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#they becoming just flat versions of themselves
bugskeleton · 13 days
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people are allowed their own interpretations and characterisations but also ur wrong and i’m right and i hope to never see another post with the same sentiment again or i will dig myself a hole and fill it with dirt
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analyzing some images (for fun)
so i found this pair of promotion images for good omens season 1 on the good omens reference library server and it’s hooked me so so bad im having feelings about it. we’re analyzing them now. not really for meta purposes just fun to see the parallels and differences :)
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everything under the cut !
unique traits
aziraphale:
1) his plank background. its older, its crisp, it smells like wood from the screen. mmmm
2) the pencil shavings at the bottom. he does a lot of writing honestly, so i like this. also adds a messy and cozy vibe he always seems to have in that shop…. i like that blessed shop fr
3) his SUSHI. little soy sauce drops near it too—just the right amount of deliberate mess. our first formal introduction to aziraphale in the present day and beginning the Tomfoolery just happens to have sushi... i watch that scene and i go “yeah, that sums up aziraphale i suppose” very nicely. (they dont have sushi Up There) (im literally never gonna forget that)
4) the ray of light shining on the scene. tiny thing, but a bit of the heaven is peeking through..it also sort of blurs the whole image but i think thats just me.
5) and we’ve saved the best for last: the big whopper. the nice and accurate prophecies of agnes nutter, witch. I LOVE THAT BOOK!!!!!!! i cant remember if that ring stain was there but if it isnt in the show on the actual book i’d assume thats to add that ‘thy cocoa doth grow cold’ thing. ALSO. you know what’s being used as a bookmark in the pages?? a check for the ritz. he bookmarked their one chance for living . with a ritz check . MMMMMM. my GOD. that means so much to me even if i cant convey it in words. he KEEPS THE CHECKS 😭😭😭😭😭😭
crowley:
1) let me get my favorite out of the way. crowley’s glasses have fire in their reflection. we’ll talk about the glasses themselves later but the REFLECTION IN THEM. fucking FIRE, BOOKSHOP fire, PAIN, SRIVING THROUGH THE M-25, HELL, I DONT KNOWIM HAVING FEELINGS!!! i do believe this is a bookshop fire reference though, the flames feel too Familiar. the lengths people will go to to attack others 🤧
2) the leather seat background!!!!!!! probably meant to look similar to the bentley’s seats but i cant recall their texture, exactly. maybe just meant to convey modernness—unsure. still, its there <3
3) the tiny little crisp plant </3 its trying his damned best to stay perfect. it might a specific plant that means something, but i cant tell at thsi angle, so i’ll assume its a mini version of the ficus he keeps in the flat. its so SMALL and sitting in ANOTHER POT i CANT
4) the snake slithering!! black and red (in this image it looks orange lol) bellied scales!!!! slithering there, chilling, being crowley, showing hints. love it
5) QUEEN RECORD!!!!! TRYING TO OVERRIDE IT WITH TCHAIKOVSKY!!!!!! the tape over it does a reminisence to crowley’s handwriting, but in a clean ‘this made made to be a font’ way. not exactly just yet. ive become a fan of tchaikovsky recently. amazing darling wonderful crowley, trying to push the rock up the hill for eternity 😞
6) HIS LITTLE DEMON KEY THING. HOLDING A TINY LITTLE BENTLEY CAR KEY OHHH. thats how he doesnt lose the tiny key despite probably not needing one of those. and he CHOSE that intentionally probably. little wings and red circle….URGHHHHHHH
similarities
mmmmm now here’s the good shit. similarities! i’ll bullet point most of them but ohhhhh. ohhhh these. i’ll go from top to bottom as best i can….
1) one of their shoes, obviously. crowley has them iconic snakeskin shoes while aziraphale has his old loafers like the old loafer he is /pos
2) chateauneuf de pape wine bottle labels! (crowley’s is under his glasses, aziraphale’s is next to his shoe). oh my fucking god theyre MATCHING. the labels are old, battered, of course labeling the drink’s age, but mmmmm its these tiny details that get me going….
3) their respective drinks in their mugs—crowley’s a black mug coffee (or what looks to be coffee) and aziraphale’s angel mug tea (or what looks to be tea). i think about that mug sometimes. where did he get that from?? mystery for the ages….
4) their glasses, of course. crowley’s iconic sunglasses and aziraphale’s reading spectacles. i cant really tell the reflections in this pair, but if its supposed to be fucking fire, im done with this. im giving up forever
5) their own watches! aziraphale’s is visibily older while crowley’s is visibly modern, but they function just the same. also, crowley’s is set to 2:56:59 (presumably PM), which is around the time we see when crowley starts checking his watch at warlock’s birthday party. its almost time for disaster to strike!! 😃
6) and finally….their ties!! they have their own ties!!! or more accurately, neck accessories, but i digress. i mesn i assume its crowley’s neck tie, because the fabric looks… different. either way, crowley’s neck thingie is very whispy and aziraphale has his funky little bowtie i love so much,,,
okay thats it. there’s no canonical implications, any fantheories, none of the sort. just saw a pair of images and my mind went GOD DAMN!!!!!! theyre very important to me. i need to look at more promo material 😔
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novlr · 1 year
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Types of Character Arcs
Just like there are various flavours of ice cream to satisfy our taste buds, there are different types of character arcs to captivate readers’ imaginations.
Transformational Arc: A character undergoes a profound transformation throughout the story. This transformational arc takes them on a journey of personal growth, where they evolve, learn from their experiences, and undergo significant change. Think Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings, who starts as an ordinary hobbit and becomes a heroic figure, or Cinderella, who goes from being a mistreated servant to a princess.
Flat or Static Arc: Not all character arcs involve drastic change or growth. In a flat or static arc, the character remains relatively unchanged throughout the story. Instead of personal transformation, these characters serve as a stabilizing force or a moral compass within the narrative. They maintain their core values, beliefs, or traits, providing stability and guidance for others. Sherlock Holmes is a prime example of a character with a flat arc. His brilliant deductive reasoning and logical nature remain consistent, while the world around him evolves.
Positive Change Arc: In a positive change arc, a character starts with flaws, struggles, or a particular mindset, but over the course of the story, they experience personal growth and positive transformation. They learn valuable lessons, overcome obstacles, and develop into a better version of themselves. This arc is often associated with themes of redemption, self-discovery, and the triumph of the human spirit. Characters like Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol or Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games exemplify positive change arcs.
Negative Change Arc: Contrasting the positive change arc, the negative change arc delves into the descent or downfall of a character. It explores the moral decline, corruption, or internal conflicts that lead the character astray. This arc can be dark and intense, showcasing the destructive power of choices or external influences. Characters like Macbeth from Shakespeare’s play or Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars demonstrate the negative change arc. 💻✨ Discover how the transformative journeys of character arcs breathe life into your stories, and captivate the hearts and minds of your readers. You can read the full post in the Reading Room at the link above.
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acozysoulwrites · 4 months
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An unexpected comfort | Fem!Tav x Astarion
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Description | Tav (you) is feeling down and Astarion sees her crying. Then offers comfort to his best ability.
Contains | Sad Tav, soft Astarion, Astarion being the bestest comfort character that he is <3
The day had been exhausting. her heart ached with every beat and her lungs expanded and collapsed in shudders.
There were so many things wrong, her mind raced as it tried to pick one thing to cry about, but instead, she cried about it all. About her family, about her past, about the tadpoles that she and her newfound friends dealt with. she cried, and she didn’t care who heard her, nothing mattered right now.
Footsteps shuffled around the camp, Gale and Wyll muttered things about spells and she saw Lae’zel and Shadowheart having yet another heated discussion, most likely about their beliefs, which were far opposite of the other’s.
A twig snaps behind her and she knows who it is before they speak. Astarion.
“Hello my sweet- oh” his voice falls flat, faint concern laced in the ‘oh’ as he spoke. His head tilts in confusion before he rounds the fire, sitting just across from her.
“Is… something the matter?”
She sniffs, reaching up to wipe the tears from her eyes, but instead, they smear and glisten in the fires light.
“Ah ah-“ He tuts, “I wouldn’t try that. I already saw them. Tears, big ones…” his voice softening just a little.
She frowns at the vampire, unsure of his intentions. He could be toying with her for all she knew, but she didn’t have the energy to sift through the underlying meaning of his concern.
Astarion frowns, and there’s a smile on his face, one of his sly, terribly hard to read smiles.
“You know…”
For a moment, she thinks he’s about to come onto her, that some sick part of him finds her tears arousing… enticing. Her glare becomes more fierce.
He takes a sharp breath and continues, “This isn’t like you, not at all actually” He declares, absolutely sure of his statement.
Her eyes remain like daggers into him as she speaks. “You don’t know me”
Astarion looks away, there’s truth behind her words. “No, but i watch you”
Her eyes widen.
“Not in some- weird way—“ He quickly adds. There’s a pause, his eyes scan over her face with a sense of longing. “I’m self centered… but not so much that i can’t notice a beautiful creature right in front of me” He smiles.
She remains silent, her brow twitches upward slightly, as if she’s expecting more.
Astarion sighs, “Look, i just mean that from what i’ve observed, you aren’t the type to keep your problems to yourself. I see you chat with Gale from time to time… So, chat with me”.
Her eyes soften slightly and as she opens her mouth to speak, the dried tears stretch across her cheeks uncomfortably. “I don’t know how to describe it” She mumbles.
The vampire stays quiet, waiting patiently. He watches as she chuckles weakly.
“I am haunted by my past, by my father, by my mother’s pain” She croaks, her words coming out in cracked versions of themselves. “But mostly, I am terrified that I will fail you all, that we will become monsters and I will have to die knowing I couldn’t save anyone”.
Astarion blinks at her slowly, this behavior resembling that of a cat. It makes her smile just a little, she’d always found the elf to be most beautiful, but tonight, under the starlit sky and behind the dancing flames, he was astonishing.
“See? You’ve no idea what to say to me now, do you?” She asks, her words heavy with hurt.
Astarion’s eyes fall from her, he runs his tongue along his top teeth, stopping at his fang as he thinks.
“Come to my tent tonight” He finally says, his eyes back to hers.
She blinks at him, frustration boiling up inside her. “Excuse me?”
“No- No!” Astarion closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “I’m not… always on about that, you know. I just meant, once everyone is asleep come to my tent and we will talk about these worries you burden… unless you’d rather speak with gale” He says, using a mocking tone to speak Gale’s name.
She chuckles, her heart finally feels lighter for the first time in weeks. This was the last thing she’d expected to happen tonight, especially from Astarion, but she couldn’t be more grateful.
“Okay…” She nods. “I’ll see you tonight”.
Astarion stands and dusts himself off. “Now get yourself up, the ground is absolutely filthy after a rain like we just had” He says, his usual sass back in full swing.
Authors note; could someone please let me know if i capture his character well, and if he’s in character at all? Astarion is a very interesting character to write and a bit difficult, but i’m learning as i play the game <3
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gauloiseblue · 11 days
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[TW: dub-con, mirror sex, cockwarming while massaging clogged breasts. This is straight up nasty y'all]
Extended version of this ask
A whimper escapes your lips as his hands wrap around your chests, slowly rubbing your tender breasts in circle motions.
"How did it get so clogged, hm?" He mused after he watched dots of white began to form on your nipples, "Did you forget to use the pump?"
You shake your head, while your palms anchor themselves on his thighs. A sharp pain hits your swollen bud when he squeezes the milk out, which gushes out in a pitiful spurt.
"The baby didn't drink much." You gripped his thighs when he massaged it for the second time, "She's been sleeping all day."
"Oh." He replied with a grunt, "Such a waste."
You moan when you feel his mouth latches on your exposed neck—sucking on the delicate skin, just as he did with your nipples earlier. The tips of your breasts are so sore, that you can't help but whine every time they're being touched.
You keep your head to the side, squeezing your eyes shut. From both pain and the sight of you in the mirror. It's humiliating enough to have him taking care of your breasts, you don't have to add it by seeing the reflection of yourself. While the vanity mirror does a good job hiding the lower part of your body, it couldn't blur out your exposed chests. The camisole dress that you wore is bunched up around your waist, leaving the upper and lower areas of your body uncovered.
"Stop," You softly groan, "It hurts."
"Hold on for a minute," He kisses the reddening skin of your nape, "It'll be over soon."
You're too tired to resist, so you sit back and let him do his work.
He strokes the underside of your breasts from base to the tip, while his thumbs stay on your areolas. He does it several times, before he pinches the nipples. You don't know how he does it, but the milk flows out plenty this time. As it squirts out to the table, and onto your thighs. Staining the mirror and your dress with cloudy liquid.
The streams become lessened the moment he eases the pressure, and he lets them drip out to his hands. You feel him throbbing inside of you when the milk runs down on his skin, and you whimper when he bucks his hips slightly.
He raises from the seat as he pushes you down by your head, until your chests are flat against the table. He drags his hands from your breasts to your waists, holding them in a firm grip. You didn't realize how wet you've became, until you heard a squelch when he thrust his cock into you.
"Little one looks lonely by herself, doesn't she?" He said with a grin, "Why don't we, ah, give her a friend to play with?"
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Venus in the houses (p2) and how you convince others your a beautiful person maybe you are. but if only everyone knew what you do Venus in the eighth - "do you wanna know what love is?" they just want something real, something authentic, something they can look back on and be like "no one was like her." but they view all their exes this way so i mean i question how real they are, but nonetheless. if you break their trust they will not break up with you. but will give you some tests to attempt to forgive you. then you will fail, then they will exact revenge plus some, because you wasted their precious heart. Venus in the ninth - party rock is in the house tonight YEAHHHH they just wanna party, keep it fun and they are yours, the most optimistic people and they do it so loveably. its easy to forgive them, but they make so many mistakes its unbelievable. but if you become a downer, they will look for a party elsewhere. they fail to realise most of the time you become a downer because of their foolishness and because they took you for granted, but they will always see you as a vibe killer, and say you didnt forgive them or understand them (for the millionth time smh) Venus in the tenth - they just want respect, and are good at it, but more than that, they want a daddy. they want to be perfect and they do this by finding someone who will mold them into the perfect version of themselves. They will present themselves perfectly, but they secretly want you to point out their flaws, but in a respectful manner. if you dont respect their hustle, then they will dust you and find someone better than you, just so you didnt define their future. Venus in the eleventh - they are everyones boyfriend/girlfriend, and you will get special treatment, but not the type you expected. They like to keep everyone on their toes, whilst they walking around with no shoes on flat footed. A friend to all is a friend to none, but they have played this game for so long. there is no going back now. besides, its what keeps there relationship(s) interesting.... Venus in the twelfth - lost in a dream.... I pray they willl love me, please come back to me... whilst an apex predator is fucking their prey. sorry reality isnt what we want it to be, but they believe in their feelings so much they will put everything on the line for their 'one', even if it kills them. If you want them, just pray they done praying for their ex. But thats their appeal, they will never get over you.
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jamsofdeath0 · 2 years
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Wheres the Dp x Dc Aus Where Danny HATES The Justice League.
He think they're a bunch a boot licking government dogs. Like he respected when Batman was a vigilante but the fact he just used his power and money to make what he was doing legal. Danny doesn't like that. He's had zero positive interaction with rich adults and government body's. He's leaning full on anarchist.
Green Lanterns a space cop? Space is cool and all but the cop part of the that equation. It's a no go.
Superman seems cool but he knows, knows in his bones, no ones perfect and anyone who makes their brand "I may be one of the most powerful beings on this planet but trust me because I'm nice" is hiding something.
He doesn't like Wonder Women's lasso or how ok she is with using it. He's took away peoples freewill through overshadowing and has decided he's against it. He understands that sometimes you need to use your full kit if worlds are in danger but over all not even the vilest should lose the right to control.
Aguaman is flat out a king and while he doesn't have anything strictly against the man he's against royalty on principle.
He doesn't have anything to big against Flash or Martian Manhunter other than they are a part of the Justice League but he still doesn't like them for that reason.
He figures they're all a bunch of power hungry people who named themselves the protectors of earth for fame, fortune, and government power. Or they're a bunch of a bunch of ppl who do want to help but decided they should pretend to bend to the laws. They despite being government now still operate like vigilantes and the fact they get away with so much law breakage just screams corruption. It doesn't help literally all of Amity Park sent distress notes and signals to the Justice League and they didn't even show up when the city got stolen into another dimension.
Even Sam isn't as against the league as Danny and Tuckers abit of a fan boy. Neither bring up the league to Danny bc they know if he gets started he could go on an hour or longer rant.
When Dani flew of into the sunset the first time Danny warned her against trusting any "superheros" that were legal. That the Titans seemed better than The Justice League but to still be weary.
This au could be phantom planet compliant or not but think about just how much worse his hatred would be if he had to wrangle his rouges, freind's and reveal himself to the the world all bc the "planets protectors" couldnt protect it. In the complaint au he fully blames them for any human experimentation that happens bc people know about half ghosts now. And when they show the Amity Park after the asteroid he's like "Anyone in the Justice League or associated his banned from Amity Park." And they're like "You can not do that" and he's like "Batman gets to! He gets to ban all meta's with no regard for the consequences! He gets to despite the spike in meta hate crimes it causes. Try and stop me!" (The meta hate crime is just fanon for this specific au) the league respect the ban bc they want to become ally's with this VERY powerful and VERY angry kid.
In the non complaint version the banning still happens but the league doesn't respect it. This causes lots of problems. In both of them discovering Amity's problem is what sparks the plot.
(he doesn't have a protection obessetion and he is trans in this au.)
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hannahssimblr · 8 days
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“Do you feel weird?” Jen says, the car window rolled down at the wind whipping her new hair back from her forehead to reveal the smear of dye along her hairline. 
“No, it’s just another normal summer,” I reply. The road to Wexford stretches out ahead of us and the sky looks big, vast, flat, like porcelain.
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“Without your family.”
“Yeah, it’s a relief. Can you imagine Chris and Colette in close quarters like that? Howling at each other all summer? I think I’d drown myself in the sea.”
“Well, I think you’re a fool to let the Shane and Joe stay.”
I pull a face, “Why?” 
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“Because they’ll ruin the place. They won’t clean up after themselves.”
“Neither will I,” I grin at her as she scrunches her face up in disgust, and I mess up her hair, subtly checking my hand in case any of it came off on me, “You chose this, Jenny, a summer with the boys. It's days of playing PlayStation and leaving our dirty dishes in the sink.”
“Wouldn’t you have rather we'd gone to Italy or something?”
“What? No. I love the beach house. It’s going to be fun.”
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She eyes me sceptically, and I know that she can tell that I’m putting on this positive attitude to disguise the weird, empty feelings left since the breakup. That version of me, the sad, longing, regretful one, though, is not for Jen, it's for me alone, in the lonely hours when night spills into morning, and my thumb hesitates on Michelle’s number.
I’m always on the brink of calling her and taking it all back, because I miss her, and being with her again is a guaranteed way to make this rotten heartbreak disappear, or even just to postpone it until the last moment, until I really have to leave. 
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It’s never felt like this before. I never walked away from a relationship with this cocktail of tumultuous emotion swirling around in me, like anger, sadness, grief, longing, yearning for her and the way it felt to touch her, while at the same time practically shuddering with relief that it’s over. When I think about the bad things, the shouting and ranting and the throwing and the silent treatment, it’s easier for me. Easier than remembering the good things, like right now as I grip the steering wheel and visualise that series of moles on her hip that looks like a constellation of stars. I relive the moment I kissed them one by one, the way that she laughed as squirmed as my lips tickled her skin and I threw my arms around her to hold her captive.
I refocus. Jen is saying something. 
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“Kelly?” I repeat, plucking one of her words out of the air, “um, sorry, what did you say again?” 
“Yeah, about Kelly and her friends,” she says, “I said Shane is driving them down tomorrow.”
“Oh, surely they’re not staying with us too, are they?” there’s only so many rooms at the beach house… 
She snorts, “No, they’ll be in the Healy’s mobile. Their parents are letting them use it.”
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I pause, “I didn’t know Kelly had friends.”
Jen slaps my leg and I flinch away, cackling. 
“You have to promise me that you’ll be nice this summer,” she warns, still holding up her hand like she’s ready to smack me again, “you have to promise that your days of bullying Kelly are in the past.”
I gasp in mock outrage, “she bullies me!” 
“She clearly has issues. You have to stop provoking her. And Liam too!”
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“I do not provoke Liam.”
“No, but you’re… generally not nice to him.”
“Not true.”
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“You are! You and the boys, you become this nasty little mob when you’re all together, and you’re not as funny as you think you are.”
“I’ll be perfectly nice to everyone this summer,” I insist. “I won’t put a foot out of line.”
“I don’t believe you,” she says, but I can tell she’s done talking about it. 
She slumps back in her chair and turns the radio on. Again, it’s Jason Derulo. 
“You know this song is growing on me?” She says, and I just groan. 
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We let it play. 
youtube
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harringtonlovers · 4 months
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take me to the edge of heaven (tell me that my soul’s forgiven)
pairing: steve harrington/nancy wheeler
warnings/tags: SMUT (18+), house party setting, steve’s jealous, stancy fwb turned lovers, unprotected p in v, oral sex, happy ending!!
summary: steve’s tired of their friends with benefits deal. nancy just wants to make steve jealous.
word count: ~9k
ao3
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Steve was pissed.
He held his drink close to his chest, taking a swig of the ill-tasting beer. His eyes scrunched up, mouth twisted into a sour expression. Steve took one look at the label, PBR, and knew all too well. Bottom-of-the-shelf beer. For a bottom-of-the-shelf party. Anything to feel some ounce of drunk, though.
Taking another sip, he held his composure. Steve's eyes scanned the party, realizing two things.
One, it wasn't a horrible party. At least in everyone else's eyes but his.
In the haze of cigarette smoke, people around his age stumbled around. Drinks in their hands, touching their lips, crashing onto the floor. Groups of people crowded various areas of the house, mainly the living room couches or the outside patio. The music was great, playing his favorite songs from Mötley Crüe to The Police. But, Steve wished they'd stop playing Sweet Dreams. It had been played at least five times. That's what he got for leaving Robin in charge.
His parents were out of town once again, giving him the perfect opportunity to throw a party. It had become a biweekly thing. In fact, all of Hawkins High knew to clear their schedules every Saturday night just to attend his parties. Steve never knew why people seemed so interested. The house smelled like spilled beer and cigarette smoke. It was loud and hot and sweaty, everything deemed horrible to the normal person.
But they were teenagers. All they wanted to do was party.
It also helped that Steve had a huge house. Two stories, the upstairs full of bedrooms for teenagers to screw in. Bathrooms full of toilets to throw up in. The occasional shower to drown out the sounds of sex on the bathroom counters. A big living room full of leather couches and coffee tables to sit on. Steve encouraged coaster usage for the tables.
He had a tv, huge and took up a good amount of space. People often stole the remote to play the raunchiest things they could find. Steve had to explain to his parents once why he had left the channel on a free version of amateur porn. It was embarrassing, but he learned to check the TV before bed. His den held a pool table, as well as an extra table perfect for beer pong. The kitchen remained grand and full of everything needed.
Cups scattered on the counter, mixers, and alcoholic drinks laid out on the island for all to see. People also brought their own things, leaving them on the counter for all to share. Steve appreciated it since buying alcohol was the worst party about these biweekly parties. His pantry remained stacked with snacks for those who for the munchies.
And the patio. The goddamn patio. Open backyard right into the woods. A pool. He had a pool, such a rare luxury in Hawkins, Indiana. Everyone loved it, getting to undress themselves for the world. Swimming under the moonlight, drink or joint in hand, cascading through the soothing water.
Steve loved the patio, except for all of the various smells. Urine, weed, cigarettes, and chlorine. As one would expect, the smells didn't go well together. Steve had found puke in their once. It was hard to explain that one to his parents. He also needed to stay away from the weed, since it diverted him from the agenda. He came to the party to hang out, not to be stabbed with the sudden feeling of jealousy.
Which brought him to his second realization.
Nancy Wheeler looked like a babe, and she wasn't anywhere near interested.
Not that she wasn't interested in Steve. It was more of a mutual understanding. Their relationship was short-lived, full of ice cream dates and losing their virginities to one another. However, it fell flat on their faces when they realized that they enjoyed one another, but it would never work. Nancy was planning on going to Boston for college. Steve would be lucky to get into State.
Thus came the agreement of friends with benefits. They'd sneak into each other's houses, share a quick session and spend the night. The other would be gone by the morning, never speaking of it at school or social settings. It wasn't the most ideal solution, really. They got sex out of it but recently, Steve had wanted more. He found himself staying up afterward, talking to Nancy about what was going on in her life.
She got into Emerson College and recently started babysitting for extra money. Nancy was starting to become interested in scrapbooking, finding it satisfying to place random scraps of paper into a fashionable order. Sometimes she even wrote notes, journaling her thoughts and feelings at the moment. It was an interesting concept, but Steve found it fascinating.
Steve's head started to become filled with Nancy. Her likes and dislikes, the way her hair curled. He looked forward to seeing her at school and talking to her, not just to sneak in a quick make-out session to let off some steam. Getting any chance to speak to her felt like a dream to him. And that's when he realized he had fucked up royally.
He wanted more with Nancy. But she just wanted to remain friends with benefits. Granted, he never asked. But it seemed plausible since Nancy often rolled over after sex at his place and dozed off. Assuming was never Steve's vibe, but he knew if he asked Nancy it would ruin their relationship.
Their weird, fucked up relationship.
Lower back pressed against the kitchen counter, his dark eyes aimed in on Nancy. She looked good. Hell, Nancy always looked amazing. But something about tonight seemed different. She had this natural glow to her, one so attractive it brought in men like a siren call. Steve didn't know if it was the alcohol talking, but she looked beautiful.
He sipped slowly, admiring her every move. Nancy wore her favorite little black dress. The fabric stopped right above the knee, exposing her calves in all their glory. An off-the-shoulder grey sweater hugged her upper half underneath the dress. Classy yet stylish. Perfect for the strange September weather of Indiana.
Billy Hargrove is insufferable. Transferring from the sunny state of California, all the girls fell head over heels. Including Nancy. Steve could see it in her eyes, the way they beamed whenever he made his way down the halls. It didn't help that Billy was a natural at basketball, dominating the court and slowly dethroning Steve as the best player on the team.
Part of the hatred was based on jealousy. The other remained on the fact that Billy draped himself all over Nancy, one hand on her waist while the other held a red solo cup. His face close to hers, whispering sweet nothings in her ears. His smirk brushed up against her cheek.
Nancy fed into it. Her smile was as bright as the sun, batting her eyelashes to attract all of the attention. It worked, clearly, since Steve knew what it was based on.
Nancy's poor attempt to make Steve jealous.
Poor attempt, he thought. Although, he noticed he had been squeezing his cup tighter than before.
The sudden sound of glass breaking diverted his attention for a moment. Steve looked over, seeing that Chrissy Cunningham had broken a vase from the kitchen counter. The boy rolled his eyes, knowing his mother was going to murder him.
His head snapped back to his original view, seeing the worst sight imaginable. Billy planted kisses along Nancy's neck, her head tilted to the side. Eyes closed, lip curled into a grin. In one sudden moment, Nancy's eyes flickered open. They caught sight of Steve's brown eyes. All she could do was grin wider, eyebrows wiggling in amusement.
Steve chugged the rest of his drink. His eyes never left hers, a fire burning deep inside. He had enough. As crazy as he seemed, Steve refused to let Billy get his girl. Nancy belonged to him. All the late nights, in the back of his car with Nancy riding him like a horse. Their impromptu fucks in the janitor's closet, usually Nancy's doing. The flashbacks of their first date, ice cream on her lips, and a sudden brightness in her eyes.
Warmth. Safety. Comfort.
Steve knew what she was doing. And he made it his mission to stop whatever was happening, despite how much of an asshole he was going to be. At the end of the day, it is his party.
And Nancy's his girl.
Pissed off with an empty cup, Steve chucked the piece of plastic into the garbage. Without a care in the world, Steve pushed his way through the crowd. His eyes on the prize, ready to pry Billy's lustful lips off of Nancy's soft neck. He didn't deserve to kiss her neck like that. Only Steve knew how to do it, suckling toward the collarbone. Nancy went wild for that. Every. Single. Time.
As he walked over, Nancy's hand snuck up into Billy's curls. She let her eyes settle again, exaggerating her moans so Steve would hear. Her nails raked Billy's hair, tugging gently to get him to moan. Also, she was completely aware of Steve's presence. He loved his hair being pulled, especially during a heated make-out session. Nancy knew how to play her cards right.
Making his way past another couple, grossed out by their innate ability to hump one another with no worries in the world. With sweaty palms and a creased forehead, Steve cleared his throat. "Nancy?"
Nancy and Billy continued their road to intercourse, Billy's hands gripping her waist. Steve's eyes glanced down and watched, fuming. "Nancy, I need to talk to you."
Billy released his lips from Nancy's neck after hearing her groan. "I'm busy, Harrington," Nancy spoke, words laced in laziness. Her hands rested on Billy's shoulders as her eyes peered up to Steve.
Steve crossed his arms over his chest, Muscles flexed, Nancy imagined his strong arms around her. Holding her up as he fucked her. The pool between her legs began to form, imagining Steve whispering in her ears as they had sex.
"Harrington, what the hell do you want?" Billy barked, his grip tightening around Nancy.
Steve's eyes caught sight of Nancy's neck, noticing bruises forming. With a deep exhale, he relaxed himself. Or attempted to. It didn't help that his eyes caught Nancy's, full of delight. "I need to talk to Nancy. Alone."
"Didn't you hear her?" Billy asked, giving his undivided attention to Steve. "She's busy. With me."
Nancy rolled her eyes, releasing herself from Billy. "I appreciate the backup but I can take care of myself, Billy." The girl turned to face Steve, deadpanned. "What do you want to talk about?"
"In private," Steve said. "Now."
Nancy scoffed, shrugging slightly. "I'm trying to enjoy the party."
"Jesus Christ," Steve mumbled, grabbing onto Nancy's hand. "I'll drop her back off."
He rushed off, dragging Nancy behind him. The girl tugged her arm for a second, eventually giving in to being walked around like a puppy dog. Steve pushed past the crowd, using himself as a shield for Nancy. A few people greeted Steve, a few girls sending winks down the way. It only made Nancy roll her eyes harder than ever.
He could have anyone. But he chose her.
They eventually made their way toward the back hallway of the house. Behind a quiet corner, the music playing in the background. Nancy could barely make out the song, but she knew it was something Madonna. One of her favorites. And she had to miss it because Steve Harrington wanted to have a useless conversation.
With a glare, Nancy broke the silence. "What?"
Steve narrowed his eyes, trying his best to suppress any hints of jealousy. "Are you fucking Billy?"
Silence.
Nancy scoffed, running her hands through her hair. "I can't believe this..." She muttered to herself. "You can't be serious!"
"Dead."
"We aren't exclusive, Steve." Nancy crossed her arms over her chest, bottom lip poking out in a sneer. "You and I made an agreement. Sex. That's all it is! Who cares if I fuck someone else?"
"I care!" Steve admitted, flustered. "I care so goddamn much, Nancy!" Then an idea struck him. "If we're not exclusive, then I can screw whoever I want?"
Nancy tensed up. Her signature pout turned flat, eyes wild and full of confusion. Why the hell would he want to fuck anyone else? Playing with the sleeves of her outfit, Nancy retorted. "And why would you do that?"
The smirk returned to Steve's face. He had struck a nerve. "If you can do it...why can't I?"
"Pfft." Nancy chuckled. "You already have, hm?"
Steve cocked an eyebrow. "I did?"
"Tina's party? You got so drunk you made out with that random girl?" Nancy laughed, masking her jealousy. "You didn't think I'd find out? Or worse...see it with my own eyes?"
"Ahh," Steve busted out laughing. "I see! This is all because you're jealous!"
A blush fell upon Nancy's cheeks. "Excuse me?"
"You're so jealous, Nancy!" Steve held his stomach, aching from laughing so hard. Of course he remembered making out with the random girl. It lasted a total of a minute, resulting in a limp dick and more alcohol. He didn't go home with her. He'd never do that to Nancy. No one made him feel the way Nancy did.
All he knew was that he had no interest in fucking anyone else but Nancy.
"Did you fuck her?" Nancy asked, ignoring the laughter.
Tricky question. He knew exactly what Nancy was referring to. Steve had taken Chrissy Cunningham, Hawkins High princess, out on a handful of dates. It started off as Chrissy asking to study which turned into full-blown make-out sessions paired with random movie dates. They'd talk at school, ending conversations with kisses on the cheeks. Nancy must've caught sight of that.
Hence the jealousy oozing from her body, as well as the unbearable hickeys from Billy. Nancy found Billy to be attractive, but he wasn't number one on her list. In fact, up until right about now, Steve took the cake.
It took Nancy a while to realize everything.
First, the idea of a relationship scared her half to death. Instead of establishing one, Nancy felt it would be easiest to continue down the road of friends with benefits. She enjoyed Steve's company. In fact, he was the only guy ever to make her giddy. Cause the butterflies in her stomach to erupt, flap around, and bump against her beating heart. Steve Harrington, the catch of the town, felt the same.
But the idea of college got in the way. It wasn't that Steve wouldn't be attending college. Nancy just knew of his aspirations, wanting to get out of Hawkins as fast as he could. But she was aware of the potential threat of long distance and just the mere thought of a relationship in general.
How could Steve move off to bigger and better things, leaving Nancy behind for another year in high school? Would he find someone better? What if he never came to visit? What if she got in the way of his life? Anxiety coursed through her veins since day one. But she always wanted to keep Steve in her life.
Even if it meant meeting up late at night to sneak a quick fuck and then return home. Anything to get a chance to see Steve, touch and feel him. Exchanged a few words before allowing her world to be rocked by Steve.
Seeing Steve with Chrissy Cunningham had been the worst sight. She was well aware of their weird relationship. Chrissy had a crush on him for ages, but Nancy caught wind in their math class. Eavesdropping, her specialty, on Chrissy was the worst decision she had made. The strawberry blonde giggled her heart out as she bragged to her friends about Steve.
How great of a kisser, how tender and kind he was. Nancy couldn't help but roll her eyes but it was hard to deny the sting. It burned and itched at Nancy's skin, reminding her that Steve had given his attention to another girl.
One that wasn't her.
Nancy's mind flipped like a switch. She's jealous and angry, ready to take any moment to attack. And she decided to do it at Steve's party. The perfect place to piss him off.
Clearly, it had worked. The two cramped toward the end of the hallway, knowing how easy it would be to escape. Go to the guest bedroom located at the back of the house, away from the party for the rest of the night. Express their anger in animalistic ways: clawing, gnawing, going at one another without a care in the world.
Instead, they would spend the rest of their time together arguing. Arguing over stupid things, such as Chrissy Cunningham and Nancy's inability to be straightforward.
"Who?" Steve asked. "Chrissy?" Nancy rolled her eyes. That was enough of an answer for Steve. "Jesus, Nance."
"What?" Nancy asked, flinging her arms in the air.
"You're jealous," Steve said. "Bedridden with it."
"That's an issue?"
"Yeah?" A scoff. "You're not allowed to be jealous when you ended our relationship. You created this whole...friends with benefits bullshit. Then you go and flaunt Billy in front of me? But I can't go on a few dates?"
Nancy listened, eyes softening the more Steve spoke. She knew she had been in the wrong, using Billy to get a reaction out of Steve. Seeing the brown-eyed boy in front of her only made her feel worse about herself. The fear of rejection and abandonment flashed back into her mind, reminding Nancy of her struggles with Steve.
He's everything she's ever wanted. Yet, Nancy can't bring herself to come face to face with the potential heartbreak. The thought of losing Steve made her ill. Her head spun a bit, a mixture of the alcohol and Steve's words, aching for another shot. "I..." She exhaled, trying to refrain from crying. "I never said you couldn't go on dates, Steve."
Steve placed his hands on his hips, anger surging. His eyes flickered up at the ceiling, collecting his thoughts. Ordering what to say and what not to. He brought his attention back down. However, the minute he looked into those familiar blue eyes, he lost all words. Speechless, tongue in cheek, unable to speak. Steve noticed the glassiness of Nancy's eyes, indicating she was on the verge of tears.
All arguments went out the window. The music seemed to grow quieter, the world pulling into them. Just Steve and Nancy. Alone.
All worries melted away. It became clear how their relationship seemed strong, enough to realize what they had been doing for the past few months. Screwing one another out of true love. The mere thought of Chrissy Cunningham left his mind completely, honing in on Nancy Wheeler.
"Nancy," he whispered, licking his lips for reassurance. "How...How could you think there's anyone else?"
A gulp. "I-I don't know." She shrugged, the tears growing by the second.
Steve didn't waste a second. His hands guided Nancy toward the wall, pressing her back against the cold surface. Nancy shivered for a moment, the sudden contact with the wall and Steve causing her body to melt.
Leg tucked between Nancy's legs, Steve rested his forearms against the wall. He caged Nancy in, chest open to make her comfortable. The last thing he'd want to do is make her feel trapped. If she wanted to leave the situation, all she had to do was push him, and tell him to back off.
Instead, the ends of her lips twitched into a grin. It was subtle, but Steve basked in all its glory. All he ever wanted to do was make her happy, see her smile. A silly need, but whenever she flashed a smirk in his general direction, Steve felt the world shift on its axis. Everything seemed to be right in the world whenever Nancy glowed brighter than usual.
Eyes, piercing and ready to attack. Nancy batted her eyelashes, anxiously awaiting a kiss or two from Steve. Instead, he removed his forearms from the wall, dropping them to her side. Fingers tracing against her exposed skin, lips parted to speak.
A sigh. The space between the two dwindles by the second. Another sigh. Their breaths intertwine with each other's, the two finding it hard to breathe. The bass of the music banged against the wall, causing Nancy and Steve's hearts to skip. Chests touching. A third sigh, exhaling against Steve's lips. "You're crazy," He whispered, the gap turned into a crevice. One so small, so unimportant. Yet, no one made a move.
Not just yet.
"You're crazy to think you're not mine, Wheeler." Steve admitted.
Lips parted, Nancy let out a whimper. She found it difficult to form any sentence. How do you respond to that? Word vomit a love confession or stay silent?
Her mind grew hazy, partly from alcohol and the other from Steve's comment. Gulping, Steve waited for Nancy's answer. However, after a few moments of silence, he started to grow impatient.
The only thing on his mind was Nancy. Kissing her, touching her, pleasing her. Reminding her that she's loved. Trailing kisses all over her body, leaving love bites in the places that belonged to him. Her neck, stomach, hips, inner thighs. All the places he worshipped, needed to have to go on.
One night. All he wanted was one more night.
And within the internal battle, Nancy unraveled.
She sealed the void, engulfing Steve in a passionate kiss. Her hands went straight for his hair, tugging and pulling as hard as she could. Steve reacted quickly, hands landing on her ass and giving her a tender squeeze. He returned the kiss with no hesitation, the immediate moan they shared echoing throughout the desolate hallway.
Their bodies pressed together, hard and eager. Nancy's lips soft as a feather, Steve loving every moment they shared. The memories flooded his mind, reminiscing on all the times they snuck around to share an intimate moment. He had been craving them, wanting to create memory after memory.
Nancy rejoiced, the thought of Steve Harrington ever leaving making her want him more. Hands trailed along his chest, playing with the buttons of his crinkled shirt. Their lips moved in sync, Steve slipping his tongue into her mouth. Nancy gave in, a smile spreading. Steve would do anything to feel that smile any chance he could.
It all made sense. Their short-lived romance, virginities out the window. They belonged together, Nancy knew it too well. There was no doubt in her mind that Steve Harrington belonged to her, and him the same. Nancy beat herself up mentally for even doubting her feelings. She knew. He knew.
They were just too scared to admit anything.
Nancy pulled back first, aching to continue their make-out session. The second she released him, his lips found a new spot to love on. Steve nibbled at her neck, causing the girl to giggle. Music to his ears.
"Steve," Nancy whined, groaning at the touch of his teeth gnawing at her neck.
"Hm?" He continued on her skin, marking her neck with light bruises. His hands explored Nancy's body, wanting her right then and there.
Nancy closed her eyes, concentrating on the pool forming between her legs. Her neck already ached. She made a mental note to wear a turtleneck to school for the next few days. "You want me?"
The question stumped him. Steve removed his lips from her neck, bringing his attention back to her. He centered in on Nancy, giving her the undivided attention she deserved. "What do you mean?"
"Do you want me?" Her eyes full of despair, trembling at the potential negative answer.
His eyes softened, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. Steve let his thumb linger against her cheek, caressing it. Nancy found herself nestling into the palm of his hand, knowing the answer. The familiar smile returned to her face, arching her eyebrows at Steve. "I'll take that as a yes?"
"Hell yeah, Nance." His hands returned to her butt, gripping onto it and hoisting her up.
Nancy squealed, instantly wrapping her legs around his torso. The sound of glass echoed, followed by a few gasps and giggles. However, Steve didn't pay any mind considering he had Nancy Wheeler in his arms. In response to the sound, Steve squeezed her ass before making his way out of the hallway and toward the nearest bedroom.
Nancy rested her head on his shoulder, peppering kisses along his sharp jawline. She left a few bites, not wanting to bruise him just yet. Her lips lingered along his moles, showing extra care to his collarbone. Steve let out a groan, pushing the door open. "Jesus," He whispered, holding Nancy's body against his.
Steve recognized the room. He slammed the door behind him, reaching his arm back to lock it. His eyes flickered around, thanking every God above that it was the guest room. Granted, his bedroom would've been ideal but he settled. At least no one had occupied the room just yet. However, the thought of someone else getting plowed in his room made him cringe a bit.
Shoving the thought past his mind, Steve dropped Nancy onto the bed. She bounced, kicking her shoes off while giggling. "Guest room?"
"Mhm," Steve nodded before settling himself on top of her.
Nancy couldn't help the giggles, pulling him on top of her. The feeling of the soft fabric below her comforted her. She loved the feeling of silk pressed against her exposed skin, especially when Steve lay on top of her.
Steve hesitated for a moment, settling himself. His legs snugged in between Nancy's. His erection grew at a rapid pace, pressing against her inner thigh. "Nancy Wheeler," He breathed out. His brown eyes poured into hers, never wanting to miss a moment.
Nancy returned the gaze, her eyelashes batting against her cheeks. She flushed, growing shy at the intense eye contact. "Steve Harrington." She said.
Silence fell over the two. Comfortable, sweet silence. The kind anyone longs for. Full of lust, love, and warmth. Nancy lifted her hand, tracing her fingers along the fabric of Steve's t-shirt. Her fingers played with the buttons, chest heaving with anticipation.
"You're so beautiful." Steve whispered. "But I'm still pissed off."
Nancy whimpered. Steve grinned.
He knew how to get her.
The gap closed once again, this time Steve took control. A soft gasp escaped Nancy's lips, taken off-guard by the sudden contact. Steve allowed his hands to explore Nancy's body, hiking up the skirt of her dress to expose her lacy thong. His strong hands continued to run up and down Nancy's body, landing on her ass and giving it a hard squeeze.
Nancy felt her body go limp, letting Steve take control over her and her body. "You're...pissed off?"
"Fucking Billy," Steve mumbled against Nancy's fair skin. He began to mark up her body, starting with the neck and making his way down to her chest. Steve knew not to leave a too-noticeable love bite on her neck. Nancy hated having to wear turtlenecks. "Touching you, kissing you." His bites turned vicious, letting a bit of his anger out on her.
"Steve," Nancy whispered, whimpering at the sudden feeling of his teeth against her skin. She reached for his brown locks, intertwining her fingers into the thick strands. Nancy pulled gently.
Steve's teeth took a break, peppering the bruises with kisses. He had bruised her chest pretty well, leaving splotches of purple all along her breasts.
The sound of breaking glass echoed throughout the hallway, causing Nancy to giggle. "The party is getting a little hectic."
"Shut up," Steve mumbled, ripping off his shirt. He leaned back down, towering over Nancy with a smirk.
Nancy looked up into Steve's eyes, arching an eyebrow at him in amusement. He was trying to be rough. Cute. The girl bit down on her bottom lip, allowing him to give him what he wanted. However, Steve was going to have to work for it. "Make me, Harrington." Nancy slithered out of his grip, moving herself along the sheets.
Steve watched as Nancy shimmied her way to the other side of the bed. Of course she had to pick the room with the king bed. Steve rolled his eyes at the sight of Nancy, trying to contain his erection. "What are you doing, hm?"
Nancy giggled, laying herself down. She lifted herself, resting her elbows against the bed to gain access to Steve. Eyebrows pinched, eyes full of woe, and lip curved into a frown. Steve was getting annoyed, and it only made Nancy aroused. "Pissing you off." Nancy cocked a brow, lifting her legs up.
Steve watched in amusement. "Why would you do that?"
Nancy lifted her dress, giving Steve full access to her cunt. The brunette spread her legs, maintaining eye contact the whole time. She couldn't help herself. With the swift motion of her hand, Nancy's palm rested against her core. The girl let out a gentle noise, touching herself lazily.
Steve gulped, eyes shifting from Nancy's face to her pussy. The lacy thong barely covering her was enough to make him go into a spiral. "Nance,"
"Hm?" She perked up, fingers circling her swollen clit. Nancy poked at herself through the thin fabric, biting hard on her lip. "Is there a problem?"
"You're such a tease," Steve confessed. He began to crawl toward her, approaching slowly, like a hunter after his prey.
Nancy narrowed her eyes at Steve, shoving her underwear to the side. The cool air hit her dripping cunt, causing Nancy to seethe. "Oh," She whispered, fingers crawling around her hole. Nancy finally shoved two fingers inside of her, releasing a high-pitched moan.
"Jesus Christ," Steve whispered to himself, watching as Nancy pleasured herself. The mere sight of her exposed pussy made his pants tighten. She had never done this before. Acting so careless about her pussy, exposing it for the world to see. For Steve to see. All for Steve. "Nance, quit teasing."
"Never," She breathed out, pumping her fingers in and out of her. Nancy grew sloppy, lazily dragging her thumb against her clit while her fingers went ham. Eyes beginning to close from the pleasure, Nancy lost sight of Steve. Her back rested down against the bedspread, continuing to please herself. "Oh fuck," She moaned, clenching her legs around her hand.
Steve used the moment of vulnerability to sneak his way in. He quietly brought his hands to her sides, watching as her thighs trembled in pleasure. Steve smirked, watching as Nancy twitched and cried as she touched herself. It was a sight to see, and Steve basked in its glory.
Nancy Wheeler was hot and horny.
All for Steve.
In a quick motion, Steve grabbed ahold of Nancy's thighs. Without giving her a chance to speak, Steve laid his body down on the bed and pushed her core into his mouth. Steve let out an exasperated moan, tongue working overtime.
Nancy gasped for air, feeling the bruises form on her thighs. Steve gripped her skin hard, holding her in place as he ate her out feverishly. The girl felt her chest cave in, finding it hard to breathe as Steve devoured her whole. "Steve! Fuck!" She cried, voice cracking from the intensity.
His tongue lapped against her clit, hands pushing her thighs down hard. Steve had Nancy pinned down, eyes focusing on the way her chest rose and fell in quick intervals. Steve smirked against her clit, watching as she squirmed. "Give it to me, Nance." He said, letting go of one thigh.
Nancy's leg began to tremble after being released from his grip. She tried to level her breathing, but the sudden sensation of two fingers entering her cunt caused her to malfunction. Overstimulation began to kick in, causing her body to shake and convulse. "Steve!"
"Hm?" He asked, humming against her clit. Nancy shuttered at the vibrations against her pussy, eyes screwing shut to focus on her climax. Her hips bucked up, fucking Steve's mouth as best as she could.
Hips riding against his face, Steve carefully inserted another finger. Tongue on the clit, gliding between her folds and licking up any pre-cum, Steve wanted her to finish. The thought of Nancy cumming all over his face was enough to make him finish, but he had to hold on. She had to hold on. Steve needed to fuck her, show her more than just his tongue.
Nancy deserved every ounce of sex he could give.
At that moment, Steve vowed to make this night about Nancy. Show her real pleasure, real love. Give her what she needs, as well as pleasure himself just by watching her. Nancy had a way of controlling Steve, and this night wouldn't be any different.
Nancy's head hit the pillow hard, inhaling sharply. Steve devoured her whole, eating like he hadn't had a meal in years. As if he was just freed, wanting the best meal he could think of. His tongue lapped at her clit, providing her enough attention to release all over his face. The girl could feel her pussy clench around his fingers, an embarrassing blush flashing over her cheeks.
Steve's eyes lingered on Nancy, watching her every move as he ate her out. The way her chest heaved at a fast pace, her thighs trembling. He fucked her hard, making it incredibly difficult for Nancy to not cum. He wanted to open the floodgates and clean her up, show her how much he loved to please her.
"F-Fuck...Fuck, Steve." Nancy purred, her throat aching from the constant moaning and cries. Her chest tightened, making its way down to her stomach. Feeling her climax approaching, Nancy let out a high-pitched scream.
The sound gave Steve the motivation to pick up the pace. Releasing his fingers from her dripping cunt. He made sure to play with her folds for a few seconds—purely to get a reaction out of her—he gave all his attention to Nancy with his tongue. Gnawing, swallowing her pussy whole. Making sure to lap at her clit, as well as brush against her folds.
Nancy felt the slight stumble brushing against her aching core. Reaching for anything and everything, she landed on Steve's locks. She tugged at the roots, indicating her climax was about to hit. "Yes!" She cried out. "Yes, fuck, Steve! Right there! Please, please, please..."
The orgasm hit Nancy like a truck. Her back arched, shoving her pussy in Steve's face. Nancy rode out her high, body twitching and convulsing at the orgasm. It shattered her, leaving her mind cloudy and heart full of lust. A series of different sounds filled the room, mainly soft whimpers and sharp inhales from Nancy.
She missed the feeling of releasing herself. Unraveling for Steve to see. Nancy only enjoyed showing this side of herself with Steve. So vulnerable, so fragile. So hot and lustful.
Steve moaned in bliss at the taste of her cum. He used his tongue to clean Nancy, grinning with a newfound confidence. Pulling away from her cunt, Steve sighed in amazement. The sight was beautiful, breathtaking. The way her core throbbed, Nancy's lips drenched and the little spillage left over. "Nancy Wheeler, you're a masterpiece."
Nancy winced at the sudden contact of his lips on her pussy again. He chuckled, causing Nancy to roll her eyes. Despite how great he fucked her, Steve continued to be a dick. To show her that he's still in charge. She loved it that way, but God, he was going to be the absolute death of her.
Steve peppered kisses against her clit, watching as her body trembled every time. "Someone's jumpy,"
"Shut up," Nancy commanded, sitting up slowly.
Steve kneeled over the bed, looking up at Nancy with a sense of bewilderment. His honey eyes burned into her blue ones, a gentle grin on his pouty lips. Nancy's eyes trailed to his neck, noticing all of the moles and freckles she adored.
Lifting himself, Steve shook his head. He towered over Nancy, slowly lowering himself onto the bed. Crawling toward her, Nancy could sense the animalistic switch in Steve. His eyes, wild and full of lust, never leaving Nancy.
He was hunting her like his prey.
And she loved every minute of it.
"Make me, Wheeler." Steve seethed, bringing his face toward hers.
Nancy batted her eyelashes, trying to put together her thoughts. It seemed like an easy task at hand. However, the way his nose scrunched and mouth twisted into a smirk made her thoughts harder to decipher. He distracted her and brought her to the world of forgetfulness and sex.
Lots of sex.
Their bodies, pumping with adrenaline and lust, pressed against one another's. Steve's hand reached up, combing his fingers through her thick locks. Nancy felt her breath hitch in her throat. Speechless, her eyes bore into his, admiring the slight twinkle.
"You don't wanna go down that route, Steve," Nancy whispered as Steve lowered his face toward her.
His lips curled into a smirk, lips brushing against Nancy's as he spoke. "Oh, I think I do." His hands snaked up to her sides, fingers tracing circles around her waist. "The question is, though..." He paused, eyes glancing up into hers. "Do you want to?"
The question took Nancy by surprise. Of course, she had wanted this. It's the whole reason why they were in this situation in the first place. However, as she stared into his big brown eyes, the question meant something else entirely.
Searching for a response, Steve's forehead leaned against Nancy's. His mind, body, and soul ached for every inch of her. All Steve wanted to do was show her how much he cared for her, worshipped the ground she walked on.
But one word stuck out to him the most.
Love.
Steve was hopelessly in love with Nancy Wheeler. She consumed his mind and controlled his actions and everything he stood for. Nancy inspired him and showed him what it was like to be free and full of life. Nancy was like a breath of fresh air, Steve wanting to take her in like a hit from a cigarette. Inhale her, hold her close. Remind her just how much he cared for her, as well as show her what real love looked like.
It only took him a lousy party and an act of jealousy to realize it.
Now, it was Nancy's turn. Her turn to take her thoughts and shove them to the side, giving in to Steve and allowing him in. Show him how vulnerable she could truly be.
But instead of responding with words, her eyes gave the answer. A slight nod was earned, giving Steve the go. To take their relationship to the next step. To get at least one more night with Nancy and figure out their shitty situation in the morning.
Tonight belonged to them, and Steve was going to make sure it stayed that way.
In a swift motion, Steve pulled off his shirt. He leaned back down, capturing Nancy's lips in a proper kiss. Not too rough but just enough to get Nancy to groan in pleasure. Her lips pressed back, hands reaching up and caressing his warm skin. Nancy's hands slid behind his shoulders and down his back, pulling Steve in as close as she could.
His body rested in between her legs, sighing into Nancy's mouth. He found himself fiddling with her shirt, snaking his hand under her dress. Using both hands, Steve shoved her dress up as far as he could. Enough to expose her flat stomach, pumping up and down as Nancy breathed heavily.
Their lips unlocked, the puzzle falling apart. With a gentle gasp, Nancy couldn't help but shudder as Steve's lips attached to her neck. Kissing all the way down to her collarbone, focusing on her needs before his. "I could kiss you forever, Nancy."
"Please," Nancy begged, her body squirming under his grip.
"No remarks?" Steve looked up with an arched eyebrow. "No witty banter? Just begging?"
"Steve, I swear to Go—"
Steve cut her off with a lazy kiss. His lips lingered before pulling back, the familiar shit-eating grin plastered on his lips. "Just teasing you, Nance." He whispered, his heart thumping against his bare chest. "Let me take care of you."
Nancy's eyes, full of lust and gratitude, stared into Steve's. Speechless, once again. Steve loved to shut her up, in simple ways or others. A wicked grin returned to his lips, Steve anxiously waiting to continue his mission.
Reaching down, his rough fingers trailed her inner thigh. Nancy couldn't help but jump, embarrassed by her actions. Steve let out a soft chuckle, loving how adorable Nancy acted. One minute she was the tough guy, the next she was trembling under his embrace.
Steve's fingers danced across her thigh, crawling up to her panties. Eyes never leaving hers, Steve peeled off Nancy's thong. He dropped it to the side, her pussy on full display.
Nancy felt how sticky she was down there, a mixture of her previous orgasm with her newfound desires for Steve. She inhaled sharply, watching as Steve stood up for a moment and tore off his pants. All that rested on his hips were his boxers, red and black checkered print. Nancy's eyes held onto his bulge, nibbling at her bottom lip as she stared impolitely.
She decided to take control for a second, sitting up. Nancy grabbed ahold of his boxers, shoving them down his hips and letting them hit the floor. She had seen his cock multiple times, and every time it got better and better. The sight of his arousal brought her joy as well as amusement. Anytime she got her hands on his dick was a good day in her head.
"Nance..." He whispered, his eyes lingering on the girl below him. Steve reached down, tilting her chin up to focus on his face.
Nancy's baby blue eyes shined in the darkness, Steve feeling himself engulfed in desire and passion. The two of them, alone, the room filled with love.
Steve was ready.
Nancy was ready.
In a heated moment, the two went for one another. Lips on each other, tongues fighting one another. Hands grabbing onto any piece of skin imaginable, Nancy's moans echoed throughout the room as Steve groaned in response. The kiss made Nancy hungrier for more, emerging herself into Steve and Steve only. Legs spreading ever so slightly, Nancy held Steve close to her.
Steve took the seductive action as a sign, lining up his cock to her core. He teased, dragging his tip along her drenched folds.
Fingers digging deep into his back, Nancy scratched and clawed at Steve. "Steve." She spoke, firmly, and was dedicated to stopping the teasing.
"Shush." He hummed, his dick shoving ever so slightly into her, splitting her in half. Steve's hands came up to grip Nancy's waist, holding her down as he thrust himself into her. "Is this okay?" He asked, his breath tickling her ear.
Nancy's back arched, her body drowning in pleasure as Steve took things to the next level. The warmth of his hands on her hips, pinning her down was enough to send her over the edge. Instead, Nancy lifted her legs to make things easier for the both of them. Lips pressed against her ear, Steve panted softly as he decided to pick up the speed.
"Steve," She cooed, her words wrapped silk, gentle to the touch. Something felt different about their time together. Nancy felt this newfound sense of euphoria, not just arousal. A fire burned in her stomach, twisting and turning and trying to tell her something. But Nancy's thoughts turned cloudy as Steve began to pound into her.
"Nance," He exhaled, his hips pressing harder against hers as Steve continued the steady pace. However, a scratch to his back caused Steve to grunt in satisfaction. "Fuck, you're so beautiful."
Eyes screwed shut, Nancy's claws dug into Steve's back. He pounded, hard and fast, his thrusts deep and with a purpose. Steve's hands moved their way down to her thighs, squeezing the life out of them until they bruised. The whimpers escaping her lips came in a series, some soft and some loud. Steve used all the energy he could to sit them up, Nancy cradling his lap as they continued to fuck.
"Steve!" Nancy whined, Steve's cock disappearing into her. His hands remained on her hips, guiding her as he fucked her. Nancy's head dropped onto his shoulder, her body trembling from the thigh workout. Her breathing, shallow as a pool, huffed and puffed into Steve's ear, causing him to yank at her thighs.
"Nance," Steve spoke, hips bucking at a brutal pace. His strong hands gripped her hard, lifting her up and down on his cock. Steve couldn't help but grunt as Nancy's walls tightened around him. This position had been his favorite, so intimate and up close. Letting Nancy have some control but overall, he fucked her into next Tuesday.
Her breasts bouncing, Nancy plunging onto Steve's dick. Her shaky hands found their way to his hair, pulling at the thick locks in a desperate attempt to answer his call. "Ye...Yes?" She stuttered, trying her best to ride him but it was all becoming unbearable.
The way her walls fluttered around his cock, engulfing his warmth with every thrust. His hands caress the sensitive parts of her body, focusing primarily on her inner thighs. Steve knew how much that made her squirm.
Eyes piercing into hers, Steve pulled Nancy in close. Their bodies pressed against one another's, sweat dripping off of their faces and mixing in with their bodies. The world seemed to slow, turning on its axis ever so slightly. It faded, Steve's focus on Nancy and her the same.
"Nothing," His hand reached up, cupping her face. His thumb stroked her cheek, admiring how red they turned whenever Steve seemed to speak. A wistful smile fell upon his lips as his thrusts slowed. "You're just so goddamn beautiful." He picked up the pace again, cock thick and coated with her cream. "So perfect." Steve croaked, dipping down and leaving kisses along her neck.
"Steve..." Nancy hissed. "Steve, please." Face growing hot, Nancy felt her stomach churn in anticipation.
"Yes, baby?" He asked, nose brushing against the bruises he left along her collarbone. Steve couldn't get enough, planting marks all over her neck. His hands stroked the small of her back, pulling Nancy closer than ever.
"I..." A whine. "I-I'm gonna..." Nancy can't even finish her sentence as her belly twists into a knot. She was approaching her climax, ready to finish all over his throbbing cock.
Steve smirked, his hips beginning to turn erratic. Pounding into her core, Nancy's body turned tingly and bubbly. Her insides turned into mush, and her legs started to tremble in overstimulation. "You're gonna...?" Steve asked, teasing Nancy as usual. He had never felt this way about a girl before. Nancy Wheeler was the girl of his dreams, and he was going to have a hard time letting her go.
As her walls clenched around his cock, Steve groaned.
The sounds of the party died down, the world only revolving around them. The smacking of their hips, Steve's bright brown eyes staring into Nancy's, watching as she unfolded right in front of him.
The orgasm hit Nancy like a ton of bricks. Her head dropped onto his shoulder, sounds of whimpering filling the room. She cries and Steve feels her pooling around his dick. Lifting her head by the chin, Steve rests his forehead against hers. "So good," He whispered, lips parted as he moaned desperately for Nancy.
Once, twice, three more pumps, and Steve was a goner. Eyes screwed shut, his hands bruising Nancy's hips as he reached his climax. "Fuck, Nancy!" He gritted through his teeth, shattering groans leaving his mouth.
Nancy held onto Steve, grip tight but body weak from their actions. The two held onto one another, never wanting to let go. His arms gripped around her shoulders, lifting Nancy up and down at a gentle pace. They embraced one another, Steve planting kisses all over Nancy. Cheeks, forehead, eyelashes, chin, and jawline. Anything he could get his lips on, Steve kissed.
Nancy let out soft giggles, her body continuing to tremble from the intense orgasm she had experienced. Steve's kisses and soft hands made Nancy blush, their intimate act was much more than just a quick session.
Pulling himself out of her, Nancy missed Steve immediately. Her body erupted in goosebumps, the sudden atmosphere coming back to her.
The soft pounding of the bass, the clinking of beer bottles, or glass breaking. Footsteps ran up and down the hallway.
Nancy focused on her breathing, finding the right rhythm. Her eyes glanced into Steve's, a gentle smile on her lips. Steve returned the grin, their noses brushing against each other. Steve wanted to kiss her. Show her that he was in it for the long run. Not just for a quick fuck whenever they needed it.
Nancy hesitated, her dainty fingers reaching out and touching his cheeks. "Steve," She whispered, their lips barely touching.
Steve's hands trailed up to her hair, running his fingers through her strands. He focused his attention on her, needing to hear what she had to say. "Yeah?"
One hand remained in her hair as the other gripped around her wrist, Steve's thumb caressing her fair skin. Nancy let out a soft sigh, her feelings at an all-time high. Romantic thoughts crept into her mind, reminding herself of their short-lived relationship and how much Steve meant to her. How she craved his attention and every move. How her mind was so consumed by him, that Nancy couldn't imagine her life without him.
It was all so clear.
"I love you." She breathed out, finally admitting her true feelings. It took a lot out of her, the vulnerability of it all. Nancy had now opened more than just her legs. Her heart was out in the open, just in reach for Steve to grab. Hold onto it and cherish it. Teach her heart how to love, as well as show her a good time whenever she needs it most. "I love you, Steve Harrington." She nodded, sure of her feelings.
It was Steve's turn to fall speechless. His cheeks flushed, showing off his best blush for Nancy. Steve tried to hide it, but the look on his face said it all. A deep smile, teeth showing and all. "I know." His smile turned into a smirk before pressing his lips to her.
"What the he—" Nancy's words came to a halt, once again, by Steve and his irresistible lips. Steve's fingers curled into her strands, pulling Nancy in close by the neck. Their kiss turned affectionate, Nancy's cheeks heating up. They melted into one another, their bodies fitting together like a pair of puzzle pieces.
Steve pulled back for a moment, lips hovering over Nancy's. "I love you too, Wheeler. I think I have for a while."
"Well, what can I say?" Her hands snuck around his neck, arms draping. "I'm irresistible."
"Tell me about it." Steve kissed her gently, pulling Nancy into another kiss. Her lips tugged into a smile, giggling against his soft smile.
Steve lifted Nancy in the air, earning a warm laugh from her. He returned the chuckle, dropping her onto the bed and falling on top of her. The electricity between the two returned, Steve's hands exploring her body as Nancy whimpered under his embrace.
They went all night, with nothing but sweet emotions and sounds filling the room. Different positions, angles, and gentle praises. The guest room belonged to them, the party drowning out in the background. They couldn't hear the sound of the front door slamming shut, indicating people leaving during the night. Instead, the hum of their hearts pounding and full of warmth, Steve and Nancy fell into a loving haze.
Their relationship, slightly confusing yet perfectly sane, seemed to be the missing pieces in their lives. Nancy, terrified to let anyone in, found herself giving in to Steve. Knowing he was going to take care of her and show her true love and affection. Yet, despite her anxieties, Steve calmed her down in unimaginable ways. All he had to do was look at her and everything seemed to fall into place. Reminding her that everything was going to be okay, despite the complications heading their way.
But Nancy shoved the thoughts into the garbage, focusing in on the now. Steve Harrington was her past, present, and future. And he felt the same about her. And she wasn't going to trade that for the world, despite how rocky their relationship started.
Nancy was sure of herself, finally. Steve knew from the get-go but was too clouded with jealousy to truly understand his feelings. All he needed was a quiet corner of a party to realize what he needed. He needed Nancy more than anything in the world.
The soft sounds of Wham! played in the background as Nancy and Steve found themselves falling asleep, embracing one another in a naked position. Nancy's eyelashes flushed against Steve's chest, eyes heavy and ready to pass out. Steve's hand stroked the small of Nancy's back, the silence comforting to the both of them. His lips lingered against her forehead, signaling Nancy to go to bed.
Take me to the edge of heaven,
Tell me that my soul's forgiven.
Nancy and Steve looked up at one another, laughter from the both of them. All the problems and issues in their lives and the world seemed to melt away just by listening to the song for a moment. As long as they were with each other, everything would be okay.
Even if it took them a second or two to figure it out.
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artbyblastweave · 2 years
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There are a lot of ways in which Bonesaw seems to be in conversation with Harley Quinn. They’re both blonde, perky minions with an exaggerated affect and an affinity for black comedy, the girl-fridays to their respective society-dwelling chaotic-evil middle-aged masterminds. Both of them have sympathetic backstories in which they were brought to their current sorry state through deft and continual emotional abuse and/or torture. Both of them are painted as arguably more competent and creative than their respective bosses, and both of them ultimately receive redemptive arcs in which they rediscover their sense of personal agency and get out from under the thumb of their abuser. And neither of them has a valid license to practice medicine.
One thing I don’t see brought up a lot, though, is that Harley Quinn as she’s currently written and marketed is already subverting and deconstructing a character archetype- namely, that of Harley Quinn. She was originally introduced as a relatively flat and uncomplicated minion of The Joker, for a gendered sight gag they didn’t even go through with in the final cut of the episode. She verged on being a stock character. I’ve always parsed Mad Love, the comic/episode that fleshed out her backstory, as the writers subsequently sitting down and seriously considering the whole moll archetype; asking themselves how someone ends up the sidekick of someone like The Joker, and how dysfunctional that relationship would be behind closed doors. Harley Quinn is already thoroughly subverting Harley Quinn, to the extent that it’s now possible to go your whole life without consuming any Batman media that contains the original dynamic being subverted.
So what Bonesaw is doing is that she takes that subversion and cranks it up a notch. Bonesaw is a version of Harley Quinn who, in my opinion, is vastly more sympathetic than Harley herself, but she also (very reasonably!) gets handed much less of a pass by the narrative despite this.
Harley was a grown woman with a doctorate. Bonesaw was Six. Harley breached professional ethics by becoming involved with her patient. Bonesaw was Six. Harley (I think @zoobus brought this up recently and got me thinking about this) was, as the Joker’s doctor, and thus at least initially was the more powerful party in regards to the power imbalance. Bonesaw was six. 
But! Despite the fact that Bonesaw was six, and was dealt an unabashedly terrible hand, the redemption arc is significantly more uphill because she, you know, she did torture and murder scores and scores of people in the most horrifying ways possible! And at a certain point issues of culpability have to take a back-seat to questions like “Are we physically capable of stopping her if she changes her mind and starts doing this again?” Pound-for-Pound I’m pretty sure she’s much worse in terms of raw bodycount than Harley Quinn, regardless of how much choice they each had in the matter. No real way to elide that. No marketing-based impetus for the author to do so.
Her redemption arc doesn’t happen because people within the setting idealistically recognize her as an abused child who’s deserving of a second chance on principle; instead they get her in their custody, they need something from her, and extend her the courtesy of not killing her because that’s the only way to get what they need. They never trust her; they never will trust her, (I personally don’t feel like they’re under any obligation to ever trust her) and her readmission to society is so knifes-edge conditional that from her perspective it was only barely worth it to return to the fold. She is not happier for her decision. There’s no just-so story about how doing good makes everyone forgive you and become your friend, or at least become cautiously indifferent to you. This is, like, the most cynical, harsh and bitter redemption arc possible. And in spite of all this, there’s also a level on which Bonesaw is lucky, because her “redemption arc” is so mechanistic; so dependent on timing and circumstance, on people needing something from her instead of just killing her, on being young enough that “she never had a chance to be anything else” is an argument that lands with people despite being also reasonably true for a lot of adult supervillains who got fucked over as early and as hard as she did. 
This has been sitting in my drafts long enough that I don’t have a good sense of what the final takeaway should be, so I’ll just end with this- Bonesaw’s situation, as melancholy and cynical as it makes me feel, is definitely in line with one of the big recurring beats of the book- that regardless of questions of what one deserves, you get away with a lot if you have something to offer and if you play ball. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Taylor’s visit to Sophia in prison comes right on the tail of the Bonesaw sequence; Shadow Stalker could have gotten better, if anyone had cared enough to put in the legwork, and probably could have done so with much less work than Bonesaw. But nobody entertained that idea, because at a certain point she stopped being worth it. And Taylor, who probably did do a lot more harm to a lot more people just because she was running free for longer, gets a seat at the table because she made herself useful, and a charitable assessment from the fandom because we live in her head. And after a sufficiently long bout of fruitless plate-spinning and sin-weighing, kindness and mercy and the extension of second chances inevitably come out in the wash, as a knot-cutting measure if nothing else.
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princesssarisa · 2 months
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Characters ask: 12 dancing princesses
Favorite thing about them: The beautiful, romantic imagery of all the princesses venturing into a magical subterranean land where the trees are made of silver, gold, and diamonds, and then dancing through the night with mysterious handsome princes. I like the imagery better than the story itself.
Least favorite thing about them: That they let all the princes who try to discover their secret be beheaded. It's no wonder that retellings tend to omit this part and just have the failed princes either sent away in disgrace or imprisoned instead.
Three things I have in common with them:
*I like parties and music.
*I tend to be a freedom-seeker.
*I'm in no hurry to marry.
Three things I don't have in common with them:
*I'm not a very good dancer.
*I would never let even one man be beheaded just so I could attend secret parties, let alone many men.
*I don't have any sisters, let alone eleven.
Favorite line:
From the Faerie Tale Theatre version, these quotes from the eldest princess Jeanetta:
"I have no patience for hearts and flowers and young men who brag about this victory and that. There's more to life than romance."
“The man of my dreams is a prince among men.”
brOTP: Each other.
OTP: Well, I hope the eldest sister will be happy in her marriage to the soldier, and I hope the others eventually find the right princes.
nOTP: Their father.
Random headcanon: For the Faerie Tale Theatre version, where all the characters are more sympathetic than in the Grimms' tale, I like @ariel-seagull-wings' headcanon that the princesses' parents were Cinderella and her Prince, now King. The eldest princess looks especially like their mother – since in this version she's played by Lesley Ann Warren, the 1965 Rodgers and Hammerstein Cinderella – and they've all inherited her love of ballroom dancing. But since Cinderella died, her grieving husband has become overprotective of his daughters, leading to the plot.
Unpopular opinion: I don't mind the fact that this tale is so rarely adapted, because it's not a particular favorite of mine, mainly because the ending falls flat. We never learn who the mysterious dancing princes were; there's just a vague statement at the end implying that they're under a curse, and that it's extended as their punishment for having danced with the princesses, but with no explanation of who cursed them or how they suffer from it. The princesses never redeem themselves for having caused so many men's deaths – at least in other stories with similar plot points, like Turandot, the princess has a transformative "learning to love" moment which is missing here. The eldest princess is married to the soldier as his reward, with no choice for her and no sense of romance, and this is portrayed as a happy ending, even though she and her sisters were willing to kill him rather than be forced to marry him.
So far, every adaptation I've seen has been an improvement, IMHO. First and foremost by removing the "every man who fails to learn the princesses' secret is beheaded" plot point, secondly by giving the soldier an actual romance arc with the eldest princess, and thirdly by changing the ending or at least giving it more depth. My introduction to the story was the anime Grimm's Fairy Tale Classics, where the princes turn out to be disguised demons luring the princesses to their doom, and the soldier fights them off and helps the princesses escape, earning the eldest princess's love by doing so. That twist might be melodramatic, but at least it gives the story a proper climax and emotional payoff. Then there's the Faerie Tale Theatre version, where the princes are dream figures created by the princesses in a magic ritual, and where the princesses' nightly outings are sympathetic, because their overprotective father needs to learn to let them grow up, go dancing, and meet young men in their own world. That's a good alternative too. (I don't have anything to say about the Barbie version because I've never seen it.) Basically, I think it's a story with great potential, but which needs adaptation expansion.
Song I associate with them: None.
Favorite picture of them:
This illustration by Elenore Abbott:
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This illustration by Kay Nielsen:
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These illustrations by Erroll Le Cain:
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This illustration by P.J. Lynch:
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These illustrations by Ruth Sanderson:
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These illustrations by Kinuko Craft:
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kalena-henden · 1 month
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Shows I finished in 2024 so far...
A Good Day to be a Dog - A woman accidentally kisses her co-worker and turns into a dog during the night due to a family curse. She has to get her co-worker to kiss her as a dog to break stay human full-time or she will permanently remain a dog after 100 days. The first two-thirds were fun hijinks and a cute romance. The final third with the past life curse origin was a drag. Still upset the mountain god didn't apologize after wrongly punishing the wrong people due to his misunderstanding.
My Demon - A high powered business woman becomes entangled with a deal-making demon when she saves him and his powers transfer to her. This show stole plot heavily from shows like Goblin and Doom at Your Service and failed to do make those concepts their own. However, I still enjoyed it to the end, mostly due to the chemistry between the leads. They had such a fun and lively relationship.
The Story of Park's Marriage Contract - A Joseon-era bride who is widowed on her wedding day is transported to the future where she falls for a man who looks exactly like her dead husband. The story was okay but I was mainly here for the chemistry between the leads.
Fixer Upper: Hotel - Chip and Jo work their magic on an entire hotel. I love seeing the process and the design is beautiful as always.
Memorist - A detective who can see people's thoughts when he touches them teams up with a genius profiler to take down murders. As mysteries unfold and truths are revealed, everything is not as it seems forcing them to confront their traumatic pasts. I binged this in 4 days. The first half is dark but, just when I thought I had the villains pegged, the story opens up to explore the various sides of people to reveal the good, the bad, and the morally grey. I'm still thinking about this months later. I especially loved our detective/profiler team. I really want to rewatch.
Be Melodramatic - This a satire on the entertainment industry, grief, motherhood, and love that is done with 100% deadpan humor which is why I thought the concepts were interesting but fell flat due to not connecting with the humor. This took me almost 9 months to finish.
Death's Game - A man kills himself and then is given 12 chances to survive in someone else's body or he will be sent to hell. It's an anti-suicide version of A Christmas Carol. It was okay. While a host of great actors shine in their guest roles, it was maddening that the man didn't seem to learn along the way until the last body. Where the story ended felt like a copout. If this were a movie where you don't have much time, I would understand, but I wanted to see what would happen next. We needed just one more episode.
Marry My Husband - A woman with terminal cancer is murdered by her husband and best friend who were having an affair, when she is transported back in time before she was married to change her fate and find the love she deserves. This was such a great revenge story. Some of the best villains in kdramaland. A cute romance with a man who adores her. Real friendships. And the OSTs will stick with you.
Queen of Divorce - It started off okay but went downhill quickly. Honestly, such a waste of a great cast.
Daisy Jones & The Six - An interesting look at a fictional 70s rock band as they rise to the top before flaming out. I had listened to the audiobook but I liked the series better.
Doctor Slump - Two young doctors who were academic rivals in high school find themselves grappling with depression and fall in love as they heal together. This was a solid, even keel show for me. I enjoyed their healing journey and their romance.
Live Your Own Life - An outcast chaebol whose parents died in a mysterious car crash falls for his hardworking trainer who needs to learn to become independent from her family. I watched this 50-episode family drama for Ha Joon. There were some interesting things that kept me watching but it was just okay.
Princess Hours - The crown prince and a young artist, who are both high school seniors, navigate the complexities of an arranged marriage and court politics in modern day Korea. This was a really interesting study in how people can change and grow and fall in love as they grapple with the expectations of a nation. It's an old school kdrama and alot is meant to be inferred. It's almost as much about what is not shown or said as much as what is which was frustrating at times. However, when someone explained things, everything started to click for me and I saw all the things that were implied increasing my enjoyment.
Wedding Impossible - A gay chaebol asks his best friend to marry him to hide his sexuality from everyone. His brother who wants him to marry someone else for his own good decides to break them up by seducing his brother's fiance. It's a ridiculous premise with a fun, bickering enemies to lovers couple. It lags a bit in the last part but I still enjoyed this romance. Moon Sang Min is a new fave.
High School King of Savvy - A high school hockey player is asked by his older brother to pretend to be him at his job as a corporate executive while he investigates something nefarious. The high schooler then has to juggle both school and work life as he unexpectedly falls for his brother's secretary. This is a crazy, age-gap romance with Seo In Guk. The only reason the romance works is because both the leads are so pure hearted and kind. Lee Soo Hyuk is doing his best sexy, self-sabotaging second male lead, who even smiles! It was a bit much but it settled down in the second half and I loved the big found family feel of the cast.
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes - The first half was interesting with many characters’ selfish and dark intentions mixed with a little mystery were set up in contrast to our optimistic, self-sacrificing female lead. However, the second half drowned in major events happening and then being dismissed as if they never happened, multiple secret keepers refusing to tell the secret multiple times an episodes even when asked point blank when the answers could stop so many bad things from happening, and the existential dread I felt about what the big reveal was going to be only for it to completely dismissed. I knew this was a tragedy going in but still I felt angry and exhausted by the end.
Vigilante - A police university student decides to take the law into his own hands after his mother's murderer is let back on the streets to avenge her and other's like her who have been failed by the justice system. A manhunt for him ensues, bringing together an unlikely and at times unhinged group who decides to reveal the truth and bring justice. At 8 episode (six hours total), it felt like it was just starting to gel by the end. Definitely set up for more potential seasons after Nam Joo Hyuk gets out of the military.
Love Me Love Me Voice - A newer voice actor and singer is one day noticed online by her secretive voice acting idol and a whirlwind courtship begins. These are the sweetest, kindest people ever. I love how the dramatic readings and song performances are seamlessly woven into the story. Multiple romances, great friendships, mouthwatering food, and beautiful locals. This is a feel good story of first love.
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melonteee · 9 months
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Do you think ur going to do a review or analysis of the live action? Because even tho i kinda liked it i think i have the same problem that you have with the characters, like zoro. It's weird bc i think that the characterization of the characters is kinda good, but also there's something laking, i think it's the removal of some core senes but honestly idk fully if it's that or something else. I know they had short time to adapt like 90 chapters, but i think the time they had would be better used if they didn't had the b plot be abt garp. Tho that's also not right, bc i think some of the scenes with the marines were fun? But in this case i think garp characterization is just not that great.
Idk its super weird bc i feel the world is really one piece and it was fun to watch but there's some things that are kinda :/
Okay uh, let me preface this by saying part of my degree had to do with adaptation - in terms of what it is and how it's really god damn hard. So this live action intrigues me not just as a one piece fan, but in terms of my studies, and I have no doubt my favourite teacher is getting a kick out of this as we speak lol.
If you don't want spoilers for ep 1, don't read under the cut. If you don't want to feel bummed out cause you super enjoyed the show, also don't read. I am analysing this in a very critical way because I was dead interested in how this was handled.
I have only watched one episode, I can only judge so far at the moment, so feel free to take this all with a grain of salt. There is indeed charm in this series! The only thing is, there's charm when it's trying to be itself exclusively, and it falls really flat when trying to replicate One Piece because...I didn't feel One Piece from this in any sense. Any 'faithful' shots I received felt like a cheap replica attempting to force some nostalgic emotion out of me with nothing earned.
And, from what I can see, that's the problem here. This series isn't sure how loyal it should really be, nor is it sure how much fidelity it should keep - but it's trying to remind me at every damn second "This IS One Piece, do you SEE One Piece?" And it's not just me saying this, the producers themselves admitted that they were TRYING to be loyal. A quote from them is;
“What we learned is the fans are expecting you to be true to the source material,” says executive producer Marty Adelstein, whose Tomorrow Studios produced “Cowboy Bebop” for Netflix before embarking on “One Piece....As we read the comments, it was always, ‘Well, they didn’t do this character the same as this and that.’ … It really taught us a lot of what we needed to do with this one.” “It became everyone’s goal to make sure that when you looked at the show, you thought this was a live-action version of the manga that just felt like another feather in the legacy of Oda,” (source)
So here's my question here, to myself and One Piece fans - did you FEEL like you were watching a 1:1 version of these characters? Did these characters FEEL like themselves instead of being TOLD they're apparently themselves?
Of course, it's an adaptation! It's supposed to be different! But this statement directly contradicts that, and so does everything else. After all they apparently hired Oda to 'check off' on it, they used the Japanese VAs for the Japanese audio version of it, they even have the manga/anime version of Luffy sitting there in the One Piece logo - constantly reminding me OF the original no matter what I do.
So with all these comments, and with all these decisions, what else to expect but "Oh, so they're planning to stay loyal and not deviate from the original? This is clearly their goal."
And that's where the problem ensues for me, because they try DESPERATELY to ham fist in original source material, they really want me to point at the screen and go "JUST LIKE THE MANGA!", but they're not going all in on it and, as such, the changes become increasingly obvious that this ISN'T the same. Because, if you only have a BIT of Zoro's character implemented from the original, but not ALL of it, what else am I to see but a bastardised version of the original here?
This script does this thing where it's giving me beats of Zoro, but not all of Zoro, and suddenly I'm left with a guy who's a weird, bizarro version of Zoro. He's not quite original enough to feel like his own being, and he's not quite loyal enough to feel like the original. And of course, it's not just Zoro, but it's this way for the other characters too.
The 'loyalty' the producers are talking about, and the lesson they've seem to have learnt here is; "We need to unnaturally shove in as much fidelity as we can in an exposition-dump, so we can get it out of the way, make everyone feel like we're respecting the source, and get on to the original scenes that add nothing but a laugh."
And...it's a shame! It's weird to say this series would, so far, be better if they weren't TRYING to replicate One Piece's energy, but from everything I am seeing, it's clearly what they are trying to do. This show has charm when it has its OWN charm, but cutting from a fun little original scene to an exposition dump of lore is so incredibly jarring I don't even really know what to make of it.
For example, we were shown Zoro being tied up to a pole. We are going to point at it and go "I remember that!" but then...the whole reasoning is different, the motives are different, and...the time is all different? In all respect, this series is doing what Disney live actions are doing, where they are giving me MORE scenes with LESS information - and due to seemingly TRYING to be loyal, it feels like the original scenes are fun, but a waste of time due to the exposition dumps being incredibly rushed and lacklustre.
In a complete ironic twist, their desperation to be loyal has them falling flat, so instead I'm seeing a hollow replica of what One Piece is - when it could've been an original live action that's trying to work on its strengths of BEING its own live action.
All in all, the first ep would've been fine if I turned my brain off, but I don't...watch One Piece to do that. I don't ever feel numbed by One Piece, and by all means I was given the expectation that this WOULD be the story RETOLD but with BIGGER action and LARGER characters because they just LOVE Oda and respect him SO MUCH!
But at the end of the day, for a first impression, I got another Netflix live action that COULD work on itself, but ultimately is making me appreciate the original a lot more. It's making me appreciate Oda's writing more, the Strawhat's original characters more, and the world more. It seems great as a digestible family show, which I'm sure is what Netflix wanted, but it's already got me feeling uneasy.
Of course, this could very well change the more I get through, and I'm very open to it, but the first episode in itself makes for a fascinating case study on the fidelity of anime live action adaptations.
And just in case anyone gets up in arms because there seems to be a weird forced positivity crusade on this series right now, Oda himself has said he intends to happily take criticism, because he knows it'll come from a place of love. This by no means is a disrespect to Oda, and is more a look in on how Netflix operates.
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sciderman · 1 month
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I won't lie, there's a centrain magic to reading comics, maybe it's because you have more control over the direction, speed, voices and music when reading over watching something, maybe it's how creative people can get with panel lay-outs, maybe it's all of those things along with the different art styles and way people express themselves through their comic runs, maybe it's the fact there's SO many of them and so many different runs, AUs, versions, solo-stories and characters that while not every comics is for everyone, there's A comics for everyone.
And it's something that only animation can come close to capturing, occasionaly some games because they can give us amazing set pieces and action and stylization through gameplay. But to me live action movies just miss the mark exept a few and even then i just enjoy the comics more.
I think one big thing for me is the narration, because it helps me relate to characters as someone who's thoughts are pretty loud and narration-like, and the fact it's ME who decides how i make the characters sound and talk rather than having to listen to someone else voice the character in a way that i feel isn't "right".
So i'd say personaly it's comics>>books (i like books, and i LOVE fanfics but the visual part stimulates my brain more) >>>animation>games>live action
i agree wholeheartedly! i don't know, i'm kind of in love with the comic medium. but i love writing, also. i just - i really don't like the passivity of animation and television - i need a lot more stimulation than that to get my brain working. i like all the brain work you have to do when you're reading words. and i love the challenge of pulling off "comedic timing" when you don't actually HAVE the dimension of time in your medium exactly - so you have to work with panelling, and you have to work with spacing in your writing - and it's just so sexy and more active for the brain. like you're inventing a language.
comedy writing in comics is so, so fulfilling because you're a comedian, but your format is visual. you need to rely on visual language to carry it. and jokes are all about expectation and subversion and timing. a joke can fall so flat if that timing is off. and - i don't know, i'm obsessed with comics, as if they're some kind of form of visual poetry. it's taken for granted, i think. it's taken for granted.
i think you become more restricted the more dimensions you introduce - so - writing is entirely free. you can do WHATEVER you want, all by yourself, without needing to rely on the quality of your art software or the actors you have at your disposal or anything - you can conjure any visual you like. comics - more challenging, you're limited by your artistic ability but again - you're not restricted by voice cast - god, i love being able to conjure any voice at all in my head for the boys. i think if i was restricted by voice actors i'd have to write them differently, et cetera et cetera... i'd be dealing with VAs and saying "actually. your delivery is all wrong. i have to rewrite the joke." - i'm so particular about these things, you have no idea.
i remember the first time i watched the deadpool movie after having read the original script over and over YEARS prior and having heard it play out in my head in the most hilarious of ways and then. hearing ryan's delivery of those jokes and thinking "oh. it's not that funny actually."
sorry ryan. it might've been funnier if i hadn't read the script already and hadn't already had the movie play out in my brain way funnier than how you did it. sorry. my brain is a better cinema.
something i also love about print vs film - i've had this problem with a lot of adaptations - i despise film adaptations of books i love, just because - something is so sullied about having so many hands in the pot. actors. camera men. producers. directors. all these people - when - what i loved about the book was feeling close to the author. it's just me and him. we're together, intimately. and all of that intimacy gets lost when you know there's a huge film crew behind it.
kind of weird. i love reading a book and just, giggling over the pages, like it's a joke between me and the author. i don't know, i'm a weird little saddo who craves intimacy. so i like the intimacy of it being a one-man show. i love things where i can feel close to the creator. i hope that's why people like my things too. and it's why i like my things. i sometimes think "ouugh. why can't i work for marvel" but i think about how - i'm lucky i get to create what i want to create without having to compromise or answer to editorial. and what i create can always be unapologetically me. and that means more. that means so much more.
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taraljc · 7 months
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One one thing that has been eating at me the last week is that Loki never apologised to Sylvie, or thanked her.
Because she was right. The whole thing was a sham, a trick, the longest long con. He Who Remains wasn't afraid because he had no actual intention of dying.
He banked on being able to trap a Loki in his old job, ensure the status quo, and get away clean. Victor Timely, the throughput multiplier, all of that was just misdirection--making you look the right hand so you miss what the left-hand is doing. Loading up his tempad and taking it off, placing it in easy reach. He had to give them the hope of winning so that they could realise the game was rigged, and he expected them to give up.
But Sylvie never did. She would have fought right up to her last breath for the entire multiverse, not just the one sacred timeline, and another eternity of endless genocide.
She was never going to settle for cutting their losses, saving what they could, and going right back to the status quo at the expense of the rest of existence. And in the end, neither did Loki. She asked him flat out what right did they have to play God? And did he really want to be the one who banished free will?
She forced him to stop lying to himself not because she's trying to hurt him but because she was trying to help him figure out what he truly wanted what his true motivations were so that he would know himself. so that he might have the same chance that she did to find out who she really was.
In the first season, Mobius was the one pushing for Loki to face truths about himself that were hard, but necessary. He was Loki's first real friend, who treated him as an equal and earned his respect. And that allowed Loki to become Sylvie's first real friend and they inspired each other to become the best versions of themselves.
Mobius refusing a seat at the table wasn't about Loki. It was always about his own fears of finding out where he came from and who he had been. requesting his file and finally looking up his counterpart on the Sacred Timeline was always going to be painful but necessary.
He spent eons chasing down dangerous desperate people, investigating, working the desk job and only going out into the field very, very rarely. He had insulated himself from everything and everyone. and it took two Loki's to turn everything upside down, and show him that the person he trusted most in the world didn't deserve his loyalty let alone his affection because she viewed him as nothing but a burden, and a tool to be used.
Everybody talks about Casey is being the most different from his sacred timeline counterpart, but I think a slightly corny single dad who sells jet skis is about as far away from a skilled analyst and field agent for the most powerful organisation in all of existence as he could get.
So while I am glad that Loki was able to thank a version of Mobius and shake his hand, I do wish that Sylvie had got the same sort of moment --some kind of acknowledgment that there was only ever one real choice. She deserves to hear it from his own lips that she was right, and he should have listened to her from the start. Not right about everything. The people of the TVA were capable of change and weren't rotten to the core. But HWR? She saw through him.
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sonkitty · 3 months
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Crowley S2 Hair Post #0 - Before the Beginning
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Introduction
I'll actually be talking about more than the sideburns throughout these posts. I don't know if I'll really go through the minisodes later because I just plain don't get these parts, but I'll decide that when the time comes. For this one, I figured I could take the extra time to do it even though I highly prefer present day Crowley to any and all versions of him.
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Sideburns Check
The sideburns are longer than we've known them to be on Crowley compared to season 1. They are even in length and similar in texture whereas later present day scenes in season 2 will actually show subtle differences even between the sideburns themselves.
Compared to what we'll see in later scenes, these sideburns are not the longest-length we'll be seeing in the bookshop and close to the end of episode 6 when Crowley is standing at the door to his car.
They more closely match a length like what the car gives with a demonic presence and what they will be for Crowley during extensive parts of episodes 5 and 6 when they don't reach their longest-length.
So, generally that puts them at a supernatural reading in this open space. Well, Earth and humans don't exist yet, so that matches some understanding of how they operate in the present day storyline.
If there is any rank idea to just play around and guess at, in the context of this scene, I would go with Throne.
Generally, I figure Crowley's highest rank was "First-Order Archangel," due to the deliberate framing in episode 6 when a recording of Gabriel claims to be the only one in the Universe. Still, his rank could have changed during his time as an angel, and this version of Crowley doesn't seem to be as high as what I would expect for a First-Order Archangel.
The Throne idea is from a few clues combined from both seasons. He had a noticeable ornate throne in his flat in season 1. Beelzebub summoned him directly onto a throne in S2E1. Muriel specified "Throne" as one of the ranks required to possibly unlock Gabriel's file. Stuff like that.
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Streak Check
There is no evident more saturated streak of red in Crowley's hair here, which is to be expected in this context. The streak is mainly on for a great deal of the present day story and 1941 minisode but not in other memories. He's got an energetic active curl on the top of his head though. There's also a part in his hair that is above the center of his left eye. Above the center of his left eye is a key place to generally find that streak later.
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Earthly Objects
For myself on trying to figure out Earthly Objects, the three objects present were eventually understood as a clue to the existence of the Rule of Three within the game itself. Likewise, Crowley's use of the book, for me, was eventually a clue that a supernatural touch onto an earthly object still counted as a touch.
Earth gets a special mention during the scene.
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Story Commentary
Before the Beginning starts us off with an angel who eventually becomes Crowley. We are intentionally not given his name. While I've seen other posts refer to him as "Starmaker," I'm just going to stick with calling him "Crowley" anyway because that's what the subtitles did. If I remember things properly, I think it's noteworthy that Crowley himself never says his own name the whole season, for any given time period.
Nonetheless, we have entered season 2 a lot differently than season 1. God is not here to narrate. For this segment, no one here is to narrate. We saw Crowley first. Crowley is going to effectively bookend the entire season overall.
We learn some new things, but we're going to learn more clearly later that this story is not to be trusted as it is directly presented to us. Something is very, very off with reality. Among God's last lines to us in season 1 was, "Perhaps the recent exertions had had some fallout in the nature of reality, because while they were eating for the first time ever, a nightingale actually did sing in Berkeley Square." The second part sounds sweet, but the first part with "fallout" and "reality" is something to keep in mind, given what we'll be seeing later.
Not only is something off with reality, something is off with memories. This part is a memory.
It's generally over my head on whatever is going on with this memory beyond stuff already mentioned. I have loads of speculation but nothing I really find worth sharing.
Personally speaking, I don't care much for this scene. I have an extreme fondness for the demon part of Crowley that is Crowley, especially the snake. I'm also a total sucker for black-feathered wings, which are purposely not here. I hope that, given the context of the scene itself, this part is setting us up for seeing Crowley's actual Fall in season 3. It's not exactly an expectation, but that's what this scene makes me want to see.
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The Sideburns Scheme
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