#I shoulda posted this ages ago

[mickules]

I cannot express how much I love this lil glowy guy, superbly made by @minimechacowboy

He has taken pride of place on the bag I take to airports next to my treasured Vegeta Eating Castella Cake so I can spot the git on the carousel from a strategic distance.

I imagine it'd be pretty easy to convince Taka to do quite a lot as long as you can spin it as for 'School Morale'

[kingzombear]

Welcome Home OC Comic Commission 💘

1 of 2 cute lil comic commissions of @qrowholic 's precious Welcome Home ocs! These lovely gals are so so so in love <3

Full comic page:

[the-obnoxious-sibling]

One day I will cry long enough to make you feel so sorry for me you will write that meta about heteronormativity of marines

aw, you don’t have to cry! asking nicely is all it takes.

so, when i say the marines are a rigid, heteronormative institution, what do i mean by that?

they work in the service of a heteronormative government and society—the world government, and the world nobles, who consider themselves superior to the rest of the world because of their bloodlines

they have heteronormative values—among them strictly defined gender roles and prioritizing relationships based in blood/deprioritizing all others

they use those values to dictate how the ‘civilized’ world should behave and assume that everyone shares those values, marking those who do not as uncivilized, criminal, and rebellious

more details below the cut.

any kind of royalty or nobility that defines itself as superior to the masses because of their bloodline, ancestors, etc. is going to be particular about having proof of that blood connection. if you think your blood makes you better, you better have documentation of it, family trees going back eight hundred years so no latecomers can doubt your importance.

they’re also going to care deeply about the “sanctity of marriage”—not because it’s actually sacred, but because if wives are cheating on their husbands then you can’t trust your family tree. and if your family tree is a lie, then maybe you aren’t actually superior to all of those dirty, common masses. the horror!

lastly, they have to care deeply about children. because, until someone develops some kind of immortality elixir, the only way to keep your very important family going (and it has to keep going, or what’s the point of any of this?) is to have children. and you’re going to prioritize biological children over any other, because if the child doesn’t have your blood, they aren’t really superior to the masses.

(the exception: note that the child sabo’s parents adopt when he runs away is chosen for his aptitude in school and his higher status biological family. bringing fresh blood into your family that improves your status is always beneficial, whether it’s through marriage or adoption.)

so. special bloodlines, preserved by marriages that produce biological children. until someone develops alternate methods of reproduction—which is not out of the question in one piece—all of that requires heterosexual relationships. they have to be the priority, in order for the superior bloodlines to persist.

thus, the prioritization and normalization of heterosexuality by the world nobles—and therefore the world government that serves them—and therefore the marines that serve them.

.

what about those heteronormative values?

well, look at female marines. there aren’t many of them; even if you’re only thinking about named marines, women are outnumbered nearly ten to one. and the unnamed background guys are always guys, so actually it’s an even greater disparity. why? because a woman’s place is in the home. she should be a homemaker and mother, because continuing the family line is the point of a woman, according to the nobility’s heteronormative view of the world. going against that is to set yourself up for a struggle. and a number of these ladies do struggle.

bell-mère had to leave the marines to keep her kids, taking on a job with a highly variable income that left her nearly starving at times; men in the marines have no such trouble, though whether that’s because of narratively invisible wives or these men not caring if they raise their children well is unclear.

tashigi has an enormous complex over being treated differently because she’s a woman, and it’s not a complex that comes out of nowhere—she is treated differently. most of her opponents beat her easily and then let her live for no good reason; as a captain she’s idolized, not respected, by her crew.

then there’s characters like hina and tsuru, whose presence high up in the military structure is acceptable because they have powers that put their opponents into submissive, humiliating positions. you don’t see a female marine with one of those elemental devil fruits; no, they have to have a fruit with a power play component to it. because god forbid women hold positions of power if they don’t have a bit of a dominatrix energy to them. (actually it’s because they’re being subversive in service to the state and the status quo, which makes them acceptably quirky rather than rebellious, not unlike members of SWORD, or our single female warlord.)

.

and then there’s the prioritization of bloodlines.

we see that value most clearly in the paramount war, where ace is executed not because he’s the second division commander of the whitebeard pirates, not because of any crimes he’s committed, but because of who his father is. a man who died long before ace was born, a man ace hates because of the awful opinion the civilized world has of him (and therefore his kin), a man who had no influence on ace in any way but blood. that’s enough reason to kill a man, by the marines’ logic.

and the man ace does call father, who embraced ace and gave him a loving family? well, that man, as far as the marines are concerned, only took ace in to put him on the throne of the pirate king, making himself the power behind the throne. (because naturally a king’s son should inherit his throne! never mind that whitebeard’s power far outstrips ace’s—surely pirates would only bow down before their king’s rightful, blood heir—and the marines can’t allow for the pirates to unify under one man’s leadership like that.) to the marines, ace only has value as roger’s heir, and so they expect that to be all the value he has to anyone.

and this backfires on them. the betrayal from within the whitebeard fleet (which the marines orchestrated) operates on the assumption that whitebeard will prioritize ace over the rest of his fleet. but all of the whitebeard pirates are his children, and he makes that clear when he gives them an out, allowing them to abandon him to his death if they so choose. the marines wanted to show the world that even this benevolent father figure of a pirate captain was a monster deep down, but they couldn’t pull it off. they don’t believe whitebeard is sincere in his affections for his ‘sons,’ and that costs them the narrative they wanted for the paramount war.

.

there’s also this one-off line that i rediscovered while rereading impel down/marineford to prep for this post, which in retrospect explains garp’s manic insistence on his grandson becoming a marine.

in chapter 530, hearing that luffy’s broken into impel down, sengoku shouts, “if you weren’t called ‘the navy’s hero,’ i’d make you pay for the sins of your entire family, garp!” as a counterpart to it being just and lawful to kill people for the crime of being related to a sufficiently dangerous criminal, garp and others like him believe that if you serve the state well enough, you can be forgiven for the crime of being related to a criminal.

if luffy (and ace) had just become a marine, garp thinks, then the identity of luffy’s father wouldn’t matter.

which strikes me as very naive. of course it would still matter; blood is the only thing that matters to these people.

[sixty-silver-wishes]

I love you local small business owners and artisans

[struungout]

been sitting on a luts model delf body and a pair of jointed hands from dikadoll for months (for a year in the body’s case) and have been bumping their threads on DoA everyday with no bites and resharing them on instagram with no bites, and finally posted them on some facebook groups and get someone messaging me questions about the hands within the first hour of posting.

/flop

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Cater Diamond - Room Relaxation Vignette

"Happy Birthday"

[Courtyard]

Cater: Whew～ Today's Alchemy class was a real brain wiggler. What class do I got next… Hm?

Cater: Hey… Is that you Leona-kun? Woah, that's a surprise, are you just getting out of class too?

Leona: Shut your trap already… It's got nothing to do with you, Cater.

Cater: No, no, I just wanted to give you the drop on a bit of info. Do you know what tomorrow is?

Cater: You see, it's YA BOI CAY-KUN'S BIRTHDAY ♪

Leona: Oh. Good for you.

Cater: NO REACTION!? I mean, I guess I knew that was coming～

Cater: Shoulda known it wouldn't be easy to get a warm birthday greeting from ol' Leona-kun.

Leona: What nonsense are you spouting? I just did.

Cater: What, you mean when you said "good for you"? C'mon, you just threw that out there 'cause you had to～

Cater: If you're gonna say something, you gotta put more heart into it, not just toss me a few words here and there ♪

Leona: Your birthday's tomorrow, ain't it? I couldn't possibly be rude and wish you a happy birthday the day before all your fellow housemates have a chance to…

Leona: So, bye.

[Leona leaves]

Cater: There he goes again, spouting off whatever… Well, guess I should just consider myself lucky that we got to hold a convo and he didn't just ignore me.

Cater: Alrighty, then. Looks like my next class is Animal Linguistics. I got a feeling I'm gonna get called on today, so I should prep for it.

[Heartslabyul Dorm – Hallway]

Cater: Woah, it's that delicious!? I wanna go right away… Oh, but I don't think I'll be able to until after next month.

Cater: Yeaaah, I did terrible on the last Magical History exam～ …Saaame, I wish those tests weren't basically one bit puzzle.

Cater: And also… Oh, we're already back to our rooms. Okay, night～

[Heartslabyul Dorm – Cater's Room]

Cater: …Whew, finally I'm back.

Cater: I wasn't able to check Magicam while I was in the shower, so I should do that now.

Cater: Oh, looks like some of my old posts are getting likes too. I'm glad people are still seeing what I posted ages ago.

Cater: There's a few comments, too… Ugh, this question is waaay too long.

Cater: Not to mention, half of what they're saying has nothing to do with their question, they're just gabbing on about themselves. Ugggh… It's gonna be a pain to respond…

Cater: But if I leave it for later, I'll want to reply even less～ Guess I should give 'em a response ASAP then.

[Heartslabyul Dorm – Cater's Room]

Cater: "Except, that eye mask was a limited-time item, so if it's already sold out, sorry." …And, send. Was that all of them?

Cater: Whew～ I finally finished responding to everything. Guess now I can go check out everyone else's posts.

[phone pings]

Cater: Huh, who's post is this on trending right… Hey, it's that one guy! I can't believe they got a cat.

Cater: "Your cat looks so soft and suuuuper cute～! Can't wait for more pictures!"

[phone pings]

Cater: Ooh, I like the picture of this guitar. I wanna try customizing like this, too.

Cater: "I can't believe you did all this yourself! I'd love to see the play-by-play of how you made it next time."

[phone pings]

Cater: What else is there…? Oh, hey, I've heard of this Magicammer before. Looks like their video giving a tour of their room is hot right now.

Cater: Woah, that's hella cute! Both the floor and wallpaper are done up so meticulously. The entire room's been designed to mesh well with everything～!

Cater: The little trinkets they have scattered around their room are also all the rage right now, so they might be a good reference to keep in mind. I'll give them a follow.

Cater: Maaan, I wish I had a cute, pastel room like this. I bet they get tons of likes.

Cater: Oh, yeah. I kinda left it 'cause I didn't really have anything to say, but… Guess I could write a suggestion here.

「Survey on Quality of Life Improvements for the Student Body」

Cater: It's been more or less smooth-sailing ever since I got a single room, so I didn't think I'd really have any complaints…

Cater: But this place is a bit too chic for the kinds of photos I want to post on Magicam. Maybe it's more accurate to say it's cute in an old-fashioned way?

Cater: The colors in the room are more on the darker side, which makes the videos come out too dark…

Cater: And it's a pain always having to lug out my photography equipment each time. I'll just write "I want more attractive walls and floors."

Cater: Honestly, I'd love to be able to do a room tour or a day-in-the-life routine video...

Cater: But I bet there'd be a ton of trouble I could get into when it comes to everyone's privacy if I'm shooting in and around the dorm, so that'd probably be impossible while I'm still attending school.

Cater: Mmkay, then… I'm already ready for bed, so I guess I'll just go to sleep early, ready to tackle the day tomorrow.

[fwumps into bed]

Cater: What time should I set my alarm for…? Oh, there's already a reply on my comment from earlier.

Cater: I should probably respond right away since they were also quick with it, huh… Hmm…

[Heartslabyul Dorm – Cater's Room]

[alarm rings]

Cater: Mmm… Mrrrnngh… Is it morning already…?

Cater: Yawn… What time did I even fall asleep last night?

Cater: I think I was replying to a comment I got wishing me a happy birthday right at midnight… Did I fall asleep in the middle of that?

Cater: Looks like a got a lot more comments after that, too. I need to respond… But before that, there's something else I need to do today.

Cater: Can't just laze about here! I need to go to the washroom and wash my face ASAP!

Cater: My face is washed, and I did my skin care routine… So, let's get started!

Cater: The photography lights are turned on, the reflector board is adjusted, and my phone is on the tripod…

Cater: The plushes in the background are… Good, they're settled nicely on the bed.

Cater: There's nothing in the shot that shouldn't be. Perf, time to start the video!

[phone pings]

Cater: Hey-o everyone, it's Cay-kun! Today, I'm going to show off some base makeup items that's been my go-to these days.

Cater: First up… Here's the UV primer that just came out on the first of this month! I know this has been all the rage lately.

Cater: I've been using this every day since I bought it the day it came out ♪

Cater: And you know what's the best thing about this primer…? It's got no reflective shine at all!

Cater: It's got a nice toning effect, and I think it works well with just a little bit of powder on days when you don't really need to spruce yourself up too much.

Cater: I've fallen in love with it, 'cause whenever I wanna take a pic on the fly, all I have to do is dab a little here and there with a tissue and it looks like I did myself up in proper makeup ♪

Cater: Aaand it rolls on so smoothly, too. I'll apply some now to show you what I mean, so keep your eyes on the screen!

[phone pings]

Cater: …Nice, video done.

Cater: I'll snap a few pictures in the afternoon during break and put together a comparison picture, then edit the video… I guess I'll be able to upload it the day after tomorrow.

Cater: I still have to think about some other stuff like the background music, but I should focus on finishing my makeup for now.

Cater: It's my birthday, so I think I'm leaning towards using some of my more cuter cosmetics… Oh, I know.

Cater: I found it! Here's the glitter eyeliner that I got as a part of that limited-edition holiday cosmetic set!

Cater: Both the package it came in and the glitter itself is waaaaay too cute. I'll draw the line with this, and snap a pic to see…

[snap!]

Cater: Nice, I can see the glitter glimmering around my eye. This'll give my birthday photos a little bit of a different feel from usual.

Cater: As for my hair… Eh, I guess it's going a little too far if I did something with that too. I'll just massage in a little bit of wax and just set it like usual…

Cater: Perf, looks good. Hmmm… I still have a bit of time, so I guess I'll reply to all the birthday comments I got earlier.

Cater: I still need to record a birthday video, and I bet there'll be a party, or at least a get-together with the Pop Music Club...

Cater: Eheheh, I can't wait. I think I'll have enough content to upload to Magicam for a while!

[Main Street]

[Cater chats with everyone]

Cater: Yaay, thanks everyone! …Hm?

Cater: Who's that I spy walking over there…? Oh, hey, it's Leona-kun!

Leona: Cater…! Tch, what'd I do to be this unlucky?

Cater: Ehhh, you really gonna act like that in front of the birthday boooy?

Cater: So, anywaaaay… Remember how you said yesterday that you couldn't possibly be rude and wish me well the day before my birthday?

Cater: Which meeeeeans… Since we've met the day oooooof…

Leona: Yeah, yeah, you don't gotta tell me twice. …......Happy birthday.

Cater: Ahahah, I really got you of all people to wish me a happy birthday! This is gonna be a great year!

Requested by @farfalla049.

[jeridandridge]

For Lovers At Night conclusion

A conversation with Joe takes place and you evaluate your relationship with Melissa. CW: Homophobic slur, brief violence. No editing. We write and post like affection starved bitches.

“Oh for fucks sake.” You roll your eyes tossing a black trash bag in the dumpster. You truly didn’t have time to deal with a fake macho, butthurt man.

Joe gets closer and comes up standing now a few feet away.

“You the one that’s been fucking my wife?”

There is a hint of anger in his voice, but watching vigilantly you see his hands flat in his pockets, nothing to be hidden there.

“Well bud, someone has to.” You shrug mirroring his stance not shying away from making direct eye contact. Looking at him you suppose you could see hints of a once good looking man. He still had some muscle but it was evident the years of drinking were catching up with him if the beer gut and puffy cheeks were any indication. “I’m really not in the mood for this so can you get off my property?”

“You got some set of balls you know that?” Joe scoffs. “What’s a young girl like you wanting a woman Melissa’s age anyway?”

Cocking your head to the side you size the man up, quirking a brow. “I’m not blind or stupid, so I can see what an amazing person she is and I know how to treat her right.”

“Hey, I know how to treat a woman.” He steps forward towards you.

“Yeah? Then why cheat on a woman to fuck around with girls that could be your kid, huh?” You challenge.

“It ain’t my fault she wouldn’t put out. I shoulda known she was a dyke a long time ago.”

You can’t help but laugh. Looking at the guy in front of you, you see not a man but a toddler throwing a tantrum over a toy he doesn’t get to play with anymore. This Joe doesn’t like.

“The fuck are you laughing at?” He lets out getting right in your face. Not phased by the closeness and possible danger, you tip your chin up as you lift your hands pushing him back by his shoulders. Not paying attention to anything else around you, you dont see Melissa’s truck pull up or hear the door slam.

Getting out of her truck Melissa rushes over bumping into people along the sidewalk to get to you worried you’ll be hurt.

“Back the fuck up before you get hurt, little man.”

Joe all but growls getting in your space again, bloodshot eyes meeting your own.

“You can have her, hot shot. She’s useless dead weight now that I got her good years. Maybe she can help you clean up this dump after it burns down.”

“Hey!” Melissa calls out getting to you just as you take a swing.

Adrenalin running through you at the sound of his insults and threat you give a wicked smile as you cock your fist swinging it up right under Joes chin sending him right to the ground.

When Joe hits the pavement a wave of lavender hits your nose and arms warp around your front holding your arms down keeping your now throbbing hand in place.

“Watch your mouth and get off my fucking property.” You spit at Joe as other people on the street now pay attention to your little corner of the block.

“Amore! Stop.” Melissa urges looking you over as if you’re not okay. She realizes the pang of desire that hits her from seeing you defend her like that.

“Cmon, let’s go inside. Shows over!”

You call out to the small crowd of people as you go to the steps wrapping your arm around the redhead.

“Hold on,” Melissa hums breaking away to go over to a woozy, confused Joe sitting on the sidewalk holding his face.

“Mel-“ you begin to argue, only to stop and watch the scene unfolding in front of you.

“Melly?” The sad man grumbles out.

Kneeling down Melissa reaches out roughly grabbing the defeated man by his now bruising chin making him wince.

“If you ever go near her again,” she warns in an eerily low tone as he yelps at the feeling of her fingers squeezing the injured area, “the last thing you’re ever gonna see is my face. Got it?”

Joe winces looking at the redhead. “Yes.”

“Good.”

Letting go with a rough shove Melissa stands up leaving her soon to be ex husband on the pavement to wallow and take care of his bruised ego and skin.

“That was hot.” You joke trying to break the tense air as you two go up to your apartment. It wasnt a lie at all, but you would behave for now.

Melissa shakes her head carefully taking your now angry and puffy hand in hers looking it over. “I can’t believe you did that. Sit, let me take care of that.”

Getting the door open with your good hand you let out a sigh trying to cool down going over to the dining table, red and purple knuckles facing upward making you wince. “I’m not letting anyone especially a man like that talk about you that way. We both know he had it coming.”

Melissa moves around your kitchen putting ice in a dish towel before coming over to sit beside you. “No ones ever done anything like that for me before besides my family.”

“I’d do it again in a second even though I know you can handle yourself.” You keep your eyes on the redhead, a softness spreading through you when you see the concerned look on her face while she tends to her hand. Having finally met Joe, you understood why Melissa felt the way she did in her marriage.

“Well hon, it looks like I don’t have to no matter how stupid that was for you to do. You coulda gotten hurt,” A proud smirk spreads across her lips despite her trying to be mad.

With her eyes cast down on the towel you gently reach over tipping her chin up with your finger to meet her eyes. Having her this close again after the day you’ve had, you can’t see this previous plan of taking things slow to fruition.

Leaning over to the side of the table where Melissa sits you meet warm jade eyes as you brush your lips against hers. Melissa melts into this kiss, her arms immediately going around your neck as a whine travels up her throat in an emotional relief. Tracing her bottom lip with your tongue the redhead gently pulls back keeping her arms around your neck. She meets your eyes searching for any regret or hesitation.

“Fuck taking things slow.” You hum leaning in for another kiss, this time wrapping your arms around her waist to bring her closer to you.

And that’s all Melissa needs. Nothing is rushed or frantic in the kiss. You both move in a fluid motion like a wave crashing to the shoreline; natural and right like you’ve done it a million times before as you pull her up and walk her back to your kitchen island. Your strides are slow and steady as you two move, almost like a dance as your hands glide up Melissa’s back to red curls.

Breaking the kiss with a shaky breath you peck her lips once more as you feel warm hands cup your cheeks. Melissa looks at you with a soft smile, lip gloss now completely gone.

Still catching your breath you lean forward to close the small space between you kissing the tip of her nose with a wide grin.

“Amore mio.” Melissa whispers wrapping her arms around your neck once more, eyes glassing over with tears.

Standing there in the little bubble you’ve created with her the Italian phrase that you can piece together sends a spark of joy through your chest.

“Every time you call me Amore,” you grin resting your hands on her ass, “it’s like fireworks go off in my chest.”

“That’s how I feel when I’m with you. You brought me back.” She smiles with watery eyes. “And my nana already likes you.” She laughs through a sniffle.

“Yeah? Well Im in love her grand-daughter so that has to give me some points.” You tease keeping your eyes on her the whole time, your stomach flipping at the admission.

Melissa lets out a giddy giggle cupping your cheeks again. “You love me?”

“So much, Mel.” You smile bringing her hands to your lips. The moment she walked into your bar you were intrigued by the mysterious woman, the moment you spoke to her you knew you would do your best to keep her around.

Putting her hands on your shoulders she tips her chin up with a smirk walking you backwards to your bed across the large studio apartment. When the back of your legs hit the mattress you let out a laugh landing on your elbows as Melissa moves to straddle your lap.

Bending over Melissa meets your lips in a hungry kiss sucking in a breath through her nose. Your hands roam her frame again, cataloguing every spot that makes her react. She breaks the kiss first, immediately lifting the hem of your shirt. Wincing lightly as you pull your injured hand out of the fabric Melissa slows down bringing the injured hand to her lips lightly kissing each bruised knuckle.

“I love you, bambina.”

“Is that baby?” Your face breaks out into a grin at her words.

“Yeah,” she laughs meeting your lips again as she unclasps your bra gliding her fingers down your arms.

“Oh you’re cute,” you tease putting your hands on her hips rolling the both of you over so Melissa is now on her back. “Lay back and let me take care of you.” You whisper unbuttoning her pants.

From that moment on you keep your eyes on the redhead only glancing away to pull clothing off. Clothing gone on you both with a few minutes of giggles and fumbling you prop yourself up hovering over the redhead keeping eye contact as you rub your fingers in slow circles over her clit.

“More, Tesoro.” She gasps against your lips keeping her fingers in your hair.

In a kiss that shows her exactly how you feel, you keep your fingers moving drawing whines and cries from the redhead. Not wanting to miss a second of her reactions you keep your eyes locked on her with a satisfied grin. You had done this with many people before, but you had never wanted to see their every reaction. This time, you’re in love and you’re loved back.

Hours later lying between Melissa’s legs resting your head on the soft skin of her stomach, your fingers absentmindedly move up and down her thigh as she plays with your hair.

Thinking about everything you two have gone through together already, you can’t help but smirk. “Mel?”

The redhead lets out a tired hum in response.

“You still wanna go to that Phillies game with me?” You ask not moving from the comfort and warmth of her body.

Melissa grins carding her nails through your hair. “I’d love that, hon.”

Lifting your head you move kissing up her body playfully tickling her sides. “Come shower with me?”

“That’s a good idea.” Melissa laughs as she squirms away, pulling you up by your good hand.

In the bathroom as the shower heats up you find clothes for you both settling on big tshirts and shorts knowing if you don’t you two will be up all night.

“I can bring these back to you tomorrow.” Melissa nods to the clothes.

“Keep em. You look good in my clothes,” you chuckle. “You’re staying the night right?” You ask hopefully, knowing she has to work tomorrow.

“Hell yeah. I haven’t gotten my fix of you yet.” She smiles hugging you from behind.

Chuckling you reach around for her arm as you step in the shower. Adjusting the spray so it hits both of you, you gently rub your girlfriends back thinking about the day.

“It took everything in me to not text you good morning today you know. Then, when I saw you at the cafe I wanted to kiss you so badly.”

“I’m sorry I lied.” She whispers.

“No, don’t do that.” You shake your head. “We already talked about it and I’m sticking right here with you through everything. That’s all.” You shrug.

Melissa gives you a soft smile knowing just by your simple actions since you met that she’s safe and won’t be hurt by you. After a quick and well behaved shower, you get dressed and move to strip your bed of your now soiled sheets putting fresh ones on.

“Baby, what time am I setting the alarm for?” You ask as the redhead sits on the side of your bed putting her hair up.

“Five thirty.” She hums climbing in curling into your side. As you two lay together Melissa lets out a content sigh knowing that she doesn’t have to pretend anymore. She can have this with you as much as she wants.

Turning to your side to face the woman you wrap your arm around her waist giving her a tired smile. “I’ll make the coffee in the morning.”

Cuddled together Melissa lifts her ring clad hand up gently brushing her thumb over your bottom lip.

“Say it one more time.”

Letting out a laugh you lean in chasing her lips for a soft kiss.

“I love you,” you hum kissing each of her cheeks, “I love you,” in between kisses to the corners of her mouth, “I love you.” You hum once more kissing her nose which you’ve come to love doing because it makes Melissa scrunch.

And that’s all Melissa needs.

In the morning you’re the first to move when the alarm sounds, hitting the offending device you turn back over seeing a groggy Melissa stretch out with a smile on her face.

“Good morning,” she lets out in a scratchy voice.

“I’ll start the coffee.” You yawn getting up.

It doesn’t take long for Melissa to get up and ready, putting her clothes from the day before back on from the fabric littered on the floor.

In the kitchen you make enough coffee for a big blue travel mug you have, making it just how Melissa likes it. Stirring it you grin when you feel her arms wrap around you and her chin on your shoulder. “Walk me out?”

“Of course, honey.”

Coffee in hand with shoes on and all belongings gathered you walk Melissa out to her truck opening the door for her.

“Text me when you make it to work?” You ask as her arms snake around your neck giving you extra warmth in the cool morning air.

“I’ll text ya, Amore.” She smiles kissing you softly once more before she pulls away to climb into the truck.

“Drive safe.”

Looking over your shoulder to check for traffic you step back watching the truck pull off and head down the road. As your girlfriend goes you can’t help but grin.

Going back up to your apartment you stay up with the sun smiling into your own coffee mug when your screen lights up with a text from Melissa making you laugh.

My pops told me I’m not invited back to family dinner until Nana meets you. What kinda hold do you got on the Schemmenti women, Amore?

[wall-eye]

Ah! One! This is very exciting yall!! I'll probably reopen them in like a week or two but if you want some now ! be quick apperently !

Do you play dnd or other such roleplay games over discord? Do you want to get a holiday gift for your party but only have 50 bucks to spend? Do you all use 👀 a lot, or use memes to otherwise communicate? Do you want to see your blorbos in casual conversation constantly?

Commission me over on Ko-fi! 5 character based emojis, based on your characters, for $50! More examples in my gallery there!

reblogs appreciated!

[supergraphicgirl81]

With A Little Help From My Friends ⋆⁺₊❅.

Lewis Hamilton ˖⋆࿐໋⋆˚

Formula 1 college hockey team social media AU! Instagram Edition

The tight-knit college hockey team, the Silver Blades, run by team captain Max Verstappen, isn't just about scoring goals—it's a chosen family. On and off the ice, the team has each other's backs, whether that's through college assignments, throwing awesome parties, or winning the championship together. Follow these overworked, tired, college students as they post through their day-to-day life.

Translations → Small text, Italics

With A Little Help From My Friends Masterlist ˖⋆⋆˚ Lewis Hamilton Masterlist ˖⋆⋆˚

LewHamilton

liked by ItsYourname, ChargingSarge, and others

LewHamilton Visited the old stomping grounds today! Notice anyone familiar?

tagged MaxVersstappen

View Comments

MaxVerstappen It was great seeing you! Come back soon for a strategy talk!! (liked by LewHamilton)

LandoNorris4 max let the man REST (liked by LewHamilton)

LewHamilton Haha! @MaxVerstappen Of course man! (liked by MaxVerstappen and LandoNorris4)

LilyMuniHe I MKSSSED LEWIS??!?!!?!! (liked by LewHamilton)

LilyMuniHe WHYYYY ME EEEEEE 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

LewHamilton Haha 😁 I'll come back next Thursday, let's get coffee? (liked by LilyMuniHe)

ItsYourname I WANT TO COME (liked by LewHamilton)

AlexandraSaint ME TOOO (liked by LewHamilton)

LewHamilton The more the merrier! 😁

GeorgeRus Oh how I miss you every day Lew, Max is just not the same

MaxVerstappen Yeah cause I LOVEE having you on my team 🙄 If it weren't for Lewis I would've had you gone ages ago.

LewHamilton He's joking 😅 (liked by GeorgeRus)

MaxVerstappen Yeah, joking 😑

Albono Great seeing you! (liked by LewHamilton)

view all comments!

liked by OscarJP, AlexandraSaint, and others

LewHamilton It's time to feel good again!

View Comments

LandoNorris4 lewis it's a sundayyyy....... why am I reading rn 😞

LewHamilton Feeling good doesn't take days off Lando!

LandoNorris4 ugh! lewis you got me there, ur always right shoulda known (liked by LewHamilton)

DanielRicciardo Don't know what I'm reading, but I love to see your beautiful name in my feed (liked by LewHamilton)

Franco43Colapinto wut? 🤨 (liked by LewHamilton)

LewHamilton Franco I think your color would be a deep, but bright blue.

Franco43Colapinto u perfect man, te amo mi dulce abuelo místico (liked by LewHamilton) i love you my sweet mystical grandfather

LandoNorris4 OOOOOO DO MY COLOR !!!!!!!

LewHamilton Easy, fluorescent green. (liked by LandoNorris4)

LandoNorris4 sickkk 😎

OscarJP I love how different our majors are

LewHamilton The variety of life man, isn't it beautiful! (liked by OscarJP)

view all comments!

liked by Albono, YukiTsunoda22, and others

LewHamilton The kids let me tag along today. :)

tagged ItsYourname, LilyMuniHe, AlexandraSaint, and Franco43Colapinto

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Franco43Colapinto these streets are CRAZY!!! las cosas que he visto esta noche en este tren. estos locos hijos de puta!!! (liked by LewHamilton) the things I've seen tonight on this train. these crazy sons of bitches

ItsYourname we scarred the child 😭😭😭😭

LewHamilton Someones got to teach him! 😁

LilyMuniHe I LOVE THE SUBWAY!!!! I THRIVE ON THE SUBWAY!!!!!!!

Albono Like all the rats that scurry over the peoples feet

AlexandraSaint he's very much giving DIVA don't play 😜💜 (liked by LewHamilton)

LewHamilton Channeling my inner Renaissance in this post. (liked by AlexandraSaint)

AlexandraSaint GRAH ! (liked by LewHamilton)

ItsYourname ten dollars and i'll do a little flip 😜

LewHamilton And she isn't even lying!

OscarJP She's built-in entertainment! (liked by LewHamilton)

LandoNorris4 wait why the fits lowk hard af (liked by LewHamilton)

view all comments!

liked by MaxVerstappen, Franco43Colapinto, and others

LewHamilton Forever grateful for these experiences.

View Comments

GeorgeRus Nobody deserves it more than you, the hardest working person I know! More than grateful to have worked with you through these years. (liked by LewHamilton)

LewHamilton George, it's been a pleasure man, keep up all the hard work1 (liked by GeorgeRus)

LandoNorris4 MYY GOAT!!!! (liked by LewHamilton)

LewHamilton Lando my man, i may miss seeing you everyday in practice the most! (liked by LandoNorris4)

DanielRicciardo THATS MY OLD CAPTAIN DONT PLAY WITH HIM (liked by LewHamilton)

LewHamilton AYYYYY DANIELLL!!!! Keep carrying on the teams legacy you great ball of energy! (liked by DanielRicciardo)

MaxVerstappen The team and I miss you every day, come back whenever you want! (Please🙏🏼) (liked by LewHamilton)

LewHamilton You got This Max! Don't you worry! (You don't have to tell me twice to come back) (liked by MaxVerstappen)

ChargingSarge Iconic first photo, best way I could describe you for real! (liked by LewHamilton)

LewHamilton My guy! Thank you, Logan, you'll always be MY personal GOAT! (liked by ChargingSarge)

CarlosSainz My Cabrón, you will be missed. Mostly by me! (liked by LewHamilton)

LewHamilton Carlos! Cabrón, we will be staying in touch, study sessions must continue on! (liked by CarlosSainz)

YukiTsunoda22 あなたと離れて寂しくなります。 (liked by LewHamilton) i will miss you

LewHamilton もっと寂しくなるよユキ (liked by YukiTsunoda22) I'll miss you even more Yuki

CharLeclerc Très grateful to have been your duo for a brief moment, greatest time of my life, I will miss you, man. (liked by LewHamilton)

LewHamilton My Charlie oh how i'll miss your smile, my one tru king! (liked by CharLeclerc)

Franco43Colapinto mi mayor inspiración, agradecido por los recuerdos💙 (liked by LewHamilton) my biggest inspiration, grateful for the memories

LewHamilton Franco, gracias por el tiempo que me has demostrado, me haces sentir joven otra vez. 🤍 (liked by Franco43Colapinto) Thank you for the time you have shown me, you make me feel young again.

OscarJP Greatest of all time for a reason! You will be missed plenty. (liked by LewHamilton)

LewHamilton My Aussie friend, I will miss your aura the most, keep doing you! (liked by OscarJP)

Albono Lewis, you have forever made your mark on us 🤍 (liked by LewHamilton)

LewHamilton Alex I thank you for your kind words, we will have to get Roscoe and Albus together soon! (liked by Albono)

view all comments!

[kybercrystals94]

The Defender (ch.6)

Febuwhump 2025 | Day 6 | Prompt: Forced to Stay Awake

Read here on Ao3

<< Previous Chapter | Master Post | Next Chapter >>

Rated: G | Words: 2188

Character Ages

Omega (8)

The Batch (Chronological: 4.5 / Biological: 9)

Tech watches Crosshair walk away for only a few seconds before he tells Wrecker, “Come on,” and starts down the left hall. He hears Wrecker hesitate a moment but then fall into step behind him. 

“I agree with ya, Tech,” Wrecker says. “We oughta stick together.” 

“Where was this opinion approximately thirty seconds ago?” Tech asks sharply. 

Wrecker sighs. “We can still catch up with Cross, tell him he’s outvoted.”  

“We will let Crosshair have his way,” Tech says. “Otherwise we will never hear the end of it.”

“That’s not a good reason for a bad idea,” Wrecker points out. 

Tech does not often feel anger toward any of his brothers. He knows that strong emotions left untended often, if not always, lead to impaired judgement. Tech has learned this through experience and observation. However, there are times that a strong emotion arrives with such unimpeded force that Tech finds himself swayed to its pure influence. Crosshair using Tech’s own words against him, having the audacity to imply that Tech holds blame for Hunter’s predicament…his anger is righteous and deserved.

“Perhaps it is not a bad idea at all,” Tech retorts. “Perhaps Crosshair is right that we should split up. Perhaps I am wrong.” 

“Then we’re both wrong, I guess,” Wrecker says.

“We shall see, won’t we.” 

“No, let’s find Crosshair–” Wrecker grabs Tech's shoulder, yanking him too roughly to a stop. 

Tech turns and shoves his brother away with both hands. “Leave it, Wrecker! The decision has been made, right or wrong. If there is one thing that Crosshair is absolutely correct about, it is that we are wasting time.” 

Tech does not miss, but ignores, the look of hurt in Wrecker’s eyes before he pivots on his heel and starts walking again. It is another danger of strong emotions allowed free reign: others can get hurt by them too. And now, not only is Tech angry with Crosshair. 

He is also angry with himself. 

**

Tech’s mind is exceptional. While he understands that it is a direct result of Kaminoan interference during his earliest stages of development, Tech also knows that it is by his own directive that he utilizes the enhancement well. It takes effort to employ the capacity of his mind to its full potential, to put away what is useless and nurture what is useful. Tech will admit that at times, what he finds useful might not traditionally be considered so. 

But there is one article of knowledge that is unquestionably valuable: Tech has memorized uncommon routes through Tipoca City using the map that is Hunter’s mind. 

Tech follows what he believes would be Hunter’s most logical direction in the event he was being pursued. Had Crosshair not been so obstinately insistent on splitting up, he might not be going in what Tech believes is the wrong direction. Some lessons were best taught, and some experienced. Crosshair will experience this lesson when Tech and Wrecker, together, locate Hunter – then Crosshair when the cadet undoubtedly becomes lost himself. Natural consequence, Tech thinks. Cause and effect. 

“Do you think Crosshair’s doing okay?” Wrecker asks, interrupting the flow of Tech’s thoughts. 

Tech stops to consider an intersection of halls. “I would assume he is doing as well as he can on his own.” 

“We shoulda stayed together,” Wrecker mumbles, kicking at a scuff mark on the ground. 

“Belaboring the point won’t change anything,” Tech tells him. 

Wrecker crosses his arms and glares down at Tech with a frustrated ire Tech is not accustomed to from this particular brother. “You think using those big words makes you sound smart, but you’re being really dumb right now, ya know that? Now we’ve got two brothers lost!” 

“That is not my fault!” Tech protests. “Crosshair chose to leave.” 

“And you chose to let him!” 

“So did you!” 

“I wanted to get him, and you said no!” 

“I am not in charge!” 

“Well, you kriffing act like it!” 

“Tech? Wrecker?” 

Tech and Wrecker startle at the sudden, third party interruption. Hunter is standing there in the middle of the hall, just a few paces away, staring at them. 

“Hunter!” Wrecker laughs and runs to him, wrapping him up in his arms and bodily lifting their brother from the floor. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you!” 

“Sorry,” Hunter chokes out, squirming in Wrecker’s grip. “I didn’t mean to be gone for so long.” 

“Why were you gone so long?” Tech asks, approaching. 

Hunter is spun around twice before Wrecker finally releases him, and he stumbles a few steps to the left before finding his balance. “Some stupid regs were chasing me,” Hunter admits gingerly, straightening out his rumpled tunic. “I had to hide in a supply closet until I knew they were gone.” 

Wrecker and Tech exchange a knowing look. 

“Where’s Crosshair?” Hunter asks, glancing around.

“He thought it would be best if we split up to search for you,” Tech says, and even though it is the truth, the words taste sour in his mouth, like an admission of awful guilt.

Hunter’s brows knit together in transparent confusion. “And you let him?” 

“Ya know how Cross can be,” Wrecker explains weakly. He sounds as small as Tech suddenly feels. As though he is the one who has done anything wrong. 

Tech cannot meet the gaze of either of his present brothers. 

“Yeah, I know,” Hunter says. “We better go find him, huh?” 

Hunter does not wait for an answer, because the answer is obvious. He takes off down the way Wrecker and Tech came from, and his brothers wordlessly follow. 

**

They do not find Crosshair.

They even sneak to the medical wing, a place typically avoided at all costs. While they do not go all the way inside, Tech is able to access the medbay’s list of occupants on a carelessly left data pad he finds at the front station. 

“He is not here,” Tech says, but the discovery does not bring him the relief he had anticipated. Tech has never given much stock to the sensation of intuition, logic and analysis being his greatest allies; however, now, he cannot shake himself loose from the immense feeling of dread that overwhelms him. Something is not right. Something is very, very wrong. 

“Maybe he went back to the barracks,” Wrecker suggests, not sounding convinced himself. 

Tech looks to Hunter, and sees Hunter’s gaze flicker briefly to the in-wall comm unit beside them. Before Tech can puzzle over it, Hunter says, “You’re right, Wrecker. Let’s head back. Maybe we’ll find Crosshair along the way, yeah?” 

Wrecker’s demeanor shifts at Hunter’s encouragement, and he smiles broadly. “Yeah!” 

Tech knows that Hunter’s optimism is a front; however, he still envies the easy way Wrecker leans guilelessly into the sentiment, bounding ahead when the halls become familiar again. 

“He isn’t in the barracks, Hunter,” Tech says quietly. 

Hunter’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t look at Tech. “We don’t know that.” 

“Alright,” Tech allows. “What if he isn’t in the barracks? What do we do then?” 

“We’ll get help.” 

Tech’s breath catches in his throat. “From who?” 

Hunter finally turns his head to look at Tech, to meet his eye. “Someone helped me get away from the regs,” he says softly. 

“Someone?” Tech prods when Hunter does not elaborate on his own. 

Hunter shrugs and shakes his head. “I don’t know who they are, but they helped me. They said they’ve been watching us for a long time. They’ll know where Crosshair is.”

“You trust this unknown individual?” Tech asks incredulously. 

“I don’t know why, but I do,” Hunter says. “They…it feels like they care about us. They said it isn’t safe for us to know who they are.” 

Tech absorbs the information he’s been given, skeptical as he is. Unlike himself, Hunter relies heavily on instinct. But if Hunter believes he can trust this individual, Tech will trust Hunter. 

They reach the hall of their barracks. Wrecker, far ahead of them now, activates the door and barrels inside. Tech doesn’t realize he’s stopped walking until Hunter turns back to look at him. “Tech?” 

Tech shakes his head. His boots suddenly feel as though they are made of permacrete. If Crosshair isn’t here…if Tech let him go off alone…if anything happened to him…

Wrecker comes back into the hall, his face a stark and awful reflection of Tech’s internal turmoil. “He’s not here, Hunter.” 

**

“Do you know how we can contact this…unidentified subject?” Tech asks, pretending there isn’t a painful lump in his throat to speak around.

Hunter is pacing the perimeter of their barracks. “They talked to me through the comm in the wall.” 

“Do you have any idea where they were contacting you from in the city?” Tech presses. 

Hunter shoots him a sharp look. “I would have told you if I knew that, Tech.” 

“Maybe we should just ask a trainer to help us, or a long neck,” Wrecker offers nervously from where he’s folded himself against the head of his bunk, pillow hugged to his chest. 

Tech nods. “That is likely the best course of action. It is well into our sleep cycle. Crosshair would have been returned to our barracks by now if he were not incapacitated.” 

“Unless he’s being too kriffing proud to ask for help,” Wrecker says. “He could be hiding in a closet like Hunter was doing.”

“Crosshair may be proud, but he knows that an absence like this would cause us alarm,” Tech counters. “Not even he would do that to us…at least, not willingly.” 

Hunter stops pacing and turns to look at their in-wall comm for what Tech thinks might be the thousandth time. Then he marches up to it. “Hey!” he yells. “You said you wanted to help us! So help! Where is Crosshair?” 

Tech startles at the outburst, and even Wrecker lets out a sound of surprise. 

Hunter continues to stare at the comm, as though his steady gaze alone will force the mysterious individual to speak. 

Tech opens his mouth to suggest that perhaps this helper, whoever they are, is unable to make contact at this juncture. 

“C’mon,” Hunter continues, but his voice is quiet now, pleading. “You can't have wasted your help on me…please…” 

The comm crackles to life. “Hunter,” a voice says, soft and young.  

Tech is on his feet and rushing to Hunter’s side before he realizes what he is doing. He only knows that he does not want to miss a single syllable. He feels Wrecker press in behind him. Under normal circumstances, Tech does not like being crowded. It makes him feel trapped and overwhelmed. But at this moment, he welcomes Wrecker’s solid presence in the absence of another. 

“Do you know where Crosshair is?” Hunter asks again. 

“He’s going to be okay,” the voice says. “Nala Se said he’ll be okay.”

Nala Se. Tech’s chest tightens. He is finding it difficult to breathe.  

It is Wrecker who recovers his voice first. “What’s wrong with him?” 

“He was in a fight…” the voice says, slowly, as though they are choosing the words they say very carefully. “...with some cadets. He–he hit his head. He was taken to the medical wing, but Nala Se had him brought to her personal lab so that she could monitor him. She said concussions like this can be dangerous with his enhancement.”

“We want to see him,” Hunter says. 

There is a long pause, and then, “You…can’t. I’m sorry. But Nala Se said he will be returned to the barracks once he’s recovered.” 

“How long will that be?” Hunter asks. 

“I don’t know,” the voice says. “I have to go…Nala Se is coming back. She can’t know that I’ve told you anything. I’ll give you an update when I can, I promise.” 

Silence, dense and heavy, falls on the barracks. 

Tech does not cry. Well, he likely cried when he was much younger, but that is expected as emotions are not as easily regulated when one is very young. But to his memory, he cannot remember crying. So the sensation that burns at his eyes now is surprising and strange, oppressive in its urgency for release.

“This is my fault,” he says, but the words stutter on a gasping breath. “I let him go.”

“It’s not,” Wrecker says firmly. “Don’t say that.”

 But Tech shakes his head, blinking hard against the dampness in his eyes. 

Hunter does not say anything at all, expression dull and unreadable, when he turns away from the comm. Then he sits down on the floor, back against the wall. Quietly, Tech and Wrecker do the same, sitting on either side of their oldest brother. A silent understanding between them. They will not sleep until they hear from the voice again. 

“The voice said he’ll be okay,” Wrecker says.

Hunter nods. “Then he’ll be okay,” Hunter whispers, voice flat. 

Tech wants to believe him. He wants to trust Hunter. He wants to trust the unknown voice. 

Desperately. 

He should never have let Crosshair go alone. 

There are times that a strong emotion arrives with such unimpeded force that Tech finds himself swayed to its pure influence.

Tech begins to cry. 

Up Next...

Prompt: Alternate Timeline Self

Let me know if you'd like to be added to my tag list!

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[puella-peanut]

The Waiting Room

@landslided

Hi there! Happy late New Year! I am your Secret Santa for @cksecretsanta 2024! This is part one of The Waiting Room, a LawRusso fic that explores Johnny's feelings if Daniel had been stabbed instead of Kwon at the Sekai Taikai. Once completed, I will be linking you and posting the full fic on my A03! I'm so very sorry for the delay, unfortunately my job peaks for me during holiday season, and it's been awhile since I've written something other than a drabble. And longer since I've written anything for LawRusso, so I was rusty. Anyway, I hope you like this first part and the rest of the fic that will follow! 

The Waiting Room

Part 1

The Prologue—A Summary Of Circumstance (And Blood)

Thing is, it’s not like Johnny Lawrence hasn't seen blood before. 

In his line of life, both past and present tense, blood was (is) an active participant. In childhood it was a near-constant companion for him, moreso when Mom married way up and his Interest of the Week (roller-skating, hockey, wrestling, boxing—the whole violent collection) got bankrolled by Sid.

(The belittling was provided for free.)

In this grudgingly funded way, the bloody messes continued even when those hobbies dimmed and faded into obscurity with the shining onset of karate; the crowning laurel of Johnny's interests. But when the gold of that trophy itself faded to a second-place bronze, and its former glory was shoved pell-mell into a cardboard box and dumped in the back of his closet (while his failure at that One Thing He Was Great At took the shape of a sore-spot that would bruise and fester and sting like a bitch for over thirty years)—the blood still remained. 

(He needed a job after all, and sulking didn't pay the bills though it went down smooth coupled with Coors and misery. Handyman it was, then.)

But getting into the trades and the rough nature of the business only meant that the cause of bloody company shifted and changed from scraped knees and injuries acquired on the mat—to monthly misaimed hammers, the certainty of electrical shocks, near-decapitation by ugly, rotting palm-trees. (And that trip to the emergency room in '09 that depleted his already non-existant savings and had him running to fucking Sid for a cheque and the groveling humiliation knotted around it like a barbed and baited bow.)

Being a handyman barely paid the California bills, but it paid them nonetheless, and it was good work, steady work, honest work. Though sometimes, most times, Johnny hated it so much; hated it like how he hated Sid, like how he hated being a middle-aged loser, like how he hated that second place trophy in his shitty apartment, like how he hated...

...him.

But like these things tend to go, one day all that hate just boiled and bubbled up from under his skin and spilled on over, coating everything in real-life consequences. All because that bitch with the wrong wall TV happened, and then Johnny losing his temper happened, and getting fired happened, and beating those little shits outside the corner store happened. 

But mostly because LaRusso happened, just like he’d been happening for three fucking decades with his corny commercials and his cheesy bonsai and the fact that he lived rent-free in Johnny's 1984 frozen brain while Johnny was barely making it in the real world. LaRusso stepped out of his nighttime frustrations and into his daytime troubles after Johnny's car was towed to his fancy dealership with his stupid suit and his dumb smile and his earnest used-car-saint charm. And his beaming offer to give Johnny a new car when Johnny shoulda wiped the floor with that holier-than-thou-rabbit-toothed smirk three decades ago.

(The lattermost of which hadn't happened outside of booze-fueled pipe dreams that led nowhere but to a hangover from the hell the following day.) 

What did happen though, was that Johnny got back into Karate and opened up that box of Pandora, and then Miguel and Kreese and Robby followed, and Things Happened and Kept Happening. And the happenings got better and then they got worse, but what remained, always, was the karate, and the blood—and LaRusso. 

Daniel. 

The Thing that...Happened.

(Fuck.)

Circumstance And Blood And Daniel Fucking LaRusso 

So...

...this? The Sekai Taikai. Broadcasted globally on that stream-thing so everyone had tickets to their living-room seats to witness the bruises, the brawl, the brutality.

(And the blood. And Daniel.)

It shouldn’t faze Johnny, what happened, then. It's nothing new, after all. Blood on the mat, blood on the white gi. He's seen it all before, it's not like he's fresh meat or bright eyed and bushy tailed or anything. 

It shouldn’t faze him.

(Except that it does.)

Fazes him so much that he doesn’t even move from where he watches it all happen, fresh and thrumming like an engine from fighting that ancient ponytailed prick backstage. Doesn't move as he watches how that fucking Iron Lizard kid or whatever rushes up to the other Metal Lizard kid, the way too tall one, with a knife, and Daniel—

 —fucking rushes. Gets between them because he's got to be the hero, he's gotta save the evil little shit, gotta worm his way in through whatever cracks he can. Defense, offence it doesn't matter; he finds a way to slip through the muscle and the bones and the grit of it all just like he did to Johnny. (At school and at the All Valley and for thirty-five years while Johnny licked the salt from his wounds and paced night after night with the company of beer and that dark-eyed, scrawny ghost.) And Daniel did it—does it—so easily, so quickly; this slipping in-between the cracks. Makes himself stick and stay and take the brunt of it because he's small and stupid and too fucking nosy to live, and too great of a Sensei to not care, and too kind of a person to stop and think of himself and what it would do if—   

—if something happened. 

Except this time, that if turns to certainty, to absolution. Turns to the worst case scenario that becomes fact in an instant.

A fact that leaves an empty, Daniel-less space on the mat, the knife that did the deed useless by the unoccupied space, and the blood that followed the bullshit all bright and wet and hideous under the stage lights. And Johnny just stands there by the curtains like a fool who has forgotten that it’s his turn to go on stage and act his part and do something. Anything.

But he just stands there as both Lizards are escorted off and the crowd is pushed back and the paramedics arrive and take LaRusso away from the scene. From the Sekai Taikai. Maybe from this shitty fucking planet too. 

(And from Johnny himself. Of course.)

The circumstance and the blood. 

Nothing new, right?

Right?

(Until it is.)

[cute-emo-boi]

Idk if anyone would remember me but I used to run a decently large mogai/ queer centric discord server called Cringe Culture Reclaimed. I think I went by the name Crim or Crimson if that sparks anyone's memory.

I'm just making this post to come clean about my sudden disappearance (ik I shoulda made this post ages ago shhhhh) and update people on where I am now with queer stuff and stances and all that.

I started to grow tired of modding CCR and became less and less active since I felt kind of excluded from the community I had made, as my opinions were rapidly changing and I was becoming more and more proship, pro para and pro transid, and feeling forced to ban anyone who was a big 3 paraphile, proship or used any sort of transid label just to keep the community happy.

I'm not blaming anyone in particular, but once you have a big community, you can't just change your opinion on something and expect everyone to go along with it and support it without backlash.

But yeah to update ppl on where I'm at now with my identity and stances and all that, I just ID as queer as in weird to encompass all aspects of my identity. I've also come to the realisation that I'm profiction and a paraphile (anti contact), which I had suppressed since I had been surrounded by antis and felt I wasn't allowed to think for myself. The paraphile part may tie into my queer identity. And well, I just think if someone labels themselves queer, then they're queer. So simply being weird or having a strange non-normative identity can be queer. Including objectum, fictophilia and any other kind of attraction or paraphilia. Including feeling queer about your age, species or anything else. Basically I've become more radqueer aligned, however I am still critical of some aspects of the community. I have my reasons for my beliefs but I don't want to make this post longer than it already is or go off topic, but feel free to ask me abt them

I know this is gonna make some people mad, but I just wanted to be open about where I am now. Post is written poorly but I can't be assed proof reading it at 1:30am lol

[thatsonemorbidcorvid]

When Kristin Batykefer fell ill with a headache, sore throat and body aches, the other women in her house baked her cookies, served her homemade vegetable soup and took her four-year-old daughter to the park so she could rest.

“Support system like no other,” Batykefer, 33, wrote on a TikTok post that has since been viewed more than one million times. “Shoulda moved into a mommune a long time ago.”

Batykefer had no idea that her video — and the concept of mommunes, a group of single mothers sharing a house, bills, childcare and support, seen in the US for the past decade or so — would go viral. When last year she split from her husband and lost her job, an old family friend with grown-up children invited her to move into her house in Jacksonville, Florida, while she found her feet. Then Batykefer was contacted by an old college roommate, Tessa Gilder, 32, who was also going through a divorce, with two children, aged five and one. “Tessa was, like, ‘I can’t do it any more.’ I said, ‘Come here. You’ll be welcomed with open arms.’ Originally our plan was we’d get our own place together, but once she arrived we became like a little family unit and it’s just awesome. Our friends said, ‘Stay as long as you guys want.’ ”

The 1960s and 1970s saw the rise of communes where like-minded souls joined together to raise families in capitalism-defying self-sufficiency. In a 21st-century version, more and more women are channelling the age-old spirit of sisterhood to establish mommunes, to tackle the ever-rising cost of living and everyday motherhood grind. “We just help each other out,” Batykefer explains over Zoom. “It’s not ‘You do the dishes, I’ll take out the trash,’ it’s more when we see something needs to be done we just do it. As a mother that’s just what your instincts are. It’s so nice having three minds in a house thinking like that.”

Indeed, as the thousands of comments on Batykefer’s posts make clear, many women in relationships — even happy ones — are envious of her mommune’s roll-up-your-sleeves environment. “There are some comments saying, ‘My husband does all this for me,’ but about 95 per cent say, ‘Wow, how do I get part of this?’ So many are from married women asking, ‘Where do I drop my husband off? I’m joining!’ ” Batykefer says, laughing. “It resonates because there are so many what we call ‘single married women’ out there who are not getting the kind of help with the physical, mental and emotional labour of being a parent that we have. I definitely didn’t get this support in my marriage, it all fell on me. If I was sick, I still had to cook for us and make sure my daughter was fed and taken care of and entertained.”

Batykefer, who before her break-up was documenting on TikTok her family’s itinerant life on a renovated bus, is also revelling in living in an environment free of marital bickering. “Whenever I would be driving our bus when I was married, it was such a stressful, anxiety-inducing experience because of the negative energy, but I’ve just been on a bus trip with a girlfriend, driving the whole time, and it was so peaceful and amazing.”

There are 2.5 million single-mother families in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics, a figure that has more than tripled since the 1970s, as the stigma about divorce has decreased and women have gained more financial independence. But several international studies show that single mothers are at greater risk of physical and mental health disorders compared with their married counterparts, mainly as a result of lack of support — with many women living far away from their extended families.

Financial stresses can also be overwhelming, with a recent marked rise in lone-parent families using food banks or relying on benefits. A report last month by the Institute for Fiscal Studies showed that half of such families are now living in relative poverty.

While there are no official, large-scale mommunes in the UK or US, many single mothers are turning to local mommune groups on platforms such as Facebook (the London branch has 700-plus members) to find others to team up with.

Sara Memba, 34, a restaurant worker from Barcelona who has a one-year-old son, is sharing a house with a friend with four children aged between one and eleven in south London after finding that landlords were reluctant to have her as a tenant. “Many don’t trust single mothers to pay the rent on their own or they think your kid is going to destroy their house,” she says. Memba loves her situation. “We can go to work knowing our children are well cared for and it’s great to find a person with whom to talk and share concerns, joys and different, sometimes contradictory, emotions. It’s fun for the children too — they have more playmates and adventures.”

In an ideal world she’d love to see flats built specifically for single mothers. “There’d be common areas and spaces adapted for children to facilitate socialisation between neighbours. It would make a very difficult experience so much easier.”

The author Janet Hoggarth, from East Dulwich, south London — whose latest novel is Us Two — struggled after her divorce from her husband of 11 years, when she was left to bring up her three children, aged five, three and one. When she discovered that her friend Vicki Hillman, who had a newborn, had split from her fiancé, she invited her to move into her attic bedroom. Another single mother of two who lived around the corner frequently joined them in the evenings and stayed at weekends.

“I was feeling utterly bereft. I was navigating a divorce that took ages while juggling the kids and we were all feeling quite traumatised. It was so nice to have another adult there who knew how you felt, who could help me fill out forms, talk to lawyers and bounce ideas off. Plus, when the kids are in bed at night and you’re rolling around the house alone, you have company, which was such a relief because most of my contemporaries were busy with their own families. It stopped my constant feeling of a racing heart and feeling sick in my stomach. It was like a weird miracle drug.”

After two years Hillman moved out because she wanted a bedroom for her daughter but the women are still close friends. “We rubbed along really well without any bitchiness. It was very reassuring, like being in a family, just a different version of it. It really did stop me feeling broken. There’s definitely a different energy in an all-mothers house — there’s no weird bouncing of egos and someone expecting a medal for having wiped down the sides or polishing their halo because they’ve taken the bins out. Everyone just gets on.”

Not all mommunes are so successful. Elizabeth (surname withheld), 34, tried briefly sharing a flat with an old friend in Liverpool, when both had baby daughters. “We thought it would be perfect, but even though we got along well, our babies’ sleeping schedules were completely incompatible, which made it impossible for them to do anything together. I had no child support and had to work crazy hours with a long commute and my baby in a nursery, while she had a generous settlement from her ex and didn’t work. The imbalance made life so much more stressful than it would have been living alone. I felt guilty I couldn’t be around to do more babysitting. I still think mommunes are a brilliant idea, not least because being a single mum is so horribly expensive, but just as with any housemate, you have to find the right person.”

Victoria Benson, chief executive of Gingerbread, a charity for single-parent families that offers local networks for single parents to connect, agrees that mommunes are one “creative solution to a big problem. But we need to see a better welfare system, an increase in flexible work, and more affordable and available childcare that works for all single-parent families.”

Batykefer’s mommune keeps on giving, as demonstrated by the TikToks of her and Gilder enjoying concerts, karaoke and home-spa days together on weekends when their children are with their fathers. Now they’re in discussions about filming a reality show about their set-up, with the hope of bringing in more income but also inspiring more mommunes.

“I just fell into this but it’s such an obvious idea,” Batykefer says. “Women have always helped women. Let’s make it even easier for them.”

[darkx-the-dragon-kn1ght]

Chapter 1- Part 1

By the way- since Tumblr has a limit on how many images someone can put on a single post, I’ll need to be splitting these updates into multiple parts. No worries, though- I’ll make sure to keep all posts corresponding to specific chapters linked up with each other.

So now, let’s boot up the game! If you wanna download it yourself and give it a try, you can find the download on the official website.

I gotta say, just looking at this title screen with my own eyes is getting me excited already. Starting a new game always does that for me- a fresh new experience, new adventure!

Also can I just say this title screen music goes so hecking hard, like this is a jam, holy crud- 

Okay enough waiting around, let’s actually get this started...

And by that I mean mess around with the control scheme for a moment-

Would it have been easier to just leave the controls at their default? Maybe, but I just prefer using WASD to move around, yell at me in the notes for my setup if it satisfies you.

Ah, and here we are at our character selection! I like the ticket styling here, and from the first look the sprites look good. Though- is that the Gen 3 style of spritework? All tiny like that? I probably shoulda expected that when they said it was “Emerald-styled”, actually-

It also doesn’t look like any of them have a set gender at default, I think? It seems like it’s just split between “black hair, blondie, or white anime hair (affectionate)”- either way, everyone here looks GNC has heck and I love that for all of them. 

Still, none of these really match what I really look like, so…I’ll go with the white-haired one at the end, just to see what happens when I pick them-

Ah, you can pick your gender regardless of which avatar you choose! Neat! I’m gonna look edgy and no one can stop me-

Also, as you can see, my character’s name for this playthrough will be “X”- that’s the name I typically choose for myself when naming characters in games like this, and Reborn will be no different.

Also, you guys can’t hear this because it’s just images, but like- I think this ticketmaster is doing all of this on a typewriter?? Because when all that other stuff (ARR, Seat Number, etc.) was being inputted, the audio was typewriter sounds?? I thought the ticket UI was just for the aesthetic, but- is this station actually that old???

Hello??? Sir??? We have technology, you know that, right????

The old fence post that is your workspace apparently-

You know, I’m a little curious about that myself- why are we going to Reborn City? Is the player character gonna have a backstory of some sort? The regular Pokémon protagonists have backstories, even if it’s usually as simple as “you’ve lived in this town your whole life, you turn a certain age, now take this starter and go forth and fight Trainers to become the very best”, but it’s there still. 

What’s this character’s motivation? Is that something I’ll have to come up with for myself? Audience surrogate taken to the max? Because I can do that, I can work with that-

Ambition- is that our true motivation? Or is that merely the perception of the ancient ticketmaster? Questions to be answered later, I'm sure.

AW YEAH, TRAIN SOUNDS (and the background is doing a moving effect too, but again you can’t see it through the screenshot, alas)

Oh honey we viewed them quite closely not too long ago, I think we’re good-

Nice animation with the train we got going here, interesting to see that multi-colored emblem from the title screen on it…again, implications to be answered later.

Oh? Those are the other avatar characters we could have picked. Are they going to be NPCs or something? You know, like in Gen III with Brendan/May or Gen IV with Lucas/Dawn or Legends Arceus with Rei/Akari?

Also, this BGM for being on the train here slaps, the music is pretty good so far.

Man, lots of white-haired folk around here, who’s this now?

Ah, a recruiter- so the others are more Trainers, like us. Again- are they going to be NPCs since they aren’t the player character? They must have canon names or something, but there’s definitely a lot of them- eh, we’ll just have to see.

Next

[easily-bullied]

sexy encounter is cancelled. how will I feel value??? I can't have value if someone isn't tasting my flesh and then looking up to smile! what is there other than that? every post I make is the same (sad, riddled with typos and wiiiildly funny) so clearly I'm spinning my wheels. the duality of the mind. knowing I'm ill, knowing my thought processes are flawed, recognizing what I'm really feeling, and then ignoring it all in favor for the sad sack of shit that I'm feeding myself instead. it feels better. cathartic. to be Bella looking out her window watching the seasons change. I like being sad. it's better than bored. fuck it's better than even hope. hope comes with that twinge of knowing that you might be naive. sad is just sad. and sad is usually based in reality. I stg I'm not wallowing. I'm just being moody and gay.

it's so cliche to be this busy with people and still feel like the loneliest girl in the world. 'you know maybe she seemed like she had it all but in truth I heard she was actually very sad' Momo Foster Kane. sycophants. giving me love I can't accept because I believe I manipulated them into doing it (by loving them and being myself... A MONSTER)

should we make a list of things going right? wouldn't that be so therapeutic? wouldn't that make everything just right as rain?

we're cooking

that means we're eating better

we're working

that means we're getting back on track

we got a tattoo

that means we're becoming more of who we want to be

we're not being crazy after someone cancelled on us

that means we're not being crazy after someone cancelled on us

hmmmmm nothing in that list about being loved and in love. hmmmm. catharsis dashed. therapeutics thwarted.

we move forward I guess. trying to imagine myself not in an unhealthy relationship.... hmmm she seems bored. so what is that? she would be like happy and loved and then content? she would be healing and have someone? hmmm that's so weird. I feel like I hate her for some reason. you think you're better than me BITCH?!? what makes you so SPECIAL. I bet her dad loved her too. what a bitch.

sooo ya. I have daddy issues. I'm just like my mommy. turns out we're both hot funny bitches who didn't realize we were worth feeling special. at least I'm alive. eat shit mom. shoulda learned your lesson sooner (I miss you literally every single day)

y'know, there was a time where I thought I would never ever go a day without crying over my mom. and two years out I'm completely fine most days. I mean my life is forever worse than it was, but like huh, I feel fine most of the time. so resilient. so capable of handling change.

I hate knowing everything will be fine. it feels like such a lie and yet I know it is inevitable. I know that nothing about my current situation has to last. like I'm completely aware of that fact but I just seem to choose to not live in that truth? I guess the rest is unknown and isn't that scary? that's why it's better to just look at the past and think about alternate histories. less variables nothing about who I am in this moment, in this very second, is something I could have guessed for myself 4 years ago, 10 years ago, 20 years ago. nothing. I guess my name hasn't changed. and my eyes are still brown. so there's that.

if I can't know the future why not enjoy the past??? this is what it means to stay present huh? that's what they're talking about. hmmmm I can see they may have a point. that sage wisdom. youth is wasted on the young. middle age is wasted on the middle aged. next year I'm 35. pretty firmly at the half way point. I'd say the rest is down hill but tbh I think that started years ago. progress isn't linear mosa. anything can happen. there's a different version of me somewhere and she actually cares about herself. that's so weird. she doesn't live here. she should come care about me too.

ok that's enough of this I guess. I think this one is my least favorite entry yet. oh well.

[deranged-babydoll]

Pinned Post

I probably shoulda done this ages ago whoops! The main things to know about me and this blog:

This blog is proship/profiction and enjoys potentially triggering content like noncon, dubcon, age gaps and more (I will try to keep this list more updated as time goes on, but those are definitely the big ones). I will do my best about tagging things accordingly, but I am extremely forgetful, so if there's something that's a hard trigger for you here, it's best to avoid my blog, no hard feelings.

Blog owner is a member of a mixed origins system. Anti-endos, please leave me be.

I enjoy sharing FOs with people! If we share one and you wanna giggle about them like schoolgirls, please take this as an open invite to message me!

I will post nsfw content from time to time, I will do my best to tag it as nsft, as well as put a mature content label on it, but again, be aware that I will probably forget and mess up.

I mostly selfship via self inserts, so I get the added fun of making ocs :3

My FOs:

Wendy Corduroy from Gravity Falls Notes: My SI with Wendy is the same age as her, and this selfship is 100% sfw. Will tag with 🪓

Dr. Franken Stein from Soul Eater Notes: SI is 17 and this selfship is NSFW, if this is a squick or trigger. Other trigger warnings include underage drug use and cnc. Will tag with 💀

Halsin from Baldur's Gate 3 Notes: SI situation is rather soupy for BG3, I have a lot of OCs and SIs that I play around with. All are adults, all are NSFW. Will tag with 🐻

Unnamed FO Notes: You'll see me calling him my Honey and other pet names, but until I can suss out whether or not the tiny fandom on here is hostile to proshippers I don't want to attract attention to myself. A blanket warning for disturbing and/or triggering material, especially dubcon and mild gore, as my id has latched onto my new husband hard and his source material is a horror game. Will tag with 🔒