#A scene with all 3 of them would have me shedding tears

[shiiro-arts]

Listen, the flashback scene in Dragon Cry when Natsu is basically dying and wakes up because of lucy's tear is one of my favs scenes, BUT I'M STILL SO MAD THEY DIDN'T GIVE HIM A FLASHBACK OF HAPPY

Even Elfman and Gajeel appear, but not Happy? BFR

They thought I wouldn't notice because he and Lucy appear holding hands.

AS IF, the nerve

[where-does-the-heart-lie]

More Doki Doki Battle Academy OP AU

even MOOROEEE of themmmmmahhhhhhh babyeyyy i even added some dialogues fir some extra flavourrrrr (kuma and bonney's gif there would be a sprite he would have in his dialogue scenes. i dont think it would be a gif like this, more like everytime you look back at him, bonney would be in a different spot)

original DDBA designs post (has more lore there, go look at it plese :3

ASL dialogue video

imagining the vinsmoke/strawhat beef going like this video

design stuffs and more lore:

preface: sorry this is so much writing and im not going to grammar check it cuz aint no body got time for that.

The world of this au is like pokemon with different gyms you can fight through and beat, there's a big league of pro fighters, and there are schools for teaching you to be a better fighter.

One of the schools is called the Germa 66 Private Battle Academy, it goes from grades 1-12 and its where the Vinsmoke siblings all went too (at least until sanji broke off from the family at some point) and its run by Judge Vinsmoke, their father.

i am thinking that the Vinsmoke kids would still be genetically modified and Kuma would be a cyborg in this too.

design stuffs:

Ichiji: i tried to make him as punk as he would feasably get away with living under his father's rule. Big "combat" boots, fingerless gloves, black undershirt. He likes his style and would probably go all out if he didnt have to conform to his school uniform, thus i put a little heart on his boots.

Niji: i also made him like his style. The rings on his fingers, his nikes shoes, his big headphones. Like a gamer who thinks this is what fashion is. I think he would love listening to music too so i put his heart on his headphones.

Yonji: big stakly guy. Hes a lot more hands-on than his brothers so i put lots of emphasis on that area. i put his heart on his hand wraps because i think he would really love fighting. I think that Yonji is most like his father in that enjoyment, but i think Judge wouldnt like how casual Yonji's style is.

Reiju: y2k queen. I love this design on her so much im so bummed that she would have already graduated from the academy and i cant put her in a Hit Me Baby One More Time-esque uniform outfit, shed fucking KILL THAT SHITTT. Anyway though, reiju's heart is subtle yet in plain view, the locket around her neck. i dont think she would let anyone look at the contents but i do think that absolutly it would be her mother on one side and her brothers on the other. She wouldnt like people looking at it because that would mean someone could see that her dad isnt in there and she would get it a lot of trouble with her father about it.

Power ranger fits: i made them full on power rangers. its what they deserve. Since reiju has a butterfly motif in canon, i thought it would be fun to also give her brothers a bug motif of their own. ichiji is a wasp, niji is a dragonfly, yonji is a stag beetle. If sanji stuck around, hed probably be a lady bug lol. Also the masks they wear, the eye window part, it’s like tear tracks coming out but in a way that doesnt look like thats what they are. But it’s meant to show how judge forcing his children to be these people is causing them pain.

thank you @zethsdumpster for being my Vinsmoke specialist and helping me come up with a lot of their design stuff!

Doflamingo: i tried to make him a Nasty Nasty man. Like if a used car salesman made it big. Like if Macklemore was MackleMORE. i love the idea that he likes to tan himself, but he doesnt take any of his clothes off to do so, so he just has the absolute craziest tan lines ever. i put his hearts on the gold chain around his neck, he loves his wealth but not much else. i love the idea of him having two very expensive watches on each wrist. there may be more watches up his sleeve too. i also gave him fluffy dice around his neck, like he's one of the cars that he's selling.

Rosinante: i couldnt get away much longer without putting the heart man into the heart 'game'. i couldve went off more with the hearts of his design but i didnt want him to become nearly as flashy as his brother. i wanted him to be understated and fade into the background when doflamingo is around. he is dead in this au btw sorry :/ this is his design when he passed, but doffy's design is present day him. anyway, Rosi's hearts are everywhere, its in the outline of his big huggable fluffy coat, its on his hat thats pulling him down, it would be on his shirt too if it wasnt covered by his coat in this image.

Bonney: SHEEES SO CUUTEEEE AAAAAAAA i love her. I based her design off of Avril Lavigne with her iconic necktie/tanktop/baggy pants looks. i tried to make her outfit look like she could feasibly fit in it when she ages herself up, especially her big ol shoes. the heart in her design is in her neck tie. The stereotypical visage of a dad is a man in a tie who goes to work, and she loves her dad, so her heart is in her dad tie.

Kuma: I didn't change much of him from his design in canon, but since bonney would be more in his life in this version, i wanted to give him more visual indicators of her being there. like the height chart on his leg, or the fuzzy hat she crocheted for him (she also made her own hat for herself). Also, the pattern on his shirt is one that looks like a paw, but if you took off that outer layer, if the pattern continued, the design would be a sun, and i just think that was really clever ehe ehe.

Hancock: Basically i tried to make her the baddest bitch in the universe. My program crashed like 3 times making her which is so funny. Procreate couldnt handle her. I based her design off of Medusa. at first i had her snake be made out of marble, but it eventually wound up at Obsidian. She has no visible hearts on her design and thats because it would be the scar on her back, which she tries to hide. i like the idea that this very visibly revealing outfit would be perfectly tailored and reinforced to never move a single inch to let anyone see what theyre not supposed to. I dont know how i would justify her being able to turn people into stone in this AU, so im just not going to make a decision on whether or not she can do that.

ive been working on these designs off and on ever since i made the first post on this au and im real happy i can finally put more out.

if you got to the end of this, thank you so much for reading~ i hope you enjoyed :)

[nagaytoe]

Got a req! Howlw about some angst? What would happen after the bad end?

Evanescent

(Adj.) Soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing

Solivan Brugmansia X Reader

TWs: Murder, attempted murder, weapons, just a lot of death in general, loss of loved one, shifting blame, like one mention of necrophilia

Word count: 2.3k

I am currently cooking up 3 more scenarios of what could've happened after the bad end on day 2 but this is the first one that's actually finished (there were just too many ideas popping into my head so ofc i have to write for all of them lmao)

Requests: open

Disclaimer: i tried my best to proof-read it and tried using they/them pronouns but when i first wrote it i used she/her, i just hope i got all of 'em lol

Also, apparently 'whose' can also be used for objects as well and not just for people??? Sounds wrong to me but if the internet says it's right then lets hope its right haha

SPOILERS FOR DAY 2 OF THE KID AT THE BACK

Sol was inconsolable, his face buried in your neck, tears staining your shirt. His arms were wrapped around you but you didn’t reciprocate the gesture. How could you anyways? You were dead. Stabbed by Sol's only friend, Hyugo, who was currently cleaning up the gory scene.

---------------------------------------------------

Just a few moments ago you stumbled upon a horrifying view: Your friend, best friend, and your first love, Jericho Ichabod, laid on the dirty ground of a shed of which door you just broke down, his head barely attached to the neck.

Your knees gave in beneath you as soon as you gazed upon Crowe, grabbing his body, shaking it and willing him to wake up again. How could this happen? He was well liked, nice to everyone he met, who would think about taking his life? You barely registered footsteps behind you because of how loud you were sobbing, but the clanking of metal on the ground didn't slip past you. Turning around, your eyes are met with the sight of someone you didn't expect. You expected a gang leader, a thug, everyone but the one who actually stood in front of you.

Solivan Brugmansia

Just yesterday you befriended the seemingly timid boy and now he was soaked in blood, his red eyes wide as your gazes met.

“[____]...?” Tears of his own started to well up in his eyes which currently roamed over your hunched figure.

“What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here, you need to leave!” By the end of his sentence he was yelling, tears streaming down his face.

Truly a miserable, pathetic sight.

“You killed him, you killed Crowe, didn't you?” Anger was bubbling up in the pit of your stomach. On the inside you were praying to whatever god was watching from heaven above, if there even was one to begin with, that all this was nothing more than a bad dream, hoping insistently to wake up. However, this was a nightmare you were not permitted to ever wake up from.

“I only did what I should've done years ago.” His words caused you to huff in disbelief, “You're not even gonna deny it, huh?”

“I would never lie to you, [____]” Was he fucking serious? He just killed someone, but at least he's not a liar? What the hell was wrong with him?! You were enraged, he had no reason to kill Crowe, to play god by ending his life and taking your love from you.

“Why? Why did you kill him?!”

"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU AND HE TRIED TO TAKE YOU AWAY FROM ME! I COULDN'T SIT BY AND LET THAT HAPPEN… YOU'RE MINE! MINE ALONE!” he finally snapped, showing his true colors. Was everything he showed you before just a facade? It had to be.

The words he just spoke left a disgusting taste in your mouth. Love? Love?! How dare he use this sweet word in such a disgusting fashion? How dare he taint it in order to justify his vile actions? It made you sick to your stomach and you were blinded by rage as you lunged at him.

“YOU MONSTER!”

You unbuckled the strap of his choker and pulled on it, strangling him in the process.

“YOU LOVE ME?! I LOVED HIM! HE WAS EVERYTHING TO ME! MY BEST FRIEND, MY FIRST LOVE, MY SAVIOR! YOU ARE NOTHING TO ME, I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU! DON'T YOU DARE IMAGINE YOU KNOW ME IN THE SLIGHTEST! I WILL MAKE YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE!”

Sol was clawing at your wrists by now, but it was no use, every action of his seemed slow and heavy, as if it took a lot of effort, almost as if he was paralyzed.

His hands fell to the side and just as you thought you managed to avenge your love something sharp pierced through your chest.

--

Here you were, taking your last breaths in the arms of the person you despise most.

“[____], please… please stay with me… don't leave me [____]...” his pleas were a stark contrast to what he is screaming at the person who stabbed you.

“HOW COULD YOU!? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!”

Then he went back to sobbing into your shoulder. He seemed completely out of it, switching between grief and anger every other second.

You couldn't seem to make out the words your killer was saying, everything they said was incoherent, except for the last two words:

“No witnesses.”

---------------------------------------------------

“What do you plan on doing? Hold them until they start rotting?”

Hyugo was standing in front of Sol, who was still sitting on the ground, sobbing and cradling you in his arms. After he managed to clean up the scene, the only thing left to do was the disposal of your corpse.

“Just kill me alongside them.” Sols voice was quiet, barely above a whisper and it was strained from crying and screaming so much. It hurt Hyugo to see his best friend like that.

“You know very well I can't do that.”

“YOU WERE ABLE TO KILL THEM THOUGH! I JUST GOT THEM BACK AND YOU TOOK THEM FROM ME!”

Hyugo couldn't hold back his anger anymore. How could Sol still fail to see that this would've never worked out either way?

“THEY TRIED TO KILL YOU!”

Hyugo sighed deeply in an effort to calm himself before continuing, “Even if I had only knocked them out, do you think they would’ve forgiven you for killing Crowe-”

“Don't you dare bring up that bastards name. All of this is his fault anyways. If it hadn't been for him… me and my sweet [____] would still be together now…”

Sols voice was laced with venom as he gripped your body tighter. You have stopped breathing by now, the color has long drained from your face and the warmth of your skin has vanished. All that was left was an empty shell of who you once were.

Just yesterday, you were breathing, talking, laughing. Now? Now you will never be able to do any such thing again.

“It was you or them, Sol. I need you to understand that. Do you truly believe they could've loved you back after finding out you killed someone? Do you think the two of you would have lived happily ever after?” The blue haired man was trying his best to reason with his best friend, but to no avail.

“We could've made it work, I know that we would have… We were destined to be together, there wouldn't have been any other way…Maybe I should just keep them…”

“Sol.” Hyugo put his hand on the taller males shoulder, who was still sitting on the sheds ground. “We need to bury them.”

Sol seemed to be pondering for a moment, the hold he had on your body relentless.

“I can't… I can't let them go. They're gonna be really scared if we bury them and leave them in the darkness forever…”

“Sol, I'll repeat myself one last time. We need to bury them. What else are we supposed to do with their body? Keep it?” Hyugo put his hands on his hips, his patience wearing thin.

“I see no reason to not keep it…” the males words were muttered, but his friend was still able to hear them.

“You can't be serious! Do you know what happens to a body when it decays? They'll have 2 weeks at best before there's nothing left of them, except for the bones.”

Sol knew his friend was right, but how was he supposed to let go of you?

“They deserve a gravestone… a funeral… they deserve a memorial and not to be buried in the woods like some dead animal…”

Hyugo sighed. He knew that there is pretty much nothing he could do right now to convince Sol to do the right thing, he will keep arguing until he gets his way.

“What's your plan?”

Sol considered his options for a few moments before responding,

“Let's call the cops, make it look like an accident or shift the blame onto someone else”

Hyugo scoffed, “And what do you plan to tell them? We don't exactly have an alibi and there aren't that many families with Katanas either, you know? The only other family I can think of right now is Subarus.”

Red eyes met Hyugos teal ones, it's obvious an idea struck Sol. “That's right…”

Hyugo immediately cut Sol off before the latter could finish his sentence.

“Absolutely not! I will not drag my brothers family into this.”

“He doesn't even like you!” Sol retorted.

The shorter males eyes grew wide for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.

“You know what? Do whatever you want. Keep their body like some necrophilie if that's what you desire.” Turning on his heel, Hyugo began walking off. He already took care of everything necessary, cleaning the scene and disposing of the weapons alongside Crowes body. He was not in the mood to argue with someone whose judgment was clouded and wouldn't even listen to him in the first place.

Sols rage grew stronger by the minute. How dared he? Hyugo killed his one and only soulmate in cold blood, like they were nothing and now he walked off just like that? No… No, he won't. Sol won't let that happen. He couldn't let him disrespect you like that. Carefully lowering your body to the ground and standing up, just as Hyugo walked out of the cabin, Sol quickly lunged at the shorter, unsuspecting male.

If there was one thing he knew, it was that Hyugo might be good with weapons but he wasn't all that strong physically.

Well, at least he was weaker than Sol. Since Hyugo buried his katana alongside any other evidence all he can fight with were his bare hands.

“SOL, GET OFF OF ME!”

Sols hands wrapped themselves around Hyugos throat, just like yours were wrapped around his not even half an hour ago. Pressing his friend's head into the dirt ground, Sol is blinded by rage. Hyugo clawed at the taller males wrists, kicking him but Sols grip won't loosen. Letting go of the hands that were wrapped around his throat, Hyugo felt the dirt ground around him for something he can potentially defend himself with and sure enough - he managed to grab ahold of a rock, swiftly smashing it against the side of Sols head.

The taller male staggered and collapsed on the floor next to Hyugo, who hit the exact right spot to knock someone out.

Hyugo stood up, dusting off his clothes and sighing. What a mess. He knew that he needed to get rid of the body, even if it'll drive Sol further into madness.

So that's what he did. He buried [____]s body deep in the forest before sitting down by Sol's side, waiting for him to wake up.

—————————

Sol didn't attempt to kill Hyugo again after the first time, though part of the reason might be the ax Hyugo found in the shed and kept on him afterwards for self-protection. Either way, Sol acted like Hyugo didn't exist. To him he was dead anyways.

He tried his best, tried to go to school but the next days there were hell. People talked, gossiped, conspired as to what could've happened to [____] and Crowe. Were they kidnapped by the mafia? Did they commit suicide together? Did they run away together? Did they join a cult? People made up all kinds of stories in order to make sense of the situation, but only Sol and Hyugo were the ones who knew the truth.

After a few days, Sol stopped going to school. He couldn't handle it any longer.

Every time he sat in his classes he would draw you, instead of paying attention to what the teacher was saying.

Every time he sat in art class he was met with the sight of your unoccupied seat.

Every time lunch break rolled around he would go to the library where the two of you met and sit down in the seat he sat in on that day.

After school he would go to your apartment complex and break into your apartment to lay down on your bed, hugging your sheets and pillows, pretending they were you.

Hyugo never told Sol where he had buried you, too anxious about what Sol might do were he to know where you've been buried.

Not even a week passed before Sol decided what he had to do next.

On monday, almost a whole week after your death, Sol went back to school. The place where he first saw you, where he fell for you and in of which proximity you had died. Though, instead of attending class, he walked up the stairs to the school roof. The cool november breeze brushed over his face, twirling his hair and swaying single strands from side to side.

He climbed over the fence, briefly sitting down on it.

There was no further purpose in living, that, he was sure of. He lost his only purpose and what meaning does life have if it has to be spent without you, his darling?

All he could do was atone for his sins.

His mind is occupied with memories of you as he leapt forwards, clutching his fist to his chest where his heart resided.

“See you soon, pumpkin.”

Everything went dark as his body met the ground. There was no pain, there was no afterthought. All that's there is nothingness.

Of course, to the people now surrounding his body there was a gruesome scene, perhaps they would prefer nothingness as well. But if there was nothingness, there would be no note either, tucked away in his fist.

“In the forest”, the note read.

Sol promised to atone for his sins and he would never lie to you, remember?

[voltaridylla]

Hi Volta! What are your top ten fic recs (any ship, any length) ?

Dude I have so many recommendations of fics that have like… changed my life. Like it’s dramatic but I reread them and I get filled with so much nostalgia and love for them- sometimes the second read is better than the first and you spot the details of characterisation and easter eggs!! So allow me to just ramble my appreciations for these fics (I go on tangents a lot whoops)

So I feel I must mention this first but

1) Bloodlust - Libbywednesday

This fic got me back into the fandom when I saw the animatic on youtube!! I was hooked and read it in a day. I loved the grittiness and the slow burn aspect of it, the characterisations were also amazing!

2) The Thief Trilogy - Wintergrew

I read this fic straight after I completed Stick of Truth!!! MY GOD… it’s amazing. It’s a favourite Creek fic of mine but it wasn’t just the romance, it was the action and the amount of world building that went into it that truly made it spellbinding. I read it in like five days and it has one of my favourite characterisations of Tweek to be honest!!! This fic was also what made me get an ao3 account.

3) Stan Marsh and the Lost Lyre - Alottodix

Okay- this was the first fic I read when I got an ao3 account and I am in love with it!!! I may not have read Percy Jackson or know much about it but this fic made me WISH I did. It’s amazing, the narration, storytelling and the characters are so well written and it brings me so many feelings of how it felt when I first read fantasy as a kid!! Like it’s just so cosy and the found family dynamic is just SO good. Also @alottodix has the best characterisation of Cartman, rereading passages gave me a deeper appreciation!!

4) Chaos Plan - Helioleti

THIS FIC MADE ME CRY. BAWL. SOB. Like I was crying at 2am even though I had a shift next morning LMAO. This is such a good fic, it’s quite dark with themes and it reads like a suspense/mystery. It reminds me a lot of the film ‘Brick’ with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and I love that aspect of it- solving the mystery and the characterisation of Kenny is so fucking amazing. I highly recommend reading the Chaos Plan extra - I read it because I needed more Chaos Plan content and it was so worth it.

5) I Will Make of You - Purplepeptobeismol

This fic also made me cry- but happy tears this time lmao. As you can tell I’m just very emotional. This fic is one of the best for original character at the centre but still weaving it into canon- I LOVE COOPER MCCORMICK!! Reading this was a blast and I loved the amount of research that went to it such as time travel and all that (I’m not gonna spoil the rest but just AAAA) it’s so good and the writing is so good and I found myself emotionally invested.

6) Top 3 reasons to not open a multidimensional time rift: number one will surprise you - Clearly_Nonsense

THIS FIC IS SO GOOD!!! It has the zaniness of South Park and it’s done so well, I found myself laughing out loud at some passages!! I loved the multidimensional aspect and how characters from FBW/SOT/SP would interact in these different settings. I also love Tool Shed <3 he’s my favourite character in this fic (Brazilian Tool Shed FOR LIFE) !!! I also need to mention the art work that’s in the fic is AMAZING- it captures the scenes so well. It’s so good and y’all should follow @up-side-in-side-out for their art!!

7) The Gods Watched Over Us - Ursamajorstories

AAAA if you love Atlantis and Road to El Dorado this fic is for you!! It has incan Craig/explorer Tweek and it’s so good. I loved the characterisations and the writing was IMPECCABLE. Like it was so vivid with imagery and it’s like a comfort read honestly. I also loved the world building as well and it was another fic I read when I first got my ao3 account!!!

8) Groomsmen - Apricotkittycat

I LOVE THIS FIC!!! I love their take on style in this fic and Stan and Wendy’s friendship <3 I also love Ike and Marjorine in it too. The concept is kind of like Slice of Life-ish but then BAM there’s a whole mystery to solve. It’s a great spin on things. The narrative is great and I love so many scenes that I can’t say for fear of spoiling but I highly recommend it- I read it in a day!!

9) The Perks of Being an Eldritch Abomination - PheonixKenny

I know I mentioned it earlier but this fic is AMAZING!! I LOVE cthulhu Kenny and this fic did so much effort with the body horror aspect of his curse taking on physical form - also there’s a lot of comfort so it’s really sweet and I loved the friendship dynamics. Really good- I love it!!

10) I saw the Stars in Your Tail - Craigtuckeradvocate

I will always love this fic. I read it when I was 12 or 13 and it has such a special place in my heart (I’m also a sucker for mermaid AUS.) THIS WAS AMAZING - I loved the romance between Craig and Tweek and it’s stays with me ever since. I’ll probably cry reading it because of nostalgia and how long time has passed. <3

Sorry this took forever but here are fics I LOVE and am obsessed with forever <33

[merrycrisis-if]

I didn't realize up until 3 days ago that you had updated Merry Crisis. I played the demo very late at night and I felt such a strong feeling of melancholy and longing when reading the scenes between MC and their family members. The messy drama with the aunts and the uncles... The endless boredom shared between all older cousins... The bittersweet memories when remembering departed grandparents... The sibling rivalry when playing any type of games... "Don't forget the taste of your mother's soup". God. I might have shed a tear or two. More than the romances (who are actually great, don't get me wrong), I fell in love with the way you write about the MC's family and culture. There are many things about them I could never truly understand ; I'm not Singaporean, nor Chinese, or even American, and I never lived in either of the places the MC spent most of their life. Culturally speaking, we have nothing in common. But there were so many moments where I saw parts of myself reflected in that young adult struggling with conflicting aspects of their identity, especially when it comes to feeling torn between different places, feeling like a stranger no matter where you are, and being queer while fearing coming out to your parents. What struck me the hardest was when the MC thought their grandmother would have gotten along with Nat, even though they don't know how she would have reacted to their partner being the same gender as them... So, thank you for that. Anyways, this isn't really why I'm sending you this ask. There were heavy rain falls where I live yesterday night, and a part of my basement got flooded. I had to throw a lot of things away, including many childhood drawings and family pictures. Some of my dad's old stuff got pretty soaked as well, but his vintage ViewMaster 3D collection miraculously didn't suffer too much damage. I was drying them up as best as I could, before coming to a stop. There were a few slides of Singapore lost among the countless others of European and American cities, dating back from 1957. It reminded me of you, probably because your story was still so fresh on my mind, and I thought I'd share a few of my favorites with you. I'm sorry for the horrible quality, though. They are pretty old and my phone doesn't take very good pictures.

Thank you for your stories. Happy holidays to you and your loved ones, I wish you all the best.

This message struck me really deeply, so thank you so much for sharing this with me. It makes me so incredibly moved when merry crisis reaches across time and space and ends up resonating with someone from a completely different culture/place -- makes me think about just how many experiences are shared in the most unlikely ways.

I'm sorry to hear the flooding but wow it sounds like you uncovered a lot of real gems. Thank you so much for sharing them with me! The one in the top left made me think about my grandma who says back in the day, my old house used to overlook the sea (kinda like those shophouses in the picture) -- until Singapore reclaimed land and pushed the coast much further south. And the other one, in the bottom left of Haw Par Villa reminds me of the time I went to there with my family (this is a little creepy Chinese place with scary statues and an awesome exhibit of the "ten courts of hell") and there was one statue of what happens when you talk back to your older siblings and my younger brother and I had a good laugh over that (you get boiled alive in lava or something equally horrifying).

Anyway, your message was so special to me. Receiving things like this make me so motivated to write!!

Happy holidays to you too!! <3

[starlightdreaming]

Lucifer Morningstar x Reader! Ch. 3!

Fandom: Hazbin Hotel!

Content Warning: more… angst. with some comfort..(?) idk starve lol. blood and vulgar words. SUPER LONG CHAPTER TOO WOO! (nonproof read too)

Synopsis: after going through severe depression, you mentally and physically shut down.

Further note: THANK YOU FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPORTING MY SERIES (Lululuna) IT MAKES ME SO FUCKIGN HAPPY AAHAHAHHDVENE (this is also my favorite chapter I’ve been waiting to write HEHEHHE) ENJOY READING AS IVE ENJOYED WRITING IT - ✨Lolo💫

Chapters!: Chapter 1 ✧ Chapter 2 ✧ Chapter 3 (you are here) •<•)b ✧ Chapter 4 ✧ Chapter 5

THIS CHAPTERS SONG IS uhhHhahwueh

(optional but recommended!)

｡･:*:･ﾟLululuna･ﾟ:｡*:･｡

After sending Lucifer away, you were silent during the whole aftermath ordeal.

You stared at the ground for a long while, sitting in the middle of the court room, ignoring and blocking everyone that was talking or looking at you. In a room so loud, in your mind, it was deathly silent.

Sera went to you, tapping your shoulder softly, “come along now, Y/n,” She says, softly, “Let’s get you home, alright?” She offers, standing up, waiting for you to collect yourself and get up as well.

the carpet was drenched with a puddle of tears, you felt like a part of you was gone forever… and you weren’t ever going to get it back. You dry your tears, using your sleeves to wipe them off your face before getting up and taking Sera’s hand into your own, she held your hand softly, teleporting you to the front of your home.

“Take all the time you need.” Sera says, understanding how much pain you were going through, you have told her everything after all in your years of working with her after you and Lucifer fell apart. She teleported away as you stood at your front door for a moment, staring at the door before unlocking it and pushing it open with no effort at all, your home was dark from how late it was,

The sun was gone, put away to rest, and the moon was present, subtle and set.

You walked into your home, stars barely dimming any light in the dark home, you closed your door behind you, leaning on it with a sigh, your exhausted eyes felt puffy from all the tears you had shed after seeing Lucifer for the last time, the way he looked at you as he fell, bore into your mind, it’s been haunting you since.

‘maybe it was a mistake?’ you thought as you conversed in your head for the nth time that day, your mind was haunting you endlessly with years of torment after Lucifer left you behind, your heart and mind were always arguing with one another, your heart always begged to talk things out even if the pain was unbearable but your mind was more of in control with your body, trying to keep your heart safe, trying to keep you safe from any more suffering. you just didn’t know what to do.

Tears fell from your eyes again that night, wishing to be held and comforted by someone who would understand the same pains as you, and that someone was no one.

Down at your door you sat, hugging your knees as you cried out your pain, the exact same spot when you cried yourself to sleep on your last birthday, the last birthday you shared with Lucifer. It wasn’t a good memory to remember but… it was a memory that was telling you, ‘here we are, once again.’ and that was enough to make you cry harder as you hugged yourself with the silence screams that no one could ever see or hear…once.. again.

✧•✧•✧•✧•✧•✧•✧

Day in, day out.

As time passed, you were slowly recovering from the losses of your childhood friend.

Day in, day out.

As time passed, you focused on your work behind the scenes, Emily bringing joy to those around Halo city, welcoming winners and Heaven born angels all around. With more Earth born angels arriving in Heaven, the population of the people grew, meaning more expansions of the city and more expansions of the city, meant you had to work much, much longer.

Day in, day out.

You were falling behind on your creations, being the only ‘angel’ that could make stars, Sera would often have to come and talk to you and your issues of the star makings. You and Sera both tried to get other angels to make the same stars as you, sentient and beautiful, but it was only ever botched and dull when anyone else tried to make them, leaving you at a loss. You often had to stay up in late night hours, until the sun came back up, barely ever giving you the chance to go back home and rest. After one problem, another came along, you began to feel confined behind those four walls.

Day in, day out.

Your life was just stuck in the same room, rarely ever getting out, star after star, it began to be repetitive and passionless, everything was the same.

Day in, day out.

Sera would often visit you, telling you to keep making an nth amount of stars today or tomorrow, sooner or later, she would just leave notes and piles of paperwork her employers would send to you, leaving you in the dust, life became frail and dulling, you were just a machine at that point, neglected and forgotten as you kept making sentient stars constantly.

Day in, day out.

Nothing’s new. Days, weeks, months, years, nothing was changing as you drowned more in more into a bleak and miserable office, you felt more and more empty, you would wake up and sleep, you lost track of time at this point, your office was just a mess of star dust and stars, the windows were black from the dust staining the windows making them unobtrusive, you sat on the floor in the center, feeling stuck and hopeless. Surrounded by the only thing that brought you comfort, now becoming the only thing you were ever useful for.

Day in, day out.

How long has passed? You didn’t care anymore. All you wanted was to escape and be free from this basked room of misery and self loathing, your stars became gloopy and sticky, they were melting in this room like you were.

Day in, day out.

You couldn’t bare another minute in the same room, your arms were stained black from stars that melted on you from time to time, the stars were barely ever successfully made anymore, you just couldn’t continue anymore.

Day in, day out.

Long and forgotten you were, nothing new and changing, just you in a black room, full of dust and gloopy stars. You laid there meaninglessly, your eyes lifeless and you completely numb, tired and exhausted.

Day in, day out.

Nothing’s new, nothing’s new, nothing’s new, nothing’s new, nothing’s new, nothing’s new, nothing’s new, nothing’s new, nothing’s new, nothing’s new, nothing’s new, nothing’s new, nothing’s new, nothing’s new.

Day in, day out.

After days of laying there, eating your own stars as survival, refusing to allow anyone into your room, Sera finally showed up for once after eons or centuries? you don’t even know anymore. She wasn’t as loving or caring as she used to be, it was to be expected since you lost sight of you as a sister and more of a machine. When she ordered you to get up and do something, you refused to respond as you continued to lay there, seeing as doing anything anymore was futile.

She commanded you again and she received no result, When she picked you up from the ground, she saw how lifeless you really were, she teleported you to a hospital, getting you attention from the doctors as quick as possible, they checked you, you were alive, obviously, but mentally, you died out long ago.

✧•✧•✧•✧•✧•✧•✧

✧•✧•✧•✧•✧•✧•✧

The nurses cleaned and fed you, you were barely responsive but it was progress to them if you ever reacted.

You laid in that hospital bed, day in, day out.

One day, Emily came to visit you, you didn’t bother until she used her powers on you. As the joy bringer of the people, she managed to give you a glimpse of happiness again and that was enough to bring color back into your eyes and look at her.

A nurse watching, left to contact a doctor. Emily smiled at you as she channeled her energy to you, hugging you and asking you questions to see if you would respond, it took awhile but you managed to wry a smile and tell her, “hi..” a croak in your voice from how raspy your throat felt, she tilted her head with a comforting smile, “hi,” she said, “how are you feeling?” she asks genuinely, her hand over your yours as she channeled more of her angelic energy, soothing you physically and mentally, “I’m alright.” you responded with a croaky voice, “yeah?” she asks, “yeah.” you respond.

A doctor showed up to give you a thorough check up, the nurse following and thanking Emily as she lightly laughed off the nurses praises. Your eyes were still dull but they had color now, the bags under your eyes were visible from the years lack of resting, black circles covered your eyes but seeing you be able to smile was just enough for the doctor to say you were responsive now. The doctor and nurse left the room to get you your meal or checking on other patients, leaving you and Emily once again.

Emily would talk to you, making small conversations, tell you about her day and sharing her energy with you again to make you more at ease, she even told you how Sera refused to let her see you cause you were always too busy for visitors, that was true but it was also the reason you were here in the first place. When visiting time was over she promised to come back to visit you tomorrow, you smiled at that, waving bye as she left.

Now it was you, yourself, and the white room and for once, you decided to stand up and look outside the window, the stars shined and dimmed brightly that night, the stars were the only thing making your eyes shine that night, their light reflecting off your eyes irises.

with the day done and in, you rested peacefully in that hospital bed, letting the day out.

Emily visited everyday to see you, still seeing you as a sister and telling you her life stories, she even managed to make you laugh at one point, it was a big laugh but it was genuine and thats what matters to her. At one point, you managed to ramble off about stars and the ideas you had for them, you got to show her how you made them, you tried to show her as well when she requested to guide her to make one, obviously it didn’t work but she smiled whenever she got to be given the chance to, she gave you the botched star that was lavender blue, it was small with imperfections but for the first time in the longest time, someone had given you something and you never were letting it go.

You used a little bit of your stardust to make it stick in your hair, making sure it stays there, no matter what. Emily smiled when she saw it in your hair, seeing how much it matters to you. You and Emily both spent the entire day talking and creating, sharing and conversing, it was so comforting and warm, her light was guiding you out of that dark abyss you had made for yourself and eventually- you were out the hospital.

You went back to that same office room but this time, you cleaned it, you made more stars, the neglected ones being perfected and revived, sentient and chiming. With your office cleaned you decided to get a meeting with Sera personally. It took a few days but it was accepted and eventually you were in her office, she looked at you authoritatively, not seeing you as she had once, who knows long ago.

“What is it, Y/n?” She says, sitting at her desk as you walked up to her desk and took a seat in the chair at the opposite end. “I quit.” You spoke, unhesitant, “What?” She says, rather surprised, “I quit,” you smiled, crossing your arms, “at making stars for you and the people.” you finished, watching her reaction change, “and what makes you think you can?” She says with a slightly aggressive tone, glaring at you slightly, “I am my own person, I want a new job,” You say, sitting back in your chair, “then- will I make more stars for you.” You say, your her fingers intertwined and resting on your lap, legs crossed.

She stood up, her figure towering over you from over the table, “You refused to continue your work, end up in a hospital for who knows what and now you’re asking for a new job?” She asked, feeling rather insulted like you can laze around and do whatever you want, “Yes, that’s exactly what.” You smiled, unbothered, Emily made you feel this way, like a new person, she was therapy itself in a way.

“And you think you can handle a different job? even when you couldn’t even handle your own?” She glares, you leaned forward into your chair, “got bored with the stars thing, without a doubt I can do something else.” You say looking at her smugly, making her harden her glare at you. maybe Emily gave you too much of her energy.

“Fine then.” She says, turning around, looking away from you and out the window, she snapped her fingers and a man appeared next to you, “Woah- wait, what the fuck?” He says, looking around the room, looking at Sera, then at you, “You will be working with Adam from now on,” She says, turning back to you, you and Adam staring at each other awkwardly, before he began to wiggle his eyebrows at you with a flirty smirk, “Adam, you are to train and teach Y/n, show and tell her what she will be doing.” Sera orders, you had your knees up in the chair leaning away from Adam, due to him gawking at you before he looked away to Sera, “Wait now? Don’t you think it’s too soon for any recruits?” He questions, pointing a thumb at you.

“She wanted a new job since she failed to do her own,” Sera explains to Adam as you rolled your eyes from her statement, “since she says she can handle a new one, I’m giving her this one.” Sera finishes, sitting down back in her chair, “But we were just about to start? she wont even have time to prepare?” Adam responds, scratching his horn confused from this sudden meeting, “Then I suggest you get started,” Sera commands, going back to skimming through papers, “Dismissed.” She says, as you and Adam turn to each other confused.

You both left together, him leading and you following silently and awkwardly, your confidence long and left you after Adam appeared. “So what’s your name again? Already forgot.” He says looking at you, bending down slightly for you to meet face to face, you backed away from his action, “err, Y/n.” you respond, looking away for a moment before looking back at him, “Well nice to meet you, names Adam, first man, best man.” He smiles, reaching his hand out for you to take, you hesitated before shaking his hand, wrying a smile, “pleasure.” You speak, only giving him that response.

You both exited the building before flying, going to who knows where, “soo, before we get started, should probably ask what you do before you jump in the big ordeal, what do you do and how can you benefit us?” He asks, you flying alongside him, “I can do stellar manipulation, cosmic manipulation and stellar healing but im terrible at it,” You rambled, pointing a finger up after listing off your abilities, “What I can do best is making sentient stars do my bidding, like the stars that are all over Halo city? I made those.” You smiled, “Woah! wait, you made all those things come alive? that’s fucking sick!” He says complimenting you, “So you must be a big deal huh?” He smirks, “Ehh, I guess?” You shrug slightly with a smile.

“Ohoh, if you can control those stars, then you’re perfect for this job.” He smirks as he lands, you landed behind him as you looked around at everyone, them all wearing the same suits, you were confused now, just what even is this job?

“Sir? where did you go?” a female voice asked, “Sera teleported me outta nowhere for me to bring someone along with us,” he explains pointing to you, you walk up to her, “greetings, I’m Y/n.” you smile and waved, “Lute, Adam’s Lieutenant.” She says as she straightens her posture, giving you a short and slim response. “Attention ladies! we have a sudden and new guest! this is uhh,” he pauses before leaning toward you, “fucks your name again?” he asks as you deadpanned, how does someone forget a name so fast? “Y/n.” You respond, “Y/n!” He says, “Seraphim of the stars or something.” He says, trying to make you sound like big talk, “She will be joining us today, she isn’t prepared but thats okay, she will just be an audience for today at most, so everyone prepare yourselves,” Adam says as they pull out spears, making your confusion more piqued, “and let’s this fucking show on a roll!” he shouts, a portal opening, him flying off with his lieutenant.

You were caught off guard from them suddenly flying off, you followed, a little behind but you caught up quickly to Adam, (being a seraphim and all) staying behind him and Lute, when you went through the portal, you paused in the air, confused on where in the world were you? everything was red, the sky, the ground, it wasn’t long before you started hearing screaming in the distance, the angel army was flying and attacking, monster like creatures, “What the fuck is this?” You say in shock, “Oh shit, you curse too? fucking sweet!” Adam says, showing up next to you, watching the angels slaughter the creatures, “where am I?!” You ask with a shaky voice, concern and worry filling your voice, “You’re in hell, bitch!” He says, summoning an angelic guitar made of pure gold, strumming it.

“WHAT?” You say absolutely baffled from his answer, you quickly turned to look down at the destroyed city, those little things running around and screaming, pleading for their lives as they get brutally slaughtered, “why are we killing them?! they did nothing!” You say in a terrified voice, looking back at Adam, “calm down bitch, fuck,“ He says, making you glare at him instantly, “they’re sinners! We give them divine judgment!” He smirks, flying down and killing a sinner without hesitation, “Stop it!” You tell at him, your angelic form appearing from how terrified you were to discover that your divine people were slaughtering innocent souls that have done nothing but accept their damnation, “No, you stop it!” He says, flying back up to you, making you fly back when he got too close, “Sera ordered you to follow my lead, you are under my command!” He yells back, an explosion happening behind him, a city building tumbling, you stared in guilt, you didn’t even do anything to them and yet all you could feel was pure sympathy and sorrow for those souls who didn’t deserve the judgment they were receiving.

“Now, you’re going down there and helping us kill these fuckers or you can sit and watch.” Adam orders, you didn’t have any words to respond with as you looked down at the sinners, there was a young lady who was carrying a child away from the chaos, you couldn’t help but watch, you were too stunned to process anything, Adam flew off mumbling something under his breath, definitely cursing at you but you didn’t even care at that moment.

An angel chasing quickly behind the two sinners, the angels spear charging towards the two, before you can even give a second thought, you summoned a star quickly, tossing it at the angel, hitting them down before they could hurt the two, you gasped, surprised from your own actions, you hurt an angel, the angels you’re supposed to care for and protect! you watched the angel shrug it off like nothing before flying away to a different direction, giving the sinners the chance to run, why was Heaving allowing slaughter? doesn’t this go against the very foundations of Heaven? why didn’t you know about this was ever happening? and how long has it been happening? Sera assigned you here, so it’s obvious she knows! why would she allow this- wait.. does the father of Heaven know?

You quickly flew down to the city to find Adam, to find answers, but all you saw was bloodshed and destruction, spears left behind and angels flying around like they were proud of themselves, it gave you a gut wrenching feeling, “please spare me! don’t kill me!” A voice called out, you turned to see a sinner running for their life, your eyes widen when you see an angel walking up to the sinner, a manic laugh following behind them, you ran toward the sinner and the angel, you stood between them both, stopping the angel in her tracks, “I command you to stop!” you say aggressively.

The angel taken back by your sudden actions and outburst, “What are you doing? move it.” the angel said, trying to shove you away but you pushed back and it made the angel push you completely to the ground, moved to the side, you didn’t have any attributes to physical fighting and it showed, you fell to the ground, looking up quickly to see the angel about to attack, without a second thought, you summons another star, a rather big one and made it push her aggressively, you made the star make the angel collide with a building, knocking the angel out, you gasped, not meaning to go that far but you turned to the sinner and ran to their aid, “are you okay??” you ask the terrified man before you, he looked at you in awe, you angelic features making the man stunned and mesmerized, “yes… thank yo- gh-“ the man choked, a spear through his throat, his blood splattered onto your clothes, hands and face, you closed your eyes for a moment from the sudden liquid of blood covering your face.

You opened your eyes and your eyes widened when you saw Adam and Lute in front of you, the sinner headless and long gone of life, “Fuck do you think you’re doing?” Adam said, yelling at you, you looked down and stared at the red, staining your hands, your breath hitched, you were trying to save a soul and it died immediately in front of you, before your very eyes, from feeling sympathy and sorrow, you clutched your hands tightly, a fit of rage riling up inside you, “ADAM! THIS STOPS NOW!” You shout, your angelic appearance in full as you flew into the air, cosmic dust following your form, your wings emitted cosmic dust, along with your hands, star dust following suit.

You glared at Adam, Lute glaring back at you, sensing you were about to become a threat, she immediately charged at you before swinging at you, you immediately summoned a star as a shield, side eyeing her, you made the star push her down, away from you, another star attacking her swiftly and powerfully, knocking her out too, Adam watched it happen so quickly, “What the fuck was that? what did you do to Lute?!” He says, going after you next, he was much slower but he managed to fight off your stars as he kept swinging at you, you being the faster flying, dodged easily, they may have been more experienced than you but they were so damn sloppy with their attacks. not to mention as a seraphim, you are much more stronger.

You flew higher into the air, a radiant aura forming around you, “This massacre ends now, Adam.” you say in a monotone voice, focusing on your power as you began to summon multiple stars, making all sentient at once, you were using a lot of stamina for this but you were willing to do this if it meant stopping this meaningless wrath of judgment.

You had made stars fall, multiple stars stuck onto Adam as he tried to fight them off but you made the goopy ones specifically for him, eventually he was invulnerable to move, the stars sticky and drippy, making it hard for him to struggle, you glared at Adam silently as he began to curse you out, you made a big star float flatly, carrying Lute back into the portal along with Adam as the stars took his guitar and carried it with him separately, your other stars retrieved the other angels in this army, dragging them all back forcefully to the portal, you made the other spare stars fly up to the skies and make it rain stardust in the skies, the dust was full of healing properties, making sure the sinners that survived could heal physical injuries, you hoped it was enough for them since you weren’t very experienced with the healing attributes you had, feeling your stamina drained, you flew back to the portal, closing it as you flew to the grounds of Heavens cloud, panting heavily, you had never used that much of your abilities like that before, all at once in fact.

You looked up to see Adam pissed off at, struggling to break free from goopy stars you still had on him, you laughed lightly at this, that shits kinda funny.

You splat onto the cloud, face first, regaining your stamina for a bit, meanwhile the whole army Adam had was conversing in confusing, they tried to help Adam get out of the goop but that only made the. stuck with him, you turned to lay on your back, wings following and looked up to the sky, for once, you felt rather proud of yourself for being able to full something like that but now it was the worse part to come, after recollecting your energy, you got up and flew off, dragging Adam with you, the stars of goop following as he muffled our screams.

When you returned to Sera’s office, you busted down the door with any respect, “Sera!” you shouted angrily, “We need to take about this job offer.” you grumbled, slamming your hands down her desk, the goop of stars putting Adam down as he deadpanned at you and Sera. Sera’s eyes widened from your sudden outburst and the blood covering your body, “I assume you couldn’t handle it?” Sera asked, after recollecting herself, “Handle it? I more than handled it, I dragged a whole fucking army back into Heaven!” You screamed, Sera glared as she stood up, “That was not your job, your job was to follow Adams orders!” she spoke back sternly, “This job and his orders are hypocritical to what we believe in! this is conflicting to the foundation of Heaven!” You argued back as Adam watched, Sera stared at you before sighing, “Can we speak alone about this?” she requests, eyeing Adam, signaling you to let him leave, “fine.” you scowl at her in detestation, you snap your fingers and the goop evaporated, also summoning his guitar to give back to him, “Christ, you’re a crazy bitch, you know that?” He says insultingly, he spoke as soon he got his guitar but you ignored him as the ordered the with a swift of your finger, the stars dragged him out the room and shut the door, all while you stared at Sera with displeasure.

“Why would you let winners and heaven born give divine judgment to sinners? What was your plan? What the fuck even is this job??” You began, hostility filling your voice. “The sinners were uprising, they were getting more and more bigger in population!” Sera responds, beginning her explanation, “and?” you asked unconvinced, “They were getting stronger, of they become to powerful, they may even reach the Heavens! they would take over and spread evil all over our realm.” She continues as you scoff, “and why would you think that? you doubting your fathers abilities to keep that under control?” you point out as she looks away, making you ponder, “does he even know you’re allowing your people to slaughter souls?” You ask.

She glared at you as she sat up in her seat, “He doesn’t and won’t know.” she says calmly and authoritatively, “seriously?! you’re doing this behind his back?!” You say, raising your voice in shock and anger, “unbelievable!” You say as you step beck from her desk, turning to leave her office, “and where do you think you’re going?” She asks, “where am I going? i’m going to tell all of Heaven on what the fuck you’re doing thats what!” you shout back, opening the door to leave but it shits immediately, Sera now in front of you, “you’re not going anywhere.” she says darkly, her figure towering over you as eyes appeared over her body, her angelic form showing.

You stepped back, looking at her staring daggers at her as she stepped closer to you, “and what makes you think I can’t?” you taunt, as she stood tall in front of you, “you will be silenced.” She says as pulls out an angelic spear of her own, knowing that she was threatening your life now, “What will Emily think when she finds you slaughtered her own sister?” You ask, putting up a facade of bravery, trying not show that she was getting to you, “Emily is not your sister.” Sera says aggressively and threateningly with pure hostility in her voice, seeing as that got to her it made you smug, “We’ll see when she finds out about how you allow her people kill the innocent.” You smirk with a shit-eating grin, knowing that no matter what she did, it wouldn’t turn out well for her.

It in-fact: did not turn out well for you, “We’ll see, when you’re gone for good.” She says as she swiftly moved you too quickly for you to react, her angelic spear carving your back, a mass amount of pain following as you screamed, you fell forward as she pushed you down as she stabbed her spear through her wing, making you wince in pain, adrenaline fueling your body from the shock that she actually took this path of violence. You tried to get up but she stepped on your back, pushing you back down, you look up at her in fear, her cold dead eyes staring into yours, “long before you know it, Emily will forget you even exist.” She says, swinging at your back again as you scream from agony, golden blood now mixing into the dried blood that covered you, you were shaking from terror and pain, she picked you up from your neck, as you struggled in her grasp, “stop- it!-“ you begged, trying to breathe, trying to kick her off you as golden blood dripped onto the ground in her office, she didn’t respond as she opened a portal, you turned to look, the familiar red skies before your very eyes, you turn to Sera desperately, “Don’t do this!-“ you gasped, struggling more in desperation, “You can’t!” You say, trying to pull her grasp off you, you were losing air and the stamina in your body.

“But I will.” She says with no solace or pity in her voice, she threw you into the portal with a second thought, closing it quickly, you gasped for air, adrenaline fueling your body as you regained oxygen to breathe but that was the least of your worries now, you were falling and your wings were to injured to fly, you were panicking as you tried to use your wings to fly but the pain was to unbearable, you saw your stars in the sky from earlier, protecting the sinners, thats it! thats your only ticket, you immediately tried to summon stars but it was a struggle to do so from how much power you already used from earlier, you had to overexert your abilities again, you mustered all the strength you had left within you, your angelic form showing as a bright colorful aura gleamed around you, you summoned stars but it was so hard to focus with adrenaline and panic that was fueling your body, you manage to make some stars but they were falling with you, some staying in place in the air for you to land on but you would quickly bounce off them from impact, you couldn’t focus at all, the sky rained stars that you had tried to quickly make but failed to use, it was too late as you crashed into the ground, a crater formed around you.

Your whole body hurt, it hurt more than anything you felt before, you weakly tried to sit up, you look at something glowing on the ground, you look to see a lavender blue star, the imperfect perfect star Emily had gifted you fell out of your hair, you winced in pain as your reached for the star, grabbed it and holding it to your chest as you laid back onto the ground, completely lost of any stamina and energy left to give.

Golden blood began to surround and puddle around you, the adrenaline and pain was the only thing keeping you awake right now, you laid there weakly, looking at the now red skies, you couldn’t do anything but only to try and breathe, trying to stay away, you were alone and no one in hell was going to go and try to save you. You were helpless, alone, once again. You couldn’t help but cry, scream in pain, why was this always happening to you? Why couldn’t you just find happiness? Why couldn’t the universe- help its only and dearest child? Your screams were so loud but they always heard im deaf ears, why did fate choose you to suffer this path? you screamed until you couldn’t anymore, you stared at the red sky as you waited for your in pending death. While looking at the sky, you see the stars shift toward you, raining their star dust onto you, the dust leaving soft touches on your skin, they felt like cool kisses, soothing your pain, you smiled weakly at your creations, your eyes feeling heavy as they tried closing, you fighting to keep them open but you eventually lost that battle.

eventually, everything went to black.

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[blurrypetals]

The Golden Raven by Nora Sakavic - blurrypetals review

originally posted mar. 28, 2025 - ★★★★★

[this review contains untagged spoilers]

I began this review at first by starting to say, "my god, Nora,", but then I decided to reread my review for The Sunshine Court and I started that review basically the exact same way. I also know my other 15 reviews for the first three books on the series have varying degrees of oh my gods scattered throughout.

I simply cannot overstate how happy I am that these new All for the Game books exist. I think the first trilogy is, honestly, basically perfect. That said, it is brutal to read. It is like shattered glass in the palms: agony, then the balm of removal with the promise of healing in the future.

This trilogy, so far, at least, by contrast, is a gentle, beautiful sunflower: turning toward the light, opening up to warmth, healing.

I don't know if I have the words for how much I adored this book, the way Jean begins opening up to Jeremy, Cat, and Laila, trusting and beginning to like his teammates. Realizing he doesn't want to hurt people in effort to make them better, that he enjoys fireworks, that brown is his favorite color, that he can trust Rhemann implicitly...god, does Sakavic know how to write rewarding growth and relationships.

And the reason these relationships pay off so well is because we finally learn in this book what Jeremy and Jean have been through, things we didn't know about them in books previous, and now that we know their pasts, it just makes their kind hearts all the more rewarding.

The family our four main characters form together is, hands down, a top 5 favorite chosen families of all time. The way they all take care of one another, the love these 3 golden retrievers surround their traumatized black cat with, the pain they all feel losing the home they all built together...I definitely cried more over this book than any other All for the Game book.

And a lot of those tears were shed not only because of the house fire, Jeremy's past addiction and his brother's death, the multiple attacks Jean survived, both past and present, or the attempt on Andrew and Neil's lives at their match with the Ravens, but also because of Rhemann defending Jean, Jean admitting he deserves to get better, Cat, Laila, and Jean sleeping over at Jeremy's house, Jean playing a good, clean game with his new teammates...I could go on.

I loved getting to see the Foxes more in this than we did in The Sunshine Court, of course. The news story Jeremy watches after Neil and Andrew's injuries was an absolute riot. I'm glad we got to see Thea there again, too. I really would love to get to see more of her and Kevin together. Their relationship is so interesting to me! Give me a little more, Nora!

On top of that, it was great getting to know more of the Trojans as well. I felt like we got a small taste of just the floozies in The Sunshine Court, but here we get to actually know so many of them, floozies or not, and watch Jean form bonds with them even without Jeremy, Cat, or Laila facilitating it.

I was also so glad to get some Exy in this one! Obviously we got a little bit of practice here and there in the last book, but getting a full match really hit the spot, even if it was followed by one of the most brutal scenes in the whole series.

This has major potential to be my favorite book of the series, competing closely with The King's Men, which has the edge by virtue of being a finale and because I've read it 4 more times than I've read this book. I have a feeling, though, that the next book might take the cake.

Sakavic's writing has only gotten better, not that it needed improving upon in the first place. I can't properly express how much I love and care for these characters. I want the absolute best for them all and I'm terrified for the pain that lies ahead, but I know there will be peace when all is said and done...at least there better be!

[snwusberry]

🎄✨ CHRISTMAS 2024: DECEMBER 1st

pairing: jongho x reader

genre: fluff

warning(s): none

wc: 1162

reader pov

the loudest sound comes from jongho's phone which pierces through my ears and wakes me up a little too early for my liking. i stretch with a groan and turn to see jongho still sound asleep next to me.

it's 5am so its still dark outside, the only light coming from the bathroom door that's stayed open all night, casting long shadows of the vanity and the mini potyed plant near the entrance onto the floor.

without any fuss, i get out of bed and turn the alarm off before tiptoeing to the bathroom so i can start getting ready.

we have to wake up early, my ass. he's still sound asleep looking peaceful as ever, so i do the responsible thing.

i jump on the bed.

"wake up, wake up, wake up!" i chant as i jounce up and down, the movement serving its purpose in waking the sleeping man up. when he finally sits up i stop jumping.

"just why?" he asks, his groggy from the sleep and he rubs his eyes.

"it's time to get up."

he pulls me down by my hand so i'm sitting om his lap which makes me smile and brush his messy hair out of his face and his hands rest around my waist to keep me steady. he's not really the biggest on showing affection so i need to savor this moment.

"morning sleepy head."

"good morning baby." he says back with a smile resting on his lips.

"we have to get ready."

"hmm. let's go."

with that, we stand up and make our way to the bathroom where we start preparing. mornings like this one are something i cherish the most because it's not too often that we have the chance to have a nice slow morning where we can enjoy each other's presence while preparing for the day.

we're going to a tree farm to pick out a christmas tree. we've decorated the whole house already but jongho decided to be different this year and get a real tree. don't ask me why, he just does.

after we finish getting ready and we've eaten, jongho grabs the keys and we leave, heading to the tree farm.

i look out the window and watch the trees outside pass by and take in the beautiful winterscape. this weather makes me wanna sit in front of a fireplace, wrapped in a thick blanket, with a mug piping hot, hot chocolate warming up my cold fingers. we dont have a fireplace but when we get home, nothing will tear me away from the cocoa powder.

when we arrive, jongho parks the car and we head into the small little building where the reception is. the place is secluded and quiet, the only sound being from our boots tapping against the concrete ad we walk to the little cabin.

there behind the desk is a friendly looking man with a kind smile on his face upon seeing us.

"hi, we have an appointment

under choi jongho." jongho kindly says, returning the man's smile. it's nice and warm in here.

"ah yes. 9 o'clock?" he asks and jongho nods. "right this way."

he leads us outside the shed and we walk down a pretty far distance amd i see a small café on the far end of the large plot of land covered in rows of trees.

"okay here we have 3 types of trees." the man says before turning to the trees behind him. "this section is the pine trees, at that end are fir and all the way at the back are spruce. would you like to tour them all before coming to a final decision?"

jongho and i look at each other briefly and he gives me that look he usually does when be wants me to answer or do the talking.

"i say we tour them all. no harm in that right?" i answer and the man smiles.

"great choice. follow me."

we start off with the pine trees, walking along the paths, looking at the tall trees. it is shaded under the large mass of trees, making the place look colder and more eerie, like a woodsy scene out of a horror movie. the weather doesn't help, with the snow adding to the scene.

"looks like the perfect place to lure someone in and kill them" i say subconsciously due to my prior thoughts.

"don't get any ideas." jongho says jokingly making the man laugh along with us.

"the hiding spots are endless too." he adds.

"i actually don't feel so safe here.

we walk around looking at the different trees as the guy tells us little facts about the different trees. it's insightful but ny feet are starting to hurt so i'm onky half listening. thank goodness we're halfway through the last section of the tour. they've marked which ones we chose before we choose the final one.

"okay so. which one would you lovebirds like?"

this time i look at jongho, waiting for him to decide since he was the one who wanted to do this whole thing in the first place.

"what are you looking at me for?" he asks me and i just smile sweetly at him.

"this was your idea, no?"

"yeah okay."

"i think we liked more pine trees, let's go with that." i suggest and he nods.

"lets look at the pine trees."

"good choice. let's go."

i dont know how this man continues to be so energetic when we've been walking around for over two hours straight. it's definitely not something i'm used to, jongho doesn't let me lift a finger.

we walk over to where we started which is not a short walk and it seems jongho can see my discomfort so like the gentleman he is, he offers to give me a piggyback.

we weave through the trees, shortlisting the ones we liked before coming to a final decision on one.

"alright. you guys can go cozy up in the café while we get your tree ready. m" the man says, smiling like he has the entire time.

"thank you." we say to him and we walk to the café we saw earlier where we order our respective drinks. a mocha macchiato for him and a cinnamon matcha latte for me.

"aren't you happy we did this?" jongho asks, looking unphased as ever. maybe because hes fit and walking like this isn't a big deal for him. i just give him a deadpanned look in response. "that's not very festive of you."

"my feet are swelling in my boots." i complain.

"boo hoo."

"bitch."

"hey."

there's a quick moment where none of us say anything before we start laughing. i love these moments with him, when it's just is, out, having a good time together, even when i'm cold and really tired.

"hey, we should do this again next year." he teases.

"you coming here alone?"

"point taken."

mom, i love him.

[microwavesaferat]

I'm so unexcited for the Christopher Nolan Odyssey Film.

There's so many things I'm just dreading, like as a mythology buff (admittedly, not an expert, just a bit of a special interest), I'm gonna lose it if a film guy starts mansplaining about Homeric hymns to me. Like, keep talking about how the suitors were actually doing what was right for the time and I will kick you in your shriveled nutsack.

I also saw the cast list and nearly shed a tear. They all have fucking iPhone face. I'm sorry, Tom Holland as Telemachus (potentially)???? Like, oh it's so sad your dad is missing and stuff, but did you remember to take your ozempic today? Like all the cast have iPhone face. Unless this is gonna be a weird modern retelling (which also worries me), I won't be able to imagine Zendaya as Athena (potentially) without her whipping out a Google pixel to text Zeus.

I was talking to people and we ended up making our own cast list of some of the major roles.

Cast List

Odysseus - Antonia Banderas

My mother saw him in Paddington 3 and has instructed me to include him as he is, in her words, "fit". In my opinion, someone like Liam Neeson, Mads Mikelson or Michael Fassbender. I just don't want a poorly disguised American accent. Like I get you might not get a Greek actor or even one with a similar accent, but please not a straight American accent or badly done accent.

Penelope - Michelle Yeoh

Nolan is rumoured to have cast Anne Hathaway, which I am also kind of fine with, so I'm not too worried about that. I think Michelle would be great as a cunning, loyal wife to Odysseus and I also think she could channel a great amount of contempt towards the suitors. I never find Anne Hathaway to be convincingly angry in scenes, distraught and afraid, yes, but I think Michelle could really embody that disgust Penelope has.

Athena - Cate Blanchet

I think Athena needs to be played by an older actor. I get the Gods are ageless, but she needs to give the appearance of wisdom and I think Cate Blanchet always looks like she's planning and thinking. The issue with Zendaya is not just that she has iPhone face, but she is too young. Your mind immediately says that she's too young to be that wise. It's a trait commonly associated with older people as it relates to experience, and Zendaya just doesn't look experienced.

Poiseiden - Gerard Butler

Hear me out, I think the Gods (other than Athena) should only appear in voice and not in person. For the scale of things, an actor floating in the air with cgi waves doesn't really look that menacing in the scale of things, especially compared to 50 boats. And I don't want a big cgi water monster thing either. I think the voice should carry on the waves, a shout accompanied by a crash of water, the temper rising as does the waves. I think it's more threatening to hear his voice booming as the boat is rocked, there's a fear of pissing him off more cause, if he gets much louder, you might just capsize. My mother wanted to also say, in a perfect world, it would actually be Billy Connolly, but he hasn't acted in years now due to Parkinson's. The rumour is that Nolan has cast Robert Pattinson and, while he was threatening as the Batman, I don't think it's the right kind of threatening required for the role. If he was doing this as a voice acting role, maybe, we know he has amazing range from the Boy and the Heron.

Zues - Patrick Page

Listen to Little Songbird or Hellfire and tell me he doesn't sound like Thunder. Moving on.

Circe - Nicole Kidman

Circe is a complex character and I think she needs to be portrayed that way. I don't want a young actor who beguiles older Odysseus with her youth. I need Circe to have that wisdom and experience that Penelope also has. I think it could be an interesting idea to even have them played by the same person. This all depends on how close the movie will be to the original epic anyway. My main stipulation is that she needs to remind Odysseus of Penelope.

Calypso - Lupita Nyong'o

The articles I've read actually suggest her as Circe, which I wouldn't mind either, I just wanted someone older for Circe. I think Calypso is also a complex character that must be portrayed as such. Essentially I think Lupita would be able to embody both the woman madly in love with Odysseus and also the Goddess keeping him here for her entertainment. From seeing her in Us, I know she has an amazing range and is able to show the threatening side to Calypso required. It doesn't work if it seems like Odysseus has the upper hand at any point.

Telemachus - Thomas Brodie Sangster

I really struggled here cause a lot of young actors look too modern for a lot of period pieces. It's also important that Telemachus isn't some chiseled, huge guy. I also think, given we would probably check in on him multiple times during the movie, Thomas is good at looking young and old at the same time. Another option would maybe be Joe Locke.

This post is long already so I'm not doing the rest of the characters. I have nothing against the actors Nolan has gone with, I just don't think they fit well. I'm also heavily biased from listening to Epic and Hadestown a lot.

Lmk your suggestions, as always, these are just my thoughts and a lot of them aren't even well thought out.

[ace-and-the-rpg-horrors]

niko?

how i feel about her - yayyy!! my fave DBD character <3 she's so sweet and funny. she's not only great on her own, but her dynamic with pretty much every other character is also amazing. and her outfits!! they're all so cute!! and she's got realistic flaws too!!

all people i ship romantically with her - i don't!! aroace cupioromantic Niko headcanon is very dear to me <3 big fan of QPR Palasaki, though!! she and Crystal are sooooo special to me... girls who would die for each other. ow. that hug before Crystal left lives in my head rent-free. the amount of affection between these two is everything, actually. the fact that they both have family issues and similar supernatural traumas too (possession/parasites) oughhhh...

non-romantic OTP for her - already said Crystal, but Edwin is a close second!! their friendship is so wholesome. Edwin and Niko are so good for each other... the way they're so comfortable with each other is so xvwbndxndjjwjzk. they have banger quotes too - "honestly, i just find her so charming" and "i'm just a mirror away" - ME AND WHO?? and i'm not ashamed to say that i shed tears at Edwin's blood-curdling scream during That Scene...

unpopular opinion about her - SHE'S NOT THE "INNOCENT" ONE OF THE GROUP STOPPPP she's canonically an enjoyer of explicit yaoi and thinks talking about sex is entertaining. some of you just want to infantilise East Asians so bad

one thing i wish happened in canon - can't believe she didn't have the four of them dress up like the main Scooby Doo characters!! even subtle colour schemes would've been so cool

[mahmoudkhaled]

My name is Mahmoud Hammad from Palestine, Gaza. I finished my studies in nursing. I worked as a volunteer in one of the hospitals in the Gaza Strip, “Nasser Medical Hospital” in Khan Yunis, and after that I worked in a field outside my university studies due to the economic conditions and the siege on the Gaza Strip. “I want your help to save my family from this brutal war, and I am asking for your support to help me rescue my family (my parents, my wife, my two children, and three brothers) from Gaza. For more than 130 days, we have witnessed very difficult days of bombing, destruction, fear and terror. I lived days without I know news. My family has been cut off from communication due to the massive destruction and bombing. My family was displaced under bombing and terrorism to Rafah. We have reached a stage where we feel desperate. I ask you to help me save my family’s life by getting them out of Gaza because there is no safe place, and people are slowly dying because of... Hunger and dehydration. Displacement, the spread of diseases and malnutrition. My family became homeless like many others due to the ongoing bombing of Gaza since October 7. When my family was displaced, there was no means of transportation to get around. They walked under the bombing with fear and panic in their hearts. My family is staying now in a tent in Rafah in bad conditions. It is absolutely inhumane, food is running out, there is no electricity, water or toilet and it is very cold, imagine no diapers for my children! It has been 3 months of hell and horror. This genocide has been going on for a while for a long time, our mental health and our lives are in constant danger. This is what I can describe, and I cannot talk about the horrific scenes that my family witnessed throughout this period. We have reached a point where there is no longer any hope for us here in Gaza because unfortunately we are waiting for our turn to die.

The destruction in Gaza is too great to rebuild quickly. To exit Gaza through the Gaza crossing, which is the only crossing in the Strip, an adult must pay $7,000 to the coordinator. The occupation has destroyed a very large number of homes in our camp and bulldozed all the streets, and now we know nothing about our home!, which I miss and my eyes shed tears without realizing it. My entire childhood and childhood memories were lived in that house.

Please help me, I would greatly appreciate any donation, even a small one that can make a huge difference in alleviating our suffering. Please share my campaign widely, because every minute is a risk of death in Gaza. I would appreciate your help during this difficult time.

Thank you for standing in solidarity with us.

Mahmoud from Palestine - Gaza

[snottertooder]

“Better” ending for The umbrella academy season 4 (A fix-it)

I genuinely think the idea of the ending is a fitting one for tua since the last 3 seasons, they have been doing EVERYTHING but giving up. But they absolutely dropped the ball on the execution and what built up to it (I didn’t shed a single tear last episode because they felt more like strangers in force proximity than sibilings, ESP DIEGO AND FIVE DYING HATING EACH OTHER??)

I think a better ultimatum would’ve been if instead of giving up their existence they gave up on their RELATIONSHIP as sibilings. The goal the hargreeves had the entire series is to A. save the world b. Save their family. That has been challenged MANY times and as a final Ultimatum, they have to pick between

- forever time jumping to other timelines (via subway idk) and repeating the cycle of saving the world to keep their family together

-save the world by getting rid of their powers (like og) and relationship with one another, where they would exist in a new timeline without umbrella academy, without powers and without the hargreeves name connecting them to one another (for this to be really impactful, season 3 needs to be FILLED with fluff and family happy moments like we all hoped to see)

So when they all give up their power (with Ben bc he deserves to be there at their final moment) we get the whole season 1-3 scenes and then when we see the new timeline instead of a bunch of minor characters living normal lives (which lowkey no one cares for) we see the hargreeves living normal happy lives without one another. I think it would be a neat call back/parellel if they showed their lives like how they did in season 1 ep1. Starting from Luther and ending with Viktor (including Five and Ben this time)

My hc for how they would be in this new timeline:

(FYI, I haven’t seen the other seasons in a hot second and the new season didn’t help me get an idea for their motivations so if any of these are ooc sorry 😜)

1) Luther

• I think in the new timeline he would have a fulfilled life with Sloane and a few kids(which he DESERVES, instead of being a stripper). I think they’re soulmates (even tho personally I didn’t care of their relationship) I think it’s fitting that they get their happily ever after. As a Career, I think he would be a of CEO/Manager, his entire life he’s been told what to do by his father and struggles as a leader to the family. Him being in charge of something for once esp his life would be fitting. (I think it would parallel well with season one him being alone and a mess to season 4 him being happy, loved and put together)

2) Diego

• as a career I think a Lawyer. In his new life with his new family he would still have a call for justice except this time he plays by the books since he didn’t have a father turning him into a vigilante by the age of 10. I don’t think in the new timeline he would be with Lila since then the sacrifice would be meaningless. I can see him get with his Dead girlfriend from season 1?? In a diff way as Lawyer x Detective. Also he’s a Universal dilf, he adopts stan from an abuse/negligence case (his real mom is pretty terrible) and they live happily ever after :)

3) Allison

• an Artist. Her entire life is a lie and she’s never been able to express herself, I think she would be a Artist who expresses herself through her art and becomes successful through her own means, this way for being herself (maybe an anonymous one so she isn’t famous as a person but her art like Banksy, I think it would be neat if some of her art was about the civil rights movement) Maybe she’s even with Ray and/or an alternative version of Claire.

4) Klaus

• Since everyone wanted Klave season 4 (rip), he could be with Dave in the new timeline. He would be 100% sober, and honestly I see him being a TV personality, either a TV show host or has his own talk show (LOLL it would be funny if he had smth like dr Phill happening where he’s fixing messed up families, orrr a paranormal series where he visits haunted houses, or even a game show host like love island, maybe he even met Dave on there idk scandal

5) Five

• Retired 100% finally, I honestly think he could be anything but smth in action like a police officer or CIA since he REALLY needs the rest. I imagine he’s living life like the creator of androids in Detroit becomes human with the Chloe robots except the robots are Daloris and his family visit him often so he’s never alone (also because his grandchildren wants his inheritance but he just gives it to a dog or smth for the giggles bc they are all morons) i think he either becomes rich for inventing/discovering something or because he’s a Nepo baby, Either way he deserves it.

6) Ben (the og one)

• An author who travels the world 100%%%%%% I think he would be a professor or Author (or both) but he travels more than he works, he’s a lazy bum for sure!!(for work) I think it’s fitting that he sees the world since he never got to from Dying young + being trapped with Klaus (ig they did explore the United States but he never really got far plus it was the 60s)he never settles down until his legs give out. In this timeline I think Og ben and asshole ben would be twins/sibilings (og would be the older one) their names would be Benedict and Bennett bc their parents couldn’t decide who Benjamin would be.

6.5) Ben (the asshole one)

• This one is hard since he’s barely been developed. But he’s gives me MAJORRRR Ken sato vibes from the new Ultraman movie on Netflix. He would DEFINITELY be a professional athlete teenage girls make edits of on tiktok (that I consume) Idk if he would stick with the water as a sport having tentacles and all but if not he would be a Race car driver, play a ball sport (basketball and baseball esp) or boxing. Since him and Jennifer are “fated” she would play a similar role to Ami Wakita (in the ultraman movie) as a Journalist, lowkey power couple (if they were properly developed) Also Jennifer as a journalist would be fun, maybe she crossed paths with Diego once or stalked Allison to find her true identity. Her first issue was DEFF about her creepy as home town. She wrote many books about the cult.

7) Viktor

• a Swimmer like his parents orrr a teacher/professor. I could see him write books too (since he already wrote one) lowkey try a lot of diff hobbies and Job jump alot into diff professions. Just do everything. Sissy (I forgot how to spell her name) could be in the new time line like the rest of them too with Danial? (I forgot the kids name) as alternative versions. I imagine they meet as Teachers (sissy gives me MAJOR councilor vibes)

Lila

• if they were to do like a montage of their lives like in season one, I don’t think she would get one since she isn’t numbered but I think it would be hinted in the background. I honestly imagine her becoming a Singer/Actor. She’s either in a Metal band, go on Broadway, be an Oscar winning actress, end up in hall hallmark movies or all the above ( like singer-> Broadway -> A tier actor -> D tier hallmark movies) (she loves it tho, keeps her on the toes)

The last scene is What viktors been up to but then the Radio plays idk “I think we’re alone now” which leads to Viktor starts dancing, and then it shows everyone else also start dancing from where ever they are in different locations. Because even if they aren’t siblings anymore they are still connected ☹️ and that’s the final dance scene we never got 🙏

I imagine it would be even more twisted if they all lived in diff time periods like how they all missed each other in season 2. Like Allison is already dead from old age by the time Ben is born. Lila is already a Punk rock legend by the time Diego loses his first tooth. Five in his young days had an enemies to lovers with JFK while Viktor is reading about them being best friends in Textbooks yk.

Anyways that’s it. Season 4 sucks put me in the writers room atp, I would have the end credit scene be Reggie burning in hell with his wife 4K 🔥🔥🔥

[coraniaid]

interested in Amy at the Bronze and take me somewhere nice

I posted an extract of Amy at the Bronze here.

Take Me Somewhere Nice is my only current 'live' WIP, with two chapters up on AO3 so far. It's about Faith and Kendra, the former being introduced to what seems to be Kendra's ghost the very moment she herself gets Called as a Slayer. The third chapter isn't coming together as quickly as I'd hoped it would -- I've been a bit distracted by real life -- though I will mention that that chapter is called 'Kakistos' (which is probably nothing for Faith or Diana to worry about).

(Some fairly mild spoilers for the future direction of the story below the cut, including an extract of an early draft of a scene from what will probably end up being chapter five or six.)

I'm really looking forward to Faith (and Kendra!) finally getting to Sunnydale and meeting Buffy. As I've said before (and said again recently, actually) I think there's a definite gap between how I like to imagine Buffy post-Kendra (thinking about her all the time, beating herself up about her death, but not having anyone to talk to about it) and how the show actually writes Buffy post-Kendra (Kendra who?). And I think writing a version of Season 3 where Buffy herself isn't a POV character, so we can't hear Buffy's private thoughts, but Kendra herself really is quite literally haunting the narrative is a good way to play up that tension.

"I get it!" the brunette -- Cornelia, Faith thinks her name is, though she's not totally convinced that's right -- exclaims suddenly. Faith isn't quite sure what there is to get. She shoots a look over her shoulder, where Kendra's lurking awkwardly in the shadows like an unwelcome guest, but the other Slayer doesn't say anything. Hasn't made a noise all evening, actually, ever since Faith introduced herself. She’s just stared at them all, wordlessly, like she doesn’t know what to say. “Not the sex thing,” Cor-whatever clarifies.  “Yuck!” Oh, right, Faith thinks.  A prude.  No wonder her dorky boyfriend has been practically drooling in Faith’s lap all evening.  Well, if Corny wants to start trouble about it later Faith can just tell her to start putting out once in a while.  Being pretty and unobtainable only gets you so far, even with the dorkiest of seemingly nice guys.  Surely she should have figured that much out by now? “The two Slayer thing, I mean,” the girl clarifies.  “There was one, and then Buffy died, for like two minutes” – she says it like it’s no big deal at all, like it was just something silly and childish that Buffy had done because she didn’t know any better – “and then when Kendra died, Faith was called.” Faith nods, just once, as much to herself as anything.  She’d kind of thought all that was obvious.  It’s the first time anybody’s said Kendra’s name all night, but they all knew her, right?  They’d been her friends, the way Kendra told it.  The only friends Kendra ever talked about. Funny way they've got of showing it, she thinks to herself.  And Little Miss Original Slayer doesn’t exactly seem thrilled to have me here either. Faith glances over the table at Buffy Summers, to see how the other living Slayer is taking what Cornelia is saying.  Or, well, just for the excuse to look at her again, really: she’d always kind of figured that the notorious Buffy was pretty, just from the way Kendra went on about her back in Boston, but she wasn’t quite prepared for just how gorgeous Sunnydale’s oldest Slayer was.  No wonder she’s got all these losers hanging around her tonight, she thinks. She’s gotta be the most popular girl in town. But, however good Buffy looks – and Faith sure wouldn’t kick her out of bed in the morning – she’s got to have pure ice water in her veins.  Or maybe some of that low-fat yogurt she was talking about earlier.  She doesn’t so much as bat an eye at the name of her once-fellow Chosen One.  Certainly doesn’t look sad or say anything nice about her or shed any obvious tears.  Just smiles a little insincerely, in a way that doesn’t quite reach her eyes, and takes another little sip of her drink.  Like she’s just bored of the whole thing; like she has better places to be and other crowds she’d rather be hanging out with. Faith can’t help but feel a little pissed off on Ken’s behalf by all this silent treatment.  The other Slayer had died for these ingrates, hadn’t she?  She hopes the girl that persuaded her to come all the way out here isn’t wishing they’d tried heading to Jamaica to find Mr Zabuto instead.   She wonders if she should say something herself – drop some less-than-subtle hint about how badly all they all must miss Kendra, or ask how Kendra died so they can finally tell her how brave and heroic she was – when she feels some impossible to describe change in the air.  Like a kind of presence in her mind – a tune she’s had stuck in her head or an ache between her eyes or a name constantly not quite on the tip of her tongue – that she’s grown used to for weeks and months on end has suddenly retreated.  And when she looks up, there’s no sign of Kendra anywhere in the club at all.

[estrellami-1]

Steddie Week 2023

May 26 Prompt: Together/Established Relationship

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 6, Day 7

@steddie-week

Steve takes a shaky breath as he watches the news on TV. The kids are safe, Robin’s safe, Eddie-

Eddie’s trailer, in the background.

Eddie’s living room, a crime scene.

The kids are safe, Robin’s safe, but Eddie-

“Steve!” Dustin yells as he bursts into Family Video. “How many phones do you have?”

“What?” Steve asks, finally tearing his eyes from the TV. “Why?”

Dustin vaults over the counter, ignoring Steve and Robin’s warnings against doing that very thing. “Dude, the tapes,” Steve groans.

“Dingus, control your child,” Robin jokes, and Steve throws her a look.

“If I could, I would.”

Dustin waves his hands in front of them. “Hello! Emergency? Phones? How many?”

“Christ, kid, why?” Steve asks again.

Dustin huffs like Steve’s being an idiot. “Because. My friend Eddie’s missing.” He catches sight of the TV and gestures at it. “See? He’s not a murderer, though. I have a list of his friends, acquaintances, whatever.”

Steve rolls his eyes, grabs at the list, scans it. Smiles when he realizes exactly where his boyfriend must’ve gone. “No need,” he says, shoving the list back at Dustin. “Robin, you coming?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” she promises, ruffling Dustin’s hair through his hat. “C’mon, squirt.”

Dustin splutters. “Is anyone gonna tell me what the fuck is going on?”

“Language, dude,” Steve chides. “We’re gonna find Eddie. I know where he is.”

“How-”

“Shotgun!” Robin yells, racing to the passenger side of the car and tugging twice on the handle.

Steve levels an unimpressed eyebrow on her. “What are you, twelve?” She sticks her tongue out at him. “Oh, very mature.”

He unlocks the doors and they all pile in. “Buckle up,” he says, and peels out of the parking lot.

The drive to Reefer Rick’s is usually twenty minutes.

Steve makes it in twelve.

He’s out of the car before it’s settled, running past the house to the boat shed. “Eds?” He asks. “You here? It’s Steve, Robin, and Dustin. Just us, I swear, you’re safe, Eds.”

Dustin hurries up, barging ahead into the building. “Eddie? Are you in here?”

Steve sees a tarp move and makes a split-second decision. “Dustin, you and Robin go check the house, okay? I’ll stay out here and keep looking, but it doesn’t look like he’s here.”

“Okay,” Dustin agrees, running off with Robin in tow.

Steve eases into the boathouse, lets the door shut behind him. “The door’s closed, baby. Just you and me. I know you’re under the tarp. Are you gonna come out?”

Silence, then the quietest he’s ever heard his boyfriend, “No.”

“Can you tell me why not?”

“They think I killed her.”

“I know. That’s why I’m here. I know you, Eds, I know you wouldn’t do that. I’m here for you, I’m here to help you.”

“How?”

“Well, a wise man once said a good hug can fix most your problems.”

The tarp shivers. A silent laugh. “Don’t let Wayne hear you. He’ll get a big head.”

“He deserves it. He’s right.”

Silence for another minute, then the tarp shifts, exposing Eddie’s face. “Stevie?”

Steve smiles softly. “Hey, Eds. You ready to come out?”

“I think I’m going crazy,” Eddie admits.

Steve can’t help the chuckle. “I know. You’re not, if it helps. Real life is just this crazy sometimes.”

Eddie shakes his head. “This is voodoo-level shit, Stevie. I’m scared.”

Steve’s heart breaks. “I know, baby. I know. And I know it might be hard to believe, but I’ve been through this before.” He edged closer to the boat, sits down right at the edge so they’re face-to-face. “Remember Starcourt?”

“The earthquake that stunk of government?”

Steve nods. “Russians. Among other things. The thing that’s behind all of this… we’ve fought him before. We hurt him, really bad, last time, but didn’t manage to kill him. And now he’s back. But we’re more prepared this time, I swear. We’re gonna be fine.” He frames Eddie’s face in his hands. “I’m not gonna let anything happen to you,” he says, so seriously his voice breaks.

Eddie’s eyes fill with tears. “I know,” he whispers. “And that’s what scares me. I don’t want to do this without you. And if you keep jumping in front of everyone-”

“Hey,” Steve says, shaking Eddie’s head a little. “I’ve got you now. I’m not gonna do that. But I’m not gonna let you do that, either, you hear me? We’re gonna get through this. Together.”

“Together,” Eddie breathes, nodding. He clambers out of the boat and into Steve’s lap, tucking his face in Steve’s neck. “Together,” he mumbles again, and it feels like a tattoo on Steve’s neck.

The door to the boathouse creaks open, revealing Dustin. “What the fuck,” he says, judging them with his eyebrows.

Steve judges him right back. “What?”

Dustin waves a hand at them. “This? How do you know each other?”

“We’re boyfriends,” Steve says, apropos of nothing. “We’ve known each other for years, though.”

Dustin splutters. “But- you- Nancy! And Robin!”

“I did date Nancy for a while,” Steve agrees. “Came running to Eddie when she broke my heart. He put it back together.”

“Aww, Stevie,” Eddie coos teasingly, still hiding. Steve pokes his ribs.

“And I’m a lesbian,” Robin says, knocking Dustin’s hat over his eyes. “Also, dude, you’ve gotta stop trying to get people together.”

Dustin blinks. “I- whatever. Eddie. We know you didn’t kill Chrissy.”

“You don’t know that,” Eddie says petulantly.

Steve rolls his eyes. “Quit being contrary.”

“You quit being contrary.”

“The fuck does that mean?”

Eddie shrugs. “Still kinda freaking out.”

Steve sighs, hugs Eddie tighter. “I know. I’m sorry. We know you didn’t kill Chrissy, Eds, but as long as the general public thinks you did, we’ve gotta keep you out of sight.”

Eddie looks at Steve pleadingly. “Your place?”

Steve smiles at him. “Yeah, we can go to mine.” He turns to Dustin. “Get everyone on the walkies. Tell them to meet at mine in fifteen minutes. Code red.”

Dustin nods and runs back to the car.

“Hey,” Robin says, tilting her head to meet Eddie’s eye. She smiles when they lock gazes. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Eddie huffs a laugh. “Not sure I am, Birdie, but thanks.”

They stand and make their way to the car.

Together.

[blackmoonlightexpress]

A Guide on Ashes of Love (for TTEOTM fans)

For TTEOTM fans debating whether to watch Ashes of Love (or struggling with how long it is), I highly recommend that you CHECK IT OUT and STICK WITH IT!

Why? A lot of people think that it's Luo Yunxi at his best looks-wise. It's the role that made him a household name and really defined the ethereal white-robed male god in Chinese pop culture. Runyu has much more screentime than is typical for a second male lead. And while it has a lot of filler, it also has some of the best scenes, lines, music, cinematography, and fight choreography among xianxias.

Now, there are problems with the drama... especially in retrospect, the two biggest are: (1) It's infamous for stretching 36 episodes into 63 because mo' episodes, mo' money. On the bright side, this gave the drama a bigger budget to play with, hence grander sets, better CGI, nicer costumes. (2) The naive female lead and love trumps all plot now feel dated and perhaps even problematic. However, Yang Zi is a compelling actress and there's enough politics to keep mature viewers around.

So here's a guide to the 63 episodes, for those who want the "lay of the land". You can decide for yourself what to watch or skip. Naturally it's hard to avoid spoilers, but I've kept them mild.

Episodes 1-5: Jinmi travels to the heavenly realm (Bloat Score: 3/5)

This is mainly Jinmi meeting different characters and having fun in the heavenly realm. You can speed watch as it's light on plot. Runyu only appears for 1-2 scenes per episode, but his fight scenes are beautiful (EP1-35m, EP3-27m, EP5-37m)!

Episodes 6-8: The four leads travel to the Demon Realm (Bloat Score: 2/5) 

This part is pretty action-packed. Jinmi surprises everyone with her powers. Blossoming romance between the leads. Runyu has a more consistent presence. Would watch at normal speed.

Episodes 9-17: The two brothers compete for Jinmi while uncovering her true identity (Bloat Score: 1/5) 

The plot really picks up here as you start to get hooked on solving the mystery of Jinmi's identity and affairs of the past generation. I particularly liked the mini climaxes in Ep 12 and 15.

Episodes 18-34: Jinmi & Xufeng undergoes human trial + Runyu's backstory (Bloat Score: 4/5) 

This is the plot within the plot that was not in the source novel and has no reason to exist other than to increase runtime and give viewers more romance between the leads. If you didn't like the dream arc in TTEOTM, this will be even worse. Lucky for us they've also fleshed out Runyu's backstory and perspective in Ep 29-32, where viewers started rooting for Runyu instead.

Episode 35-45: Jinmi decides who to marry as the brothers head to epic showdown (Bloat Score: 2/5) 

The drama takes a more serious tone here, with more angst, tragedy, and power play. Runyu sheds his innocence and fights for his own corner. You also get to see him confess his love to Jinmi in one of my favorite scenes in Ep 37.

Episode 46-59: The aftermath aka a big stew of tears, blood-spitting, regret, hurt (Bloat Score: 4/5) 

Frankly I found this part painful to watch and repetitive. I can't recall what happens other than it builds up to another epic fight between the brothers Helen of Troy style. Runyu is at his darkest and there are a few TTJ-like obsessive love scenes between him and Jinmi (EP50-19m, EP56-28m, EP57-15m, EP58-25m)

Episodes 60-63 The Ending (Bloat Score: 2/5) 

A pretty satisfying ending. The big battle itself takes place in Ep 61, so there are 2 full episodes to resolve things between the characters and give them a proper ending. Runyu's final scene is done very well and always gives me the goosebumps (EP63-39m)

Also, there are lots of scenes of the third couple (demon princess and her bodyguard) spliced throughout. If it doesn't do anything for you, just skip - it has no impact to the main plot.

Have fun watching!

[datvtranscripts]

The End of the Beginning Pt. 6

Consequences

Signs and Portents Masterpost Previous: Ritual, Interrupted

Solas: You have no idea what you have done.

Rook comes to in an unrecognizable place that appears to be in ruins.

Rook: Solas?

Rook: (Soft gasp)

Solas walks up behind them.

Rook: I know what I did. I stopped you from destroying the world.

Solas: I was not destroying the world.

The ground shifts, pushing Rook away from Solas and creating a rift between them.

Solas: When you disrupted my ritual, the magical energies pulled me here, into the Fade.

Rook: Okay, that’s why you’re here. But why am I here?

Solas: Your physical body is unconscious, but you shed a few drops of blood at the ritual site, enough for a tenuous connection.

Rook: Blood magic?

Solas: Firstly, I abhor the use of blood magic. Secondly, had I the power to control you, I would have already have used it.

Solas appears behind Rook again.

Dialogue options:

Affable: I’d like to wake up. [1]

Stoic: Fine. Talk. [2]

Angry: This is a trick! [3]

1 - Affable: I’d like to wake up. Rook: So all I have to do to get away from you is wake up? Solas: And how much experience do you have willing yourself from sleep to wakefulness? Rook: Can’t be that hard. Solas: While you practice, perhaps you’d like to hear about the consequences of your actions. Rook: Meaning?

2 - Stoic: Fine. Talk. Rook: All right. You brought me here to talk. What are we talking about?

3 - Angry: This is a trick! Rook: Get out of my head! Solas: As I said— Rook: Out! Solas: I do not want to be here any more than you do! But your actions have set events in motion, and I would not have your ignorance on my conscience! Rook: What are you talking about?

4 - Scene continues.

Solas: The Evanuris. Or as you would call them, the “elven gods.” The creatures that escaped. In ancient times, they rules the elves, but that was not enough, They sought not just to be obeyed, but to be worshipped. When I rebelled, they drew on the horrific magic of the blight, corrupting all they saw until I trapped them. Thanks to you, though, I am now trapped, and the blighted “elven gods” walk free.

Dialogue options:

Affable: Why should I believe you? [5]

Sarcastic: Sure. You’re the hero. [6]

Stoic: you let them out. [7]

5 - Affable: Why should I believe you? Rook: How am I supposed to trust anything you’re saying? Solas: You saw them escape from my prison. Rook: I also saw you bringing down the Veil. [8]

6 - Sarcastic: Sure. You’re the hero. Rook: Right. You were innocently doing nothing when we came along. Solas: The prison in which I had trapped them had begun to crumble. I was moving them to another— Rook: So you weren’t tearing down the Veil and drowning the world in demons and wild magic? [8]

7 - Stoic: You let them out. Rook: Thanks to me? I wasn’t the one performing a big ritual to free them. Solas: Free them? My mortal enemies? I was ensuring that they would never escape their prison. Rook: You were tearing down the Veil. [8]

8 - Scene continues.

Solas: I had a plan.

Rook: Varric always said you’d have a big explanation for why none of this was your fault.

Solas: Varric.

Rook: Yeah. He said that’s your style. Never quite lies, clever half-truths that let you convince yourself you’re doing the right thing. He tried to talk to you anyway… and now he’s hurt.

Solas: Varric is… quite practiced at shading the truth himself.

Rook: So those things that got out. you said they were gods?

The ground shifts again, and Rook almost loses their balance.

Solas: They said were gods. Blighted, tyrannical, sadistic gods. It took all my power to imprison them millennia ago. But I am certain you will be fine.

Dialogue options:

Sarcastic: Sarcasm, really? [9]

Stoic: Damn right we will. [10]

Afraid: Okay, now I’m worried. [11]

Angry: This is your fault! [12]

9 - Sarcastic: Sarcasm, really? → You have exchanged verbal jabs with Solas. Rook: That’s really helpful. What are you, the elven god of sarcasm? Solas: Lies, treachery, and rebellion, depending on the story. And how could I help? I do not have my ritual dagger. I cannot access my network of mirrors to travel from the Lighthouse to anywhere in the world. All I can offer is what I know. Rook: Helpful advice from the elven god of, and I’m quoting you here, “lies, treachery, and rebellion.” Solas: Depending on the story. [13]

10 - Stoic: Damn right we will. → You have confidently dismissed Solas’s warning. Rook: We stopped you. We’ll stop them. Solas: I had a ritual dagger of pure lyrium. My network of mirrors could take me from the Lighthouse across the world in moments. Right now, you seem to have neither. Do you intend to knock over a statue during their ritual? Rook: Well, I don’t intend to take advice from the elven god of lies. Solas: Quite right. [13]

11 - Afraid: Okay, now I’m worried. → You’ve admitted to Solas that what he’s said worries you. Rook: How bad are we talking, here? Solas: Their power outstripped my own even before they embraced the corruption of the blight. Rook: But you did imprison them. Solas: Through trickery. I also had a ritual dagger of pure lyrium, and a network of mirrors to take me from the Lighthouse across the world. Rook: I don’t have either of those. Solas: Well, then. I expect you will be busy. [13]

12 - Angry: This is your fault! → You have shown your frustration with Solas for placing the blame for this situation on you. Rook: Your ritual let the gods loose! You don’t get to sit back and look smug! Solas: What else could I possibly do? I do not have my ritual dagger. I do not have the network of mirrors that took me from the lighthouse across the world. I have nothing, as the gods threaten this world again! All because you disrupted my ritual. Rook: You mean when I stopped you from covering the world with demons? Solas: You will soon see what I was trying to prevent. [13]

13 - Scene continues.

Solas: Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain are your problem to solve. This is your responsibility now.

Next: Wake-Up Call