#Damn I keep forgetting that they're twins

[daryl-dixon-daydreams]

"What—what is that?" Daryl drawled, looking on incredulously.

"Well, obviously it's a momma goat that just had twin kids and clearly they're all ours now. I found them," you said. "Someone has to keep them safe!" you added, like it was the most obvious thing in the world that this would fall to you.

"We've already got—what? Twenty chickens? And a pile of dogs and cats and—Christ, goats?" He was shaking his head but you knew he'd come around. In fact, he was already smiling. "Ya must've lost yer damn mind."

"Oh, yes, of course I have. But I think the more pressing question is, can you say for sure that you haven't lost yours? Because you're the one who proposed to and married me," you said, grinning at him.

"You and yer damn strays..." he murmured.

"Hey, are you forgetting that you were pretty much a stray when I found you?" you asked, biting your bottom lip. Daryl couldn't argue with that.

The smaller of the two little goats bleated and you immediately scooped it up. Daryl sighed.

"Ya named 'em yet or what?" he asked, striding over.

"This one is Blue. I figured I would let you named the other one."

"Alrigh'. Blue and Fang, then."

"Fang?!" you barked. "You can't name him 'Fang'!"

"Thought you said I got to name one, or did I mishear that?"

"Yeah, but—"

"Fang," Daryl said, bending to scratch the other little goat under the chin, while the momma looked on. "See? He likes it," he drawled.

You could only roll your eyes. Prompt: "You must've lost your damn mind." / "Oh, yes, of course I have. But I think the more pressing question is, can you say for sure that you haven't lost yours?"

[astracora]

Drunken Confession - Sylus

Characters: Sylus x gn!mc

Warnings: Very Drunk MC, Sylus Myth Spoilers, Hurt/Comfort

Word Count: 2787

Written: 4th March 2025

Notes: Pre-relationship, with Sylus and the main MC I write for. Just the Poly Chapter to go. You know when you're writing and it doesn't go where you meant for it to go? Every damn day. Also incase anyone was wondering, the song playing over my head while MC was dancing was I Adore You by HUGEL.

Masterlist AO3

<- Caleb <-Zayne <-Xavier <- Rafayel Poly!LADs ->

Sylus hasn't long been awake, sitting at his base, working through his tablet, as the twins play a game nearby.

You'd given them your handheld to borrow, incessant that they're careful with it, and return it when they'd finished trying it out. He'd made a note to buy them one, especially when he saw them getting overly boisterous with it.

Of all the expressions on your face he wanted to see, downtrodden and heartbroken over something you treasured, was not one of them.

"Boss-man, have you heard from your hunter?"

"We wanted to ask them for new games!"

He finds himself rubbing between his eyes, sitting up in his chair, and reaching for his drink, before his hand stops. He does not hear from you frequently, if you're not worrying about what he might be up to, but he has sent you messages and received nothing in response. It is not too unusual for a short amount of time, missions take you far afield. He watches through Mephisto's eyes often, to figure out what you're up to.

To make sure you're as safe as can be with your work.

Just in case. Just in case you need his help.

He tries not to step on your toes, to involve himself where you will chafe. You're capable, strong, and driven.

He thinks about your rage and fire as you pressed a gun to his chest, snarling in his face, spittle flying.

Reckless.

The itch in his chest awakens, the sense of aggravation that he does not know. That he has no eyes on you. The image of his beloved being lost, hurt, where he cannot reach…

He lifts his phone again, opening his messages and seeks out the string of unanswered messages.

He doubts he will get much more, and if he does not, Mephisto will find you. If Mephisto cannot, he will. He has scoured planets for you, exploring Linkon and beyond is easy.

🐦‍⬛: Has my kitten lost their tongue? Or have they gotten trapped in a box, and need rescuing?

The twins look at him, then at each other, shrug and resume their game, but he can feel their focus is on him. Can feel them peeking out the side of their eyes.

He tries to ignore it, after all, he's fine. You've always been difficult.

He often finds it amusing.

Even if his phone finally going off again, comforts him.

🐈: Did you need my help for a job?

A job? He's unsure where you reached that assessment, but you've finally responded, and so he calls you.

It rings, and rings, and rings.

Then goes quiet. He feels himself frowning down at the thing.

🐈: Is everything ok?

🐦‍⬛: Pick up.

🐈: Sylus??

He doesn't respond, this time he calls again, waits. And waits. You leave it till the last ring before you answer.

The first thing he gets, is noise. Music, loud and irritating, because he can't hear you.

There's scuffling, and then it quiets down somewhat, and he can finally hear you, breathing heavily on the other end, "Sylus? What do you want?"

"I wanted to talk to you kitten, it's been too long since I've heard your voice. I worried you'd forget what I sound like."

"Why would I-" You sigh, "Did you need my help with a job? It must be urgent if you're calling me."

"I have not brought up a job, why do you keep asking?"

"Why else would you call me?" He hears a weak laugh, soft, and sad, and his heart drops.

He's told you many times he calls you because he likes to hear your voice, after all, he would not spend as much time with you if he did not enjoy being around you. That he seeks you out in every corner of the world, yearns for your voice in every moment.

How many times must he play the damned claw machine with you, sit in the kitty card cafe while you grandiose your victories, or lend his strength to you in combat, if he did not care?

"I can simply want to talk with you kitten." He attempts, but you scoff. Actually scoff at him, and he hears it, the slur in your words. "Where are you?"

"If you don't need my help, I gotta go." He tries to speak, but you cut the call. This time when he sends you a message, chasing you up, he gets nothing else.

When he calls, this time it rings once and goes to voicemail.

There's a feeling in his stomach, like if he does not find you, you'll vanish. It is a feeling with no basis, but it burns and bites nonetheless. It brings him to his feet, and he determines to find you.

There's few places in Linkon he knows you hide, you are not at home, which narrows the places down considerably, as your usual haunts are not open at night. The noise in the back of your call, had at least made the job easier. Between himself, and Mephisto, he finally finds his way to a bar where he spots the flash of white hair.

Seeing it in the distance, always makes his chest tighten, and his half heart feel fragile.

Pushing his way through crowds, it is a vision that greets him. If he were more inclined to romanticism without realism, he could almost imagine the music dimming.

You hold a glass aloft in the air, eyes closed, as you dance freely amongst other humans. Hips sway, singing aloud to music you can barely be heard over, sweat drenching your skin. Droplets run down the expanse of your throat as you tip back your head, gets caught in the fabric of your shirt, and he watches another one down your bared stomach, soaking into the fabric of your shorts.

Sylus has been parched for centuries, lost in a desert, and now stares at an oasis. How you cannot see his greed, his desire, his clawing need, he will never know.

He is not a subtle man in this.

In all his time spent with you, he has never seen you like this. Carefree, the weight of the world fallen from your shoulders, all the grief out of your hands, as you dance, and sing, as loudly as you can. Surrounded by other humans, who do not know they dance with his beloved.

A stranger's hand is placed on your hip, you do not seem to notice, caught up in the music, and there is a moment where Sylus watches, where he is unsure whether he wants to be seen by you.

Every expression he gains from you, is worn and aching. You have come into this world different, fragile and sore. Biting at the bit for a monster to fight, and he hurts to think he might be that monster. That he has no cause to assure you that he isn't.

He did not steal the person you trusted most from you, but he is not innocent. He is not good.

He cannot wash the blood off of his hands yet.

There are others whose hands aren't scarred and sullied, that have never been claws to hurt you. A small part of his soul, wonders if turning around and leaving you to be amongst those less sculpted to be violent beasts, would be better. Stronger suited to your warm heart.

Until he feels your soul in his chest again. Under the blissful, drunk, expression on your face. It aches, mourns, misses, and hurts.

Lonely…

It hurts to hear it so loudly. You are so, so lonely, even surrounded by people. No matter that you have sought out a crowd as big as you could, that you have drowned sorrows to the point of spilling, that you silenced the voices as best you could.

You still cannot escape it.

He hears it, he hears you.

He cannot leave you alone.

His feet bring him to you, a hand reaching out to steady you as you stumble forward a little, preventing the glass in your hand from falling. It splashes on his jacket, and he watches as you open your eyes, ready to apologise, before the sight of him stops you.

Your eyes widen, mismatched and sparkling. Jewels.

His treasure.

"Sy?" The nickname slips out of your mouth, and he feels it down his spine, familiarity and warmth. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you, kitten." He leans in so that he can hear you properly, the song of your voice against his cheek as he speaks against your own. Nose against your skin. There's a moment where his hunger spikes, and he wants to flick his tongue against the sweat on your skin, before he remembers where he is. Remembers you're drunk. He fights it back.

Parched.

If this is how humans feel with their desires, no wonder they are driven to madness.

"I…" You blink at him, doe-eyed and soft, stunned. He watches and he waits, for you to figure out what to say. "Hi." Is all he gets, but it's exhaled, and he watches the small quirk of your lips. The softening of your eyes. "Dance with me?"

He can only assume the liquid confidence contributes to the way you down your drink, he takes the empty glass and floats it somewhere away from you, before you extend your hand. In all the time he has adored you, he has never been offered a dance from you. He has hinted, he has desired, he has asked.

You have never asked him. Every invitation is his to extend, seeking you out while you pull away from him, like you're scared. Yet he's not sure what of. You don't seem scared of him, challenging him whenever you find him disagreeable. You are a puzzle he has not finished piecing together.

He wonders if he ever will.

He must stare at your hand too long, because you tilt your head, "I thought you liked dancing?"

"I do."

"So? You don't want to dance with me?" It's said softly, with pain sneaking its way into your voice, and he has to stop himself from reaching out to you.

He doesn't know how to dance here, looking about him at people who do not follow steps he knows. That he has learned, for you. He knows how to dance in a ballroom, how to follow moves that are structured, because he has learned them. This follows a rhythm, and he cannot always hear it.

It's almost like fear… if you find him lacking, when you have finally sought him out.

"Sy-" The warmth in his chest, in his spine, in his soul. Sy. Sy. Sy. It is not a pet name, but it is familiar. It is said softly. So very softly. You take his hand, pulling him forwards. He stumbles only because he would let you lead him anywhere, and because he is too distracted by the warmth of you against his skin. Your hand moves over the front of his shirt, up to his neck, and you poke him, "Just have fun. That's all that matters."

An easy ask, when you're involved.

He is not a patient man, he thinks, but for you, he is. He will always have enough patience, enough joy, enough love for you. If only you would see it.

There are few times he loses track of time, used to a busy schedule, and a need to solve issues as soon as they arise. He does not know how long he spends with you in a bar he has no interest in, surrounded by people he cares little for, because he spends it with you in his arms. Unconcerned with the world, your scent wrapped around him, your skin against his, and your voice in his ears.

When you're finally worn out, and ready to leave, he is reluctant to lose the heat of you. Waiting for the moment he steps out of the bar, for you to pull away. Hold him at arm's length. Look at him with that gaze he cannot decipher.

He keeps his hand in yours as you leave, walking the distance to your apartment. Unwilling to leave you alone, or drive back when he feels drunk off you. The cherry wine of your soul is strong and delectable. He thanks his soul, and yours, that he is better at controlling himself than he feels.

You wobble a little as the two of you walk, keeping yourself upright using his arm, and though he offers to carry you, you shake your head. Laughing to yourself as you take careful steps, like a newborn deer.

It is minutes into the walk, along the quieter streets, that you finally speak, looking over at him, "So why did you really come?"

"I told you kitten, I wanted to see you."

You bite down on your lip, and he tugs you to a stop, to ease it from between your teeth with his thumb. Staring down at you as you look up at him. Eyes soft, wet. Hunger and desire.

He is a better dragon than a beast, he assures himself.

"No job?"

"I hardly feel you'd be useful in a fight right now, kitten."

It is the wrong thing to say, Sylus realises as you flinch, frowning, "Right, of course."

"Why do you think I need your assistance?"

"It's the only time we talk. A job, help, because you want to negotiate… or-" You bite your lip again, and he strokes over your bottom lip with his thumb this time, placing the tip of it on the fat, holding it there. If you want to bite yourself, you'll have to bite through him.

"We can talk whenever you like." He speaks, and he hopes he conveys it better. Warm, and full of the adoration he feels. His appearance can be useful, can be a curse, and when he fears you do not see past sharp eyes and features, the worst thing he can think of.

He just wants you to hear his voice, and his words.

"Whenever?" You ask, "What if I say all the time?"

"I'll answer whenever I can."

"Except when you're being a big bad crime boss?"

Sylus laughs, moving his hand to your cheek, pinching it gently, "Even then, sometimes."

He watches, and waits, as the fear eases out of your expression, as you soften again. As your soul in his chest, so very noisy, settles and eases back to wrap around his. A slumbering dragon that matches his own.

"It won't bother you?"

There's a sigh he has to bite back, because he remembers you angry and full of fire, and broken. He remembers that amidst all the strength is a soul that has been twisted against its will. He takes your face in his hands, tilting your head up to look directly into his eyes, and smoothes his thumb over your cheeks, "You are worth the time, kitten. Worth the work. Worth it all. You could never bother me, in any way I do not want. Do you understand?"

He watches the tears well, and then be fought back down, but he leans down anyway, presses a kiss to just above your eye, where you had kissed lifetimes ago. You may not remember, but he can only follow what you taught him of love. Even if it will take a while before you believe it of him.

"I understand." You nod, hand tightening on his shirt, crinkling the fabric between your fingers. "Then… come to the cafe with me tomorrow?"

He sees you step over the chasm, the flames in your mismatched gaze as you watch him carefully, fingers shaking against his chest. Like you're waiting for him to laugh, or pull away. Instead he presses your hand further against his chest, so you can feel it. The unsteady dance of your hearts, and chuckles. "Planning to lose a card game to me, my little kitten? Sounds like a plan."

You pout, sticking your tongue out at him, and then laugh. The same carefree warmth he felt when he watched you dance, except this one is shared with him, and he feels sick with the satisfaction of it.

He'll message you tomorrow, to remind you of what you promised, and as he drops you off at your apartment, stunned when you return a kiss to his cheek before rushing away from him…

Well, he'll remind you over and over if he must.

He'll move mountains so he can comfort your lonely soul, and remind it of steady warmth and unrestricted love.

Sylus will take your hand, no matter what.

[antianakin]

No Order 66 AU where Anakin leaves the Order after the war ends and he and Padme end up retiring to Naboo to try to raise the twins together, but neither of them ends up feeling particularly satisfied with life on Naboo (for Anakin it just doesn't give him any purpose the way he desperately needs and for Padme it's always been this perfect rosy dream and reality doesn't measure up), so they end up leaving the twins behind a lot so they can pursue other things and are pretty absentee parents in general. They mostly end up getting raised by Padme's parents instead, and while they're perfectly good guardians for the twins and raise them kindly and love them a lot, there's always an obvious elephant in the room regarding who ISN'T there.

This causes a bit of a rift between Luke and Leia because while Luke is trying to keep the peace and give their parents the benefit of the doubt as he moves on and figures out his own life with what he DOES have, Leia is less willing to just forgive and forget.

Luke ends up becoming a pilot working for the royal palace for a while, but Leia goes into politics (something she'd entered while younger because it's what her mother did and she'd been hoping it would get Padme's attention and bring the two of them closer; it didn't work out that way at all and now Leia's sticking with it at least partly to spite Padme) as an aide for her cousin Pooja who is now Senator of Naboo.

And it's here, once she finally makes it to Coruscant and starts working in the Senate, that Leia meets Bail Organa, still working as Senator of Alderaan. The two of them click IMMEDIATELY and Bail ends up becoming Leia's mentor in politics, as well as the person who actually introduces her to the Jedi themselves. Anakin and Padme had never really bothered to do so, both because they were so rarely around, but also because they had chosen not to give Luke and Leia to the Temple and decided at that point that it would be easier to keep the twins and the Jedi separate. Bail of course has no such compunctions and even if he knew about Anakin and Padme's feelings on the matter, I imagine he'd find ways to allow Leia to accidentally bump into some of the Jedi while she was on Coruscant. If he just so happens to double book himself for lunch with both Leia and Obi-Wan, it's hardly anything malicious and they may as well all eat together!

Leia finally feels like she has a parent who gives a damn about her, someone who acts like a parent to her, the parent she's always wanted. Her grandparents had always been incredibly kind and they obviously had to do a lot of parenting, but they'd always been very strict about making sure the twins saw them as GRANDPARENTS and not their actual parents, which just make the absence of their parents that much more obvious and painful. But with Bail, she's finally got someone who doesn't care that Anakin and Padme aren't there and doesn't feel the need to create a wall between them for Anakin and Padme's sake. Bail takes her under his wing, teaches her everything she knows, allows her to explore things she'd never been allowed to explore before, connects her to even more people who can help her understand herself better than she's ever been able to before. THIS is what a parent was supposed to do for her and she knows it, THIS is what selfless love looks like from a parent and she THRIVES under it for the first time in her life.

She eventually decides not to stay on as Pooja's aide because she has no real desire to become a senator for Naboo at any point, but she IS good at politics and desperately does want to help people any way she can, so she starts up some sort of organization of her own to help people around the galaxy (and connects it to the Jedi because deep down she KNOWS she was supposed to be one of them even though that path is now closed to her). But she doesn't go back to Naboo, she doesn't make her home on her mother's home planet.

She goes to Alderaan instead. And this time, she gets to stay there for the rest of her life.

[cloudytardigrade]

fav things from the new longform (now one of my favourites)

•Luke being so confused in the beginning and then the "ohhh"

•The echoing mic was iconic

•Mrs Claus's sass

•Luke saying "What the fuck is Snowdrop??"

•"I have loved you since 0 AD"

•"I was a wise man" "I was dressed as a sheep"

•"You can call me a giant elf if you want but I don't give a shit, do y'know that?"

•The awkwardness of Snowdrop having to watch Mr and Mrs Claus argue

•"Barbados is on the naughty list. All of it"

•Also Krampus IS one of the best SFTH characters.

•The relationship between Santa and Snowdrop. THE PROTECTIVENESS <33

•"You just gonna keep being an asshole to me?.."

•The eyebrow raise from Snowdrop when Santa says "You slept with Javier!"

•The casual "See ya later" from Mrs Claus after having an argument that will probably end their relationship

•TOM PLAYING VILLAINS HOLY MOTHER FUCKING SHIT.

•"Breakfast, lunch and dinner: Santa's smiles"

•"September, October, yeah I'll do it, then November comes and it's like "fucking hell!!"

•Javier??? Xavier's long lost twin??

•I WILL be making fanart of the characters, specifically Krampus and Snowdrop bc they're my favs

•The hold back of laughter from Luke when Santa says "we recently found out this year that all elves have ADHD"

•"About time, Luke-I mean, Snowdrop"

•Sam singing 😭

•The little hand movements Luke does after Santa accidentalky says "Luke" instead of Snowdrop

•Krampus talking in third person

•The way Krampus and Little Krampus get around

•"You have DHHA" "Damn Hot Attention Awareness"

•The hair caress that Krampus gives Little Krampus, which shows their love

•Krampus holding his leg whilst moving

•"Welcome to the North Pole airport"

•Luke literally throwing his head back with laughter in the sidelines

•Mrs Claus not knowing how passports work

•The banter on how passports work

•I love how happy and enthusiastic Tom seems

•"Oh, bribery!" "That's also a crime!"

•The poses for the photo booth

•Poor Snowdrop :(

•"That's Krampus! The most wanted terror!st in the North Pole"

•Tom's out-loud commentary, and Luke just nodding

•"Where's our bowl full of jelly laughs? This is SHIT"

•"Barbados.. Let me check the map *pulls out map* There"

•Snowdrop's smirk when one of the elves says "We're not allowed passports" and then "There's a photo booth"

•"I'll climb up on your shoulders" "Oh really?" "Yeah" "Okay"

•The name's if the characters on the presents in at the start is really cute (damn they really know the fanbase huh)

•"I have an alternative proposal" "I'd probably prefer mine, to be honest 😏"

•"Oh, actually, fuck yeah, that's great"

•"Rudolph motherfuckerrr"

•"The teddy bears are getting married" dude. how can he say something as pure and wholesome as that and NOT expect me to combust

•Forgetting the reindeers names and an audience member helping them out

•"I was expecting a sexy lady with a big beard"

•Javier turning the elves head to look at him

•"Christmas is ruined, there's no laughter for us to eat"

•"Ho ho ho is gleeful laughter"

•Everyone subtly making fun of Mrs Claus saying "I was caught on a cloud"

•"You're his muse. His inspiration" ☹️☹️

•"Hey, let's not blame someone with a disorder, shall we?"

•"Sometimes, the hyper focus is really useful for making toys. One day, I made a thousand game boys. They said to try and make something else, I said "fuck that!""

•Krampus's song

•"Krampus grows more powerful!!"

•"Little Krampus has a gun now!! Ho ho ho.. 😈😈😈"

•The deep "I'm everywhere"

•"No no no no no"

•"Poor little teddy bear Christmas man!"

•"Ahhh.. A Christmas gun..."

•"One present from every child.. goes to Krampus's tum tum!"

•WHY ARE THEY SOME THE MOST GORGEOUS AMAZING PEOPLE EVER TO EXIST EVER??? LIKE THEY ALWAYS LOOK GOOD.

•"I feast on the tears of the children!!"

•"Find the joy... Santa"

•Definitely wasn't hoping for a kiss scene or something...

•"You are nothing little lady girl.. I'm a sex!st as well"

•"Your wife is my wife now"

•"Hehehehehe"

•"Look at my little piss boy"

•When they all start singing "All I Want For Christmas Is You" very slowly and eerily

•"What is this song? This wasn't around when I was put beneath the ice"

•Most beautiful men ever ngl

•"AVADA KEDAVRA!!"

(So basically the entire play)

[artsyacorn]

I like to think that Dipper being a #dormbro tries to ignore his feelings towards Mabel by joining campus mixers and events and tries to hook up with other people on campus to get over his silly little feelings and fantasies towards his sister, either by having sex with others or getting shit drunk that it accidentally brings out his Dippy Fresh Complex lmao

In his head, technically, the twins have no rule that they can't sleep with other people during the time that they're away from each other. It's not like they've got an established relationship yet... right?

And yet no matter how many people he's slept with, no matter how many times he's tried to down shots to ignore and overcome his feelings, his hands, lips, and body would always go back to Mabel when he visits home after a long drive from campus. He doesn't know what it is, but that damn twin intuition in him doesn't want to let her go.

It's the same for Mabel too. She isn't really that fond of hook up culture but she WILL go on multiple dates (men and women because that woman is bisexual i'm telling you) but each time it doesn't work out because of that 'funny gut feeling that tells her this isn't right' and she'll just drop a text after a date saying "Sorry, but I think it'll be better if we just stayed friends. I had fun though!"

But that's just personal desires and feelings kept to oneself. But what happens when those get exposed?

There was one time that Dipper got shit drunk at a random campus chick's party, that he started drunk texting a bunch of shirtless mirror pics to Mabel on snapchat in his #DippyFreshComplex out of nowhere.

Dipper would drunk call her telling her how fun the parties were, how great the hook ups were (she felt a pang of jealousy when she heard this one — literally biting her lip back so her brother wouldn't hear her silently crying on the phone)

He would keep yapping on about the good parts until suddenly it was his turn to start crying on the other side of the line, telling Mabel that no matter how good the people on campus were at sex, nothing could compare to the emotional connection he has with Mabel, and how much he misses her — practically confessing EVERYTHING and it just takes her aback.

She knows her brother could be vulnerable with her anytime he wanted, after the whole Weirdmaggedon incident, Dipper grew much closer to his sister to the point where he felt comfortable enough to be vulnerable.... to a certain limit. And this drunk confession? That was beyond his usual limit.

She wouldn't tell him about it in the morning however. She knows her brother (who's probably knocked out on the bathroom sink after that call) would forget this had ever happened. But she WILL confront him about his feelings when he comes back home to Cali in the weeks to come.

The feeling's mutual, they're always missing each other no matter the distance.

[thelingodingo]

Haikyuu Characters' Informal & Formal Speech

Something I find interesting about different languages and cultures regarding sociolinguistics is the entire idea of formality. Of course, there are ways to sound more formal/polite in English and ways to sound more informal/rude depending on word choice (synonyms). But with a language such as Japanese, it's the grammatical structure itself (verb endings, vocab) that changes to convey varying levels of formality.

An example would be:

大丈夫? (informal) vs 大丈夫ですか？(formal) = Are you ok?

daijoubu vs daijoubudesuka

これは本だ (informal) vs これは本です (formal) = This is a book.

korewahonda vs korewahondesu

In a school setting, the younger grades (kohai) will use formal speech with the older grades (senpai) as well as teachers: meaning 1st years will be formal to 2nd and 3rd years, 2nd years will be informal to 1st years but formal to 3rd years, and 3rd years can be informal to both 1st and 2nd years.

This is easily shown in basically any anime but this post will focus on Haikyuu since it's the one I'm most familiar with.

Karasuno: Kageyama and Tsukishima definitely hold a very high level of politeness towards their senpai as they always speak formally towards them and also always call them "full surname-san" (Azumane-san instead of Asahi-san, Sugawara-san instead of Suga-san, Sawamura-san instead of Daichi-san, Nishinoya-san instead of Noya-san). It makes sense for them since in general their personalities are quite strict and rigid. Hinata also speaks formally to his senpai but calls them by their more usual names (Daichi-san, Suga-san, etc) and he tends to forget to speak formally out of sheer excitement (not because he's trying to be rude) so he ends up adding on the formal desu copula to quickly change his informal sentence to be formal at the last second. You might think that Tanaka and Nishinoya are pretty relaxed when it comes to formalities due to their crasser personalities but I would actually say it's more the opposite. They're both characters that really like upholding the entire senpai-kohai relationship and it shows in that they are always respectful to the 3rd years and use formal speech (it's also shown in how they both loveee being called senpai and specifically Nishinoya's relationship with Asahi). They still call the 3rd years by their more common names so they aren't as rigid as Tsukki and Kageyama when it comes to names though. The scenes in season 1 when Noya and Asahi were fighting (specifically the storage room fight) were surprising in particular due to Noya changing to informal speech while arguing with Asahi (his senpai).

some other random formalities I've noticed in the other characters: as mentioned in the anime, Kenma doesn't like any of that hierarchy stuff which is why Hinata is able to continue comfortably speaking informally to him even though Kenma is a senpai. The shock and immediate apology of Hinata when he finds out Kenma is older than him is sensible in the cultural context since there are many people who would get quite offended and angry if a kohai were to be speaking informally towards them. Although Kenma is never shown directly talking to any 3rd years (other than Kuroo, which he speaks informally to since they're childhood friends), I assume he would still speak formally since even though he doesn't find formal speech necessary he would still be aware that others would care about it. When it comes to Mad Dog, a small part of me expected him to be completely informal to everyone since those kind of characters are usually like that in anime but he still keeps a pretty formal tone when talking to his senpais which pleasantly surprised me. As far as I remember watching season 4, I don't think the Miya twins use formal speech when talking to Aran. They don't call him Aran-san or anything either, just Aran-kun, which could be another example of childhood friends not needing formalities even with the age gap.

EDIT: i just remembered that Kageyama is so damn polite that he doesn't even differentiate between the Miya twins by their first names, he calls them both "Miya-san"!

If anybody wants a particular character/school to be discussed in detail then just send me an ask and I'll try!

side note: this post isn't proofread so if theres any mistakes or corrections in the info please tell me (✿◠‿◠)

[centuryberry]

lowkwy Highkey need to analyse those visions of the future and past Yue had like

You have no one else to blame but yourself! You did this! You’re the reason why she’s gone-!”

First of all I have so many guesses on who this could be I'm tweaking

“We shall leave it to the Four Guardian Beasts to ensure that balance is kept in the world. This is the only way to keep everyone safe. From them.”

Like those guardian animals guarding Nuwa's stones in LMK season 5?

From who????

Is this a celestial or is it not a celestial? Maybe Buddha or Guanyin? Or Nuwa? Maybe the Empress Mother

“Erase it. Erase every trace of her until the world forgets her name. I don’t care how you do it! Just erase it all!”

Jade Emperor dur

“Not my son! Please! Have mercy on my son! He has done nothing to offend you! Why are you doing this? And you! How can you call yourself a father when you’re standing aside and letting them–?”

Are they talking about Red Son here or someone else?

Sons: Nezha, Redson, MK, Ao something, one of the twins (but I doubt it)

“Look at what they’ve done to him! A pale shade of what he was! This isn’t justice, this is about control! My love, this is not the time to be careful. This is the time to –”

PIF is that you??

“Uncle! You have gone too far with this! They are just–!”

Nezha what happened?

Is he a thrall pls say nah

“I am sorry, my child. I have failed you.”

This is so vague 😭

Deadass could be anyone with a child and I'm too tired to write that my top 5 though: Nuwa, PIF, Empress Mother, Ao Lie, or literally any other parent.

“ – stay dormant through generations as long as the rings are secure and hidden. And before you say anything, this was because of your mistake. This wouldn’t be happening if you hadn’t intervened! This is the best outcome considering the circumstances. For the good of–”

Whos mistake?

Also who or what's staying dormant? The Samadhi Fire?

Honestly the Samadhi fire prolly most likely gonna play a big ass role in this ice zombie apocalypse lmao they're literally White Walkers like the ones from Game of Thrones

“...seal…under the mountain…”

The Bull fam or Wukong

“ –spreading uncontrollably! It can’t be contained! At this rate, this will reach–!”

The infection

now for the futureee wtfd wjqkwbkqkq

"We remember. Even when Heaven wants us to forget you, we will always remember. Even after all the temples were destroyed, we still lit a candle for you.”

We know that was Ma about our girl

“...banished some, executed the others, and subdued the rest. We didn’t understand everything that was happening since we were so young, but we knew that much. So much suffering…”

The twins most likely

😭 give them their talkkkk

“...Island…Lantern…Moon…Scroll…find them all and release…from his shackles...”

Island - Wukong? Similar to the LMK series where flower fruit moment is

Lantern - Macaque oof he is probably been stuck their for centuries imagine waking up and your family's gone to shit most are dead or basically dead, your kids are grown up without you yikes.

I mean it's the same for the rest of them too yikes but damn the guilt from the parents is gonna be real

I thought this wasn't gonna be another major angst fic 😭

Curse you! There better NOT be major character death if any of my hoe's die PERMANENTLY like in "With a Little Soul That Could" imma find where you live 😭 and force you to rewrite that shit now

“Foolish child! This is greater than your petty grudges and old wrongs!”

Damn who we talking to?

“Learn your place, you filthy animals.”

I got nothing a celestial maybe?

“...even…fall…nothing lasts forever…never forgave…”

I feel like I should know but I don't

“Because I love you so much, I’ll give you a hint. What’s the lucky number? C’mon, babe, this is easy stuff! You’re the one who taught me, remember? What’s the lucky number?”

🤯😱

Xiaotian Fragment that you?!!!!

Or is it like those Tony stark pre death hologram videos

One of his clones?

Is it Xiaotian or am I tripping?

“...this world isn’t worth saving…”

Huh.

Lowkey highkey very ominous

Isn't that what Yue and LBD were thinking?

Can Yue hear thoughts or did someone say this aloud?

“Godkiller.”

Our Queen Yue 🎉

I cannot believe I am following another fic of yours 😭 I love it though incredibel writing and the foreshadowing is actually insane

You can't stOP mE frOm makinG My TheORies

Oh my god, "Little Soul" mention on a Tuesday morning???? I can't believe you followed me from the Undertale fandom to the LMK fandom.

Well, as a veteran of my older works, I'll briefly step away from my "no spoiler" stance to reveal this: Queen of the Mountain will have a happy ending. None of that bittersweet tragedy. It will have a happy ending. I will not kill off anyone important to Yue. The Monkey Fam will be together again. (Honestly, I wrote myself into a corner when writing "Little Soul" so I had to pick between forcing a happy ending or keeping the integral message even if the ending was tragic. That won't happen again. I've written so, so many fluffy AUs as an apology for that ending.)

Now, onto the commentary about your theories: These are super detailed! I love the thought you put into your guesses and your comments! We'll see how many of these theories come true in the coming chapters!

[eccentricgrace]

Once Bitten, Twice Shy || IronDad

summary: in the midst of a very high fever, peter accidentally calls tony instead of may.

tags: fluff, sickfic, fevers, humor, hurt/comfort, tony acting as peter parker's parental figure

wc: 3,749

cross-posted on wattpad under the same name!

He hasn't felt like this since he was thirteen going on fourteen, and his muscles ached and he had cold-shakes and he just kept thinking, shit, May just got her new job, she doesn't have health insurance yet— and, oh, he'd been nursing an infected spider bite. Radioactive, specifically.

Giving May a big ol' smile and convincing her that he felt fine, she could definitely work, he'll be okay— and then going unconscious for twelve hours at a time, kind of thinking he was going to die.

Obviously, he didn't die. Actually it felt like he did kind of the opposite, 'cuz then suddenly he had like, abs, and no asthma, and he could sit on the couch and actually see every pixel of May's cheesy medical dramas without having his (broken, taped) glasses.

And also he could do things like avoid bullets. Or not avoid bullets, bleeding all over Flushing Avenue, and still live to tell the tale. This is how, two-ish years later and at the ripe age of sixteen, he knew he'd live through whatever nasty virus this was, too.

Viruses be damned, though, he'd rather take a bullet.

He felt like shit. Capital S-H-I-T. The Bo Burnham song reincarnated into his sweating, fleshy form. His eyes burned, everything ached, and he was pretty much resigned to lying completely still on his lumpy twin-sized mattress and taking shaky, measured breaths until he fell asleep.

He's pretty sure the fever's gotten worse since May left this morning, and he was only able to convince her to leave to begin with because it had been low. A measly 100. Not great, but not the worst either.

May had given strict instructions before she did finally backtrack out the door: keep down as many fluids as he could, and to check his fever every two hours. Call her if he needed anything. And Peter said, "Okay."

Now, he's been so-so with the first instruction. He had a pitcher— literally, a pitcher. The kind that store a gallon vat of iced tea or lemonade, or god forbid iced tea-lemonade in the summer— and he filled it to the brim with water and had just been sipping at it.

This seemed insane, and kind of was, but he didn't want to keep getting up to fill a puny 12oz water glass when his legs felt like they were about to fall off, and his bed was so warm, and the outside world was so cold, and the pitcher worked, damn it.

But he'd finished that an indeterminate amount of time ago, somewhere after 'the-neighbors-are-still-watching-Curb-Your-Enthusiasm' timebut before 'my-eyes-feel-like-they're-not-real' time. Either way, his neighbors have moved on to watching Scrubs, so clearly it's been a while.

As for the second one, the thermometer is on his bedside table, and he thinks he checked his temp a few times, maybe, but he keeps forgetting the results. And he keeps forgetting if he actually checked his temp or if he just thought really hard about checking his temp and his brain decided to keep those thoughts as the word of God. (Also, he really likes the word 'temp.')

He should probably check his fever again. He doesn't really know what time it is— he's been using Scrubs episodes as a clock, and he's may be hallucinating but he's pretty sure he's slept through at least half a season. Or there were a lot more Christmas plotlines than he remembered.

Unfortunately, all the evidence points to the fact that Peter must resort to step three. Call May. So makes a half-hearted series of motions, all shivering violently as the blanket lifts up to expose his skin to the air, and grabs his phone off the charger.

His hand is fumbling blearily through his phone through his contacts, the starred ones, because he can't focus at all and he's pretty sure May is at the top of the list— makes it all easier for him in emergencies.

The phone is ringing and his ears are ringing and his head is ringing and J.D. is monologuing to Dr. Cox about a Super Bowl party he wasn't invited to, and then the line clicks.

"May," Peter greets with as much cheer as he can muster. He can't tell if he's speaking very loudly or very quietly but his throat rasps and it hurts and he wants to go back to sleep. "Hi, May."

"Peter? You sound like you just got hit by a bus," a voice answers, and it sounds muffled, like it's talking through water. But Peter's chest eases at the sound, like he's hearing home, so he smiles and his dry lips crack open a little bit. "Kid? Please tell me you didn't get hit by a bus."

"Haha," Peter says, and yeah, he literally says the word 'haha.' He doesn't have the energy to actually laugh. "I wish!"

He's been hit by a bus before. He's been punched through a bus before. Way more of an enjoyable experience.

"You've what?" The voice slices, a sharpness cutting through on deaf ears. "What the hell? Peter, where are you? Isn't it a Tuesday?"

"Home sick," Peter mumbles, his eyes slipping shut as the sunlight moves just enough to stream in through his blinds.

"You're—" a pause. "You're homesick? For what, kiddo? I— alright, back up a moment. Are you safe?"

Peter groans, shutting his eyes tighter as sunlight continues to infect his little cave. The light stings at his head. "Owww. May, 'm so sorry."

"Hey, talk to me," the voice says, so strong, so parental that Peter can't help but feel equal parts soothed and scolded. "Why're you sorry? Are you hurt? FRI, bring up schematics, vitals—"

"Today was such a big day," Peter says, his tongue feeling numb as he stumbles along each word, going slower than molasses at the speed of which his mind supplies them. "You had to do the thing and then the other... and I told you I'd be okay, but 'm not feeling okay anymore. I need you. 'M sorry."

"Okay," the phone says. "Peter, it's okay. I'm on my way, alright? Are you bleeding?"

"Mm," Peter mumbles a faint disagreement, feeling absolutely miserable. "Jus' tired. I drank all the water already and I can't get up. An' I think they're watching it out of order."

"Who's watching what out of order?"

And Peter can't find the proper words to explain that it's the apartment across from them, who's definitely watching Scrubs out of order, because now J.D. is being locked on the roof of Memorial Hospital, and that's definitely a season one episode.

"Right," Phone says, befuddled. "You're sick, aren't you? Caught the spider-flu?"

Peter groans again. Loudly, to emphasize the misery.

"Okay. I can handle sick. Listen, thank you for calling me, I know that's often difficult for you," Phone seems to laugh, like he's poking fun of Peter about something.

Peter's not amused, as much as he really, really would like to be. Phone seems like a funny guy. Phone seems like he tells really funny jokes, and Peter would love to be laughing at them right now.

"It is," Peter sulks instead, because it's true, andit's not funny, and he wants his aunt.He sniffles. "It is really hard. I don't wanna 'nother spider powers. Ugh, my head hurts so bad..."

"Aw, Pete," Phone chuckles, and sighs. "I know, buddy. Alright, hang in there. I'm gonna send a call to your aunt, quick. Stay there, capiche?"

This is a silly request, because Peter can't go anywhere even if he wanted to— which he resolutely does not. His limbs are so stiff, and heavy, and he's so tired that even twitching a finger is a Herculean effort.

His phone drops lamely from his hand as he waits for something, but he forgot exactly what he was waiting for. He thinks May. May is supposed to come back, right? And take care of him?

He ick-shivers and cold-shivers and listens to the distant muddy voice of Zach Braff and someone singing about Superman to a banjo, and then everything goes blissfully fuzzy.

For the next whenever, he can't genuinely tell what is a dream and what isn't.

A hand soothes over his forehead, and when he flutters his eyes open it's all blurry— someone tells him to go back to sleep. It sounds like Ben. Peter didn't realize he got home from work so early.

"Oh, kid..."

Peter listens to Ben, and dreams again.

The hand returns, this time to take his blankets. A cold shiver racks through his entire body, every notch of his spine. He can feel the sweat gathered at his neck, the crooks of his elbows. He grunts his disproval and grips his fingers onto the fabric, pulling it back towards him.

"I know, but we have to bring your temperature down. Let go of the blanket, Spidey."

"That's a secret," Peter croaks. "'M not Spider-Man. I'm Peter Parker."

"Yeah, well, I'm Iron Man. So you have to listen to me. Let go of the blanket, Peter Parker." Someone tugs again at the duvet.

Peter peaks an eye open again, to verify the identity of his assailant. He blinks a few times, feeling dizzy even with his head pressed back firmly against his pillows.

Iron Man was not in his bedroom.

Tony Stark, however, was.

"Mr. Stark?" Peter furrows his eyebrows, shifting around on the bed. He wants to sit up, even if the thought alone makes him sort of crosseyed. His muscles don't budge more than a few inches before aching again. "Is'ere a mission?"

Tony quickly leans forward, gently guiding Peter back down. "Easy, killer. No mission."

Peter's brain short-circuits momentarily, and then starts the slow process of reboot. He blinks. Then sniffles.

Tony looks amused, his head tilted in a funny way. His mouth quirks up on one side, dimpling at his cheek. He clears his throat, and gestures to the blanket again. "You willing to work with me here?"

Peter starts, and looks back down at the blanket forlornly. "But..."

"I'll trade you. Why don't you go take a shower, and I'm going to change these sheets for you, something I have done maybe once in my life," Tony rattles off. "See? We're good for eachother. Can you stand?"

Peter sluggishly twitches his hand under the blankets. He thinks of all the ways he could say no. (Negatory. No-siree. Nopers. Thumbs-down. Absolutely not. Not gonna happen.)

He squints, and slowly gives Tony an affirmative nod.

Tony's eyes focus very intensely. Peter kind of feels like he's about to explode from the sheer power of his gaze, or like, be blown to bits with lasers.

Peter slowly shakes his head.

"Maybe a bath, then." Tony finalizes. He pulls the blankets off, ignoring Peter's whines, and helps him up. Used tissues fall to the floor, and Tony's nose curls up. "Alright, kiddo. Let's get you to the bathroom."

He lets himself be led into the bathroom, wincing as the lights are flicked on. Tony starts running the bath's faucet, one arm still outstretched like he's ready to catch Peter if he falters. It's kind of humiliating, but as it stands— Peter can hardly stand, and they both know it.

His cheeks burn red.

"I'm not a baby," Peter points out, just so they both remain aware of this fact. He's shivering so hard that his teeth clack against each other.

"I know. That's why I'm not staying in here," Tony says offhandedly. He runs his hand under the water and shakes it off once he's seemingly satisfied with its temperature. "Don't prove me wrong by drowning, will you?"

"I'm cold," Peter complains, trying not to shift from one foot to another. Every movement makes him lightheaded, which really wouldn't prove... whatever point he was starting out with.

"I know, buddy." Tony pulls back from the bath. "You able to get in there on your own? The water's not cold. Rapid cooling is a no-no these days, I got the rundown from FRIDAY on the drive here."

"I'll say thank you to her later," Peter shuffles over to the bathtub and sits down at the edge. He takes a moment to breathe and then nods. "I'll be okay, I think."

"Alright. Yell if you need anything. I'll be just across the hall," Tony says, backing up. "Do you want me to leave the door closed, or open a crack?"

"Does your old ears need it open a crack to hear me if I yell?" Peter asks unthinkingly. A moment of silence passes. Then his mouth opens, and he stares blankly, like a fish. "...Uh..."

Tony's scrubbing at his face, and his eyes are covered but it almost looks like there's a smile pulling at his lips. "I'm going to close the door. You little shit. Don't drown."

Peter smiles weakly and gives a thumbs up. Tony retreats, the door shutting softly behind him, so Peter starts peeling off his sweat-soaked pyjamas. He grimaces, and tosses them to the floor with as much effort as he can (they land about a foot away from him).

The water is not warm. Peter's still shivering when he slides into the tub. It's not as cold as the air, though, so he soaks into it and relishes as the water starts to soothe the ache in his joints. It's nice not to stink like a middle school locker room, too.

He can hear Tony outside the bathroom, rummaging around through a closet, shedding the sheets off his bed, all rustling sounds of fabric— and then the beeping of the washing machine being turned on. His footsteps creak back and forth on the old wooden floors of the Parker apartment.

The realization of his circumstances suddenly seems very, very funny. He accidentally called Iron Man instead of his aunt, and now Iron Man is doing his laundry. Iron Man is probably cleaning up his disgusting snot-tissues. This really is the timeline he's living in.

Anyway, the longer he's in the water, the better he feels. His thoughts are coming back to him a little clearer now, for better or worse, so he scrubs himself head to toe with soap and then lets the bathtub drain.

Tony, apparently, had grabbed a pair of fresh clothes for him before they'd even left his room, which Peter now clocks on the bathroom counter. He tries not to cringe as he pulls on a very old, very faded Stark Expo shirt that Ben bought when he was eight. (Peter begged for an extra extra large adult size, so he would never grow out of it, because "it's limited edition, Ben!")

To add insult to injury, it seemed Tony also picked out the cursed Hello Kitty pajama pants. At least they were warm, but Peter knows that wasn't why they were picked.

He drudges out of the bathroom and pushes open his door. The window's been cracked open, the whole room being filtered with New York's closest approximation to fresh air. Peter's sheets were in-fact changed, and all of the popsicle sticks, tissues, and miscellaneous pill bottles have all been cleared out.

Tony's crouched over, filling a laundry basket with the sporadic mess of clothes strewn across the floor. His head turns up at the door. "There he is. You feeling better?"

Peter answers by crawling into his bed and sighing with all the breath his lungs could hold.

Tony makes an amused noise and sets the laundry basket down. He takes the thermometer from Peter's newly cleared bedside table, and Peter shuts his eyes as the cold plastic smooths over his forehead gently, down the side of his face, stopping at the back of his ear.

It beeps twice in quick succession, which could be worse. Last time Peter remembered it beeping a lot more, and the light was red, which is notoriously not a good colour for a light to be.

"Well, your fever didn't break, but it is significantly lower," Tony clicks his tongue. "Congrats. You're no longer cooking your brain."

"Yippee," Peter says dryly.

"I'm making you tea," Tony decides, putting the thermometer down. "Are you hungry? You want soup? You a chicken noodle guy?"

Peter blinks open an eye, feeling a youthful hope spark up in his chest. "...I think we have cans of minestrone in the pantry?" He says quietly.

"Minestrone? Sure. I'll look for minestrone." Tony clears his throat. "I filled you an actual water bottle. It has ice in it. Drink that, I'll be back."

"Please don't burn down May's kitchen," Peter calls after him, sinking into his pillows. "It's seen enough!"

"We'll see about that!" Tony calls back.

Peter decides to sip at the water for no other reason than he knows he should, and checks his phone while Tony is suspiciously rummaging through cabinets.

Ned has been messaging him all day, talking about things he's missing: a broad spectrum ranging from Spanish quizzes to that squirrel who apparently found its way in the cafeteria again. Peter sends him back a text that (to reiterate) Iron Man is making him soup, because if anybody could understand how bizarre this was, it would be his best friend who had personally seen him in his fanboy phase.

May has been sending him texts, too. Ones that he apparently had already replied to, although he doesn't even remember getting them. He decides not to let her know about that particular detail and goes right on to updating her.

tony came over he's making me soup against my will

LOL. I know, baby. Tony called me.

How are you feeling? You sure you don't need to me come home?

feeling better now

i'm okay, promise

they need you over there! you're too special and important and amazing to leave

😋Alright, that's enough out of you

Drink lots of water. I'll be home soon ❤️‍🩹

i will, larb you!

Larb you too ❤️

He looks at his phone blankly for a measly few seconds before he once again realizes how exhausted his eyelids are from staying open. He sighs and falls backwards onto the pillows, and lets himself drift.

It seems like it's only a few seconds before he's gently shaken awake again, just a hand sweeping over his knees. He makes a grumbly noise and peeks an eye open, and Tony is there again, a mug—(a mug?)—of soup in his hand, and a bottle of pills in the other.

"Take these," Tony says, handing him the bottle. "Take three. Drink your soup so you've got something in your stomach to help digest it." 

"How do you know this stuff?" Peter mumbles, but does so anyways. He pops the pills in his mouth and swallows them down with some water. "Thought only parents knew that."

Like May, his mind suggests.

"May told me," Tony confirms his thoughts as if he had spoken them out loud. Peter nods in understanding. 

He sips at the minestrone, wincing as the liquid passes over his scratchy throat. It's bland from how congested he is, and the steam makes his nose start to run again, but the warmth feels good in his stomach. 

"Why're you here?" He rasps out finally, because his brain is finally catching up now and while Tony being here certainly wasn't unwelcome, he also cannot remember when or how or why he got here. There's definitely some pieces of the story he totally missed due to being only quarter of a functional human.

Tony raises an eyebrow, sitting down on Peter's bed. He kicks his feet up so they're resting on his spinny desk chair. "Why? You waiting to kick me out already?"

"No," Peter rolls his eyes, smiling. "Although you may wanna get out of here while you can. You might catch whatever super-flu knocked me out, and then where would we be? No Spider-Man and no Iron Man? That's like, half the Avengers right there."

"Very funny, kid," Tony says, trying valiantly and in vain to bite back a grin. "You'll be back on your feet in no time. Until then, I don't mind staying around to make sure you don't brain yourself on the windowsill or something."

"I wouldn't do that. The bathtub, maybe. But the windowsill, doubtful."

"Great, well, at least you know your limits." Tony clears his throat. "You should take a nap. Let those meds kick in."

"I've been sleeping all day," Peter complains— and he's not entirely sure why he does it, because yes, he has been sleeping all day, but he really wouldn't mind sleeping for another week. Maybe two weeks. He's really, dreadfully tired, and if a literal coma is what is gonna get him up and swinging around the city again, then it is what it is. 

But Tony is right here, and something about that makes him want to stay awake a little longer. Maybe it's because this situation as a whole is so bizarre and rare that he kind of wants to fiddle with the buttons, mess with some switches, see how far he can take it before Tony calls him out on it. 

"Alright, well you're certainly not gonna be running laps, so," Tony lifts his arms in a 'what'll-you-do' motion, a half-assed cocky shrug that he's really perfected over the years. "You can stay up long enough to drink more water, but then I'm knocking your ass out."

"You'll stay with me?" Peter blurts. Then he feels an immediate wave of regret and embarrassment, and makes the rapid fire decision to just power through. He puts on his best smile, tries not to think of how he probably looks miserable anyways. "We can watch stuff together on my laptop, it'll be fun. I'm just about to start the second season of Scrubs."

Tony scratches at his chin for a moment, and then sighs. "Yeah, alright. Punch it, Chewie."

So Peter drinks the rest of his soup and lets the fever reducers finally settle in his system. His eyes grow heavy with every line the Janitor says— and he's not entirely sure, but before he drifts off, he thinks he feels Tony run a hand through his hair, smoothing down his unruly curls, tucking them behind his ear.

"Thanks for calling me, kid," he thinks he hears Tony murmur.

Peter responds back with two spots of drool on his shoulder. Thank you for answering and I love you.

He thinks Tony will understand what it means.

[risingsoleil]

Maybe a one shot of Lin feeling insecure about her postpartum body and Tenzin reassures her ? 🥹

Right after giving birth to the twins, Lin becomes extremely self-conscious about the excess skin around her abdomen.

Being insecure about that then leads her to pinpointing other body changes postpartum (sagging breasts, stretch marks, wider hips, etc.) She had never felt so "ugly" until after a twin pregnancy.

Although she becomes physically active after resting some postpartum, Lin finds that the weight doesn't melt as quickly as she would like either. When Tenzin tries to initiate intimacy (when she's ready of course), Lin has a hard time accepting it.

It's a few months after very little to no intimacy that Tenzin sits Lin down and has a talk with her. She hasn't even shown him her body. Lin has been changing in separate room, covering her body, wearing loose clothing, and pulling back whenever Tenzin even tries to wrap an arm around her waist.

Lin tightens the robe around her.

"Honey, what's going on?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Tenzin sighs. It's better not to push too hard. "You know what I mean. You haven't let me touch you at all since the twins were born. I can't even give you a proper hug."

"I've let you touch me," lin insists.

"Lin...I miss you. I want to love you, hold you, kiss you, and everytime I try to do that, you pull away from me. Have I done something wrong?"

"...I'm ugly."

Tenzin feels like he went deaf in his eyes.

"What?"

Lin rolls her eyes and groans. "I know it's stupid, but I have never felt so ugly in my entire life. This is worse than when I got these scars."

Tenzin scoots closer and he's relieved that she doesn't move away from him. "Lin, I don't know what's going through your mind. But you are the most beautiful woman in the entire world, and always will be to me. What has brought this on?"

"First of all," she begins.

Oh shit, when she starts with "First of all," Tenzin knows she means business.

"My boobs look horrific and they're going to sag even further down my chest. I'm struggling to lose the baby weight. My hips are ginormous now and I can't fit into my clothes like I used to. My stomach looks like an 80 year old skin that just hangs off my body. And let's not forget these damn stretch marks that make me look like a tigerdillo. Also, you probably haven't noticed but my hair has been falling out too. No matter how hard I try to fix any of these things, nothing works!"

Lin now has her face in her hands, wiping the tears streaming down and keeping her body angled away from her husband.

Tenzin hesitantly touches her back and feels another small wave of relief that his wife hasn't pushed him away.

"Lin...my love, everything that makes you feel "ugly" are what makes you even more beautiful to me."

She turns to look at him, sniffling. "Are you blind?"

A small smile. "No, just still drunkenly in love with you." He scoots a little closer to her, his knee touching her leg. Tenzin gently grasps her hand so that she can feel the sincerity in his words. "Do you know why you're even more beautiful?"

"No."

"Your body is our children's first home. You have given them everything they needed to join us earthside. You have done what I cannot do which is give life to our star babies. Every change in your body is a reminder of that sacrifice you made to nurture our children, and that's what makes you even more beautiful. I want to worship you even more, treasure you, shower you with all the love that you deserve. Spirits, your body now is probably an aphrodisiac to me."

Lin squeezes his hand back, eyes lighting up with a new light. "Can you hold me then, Tenzin?"

"Oh, my love," he slides an arm around her and buries his face into her neck, kissing the exposed skin, "I'll hold you forever and never let go."

Lin pats his cheek and presses a kiss to his lips, both lingering for a minute to savor the undying love between them. "I don't know if I'm ready yet to go all the way..."

Tenzin smiles. "That's okay. We'll start when you feel ready and I will wait however long that may be. I'm just happy I can hold my gorgeous, stunning wife again. I've missed holding her in my sleep, you know."

"I'm sorry. For being so stupid."

"Shhhh." He presses a kiss to her forehead. "Never, Lin. You're not being stupid. But I swear to love you harder for every moment you feel insecure about this divine body you have."

"Really?"

"Really."

[pathological-runaway]

the elders playing fnaf because i have brainrot

(don't take these too seriously i wrote them while binge-watching markiplier's playthroughs)

daleth:

- "if i hear that damn tune one more time-"

- gets into the game because of alef

- learns how to play just by watching (and criticising) them

- beats 20/20/20/20 before alef, which pisses the kid off so much they don't speak to daleth for a week

- cold and calculating while playing, and jumpscares don't get them at all 80% of the time. the remaining 20%? so scared they close the game

- the story always does though. don't show fnaf 4 to them

ayin:

- is too scared to play at first and just watches others instead

- teth lets them play the easiest custom nights. ayin manages to beat them but finally decides that it isn't really their thing

- prefers to listen to lamed's theories or writing fanfiction

- hates willian afton so much it's not even funny. celebrates the completion ending of pizzeria simulator every time

- is a very enthusiastic supporter whenever their friends play

- is responsible for not showing fnaf 4 to daleth. and to alef (they have a feeling they wouldn't take it well, either)

teth:

- their goal is to beat every single challenge and find every single easter egg and ending

- doesn't care much about the lore but enjoys taking to lamed about hidden details

- makes up insulting nicknames for all animatronics

- is actually really scared at the beginning of each game, but their fear wears off rather quickly

- absolutely despises the phone guy for no reason

- somehow really enjoys the simulator aspect of pizzeria simulator. juggles reasonable decisions with "let's buy this i wanna get a lawsuit"

samekh:

- absolutely adore pizzeria simulator

- keep buying high liability risk stuff. partially cuz it's cheap and partially for fun

- their favourite animatronic is mangle. she reminds them of themselves, in a way

- keep bickering and making fun of stuff, leading to them missing important lore

- try to beat 50/20 in ultimate custom night. fail miserably after 1 second and never touch the game again

- have had their WAS THAT THE BITE OF '87?! moment twice (they forgot about the ending)

tsadi:

- doesn't get the point of horror games in the first place

- tries playing several times, but doesn't enjoy it at all

- animatronics freak them out. the story freaks them out even more

- likes ayin's fanfiction though

- keeps forgetting the animatronics' names. comes up with alternatives, not as insulting as teth's but equally ridiculous

lamed:

- the theorist

- keeps dying in stupid ways because they're too busy paying attention to tiny details

- finds the puppet cute

- a part of them is deeply frustrated that such impressive technology ended up doing so much harm

- accidentally beats 50/20 in ultimate custom night. samekh and teth don't speak to them for like a month

- but daleth invites them to have a cup of tea to celebrate. lduring which amed infodumps them for five hours straight

alef

- starts playing because samekh think the game is nice. gets an awful hyperfixation that lasts 5 years

- likes crafting theories but isn't that good at spotting stuff. because samekh aren't good at lore themselves (and since alef is so interested in the game they're embarassed to admit it to the twins), alef discusses them with lamed

- teth teaches them pro-moves. and swearwords

- ayin shows them some of their writing

- brags about their advancements only to tsadi: daleth already hears enough, ayin isn't that interested in the game itself, teth is too good at it, samekh are too casual, and lamed is too theoretic. tsadi is indifferent about everything but alef, so they make a good listener

- knows about fnaf 4 lore. doesn't show daleth though, even if for enterily different reasons than other elders do

- thinks about the ending for years to come

[violetjedisylveon]

Hey!

Ok, I'll cave, just binged read GS and I know they reconcile eventually. But I want to know HOW

I know The twins reach out to Mac first, then Mk, purposefully leaving out Wukong

And they have understandable reasons to,

Mk and Mac too, don't seem keen on talking either, and Mr 'I can keep quiet about my emotions and suffering for all eternity as much as I damn well please if it means my loved ones can live freely' King sure as heck ain't gonna try and bother them.

So I want to know how.

HOW they get from no contact to repairing the pieces.

One of the hardest parts after all is to pick up the pieces in the first place and I'm curious as to how they get there. After all, the twins had little to no reason to reach out to Wukong again.

Honestly, I don't care who in the fam checks up on him,

but I want them to see how f***ing tired Wukong is.

Let him appear as happy as he can try to be in front of them so they don't have to worry about him but let it be obvious he's not ok.

The house's a mess, his voice is hoarse from rarely speaking for weeks, there are bags under his eyes, his fur is unkept and honestly he reaks.

Then he asks them if they'd want him to leave.

Let them be puzzled as he says at the drop of a hat, he can vanish from their lives for eternity and he wouldn't mind

That the mountain was his daughters' and Mk's birthright and should they wish to start a new life there with Mac or even the spider clan, he can pack up and pop off if they wish.

If they want to continue staying with Spider Queen, travel the world or heck start their own kingdom, everything in the Monkey king's treasury would be theirs for the taking.

Hell, he'd understand if they want nothing to do with the place and never see it again, He'd cloud the island in an unsearchable mist so the mountain would only ever exist in legends.

If they want they can search for a memory wiping artifact if they wish to forget any of the horrific trauma and simply wish to live in peaceful ignorance and he'd help them look for it.

But before they answer he tells them that even if he hasn't shown it, he still f***ing loved them more than anything. That they were always at the forefront of his mind and deserved nothing less than the best and if it was in his power, he'd trample the heavens or collect the stars or collect enough power to do so.

That he's sorry that he couldn't be what they deserve and if disappearing from the family he held so dear but had no obligation to forgive his sins, then so be it.

Hell, he'd understand if they wanted to take an eye for an eye and do a number on him as some sort of sick catharsis in his mind. I mean, he's stupidly immortal, he'll be fine and even if he wasn't he'd still do it anyway. If they really wanted, he could go visit Yama and see if they'd take an extra prisoner, not like he's got anything better to do with his time.

Here, they see him and his mother f***ing lowest and for once see, not the great sage, not the monkey king.

But a tired old miserable person. One, haunted by the sins of his past, a whole lot of love but was kinda f***ed over by the world's cruel sense of humor (aka us).

Let them be disgusted by Wukong's almost catatonic expression at what he's willing to do for them. The almost grotesque ways he'd offer his head to roll at their feet.

Ima let you do the rest

Hello! Thank you for this treat of an ask!

I really did fuck over Wukong extra hard here, huh? I regret nothing

Reconciliation will not happen without outside intervention.

I love all these monkeys dearly, but let's be honest, they're all stupid, stubborn, and can't properly communicate, they aren't doing this on their own.

DBK, Pigsy, Sandy and Tang have been helping Wukong post season 5 after Macaque was gone, and it worked for a little, until Wukong started receding further inward and ignoring all their attempts to reach him.

They're doing their best but there's only so much they can do with the guy who so whole heartedly believes everyone in his life is better off without him.

They get a little sneaky with it cause they know these monkeys won't communicate by themselves.

A few times when MK is visiting Red Son, DBK will be talking about how he's worried about his little brother, Wukong hasn't left his house in a while, and he stopped responding all together lately.

And when Sandy's visiting the spiders, and letting Mo have a playdate with Bai He's kitty, he'll bring up to one of the other spiders how he's getting concerned over Monkey King's mental health, it seems to be getting really bad and he doesn't know how much longer he'll last, Macaque naturally overhears that conversation.

Because MK and Macaque do still care about Wukong, sure his actions hurt them a lot and they are very upset with him, but it's because they cared about him that it hurt so much.

They both are a little bit concerned about him, and having had the time and space to work through some of their own internal shit and come to better terms with it, they feel ready to drop on by for a little check in to see if he's really doing as bad as everyone is saying or if they're just trying to get the monkey family together prematurely.

The twins aren't big fans of the visit to a potentially dangerous and violent Monkey King when he's not entirely in his right mind, but they are tagging along to keep their dad and brother safe, and to satiate their own curiosity because surely it can't have been that bad, right?

...

Right?!

The four of them drop by the mountain and see all the little monkeys hovering outside the shack, none daring to enter.

When they come inside, he's acting normal, happy almost, but this is a group of living lie detectors, and every word out of his mouth about how he's doing is a lie.

The house is a mess, the place clearly hasn't been cleaned in months, Wukong doesn't even have the energy to apply a glamor to clear up his eye bags and bloodshot eyes from lack of sleep, his fur is unkempt and matted to the point where it needs to be cut and start over, and he stinks.

It's an odd encounter, to see him so defeated, for the twins especially, he's not the Monkey King, not Sun Wukong, not the monster they thought he was, he's a tired man who once upon a time just wanted to love and be loved. It starts to put things in perspective for them.

They all see how exhausted of living he looks, his existence has been suffering since Macaque and his cubs were taken from him.

This is the first time he's seen all of them since the pillar of heaven, so he asks them what he's always known the answer too, "would you be happier if I left your life?"

To him, the answer is obvious, of course they'd be happier, he's the reason for all their pain and suffering, everyone is happier without him ruining their lives.

He offers them anything and everything they want, he'll leave the island to his cubs and fuck off into the void of space, never to be seen again, he'll make the island disappear with himself on it so they never need to think about him again, they can just say the word and he'll do anything they want, they can hurt him drag him down to the underworld, anything they want, whatever makes them happy.

The one about making the island disappear does give me a fun little spin off where no reconciliation occurs, so he makes the island disappear, and then centuries later a little monkey bull demon cub manages to find the unfindable island, shenanigans ensue, Wukong's still not ready to be a grandpa lol

MK and Macaque don't want him out of their lives entirely, they do still care about him, and MK wouldn't exist if Wukong hadn't been such a mess that Nuwa deemed it necessary to create a fix for. The fact that he's so willing to throw away his own life and happiness doesn't sit well with them, but they don't get the chance to say anything to dissuade him from this way of thinking, Wukong doesn't give them the chance too.

He loved his family so much, from the start when it was just him and Mihou, he loved his daughters even when they were developing in their eggs, and he loved MK from day one despite all the pain and unpleasant memories his existence brought back to him.

He still loves them, he will always love them no matter how much they hate him, he loves them, and he's so sorry he wasn't strong enough to protect them from the consequences of his actions, he's so sorry he failed them all. He doesn't expect or want their forgiveness, he just wants them to be happy, if that means he's gone, then so be it.

Macaque and MK don't want him gone, he means too much to them for them to never see him again, they see him like they never did before, he's a tired, broken, sad man desperate to make his family happy. They won't be happy with him gone, they are horrified by it, how could he think this is the solution? It won't make them happy.

But MK and Macaque are the easy ones, they have a relationship with him before all the bad stuff, it's the twins that are the hardest.

They're the ones who died because of him, they're the ones he nearly killed, what is their response to this?

They are disgusted he thinks this is the answer, they are disgusted and upset by how casual he's being about it.

They've had time, a lot of time to think and process how their lives were twisted and manipulated, how much of it was actually Wukong's fault and how much of it wasn't.

They don't like how their lives ended up playing out, they don't like all the suffering they went through because of Wukong, they don't like that they were pawns in someone else's game, they don't like any of it, but they are tired of being angry about it.

Anger burns and burns until there is nothing left, and they are burnt out.

They have always been angry, they were raised and trained to be nothing but angry and hateful, and they don't want to be angry anymore. (Was I listening to I'm not angry anymore when I came up with that? Mayhaps)

They are done burning, done being angry, done with all of that.

It's been at least 4 years since the pillar, they want to move on from anger, and seeing Wukong like this, exhausted, willing to give them his head on a silver platter if he thought that'd make them happy?

They don't want that. It's the easy way out.

They won't let him take the easy way out like that.

He owes them more than disappearing from their lives, how would that be any different from what they've lived so far?

One or both of them slap him, they're done being angry about how their lives went, they can still be upset and angry about other things, and that just pissed them off.

He says he loves them, if he really does then he'll act like it, he says he'll give them anything they want to make them happy, well they want their dad.

Then the absolute unexpected happens, Bai He and Chao-Xing hug him.

He held his daughters when they were in their eggs, and hasn't ever since.

He does not know what to do, and he short circuits when Macaque and MK join in one the hug.

Wukong does not knows how to react to his family not absolutely hating him, never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined this as a possibility.

They aren't fixed immediately, there's still issues to work out and it'll take time to be okay, but they are all on the same page with what they want now, and that's a huge step forward.

The family is at a good place to start building something new out of the pieces.

Tada! 🎉 It took them 4-5 years to heal and talk to each other, but they did it! Now, let's hope nothing else happens to them, and by that I mean I don't get evil ideas from season 6 😈

I already have a little evil idea for when Rumble and Savage gets here like, 6-8 years after this.

Thanks for asking!

Grinning Shadow AU Masterpost

[niragisqueenofhearts]

men I could fix ch. 5

I know I said fanfiction was coming and i swear to you they are just gimme some time, things are hard 😫. Now back to the show!

JANG HAN SEOK

Surprise! There is no fixing this man. That's it.

I'm sorry to disappoint you but, it's not happening sweetie.

Why...? Jesus, you guys and your need for explanations...

The man is a psychopath! He was born a psycho and died a psycho. But of course, knowing YOU, you'll need a bit more of an elaboration. Sit your ass down.

The man uses people to his liking then disposes them whenever they're no longer of use to him. That, of course, would include you. Yes, you! The mentally ill bitch who thinks they can fix this man. (Don't worry, me too twin 😙)

Are we just going to forget that this man killed 6 classmates when he was a child, simply just because?

Diagnosed with psychopathy at 16, there did seem to be some type of familial bond he had with his father, (Because the fucker would be able to get the murder cases thrown out.) However, that was until the affair his father engaged in which prompted Han Seok to kill him. It's just fuck all from there.

Being able to manipulate his own brother through forms of psychological and physical abuse, he manages to run an entire business without getting a single finger dirty, considering his company was conducting human experiments which were killing people. (If only I could do that to get people to give me money, this 9-5 shit ain't for me.)

You're probably not convinced as yet, probably shrugging your shoulders all high mighty like this man would change his entire brain chemistry for you. Honey, do I have news for you...

So, imagine you're his woman, okay. (Looking nice so far, huh?)

With this man, you have a set of expectations to live by when it comes to him.

Looks

The ability to shut the fuck up

And to not be a total fucking idiot

Seems easy so far, right. WRONG!

Let's make this one thing clear, Han Seok is a very busy man. He has no time to pander to you nor explain every little detail for you. Everything regarding his company? Not YOUR business. Do not think you have any part of this at all; you are not the priority here. He will kick your ass to the curb without a second thought. His company is his true love and you're the other woman. Que the song!

You'll usually stay home but the times he does bring you out is for press reasons. You are to shut up, sit still and look pretty. Remember, it's not you the cameras are here for. He'll buy you designer clothing but, they'll be the plainest pieces you can think of because don't you dare outshine him.

He'll once buy you a pearl jewelry set which he quickly returns because a reporter asked you a question. You get it, now?

Speaking of getting things, he is a very diligent with the way he lives so your ass better fall in line. That means following everything to D E T A I L. He has no capacity for mistakes, not at work and most definitely at home. He'll ask you to make him a drink and if it's too weak, too strong or just something he simply doesn't like, prepare to have that same glass chucked at you.

That's another thing: His Tantrums. Yelling, cursing, breaking things. He is of course, not above hitting you in the slightest. Remember the scene where he strangled his brother, not to mention he killed that very same brother? You especially are not exempt to his rage whatsoever. I'm talking knife to your neck because you left the cap off the toothpaste.

His only reason for keeping you around would probably be mainly for sex but honey, pussy is currency now. Do not expect your stay to be a long one. He will be reminding you every moment of your relationship that you will leave sometime soon, whether you leave cooperatively or in a body bag after he tosses your ass out of that penthouse window. (Damn, that was dark.)

The man is UNFIXABLE.

(I could def fix him though...)

[aliypop]

Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues

Word count: 1,584

Prompt: Elvis needs help and Cecelia can't stand to see him hurting himself and suffering

Warning: Mentions of drugs and Rehab

Note: I'm back from Graceland Y'all, this one is a bit Angtsy and Fluffy

Taglist:

@darkmoviesquotespizza

@sissylittlefeather

@richardslady121

@thegettingbyp2

@presleyenterprise

@dkayfixates

@rjmartin11

@thetaoofzoe

@your-nanas-house

@zayurir

@60svintage

@sillybookmarks

@leapresley

@everythingelvispresley

@dreamondina94

@elvismylove04

@pocketfulofpresley

@elvispresley1956

@poeandmoonknightgirl

1976

"So which is it this time... The uppers or downers...." Cecelia sighed, watching him as he popped another pill into his mouth,

"Aw hell, don't you ever knock anymore, Cece..." Elvis asked, his hands shaky. He looked weak and pale, almost as if the shell of the man she once loved stood before her as a ghost. "Not since Jesse..." She mumbled as Elvis sighed, "Baby, I need these..." He looked at her as she stepped closer, "You need help..." Her hands cupped the sides of his face, "I'm in the best Goddamn shape of my life, and you-" Elvis got dizzy as he stood up from the chair by the vanity."You need help, and you-"

"I DO NOT NEED HELP!" He shouted as he began to sweat and shiver,

"DO YOU WANT ME TO LOSE YOU, DO YOU WANT THE KIDS TO LOSE YOU! HUH!" Cecelia said, stepping up to him, her brown eyes firm and strict, "We almost lost Jesse... I can't sit here and watch you nearly kill yourself too!" Cecelia said, tearing up, "Every morning, I look at you and-"

"And you what..."

"I wonder what happened to you... To us..." Tears pooled in her eyes, making it hard for him to look at her."You used to be so confident, so sure of yourself..." her voice going hoarse, "Now you look in the mirror and wonder if the fans would notice if you gained weight..." Elvis turned away from her. He knew she was right. He needed help, "There's a place in California where they're discreet." Cecelia grabbed his hands,

"So you're sending me away, and then what..."

"Either you get clean, or I throw 17 years of marriage down the drain."Her voice was dry and loveless. She meant business,

"You wouldn't..."

"Divorce papers are on the table..."

"Cece..."

"El..." She held his hands, "Please, if not for me, for the twins..." Elvis kissed her forehead as he nodded, "If anyone asks, I'll say you're on a private vacation to Hawaii..."

"Thank you..."

"No, Thank you." Cecelia kissed his cheek,

"Jesse, Elaine, We'll be gone for a day, so behave..." Cecelia said to the two teenagers as they nodded. Both Elvis and Cecelia knew that they knew what was going on. After all, they weren't dumb,

"Daddy, please get better." Elaine charged into his fuller arms as he hugged her tightly, " I promise I will..." He smiled as Jesse hugged him,

"You know Rehab ain't bad. The nurses are hot, and they give you puddin." Jesse smirked as Elvis laughed,

"I'll keep that in mind, son."

Later that night, they flew on a private jet to California and took a getaway car, a black 74 Cadillac. The car ride was silent, but everything between them had been said just by their eyes alone. Driving towards the rehab center, Cecelia began to feel tears prick at her eyes,

"I don't know what's worse, this or when you left in 58.." His larger hands cradled her hands, "Well, I did marry you in 59, so it wasn't that bad." He laughed as she giggled, "I'll miss that." He sighed,

"Mr. Presley... I'm your nurse, Terry. We're ready for you." A woman said, approaching them as Jerry and Charlie grabbed his bags,

"Don't forget to call!"

"I won't!"

"Or write!"

"I won't!"

"One more thing." Cecelia ran to him as he faced her and kissed him. Elvis let the kiss linger on his lips as he turned bright red,

"What's that..."

"Don't forget me." Her hands were on his cheeks as she began to pet his sideburns,

"I don't think I ever could." He squeezed her hand,

2 Months Later...

"Cece, they ain't got a damn thing in here I wanna eat," Elvis groaned on the phone. Cecelia laughed, "Your doctor has you on a diet." She smirked, and he could practically imagine her with her hands on her hips. "You did this, didn't you?" he asked as she snickered, "It's for your own good. I know you love lard, but lard doesn't love you." She responded as he was eating what he called rabbit food. "Well, how are the kids doing?" He smiled as he looked at a picture she sent him. "Jesse's picked up a summer job at the family recording studio." "Is he any good?" "At not doing his job and playing the guitar, yes..." She laughed as he shook his head.

"My boy, my boy... And what about my little biscuit?"

"Elaine... Well, she broke up with Estella. She's back with Nat and Jerry's boy."

"You mean Jericho?"

"Mmm... " Cecelia rolled her eyes, "Apparently, and I quote, he doesn't put ranch on his greens..." She laughed as Elvis shook his head. "Well, how are you holding up, darlin'?"

"I should be asking you that..." Cecelia said as Elvis sighed, "I miss you like crazy." He sighed, "But I'm doing better... Getting cleaned up." Cecelia could hear it in his voice that he was lonely; she was too. "Well, I'm glad... The press keeps hounding me and the kids, and the label ain't too happy with my new album, let alone my new ideas for the company..." Cecelia groaned as Elvis heard the pain in her voice, "I just need you to get better, so I can hold you again." Elvis laughed as her spirit lit up; she hadn't heard him do that in so long. "I promise I will..."

4 Months Later...

Elvis, the legendary musician, sat in the lobby of the hotel, strumming his guitar as he awaited his visitors. Soon, Jerry and Natalia entered his view, and he greeted them with a warm smile. Elvis appeared healthier now, sporting a tan and no longer looking as sickly as before. Despite his improved appearance, there was still a hint of vulnerability in his gaze.

“How's she?" Elvis inquired as Natalia began to express her concerns. "Not doing good, she's depressed without you, won't eat, can't sleep," Natalia lamented. "It's as if she can't physically survive without you." Jerry, showing solidarity, also conveyed his emotional struggles. "I can't either," he shared, although his laughter held a hollow ring.

Elvis had only two months left before he would be declared clean and on the path to recovery. As Natalia asked, "Do you think you feel better?" Elvis hesitated, shaking his head as he spoke. "Although it's enough to support my family, I'm not sure if it's enough to go on tour again," he admitted with a hint of insecurity. "I'm not convinced that the fans would want to see me perform in this state. Leave it to the king to know what's best," Natalia injected humorously, well aware of the phrase's effect on Elvis.

6 Months Later...

As Jesse reluctantly stepped into the jet, he lamented, "But Mama, I hate traveling..." Elaine placed her bag carefully in the overhead compartment, and Cecelia responded, "It's for your daddy. He gets out today." Her reassuring smile provided some comfort. "Do you think he'll relapse?" Elaine inquired, searching Jesse's face for a response. "You know, I pray he doesn't," she said with a smile. Nervously anticipating his return, it felt like 1960 all over again, except instead of him returning from the service, this time it was from rehab. And instead of hiding a secret wedding, she'd be concealing his concealed addiction.

Jesse gently held his mother's hand, feeling his own nerves getting the best of him. "Mama," he said softly. She looked over at him, her eyes filled with concern. "Yes?" she replied, her voice tender. "Thank you," Jesse said, his voice filled with gratitude. "For what, honey?" she asked, her gaze unwavering. "For caring so much about us," he said with a warm smile, and then he winked at her, conveying his love and appreciation.

After a few hours of flight, their private jet touched down in California. The entourage made their way to the center in a sleek black Cadillac, turning heads as they arrived. Elvis took his time saying heartfelt goodbyes to everyone, making sure to sign a few autographs for eager fans. As he stood by the entrance, he soaked in the moment, surrounded by adoring supporters, before finally leaving the building.

"Daddy!" Was all he heard as two teenagers charged into his arms, "If it ain't trouble and my little biscuit." He chuckled kissing their foreheads,

"We missed you."Elaine cried,

"But Mama missed you more," Jesse added gesturing towards Cecelia. Elvis watched her walk over and it was almost as if she were floating toward him like an angel,

"Elvis," Cecelia said softly, reaching out to brush a loose hair from his face. As their eyes met, she couldn't help but notice the fatigue in his expression. "You look tired," he remarked, prompting a weary laugh from her. "Haven't gotten good sleep in 6 months," she admitted with a wry smile.

"Neither have I," he chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with amusement as Cecelia caught a subtle change in his demeanor. "What's wrong, baby?" he asked, concern coloring his voice.

After a long period of dullness, she noticed a glimmer returning to his eyes and couldn't help but fix her gaze on him. With a soft, compassionate tone, she expressed, "Your eyes are sparkling again. I've missed seeing that sparkle so much." As their lips met, she leaned in and felt his arms gently wrap around her waist, pulling her closer. After the kiss, Elvis responded in soft, breathless tones, "I've missed it too..."

[ladyhedoniste]

I still cannot get Sinners out of my head and there are specifically two things that I keep thinking about.

1. Just how many scenes there are of the characters driving through those damn cotton fields that look like they stretch into fucking eternity. They are inescapable during the daytime scenes, and they look unnatural. You know how people talk about dense mono-culture lumber forests looking really unsettling up close? That's what those fucking plantations are. They are the product of an industry built on exploitation and suffering, and they movie never lets you forget that they're there.

2. Those crisp, clean, BLEACH WHITE cotton clothes that the church congregation were all wearing during the book-ended scene of Sammie coming into the church after the night of violence. In the 21st century with modern washing machines and the option of dry-cleaning available, I struggle to keep anything that I own in white that bright and clean. Historically laundry has been a multi-day process of stain-treating, hand washing, bluing, wringing, drying, and folding. I imagine this would likely still have been the case in the 1930's on a rural plantation (we do see Sammie's mom doing laundry in a big washboard bucket at the start of the movie), and then having to keep those Sunday Best clothes out of contact with any of the soil and dirt found on a farm all the way to church...that's so so so so so much labour involved in just keeping those clothes white.

3. They did a really amazing job on the costuming in general, even if the twins suits felt slightly more modern in construction...idk, mens vintage fashion isn't my forte, but Stack's hat felt a little modern. But the background actors looked extremely authentically early 30's. You can really tell that they either sourced extremely well-preserved originals or reproduced pieces from patterns or fashion illustrations. I work with a lot of very old and antique clothing as part of my work, and it was a really treat to see the tail-end of the 20's creeping into the longer hemlines of the 30's. The repairwork on Sammie's vest was nice to see as well.

I'm really glad I went with friends so I have at least two other people to talk about this with, because I'm going to be thinking about this movie for a while.

[actual-changeling]

late-night, not entirely series meta thoughts, but i'm wondering why exactly the metatron wanted to keep muriel on earth.

the obvious answer is to have someone take over aziraphale's bookshop, knowing damn well he would have a hard time simply abandoning it, and i think it's definitely part of it. then again, he could have called on any angel to take aziraphale's place, why choose muriel, who has already proven to be easily swayed into disobeying heaven?

they quite literally opened the doors for crowley, a demon, to infiltrate heaven, and then summoned confidential files about the sacking of the archangel gabriel, which only THREE others angels had previously known about. two of them archangels, one of them most likely the metatron's assistant/right hand/whatever saraqael is.

surely it's easier to keep someone like that close and in heaven, away from any outside influence instead of letting them run wild on earth, aware that they'll go native to a certain degree. it's already started! they're reading! and enjoying it!

so why does the metatron encourage that? why put them on earth? hell, WHY did they send MURIEL to verify the miracle in the first place? i didn't question it while watching, i doubt most people did, but if you actually think about it and put yourself in michael's and uriel's position, it makes absolutely no sense.

it's like sending the intern who's been making coffee since they started a week ago to substitute the CEO in a business meeting. something will happen and maybe something will go right, sure, but there are better people for the job. people who actually know what they're doing - we see how badly muriel fails at their job, michael and uriel look like they're getting twin migraines.

(someone get them a cup of coffee and some ibuprofen. and maybe a stress ball for michael before they break something.)

my first thought was that muriel is important for the second coming. i know there are speculations/thoughts about muriel having been an archangel/angel of a higher position who, like gabriel, got demoted and their memory erased. maybe, maybe not, but it once again opens the question of why send them to earth?

maybe to keep an eye on crowley or be a walking security cam for heaven to see what's going on on earth since aziraphale was a complete failure in that regard.

then again, if i were the metatron in that situation, i'd put them in a cupboard and forget about them, and that's quite literally what they did (just without the cupboard, they took the "as far out of the was as heavenly possible" approach instead) - however i would make sure they don't *leave* wherever i put them. it's a risk not worth taking.

i don't have any definitive conclusions or thoughts, mostly just observations, so if anyone wants to chime in, please do!

[m34gs]

Saw AU Ask Time!

You know the drill: victim chosen, trap meticulously planned and set up, and victim has been properly "escorted" to the trap. However, they are knocked out and thus nothing has started yet.

Please tell me what the housewardens (or dorms if you want to add in the others) are doing in the time between as they wait for the victim to wake up and the "game" to start.

(Please note "triple checking the trap and continue working excessively" is not a viable answer as at LEAST half of the cast would do this.)

Thanks for the ask, friend! Alright, you set the rules for me, so I will answer! (for anyone who doesn't know about our Saw AU for Twisted Wonderland, please check the pinned post here and our AO3 series here)

Alright, let's get into it. I will just be doing Housewardens for this ask, to keep it from getting too much away from me, lol!

Riddle - Riddle packs himself a tart, made by Trey of course. He eats that as a snack with a bit of tea while he waits. He would not dare risk leaving behind any trace of his court cases at the scene, as that would immediately damn him, so bringing work is out of the question. It's not like he really can play croquet there, and he's in the workforce now so he doesn't have tests to study for. So, he decides to make it his leisure time and enjoy a little treat. He is also trying to get better at treating himself kindly, and giving himself a little reward for getting the trap set up feels like a good step in learning how to congratulate the "smaller" acheivements (vs the "big" acheivement of having the trap finish and destroying the evidence in its entirety before the court case can occur...Ace would like to point out that Riddle is the Only One who thinks setting up a Saw Trap is a "small" acheivement).

Leona - Leona can't nap for this one, unfortunately. He's gotta keep himself somewhat alert. I don't think he'd be the type to really scroll on his phone, and he wouldn't dare take any classified royal family work to the trap. So, I think he would just read a book for a while. He checks in every few pages to see if they're awake yet.

Azul - While most times I think he would have the twins there to talk with, I think there will be times he would be alone watching the trap. During those times, while waiting for the game to start, I think Azul would check work emails, review notes for staff meetings, and edit notes for presentations. On his phone. Jade caught him sneaking a laptop out once, so now both the eels make sure he has nothing more than his phone on him when he leaves work, unless he is travelling for business.

Kalim - Kalim is chatting with Jamil. Non-stop. He doesn't even let Jamil get a breath in. It's about everything and also nothing at the same time. He can't let himself think too hard about what's about to happen or he will back out. Jamil has learned at this point to just let Kalim chatter away and just provide the occasional hum or nod and everything will go smoothly.

Vil - Vil takes his work very seriously. I feel like he tries to split his focus as little as possible so that he can give his effort entirely to what's in front of him. That being said, even in the busy world of modelling and show-biz, there are lulls. When he's busy, he's busy as hell, so he knows to make every moment of downtime count. I think for Vil, while he's waiting for the victim to wake, he would rehearse lines and review scripts for whatever upcoming film or show he's in. Naturally, Rook would help him and gets very into it and they probably almost forget they're doing a trap until the victim wakes. But, if he's stuck with Epel to help with rehearsing lines, he's counting down the seconds until their victim wakes up.

Idia - Idia's pretty straight-forward. The majority, if not all, of his traps he can supervise remotely. While he waits for the victim to wake, he is either gaming or watching an episode of his favourite anime (something he's seen many times so he doesn't feel annoyed if he has to stop watching partway through).

Malleus - Malleus is planning his next date with Yuu. Let's be real, that's on his mind almost 24/7. He takes the time while the victim is still stirring to jot notes on things he noticed through the day that made him think of them. He thinks about places he would like to take them, places where the light and surroundings would suit their beauty, places that have the best tea, places that have delightful little snacks. If he's made a new gargoyle friend, he will plan a walk specifically to show Yuu. He can easily plan out at least two dates within the time his victims are asleep. :D