#HalfRed

[aibhilin-atibeka]

Writing Update

I got inspired and churned out the first two chapters of a fic in the Danny Phantom/DC Batfamily fandom. A first, for me. XD

Have fun, y’all! (but do mind the tags, yeah? take care y’all)

More under the cut, as per usual.

That’s the fic:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/47012131/chapters/118433368

It’s called

Rock in the Churning Sea

Here’s a short snippet:

Alfred is a constant, in the mansion.

That’s a given.

A staple of life, a steady rock, there whenever he’s needed.

What few know, however, is just how much of a constant he actually is in that mansion.

For there’s only few who know he’s died.

[matiasthecamilion]

Hc about the Gamgee siblings

So.... Hey!

I'm just going to leave some of my headcanons and drawings that I have about the siblings

Sisters:

May (0.85cm):

° The prettiest of the sisters (according to hobbit standards)

° The most feminine.

° Her craft is to be a healer and midwife (she later taught Rosie)

° Her Pa' and Sam taught her to recognize medicinal plants and how to use them.

° She likes to sew and mend.

° The most romantic among all her siblings (after Sam)

° She hates mud but adapts well to field work.

° She, along with Daisy, are the ones who take care of their Pa' the most and are attentive to him.

° She has a strong hand but she doesn't like to fight.

° She is very good at cooking

Daisy (1.00 m):

° She has a motherly and serious nature.

° She is in charge of directing the management and tasks of the home.

° Mother complex.

° The strongest of her sisters.

° The most similar to Bell (except for her brown hair)

° Works as a laundress.

° Of all the siblings, she's the one who understands best with Hamson.

° She has a special affection for Frodo.

° She's not very good at cooking but she makes up for it.

° She is very good at accounting.

Marigold (0.90 cm):

° The most outgoing along with Hal.

° The most "bocona" (that is, she can't stop talking even when she shouldn't)

° She is a little spoiled.

° She is in charge of running errands for their home.

° She always wants to follow Sam wherever he goes.

° Has an affinity with animals.

° Work at the Cotton's Farm (mainly for jobs that don't require a lot of physical strength)

° The most open-minded of the siblings.

° Especially attached to Hamfast (although she doesn't know how to show it)

° She has no problem doing heavy work.

° She is quite insightful.

° Her hair is extremely unruly and uncontrolled.

° She is the most likely to fight or argue (Véase, ella es peleona)

Brothers:

Halfred (1.12 cm):

° The tallest of the siblings.

° The most extrovert.

° His craft is being a baker

° He is the least interested in gardening.

° He likes joking.

° When he is around his Pa' he tries to keep a serious attitude.

° He gets along specifically well with Marigold.

° His best friend is Hamson.

° From time to time he helps MG with her work on the Farm.

° He is much more observant than he seems.

° Sam and MG are his spoiled little siblings.

° He doesn't know how to express his emotions.

° He loves to dance.

Hamson (1.00m):

° Along with Daisy they have the same eyes as Bell.

° Big brother complex.

° He has the most serious character of all the siblings.

° The most similar to the Gaffer in personality.

° He and Daisy always seek comfort in each other.

° His craft is to be a carpenter.

° He is in charge of repairing the furniture in their home or in Bag end.

° He finds it difficult to express his emotions.

° (Although he may not seem like it) he is very judgmental(? with his neighbors (Or Es bien juzgoncito)

° He goes out of his way for his siblings.

° He cares too much about his dad.

° Daisy is his confidant.

° He tried for a while to be the support of his home to relieve his father (although his Gaffer obviously did not allow it)

° Sometimes he helped his dad with the gardens.

° He is the one who has spent the most time with Frodo among the siblings and that is why he worries about him (although he chooses to keep his distance)

Samwise (1.10m):

° He is the most physically similar to his dad.

° The shyest of the siblings.

° Lass are easily attracted to him.

° Before Frodo's arrival in Bag End he thought that Bilbo was the most elvish hobbit in the entire Shire.

° May taught him everything he knows about cooking.

° He adores the dirt and plants almost as much as the Gaffer.

° He is quite clumsy but when he concentrates on doing things he is passionate about or protecting his loved ones, he stops being that way.

° He composes songs and poems in his free time.

° He knows how to draw structurally correct flowers.

° Gets angry easily.

° Explosive temperament.

° He spends most of his time lost in his head.

° He tends to talk more when it comes to people he feels comfortable with.

° It is difficult for him to express his emotions in front of his dad.

° He is constantly scolded for "talking about fantastic nonsense".

[rootedincuteness]

Always Room For Pie!

( @itsthebeastpeddler, @knitwittykninja, @yourheartinyourmouth, @windpurr in response to this post. )

Resident Human: "Well, the votes are in... and the winner is... pumpkin pie!"

Mudpie: "Yay!" Halfred: "Aw, shucks."

Resident Human: "Don't worry, Halfred, we'll make pumpkin bread too in the near future. With raisins, just how you like it." Halfred: "Oh, alright then."

Resident Human: "Let's get started! I've got the pie mix right here."

Mudpie: "Doesn't look appetizing. Smells great, though." Resident Human: "It'll taste great too, trust me."

Resident Human: "Alright, here's the pie shell, and the eggs..."

Mudpie: "Mudpie doesn't do eggs." Resident Human: "Hmm... Yeah, Halfred? Can you prepare the eggs, please? Mudpie's a little squeamish."

Halfred: "Sure thing!"

Mudpie: "Ugggghhh...." *faceplants* Resident Human: "Mudpie, you were supposed to not look!" Mudpie: "Mudpie likes to live on the edge." Halfred: *giggles*

Mudpie: "Eeeeew..." Resident Human: "It's not mixed yet!" Halfred: "Patience is a virtue, Mudpie." Mudpie: "Mudpie's stomach doesn't care."

Resident Human: "There we go. Much better." Halfred: "Mmm, it smells delicious!"

Mudpie: "Pie shell, pie shell!"

Resident Human: "Alright, let's pop it into the oven!" Halfred: "Isn't it a bit... overfilled?" Resident Human: "Nah. It might overflow a little but it bakes down." Mudpie: "Less talking, more baking!"

Resident Human: "And... voila! Here's our pie, friends!" Mudpie: "It's more beautiful than Mudpie had even imagined..." Halfred: "And now the whole house smells like pie!"

Resident Human: "That's always an added bonus." Mudpie: "Let's eat!" Resident Human: "It has to cool first, or it'll break apart." Mudpie: "Nope!"

Halfred: "Welp. I guess we should have let it cool first." Resident Human: "I don't wanna say I told you so... but..."

Mudpie: "It's perfect. Messy but sweet. Just like Mudpie."

Halfred: *giggles* "It is really messy, though." Mudpie: "Mudpie can fix." Halfred: "How?"

Mudpie: "More sugar!" Resident Human: "Great idea, Mudpie! It's not pumpkin pie without the whipped cream, after all."

Mudpie: "No more crumbles!" Halfred: "Oooo.... Perfect!" Resident Human: "Well done, guys!"

Mudpie: "Now can we eat it?" Resident Human: "Of course we can." Halfred: "If you share your pie with me, I'll share my bread with you when we make it." Mudpie: "Mudpie approves this transaction." Halfred: "Yay!" Resident Human: "Enjoy, little buddies."

[btc-observation]

I HAVE TO PLAY FNAF WORLD TO KNOW WHO THESE GUYS ARE

[imagineitdearies]

~ A Flawed Eternity ~

(AKA drabbles set in the Perfect Slaughter universe.) Thanks to my new author discord community for voting on this one! 🩵

In which Tyrus walks in on Astarion's 'alone time.'

~

Even though they’d cleared the tunnel under the river, secured the fishing hut and passage to sneak into the House of Healing, and had a half-reliable map of the Gauntlet of Shar, the war council had delayed an infiltration for almost a tenday merely arguing over who would go.

With the colder weather creeping in and battles stagnating into standoffs, Tyrus supposed they foolishly thought they had time.

Morfred wanted a larger group to ensure they had enough support. Jaheira said no more than three highly-skilled individuals, to give them better chances at stealth. Ganyl simply wanted to go, even though his entire enclave was against risking their leader, and it took two meetings just to talk him down. Halfred didn’t think the quiet assassination plan of Ketheric Thorm was a good idea in the first place. They all worried that Ketheric’s brother, Malus Thorm, could be too tight-lipped or ignorant of the Gauntlet’s secret entrance to be worth the risk of fighting first.

Astarion had given up on attendance for the last two meetings. But as designated ‘Leader of the Vampires,’ however underqualified Tyrus felt he was for such a role, he felt obligated to attend. Just so he’d have updates to give Astarion and the spawn army below, really. He and Astarion had come up with the idea of a quiet assassination to avoid further bloodshed, so they were already guaranteed a spot in the party if and when it was approved. Halsin was a tentative third in Ganyl’s place, though Jaheira wanted it to be herself who struck Ketheric’s killing blow.

Now Tyrus felt close to giving up himself. He left the meeting before its scheduled end when Jaheira and Halfred started a shouting match about the risks of trying Ketheric's son at the Waning Moon Tavern instead, and Messaged Ganyl to send word if a decision had finally been made. Then he crossed the road past the armory, over the short bridge and around the small, cheery fountain in front of their temporary abode of late, the Last Light Inn.

Tyrus let out a plaintive sigh of relief the moment he was through the doors and could shrug off the sapping weight of the Cloak of Dragomir, avoiding the occasional beam of sunlight until he reached the stairs and could head down to the basement floor. Most of the rooms were used for storage—but at the end, built around the low docks the inn now used to receive war supplies from the east, were a couple of suites that looked directly out over the Chionthar.

He hadn’t expected to find Astarion in their suite, really. His partner liked to socialize a lot more than Tyrus ever did. In their short time here, he’d already been chatting with some soldiers at the inn’s bar, meeting more often with Halsin, and playing enough lanceboard he now could beat Tyrus if he focused hard enough. Astarion was used to crowds, to strangers, while Tyrus still found himself seeking the safety of four walls and a single locked door.

As he reached the door, however, Tyrus thought that safety must have been an illusion as his ears picked up Astarion’s voice, loud and seemingly in distress.

“Ah!—ah, gods—Tyrus!”

Tyrus wrenched the door open in a panic, hurrying inside—

—and was confronted with the sight of Astarion in a bath, pale face flushed, eyes squeezed shut, steamy water sloshing around the fast pace of his wrist under the water as he tugged at his pink, erect cock.

Tyrus stared. Even as Astarion’s eyes wrenched open bleary and wide, his hand freezing in the water, Tyrus couldn’t stop looking. He’d seen Astarion’s cock before so many times—but in his defense, it’d been months. Only feeling the shape of it in Astarion’s trousers when their kissing progressed further, only seeing Astarion’s bare body offhandedly as they dressed. Now Tyrus could also admire how much more lively Astarion’s skin looked despite still being pale, how his half-submerged, muscled middle had softened into looking less malnourished and dehydrated thanks to a healthy diet.

After another second, Astarion relaxed a bit. He waved toward Tyrus with the hand that had a moment before held a death-grip on the wooden tub’s edge, smirking as he huffed, “Could you close that, love?”

Tyrus’s momentary shock at the man’s beauty faded, then, in time for his rational brain to kick in. “I can come back later—?” he started to offer.

“No—no, I . . .” Astarion interjected, only to hesitate. His eyes trailed away for a moment, uncertainty lining his face. 

Tyrus retreated back to the door. “I don’t want to interrupt,” he spoke in earnest, and smiled at Astarion when the other vampire tentatively met his gaze again. “Truly—I’d much rather you enjoy yourself, like you’ve been wanting to.”

“Not quite like how I’ve wanted to,” Astarion scoffed, though a moment later the lines on his face faded. “No, stay here, darling. If you’d like to. I’m only imagining you here anyhow.”

“That’s quite different,” Tyrus pointed out, though he went ahead and shut the door, locking it for good measure before turning back to Astarion.

“Is it? I was just thinking of you interrupting me like this,” Astarion smirked, gesturing at himself. The hand in the water wandered back between his legs and began to lightly stroke as he sighed, “Though in my head I skipped the part where a whole conversation would be necessary for you to join. Bring a stool?” he nodded at the floor just next to the tub.

Tyrus didn’t hesitate to obey. He grabbed a small cushioned one in front of the sheet-covered mirror and placed it so he could sit just next to the tub’s head. His stomach swooped at being this close to Astarion—at watching him stroke himself again, bare and exposed save for the flimsy distortion of the sudsy water.

He wanted to touch him. He wanted to help, or at least kiss Astarion. But he wouldn’t dare do a thing without checking, given how impossible it’d been for Astarion to be sexually intimate since Cazador’s death.

And Astarion was such a pretty sight just to watch, with his eyes shutting again and dark lashes on display, pink lips slightly parted. Meanwhile, his small breaths and huffs of pleasure as he built back into a rhythm sounded sweeter to Tyrus’s ears than any melody. Even the smell of him was delightful. That smoky, musky perfume he always had a slight hint of at the palace was now much more refined and strong thanks to their shopping in the city. It was already a feast for the senses, if not all of them.

But when Astarion’s other hand extended just a bit past the tub, palm up, Tyrus was quick to take it and enjoy a sense of touch as well. Astarion hummed and pulled their clasped hands down into the water, flattening Tyrus’s palm to rub against his inner thigh. Tyrus gratefully mimicked the movement, and next let Astarion’s hand overtop his guide him to gently handle Astarion’s ball sack, eventually taking over to stroke his erection in tight, quick motions Tyrus still remembered the rhythm of well. 

Astarion’s hand stayed cupped around his throughout it all, continually guiding and keeping control even as he sighed, “Tyrus . . . uh, I’ve missed these hands . . .”

“Would you like it if I did anything else?” Tyrus murmured, after another minute of nothing but stroking and listening to Astarion’s heavy breathing.

Astarion’s eyes shot open, head lifting to regard Tyrus with a furrowed brow. His hand slowed Tyrus’s to a stop. “Such as?”

Tyrus bit back the assertion of Anything, anything at all. Giving actual ideas would probably be more helpful, if Astarion didn’t have his own. “Kiss you. Your lips, your neck,” Tyrus started with. “Or . . . here,” smiling as his thumb idly swiped over the head of Astarion’s cock and his partner visibly shuddered in response. Letting his voice go a bit lower, as he pointed out, “I don’t need to breathe, after all.”

“Fuck,” Astarion swore, then gave a short, barking laugh. “This is what four months of celibacy has done to my sweet, virtuous partner? I didn’t think you even liked that sort of activity, darling.”

“I haven’t ever tried it, technically. At least not of my own accord, so,” Tyrus shrugged. 

The air went somber ever-so-slightly at his words. 

"Shall I?" Tyrus asked in hopes of dispelling it.

“Not this time, my love,” Astarion sighed, starting to move Tyrus’s hand again around him. “But . . . yes—kiss me, please. I think I just need a little bit more of something—”

Tyrus wasted no further time. They’d kissed goodbye only hours ago when he left for the council meeting, but it’d been more than a tenday since Astarion had kissed him like this. One of their first nights in this inn, in fact, before he’d grabbed one of Tyrus’s wandering hands by the wrist and ended things rather abruptly. But whatever else Tyrus did or did not feel in the mood for otherwise, he never got tired of kisses—Astarion’s free hand cupping his jaw close, lips so passionately pressing and sliding against Tyrus’s, tongue darting out to taste and in return welcoming him in.

His instinct was to bury his free hand in Astarion’s curls, but Tyrus gripped the tub’s edge instead. He didn’t want to risk the wrong touch ending this lovely, easy moment. Not when Astarion was so clearly enjoying his other hand’s touch at the moment, hips bucking up and splashing the water a bit more.

Sometime later, a small moan escaped Tyrus when Astarion slid his hand back to tightly cup the nape of his neck, angling Tyrus’s head for an even deeper, all-consuming kiss. Astarion’s hand tightened a bit further around Tyrus’s in the water, so he sped up his movements even more—and groaned with Astarion as the other elf wrenched free of their kiss and threw his head back, shouting “Tyrus!” shakily, his cock pulsing in Tyrus's grip, his spend streaking in the water as the press of his bent legs made the wooden tub slightly creak in protest.

Tyrus kissed down Astarion’s neck and bobbing adam’s apple, slowing his strokes with the guidance of Astarion’s hand as Astarion breathed harshly through the aftershocks. When at last Astarion released his grip on Tyrus in the water, head resting against the tub again, Tyrus went back to gently stroking his smooth inner thigh. He rested his forehead against the other man’s clavicle, listening to them both breathe for a moment before whispering, “Alright?”

Astarion huffed—and then he began laughing. A soft, lighthearted, warm sound Tyrus couldn’t help but smile at, and hoped never to forget as Astarion’s chest lightly shook underneath him. Then Astarion’s wet arm emerged from the water and wrapped around Tyrus, pulling him in just a bit closer despite the awkwardness of the tub between them.

“Oh, besides a sore wrist of late,” he chortled, laying his cheek against Tyrus’s head when his giggling finally stopped. “I did start to find some enjoyment, even managed an orgasm the last two times, though. And this? Hmm . . . this is nice.”

Tyrus smiled wider against his chest. Of course, after another minute his back twinged and he regretfully had to pull from Astarion’s embrace—but was grateful his partner quickly dried off and joined him on the bed, despite the fact only Tyrus still needed a trance.

Once they'd both changed and his lover was spooning him snugly from behind, Tyrus thought to ask, “Have there been other things you like to imagine? Any specifics that I should take into account?”

The entire line of Astarion’s body froze up behind him. “I . . . I wouldn’t say there’s much I’m sure about acting on, darling,” he said in a slow, careful voice. “It’s been hard enough just to imagine sex without the thought of a customer, or him, intruding. Once that’s less an issue, I—I should be back to normal.”

“Normal,” Tyrus huffed, shaking his head and hugging Astarion’s arm a little closer to his chest. Being around relatively ‘normal’ people of late had taught Tyrus just how far off he and anyone else from the spawn colony were likely ever to be from such an ideal. “But hand jobs with you guiding me, would you say that goes on the safe list?” he stipulated.

Astarion was quiet for a moment. Then he kissed the tip of Tyrus’s ear, repeating, “The safe list, what a sad state of affairs—but yes, I’d call that a success. We’ll have to see about your mouth. And perhaps, if you’re up for it, I think I'd enjoy some unconventional stimulation, just skin-to-skin.” A beat of silence, then Astarion’s voice came out so soft and uncertain, almost afraid, as he admitted, “I . . . I’d still like a break from anything so performative as full intercourse, if that’s alright . . . and, if you can forgive it, I may still just need time, before I can offer attentive service to you, love . . .”

Tyrus twisted under Astarion’s arm so he could face him—but only to wrap his arms tightly around him, tucking his chin into the crook of Astarion’s neck. Declaring, gently but firmly, “There’s nothing to forgive, and no service to worry about. You have always been so giving, love." Even more softly, he coaxed, "Now, let’s take care of you for a while?”

Tyrus felt his partner’s body shudder in his arms. Then, increment by increment, Astarion melted into the embrace.

“Gods, I do love you,” he whispered in answer.

[skeletoninthemelonland]

Halfred? ',:)

spooooooooiiiiileeeeeeeeeeerrrrssssssssssssss

;D

[rootedincuteness]

Happy National Cousins Day!

Resident Human: "Happy National Cousins Day, everyone!"

Resident Human: "Let's talk about our favorite cousins from the Roots & 'Shrooms Gang, Mudpie and Halfred. Through the years, their bond has only grown stronger."

Resident Human: "They've been best friends since they were just tiny sproutlings."

Resident Human: "And they've had a lot of mischievous adventures over the years. Mudpie is the daring one, and Halfred is the more prudent one, but trust me, they both get into a lot of trouble."

Resident Human: "We've seen them garden together..."

Resident Human: "And pose with all sorts of holiday decorations..."

Resident Human: "And while supposedly getting those decorations up on shelves, they did a lot more playing in the boxes than actual decorating."

Resident Human: "Halloween was always a very special time for these cousins."

Resident Human: "They've partied oh-so-hearty during various holiday bashes..."

Resident Human: "They've survived a whole lot of bad leaf days together..."

Resident Human: "And sported some handsome sweaters and fluffy blankets during wintertime..."

Resident Human: "But no matter what happens, always they come out on top, and no matter how much trouble they get into, they always make it work in the end."

Resident Human: "Theirs is a friendship that can never be broken. So in honor of National Cousins Day, let's all congratulate Mudpie and Halfred on many years of solid and rewarding cousinship!"

[rootedincuteness]

Halfred needs everyone to stop what they're doing and look at these adorable, fuzzy, bumble bee butts! These bees are really into what they're doing, "drunk" on their love of pollen and nectar. Can you blame them? Flowers smell amazing! And what's cuter than some beautiful flowers with lil' bee butts hanging out of them? Halfred sincerely hopes that all this beauty and cuteness brightens your day a bit. 🐝💛

Sir you’re drunk

[abitch-in-the-matrix]

Pretty sure Halfrek and Anya are exes and Halfred still has a thing for her.

[frodothefair]

Rosie Gamgee (née Cotton): you can’t pair roast pork with blonde ale, Halfred! This isn’t the Scouring, there are Rules!

Hal: there *were* rules in the Scouring.

Rosie: rules that aren’t stupid, Halfred.

[velvet4510]

For the heck of it, here are some names (and marriages) that I’ve invented to further complete the hobbit family trees.

Bolded names are my inventions. Italicized names are Tolkien canon.

Topasia Clayhanger was the wife of Ponto Baggins II and mother of Angelica Baggins.

Lila Burrows was the wife of Adalgar Bolger and mother of Rudigar, Rudibert & Ruby Bolger.

Petunia Brownlock was the wife of Adalgrim Took (and thus Merry & Pippin’s grandmother).

Azalea, Camellia, and Mimosa Took were the first three daughters of Adalgrim & Petunia Took (and thus Merry & Pippin’s aunts).

Begonia and Magnolia Took were the two daughters of Adelard Took.

Opal North-took (descendant of the Bullroarer) and Crispard were the parents of Diamond of Long Cleeve, Pippin’s wife.

Astra and Laura Brandybuck were the two daughters of Marmadoc Brandybuck & Adaldrida Bolger.

Fiona Noakes was the wife of Wiseman Gamwich and mother of Hob Gammidge (and thus Sam’s great-great-grandmother).

Columbine Cobblestone was the wife of Hobson “Roper” Gamgee and mother of Andwise Roper, Hamfast “Gaffer” Gamgee, May Gamgee & Halfred of Overhill (and thus Sam’s paternal grandmother).

Brent Goodchild and Heather Rumble were the parents of Bell Goodchild (and thus Sam’s maternal grandparents).

Dahlia Birdwhistle was the wife of Holman Cotton and mother of Tolman & Wilcome (and thus Rosie’s grandmother).

Violet Bunce was the wife of Frodo Gardner and mother of Holfast Gardner (and thus Sam & Rosie’s daughter-in-law).

Clarisse Hornblower was the wife of Holfast Gardner and mother of Harding of the Hill.

Expansion of the Boffin family tree:

Folco Boffin, son of Vigo, was married to Mentha Brandybuck, daughter of Marmadas. They had a daughter, Thalia, and a son, Thiago.

Tosto Boffin, son of Griffo & Daisy, had a son, Parto Boffin.

Thiago was married to Aspenica Bolger, daughter of Fredegar & Angelica, and they had two children, Balto and Hanna Boffin.

Parto had a daughter, Alyssa Boffin, who was married to Elfstan Fairbairn.

Balto had a son, Busto, and a daughter, Donnamira (who married Theriadoc Brandybuck.)

Hanna was married to Paladin Took III, son of Faramir & Goldilocks.

Expansion of the Bolger family tree:

Fredegar “Fatty” Bolger was married to Angelica Baggins. They had five children: Rudecar, Aspenica, Jessaminta, Odovimar, and Miramunda Bolger.

Rudecar was married to Rose Gardner, daughter of Sam & Rosie. They had seven children: Fredimar, Adalvacar, May, Marigold, Belba, Bowegar, and Dina Bolger.

Aspenica was married to Thiago Boffin, son of Folco & Mentha.

Jessaminta was married to Pippin Gardner, son of Sam & Rosie.

Miramunda was married to Boromir Took, son of Pippin & Diamond.

Expansion of the Took family tree:

Everard, son of Adelard, was married to Melilot Brandybuck, daughter of Marmadas; there is a glimpse of their relationship in canon when they dance together at Bilbo’s party. They had a son, Gerard Took.

After Faramir, Peregrin “Pippin” Took & Diamond of Long Cleeve had seven more children: Pearl, Boromir, Beregond, twins Bergil & Opal, Emerald, and Beren Took.

Faramir and his wife Goldilocks Gardner, daughter of Sam & Rosie, had six children: Paladin III, Hildimir, twins Amethyst & Garnet, Gerontimir, and Findas Took.

Pearl was married to Elio Goodbody, brother of Nico (who married Primrose Gardner, daughter of Sam & Rosie). They had two children, Tora and Pogo Goodbody.

Boromir was married to Miramunda Bolger, daughter of Fredegar & Angelica, and they had seven children: Eglantine, Fortigrim, Angelica, Isenmir, Gundabras, Herudin, and Alfrida Took.

Beregond was married to Ruby Gardner, daughter of Sam & Rosie, and they had five children: Aragard, Sapphire, Citrine, Legolard, and Gimlard Took.

Bergil was married to Lydia Hornblower; they had three children, Gloria, India, and Adalius.

Opal was married to Aldo Grubb; they had three children, Adrio, Arno, and Abelia Grubb.

Emerald was married to Marco Burrows, son of Moro & Celandine. They had two children, Mario and Melody Burrows.

Beren never married, but was in a lifelong relationship with Tolman “Tom” Gardner, son of Sam & Rosie.

Paladin III, the 34th Thain, was married to Hanna Boffin, daughter of Thiago & Aspenica. They had a daughter, Adamanta, and a son, Peregrin II - the 35th Thain whose request led to the creation of Findegil’s copy of the Thain’s Book for preservation at the Great Smials.

Fortigrim had a daughter, Berylla, who married Harding of the Hill.

Peregrin II fathered his successor, Faramir II.

Faramir II had two children, Bandobras II (his successor) and Diamond.

Expansion of the Brandybuck family tree:

Mentha, daughter of Marmadas, was married to Moro Burrows, son of Milo & Peony. They had two children, Malva (who married Hamfast Gardner, son of Sam & Rosie) and Marco Burrows (who married Emerald Took, daughter of Pippin & Diamond).

Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck and Estella Bolger had four children: Théodoc, Estel, Éowyn, and Athela Brandybuck.

Théodoc, Master of Buckland, was married to Daisy Gardner, daughter of Sam & Rosie. They had four children: Léodoc, twins Éomas & Meric, and Lily Brandybuck.

Estel was married to Amelia Underhill of Bree. They had three children: Esmeralda, Perimac, and Thendic Brandybuck.

Éowyn was married to Robin Gardner, son of Sam & Rosie.

Athela was married to Fabian Goldworthy and they had three children: Gordon, Olivia, and Estella Goldworthy.

Léodoc, Master of Buckland, was married to June Brownlock, with whom he had a son who succeeded him, Theriadoc Brandybuck.

Theriadoc was married to Donnamira Boffin, and they had three children: Mirabella, Friadoc (who succeeded him), and Perimas Brandybuck.

Friadoc fathered his successor, Merthadoc Brandybuck.

Expansion of the Gamgee family tree:

May, the Gaffer’s sister and Sam’s aunt, was married to Teemo Brockhouse. They had a daughter, Lily Brockhouse.

Hamson, Sam’s brother, was married to Poppy Briggs. They had five children: Hob, Bell, Annie, Rob, and Columbine Gamgee.

Halfred, Sam’s brother, was married to Martha Tunnelly. They had four children: Alfred, Lilac, Brent, and Sterling Gamgee.

Daisy, Sam’s sister, was married to Topher Twofoot, son of Daddy Twofoot. They had three children: Tobold, Tulia, and Toto Twofoot.

May, Sam’s sister, was married to Jared Noakes, son of Old Noakes. They had a daughter, Judy Noakes.

Marigold, Sam’s sister, was canonically married to Tom Cotton, Rosie’s brother.

Expansion of the Cotton family tree:

Tolman Jr. aka “Young Tom” and his wife Marigold Gamgee had three children: Holman II, Halfred, and May Cotton.

Wilcome II aka “Jolly” was married to Briar Smallburrow, sister of Shirriff Robin. They had two children, Cassia and Cotman Cotton.

Bowman aka “Nick” was married to Delphine Cobblestone and they had two sons, Bowtar and Wilman Cotton.

Carl “Nibs” Cotton was married to Ivy Hayward, sister of Shirriff Hob. They had a daughter, Gardenia Cotton.

Holman Cotton II and his wife Snowdrop Tunnelly had four children: Holly, Halman, Molly, and Morcome Cotton.

Expansion of the Fairbairn family tree:

After Elfstan and Fíriel, Elanor Gardner, daughter of Sam & Rosie, and Fastred of Greenholm had four more children: Frodo, Astred, Arwen, and Rosemary Fairbairn.

Elfstan was married to Alyssa Boffin, daughter of Parto. They had three children: Samwise (the third Warden of Westmarch), Idril, and Elwen Fairbairn.

Frodo had a daughter, Nimloth Fairbairn, and a son, Lórien Fairbairn.

Astred had a son, Aragorn Fairbairn.

Expansion of the Gardner family tree:

Besides Holfast, Mayor Frodo Gardner and Violet Bunce had three more children: Heather, Wilfred, and Lavender Gardner.

Rose Gardner was married to Rudecar Bolger, son of Fredegar & Angelica.

Merry Gardner was married to Hazel Smallburrow (daughter of Shirriff Robin Smallburrow and Widow Rumble’s daughter Clover Rumble, and sister of Callum Smallburrow). They had three children: Wiseman, Lunaria, and Erling Gardner.

Pippin Gardner was married to Jessaminta Bolger, daughter of Fredegar & Angelica. They had five children: Rowan, Fiona, Roberto, Finola, and Ricardo Gardner.

Goldilocks Gardner was canonically married to Faramir Took, son of Pippin & Diamond.

Hamfast Gardner was married to Malva Burrows, daughter of Moro & Celandine. They had three children, Peony, Desmond, and Hyacinth Gardner.

Daisy Gardner was married to Théodoc Brandybuck, son of Merry & Estella.

Primrose Gardner was married to Nico Goodbody, brother of Elio (who married Pearl Took, daughter of Pippin & Diamond). They had three children: Dahlia, Iris, and Prico Goodbody.

Bilbo Gardner was married to Azalea Hayward, daughter of Shirriff Hob Hayward. They had two daughters, Amaryllis and Daffodil Gardner.

Ruby Gardner was married to Beregond Took, son of Pippin & Diamond.

Robin Gardner was married to Éowyn Brandybuck, daughter of Merry & Estella. They had four children: Rosa, Éomund, Tomas, and Bell Gardner.

Tolman “Tom” Gardner never married, but was in a lifelong relationship with Beren Took, son of Pippin & Diamond.

Besides Harding of the Hill, Mayor Holfast Gardner and Clarisse Hornblower had three more children: Lily, Violet, and Samfast Gardner.

Harding of the Hill and Berylla Took had three children: Samwise (who inherited Bag End), Marigold, and Columbine.

Samwise Gardner was the father of twins, Rose Gardner II and Frodo Gardner II; the latter inherited Bag End.

[inky-da-dinky]

Betrayal for Halfred and Future for Pepper

Betrayal: When Halfrid was in high school, she dated this girl who she previously felt comfortable around. She never pressured her to speak & was comfortable in Halfrid's silence. The day that Halfrid felt comfortable enough to speak in front of her for the first time, it had changed the girl that Halfrid once knew forever. Her ex essentially treated Halfrid like she was some miracle project- that she was the one who got Halfrid to speak. She would show Halfrid off & expect her to talk, only to get increasingly annoyed at her when she never did. Thus, their relationship fell apart, forever altering Halfrid's relationships with other people. Halfrid herself hasn't betrayed anyone.

Future: Pepper's future is more on the dubious side, if anything. In college, she's coming to terms with the powers that she inherited since her adoption- the shark hallucinations, her multiple high tolerances (Pain, alcohol, medications, etc.). She has no idea what this means to her & likely would never be able to fully grasp or even control it as any change that could directly effect her would be beyond her control.

When she was younger, her worst future was growing out of the foster care system & living on her own, completely alone. The day that her first foster family brought her back, she overheard them tell her case worker that they just wanted an easier kid to raise. Since that day, Pepper internalized absolutely everything to appear like the perfect kid, with mixed results. Even when Pickles & Nathan finally took her in, even when she could let some parts of herself show to them that she was afraid to show to any of the other hopeful parents, she worried that if she let even one thing leak out, it would ruin the image that she was trying to create & she would be abandoned again.

[rootedincuteness]

@knitwittykninja

Mudpie and Halfred: "Hiiiiii, Tassie!" *they wave with their little arm nubs*

Mudpie: "May your days be filled with yummy snacks!" Halfred: "And your nights with warm, fuzzy blankets and cuddles!"

I've been following @rootedincuteness for a while, and when they announced that @itsthebeastpeddler was have a sale on gardenfolk, i broke down and got one 😁.

Her name is Tasslehoff ("Tassie" for short), and she's a Stray Sod, and i love her!

@itsthebeastpeddler makes a ton of cute creatures, you should check them out!

[nitewrighter]

even before you get to the crisis thing, do you ever wonder how many industries took omnic labor for granted pre-sapience? im imagining like, omnic chocolate as the ethical alternative to child slave chocolate. the nursing crisis solved overnight. you see animosity from human miners towards omnic workers displacing them on the shambali map, because under capitalism that's an inevitable tension, but im imagining some countries smart enough to implement universal basic income and ending up with something like 3/4s automated luxury not-actually-socialism.

and then the crisis occurs and that gargantuan labor sector comes out the other side of it bloodied and inexplicably demanding human rights. imagine your roomba demanding a living wage. imagine your roomba is a war criminal and it's demanding a living wage. serious philosophical query: is it morally culpable for the ankles it stabbed before it was sentient?

but beyond that, at the source, what does a living wage even look like for something that doesn't need food, doesn't need living quarters bigger than a storage closet, and seems to run off sci-fi perpetual motion juice? what makes it even worthy of that consideration? what happens to me, a human who was thoughtlessly dependent on that labor and now has to make radical adjustments to my quality of life? to accommodate the fucking google dots who blew up my hometown?

these would be fascinating questions to build into a world if any writers but those at blizzard were handling them. (and yes i know about karel capek)

That's a thing I'm also frequently asking myself in my fics! I actually love that one line from HALfred Glitchbot on the Hollywood map where he bemoans "mandatory human hiring quotas"--I do feel that partially answers your question, but it also further reinforces the question of what do omnic spend their capital on? I actually imagine they throw significant weight behind legislation just for certain protections, as well as community networks to facilitate safety and quality of life (whatever that looks like) for omnics, and possibly even communally buying land, though I imagine there's also plenty of laws in place that block omnics from a lot of the economic freedoms humans enjoy just by virtue of the fact that omnics do present a real threat to human labor.

We do know that a lot of omnics view themselves very communally from Tracer's London Calling comics, but there are definite exceptions as we've seen with Lynx Seventeen and some of the omnics in Ramattra's short story. We know that omnics in London are forced to live underground, but Maximilien also owns a dang casino, and we know that the Don Rumbotico rum company was a human family-owned operation before Talon bought it out and re-branded it with an omnic mascot (that could be a choice on Max's end, now that I think about it). So there are a lot of cultural questions about the omnic as laborer and how that's perceived and used in marketing.

But yeah it is actually wild how you do see omnics overrepresented in a lot of service industries, creative industries, or high-skill jobs (mainly Omnic waiters whose sentience is actually questionable, HALfred being a director, Iggy being a scientist, and also BOB being a highly skilled butler) but you don't see a lot of mention of the omnic as hard laborer (Cassidy mentions doing farm labor in the Ashe novel, but I'll need to check back to see if he mentions omnic doing farmwork as well.

Then again, this is asking Blizzard, which recently went through major union-busting scandals, to think about labor... which I imagine is a tall ask.

[mordoriscalling]

Assurance and Authority (5/25)

Post-BOTFA Persuasion Au: Bilbo returns to the Shire after the Quest, having rejected Thorin’s proposal of marriage. For years after, he struggles with regret. When he and Thorin meet again, he knows better than to hope.

Chapter 5 also available on AO3

(Ch 1) (Ch 2) (Ch 3) (Ch 4)

When playing with other fauntlings by the creek, Frodo slipped on a wet stone and twisted his ankle. His injury was not a severe one, merely a sprain, but the lad was still in too much pain to walk. Bilbo carried him in his arms back to the Great Smials, where the boy was tended to by a healer in the rooms where he stayed with his parents. He was given herbal tea to relieve his pain, his swollen ankle was to be dressed with cool compresses for the next few days, and he was given strict instructions to stay in bed with his injured leg elevated for no less than a week.

The fauntling, being an energetic and ever-curious lad, was much more devastated by the assigned bed rest than his injury. He wept and wailed miserably, which caused his parents even more distress than they already were in due to their son’s accident. They tried to soothe him with calming words and tender touches but the boy was inconsolable, crying until he exhausted himself and fell asleep. Even then, Primula and Drogo did not leave their son’s side, wishing to be there in case he woke, which required someone to bring food for them and assist with whatever else that was needed.

Bilbo was more than happy to help. Now that everything was said and done, his mind would stray to the dwarves who had knocked at his door. Hamson and Halfred had told him that they had not known anything about the appearance of the mysterious visitors, only that they had seen the dwarves begin marching west before they had set off running to deliver the message, catching a post cart on the way.

And so, Bilbo wondered and worried - were the dwarves going to pass through Tuckborough? Would they ask after him? Who had come to Bag End earlier today?

The answer came much earlier than he was ready for.

Frodo woke a short time after his crying fit and asked for food, as did Drogo. Bilbo fetched them something for afternoon tea and carried three heavy-loaded plates to their rooms, taking an extra one in case Primula found herself hungry as well. When he entered the antechamber in their rooms - a living room of sorts, with an armchair by the fireplace and a table - he saw that Frodo sat by the table with his parents, having been moved from his bed in the sleeping chamber. Just when Bilbo was about to set their plates before them, Amaranth and Asphodel entered the rooms with haste, their gazes glowing with excitement.

“Bilbo, Prim!” Asphodel cried, “Oh, you shall never guess! We’ve just seen Thorin Oakenshield! A really kingly dwarf, I must say, quite royal!”

Bilbo very nearly dropped the plates he was holding. “I beg your pardon?”

“We’ve just been introduced to him!” Asphodel grinned. “He’s come here together with three dozen soldiers and a lady! Lady... oh, I can’t quite remember! Lady Diz? She’s – ”

“Lady Dís,” Amaranth said.

“Yes, that’s her name! She looks like a ruler too! Though she has a beard, can you believe it? She’s dressed as finely as this Thorin fellow, they look so royal together, I must say! Quite a pair, the two of them, you’re going to see for yourself, Bilbo!”

Bilbo quickly concluded that the lady had to be Thorin’s wife. At this thought, grief so great struck him that he swayed on his feet. Amaranth and Asphodel stepped close to him with a cry of alarm to hold him upright, while Drogo and Primula rose from their feet.

“Uncle!” Frodo exclaimed.

“Are you quite alright?” Drogo said.

“Should we send for a healer?” Amaranth asked.

Bilbo dismissed everyone with a shake of his head. Putting the plates on the table, he replied, “It’s simply... I’m quite surprised. What a sudden visit!”

“That it is,” Amaranth said. “They say they’re on their way to the Blue Mountains. Fortinbras invited the King, the lady and all the dwarves to dine with us tonight.”

Upon hearing this, Bilbo nearly fainted again. Before he could comment, Asphodel added, “Fortnibras ordered for tables and chairs to be carried outside. We’re going to feast under the stars!”

Primula gasped. “How splendid! Oh, I cannot wait for it!”

“As do I,” Asphodel replied.

Amaranth, though she did not say the same and despite the fact that she had a more guarded disposition compared to her sisters, showed signs of excitement too, as her eyes gleamed with joy. It was no wonder that the three sisters were so eager to meet the dwarves; Brandybucks were more open and aware of the outside world, living at the edge of the Shire, and the three daughters of Mirabella were half-Took, thus they also shared the Tookish love of the unexpected.

“You wish to attend, then?” Dorgo asked his wife.

“Yes, I do not see why not.”

“How can you even contemplate such a thing?” he said angrily. “To attend a party when your only child is in need of care!”

“I shall not leave him unattended for the whole night!” Primula retorted. “I wished to go only for a while, and I wanted to ask mama to watch him for me in the meantime.”

“Still, I do not like it. You’re his mother, mothers should tend to their children!”

“So should fathers! Have you, as his father, not considered going too? I would not believe that you decided to forego a feast. If you have no problem with attending, then, why shouldn’t I?”

“But I want to go with you,” Frodo said then. “I want to meet the dwarves too!”

To that, his father replied that it would not be possible. His mother argued that it would be much too soon for him to move and that they would not have him risk worsening his injury. The refusal brought the fauntling to tears and Frodo cried miserably again. The attempts of his parents and aunts to console him were for nought.

In Frodo’s sadness, Bilbo found a perfect opportunity to avoid facing King Thorin, which was what he wished to do above all else.

“Frodo, my dear boy,” he said, “How about I stay with you tonight? I can tell you all about dwarves, so you will feel like you’ve met them! And then, tomorrow, perhaps your papa could carry you to eat breakfast with everybody. Then, you’re going to see the dwarves.”

“Why, that’s a good thought,” Drogo said. "I shall be able to carry you just fine, son. My joints are doing much better indeed.”

This, at last, seemed to satisfy Frodo. The lad calmed, nodding his head, and leaned into his mother’s side for comfort.

“But Bilbo, wouldn’t you want to meet with the dwarves?” Primula said, stroking her son’s hair. ‘Wasn’t Thorin Oakenshield the one you went on your adventure with?”

“Yes, well. I feel a bit weak, after all the events of today. Staying here with Frodo will be just the rest I need. I don’t think they shall be very upset to see me in the morning instead of this evening. They’re not setting off at the crack of dawn, are they?”

It was indeed terribly rude to hide away like this and Bilbo was well aware of that fact. However, he could not find the courage in himself to look the King in the eye just yet.

And so, while everybody prepared for the feast under the stars, Bilbo stayed by Frodo’s side and entertained him with all sorts of stories about dwarves. He told the fauntling about how Durin’s folk enjoyed making merry and songs, about their bravery in battle, their mistrust of outsiders but openness and affectionate nature with each other, and many other of their traits and quirks. All the while, he made as little mention of their King as possible, not wanting to think about the fact that the one his heart had been crying out for, and the one whose heart he had broken, was so very near.

As time passed, Frodo began to grow increasingly sleepy. His father paid them a quick visit, bringing them food for supper, which Frodo ate with his eyes half-open. Then, his mother came to put him to bed. After she tucked him in, she proposed that she and Bilbo have tea, which Bilbo agreed to readily.

“What is wrong, Bilbo?” Primula whispered once she poured him a cup and handed it to him. “You have been acting strange since the dwarves have come.”

“I might be able to tell you,” Bilbo said, “But not today. Not when... Not now.’

Primula accepted the answer, though she appeared concerned. The two of them sat by the fireplace, sipping on tea. The quiet between them was interrupted when Drogo walked into the room, closing the door carefully after himself.

“Is Frodo asleep?” he murmured.

“Sleeps as hard as a rock,” Primula said.

“Good, I should hate us to wake him. The king and the lady follow me. They insist on calling on you, Bilbo, but they wait for permission outside in case you do not feel well enough.”

Bilbo began to feel unwell indeed upon hearing this. His heart pounded so hard in his chest that he could scarcely hear his own thoughts. Through a haze of shock and anxiety, he first wished that he had brought his magic ring with him, as that would allow him to disappear, but he tended to forget about the little trinket these days. After a panicked internal debate, Bilbo came to the decision that it would be better to face Thorin sooner rather than later in the end. Mustering a weak nod, he allowed Drogo to let them in.

Lady Dís entered first, and Bilbo was surprised to see that she was not disguised as a dwarven male. Instead of wearing a tunic and trousers, she was dressed in a robe of dark blue with silver embroidery. Her eyes were in the colour of the sky, while her hair and short beard - decorated with delicate silver nets of crystals and sapphires - were very dark brown. With her attire, proud brow and nose, and the assuredness with which she carried herself, Bilbo had to admit she looked regal indeed.

King Thorin followed right after her. His clothing was in the same colours as lady Dís’s but he wore very little jewellery. His hair, streaked with a lot more silver than it had used to be, was not decorated and very simply braided, and so was his beard, long now, held in one plait. In Bilbo’s eyes, Thorin had never needed any regalia to demonstrate his kingship; rather, a proof of Thorin’s regality was in the very way he behaved, in how he talked, thought, moved and held himself. The little room in which the King stood now seemed much too small to contain his powerful presence. The sight of him wrenched Bilbo’s heart with yearning, yet the hobbit could not tear his gaze away from him. He both hoped and dreaded to catch the King’s eye, but Thorin would not look at him.

“I do hope your little one is well,” lady Dís told Primula. “I am a mother myself, I know how your child’s ailment must pain you.”

The implication that Thorin’s wife was a mother, which would only mean that the King had started a family with her, was like a blade piercing Bilbo's sternum. The hobbit had to fight very hard not to audibly gasp in pain and the ringing sound in his years almost made him deaf to the continuing conversation.

“Oh, thank you, ma’am,” Primula replied. “My Frodo is all right, he sleeps now.”

‘We do not wish to intrude on you," the dwarrowdam said. "I just wanted to inquire about Master Baggins. We’ve been told you’re unwell, master Burglar.”

Hearing himself being addressed by his old moniker helped Bilbo regain just enough composure to speak. He forced a small smile. “Thank you, my lady. It’s nothing a good rest cannot fix. I shall be right as rain tomorrow.”

“Then I shall not keep you from your rest. I hope to see you at breakfast.”

“Very well,” Bilbo replied, unable to refuse, though in truth he had absolutely no wish whatsoever to spend more time with Thorin’s wife.

Lady Dís, satisfied, said her goodbyes and left. King Thorin turned to follow her, but acknowledged everyone in the room with a look and a nod before that. Bilbo was the last one he directed his gaze at and when he did, their eyes met at last.

“Thorin,” Bilbo said, in greeting and goodbye, in an apology and plea, all at once.

“Master Baggins,” Thorin replied measuredly, bowed his head, and headed out of the room.

It was impossible for Bilbo to stifle the ache of disappointment at Thorin’s dismissal. Indeed, the hobbit was troubled with so many thoughts and emotions that he hardly knew what was happening around him. As though through a mist, he registered that Primula had Drogo walk him to his rooms and that Drogo made him a melissa tea to drink. Once the herb started taking effect and Bilbo calmed a little, he began to understand a new truth in earnest: Thorin was married with children and clearly wished to have as little to do with him as possible. After all, he said but two words to Bilbo. Seven years, and 'Master Baggins' was all he had to say!

Bilbo persuaded Drogo to leave him, though the other hobbit was greatly concerned and thus loath to comply, and only then allowed his tears to fall. Until this day, he had harboured some hope of Thorin still reciprocating his affections. Now it was apparent that this was not the case. Bilbo could barely stand the loss of that hope and wept bitterly.

It was not a restful night.

[skeletoninthemelonland]

Which character from behind the codes are you most excited for everyone to see (no one that you’ve already shown, just for the challenge~)

NADJASDJBSAD THESE ASKS ALWAYS MAKE ME NERVOUS /POS CUZ I WANNA SPOIL SO BAD LMAOOOOOO

ahem-

Circus Baby, Halfred, and RWQ.