#I love this family and I loved their stupid fight in the tunnel

[inkskinned]

before you know about women, you hear that you do not need to love the man, just that you need to love him through his manhood. which is to say you have seen the future painted in lamb's blood over your eyes - how your mother shoots you a look about your father's inability to cook right. how your aunt holds her wineglass and says i'm gonna kill em. men, right! how your best friend bickers with her boyfriend, how she says i can't help it. i come back to him.

you learn: men are gonna cheat. men aren't going to listen when you're talking, because you're nagging. men think emotions are stupid. they think your life is vapid and your hobbies are embarrassing. men will slam things, but that's because men are allowed to be angry. if you get loud, you're hysterical. if a man gets loud - well, men are animals, men are dogs, men can't control their hands or their eyes or their bodies. they're going to make a snide comment about you in the locker room, about your body, about how you're so fucking annoying. you're going to give him kids, and he will give you the money for the kids, and you're going to be running the house 24/7 - but he gets to relax after a long day, because his job is stressful. the man is on stage, and is a comedian, and says "women!"

and you are supposed to love that. you are supposed to love men through how horrible they are to you - because that's what women do. that's what good women do. wife material. your father even told you once - it'll make sense when you're older. it was like staring down a very lonely tunnel.

it feels like something's caught in your throat, but it's all you know, so. it's okay that you see sex as a necessary tool, a sort of okay-enough ritual to keep him happy, even though he doesn't seem to care about happiness as-applied-to you. it is relationship upkeep. it is kissing him and smiling even though he didn't brush his teeth. it is getting on your knees and looking up and holding back a sigh because he barely holds you as you panic through the night. it's not like the sex is bad and you do like feeling wanted. and besides! he's a man! like... they're another species. you'll never be able to actually communicate, right. he isn't listening.

you just don't get it. you don't feel that sense of i'm gonna climb him like a tree. mostly it just feels fucking exhausting. you play the part perfectly. you smile and nod and are "effortlessly" charming. and it's fine! it's alright! you even love him, if you're looking. you could have good life, and a good family, and perfectly happy.

in the late night you google: am i broken. you google i'm not attracted to my husband. you google i get turned on by books but not by him. you google how to get better in bed.

the first time he yells at you, it almost feels like blankness. like - of course this is happening. this is always how it was going to end up. men get angry, and they yell, and you sit there in silence.

you mention it to your friend - just the once - while you're drunk. she shrugs and says it's like that with me too, i just try to forget and move on. men are always gonna hear what they want to. pick your battles and say sorry even though he's in the wrong. you play solitaire online for a month. you go to your therapist appointment and preach about how you're both so in love.

after all, you have a future to want. nobody lied about it - how many instagram posts say marriage is hard. say real love takes work. say we fight like cats and dogs but the best part is that we always make up. how many of your friends say happy anniversary to the best and worst thing to ever happen to me. if you really loved him - loved yourself too - you'd accept that men are just different from you.

the first time she kisses you, it's on a dare at a party. something large and terrifying whips through your body. you wake up sweating from dreams where her mouth is encrusted with pearls and you pick them off one by one with your teeth. fuck. you sit at the computer and your almost-finished game of sim city. you think about your potential perfect life and your potential future family. you google am i gay quiz with your little hands shaking.

you delete each letter slowly. you don't need to love him. you just need to keep going.

[wastemanjohn]

i'm not at all bothered about people disliking john because entirely valid tbh and someone else's opinion changes nothing for me. i just think the militant anti john brigade - that is, those that make up textually unsupported and entirely leftfield reasons to dislike him - are really missing out.

the thing is, we've got an absolute buffet of an interesting and irreparably fucked up character here. we could debate the absolute Horrors of john winchester and his a+ parenting for days on end literally from the two seconds of screentime he had. because he does suck! it's totally fair to say that canon john is selfish, neglectful and at best emotionally abusive. now i'm defo no apologist (see username) - but he's also the furthest thing from a cardboard shitty abusive dad. there is serious context for the things he does and the way he thinks.

john's life was hell man. his own dad, for all he knew, abandoned him. he went to war young and almost certainly came back with ptsd. these things alone don't exactly make life easy but then your wife burns to death on a ceiling and you're left a widower and a single dad to a baby and a pre schooler before you're even thirty? then discover that it couldn't even be a plain old housefire but no - there is actual Evil out there and you and your children are not safe and never will be?

the desire for revenge is understandable. the desire to do stupid and paradoxically dangerous things to protect your children are understandable. right, good or healthy? no. but understandable. and that's what makes a good sympathetic character.

basically i think a lot of negative readings of john exaggerate the badness of his intentions and ignore his humanity. it's also understandable that john is not a beacon of emotional regulation. it's also understandable that he cant always balance being emotionally and physically there for his kids with Fighting The Horrors. pour alcohol misuse onto this dumpster fire and you're not getting a perfect person, or a perfect parent. you're getting a broken human who was focused only on keeping his kids safe, alive, protected, and able to protect themselves. sure, he had tunnel vision about it. he did it very badly. he controlled sam as the youngest and parentified dean as the oldest. he made sam feel misunderstood and smothered. he made dean feel completely responsible for the welfare of his brother and dependent on john's praise and approval as his second in command.

john fucked his kids up IMMEASURABLY. he thought he was doing the right thing.

also - remember young john? remember how he's softly spoken and loves his cars and adores his girlfriend and respects his fucking elders and, to quote mary, "believes in happy endings"? remember the doting dad we see for like a minute in the pilot? is that not meant to show us that, had his life not taken the turn it did - he would likely have been an entirely different person? how is the tragedy of that not also completely DELICIOUS??

so why homophobic john? why john who beat dean senseless regularly? why john who gave no shits and wanted his boys to be miserable? why these embellishments that make him someone else, someone with nothing good inside of him, when what canon gives us is so much better?

come on guys. the tragic messy sad angry selfish HUMAN john we got in the show is an absolute treat. why are we making him an irredeemable, unfeeling and uncomplicated asshole who doesn't give a shit about his boys. ya'll saw him spending a good 50% of his screen time crying about how much he loved them right? and sam and dean KNEW he loved them. they also knew, or in dean's case came to realise, that he was a terrible father in many ways. real life is messy and nuanced. families are messy and nuanced. and imo spn got this so right.

[frances-baby-houseman]

I have seen the film We Live in Time. I feel like maybe you want to see it so I won't say anything but like, I love Florence Pugh and obviously Andrew Garfield and like. You do not need to rush to see this one. You can see it on an airplane. But if you want to know more of my thoughts about this film you can read them below the cut.

This movie goes out of chronological order and often the only way you know what time they're living in is by Miss Flo's hair. that's an important note. Miss Flo has a LOT to do and as you will see Andrew has very little to do other than cry.

Andrew is getting a divorce. He has to go to a hotel and talk about weetabix. He cries in the bathtub while eating cookies.

He goes to the store in a bathrobe on a highway to get pens to sign his divorce papers. also gets a chocolate orange. Miss Flo runs him over.

They go out for milkshakes. Andrew cries a little because he is in pain from getting run over.

He gets together with Miss Flo, then they have a fight because he wants children and she gets REALLY mad that he puts this on her. He cries and leaves.

He inexplicably follows a pizza man into a baby shower to tell Miss Flo that he loves her and does not care about children, only the time he is currently living in. He cries out of newfound love.

They decide to introduce their parents. It is revealed in a conversation about Salt Lake City that Miss Flo was a competitive figure skater (but inexplicably she was not in Salt Lake for the olympics, just a different competition. weird choice.) Andrew tears up out of surprise for his very competetive girlfriend (at some point he learns by going through a box that she is both bisexual and a very competitive chef.)

Later that night miss flo gets a stomach ache, very bad, Andrew tears up with worry.

It is revealed she has ovarian cancer. She can have a total hysterectomy (good for actually curing it) or partial/keep her eggs so they can have babies, which she didn't even want, but now she does want for him. You can see where this is going. Andrew cries.

She gets better and they ride the carousel with the insane horse to celebrate.

~Fertility Montage~ Andrew is teary when the tests are negative and also positive.

Several false alarms to give birth to this baby.

They are in a tunnel to finally go to the hospital and it's new years eve and the traffic is stopped and Andrew gets out to investigate and when he comes back Miss Flo is gone to a convenience store where she is picking out every single food. They abandon the car, truly, we never hear of it again. Absolutely insane behavior.

Miss Flo gets locked in the gas station bathroom and the baby is COMING. Andrew, teary, kicks in the door with two employees, then they help Miss Flo give birth in the bathroom. This is a VERY LONG SCENE. Everyone is crying, especially Andrew. The baby is born.

Time passes. They move to what looks like Kate Winslet's cottage from The Holiday.

Miss Flo gets another tummy ache. Oh no the cancer is back. She got the baby but also got Chekhov's remaining ovary cancer. She doesn't want more treatment because she wants to live in the time she has. Andrew cries (this is literally the first scene in the movie).

She DOES get treatment but also she decides to compete in the Beaucoup D'or, which is a prize for chefs that looks like Iron Chef and will take like 40 hours a week to train for, in addition to her job and her family. She tells Andrew she's not doing it and he's teary with gratitude

Andrew proposes (these two are MODERN and are not married despite having a kid and a cottage.) Obviously, he cries. He makes cute little save the dates with a carousel horse on them.

They shave her head. This happens early in the film so you'll know what time they're in when it jumps around, but is stupid bc she just has a buzz cut and does not ever actually lose her hair. The buzz cut is just to tell you it's cancer #2 timeline.

She IS doing the competition and puking a lot, which is gross for a chef. We have no clue what andrew is doing when he's not crying in her presence. Presumably, a ton of childcare.

The doctor says the treatment didn't work and they eat some candy. Andrew OBVIOUSLY cries. Almut says she'll pick the kid up from school.

Almut forgets to pick the kid up from shcool and is very busy training for the beacuoup d'or. she comes home and Andrew is crying with rage and fear that she might be dead. She reveals the contest and is like, I want my daughter to remember me for more than just being her mother (fair!!) and Andrew cries out, "how can she remember you for something you are keeping secret!!" (EXACTLY my thoughts, andrew.) OH YEA the competition is the weekend of the wedding!!!!! So Andrew takes the box of save the dates out to the trash and takes each one out of the box and puts them individually in the trash can while crying.

Ok so now we are in Italy and Miss Flo passes an ice rink and looks at it meaningfully. Then it's CHEF COMPETITION TIME. Miss Flo's assistant (loved this character) throws up. TOO MUCH CHEFS THROWING UP!!!

Andrew and the baby who's like 5 now are in the audience. He is teary with pride. Miss Flo cooks but she doesn't stay for the results. She walks out with Andrew and the baby.

They obviously go to the skating rink and they skate around and then Miss Flo skates off and like, does this weird wave and then you know she is dead.

Andrew is now a single parent and taking care of the baby and getting the cottage chicken eggs. He actually is crying less now. They make pancakes or something.

the end.

[fountainpenguin]

I'm sorry if I'm annoying you. But I can't get over you City Lights AU Dale. The man looks like he has all the issues and is hanging on by the thinnest thread. One more problem and he will just fully collapse.

😂 I'm eating your asks like sandwich.

^ He is overworking himself in a desperate attempt to make peace with the fact that he never got to hear his late father say "You did everything I ever asked without complaint; you are such a good son and you've made me so proud."

Push him near a goalpost and he'll panic and kick it across the room. We don't know how to process feelings of achievement and pride in this family. Those are Bad Emotions that will get the company steamrolled by competitors... You could lose everything... Is that how you want to be remembered?

I've been waffling on whether to share this WIP or withhold it for in-the-moment drama, but just for you... a treat.

His back ached from hunching; his feet stung from dirt. Vicky didn’t leave me down there; she always came back. “Do you know what that means?” Without waiting for an answer, Dale grabbed Timmy’s shoulder with one hand and pumped his fist with the other. “I’m still her bestie! She didn’t replace me!” “She locked you in a cellar for 7 years,” Timmy started, but Dale cut him off by slamming the bathroom door. And he laughed at nothing, clutching fingers in his hair, because… He really had to talk to her. They could clear this whole mess up! Now, let’s get one thing laid out crystal-flat. Dale knew Vicky had locked him up down in Dimmsdale’s tunnels, sure. He wasn’t stupid. But she wouldn’t have done that at all if he hadn’t threatened to tell untrustworthy adults about The Accident that kicked the lemonade business off in the first place, and it wasn’t her fault he’d been a disloyal friend. He really put her in a bad position there- That can’t be denied. Dale dragged his hands down his face (and dragged his butt down the door) until he thumped on freeze-dried tile. His toes gripped the bathmat. He wrapped his arms around his knees. I’m sorry. I’m sorry… I'll be better. I'm ready to listen now.

Prompt #96 - "You Deserve It"

My terrible headcanon is that if it took 7 years for Dale to work up the courage to open a trapdoor and crawl out, and he didn't file charges severe enough to stop Vicky from babysitting Timmy, he is not the kind of person who would stop hanging out with her SDLFKJ.

Also, here's a sketch I made for this post. I opted not to post it there, but I think it captures My Vision really well:

Toxic ex-BFFs with a very weird dynamic post-lemon pit torture, gossip buddies, and a secret 3rd thing... silly little guys.

He hates the fighting, but he craves the structure... Being nice to Vicky is the safe option... It's such big "Get real, Dale- No one will ever want to deal with you and your problems; I'm the only one who can put up with your baggage" vibes...

He can tolerate the bruises; he can make little exceptions; friends forgive each other and not forgiving her would mean throwing away the 3.5 years they had before the Real Trouble Began... Do u understand...

I've been brainstorming another WIP of Dale fantasizing about terrible things he wants to do to Vicky, but I'm not sure I'll actually write that one because it's pretty dark SLKDFJ

Listen, I just want Dale to slam Vicky against a wall and it turns out Mark was shapeshifted as her handbag and OH, HE PROTEC-

It's extremely important to me that Dale is nice and sympathetic enough that Dev believes if he can just pry his dad away from business, they can play and have fun. Dale being "sweet and engaging and loving" around his wife and during the holidays has done a NUMBER on Dev's psyche.

[edwinas]

A character study of Lemon

A companion piece to these posts I & II, inspired by @books-are-my-life-stuff gifs

“I was intentionally getting in [Mash’s] way so he wouldn’t reach the goal. Professor Lucci asked me to. He told me he would pass me if I got in his way. My family is poor, and I desperately wanted to be accepted for their sake.” — Lemon, episode 2 “I reached out thinking even scum can be useful, but you bit the hand that fed you. Is your stupidity inherited from your parents? No wonder you have a miserable life.” — Lucci, episode 2

Magic determines one's social status so poor families with average to low magical abilities were seen as sub-human and treated as such (see the views of Wirth Madl, Abel, Carpaccio, Levi etc). "The strong have the right to take from the weak" is a philosophy that many magic users believed in, especially the elite. So Lemon was used to being dismissed and given crumbs. Street-smart out of necessity, she was resigned to cheating and lying for her family because society would never give her a fair chance. The guilt ate at her but survival came first.

Something shifted when she met Mash. He came back for her at the risk of not passing the exam. He put his future in jeopardy for her. For the first time ever, Lemon mattered.

For me that's also why Lemon falls for him. Here is a boy who came back for her. No one had done that. As the eldest daughter, Lemon had to be the responsible and dependable one. She took care of others. Mash was the first one who came back.

Mash's motivation to enter Easton Academy and become a divine visionary struck a chord with Lemon because she also entered Easton Academy for her family. She was willing to cheat to get ahead while Mash, who's very existence challenged the status quo, played by the rules and won. He inspired Lemon to live life on her terms, to allow herself to dream and not settle anymore.

Lemon is also deeply grateful to Walhberg who accepted her into Easton Academy despite her cheating. The strongest wizard saw something in her and gave her the chance she desperately needed. Knowing the immense luck she had, Lemon threw herself into her studies, took extra credit, was part of many clubs. While in canon Lemon has "Mash tunnel vision", for me she is is very much aware of who she is, where she is and the opportunities offered by Easton Academy.

As said in my previous post, Lemon tries her best to give back to Easton Academy by tutoring juniors, volunteering, organising school events etc. Her disposition brings people together, like in the Innocent Zero fight.

A downside to having a jam packed schedule is that Lemon does not take time to rest. She is always pushing herself to make the most of every minute, at the expense of her health. She does not listen to her body and eventually suffers burn outs.

The paraphrased quote from Aera's gifset "Dear young maiden, Fall in love for life is short and time wait for no one" encapsulates who Lemon is to me.

We see how obsessed Lemon is with Mash and that is 100000% for comedic effect. But I also see it as a window into who Lemon is. She is someone who cares so deeply and is fully committed, be it Mash or the welfare of magical creatures. There is no in-between and that is how Lemon approaches life.

In this post I wrote "lemon knew binding magic (chapter 2 & 126) and training animals with kindness (chapter 126) so she settles on care for magical creatures." I still stand by Lemon choosing this field but she does so because she loves it. As explained above, I don't see Lemon settling anymore, especially for something as important as her career. She still does her research, goes to university and career fairs, shadows people who's jobs interest her, reviews career progression potential and income etc. She chooses studies of magical creatures.

Lemon has always been brave and Easton Academy, including her friends, have inspired her to be bolder. To keep going despite all the rejection. No attempt is futile. The world was saved thanks to ordinary people coming together. Lemon saved Mash (and the world) by physically shielding him, no magic involved. She follows her heart and wants to live a life without regret. So she applies to the most prestigious universities and most competitive programs. She puts in the work.

For me Lemon is not magically inclined. She stays up late, reviews her flash cards at lunch, tapes her notes to the bathroom mirror to revise while brushing her teeth. She works hard. She is not and will never be a girlbossTM to me. There will be no radical transformation into a snarky "not like other girls" overpowered character. Lemon is very aware of her limitations. She will never be as powerful as Dot or Lance or even Finn. She will never be as strong as Mash. Surrounded by such incredible people, she grapples with insecurities, doubt and even jealousy but life goes on. She tries to do the best with what she has got. She remains the sweet girl who doesn't let Mash finish his choux creams because their senior is at the hospital.

[uselesslexbian]

the battle of the labyrinth by rick riordan sentence starters.

it's not a date!

not even my luck could be this bad.

i didn't get your full name last time when you tried to kill me.

you called me a mortal. like you're not.

tell me. you know what it means. all these horrible things i see?

for years i thought i was going crazy. i couldn't tell anybody.

i'm not a monster.

you don't need that. how about a kiss instead?

such a pretty little blade. what a shame it stands between us.

it would be merciful to end your life now, before you have to see that.

what did you do this time?

i'll make up some story. i'll tell them it wasn't your fault.

she's kind of cute.

promise not to kill me if i put my sword away?

i'm talking about justice. vengeance.

you will learn differently as you get older.

do you want revenge or not?

he was driven insane. he didn't die.

your armor is crooked.

we're fine. we fell in a hole.

there will be no killing today.

i don't fear you.

are you going to help me or not?

don't tell me you're scared.

you don't understand anything. i'm never going in there again.

we've had plenty of problems before, and we solved them.

you wanted power. i gave you that.

i told you not to disturb me.

you know my heart belongs to you.

you're in charge now. all the decisions are on your shoulders. that's what you wanted, isn't it?

i didn't think you liked heroes.

didn't you try to kill him, like, a lot of times?

getting something and having the wits to use it... those are two different things.

if you thought your first imprisonment was unbearable, you have yet to feel true torment.

demigods are cheaters.

i have nothing to offer. i have lost everything.

you should sleep.

how about i take first watch? i'll wake you if anything happens.

my friends are in danger.

you pick fights for no good reason.

i was hoping you would give up.

you have to forgive. you have to promise me this.

you should not fear power. use it.

some of us... the way we learn not to trust people is even more painful.

no. i'm not leaving you.

do you support the gods because they are good, or because they're your family?

be careful of love. it'll twist your brain around and leave you thinking up is down and right is wrong.

you could stay with me. i'm afraid that is the only way you could help me.

we thought you were dead.

you are the single most annoying person i have ever met.

she will calm down. she's jealous.

sometimes things go wrong. heroes get hurt. they die, and the monsters just keep coming back.

do me a favor. if you find him, don't trust him. don't ask him for help. just kill him.

i'm calm. every time i'm around you, some monster attacks us. what's there to be nervous about?

i could be gone a week and my parents wouldn't notice.

you've gotten better with the sword. i'll give you that.

hey, i'm usually about to die. don't feel bad.

you don't have to act like that.

i regret what i did. i was angry and bitter. but i cannot take it back.

there's something evil down that tunnel. something very powerful.

i'll be quick. i won't do anything stupid.

i renounce the gods. what have they ever done for me?

we needed to help you or you'd mess things up.

i didn't want you to die. you owe me too many favors. how am i supposed to collect if you die?

well, i did not miss this place.

maybe it's okay to still be a kid once in a while.

i was beginning to feel better, so i thought i would talk with you a bit. you always manage to annoy me.

you will regret this insult.

it sounds like we've got a lot to talk about.

[blossom-works]

What if...

A/N: Branching off my first Hades x Reader, what if he didn’t die in the seventh round of Ragnarok? What if Qin Shi Huang ended up the loser and Hades the victor?

--- 

Anxiously sitting on the couch, you watch the battle play out between your husband and the former emperor of China. You will admit, Qin Shi is a formidable fighter. You do not think your husband has not had so much fun since Beelzebub came to Helheim. A funny memory of yours. You were just about to enter dreamland when a large explosion came from one of the castle’s towers. You also remember Hades coming into your shared chamber with his clothing tattered. He had a grin on his face as he told you Beelzebub’s misinterpretations. 

While your husband has taken on more damage than his opponent, he has no intentions of giving up. You can only hope that the medical attention here can reverse the damage. You have noted that Qin Shi’s abilities allows him to see his opponent’s “stars” or weak points. The only problem though, he is fighting with a God. The King of the Netherworld. A man who has a family to come home to and a brother to avenge. With a last thrust of his Desmos, Hades lands the final blow. He pierces straight through Qin Shi’s chest, killing the old soul. They fighters share a moment of appreciation. A king fighting a king, and a king winning as a king should. 

Qin Shi’s body falls flat on the ground, his body and the Valkyrie sister vanishing to Niflhel. Tired, your husband leans against his spear as he watches. The stadium is quiet. The match has left everyone, not just you, on the edges of their seat. Your brother-in-laws are no different. As much as Hades loves his brothers, they share the same affection. Suddenly, the side of the Gods erupt in cheers. The King of the Netherworld has proven how powerful he is. He is not a legend but a God. Your chest deflates from holding your breath for so long. You can now relax knowing that you will have company as you sleep. 

Teleporting, you appear by your husband’s side, gently taking the bloodied spear from him. You may be smaller than Hades, but you do your best to support his weight. Step by step you help him to his entrance tunnel. The announcer as always, is hyping the crowd, loudly stating the winner of the match. 

“I can’t believe you did something as stupid as cutting your chest open. You’ll be hearing about this for the next week.”

“I expect nothing less from you my love.” Hades laughs. His blood covered body is now staining your clothing. When the two of you enter the tunnel, a bunch of nurses surround you two. They guide the king down to play on an extravagant gurney, Hades’ bident is still in your palms. 

“I’ll visit you when you’ve been thoroughly checked out.”

Hades gives you a simple nod as he is wheeled off. Looking down at the spear you wince in disgust. The blood on it has started to oxidize and there are patches of red on your white clothing. Snapping your fingers a servant from your domain arrives. 

“You called m’lady?”

“Yes, please clean Hades’ bident and bring me a change of clothing.”

Now presentable, you head to the room where your family spent before the match began. When you open the door you are surprised to find it empty. Hermes comes from behind you and tells you where your daughter is. Apparently, she asked the servants to bring her to the sky box since she wanted to see you. Making your way back to the terrace, sure enough, you hear your daughter’s laughter. She sits perched on Ares’ shoulders, giving her a new vantage point. Zeus is behind them as he tries to tickle his little niece. 

“Mama!”

Quickly she jumps off her cousin’s shoulders. With your fast reflexes you catch her before something can happen. She may be a goddess, but she is still a child. She started talking about how worried she was during the fight. Hades thought it would be best if she watched the match in the specialized room on the screen instead of in person. A request you did not and still do not understand. She cheered for her father the entire time. The owl she was gifted as a newborn unfortunately had to suffer through some serious whiplash. 

“Where’s daddy?”

“He’s getting some medical attention right now sweetheart. We’ll see him when the doctors are finished.”

A little disappointed but understanding, she nods. Zeus insists of transferring to the tea room as preparations for the next round starts. While waiting, your daughter plays with her cousins and uncles. It is not often that your family comes to Valhalla. Not to mention that she is the only child in Helheim, it can get quite lonely for her. A topic that you and Hades have frequently discussed. Sitting on your lap is her little owl she named “Ow Ow”. A knock comes from the double doors and Hermes answers. 

“Hades is ready for visitors.”

“Yay! C’mon mama! Let’s go see daddy!”

“Hold on there. What do you say to your uncles and cousins for the hospitality they’ve shown you?”

“Oh, thank you for the tea and for playing with me.”

You give her a pat on the head as praise. Saying your farewells you follow the nurse to your husband’s private room. Upon seeing her dear father, your mini you runs up to him, totally forgetting about his injuries. With a huff he envelopes her in his arms. You sit on the other side of the bed, Hades is now surrounded by his family. You and your daughter share a look, and then attack your husband with a kiss. Each of his cheeks gets a firm kiss from you two. A daughter who is glad to see her father again. A wife who is happy to have her husband coming back home with her. A husband who is happy that he avenged his little brother and most importantly, to have his girls in his arms. 

--- 

A/N: Should I make more Hades content with this story line? If so, what would you like to read?

[atomicgambit]

tell us more about your lone wandererrrr

Not sure how much info you’re wanting but I’m gonna take this as an opportunity to infodump!

This is Mason

He’s Afro-Hispanic American. His mother being African American and his father being Hispanic American. He looks the most like his mother(I actually based his appearance somewhat on Catherine’s canon model). He is currently 19 years old.

Karma

Mason’s karma is good and he is described as an “Urban Avenger” by Three Dog. There was a point not too long after his father’s passing where his karma fell into neutral and he was described as “Urban Ranger” which was when he and Butch began to travel together. Eventually he got his karma back up to good after dealing with most of his feelings and remembering how proud his father was when he saw the good he had been doing. He proposed to only do good from now on.

Personality

I’d describe Mason’s personality as a “wanna be tough guy”. He acts like tough shit, especially around his fellow Tunnel Snakes, but it’s easy to see it’s just a protective wall he’s built himself. It only got worse when he left the vault to find his father. He is really open-minded and is quick to defend ghouls and super mutants. They were human after all and didn’t choose their fates, but he’s not stupid enough to let a Super Mutant grab him and will defend himself accordingly. I’d also describe Mason as aroace. He has had very few crushes and has been in no relationships, let alone sexual ones. It’s just something Mason hasn’t really thought about or really cared about. He actually gets uncomfortable when people try to come on to him and he will tell them to fuck off. Even back in the vault, when the other Tunnel Snake boys spoke about the girls, he was mostly absent in the conversation and just listened.

Opinions on People/Companions

Only talking about people he’s encountered, so anyone he hasn’t met or doesn’t have an opinion of just won’t be on here. Also some people are grouped together to keep the list at a decent size lol.

Dad(James): To state the obvious, Mason loves his father dearly. His father raised him the best he could and understands his father’s grief around his mother. He doesn’t hate his father for leaving the vault but he wishes he could have at least told him where he was going and why. Now these good memories are clouded with grief after his father’s death.

Jonas: Great family friend. Somewhat like an uncle to Mason. He misses him greatly and can’t believe he was killed.

Butch DeLoria: Mason saw Butch as tough and a guy who didn’t give a fuck, and he latched on to that. Copying his tough persona and fighting back, Mason was eventually allowed to join the gang as he was deemed “tough” enough to be Tunnel Snake material. They weren’t super close inside the vault. When Mason was exiled from the vault, Butch left with him and they travelled the wasteland together. They grew a brotherly connection and Butch comforted Mason through his grief after Mason finally told him what happened. The two get on each others nerves, but hey, what are brothers for?

Freddie Gomez: Mason and Freddie are childhood friends. Mason was a little envious of Freddie when he first got into the Tunnel Snakes, cause that’s what he wanted too. When he did join the gang, he and Freddie were closer to eachother, although Freddie would sometimes choose to hang out with the others over Mason, still trying to prove himself to Butch. It annoyed Mason but he didn’t take it to heart. Mason misses Freddie, who he tried so hard to convince to go with him outside but Freddie couldn’t bring himself to leave his home and family. Mason understood where he was coming from and wished him well before they said their final goodbyes.

Herman Gomez: Gomez has always had Mason’s back and did his best in guiding him when his father was too busy with his work. Mason knows Gomez wasn’t happy when he found out his sons friend was also a Tunnel Snake, but with the lack of other kids in the vault, Gomez wasn’t surprised. Mason always liked Gomez as he seemed to be the only kind and somewhat chill guard in comparison to the others. He is enternally thankful to Gomez for leading him to the Overseer’s Office when he was trying to find his dad. That man put his career at stake for Mason and Mason respects that.

Amata Almodovar: Mason used to really like Amata. They were childhood friends but I guess all good things come to an end. His good feelings towards her soured when she told him to leave the vault and never come back. How could she do that to her friend? After everything he felt like he was tossed to the side for no good reason. He acts like he never knew the girl and doesn’t talk about her.

Wally Mack: He annoys Mason. His stupid haircut annoys Mason. Wally so badly wants to be the Tunnel Snake leader and it makes him annoying to be around because he’ll try to override Butch.

Paul Hannon Jr: Mason and Paul always got along. Only really became friends when he joined the gang, but he has nothing bad to say about the kid.

Overseer Almodovar: Hates him. Even as a kid it was obvious the Overseer had a disdain for Mason. The attitude he carried disgusted him. Just full of entitlement and darkness. Doesn’t understand how after everything Amata could still defend him. He ended up killing him in self defence when the Overseer lashed out when Mason tried to reason with him. It’s not that he’s glad he killed him, but he certainly doesn’t regret it.

Three Dog: Wasn’t really sure about him at first but warmed up to him pretty quickly. He’s chill and Mason really likes his radio station, so he was more than happy to assist in boosting the signal. Considers Three Dog a friend.

Gob: Feels bad for the guy. He didn’t do anything wrong and seeing him constantly fearing what people will do or say to him genuinely makes Mason so sad. He always leaves a tip for Gob.

Moriaty: Straight up does not like him. Like at all.

Madison Li: He respects her and her work. Sometimes wonders if she had feelings for his father. But he keeps that thoguht to himself.

Fawkes: A great guy. Mason has no regrets in helping Fawkes out. Respects him greatly especially when Fawkes came to aid him at Ravenrock. The two began travelling together soon after and shared stories. Mason wonders if there are other Super Mutants like Fawkes, or if Fawkes is one of a kind. Either way, they get a long well and have little-to no issues with travelling together.

Mayor MacCready: Mason isn’t sure a kid should be running a town, especially since the kids seem pretty vulnerable to attacks. But MacCready seems like a tough, maybe they’ll fine? He hates the word “Mungo” and has to bite his tongue when the kids taunt him with the name.

Colonel Augustus Autumn: Mason has sworn that Autumn will rue the day he stepped foot in Jefferson Memorial. Had Autumn not been there that day, his would still have his father. Any mentions of Autumn in conversation spark a deep anger within Mason that he finds difficult to hide. Butch has noted that Masons face contorts to a rage he has never seen before.

President Eden: Doesn’t like him. Convinced him to destroy Ravenrock. Nothing more to say really.

Faction/Group opinions:

Vault 101 Security: Hates them. Only likes Gomez. The others all seem weirdly hungry for violence and are just complete assholes most of the time. He especially hates Officer Stevie Mack. That man is dirty and very clearly gets some sort of sick pleasure from beating on people. Mason will never forgive him for killing Jonas.

Brotherhood of Steel: He’s okay with them. He is happy to work with them to rid the wasteland of the Enclave. Wouldn’t initiate fully as he has no interest in joining a big military group like that. He thinks there collection of old world artefacts is kind of cool.

The Enclave: Nothing to like. They are officially ruining his life and he can’t stand their delusional saviour complex. He could rant about them for days.

Raiders/Slavers: Doesn’t like any of them. They’re just annoying to encounter.

Children of Atom: Doesn’t understand their faith but he also understands that everyone has their own way of coping with the harshness of the world. Sometimes he sits in on sermons out of curiosity. Mason does like how warm they are to outsiders and he has never felt unwelcome when entering the church.

Noteworthy Moments:

Got drunk at the Rivet City bar and woke up half laying in the river. Butch was the one to find him and had to kick him to wake him up.

Repeatedly getting lost in the Metro Tunnels and had a full on panic attack because he kept going in circles. Felt like a nightmare

Almost threw up the first time he saw a Centaur. He wishes he could feel sympathy for them because they used to be people, but he can’t. When encountering a centaur Mason can be heard shouting “Fucking disgusting!” And “You make me sick, you disgusting abomination!”

Had a crush on Officer Gomez but he didn’t know what the feelings were and just ignored them. Yes he would visibly become shaky when Officer Gomez was around and would stumble over his words. Even his heart would skip a beat if he saw him or even heard Gomez’s name. Nobody could figure out why he was acting like that. He grew out of the crush thankfully so nobody figured it out.

Butch once tripped over a rock and busted his lip. Mason called him “Rock Kisser” for months and Butch gets upset over it when it gets brought up.

Cried when his BB gun broke. He buried it with his father with the help of Madison and Butch. He didn’t leave the grave all night and Butch had to physically drag him away. Mason cried and yelled at Butch over this but Butch was surprisingly unfazed by this. I guess he knew Mason’s feelings weren’t making him think right. Butch did his best to be there for his friend and Mason is thankful he never left his side.

Well that’s all I have to offer in the information at the moment. If there’s anything specific you wanna know or want me to go into more detail on, just let me know if even submit it in the ask box so I don’t forget to reply haha Hope you guys like this. Some of it might not make sense but this is my first time writing down his info.

[sbk-zgvlt]

Spiderman Into/Across/Beyond the Spiderverse but it's Sebek but also there is no spiders and there is no getting powers

The "Miles Morales" in this situation is a Sebek who lives in our kind of world: no magic, no cryptic old faes, no superheroes, no nada. He's 15 years old, first year, still trying to figure out what he wants to do in life. He knows that he's been raised to join Diasomnia's business, by his own family and Lilia himself, but after a few encounters with a group that we all know and love, he begins to doubt this.

As he tries to live up to Malleus and Lilia's expectations as well as be able to stand by Silver's side and not be in his shadow, he hangs out with the first years: They're the "Uncle Aaron," except not? They dont die, I prommy.

The first years are the ones who truly understand him, and consequently the ones who get him into trouble. They all frequent this abandoned station that Ace apparently found all by himself (His big brother did). Sebek gets a call, bidding the group goodbye and realizes that it's Malleus. He nervously picks up the call, where Malleus tells him to come "home," which is really just Silver and Sebek's shared apartment. Which is just inside Diasomnia Industries. Which is literally a 10 minute walk from the abandoned station LMFAO

He's greeted by Lilia at the door and everyone's sitting around at the couch. Malleus and Lilia talk about going abroad and, once Silver is done with his third year, that they would like to bring him along with them. Sebek speaks up, kind of like "Haha what about me once I finish MY third year," and thats when it is revealed to him that he will stay where he is. He'll be assigned to another branch of Diasomnia while Malleus, Lilia, and Silver go to the main one.

Sebek is just sat there gaping like a fish, as Malleus, Lilia and Silver go on and on about this being a good experience for him and how maybe after a few years he could also join them, but here's the thing: the whole reason Sebek is in this stupid school with Silver is because of them. He got rid of all his other hobbies and interests because he felt at home with these three and wanted to join them only to find out that all that is for nothing because theyre just going to go off into another country. Years is going to seem like nothing to them but to Sebek? Thats an eternity.

He unexpectedly snaps when Malleus says something along the lines of, "Im sure youll be fine" after Sebeks question if its really a good idea. He runs away in shame, back to the rest of the first years who reassure him and shit before Sebek finally feels ready to go back.

By the time he does however, he sees Silver inside his room. Sebek is back to pissed again because "???why r u going through my stuff what the hell" before Silver picks up a photo and shows it to Sebek. Its him and the first years. "Who are these guys?" The insult that was about to leave Sebek's mouth suddenly died down in his throat.

"'March 17, XXXX.'" Silver's eyes darkened. "This...this was last year. The whole time we were waiting for you to come home...you were hanging out with them?" Surprise Sebek celebrated his bday with the first years instead of Diasomnia lol. Dia 3 have already noticed that he's becoming distant for like months now, but they dont know WHY.

This spirals into a fight again, where Silver says something along the lines of "What, youd rather be with them than us? Your family?" and Sebek responds with "UH YEAH IF YOU GUYS KEEP BEING PRICKS????" Silver threatens Sebek that he'll tell Malleus and Lilia about his escapades, causing Sebek to- you guessed it!!!! RUN AWAY AGAIN

As he reaches the station, he realizes the first years r gone for some reason. They usually end up staying past 7 anyway and it IS past 7 so where are they??? Suddenly, the whole city blacks out. Sebek quickly turns on the flashlight because ooo creepy abandoned station. He hears a noise from the tunnel, almost like a running engine but psht thats impossible right??? Its not called ABANDONED for a reason-

OH SHIT I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRAIN

For SOME honest to god reason there is a TRAIN and suddenly Sebek is face to face with its doors. The windows are sleek black, making it impossible to see from the outside. The doors open, and Sebek is quick to take a step back and run away-

On March 6, Sebek Zigvolt goes missing.

[kats-fic-recs]

Best Naruto Fics I read in 2022

SNS

The sun is too bright, it hurts.

The first time Sasuke sees Naruto, they are six years old. Sasuke is not stupid, he learns fast, and there are three basic things about Naruto you can know after being five seconds in the same room as him: first, he’s noisy. Second, he talks a lot. Third, he’s annoying.

Years later, Sasuke thinks the same, but Naruto is much more than that to him.

Love is Just Another Word for Understanding

Maybe it’s because Naruto doesn’t know when to quit, because he’s always there in the periphery, because he’s loud and obnoxious and pushy. Maybe it’s because Naruto is the only one who’s been able to land a hit on him in a spar for months now. Maybe it’s because Naruto is the only one who’s not afraid to make him bleed.

Regardless, Naruto is Sasuke’s rival. And as such, Sasuke watches him.

And watches.

And watches.

---

In which Sasuke finds many aspects of Naruto's life objectionable, and as a result more or less abducts--I mean, adopts him.

Gaalee

All the Grain of Babylon

Sunagakure is an outpost’s outpost, the most hidden of the hidden villages. Situated deep in the bowels of the planet Kaze, aptly named for the devastating windstorms caused by its thin atmosphere, the village is mostly nomadic. Under attack, the entire village can close off its tunnel structure and relocate in less than twenty-four hours, so long as the location of the Seed Bank isn’t discovered.

With Gaara as its leader and a code of strict cultural mores, the small underground society has survived, perhaps even thrived. But their safety and stability is put at risk when a ship crashes on the surface of Kaze, a ship whose crew claim to be the last known survivors of the long-abandoned planet Earth. And what the outsiders bring with them causes Gaara to question everything he's ever known ...

not creepin', just stuck

And now here they were, squeezed into a cozy little corner booth at the real coffee shop just up the street. The one with the blackboard menu and overstuffed upholstery on the mismatched chairs and a barista who, Gaara noticed with no small amount of jealousy, was neither required to wear a nametag nor recite a pithy canned slogan before each order.

Or, the inevitable consequences of being stuck in a donut case together.

On My Way Home

There is nothing now that Gaara, the man, can do to heal the wounds caused by Gaara, the monster. He cannot bring murdered villagers back from the dead. He cannot un-traumatize the children he terrorized in his youth. He cannot even repair the desert ecosystem that he disrupted during his massive, sand-filled rages. All he can do is be a safe harbor - level, and steady, and reliable as the sunrise - for his village, for his family, and for his friends.

Return to Sender

For nearly a decade, Rock Lee and Gaara have written each other, like clockwork. Their friendship grew steadily over many years, and at some point, without realizing it Rock Lee had fallen completely and irrevocably in love with Gaara.

But when he realizes this, advice from his mentor gives him little hope of ever being able to confess.

And so he does the only thing he can think to do: he writes it all down in a letter he never intends to send.

Iruka fics because I love him

whatever you wish for, you keep

Iruka saves a young fox kit in the schoolyard, and is forced to deal with the (not so bad) consequences.

Maslow

The first four tiers of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs applied to Naruto’s depressing childhood. Alternatively: Iruka slowly becomes the best replacement mother a ninja could have.

a beating heart of stone

During Iruka's first year teaching — on his own, because apparently there is a severe lack of teachers — he loses his curriculum, gets into a low-key fight with Shimura Danzo and accidentally creates an army. To be fair, none of this was planned.

BONUS

One of the greatest Naruto rewrites of all time

from the corner of your eye

When a misunderstanding prompts Sasuke to take a deeper involvement in the growth of his teammates, no one is quite prepared for the way things... change. Especially Sasuke.

The question is - is it for the better?

[splatoondetective]

KOOPALING QUOTES PT 2 :>

Ludwig: Larry isn't answering his phone.

Morton: I'll call.

Ludwig: Wendy and I have both tried six times each, what makes you thi-

Larry: Hello?

Iggy: Why would you give a knife to a child?!

Pom pom: JR felt unsafe.

Iggy: Now I feel unsafe!

Pom pom: ...

Pom pom: Would you like a knife?

Lemmy: go big or go home.

Morton: p lea se for once in your life just go home. I'm begging you. go home.

Lemmy: I'm going big!

Boom boom: Look, I don't care about your past.

Boom boom: I don't care where are you from...

Boom boom: Whether you don't get along with your family...

Boom boom: Or even if you used to be a criminal.

Pom pom: *on the verge of tears*

Boom boom: BUT....

Boom boom: *voice deepens* If you EVER dare to touch my oreos again, you're dead.

Pom pom: You love me, right?

Boom boom: Sure?

Pom pom : What if I did something? Like really bad?

Boom boom: What did you do?

Pom pom: Are you sure you would still love me though?

Boom boom: Are my oreos gone?

Pom pom: Just ANSWER the question PLEASE!!!!!

Roy: truth or dare?

Ludwig: truth.

Roy: how many hours have you slept this week?

Ludwig: dare.

Roy: go to sleep.

Ludwig: I don't like this game.

Larry: You're giving me a sticker?

Morton: Not just a sticker. That is a sticker of a cat saying "me Wow!"

Larry: I'm not a damn preschooler.

Morton: Fine then I'll take it back.

Larry: No! I earned this, back off!!!!!

Roy: *gets a paper cut* OW! So of a bi-

Ludwig: Roy! gestures wildly to Jr* CHILDREN!

Roy: iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-iiiiis- cuit.... Son of a biscuit.... that's it.

Ludwig: Nice save!

Roy: Yeah, fuckin nailed it.

Ludwig: Wh-? Roy!

Wendy: Hey Pom, have you ever been in love?

Pom pom: ...once.

Wendy: Really? How did it end?

Pom pom: *looking at Ludwig* It hasn't.

Morton: What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?

Pom pom: Knife to the throat?

Roy: Gun to the back?

Iggy: Poison in his cup?

Morton: You're all horrible.

Roy: YOUR THE ONE WHO ASKED!?!?!

Iggy: How did he die?

Wendy: Natural causes.

Iggy: You pushed him off the roof.

Wendy: Gravity is natural on this planet.

Ludwig: there's always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Lemmy: it's usually an oncoming train.

Ludwig: could you just try not to kill my vibe for five fucking seconds!

Ludwig: I got 98/100. I failed. I'm just going to go cry in a corner.

Pom pom: I got 89/100 but I put a death threat in the margin and now I have 93.

Lemmy: I got 69. *giggles*

Wendy: I did the best, that I can do-* gets test back* 96 BITCHES WHOOP!!!!

Morton: Wow, Iggy and Lemmy are being really quiet today.

Ludwig: Yeah, it's quite nice actually.

Morton: ...

Ludwig: ...

Morton: We should probably check on them.

Ludwig: Immediately.

Pom pom: I'm upset and nothing can cheer me up.

Wendy: *brings Ludwig into the room* Nothing?

Pompom: *fighting back a smile* Damn it.

Wendy: Must you always attack me with words?

Lemmy: Should I use rocks?

Ludwig: *sees a group of people doing something stupid*

Ludwig: God, what fools.

Ludwig: *realizes it's Roy, Wendy and Larry*

Ludwig: Wait those are MY fools!

[moodymisty]

no fear response, and more that it’s been turned nearly all of the way down.

I headcanon that it’s a similar situation with their feelings of romance or sex. That it’s not completely gone, but that it’s nullified just enough for them, under the right circumstances (a.k.a never truly interacting with baseline humans), to not feel those feelings ever. Because you can’t have your killing machines questioning their loyalty and running off with some mortal, right?

So I this brings me to the thought that a space marine can feel romantic or sexual feelings, it’s just that it’s probably got to be under some very specific circumstances. And that most of them would have no idea what to do when they get a crush on someone. Yes they’re grown adults but new emotion?? New emotion that is affection??? Affection that isn’t platonic or familial?!! Confusion!!!!

Cue a bunch of different reactions to this. Ranging from trying to impress their object of affection by showing off how well they can fight (“Check out how strong I am!” “Well yeah, you’re a space marine.” “Oh… right.”), to deciding to avoid them completely, or being weirdly obsessive/possessive of them because they never want to lose the person that made them feel this way, or getting angry at the baseline human for distracting them from their duties (even though they probably didn’t even realise the space marine had feelings for them), perhaps even deciding to do what they do best and bringing their human trophies of the enemies/heretics/xenos they killed like some kind of giant catboy.

Space marine: 7 years ago I had a crush on a serf in my chapter and I didn’t know how to deal with it, so I wrote her a letter that just said “leave this place immediately”

(first part of the ask because dumblr cut it off)

Putting this ask on my fridge because you understood the fucking assignment.

Astartes start their transformation at around 10-13, so basically their entire formative years are taken away from them. How are you expected to know what a crush is or love or really any complex emotion if you’re too busy having a bakers dozen of extra organs shoved in you and running through the Tunnel of Terror?

'Yeah I didn't have a girlfriend I was too busy getting acid spit'

I imagine that having to deal with an Astartes who's figuring out how an entire array of emotions work is going to be, a handful. He ends up knocking someones lights out while sparring just to show off, or you end up with the hide of an entire Tyranid Warrior. What do you say to that? Thanks? Them being hyper vigilant of you being around other Astartes, almost obsessively. Also all this depends heavily on the chapter. It would probably be much easier with a White Scar, Lamenter( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°), Ultramarine, or Blood Angel( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) than an Imperial Fist, World Eater, or Black Templar (I love my wall husbands but their heads are filled with concrete).

[PENDING COMFIRMATION LOL] And, some of this is actually canon! In a book, a space Marine thinks about how weird he feels when looking at an attractive young woman who’s a refugee they saved. I KNOW this is a thing but I cannot remember the source so I’m going to try and find it. I believe he was a blood angel. If I can't find it please take all this with a grain of salt.

And anyone who manages to land themself an Astartes BF pretty much got themself the himbo to end all himbos. Because while Astartes are super smart and have crazy fast reflexes, they’re fucking dumb as rocks in other regards. (Examples being any emotion that isn’t anger or respecting your superiors, stupid infighting between chapters, Talos Valcoran)

Also in the 41st millenium they’re pretty much mildly worshiped as 'angels', so you have a literal trophy husband. Congrats. Please keep him on a leash the guardsmen are very scared and he has no trigger discipline.

[madame-wilsonn]

Midnights: Chapter 1

MASTERLIST — MIDNIGHTS MASTERLIST

Summary: In the tunnels, Tommy is haunted by the green-eyed man: the soldier he killed. 

A/N: well here it is, the first chapter!! For this first sleepless night, I chose an event that had to do with the war because it is quite central to Tommy’s development and I felt like it was important! It’s quite short (and so will some of the other chapters) but I really hope you enjoy!! 💗

Ps. You can always send me an ask or a dm if you want to be tagged in the story 😊

Warnings: mentions of death, blood, war; angst 

Word count: 847 words

Tommy observed his hands in the dim light, dirt covering the dried blood. Not his blood. No, the blood of the boy he killed. A young German soldier—probably younger than John—stabbed ruthlessly with his knife.

They had fought in the constricted tunnels, each trying to have the upper hand. Each showing no mercy to the other and for what?

If it hadn’t been an order from the king, Tommy could have met this boy and talked to him. Maybe they could have been comrades, sharing pint of beers and playing card games in a pub. Instead, Tommy shoved a bayonet in his heart.

His hands hadn’t stopped shaking since. It took both Freddie and Barney to tear him away from the now lifeless green eyes. Tommy had noticed them as he pinned the soldier to the ground. Green eyes, light hair darkened with dirt. And a gaping wound in the chest.

He had to, Tommy kept repeating to himself. If he didn’t kill the soldier, the soldier would have killed him. If he didn’t stab the soldier, the soldier would have stabbed him. If he hadn’t volunteered, he would have never met the soldier, the soldier would have still been alive.

He clenched his jaw, tearing his gaze away from his bloodied hands. So much blood staining his fair skin. So much blood that shouldn’t be there.

“Stop thinking about it, it won’t do you any good,” Jeremiah had whispered to him as they moved deeper in the tunnels. “You had to do it, you didn’t have a choice. God forgives you.”

But Tommy wasn’t worried about God’s forgiveness. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had been in a church.

So why did it hurt so much?

He wasn’t afraid of some sort of punishment. And he knew what he had signed for. But it became too real. There was a difference between saying he was going to war to fight the Boches and actually murdering one.

That look. The look the German soldier gave him haunted him. As if he was begging in his last moments. As if he was calling to him.

“Please, Tommy, don’t kill me. Don’t kill me. I have a family waiting for me.”

It was ridiculous. The soldier didn’t know his name. He was a stranger. For all he knew, he could have been a real scumbag. Someone horrible who deserved to die. But Tommy realized it wasn’t his place to choose. Who was he to decide who could live and who couldn’t? He was no one. No one who had just killed a boy.

And now, all his mind could do was think of the possibilities. The what if's.

What if a child would be growing up without their father?

What if a mother had just lost her only child?

What if, what if, what if?

That war was stupid. It made no sense. Tommy could finally see it. He thought volunteering would help. It would make him feel proud. He would be doing his duty. But maybe he volunteered because Small Heath hurt too much. Maybe because he needed an excuse to get away.

Greta was everywhere, there. She was in the alley behind the bakery where he used to bring her those cakes she loved. She was near the canal where he used to take her, in every street, every passageway. She was everywhere.

Oh, Greta…

What would she say if she saw him? If she saw the red tinting his fingers— the same fingers she used to kiss and hold and love.

Would she even recognize him?

The man she adored, the man whose laugh echoed through the dingy streets, the dust and soot. Where was he, now?

Tommy’s eyes fell on his distorted reflection in his pocket knife. He couldn’t find that man. All he saw was a bloodied, dirty soldier. A mere pawn in a game he should have never agreed to play. The glint in his eyes had vanished, turning the vivid cerulean into a lackluster, faded color.

Everyone around him was asleep, enjoying a few hours of calm before it was time to dig again. Tommy knew he should try to rest. But he was terrified to close his eyes. Terrified the boy would come and haunt him. Terrified his green eyes would beg him to spare him again. Terrified to hear the writhing gurgles. Terrified to see the blood spilling from his half-opened mouth.

Instead, Tommy stared back at himself. Or what seemed like himself.

It almost made him wake up his comrades and ask them.

Do you recognize me? Am I still the same?

Maybe the shift wasn’t physical. Maybe it was deeper. But Tommy felt it. Something in him had changed. Something was lost and he hopelessly searched for it, digging through the dirt to get it back.

He tried to catch a glimpse of the old Tommy, the one with his clean hands and liveful expression. But every time he tried, he could feel the green eyes staring at him— the man and his red right hand.

Taglist: @aaskoct @cillmequick @dandelionprints @edmundo-diaz @forgottenpeakywriter @huntingingoodwill @iwantmyredvelvetcupcake @jokim @julkaamazing @lili12356 @look-at-the-soul @lyarr24 @midnightmagpiemama @milkshakelol @notyour-valentine @rangerelik @salvatoremeanssavior @thesoldiersminute @wretched-mischief @zablife

[sirenarts]

MERRY CHRISTMAS✨

Here’s a little something something for the amazing @starswhogaze I’ve tried to make this has heartfelt and sweet as possible. There’s some greys anatomy and game of thrones references here that I know you’d love! So here is your Elain and Azriel garden rain confession!!

I love you.

Azriel was a mess. A complete and utter mess.

He sat on the floor of the training rings whilst ignoring the orders of his brothers.

Rhysand telling him that sitting down is not “training” and Cassian had only laughed at the idea of a sulking azriel that wasn’t in the mode to fight.

He was grumpy-yes. And kicking himself for the stupidity that happened during solstice. But it had only been a four days since.

Now they were hours from Christmas Day. Prythian surrounded by stars and drenched in rain. The city of starlight glittered with thousands of decorations and joy.

Azriel ignored his brothers comments. He quickly stood up and walked towards the empty balcony that provided much relief against the heat and sweat.

Everyday he’d been here. The farthest room away from the one female he started an obsession towards. Elain.

His most beautiful and yet challenging female. Since solstice, that fateful night he had to leave her behind like a lucid dream. Azriel had worked tirelessly to collect every bit of strength he had to stay from her.

Most nights he could get through a few hours with the help of alcohol. Which didn’t really help for the hunger that his body started to feel-.

Meanwhile, elain had been outside the house. Deep within the greenhouse she’d been working on.

After speaking to her sisters and construction workers. Elains garden had expanded into a three story mansion with a great open clearing.

The plant life had thrived so much since, Elains presence had it turned into a glowing oasis.

Trees that grew emerald leaves spread throughout the clearing. Cobblestone paths that glowed from the night sky and beautiful blue butterflies.

Blue- the same color as cobalt.

Elain told herself she’d get through her pain and her abandonment. But she never thought that cobalt would follow her around.

With the rain as it was, the garden was most definitely soaked. And Elain still needed to decorate the outside portion of the garden.

The trees provided a lot of privacy which worked against two very close shadow wraiths. Most days she’d tell them where she was and they’d leave her be to mingle with her devices.

But Elain was hurt. And most of her holiday joy had been saved only for her family.

Her view by the house really made it obvious she was outside. The glowing garden only having its strange magical blue light whenever Elain walked in.

Taking a few steps, the long cobble path and through the wisteria tunnel. Elain made her way to the only part of the garden that viewed the training rooms.

She could see into that balcony where an irritated Azriel stood. Watching the stars and clenching those scarred hands to the railing.

Somehow the male heard Elain moving. His eyes darting towards her figure that peeked through the greenery.

MOVE!

He shouted in his mind. There was no excuse he could make for the sudden jump over the railing. Azriels wings snapped open and a gust of wind aided his flight into a steady stream of air.

Elain heard that snap and the whistle of wind like a song. A song that sang when an Illyrian was in flight.

She made her way to the only open patch of the garden. It was no more than a five foot empty space in the middle of those emerald green trees.

Everything faintly littered with frost.

Azriels figured landed gently against the soft tamed grass. It was truly well taken cared of even.

He wore all black fighting clothes instead of the fighting leathers. He needed free rein of his body if he was going to do what he wanted too.

“H-how are you here?” Elain asked softly. The trees above provided no space large enough for a male with very big wings to enter.

“I saw you and followed your direction.” Azriel explained. From his position, he could only see elain through a few branches. But that didn’t stop him from turning into a body of shadows and sifting through the leaves with ease.

“You shouldn’t be here..it’s a waste of your training time.” Elain spoke. turning away from the male who already stood his full height.

“I’M SORRY!” Azriel shouted towards her.

To Elains shock she nearly covered her eyes at the power of that voice. Her hearing still being a strange mystery for all.

“Your what..?” Elain asked cluelessly. She knew what he was saying sorry too. She just needed him to talk. And elain wouldn’t get that if she forced him.

“I am sorry. For solstice. That night was never a mistake to me.” Azriel began. Elain taking steps towards him, the male focusing only on the beautiful flowing cobalt dress that was now soaked from the rain.

“I am sorry for my stupidity. I am sorry for getting so close to you. I am sorry for putting you in a position that made you feel unworthy.”

Silence between the two. But now they were closer- much closer, just a few feet apart still.

“I am sorry for every second I spent dreaming of you. For every minute I prayed you’d look my way. For every hour I tried to steal just so I could have your time.”

He took a slow breath, the rain drowning out the outside and cloaking them in a bubble.

“I am so fucking sorry that I have started to love you.”

Azriel spoke those words with so much honesty it sent Elain a wave of emotions.

The male she met when she was human first. The male that sang to her while she baked. The male she had dreams of helping start a family. Had well and truly said, “I love you.”

“You hurt me.” Elain started, striding for a closed space between them.

“You hurt me and I felt so lost when you left.”

Elain pulled her hair off her shoulder, Azriel only looking at the powerful doe eyes.

“You hurt me and for once in my life, I didn’t feel like some constellation prize.” She took a breath.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“I couldn’t eat.”

“I couldn’t breathe, without you.”

“I tried so hard to understand what I did wrong, what I might’ve done to make you say this was a mistake-“

“It never was a mistake.” Azriel countered.

“Then why did you leave! Why did you leave me like that?”

Azriel stood silently. Listening to the rage full heart beats of the beautiful female in front of him.

“Rhys had saw us. He said Lucien was up stairs and if he had came down…cauldron boil us we didn’t know what would have happened.”

Elains eyes widen. The thought of her brother inflicting more pain than good to separate her from Azriel was infuriating.

“I had to leave because I was given an order. To stay away from you and to seek out other females for a realize. I couldn’t touch you, even when I struggled too at night.”

The pair stood in silence before a few cries of thunder stroke out. The lighting revealing the pained expressions of exhaustion on their faces.

“I would burn myself for you.” Elain spoke.

“No- what? No!” Azriel shouted.

“I would stay a thousand years in hel and in that cauldron if it meant I’d have you be mines.”

“Elain stop this-“

“I would risk my life over and over if it meant I could touch you and hold you and kiss you whenever I wanted too.”

“That’s enough Elain!”

“I wanted you to be my mate! I wanted you to be mines and I begged for the cauldron to make me yours!”

Azriel was gaped at those words. And Elain only continued before he could make a sound.

“I can’t stay away because it’s exhausting, I can’t function everyday without needing you in the room, I can’t sleep unless you’ve been near me. I don’t have peace unless you’re there.”

Elain began to shake. Began to crack. Began to reveal those words she kept so near and dear to her heart.

“I can’t love a male my heart doesn’t burn for.”

Elain pulled the front of Azriels work out shirt towards her silk dress body.

“My heart and soul burn for the male that saved me. That saw me for me. That rescued me, gods azriel you rescued me.”

Elain moaned softly before Azriel took her arms and pulled her forward into a hungry kiss. The warmth of their lips matching together with whatever fire that burned within.

The thunder rolled louder and the stars began to move. The garden grew more and more as those same blue butterflies swarmed them.

The garden was singing- no.

It was Elains heart that cried a soft melody. One that awoke a beautiful wave of joy and laughter and love from Azriels.

White tulips began to glow blue. Elains dress had somehow changed with that light, glowing more and more the beautiful siphon color.

And Azriels wings- gods his wings started to change. The red and gold membrane changed and shifted into floral patterns and some language only he knew.

That language was burned into Elains skin. On her chest showed a series of shadowy patterns and flowers.

But Azriel? Azriels wings in every surface revealed those same designs. A matching pair. Two hearts that burn for one.

“Stay the night, stay the night because I can’t keep using the sheets for help elain..” Azriel laughed as elain clutched to his form and began embracing him in the most dearest hug he dreamed of.

Elain leaned to kiss the heart that kept this male alive. While Azriel knelt down on one knee and kissed the torso that kept her standing.

“I vow my life to you Elain Archeron.”

“I vow every part of my body, mind, soul and heart to be yours.”

“I vow that every second of my existence is to love you and burn for you and you only.”

“I vow to have you satisfied and content for the years to come.”

“ I vow my future children to be yours.”

“And I vow my hand, my ring finger, to only carry the band that ties me to you.”

“My perfectly imperfect soul to only say one name: Elains”

Elain and azriel had stayed in that position. Her hands forming a shield over his head, while Azriel leaned his forward against the plush flesh of Elains body.

“And I vow to never let another soul hurt you and get away with it.”

Elain spoke strongly. Kneeling down to his level and hugging him tight.

“For I vow that the powers I have gained and taken from the cauldron, will be to protect you.”

“I vow to be your undying flame and true heart beat.”

“I vow every touch of your hand to ruin me for good”

“I vow to never let you go, no matter how close to the edge I am.”

“And I vow to never let my heart stop beating for you.”

Elain and Azriel looked at one another before saying vows the pair never even knew.

“Father”

“Smith”

“Warrior”

“Mother”

“Maiden”

“Crone”

“Stranger”

“I am hers”

“I am his”

“And she is mines”

“And he is mines”

“From this day, until the end of my days”

[raventroll80]

I don't actually know, like, anything about your oc's. Give me a primer on 'em so I can start forming silly little headcanons about them?

Thank you so much for the ask!

I have a few ocs from a couple different things so I’m gonna organize them by the thing they’re connected to. (This is going to be a really long post, sorry)

The Troll Doomguy Au

(honestly I need to think of a proper name for this lol)

Things are a little messy and all over the place time wise as I didn’t originally plan for this to become a full on fic.

Slayer (the aforementioned troll Doomguy)

Roughly 15 feet of angry troll who also has a habit of eating the demons.

Cropped his ears at some point to make them look vaguely human, almost docked his tail but chose not to after seeing some now probably extinct species of demon use their tail as a weapon.

From the events of 2016 and prior he had the Meathook on his tail but put it on his shotgun after the attachment was ripped off by a certain grudge holding Cyberdemon.

In the events of Eternal it’s been replaced with a mace and has a more limited range.

He’s pretty smart despite what most people think, it’s just that a lot of his problems can genuinely be solved with Incredible Violence.

Has a very hazy recollection of the events of Doom 1993 and anything before that is even more hazy due to him repressing those memories.

He did have a wife and kid (stepson) who he loved dearly but lost them during an “accident”

Despite all this he’s actually pretty chill!

He tends to get easily attached to people who aren’t as easily afraid of him.

Considers Valen as family despite Valen himself not really knowing.

Mim Digsby

In the events of A Beast on Mars, Mim is the last human alive in the Mars Facility.

5,4 gremlin of a person who likes to take apart machinery in their spare time.

They’re a miner and mechanic who usually works with excavation equipment, and has clearance to work with mining gloves.

Started the trend of saying thank you to VEGA whenever one of the drones did something helpful or brought supplies. (This is also what got them their mechanic training after VEGA did some light string pulling)

Has punched a foreman for trying to make people continue mining in an unstable tunnel.

Used to be in a relationship with an Elite Guard prior to their “promotion” but things didn’t really work out after, but the two are still friends.

Is on Mars as part of a “criminal rehabilitation program”. Their license expired on their way moving back to Massachusetts and got arrested after getting into a fight with some rich dude at a bar.

VEGA (my take on Vega at least)

Plant enthusiast, he thinks they’re neat. Slayer was more than happy to give him a section of the greenhouses for his own personal garden.

Didn’t like Slayer at first due to how aggressive he seemed to be towards the equipment of the facility and was worried he’d end up harming any possible survivors.

Quickly found out he truly means best for the survivors of the invasion and also feels sympathetic towards Slayer after finding out the little bits of memory he does have regarding the UAC.

He’s pretty sure if he was capable of getting headaches he’d be getting them daily from Slayer trying to do something stupid i.e trying to fist fight a demon twice his size.

Keeps a list of all the things he’s caught Slayer eating that he probably shouldn’t be.

This list includes: excessive amounts of demons, Gore Nest remains, garbage from a cafeteria, an unidentified Argenta plant, dirt, Hellgrowth, and “mystery meat”.

Derrin Willams (Troll au Intern)

Used to own rats, but they passed away prior to the invasion.

Tech support for the ARC but also just helped out wherever needed.

Liked reading about the Slayer and Argent D’Nur and found him fascinating and was genuinely ecstatic to meet him. (He really wants to see a withrin)

Still gets spooked by Slayer from time to time, but has managed to spook him back.

Surprisingly good with a gun and can at least hold his own against zombies and like a singular imp scout

(Not really a personality fact but his last name comes from my blind ass mistaking the numbers on his uniform as the word William or Willams)

There are other characters and ocs I plan to appear in the au but I haven’t gotten there and burnout is making things hard in general, oof. I’ll probably do up a bigger one of these specifically for the troll au in the future.

Stowaway Mer au

I’m doing the Mer au version of Stowaway mostly because there’s significantly more stuff for it (see nearly 30 drawings and like 6 chapters for one au). But honestly it’s pretty far removed from Doom and I might rework it into its own thing… which means redesigning nearly 30 sea demons….

Em Barbatus

5,3, Former Canadian

Ace

Loves horror movies and practical effects.

Lived with her “aunty” Nihm in an apartment in Port Murlow prior to moving into the Old Taggart house with Flynn.

Works at a bait shop and Mr. Grimmar’s Occult Shop.

Training to be a mortician at the mortuary the Mr. Silas Grimmar owns.

Owns some homemade ghost hunting equipment and occasionally mucks about old abandoned places with her friends looking for ghosts.

Occasionally helps out at the local theatre’s costume department

Has committed the third least amount of crimes out of the main cast of the mer au

Hobby of beach combing and diving for junk in Taggart Bay.

Seth (technical Seth Willams in regular Stowaway)

The token mer of the mer au lol

Looks like a mix of leopard and Port Jackson shark and is from the Indo Pacific and southern Pacific Ocean (he is very fucking lost)

Needs glasses but can’t exactly get any as he’s a fish man.

Has a fear of the open ocean and orcas and does not enjoy long travels between the reefs an kelp

Has a fascination with human technology and history and enjoys exploring shipwrecks with his siblings. Though after a bad experience with some humans he is somewhat distrustful of them.

Has no clue how the hell he ended up in the Atlantic.

Has committed the least amount of crimes… so far

Flynn Taggart

Looks intimidating but is actually pretty chill

Moved to Port Murlow following his discharge from the military for various reasons.

Has many fond memories of his visits there when his grandfather lived in it, though he still doesn’t like the basement even now that he’s older.

Starting to show signs of selective mutism and is learning sign language because of it. He also isn’t a fan of eye contact anymore after the mountain incident.

Has a picture of Daisy in his wallet and is looking into getting her certified as an emotional support animal.

Recently gotten a job on a fishing boat and already doesn’t like his boss.

He inherited the house from his now missing grandfather Keen.

Doesn’t like being alone in the house

Tied with Vega for the second most crimes committed in the au (this wasn’t intentional I realized how many of the characters have committed crimes in this like halfway through the month)

Speaking of Vega

Vega Triton

Has a degree in marine biology and is currently studying a newly discovered species of bioluminescent algae he named Vegastella scriptorseintillais

Vega is the second oldest person living in the Old Taggart house.

Used to work with Dr. Hayden and Pierce but after an accident that left many researchers including Olivia dead Vega and Samuel had a dispute which left the two very bitter with each other.

He blames himself for the aforementioned accident.

Vega moved into the old Taggart house after realizing that living on a cave connected to another cave containing hallucinogenic algae is not good for his mental and physical health.

Nihm Barbatus

Freelance security guard and one Em’s mentors.

Met Em during one of her contacts on a cargo ship that had left Canada.

Made friends with Flynn when he was briefly a freelance security guard, and was the one who told Em that Flynn was looking for roommates.

Friend of the Grimmar couple.

She also has a large extended family and plans to bring Em with her to the next family reunion.

Silas Grimmar

Port Murlow’s goth grandpa

7,3 and build like a coffin

Been happily married to his husband Hiram for many, many years.

Runs the local mortuary and an Occult shop

A jovial old man who often volunteers at the local theatre.

Graduated with a degree in mortuary science and occult studies from Miskatonic University.

Tea drinker

Hiram Grimmar

Silas’ husband and owner of the antique store across the street from Silas’ occult shop.

Has an archeology degree and is a retired archeologist.

Met Silas when his team needed to consult someone on some artifacts they had dug up.

Coffee drinker.

[bonefall]

One thing I LOVE but that is entirely in the background is Shellfur’s… hypocrisy? Growth?

Because this guy. Son of Thornclaw and Blossomfall. Apprentice of Bumblestripe. Is shown to be on the imposter’s side, pins down Spotfur after his brother dies. Is basically the xenophobic mouthpiece of his generation. Against the rebels.

THEN TAKES A WINDCLAN MATE AND MOVES HER TO THUNDERCLAN??

Like how did he and Fernstripe happen?? She seems extremely bubbly in her prior appearances and he is a little rat. Did he have a Windclan gf all this time?? Or did he have offscreen character growth??

Very curious to see how you might manage this

I too am FASCINATED by Shellfur. Like... what is this guy's deal.

Quick note on a Family Tree fix: Blossomfall's kittens are sireless; Thornclaw dies in the Great Battle and thus is not their father. Also Eaglewing has been axxed; it's only Shellfur, Plumstone, and Stemleaf.

Logically, I can see him sort of 'overcompensating' for the fact he was in a Half-Clan relationship, but that's one of my least favorite tropes honestly. The idea that, like, the bigot is so bigoted because secretly He's The Thing He Dislikes.

I feel like that's what canon is going to do; but I'd prefer to avoid it.

Personally I like the idea that his tune really changed after Stemleaf's death, and the birth of his nespring. I would approach him as really looking up to his uncle Bumble and being a little bit of a mama's boy, believing that being mean is funny and idolizing Bumblestripe's quick fury, but then that mindset kills Stemleaf in front of him

And now Spotfur, a cat he was a bully towards, is the one who decides if he gets to see his nespring or not. Suddenly he has to learn how to be nice.

In fact maybe it would be cute if that's how him and Fernstripe bonded... Fernstripe is the sweetest, nicest person he knows, even though she's in WindClan. Plus, if he's stupid or embarrassing no one will ever know.

"So you want me to give you... niceness lessons?"

"Well when you say it like that it sounds stupid. Think of it more like... prevent-me-from-never-seeing-my-family lessons."

"You seem like a very sad little man :("

"Well that's not very niceness lesson of you."

Though I'm not sure how that would work out in the timeline. I'll have to look into it; maybe have her join well into ASC, maybe they'll meet up as a result of Harestar fighting alongside the impostor and end up on a couple of patrols together, where they found they hit it off very well.

There's also always the tunnels, or just meeting up in the Maple Patch beyond the reworked gorge. Maybe ThunderClan and WindClan got friendly enough to collaborate on collecting syrup for a while after AVoS.