#(OOC: Idk if it has to be said… but I wanna make it clear that this isn’t going to turn into an ARG or high-stakes sort of event)

[libertys-lovers]

I knew it. I knew there was something off about… whatever she’s trying to get herself into. She gathered all of us today and said that she was officially going to “throw herself into another puppet franchise”.

I’m just glad I’m not the only one who feels weird about it; I think some of the others are a bit nervous too. But she’s set on it, no changing her mind.

Oh yeah, this is your first time being here when she decides to go somewhere, isn’t it? It’s alright! All of us have felt nervous about her heading out to one of these new worlds. Actually, a lot of us were worried about her going to your place, Red. But she came back fine as always!

Huh, now that I think about it, that just means we started this “take over” thing at the perfect time! Now everyone can see what it’s like behind the scenes when she goes out and explores!

I guess so…

Red & Lúcio 🐸

[gold-rhine]

How do you feel about the two big neuvi juggernauts rn, neuvifuri and wrioneuvi

tbh i'm ambivalent about both of these. im simply a dragon protection unit advocating against mistreatment.... bc for some reason ppl ooc neuvi in two wildly different directions to fit into heteronormativity stereotypes for these two ships. like with rizzley they feminize him drastically, and on the other side with furina they make like stoic uber masculine idk hot math teacher stereotype. both are super annoying tbh. let the poor dragon be, magic evolution already yassified him into french man in reincarnation, has he not suffered enough. stop gendering him so badly, hes not even human, hes a lizard.

with furina im also quite peeved how ppl will try to pretend that they loved each other for all these years (no they didn't), how furina was the one who made him love humanity (no she did not categorically), etc etc. bc i think they have very complicated relationship due to power dynamics of archon\ dragon whose power was stolen by this archon, and trying to erase it make them much less interesting. like furina straight up shut down every their argument in archon quests by going "i'm an archon, you should do as i say bc i'm the god". which she probably didn't know has vastly different implications for the dragon sovereign who sees her as false god, ruling with his power. of course now that she knows, she thinks he hates her, just as she said in her story quest. there is an interesting tension there that i think could be fun to explore bc yeah, they also have 500 years of history. they barely talked, but she knows where he would like to be at this time of day, that kind of familiarity. but i think if you wanna see their relationship explored, esp in romantic sense, you gotta start from right now, from the awkwardness and complications, instead of pretending they are already end game in love.

with rizzwolfsley i remember i saw one post that said that its like fleabag vibes, like they know they can't be together bc of Duty, and i can see it tbh, like rizzley is v feabag to me with his trauma that he pretends hes fine with, but obv a bleeding wound in his back, with sarcastic facade keeping ppl from looking too close, the nonchalant attitude covering painful tension. and as he grew up with this dagger in his back literally in prison, around petty human vices and learned to shield in irony-poisoned attitude, i can see him being drawn to neuvi, steadfast, incorruptible, powerful, but never using it for selfish reasons, fresh clear water in the midst of dark muddy swamp, larger than life, inhuman in his mercy. i can see it, the little wow, it works. the bittersweetness of yearning, awkward stolen moments, it has potential

[stardustizuku]

So I read the second part of your ml analysis which is very good btw, but I have two questions: 1. you say something about how Adrien would never give up being Chat bc of freedom and stuff, but he does so in syren (kind of) and in kuro neko. I mean, it would make sense that he wouldn‘t bc of the reasons you stated, I‘m there with you, but… that‘s not canon? There are instances where he gives up his hero life bc he‘s insecure of what LB thinks of him (which tbf seems ooc but still). And second, Luka didn’t know about Mari‘s secret identity at the time when they were together, and I wouldn‘t necessarily blame him for being upset at her for not being very present during their relationship. Idk maybe I misunderstood (in which case I‘m sorry) but he only learned about that later. (Or do you mean that if he was the main love interest, he would‘ve forgiven her for acting the way she did?)

I don‘t disagree with you at all, I was just confused about those two parts

I'll be honest, the original draft has been in the work for well over a few years now. So, it was initially written before season 4. Much of my information on the episodes moving forward is either clips or second-hand information.

(Being honest though, I don't feel like I miss much doing this. A lot, and I mean ALOT of MLB is padded fluff and not even good kind. I did keep up with recaps until season 4. Season 5 to me is a complete mystery. And I don't wanna find out. What little I have seen or been told, makes me question...so much).

That said.

You do have a point.

Adrien gives up "Chat Noir" on two occasions. 1) Despereada 2) Kuro-Neko.

(I'm not counting Syren because that was a threat, not really him giving it up, or following through.)

But here's the thing. We're both in the correct here. Because while Adrien "gives up" the Alter Ego of Chat Noir - in Desperada he does not give up being a Superhero.

He is just trying on a new mask. He still wants what he's always wanted "a home" and his "home" is Ladybug. He tries to please her, by being Aspik. His "wish" hasn't changed, he's figuring out if a new mask will be able to grant it.

And in the case of Kuro-Neko, I would liken it to a corrupted soul gem. Realising that the "wish" he made when he became Chat Noir is fruitless.

I said "[Ladybug] offers him [a place to belong], while Chat Noir lends him the means to show that “true self” he can’t allow to others. He would never give up his miraculous because it would mean losing all that."

But what happens if the first statement is false? What if Ladybug no longer represents a place where he belongs? What if he no longer feels like Chat Noir is his true self? If either of those fail, then what's the point of having an Alter Ego? That's when he gives it up.

The moment his wish is proven NOT to be granted by the Magical Power Up, he gives up his Alter Ego.

OOC, yes. But it has some (?) sort of internal logic.

However, the point of that specific part was simply to say that Chat Noir is a (slightly) better-constructed protagonist. Through seasons 1-3, he remains with this internal logic. Something that Marinette does not have, even at the very beginning.

Again, I do believe Kuro Neko could have worked - but giving it the 1 episode treatment ruined any shot at redemption it could have.

As for the Luka situation

I really was trying not to go into a tangent, within a tangent about how badly they handled Luka. So I sorta jumbled a lot of stuff together and mistyped a lot. It's actually quite understandable that I didn't make myself clear, I wasn't trying to.

I was vaguely gesturing at the problem. But, if you insist:

My main point is: I don't think he should feel entitled to information about his (relatively new) girlfriend.

That entire thing was, politely said, a dick move.

With my comparison to Tokyo Mew Mew, I was trying to prove that Luka did the one thing that no Magical Girl Male Lead should EVER do. It's antithetical to everything the genre stands for.

Marinette wasn't in the wrong for keeping ANY sort of secret from him that didn't relate to their relationship. Point blank. But, he feels so justified in this, that when he becomes an Akuma, he outrights forces everyone to give up Marinette's secret.

One that I would argue IS a huge deal in regards to their relationship. She still likes Adrien. But he says he already knows that.

And, apparently, does not care for it.

Okay then, why did he care for her other secret? What could have possibly been worse in his head to get into such a huge fight over?

And in the end, it doesn't even matter cause he does find out she's Ladybug afterwards!

He broke this girl's heart just bcs he couldn't handle she wasn't being 100% honest in a, what? 2-month-old relationship?

The entire thing is messy and weird, and meanspirited. I'm not a fan.

And that should be obvious. I compared Aoyama and Ichigo in a positive light to them.

I do not ship them. I don't even think they should have been endgame. I know that's an essay/rant for another day - but to somehow be worse than the most VANILLA of Magica Girl ships, the one ship anyone will tell you isn't the one they wanted. The one that everyone in the REMAKE is begging to be changed...

You fucked up.

[ask-alois]

OOC information / about

🦋 i answer questions in character as alois

🦋 admittedly im not a very formal typer irl anyways, but all slang/acronyms/typos are in character . i dont think alois would be very formal with this lol its just his own lil blog

🦋 keep in mind that while this is a form of rp , this is an ask blog , and everything here is over the internet . this isnt paragraph / third-person style rp . alois is using tumblr ( or whatever vague social media u wanna pretend this is ) and you are seeing him post . does tht make sense? ^^;; these kinds of blogs were way moare popular wen i was a kid but i dont really see this kind of rp around these days . ueueueueueueue ;w;

🦋 modern setting ( not this exact year / timeline , like not specifically 2024 , just . not victorian era . since this wouldn't be possible if it was LOL )

🦋 alois is 14. dont be a creep*

🦋 please do not expect Alois to be sweet to u . he is a right brat ( as is canon ) , especially if hes in a bad mood . he can be sweet / friendly too , but dont get mad or sad or whatever if he reponds in a bratty or mean way to your question / ask

🦋 if u wanna paragraph-style rp , ask and maybe we can !! ive been wanting to actually , it probs would just be separate from this blog lol , i wouldnt be turning this account into a paragraph style rp blog , itd get confusing / jumbled up on tha dash

🦋 im more than happy to interact with other kuroshit characters !! ciel , lizzie , finny , sebastian , etc-- all are welcome , even if they never interacted in the anime . just remember , as stated above : alois may not always play nice ;3

🦋 as of right now , he currently has no relationships with other characters outside the household** . i havent decided if he knows ciel yet or if ciel is just that stuffy earl who barely attends any parties or does any press interviews sbxbGZBNXJXJXA

🦋 ^^^ following that : while demons do exist / claude is still a demon in the AU that is this blog's canon , things are chiller rn . if we follow the canon of the anime ciel and alois are gonna end up killing eachother pretty quickly lol , for the sake of longevity lets just ignore the part where claude and sebastian manipulate alois and ciel into turning against ecahother 🫶💕 . that isnt to say theyre bffs all of a sudden, of course . catch alois posting about how he met THE ciel phantomhive at a party and hes such a snot nosed little brat 🙄 . " guys i got stabbed 🧍🏽 " dhxjGAJFJABNFMVMVKVA

🦋 please do not godmod , or try to establish a ship without asking me ( even platonic relationships , dont just pop in like "hey its me ur best friend that you totally talk to every night remember that time we went bowling ?" ) . im not currently interested in playing with OCs but if you send enough asks you may become ur own character lol / it may just happen naturally

🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋

* he might flirt or make a dirty joke or whatever, if it would be in character for him to do so at the moment. i get it , i was also hypersexual at a young age due to trauma . thts not an invitation 2 be a creep!! u dont need 2 focus on it, or send really explicit asks !! behave !!

** if you know anything about alois , you will know what TWs this blog has . that being said , i dont anticipate things like that coming to the forefront ? it isnt something that will be focused on , not right now at least-- idk if anything super angsty is gonna happen / get brought up in tha future . THAT being said , claude is still mistreating alois and alois is still attached to him . you will be able to pick up on it if ur paying attention , but again , thats just something thats going on in the background for now

to be clear , my portrayl of their relationship here is not romanticized / fluffy / shippy ( except for maybe from alois's pov sometimes ? like omg claude is so great blah blah blah or whatever ) but i mean . lol . its pretty much canon , isnt it ? that alois loves claude , and claude does not love him back . it isnt healthy or happy and is something alois struggles with rather than being anything ~shippy~ , but again i figured i should warn for it , because while not being focused on right now it may come up later

[trashywritestrash]

Babysitter

Pairing: Steve Harrington x single mom! reader

Word Count: ~2.6k

Warnings: no season 4 spoilers, reader has a named child, child’s father is not around, child cries/kicks/throws a tantrum, some light cursing, Lucas may be a little OOC but I tried my best.

A/N: i literally did this now in one sitting and it has not been edited at all and is not going to be. i just started and didn’t stop, so enjoy the experience i guess lol

also my birthday is on sep 17th and i’m gonna turn 21 so i kinda wanna do a big celebration with y’all but idk if y’all would want that or what we would do?? opinions pls

also this gif just seems to fit the vibe of this fic lol

gif by cloudsongs

You hadn’t had to hire a new babysitter in years. Unfortunately, your long-term trusted babysitter had just left for college out-of-state. So now you have no other option but to try to find someone else. And, somehow, you ended up hiring Lucas Sinclair.

Lucas was not someone you knew well, but he seemed like a responsible kid. And your daughter Emmie was (according to your last babysitter) an easy child to take care of. She was polite and clean, and overall very cheerful. You knew Lucas didn’t have any experience babysitting, but Emmie would be a good learning experience for him. Still, you left him the number of the bar and he promised to call if he needed anything.

So you went out with your friends in a dress that was only a little too tight, more makeup than you usually apply, and heels that you’d regret later. You had to go all out because your friends would tease you otherwise. You had given birth to Emmie fresh out of high school, so you had to ditch them a lot in order to take care of her. They understood of course, but they made it clear that they wanted you to enjoy your twenties— no matter how many times you’ve told them “I am enjoying my twenties! I love my daughter, and she makes them fun”. They insisted that it wasn’t the same.

You gave Emmie one last kiss as you said goodbye, leaving her in Lucas’ capable hands.

Or so you thought.

Unbeknownst to you, as soon as your friends had picked you up, Emmie had completely changed. She was mean to Lucas in the way a three (almost four) year old can be. She refused to eat, wouldn’t take her nap, threw her toys around the living room. Worst of all, she told Lucas that she didn’t want to be his friend. All of this happened within 15 minutes of you being gone.

Lucas couldn’t call you. You probably hadn’t even made it to the bar yet, and he didn’t want to ruin your entire night before you could have any fun. So he called the first person he could think of.

“No way in Hell, man! You’re on your own!” Lucas heard Dustin’s laugh as he spoke.

He groaned, “Please, Dustin! I don’t know what to do, she doesn’t listen at all!”

“How am I supposed to help? I don’t know shit about kids! Call someone else.”

“Like who?” Lucas asks, threw his hands up even though Dustin couldn’t see him. “I tried Mike already, but he’s busy.”

“He’s not busy, he just doesn’t want to. Call Steve, he’ll know what to do.”

Lucas heard a thump from the living room and his heart almost stopped beating. “Shit— I’ve gotta go! I’ll call him!” He hung up the phone and ran to the other room. Emmie was standing on top of the coffee table, looking down at her cup of juice that she had just knocked onto the carpet.

“Juice!” She cried.

“It’s okay, it’s okay, I’ll get you more juice! Just get off the table.”

Emmie clenched her fists, “No!” She stomped on the table, causing the vase on it to shake. Lucas’ eyes widened and he rushed forward. He picked Emmie up off of the table as she kicked and screamed, trying to beat him off of her. “No! I want down!”

“I’m sorry, but you can’t be up there! You’ll get hurt.” He brought her into the kitchen and sat her on the floor. Emmie started to kick his leg out of anger. Lucas ran to the fridge for more juice, but found that there was no more left. “Shit.”

Emmie froze when she heard Lucas swear. He turned around, startled by her sudden stop. Her eyes watered as she stared at him before she burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably. “I want Mama!” She plopped down to sit on the tile floor and kicked Lucas’ legs whenever he tried to get closer. He grabbed the phone off of the wall, forced to deal with the kicking as he called Steve.

The second Steve answered, he couldn’t get a word out as Lucas cut him off. “Steve! I need your help, it’s an emergency!” He gave his older friend your address and Steve promised he’d be there as fast as he could. Before he hung up, Lucas added “And bring juice!”

—————

Ten minutes later, Steve knocked on the door. Lucas ran to the front door, immediately opened it, and pulled Steve inside.

“What’s going on?” Steve asked as Lucas dragged him to the kitchen by his wrist. Emmie was still on the floor, still crying.

“She’s been crying and fighting me this whole time, I don’t know what to do— Did you bring the juice?” Lucas grabbed the jug out of Steve’s hand and smiled at Emmie. “Look, Emmie! Steve brought you more juice.”

“Don’ want juice! I want Mama!”

“Your mom will be back later. But right now you’ve gotta eat something.” Lucas tried to get closer again, but Emmie kept kicking.

“No!”

Steve stood there with wide eyes, taking in the scene in front of him. “Don’t just stand there, man, do something!” Lucas shouted at him.

“I don’t know what to do either! I’m not a baby whisperer!”

“I’m not a baby!” Emmie insisted, still kicking and crying.

“Then stop acting like one!” Lucas snapped. Emmie started crying even harder.

Steve rolled his eyes at the younger boy, “Nice job, doofus. What did you think was gonna happen?”

“Just help me!”

For a moment, Steve just stood there thinking. Then he crouched on the floor so he could be level with Emmie.

“You’re Emmie, right? I’m Steve. I’m Lucas’ friend.”

“Nobodies his friend ‘cuz he’s mean!”

“Well, I’m his friend. He’s nice after a while, I promise.”

Emmie seemed to calm a bit, but only a bit. “Pinky promise?”

Steve nodded and held out his pinky to the little girl. “Pinky promise.”

She held out her pinky and locked it with Steve’s before she quickly pulled it back. Emmie had stopped kicking, but still cried. “I miss my Mama.”

“I know you do, but what would she say if she saw you acting like this? Would she be happy?”

That made Emmie frown. “No. Mama would be mad.”

“She probably would be. And we don’t want Mama to be mad, so you have to eat and listen to Lucas. Okay?”

“But he’s mean! He said a bad word!”

Steve frowned at Lucas. “Did you seriously curse at a child?”

“No! It just… Slipped out when I saw she was out of juice.”

“He has to say sorry!” Emmie crossed her arms and pouted, but her tears slowed.

Lucas frowned, feeling ashamed. “I’m sorry, Emmie. I shouldn’t have said that word.” Emmie huffed in response.

Steve turned back to her. “Now you have to apologize to Lucas.” She goes to argue, but Steve cut her off. “You’ve been kicking and screaming at him all night. And you said some pretty mean stuff to him too.”

She looked down at the floor and grumbled out. “Sorry.”

“Say it like you mean it,” Steve ordered.

“Sorry, Lucas.” Emmie looked up at Lucas as she apologized. She sounded a lot more genuine the second time. He gave her a small smile and a nod.

“Now,” Steve started, “What do you want to eat?”

Emmie was quiet for a moment before she decided she wanted mac and cheese. Lucas nodded. “I can make that for you. Do you want to stay with Steve while I cook?” The girl nodded at that. She had completely stopped crying already, but her face was still red and wet from tears.

“Come on, Emmie. Let’s go get you some tissues.” Steve stood up from the floor and waited while Emmie twisted around and struggled to get up. She stopped wiggling and looked up to Steve, not saying anything as she held her arms out. “You want me to pick you up?” She nodded, so Steve carefully lifted her off the floor, being as gentle as he could be with her. He carried her to the living room and sat her on the couch. Steve grabbed the box of tissues from a side table and handed Emmie one.

“Here you go. Can you wipe your eyes?” Emmie nodded and wiped her tears with the tissue and then her nose. “What do you want to do until dinner is ready?”

“Munch Bunch.”

Steve quirked a brow, “Munch Bunch? What’s that?” Emmie got down from the couch and walked over to the television set. She grabbed a VHS tape off of the shelf and handed it to Steve.

“Munch Bunch.”

He nodded and put the tape in the player, then started it and sat on the couch. Emmie got back on the couch and sat next to Steve. She looked up at him. “How old are you?”

“I’m twenty. How old are you?”

Emmie held up three fingers, “Three.”

“I see.” Steve exaggerated his reaction, sounding more impressed than he was.

“My mama’s twenty. You’re the same.” Emmie smiled, proud of herself for making that connection.

Steve brushed it off, assuming she got her mother’s age wrong. “How old is your dad?”

Emmie shrugged, “I don’ know. I don’ have a dad.” Steve froze, not knowing what to say.

“I’m sorry, Emmie.”

“It’s okay. My mama is the best, so I don’ need a dad!” Steve had the fleeting thought that Emmie wasn’t going to feel that way in a couple years, but he didn’t say it out loud. He didn’t have to say anything because Emmie’s full attention was focused on the television. A couple minutes later, Lucas brought dinner out to them and they ate on the couch.

—————

When you got home after your outing, it was almost eleven o’ clock at night. You entered the house and saw Lucas with someone else, picking up toys in the living room.

“Hi, Ms Y/L/N!” Lucas smiled, stopping his work.

You looked between Lucas and the other man carefully. “Hi, Lucas… Who’s this?”

“This is Steve. He’s my friend. I called him ‘cuz he has experience babysitting.”

Steve didn’t say anything. He didn’t know what to say. Emmie hadn’t been wrong when she said you were about his age, but she didn’t say anything about you being pretty. His brain started working at half capacity as soon as he saw you. “I’m Steve.”

“Hi, Steve,” You tried to stop your voice from wavering, but you were sure that your unease was clear. “Where’s Emmie?”

Lucas was the one who responded again, “Asleep in her room. She kind of had a fit earlier and it tired her out.”

You nodded, “Okay. Wait right here, okay? I’ll be right back.” You went down the hallway to Emmie’s room and walked in. You found her sound asleep in her bed, dressed in her day clothes instead of pajamas. She looked safe and content, which eased your nerves a little. When you went back to the living room, Steve and Lucas were right where you left them.

“Steve, could you stay here for a minute so I can talk to Lucas in the kitchen?”

“Oh— um, yeah, of course.”

Lucas followed you into the kitchen and you turned to him once you were out of earshot. “I’m not upset or anything, but I wanted to let you know that if you ever babysit for another family, you should ask the parents before you invite anyone over. I know Steve is your trusted friend, but I don’t know him at all, so I was thrown off when I came home and saw him in my house.” You spoke gently, doing your best to convey that you weren’t angry.

Lucas’ eyes widened a little, “I’m sorry, I didn’t even think about that. I was just in over my head and didn’t know what to do… Emmie was out of juice, so I asked Steve to pick some up and then he helped calm her down. I’m so sorry…”

“It’s okay, really. Emmie’s okay, that’s all that matters to me.” You gave him a smile and he instantly relaxed. “What did she do during her tantrum? And do you know why it happened?”

“She threw her toys, screamed and cried a lot. She also started kicking me whenever I was close enough. But I think she just missed you.” You could physically feel your heart break at those words. “It started as soon as you left, it was just a complete switch.”

You frown, “Jessica was her babysitter for basically her whole life… Maybe having new people here with her scared her. Stranger danger and all that. Still, I’m sorry she acted that way. That’s not how she is usually.”

“It’s okay. Once she calmed down, she was really good the rest of the night.”

“Thank you, Lucas.” You smiled and reached into your purse, finding the envelope that you had already put together as Lucas’ payment. “Here you go. Is your mom still coming to pick you up?”

Right as you said it, you heard a car in your driveway. “That must be her now.” Lucas followed you to the front door, which you opened to be greeted by Lucas’ mom. “Thanks again, Lucas. If you ever want to babysit again, you have my number.” He said his goodbyes and was out of your driveway in only a few minutes. That left you with Steve.

“Hey, sorry about all that… Um, let me grab my purse really quick and I’ll pay you Lucas’ rate.”

Steve is quick to shake his head. “No, you don’t have to do that. It’s all good.”

“At least let me pay you back for the juice. Unless you want to take the bottle back home with you?”

He chuckled, “Nah, I’m alright, thanks. But you don’t need to pay me back for it. It’s just one jug of juice.”

“I feel bad,” You frown. “You came all this way and helped take care of Emmie all night. I don’t want to just not pay you.”

Steve gave you a charming smile, but you could tell he was still a little nervous. “Instead of paying me, you should let me take you on a date. It’ll give Lucas some more experience without me to fall back on.” As soon as he finished saying it he grimaced at his own words. “I’m sorry if that was weird. I’m usually a lot more smooth than this, so I totally get it if you’re weirded out right now and think I’m crazy or something.”

It was your turn to laugh. “It’s okay, Steve. It was weird, but in a cute way.” You saw him blush a little and that encouraged you to keep going. “I’d like to go on that date.”

Steve smiled wide, chuckling a little in relief. “Good. Cool. Great. I’ll, um, I’ll write my number down so you can call me?” You nodded and grabbed two pieces of paper and pens so that you could both exchange numbers.

And just like that, you had a cute guy’s phone number. Plus, he was good with your daughter, which was a big green flag for you. You parted ways, promising to call each other soon to set up your date. As you watched his car pull out of your driveway you started to think. Maybe Steve could be more than a babysitter.

—————

If you enjoyed this or would like to read more of my work, please consider liking, reblogging, or tipping my Ko-fi!

[silver-wield]

Idk if the author of this fic is from that FH discord or not, but I remember reading this fic named "Harmonies for the Haunted" when I was just getting into FF7 and I read the author's notes and it said this: "Wow. Cloud got a LOT of hate last chapter! I was surprised yet impressed with the responses I got. You guys were pissed and very protective of our Tifa. Trust me, I GET IT! But just take a deep breath, my friends! It is not as bad as it seems! I promise!– 1/?

–I'm just trying to make this as real as possible and because of canon constraints that means that I have to be a bit harsh sometimes. I refuse to write one of those stories that does things like completely ignore/downgrade Aerith and Cloud's relationship to STRICTLY platonic status just to justify Cloti. I'm not doing it, and I don't have to in order to make Cloti a thing. I am not going to be all out cruel with this material, but I am not going to be merciful either because that goes– 2/?

against the canon setting I am breaking my back to maintain." L O L "Canon material" yeah right... more like the "my headcanon material that I am breaking my back trying to make it seem canon and deceive new fans" because at the time I was new and I really believed that shit. "Multishippers/neutrals/both girls" people are so disingenuous. They should stop trying to push their headcanons to the entire fandom when it's clear who Cloud loves if you PLAY THE GAME. 3/?

The worst thing is that this fic was/is so popular in the FF7 fandom and some people believe because it's "based on canon material" then this must be the plot of the game, when it's so far from the truth is not even funny. I regret reading it now, I feel like I wasted my time in 2015/2017 reading it, someone give it back to me. 4/4 (I think?)

Yeah, that sounds familiar. I've read comments like that before from lying multis who act like Cloud gave a shit about Aerith because of bollocks like Cait Sith's prediction, even though he's both canonically a liar, spy and a fake fortune teller. Or they go off dismantled, or Aerith saying shit on her own and Cloud having no response like his silence is consent/agreement. They even make up shit like if Aerith lived Cloud would be with her even though real Cloud is the one who is with Tifa and all Aerith had was the fake who was a total asshole to her unless the player forced him to act ooc. I mean, make it make fucking sense. Y'all wanna ignore what's actually happening that's on you, but don't spread your lying shit as if it's truth and lie to the entire fandom until they can't escape from your twisted wonderland.

Cloud in OG and everywhere else has never been mean to Tifa. That's canon. If asshole players chose rude options to her because they hate her that doesn't mean Cloud does. Cloud loves and has always loved her. That's the story reveal as part of his character arc.

It's always multis/both girls liars who act like they're doing this huge favour to the world. They're not. They're just proving they hate canon as much as the other losers who lie.

Thank god Nojima is ruining their lies with actual truth.

[caffernnn]

Final stroke spoilers: ⚠️‼️

I just saw a post on Twitter about the Haru and Rin scene and how they didn’t feel that it was that ooc of Haru. I thought I was the only one who felt that it was kind of justified on Haru’s end. Because both Rin and Ikuya put Haru and their friends through so much when they were lost and wanted to swim with Haru again. And I get that professional swimming is entirely different than what they’re used to, but it really sucks that as soon as the competition got a little hard they decided to just drop free and only swim their preferred styles. That’s got to be a slap in the face to Haru, because what was all of that other stuff about? Like Rin wanted for YEARS for Haru to swim on the world stage and after the first race is like “you’re on your own.” He honestly deserves it to be honest even if Haru would’ve never said anything to protect their friendship he was clearly thinking or thought these thoughts. For a show where Haru is the mc we rarely get to see how he feels about things. I wish we can see the movie soon, cause I really wanna see how that whole sequence takes place.

⚠️ Talking about Free! Final Stroke spoilers below the cut ⚠️

It’s wild to me (it probably shouldn’t be surprising; idk) how even going off of just spoilers, there is a clear divide in the reactions people are having to Haru’s actions in the movie, especially in reference to the sudden shift leading up to the fight with Rin. I can see why people are surprised by it on a base level because so much of his successes in DttF, paired with the camaraderie everyone seems to have for a majority of the movie, leads you to believe Haru has emotionally matured and stabilized since high school, which is true! He’s more open to change and examining his emotions, especially as he starts to grapple with a high-stakes long-term goal for what feels like the first time. With that said, all of this can be true at the same time Haru is going through a steady breakdown that can/will likely lead to burnout. So many people who’ve been put through rigorous academic programs or career training or anything else equally as intensive can attest to the frustration of feeling like every few steps forward (gaining experiential knowledge, making connections, learning more about your identity in reference to x goal, etc) are followed by a step back (exhaustion, plateaus, expectations you can’t meet, mistakes spilling out when you can’t keep repressing the negatives in the name of “productivity”). Haru was able to make it this far because he has grown and started to heal some of the cracks in his support group, but the sheer amount of pressure makes it easier for him to break, and old wounds that never fully healed have time to fester.

I probably sound like a broken record in these movie-related posts when talking about Haru getting obsessed with becoming stronger and not knowing what to do with that fairly new and overwhelming drive. I can’t be mad at Haru completely for his choices here (can’t wait to be called a Haru apologist when the movie comes out in more places jfjdjd) because he partially fell victim to circumstance. This is one of the first times Haru takes the expectations of him being a “hero” or “prodigy” into consideration, and now he’s trying to navigate the expectations of success that come with those titles while not being sure 1) what exactly they are beyond winning, and 2) not being sure if they’re actually attainable for him. Along with that, he’s putting faith in Ryuuji’s instruction and guidance because he needs someone with any sort of credibility or experience with the pro circuit to show him how to get to the top. Even though from an outside standpoint it’s easier to discredit and reject Ryuuji’s assertion that everyone at the top has to give something up to get there, there are a number of reasons Haru reconsiders the notion with everything he’s seeing. He’s seeing his newest rivals reach crazy success and strength through isolation, and Ryuuji is dangling a golden opportunity in front of his face by going to Haru in the moments where he’s most vulnerable and saying “yes, that strength you crave is possible for you, but only if you pay this specific price for it.” Nobody should bear the weight of “saving” Haru from his circumstances (especially not his friends on their own journeys… Ryuuji and other mentors watching this trainwreck can eat my shorts tho), but dealing with this ultimatum while his core support group is pushing forward through their own challenges and/or busy in another country, I can’t be too surprised when he starts to overextend himself and burst at the seams.

As far as the blow-up with Rin, I won’t say it’s fully justified, but it’s understandable. The way Haru has had to make peace with his hardships with Ikuya and Rin has largely been by atoning for his own involvement in those rifts and trying to turn over a new leaf without expecting much in return. He took the opportunities of swimming with both of them again to replace any apologies on their parts and largely made peace with it. As much as it’s going to hurt to watch, I’m interested to see this fight play out because it sounds like it addresses a problem we bring up a lot in meta analyses posts: there needs to be more explicit conversations and apologies between characters, or the closure feels flimsy and temporary at best. This fight isn’t about closure (it’s about a lot of things both involving and excluding Rin, but I ranted about that in the other spoiler post) but it’s acknowledgement after all of this time that there’s still a need for it. Having Rin back in his life as a rival and friend has held the caveat in the back of his mind that Rin will leave his side again if Haru’s friendship/rivalry stops serving all of his interests. Haru’s ultimate fear of being abandoned by people, of people using him without understanding him and then throwing him aside for someone/something else, is drastically coming back to the surface in all of his stress. Rin and Ikuya choosing to continue their pro careers with strokes that better suit their strengths isn’t abandonment, just like Makoto choosing a university in Tokyo wasn’t, but Haru is so lost in his own stress and despair that he can’t see these choices as anything but personal attacks in the moment. These choices don’t have to do with Haru and we’re never meant to hurt him (which he comes to realize by the end of each fight), but the unresolved issues mixed with his fears make him explode.

It’s not a black and white situation where only one side is in the right, and I hope whatever resolution comes in the second movie acknowledges that. Rin didn’t deserve Haru’s taunting and wrath in that moment, but I do want him to reflect on the whole mess and recognize that Haru’s in a desperate place not unlike the one he was in when he first went to Australia and seemingly cut everyone off. I want them both to consider that avoiding airing out those insecurities because it’d be uncomfortable or embarrassing ultimately led them back here, unsure how to talk about changes and concerns without first having one of them explode or hit rock bottom. They can be friends outside of swimming, I’d want them to be friends outside of swimming, but I think Haru isn’t blind to how much of their connection is reliant on intrigue in the water, and a part of him is scared that Rin won’t have a reason to stick around if they aren’t rivaling each other in the same stroke anymore.

All of this can make for a great chance of resolution in the second movie, if done well. There’s opportunity for Haru to realize that the trajectory of dreams can change, and just like Rin changing his stroke or Makoto changing his training emphasis, you can honor the parts of the dream that first inspired you while finding a path that honors the person you’ve become. There’s opportunity for Haru to break from the dangerous echo chamber he’s currently in telling him he has to do this all alone in a few ways. Maybe he’ll have a moment where he’s like “I gave up everything and still couldn’t get stronger, so now I need to get back to finding what gives me strength personally.” Maybe he’ll have a moment where he’s like “if my only option is a path paved in loneliness, I need to find a new dream.” There are so many directions the story can go in at this point, and I’m excited to see what happens next (and maybe write about the paths they don’t choose lol).

[thesweetestkimberry]

hiii, idk if you take request but i was thinking uhm maybe some latina!reader and like she teaches how to dance reggaetón/cumbia to the gurls and the boys interrupt and shoto is like sp flustered about it and thinks like “guau she’s beautiful” tysm in love with your writing

baila esta cumbia

pairings: shoto todoroki x latina!reader

summary: during your girls only sleepover, shoto walks in on you teaching the girls how to dance to cumbia.

warnings: m*neta, ooc, should be it

notes: Hi!! thank you for the kind words!! this is actually my first request! this was such a cute idea and i hope this is what you had in mind! even if just a little bit 😭

『° 。✰˚⋆☾⋆。✰°』

“aw this is my jam!” you say moving rhythmically from your spot on the floor, clapping along to the familiar cumbia.

“what’s this?” asui asks, curiously looking over at your phone that was connected to the speaker.

see, the girls had decided they wanted to get together and have a sleepover, however, the rooms being too small, you all got permission to sleep in the common room.

the floor was littered with pillows, blankets and futons, as well as a multitude of magazines, cd’s, notebooks, snacks and such.

“it’s selena!” you say, almost in disbelief until you remember you were in japan. not a lot of people may know of her.

“how do you dance this stuff?” uraraka asks, also moving to the music from her futon, “here lemme show you!” you cheer, standing up and pulling her along with you.

the girls laugh as you take your hands in yours and begin showing her the simple steps,

“okay one foot back, right. now step foward-“

on the other hand, upstairs, a few of the boys decided to also have a sleepover in one of their dorms. this proved to be a bad idea because of the sheer amount of testosterone.

bakugou being bakugou wanted no part in it, also aided by the fact that shoto had decided to partake in the “guys only sleepover”.

some of the boys attempted to listen to the girls’ conversations, up until jiro suggested you played music to cover your voices.

“i bet they’re talking about their crushes!” mineta said, ear against the floor and scratching at it, “oh totally! you think (y/n) has a crush on me?” denki said, also pressing his ear against the floor.

while the boys talked amongst themselves, shoto noticed the lack of snacks.

“i’ll get more snacks.” was all he said before getting up and grabbing a few empty bowls. “no way! you can’t go down there!” mineta said, clawing at shoto’s pant leg, “they won’t mind me slipping by solely for snacks.” shoto deadpanned, shaking mineta off.

making his way down, shoto thought about what kind of snacks the others would like, mostly occupied with his thoughts until he exited the elevator.

“like this?” “yeah yeah! just like that!”

shoto could hear your voice over the music, although the other girls were also twittering amongst themselves, but your voice was the one he actively sought out.

you’d caught shoto’s eye early on, even if he was only there for learning how to become a hero. something about you had just drawn him to you, was it the way he thought your eyes sparkled in the sunlight and turned into the richest pools of honey.

maybe it was the way your curls bounced that entranced him.

or the way your completion reminded him of warmth.

or the way you smelled like sunshine.

once he turned the corner into the common room to make his way to the kitchen, he caught sight of you, the scene making him catch his breath.

he stared at you in awe, your face bright and jovial. he watched your footwork, the way your hips swung, the way you twirled your friends around as you danced along to the music that was bouncing throughout the room.

“you’re a natural!” you say to uraraka as she twirls you, your hair flowing around you. your energy amazed him, your happiness flowing out of you and reaching hi

shoto felt a smile tug at the corners of his lips. he was so entranced by you, that he didn’t notice all the girls looking at him.

“you’re beautiful...” he whispered,

“you say something, sho?” he hears you ask, your voice pulling him out of his stupor. shoto cleared his throat as heat rose to his face, surprised he said that out loud. the boy raised the empty snack bowls he forgot he was holding, “snacks.” was all he said before shyly shuffling into the kitchen, back turned to you all.

“you heard that right?” you stutter, your own face flushing at his words, “ohhh yeah!” mina cheered, shaking you.

a few moments passed and shoto re-emerges from the kitchen, arms full of snacks and carefully balancing them.

before he could enter the elevator to go back up, he heard your voice call out to him,

“hey sho!” he whips his head around to see you nervously fiddling with your fingers, the other girls silently hyping you up.

“yes (y/n)?” he responds, curiously looking back at you,

“wanna dance?”

[sukifoof-art]

i finally got around to reading over heaven.............

some Thoughts below

ok so it seems like not a lot of people like over heaven for some reason?? i think that ive heard they think dio is ooc but i actually think it fits him pretty well. anyway here are some of my Thoughts on it (spoilers, parent death tw, death tw in general)

- dio doesnt hate his mom, obviously. thats made Very clear through most things that he does, and even in the way he talks about her, despite him saying that he was relieved she died. dio has always been a liar, and this time hes trying to fool himself. he just cant deal with her death, and hes just angry that she wouldnt let him stand up for her. hes basically stuck in this eternally angry state of having nothing resolved, because he cant bring her back. thats why he wasnt satisfied when he killed dario, it still doesnt bring his mom back. he cant prove that he was “right” to her, he cant admit that he loves her, and he cant keep her from being “foolish” because shes dead and theres nothing he can do about it, so instead of just admitting that he loves his mom, hes pretending he doesnt so he doesnt have to deal with the reality of her death. when he lost her its like he lost anything good that he saw in the world, so whats the point of admitting that he loves her now, when love would just hurt him?? god i keep thinking about his dramatic “i was burned by the goddess of love” thing hes so ridiculous

- dio cant admit that he thinks his mom went to heaven either because hes trying to protect himself from getting hurt. everything dio does is for the sake of protecting himself, including his emotions and even his stand. the world itself protects him from being hurt from something unseen, as he can prevent anything bad from happening if he pauses time. the one thing that really hurt him was his mothers death, and if he thinks shes in heaven only to find out she isnt, he might just break apart. thats why he said that maybe dario was in heaven. he has to think of the worst possible scenario because if he gets his hopes up, his heart will be broken all over again. its not that he hates her or believes she was too “foolish” to get to heaven, its that he doesnt wanna have to grieve for her all over again :(:(

- VERY glad someone else is upset about that thing speedwagon said to him,,,, even if its just dio himself,,,, no one is Born Evil and to think that something like that could have been what pushed dio to become a vampire............. ooo im gonna attack someone with my hands. anyway i think that maybe dio thought that he still had a chance to get to heaven at that point, as he believed all of his murders were just what he “had” to do. he really believed he had no choice, and so it was fine, he could still get to heaven and be with his mother. but speedwagon asserting that he was born evil seemed to make all of his misdeeds Very real for him, and so he would rather become a vampire and live forever than die, go to hell, and never see his mother ever again. he doesnt say anything like this i dont think, but following his thinking if u look past the way he lies every two seconds, this is probably what ran through his head.

- he only called his mother something Other than mother twice, and it was “mommy” and “mom” and something about it just,,, Breaks My Heart,, i dont know why but that just. Gets Me u know?? i really dont think dio felt like dealing with jotaro and the rest, and i really believe that if he could have, he probably would have saved holly. he was obsessed with the idea of Holy Women, and holly, being a mother and a “holy woman”, knowing she was going to die was probably like reliving his mothers death in a way. it was weird to see him come to some sort of breaking point where he just called out for his mother.... the “mother. mother. mom.” page GOT me i cant Deal with this i am going to Cry

- his reasoning for what he needs to get to heaven is. So Incredibly Strange. not to mention the 14 words that he needs are just from a lullaby his mom sang to him?? i dont think his heaven was seeing the future or anything like that, it was just seeing his mom again, but as stated before, he cant get his hopes up or he’ll just fully pass away or smth idk. i was always upset that the part where dario yells at him to sell his mothers death goes by so quickly in the anime, you can barely tell that thats when dio decided he needed to kill dario. its much clearer in the manga but not many people like phantom blood so............... that Very Big Part of dios character is just kind of. overlooked by most people i think

- this man will NOT shut up about how much he loves hol horse oh my GOD

okay that is all. anyone please talk to me about over heaven i am going to be thinking about it for years. i am Begging i think about dio and his mom So Much,

[findingjoynweirdstuff]

so are dreamons canon? i read your post a while back and agreed, but since foolish has mentioned them on this livestream, i feel like it isn’t something to brush off. idk just wanna see your thoughts since you’re my go to for lore :) love the essays btw

(warning: the answer to this ask goes on a bit of a meandering tangent, I apologize lol. Basically just a train of thought, no solid theories yet)

Dreamons canon maybe? Maybe??

DreamXD canon? I mean like, beyond McDonald’s? Like the OG DreamXD lore might actually be canon?

I mean, not like it matters a ton since DreamXD’s not gonna be a big part of the lore as we know, but...

That’d be really interesting if it were canon, and what Foolish said lines up with what we know. Dreamons can only possess one person, the Egg can brainwash many. 

But OG DreamXD lore my beloved

“I think he’s one of those rare species…I think it’s called a transmuted Dreamon, which means he quickly swaps between the two. But I think when we did the ritual, we got rid of the “Dream” part and kept the ‘Dreamon’ part, and now, I think…”

“Dream’s ghost got back into his body when he — that’s how he levitated!”

“Yeah, so he must have been full Dreamon when he levitated up! But now I think he’s back to regular old Dre.”

“We are mad scientists…we have just played god! And it worked!”

(DreamXD logs in)

“We’re not gonna talk about that…like I said, he has two. Two of them. That’ll be something we’ll have to tackle next time.”

(DreamXD comes zooming in to punch Tubbo)

“YEP! YEP, THAT’S A DREAMON! THAT’S A DREAMON!”

“If my theories are correct, Fundy…I think every person has a Dreamon.”

(Then in the next stream)

[of the two states] “One which is probably possessed by a Dreamon, and one which is his normal self. And what we did is, we split those in half last time, didn’t we? And now Dream is actually Dream, but…I’m gonna put this name in the chat, I want you not to say it out loud…”

[He types “DreamXD” in chat]

He implies that’s the Dreamon one.

So basically, Dream had two states and the Dreamon Hunters split them, and that’s when DreamXD -- either a Dreamon himself or possessed by one to the point of becoming one (the way Tubbo describes it, those things seem to be interchangeable -- if you’re possessed by a Dreamon, you are one) first appeared. So now DreamXD is a separate entity.

And then you’ve got the Egg, whose vines can be turned lime green with Church Prime water. And Dream himself is the sole enforcer of the Holy Land’s rules and /kills anyone who breaks the no-kill rule, the Holy Land is only a neutral zone because he designated it as such (as he brought up during Quackity’s revolution) and implied that the Holy Land’s power could be revoked if he chose.

Dream attempted to destroy the Egg the first and only time he met it (and his meeting with the Egg has been mentioned in canon multiple times, so we can assume that wasn’t just an OOC bit), so it seems like Dream and Church Prime are an oppositional force to the Egg, DreamXD is god but maybe also still a Dreamon, and the Egg is more powerful than Dreamons but can be resisted with the power of Church Prime.

It’s like rock paper scissors lmao

So Dreamons were mentioned in relation to the Egg, a comparison to it, which means the Egg is not a Dreamon.

But what’s neat is that Foolish actually brought up the idea of Dream being a potential ally for or against the Egg in his lore stream, he didn’t know which. 

And Bad brought up Dream to the Egg as “the green guy -- you’ve met him” when telling the Egg the news about Tommy’s death.

And Tommy brought up the Egg during his last prison visit stream.

And Bad brought up the Egg as well during his visit and Dream said he remembered meeting it in both.

Dream’s meeting with the Egg keeps getting brought up, so it’s safe to say that him attempting to repeatedly break it with Sam, making an effort to clear out the Blood Vines, and him being creeped out by the Egg is also canon. 

Bad was first to meet the Egg. Sam was second...and Dream was third. Even before Puffy, even before Antfrost.

And there’s clearly some sort of meaning behind the colors, behind lime green being a “purified” version of the Blood Vines washed off with holy Church Prime water.

And then you’ve got the freaking book.

What about Bad and Sam made them safe to give the secret of the revive book to, I wonder? 

Bad: “Information about what?”

Dream: “Mmmm…I think that it puts me in danger if people know I have this information. I can’t clarify what it is, otherwise – I don’t think – you wouldn’t – it wouldn’t be a danger to you, but to other people, that…”

Bad: “Oh…okay. I’m really curious now.”

Dream: “I…we’ll find out.”

Sam: “Wait, so you’re saying…Schlatt traded you information to join his side, which you accepted, so it must’ve been valuable.”

Dream: (chuckles) “I think it’s the most valuable thing on the server!”

...

Dream: “I think that, in pertaining to the prison, it may be important, but – so maybe I’ll have to tell you guys once the prison’s construction is done, but…we’ll see.”

“It wouldn’t be a danger to you.” 

To Bad and Sam...the only other two people to have met the Egg at the time...why?

We finally found out what the book is, but there are still some hints Dream gave about it that remain unexplained.

What does the book have to do with the prison? Why might Dream *have* to tell Bad and Sam what it is once the prison was finished?

And...who was the original prisoner the prison was meant for, anyway? We know it wasn’t Tommy, Tommy wasn’t the prisoner in the original plan Dream commissioned the prison for...

Dream: “It’s just an option, because if you can’t kill somebody, you might need to lock them up.”

Can’t kill somebody...but Dream then goes on to tease secrets about a book that literally gives him the ability to kill people and bring them back?

The only person Dream can’t revive, at least that we know of, is himself, because you need someone else to "click respawn” for you. If Dream dies, death is permanent. He’s the only person no one can kill without risking that.

The book has something to do with the prison, something about the Crimson and the color green...everything’s vaguely connected but we don’t have the answers to start putting the pieces together yet.

What does it all mean...?

Time will tell!

[goldnratio]

Inconvenient Interruptions (Spencer Reid x reader)

Summary: the team has to catch an unsub at a nightclub. spencer is paired up with female reader. they flirt, dance, and confess some feelings.

Warnings: briefly mentioned killings, some touching and kissing, microscopic teen wolf and beetlejuice references, a little ooc Spencer I think, and some guns at the end

Word Count: 2.6k

A/N: I’m thinking of doing a part 2 that’s smut but idk yet,,, this is a hot mess but enjoy :))

—

Going undercover wasn’t so bad, you’d done it plenty of times while working for the BAU. Usually you’d go by yourself - with the rest of the team and local cops outside - or with a partner, and that sometimes meant you’d portray friends or lovers. Having been paired up with everyone on the team at least once, you’d probably say that you preferred pairing up with Spencer Reid. You were comfortable with the whole team, but you felt different with Spencer. You liked him, and you only hoped he felt the same. If not, then all the casual flirting back and forth would have just gone waste.

This case involved another serial killer, identified as forty-one year old Adam Raeken, that was going around Los Angeles, California and preying on all types of young couples. He seemed to have favored night clubs; abducting a couple from one club, and disposing their bodies somewhere near a different club. So far, he managed to abduct and kill six different couples without getting caught, and your team was hoping to catch him before he got a seventh.

After learning when and where Adam would strike next - around 9:30 PM at a club a few miles from the LA police station called ‘Dante’s Inferno’ - every available unit was going to be deployed.

Turned out, ‘Dante’s Inferno’ was a pretty big club, both in size and popularity. In an effort to try and catch Adam without causing a mass panic, every officer and agent was to go in plain clothes, along with the law enforcement waiting outside.

Even though the informant gave a rough time estimate, the team got there when the bar first opened at 8:00 PM to keep tabs on everyone who walked into the club.

—

Hotch made you and Spencer partners, assigning you the task of focusing on scoping the bar area for Adam.

You’d chosen a short, red bodycon dress that hugged your curves with matching heels and a loaded gun in your bag, acting coy with Spencer while you all waited for Adam to show up.

“What’s a girl like you, doing in a place like this?” Spencer said as he got comfortable in the bar seat next to you.

You take a sip from your non-alcoholic beverage and grin, “You use that opener with all the ladies?”

“Just the gorgeous ones.”

“Well to answer your question, I’m looking for someone.” Your smile feigns innocence, except Spencer can see the humor in your eyes.

“Really? A pretty girl looking for someone? I would’ve guessed someone here would be looking for you.”

“Most days, but tonight is special. He’s unique.” You wink at Spencer and he laughs.

“I’m sure he is. With a woman like you after him, he’s a lucky guy.”

You sigh dramatically. “That depends on if I find him tonight,” you take another sip from your drink, “if not, I’ll have to go home all by myself.”

“Oh please, I’m sure any man in here -“

Static coming from your earpieces interrupts him.

“Reid, (Y/L/N), if you could focus on the case, please.”

“Sorry, Hotch,” you blush, looking away from Spencer.

“Yeah, sorry, Hotch,” Spencer cleared his throat, “we’ll focus.”

“You can flirt off the clock after we’ve caught Raeken,” Emily teased.

You saw her down at the end of the bar with JJ and stuck your tongue out at her. JJ tries not to laugh as Emily fake gags.

“Ladies, if you can keep it together for the rest of the night, you can have your pick of a wine bottle from my cellar,” Rossi chuckled.

“Got it.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You bet.”

No one saw, but Hotch rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

You quickly scanned the other people at the bar and a portion of the dance floor, making sure Adam hasn’t showed up early.

Your attention directs back to Spencer when he puts a shy hand on your waist and leaned in close to your side without the earpiece and microphone, so close that you felt his hair tickle and his breath hot on your skin.

“You know, we were ordered to come in plain clothes.”

Two can play this game, you thought.

Placing one hand on the back of his neck to play with his curls and the other on his bicep, you lean forward towards his earpiece-less side. “Plain clothes just means ‘not a uniform.’ This look like a uniform to you?” You softly squeeze his bicep, sitting up and taking another sip from your beverage.

Spencer simply shakes his head and smirks. “I just realized I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a dress.”

“I don’t think a dress, much less one like this, would be...appropriate…in the field.”

“I think I could imagine a few places it would be appropriate,” Spencer countered.

“Yeah?” You hum, “like where—“

“Alright it’s nine o’clock. Make sure you are on alert in the next twenty-five minutes so that we’re ready if he sticks to the time,” Hotch interrupts.

A series of ‘okay’s’ are heard in your earpiece.

“and (Y/L/N), Reid? Just because you’re not talking into the earpieces, doesn’t mean we can’t hear you.”

This time, it’s a series of your teammates’ laughs in your ear.

“Right, sorry...again,” Spencer answered.

You gave a small laugh and issued your second apology as Spencer excused himself to use the restroom.

—

As soon as he got in the restroom, Spencer took out his earpiece. Right before he walked into a stall, the restroom door opened and revealed none other than SSA Derek Morgan, who also took out his earpiece.

“Reid, my man!” Derek clapped his hand on Spencer’s shoulder. “Who knew you had that kinda game in you, buddy?”

“Oh my god, Derek, please don’t do this now,” Spencer deadpanned.

“Do what?”

Spencer can’t help but give him the ‘seriously?’ look.

Derek smiled. “Look, kid. All I’m going to say is that it’s obvious you’re both into each other, you should go for it.”

“That’s just it, I don’t know if she really likes me or it’s just the friendly flirting or the fact that we’re technically undercover right now!”

“Kid, I’ve gone undercover with (Y/N) before, and trust me when I say that her flirting with you is real. And I’m sure you’ve noticed that she doesn’t ‘friendly flirt’ with anyone else other than you.”

Spencer sighs. “You really think she’s into me?”

“Of course I do. You’re a great guy, Reid. You two deserve each other.”

“Thanks, Derek...but is that it because I came in here to actually use the restroom.”

“Oh,” Derek laughs, “my bad, Reid. I just came in to wash my hands but I’ll let you get to your business.”

“Right...see you out there.”

—

When Spencer made his way back to the bar, the last thing he expected to see was a man trying to hit on you. He walked a little faster to you and noticed how your eyes lit up when he got there.

“Oh look! Here he is!”

The mystery guy looked at Spencer, and he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the thought of this man making a move on you while he wasn’t there.

“Who are you?” He asked Spencer in a bitter tone.

Spencer took a step closer to you and put an arm around your shoulders, “Her boyfriend.”

Luckily the man got the hint and left, and Spencer’s arm loosened up on your shoulders.

“Sorry I left, I didn’t think anything would happen in such a short time.”

Reaching for one of his hands and you give it a quick squeeze. “It’s not your fault, and um, thank you.”

“No problem.”

You both sit in silence - as much silence that’s possible at a crowded club with music that’s blaring, until you hear a familiar beat. You glance at your watch, it's almost 9:10 PM and you realize there’s time to have some fun.

“Hey,” you look up at Spencer, “you wanna dance?”

His instincts almost kick in to say no. But then Derek’s restroom advice is ringing in his head, ‘you should go for it.’

He gives you a hesitant smile, “Yeah, let’s go.”

“Okay, just a sec.” You reach for your earpiece. “Hey guys? Spence and I are gonna scope out the dance floor.”

“You sure you’re not going just to dance with Pretty Ricky?”

Spencer blushed.

“Yes, Derek. We are also going to dance, we have to blend in.”

“Just stay focused,” Hotch reminds you.

With Hotch’s semi-blessing, you grab Spencer’s hand and lead him to the middle of the dance floor.

At first, Spencer is a little stiff, but you’re patient with him as he tries to find a rhythm that works for him. In any other circumstance, Spencer would’ve lost his mind trying to dance to music so loud that he can feel it in his bones while surrounded by sweaty bodies. He can only tolerate it because you’re with him.

Only because it’s his large hands that have a tight grip on your hips.

Only because it’s his long fingers dangerously close to the curve of your ass.

Only because it’s your hands in his hair.

Only because it’s his eyes your gaze is burning into.

Only because it’s your body moving in sync with his.

The upbeat music lasted a few good songs, but the music transitioned into something slower. It sounds like R&B, but you lose focus with how Spencer’s hands feel on your lower back, practically burning through your dress. And how good he smells. And how handsome he looks in the club’s colorful lighting. You almost forget why you’re in the club in the first place.

Your hands are on his shoulders, slowly traveling to the back of his head to thread your fingers in his hair as he leans forward to bring his face closer to yours. Neither of you say anything while you stare at each other, both too afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing.

You don’t know who leans in first, but you can feel Spencer’s nose brush against yours and his lips are just millimeters away and -

“All agents, I have eyes on the target. I repeat, I have eyes on the target.”

Crap, it was finally 9:30.

You quickly pull apart from each other, despite the disappointment evident in both of your faces.

“Copy that. Where’s he by?” You’re looking around the dance floor but don’t see him.

“Raeken is approaching the bar. Remember to proceed with caution, we want to avoid casualties.”

You double check the dancing crowd to make sure there’s other plain clothed law enforcement, not wanting to leave anything to chance.

“Let’s go get a drink, all this moving made me thirsty.” You kiss Spencer’s cheek, and his face is flushed as he follows you to the bar.

Adam’s already ordering a drink, so you settle a few seats away. To avoid suspicion, you order drinks for yourself and Spencer, but he looks tense and you’re hoping no one notices.

You wrap your arms around Spencer’s neck to get closer so he’ll hear you. “You’re too stiff, follow my lead.”

Moving just a few feet closer to Adam, you purposefully drop your drink, gaining the attention of the people around you.

“Oh no!” you pout.

When Spencer asks the bartender for a rag, he sees Adam staring at you with a dark look in his eyes. Spencer doesn’t like it but he has no choice but to stick to whatever plan you have.

Spencer turns back to you and helps you clean up your spilled drink. Fortunately, the cup was plastic and not glass.

Once the mess is cleaned up, you thank the bartender for the rug and ‘accidentally’ bump into Adam.

“Sorry about that,” you fake giggle.

He smirks at you, his eyes never leaving your body. You fight the urge to arrest him right there.

“No worries, gorgeous.” He takes a sip from his own drink as you walk back to Spencer.

You hug him again, and his hands gravitate towards the middle of your back. “Is Raeken looking?”

Spencer nods.

“Okay, good. Sorry about this in advance.”

That’s when you lean in to kiss him and you lightly push down on his arms. Luckily, Spencer gets the idea and moves his hands to your backside and squeezes. He relishes in the taste of your mouth and the sound of your moan, until you break the kiss.

He has to remind himself how to breathe when you ask him if he wants to get out of there, just loud enough for Adam to hear. You wink at Adam as you walk past him, anticipating him to follow you as you lead Spencer to the club’s exit.

“Hotch, he’s leaving with Reid and (Y/L/N).”

“Start to make your way towards the exit, we’ll catch him outside.”

Some officers stay inside, while the rest of your team is following you three out.

Outside, you’re surrounded by police cars to ensure the serial killer’s capture, who was just a few seconds behind you and Spencer. You quickly throw on some vests you were handed and pull out your gun.

Adam walks out of the club and the look on his face is priceless.

“Adam Raeken, freeze!”

He tries to make a run for it back into the club, but your team is already blocking the entrance, guns pointed straight at him.

In a matter of minutes, Adam is cuffed, being read his Miranda rights, and in the back of a cop car.

Before heading back to the LA precinct, you want to talk with Spencer.

“Hey Spence,” you pull him to the side, “can we talk really quick?”

“Of course, (Y/N).”

You walk away from the crowd of law enforcement and onlookers leaving the club.

“Listen, about the kiss and everything I said at the bar, I’m sorry again for springing that on you. It was completely unprofessional of me and unfair to you.”

Spencer cleared his throat. “No uhh, don’t worry. I’m sorry about what I said at the bar too, but the kiss thing was okay, really, I enjoyed it.”

You giggle and he immediately realizes what he said.

“Wait I didn’t mean that - I mean - Not that I didn’t enjoy it, because to be honest, I did and -“

He’s surprised by the feeling of your lips on his, and he’s already kissing you back before he brain can even process it.

You pull back with a small smile on your face. “Spencer, I like you too.”

He sighs in relief, “Oh good, if not this would’ve been awkward.”

“Totally,” you laugh in agreement, “but um, since the case is over, do you maybe wanna get a cup of coffee or something when we get back?”

“I’d like that, yeah.”

“Okay, great! I guess we can-“

“Hey, Romeo! Juliet!”

Your’s and Spencer’s heads whip to the direction of the voice, belonging to a very smug Derek Morgan.

“You two done over there? Because we’ve got a case to wrap up and a plane home to catch!”

You yell back, “In a minute!”

Spencer’s yelling, “Alright! We’ll be right there!” at the same time.

“We can talk more about this,” you gesture between the two of you with your hands with a grin, “later.”

You’re both wearing smiles on your faces as you walk shoulder-to-shoulder, back to your team, trying not to think about the numerous questions they’re about to ask.

[saturstay-oldblog]

idk why ppl keep screaming OOC. i don’t think that was OOC for any of them. amber has always been like this. they’ve been building up luca’s character pretty well imo. she doesn’t speak up. she never has so that was super in character. zoe just said that to yasmina to deescalate the situation but she’s also p useless in this whole thing. i guess she just rly wants to go to ibiza lmao. but it kills me how she cared so much about robbe & pushed him to talk about his feelings but just ignored yasmi

I’m just gonna answer both of those together bc I don’t wanna repeat myself.

I’m not saying Amber is OOC, never have and never will I think that’s pretty clear. I also said we could argue that Luca isn’t that much OOC bc she always stayed out of trouble, was the “chill” friend, was making a joke out of everything etc. so I can see why some would say that it’s just how her character was written from the start and I might actually agree. But Zoë? Come on. Her calling out Senne, yea that was from the OG and all but she’s this new girl, barely liked amber at this point and she still dragged his ass in front of the whole school because she felt like she needed to. She jumped into a fight for Jana because she didn’t want her to deal with Britt and her squad on her own. She didn’t let amber think for a second that she’d join any of her activities if she didn’t include Yasmina. And suddenly she doesn’t give two fucks? Suddenly she’s this oblivious girl who can’t see how heavily affected her BEST FRIEND is and that her “new” friends are nothing but unwelcoming and cruel to her? And she lets them? That’s what I call OOC sorry ✋🏽

[tabriscadash]

I was asked this on my old blog right as I set about transitioning to this one, so...

The first character I ever fell in love with: for DA:O, dare I say Daveth? What can I say -- I irrationally got incredibly attached to him. otherwise, DEFINITELY Morrigan, and I have crystal clear memories of my first run through Lothering and looking at Morrigan like 😍 the whole time. For DA:2/E, Carver -- unless you count Anders & Justice since I knew of them from Awakening beforehand, in which case probably Justice. For DA:I, it’s a toss-up between Vivienne or Cole -- I technically liked Cole first but SPECIFICALLY in the supporting material (Asunder), and didn’t vibe with him anywhere near as much in the game, AND I got him as a companion after I got Vivienne, so probably Vivienne.

A character that I used to love/like, but now do not: for DA:O, I guess Oghren? I never loved him, but I liked the idea of him because I really liked the dwarves/Orzammar side of DA’s worldbuilding -- but he’s such an unlikeable character that I just.. don’t vibe with him at all. I debate recruiting him every single time now, and I don’t think I ever do his personal quest (in the base game OR Awakening). for DA:2/E, I don’t really have anyone that fits -- but I REALLY wanted to like Merrill and Aveline more than I did, and especially in Aveline’s case, I can’t stand her and genuinely think she’s the unintended, secret Big Bad of the whole game. for DA:I, probably Cole, bc I was really into the idea of a little walking-corpse serial killer animated by a spirit as per the book, but that’s not really the vibe in DA:I, and combined with the somewhat patronising/ableist language and how significantly he is infantilised (including by the fandom) I just got put off him. I do still like him, but not as much.

A ship that I used to love/like, but now do not: for DA:O, I don’t really have one? I guess see my DA:I answer, lol... for DA:2/E, has to be Anders - I don’t think he’s OOC in 2, but I think his writing does so little with him and he feels v. reductive. Where his relationship could be SO interesting and angsty, it instead is written in a really dull and/or cringey way. It would have been nice to see Anders more like the Anders of Awakening near the beginning of the game (rather than random, infrequent and questionably rare snippets), and then see the progression of his relationship with Justice as the game went on -- I want more interesting abominations, PLEASE. for DA:I, listen I cannot express to you HOW EXCITED I was for my planned Lavellan to romance Sera… also I used to be way more tolerant of Cullen x Amell/Surana ships because, like, hey dark ships are fun, right? But since Cullen’s ~wholesome whitewash~ in DA:I, and his fandom clamouring to absolve him of any wrongdoing ever.. it’s boring to me.

My ultimate favourite character™: for DA:O, probably Sten? or Morrigan. They’re both fantastic, and also are significant comfort chars for me. for DA:2/3, honestly, probably my own Hawke -- I feel so hugely proud of her, and can’t imagine I’d enjoy the game anywhere near as much had I not played it as my Hawke. If not her, maybe Sebastian or Carver? for DA:I, I really love Vivienne, as well as Blackwall, and Solas is a great character even if I probably would not say I liked him.

Prettiest character: for DA:O, we all know it’s Zevran. for DA:2/E, I think Aveline -- although her aggressively bland colour-scheme lets her down in a major way (although I respect her dedication to all orange all day every day). There’s just something about her arms -- very Abby from TLOU:2. for DA:I, maybe Josephine? Ser Barris is very pretty, too...

My most hated character: for DA:O, I really didn’t like Alistair, Wynne and Oghren, and of my companions - Oghren is probably my least favourite. He’s vulgar and also profoundly uninteresting. for DA:2/E, it has to be Aveline. There’s just something about ineptitude and a complete, wilful refusal to take accountability for your actions that I can’t stand. It would be okay if it was an intentional character flaw, but the game/narrative treats her like she’s lawful good and it really annoys me. for DA:I, maybe Iron Bull? He was a huge disappointment for me. I also really dislike Sera, Cassandra, and Varric. I’m so sick of Varric - I never want to see him again.

My OTP: for DA:O, I really loved Zevran’s romance -- but I am also very amused by the fact that Leliana got to ‘love’ status with Kallian accidentally, AND I got the ‘love’ glitch for Justice (👀) and Velanna. I do sometimes wonder about an AU where Kallian is forced to make a politically expedient marriage with Nathaniel Howe for diplomatic reasons in order to consolidate her position as Arlessa, and it being an entirely platonic arrangement (it’s not like anyone expects an heir from an infertile Grey Warden) -- and maybe Zev and Nate kiss sometimes, who knows? I also LOVE my Darkspawn Chronicles AU where Kallian and Nelaros are a happy, married couple each hiding their skills with weapons from each other like dumb, cute sweethearts. They shelter Zevran when he fails to kill Alistair and a poly couple evolves. for DA:2/E, I love the IDEA of a Seb romance that isn’t so strictly conditional around the structures that abused him -- he should be allowed to love, chastely or otherwise, but free from the Chantry OR his position as prince/heir. I’d LOVE to actually have a romance with him where you can actually challenge the abuse he’s experienced. for DA:I, Malika doesn’t have a canon romance (although I think when I replay, I’m going to romance Josephine!) but I think Blackwall has an amazing romance. Solas’ is also iconic, it must be said. 

My NOTP: for DA:O, I really dislike Alistair in a shipping capacity; he’s immature and says a lot of misogynistic shit and I don’t think he’s the worst for it, but I don’t really vibe with shipping him, having played the game as a female city elf. for DA:2/E, I wouldn’t say I have one, particularly? although I really dislike Aveline’s relationship with her husband simply because it seems incredibly inappropriate, given that they work together and she has power over him -- and because I dislike her, generally, I don’t feel inclined to do something nice for her. for DA:I, I suppose Sera/Lavellan -- although I’m not AGAINST it, it just really isn’t for me, having attempted it. I also don’t really vibe with Dorian x Iron Bull. Something abt the way the game handled BDSM and their relationship banter specifically I don’t really like.

Favourite episode quest: for DA:O, probs Orzammar/the Deep Roads. I really love the dwarven lore! and, of course, Fort Drakon is really funny, even though it’s not canon in my game iirc. for DA:2/E, maybe the murder mystery with the serial killer, where ultimately Leandra dies? I also really enjoyed all the companion quests. for DA:I, The Descent (just, all of it, lmao) and everything to do with the Avvar. Crestwood also BANGED.

Saddest death: for DA:O, it’s frankly a fucking INJUSTICE that Shianni gets murdered if you make her Bann of the Alienage -- the idea of that happening whilst Kallian is in Amaranthine and unable to protect her :( genuinely very upsetting. I go back and forth on who is made Bann, tbf, so idk how canonical it is: I think maybe Cyrion would get it, but I’m also endeared to Soris holding the position, with Shianni as Hahren. for DA:2/E, Bethany. I wish both twins had had the chance to reach Kirkwall :(. Let Leandra die instead. for DA:I, maybe not the saddest death, but the most memorable for me was that one sleeping dragon in the Hissing Wastes.. leave her alone. Stay out of a womans’ business.

Favourite season game: DA:O!

Least favourite season game: DA:I.

Character that everyone else in the fandom loves, but I hate: for DA:O, Alistair. I cannot deal with his complacency and hypocrisy. for DA:2, I really disliked Merrill but I honestly cannot remember why. DEFINITELY Varric -- I hated how the game forces you to be his best friend, and if you’re low approval, you have to endure these pointless pissy little comments with this little anti-dwarf centrist pissant. After the expedition, I literally have no reason to put up with him, and I NEVER take him out. I hate that he plays the same role in DA:I, too. for DA:I, the Iron Bull was hugely disappointing, and I also really don’t vibe with Cassandra. She just seems very wishy-washy and complacent and hypocritical, and many of her comments about other cultures seem snide for literally no reason other than bigotry. 

My ‘you’re a piece of trash, but you’re still a fave’ fave: for DA:O, lbr probably Sten. Mans is gonna launch a HORRIFYING invasion in the next game iirc and frankly, I’m ok with it. Just wanna see that big bastard again ❤🥵. for DA:2/E, I LOVE Gamlen, ok? for DA:I, I am not sure if I have one.

My ‘beautiful cinnamon roll who deserves better than this’ fave: for DA:O, if any of you so much as LOOK at Velanna wrong, it’s hands. That includes Bioware. I also feel incredibly protective of and sad for Morrigan. for DA:2/E, probably Sebastian -- I feel so sad for him, and so frustrated by the limitations with the game. for DA:I, I’m honestly not sure.. maybe Josephine? I don’t really feel this way about Sera, but I do think she deserves better from the game and its writing, and also from fandom: there are valid criticisms of her, but the hate she gets is not proportional to any valid issues with her -- and gee, I wonder why that is.

My ‘this ship is wrong, nasty, and makes me want to cleanse my soul, but i still love it’ ship: for DA:O, I did use to find Cullen x Surana/Amell intriguing as a dark ship -- I actually hc that Neria Surana is actually Nelaros’ sister, and have dabbled with it as a dark ship. I also am interested in Loghain/Alistair - which each pretends the other is someone else. Alistair is wooby, hate ships are, in general, fun -- so long as we acknowledge that they are, indeed, unhealthy ships. for DA:2/E, I kind of feel like Sebastian romances are, invariably, kind of dark... and, similarly, Anders romances -- especially with certain red Hawkes, The way it ends is, invariably, bordering on fucked up. ALSO Hawkecest is weird and wonderful: GET WITH IT. 

My ‘they’re kind of cute, and I lowkey ship them, but I’m not too invested’ ship: for DA:O, I joked about Velanna x Leliana once and I’ve not been able to stop thinking about it ever since… Velanna x Sigrun is also something that can be so personal. Ariane x Finn is adorable and are paid DUST by Bioware AND fandom. I actually am really into Anora x Nathaniel & NO I will NOT explain myself; it’s a crackship but it’s MY crackship. for DA:2/E, Isabela x Fenris is super cute, but I don’t pay enough attention to them to really have super committed thoughts & feelings on them. for DA:I, Blackwall x Josephine is cute as a background ship; I also think Maryden x Cole is sweet.

[angeloncewas]

yeah i totally agree with what you said about satire and schlatt basically taking the easy way out. it seems like since that video he's kinda eased back from doing that shit, either bc the backlash or bc his friends have started verbally calling him out on it, both to his face and through making comments about him on stream (comments as in like saying they dont agree with what he did and saying they thought that video was terrible, not like them shading him or whatever ajsksk) which is good but also i wouldnt be surprised if something like that video happened again just bc like. it is his career and at this point he has to know what his larger fanbase is like to an extent, which means he also knows those terrible fucking jokes will make him money. i dont like that, but im also not gonna sit around and pretend like i cant see the fucking obvious, ya know? from what ive seen of him when he's not putting on a show for his main channel, or when he isnt around people who both encourage and enable his bad behavior (not saying this to shift blame, ive just noticed how he goes from making actually funny jokes that are harmless or, at most, a pretty obvious example of him poking fun at shitty people, at least imo, to like. straight up just being offensive when he's with people like swagger, miz, etc. vs ted, charlie and so on), he seems like a pretty good guy and its pretty clear to me that he doesnt hold the same views as the character he plays up for his main channel but that doesnt change the fact that his audience is now full of the worst kinds of people and that is how he makes money.

as someone who, again, watched idubbbz, as well as filthyfrank, they both stated they were playing characters and they didnt agree with the shit they were joking about, joji especially, but them saying that isnt very well known by even their own fanbase who just watches their main channel stuff, bc the one video where joji made that explicitly clear what he was doing, he later deleted for people harassing him in the comments (it was an old ass video where he basically said that playing those characters was giving him literal health problems, specifically stress induced seizures, and his comments were so bad that he never made an ooc video on his main channel again) and the one video i can think of where ian explicitly said he was playing a character was like an hour long podcast with h3, which most people dont even wanna watch bc it is a painfully uncomfortable one hour, considering the fact that they are supposed to be friends. besides that, the only other time they were really out of character was in vlogs with maxmoefoe, and they still did their offensive bits from time to time bc it was still going up on youtube, even if it wasnt their main channel. compare that to schlatt who has, as far as i know, never explicitly said he's playing a character, and the closest he has gotten to saying that was in some weekly slap video that i cant remember the title of bc all those videos kinda blend together if im being honest. like they definitely show a different, better side of him, but they are also all really short videos with only gameplay to watch and he never even promotes the channel, so its not like the shitty people watching him are like "hm time to take some time out of my day to go watch big man schlatt give people advice and be a genuine person for once", right?

idk. schlatt is just such a weird person for me bc like. he is a big comfort for me, i really do enjoy his content when he's not making bad stabs at satire (bc sometimes he does it right!! but a lot of the time, at least recently, he has just missed the mark entirely, to the point where it feels like he wasnt even trying to hit the mark at all), but he is also so uncomfortable to watch sometimes just bc he seems to either not know where the line is, or thinks crossing it is okay bc its him playing a character and that's not fun to watch as a minority who often ends up being apart of that "punchline".

that aside tho...yes, unfortunately idubbbz does still make content (and i say unfortunately bc it is not very good) though it seems like he is very slow to upload and last i checked, the views arent too great, but ive seen worse. probably the only thing that could bring back his views at this point would be a content cop, but like a year or so back he said he has no plans of continuing the series bc he finds it boring now, which is fair enough. i dont really keep up with him anymore, but as far as i know, he just got married to anisa and he streams on twitch sometimes, besides that the dude is a mystery to me!

—🦷 (also im sorry if this is formatted weird, for whatever reason tumblr has indented each of my paragraphs with one of those grey line thingys and it wont let me remove it. if it doesnt show up in the actual ask then ignore this!)

This is kind of old now (sorry), but I still wanted to respond because I really appreciate your perspective :)

> I always wonder how people not involved in the fandom view Schlatt. Because wasn't there this thing about Hasan genuinely thinking that he was conservative? And like he obviously doesn't now, but does that not impact how he sees him and his content? I don't mean to dictate friendships - of course - I'm just curious as to the impact of having that audience from an outsider pov. I remember being shocked what that thing happened with the pdp fan, but I later found that many people weren't because they knew the nature of the audience he cultivated; maybe I'm just stupid, I had no idea. (Not that Schlatt and pdp are the same, it's just a loose comparison.)

> No one should face harassment, but I doubt Joji deleting that video helped his case. (I mean ig it worked out in the long term considering everything that happened with his music, but yk.) I'm very sorry for the health problems he faced with the characters themselves though. I don't know much about him but that sounds awful.

> I have thoughts on The Weekly Slap, but I think they make me sound bitter and don't add much so just know that they're there ajfdkjdf. I will say that he doesn't seem like "Jschlatt" in them, and moreso just a guy. I know that he quit it for a number of reasons and one of them was not being comfortable with that kind of connection in relation to his increasing fame, but honestly I think his complete dislodgement from his fanbase isn't healthy either.

> I mean, I get it. I've watched a lot of content from a lot of people - ranging from kind of unpleasant to very unsavory - and it's kind of a weird feeling with YouTube and Twitch stuff. Idk it's like - when I go to the grocery store, I'm not wondering if the guy checking my things out is a racist. When I see a commercial, I don't wonder if that guy advertising chicken nuggets is a secret creep. But with content creation of this kind, it's just a weird thought in the back of my mind. I don't know if this makes sense lmao

> Weird that Idubbz finds content cop "boring." I guess the formula is kind of stale and half of the content was the edge, but it seems like the kind of thing that'd be perfect to capitalize off of around now. Cool that he got married... I think. I mean if he's happy ???

> Don't mind the formatting, and sorry to respond like WAY past when this conversation was relevant T_T. I read it right away but the timing got off with actually being able to type stuff out.

[naw-naw-honeyimgood]

ChengQing (lmao never realized that was their fucking ship name)

so pros of (Jiang Cheng/Wen Qing):

one of the few possible het ships available to mdzs fans like there are all of five named female characters and this is the only one not in an established het pairing. and like sure ive seen yanli w/ someone else a couple times but you CANT put her with JIANG CHENG and i cant say ive ever seen mianmian in a serious relationship in fics with anyone besides either her canon hubby or a chick (usually yanli, wen qing herself, or even sometimes both lmao).

it’s basically written itself in cql!! he has a very obv and clear crush on her, even gives her a comb and offers to help her! she seems interested but the way the storyline went it was simply not meant to be :’(

you get to pair off jiang cheng!! ngl once u finish mdzs its kinda sad for everyone not wangxian (in their generation/above) cuz theyre the only one that get a happy ending. Everyone else is forever alone / depressed / bitter or a combination thereof. so it’s nice to see jiang cheng getting a happy ending!

he... gets... kids...? like ngl as a childless person that is happy to stay that way thats not exactly a pro in my eyes but you might look at his relationship w/ jin ling and say “he’s a great father! he deserves to be a father!” which okay good news! wen qing can bear children!

Now. Cons. 

for one thing the fact that you have a lack of options doesnt exactly mean every possible het pairing can have good chemistry even if you change circumstances enough. there comes to a point where certain pairings can only be really viable if one or both of them are ooc.

lets be honest im willing to bet that AT LEAST 80% of the reason cql introduced this ship was because they were not allowed to make the wangxian pair explicitly Together (and i dont even mean anything specifically sexual), and they needed SOME SORT of romance to feature in the story. xuanli doesnt count because theyre an established background ship,  the jiang parents dont count as romance, we aint talkin about the villain relationships, and lbr, mianmian already had a lot more signif in cql than mdzs. so it makes sense that they took the arguably most important male chara besides wangxian and made him have a crush on the most important female character that wasnt his SISTER. 

what im trying to say is that cql pulled that pairing out of a hat. if you look at canon at ALL i highly doubt there would ever have been feelings, just as there never were. we dont quite know the age dif but we know that wen qing was the older sister and wen ning might have been a bit younger? than the boys? cannot quite remember but we dont know if she was only a year or two older or if it was like. mingjue and huaisang. we dont know! and i canNOT see jiang cheng going for an older chick. also their personalities would clash So Much. she has older sis vibes and not the gentle kind like yanli. she snaps at wen ning’s mumbling and stuff a good couple times- you think she’d tolerate jiang cheng’s emotional immaturity? hah. 

this also kinda segues into my main point of: as depressing as it is that jiang cheng is forever alone unless you pair him off... he would honestly put whoever you pair him off with through hell. he’s not nice. so many jiang cheng stans like to argue that he’s a traumatized kid that was raised to channel his emotions through anger (and raises bitterness under his skin like an ugly puppy) but inside he has a heart of gold, and they’re... not exactly wrong! i mean- literally every younger chara is traumatized in some way. but... that doesn’t really... excuse the shit he’s pulled? as much as jiang cheng stans like to forget: jin guangyao was RIGHT when he said that jiang cheng’s insecurities got wei ying killed. his CLOSEST ALLY. 

tying back to wen qing we have their actual CANON interactions (or lack thereof). wen qing didn’t exactly protect wei ying and jiang cheng out of the goodness of her heart when lotus pier fell: she was protecting wen ning (her BROTHER) from the repercussions of his own actions by saving wei ying (and Jiang Cheng ig idk he was just there bUT YOUNG MASTER WEI-)

not QUITE sure why she agreed to doing the golden core transfer (maybe scientific curiousity? i mean she had an unproven medical theory and here was a volunteer) but it def wasnt For Jiang Cheng.

and then the next time she saw him? do you guys remember the next time she saw him? it’ was when jiang cheng came up to the burial mounds to kill wen ning’s corpse and tell wei ying to turn over the wens. 

KEEP IN MIND that jiang cheng KNOWS wen ning and qing SAVED HIS FUCKING ASS after lotus pier (not How but he KNOWS THIS) and yet he still tells wei ying to hand them over.

he makes wei ying choose between what amounts to the cultivation world and his morals. 

that does not a good healthy relationship make. also again their personalities would clash like so bad. i love wen qing way more but you have to admit her personality is super similar to madame yu’s. and we already agreed that jiang cheng was traumatized as a kid. im not saying fengmian didnt have a hand in it but you gotta admit a good amount was madam yu and her insecurites and accusations she piled on her son. and you wanna pair him up romantically with someone who won’t take his shit and smile? will call him out? HAH.

im not saying this because i think jiang cheng should be with a softer personalitied (guy) like lan xichen or wen ning or huaisang because god knows those pairings have their own issues. im just saying that in canon-verse all i can ship whole-heartedly is jiang cheng / therapy, but since there is not therapy in canon-verse, or even if there WAS then there’s no way he’d admit to needing it, then yeah he can stay single for all his bitter life. better that than making jiang parent relationship 2.0 like fuck.

(this of course means that in modern aus where he DOES get therapy i am Open)

also real quick but jiang cheng was NOT a good parent to jin ling and i will not take constructive criticism like sure he was better than the jiang parents and the lan parents but that is SUCH a low fuckin bar and it’s a fact that in chapter 9 jin ling literally thinks “if I can’t slice off her head with this blow, I will die here- death it is then!!” (taken gratefully from the exiled rebels scanlation) and that is NOT a healthy-minded child.

the only healthy minded children is like. jingyi. and probably sizhui. although i am not here for the way the lan sect raise children but sometimes you have to take what you can get.

also i want you to look me in the eye and tell me that wen qing could and would do anything besides throw down with someone that so much as looked at her brother wrong

because jiang cheng apparently decided to lay the blame for jin zixuan’s death at wen ning’s feet (which is incredibly ironic considering he blames wei ying for yanli’s death??? like i feel like he could stand to use his brain cells a bit more??) and repeatedly tried to kill him.

[thisaccisdead]

“Half Full” - Moceit Fic

Content/warnings: referenced past manipulation, alcohol, a lot of discussion of things the sides have done wrong, but none of them are intended as unsympathetic. they have done some b a d stuff but they’re learning and we love them all yknow?? (namely warnings for virgil being overprotective/lashing out, and me being on my bullshit anti-roceit agenda)

Notes: You all know I’m not a writer, but I had a thought about a?? Characterization for Janus?? Which as I reread this is kind of very OOC, but idk I just thought it was neat, and I do go crazy for moceit hurt/comfort.

Finding the moral side crying in the middle of the night was, all things considered, not too surprising. After all, Janus knew every time Patton lied about his happiness. However, he had suspected to find him with loud, messy sobs. With a tin of cookies almost finished. Not with a bottle of wine and a blank, tear-tracked face.

He didn’t even seem to notice Janus’ entrance until he cleared his throat.

“Oh,” Patton uttered, gaze flicking to the other side. His face didn’t gain any clarity of expression. He just started putting away the wine and finished off his glass, making moves to leave. “Sorry.”

Janus took a moment to hide his shock at the scene, and at Patton’s reaction to him. (What, had he thought the moral side would come running into his arms for comfort? He was being ridiculous.)

“Give that here, you imbecile,” Janus said, taking the bottle from Patton’s hands and pouring himself a glass. There was no bite behind his words, at least not in a meaningful way. He’d lost his edge. “So, you’re just up for fun, I assume?”

“Hm,” Patton failed to respond. “Are you going to stay up?”

“I’m sure I’ll be back to bed in a moment.”

“That sounds like a lie.”

“How out-of-character that would be for me,” Janus smiled.

Patton half-smiled back. “You wanna watch something?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“A documentary on Greek philosophers.”

Janus frowned at the dry film Patton pulled up. “You think you’ll enjoy this?”

“I think it’ll be boring as fuck,” he said, casually. Janus turned to him in mild shock, while he simply yawned. “But Logan wanted me to watch it. Maybe it’ll be more interesting with you.”

Janus nodded, careful to hide his smile behind his glass.

•••

The movie was, as Patton had so eloquently predicted, boring as fuck. Also, quite hazy by the end, due to all the wine. They had been quiet near the beginning, but by the end they were talking over everything in hushed whispers and even a laugh from Patton, every so often.

The next day, when Janus walked in on breakfast, he swore Patton’s smile changed. From a brittle, stiff form--forced in the tense atmosphere--to something more relaxed. Relieved.

“Oh, hiya, Janus! There’s a seat here if you wanna stay,” Patton patted the chair beside him.

Janus stayed.

•••

“...Janus is right.”

“Of course,” Virgil scoffed.

It was the first whole group discussion they’d had since the… wedding fiasco. And while Virgil didn’t seem surprised by Patton’s words, Janus most certainly was.

“Obviously, I am. I knew you would agree, Patton,” Janus lied.

Patton was too preoccupied to do anymore than hum at Janus’ statement, all concerned glances over at Roman. Ugh, Roman. Still all mopey after the last video, he was currently staring determinedly at the floor. Him and Patton should have let all of that go by now--the past was the past. Hadn’t they learnt about moving on?

“Are you sure, Patton?” Thomas asked. “I’ve always gone to this event before. And, I’ve always made it through--”

Patton shook his head. “You know there will be family members there who don’t respect you. And who choose not to learn. I know I’ve always been the one to say they deserve your love anyway, but… I don’t know if they do.”

All of the sides stood in shock for a moment. Janus schooled away a proud look. 

Logan was the first to speak, slowly nodding. “...Yes, well, Patton does bring up an interesting point. Thomas, you tend to give people the ‘benefit-of-the-doubt’, which can be a good thing, and has led to you improving relationships in the past. However, if the other people are actively refusing to learn, no progress can ever be made. And so the effort would be for naught.”

In no time flat, Thomas was coming to his big realization about not owing certain people certain things, yada yada yada, doing the outro, yada yada yada. Janus was about to sink out, with that new, odd, and decidedly wonderful vindication that he was right, when--

“Deceit, wait.”

Janus sighed, audibly, and made sure to put on his most sardonic smile. “Yes, Virgil?”

“What exactly do you think you’re doing?”

“You’ll have to be a little more specific, dear.”

“Don’t--” Virgil grit his teeth and huffed out a breath. “With Patton, I mean.”

“Hm. Really, Virgil, I wish I knew what you were referring to, but--”

“Oh, cut the bullshit!” He finally snapped. “I don’t know what you’ve been playing at with him, if you think you really like him, but you’re just gonna do to him what you did to Roman.” 

Janus cringed at that, though he tried not to. Virgil knew just how to get to him. “Well. Thank you for this conversation, Virgil. I’ll be considering it deeply,” he said sarcastically, before sinking out. Though, it wasn’t as much of a lie as he would have liked.

•••

“Janus? What are you doing?”

Patton had found him pacing around the living room. And he hadn’t even had enough time to mask his aggravated expression when the moral side entered.

“Dishes,” he replied sourly.

“Right,” Patton said. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“I’ve used that one enough to see through it.” He joked, smiling bittersweetly. It was such a sincere look he was giving, so ready to comfort. Janus wasn’t used to it. Whether the ‘it’ was sincerity or comfort he couldn’t say.

“It’s just--I don’t see why I should have to apologize to him,” Janus spat out.

Patton came over to the couch, motioning for Janus to join him. He did.

“Virgil?” Patton asked. Janus looked away. “...Ah. Roman.”

“He shouldn't have laughed at my name!”

“Yes,” Patton nodded slowly. “We've all done things we shouldn’t’ve.”

“...Are you implying something?”

Patton raised a brow. “Calling two sides evil for the price of one?”

“Oh, please,” Janus scoffed. “You’ve always thought Remus was evil.”

“...Yes. And I’m learning why that’s wrong,” he admitted.

That gave Janus a pause, but he quickly disregarded his surprise. “Well, I already reminded you, Roman started it.”

“No, he didn’t.” Patton looked away. He took a deep breath in, silent for a beat too long. “...I did. A long time ago.”

Janus narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“I told him he was dishonorable to side with you. That treating you as more than a villain was evil.” Each word sounded like it pained him. Each a confession, although Janus had been witness to all of it. “It’s all always been my fault.” Tears silently began to fall down his cheeks. He blinked, as if to somehow subtly dispel them, but they only fell harder. 

And, oh.

Oh no.

Janus really didn’t want to do this next part.

It would be so easy to let Patton believe that. He could even comfort the side, tell him he was forgiven, help him through--all without revealing anything. 

Save himself. It was what he was built for.

“Patton… it wasn’t all your fault, per say.” Patton glanced up at him, confused, and it was his turn to look away. “I quite blatantly flattered Roman. I manipulated him, used him--whatever you want to call it. All because I wanted his favor in... that case.”

“Well, I already knew--”

“Except, it wasn’t just that case,” Janus rushed out before he could lose his nerve. “It started when I first revealed myself to Thomas, remember? Really, I just wanted to test the waters, at first. See what I could get away with, and who I could get away with it with.”

Patton had a blank look as he sorted through his memory. “ ‘Love the outfit, Roman,’” he finally quoted.

“...Indeed,” Janus sighed. “It became clear that Roman would be the easiest to get to. Which makes sense from his need-of-praise mixed with lack-of-praise. And he is the romantic side. And I just knew, one day it would be useful if he was…somewhat biased, so if…”

“If you and him were a little… friendly?” Patton finished, sadly. Disappointedly. 

Janus nodded. Then, quickly, he rushed to add, “I mean, nothing that bad! I didn’t kiss him. We were never dating. I just may have implied--”

Patton’s face changed from disappointed, then. To something else. Something worse.“Right. No. Of course,” Patton said. “Not that bad at all.”

That lie from Patton’s tongue ached in Janus’s chest for the rest of the day.

***

Remus wasn’t in their side of the mindscape when Janus returned to it. Which he didn’t make too much of, sulking around and rewatching Good Place episodes, until Remus skipped in covered in… blood? No. Much more unusual--red paint.

“What have you been up to then, hm?” Janus asked, as polite as he was disinterested.

“Painting with Pat! Drawing with Daddy! Look!” He shoved a messy, still drying canvas in Janus’s arms. It was a finger painting of mutilated arm, rather tame for him, but perhaps that was because he made it with--

“Patton?”

“That’s what I said! Geez, who stole your ears? Oh, wait, was it me? That sounds like me. But, of course, it doesn’t sound like anything to you!” He cackled.

“I still have my ears, you gremlin,” he hissed. “But you’re right, there’s nothing for me to be surprised about, since you and Patton are on such great terms.”

“Exactly!” Remus confirmed. “Wow, you heard about it quick, JJ! It was just this afternoon, he came up with those pouty puppy eyes, gushing apologies, asking me to be his wittle fwiend~” he batted his eyelashes mockingly. Heat rose in Janus’s chest at that, and he almost lept to defend Patton, embarrassingly, but luckily Remus continued before he could. 

“Which, was kinda stupid; guy made it sound like he had committed war crimes against me or some shit. Like, yeah, dude was a dick to me; I was a dick to him. That was meant to be our whole dynamic! Now whenever I scare him--what?--I’ll feel guilty, who wants that?! I liked being enemies. But maybe I’ll like being friends more.” He shrugged. “Time will tell, right? That’s a great idea, actually. I’m gonna go make some clocks that just scream every hour. Oo, or every minute! Yeah, that. Seeya, Janny Fanny!”

Janus gaped, left uncomprehending, while Remus sped off.

He tried to imagine it--Remus. With Patton. Chatting, smiling, joking. Remus would, of course, be able to bring much more reckless fun to the father figure than he might otherwise go for. Patton might enjoy some of Remus’s more childish humor. In an odd, backwards way they made a sort of sense.

The image made Janus’s blood boil. He should have been pleased for them. He knew that, but it didn’t help. And--what? Had Janus thought he was special? Fancied himself the singular, blessed demon chosen by an angel? Patton’s new bestest buddy?

No. He should’ve known that was never on the table. As it turned out, Patton was simply being polite to everyone now. That didn’t mean Janus had changed in his mind. It didn’t mean Janus had changed at all.

He was a villain. He had been going about this all wrong, trying to be more than he was made for. He needed to remember that.

***

“How the tables table, huh?”

“That is how the phrase goes,” Janus remarked dryly as Patton took a seat by him. Janus offered him the wine bottle, but he put a hand up and shook his head. 

“Well, at least I’m not crying,” Janus sneered. 

“No, wouldn’t want to ruin your dignity like me, right?” Patton half-joked. Half-joke, half-smile, half-truth. Nothing Patton did went full way. “Wanna talk about it?”

Janus scoffed, and went back to nursing his drink.

“Right,” Patton frowned. “Listen--Janus, I wanted to apologize. ...Again,” he added, with a half-laugh. Half-laugh, half-hurt. Whatever. “I shouldn’t have gotten so judgmental earlier. Morality and judgement tend to go hand in hand, even when they shouldn’t. And I got defensive on Roman’s behalf too,” he admitted. Janus grit his teeth, glaring at the wooden counter. Defensive over Roman. Friends with Remus. “Look--I’ve done bad stuff too. I had no place to judge you now, when it’s clear you have now learned.”

Janus laughed, suddenly, bitterly, at that. “Oh, have I, now?” 

Patton blinked, tilting his head. “...Yes?”

Janus rolled his eyes, and downed the end of his glass. “Listen, Morality, I’m not like you. I don’t need to go on some learning spree, down the path of beautiful ethics and self-improvement. I’m not meant to be a little, lovely side. Maybe learning my name made you forget; I’m Deceit.You heard Thomas yourself--I’m a flaw. So, I don’t do guilt. I don’t plan on too much learning. And I definitely won’t be spewing out apologies, like some sides I know,” he bit out each word. He wanted to make Patton leave. Maybe cry. Make him realize what Janus really was. But he just sat there with that stupid, sincere, concerned gaze.

“I’m not built for it!” Janus continued, growing more frantic at the lack of reaction. “...I can’t.”

Janus shoved his hand to his mouth in an attempt to cover the first sob, but it was too late. Soon his shoulders were shaking, his head in his hands, breaths unsteady. There were warm arms around his back, pulling him against a cardigan-clad chest, soothing whispers in his ears. He realized his hat had been taken off as he felt fingers run through his hair. 

“Janus,” Patton began softly, moving back slightly so that Janus could meet his eyes. “That sounded like a lot of lies to me.”

Janus shook his head firmly, fumbling to pull his gloves off and put his hands up. “Patton, I swear, that is the truth!”

Patton looked at him for a long moment. Then, he reached his hands out, and slowly took Janus’s. Janus let him. “You can lie to yourself, you know,” he said softly.

Janus’s eyes burned, and he had to force himself not to spill over the edge again. He was hyper-aware of their contact, now. The warmth of Patton’s skin against his was intoxicating.

Patton looked down at their hands too. He squeezed them lightly, a 3 beat pattern. “They’re so cold,” he frowned.

“Are they, now?” Janus aimed for sarcastic, but it came out unsteady. 

“Mhm.”

They were quiet for a long time. Unmoving. As if a word, a breath, could break them apart. 

“I’ll apologize,” Janus said finally.

“To Roman?”

“...Yes,” Janus agreed. “And to you.”

“What for?”

Janus looked down at their intertwined hands, waited for Patton to follow his gaze. “The things I want.”

“Oh,” Patton breathed. He rubbed his thumb along the back of Janus’s hand. “I… don’t think the things we want are so different anymore.”

“Hm.” Janus let go of Patton’s grip, just for a moment, in order to pull the other closer. Patton melted in his grip immediately, head laying on his shoulder. Janus returned the embrace. “Maybe not.”