#Giving love a shot part 52

[whateverisbeautiful]

♥️Reveling in Richonne - TOWL

#52: The Ring Finger (1.06)

gif cred: @machonnes

We’ve arrived at the TOWL finale. 🥹🥳

And y’all, the way this finale kicks off with that opening scene...🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. Episode 6 hit the ground running by starting with one of Richonne's greatest moments. I love how in the first episode of TOWL, Rick essentially gave his hand for the marriage. And now in the final episode, Michonne gives her hand in marriage. 🥰

Thanks to this gorgeous wedding ring scene and their parting kiss in the woods, this teaser is top tier. Also, Richonne + candle-lit scenes stayed a blessing to the end 🕯😍...

Sometimes there are scenes that make me want to know exactly who came up with the idea so I can thank them personally. And this right here is one of those scenes. 😋 Whoever’s idea it was to have Rick put the ring on Michonne’s finger while making love surrounded by candles needs a medal lol. 👌🏽🏅

So diving into these finale revelings, I noted that the episode description for The Last Time says “Rick and Michonne have to perform a near impossible miracle” And well, since Richonne is blessed and highly favored of course they pull off a miracle. 😇

The episode begins with Rick saying, “I remember it all. What it was like. Who we were. Who we are now.”

If I’m not mistaken, I don’t think we’d heard Rick say this line before this episode. Like the following sound bites from different characters are all lines previously said throughout the miniseries, but I think this opening line from Rick is new. And it hit me on the rewatch that he’s talking about him and Michonne specifically rather than a broader ‘we’.

Like I interpret this as Rick saying how, after all their years apart, he still remembers everything about the life and the love he and Michonne had before and who they were together. You know that man has an excellent memory. Especially when it comes to Michonne. 😋

And I like that he says ‘who we are now’ because even after all they’ve been through apart, after all the ways they’ve grown and changed, who Rick and Michonne are now is still so compatible and connected. Still soulmates. 😌

Also, the episode after Rick left TWD was called 'Who Are You Now' and I love that years later, this miniseries so beautifully illustrated that who Rick and Michonne are now are still wholly each others.

The first shot as Rick says this is a shot of mountains as the helicopter flies over the terrain. And then I adore that when he says “Who we are now” we get to see Richonne in the now as they lay in this setting that always gives me regal medieval vibes fit for TWD's royal couple. 🤩

gif cred: @nerd4music

Now, I always smile when I think about my first time watching this scene. I knew this episode had an S rating going in but I didn’t know what that would entail since I thought Episode 4 would probably be the last time Richonne had a bedroom scene. And so when they cut to this scene, I remember my eyes immediately focused on what items were left on top of the table because it’s the finale so I thought certainly the stuff on the table was intentionally placed.

But then...my eyes started picking up on some motion going on in the background - and I was gagged. 🫠

I quickly realized that the most important thing going on in this scene is those two lovebirds in the back re-consummating the marriage. 👌🏽

gif cred: @nobleriver

I love everything about this. 🥰 The sensual setting with the abundance of candles. (And I just know it was that true blue romantic Rick that lit all those candles for their special 'wedding night.' 😋)

The rich colors, the lighting, the literal and figurative smokiness coming off this scene, the way the camera slowly glides over the table and inches closer to Richonne fully in their element together. 👩🏽‍🍳💋

gif cred: @nobleriver

After Rick had to watch the memory of Michonne burn away in the premiere, it’s beautiful that in the finale Rick gets to be truly back with Michonne surrounded by the far more romantic and uplifting flames of all those candles. 🕯👌🏽

Whenever I see this scene now, Richonne is all I see. 😋 But the items shown really are intentionally placed and all tell the story of their travels: the noodles, the whiskey, the soda, the map and notes, the CRM uniforms and thread. And the sound bites that play from the characters also tell the story of Richonne’s TOWL journey.

At first, I thought the sound bites were simply recapping the journey, but on rewatch I see they have even more intention in both shaping the story thus far and setting up what's to come in this finale. 

First Michonne says, “My name is Michonne. I lost someone. Years ago.” And in the background it’s so sweet seeing all the caressing going on between Rick and Michonne. Once again, it’s a canon fact that he loves being on top of her. And I love the way they’re holding onto each other and the way he’s tenderly touching her face. 🥹

gif cred: @nobleriver

Then Okafor says, “You both possess something I believe the CRM needs to become what it needs to be.” And while Okafor was originally saying that to Rick and Pearl, the line is reiterated here because it’s Richonne who truly possesses something that can change the CRM for good.

(Side note: Y'all, I must admit it's a true challenge for me to try and write and pay attention to what these characters are saying right now when Richonne is back there like that making me distracted. 😋 I keep having to rewind and refocus.🤭

Like I know we all see the way Rick has Michonne's legs hiked up in the air during this part. These talented actors are very good at selling these scenes, that’s all I gotta say lol) 

gif cred: @nobleriver

Then it’s a bit of an audible jump scare when Jadis says, “People are a resource.” Didn’t quite want to hear a snake at a blissful moment like this lol.

But I'm pretty sure that corpse's line was used because Rick and Michonne are about to protect the people from the people with their plan to expose the CRM higher-ups.

Then we get a palette cleanser from hearing Jadis when we hear the best bestie Nat say, “I know how to build things and I know how to burn things, but it takes more than that at the end of the world.” And the intentionality behind using that line here is definitely because Richonne will end up employing Nat’s techniques to take down the CRM's leaders and also because the concept of building vs. burning was explored throughout the show and led to the answer that sometimes you have to do both. 

As Nat says this, we see Richonne’s backpacks and other things spread out on the ground. The way all their stuff is sprawled out...it seems like the second the mood hit and the candles were lit they threw everything off and got down to business lol.

I like how the most significant items are closest to Richonne’s bed. There’s a bloody sword and ax which feel like they pay homage to some of Richonne’s signature weapons. And I like how the blood on the sword and hatchet just adds to the fact that this stunning love story takes place in an apocalypse of all places, between two apocalyptic all-stars.

Along with the weapons, there’s Rick’s prosthetic, the meaningful iPhone, and the Danger lighter.

And best of all, y’all...there’s the wedding ring. 💍😏

gif cred: @coolpartytimefan

As Beale’s voice says, “You tried to escape four times. Why are you here?” Rick slowly grabs the wedding ring, serving as a visual answer to why he’s here - He’s here because of Mrs. Grimes.

And y’all, when I tell you I nearly passed out just seeing that he was slowly grabbing the wedding ring. 🤭 I did not know that this epic love story was going to get this good. #BoundlesslyBlessed.

Along with the visual answer, there's then a verbal answer to why Rick and Michonne are here when Thorne says, “There’s someone you love out there.” I love hearing that play over this visual of Richonne, because truly Rick and Michonne are the one for each other and their love has fueled them to keep going. 

As this is said, Rick proceeds to do the most romantic thing ever when he slowly slides the wedding ring onto Michonne’s ring finger. Just 🫠…our ship is goated for a reason. It just don’t get any better. 👏🏽

gif cred: @msanonships

I love the way Michonne is looking up at him with her hand on his chest and then when she realizes what Rick’s up to she holds up her hand and watches as he puts the ring on her finger all slow and sexy. And Rick is locked in during this moment, honey. 🔥

I adore how honored Rick is to be able to put this ring on Michonne and to be her forever husband and to have her as his wife. She’s Mrs. Grimes...

And I just love that he wanted her to wear the wedding ring for this intimate moment that gives such wedding night vibes. Like there’s something so sacred and majestic about this scene, especially with the lux colors, lush blanket and pillows, and the candlelight glow. 😍

Not only does Rick feel that Michonne deserves the world - he makes it his personal job to give it to her. And he does a damn good job, doesn't he? 👏🏽👏🏽😊

gif cred: @lousolversons

Rick is also very good at making things a moment and this crowning moment very clearly had an affect on Michonne. Because as Rick so tenderly slides his hand down Michonne’s arm and then looks in her eyes, Michonne looks up at her husband like she thinks he is truly the sexiest man on planet earth.

And you know what we always say…Michonne is always right. 😇

gif cred: @coolpartytimefan

I love that Michonne’s journey took her from one; looking quite taken by Rick in their pre-canon seasons of TWD.

To two; lying down alone fiddling with Rick's ring on her finger in her final TWD episode. (Which I've always loved that after Rick's season 9 departure, Michonne wore that ring because she knew that who she and Rick were to each other was 100% husband and wife).

To three; now lying down with Rick over her so lovingly placing her wedding ring on her finger. 🙌🏽🥳

Rick always wants Michonne to know, in every way that he can express, how much he loves her. 🥹 And the abundant love Michonne continuously has for Rick is always written so clearly on her face. 🥹

Also, with Rick not having a ring finger himself it feels like placing this wedding ring on Michonne during a moment where they’re this one and interconnected is almost like placing the ring on them. 

gif cred: @coolpartytimefan

As they have this eye contact moment that is just chemistry on another level, it’s paired with Michonne’s heartrending line from the masterpiece Episode 4 when she asks Rick, “Do you still love me?” And Rick passionately answers, “Always.”

Those are fitting lines to include because this TOWL journey had Richonne having to navigate what their love looks like now and officially see that they truly have always loved each other and always will.

And now here they are in this beautifully intimate moment, one in every way, letting their undying love just fill the entire atmosphere. 🥰

gif cred: @coolpartytimefan

And truly, Rick looks at Michonne like she’s the most beautiful treasure in the world. At this moment, he's looking at her like he’s again thinking “I love you always.” And in all ways. Amen. 👌🏽

I adore how, after he puts the ring on, both Rick and Michonne look like they've somehow managed to fall even deeper in love by the second.

Michonne softly places her ring-clad hand back on Rick's chest and then he leans in as they share another very passionate kiss. And y’all, the only beef I have with this teaser is with that fade-to-black. It comes in too quick lol. 🤭The fade-to-black could’ve waited just a second or two more, because you know some of us be greedy. 😂

But regardless, it’s a great hot-and-heavy kiss and just shows yet again that Rick and Michonne are each other's strongest craving. This whole Richonne ring moment was perfect. 🤩

TOWL really said 'I now pronounce Richonne the hottest husband and wife on television.' 🔥👏🏽

gif cred: @msanonships

Ages ago, I was really eager for Richonne to have rings of their own, and little did I know I’d just have to wait about eight years and then Rick would put a ring on Michonne in a stunning lovemaking scene like this. And once again, it was entirely worth the years-long wait. 😇

I appreciate the way this opening scene just immediately set the tone of how TOWL started as an epic love story and would conclude as an epic love story. What a dream. 👏🏽

And because we’re spoiled, y’all, the teaser doesn’t even end there. 

They then cut to the woods with Rick and Michonne looking like the baddest to ever do it in their black CRM uniforms as they walk forward with the helicopter in the back. Move over Mr. and Mrs. Smith, this is Mr. and Mrs. Grimes on a mission. 🔥

gif cred: @nerd4music

And then as Rick and Michonne walk, they stop and turn to each other and immediately kiss like their life depends on it and I’m always here for it. Like I’ll forever be elated over the fact that there were kisses in every single episode of this 6 episode miniseries, and not just that but most episodes had multiple kissing scenes too. Richonne kissed more in 6 episodes than they did in their four seasons on canon on TWD.

gif cred: @ricksmarlene

And truly, not even just from a shipper perspective but from a story perspective, it makes perfect sense for these characters who are madly in love and haven’t been able to express it for over eight years to be kissing all the time like this. Cuz I mean...

And now that they’re back together, of course these soulmates are going to make up for that lost time every chance they get. It's just realistic. 😌👌🏽

So I love that our goated captains came back to make this 6-episode miniseries and said guess how many episodes we can fit kisses into...

All 6, baby. 😋 This particular kiss in the woods is meaningful too because Rick and Michonne are about to part for the first time since agreeing to go home together and you know for magnets going their separate ways isn’t easy or ideal, especially when what they’re parting to do is dangerous.

But I love that because their kisses are communication, this kiss was the two making it so clear to each other that no matter what the CRM tries to do, they are each other's ultimate choice and they’re in it together.

Like I love the reassuring vibe of this passionate kiss and the way Rick holds her face and then the way they stare into each other's eyes afterward and nod, again communicating so much. 🥰 They’re about to reenter the lion's den and this moment just felt like them giving each other the strength to do so. 

gif cred: @nerd4music

And y’all, you know I stay getting distracted by Richonne so I forgot Michonne's voiceover is actually saying something in this scene lol. Lemme go happily rewind a sec. ⏮😋

Okay, so while they share this golden kiss, Michonne gives insight into their plan when she says, “It sounds simple, right? We go in. You get the briefing. I get the dossier she left behind. We bring what we know to the city, then go home. Together.”

As this is said, Michonne holds Rick’s arm until the last second as he turns to go which is sweet. They are really each other's baby, y'all. 🥲And as she watches him, we hear her say, “It’s never that simple.” 

gif cred: @msanonships

I know that this last line is meant to be ominous but one thing I'm grateful for about how TWD & TOWL approached Richonne is that it's not like other relationships and things in the show that have to ultimately end in tragedy. Richonne was built to last and be an actual lasting win for Rick and Michonne in this series, which is why I never feared that the two would split up or die because the love they found with each other is the one thing this franchise allows to be unbreakable and triumphant.

So next, Rick slowly walks up to the gates with his hands up as his voiceover says, “I’m Sergeant Major Rick Grimes. You probably think I’m dead.” I like that line because as we know TOWL was a whole journey of Rick dying and coming back to life through Michonne. So now, for the first time in a long time, it’s Alive Rick rolling up to the CRM. 👌🏽

gif cred: @sowhumpful

Then as the CRM soldiers slowly open the gate for him, the teaser ends with Rick recalling his father's words saying, “He said I didn’t need to be scared. That it was just ‘the burning.’” Then the scene fades to black just like how this teaser started and y’all, I just gotta clap it up for that teaser. That ring moment alone had me overjoyed and then the kiss in the matching uniforms and Rick's fine gait up to the gate was the cherry on top. 👏🏽👏🏽

We were already feasting and the finale was just beginning. I appreciate that since this is ‘the last time,’ this show let Richonne do what they do best one last time and just put their love and chemistry on full display. 👌🏽😌

[whoreteen]

hello. i love your writing so much. i would love to see some enemies to lovers slash angry sex with Chan, thinking it'd be hot to see him still being so petty and throw each other's remarks while fucking so hard. forgetting they are still at the gathering where friends are still there, hearing everyting loud and clear. please please 🥹

04:52 ♡

⤷ pairing: chan x f!reader. ⤷ word count: 3,8K. ⤷ genre: smut (with feelings 😵‍💫😮‍💨😵‍💫), slight fluff, established relationship, idol!au. ⤷ warnings: exhibitionism, handjob, masturbation, fingering, oral (f receiving), dirty talk, use of pet names. (lmk if i missed anything!)

“god, just shut up,” you spit, not meeting his eyes. “i’m not fucking jealous.”

if someone asks you what your biggest regret is, you’d tell them it would be encountering chan. it’s where it got you— parties at random places, intoxicated out of your mind, being reckless…

it’s the temptations and, things you do out of jealousy and possessiveness.

it’s what he does to you.

“you’re such a fucking brat, y’know that?” chan growls through gritted teeth and an equally tight jaw. “why do you make a big deal out of nothing?”

his lustful gaze flickers between your eyes, down to your lips and back up to your eyes.

truthfully, you can’t even say it’s all chan’s fault, but you believe meeting him definitely was the first blow to your breaking point.

like, look where you are now, inhaling weed smoke and taking shots on a wednesday night, shortening your life span by doing so at a random party with a random mix of drunk party people.

begrudgingly.

you wish you weren’t in love with a delinquent. so desperate to get his attention, even if you knew he’ll break your heart into pieces all over again.

you let out a sigh, knowing you have his attention. knowing you both have each other right where you want.

“figures. you want me…” chan tries his best to fight back a smile. “you wanna fuck me so bad it makes you look stupid.”

you swallow down the desire to kiss him.

“i see you’re still as delusional as ever,” you snap back, rolling your eyes at him as you ignore the pounding of your heart.

he raises a perfectly arched brow as his face moves even closer to yours, causing you to lean back as much as you possibly can until your head hits the wall.

“and you’re still a slut for me.”

his lips are dangerously close to yours as he speaks and you feel your stomach turning. “hm? or am i wrong?”

“w-what are you d-doing?” you stammer out, pushing him away by his shoulders.

you aren’t going to let him win that easy. you can’t ever let him know how desperate you are for him, too.

the idea of him fucking you against the wall while your friends are in the next room sounds perfect. but even if you want him to ruin you, fuck you so hard like it’s the last thing he’d do; you can’t let him know that.

your inhale is sharp, your lips parted, and you finally remember how to breathe when he moves back a bit to properly examine your face.

“see? can’t even act right around me…” he laughs.

you immediately push him by his shoulders.

“baby, you’re so hot when you’re angry, y’know that? fuck, you shoving me like this and pretending to be unaffected is a turn on.”

you open your mouth to speak, but nothing comes out as you’re he cut off by the gentle kisses applied to your neck.

chan nips at your skin in a perfect mixture of pleasure and pain, leaving a few open-mouthed kisses and you can’t help but turn your head, allowing him full access.

normally, you would’ve never even dared to do something like this in a public place, but frankly you don’t give a fuck.

“got nothing to say now, huh?” he questions with a scoff. “proves my point. you want me, too.”

you don’t have anything to say— you’re speechless and your heart is quite literally pounding in your chest with how close he is to your face.

you’re drunk and high, don’t have anything to lose and currently, you want to be chan’s… well, anything.

“fuck you,” you manage to croak out.

his nose grazes yours as he lets out a dark chuckle.

he’s trying to make you give in, however it doesn’t have the desired effect he’s looking for. or so you think.

you hate his guts, and by now, the many drinks you’ve had; the joints you’ve smoke, have already kicked in and you want to be petty. you want to fight with him, just for the sake of it.

“…hmm? not going to deny it, are you?” he closes in on you and he’s silent, waiting for your response.

there is a brief minute in between all of the chaos, where all that is heard is your breaths, and all you do is stare at each other.

that’s before he speaks again, a lot more softer than before, “do you actually think i look at her the way i look at you?” he asks. “or that she can even compare?” his voice tries to soften up along with his features, but you aren’t going to fold so easily.

“bullshit,” you snarl, burning holes into his skull with your angry glare. “besides, i don’t give a fuck. like you said, we’re not together.”

noticing his jaw flex and loosen a few times through his annoyance, he finally lunges at you, pinning you up against the wall again as you groan in displeasure.

you try to twist your wrist out of his grasp that’s slowly getting tighter and tighter.

“no, seriously. do you really think i’d do that to you?” he asks, his tone still cold and demanding as his hands starts to shake slightly with the force of his grip. “after everything?”

“chan,” you groan, still trying to pull away from him. you take another shallow breath and look at him through your lashes, trying not to show how much his words are affecting you. “i’m not in the fucking mood.”

“i’m not playing with you, i’m serious,” he states, before pressing his entire body flush against yours.

his voice softens as he admits, “i missed you so much. you know you’re the only one who can make me feel this way.”

you didn’t mean to, but in that instant, you let a little, ‘yeah, right,’ slip from your mouth and that did it.

chan smashes his lips against yours with a bruising force, his hands still lingering at your bound wrists that he’s moved above your head.

groaning into the kiss, you try to turn your head, but just as you pulled away and got some air, his hands let go of your wrists and traps your face between them instead. he brings your lips against his again, somehow trying to make you feel what he feels.

you try to push him away from you by his shoulders as soon as you feel his tongue desperately prying at your lips, you know it’s over.

this man will be the death of you one way or another.

chan wraps one arm around your head and the other around your waist to keep you there, pressing you firmly against his strong frame, making you sigh into the kiss.

no matter how much you can’t stand him, how furious and angry you are, you just give in anyway, like you always do.

almost like he has some kind of power over you.

you let his tongue tangle with yours as his still forceful mouth causes yours to feel slightly swollen.

when he feels satisfied that he’s finally gotten what he wanted, he pulls away with a loud smack.

you look up at him, finding hooded eyes and parted lips. but before you can respond, a sudden, loud gasp escapes you as chan easily swoops you up with one arm, backing you into the wall, hard.

“someone might walk in,” you gasp in surprise.

“let’s give them a show.”

“fuck—” you moan as his lips leaves butterfly kisses on your jaw. “i can’t stand you.”

he pushes you against the wall, one of his hands harshly yanking your hair so hard tears appear in your eyes.

you know exactly what nerve you’d hit.

“you can’t stand me?” he asks, threading his fingers in your hair before placing soft kisses on the exposed skin on your neck. “yet here you are, all hot and bothered... your skin begging for my touch.”

a sinful, loud moan rips from your throat and goes straight to his cock as he lets his hand come up to your throat before squeezing a little too tightly, backing you further into the wall.

you feel his grip tighten around your neck, hard enough to leave bruises but controlled enough to constrict your airway.

“i hate you.”

“stop fucking lying y/n, you know that’s not true.” he snaps harshly, and you know you’d hit a nerve with him, but you honestly don’t care.

you so hate him… right now, anyway as you’d probably soften up after some time to think.

his hands begin tearing at your clothing, ridding you of your dress rather quickly.

you watch him hold the short, slightly revealing dress up in front of him as he scoffs loudly, “why would you wear this?” he asks, the tone in his voice making him sound more angry than before.

“because you always said it was your favourite,” you say with a smirk, not caring that you’re being a little insensitive.

whatever the motives behind your words were, that did it.

he groans, quickly throwing the dress aside before ripping your bra and underwear off.

you slightly frown as he takes the last of it off and you’re finally naked before him again, his eyes ranking over your exposed body shamelessly.

“i hate you,” you mumble again.

“shut up!” he barks again and you listen, but not because he told you to; because you can’t think of anything to shoot back.

“i’m gonna get you to take that back, fucking watch,” he said in a low tone, pulling his t-shirt over his head before unbuttoning and unzipping his jeans quickly.

he doesn’t even bother taking the rest of his clothes off, he just pulls his cock out of his boxers and jeans, letting you see that he’s already hard and ready.

stroking himself a few times, his fingers pulls at his shaft until you watch precum collect on his slit.

chan stops himself with a pleasured sigh just before lining himself up and shoving his entire cock inside of you.

you both gasp in unison before he starts pumping, quickly finding a fast pace.

you moan hesitantly, trying to keep each and every one of them in to show him how mad you are, but that doesn’t really work.

every moan just keeps topping the last and soon you’re withering as he drills you into the wall.

you keep your hands attached to the wall, afraid to let go, seeing as they’d probably just drift towards his hips as they work against yours. you don’t want to give him the satisfaction.

but soon, you feel your anger fading away and you can only feel pure pleasure as each of his thrusts makes you feel better…

“take… it. b-back.” chan hisses, enunciating each of his words with rough thrusts.

you shake your head and proceed in keeping your mouth shut as he just moves faster, knowing you’re close.

feeling his mouth dip down to your chest, you let out a whimper as he starts devouring all of the skin there is to reach before licking a trail up to your neck where he begins to bite and suck roughly.

“nggh— oh my god…fuck,” you moan as he finds your sweet spot, but quickly close your mouth before a loud sigh in the form of his name can escape.

you begin grinding your hips opposite of his and he moans louder as holds your hips in place to quicken his pace even more.

finally, you feel your anger reside permanently as your legs wrap themselves tighter around his waist and your hands around his neck.

you watch him crack a small smile for a split second, knowing he’d finally won, before your orgasm starts.

if you enjoyed reading this, please consider leaving feedback! love hearing you guys’ thoughts!

[afrotunada]

incomplete list of fun and interesting things I've learned about Jason Todd through my scattered readings and late night googling

One time, he was sooo desperate for affection and validation, he was willing to risk it all after an accidental, spur of the moment kiss with Barbara Gordon in Three Jokers Issue #2. Alas, he was thwarted by a janitor, the poor bastard...(much to everyone's relief I'm sure) (Batman: Three Jokers)

Batman: Three Jokers Issue #3

In addition to statuesque amazons (Artemis), blonde bombshells (Isabel Ardila), white-haired beauties (Essence and Rose Wilson), and Dick's ex-girlfriends, Jason also likes smart, curvy ladies ;) selfshippers rejoice! (although I myself am not so curvy, his love of normal girls is a positive in my book<3) (Red Hood: The Hill)

Jason hooking up with Dana's friend and employee Carmen Ortega while Dana herself (as Strike) gets her shit rocked by her other (former) friend and employee Omar (as Slayer) on the other side of town - as one does. Red Hood: The Hill Issue #2

One of Jason's first overtures at rejoining the Batfam was made in the New 52 relaunch of the 2011 comic Batman Incorporated, where he takes on the persona of Wingman at the behest of Bruce. He even teams up with Damian Wayne (going by Redbird at the time), forming their own very brief Batman & Robin-esque pair! Also, they both looked kind of ridiculous... [apparently, takes place sometime during Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 1 (2011-2015), around issues 17 and 18 and Death of A Family, but before Damian's death and his own Joker-induced gas coma. weird ass timeline!] (Batman Incorporated (2012))

Yes, that is, in fact, Jason in that getup. It's giving Cybercop Owlman. Peak fashion, actually. Batman Incorporated (2012) Issue #4

(as an additional aside, post New 52 and into the Rebirth era, Jay and Bruce start patching things up (kinda) and enter a truce of sorts starting in the Red Hood and the Outlaws: Rebirth one-shot from 2016. Yay!)

In the Elseworld of Batman: White Knight (also known as the Murphyverse for it's creator - Sean Murphy), Jason Todd is the eldest son instead of Dick Grayson, meaning that he was actually both the first Robin, and Bruce's first adopted son! He was still captured and tortured by the Joker tho....he escaped alive, but was presumed dead and given a burial and tombstone - as in the main universe - and Dick was taken on as Robin in his "absence." Poor guy! He can't catch a break even in AUs! BUT!! He does gets his own Robin sidekick in this universe - Gan! (also known as Robin IV, a young woman of Mongolian descent who took up the mantel herself with a homemade costume (similar to Stephanie Brown)). In fact, she's the one who encourages him to become Red Hood in the first place! (Batman: White Knight)

Harley Quinn is a primary protagonist of this universe, btw, and pretty much saves Jason from being killed Batman: White Knight Issue #2

Gan is my adorable daughter and Jason (the messy bitch as she calls him) deserves his own chaos gremlin apprentice<3 Panel 1 - Batman: White Knight Presents: Red Hood Issue #1 Panels 2 & 3 - Batman: White Knight Presents: Red Hood Issue #2

Speaking of AUs and elseworlds, in 2002's World Without Young Justice, Jason Todd was a circus acrobat, as per his original pre-crisis origin (minus the red hair). In this AU, he's dating fellow circus member Anita Fite (normally Empress, but here known as Voodoo Princess), but she ends up assassinating him at the behest of his step-mom, Catherine Todd, because he discovered his parents dirty business dealings with Killer Croc. What the hell Catherine? (Young Justice Vol. 1 - World Without Young Justice, Part 1: The World What Once We Knew)

Young Justice (1998) Issue #44 - World Without Young Justice, Part 1: The world What Once We Knew

Anyway! This isn't comprehensive or anything, just a post made in fun to put together some things about Jason that I think were funny/interesting that the fandom doesn't know/talk about much. Might add more later if I come across other stuff during my readings (maybe not for a while tho; I am currently consumed by World's Finest and following the Absolute Power event).

But yeah! Feel free to add on if you like! :)

[khush-chronicles]

A brief history of Bangladesh and why it is relevant to the current situation

The Indian subcontinent liberated itself from the British in 1947. Two new countries were born, India and Pakistan. The Bangladesh we know today was a part of Pakistan.

In 1952, the students of Dhaka University, along with my other, marched on the streets, protesting that "Urdu"-the national language of Pakistan- would not be the national language of East Pakistan, now known as Bangladesh.

The reason behind this was that 52% of the people in the entire Pakistan spoke Bangla. There was no logic behind declaring Urdu as the national language of Pakistan as a whole. Much like India, there was no need to have a national language.

Students marched on 21st February, ignoring the red alerts. 7 students were martyred, shot by the police. But we protected our mother tongue, we established our rights, and their bloodshed was worth it.

Now, why is it relevant now? Because the history is repeating itself. Only Bangladesh's own government is playing the role of the autocratic Pakistani government. Worse, our prime minister is the daughter of the man who was the prime force behind the liberation of our country.

Bangladesh is the only country in the world that has 256 kinds of quotas reserved for various kinds of people. Even 10% for women. All are applicable at various levels, starting from primary school admissions to government jobs. 56% are reserved for quota holders altogether. 44% are for normal people.

Now, if it had been the other way around, no one would've been that angry. Bangladesh is a country of 200 million people. let's just say 1/4th of them are students. 50 million. The population of quota holders is 200 thousand. Is it not laughable? The 200 thousand students have the right to study, and get jobs and the remaining 49+ million have to fight for 44%? What kind of joke is this?

See the similarities? Trying to give everything to the minority?

The quota most applicable is the "freedom fighter" quota. The people who fought during the liberation war in 1971. Utmost respect and love towards them. But why should their grandchildren benefit from their participation? What is the guarantee that these grandchildren won't harm the country, the same country that was liberated by their grandparents' blood?

The freedom fighters who are still alive, they are ashamed. The population during the war was 70 million. 3 million were martyred. But more than half of the population fought, and the women gave shelter, food, and help in any way they could. Not every one of them collected their certificates. Most of them were illiterate, they didn't even know what a certificate was. And those who knew but didn't collect, and are alive, are saying that they didn't fight so their grandchildren could take advantage, they fought to save the country, they didn't fight for glory.

Our Prime Minister fled the country during the war. There are no records of her brothers fighting in the war either. Her father gave speeches in his white clothes but never picked up a rock to throw.

That aside, now students from almost every university in Bangladesh are protesting against the quota system. So many students cannot be wrong. And the government cannot again be right. It's the minority vs majority all over again.

Another uncanny similarity, 7 were martyred today. 16th July 2024, 7 were given their lives again, for the right study and do jobs and serve their country. What a downfall it is when our friends, seniors, and juniors are giving their lives, just for such simple rights. Where is democracy? Where is liberation? Is this what our grandfathers fought the war for?

The situation is worsening every hour. On 25th March 1971, Pakistani military forces raided homes. Not universities, not halls, HOMES. Of the general public. This was called "Operation Searchlight". No electricity, no light, no warning. Only breaking into homes and massacring men, women, children, and old, children without discrimination or thoughts. Again, something similar is happening.

There is this group called "Student League", they are students of various universities as well, but they are basically bootlickers of the prime minister. They follow whatever she says without any sense of morals.

The minister for education paid them to attack students in halls- confessed by a member of the Student League.

They entered the halls, and hospitals, beat up injured students, locked the hall rooms, and harassed the female students. The video clips that were shared, the screams of the girls, the way they were saying "Brothers save us", it's giving me goosebumps while I am typing it.

They stabbed many students who were returning home. They beat up many many girls who were silently standing by the roads. They harassed the general public.

Both sides are students. Only their teachings are different.

What's about to happen? How many more are dying? The internet connection is off. We can only access through VPN and Wifi. There is a red alert around the areas where most universities are situated. They are cutting off electricity where the protests happened and raiding houses. Again, the similarities. They are checking the homes of the general public if they are housing student protestors. If yes, the students are being dragged out on the roads. Where is freedom?

There is much more happening, which I am not even writing about right now. Much more to come.

Is this what Liberation is? Then I do not want it. If this is what freedom is, I would rather be in a cage.

My account isn't very big, but I am still posting about it. If yours is or if your friends' is, if you come across this post, spread it. Let the world know what an autocrat that woman is. What a tyrant she is.

PS: About a month ago Bangladesh was deemed "The most Peaceful Country in Asia" which is a blatant joke.

I have never been so ashamed and proud of my country at the same time.

[professoruber]

Mia "Maps" Mizoguchi Reading List

Last Updated: 24/4/2024

A list I have decided to make for the purpose of compiling the various appearances so far of Maps Mizoguchi; since she is a character I like whom has also been receiving some focus as of late. I will also provide some brief description/thoughts for each one.

Gotham Academy (2014-2016) - All Issues

Maps of course first made her original appearance in the first run of Gotham Academy.

Gotham Academy: Endgame (2015) - #1

A one-shot comic which was one of several tie-ins made for the Endgame event which was going on at the time. Basically just shows what Maps and the GA crew were up to while Gotham was being overrun by Joker zombies.

Gotham Academy: Second Semester (2016-2017) - All Issues

The continuation of the Gotham Academy storyline, with of course has Maps in a major role.

Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy (2016-2017)

A crossover between Gotham Academy and the Lumberjanes, which I'm pretty sure is non-canon but still probably worth checking out. I have not read it, nor the Lumberjanes comics yet, although I do intend to do both as some point (due in part to ND Stevenson being one of the authors of Lumberjanes, and me really liking the She-Ra reboot and Nimona)

Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death (2016) - #1

Maps, alongside other Gotham Academy students (including Olive, Kyle, Colton and Pom) have a brief cameo in this first issue of this run. Maps and Olive each get one line each.

Batgirl (2011—2016) - #51, #52, & Annual 4

Maps (along with Olive) also showed up briefly during the Batgirl of Burnside run. My assumption is this is due to them sharing an artist and being published concurrently. I do know what Burnside!Babs isn't everyone's cup of tea so keep that in mind, I suppose.

My Video Game Ate my Homework (2020) - #1

Maps and Olive show up behind the main characters in the first page as a cameo... and that's about it. The comic seems fun though, for the record. Mostly including this because I'm just going through the list of Maps' appearances on the DC wiki.

Batman: Black and White (2021) - #4

One of the stories in this issue has Maps appear as Robin. Non-canon but still a very neat and fun appearance by her.

Batman (2016-) - #119, #120, #121

Probably Maps' first major appearance since the end of the Gotham Academy: Second Semester. These give some additional exploration of her home life and relationship with her parents. Has her dressing up as Robin to investigation the disappearance of another student.

Batgirls (2022-2023) - #11

Maps shows up here and has an adventure with Cass. This also means that Maps knows Babs, Cass and Steph. Which is neat. I do know that the portrayal of the Batgirls in Batgirls isn't everyone's cup of tea (namely portraying them as younger / less mature than they have been in the past) so that that's worth keeping in mind. Interestly, Maps' big brother Kyle has a larger role; appearing in #10, #11, #17, #18, #19 and the Annual as a possible love interest for Steph.

DC's Saved by the Belle Reve (2022) - #1 

A one-shot with several stories, including one which returns to the Gotham Academy crew and gives some information on what's happened since the end of Gotham Academy: Second Semester, along with a fun adventure.

Gotham Academy: Maps of Mystery (2023) - #1

A one-shot which acts a compilation of Batman (2016-) - #119, #120, #121, as well as Maps appearances in Batman: Black and White, and DC's Saved by the Belle Reve.

Birds of Prey (2023-) - All Issues

The newest Birds of Prey run has a surprise appearance by Maps. Which I think is a neat sign of her receiving some increased focus as of late. To get into some mild-ish spoilers... the Maps who appears is a Maps from the future. I have made a few posts/reviews of this run, which you can find on this blog, and I guess personally I am not the biggest fan of her portrayal in this comic. Still is neat to see her receive more focus. Do kinda also think it could've been neat if Present!Maps had shown up instead of Future!Maps.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2023-) - #10, #11, #12

Gotham Academy returns! As does Present!Maps. A fun ongoing story of Maps getting to team up with Batman once more.

[thgfanfictionlibrary]

Mature Rated Fics Masterlist (53)

Part 1 - Part 48 / Part 49 / Part 50 / Part 51 / Part 52 /

Created: March 27th, 2024

Last Checked:------

pretty boy, pretty girl-folkookie97 (ao3) Summary: Peeta lays his head on Katniss' lap and wanna praise her. Pretty Peeta-kismet4891(ff) Summary: Katniss Everdeen has everything. She is successful, powerful, and wealthy beyond comprehension, but she is also incredibly lonely and lacking any true human connections. Peeta Mellark has nothing. He is dirt poor, barely surviving, and doing the unthinkable to stay alive, but is able to hold onto hope even though there is no reason for it on the street. Putting Him First- kismet4891(ff) Summary: Canon, One shot, Mature: "I no longer just exist but have come to enjoy and revel in the life that Peeta and I have built. What we have is exactly what I told myself I never wanted. It's love, and it's raw, and real and necessary for both of our survivals. Trying to imagine myself without the divine co dependency we share would rob the breath from my lungs." Real Is My Always-hutchabelle (ao3) Summary: Katniss and Peeta wake up together the morning after she tells him, “Real.” Riptide-JLaLa (ao3) Summary: The elder Mellarks wanted a grandchild—by any means necessary. Sacrifices-endlessnightlock (ao3) Summary: As the lone victor of the 74th Hunger Games, sixteen-year-old Katniss learns that she will soon have to enter the world of forced prostitution. She goes to 26-year-old Peeta for help, and they both have to deal with the aftermath of their choices. Santa Baby-JLaLa (ao3) Summary: “I’m giving you till Christmas Eve to get this all out of your system,” his father told him. “Come Christmas, you will marry the South Pole Princess.” Not if he could help it. Christmas Eve, he repeated resolutely. He had till Christmas Eve to find his true love. Fluffing it up for the Holiday season. Everlark AU. Semper Fidelis-Falafel_Waffel (ao3) Summary: Always loyal. Nothing's come easy for Sergeant Katniss Everdeen. She's had to fight for everything, and as a result has become proud in her self-reliance, but when she's deployed to Iraq a ghost from her past reminds her it's ok to lean on someone. Small Town Secrets-hutchabelle (ao3) Summary: District 13’s policy prohibiting co-workers from dating is well-known and non-negotiable, which is unfortunate for Peeta and Katniss. They’ve dated secretly for two years, hiding from prying eyes and avoiding facing the realities that threaten their relationship the best way they know how—sneaking into each other’s houses for illicit sex. Prompt: Thorns Snow Removal Services-Xerxia (ao3) Summary: Part of my Everlark Advent collection, this is Day 4, and is being posted separately because it is part of a series of one-shots from this universe.

[specialinterestshows]

This post will be updated with every new section of fic that I write in this series. Warnings are at the beginning of each section:

Absolute Smokeshow (Rhea Ripley x lady!reader)

Summary: You meet the famous Rhea Ripley over a joint and she confides in you about her relationship issues. What starts as one night getting baked together turns into a series of stoner adventures as the two of you grow closer.

Part 1: “I Wanna Take You To A Gay Bar”

Part 2: “I Call Shotgun”

Part 3: “When The Bong Breaks”

Part 4: “The Judgement Gay”

Part 5: “Stoner? I Hardly Know ‘er!”

Part 6: “EXpectations”

Part 7: “Getting Two Birds Stoned At Once”

Part 8: “This Is My Bisexuality”

Part 9: “Gone With The Riptide”

Part 10: “Eat, Sleep, Breathe”

Part 11: “Carry On”

Part 12: “Eradic-Ate-Her”

Part 13: “Seeing Green”

Part 14: “Take Charge”

Part 15: “Toy With Me”

Part 16: “You Shouldn’t Have Come”

Part 17: “The Rhea Ripley Effect”

Part 18: “(Smoke) You Out?”

Part 19: “Feeling of (Be)longing”

Part 20: “Get Your Motor Running”

Part 21: “Food For Thought”

Part 22: “Lesson In Restraints”

Part 23: “Give Me The Strap (And Let Me Get Off, Please, Mami?)”

Part 24: “Come (But Don’t Go)”

Part 25: “Smoke And Mirrors”

Part 26: “Kiss The Cook”

Part 27: “Shower Head”

Part 28: “Siren Song (Caught In A Riptide)”

Part 29: “Good Bi (For Now)”

Part 30: “Remote Control”

Part 31: “Meet And Greet”

Part 32: “Backstage Rage”

Part 33: “Riddle Me This”

Part 34: “Worry Less, Liv Mor(gan)”

Part 35: “This Is My Rheality”

Part 36: “Fight Or Flight Club”

Part 37: “Let Me Talk To You? (Yeah!)”

Part 38: “Dynamic Shift”

Part 39: “You, Rhe, And Liv Makes Three”

Part 40: “One-Fo(u)r-Three”

Part 41: “Say It With Your Mouth”

Part 42: “Living The Dream”

Part 43: “R(h)emind Me Who I Belong To”

Part 44: “Definitely A (Fucking) Mark”

Part 45: “Five Is Company”

Part 46: “TJD (Telenovela Judgment Day)”

Part 47: “A Dish Best Served Rolled”

Part 48: “In The Hotbox”

Part 49: “Once You Reach”

Part 50: “The Other Side”

Part 51: “A Prince And His Archer”

Part 52: “Vibe Together”

Part 53: “Shot, Lime, Salt?”

Part 54: “Mari (Wanna?)”

Part 55: “Good Things Come…”

Part 56: “…To Those Who Wait”

Part 57: “Watch Yourself”

Part 58: “Lay Per View”

Part 59: “Pillow-Talk Lullaby”

Part 60: “Working Out Your Kinks”

Part 61: “Sending A Message”

Part 62: “Heart And Sol”

Part 63: “The Best Planned Lays”

Part 64: “Love, Sex, & WWE”

Part 65: “Dear In Headlights”

Part 66: “Lightweight, Heavyweight, Women’s Champion”

Part 67: “Flirty Dom”

Part 68: “Face Promo”

Part 69: “R+D+Me”

Part 70: “Demons In Her Dreams”

Part 71: “News To Me”

Part 72: “Another Bump In The Road”

Part 73: “From One Show To The NXT”

Part 74: “Locker Room Talk”

Part 75: “Fast Feud”

Part 76: “Dom Dom”

Part 77: “Un Poco De Azúcar”

Part 78: “And They Were Roommates”

Part 79: “Monday Night Mami”

Part 80: “Last Call”

Part 81: “Polyagony”

Part 82: “Fights, Camera, Getting Some Action”

Part 83: Coming soon!

[laufire]

august reading meme!

BOOKS

Burning Your Boats by Angela Carter. I got through this collection of short stories slowly but surely, and it cemented Angela Carter as one of my favourite authors. The Bloody Chamber will always have a special place in my heart, but each collection had stories that made my imagination run wild and enthralled me with their prose. Some of my favourites were "The Loves of Lady Purple," "Impressions: The Wrightsman Magdalene," or "The Scarlet House."

Olvidado Rey Gudú by Ana María Matute. This is my ASOIAF. What a long, meaty, enchanting tale, seriously. This book is the magnus opus of one of my favourite Spanish authors, and tells the story of the Kingdom of Olar from its birth to its end, over five tumultuous generations. It mixes the grounded medieval setting and outlandish fantastical elements in a very fluid prose, and following the tragic tale of woe in its pages over the last couple of months was a delight.

COMICS

The Cheshire Contract (Action Comics #613-618). I wanted to read the story of Lian going to live with Roy, for Reasons. It's good and fun and short (it occupies a small part of a larger issue, 8 pages each), so if it interests you, go for it.

Batman & Spiderman. This is part of a bunch of crossovers I haven't read, and don't plan to for now, so I was mixing some context, but I read it because Talia was there lol. I don't think DC and Marvel mix well, most of the time, but this little one-shot makes it work.

Jason Todd: Rebirth (2016-2020ish). It... had its moments. Waaaaay too much Lobdell, just as the New 52, but now that I've started the next phase to fall face-first into Cheer, of all arcs... yeah, neither is good lol. But one thing that really appealed to me was the dynamic between Jason and Bizarro; hence the cover. The other highlight was the (tragically few) interactions between Jason and Duke, especially in New Talent Showcase 2017. Give me mooooore, DC!! Other than that... well, there were many things that annoyed the hell out of me (Black Mask's writing, Bruce's EVERYTHING), but let's not get into it lol.

Green Arrow (2001). What a run. I've loved it from beginning to end, really (though a bit through the middle the art horrified me xD). It turned Mia into one of my favourite characters (and in reread, elevated a rareship into an OTP, because it really works for her character :P), which is not rare given that this is clearly where here best arcs are :D. Connor didn't have enough to do, tragically, but he's a great character and I look forward to read more about him; about Dinah&Ollie as well.

Batman: Bane of the Demon. Hi yeah just mentioning this arc to tell you guys about how Ra's apparently keeps cameras in Talia's bedroom :))) he might've been watching as she hooked up with Bane (who he unceremoneously decides she must marry to advance his plans). Let's all kill Ra's.

Batman: Death and the Maidens. A Rucka story, so you know it's good (though not particularly good to Talia lbr... I'm not bothered by *what* happens, I just wish we'd seen more of her perspective, during and especially after -though that's not a mmater of *this* run of course). Bruce's dream journey/possible visions of his parents's ghost were a highlight. Do recommend.

Truth & Justice: Hunted by the Past (#4). Way better than similar "Jason fears becoming the Joker!!!" stories, though that interpretation of the character is never going to be one I agree with. I liked seeing him with the helmet again, and the art is fun. The story gave Jason yet another pre-Robin childhood friend (this one got killed

Green Lantern/Green Arrow: Hard Travelling Heroes. A fascinating read, especially taking it in its context and comparing it to how timid DC is about politics in current comics, IMO. This run was messy and didn't always seem to know what it was doing, and some of what it included or argued feels wrong from a modern perspective, but it dared to take risks and that's always appreciated on my part. My favourite story was the one introducing John Stewart; both for John himself, of course, but also because it was unafraid to write Hal as someone that despite good intentions and despite being a ~heroic character, had racist biases he needed to face and overcome.

Kingdom Come. This is one of those ~iconic comics that feels like a must-read; it's meaty and it raises questions and it's a run you could really sink your teeth into. And I didn't like it at all LOL. It's so... nostalgic and regressive and downright reactionary. Its fluffy epilogue does it no favours, too (other than prompting this post of mine, ig).

No Man's Land. I finally read the whole thing!!!!!! It took me SIX MONTHS!!!!!!!! And speaking of reactionary beliefs añdslfkjasf. But I did like it and enjoyed it far more than Kingdom Come, tbf (except Dixon's issues omg whyyyyy is he everywheeeeere he's so boriiiiiing). Helena Bertinelli is the uncontested star of this event AFAIC, and I won't hear otherwise. Well, Leslie, Barbara and Cass definitely shined too. And Montoya and Essen. Aaaand Harley Quinn has her introduction. And Selina has a lot of fun stealing things and screwing with everyone!!! And Talia gets Bruce to get his head out of his ass!!! Ugh, there's so much I could say about this run. The Renee & Two-Face issue. Alfred's tale of himself as Bruce's squire. Lynx and Batman's brief team-up. The Secret Files and Origins tale about a man named Jason who thinks Gotham is speaking to him, and who thanks Barbara for her service to the city. There is a lot in this arc that I'd gladly rotate in my mind forever. But Helena is my darling and THEE best Bat(man). That is all.

[i-heart-yellowstone]

14 - The Old Gang

Part 15

Raised Fair Share of Hell

Tag list @bvbwestfall @hcwthewestwaswcn @child-of-of-the-sunshine @elenavampire21 @keep-the-wolves-close @kmc1989 @tallrock35

Beth and I walked inside the bar immediately going up to buy drinks and just talk.  Taking a long drink from my beer before I sat the bottle down before my sister in law sent me a very serious look across her face.  “We need to talk about the people coming after your and my family's land.  Like it or not we all have to fight these invaders together.” 

“I agree but we need to include my sister in our conversations.” Nodding my head I knew she would fight like hell as possible. 

The bar door opened where I heard someone walking up behind me and covering my eyes where I went to elbow the person until I recognized the cheeky laugh.  “Sure been a while since I’ve seen you around here, Bonnie.”

“Evan Hunter, I can’t believe you’re still wearing the same Guns and Roses tea shirt from freshman year of high school.” I snorted out a laugh knowing he loved the band. 

Evan lowered his head ruffling my hair.  “You know I still love the band even if they ain’t current.” 

“What no hug for your old buddy?” Jake, one of Kayce’s childhood friends, came up to me carrying a beer in his hand. 

Throwing my arms around him in a hug I laughed again at his chest, happy to see him again.  “Hey Jake, ohh.  It’s good to see you.” 

“Hey Jake, I got the pool table all set up - Alissa?” Jake and I both turned our heads where I saw Kayce grab his former navy buddies shoulder until he noticed me standing there. 

I snapped sharply back at my father’s daughter. “What are you doing here?” 

“I'm here to play pool and drink beer with my friends.  I didn’t think you’d be here.” Kayce shrugged his shoulders in response. 

Rolling my eyes I pushed my way past him grabbing one of the pool sticks.  Leaning downward on the green table I got ready to shoot my shot but the father of my child sat his beer bottle in front of the tip of my pool stick.  “Seriously Kayce!” 

“I wanna talk to you.” He responded. 

Straightening my back I hit the end of the pool stick on the floor.  “Oh really cause I thought you told me to get out of your house after we had our fight.” 

“You got all bent out of shape when I told you I saw you with Ryan, remember.” 

Giving him the middle finger I got up in his face where our noses touched one another.  “You had no right to spy on us.  What I do with my life is my business!” 

“I’m still a part of your life regardless of how you feel about me.  We have a daughter together too.” 

Ewan slapped his hand on each of our shoulders changing the conversation back to the game.  “Hey, how about we start that pool game huh?” And so that’s exactly what we did: it was me and Jake against Kacey and Ewan.  Kayce and I were tied up. 

“Okay Kayce, it’s just you and Lissa.  Clutch time, man.  It’s just the state playoffs.  We’re down by six.  Eight seconds to go.  We need a 52 yard bomb!” Jake raised his fist in the air causing everyone in the crowd to cheer with him.  He glanced over in my direction where I was finishing a shot in my hands.  “Do you remember that, Lissa?” 

Sitting my glass down on the bar table I shifted my gaze to my best friend.  “Sure do cause that’s the night Kayce got me pregnant.” 

“Why don’t you go public with that shit.” 

Slowly walking up to him I pushed hair away that had fallen in front of my face.  “Oh please it’s not like anybody at this bar didn’t already know that.  I mean we all know he knocked up another girl he barely knew a few months after that when he got drunk at a bonfire-“ 

“Don’t you think that I have regretted that mistake every day of my life!” Kayce cut me off sharply. 

“It doesn’t seem that you care, Dutton.  Otherwise you would have stopped seeing her.” I snapped back at him sharply. 

Kayce dropped his pool stick on the floor stomping up to get inside my face with our noses pressed against one another.  “Oh like you mean like I should just get over the fact that you slept with another guy behind my back.” 

“It’s called a hook up, Kayce!” 

He shouted back at me.  “That doesn’t change the fact that you said you didn’t love me anymore.” 

“Hey, why don’t you just back off of her.” Ryan came over to us gently shoving the father of my child away from me. 

Kayce glared at turning his hands into fists, before he pushed him nearly into the nearest bar table.  “Stay out of this, ranch hand.” 

Ryan got to his feet swinging a fist at him yet he dodged it.  The two boys went back and forth trying to throw a punch at the other.  Ryan got some in good hits but he did manage to drop Kayce on the ground once or twice but he didn’t back down from the fight. 

I ran putting myself in front of Ryan so he didn’t get another punch raising my voice in defense. “Don’t put your hands on him - Ugg!” Kayce raised his fist up accidentally knocking me straight in the nose where I collapsed down onto my back on the bar floor.   Holding my nose I noticed some blood before the bar owner grabbed him by his shoulder dragging him towards the door. 

Ryan helped me up from the floor, not seeing some police officers coming in our direction until I caught sight of one of them take out handcuffs.  “Can I help you, officers?” 

“You’re under arrest, Alissa Dutton.” I recognize Sheriff Haskell stepping around the two officers and holding the handcuffs. 

Knitting my brows together I asked.  “Wait what.  What have I done?” 

“You took a swing at the Livestock Commissioner's son.” 

Dropping my hands down at my sides I rolled my eyes in disbelief.  “Come on, Haskell.  It was in self defense and I didn’t even actually hit him.” 

“I’m still taking you in.  And remember I can still charge you and Kayce for blowing up the old water tower.” The sheriff grabbed my shoulder, spinning me around and slapping handcuffs on my twisted arms that were pinned around my back.   The police department was convinced to drop the charges after John had a long conversation with his friend.  

Ryan called out my name with Beth running outside watching me get shoved into the backseat of the police car.  “Alissa!” 

“Beth, call my sister.” 

She nodded with a stern look on her face.  “I’ll get the charges dropped don’t you worry.” The car door shut in my face and we drove to the department where I spent a night in a small cell. 

Rubbing my eyes I woke up the next morning after hearing somebody else groaning loudly waking me up.  Pushing myself to sit up some against the stone wall I blinked the sleep from my eyes recognizing a black Cowboy laying at my feet.  Trailing my eyes upward I growled in annoyance.  “Kayce John Dutton, what the hell are you doing in my cell?” 

“I have no idea.” Kayce groaned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. 

Not a moment later the cell block door opened where a guard stepped inside and I saw my sister coming in behind him.  Scrambling to my feet I gently grabbed the bars staring at her when she stood directly in front of me.  “Alana, pay my bail and get me out of here.” 

“I can’t do that, sis.” She responded. 

Knitting my brows I didn’t understand what she meant.  “Look tell daddy I’ll pay him back for this.  Just please get me out of here.” 

“That doesn’t matter.  You’re still not getting out, not until you two settle whatever is going on between you two.” She waved her finger at me and then over to Kayce who had gotten up from the stone floor. 

Kayce came to stand slightly behind me, holding his cowboy hat in his hand figuring out what I hadn’t.  “You locked us up in here.” 

“Let us out right now.” I growled in the guards direction. 

He shook his head no where. He and my sister simply left the cell hallway.  “I’ll let you out when she provides me the bail money.” My mouth fell opened and I remained standing there almost frozen over what my sister had just done to us.  

[venus-of-the-hrdsell]

I want to get into Zatanna comics but I’m not sure where to start. What series do you recommend?

Hello! Don't worry, I can give you a short starting guide + some recommendations on this post so you can read without having to dive fully into thousands of issues (unless you want a detailed guide of more appearances).

The usual go to for any beginner is Zatanna (2010) by Paul Dini. It's her longest solo comic (16 issues) and it fits as a stand alone.

If you are interested, I'm currently working in a masterlist reading guide of her appearances. Zatanna is a very old character, so a lot of her appearances are scattered as cameo and team books, so often finding what to read is hard. If you want to get a little further into her character, these options I'm about to mention are good as well. More under the cut because this is a long post.

- Secret Origins (1988) (volume 2) #27

Offers a summary about of Zatanna's origin in the DC universe. A bit old, so the scans can be blurry, but still a nice read.

- Zatanna Special (1987) by Gerry Conway & Gray Morrow

Zatanna gets contacted by the ghost of her mother Sindella, which leads her to travel to secret city of the Homo Magi with her manager. A lot of details about her background are revealed her, it's one of my favourite comics for her.

Zatanna: Come Together (1993) by Lee Mars & Esteban Maroto

Four issue mini in which Zatanna tries to get a fresh new start in San Francisco, temporally retiring from her superhero career. Unfortunately, she doesn't expect to find her stay disrupted by a supernatural threat infesting the city. Still one of my favourite comics of her and the art is amazing too. It also explores her background from her mother's side of the family, which is always good and underrated.

Zatanna: Everyday Magic (2003) by Paul Dini & Rick Mays (one shot)

We see Zatanna in her best moment as a famous stage magician in a long tour. She seems to be doing great, but she still fights to have an ordinary personal life. Things get complicated when her former partner, John Constantine, shows up on her life once again.

This is a fun story! It's Zatanna only Vertigo solo book. There are some poorly aged jokes and the art is not everyone's cup of tea, but it's a fun light hearted read for everyone.

Zatanna: Seven Soldiers (2007) by Grant Morrison & Ryan Sook

Zatanna attends a superhero support group. Her powers are weak and she finds herself in a low spot in her life, but the arrival of a mysterious girl pushes her to go on a tripe to find her father's missing journals.

This mini series is part of a bigger event written by Morrison called Seven Soldiers of Victory, but it can be read as a stand alone. If you want further context, I recommend reading the event, though.

I really like this comic, though. I wish we got to see more of Zatanna's mentorship role.

Black Canary & Zatanna: Bloodspell (2015) by Paul Dini & Joe Quinones.

A fun team up comic! It's an original graphic novel. I love Zee and Dinah's friendship.

Wonder Woman: Agent of Peace (2020) #15

A fun team up issue with Diana and Zee spending quality time together.

Justice League Dark (2011) (New52) & Justice League Dark (2018) (Rebirth)

Now, to clarify. I don't necessarily recommend the Justice League Dark books, but I'm incluiding them since most of Zee post new 52 appearances are in these two books which are...a mixed bag. Justice League Dark (new 52) wasn't of my liking with the exception of the last third of the whole book (Dematteis did a good job, probably the best out of the three writers heading the book). Earlier writers didn't know how to handle Zatanna, her personality is very watered down just as well as her abilities, and she isn't really given spotlight, leadership and full potential of her abilities until Dematteis takes the pen. I also don't enjoy how off was the characterisation of other characters of the book and the overall writing quality and pace, but that's a story for another post.

Justice League Dark (Rebirth) is a step up in quality from New52, but unfortunately it continues with the weird personality shift in Zatanna's personality and the a lackuster character design. As much as I love Diana, who is part of this team line up, I think Zatanna should have been given the leader role and the spotlight. Out of this book, I sincerely enjoyed Ram V's stage on the later half on this run, who deserved to stay longer on this title.

That said, you can take a look on these titles, but you know, at least you know what to expect.

Bonus: Graphic novels, webtoons and stand alone stories

DC's new talent showcase (2018)

Truth and Justice (2020) #7 - 9

Zatannna & the Ripper (Available for Free in Webtoon, still ongoing)

Zatannna & House of Secrets (Kids graphic novel)

Batman: Urban Legends (#11-16)

Johnny Constantine & Mystery of the Meanest Teacher (she's a co protagonist here)

[rabnerd28]

Chronicling Cats (2019) Lifts

After doing the Broadway Revival, it hit me that Andy also choreographed the 2019 film (I don't know what that means, but it sure means something), and a good chunk of the choreography was changed from the revival to the movie. So time to see how bad he did with this one...help me.

1:40 Are we counting the lady carrying Victoria in the bag as a lift?

5:15 Two random cats in the background get lifted. I might have trouble differentiating the cats because of how horrible the lighting is in this movie, and they didn't give most of the background cats names. (2)

6:29 Munkustrap lifts Victoria (1)

6:45 Another Munk and Victoria, this will be a common one because her actual love interest can't do lifts I guess. (1)

7:20 Admetus (?) climbs over either Socartes or Plato. It's lift adjacent.

10:21 Several Cats lift Cassandra (this is in The Naming of Cats and they should have just cut it if they're not going to use it to actually name the cats) (1)

12:20 Random cat in background gets lifted, followed by Munkustrap carrying Victoria down. (2)

12:47 One cat is helping another cat climb on a pole in the background, and another gets lifts off another pole (2)

16:40 Munkustrap lifts Jenny down to the ground (1)

21:20 Demeter (I'm pretty sure) and another cat (Electra I think) get lifted (2)

22:40 Tugger lifts Victoria up by the hands and then drops her...I'm counting it (1)

28:11 Random cat lifts Victoria onto chair, followed by her being lifted down from the chair (2)

29:12 Random cat lifts Tantomile (1)

29:15 Several cats lift Bustopher down (1)

29:18 Munk & Tori (1)

29:54 Doesn't count but the stupid thing where they seesaw Bustopher into the trash

30:52 Three random cats (one might be Tanto) get lifted. (3)

30:58 Two of the same random cats gets lifted again (2)

32:26 Mungoteazer grab Tori by the arms and pull her up (1)

34:00 Mungojerrie lifts Victoria off the vanity, followed by him lifting Teazer onto the bed stool (2)

34:29 Mungo lifts Victoria twice (2)

40:58 Alonzo and Misto lift Victoria (1)

41:44 Random cat lifted (1)

41:57 3 random cats lifted (3)

42:08 Another cat lifted (2)

44:35 Background cat (1)

46:04 Munk and Tori (1)

46:52 Tori, Demeter, Electra, Tanto and a rando (5)

49:38 Munk and Tori, followed by four background cats (5)

49:50 Four that I can't tell, followed by the big Tori lift, which is shot horribly (5)

By what would be intermission we're at 52 lifts...not as bad as the revival, but there's still an hour of film left.

1:08:40 Random cat. This was the end of Skimbleshanks, so it was a harbinger that the good part of the movie was over. (1)

1:11:16 Munk lifts Tori out of the way (1)

1:11:29 Someone who lost the role of Eponine to Samantha Barks because she's not a good enough singer is lifted down by the other cats to the floor (1)

1:12:08 Someone who will take planes to places that are quicker to drive too and can't dance is lifted by four cats, while three other cats are also lifted (4)

1:13:02 Munk lifts Tori, then lifts her again (2)

1:13:30 Cats is being lifted in foreground for a blink and you'll miss it moment (1)

1:22:30 There's no lifts, I'm just marking the moment where I suffered through a bad romantic subplot that didn't make any sense.

1:22:36 Two rando cats (2)

1:23:04: Four rando background cats (4)

1:12:10 Misto bridal carries Tori. I know it's technically not a dance lift, but I'm counting it because I hate this romantic subplot. (1)

1:34:16 Demeter, Tanto and two rando cats (4)

1:34:49 Two unknown cats (2)

1:35:09 I notice a third one with the other two cats, they haven't come down yet (1)

So in total, we have 76 lifts, which is one less lift that the revival. The lifts are spread out throughout the whole production, which is better than having them in nothing but the first half. But you run into the problem where most of the lifts are done either in the background, or by cats that weren't given any names. Which makes me less impressed with them, and I can't even have fun making fun of all the lifts the cats do. Which is another reason this movie isn't fun to watch.

[hangmanbradshaw]

guess this is the first time I send you an ask so HIIIII STEPH!

gonna go for the song 52 on your spotify wrapped for hangster 🩷

p.s.: your christmas stories are giving christmas movie-watching tradition vibes! still gotta read them but my heart always gets warm when a new notification arrives on my email

xoxo

Omg HI!!!!! Welcome, welcome :D

(omg I hope you love them when you read. they're definitely warming my heart writing them....enjoying it way too much)

Oooh 52 omg excellent choice. It's Don't Blame Me by Taylor Swift soooo this was too much fun.

“Seresin.”

Jake froze where he was leaning against the bar as a warm body pressed against his side. He didn’t have to look to know who the voice belonged to- it was a sound that haunted his every thought, both waking and dreamed. He didn’t bother turning, hardly even flinched a muscle on the outside even as his heart pounded hard in his chest, turning his ears to cotton.

“Mickey, I’ll have another.” He said to the bartender, signaling at his empty glass. “Top shelf, on him.”

Mickey nodded and swiped the most expensive bottle from the shelf, pouring the amber liquid into his glass and sliding it over. Bradley didn’t argue it, he never did.

“Heard you were back in town. Take care of that business in LA?”

Jake hummed as he ran his finger over the edge of the glass. He kept his eyes focused there as he replied, “You know I did.”

“Hope you didn’t miss me too much.”

“I didn’t.”

It was a lie. They both knew it.

Bradley didn’t signal for a drink, but that wasn’t surprising. He liked to be in control, hyper aware of everything despite how cool he always played it. He leaned his elbows back against the bar and looked out at the crowd as he said, “Rumor is something big is going down. FBI’s been raiding your places. They’re saying your dad’s lost his touch.”

“Are they now?”

“Sure are. A couple of your people have come to us, asked to pledge new loyalty.”

He finally turned and faced him, leaning on his own elbow as he stared at the deep brown that was focused on him. Bradley looked the same as he always did- short curls pushed back, dressed down in jeans and a ridiculous Hawaiian shirt compared to Jake’s perfectly pressed three piece suit. Two sides of the same coin, he’d always thought. The son of power always dressed like it verses the son who dressed it in his own way. If anyone else had tried to wear an outfit like that, they’d be laughed at. Bradley was revered. 

“Any chance you’re gonna tell me those names?”

Bradley smirked, those eyes warming. “No way in hell, Hangman.”

“Mm. I’ll find them my own way.”

“Oh, I’m sure you will.” Bradley replied, lips curling smugly. “They’re scared, you know.”

“We’re dealing with it. You might as well hold off on dancing on our graves, cuz we ain’t dead yet. We still run this city.”

“Half of it. For now.”

He hummed again and shot his drink back in one go. Mickey raised the bottle in question, but he shook his head and tapped the bar as he stepped away. The crowd was thick, but they parted as easily as the red sea as he walked, waving his men off. He didn’t have to look back to know Bradley was throwing some bills on the bar and following, the sea staying clear for him as well, his own men hanging back.

The cold air of the city winter burned his skin as he pushed out the back door into the alleyway. He barely had two seconds to feel it before he was being turned and pushed back against the brick wall. A hand cupped the back of his head, protective and possessive as lips pressed against his. He let Bradley kiss him, let him have his fill just enough to quench his thirst before he pulled back. Bradley blinked at him, eyes wide and dark and still so thirsty, those massive hands of his scalding on his hips. 

“How bad are things, really?” 

“I told you, we’re handling it.”

One of Bradley’s hands moved to cup his cheek instead. He ran his thumb over his lip and said, “I’m not gonna let anything happen to you. If the infamous James Seresin finally falls, I’m getting you out.”

“Good luck with that.”

“We’ve already crossed every other line, what’s one more?”

He pulled back a bit and studied him for a moment. He was sure the surprise had to show when he said, “You’re serious. Fucking around with your rival’s one thing, you can’t seriously think-“

“My dad’s offered yours a deal.”

It stopped him dead in his tracks. Bradley’s words were rushed, serious. “What deal?”

“The bureau’s on your asses. What’s to say we won’t be next? You have half the city, we have the other…it’s time we remind them who’s in charge here.”

“You’re talking about joining forces?” He asked with a blink. “They’re never gonna go for that. No way in hell is he gonna trust that, not when you didn’t ask for anything.”

“We did though, and he agreed.”

“And what’s that?”

“You.” Bradley replied as he kissed him again. He pulled back and whispered against his lips. “The youngest son of James Seresin for the heir in waiting of the Bradshaw empire.”

His heart damn near froze in his chest. He pushed him back so he could look into his eyes when he said, “You traded for me.”

“I did. It’s you and me, baby.” Bradley said as he cupped his cheeks and ran his thumbs over the skin there. “We’re gonna run this fucking city."

[silverwhittlingknife]

Idk if you read ao3 but if you do…….. got any Dick fics to share?

afdsf You have come to the right place. I read so much ao3, anon.

Dick Grayson Fanfic Recs

General notes: This is a mix of fics I associate with Dick, so some are straightforwardly "this is Dick's POV and a story about him" (like a soft place to land) whereas some are more loosely "this is the POV of one of his siblings who's just thinking about Dick a lot." Post-Crisis is my favorite continuity/tone, so everything is post-Crisis unless otherwise noted, but I happily read nu52/Rebirth or WFA-style fics when I like the authors, so there are some of those in here too.

I just skimmed through my bookmarks and picked out some fics I have fond memories of, so I tried to add content warnings when I remembered, but caveat lector - check the warnings in each individual fic before you read! (Mostly: be advised that there are both Good Dad Bruce and Bad Dad Bruce stories.)

Things I like include plotty long fics, timeline shenanigans like de-aging (and broadly, anything that emphasizes change over time), angst and hurt/comfort, characters with flaws and interpersonal tensions and misunderstandings (and reconciliations <3), explorations of trauma and grief, and Dick and Tim's relationship. So, uh, this rec list is going to be pretty shaped by those preferences.

Okay! Let's do this.

Organization:

Plotty ensemble fics with Dick in a lead role

Dick & Tim fics

Dick & Bruce fics

Dick & Jason fics

Dick & Damian fics

Fics that didn't fit into the other categories

Plotty ensemble fics with Dick in a lead role:

Exactly How This Grace Thing Works by irnan: Dick gets de-aged. You'd think this would be a routine thing. This fic is so great, you guys.

How Far Love Goes by flybynightwing: This one isn't just about Dick - it's an ensemble fic with great plotting and great writing for everyone, especially Steph - but at its heart is a very careful consideration of Dick and Bruce's relationship in all its complexities, from the bonkers highs of Golden and Silver Age comics to the darkest parts of post-Crisis and new 52. (cw: parental abuse, read the content warnings carefully)

from the till-then to the ever-since by kieron_oduibhir: This isn't precisely Dick-centric so much as it's mostly Dick-POV, but it's really good! Everybody meets their younger selves, and I especially enjoy the contrasts between Robin!Dick and Nightwing!Dick.

'no' and other four-letter words by a_good_soldier: Dick reassessing everything with Catalina, much later. (cw mentions of rape)

the man with guns for eyes by 8sword: Dick comes back from the dead. New 52 continuity, post-Spyral. Angst.

bad signal by prismatic-et-al: Not Dick's POV, but it's a great ensemble fic with Dick at the center. Hard to say more without spoiling the plot.

Dick and Tim fics:

a soft place to land by bitimdrake: Tim gives Dick a gift on the One Year Later cruise. Possibly my favorite Dick and Tim fic in the history of time ever. Perfect character voices, perfect story, perfect everything. <333 I reread it regularly.

long distance by bitimdrake: AU where Bruce is really dead and Dick finally gets a phone call from Tim. It's so sad and lives in my mind rent-free. (I also really love pain/release, which is hurt/comfort for Tim.)

Holding the Line by birdchild: Dick having anxiety dreams and getting comforted by Tim. ;_; Very canon-conscious with lots of thoughtfully-integrated references. Part of a really wonderfully-written Tim-and-Damian-centric series, and you probably have to read the series in order to understand this one-shot - and if you like those characters at all, you should!

When It Rains by vellaphoria: After Cass and Tim return from Paris, something seems… wrong. Dick investigates and ends up facing memories of his own. Really nice balance of dealing with ignored-by-canon traumas but the characters still sound like themselves (cw mentions of rape)

We've Taken Different Paths, Traveled Different Roads by sohotthateveryonedied: A moment of reconciliation post-Blackest Night ;_;

The Center Cannot Hold by kieron_oduibhir: Dick having a bad day and getting comforted by Tim and Bruce. New 52/Rebirth continuity.

the oracle at delphi by kieron_oduibhir: Future fic. The POV characters observe Dick and Tim. Hard to say more without spoilers. Trust me, it's very clever!!

Choco Bombs by lurkinglurkerwholurks: Tim POV, but the focus is on a moment of Tim comforting Dick in the Red Robin era. Mostly WFA-style but with post-Crisis influence. (The same author also has some excellent longer ensemble fics where Dick plays a minor role but is consistently well-written when he shows up.)

wake me up before you go go by incogneat_oh: short one-shot: Tim sneaks into Dick's apartment, Robin-era. General note - I only picked out two one-shots, but this author has done a bunch of WFA-style fics which are universally charming and lots of fun.

there'll always be a few things, maybe several things by incogneat_oh: short one-shot: Dick seeks out Tim after a nightmare, Red Robin-era. ;_; Low-key angst.

Road to Damascus by irrelevant: dark AU where Batman kills Zucco and Dick's parents don't die. Fascinating world-building and great character voices. (cw: explicit sex scene between Dick and an OC early in the fic - it's not important and you can skip it but just generally think of this fic as an r-rated movie)

There in the sudden blackness by camsthiSky: Dick and Tim tension in the Batman: Reborn era. Dick and Tim POVs.

things that don't kill us by polsvoice: This one's really Tim-centric but it's all about Tim missing Dick ;_;. After the events of Batman #71, Tim makes a visit to Ric. Nu52/Rebirth era, Tim POV.

and the shapes that you drew may change beneath a different light by popsunner: Tim-centric but I think of it as being about Dick because his absence is the hole that the whole fic's shaped around. ;_; Nu52/Rebirth era, Tim POV, Tim and Damian bonding in the aftermath of Dick's death.

spill of the war by 2012bookworm: "You dosed yourself. With Joker venom." Tim-centric, but Dick is a major character, trying to fix Tim while not-so-secretly crumbling himself. Dick's a barista, but not done in the way you'd expect. Very angsty.

exit wounds by Shari Deschain: very short one-shot in the very early days of Tim-as-Robin

Dick and Bruce fics:

almost right by bitimdrake: Bruce-centric, but it's about his relationship with Dick. (cw mentions of parental abuse)

in the dark of the night by fanfictiongreenirises: Dick & Bruce, through the years. AU where Dick gets adopted last.

deep roots are not reached by the frost by fanfictiongreenirises: in a future where everyone gets along, Dick gets de-aged to several different ages and has to process how the world has changed. I love how different the various incarnations of Dick feel. (cw mentions of rape and parental abuse)

shoulder to shoulder by lurkinglurkerwholurks: Dick and Bruce at Janet Drake's funeral.

the lower and coarser soul by dustorange: absolutely perfect slice-of-life with Dick, Bruce, and Tim (cw mention of Bruce punching Dick)

Dick and Jason fics:

Recollect, re-collect by Ptelea: A spell gone wrong leads to Jason reassessing some things. Jason-centric, but it's mostly about his relationship with Dick. Fantastic writing and plotting. New 52/Rebirth continuity (Spyral, Tim's close to Jason instead of Dick, etc.).

The 70 Days After Groundhog Day by Ptelea: Fascinating concept - Jason experiences a traumatizing Groundhog Day, but the whole fic is from Dick's POV in the aftermath as he pieces together what happened - and wonderful slow-burn writing. New 52/Rebirth continuity. (cw: mentions of rape).

Dick and Damian fics:

the primacy of personal conscience by birdsofthesoul: Brilliant concept (a wishing well that grants wishes - but it might be evil!), whirlwind plot, and a great take on Dick that doesn't lose his edge. Damian is a minor character but an important part of Dick's motivations. Read if only for my favorite take on Talia ever in the last chapter. New 52/Rebirth continuity.

3:16 by partingxshot: With faltering steps, Dick and Damian become Batman and Robin. Lovely writing. Canon notes: closely tracks Morrison's B&R and Leviathan.

Fics that didn't fit into my other categories:

It's a Wonderful Earth-218 by flybynightwing: I asked for an It's a Wonderful Life-style fic starring Dick and then I GOT ONE, proving that miracles are real and flybynightwing performs them. <3

If you just call me by flybynightwing: Dick and Donna, through the years.

continuous tense by batofgoodintent: Fix-it for the Mirage plotline. DickKory.

Let Us Be Brave and i want to wake up (i hate this dream) by camsthiSky: One-shots with Dick-as-Batman, depressed and grieving.

Don't You Forget About Me by sohotthateveryonedied: Everybody forgets Dick. ;_; One-shot.

touch starved by envysparkler: Dick is touch-starved and then gets hugged a lot. WFA-style.

feast by envysparkler: The Batkids are magical creatures that feed on pleasure from cuddle piles. Gen ensemble; ch. 1 is Dick & Jason and ch. 4 is Dick & Tim. WFA-style.

Also, I write stories about Dick & Tim sometimes, so, uh. If you're interested, there's

the WIP where Dick meets Tim for the first and second and third time and finds him really annoying,

the one where they spend Christmas Eve together and inch closer to being brothers,

the one where Tim is a wimp,

the one where Dick catches a falling Tim in RR 12, and

the WIP where Dick's trying to solve a mystery and everybody's mad at each other (this one's gonna be heartwarming eventually I promise!! later).

Snippets: Tim's imprisoned in fantasy!Russia and Dick has to disguise himself as an interrogator to rescue him, outline of an angsty fic of Dick and Tim in a world with soulmarks.

In conclusion

Dick is the best blorbo ever to blorbo. There are more fics in his character tag than for any of the other Batkids and yet there will never be enough <3

[zahri-melitor]

Okay, as I finish the era-defining runs on Robin, Nightwing, Birds of Prey and Batgirl that 2009 closed out, I had a solid think about who I really enjoyed writing these, because that’s like over 580 issues of material, annuals, minis and one shots included.

Reflections on best writers for runs of Tim’s Robin series:

Look we have to acknowledge Chuck Dixon. Nobody was doing it (writing 2/3 of the entire Bat office material simultaneously) like Dixon, for almost a decade. To ignore the impact of Dixon on Tim and Tim’s comics is to miss the foundation almost everything else is built upon. Love him or hate him, he’s all about the supporting casts and environments. Special shout outs to Robin I, Robin III, Robin #33, Robin #34, Robin #49-52 (look it contains Shiva), Brotherhood of the Fist, and Robin #67, among many others.

Adam Beechen. Gonna call it. This was a solid entertaining run. It also contains Bruce parenting Tim, which you know what? We all needed this. We DESERVED this. (Unfortunately the run is marred by Evil!Cass but there isn’t a single perfect run anywhere in Tim’s books). It has Robin #156. It has Robin #163.

Bill Willingham, #132-141. Yes, I am very specifically restricting this to a small chunk of Willingham, but this bit was genuinely interestingly written and contains the best material for Tim in Bludhaven.

I cannot be normal about Robin #183, thanks Fabian Nicieza. It’s just. Beautiful. Read Robin I, Robin #50-52, and Robin #183 back to back to back. I have, and clearly so did FabNic as he wrote it. This is what long form storytelling and callbacks are about. This is how you tie off a series after 18 years of material.

Reflections on best writers for runs of Birds of Prey:

Gail Simone. GAIL SIMONE. Queen. She turned the perfect pair (Babs and Dinah) into a trio (Babs, Dinah and Helena) and she gave the Barbara & Helena relationship the desperately needed work it deserved to progress it from a tangled bilateral deep dislike to allies to best friends. (I also loved them despising each other. Because the reasons on both sides were so meaty. But the progression of moving past that was equally good).

Chuck Dixon. Do you need inadvertently very queer stories about 007!Dinah and her handler, Barbara? Do you need Dick/Babs in your life? Do you want the queerest art anyone has ever drawn for Babs, probably drawn specifically as a fuck you to Chuck Dixon (Birds of Prey #21 my beloved)? You want Chuck Dixon.

They let some other people write this for fills but we all know it wasn’t the same.

Reflections on best writers for runs of Nightwing:

Peter Tomasi. There’s absolutely no question. The run respects Dick as the adult hero with connections across the community. It gives a Dick who has grown up enough to not just instinctively push assistance from Bruce away. It’s full of continuity nods. (I have to SCREAM about Dick catching the falling baby at the end of Freefall. Tomasi taking the falling/missed catches imagery and transforming it by: giving Dick the hobby of skydiving; AND letting Dick make the catch that haunts his nightmares? It’s a beautiful reframe)

Hello again, Chuck. Frequently heavy handed, repetitive in how much Dick wants his independence, but also full of Babs/Dick, teamwork, Dick & Tim moments, a properly rounded out supporting cast, and the origin of Dick’s escrima sticks. He wouldn’t be the same hero today without his now iconic weapons.

If I were going to nominate a third, I GUESS I’d pick out a few parts of Devin Grayson’s run, actually, and I give you #75-#83ish, #100, and #107-111. #75-#83 gives you the most interesting part of the Chief Redhorn downfall story and Blockbuster trying to take Dick’s life apart before everyone starts dying (and contains stand out issues #76 – Amy Rohrbach’s house being blown up – and #81 – Dick in hospital, Cass taking on Slade), #100 just does a lot of interesting retrospective work with Dick (even as it cements in Grayson’s Romani canon, and whether or not that’s good in your opinion is up to you), and I actually quite enjoyed the mob arc of #107-111? It’s silly, but also it’s not the worst way Dick’s ever punished himself.

Reflections on best writers for runs of Batgirl:

Kelley Puckett. Next question?

Oh you want me to elaborate? Puckett created our girl who can take on anyone and win. He made her vulnerable. He gave her her aesthetic. He developed her complex relationship with both David Cain and with Shiva. He gave her speech and friends and the vulnerability to desperately want to protect people and learn. Cass isn’t Cass without Puckett’s work.

Probably Dylan Horrocks? Horrocks is very good with emotional moments for Cass. He wrote the ‘loyalty to the Bat’ scene and ‘Soul’ and also the argument with Babs over reading, which I’m sorry, is still one of those moments in Batgirl that takes my breath away because it’s so in character for both Babs and Cass, even as it hurts.

[embracedthevoid]

20 Questions For Fic Writers

Awww. Thank you for tagging me @toffeelemon! 🫶🏼

How many works do you have on Ao3?

52 works. There are a few orphaned ones floating around out there though.

What's your total Ao3 word count?

545,518

What fandoms do you write for?

Primarily Young Royals, but there are a few others like Stranger Things and Shadow & Bone

Top five fics by kudos

1. In Another Life 2. I hate the way I don't hate you 3. summer of love 4. Hotel Suites and Twisted Sheets 5. After the (visible) kiss -- Part of the Missing Moments series

Do you respond to comments?

YESSS! Always!!!! I'm so thankful to people who pause to comment on my fics. I wanna show how much I appreciate them.

What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Technically In Another Life was supposed to be a one shot where they didn't end up together at the end. But people convinced me to write them a happy ending. So probably that, haha.

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Hmmmmm, probably In Another Life??? Maybe? Because like, no one else is hurt by wilmon being end game.

Do you get hate on fics?

I have gotten hate before. One time it was to the point where I just took the fic down cause people thought it was horribly OOC, and I mean, they were correct, lol. More recently, though, I've seen some rumblings around Hotel Suites and Twisted Sheets because of the character Adam. Some people have said there's potential for it to be romanticizing abusive relationships or a character "saving" another character from that type of situation. I don't see the story that way, but to each their own I suppose.

Do you write smut?

Oh so much of it.

Craziest crossover:

I've never actually written a crossover fic.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not to my knowledge! Thankfully.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

Sadly no. I wish I was talented enough to speak more than one language so I could translate some of my fics.

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Yes! I have!

All time favourite ship?

Of course it's gotta be wilmon. But I'll always have a space in my heart from Joey and Pacey from Dawsons Creek, lol.

What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Dancing With Our Hands Tied. That poor fic. She'll never get finished.

What are your writing strengths?

Oooft. Uh, I think more recently I've been surprising myself with writing original characters. People seem to connect to them a lot. So for now I'll say that.

What are your writing weaknesses?

Remembering to slow down and set the scene. I always ALWAYS have to go back and add a bit more detail to create atmosphere and environment. And even then, it's usually very poorly done, lol.

Thoughts on dialogue in another language?

I don't mind ittt, but I do find it kinda cringe when it's strictly used during intimate scenes. If it feels natural for the character, then yes, fly at it. But idk, it gives me the ick in some fanfics.

First fandom you wrote in?

I think it might have been Once Upon a Time fanfic about Captain Swan.

Favourite fic you've written?

I think it's gotta be summer of love because it was the first fic I properly plotted out by myself (with some help from my betas), and motivated myself to write all the way through. Plus, with the time jumps, I'm constantly surprised at myself for being able to make it make sense.

I'm tagging @lollygirlpops and @lovelierbitsoflife 💜

[random-mailbox]

Random-Mailbox's Favorite Sailor Moon Fics - Week 52 - Crystal Tokyo

Welcome to the final regularly planned post in this series, I felt would be fitting to end with Crystal Tokyo. I have a few more lists I'd like to make in the future, but I'm holding off on a couple of them until a few unfinished stories are completed. The lists wouldn't be the same without them. I really want to give credit to @floraone for suggesting this project in the first place. It has been so much fun for me to highlight a lot of amazing works in this fandom and I'm hoping it's helped bring new readers to these stories. Thank you to all of you for coming on this adventure with me! 

As always, my apologies in advance for spoiling some of these for you (Fic Titles are linked to either FFN or AO3 entries).

Royal Affairs - @master-ray5

When I first added this series to the list, it was a single one-shot. It has since grown to 7 connected chapters with plans for a full 20. Super fun and lemony read!

Come Back to Me - @idesofnovember

In this one-shot King Endymion is making impossible possible in his darkest hour, serving as a ray of hope for Usagi. 

Desperate Measures - @idesofnovember

Endymion comes up with a plan to get Neo Queen Serenity to forgive "him", as memories of things he "said and did" during break-up arc flood in.

Sleepless Nights - ElvisVF101

Kunzite helps King Endymion through an existential crisis, when he finds him alone on the balcony late at night.

“My Sister, the Queen” - @sailor-scribbles

This was one of the first stories I have ever read in this fandom and one of the few that deals with Shingo in Crystal Tokyo and his adjustment to the new family status. And it has adorable art!

These Games We Play: Chapter 10: Prank Gone Wrong - @allyunabridged

I saved this furniture-related ficlet for this post because I thought it was hilarious. While searching the attic for old toys, Minako discovers a rose chair that she feels HAS to be in Endymion's office instead.

Miscellaneous Works: Short Stories That Tumbled From Tumblr: Chapter 5: The King's New Clothes - @floraone and art by @nari20

There had to be a reason for King Endymion to start dressing in a lavender tuxedo with a cape, Mamoru always knew that. But what was the motive behind this decision?

Usamamo One-Word Prompts: Chapter 4: sweet - @smokingbomber

Ficlet about choices that had to be made and consequences of these decisions. And love. Mostly about love.

Cupcakes - @midnightdrops

Even the royal couple needs a day off on occasion. Especially when there is a promise of cupcakes involved.

UsaMamo 2022 | Book - @lilliebellfanfics

Neo Queen Serenity is very much out of patience waiting for King Endymion to finish his research at the library. And with them being now alone, what is there to do? 🤔🍋

A Royal Audience - @daikon1

Latest addition to the series, fresh from @usamamoweek2023. Neo Queen Serenity uses personal history to help usher in sweeping education reforms.

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Here are the links to the previous Tumblr posts in these series to explore more amazing works based on different themes - make sure to check them out if you haven't had a chance! (Click on the title name to go to the post):

Week 1 - Groundhog Day

Week 2 - Established Relationships

Week 3 - Sex Positivity

Week 4 - Unfinished Stories

Week 5 - Darker Stories

Week 6 - Potions 🧪

Week 7 - Reveals

Week 8 - 👻Halloween🎃

Week 9 - Wrong Perceptions

Week 10 - Non-Senshi AU

Week 11 - In-Progress Fics

Week 12 - Mutual Pining

Week 13 - Enemies to Lovers

Week 14 - Slow Burn

Week 15 - Christmas Part 1 - Ugly Christmas Sweaters and Santa!

Week 16 - Christmas Part 2

Week 17 - New Years

Week 18 - High School AU

Week 19 - Slice of Life

Week 20 - Coffee shop AU

Week 21 - Huddle for Warmth

Week 22 - Friends to Lovers

Week 23 - ❤️Valentines Day❤️

Week 24 - Do a Grouch a Favour Day (or Cheer Up Fics)

Week 25 - Soulmate AU

Week 26 - Amnesia Fics (and resources)

Week 27 - 🍀St Patrick's Day🍀

Week 28 - Fix it Fics

Week 29 - Prompt: Mug

Week 30 - Flowers

Week 31 - Traditions

Week 32 - Dreams

Week 33 - Friends

Week 34 - Body-Swap

Week 35 - Medical Assistance

Week 36 - Sex Pollen

Week 37 - Psychometry

Week 38 - What If

Week 39 - Missing Scenes Part I

Week 40 - Green Jacket

Week 41 - Dr Chiba

Week 42 - Birthdays

Week 43 - Fluff

Week 44 - First Kiss

Week 45 - Reviving Shitennou

Week 46 - Tutoring

Week 47 - Thunderstorms

Week 48 - Food

Week 49 - Proposals

Week 50 - Locked In

Week 51 - Furniture