SWAN QUEEN GIVEAWAY

Black Sails - Captain Flint’s reading list.

Books are a key point of the storytelling in the first two seasons of Black Sails.  They help to reveal various aspects of characters and their relationships.  Being the nerd that I am, I decided to create a reading list based on Captain James Flint’s key books.

Not only did I bother to compile this short list, but I’m actually reading the books in the list.

The list in sort of the order that they are introduced to the viewer.

Continua a leggere

Oookay I think it would fun if you could do a fic where the reader has a crush on Riley and is part of same social circle as Riley and Harper so she knows what Harper did to Riley and also knows how Abby was lowkey using Riley for comfort only to go running back to Harper. So the reader is comforting Riley and telling her she deserves better but ends up confessing her feelings for Riley in the process of that and it escalates from there.

At last! What can I say, this turned out to be a pure lesbian romcom, I hope you enjoy it.

Closer

Riley Johnson x Reader (Happiest Season) Warnings: go figure, but there are none. Word count: 3.1K

‘So my parents were so attached to me believing in Santa that, even after years went by and I stopped believing, and they knew about that, still we just kept the charade going,’ said Riley.

‘Yeah,’ the blond girl sitting next to her nodded, staring into the void.

‘They were struggling, and I just felt so bad for them—that I eventually murdered them.’

‘Sounds fun,’ Abby muttered without even looking at Riley.

‘Ahem…hello?’ Riley ran her hand in front of the girl’s eyes.

‘Sorry I just…I think I need to go—’ Abby looked confused and all over the place.

'Hey, what’s happening?’

Riley got vexed as she really was trying to cheer Abby up and be there for her, knowing that being among Harper’s family on Christmas Eve could be quite a challenge, especially if you’re taken hostage and forcefully pushed back into the closet again.

‘It’s just…I was going to propose, but now it feels like she’s a totally different person. Like with me and here with her parents and…Connor.’

‘Welcome to the club,’ Riley chuckled.

‘What happened with you by the way? Harper was vague about that.’

‘Well, in school we were really close for years, like, inseparable, and in the freshman year we became…more than friends,' Riley rolled her eyes. ‘But then her friend suspected something, and Harper freaked out and told everyone that I was like obsessed with her, and she basically outed me in front of the school, which made my life awful for a while.’

‘Fuck, I’m sorry, I didn’t know that…’ Abby was genuinely shocked right now, discovering another layers of her girlfriend’s past.

‘It’s alright, it was a long time ago,’ Riley shrugged and took a sip of the red wine.

‘Do you believe people change?’ Her face was almost pale with tears in her eyes, ready to burst any second.

‘Honestly, I have no idea. How about we get you a real drink?’

‘Sounds good, thanks,’ Abby said as she gave her a nod with a strained smile and continued piercing her gaze at Harper, who was talking enthusiastically with Connor near the Christmas tree.

***

As she walked over to the bar to fetch drinks, you finally saw her up close. Riley was at arm's length and looking stunning as always. You'd wanted to talk to her for quite a long time, but it hadn't been easy since she'd been chatting with Abby furtively in the corner of the room all evening; besides, there was a bunch of people here, mostly former classmates with their families, who were eager to know everything that had happened in your life while you'd been out of town. By and large, everything that was going on at this posh party seemed bizarre and uneasy, and there was some kind of lesbian drama in the air.

You left this town first thing after graduating, and normally spent Christmas with your friends in New York, but this time decided to visit just to check up on your old parents. You didn’t have the best relationship with them, especially after your awkward coming out, but it was actually good to be there for Christmas, get lost in a crowd of familiar faces and some childhood memories. Plus, someone in a group chat said Riley would be there. You came across her post on insta and thought that…It’s probably stupid, but this Christmas you were free like a river and lonely as a wolf, so why not take a chance?

Seeing those people conjured up high school memories, especially the year Harper outed Riley in front of the students. It had been horrible, to say the least, and suddenly you remembered it so clearly, as if it had happened yesterday. You wanted to stand up for Riley then, but unfortunately you didn't have the guts to do so in those days, and you were still processing your own sexuality. Given what you saw happening to gay people at school, it goes without saying that you were shit scared of those bullies. Whatever the case, you did your best to show Riley that you were on her side and never made fun of her. Still, being a shy little person, basically a wallflower, you probably didn't get her attention, so she was unlikely to remember you.

She was now a few inches away, and the scent of her sandalwood perfume hit you hard, provoking a faint panic attack inside you.

‘Hey, Riley,’ you uttered awkwardly.

‘Sorry, I’m so clumsy,’ she said, trying not to spill the drinks, ‘hi!’ She bestowed her perfect smile upon you.

‘It’s Y/N, from a freshman year, you probably don’t remember.’ 

‘Of course I do! It’s been a while since you’ve visited this godforsaken place, right?’ Riley said.

‘It’s actually cute out there. I mean…almost poetic pastoral, isn’t it?’ You faintly chuckled, giving her a subtle flirtatious look.

‘Yeah, I know, just fooling around. Can you believe they are still doing that ‘white elephant’ thing?’

‘I think I missed that stuff. Living in New York, you know…’

‘Oh yeah, that explains a lot,’ she playfully pouted and shook her head exaggeratedly.

‘Well, I guess being there on Christmas, kinda comes with the territory,’ you said.

‘When in Rome…’ she smirked.

‘Do what Caldwells do.’ Then you both laughed, still figuring out the mood of this small talk. 

You blushed in a second, as you saw her laughing at your jokes. How could she be so gorgeous all the time? Years later, it only got hotter—a sexy brunette with sharp eyes and a deadpan expression. You could barely pull yourself together and put words in sentences, but on the outside you seemed to be nailing it.

‘Sorry, I should—’ she pointed to the lounge as she had beed expected by someone. 

‘Oh, I didn’t mean to distract you,’ you briefly apologized with a dash of disappointment on your face.

‘It’s fine, it’s just…’

She glanced back again and realized that Abby was suddenly gone.

‘Hm,’ she looked a bit lost.

‘Everything alright?’

‘Actually, I think I need a breather. Do you mind?’ Riley tilted her head pointing at the front door.

'Absolutely not!’ You tried your best not to show your childish excitement.

Looked like the party had just started.

***

You both snuck through the crowd and went outside of the house. It was cold, but the fluffy snow lying softly on the porch surface and the Christmas decorations of the Caldwell's upscale home with warm lights, wreaths and mistletoe made it look like some Hallmark fantasy. But you couldn’t take your eyes off Riley’s beautiful features and her perfect curled strands, slightly blowing in the wind.

‘Sorry if it's none of my business, but Abby and Harper?’ You finally brought up the elephant in the room. 

‘Hm?’ Riley looked a bit puzzled. 

'I mean, something is obviously off. Harper is still in the closet, isn’t she?’

Riley was probably figuring out if she was supposed to gossip about them.

‘Yeah, she surely is.’

‘Frankly, I don’t care about what’s going on with Harper, it’s just…I’m so sorry about what happened back in school.’

‘That’s okay, it doesn’t matter now,’ she stuttered.

‘It does matter, Riley. What she did was unforgivable. Period.’

‘You think so?’ She looked at you rather carefully and surprized.

'I’m sure there were ways to get out of that situation, but she chose to betray you. And…I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. It frightened me so much, that I was sitting in my own closet until graduation,’ you said, realizing that you had just come out in front of Riley.

‘Oh, so you’re…’ Riley’s face broke into a sincere smile.

‘I’m gay, that’s right,’ you chuckled with a relief, ‘and watching you confronted everyone helped me accept myself earlier, so thank you for that.’

‘Basically I was forced, but you’re welcome,’ she chuckled, ‘besides, it was enough not to be bullied by at least one normal person there.’

‘And as I said,’ Riley added, ‘it doesn’t matter now. Honestly, that made me even stronger, so I should probably thank Harper for that.’

You felt the blood boiling in your veins. No way Harper will benefit from her own shit. Of course, you knew what Riley meant, but nevertheless, you felt jealous.

Suddenly, you heard some screams and sounds of breaking and instinctively ran inside the house.

***

‘Harper is a lesbian!’ Sloan shrieked, adjusting her messy hair. Seemed like you had almost missed a once-in-a-lifetime Caldwells performance.

For a while, there was a total silence that heavily hung in the living room, stealing everybody’s breath.

‘She’s…she’s lying!’ Harper screamed, looking embarrassed, though all you can feel now was rage. You looked sideways at Riley, and her face spoke for herself. 

As you said, people less likely to change. Especially Caldwell people.

Guests started to leave and you briefly took your coat and were standing in the doorway, waiting for Riley to join you; but she walked up to Harper as if to say something in private.

***

‘Great party,’ Riley grinned gazing at Harper, standing alone in the middle of the hall. It was hard to tell whether she was sorry for what had happened, or pleased with kind of a payback for the old days. But knowing Riley, it was probably the first one. 

‘Oh yeah…’ Harper mumbled sheepishly.

‘You okay?’ Riley asked softly.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she said with her reddened cheeks.

Riley looked right through her eyes and suddenly put her hand out to shake. 

‘She’s a really good one,’ she pursed her lips and nodded her head in Abby's direction who was standing not far away with her friend. Harper was trying hard not to burst into tears.

Riley said goodbye to other members of the Caldwell family and approached the doorway; you handed her a coat and finally you both left the house. Yet you felt that something was odd.

***

‘Is everything fine?’ you cleared your throat, breaking the silence as you walked toward the main road.

‘Yeah,’ she sighed, ‘maybe just some flashbacks or whatever.’

‘I can imagine. She’s such a coward.’

‘Well, that’s her family. She couldn’t have it any other way,’ Riley seemed to defend Harper, and you had been trying your hardest not to rant and rave.

‘I don’t know,’ you let out a loud sigh.

‘What?’

‘Am I supposed to react the way I want?’

'Yes, Y/N, you’ve been thinking too loud,’ she chuckled.

‘Okay. I get it, it’s hard to be out to parents like hers, but why the hell inviting your girlfriend to the family party, where you’d need to hide her from everyone? I think Harper’s an asshole, let alone she never said sorry to you after what happened. But you are so kind to her, feeling sorry for her even now…I mean, you must have been really in love with her. Like really—’

‘Hey that’s sweet. Thank you, Y/N,’ she gazed at you as you were walking down the road under the falling snow. ‘I guess, I left that school stuff behind and buried it deep down, trying not to think about it for a hell of a lot of time. But now it was like it triggered something.’

‘Don’t you feel angry?’

‘Somehow I don’t. Maybe seeing her so broken made it even. Or maybe I just know her family too much to judge. I’m lucky my parents love and accept me, it’s a privilege, you know. That’s why I forgave Harper long ago.'

‘Anyway, I wish I kicked her ass back then at school!’ you still couldn’t let it go being emotional.

‘That’s cute!’ she laughed, ‘I’ve never been fought over before!’

‘I’m fucking serious. You have a big heart, Riley. You deserve to be with someone who shouts their love for you from the rooftops,’ you blurted it out.

Riley giggled but remained silent, only the slight blush on her cheeks giving her away.

‘Do you wanna go somewhere, like to grab a drink or whatever? My folks are gonna sleep early, so I’m totally free,’ you said trying not to make it too obvious that you were hitting on her all evening. But probably it was a little too late for that.

‘I thought you’d never ask,’ Riley smirked and took you under her arm. The proximity sent waves of warmth and shivers to your body, and you couldn’t help but grinned as if you were in high school again and you’d just asked her out.

‘There’s one tiny problem,’ you said, ‘I don’t know any decent places in this town.’

Riley just laughed and said: ‘Leave it to me, baby.’ And that baby immediately turned you on.

***

A guy with rainbow makeup in a sparkling silver jacket opened the door, welcoming you to a local queer bar. There was a Christmas drag show, and lots of people were standing close to the scene, but gladly there were a couple of free tables. Riley ushered you to one of them, and in a minute, the rainbow host fetched you two glasses of champagne.

‘Compliments from a bar, Merry Christmas, darlings!’ he said in a high-pitched voice and disappeared into a dimly lit space with a haze of rainbow-lit light.

The music was loud and you needed some time to adjust to the atmosphere; Drag Queens were singing Christmas carols alternating with Lady Gaga songs, and everything was a far cry from the previous ‘party’, so it took just a few moments to forget about what happened before and to switch to a cheerful mood.

One of the queens approached your table and handed to you a glitter eyeshadow in a tiny box:

‘Everyone’s slaying today, don’t be shy, lovebirds!’ she said.

You looked down, nervously giggling, but Riley took the glitter without hesitation and gazed at you.

‘Want some?’ 

You shrugged and leaned over her, but the table was wide and Riley quickly moved to your side.

‘Close your eyes,’ she was bossing you around.

In a moment, you felt her delicate fingers touching your face, covering it with soft glitter. She was so close to you, that you could feel her fragrance and her breath on your face—it gave you a huge vertigo; not to mention that she was cool with the queen calling you lovebirds. Perhaps it was silly, but you got the impression that maybe she wouldn’t mind.

‘You’re so beautiful,’ she said, observing her artwork on your face.

‘So do you.’

‘Not yet! I need you to help me with this as well,’ she said, closing her eyes and preparing her face for a makeover.

‘Eyelids?’

‘Wherever you want, I trust you.’

It was an amazing opportunity to legally study her face and touch her skin. Luckily, she didn't know about your crush on her, which had escalated to oblivion over the day. 

She opened her eyes as you finished—silver sparkles were glowing on her skin, paving the way from her eyelids to her temples.

‘You look fabulous, Riley,’ you gasped, ‘do you mind?’ You took your phone to take a selfie.

‘Definitely not!’ she responded, ‘I need evidence that we’re slaying anyway.’

She pressed her face against yours while looking at the camera, and at this point, you were calculating your moves, trying to tread carefully so as not to spook her.

‘I’m so glad I bumped into you, Y/N, and that you happened to be in town this Christmas.’

‘Oh, the pleasure is all mine,’ you couldn’t believe that you were actually on a date with her, and something told you that this was the perfect moment to reveal the cards.

‘You know,’ you muttered, ‘I’ve been dreaming of meeting you this holiday, to be honest.’

‘Really?’

You took a little pause.

Was it the vibe of this bar or the Christmassy mood or champagne or whatever, you suddenly felt brave enough to caress her cheek, slowly moving your hand to twist her hair around your fingers.

Riley just smirked, gazing at you up and down, teasingly sliding her tongue along the inside of her mouth. You’ve taken your shot, but still were a bit uncertain about her feelings and too scared to say a word right now.

No words needed, in a while you felt her body respond as she leaned in and pressed her lips against yours. You swiftly cradled her face and returned a long, passionate kiss, cherishing the precious moment. Riley grasped your wrists softly, caressing them, while deepening the kiss, sending twists to your core. At last, you broke away to gaze into each other's eyes.

The glitter smeared all over your faces, with some landing on your eyelashes, creating a shimmering blur when you looked at Riley's face. She kissed you on the lips a few more times and said:

‘Dance with me.’

She stood up and took your hand, and in the blink of an eye you were on the dance floor. ‘Closer’ by Tegan and Sara was coming from the speakers, and Riley was seductively singing along, staring at you with her big brown eyes:

All I wanna get is, a little bit closer

All I wanna know is, can you come a little closer

She waved you over with her hand, swayed her hips to the beat, and flipped her hair to the other side. You were utterly spellbound by her moves, and her lips drew you in like a magnet.

So let’s make things physical

I won’t treat you like you’re oh so typical

On impulse, you put your hands on her hips, pressing against her body, merging with Riley in a hungry kiss as if you were doing it for the first time; and then she smiled and kissed you again and again and again, and you just couldn't get enough of her, bewildered like a teen at the queer prom, dancing with the homecoming queen.

‘You’re such a good kisser, baby,’ Riley whispered closely to your ear, so you could hear her through the loud beats of the music. 

‘And you’re such a good dancer, hot stuff,’ you took hold of her waist, so she was just a hair’s breadth away, her perfume intertwining with yours.

Finally the song was over, but you were still standing in the middle of the room, kissing under the disco ball reflecting iridescent colors. She wrapped her arms around you, running her fingers through your hair and giving you a beckoning smile, and you felt like the happiest person in the whole world at what was truly the happiest season.

***

I HAVE SO MANY THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS BUT IN SUMMARY: LESBIAN YEARNING!!!

agatha looks at her with so much hurt and restraint.

rio looks at her with so much adoration and yearning.

agatha and rio looks at each other with so much familiarity that with just one look, you could count the centuries they have loved each other.

aubrey and kathryn both played their characters so well *chef’s kiss*

(and don’t forget the music for this edit. pure lesbianism. at its core.)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64803721/chapters/166533523

(Link also in comment)

My attempt at AgathaRio's backstory + Rio character study, inspired by mexican folklore, views of Death in literature, a lot of songs and my love for these two women.

Hope you'll like it.

"These violent delights have violent ends,

And in their triumph die like fire and powder,

Which as they kiss consume."

Romeo and Juliet

FlintHamiltons paintings aesthetic.

Two different worlds entwined by the strings of fate. I thought this ship deserved such kind of artistic tribute.

In the end, that's all I want - to walk away from the sea and find some peace.

He is here! I can't😭😭😭😍😍😍

I'm SO excited about this, why am I not hearing people screaming everywhere for it?

Meet the Vampire Lestat ft. Sam Reid | Interview with the Vampire x

When Miranda gives back Meditation to Flint in episode XIII, they somehow make you think that he hadn't seen nor read that book in a while. Of course it was related to Thomas and he remembered that very clearly, but Miranda was the one to keep it and she is the one to say it was a precious thing she shared with her husband and all, over the general tendency of Flint to distance himself from the past, if not ideologically at least emotionally. But in truth, in ep. III he got what Miranda was reading from a single sentence overheard through the door...I mean, he had to know that book pretty well to do that. In fact, I've always liked to think about that book as some sort of comfort through the darkest hours for him as well as it was for Miranda, for what it means as an object at least if not for its philosophy which, as much as in line with Thomas' mind , I believe was pretty far from James' point of view.

I'm honestly relieved by the fact that they somehow confirmed this headcanon of mine. Like...yeah, some parts of his mind try to obscure the past in order to survive, but since he cannot separate himself from something which has defined him deeply he may as well find comfort in what is left of it.

That's so heartbreaking, but I love the way they orchestrated since ep.I his whole story.

Ghosts of the Past 

Commission art for @pinkandgreenroom