#At least one of those is going to make a grab at power but um. Sparrow Heart will not react Well.

[bonefall]

My birthday was a couple days ago, and I got to see my bio dad for the first time in a while. He surprised me with the fact that I have a little half-sister, whom I've never met and who was adopted about two years back. So, I wondered if any situations in BB mimic this or have a theme of "secret siblings" or "secret family"? Sorry if this is a weird ask; this blog is honestly just such a cool little place and I love the way you approach the subject matter and take the flawed misogynistic foundation of the WC books and make them so much better (JUSTICE FOR BUMBLE!!!). I've also learned a lot about healthy and unhealthy relationships here and am really glad for your deep dives on Squilf and Bramble. Thanks, Bones!

Not weird at all! I really like exploring all the little nooks and crannies of complicated familial dynamics. I think one of the untapped strengths of WC (that the writers seem to be unaware of) is how their MASSIVE cast allows them to present all sorts of unique dynamics. So I like to pick up on it, since they don't.

For secret siblings...

I'm pretty heavily leaning towards Ambermoon being adopted by Wildfur, as a surrogacy. Something feels correct about it. Especially since Icecloud is getting retooled into a post-Battle of the True Eclipse birth, and a major supporting character in AVoS-era stories as a friend of Alderheart.

Thinking about it, I should zoom in and expand this. Maybe have Icecloud, somehow, acquire forbidden knowledge that would invalidate the Queen’s Rights and he (transman) struggles with if he's going to use it to expose his parents as an excuse to help Ambermoon.

(Especially since Ambermoon and Icecloud are basically nothing alike. Amber is independent, bold, and vain. Ice is jessie pinkman big-hearted, disorganized, and deceptively meek if you look past his "chill" demeanor)

But that's wip-- there's also Breezepelt and the Three, who are going to have an actual friendship. In particular I can't unsee Breeze and Lion having a deep one. I know I commit the Cardinal Sin of borderline himbo-ifying Lionblaze in BB, but I can't help it.

Hollyleaf ended up nabbing a bunch of his most violent roles to make her villainous descent smoother narratively, so BB!Lionblaze's story ends up being more focused on Ashfur's abuse, comic relief with cats in other Clans (something that the very serious Jay and Holly have a hard time providing), and the emotional fallout of the big reveal and Bramblestar's turn on them. Breezepelt slots neatly into that.

They were friends. Lionblaze's whole life came down around the reveal, everyone looking at him and his siblings differently, like they're suddenly something terrible. Why can't we find a silver lining, Breezepelt? Why can't we call ourselves brothers if the whole world is going to do it anyway? So much is changing, but THIS doesn't have to, we will take their weapon and turn it to armor, my ally, my friend, my brother.

(and when Breezepelt is lashing out at the three because of the Dark Forest's influence, Lionblaze is there, taking the blows and trying not to give in to the impulse to send him flying with a single paw)

There's also Harespring and Kestrelflight of WindClan and Owlclaw of ShadowClan. All of them are from a single litter between Whitewater and Mudclaw. She was going to raise the three of them alone as ShadowClan cats, but when the sire was smote, Whitewater felt they were cursed.

She was able to give the oldest two to their bio-uncle, Torear, but the weather was so bad that day and the runt was so sickly and small that it surely would have killed him. I don't think Owlclaw ever finds out why his mother always treated him with suspicion, but it did mess him up horribly.

Over in BB!DOTC, Thunder Storm is getting more half-siblings earlier. Clear Sky and Falling Feather had two daughters-- Pale Sky and Tiger Sky.

I want to explore the way that the various stages of Clear Sky's life acted on his kids. How any little curiosity Thunder Storm had about the life he might have had if he wasn't abandoned is crushed by seeing kittens who weren't. How Clear's favoritism of his oldest child set the trio against each other from the start. How this idea of "love" is toxic yet intoxicating.

It feels good to be the golden child. The power it gives you over his sycophants is satisfying. To know you, and you alone, have what someone else craves. Problem is, that's conditional, and it's cruel.

What Thunder Storm learns from his time with his biodad is that Clear Sky is not his father at all. He's taught him exactly what he DOESN'T want to be. There may be similarities-- in temperament, in physical prowess (though BB!Thunder is three-legged, he's still ripped), in taste and senses. But Thunder Storm's father is Shaded Flower.

(BB!Gray Wing died in the first book, rescuing Shaded Flower from being trampled by a horse. Xey're a patron of wisdom, Shaded Moss is taking the role of fatherhood to Thunder)

His sister is Rainswept Flower. His mom is Bright Storm. If there was a bond he could have had with Tiger Sky and Pale Sky, it dies simply and cruelly on the knife they used to cut each other out.

Pale might have wanted to mend it, she was the gentler one. But she dies in the First Battle along with her mother. Tiger Sky is too stubborn to accept any help, should Thunderstar offer it, and Thunderstar isn't in the business of begging for others to like him.

Naturally I'm lowkey obsessed with them lmao. I need to make a BB!DOTC overviewww

[chukys-mouthguard]

good graces

you do something suspect, this cute ass bye-bye

featuring -> william nylander x female reader

genre -> angst/fluff

word count -> 1.35k

-> short n’ sweet masterlist

“Have you seen Willy on Spittin’ Chiclets yet?”

Your friend called to you from the kitchen as she started on making drinks while you were taking a bit longer on your makeup than you would’ve liked.

“Fuck I forgot, let me pull it up.”

You and William had been seeing each other for almost nine months now, though not putting a label on it things were pretty serious. Having taken numerous trips together, William constantly spoiling you, all while telling you he couldn’t imagine his life not getting to be your guy.

He’d gotten invited onto the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast and you were excited to watch. It was one of your favorite shows, but you also were anticipating them to ask William some hilarious questions.

“Okay so, we gotta ask. You’re a young guy here in Toronto, dare I say you’re a stud! What’s the dating scene like here in Toronto? You tied down by a lucky lady, what do you have going on?”

William chuckled as you quickly flashed your eyes to the screen of your cell phone, seeing the way he blushed at them asking the question. While you knew this podcast had been filmed several weeks ago, you were still aware of what his answer should be, at least from your perspective. But as he hesitated, and stumbled over his words you could feel your grip on your eyeliner tightening.

“Yeah um, I’m definitely here for a good time. Not really tied down, just enjoying my time here for sure with whoever comes into my life. But, I like to think I do alright for myself.”

Pausing the video you emerged from the bathroom to find your friend with the same look of shock on her face as you currently had on your own.

“Are you joking?”

“He’s fucking dead. Not really tied down? Is he stupid?”

You couldn’t believe William had actually said those words, not really tied down. Had the last nine months been something casual and meant nothing to him? Here you were ready to go out to dinner with him and some friends, but now all you could repeat through your brain was that interview.

“What are you gonna do?”

You headed over to the bar cart, grabbing a shot glass and the tequila. Throwing back a shot before you hurried back to finish your makeup.

“I can’t bail, but he’s going to see a side of me he won’t like if he doesn’t acknowledge it, that's for sure.”

You’d arrived at the restaurant, the few tequila shots you’d tossed back calming your frustrations a bit, though you were still upset with William. Not wanting to ruin the night you figured the least you could do was power through a dinner and not give away any sign you were unhappy with him.

But as the dinner unfolded, it was as if anything William did was coming across as suspect. The way he smiled at the waitress, calling her sweetheart anytime she’d checked in or brought him something. The way he would place his hand atop hers anytime she’d stop by the table and ask if he needed anything. Your anger only building as you thought back to his comments on the podcast, rolling your eyes thinking that everything with him was just a casual fling to him. Despite how much he’d meant to you.

He caught you staring at him from across the table, you’d opted to sit across from him versus next to him so you could give yourself a bit of space to try and give him the opportunity to notice your mood. But he didn’t necessarily catch on, acting as if things were normal other than where you’d chosen to sit.

With dinner wrapping up, you’d all chosen to go to one of the bars down the street. William now noticed how you were walking arm in arm with your friend rather than by his side. He called out to you, simply getting the cold shoulder as you elected to keep walking as if you hadn’t heard him. Your mind focused on getting to the bar and getting some more drinks in your system, needing to channel your frustrations through alcohol and dancing.

William opted to sit with the group, watching you dancing on the floor with your friend. Figuring that he’d done something to piss you off, but he didn’t know what. Usually the two of you could talk through things, but it was clear you had no desire to talk to him tonight. And he knew better than to push you or force anything on you, simply giving you the space you wanted.

His eyes followed you as you made your way to the bar, a guy soon approaching you as you ordered a drink. William fully expected you to kindly dismiss the man, but instead he saw you laughing and smiling. Your hand resting on the man’s forearm as you were clearly enjoying yourself. He tossed back his drink in frustration as he stood up, making his way to the bar to step in before you’d do anything further to really anger him.

“Hey, everything okay?”

William smiled down at you as he rested a hand at your lower back, flashing his eyes to the gentleman with a bit of a glare. Only to be met with a smile as the man had recognized the blonde haired Maple Leaf that stood before him.

“Yeah, William, you know Joey. Joey Loperfido, outfield for the Blue Jays. He’s actually a really big Leafs fan!”

“How are you man? I’m a big fan of yours as well! I was actually at the game last week, great win!”

The two of them shook hands, though Joey sensed some tension and kindly excused himself.

“Really Willy? I was making friends.”

“Friends? Is that what you called that? I saw from a mile away you were flirting with the guy!”

He scoffed as he rolled his eyes, taking the spot in front of you at the bar as he signaled the bartender for another drink.

“Like you care? This is just enjoying time with whoever comes into your life, remember?”

William looked at you confused, unsure as to what you were talking about. Making you laugh as you sipped your drink, rolling your eyes as you found it hilarious he was trying to play dumb.

“I heard you on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, don’t play dumb! Has the last nine months meant nothing to you? I mean, you tell me all the time how much you love being my guy, but could’ve fooled me with the answer you gave Biz and Whit.”

William immediately brought a hand to his face, groaning as he realized now what you were referring to.

“Y/n, baby, look at me.”

He brought his hands to your face, despite your trying to push him away. A smile on his face as he looked at you.

“The Spittin’ Chiclets podcast is the last place I would ever want to confirm or announce you as my girlfriend.”

Your eyes went wide hearing him call you his girlfriend, the title not being something he’d ever used before. And while you wanted to be mad at him for what he said, it was hard hearing how amazing it felt hearing him finally call you his girlfriend.

“Wait, like, we are official now? I’m your girlfriend?”

“If you’ll have me as your boyfriend? Though after tonight I’m not so sure.”

Quickly you pulled his lips to yours, feeling amazing to kiss him after being distant from him all night. He smiled into the kiss, assuming that was your answer. And it was a good enough answer for him.

“But so help me god William Nylander, if you ever say some dumb shit like that again, you do not want to bring out my mean side.”

He chuckled at your scolding as he stole another kiss from you.

“Oh trust me babe, tonight I got a taste of it tonight and I’m staying in your good graces if it’s the last thing I do!”

[belovedivies]

along the wind (bodyguard!peter x f!reader)

・゜・summary: Peter has made his way to the top by defying the odds his whole life; barely anything fazes him at this point. Yet when a glimpse of normalcy comes into his life in the form of a girl whose presence he initially apathizes, the crack in the Apostle’s stoicism starts to show.゜・* ・゜・tags: reader-insert, pre-canon, pre-rejuvenated peter, slice of life, fluff, slow burn, eventual romance, (my poor) attempt at humor, friends to lovers, typical-canon violence (mostly referenced cuz i suck at writing fight scenes)゜・* ・゜・notes: this work has multiple chapters! also cross-posted on my ao3 <3 title is from a song called "fly away" by jang yoon ju.゜・*

chapter 1: white strawberry and mint. ・゜・chapter content: bashing/washing, brief mention of drug. ・゜・word count: 1,268 ♡masterlist♡

“Tch, stop squirming so much will you?”

"That's easy for you to say, you took my last xanax!"

Peter, very much irritated, decides to ignore those words as he drags the washcloth down your spine. You really thought Glory's greatest asset would want to be stuck here babysitting a grown-ass woman in her early 20s, huh? You'd better fucking think again; with how bizarre this unconventional live-in assignment has been and is still going, Peter's mental gymnastics constantly blow hot and cold between wanting to protect you and wanting to strangle you. Anything to make your perpetual complaining go away, honestly. But as nice as the thought of making you shut up for good, the Cathedral's order to keep you safe is final, and he is but loyal to the organization that made him the powerful man he is today.

So the Apostle sucks it up, a sigh leaving his lips as one big hand closes a little tighter around your waist.

"You're recovering," Peter continues, the authority colors his tone even as his touch on your soaked back is undeniably gentle, "and the last thing I need is another headache of you OD'ing over off-label pills."

You let out a sound that falls somewhere between a gasp and a yelp. "I'm not an addict, ok?" That half-assed excuse almost has Peter rolling his eyes in pure frustration, his displeasure threatening to bubble over when you flounder on his lap like a fish out of water. "They're just my sleeping aid-"

“Aid or not ,” he cuts you off mid-sentence, “it doesn’t change the fact that you pop three xans per meal and barely function without them.” The last of his impatient reprimand is accompanied by foam-covered linen spreading the Olay body wash over the skin of your belly. Peter’s nose crinkles slightly at the sickening sugary scents of white strawberry and mint that assault his nostrils, but the man decides to keep his mouth shut.

And much to his surprise, so do you.

He’s relieved at your lack of resistance, or at least no more bitter remark. A huff leaves your lips, then nothing. Good, the Apostle is sure if this goes on, he’ll be scrubbing your wrinkly skin raw. Peter sets the washcloth aside and grabs the shower head, aiming the lukewarm stream of water at your body and clearing away the bubbles and remaining grime.

The water sloshes underneath your body as you draw up your legs; the tub isn’t small by any means, but Peter is aware of his size and how his large stature might be a little suffocating to you in terms of space. His grasp on your waist loosens, wanting to speed things up so you both can get out of here quicker. Yet the second the soap on your skin is washed away, the guy can't help but let his eyes linger on the scar on your lower thigh.

"What?" Peter hears you huff again, sounding uncomfortable despite your nonchalant expression. One of your hands moves down to conceal the healing wound, even if through the little cracks between your fingers, he can still make out the pinkish scar tissue.

"How are you feeling?" It's a genuine concern on his part.

"Um," your hesitation doesn't escape his notice, even palpably so when you start shifting awkwardly between his legs. Peter just wants to make sure, but he has no problem with dropping the topic if it irks you. That is what he thinks, but you finish the sentence, "better?"

So it doesn't hurt anymore, at least not as badly as it used to. The man lets out a low hum, then turns his head to hang the showerhead into its wall-mount bracket.

"No hair wash?" Are you serious right now? Peter rolls his eyes for real—an act he's very much acquainted with in the past six weeks living here—before facing you.

"No hair wash," there you go again with that annoying pout. Really makes him wonder how the hell you two are the same age, "I won't have you lazing around in here for more than 30 minutes."

Sensing an upcoming brainless argument, the raven-haired assassin stands up and walks out of the bath, taking you with him. He promptly ignores the way you yelp when one right hand grazes a ticklish spot on your nape to keep you still, instead reaching for two towels sitting on the sink. Peter wraps one of them around his waist and focuses on patting you dry with the other. There's a bored look on his face while you just stand there, grumbling under your breath about how you can do this on your own. Brat.

"Put this on." He draps the towel over your shoulders and hands you a fresh set of clothes for the night. Only when you take them does he start putting on his own; a moment of silence follows, save for the rustling of fabric. It’s oddly calming, and even though he has used to going through days without a wink of sleep, Peter feels his eyes getting droopy as he puts on his grey hoodie; the day’s exhaustion finally catching up.

You let out a yawn, putting your hand on his shoulder for support while you slip on a pair of cotton slippers. Now he just has to wait for you to finish up.

“Hey, Peter…”

“Hm?”

The guy looks over his shoulder when you call out his name. This time, you don’t meet his gaze, instead staring down on the floor as you scrawl with one foot.

”Sorry for my mini tantrum earlier.” You gulp, and was that shame he just heard? ”You were just trying to do your job…”

Peter cocks an eyebrow. He isn’t mad at you, per se—the smirk on his lips giving away his rare playfulness—more like the usual light-hearted annoyance (that makes him want to choke you due to how stubborn you are sometimes, but that’s out of the question). You’re still 97% better than most people the Apostle had encountered in his line of work, and that is to say out of the other 3% he didn’t fumble (or kill), you’re the girl who happens to fit the closest to society’s definition of normal.

Not that he cares about what people think, anyway.

“A-And I acted out like a child…” He’s half-expecting another sorry, but you keep your head down in silence. You must be waiting for his answer then, so the guy decides to give you an easy way out; the further teasing comment that is about to leave his mouth can be saved for another time.

”Aside from the occasional migraines you gave me,” Peter smiles, putting a hand on your head as he starts ruffling your hair. "you're not too bad yourself. Apology accepted."

You mirror his mirth, though only for a brief second. Schooling your expression into a mask of faux frustration, you huff and try to pry his hand off. “Right right, now stop would ya? You’re gonna mess up my hair!”

Again, sleep comes first. As fun as it is to taunt you, Peter needs to get you to bed. Tuck you in… is that what it is called? The Apostle mentally cringes at the term; Father Gabriel really did land him into babysitting his niece.

“Right… let’s go.” He settles for giving your head one last pat before motioning you to walk towards the door connected to your bedroom. The distance is short, but Peter knows you’ll be there when he turns around.

Tomorrow will just be another day.

[bruciemilf]

I NEED more Poolverstorm content!

MY TIME HAS COME!

minute ororo shows up Wade is instantly obsessed. It’s not even romantic at first, — man’s saw how badass, caring, compassionate , patient, powerful, capable and brave she was and immediately went ‘new bestie acquired’

Will never stop bullying Logan for not choosing her since day one. Sir. If you think Wade’s gonna let him fumble the same bag twice you are MISTAKEN—-

Every interaction they have shortens Logan’s immortality (his bisexual senses are tingling and he needs 2-7 business days to recover)

One of Logan’s favorite memories from childhood is snowball fighting, sledding, — everything involving winter.

Wade likes autumn because it gets him one step closer to Halloween and he can finally order the pumpkin mega blast from Starbucks without feeling guilty. Ororo makes both happen specifically

WADE MAKES HER LAUGH!!! SO MUCH!!!!

Whenever someone asks Logan why he puts up with it, he just shrugs, “He makes her laugh.” (He’s so in love with Wade it makes him look stupid)

Wade had to plan an entire thing to ask Roro out. It was supposed to be extremely extravagant and complicated and grandiose, but, Logan went to Ororo instead, cheeks slightly flushed, and groaned something like, “Idiot’s just trying to impress you. Just…Don’t laugh too much? “

She already planned on accepting it, but she’ll indulge them.

Roro starts wearing Logan’s dog tags once they start going out. Wade basically steals everything from shirts to belt buckles, boots, tank tops, some of her necklaces, scarves, heels

Wade being slightly insecure about taking off his mask around them. At least at first. He tries to accept and adapt, — but it’s hard, when dating the prettiest people in the entire world! After Hugh Jackman, at least.

Ororo gently kissing his bare cheek one day, — maybe he lost his mask while trying to clean, or maybe Laura took it for her and Ellie’s play pretend games. She gets right and Logan gets left. “I like this face.”

“Yeah. Well.” He laughs because he’ll cry if he doesn’t, “you’ve always had a thing for weirdos.”

“Shut up, bub.”

“Okay, fine! Hot weirdos.”

Wade explaining how they call marry Roro legally if they kidnap the pope:

Logan is their GUARD DOG!!! Missions? One breath away from their neck. Claws out and ready. Shopping? Arms crossed, scowl on, daring someone to bother them while Wade tries to justify a 400 dollar Lego pruchase.

“My darling. No.”

“But it’s the WOLVERINE collection, Ro!”

Ororo sighs and gives Logan a Look. “Talk some sense into your husband, please?”

“When he’s annoying he’s YOUR husband.”

Blind Al and Ororo? Best of friends. Mother in law/awesome wife who loves her weird ass sons. Would test Ororo at first, like, “You can have everyone in this world and you pick those two? Why?”

“Wisdom has been chasing them but those two can run.”

“…Come sit next to me. You like cocaine?”

“Um—“

“OOOkay, — mushy introductions over, Laura, grab Mary, we’re LEAVING—“

LAURA ELLIE KITTY JUBILEE MOMMY DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP WHEN!!!

Wade seeing how gentle Ororo is with the kids while still being firm, getting them in line when they don’t listen, but wrangling them expertly?

Ellie actually,,, ate her vegetables? Laura didn’t stab anyone over doing the dishes? Jubilee actually goes to sleep before 6 am?

“We have GOT to get her pregnant.”

Logan is so fucking tired. “I don’t think there’s a cure for whatever you’re on.”

“Alright, FINE. Get ME pregnant then.”

[maroronoa]

good luck coffee

zoro x f!heart pirate chronicler | wc: 796

sfw: clueless!heart pirate, nervous!zoro, sanji actually caring

can be considered as a part two of connecting the dots

Known for his sleeping habits, it surprised Sanji when he sees Zoro as the first or second crew member awake.

However, he knew the reason why: you. You were the early bird of your crew, relishing in the warm sunlight coming through the open window you sat next to. You were drinking your morning tea peacefully while periodically eating the crepe Sanji cooked.

“Mornin’”, Zoro mumbles to him after a loud yawn. He walked past the cook and leaned against the counter. “Got any coffee brewed?”

Rolling his eyes, Sanji grabs a mug from a nearby cupboard and poured some of the crew’s usual morning beverage. As Zoro drank, he briefly gazed at you, the Heart Pirates’ chronicler.

“You should talk to her while she’s alone.” Sanji advises.

“She’s busy.” Zoro flatly replies, making an excuse. Looking at you from a distance wasn’t as nerve wrecking in comparison to talking with you face to face anyway.

“Go on.” Sanji insists. “Seeing you fawn over her sends shivers. At least I give Nami and Robin attention.”

“You’re screwed either way.” Zoro laughs sarcastically.

“Talk. To. Her.” Sanji encourages harshly, ignoring his reply. “For once do something that makes you happy! Other than fighting or sleeping. I mean, she is literally not that far away from you so you can’t get lost.” He jabs, hoping to provoke Zoro to leave him alone.

“Shut up, cook,” the swordsman grunts. Begrudgingly taking his advice, he finishes his coffee and walks past you, gripping the mug in his hand.

“Morning,” you acknowledge. Zoro gives a small smirk, masking a smile.

“Morning to you too.”

Smiling, you notice his eyes peering at the journal. “Sorry, I’m writing—”

“...I can come back later…” Zoro interrupts.

“…but I can make time.” You finish, lifting an eyebrow. “Sit.”

Zoro’s breath hitches as he sits in front of you. The early morning sun rays showcased how perfect you look to him and he couldn’t help but marvel.

“I’ve been eyeing you.” You say, tapping your pen on the page you’re writing on. He looks down at the it and briefly reads the words:

Swordsman. Demon. Powerful. Berries.

“Really?” Zoro inquires coolly. He’s sure three of those four words were about him, so he had a confidence boost. “Why?”

“The way you look at… well…” you start, your cheeks turning red. “…you’re a talented guy and, I think you and Law should spar some time.”

“Oh, um...” that was definitely not the statement or question he expected.

“I think you two could be friends.” You add, trying to back up your suggestion, “I’d like us to be friends too.”

Zoro clenched his fists as his question was answered with one word: friend. He’s caught off guard by your extended friendship, hoping for something more. However, he didn’t dare say it out loud.

“Sorry, you’re probably busy—”

“Ah, don’t worry. I can make time.” He copies your previous response quietly. Even though your words tore through him, he looks past them.

“Friends, huh?” Zoro repeats softly. He nervously tapped on the hilt of his swords and kept an even tone, “Yeah, sparring with Law sounds good,” adding a tight-lipped smile.

“Ah, speak of the devil.” You laugh, welcoming Law. After you closed your journal, you couldn’t help but be oblivious of Zoro’s reaction while you converse with your captain. He drank from the empty coffee mug, distracting himself from the possessive feeling he was slowing starting to have towards you. Watching you two bicker and laugh made him a little jealous for someone else caught your attention instead of him.

Zoro forced himself to maintain his composure, his eyes flickering between you and Law, jaw tightening slightly. Trying to shake off the unease, he clears his throat and puts his mug on the table, silently berating himself for these unwarranted feelings. You had never shown any romantic interest in Law so

What’s there to worry about?

“Law,” Zoro finally spoke, his voice steady, “Up for that sparring session today?”

Law glanced at him, nodding in agreement. “Sure, why not?” he agrees casually, unaware of the tension. Zoro stiffened when he saw Law briefly brush his fingers over yours, a slight gesture that he wants to do badly. He lifted an eyebrow when he saw Law shiver touch your skin. Aware that you didn’t see his brief, needy gaze, Zoro started tapping his foot on the floor.

Damn surgeon, why her?

Maybe he was taking it too personally. It’s not like you had feelings for Law, which he constantly repeated to himself for it is his only source of reassurance.

“You look a little tense,” you observe, pointing out Zoro’s stiff posture. “Got some energy to take out?”

Nodding his head, Zoro says, “I do, a lot of it.”

[scarletlizzard]

Hummingbird

Pairing: wanda x reader (I don't think I used any pronouns in this? I could be wrong)

Tags: angst, fluff, alcohol (R has a bit of a drinking problem), R has powers

A/N: Hi anon 😊 Please forgive me for taking so long. I wrote this about 10 different ways before I could finally settle on one! I hope this is good enough and thank you thank you so much for the request 🩷🩷

Masterlist

As you sit in the pew in the middle of friends and other familiar faces, you smell the flowers that litter the alter, and listen to the quiet chatter as you feel a body sit next to you.

"Maximoff is getting married, huh?" Bucky asks, you remove your eyes from Wanda, who was standing at the alter, to your best friend.

"I guess so... finally," you say with a chuckle, looking down at your hands. You pick at the skin of your nails anxiously and think back to one of the first days you met the Maximoffs.

***

"Would you stop being so anti-social?" Natasha insists as she leans in the doorframe of your room. You remove your headphones with a pout on your face.

"I'm not being anti social, I'm just... here," you shrug and stand from your bed. She laughs and shakes her head, stepping inside.

"Ten minutes, or I'm dragging you down. If I have to be there, so do you," Natasha hits your shoulder playfully and rolls her eyes as you fake being hurt.

"Ten minutes!" She commands before heading back to the party.

With a sigh, you do as she says, changing into a dark pair of jeans and a plain white shirt. If you absolutely had to go, you would at least be comfortable. So ten minutes went by, and you found yourself, as always, at the bar in the large room filled with people. You recognized most of the people, the same ones who always show up to Tonys parties. As you sip your second drink though, the sight of the twins walking by catch your eyes.

You make eye contact with Wanda Maximoff, the witch who almost drove you to commit heinous crimes the day she put herself in your mind. She gives you a soft smile, and you have to look away because you want to hate her.

You don't want to feel a warmth spread in your chest as she looks at you with those gorgeous green eyes surrounded with dark makeup and those silver rings on her slender fingers and her long, smooth legs in that skirt and that beautiful smile and - fuck it.

"Maximoff," you say, suprising her and yourself as you had walked up to her with a drink still in hand. "How are you enjoying the life of an Avenger so far?" You ask and raise an eyebrow.

"Y/N!" She says with a small blush on her cheeks.

In the short time Wanda had been here, you were the person she wanted to get to know the most... you were also the one person who wouldn't give her a second look, at least not that she knew of. She couldn't believe you were standing here.

"I um, it's very different from what I'm used to," she says and smiles again. You might fall out right there if she does it again with the way your knees weaken.

"I bet it is," you sigh and take a sip of your drink. The two of you stand in silence for a moment. "It's kind of... distracting in here. Wanna go someplace and talk?" You ask. She looks up at you and nods.

You down the rest of your drink and sneak behind the bar, grabbing a bottle of whatever you could reach, which turned out to be tequila. Wanda giggled as you shrugged while reading the label on the bottle and hid it under your arm, telling her to follow you. You led her down a few hallways and up to a balcony, being far enough away that you could only hear a little bit of the muffled music.

"The stars are so bright tonight," you say as you sit on the edge, letting your feet dangle off of the side. Wanda follows suit and sits next to you, flattening her skirt. You take a sip from the bottle without a flinch, watching as she looks up at the sky.

"My brother and I used to try to count them when we were little," she laughs and takes the bottle as you hand it to her, sticking her tongue out and shivering after she takes a big sip.

"You would've been counting forever," you chuckle and feel your skin ignite as her shoulder touches yours.

"Thought we had forever," she says and looks to you. "Then on Sokovia when he got shot I-I thought he was gone." You furrow your brows, taking in her now saddened features.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that. But hey, he's here, making shitty jokes and flirting with some girl from Shield," you try to joke, feeling that same warmth from earlier when a giggle leaves her lips.

"I'm the one who needs to apologize. I-" You interrupt her by holding up a hand, taking a big gulp from the bottle.

"Here's the thing. We've all done bad things, every single one of us," you nod in the direction of the party. "Including me... which you know obviously," you mumble and look away from her, thinking back to the feeling of her inside your head. "You do good, try to wipe it clean, you know? It's all we can do. Now what I'd really like is to finish the bottle and know all about you," you say with a smile and look to her again.

"You already know about me?" Wanda says and lifts her eyebrow as she takes another swig from the bottle. You shake your head.

"No, no. I want to know what makes you tick. Your favorite movies, shows, songs, your favorite thing to do on a rainy day. Why you wear so many rings," you laugh and point to the rings that adorn her fingers. She grins, and there goes that feeling again.

The two of you spend the entire night on that balcony, finishing the bottle and swapping stories about all your favorite things. There wasn't a cell in your body that could ever hate Wanda Maximoff.

Towards the end of the night, now early in the morning, in fit of laughter you lean too far over the balcony. Wanda gasps in fear as you fall forward.

"Y/N!" She gasps loudly, and you look to her scared reaction in suprise, looking around the two of you as if something had happened you were unaware of.

"What? What is it?" You ask as you stand still in the air, floating in front of her.

The hand that covered her mouth moved and revealed a drunken laugh that escaped her lips. She leans forward and punches your arm.

"I didn't know you could fly! I thought I'd have to jump off, and oh god," Wanda shakes her head and rubs her eyes. You give her a cheeky smile and continue to stand there mid-air effortlessly.

"There's a lot of things you don't know about me," you shrug drunkenly and put your hands in your pockets.

"Oh yeah, like what, hummingbird ?" Wanda jokes, giving you the nickname before she watches you step through the air was if you were walking.

You stood directly in front of her now, face almost where hers was. "I happen to be a fantastic kisser," you say with a chuckle, your heart enjoying the smile on her lips and the blush on her cheeks.

"Is that so?" She questions, her tongue wetting her lips. You nod and lean in.

"I mean, you're more than welcome to prove me wrong..." You whisper, lips hovering over hers. When you look in her green eyes for any signal to stop or uneasiness, you find none. Her eyes flutter closed, and her breath hitches as you lean in and connect your lips.

Wandas hands move to wrap around your neck, her fingers tangling with the strands behind you while yours moved to her hips. It's a soft kiss at first with shy lips, but soon turns into a sloppy drunken kiss with not so shy tongue. She can taste the tequila on your tongue, with a hint of lime from your drink earlier. Wanda sighs into the kiss as the wind blows her hair and squints her closed eyes tighter as a bright light suddenly shines between the two of you.

You frown as you feel her lips disconnect from yours, and when you open your eyes, you see her emerald eyes widen, a golden tint highlighting her features in the darkness.

"Uh, Y/N? Do you usually um... glow?" Wanda asks, and it's your turn to blush. In the kiss, you had gotten lost in Wanda. The way her soft lips tasted against yours, the way her fingertips brushed the nape of your neck. You had forgotten to control yourself.

You realized you were holding onto Wanda, now high above the balcony, while a golden white light radiates off of you.

"Oh god, I-I'm sorry," you laugh and take her back down, landing gently back onto the balcony while no longer glowing. Wanda shook her head, nothing but amazed with you.

"No, that was.. that was perfect," she whispers and reaches up to cup your cheek. In your drunken state (you didn't know from what more the tequila or Wandas lips), she kisses you again, and you can't help the light that shines off of you.

After that night on the balcony, the two of you grew closer over time. You'd stay up late doing anything and everything to make her laugh. Wanda would sneak in your room and kiss you randomly in the middle of the night just to see if you'd let your guard down and shine for her. You always did.

"So what's going on with you and Maximoff?" Bucky asked one day during a training session. You punch the pad he was holding up and shrug.

"What do you mean?" You ask back casually and try to ignore the heat that rises on your cheeks.

"Right, right. So that wasn't you leaving her room this morning," he laughs and shakes his head, groaning as you punch the pad hard near his stomach while he is distracted.

You look over through the glass wall and see Wanda talking to Vision again. "I don't know, Buck. I really like her," you sigh and watch as she laughs. You turn back to your best friend.

"Then you need to tell her, before someone else does," he nods to the direction of Wanda and Vision, knowing what he meant.

You weren't the only one growing closer to Wanda, vying for her undivided attention. Vision had been there too, and it seemed like the pair were talking more and more. Though as far as you knew, she was only kissing you, and the smile on her face wasn't the same grin she always gave you. You had nothing to worry about. She would always pick you... at least that's what you thought.

The time came when you finally wanted to tell Wanda about your feelings, that you wanted more than stolen kisses in the moonlight. You approach her room, mumbling the words you had been practicing all night.

"It's fine, you're fine," you tell yourself. "Tell her how you feel, ask her on a date. She'll say, 'Of course, hummingbird'... you're fine," you continue to convince yourself.

You take a deep breath and see the door to her room cracked open. With a shaky hand, you go to knock, but pause when you hear two voices speaking. Curiosity getting the best of you, you lean closer to listen.

"Wanda... I know you feel it, too. We're connected somehow, in here," Vision says in a soft voice.

"I feel it too, all the time," she replies, and you can hear the smile on her face.

"So we can give this a try then? Us?" He asks her. Wanda is silent for a moment, and you feel your stomach rise into your throat, your heart beating out of your chest. She wouldn't. There was no way.

Don't say yes.

"Yes. I would love to," she says.

"And what about Y/N?" He asks her, tone clearly annoyed.

"We were just... having fun," she sighs, and you feel your heart break. You don't stay a second longer.

Wandas head turns to the door, almost sure in the corner of her eyes she sees a flash of light, but when she gets up to look in the hall, it's empty. You had retreated to the safety of your room and a bottle of whatever your hand touched first.

After that night, you avoid Wanda for as long as you can. Finding excuses to leave the room every time she enters, taking on extra missions with Natasha across seas, extra training sessions with Pietro, and you put in more time at the gym with Bucky. He didn't ask why your punches were almost knocking him down, but when he saw Vision holding Wandas hand, he knew why the gym was suddenly a golden hue.

Another night, another party, another drink.

The room was filled with familiar faces and similar music, another drink in your hand but a frown on your face as you glared at Visions hand on Wandas lower back. Great.

"Guess whose got another date?"

"Hmm, is it someone who can't take a punch?" You ask and sip your drink, turning in your chair to look at Pietro.

"Ha, ha. Very funny," he fake laughs and shakes his head. "You know some of us are lovers, not fighters," he laughs for real this time, and so do you.

"Well, when we're done training, we'll see where you stand. Things are going well with her, huh?" You ask him, nodding to the girl from Shield he had somehow won over with his cheesy jokes.

"Yeah, great, actually..." He turns to smile at her, giving her a small wave before turning back to you. "Hey, I bet she knows some more hot spies. Wanna go on a double date?" Pietro jokes and watches you sigh, eyeing the brunette and the synthazoid.

"Why not? Might as well," you slur your words a little and finish your drink, leaning over the bar to grab a bottle. "See you in the morning?"

"Yeah, see you then," he says and gives you a sad smile.

The campus was quiet now. Everyone had long gone to bed, and you decided what better company than the stars and a now almost empty bottle of vodka. Perks of being super, you could drink as much as you wanted while getting as drunk as you wanted, with no bad mornings after or alcohol poisonings.

You hear the sound of a door opening and closing, and you sigh, knowing it could only be one person.

Wandas body sits next to yours at the edge, shoulder to shoulder, feet dangling high above the ground. You don't say anything, because really, what did you have to say anymore?

"What's going on, Hummingbird? Pretty late for a flight," she tries to joke, eyeing the bottle that was in your hands.

"Nothing wrong with a little fresh air," you shrug and take a large swig from the bottle, subtly moving your shoulder away from hers. Wanda frowns at the feeling.

"You've been avoiding me... Wanna tell me why?" She asks in a soft voice. You let out a loud laugh, to which she furrows her brows in confusion.

"I'm sorry, it's just so fucking obvious isn't it?" You slur and jump off the balcony, pacing in the air in front of Wanda. It's not your actions that make her flinch, seeing you walk in the air was something she was accustomed to by now, it was the tone in your voice. You had never spoken to her like that before.

"Obviously not if I'm asking you," Wanda speaks, continuing her best to keep her tone soft with you. You stop in the air and look at her with red and glassy eyes.

"Obviously not," you repeat and watch as she gives you a sad look. Her fingers twirl the rings on her fingers anxiously.

"Y/N..."

"It wasn't just fun to me, Wanda," you interrupted her, watching her lips part in suprise. "It wasn't just some little crush, I wasn't just some second choice when you weren't getting enough attention from him. I thought we - " You stop yourself and look away from her, running a shaky hand through your hair. "I loved you."

Wanda was happy with Vision. She felt a connection to him that she couldn't understand... But when you spoke those words, she felt her world shatter right there.

"Loved?" She asks.

"Past tense," you mumble and turn your back to her, not wanting her to see the few tears that roll down your cheeks.

"It wasn't just fun I-"

"You said that to him, I heard you. Don't lie to me!" You slur again, this time raising your voice and feeling your body heat up.

"I'm not lying to you! It wasn't just fun for me, it was..." She sighs and wipes her eyes. "Y/N, you mean everything to me. But with him, I don't know how to explain it. I can't explain it..." Wanda lets her tears fall as she watches you shine brighter, hating the fact it wasn't out of joy. Hating the fact that you probably hated her.

"You can't say that I mean that much to you and still be with him." You finish the bottle and toss it casually onto the balcony away from her. It cracks in half against the wall, then shatters on the ground.

"Look, hummingbird... you're drunk. Let's talk about this in the morning when you're coherent. Just come inside with me, please? I know it's selfish, but I-I can't lose you," Wanda looks at your back with pleading eyes, extending her hand out to touch you.

"You already have. The day you chose him," you cry with a sniffle and finally turn to face her, seeing her sad, teary eyes shine in your golden brightness. You don't give her the chance to say anything else. Instead, you fly off, going as far away as possible.

***

"Suprised you came back for this," Bucky says and nudges your shoulder. Your hands nervously run over the creases in your pants.

"Well, I couldn't really miss this, could I?" You sigh and look up again, only this time you see Wanda is already looking at you. Her green eyes were wide with suprise, and you could make out a smile on her lips. You balled your fists up, willing yourself to control your powers and stay calm.

"No, I don't think any of us expected Pietro out of all people to get married before half of us," he laughs quietly. "It's good you're here, Y/N."

Your eyes move to Pietro, who nervously talks to Wanda. Her hands were fixing his bowtie and whispering what you assumed calming words to him. As the music started, she turned him around, eyes moving to you as the crowd stood.

As his bride walked down the aisle, your eyes stayed glued to Wanda. Even after all this time, she was still stunning, taking your breath away as she stood next to her brother. Of course, she was his best man.

Throughout the ceremony, Wanda would look to you occasionally, checking to make sure you hadn't flown away from her again. Each time you made eye contact, you gave her a reassuring smile, letting her know you wouldn't be going away this time.

At the reception, Wanda sat at a table, drinking a glass of champagne and watching her brother slow dance with her newly appointed sister in law. A body suddenly blocks her view, and when she looks up to see your face, her heart stops.

"May I have this dance?" You ask, extending your hand out to her. She blushes, and you're reminded again that you would literally do anything for her.

Wanda sets her glass down and reaches her hand out to take yours, just as soft as she remembered. You led her to the dance floor and rested your hands on her hips, letting her arms rest on your shoulders while her hands were entwined behind your neck.

"I like the red," you utter quietly, eyeing her soft auburn curls. She chuckles as the two of you begin to sway, the tension slightly awkward between the two of you.

"I dyed it a while ago.." Wanda shrugs casually.

"It's been a while since I've seen you," you add. She hums in response, looking into your clear eyes.

"I expected to find you at the bar..." She half jokes.

"I uh, I stopped drinking," you reply with a smile, to which she gives you a proud smile back and nods.

"That's fantastic, hummingbird," Wanda whispers and scrunches her nose. Your heart swells at the nickname you hadn't heard in too long.

"Listen, Wanda. I've done a lot of thinking, a lot of trying to better myself, my emotions. I'm sorry I didn't just... talk to you. I'm happy that you're happy," you say with a smile, and she knows you mean what you say by the way it reaches your eyes. "I don't want to miss out on being a part of your life... as long as he treats you well," you say jokingly at the end to ease the heaviness of your words, and you spin her slowly around.

She returns to her previous position with a grin and pulls you closer, taking in your words as you both sway to the song. Wanda had missed this, missed you more than anything else in the world. Being in your arms again, she felt happier than she had in a long time.

"You have nothing to apologize for... I'm sorry things happened the way they did. I should've talked to you too," Wanda says gently. "We aren't together, you know?"

"Oh?" You say, trying to hide the excitement in your stomach, but Wanda can see it in your eyes.

"Yeah," she giggles at your reaction. "Turns out we're connected through the mind stone... but that was about it. He didn't know what made me tick. Didn't care to know my favorite show or what I liked to do or a rainy day." Her tone is playful as she looks up to you, smile still bright on her lips.

"Dick Van Dyke, watching the rain drops race down the window. Even though you pick the losing drop every time," you answer and smile back. She rolls her eyes jokingly at the last part, but Wanda can't deny the way her heart sped in her chest that you still remembered.

"I meant what I said that day... you mean everything to me, Y/N. You still do," her tone is serious, and you nod as you gaze into her eyes.

"I lied to you that day..." You whisper, watching her smile begin to fade. "I've never stopped loving you."

You lean down, face close to hers as your heart beats on your ribs like a butterfly trapped in a cage. Her eyes search yours as if she had been waiting for you to say those words, as if you were going to fly away right there.

"Are you going to glow if I kiss you?" Wanda mumbles the question, her lips ghosting over yours as she speaks.

"Probably..." You answer honestly.

"Good," she smiles and closes her eyes, feeling the warmth on her skin from the light that you radiated as she kisses you. You did your best to hold back, but the way her lips melted into yours and her soft tongue slipping against yours, you didn't stand a chance.

Even after the song had ended and everyone around you jumped to the quick and heavy beat, on the dancefloor, you and Wanda stayed like this. Foreheads together and swaying to your own beat, holding eachother close, neither of you knowing you would be in the same spot a year later for your first dance as a married couple.

[prince-rowan-of-the-forest]

Part of the Team

The vigilante Duality gets hurt in a fight, Virgil goes to the only hero he can trust to help him.

It turns out that they might all know each other better than they thought.

----

| Ao3 |

Warnings: None

Pairings: Virgil/Roman/Janus/Logan (Analoroceit??)

Word Count: 1421

Notes:

My second fic for the @tsspromptmonth sleepy bean cafe event!!!

So Roman/Janus/Virgil/Logan is not a ship I would normally write and I actually intended this to just be anaroceit but then Logan inserted himself in so now we're here.

Written for @nonbinary-octopus

The Prompt: superpowers, secret identities, mutual pining, and ""only one knows their dating"" with a polycule of at least three

----

Virgil smashed the rock that had been launched at him mere seconds ago, it broke into shards that bounced off his costume easily. 

“Can you listen to me for one fucking second?” Virgil yelled at the superhero attempting to fight him, the hotshot in town, “I don’t want to fight you-”

“Of course you do!” Prince said, puffing out his chest as he landed in front of Virgil, who was about three seconds away from a panic attack as the most powerful hero in the city and also Virgil’s longest standing crush, “That’s like- our entire thing!”

Virgil, admittedly, loved their fights. It gave him an opportunity to both punch Roman in the face and also to get close enough to him to see his face, how his eyes widened and his pupils dilated when Virgil got too close, how his hair never looked messy no matter how many times Virgil landed a hit, it was fun to fight the hero. But not right now.

“Look - I just- fuck-” Virgil said, lunging to grab Roman by the collar of his shirt with an involuntary crack of electricity in his hand to stop him from zipping away with those stupid flight powers he had on top of the others, “I need your help.”

That seemed to strike a chord, as Roman practically went limp for just a few seconds before righting himself. 

“You need my help?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“Don't make me regret asking you, Princey,” Virgil growled, choosing not to notice the blush that bloomed on a Romans face because of it, instead dropping the hero, “Duality is in trouble.” 

“Duality? The vigilante?” Roman asked, immediately getting up from the floor seemingly unharmed to Virgil's displeasure, “What- what's wrong with him? And what did you have to do with it, villain?” 

Roman had hastily added that last part to cover up the clear worry on his face at the idea that the vigilante who always seemed to pop up during Roman's operations to help might be in trouble. 

“I didn't have shit to do with it, you asshole,” Virgil hissed, the idea that he would've done something to get Janus hurt, “It was another villain he ended up fighting who could stop him from shifting - I had to drag him back home and I don't know what the hell to do- I just- you have healing powers so-” 

“Okay okay-” Roman said, reaching forward to take Virgil by the arms. The villain froze, “I'll help Duality okay? You just gotta take me to him.” 

Virgil took a deep breath and nodded, taking Roman's hand and dragging him off,  determinedly pulling him along until halfway there when he stopped abruptly, “Princey.” 

“Tempest,” Roman returned, raising an eyebrow at him.

“Look - he’s- he’s not in the best state right now, before we go in, and I wanna warn you - you’re gonna find out stuff that you can’t fucking tell anyone. Okay?” Virgil stressed, “Not even your stupid hero buddies.”

“Like I would tell them anyway,” Prince rolls his eyes, “They’d arrest me for talking to you like a normal human being let alone helping a vigilante, just shut up and show me what’s going on.”

“Right - well um- Logic is also there, so just- be prepared,” Virgil mumbled, going back to dragging the hero across town to a fairly nice apartment building.

“What- the hell is Logic doing there?” Prince asked, eyes wide. 

“They're my friends, and it's my damn apartment so I'll invite whoever I want, deal with it.” 

—

“Duality isn’t in costume,” Virgil told him firmly, “So just- nothing you see here leaves this room.”

“I already said yes,” Prince rolled his eyes as Virgil dragged him up the stairs. Virgil called out once they arrived at the apartment, fumbling to unlock the door and drag Prince inside. Prince came easily, pushing the door closed behind him and trailing behind into the living room, where Duality - or, right now, Virgil’s best friend Janus - was laying on the sofa. Currently he was being looked over by Logic, the notoriously hyper intelligent supervillain - which sure was a sight for the hero to behold… especially since he happened to recognise Janus. 

Prince stopped in the doorway, staring at the two of them, before grabbing Virgi’s wrist and dragging him back.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Virgil hissed as Prince shoved him back into the hall. 

“That is my boyfriend-” Prince said in a whisper-yell, Virgil’s eyes widened. 

Janus was Virgil’s best friend - they knew each other’s civilian identities, and because of that Virgil knew that Janus was dating two people, and one of them was already in his apartment with Janus. 

“Holy fucking shit,” Virgil mumbled, “You’re Roman Kingsley.”

Roman went pale, before flailing a little, “What? No- no of course not- why would I ever be-”

“Roman shut up,” Virgil said, shaking his head, “This is so dumb - I’m Virgil.”

“...Oh,” Roman said, blinking at him, slowly his eyes widened, “Oh! Virgil!”

And Virgil found himself swept off of his feet and spun around by the hero, and Virgil struggled to get out of his hold.

“Shut up - what the hell-”

“Virgil! Oh this is wonderful! We’re all together now! Thank you for telling me what was going on-”

“You’re welcome-?” Virgil said awkwardly, blushing despite his attempt to quell his own feelings - they were all in a relationship, apparently, which meant even his crush on the stupid superhero was even less attainable, “Can we - can we just go inside-?”

—

It took almost no time at all for Janus to be patched up with both Roman and Logan helping out. It was odd to Virgil to see both a notorious supervillain and hero working together to help someone they both clearly cared about. Virgil meanwhile was steadily keeping watch, both on the two of them to ensure they didn’t try anything in his apartment. 

At some point, Logan’s identity had also been revealed and the two had comforted Roman on the fact that he was dating a supervillain, while Janus just snuggled up to Roman’s side, mentally and physically exhausted from the day. 

“Here,” Virgil says, carrying a pile of blankets and pillows into the room, placing them next to Janus, “I’m guessing you guys are gonna want to stay here, so um, here’s some blankets and stuff, you guys can stay on the sofas and stuff? Unless you’d rather take my bed and I’ll sleep out here-?”

“Why can’t you join us?” Roman asked, tilting his head, looking a little disappointed as he held a pillow. 

“I-” Virgil started, looking around at the three of them, who all looked at him the same way, “Why would you want me to stay?”

“Why wouldn’t we want to spend more time with our boyfriend?” Logan asked, looking confused, “Especially when he’s done so much for us today.”

“I- I’m sorry, what?” Virgil asked, “The hell do you mean, boyfriend?”

“You’re… our boyfriend, aren’t you?” Janus asked, looking confused. 

“Not as far as I knew!” Virgil cried, confusion and fluster alike squeezing his chest tightly, “You guys - you guys think we’ve been dating?”

“Well- yeah! We kept inviting you on dates and you kept coming-” Roman said, shaking his head, “We thought you knew!”

“I thought they were just hanging out!” Virgil said, fidgeting with his sleeve, he’d changed out of his costume into a more comfortable hoodie since they’d gotten back. 

“Oh - no sweetie-” Janus said softly, “‘m sorry if our advances were unwanted-”

“What advances??” 

“Virgil… we’ve been flirting with you for months…”

“Oh my god…” Virgil groans.

“If you don’t want to date us that is alright-” Logan piped up, “Apologies that we misinterpreted this relationship-”

“No no-” Virgil said quickly, “No- I mean- I do want to date you - fucking hell I’ve had a huge crush on all of you for like years - but I just-”

Janus offered his arm on the opposite side to Roman, and with a look at the other two, Virgil hesitantly walks over and sits, letting Janus pull him in until Virgil is more comfortably curled up to his side. 

“Since we never made ourselves clear enough before,” Logan says, walking around the sofa to stand before them, “Virgil, would you like to be part of this relationship?”

“I- Yes - yes I would,” Virgil nodded. Roman grinned and took one of his hands, bringing it up to his lips and kissing his knuckles. 

“Then we are incredibly happy to have you, darling stormcloud.”

----

Tags: @full-of-roman-angst-trash @your-local-random-dino @cutebisexualmess @glacierruler @roseianxiety @bella-bugatti-frogetti-baguetti @scalesfeathersnfur @oatmealdaydreams @littlerat2 @goldnskyart (if anyone wants to be added, let me know!)

[wthtorke]

Friendship

Gender Neutral Reader - No warnings! Seen in november on Patre0n

“What do you mean ‘accommodate them’? Look at the size of those brutes and look at my SHIP, for fuck’s sake!” You angrily whispered, eyes darting back and forth from your supervisor to the three, -very big-, yautjas that stood a few feet away from you.

“They’re going to escort you safely to Andromeda-, don’t make it difficult, this is their first mission, they’re like, teenagers-”

“TEENAGERS?”

“Young Adults! Young-, young adults-! That’s what I meant! They’re mature-, God, they’re SO mature, and they’re gonna protect you, I swear to God-”

“How old are they?” You asked, a hand on your hips as the other rested on the side of your well-loved, if not a little battered, spaceship.

“I-, I don’t know-, I hear they mature at a hundred years old? I have no idea how their calendar fucking works, but they’re at least um-, eighteen? Look-, our species have been collaborating for a while now, you’re going to be fine, there’s three of them-”

“One of them tried to fucking kill me!”

“That was a bad blood! That’s why we’re having these guys! Their um- dam? Their -mother- is the best bad-blood hunter out there so they must be amazing!”

“I’m going to die and come back to haunt your ass.”

“You’re not going to die, cause if you do, so will I-, so you’re NOT dying!” She sighed, putting her hands on your shoulders, “You saved our asses from an attack and now there are some bad bloods looking for your ass, I know you’re scared but these guys are good-, besides, the trip is….relatively short, you’ll be fine.”

You grimaced but nodded, “Alright...Well, we’re off soon...You know their names?”

“Actually…no.”

“Oh for fuck's sake.”

That was the conversation you last had with your supervisor, the one that left you to die before you managed to squish that bad blood under your cargo like a bug. Marvelous.

You had climbed aboard your ship, being told one last time that "They understand you, but they can't really speak English, OH! One of them is a girl-, good luck!"

“WHA-” You cut off as the hatch closed in front of you.

So now you had three yautjas in your ship, whose names you had no idea, who you could not communicate with, save for saying what you had to say and hoping for the best-, which wasn't all that great.

And you had a bad blood clan hot on your trail.

Amazing.

"Hey-, don't touch that, stop-, you’re going to scratch my ship! God-, what do I even call you? We gotta come up with names." You stressed, hitting the autopilot button before turning your chair to face the three "teenagers" standing there.

"Alright, one of you is- a female? Right? Which one?" You asked, watching them look at each other before the one on the left shrugged, grunting.

The biggest of the three, her skin was dark blue.

"You? Alright-, damn that's some girl power-, okay-, yall got names?" You asked again, receiving a series of clicks and rumbles coming from each one.

You sighed again, "If I'm in danger and I try to pronounce that I'll die choking, I'm afraid we need some um...codenames." You said, they shrugged again.

"Alright so, girl-, you're um-, Bubbie! Bub for short." She nods, crossing her arms, and you move to the next one. The middle one. The one grabbing your stuff.

"You-, kleptomaniac-, I'm calling you K'nuckles." You hissed as he shrugged, throwing your little stress ball up and down in his hand, talons threatening to rip it every time he caught it again.

"Which means you're Flap, my boy." You said, turning to the last one, he nodded. "Alright!" You turn back to your panel, switching the autopilot off again, "If anyone laughs at your codenames you have permission to maim them, period." You scoff, then thinking about it a second later, “Actually, don’t do that, I’d get fired-, now let's get to the candied island, yeah?”

-

“You named them after a canceled old-ass cartoon.”

“Well, when you put it like that- look, they absolutely love their names and I’m not even joking.” You shrug. “How?! They have names like Scar and- KNIFE and stuff, you know? I don’t know how you can just- call a 9-foot tall killing machine Bubble!”

“Yeah? Go ahead and try telling Bubbie her name ain’t Bubbie, I dare ya.” You say, watching your alien partner get up from her seat in the corner, growling already.

“Fuck no. Thank you.”

You smile and nod, “I told you she liked it.”

-

✨Here’s the patre0n link again✨

[thelastspeecher]

Uhhhh I couldn't think of a title, but here's the scene I've been working on in my Pollution Powers AU. I'd like to write more for it, and while I do have a few scenes in mind to write, let me know if there's anything in particular you have an interest in seeing!

———————————————————————————————————–

                 “Stay away from any syringes!” Ma Pines called after Stan and Ford.  The boys waved at her as they raced down the beach.  The day after a storm was the best to go beach combing.  The water and wind tossed up some of the strangest things.

                 “Heck yes!” Stan crowed, coming to a stop by a patch of black sand.  He dropped to his knees to examine it more closely.  Ford, however, walked past, his eye grabbed by a small, oddly shaped object a few feet away.  He picked it up and turned it over in his hands.

                 It’s like a dented cardboard box but made of metal.  Ford frowned.  I’ve never seen anything like this before.  What could it be?  The metal began to grow warm.  It quivered in Ford’s grip, like it was attempting to escape.  Ford’s eyes widened.  He quickly threw it away as hard as he could.  The object landed a foot away, exploding upon contact with the sand.

                 Ford winced.

                 I suppose I’m lucky that thing was wimpier than I am.  Nothing even hit me!  …Right?  Ford quickly looked down at his legs and arms.  Dangit.  At the beach, the glass was as ubiquitous as the sand, and he could see some slivers of classic Glass Shard Beach glass shards poking out of his skin.

                 “Great,” Ford mumbled.  He reached for a larger shard sticking out of his forearm.  Before he could grab it, however, the shard quickly sunk below his skin, leaving no trace behind.  Ford’s jaw dropped.  He poked at the unbroken skin.  It didn’t even hurt.  “Um, Stan?” Ford squeaked out.  Stan, still engrossed in the black sand, didn’t respond.  Ford opened his mouth to try to get Stan’s attention further but was interrupted.

                 “Boys?” Ma Pines shouted.  Stan sprang to his feet as Ma Pines ran up to them.  “Sorry, sweethearts, but the beach is too dirty today for you to play.”  She grabbed each boy and began to lead them back to the car.

                 “The beach is never too dirty,” Stan argued.

                 “Today it is,” Ma Pines said firmly.  Ford looked back at the patch of sand disturbed by the explosive.

                 “I think,” Ford said slowly, “you are correct.”

-----

                 Ford’s eyes snapped open.  The darkness of the room he shared with Stan was a stark contrast to the dream of that day on the beach.  There was a faint dripping sound from somewhere.  Ford dragged his hands down his face.

                 Not this again.  He rolled onto his belly to peer over the side of the bed.  In the dark, he could barely make out liquid dripping from the bottom bunk onto the floor.  Fantastic.  Ford grabbed a cheap magnet off the side of the metal bunk bed and threw it in the general vicinity of the bottom bunk.

                 “Wake up, Stan.  You’re having another fucking wet dream.”  The strange, bubbling snoring from the bottom bunk stopped.

                 “…Whoops,” Stan’s voice said.  His words slurred a bit, as they tended to when he was in his inhuman form.  Ford squinted.  Without his glasses, Stan was blurry, but his twin appeared to be in human form again.  At the very least, the dripping had stopped.

                 The slurring was likely from tiredness.

                 “You’ve been having those a lot lately,” Ford pointed out.  Stan was the one to dub reverting to his oil form while asleep as having a wet dream.  Ford, tickled, went along with it.  “Do you have any theories as to this sudden uptick?”

                 “Uh, Teach thinks it’s ‘cause I’ve been spending so much time in oil form, practicing,” Stan said sleepily.  “My body’s getting used to it as a normal thing or whatever.”

                 “Oh,” Ford said.  He laid back in bed.  “Well, you’ll have to kick that habit before we go back home.  Mom won’t put up with you making that mess every night.”  Stan was silent.  “Did you fall back asleep?”

                 “No.”  The bottom bunk creaked.  “I, uh, I don’t know if I wanna go back home.”  Ford frowned.

                 “What?”

                 “I don’t think I wanna go back home.”

                 “The day I arrived, you were going on and on about how much you miss the boardwalk and beach and…”  Ford shook his head.  “Why don’t you want to return home?”

                 “You saw how everyone reacted when my stupid power showed up,” Stan mumbled.  Ford winced.  Stan’s body had turned to oil in the middle of the school hallway while he was flirting with Carla McCorkle.  Not only did every student nearby begin panicking, but Carla also dumped Stan before he could get out a single word.  “And even when I was able to keep it under wraps enough to work in the shop and go back to school, everyone acted like I had the damn plague!  No matter what, everyone knows what I am.  And they’re never gonna treat me right ever again.”

                 “Rather hypocritical of you,” Ford muttered under his breath.  The bottom bunk creaked again.

                 “What did you say?” Stan snapped.

                 “You’re being rather hypocritical!” Ford snapped back.  “You speak of fearing mistreatment back home, but have no qualms with mistreating people here!  People who are just like us!”

                 “Okay, wanna stop talking like you’re a professor and just tell me what you’re getting at?”

                 “The McGuckets!”

                 “What?  I’ve never done anything to Fiddlesticks.”

                 “That’s a lie,” Ford scoffed.  “Before his sister arrived to be the new punching bag, you constantly talked about how he wasn’t ‘enough of a freak’ to be here.”

                 “His power is mostly being smelly and dirty.  That’s just what happens when you’re on a farm,” Stan said dismissively.  “I didn’t say any of it to his face, anyways.”

                 “That doesn’t mean he didn’t notice,” Ford said.  Stan huffed.  “But I was primarily referring to his younger sister.”

                 “Angie probably doesn’t even have a power,” Stan muttered.

                 “Why would she be here if she didn’t?” Ford pointed out.  “The Gravity Falls School for Contaminated Youth isn’t exactly a prestigious prep school, despite the administration’s best attempts.”  Stan didn’t say anything.  “I know you don’t really think Angie is a normie.”

                 At least, I hope you don’t.

                 “Fine.  Maybe I don’t.  But why hasn’t she used her power in front of everyone?”

                 “Not all powers are one’s default state!  I’ve barely used my power in front of people!  And I can’t imagine that the treatment from you and the company you keep is helping matters.  She’s probably too overwhelmed to even attempt her power in front of everyone.”

                 “Oh, so this is all about me spending time with Jimmy, huh?  You’re just being jealous?”

                 “No, this is about how you insult and degrade some poor girl after spending our entire lives defending me from the same behavior!  Though, to be quite frank, I do think Jimmy’s influence on you has been a major factor in your bullying!”  A familiar feeling spread across Ford’s skin, as though cold slime was slowly being poured onto him.  Ford looked down at his hands.  His skin had turned to glass, revealing the muscles, bones, and organs beneath.

                 Shit.  Not again!  Ford quickly scanned the room for something that he and Stan wouldn’t miss.  His gaze landed on a discarded cardboard box they hadn’t thrown out yet, which their latest care package from Shermie had arrived in.  Good enough.

                 “I don’t-” Stan started furiously.  Before he could get out any other words, the cardboard box exploded, leaving a black charred stain on the carpet.  “Did- did you just-”

                 “You know it happens when I get pissed off,” Ford muttered.  The cold, slimy feeling faded as his skin returned to normal.  Lights turned on in the hallway, followed by the sound of footsteps.  Ford quickly rolled over, facing the wall.  Stan began to emit loud, clearly fake snores.  The door opened, spilling light into the room.  After a few moments, the door closed again.  Ford breathed a sigh of relief.  The guards typically did the bare minimum, as was the case this time.

                 The light in the hallway turned off.  Ford waited for Stan to stop snoring so they could resume their conversation.  However, the cartoonish snoring continued.  Ford scowled.

                 Really?  Pretending to be asleep to avoid talking?  He closed his eyes.  Well, if he wants to be done, then we can be done.

[towriteloveontheirarms]

hi bestie do you take requests for Xavier Thorpe? If u do i have one for you I hope you don’t mind <33 so reader is a siren and she went to the art store to buy a canvas to practice her painting and ends up pumping into Xavier who’s buying paint cause he’s out and he asks her what she’s doing here and stuff so she tells him she’s looking for a canvas and he tells her that he didn’t know she was into arts and stuff so he takes her to pick a canvas size then tells her to go look for white paint because he’s out until he finds her the size she wants but he’s distracting her to go pay for her canvas and when she returns he tells her that he didn’t need white he just wanted to pay for her ( makes sense lol? ) and the next day she buys him art supplies and goes to his shed to thank him and he’s surprised and offers to teach her arts and stuff ( friends to lovers thing but in this they just have a crush on each other )

Hiya bestie, I feel like I got of track a bit from your ask, but I hope you still enjoy this. <3

A lesson in art

pairing: Xavier Thorpe x fem!reader

synopsis: For as long as you could think there were two constants in your life. Aside from your parents and their support of course. Your passion for art and the way normies stared at you.

warnings: none

word count: 0.9k

For as long as you could think there were two constants in your life. Aside from your parents and their support of course. Your passion for art and the way normies stared at you. And since you had gotten into Nevermore those two things had conveniently enough mingled together more than ever. Thanks to the amulet that you had to wear to retain your powers it was plain to see for anyone in Jericho just what you were. As if they wouldn´t know it without. You shake your head and repress the urge to make a snarky comment as some old normie woman stares at you while you make your way through the provincial town to the local art supply store. Despite your passion for art, there was nothing you wanted to be over faster than these trips. If only you would have known who you would meet there you would have chosen to wait another day.

“I didn´t know you were into art.” Comes a voice you know all too well from behind you.

“Xavier, hey…” You are hesitant to turn around and greet him. His break up with Bianca had been messy to say the least and as her friend it was your duty to stick to her. You were shocked and hurt when she had told you the reason for the two of them splitting. You never would have thought he would be capable of saying such things about Sirens. Nonetheless your heart still beats higher when he smiles and waves at you. It always did. No matter how hard you had cursed it for doing so, even during his relationship with Bianca. Still none the wiser about his own heart acting in a similar fashion or the reddening of his cheeks whenever you were around.

“What are you looking for? Maybe I can help you find it.”

“Um… I need a canvas.” You let you’re your fingers play with each other.

“They are right over here. What size do you need?” Xavier asks while leading you to the corner where all the different sized canvases where displayed.

“18x24, preferably.” The tension that has built in your shoulders a minute ago dissipates slowly and you find it easier to talk to him.

Xavier grabs a canvas in the size you named and leads you back towards the cash register. He puts everything down on the counter and sighs, turning to you once more.

“Hey um, it´s kind of embarrassing, but I forgot to grab white paint. Would you mind getting it for me? You´re probably faster than me.”

“Yeah, sure. I´ll be back in a second.”  Ou go to grab what he had asked you for, but when you return to the register not even a minute later he is gone.

“Your friend already paid. He´s waiting outside.” The sweet lady behind the counter tells you.

So you make your way outside. The little bell at the door making him turn towards you.

“I could have paid that for myself, you know?” There is a lightness to your tone, though you mean it.

“I know, but I wanted to be nice.” He simply says with that stupid, little signature half-grin of his.

So stupid and handsome. Wait, what? No, just stupid. You shook your head to get rid of those thoughts. They had plagued you ever since Bianca had told you all about them getting together. You knew back then you had to hold back your feelings for him and you know it now.

The two of you make your way back to the school in silence and once you arrive, part ways. Yet no matter how much time passes you can´t shake the guilty conscience. Leading to you going back into town the next day. With the help of the woman from the day before, you assemble a small collection of supplies. Bringing them to his shed where he unsurprisingly already was doing his thing. His unapologetically angsty music gave him away and so without knocking you open the door to find him painting.

“God, this music makes me feel like I am thirteen again, applying heavy eyeliner and posting about some pseudo deep shit on social media.” You make your presence known with a chuckle. The bag with the supplies hidden safely behind your back. Xavier turns around with a surprised look and turns the music off immediately.

“Hey, um, what are you doing here?” He quickly covers his canvas before you stand beside him.

“I got you a present.” You hold out the paper bag to him.

Xaviers eyes go wide as he unpacks the contents. “What? You didn´t need to do that…”

“I know, but I wanted to be nice.” You repeat his words from a day earlier with a mischievous smirk. “No, in all honesty I felt bad that you paid for my canvas and these are things that I thought you could always need. So, yeah, you know.”

You look at your feet, as heat once again spreads over your face.

“Well, thank you.” There is that half-smile again. “But now I feel bad, that must have cost a lot of money for you.”

Oh, no. It isn´t worth mentioning, really.” You insist.

“No, please. The least I could do to thank you is to buy you a coffee or give you an art lesson or something” He says.

“An art lesson from Nevermore´s resident tortured artist? How could I say no to that.” You chuckle.

“Meet me here tomorrow, after lunch. Is that alright with you?” Xavier laughs as well.

“It´s a date.” You say excitedly and this time you catch the reddening of his cheeks. Though you say goodbye and force yourself not to think about it too much as you make your way back to your dorm. You didn´t want to get your hopes up just yet.

[ivy-is-fine]

Murder Kratts

Part Four! Woah.

“I believe your human survival suits are in this closet,” Areos said, opening a door with one of the eldritch arms.

N shined the light in there, and there were indeed rows of equipment.

“Very good,” Tessa said.

“Thank you,” N added.

They went in there and each grabbed a piece of equipment. N was quite ready to get away from Areos, he was too much like Cyn with his movements.

“I could make oil tea!” Areos said cheerily. “You Murder Drones like that, yes? You should stay for a minute. I haven’t talked to anyone since the last eldritch attack which was a pretty long time ago.”

“Oil tea is not my thing,” Tessa said flatly. She was double checking the equipment to make sure it worked properly.

Areos’ expression fell a little. “Oh. Well… um… perhaps we could talk a little? Did you happen to run into the others? And could you tell me how you got in at all?”

N and Tessa looked at each other. Tessa looked back at Areos. “Sorry, we’re in a hurry.”

“Oh.”

N perked up. “Do you know anything about the absolute s—” He was cut off by a fleshy hand over his mouth.

Areos’ face was a scowl now. His many fingers were curled in anger. “Leave,” he said firmly.

N removed the hand from his face. “Wait— but we—”

“THERE IS NOTHING FOR THAT HERE,” Areos bellowed.

Tessa cocked her gun, aiming right at Areos. “You have to know something,” she said.

Areos’ arms were raised up high. N looked at Tessa. He would be able to survive being ripped apart, but the human would not, and he couldn’t stand to lose her too, so soon after V. “It only has one goal. To infect and destroy,” he said, fangs bared.

“Is there any way we could say… get rid of it? Or possibly disinfect someone who may or may not have it? Hypothetically?” N asked, taking a very quiet step backwards.

“HA. HA! Magnets and death, bud,” he said. “The latter is obviously more effective. No host, no power.”

Tessa looked at N. He didn’t look back. He knew what she was thinking, and he didn’t want to think about it. He couldn’t lose Uzi too. Not after ten minutes after V DID NOT die. She was simply killing the rest of the sentinels to make an easier escape later.

But his hopes of that were growing slimmer and slimmer.

“Let’s get these to Chris and Martin then,” Tessa said as if N wasn’t going through emotional turmoil right now.

“Yeah,” he agreed quietly.

Areos’ arms sunk back down to rest on the surrounding environment. “If you see Alice, tell her I say hello. I do think I would like to speak with her again,” he said, much more solemn this time. One of his arms rested on the doorway. His normal arms didn’t appear to function.

N winced. He felt bad. There was no way she could still be alive after the release of the sentinels. He felt even worse leaving Areos sitting down here waiting, all alone. “I don’t think she’s… you know… with the sentinels loose…” he said.

Tessa had been shaking her head and hands frantically the entire time he spoke, sighing at the end.

There was a small sound coming from Areos, starting as a small whimper before it gradually gathered volume into a loud wail. He fell onto his knees, arms grabbing onto everything around him; the doorway, desks, and himself.

“I think we should leave now, N,” Tessa said, as if she were growing impatient with him.

N nodded, feeling horribly guilty, as Areos buried his face in those human hands, starting to sob.

The two of them hurried back, flew over the hole and passed the suits to Chris and Martin. Martin was holding a finger and wincing. “Does she usually bite?” He asked, indicating towards Uzi.

“Bite me!” She snapped. Well at least she’s feeling a bit more like herself, N thought. Though it also may have been her trying to cope.

The brothers got into the bulky suits. Chris took a deep breath of relief. “Wow, I can breathe now!” Their faces could be seen through the helmet, unlike Tessa’s.

From the corridor the fivesome could hear the wailing. N felt a bit too compelled to go back into that darkness with Areos and cry with him.

That sounded pretty nice, actually. Put all of this on pause for a bit. Forget all of this for a bit.

“Magnets, huh?” Tessa mused, looking at Uzi.

Uzi glared at Tessa. “Yeah? So? They blocked the Solver while V and I were with Alice,” her voice started breaking and she looked away. N wanted to reassure her somehow. He patted her head slowly, and instead of slapping his hand away like she did last time, she dropped her head against his side.

They were both blushing profusely. Chris and Martin looked at them, slightly amused. Tessa was not amused. But at least she didn’t say anything. She just crossed her arms. “Let’s get some magnets or whatever and repel it or something,” she said.

“There was a bucket of magnets back there,” N said. “I could grab a few.” Tessa nodded and he hurried back, Areos’ sobbing fainter now, also followed by the harsh scraping of either nails or metal.

N grabbed two, both sticking to his hands. He returned. I could try lightening the mood, he thought. That might help.

He took a magnet off of his hand and stood in front of Uzi. “I compel thee!” He declared, sticking the magnet on her face.

She giggled, but only a little bit. She tested it, and the solver glitched away. “I guess that’ll hold for now,” she said. Until I have to kill you. Well, you or the rest of the world, N thought. “What even is that noise?” She asked in her usual brash tone.

N looked over at the doorway. “It’s a mutated worker drone named Areos. He’s part eldritch or something with those inky arms.”

Uzi considered that for a moment.

“Well now that we have the suits and the magnets, we can go on,” Tessa said, giving N another look. She knew that he was postponing the inevitable.

“So. The magnets. What’s up with that?” Chris asked. Martin was twisting and untwisting the battery cap of his flashlight.

“They apparently mess up the Absolute Solver’s connection, so it should stop her from getting all messed-up again,” Tessa explained. “And the Solver is a recurring problem, so far it has destroyed Earth and sent this planet into an eternal winter.” She still sounded like she was hiding something.

“Earth is destroyed?” Martin asked, eyes wide.

Tessa flinched. “Then where have you been for the past so many years?!”

“EARTH!” The brothers said in horrified unison as the group walked on.

N couldn’t help but notice the massive craters in the walls, and the eldritch Disassembly Drone pieces scattered around were not reassuring.

“Alice did say that they’ve dealt with those mutated ones before,” Uzi said, punting a robot’s head at the wall, where it was speared on a twelve foot long claw.

N wanted to hold her hand, except he was scared that if he did he would have to cut that one off too. It was also blazing hot compared to what he was used to, and he was wary that his system might overheat soon.

He looked over his shoulder, where the elevator sat at the end of the hallway. It was the only light in the hall.

It flickered, and for just a millisecond, a many-armed silhouette stood with arms outstretched.

He blinked and it was gone.

<- Part Three Part Five ->

[novankenn]

"Jaune Gets a Gun AU" Starship Troopers : MI Power Armour

Inspired by @howlingday's weapon posts.

Jaune chuckled as Ruby pouted about having been caught having impure thoughts about her first friend at Beacon. They pair started to pass past a fairly large booth when...

????: Hey! You two! I noticed you looking about, check out what the Mobile Infantry has to offer!

Jaune and Ruby turned a little shocked to be called out. What greeted them was a well weathered, and scared man... oozing authority.

Ruby: Can we help you?

Rico: No, the question is... Can I help you?

Jaune: (Confusion obvious on his face) I don't follow.

Rico: It's a couple questions, I have for you.

Ruby: Question? I don't think...

Jaune: It would be impolite not to at least listen to the questions.

Rico: Good man. First, take a look and tell me what you think of MI Power Armour?

Jaune: That looks pretty cool, actually? How much?

Ruby: Jaune? You already have armour! We're only here to find you a ranged option.

Jaune: But look at it! I mean it covers even more of my body, it has a rocket launcher, and a mini-gun on shoulder mounts!

Rico: (Chuckling) That's not all.

Jaune: It has a JET PACK!

Ruby: Jaune... that is NOT grimm in that picture.

Jaune: Ruby... rocket launcher... mini-gun... jetpack... this is so cool.

Ruby: (Sighing) You said you had two questions for us. What's the second one?

Jaune: Who cares! Where can I purchase this armour?

Rico: We can provide it to you FREE of charge... just sign this.

Rico hands Jaune and Ruby tablets, featuring minuscule text and fingerprint scanners.

Jaune: What's all this?

Rico: Just a simple service contract.

Ruby looks at Rico suspiciously, but before she can act, Jaune presses his thumb against the scanner. The beep that sounds, causes Ruby's mind to fill with dread.

Jaune: So?

Rico: Welcome to the Mobile Infantry, citizen.

Jaune: Huh? Citizen? I'm already a citizen of Va...

Rico: There are NO VALEANS in my Army! Just Troopers! Camacho! Trig! We have a new recruit... get him geared up!

Ruby makes a grab for Jaune as two armoured woman step out of the back area and hook their arms under Jaune's arms, lifting his feet from the floor.

Ruby: Jaune! You can't do this! This is not right... it's... it's... a Vacuoing!

Jaune: Um, where are we going?

Rico: Training, and then we take the fight to the Bugs!

Jaune: Bugs? You mean Grimm, right?

Rico: No Trooper... Bugs. It's a Good Day to Die.

Jaune starts to futilely struggle as Ruby watches in horror as Jaune is carried towards the curtained off area of what she now could see was a recruiting booth.

????: General.

Rico: Yes? Headmaster?

Ozpin: Please let my student go.

Rico: He signed...

Jaune/Ruby: Thank the brothers!

Ozpin: I know he did, yet he still has three years of training at my school to complete. Which means you can't as Ms Rose so eloquently put it... Vacuo him.

Jaune/Ruby: Yes!

Rico: I see, he's a student. Trig. Comacho put him down. My apologies Headmaster... I'll get a 12-40-A to release him...

Ozpin: That will not be necessary.

Ruby/Jaune: Huh?

Ozpin: This is a valuable lesson for you, Mr Arc. Always read before signing. So General three years and you can return to pick him up.

Rico: Understood. See you on the bounce, sir.

Rico, Trig and Camacho all salute the headmaster before leaving.

Ruby: You can't!

Jaune: Headmaster?

Ozpin: You signed a contract, Mr Arc... and what are contracts?

Jaune: (Suddenly filled with dread) A legally agreed to promise.

Ozpin: Correct. So for all intents and purposes you gave your word to serve as a member of the United Federation's Mobile Infantry.

Jaune: And an Arc never breaks their word.

Ruby was panicking, thinking about Jaune facing whatever those things were in the second picture... but more importantly... what Pyrrha was going to do to her when she found out. As she was going through her crisis, Ozpin gently patted Jaune on his shoulder.

Ozpin: I'll leave you two to enjoy the rest of your day.

Ozpin walks into the crowd and vanishes.

Jaune: (Notices Ruby's terror filled face) Ruby, are you okay?

Ruby: (Hyperventilating) I'm so dead... no, I'm more than just dead... I'm dead, dead, and dead again!

(I'm trying... again, I think @howlingday has much better posts. But eh, well it's either sit on these and let them drive me insane... or let them out. Hope you enjoyed.)

[tinyinvadr]

New chapter time!

Psychoborrower

Chapter 5

“So, what are you? Ah- sorry. That didn’t sound as rude in my head, but, um…”

There was really no point in hiding anything anymore. He’d not only seen me at that point, but I was riding on his shoulder. And if I didn’t answer, he’d likely just find other stupid questions to ask me.

“I’m a borrower. Basically, we’re tiny humans. Heh… don’t tell my parents I said that, though. They hate humans. Actually, yeah, if you ever run into them, don’t talk to them at all. I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Got it. I’m guessing you’re breaking a bunch of rules just by being here, huh?”

I chuckled. “Oh yeah. Used my psychic powers, ran away from home, interacted with humans… Y’know, all this time I’ve been telling myself that if I became a Psychonaut, my parents would finally accept me. But now that I think about it, they’ll probably be pissed beyond belief if they ever see me again.”

Raz went quiet for a minute as he continued to walk towards the lake. I had a feeling it had something to do with his dad. He didn’t have much time left at camp, from the sound of it. And with this whole evil plot going on, there was even less time to squeeze in everything he wanted to learn.

“I’m sorry you can’t stay longer. And that I was so hard on you before.”

“Huh? Oh, don’t worry about that. And… I’ll figure something out with my Dad. I’m not sure what yet, but… I’ll think of something.”

When we got to the lake, I had to hide myself in the collar of his turtleneck sweater. I would’ve turned invisible, but I’m not able to hold it long, and it takes a minute to recharge, so I couldn’t risk being seen. Especially not with Bobby still lurking around, looking for kids to bully. At least, that’s what we thought at first.

Like Dogen, he was brainless. Walking around like a zombie and droning out “TV…” over and over.

Is it wrong to say it might not be such a terrible thing for Bobby to be brainless?

After he left, Raz met up with Lili. She had additional information, such as Milla leaving in a hurry like Sasha did, and transmissions over the camp loudspeakers from Oleander, mumbling about his plans in his sleep.

From the sound of it, we were the only ones left who could do anything. Besides Ford, all the adults were gone, and all the other kids were already de-brained.

It was up to us. This truly was our first Psychonauts mission.

And for some reason, Lili really wanted to make out with Raz.

It’s a part of camp culture that everyone wants a romantic summer fling, so it didn’t surprise me, but this was not the time to be talking about it. I also didn’t wanna be this close to Raz while he was kissing her. It’s just gross.

If you can believe it, something even worse than those two kissing ended up happening.

A giant fish monster jumped out of the bushes, grabbed Lili with its lure, and pushed Raz to the ground, sending me tumbling a couple inches away.

We were both shocked and terrified, but Lili wasn’t having it.

“Oh no, you did NOT just hit my boyfriend!”

Apparently the monster wasn’t one to take sass lightly, so its only response was to shove her into its mouth and stomp off into the lake.

Needless to say, witnessing that shook me to my core. All borrowers fear larger animals because they might try to eat us. It’s a valid fear for us, but it’s not something most humans have to worry about since there aren’t many larger creatures that they encounter on a regular basis. So to see something that posed such a threat to beings who always seemed invincible in my eyes…

“Flint? You there, buddy?”

I snapped out of my spiraling to see Raz hovering over me, waving his hand in front of my face.

“Y-Yeah, I’m good.”

He let out a relieved sigh and gently scooped me up.

“C’mon, we’ve gotta go save Lili. We can follow the monster in the bathysphere.”

He put me back on his shoulder and headed onto the dock. If I had the choice, I would’ve rather sat this one out. I was way too vulnerable in the physical world, and I couldn’t exactly fight well either. But I also didn’t want to be left alone on the beach in case that thing came back for me. Or, y’know, just a regular seagull or something.

I kept reminding myself as the bathysphere submerged that Raz was just as scared as I was. We were going to the bottom of the lake. If anything went wrong, there was a chance that he’d fall victim to his curse and die instantly.

When we reached the bottom, we entered a huge air bubble, allowing us to get out and continue on foot. All around us were the destroyed remains of various buildings. There was a whole town under the lake, reduced to ruins. The sight was haunting and eerie, but also strangely beautiful. The green glow of the coral and the water flowing around us outside the bubble gave the place an otherworldly feel.

After searching for a bit, we found the remains of a bell tower. It was mostly in tact, so with a pull of the rope, Raz was able to ring the bell and lure the monster right to us.

There was no way to get close enough to fight it, so we relied on smashing up crates of nails whenever it tried to swallow us. We were chased all over the lake’s floor, and it wasn’t until we led the beast to an oyster bed that we were finally able to defeat it.

Still, there was no sign of Lili.

According to Ford’s observations, the monster was once an ordinary lungfish, but it had been mutated. There were various lumps and implants all over its head. It seemed the creature had been modified into its current form so that it could be controlled and used to kidnap the campers for Oleander’s evil plan.

Never thought I’d feel bad for a big scary fish monster but here we are.

Ford suggested we try entering its mind to see if we could free it from his control, and it was then that I realized Raz took Sasha’s psycho-portal.

“Did you seriously steal that?”

“I’m gonna give it back to him! Besides, we’ll need it to find Lili and the others.”

With a swift throw, the portal locked onto the monster’s head, and the gateway was open. The only minds I’d ever entered were the counselors, so I had no idea what to expect.

Definitely didn’t expect Raz and I to project into a miniature city populated entirely by lungfish.

The citizens screamed out in terror and ran when we appeared, and who could blame them? We towered over their buildings. We were… monsters.

Oh. Oh wow. Ford wasn’t kidding when he said the lungfish was also afraid of us. Or, at least Raz. Probably not me.

“Huh. Looks like we’re on the same page for once on how weird this feels.”

“Hey, wait, why are you still projecting yourself like that?”

I crossed my arms. “Why would I choose to be small and weak if I don’t have to?”

“I don’t think you’re weak. I just… it doesn’t seem healthy to hold it for this long. I remember something similar happened in True Psychic Tales Issue #325-”

“Those are just comics.”

“Based on actual events!”

Our argument was interrupted by a nearby lungfish screaming in pain until he dropped dead.

“You killed him.”

“I didn’t mean to!”

“Then stop shouting!”

Another lungfish ran over to us and started jumping up and down to get our attention.

“Hey! Giant monsters! Over here! Your assistance is needed for the resistance!”

It turns out the implants manifested in the form of an alter ego of Coach Oleander, known as Kochamara. He ruled over the city and controlled everyone by sending out propaganda from the radio tower. It was his influence that made the lake monster kidnap all the campers.

A few civilians were planning to stage a rebellion and take back their home from Kochamara, but many of them had been imprisoned, so we were the perfect candidates to break them out of jail. And if we helped them, we’d be able to get answers on where Lili was taken.

Raz went ahead and smashed open the prison, earning the name “Goggalor” from the terrified citizens.

I was… frustrated, to say the least.

Why did HE get to be the cool giant monster who saves the town? I mean, I’ve been tiny all my life, don’t you think I’ve earned the chance to be giant just once?

That competitive streak in me reared its ugly head again, and I was overcome with the urge to one-up him.

I met up with the freed prisoners, who were all still singing Goggalor’s praises.

“Hello, citizens! I’m with him. We’re kind of a cool giant monster package deal. So, need anything else destroyed? Got a cool name for me?”

The lungfish looked at each other in awkward silence until one of them finally spoke up.

“Uh… your name is… Stompy? Yeah, Stompy. And we do need another one of our comrades freed, but he’s imprisoned on the other side of that tunnel-”

“Great, thanks for the tip!”

Maybe I was a tad overzealous. If I stuck around to listen, I would’ve known that the tunnel was equipped with deadly lasers. But I didn’t. So I walked straight through there, and was painfully zapped.

I was able to back out of the tunnel in time before I could lose a projection layer, but my focus was completely thrown off, making me revert to borrower form.

The surrounding lungfish saw this and took the opportunity to ambush me.

“Stompy has been weakened! Capture him and turn him over to Kochamara!”

I tried to fight them off, but I was greatly outnumbered. They dragged me off into an airplane, and I was locked in before I could escape.

As the plane took off, a broadcast with Coach Oleander’s voice came through on the radio.

“We’ve gotten word that Goggalor’s pathetic associate Stompy has just been compromised! He may seem harmless now, but citizens are advised to remain alert on the off-chance that Goggalor comes to his aid. Not that he would, of course, being the horrible monster that he is. Regardless, you can all rest assured that our volunteer navy will bring this destructive menace to justice! Kidnappingchildrenisgood.”

I made my way to the front of the plane, where two copilot lungfish were seated.

“Hey! Can’t you guys tell you’re being brainwashed?”

“You have the right to remain silent, Stompy. Anything you say can and will be held against you when Kochamara is pummeling you.”

“That doesn’t make any sen-”

“SILENCE!!!”

I spent the rest of the flight begrudgingly agreeing to their terms. I could only hope that Raz would rescue me sooner rather than later. And that he wouldn’t rub it in my face that he was right about me relying on my false projection too much.

Still, it was beyond frustrating that he expected me to be able to defend myself at my true size. I was useless. Far too weak to ever be a Psychonaut…

If Sasha and Milla really did know the truth about me all along, that had to be the reason they refused to let me join them. I was beyond qualified, but that didn’t matter. I would never be human.

It hurt. It really did. Why couldn’t they have just been upfront if they knew the entire time? It would’ve saved me so much trouble. I could’ve gone home, given up on my powers for good. But instead, I wasted all that time training for nothing. Ford said they wouldn’t turn me away, and I wanted to believe him, but I couldn’t help but feel like they already did a long time ago.

The plane landed on the small nearby island where the radio tower was stationed. I was escorted off by the pilots, where I was met with the towering Kochamara.

“Well, look what we have here.”

I scoffed. “Yeah, yeah, shut up.”

“But I have a proposition for you, Stompy. From one little guy to another…”

[pocketramblr]

I want to know how all might reacts to reincarnated afo!aizawa

Like I think All Might would understand that Aizawa doesn't remember his villainous past, and has essentially been reborn, but the fact that afo somehow managed to get away with it (in a matter of speaking at least) must be like one of those forbidden itches from another dimension: forever vexing him

So All Might doesnt find out about this until Aizawa goes to him himself a few months after the worst of it, which is important because the reaction is defintely something that would vary based on when and how he learned it.

As it is, Aizawa goes to Might Tower and is like "Hey, I'm a UA student, Nedzu emailed All Might and said why he needed to see me, if he hasn't checked it tell him its about All For One." and is quickly sent up to talk. All Might is confused about the why- this kid is like, sixteen, AfO could have been dead before he was born.

But then Aizawa sighs, and says "I was born on the day you killed All For One," which means he knows way more information than he should, and All Might listens even when the kid immediately seems to go off topic by explaining that he's always wanted to be a hero, even though erasure is a weak quirk, and he knew he wouldn't be able to be a hero like All Might. Then he gets to the Garvey fight, and very quietly says that when he tried to erase the villain, he stole one of his quirks instead. All Might looks at the boy's palms, and sees.

But he doesn't quite see the truth yet.

"You're All For One's son." He breathes.

Shouta shakes his head. "No. Worse. I was born the day you killed him, right? Well, the hospital I was born at, there was a doctor that worked for AfO. Tried to save his life. Couldn't. So AfO ordered him to grab a baby, and transfered his quirk... to me." All Might relaxes, because that is tragic, but easier to deal with- "And then, I guess, they lost me? Not sure, but um, after Gravey, i went to the hospital and the Doctor kept messing with me. He was giving me more of All For One's quirks... and his memories. And i- it was so stupid, I went in there alone, and now... it's all there. in me."

All Might is no longer relaxed. He stares at the kid. Miserable, Aizawa holds out a hand, and a spike shoots out from it. One All Might remembers going into his chest, and he flinches.

Aizawa puts his hand down.

"I can't figure it out."

"Can't figure what out?" All Might asks.

"I can't figure out if I'm more me or more him now. I mean, I feel like I'm in charge. But he's been alive a lot longer, even if so much of those memories a blur. And, logically, even if he isn't in my head, his memories have to affect me. I mean, i knew going alone was stupid, but all those memories of his power, his pride, i ignored it and went anyway. I can't figure out what it means to know all of this now, who I am or what I should do."

All Might nods. He feels such pity for the boy, such grief he didn't prevent this. caused it, even, really. "And you came to me?"

"Yeah. You're the person alive who's known All For One the longest, except Gran Torino and I didn't know how to find him." The teen shrugs. "You'd be the one to know if he's... you know, if i'm him. You'd be the one to stop him."

All Might stares at him, not moving, not speaking. Aizawa beings to twitch despite himself.

"You trusted me to fix this." He finally says. "Yeah, there's no way in hell All For One's in charge of your brain then. You're safe, kid. You might have the memories, but i take it you hate the guy in them?"

"More than anything. You're sure? It makes sense that i could be influenced-"

"Young Aizawa. You're safe. I am sure. And if that changes, i'll make sure to help you. I am here."

Aizawa goes nearly boneless on the couch. "Thanks."

"No problem. I'm guessing you'd feel better if you were doing something about it, though?"

"Huh?"

"You're a hero. You feel better when you're doing something."

"Yeah. What do you have in mind?"

"Let's see if any of your new old memories can help us weed out anyone else who could be planning something like the Doctor was, and then come up with some plans to use all those quirks in you now for good."

Aizawa smiles for the first time in weeks. It is a terrifying smile, but it is absolutely nothing like All For One's too-calculated smirk. All Might smiles back.

[kalicofox]

WIP game

Rules: You will be given a word. Share one sentence/excerpt from your wip(s) that start with each letter of that word

@shadow-pixelle tagged me for this, with the word ECHO! Tysm! ^_^

E- A Thing With Feathers (Original work, Sci-Fi)

“Essentially.” Zeke said. “Or you could do none of those and go for a wander on your own, but that’s not usually recommended for someone with a chassis as big as you. People tend to notice a space station wandering through their system.” “Right. I need to have a bit of a think about it.” Cogita said, and on the holo-screen in front of Lissa, a flight plan appeared. “In the meantime, do you think you could go pick up a friend of mine? Please? She- she’s running low on power, and she’s scared.” Zeke’s head tilted slightly, peering over at the holo-screen. “That leads out nearly to the intergalactic void… are you sure someone’s out there?” “Positive.” Cogita said, her voice clipped, “I- we exchanged handshakes right before they shut me down. No one would listen to me!” The frustrated exclamation bled stifled hurt and anger. “I tried to tell them, I tried to ask them to wait, but ‘No Cogita, it’s time to say goodnight.’ ‘You find strange signals all the time and they always turn out to be nothing, Cogita.’ ‘Stop trying to delay the inevitable, Cogita’ augh! Why are humans so… so… so!?” Zeke grimaced, and shrugged. “I couldn’t tell you. I am sorry that that happened to you, though.” “This friend of yours…” Lissa said slowly, studying the flight plan. “What are they doing that far out? That’s past the edges of settled space, even if only barely. Are they a scout?” “Something like that…” Cogita said evasively, and Zeke’s eyes narrowed.

C- Two Rules (Self Indulgent SI Pokemon)

“Ceus…” I said, very slowly, “What time period am I in? And keep in mind that if you don’t say ‘modern era’, the fit I’m going to throw is going to be epic in both scale, and scope, and may possibly even make Giratina’s tantrum look like a minor snit.” “’Tis the modern era.” They assured me, and my eyes narrowed. “Modern for whom?” “Ah…” “Oh goddammit!” So what it boiled down to is this: I was stuck in Hisui. I wasn’t plot relevant, Arceus had assured me; I apparently didn’t have the soul markers that would designate me as a ‘Chosen One’ (aka, a main character), and so I wouldn’t be expected to really do much about any of the stuff going on in Hisui. That would be Dawn/Akari’s job, whenever she showed up. Poor girl. Maybe I’d drop by and see her every once in a while. Maybe give her some stuff that might make her life easier. Or at least more comfortable. See, the thing was, I wasn’t supposed to be here. Not in this time period, not in this body, not in this universe. But Arceus had made just the teensiest, tiniest mistake when they’d been working on making themself a body, and, in the process of imbuing the body with enough Aura to survive a small nuke to the face (or a rampaging Giratina), they’d grabbed my actual, literal, soul, and stuffed it in there too. Which is why they’d panicked when I’d opened my eyes and started talking.

H- Gods in Winter (Original Work, High Fantasy [Rewrite])

How many times had that tusk been broken, to leave it so fragile? He was almost impressed when the half-orc rolled to his feet. He was considerably less impressed when the other man brandished a short knife at him, his hold inexpert and his stance sloppy. “I really do not think this will be as productive as you hope.” Tzedef said mildly, and the half-orc sneered at him.

O- The Spare (Pokemon [Legends Arceus])

“Outsider.”   The voice was smooth and rich. Dark and calm.  Like some of the late-night radio hosts that she’d listened to when she was working on her term papers. She gulped.  “Um…” Mei pointed at herself. “Me?”  “Verily. ” The Mismagius drifted closer, and Mei abruptly realized that the three gems on his front were glowing very faintly. The gems were glowing. Someone was talking, but the only other person around was Mismagius. The Mismagius was talking to her. “Oh gods…” Mei took a step back, her eyes wide. She knew that some Pokemon could speak human. Dawn had told her about the Team Rocket group that had a talking Meowth, and Psychic types were regularly proven to speak human languages, even if it was only telepathically. But a Ghost type? “How…?” “Magic.” The Mismagius sounded unbearably smug about that. “While others of mine fellows might use illusions to speak as you humans do, I have delved deep into the mysteries of the arcane arts and thus mine speech is translated directly.”

I'm opening this up to anyone who wants to try their hand at it! Also, @nerdpoe, @leithlovesyou, if you're in the mood! Your word is FAIRY.

[moviemunchies]

I promised that I’d talk about Shogun, so let’s talk about Shogun. I thought I’d already started writing this review, but I apparently didn’t, as I can’t locate the document, and I can’t even find my original handwritten notes….

For starters, it’s really good.

Based on James Clavell’s novel of the same name, the miniseries (at least, it was planned as a miniseries, but supposedly it’s gotten renewed) Shogun is about Japanese politics in the feudal period. In the year 1600, after the death of the Taiko, a council of five regents was put into power while the Taiko’s son grows up. One of those regents, Lord Toranaga, is accused by the others of wanting to make himself shogun, the de facto leader of Japan, and finds himself in a sticky situation where all of his opponents are trying to corner him.

Rather fortuitous, though, that a Dutch ship arrives on the coast of Japan, in one of Toranaga’s territories. On it is English government agent John Blackthorne, who arrives with the intent of disrupting Catholic Portuguese interest and trade in the country, and establishing Protestant influence. And that ship has a butt-ton of cannons that more than one faction would be happy to grab a hold of.

Feudal Japanese political intrigue: the miniseries!

One thing that’s fascinating about both the original novel and the miniseries is how this is essentially a fictionalization of real events. Yes, the cast is made up of fictional characters–but only barely. Just about every major character maps onto a real-life historical figure, which will help some viewers work out some things before they happen on-screen. Toranaga is a clear analogue to Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Blackthorne to William Adams (yes, the guy from Nioh), and Mariko to Hosokawa Gracia. Mind you, they’re very heavily fictionalized versions of those characters for the sake of drama. There’s no reason to think there was anything between Mariko and Blackthorne’s real-life counterparts.

If you’re curious, the TV Tropes character sheets for the show mention who each character was based off of.

I am concerned that many people are going to take this as a true representation of history, which, uh, it’s not. I keep thinking of people I know or on the Internet saying, “I know about Norse mythology, I’ve played God of War!” and, um, no. In Shogun, for instance, I think the writers (of both the show and the book, if I remember the novel correctly) lean too hard into the “Scheming Jesuit” stereotype than is probably accurate, because the idea of conniving Catholic missionaries, or Jesuits up to no good, is appealing to audiences today–although Father Alvito is a delightfully complex character. 

This is not me saying that the show is bad because of these things! I’m just saying don’t take it as history.

[Although! If we look at this with a critical lens, part of why the Catholics in Japan are so seemingly hostile is because our main European viewpoint character is Blackthorne–who they rightly suspect to be an enemy agent. Blackthorne even makes a comment at the end of the series that throws into question everything he’s said about the Catholic Plots.]

A thing that newcomers should be aware of: this is not an action series. If you come into this story because you wanted to watch a bunch of samurai battles, welp, this is not for you. There is violence, certainly, and occasionally it is done with swords, and it is generally brutal when it occurs; however, there aren’t epic battles and duels every episode. Most of the show is about political maneuvering, with bits of violence, sometimes perpetrated against the self, in order to get different people in places where they’ll be advantageous or disadvantageous to our protagonists.

To make that work, there is so much impressive character work in the story. These actors are giving it their all to make these characters come to life, and act in ways that move the story forward while also remaining consistent. Because this is set in a society that has such restrictive social rules, a lot of what characters say isn’t as relevant as how they say it, and so I think careful viewers will be rewarded.

I should probably make a note about language: most of this show is in Japanese. There are parts that are in English (which in-universe is meant to signify Portuguese, the European language in Japan, which Blackthorne also speaks). You’re going to read a lot of subtitles while watching the series, unless you happen to speak Japanese. Apparently there were concerns that viewers wouldn’t like this, though considering the show’s success, those fears seem unwarranted. Supposedly, the dialogue is written in old-fashioned Japanese, though having no knowledge of the language I couldn’t really say.

Shogun has been compared to Game of Thrones, because that’s where we are as a culture, I guess–large fantasy/historical dramas that feature political maneuvering, violence, and sex are measured against the HBO show. I have seen a grand total of maybe four episodes of Game of Thrones, so I’m not qualified to judge the comparison entirely; still, I think given that it isn’t a fantasy setting, the story is based entirely on Japanese history, and there isn’t a war going on, that Shogun is a different show entirely, and also that we need to stop comparing everything remotely similar to Game of Thrones.

It is not a casual show to watch–it’s intense, there is violence, there is sex (though the show lingers on it less than some of its rival programs), and there is so much suspense in how things will play out. If you can accept that, though, Shogun is a rewarding experience with memorable, interesting characters, and an entire story contained within a season with near perfect pacing. 

It’s a really good show.

Mind you, I’m not sure they can keep up the momentum for another two seasons…