#Also can I just say I'm absolutely LAUGHING at how operatives are literally just??? The job she's BEEN doing???

[thundertide]

εїз !!

Send for an HC I haven't organically implemented yet!

Kagota's original rank, from her joining with the Fatui and finishing basic training right up to a bit before the Fontaine chapter's start, has been Electro Cicin Mage - At least, on paper. It was the rank she was assigned after returning from her final test with vision in hand, and the rank she kept through the years, even though by all technicalities, she's never been a cicin mage. She doesn't keep cicins, she doesn't get along with them, she's never been considered an elite unit like the other cicin mages... It's always been because of her electro vision, and she hasn't really cared past that. She's even turned down any promotions so much as mentioned to her and seems quite comfortable there despite her irritation when anyone uses rank to get their way, or reminds her of hers - Right up until she suddenly skyrockets to Operative in Fontaine and answers directly to her harbinger and husband, Childe.

In truth, Kag's rank was something of an insult. Although Cicin Mages are considered an 'elite unit', she never gained that reputation; instead, the rank was given to her as a means of blowing her off, and completely in reference to her Electro vision. In fact, the vision is the sole reason she even ranked as high as she did - Without it, she would've been little more than a scout thrown aside and ignored, and never gained her own unit or the chance to learn how to lead, let alone a chance to meet and gain the family she has now.

During training, she was a quick learner and yet naive, resulting in her being, essentially, the 'golden child' of her training group. She went along with everything she was told and gained the attention for doing it well, and that attention and praise from their superiors slowly turned the others in the group against her, though none so much as her 'closest friend' at the time, a man by the name of Ivan. She'd no idea Ivan would turn on her in their final trial and even got permission to use lethal force against her specifically, and in the aftermath, her naivety and childish ways were gone, replaced with a bitter, jaded girl who only continued to grow more bitter on her return.

It was her snappy, standoffish nature developed from this experience, along with her vision, that resulted in her being given the role of Electro Cicin Mage - She doesn't like Cicins, and she held too much power through her electro abilities to be just a simple scout. Making her a Cicin Mage meant she could lead units and squads yet still be treated like a scout, but it also meant she could be thrown into dangerous situations; they could be rid of her by putting her into missions and situations that would have killed someone with fewer/lesser skills. They could rub her nose in her rank with the reminder she didn't hold the full power of her rank, given the fact she didn't actually fit the job description meant she was held back from fully taking advantage of what an elite unit should've been able to do.

They wanted her either taken care of, or shut up and shown her place.

Kagota's always been aware, ever since that test, their praise often heaped on her hasn't been genuine. She's aware she has a target on her back, painted there and eyed by countless members of the Fatui. She's not aware her rank was essentially an insult and used against her - But she did quickly get tired of hearing it thrown in her face, and has always gone above and beyond for her unit, even taking on the role of Tartaglia himself whenever Childe is unavailable, once her unit's been taken in by him. She's ignored every mention of a promotion even mentioned near her, knowing they didn't really want to promote her to anything meaningful once their irritation and sass became obvious.

She's gained her position as Operative by the time she reaches Fontaine, and is finally in a role, both figuratively and on paper, that she was made for, nevermind one that she actually fits, able to answer directly to Childe with nothing in between them, and little holding her back.

She doesn't know she was insulted for most of her time in the Fatui, and may never know. That part hasn't been decided on yet, and if it ever DOES happen? That's gonna take a lot of planning and work to figure out when and where to slip it in given the current Fontaine plot-

[cavalierious-whim]

Of Handjobs and Geniuses (ScrewTio)

Dr. Ratio finds himself bored at an event and drags Mr. Screwllum to a dark and quiet corner.

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--

“So tell me—just how functional is fully functional?”

 A fool’s question for most but Veritas isn’t a fool, he’s a genius, so he’s allowed this one consideration. 

“Question—”

Insufferable, Veritas thinks, the way this man talks, both in that dull, dry tone and the way he thinks about it long after Screwllum takes his leave. Too polite, too proper, too—

“—is the level of functionality concerning my genitalia important for this specific moment?”

No. Yes. No. It isn’t Veritas who drags his hand down a chest, tracing the hemmed edge of a flimsy tunic. He may have pulled him into a dark corner but it is Screwllum who has the wandering touches, who is far more interested in the lithe shape of his form. 

“I do think that the question is apt when considering any future plans.”

“Future plans? We have barely executed this one, as poorly formed as it is.”

Poorly formed is a kind descriptor—but Screwllum is like that, isn’t he? Too kind when it comes to humanity, endlessly curious about what it is that makes humans tick. There is no plan, only action and reaction. Veritas found this particular space station event rather boring so the natural order of operations was to find a new puzzle to solve.

“Are you complaining?”

“I can only point out the rather ill-timing of your arousal.”

Veritas feels the smirk melt right off of his face. “I would have expected a man as learned as you to be better at dirty talk, but, then again, perhaps I should remind myself that a computer is only that—a computer. Absolute boner killer.” It nearly pains him to say boner, but there are times when a more crass wording is warranted. 

Screwllum’s expression cannot physically change but somehow, ever-so-slightly, Veritas picks up on the change in his demeanor. “Question: If your arousal is… killed—” Veritas snorts at that. “—then I ask for you to explain this.”

Veritas stops laughing when Screwllum’s hand drops to the front of his trousers. His gloved hand sweeps across the tented front, just the barest tease of a touch. This, Screwllum is better at, this soft-handed touch that makes his cock twitch in his clothing. All those thoughts of terrible dirty talk and ill attempts at flirting melt into the shadows that cloak them, and Veritas finds himself bracing against an old cargo container to keep himself upright.

“You aren’t unhandsome, despite being a mechanical windbag.”

“I would question your taste in potential partners—”

“You wouldn’t if you knew me better. Truly, Mr. Screwllum, you’re the most normal of the lot.”

There is a pause. The soft whirring of Screwllum’s inner workings is easily heard when pressed so close together. “And yet you insult—”

“Your dirty talk, yes. Abysmal. Tell me, Mr. Screwllum, have you ever fucked a man?”

Screwllum tilts his head, the tassel of his monocle swinging gently. “Answer: I am, in fact, fully functional in any capacity you so wish, and it may interest you to know that I am not entirely unpracticed.”

There is something funny about the thought of Screwllum sleeping with other people. Not strange—no, Veritas expects it, almost. One cannot observe humanity without considering every inch and corner of humankind. Figuratively and literally. Still. 

“I feel that I should inform you that it is in ill taste to inflate your—”

“You will find that I haven’t inflated anything yet.”

A joke. Veritas finds his mouth curling, annoyingly endeared—but it lasts only a moment before the annoyance settles in. “Your hand,” Veritas murmurs.

“I shall remove it—”

“I didn’t say that.” Were Screwllum a man he’d have a half-lidded gaze—Veritas knows that. However, there is a question that is needling his scholarly brain. “What do you get out of this?”

Another pause. That soft, whirring sound that Veritas finds strangely soothing. “Question—”

“Must you frame every sentence in such a way?” Veritas has no idea if that is a quirk of Screwllum’s programming or merely a preference. 

Screwllum huffs, a soft hiss of laughter that sounds almost foreign. “Dr. Ratio—” Really, he should call him by his name considering the hand that brushes against his cock, but Veritas doesn’t correct him. “—do you think that I am incapable of experiencing pleasure?”

What a curious thought. “Can you?”

“Rebuttal: What is it that you constitute as pleasure?” Screwllum’s knuckles press harder against Veritas’s clothed erection. “Many would assume that a being such as myself would be unable to experience arousal—as you clearly did. But then I must ask: What is pleasure? Is it not merely the act of feeling enjoyment? Satisfaction? These are things that I am well acquainted with, being a genius of many achievements.”

What a dick, thinks Veritas. But, takes one to know one he supposed, and he’s more than willing to admit that he isn’t the kindest man in this galaxy. 

“And does this bring you pleasure? Touching me?” 

“I always enjoy watching my partners come undone. There is… pleasure in that, and it has fueled my indulgences through the years.”

Veritas gives him a too-sweet grin that is mostly sarcastic. “And is this an indulgence?”

“Yes—and do not give me that look. I am incapable of lying.”

That sounds like a lie but it’s a concern for another time. Veritas finds it difficult to think with Screwllum stroking his cock through the thick fabric of his trousers, that gentle brush of his knuckles having turned into a proper squeeze. 

Veritas leans against the cargo container, legs parting as Screwllum bends closer. It’s weird to have a partner who cannot kiss you, who has no mouth, lips, or eyes to betray emotion, but Screwllum’s hands work perfectly fine, deft as they are when pulling at the opening of Veritas’s trousers. 

“Here?” 

“Are you not the one who pulled me into this corner?” Screwllum seems genuinely unconcerned, and Veritas still does nothing to stop his hand from dipping between fabric and his heated skin. 

Veritas hisses as Screwllum’s wrist brushes the spot just below his navel. “Cold,” he blurts, that metal hand a sudden reminder that Screwllum is not a man—at least not in the traditional sense. 

Thoughts are lost. He’d teased Screwllum about potentially inexperience but Veritas finds himself woefully wrong. Not quite practiced—no; Screwllum’s movements are jerky and odd, but he watches Veritas closely and is a very, very quick learner. The movements of his hand smooth out and he gives Veritas’s cock a stroke from base to tip that leaves him breathless. 

Screwllum’s hand is still cold, even through his glove, but the heat of Veritas’s skin clings to that fine, smooth leather, and the more that Screwllum jerks his cock, the hotter the space in his trousers burns. 

“Question,” says Screwllum then, with the absolute worst timing. “Is this adequate?”

Adequate, he asks. Veritas could punch him but he isn’t in the mood to break his hand, and something tells him that it would only amuse Screwllum further because the question is a damned tease. 

There are two options: he doesn’t answer, proving Screwllum right or he does answer, also proving Screwllum correct. A no-win situation. Screwllum has backed Veritas into a corner with the sort of ease that he hates being impressed by, and normally he’d blame the computer bits and programming, but Screwllum proves himself time and time again that he’s clearly more than a machine. 

Screwllum thumbs over the tip of his cock. “Observation: You’re wet.”

“You’re a fool—”

“And hard,” continues Screwllum, pulling his cock from his trousers properly. It’s dark enough. He’s covered by Screwllum’s form so that those passing by aren’t likely to see. “Good heft. You fit in my palm well enough—”

“Must you narrate?”

“No,” admits Screwllum. Veritas has the distinct thought that he would be smiling had he lips or smirking. “But it annoys you, so I am far more inclined to do so as a result.” He punctuates the thought with another twist of his hand, and Veritas finds himself biting back a moan. 

Ridiculous. Ridiculous. Screwllum leans in too close for something that’s more akin to rivals-with-apparent-benefits. Smells like metal and machine oil, and Veritas finds that he can’t get enough. Another stroke of his cock, this one slow and languid as Screwllum watches the way Veritas reacts as if he’s researching for a paper. Another sweep of his thumb across the tip of Veritas’s cock—and then Veritas is coming, spilling against that damnable leather glove, stunned stupid by his quick and sudden orgasm. 

Screwllum has the decorum to clean him up, politely yanking a handkerchief from his breast pocket to drag it across Veritas’s softening cock. And then he looks, studying his come that rests in his palm. “Observation—”

“I swear to the Aeons, if you comment on my semen—”

Screwllum does not. He offers him a boon by way of laughter instead, a deep sound that sounds far less tinny than the rest of his words. Then he tucks away that handkerchief, and then Veritas’s cock. “This was fun,” he says then, quietly, as he fastens Veritas’s trousers. “About what you said earlier—future plans. I am amenable to another tryst if you so wish, though I would kindly ask that it doesn’t take place in… a corridor. I enjoy sharing dinner first, at least.”

Veritas blinks. “Are you asking me out on a date?”

Screwllum steps back and readjusts his glove. “I think not,” he says dryly. “Merely a meal between colleagues, followed by a potential nightcap.” 

“For research purposes, I assume,” finished Veritas, pulling himself upright on wobbling legs. 

“If that is your preferred dynamic.”

Veritas rubs his forehead, too rung out to think about quipping back with a double entendre. Another time. Another—well, that’s the question at hand, isn’t it? “You’re annoying, aren’t you?”

Screwllum tugs his lapels straight and even. “I’ve been called worse, I assure you. Besides, you’ll find that petty insults of such a nature do little to harm me.”

Of course.

“That being said…” Screwllum trails off and clears his throat. “Dinner would be nice. I am surrounded by geniuses, yes, but I rarely share the company of someone so… effortlessly himself.”

Veritas grunts and drags a hand through his hair. “Consider me intrigued enough to oblige. Your phone, please.”

Screwllum seems surprised by how easily he gave in. Veritas ignores it, adding his contact and handing the phone back. “Don’t call. Only text if it’s to set a date. Otherwise, you’ll be left on read, or worse—blocked. My patience is thin and you’re lucky that you’ve held my attention longer than most.”

Screwllum hums and pockets his phone. “Noted.” 

Veritas is about to brush by him when Screwllum reaches out. Metal knuckles brush across his cheekbone, still warmed by the heat of his own skin. 

“Grease,” says Screwllum, dragging his thumb over the spot. “Likely my fault. I apologize.”

Veritas’s heart skips a beat. Oh, no, no, no, this is a mistake—but his bed has been made and it’s time to lie in the sheets. He knocks Screwllum’s hand away and leaves, barely offering him a wave of his hand.

Later, Screwllum sends him a text message thanking him for the company because he is, at his core, an absurd gentleman.

And, against all reason, Veritas chooses to answer.

[bisolationist]

So, I have this neighbor who my friends and family adore, and me too, honestly. She's nice and smart, and we have a lot in common, and my friends keep asking if we are dating, why are we not dating, and when we are going start to dating.

I usually just laugh off, but yesterday, my neighbor said that she DOES like me and asked if I wanted to try dating. Then I tried to joke and change the subject, so she just said to me to think about it.

It's not that I don't want to date her. She's very attractive and cool, and we get along well, but I'm not excited about it.

But I should be, because it would work, it would be good. Because she's good.

Meanwhile, there is this other girl, my coworker, who I'm excited to meet every day, and I get sad on my days off when I can not see her.

She's makes me laugh so much, and she's the most beautiful woman in the entire world, I'm not even exaggerating, Catboy. If God exists, then they share the same face.

So I guess I'm in love with her, but I'm shouldn't, because she's... not good.

My friends and others don't like her because she's rude, selfish, and has a beef with tons of people. That's because she has no filter and always says and does the first thing that appears in her head and never walks out what she did. But she's so tender with me, and she makes me feel like I can do anything.

Different of my neighbor, I have no idea how would be dating my coworker, she's a jester, I have no idea when she's serious or joking or what she wants at all, but at the same time, I get her, when she talks, it's like I could understand the universe.

I don't want to tell my feelings to my coworker because what if she doesn't feel the same and doesn't want to be my friend anymore? What if she feels the same, but our relationship is a wreck? What if we work well but my friends hate it?

What we have now is so wonderful that I don't want to mess up by wanting more.

I wish I could transfer what I feel from my coworker to my neighbor.

I have no idea what my next move is now.

Of course, I shouldn't start dating someone when I'm in love with another person, but I really don't want to hurt my neighbor. She's a very good friend and deserves so much better.

Date your neighbor.

As in, literally, go on some dates. Spend some time with her where the intention is clear that you're getting to know each other in a romantic context. You're not promising each other the world, just giving it a chance. You don't have to be already in love with someone to go on some dates with them. And hey you never know, maybe you'll hit it off. And if you don't, then you don't and that's fine.

I don't know you or any of these people ofc, but in my experience, I think a lot of time when people are hung up on someone they know would be bad for them, it's out of this like. Fear. Because it's safe to feel good about someone you know would be an actual wreck if you dated. But it also means you're putting your life on pause for nothing.

I can DEFINITELY relate, I've absolutely been in the situation where I'm in love with someone that's rude, selfish, but for some reason has direct access to my glands sdklhfsd and is just SO tender to me that it almost makes it feel worth it. But... it's just usually not. And if I'm being cynical, I could suspect that people like this dole out those moments of tenderness... not necessarily insincerely, but also because they like keeping people on the hook. It's how they operate to compensate for the other stuff.

So yeah idk. My advice is to always do the thing that is actually a thing, and not the thing which is actually sitting there feeling things. So yeah I'd say give your neighbor a shot :)

[sidhewrites]

three chapters in three days. Don't ask me how but it happened. Tag list is getting slightly longer, so I'm moving it to the bottom of the post now :)

Some of this chapter taken from the previous version of this project, but most of it is new.

Project Info

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

So I’m in the graveyard.

I’m not proud.

For the record, I did finish my ice cream first.

I hide my hair under a hood, more to keep it protected from any potential rain than to hide. I don't exactly stand out in a college town like this, with plenty of other young people of varying genders, sexualities, and hair styles. But it does help me hide a little better as I duck behind an eroded old headstone to spy.

If the team notices me, they don’t care. There’s seven people in all. Lourdes and Mick are the most recognizable as the hosts, but I can guess at everyone else's roles the director, their manager, the camera operator, the gaffer, and the sound technician. They argue about shooting schedules and locations, and whether this headstone is more photogenic than that one. Because, you know, carved rocks are really important for setting the mood.

The sound tech splits off, holding the boom mic this way and that with a furrowed brow. After a few minutes, she returns to the team with her concerns. “Do you think the rain will come back tonight? I’m not sure how clear our sound will turn out if it does.”

“You think we’ll lose the vocals in the background noise?”

I suppress a groan, and mutter, “Literally all your vocals are background noise.” It's so easy to influence how you hear the sound just by putting a subtitle underneath. Humans search for patterns in everything, from rock formations that look like faces, to random sounds that maybe kind of a tiny bit sound like someone whispering.

A voice hissed into my ear, cold breath on my skin: "Lies."

I yelped and fell over in my scramble to escape. "Jesus shit!"

A young woman sat next to me, laughing delicately. "Sorry, sorry. You looked so focused just then, I couldn't pass up the opportunity."

I don't know how she snuck up on me with a wardrobe like that. She's not just goth, but Gothic, with full Victorian regalia. Her dress had poofy sleeves and a bustle and everything, not to mention the black veil over her long, startlingly pale face made all the paler when compared to her dark hair. It felt like she could have chosen something slightly more practical to wear when kneeling in the mud to scare innocent people who absolutely weren't planning sabotage, but she also looked really good in the getup, so who am I to judge?

Okay, yeah, that was kind of funny. Despite the residual terror, I laughed as my pulse slowly returned to normal. "Okay, yeah, fair. That's fair."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm only 80% sure you didn't scare me to death."

She nodded, and looked back over to the group, who miraculously didn't seem to care about the fact that I'd screamed just a minute ago. Granted, we're far from the only people in the graveyard, but I'm still counting myself as lucky. I got comfortable and looked over as well. The team was still discussing the pros and cons of trying to catch any background vocals, and I scoffed.

"I can't imagine they really believe that stuff.

They hear a shoe scuffing and think it’s some long-dead spirit saying, get out.”

The woman shrugs. Her long face makes a delicate, benevolent expression, and I really have to admire her dedication to the goth aesthetic. “Maybe the shoe wants them to get out.”

I snort. “Maybe.”

“They do look rather serious about it all, don’t they?”

“Serious?” I peek over the headstone again to see the camera crew discussing angles. “I guess so, yeah. They’re probably behind schedule since they're still location scouting. According to their social media, this video's supposed to go out in a week."

“Hm.”

“Hm?” I glance over to see her looking at me. Even her eyes are dark, and I resist the urge to make comparisons to pools of water. There’s nothing poetic about two girls kneeling in the dirt behind a headstone at dusk. 

"They're making a video, you say?"

"Yep. It's the Haunted Archivists. I think they just reached two million subscribers last month."

"Ah! That makes sense." I glance over just in time to see a mischievous gleam in her eye. "Since they're already behind schedule, I think we ought to help them along, don't you think?"

"What do you mean?"

It's hard not to melt under her smile. "It's like you said. They hear a shoe scuffing and think it's a spirit trying to communicate."

It's even harder not to swoon at the idea of someone just as ready to sabotage these people as I am. I think I do a pretty good job sounding very calm and collected as I answer, "Sounds like they plan to start filming tonight."

Sure enough, the script supervisor or director or manager or whatever is hammering in the fact that call time was 10 pm, no exceptions.

"Shall we assume that's a call time for us as well?" she asks.

“You read my mind. Oh -- my name is Kaz, by the way.”

“Kaz, lovely! And you can call me Lucy. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Uh -- you, too? You, too.” I’m not going to ask her out for coffee. I’m not. I broke up with Josie two weeks ago. Instead of saying what my brain wants to say, I manage to shrug. “I have an EMF emitter at my apartment, and probably some other tools too, if you really want to mess with them.” The emitter was Josie's. I'm sure she wouldn't mind. Our schedules didn't line up for the next few days, and, even if they did, she wasn't texting me back about coming to pick up her stuff.

Lucy looks thrilled. She claps a hand over her heart and shakes her head. “Oh, we would be so wicked, wouldn’t we? Good young ladies wouldn’t dare do such things to those just trying to make entertaining documentaries, I’m sure.”

“I’m sure!”

“I hope they won't be too disappointed with a few whispered words. Most people like to see the ghosts limned in the moonlight, pale specters against the dark trees. Shall we reconvene once the moon is up?”

I stammer, realizing I’ve been staring, and nod. “Right. Yeah -- yeah, let’s do that. I’ll go get the EMF emitter and stuff. You want me to bring you a coffee?”

“Fantastic!” Lucy beams, first at me, and then out at the team once more. “I’m quite alright without one, but I’ll haunt you if you don’t come back.”

“Promise?” I say before thinking.

“I swear it on my grave.” She pats the headstone in front of us, solemn as can be, and giggles.

She’s so goth. It’s so cute, I can’t stand it. I hope she haunts me forever.

#

tag list:

@adaughterofathena

@ambreeskyewriting

@carnelianflames

@feather-dancer

@halfbloodlycan

@nadunacreates

@serenanymph

@vigilantdesert

[welcometocapitalism]

im worried that my previous ask is way too aggressive and might make you feel defensive and thats not helpful at all so i just want to explain that im so angry because it breaks my heart to see other people being violently harassed into submission just for saying something that isnt a popular opinion. you are quite literally being gaslit by a bunch of strangers who desperately dont want to have to think that hard about the material consequences of their own behaviors.

they are simplifying the issue in order to make you look unreasonable so that they can completely dismiss your opinion while giving you no way to defend yourself without making yourself look worse. its manipulative and coercive and vile. they have tricked you into condemning your own behavior and reinforcing that self doubt that THEY planted in you in the first place.

they are convincing you that you have to police yourself otherwise they will do it for you and they arent going to be nice about it.

they intentionally misunderstood what you were saying so that they could ignore the point you were making and thus avoid taking responsibility for their personal role in our capitalist society.

they are operating on this us vs them mindset of "good people" vs "bad people" and they think that they are a "good person" and that you are trying to maliciously assert that theyre actually a "bad person." its fascist behavior. they dont want to acknowledge their place in the web of life because then they have to be more careful about how they act and they simply do not want to. they think its their god given right to not have to do anything thats difficult and reflecting on how you are influenced by the oppressive systems you live in is not just difficult but uncomfortable!

you are forcing people to confront some very very uncomfortable truths about themselves and they are reacting the only way they know how: by lashing out at the people around them.

it is a reflection on THEM not YOU. their reaction doesnt say anything about you or the opinion you stated and everything about the experiences and expectations and knowledge that inform the way they think about the world around them.

i just dont feel comfortable standing by and watching this happen to someone else. so i dont know what it means to you but, i completely agree with your original point and i am more than happy to defend it if you dont feel comfortable doing so. i know how scary it can be to face down a mob of people who you know might turn to violence if you dont comply and i know most people dont find it as easy to take harassment as i do. i am more than willing to fight the fight if you cant.

idk just. be kinder to yourself. you cant let these people get to you. i knows it so fucking hard. its so so fucking hard. but you dont have to do it alone.

i hope youre okay.

hey fren, I've seen it all but I'm sorry I'm not gonna respond to all that, I'm very thankful for your kind thoughts and words but it's kinda a bit much 😅

just know we're on the very same track about the whole thing. It's absolutely hilarious what some people wrote to me about an already reworded opinion on pillows, and i can genuinely just laugh about that

this entire thread turned so badly into satire with so many layers that it could almost be considered an artistic expression. after all, this is the internet, which was kinda the original ordeal of the post, and I took it and made it 1000% funnier by writing too quickly and then people came and made it 10000% funnier by becoming embarrassingly entrenched in some random ass online discourse

I like to half jokingly call this kind of behavior 'internet sickness', since as you also noted you can find this kind of behavior all over the internet. people see an entire universe full of people that seemingly get the attention they don't, but humans are fueled with attention, so sometimes you see someone do literally anything for that tiny tad of attention, even if they don't mean it. this may sound familiar from the way I word my posts sometimes, because as I made clear as day, I'm not better than that sometimes.

Admittedly, I also suppose not all of the angry asks and comments would have been so hostile if tumblr would show late reposts with their comments on an original post more clearly, which isn't so easy. This is why I pinned yet another polarizing post about it with a comment about the situation 🤭 some people would rather click to start another shitstorm than click to find out there's no reason for them to freak out. But often in the internet people don't freak out of hostility, but because they realize (but refuse to accept) they identify with something about the cause in some way, so that would be a positive thing I suppose. It's up to each of us individually to grow from that.

i don't get hard feelings about these people, and genuinely as a former Twitter user I'm kinda used to it. it's just an annoyance at some point, but I suppose it's also the attention I was looking for 💁

After all, I get to post this lyrical masterpiece once more in a well fitting context

[exoticalmonde]

Hoederer, The Hottest Sarkaz

Me: Reading Hoederer's diary from the translation on Wikipedia.gg

Me: "Oh god. Oh no. Am I allowed to do this?" Lundi: "Go on, it's right there." Kryo: "If you're close enough I'm pretty sure he'd be okay with it." Me: "Who is ready to cry with me?" Lundi: Indescribable groaning noise Me: "Okay, Lundi disagrees with that." Lundi: "No, I was just stretching." Me: "Oh-" Kryo: "It's alright, you can keep reading." Me: "Really? Okay. Thank you for allowing me this." Kryo: "You allow it for me all the time!" Me: "Because it's nice when you read stuff to me." Kryo: "Is it because I rarely do it or because you enjoy the sound of it?" Me: "Let's just say both and not be offended by it." Kryo: "A- I see how it is. Alright. You like it because I barely read most of the time." Me: "You can't say that to the expert reader in the chat and not expect me to be upset by it."

---

Me: Continues reading the story. Lundi: Listening intently Panko: Working Kryo: "…" Me: Reading Kryo: SSNOOOOOOORRREEE Me: Pauses Lundi: "Oh?" Me: "Is Kryo napping?" Lundi: "Kryo?" Kryo: "Yeah?" Me: "Were you sleeping?" Kryo: "No?" Lundi: "Sounds like a lie." Me: Continues reading Lundi: Listening Kryo: "…." Me: … Kryo: SNOOOOOOOREEEEE Me: Continues reading through the story but I'm definitely losing it trying not to laugh knowing that if I stop reading he will wake up Lundi: Also trying to hold back laughter Me: Finishes story Lundi: "Who was it? Who was the napper?" Me: "Kryo." Kryo: "I wasn't sleeping!" Me: "You were snoring all over the place. It's fine if you were sleeping, it's okay if you didn't hear what I read. I really won't be mad, I just need to know if that was you snoring." Lundi: "Yeah, no, it's absolutely fine." Kryo: "I was not sleeping, I could hear everything." Me: "Look, I too, when I fall asleep in call, still have a minor sense of hearing so I can listen to the conversation. And then when you wake me up by saying 'Eve' or something, I can be in the call knowing what you were talking about." Lundi: "That's a freaking superpower."

Talking about Hoederer still. I just... Can't stop ok.

Me: "I just like my men visually impaired." Lundi: "Like us?" Me: "YEAH. ALL of you are visually impaired so I don't have to worry you see my flaws the way I do." Lundi: "YAY." Kryo: "So out of all of us I'm the blindest?" Me: "I'm pretty sure Lundi is the blindest." Lundi: "I literally have ONE eye and it is struggling." Kryo: "And glasses don't work for me." Me: "It's okay, I'm following you close." Lundi: "Horrible decision really." Kryo: "I advise against that." Me: "You guys are saying it like I have a choice! I don't." Lundi: "If you yell at your eyes hard enough it's fine." Kryo: "I heard carrots are good for the eyes. Shove one in there and you'll be fine." Me: "A carrot a day keeps the blindness away."

---

Me, reading directly: "Custom-made to suit each Operator's experiences and needs, these outfits are designed to provide them maximum flexibility on any battlefield. Furthermore, this is all done without compromising the comfort that they've come to expect." Me: "I'm pretty sure Hoederer doesn't expect any comfort in his life." Lundi: "That's what you're there for." Me: Melting

Kryo: "The suit can't comfort him from your prying eyes."

[kimberlyannharts]

Hi there! I just wanted to drop in and say how much I've enjoyed your reviews on the new Coinless comic. I have to admit I ordered a physical copy, decided I absolutely couldn't wait, and got the kindle version the night before it released.

I don't really have people in my life that appreciate the PR fandom lol. I love talking about the comics but alas no one knows what I'm talking about. I really like the grittiness and futuristic feel of the Coinless Universe.

I confess I wrote some PR fanfics back in 2013 and my favorite character to write was the Evil Green Ranger. He was so much fun because I could be an absolute a-hole. It was a way to blow of steam.

When they introduced Lord Drakkon, I was intrigued because it was very in line with my version being a sadistic killer. I know people aren't a fan of the Jason being alive retcon but I laughed because it was on-brand with what my character would do. No quick easy death for the leader on his watch. Too much fun to toy with and also having a juicy secret when battling the Coinless.

I wasn't a fan of how they made Jason act like a d!ck but I thought about it and felt bad for him in the end. I know he was a teenager when he was imprisoned, mentally/physically tortured, and isolated. He lost a large chunk of formative years: graduating, venturing out in the world, getting a career, meeting a partner.

Then he's suddenly released into this alien new world where he doesn't understand how things have changed. He's operating on an outdated mindset. Not to mention severe PTSD and having to immediately deal with another monster before he can really process this new world. I'm guessing mental health services are probably lacking in the Coinless World, poor guy.

In the end, I wanted to give him a big hug in DND. And seeing how he was in this issue too. My heart!!!

And lol.... I joyfully shrieked/cackled when he gut shot Drakkon with the shotgun!! Beautiful!!!! I do hope he ultimately survives whether he takes up a suit or not.

I'm sure the Slayer will pull through too; I also enjoyed that bit with Drakkon losing his sh*t over losing her! I can't wait until the follow up.

Sorry so long; again I don't have anyone here that gets what I'm interested in :)

I will be totally honest here, part of my hatred for the retcon isn't just from how little sense it makes - part of it was also because I feared Boom was going to pander to the crowd that wanted King Tyranno to be canon. And while DND turned out to take a interesting spin on the concept, people still came out of it thinking that Jason was now automatically Drakkon's greatest foe and rival when it had been established for years that it was Kimberly/Ranger Slayer. (You know....the person who was trying to establish herself as basically A Good Drakkon in the very series that brought back Jason??????) And that attitude still annoys me to this day. It's not the books' fault, but it's just something that'll always exist as long as the fandom and Jason fans are Like That.

But as of now my opinion on Coinless Jason is just......if he has to be here, what they're doing with him is fine. Just don't go too far with him.

Especially when literally the only thing I care about now is SLAYERRRRRRRR and the potential for possessed!Slayer vs Drakkon angst >:)

[plothooksinc]

fic writer's asks: 💫?

���what is your favorite kind of comment/feedback?

First let me go on record as saying ANY. ANY IS GOOD. I get nervous and discouraged very easily, which tends to make me clingy where comments are concerned so every sign of actual engagement with my work makes me very relieved. However, I know how hard it is to comment on stuff when you aren't operating on a full bandwidth--me leaving comments to other people has always felt like pulling teeth, I am so bad at being eloquent-- so I'm also not going to be like "how dare you" if you don't? I understand and my insecure brain can just go shut up and sit in the corner for a bit, that's all.

To qualify that though-- my absolute favourites are the ones where readers quote back lines to me and tell me why that resonated, because I get to sit there and cackle and know that I've hit the correct targets, as it were. Or reviews that are distinctly designed to make me laugh because trust me, I will be cackling about that gif you left me for literal days. |D I am not picky! I will take any and all commentary. I don't mind people questioning why I did things. I don't mind suggestions.

I do get vaguely annoyed at criticism which is pointless? Or the occasional left field comments that come out of nowhere like call me a bitch for deleting my slave fic (I??? never wrote one of those???) or tell me it's very clear that I wrote Underdark because I secretly ship Mikey/Leo (miss me with that entirely thanks) but most other things I am happy to see rock up in my inbox even if it's as simple a comment as "lol yoyo splinter", which tells me very little but does tell me you at least giggled at something.

Thank you!

Fic writer ask meme here.

[stardust-in-my-mind-blog]

mindshift progress report

So, whenever I embody "I'm going to fight god and everyone else I don't give a fuck" mode, things tends to shift in the overhead baggage departments. When I roll survival and decide to choose fight... well, it takes a lot out of me. I much prefer running away or fawning. Still learning how to get out of freeze. Also, I don't think I mentioned that the old man that I yelled at for threatening and scaring the shit out of me was wearing a literal JESUS SPORTS JERSEY. I made limited eye contact, of course, but staring at a sparkling gold embroidered "Jesus" while I was giving him a scolding for learning how to regulate his own damn emotions was a little off putting. Kind of glad Jesus is known more for wine than thunderbolts. Yesterday I was feeling kind of awful. Things aren't moving at the speed of light like I want them to, especially in terms of my regressed skillsets, and I just... felt the usual hopelessness I tend to get when I'm actually making an effort and things don't fall perfectly into place. Naming my blessings is kind of boring because I'm already a diehard optimist, so a progress report to make me feel better should get me started in the right direction today. Little boost of confidence. Singing/Hobby ---> Getting better and better and I'm more comfortable with it and have made friends and joined a little community and actually LOOK FORWARD to socializing as long as no one really pays attention to me for to long. check

Dancing/Cardio ---> using my mirror neurons in a fun way to embody actual songs instead of singing them in the dark with my eyes closed in the shower is helping me loosen up a bit for performances I think. Also, it's so fun to imagine myself dancing in those little worlds as those fun characters. check

Karaoke/job? ---> Since administrative tasks are difficult for me because my executive function regressed and I'm terrified of another burnout... this one has been tricky. I was hoping my confidence from other spheres would move this along, but I'm still... struggling. Ugh. Luckily, in true me fashion, I already put out a feeler out at the karaoke business that runs at the bar I sing at. I've watched the three women that operate it closely, and I can envision myself doing that job. It's less interactive with the public than waitressing would be. The two women that work there hug me when I come to the bar so I think that means we are friends (even though I don't know their names). The owner of the business has taken time to come talk to me a few times, praised my singing, and made a really strong pitch for an apartment she is renting out in full detail. So she must think I'm okay too. I asked if they needed people last week, but since the woman I was talking to and I are both autistic... the conversation spiraled into something else and I didn't get a direct answer. I likely didn't ask the right question. But I did have the right intention. I'll build on that tonight. Plus, since it's a local business, there will be less forms and applications and absolute bullshit my poor executive function will not touch without sending me into fight or flight. So, as usual, trying to find a work around for my current limitations. check

Kids/awesome ---> Since I will now have two dethroned kings, I should come up with a name for them to keep them straight. Maybe calling them by their horoscope signs for now will keep things neutral. Also, no one can say I didn't try to make it work with earth. Taurus had a work trip, so I've had the kids full time this week. It has been more work and stressful, and because of that I've had to let go of my perfectionism a bit. Today when we were running late for school we decided today was our villain era and played anti-hero songs to laugh about our nervousness. It's all working out even if I'm fucking things up. That's nice. They're also able to be really honest with me in their struggle with the awkward dynamics of playing house with Virgo and not being able to help myself when he's shitty and I have a deep need to be shittier. They've also commented that when he and I start sniping at each other that it must be like how we feel when they fight. They aren't wrong. I'm glad we all get to experience the pleasure. check

So, unlike yesterday, where I was convinced I was a wreck of a human making a disaster of my life... things aren't so bad and I am making progress and the world is ok. Yay.

[mr-tony-stark]

Tony laughed and shook his head. "You are completely welcome to call him grandpa, but you keep my name out of it," he joked. He could already see Jarvis' face if Clint tried to do that. And Tony knew he'd think of a way to get back at him. But Tony knew that if Tony did have kids, Jarvis would absolutely insert himself as a grandfather figure. She when he sponsored Lupe all those years ago, he ended up filling that kind of role. And he was practically there again with Nadia. "I do think he's going to have fun though. He agreed very fast at the mention of a baby. He didn't even ask why I needed a baby sitter for a few hours. Just why I had a baby in the first place. But then I guess he knows I go to meetings."

He shrugged at the mention of his auto alert. "Luke really doesn't give a shit. It's just the law and it means that I'm not just automatically detained for being in the armor. But the message is like; 'Iron Mas passing through - you're welcome for the tourist dollars.' But he can't do shit about it if I'm not superheroing. I think the spider-people and whoever else just do it anyway. Since when has a spider-man been worried about the cops trying to stop them? The X-Men are working on diplomatic immunity."

I REALLY FUCKED THINGS, HUH.

Tony looked at him, stopping walking for a second, so that Clint gets a few steps ahead. Tony knows what that level of self-loathing feels like. What it's like to feel like everyone is against you and that every choice you've ever made has ended up being the wrong one, despite how right they felt in the moment.

He caught back up with Clint and his hand went back to your shoulder. "Not that I'm saying you didn't fuck some shit up, Clint, but the vigilante shit - that's not on you. Luke inherited those laws from Fisk, and you can't just change them overnight. I know he's working on it. I also know he's looking at doing something with the Thunderbolts name because the law literally just states only the Thunderbolts can operate in the city."

He rubbed Clint's back. "You didn't do this."

There's that pause, halt in the rhythm as they are walking, as Clint has answered Tony's question with an honesty that he normally was not prone. Typical answers from him sounded a lot like I'M FINE. Instead, he's being honest that he doesn't know how he feels with confessing to Jarvis that he's an alcoholic.

Admitting that he isn't sure he's happy with how that went, with the words he had chosen to say. A wrong thing said here, or could have been said better with less nerves audible in his voice. The thing was that from an objective standpoint and Jarvis' reaction, it went well. Other than the fact that the butler would not let him beat around the bush and held him under a stern gaze.

Tony had his points, all of them were the right kind of points to be made out. JARVIS WOULD KNOW. He had been there with Tony, been witness to Carol, and like Clint had made his own point to Jarvis. He was sure the man know, suspected, in fact he knows he had but Clint avoided any conversation or took off or the world needed saving and the time to address it slipped away.

HE JUST EXPECTS YOU TO TRY. A sigh is let out as Tony draws his hand away and they continue to make their way down the street, taking a turn to the left, and making their way in the general direction of the church building.

❝ Well, yeah, I'd be crying and cranky too; but again. It's gonna be better for her, you want her to sleep at night, right? Happy, healthy baby. ❞ Clint does laugh, delight over Tony pointing out that Jarvis is in his grandpa era because he can see the deadpan expression of the man if he ever said that.

❝ So, you're saying I should call him grandpa. Tell everyone to do that, say you started it. ❞ WILL HE EVER NOT HARASS THE MAN? No, but at this point, Jarvis expected it.

THE JANET BAR THING WAS INTERESTING. ❝ I think you missed the VIP part, not for onlookers. Imagine she's just trying to give people a place to bitch about the laws. ❞

A BAR. Clint would agree that he won't be doing that, he doesn't think he could handle it. It's all too new for him, too freshly sober to trust himself to be around any people with alcohol. PLUS HE'S NOT IN GOOD GRACES.

❝ Does that really pass as a heads up? ❞ Clint feels some guilt, he was smart enough to know he contributed to this mistrust. Going around as Ronin, acting as an unknown new guy on the streets. GETS that the average New Yorker and city needs to gain trust, wants to know whose in the suit and why. He thinks this check in law was super scummy. ❝ So what do the guys with secret identities do, like Spiderman? Got like what an anonymous line or something? ❞

He gets its to get rid of vigilantes, hold heroes responsible, and give people awareness. Clint goes out and plays vigilante than screws it up for everyone else.

❝ I really fucked things huh. ❞

[troglobite]

laskjdfldksj

well.

i'm extremely good at figuring out and intuiting the rules of games and gameified situations.

i don't need to read an instruction manual--often those are poorly written and more confusing

all i need to do is watch 5-15 minutes of gameplay, and i completely understand what's going on, and will be able to figure it out and replicate it better than the ppl i'm watching play the game.

there are exceptions of course--like longform deck building games. i can figure out exactly how to play them, but knowledge of every single card, the meta on strategies and specific decks, and the whole thing w like different color decks etc., that all still takes a lot of time to study and memorize, of course. i can't cheat familiarity with all of the cards and the meta on strategy, i can just figure out the rule systems in which they're playing and strategizing

games with much simpler rules and gameplay, i can easily figure out the strategies for, though

anyway all this to say

this is exactly the same kind of thinking and problem solving and attention that i apply to social situations

i just now realized that part of why i remain so quiet in new situations isn't just because i'm scared and don't wanna fuck up, i'm also intensely observing. and i've always known that i was observing, but i figured it was like, optimizing for Which Mask Do I Wear Here/With These People

but no, i'm also intensely figuring out the social norms and rules. that obviously takes a LOT LONGER, but i can figure it out.

and honestly i think this is why streamers with irritating chats are SO fucking irritating to me

i'm like--you JUST popped in, you didn't read the chat rules, you don't know anyone or anything here, and you're just??? DEMANDING ATTENTION??? WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM???

which is perfectly in line w my trauma response character flaw of

"I BENT OVER BACKWARDS AND EXPENDED ENERGY I DIDN'T HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW BEST TO OPERATE IN THIS SITUATION AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN TRY? WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU? HORRIBLE! ABSOLUTELY DETESTABLE! BEGONE FROM MY SIGHT YOU FUCKING MISTAKE!"

anyway like i said trauma response character flaw :)

i never say anything like that out loud or treat anyone much different at all based on that, it's just my internal narrative/monologue

and it's entirely rooted in my own bullshit

and when it's games and their rules, i can play it off for laughs. "don't read the instructions i can just tell you how to play" or jokingly 'screaming' at the game designer themself getting the rules of the game wrong, when they spent years on it and i learned it in 20 mins by watching ppl play incorrectly (and i figured out how/why they were playing incorrectly)

but when it's real fucking life and socializing, it's not fun or funny, and i simply don't vocalize it.

but i'm realizing this kind of behavior is all the same thing.

this is also what allows me to, for the most part, bake something correctly on my first attempt. i just watch people do it a few times, learn to intuit what the instructions mean, then just Do It.

i'm one of those people who says "just follow the fucking recipe" (not literally, but like, metaphorically) bc to me it just Makes Sense that you would Follow The Recipe and It Would Work. like if you're following the recipe, how do you fuck that up?

ohhh my god now realizing this is also probably why i was good at test taking in school.

i simply figured out what the fuck the test wanted from me, studied the correct stuff, and i didn't sweat abt it bc if i didn't know, then i could make a decent guess. you just strategize and figure out what the test is, y'know?

same fucking thing in school in general--just figure out the rules and expectations, follow and meet them, boom done.

and now here i am also a person who enjoys puzzles. escape rooms, riddles, literal puzzles. //sigh

all of those are mostly fun for me bc of the satisfaction of figuring something out and being right.

i'm trying to decide if that's bad or not, but i'm seriously congested and am developing a horrible headache bc my bed smells like lysol

even though i've used lysol to "spruce" up my mattress and the weighted portions of my weighted blankets DOZENS of times WITHOUT ISSUE, for SOME reason, this time EVERYTHING REEKS OF LYSOL and it WON'T GO AWAY even though it has been FUCKING HOURS and i'm NOT EVEN TOUCHING ANYTHING THAT HAD LYSOL ON IT

IT ALL AIRED OUT AND GOT COVERED BY SOMETHING ELSE

SO WHY AM I SMELLING LYSOL

anyway i'm literally in hell and here was a useless look into how my brain works

final thought that just occurred to me:

everybody who's been playing dnd for 15 years, and exclusively 5e for several years: wait, okay so their AC is 15? i rolled a 15. what does that mean?

me, screaming and tearing my hair out: MEETS IT BEATS IT!!!!! I'M GOING TO LOSE MY MIND!!!! YOU HIT THEIR ARMOR CLASS!!!!!! AKSJDHFALK HFLAHJSFKSDJ

anyway :)

i'm a rules lawyer for games in case that wasn't clear. and being a dm AND a rules lawyer is basically impossible. :)

everyone needs a rules lawyer! including for homebrew rules and rulings! just so long as you're not a dick abt it :)

[jennagrinsoverml]

⛽️👶🏻🥰🍭✏️

⛽️ Name a fic that you got energy from after reading.

I’m not entirely sure what this means, tbh. Maybe a funny fic like œuf ouch owie since I tend to get energy from laughing?

👶🏻 First fic you remember reading?

Answered here.

🥰 Your comfort fics that you can re-read several times and still love them?

Oh gosh. So many. I download all of my favourite fics as epub files onto my ipad and, especially when I'm tired and don't have the energy for something new, I'll just go through and read the same fics over and over and over again.

By no means an exhaustive list, but all of the fics off my Must Reads rec list, A Secret Worth Keeping, The Prescription and Super Fan by @gabriel-agreste-has-no-rights, Operation: Bisou and most of @ghostlyhamburger's smutty one-shots, i think it’s time i told you (i’m a fan of your universe), tell me what you want so we can do just what you like and the Hey there, hot stuff~ series by @clairelutra, Bad Week by @ominousunflower, Banter series, Stars series, A Cat of Their Own, Bet, Jealousy, Enthusiasm and The Open Line by @sariahsue, A Nice Matching Set by @bridgetinerabbit, The Pole Kit and Kaboodle by @chatonne-rousse,  rumour has it by @settledownsummer, twists and turns and your lips are meant to be kissed by @zimtlein, (Emergency) Boyfriend by @nomolosk, Maintaining a Professional Distance and Off the Mark by @buggachat, pretty lady, look at how he's smiling, our hands would not be taught to hold another's (literally just reread this Thursday night for the umptieth time) and Me, My Best Friend, and Her Cat by @ladyofthenoodle, and of course after reading that last one I have to read the sequel, A Miraculous Reveal: Locked in a Closet by you (and of course all your reveals but I linked those already in the Must Reads post) and The Five Minute Adventures of Snake Noir.

Also my own stuff because it's all written exactly to my tastes lol

Favorite fic trope?

M U T U A L P I N I N G ! ! !

I go absolutely wild for two people being absolutely stupid in love with each other and thinking their feelings are unrequited and pining away. Far and away my favourite trope! (Honourable mentions go to fake dating and identity reveals.)

✏️ Ever gotten inspired to write your own fic after reading someone elses?

Experimental Kisses by @komorebirei. Basically Ladybug agrees to kiss Chat because it's not fair that he doesn't remember his first kiss. She sets some ground rules including that it doesn't change anything or mean anything. Except that after she experiences "what it feels like to be kissed by someone who loves you with all of their being" well....it affects her.

There's some fantastic flirting and banter, and then Ladybug leaves and the fic ends. And it's wonderful! But I'm obsessed with what happens next.

In my head, that kiss keeps her up at night for weeks until she finally caves and asks for more. I just love her not being able to stop thinking about it. And it driving her absolutely crazy. Because she wants to kiss him again.

But she can't, obviously. Of COURSE she's not going to kiss Chat again. But she wants to.

It's all she can think about. She's distracted in class, distracted out with her friends (she was so distracted she even missed Adrien greeting her once! Alya thought she was sick)

But the worst is when there's an akuma attack or they have patrol because Chat is RIGHT THERE and she knows how easy it would be to kiss him again and she wonders if it would be as good as she remembers or if she's built it up to something bigger than it was in her mind

And then one night she lets something slip, maybe asks Chat if he's kissed a lot of girls before or something like that. And he catches on right away: "you're still thinking about it!" Excited. Hopeful.

And she tells him to shut up but her cheeks are on fire.

And then he's like "we could kiss again, you know. If you want."

And she should say no, right? This is a terrible idea. She never should have said yes the first time.

But.... she can't stop thinking about it. Maybe one more kiss will help her finally put this out of her head.

She agrees.

And he kisses her again, gently but insistently like before, but this time SHE KISSES HIM BACK.

And it's EVEN BETTER.

And then I'm imagining like weeks of ladynoir makeouts...and that was as far as I got!

I've also got a partially written fic playing in @buggachat's Bakery Enemies AU, but giving Adrien's POV.

(For the Fic Readers Ask Game)

[enluv]

Through the years, I've always loved you.

— kang taehyun x fem!reader

word count: 808..!

genre/warning(s): f2l, skater!taehyun au, cursing, mutual pining, yeonjun is a brat but it's for the greater good! I am not too familiar with skate terms so if they don't make sense/seem odd then blame my small knowledge about skating.

coco's ♡ note: hello!! this fic is my baby, I am absolutely in LOVE with it, and it was so much fun to write!! skater!txt is my new favorite concept omfg.

Kang Taehyun is many things but he is not a liar. He doesn't deceive nor does he trick, but when it comes to his feelings, he's sure to lock them far away. He'd rather die then ever admit his true feelings for you, friendship is as far as you both go and he's finally learned to accept that.

He sits at a bench, arms covered in small scraps, band-aids liter his body as fresh ones roll in. He's trying to learn a new trick on his board but his mind is elsewhere – said elsewhere is you. Not even ten feet away, you stand laughing at some lame joke Yeonjun tells you. It makes his blood boil but nonetheless he stays quiet.

When Taehyun had introduced you to the friends he'd met at the skatepark earlier this year he'd already told them (ever so sternly) that you were off limits. If they messed with you then they messed with him, and no one wanted to mess with him.

"Y/N how about we go out for some food later," he hears Yeonjun ask.

"Oh that'll be fun, we can invite the boys and ask if they want to join. I'm sure they'll be hungry, especially after all the new stunts they're trying today."

Your response has him silently doubled over in laughter as he clutches his sore stomach. Of course you'd respond that way, you're clueless when a males attention is set on you. He'd know, you've been clueless your entire life with him. The last thing Taehyun sees is Yeonjun's sly smile falter as you turn away from him, and it leaves his mind on cloud nine.

Don't get him wrong here, it's not like he's never tried to confess, it's just that when he does try things never seem to go his way. Like the time when you were 13 and he wanted to so badly kiss you in the butterfly garden on your school's field trip, or the time when you both turned 16 and he desperately tried to muster up enough courage to give you his confession letter along with a birthday card, that obviously didn't work out but it would have definitely worked, or so he thinks. You're both 19 now and with so many new friends and new interest around you, it's hard to even get a word in. Taehyun has to sit and watch as you slip through his fingers once again.

Yeonjun thinks Taehyun's a coward and also a little dumb because any sane person can see that you clearly long for him the way he does for you, and he's just trying to help the process. His first plan – flirt with you, backfires completely because god forbid you from seeing his obvious tactics but he's not a quitter and goes on with his plan. Operation: get Taehyun (or you) to confess because you both look like lost puppies following one another around.

Taehyun's annoyed and anyone with eyes can see it. His moves are stiff and lacking causing his body to fall in odd ways. It's hard to watch as he wipes out for the nth time today. His mind is focused on you who's sat opposite him on a park bench and the annoying fly that's been attached at your hip. Yeonjun not be taking the hint that you're not interested and don't want a single thing to do with him and it pisses Taehyun off to no end.

"You know if you're so mad why don't you go over there and tell her how you feel," asks a very amused Beomgyu. None of the boys had ever seen Taehyun act this way, it's entertaining to say the least.

Beomgyu's suggestion goes right over his head as he stalks over to where you sit, fists turning white as he holds his board tighter with each step.

"Move," he says, leaving Yeonjun and yourself speechless at the almost malicious tone he harbors. And with a simple nod Yeonjun is off, his work here is done.

"Taehyun what's wro-"

"I'm in love with you."

The words roll out his mouth before he can even comprehend them but your surprised face says it all. Kang Taehyun, the boy you've known since you were 5, the same boy you've loved for many years now, your Taehyun, had just confessed his love for you.

"Oh well that's great, I'm in love with you too."

"You are?" His voice is an octave higher this time and disbelief is plastered on his face.

"Yes of course, I've always loved you."

"Okay cool, should we like date?" His response leaves you with a wide smile.

"Yeah we should like, date," and in the near distance you can hear the other boys cheer as Taehyun brings you into his arms, placing a soft kiss to your lips.

coco's ♡ note: you are in love with taehyun. dedicated to my gf sugar plum gum drop cinnamon apple ‐ @bb-fic-rec !

[jamespotterthefirst]

Hi Bree! I enjoyed reading your headcannon of L&E's children! It was such a fun read, I'm hooked with their family life 🥰 Because of this, I got inspired to come up with a Q&A for the kiddos. The interview is set 12 years after Lilac & Ethan became new parents. You will be answering as the AllenSey kids (with special appearances of Lilac & Ethan, as well). Hope you enjoy 'em! x

—

For Jonah, Dolores, Jasmine & Violet:

• If someone gave you $100 what would you do with it?

• If you could change any rule, which one would it be?

• Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

• Most likely to hide a stray pet?

• Most likely to tell a lie to get out of trouble?

• Most likely to steal their sibling's secret stash (food/toys/new stuff/etc.)?

• What do your mum & dad do in their free time?

• What is the one thing mum & dad is not good at?

• What do you admire most about mummy & daddy?

🧡

For Lilac & Ethan:

• What made you laugh today?

• Did someone get in trouble recently? If so, what happened?

• What are the hardest & easiest parts about parenting?

• What are the unexpected perks of parenthood?

• What advice would you give to younger versions of yourselves when you've just became new parents?

THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER THOUGH? I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU THANK YOU

For context, Jonah is 12, Dolores 9, and Violet and Jasmine are 6

For Jonah, Dolores, Jasmine & Violet:

• If someone gave you $100 what would you do with it?

Jasmine: Squishies!

Dolores: Yeah, so you'll stop stealing mine.

Jasmine: That was Violet.

Violet: I gave them back.

Dolores: After Minnie destroyed them.

Jonah: I would invest it.

Jasmine: What's ingest?

Jonah: Invest, like how Dad told us? That's why we have the beach house in Cape Cod?

Jasmine: I thought we had that because Dad owns the hospital?

Violet: Or because Mom is famous?

Jonah: *sighs* No, they double their money through compound interest when they invest.

Sisters: *stare blankly*

Jonah: Remember? When he sat us down that one time and explained the Rule of 72? If we take 72 and divide it by the annual interest rate, then we get the amount of years those $100 will double. So if I invest it at a rate of 5%, it will take 14 years to double.

Violet: ...

Jasmine: ...

Dolores: ... So you will be *counts with her fingers* 26 and have $200?

Jonah: Exactly.

Jasmine: *horrified* No, thank you. I want my money right now.

Jonah: If you invest--

Jasmine: I'm here for a good time, not a long time, big bro.

• If you could change any rule, which one would it be?

Dolores: The "no electronics after dinner" rule. I want to play Roblox with my friends before bed.

Jonah: I would change the "if you don't know how to operate it, leave it alone." Sometimes I want to break things apart and put them back together but Mom won't let me.

Violet: Leaving Jenner out in the yard during dinner is cruel. He's part of the family. He should be inside with us.

Dolores: Dad only made up that rule because you feed him half of your dinner.

Violet: Because he's a growing boy! He needs food.

Jasmine: I would change the "treat people and property with kindness or respect" rule. Sometimes I just want to kick a toy of my way after a long day--

Lilac: *throws her "the look" from the distance*

Jasmine: *falls silent*

• Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

Jonah: Providence with Grandpa Alan. He always takes us to the zoo or WaterFire. It's so much fun.

Dolores: California with abuelitos and tia Laurel. They take us to Disneyland every time!

Jasmine: Not fair! Last time we went, we couldn't get on any rides.

Dolores: Because you two are literal babies?

Jasmine: At least I don't sound like one.

Violet: Or smell like one.

• Most likely to hide a stray pet?

*All of the siblings point at Dolores in unison*

Jasmine: She hid Minnie from Mom and Dad last year for a good week before they found out.

Jonah: And convinced them to let us keep her.

Violet: Dad isn't convinced yet.

Dolores: They're becoming friends! Minnie let him pet her for like two seconds the other day. Before she bit him. It was so funny.

• Most likely to tell a lie to get out of trouble?

*All of them point at Jasmine*

Jasmine: What? Dad said it reminds him of mom. He said she can talk her way out of getting arrested.

Jonah: Out of getting a ticket. They're different.

Dolores: Oh yeah, because the Policeman liked mom. Liked liked her.

Jasmine: Dad was not happy about that.

• Most likely to steal their sibling's secret stash (food/toys/new stuff/etc.)?

*They all point at Violet*

Violet: I give it back!

Jonah: After Mom makes you.

Jasmine: Or after Jenner, Minnie, or you break them.

Dolores: Yeah, Violent doesn't know her own strength.

• What do your mum & dad do in their free time?

Dolores: They love to drop us off at Aunt Sienna's and disappear all night.

Jasmine: We don't mind though because she always makes us the best chocolate chip cookies ever.

Violet: I like going to Uncle Elijah's. His video games are so cool.

Jonah: I like it at Uncle Bryce's. One time, he let me break their toaster apart and showed me how to put it back together.

Dolores: Yeah, Mom was not a fan of that.

• What is the one thing mum & dad is not good at?

Dolores: Dad is not a good liar.

*They all agree*

Jonah: I remember the time Jenner ripped the boots Tia Laurel had given Mom. He told us not to say anything.

Jasmine: Oh yeah, he said Mom wouldn't even notice.

Dolores: But then as soon as she got home, he panicked and asked her what size shoe she was. Then told her he was going to the store to buy something really quick.

Jonah: Mom figured it out right away.

• What do you admire most about mummy & daddy?

Dolores: That they're doctors.

Jonah: That they save lives.

Jasmine: That they own the hospital.

Violet: That they're famous.

🧡

For Lilac & Ethan:

• What made you laugh today?

Lilac: Probably Jonah explaining the Rule of 72 to his sisters.

Ethan: *proudly* Definitely. And the girls having none of it.

Lilac: Imagine what they'll say when they find out you once drew a one dollar salary.

Ethan: I will never live it down. I already get enough taunting from you. I'd never survive it if all four of them join in.

• Did someone get in trouble recently? If so, what happened?

Lilac: *nods solemnly* The usual suspects.

Ethan: Dolores and Jasmine.

Lilac: Jasmine somehow hacked into her Roblox account and deleted all her friends. It was a bloodbath.

• What are the hardest & easiest parts about parenting?

Ethan: Figuring out what the hell is Roblox?

Ethan: It's a delicate balance that is achieved through fairness and consistency.

Lilac: *laughing* This is why I had to take care of that incident.

Lilac: The hardest part of parenting is finding a balance between being a disciplinarian but also someone they can approach and trust. It's terrifying to think that in holding them accountable when they make a mistake, you risk them resenting you.

Lilac: The best part is definitely watching them become their own person, with distinct interests and personalities.

Ethan: Absolutely.

• What are the unexpected perks of parenthood?

Ethan: Having four extra pairs of hands to do chores around the house.

Lilac: *laughs and smacks his arm*

Ethan: *raising his brows at her* Don't tell me you don't enjoy not having to worry about dishes for the next 12 years?

Lilac: *scrunches nose* You're right. I don't miss those. It's no wonder you finally listened to my argument that the dishwasher wasn't the best way to get them clean.

Ethan: That's because we've acquired four little dish washers since.

• What advice would you give to younger versions of yourselves when you've just became new parents?

Lilac: Just try your best.

Ethan: Don't say "and have fun."

Lilac: What? It's true!

Ethan: My advice to our younger selves would be: "However scared or anxious you are feeling right now, I promise you... It's ten times worse."

Dr. Ramsey is just being overdramatic with the last one. He loves being a dad. OMG this was so fun! Thank you so much, my love!

[fayeimara]

Meant To Be Series || One For Every Billion

1. Operation: Meet Shiratorizawa

*Both written and SMAU parts this epsiode*

You hear the familiar sound as you open the door and look inside the gym. The Shiratorizawa campus is definitely impressive but nothing feels more familiar than walking into a strange gym filled with mostly strangers. Back home or a world away, volleyball is the same, perfect sport.

"Y/nnnnnn!"

You're smiling wide before you even lock eyes with your favourite redhead. "Tendou!"

Your greeting is muffled in a bear hug to beat all bear hugs and you can't help but laugh as you wrap your arms around your cousin's best friend.

"I am glad you could make it." Toshi is standing behind Tendou with a small smile and you pull away to give him a hug too.

"Let us introduce you to coach first, and then you can meet the others."

"Sounds good!"

The three of you walk over to the side where a small elderly man is scowling at the players on the court and when Toshi introduces you, you follow what you know of polite customs here and bow at the waist in greeting, "Thank you for having me!"

"I hear you play as a setter for a premier league."

Yeah, Tendou and Toshi weren't lying about his intimidating demeanor, but you're unfazed. You've dealt with some like him and they're good leaders in their own way.

"Yes, sir."

"You're quite short for your age."

You blink. You're pretty sure you're the average height for girls your age. You're definitely on or above average in your league even though you're not as tall as your hitters. Okay, cheeky, it is.

"Yes, sir. I hear that sometimes from opponents before we play. Not so much after a game, however, if at all." Tendou starts chuckling only to muffle it when the coach's sharp gaze locks onto him for a moment before focusing back on the court.

"Is that so." He finally looks over, making eye contact and drawing out the silence for a few quiet seconds. "Well, height isn't critical for a setter, though it's an asset."

"Yes, sir." You have to bite the inside of your cheek so you don't push it. You're aware of his status and tenure, after all. To someone like him, kids your age with a little cheeky boldness and confidence can be surprising and impressive. Too much is disrespectful and you're still a guest here at the end of the day.

He looks back at the team and you do startle a bit when he barks out, "Did I say it was time for a break?!"

Looking over to the court, you finally realize the practice game has all but stopped. You meet several wide eyed, disbelieving stares before they jolt back into motion.

Tendou and Toshi leave you there to rejoin their teammates with a grimace and a nod, respectively. You just smile blandly and take a seat next to their coach.

-x-x-x-

By the time Coach Washijo blows the whistle for the end of their practice, you've got a clipboard on your lap with notes and the begrudging respect of the ornery man beside you. Yes, you know your shit when it comes to volleyball and you didn't hesitate to use your knowledge to impress. You have a feeling he'll be taking a look at the link you wrote down to your national games at some point given the observations you pointed out. Mission: Success.

As the boys are grabbing water and towels and gathering around, Coach locks eyes with you once again to study you as you smile politely back at him, waiting for what he's chewing over. "You can visit again."

And then he stands to address his team before heading over to his office and leave them to clean up.

You look away from his retreating figure and, oh my, that's a lot of eyes on you. Why do athletes look so pretty? You smile wider and stand to introduce yourself, "Hello. I'm L/n, Y/n, Toshi's cousin. Nice to meet you all and thank you for having me here for this practice."

You bow and they start stuttering and speaking over each other while Tendou laughs, knowing you're also teasing a little. They're clearly flustered so it takes the edge of your own nerves and your smile relaxes into something a little easier.

"Wow.. that was.. different. I've never seen anyone interact with Coach like that." You look over to an ash haired boy, oh hello- "I'm Eita Semi. Nice to meet you.”

He sounds a little brusque.. hmm. He's their setter and knowing Toshi and Tendou...

"Semi-san, your sets... they really show your love for volleyball."

His mouth drops, hopefully in surprise, but you also hope you didn't say anything too forward? You know it's pretty different here and some things like feelings aren't used as carelessly in conversation but.. he's blushing. Oh no.

You try to correct, just in case, "I mean, I hope it's not presumptuous or inappropriate to say! I'm lucky to call myself a setter too, so from one to another, I just wanted to say I can see how much fun you have and it's inspiring!"

Okay, now Tendou is literally dying of laughter, bent over grabbing his stomach but you can see his face and yeah, he literally looks like the emoji that's crying with laughter. And- what?! Even Toshi is smiling a little, he knows that under your calm and playful exterior there's an impulsive, reckless storm.

Semi raises his hand up to the back of his head and you swear he's full on blushing. Okay, yeah, no, you're good. It might sound cruel but when you see people more embarrassed or flustered than you, usually, you find your own equilibrium steadies in response.

"That's- uh- thanks! I hear you're incredible. I mean, as a setter. I- Thanks."

The rest of the team has been looking on and slowly amusement and excitement is like a wave that slides across their features. One of his teammates hits Semi across the back, knocking him forward a bit, while teasing him about compliments from a pretty girl. But you politely pretend not to hear and focus on some of the other members as they start asking you about yourself and answering your return questions about each of them.

I think we can call Operation: Meet Shiratorizawa a success, you think, happily satisfied with the people your dear cousin has to call his teammates and friends.

Prev | Next

Masterlist

Behind The Scenes!

-Toshi is not directly related to Y/n but they might as well be brother and sister for how close they are

-He’s actually her (bear with me, please) dad’s brother’s sister-in-law’s son : Her uncle’s wife is an Ushijima - so her aunt by marriage is sister to Toshi’s mom.. I’m sorry, am I making any sense?

-Their mutual cousins will appear in the story, you’ve already seen their profiles in Family Matters: Kazuya, Akira, and Akari

-Tendou has known Y/n as long as he’s known Toshi and treats her like a cross between best friend and older brother, which means he’s sometimes mean, always teasing, and he will smack, cut, bury a bitch if they hurt her

A/N: Two things.. 1) I absolutely love Ushijima, I find he's seriously underrated. Although I guess I’m guilty here too because he’s Y/n’s family instead of a love interest 😔 If anyone ever wants to see a Toshi fic, let me know, I’ll do my best to work on his characterization 2) CHARACTERIZATION... guys, I’ve wondered this with all the HQ characters I’ve incorporated so far, but.. I don’t know if I’m hitting anywhere close to what they might actually be like in the scenarios I put them in?? So I apologize in advance, and profusely, for all the HQ characters that turn out not quite.. the way they should lol. The writing kinda sorta maybe gets away from me all the time 😅

I lied, there's a third.. I know I've made several posts on days that I've posted so far, and while I do hope to be consistent with a steady couple posts a week (particularly concerning this fic, or rather, not including other fics and stuff I might decide to post as I get more comfortable here), I may not always be able to deliver the same amount of content as I a) am still slowly getting a handle on the social media aspect and how to smoothly deliver it; and b) catch up to where I'm at in the story. So I just want you all to know, I really appreciate your patience with me <3

[bangchanswolfpelt]

okay LOVED all your hongjoong thoughts - the getting a good grade at sex part made me actually laugh out loud, he would genuinely be such a try hard in the most endearing way.

speaking as a fellow scorpio, i think you’re really right when it comes to him jumping ship and being irreverent with regard to the usual order of operations. i can totally see him already owning rope and various partner-based toys just because he knows he’ll want to use them once the right person comes along, lack of previous experience be damned.

also very much yes to his degradation - he’s a prime example of slut (affectionate) lmao!!

i think the thing about hongjoong that is kinda the underlying current of why he’s so alluring is how clever (?? for lack of a better word) he is. i feel like he’s going to be so tuned in, so curious about everything and that is a dream for an experimentalist switch scorpio. he’s smart and hard working, and that’s got some delicious implications in bed lol -💋

i never thought about him collecting toys and equipment before even finding a partner to use them with, but that’s so good!! 😭 i also somehow didn't think about Hongjoong and rope, but now i am—i bet he practices on himself out of a more abstract interest, then the feeling the rope sliding under his hands and seeing it wrapped around his limbs makes him realize that he's actually very into the idea of being on both sides of this experience. when he’s finally worked up the courage to start sending you saucy pictures, you definitely end up with pictures of him in chest harnesses he’s rigged up himself just to show his tits off to you. 🤤

i think i get what you mean by clever—he’s so interested in literally every aspect of sex, fascinated by the psychology of it, the physical reality of it, fascinated by you and by all the deliberate things you do to/for him, by all the unconscious tells you have. where some people act very instinctively during sex, Hongjoong’s almost painfully present and deliberate, he's taking in all your reactions and using them to figure out what buttons to push next. the gears in that sexy brain of his just do not stop turning, at least not until it's your turn to tie him down and throw a wrench in it all as you make him fall apart.

i feel like sharing with Seonghwa would be SO playful and sweet and intimate—like, he's sharing Seonghwa with you as much as he's sharing you with Seonghwa, because of course he wants his lover and his best friend to love each other as much as he loves them. 🥺 (he also definitely wraps you up in ribbons and rope for Seonghwa's next birthday 😈)

Joong's definitely taking notes when he watches you with Minhyuk and Chan, whereas with Changbin and Jisung, i think it's more like him being generous and sharing his toys? he's also one hundred percent showing you off—he's so proud that he can say that you're his, and giving his friends a taste of how sweet you are in bed just makes him a little more smug about the fact that he's the one you go home with at the end of the day.

i'm also really into the idea of a scenario where you used to kinda-casually hook up with Chan before things with Joong got serious, and when he somehow finds out (maybe you just tell him, or maybe he finds the sextapes you used to record 😳), he wants to invite him to join the two of you. Hongjoong knows so many secret little tricks that drive you wild, but Chan has so much practical experience with you; Chan can make you cum in under five minutes if he's determined to, but Hongjoong knows exactly what to say to drag a strangled little gasp out of you that Chan's never heard.

it turns into the two of them working together to absolutely unravel you—just imagine Chan's big hands guiding Hongjoong's clever, pretty fingers across your skin, or Hongjoong leaning in to whisper in Chan's ear with a sharp little smirk and Chan laughing with that sweet, dopey smile of his as they both look down on you with hot, greedy gazes. 🥵