#But god was this a monster of a piece to do

[paperbodiesamongthestars]

Ok, I’m back because I slept on it and it turns out I have More Opinions.

Ultimately, this is all going to be fine. Even if canon continues to do…whatever they’ve got going on, this is what fandom does/is for! And in just the last two weeks, this fandom has done an incredible job of making the breakup make sense, or aligning it with previous character beats, or giving it real emotional resonance, or fixing it, or making it worse (the angst has been delicious!), or doing all of that while getting one or both of those men pregnant! It’s been an incredible ride, and I’m excited to see where it goes over the hiatus.

I guess where I’m going to be stuck for a minute is on Tim’s incredible willingness to tell on himself. I haven’t trusted this man since BtVS, but still! Imagine putting a piece of media out into the world, and then getting up in front of God and everybody to say “haha, no, that part of it wasn’t supposed to be interesting, actually.” Cannot relate!

I also cannot imagine that this state of affairs is, uhhhhh, particularly sustainable? I know Tim thinks that you can’t have actual character growth on a procedural, but as a seasoned procedural-enjoyer, I strongly disagree! It is indeed possible—even preferable!—to have a monster/mystery/emergency of the week and ALSO let your characters evolve. Otherwise you end up here, rehashing storylines from previous seasons and watching characters stagger in circles seeking growth they will never be allowed to find. And as a viewer, that is profoundly unsatisfying.

It is genuinely wild to me that Tim’s response to…everything is to give an interview where he confidently asserts that we were always supposed to take the rationale for the breakup at face value. Tommy correctly intuited that Buck was not actually ready to move in, and does not, in fact, know what he wants because he’s “still figuring himself out.” There is no further nuance. Don’t worry about it.

Like, congrats, my guy! That’s the worst option! It is the least narratively interesting! It is also a pretty gross read on bisexuality! This character is 33 years old! Apparently Buck is going to be “figuring himself out” until the series finale, probably, which is nice because it means I don’t have to care? But from a storytelling perspective, it’s insane. It does not make any sense and it does not compel me. White dudes can just say and do whatever, huh?

I am just—what? And how? And also why?

[esmereldapearl]

Random head-cannons for PJO (again):

- Nico loves music videos— like Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi MTV performance he would love. (Maybe too because if Lady Gaga played during his stay at the casino, it might remind him of good memories with his older sister.)

- Hazel has met Bianca. I like to think that Bianca sat with her before leaving because Nico was coming to save Hazel. Like Bianca knew that was her sister the same way Nico knew— but Bianca sort of knew it would happen but wanted to meet Hazel— have a sibling relationship with Hazel. (This is leading into AU stuff) I feel like Hazel wouldn’t know until she found a random photo of her when going through some of Nico’s stuff he had as a kid.

- I feel like Will is the type of character for when something insane happens this is his reaction:

Percy: Hey man, so uh, during Harleys maze, I may or may not have broken like- two bones? One is my arm, the other is Annabeth’s ankle.

Will: *one eye twitches as he sort of half glare, half not yet still shocked* Mkay Percy.

(Like just imagine Will on his last straw, that’s how I imagine this)

- Kayla and Michael were really close. Lee and Will were also very close.

- Michael hid a safe in the infirmary that had files and stuff that he wanted hidden— also like random possessions and letters/ stuff from Lee except nobody could find it and then when they did find it nobody knew the code. Kayla did some digging and found the code. (They refused to let anybody try to break the safe or have Hermes cabin try to pick the lock)

- I have quite a few headcannons for Kayla even though she hasn’t been seen much throughout the books. I feel like one of the bigger ones I have is that she has two older siblings who are twins- very random, but she doesn’t really have a cannon backstory (yet?).

- Once the Apollo cabin realizes that Nico has not seen like— a lot of pop culture stuff and Disney movies, they force him to watch a lot of them.

- Everyone, including Nico, forgets that Nico was born in like the 1930/1940s until they bring up some big historical fact and he’s like:

Will: Ya’ll up for watching this rocket take off? You can see it from our cabin, it’s gonna go to the moon.

Nico: What do you mean to the moon?

Will: ??? Wait do you not know about the moon landing?

Nico: PEOPLE HAVE GONE TO SPACE???

(This is the only historical event I could think of for some reason)

- Nico would 100% love video games and love like a 3DS

- Hazel cusses— like a lot— mostly when she’s annoyed/angry though.

- Frank is good with younger campers. He likes to reassure them that it’ll be okay and try’s to make them laugh

- Nico is less emo/dark and more just- random? I don’t think he has a set style, nor do I think he’s gloomy— I think of him more like a combo of Sam and Sebastian from Stardew Valley.

- Nico likes to hangout in the infirmary and goof off with Kayla and Austin. Will’s glad they get along

- Lee or Michael had set a rule where you can’t hang from the beams in the ceiling— Kayla disregards the rule quite a bit.

- Will 100% has a southern accent— not like a full blown accent but it mixes with his daily speech. Like specific words and phrases bring the accent back.

- Hazel and Nico like to draw— both have completely different styles though, and Nico draws more often while Hazel experiments with art.

- Hazel (and Nico) likes to visit Nico and talk to her brother often- so they hangout like once a month and talk very often. I feel like after Leo would create some device/adapter to make it so monsters wouldn’t attack every time you sent a text, they’d text more often than Iris message. (Ik not everyone has the best relationships w/their siblings but my sister and I are like this so I promise I’m speaking from experience lol) like every piece of gossip/major event, every “what would you do in this situation”, etc

Hazel: OMG NICO

Nico: WHAT???

Hazel: PERCY AND ANNABETH ARE ENGAGED— YOU’LL NEVER BELIEVE HOW.

Nico: OH GODS.

[frownyalfred]

I’m just going to copy and paste the comment I just left:

holy fucking shit. OMG. this was incredible. i should’ve KNOWN that Bruce would do the sacrifice play, but it still came out of left field for me. And you gave so many hints! It’s kinda funny how one man’s (monster’s) action created all of this. Thanks to the Joker, this world is literally a post-apocalyptic society. I love how you left it open-ended in that we don’t know what’s going to happen next, but also gave a firm ending. And the boys! Damian, I feel so sad for him. I’m sure somewhere deep (DEEP) down, he knew 100% that Bruce would do this, but he couldn’t acknowledge it. He holds onto Duke’s words, even though he knows it’s a small possibility. And I love how Jason was the one to put together the pieces.

“Yeah,” Todd said, when Duke didn’t continue. “Right there. You got it after all. Took you a second, huh?”

Usually it’s Tim or Dick who put the pieces together, but it’s so fun to remember that Jason is a detective too! He was trained by Bruce, and he knows Bruce’s nuances better than most. Oh, god, I also loved how you made Dick, Jason & Tim so resigned to this. I’m sure they know that Bruce would always go this, even if it didn’t occur to two of them (I’m sure it did after Duke left). And Steph and Cass! Your endnotes make so much sense in them being “paired” with those specific batboys.

Ugh, there’s so much thought and love put into this fic, and I love it!

Thank you for highlighting that line! It was one of my favorites in this chapter. Maybe that, and then Bruce's line about his hand at the end of the chapter. Jason is so smart, and even if he won't accept that Bruce can't be saved, that doesn't mean he can't see the writing on the wall.

I'm glad Cass and Steph made it into this fic! I like to think the Batkids naturally gravitated to pairs post-Regime otherwise they would spiral and hurt themselves, or others. I don't know who Dick was paired with, initially -- maybe Alfred? -- but I think it works for most of them. Jason had Roy, then he has Steph. Tim has Kon. Damian and Cass stuck together no matter what.

[nosvq]

I don't know why this nasty people still on our Lou and Tommy tag and on Twitter act like some kind of preacher and therapist(I know you're anti and haters tho). Like you yourself aren't invested in your own favorite character and the actor. I saw the delusions you're in when I research mode 911 2 years ago. I know and I see a monster shipper with no sanity left. I thought Asian BL fan and shipper are the weirdest but ouhhh I was so damn wrong.

You think just because we know Lou less than a year we were played and manipulated by him. Just like how you people don't care about a shit your favorite actor did or still on it, you have the audacity to preach us about Lou's past or whatever perception you have on him like come on, ain't no one is a saint here. I know you people see him as someone lower than you, actor with no remarkable achievement and all those words you used on him but are yours that great and who do you think you are? Eww

He is an actor that potray Tommy Kinard so he have all the freedom to give his piece of thought and whatever he feel within the range of his acting and the episode he was in. If he is not important to you, cool not my problem. He is not coming back, fired whatever so what is your problem now?

I'm an adult I know to judge people. It was 2022 when I started 911. For your info there's a reason why I don't really have hyper fixation towards OS or RG and their characters in 911. I don't hate them but they aren't that likeable either with few ruckus here and there, now and then.

If you're weirded by the fact that Lou Ferrigno Jr and Tommy Kinard having a fans that can't stop yapping about them maybe you need to reflect on yourself. Why were you people here? Why were you doing the yapping?

Being casual viewer mean I watch for the emergencies and the first responders. The men there are hot and good looking so does the actresses but I was there not for them. Suddenly Tommy Kinard happened so what if I like him and the actor. Cool firefighter pilot and attractive actor. Duhh

I know you people jealous because I mean Lou is attractive white male, beefy and blue eyes and like you people always called him a nepo baby, hello not everyone here from the US who even know who is his parents , that I don't know what is the issue. Yet people still fall in love with him(surprised 🙀🙄).

He and Tommy are NOT the MAIN CHARACTER(so what , no biggie) his followers also not that much unlike your favorite actors(like I care about how famous people are if I am not attracted I don't) but you did know after watching him on s7 we go on research mode and go watch the shows he was in.

I don't know what is so wrong in liking Lou Ferrigno Jr and Tommy Kinard and still talking about them every day, weeks that you people so pressing about it. If there's people that need a therapy and counseling, it is you people but I guess with that much of negativity and grace of the devil on your every words about him only God can save you.

[motherismotheringggg]

Hi ! Can you do one of Cooper? The reader was actress/actor. The reader was friends with Cooper and the reader sister knew that the reader was/had fan/crush on Cooper and the reader sister told Cooper that the reader had a crush on him?

finally yours 🩵

summary: see the request above, thank you to this lovely anon <3

type: fluff, fluff and more fluff

tags: kissing

author’s note: this was so sweet to write, man i love a lil fluff moment 😭

🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧🫧

You and Cooper had met on a red carpet about a year ago, a night that clearly belonged to him. He was dazzlingly popular, sweeping nearly every category, and it felt like everyone wanted his time. Amid the flashing lights and applause, he held himself with a calm, gracious air, even as fans, journalists, and other celebrities flocked around him.

From afar, you couldn’t help but admire him, captivated by both his talent and his looks. Cooper was stunning in that classic way, with sharp cheekbones and a warm, inviting smile that lit up his face. His hazel eyes held a warmth that softened his otherwise chiseled features, making his charm and confidence feel magnetic.

When his eyes met yours, he rushed over, leaving you stunned. Did he mistake you for someone else? “Oh my god, Y/N, I’m a big fan,” he said, towering over you as he pulled you into an embrace. You were stunned; you’d become a bit of a sensation recently, with your latest movie creating major buzz, but for Cooper to call himself a fan truly shook you.

He continued to shower you in compliments, his words warm and sincere as he praised your work and told you how gorgeous you looked tonight. Before you could fully process it, he’d wrapped his arms around you again, his broad hands resting on your back and making you feel small and secure in his hold.

As he pulled back, still keeping you close, he shook his head in disbelief. “You’re incredible,” he said, his voice filled with admiration. Blushing, you managed to say, “Congratulations on tonight—you deserve it. You were brilliant in Monsters,” reaching out to squeeze his arm. You felt the defined muscles beneath his suit jacket, and your heart fluttered a bit.

His smile softened, and he pulled you in for another hug, his hands lingering slightly as if he didn’t want to let go. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice low in your ear. “I’ll see you around tonight,” he added with a lingering smile.

Throughout the after-party, you kept running into each other, each interaction feeling warmer and more personal than the last. By the end of the night, he handed you his phone with a grin. “Let’s keep in touch,” he said, his eyes holding a hint of something more. You saved your number, feeling breathless as you handed his phone back.

————

A few years had passed since that unforgettable red carpet-meeting, and you and Cooper had become inseparable. Whether at events, concerts, or casual hangouts, your bond grew stronger with every shared experience. Fans adored seeing you together, dubbing you a “Hollywood dream duo,” and when it was announced that you’d finally be starring in a project together, the internet erupted in excitement over your electric chemistry.

Filming had been underway for a month, and you and Cooper had grown closer than ever. Every long day on set was balanced by shared laughter, lingering glances, and the comfort of having someone who understood you completely. Cooper had a way of bringing out your best—both on-screen and off. He’d always linger near your trailer, insisting his lunch break was better spent in your company than anywhere else. There were late-night runs to the craft services tent, where you’d tease him for his snack choices, and stolen moments in between takes where your banter flowed effortlessly, leaving everyone around you grinning.

On this particular day, you’d invited your younger sister to visit the set, eager to share a piece of your world with her. Though only two years younger, she had a knack for noticing things most people missed and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind—a combination that often led to hilariously blunt observations or moments of piercing clarity.

She was lounging in your trailer, her legs propped up on the small table as she flipped idly through a magazine. “So this is where the magic happens?” she teased, glancing up with a smirk.

“Something like that,” you replied, rolling your eyes but smiling, finishing up your hair at the trailer vanity.

Your sister’s sharp gaze scanned the trailer like she was piecing together a puzzle. “It’s cozier than I expected. Guess I thought movie-star trailers were all champagne and crystal chandeliers.”

“You’ve been watching too much reality TV,” you said, shaking your head.

Before she could retort, a knock sounded on the door.

“Come in!” you called out.

The door swung open to reveal Cooper, his signature grin lighting up the space. “Heard your sister was here,” he said, stepping inside. “Thought I’d come and say hi.”

Your sister immediately straightened, her analytical gaze locking onto Cooper like a hawk sizing up its prey. You couldn’t help but chuckle internally; you knew this was her version of sizing him up.

“This is my sister Jade” you said, gesturing toward her. “And this is Cooper, my—”

“... absolute best friend in the entire world,” he finished for you, extending his hand toward her. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” your sister said, shaking his hand firmly. She tilted her head slightly, studying him with a look you recognized all too well—the “I’m figuring you out” look. “So, you’re the one who’s always monopolizing her time?”

“Guilty,” Cooper said with a laugh, his eyes flicking to yours with a playful glint.

“You’re lucky you’re charming,” she quipped, a small smirk playing on her lips as she went in for a hug.

You groaned. “Ignore her. She thinks she’s hilarious.”

“Because I am,” she shot back, not missing a beat.

The three of you quickly settled into a rhythm, with Cooper cracking jokes and your sister firing back witty retorts that had him chuckling. You chimed in with playful commentary, adding to the lively dynamic, it felt like a comedy routine. Still, your sister’s sharp eye didn’t miss the way Cooper leaned toward you when he laughed or how his gaze lingered on you just a little longer than necessary.

As the conversation flowed, Cooper’s natural warmth shone through, and your sister’s demeanor softened slightly. By the time he was called back to set, she was grinning as she watched him leave.

When the door shut behind him, the trailer fell into silence. You turned to your vanity to touch up your makeup, trying to ignore the goofy grin that had taken over your face.

“Okay, spill,” your sister said, breaking the quiet.

“Spill what?” you asked, feigning innocence.

She raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her seat. “So…that’s your boyfriend, or what?”

You whipped around, startled. “What? No! Cooper and I are just—”

“Absolute best friends?” she interrupted, folding her arms. “Please. I don’t know how you’ve convinced yourself of that, but the energy between you two? It’s practically a rom-com in real life. The banter, the looks, the body language—it’s all there.”

You opened your mouth to argue, but she held up a hand to stop you. “And before you say I’m imagining things, let me remind you: I notice everything. You’re in love with him. Admit it.”

“I’m not—” you started, but the words faltered.

Your sister narrowed her eyes, her tone softening but still direct. “You can’t lie to me. He looks at you like you’re the only person in the room. And you hang on to his every single word he says.”

Her analysis hit like a punch to the chest. You turned back to the mirror, trying to collect your thoughts. “We’re just…really good friends,” you said quietly, though even you could hear the doubt in your voice.

“Sure,” she said, her tone laced with sarcasm. “And I’m just here for the free snacks.”

You sighed letting out a chuckle, your fingers fiddling with a makeup brush. The truth was, she wasn’t wrong. You had been yearning for Cooper for years, hiding your feelings behind the safety of friendship. The thought of losing him—or complicating what you had—had always kept you from saying anything.

Before you could respond, a knock on the door signaled it was time for you to head back to set. “Think Cooper could show me around while you’re busy?” your sister asked, her tone casual but her smirk anything but.

You hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Sure. But behave.”

“No promises,” she said with a wink as she followed you out.

————

Cooper led Jade around the set, his easygoing demeanor making even the chaotic environment feel inviting. He started with the soundstage, a cavernous space where cameras, lights, and crew buzzed with purpose. “This is where the magic happens—or, you know, where we fake it convincingly,” he quipped, pointing out the massive green screens and intricate camera rigs. He gestured to a detailed house facade, adding, “Looks sturdy, right? It’s just plywood. One strong gust, and it’s game over.”

From there, he showed her the wardrobe trailer, crammed with racks of costumes, and the prop room, a treasure trove of oddly specific items—everything from antique vases to fake food. Finally, they landed at the diner set, complete with retro booths, a jukebox, and gleaming countertops. “This one’s my favorite,” Cooper said as your sister slid into a booth, her eyes roaming over the immersive details. “Sometimes it’s hard to remember it’s not real.” She smirked at that, tapping the table thoughtfully. “Feels like it could be.” Cooper grinned, leaning in slightly, “That’s the goal.”

As they made their way back to your trailer, the air between Cooper and your sister felt easy and light. He paused just outside the door, hands tucked into his pockets, ready to say goodbye as she waited for you to wrap filming. There was a brief, comfortable silence before Jade tilted her head and asked, “So, how are you liking filming with my sister?”

Cooper’s face lit up instantly, and he didn’t hesitate. “Oh, she’s incredible,” he said, his voice full of sincerity. “She’s just… one of those people who makes everything better, you know? On set, off set—she’s so talented, so smart. And funny. Don’t even get me started on how funny she is.” His grin widened as he continued, “She has this way of making everyone feel comfortable, but she’s also so driven and sharp. Honestly, it’s kind of unfair that someone can be that amazing and still look as good as she does.” He chuckled, shaking his head, clearly caught up in his praise.

Your sister raised an eyebrow, smirking as she leaned against the trailer door. “So, when the movie wraps, is that when you guys are going to make your relationship public?”

Cooper froze for half a beat before laughing, the sound slightly louder and more nervous than usual. “What? No, no, we’re just friends,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, his cheeks tinting the faintest shade of pink. “Really good friends, that’s all.”

But Jade wasn’t buying it. She squinted at him, her knowing look cutting straight through his weak denial. As she turned to open the trailer door, she tossed over her shoulder, “There’s nothing worse than two idiots in love trying to convince everyone else they aren’t.”

Cooper stood there, stunned into silence, watching the door close behind her. His jaw slackened slightly as her words sank in. She knew. And worse—he knew she was right.

————

Later that night, the set had quieted down, and you found yourself back in Cooper’s trailer, sharing dinner like you always did. The meal was simple but comforting, and the air between you was familiar—comfortable, even—but there was a faint, unspoken tension that neither of you addressed outright. Still, it wasn’t enough to interrupt your usual banter about the day’s filming.

“Thanks again for showing my sister around,” you said after a pause, your fork idly poking at your plate. “She seemed like she had fun, which is rare for her. She’s usually not impressed by much.”

“She was sweet,” Cooper said, leaning back in his chair. “Actually, she said she really admires your work ethic. Like, lowkey, she thinks you’re kind of amazing….and she’s not wrong” His tone was easy, but something about the way he said it made your heart skip.

You froze for a split second, trying to keep your face neutral. “Yeah, well,” you began, forcing a laugh, “sometimes she likes to make people feel nervous for fun. She’s, uh, super analytical like that—loves seeing people squirm. It’s kind of her thing.”

As casually as ever, he got up and crossed to the small couch in the corner, motioning for you to join him. “She told me a lot about you, though,” he said, his voice softer now, carrying a weight that sent your stomach flipping.

Your heart dropped, a rush of panic hitting you square in the chest. You set your plate down and crossed your arms, trying to play it off. “Oh, God,” you said with an exaggerated groan. “What’d she say? Because honestly, sometimes she just talks to mess with people.”

Cooper smiled faintly, but his eyes didn’t waver. “She wasn’t messing with me,” he said, his tone more direct now, making it impossible for you to brush him off.

Your chest rose sharply, your breath caught in a mix of panic and anticipation. Cooper’s words hung in the air, so heavy yet so vulnerable. You slowly lowered yourself onto the couch next to him, trying to keep your movements calm even though your heart was racing wildly.

“She said… ‘there’s nothing worse than two fools in love,’” Cooper repeated, his lips curving into a small, almost shy smile as he reached for your hands. His touch was warm, his hands larger and stronger than yours, yet so gentle that it felt like a grounding force. “And if I’m being honest, I’m in love with you. I always have been, and I always will be.”

Your breath hitched, your heart thudding loudly in your ears. Cooper’s thumb lightly grazed over your knuckles as he continued, his voice unwavering despite the tenderness of his confession. “But she’s your sister, and she knows you better than I ever could. So if this isn’t something you want…” His words trailed off, his gaze searching yours for any sign of hesitation.

You took a deep breath, the air filling your lungs but failing to calm the storm inside. “Cooper,” you began, your voice trembling slightly, “I’ve loved you ever since you first said my name. And every day since then. You make every day wonderful, and even on my worst days, just hearing from you makes it all feel better—like the world isn’t as heavy.”

Finally, you looked up, meeting his gaze head-on. His eyes were warm and kind, full of something deeper than you’d ever dared to imagine. The way he smiled at you—like you were his whole world—made your chest ache in the best way.

“God,” he breathed, his voice filled with awe, “you’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met.”

And then he moved. The space between you disappeared as his lips found yours, crashing into you with a passion that left no room for doubt. For a fleeting second, you hesitated, the weight of the moment overwhelming. But then your instincts took over, and you melted into him.

The kiss was electric, a perfect mix of exhilaration and familiarity. It felt like a first kiss—tingling, new, and impossibly thrilling—but also like the culmination of a thousand unspoken moments, as though you’d been doing this forever.

Cooper’s hands moved to your waist, pulling you closer, his grip firm but protective. His large hands made you feel small, secure, and cherished all at once. Your hands found their way to his jaw and the back of his head, your fingers tangling in his hair as you pulled him deeper into the kiss. Time seemed to blur, the rest of the world falling away until there was only Cooper—his warmth, his touch, his love.

[feroshgirlsims]

Chapter 6 - Prologue for a New After-Life

Excerpt from "The After-life for Gods and Monsters," location of book unknown.

[flashback]

It should be said that the space between universes was not a bar. You couldn't just stumble in whenever you wanted and pour yourself a drink.

Even if you were the most silver-tongued of creatures.

Even if you were fast as the fae.

"Akira Kibo, the after-life is not a free-for-all," Substance huffs, folding her arms. 

"Yeah, and if you ain't want visitors, you shoulda been faster closing the door." 

It was a technicality. But then again, technicalities were the lifeblood of the fae. 

Substance rolls her eyes, “Your father was like you. Fast enough to slip in here and take something that was ours. I hear the birds are still eating his liver."

"Sounds about right,” Akira smirks, “He was kind of an asshole.” 

And there, the creature standing before the Divine Creators demonstrated that he knew the foundational rule of the universe: 

Fuck around and find out.

“Akira Kibo, last one left,” Time observes in her honeyed voice. "Ancient upon ancient. Cursed with the speed that made you at once a harbinger and a relic. You must be lonely."

“I don’t gotta be,” Akira replies. “The Reaper's scythe is not a requirement for a new life.”

It was a law so arcane that the Divine Creators almost forgot they made it.

"You’ve done your reading," Substance allows, "And what would you offer in exchange for this new life? Would you get back what your father stole?”

"In exchange, I will make sure that what my father took ends up where it belongs."

As far as deals went, it left a lot to be desired. The fae can't lie, which wasn't the same as saying they don't lie, so that single statement presented loopholes upon loopholes.

But it was as close to satisfaction as the Creators were going to get. 

"It's tricky, starting a new life without death," Time purses her lips. "All this experience will be muscle memory, a life you feel but can't remember. You and your sister will be in between."

Akira shrugs. "We got over losing godhood. Pretty fuckin' sure we'll survive this." 

"So confident!" Time quirks a brow, "Alright. Have your new life, Akira. But first, a question. Who would you be in a whole new world? What would you do with a new set of circumstances?"

"I wouldn't be the last."

“I would keep them safe.”

It should be said that the Divine Creators were not usually chatty. Usually, they did not tell you shit. But sometimes, when you made a thing, you had a soft spot, and so, just before Akira reaches the doors, Time calls out:

“They will be unruly, Akira. And loathe to listen. They will make you break your rules and forget your vows. They will test your boundaries and leave you wanting. Death will come for you. And woe be unto the creatures standing in the way of the Hunt for your heart.”

With those parting words, the Creators watch as Akira walks out the doors and falls into his next life.

"The screaming is always so loud. We should change things up," Time muses. "What about a nice bayou instead of a warehouse? We could drown everyone in a lake instead of dropping them onto concrete."

“It won’t work,” Substance grumbles.

“Of course it will. I already have the perfect piece of property picked out.”

"Not your swamp. This plan. I don't like it."

Time is unphased. She sinks to her knees behind her wife, placing a steadying hand on her hip. "You worry too much."

“And you don't worry enough,” Substance tilts her head back. She bites down on a moan, fighting against the distraction. “You promised me an eternity of torment, and now we’ll have to free him because if the son exists, so too must the father.”

“You are too tense,” Time plants the softest kiss at the base of her wife's spine, “Remember when we killed all the gods and replaced them? This is like that. It's a good plan."

"But my birds are—"

Another kiss. "The birds won’t go hungry for too long. Akira will remember his task.”

“The living don’t remember shit.” Substance snaps, but her voice is breathless. "And anyway, he's too fast. Cursed with it."

“Then Death, my love, will just have to catch him.”

PREV | NEXT

(I was going to have them pour each other wine, but then this pose by @fallstaticexit came for my throat, and it is PERFECTION)

[hoje--aqui]

My God, how could I let this one go unnoticed?

I'm completely obsessed. And the open line? marvellous! I'm totally looking forward to it

spoilers below the cut

In less than 100 words, I was already completely in love with the au.

Sirius cruel and full of himself and violent and spoiled and the pure juice of the worst that a Black can be, completely enjoying himself with the weird prisoner he's about to kill? Yes, Thank you

And Remus simply asking about his book when he's about to die? absolutely main character

Pure cinema

Who could resist?

"Sirius isn’t about to start hexing him while the man is reading the forsaken thing. It would be just cruel. And Sirius is cruel – no doubt about it – but somehow this is where he draws the line." Of course, cause what do you think he is? A MONSTER????

Now serious...

All this instant hypnotic obsession about Remus is so, so genuinely Sirius

As if he's always, in any universe, going to be a puzzle that needs to be solved and if he doesn't jump into it headfirst the pieces are going to drive him crazy

And Remus' suffering is always so…

(There's a song that says, 'maybe Death isn't cold, she's just not outgoing, and no one's ever seen her in a bikini. But you know you don't say things like that to a mum', and no, we can't say that to a mum.)

These two were meant to be. Not stories of perfect romance and love that lasts - they're sweet and lovable, I won't deny that. But these characters are so tragic in their own existences that you just can't escape the personal pain building what they have.

They love each other while they are so broken, their pieces coming together and being confused into this one unique, precious and fragile thing.

And them looking after each other… letting themselves be looked after…

It's so beautiful here. I really wish I'd found it earlier. But I'm absolutely delighted to have been able to read it now.

I'm looking forward to the next one (a little apprehensively, since Sirius doesn't know that Remus was conscious, it sounds like a bit of a betrayal to me, a breach of trust even. And I don't know if I'm ready to see them suffer any more).

✨ Opening Line Tag Game ✨

thank you @tealeavesandtrash for the tag ❤️

from Never Before Like This, here’s the beginning of chapter 3!

Walburga Black dies on a Tuesday. It’s a quiet night, a dark night. The kind where the moon hangs heavy in the midnight sky, where sound carries farther than it should.

(A scream pierces the stillness, even through the many wards of the Black Ancestral Home.)

The next day, the front page of the Prophet reads passed peacefully in her family home. Survived by her two sons. Joins her late husband…

It’s only her in the house, when it happens. Her, and a wolf with a mind held together by Wolfsbane potion, in full awareness of its jaws, and claws, and choices.

Would love to know what you’re working on

@euripidestrousers @goldenprophetwrites @magicbeings @veganbutterchicken @quiethauntings

[starswirly]

THREE DAYS AND SIXTEEN HOURS AND PRESENT TO YOU THESE!!!!!

(Nightmare -> Jokublog)

[wistfulwatcher]

emily prentiss + her waning tolerance of getting close to killers

[qqueenofhades]

Oh look. The Trump shooter was a registered Republican (and a young white man in his 20s like pretty every other mass shooter ever).

Party that endorses political violence commits more political violence, film at 11.

[ophanstears]

🍀

I know that Clover's gender is up to interpretation (the devs DID say so themselves) but I still feel weird when people make them exclusively male or female LOL Like it's TECHNICALLY fine??? but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

more in tags as usual because I am a yapper. i am so sorry for having strong opinions about gender and representation. i am usually more fun than this 🥲🥲🥲🥲

[sforzesco]

ALRIGHT okay I will attempt to explain this to the best of my ability, which is currently being held together by tape and coffee

so I have a long running post philippi story focusing on the octavian-antony divorce arc conflict and it's heavily dramatized and full of dead people. it's one part historical, one part my own invention, and one part fucking around with ideas (or the lack there of) in movies about antony and cleopatra. many of which are bad! however. there is a bad one that's actually good. like, I wouldn't recommend it except that I talk about it constantly.

it's the 1953 movie, Serpent of the Nile and I have not known peace since watching it. it's one of the more interesting takes on antony and cleopatra (TO ME), and more importantly: I'm obsessed with the plot point where antony helps lucilius escape egypt to warn octavian.

this scene is partially inspired by that! this scene is partially inspired by several things, but that's the one to mention bc I haven't published any of this story except for the periodic scene I've drawn for fun so listing the rest of it will not add to this experience and also I’m very sleepy right now

the egyptian wall backgrounds in the first page and the last page are of a tomb wall painting, the third page uses an illustration of the death of antony for shakespeare's antony and cleopatra, and on the second page is actually my own painting of antony and cleopatra after giambattista pittoni's painting of antony, cleopatra, and the famous pearl incident

additionally, that last page. the floor. that's a relief commemorating the battle of actium. I'd been reading about depictions of actium and it is. intriguing, especially since my first thought wrt to all of that is usually abt the bodies in the water and how they'll never be buried or antony's parthian fuck up setting the stage for all of this.

also this specifically. fascinating.

Representations and Re-presentations of the Battle of Actium, Barbara Kellum

[sailing-through-hawkins]

✧ written for 'charm' ✧ word count: 548 ✧ rated: T ✧ cw: none ✧ tags: fluffy and humor! also eddie being roommates with stobin ✧ @steddiemicrofic (⁠ﾉ⁠◕⁠ヮ⁠◕⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠*⁠.⁠✧

It’s a lazy Saturday and Eddie has never loved waking up late more than this moment.

Sunlight filters through the bedroom window, shining directly onto the expanse of Steve’s back like a beacon, highlighting every mole and scar and muscle in golden light. He sleeps on his stomach, because he’s a weirdo, with his arms crossed under his pillow. His face is right in front of Eddie, who smiles when those pretty lashes flutter.

“Mm?”

“Morning, baby.” Eddie presses a kiss to his forehead, fireworks lighting up his chest when Steve blinks his bleary eyes open and smiles the sleepiest, sweetest little thing.

“Mornin’,” he yawns and even the ever-invasive morning breath can’t keep Eddie from enjoying the moment. “Breakfast?”

By the time they get downstairs, Robin’s already up and scribbling away on the kitchen table, the lid of a pen being crushed between her teeth. She gives them a wave without even glancing up from her papers and Eddie snorts when he realizes there are at least three pens, all with their lids off, stuck in her hair bun.

Steve looks over at him from the coffee machine and gives him a small smile, setting off even more fireworks that fizzle at the tips of his fingers. He reaches out, he doesn’t know (or even care) for what, and settles a hand on that small spot on Steve’s back, right where his tailbone is. It’s funny that people have tailbones when they don’t have tails. If Eddie had a tail, he could - he could do all sorts of things, couldn’t he?

Humming, Eddie strokes his hand up Steve’s back, smirking when he shivers but still stares at the coffee machine, his cheeks turning a pretty pink. With a tail, Eddie muses as he reaches the nape of Steve’s neck and rubs circles at the warm skin, there’d be even more to touch, right? He could wrap it around Steve’s ankle, slither it up Steve’s leg, brush up against his thighs and keep them apart until -

"Hands off, that's soulmate-only privileges."

Eddie blinks at the firm grasp his wrist is caught in. Robin is holding his hand away from Steve’s head with a glare. Damn, she has a strong grip, Eddie can’t even wriggle his hand at all. “What privilege?”

“Steve’s hair.” She says and lets go as Steve shuffles away towards the stove top, his coffee mug full and steaming.

Wait, what?

Eddie scoffs. "Uh, I'm his boyfriend? I totally get to touch Steve’s hair."

"Oh I'm sorry,” Robin gasps, her eyes wide and her tone sickly-sweet. “Did I stutter? Did I fucking say boyfriend privileges?"

“I – what?! I totally get boyfriend privileges, I get to touch his hair!” Eddie sputters, looking over to Steve as he starts cracking two eggs with one hand (damn that man for his ability to do anything and make Eddie wanna kiss the life out of him) into a frying pan. “Right, Stevie?”

His boyfriend, sun to his moon, light of his fucking life, shrugs and gives a sleepy, "It's her good luck charm."

Robin walks backwards and leans against Steve, pointedly ruffling his hair. "Exactly. It’s finals week and you will not blow this for me, Munson.”

Eddie throws his hands up. “Guess I’ll just suffer then!”

[maraschinotopped]

undertale yellow. clutches head in anguish.

[bacchuschucklefuck]

Can you expand on what you mean by Baron being "too cool" to really fit a horror monster? It's a very interesting concept and I'd love to hear your thoughts. Is it that they're too active/involved/tangible and it detracts from their scariness?

I feel like I should preface this with a wall of disclaimers lmao 1/I am a hardcore, down-to-the-marrow, avid, deeply sincere horror enthusiast, esp. horror creatures. this usually means my mileage is vastly different from the average populace's, and my scaredy bone has been disintegrated by longterm exposure. most things in a piece of horror media won't scare me! so I practically never use that on its own as the scale to talk abt horror experiences, but when something does scare me it's always a special occasion to be treasured. 2/canon d20 is never really meant to be horror horror, and for good reasons: it doesn't fit the company's output, it takes a kind of carelessness in production estimation that is always a huge risk, it's often vulnerable in a way that kinda goes against how TTRPGs usually facilitates vulnerability, and for most people it's just! stressful! d20, even with the "horror-themed" seasons, generally just plays with horror tropes and stays focused in its goal of being a comedy improv tabletop theater show. 3/fantasy high's chosen system is DnD, which as I've mentioned before is before all a combat-based game system, which means the magic circle of play is drawn based on stats that facilitate and prioritize combat. want or not this affects every interaction you have in the game, and given fantasy high's concept from the ground up (everyone's going to school of DnD stuff to get better at DnD) it's doubly relevant. 4/This Is Fine I have no quarrel with this. my meters are internal, I do not ask this show to be anything it doesn't advertise itself to be, and what it is is fucking great! I like it! when I expand on this ask's question it will be like a physicist going insane in a lab. that's the mindset we're going in with.

disclaimers done. my stance on horror as a genre is that it's a utility genre rather than a content genre or a demographic genre; it is the discard of narratives. it's the trash pile. horror, above being scary, is about being ugly and messy, it's the cracks on the ground any story inevitably steps over to stay a genre that isn't horror. the genre's been around long enough to develop a codex and a general language that medias and makers and enthusiasts of the genre can use to talk about and build onto, but if you go into individual pieces there's really no unifying Horror Story. one person's beautiful life can be another's horror story, it's just how it is.

this makes The Monster a deeply intriguing piece of the genre. thing is a monster is in a decent percentage of any story - it's just when the antagonist force steps into something past a certain line traced out in the story's world. monstrousness is in pretty much every western fantasy story, it's in any story with a hero and something to vanquish or win; more than anything it's a proxy of that thing up there. the line in a narrative's world. the monster is the guard of the unknown lands, where heroic, civilized people don't tread.

what does this mean in the context of horror? the genre is about that perceived lawlessness, that "unknown land" so to say. we're in the monster's home. that's the literary context that we often walk into a horror piece with; the monster knows more than you about where you are. it may not understand you, but it holds more information than you, and with that it moves swifter than you, has more covered than you, and is more assured in its existence in this context than you. it's a struggle to catch up to it, it's nigh impossible to get one over it, and you're never sure it'll 100% work, because you just don't have the information necessary to.

with that framing you can kinda see where I'm coming from here: horror's often about the breaking of rules. I always think a monster's most effective when it breaks well-established rules of both existence and visual storytelling. think Possum (2018) or Undertale's Omega Flowey or the Xenomorph Queen - unique change in medium, unique change in graphic, unique change in design language, etc. in that sense I actually really like how canon baron plays out: they don't really function like anything else in the fantasy high universe, the bad kids have not managed to kill them when they've felled literal gods, their domain in fhjy literally introduces new mechanics to encompass their existence! from an experience design standpoint they slap mad shit. BUT! I can't help finding their character, like as a character riz (and the other bad kids, eventually) interact with, to be very... coherent? in design. this is kinda hard for me to articulate in words, it's more often a sense you get once you've looked at enough of these scrumptious fuckers, their general design and the way they show up is just kinda too clean, so to say. always kinda newly made? fresh unboxed. it, once again, makes sense for their lore - they are looking for more about themself from riz - and their function - they're an antagonist in a game experience, they're meant to be interacted with in a way that produces results and meshes with the existing magic circle - but that shininess takes away from the implied history they should have dominion over and the person they're haunting doesn't.

from another angle there is kinda something there about how put-together canon baron is as a concept; the domain they call home is riz's deep-seeded fears, extremely vulnerable things he's drawn borders around to quarantine and refused to walk into. things that from his perspective would irreversibly shatter certain pleasant fictions his world is built on top of. canon baron, While Extremely Cool, I feel is kinda too neat to connect with and signify the apocalyticized mess that'd result from this paradigm shift. the part where they're in riz's briefcase and looking through every mirror is Very Cool And Fucked Up! but ultimately the show draws a line around them as well, by making game-physical, tangible spaces they're in (the mirrors and the haunted mordred manor) and put riz and the bad kids there only when they need to confront stuff. riz is meaningfully narratively away from baron's unknown land for most of fantasy high.

with that and all of my disclaimers in mind my conclusion here is if canon baron wants to be a Horror Monster they'd have to cross way more lines. be a Lot more invasive. hence (holds up my class swap baron like a long cat)

[bones-of-a-rabbit]

Hazel the happy daycare hare has handy facts for fun friends to use (that fellows may find helpful in fending for oneself in the festering dark of Freddy Fazbear's)

...and more doodles, continued below!