#“If he wants me to be nice to him then why doesn't he try being nice to me first?” ← guy who knows exactly why

[cosmerelists]

Cosmere Characters React to Famous Paradoxes

As requested by @variaandroise :)

And because it just makes sense, it will be Hoid torturing everyone by confronting them with paradoxes.

1. The Liar Paradox

Hoid: Consider the statement, "This statement is false." Steris: Okay... Steris: If it's true, then it must be false.. Steris: But if it's false, then it must be true! Steris: T-That's horrible! I hate it! Steris: ... Steris: Wax! Come in here; I want to tell you something! Hoid: Now THAT'S a marriage.

2. The "Least Interesting Man in the World" Paradox

Hoid: Imagine if you lined every person up from most interesting to least interesting. Elhokar (suspiciously): Where am I in the line? Hoid: Now imagine the person at the very end of the line: the least interesting person in the world. Elhokar: Is that supposed to be me?? Hoid: That person, merely on the basis of being the least interesting person in the world, must become interesting, right? Elhokar: Kind of a backhanded compliment. I'm a king, you know! Hoid: It's - It's not you. You're not in this story. Elhokar: I'm NOWHERE in a line of EVERY person? Elhokar: Wow. Elhokar: I thought you respected me more than that. Hoid: ...Why do I even try?

3. Crocodile Paradox

Hoid: Imagine a crocodile who has stolen this man's baby, BUT he promises to return the baby if the father can guess whether the crocodile will eat it or return it. Siri: Strangely nice, for a crocodile. Vivenna: It still stole a baby! Hoid: Let's say the dad says, "You'll give my baby back." Well, the crocodile could just say, "You're wrong!" and eat the baby. Hoid: But what if the dad says, "You'll eat my baby." What will the crocodile do? Siri: Yeah, that's probably what Dad would say. Vivenna: Let's be real. He probably offered the baby to the crocodile in the first place. Siri: My husband's actually nice though. Vivenna: Maybe the crocodile is nice. Dad didn't know it, though. Siri: True, true. Hoid: ...I feel like we're getting off topic here.

4. The Burali-Forti Paradox

Shallan: What is that noise?? Hoid: Oh, I told the cryptics about the Burali-Forti Paradox. Hoid: You know, that a set of ordinal numbers would be an ordinal number smaller than itself. Shallan: The hums are deafening! Shallan: Are they pleased or screaming? Pattern: Shallan! Shallan! It turns math is the best lie of all! Hoid: Pleased, I think.

5. The Liar Paradox (again)

Hoid: Consider the statement, "This statement is false." Yumi: Oooh, yeah. That doesn't work at all, does it? Hoid: Does it bother your brain? Yumi: Not really. Hoid: Really? It does for most people. Yumi: Consider my life. Hoid: ... Hoid: Okay. Fair.

6. The Crab & the Arrow

Hoid: If you fire an arrow at a tort--I mean, at a crab, the arrow has to get halfway to the target before it reaches it, right? Kaladin (suspiciously): Yes? Hoid: And then it has to reach the halfway point of the distance that remains, right? Kaladin (more suspiciously): Yes? Hoid: And then it has to reach the halfway point of the distance that remains again! And again! And again! Every time the distance halves, it has to reach the halfway point again! Hoid: So logically, the arrow will never reach the crab. Kaladin: Well, of course not. Hoid: Really? Kaladin: You've been talking so long that the crab has definitely scuttled away by now. Kaladin: Crabs aren't idiots, you know.

7. Penrose Stairs (link to picture)

Hoid: Look at these impossible stairs! Lightsong: Yes, yes. Artistic representation of the futility of life. We've all seen it. Llarimar: [Dutifully writing this down]

8. God paradox

Hoid: Can God create a boulder too heavy for him to lift? Harmony: Yeah. Harmony: It's actually easier than you might think to create a situation that you, a god, can't deal with. Harmony: Being a god is actually really hard! Hoid: ... Hoid: Maybe this would work better in a place where gods are omnipotent.

9. Sorites Paradox

Hoid: Imagine you have a heap of sand. Kenton: Super easy. I am crushing this. Hoid: Now imagine you take one grain of sand from the heap. Kenton: You're not even challenging me here. Hoid: It's still a heap of sand, right? Kenton: Yes, of course. Hoid: Well, imagine you keep taking single grains of sand away. Eventually--all the sand will be gone. No more heap. So at some moment, a single grain being removed changed it from a heap to not-a-heap. But when? Kenton: Never. As long as it BELIEVES it is a heap and WANTS it badly enough, it will always be a heap! Hoid: ...What about when all the sand is gone? Kenton: Who cares if there's no sand? I say, it is still a heap! Hoid: Is there someone else I can talk to?

10. Barber Paradox

Hoid: Imagine a barber who declares that he will shave only and all men who do not shave themselves. The question is: Does he shave himself? Kelsier: No. Hoid: Well, then he must be a man who doesn't shave himself, which means the barber must shave him! But once he does, then he's a man who shaves himself, so he can't! Hoid: Paradox! Kelsier [arms folded]: When does he become a man who doesn't shave himself? Hoid: What? Kelsier: Sure, once he shaves himself, then he's a man who shaves himself. But if he doesn't, he still might be a man who is going to shave himself at some point, but he hasn't. Kelsier: I don't see why he can't exist in that quantum state forever, neither shaving himself nor definitively becoming a man who doesn't, hence delaying the paradox. Forever. Hoid: ...You would say that. Kelsier: Bite me.

[no-goodbyes-no-regrets]

Happy prompts? Say no more!

Buck watching Tommy play with Jee-Yun and/or Baby Boy Han in Madney’s backyard and deciding that he has to figure out the secret to mpreg ASAP.

big man, tiny kiddie coming right up!

(did i scroll through several lists of Korean baby names just for one throwaway line in this fic? why yes, yes I did)

Future with you (also on AO3)

Rating: G word count: 1392

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They're in Maddie and Chim's back yard, little Jae-Hyun only a little over two weeks old and so tiny he all but disappears in Buck's hands. His little hand too small to even fully wrap around his uncle's finger.

He's adorable and Buck is completely in love with the little boy.

He'd taken him from Maddie the second he'd walked through the door, both to give her a break and to have a buffer between him and his parents.

Things were better but not perfect.

But today everyone is on their best behaviour to celebrate the newest addition to their family.

The weather is nice, his mom is busy fussing over Maddie, Chim escaped into the kitchen half an hour ago, and Tommy is sitting next to him and softly strokes the baby's head with one finger.

Life doesn't get much better than this.

"I think you're his new favourite person after mom." Tommy says, trying and failing to tear his eyes away from the boy dozing in Buck's arms.

"I don't know about that." Buck says with a chuckle. "I think he's just happy to be held. Jee was like that too."

"Uncle Tommyyyy" Jee whines as if on cue and starts tugging at Tommy's hand. "I wanna fly!"

"In a minute princess. I'm just hanging out with your little brother now."

She gives him an unimpressed huff.

"You can do that later. I wanna fly nowww!"

Tommy bites back a laugh.

"Why don't you come sit with us for a little while? We can fly later."

She rolls her eyes in a way that makes her look like Maddie's mini me and Buck bites his lip and focuses on the little boy in his arms to stop himself from laughing.

"Babies are boring." Jee tells them but lets Tommy pick her up and put her in his lap anyway.

She's a little obsessed with being in Tommy's arms, a feeling Buck can relate to all too well, and sometimes he thinks she might be the happiest member of the Buckley-Han family to have Tommy back where he belongs.

"That's because he's only little. When he's older you can play together." Tommy explains but Jee isn't convinced.

"I want a puppy." she says. The 'not a little brother' goes unsaid but not unheard.

"Yeah I always wanted a puppy instead of a brother too." Tommy tells her and that gets her attention.

"You have a baby too?"

Tommy chuckles.

"He's 8 minutes older than me actually." he moves her in his arms so he can take his phone out of his pocket. "That's him on the left." he shows her a picture Buck remembers taking at the badge vs badge basketball tournament a few weeks ago after someone had suggested putting Tommy on the PD team and pretend to be Rocker.

Rocker's team had been convinced it would work, while he and Luca had done their best to point out the differences between their partners and why they'd get found out in no time.

"He looks just like you." Jee notes.

"That's because we're twins." Tommy explains. "My mommy had two babies at the same time."

Jee looks at him like she's not sure if he's actually telling the truth but doesn't have the necessary information to prove him wrong.

"Is he a fireman too?"

"No he's a policeman." Tommy tells her, deciding to keep things simple. "Like Athena."

"Girls can be police too." Jee says like she's explaining the mysteries of the world to him.

"Of course. Girls can be anything they want."

"Girls can fly too, right uncle Tommy?"

"Of course. There are a few girls who fly where I work."

"I can fly too!" Jee announces and climbs off his lap. "Come on uncle Tommy! We can fly!" she spreads her arms and starts running around the yard, until Tommy gives in and with a quick kiss and a "duty calls" to Buck, scoops her up and swings her around while she screams in delight.

"He's good with her." Philip Buckley says a few minutes later and Buck jumps. His father has apparently learnt how to appear out of thin air and sits down next to him, both of them looking at Tommy and Jee.

"Yeah... Jee loves him. She's obsessed with flying ever since he told her what his job is."

"I have to admit, I found that one of the more interesting things about him when I first met him too. He said he'd show me around the birds some time."

Buck does a double take. He's still not completely used to the fact his parents know and like Tommy, and approve of their relationship to the point of his father now apparently making plans with him.

"Though with everything that's happened lately, I figured he had other things on his mind than giving me a tour."

"Y-yeah... he won't mind though. He loves talking about the helicopters."

"Maybe next time. Your mother and I are flying back home in a few days. Maddie and Howie have everything under control with this little man." Philip says and tickles little Jae's tummy.

They sit and watch the little boy for a minute until Jee's happy screaming pulls their attention back to her and Tommy.

He's pretending she's getting too heavy and he's too tired to hold onto her and they crash onto the grass together.

They're both laughing as Tommy rolls onto his back and Jee climbs onto his chest to convince him to get up and fly with her again.

Buck winces on his behalf when he notices one of her knees digging into his stomach, but Tommy doesn't even flinch.

"Uncle Buck! You need to come fly too!" Jee decides and Tommy only just manages to move her off his chest before she uses him as a trampoline.

"I think uncle Buck is a little too heavy to fly, princess. He had two pieces of cake earlier." Tommy holds up two fingers.

"I only had two small pieces. Uncle Tommy had two huuuuge pieces." Buck replies. "And he had a chocolate muffin for breakfast. He needs to be careful or he won't fit in the helicopter anymore."

"Are you calling me fat?" Tommy mock glares and turns to Jee. "I think uncle Buck wants to sleep on the sofa tonight. Or in the car."

Jee giggles and Tommy puts an arm around her and pulls her into his side, pretending to whisper something in her ear while looking back at Buck who just laughs.

In his arms Jae is starting to wake up and notice he's not in his mother's arms and decides to let the world know he's not happy with the situation.

"Give him to me, I'll take him inside to Maddie and save her from your mother."

Buck gently transfers the little boy to his father's arms and tries to push away the feeling of emptiness as Philip gets up and walks into the house with him.

"Uncle Buck!" Jee yells his name again and he sees her and Tommy on their backs on the grass. Apparently they've moved on from flying to cloud watching.

She holds out her hand for him and Tommy does the same.

"Come on babe, we've already seen one shaped like a tiger."

"Wow a tiger? Well I can't say no to that, can I?" He gets up and joins the two of them on the grass, leaning over to Jee to kiss Tommy, laughing when she pushes them apart and tells them kissing is gross.

"Just wait until you're older and you find someone you love and want to kiss all the time." Buck tells her, but Jee insists that's never going to happen.

They spend the rest of the afternoon watching the clouds and making up stories to go with them, and when Jee is deep into a story about the unicorn she found, Buck lets his mind drift to a day in the hopefully not too distant future, where it's not their niece he and Tommy are entertaining, but a child of their own.

He turns his head to the side and meets Tommy's eye over Jee's head and they share a smile.

He mouths "I love you" to Tommy, and makes a mental note to invite Hen and Karen over for dinner soon.

[emeraldserenade]

Roomies ~ Joaquín Torres

synopsis: you needed a place to live and your best friend needed another roommate

tw: college au, fem!reader, best friend's older brother!Joaquín, playboy!Joaquín, roommate!Joaquín, age gap? (2 years), you transfer schools because of a creep and his friends, reader is practically already adopted by Joaquín's mom, reader doesn't know Spanish, barely edited.

fic, ficlet, drabble, request

Since you guys loved the other best friend's brother fic, I decided to write another. And it's longer 😃, oh and I realized that I keep using Arizona for Joaquín even though in the movies they say he's from Miami. I just wanted to clarify, for anyone who doesn't know, that he's from Arizona in the comics and I've been using that as reference. This one does take place in Miami though.

➽──────────────❥

You were a late transfer, you had issues at your other college and decided to transfer to your the one your best friend attended. The only problem is that you needed a place to stay, since you joined so late, they had no dorms available. Your friend, Savannah, offered the room that her and her older brother were trying to rent out. It was well within your price range and you needed one asap, so you took it.

You had yet to meet Joaquín, he was older than you and had gradated by the time you met Savannah in junior year of high school. You heard about him wanting to join the military but decided to go to college first. Savannah always talked about him and you always knew they were close.

"Are you excited to meet Joaquín?" Savannah had driven the three hours to you so you had a car you could pack your, small amount, of things into. She told you that Joaquín was waiting by the car.

"Yeah, he seems nice," you told her, you had talked to him over the phone a few days ago.

"He's excited to meet you, he says I talk about you too much," Savannah chattered on as you carried boxes out of your dorm building and to the car. "You know, this might be the time to finally admit you're attracted to Joaquín without ever meeting him," she gave you a looked and you just shook your head. You always denied it, you have never met him but there were photos everywhere and heard stories about him. The car was in sight when the reason you had to leave started running to you, you hurried to the car before he had a chance to catch you and Savannah alone.

"Yo, you didn't tell me you were moving," he finally caught up to you and grasped your upper arm, your eyes flickered to his hand and back to his face.

"Yeah, transferring actually," you corrected and yanked your arm from his grip.

"What school? I was thinking of transferring too," he crossed his arms and took a step closer but you backed up, right into Joaquín.

"Oh, uh," you grappled for a lie but one didn't come and he stared at you as you started to panic.

"Brent!" One of his friends came running up and you instinctively backed into Joaquín more. "Oh, pretty lady, where are you going?" His friend reached for you but stopped when Joaquín glared at him.

"She's transferring," Brent supplied and you wanted to scream.

"Ok, time for you to leave," Joaquín spoke and you glanced back at him and then to Savannah who was probably on the phone with her mom.

"And you are?" Brent's friend sized him up.

"Just walk away," you sighed and all three looked down at you. "It's not worth it, you'll lose anyway," you muttered and Brent just pulled his friend away.

"Y/n, my mamá wants to talk to you," she handed you the phone and you braced yourself for her questions.

"Cariño, why didn't you tell me that you were being harassed by boys?" She reprimanded you.

"The school said they would handle it and when they didn't I just chose to transfer schools. It's fine really," you told her, moving to put boxes into the truck. Joaquín and Savannah were talking a little farther away from you.

"And Savannah and Joaquín are there with you?"

"Yes, Sav and Joaquín are both right here. I don't think they're going to let me walk around her alone after what just happened," you told her, the use of their names made them both look over at you.

"Good," she bid you goodbye and you handed the phone back to Savannah. You heard her goodbye before you followed her back to your dorm.

✧°˖ . ݁˖︵‿❀‿︵˖ . ݁˖°✧

A three hour drive wasn't bad, you swapped seats with Savannah so now you were sitting in front with Joaquín. Savannah had fallen asleep and the car had gone mostly silent, you were humming along to the songs that played from Joaquín's phone.

You made it back to the apartment and Savannah showed you to your room, it wasn't big but it was definitely better than a dorm. You and Savannah carried in most of the boxes and Joaquín was grabbing the last of them.

"So, that wall is against the bathroom and this one is against my room," she pointed to each one respectively. "Directly across the hall is Joaquín's room, he sometimes has girls over. You don't have to worry though, you'll never see them here again," she told you and you nodded at her. "I'll give you the extra keys to my car and if you need to borrow it you can, Joaquín will probably let you borrow his truck too if you ask," Savannah popped her fingers as she thought about more. "I wash my clothes on Saturday and Joaquín washes his on Sunday, so any other day is free. And we have this system with dishes where we wash our own unless we cook for both people, then whoever didn't cook will clean. That will probably stay the same and you know about the shoes off at the door," she glanced around before nodding to herself.

"Uh, aren't we suppose to go see your mom?" You asked and she nodded.

"For dinner at five, we have like two hours before we need to leave," she informed you as Joaquín walked in with the last of your boxes. "I've got this study group to get to, I'll be back in like an hour," she gave you a hug and gently punched Joaquín's shoulder as she left.

"Why were those boys so interested in you transferring?" Joaquín crossed his arms as he asked.

"Oh, uh," you thought about lying but you always froze when you did. "I helped them with a homework thing and I guess I have them the wrong impression or something," you started to explain. "They thought I was into them," you summarized the whole ordeal, not wanting to go into specifics when that's not what he asked.

"And they took that as an invitation to...?" Joaquín trailed off and you realized he was giving you a chance to talk about it. So you did, you sat on the edge of the bed and told him everything that has transpired over the last few months.

✧°˖ . ݁˖︵‿❀‿︵˖ . ݁˖°✧

Dinner at the Torres household was always something you looked forward to. Their mom had almost become like yours and you always felt welcome. The grill was going in the back and you were perched on the arm of the couch. It was filled with everyone from the family that was around, it was always more people than seats. You had a cup of some nonalcoholic mix of things and you were laughing with the family as they spoke. There was a slight language barrier, you knew minimal Spanish, but everyone there was nice enough to translate something for you if needed.

You got up to refill your cup, offering to refill others but no one needed one. You made your way back but when you walked by Joaquín, he gently grasped your hand and guided you to sit on his lap. You looked over at Savannah who gave you a wink and felt your face warm at the implications.

Joaquín kept his hands on your waist and you relaxed back against his chest. He ended up putting his head on your shoulder as the conversation continued.

✧°˖ . ݁˖︵‿❀‿︵˖ . ݁˖°✧

You had been in the apartment for weeks, the spring semester had begun but you hadn't noticed Joaquín bring anyone back with him. He had been to plenty of parties, you even went to some with him and Savannah, but both you and Savannah had yet to see him bring someone back.

"Maybe he's just trying to be respectful, I have just moved in after all," you shouted over the music, you and Savannah were watching the game of beer pong happen as you spoke.

"Maybe," she told you as if she wasn't convinced. You two cheered as one of Joaquín's friends made his shot and laughed when he did a little dance in victory. "I'm getting another drink, will you be ok?"

"Yeah, I will be," you told her and watched her walk away. You were alone for a while before Joaquín ended up next to you, his arm slung over your shoulders.

"Hey," you glanced up at him, meeting his eyes. He was close enough that your nose touched and you were only inches away from your lips being together.

"You must be y/n," another voice made you look away from Joaquín. It was a boy you had never seen before.

"Yeah, hi," you gave him a tight lipped smile and he gave you a bigger one.

"I'm one of Joaquín's friends, he talks about you a lot," he told you and you looked back at Joaquín.

"Dude," Joaquín hissed and you smiled at Joaquín.

✧°˖ . ݁˖︵‿❀‿︵˖ . ݁˖°✧

It was late, the party was probably still going. You, Savannah, and Joaquín had left almost two hours ago. You were walking to the kitchen, tiptoeing so you didn't wake anyone up. You were startled when you saw Joaquín standing in the kitchen, a mostly eaten apple in his hand.

"What are you doing awake?" Joaquín mumbled.

"I was watching a movie and I ran out of water," you held your empty water bottle up as emphasis.

"Oh," Joaquín moved out of the way and you smiled at him, you ever growing crush on his started to rear it's head. "I'm glad you moved in," Joaquín told you suddenly.

"Me too," you muttered, screwing the lid of your water bottle back on. You two just looked at each other for a moment before Joaquín surged forward and kissed you. You responded as soon as your brain caught up with what was happening.

"Fucking finally," Savannah announced when she walked into the kitchen, you pulled away from Joaquín and he looked at you offended. "Just move this out of the kitchen," she waved you two on and you were gently pulled to Joaquín's room. Joaquín shut the door and went right back to kissing you, a promise of what's to come on his lips.

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Masterlist | Requests

[detectivestucks]

Marked for You Pt. 4

18+ content, Minors do NOT interact

Pairing: Kakashi x F!Reader

Summery: Now that Kakashi knows, he won't leave you alone. There is no taking a hint because you're no longer hinting. The man doesn't understand the word 'no' and it will be the end of you.

Warnings: Sexual tension. It's getting hot in here.

Word Count: 3.4k

A/N: Thank you for continuing to allow my little side quest. I was reading the Four Horseman series by Laura Thalassa this week and felt the need to drag this out a smidge longer. If you've sent a request, I swear I haven't forgotten about it, I'm just being self-indulgent. Sorry!

Reader Request I Part 1 I Part 2 I Part 3

Another day, another split shift, but at least the money is good. You debate if you want to spend your new wealth on better living accommodations or not but, it’s kinda nice to live next to Naruto. He’s a sweet boy and the way his eyes light up when you bring him food makes your entire day. 

As you think about the ball of sunshine you decide to head over to the leftover pastries. You grab some that you’d have to throw away otherwise, since they don’t keep well overnight, and place them in a box. Then you start grabbing the pastry trays and bring them to the back room, sorting through what will keep for another day and what needs to be tossed. Halfway through your task you hear the shop door open.

Your head lulls back as you close your eyes in frustration. You forgot to lock the door. Pasting on a smile you spin on your heel and walk to the front, however it doesn’t take long for your smile to falter.

“I thought you were on a mission.”

The tall ninja leans against the front door, one hand in his pocket, the other supporting a potted plant. “Keeping track of me, I see.”

“No, it’s just obvious when you’re out of town because you don’t haunt me like a shadow when you’re off defending the village.” your voice becomes whimsical, pretending he’s so noble and heroic when really you’d rather he just stay away.

“And now I’m home to check on my beautiful soulmate.”

Gaze cast to the ceiling, you pray for patience. With a deep breath drawn through your nose, you center your focus back upon Kakashi. “I have a birthmark. You have a crush. There is nothing deeper going on here.”

Kakashi approaches you, stepping forward till you’ve backed yourself up to the glass pastry case. “We both know that’s a lie.”

“It’s not.”

The corner of his mouth turns up, a stupid smirk stretching his lips under that dumb mask. “Keep trying to convince yourself, maybe one day you’ll actually believe it.” He leans against you as he places the pot down next to the cash register. Your body instantly reacts with a bolt of electricity shooting through your center. Stiff nipples, clenched core, lost breath, you’re stupid skin sack can’t tell the difference between a bad time and a good one. 

Kakashi feels it too. His chuckle fans your ear, causing your eyes to close.  There’s a sudden desperation to be anywhere but here and it drives you to push him away. Your palms make contact with his chest and shove his solid body away from you. As soon as he steps back you suck in air, filling your depleted lungs. 

“That wasn’t very nice.”

“Stop that.”

“Stop what?”

“You know what. I’m not interested so keep moving.”

“I’d believe you more if your nipples did just poke my chest a few seconds ago.”

You growl in frustration. “Why are you like this?”

“I’m not normally.”

“Then why me? What’s so special about me that you’ve become this guy?” you say gesturing to all of him.

“You’re my soulmate.”

“I’m not!”

“There’s no need to throw a fit.”

You claw at your own hair, pulling on it unsure of what to say or do. Your eyes dart around the shop, desperate for something, anything, to get you out of this conversation. You spot your coat and internally say ‘screw it.’ With a stomp of your foot, you silently speed walk towards your jacket and whisk it up, pulling it over your shoulders and bolting out of the front door. 

You don’t care that you left the shop unlocked or that you didn’t finish cleaning up, you just needed to get out of there. 

Kakashi calls your name, knowing he went too far. He sounds worried but you ignore him, picking up the pace of your feet till you break into an all out run, frantic to put as much distance between him and you as possible.

I pushed too hard, further than I should’ve in my desperation to get her to break. I may be patient but I'm determined and that same determination won out over my empathy.

Taking a look around, I gather the gist of what she was doing and I busy myself, finishing the job. I’ve watched her through the window enough times to know her routine. Empty the case and sort through what gets tossed and what gets saved. Count the register drawer, sweep the shop, set out the dry ingredients, take out the trash, turn off the lights, and lock all three doors before pulling the burglar gate over the shop’s main entrance. 

As I finish, I straighten the plant I brought for her, keeping it perched next to the cash register so every person who comes in can see it. She is mine. She is taken. She is off limits. Let there be no question. 

I’ve followed her in the shadows enough to know there are hopeful men encroaching on what belongs to me. She doesn’t acknowledge them, she doesn’t even notice them, stupid girl. She’s always so focused on herself that she never notices her surroundings. It’s one of her worst traits. Mostly because it makes me fear for her safety when I’m not around. 

I snatch the keys up off the floor and grab the box of treats that was sitting in the kitchen. After locking all the doors and closing the gate I set out in the direction of Naruto’s building.

Nighttime cloaks the road in darkness but splashes of streetlight illuminate the way. I’m not one for running if I’m not on a mission, so instead I stroll down the streets of Konaha, giving my princess as much time away from me as I’ll allow. I won’t stop pushing her, but I’ll try to be better. I’ll try not to let my overwhelming attraction to her hijack my morals. It can be hard though. Something about her shakes a wire loose in my brain. I can’t stop myself sometimes. She’ll be standing close but not close enough. I need to feel her against my body; it’s an involuntary reaction. I don't know how much longer I can hold myself at bay.

I climb the steps of her building before I finally come to her door next to Naruto’s. I knock with three short raps, standing patiently for her to open up. Naturally she doesn’t, I figured she wouldn’t. There’s an internal battle waging in my mind. Do I pick the lock and leave the box inside, or do I leave it out here where the ants will get to it? 

As much as I want to respect her privacy, I go ahead and pick the lock. It’s a simple single latch, nothing I can’t do with one hand. Once I hear the click, I push open the door to find the place dark except for the glow of a light seeping from under the gap of her bedroom door. Silently, I place the box on her kitchen table and excuse myself, making sure to lock what I have opened. 

Holed up in your room you hear your front door open. Why wouldn’t he break into my home?! There’s literally no place that’s safe from Kakashi. He’s inescapable.

Should I cave? Should I give in? Should I let him trample all over my heart? Your gooseflesh rises at the thought. You curl into a ball on your bed, tucking your chin tightly into your chest, hugging your knees till you hear him leave. 

It’s only then that you realize you were holding your breath.  He didn’t stay, he didn’t linger. Was he just proving to you that he can come and go as he pleases?

You roll over and scootch off the bed. Your feet lightly making their way over to the front of your apartment where you flick the light switch. Spinning around quickly, you check to make sure he isn’t secretly lurking in the shadows. After a few seconds to survey the room, verifying there is nowhere he could be hiding, your eyes settle on the pink pastry box situated at the center of your dining room table. It was the box you set aside for Naruto before your stupid soulmate came and ruined the evening. Maybe you should head back to work and at least lock the doors, however, the keys to the bakery now lay scattered on the table next to the sweets.

As much as you don’t want to give him credit, something in your gut tells you he locked up the shop, and an annoying amount of you believes he probably finished your chores too. Your fingers pick up the keys by the ring, allowing them to clang together as you dangle them in front of your face, scrutinizing the new keychain that now hangs among the metal. There's now an adorable pug dog with a headband wrapped around its head, similar to the ones ninja wear.

“You’re going to be the end of me, Kakashi Hatake. I’m sure of it.”

The sun is low in the sky, only a few rays poke through the shop window as you stand at the register taking orders from your usual crowd of morning customers. After dropping off the sweets at Naruto's, sleep was hard to chase last night now that you know Kakashi views locked doors as welcome mats.

It bothers you to no end that the handsome hero is impossible to escape. Even now, your standing next to this stupid potted plant that he left for you while being a damned gentleman and locking up shop for you last night. Though it was the least he could do considering the only reason you couldn't close shop was because of him. You just want to move on, forget about this soulmark crap and look for a nice guy. Someone who’s not so complicated, and someone who’s not a slut.

Almost robotically you fill orders. Your arms reflexively reach for the pastries that correspond with each familiar face. As the line filters in, your tired eyes look up to see someone a little less familiar.

“Morning!”

“Good Morning, what can I get you?”

You try to look wide awake. It can be hard when you both open and close but this man’s face makes it a little easier. His features are soothing. Dark brown hair, light brown eyes, olive skin, everything about him is warm and inviting. 

“Lets start with something sweet. What do you recommend?”

“I uh, well most people prefer our candied dumplings but I prefer a good cinnamon roll to start my Friday.”

“Sounds like I’ll take the cinnamon roll then.”

“You got it. Anything else?”

“I’ll take a matcha and your number if it’s available.”

“Sure thing, one matcha- wait, what?”

The curl of his lips is unmistakable as he watches your face change. The lady behind him stiffens and starts looking between the two of you. 

“You want my number?”

He scratches his neck with a little laugh. “I’m not normally very forward but I came here once before and I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re very pretty, you know. The kind of beauty that leaves an impression on a guy.”

Your lips part, unsure how to respond. You can think of one man who might agree with him but you don't want to imagine him at this moment. Your eyes are glued to this man's bright expression until you notice the lady behind him is gearing up to say something. 

“I, yeah, I, let me get you that matcha.”

You turn your back completely, trying to hide the heat on your cheeks. After a few seconds you begin pouring the hot water and steeping the matcha powder when you decide you’re going to accept. Moments ago you were wishing you could move on. This is your chance.

Just as you turn around the shop’s bell rings and in walks the persistent silver mane of one Kakashi Hatake. The paper cup nearly slips from your hand as your heart rate spikes. Of all the times for him to drop in, it had to be now. There is a collective inhale from the various occupants of the small room, each one apprehensive to see events unfold. Kakashi acts as if he didn't hear it but you know he does.

Quickly you look down, pretending you didn’t see him and minding your own business. Your fingers grasp the nearby marker and scribble your digits along the side of the cup in an act of defiance towards the Copy Ninja. No stupid mole is going to dictate your love life. It’s just a birthmark, nothing more. You plaster on your best customer service smile, handing over the cup and the small box with the customer's bun, wishing the gentleman a wonderful day and thanking him for his business.

He looks at you a bit lost but doesn’t press his proposal any further, assuming his rejection. You don’t want to address it now that ‘you-know-who’ is in the room but you pray the guy notices your note before his tosses the cup in the recycle.

As he leaves your stomach drops, both afraid Kakashi will find out what you did and sad that you never got the guy’s name. You chew on you lip as your eyes trail out the window after him before taking a deep breath and moving on to the next customer. You say your usual greeting when like a magnet, your eyes lock with Kakashi. He’s looking at you, calculated, reading you. Did he notice your number on the cup? Did he catch you looking out the window? What is he thinking behind that secretive mask?

Suddenly you realize you missed the lady’s order and blink your eyes back to focus, “I’m sorry, what was that?”

A lady, closer to her sixties than her fifties leans into you, reciting her order for the second time. As you jot it down and enter the items into the register she leans in and whispers, “Don’t go on that date sweetheart. It isn’t good to ignore a soulmark.”

Nervously glancing at Kakashi you whisper back, “I’m not ignoring it, I’m rejecting it. I’ve seen who I’m marked for and I don’t want it.”

“I don’t know what happened between you two but the longer you fight it, the harder things will be. Just give him (she glances over at the silver haired ninja) another chance.”

“I can make my own decisions, thank you.” you say as you hand over the food.

“You’re a sweet girl. Don’t do anything rash.” She grabs your hand as she takes her order and give you a light squeeze. “Just think on it.” With a smile she turns to walk out but not before giving Kakashi a polite nod as she passes. 

He exchanges pleasantries with her but as soon as she’s gone his piercing gaze is back on you. The heat of it makes you nervous. Part of you wonders again if he knows what you did and if he plans on confronting you about it. Please don’t confront me about this at work. 

You move through your line of customers for the next half hour, one after the other without any breaks. Kakashi stays with you the entire time, loitering in the shop. You want to kick him out but you also don’t want to give him any attention, aside from the glances you steal between transactions. Once the last member of the morning rush is gone you finally slam down your palm next to the register, jostling the plant. 

“Can I help you?”

He pauses, a smirk forming under his mask.

“These tables are for customers only. Either purchase something or get out.”

“Fine, I’ll bite.”

You stiffen, your eyes shooting to the cloth covering his lips. If he eats, am I finally going to see what’s under that mask? After rolling your shoulders and clearing your throat, you take a step and stand back over at the register, “What can I get you?”

“What did you recommend to that man when I first entered the shop?”

Frozen. “What?”

“The guy you were flirting with earlier. What did you offer him?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Come now, you must remember. Brown hair, brown eyes, hopeful smile, trying to steal my girl.”

“I’m not your girl.”

“Yet.”

“Stop.”

“No.”

“Get out.”

“No.”

“Leave!”

“No.”

You kick the counter in frustration. “Damn it Kakashi, stop! We are not a couple! We are not dating. I do not belong to you.”

“Yes. You. Do.”

“No. I. Don’t.”

The two of you stare at each other, heat rising between you.

“I’ll take the cinnamon roll.”

You scoff, “If you already knew what he ordered then why did you ask?”

“I wanted to see if you’d lie to me.”

“And?”

“Your pants are on fire.”

“No dip, Sherlock. So how do you feel knowing I lied to you?”

“Angry.” He says it mater-of-factly, no emotion behind the word.

“And what are you going to do about it?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“I would. That’s why I asked.”

Kakashi just stares back at you, his face blank. “The service here is terrible. How long do you plan on making me wait for this cinnamon roll? Or are you going to bake me a fresh one?”

“You’re insufferable.”

He shrugs his shoulders. You angrily grab one of the goodie boxes and start folding it. Unceremoniously you grab the roll and slam it down in the box before shoving it in Kakashi’s chest. “Take it before I spit on it.”

“That’s not a very nice thing to say to your soulmate.”

“We are not soulmates!”

“Do I need pull down those pants and show you my family crest?”

“You know what...” You take back the box and open the lid, bringing it to your face, you lick off a huge glob of frosting and then push it back into his hand, wiping the icing off your chin as you do. “There.”

Before you truly register what’s happening the box falls to the floor as Kakashi pulls you into him for a kiss. In lightning speed he lowers his mask and his lips go crashing into yours. One hand firmly circles your waist, the other at the back of your head, keeping you in place, His hold is fierce, leaving you helpless to pull away. You resist him at first, keeping your mouth still but the scent of him fills your nose and clouds your mind. He smells so good. Not like cologne, but a mix of the outside and natural musk. The kind of scent that, on most men, you’d dislike, but when it comes to the man you really want, your biology can’t get enough. Your lips give way to the demanding movements of his own and soon his tongue is exploring your cavern, licking the sugary sweetness right out of it. 

You swoon, your lips keeping pace with his. Everything about you is in sync. Your body entirely in tune with the man holding you. His fingers in your scalp tighten their grip, fisting your hair the more excited the wolf gets. You’re melting into him, every crevice of your body blending with his edges.

Kakashi’s moaning into you, devouring you and leaving your lips swole. He leaves you with a new hunger that you’ve never experienced before and it frightens you. All of this frightens you.

Your eyes snap open and you push him away. “No!”

Standing there, mask carefully pulled back over his features, Kakashi pants, a mix of dazed and shocked. He steps forward, “I know you felt it. It wasn’t just me.”

“It was.”

“Liar.”

You look at him with defiance. “I don’t know what I felt and I don't care. I’m not going to let this happen. Not now, not ever.”

“One way or another, Princess, this is happening. Fight it all you want mystery girl, but you’re not slipping through my fingers.”

“Get out.” you whisper, eyes turned down. You bite the flesh of your lips, feeling how inflamed they are from the way Kakashi toyed with them.

He gives you one last look of yearning before he leaves, making a shockingly silent exit.

You stoop down to collect the ruined cinnamon bun, almost surprised that Kakashi didn’t clean it up before he left. He cleaned up your mess last night, why not clean up this one? Ugh, even to yourself you sound like a selfish brat. Gods, how insufferable have I become?

Running my hands over my mask, I trace my own lips. You kissed her. You kissed her. Heavens, you kissed her.

Walking away from the bakery, I replay the scene over and over in my head. Her smell, her taste, her fire. I want her more than anything but I was foolish. I pushed her too far again. I need to get a grip. Why can’t I control myself around her?! This is a precision operation and I’m blowing it. 

Then there’s that guy. Who is my mystery girl giving herself away to? Over my dead body. There will be no date. I don’t care what she thinks she’s going to do, it’s not happening. 

I lower my hand and turn in the same direction that joke was walking in earlier. Time to do some recon...

Masterlist I Part 1 I Part 2 I Part 3

Tagslist:

@hoohamaru @watasinekoru @blueeclipsepaperstudent @readingcatinacorner @tanyaspartak @liyry @mutsu422 @longlivegojo @jjjbtori @blondenaruto

[subrosasteath]

Me (lovingly) at all the people who fully believed Coiny went back to normal this episode

Like... Okay let's break this down. Break down beneath the cut as it's long! Spoilers for BFDIA 19.

The first shot of the episode is Coiny hiding his face at the bottom of the stairs. It's obviously supposed to set up how he's feeling this episode, although later he plays it off as a joke, saying he was "napping" and moving right into being over dramatic about missing Cake at Stake. If you believe him, this set up now becomes a joke.

If you don't this set up now becomes a way to show the audience how he's feeling inside, as he doesn't seem to want to outright say or show any animosity towards Pin, especially in front of the other contests. Pin even expresses confusion the first time they talk because the first thing Coiny does is compliment her - saying "nice find!" about the new host. The fact they make her look confused at all is a hint in and of itself that we should be doubting how Coiny's acting right now - yes, it also works for her character, as she obviously didn't expect him to want to positively interact with her, but the emphasis on the confusion should nudge the viewers to think "hey.. wait a minute..."

Another quick thing - Tennis ball says Coiny's been "isolating in the tower for a while now", not specifying how long, meaning it's possibly Coiny's been hiding out in there for much longer than "an afternoon nap" as he says.

Pin and Coiny don't interact again until the super market gag. When Coiny suggests the super market, and Pin accuses him of trying to trick her, Coiny says "would I ever lie to you?" to which Pin says "Yeah." Meaning It's possible Pin suspects Coiny of lying about how he feels. This is another hint to the audience - Pin is telling us that Coiny can be a liar and a trickster sometimes, and that we can't take everything he says at face value (Eg, How long was that afternoon nap, buddy?). This can also just be seen as a reference to the fact Coiny is a mischief maker, again, making it easy to write it off as him being his "normal self".

Pin goes in anyway - this could be seen as two things: Either she doesn't care if it's a trick or not (implying she doesn't view Coiny as a threat) or she knows it could be a trick, but seeing as he's not being antagonistic towards her so far, decides to trust him anyway (Coiny has never done Pin wrong before, why would he now?)

But Why? Why would Coiny offer Pin a huge giant super market?

I think It's possible he wanted to show her that he can still be helpful. They don't have to be allies, but he's still useful, and getting rid of him would be getting rid of a huge resource of support in the games. He wants Pin to see the value in him, so he offers her everything he can. Look, we don't have to be enemies! He's trying to convince her not to hurt him again, because look at everything he can give her! Isn't it worth it? ...Isn't it?

Or, it's possible he was setting her up, so that he could knock her down later. A taste of her own medicine, if you will. Coiny expected Pin to buy at least 2 things, both of which she'd need for her basket, only for him to swoop in and steal them from her after, putting them in his own basket and possibly winning the challenge. He wanted Pin to feel the betrayal. A metaphorical way of pushing her off the platform. A way to say See, this is how it felt, but now we're even and you understand me, so we can go back to normal, right?

I'm excited for what happens next episode - I wonder if we'll get a Coiny break down before or after Pin's inevitable elimination.

[mysecret02]

Hello lovelies!

I have seen a post somewhere on Tumblr about RH!Jason meeting Robin!Jason and surprisingly liking him so I must comment on the idea.

So the batfamily trying to hide little Robin so he won't meet Red Hood but RH didn't tell them that he would be in the cave because he was there to steal supplies, which would have been given to him if he would do as much of asking, but he's still on and off with the bats so he just collects new antidotes and gadgets which were left outside- meaning weren't locked in impenetrable lockers- every month. Barbara was at the Clocktower as it became her place to lead the bats around from so the cave was free game to Jason.

The batmobile arrives and little Jay jumps out before anyone could stop him. He starts to look around and wander in awe of how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. I like to think the house got remodeled few years after him meeting his unfortunate and temporary end but the cave barely changed only got modernized and new rooms got added.

So he is in the back stealing a blanket he found comfortable- they have more anyways so it's not like B couldn't get a new one, just like he got a new kid- he thinks bitterly and starts to go back to the main area stuffing the blanket in his bag on the way when he hears the tires on the cave ground and just stops.

He sees the black haired little boy in a Robin costume and thinks he really needs to get Dick to talk to Bruce because it's getting out of hand. Damian was one thing but a new one and so soon, that's a lot messed up.

But then Robin!Damian gets out of the car and it doesn't make any sense anymore. The new kid didn't seem like a match to Damien in physich and the little demon didn't try to kill him so maybe another bastard?

Alfred appears and the new kid happily runs to him and yells about some time and universe twists? "Like that pastry you like to make on Sundays! Can I have it, can I have it pleese🥺?" and others start to gather around, parking their vehicles and fast walking towards the boy.

Spoiler gets to him first and ruffles his hair earning a yelp and an adorable blush as the boy fidgets with the seam of his cape, it's a familiar motion, he used to do it when he was still... Robin.

He just stands there, frozen in time, ice crawling in his veins, his ears are ringing and he holds the zip on the bag half-made, watching as his family loves him, that boy right in front of them and he wants to yell "But I am right here!" and "Why can't you love me if you can love me-him?!" but he can't, he is so mad yet he just stands there watching as Cass calls him her little brother and the kid lookes up at Damian with sparkling eyes of a kid who suddenly has a sibling his age so he won't ever need to play alone. Dick looks at him as if the world gave him hope after showing him everything bad in it. Steph just calls him cute continuously and he shouldn't be jealous of being called cute but he always liked when someone complimented him or just cared enough to say something nice, that's partially why he tried to get Batman to smile. It was his new dad and his greatest achievement was making his caretaker happy like he never could before because his mom was too deep in addiction and dad needed to work a lot for two-face so they could pay rent until B said he wasn't his son anymore, then everything went downhill.

He wants to back away, he can wait in the medical wing or sneak out through the cave systems. And as his boots scraped the ground little Jay looked straight at him. His mask wasn't on anymore, his blue eyes, a shade he can't see in the mirror anymore, looking curious, interest clearly peeked as everyone else noticed it too.

Worried and pale looks were switching between the faces. The voices died down, the silence was deafening, his breathing starting again but being too erratic.

Bruce tried to put his hand on little Jay's shoulder but he slipped away and walked closer to Red Hood. He wasn't wearing his helmet but he was wearing his full uniform sans the guns, he didn't like making Alfie mad, who was watching the scene unfold with shiny eyes.

They met in the middle and when did he start walking? He looked at the small child wearing his favourite Wonder Woman socks B always scolded them because a small seam was showing. His unruly black curls with barely showing red roots because he wanted to look like Dickie and no sign of white at the front. He still had a crooked teeth Barbara sat him down and explained how much it can make chewing painful in the future and made sure Alfie took him to the dentist's.

More and more little signs showing up on his small form, his little mannerisms, the way he played with his fingers and the seams of his costume and he couldn't be mad at this child, he was just a kid doing his best. And Red Hood notorious crime lord and protector of Crime Alley had a reputation for having a soft spot for kids.

He got down on his knees -and God the kid was small-not much bigger than him on his knees and hugged the kid. He cradled his hand through his thick curls like he rememberd his mom doing it and pulling him sideways on his lap, little Jay's head being on his armored jacket. He heard a tentative whisper: "You look big like dad...-he buried his face in his neck-but you love me..?"

It made him smile in a bitter but comfortable way as he hugged himself closer and somehow they got on the couch in the library with the blanket on little Jay's shoulder and partially on Jason's own, reading to himself on the voice of his dad he always hated after the pit and finding it not that bad anymore, he could bring comfort even looking like this, maybe being this way wasn't so bad, if only for little Jay. They stayed like that until the other universe's Batman came to collect his little bird and bring him home. Maybe it was enough to have changed things there. Maybe.

The family feltdumb folded and monitored the interactions between the two Jasons but there was nothing out of the ordinary, no long lasting physical damage to be seen. Just one soul and two stories interlining and mixing, maybe it can change the future here too." Maybe" thought Bruce and put the blanket on a sleeping Red Hood, his son.

[igglemouse]

Week 1 ~ Introducing Magdalena ~ Sunday

I really didn't enjoy this move but when is a move ever enjoyed? It's not the physical aspect of it since thanks to papa I was able to hire movers for more of the heavy stuff and most of the boxes but just the emotional aspect of it all. I'm moving away from family, all of it, and out here on my own. It's a lot on my shoulders suddenly and I'm not quite sure if I'll be ready to deal with it, but I suppose I must.

I must thank my dad for all he's doing for me though because even though he's family, even though he's my actual dad and is supposed to be there for me, he doesn't have to. Never take your loved ones for granted.

As for mama, I'm sure she means well but she does have a funny way of showing it and by funny I mean not at all amusing.

I pull out the tape so eager to seal it. This is a box filled with journals and notebooks that I wouldn't dare to read ever again but I also couldn't dare to throw them away. It was filled with dreams and passions and doodles and silly poems to my high school crush and my concerns and my worries and...my everything.

When I took a look around the house I was greeted by how empty it all is. The clutter of a family gone, the laughter and memories of it all just...gone. The absence of my sisters brush lying around or worrying about having to trip on one of my brothers balls. I remember bruising my elbow one time thanks to him and I can't believe I'll miss even that. I'll especially miss mama's specially framed Acevado's piece, she always bragged about how she met the famed artist, any guest would be forced to hear the story. This place is nice but who knows if it will ever feel like home?

Papa of course is right in the end, dreams are fine to chase, good to chase even, but I can't lose who I am in the chase. Papa has some experience with it and I wonder if him never achieving his dream is why he's always completely supported mines? He sees the passion I have for acting and just wants to encourage it. Papa once got fired for attending my first play. Sure, he was working a crappy job at the time and they did him a favor but I hope one day he'll be there at my first movie premier and we can step out of a limo and walk the red carpet of my success.

Maybe then too I'll be able to help his dreams?

Papa will be here for most of the week thankfully and then it is back to La Ciudad for him. I'll miss the place surely but life is all about changes and how one deals with them and living alone brings forth a whole host of new challenges. Like cooking for yourself.

Ahem, like cooking for yourself and trying not to burn down your new home and your hopes and dreams along with it. No no no! I did not beg and plead for papa's retirement simoleons to see it all go up in smoke and flames!

So, that might not be the best of signs, to be sure, but all I can do is move forward. Clean up the mess and put another bun in the oven, that bun being metaphorical.

If I'm going to launch my acting career I'll have to be pro-active. There are thousands of women like me who flee to this city hoping against hope that luck and talent will collide to create a star but sometimes that collision creates a black hole instead and they find themselves living in a tent under a freeway. Harsh, but that's reality.

Some dream too big. They flick their hair and give their best smiles and think looking good is good enough, but not me. I'll start at the bottom and I'll earn every bit of respect I am given.

I have applied for two auditions tomorrow. One for a laundry detergent commercial and one for a music video? If I get one I'll have my foot in the door and something to put on my empty resume.

Booking the audition is just the first step, the second step will be preparing for it. That means looking at myself in the mirror and reading scripts I've memorized and just working on my speech. I am thankful that I am bilingual, my Selvadoradean is natively spoken but my Simlish is not too far behind. Since I've always known I wanted to be an actress I did understand that the more languages I can speak the better.

I still have to eat though and while breadsticks might have been a little too much for me I will settle for a very plain grilled cheese sandwich. Easy and tasty enough to do for now.

I might not have the best relationship with mama but I miss her home cooked meals already.

If it were not for acting I do think I'd be a chef! You'd think an aspiring actress like myself would be a film or TV buff but nooope. I spend most of my time watching cooking shows. They are just kind of relaxing and maybe I'll learn not to burn the place down watching them?

Any ways! Wish me luck for my auditions tomorrow! Don't tell me to break a leg because I'm pretty sure I need those!

Index ~ Next

[nice-and-accurate-fictions]

South Downs and/or safe, happy future

Those little stories that give us hope that everything will be OK. Nice and lighthearted.

One Perfect Day by PirateFanatic. Rated Teen, 4k. P. Oct 23.

Canon universe story where Crowley and Aziraphale are safe. In fact, they are about to go to a wedding. As Aziraphale dresses up, Crowley moans that he doesn't want to go, but Aziraphale doesn't give him a choice. And, in the words of the writer, with good reason.

Will You Ever Stop Surprising Me? by curiouspupsicle. Rated M, 1k. P. Aug 24.

This fiction is a little gem. Set in a hypothetical future after our heroes averted the apocalypse again, it focuses on Crowley wondering if he might ever get bored of life on earth with Aziraphale. and then spending the rest of the story trying to catch up with all the ways the angel still surprises him. In the words of the writer, this is a story about Aziraphale being sex-positive. But it's that and so much more. It's joyful, it's clever, it's funny. The characterisation is spot on. I would have loved to have more of these two in this fiction!

The Exponent Of Breath, by possibilityleft. Rated Teen, 8k. P. Oct 24.

This is another absolute gem that I loved so much this month! It shows us moments in time when Aziraphale and Crowley have attended weddings. It's a mix of past, future, better times, warm feelings and happiness. Deep and beautiful. Some fictions you can clearly put it into words why you liked them, and some just speak to you at a deeper level, they just touch something inside you, and this is one of those.

Masturbation (Doesn't Count As Sex, Surely?), by Hellsgardener. Rated E, 1k. P. Oct 24.

Very few fictions manage to convey such intense feelings of sweetness and hotness alike in such a short tale as this one! Aziraphale asks Crowley if he's ever had sex and reminisces about his own solo experiences.

The Angel Tree by GoodInspirationsAD, rated T, 8k. P. Dec 24.

Post season 2 fiction with a lovely happy ending. Aziraphale is in heaven and Crowley, as heartbroken as he is, replaces him in making sure the London Hospital Angel Tree initiative has presents for all the patients. Meanwhile, Aziraphale worries that, with him in heaven, some patients will be left with no gifts, so he has to go down to earth and fulfill the patients’ wishes. Hurt, comfort, communication, intimacy, South Down cottage, AND Christmas all in one fiction, what more do you want?

The First One That's Right, by DoonaRose. Rated T, 2k. P. Aug 23.

Sweet account of our Ineffable ‘doing it again’. Lovely.

A Day For Magic, by Create_Serenity rated E, 3k. P. Dec 23.

I loved the vibes of this fic so much! It's sweet and lovely, with great characterisation. The loving banter and the clear affection between our Ineffables paint a heartwarming picture of how things could be once they are safe from heaven and hell.

My own little one shot, Angel! Angel! They're At It Again! Rated M, 5k. P. Aug 24.

It's the year 2030. The world never ended. Aziraphale and Crowley are living happily and safely together as a married couple. Everything would be well, if it wasn't that lately Aziraphale has been a bit busy. A bit distracted. Now, Crowley can't have that, can he? He seeks the advice of his girlfriends, who unwittingly give him an idea on how to liven up his marriage. A fluffy and hopefully funny way to the South Downs cottage.

[lobtster]

IDW Oppy makes me violent but in a bad way. The fact that they took a character who is known for having strong ideals and beliefs who will do anything to fight against oppression a centrist asshole and a cop is just baffling.

Before i start i must clarify that English isn't my first language, these are just my opinions this post isnt meant to attack or upset anyone i just like complaining :3

I like when Tf does something different but for it to change something it has to have a good understanding of the original. You cant change a recipe without understanding why the original worked.

Now i understand what they were going for when they did make Oppy a cop working for the system. They wanted Oppy to have her big revelation and understanding that the system is actually bad. They wanted Optimus to figure things out for herself to be mistaken and have an opportunity to correct said mistakes by redeeming herself and fighting against said system she worked for. I have 2 major problems with this. (Aside form the obvious that making Optimus a cop is really fucking stupid.)

The first one and obvious one is that by making Optimus be the good one and Megatron the bad one. *By making Optimus a middle class cop who was never really affected by the system itself a hero. And Megatron the abused lower class miner who was directly exploited and affected by said system of the government the "bad guy". It doesn't really leave a nice message. The comic might as well say "hey you shouldn't fight against your agressors try to reason with them while they completly fuck you over."

They paint megatron as the villain for daring to stand up and fight against the system that had been violently repressing him and his friends since the moment he was online. Then they turn around and pat Optimus in the back for being a centrist prick who doesn't condone violence.

Its why i think TF one did the right thing by making them both members of the same vulnerable and exploited class. That way they understand why they need to fight against and destroy the system because they were victims to it. It makes that whatever differences they have with one another stem from their own personal ideas and beliefs. (Im also gonna say that while making Optimus an arquivist or librarian is 10x better than making her a cop it still makes her have this higher social status than Megatron which again shows the same problems as i've mentioned before*)

My second point is like i mentioned before they want Optimus to go through this growth, at having realized the system is bad to change it. (Think Caytlin from Arcane). Problem is they don't change the fact that she still carries centrist ideals so she starts "fighting" against the system but instead of demolishing it she wants to reform it. And that is shown to be the correct option, Megatron is the villain for wanting to tear down a system that has violently oppressed thousands of workers for thousands of years. So this big revelation she has, this noble call to arms, the big redemption, the want to fight against the system falls flat on its face if she just doesnt want to fight it so much as she wants to reform it.

Also i understand that after she reads Megatron she still stays a cop because she thinks she can fight the system from withing. Which is just so stupid because she was a witness to said corruption, she should've known there was no way to fight it from within.

I dont think i have to explain why that centrist ideal doesnt work for Optimus' character. Someone who has always stood at the side of the oppresor, who would sacrifice anything and fight tooth and nail for a world in which everyone has the right to be free and choose. Optimus is opposed to violence if there is another way to solve a conflict she will choose that over violence but if she is given no other choice she will put up a damn fight. This isn't a small aspect of her character you can tweak or change its a core part of Optimus. I'd say of the Transformers series, this big fight for a better world.

Also i gotta talk about the very obvious thing which is that THIS WHOLE STORY ARC (minus the centrism ideology) would've been perfect for Prowl. A cop who realizes the system is flawed, attempts to fight the corruption from withing, has to realize that it's impossible and eventually leaves. Its a very Prowl story. I think with Prowl's more morally grey attitude it would've made it far more interesting than Optimus' little miss lets reform the system.

This whole ordeal frustrates me because it ruins for me the good well written parts of IDW Optimus, how she goes and confronts the senate, her guilt over the war to the point she exiles herself, the conversation she has with Megatron in chaos theory, etc. It sucks seeing your favorite character mishandled in such a way esoecially if youre a really big fan of them. Only good thing IDW did with her character was make her repeat the last words said when she is surprised or in shock.

[sonic-takeover]

Shadow watch your son carefully,this boy eats drywall I don't think he knows how to cook/lh /j

Silver, a date can be whatever you want it to be! I agree with your dad though, you probably won't be kissing just yet haha. Espio is kinda the shy type. That being said,try not to rush yourself with it! Remember,he's still your friend in all of this, feelings or no feelings. It's nice to just sit and have fun!

He eats what..? Silver, please tell me this is not true.

What?

Do you eat walls?

..... I used to, yeah. Heheh..

Why the hell were you eating walls??

*Silver shrugs, gently helping Charmy lift the rice to pour into the pot of water* In my timeline, there weren't a lot of resources left. We had to make do. Improvise. But now I don't have to do that! I have you guys, and real food!

.... *Shadow steps closer to him and puts an arm around him in a side hug* You're safe.

*Silver's eyes widen and for once he doesn't laugh or make any jokes. He just leans against him* .. Thanks, pops.. Oh, and about Espio.. I guess you guys are right about all that. Espio is my friend! I don't have to be like you guys and rush into it.

*Shadow glares incredulously at him* Excuse me? We did not rush. We took years to even imply interest. You, however, seem to be certain about him after a day of realizing you have feelings for him.

I'm not- *Silver stops, gathering his words* .. I'm not certain about anything. But this is what you do with these feelings, right? You take action on them?

... Sometimes, yes.

But no one has a clear answer for me. No one knows the right thing to do, it's all just.. "Whatever makes you happy, Silver!" .. I don't know what that means.

It means your path is in your hands. This timeline is yours to guide. You can change your mind at any time. If you aren't absolutely certain about Espio, you don't have to take action. You don't have to take action if you are certain, either. It's not a big deal either way. You'll get through whatever happens.

... Yeah. I still wanna do the picnic, though.

Hm. *Shadow nods and goes back to cooking. Charmy has wandered off, bored of listening to grown-up conversations*

............. I sleep floated into his bed this morning.

Gaia help you, Silver.

I knowww! Ughhh!

[ineffablecabbage]

for the domestic prompt... Benton/Carter #47 🥺

(lol I was trying to keep these drabble, double drabble or triple drabble size. Messed around and fucked up. ~ 1459 words)

Jackie didn't like being wrong about things, but at certain point, she had to admit that Walt had the situation with John Carter figured out long before she ever did.

Neither of them quite knew what to think when Peter brought the gangly… young… white med student home for Thanksgiving dinner. But Peter had insisted that their mother had invited him - something that their mother confirmed once or twice, though her word in those days could never truly be taken at face value - and the kid had the look on him like someone had just kicked his puppy, so Jackie had served him a plate and tried not to ignore how … close he clung to everything Peter said or did.

"He doesn't know any of you, and he had a rough day," Peter told her in the kitchen. "Give him more of grandma's mac and cheese that you perfected, and he'll warm up to you."

Men always compliment you when they're up to something, Grandma had said once.

"That's true," Walt agreed. "White people do love their cheese."

And to his credit, John Carter did look up at her with those sad little puppy eyes and tell her how he'd never had anything this delicious in his life, and thank her for her hospitality, and well… it was easy to see why her brother and her mother had been so easily charmed.

Her brother would deny being charmed, but Jackie had known her brother all his life, thank you very much, and if anyone else had looked at him and said "I've never had sweet potato pie," he would have called them a tasteless heathen. Instead, Peter gave the boy two slices and told him not to insult anyone by telling them pumpkin was better.

"Pumpkin is a little heavier on the spice," John Carter had commented. "The sweet potato is lighter and sweeter. Some people might prefer the spice."

Walt had elbowed her in the ribs then, and she had told him to be quiet. "It's a metaphor, Jackie. We should tell Peter that he's just been compared to a pumpkin pie, so he can be furious that he got to be the inferior pie," he whispered, because Walt never listened to her good advice.

Later when John Carter listened to each of her children in turn talk their various levels of nonsense - despite the heavy lids that the carb coma and turkey were giving him - Jackie sat between her mother and Walt and listened to Peter cleaning up the dishes in the kitchen. Her mother patted her hand and said, "Peter has nice friends, don't you think, Jackie?"

Walt had chuckled, and Jackie had elbowed him and told him to be quiet again. "Yes, Mama," she'd said.

"Ate all his pie," her mother had said. "Cleaned his whole plate. You know, you and Petey were both fussy eaters. Gave me and your father such fits."

"Well, family takes all types," Walt said, and Jackie elbowed the man again, because he didn't know how to be quiet at all.

Later, after company had gone and Mama had gone to bed, Walt declared, "That man is gonna be coming to Sunday dinners before all is said and done, mark my words."

"You talk too much, Walt," she said. "And that'll never happen. Peter's never even dated a white woman, and you have him out here dating a white man. And a student at that. That boy can't be much more than what? 23?"

"He won't always be his student," Walt answered. "And it's the 90s, Jackie. Your brother works with white people in a white hospital all day long… to borrow John Carter's metaphor, maybe he might decide he wants to try a different flavor of pie."

"If you use that metaphor again, you're sleeping on the couch until next Sunday dinner," Jackie grumbled.

Walt had laughed, and they had dropped it.

~*~

Time passed, of course, and Peter decided to make all sorts of terrible choices in his dating life. First, he decided to date a married woman. Oh, Walt loved to talk about that. ("You suppose that little white boy was married?") Then there was Carla, and oh, Lord, she was even worse. That was a fact. Now, Jackie will always love her nephew, but his mother was an entire mess and a half. Walt loved to talk about that, too. ("John Carter never insulted your cornbread.")

And after that, Peter apparently decided to dance on their father's grave and date a white woman, after all.

On the day they found that out, Walt did have to sleep on the couch, he was so insufferable.

~*~

More time passed, of course, and eventually, little brothers left to their own devices will almost stumble into making the right choices. Peter even started to date a stable, sane Black woman for a while - a fellow doctor and pediatrician.

"She seems nice," Jackie told him, during a Sunday dinner in which they were actually graced with his presence for a change. "Couldn't she get the day off?"

Peter shrugged. "It seemed a little early to be inviting her to Sunday dinner, don't you think?"

Walt laughed, and as they were doing the dishes, Walt told her firmly, "That man is never inviting that woman to this house for Sunday dinner."

"Oh, he will too."

"If she ever shows up, I'm gonna ask her if she's ever met John Carter."

"You will not."

~*~

There were only a few times that Jackie remembered hearing her little brother's voice break, and those are moments Jackie didn't like to think about at all. So when the phone call in the middle of the night woke her, asking if she could keep an eye on Reese for the night, because "something has happened," she knew it had to be bad.

She knew, because her little brother's voice broke in the middle of his request; he cleared his throat twice trying to regain composure.

She gave him the dignity he was trying to get back. "Sure, Peter. It's not a problem."

Later, when he came to pick Reese up, he would tell her that John Carter was injured, but he wouldn't tell her how. He will tell her that John Carter's useless parents had stayed in Tokyo.

Now, Jackie couldn't imagine either going to Tokyo or staying there if one of her children needed her. If one of her children were hurt, she would sooner try to swim the ocean herself than stay away from them.

She hadn't seen John Carter in years, but did remember that sweet boy who had been kind to her mother, to her children, and to her, and she knew he didn't deserve any hurt. She also watched the way her brother's fists shook with unleashed hurt, fury, or a combination of the two as he clenched them during his retelling of the failures of these sorry ass parents that John Carter had been given.

"When he gets out of the hospital, stop by, and I'll fix him a plate," Jackie told him. "Nobody should have to go home to take-out."

The hug Peter gave her on the way out was as tight as the one he gave her at Mama's funeral.

Walt haunted the doorway while Peter poured out his heart. After Peter left, Walt didn't say anything, but he didn't have to.

~*~

It was two years and two deaths after that fateful night that John Carter did in fact show up for Sunday dinner.

Now, Jackie didn't like being wrong, but a lot of years had passed since that Thanksgiving evening. John Carter was still very gangly and very … white and very … male, but he was no longer very young. And their family had shrunk enough by that point that Jackie could not see the point in shrinking it even further.

Then, of course, there was Peter.

Peter, who looked so damn happy with John Carter by his side that Jackie could almost forgive the fact that her little brother had fallen in love with a man who had never had collard greens in his life.

Their father would be scandalized.

But daddy wasn't here, and little Reese was. Little Reese who was no longer as little as he once was. Little Reese, who sat next to John Carter after dinner and signed excitedly to him, the same level of nonsense that Jackie's own children had, years before - including the one who will never attend another Sunday dinner again.

"What did I tell you?" Walt said, triumphantly, after the three of them had departed for the day. "Sunday dinners, Jackie. I called it. Years ago, I called it."

"Yes, you did," Jackie agreed. "Looks like you were right."

"You aren't gonna argue with me about it?" Walt asked in surprise.

"No," Jackie answered.

She was not, because while Jackie didn't usually like being wrong… every now and then… there were exceptions.

[northernsunsets]

I've become obsessed with the Shen Jiu Liu Qingge rivalry lately because I think it's really funny that Shen Jiu started it by ambushing Liu Qingge after a spar.

[mecha--maniac]

If anyone's into it feel free to take this off my hands cause I don't want it:

Metadow where Silver's their kid, facilitated by Metal's mucking about with genetic splicing -- since apparently he's interested in biotech, judging by Heroes -- so insert whatever shipping stuff one wants with them during the 200 years or whatever, and eventually someone gets the bright idea for a test tube baby for some reason, and huh weird it came out looking a lot like that one guy they used to know from the future *wait a minute--*

[lobtster]

IDW Oppy makes me violent but in a bad way. The fact that they took a character who is known for having strong ideals and beliefs who will do anything to fight against oppression a centrist asshole and a cop is just baffling.

Before i start i must clarify that English isn't my first language, these are just my opinions this post isnt meant to attack or upset anyone i just like complaining :3

I like when Tf does something different but for it to change something it has to have a good understanding of the original. You cant change a recipe without understanding why the original worked.

Now i understand what they were going for when they did make Oppy a cop working for the system. They wanted Oppy to have her big revelation and understanding that the system is actually bad. They wanted Optimus to figure things out for herself to be mistaken and have an opportunity to correct said mistakes by redeeming herself and fighting against said system she worked for. I have 2 major problems with this. (Aside form the obvious that making Optimus a cop is really fucking stupid.)

The first one and obvious one is that by making Optimus be the good one and Megatron the bad one. *By making Optimus a middle class cop who was never really affected by the system itself a hero. And Megatron the abused lower class miner who was directly exploited and affected by said system of the government the "bad guy". It doesn't really leave a nice message. The comic might as well say "hey you shouldn't fight against your agressors try to reason with them while they completly fuck you over."

They paint megatron as the villain for daring to stand up and fight against the system that had been violently repressing him and his friends since the moment he was online. Then they turn around and pat Optimus in the back for being a centrist prick who doesn't condone violence.

Its why i think TF one did the right thing by making them both members of the same vulnerable and exploited class. That way they understand why they need to fight against and destroy the system because they were victims to it. It makes that whatever differences they have with one another stem from their own personal ideas and beliefs. (Im also gonna say that while making Optimus an arquivist or librarian is 10x better than making her a cop it still makes her have this higher social status than Megatron which again shows the same problems as i've mentioned before*)

My second point is like i mentioned before they want Optimus to go through this growth, at having realized the system is bad to change it. (Think Caytlin from Arcane). Problem is they don't change the fact that she still carries centrist ideals so she starts "fighting" against the system but instead of demolishing it she wants to reform it. And that is shown to be the correct option, Megatron is the villain for wanting to tear down a system that has violently oppressed thousands of workers for thousands of years. So this big revelation she has, this noble call to arms, the big redemption, the want to fight against the system falls flat on its face if she just doesnt want to fight it so much as she wants to reform it.

Also i understand that after she reads Megatron she still stays a cop because she thinks she can fight the system from withing. Which is just so stupid because she was a witness to said corruption, she should've known there was no way to fight it from within.

I dont think i have to explain why that centrist ideal doesnt work for Optimus' character. Someone who has always stood at the side of the oppressed, who would sacrifice anything and fight tooth and nail for a world in which everyone has the right to be free and choose. Optimus is opposed to violence if there is another way to solve a conflict she will choose that over violence but if she is given no other choice she will put up a damn fight. This isn't a small aspect of her character you can tweak or change its a core part of Optimus. I'd say of the Transformers series, this big fight for a better world.

Also i gotta talk about the very obvious thing which is that THIS WHOLE STORY ARC (minus the centrism ideology) would've been perfect for Prowl. A cop who realizes the system is flawed, attempts to fight the corruption from withing, has to realize that it's impossible and eventually leaves. Its a very Prowl story. I think with Prowl's more morally grey attitude it would've made it far more interesting than Optimus' little miss lets reform the system.

This whole ordeal frustrates me because it ruins for me the good well written parts of IDW Optimus, how she goes and confronts the senate, her guilt over the war to the point she exiles herself, the conversation she has with Megatron in chaos theory, etc. It sucks seeing your favorite character mishandled in such a way esoecially if youre a really big fan of them. Only good thing IDW did with her character was make her repeat the last words said when she is surprised or in shock.

Also im not against giving Optimus any flaws. Even though in my heart she is my perfect little princess who can do no wrong, i live it when writers make her messy. I think she should be as messy or even more than Megatron.

TF One for example makes Optimus selfish, impulsive and inconsiderate, even though she has noble goals she isnt perfect. She doesn't think half of the consecuences half of the time, less so of how her actions affect others. Optimus straight up costs Elita's entire job and she just says sorry and goes about her day, she forces D-16 to compete in the race with her without acknowledging how he may feel about it or if he even wants to. But she doesn't do this out of pure evil she just doesn't think about the consecuences. She's kind of an asshome and i love her for it

[neverendingford]

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[insomniacirl]

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