her. You're sweet." You smiled to yourself, and you could hear him breathe out a soft laugh, most likely a bit flustered by your words, but he otherwise didn't show it. "You put her to sleep though?"

"Yeah, I stayed with her 'til she fell asleep. I'm in my bedroom now, about to take a shower." He said the words slowly, with purpose, like he wanted you to think about it like he had been thinking about you, taking that bath. "So, you take your bath yet?"

"Yeah, it was nice. I definitely needed it. I could've used some company though." You bit your lip, testing his reaction. There was silence, then he hummed.

"Yeah? That so?" Now it was your turn to hum in agreement, your legs instinctively closing as you tried to soothe the ache between your thighs. "I'm sure you could've. Would've been nice to have someone hold you, right? Have someone leave kisses on your wet skin, say how good you're doing while getting your pretty pussy fingered?"

You couldn't hold back the moan that left your throat at his words, and your free hand instantly traveled down, stopping at your belly.

"Oh, that's a sound I'll never get tired of hearing. Fuck, you're already moaning for me and I'm not even there to give you a reason." He exhaled out a chuckle, his hardening cock starting to press against his sweatpants.

"Fuck, I really wish you were here." You sighed out, your hand itching closer towards your already wet cunt, but you knew it wasn't your touch you ached for. It was Leon's.

"Yeah? Why's that?"

You whined softly, your phone almost slipping off your grip as your head fell to the side. "Leon…"

"Tell me."

"Because… I really, really, need you to touch me, hold me, ugh— I just need you to fuck me, Leon."

Leon clenched his fist as his side, teeth digging into his bottom lip as he listened to your desperate words, and the sound shot straight to his cock. Fuck, he'd be lying if he said he didn't need you, too.

"Goddamn baby," He grunted softly, his hand now brushing the front of his sweats, where his cock strained against the material, and he tried to muffle the sound between his teeth, but you heard it anyway. "You have no fucking idea how much I've been wanting to ruin that pussy of yours again. It's actually driving me crazy."

You shuddered, the ache between your legs starting to become unbearable. "I really want to see you too, baby."

Leon closed his eyes, biting his lip raw as he thought fuck it. He could explain in the morning.

"Fuck it, just fuck it. Wanna take the drive here? I swear I'll give you exactly what you need and it'll be so worth it."

You'd like to think you were a rational person, you always thought things through twice, three times if necessary. You didn't take risks, much less acted in a way that could be considered immoral, but for Leon? Fuck, for that man you would become the biggest whore in this world if it meant he would take you just one more time.

"Be there in thirty."

Fuck it.

Sneak peek of A Love Game Part II, coming soon

His lips were hard on your own, messy on your jaw, like he didn't know which part he wanted to kiss more. Your fingers were entangled in his perfectly soft honey brown strands, already melting under his touch. His hand came up under your jaw to grip your face in place, long fingers sprawled out over your neck. He pulled you back by your face and his eyes were hard on you, with this mixture of authority and utter need to fuck you. He could be both.

"This is how this is gonna be. I'm going to throw you on that bed and fuck you the way you deserve. But I better not hear a single fucking sound leave those pretty lips of yours. Not tonight. Got it?"

Stay tuned for upcoming parts lovelies. Besitos<3

#leon s kennedy #leon s kennedy x reader #leon s kennedy smut #leon s kennedy x fem!reader #leon kennedy #leon kennedy x reader #leon kennedy x fem reader #leon kennedy x you #leon kennedy smut #single!dad!leon #di!leon #single!dad!leon universe

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help-itrappedmyself · 16 days

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Crimes and Punishments Part 2: Speedsters

Masterpost

“Why are we all here again?” The Flash asked Batman. Batman just made a noise in response. Like a hmmph, that somehow insinuated that Flash should know the answer to that question.

Robin hangs up the phone with this Danny person, and states that he should be arriving shortly. And he does, coming right through the window, gaping the whole way.

“Guys, I can’t thank you enough for hosting this meeting. And setting it up and everything, but mostly for hosting. Because my realm is slightly poisonous to you guys and because you’ve given me the chance to visit space! We’re in space right now, how awesome is that?! Can someone tell me all about this place later?” Danny rambles, as excited as Red said he would be.

Red gives Bruce a smug look in response.

“You’re welcome, Danny.”

“Now that we’re all here.” Batman grunts and everyone starts taking seats around the table.

Danny sheepishly takes a seat at the middle seat facing the window. The three speedsters sit across from him, Bruce at one head and Nightwing on the other. Red sits next to Bruce and Danny, Robin sits next to Nightwing and Danny. Danny pulls out a few pieces of paper and a pen.

Once everyone is situated, Batman gestures to Danny. “You called this meeting, about some broken laws?”

Danny nodded solemnly, his aura becoming slightly darker and more oppressing. He faces Bruce, “Yes, I have on my council the ancients of time and speed.” He turns to the speedsters. “You have been accused of breaking Clockwork, the ancient of time’s, rules about interfering in the timestream. He has stated many instances that you have left your own time, changed the past, and changed the future. Unfortunately, in doing so you have also corrupted reality and interfered in more laws of my dimension in bringing back the dead.”

“I’m sorry, but who exactly are you to be the authority on time and speed and, what, the dead too? Who are you at all?” Flash asks.

“We were told you were King of an alternate dimension, how does our dimension affect yours at all?” Kid Flash asks.

“I’m not the authority for time and speed, those are members of my council. Clockwork has been bringing complaints to me about all of you for a long time, but it wasn’t until I started investigating the other matter-” He makes a gesture towards Red, who nods, “that I discovered that the main cause of these problems has been your meddling with reality. You have created cracks in reality, caused by the fracture in the space-time continuum, and these cracks opened your realm to mine, which is poisonous to yours by the way. Clockwork has been cleaning up your messes in the timestream, and now I have cleaned up the leaks, and there is patchwork being done on reality right now.” He checks the last few points on his paper, making marks for each correction being made.

“You have control over all of that?” Impulse blurts out.

“More like I have control over the people who control all of that. Mostly. I’m in charge of space!” Danny smiles wide, fangs out and aura glowing for a second. “Your main interference with Space is the fact that you broke holes into your dimension, but I’m not big on punishments. Speed, the one who gave you your powers, she said you’d met with her before?” Danny pauses and glances between the speedsters.

“We’ve met the Speedforce.” Flash states. “We don’t fully understand the Speedforce or how it works though.”

“Yeah, that would be her! Dani doesn’t take the time to explain anything, always places to be, you know? But, she presently doesn’t have any complaints. Which complicates matters for me. Clockwork is demanding that she take the gifts she gave you, your powers, but she is refusing.”

The speedsters, having tensed, all relaxed at that.

“But Clockwork demands reparations for all the damage you have caused, and all the work he has put in to correct your mistakes.” Danny shrugs in a what-can-you-do manner. “And you have each meddled in the timestream correct?”

They each confirm.

“Right. We’re going to have to come to an agreement on repercussions for your violation of time law and space law. Now, I can’t say for sure who did what, or how many times, and what damage in particular it caused, which means unless you want to fess up right now, you’re all going to receive equal punishments, on the assumption you each caused a third of the damage.”

“I did most of it.” Flash says immediately. “I was the first to get my powers, I didn’t know how to use them, or how badly messing with the timestream ends up until I did it multiple times.”

“But we all did it!” Kid Flash argues.

“I’m technically messing with the timestream right now.” Impulse mutters.

“You did it while learning too! At least you figured it out before creating something like Flashpoint.”

“Hey, hey, hey!” Danny raises his voice over theirs as they start to argue. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” He rubs his head for a moment. “Now, mistakes are understandable, especially while learning new powers. So, in the future, new speedsters will be given leniency so long as you three take responsibility for teaching them the dangers and the rules. We will not punish those learning unfairly.”

The speedsters settle back down in their chairs.

“We can teach new speedsters.” Flash agrees.

“Wonderful! That burden is now part of your punishment.” Danny makes a note on his paper. “One of the main damages done, raising the dead in your alterations of the timeline, will at this point not be undone. From this moment on, everyone stays how they are. We don’t want to go around killing people for your mistakes.”

The speedsters start glancing at the Bats, not having known that was even an option.

“Thank you.” Red states on behalf of the speedsters. Danny nods.

“With that covered,” He looks back at his papers, shuffling through a few. “Clockwork has made an agreement with Dani, as punishment for abusing your powers they will be taken away-”

All the speedsters start to interject, but Danny lets out some eldritch features and lets his aura become more and more powerful and fear-inducing until they all cower back in their seats. Once they are quiet he continues.

“I have been informed that you are all heroes on this planet, so we have all agreed to call this community service. Based on how long you’ve been helping and a few other factors, we made this decision: you will each lose your powers for a total of two months, and then be placed on probation. If you continue to serve your community and use your powers for good, then we will have no further problems. If any of you mess with the timestream on purpose your powers will be revoked permanently. If it is an accident, your powers will be removed again temporarily, but for a time period yet to be determined, but that will be longer than two months. Do you understand?”

They all nod slowly, but the Kid Flash speaks up.

“What if they need us while our powers are gone? We do help, we have people counting on us, what if our teams need us?”

Danny gives him a smile. “The Bats, when I spoke to them about the situation earlier, were concerned about that as well. If you agree to this plan, and we agree to only take one of your powers away at a time, that way the other two can coordinate and help when needed.”

“Will I be sent back to my own timeline?” Impulse’s voice is small and quiet.

“No. Just like with the dead, what is done is done.” Danny makes sure to have eye contact with Impulse. “This agreement does mean you could never go back though, so if you did want to…” Danny trails off.

Impulse shakes his head.

“Okay then.” Danny checks his papers again. “Were there any more questions?”

He gives it a moment.

“Then I will take this agreement back to my people and make sure everything is set. Then we will need to set up a time frame for the removal periods. For now though, everything is done. Thank you so much for your cooperation!”

#batman #danny phantom #the flash #dpxdc #dcxdp #my writing #fanfiction #summoning game show #speedsters

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bonefall · 24 days

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instead of asking what parts of wind you’ll be getting rid of, i’ll instead ask what parts you’re keeping. the list is shorter then haha

FROSTPAW AND WHISTLEPAW.

Best part of Wind is the bond between these two, in fact, the entire plot about WindClan felt like it dropped out of the alternate universe where the books are good. The sudden dream of catastrophe, the way StarClan gave Frostpaw this sign on purpose to make them know she's legitimate, Whistlepaw injuring herself to try and save her little sister... Even the little details, like Nightcloud and Hootwhisker trying to drag the tree by the trunk, were neat to see.

I Dont Rewrite Arcs Until They Are Done BUT I do know that I'm going to elevate and expand what's going on with Frost and Whistle. They're fantastic.

Another small thing I'm actually planning on keeping is this exchange between Squilf and Jayfeather, which you'll probably find surprising since I'm so open about how much I dislike the way they've made Squilfstar less proactive;

In a better book, I think this could have been a GREAT moment.

What I dislike about this exchange is that Squilf is able to rebuke it, because the writers DO feel that Bramblestar was a good leader. They're trying to show that Squilfstar is going to act more "mature" (read: boring) with her role now, probably to make a point about how Bramblestar wasn't being "indecisive" for the 10 years we were stuck with him but "responsible." Basically, she gets the power and finds out it isn't so easy-- I'll even bet at some point in the next arc or two she'll become frustrated by someone acting the way she used to.

I've seen some people praising this, and like, it's not illegal to have bad taste. But I think this is an AWFUL thing to do with a character who could have finally caused interesting things to happen, on top of just feeling like contempt of criticism on behalf of the writers.

"Ohhhh they thought she would be more decisive than our beloved baby boy, WELL, WE'LL SHOW THEM. You will sit through 10 paragraphs of debate no matter WHO is in charge!!!"

But like I said....... in a better book, this could have been great. If this was a wake-up call for her.

Suddenly experiencing the full weight of responsibility upon herself, she stops making bold decisions. The complicated political situation in front of her, individual opinions of her Clan around her, and the wounded glares of the furious Brambleclaw below her are all acting like briar vines, pulling her down.

Even StarClan itself seems to have placed a weight on her, cats who she's followed faithfully and been punished by.

So Jayfeather, with all of the changes he has in BB, brawling with angels, speaking defiance to the stars, and pulling spirits down from the heavens, is the perfect cat to be honest with her.

I'm still trying to find a good way to describe the electricity between them in this moment. BB!Jayfeather once reached up his paw through the veil between life and death to grab her ankle and fetch her from her own trial, knowing that she wanted to keep living. He's part of whatever motion she took to remove Bramblestar from power. Her son, her cleric, her ally. How do I put these emotions into words?

"Did you come this far just to become someone else?"

Just... what a moment it could be. For this to be the second that Squilfstar realizes in spite of everything, Bramblestar's thorns still jab at her. That she has to move forward, DAMN the uncertainty, by being herself.

#bone babble #asc spoilers #But a LOT of this book is up in the air for BB #Depending on how big of an overhaul this becomes #I don't have SOLID plans yet to keep it loose #But I'm planning some pretty big changes

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superbat-lmao · 3 months

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A young Bruce Wayne asking Alfred what he did before working at the manor and learning that he was an actor. Where do you think Bruce learned the skill from?

The separation and performance level of Brucie Wayne vs Batman is completely intentional and NOT Alfred’s plan at all. He did not realize that Bruce would use it for secret identity/isolation purposes, but Alfred would definitely discuss his past performances/roles or other actors and their acting choices with Bruce. They would sit together and watch movies, plays, operas, anything where people were pretending and discuss the performances, believability, what factors leant to a credible performance or seamless one, and what things were a dead giveaway.

A lot of it comes down to studying the nuance of emotion and behavior, and then replicating it. People ask about “motivation” when acting, but what they’re really saying is that a character has to feel an emotion and there are different ways of making people feel something as well as the multitude of ways people react to those feelings. Why is the character sad? Are they only experiencing sadness or is it complicated by another emotion? Most people don’t feel single things, they are a summation of experiences. So Bruce would come up with narratives, explanations for characters behaviors and feelings so that he would be consistent in his performance.

Bruce would often watch a performance done by someone else, and work towards replicating and improving on it. Everything is an approximation of real emotions and behaviors in order to be convincing. And it is continually refined by Alfred, until he’s unable to assist with this insane level of mental separation necessary to turn all actions into a performance.

Maybe it started as a coping mechanism to distance himself from his feeling about the deaths of his parents, to try and separate himself from that pain, but now he seems able to convince everyone that anything he does or says is a performance or a cover.

Except Clark. Sure, he knows Bruce puts on a show often, even most of the time, but there are certain physical responses that can’t be controlled, not so quickly that Clark can’t catch them. So for every signal Clark is sure he’s giving off, he catches 3 that Bruce is actively trying to suppress and smiles even wider. This means that every active signal that Bruce is giving off is a choice, that Bruce is choosing Clark, that he has recognized his own emotional and physical responses to him and is allowing them.

#bruce wayne #superbat #superman #batman #clark kent #alfred pennyworth

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hisui-dreamer · 1 year

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through the endless daydream (part 3)

Pairing: Lilia Vanrouge x gn!reader

Synopsis: There is a rumour that there is a hidden advisor of the Draconia family, who has guided the ruler of all fae for years. They say he is the one responsible for the peace established between humans and fae. What they don’t know, is that he has been doing so for millennia, cursed by the gods to be immortal as punishment for his crime of killing a human who was beloved by the gods—his very own lover, for whom he must forever repent until he can be killed by his true love.

Tags: fluff with angst, reincarnation, confession, the Diasomnia bois are in this chapter, bot proofread

Word count: 4.1k+

Notes: Okay, guess what... there's still one more chapter lol. I promise this time it's the last prolongation, I swear. Also I wrote this on Lilia goblin brainrot when I really should have been doing my homework, soooo, I hope y'all enjoy it hahaha

Part 1 ✧ Part 2 ✧ Masterlist

"Father, what's wrong? It's unlike you to look so down," Silver asked, placing a comforting hand on Lilia's shoulder.

It felt like just yesterday when he had first met Silver as a child, and now he had grown into a young man who had a promising future as a knight. Within his long immortality, Lilia had found purpose in helping others, as he was unable to help himself. When he noticed the small human child left on his doorstep, he decided to adopt him, wanting to provide him with a loving home just like his Beastie had done for the children in the orphanage, driven by his desire to make a positive impact on someone's life and to create a family bond that would bring him joy and fulfilment. Silver became like a son to him, and their relationship brought Lilia a sense of purpose and happiness in his life.

Lilia attempted to brush off Silver’s concern with a chuckle, "Oh, I'm fine, Silver. Just my old age getting to me," he replied, ruffling the boy's hair affectionately.

Malleus, the current fae prince, had been observing the exchange and approached the pair with concern. Lilia had been a mentor and father figure to him. He was one of the few people he held dear to his heart as he always listened to Malleus' problems, counselled him, and comforted him during difficult times.

"Lilia, you seem troubled," Malleus said, his voice carrying a touch of formality. "What happened?"

Lilia sighed, his playful façade dropping momentarily. "I saw them today," he replied softly. "I met the love of my life again."

The air in the room visibly tenses as Silver and Malleus exchanged solemn glances, sensing the weight of Lilia's words. They were well aware of Lilia's curse, the immortality that he had carried for thousands of years, and the possibility that meeting you could hold the key to breaking it. He had never made an effort to hide what happened all those years ago from them, deeply believing that it was all part of his punishment.

The two couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness at the thought that Lilia might eventually leave them when his curse is broken, having grown close to him over the years and having come to see him as a father figure and mentor. However, they also knew better than anyone the immense burden that Lilia had carried for thousands of years, and they couldn’t bear the thought of him suffering any longer as he watched everything he held dear inevitably fade with time.

Silver glanced at Malleus with a pensive expression, and Malleus nodded in understanding, both silently agreeing that Lilia's happiness and freedom were of the utmost importance, even if it meant parting ways with him in the end. They had seen the weight of his immortality and the toll it had taken on him, and they wanted nothing more than for him to find peace.

Silver spoke up with a hopeful yet cautious tone. "Father, could it be possible? Are they the one who can finally break your curse?"

Lilia sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Silver. It's complicated… Meeting them brought back memories and feelings that I've long left behind, but I don't know if it means they're the one who can free me from my immortality."

Malleus spoke up, a serious look in his emerald eyes. "Lilia, we need to tread carefully. We don't know the full extent of the situation, and if their reincarnation holds the key to breaking your curse, it's vital that we handle it with caution and wisdom."

Lilia nodded, appreciating Malleus' advice. "You're right, Malleus. I won't rush into anything. I need to understand the situation fully and consider all the implications."

Silver chimed in, his violet eyes shining with determination. "We'll be here to support you, Father. We'll stand by you, just like you've always stood by us."

Lilia, touched by their unwavering support, felt a renewed sense of determination to face the situation with wisdom and care. "Oh, you two are so grown up now. Thank you, both of you. I'm grateful to have you by my side."

"Father," Silver began, "I know you've told us about them before, but can you tell me more?" he asked.

Lilia turned to him, a misty haze in his eyes as they softened with fond memories. He sighed, a smile gracing his lips as he spoke. "They were a remarkable human, Silver..."

Lilia felt a flutter of anticipation as he made his way to the park where he had first encountered you, having agreed to meet each other the next day at the same time and spot. He couldn't deny the curiosity and eagerness that surged through him as he walked with a slight bounce in his step.

As he approached the park, he scanned the area for you, until his gaze rested on your figure, sitting on a bench beneath a flowering cherry blossom tree. You looked up, your eyes meeting vermillion ones as a smile spread across your face, sensing someone's stare.

In that moment, he knew without a doubt that you were his true love, just as his Beastie had been all those years ago. It was as if fate had brought you together once again, and he felt a sense of wonder and awe at the sheer impossibility of it all.

Lilia walked towards you, his steps quickening with each moment as he noticed the striking resemblance between you and his Beastie—the same radiant smile, the same playful glint in your eyes, and the same warmth in your presence that had enchanted him all those years ago.

"Hello," Lilia greeted meekly as he reached the bench, unable to contain his emotions.

"Hello," you returned, your voice sending shivers down Lilia's spine. "I've been expecting you."

Lilia nodded, finding himself at a loss for words for a moment as he took in your presence. "It's... it's good to see you again," he finally managed to say, his tone filled with emotion.

You smiled warmly and gestured to the bench beside you, prompting Lilia to sit down. The cherry blossoms provided a picturesque backdrop to the meeting, the air was filled with the scent of spring, reminding Lilia of the springs he had spent with his Beastie and the children.

You were his true love.

The one who would end him.

Lilia cleared his throat, focusing himself on the present. "So, " he started. "You mentioned having met me in your dreams before?" He asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and wonder.

You nodded, shyly looking down at your lap as you twiddled your fingers. "I've dreamt of a man for as long as I can remember. He looks a lot like you, only more mature, and he had long black hair," you said softly, searching Lilia's face for any sign of recognition. "He seems so distant and powerful, yet the gleam in his eyes… there's a gentleness in his gaze when he looks at me. It's like he's protecting me, even though I don't know who he is."

Lilia listened attentively, his heart skipping a beat with each word you spoke, a mix of emotions swirling inside him. He was moved by the fact that you had been dreaming of him even when you had reincarnated, and that you saw through his facade of coldness to the softness he reserved only for you. At the same time, he was hesitant to reveal his true identity, fearing that he might hurt you once more.

"I... I'm glad that he brings you comfort," Lilia finally replied gently. "Dreams are seldom all they seem, and sometimes they reveal things that we may not fully understand."

You nodded, seemingly satisfied with his response, but Lilia could see a flicker of curiosity in your expression. He knew that you were still trying to piece together the puzzle that had several pieces missing, but he couldn't blame you for trying to comprehend the situation.

Over the course of the conversation, the topics shifted to the stories of your life, and Lilia noted everything about you with his entire being, seeking to know you better. It was as if you were talking to an old friend as you opened up to him about your life, your struggles, and your dreams for the future. You shared how you had faced challenges and hardships, how you had worked tirelessly to overcome obstacles, and how you had dreamt of a better life.

Lilia listened intently, his heart swelling with admiration for your resilience and determination. He could see the fire in your eyes as you spoke about your plans and aspirations, and he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of empathy and compassion towards you.

"I've always wanted to get a decent job, find love, or travel and see the world," you rambled on with a wistful smile. "But I've never had the means to travel, even when I’m working multiple jobs just to make ends meet. It's been tough..."

Lilia nodded, understanding the weight of your struggles after having lived for thousands of years. With each word you spoke, he felt a growing sense of responsibility towards you, wanting to do whatever he could to help you, to grant your wishes and see you achieve the dreams you held dear. He knew that he had the power and means to make a difference in your life, and he silently vowed to himself that he would do everything in his power to support you if only to make up for his mistakes in the past.

"I'm sorry that you've had to face such challenges," his voice was filled with sincerity. "But I want you to know that you're not alone. I'm here for you, and I'll do whatever I can to support you in achieving your dreams."

You were taken aback by his generosity and kindness. "You don't have to do all that," you said, touched by his offer. "I appreciate your offer, but I don't want to impose." But Lilia only smiled, his eyes warm and genuine. "It's not an imposition at all. I want to do this for you because you deserve it, and because it brings me joy to see you happy."

From that day on, Lilia kept his promise, making use of his connections and resources to find you a well-paying job at the palace with a kind boss who would understand your situation and be supportive, as well as a rather loud half-fae co-worker who seemed to dislike humans, but was still kind to you at times. Lilia also made a habit of surprising you with gifts for no particular reason, just to bring a smile to your face and make you feel appreciated. Sometimes it would be items you’ve mentioned liking or elegant flower crowns that Lilia weaves himself, seeming to consistently know your likes and dislikes.

You spent more and more time with the energetic fae, with him taking you to fun places on a whim, showing you the wonders of the world and letting you experience the joy of new adventures. The two of you travelled through beautiful landscapes, and he watched with joy as you laughed, explored, and embraced life with newfound zeal. And with each passing day, he found himself falling deeper in love with you—you were one and the same as his Beastie, the one who had captured his heart and lit up his world all those millennia ago.

Lilia was determined to make the most of the time he had with you. He wanted to give you the gift of joy and adventure, knowing that it was something he could offer before he would have to say goodbye. He tried to push his own feelings aside, focusing on bringing happiness to your life and creating memories that would last forever, savouring each moment, cherishing the smiles on your face, the laughter in your voice, and the memories you were creating together. He found solace in your presence, feeling a sense of belonging and happiness that he had longed for in his immortal existence.

However, the reality that his time with you was finite made his chest heavy. He struggled with the conflict between his love for you and his impending departure, feeling torn between the desire to stay by your side and the knowledge that he had to let go. He tried to hide his true feelings, not wanting to burden you with his own struggles, and instead focused on making your time together as special as possible.

But what he couldn’t control, were your feelings for him.

As you thought about your upcoming trip with him, you couldn't help but feel a warmth spreading in your chest. It dawned on you that it wasn't just the excitement of the adventures or the thrill of the unknown that drew you to him. It was something deeper, something that made your heart skip a beat every time you were near him.

His magical abilities and mysterious aura fascinated you, but even more so was the way he brought joy into your life. He had been a source of wonder, adventure, and happiness since the first time you met him. His playful and kind attitude, his unwavering support, and the way he always made you feel special left an indelible mark on you. Your life had begun to improve as a result of his encouragement and care, having found a career that gave you stability while also allowing you to pursue your dreams. You laughed more, smiled more, and felt more hopeful about the future.

It was inevitable that you would fall in love with him.

Warmth rose to your cheeks as the thought crossed your mind, and your heart was pounding in your chest, making it difficult to focus on anything else, including work. You tried to regain your composure and focus on the task at hand, but your mind kept drifting back to Lilia.

"LORD LILIA! HOW WONDERFUL OF YOU TO GRACE US WITH YOUR PRESENCE!" Sebek, your co-worker, excitedly announced. As if your thoughts had manifested into reality, Lilia stood at the entrance, looking as handsome and enigmatic as ever. "Sebek, your inside voice, please," Lilia gently admonished, exasperated at the knight’s energy.

This weekend was another anticipated adventure with Lilia, this time to the Queendom of Roses. After a quick goodbye to your co-workers, you walked towards Lilia, who opened his arms and enveloped you in a warm embrace that felt like coming home, like being wrapped in a cocoon of safety and warmth.

"Khee hee, ready for our next adventure?" Lilia chuckled, the sound igniting butterflies in your stomach.

You couldn't help but smile at his words, feeling a surge of excitement and joy. With Lilia by your side, every adventure was filled with magic and wonder. You nodded fervently, unable to contain your enthusiasm.

"Absolutely!" you beamed. "I can't wait to see what surprises the Queendom of Roses has in store for us." Lilia smiled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. He extended his hand towards you, and without hesitation, you slipped your hand into his, feeling a jolt of electricity at the contact.

With renewed excitement and anticipation, you set off with Lilia towards the Queendom of Roses, eager to embark on another adventure with your favourite person in the world.

The moment you arrived, you were greeted by a sea of vibrant colours and the intoxicating scent of flowers that filled the air. The entire landscape seemed like it had been plucked from a fairy tale, with rose-covered arches, winding paths, and blooming gardens that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Lilia led you through the bustling streets of the Queendom, his charming and confident demeanour making him a favourite among the locals. You couldn't help but be captivated by his presence, his knowledge of the history and lore of the Queendom, and his adventurous spirit that made every moment with him exciting.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky transformed into a canvas of rich colours. The last rays of sunlight cast a warm, golden glow over the Queendom of Roses, illuminating the rose-covered buildings and creating a magical ambience.

Lilia led you to a secluded spot in the centre of the forest, where the trees towered above, forming a natural canopy that filtered the moonlight, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was cooler now, but Lilia's presence by your side kept you warm.

You sat on a moss-covered log, gazing up at the night sky as stars began to twinkle into view, one by one, a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves and the distant sound of crickets chirping. Lilia's hand found its way to yours, and the touch sent tingles down your spine. You looked at him, and in the soft moonlight, his features were bathed in an ethereal glow, making him look even more captivating. The beauty of the sight seemed to mirror the feelings that had been growing within you, and you couldn't contain them any longer.

Taking a deep breath, you turned to Lilia, feeling your heart race in anticipation. His eyes seemed darker, so alike the colour of wine, more mesmerising at the low light, and his presence filled you with a sense of comfort and safety.

"Lilia," you murmured. "I need to tell you something." You took a step closer to him, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement coursing through you.

Lilia looked at you attentively, his expression unreadable, but his stare holding a glimmer of curiosity. "Hmm? Go on," he encouraged softly, like a soothing melody.

Feeling a rush of courage, you spoke from the bottom of your heart. " I... I have fallen in love with you," you confessed, gaining strength with each word. "You've brought so much joy and adventure into my life, and I can't imagine my future without you in it."

As the words left your lips, you held your breath, waiting for Lilia's response. The crackling of the bonfire seemed to intensify, and the stars above seemed to shine brighter as if the universe itself was holding its breath along with you.

Lilia looked taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words seemed to catch in his throat. He struggled to find the right words, and you could see the conflict playing out on his face.

"I... I didn't expect this," he finally said, his voice tinged with a touch of sadness.

His words hit you like a blow to the chest as your heart sank with disappointment, but you could sense his sincerity.

Lilia reached out, placing a hand on your shoulder, and you could feel the warmth of his touch. "Beastie, " he started with the nickname that you’ve grown so fond of. "You're an amazing person, and I care deeply about you," he said, filled with sincerity as it always did. "But I can’t be with you, I apologise."

"But why?" you asked, unable to conceal the hurt in your voice. "I thought... I thought we had something special."

Lilia looked pained, and he averted his gaze, unable to meet yours. "I... I apologise, but I’m afraid I can’t tell you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

As his words sank in, a mix of emotions swirled inside you. Disappointment, sadness, and a tinge of heartbreak washed over you like a wave crashing against the shore. You had laid bare your feelings, hoping for a different outcome, but now you had to come to terms with the fact that Lilia couldn't be with you.

Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes, and a knot formed in your throat. It was painful to hear the person you cared for say that they couldn't be with you, especially when you had poured your heart out to them. It felt like a door slamming shut, shutting down the possibility of a future together.

In your mind, questions and doubts arose. Was it something about you? Was it his identity that he kept so well-hidden? Or was it simply his own personal reasons? You couldn't help but wonder if there was anything you could have done differently, if you had misread his feelings, or if you had been too forward in confessing your love.

You turned back to face him, searching his eyes for answers. "Is it because of your true identity?" you asked hesitantly. "Are you holding back because of who you really are?"

Lilia looked at you with a mix of surprise and sadness, as if he hadn't expected you to figure it out. He remained silent for a moment and then sighed softly.

"Yes," he finally admitted, heavy with emotion. "The truth is complicated, and it brings with it a burden that I cannot share with anyone else. It's because I care for you deeply that I have to let you go."

"Lilia, please," you begged desperately, as your heart ached with longing. You couldn't bear the thought of losing him without knowing the real reason behind his decision to distance himself from you. "I'm willing to do anything for you. I can't bear the thought of losing you without knowing the whole truth. Please, tell me why you can't be with me."

Lilia had always tried to keep a distance, to protect you from the truth of his identity and the inevitability that came with it, but it tore him apart to have to push you away. He knew the consequences of his actions and the weight of his responsibilities, and he couldn't bear the thought of hurting you like he had done once upon a time. But seeing you now, vulnerable and pleading, made it even harder for him to stay resolute.

Part of him longed to take you in his arms, to tell you everything, and to be with you despite the risks. He cherished the moments he had spent with you, the joy and happiness you had brought into his life. Your love had touched him deeply, and he couldn't deny the feelings he had for you. His expression torn with conflicting emotions, he took a step towards you as his gaze locked with yours. "Then," he said, his voice laced with hesitation. "I’d like to ask one favour from you."

You stopped in your tracks, turning to face him, curiosity mingling with the pain in your heart. "What is it?" you asked softly, willing to grant him anything within your power.

Lilia took a step towards you, his expression serious yet pleading. "Promise me, that on the day of the first snowfall, you will pierce me with this sword," he said, his voice steady but filled with a sense of longing as he summoned the sword imbued with the curse.

You stared at Lilia, shocked and bewildered by his sudden request. The sword he held was ancient and ornate, and you could sense the powerful magic emanating from it. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, and you could see the conflict in his eyes.

"What?" you exclaimed, unable to comprehend what he was asking of you. "I can’t do that! I can’t hurt you!"

Lilia reached out and gently took your hand, his touch familiar and comforting, melting away all the anxiety that had overtaken your mind. "Don’t worry," he assured softly. "It won’t hurt me, you’ll be freeing me from my curse."

He wondered if it was fair of him to lie about the true nature of his curse, that upon doing so, his existence would end. Although you would be saddened by his departure momentarily, the world would quickly erase his existence before long, wiping everyone’s memories of Lilia Vanrouge.

You furrowed your brow, surprised by his revelation. "Curse? What do you mean?"

Lilia took a deep breath, and you could see the anguish so clearly written on his face as he explained to you. "I made a terrible mistake in my past, and as a result, I've been cursed with immortality. I can't age, I can't die, and I've been bound to wander the world alone for all eternity to repent."

You were at a loss for words, torn between the love you still felt for him and the shock of his request. But when you stared at him, the pain etched on his face as he revealed the burden he had been carrying, and you reached out to gently touch his hand.

"I'm so sorry, Lilia," you said, reaching out to gently touch his hand in comfort. "It must have been incredibly difficult to bear." You looked up into Lilia's eyes with determination. "I’ll do it, I’ll break your curse for you," you said firmly, steeling yourself for what was to come.

if you liked this post, don't forget to reblog!

Part 1 ✧ Part 2 ✧ Masterlist

#twstnexus #twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland x reader #disney twisted wonderland #twst imagines #twst wonderland #lilia vanrouge x reader #lilia vanrouge

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nicoleanell · 9 months

Text

By POPULAR DEMAND (a couple of people said "hey Nicole I care about your Renfield 2023 meta")

Ever since I made this gif set of something that's grown to be one of my favorite moments in the movie, I was a little wary of responses to it? Not just whether the source or my highlighting of it would be interpreted as victim-blamey, but that some might actually use it as a jumping-off point to say something more insensitive and victim-blamey themselves in the comments/tags. (Which thankfully hasn't happened! But the first thing is a take I've seen from a couple of people.)

Now, I feel pretty strongly like "victim-blaming" or being anything but 100% on the side of the abused is the LAST thing Renfield (2023) is trying to do, considering [GESTURES AT THE ENTIRE MOVIE]. But I do think it needs to be unpacked a little bit.

This idea of having partially gotten yourself into a situation and that means you can get out and get better… that's not going to relate to EVERYONE'S experience. (Certainly not, for example, a person whose abuse started in childhood.) It's not a universal truth and I don't think it's meant to be. See that tumblr post going around about how fiction that's harmful (or just lightly off-putting) for some people can be healing for others, and vice versa.

But for this character it IS really important that he's not a perfect innocent victim but not an irredeemably bad person either. And it's also important that any Redemption he's capable of is not through shame and punishment, something he's had quite enough of already, but being alive and happy as the person he wants to be.

They have him acknowledge before the end of the movie - in a way that is framed as correct and honest - that he bears responsibility for where he ended up, on a very literal in-canon level. Although Dracula is manipulative and he's implied to have some degree of hypnotic power to influence/charm people, what did not happen (contrary to some versions of the story) was Renfield having his sanity and/or free will magicked away entirely. He made CHOICES. He continued making them!

But… there's something about the fact that he gets to own that without hating himself. He has to own it without hating himself. A not insignificant thing for him is to be able to say that he made mistakes and bad choices, and he takes responsibility for that, but that doesn't mean he deserves to suffer for those choices forever. He's allowed to move forward and be happy.

It's such a huge and weirdly nuanced take for this movie's version of Renfield to be fully accountable for his actions AND extremely sympathetic AND go basically unpunished.

Relatedly, I love the fact they acknowledge shame as a motivating influence on him, which is so fucking dark and sad and complicated coming from this movie?!?!?! A lot of people took that line to be specifically a queerness/attraction thing, and I think that's there and valid. But I also just took it to be like over time the primary way Drac manipulated him was through his shame over what he'd done & become.

Which is such a heartbreaking thing to throw in there, because everything else on that list (dreams etc) is a positive reinforcement -- the devil on your shoulder appealing to the things you want -- but then it crashes into this understanding that he didn't want to want some of those things, and that was also a button to push. There is something equally powerful to Dracula knowing what shames him and the exact ways he hates himself, maybe to take it away, maybe to just keep pressing it until he agrees he's worthless and deserves to suffer. That is MOST of the dynamic we actually see between them in the timeline of the movie, regardless of what their earlier relationship was like.

So the answer to that is not to say he's totally good and has done nothing shame-worthy, but it's also not to say he should be more ashamed actually, it's just… knowing all this and still believing he deserves to be alive and free.

IRL it's not uncommon for there to be a self-blaming factor within abusive relationships and some guilt and shame that goes along with that. It's not always incorrect to realize like: some of this was in my control, I gave a lot of power to this person willingly. I emotionally relied on them, I let my identity get wrapped up in them, I should've known better or stood up for myself or put up stronger boundaries earlier, and the fact I didn't just reinforced how hopeless I felt. It hits the same way for anybody struggling with addictive or self-destructive behavior. The flip side of all that can be understanding and forgiving that version of yourself and reclaiming that power rather than feeling ashamed and trapped by it.

And again! That's not necessarily the story or mindset that resonates with everyone, and it could be perceived badly if one feels it's speaking for all survivors. But if it resonates, it really does.

Last note: The movie also says very firmly that it is NOT as easy for everyone as simply "loving yourself, standing up for yourself, accepting responsibility etc." Like, I actualy think they made a pretty loud point that when your abuser is violent and vengeful and threatning to hurt you and others, you actually fucking CAN'T get out so easily and the self-help affirmations are kinda bullshit. HE NEEDED ALLIES AND SUPPORT IN A VERY REAL AND TANGIBLE WAY. Without Rebecca and also Tumblr he would've been fucked several times over. :) But the bullshit affirmations were still something that mattered to him emotionally, and something he drew strength from, to even get the belief it could get better into his own head.

#renfield #renfield 2023 #robert montague renfield

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dirtytransmasc · 8 months

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Are yyou team green or black? And why?

team green, though I'm not in support of every green character (namely Otto though my opinion of him is complicated. I also have opinions on Aegon and his characterization that makes it even more complicated)

[I have only read bits and pieces of the book, so my opinion is based almost solely on the show. keep this in mind]

I'm team green for 3 big reasons. they're more complex, thought not perfect by any means, more morally "right", and are simply more my vibe when it comes to characters. now this is very simplified and not at all nuanced, so stick with me for a minute.

Firstly, they're more complex. the greens have very deep, detailed, and nuanced lives and stories that lead to them being very complex characters that can't be put into a box. Alicent was a child bride who had lost her mother young became a mother young and suffered at the hands of power and men all her life. her children were affected by this and the world they were forced to grow up in throughout their lives. even individually her kids are drastically different; aegon the child who was forced into a life he did not want and suffered due to his father neglect and mother pain. Helaena who was never understood and grew up treated like an oddity. Aemond who was never seen to his full potential, always ignored or looked over, angry throughout his life. each of them has strengths and weaknesses, flaws and benefits, they're imperfect but never completely horrid. they're also never simplified (not entirely, even when the plot and writers seek to simplify them) to the point that they put on a moral pedestal or made straight evil (i'd even argue that the attempts of the writer to oversimplify them as evil and in the wrong makes them 10x more fascinating). I find TB characters tended to miss the mark on that, always put in the moral light, not even allowed a moment to reflect on their actions, lives, or positions in any nuanced or meaningful way, so they always just feel dull. they're also out on a moral highground that they can never be budged from, which makes them harder to like and honestly, really boring. they get away with everything instead of being emotionally and morally nuanced.

secondly, they're more morally "right". I will never say that any of the greens are perfect, they are far from it (with the exception of Helaena and her kids, who have done literally nothing to anyone, but I digress). what I will say, 9/10 times there is some level of reasoning that has some level of reasoning. Alicent always tries to do whats best for everyone, all throughout the series she tried to do best by the court, the king, her children, the realm, and Rhaenyra. did she always succeed? no, but she always tried and her mistakes were almost always honest. I will say she held resentment towards Rhaenya, but honestly, I can't blame her. Rhaenyra's lies and behavior hurt Alicent over and over again so for her to be angry is expected.when it came to succession, Alicent backed Rhaenyra until it was made clear she and Daemon would be a threat to her children's lives and even than she held mercy for Rhaenyra. Aegon's drinking can be blamed on the abuse and neglect he suffered at Viserys, Otto, and Alicent's (though the abuse and neglect from his mother is insanely different and nuanced. she perpetuated her pain onto him because she couldn't heal herself. so I hesitate to call it abuse, cause its so much more complicated than that) hands. though nothing will justify his rape of Dyana, I personally think it was a bad add in on the writers part, and leave it at that. Aemonds rage after years of being ignored doesn't entirely justify what he did to luke, but he had reason for his cruelty after years of Luke (and jace tbh) being cruel just because they could. TB characters tend to do terrible things in response to either A. nothing B. their own terrible things. Daemon kills who he wants when he feels like it, even for stating facts. Rhaneyra will lie and hurt those around her to protect her bastard children. both of them conspire to protect themselves and allow themselves to be wed, really just cause. while there are times they have their reasons, its a lot less of the time, and typically the backing to their actions, is they were trying to unbury themselves from within their own graves. (to preface, I don't care about rhaenyra sleeping around, it doesn't bother me, but its the fact that she will hurt everyone around her to protect her lies, allowing a child to be maimed and people to be murdered)

thirdly, they're my vibe. I like morally complex character, who are, to be frank, pathetic. I like characters with complex trauma's and issues, who aren't perfect people but its not entirely their fault. I would much rather watch a whole show about alicent, a child bride who tries so hard to be a good wife, queen, and mother while not prepared for any such role. Aegon who is a boy with severe mommy and daddy issues, a drinking problem, a flawed past, and constantly wet eyes. Helaena an ignored girl who has suffered for no better reason then her family. and Aemond, a boy who was tormented, bullied, maimed, and made stronger by it at the cost of his compassion and emotional stability - over a nepo baby who was coddled by her father, her murderous husband with a knack for unneeded violence, and her similarly coddled children (the show boiled them down to this, in my opinion). one is simply more up my alley than the other. I want character that need to be dissected, who have suffered, who hurt me to look at.

also, team black created almost all of their own problems. seeing as the main source of contention had to do with Rhaenyra's kids being bastards, which was Rhaenyra's problem, which she caused, and kept digging and digging that grave (faking Laenors death just so she could marry daemon, turning the blame on aemond when luke maimed him furthering the divide amongst the house, trying to wed Helaena to Jace putting her in danger, trying to take the driftmark throne and killing Vaemond for a claim her sons did not have, etc,) till viserys's death, earns her a lot less pity from me. at the end of the day, her being a woman was only a needle in a haystack worth of problems she caused herself that hurt her claim. if she had just strived to create to connection with ancient and her kids, and didn't make herself look like a threat to everyone who lessened her claim (which alicents kids would be the first people to be taken out) alicent would have backed like she had all season and there would have been no war, maybe conflict, but no war.

theres also the effect of the fans on my opinion. I have faced more cruelty, terrible media analysis, and outright ableism/misogny/(blood and sexual based) purist ideology/etc. from the TB fans then I have ever witness by TG fans. TB fans have ruined almost all of the TB characters for me in more ways than I can count, so I will say I am very biased.

thats why I'm team green. as a whole they are simply more appealing, their stories are more interesting, demand more attention to detail and emotional understanding, and from my point of view were the "right" side to be on in the war (the war was wrong on both sides, but my chips lie in the favour of the greens).

#THESE ARE ALL MY OPINIONS IF YOU DONT LIKE IT IGNORE THIS POST. MY ACCOUNT. MY EXISTENCE AS A WHOLE.#BETTER YET. IF YOU REALLY DONT LIKE MY OPINION. BLOCK ME.#I dont want drama. so dont bother me if you disagree #and to clarify discourse and conversation (even if we disagree) =/= arguing. name calling. harassment #if you can be constructive and respectful even while disagreeing your fine to stay #(the fact I have to clarify this in this fandom is embarrassing...)#defintly could have gone more in depth and better explained some things #but I'm tired and know if I don't answer this now I won't ever cause I'm a chronic procrastinator #so this is the best y'all are getting #the pity I have for all of them compared to any of the TB fans is honest to god my entire reasoning #but so many people don't understand them at all so I can't just say that #and I say this as someone who on my first watch was swayed by the intentional moral framing to hate the Greens and support the Blacks #with my whole chest. but I've grown and reflected and rewatched the show and realized I was wrong.#so I've been on both sides of the argument #I know what I'm taking about #pro team green #pro alicent hightower #I'm damn near anti TB/Rhaenyra #but I say lukewarm feelings on them to be more accurate #alicent hightower #aegon ii targaryen #aegon targaryen #aemond targaryen #helaena targaryen #rhaenyra targaryen #daemon targeryan #luke velaryon #jace velaryon #not tagging TB I like my life and sanity #they're so mean all the time and in the last week I've been harassed by them multiple times

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rex101111 · 11 months

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I’m thinking about Anji and Asuka interactions again, cause like man looking back, that short while must have been fucking wild. Anji partnered up with the guy responsible for his home being a hole in the ocean, and he just did not care. Hell, he was relatively fresh off of stealing Zessen, which was powering a force field around the colony he was living in. He probably rationalized it as the two of them being just as bad, he shoved aside whatever negative feeling he might have had so he could work with Asuka more easily. So he could do all that shady shit and still sleep at night.

Everyone talks about how brutal and bloody Baiken was in X and XX, but our boy Anji was just as bad. Remember that one ending where he trapped I-no in a crystal because she was going against Asuka’s orders? Cold blooded. So he probably figured that he didn’t have the right to be angry at Asuka, cause, really, what did That Man do to Anji specifically? Especially since Anji ain’t even a real name, a real person. No victims involved.

And then, Baiken. Then he meets Baiken, and he gets attached. And suddenly, Anji can’t be flippant or flighty, can’t shove aside everything Asuka did. Can’t work with him anymore, can’t stomach being his knife in the shadow anymore.

He sees first hand the effects of Asuka’s actions, on a person he grows to deeply care for. So he quits. Which is mildly weird to think about because how the fuck do you just walk out on the fucking Gear Maker?

Asuka just. let him leave. Anji walked away with Baiken and that was that. No sending I-no to hunt him down, no magic bullshit to pull him into his Boss’s Office Dimension to discuss severance pay, nothing.

Until, of course, he catches wind of Ariels’ plan. Then all he has to do is call up Anji, make sure he knows what’s at stake, and Mito can’t run away from him anymore.

So, they’ve worked together, done horrible shit together, fucked each other over in equally severe ways. Anji knows he doesn’t have a leg to stand on when it comes to being moral, or any kind of “good person”, he knows that shit is complicated.

So he laughs it off (because its funny in a cosmic sort of way), asks Asuka if he’s up to something (because that’s what Asuka does, isn’t it? Scheme?) and to let him in on it (and Anji schemes too, all the damn time), and calls him handsome (because his face doesn’t have a scratch of age on it, his face doesn’t belong to him, it belonged to a quiet little scientist who wanted his friends to be happy forever. Not the Devil), and that’s the end of it.

Anji pushed Baiken away from pursuing Asuka as much for his own sake as for hers and Delilah.

Sol and Asuka may have the deeper history, but Asuka and Anji turn each other into fucking monsters.

It’s like pouring gasoline onto lit thermite.

God that is so fucked up. Wish Strive didn’t try to Good Boy-ify Asuka as hard as it did. Would have been interesting to see those sparks fly around.

(Anji Mito doesn’t exist anymore than Asuka R. Kreutz does. One was spun out of thin air, the other has been rotting in the ground for over a century now.

What a match made in the Backyard, eh?)

#Guilty Gear #asuka r. kreutz #Anji mito #if daisuke doesn't make asuka fucked up me and izzy will pick up the slack

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marithlizard · 1 year

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Fic recs: Helluva Boss

Haven't seen any rec lists on here yet, so here's 10 of my favorite Stolitz fics on AO3, in no particular order. Tagging @fangirlforthewin for encouraging the idea.

There's so much great stuff being written over there that it was seriously hard to choose. If you’ve got your own list of favorites I’d love to see it!

1. Soaked and Sullen by IchijouKenichiro and mckittericks Those two are terrible at talking about their feelings, but I've rarely seen them avoid it as entertainingly as they do in this one-shot about a reluctant group vacation with their daughters.

2. Should We Voyage Far by audiopilot Would I have thought a Western AU would work? No. Did it? Spectacularly. Blitzo spends most of his time living alone in the woods, haunted by the past, until a traveler shows up wanting to rent a room. I can't say enough about the grim atmospheric beauty of this one. Complete with a sequel in progress!

3. if you could only see the beast you've made of me (held it in but now it seems you set it running free) by Helpneedmorefanfics Not sure if it's true in canon, but I do enjoy the idea of Blitzo being not merely good in bed but good with ethical BDSM and teaching Stolas the ropes (pun intended). This one-shot about the charged and complicated sex after "Truth Seekers" is hot enough to fry an egg on.

4. you were raised by wolves and voices; every night I hear them howling by Helpneedmorefanfics The best kind of horror is rooted in dark emotions that the audience can't help but feel sympathy with. Stolas...has a lot of those. Another gorgeous one-shot. (Also you want to read their entire oeuvre, trust me.)

5. The Mating Habits of Imps by AjWriter Lots of clever story ideas from this writer (not always happy, mind the tags). I picked this one because Stolas finding ways to make a wary Blitzo feel content and safe despite himself is just catnip as far as I'm concerned.

6. One Time by slinkinginshadows Progeny by Paperbackedbastard Taking Responsibility by AshInTheWind I was going to skip all the megapopular fics because they're easy to find, but then it seemed silly not to include these great continuing mpreg sagas. If you're in the mood for warm and fuzzy (mostly) family-building, they deliver.

7. Echoes by LovelyZelda Alternating between the past and the events of the show, adding so much bittersweet depth for both Blitzo and Stolas, this one is just a gem. I love everything LovelyZelda has written but Echoes is my favorite.

8. Before the Thunder Rolls by Novaeris This take on the "Real Fast" night is excellent, but this author has so many good stories I almost had to roll a die to make myself choose one and I’m still wibbling even now about whether to swap it with “Dusk till Dawn”.

9. The Awkward Neighbors Saga by AsagiStilinski I've gotten way more invested in this ongoing well-done human AU than I ever expected to. RadioDust and Fizz/Ozzie (what's the ship name for them?) as well as Stolitz, with a particularly moving backstory for Blitzo and Loona.

10. Broken Laws of Attraction by agentstarling If denial is a river in Egypt, Blitzo thinks he's an expert sailor. He is not. And this one-shot is a delicious shipwreck.

#helluva boss #fic recs

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dootznbootz · 4 months

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hi! im so curious abt whether or not you have any hcs/thoughts abt when helen and penelope found out abt what happened to agamemnon and then later clytemnestra? (srry if youve answered smth similar before! i looked thru the tags and didnt seem to find anything)

With Penelope, I kind of have it planned where I go into a bit with how Nauplius, the father of Palamedes, goes and fucks with the other kings by going to their homelands and telling their wives they're bringing back a new bride so that the queens would, you know, take on a lover or boot out the king when he comes back.

I think it's funny af that Palamedes' dad went around trying to fuck with the other king's kingdoms and it worked as most of their wives had affairs but then you have Penelope, the WIFE of the guy who set your son up to get murdered, and she wasn't buying it. Got revenge on all the kings except for the one who was truly responsible because his wife was too cool.

I love imagining him trying to convince Penelope, who's already like "You're telling me, my husband, the embodiment of simping, is going to replace me? When he knows I'm the best thing that ever happened to him?"

But when she realizes who this man is??? She's fucking FURIOUS. this is the father of the man who put their CHILD in such a dangerous situation and is the reason why her husband is away from her. She throws him out but Nauplius gets to Odysseus' parents and...tells them he died. He lied so at least he could hurt Odysseus in some way at least...Also Ironic as Palamedes I'm pretty sure is a distant descendant of Poseidon. There's something there >:D

But idk for sure how EXACTLY I'm going to have it go down but I like the thought of the family at least COMMUNICATING and sometimes visiting each other. Maybe Penelope visiting Hermione as her auntie kind of. Maybe visiting her siblings, mother, and father (until he tries to convince her to remarry again. then she avoids him :( ). Same with Clytemnestra. And idk for SURE but everyone has an inkling that she's having an affair with Aegisthus but no one knows for sure. Penelope tries to bring up Nauplius but...isn't able to get anywhere (can't spoil everything!)

When she finds out what happens it's a "I KNEW IT!" and anger as she's saddened as she cared for both these people so much as she grew up with them nearby. First Helen was kidnapped, her husband is gone, she can't see her siblings as often, now another person she grew up with and cared about is not only dead but also the one who killed them was another person she cared about! And she doesn't know how Ithaca, being a smaller island as a whole, could help their children. She's sad for them but also knows that she already has so much on her plate that she can't really help them. (also somewhat selfish :P Her and Odysseus are like-minded)

There's a part of me that thinks that, being the somewhat "I will do whatever I have to do to get on top" part of her would just "play along" to get resources from Mycenae while deep down feeling like "There will be consequences" or she would completely ignore and no longer do things with them until Orestes takes it back. She's got a lot going on with the suitors as well so idk for sure yet ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

WITH HELEN, that's much more complicated. She's been gone so long, and has to worry about getting back to her kingdom and looking forward to seeing her family again only to realize that some of her family has done something horrendous. Her sister killed her Brother-in-law! Menelaus' brother!! She grew up caring for Agamemnon as well! And also her husband is grieving!!! There is...SO MUCH going on. She's probably able to grieve a bit while in Egypt (because if I remember correctly they find out through Proteus, yeah?) There's grief for the sister she knew. She was ripped away from Hermione, how could her own sister not only kill her husband, but also send her children away and be so horrible to them?! But kind of in the same way as Penelope, so much on their plate with just returning, that they don't know how much they can do until later. I don't think they would be willing to do any sort of interaction with Mycenae afterward though. :P

Little side thing, but since I love MenOdy's BROTP, I'd like to think that Menelaus, being told by Proteus, a deity, where Odysseus was at, was kind of "mind-wiped" until Telemachus comes as "it's not the right time yet" with the gods. Menelaus and Helen realize afterward of "HoLY FUCK WE SHOULD'VE TOLD PENELOPE!!!" as they care about both Odysseus and Penelope. Also doesn't help that yeah, gotten news about bro/brother in law being murdered so there's a LOT going on. but I don't like to think they simply forgot??? when for one thing, I plan to write them as all very close?? NO >:(

It was just prophecy shit of "Hey, it HAS to be 20 years, mm'kay?"

#House of Atreus shit is always buzzing in the back of my mind but not as loud as the Odyssey👀#ask #my headcanons #shot by odysseus #Mad rambles #anon #THANK YOU!!! :D #I am a bit all over the place and I'll probably need to reread Proteus bit again :P #I always just focus on “haha. Menelaus is a seal!!! He's a little sealy seal!” and so...yeah...ADHD makes you focus on the IMPORTANT stuff

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morally-grey-girlbosses · 7 months

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Akane Kurashiki Propaganda Post

The first game is entirely of her own making: in order to save her own life as a child she had to recreate the death game that endangered it, so she'd recreate the circumstances that led to her life being saved in the past (it's complicated). In the process she endangers the life of innocent people (and sometimes ends with their actual deaths) and sets it up so the people responsible for her death/childhood trauma all die horribly. The entire game she fakes being an innocent bystander. Then she goes on to manufacture ANOTHER death game, this one for the purpose of saving humanity from an apocalyptic event in one timeline, and also endangers even more lives and gets more people killed and herself killed in pursuit of this goal. She's also the leader of an international group called Crash Keys dedicated to stopping the apocalypse. She girlbosses too close to the sun in the third game several times and one timeline results in her killing someone with a chainsaw. And another results in her wiping her childhood love interests memories of meeting her again not long after he literally proposes to her.

Time maiden girlboss who created a death game in order to assure her existence. Has killed many various timeline versions of herself and others and is implied to have a level of perspective above other humans bc she has timelooped so fucking hard. Cries easy. Endured every horror. Got to use a chainsaw once. In love with her childhood bestie and also putting HIM through the horrors until they are old. Schrodinger's catgirl. <3

I think it was very girlboss of her to get stuck in a time paradox that made it so she had to make a saw trap or die i heard she gets really into the trolley problem in the sequels but I’ve only played 999 also literally everything involving her is major spoilers I have so many thoughts but all of them are spoilers she’s the character of all time she’s morally ambiguous girlboss personified

First multi-paragraph submission:

Huge Zero Escape spoilers in this whole description. She was kidnapped as a child and almost died in an incinerator except that she psychically connected to her crush, Junpei, 9 years in the future and he gave her the knowledge she needed to get out. Unfortunately, as well as now being able to see the future this meant she was stuck in a state between living and dead for those 9 years until she made the future where Junpei saved her into a reality. This involved her recreating the death game that she was kidnapped and made to participate in by kidnapping seven people and forcing them to participate. During this second death game, she also tricked one of the four people responsible for her kidnapping into killing the other three, ruining his life. None of the other people in the death game were truly in danger from her though they didn't know this at the time, but Junpei ended up severely traumatised by seeing multiple possible timelines where almost everyone involved including himself were killed. She did this to save her own life though (and get a bit of revenge on the side) so it could be seen as mostly justifiable.

She and her brother used her knowledge of the future to become extremely rich and form an organisation to prevent threats to the world through which she continues to girlboss. After saving her own life she wasn't satisfied with what she had already done so she got a new nemesis to fight. Unfortunately in the process, she ends up traumatising Junpei again multiple times, sometimes getting herself or Junpei killed. In one timeline where she fails to prevent the apocalypse, she erases Junpei's memory after he had proposed to her and spends the rest of her life setting up a new death game which involves kidnapping a whole new set of people and infecting them with a deadly virus (and also traumatising Junpei and his grandson again) to make a timeline where the apocalypse is prevented possible. In other timelines where Junpei is killed she usually pretty directly takes revenge on whoever she thinks is responsible. So I'd say she's pretty morally ambiguous as she's done a lot of messed up stuff, but usually with the greater good in mind and she's a total girlboss.

Second multi-paragraph submission:

Akane is the definition of morally ambiguous. She kidnaps a bunch of people and has them participate in a dangerous game with a dangerous person and a lot of potential ways to die. Her goal however is not to get everyone killed. There's some timeline shenanigans, but her primary motive for the game is to get the answers she needs to save herself in the past to ensure she'll exist in the future. Canonically the only people who die during Akane's Nonary Game are the ones who helped fund and set up the first Nonary Game that got her killed in the past timeline, and one of them dying was necessary to save someone else. Pretty justified imo. Plus, while she may have set them up to die, she isn't the one who actually pulled the trigger.

Her heart is in the right place, but her methods run grey and her knowledge of timelines leads her to be careless with the lives of others as well as her own. Akane can be manipulative, but it's rarely without good reason.

She is the mastermind of the second Nonary Game, helped organize the third, and is the leader of her own secret organization dedicated to fighting a different secret organization that's trying to destroy the world. Sounds like a girl boss stuff to me.

Third multi-paragraph submission:

GIRLLLL AKANE IS THEE MORALLY GREY GIRLBOSS SHE IS EVERYTHING TO ME. She's Schrodinger's cat she's the box she's the scared little girl trapped on a Titanic replica about to burn alive unless you help her solve a sudoku puzzle she's a ditzy young adult heroine she's a grizzled elderly scientist on the moon trying to cure a virus that's wiping out society she's a Jigsaw-esque kidnapper forcing people to recreate the traumatizing death experiments of her childhood. Sometimes she gets to kill with a chainsaw, as a treat.

Okay but in all seriousness she is so deeply rich and complex and is my favorite female character of all time. She kidnaps and manipulates so many people in a very "do the ends justify the means" quandary in order to save her frightened child self and ultimately all of humanity. These manipulations are cruel, deadly, and above all else vitally necessary. She has so many masks on its impossible to tell where the lies stop and she begins. She wants to be the little girl before she was placed against her will in that fiery death trap sudoku puzzle but she can never go back. She can never be that person again; even if she wants to, even if she could, it's impossible. She is too changed now, there's too much on the line.

Fourth multi-paragraph submission:

Akane Kurashiki. Where to begin? She is a divisive character in the Zero Escape trilogy. She is a master of deception, an incredible mastermind. She is a woman who is both dead and alive. How did she end up that way? She became an "ends justifies the means" type of lady. Have YOU (at age 12) ever telepathically linked with your childhood friend/crush/future divorced-style husband (at age 21) to get him to save your life/stabilize the time loop because you're in a death game and all the while he's going through an identical death game that you (at age 21) put him (and eight other people (including yourself and your older brother with whom you planned this whole thing) through? No?

Akane Kurashiki is THE ultimate morally grey girlboss because she will do anything to get the best outcome. That includes (but is not limited to): throwing her chances at happiness away to save the world (and because of how she turns her back on love, she ends up traumatizing her eternal love interest who will not stop trying to find her so he can get closure and tell her how much he loves her); traumatizing and causing the deaths of a bunch of people, really, because they're just collateral when it comes to saving billions of lives; and putting herself through the wringer because of the above and because in so many timelines, she dies.

In the first game, she puts herself in a death game with the man who killed her and watches as the man who is supposed to save her continues to fail, over and over again until he finally gets it right. Then she abandons him as soon as he saves her life because she can't bear to face him again.

In the second game, she spends her whole life (literally, she is an old lady in this one) planning everything out to a T and willingly sacrifices herself over and over. She dies and dies and dies until finally she doesn't because the protagonist of that game eventually learns what he needs to in order to prevent that from happening and continuing the time loop.

In the third game, she is literally out of control because this is the one game she is not in charge of, but she just won't stop being morally grey! She brings up the ethics of making the exact choices she has made before and argues... seemingly against herself? She is practically a god in her own way with how she manipulates the timeline, and yet she is suddenly a Christian and says that the characters might be "in the history that God abandoned." Whenever her love interest dies (yeah he's in this one too), she loses it and starts murdering like there's no tomorrow, morals be damned.

Kotaro Uchikoshi, the man who made ZE and AITSF, called Akane, "the world's worst heroine." Prove him right. Vote for her as the more morally ambiguous girlboss. She deserves it.

#propaganda #akane kurashiki

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dragongutsixofficial · 1 year

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Edelgard isn't big on physical affection in my stuff, due to her trauma. The list of people she'd comfortably accept even a hug or shoulder pat from is very limited. Just Hubert at first, then adding Dorothea (I ship them so hard), then adding Byleth after that. Ana and the kids are on that list too of course, but they don't come into play until after the war. Lysithea and possibly Hapi are in there somewhere, but I haven't figured out where. Beyond that it would be tentative at best.

Your thoughts?

Thanks for asking !! ^^ I agree, it'd take a lot for her to be comfortable with physical affection, even more so public displays of affection. She would accept it in some measure of capacity from her closest allies in my opinion, her partner (any flavor of Edeleth is still my favorite personally) and her family. I also do agree that she'd be more open to being physically affectionate with people who have gone through the same thing as her- they would understand on a deeper level. But how would that affection look like, especially between siblings ?

I think an underrated form of physical affection for Edelgard is hand holding, both romantically (with her partner) and platonically. And this is of particular significance regarding Loki, her younger brother.

See, growing up with TWSITD, Loki never got a lot of physical affection. But suddenly finding himself in a safe environment with people he could trust not to hurt him, his siblings, allowed him to become more and more physically affective. Although he was once touch-starved, he is now incredibly big on getting hugs or any other firm of physical affection, no matter the reason. With Aline and Adel, this isn't a problem. He can go up to them and whine about how he wants to be carried bridal style and he will be, especially if he asks Adel.

But then... that makes it all the more complicated in regards to El's trauma. A good compromise they found is Edelgard holding Loki's right hand. This is very emotionally significant to them because Loki's right arm is burnt and that's definitely his weak spot, which he takes great care of (and which he amputates after the war in favor of a prosthetic arm). As such, he's always incredibly wary of people touching it. I don't picture Thales as being physically abusive often (since he "raised" him) but that's definitely been a pressure point in the past- so Loki only lets people he deeply trusts hold his right hand. As such, he literally places his trust and love in Edelgard's hands. The first time he allowed her to take his right hand was actually when he accepted to walk her path with her, when she reached her hand out to him while he was having a mental breakdown over everything he had been told having been lies.

Another form of affection they both have is Edelgard giving her cape to Loki when he feels down so he can burrow himself in it.

Aline and Adel themselves have pretty heavy trauma regarding the experiments. Aline has done a tremendous work to reclaim her own body and accept her scars, especially by changing her vestimentary style and discovering that she loves wearing short dresses instead of the most covering and conservative ones that the Imperial etiquette advocates for- and she has also needed to be physically available to comfort her younger surviving siblings. For instance, she often holds her brothers or runs her hand through their hair while they wait to fall back asleep after a nightmare. However, although she is okay with physical affection, she hates being taken by surprise- if you touch her shoulder when she's not expecting it, you would trigger her fight or flight response- and she will punch you in the face out of pure instinct. And she will rarely be the one seeking physical comfort.

I have to say though, I am NOT impartial to Aline softly taking her sister's face between her hands and kissing her on the forehead in Edelgard's darkest moments. Or gently holding both of her hands in hers while their foreheads touch.

Adel meanwhile would be the one most prone to hugging Edelgard, but he makes a big effort not to. They're the two siblings most uneasy about their scars and they both cover up a lot to hide it- a way he would show Edelgard physical affection is by holding her by the arm while they walk around, trusting her with where they're going (since he is blind).

And finally, Siyn. Siyn struggles a lot with bodily autonomy for quite some time, and with the way she sees and treats her own body. But after the war finally comes a time where she can start treating it as something other than just a tool for fighting. This is also at this point that she becomes Edelgard's partner. I have a feeling they would take it very slow, and slowly become more physically comfortable with each other- and while Siyn would absolutely respect El not wanting too many physical displays of affection, I'd love for them to get to a point where they can proudly walk out holding each other's hand for comfort. Maybe even kiss in public. In private, they would take to cuddling more often. No matter the romantic partner El ends up with (if she does end up with someone), they would still have to take it extra slow regarding any form of physical affection.

What's really interesting is that I'm pretty sure that while she would allow Hubert to hug her or something, he probably wouldn't feel the need to. xD Ferdinand would probably be more inclined to hug the both of them out of the blues and while they'd feel uncomfortable, they'd appreciate the gesture. They'd need to set some boundaries, too. I do agree that Edelthea would also do pretty amazing in that particular domain. I have a feeling that early on at the Academy, Dorothea would have understood that Edelgard wasn't comfortable with physical affection, and Edelgard slowly opening up to her would make for some incredibly sweet moments between the two partners. I'd love to see it !!!

I'll share more thoughts if my brain stops being jelly at some point=)

#fe3h #edelgard von hresvelg #edeleth #edelthea #hresvelg siblings #loki blaiddyd von hresvelg #adel von hresvelg #aline von hresvelg #siyn eisner #byleth eisner #fe3h ocs #ask #thanks so much=)

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beyondspaceandstars · 2 years

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Treacherous (15)

Relationship: Druig x Reader Warnings: angst, such angst, bc of course Summary: Soulmate!AU - Soulmate tattoos are incredibly rare but you’ve never felt really proud to have one. Everyone else around you gushed over it while you found the whole thing ominous and a little inconvenient. Truthfully, you were never really convinced you’d find your other half… That is until a random camping trip leads you to a quaint village run by a dark and brooding man who just so happens to be your soulmate. Stuck in the forest with nothing else to lose, you agree to join his world, his little village, and see if there’s actually love behind the markings. A/N: I promise I will have other content to publish on this blog lmao this blog is not strictly dedicated to updating this fic I've just had another patch of writers block but what's new!

‘Treacherous’ Masterlist | Main Masterlist

The trip up to the apartment had felt nonexistent, much like your arrival back to New York. But you knew for a fact this time you weren’t under any spell. You were just in a bit of shock and your mind was going a million miles a second as your parents flooded you with kind words and questions.

The questions barely registered. All you heard was a swirl of: "Where have you been?" "Are you hurt?" "Why aren’t you saying anything?" "Did someone take you? Your dear boyfriend Eric has been saying…"

What could you say? How could you begin to explain? In retrospect, the entire situation sounded completely unbelievable.

Everything mostly flowed from one ear out the next. It wasn’t until you were standing in the apartment kitchen, fiddling with the hem of your dress, did a question actually provoked a response from you.

"And where did you get that dress?" Your mother asked. It had felt like a silly question at first but you realized you probably just missed her going through the rest of her spiel. Your father turned to you, greatly curious as well.

"It was… It was made," you explained, "for me." Your throat felt rough but you were glad to get out some kind of words. Baby steps, really. Soon you’d be spilling your guts. Although — you weren’t sure how safe that would be.

"It was…made for you?" Your mother repeated. Her eyes wandered over your appearance for probably the millionth time before she slowly nodded. "Oh… Okay, alright, got it." When she seemingly came to terms with this information, she slowly crossed the kitchen and engulfed you in another hug. She held on tight, desperately. "I’m so relieved to see you again. I’m — We’re — Everything is so happy you’re safe and here with us. You’re home. Finally."

You let yourself sink into your mother’s hold. Your father also approached, indicated by a hand suddenly patting you on the back. You heard some sniffles coming from them both. Guilt washed over you at the realization of what you had done.

They didn’t know. You had to tell them. But how? How could you possibly sit here and explain your soulmate wasn’t some lawyer or doctor or whatever. He wasn’t living in a penthouse in the city or a mansion on the coast. He came from a group of immortals and had created his own sanctuary which he, in turn, wanted to share with you.

It was truly funny to think that just not too long ago, you had craved this reunion. Now, it only made everything more complicated.

"We, um," your mother sighed as she broke the hug and put some distance between you two, "are you able to tell us what happened? We should probably get you to the police station when you’re ready—,"

"The police?" You asked, dazed. They had gone to the police? You felt stupid now, of course, they would go to the police. You had…vanished, in a forest, no less. What else were they going to do?

Your mother nodded, looking concerned by your brief confusion. "We filed a report not long after you were supposed to be home. And then when you didn’t even arrive home with Eric, we knew something was…" Your mother let out another sniffle, her eyes watering instantly. "The police were having a hard time getting anywhere with the case. You weren’t exactly in the most reachable area of the world." She shook her head, regretfully. "I don’t think they tried, not really… But, I will say, your boyfriend was so helpful."

Your eyes grew wide and your heart sank at the second, kind mention of your…boyfriend. You didn’t even like saying the word in your head nor did you like the look in your mother’s eyes at the mention of him.

"Wh—What about him?" You glanced over at your father, who had now left your side to lean against the counter across from you, and found he too seemed pleased about your boyfriend.

"Well," your mother began, "when he returned he seemed a little…out of it, I guess, like he couldn’t remember New York or where he had been. What was even weirder is that he came here, to the apartment, first." She let out a little laugh, apparently wanting to take her sweet time explaining. You waited, silently egging her to continue. "We actually had to call his family, but, um… Anyways, when he returned, he kept mentioning a man, but he couldn’t give any details. He just remembers seeing a man and you."

Your mother took a deep breath like she was preparing herself for a question she didn’t what to know the answer to. Meanwhile, your pulse was racing beyond belief. She continued, asking softly, "Did a man take you, honey? Did… Did something like that happen?"

You didn’t know what to do, you didn’t know what to say. Your eyes were now watering, your head was pounding, and your heart was an unbearable weight to carry. You wanted to kick, scream, spill everything at that moment. But all that came out was a loud, frustrated cry.

***

Everything continued to feel like a blur as next thing you knew, you were being escorted to an interrogation room in your local police precinct after your parents spoke with a few officers. Many of the officers appeared to barely bat an eye at your appearance despite your mother’s claims that she had reported your disappearance. But you started to understand their position when you passed a bulletin filled with missing posters. You felt like you were barely a blink on their radar.

Besides, you hadn’t been missing. At least, not in the traditional sense. You certainly weren’t kidnapped either…right?

As you entered the interrogation room, the officer who had led you instructed you to have a seat and that was that. They shut the door, leaving you to your own devices for the time being. With the fan fair quite absent, you assumed they had to actually figure out who you were regardless of your mother practically reciting your police report to them from memory.

Cautiously, you went to take a seat at one of the two chairs present, both situated around a rectangular table. But before you could sit, you caught your reflection in a mirror situated on one of the walls. Your appearance made your heart sink.

You were still fitted in the days-old dress, now tattered and faded, a product of the disasters you had faced in such a short amount of time. Your hair was just as uncomfortable to look at, frizzy and unkempt. Your skin has light scraps on certain areas and you had a tough time recounting their origins.

You didn’t know what you looked like but it sure wasn’t someone you recognized. Something in you had visibly grown, matured, and yet you had never felt more unsure of yourself. You didn’t like the feelings growing in you. You didn’t like feeling helpless. You didn’t like feeling lost. You especially didn’t like how that village suddenly felt more like home than your actual home.

Before you could drown in your confusion and self-pity, the interrogation room door swung open and you were greeted by a female detective with kind eyes and a soft smile. Her eyes reminded you of someone you met briefly…but you had to shake off those thoughts immediately.

The detective read off your full name from a thin file as she shut the door behind her. She then introduced herself but everything went in one ear and out the other. You gave her a short nod before finally taking your seat at the table. She took the other, moving carefully like you were a wild animal, seconds away from snapping.

"Hi," the detective began, still wearing her comforting smile, "how are you doing?"

What a loaded question. You shifted in your seat, irritated. "Alright," you replied, short and sweet.

The detective didn’t appear too surprised by your curt answer. She nodded, satisfied with your response, like you had replied with incredible enthusiasm, and opened the file. You couldn’t make out much besides what looked to be some random notes, a report, and your headshot from your old company employee badge. You were surprised to see they had even kept that photo of you after they tossed you out.

"Would you like to give your side of what happened or should I begin with what we have here?"

What was she expecting you to say? And what on Earth could they possibly know? What had your boyfriend said?

"Wh-What’s in the file?" You asked softly. Maybe you could work with what they had. You didn’t know what giving up the truth would do. Chances of anyone, especially the police, accepting your story as truth were probably slim anyways.

The detective averted her gaze to the file and cleared her throat before telling your story like it was some tale.

"On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, you and your boyfriend departed with two other sets of couples for an intense camping trip in the Amazon, partially funded by your local church and booked through a touring agency. Odd choice for vacation if I had to say so myself but, hey, we all have our things, right?"

The detective looked at you as if gauging your reaction but you were still frozen, waiting. She continued, "Almost four days later, the two couples returned to the States. You and your boyfriend did not, as I presume you know. The couples, in an understandable panic, alerted your parents you are missing. Your parents, accompanied by your boyfriend’s family and the other couples from the trip, filed missing person reports, but right off the bat it was a challenging case." The detective shifted in her seat. "We deal with a lot at this precinct but young adults missing in the rainforest is not something we see every day. We got off to a slow start but we are very happy to see you were able to bring yourself home. That’s courageous, admirable. We are going to need to hear all about it when you’re ready, okay?"

Your stomach turned into vicious knots. You shook your head. "Escaped? I… I didn’t…"

The detective sent you a sympathetic look before moving along. "A bit into our investigation, we were notified that your boyfriend, Eric, had returned to New York. He and his parents came in for questioning and to provide statements. According to your boyfriend, you two had a fight shortly after you arrived at your campsite. You stormed off but he stayed behind, claiming he wanted to give you time to cool down. But then you failed to return that night. From our understanding, you are not a seasoned camper, correct?"

You shook your head again. The detective sighed.

"Your boyfriend and the couples started searching for you but said they were worried about getting lost in the first themselves. They claimed they had followed a designated path to their campsite and weren’t familiar with the surroundings. You weren’t familiar with them either, were you?"

"No," you replied.

"We, um, can’t understand then why you would opt to walk in the direction of the forest."

You couldn’t believe you were just on the edge of explaining everything, of spilling it all out into the open.

Trying to hold back, you responded with, "It just felt right."

"Felt…right?" The detective frowned. You nodded in confirmation.

Despite being clearly unsettled by your answer, she continued reading from the file. "According to one of the couples, Eric was convinced he was getting closer to where you could possibly be. The couples didn’t understand this and tried reasoning with him, claiming they begged him to return home with them soon, but he refused. He said he didn’t want to go anywhere without you." She sighed. "Shortly after this, he too was gone."

The detective then produced another file, one you hadn’t seen immediately due to its thinness, but it had been nestled just beneath yours. When she opened it, the headshot photo of your boyfriend made your heart drop.

"Your boyfriend didn’t have much of a statement to give when he returned," the detective explained. "Unfortunately, he appeared to be suffering from some kind of memory loss. Doctors attributed it to potentially hitting his head at some point during the camping trip and all he could give us, according to this file, is that he remembered seeing you in some town with a man he didn’t recognize." The detective scanned the statement. "He also, apparently, couldn’t describe the man to us but the officer on shift that day underlined that part of the statement. He seemed pretty insistent there had been a man."

A man. They just kept unknowingly referring to him, to your soulmate, as if he was some guy out there who had done God knows what to you. They spoke of him as a mythical being, partially rightfully so, but they also regarded him like he had been nefarious.

At each thought of your soulmate, the tattoo on your wrist itched and stung, so much so that you eventually had to try scratching it to calm down. This, unsurprisingly, drew the detective’s attention to your wrist. It was like fate was desperate to out you, forcing you to reveal all that you held within. The detective’s eyes widened as she realized what was on your skin. Her composure and professionalism almost seemed to collapse.

"You’re…one of those?"

You scoffed. "One of those?"

The detective chuckled and shook her head in apology. "Forgive me, despite working with the public, I’ve only come across someone with a soulmate tattoo maybe a handful of times. Must’ve been nerve-wracking being apart from your boyfriend like that. His determination is heartwarming."

That comment, regardless of how innocent it was, was enough to push you over the edge. A fire erupted in your chest. You had never come across someone who had openly assumed your boyfriend and soulmate were one and the same. It was a reasonable assumption to make, which you probably would’ve understood better if you were in a better headspace, but something about it burned to hear.

"My boyfriend isn’t my soulmate," you finally snapped.

The detective’s shock took on a whole new form at your statement. "Oh — I… Your boyfriend isn’t…" She rifled through the files, probably looking for something to backtrack with. "I’m sorry, I didn’t know that, I had just assumed… Oh. I don’t see any notes about a tattoo on him." She looked back up at you, regretfully. "I’m so sorry about that. We should, um, get back on track if that’s alright with you."

She was so on track and didn’t even know it. "Sure," you muttered.

"Very well," the detective said and shuffled her papers again. "Now, I want to get more information on this man your boyfriend mentioned. Was his account correct? Were you…with a man?"

"Yes," you answered, hesitantly.

The detective made a quick note before saying, "I want you to remember that you’re safe now, okay? You’re far away from him and whatever you say will do nothing but help us and yourself." She looked up from the papers and waited. When you didn’t answer, she asked, "Did this man kidnap you?"

You shook your head insistently. You swore your neck was gonna snap from all of this. Of course, they didn’t know your situation, they could only make assumptions based on their previous experience with missing persons, but why did they have to jump to such conclusions so quickly? The urge to set it all straight scratched at your skin.

"No, absolutely not," you said. "He didn’t kidnap me. He…" The words were there, right on the tip of your tongue. You could taste them, taste that sweet admission. The kindest, grandest words someone in your position could ever say to another.

The detective frowned. "He what?" Her pen hovered over the paper, ready to write down anything. You weighed your situation mentally. Once it was said, there was no taking it back. Everyone would possibly know. Your mother, your father, your boyfriend — or whatever he would be anymore…

"The man…" You took a deep breath. "The man I was with is my soulmate."

You couldn’t look away from the detective as you watched her process the information. She placed her pen back on the table, no longer ready and eager to eat up what you had to offer. If she was anything, it was frozen. Emotionless, even. You had gone beyond catching her off guard.

This entire "case" or whatever they considered it went up in flames because it no longer was anything. It was a kidnapping. It wasn’t a missing person’s report. It was really just the strangest soulmate story of all time.

The irritation in your wrist’s skin subsided as the admission settled in the private room.

At least, you hoped it was private. You glanced over at the "mirror" in the room. You weren’t stupid but you still prayed no one had decided to listen in.

"You weren’t kidnapped?" The detective asked again.

You sighed and shook your head.

"How… How did you know where to find him?"

Great question. You glanced down at your wrist. You felt the bond twitch.

"I didn’t," you admitted. "At least, not consciously. I… I didn’t go on the trip because I wanted to see my soulmate. I never would’ve thought I’d find him in the middle of the rainforest but once I got there… I don’t know." You shrugged. "I just felt something. Something irritated me. I had a short temper and an urge to get away. When my boyfriend and I had our fight, walking away felt right at first, then it was scary, and then… Well, then everything fell into place." Your mind flashed with vivid, exclaiming memories of the village. You had been so scared, so paranoid of everything when you arrived, but it was all sure captivating.

The detective finally broke out of her gaze of wonderment. She looked away, down promptly at her files and forgotten pen. She appeared almost overwhelmed. You nearly scoffed at that.

"Why…" The detective paused to clear her throat. "Why don’t we take a break, okay? Get out of this stuffy room for a bit, grab some water. Would that be alright?"

The detective spoke with such a genuine tone you could tell it was maybe more for her than it was for you — but you certainly weren’t going to turn it down. This room absolutely did suck and you hated catching your appearance in the mirror every now and then.

"Sure, that’d be nice," you said, standing from your chair. The detective also stood and you allowed her to take the lead as you approached the door. The turning of the knob felt almost terrifying to witness. You had bunkered down in this room, with this stranger, revealing anything and everything related to your…situation. Opening that door broke that seal you two had created on this cardboard box of a room.

You couldn’t tell if the detective felt the same but she sure did let out a dramatic sigh as she opened the door of the interrogation room.

You weren’t even halfway out of the room before you heard a man call your name. You, unfortunately, recognized that voice.

You whipped your head around, understanding your fate as you came face-to-face with your boyfriend — your enraged boyfriend.

You couldn’t even get a syllable out before he viciously asked, "That man was your soulmate?"

"I—Well—,"

"We thought you were kidnapped but you had just run off with your soulmate!"

With every word, he got closer and angrier. You, and apparently the female detective, were stunned, absolutely frozen in place, as you took in his justifiable rage. But even though it may have been understandable, you didn’t know how to respond.

"I… I didn’t—,"

"You didn’t?" Eric snapped. "You didn’t?"

He was nearly fully in your space now and, thankfully, the detective with you could pull herself out of her own shock.

"That’s enough," she said and began pulling your boyfriend away. He barely complied and let her lead him to an abandoned room. But he never took his eyes off you. His piercing, dagger eyes stayed on you as you stood helplessly in the hallway of the police station.

A reunion you had actually wanted not too long ago suddenly was everything but a dream.

And the worst of it was, you couldn’t blame him. You couldn’t blame his reaction at all.

Maybe you had run off in some weird, twisted way of fate. Maybe it was always in the cards.

You just didn’t understand how a bond that should’ve been everything to you could turn out like this.

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