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magicalqueennightmare · 3 months

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The Originals

(Eventual) Elijah Mikaelson x Reader

Rebekah takes you to meet her brothers

This was insane, you were actively avoiding going to the place you could call your own. You were back to crashing in hotels and the nearest couch or your nova. Why, one may ask? You weren't trying to avoid Rebekah, technically.

You'd answer her calls and even her texts. If you were being honest the two of you had actually developed a pretty good friendship since you met. She wasn't the problem. The problem was your vampiric friend wanted you to meet her family. Rebekah was one thing, while you knew she was dangerous she'd never made a move against you and had never even asked to be invited into your home.

Her brothers on the other hand? She'd told you stories about them. Klaus was a hybrid, vampire and werewolf. He had also daggered her numerous times for going against his wishes. What if he decided to simply kill you then dagger her until she got over it? Against any other vamp you'd bet on yourself but an original? And a hybrid at that? Yeah you were scared. As for Elijah she'd said he was calmer than Klaus on most things but that his beast was just better hidden beneath tailored suits and a charming smile. Kol was a wild card, Rebekah had said even she had a hard time reading his temperament at any given moment.

So your plan was to stay away from New Orleans for a few weeks. Who knows, maybe you were just a new shiny toy and she'd get tired of you? Unfortunately you hadn't planned on Garth calling you to take care of a ghoul problem in Chalmette which was about twenty minutes outside of New Orleans.

Which meant you were now heading on the road to Chalmette in hopes to take care of the problem before Rebekah realized you were nearby again.

You walked slowly into the door of your apartment. You were sore as hell and your torso was bruised but all in all you'd fared well going against a pack of ghouls solo. You'd never heard Garth curse before you called to tell him that it had indeed been a pack, not a couple of ghouls. He'd apologized profusely but you'd told him it wasn't a big deal, you'd made it through just fine. Kyle was now black listed from hunting for failure to give accurate information but that was well deserved.

Being hurt meant you had no choice but to go home. No hotel would be comfortable enough. You dropped your bags next to the door and locked it. A hot shower was due then you wanted to crash for a few hours.

—-----------------

You had just laid across your bed when your phone rang. You snatched it off the nightstand and glanced at the screen, Rebekah. “Hello?” You laid back amongst the pillows as her voice hit your ears “Are you back in town yet?” You nodded and then said “Yeah, just got back but I'm crashing for the next however many hours I can manage” “What was it?” She asked “Pack of ghouls” “Savage little creatures aren't they? I'll leave you to rest but I'm coming by tomorrow. We're going shopping then you're coming by my place with me”

“Rebekah..” you tried but she cut you off “They'll be on their best behavior, I promise. Bring weapons if you need to feel safer” you let out a breath then said “Ok. Just make it later tomorrow so I can sleep in?” “Of course” with that she hung up so you plugged your phone in and was asleep almost time your head hit the pillow.

You walked behind Rebekah feeling the nerves roll through your stomach as you looked around at the house. It was in the center of the french quarter and nothing short of elegant. It had a fucking courtyard for Christ's sake. Now you were feeling twice as out of place as you did before. Not only were you a human and a hunter walking into the home of the Original vampires but you were poor too. Hunting wasn't exactly lucrative, you got by on a card that was attached to a bank account in Sweden that a friend had set up by removing money from some very bad people.

She looked back at you and smiled “Come on now, don't lurk in the doorways. Klaus enjoys doing that enough for all of us” you plastered a small smile onto your face all the time wondering what the hell were you doing.

—--------------

She led the way into the sitting room. You swallowed down the nerves in your stomach to see only one man inside. At least it was just one of her brothers?

He glanced up when the two of you walked in but did a double take when he noticed you “Sister, what have you dragged home?” You spun towards him at that comment “Excuse me?”

You saw the hint of a smile pulling at his lips “Oh I like this one” Rebekah laughed lightly “Easy Kol. She may hurt you human or not” he eyed you for a moment then nodded and offered his hand “Nice to meet you” you shook his hand “I'd like to say the same but we'll see won't we?” a laugh escaped him at that “I see why you like her. Klaus and Elijah should be back anytime. Let's see how they like your little hunter”

—----------------

He left the room after that something about having a date so you turned to look at Rebekah “If your brothers kill me I'm going to find a way to haunt you the rest of your life and considering you're a vampire that's a very long time” she laughed lightly “I promise I'll make sure you have a way to haunt me” “Not very promising there Rebekah”

You heard a man's voice calling her name and felt the tattoo on your shoulder twitch. The two men that walked into the room were nothing short of gorgeous.

One had lighter colored hair, cut short that was almost curly in places. He was wearing jeans and a henley with blue eyes watching your every movement. You'd be willing to bet money on that one being Klaus.

That meant the other was one Elijah. He had darker hair, styled perfectly. He was wearing a suit that was obviously made for him and hugged his shoulders deliciously. Brown eyes held your gaze.

“Rebekah?” You spoke after a moment looking over at her. She smiled then did the introductions between all of you.

“So this is the hunter you've been spending time with” Klaus acknowledged walking over to where you stood. Your mind was screaming to step back, give room between yourself and this man. The hybrid. You knew though that space wouldn't do any good if he meant you harm and besides if he chose to kill you, the last thing you did would not be to cower. He stared you down for a moment and you felt the urge to drop your gaze, to show some kind of submission but you refused to give in to it. Even if it caused a throbbing just behind your eyes.

After a moment a smile split his face “Oh she is something indeed isn't she?” He looked amused and that was when it hit you, the urge to submit. He'd been trying to compel you and you hadn't given in. The surprising part was his amusement at that fact.

He stepped aside and that was when you realized Elijah's eyes were now focused on you. You fought the urge to squirm under his attention. He was absolutely gorgeous, a sculpted jawline and a smile that flickered to his lips with a capability to make the strongest knees go weak. Damn, were you attracted to a vampire? To Rebekah's oldest brother at that?

He studied you much the same way Kol and Klaus had. “Must be strong magic infused in that tattoo of yours if Niklaus failed to compel you” you shrugged “My line of work I can't exactly leave my neck open as an appetizer. I have an anti possession tattoo as well along with a few others that give me some protection from different odds and ends of the supernatural world”

He nodded slowly “I must say my sister has the strangest taste in companions” without much thought process you did the thing you always did which was to allow yourself to be as surprised at what came out of your mouth as everyone else around you was “Well I mean with brothers like the lot of you she needs a different flavor of crazy every now and then as a break”

Klaus and Rebekah exchanged a look out of the corner of your eye as all three vampires went still before laughter broke out of them all “She does fit in well doesn't she?” Elijah asked Rebekah then turned to you “You're welcome in our home and you have my word no harm will fall to you inside these walls” you smiled “Thank you” he nodded then looked at Klaus “Come Niklaus we still have business to attend to”

Before he left Elijah shook your hand “Pleasure to meet you” you watched him walk out along with Klaus and felt Rebekah at your side before she whispered “Please tell me you're not checking my brother out” You cut your eyes at her “I wasn't” she raised an eyebrow “For a hunter you're a terrible liar at times” you shook your head then motioned around “Well show me around the place!”

Governor's Ball

#elijah mikaelson fanfiction #elijah mikaelson x y/n #elijah mikaelson fic #elijah mikaelson x reader #the originals fanfiction #tvd fanfiction

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the-cat-and-the-birdie · 3 months

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I CAN'T TAKE YOU ANYWHERE - DiscoPunk

Hobie x DiscoSpider!Diane have a normal, calm night on the town. 'The usual', if you will.

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

Hobie, trying to be the reasonable one here: Di-dove, you're plastered. We need to get your arse home, get your co-

Diane, screaming Hobies own lyrics in his face in a bad British accent because someone gave her six pints of beer:

If he hears her say 'Oi' one more time he's gonna scream 😭😭 This is why he can't take her to punk bars.

Pint 1 and she's acting like 'she's never drank this much before'. Or how she 'usually don't like beer'. Hobie has to resist rolling his eyes. He knows better.

'Now ain't that the perfect lie.'

Pint 2, she's trying to arm wrestle every guy who looks even remotely in her direction. Hobie has to start telling the guys to tell her no cause she'll end up hurting them 😭😭. It's as of she forgets she has GREAT POWER that comes with the great responsibility of not breaking dudes wrists cause you got too overexcited about winning.

Pint 3, she starts gaining a Liverpool accent for some reason that will stay the rest of the night. Now she's so drunk she keeps telling people she was born in Manchester (no where near Liverpool) and Hobie has to tell people that she means Manhattan. Not Manchester. She was born in Manhattan.

Everytime he does, she goes 'Oh, yeah!!' in her actually accent before breaking into laughter.

Pint 4, she starts doing that thing where she waves him aside and leans in his ear to yell

"YOU LOOK SO HAWT!!"

She did this roughly every five or ten minutes. He'll ask 'You gonna say the same thing?' she says no. He leans in. She says the same thing. 😭😭

Sometimes it'll be too loud to hear her. Or he'll be too drunk himself, or that shitty accent she's putting on is just That Bad so it's just them standing there going

'Huh?' - 'I SAID you look so hot!!!' - 'You what???' - 'You look really hot right now!!' - 'You want to smoke pot right now?' - 'NO! Well, YES. BUT I SAID-'

On and on and on.

Pint 5, she's just fucking missing.

Pint 6, she's back (she was at the TESCO stealing). She now wants to arm wrestle HIM. Also she wants to go home now cause the food she stole is nasty and she wants him to cook for her.

He already says he will cause for fucks sake it 3:30 he wants to go home 😭😭 He's like 'I'll cook you whatever-'

And for some reason she finds the words to moving she almost starts to cry. Reportedly cause 'I love you and I'm so fucking hungry'.

---------

'I want a Kraft dinner. Make me a Kraft dinner.'

'You gonna explain to me what that is?' Hobie asked, watching as Diane stumbled over to his couch, tossing herself on it in a heap.

Had she not been able to literally stick to the floor, he almost doubted she'd make it, the gently sway of the houseboat an enemy of nausea.

'Explain what?' she mumbled, face down in the cushions.

'Kraft Dinner.'

Diane popped her head up. 'You have some?'

'I don't know what 'some' is, Di. You have to explain it.'

'Explain what?'

'Diane, I'm too drunk for this.'

'Drunk for what?! You're making no sense!'

'Kraft Dinner!'

'What about it?!'

'What the bloody hell does that mean?!'

'Oh!!! Dinner means supper.'

'...'

'DIANE I KNOW WHAT DINNER MEANS'.

'Then what are you asking me?'

'What's Kraft?? Witchcraft??? You want me to conjure you up a meal like a spell? Want me to craft you a dinner like I'm crafting a sword? 😭😭'

'What are you bugging for??!! I asked for food! Why are you talking like a old timey orphan!!??'

'And WHY!!! ARE THE TWO OF YOU YELLING ABOUT MACARONI!!! AT 4 AM!!!' Gwen yells from upstairs.

#JUST GIVE HER THE MAC N CHEESE #Hobie is a Heinz man #His beans his ketchup his Mac n cheese #ALL HEINZ #this could be considered platonic or romantic tbh #spiderman #atsv #spider man #marvel #across the spiderverse #hobie brown #spider punk #spiderpunk #hobie brown x oc #hobie x oc #discopunk #spidersona #spidersonas

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julieverne · 5 months

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Maura and Frankie headed off to The Dirty Robber well before Jane had finished her mandatory firearm discharge paperwork. She stewed, simmering as she typed out the incident she'd attended. The warning shot she'd fired to get the hostage clear.

So when she walked in, finally, she was even more irate to see Maura without Frankie in attendance. Giovanni was there instead, and even from the door she could see Maura eyeing him with interest. Even after everything, Maura really did have a type. She crossed the room in a couple of quick, easy steps, slid her arm over Maura's shoulders and tilted her face up so she could kiss her.

Then she froze. She hadn't thought this through. Jane acted on impulse more often than not; it was why she'd spent her evening on paperwork. She hadn't quite meant to kiss Maura. Just remind Maura that Giovanni thought they were together because Maura found his personality not as attractive as his body.

But Maura melted against her, her lips open and accepting Jane like she'd anticipated this poorly-thought through plan. Like she'd expected Jane to kiss her and had been waiting all this time. The same way she accepted and went along with any of Jane's impetuous plans, Maura sold it. For a woman that couldn't lie, she was a remarkable kisser. Maura's lips were soft from the lip balm she used - familiar to Jane, since she borrowed it frequently, tasting peach and something uniquely Maura beneath it, her chest tightening even when she borrowed it as her lips moisturised. Maura's familiar hands found Jane's waist and skirted around the scar tissue Maura knew all too well, grasping Jane's waist as she tipped her head further back, allowing Jane better access to her. And Jane found her own hands resting on Maura's cheek, sliding down her jaw until her thumb could brush over a scar a serial killer had left there, Jane's touch impossibly soft in apology for putting her in arm's reach of him.

Jane didn't want to pull away first. She knew Maura had rejection sensitivity, and that was part of it; she didn't want to hurt Maura's feelings. But she also very much didn't want to pull away for her own sake as well. She hadn't - she carefully hadn't - thought about kissing Maura, hadn't wondered what it would be like to have that curvaceous body pressed to hers like this, to have Maura's lips brushing so softly against her own. She was lost in a sea of sensory bliss. Jane was never still, never stood still, never stopped moving, but she'd been pulled to a halt by this thing between them. It wasn't even a proper kiss; it was just a greeting, the same as Nonna had insisted the Rizzoli kids give her. But Maura didn't feel like Jane's Nonna. Not even a little bit.

She couldn't deny it. Not now. The attraction between them had been there all along. She'd tried to ignore it, tried to pull away, but Maura had been so hurt and confused that Jane had been drawn straight back in.

Maura pulled away first, slowly, her eyes closed but slowly opening, blinking up at Jane. She looked worried, and Jane would do anything to keep that look from her face, would do anything to appease her.

So she leaned in and gave a quick, slightly more appropriate kiss for the public place they were frequenting. She smiled, her eyes anxiously scanning Maura's, one hand cradling Maura's head, the other resting on her chest near her collarbone, the bare skin warm against the scar on her palm. She swallowed, and Maura took mercy on her.

"I ordered for you - ah, they saw you come in." Maura took the beer from the bartender and held it out to Jane, who pushed her luck and kissed Maura's temple as she took it, taking a big swig.

"Youse two are so cute together," Giovanni said, a little wistfully. He'd stopped asking, a few years back now, if they were looking for a man. He'd stopped seeing them as available women and started seeing them as a couple, the way a lot of other people seemed to for reasons unfathomable to Jane.

"Thanks," Maura said, tucking herself in against Jane's side. Where she fit perfectly. Where she'd always fitted perfectly. She gave Jane a shy smile, then turned back to her drink, talking about motorbike engines with enthusiasm as Frankie returned from the bathroom and joined in, not even giving Maura and Jane's proximity a second glance.

Jane could feel her heartbeat going crazy, could feel the thrum of longing in her veins. Maura laughed, and there had never been a more beautiful sound or a more beautiful woman or a more beautiful moment. Jane drained her beer and dragged Maura outside, heading for her place on foot as she dragged Maura by the wrist behind her. It wasn't until they entered the vestibule that Maura reclaimed her hand.

"What kind of women do you think we'd like, if we liked women?" Maura asked as she followed Jane up the stairs, and the question felt familiar somehow.

"I'd like you," Jane said, with her condo door finally closed behind them. "I'm sorry. I should have thought that through. I just saw you smiling up at him. The way you smile up at me. And I didn't want - you said you don't like him. And that you don't want me either. But it just seemed - easier."

"Oh." Maura took off her coat, and Jane watched hungrily as more skin was exposed to her gaze. Maura seemed lost in thought. "So you're sorry you kissed me, but kissing me revealed somehow that I would be the kind of woman you'd like if you liked women?" Maura's brow crinkled and it was adorable and she was adorable and Jane turned to the stove, filling her kettle awkwardly to fill the silence.

"I don't like women. I mean, I like women just fine, but not to date. You know what I mean, don't you?" Maura nodded, and Jane set the kettle on the stove. "But I do like you," Jane whispered, turning on the hob. "I mean. I don't need to like more than one woman to like you, do I?"

"I've always been exceptional," Maura mused. "I don't typically find myself attracted to women either, but I would very much like to kiss you again without everyone we know watching us."

"No one is watching us now," Jane pointed out, her fingers running over the scar on her right hand, her teeth worrying her lip. Maura nodded and stepped forward. She tilted Jane's chin with her thumb as she leaned in, and she was twice as soft as Jane remembered, her lips gentle and knowing as they sought Jane's, her tongue smooth and slow, her hands subtle and pervasive.

When the kettle whistled, Jane blinked. She was shoved against the counter, Maura pressed completely against her. Jane's belt was on the floor, her button down was on the lamp, her undershirt was pushed up and her bra was pushed down. Her pants were unzipped and Maura's eyes were a dark brown that Jane had never seen before. She leaned over and turned the stove off, swallowing hard. Maura smiled, a gloating, satisfied smile, before dragging her teeth down Jane's throat.

"I need -" Jane gasped, as Maura's fingers found her, pressing tight circles against her. Jane tried to hold onto that train of thought. But it came crashing down as she did, with only Maura's body pressed against her own to keep her upright on her unsteady legs. "I need to send Giovanni a thank you basket," Jane finished after she'd finished. And Maura laughed, a sweet, delighted chuckle, pressing a kiss against Jane's throat again.

"Peppers," Maura agreed. "But I need you to never think about Giovanni again when I'm touching you."

"Not even if it's about how grateful I am that he's such a weirdo that you don't want to sleep with him? Not even if it's about how grateful I am that you decided that pretending we were dating was the best way to get rid of him? Not even if it's how without him I never would have been brave enough to kiss you?"

"Not even," Maura laughed. "The only person I want you thinking about is me."

"You are all I think about," Jane admitted. She kissed Maura slowly and tenderly. "And I want to do more than just sleep with you. Since that's all you wanted to do with him." Maura was somehow fully dressed and perfectly coiffed. Her lipstick hadn't even smudged as she'd dismantled Jane, and Jane had been too distracted to fumble with the elaborate system of zippers Maura's dress contained. Maura smiled a little sadly, as though she'd heard something that had touched her deeply.

"Are you sure? It's a big change. People will treat us differently if they know we're together." While Maura's concern was sweet, it was misplaced. Everything clicked into place now; the precinct already believed they were dating. As did both of their families. Well. Both of Maura's families, and Jane's as well.

"You're the only thing in my life I've ever been sure about. If I have to marry you to prove it, so be it." Maura stepped back, flustered, and Jane panicked. "I mean, let me prove it." She stepped forward and kissed Maura with all the tender longing she'd kept inside these long years, tugged carefully at concealed zippers. Part of her was aware that Maura deserved this to be happening somewhere more comfortable, on her own terms, in lingerie after a fancy date at a museum or something, with someone far richer and smarter than Jane. But Maura had no complaints, sliding up onto the counter when Jane pushed her there, spreading her legs for Jane, who revelled in the space between them so thoroughly that she didn't notice Maura's nails tight against her skull until she was kissing her way back up to Maura's mouth.

"We were already sleeping together," Maura said, when she could form a sentence again. "But this is much, much better."

#rizzoli and isles #rizzoli & isles #maura isles #rizzles #jane rizzoli #rizzles fanfic

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theerurishipper · 7 months

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do you think Zoe as a character is a necessary for the plot?

I lover her design but as far I can see her character doesn't seems to be necessary for the story, at all. I thought at first she'd be a challenge for Chloe to finally become better, especially after the play they did in Queen Banana. I thought with Chloe break of her friendship with Adrien that would be the time for her to slide in and try to be a sister/friend for her which will create a positive characrer development for Chloe.

But as the story progress I feel like she doesn't seems like to make impact on Chloe's life and it seems like she doesn't even interact with Chloe much, she instead hang out with Marinette and end up become another generic character added for the sake for increasing Marinette's harem and I don't know, a better bee holder who wouldn't talk back to Ladybug or demanding thing from her perhaps? Because this show has allergies toward character who challenge Marinette's morality.

I mean if the reason why they added Zoe is just for the sake for a new bee holder, I don't see a reason why they can't use Aurore or Mirriele since they already have unique model. Being from different class doesn't stop Marc to be a miraculous holder after all. If she's added for the sake of lesbian representation, we have JuleRose already. So why is she here?

Honestly? Zoe is one of the most useless characters in the show. She only really exists so that the writers can fit her into whatever role they need to progress the plot, because she doesn't have any established characterization. I do like her design, but that's really about all I can say. She's just such a non-entity to me.

Her first episode was actually quite interesting to me personally. A character who tries to hide her true self and lies in order to be accepted by her peers? Interesting stuff! I dig characters like that. Her being all nice and friendly with Marinette at first and then switching instantly to becoming mean and cruel? How intriguing! What a good way to establish a character! This could be the start of a really good character journey in which Zoe learns that she doesn't have to put on these roles to be accepted, culminating with her earning the Bee Miraculous as a fully established character!

But there was no character arc. There was no arc, no nothing she just... got over it thanks to one speech and got the Bee Miraculous in the next episode and then descended into obscurity. She could have been so much. Imagine how it could have been if we had gotten to explore her character. Like, maybe she could have caused the akuma on her first day instead of being the one to be akumatized. This could have set up everyone else disliking her while leaving Marinette wondering why she seems so different from before, and it could have started Zoe off on the path of realizing she didn't want to put on an act to please bad people and be accepted by them because she didn't want to hurt other people, actually.

Over the course of the season, maybe we could learn about what exactly happened in her old school through a proper backstory and not just an exposition dump. We could learn about why she is the way she through exploring her relationships with her father and her mother. We could have her grow through her interactions with others and her observing Marinette with her friends, and we could have watched her slowly realize that she maybe doesn't want to put on an act anymore and that she just wants to be accepted for herself. This way, we could actually get to see her act this way and understand why she is the way she is, and have her motivation be revealed in a natural and compelling manner, instead of just having it all be dumped onto us in her debut episode.

Then we could have the obligatory akuma, which lets Marinette know that there's more to Zoe after all. Maybe Marinette tries to reach out to Zoe after that. Maybe this leads to Zoe learning what real and true friendships are really like and leads to her finding people whom she can be herself with and who will accept her unconditionally. Maybe we could actually see her hanging out and bonding with everyone and actually watch the scenes with stuff like Rose and Juleka helping her dye her hair instead of it being relegated to an end-of-the-episode montage. They could have used those sneakers of hers more. Those were an interesting and compelling aspect of her character, considering the fact that she would write down the nice things people said about her on it. Maybe we could have a scene of her doing that with her new friends. And maybe after this, she gets the Bee Miraculous, and being able to help Ladybug like this inspires her to help others the way Marinette helped her, which makes her reach out to Chloe, thus letting her true self shine through completely, and this could also prompt a gradual change in Chloe.

I'm just throwing out some scenarios here and I don't claim that I'll do a better job of anything, but I really do think that the reason Zoe's character suffers is because of the abysmal pacing. They set up something interesting with her and then resolved it in one episode, which made her character dull and boring for any other time she's on screen. If they had stretched it out over the course of the season, she would have been way more interesting. As it is, she has nothing going for her.

From a writing perspective, Zoe has the most generic personality ever. She's nice and kind, just like every other character in the show. Any interesting facets to her character or any meaningful conflict she could have faced is fixed in her introductory episode and never seen again, and she herself only ever appears in the background of other episodes along with the rest of Marinette's classmates, contributing nothing of value. Her relationship with Chloe and her promise to always love her? Forgotten. Her conflict about not wanting to put on an act? Somehow, she just... got over it in one day and was always just her authentic self from then on. Like, name one character trait about Zoe that you can't say about anyone else. Even the rest of the class, obscure as they are, have more defined personalities and quirks than she does.

Zoe is literally just there, and the writers pity her sometimes, so they give her stuff to do. And you can't really say any of them don't make sense for her character, because she doesn't really have one beyond the base traits of nice and good. So you need a replacement Chat Noir? Zoe. Need representation? Zoe. There's no real reason for any of this to be her, it just happens to be her... because. Like you said, this could have been done by characters who were already here. We could have had our lesbian rep from Julerose, we could have had Nino for the Black Cat. There's nothing of value that Zoe as a character brings to any of these things, it just so happens to be her because she has nothing else going for her, and because her personality is so underdeveloped and practically non-existent that anything goes. And also Kagami would have been a better choice for both of these things no seriously this is Kagami erasure this is Kagami slander justice for Kagami.

And it really does suck, because Zoe could have been an interesting character. Her character premise was genuinely compelling. But then she just got reduced to another classmate who hangs around helping Marinette confess and to another one of Ladybug's team. All her scenes are just comparing her to Chloe and going "oh Chloe bad Zoe good." There is nothing Zoe has going on for herself. She's really just there to be a replacement for Queen Bee. And this would have been fine if the writing organically and naturally inserted her into the role by fleshing out her character and relationships with Marinette/everyone else. But she has virtually no development or character and most of her scenes are used to beat it down our skulls that Chloe is Evil and Zoe is Good, so root for Zoe, guyz!

They are so insistent on shoving the Zoe is the Good Chloe agenda down our throats that they have characters act OOC just for that. Somehow, being talked down to in front of the school doesn't make Marinette doubt Zoe in any way, shape or form. Instead, the blame is placed on Chloe for corrupting her. Andre suddenly decides to grow a spine and stop enabling his daughter, and once again Zoe is supported and praised and Chloe is condemned (I'm not saying it was wrong for Chloe to be told off, just that it coming from Andre of all people just makes it part of the problem because it's so OOC). They even had Plagg go out of his way to compliment Vesperia over Queen Bee like, five seconds after he's seen her for the first time, even though Plagg never compliments anyone so quickly or so much, not even Adrien. They had Plagg spend the whole of Deflagration kissing Zoe's feet and praising her constantly even though he would never do so while he offers to Cataclysm Chloe! He would not fucking say that.

Honestly, when it comes to others interacting with Zoe and the conversation actually being about her instead of about Marinette, it just results in more comparisons to Chloe and how Zoe is sooooooo much better than her. Even the episode focusing on Zoe and her feelings has a Chloe subplot that basically takes over the whole thing so that they can be compared.

And I am self-admittedly not a Chloe stan. I am not particularly fond of her. But I also don't like being told what to think, and I don't like how the narrative tries so hard to make us hate Chloe and like Zoe without developing either of them or letting us come to our own conclusions. Zoe isn't given anything of her own. Either she is being whatever the writers want her to be or she is being Chloe but Good or she is being Marinette's newest wingman. They could have explored so much about her. They could have fleshed out her struggles and her backstory. They could have done something with that set up in Queen Banana between Zoe and Chloe's relationship. They could have explored Zoe's new relationships (the Zoe/Lila parallels practically write themselves, as does the Adrien-Zoe friendship). They could have elaborated more on her dream of being an actress. But they didn't. They just kept comparing her to Chloe whenever anything had to do with her, and her character suffered for it.

Zoe could have been her own character in her own right, and she did not need to be bogged down by being forever labelled "Chloe's replacement," but the show didn't let her grow beyond that initial label and now it's pretty much stuck forever. Honestly, she deserved better.

Thank you for your ask!

#MLB #Miraculous Ladybug #Zoe Lee #Chloe Bourgeois #Queen Bee #Vesperia #Meta #My meta #Asks #ML Salt #ML Writing Salt #ML Writers Salt #Zoe Lee Salt #Zoe Salt #Classic case of good concept terrible execution

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sweetbottletops · 1 day

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Girls tent! And it's a small one so maybe just theirs? Manifesting. Also, in my headcanon Aya is wearing Mitsuki's hoodie. That does not look sized right for her or a style she'd own either.

Ch. 83

I did not have "Narita chapter" on my bingo card, but he has been showing up in the ads more than the other school aged characters and has been around since early on so it's to be expected.

Oh geez. So nosy and direct.

At least Joe knows better than to imply anything should be aimed towards Aya or Mitsuki. I don't blame him for being curious about someone with Narita's social class spending his time as he is.

When we first met Narita he had, based on surface appearance and stereotypes, judged that Mitsuki would have her homework done, be smart enough worth copying, and be a pushover. His pride was hurt when Aya made an unusual alliance by jumping in to tell him off. And he was later jealous of boy!Mitsuki's shopkeeper look for a hot second before correctly identifying what was really going on there.

He's big into observing people. Less into pursuing anyone himself.

Narita seemed to be flattered (flowers) that Joe thinks he'd be popular romantically. Hmmm. He's got little cupid wings on the back of his hoodie.

Teen!Joe tried to impress girls with Western music mixtapes? No wonder he was suspicious when Mitsuki had a shared playlist with a mystery person. That's his go to move!

Underclassmen Kanna had control from the very start. That's all I'm hearing from this. Joe's relationship woes is like red meat to Narita.

Narita has never given off that energy, but Joe thinks his work here is done. No, you just gave him ammunition.

More into what, Narita? Guys? His eyes are following Joe out. Milfs? He did compliment honorary Milf Kanna.

Watching?

"Gyaah!" Hurry, Narita. Your favorite plot is progressing without you.

Whatever he expected to walk in on was not... that.

The bug has been a yuri enabler in his stead. His work has already been done.

Narita couldn't have done a better job of cupid himself. He is not going to interrupt this scene further. *insert creepy watching face*

Fresh from the scene with Mitsuki and Aya progressing he immediately tries a line on Kanna to get Joe antagonized. Kanna is impossible to romance as expected, but Joe is extremely easy to get wound up. As expected.

Maybe Joe should make more an effort. So far Kanna has waited six years, crossed an ocean, been Mitsuki's confidant, stepped in as an unpaid employee, and has talked Joe off of several Mitsuki related cliffs. Maybe try a few lines on her for old time's sake.

And after lobbing that bomb in Narita watches the carnage.

It's only day 1 and Joe has been stirred up by Narita already. Aya and Mitsuki seem to be self propelling at this point. I guess we'll see which progresses more.

They are camping as I had hoped. Not exactly glamping but they have facilities there and camp chairs and drinks so they aren't roughing it. Any rougher and Aya wouldn't make it.

Aya and Mitsuki's tent is pretty small so maybe they'll have three tents. Or not if Joe has been that inept. I really thought Joe and Kanna were at a tent sharing stage, but maybe not. Fix this, Narita. For the sake of yuri.

#the guy she was interested in wasn't a guy at all #arai sumiko #green manga #manga #yuri #kinioto

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lionydoorin · 10 months

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I'm now humbly requesting angsty Tara headcanons

now we're talking >:)

cw gonna talk about substance abuse and some disturbing thoughts here !

we need to talk more about post-5/pre-6 tara and her recovery process. the legacy killing happened in late september, so from what i know the 2022 school year had just started. tara and sam move in with the meeks-martin's for the rest of tara, chad and mindy's school year. they take two to three months to get back to school, still recovering from their injuries and having to deal with pitiful looks from their peers. tara absolutely despises it.

because the looks her classmates give her are haunting. they seem scared, imagining what she'd been through. they absolutely won't talk when she's nearby. they'll open up hallways, stare at her from their lockers. it just makes her grip on her crutch tighten and she just wants to look at someone and yell at them.

her senior year experience is what makes her hate the whole situation the most. it's what makes her yearn for the normalcy she'll never have the most, as well.

she lashes out during their lunch break, once, when she hears two girls whispering about them. tara turns to yell and tell them to shut up, to mind their own business, because she's just so fucking tired of them and their fake pity and whatever the fuck they think of them. they're not only survivors, for fuck's sake, they are people and they should treat them as such.

mindy and chad help her out of the cafeteria before she can hit them with her crutches. she sobs onto their chest for at least an hour before martha is there to pick them up. when she gets home, sam welcomes her with a warm embrace, telling her it's fine, that she can let it all out.

she's so wary of new people after 6 as well. her trust issues reach its peak. tara was already the worst at letting other people in, but knowing that, at any moment, someone new might be a masked killer trying to take her and her loved ones down?

it makes the classes that she doesn't share with chad and mindy so lonely.

she feels lonely most of the time. it's hard to smile when everything reminds her of everything she's been through.

with rapid weather changes, tara's injuries bother her a lot. rainy days are the worst, and she skips class a lot on winter. she relies on painkillers a lot to keep her going; they're not enough. they're never enough.

the stronger ones were off the chart after sam found out she got a bit of an addiction to roxanol.

having been through terrible things makes her mind wander to intrusive, disturbing thoughts a lot. she imagines what it would be like to be murdered anywhere she goes, how ghostface could crack her body, cut her into tiny pieces and leave its parts there to be found by someone. after the bodega episode, she thinks of people she doesn't even know dying a lot, as well. tara has panic attacks and has to leave class early constantly.

nightmares. constant nightmares. she sees amber a lot, sees her disfigured figure, remembers the night she first got attacked and wakes up to her leg hurting more than ever. sometimes, her mind plays the moment she stabbed ethan again, and again, and again, reminding her that she's a monster, because no normal person would do something like this.

she's not normal. she'll never be normal. she'll always be this empty shell, this dead girl walking.

tara thinks about it a lot. how she could've been dead. how, maybe, it would be better for everyone if she was.

#i LOVE the evil version of the memes maxie keep it up.#ask #autism swagger #tara carpenter #scream #ma talks scream

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baronessblixen · 7 months

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Today's prompt: 7. "Do you recognize this?"

Hurt/comfort AND humor after "Pusher": Mulder doesn't mind Scully showing up at his apartment after the case at all. Only problem: she's not alone. (wc: 874)

Tagging @today-in-fic @xffictober2023

Fictober Day 8: A Very Queequeg Morning

"Do you know what this is?" Mulder asks. He tries to be quiet for Scully's sake, but it's early morning and he's irritated.

"Do you recognize this?" he asks now, pointing. "Wouldn't blame you if you didn't because I barely recognize it. You have no idea what you did, do you? You don't understand a single word of what I'm saying." Mulder sighs. How deep has he sunk? Trying to have a conversation with a dog. If Queequeg can be called that. He's sitting in front of him, his ears perked up, and he's slightly panting. He looks harmless, but Mulder knows better. His latest crime is just further proof.

When Scully showed up here at his apartment late last night, Queequeg at her heels, he only had eyes for her.

"I- it's silly," she'd said, blushing. "I don't want to be alone tonight." She didn't ask if she could come in, and he didn't make a big deal out of it, letting her inside. She had food for the dog, and her meticulously packed overnight bag. She came prepared.

They didn't speak. What was there to talk about? Scully said all there was to say in the hospital. They shouldn't let Robert Patrick Modell take up another minute of their time. Easy to say, much more difficult to achieve. Before she showed up, he'd already given up on the idea of sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he heard the click of his gun, and felt Modell in his head like a fly, trying to make him do what he couldn't even fathom.

Shoot Scully.

But he hadn't. She'd saved herself, and him.

"I'm glad you're here," he said after a while because it was the goddamn truth. But he had to remind himself that it hadn't happened. That whatever Modell had tried, he hadn't succeeded. Scully just smiled at him.

That was last night. After everything, he'd barely taken notice of Queequeg. But while Mulder had ignored him, the fur ball must have already been plotting his crime. With his bedroom still a mess, and his bed hidden somewhere in there, there had only been one place to sleep for Scully. His couch.

Gentleman that he is, he offered to sleep on the floor, but Scully had said no. And when Scully says no, you listen. So they shared the couch. A few "is this okay" and "are you comfortable" later, and they fell asleep wrapped up in each other, needing each other's warmth and presence. Even if neither of them would admit it. There was, naturally, no space for Queequeg on that couch. And that, Mulder figures, was the last straw for the Pomeranian.

"You have zero regrets, huh?" Queequeg is still staring at him, sitting still. "You know, I thought I'd take you with me on my morning run. Give you some exercise. What are we gonna do now?"

"Mulder?" Scully's sleepy voice comes from the living room. So much for letting her sleep in. It had already been a gamble disentangling from her earlier. He didn't want to get up. Her hand over his chest, her solid form pressed against him, he just wanted to lay there. But he'd heard Queequeg's nails on the kitchen floor, and a noise he couldn't place, and decided it would be better to check on the dog. If only he'd woken up sooner.

"Is everything okay?" Queequeg, his tail wagging, greets Scully by licking her hand.

"Your dog has a very strange palate," Mulder says.

"Hm?" She turns to him, and for a moment he forgets everything. Her hair is tousled and her freckled face fresh and devoid of makeup a sight to behold. She's barefoot and wearing her pajamas, in his apartment, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.

"He doesn't just eat people," Mulder says once he's gathered his thoughts. "He apparently also likes the taste of running shoes." He shows her what's left of his shoe. There's a huge gap where the cap of the shoe should be.

"Oh Mulder," she says, and he knows she's trying to remain serious, but her lips are twitching. "I'm so sorry. I'll buy you new ones."

"I suppose I still have an old pair somewhere. But all that plastic he ate? Do you think he's okay?" Queequeg shoots him a look. A truce, Mulder supposes.

"I'm going to take him to the vet. Just to be sure."

"I'll drive you."

"Mulder, you don't have to."

"I want to. Queequeg ate my weekend plans. Let's have him checked out and make sure his unusual breakfast choices aren't causing any problems."

"Thank you, Mulder. For- for everything."

"I should thank you," he says. "I wouldn't have been able to sleep last night if it hadn't been for you." She blushes but then she slips her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. She doesn't want to let go and neither does he. Mulder holds her, amazed how tiny she is without her heels on, and closes his eyes. He doesn't know how long they stay entwined like this, but it's enough time for Queequeg to circle them and throw up the remnants of his running shoe all over his feet.

#fictober23 #the grammar is all over the place isn't it #please be kind <3 #i wanted to try something new #msr #my writing #my fic

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fandomgamersimp · 3 days

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I kinda have to ramble a little skdjfksdjf.

SPOILERS FOR THE NEWLY RELEASED CHAPTERS OF ID 2

Okay, I like ID, I've fell in love with Cas' character, I've come to liking Gabe a lot too. Also, I want to point out that despite still arguing (guessing they really wanna drive the whole "jealousy" thing home), they seem to work together a lot more, knowing how much MC cares- which I appreciate and enjoy watching.

But like, PB had room to explore some hard-hitting concerns with being a vampire- maybe even letting us into what it was like for Cas and Gabe when they were human too, letting us get to know them way better and polish them as characters.

Because, am I the only one who wonders what happened to everything that may be human to MC? Didn't they have a dream college to go to? What if they wanted to explore the world or just simply go overseas? What if their mom decides that it's time to move out? The lines deal destroyed all of that kinda, also I doubt your coven would let you leave anyway. MC pretty much has been chained to the town forever, I feel like that's something worth giving us at least a chapter or two about - or just explore it throughout the whole story.

I have some thoughts on how morality plays a role in the whole biting/hunting thing too, because that lowkey felt lackluster in ID 1 - and what, you're gonna tell me no vampire had any thoughts or feelings about being a predator now? Hunting someone that could be someone else's family and friends? Or just feeding off of them in general? I just feel like we haven't properly explored the mental side of things, but I know there's a chapter about hunting, so I'm gonna stay (mostly) quiet. I know vampires may have mixed emotions to what being human is to them like Cas- but PB isn't giving me much to work with.

Not to mention, they've showed that they lack writers tbh. I didn't personally liked the dinner scene in ch.4 for example- I know hunger is a big part of the story at the moment, but I kinda hoped for seeing MC's mom interacting with Cas and Gabe more. Showing me what she thinks about them, what they would talk about. Those two are clearly very important people to MC, I kinda wanted to see at least a proper scene with her getting to know them and hinting at a relationship being built, it's clear as day that those are your kid's romantic interests- and she's a good mom overall, I think she'd like to meet those mysterious little freaks your child constantly hangs around with.

And, I don't know if you remember, but in book 1, there was a scene after the hospital fiasco where MC was wondering who bit who between LIs, and they made a whole deal about it. But then in book 2 if you go see those silver brands, they just kinda drop on you that Cas got punished once for messing up while Gabe was still a human.

So doesn't that indicate that Cas turned Gabe? And they just glazed over that?

I'm gonna end it with the fact that I'm kinda irritated with the fact that we could - but don't as of now- get an MC that would simply go "wait, hold up... I think I'm polyam", with the Gabe and Cas situation. I agree that there should absolutely be choice for people, but I personally did agree in book 1 to be with both of them- I think even if you choose just one person, there's still an option to be with them both in a way, and flirt with both? And they don't establish any rules (as in who's okay with what to make sure nobody is hurt and uncomfortable, and suffers in silence for the sake of others), they don't talk, nothing. Again, I fully get that the transformation is a huge deal and has to take the first seat, that's obvious, but... not even a little convo? 4 chapters in? I think it would be really cool to have them explore this side, along with having the possibility of MC discovering they might be a polyamorous person. And they just focus on "the other being jealous" which, I feel like, makes my MC look like he's just a dickhead - or at least incredibly inconsiderate- it's like "My two first loves" all over again.

Or at least it feels like "being a vampire" takes the spotlight, controling yourself is the main course and concerns, not to mention all those pesky human feelings and concerns are thrown into the garbage. I'm trying to stop myself from being overly judgemental, because I'd like to finish the book first, but I don't know.

You PB fuckers are lucky you made Cas so damn likable.

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internal-bleating · 1 year

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Monsters Vs Aliens isn't that bad and people should give it more of a chance and Susan Murphy is one of the best female protagonists ever actually

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!!Long Post Warning!!

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People seem to collectively hate Monsters Vs Aliens and idk why. My fam and I have always loved it and me and my dad used to always quote it all the time.

Now, is it better than Megamind? No way. Megamind is a masterpeice of cinema and is very much obviously the superior movie. But is Monsters Vs Aliens THAT horrible? I really don't think so.

I watched it again recently for old times sake and sentimental nostalgia and I really do think it's kind of underated. Is the animation style kind of ugly? First off, ugly and pretty are very subjective, second, yeah I can see why some might find the character design kinda ugly with their weird porportions and Susan's huge fucking eyes. But I really don't think it's THAT bad.

Also people seem to rag on the plot a fair amount as well but the plot and message are both actually pretty awesome if you ask me.

Susan is SUCH a good protagonist ok???

Gonna share my appreciation with ya'll for her.

I know there's probably people out there that view her as annoying and whinny but like??? Give her a fucking break! The girl literally starts off as the most basic average young adult white girl you've ever seen. Like fr she was probably on the more populer side at school, was definitly on the richer side when it comes to the middle class, seemed to live in a very cookie cut suburd neighborhood, and was going to marry one of the most painfully boring and typical white dudes ever. Like this girl was DEFINITELY one of those white girls you always see youtubers do impressions of n shit.

And by PURE CHANCE and coincidence, she gets hit by a meteor on her wedding day (Also can we talk about that hysterically anticlimactic "Oof!" she lets out when she got hit and her mom just brushing off her words when she says she got hit my a meteorite like "yep, everyone feels like that" as if her daughter wasn't fucking COVERED in dirt and ash) and it completely derails her very normal life.

Can we talk about Derek for a sec tho? Like what a fucking selfish jackass! The guy KNEW how excited Susan was about Paris and yet he only cares about himself and continuesly proves he doesn't give a shit about her enough to inconveiniance himself for her AT ALLLLL. Unlike Susan who was completely ready to forget about her Paris honeymoon for him. Like I bet you if Susan hadn't had this whole thing happen to her she'd have the most miserable loveless mariage with this dude and would be in denial of it for YEARS and keep trying to tell herself he cares but probably won't realize he doesn't until way way later. This guy was going to definitly waste a good chunk of her life and leave her feeling so so incredibly lost...

She's confused and scared(seriously her hair turned white in miliseconds becuase of how distressed she was) as everyone runs away screaming and she tries in vain to calm everyone down and things only get more disorienting as helicopters and fucking military men start attacking her and she doesn't understand what she's done wrong. And we also get some foreshadowing of how strong and how much potential she has with her newfound strength yet she doesn't know that yet. A few soldiers attempt to pull her down with ropes around her arm and at first she struggles against it but as SOON as she sees Derek is in danger she's like "Hey leave him alone! Don't hurt him!" and pulls herself free with incredible ease!

So then, Susan is very understandably freaking out and panicking when she wakes up in Area 51, yelling and screaming that she doesn't belong here as she's up until now most likely never experienced such and confusing and stressful situation. And honestly I feel SO SORRY for her that whole thing must've been so overwhelming and scary. We kind of get a timeskip after she sits in the corner of her cell but I bet you she was having a breakdown for the whole first week.

Small note, the government changed her name to Ginormica. Like bruh...

Then villain introduction yada yada skipping ahead a little bit.

Quick mention of the BANGER scene where the President plays Axel F for an alien robot. One of my fave scenes in the whole movie fr.

Also mentioning how Susan is SO SO determined to get out of monster prison.

So Susan and the other monsters are tasked with fighting an alien robot in exchange for their freedom. Susan is like "Oh yes! I'm gonna see my family again!" and I don't think the thought of fighting a robot has fully sunk in yet becuase she's way more focused on the prospect of seeing her lover again.

And THEN she sees this MOUNTAIN of a fucking robot that actually kind of scared me as a kid, and it finally sinks in. They want her to fight THAT. She was not expecting it to be so fucking big. Do these people actually expect her to fight this thing?? She starts freaking out again because like?? HOW??? How is she supposed to fight that thing?? She's never fought before!

Then big action scene, comedic moments with the trio, Susan runs away from the robot scared out of her fucking mind as this huge hulking metal monster aggressively persues her. And we get an actually really funny joke where she's clinging onto the edge of a roof, scared she's gonna fall only to fall like, two inches onto her feet when her grip slips and she's like "Oh. Right. Haha.".

Monster shenanigans again, She's on the bridge and continuing to get as far away from the robot as she can when she sees a car crash happen and reflexively stops in her tracks. She can clearly see the robot just a short distance away, but instead of continuing to run, she risks closing the gap of distance she's created for herself from the robot and chooses to instead help the people who might possibly be hurt and injured. She tries to warn them even as they run away becuase they are scared of her to get off the bridge before the robot gets to all of them.

Yeah, ok, maybe it's kinda ridiculous how fast the robot closes that distance between it and her but movie logic™ ok???

The robot has her cornered, it opens up a panel with a bunch of rotating teeth, intending to GRIND HER INTO A BLOODY PASTE like can we talk about how horrifying of a situation that is?? You're literal inches from a killer meatgrinder that's angling the bridge you're on so that you slide right into a waiting painful hole of death!

Insectisaurous, another big monster she was at first terrified of, shows up just in time. You see that look of incredible relief on Susan's face as he comes to her rescue, incopasitating the robot and pulling the bridge back to it's correct angle in order to help her get away.

Susan starts frantically asking why this robot is so hellbent on killing her specifically. It's not like she's been trying to attack it this whole time! Like why??? Robot seemingly crushes her in its robot hand but then, she pries its hand back open, the gang watching in awe.

In the struggle, the robot creates a huge hole in the bridge and a couple's car starts to fall into it but Susan stop it! "You're doing great!" "I'm doing EVERYTHING!!!" - ASFDJKLHFSDLAJKHSFDJKFASD

Susan, still thinking about the wellbeing of others, prioritizes getting all these people off the bridge and away from danger. When Bob clears the way somewhat, she yells at the people in their cars to go while still wresting with the robot hand to prevent it from harming any of them.

She's obviously tiring from holding his hand at bay for so so long and knows she can't keep it up forever and that's a scary thought to have cuz she's unsure how she's going to get away from this thing. But then she takes in her suroundings and a plan forms in her head.

Once again, Susan has never had to do this before. She's just winging this and is fighting for her god damn life! She speaks to herself to hype herself up for what she's about to attempt, hoping it will work.

Then BAM! With a determined burst of strength she jumps into action, pushing the robot hand wide open before grabbing the other and pulling the robot towards her, using its weight and topheaviness to make it lose balance and fall forwards. She grabs Link whose out cold btw rn, and carries him to safety, jumping out of the way JUST in time before the robot completely destroyes the bridge where she just was as it falls over.

A peice of the bridge comes down with it and severes its head from the rest of its body, effectively damaging it enough to power it off, permanently. Susan peers over the edge of the collapsed bridge, a smile of relief that the danger has passed and she's still alive spreading across her face. She actually did it!

Villain scene and monolouge, impending doom approaching, time skip,

Susan is excitedly talking to the others as they ride in the plane's cargohold about how "Wow! I can't believe I actually did that!" and she's so so proud of herself and you see Dr. Cockroach and Bob smiling back at her becuase from their POV she's probably glowing so so brightly and looks the happiest they've seen her ever. Her confidence is at skyrocket height right now! And yet, she can't help but long for her old life. She tells them how she's going to find a way to become normal again and that Derek will help her because he loves and cares about her and won't rest until they've fixed this(poor thing doesn't realize how much of a shitstain Derek is yet).

Bob (yeah he's the comic relief but i feel like people greatly underate how honest and genuine he can be like come onnnnnn(also yes I added him to my kinlist idgaf)) is like "Wait but you were just talking about how you're so strong now and how there's not a jar in this world you can't open" and yeah the whole line is played in a comedic light cuz Bob seems to only care about whatever food is in the jar she can't open but I feel like it's a little deeper than that.

After hearing about how great Derek seemingly is, the gang wants to meet him and Susan is like "Yeah sure I'll gladly introduce you guys!" and they all arrive at her home and she looks so happy to be back!!

Her family is kinda wary of the gang but she reassures them they're all chill and introduces them as her new friends, showcasing how far she's come relationshipwise with the three of them(since she was scared of them and found both Bob and Dr. Cockroach gross when they all first met. She legit tried to kill Dr. Cockroach when they first met like wow.)

Another example of Derek not caring, he doesn't show up to welcome her home from prison. Susan runs off to go get him so they can all celebrate together.

The monster gang tries to adjust to society and does their best to be friendly and nice but everyone is still super scared of them and it doesn't go very well...

Susan is SO SO HAPPY to see Derek again! She forgets how big she is and how strong she is in her excitement and Derek is kinda... understandably distressed when she picks him up, swings him around, almost suffocates him and almost crushes him. When Susan realizes this she immediatly apoligizes to him and puts him down.

Derek proceeds to show just how much of a fucking dickwad he is. When he asks her if he expects him to put his whole career on hold to help her, she's like "YES???" like bro this girl was ready to make the sacrifice of her PARIS HONEYMOON that she was VERY VISIBELY LOOKING FORWARD TO for your benifit!! Derek breaks Susan's heart and she's completely at a loss now. Everything feels like a lie. She leaves her home to go off to where she does not know.

Once again, yes, I KNOW it's kind of an impossible reach for the monster trio to show up right then. And ONCE AGAIN, I'm claiming movie logic™.

Bob once again being incredibly blunt and honest. Makes the whole gang face the fact that everyone hates them and doesn't want to be around them.

Heard somone bring up and praise the "We could save every city on the planet and they'd still treat us the way they've always treated us. Like monsters..." and honestly, fucking correct and valid.

They all have that quiet sad moment together.

Link tries to lighten the mood by asking how things went with Derek, the seemingly perfect and accepting loving guy Susan has sung the praises of for her entirety of her time with them in prison(seriously Link's whole response to her talking about him in that one scene way earlier implies she talked about Derek NONSTOP). He and the others do not yet know he's a prick as Susan had just discovered.

Susan finally accepts the fact that he's a selfish jerk as she tells the gang so.

"There was never and us! There was only Derek! Why did I have to get hit by a meteorite do realize that??" - Girl go OFF!!!!

She gets a good old rant out and in the process realizes that she doesn't have to feel lost. She's gonna be just fine without him because she's fucking amazing and has four new awesome friends now. She tells them just how awesome they all are and that none of them have to be accepted by society. They all have a character turning moment where Susan has learned she loves this new her and things are looking real up for the five of them! But then, of course, something has to go wrong.

Galaxar's ship shows up and abducts Susan. Insectosaurus tries to help her again but is hit by a ball of energy from the spaceship's cannon. He lets out the most heartwrenching shriek and we get an actually really sad scene as Susan is pulled into the ship and Link, knowing there's really nothing they can do for her in that moment, rushes over to his friend.

"Don't close those eyes. Don't you DARE close those eyes!" *Insectosaurus's eyes slide shut* "You can't..." - LIKE COME ON THAT WAS FUCKING SADDDDD AAAAAAAAAA

Susan has a confrontation with Galaxar, the villain of this movie. They have a very "You have gotten in my way for the last time" "I don't know who tf you are!" moment.

Susan has a moment of clarity where she's like "Wait, all of this is YOUR fault??" and she realizes that he's the reason her whole life was derailed and why she suffered all this trauma of her wedding day, being taken away from everything she's ever known with no hope of ever seeing her family again, and almost dying in a fight with a robot. He's why her fiance wants nothing to do with her(not defending Galaxar or anything for this cuz he did a lot of horrible shit but he really did her a solid by derailing her life cuz as i've stated before, Derek would have ruined her life in the long term if all this never happened to her).

Galaxar is all smug during this.

"You destroyed San Fransisco, you terrified millions of people, you killed my friend, just to get to me??" - My poor girl really out here still putting other people before her and caring more about them than herself...

Galaxar is so sure he's got the upperhand, so sure he's safe from her becuase of that forcefeild. But nah, Susan is fucking LIVID now and breaks through that forcefeild.

She proceeds to break through every barrier Galaxar puts between himself and her becuase she's learned just how imposing her power is now. She's chases after him through the ship like "I'M GOING TO FUCKING KICK YOUR ASS!!!" and Galaxar is actually genuinly scared of her as he's fleeing.

LIKE YES QUEEN!!!! GET HIS ASS!!! KILL THE BLUE FUCK!!!!

And because we still got a fair amount of run time to go, and because we still need our protagonist to struggle a bit, Galaxar manages to trap Susan in the extraction chamber just as she's about to get him. She's still glaring absolute daggers at him through the glass though. He looks back at her, smug expression returning. She then slams her hands into the glass and it STARTS TO CRACK!!! Galaxar is getting scared again and jumps back but he also commands the computer to begin the extraction process.

Susan is determined to break out and get to the person responsible for everything that has happened to her in the past month, but as the Quantonium is removed from her body, her pounds on the glass get weaker and weaker and soon she's no longer cracking the glass. Her now much smaller hand weakly presses against the glass one last time before the chamber retracts and she's left lying there back at her original size.

And even after all that, and even though Galaxar now towers over in instead of the other way around, she still meets his gaze with her own determined glare.

Side note, I know it's supposed to be a joke and all but im really curious about why exactly Galaxar came to the conclusion of destorying his whole fucking planet.

Also,

"There were innocent people on my home planet before it was destroyed!"

"Well I'm sorry your planet was destroyed..." "Oh don't be. I was the one who destoryed it" - Idk this whole exchange is just really clever to me. Like talk about speedrunning the whole trying to sympathsize with the villain and then discovering they really are just a bad person trope LMAO.

Another big skip,

Link is still mourning Insectosaurus, and both Bob and Dr. Cockroach are unsure what to do. Link takes the intiative right then and there.

"We're not gonna let Insecto die in vain. We're gonna get up there, find Susan, and we're gonna take that alien down!" - HELL YEAH BRO!!!

Skip skip, they get onto the ship, they find Susan(Galaxar was going to throw her into the incenerator. As a pyrophobe, WHAT a horrible way to go out wow), Bob fucking murders somone,

"I can't believe you guys actually came for me ;-;" "Us monsters gotta stick together" - Like holy shit that's so adorable.

Poor Susan isn't sure if she can even call herself one of them anymore becuase she's small again :( (Only thing different is that her hair is still white)

Dr. Cockroach assures her she's still awesome.

Skip again,

Big epic fight scene. Link actually gets to do shit this time and isn't unconscious.

They set the ship to self destruct and the doors to the chamber begin to shut. The gang rushes to reach the doors before they close all the way. They manage to get Susan through the doors right before they shut but the trio isn't so lucky.

The trio urges Susan to leave without them but she doesn't want to.

"You can finally get your old life back..."

"But I don't want me old life back!" - SHE DOESN'T WANNA ABANDON HER FOUND FAM FR!!! She finds a way up to the control chamber where Galaxar is priming the escape pod and intending to leave with the Quantonium.

"Are you crazy?? You could've killed me!" "Then we understand eachother." - fuckin baller line.

Susan demands for him to open up the doors and release her friends but he's like "lmao make me" and then when he goes to climb into the escape pod, she stops him and they have a scuffle that ends with her holding him at gun point like "You better fuckin do it right fucking now buddy!"

"Even if I wanted to I couldn't! That's what happens when you set the ship to selfdestruct!! Now we're all going to die! And there's nothing you can do about it! Sooooooooosan." <- says her name in a very mocking tone.

And Susan is like "Actually I can do something about it" "And the name is Ginormica" *points the gun up and shoots it at the thing holding the Quantonium so it falls on her* - FUCKING BAD ASS!!!!

So Susan is big again, she saves her friends just in time, She jumps off the small platform they were huddled on just as a peice of the ship comes down on top of it, smashing through the floor of the ship. The four of them grab onto eachother and dangle thousands of feet above the ground, Susan clinging on for dear life to the bottom of the ship.

She loses her grip and they all start to fall but they're caught by somone.

Turns out Insectosaurus isn't dead!! He's a butterfly now!!!!!

They all fly away to safety just as the ship's automated computer voice counts down.

Galaxar is frantically pushing buttons on the control panel since the escape pod doesn't work without the Quantonium. He covers his ears and squeezes his eyes shut as the countdown ends.

"Three, two, one."

.................

*distant bird call*

"Hmm, nothing happened, maybe my count wa-" *ship explodes* - This part had me DYINGGGG the first time I saw this movie.

Butterflyosaurus lands before a crowd of cheering people.

Susan's parents are all proud of her.

"Oh Susan, ever since you were a maybe, your dad and I knew that you'd... you know, save the planet from an invasion from outterspace" - Can we talk about how fucking weird this must've been for them??? Like yeah it was scary for Susan, but imagine how her parents must be feeling; like their only child started growing into a giant at her wedding and then she was taken away from them to some place unknown and they didn't hear anything from her after that(bet you the government deleted her birth info and denied she ever existed and was straight up gaslighting them into believing they never had a daughter.) until suddenly their duaghter is on the news becuase she fought a giant alien robot and I wonder if they knew she almost DIED doing it.

Derek shows up then, makes a shitty attempt at apologizing to her- no wait he DOESN'T say he's sorry, nah he doesn't hold himself in the wrong. This fucker.

"Baby I thought long and hard about what I said, and I wanted you to know, I forgive you." "... You forgive... me?" Susan is visibily perplexed at this.

"Yes it's not your fault you got hit by a meteor and ruined everything. In fact you didn't ruin everything. I just got a call from New York. They offered me network! All I gotta do is get an exclusive interview from you!" - Yes, he's only "forgiving her" cuz it benifits him. I cannot believe I saw people in the comments of a video about MvA saying she should've forgave him like ya'll are fucking stupid.

So Susan is like "Oh wow reallY?!?!?! Cool! Hey is the camera still rolling?" And Derek, unaware he's fucked up, says "Of course lol!" So Susan proceeds to break up with him on live television and then flick him up into the air. She also tells Bob to catch him so he doesn't splat onto the pavement.

Bob then tells him off for being a selfish asshole and Derek, now humiliated, tells them to shut the camera off.

and honestly??? FUCKING DESERVED!!! Hope that clip becomes immortalized as a meme and you are forever branded as the idiot who icon monster celebrity Susan Murphy broke up with on live television. also 100% convinced that the group of people on the internet who have a huge thing for giant women hate Derek for turning down having a supersized wife like all of them would KILL for that COME ON BRO!!!!

A slug apparently got turned into a Kaiju in Paris so the gang all fly off into the sunset to go deal with that and the movie ends~ LIKE HELL YEAH SUSAN YOU FINALLY GET TO GO TO PARIS YEAH!!! After all the shit she's been through she deserves at least that.

There's a fair amount of things I didn't mention but I think that if anyone reading this hasn't seen Monsters vs Aliens before, or hasn't seen it in a while, you should give it a watch again/for the first time. You don't HAVE to, but I recommend.

Maybe some of the jokes aged poorly, maybe some of the humor is kind of childish and unfunny, maybe its full of outdated "HEY LOOK THIS MOVIE WAS IN 3D!!!" bits, but I fucking love this movie ok???!?!?!?!?!

It's in no way perfect and in no way one of Dreamworks best films ever but I feel like it isn't necessarily one of their worst ones either.

#monsters vs aliens #dreamworks #susan murphy #the missing link #dr cockroach #bob #insectosaurus #galaxar #this isn't my new hyperfixation i just had some thoughts I wanted to get out #a LOT of thoughts I wanted to get out ¯\_(ツ)_/¯#might reblog some MvA art later tho #little me kind of hyperfixated on it ngl #went through a phase where I obsessed over all the main characters #kept switching faves and all #Link was def by far young me's all time fave #and fr he's so gender

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wheretheharekissesthefox · 6 months

Text

Baby, don't run, you're breaking my heart

After spending the winter months with Astarion, Gale, Shadowheart, and Tav, Halsin gets cold feet and runs off.

(Trigger warning (18+): graphic description of sex, smut, angst, fluff, the feels, character study)

Notes:

This is a direct continuation of 'Tav's sex parade'. You don't need to read the latter to get this story, but it would help the deeper meaning and understanding of it.

To avoid confusion: In one of my other fanfics, Halsin and Tav had named the owlbear cup Naïlo, which means 'night breeze' in the Elven language.

Another fic is mentioned.

Halsin had run off.

He'd spent a wonderful winter season with his lovers. Four months of good food, the best company, and shameless, hot sex. And then, pure fear had gripped him and he'd fled head over heels.

Now, the former archdruid sat in a shabby tavern, surrounded by drunkards, in bumfuck nowhere and contemplated to drown his guilt in alcohol once more. He'd sworn never to drink again, but today he was tempted for the first time in over eighty years.

With a deep sigh, Halsin hid his face in his hands and groaned. He was angry.

Why am I such a coward? he asked himself. Why do I disappoint the ones I love and care about over and over again? Why can't I be a better man?

"Are you going to order something soon, or will you keep wallowing in self-pity?" asked the tavern keeper slightly annoyed. "You're occupying a precious seat for more business-friendly customers."

"Apologies," Halsin muttered and stood up. "I'm giving the seat to someone else."

The tavern keeper grunted with a nod. The wood elf walked towards the door, but was stopped by a pretty woman.

"Hey, handsome, would you like to join me tonight? I'd love to be held down by all these muscles."

The addressed forced a polite smile onto his face.

"Thank you for the offer, I'm flattered, but I need to go somewhere."

"Oh, I see." The woman looked disappointed. "Enjoy your night then."

"You too. I'm truly sorry for declining."

Halsin rushed out of the door, his heart ached. The woman didn't have broad shoulders and freckles like Tav, nor long silver hair and a scar across her nose like Shadowheart.

Two days after leaving Gale's tower house in Waterdeep, the druid had slept with a stranger – and he hadn't found any joy in it. Three days later, when he'd gotten propositioned again, he hadn't even been able to get it up. Thus, he couldn't forget his self-loathing through alcohol nor sex. Not anymore. Not like back then.

Halsin had reached the woods and lay down in his makeshift tent, which was more like a taut tarpaulin than anything else, and closed his eyes as they filled with tears.

He was a coward. Afraid of losing people and afraid of disappointing them. Some called it commitment issues, but that wasn't it. He feared he was not enough for his partners, especially for Tav, and he couldn't contribute equal parts to their relationship. He was scared of screwing everything up eventually. He always did.

Oak Father, preserve me. Please, give me strength and courage. I have to make this right. What I have, what I found... I can't give it up. Don't want to. Please, Oak Father, I beg you; let me have a place again where I belong. I want to belong again.

Halsin rolled into a ball, making himself as small as possible, as he cried himself to sleep.

Tav was angry – no, furious, but also sad, hurt, and slightly disappointed. She'd never thought Halsin would just leave them – her – without an explanation or farewell.

"Come on, dear, drink your lavender tea," encouraged Morena, Gale's mother, and slid the sandwich tray closer to the bard.

The latter sighed unhappily, rubbed her forehead, and took a sip from her teacup. For her quasi mother-in-law's sake, she grabbed a small sandwich and took a bite. It was topped with ham, soft Waterdhavian cheese and fresh cress. Gale loved to prepare sandwiches for their afternoon tea break.

"There, there," hummed Morena, looking pleased. "With a filled tummy, the world looks less grim."

"You're right about that, Miss Dekarios," purred Tara, her little mouth smeared with cream cheese.

Tav sighed again, a bit too theatrical, and glared at the sandwich in her hand. Morena gave her a look.

"Oh, please. Don't exaggerate about this. Halsin's gone for two months already. And it's not like you have no lovers left."

"You don't understand, Morena, I love him. I love them all! Equally. Whole-heartedly. It's out of character for Halsin to just leave wordlessly. I have no idea why he left. Was it something I did? Something I didn't do? Is it a personal issue? I don't understand why he didn't talk to me. I'm seriously worried about him."

"I understand very well what you mean," the addressed replied calmly. "But your bad mood and worries don't solve the issue, do they? There are exactly two things you can do: search for him, or let him go. The choice is yours, Tav, but don't forget what's right in front of you. Chasing things you can't reach, never ends well. My son's a prime example for this – and you know it."

The bard grimaced but nodded.

"Still, I'm worried about Halsin," she muttered, rotating the teacup in her hands.

"He broke your heart," the sorceress stated pragmatically, "and you want an answer to the question why."

Tav nodded again and took another sip of tea. The lavender tried its damn best to calm her emotional turmoil, but it just wasn't working enough. The bard set her jaw, explaining: "I can't simply leave it like this. I want to find Halsin and talk to him. I need to know why he left."

"Ran away, more like," Morena muttered into her teacup, and Tara nodded in agreement.

Tav glared at them.

"That wasn't normal behaviour for him. The Halsin I know would have never done this!"

"And yet he did, dear. People are unpredictable – and selfish. Sometimes, you just have to accept your fate."

"Never!" Tav squeezed out between clenched teeth.

Morena sighed deeply.

"Incorrigible, these romantics."

Unbothered, she took another sip from her cup, while Tav was about to explode. She stood up, slamming her palm onto the tabletop, and hissed: "I'll find him – no matter if you, or anyone else, approves of it! He's worth it!"

Fuming, Tav stomped out of the kitchen.

"Don't forget our meeting tomorrow morning, dear!" Morena sing-songed amused. "The Sorcerous Sundries in Baldur's Gate has finally reopened after you killed the previous owner!"

"He was a prick!" shouted Gale from his study, making his mother chuckle and Tav snort a laugh.

"Don't worry, I'll be ready at nine," sighed the latter then, smiling slightly.

Tav had to give it to Morena; she'd been right about her prediction about spending a lovely day together. They'd portalled to Baldur's Gate with Gale and Shadowheart and browsed through the assortment of the reopened magic shop. Afterwards, they'd lunch at the Blushing Mermaid before portalling back to Waterdeep. It had been a nice distraction from the misery Tav felt since Halsin had left, but it wasn't gone, obviously. Also, she hadn't found what she'd been looking for at the Sorcerous Sundries.

"Do you have something that keeps me from burning in the sun?" she'd asked. "My skin's rather delicate."

"Unfortunately, we don't have anything like this in our gigantic assortment," had the wizard’s magical projection replied. "But you may be interested in sunburn reliever."

Tav had declined politely. She wasn't looking for something for herself actually, but for a certain someone.

Patience, she told herself. Maybe, I'll find what I'm searching for one day. – I hope I will.

Halsin lay on the mossy forest floor with his eyes closed and his palms against the ground. He felt Mother Nature's energy flow up through the soil into his body and back down. The druid breathed slowly and deeply, focusing on releasing everything that didn't serve him or was too much. Nature could use his excess energy to create something beautiful. Meanwhile, the new energy Halsin drew from her, cleansed and rejuvenated him. His thoughts drifted away after a while and he pondered about his next move. What should he do? How could he fix what he'd broken? The wood elf sighed and opened his eyes, gazing at the green canopy above him.

Oak Father, speak to me, he pleaded. I don't know what to do.

Two squirrels chased each other through the trees until they stopped and started to mate. Halsin looked away to give them some privacy.

That's not the sign I need, Silvanus, he thought, huffing a bitter laugh.

The druid sighed again. He felt tired, heavy, burnt out. He wanted to move, but couldn't get himself to do it.

I must pull myself together, he scolded himself. I won't feel any better if I keep lying here.

A fox dashed across the clearing, light-footed. Bypassing tripping hazards and elegantly jumping over the small creek. Halsin observed it.

Agile and clever like a fox. Fast and fearless like a squirrel. Thank you, Oak Father.

Tav couldn't sleep and she felt guilty. Astarion, Gale and Shadowheart tried their best to cheer her up and emotionally support her to overcome her heartbreak. Shadowheart didn't let it show on her face, but she was hurting too. Sometimes, Tav caught her staring at the honey pot in the kitchen teary-eyed.

Now, the bard was sandwiched between the cleric and the wizard who were sleeping soundly. Carefully, she wiggled her way out of their embraces, hoping not to wake them, and pattered to the kitchen. On the way, she checked on Scratch, Naïlo, and Tara who slept on the carpet and pillows in front of the fireplace, tightly entangled. The tressym purred in her sleep, enthroned on top of the owlbear's fluffy, feathery flank, who hooted lowly with every exhale, and the dog's paws twitched while he was dreaming of chasing something (probably a pigeon in the park), while snuggled up against Naïlo's belly. Tav smiled and left them alone. She walked downstairs to Astarion's basement room, but the vampire was still on his nightly stroll through the city. Sighing, the bard moved to the kitchen to brew tea. She studied the one dozen tea caddies.

For sleep and to soothe the nerves, hmm... Chamomile, lavender, and valerian. Morena would be proud that I remember her herbology lessons.

Just as she grabbed the caddy with lavender, she heard the low hum of the magic barrier of the front door. Gale had enchanted it to inform them when someone was at the door, who wasn't knocking. Furrowing her brows, Tav walked to the entrance hallway, curious who it could be. It wasn't Astarion, that's for sure, he had a key. The bard stopped before the door, staring at it. It was still humming lowly. She took a deep breath and opened the door. Halsin sat on the doorstep, staring at her wide-eyed, surprised and shocked in equal measure. Tav blinked at him dumbly.

"Halsin?"

"Uhm, hello, Tav. I uh - It's the middle of the night and I didn't want to wake anyone. Also, I- I don't know what to say."

The druid looked embarrassed and sheepish, squeezing his hands together.

"I definitely need that lavender tea now," the bard stated, still overwhelmed.

Halsin looked up at her, those hazel eyes big and pleading.

"Tea?"

His breath left a puff of air in the cold spring night. His hair was dripping wet from the rain. Tav opened the door wider.

"Come in. It would be a shame if you'd freeze to death or catch pneumonia due to the rain. My parents would be mortified to know I've turned into such an unfriendly, heartless host."

Hastily, the druid scrambled onto his feet and lifted up his luggage. Hesitantly, he entered Gale's tower house, dripping water onto the doormat.

"Stay here, I'll grab a towel," Tav told him. "And don't you dare leave before we've exchanged a single word."

Embarrassed, Halsin lowered his head. He did feel the urge to flee, but he didn't move a millimetre. He had to put it right again. Tav returned quickly with a towel and some clothes. The druid thanked her and got dry and dressed.

"Come on. Are you hungry?"

"Yes," mumbled the addressed, the tips of his ears blushing in embarrassment.

You can't even feed yourself properly, you idiot, scolded the mean voice in his head, and Halsin shook himself to clear his mind.

He tentatively entered the kitchen, sat down at the table, and observed how Tav grabbed a tray of sandwiches from the pantry which was glowing purple.

"Gale enchanted the cupboard so that the food doesn't go bad," Tav explained. As always, she had interpreted his facial expression and body language correctly. She was particularly talented at that. Halsin wondered if it had something to do with her profession.

The bard put the plate down in front of him and brew the tea. The faint smell of lavender wafted through the kitchen and Halsin inhaled deeply, hoping it would calm his nerves. Tav filled two cups with tea and sat down opposite him. Her green-brown eyes studied him, her brows were slightly furrowed in concentration. It was unnerving and Halsin fidgeted around on the chair. Tav took a sip from her cup, then, she took a deep breath, and asked, way too calmly: "Why?"

The druid stared into his tea, working his clenched jaw. 'Why?'. Such a simple question, and he had no idea how to answer it. How to explain his action. Himself.

"I -," he began, voice cracking miserably. "I don't know. I mean, I do know, but I don't know how to explain it. I - I'm so sorry, my heart."

Tav inhaled sharply.

"Don't call me that," she whispered. "Don't call me that if you don't mean it. Don't play with me, Halsin."

"I mean it," the druid replied, feeling ice-cold dread filling his veins. He grabbed her hand on the table. His was clammy, hers warm. "I mean it. I- I screwed it up."

Angrily, Tav stood up, her eyes aflame.

"Yes, you did! Spectacularly! Why, Halsin? Don't you trust me? I thought you'd tell me if something's wrong."

"Of course, I trust you! That's the problem," Halsin replied, getting up himself. "I entrust you with my life – and it scares the shit out of me!"

Tav shook her head. Anger, hurt, and sadness showed on her face. She was so easy to read, like an open book. What if she would send him away now? What if she couldn't forgive him? Halsin swallowed, trembled. His fear had him in a chokehold. But, instead of moving away, Tav stepped closer.

"Kiss me. Please," she whispered, looking up at him.

A shiver ran down Halsin's spine as he took a step forward, bent down, and kissed her like a starving man. He held onto her, with one hand around her biceps and the other on her neck. Tasting her, smelling her. It was so much better than in his memories. He traced the bite mark at the nape of her neck with his fingers, remembering how he'd left it there and how she'd let him mark her so willingly. Halsin broke the kiss when he tasted saltwater.

"No, please. Don't stop," pleaded Tav with tears streaming down her face. "Please, Halsin, don't run away again. It broke my heart."

The addressed swallowed, staring at her. He'd never seen Tav cry before.

No matter what had happened and what awful things they'd gone through, she'd been solid like a rock. She'd been there for Astarion after he'd killed Cazador. Had held him tight and consoled him. She'd had enough faith and trust in him to let him drink from her every night since basically day one. She'd encouraged Shadowheart to free herself from Shar and the pain that the goddess had inflicted on her. Had hugged her and had mumbled soothingly. She'd promised Karlach to get her and Wyll out of Avernus. Had comfort her with words since she hadn't been able to touch the tiefling. She'd convinced Gale to not comply to Mystra's wishes to blow himself up. Instead, she'd helped him get the Crown of Karsus from the Netherbrain so that he could hand it to the Goddess of Magic and got freed from the Orb in his chest. She'd help him lift the Shadow Curse. Had welcomed him into her found family. Tav had helped them all. She had made them whole again, had helped them heal. To start anew. And he had screwed it up. He had made her cry.

"I'm deeply sorry, Tav. My heart," said Halsin. "I never intended to hurt you."

He kissed her again and she sobbed, wrapping her arms around him. The druid sighed. Finally, he felt her strong body against his again, saw the rosy, freckled skin again, those green-brown eyes, and that awful, short haircut. He'd missed her and he loved her – so much.

When they parted, they leaned their foreheads together, and Halsin said: "What we have, no, what you gave me, is too precious to give up. It's worth fighting for. I was a coward. Fear overwhelmed me and I didn't know how to deal with it. It's true; I trust you more than anyone else, but it scares me. For the first time in decades, I'm in love with someone, opened my heart for you, and I'm scared I'll screw it up, you'll leave me, or I'm not good enough for you. I haven't committed to a relationship in such a long time, because every time I did, it came back to bite me in the arse, or something terrible happened. I can't go through this again. I can't have my heart broken for the dozens time. But by fearing for my own heart's safety, I broke yours, and I'm so sorry. Please, forgive me."

"Yes," nodded Tav, holding him close. "Always."

Halsin felt like crying and kissed her again, desperately. They held each other close and cried freely. It felt good to let it out.

"I missed you so much," sniffed Tav. "Don't you ever do that again! I know you're a free spirit and you can't be hold down. That's why I let you go, why I'm not jealous, and why I'm happy with our arrangement. I have multiple lovers and so do you. 'Let our hearts roam freely', you once said and I agree. But please, talk to me before you run away because it's too much to bear for you. Whatever you want, whatever bothers you, I'll understand and I'll let you go, but please, come back to me and don't leave me without a word again."

"I promise," whispered Halsin, squeezing his eyes shut. "I promise, my heart. I'll never cause you heartache again."

"Good."

Tav took his hand and led him towards the kitchen counter. There, she discharged her nightgown and started fumbling with his trousers. Suddenly in a frenzy, Halsin pulled the shirt over his head in one smooth motion and stepped out of the trousers. They kissed again before the bard hopped up onto the counter. Halsin already panted in anticipation, excited to feel her body against his again and taste her skin. He slid his hands under her buttocks and kissed her as he thrust into her. Tav moaned, wrapping her legs and arms around him. Halsin kissed her neck and started a steady pace. For a while, they kissed and panted against each other's necks. Then, Tav let go of him, placed her arms behind her and leaned back. The druid groaned and kissed her sternum. Moaning, Tav lolled her head back.

"You're beautiful as always, my heart," Halsin told her. "And it fills me with immeasurable joy to know that you wear my bite mark with such pride. I love you, more than you can imaging."

"I love you too, Halsin," Tav panted.

She pulled him closer with one arm to kiss him again. He happily complied and started to rub her pubic mound with his talented fingers. The bard mewled, clenching around him and making him groan. He spilled into her while moaning into her mouth. She followed him over the edge noisily and tightened her powerful legs around him. Halsin loved it and would have happily died between those muscular thighs, Oak Father, preserve him.

"Get a room, you filthy animals, Gods!" Astarion grinned, leaning against the doorframe while watching them shamelessly as they were basking in the afterglow of their orgasm.

The addressed snickered, slightly embarrassed that they were caught in the act. The vampire spawn's smirk turned into a soft smile when he said: "So, our druid has returned and the issues are resolved, I hope?"

"Yes," Tav answered and Halsin nodded against her shoulder.

"Wonderful," sighed Astarion. "Now, we can only hope that our darling bard won't sulk anymore."

"I wasn't sulking, I was dealing with heartbreak."

"Same thing, darling, same thing. Goodnight, sweet dreams," lilted Astarion and twirled around. "Oh, and druid? Don't think you can get away without an explanation. Shadowheart cried her eyes out as well, but presented herself strongly for Tav's sake."

With a shit-earing grin on his face and a nonchalant wave, the vampire spawn made his way to the living room. Halsin groaned conscience-smitten.

"I'm sorry I caused such a ruckus. I guess I can't avoid explaining myself. The others will eat me alive."

"They love you," Tav replied, stroking his hair. "They'll only eat you in the bedroom."

At that, Halsin chuckled and warmth bloomed in his chest. He and Tav freshened up in the bathroom and then, walked to the bedchamber. The cleric and the wizard had moved in their sleep, basically resting in each other's arms. Carefully, Halsin climbed into the bed and spooned up behind Shadowheart, wrapping an arm around her middle and pulling her close, while Tav snuggled up against his back.

"I love you," she mumbled, kissing his shoulder.

The druid smiled sleepily.

"I love you too."

Shortly after, Astarion joined them too. He slipped in behind Gale and rested his head against his back. He took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of lavender soap, and smiled.

"Halsin? Please, use your elf brain next time and not your bear brain," Astarion told the other man. "Let’s not cause any more heartache and misery."

"Yes," the druid agreed. "I'm sorry."

"I know," remarked the vampire spawn. "Let’s just make our lovers happy, shall we? And in the process, we'll make ourselves happy too."

Halsin hummed, smiling.

"You belong here, you know? You're family. So, don't just run off. – I never thought I have to tell you this, but here we are; we love you, Halsin."

Swallowing thickly, the druid nodded.

"I love you too," he croaked out, close to tears again.

"Rest now, druid. It's good you're home."

"Thank you, little vampire. I'm happy to be back."

Astarion hummed, snuggling up closer to Gale who sighed happily in his sleep. Halsin closed his eyes again, willing his body into relaxation. He felt warm and comfortable with Shadowheart in his arms and Tav at his back. Astarion was right; it was good to be home.

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getlostsquidward · 2 years

Note

hi, could i request some agatha x reader hurt/comfort??? if not it’s okay, it’s super chill. maybe like during their stay in the hex reader feels like agatha doesn’t love them / want anything to do with them anymore and agatha eventually finds out and reassures them that isn’t true?? ((maybe with smut at the end??? only if you’re comfortable with it tho!!!)) i love your writing btw 💕

afterglow

pairing: agatha harkness x reader

summary: ever since wanda had let her grief take over, everything had changed in westview and its people–yours and agatha's lives included.

warnings: a teeny tiny sexy time, angst, hurt/comfort, fluff, ambiguous ending xd

You don’t know when it started–when Agatha barely comes home (granted it’s a fake one, but home, nonetheless.) Wherever you are, you consider home as long as you are with her, but right now, home feels like a faraway place, like it found a better person to give its shelter to.

Ever since Wanda had let her grief take over, everything had changed in Westview and its people–yours and Agatha's lives included.

Wanda, Wanda, Wanda–it’s all you can hear coming out of her mouth. You knew the older witch has an unquenchable thirst for power, and maybe you should’ve known that one day she’d prioritize terrorizing a grief-laden woman with immense power over her powerless, mortal girlfriend. That said, you would never want to be the reason she stops doing what she has been doing for decades, and this has been your setup whenever she has a mission. You would always wait for her at home, with Agatha always saying she didn't want you to get caught between the witchcraft and being the reason you get hurt. She'd always assure you that she'll be back safe and sound in no time, and she always delivered on her promises.

That's why this particular trip gave a different feel to it the minute you step foot in this fake world.

Gone were the days of waking up with Agatha cocooning you in her warmth. There was only cold and empty space beside you, even her scent missing from the barely used pillows. When she comes home at night, you don't ask her where she has been, or who she has been with—not that you feel the need to. There was only one reason you were in this dreary town.

When she’s not out messing with Wanda, she’s holed up in the basement, and you’re stuck in your room, thankful for the companion of the little rabbit. If you get lucky, you get a kiss or two as she passes by you around the house. You're not sure how long it has been since you arrived here, and for what it's worth, you've never felt so close yet so far with the love of your life. You feel a bit further away from her as days pass by, as the decades change. It hurts but you don't want to give up, even though the feeling of you're just wasting each other's time feels a little stronger every day.

Everything has changed, and you were scared you might be losing Agatha.

Agatha is out shopping with Wanda first thing in the morning, buying baby clothes with the redhead while she couldn't even sit through breakfast with you.

The fastest pregnancy in history should amaze you in the least, but you couldn't find it in you to feel something…anything. The more Agatha leaves your side, the more she takes every piece of you with her, leaving you hollow and empty.

That night, she slides into the covers next to you, slipping an arm around your waist. She presses a kiss to your shoulder and pulls you close. “Why are you still awake, darling?”

“Can’t sleep.”

“Tell me about your day.”

You rolled your eyes, doubting if she genuinely wants to hear about it or if it was just to make small talk for old-time's sake. “There’s nothing to tell about it, it’s just the same old. Tell me about yours.”

As soon as she opened her mouth you regretted reciprocating the question. You should have known better than to hurt yourself hearing her talk about Wanda as if she'd rather be with her than in your presence.

“Oh, I can’t wait to see her again…” Agatha mumbled as she nuzzled your neck. That remark was the last nail in the coffin, the overwhelming jealousy and hurt provoking you and prompting you to turn and move on top of her. Her eyes went wide at the sudden movement, surprised. Agatha has never seen you with that fire in your eyes.

She was about to speak but you cut her off with a kiss. “Shh. Don't speak.” You felt her smirk against your lips. “Unless it's to scream my name.” I don't want to hear her name from your mouth.

Leaning down, you kissed Agatha feverishly, like a predator savoring its prey—teeth almost clashing, tongues shoved in each other's throat, bottom lips bruised as one suckled and nipped on the other like a hungry beast.

The way you took charge blew Agatha's mind, not stopping until you were sure she was limp and tired. She almost passed out right after, her eyes heavy with sleep. You didn't think you had it in you until tonight, but the intrusive thought that this might be your last night with her has won.

Agatha looks so peaceful in her sleep, her lashes fluttering ever so slightly. She had a small smile on her features, and her blissed-out look was one you could never forget. This is the first time that you even had time to properly look at her ever since her obsession with Wanda grew.

You didn't realize you were crying until you tasted salt on your lips.

At that same moment, you slipped out of bed, taking one last look at her before completely disappearing from her life.

Making your way through Ellis street was unexpectedly easier than you thought it would be. The night, though, made it harder to see the barrier, not that it was visible to the naked eye. You continued to walk forward, finding for the telltale signs of something unusual, something magical. Soon enough, you found what you were looking for. The barrier crackled and buzzed in front of you, its appearance reminiscent of television static.

You envied Wanda, wishing you also had the same abilities so Agatha won't have to chase another person to claim their power. She doesn't even have to ask, you know you'd willingly give her yours if you had them.

You wished you had your own Westview and just live happily and in peace with Agatha.

Based on what you heard from her rambles, you knew that Wanda was able to blast Geraldine out of the barrier. You don't know if you would be able to get past it, but you have to try.

Hovering your hand over the division, you tentatively let your fingertips push through. It felt like there was nothing sort of a barrier, as if the moment you laid your hands on it, it disappeared.

Was it letting you through?

With this newfound realization, you take a deep breath, getting ready to walk through it.

You watch as the barrier slowly sucks your hand, making a shiver run through your body. Halfway through your arm, a force pulls you away from the barrier—their gentle touch contrasting their strong grip on your waist.

She didn't let you fall to the ground, making her body catch you as you stumbled backward. Looking down at the black-stained hands on your stomach, you sighed in relief knowing it wasn't Wanda.

Now you feel like a complete fool—attempting to run away from Agatha only to feel comforted that she had prevented you from doing so.

The two of you stayed silent in the middle of the empty land, Agatha still holding you close to her. You could feel her heart rapidly beating—or maybe that was yours. You don't know anymore.

“Why are you up, Agatha? You should be sleeping.”

“I can't. Not without you.”

Scoffing, you wiggled out of her embrace to face her. “That's funny.” There was clear spite in your voice, but the tears that were starting to form in the corner of your eyes and the lump forming in your throat betrayed you.

Agatha reaches for your hand, holds it to her face, and presses a kiss on your palm. “I love you.”

“You sure have a funny way of showing that. I barely see you, you speak to me as if I'm just a wall to bounce your ideas off to. Everything's changed, and we're as close as strangers now, Agatha. I truly wish that this is all a nightmare, but I'm wide awake the whole time. I don't want to hold you back so I'm leaving—”

“Hold me back? You can never do that to me, darling. I can only find solace with you by my side. I asked you to come with me here because unlike all the other trips I've had, I'm unfamiliar with this– Wanda's source of power. You keep me grounded. When you're with me I feel…that everything's going to be fine.”

The witch comes home at night when you're already asleep. She makes her way under the covers to hold you close. She doesn't sleep, she just watches you as you rest–as creepy as it may sound. Agatha finds peace in listening to the steady beat of your heart.

But she's so close to breaking in the redhead, so she lets go of her hold on you before you could wake up. She thought it would be easier when you don't see her leave. She thought it would be easier to leave when you don't stare with your lovely eyes.

Clearly, she thought wrong.

Agatha didn't mean to hurt you, let alone make you feel that she doesn't love you anymore. She wants Wanda's immense power, yes, but it doesn't mean she wants her.

She should've known that look you gave her earlier before masking it away. Her chest hurts as she thinks about the way you silently suffered, thinking about how you thought she didn't love you anymore—which the very idea is appalling to her. Agatha can never not love you.

“I didn't mean to hurt you, and I'm sorry. Don't leave me, darling, please…please don't walk away.”

Tears began to fall from her eyes, and the sight alone breaks your heart even more. Suddenly, the idea of leaving her seemed outrageous. You wiped her tears with your thumb, your own falling freely on your face.

“I don't want to lose this with you. I don't want to lose you, Y/N.”

“I love you too.”

Her bright blue eyes lit up as they flickered to yours. “You're all I want, baby,” she says, cupping your cheeks. She steps closer, bringing your lips to hers.

“And more power?” you breathed, lips still ghosting against hers. Agatha looked confused but chuckled at the sight of your playful smirk. “All I want is you, and more power.”

“Then let's go take power from the undeserving.”

Hand in hand, you walked back towards your house, the daybreak illuminating your path. You felt content, free of the heavy feeling you've been carrying, but there's a new gnawing thought that creeps up behind your head that you won’t get to bask in this afterglow for long.

—

tags: @midnight-lestrange @minszhuo @tr333sus @shayzulia @our-blood-is-our-ink @academiagaymess @ilovehotactresses @thenazwife @poetsdeadxo @p-nymph @wandakink @phattypoobutt @starrknessblog @gmtsu @inlovewithagathaharkness80

#agatha harkness x reader #agatha harkness x you #agatha harkness x y/n #agatha harkness smut #agatha harkness imagine #agatha harkness fluff #marvel x reader #mcu x reader #marvel imagine #kathryn hahn x reader

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smartycvnt · 3 months

Text

Hero

Title: Hero

Pairing: Ada Wong x Reader

Word Count:

Covert operations were not Ash's strong suit. The woman attracted attention like nobody else that Ada had ever met. That was why Ada was so against calling Ash in to help. Ada was prepared to wait until the last possible second. She would have turned to Leon or anybody else first, but Ash was closer.

Ash arrived in her typical fashion, almost too late. Ada wanted to wring her neck out, but she couldn't. Touching Ash like that would lead to something that Ada wasn't prepared for. They had to keep their distance for the sake of Ada's mental health.

"That was fun." The silence had been driving Ash crazy, so she had to break it. Ada was always so content to sit in silence, but Ash could never. She needed noise or something to distract her. Ash felt like she couldn't be alone with her thoughts, especially around ADa.

"If you were a second later, we wouldn't be having this conversation," Ada hissed. Ash clenched her jaw as she sat forward. Ada could smell the subtle hints of Ash's body wash when the woman leaned in. Somehow, she could run through a battlefield and still come out smelling like that stupid soap she'd been using since her military days.

"It's a good thing I've got great timing then, isn't it?" Ash joked. Ada wanted to reach out and punch her, but she didn't. Ada had called, and Ash answere dthe call, even if she was currently being infuriating.

"You've got something, that's for sure," Ada muttered. Ash sighed as she stood up. "Where are you going?"

"Nowhere, we're stuck here until actual rescue comes. I'm just stretching my legs, putting some distance between us," Ash said. Ada felt a little bad about hurting Ash's feelings.

"Thank you for saving me." It took a lot for Ada to swallow her pride and thank Ash. Ash knew that it was no small thing. Ada could do a lot to rationalize all the reasons why Ash didn't deserve her gratitude. Ash could think of a few herself, but this was too good of a sign for Ash to let herself sink into a hole that deep.

"You're welcome. I meant it when I told you that I'd always answer."

"I know," Ada whispered. Ash leaned against the wall with her back turned towards Ada. She looked uncomfortable in her tactical gear, but Ada would have been lying if she said it didn't look good. Ash was a soldier, through and through. Despite working essentially for herself, Ash had kept the same gear style that she had working covert ops for the Pentagon. The only difference was that Ash's new gear was a little more form fitting and allowed for more agile movements.

Ash was only getting better. Ada knew that it was the field experience, but a part of her was afraid that Ash was working for the wrong people in her spare time. It hadn't been Umbrella, but Ash had a lot of bad people signing some of her checks. Ada remembered their last fight, the one that had finally driven Ash away from her after so many years of going back and forth. Ada regretted accusing Ash of accepting forms of payment other than money, but Ash had been acting so different. It never occured to Ada that the guilt was weighing her down.

"You look good," Ada said to break the silence. Ada could see Ash's leg bouncing as she stood there. Ash stopped moving and turned around on her heel to face Ada. "I don't know what I expected when I called you."

"We both know what you expected. I told you that I wasn't letting anybody inject me with supersoldier serum. Not anymore, not when I can help it," Ash said. Ada could see the far away look in Ash's eyes as the thousand yard stare started to settle in. Six years of Ash's military career were classified, and even if someone had clearance, 95% of it was still blacked out. Ada didn't have to be a genius to know what that meant. Especially with the grants from Umbrella and some of its fronts.

"Well, some super soldier you are," Ada joked. She got up and placed her hand on Ash's arm, right over where she knew a bullet hole was. Ash brushed Ada's arm away, but grabbed her hand as it fell.

"When we get out of here, I don't want us to just go our separate ways," Ash said. She stared down at Ada with a look of pure sincerity. Ash had always wanted more than what Ada could give, but this was an easy enough wish to be granted. "I want you to call me for more than just this sort of thing."

"I'd like that," Ada agreed.

#one shot #my writing #ada wong x reader #ada wong #resident evil x reader #resident evil

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strongsassysexysloane · 1 year

Text

Are you happy now?

A/N:- She's back! I needed some Jack Sloane and I'm a ball of sads at the moment so... Emotions! You're welcome! 🫣

Sum: - Her past wasn't easy to share but she trusted you most with it. Only it hit you heavier than she'd expected.

Jack Sloane was many things, strong, confident, easily angered. Those things you saw on a daily basis. Lately it had been the latter. You knew why, which was why you had avoided being in a confined space with her for two weeks now. It was a smart and stupid decision. The one that got you into the position you were in right now.

“Was it worth it?” She hissed, her arms crossed, standing a few feet away giving Jimmy the room to check you over. Any closer and she may hit you.

Jimmy really didn’t want to be here so he worked extra fast causing you to wince more than normal. “Sorry.” He whispered as he touched your bruised ribs a little too hard. “Here.” He handed you an ice pack to put on the already purple bruise.

She was so mad, looking over you as Jimmy worked. “Are you happy now?”

You rolled your eyes which only angered the blonde more. “He’s dead, isn’t he?” That wasn’t the response Jimmy or Jack expected. This wasn’t you, or was it now? “He didn’t deserve anything less for what he did to her. I only wish I shot him sooner.” This definitely wasn’t you, you were normally more level headed than most of the team.

The case had hit everyone hard. Especially you and Jack. You were the only one who knew about her past, in the army and before. She had to hold you back when you figured it out. Now this case had come up and you were full steam ahead, no sleep, no rest and then tackling the perp without anyone to back you up. That ended with him being shot but not before he managed to kick and punch you a few too many times. This meant desk duty for the next month, not because of your injuries but because of your actions.

The team had noticed your behaviour change. Jack more so than anyone because she knew why. It had gotten to the point where she almost, almost regretted telling you even though it was something you deserved to know about her.

“We don’t go around putting people in the ground. We –“ She had a whole spiel but you weren’t hearing it. The heavy sigh that came out of you almost had her stepping in to shut you up.

Jimmy had finished his inspection, wrapped your ribs and covered up the gash to your cheek. “Done, I’m going to just-“ He looked between you and got a nod from Jack.

“Thanks Jimmy.” You mumbled before hopping off the table. There was a sharp pain to your side and you almost keeled over. Jack stepped forward to help but stopped herself. The back door clicked closed and you knew you were alone.

“He wasn’t him.”

“I know Jack. You never gave me a name or time frame so I can’t do the thing I want to do but I needed something to get it out on.” You sighed, hearing yourself. There hadn’t been an outlet for your built up anger, the punching bag in the gym hadn’t even been enough.

She sighed moving forward. “This anger needs to stop. This is the reason I don’t want to tell you his name or where he liv-“

“Wait! You know where the fucker lives?! For Christ’s sake Jack, he’s in DC?” You almost fell backwards but she caught you. Her hands on your waist, avoiding the bruised areas.

Her forehead rested against yours. This had been the closest you two had been in a while. “Please stop. For me.” Your side of the bed had been cold for far too long and she needed you back in it. Her walls crumbling with the sight of you up close.

The way her voice almost broke, cut you the most. You had avoided her because you knew this would hurt her again. Your emotions had gotten the better of you and you kept your distance to protect her. You would always protect her and that’s what was killing you. “Ja-ck.”

She kissed you then, the desperation from the time apart bled into the kiss. “I just want you. I know you are the protector, it’s who you are and I love you for it but it’s not all you are. I am ok. Don’t let that horrible thing break you too. I couldn’t live with myself if it broke you too.” Her lips messily caught yours in blubbery, emotional kiss.

It rooted you to the spot. Her words, her emotions and you cried. The anger bleeding out through your tears. “I’m sorry baby.”

She tried her best to smile through the tears. “I know.”

“I love you too, you know.” A smile cracking at the corner of your mouth. It was the first time you were both admitting those feelings. “So much.”

The kiss said it all even if you heard the door open you didn’t separate. Tears mixed with growing smiles, it was too much emotion between two people. “Can we go home now?”

You just nodded against her neck, holding her closer and inhaling her scent you had missed so much. God, you missed her so much and it killed you that it was your own fault this had gotten between you.

“Thank you, Jimmy. She won’t be needing anymore assistance for a while.” Jack held you around the waist, your arm curled around her shoulders. As much as you could walk, you didn’t want to let her go.

Jimmy smiled at you both. He knew there was more between you than just friends. “I hope not. Take care of her.”

“I will.” You both said in unison and smiled at one another.

He chuckled to himself and walked off to his desk.

You rested your head in her shoulder as you waited for the elevator. “To answer your question earlier... Yes, I am happy now.” Well, happier than you’d been in a long time.

Jack laughed and punched your side. “Smart ass.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

As much as it's all the emotions... I can't help but have a happy ending. Life sucks enough that you need to know your fav character has a happy ending.

#jack sloane #jacqueline sloane #jack sloane x reader #ncis reader insert #ncis x reader

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another-clive-blog · 5 months

Note

Don't want to burn you out with requests but what's the most tragic scenario we can make about Clive suffering

-φ

φ I want you to know that I would die for you. You are so sweet for caring about my health but I can promise you these asks are fuel to get through the rest of the day <3 If I get a burn-out, school is to blame. That being said, this is the occasion for me to go wild so I want to say a big thank you hehe !!

Alright so I had to get creative about this one because like- Clive already goes through it in canon, and also I exploded him yesterday, I'm killing him today, might torture him tomorrow, so really what more can I do right ? And then I realized. Tragic. Suffering.

What is more tragic than perpetuating the cycle of violence ? What hurts more than losing yourself in it ? What scenario could be worse than becoming who you were trying to destroy ?

(Re)introducing Bad Times AU, also known as the Ouch WIP. This is the Claire and Dimitri swap AU where everyone is extra miserable and unhappy. It may not be the angstiest AU of the game but I feel like its events fit well this request.

This takes place after the last WIP where Claire realizes Clive has doomed her. She has successfully caught up with him before he starts his machine, therefore giving way for one final confrontation between Claire and Clive !

Claire caught up with him right in front of the Thames Arms. It was funny, she supposed, because they had celebrated every major success in this very place : Dimitri had insisted on it, a way to build some team cohesion.

Team cohesion- yeah, right.

"Stop right there," she commanded, and he had the audacity to obey.

How could he ? After everything they'd been through, every effort she'd made- how could he do that ? How could he just condemn her and then move on to kill more innocents as if it was nothing ?

Did he even realize what he was doing ? What he had done ?

Clive turned around to face her. He was oddly calm, his expression neutral as he eyed her up and down. "I wasn't expecting you here," he simply said.

Claire had expected him to at least fake remorse, give a half-hearted apology that he would have never meant, but he couldn't even bother to do that. "What do you think you're doing ?"

They both knew the answer : starting up a giant war machine. Destroying all of London. Making sure no one would ever forget his crimes, because nobody would care to remember Bill's after this day.

Clive said nothing.

He turned to get away, and Claire moved without thinking : grabbing his arm, she jerked him closer. "Why won't you answer ? Is it because you know the truth ? That you're just like us- just like Bill."

He yanked his arm free, a look of sheer rage on his face. "I am not !!"

That was more like it. He wasn't that dignified, unreachable person- he didn't deserve to be unbothered by any of this, she decided.

She had come to stop him, but at that moment Claire realized that she didn't care about reasoning him. Why should she ? That man was the reason she was dying. She didn't have to save him if he had killed her. She wasn't a martyr, a good little lamb who saw the good in everyone. She wasn't an all forgiving God.

She was a human, and she had enough.

"Yes you are. You put yourself with the little people, thinking you're a hero who stands up against the bullies, but you don't care about the little people. You never did !"

"Shut up !" He yelled. He looked hurt and furious, as if he still had any right to feel either of it. "You don't understand !!"

"Oh, but I do. We've all harmed people because we were selfish. Bill wanted his money, Dimitri wanted fame, I- well I guess I wanted to live, but you know that."

"I don't-"

"But you ?" She cut him off, and she could see how unbearable this was for him to hear. Too bad- she didn't think she could stop herself if she wanted too, and she didn't. "You harm people for the sake of harming them. You're no better than us. You're worse, actually." Claire felt high and free, and was it what it felt like to finally fight back ? Or was it the feeling of her body giving out, of her mind losing touch with reality ?

Was she hallucinating, or was her whole body suddenly glowing ?

Clive wasn't answering anymore, his hands hiding his face and grasping at strands of his hair : he was shaking, a mess in his body and mind. Was he hurt ? Crying ? Claire couldn't bring herself to care. She was going to die because of him, he could at least endure a blow to his ego. And if that made her petty, mean or selfish ? She didn't care. She was dying. She was dead. And it was his fault this time.

Her vision was starting to get blurry, but she kept going anyway. "The truth is, it was never about scientists. It wasn't even about politicians. It's about people like you, who intentionally harm others to get what you want." She wasn't even sure he could still hear her. Was she talking to him or was she just getting it all out ? Why wasn't he reacting anymore ? "You are the problem, Clive, as much as we are : we, however, are not trying to pin the blame on someone else."

It felt good- it shouldn't feel good. Hershel would be disappointed. Well, she wouldn't get to see him again because of Clive, so did it really matter what Hershel would think ? She was dying either way.

She heard a muffled sound come from behind Clive's hands. Oh, so he was crying. This was quite pathetic and infuriating after everything he'd done- or well, planned to do. He hadn't started his machine yet, had he ? He could still... turn back, she realized. Then the only one he'd had killed would be her, although she was already dead.

She absolutely refused to comfort him, but his crying was making her more and more uncomfortable.

Except he wasn't crying.

His head jerked back as his whole body shook with uncontrollable laughter. He was laughing like a mad man, breathless and unstoppable. The sorrow, shame, horror Claire had seen him display- it was all gone, as if it had never even reached him.

Claire... didn't know how to react. She wasn't expecting that- she wasn't expecting much of anything, really. She had been- she had been thoughtlessly lashing out, she realized. Just like him.

"Well, maybe you're right," he was laughing like they were on in some kind of joke, a silly little secret they'd have shared during a sleepover or something, as if they weren't talking about destroying London. She clenched her fists, chills running down her spine. He had lost it- he had truly and finally lost it.

His laughter finally died down, but the smile remained : crazy eyes stared at her, piercing through her very soul. "But if you are, I need to do this more than I thought."

Claire took a step forward, tone firm and cold. God, she felt so cold all of a sudden. "Didn't you hear ? It won't solve anything. You're not helping anyone, not even yourself !! Hershel is going to stop you, and then there will be no second chance for you." Was- why was everything blending together around her ? Why couldn't she see the trees and boats and river anymore ? Why couldn't she hear the birds singing ?

Why couldn't she feel anything ?

Clive watched this, the result of his own actions. The death of his hero's lover. The professor wouldn't get there in time to save her.

Layton wouldn't get there in time to save him.

"I think people like us never get any real second chances."

-_-_-_-

I love Claire. I am so angry that she solved everyone's problems and never got to do or say anything about her own. She deserved that lashing out so I'm giving it to her.

On the other hand, I have always been fascinated by Clive listening very quietly and nicely to Layton's biography of him, and going all villainous laughter only AFTER Hershel is done. I think he snapped when he realized that there was no going back, that the trap was closing on him.

#Claire speaking only the truth and I love her for that #Clive is just messed up in this AU sorry #But yeah the tragedy is becoming worse than the man who destroyed your life #And being unable to stop yourself once you've realized it #Clive 'Deep down I feel like you're right but I can't reverse this change I've been through' Dove #clive dove #Claire Foley #professor layton and the unwound future #professor layton and the lost future #unwound future spoilers #lost future spoilers #My writing #Ask #Bad Times AU

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