#like he knows he's going to get into trouble with evelyn and yet! what a king | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

stcverogers · 1 year

Text

TOP GUN FIC RECS 6!

top gun fics that i’ve been reading and obsessing with over recently

this is extremely important and i take this very seriously out of respect for the community. please do remember to read the rules for the respective blogs before interacting with or reading them.

F: fluff A: angst S: smut

𖥻 - series /multi part

masterlist

JAKE 'HANGMAN' SERESIN

F + A: jake seresin and the unfortunate hat situation by @sehnsuchts-trunken it's your first time in texas and you don't understand what the big fuss about hats is about.

F: never grow up by @andorskenobi you've fallen ill and the seresin boys play doctor.

F + A: signed away by @seresinhangmanjake at 19 years old, the last thing you want is to marry someone you don't love. however, a contract is a contract and you must see it through.

F: 7 years by @flaming-tgmcu jake's known you since he was 7 and he's loved you ever since.

F + S: birds away by @wombtotombx 𖥻 everyone who knew you and jake growing up were convinced that you'd end up together. you were perfect for one another. yet life and the navy had other plans.

F: tiktok troubles by @ultralightpoe jake misses date night and to get back at him, you pull tiktok pranks when he least suspects it.

F: sweet as candy by @halsteadsbradshaw with a callsign like haribo, it's no wonder you have a sweet tooth. jake knows this and this is the 4 times he brings you candy.

F + A: you again by @ereardon you're back in jake's life and he's determined not to let you go again.

F + A: bad habit by @seasonsbloom 𖥻 hangman was cocky. a complete asshole. you hated him, that was for sure.

F + A: glue song + part 2 + part 3 by @waklman the coffee you make isn't why jake is friends with you, though it is a good plus.

A: move on by @starlightstories jake left you hurt years ago and you've long moved on. it was time that he did too.

F + A: rule number one + rule number two by @ultralightpoe when you first met jake, he made the rule to not fall in love with him. you break it and he breaks you heart in the process.

F + A: nothing else matters by @sunnysidevans despite not being her biological father, jake had helped you raise evelyn ever since you found out you were pregnant with her.

F: dad jake blurb by @stargazing15

F + A: left at the alter by @tip-top-cloud-surfer 𖥻 you get left at the alter by your jerk of a fiance. luckily, jake is there for you, just like when you were younger.

F: the beanery by @callsign-peach when jake keeps coming into work with fancy thermos coffee every morning, his colleagues get jealous and want in on the nice roast too.

F + A: tell them by @sarahsmi13s 𖥻 jake's nearly loses his eldest son to a car accident and decides it is finally time to share his family with his work one.

F + A: i had to let go of you just to get a hold of myself by @gennyanydots 𖥻 jake thought that leaving everything behind would make it easier. instead he feels alone, his life consisting of nothing but his job that consumes him.

F: a little bit easier by @sunlitsunflowers jake is there to comfort you when you start to feel overwhelmed at the hard deck

F: marry that girl by @books-are-escapes jake always knew that you were the one he would marry and he finally made it happen

BRADLEY 'ROOSTER' BRADSHAW

F: baby, i'm yours by @almightyellie you're completely blind to bradley's very obious affections for you.

F: to the moon and back by @katsu28 a very special valentine's day for you and bradley

F + A: i will always love you by @amysteryspot with his parents gone and the closest thing he knew to love away, bradley wasn't expecting anyone to tap him out.

F + A: fawn by @sappy-seresin you've garnered rooster's interest working at the hard deck. your skittish behaviour leaves him worried and curious.

F: wedding day by @tip-top-cloud-surfer it's bradley's wedding day and he's brought to tears from seeing his bride

S: (christmas) baby please come home by @gretagerwigsmuse if bradley broke your agreement of only one gift each, surely he wouldn't mind if you broke it too.

F + S: the keeper + part 2 by @tulipsbymybed rooster is infatuated with the owner of the local bookshop.

F + A: homemade dynamite by @mothdruid you and rooster hadn't ended on good terms, now, you're both back at top gun.

F + A: endings and beginnings + part 2 by @tip-top-cloud-surfer rooster finally gets his chance at a family

F: just roommates by @risriswrites you and bradley were roommates, that's all.

F + A: terms of endearment by @ohtobeleah 𖥻 jake seresin was an instigator. as your brother-figure in life, he just wants you to be happy. this includes pushing you and rooster together.

F + A: something special by @helloheyhihowdyheya rooster cares for you more than he lets on, he just has a terrible way of showing it

F + A: what a look on you by @thewulf you secretly harbour feelings for bradley. when a friend from college comes visit and rooster seems far more enamored by her than you, you're hurt.

F: 5 times the Bronco was a third wheel by @thesewordsareallihavetogive there isn't many things bradley loves more than his bronco. you, maybe, but that's about it.

F + S: what's in a name? by @sometimesanalice bradley's favourite thing about you was the way you said his name

F + A: superstar + part 2 by @maggiedanikka bradley bradshaw was the poster boy for the americna navy. he was everything you weren't. why would he ever fall for the likes of someone like you?

F: daddy's little princess by @startrekfangirl2233-writes you come home to bradley playing dinosaurs and barbies with your two children

F: milk and toast and honey by @amysteryspot despite your bad experience with naval aviators, you have an affinity for one bradley bradshaw

F: romeo, romeo by @welcome-to-my-multiverse rooster is completely enamored by you and the dagger squad definitely shouldn't have left a drunk him alone with you.

ROBERT 'BOB' FLOYD

F: losing something and the other picks it up and calls after them by @callsignsaturn

F: afternoon bedrest by @jungle-angel bob returns home with an upset stomach. lucky for him, you're there to comfort him

F: he's all that by @withahappyrefrain bob's too nervous to approach the cute girl at the hard deck. his team mates decide that a makeover is just the confidence boost he needs

F: rodeo by @sarahsmi13s though you could perfectly hold your own, bob would always stand up for you.

F: surprise by @topgun-imagines bob proposed to his girl and no one the dagger squad had known

F: blind date gone...wrong? by @intricatechaosofyou you get stood up on a blind date. thankfully, bob is there to save you the embarrassment.

F: wanna buy you a drink by @anonymooseforever007 you surprise bob at the hard deck, but not without a little teasing first.

S: untouchable + part 2 by @idkwhylou as the only daughter of the captain, you were placed on a pedestal, deemed untouchable. bob was the only exception.

TOM 'ICEMAN' KAZANSKY

F: little reward by @dragon-kazansky to entice tom away from his computer, you promise him hugs and strawberries

BEAU 'CYCLONE' SIMPSON

F: super trouper + part 2 by @callsignmayhem you're sick and beau is ready to help you feel better, with the help of soup and mamma mia.

316 notes · View notes

lets-break-free-from-our-chains · 2 years

Text

Forever and Always My Truest- Prologue

A/N: I’m back! You guys, it’s been a hell of a ride these past couple of years. I just decided one day that I was finally ready to go to college and flash forward a few years and i’m so close to having my Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Pre-Law! Anyways, I know there’s a lot of back and forth about whether the newly released 2022 movie The Invitation is good or bad, but I honestly really like it. You can’t go just by me though, cause i’m a whore for 70′s, 80′s and 90′s slashers! Yeah honey, I born a y2k baby and grew up watching horror movies like that😂 anyways lets go!

Requested? No😭 I think this is actually the first reader insert imagine or general imagine/one-shot for this movie. Hopefully, I won’t be the only one posting for The Invitation cause I really want to read other writer’s work and takes on the fandom!

Word Count: 1,650k-ish

Summary: Lady (Y/N) de Ville has been Lord de Ville’s favored bride for more than four and a half centuries. She is Walter’s beloved and cherished wife in every way. Lady Viktoria and Lady Lucy holding title and image of being one of Dracula’s brides strictly for power and connections, so that Lord Walter can provide (Y/N) and himself an eternity fit for a king and his treasured Queen. The Alexander Bloodline threaten Dracula’s goals of obtaining and maintaining control and power for (Y/N) and himself. Until the Alexanders are finally able to produce a long-lost daughter of their waning bloodline, Evelyn Alexander. As much as (Y/N) wants it to work out as well and easy as it did with Lady Lucy’s transition into bride-hood, she understands and respects that Evie is an entirely different breed of woman. Can (Y/N) save her husband and sisters before it’s too late? She wasn’t his first bride, but she will be his last bride in the end. No matter if that is by the end of this wedding or by the end of eternity.

Warnings: dub-con, forced marriage, polygamy, light NSFW, possible Stockholm syndrome?, obsessive/possessive behavior, Yandere-ish Walter de Ville, slight exhibitionism, descriptions of exhibitionism, dom/sub relationship—warnings to be added. Let me know if I missed anything.

18+ MINORS DNI!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! I DON’T NEED TO GET IN TROUBLE BECAUSE YOU’RE A MINOR READING STUFF YOU KNOW VERY WELL YOU SHOULD NOT BE READING!!! THANX

Disclaimers: I do not own The Invitation or any of the characters within the movie. You know what is and isn’t mine.

Walter de Ville x Wife!Reader

Prologue

~453 years and 7 months before present day 2022~

~(Y/N) P.O.V~

The dark corridors were lit by torches lining the walls, leading straight to heavy ornate wooden doors. I stood before the doors with my father, shaking with nerves as I let out a breathless sigh, before gathering the courage to look towards the handsome matured lord.

“Papa…what if he decides that he doesn’t want me?” She softly inquired. The man quietly laughed, with pure amusement shading his golden eyes. Those ethereal golden eyes a signature trait of the Castellan bloodline descendants.

“My dearest (Y/N), how could he not desire you above all others?” He sweetly cooed, seemingly so certain of his words. Still I cast papa an uncertain look and he softly sighed before fixing me with a gentle stare.

“Little one…the Master has never selected a bride before. Yet, he himself specifically chose you to be his wife, did he not?”

The man gave out an inquiring hmm as he gazed softly at me. I let a slight smile crack through my composed face. ‘Never let them see what you truly feel or think’ I mused to myself; ‘I suppose I can let my papa see though.’

Papa smiled brightly in the softly lit walls.

“Such a stunning young lady.” My papa states proudly. He’s always been a proud man, especially when it comes to me, his only daughter.

I am not the only girl from my ancient noble bloodline, but I was the only one out of all the young eligible ladies of my family, that received the Master’s immediate undivided attention. He did not seem to care at all for his bride Lady Viktoria, even as she stuck close to him practically breathing down his neck. He seemed vexed and annoyed in fact. Constantly sending her away to do something else, so that he and I could have privacy.

The master was a intimidating presence to say the least. He was tall and deliciously handsome, but a dark and dangerous look always seemed to dominate his angelic face. However, not with me. ‘Never with me.’ I thought wistfully. When he’s with me he’s soft, loving, patience, kind, understanding, funny, playful, and the list goes on. Truly shocking sites to bear witness to at first, considering all the horrors that I’ve heard people to dare whisper through the halls of my family’s castle about the Master.

I was pulled from my mind wandering state by a delicate wanton message. It called to me, washing my entire body with heat and desire.

“I belong solely to you, my truest. Soon you shall belong to me”

‘My Lord Love.’ A relaxed smile blossoming across my shining lips as my eyes slipped shut to bask in his voice.

“It is time, my dearest (Y/N)” I hear my papa’s voice.

My eyes snapped open to zero in on my papa’s face and I take in his knowing look. He knows, as he’s seen first hand the deep affections the Master holds solely for me. Papa knows he won’t have to worry for me. He knows I’ll flourish by my Lord Love’s side. He knows. He knows. He knows.

I straighten my posture and face as the doors begin to open to the night church. There he stands, so regal and handsome. Dark brown hair styled to perfection and the bluest of blue eyes that exploded with light as he lays them upon my queenly figure. He large smile stretches across his face as he locks his sight and attention on me.

I begin the slow march down the darken aisle between the pews of important lords and ladies. I can see my family and members from the other three prominent families. I see Lady Viktoria in all her jealousy and envy. ‘Certainly, no one wears desperation and jealousy the way your do Viktoria.’ I snicker away in mind, with genuine amusement.

My internal laughter is joined by the master’s laughter not a moment to soon. My eyes cut back to his, only for me to bear witness to a large smirk and the loud mischief lurking in his beautiful irises. ‘Behave, my truest.’ He teased inside my head.

‘I would have thought my master would like my naughtiness?’ I quipped, immediately receiving a pleasure full growl back as I finally stand before him. He gazes at me for a long moment before his eyes harden towards my papa. He wants papa to hand me over quickly, and thankfully my papa takes the silent demand in stride.

My papa guides my body to up the 2 steps to my lord and I hastily stretch my hand out, and the master snaps his hand out to clasp mine softly, yet tightly in his hand. His pulls my body up against his side and nuzzles his nose into my right temple, his lips just barely caressing my hairline. I relax and lean into the intimate display of affection before he slowly pulls back. He lets out a pleased sigh as he looks to the priest and gives the man a commanding nod to commence with the vows.

“Do you, Lord Walter De Ville, take Lady (Y/N) Castellan to be your lady and wife; commencing from this day forth for all eternity?” The priest asked.

“I do, absolutely.” He longingly states, whilst gazing into my golden eyes with unadulterated rapture.

“And do you, Lady (Y/N) Castellan, take Lord Walter De Ville to be your lord and husband; commencing from this day forth for all eternity?”

“I do, with all my heart.” I saying without any trace of hesitation, my damp golden eyes never straying from Walter’s intense stare.

Walter smiles at me as he releases my hand from his, to quickly drag his left index claw down the inside of his right wrist. He sweetly caresses the right side of my hair, pushing it out of the way, with his fingers as he pushes his bleeding wrist up to my lips.

“Here, my truest. Drink to your heart’s content…” He whispers, somewhat desperately with anticipation. I gently grasp his wrist in both my hands, as I swiftly wrap my lips around the wound and begin drinking. It so warm and sickening sweet, and I can’t get enough of it. I start to suck hard as I feel the need and desire pull in my nether regions, and the pleasure threatens to slip over as I teeter on the edge of ecstasy.

The same ecstasy I felt that night after the starlight ball, when he pulled me through the gardens and pinned me to a statue in a secluded area. He kissed with such passion that it was all devouring and suffocating, and I never wanted to stop. Certainly not when he pushed my dress upwards and wrapped one of my legs around his waist to grind his hard length against my heat. Most definitely not when he shoved his fingers into my smalls to caress my drenched wetness. I wanted to cry out into his wrist now, the very same way I cried out and whimpered into his mouth that night in the garden.

His low moan pulled me from my memory as I cast a side glance to his face only to feel my mouth grow slack at the sight before me. His face contorted in pure pleasure as he tilted his head back and his mouth falls open in another sinful moan. His beautiful fangs peaking through causing me to feel a warm fuzziness in my bosom and a slickness to gather in my smalls. He pulls his head back down to look at me as I once more tighten my jaws around his wrist.

He lovingly cradled the back of my head as he nuzzled into my hair, sending shivers all the way from the top of my spine to the base of it, as I feel him pant a moan into my ear. “Very good, my truest. Our eternity is just within our reach.”

I can feel it beginning to spread throughout my entire body and finally release his bloody wrist from my lips. It feels like nothing and everything at the same time. I couldn’t decide if the pain was hellish or heavenly. It was chasing to keep up with the blood rushing through my veins while my heart began to fall behind. Then, the dull ache set into my teeth and nails, feeling both grow and elongate in length. Then everything and nothing froze in place. My heart gave one last weak and long thump. The feeling of my heart stilling with its cage of bones was irrelevant compared to the feeling I receive when my eyes startle open to rest on my newlywed husband.

His eyes gave me a inquisitive and tense once over before he laughed and dove down to capture my lips within his. Cheers and applause sounded throughout the dim-lighted church and it was then I remembered that it wasn’t just the two of us. That fact didn’t even matter then, especially when my lord love pressed his tongue pass my lips and fledgling fangs to deepen the kiss and taste his essence coat the inside my mouth.

We reluctantly pulled from one another to stand and face our subjects. They all bore smiles, some fake I’m sure, but for the most part seemed genuine. I could respect Lady Victoria for that at least. She didn’t hide her true feelings behind pretty words and false smiles about the Master and I’s marriage. Her face twisting even more in disdain and envy with the Master’s next words, that he never once uttered for her.

“Hail my wife and queen, Lady (Y/N) de Ville!” He roars, soaking in the cheers and applause of our subjects. He looks to me once more with a victorious smile, whilst cupping my jaw in his hand and places a domineering kiss on my lips. I cannot help but press myself into his side and keen in wanton delight as I savor the taste of his lips and blood.

He hovers his smiling lips over mine and playfully nips at them, “Forever and always my truest love. Let it be my unbreakable vow from my soul to yours.”

“Forever and always, my king.” I swore back in hushed tone.

750 notes · View notes

peachymilkandcream · 7 months

Text

Break Me Slowly Levi NSFW Alphabet

A/N: Felt like doing one of these for him so why not ^^

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex) To avoid completely unnecessary discomfort he does the bare minimum. He mostly cares about himself and his comfort. He demands after sex cuddles from her though.

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s) On him he likes his arms and hands. They're toned with lots of veins. He also likes the strength and power in them. In Evelyn, he hates it because he feels shallow but his favourite part of her would be her breasts, the softness is just everything to him.

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically) I think it's pretty obvious his favourite would be inside, however he would love to just cover her in it as another way of marking her.

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs) This was kind of mentioned in part 8 of the story but he has a picture of Evelyn from her files which he took not long after she enlisted and used to help keep the lonely nights at bay.

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?) Levi has no experience, he was determined to save himself for her however he has a very general idea of what he's doing simply because of growing up in the Underground as well as he would read some of the smutty novels Evelyn would read.

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying) He likes the mating press the best (shocker) because not only is it harder for her to struggle but he can also go deeper which feels the best for him.

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.) This one goes without saying, he is definitely not. Unless Evelyn had a complete change then the chances are next to zero.

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.) Levi has never cared too much about it but he does keep it trimmed just for cleanliness sake.

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect) Same with goofy, unless there was a complete change in Evelyn he would be focused more on making her submit than being romantic.

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon) Levi had to find moments either in the bathroom or even in his office to masturbate since he and Evelyn used to sleep in the same bed since they both have trouble sleeping. His favourite method was using her picture which picturing her in sexy lingerie.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks) Breeding kink, lingerie (although she won't wear it yet ;)) somnophilia, bondage, katoptronophilia (<- note I will 100% make a smutshot of any of these kinks just drop in my asks and say the word)

L = Location (favorite places to do the do) Bedroom obviously, but he would be willing to also do so in his office or the bath

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going) Since Evelyn has never tried to turn him on, the thought of her kissing his ears/neck always has at least

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs) Anything involving sharing her or making him be submissive

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.) He's never received head but he has a huge fantasy of wanting that to happen, to see her looking up at him with her mouth on his dick is a huge turn on. But he doesn't mind giving it to see her squirm.

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.) It depends on her behaviour, bratty behaviour is fast and rough. It gets her moaning and submitting enough at least. However slow and deep feels the best for him.

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.) He prefers taking his time to enjoy himself but will dick her down wherever the need arrises.

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.) So long as nothing could potential involve her getting seriously hurt he's willing to try whatever it takes to get her to submit to him.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?) He's been getting better at lasting longer, but he stills climaxes way too quickly for his liking. However he's up for another round fairly quickly after.

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?) No never, only he can pleasure her.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease) It again depends on the mood and her behaviour. If he wants to make a point that she's needy for him he'll tease her until she begs. But usually he doesn't too much since in his eyes it's a waste of time.

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.) Levi is not a moaner but he's a heavy breather. Hot and heavy breaths in her ear all day, and he's not ashamed to be loud about it either. In his mind he wants her to know her body is pleasing him which is her role.

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character) He fantasizes about having sex with her in his office and leaving the door unlocked so anyone, especially Erwin can see. He wants to just rub it into Erwin's face especially that he got what he wanted.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes) 6 1/2 inches, average thickness with a few veins but a large one on the back.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?) He would spend all day in bed with her if he could. He's been deprived of her and of sex for so long he can't get enough.

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards) He always stays awake longer than her because he wants to make sure she won't try and run away when he's asleep.

#attack on titan #break me slowly #levi ackerman #levi aot #levi x oc #levi x reader #shingeki no kyojin #yandere levi #yandere levi ackerman #yandere levi x reader

21 notes · View notes

butler-on-beale-street · 1 year

Text

Unforgettable | E!Austin Butler X Plus!Reader | Part 10

Warnings: description of bruises associated with SA, lots of fluff, mention of revenge.

A/N: Unforgettable is back after a long hiatus! I missed this series so much, and it was past time to come back. I sincerely hope you guys enjoy.

Word Count: 5.6K

Summary: After a terrible run in with scummy Adam, Elvis flies across the United States to find you. What you thought would be a terrible day after the attack leads you into a surprising twist as Elvis wakes you...little do you know his time with you is also paired with a plan for revenge.

You scooted over to give Elvis a place to sit, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes as it sank in that he was here in Memphis, and not somewhere in Hollywood.

“What are you doing here?” You asked, sitting up against your headboard. The painful rigidity of your body caused you to wince. “I mean–” you threw your hands up, realizing how bluntly you had spoken. “I mean, I’m so happy to see you, but how are you here?”

“Baby, are you kidding? Evelyn told me what happened. I left California immediately to come home– and It was quite the ordeal to try to get here, let me tell you.” He grinned softly. You smiled. He sat up cross-legged, reaching for your hands.

“What about the movie? Aren’t you going to get in trouble? Are you gonna be kicked off of it?”

He placed his hand on your shoulder. “Shhh. Quite frankly, I don’t give a damn what happens. I made my choice. I needed to be here. With you.” Despite the terrible circumstance, you felt loved and protected. “And I won’t say sorry for taking care of the people I love, no matter how much money or fans I lose.”

“Wait–You love me?” You said, turning to him, eyeing him intently. You couldn’t help the heat rushing up your neck to the apples of your cheeks. His face did the same, reddening from the question.

“I–well, uh,” He stumbled, a soft rosy blush creeping up his neck and into the apples of his cheeks. You chuckled lightly at his endearing expression. “Listen, Cheeks. I-I have to be honest with you.”

You felt your heart flip in your chest and land in your gut when he spoke. His demeanor switched suddenly into something much more sensitive and careful, and because you hadn’t quite seen him like that yet, it almost terrified you.

“It’s not the right time to say this, but it’s been on my mind so heavy that I keep messin’ words up on set. My mama says I look smitten and goofy,” He continued to ramble. Your eyes sparkled, your lips curling into a grin which grew wider and wider as Elvis continued to trip nervously over the next words.

“I’ve never met anyone like you. Not ever. You are the most…refreshing thing to come into my life in so long. You are my very first thought in the morning and the very last at night–And really, I never thought I’d say that I love a woman before we’ve officially gone steady, but I can’t help it.” You couldn’t help the grin that was blooming across your face, wishing he’d stop talking and kiss you instead. “I just want to ask you one thing. Y/n. My beautiful Cheeks. Will you be my girlfriend?”

You chuckled softly and brought your hands up to caress the curve of his cheeks, pulling him in for a soft kiss, offering a non-verbal answer first. “Yes, Elvis. Of course!” You looked into his eyes, feeling the warmth in his gaze. It comforted you into almost forgetting the sordid details of what had happened in his absence. He leaned into your embrace, gently kissing the soft curve of your lips, which sent sparks which crackled through your body like lightning–and suddenly everything felt like it would be okay. You reached your arms forward, pulling him further against you upon the bed. You couldn’t help but steal a glance at the bedroom door while you pulled him down.

“Oh! Ow!” Elvis spat, slamming his elbow into the corner of your bedside table on the way down.

“Oh!” You covered your mouth from surprise. “Oh my goodness, are you okay?” You asked, backing off of him.

“I’m fine.” He chuckled softly, his lips curled in an embarrassed grin. “Better than fine,” He assured you, returning to kiss you once more. You could feel the tight ache in your muscles, but quickly threw away the intrusive thoughts of Adam that crept within your consciousness. Elvis had turned the entire situation on its head today, securing his place within your life. You knew that as soon as he could, he’d make sure that Adam would never think of saying your name or expressing a single thought about you–especially if he wanted to be able to walk away unscathed.

***

“I’m assuming you two are official now?” Evelyn said, sitting in her father’s arm chair, stuffing potato chips in her mouth. “I could hear you giggling like a little girl from the kitchen.” You walked through the living room hand in hand with Elvis. You didn’t immediately respond, but your face said everything. “Yay! I’m so happy for you guys! What about those crazy fangirls, though? Or the media,” She said, chewing with her mouth open. “Or the photographers? What happens when they find out?” You watched as Momo ate the chips that managed to fall messily to the floor.

“Woah, woah, woah kid.” Elvis said with a grin, holding his hand in the air to stop her. “One thing at a time.”

“Well, she’s got a good point, Son.” Uncle Harold said, walking into the living room, straightening his tie and combing his hair back, obviously getting ready to head out of the house. “I don’t want my girl dealing with all that.”

“Uncle Harold. I love you. I love you so much, but I am an adult. I can take care of myself, and I’m sure that Elvis will take care of me.”

Uncle Harold straightened his back, heaving a deep sigh. “I know you are, honey. But considering what just happened…and what happened at my store, I can’t help but be the bad guy–at least for a while.”

“You’re not the bad guy. You take care of me and protect me. You always have.”

“Sir, my hand to God–I’ll never hurt her or let anyone hurt her if I have anything to say about it,” Elvis said, pulling his arm around you.

“Just prepare yourself. Both of you. Prepare for there to be fallout.” Uncle Harold said, bending to kiss you on the forehead before heading out of the door. “Welcome to the family, son,” He said, extending his hand forward for Elvis to take.

***

“I want to meet your family, Elvis. I think it’s time.” You told him, folding the load of laundry that Uncle Harold had finished and brought you. It was nice having Elvis there with you, not expecting anything, but just happy to be in your presence. He sat on your bed, leaning back against your headboard.

“My family?” He said with a grin. You watched him, knowing he was about to say something smart. You nodded. “I thought I told you I’m an orphan…long lost cousins and aunties have come out of the woodworks since the first album, let me tell you.” You reached for one of your sweaters, bunching it into a ball and tossing it at Elvis, hitting him squarely in the chest..

“Seriously, Elvis.” You said, trying your bed to maintain a resolved expression and failing. “I wanna meet them. I think I deserve to.”

Elvis leaned forward, straightening his body, setting your sweater to the side, his grin lowering into something more resolved. “You deserve the world, Y/n. Best believe I promise to give it to you. Ya know…I told Mama about you.” He said. You watched his lips move, your head swimming with just how effortlessly beautiful he was–without even trying.

“You did? What did you say? Nothing bad, I hope. You didn’t tell her about–”

“No, no. Of course not,” He cut you off immediately, pulling his hand up to stop you. “No. I told her that I came home to visit someone special. I told her about you and couldn’t stop blushin.’” he said, narrowing his eyes with mischief. “She knew immediately that it was a girl.”

“Oh yeah? I’ve got Elvis Presley blushing?” You said, twisting back and forth like a kid in a candy shop.

“Is that so hard to believe?” He asked flirtatiously. His eyes sparkled, causing your belly to flip. “Ever since that first date, you’re all I can think about, Cheeks. Maybe even since that first day when I met you in the avalanche of books.”

“Really?” You asked, still finding it incredibly difficult to believe that Elvis Presley found that much interest in you, the chubby, average, petite girl. “What made you choose me, Elvis?” You asked boldly. You fidgeted as you waited for his answer, busying your hands by folding the rest of your laundry.

“I didn’t have to choose you,” He said simply. “Wanna know what the first thing was that I noticed about you?” He asked, looking intently at you. You nodded, genuinely curious as to what he would say.

“Your beautiful smile,” He said, picking up the sweater you had thrown at him. He began to stroke the fabric absently between his fingers as he spoke. He looked up at you slowly. “You made my heart flip out of my chest that day. I was like a newborn stag that day. Barely able to walk straight. That’s why I wouldn’t leave. Couldn’t. Because of you.”

“Me?” You asked, almost confused.

“Yes, you. Why’s it so hard to believe? He asked with a wide smirk, almost entertained at your disbelief.

“I’m not used to–this,” you said, referring to yours and Elvis’s relationship. “I’ve never really been in a relationship before. I’m not used to attention. I’ve always been known as the smart girl. The big girl. Never pretty or popular.” You spoke honestly, and it surprised you with how easy it was to tell Elvis the truth. It was because you trusted him.

“Cheeks, I don’t give a damn what people say about us,” he said, setting the sweater down and crossing his arms across his chest. “I care about you. If anyone dares say something to you or me, I will knock their front teeth in,” he said. You watched his features tighten at the thought of anyone saying disparaging comments to you. “Like that sorry toad,” he spat. “He will get his day in Hell, that’s for sure. I don’t know how yet, but trust me, it will be better than simply beating his sorry ass one good time.”

“Elvis,” You said, narrowing your gaze. “I’m okay, really. He just scared mea bit.” You said, shrugging off the true seriousness of the situation.

“Just scared you? Honey, have you looked at yourself in the mirror?” He asked, his eyes widening with concern. “Sweetheart, you’re bruised all over your arms and neck. I’ve been trying not to look. If I do, I will waste my time with you thinking about how I want to wring his goddamn neck.” You noticed as he swallowed nervously, or angrily. You couldn’t really tell. His fists bunched and released within his lap.

Your hands snaked up your body, touching your skin in the tender areas. You hadn’t looked in the mirror, it was true. You winced as you touched the painful spots. The shock of the situation had deemed you complacent to everything he had done to you. Quite frankly, you didn’t want to think about it, because if you did, you’d fall apart in front of Elvis, and you couldn’t bring yourself to do it. Adam wasn’t worth it.

“Hey, hey,” He murmured softly. “I’m sorry, honey. I- I made this about me.”

“It’s alright. Listen, I still want to meet your Mom, your Dad,” you said, sighing. “I guess I’ll just wear a turtleneck or something.” Elvis eyed you skeptically.

“You’re gonna cook alive, darlin’. It’s hot as Hell outside.” Elvis said, his eyebrows pulling upward, questioning you.

“Well, do you have a better idea?” You asked him. He shook his head no. “I just don’t want to show up meeting your family with bruises all over.”

“Well, we can always wait until I get back,” He said. “They’re not going anywhere.”

You sighed with disappointment. “Okay.” You both sat together for a long, quiet moment before he spoke again.

“Oh Cheeks, if it means that much to you, we will make a day out of it. I know for a fact that Mama and Daddy are gonna love you.”

“Turtleneck it is,” You said, a smile returning to your cheeks.

Elvis got up from the bed and came up behind you, hugging you gently around the waist. “You’re gonna be a steamin’ pot roast by the end of the afternoon,” He said, kissing you softly on your cheek and ear. “My little pot roast.”

“You are a strange man,” you said, turning to look up at him.

“Eh, I usually get away with it,” He said with a sexy wink. You pushed him away with your hands on his chest. “Go hang with Evey and Uncle Harold for a minute. Let me get dressed,” You said, chuckling.

With the door finally shut behind you, you made your way into your connected bathroom and finally took a look at yourself for the first time since the attack. Your face remained untouched, yet your arms had bloomed in ugly bruises. It was easy to map where Adam had assaulted you. Small, purple splotches cropped out upon your skin in lasting evidence of his touch. Looking at the dark, ugly spots made you sick, flipping your gut in a sickening wallop. You gripped the countertop of the sink, forcing yourself to look away. Even your hands were bruised, but not obviously noticeable. Evidence of the assault was all over your body; if you felt like you couldn’t look at yourself before, these marks made you an ‘untouchable.’ You sighed disgustedly, turning away from the mirror and sauntered out of the bathroom. You got dressed, choosing a maroon pair of corduroy slacks to pair with a white ribbed turtleneck that did manage to conceal most of the visible bruises on your skin. You primped extra, taking time to curl your hair and pin it nicely, applying tasteful makeup to your cheeks, lips and lashes. You hoped that this extra effort would distract for the horrid truth underneath it all.

“How do I look?” You asked hesitantly, walking into the living room where Elvis sat with Uncle Harold, discussing something about football. “You look absolutely beautiful, honey!” Uncle Harold said, a proud smile spreading on his face.

“I agree. You look wonderful, Baby.” Elvis agreed. Uncle Harold eyed Elvis pointedly, almost causing you to snort.

“Thank you.” You offered them both a warm smile.

“You ready?” Elvis asked, stuffing his hand in his pocket to retrieve his keys. You nodded, joining him as he got up and headed towards the front door.

“You two have fun. When can I expect her back?” Uncle Harold asked. He didn’t seem as protective as he had been before, which surprised you.

“I’ll have her home right after dinner, sir.” Elvis assured him respectfully.

“Have her home by eleven,” he said, extending your curfew. You were surprised, given how tough he was with Elvis. He seemed to be coming around. Elvis turned to him with surprise.

“Eleven?” He asked, repeating the time.

“Don’t make me regret it,” He said with a slight grin. “Now, shoo! Go have fun.” You watched as your uncle’s lips turned up in a slight grin, though he did his best to hide it.

Elvis opened the front door for you, and he followed you into the front yard. “Where’s your car? Did you park it in a hiding spot somewhere?” You asked prematurely before noticing the new car in the driveway. “What’s this?” You asked, stopping and turning to him.

“I thought the Cadi was a bit too…”

“Ostentatious?”

“Yeah, that word.”

You couldn’t help but grin, slightly embarrassed. “You’re my little bookworm,” He teased, reaching for your hand, squeezing it softly. “I got the new car so that it would be easier for me to visit. Not as many questions asked, you know?” He asked, smoothing down his hair with his free hand. He jingled the keys in his pocket, pulling them out and unlocking your door for you, letting you get in first. The car was brand new, and sparkled a bright blue. The interior was fabricated in beautiful moisturized leather the color of chocolate brown.

“Wow,” you said, smoothing your hands over the leather. “It’s so pretty.”

Elvis smiled proudly. “Isn’t it? Chevrolet…built to last, you could say,” he said with a wink, putting the keys into the ignition and starting the car. It came to life in a roar and before you knew it, you both were on the road with the windows down.

“Oh, I didn’t think to ask,” He said with a chuckle, watching your hair blowing wildly from the air whipping through the vehicle. “I’ll roll them back up.”

You shot your hand out to stop him. “Don’t! I like it.” You said with a grin. “I’ll fix it later.”

“You’re gonna look like you went through a wind tunnel, darlin’.” He grinned beautifully, turning his head to look between your face and your messy hair.

“Yeah, well. I’m feeling a bit rebellious,” you said, turning to him with a grin.

“Well, you did sneak out of your house at one in the morning to hang out with a man you barely knew. Not to mention he’s famous…and known to be a bad boy.”

“More like the most famous man in the world,” he added. “Who also has a reputation of being a bad boy,” you corrected.

He drove for a while, letting the car fill with silence, beside the quiet crackle of the radio. “Elvis?” You asked.

“Hm?” He asked, eyeing you from over the steering wheel.

“How is this going to work?”

“You mean with Mama and Daddy? Baby, they’re not gonna bite you,” He snorted, reaching across the seat for your hand.

“No, that’s not what I mean. I just–I don’t know how to not feel like…like I’m holding you back. I live in Memphis, but you’re always traveling, and I don’t see that stopping any time soon.”

He was quiet for a moment as he drove. “Can I ask you a question?” He asked, turning the question around. “What’s scaring you the most? Because I can guarantee you that I am in this completely. I’m here for you. And I’m not going anywhere, even when I have to travel. Are you worried that I won’t think of you? Or that I won’t be honest?” He asked.

“No,” You said, although the tone of your voice didn’t inspire confidence. “It’s not that. I know you’re a good guy. It’s just…I don’t know. I just don’t understand why it’s me. I just don’t.” You let your insecurities show once again. You were sure you’d begin to annoy Elvis soon enough with how often you questioned your relationship with him.

“Can I tell you a story? Or really, can I tell you about someone?” He asked, raising his eyebrows, stopping at a red light. You nodded.

There’s a woman on set–my co-star, actually.” he began. “She’s absolutely beautiful. Exquisite skin–she’s tall. Dark Hair…Doe-eyed. Full lips that always seem turned up in this little smile, like she knows something that others don’t. Absolutely gorgeous.” You sat in your seat, picking at the beds of your fingernails as you listened to him describing the woman. “Her name is Judy.”

You couldn’t help the jealousy that began to burn a hole deep within your gut. It was like corrosive acid. You realized that you were beginning to pick and dig painfully at your skin. You forced yourself to relax. “And?” You asked pointedly. Elvis could sense the tension in your tone, turning to look at you in the moment of stillness.

“The point is, no matter how pretty she is–and she’s absolutely stunning. Charming, too–” he made sure to clarify. “She’s not you, Cheeks.” You remained silent, watching him intently.

“I have a reputation of being a ladies man. Of running around–maybe taking advantage of my fame. I won’t pretend it isn’t somewhat true. Or at least in the past. But I’ve never met someone like you.”

“Never?”

“Y/n, I’ve never introduced a woman to my family if that tells you anything.”

“Really?” You asked, your eyebrows knitting together. He shook his head.

“No one serious…I mean, there were a couple in high school, but we went to school together, and I was still a kid. But since then…Since all the blessings, I’ve protected that side of my life–But you? You belong there. You belong in that safe place. I want and need you there–and I’ll prove it to you every single day until you believe me.”

You couldn’t help the grateful smile that spread across your lips. “I take it that that made you happy?” He asked with a toothy grin.

“Very much so,” You answered.

“Can I ask you another question?” He asked. You could see that he was thinking of the question before he had strung the words together, as if the thought had just occurred to him.

“Mmhmm.”

“Would you ever go with me to California? While I’m filming?”

“You want me to travel with you?” You asked, turning in your seat, surprised, but elated at the same time.

“Of course I do. Have you ever traveled that far?” He asked, turning onto the highway that would lead to Graceland.

“I’ve gone to Mississippi with my family, but besides that, it’s always been Memphis,” you admitted.

He nodded slowly as he drove. “Do you think your uncle would let you?”

“He can’t stop me,” You answered righteously. “It’s about time I do some things on my own. I know that you’d take care of me, too.”

“After she meets you, Mama will run me up the hill if anything happens to you on my watch. I know that she will love you that much.”

“You think so?” you asked, reaching your hands up to smooth your hair as best you could, watching the large wrought-iron fence appear in front of you.

“I know so.”

***

The house was large, and almost glowed from atop the hill from how beautiful the exterior was. It was a large home, cloaked in a grove of Huge oak trees which towered over the property, throwing speckled patches of shade across the emerald lawn.

“Now I understand why you say you love it here,” you said softly as he drove through the gates.

“It’s heaven on Earth, trust me. And it’s just the start. I have so many ideas. I can’t wait to show you everything.” He was giddy to show you the house. He had told you that night on the Memphis Riverwalk so many things about his life. He went on at length about his life, spending a lot of time talking about his mom and dad, about how often he had moved growing up and about the friends he had gained from all walks of life because of it. Before the fame, he had owned practically nothing except for time-beaten children’s guitar that he had played for years. Until moving to Memphis, he never had his own bedroom. He didn’t have fancy clothes. The family had an old, used car that they had packed everything they owned to move from Tupelo to Memphis for a new start. He never truly fit in at school, but at the same time, it never bothered him too much. Elvis knew who he was. He never needed anyone else to tell him who he needed to be, what ideas he had to have, what items or possessions he needed…none of it really mattered. He just wanted music–the one true thing that connected with his soul. Now that he possessed so much fame, there was very little left to want–the very opposite of the life he had growing up. The remarkable thing about Elvis was that no matter the amount of fame or notoriety he had, he never came off jaded; not for an instant. His car pulled around the front of the house, and you couldn’t take your eyes off of it as it stood in its stately elegance.

“Wow. It’s so beautiful,” You said, struggling not to appear overly astonished.

“Thank you. Earned every square inch. She is beautiful. Graceland is the perfect name, don’t you think?” He asked, turning off the ignition and stepping out of the car.

“Thank you,” you said as he opened your door for you. He shut the car door closed before offering you his hand as he proudly walked you to the large front entrance. He tried the door knob and it was unlocked.

“Mama? Daddy?” Elvis said, his volume rising enough to ring throughout the house.

“In the kitchen, baby!” A woman’s voice shouted back from somewhere in the house.

“Come on in, baby.” He said, holding the door open over your head. You ducked and walked into the house, your eyes scanning over how exquisitely decorated it was. The living room was furnished in the finest furniture, including what must have been a fifteen-foot long sofa. It was beautiful–a metallic shade of blue that brightened the room. The curtains were exquisitely white with blue accents draping the top of the windows. The house was carpeted in luxurious frost-white flooring, which almost seemed to glow from the natural light that spilled through the windows.

“Wow,” you mused. Your face must have gone slack because you heard Elvis snicker beside you.

“I wanted to paint the walls purple, but Mama wouldn’t let me. She said it looked too ‘garrish,’ he said, pulling his hands out his pockets to create quotes in the air. You grinned at him.

“Purple?” You asked him, obviously amused.

“Mmhmm, and pinstripe curtains.”

“Uh…well.”

“I know, I know, maybe not the best choice. Mom was right, but I won’t ever tell her…” He pulled his arm around you playfully, pulling you to his side.

“Tell me what?” Gladys asked with a knowing grin, padding into the living room from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a hand towel that had rested on her shoulder.. There was sweat beading on her brow and she wore a heavily floured apron over her clothing.

“Nothin’ Mama.”

“Now who’s this beautiful young lady, Darlin’?” She asked, wiping her brow before returning her hands to her hips.

“Mama, this is Y/n. She’s the girl I told you about.” You couldn’t help but feel your belly doing somersaults as he openly admitted it to his mother.

“I hope nothing terrible,” you spoke up with a bright smile. “Mrs. Presley, Elvis has told me so many amazing things about you. Said you’re such a good mama.”

The apples of Gladys’s cheeks were ringed in fresh blush, and her thin, delicate lips spread into a warm and comforting smile. “He better’ve! I’ve been cookin’ for him all day,” she said, pulling the hand towel from her shoulder and playfully swatting Elvis’s butt with it.

“Hey!” He chuckled, stepping forward to give his mother a kiss on the cheek, pulling her in for a hug.

“Well, Miss Y/n, I’m a hugger. You don’t mind, do ya?” She asked, her arms still open.

“Not at all,” You welcomed her in, taking a step forward. She didn’t know you at all yet, but she still threw her arms around you, nonetheless squeezing you with fondness. You felt the ache again, but you ignored it.

“Now sweetheart. How on God’s green earth are you not burning alive in this thing?” She said, holding you at your sides as she pulled away from the hug. You remembered that you were wearing the turtleneck. Since you had left your house, it had fit to your body like a second skin, and after a while, you forgot about it.

“Laundry day,” You began, looking down at the shirt. “Had to pull out random clothes until I could find something clean and cute. Couldn’t meet you looking frumpy, now could I?” You asked, laying on the charm.

“With as sweet as you are, sugar…you come as you are whenever you want.” You felt drawn to her, and you could understand instantly why Elvis loved her so much. She radiated kindness and charisma and you knew you’d come to crave her attention and care.

“I got fresh biscuits and gravy goin’ in the kitchen. Should be done just about now. Booby, have you eaten?” She asked, turning over her shoulder at Elvis, who blushed at the nickname. You tried and failed to conceal the enthused expression from your face. He tapped the outside of your thigh silently as you walked with him, his neck and face spreading with embarrassment.

“I think it’s cute,” You whispered, “booby?” You bumped him back.

“No mama, I didn’t eat. Serve me double,” He responded to his mother, turning the corner into the large corner where she stood over a deep cast iron skillet, stirring a thick gravy that both smelled and looked absolutely delicious..

“Y/n, honey, would you like some?” She asked while fixing Elvis’s plate.

“Sure!” You said enthusiastically, before your instincts could take over, filling your mind with insecurity. You couldn’t help it; years of ridicule–both from yourself and others, had made you clam up at the mention of food, particularly in front of others. You pushed down the feeling, deciding instead to smile, joining Elvis at the casual dining table in the kitchen. “This place is so gorgeous,” you said, watching Elvis take a few bites of the meal while Gladys made yours.

“Just wait until you see the rest,” he said with bright eyes, his mouth half full with food. “It’s not perfect yet, but I really think this is my forever home. Don’t you think, Mama?” Gladys turned, walking the plate of food over to you, setting it down in front of you.

“Absolutely, baby. I love this home. I was just talking to your grandmother about it,” She said, sighing and taking a seat in the empty chair between you and Elvis.“We’re used to nothin’, let me tell you,” she said mostly to you. “Not a penny matters to us as long as we’ve got each other– but this house certainly feels like the home we’ve always dreamed of, right honey?” She asked, reaching to squeeze Elvis’s shoulder lovingly.

“Of course, Mama,” Elvis said, chewing another bite.. You took a bite of the food in front of you, immediately feeling your taste buds exploding from the amazing flavor. It transported you through time back to your childhood, when your father and mother waltzed around the kitchen locked within each other’s embrace, absolutely in love. You sat in thought, pondering over how food had the unique and amazing quality to ignite memories, some of which you had forgotten about.

“What do you think, Y/n?” Elvis asked, snapping you back to attention.

“What? I’m sorry, what did you say?” You asked.

“Momma was just talking about the stables. I need to feed the horses. Want to come?”

“You have horses?” You asked, raising your eyebrows.

“Mmhmm,” He said, standing from the table, taking his plate and setting it in the deep sink. “Two of them. And an ass,” he chuckled, his mother cutting an eye at him.

“I want more though. There’s a whole lotta land back there. I wanna fill it out with the strongest, most beautiful race horses,” he said, his eyes cast in hopeful dreaming.

“Well, let’s stay humble with what we’ve got for now, Satnin,” Gladys said, patting Elvis’s back. “You can barely keep up with the two you’ve got. This time last month we had to hire extra housekeepers to shampoo the carpets. Elvis let the horses roam right in. You would have thought this was the stable,” she reached for your plate, using the hand towel on her shoulder to flick off the biscuit flakes from the table onto the floor. You looked up at Elvis with a slightly judgemental expression.

“I was having fun!” He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders.

“If that’s your idea of fun, I am in deep, deep trouble,” you said.

“He better behave around you, baby. Or I’ll have Vernon chase him down the road with his own cadillac.”

“Okay, okay Mama,” Elvis interjected, leading his mother towards the back door of the house. “You should show Y/n your vegetable garden–I know how much you love it. I’ve got to make a quick phone call,” he spoke. You raised an eyebrow with curiosity, feeling your anxiety spike slightly knowing you’d be left alone with Elvis’s mother. You wanted to leave the best impression, and truth be told, you didn’t have the best track record of not making a fool of yourself when it came to being nervous around others.

***

“Red, I need a favor,” Elvis spoke, stroking his chin to comfort himself.

“What’s the matter, E?” Red spoke on the other side of the phone. “Someone crawl over the fence again? Need backup?” He asked in a long southern drawl.

“No, no, no,” Elvis gesticulated his hand dismissively though his friend couldn’t see the gesture. “I need you to hire someone at the dealership.”

“What exactly are you gettin’ at?” He asked. Elvis raked his fingers through his hair, loosening the carefully coiffed style.

“It’s a long story.” Elvis said. “Meet me at home at three o’clock tomorrow afternoon. I need you to do something for me–and it won’t be pretty.” Elvis didn’t speak further on the phone, saying a curt goodbye before placing the receiver back onto the wall.

Tomorrow revenge would begin–on his terms.

Taglist: @mamaspresley @anestesia-mxm @misspygmypie @austin-butlers-gf @cozacorner @she-is-juniper @shimmeringlights44 @mariposa-mila @austinelvisimagines @sagesolsticewrites @guns-n-queen @anangelwhodidntfall @avengen @suitrry @eurusthewanderer @domaniquessidehoe @kittenlittle24 @mirandastuckinthe80s @stargiirl27 @maddieks-blog @kyddosebastian @girlnairb @its-funny-til-its-not @im-just-star-dust @venus-haze @groovydeputyfestivalkid @hockeyfootballhoe @21bruhs @thebeatlesbitch @captured-memory @kingelviscreole @adoreyouusugar @slutforblueeyes @theinvisiblecapricorn @ghxst-heart @yagirlalexx @sapph1re @madzandflowerz31 @kaycinema @theloveoftoms @annamarie16 @omgellenlouise @re3kin @feverdawg @cutie-ghost @shynovelist @fxntxsix @rheathesimp @madzandflowerz31 @writeroutoftime @bamitzzsam @meladollsims @mslizziesblog @headfullofpresley@shandis-world @in-my-body-bag @ash-omalley @stitchattacks @fullmetal-falcon @lolllasblog@omgellenlouise@wolffes-cyarika @kaitaesupremacy @tyne18 @marchingicenotes7 @notstefaniepresley @horselover1992 @dkayfixates

#Austin Butler #Elvis #Austin Butler fanfiction #Austin Butler fanfic #Elvis Presley #Elvis Presley fanfiction #elvis imagine #elvis presey #austin butler elvis #austin butler fanfiction #Austin Butler fic #austin butler fic #austin butler imagine #Austin Butler x reader #E!Austin Butler X Plus!Reader

124 notes · View notes

arakawa-division · 5 months

Text

Ivelisse's Thoughts on Okinawa Division

Ace Douglas

"The son of the United States current president, and the diplomat to Japan. He seems like a passionate young man who loves his country dearly. In a sense, I get the same loyalty from him that I get from Alexis. It's good to show love for your homeland. I'm afraid I wouldn't know much about that, however, considering I spent much of my life in New York. Still, Puerto Rico will always be my home, no matter how far away from it I am."

"But anyway, from what Alexis tells me, this young man seems to have a grudge against Japan, which makes it foolish for him to be the one speaking on America's behalf. I do not think America wishes to have Japan as an enemy again. So why would the representative of the country choose to send someone who has no liking here to speak for them? It doesn't make sense..."

Evelyn Rose

"She seems like a really kind and spirited young woman. Though she may have trouble grasping certain concepts, I don't think that takes away from her kindness and good spirit. The president's son is truly blessed to have someone like her as his potential girlfriend. Also, judging from her posture, she's probably done yoga before. I'll have to ask her if she would consider joining one of my classes. And I should ask her to bring her boyfriend along. It would do him a world of good to meditate his mind and calm his spirit."

Rashaad Young

Unlike the last two members of the team, Ivelisse stops at the photo of the bartender. She looks at the photo of him, a crease in her eyebrows as she studies his face.

"This man... I can't help but feel like I know him. The fact that he is Puerto Rican, like me, definitely suspicious."

The yoga instructor continues looking at the photo, as if looking for something that is there, yet she hasn't spotted it yet. The crease on her eyebrows increases and she leans in close. Suddenly, it's as if a light inside her head has turned on as she realizes something. Quickly running off-screen for a minute, she returns with another photo: a young teenage basketball player. Putting the two photos side by side, the yoga instructor gasps, covering her mouth with shock. Her vision becomes blurry as she starts crying.

"...I knew it. I knew you were alive. I knew it! ...Brother..."

Liberty Guild

The yoga instructor has the photo of Rashaad in front of her, a complex look on her face. She is feeling a wide array of emotions. Happiness, sadness, anger, worry, anxiety, relief, disappointment, etc. She doesn't know how to feel about her sudden discovery; finding out that the man she calls her family is alive and well. ...Yet, at the same time, she is also angry. Has he been here in Japan this whole time? If so, why didn't he try to contact his family? Why didn't he call, or write a letter, at least? Did he just forget about them? Were they just a part of his life that he didn't want to bring up again? Did they mean nothing to him? At all?!

Ivelisse thinks on these things and slowly exhales. She knows that getting mad and angry would do nothing. But she cannot help but be upset at this cause of events. Looking up at the photo of the bartender once more, she placed it down on the desk she was sitting at. She had to be patient for now. It wasn't time to confront the one she had been looking for all this time yet.

...But that would not always be the case. She would meet him and his team at the D.R.B. And when she did, he was going to explain everything to her. Whether he wanted to or not..."

#hypmic #hypnosis mic #hypnosis microphone #hypnosis mic oc #hypmic oc #ivelisse martinez #sounds of silence #arakawa division #liberty guild #okinawa division #ace douglas #evelyn rose #rashaad young

9 notes · View notes

pb-dot · 9 months

Text

Film Friday: Everything Everywhere All At Once

In order to sate my frequently insatiable appetite for talking about movies, I am going to start a bit of a column on this here webbed site. Every Friday I'll be sharing my perspectives, interpretation or just wild gushing about or rancorous condemnation of a movie. First in line is none other than Everything Everywhere All At Once. Content warning: Heavy topics such as family troubles, sexuality, mental health problems, and generational trauma. I'm getting into the weeds with this one. There'll also be spoilers, and frankly, if you haven't seen this one yet, I can hardly recommend it enough. Don't read the rest of this, just go see it, you will be confused and delighted and probably crying just a little bit.

Everything Everywhere All At Once has received all but unilateral praise, and I think it rightly deserves it. Even so, there are some aspects of how this thing is so impossibly awesome and some of the more specific facets of the ways it is so impossibly awesome that get overlooked.

Yes, there is no denying it is a powder keg of impossibly cool dimension-hopping kung fu, as raucously comedic as it is genuinely heartrending. It should stand on its own how powerfully the movie speaks on generational trauma, conflict, and healing from the same. The acting is somewhere north of incredible, with Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Ke Hyu Quan delivering several lifetimes worth of life-best performances. You know the cast is stacked when James Hong is in a movie and he doesn't get to be the best thing about the movie all on his lonesome just by showing up, for once.

All of this is very true, but as far as I'm concerned it's hardly scratching the surface of EEAAO, and why it might be the best movie of the decade. First off, I want to talk a bit about the queer themes of the picture.

One thing I keep coming back to in Everything is how I find it nearly impossible to not read Evelyn Wang as bisexual. Well, I say bisexual which is probably a bad habit on my end, as mspec probably is a better umbrella term to use when the exact nature of her attraction isn't explored in much detail.

Now, why do I read her like this? Evelyn is, obviously, married to her husband Waymond, but there are still reasons one might suspect she is not exclusively attracted to men. We see Evelyn in a sapphic relationship, albeit it is in what might be the single most unlikely parallel universe imaginable where humans have evolved to possess functionally useless hotdog-fingered hands. Still, I would argue that the seeming impossibility of the outcome might be a narrative device all on its own.

Being in a queer relationship seems almost impossible to Evelyn, to the degree that professing genuine love to IRS Maven and minor antagonist Deidre is sufficiently out of character to launch her into her first multiversal ability jump. Almost impossible, however, does not mean impossible, and the fact that there's even a question and that she can eventually do it does imply something about Evelyn's sexuality I would say.

Also, on a less textual plane, doesn't part of this sound very familiar? If you, like me, came into your queer identity as an adult, doesn't the "living a genuine queer life feeling like a distant impossible dream" strike a deep resonating chord? Granted I've never considered having disgusting sausage fingers a prerequisite, but then again, Evelyn has a few years on me for such a neurosis to develop.

Now that I think about it, the visceral unpleasantness of the literal sausage fingers could be read as a form of body anxiety as it pertains to sexuality, at least when the condiments get involved.

Another thing that supports this reading is the parallels between Evelyn and her daughter Joy. This isn't to say that one has to be Mspec to have a sapphic daughter, of course. Considering how alike Evelyn and Joy are, though, and how acutely their struggles are mirrored in other fields, mental health struggles, desire for parental approval, etc., it's not an outrageous leap to assume Evelyn could also bat for the other team, as it were, lending extra weight to the "I prayed she wouldn't turn out like me" line she delivers to her disapproving father.

It's also interesting from this point that Evelyn acknowledging Joy's sexuality to her father's face functions as a sort of False Dawn in the plot. It is no doubt a part of mending the relationship but at the moment it's hard to not agree with Joy's assessment that this is more "[Evelyn] figuring her shit out" than the mending that her relationship with her daughter needs. To get all the way there, Evelyn, and we along with her, have to take a deep dive into the philosophy and the all-annihilating bagel.

There's also some really cool philosophy going on in Everything Everywhere. In the formal sense of things, the philosophy navigates the borderlands between Nihilism and Existentialism. Jobu Tupaki represents utter despairing nihilism, wishing for non-existence to rid herself of the pain of being and the crushing weight of knowledge of her million alternate lives and how nary a one of them offers as much as a morsel of relief.

Nihilism is one of those things that popular culture often imbues with entirely too much power owing to the understanding that hopelessness is somehow more intellectual than less despondent philosophies. Everything Everywhere treats Joy's hopelessness not as an inherently valid position, but as a reaction to the cascading failure of her family to prove proper care.

Look no further than how Jobu wants her mother, Evelyn Prime, to accompany her into the nothingness of the Everything Bagel. If, truly, nothing mattered, it wouldn't make any difference to Jobu whether she walked into the nothingness of the bagel singularity alone or hand in hand with Evelyn or with every single soul in the IRS. And yet, she pursues the version of her mother that can see what she sees in the vain hope that this Evelyn will feel as she feels and reach the same conclusions she has. It's very understandable, of course, but it severely undermines the point that there is nothing worth caring for in the universe.

It shouldn't really surprise the astute reader that the villain of a kung-fu action film isn't correct in the philosophical sense. The deftness with which Everything Everywhere handles the reveal of it all is, however, quite heartening. Jobu Tupaki isn't wrong because she's evil or evil because she's wrong; She's acting out because she's hurting and, ultimately in need of the help of her parents. Evelyn struggles similarly, and it's a good thing that she is married to the single most transcendentally kind man in all of existence.

Waymond Wang is in many ways the lynchpin of the entire movie, the pivot point that allows Evelyn to find a way out of hopelessness and regret. The way he accomplishes this is, again in the context of this being a kung-fu movie, highly unusual. Waymond is unflinchingly kind, in a way that at least initially makes him seem like a colossal wimp, a stereotypical henpecked husband. While it is true that Waymond is a bit of a wet blanket, there is also quiet strength to his approach. As In The Mood For Love-Waymond so memorably put it, his front of unflinching kindness is how he fights.

What makes the whole final sequence so rousingly powerful is how Evelyn internalizes and synthesizes the perspectives of her little family. Her instinct to protect her daughter in ways her father couldn't protect her and Waymond's conflict-solving kindness allows her to overcome the final barriers between her and Jobu. This comes in the form of some kickass untraditional kung fu, yes, but also from the realization that there is no one beyond hope, redemption, or beyond love. Even the bitter battleaxe IRS agent, even the parallel universe where everyone has hotdogs for fingers, even the aging widower with no sense of personal space, hell, even Chad the raccoon avatar.

It is a powerful scene of catharsis to see Evelyn compassion-fight entire swathes of opponents, but it doesn't become the transcendent piece of media that it is before the confrontation with Jobu in the Prime branch, and her father and Joy in the Prime Beta-branch. Here, the final piece of the puzzle awaits in the single most difficult thing a parent can do. Evelyn defeats Jobu and stands up to her father, yes, but to truly mend the rift between her and Joy, she must see and understand Joy's pain through true empathy, and if there is to be a happy ending for her and Joy, Evelyn must do the unthinkable.

Evelyn has to let Jobu go and trust that Joy comes back to her. If Joy chooses continued existence, it's of her own free will. Evelyn will go every step of the way alongside Joy if Joy will allow her, but it is ultimately up to her daughter. It's a profound act of love and empathy, and yet it feels almost impossible. It is an act of ultimate vulnerability, and, in some ways, the grandest act in a movie of grand acts, and even thinking back on it now brings tears to my eyes.

#peebs thinks #film friday #eeaao #everything everywhere all at once #unmitigated gushing #cw violence #cw family issues #cw flashing #cw homophobia #philosophy #existentialism #nihilism

11 notes · View notes

kanazawa-division · 8 months

Note

It was early afternoon when a certain former cheerleader picked up Kyler from his job at the police station. Beside her was her boyfriend, who had a small, yet still viewable smirk on his face. The reason: because of a white cloth that he used to disable the CIA operative's vision. Normally, he would have refused, but after Evelyn insisted, he begrudgingly cooperated.

"I hope you know I'm only doing this because of Evelyn. Under ordinary circumstances, I'd never let anyone blindfold me like this. ...Especially you of all people, Ace."

"Oh, I know. That's why I'm choosing to enjoy this as long as I can."

Kyler grunted as he could practically feel and see the shit-eating grin on his friendly rival's face. Being led from behind by Evelyn, he stopped as she placed his hands on his shoulders and was told to 'watch his head'. Bending down, he could feel himself getting inside a vehicle. He could only surmise that Ace was the one driving since he couldn't recall Evelyn ever driving anywhere. Did she even have a license for that matter?

But those thoughts ended as he could feel the car start and drive on. He sighed as he heard some cheesy pop song and heard Evelyn singing to it. As he sat there in the back seat, he could feel his eyelids getting itchy, no doubt due to the cloth covering his eyes.

"Hey, can I take this blindfold off now?"

"No."

"No!"

Kyler sighed once more, though he didn't know what other answer he was expecting.

"Well, can you at least tell me where we're going?"

"If we did that Kylie, it'd, like, ruin the surprise!"

"Yeah, but still..."

"Cool your jets, birthday boy. You'll see when we get there. Just sit back and enjoy the ride."

"Tch, if it's you driving, I'd be better off taking my chances walking."

"You want to? Cause I can stop the car. It's no trouble, whatsoever."

"Yes, please do."

"Hey!"

At this, both men felt one of their ears being pulled tightly, as if they had reverted back to their childhood.

"Ah!"

"No fighting! Not, like, today! It's Kyler's birthday, Acey. So, be nice!"

"Ugh, yeah, yeah."

Rubbing both of their ears, the two men chose to just keep quiet, while their female compatriot continued singing along with the radio. It was approximately a 45-minute long drive until the car finally slowed to a stop.

"We're here!"

Hearing the back door open, Kyler carefully stepped out of the car, being guided by Evelyn.

"Yes, but... where is here?"

Kyler could smell and hear the ocean, so he could only surmise that he was near the beach. And if he was a betting man, he could only educate that he and his friends were now in Okinawa.

"Stay here, okay? I gotta go make sure everything is, like, set up!"

Before he could say anything, he heard a pamper of feet getting further off in the distance, meaning he was alone with just his "oh-so-good friend" Ace, still blindfolded.

"So you are going to let me in on what this big surprise is exactly?"

"There's a reason it's called a 'surprise'., birthday boy."

"Well, can I, at least, take this stupid blindfold off now? I already know that we're in Okinawa."

"Hey, feel free to take it off. But if Evelyn gets upset at you, don't look to me for help."

Grumbling, the CIA official stood there his arms crossed. He could feel Ace standing somewhere around him, but the diplomat was silently playing with his phone, not paying his childhood rival much attention. They stood like that for up to three minutes until Kyler heard a slight vibrating sound close to him. He then felt Ace's car shake as the American ambassador hopped off of it.

"Alright, Evee says she's ready. Follow me."

...

"...Well?"

"How do you expect me to follow you when I can't see, genius?"

"Aren't you a CIA operative? Just put those handy skills of yours to use and follow my voice."

"..."

"...Ugh, fine. Give me your hand."

Though he really didn't want to, Kyler obeyed, holding his left hand out for Ace to take. With that, the diplomat led the operative to their 'secret' destination. After a brief walk, Ace told Kyler to 'stop' as he stepped away. The investigator heard the sound of a door opening and was once again led. He felt a rush of cool air hit him, which told him that he was inside a building. Feeling his hand being let go, Kyler then felt the bandana on his face come unloose. He was prepared to see light again, but to his surprise, it was dark even inside the building.

...That is, until Ace gave the 'thumbs-up' to someone, which prompted the lights to turn back on. As it did, the next thing Kyler heard was:

SURPRISE!!!

Kyler jumped back as he looked at a group of his friends and acquaintances all jumped out of their hiding places in Eagle's Nest. Namely: Evelyn, Rashaad, Joey, Wataru, and a few others from Kanazawa that he had worked with. Still surprised, Kyler looked as the bar was decorated with balloons, party planners, a banner with his name on it, and the piece de resistance, a birthday cake, which made the CIA operative shake his head with a grin.

He smiled as Joey continued singing 'Happy Birthday' until Wataru promptly told him to 'shut it'. He then looked as all the members of the Liberty Guild gifted him something for his birthday:

From Rashaad, it was a gold and black cigarette holder that made Kyler blink, surprised. Looking at it from all sides, he promptly thanked the bartender, promising to reciprocate.

From Evelyn, it was a watch with a thin blue line on it. Slipping it on, Kyler smiled as it was a perfect fit for his wrist. He promptly thanked his childhood friend, who gave him a small kiss on the cheek as thanks.

Lastly, the last gift was from Ace, which put Kyler on his guard, as he suspected something mean-spirited from the diplomat. Rolling his eyes, the American ambassador simply handed him his gift. Looking at it, Kyler, at first, thought it was a book of some sort. Upon opening it, he looked as it was a photo holder. But what made it even more special was that inside it was a picture of him and the most important person in his world, his finance, Roxanne. Though he came close to crying, he managed to hold it in, refusing to cry, especially in front of his rival. Giving him a 'thanks', he turned around, still staring at the picture of the love of his life.

...God, he missed her...

Kyler looked around as he took a bite from the piece of his birthday cake that had been nicely cut by Rashaad, his cheeks were staring to hurt from how long he had been smiling but honestly who wouldn’t? Granted he knew Evelyn was gonna pull something like this sooner or later but it still warmed his heart to know and see that his childhood friend still cares a great deal about him even after all the years that had passed.

He was also grateful for his new friends too and Ace but not as much, he shook his head fondly as he watched Joey wearing two party hats as horns on his head and trying to put a party hat on Wataru’s head, who looked like he was getting more annoyed by the second with Rashaad trying to keep the peace.

Truth be told, Kyler never thought he could end up like this. Surrounded by friends and people that cared about him, things were bad when he woke up from his coma and had gotten progressively worse afterwards, the blonde agent didn’t want to admit it but there had been times where he wanted to give up, that he couldn’t go on anymore…

But then he thought of parents, of Evelyn and his friends, of-

A buzzing sensation brought him out of his thoughts, fishing out his phone from his pocket, Kyler looked to see who exactly would be calling him before his eyes widen upon seeing the caller ID “Roxie ❤️”. Excusing himself and telling everyone he’ll be right back, Kyler headed towards the bathroom before answering the call.

“Happy Birthday, Kyler, baby! I love you!”

“I love you too Roxie, so much. Thank you.”

Thank you for the gift!

#hypmic #hypmic oc #hypnosis mic #hypnosis mic oc #hypnosis microphone #kyler aaron #wataru sasaki #joey kurusu #justice shield #okinawa division #liberty guild #ace douglas #evelyn rose #rashaad young #happy birthday kyler 2023 #gift #taito-division

9 notes · View notes

ace-for-eddie · 1 year

Text

Part 4

Eddie and Hopper sat on the porch waiting for Wayne to arrive.

“Listen Munson. I know we haven’t always been on the best of terms.” Hopper started.

Eddie hummed, feeling himself tense up.

Although Hopper had been instrumental in getting his name cleared of the murder charges, they hadn’t really had many conversations since. And any before usually involved Hopper reciting the Miranda rights and Eddie being shoved into the back of the police car.

“But uh… while I won’t hesitate to arrest you again.” Hopper pointed his finger in Eddie’s face. The front door swung open as Joyce walked out onto the porch.

Hopper cleared his throat and continued. “I can tell that you’ve grown up a lot, kid. And the shit this town has dumped on you isn’t right. I will do everything I can to help you in this. And if you aren’t sure what to do with this little girl… your little girl, you can… you can always come to me one Dad to another.”

Hopper placed a strong hand on Eddie’s shoulder, sniffed then nodded before walking back inside.

Eddie was stunned and simply nodded in shock.

Today was getting weirder and weirder, and given Eddie’s standard, this was next level intense.

Joyce smiled warmly and took Hopper’s place pacing a soft hand on his shoulder. “It’s going to be okay.”

He took a deep breath, “...okay.”

Wayne arrived in his beat up pickup concerned that Eddie was sick, hurt or had gotten into trouble somehow. He was not expecting the news that he was basically a grandfather.

He teared up a little, then started laughing. Loud.

“Shit Eds, I didn’t think you…” he stopped realizing Joyce Byers was beside them. “I didn’t think that girl… was your type,” giving Eddie a knowing look.

Eddie huffed a laugh. “She wasn’t. But I was still figuring things out 3 years ago. And it’s okay Ms… I mean Joyce already knows I’m gay. She’s safe.”

Wayne smiled at Joyce. “Thank you for being here for my boy Ms. Joyce.”

“Of course! It takes a village right?” She smiled.

“Speaking of which. When can I meet my grandbaby?” He asked. “Is it okay if…if I call her my grandbaby?”

“Wayne, I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Eddie smiled and hugged his uncle. “You’re gonna love her. She’s amazing…” Eddie led the way to introduce Evelyn to her Grand-deddie Wayne.

Of course, Wayne instantly fell in love with the sweet child, reading her another book as she nuzzled against his side on the couch.

Eddie found El and Will at the table in the small kitchen and pulled up a chair.

“Hey guys, uh thanks for helping so much. Wow, this is so weird.” He ran his fingers through his hair.

“She is very sweet. And she likes you a lot. You are a good Dad Eddie.” El smiled.

He just smiled and stared at the table. “Thanks Supergirl.”

“Have you told anyone else?” Will asked curiously.

“Uh…no not yet. Please don’t tell anyone though okay? I want it to come from me.”

“Of course. It’s not our story to tell.” Will smiled at Eddie using the same phrase Eddie had used when Will came out to him in recent months. Eddie offered to be there to talk if he ever needed anything. He knew how hard it could be to be gay in such a close minded town.

“I should probably tell Henderson soon though, so he doesn’t shit himself if everyone else knows first.” Eddie sighed. “Can I use your phone?”

“Of course.” Will stated.

“Are you going to tell him on the phone?” El asked.

“Yeah, why not?”

“It seems like something to tell friends in person.” She replied.

“Uh… yeah I guess so. I’ll see if he can come over.” Eddie didn’t know if he’d have the energy to deal with Dustin Henderson and a toddler today, but figured it would be worse to wait.

The phone rang a few times before Claudia answered and brought Dustin to the phone. Eddie invited him to come over to the Hopper-Byers house and waited on the porch with Will.

While Eleven and Joyce took to washing Evelyn’s clothing which reeked of smoke and something like cat urine. Joyce threw some of the pieces away immediately and decided she’d be making a trip to the children’s section at Goodwill the following day.

Dustin Henderson was dropped off at the cabin and took the steps two at a time.

“So what is so important you need to meet me at Hopper’s cabin?” Dustin rolled his eyes.

“Well, Henderson. I just wanted to congratulate you on becoming an uncle.” Eddie smiled his snarky grin while Will tried not to laugh and choke on the soda he was drinking.

“Eddie, what the hell are you talking about? I’m an only child.”

“Ouch man, didn’t know you thought so low of me. Wow. Okay nevermind.” Eddie put his hands up in defense.

“Oh, well, yeah you’re like my brother. But what do you mean… uncle? Did you get a dog or something?”

“Ew, no. That’s too much responsibility.” Eddie grimaced. “I got a kid.”

“You got a kid?”

“I got a kid.”

“Where did you get a kid Eddie?” Dustin was starting to get tired of this bullshit.

“Well DustyBun, when a guy and a girl…” Eddie started and Will just about fell off his chair.

“Shut up. What the hell did you drag me out here for?” Dustin stomped.

“No, I wanted to tell you I have a kid. A daughter actually. Her name is Evelyn.” Eddie beamed.

“You’re… you’re serious.” Dustin started to smile. Eddie nodded.

“How? When?”

“That’s a longer story…” Will stated from behind Eddie. “Sit down.”

Dustin peeked through the cabin window to see Eddie’s uncle Wayne sitting on the couch napping with a toddler and his eyes grew incredibly wide along with his smile.

“You want me to be… her uncle?” He teared up.“Yeah, man. Just feels right.”

“Holy shit…tell me everything.” Dustin plopped down to hear about Eddie’s news.

#eddie munson is a dad #Deddie Eddie #dustin stranger things #will stranger things #el stranger things #hopper stranger things #joyce stranger things #wayne stranger things

12 notes · View notes

pridepages · 11 months

Text

Escapism: I Am Not Your Chosen One

I just finished I Am Not Your Chosen One by Evelyn Benvie. I have thoughts…

Here there be spoilers!

Feat. the @rainbowcrate edition of March 2023!

Growing up, there was nothing I wanted more than to stumble on the door to a magical world. I felt a fundamental feeling of disconnect between myself and other people--like I was a puzzle piece that couldn't make myself fit in the space where I was supposed to belong. I dreamed of finding a place where fitting felt effortless...as though someone could take my little puzzle piece, turn it a different way, move it across the picture and...click.

I knew I wasn't the only closeted queer kid who felt this way. But it's one thing to know...and a totally different thing to see.

Meet Kell Ho Sinh Porter, the reluctant hero of Evelyn Benvie's I Am Not Your Chosen One. He did everything he was supposed to do. But his degree didn't get him anywhere. He's stuck in minimum-wage hell. He has no way out of his dead-end town or away from the stifling confines of his childhood home...

Boy, I've been there.

What Kell wants more than anything else is to escape a world that feels like a cage--just to get somewhere else...because anywhere must be better than here.

Except it doesn't work that way.

With the help of a presumptuous, incompetent goddess, Kell finds himself yanked across the realms to the land of Allune. On the surface, Allune is the blissful paradise so many of us dream of where homophobia and transphobia simply don't exist. It is natural to respect preferred pronouns (to use gendered pronouns at all with elves is disrespectful). And instead of words like 'husband' or 'wife,' Kell's new friend Fre introduces readers to the term 'bidelight' (which is one I want to adopt for my own use). And yet: Kell still feels dissatisfied and out of place.

Why?

Here's the painful truth: there is no magical fix. There's no place that anyone can go and feel totally, truly at home. The only way to truly find belonging is to make yourself at home in your own skin.

The source of Kell's discomfort is that he's queer, but his queerness isn't one that's easy to understand or explain even in his own mind. As a biromantic person on the asexual spectrum, Kell has trouble understanding and articulating his experiences of attraction. "Everyone was his type until he got to know them. Then no one was. That was the trouble with being biromantic but not bisexual," Kell opines.

This struggle to make sense of what he doesn't grasp is frustrating and painful for everyone involved. "The confusion and hurt on Ansel's face was clear to see. Kell hated himself for putting it there, for not having the right words, for not being able to package himself up in a nice little bow and give to people he liked. For being too scared half the time to try."

So Kell's solution becomes to stop trying. To give up. To run away and hope that the next escape, the next quest, will have the easy answers.

Sorry, Kell, but it doesn't work that way. We can't escape the struggle, the endless work of communicating our needs and desires to others in hopes that we will be seen. "There are parts of me I cannot change for you. Only you can decide if you're okay with that...I don't want sex or intimacy for the most part. But this is perfect. I want to be close, but not too close? I want to be able to kiss you without having to worry about what comes next." Kell's self-defeating brain expects another rejection. But Ansel steps up. "If I was...okay with that. What would that make us?"

To which, the answer is: "Together."

We may not be able to make anyone understand us perfectly. But the right people will always be worth trying for. That's what Kell, who stubbornly refuses to return to his hometown, decides. "Miserable was being at home, too broken to leave and too scared to stay."

Kell finds what he's looking for not by running...but when he actively decides to stay and stand his ground. To do the hard work to be seen and understood. To see and understand. "Finally something was happening in his life that he had control over...he could mess this up. Mess it up big, bigger than he had messed up anything before. Or he could do something grand. And wasn't that a thought?"

Living as a queer person in a terrifying conservative hell, I understand Kell's impulse to run. If I could find a way out of here--if I could escape to a place where my existence wasn't questioned let alone threatened--I'd probably take it. But whenever I'm tempted to imagine that moving would automatically fix my loneliness and bring me love and companionship, I remember Kell's journey. Fleeing is nothing but an escapist fantasy.

It's not enough to run away.

You've got to run towards.

#i am not your chosen one #ianyco #evelyn benvie #lgbtqia #asexual #nblm #biromantic #lgbt reads #queer lit #greysexual

5 notes · View notes

clarafyer · 6 months

Text

BREAKING NEWS: TERRORIST TEEN GOES BONKERS AND BLOWS UP YET ANOTHER DISTRICT

So yeah this is cyberpunk!Vesperaaaaa, she's in one of my earliest posts on one of my art dumps of stuff I did before I started my blog, and I made this in English class today :D

(why do class doodles always end up 10 times better than when you're actually trying like what the hell)

BIG LORE RANT AHEAD

Cp!Vespera's lore: Her brother Sullivan (Tenebris) had to turn to a permanent life of crime when she was 9 because he got into some trouble with the mafia and had to pay off massive debts. She was from then on raised with Sullivan and his friend Divian, Muroko was also a good friend of the group's before actually joining the mafia to try and usurp it (still a process to this day).

After a few years, Vespera was starting to be let into assassinations and infiltration jobs. When she was 14, though, Sullivan left without a trace. No note, no talk, nothing. He left because his fucked up head chose his urges to begin cruel experiments instead of staying with the people who were restraining him from going there.

Fast forward to almost 3 years, neither Ves nor Divian has seen him, but they know he's alive by now because of some recent missing persons incidents and their descriptions, along with Muroko's help (he's now the right-hand man, so he gets a lot of insider knowledge, but can't force Sullivan to come back because of the contract they organized and Muroko valuing business just a little more than personal deeds)

By now: She turns 17 in just a few months, and doesn't realize that she's turning just like her brother, who she's grown to despise, but- still misses the old days. She experiences hallucinations mainly involving her brother, which has been making her lash out more and more as the days go by. One fateful day, Divian and Vespera are going back to the base after a mission, and they meet a near-dead humanoid creature, who has a broken shackle on their wrist. Turns out, this is the first escaped victim of her brother's :)

My friend and I haven't done much with our characters recently, but in the early summer months this year we were roleplaying this stuff, and it was a BLAST. Seriously, this is only the rambling of my side of the lore. I did mention Divian, her character, but I don't wanna go into too much about their lore because like- permission and stuff idk

Fun facts:

- She used to force her brother to let her paint his nails, and because of that, nowadays he still wears nail polish

- The 'escaped victim' is the cyberpunk version of Evelyn (mothman oc)

- My 3 AUs (og, modern and cyberpunk) all represent different kinds of familial trauma (og: manipulation and emotional/mental abuse, modern: physical abuse, cyberpunk: abandonment)

- She's the biggest Oozes fan to exist

- She uses grenades and a nailed bat as her weapons (which is why she usually is just put on surveillance duty on missions lol)

- She has a lung disease that's common in the cyberpunk au, where her lungs are affected by the pollution in the air so much that she needs a gas mask anytime she's outside (it's such a common thing that masks are provided in a lot of places)

- She actually has a custom mask that doubles as a gas mask and a cool high-tech mask with an AR screen on it, made by Muroko for her 13th birthday!

- Her jacket is a re-painted letter jacket from her old school

- She marks her grenades with stickers of varying colors to indicate the average radius before using them (some are just smoke bombs too)

- Technically her first mission was her being a stowaway in Divian's car and she got in big trouble for like 3 months because of it (she also made Div mess up the kill)

ANYWAYS, THAT FELT GREAT TO RANT ABOUT, BUHBYEEEE (questions are ABSOLUTELY allowed I love answering questions abt oc lore, who doesn't)

2 notes · View notes

sparkiekong · 1 year

Text

Aftermath - Investigate, Report and Return 6/9

Tristan looked at her and then down at her hand, "We're nobody like you... let me help you with your hand and..."

Evelyn frowned, "Then you can get the hell out of here... your boss left you high and dry. Go home and forget about the Order and get a pedestrian job. You'll live a hell of a lot longer than your friends did."

Tristan bound her wounds, the woman asked. "Why are you helping me, if you're not a friend of the Order?"

Randall replied, "It's what we do. What did this?" She stood there and let Tristan wrap her hand, she regarded them with some justifiable mistrust.

"I'm not supposed to talk to the enemy." She said quietly.

Randall laughed, "Sure, lady. WE are the enemy here... we didn't leave you to die with monsters that do things like spin your friend's head around where he could look in his pack or squish heads... Or whatever it is that's behind the door there. He pointed to the door behind her, He kinda sounds like a big wolf by the way he's scratching at the door..."

Tristan kept working to wrap her hand, "I don't think they'll be able to fix this at a hospital, but you should still go though. The creatures in here can smell you and I suspect you know a bit more about what they can do than we do since we haven't opened any of the doors yet."

The woman looked at the door warily and relented... "They did abandon us didn't they? Fidda didn't warn us about the girl."

Everyone looked at her, "Girl? What girl?"

She looked between them, "Yeah, Fidda had us watching a child. She went all beastly after Tim said no smoking and then she heard over the line that her family was in trouble, and she did this." Evelyn frowned, "Description? Gods damn it woman, details. Speak! Tall, short, small,fat... hair or eye color? What did she look like?"

The woman was immediately startled, "Sh-she was blonde, small, glowing blue eyes. I swear she looked like a vampire to me." She stammered out the words.

The creature behind the door laughed, "WRONG!!! HAHAHAHAH! It's Ragnarök!"

The whole facility started chanting the same word and began howling and slamming at the doors. The trio was unnerved, but steady.

#ts4 #ts4 story #the sims 4 #the sims 4 story #tac #the axiom conclusion #crossover #the tomorrow men #helenofsimblr #ksu #tw blood #tw violence #tw death #tw gore

14 notes · View notes

cricksims · 9 months

Text

1935

Francis has hardened himself to criminal life. He had never thought of himself to be cruel, but he finds himself doing some questionable things to Mayweathers.

Francis justifies it in his mind, however. These men know what they sign up for, joining a gang, he thinks. As long as I am not hurting those who are not in the game.

His 18th birthday will be next year. Amelia has told him that he shall have more responsibilities once he is a man. With prohibition repealed, she has been scrambling to get together some stock of opiates and grass. Francis had never used the drugs before, but he knows that Amelia smokes reefers after particularly stressful heists. The opiates, however, she was very clear about.

"We may be selling it, but you stay away from that damn mojo." His sister's stern words floated to his head. "You do it once, then you can't live without it. Great for business, terrible for a man who must lead. Stick to the reefer and bottle."

Francis is just glad to have Evelyn. The girl keeps him kind, keeps him sane. The two have not yet told AJ of their relationship. Francis wonders if he would be cross to learn that Evelyn is his kin's flame. It is not like her and AJ had ever hooked up, and AJ's got his own gal.

However, Francis knows AJ would be quite upset to learn the Borowskis lead one of the most notorious gangs in New Orleans. Not to mention that Amelia has been climbing to the top in Washington. AJ, quite frankly, was a wet sock. Francis knows his barely-younger nephew plans to be a gumshoe. He worries what that's going to do for the business.

Francis also worries for his safety. Other gangs won't take to kindly to a Borowksi detective. Or, even worse, they'd assume he was a corrupt copper and blow their cover trying to get out of trouble.

He wonders how long they can keep this from AJ. Evelyn said that he's naive, but Francis knows that's not quite true. He is sheltered, sure, but AJ can read people like a book. The only reason he hasn't sniffed out the lies of the family is because his loyalty outweighs his logic.

--------

previous - next

4 notes · View notes

angel-0f-verdun · 9 months

Text

12 Chimera

Previous Chapter

The night was filled with the clomping of hooves at a constant trot or gallop trying to flee Hamunaptra. The noise was calming and the breeze of the night kept us cool, I had wrapped a blanket around my shoulders as it was almost too much at times. After the conversation with the leader, we knew there was more to fear. I could see the visible change in Rick from the pompous ‘I got him’ guy to ‘Oh shit we’re in trouble’. In my case, there were many thoughts that washed through my mind. Evil… The word filled my mind in metaphorical capital letters. We were all so focused on getting out of there that I hardly noticed Evy was trying to get my attention.

“Eris?—Eris?” She asked repetitively.

“Yeah, Eves?” I replied so she knew I was listening.

“When we were in the chamber you said that the mummy would yield to you until he was fully regenerated. What did you mean by that?” She asked inquisitively.

“Honestly, Evy I’m not sure. That was Ahmanet, it was like I couldn’t control her, a fight was happening in my mind.” I said to her choosing my words carefully.

“Yep, I could tell that from your eyes and speech.” She murmured lost in thought.

“It’s like I was possessed—wait, my eyes? What happened to my eyes?” I asked her.

“They turned to gold and doubled; not like you had four eyes but your pupils. God, it was disconcerting Eris. I wish you could’ve seen it.” She explained.

“It certainly got my attention. What I don’t understand is why you? Why did this entity attach itself to you?” Rick pipped up from the background.

“Well, I’ve been told I’ve been marked for death because of my tattoos,” I whispered out, just loud enough to be heard over the hooves.

“Marked for death… Who in their right mind would tell you that?” Jon asked as he slowed down to a trot next to me.

“The warrior, the one that leads them all…” I told him. His face dropped, and his sarcasm died.

“You’re put your faith in the one person who has attacked us not once but twice?” Jon asked recovering from the serious moment.

“And beyond that, he has been watching us at each step of the process. Yet he didn’t come forward and say anything with concrete evidence until we were all in danger?” Rick asked me.

“I guess it is silly when you put it that way… He just seemed to know more about this type of thing than any of us did.” I told them perking up a bit, now that I didn’t feel that I was going to die.

“I swear to you, I won’t let her hurt any of you,” I said to them all, hoping that they would believe me.

“She won’t get what she wants out of you, not if I have anything to do with it,” Rick said back to me. I nodded, knowing that there was nothing he could do.

“We know.” They all echoed each other.

“Eris, I wondered if I could talk to her…?” Evy asked curiously. I looked around at the other two curious about what their opinions were, Rick nodded and Jon just stared at me.

“Give me your pack and weapons,” Rick told me, holding his hand out ready to receive them. I did slowly, then took my knife from my sleeve and gun out of my waistband. He nodded and held on to my gun for a second, watching my eyes. I nodded to him to take it once my hands were free I called Ahmanet to the front. She happily appeared a bit eager to talk for once. Evy’s grip tightened on her reins and she straightened her posture. I felt my own posture morph into something that was best described as regal, I felt Ahmanet straighten my back, my grip on the reins, stretch my neck out, and hold my chin up high. I knew she did not feel threatened by Evy she actually seemed interested in her.

“Ahmanet, our last meeting was rather sudden, I would like a proper introduction. My name is Evelyn Carnahan, this is my brother Jonathan, and this is Rick O’Connell, Eris’s brother. I hope you don’t find it awfully rude that I have requested to speak with you.” Evy started the conversation strongly. I felt Ahmanet blink at her in response, she felt Evy was a lowly comparison to her and the introduction did not matter at all.

“She cannot change her fate. The curse will never be broken. She was branded from a young age to be my host. My chosen before was murdered and before that and so on.” Ahmanet spoke in Ancient Egyptian nudging my camel to go faster as it followed Evy’s.

“But if she is your chosen, why would you want to kill her?” She asked dropping all pleasantries.

“Oh, I don’t want to kill her, I want to kill him. I am going to grant him eternal life, and make him a living god.” Ahmanet replied as if she was dishing with an old friend.

“You murdered your father…” Evy said plainly hoping maybe to find some answers on my behalf.

“I loved my father with all my heart, I only wanted his love in return. They were different times. The day of awakening will soon be upon us. He will become Set and the world will fall to his side, he will have power of life over death and he will have me.” Ahmanet explained to Evy watching her face fall gave her joy. I knew at that moment she was looking to twist the figurative knife that she had just stabbed Evy with. I kept her mouth shut from making any more problems with my friend.

“What you have seen, what you must know… Why I’m sure it’s remarkable, I’d love to-- I have studied the world of the Old Gods and the New.” Evy started trying to pay her a compliment to see what kind of reaction that would produce.

“The Old Gods? Your language is simple, what you truly wish to know is what lies behind the veil of death to know what I have seen. And you will when he kills you.” She curled my face into a small smile and watched Evy’s reaction. She shuddered but remained stoic and nodded.

“I would like to speak to Eris now please.” Evy almost whispered out, Ahmanet faded away and let me push forward back into my own body. It felt so much better to have her leave willingly. Ahmanet knew that our relationship would be easier this way. Evy watched as I blinked and she looked back to Rick and Jon and nodded. Everyone let out a sigh, relieved nothing had happened.

Rick rode up next to me and handed me the items back that he had confiscated while Ahmanet took over. I smiled at him and happily put everything back where it belonged. They knew I couldn’t control her appearance. I was focused on where we were headed, Cairo, we weren’t far out. We were heading to Fort Brydon, a common area for the locals and for the Royal Air Force, I’d assume we’d run into Winston as well. I needed to get Evy alone to see if she knew anything further about this creature Ahmanet. Her home wasn’t far from here, I assumed we’d be going there to collect her things before we left the country entirely. I knew Rick planned to go with her, my intuition told me to stay behind. I wanted to try to see if I could swing by the museum before we were all scheduled to leave.

The sky was starting to cloud up and I could hear the thunder starting to rumble as we neared the city. A storm was brewing, with what, I wasn’t sure. But this was the type that I loved, it was exhilarating. I watched as Evy talked to the guard at the gate, Rick leaned over to me, standing up in his stirrups and stretching as he did so. Evy and Jon went through the gate leaving us.

“I’ll see you in a bit, come down to the bar when you’re finished.” He told me. I nodded to him, clucking to my camel to take me in the direction of our house and the museum. The ride was short but would have been much faster in a car. I maneuvered the camel to the post where I climbed down and tied him up, I gave the camel a pat and reached in my saddlebag for a carrot to give him. I smiled as I held it while he enjoyed the carrot. I strolled through the library entrance, waiting to be greeted by the curator. Although I heard voices echoing through the halls, one was the curator the other was one I had grown familiar with but still surprised me. I could feel Ahmanet struggling in my head to be the main character. I went to the section I knew held the book I desired. Knowing Evy at all, I knew how she would categorize. I slinked up to the stalks and up the ladder to grab it, Set Volume 1. I tucked it under my arm and went back down the ladder feeling my feet firmly on the ground, I walked towards the curator's office. I’m not entirely sure why I did it, but I hid in the hallway for a few minutes listening to their conversation.

“Yes, the creature certainly poses a threat.” The curator told the man I had previously interacted with.

“But, the girl, she poses another issue as well. She has no idea the power she possesses, who knows if she has already given in to it. The only good news is that she doesn’t have all the information, although she is quite inquisitive about it. It’s better she knows less, I believe.”

“Ardeth… I don’t think Eris is our problem here. She’s a bright young thing, quite an adept learner, I have no qualms with her or her family, in fact before this ordeal I would say she would have been a smart match for you. The Carnahan’s however, have a habit of sticking their nose where it does not belong.” I heard the curator chuckle out.

“Dr. Bey, I respectively and vastly disagree. She has the power to wipe out the entire world, why, you know better than most the stories of Princess Ahmanet. She was beautiful, cunning, and ruthless, she vowed her life to Set and was reborn a monster. All she needs to do now is something she has not completed in her lifetime. The demon will be running around our world, and most likely the sacrifice will be the brother. Or that skittish fellow she’s been with as well, but I’m sure Ahmanet won’t settle for the woman. I’m sure Imhotep already has plans for her.” I stayed quiet hoping to hear more of my fate.

“Yes, well, if you’ve made up your mind there is nothing I can do to change it. However, do not underestimate Eris, she is a strong woman, I’ve known her for over a couple of years now. I know little about her history but from what I have gathered she is certainly capable, driven, and mischievous.” The curator finished. I swallowed my pride and strode away, I didn’t want to pry any further than I already had. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I wanted to go in and confront them. But I was worried what Ahmanet would decide to do since it would have been an easy fight. I walked quickly down to my own office retrieved a spare scarf I had in there and promptly left the museum. I put the book inside my saddlebag and started my journey to the house. I repeated the process I did the for museum with the camel.

I walked through the door and took a deep sigh of relief. It felt good to be back in a familiar place. I walked over to my room and pulled out some clothes to change into, but the first order of business was to take a shower. I got inside and did everything without a sense of urgency. It was nice to feel the hot water over my skin and the suds wash away the dirt and grim that had accumulated on my hair and skin. I scrubbed and scrubbed until I felt like a new woman. Once I was satisfied I stepped out and wrapped a towel around my form and another around my head to pull the water from my hair. I left my dress and corset from the trip on my chair in the bathroom and walked to the bedroom to change into the pants and shirt I had laid out. I dried myself thoroughly before putting the clothes on my body.

“Must we dress like a peasant?” I heard Ahmanet hiss at me. I brushed off the insult and continued moving through my motions. I walked toward the bathroom again preparing to do my eyeliner. I slowly winged the liner being careful not to mess up the lines.

“At least your face is reminiscent of royal lineage.” I scoffed at her words, heading to Rick’s room. I wasn’t entirely sure why he wanted me to pack him a bag, because he hadn’t touched his clothes here in 3 years, and I wasn’t even sure if they fit anymore. I looked in the closet finding a couple of shirts that might fit and then rummaged through the drawers finding a few pairs of pants. I pulled out a duffle from underneath the bed and put the clothes inside. After this, I went through the house turning off the things that would bill us and other things. After a final round of checking things, I went outside and rode the camel back to the fort. I wrapped my scarf over my head and continued until I saw the guards at the gates.

“Eris O’Connell, here for Evelyn Carnahan,” I told the man in Arabic. The guards waved me through as I felt Ahmanet pushing through to the surface, I’m sure she would have just doubled my iris to terrify them. It was as joyful to her as it was for me to see their faces change instantly. I tied my camel to a post with the others and slowly got down from the height. I took the book from the saddlebag and threw it in my pack. I then slung the duffle and pack over my shoulder and headed towards the entrance, keeping my head down and away from prying eyes. I walked through the courtyard and down some stairs to the bar. I saw Jonathan talking at the bar with the Americans. I took a seat next to him and decided now was the time to do some research on Set, I opened the book and waited for my brother to arrive happily settling in and ordering a gin and tonic from the bar.

Next Chapter

2 notes · View notes

yssjj · 1 year

Text

my eeaao review

The biggest immigrant story of this past quarter is probably Everything Everywhere All at Once.

One of my favorite exercises to do with a movie once I’ve watched it, before I’ve really started to put together an opinion, is to pull up the Google reviews. What I love about Google reviews is that there are many words being written. These words create a space to drag out the subconscious and outline yet unformed thoughts and emotions so I can better grasp exactly how I feel. What’s perfect about Google reviews is that the amateur lens asks you to specify their sweep over the movie production and storyline, the review’s writing being more involved in pouring praise on actors and tropes rather than specific story beats. Why does that actor work in that position? Rather, what was the point of the story being told, and how does that actor’s performance enhance or detract from it? Google reviewers tend to have a good grasp on “what is supposed to be,” and that helps clarify my own thoughts.

Let’s pull up the movie reviews of EEAAO.

Much like the other Asian immigrants or children of Asian immigrants who watched this movie, I did cry throughout its runtime. The oft-retweeted Twitter post about EEAAO features a friend group, comprised of children of Asian immigrant parents, holding themselves in different poses of exhaustion and release, on the ground and against the wall. Leaving the theater, I felt like I had been moved. By the time I had gotten on the bus, I started feeling like someone who had impulse-bought a bus pass for three days, figuring that it would be cheaper in a bundle, only to realize the price of the three-day bus pass was exactly equivalent to three one-day bus passes. And that I wouldn’t be able to ride the bus tomorrow because I was going out of state. There were many words, but my point is that despite my original positivity, I wasted my money watching this movie.

The focus on the mother as a person and character is interesting—the Asian immigrant stories I’ve seen in English are usually focused on the intergenerational trauma that the American daughter feels, and how the values she’s taught at school and through her circle of American friends clash with what her parents expect or want from her. I liked that there was a more sympathetic idea of the mother, Evelyn. She’s too busy to have the emotional space to explore who she wants to be. We get to explore her dreams, her connections, and her regrets in regard to her family. How her struggle to stay financially stable as an American immigrant sidelines these thoughts. I thought of my own mom watching her, remembering how much she couldn’t be at rest because of her full-time job.

But past that, there’s very little to define Evelyn. For a story about her, we know very little about her; how she grew up (a flash—a portrait of a tense family), what her parents were like (implied to be difficult, but not much beyond that). We don’t even know what region of China she’s from. We know even less about her husband, Waymond, other than the idea that he’s a “loving spouse,” and Evelyn’s foil as an emotionally “good” parent, having the space to chase after his emotional needs through a divorce statement. Joy, the daughter, is a disaffected, troubled adult who is struggling to find her way in life, outside and inside of the family. It’s a very unspecific movie. To sum it up, EEAAO is about a Chinese-American family, where the mom has cultural differences come between her relationship and her daughter. But that’s as vague as you can get. This could apply to any “immigrant story” about an “Asian-American family” that “struggles with cultural differences.” Really, we can broaden this to be about the “intergenerational gap,” which at the very least is not limited by the constraints of the tropes seen in an “immigrant story.”

The interviews with the directors, the Daniels, clarify parts of the personalities of the characters. Evelyn is described to be “imagined” as if she had “undiagnosed ADHD” in an NPR interview. Joy is described as being depressed. It is a shallow drive. Evelyn could have ADHD. But instead of going into how this might have affected her life and her experiences, and how that then leads into her marriage with Waymond and her relationship with Joy, it’s just used as a fun trivia fact to look for. Same with Joy. We don’t actually get much from her other than that she’s “depressive.” What are her motivations? Does she not have any? What does she want to do with her life? We don’t know, because EEAAO does not care. She is simply a Disney plus sitcom teenager, misunderstood and rebellious.

EEAAO is not concerned with figuring out who these people are or why exactly they might do the things they do. They are attracted instead to the tropes (the “tiger mom”) antagonizing the immigrant parents. When Evelyn tells Joy she’s “fat” and “needs to watch what she’s eating,” Joy does explain to the audience that she says these things out of love. But it’s too fast and too “one-liner,” trying to sum up a complex mother and daughter idea via an Easter egg-esque moment. And then the movie frowns on Evelyn, showing Joy crying as she runs to the car when Evelyn repeats that sentiment to her “out of love.” Yes, there are misunderstandings between American and Chinese culture. But it’s spelled out for the viewer by condemning Evelyn’s actions towards Joy, even as she tries to protect her; when she lies to her father about Joy being a lesbian, it could have been portrayed in a gracious way, knowing that to Evelyn, her own interactions with her father (which she has years of practice and trauma with according to the movie) spell danger for her only daughter. Of course she would lie! But the movie sides with Joy, not Evelyn, despite the movie being focused on Evelyn as the star. Joy is the stand-in for the white American gaze, striking out at injustices she (white American culture) perceives from Michelle Yeoh (what is asserted to be “Chinese parenting”).

This being labeled as an “Asian-American” story is apt. EEAAO flags itself as “authentically Chinese” with scenes from Hong Kong, the characters speaking in Chinese, and Michelle Yeo being a wuxia star. As a symptom of the lack of care in character development, there is very little exploration into the culture itself. What’s notable about a lot of the reviews I’ve seen surrounding this movie is that despite the implicit understanding of the “cultural value” EEAAO has, there is very little discussion of the cultural portrayals themselves. From the first review, one out of two mentions is here:

The second review doesn’t mention “culture” at all. That’s the magic of this movie—by having a thin veneer of “Asian-ness” over a “down-to-earth and sensible” story, it’s easily digestible and not too challenging to the everyday moviegoer.

One of the ways EEAAO adapts a potentially complex story into relatability is by making an appeal to the “Asian-Americans” and the “Asian-American experience.” This is instantly flawed because cultures that fall within the “Asian-American'' sphere are very, very different. It’s easy to forget—sometimes I even catch myself assuming that I would know things about Chinese culture because Chinese and Korean culture are conflated so often in the use of chopsticks, ancestor worship, and specialty supermarket brands. But even just within Japan, Korea, and China, each country has very different cultures towards speaking, honorifics, what the work sphere looks like, what jobs are valued, what home life looks like, who stays at home, who is taught at school, and how this translates to the US. And this is just part of the East-Asian sphere, which is the stereotypical content of the “Asian-American,” especially in EEAAO. But if we expand the Asian-American sphere to truly include all of Asia, EEAAO conflates the East-Asian cultures with the wide diversity of experiences, homes, and regions in India, Thailand, Pakistan, and Iran. And to conflate is to write over, or to exclude entirely from the story, because some cultures don’t fit into the idea of “Asian-American.”

Even EEAAO asserts this “Asian-American” generalization—not purposefully, but by overgeneralizing the family’s story. The parents are from China (not discussed or specified, but simply implied from the flashes backward and forward). The mother is not a mother, but simply Michelle Yeo, a “tiger mom” who just wants the best for her daughter and does that by antagonizing her. The daughter, to borrow my roommate’s words, is some mysteriously disaffected adult struggling to find a path in the world as well as communicate with her family. What exactly is she struggling with? Finding a job? Looking for something she’s interested in? Talking to her family about setting boundaries and finding love within those boundaries?

Food, we are told, is the immigrant way of showing love. Sure, but most families, historically American or first generation, have noted the food = love statement. The reality is that it acts as a flag to tell the audience we are “real” Asians making an “authentic” foreign movie. We are stepping out of the “American,” the images say. Put on your seat belts. But by using culture as signals, not giving them the space to breathe as their own themes and functions, the cultural words lose meaning and depth in the context of the story. It trivializes “Asian culture” as backdrops to a “foreign story,” one that has to be simplified, not explored, for non-immigrant audiences. Even though a story told well will be moving enough for watchers to understand, even if they haven’t lived through that specific experience. It cheapens immigrant stories as a gimmick, not an experience. A skin over the white American story told about Asian immigrants. The first review actually hits this idea spot on with word choice:

& a whole buffet of Oriental cinematic tropes

It’s a Disney movie, and that’s how EEAAO fails. It’s Encanto, where years of worry and habit are “fixed” by getting the family back together. I wished that Encanto had been a TV show, with more character studies, more sister bonding, and learning new things about the relatives you believed had to be close to you. That might have been too much to ask for a children’s movie, where it has to tell a story compactly and in a way that kids will understand. EEAAO challenges the watchers to follow the spectacle and find the story under it, but the story is shallow and flat. All of the work went into the sci-fi, not the movie. You can’t have a good immigrant story by simply changing the genre—you still have a sci-fi immigrant story, not a story. It’s flashy, it’s boring, and it does the “Asian-American” story a disservice.

We need more real stories. Stories about who the parents are, what they do, how they aren’t just “bad” tiger moms but real mothers. Women with worries, trauma, and logical reasons for the actions they undertake, especially when they’ve been pushed and pulled by the incredibly difficult action of immigration and adaptation into a new country. As long as we keep demonizing the most “Asian” people in our families, the story will strain against reality to accommodate our “Asian-American” line. To be authentic, we must be real and challenge the tropes and narrative conveniences of the “immigrant story” with specificity, sympathy, and the unique Asian-American worldview.

#eeaao #eeaao spoilers #writing #asian american #movie review

7 notes · View notes

my-head-is-an-animal · 1 year

Text

Happy Wednesday

Chapter 15

You had worked with Harold to try and stop the Drakes from killing each other, but it seemed only one thing was going to work. Reese brought them back to the familiar safehouse to talk to one another. You were hesitant about leaving the library, not quite brave enough to do it on your own yet, but Bear remained close and Harold was as encouraging as ever.

‘I won’t let you out of my sight.’ He promised as he helped you into a long grey coat that Reese had brought for you from your home. ‘And besides as long as you know Dutch, Bear will be there every step of the way.’ You looked down at the sweet face of Harold’s dog and watched the man himself put his own coat on. ‘Are you ready?’

You let out a quick breath. ‘I think so.’

Harold led you towards the exit, but you could feel your courage faltering. ‘It’s okay.’ Harold stopped on the bottom step of the entrance to the library. ‘I’ll keep you safe.’

You took another breath and stepped tentatively out into the night air, looking around for any immediate danger. Harold went to offer his hand, but immediately retracted, you wished he hadn’t and from the look on his face, he noticed. ‘Do you want me to-‘

‘No, it’s okay.’ You frowned, unable to look at him. ‘I can do it.’

Harold had no other option other than to comply with your wish, he held both the back door and front door open for you and Bear to get in.

Driving towards the familiar safe house was quiet, Harold didn’t know what to say and you were focused on keeping your anxiety to a minimum, breathing steadily and calmly, trying not to frantically look around the streets for any sign of danger.

Once you arrived, it was obvious to everyone that there was significant tension between the two of you.

‘Hi, I’m Detective Carter.’ Carter held her hand out to shake, which you took trying for a smile.

‘Evelyn Brooke. Evie.’ You nodded.

‘Evie, I’ve heard a lot about you, we use one of your security systems down at the precinct.’ Carter was making small talk, and everyone knew it.

‘Yes, I’m aware. I hope it’s doing it’s job.’

‘Well, it would be, but someone still has the ability to hack in.’ Carter shifted her gaze to Harold, who was staring at the ground. You gave him a strange frown.

‘It’s not like you built it yourself,’ he defended. ‘There are holes in the programme that you should probably address in the next update.’ You knew it was a form of compliment, but you were still having trouble staying focused, petting Bear to keep yourself grounded. ‘How’s Mr Reece doing?’

Attention was finally on the Drakes who were currently having their hoods taken off by Reese, who promptly put them back on when they couldn’t stop arguing.

Harold kept an eye on you, you hated the arguing, but this was the tactic Reese was going with for now. Harold tried to listen to what the Drakes were saying to each other and whilst looking at you, it suddenly became very obvious what was needed.

‘I think it’s time for a different tac.’ Harold mused, not being able to take his eyes off you for a moment. But when you turned your head towards him, he couldn’t bear the thought of you seeing what was going through his mind.

Harold quickly prepared a tray and had Reese blindfold the Drakes.

‘You must think we’re monsters.’ Sabrina said as Harold set the table between them and took the tray away.

‘I have looked into the faces of real monsters, Mrs Drake,’ Harold picked up the picture frame. ‘What I see here, are two people who have stopped talking to one another. Whose frustration turned to hatred,’ He couldn’t let his gaze flicker up towards the window where you were watching. ‘No, you don’t look like monsters, in fact, you looked like you were very much in love.’

Harold placed the picture frame between them and cut the restraints on one hand each. He returned to the room behind the window and saw you looking down at the ground, Carter looked a little uncomfortable and was searching for a conversational out, but it was Reese who broke the thick tension.

‘How did you know that this is what they needed?’ He asked.

Harold was about to speak, when you looked up, swallowing hard. ‘Harold was always good at knowing exactly what people in trouble need.’ You looked at him with watery eyes. ‘You could always see things other people couldn’t.’

Harold stepped a little further into the room, shoving his hands in his pockets. ‘Nothing’s hard to see when all you have to do is really look at it.’

Harold gave a small shrug, knowing that the things he saw in you, were exactly the things you needed to be seen. You wanted someone to see your insecurities and vulnerabilities and love you anyway. He did.

The Drake’s eventually gave up their contact details for the hitmen and Reese took Carter to stop them. Harold waited at the safehouse with you for a while, not wanting you to feel you needed to leave just yet.

You wandered around the apartment, fond memories floating through your mind.

‘This hasn’t changed.’ You chuckled. ‘It’s still exactly the same as I remember it.’

‘I didn’t bother redecorating.’ Harold followed you at a distance through the rooms. ‘Never seemed like something I’d be very good at anyway. I always thought you’d do something with it.’

‘Yeah?’ You said, surprised, examining the kitchen and finding the stash of sencha tea. It made you smile a little to think he still drank it.

‘You were the one who spent the most time here,’ Harold reasoned. ‘It always felt like it belonged to you.’

You didn’t respond, instead heading through to the bedroom you used to sleep in when you were too tired to go home. It was exactly the same as when you left it. A lump began forming in your throat when you couldn’t bear to remain staring at it. You went back through to the main living area.

‘You know,’ you held onto your emotions, desperately. ‘When you died… I thought about coming here. I just wanted to feel like a part of you was still around…’ you looked over and the long wooden table and Harold knew exactly what was going through your mind. ‘I said yes, in that exact spot. I wanted to relive it, just for a moment, hoping it would somehow bring you back.’ You were struggling to keep yourself composed and Harold was failing as well. ‘But it would hurt too much when you didn’t come walking through the door, so I didn’t bother.’

Harold stepped towards you, stopping at the bottom of the steps leading to the bedrooms.

‘I won’t upset you any further by pretending that I would have come back if you were here,’ he said. ‘But if I had known what pain it would cause you… maybe I would have rethought everything… maybe not. We’ll never really know.’ You knew he was right, it hurt so much, but he was right. Harold checked his watch. ‘It’s Wednesday.’ He said, rummaging around in his pocket. ‘It always was a good day for us, so I hope that at least can continue.’ He pulled out the necklace that you’d thought you lost. ‘I didn’t know whether you’d want it back, but I should have given you the option before now. Anyway… here.’

Harold handed over the silver necklace with the pearl and diamond, in perfect condition. You thought about not taking it for a second, but the memory behind it was one of the best ones you had of Harold and your way of preserving the man you once knew. You gently took it from his warm hand and stared down at it.

‘It’s still beautiful.’ You whispered, Harold smile briefly. ‘I still remember you giving it to me.’

‘You were always uncomfortable with me giving you gifts.’ Harold remembered with you. ‘But it was a special occasion and I wanted to give you something to mark the day.’

‘It was a Thursday as I recall.’ You smiled at the memory.

‘It was always a Wednesday to me.’ Harold shook his head. You let your eyes find his, he was right, Wednesdays were a special day. ‘I don’t know whether I should offer to help you put it on, or not. I don’t want to presume.’

And just like that, you laughed. ‘No.’ You allowed face to settle into an easy smile. ‘You never did. That’s what I loved most about you, you cared.’

‘Of course…’ Harold swallowed. ‘I still do… but I know it’s not up to me to dictate what happens next between us, if anything. I’ll be happy if you’re happy.’

You felt your body weaken the same way it used to, when Harold showed his kind side, the side that couldn’t do anything but love you, but it was overwhelming. You handed the necklace back to Harold and for a moment he was confused, until you shifted your hair out of the way.

Harold wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to make you feel the way you used to. He indicated the mirror next to where you were standing, moving around you so that you could watch him place the necklace on. Tears began building behind your eyes, stinging them more than you would like to have admitted.

You watched the focus in Harold’s eyes as he clipped the silver chain securely and allowed it to settle down in place over your chest. Harold watched you through the mirror, again trying to assess his options.

‘I don’t want to let go of what we had,’ he spoke quietly. ‘But I am aware that things will never return to what they were. So, I would like to offer you something else?’

‘What’s that?’

‘Friendship.’ He said it so simply, it cracked your heart. ‘Perhaps some kind of alliance. If you’re right and there is something coming for us, I would rather fight with you than try to protect you from afar.’

Your gaze dropped for a moment, before coming back up. ‘I still can’t forgive you for what you did.’

‘I’m not asking you to.’ Harold shook his head slowly, making sure you understood. ‘I’m just trying to find a solution to our problem.’

‘Our problem.’ You breathed steadily. ‘You mean the one where you died, and I wanted to.’

Harold felt the whip of pain surge through his chest, he turned his head and stepped away from you.

‘I’m sorry.’ You closed your eyes, shaking your head. ‘I didn’t mean to-‘

‘I told you once to never apologise to me for any reason.’ Harold cleared his throat, putting a distance between you. ‘I maintain that request.’ You didn’t know what to say, but Harold did. ‘For the first time I have no idea what I’m supposed to say to you, but I know what I want to make clear, if you’d allow me to speak frankly?’

You opened your eyes and stared at him curiously, waiting for his next words. Harold’s eyes were also beginning to sting from the build up of water.

‘You were…’ the word caught in his throat, he couldn’t bear it. ‘Assaulted.’ It was the only word he could muster and you felt the memory wash over your body briefly, but enough that it hurt. ‘And not for the first time in your life and I can’t know what that’s like. But I can see the effect it’s having on you. Your defences were high the first time as well, you didn’t let anyone do anything for you because you were scared that they would hurt you again… and then one day, after weeks of trying, I offered to make you some coffee, you said yes.’ You remembered the day. ‘I knew you were attempting to take a step towards normality and it seemed like a terrifying prospect to you, so I made it and let you drink it in your own time. I gave you the space you needed and it seemed to help. I’m certain it was cold by the time you got to it, but the look on your face when you realised that I didn’t try to hurt you, that maybe I could be trusted just a little.’ Harold couldn’t escape his light smile. ‘It was one of the best things I ever did for you.’ Harold gave you a moment with the memory, swallowing hard. ‘I want to prove to you that I can be trusted once again not to hurt you, but I am scared in case that turns out to be false and you have even more reason to put distance between us.’

‘Harold-‘

‘I can’t lose you again.’ The tears had built so much that they were pouring out of Harold. ‘I can’t be the reason you cry or the reason your dignity is stripped away like that. I don’t have enough left of me to give you to fix that anymore… and all I want is for you to tell me you still love me.’

Both of you broke, crying hard, unable to hold each other for fear that it would do more damage than good. You hadn’t even realised how broken you both were until the damage was done.

Harold was perched on the edge of the coffee table, and you sat on the steps leading out of the living area. It was quiet for the longest time.

‘How do we fix this?’ Harold soon asked, you held your forehead in your hand, the pressure on your cut was nothing compared to the pain in your heart.

‘I don’t know.’ You lifted your head. ‘I don’t even know if we can.’ You looked at the window to see the sun was coming up. ‘But…’ Harold’s attention was firmly on you, anything you could give him to help him move forward with you. ‘I think time is key. I think we can do anything we want, we always could, but we need to be careful about what we do with that power.’

Harold nodded, he understood.

‘I need to process this, heal.’ You sighed, raking your fingers through your hair, just trying to find some relief from the aching shell you were calling a body these days. ‘I need to think about how I feel about you.’

Harold’s face dropped for a moment, he prayed you wouldn’t hate him, but that was still a possibility.

‘If it’s at all within your ability,’ he spoke tentatively. ‘I would be grateful if this was not the last time we spoke.’

Once again, it was quiet. You honestly had no way of knowing if this was it or not, you had no way of determining whether you could go on with Harold close by, or if you were better off alone. Your emotions were running high and the days you’d spent watching Harold, trying to decide just how you felt, led to little in the way of a conclusion. You just didn’t know.

‘I should get going,’ you sucked in a deep breath. ‘I have a company to run and people who will be wondering where I am.’

You both stood up and Harold wiped away any remaining tears. He led you to the door where Seb was waiting in a car outside, of course he would know where you were.

‘If you need anything,’ you said, turning back to see him. ‘I’m sure you already have my number.’

‘The same to you, Miss Brooke.’ Harold didn’t want you to leave, but this was best.

‘Miss Brooke?’ You said, a little surprised. ‘Is that where we are now?’

‘I don’t know where we are anymore.’

‘No, me neither.’ You said, sadly.

Harold watched you step into the blacked out car and leave for your office. He watched as you took a death breath, breathing out slowly to keep your emotions in check. Once again, you were gone.

(Chapter link)

#harold finch x reader #harold finch fanfic #harold finch #person of interest #finch x reader

4 notes · View notes