#He'll stay forever alone in his journey.

[stromuprisahat]

“You were meant to be like me. You were meant ... You’re nothing now.”

Ruin and Rising- Chapter 17

As long as she was the immortal Sun Summoner, he was still able to cling to the idea she's THE ONE, destined to whether the eternity at his side. Yes, he was quite disenchanted by her obstinacy and short-sightedness, but she still had forever to grow.

When that's taken away, what's left? A girl, who's refusing to both look and listen, throwing away any responsibility and her own health, so she can hide with the only person she seems to care about.

In other words- nothing.

[missycolorful]

I'm on the fence about a lot of the "glass child" discussion because where I agree with some points that are made and enjoy the in depth analysis, I've come to severely disagree with others. Mostly because the internet is the internet, and the nuanced discussion has lost that nuance.

The reason this whole thing blew up (though it's been a concern for a while, certainly) was when Phil explained why he felt he needed to save Tallulah first before Chayanne. And you could tell Philza was trending cautious waters with his wording - he never wanted to say "oh, Chayanne's a chad, he'll get over it." With his wording, he recognized that neither were necessarily fine, but he still felt it necessary to prioritize one over the other because of one of his kid's big issues: Tallulah has abandonment issues. Maybe they're not as bad now since the "official adoption," but it certainly shouldn't be disregarded. But Phil remembers how much Tallulah hates being left alone, and wanted to make sure she wasn't in that situation long. Phil knew at the of the day, that Chayanne had no severe abandonment issues (that we are aware of), hence him saying he'd be okay "a bit longer." The prioritization is still there, and the Death family still has much to talk about, but the fandom's reactions felt a bit too... harsh, a bit too severe. They'd make it sound like Phil didn't consider Chayanne's feelings at all or that he thought Chayanne was totally going to be 100% okay with being alone forever and ever. When there's more to it than that, and ultimately, Phil was stuck making a decision in a lose-lose situation, and he knew that.

But a lot of people seem to focus solely on this moment, and let it epitomize the entirety of the Death Family's relationship and struggles. When, if anything, there's additional moments from yesterday's stream alone that I think show some slow growth in Philza's parenting when it comes to him being overprotective of Tallulah and him expecting a protector/warrior out of Chayanne.

Because if Phil really thought Chayanne was a ruthless warrior who can handle anything and be fine and get over it, he'd have let Chayanne immediately join them in their journey of saving Richarlyson. Like "If we've got Chayanne with us, nothing can hold us back" or something. But he didn't. He wanted both of his children to stay back, to stay safe. But his kids insisted on joining, even if just for emotional support. And if Phil really was completely stuck in his old ways, he'd say the old "Chayanne protect your sister" when the mobs starting showing up, or hell, even before that. But that never once happens. Both of his kids fight, and he trusted that they could both handle themselves since they insisted on coming along, though you can see him check on both of his kids once or twice during the fight. If this becomes a persistent thing, it shows great growth in Phil's character when it comes to being overprotective of his daughter and having his son prioritize her safety above all else. It's become more of "keep an eye on each other," which is definitely the preferrable kind of thinking!

And again, I emphasize that singular moments should not be the sole focus of these discussion. Rather, the overall actions throughout should be talked about. And honestly, Phil made sure that a lot of his focus was divided between both of his children throughout yesterday. When Chayanne decided to stay behind while the others went to the beach event to keep an eye on an AFK Tubbo, Phil decided to "hang about with you, kid, it's alright," even when Tallulah was long gone. Like, he wasn't going to let his kid sit alone like that waiting! Or when he got the llama plushie during the treasure hunt, I'd honestly have expected him to immediately give it to Tallulah because animals=Tallulah, I guess. But he asked them both which of them would have liked it more, a genuine attempt to make sure neither felt left out in receiving the gift. Yes, these, too, are small moments, but if we wanna have a discussion about these relationships, all these moments should at least be considered, not just the negatives.

And to me, the kind of consensus to make in these scenarios is that the situation at hand is... complicated. Like, Phil's parenting is flawed, I'd be a fool to say otherwise. All parenting is inherently flawed, that's basic psychology or... just how humans work. However, through his faults, he tries everything he is able to to do best by these kids. So, with all these moments and more, it never sat right with me to say Phil neglects Chayanne. I can almost see the case for "emotional neglect" a bit more, but even then, I find some fault in that thinking. Yes, qPhil is neurodivergent af, so he doesn't get emotional context clues and needs these discussion to be upfront in his face (which I already went into depth here regarding the relationship these two have). Put simply, any "emotional neglect" Chayanne feels isn't necessarily from Phil prioritizing Tallulah, but more so where Tallulah is more open with her feelings which makes it easier for Phil to talk to her about them, Chayanne has rarely ever been someone who opens up about feelings, and when you couple that with Phil's lack of emotional intelligence, these issues clash. However, it's important to note that a while ago, Chayanne had an open dialogue with Philza about Tubbo's death and how it affected him, and Phil was responsive to it. It'd be one thing if he told Chay to get over it, but no, he was very honest and kind to Chayanne during their talk. And afterward, Phil suggested for Chayanne that, if he ever needs to talk, to have them sit at the pier outside of their house. He extended an offering to Chayanne for emotional discussions. It was a great way for both of these people who are terrible at talking about their emotions to come together and talk. It highlights how Phil is very much okay with talking to Chayanne on an emotional level, and he has, and he will continue to be. They're just... both bad at it, sadly.

Finally, I think it's important to clarify what a glass child actually is, and if it fits the current narrative. A glass child is a child who is overlooked when their sibling is facing some sort of disability that makes the parent give the sibling their full attention, and often has the glass child help out a lot. Initially, Tallulah very much needed extra care due to her "asthma" and the fact she wasn't a great fighter who could protect herself. Hence why Phil and Chayanne were so overprotective of her and put a lot of focus on her. And for the longest time, Chayanne was okay with it, because she needed that help to survive on this hellish island. It's just that over time, things changed. These characters changed.

So it's not really like that for Tallulah now, is it? Her asthma is no longer as bad (it still happens, though!), and she's gained a lot of fighting experience over time. She can hold her own in a fight. And Phil no longer keeps that much of a paranoid eye on her; i.e. again, yesterday's stream where, even when they were fighting end monsters, he never shouted for her to get away or for Chayanne to protect her. In the early days, if Tallulah was even allowed to join, he'd have her stand back and ask Chayanne to keep an eye on her. But that doesn't happen here.

So nowadays? No, I don't think Chayanne could be considered a glass child. Because those disabilities aren't as much of a hindrance for Tallulah as they used to, and Phil isn't as paranoid about them as before. I think the effects are still there, in a way, but it doesn't fit where the characters currently stand. Ultimately, I think there are several reasons as to why things are as they are even if Chayanne may not be a glass child in the present. The big one being that Phil's not entirely adapted to the changes his children have gone through.

Especially after Purgatory, his children have gone through a lot and changed in the process; Tallulah became more independent, and Chayanne kind of being tired of being a warrior and needing more emotional support. And since he wasn't there to witness that change and only saw the aftermath, I think it's a struggle for him to come to terms with them. However, that doesn't mean he's entirely set in old ways. He's trained Tallulah on PVP, and again, he's allowed her to participate in fights without being super worried. And as I mentioned, he has extended a branch for Chayanne to be more open with his feelings. These are just starts, certainly, but it means that Phil is open to adapting and helping both of his kids in any way they need. He just has to figure out what they need.

And let me be clear: I'm not disregarding the flaws in q!Phil's parenting. They exist, and Chayanne really needs to have an open discussion about how his emotional needs haven't quite been met as of recent, and Phil needs to be more open to have emotional discussions with Chayanne, even if to them, that's like pulling teeth. There's changes and improvements that need to be made. However, in talking about the negatives, it just seems like people think that's all there is. No, these flaws in Phil's parenting doesn't make him a bad parent. Because there are plenty of positives, plenty of decent growth here. There's love and respect and everything in this family. q!Phil is genuinely doing his best in a very difficult scenario: living on an island that is set on killing the eggs, and being a parent of two while basically being a single parent all while struggling with your own traumas. that's going to come with obstacles, it's inevitable, but what's also inevitable is how this family will work through them, and come out of this better than before.

[thesleepyfable]

~ SWTD: Still Here AU Season 2 Chapter 2: ~

A Family Growing Smaller:

I've teased about what this season is going to be on Discord, and now, a small seed is being planted.

With nothing more than the clothes on their back and hand luggage by their feet, Raffs and Brodie waited for the taxi to arrive. Everyone stood beside them. They knew they'd see each other again soon. You can't walk away from a crew when you've gone through what they have in the last week. Sadly, this only left Rennick, Trots, Muir, Addair, Gibbo, O'Connor, Innes, Roy, and Caz left together. They could all feel their newfound family getting smaller by the day. Soon, it would be O'Connor's turn.

'Safe journey home,' Roy said, giving the pair one of his signature bear hugs.

'Aye, you too,' Brodie replied. It was true what people said about him. He was a miserable bastard. Well, in the eyes of someone like Muir, he was. Never strayed from the rules and didn't know how to laugh. No one had seen him smile, but that could be because of the large moustache that would make Hercule Poirot blush. But today, you could hear the happiness in his voice. Finally going home after nearly six months. 'You lot come to Skye when the weather clears. You've never seen water like that before.'

'Ah, fuck that,' Caz joked. 'I'm never going in the water again.' Like before, everyone exchanged numbers. 'You two stay out of trouble.'

'Says you, Caz?'

'Gie's peace, ya prick.' The pair shared a final chuckle and hug. Caz learned a lot from Brodie, despite the pair never actually working together. He was a good man who taught him much, but the main one was to never go diving. How he and Raffs could do that meant they were braver than he'll ever be. Or, maybe Caz was smarter.

'So, what's your plan?'

'Stay here till New Years, then get my arse back to Glasgow.' But, in all honesty, Caz was conflicted. The scars weren't physical, but The Shape has left permanent damage. Whenever he now felt one of the infected slip away, it made him sad. Like a piece of him was missing. He didn't understand. They were his friends, but not for that long. He didn't even meet Gibbo until the end of September, and he still wasn't seeing a friendship with Addair in the near future.

At the same time, he wanted to go home.

He had to go home, and as much as he enjoyed the peaceful farm and endless fields, the countryside wasn't for him. Plus, he couldn't run forever from what he did. The sentencing will be longer. It's best to just get it over with. Caz wouldn't buy his bail. The money was for Suze to keep the flat. Finally, redecorate the bedroom and get the windows replaced.

'You two gonna stay away from the water?'

'Nah,' Brodie answered. 'But, like Roper said to me. I think we're going to go on a long holiday.'

'I hear Benidorm is nice.'

'Be original, Caz.'

Raffs felt a tap on the shoulder and turned to see O'Connor and Addair. It was odd to see the pair stand together without trying to rip each other's throats out. Last time they did, the pair only stopped the fight because O'Connor accidentally gave the poor lad a black eye when he pulled back to swing a punch, only for his elbow to collide with Raffs' eye socket.

'When are you and Mary going home?'

'Soon, I hope. Then hopefully come here.'

'You're going to leave Ireland?'

'It's not getting any better out there, Owen.' For some reason, O'Connor never called Raffs by his nickname. Or anyone really for that matter. Only Caz, Trots, and Gibbo weren't called by their first or surname. 'I'm only still working to provide a better roof over our heads.'

'I can lend money, if that will-'

'No,' O'Connor snapped, holding up a hand and ignoring how loud he momentarily was. 'No. That's your money and yours alone. We'll be fine. You go and see your ma, and have a happy new year.'

'Okay.' Raffs didn't know what came over him. A sense of guilt for not being able to do much for the past few days? Some type of desire to help? It's just something to make him feel useful. From his perspective, he's just followed everyone and waited to be told what to do. But before he could get lost in thought, it was now Addair's turn to give the young man his send-off.

'So, is this the end of Raffs' oil rig career?'

'Absolutely,' the diver answered without a moments thought. 'I know Skye always wants fishermen. It's a way to keep to the water. What about you?' Asking as if Addair could ever go into work again. A look of realisation hit Raffs as soon as the question left his mouth. His eyes widened, and his mouth curled. Thankfully, possibly because his wife and sons were here, Addair took it in stride and just laughed.

'I might take up cricket again.'

'I always saw you as a rugby bloke,' O'Connor teased.

'I love all sports.'

'Even horse racing?'

'No, I'd rather pluck my eyes out.' Yep. Still strange to see the pair actually having a laugh together, but it was nice.

Raffs felt Addair open his hand and put something inside his palm. He looked and held up a wooden carving of himself. It was remarkably detailed. Right down to the small orange pin he kept on the lining of his beanie. The young diver blinked a few times before looking up in shock.

'Did you make this?'

'Just something for you to take home.' Even with that answer, Raffs was shocked. The pair never had a conversation before until Muir gave them a task. But, he was happy. He didn't think he'd be going home with a gift.

'Thanks, Addair. Maybe you should go into woodcarving?'

Addair smiled. 'It's a thought. I've gotta keep the old noggin' active somehow.' The pair shared a handshake. He might be infected, but Addair's hand still felt the same. Nothing had changed in them. They were rough with dried skin peeling off the palms. Man has always done physical labour, so it wasn't a surprise the more Raffs pondered. Might be the only thing The Shape didn't alter.

'Hey? Good luck with Tommy.'

Addair paused. First Trots, then Gibbo and now Raffs. It always surprised him when someone mentioned his son's name. Like an alien was talking to him. He still didn't know how Trots knew to begin with. Yet, this time, his smile didn't fade.

'Thank you, Raffs. Now go on,' he pulled down on his beanie, covering his eyes. 'Fuck off back home.'

And just like that, two more members of the crew vanished. They watched them head down the long drive until they were out of sight. Muir sat in the snow to avoid the possibility of the taxi driver seeing his towering form. Everyone lingered for a moment before going back to their day.

Addair turned and caught Jennifer's eye. She stood on the porch. He smiled, but his smile towards his goddess slowly faded. He saw the look of distress in her eyes and the tears she held back. A sinking feeling weighed the man down.

[preciouslittletoonette]

TOH SPOILERS AHEAD

I want to share something regarding my feelings about the Collector that I shared on one of the Discord servers I'm apart of. It's about his ending:

So I was spoiled beforehand about the Collector leaving and I was so so mad about it at first.

I wanted him to stay so badly. To have a family and not be alone again.

But... learning the context of why he's leaving, I'm really proud of him.

I was so worried about him being alone again but I realised something as I watched the ending: This is different from all the other times he's been left alone and abandoned.

This time, He's got people to go back to now. People who really care about him now who love him. Real friends and a real family.

He is not being exiled. He is leaving on his own accord. To learn and grow and to paraphrase his own words "got some growing up/maturing to do". He's no longer restricted and trapped in a mirror with his only company being that manipulative bastard Belos. He's free! And best part:

He's got people in his corner now. Luz, Eda, King. He's got people to go back to. People who really care about them, people who love him and understand him. They're his family now.

He's going out there to learn and understand, and that's so freaking admirable. And I'm so proud of him for it <33.

He won't stay away forever. He's gonna come back and visit once in a while, said so himself. And King (and this is a big thing that had me squealing) wants him to come back eventually and THAT is a guarantee Collector will make sure to visit.

What's happening right now is exactly the opposite of what happened before. He's free to explore and learn about the worlds, he's got people who genuinely care about him.

He's never going back to his siblings, I can't imagine him WILLINGLY going back. It makes no sense for him to go back after he literally expressed his hatred for what they did to his Titan friends. I think he's just going to travel and see what the universe has to offer. See what else there is to learn. And I bet he's going to have a blast.

This may not have been the ending we Collector fans have imagined for him. But I do believe this is a good one. He's free and despite the fact he is indeed heading out into the galaxy on his own, can we really say he's alone? When he's got people like Luz, Eda and King he'll go back for?

In the end, Collector got exactly what he and what we wished for him. Freedom and a real family. Its just not in a form we expected. And I, for one, am extremely happy for him.

Thank you Dana and the rest of the TOH crew for this awesome finale and a spectacular show in general.

And Collector, enjoy your journey lil' bean <3

[luthnethril]

📓

Put "📓" or some other version of a book emojii into my inbox and i'll explain the plot of a fanfiction that I haven't written but I daydream about

one that's recurring and lives rent-free in my head even though it has barely any plot is a setting where the elves go to Valinor, but the Valar do not wage war on Melkor and imprison him into the Void, so he's just kind of. free out there because he ran off to hide and create Angband. Which is worse for the elves who remain in Beleriand and the Girdle of Melian is probably put up earlier. Anyway.

The main part of this fic idea is that we have Fëanor in Valinor with Nerdanel and his (so far) three kids with another one on the way living in the equivalent of an one-family caravan moving around every so often to explore more of Valinor's lands. They don't check in too often with Finwë and the palace due to a lack of a postal service in the middle of nowhere and anyway at some point in the early noontide of Valinor baby Maedhros is like. 40 years old, baby Maglor is like 20 while Celegorm is the equivalent of a very excited toddler and Caranthir is still an idea in the womb.

They've settled just outside this forest up North and one day Maedhros and Maglor are out playing/exploring the forest (bc, yk, this was the land where they were all going to be perfectly safe forever) when Maedhros picks up that there's something Wrong™; like perhaps a chill, or some more darkness than is usual in the North so far away from the Two Trees.

Now, at this point they do live in a Melkor-free Valinor, but because Melkor hasn't been imprisoned there are more thoughts spared for the elves who remained in Beleriand (and thought to be all dead) and Fëanor as well as Maedhros and Maglor have grown up with stories of the Dark Rider and the Journey West from Cuiviénen, so Maedhros feels the air shift and thinks. I've heard of this happening before.

So, he makes Maglor hide inside a tree trunk and tells him they're going to 'play a game' where he has to stay hidden in the tree humming the "don't notice me" song enchantment he's perfected for hiding from Nerdanel when she wants to make them do chores and make no sound at all or get out no matter what until Maedhros tells him it's okay to come out.

(Maglor has not picked up that anything's wrong with the forest, but he's picked up that his brother is worried and he's getting more scared every time Maedhros refuses to tell him what's going on).

Anyway, point is, Maglor does as he's told and hides and Maedhros goes as far away from the tree as he can trying to make sense of what's going on and then. Melkor shows up. He appears as an extension of the darkness, more solid and bottomless eating up the forest that existed behind him before he showed up, with sharp, visible teeth and glowing red eyes. No body, just solid clouds of light-blocking darkness surrounding small Maedhros.

Small Maedhros, with all the bravery that knowing Maglor is hiding behind him gives him, looks up at Melkor and lies. He plays dumb, he asks to know who he is, why he's here and lets Melkor underestimate him to make sure the Vala never suspects Maglor is also there and as vulnerable as Maedhros himself is. He tells Melkor that he has to get back to his father because he promised his brother he's take him out to play in the forest. That he's alone here and he needs to get back.

Melkor finds baby Maedhros very entertaining and does not suspect that he's being lied to by a child of Valinor and tries to trick/convince Maedhros to go with him, that he'll take him back to his family when 'we'll play a game' does not work. Maedhros insists that he knows the way back and doesn't need any help, thank you. Eventually Melkor runs out of patience and when Maedhros runs away from him reaches out with more darkness and shrouds Maedhros with it, taking him away.

The darkness goes away and the forest returns to normal. Fëanor, pregnant Nerdanel and baby Celegorm go out to find Maedhros and Maglor; they only find Maglor inside the tree when he passes out and stops singing the enchantment. They don't find Maedhros.

They pack up everything and ride back to Valinor to tell Finwë what's going on. Maglor wakes up on the way but he's in no state to say anything; his eyes are wide and he's shaking and he starts crying silently and humming the enchantment again and it takes Nerdanel hours to convince him he's safe now, at which point Maglor slumps against her, catatonic, and does not say anything else.

(Needless to say that Fëanor, scared shitless, is having an absolutely horrible time).

Finwë sends an army of search parties out North with Fëanor, but they never find a trace of Maedhros except the little copper eight-pointed star brooch with the red ruby in the middle Fëanor made for Maedhros when he was born and Maedhros dropped on the ground on purpose. They send people to Mahanaxar to ask the Valar for help. Maglor, scared and not talking, barely moving, tells Celegorm enough about the 'darkness' that took Maedhros that when Celegorm relays it to his parents and Finwë and Indis, everyone knows what exactly it was that took Maedhros.

They never find him. The Valar are all very sorry, but they can't do anything about it. Melkor shouldn't have been able to come into Valinor, just don't go up so far from the Trees again. It should be fine. It will never happen again.

Not really much plot after that actually. I've been thinking a lot about Fëanor's sons and their cousins growing up and Maglor being the only one who remembers Maedhros because he was the only one old enough to, Celegorm remembers him vaguely. None of their cousins have met Maedhros; Caranthir and the rest of the brothers are born and grow up with the knowledge that they have a brother Maedhros who's gone which their parents don't talk about (Nerdanel starts crying even as she tries to tell them about Maedhros so they'll know and Fëanor's face goes terrifyingly blank and the air sizzles around him so they never dare to ask). Maglor is always sad and melancholy and prone to shouting when people choose to forget Maedhros ever existed and his brothers minus Celegorm don't really connect with him because Maglor is making minimal effort to communicate in turn.

Eventually Maglor puts up a play/musical that's just what happened that day when Maedhros disappeared and that's the first time anyone really finds out how that went down and why Maglor feels so guilty and responsible about it in a way everyone thought up to then that made no sense/was just the trauma of meeting the Dark Rider. Maglor makes sure the costume for Melkor does justice to the terrifying embodiment of darkness with teeth and glowing eyes he saw as a child, which disturbs everyone greatly.

It makes the Valar very uncomfortable.

I had an idea of Fëanor obsessing over the idea of saving his son, never letting go or admitting that Maedhros is probably dead like Míriel and holding on to his grief and anger like it's the only thing keeping him from fading. Perhaps even going to Angband in secret to rescue Maedhros.

Another idea involves Maedhros being Melkor's personal favourite prisoner and being kept alive, meeting some of Mahtan's of Finwë's relatives in Angband, perhaps even escaping by himself when Melkor and Sauron are not there? Like I said, there's not much concrete plot besides the main idea here.

[veryace-ficrecs]

Sanji and Zeff Fic Recs

This list will include all ratings and tags, so read at your own discretion! :)

Right To The Root by Cute_Bear - Rated G

Zeff will carry Sanji on his heart, forever and ever. Or, the life of Sanji and Zeff after their time in the rock, inspired by the song "Hasta la Raíz".

His son's father by caparvisquartet - Rated G

When all is said and done, All Blue discovered and Luffy sacred King of the Pirates, Zeff and Sanji meet again.

How to Dad by IcedMatchaMilk - Not Rated

The former Grand line pirate, Red-leg Zeff, and his journey on becoming a somewhat half decent parent. Navigating the grandline was a whole lot easier.

Baratie's Second in Command by first_rate_fish - Rated T

"It's perfect!” He replied, smiling wide at Zeff. Zeff smiled back at him before standing up and moving to where Sanji sat, placing a comforting hand on top of his head and ruffling his hair when he got close. “Baratie it is then.” ~~~ While recovering from their time spent on the rock, Zeff and Sanji decide to build a restaurant.

Just a little more by charcharizard5 - Rated T

"Almost there. Almost there. Just a little more and they'll stop. They won't hurt you if you do well." Sanji kept swinging the knife, "Just a little more, and maybe he'll love you." Little Sanji learns to use a knife in a different way. It's a lot harder than he thought.

Nightmare Remedies by CryptidCatalogue - Rated G

After Sanji wakes from a nightmare he can’t seem to calm himself down again and goes to Zeff for help. However, what will he do when the old man isn’t there?

Quiet Eggplant by TsarinaTorment - Rated T

When the teenager didn't react to the woman, Zeff knew something was wrong.

Caring, Not Careless by EclecticIsMyMiddleName - Rated G

Even as a little kid, Sanji was stubborn as hell. For the past three days, he's been staying up too late in the kitchen to get more work done. And every time, Zeff has had to drag the brat's behind back to bed. As much as he'll complain about it, Zeff doesn't entirely hate it. Set shortly after Baratie opens, when it's just Sanji and Zeff running it.

Cause for Concern by kaeyuh - Rated T

It worried everyone to no end when at age 15, Sanji came home smelling like cigarette smoke. Asking was no use, Sanji would brush it off as if it were just another night terror, or as if it were a small burn, he got while cooking. So, they just let him be. For the longest time, no one mentioned how Sanji would sneak out on deck, how he would light up a cigarette, how he would eat less. Until today.

try it again (breathing's just a rhythm) by lakesandquarries - Rated G

Zeff never set out to be a dad, but he's doing his best. Oneshot collection of Sanji and Zeff navigating a father/son relationship.

Nightmares by orphan_account - Rated G

When Zeff had first met him, Sanji was crying, but those tears were filled with an unmoving determination to not let his dreams be crushed- that's what Zeff had first seen in him. Now was different, now his eyes were overflowing with raw, unfettered pain and silent pleas for help that Zeff was clueless how to answer.

Little Eggplant by Airuna - Rated G

The little eggplant is weird. Zeff kind of likes him anyway. Or Zeff tries to figure out Sanji while they built a home together.

Blood of the Covenant by kiite - Rated T

Zeff never wanted a kid. A restaurant, sure— but he hadn’t planned for the kid. (Or: a brief look at Sanji’s childhood, through the eyes of the man who raised him.)

News of the World by AzWrites - Rated G

There's no eggplant in the paper. There is, however, Monkey D. Luffy, splashed on the front page. He looks like he's praying, in front of what Zeff assumes is his brother's grave, and there is something written and crossed and written again on his arm. The letters and numbers don't mean anything. Or maybe they do, and Zeff is just not who the message is for. Once again, Luffy is alone. Or he's not, not really, because he came back to Marineford with Gold Roger's first mate and a former Warlord, somehow. But once again, his crew isn't with him. In Zeff's book, that means he's alone. Zeff wonders where Sanji is. Whether Sanji is still alive. --- Or: A pirate crew keeps getting into trouble or making trouble everywhere they go, and a restaurant owner tries his best to understand what the hell his kid is doing

[zopharooni]

"Fading"

A DMAU story, part 2/4 (start / previous / next)

Rain. The normally pleasant atmosphere and calming sounds...

Turned sour.

Why... Why are things always like this?

Why can things never stay nice?

Why can't people... live forever...

Gideon... He went missing a month ago. He said he would be right back, that relations with the local cultists were the best they have ever been. But gods... are never satisfied with what is. That's all they do. Take, and take, and take, until there's nothing left. Damned bishops...

Cliff and Spike returned from a raid a week ago. We need food, and we need those cultists gone. They attacked in the night, leaving no survivors of that cult. Not all of them were guilty, but our needs come first. However... They were infected with something terrible while out there. Our guess is a blight from the Bishop of this land.

Poor Cliff... He has been bedridden for the whole week. He doesn't even know his own name, let alone recognize us. Something is wrong in his head. Something... that we can't fix.

Spike also caught something, but it's different. Fatigue, fever, and he's getting skinnier by the day. What most concerns me is... when he coughs. He keeps a rag to cough into, as to not spread anything...

It's covered in blood.

They won't survive. If I stay... I won't survive either. I can't live like this. The bishops need to pay. I've heard rumors of cults worshipping chaos. I need that power, and I refuse to work under the other bishops. If I can get the attention of their god, I've heard that some followers are rewarded with a fraction of divinity. I can take the fight to the bishops and the followers that wronged us. Wronged me.

Damn Famine for our hunger and starvation, damn War for the fighting, damn Death for taking away everything we love, and Pestilence... for taking my family. When all is lost, Chaos reigns. This I know.

I pack my bag in secret. I can't let Spike know. He'll try to stop me. I grab any spare rations from the raid, as well as Gideon's old greataxe. I need these more. I take our only map, and leave in the middle of the night.

The rain feels almost... patronizing. As if trying to guilt trip me. It doesn't matter. I quietly stalk away from the cabin, the rain covering my sound. I take one look back, and...

Spike is there. Waiting at the door. Staring. He is leaning against the frame, looking disappointed. Sad, even.

No. You can't stop me. Not now.

But he doesn't. He simply turns back inside. Closing the door behind him.

I feel my throat start to constrict. Any tears rolling from my eyes invisible with the rainfall. Guilt.

I can't stay here. They will die anyways, and I'll be alone. Staying is meaningless. I repeat these words in my mind, as I journey through Ombros. Trying to convince myself.

The chaos worshippers are rumored to be in Rotwood. I use the map, waterproofed with tree resin, to find my way. I hack through the underbrush, it's beauty fading in my mind. Ombros. My home...

Not anymore... I can't stay.

After a week I find myself at the foot of Rotwood. The trees covered in moss, a fog always seeming to obscure the periphery. Moving forward, the ground feels vastly different than Ombros. The stench of decay seeming to perpetuate the air here.

After a day of stalking through, I start to lose whatever hope I had left, not for me, but my revenge. Then a cultist in green robes jumps from the bushes, pointing a dagger at me.

"You! Your sacrifice will nourish the god of chaos!"

Ah. Perfect.

I quickly spin my greataxe from my back, and ready for their attack. Then suddenly, they turn and try to run.

Coward.

My axe splits the back of their skull, putting them down instantly. So is that what it takes to be a worshipper? Just kill in the name of chaos? Easy enough. I quickly steal the robes from the cultist, their body very quickly withering into the ground. The hood is split and covered in blood, but I don't like hoods anyways, and I rip it off.

I rifle around the pockets, and find a small map, showing where this cultist's origin lies. I begin to make my way through Rotwood, with renewed vigor. Things are looking up! Any doubts in my mind are washed away, and any thoughts of them... obscured with my own malice.

After a day or two, I start hearing commotion. I think I've made it. The cult of chaos, indicated by the map. I stand up straight, and walk confidently into the cult, weapon at the ready.

Is this the first step of my journey? Was it the step I took outside from the cabin? Or was this all simply fate?

Ha... Fate.

A cruel mistress.

[birb--birb]

The Fool and the World!! 💛💛

aweeh excellent choices!! I thought too much about the World for him and now have a massive block of text about Savrin getting a happy ending 😭💕 thank yoouuu friend!! @spiritsong

Fool: Where did Rooks journey begin? What were they doing before joining the Veilguard?

Savrin has been a full Crow for like.... 12 years at this point? So helping look after some of the fledgling Crows in House De RIva (and by helping I mean teaching them how to get away with shit without Viago catching on, typical big brother role lmao). But aside from spending evenings on Treviso's rooftops (with or without cheap wine and a cute person to make out with), the usual Crow contracts re: keeping people in check around the city, and pushing back against the Antaam, Savrin was actually looking for his mom. She was a fellow Crow and was assigned to a very hush-hush mission in Val Royeaux when Savrin was 10. Its been 2 years since they'd last heard from her and while Savrin knows her letters have always been far and few between, he also knows somethings not right. The Talons wouldn't let him go look for her, but they're doing what they can to find her. Savrin's been in a mood for the last couple months after fighting with Viago about not being allowed to go look for her alone, so the in-game lore of "Rook attacks a group of Antaam and gets sent away" kinda connects.

World: What does happily-ever-after look like for Rook? Is it attainable, or just wishful thinking?

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, especially since he's like one of my few OC's who gets a happy ending.

Savrin never really expected much for himself, he knows being a Crow can be dangerous (and has almost had his story end many a times already) and kind of envisioned himself either living long enough to become a trainer of bebe Crows or get killed while out on a mission. He doesn't want to be a Talon or run his own House, he's quite content with his lil family of De Rivas! Savrins very much a "We'll see what the next year holds and go from there" kinda person, and lowkey expects to be killed on a contract (he's made his peace with his mortality a long time ago). So I guess his happily-ever-after would be having the ability to travel Thedas and experience new things, find out what happened to his mom, maybe find a special someone(s) that he enjoys being around. Just being able to continue experiencing new and beautiful things out in this world for as long as he can.

In reality, he got so much more than he ever could have hoped for💕 seeing all these new amazing places through the Eluvians, meeting incredible people who challenged him and pushed him to be better for himself and their own sake, working with people he'll cherish for the rest of his life!

Hell, meeting Emmrich, growing closer to the necromancer, and having the realization of "I want to wake up with this incredible man in my arms for as long as this life will let me... is this what they mean by love?" was so unexpected for him! Seeing Emmrich be so gentle and thoughtful with Manfred and all the other spirits he comes across, watching him throw himself into this fight against the gods despite his fear of dying, knowing that he's always there to back Savrin and the crew up even in the most harrowing of situations. Emmrich showed him a sort of gentleness he didn't think he deserved. Where Emmrich settles the souls of the dead, Savrin sends them to their deaths, sometime agonizingly so. This little Crow is forever changed knowing that someone with such a gentle heart chooses to stay by his side, and continues to shower him in a kind of love he never thought he'd experience. Savrin still doesn't know what his future will hold (right now, hopefully a goddamn break holy shit saving the world is hard), but he's forever grateful it will have Emmrich in it, and he'll treasure that for as long as he can.

[kianaflame23]

Final Fantasy XVI men x f!reader SFW AND N*SW headcanons ☆

Cidolfus Telamon, Barnabas Tharmr and Dion Lesage

NO MINORS! ONLY 🔞 SO I WILL BLOCK YOU IF YOU DO NOT SHOW YOUR AGE IN YOUR BIO!

Summary: I don't see enough FFXVI men x reader here so I decided to write some headcanons for them! Hope you enjoy reading this and have a nice morning/day/night! ✨️

Cidolfus 💜

Definitely a sweet talker. Always knows how to make you blush. Sometimes, he'll tease you in front of Clive and Jill. Saying that you are his lady and how sexy you are to him~ making you blush furiously as you hear your friends' laughter.

He'll call you: my honey, my dear, my sweetheart. If Cid feels romantic, he will tell you "my only wife". You are his lover and he would still call you "his wife". Bonus if you are married with him and you called him "my sexy husband"

Give him a hickey in his neck and you won't be walking for days! Expect him to carry you in his arms throughout the journey. Hearing Clive and Jill's loud laughter as they continue to make jokes about you and Cid....It seems that your Cid doesn't care and smirks at you, making you blush even more. Refusing to talk to anyone....

Yes, he will tell you that he used to be with Benedikta and how he left her all alone.... you can tell that he blames himself. You reminded Cid that you'll still love him no matter what. You do agree that Barnabas only uses Cidolfus and you are very glad that he isn't with that dark king anymore

You REALLY love his voice! You can stare at him and listen to his talking. You don't care if he is talking to himself, YOU LOVE IT SO MUCH! Cid will get worried if you don't respond to him. However, he will use his sexy voice when you are alone with him. Having a "fun" time together 😏

Kisses your forehead more than twice a day. Want a kiss from him? Better prepare yourself because you might feel his tongue in your mouth while kissing you~

You once asks Cidolfus if you can ride him as both you and Cid make love together, you'll think that he is glaring at you. He is just imagining on how GOOD your pussy will feel as you bounce on his cock 🤭

CID LOVES YOUR MOANS SO YOU NEED TO MOAN MORE LOUDLY IF YOU WANT TO HEAR HIS SEXY GRUNTS. Maybe you'll hear his moans. You just need to hear it VERY well though.

French kissing with Cid? HEAVEN!! Depending on how Cidolfus feels but he'll still kiss you as he thrusts deeper in your sweet flower.

You want to start a family with him, You REALLY need to convince Cid because he most likely not ready because of his past and his revenge journey with Clive and the group. Cidolfus did promised Clive to help him so perhaps wait until it is over....

When that time comes, knowing that you are safe and you are okay. No war...no more killing..... then you and Cid can live together. Away from everyone... Clive, Jill and Torgal can visit you and your handsome husband. Cid smiled to himself as he looks at your beautiful face. You truly make him happy and hope you'll be with him forever.

"Yes, I'll stay with you...forever until we grow old, Cidolfus Telamon", you smiled at him, hugging him as you and Cid kissed passionately. Praying to Eikons that you won't see your lover suffer again.....

Barnabas 🖤

You are going to be his queen. PERIOD.

You will be his only queen, no question about it! Barnabas doesn't care if you don't love him, he'll come to your ear and tell you this...

"You will be MINE, (Y/N). I know you'll feel the same. I will be waiting for you when you realized how much you want me.", he whispers to your red ear, smirking as he hears your small gasp. He KNOWS you will be craving for his muscular body~

Expect him to be touchy-touchy with you as you and Barnabas walked together through his castle. He will only make love in private though. Doesn't want anyone to see you naked.

Facial kink. He'll cum in your face or chest. Barnabas does not mind if you want him to cum in your mouth~

He's into breeding and WILL MAKE YOU ARE FILLED UP WITH HIS CUM. HE WANTS TO START A FAMILY SO HOPE YOUR BODY IS READY FOR HIM! 😩

Nicknames for you: my queen, my sweet darling and my love

Nicknames for him: my dark king, my husband if he doesn't mind it, edgy king if you DARED TO CALL HIM IN FRONT OF EVERYONE (you'll get your "punishment" once everyone is out and Barnabas pulls your arm, pissed off as he takes you to the bedroom), and honey

Suck him really good while you are under the table, hiding from everyone as he talks with his knights. Sitting down in his chair, trying his best to NOT thrust his cock in your mouth. Try not to make noises if you don't want to get caught~

Mating press? Y E S !! Yours legs over his shoulders as Barnabas goes beast mode on you! Thrusting more deeper, feeling your tight pussy squeezing him. Grunting while telling you that you are his and ONLY HIM CAN HAVE YOU. NO ONE ELSE. HE WILL KILL FOR YOU.

"You are mine, (Y/N)! I WILL KILL ANYONE WHO TRIES TO TOUCH YOU OR EVEN LOOK AT YOU!

Repeating "mine" over and over until he releases his cum in your sweet flower

Oh! Shows his true self as you notices on how much he smiles at you and looks at you with such love and care....

Want a kiss from him? You don't need to tell him twice as he embraces you. Kissing you softly, dancing slowly in his castle. No one interrupting you and Barnabas there...

After all, Barnabas is tired from being alone and wants you to be his only loving queen.... if you ever die from his enemies or someone who is stronger than him, then Barnabas would rather die with you than continue living. You are his light....only woman who motivate him....of course, you'll do the same. You love him so much...

At least, you told him that you are pregnant. Knowing that Barnabas will be thrilled to hear those words, a small genuine smile appears in his face as he hugs you. Kissing your forehand, you know that he is crying. Vowing to protect you and your future child.

Dion 🤍

WHAT A CUTE CHARMING PRINCE?!

You love his smile so much! You would do anything to make him smile! You'll act like a fool so you can hear his laughter!

'Oh Eikons....his laughter is so cute! I need to hear it again....'

You are happy to know that Dion is loved by everyone and people depends on him if there's troubles in Sanbreque. He is the dominant of Eikons Bahamut! You know he is strong enough to protect his people.

You have a feeling that he has a complex relationship with his father....Telling Dion that you will always be there for him.

If he wants to vent his problems, then you'll whisper to his ear and say this...

"My prince, you can use your frustration on me. Use my body....I don't care if you want to have rough sex with me...", your seductive voice looked at you with such lust, craving to fuck you until he is no longer frustrated....

Thighs kink? Yup, Dion will use your thighs as he places his cock between your pussy. Thrusting slowly as you can his small moans, feeling yourself wet as your hands on your mouth. You REALLY love feeling his shaft

Depending if you are low class or perhaps royalty, Dion will treat you like a princess. He cares and loves you so much!

You and Dion running away from his Sanbreque and his father....that idea sounds wonderful for him....

His favorite sex position is doggy style or cowgirl. If you REALLY want Dion to be rough on you and fuck you until you can't feel your legs, then he'll do it. You're his princess, soon to be his wife if things goes well. If his father doesn't accept you, then he might ask you if he can murder his own murder. Afraid that you'll leave him and never want to see him... In the end, you kissed him as you told that you'll support his decision and staying with him. Loving Dion until you are dead... He is NOT letting you die on him, he will use Bahamut to kill anyone. You are the reason why he is continuing to protect his people, hoping he'll become a king. To have you as his wonderful queen.

Smack his ass and you will receive a cute reaction from Dion. Seeing him blush as he stuttered his words, trying to look angry or at least you like his reaction! You don't mind a "punishment" from him. It doesn't matter if you get "it"outside from the castle or in his room~

YOU WANT HIM TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU IN HIS GARDEN?! Smirking at you as you closed your eyes in ecstasy! Fucking you really good as he cums in you. Unless you want Dion to cum in your chest or stomach

Definitely into creampie! I am sure you want to start a family with your charming prince~

IDK WHAT I WROTE BUT HOPE YOU LIKE IT! PLEASE IGNORE MY GRAMMAR! I'll edit this FF16 men headcanons whenever I'm free!

[silverjetsystm]

Romance Meme

This was written on the app. Please forgive any formatting SNAFUs and assorted autocorrect errors

Name: Marc, Steven, Jake

Nicknames: MK [System]. Marc is Marc. Not Marky or anything like that. Steven is not a "Steve" and will probably ignore you if you call him that. Other in very specific circumstances, Jake is not a Jakob.

Relationship Status: Verse Dependent

616: Depends

222: Married (Layla)

Modern: "Incredibly Divorced" - Steven

Gender: Male

Romantic Orientation: Bi across the board, though Marc doesn't really grok that

Preferred Pet Names: first name, in "that" tone (loving, long suffering). sometimes rank, if it be like that. Jake can roll out Yiddish endearments, or he can drop insults in.

Opinion on True Love: It exists. Not always a guarantee of being a forever kind of relationship. work still needs to be done.

Opinion on Love at First Sight: it exists. it happened before. mix of dying and being resurrected while someone is above you can do that. well, that's second sight. first sight was Marlene telling Marc she hopes he gets the death he deserves.

or "man goes to apologize to woman for his involvement in her father's death, catches feelings immediately and tables that confession for years"

How 'Romantic' Are They?:

Marc's idea of romance had to evolve past teenager and military/merc activities. he goes through like 20 racing thoughts on if flowers or a gesture is appropriate or if it's because he thinks that's what people do. and then the store closes. or he'll just not do anything because it's not on his radar.

Steven's got that traditional romance thing on tap. all the correct gestures, genuinely enjoys it. will start throwing things at Marc to get Marc to do right

Jake's fun. he's playful. he's friendly, which can be Romantic or it can just be friendly. It takes time for himself to figure out if he's having romance or platonic. If someone tells him they're into him first, he'll then start that reflecting.

Ideal Physical Traits: Jake says Steven is afraid of blondes. but no, they aren't hung up on exact preferences.

hands, especially when demonstrating a sort of dexterity or skill (Steven especially).

love a good smile.

intense, communicative eyes.

body hair or smooth skin are both lovely. fur.

muscle. though, roundness is also nice on certain people.

Tall. They're 6'3. Tall is good. Short can be worked with. Marc gets all worked up if he's an inch shorter

long, nicely kept hair. Marc goes through some sort of emotion if someone who usually has their hair up takes it down.

someone who can kick Marc's ass.

basically, they'll get incredibly turnt on/find something to heart eyes at if one has if one is good to them

Ideal Personality Traits:

someone who listens. who asks instead of assumes the system knows what's going on.

someone who can kick Marc's ass (hold him accountable) when he's deep in rage, guilt, duty.

who tries to understand where the system is coming from.

who has a friendship/platonic with the other guys if they're only romantically/sexually interested in one.

it's about the supporting and the journey rather than "I want to help fix you"

Unattractive Physical Traits: [we'll be right back]

Unattractive Personality Traits: "oh, I don't want to know the others." rudeness to people who don't deserve it. Those who treat them like a project or pity them

Ideal Dates:

Marc: no, cases are not a date. he'll go out for dinner or do errands or things. in this age, he's also really about that staying in kind of date.

Steven: movie, museum, dinner combination. activity and nice food. don't make him suffer being at some event alone.

Jake: arcade bars. diners. dance club. grungy in comparison to Steven's fancy

Do They Have A Type?: headstrong. not immune to being drawn to mean. lovingly bully at will. make the executive malfunction

Average Relationship Length:

other than the very long term canon relationships, had a lot of 6 months to a couple years.

don't make me do the real world calculations for Marlene and the System. 1975-1984 is easy, and then they kept having a revolving door.

Layla and the System are eternal.

Preferred Non-Sexual Intimacy: cuddling. spooning. sparring.

Commitment Level: once they figure out a relationship is on the table, they are in deep

Opinion of Public Affection: tastefully is good. also -

Marc: liminal spaces. rooftops. alleys. bars.

Steven: what's the definition of private if it's at a party?

Jake: not in the cab

Past Relationships?:

there's not many but I'm focusing on the long/theme ones

Lisa: Marc's dead girlfriend from the Company years. Randall killed her so Marc almost killed Randall with a grenade. honestly, not much about her besides that :<

Marlene: I do love Marlene, I won't tolerate slander. both she and the System tried very hard to make it work. they also had differences they couldn't fix or ignore.

Greer: Marc and her had a fling during the Wackos days. they ended on good terms and reconnected in the canon/main verse. she did take Marc to task about how he treats his friends and he is trying his best with that regard.

Lifted from @kylo-wrecked

[desolateice]

How would your versions of Lawrusso(and maybe og cobras) from Rootbeer floats and green tea react if they ended up in the cobra kai universe? Like they ended up traveling to this alternative dimension of their lives. And they see how this older version of themselves and their kids/students? The Kreese and Silver problem? I just have tons of thoughts about it. And would love to hear your opinion.

Thank you. This would be probably pretty difficult for them because what I wanted was to give a ripple effect that allowed them to avoid Cobra Kai. Like a video game where the show is the arguably bad ending. (I mean it's not, but like for them it would be in a way) I'll put the entirety of this under a read more because it's going to be long. Lol guess what it's too long. I've got to do this in two parts. I didn't know tumblr had a limit for posts. 🤣 I wrote too much for Daniel and Johnny so they're going in a reblog, so this is cobras and Chozen.

Chozen: I think people wouldn't notice but he would. Kumiko would notice if he was back home and so would his friends back in Okinawa but for RBF&GT specific Chozen he'd be so lost because he'd made a home for himself in LA and it just wouldn't exist. And he wouldn't have the cobras as his friends or flirting with him and I think he'd be lonely. But he would see that Johnny and Daniel aren't together and I think he'd very quickly adjust and test the waters with Johnny, realize that Johnny hadn't ever like healed or anything of that journey he'd been on and he'd see if there was any of the Johnny he loved in there, realize there was and go for it. It'd take a bit of work, but I think he might succeed. Bobby: Would be surprised Johnny and Daniel aren't together, that Johnny and Daniel are both hurting still because of Kreese and Silver (ect.) and would feel obligated to help them both. He'd also do everything in his power to get Dutch out of jail and then lecture him forever. He would be reticent to break Daniel and Amanda up, but he'd try to peace keep and counsel and he'd probably try to get Johnny to move in with him, though I have no clue how that'd work with his family since he's married but we haven't met or know all the details there. And for all we know he might've tried and his partner might've banned him from having Johnny sleep on their couch. Dutch: Dutch would be surprised he was in jail, but then would think it was a cool experience for a moment. He'd call Bobby and tell him what happened and ask to get out because Bobby never changed his number and he couldn't get through to Johnny. He would try and see what magic he could do to try and fix everything. He would probably end up just moving in with Johnny and hassle him into getting better and healing. He'd probably be super bummed that he never healed his relationship with his parents. Jimmy: Would not notice a difference at first. Not for a while. Not until he tries to call up Tommy or visit him for lunch and realize he's not there and then find out Tommy's gone. Then he'll start finding other differences until he realizes what's happened but he won't believe it and he might have to take a leave of absence or something because he'll just completely spiral because he's still married and still got his kids but so much else is different and eventually he'll figure out what it is and try and fix it. For Tommy. Tommy: My goal in Root Beer Floats was to not let Tommy end up alone. His friends would all stay close and by his side and he'd have a job in the public eye so his health would be kept on a close eye on him. And I feel like this version of him would be a warning specter nightmare for him that he'd wake up from and just be like oh man, glad I don't live in that time line and then he makes sure to stop ignoring people and visit doctors on a regular schedule.

[gokartkid]

maxiel— lawyers au (max recently said he would be a lawyer if he wasn’t a driver lol.. idk it made me think of succession au even tho not rly related but similar vibes!!)

this ask is actually perfect because did you know my comfort show forever and for life is suits XOXOXO

max as a first-year-associate on that GRIND (put to work doing all the research that everyone else doesn't want to do) and daniel's just a bit higher up in the food chain re: he keeps coming over to max's desk to chat to him which max is at first like can u pls shut up and let me work 😭 but then daniel is yk eating his salad talking shit and he looks over maxs shoulder and says hey wait-- look. thats a major discrepancy (because when max talks as well he is listening, while he's making fun of him!)

daniel giving max tips and tricks re: yeah no dont even try talking to helmut if you see him have more than 3 coffees in the morning lol not worth it you'll get shut down. DO talk to christian if he's got his door open, and especially if he's had a meeting with toto-- he'll be so out of it he says yes to anything you ask about

max staying late because FUCK he has to get this pro bono case done and it, like, sucks, and he still doesn't know what the fuck billable hours are-- and he thinks he's all by himself until daniel rocks up with a pizza and is like. STOP. right now. you need brain food, like, yesterday. come on. ill help you out (working thru the night in the case library oooh)

daniel fucking it up in a trial and-- he's having a crisis suddenly and suddenly MAX is the one that can help HIM because "daniel of course I have been following your case you've been so stressed and look-- on page 28 there is this clause--" and they winnn!!! or whatever. im not a lawyer btw

max clearly getting on the partner track and daniel is getting. defffinitely feelings for him but they are-- also definitely discouraged from having relationships within the company let alone-- like, daniel doesn't want max to get any weird nepotism or fucking-your-way-up accusations and theres like a drunken moment where they kiss maybe, and max is suddenly like oh! oh wow i have feelings for daniel, whereas daniel is kind of at the end of this journey of "yup i definitely 100% have feelings for max. fuck. fuck fuck fuck." (also like. homophobia or whateverr they work at one of those pinkwashing rainbow tick companies but yk very "oh we have a gay employee (one)" :))

and so daniel... leaves! VERY shock news because ppl were like, oh suuurely he'll become a junior partner at some point in the next few years-- and its like, rlly shocking AND he has to not work for 3-6 months or smth because of sensitive client info and like, he has to start new at this new company (renault vibes) now and max feels like, horribly betrayed because obviously daniel didn't talk to him about it and-- why didnt he talk to him about it???

and daniel gets caught up in the move and sorting out his life and everything as well so he barely has the time to talk to max or to contact him or anything let alone like, examine his feelings now that a relationship would be POSSIBLE. anyway long story short: max feeling betrayed, daniel trying to see him again but only managing to do it in passing at like, trial overlap times they have and max is avoiding him because to HIM thats the clearest rejection you could get! (can't think thru a reconcile now but they do, and its hard, but then theyre lawyers in love or WHATEVERRR)

send me an au and ill make up some headcanons!

[fcatton]

ok so felix's main bg3 verse. . .

the cattons are a noble high elf family in the upper city. felix will become a ranger like his father was, and vee will not settle one a class, though she absolutely does not want to go worship at the hands of any deity so catch her living the life of a lady. farleigh is a half elf -- his mother married a human from another city in faerun, which is where farleigh was until his father passed away. now farleigh lives at saltburn with the twins.

felix meets quentin coldwater, a human wizard, when they are still young enough to be boys running around together. they pick up @devi1lute somewhere along the way, during tavern's early courtesean's days in the upper city. the three of them are quite an unstoppable force. that is until oliver quick comes into their lives.

felix doesn't know he was in love until that love was ripped from him. in order to try to secure felix for himself, oliver uses tricks he's learned from years with the guild to take quentin out of the picture, making it seem like an accident. while ollie thinks that'll force felix to turn to him, it's tavern he turns to in grief. that's when the anger comes. that's when oliver decides his infamous if i can't have him no one can.

thanks to his training, felix's body knows the effects of poison once it's ingested. he throws back up the wine that oliver gave him and sets out to try to find the bastard. it's while he's out in the woods that the illithids pick him up. while it seems to be fate, it was actually oliver. he set up a deal. oliver's prize? saltburn.

he doesn't anticipate the hero's journey that felix is about to embark on.

as a deeply neutral good aligned character, felix aligns with @we4ved from the moment he pulls him from the rock. while falling in love is slow for them both for such different reasons, felix is quick to deny anyone else's advances in camp. it isn't that gale reminds him of quentin. . . it's just that gale wants him to himself in the same ways quentin did.

he falls for the man much easier than the magic and the ambition. those are pieces of gale as much as his jokes and his love of books are. the whole package is needed together, and with it felix can stay up all night by the fire just talking to him. they make a perfect team, especially with karlach and shadowheart on either side.

when the battle is done, gale does what felix thinks is the unthinkable: he chooses to ascend to godhood over felix. after everything they'd been through, he felt the need to do this, without felix by his side. it breaks felix's heart, but he stays in baldur's gate to rebuild with those still there.

seeing gale again for the first time in six months, knowing he'd found his way to godhood on his own, left felix concerned with what might happen. astarion seemed to think the fact that felix wanted to put on his party best when whithers' portal appeared was outrageous. . . but he helped him anyway. the two had grown much closer now that they could claim a shared title as hero. at least astarion didn't judge whatever felix needed to do in the night to try to get over his love.

but it seems every moment spent trying to forget gale could be thrown out the window the moment he sees him again. glimmering silver in the light of his new powers, felix tries his hardest just be with his friends. . . but eventually he wanders to get gale alone. while wyll thinks it foolish that a god could love a mortal man, felix knows that they love they shared ties their bonds still. one night together again becomes many and after another six months pass it becomes obvious that felix's time will be spent in the mortal realm in the home he creates with scratch and tara in baldur's gate, and gale's realm amongst the pantheon.

he will never become a god, but he's an elf. he'll live long and take care of the city. when his time comes, instead of passing on to the heavens he belongs, his soul will move to it's place beside gale forever.

notes:

felix's dream guardian is q. yes it hurts as much as you think it will when he eventually realizes that q is in fact dead.

this is just his main verse cause i developed it with darian while i was playing through the run and i based it on the ending i actually got lol. the more we talked about it today, the more i realized i LOVE what can be for god!gale and felix.

i will super selectively ship felix in this verse. it would either be an AU where felix and gale do not get together OR after felix gets his heartbroken and then decides not to get back together with gale. felix is still hella gay.

[catsvkis]

this post by @silverynight makes me so upsetttt i want to add to this (again) bc i have no bkdk friends & i have to share my unnecessary thoughts somewhere 😭

katsuki just deals with so much emotional turmoil man......he wantsss he wants so much but he can't because The Past and now that izuku's quirkless again, the memories are too real and too painful that they can't possibly start anew. and why would izuku want anything to do with him now that katsuki is useless? he serves no purpose for him anymore. he has no place in his life. he doesn't know where he would fit in.

they don't know how to communicate. the only thing they have in common is their passion for heroism & that was the only time they can be remotely normal with each other. the first time they were civil was them discussing izuku's shoot style. from there katsuki just slotted himself back into his life as this figure that can help him get better & reach his dreams. and they created a dynamic that worked for them & it was doing so well until oh no he started loving it too much & he realized he probably was the one who caused izuku to become so callous with his own well being.

so he apologized & said nothing had to change because he didn't need forgiveness. because the arrangement they had is already good enough, he didn't need more (he did). he just wanted to stay by his side. he just wanted to be in his life, and that meant atoning for what he did, which meant keeping up the rivalry.

and if that wasn't enough, he'd even resort to being the supporting character. he'd finish what izuku started, help him do what he can't handle himself. "izuku, i won't get in your way anymore" could also mean this was his resolve as a resurrected person to use this second chance and permanently establish his position in izuku's life. as his closest person, as shigaraki put it. he'll help him and guide him and be there for him so goddamn well this time that izuku won't even feel a shadow of past katsuki over him saying he's worthless or that he needs to prove his worth by breaking his body and be alone in this journey. because he wants to be in his life forever.

the feelings they have for each other are just too complicated & too intense that they Need the cushion of quirks & heroism. without it they're back to square one, and it's too dangerous. and katsuki is so heartbroken and scared that nothing has changed after all. heartbroken because even though he himself is no longer that child who felt inferior & exposed to izuku's heroic heart, izuku is still at a disadvantage of not having a quirk to support his heroism. and it's so unfair. even all might said that the reason he gave izuku his quirk is because he wanted him to stand on the same ring as everybody else.

and he's scared that izuku is going to be so far away again like before. back when he felt so lonely and isolated and betrayed for some reason, which caused their complicated past and his bullying. like it really ultimately boils down to them being so insecure to say they want to continue being important to each other. izuku saying that it isn't katsuki to cry because he thinks he's mourning his chance to surpass OFA and prove himself as the number 1 hero. he also thinks they can't be anything but rivals and he no longer has any importance in his life and he wants to deny that. he can't contribute in the rivalry so kacchan won't want him anymore.

it's fitting with how the other characters are doing too. like if the villains are still alive, tgck & shotouya would have to navigate their relationships outside of their status as heroes and villains as do bkdk.

they're just desperately grasping and clawing at each other to make the other stay. and it's so ironic that the thing that connected them together is slowly burning out and they think their time now is limited and. just please PLEASE don't leave me again.

this adds a new layer of angst to "so izuku, can i still catch up to you?" because even on the brink of death he was still thinking of their little chase and catch game, he was already letting go of that future with him.

that's why he was so happy when he was revived. he was so thankful for the second chance. YES he can catch up, he'll surpass izuku and izuku will catch up and they can still chase each other and that future is so near he can feel it. they can still do this! only to have to let it go again because izuku is quirkless again, because he wasted so much time in the past being a terrible friend and he lost his chance. he could've had this with him the entire time, but he ruined it for himself.

edit: oh my god the TCB translation gives me brain damage....he thinks of the way he treated him when he was quirkless and thinks there's NO WAY izuku forgives him now. how can izuku lay there and be content and smile at him? their quirks gave them a more even ground with each other, he knows how to help him. he was going to do it right this time. he thought he had more time to make it up for him this way. damn.

edit 2: man i keep wanting to add to this LMKSJDJDJ i noticed the panels on the bottom left i think can also be interpreted as him realizing that having that quirk finally made izuku feel confident enough to stand up to him, with him. even though izuku had always loved heroes and wished he could be like them (katsuki), he never really believed he can actually do it until after all might gave him the quirk. as cursed as ofa was, it made all of this possible. it conveniently opened a way for his dreams to come true. and although we know that katsuki thinks izuku has always been a hero, it will get a lot harder to get there and he's heartbroken for him and he doesn't know if izuku even still thinks he can be one anymore. and he probably blames himself for ever making izuku doubt himself (that's why kacchan telling him that he's a hero nonetheless is sooo important ugh i wanna delete everything they're sooo....).

[casspurrjoybell-31]

The Consort - Chapter 9 - Part 1

*Warning Adult Content*

Finn

It takes hours to get Fiona into the house. Hours.

It doesn't help that both Kelly and Brayden are in earshot of her cries, neither of them coming to her rescue.

Eventually we make our way into the apartment and I coerce her into bed, assuring her that this all will be sorted out by the time she wakes.

"H-he doesn't remember me," she whimpers.

"And he never w-will."

Tears stream down her face.

Every word is a wheeze all on its own.

She's defeated and broken.

I cuddle next to her and stroke her arm.

It may not be the touch she wants right now but at least it's a human touch, one filled with enough warmth and emotion to not push me away.

"He loves you," I whisper.

"Even if he doesn't remember it right now, he'll learn to love you again."

As soon as I let my words spill into the saddened air, I know they're the wrong ones to say.

It's forbidden for a vampire and a human to be together.

Not only is it illegal but also it's actually so abhorred that people who choose to live a life with a vampire are shunned from human society.

Forever.

Even if it wasn't, Fiona's now a part of a movement to rid the world of vampires.

Being with Kelly isn't just against the rules now, it's against her moral compass as well.

"I'm sorry," I quickly say afterwards.

"I don't know what I'm saying."

Fiona sniffles and squeezes her eyes shut.

"Finn. I know you're trying but I just need to be left alone for a while."

"You sure you don't want me to stay?"

She shakes her head.

"I just want some time to process t-this. Please. Just go."

I nod and kiss her on the forehead before slipping out of bed, a bed whose sheets still hold the remnants of Kelly's shampoo and body wash within its fibers.

I readjust the covers around Fiona's trembling shoulders.

She sucks in a staggered breath and cowers.

I want to tell her how sorry I am but I'm so out of sorts that I'm worried my words won't come out right.

Instead I stand by the door for a few lingering minutes, listening to her shallow and jagged breaths as the last slivers of sunlight slip below the horizon.

When I close her bedroom door behind me, an unbearable weight of guilt and sadness comes to rest on my shoulders.

Even if it wasn't me who turned Kelly, I'll be the one to blame for it.

I was the one who left him behind, after all and I don't know if Fiona will ever be able to see past that.

"...hungry. It's unbearable," Kelly's voice gives me pause at the end of the hallway.

He sounds the same but different somehow.

It's like his voice is richer than it was before, a velvet coating layered over it.

"That'll go away," Brayden replies after a pause.

"Eventually."

Another stretch of silence.

I lean against the wall, careful not to make a noise and remain out of sight while the two of them continue their conversation.

"I want blood," Kelly hisses.

"And to fight. And have sex. And run. All at the same time."

Bogdan chuckles.

It's the first time I've heard it.

It's a gravely and throaty sound and my stomach flip-flops with a desire to hear it again and again.

"All normal," Brayden reassures him.

"But all will pass. Except, perhaps, the bloodlust. That takes centuries to dissolve."

The last thing I should be thinking right now is Brayden's journey after becoming a vampire.

Yet all my thoughts start spinning around Brayden being in this position many, many years ago.

At one time he felt like Kelly feels now.

At one time he was hungry for blood, hungry for violence... hungry for sex.

I swallow hard against my dry throat.

Did he quench all of those?

Or did he have a vampire acquaintance to help him get past it?

A twinge of hated jealousy coils my emotions, imagining him indulging in all of his sexual urges.

"Finn?"

I flinch at the sound of my name, even more so hearing it from Brayden's lips.

I push away from the wall and take slow, measured steps until my toes reach the edge of the living room carpet.

Brayden and Kelly both glance up at me from opposite ends of the couch, both dangerously beautiful and beautifully dangerous.

Kelly's nostrils flare and his lips tighten while he eyes me from head to toe.

I've never been scared of Kelly a day in my life.

For as long as I can remember, being in his presence has given me nothing but reassurance and security.

Now, staring into his blood-red eyes, I feel the years of confidence slipping away in only seconds.

Brayden stands from the couch and takes a hesitant step towards me.

My heart quickens watching him approach me.

Has it really been only days since I last saw him?

It feels like an eternity.

His features are pointed and harsh, each one a haunting reminder of the man he used to be.

I've never seen someone so beautiful in my life and I have a sinking suspicion I never will.

I suck my bottom lip into my mouth and lean against the living room doorway for support.

When Brayden is only a foot away from me, I barely have the courage to meet his gaze.

His muddy red eyes travel over my face, his expression giving nothing away.

"How is she?" he finally asks.

I'm not sure he cares to hear the answer but the question itself surprises me.

Vampires are hardly in touch with their emotions.

Maybe the talk I had with Brayden when he dropped me off had more of an impact than I thought.

"Not well," I answer truthfully.

"I'm not sure how she'll feel when she wakes up but..." my voice trails off and I tip my head to the side to peek at Kelly over Brayden's shoulder.

[ode-to-spring]

˚⊹₊ ⋆ AS A MEMBER OF BENNY'S ADVENTURE TEAM ...ꜜ

you are the first to join benny's adventure team in forever, and you promise to stay by him through whatever ups and downs you might face &lt;3

ੈ♡˳ bennett x reader (platonic !) ੈ♡˳ category :: fluff !! but bennetts described to used to be sad ?? nonetheless it's benny loving hours &lt;3 ੈ♡˳ warnings :: brief mention of injuries at some point ! but it's nothing too detailed ੈ♡˳ a/n :: HEAD EMPTY ONLY BENNY!! IF NO ONE BECOMES HIS TEAMMATE I WILL HOP INTO MY SCREEN TO WALTZ UPTO THE ADVENTURERS GUILD MYSELF 👺

❥ okay first of all, bennett absolutely adores you! after going on countless adventures alone all these years, it's refreshing to see a new face-- especially when you came up to him on your own (he almost cried then, but you can't really blame him, he was just!! happy!!)

❥ that said, there was always a reason for his loneliness and distance from his peers. though it appears you were daring enough to go against some other adventurers harsh “warnings” (ehem ehem royce ehem) surrounding him, and still signing up despite what they all said.

❥ while adventuring, there is *never* a dull moment with bennett, but that could mean either good or bad. he’s generally a very charismatic person, and he’s learned to make light of even the darkest situations, so of course being with him is fun! but when his infamous luck starts kicking in, there's a chance you might find yourselves accidentally falling into the lair of a resigvine, or accidentally picking a whopper flower instead of a piece of mint, or it starts to rain while you're fighting a cryo abyss mage…

❥ but he tries to make up for it! he’ll take you to his favorite places that he’s seen on his travels, buy you your favorite food (not cook, he’s scared he’ll mess it up and potentially feed you something bad,) or maybe bring you your favorite flowers and little gifts for you to show that he's happy you're adventuring with him <3

❥ adding onto the last point, bennett has gotten to know many of mondstadt's beautiful sceneries over the years. sure, you might get lost every once in a while, but you can always count on him to take you to beautiful places he found on his previous journeys! after all, it's never too bad to get sidetracked every once in a while to see one of mondstadt's hidden jewels, right?

❥ you're also gonna get to know his other friends!! there are really chill hangouts in the forest sometimes with fischl and razor tagging along with you, its overall just a really fun time! fischl and bennett are there so don't count on any moments where there isn't a fun conversation talking your ears off, and although razor doesn't understand a lot of what they're saying, he thinks it's nice being with people that don't think he's weird & he can eat happily with :')

❥ if you ever get injured while adventuring with him, he'll feel bad for weeks. whether it was a small scratch or a slightly more severe injury, he'll apologize thousands of times to you, still blaming himself. he might keep his distance for a while if you need time to recover, thinking more bad things will happen if you're near him, so please reassure him that it wasn't his fault and you don't blame him

❥ please. im begging you to tell him you're happy adventuring with him. this boy needs to hear that after being alone because of his luck for so long and even just one person telling everyone else's negative comments otherwise would mean the world to him :(