#DISCLAIMER: sometimes these hit different in fics and stuff

[shenanogram]

jmart dynamics from hell

[not-without-my-oreos]

Request from: @superficial-ly

Title: Actions

Pairings: Jemily (Emily Prentiss x Jennifer Jareau)

Genre: Hurt/Romance

Summary: Emily is a little jealous of just how much JJ is talking to Hotch.

Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em.

Comments: This was fun but also difficult to write. I don’t write jealousy well, but I hope you enjoy!

Send me fic ideas, cute stuff, and requests here

Words often fell short, it was usually actions that spoke loudest. The way she would tuck her hair behind her ear with that schoolgirl grin. She used to give Emily that same smile. The way her sparkling blue eyes would only light up more with him around made her blood boil. They were close, standing next to each other while JJ delivered the brief. He placed his hand on the small of her back when she was done and he started giving orders. JJ was always standing next to Emily - always within touching distance. It was always that way. Was it something she said? Something she did? Was it the perfume she was wearing? She hated him with his GI-Joe physique and Indiana Jones haircut. The stoic look on his face but then he smiles - when she tracks his eyes - he’s smiling at the blonde. Emily felt like her world was starting to spin, she could feel her cheeks flushing and her chest starting to heave. Why was she feeling this way?

Their relationship had been nothing more than a way to scratch an itch. Time away, time home, they barely had time to date - never mind form a meaningful relationship with someone who wasn’t on the team. JJ and Emily were inevitable, and Emily loved it. She loved the rush of them maybe getting caught, the sneaking from one room to another, secret note exchanges, and smiles. They only intertwined when on a case and this was the first one in a couple of weeks worthwhile. One that required the whole team and not just Gideon going to consult. She missed how her skin felt, her scent and the way her back would arch when Emily hit that perfect spot. She felt like she was missing a piece of her throughout the case lull. JJ didn’t text her as often as she used to, didn’t call her to talk about the Bachelor, or even see if she wanted her to meet outside of work. The secret notes shared had stopped and Emily didn’t know why. She looked back at the file, desperate for something to take her mind off the blonde but nothing worked. She’s spiralling she’s-

“Emily?” A voice breaks through the haze.

Her head snaps up, the room is empty. Everyone had parted to get their go-bags and finalise anything before they departed for Arizona. Her eyes fixate on where the voice comes from. Mistake not yet made. She forces a smile looking at Spencer Reid. The tall, scruffy-looking profiler with the top button of his shirt open and crooked tie. If he was shorter - he’d be mistaken for a British schoolboy. Concern itched his brow as if he’d seen this look before and he had many times. A room full of profilers and it had to be Spencer to notice. He noticed everything. Emily could wear her hair differently and Spencer Reid would notice. He had a big heart and was always concerned for his friends and sometimes, that was a fault. Emily wasn’t in the mood to answer prodding questions or dodge interview tactics. He’d been working with Gideon on how to get an unsub to say exactly what the profiler wants - within reason. She didn’t need to be a hamster for practice.

“You okay?” He asked.

Another forced smile.

“Yeah,” Emily replied. “Did everyone…”

“Hotch said we’re going to Arizona.”

“Oh, right!” She started to gather herself faking another smile but a blush creeping her cheeks. How could she let herself float away like that?

“You were watching Hotch and JJ… then you disassociated.”

Fucking mind reader.

“I just got a little headache.” She smiled holding the file close to her chest.

“Is it bec-“

“Leave it alone, Spence.” She said as she turned to walk away from him. She had no idea what he was about to say - and she wasn’t going to find out.

The team didn’t know, the FBI couldn’t know. There were so many channels, so much paperwork and usually transfers. The last thing Emily wanted was to be transferred away from JJ. Her biggest fear was losing the blonde. They kept everything a secret, not that there was anything to truly hide. They weren’t in a relationship, no matter how much Emily wanted to be. They didn’t go on dates, hold hands, or even grab coffee. At most, they would tease each other on the jet, stroking thighs and calves under the table. Emily didn’t exactly know when their little meetings started. It was a way to relieve the stress of the cases. A small moment to relax.

She tried to hide her head in a book, she tried to focus on something that wasn’t JJ’s voice piercing through Spencer and Morgan talking behind her. When she looked up, watching them in conversation on the other side of the jet - she felt her stomach drop. He smiled - he doesn’t fucking smile but he smiled at her. It’s hard not to. JJ was beautiful. She was flawless in every way. He placed his hand on hers and Emily felt her blood boil. She knew her temple vein was popping. She swallowed as Gideon sat opposite her. Fuck. Insanity rolled into a single person in cargo pants. The fuck did uncle want now? She watched him for a moment, settle into his seat and pull out a book. He was just getting comfortable - her head was clogged. How can she do her job when she can’t stop thinking about JJ and Hotch? He doesn’t laugh, why was he laughing? He doesn’t smile? Why was he smiling? He doesn’t fucking talk, why is he talking!? Why? She laughed again - he laughed, and they were both laughing.

She stood from her seat and walked towards the part of the jet where sat refreshments. Hidden from everyone else as she leaned against the wall - her heart thumping in her ears over and over again and then… her head shot up when she smelled that perfume when she heard that little laugh. Emily’s pupils dilated looking at the beautiful blonde as she made coffee. JJ’s eyes glanced up with a sparkle as she picked up a paper cup.

“You’ve not spoken to me this whole flight,” JJ commented as she poured out hospital-grade coffee. “Usually you’re sitting opposite me with your foot dancing on my shin.” She smirked. When she heard no response she looked up with a frown. “Em?”

She was frozen. Was this a panic attack over the thought of losing JJ to Hotch? She could feel her palms becoming warm as she tried to fight off that feeling of dread washing over her. God, she didn’t want to be in the air anymore. She wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole. She hated this feeling, she hated that she had them for JJ. She ignored her. Instead, she pushed everything aside and dropped a tea bag into a paper cup.

“What?” She replied coldly.

“Are you okay?” JJ asked.

“Would you care if I was?” Emily looked up.

JJ frowned. “Did I do something wrong?” She asked.

“I dunno? Did you?” Her eyes shot to Hotch, sitting there reading over the file.

JJ followed her gaze. “Are you having a childish tantrum because I’m sat next to Hotch?” She frowned even more in disbelief.

“Sat? You’ve been looking at him like a gooey teenager! You haven’t spoken to me at all in the last week - then suddenly you’re all over Barbie’s recalled Ken!” She kept her voice at a hushed whisper.

She stuck the cup under the hot water tap and pressed the small red button to cover her teabag. Barbie’s recalled Ken? Great insult, that shouldn’t get back to him at all. She didn’t have a right to be angry, they weren’t a couple and why was JJ even questioning why Emily wasn’t sitting opposite her? Did she want her to?

“Wow, that’s a cute insult,” JJ replied. “You sit up all night thinking that one up, Prentiss?” She asked picking up her coffee.

“Fuck you…” Emily muttered under her breath. “You haven’t talked to me, called me, wanted to hang out - anything then suddenly you’re on Hotch.”

“Because we’re going over the case, Emily. We are not a couple.”

“I’m aware.”

“Are you? Because you’re acting like a jealous fucking teenager.”

JJ rolled her eyes and picked up her coffee. “I’m going back to my seat.” She mumbled. “If you want something, fucking take it.”

Before she could step away from the brunette, Emily grabbed her wrist. JJ turned, looking at the agent with a perplexed expression, but suddenly that changed into pure shock as she was pushed against the wall of the jet. Emily captured her lips in a passionate kiss, her hands settled on the blonde’s waist, rising upwards with JJ’s shirt. Emily’s fingers danced on pale skin as the kiss deepened. She felt lithe fingers tangle in her hair tugging and pulling as she stifled a moan. Emily’s skin was on fire, and JJ’s fingers danced along her neck running down her chest.

“I’ve been waiting for this…” JJ’s voice laced with a passionate husk as their kiss broke.

“I’m gonna be as monosyllabic as possible - I don’t give a fuck, as soon as your ass is on this jet - it’s mine.” She pushed her back even further against the wall. JJ struggled to keep her coffee up. “And then as soon as you get off this jet - you’re whoever you wanna be. But here - during a case, you’re mine.”

She likes this side to Emily - it was playful and possessive and a side she’s never seen before. She stepped away with her coffee. Looking back at Emily as she walked back to her seat. All the brunette could do was smirk as she stirred her tea.

[lavenoon]

💫what is your favorite kind of comment/feedback?,

🌿how does creating make you feel?,

🎀give yourself a compliment about your own writing

and 💞what's the most important part of a story for you? the plot, the characters, the worldbuilding, the technical stuff (grammar etc), the figurative language - @clxckwork-sun-n-moon

After a nap (or, well, many naps in a trenchcoat) here I am!

💫 what is your favorite kind of comment/feedback?

I think, maybe the very specific feral ones? Mentions of particular lines or scenes and actions surrounded by screaming tell me exactly which bits hit good, and I just melt when it's in the context of a live reading and there's so many of these "sub" comments! Honestly the most encouraging comments to get, they push away the imposter syndrome like no other!

🌿 how does creating make you feel?

Mhh, a whole mixed bag of things, I think! There's definitely the elation - I daydream a bunch, but it's different to have those lines on paper to reread again and again and again. It's fun, and it makes me giddy! Unfortunately, sometimes the imposter syndrome creeps up, and I hold my own writing to unreasonably high standards where I just feel like deleting everything and never looking at it again. And that's silly, because I know, and tell myself "this is literally only to have it on paper." It's to get it out, to have it there, not trapped inside my head where I'll forget them. It's so the details don't get lost! And I do that! So I try to focus on just the happy things, the fun it is, and try not to force myself to create on bad days that have unfortunately outweighed the good days for a while now. Wish it was only the fun, but alas, everything has a downside!

🎀 give yourself a compliment about your own writing

Ah, compliments. Shot myself in the foot again. Thinking about the dynamic swap though (uh, might or might not make it too tumblr, feeling still eehh about writing so had to keep it contained for now, sorry) I think I'm just, really open for a lot. Like, I don't hesitate to embrace new ideas and make them fit - that was what the swap was initially! I thought "there's no way Sun would be rude to his civilian landlord, as a civilian," and then it turned into a thought experiment how to make it work without getting out of character! It's a lot of fun so I see it as a good thing, and it also means I love seeing everyone else's sonas and interactions! I don't need to stick to one storyline, I love all of them! And I love those storylines whether they came from me or others! Which makes having a variable AU like this a lot more fun, hehe <3

💞 what's the most important part of a story for you? the plot, the characters, the worldbuilding, the technical stuff (grammar etc), the figurative language -

Got this one thrice, so I'm gonna split it a lil and ramble about a different factor for each because yeah like I could ever settle for just one fghdjs

For one, it's the characters. I tend to write character driven stuff first and foremost - even my one fic (the tloz one, currently on hiatus, again disclaimer no one needs to read that it's a very different style, anyways) that has a very nice defined plot is so character driven that it's now at 110+K and I'm in the middle of Arc 2. Of five. It's too important for me that the characters get along, and communicate, and have fun together and time to breathe, That's why so many AU drabbles are just that! The entire "plot" of the AU (except for the Glamrock teases) is just them getting closer! That's the point! So the characters are definitely something I pay very close attention to, and do my best to get right!

[waveridden]

@shootingst4rpress replied: how DO you think memories work in the life series… i wanna know

short answer: depends on what i think is most interesting

medium answer: as someone who's pretty new to mcyt and has trouble keeping back of the big servers, i tend to gravitate away from anything that's like "everyone remembers everything all the time," not to mention i just think that's less interesting than some fuckery going on

long answer:

first of all obligatory disclaimer i'm only up through double life second of all i've looked into hcs and fics and stuff and this is my thought but it's kind of blended with other things i've seen (and also in classic waveridden style some of it is in spite of other things i've seen)

specifically within the context of the life series, i think that there's some continuity, but it is absolutely not a normal "everyone remembers everything" kind of thing. like they all have some basic awareness (recognize each other, know that they're in this server voluntarily) but it's not, like, oh X and i were in hermitcraft together and we did these things and we are friends

so as a general rule people gravitate together because they've spent time together before, but they don't remember it - that's why you get people coming together in different seasons, like for example the cleo-scott dynamic coming up in last life and double life

BUT also i think that sometimes people do remember. it's not specific; sometimes it's little things (ren naming the double life group the "red army" after having the red army in 3rd life) and sometimes it's huge things, and that can lead to some conflict

my biggest thought regarding this: double life pearl remembers last life. which is why she keeps going "we're not a team this time? :( we're not gaslight gatekeep girlboss?? :(" and cleo and scott, who maybe vaguely know that they've teamed up before but don't remember the trio, keep going ......no??????

sort of similarly, if you go for a "people exist across multiple servers" thing (which like personally i have a difficult time with because i think it gets hard to do without getting into rpf-y territory but i digress) i tend to prefer people not perfectly remembering everything; i like the idea of the life games as a voluntary no-consequences zone where sometimes there are consequences anyways but they're never what anyone expects

THAT BEING SAID i would never want to dismiss the classic genre of "dudes working through trauma" and every now and again i think about this fic randomly dropping "yeah sometimes ren and martyn drop into the king/hand routine without meaning to and it takes work to get them to stop" and things like that

i just think that as someone who is not connected to the broader community, things like "people return to hermits/empires and have to deal with the death games" do not hit as hard for me because i do not know the hermits/empires as well. and i like the idea of deja vu that you can't completely place.

another touchstone for this is tender and fourteen from f@tt twilight mirage; if you're not familiar the tl;dr is that fourteen is an assassin with a degenerative memory condition who was sent to kill tender, but their memory decayed and the only thing they remember is "tender is important" and they became devoted to protecting her. that's the kind of energy i want to bring.

this post got so long so really quickly here are my last two thoughts:

i like the idea of memory being nonlinear in this series. not necessarily in the "remember things from future seasons" way, but in the way of like... sometimes you remember s1 and sometimes you don't. sometimes it's cumulative and sometimes it's not.

i have been kicking around the idea, with the knowledge that i will never be able to do it as well as i want to do it, of an "all stars" season where everyone is from their isolated seasons' continuity. like, throwing mean gills martyn and red king ren into an arena together. that kind of a thing.

thank you for asking. i hope you enjoyed this.

[kitkatopinions]

personal opinion: if your ship can't stand 20 minutes away from each other for groceries without a teary reunion, then that's pathetic. sorry bumbleby shippers.

Disclaimer: I don't know what post is pictured here, and I'm not trying to bash this particular shipper in any way. Just answering the ask with my own personal opinion.

But, yeah, I think the way that a lot of people view Blake and Yang's codependency is legitimately worrying. I have ships that I personally ship that are unhealthy to certain degrees or have some element of co-dependency. I've laughed along with jokes about how Arthur from Merlin will say he's "doing something alone" and then Merlin always winds up coming along, I've read and liked fanfictions involving unhealthy levels of co-dependence, I've written fics before about RWBY where people became convinced that a romantic prospect needed them and felt guilty when they couldn't be with them... But really, Blake and Yang take it to a new level in a couple different ways. First of all because they literally get angry at the mere suggestion that they take missions without the other, and secondly because the show seems to go out of its way to minimize their contact and connections to other characters, and they literally get so upset about briefly separating that they treat it like they had a massive argument. I won't get over the fact that Blake acts like Yang's going to scream at or hit her. That's not romantic, friends, that's scary. Shipping something that has elements of co-dependency is a-okay and I have no problems with anyone shipping Bumblebee, there's a lot of merit to the ship. The problem is the fact that people are acting like the co-dependency is a good and desirable part of their romance and not a bump to work through that's a sign of insecurity, maybe because the co-dependency is the second biggest 'proof of romance' that the writers have given us as of yet, right under Yang putting a hand on Blake's cheek (which is something I always see as an indicator of at least minor attraction, but is legitimately not canon confirmation in any way.) People should be able to have a life outside of their partner, they should get time alone, they should feel stable enough that they can be without their partner for stretches of time without it damaging the relationship or stirring up these big huge doubts.

And again, sometimes it's fun when characters don't like being apart and have this 'where you go, I'll follow' mentality, but that really shouldn't extend to basic domestic things? I followed my sister clear across the country when she moved away, and our little sister moved out to be with us soon after, but we all got work to do and things to do and sometimes we'll go on walks alone and sometimes we go into our rooms to try and get some time by ourselves because nobody's life should COMPLETELY revolve around another person, and it's the same for romantic partners. My parents have been married for about thirty years, but they wouldn't have gotten that far if they'd never been able to be away from each other. And nobody can tell me that introvert Blake and independent Yang would love a relationship where they feel bad for leaving each other for even minor missions, especially when the first five seasons were full up with them doing things with and building connections with others.

But you know what? I could get past all of that and be like "okay yeah, and some people ship Sora with Kairi or Sora with Riku instead of Sora in a poly relationship with both, people have different ideas." Except that Blake is an abuse victim and one of the main tactics we see her abuser use against her is "don't run from me" "how could you leave me" "you hurt me so much by leaving me" stuff. Blake is literally traumatized. She was getting attacked by her abusive ex who has stabbed her and who cut off Yang's arm as a 'punishment' for her having left Adam, and he exploited her insecurities and guilt, and then right after that trauma, she swears not to leave Yang and both the show and many of the fans and fucking Yang herself act like that's a good thing. And now Blake is following that and acting guilty at the fact that Yang leaves her for a mission, and fans rejoice about the idea? I'm an abuse victim myself, and it's painful for me that this is the direction people are going with. Instead of Blake having a partner that sees when she's in need and is there for her even when she pushes them away, but also trusts and believes in her to hold her own and go on other missions and even leave for months without even sort of holding it against her (which Yang could've been for her,) Blake has a partner who is happy to receive a trauma-induced promise to never leave her again, gets so angry at the thought of going on other missions that she goes red-eyed, and acts as though a brief separation is going to ruin their whole relationship. And that's a good thing?

[sorry-apsalar]

Get With the Time Already

Another Ao3 prompt: "so uh i like trans fry and maybe i was thinking fry could be dysphoric and bender comforts him in his own way ig??"

Disclaimer: while I have personal experience with gender dysphoria it's not as intense as I know many other people's are. So this might not be the most accurate depiction of a trans man but I did my best. I have also never worn a binder (though I have done some research on them) so I might not have properly portrayed that either in my mentionings of it.

Content Warning: this fic includes blatant discussion of boobs, gender dysphoria surrounding them, and transphobia (Fry incorrectly assumes Bender is going to be transphobic)

~

Fry had only just began putting on a clean pair of clothing when the door burst open behind him. He snapped around to see Bender pause in the doorway as his eyes found Fry. Knowing immediately what he was looking at, Fry flinched and immediately snatched the jacket off the top and pulled it up to hug to his chest, covering himself.

“Hey Bender. Uh… what’s up?” he said, trying to keep the tension out of his voice as he forced a smile. Maybe Bender hadn’t seen? It was kind of dark in here so perhaps he hadn’t had time to make anything out?

“Have you always had boobs or is that a new feature?” Nope, Bender had for sure seen then. Dang it!

As always, people knowing about his chest made Fry feel worse about it. Perhaps that was due to the fact that it brought the issue to mind when normally he tried to forget about it whenever possible. Regardless he was now officially uncomfortably aware of his chest and Bender now knew his secret.

He was bound to find out about it one way or another eventually. Bender was his roommate, coworker, and best friend – up until this anyway, who knows if that would still be the case afterward – after all so they spent quite a bit of time together. So it had been only a matter of time before Bender saw him naked or caught him without his binder on since he couldn’t wear it all the time. It still sucked that it had to happen though. Perhaps Fry should’ve told him on his own so it happened on his terms instead of just randomly like this. Too late now though.

“Uh… Fry. You okay?”

Oh shit, Fry had just been kind of standing here frozen, hadn’t he? Oops. “Uh… I’m fine.” Faking nonchalance was hard when he didn’t even know how Bender felt about the whole thing yet. “Yeah. I’ve uh… always had them. … Or not always but ever since I hit like puberty and stuff.”

Not wanting to look at Bender anymore, Fry turned away and let the jacket drop to the floor. He turned to the closest to pull a clean set of clothes – he was almost out, meaning he’d have to do laundry again soon, ugh – and resumed dressing himself.

“Oh, I get it,” Bender said in his usual tone of voice as if unaware of how uncomfortable Fry was – though knowing Bender it was possible he just didn’t care. “You’re one of those people that don’t like having boobs.”

“Yeah. That’s one way to put it.” Fry wasn’t normally one to feel self-conscious about things but gosh pulling on a binder when someone else was watching certainly made him feel a special kind of uncomfortable. He had no other choice though and better to get it over with sooner rather than later because Bender didn’t seem inclined to leave any time soon. “Uh… how mad are you about it?” Best to just ask that outright to figure out where they now stood with each other.

Bender scoffed. “Why would I be mad about it?”

Fry snapped around to look to look at Bender again. “Because… because… guys aren’t supposed to have them and that makes people mad a lot of the time.”

“What moron told you that? Lots of men have boobs.”

“Well uh… I guess sort of on bigger guys but… that’s different.” Even despite Fry’s less than healthy diet and lazy life style he was still somehow too skinny to have those kinds of boobs.

Bender gave him a look like he was stupid. “I forget sometimes that you come from the unenlightened ages. In modern day lots of human men have boobs, some get them removed, others don’t, no one cares either way. I’m a robot and even I know that. Seriously Fry, get with the times already, you’re just making yourself look dumb.”

As he finished pulling his jacket on, Fry took a breath to reply to that but… what was he supposed to say to that? “It’s uh… really not a big deal anymore? Being trans and stuff.”

“Yeah. Literally the only people who care are some of the assholes in the head museum and even most of them have gotten over it by now.”

That didn’t make Fry feel less dysphoric, especially since they were still talking about it and thus he was still thinking about it, but it did make him feel better. Even if, that being the case was obvious in hindsight; things had been trending towards being more accepting back when he came from. Far, far slower than he’d have liked but a thousand years was a long time so of course a lot of progress had been made in that realm just like in every other area of society and science.

“Anyway,” Bender continued, “you going to continue to be upset about it or are you going come out and watch TV with me? ‘Cause the new episode of All My Circuits is about to start and I’m going be mad if I miss it because I have to continue to explain why you being trans literally does not matter to me or anyone else.”

Fry almost could’ve run over and hugged him but refrained for now. He was going to have to ask more about this later – surely getting top surgery and other such stuff would be far less of a hassle these days, right? – for now though… “TV sounds good.” He wanted to watch the episode too and could use a distraction while he took some time to digest this new information and the fact that Bender now knew and that that was okay because not only was he cool with it, he was indifferent to it and didn’t see Fry any different because of it.

[xviruserrorx]

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Status: ACTIVE • ON BREAK

Age: I'm an Adult, and that's all I'm giving in regards to my age

About: Hello! I go by Virus on here and everywhere where I'm active. I'm a fanfic writer who has dabbled in fandom for a very long time, ranging from Anime, manga, otome games; to book series, tv series, movies, comics, and video games. I'm a multi-shipper who mostly writes for rarepairs and those minor characters that got two seconds of screen time! Send an ask if your curious about a fandom I may or may not be in.

Warning: EVERYTHING I make or create is open for interpretation and that is and will always simply be a fact for me. If you don't like that I tag something or let people have opinions or conversations on MY posts then please remove yourself from the situation. I tag everything as accurately and organized as I can so that things can be blacklisted properly. The tags I use will not always be what I ship etc, but simply what circles of the fandom I think will like it, and will make them happy. Happiness is the only goal I have out of fandom so hate for other fellow users will not be tolerate. Ship And Let Ship, Your Kink Is Not My Kink And That's Okay, Don't Like Don't Read

Blanket permission for all Fics: All my fics can be made into pod fics but please send me a message beforehand, hit that little "Inspired by" option and send me the link afterwards too! The same goes for translations too, I only ask for a message and the link to the fic so I can share and see your amazing work! Thank You!

Other places to find me:

I help mod in a few places here and their too!

I'm VirusError over on Ao3 (Link is up there☝️)

I'm also VirusError (viruserrorx) on Discord

Goals for 2024:

Finish The Ingenuous Chapter 2 (possible ch 3?)

Finish Merlin edit thingys

Start my paper star project

Fanfics: This Year/All Time

9/50 - 6,252/166,065

Am I Currently In The Hospital?: YES • NO (😃)

Disclaimer: I sometimes talk about chronic illness/medical stuff, if this makes you uncomfortable please block the coordinating tag! Also I may mention talk of HRT/puberty blockers/hormone blockers/etc. But I am NOT trans/non-binary or on hormone medication for gender transitioning. I am on all these/past medications due to an endocrine issue. I want to mention this just because I know the community ask about the effects and different experiences everyone goes through, but because I don't take them for gender transitioning my experience is different and I won't be able to offer much of any help. Thank you! 😊

[me4ml]

Why don't you like Maribat? Why do you think it's a spite or salt ship?

This is presumably because of my Adrigaminette post or the whole Maribat being on the ship list thing.

Quick disclaimer: if you read/ship/write/like Maribat, cool! This is not an attack. This is me answering why I, personally, do not like it. It’s tagged anti, and salt, so it should be filtered. Please don’t harass me over it.

Another note before we start: a lot of what I’m about to write is based on what I’ve read, fic wise or meta, and I blocked off the Maribat tag and fandom a long time ago. It may have changed over there-I doubt it, and I have zero desire to go and look-but this is based on what I’ve seen and read about.

There are, principally, three reasons I can’t stand Maribat, why I think it’s a spite/salt ship.

1). I don’t like Damian Wayne.

2). I don’t like how Damian and the DCU are written in Maribat.

3). Maribat is a mutated salt fic.

If you want to see my reasons why, the rest is under the read more.

1). I don’t like Damian Wayne.

Damian’s not just my least favorite Robin, ranking behind any of the others who have born the name. He’s my least favorite Batfam sidekick overall.

Part of this is his introduction, where he’s a violent, murderous, arrogant, entitled, snotty little brat of a thug. Lest we forget, one of his first acts is to go out, kill a guy, cut off his head, stuff a grenade into the decapitated head’s mouth, and try to blow up Tim. This is his introduction! There are a number of other occasions, including how he treats Jon, his best friend, and the rest of his siblings.

Another part is that he believes that he deserves to be Robin simply because he’s Bruce’s son, and therefore has the blood right to be Robin, to become Batman, and damn anyone else, who are all pretenders. Doesn’t matter that those characters might have a right to become Robin, or the future Batman, he’s the bio son, he deserves it!

Additionally, Damian feels.....not unnecessary, but repetitive, in his actions/characterization. There are other characters who can perform pretty much the same way for whatever storyline is necessary, without including Damian.

Trained by an abusive family to be the best, as an assassin and warrior? Cassandra.

A killer who breaks the main rule of his mentor, which causes tension and strain in the family? Jason.

Incredibly intelligent and talented? Tim.

Damian isn’t unique in what he does, and while that can make him an interesting character, it can also make the focus on him unnecessary.

As well, so much of Damian’s actions and motivations feels like he gets away with stuff, in-universe, because he’s Bruce’s biological son, and so Bruce gives him too much slack, and out-universe, because the writers let him/the fans will defend him. He gets woobified, or leather pantsed. Which leads to:

2). I don’t like how Damian and the DCU are written for Maribat.

For all his (numerous) faults, when written well, Damian can be an interesting character. For example: How does he deal with being deeply insecure? By putting on a mask of arrogance and overconfidence.

Some more examples: How does Damian act like an actual child, when he’s never had a childhood? How can he be a hero, if he’s been trained to be a killer? Can he ever catch up to his siblings, or will he feel like they’re always better than him?

Damian’s sense of being Batman’s son, of being the heir to the Cowl, slams right up against the idea of the Batfam: that there are people who have just as much of a right to call Batman their father/father figure, people who are just as talented and skilled and capable as Damian himself is, if not more. Watching Damian develop, when he’s written right, is actually enjoyable; mainly because when it’s done right, it shows Damian actually progressing and growing, becoming more of a person, with friends and interests. Most times, seeing Damian with his pets can be adorable, same with when he hangs out with Jon.

Is he still a brat? Still sometimes a bit too much of a Demon, an al-Ghul? Yes, but that’s always going to be part of him, and as long as he’s shown to try and grow, or gets called out on that, it’s less of an issue (There’s a completely different rant to be written about how DC likes to chuck character development or backstory into the trash when it suits them for a new run. Damian gets hit with this, as does Tim, or they get handed the idiot/conflict ball, but not the space for it).

Maribat hurls this all out the window. Damian’s bad traits are all “fixed” offscreen-he’s developed, matured, gotten better, whatever you want to call it. It’s basically a writer’s hand wave to make Damian into the character who will be the lead of the story, perfectly suited for his main role of being Marinette’s boyfriend and utterly devoted to her every whim and will. He’s enchanted by her at first glimpse, and defends her against everyone who hates her, because no one can understand her like he can!

Uh, what? This is not Damian Wayne. Even at his best, he’s no broody boy, pulled from his “dark path” by the love of a gentle girl. He’s a Jerk with a Heart of Gold-emphasis on the Jerk. There’s a reason his nickname usually involves “Demon.” Is Damian trying to get better? Yes. But even then, he’s not the type to immediately fall in love. He takes a while to warm up to people, for them to earn his trust, and Marinette would not be like that?

Let’s say that Robin is in Paris for a case, he runs into Ladybug and Chat, and after they explains what’s going on, Robin gives them a stare over his mask, and goes “TT! What a worthless hero, I would have caught him already.” LB and Chat would probably want to deck him, and that’s before he keeps talking.

Same with if Damian transfers to the class, or they meet on a field trip to Gotham. Damian’s not gonna care about some random French teenagers on a tour, or if he was transferred he’s gonna be trying to figure out why his father sent him to Paris, and be focused on the mission, not making friends.

Of all of the Robins, the ones that would be the most likely to capture Marinette’s interest would be Dick or Tim, not Damian. He would remind her too much of Chloe, as Damian, and as Robin, he would be dismissive of Ladybug’s abilities, which would absolutely piss her, and Chat Noir, off.

In characters that aren’t Damian, no one seems to be written properly over in Maribatland. One huge example is that Marinette is so beloved, so pure, that she can make any character fall in love with her, and reform by her pure goodness, including a fic where the Joker-THE JOKER!-becomes her “Uncle J,” and pranks Lila on her behalf.

Uh-huh. Sure. Completely and totally something that one of the biggest, most sadistic twisted, notorious villains in pop culture would do. Maribat winds up worshipping the ground that Marinette walks on, cause she’s “Teh best evar!”

Which then leads to my third and final point:

3). The whole Maribat concept is a mutated salt fic.

Most of the themes you’ll find in Maribat? You will find in nearly every salt fic.

Maybe my biggest issue with the whole Maribat idea is that it doesn’t feel like a proper crossover, which, at their best, explore how characters from one universe and their rules would interact with characters from another universe, and the rules of that one. Putting ML and DC together is a rich opportunity to play with concepts in both worlds!

And yet, it’s mainly used to bash ML characters who the writers despise, predominantly Adrien, Alya, and Lila, with members of the class thrown in depending on feeling, and potentially even Marinette’s parents! The only “good” ML characters are the ones who are on Marinette’s side, usually Luka, Kagami, a Chloe who for some reason has been redeemed and is now Marinette’s best friend, and whatever members of the class the writer decides to throw in there.

You’ll notice it’s not called “MiracuBat”, or LadyBat and Bat Noir-it’s MariBat. It’s meant as a focus on Marinette, making her-the hero of the Miraculous Ladybug franchise, someone in-story in story who is incredibly smart and talented and the leader of her team, future Guardian-even more awesome.....by beating down everyone else around her.

Marinette is simultaneously treated as an beaten-up, beaten-down walked-on carpet, and the best person to ever exist ever, go who only needs a group of new, different, better people to recognize that and save her from the clutches of those greedy and ungrateful assholes! That doesn’t include the fics where she’s the unknown child of a superhero or supervillain, making her even more special.

It’s Chameleon salt, class salt, with pointy ears and a cape on.

Some specific examples.

Adrien: Adrien is a spineless doormat who prioritizes Lila over Marinette, or an entitled bastard sexual harasser, only fixated on Ladybug, or even both. Sometimes it’ll get worse, as Adrien will threaten or abandon Marinette if she steps off of his “high road,” and Chat will be a budding rapist, stalking or capturing Marinette after he’s learned she’s Ladybug, while ignoring her prior to that. He will, of course, have his ring stripped and handed off to Damian, who is the “true” soul of Destruction and so therefore a “perfect match” to Marinette’s Creation soul. Occasionally it will be Jason, or Tim, or Dick, but the key thing is that it’s not Adrien!

While Damian’s issues are magically fixed, Adrien gets no such courtesy. Adrien has been abused, just like Damian, and while Damian’s abuse is more extensive and extreme, abuse is abuse. If anything, if Damian met Adrien, he would probably see another abused kid, and want to be his friend/have his “adopt stray person!” Instincts go off. I can much more imagine Damian dragging a bewildered Adrien into the Batcave and yelling “Father I’ve found another one for you to adopt!” than I can Damian immediately hating Adrien, or Chat, simply for breathing.

We never see Clark taking Adrien under his wing, or Bruce, or any of the other Batfam; nor any of the other Justice Leaguers. We never see Selina try to fight Bruce over the kid, because he’s cat-themed, and Selina can train him, this one’s hers Bat, get off!

Adrien’s never treated as a kid, or given actual development. A major complaint among salters is that Adrien is treated as perfect and never develops, and in fic, rather than developing him, Adrien either remains static, with his flaws narratively exploded, or is developed negatively. He’s there to be beaten up on and punished by the writers, if not actually physically beaten up by characters in the fic.

Alya: the not-so-good friend, the cheap excuse for a journalist, the awful person who abandons Marinette for Lila and her “connections.” Never mind that Alya was Marinette’s friend from the beginning, or that Marinette’s chosen her multiple times for a Miraculous. One instance of questioning Marinette about Lila, and Alya’s a backstabbing bitch.

Maribat treats Alya as neglectful, bossy, domineering and submissive at the same time to Marinette and Lila respectively, and as a journalist, the worst of the worst. She’s played as a two-bit paparazzo, and once again, the DCU is used to punish her. We don’t see Alya get mentored by Lois or Clark-indeed, if they notice her, it’s with disdain or disappointment. Often, they’re crushing her under their heel, calling her not only a bad journalist, but a bad friend/person. This forgetting, of course, that Alya runs her blog as a hobby so far, she’s only a teenager, and that she’s had Marinette’s back against Chloe and Lila.

The Class: the dupes or allies as needed. Class salt levels depend on what the writer needs. If they’re pro-class, they’re all on Marinette’s side, aside from Alya Adrien and Lila. Chloe, for some ungodly reason, is “redeemed” nigh instantaneously, and often will become Marinette’s best friend, if that isn’t Kagami already. Kagami will drop Adrien like a wet tissue, never trying to reconcile him with the clas, or encourage him to stand up for himself, or if she does, Adrien, of course, will not listen.

If the writer is anti-class, whoo boy. Openly mentally, emotionally, physically abusive to Marinette, the worst gang of people you would ever have the displeasure of meeting, they all need to be in Arkham.

We never see any of the class make friends with the Batfam, the Titans, Young Justice-unless they’re on Marinette’s side, of course. There’s no Alix stopping Selina at the Louvre, for instance, or Max hanging out with Babs. It’s all based on how Marinette is treated as to whether or not the class is portrayed as being worse than the worst of the Rogues Gallery.

Wrapping it all up, Maribat has made me dislike the entire concept of a DC/ML crossover.

Even if someone had written an non-salt, in-character crossover, I don’t know if I would read it, simply because the well has been that poisoned.

[naktergalen]

Rivamika Fic Suggestions List 2

Hey there again! It’s been a while since my last rivamika post and I apologies for that. I caught the reading bug and have just been hitting book after book. I might be doing a book of the month suggestion starting in March. I’m still thinking about it but if that is something your interested in let me know. Or if you just want book suggestions just message or ask me. But for now, I’m back with my second Rivamika Fic Suggestions List.

First of all, I want to thank you for all the comments and messages I received from my first list! I think it has over 150 notes now which is crazy for me. I was going to be ecstatic if it got like 10 likes or something hahaha! I’ve enjoyed talking to some of you about fics and other snk stuff. Feel free to do the same after this post! I know I take awhile to respond but swear I get there eventually.

Same rules as last time. I’ve split this list up into four categories. I wanted to let people know the status of some of these fics in case they did not want to start an incomplete or in progress story. All of these fics can be found on AO3. I’m going to try to link them but we will see how tumblr acts today. If you have any fic suggestions for me, feel free to message me with them and I can add them on to the next list. If any author sees their story on here and wants me to take it off the list, please let me know I don’t wish to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Also, last thing, I highly recommend leaving comments and kudos to the authors. I know that they greatly appreciate it and it helps them with improving their writing through feedback. Okay shutting up now, ON WITH THE LIST!

DISCLAIMER: I know that not all of these stories are not for everyone, these are just my opinions and suggestions.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Completed:

- Thunder Clouds

Author: K_Lionheart

Rating: Mature

Sometimes I like to go to the very back of the Rivamika archive on AO3 and look for fics that have gotten buried over time. Low and behold what I have found lol! I enjoyed the emotional roller coaster when I was reading this fic, though sometimes I wanted to pull my hair out. Set after the titans are gone, humanity has to repopulate so arranged couples by the monarch are made to be wed. While this new order is being enforced, Mikasa and Levi are trying to work out their strained relationship. A slow burn with angst that will have you staying up till 3am dying to know what happens next. I know that there is a sequel to this fic called Nimbus and I’m slowly working my way through that one. Honestly, it will probably go on my next list.

- Red is the Only Colour

Author: mongoose_bite

Rating: Mature

A cute fic that was a quick but wild ride. A Little Red Riding Hood type of AU where Mikasa is a hunter of some sorts traveling through a town. I don’t want to say how Levi plays into all of this since it gets border line spoilers but just know that he is there. It is an opening ending fic for the author to come back if they plan on doing so but it can be interpreted in different ways. All in all, a fic worth of the quick read.

- Sing Me a Song

Author: LazyTrash

Rating: Mature

First I have to get this off my chest, I love the author’s name hahaha! I freakin wished I would have thought of that for mine! Anyway, this fic is wonderful but I will warn you that its a gut punch. If you like hurt and angst put together, then this is the story for you. I love these types of fics because I adore them so much but they hurt me in my soul. I don’t know what that says about me but whatever. I don’t want to delve into the story too much for spoilers but I would suggest rivamika fans to check this one out.

- Midnight Musings

Author: Raewyll

Rating: Teen

I just started to read Raewyll’s fics so I’m slowly working my way through all her works. This one caught my eye and I had to read it. This is a cute take on a chance meeting through texting the wrong number. I love the way Levi and Mikasa’s relationship blossoms into something more serious after causally texting back and forth. It’s one of those stories that I can only describe as being cute as shit! I’m definitely going to be checking out more of Raewyll’s fic in the future.

Ongoing:

- Beyond the Walls

Author: helena3190

Rating: Matue

If you love RIvamika angst, then look no further than this baby right here. This is currently my favorite ongoing fic. It was supposed to be a shorter story, but the author keeps adding more chapters so I’m not complaining hahaha! This fic is pretty much how I would *personally* picture canon Mikasa on how she would deal with realizing that she’s falling in love with someone. Its mostly told in the perspective of Mikasa as she is dealing with the after effects of war and trying to figure out what should she do with her life now that she is no longer a solider. Her feeling for Levi come with a lot of confusion as she’s discovering emotions that she has never felt before. She has a hard time pinpointing on what exactly describes her relationship with him. I’m anxiously waiting for the final chapter for this fic and dying to see how it will end for Mikasa and Levi.

- After the War

Author: loneackerman

Rating: Mature

I am loving this rivamika slow burn fic right here. Its similar to Beyond the Walls but I think the author adds their own taste of the 1920s into it. Set after the war is over (obviously), Mikasa and Levi have to figure out what they are going to do the rest of their lives. It has great tension, a perfectly paced gradual romance and just the right amount of humor to combat the emotional turmoil it puts you through. Again in my opinion, this is close to how I would realistically perceive Levi and Mikasa’s relationship evolving. I’m really enjoying this story and I’m looking forward to more updates to come!

- The Sound of Lightning

Author: LycheeGreenTea

Rating: Mature

A new fic that is just getting started but I can tell that what the author has in store is going to be interesting. Set several years after the end of the war, Levi and Mikasa are loving parents to a single child. Their peaceful life comes to an end when the family has a threat against them. There are not many long fics about Mikasa and Levi being parent so I was very happy when this one popped up on the AO3 feed. An exciting adventure awaits the Ackerman family now and I can’t wait to see where this fic goes in the future. There are three chapters as of now so head over there and check it out.

Incomplete:

- Home

Author: MissErikaCourt

Rating: Mature

One of the gems I found when diving back into the Rivamika archive. Ugh I HATE that this fic is incomplete!!! Its a good long fic but I’m greedy and I need more! I will give a warning first that this fic does contain heavy themes. Mikasa and Levi are in the underground to fight against a criminal ring. This story is a slow burn with action and emotional trauma. There is a wonderfully written OC that you easily get attached to its not even funny. Even though its not completed, I would highly recommend checking it out. I still have three more chapters to finish but I had to put it on this list. I know that I’m going to be pissed once I reach the last chapter written. If someone know MissErikaCourt, let her know that she needs to comeback to finish this masterpiece!

- Shiver

Author: bornsinner

Rating: Mature

Another one that I DISPISE its incomplete!!! Ugh such a great Office AU. It’s everything that I would want in an Office AU setting. Mikasa struggles between her committed long term relationship and her growing attraction (which starts to develop into some feelings) to her boss, Levi. Its hot, sexy and intriguing and it pisses me off that its not finished! The author writes each chapter as a one-shot but collectively together they tell the whole story. Highly recommend even though its so short. BORNSINNER where ever you are in the universe I hope you come back to finish this!!!

- Two Lines

Author: Crejhov

Rating: Mature

When this was getting updated it was my favorite on-going Rivamika fic. I would find myself checking to see if the author updated with a new chapter every week! The unplanned pregnancy trope is a classic one, but Crejhov does a fantastic job on keeping readers enthralled with soo many anticipated character meet up that are bound to cause hurdles for our expecting parents. This story is told from the perspectives of Mikasa and Levi in order for us to understand where their mindsets are as they plan for their expecting child and deal with their relationship. AHHHHH I want more of this!!! I was soo excited to see where this awkward journey was going to take Mikasa and Levi. CREJHOV COME BACK PLEASE I KNOW YOU HAVE WORK BUT PLEAAASEEEE! I NEEEEEEDDDD!!!

- Cabin Fever

Author: AmayaOkami

Rating: Mature

All I should have to say about this is that its written by AmayaOkami and that should explain it. Amaya is the one that gave us the beautiful incomplete rivamika fic Romance and Rivalry. I just adore her writing. Levi and Mikasa relationship evolves as they are standing guard over the arrested Kenny Ackerman. Secrets are discover about the Ackermans and it gets pretty steamy between our two favs. Great fluff and great sexual tension that leaves you wanting more chapters! Again AmayaOkami where ever you went I hope for some miracle that you come back and complete this one too!

One-Shot:

- Jade

Author: shulkie

Rating: Mature

This one-shot feels like I read a novel, it has such a great storyline. An arranged marriage between Mikasa and Levi leaves the relationship strained in the beginning. Their relationship evolves over time as Levi patiently brings down Mikasa’s wall. With smut added for all of your one-shot needs. Definitely worth the read in my opinion.

- What Remains

Author: Mirime

Rating: Mature

This one-shot gives us a glimpse into the secret relationship that Levi and Mikasa have been having while there are still scouts. This fic is sad but I would say it has a bittersweet ending. I think this was supposed to be part of a collection but I can’t find the rest of them. Still a great read by itself.

- Agape

Author: alienheartattack (Sanneke)

Rating: Mature

This fic is cute as shit! A College AU where Mikasa and Levi are childhood friends. Levi has to deal with Mikasa being at the same college as him while he is struggling with his changing feelings towards a grown up Mikasa. Worth the read as I said cute as shit, leaves you all warm and fuzzy lol!

- As Seen in Shadows

Author: MoraLeeWright

Rating: Explicit

FUCKING MORA! LEE! WRIGHT! UFFFFGGHHH Fuck I’m in love with her writing style. I really have nothing to say more that just go read it! Its hot and sexy and the sexual tension is off the fucking charts in this one. Its just MoraLeeWright smut thats all I can say. It’s great! JUST READ IT LMAO!

- Remedy

Author: NSummer

Rating: Mature

Another hot smut one-shot coming your way! Levi and Mikasa have had an ongoing affair and this just recounts their first time together. Its just some good ol’ Rivamika smut that I think that everyone in this community would enjoy.

- Nutty: Drunk in Love

Author: Hallow17

Rating: Mature

A fun smut to read about Mikasa getting “revenge” on her asshole boss, Levi. Things don’t go the way she plans as things get a little heated in the sexy way. A quick smut that I think is perfect for a little Rivamika crave.

- Spicy: Jalapeno

Author: Hallow17

Rating: Explicit

Another fun smut to read by Hallow17. Levi has been stressed out at work and Mikasa finds a way to help him get his mind off it (if you know what i mean). Again perfect for a Rivamika quick fix.

[postapocalyptic-cryptic]

H, L, X, Y, Z <3

Hi Terra!

H: How would you describe your writing style?

(Already answered this, so I'm just going to copy and paste)

Hmmmmm how dare you ask me to perceive myself (/j). I'm going to answer this for my fanfic (and fiction at large tbh) and then again for my nonfiction, "serious" work, because they're different.

My fanfiction style is succinct, I think. I don’t linger on stuff for a long time, hence why my fics are usually short. I know I can be a bit longwinded, but I think plotwise I keep it short. I use a lot of descriptor words.

My nonfiction style has been described as “biting,” “blunt,” and being heavy on good description and explanation. My ability to explain complex topics in understandable ways is my pride and joy and I’m always working on it.

L:  Which of your fanfics was the most emotionally challenging to write?

I’m going to list a few because they were all hard to write in different ways.

Lighthopping is one of the only fics I’ve ever cried while writing, but that’s just because it was sad, not because it was particularly personal.

‘Cause You Did It  (tw sexual assualt for the fic) was very, very hard to write because it was extremely personal. It was cathartic, though. DISCLAIMER: not an accurate retelling of events. though I projected my feelings and some of my situation onto the characters, the story does not represent real events or real people. Fuck off <3

Over This By Now is one of several fics that I’ve deliberately either triggered flashbacks or engaged with triggering material on purpose to write. I wouldn’t recommend doing this without knowing yourself, though. I’m in the long-term phase of my recovery and have a lot of good coping mechanisms, and my reactions are pretty mild now. And I have a great support system! Some of what Fox says to Thire in this fic is stuff my mom said to me after I triggered myself trying to write the fic aldkfjlkfjslkjf.

X: How would you categorize your fanfic reading?  Are you a voracious reader?  Do you carefully pick and choose?  Something in between?

(Also a copy-paste)

Definitely voracious. If it looks even remotely okay, it’s going in my brain. This is a curse because sometimes I cannot get the things back out of my brain when it turns out they’re bad. I have regrets. I will continue the patterns of behavior that led to these regrets. 

Assigned fanfic announcer by Calamity

Y: What are your thoughts on your personal satisfaction with something you’ve written vs. the popularity of your stories?  Do you tend to be most satisfied with your most popular stories?

Oof. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I NEVER have any idea what’ll be big on AO3. Sometimes, as with fics like Lighthopping and OCTYFMS, I was satisfied and knew the fic would be a hit before posting. Other times, I post (what I think is) shit and it does great!! I don’t know!!

Sometimes, I’ll deliberately write things for the interaction boost if I’m bored alkdjlfkhj (*cough* Side Effects May Vary *cough*)

and on a related note—

Z: Is there a story you’ve written that doesn’t seem to get much love?

Fucking. Infectious Grooves. I’m fucking bwanging on the door—

[angeloncewas]

Half the sbi fics that dreams in, they aren’t even dsmp and he’s still a villain - basically being used as a stand in for an oc because the character is so vastly different. Why even include dreams name? No c!Dream fan that I know of will touch it because that’s not his character, no cc!Dream fan I know of likes that. Like the stupid inniter fic that made dream transphobic and ableist against Tommy (then the person who was all like “hey maybe don’t make a fic where Dream, public with adhd and being queer questioning, be the villain for tommy who doesn’t even publicly fit those” got made fun of by a hit tweet, like fuck off, the context was obvious for the person who SSed it to make fun of it). Is it really so hard to use a name generator to replace the names tied to *actual* people, especially when ooc?

I don’t even know how frequent dark sbi is, at least they are leaving Dream alone 😭

All fanfiction is somewhat ooc so I do understand it, and I think it's fun to drag characters in certain directions or even explore darker themes, but there's definitely a point where - although I am not here to police what you write - it's so far from recognizable that it feels like you're just slotting Dream into the role of the bad guy bc everyone else does and then taking what it means to be "the bad guy" to places that are... a lot. And I'm always torn on these things bc of my whole freedom thing, but at the end of the day I think being considerate and understanding that some things are harmful even in the realm of fanwork is key (and that's not just in regard to him, this goes for loads of things, including the kinds of dark SBI that cross serious lines with their creepy factor)(disclaimer that not all dark SBI fics are like that -- I've read ones that were entertaining and good)

I hate when they make him transphobic n stuff :/ it's just... it feels sometimes like they serve to perpetuate the already-negative air surrounding him. And I'm sure most people don't intend it that way - he's the canonical Big Bad, it makes sense a lot of the time - but sometimes it does get... frustrating. And I didn't say anything until now because I didn't wanna be that person who's trying to impart something onto other peoples' writing and expression. I have written stuff that I'm sure would piss certain parts of the fandom off. But then seeing the criticism doc really ground my gears lmao

[clareguilty]

You talked about engagement on sfw fics and I was wondering if you’ve also noticed this thing where mine will have more kudos on the nsfw, but a better hits-kudos ratio and more comments on the sfw?

DISCLAIMER - while this stuff is very fun for me personally to talk about if not a little infuriating, these kinds of conversations can be upsetting and stressful for writers. Be kind to yourself and dont sacrifice your own happiness for the slim chance of better numbers

The stats im about to provide will cover primarily one-shot fics since multichapter stats are harder to track:

I typically see that NSFW fics have vastly more hits than SFW fics, but will have very few kudos per hit. NSFW fics also tend to get more comments that just say "more pls" or "part 2 when?" Whereas SFW fics tend to have more engaged commenters who are likely actually typing with 2 hands if u know what i mean. SFW fics will likely get far fewer hits than smut fics in the same pairing/tag but sometimes pull out better kudos:hits ratios

On this fucking hellsite, NSFW fics can get thousands of notes that are literally 90% likes with a few comments (often times more of the "when part two?" variety)

i havent published very many SFW fics here because while they sometimes get more reblogs, mine dont gain a lot of traction

I write for a lot of different pairings/fandoms so its hard to track stats across different tags, but the lesson i learned for fic engagement was to basically add smut to every one-shot. This has a monkeys paw effect where you wont get commenters who want to talk about the plot moreso than the smut.

Other writers feel free to chime in if you have any observations of your own. Also, go read some G or T rated fic and show the author some love

[huenjin]

2020 year end greetings.

disclaimer: this is going to be very long ( ˶ ❛ ꁞ ❛ ˶ ), but that's how much gratitude i have and so much more of love.

2020. ah, this year was a very emotional journey for me and how i wish i could sing jessi's gucci all throughout. however, that was not the case. tumblr helped me run away from all those irl miseries. these people made me feel at home.

this skz writing blog has been existing from the last few days of september and it came to life when i was losing motivation to write on my main (which i closed down because stray kids made me like writing back again) and it's stayed since then. you guys have stayed since then. grateful, a one hundred times and more.

so, this is rue, getting sappy and so much more thankful for everything i have and recieved with this blog. this is rue, asking you to accompany me for a little more and to listen to the stories i have to share. the is rue with heart full of nothing but love for each one of you.

to each one of my mutuals, for whom i pray to the stars to shower you with nothing but fortune —

@sinisterlyhan ♡ eiko, best thing i ever did was hit you up. how are you always so calm? or at least that's the tone i have in my head when i read your texts. it's so pleasant to talk to you. ily. and let me get started on your writing — you've heard this from me like every day but ma'am, you make magic. you lace stars together to form such a beautiful constellation of a writing and i fall in love a little more. thank you for inspiring me to always do better!

the hyunsung demon!au (whew!) — 01. 02. 03.

this hyunjin bad boy!au

@mochinnie ♡ isa, how i wish you handled yourself with a little more care. you're so fragile and delicate and i just want to protect you ?? so much ??? you're precious and one of the most beautiful people i have met. your characterisation is just perfect and god, i wish i could once write headcanons like you do. thank you for being my friend and for fangirling to me and for loving me. it means the world. psst, ily.

this seungmin fic

querencia | hh

@sparklemin ♡ nara!!!! big brain nara! god i love how your asks make my whole day and how you bring up different minho agendas in my head. you have my whole heart and i'm in love with you bye

girlfriend | bcn

hidden confession | bcn

@bearseungmin ♡ dawnie babie thank you for being such an enthusiast all the time while talking. you're so cheerful and happy and thank you for being this nice <33

beat it to the door | bcn

could listen to you read the dictionary | lfl

@chogiout ♡ yah, kira! sometimes i want to whack the back of your head like i whack my sister's, okay? it's the same kinda sibling love with you. fuck, not ever going to let you leave me. after all, my parents taught me to take responsibility of the stuff i rid innocence of. (lmao, sorry, bitch ily!!)

memoir | jyh

this youth of craziness | csn

@mikoto-ica-fics ♡ mi, bb! thank you for being so supportive. istg, if it weren't for you reblogging that one fic of mine, my fics would have never seen light to this day. it's easy to get lost in the tags hehe. and then i happen to text you and omg, aren't you the nicest ever? i love your story ideas, the way you write, the way you interact with people and thank you for talking to me. you make me want to be better.

entangled | lmh, hjs

power grab | hjs

@toffee-hwa ♡ ana! anaaaa~ you're so enthusiastic and supportive and fuck, i looooove ranting and fangirling to you! and the minute i know you're watching the same kdrama as i am, i just go like wheeeeeee— HAN SEOJUN!!! lmao, but thank you so much for talking to me, for listening and for caring! my romanian queen, you pretty human, you're the best!

yet, pt.i

yet, pt.ii

@chandisiacs ♡ yah, pav! must i drag you back to tumblr from twt? must i? i miss you. i really do and i can't wait to have your arse back here. thank you for being such a lively person to talk and hang out with, eee! and not at how you succeeded nano! inspirational! thank you x

thread of all your legendary aus

starboy | bcn

@unsaidhj ♡ you're so soft. and god i love you? and your aesthetics. it's a thing, ma'am. i existed to see your aesthetics lmao. and then i text you and you're so kind omg. i could never hate you so please, ma'am, stop telling me that in panic? huihui, ily and i hope you stay healthy. place yourself first, bb.

knife under my pillow | hhj

scammer, scammed | bcn

@sleepylixie ♡ yo, neighbor! you reminded me how small the world can actual get! love love talking to you about irl stuff because you can understand how messed up it is! and you're so kind, ah!!

in umbra

passion's abyss | lmh

@dreamyhan ♡ one of the few people i see on my dash and go like — hazeeeeeeeeel! you're just so nice, god. like if cotton candy was a person, it would be you, alright? and then there's your writing ability that skyrocket off the roofs because it is that good. thank you for being so supportive and nice to me! x

next time | bcn

in his arms | hjs

@itsapapisongo ♡ boy, my main man, javi!! your work was once my most favorite thing to listen to. loved how the mall worked and everything. and then there's how supportive you are like omg. if only i could explain the courage you give me. it's infinite. you make me feel infinite. also, #hardhours, right?

george of the jungle

swimming fool

@kabira ♡ typing the url down was even more romantic, manx. don't ever change this. love how strong and bold you are. love your opinions and love your writings even more. you're one of those few people who write like they mean every word from their heartstrings. thank you for providing us with stories to tell for eons. x (psst, ily so much!)

backstreet driving | hhj (that's the first skz fic i read because it was from you and not because it was skz and aren't i glad?)

sic semper tyrannis | lty

@dalknow ♡ the only other person on tumblr that i text religiously on discord. i love talking to you, bb. love getting personal with you. love how i can share absolutely anything. thank you for trusting me. thank you for listening to me. thank you for loving me. can't wait for you to put your stories back up on this acc. you're undefeatable and i know you'll have that known.

to each one of my anons, for whom i pray that you stay safe and healthy and most importantly, happy —

🧸 :: put you on the anon list because in my head you are that anon — my very first one and the one that lit up my whole world. it's kind of a very proud moment when someone wants to talk to you. you made me feel that. you made feel loved. and to see how well your blog is doing now, god, i feel like a proud mother.

🐠 :: my greek princess. the fact that i learnt more about breads from you than from my school makes me laugh hehe. you really did light up my world with every ask you sent me and had me unknowingly hope that you are happy in every minute. and now that i know who you are, i'm even more content because you're a mutual too now!

🍧 :: god, you have a special place in my heart, ice cream anon! maybe because you liked me more than my fic and followed me here even though you were an anon from my bts blog. fuck, if that didn't make my heart flutter, nothing ever will! (hush, your relationship is something i am still rooting for!!)

🦊 |🌹| 🥀 | 🛸 :: the way you guys keep checks if i'm staying hydrated and healthy. i am. and even when i wasn't, your asks made me go drink a cup of water ha! thank you for loving me x

tiktok anon :: ♡♡♡♡♡♡ yes idk what else to say to you but that i would give you a piece of my heart. your tiktok asks make my whole day. it's something i look forward too! thank you for always making my day!

and to my other anons, tagged or untagged :: thank you for sending me an ask. every single one, either telling me to stay happy or hydrated, or that my fic was great or that you're feeling extra horny that day (we've all been there!) i appreciate it and thank you for making me smile! x

to all the mutuals that i admire, look upto and wish we talked waaaay more, let's do it soon please! and to some mutuals that i just miss talking to! —

@nightshade-minho (ily! x nicest bean ever!!) :: @satanssmuts :: @lovebini :: @seraplantery :: @xiaojunssmile :: @chan-skz :: @chanluster :: @decembermoonskz :: @bangtantaegi (queen!!) :: @yunhozone (i miss you!!) :: @inkigayeo :: @vocalyunho

i hope each one of you stay happy, content and loved. my memory is pea sized and so i do pray that i haven't forgotten any! thank you for being my mutuals, for sharing laughter and talks with me for these months i've been here! i’m sorry if i missed anyone, but i seriously do appreciate everyone that i’ve ever talked to on here though! i hope to see you all next year and let's be happy together !!

with much love, x rue!

[leelysian]

Chan as your older brother AU 💖✨

word count: 1.4k

genre: fluffiest of all fluffs, you’ll rot your teeth, bullet point fic

warnings: swearing

Disclaimer: I do not personally know Chan. This work is purely fiction and my own idea. I took inspiration from his on screen persona. Please do not translate or re-upload my work.

☆ Let’s start with you two as babies. 

☆  Chan probably LOVED the idea of having a younger sibling he probably crawled to his mum with her baby bump and he'd softly talk to you "please come out quickly baby 🥺"

☆ Then he’d get impatient and ask “is it time yet?” Then he’d start whining and pouting “How much looonger? Baby is so sloooow”

☆ “is it gonna be a boy or a girl?” he wasn’t particular about the gender as long as he gets a playmate 

☆ Probably helped your parents pick your name even

☆ He was just THAT much invested in helping mummy raise the baby and in return he gets to play kill me I might just start crying just by THINKING about it asdfghjkl

☆ When he heard the baby is here, the Flash had nothing on Bang Christopher Chan as he literally ZOOMED through the corridors of the hospital to where his mum was staying to jump up on the bed. 

☆ There’s at least 10 different photos of Chan holding you on the hospital bed as soon as you were born. #cutie

☆ When your mum was discharged and everyone came home, he would cuddle you and just WOULD NOT LET GO

☆ And he'd sing lullabies to you

☆ He would speak in ᵗᶦⁿʸ and just talk ˢᵒᶠᵗˡʸ around you so he wouldn’t frighten you

☆ No jealousy whatsoever........ okay maybe just a liiiiiitle bit

☆ He’d feel a little jealous when he realised he didn’t get as much affection as he used to when he was the only child

☆ But that quickly changes when he receives attention from one of his parents preferably his mum Channie is a mamma’s boy I don’t make the rules

☆ When you were a newborn, your parents would have you sleep with them in their room. Chan would scamper out of his room in the middle of the night to sleep with the three of you because he was a wee bit jealous you got to sleep with mum and dad.

☆ It became a routine very quickly after that

☆ But your parents wouldn’t let him sleep next to baby because what if he accidentally hits you in his sleep. What a struggle. So he’d sleep on the edge of the bed cuddled in his mum’s arms. don’t touch me I’m soft

☆ Your mum would dress you two in matching outfits and take dozens of photos. “EW MUM WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!” you two looked the absolute cutest so it doesn’t matter

☆ Slowly when you two grew up and you started crawling, you’d follow him everywhere because he was so intriguing to baby you

☆ He started finding you annoying “STUPID BABY”

☆ But he’d still cry if something happened to you

☆ Slowly he started liking you back again

☆ He liked the idea of someone looking up to him and from then on he was your little protector.

☆ He was your guardian angel, he was your hero. He’d do anything to protect you. Scratch that, he still is. He always will be.

☆ Now you guys are older as tweens/teens/young adults whichever you prefer

☆ Eats your share of food- looking into the little nook in the fridge to take out your hidden stash of candy but your favourite one is gone. 

☆ You confront him about it and he looks guilty. You're extremely annoyed but at the same time you can't stay mad for too long. 

☆  He makes it up to you by buying you two of your favourite candies or treats you to something else. 

☆ "Why steal my food in the first place if you're gonna treat me anyway?" He'd shrug "for some reason it tastes better" so you smack him upside his head and then it escalates into a mini wrestling match

☆  He's a very active guy who’s into a lot of sports but when you ask him to teach you he's very whiny "noooooo later" but then when you're chilling he'll show up "come on let's go swimming" and you're like "noooooo" he'd be like "I thought you wanted to go? Come on" and drag you along even though you don't want to and it’s like “why didn’t you do this WHEN I TOLD YOU?”

☆ But he makes it fun for you in the end and afterwards he treats you to ice cream. 

☆ Eats a lot. If your mum gives you both a bowl of food. He'll inhale it like he's never eaten before in like 5 minutes and you're confused like how did he finish it all and it was piping hot meanwhile you haven't even finished 1/3rd of your bowl 

☆ so he's done and he's staring at your bowl with greedy eyes "you gonna finish all of that?" *switches to puppy eyes* you're like "yeah" so you continue eating until you finish half then just hand the rest over to him and it's all gone in a minute. 

☆ Your mum has no idea he eats half of your food when she gives you equal amounts and you'll never tell her because she'll scold you for never finishing her food so Chan is like your personal eco garbage disposal because he eats everything

☆ It’s like a dirty secret between you two what she doesn’t know won’t kill her

☆ He'll be your emotional support human he'll be the first person you always go to when you need a pick me up. 

☆ And it's a guarantee he'll always make you feel better whether it's through his words or his actions because both feel like a huge, cozy and warm hug

☆ If someone bullies you, your normally sweet and gentle older brother will go on a rampage "WHO THE FUCK HURT MY BABY BROTHER/SISTER?! I'M GONNA KILL EM"

☆ He’s the Golden child of your parents because he's good at everything but it never matters to you because Chan never makes you feel lesser than you seem to think of yourself. He's always supporting you and uplifting you 

☆ Tries to help you with your homework and in turn learns a few things himself. 

☆ He's a big help with poetry, literature or creative writing homeworks (wbk)

☆ You two are really close and you always talk about random stuff he's not just your older brother he's also your best friend

☆ Even your friends ask about him and want to be his friend too because he's so cool, some of them have crushes on him and you’re like “ew what’s there to like?” *fake gags*

☆ He's always nice to everyone he sees. Elderly people love him too because he's such a gentleman.

☆ He's very proud to have you as his sibling he'll proudly show you off to his friends. “THIS IS MY LITTLE BROTHER/SISTER :D”

☆ If he's having fun with his friends but if something is wrong with you he will drop everything and race to you as quick as humanly possible to make sure you're okay because he's not okay if you're not okay. this is science ok

☆ Sometimes you two bicker a lot but it's sibling banter where you end up laughing

☆ Shows you funny memes or jokes he finds on the internet be like "that's you" or "this is so me lmao"

☆ Tags you in siblings memes be like "us"

☆ If your parents are angry at you for something he'll try to defend you if he feels it's not your fault 

☆ But if something IS your fault he'd try to calm his parents down and then tell you about how wrong you are to do something in private so your parents don't put you down even more

☆ You always go to him for advice first. Not your parents, him. His input, opinions and approval mean the most to you. Because he’s the coolest.

☆ You two goof around a lot. Carpool karaokes on the daily. 

☆ You two would sing/rap together to songs and have a blast

☆ You feel insecure about your voice but Chan makes you feel like a popstar

☆ You two would post anonymous YouTube covers together when you slowly grew confident with singing. Just a side thing for funsies 

☆ He’s your rock sometimes you feel like he does too much for you and you can't do anything for him in return

☆ But little do you know Chan is the strongest because of you by his side always cheering him on. Your very existence gives him strength for everything

☆ You two have each other's backs through thick and thin

☆ Because of Chan as your older brother you're a better version of yourself everyday 

[keepyourlife]

What fics do you like/read/recommend?

Difficult question, cause recommendations I can give but only very limited.

What I like? Slow Burn, Angst, Fluff, damn it I also read Smut sometimes, AUs (I mention something about that later). Basically: I want to suffer, I want to cry, but give me a happy ending. I LOVE good interpreted characters and I LOOOVE well-written relations. What I mean by that is, basically, if a sibling relationship is weirdly written, I tend to just.. not read the story at all. Does that make sense? Whatever.

While I read a lot, I rarely save what I read and more often than not I kind of.. lose half of the fics I read? There’s one I am currently obsessed with, which I found via @worstloki:

doubt truth to be a liar. absolutely amazing tbh. it’s about a younger Loki suddenly appearing in the Avengers Tower, without any memories about what happened (post Ragnarok), it’s got trans Peter & cultural differences between Asgard and Midgard I find quite interesting. Cause while I do know that comic Loki mentioned that the concept of gender and sexuality do not exist in Asgard the way they do on Midgard (I think that is what he said), I found the differences portrayed in that story very believable and also super interesting, cause I didn’t think of that? Especially interesting when you know a bit about the Viking age and its culture, which MCU Asgard clearly was set to resemble.

So, next I need to put a little disclaimer about myself: I normally do not like Reader fics, because more often than not they’re super ooc and I just find this whole.. “y/n” thing kind of offputting and it just makes me uninterested very often. However I have a friend who do likes these kind of stories. And she lets me know. And she needs someone to talk about these stories, so there’s that. And I read a handfull of them and tbh only those I actually find 1. well-written, 2. well characterised & 3. no darn use of “y/n”, cause no I never imagine myself there, I create characters in my head for each story.

A Job Million PRs Would Die For by @saiansha. Jesus fucking christ the amount of times I re-read this story. Honestly, it is, I think, the first Reader fanfic I read in my entire life, was super weary at first cause. idk. I know some people on this website (and AO3, let’s be real) that just post very weird stuff. This one has an interpretation of Loki that I can 100% believe and it is one I support. That was one of my main reasons to continue reading, but it’s also the general writing style that I like and that there’s a Reader character, who is not a helpless damsel in distress. Ultimate proof of that was the most recent chapter. (dear author knows my thoughts, I dared to dm cause I was just. very enthuasiastic about this story)

Broken Crown by @michelleleahhh​. Second one I started reading at one point cause my friend kept asking me to read it. a kind-of AU? It’s set in Asgard. That’s what you need to know. Again, a story that had me from the beginning, once I started. For the writing style and for the characterisation. The story really had me guessing sometimes, cause,, well-written! and really good dialogue!! damn you Freya!! and a decent Reader character that doesn’t have me ripping out my own intestines. (also very enthusiastic about this story, yes this phrasing as a meaning)

Foruneyti by Evaldrynn or @foruneyti (I tagged the blog for the story here, too, don’t mind me pls) Also kind of an AU, basically just Asgard. Anyway, I am so in love with the aesthetic this story gives me. It’s hard to explain, but after 85 chapters I just have this very clear picture in my head of what I think this story looks like. Now, Reader here is also good and well-written, the Original Characters are likeable and not super overpowered, neither is Reader. The canon characters are, in my humble opinion, interpreted nicely and tbh for some reason I just always imagine them in this comic style, rather than the way the films portray them.

Of Different Emotions by @wanderingworldwarrior. my. goodness. I am in love with these stories and I am just. so desperate for an update. idk if we will ever get one, but honestly, I re-read it this week and. Just stopped after the second part, cause I can’t deal with the pain of the third part one more time. First part is set pre-Thor 1, second part is set during Thor 1 and the third during The Avengers. I love the Reader character a lot and the Original Characters just. belong so much to the story. idk I just love the way this story is written, I love the characters, I just love it a lot, alright.

Onwards to anime. Bungou Stray Dogs:

where your loyalties lie by writingfromtheshadows. this!! story!! it’s so good!! it’s a Yakuza!AU and oh my gooood. It’s all just so so well put, compared to canon and I love the dynamics Dazai and Chuuya have here.

Forgettable Significance by Witheryvine. THIS STORY. took my sanity, threw it out of the window and then spat on me. It broke my heart so very often, cause it manages to make you question yourself. morals about relationships out of the window. I re-read this story like five times.

still still still by toriosaurus. I was waiting, desperately, for every single chapter. This AU gives me everything I need and more. I remember doing fanart for this story and being very proud of it, even though it did no justice to the original story. Normally I am not a fan of, idk what to call it, no power AUs because most people just do the thing wrong for me. But this one hits.

If I recommend Twist and Shout now I get thrown into Turbohell, so idk if you want a very sinful Destiel fanfic, then read

Hot Water by Chiyume. I was 16, I decided to read Destiel fanfictions and this one kind of did it for me.

Don’t @ me. I really read a lot more than this, but I suck at organising myself and I just barely ever save shit. Also it’s late, I’ve been on a video call with my friend for over three hours now and I just like to clown when I am tired. Anyway, I used to bookmark Destiel fanfics back in the day and the rest is just. Read it, kudos, comment, and then I forget to save. The multichapter fics are often still in my subscribes, but sometimes. just.. not.

[hotchley]

i saw your reblog of the Spencer giving Aaron a father's day card thing and i can't stop thinking about how Aaron is the father figure to the entire team now.

(yes I'm also especially thinking about that one scene of Spencer and Derek stuck in the malfunctioning lift shrieking for Aaron just because. 🥴 dad!Hotch ftw!!!!!)

i know this concept has probably been done hundreds of times already but imagine: (SORRY THIS IS GOING TO BE A REALLY LONG ASK, I deeply apologise in advance)

[tw food/eating habits, some references to murder cases because you know this is Criminal Minds, some slight spoilers for people who haven't really watched the show and also reference & mention of autism & a character on the autism spectrum -> just a heads up, a disclaimer, I'm in no way diagnosed with autism, so if i have misrepresented autism, or made any mistakes, i apologise, it wasn't my intention, and i welcome all feedback & criticism — i genuinely want to learn]

a year after Spencer joins the BAU, Aaron notices & becomes very concerned over Spencer's (super bad) eating habits aka him only drinking coffee and forgetting to eat actual proper food when he gets absorbed in cases or research or reading etc -> which results in Aaron absolutely being like "hey Spencer let's grab lunch together" almost everyday just so Spencer eats (healthy, full meals)

(also Spencer picking up on this after Aaron "casually" gets him lunch/treats him to dinner/invites him over for meals for almost every day of the week and he was initially almost irritated/offended until he realised he could use Aaron's habit to make Aaron himself eat properly too because this hypocritical bastard doesn't eat properly himself either so every alternate day you can see Spencer purposely not going for lunch breaks while sneaking glances at Aaron's office just waiting for him to notice and drag them both to lunch together 😌)

also I really think Spencer is on the autistic spectrum (high functioning, imo, but I'm not really sure how this works, and I'd have to do more research) so I'd like to imagine Aaron knows that too because he's noticed Spencer's behaviors + Spencer got an official diagnosis and told him about it maybe 6-7 months into joining the BAU so I really think Aaron lets Spencer stim (physically, his hand gestures) on their lunch break because he knows that Spencer can't really do that in front of the others, so even when they're on cases, he would take Spencer out either for a private lunch or dinner or something, just the two of them, and he'd let Spencer stim & talk about any subject of his fancy as much as he wants to (I'm pretty sure someone wrote a fic like this and I absolutely can't remember the name or the author but I really LOVED the idea too)

initially Spencer was really taken aback too, because you know, this isn't something you do with your boss, of all people, but Hotch had always meant what he says and his facial expression and body language suggested that he was being absolutely sincere and serious about this, so Spencer tentatively started talking, and as their meal progressed, he eventually got comfortable enough to just go on, and not once did Aaron cut him off rudely, until the end of their meal, when Aaron couldn't continue to pretend to drink his soup because he'd finished it somehow with those incredibly small spoonfuls, and he'd had to gently tell Spencer that they had to go back, but Spencer wasn't upset, because he'd just got over an hour to talk about this recent seminar about the connection of ancient Greek mythology to the developments of the society in ancient Greece which no one had ever done for him before and he's full, satisfied and beyond elated because Hotch really didn't have to do this, but he did anyways

at first it was just something between them but eventually Derek noticed & like in the end I think it's a kind of open secret between Aaron, Spencer & Derek and now when Derek notices Aaron doing it he gives Aaron a small nod and he wards off & deals with the questions that the others have when they inevitably notices the private meals Aaron & Spencer has

speaking of Derek, Aaron definitely has 1 on 1 time with Derek too, but doing different things. Derek's thing is sports & home renovations, and he repairs/maintains cars & bikes when he can, and I like to imagine Aaron knowing about his hobbies and casually asking Derek about the home renovation he's working on one time (before or early S1) Derek came into his office to submit a case file, and Derek being kind of shocked/caught by surprised initially (because he knows Hotch has a soft spot for the kid because he's much younger and much, much more inexperienced but Derek's older and should know better, so Hotch won't do the whole private lunch thing with him, right?) but then he grins and starts telling Aaron about how "I got that place absolutely shining right now, man" and then he invites Aaron over to take a look at the place out of courtesy/habit (his mama raised him as a good, polite young man, and no way Hotch would even say yes right?) and to his surprise once again, Aaron does accept his invitation

after that one time, Aaron begins casually asking him about his projects and even starts offering to help him do some of the painting and decorating (to be fair, it calms Aaron too, to have a getaway from Haley and initially from the crying baby, because while he absolutely loved Haley and Jack with all his heart, some days, some days he just couldn't take it, all the stress from Strauss and from trying to be a good father unlike his own, and he had to take some time off to himself, and painting walls is calming and therapeutic to him in some sense) & Derek and Aaron start bonding over hotdogs while sitting out on the front porch of some halfway remodelled house, talking about the latest sports news (they support different baseball teams but that's okay, because Derek gets to grin at Hotch and ask him to pay up when Hotch's team loses to his, and Aaron gets to raise his eyebrows with that small knowing smirk of his and ask Derek to "complete this by the next weekend, will you" when Derek's team loses to his)

when Aaron recruits Penelope, he's read her file, or what little the FBI's cyberteam got on her anyways. he knows the Black Queen's reputation, and he knows that the cyberteam really don't trust her and recommended high levels of surveillance, but the moment he saw her through the glass of the interrogation room and her resume & application on pink paper, he knew that she's not just what the file said she is. initially, she sticks to the "bureau regulated office attire" because you know, Penelope knows she's lucky, she should've been jailed for what she did, she was jailed, until this Aaron Hotchner guy decided, somehow, that she was deserving to be on his team, even after looking at her resume, which she had written on pink paper out of pure spite (because nothing in the FBI rulebooks said anything about submitting your application on specialized coloured paper anyways) but she was moody and unhappy because she's stuck in this tiny office having to answer the phone whenever agents called to ask for details on icky, gruesome murders and disgusting, vile murderers so she decides that hey, since no one ever comes in here anyways, she might as well do some re-decorating right? so she starts bringing in her own soft toys and figurines and starts amassing a whole collection of soft, plushy, and colourful toys in because it's her office and if she has to deal with all these yucky stuff on a daily basis she's going to make it at least bearable to be in here

one day, some tall, stern looking guy just comes into her office with this Tupperware in his hands saying "hey, Garcia right? my wife made some extra cupcakes for the team, you want some?" and she asks "do i know you?" and he blinks, stands there for one, two seconds before- "sorry, i forgot we haven't actually met. Special Supervisory Agent Aaron Hotchner, assistant unit chief of BAU Team 1, nice to meet you," [i like to headcannon that before Boston & all, Hotch was Gideon's assistant, some kind of assistant unit chief probably, but while he wasn't yet the unit chief he was definitely taking care of most, if not all of the administration matters i.e. hiring new agents etc already because let's be real Gideon is caring & capable but really hands off sometimes (also in S1E1 Derek referred to Gideon as their Unit Chief so I assumed Hotch took over the position full time, officially somewhere between S1E1 and S1E2 or 3)]

and then Garcia's brain kind of short-circuits because holy shit this is her BOSS, aka the guy who somehow, crazily looked at her resume and decided to HIRE her and she just asked him if she knew him OH GOD ALL THOSE FIGURINES- and she tries to explain because she really didn't mean to break any rules with them and they aren't, are they? and she can remove them but just, please, she can't go back to prison.

but then Agent Hotchner just goes "hey, hey, Penelope. it's fine. I understand. this is your office, and you have the right to decorate it. I'm not going to fire you over.... My Little Ponies? and uh, some unicorns?" and Penelope can't help but laugh because he genuinely looks baffled by her collection on her desk, and did he just call her Penelope?

and after that, once, after a bad case that Aaron knew affected Penelope (it involved murdered parents & their only child left orphaned and it just hit too close to home for Penelope), he stopped by a local toy shop and bought the brightest, most sparkly, most colourful thing he could find in there (it ended up being a small figurine of a princess on a small, detachable throne that could light up and play some really funky pop music. Aaron cringed internally as he brought it over to the counter, and awkwardly nodded as the cashier asked, "buying this for your daughter, sir? she's going to love it, it's the latest in a collectable series" and he pretended to not see the questioning eyebrow that Derek gave him after seeing the package) and when he presented it to Penelope when they got back, he got the biggest and most bone crushing hug ever from Penelope because "aw that's so sweet, thank you! and you got me the latest in the collection! it's limited edition!" and it just ended up becoming a tradition — Penelope always looks forward to the end of a case now, not only because that means her people are coming home, safe, in one piece (sometimes debatable but still, they're coming home, to her) but it also means that Hotch has brought her yet another tiny figurine or souvenir to add to her collection and she can't wait to see what it is, and Hotch always, always, finds the time after they've wrapped up the case, before the jet leaves, to pop by a local toy shop to get both Penelope and later, when he's older, Jack some toys or souvenir from wherever state he's in, because he wants both of them to know, that despite all the bad out there, there is still good in the world, and they should never forget that

OKAY this ask is SUPER LONG already i apologise skfjsk i have ideas for JJ & Emily but idk if you'd even wanna continue reading them... (maybe.... give me a sign and I'll send another ask and write it? 🥴)

anyways this was just something that came up and i had to write it out 🥺 sorry for spamming you, i hope you're having a great day/night ahead.

- 🌙

Hi so I'm putting everything below the cut for scrolling purposes x

He is!!

Oh my god, I love that scene. It came up in a TikTok about ships, because Person A and Person B are both very smart when they're alone, but put them together and it cancels out, and it made me laugh.

I also love Dad Hotch. Like I love him as much as I love "fighting to keep his emotions in check because he needs to be a leader, but you can tell from the slight change in tone, or the slight glaze of his eyes that he's seconds away from crying" Hotch. Which is saying something.

DON'T APOLOGISE FOR LONG ASKS!! That's what the keep reading on posts is for :))

Oh I love how much Hotch cares about Reid, and of course Reid uses it to his advantage to get Hotch to do the same, because they're similar in that way. Also, he would definitely start grinning when Hotch looks down at his empty plate like: oh. Platonic Hotchreid is everything to me, because it's these two people that have been caretakers their entire life trying to look after another person that wouldn't let anyone do that and it's just... the HOTCH ANGST POTENTIAL THAT IS SO UNTAPPED!!!

Also, not a criticism of you, but from what I've heard from people is that functioning labels are harmful and shouldn't be used because it misrepresents the situation!

I love that idea though!! And Derek being protective over them so he's just like: no, you won't interrupt them, and I will take control of the situation for a few hours AAH!!

OH I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT MORGAN AND HOTCH BONDING!! It's so perfect!! I love the idea of Morgan teaching Hotch to do things, and Hotch realising how relaxing he finds it to do these things.

And because we can't have nice things: he refuses to go after Foyet breaks into his apartment because he doesn't deserve peace, but then Morgan just uses his key, drags him out, takes him to a house and presses a brush into his hand because he's not going to let his friend self destruct like this.

EVERYTHING ABOUT GARCIA!! OH MY GOD!! I need to get some work done, so I'm going to finish up there, but seriously!! Amazing!! I love the idea of Hotch getting her little figurines and stuff <33

(shameless self promo, she does the same for him in "and he will come back home" hehe)

I would love to hear the Emily and JJ ones!! I hope that's the sign you need :)

Don't apologise for spamming I was having a dull day, and I hope you have a good day too!