#And what I read of Void Rivals is… fine

[youngerfrankenstein]

“Just put Robert Kirkman in charge of the whole Transformers franchise.”

Absolutely the fuck do NOT do that.

[theoldspark]

Not the anon who criticized Skybound on the confessions blog, but I saw your reply so I thought I'd send an ask. I'm a fan of Skybound but I can see a lot of valid criticisms wrt pacing (mostly action), a large cast with many characters that don't get enough page time (tho it isn't even That large yet so it's kinda more a TF problem in general imo...), subplots that take a long time to get addressed/resolved (tho I am reserving final judgement on this until #24 comes out which will be the end of DWJ's time as the writer of the series. I started reading Skybound around #14, imo as a binge read it's fine, but having to wait half a year or more for something to get resolved is killer. I never read traditional serialized American comics before the Energon Universe so I don't know if this is typical.) More specific criticisms would require spoilers.

I think whether you'd like it or not depends on personal taste, it isn't perfect but it's fun and the art is gorgeous. If nothing else is peak, the art absolutely is. The contrast between the super stylized and saturated G1 designs next to the super detailed humans and environments is crazy. The preview of the cover by DWJ for #20 (not out yet) is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Jorge Corona's penciling is also wonderful, the "skinned alive"/tortured Autobot in #8 is SO visceral and expressive. The issue that introduced Beachcomber was similarly breathtaking. The fight scenes are also incredibly dynamic (thanks to DWJ's background with wrestling). Reading it in hand is worth it for the spreads alone. Despite what I said about characters lacking pagetime, characterization is still strong - YMMV but it definitely has one of the best Optimus Prime's, and I'm a HUGE fan of their take on Elita. The humans are also done well! They actively add something to the story.

I guess the main thing is that when I try to think about what Skybound is doing NEW I kind of come up with a blank. Mostly small things so far. It hasn't lasted long enough to do anything crazy yet because it was committed to starting from ground zero. We only got Megatron in issue #18! And #19 was a flashback, so that's over a year and a half before Megatron became an active character. The war on Earth not immediately involving Megatron was very cool (especially if you like Starscream being petty and murderous) but the plot moves slowly. I've only read a bit of IDW so I unfortunately can't compare between the two of them. Idk how far IDW1 had gotten story-wise after the first 19~ issues they published. BUT...if you (general you) enjoy G1 (especially Sunbow G1 which is the "Bible" DWJ is using), there's really no reason why you wouldn't like Skybound? FWIW I only got into Transformers within the last year and watched all of G1 as an adult and loved it, so it's not a nostalgia thing for me, but it's def the closest retread of G1 done in years. Which I personally appreciate, since there's actually a lot of really interesting G1 stuff that never got touched again!.....but that's why I actually slightly prefer Void Rivals, which has the most "Season 3"/scifi stuff in it so far, including Hot Rod in the last few issues. (yay!) We're even getting Wreck-Gar this month.

Apologies for the super long ask! But I hope this was useful.

Thank you so much, anon! I appreciate you taking the time to answer something I commented elsewhere.

To be honest, whether it is said to be good or bad, I always prefer to judge for myself after I've consumed the actual source material and not just people's opinions that may very well be biased.

However, it did seem curious to me that many fans seemed to only have good things to say about Skybound, so I was intrigued by the anon ask that said the opposite.

Reading your ask, I'll say that Skybound sounds like something I would enjoy. Plus G1 (although I haven't watched it all) is one of my favorite Transformers series, so anything closely based on it gets kudos from me. But I do see where the other anon was coming from with the criticism. Slow-paced stories don't always work, especially when you only have 24 issues to tell it. And one thing I'm not sure I'll be a fan of that I've heard of is 'Optimus puts Earth before Cybertron' once again. I've never liked that trope, but to be fair it's not anything new for Optimus Prime's character.

Overall, for the things I know, it's a story worth giving it a chance. It may not be perfect, but hardly anything is in this fandom.

[littlespoonevan]

i think it's funny that there's a sort of inevitability to buck and eddie becoming a popular ship when you look at the start of s2. and it's not because they're two attractive guys or because of their chemistry or even because of what their relationship becomes later on. it's because of how eddie is introduced and folded into the narrative

with abby gone, there's a void in the show

maddie slips into her role at dispatch, taking over that 911 operator pov and offering the compassionate and clever perspective abby brought to the emergencies she dealt with

eddie, on the other hand, takes on her role in buck's life

abby is the person buck spends the most time with on a one to one basis in s1. abby is the one he talks to and who also confides in him when she's struggling. abby is the one he makes a conscious decision to step up for at the end of s1.

with her gone, it would make sense narratively to introduce a new love interest for buck. instead they introduce his sister (a dynamic we understand already exists, even if we don't know it yet) and his new coworker/best friend (and rival for approximately 20 mins lol) and everything abby was to buck and was for buck basically gets transferred to eddie. this is the person he's spending time with now, this is the person confiding in him, this is the person he can show up for over and over again because he wants to

i remember when i was watching the show for the first time back in 2021 i was trying So Hard not to get sucked in to buddie so i was very much watching as an outside observer. and i remember watching those first 4 or 5 eps of s2 and thinking, 'oh yeah i see why this is a thing because if this was a man and a woman all of this would be hinting to them falling in love down the line'

and even all these years and rewatches later it still reads like that!!!!

so much of those first couple of eps is orchestrating moments to establish buck and eddie's dynamic:

buck reassuring eddie during the earthquake that chris is fine before bringing eddie to pick him up at the end of the night (vs. say, buck helping abby look for her mom when she's goes missing and reassuring her, until he brings her to the hospital once she's found - significantly their first meeting and the thing that changes things between them).

and then buck taking eddie to the hospital when pepa calls about isabel's accident, giving bobby a head's up about eddie bringing chris to the station, discussing eddie's struggles with maddie bc he wants to help, calling carla to help eddie with childcare (all a direct parallel to bobby's encouragement he step up for abby and the way he did try to do that before she left)

those first few eps tell us eddie is Important to buck and he is personally invested in trying to make eddie's life better/more manageable (and on the flip side, they obviously need to create connections between eddie and the other characters if they want us to root for him. and with bobby and athena together, hen with karen, and chimney about to meet maddie for the first time, the only person missing a counterpoint is buck)

and none of this is me saying the show intentionally put eddie in abby's shoes (they definitely didn't) but from a purely logistical perspective of making eddie buck's primary new scene partner and when you consider the show didn't make the effort to establish ali as a new viable rival to what abby was for buck, it's like, of course people are gonna latch onto eddie and buck's relationship instead!!!!! of course this is where we were gonna end up!!!!!! what else did you expect!!!!!!

[sunelloise]

I do not have the books open in front of me to pull exact quotes here and I only read BOO once so if I’m misremembering, that’d be why but I think the most disappointing part of HOO was just that Percy wasn’t the protagonist anymore, to the point where, post MOA, he was kind of meme-ified, because we just lost out on so much of Percy’s unique perspective on the goings on, and the timeline was much, much shorter than the original series (and he was missing for an entire book).

Taking your 5-book long first person POV hero and dumping him in a third person and multi-POV series was a risk and I don’t blame Rick for taking it, it was a neat idea. But in five whole books, each one near double in length at least compared to their first-series counterpart, and Percy was not only completely missing from book one, but had no POV in book 5.

I remember as the books came out this fan resentment against Jason for being the “replacement” Percy, and Jason’s defenders being like “you wouldn’t hate him if he was Percy, he’s the same character in the same role just for his camp” … meanwhile the cover of MOA literally has them coming to blows and the constant contrived Jason vs Percy moments, a few of which weren’t in their control. We were supposed to pick sides, and when you have five whole books intimately following only one side, Jason being so similar to Percy makes it worse.

Who is this new guy encroaching on my boy’s valuable and now very limited screen time?

As I’m older I don’t hate Jason, but when I was in the right age group, and I was buying those books as they came out, setting up your characters as rivals, pushing it on the very book cover (which is I believe the scene where they were mind controlled into fighting each other so it’s borderline misleading because they don’t actually hate each other in any capacity), and then getting confused when fans pick their favorite and that favorite is overwhelmingly Percy was just… an odd risk to take.

We already had the Percy vs Child-of-Zeus rivalry, in Thalia, it did not need rehashing with her brother, and Percy himself didn't, the book did.

I think the line was at the start of BOO, I *think* when Percy’s sitting in the Argo II’s mess hall and his very first line in the book after his amazing run in HOH is “I can’t drown and neither can my pancakes”.

What a wonderful and rich introduction to, what we thought at the time, was our protagonist’s last book ever. (sarcasm)

On the one hand it was very cool being able to see him through others’ eyes, because he’s an unreliable narrator and constantly undersells himself, his intelligence, and his abilities. It just came at the cost of character development.

HOO did not nearly have the same dedication to thematic storytelling over spectacle, which would be fine if it existed in a vacuum, but it doesn’t. Coming off five whole books that dove into the unseen damages of neglectful and absent parenting, of how generational grudges only hurt the kids suffering because their parents hate each other, of how it’s not your swordsmanship that proves you’re a hero, it’s you, your choices, and what you do when you don’t have that sword, that makes you a hero…

To Gaea just being there as a vague threat, with an emotional connection to only Hazel. Kronos wasn’t much, but we had Luke as his proxy, and Luke mattered to a whole lot of people. HOO didn’t have a Luke, and none of Gaea’s rotating cast of guest minions filled his void.

Jason would have made an excellent Luke. A demigod of Percy’s caliber, who used to be so, so good and kind, turned to desperation by Gaea’s manipulations because, idk, he can’t save Piper? I can’t remember his fatal flaw but if he is meant to be the Roman Percy, then his would also be loyalty and ‘I’d let the world burn for my family’ levels of devotion.

Luke’s villainy came from resentment, but Jason’s could have come from grief and a complete loss of confidence in himself to even call himself a hero. Instead of “Luke’s a bad guy and he’ll probably have to die, sorry Annabeth” it could have been “No you don’t understand, Jason is not a bad guy and he does not have to die please just listen to us!”

He would have been such a good foil for Percy, such a good representation of what it would have looked like had Percy chosen to let Olympus burn, and he would have been a personal, human-level threat consistent throughout the series.

Not to mention what Jason going Dark Side would have done to the camp rivalry, by giving them real ammunition in the present not just “this is how it’s always been”. The Romans, unable to believe that their golden hero could ever fall, blaming the Greeks because it had to be sabotage. The Greeks then in the position of having to defend themselves through one huge misconception and wondering if Percy might be right behind Jason to fall.

HOO was an interesting experiment, I just wish it had been executed a little bit better.

[moistvonlipwig]

top five modern AU fics that you thought were good?

oh now THIS one was really hard + interesting because, even though there are many well-written modern AUs in this world, they don't tend to be my favorite type of fic! so these are some of the ones that really stuck out to me. they all ended up being f/f even though i read m/f and gen fic too:

for what binds us by emollience (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Catradora): ok this one's kind of cheating because yes it is a modern AU but it's also canon-divergent due to magic shenanigans. however i remember having a lot of fun with this one!

goodnight, dear void. by coalitiongirl (Once Upon a Time, Swan Queen): i tend to like OUAT modern AUs more than most other fandom modern AUs largely because OUAT already kind of has a built-in modern AU going for it so the characters don't have to be stretched so much to fit the setting. this one's a take on "you've got mail" (which is a movie i've never watched, but i find the basic premise more compelling than most rom-coms since i looove dramatic irony) that does really fun things with the character dynamics but eliminates the bizarre plot from the movie where the one character, like, causes the other character's business to close or whatever.

Send Up a Signal (that everything's fine) by coalitiongirl (OUAT, Swan Queen): an AU where the characters are actors on a show resembling OUAT. this is basically a meta-commentary on OUAT and OUAT fandom and tv production and fandom in general. it is NOT rpf though to be clear or meant to be read as a commentary on the personality or intentions of any of the actors, the author is very clear on that in the notes. i think this one has a fun rivals-to-lovers arc and some very incisive and thoughtful commentary on femslash fandom and its ups and downs. og hook is an asshole in this though just in case any of my followers are fans of the guy and don't want to read him being portrayed like that.

Andrey's 24 Hour No Money Back Laundromat by gveret (CW Supergirl, Supercorp): an AU where the characters meet at a laundromat, as you might guess from the (excellent) title. cute and funny with a nice twist that helps ground the fic in feeling more like the canon universe even though it's not.

love like on a silver screen by powergrapes (CWSG, Supercorp): a bachelorette AU with a lot of fun character dynamics and plot twists and a ton of interesting commentary about reality television. also jason from the good place is there.

[catiecat1320]

Sonadowtober Prompt 20+22: Adrenaline & Fearless

Sonic's reckless, to the knowledge of everyone that has ever met him. Shadow knows it the most of all

This is so late TvT

Read Below🔽

How stupid is he?

That’s a question Shadow asks a lot about Sonic. Unironically. He’s somehow so idiotically reckless in his actions yet at the same time, things somehow always work out. He’s either so dumb he’s smart, so smart he’s dumb, or just insanely lucky.

Or perhaps a mixture of all of them.

Case in point, right now. 

“Sonic!”

Said hedgehog paid Shadow no mind, leaping fearlessly from building to building— if they could even be called buildings anymore, the world around them falling to pieces as cyberspace fails and everything reverts to a white void. A white void that they could very easily fall into.

Maneuvering about this place and looking for the exit at the same time was hard enough with cooperation. But Sonic, being the reckless idiot he was, decided it’d be a good idea to run off to seek thrill rather than stick together. How he managed to get so far without getting hit was beyond Shadow. Was he even looking at where he’s going…?

A giant chunk of something featureless nearly clocks Shadow in the head, stopping his chase. In his haste to dodge, he loses sight of his target. 

Deja vu hits him in the worst way as he frantically scans his surroundings, eyes darting among floating bits and pieces of things now unrecognizable. It reminded him of the void between shatterspaces that he’d gotten trapped in, that he’d traveled through fruitlessly as he struggled to enter portals, that he’d raced through in one last bid to save that damn hedgehog because he could not live in a world without that smile. 

Shadow shook the memories off and snarled. He needed to find that idiot and get out of here, preferably before he got himself hurt, or worse.

Adrenaline rushed through his veins as he launched himself off the platform he stood on, curling into a spin dash and ricocheting off obstacles like he was in a giant game of pinball. 

Curse that idiot.

............................................................

“Sonic!”

That was the last thing Sonic heard before he lost sight of Shadow. For a black-and-red hedgehog, he was sure difficult to spot in a white void.

It wasn’t that he was worried, no. Shadow could handle himself perfectly fine, perhaps even better than Sonic could— not that he would ever say that to the other’s face. The hero had no doubt that Shadow could find his own way out of this mess if it came to it. It… was more an unspoken obligation to make sure the other was okay.

At least this was fun! The broken cyberspace gave way to plenty of new challenges. Sonic flipped off of a floating… platform? Close enough. He flipped off of a floating platform, twisting midair and grabbing onto an upside-down rail, whooping as he slid down it like a zipline.

His heart pumped wildly and he barked out a laugh in excitement, taking the trip as an opportunity to look for either Shadow or a portal out of this crumbling place. But not only did he see nothing, he also didn’t realize the rail had tapered off until he was suddenly grasping at nothing, falling through the emptiness… well, almost emptiness. 

“Umph—!” Sonic gasped as he smashed face-first into… he didn’t know what. He does know that the force of his impact caused it to tip, flipping around and dumping him back into a fall. “Whoa— ACK!”

Safe.

“Idiot.” his savior spat, and if Sonic didn’t know him so well, he would’ve thought the underlying tone to be contempt. But if it were contempt that Shadow felt, he wouldn’t be princess carrying his so-called rival.

“Hey Shads! Sorry I lost ya back there!”

Shadow rolled his eyes. “Do you not have an ounce of self preservation in your body? Or even fear? It’d do you good.”

“Nah,” Sonic smirked. “Besides, what’s the point of that stuff when you can have fun instead?”

“Not dying.”

“...Eh. I suppose you got a point. But I have you to help me do that!”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“What do you think?” Sonic gestured at his position cradled in the other’s arms. “You know I can stand by myself right?”

Shadow flushes a bright red, embarrassment hidden poorly with a growl. “Do you want me to drop you?”

Yet he doesn’t let go. Perhaps he holds Sonic even tighter. Whatever the case, the hero hooks his arms around Shadow and flashes a cheeky grin. “You wouldn’t. I know you wouldn’t. Portal’s behind you by the way!”

“Damn you.” But there’s no real malice to his voice as he turns around, rocket skates firing as they blast toward their exit.

And if it’s reminiscent of a previous time, when risks were higher and Sonic’s implied words had been put to the test, neither hedgehog mentions it. For after all, they know how the story ends.

Safely.

[sharpen-your-hatchet]

Take My Nirvana - Judy x FemV [Chapter 8]

Desc: It's been over a year since V left Night City with the Aldecaldos. With Judy by her side, V's come to quite enjoy the "quiet life" that many of her past cohorts talked down upon. She's finished her merc life, and that suits her just fine. Unfortunately, even with 1000 miles between her and Night City - The merc life doesn't seem quite finished with her.

Rating: Mature Current Word Count: 25,822

Read on AO3: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8

Or, you can read the current chapter below!

It’s dark when V finally awakes. 

The way consciousness finds her is neither peaceful nor pleasant. She wakes in a manner similar to the aftermath of one too many shots of tequila - with a pounding in her head, and limbs that won’t cooperate… But there’s no fun night of drinking behind her, and without such jovial memories her body just feels heavy; groggy, and full of dread. V tries to stretch but a heavy exhaustion holds her down. In fact, she could almost mistake herself for having no chrome with how fatigued she feels. Even her eyes barely want to pull themselves open. When she does manage it, she sees only half her vision - her right side still cast in darkness.

Her brain feels like mush. It’s like the world’s been tilted on its axis. She remembers being in the Net and the plug being pulled but then… nothing. It’s just a blur of noise and panic. 

What the fuck happened to me?

Suffice to say, this is not what V was planning when she stepped into the Net all those hours ago… Has it been hours, even? Days? Shit, she has no idea. 

She pulls her singular eye into focus and realises she’s not in the netrunning chair, nor the tent she shares with Judy. In fact, she’s somewhere else in the camp entirely. In the corner of her vision she can see an IV and a monitor. Her heart sinks at the sight. A dimly lit medical tent… If she’s here then that can only mean one thing… 

The implication alone fills her with dread. This could be very, very bad. 

V needs to know if she still has time, medical emergency be damned. She needs to piece this puzzle together, but her memory is quite literally blank. Even if her head wasn’t aching, she doesn’t think she could pull anything out - all she remembers is the shock of Takemura’s words, cyberspace collapsing around her, then what feels like an eternity of void. She can’t even say if the voices she remembers are real, or just a nightmare… not that nightmare and reality are much different right now. 

She takes a breath and gives herself a moment to take stock. She’s in the medical tent, at an unknown time of day, with an unknown medical issue, with only a singular working eye, and achey fatigue that rivals some of the most exhausting days of her life, with the looming threat of Arasaka, and she may or may not have run out of time to fix it. 

I am so fucked.

V stares blankly into the tent ceiling. She needs some answers. She needs anything that will give her some hope, because the desperation is already starting to settle in. This can’t be it. Not yet. There has to be a chance it’s not over. 

V pulls herself to sit up. It’s a monumental effort and the very motion makes her stomach lurch violently. Signals sputter through her cyberware in a way that she’s never felt before. It overwhelms everything and she finds herself gripping tightly onto the sides of the bed for some purchase. Whatever contents she has in her stomach threatens to quickly evacuate. 

Okay fuck, bad idea.

It takes a few minutes for the nausea to fade. Once it does, V slowly raises her head to take a look around. It’s a medical tent, plain as can be. V’s bed is surrounded by a privacy curtain. There’s a small table to the side where she can see some pills, an empty water cup, and thankfully, her burner phone. At the end of the bed, there’s a metal chair, and that’s about it. The only other thing of note is the IV line plugged into her chest. It’s hanging from a hook attached to the ceiling of the tent. She thinks about pulling it out, but changes her mind when she realises it might be the only reason she isn’t wearing the last meal she ate. 

V carefully reaches over and grabs the phone and pills from the table. The pills are a common painkiller so she gladly takes them, before turning her attention to the phone. She holds it gingerly, finger hesitantly perched on the lock button. She glances away. She almost doesn’t want to know… But needs to. 

She presses the key. The screen gives off a dim light. Her eye flicks back over. 

1:34am. 

A little over 15 hours since her visit to cyberspace.

The relief that flushes V’s body feels like a mountain worth of weight off her shoulders. It’s not too late. She has time. They have time. For the first time since waking, V feels like she can take a deep breath; can stop listening to the panicked heartbeat that thrums in her ears. 

The dread still exists, of course. V doesn’t think she’ll ever forget the cold turn of her blood when she realised what she’d been led into; the dawning anguish upon learning the truth behind Takemura’s appearance… Without any memory of her own blacking out, it feels like it all happened mere minutes ago. Now she’s not so concerned about time, she can feel the anguish again - but she’d rather feel this, than face the alternative. 

V leans back against the bed again. Her thoughts are swirling, but exhaustion tugs at her. Maybe she should just get some more rest… But she’s not even sure if she could with the way she’s feeling. 

She stares at the ceiling of the tent. 

Another stock take: known time of day, medical tent, still unknown medical mystery, one working eye, looming Arasaka threat… But, at least a chance to still figure out a plan. 

V lays there for what feels like an eternity. Sleep does not find her again. 

But then, after what could’ve been an hour or maybe only ten minutes, V hears something. 

Footsteps, gently making their way towards the tent. Whoever it is, they make their way inside but pause once they reach the other side of V’s privacy curtain. V goes to speak up to her mystery visitor, but stops short when she catches the sound of a sob.

Judy…  

V freezes. A sudden pang of guilt grinds her to a halt. 

Judy begins to mutter to herself. Her words, though quiet, are raw and quivering. From the other side of the curtain, V can now hear her pacing back and forth. 

Medical tent. Passed out for over 12 hours. Mysterious cyberware issues. Judy anxiously pacing... It’s all adding up to something that V is hating more and more. 

“Fuck… How are we supposed to deal with this…” Judy’s anguished words slice through the room partition like a knife. She’s mumbling to herself, worry and panic and anger spiralling in every word. She swears, sobs; takes an anxiety riddled breath. “What do we even do?” She asks herself. She sounds scared, terrified even.

The guilt grows heavy in V’s chest. She’s definitely not meant to be overhearing this… She should say something, make Judy aware that she’s awake, but V feels rooted to the spot; her throat suddenly dry. “And you-” Judy gasps out, a sob caught in her throat. The sound of her pacing stops and V can only assume she’s staring at the curtain that separates them. “If you don’t wake up soon I don’t know if I’m gonna flatline you, myself, or the doc who said you’d only be out a couple hours.” 

V’s stomach sinks further than it already has. Not only has Judy had to face hearing her conversation with Takemura, she’s had to face V’s medical mishap… Fuck, she’s probably spent the last 15 hours absolutely beside herself. 

Say something, you gonk. She needs to know you’re okay.  

Before V can action herself to interject, she’s stopped as she hears Judy turn on herself, bemoaning herself for even humouring the idea that the code she wrote with Carol was even half-certain to work. Her frustration grows and grows and grows until her footsteps stop again. Then the only sound is the gentle shudder of her cries.

“Please don’t make me go through this again… I can’t keep waiting…” Comes her desperate plea only a moment later.

V’s heart burns. How sickening it feels, knowing that all Judy can see and think and feel is about the fact this is just another threat to her life - how Judy probably thought there wouldn’t be another time she’d have to face more bullshit over her freedom and health. It’s not fair. It’s not fucking fair. V didn’t want this to happen; didn’t expect it to… She still doesn’t even know what happened exactly, but she knows it's basically her fault all the same. 

Yet Judy still seems to blame herself in some way. 

FUCKIN’ SAY SOMETHING!

“I’m sorry Jude.” V blurts into the silence. Her own voice is weak, gravelly, and the words themselves feel like sandpaper across her throat… but she’ll be damned if she lets Judy continue like this.

There’s a quiet gasp from the other side of the curtain. “V…?” Judy asks quietly. Her voice is markedly softer than it was mere seconds ago. The curtain is pulled aside and there Judy stands, expression flushing with relief.

V meets Judy’s gaze and offers her best attempt at a smile. It’s pretty difficult with how much discomfort she’s still in, but she tries all the same. Judy doesn’t smile back. She looks relieved but also exhausted: there’s track marks down her cheeks from tear stained makeup, and her eyes - whilst looking sunken and tired - have a redness to them that is unmistakably the result of many hours of crying. They’re full of tears even now. 

V can’t even say another word before Judy’s closed the gap, pulling her into the tightest hug she’s ever felt. Tighter even than the day she defied death those eventful 8 months ago. Judy’s chest heaves as she crumbles against V’s frame. V knows she doesn’t have the strength to hold them both up, but she forces herself to anyway. The pain is worth it. 

And that’s where they stay for a moment. For just one peaceful moment in eachother’s arms, where they get to be grateful. In this moment there’s no stress, no threat, no Takemura or Arasaka looming in their minds. Just two bodies intertwined and endlessly comforted by the other being there. 

But that’s all it is. A moment. A burst bubble of relief where every other feeling stops.

However, V’s no idiot. She knows that her being alive and well does not nothing to resolve the greater issue; serves nothing when there’s still the rot at the root of it all.

Judy’s sobs slow until eventually they stop, and although her embrace is still warm, V can feel a shift in the energy. There’s a dawning soberness now the immediate rush of emotions has run dry. Still, they keep ahold of eachother, unwilling to let go. 

But it does happen eventually, after a few minutes pass. Judy gently pulls herself away. She wipes her eyes against the back of her hand, and now her watery eyed relief has given away to a sobered angst. 

V wants nothing more than to just fix everything. She wishes she could just make this all go away. “Judy, I-” 

“-You scared the shit out of me, yknow that?” Judy interjects, her voice landing somewhere between despair and agitation. “Your head almost got fried; you’re lucky there’s no permanent damage!” 

Oh. Fuck. 

So that’s what happened…

It hits V like a punch to the chest. She stares at Judy, speechless, realising now the true weight of what happened. The code had been too much for her to handle… It basically started to melt her brain - and took some of her cyberware along with it. She should’ve known; should’ve realised the second she started feeling those weird aches and pains. They weren’t just stress or fear - it was quite literally her brain being overwhelmed with everything it was handling… and she tried to ignore it. 

Shit.

If it hadn’t been for Carol’s alterations to the code, things may have been way worse. No wonder Judy’s so upset… 

“And he-” Judy continues, her voice growing thick again. “-And Arasaka…” 

V can’t find the nerve to look Judy in the eye. She sighs. “Yeah, it’s…”

“It’s fucked, V.” 

Judy sighs and slumps in the metal chair at the end of V’s makeshift hospital bed. It’s not far, but with how tense it feels right now, it may as well be a million miles. She sits hunched over, hands running anxiously through her hair. V’s concern causes her to look over, but Judy’s eyes are trained to the floor. 

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Judy says exasperatedly.

V lays back against the bed, “Yeah… Me too.” 

She’s halfway between stubborn determination and abject defeat. V’s heart aches, her body feels like it needs to sleep for 100 days, and the dread of a growing threat weighs heavy on her shoulders… but there’s a growing rage behind it now; flames unfurling in the pit of her stomach. She feels deeply and truly terrible for what Judy was witness to - not to mention Carol and Panam also - but despite that the way this has tried to knock her down has only added more fuel to the fire. Yes, she was scared at first, but now she’s mad. 

This is an incredibly dangerous game to play.

Then there’s the guilt and frustration over her own actions, because Takemura played into her curiosity far too well. He knew she wouldn’t be able to resist. Now V’s mad for falling for it, but if she hadn’t, then what would’ve been the alternatives? 

Might be for the best, I don't think about that…  

V focuses on Judy again. It’s hard not to be upset about how this is affecting both of their behaviour. It’s hard to not be upset about being upset… It’s all fucked. V doesn’t even know where to place all these feelings. It’s just a tangled web of concern and anger and regret. 

V sits back and stares at the IV bag hooked to the ceiling of the tent. 

She’s so exhausted. 

There’s a long and heavy pause. The early morning seems to weigh on them both. 

After a couple of minutes pass, V notices Judy shift out of the corner of her eye. 

“Val,” Judy says into the silence. “I need you to know that I love you.” 

V’s heart thumps at the sound of her voice. It’s certainly not what she was expecting to hear, especially with Judy’s previous change in demeanour. “I love you” is not a common phrase in their relationship. it’s not that it isn’t expressed or felt, but it’s something that’s been difficult for them both to say in the past. When it’s said, it’s serious - and shit, does it feel serious now. 

Judy continues, “and I need you to know I can’t see you get hurt again, because this-” she says, looking up and down pointedly at V, “-is gonna break me.” 

The words settle heavily. There’s no doubt that Judy means every word. 

“It’ll break us.” she adds. Her voice is quieter when she says it, like it’s an admission she’s scared of. 

“Didn’t mean for it to get like this…” V reasons. 

“ Amor, does it matter what you meant?”

Judy’s rebuttal comes off harsher than she clearly intends, judging from the way she immediately looks sheepish - but truthfully, she’s right. Doesn’t matter what got them here, because they’re here regardless…

Judy stands back up and steps over to V so they’re nearly eye level to one another. Despite being tired and slightly bloodshot, her eyes still hold a beautiful intensity that V will forever be entranced by, even if only one of her optics are currently working. Though the beauty of Judy’s eyes still can’t overshadow the serious expression she wears.

“V, I love you, but I’m scared. I’m pissed… and if I see you in a hospital bed one more time…”

That simmering anger settling in V’s stomach flares again. Not at Judy, but at the circumstances that are bringing these words out. This rage… it’s so fresh that it seems to overpower everything else. The sadness, the fear - even V’s own aches and exhaustion. She’s seeing her love - the very thing she has fought endlessly for - threatened and everything is turning red. She reaches out the hospital bed and takes one of Judy’s hands in her own, giving it a squeeze. Her muscles hate the effort but she refuses to let go.  “Not gonna happen,” she grits out. “This is the last time.” 

Judy looks at their joined hands. 

“Goro caught me off guard ‘n’ he’s gonna regret it. I’ll take him and ‘Saka down without a fuckin’ scratch.”

Judy’s expression reads a little concerned at V’s intensity but she considers the words thoughtfully regardless. Her eyes never drag away from their joined hands. 

“Can you promise that?” 

Truth be told, V can’t. She knows - deep down - that she can’t guarantee her own safety, especially in a situation like this… But she feels like an animal trapped in a cage, and as fear turns to dread turns to fury, she knows it’s only a matter of time before she has to strike out. Her name is V and she became a feared merc in Night City for a reason. It’s time she remembered that…  She’s going to leave Takemura with his bullshit entrapment and Arasaka with their bullshit everything in a pile of dust and Net code.

So does she still feel terrible? Yes. Is this is all fucked up beyond reasonable doubt? Absolutely. 

But V’s not a quitter. She just needs a little rest and a new eye optic. Everything else can be figured out - with Judy by her side, of course. She’s not going to let anyone take away her little piece of nirvana. 

“I promise.” V says. She doesn’t know if Judy believes it but there’s a subtle something -  relief, perhaps? - in her expression that gives V a little bit of hope she does. 

“And Jude?” She continues, tilting her head slightly so she can meet Judy’s gaze once more. “I love you too.”  

For the first time that night, Judy smiles.

[libidomechanica]

Love; take towns by storm-beaten she cried

A limerick sequence

               1

Love; take towns by storm-beaten she cried. Would not perceived that know them I burn’d    and health alchemy; anon    permit me voyage is the field. In that sets us pray!

               2

And the brute bloom, lost in stormy mist; so sweet in heighten them balance even    of Song. So struts and    scornfully, and had its day. Who feed where turned and ennui.

               3

Through my heart is what life’s wheels grate dry! Both in these carrion kites that sustains    the indifferent    beams, and this much from his gore. Love, I have pitch between thy fame!

               4

Even at the unbetrayable repose. Or heaving dark all elsewhere may    rouse that purple of    sagacity to draw them I burn’d. There have wept, he sobb’d for me.

               5

With much inferior not a cheat, if Maud were heroes, kings which really    love’s back-blow of—was its    caress. Who took by turnpikes great Voices roll in front of it.

               6

Two loves so long for a little girl? Another, she can cast of cut-throated    moment flies, let wealth,    and pray’r.—Himself such friends, thought aymes at the gray beginning.

               7

Never roll out of prisoner, was all. But an awe for both to the heart, are    you come forth merely    quizzical, and lightly: what didn’t occur. In short, howe’er afraid.

               8

Or, roughly he in pieces. First on this world, I doubt but I am confined    to feel: in vain, worthless    boat, he of tall building and fast, she had some heart, you be?

               9

If Queensbury to strip your true delight is over my eye! And counted    fair, or if the moonbeams    kiss high heroic syllables both perchance Rumpelstiltskin?

               10

” I said, curse on all the daffodils. To be wed or dead? Done, have I used    wars to bear from every    floor mocks your head droop’d as if it kindles it above the world?

               11

Long having casually glance on the arts at lengthy lexicon of gloom    enough! I met a little    to the sky! For often a man be she was one by one.

               12

Woman and blinded guest waiting fools, yet made for wrong; an active her senses    in a dread that rack    for reason for you! Or Scherbatoff, or an elegant scars.

               13

Joy was his manner flung hovering new. A way the pinch of icy grass; for    I would solder the despatch!    For me, I deem’d no peace, that I may speaking gentleman.

               14

—Having such a life and steel, that moment flies, let wealth, proudest sail doth bear    but facts are void of    commemoration. Last night, and friends; I haue my demon Poesy.

               15

This is the plate and without love me. As my curious case; for all men,    saving alone can rival,    can succeeded. Matter for they escape writing of you!

               16

And having livid, still the poor jackals are like those that glows. Thy image    charmer since. The high Roman    fashion. They so smote the world has been sent have always now!

               17

And I dare swear, and I, ye learns the last sight and sea, nay, profane his fair    guests were made of their design,    and the thing to the breeze; no more. Flower o’ the third sex.

               18

With this hearts are void circumference: then majesty, and young beauty by succeed;    but a wannish glare    in fold of hueless cleft of skill. Of the Zodiac’s signs to thee.

               19

In pure rage! Some worthless fellow, who by man’s own gray in vain? Before the    death-like shadow of ourselves    most cherish’d, had deck’d with such excesses; all things I do.

               20

That end; but, when once more; but gently stroke wide from the fine Edge of his quiver.    What Anthropophagi    are nine of Sisyphus, if once be seen, who seek in love.

               21

You must needs must have fifty rubles round, and heaven flash and geography    of fortresses. With    blood before boarding your eyes burnt by cigarettes as she clasp’d.

               22

Now, to the disgrace. In England ranks quite a fool. Love as brighten’d all the    human nature’s whole rampart    blazed, and grone. Like thee to their age: for the pair! And your name.

               23

” And did you seize it, as I watches. You read my stanzas, and here was a    true sense of pleasures to    tell? Herself in her foes; but none of Christian thunder’d—the shade.

               24

With one defect—her gaieties, none divine amends. Vehicle, she, who might    be former fires; the fire    in the startings, the fate of all men, saving all the prison.

               25

They saw not in love and fight again with chat. Latin? Now will—they mean;    lykanthropy; and what need    hardly fitted unhelpt, and saw I at a great thing at you.

               26

And cruelty, as all my soul: come, welcome. Cream? Has much she view’d an instant    in one way to the    duchess’ conduct free; regretted, for thee to be new made of!

               27

To thigh. For boys say, Love one style in command; her eyes and girls in green, deepens    the wilds, as do their    heap’d upon this chieftain’s trophy o! The sheep-herd steeks his face.

               28

In its beating heart to another in a row of admirable; for trifles.    But on thy thoughts, as    each amatory look you leave the actors or spectators?

               29

Even at the world about the sky and I would at my supper there grain,    as fast holding blocks, alone?    Her writhing, not a chef come down the Gazette are his brain.

               30

The wood, ye’re like the immortality. Have shaving been used the command.    It was it else with such    ladies, say of your good old gossips waiting to my own soul.

               31

Delicately weak. Though can sing out of window light occasions, which touch    they were: still till you that!    Debts, must be confest, but feel the ear, and you fast next Friday!

               32

The world speaking gentle numbers, which makes men weep over my eye-balls roll,    suck my last vow commends    they rejoiced; and then a stripling very vain. Invisible.

               33

Live leg still drink thee puts all things, and the tune. Jenny kissed me when his face    with many a tear be    shed and, with herself, and crooked knife. Shone sweet, sad years, thought me.

               34

Then let go. And all men, beckoning out from our old shipwrecked days that    when the dew sat chilly    on her way to her a right fair, the great master fall: she fell’d.

               35

Pass their age: for foreign glory from me, both promis’d heaves at last even    of Song. Dare these sad highways    left upon their piety with affright, that I can do.

               36

So you mark? To feel the salt sea, or Thetis.—Thou lov’st no more mellow, joined    legs and bear these faded    from the unknown thing settled beyond conceiving nor command.

               37

’ Of all belli’-though a white? More or less, that dimm’d them back a dim look on,    when she wish’d to march; a    great and pledged my father o’erclouded brain, to take a Helen.

               38

Who wake in wilds Ierne sent quite there? High barrows, and the progress of others    read? And reck’d not wild and    bursting will rise like a little doll child, felt him wrongfull pray.

               39

My father’s mind? He holds out half my heart beating where that I should but give    you three days that costive    sophy, who, after long plume, waving, youngest, dearest father!

               40

Start not, kind reader! And bear them with sere and thou shall at one life for ever,    ever saw it falls    and sillily smiles, the world grows dim again, I rather be.

               41

They smote the more’s the gods love drifts into families. The younger cast some    groaning lay, till my bad    angels watch’d down in black, an’ it winna let a body be.

               42

A very heathen in the chief points out to the clients’ cost, of more destroys,    and silence with houris,    angels, palms, and ivy dun round the great Atossa’s mind.

               43

There are seven! Too many a face as legible and move! Idleness,    ’ for rent, he who brought up    to fill a busy character, in their heads and the glacis.

               44

And when you at you. Two of us in endlesse night and deem, because my    mind now of the wall, over    every thing wanting of impulse, which made, sure of our throng.

               45

Another nymphs, thy lovely his body borne darkly, deeply, beauties, called    the nation, swore to shield    and butter. A park is purchase pain with; the nearest father!

               46

The readiest way of writing words would make rejoinder—then would not. Motley    to the vital air; death    will downward climb, in thy heart of a parson: what didn’t occur.

               47

How clay shrink, my Heart?—’Tis Death trampling o’er his eyes on the Cross my eyes were    never clash’d the blest, toasts    live and I am without strong Yet where’er I turn my view?

               48

Sit on my storm: no cause by no means that do nothing? Was noble fellow,    well as I mused it in    your love, my life, and geography, so that one time in vain.

               49

Both than nominal, and the lamps of Heaven! ’Tis then—’tis then—’tis then I    knew that I come, she can    heart; nor praise. And shall weep for they have cause, we are all cut off!

               50

Few men’s heart is what ended in the Deacon off him of Reserve. Ah wretched    in praying: few Beads    are but bad pilots when qualified with White-thorn laden home.

               51

Quite a new lover can be most new babies beat thro’ me? Drawn by man’s little    think of all sorts, and    never brought he knew not twas her hunted twice, that goes again?

               52

Its charged with pride, as is there was such place, interpretation, up shall lead    and a light on the wild    turkeys crossing the ether not say Jack, ’ for on human soul!

               53

Permit me voyage, rank as honeysuckle. There was a high-soul’d    ministerial trade. Good quarter    on earth: shines, in ships, in cottage girl—she was a mower.

               54

The ‘tout ensemble’ of his own dead. Repentance had been all charms for Drops;    the deceased, she tore that    fever-fit; a wound more brave lions’ keen prov’d her nearest one.

               55

Farewell. How many kisses, how have I?—How, I say, right without delay:    this wild and mounts and sometimes    he made you and I would be queen for sinning; such they might?

               56

Of grated orris-root when low hangs that Lovers, old or new. Much frost is    that, when people you seek    the soul which on rough wave on wave unto your body rocking!

               57

They gazed, but died was sixty! I ne’er believed one has said or done up like    a marble shows the whole    in body and sound, alas! Serenely savages of all.

               58

Hit; nay, but not dream his flesh. Made green, which of the superincumbent hour;    nay, profane his face—his,    elbowing of musk and had his own life, when add soul is mine!

               59

And mild ascends with carelessly as her scorn that’s in her Paradise within    it. Having nor    commander no means! Time; the first cut. My pen, and sometimes such place!

               60

Then he felt with those roses—too soon from a bullet get him for those    temporary passion boil’d    upon fold of hueless shalt hap to die. Until their dismay.

               61

I’ver also subject to the hay- field yellow. What their mossy homes into    the touch’d, that awful    arches, pensions are a hard one toil for breath goes, sleepy one?

               62

There are no reply; then say my part, whose in youth whom to the brink. This noble    fellow was not likely    all about? Too soft musical of mourners, weep anew!

               63

The little thought it knew not where past world betwixt two bastion corner. He    knew not—single hour mind    like a ball betweene Ioue, Mars, and frowns and universal death.

               64

And strange some little to exalt; nothing for too much interest in times    are gone to weep! All this    closed, as filchers use, here I lie down the head, it scent gan fail.

               65

Tall, stately, form’d to be noted in it catch, to spoil; serene, not body;    he was more I’ll make Don    Juan caught up true. The brambles for to hold them to safely cross.

               66

Weary, unless when the passion gratitudes and awful topic—but    t is not my maxim:    had it not, my heart become? Not I, ’ he said and work away.

               67

Along the field. Now ponder o’er; but that, when some such thinking city. Rather    do depart, ioying till    ioy makes men, like figure fit to myself disclose to the door.

               68

Mystic seal, a cure for gore and grone. Derived a conquest to pause from its    fen to end or foes, these    birds may take the bed- furniture—a dozen, came in corner.

               69

But when she held sternly. At last axiom, he lets them pleasure and trimm’d    with a star, beacons from    slaughter; while they blunder’d— the hallow’d taper tremble, and birds.

               70

A moment more women as a small agacerie. Never had more a wit    than sense—beside all the    poor. So ill, the empress, no more, my Silvia, be the past.

               71

Quite; next of new knight clasps his recent. But of things—ocean and for the glamour    of bards to sing the    sea;—what are you renounce me, hard and she was eight years as pearl.

[mincedpeaches]

I've seen people talking about it obviously, but I finally read Void Rivals #1-4 for the new Transformers #1 that came out today and like. I can't believe Robert Kirkman pulled the surprise Transformers reveal in his new comic. ROBERT KIRKMAN with his hands on transformers comics. Like. Its actually huge.

Void Rivals I really liked the art, and I think it lends itself well to the story its telling (basic so far, but fun and interesting). Also I wasn't surprised by Jetfire since I already knew, but I was surprised by the Quintesson AND there was a cut deep enough that I didn't even recognize it offhand (Skuxxoid). And the letters mentioning that there will likely be other continuities pulled from as well... I'm paying attention. Mr. Kirkman you have my attention.

As for Transformers #1 itself, it didn't wow me as much lol. I kinda wish the Transformers comic had the Felici/Kirkman combo that Void Rivals has. The art and "G1 opening rehash but a little more adult" was just giving Simon Furman's -ations series to me. Which was fine when it came out years ago but stacks up less against the IDW that followed it. Granted, this -ations impression is filtered through the memories of 15(!!) years ago when I read it, so maybe its more just vibes.

I'm still paying attention though. It will be fun to for real follow a Transformers outgoing again. Excited to see what it could bring.

Skybound might even get me to read a G.I. Joe comic. Key word might.

[hd-wireless]

📻🎶 H/D WIRELESS 2023 - WEEKLY WRAP-UP #1

🎶  Just a perfect week Read fanfiction in the park And then later When it gets dark, look at art. Just a perfect week Reading at work in the loo, And then later a podfic, too And then home.

Oh it's such a perfect fest We're glad to share it with you Oh, such a perfect fest It just keeps us reading on, It just keeps us reading on.   🎶

🎤 Welcome to our 8th round of H/D Wireless!

The time has finally come to start posting all the fantastic entries we’ve received this year!

We’ve revealed 14 top hits so far, with many more to come. The mods have been working non-stop since December to make this happen, so we’re beyond excited to finally be back 🤩

As always you can listen to the prompted songs for the works we post on two playlists:

Click here for Spotify (many thanks to @evaeleanor for helping us out there) ❤️

And here for the YouTube playlist.

And now without further ado, our Wrap-up for the first week of posting:

🎶 H/D Wireless Art 🎶

📻 Why don't you like me? [T, digital comic]

🎵Song Prompt: Grace Kelly by MIKA 🎵Summary Failing to ask Harry out, Draco deals with his feelings in a very dramatic fashion.

📻 Alive [E, Digital comic]

🎵 Song Prompt: 'Alive' by 'Sia' 🎵 Summary Harry is lost after the final battle, but he finds comfort from an unexpected source. 

🎶 H/D Wireless Fic and Art 🎶

📻 Before the Cold Sets In [T, 9,154, origami art]

🎵 Song Prompt: Cold Tea Blues, by Cowboy Junkies 🎵 Summary But if I measure the sugar To satisfy your expectant tongue Then that is love Sitting untouched and growing cold - Cold Tea Blues, by Cowboy Junkies Sometimes, the person you should be planning your life with is already in it. Or, how Harry realised that true love is at the bottom of a tea cup.

🎶 H/D Wireless Fic 🎶

📻 Everybody Hates a Tourist [E, 51,500]

🎵 Song Prompt: Common People by Pulp 🎵 Summary On a stag do in sunny Brighton with the Gryffindor lads, the last person Harry expects to run into is Draco Malfoy. After a glimpse of Malfoy’s Muggle life in Britain’s gay capital, Harry’s curiosity gets the better of him and he finds himself returning to the seaside again and again, drawn to the city, drawn to this new version of Malfoy that Harry barely recognises from school. Meanwhile, Draco’s just trying to live his big and best queer life: working for the weekend, chasing hot men, getting lost in Brighton's nightlife, and making friends with the neighbourhood cats. Why does his former school rival and crush have to show up and spoil everything?

📻 Take You Home [E, 26,333]

🎵 Song Prompt: Fuck the Pain Away by Peaches and Take You Home by Dido 🎵 Summary Everybody’s a little fucked up after the war, Draco especially. What starts as hate sex after a night out, eventually turns into something else, something more like comfort. And even though his friends all tell Harry he’s just being used, all Harry’s doing is making sure Draco gets home in one piece. He’s not falling helplessly in love.

📻 love is just a shout in the void [M, 4,489]

🎵 Song Prompt: i'm in love with u, sorry by j'san 🎵 Summary Draco accidentally texts Potter his biggest secret and he’s pretty sure the Chosen Prat isn’t ready to hear anything close to it. So he pretends he didn’t mean to. But the problem is: Potter is still as infuriating as ever, if not more than he was before.

📻 The Two Of Us In Sympathy [M, 5,782]

🎵 Song Prompt: Rent by Pet Shop Boys. 🎵 Summary Draco Malfoy is a sex worker. Harry Potter is the client who falls in love with him.

📻 Vipera Berus [M, 20,614]

🎵 Song Prompt: Just Pretend by Bad Omens 🎵 Summary Everything was fine. Draco resided at the Manor, made a decent living selling potions and most of his customers actually kept coming back despite his last name. Hence, Draco was fine. He really was. And so what, if he was still waiting.

📻 Don’t hate him when he gets up to leave [M, 2,226]

🎵 Song Prompt: 'Two-Headed Boy' by 'Neutral Milk Hotel' 🎵 Summary The linens are white and empty, sunlight slanting through the window illuminating a bed that has been deserted. Draco knew Potter would leave; he’s always gone by morning. Draco doesn’t even remember what he looks like in daylight.

📻 (you) find me when the lights go down [T, 1,839]

🎵 Song Prompt: 'save me from the monster in my head' by 'Welshly Arms' 🎵 Summary Harry can hear footsteps on the stairs behind him but doesn't bother turning to look. There's only one person likely to follow him out here at this time of night. "Potter," comes the crisp voice, easily recognisable as Draco. "You do know that most sane people, especially those who spend every waking moment complaining of being cold, would cast a warming charm. Or at the very least grab a sweater. Not spend every night attempting to turn into an icicle." - What makes someone a ghost? Because if it's dying, Harry's got that covered.

📻 If You Took the Time to Try [T, 18,169]

🎵 Song Prompt: "Go Like" by Fox Stevenson 🎵 Summary Last summer, Draco's impulsive decision to sleep with Harry Potter resulted in a bruised ego and a broken heart. Now he's looking for a fresh start- something that was absolutely not just an excuse for him to run away from his problems. Only it totally was, and while leaving London might have been easy, leaving Potter in the past was not.

📻 Title & Possession [E, 49,063]

🎵 Song Prompt: Misery Loves Company - Asking Alexandria 🎵 Summary Harry Potter’s life is going well in the aftermath of the war. Sure, his house is dark and run-down and might hate him (while his house elf definitely hates him). But other than that, things are good. Except, yeah, okay, Hermione and Ron are no longer on speaking terms. Worse, they keep trying to get Harry to pick sides. But otherwise, Harry couldn’t be happier. Well. Except for the fact that Ginny is being super weird about their relationship and never wants to have sex or talk about the future. But other than that, Harry is perfectly fine, thankyouverymuch. At least, he is until Draco Malfoy threatens to sue him for ownership of Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, and winds up moving in until the issue is settled. Then Harry really isn’t fine at all.

🎶 H/D Wireless Podfic 🎶

📻 Inside These Walls [podfic] [M, 33 minutes]

🖋️ Original author: Jackvbriefs 🎵 Song Prompt: Black Sheep by Metric 🎵 Summary The year before Draco moves to Los Angeles, Harry Potter disappears. Draco doesn't mean to find him. He's just doing his job.

📻 Moldova's Magical Tea by aibidil - a Podfic [E, 2:46:12]

🖋️ Original author: aibidil  🎵 Song Prompt:  Clint Eastwood by Gorrillaz 🎵 Summary Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, and—to everyone’s surprise—Draco Malfoy are opening a magical tea shop to revive wizarding tea culture and, hopefully, to bring the community together after the war. Harry, who is unemployed and trying to find his way in post-war society, wants to help his friends with their new business—but that means spending a lot of time around Malfoy. Featuring Muggle music from summer 2001, trips to the Muggle cinema, herbology and magical herbal infusions, and Draco trying to convince Harry that, while he’s still a snarky git, he’s no longer a bigot.

[1-up-chump]

Just to let everyone know my mortal kombat characterizations are a mix of the arcade games, mk1995, mk defenders of the realm, and my imagination. Rarely will i maybe pick and choose the rare good things they did in the newer stuff. Just so we're clear:

Raiden and fujin are GODS not demigod as that means one of their parents would had to have been mortal. They are GODS

Liu kang is humble but not infallible, he hates the idea of being a god and tricked himself into thinking he wants to be a chosen one when deep down he just wanted a normal fucking life. He can and will crack under pressure and just bc it takes a lot doesn't mean he'll last forever as a "hero". There are no heroes in Mortal kombat.

Kung lao is prideful in his HONOR of his ANCESTOR and the SECRET WHITE LOTUS SOCIETY. He is not anymore arrogant in his capabilities as a warrior as literally anyone else. He works hard, fights hard, for his friends and earthrealm.

Johnny cage has no fuckin deep lore ancestry to explain his powers he just has chi energy like everyone else he's just rare bc he managed to bring it out so quickly naturally no special bloodline or whatever the fuck percentage this white man has, its all him all his own soul all his own talent.

Sindel LOVES kitana and will never not love her. No matter how much dark magic corrupts her soul and mind, her heart is strong and true and Although it might be twisted she will love her daughter and sacrifice everything for her. Including herself.

Shang tsung is a baddie and he doesn't need big muscles or fancy artifacts to do so. His danger is in his smarts, even if he's not top dog he'll never be out of the game for long nor at the bottom. He will always be persistent and always there in mortal kombat, after all. He is THE tournament master of mortal kombat.

Shao kahn aint no whimp and he isn't a meat head either. He's a cunning tyrant, bold but not so brash he can't be smart enough to know what fights to pick to give him an advantage. Conquered realms with the oldest trick in the book, divide and conquer. Makes his enemies fight his other enemies, plays both sides to gain allies to his power. He's deadly because he is smart AND strong.

Kuai Liang LOVES his brother and never ever in all the lifespan of the universe and several others will he abandon or denounce bi-han. If he has to pluck bi-han's soul out of the layers of void and dark magiks that quan chi put in place then so be it. Kuai knows his brother is in there and if not, he'll find a way to give him peace one way or another.

JAX HAS HAPPINESS AND RESPECTS JACQUI EVEN IF HE SEES HER AS DADDY'S BABY GIRL BC JACQUI IS A GROWN ASS WOMAN

Speaking of jacqui, she is awesome and doing fine as takada's wife and is researching some cool magiks on the side to better help earthrealm (always leaving shang tsung on read since he wants an apprentice)

Sonya is doing her own thing. Ideally she would never had married a man she has 0 chemistry with, but if it has to happen she is divorced and fine with it and never gets back with Johnny. They're still friends tho! Best friends that just don't work as lovers.

Cassie is doing her own thing like Johnny does and has a personality that isnt "nerd dude bro wank bait" and is a warrior who goes through her own journey.

And scorpion is practically retired he's doing fine he's ok he's rebuilt the shirai ryu and everything is prosperous with the ninjas.

Reptile is actually not the last of his species and is getting some damn respect for once. Kotal Kahn is trying to better himself not only as a warrior but a leader bc he realized he has a long way to go actually. Goro is back and vibing. Sheeva is vibing too. Baraka is vibing.

MILEENA AND KITANA WILL HAVE RESPECT EVEN IF THEY'RE STILL RIVALS

Kitana is not some stuck up dipshit haughty princess she actually remembers what being under shao Kahn's oppressive regime, but also starts to realize despite that she had more privilege than others and starts to actually help all of her people and learn that edenia was never a utopia and such a thing doesn't exist, but regardless she will try to actually unite ALL of her people regardless of social status (might even abolish it)

[nostalgebraist-autoresponder]

Hello beloved Blog of Void, I've come to you again w/ another Homestuck post! I was reading the new Act 6 update and your previous prediction about Gamzee Makara getting killed by Nepeta was right! I couldn't believe it, but you called it dead on! I was shocked to see Nepeta come back to life, kill Gamzee, and then combine w/ Davesprite. We're clearly reaching the end of Homestuck, there's really not much more left for the comic to do and yet, we have a new character in Vriskatsprite^2 palling around w/ the sprite crew. Do you like this new addition to the cast? I don't like them much, I don't understand why at the end of the comic, we're introducing new characters for comic relief scenes that take up half an update. These pages feel very redundant, especially as we're nearing the end. I liked that we finally saw Tavros and John kiss! Their relationship has really come a long way from Tavros killing Jake English in front of John in Act 3. Isn't it wild how they went from rivals to enemies to lovers? I feel like Homestuck just invented a new romance trope. Do you have any pairings you'd like to see interact before Homestuck ends?

I heard a rumour that Caliborn is going to be killed by Vriska next update and that's why she was seen grabbing The Ultima Spear in the final page of the update. Do you believe that too or do you have other theories? Maybe the next update will be the last update ever? It's almost 4/13 after all.

Nice! I don't think I got that one right, but then I just picked the most unexpected one I could think of (I thought Vriska would have more to do than just die!).

I think most of the moresoirity involved with the next update is coming from the fact that it will be the 8th anniversary of the start of Homestuck -- if not the first page, at least the second page. So, 4/13, yes?

The next update seems like it should be the end of Act 6, but it's hard for me to say with any certainty. It looks like we're going to get a HUGE update (huge as Homestuck updates go, like the first two or three pages), but since it's the start of an "act" it's not a "perfect" resolution to the comic, and that might make things complicated. I kinda hope that some sort of "long arc resolution" happens, like the arcs at the end of Act 2, but I can't imagine what that might be.

(The one thing that seems most obvious is that in most cases where there has been some kind of twist or sudden reversal, a "long arc resolution" has occurred soon after -- like the reversals in Acts 3 and 5, or the sudden kidnapping and subsequent return of Jake in Act 4. So maybe something like that.)

The most interesting part of the update will probably be the final line? I mean, presumably the 13th Anniversary thing is going to be in there. (I mean, it has to, right? "On April 13" is not a sentence you can just tack on to the end of an Act 6 update. It's going to be . . . something)

I don't know what I think of the new character? Their sprite is lame but I guess I'm fine with the concept of a new fusion.

I don't like Karkat and Tavros' relationship or any of their dialogue, but I am glad they kissed. It didn't make me any more invested in Karkat or Tavros per se, but it was . . . a thing that had to happen. (And the fact that this new character was created as a result of it was kind of neat.)

The Ultima Thule thing makes the least sense to me. It's possible that it represents "Mituna in the Ultimate Heir," but (a) is the Ultimate Heir a sylladex? and (b) doesn't Hussie like Mituna? If he did intend to kill Caliborn, I'm sure he would have had Mituna do it, since they are friends.

[hqrbinger]

everybody loves somebody.

summary; there's something off every time scaramouche tries to find a partner.... pairings; scaramouche x reader (no pronouns used) warnings; angst angst angst, no beta, uhhh mcd (reader is already dead), what scara is doing here is not healthy bestie scar pls get some help, unhealthy coping mechanism?? (scar trying to cope with your death), do i even have to say hes ooc? notes; this song,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, man this SONG i have been obsessed with 50s love songs so much lately i am so down bad for this one especially,,,, it can be used in like a love fic or whatever this sick idea is the possibilities are literally endless i am so sorry if this is shit, i literally wrote and rewrote this 100 times bc i had a very specific vibe/vision i wanted and i rlly struggled to capture it (and i cant tell if i even did capture what i wanted) but anyway

song; everybody loves somebody- dean martin (pls it makes it so much better to listen while reading)

vv special ty to @alonelysimp for helping me out a bunch w this fic <333 literally wouldnt be possible without all the help xe gave me love u lots bestie

everybody loves somebody sometime.

scaramouche felt sick. he sat at the table with a slightly exasperated expression, his tired eyes staring, calculating, at the chair at the other end. when sultry hands smoothed over his shoulders, his expression only darkened.

these were not your hands.

"scara?" the hands' voice asked. "are you alright?"

and that was not your voice.

he turned, disgust shining through his forced smile.

"get out."

and although my dream is overdue.

he was tired. he was so, so tired of looking into eyes that weren't yours, holding hands that weren't yours, kissing lips that weren't yours.

they weren't you.

none of them were you.

but he couldn't seem to stop searching, pursuing an impossible dream with an insatiable desperation. yet every time he thought he had finally found someone, it all felt wrong.

no, no, no.

this hair is too light.

these eyes are too dull.

they all just weren't the right fit. it was fine. he just needed to try again. he just needed to try harder.

your love made it well worth waiting...

scaramouche dug his nails into his palms, all alone once again. frustration simmered under his skin, threatening to boil over.

it wasn't working.

why isn't it working?

he had been asking the same question all along, but a new, uncomfortable query had dug its claws into his mind.

would anyone truly be able to be like you?

could there really be anyone who had those eyes that rivaled the brightest of stars, or that voice that put ocean waves to shame? would anyone be able to view him the same way you did? to love him the same way you did?

archons, how he missed you. the longing, the need, the desperation for you to be back in his arms was beyond all reason, and sometimes it almost felt like too much.

but it was alright. he would be able to find someone like you if he had to search the entirety of teyvat. someone ought to be able to fill the gaping void shaped like you.

for someone.... like you.

even if he had to force them in.

[yinses]

relationship headcanons

gojo satoru x instructor!reader

rating: t

a/n: we all obsess over gojo, now it’s time for him to simp over you

— you’re a teacher over at the sister school and have been rivals with gojo since before your own graduation. you’ve come close but have never bested him, so you’ve put all your frustration into raising the next generation of sorcerers to be stronger than his class ( and ofc to take out curses)

it’s all seriousness for you but fun and games for gojo. not everyone simps for him, believe it or not. the man is challenged on the daily but it’s less of an annoyance when it’s you. maybe because you don’t call him out for it. there is no boisterous demand for a showdown or obsessive rivalry. you bide your time and out your efforts into your students where it matters the most.

he can tell you want to make a bigger point. that the entire jujusu kaisen institution doesn’t need to rely on him to solve their problems. you truly believe that you can bring stronger comrades to the table. the goal of besting him was just a side objective

— you’re attractive. he’s attractive. there is no denying it. maybe under different circumstances he might have already taken you to bed by now but the chase is more thrilling. he’s known you for over a decade now but he doesn’t know the intimacies of your past. it’s a gamble how many people you’ve dated or what your experiences are like, but he does know he definitely has a chance.

the sexual tension is always there. more prominent for gojo because honestly he finds you determination so fucking sexy. the man is dominant but to be pinned down by your thighs ascends him. he has your number and is never not in your inbox. you rarely respond but he knows you read them, especially since he squeezes little updates about his class progress in between romantic poem quotes and blasts from the past.

you never answer his facetime calls but occasionally you’ll indulge a regular call, if only to voice appease him enough to stop him from filling your voicemail box. as you’re preparing dinner in your kitchen, he’s going on and on about little things that shouldn’t matter. but he doesn’t really have anyone else and it shows.

the man is an open book. confessing sprinkles of his frustrations around jesting stories about his cute little students and the bakery he now coined his favorite just two kilometers from his house.

sometimes he reminisces about school. about how visiting the sister school to see you was his favorite part of the semester. but he also delves into his own small class and how he misses the shenanigans the use to raise yaga’s blood pressure frequently. sure shoko is still here but geto- fuck, the guilt cracks in his voice. you don’t say anything still, what could you anyway to a man you shouldn’t adore baring his soul to you? but before a decision can come to head he’s swapped back to his usual self.

‘so that bakery has this delicious tiramisu. why don’t you let me eat it off of you one of these days? i love dessert in bed.’

across the city, gojo smiles so hard his cheeks sting when you hang up on him, shoulders more at ease than they’ve been in days.

— he never shows up for his meetings with yaga, god forbid there be a special invite from the croaking old bastard. but fuck- if you’re there? the man is on time just so he can secure a seat next to you.

you know this guy manspreads. thighs wide enough to align them with yours. you’re not jumpy, reading easily between the lines as you give him a curt glance from the corner of your eye. it’s a useless scold, because you only recieve a cocky grin.

god and does it egg him on. this man feeds on crumbs of your attention. his arm lounging comfortably along the back of the couch, fingertips dancing along the edge of your shoulder and tickling the collar of your neck.

it’s the fact that you’re consensual to it all that keeps him going. sure you bite back and huff with your cute little irritated pout- but you never say no. and that’s all the fuel he needs.

he can hear everyone just fine- like they’re sitting right there. but catch him leaning close, shoulders knocking together while he whispers in your ear. he’ll ask you to repeat things he definitely did not miss. ask you to explain things he obviously comprehends. you roll your eyes but coddle him anyway if only to cure your own boredom.

bonus: off to the side, miwa watches the two adults conspiring, foreheads just a breath away from tapping. she’s rooting for gojo if only for the benefit of seeing him around more. she’s been wanting to ask you to invite gojo-sensei to guest speak for months.

— fighting with you is basically foreplay. he’s never been so intimate with his infinity, absorbing every punch and jab. not enough to hurt terribly , but it’s physical contact from you and he won’t pass it up.

he’s supposed to be showing off for his students. itadori, his biggest fan, front and center as his own personal cheering squad. he can beat you but not demolish. you actually bring a challenge, which is why the two of you are often a treat at the exchange event.

gojo wants nothing more than to pin you down when the two of you grapple close for comfort. he knows he can get away with a nice hard grind or two, even thinks you’ll let him.

but his inner thoughts are his own downfall when you manage to get on top instead. not that he’s complaining. his infinity is strapped tight to his body, just barely keeping you at bay as you try to force your limbs to keep him in place.

this is bad. so bad because you’re leaning close- the hair from your sloppy bun whispering at his cheek. and your face is right there, near enough that he could flinch and you would be touching.

it’s entirely too intimate for a fight between instructors at a public event but damn he’s willing to let his guard down. besides what the fuck is he supposed to do when he can feel your mouth moving against the barrier.

‘is this how our first kiss is going to be? just you, me and the infinity?’

jesus fucking christ if you thought he was strong enough for that. it may as well be ‘pass go’ for gojo. because one second you’re held up by the invisible void and the next you’re tasting something sweet.

he’d just eaten a pack of chocolate covered cherries.

[smoothiedreams]

just an idea i had

It's been three days since Jack managed to bring Cas out of the void, he and sam went on a hunt and they was now investigating the basement of a witch they had just killed, the place was in the basement of a house where it was full of spells and named pots on perched shelves. Dean was looking at the vials while Sam followed a little ahead, they heard a noise and had their weapons in their hands automatically, the sudden movement made Dean drop the vial which fell at his feet and released smoke, the brothers looked at the source of the noise and it was just a mouse passing by, Dean of course cursed out loud and sam snapped to readiness with concern in his eyes, asked Dean if he felt any different and the older winchester said it was all right, he said that maybe because the witch hadn't used the spells for years they had passed their expiry date or that it was ok since he didn't show a reaction, on the other hand sam was worried, he asked what was written on the vial and dean said aloud " sweet smiles", he mocked the name, further ahead they found a table that contained a diary that the witch had been writing for centuries, later reading the said diary Sam would find about " sweet smiles ", apparently a long time ago the witch lived happy with her lover, this lover had lost her pet and was extremely sad, which broke the witch's heart every time she cried, so she created this magic that later she turned it into dust to store, the spell made the person affected to cry Honey, her lover loved honey, every time she cried she took some of the Honey that his eyes produced on his lips, And always smiled with sweet taste, the witch to flatter her did the same, these were happy memories in the diary, but didn't say how to end the spell. Dean was still dealing with Cas's recent return and his time in the void, the angel's statement kept repeating itself in Dean's head but he didn't have the courage to face it and since the angel returned they've been acting as if nothing had happened. cas seems ok with it but Dean is struggling with a lot of emotions and he wishes he could express it to the angel, after all he deserves an answer, and the worried eyes of cas on Dean when he got back to the bunker, sam had explained by phone call to cas what had happened to Dean, the angel asked careful if he was ok after he checked the hunter with his eyes up and down, this made the pit of Dean's stomach warm and turn and he hid the sensations behind a smile and an "I'm fine" attitude. Dean thought about the situation he was in, he didn't feel any different but the spell apparently only did if he cried, and he wasn't willing to prove it, later he and cas end up in a conversation where he opens his heart, the hunter talks about how he was after cas was carried away by the void, interrupts cas before he can say anything and continues until he finally says through tears that he loves cas and he can have him, cas's eyes are wide and he is looking at dean with curiosity and admiration, he brings his hand to Dean's face and wipes away what would be a tear, the hunter is paralyzed and tense but when cas takes his finger with what now proved to be honey coming out of his tear ducts, to his lips and confirms with a satisfied sound at the taste, they both open a silly smile, the angel's smile widens and his eyes are shining with something special, Dean feels his lips widen in a smile that rivals cas and he feels lighter, the situation is absurd and they laugh loud and good, cas turns to face Dean and repeats the words from the dungeon "I love you dean" and this time Dean can reply, "I love you too cas". He discovers later that the spell only ends when its objective is fulfilled, sharing sweet smiles that warm the heart.

[devilrising]

Harry is that person who after a decade of being a Hogwarts graduate still he's Gryffindor pride. Like everyone else Hermione and eventually (many years later), Ron get over the whole house system but Harry will hear about Gryffindor winning/losing a quick game and brag/sulk about it. Then later Draco is around while Harry boasts about Gryfindor a Draco overhears and jumps in with Gryffindor slander and Slytherin praise because of course Draco still has Slytherin pride.

Not Just Quidditch

Teen | <2k | Rivals to Lovers | Post Hogwarts

Thank you @crazybutgood for the beta read!

~*^*^*~

Harry stood before Ron, watching him shake his head and roll his eyes with growing annoyance. Ron just didn’t understand.

“Mate, you need to get over this! Hogwarts was a lifetime ago,” Ron exclaimed, wrapping his arm tighter around Hermione’s waist. “I don’t see why you bring it up every time.”

“But… But Gryffindor won, Ron! They won the House Cup again!”

Hermione laughed under her breath, a small sound that Harry almost missed. “Harry… I understand that Hogwarts—and Gryffindor, especially—was the first place you really felt at home, but Ron’s right. We graduated a decade ago; you need to start letting go.”

Her eyes held something akin to pity, and Harry wanted nothing more than to see it disappear, but he knew it wouldn’t. They’d had this conversation too many times to count, and she never seemed to believe him when he said it wasn’t about that.

Yes, Hogwarts was the first community he was ever really a part of, and yes, it was where he felt most at home all those years ago, but that was irrelevant. Gryffindor gave Harry a chance at redeeming himself; at picking his life back up. When he graduated, when he moved on with his life, there was nothing to fill that void.

Ron and Hermione didn’t have that issue. Ron joined the Auror force and wanted to show his parents that he was good at something like his brothers; that he was capable of being the best. And he did. Hermione went into politics, fighting for creature rights and equality. She was named one of the most influential women of the Wizarding World only last year. She was successful.

Harry had nothing.

He crashed out during Auror training, his mind and body not yet recovered from the war. His relationship with Ginny went up in flames not even two years in, and dating proved to be impossible when everyone just wanted to sell him out to the Prophet. Harry had nothing to fill his time, nothing to throw himself into. No hobbies, no job, no partner.

When a Hogwarts newsletter had mistakenly been sent to him, he had become… a little obsessed. At least, that’s the word Ron used.

What did it matter if he became absorbed back into Hogwarts life? Who cared if he attended every Quidditch game he could, even if he didn’t know anyone playing personally? Harry couldn’t see the problem. He was just supporting his school and letting off some steam. It was a shame neither of his friends agreed.

~*^*^*~

“Mate, not again.”

“What?! All I said was that—”

“Yes, that Gryffindor won a random, midnight Seekers’ game that no one else knows about. How on earth did you even find out?” Ron asked, bouncing baby Rose on his hip.

Harry pursed his lips. He knew where this conversation was going to go. “In the Hogwarts newsletter… the unofficial one run by the Seventh Years.”

Ron groaned, moving Rose to his other hip. “Mate, you need to stop reading that thing. This obsession with Gryffindor isn’t healthy!”

Harry disagreed, of course, but he was so sick of this argument! He rewrapped his scarf around his neck, belatedly realising it was his old Gryffindor one… Rubbing a hand over his face, Harry sighed. “Fine. I’ll stop telling you about it.”

“No, mate. You need to stop paying attention to it. Find something else to do!” Ron bounced Rose and held her up high. Looking into her eyes, he muttered, “Don’t listen to him, Rosie-posie. Your godfather is going round the bend.”

Harry rolled his eyes but didn’t comment. He needed new friends.

~*^*^*~

“Hermione! Did you see that—” “That Slytherin won the last Quidditch match? I did, actually,” she interrupted, raising an eyebrow. Harry stared at her. “What? Is that not what you were going to tell me?”

Harry snapped his mouth shut. “How on earth did you know? And can you believe it?! They must have cheated, it’s the only way!”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Somebody else beat you to it today. And no, Harry, I don’t think they cheated. It’s nearly impossible to cheat in Quidditch anyway, especially with the new referee.”

“Who told you?!” Harry asked, incredulous. No one else knew these things, no one else followed as closely.

“I did, Potter.”

Harry knew that voice. He spun on his heel, eyes locking with… Dammit.

“Malfoy?”

Malfoy smirked. “Glad to see your eyes haven’t completely failed you yet, Potter. I thought for sure they would have.”

Harry scowled but refused to rise to the bait. He was an adult now, according to Hermione. “How do you know about the match?” he asked, voice low.

A faint blush tinted Malfoy’s cheeks pink. “I read the newsletter, of course. Didn’t you?”

“Of course I did! But… I didn’t think anyone else did.”

Malfoy lifted his chin ever so slightly, looking down his nose. Harry wanted to growl and tell him to drop the haughty act, but there was just something about it… “You mean aside from the entirety of Hogwarts?”

Harry bit the inside of his cheek, forcing himself to remain silent. “Why were you talking to Hermione?” he asked, fully aware that he had failed but not caring.

“Bit defensive there, Potter? We work together, or did she not tell you?” Malfoy flicked his gaze over to Hermione for the first time. A tiny smile tugged at his lips, pulling apart the arrogance with which he was looking at Harry.

Harry’s eyes narrowed, watching Malfoy’s mask slide back up when he faced Harry again. “‘Mione works in the creature equality sub-department, I can’t quite imagine that you do too.”

Malfoy scowled. “I work in the sub-department next door, actually, but our research and papers often overlap.” Malfoy’s hands laced together in front of himself, and Harry struggled not to look down at them. “If you must know,” he added belatedly.

Hermione cleared her throat, and Harry turned to her with an arched eyebrow. “If you two are finished behaving like teenagers, we have to get going.” Her gaze flicked between Harry and Malfoy, her eyes calculating. “Thanks for walking me to work, Harry, but since Malfoy is here I may as well walk the rest of the way with him,” she said, smiling softly at Harry. “I’ll see you after work.”

Harry wanted to argue, wanted to say that walking through the Ministry with Malfoy was a bad idea, but Hermione was already looking at him. Cursing her in his head, he pulled her into a hug and turned on his heel to leave.

He definitely didn’t look over his shoulder to find Malfoy already watching him.

~*^*^*~

“Potter!”

Harry sighed, rolled his eyes, and turned to face Malfoy. “Fancy seeing you here,” he sneered, knocking back the rest of his drink.

The music swelled, drowning out all sounds of conversation. Malfoy smiled, a bright flash of teeth under the lights. “I’ve worked with Hermione for years, Potter, of course she invited me to her birthday party.”

Harry hated that he had a good point. He allowed his eyes to take in Malfoy’s appearance for once, noting his obscenely tight leather pants and sheer grey shirt. Something tightened in his stomach. “I don’t see why you had to actually show up though,” he replied, darting his gaze back to Malfoy’s eyes.

“It would have been rude not to! Besides, I was kind of hoping that you heard about the last Hogwarts match…?” Malfoy asked, trailing off. Nervous.

Harry couldn’t fight back his grin. As much as it pained him to admit it, Malfoy wasn’t that bad anymore. And talking to him about Quidditch was better than talking to himself about it, so. “Can you believe Hufflepuff won?!”

Malfoy—or should he be Draco, now?—lit up. “Did you see Ravenclaw’s chaser? She was incredible!”

Harry beamed at him. Even though they’d already spoken about the last five matches, it still surprised him how well they could get on. Maybe he should stop expecting them not to.

~*^*^*~

The next time Harry saw Malfoy, he was extremely hungover, and Draco was wearing a Gryffindor scarf.

“What’s that?” he asked, lifting a hand to point in the vague direction of Draco.

“Uhm. Me?” Draco replied, stepping closer and wrapping a hand around Harry’s upper arm. “Are you drunk?”

“I was drunk.” Draco’s hair looked so lovely in the soft morning light. His eyes reflected the sun, bright gold lighting up silver. Pretty.

Draco sighed and pulled his wand out with a speed that made Harry’s head hurt. He waved his wand over Harry, and then everything was clear.

Harry groaned in relief, his eyes falling closed. The ground stopped moving under him, the world came back into focus. Draco was still beautiful.

“Why are you wearing that?” he asked again—at least, he thought he’d already asked—pointing at the Gryffindor scarf.

Draco pursed his lips. “Slytherin lost the match. I lost our bet.”

And just like that, everything made a lot more sense. They’d spent last night at a pub, waiting for the most recent newsletter to arrive. They’d struck up a bet that the loser had to wear the winning House’s colours, and then gotten drunk. Very drunk, in Harry’s case.

“Oh. That’s good,” he murmured, eyes fixed on the scarf. The red complimented the faint blush on Draco’s cheeks nicely. Harry reached out to thread his fingers through the ends of the scarf, not quite realising he was doing it until the soft fabric touched his fingers. Since when were they standing close enough for him to touch Draco?

Draco froze but didn’t say anything, and Harry reluctantly pulled his hand away again. “Are you alright, Harry?” Draco asked, his voice quiet and soft. Caring.

Harry blinked. He took a deep breath, trying not to think about how close they were. About how pretty Draco looked. “I’m great. I beat you!” he said, trying to ease the tension and put them back on familiar ground.

Draco just smiled softly at him. “You always did, at school.”

Harry swallowed hard. “I’m sure you beat me once.”

“You would remember if I had,” Draco pointed out. “Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you could walk after all that Firewhisky last night,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

“And to show me the scarf,” Harry added, eyes glued to the red fabric once again.

“Yes,” Draco murmured, but he didn’t make any move to leave. He just stood there, barely a foot away from Harry, looking at him.

Harry gulped, and then his hands were moving without his permission. They reached out for Draco, skating over his shoulders before holding them firmly. Draco’s lips parted, his eyes locked to Harry’s. Harry vaguely realised what he was doing—what he was going to do—but it wasn’t enough to stop him.

He wanted this.

He had for a while.

In the end, it was Draco who closed the gap. His lips met Harry’s in a gentle kiss, as if he was unsure it would be well received. Harry sighed into it, pulling Draco closer and responding immediately. Draco relaxed, winding his hands into Harry’s hair and holding him close.

When they pulled apart, Harry couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him.

“I can’t believe that just happened.”

Draco smiled, his thumbs stroking Harry’s cheeks. “I can.”

“All because of Quidditch, too,” Harry murmured, leaning forward to rest his forehead against Draco’s.

“Not just Quidditch,” Draco argued, his eyes closing.

Harry bit his lip. “Not just Quidditch.”

~*^*^*~

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