#I stand by the fact that even if it didn’t ruin a ship I like I’d still think this was a bad plot point

[halfratsalready]

Based on the comments I’ve read on the teaser on Instagram and YouTube, it seems to me that most people who like the idea of Jack being the Traveler’s son like it because of what it does to Wanderrose and not really because they think it’s actually a good plot point.

Like, I feel like people are so glad to see the ship sink that they just don’t care about all of the other reasons that it’s kind of a shitty plot twist. Barely anyone is talking about the implications for the Traveler as a character or for Night Swan’s motives, and it just seems odd to me to be so glad to see a ship you hate be ruined that you don’t really care that the thing that’s ruining it causes some weird timeline inconsistencies and potentially ruins the main villain’s cool motive.

Idk I don’t engage in the fandom anywhere but here so maybe the Wanderrose shippers are terrible over on those other platforms but like… why are people so happy to see a ship destroyed that they don’t really care about what the plot points do to the rest of the story?

[munsonsmixtapes]

Paint Me

Benedict Bridgerton x fem!inexperienced!American!reader

summary: An unfortunate funeral causes you and Benedict come face to face and he is your surprising shoulder to lean on. And after a secret moment in the garden, you become closer than ever before.

word count: 4k

taglist: @syraxnyra @turtle-cant-communicate @sublimepenguinpeach-blog @intothesoul

part one part two part four part five part six part seven

February 13, 1817

There was a knock on your door after you had gotten home from the gallery. You had embarrassed yourself enough when you had insulted Benedict's painting and weren't in the mood to speak to anyone, especially not who you knew was on the other side of the door.

You had already felt like a disappointment to your father and you didn't need to hear him tell you as such. But he entered the room anyway and sat on the edge of your bed next to you. He went to wrap his arm around you, but you pulled away, moving closer to the other side.

"I am afraid that I have not been there for you when you needed me most," he went to reach for your hand, but you pulled it away, fully turning your back to him.

"I am afraid that is true and I do not wish to speak to you at this moment."

"Bunny," he went to use his beloved nickname for you which caused you to stand from the bed, turning to face with a kind of anger you didn't even know was possible.

"You do not deserve to call me that. I understand that you are my father, but you were also my best friend. So where have you been?" You asked, your voice getting louder. "Where have you been when your wife, my mother betrayed me? If you love me as much as you claim to, then why have you never defended me when you saw the two of them treating me so horribly? I know why. It is because you are nothing but a coward and I do not wish to speak to you any longer."

With that, your father left the room, leaving you alone again. All of your anger was getting the best of you, everything that had happened throughout your whole life, weighing on you. You went under your bed where you hid away your art supplies and began to sketch, the pressure of your hand pressing the charcoal to the page, causing it to break, both it and the tears that were falling from your eyes, ruining the picture completely.

It seemed that not even your form of therapy was working. The one thing that made you feel better in fact did not. As your anger reached its peak, you threw everything across the room in a loud clatter and changed into your nightgown, getting into your bed, pulling the covers over you and crying until sleep claimed you.

But your sleep did not bring you any rest whatsoever, the only thing happening behind your eyes was your father. You saw his carriage crashing into a tree, the ship he was on going down, him falling off his horse, all leading to his demise.

The guilt was eating at you for the way you spoke to him. Even though everyone was asleep, you couldn’t sleep any longer without apologize for the way you spoke to your father. Whether he accepted it or not didn’t matter. You just needed him to know that you didn’t mean a single word.

You snuck out of your room with every intention of heading to your parents’ room at the end of the hall only to your mother sobbing in the foyer. She was on her hands and knees while Lilith held onto her, rubbing her back while he cried tears of her own.

You approached them, looking around for your father only to not see him, and you expected the worst. It seemed that all of your nightmares were in fact not that, but premonitions.

You felt lightheaded, your vision going hazy as your sister told you what had happened. Augustus had gone for a late night horse ride and had experienced a heart attack, causing him to fall off and pass away right there because there had been no one had been around to give him the proper care nor get him to a hospital.

It was all your fault. Or at least, that was what you were telling yourself. He did, however, die in one of the ways you had dreamed about, so you supposed that you had spoken it into existence.

The next few days, the house was quiet, neither you nor your mother or sister uttering a single word, nothing feeling quite right to say as far as the loss was concerned. The funeral was the next week and the three of you stood together, weeping over your father’s grave.

You were approached by Kate and Anthony who pulled you into a group hug as your cried into their shoulders and they held you for as long as you liked. When you pulled away, you saw Benedict standing behind them, his eyes already on you. For once, the flirty look in his eyes was replaced with a look of sorrow. 

For a second, all of your dislike for him dissipated as he pulled you into his arms, his hands rubbing up and down your back as he whispered nothing but nice things into your ear as you cried into his shoulder. 

Kate and Anthony turned away to give you a private moment and whispered to each other about what was possibly going on between the two of you. Kate thought it was sweet, but Anthony was ready to nip it right in the bud. There was no way that he was letting his brother anywhere near you, not even in a friendly way as  Benedict was unable to be friends with women. He only bedded them and there was absolutely no way that could happen. 

You pulled away from Benedict and he was quick to wipe your tears. You hadn’t seen him that soft and gentle since you had moved back to England and you were happy to have your old Benedict back, even if it was just for a moment. 

Benedict didn’t know what had come over him. He wasn’t sure why, but seeing you so heartbroken broke his own heart. When he saw you sobbing when he got to the graveyard, he swore that he could actually hear his heart crack. Usually, he would only comfort a woman going through a loss for the sole reason of getting her into bed, but this time, that wasn’t even a thought. He just wanted to make sure that you were okay. 

He didn’t leave your side the entire day as everyone followed your family to your house to enjoy a meal together in your father’s honor. He kept his distance out of respect, but he wanted nothing more than to wrap you up in his arms and let you stay there as long as you wanted. He knew how close you were to your father and just how much it had crushed you to lose him. 

As day turned to night, you could feel your cold shoulder towards Benedict start to thaw. You were beginning to think that maybe you were being too hard on him when he had genuinely been trying to right his wrongs with what he had done to you almost a decade ago. You didn’t think that you should have let it hurt you for so long and that the grudge you were holding against him was really only hurting you in the end.

February 20, 1817

As a way to see your artwork, Lady Danbury had one of her friends host another gallery. You had told her that it wasn’t at all necessary, but of course, she didn’t listen to you. She assured you that everyone would love whatever you decided to submit and that they would all be lining up to purchase commissions from you.

You, however, thought it was a bold claim. Sure, you wanted people to see your work, but now you were nervous that none of them were going to appreciate it the way that you did. It was all very personal and you weren't sure that you wanted it hung for everyone to see.

Despite that, you still submitted your most personal piece. A painting of your father that was your own way of honoring him. A way to forgive him for all he had done to you and to let go of all of the guilt you felt for what had happened to him. It was the best form of therapy you could have ever asked for and easily your best work to date.

Benedict's piece had been coming along great as well. For once, he wasn't thinking about every single brush stroke and just went along with it, letting the brush guide him. He was going off of memory since he didn't have a proper photo of his subject, but he thought it was turning out rather well considering.

Instead of going to the studio, he decided to work in the garden, the sunlight being the best thing to point out all his imperfections if there were any. He was not going to have a repeat of what had happened last time. It was far too embarrassing.

"Ah, there you are, brother," Eloise spoke as she approached him.

"Here I am," he replied and was quick to stand in front of the painting so she couldn't see it, but it was too late. She had already seen it. She pushed him out of the way and let out a gasp as the painting before her.

"It that-"

"No," Benedict cut her off, trying to block her view of it again, a shade of pink apparent on his cheeks. Eloise just laughed and pushed him out of the way again, careful not to knock over the easel.

"It is!" She gasped. "It's the l/n girl that Kate and Anthony have befriended!"

"It is not." He didn't know why he was denying it. All the proof was right there.

"You cannot deny it. It seems that you have befriended her as well." Eloise could see the way that her brother looked at you and it seemed like he was attracted to you. She hadn't had many interactions with you, but according to Kate, you seemed like someone who keep Benedict humble and ground him.

"She doesn't like me, Eloise," he shook his head as dipped his brush into a shade that was the color of your skin tone and did some shading where he thought it would look nice.

"Why not? Did you hurt her, because Anthony will certainly-" Oh, Benedict knew exactly what Anthony would do.

"I did," Benedict nodded. "Eight years ago. When her family lived down the road, we painted a lot together in the study while Francesca played the piano, but one night-"

"What did you do, Benedict?" Eloise wasn't sure he wasn't going to say, but what she did know was that she wasn't going to like it.

"She told me-she told me that she loved." Her eyes widened at that and she wasn't surprised that she didn't know that fact because you would have been too scared to admit it to anyone and Benedict just felt horrible about the whole thing and didn't want to revisit it.

"And what did you say?" Considering the fact that you were ten and Benedict was twenty-one at the time, she could assume what had happened.

"The only thing I could. She was a child and I was certainly not interested in her and so I told her as much. Maybe a little too harshly and she ran."

"Benedict," Eloise gasped. So that was why you always paid almost attention to him. All of the dots were finally connecting. Now she was thinking that she liked you even more. That you were the first woman to not fall for her brother’s charms even though you were the exact one who should have. He definitely had a type.

"I know, and now she's here and beautiful and I'm afraid I've fucked it all up." Eloise was wondering what had gotten into him that he had such a defeatist attitude. He was never that way towards the women he was interested in even if they weren’t interested. In fact, that usually only motivated him even more.

"Maybe this might seem like a foreign concept to you, brother, but have you ever thought about apologizing like a normal person?" Benedict actually had thought about that, but he didn't think that was good enough, so that was why he had done the painting of you. He hoped that would help you see just how much he cared for you.

"I think it might be too late for that." He decided that his work was done and started to clean his brushes.

"It's never too late for an apology," she rested a hand on his shoulder and gave is a squeeze, leaving Benedict with much to think about.

February 21, 1817

You sat in the study with one of your books in your hand, but you couldn't focus on it. Your letter letting you know whether or not your artwork was accepted into the gallery was going to be there any second and you were terrified. There was a lot of riding on it and you were very afraid that they hadn't accepted it.

Kate and Anthony had insisted on being there when you got the good new and Kate clutched your hand as a servant entered the room with the envelopes on a silver platter and you reached for yours, feeling like time had stopped as you ripped into the envelope.

You read the first few words of the letter and let it drop to the floor, feeling your body go cold, collapsing into one of the chairs as you accepted defeat. They didn't want your piece. You should have known since they wouldn't have since you were a woman. They hadn't said as much, but you were able to read the lines.

Despite your sadness, you told the couple that you would join them at the gallery and felt horrible that Lady Danbury went through all that trouble for nothing. You didn't want to have to look her in the eyes, but the only worse thing was not going an accepting defeat. You were going to show everyone just how strong you were.

February 25, 1817

Practically everyone was already at the gallery when you had arrived and you felt dread come over you as you accepted that you were going to have no part in it. You had been rejected from many things like that before, so you weren't sure why it hurt so much.

Lady Danbury had approached immediately when you arrived and you really didn't feel like speaking with her but you plastered on your brightest smile, faking like you had interest in the conversation even though you would have much rather been in the study with your paints.

"Ah, there's the artist," she greeted. "You left last time before we were able to talk about your critique of the Bridgerton boy." Normally you would have felt guilty for something, but this time you couldn't have cared less. Benedict Bridgerton could have stood to be knocked down a few pegs and you were really enjoying being the one to do it.

"And I apologize for that. I was just letting my own issues take over." You were only apologizing because you felt like it, not because you meant it.

"No apologies necessary, dear. I loved it. I wish you would speak your mind more often. More people could benefit from hearing your thoughts. Especially ones like Mr. Bridgerton." Lady Danbury didn't mind Benedict, but often times she felt he had a big head and let his ego get in the way.

"I appreciate that, but unfortunately, I don't think that I'm up for it tonight."

"But what am I to think about the artwork without a lovely artist to give her opinions?" There was something odd about the interaction and you couldn't figure out what.

"You do flatter me, Lady Danbury. I suppose I wouldn't mind joining you."

So, you led her around the gallery and told her what you thought about the pieces, promising her to not hold back this time, suddenly not afraid to speak your mind. And Lady Danbury was loving every second of it, very entertained by the shy wallflower coming out of her shell.

She quite liked your company, amused by your little quips that you had come with on the spot. And she appreciated how you felt like you were able to be your true self around her, not the shy person she had met a few weeks ago. You were growing on her and easily becomg one of her favorite debutants of the season.

"Lady Danbury, who do you think your favorite artist is?" You asked as she got to the second to last piece. All this time you had been talking about the pieces in front of you, but you were curious as to what kind of art she liked since you thought a person's favorite artist said a lot about them.

"You." You were surprised to hear her say that considering that she hadn't even seen any of your work.

"Oh, that's very nice, but-"

"No, dear, it's you!" She cut you off and forced you to turn to the piece on the wall. You let out a gasp as your face stared back at you, feeling something very strange coming over you.

You stepped closer to the painting and turned this way and that, convinced that you were looking into a mirror, but you weren't. You could very clearly see the paint strokes when you got close enough. Who the artist was was a mystery. You had absolutely no idea who could have done it and wanted to know their identity and why you had been their subject.

You couldn't stop staring, wanting to reach out to touch it, but you knew you weren't allowed, even if it was your face on the canvas. It was amazing how well they were able to paint your features and you wondered what they had used for reference.

"I hope this isn't too amateur for you," a voice whispered in your ear and you felt a chill go down your spin as their hot breath hit the back of your neck.

You turned around only to be face to face with the seconds eldest Bridgerton brother. You eyed him, wondering why he would have done something like that and what he would have gotten out of it. That had to be the reason why he would have done it...right?

So many questions were swirling around your mind, your main one being how he was able to make the painting so accurate that it felt like you were looking into a mirror without having you sit for it.

"What is this, Benedict?" You pointed to the painting and he just chuckled. You didn't like how much you enjoyed making hearing the sound and wondering how you would have been able to hear it.

"It's you." He was smiling brightly and you wished he had done it more often. The look was just too pretty on him to hide away all the time. You wondered why he always seemed to always look so serious. In the many times you had seen him, he had only smiled when he was with Eloise.

"I'm aware of that...but why?"

"I think the better question is why not."

"How were you able to do it without me sitting for you to paint me?"

"I will answer all of your questions, but right now, we must see the final painting."

He offered you his arm and you grabbed onto it, letting him lead you through the rest of the gallery.

"But this was the last one." 

"Not quite,” he winked and stopped at the last piece, causing you to let out a loud gasp as your own painting was staring back at you. But it had been rejected. How did he get a hold of it and why was it there? The man was confusing you even more by the second. You were convinced that he had just been trying to get you to forgive him just so he could feel better about himself, but now you weren’t so sure. 

You felt tears well up in your eyes as you turned to him. No one had ever done anything that nice for you before. Something so selfless that they only did because they wanted to and not to make themself look good. Maybe he wasn’t the same Benedict that your remembered. Maybe he was finally turning over a new leaf.

Benedict wiped your tears away and even though it was entirely inappropriate, you threw yourself into his arms and he was quick to catch you, almost falling backwards because of how much force you had used to push yourself in his direction. You squeezed each other tight, avoiding the gasps of the people around you. Lady Danbury shooed them away to give the two of you some privacy as you both pulled away. 

Without a word, you pulled Benedict away from the gallery and you both discreetly made your way through the crowd to get outside for some much needed fresh air. You looked out into the garden and couldn’t help but feel like home there.There was something that was so comforting about it that made it seem like you belonged there. You could see yourself there with Benedict right by your side, the two of you facing each other with your own easels as you painted your own portraits of each other. 

You hadn’t thought about him in that way in a long time and wondered where that had come from. Maybe you were overcome with gratitude to him, but that didn’t matter. What did matter was the fact that you couldn’t stop yourself from staring at his pretty lips, wondering what they felt like between yours. And how you could have taken the chance and it would not have been inappropriate.

Without a word, you grabbed him by his coat and pulled him down so that his face was only inches from yours. You pressed your lips to his with so much force that your teeth clinked together and you both were quick to pull away covering your mouths in pain. You couldn’t believe you had done that. That was exactly why you never acted impulsively. It always just ended in embarrassment. 

You just shook your head as you felt your cheeks heat up and turned back to enter the gallery. Benedict wasn’t going to let you get away this time, though. He lost you once and he wasn’t going to let it happen again. And this time, he was actually attracted to you and he was going to let you know just how beautiful he thought you were. 

He grabbed onto your arm just as you were going to open the door and turned you around to face him. His hazel eyes bored into yours as he grabbed onto your chin, lifting it as he bent down. He slotted his lips between yours and you tried to move along with him, mimicking his actions exactly even though you had absolutely not fucking clue what you were doing. 

Your hands moved to his face and pulled him closer to you so you had more access to his mouth, becoming addicted to the feeling of his lips on yours. You had only gotten a little taste, but already wanted to do that exact thing for the rest of your life. Benedict pulled away to let the both of you breathe, but quickly dove in for more as he grabbed onto your waist and pushed you against the pillar that was behind you. You let him lead, taking exactly what he wanted from you as you were pliant under his touch. 

He pushed your mouth open as he slid his tongue inside, letting it swirl around your own and a sound escaped your mouth that Benedict definitely needed to hear again. And the fact that what you were doing was considered wrong only made him love it more. He continued to kiss you like his life depended on it as his hand moved up to your breast, massaging it the best he could over your dress as you let out another moan, this one louder. You pulled away as you felt a weird sensation between your legs, a lot of wetness collecting there. You began to panic as you pushed Benedict away, embarrassed about what was happening. 

“I had a lovely time tonight, Mr. Bridgerton, but now I must go.” You curtsied and then rushed inside, gathering your dress in your hands as you did so. 

You made a beeline for the restroom and locked yourself inside it before grabbing the nearest towel-like fabric and pulled up your dress before wiping. You pulled the towel away not to find blood like you were expecting but found that whatever was between your legs was almost clear. You were convinced that there was something wrong with you, having never seen anything like that before. 

While you were panicking in the restroom, Benedict was pacing in the garden, debating running after you even though he was sure that you had already left. Had he made you uncomfortable? That must have been it because you looked so scared. He had taken advantage of you and now he was going to beat himself up over it. Not reciprocating your feelings when you were a child was one thing, but taking advantage of you was another and now he had ruined his chances with you because he was selfish. He didn’t think that another painting was going to fix it either. Perhaps it was time to finally let you go for good and let you find a man who was actually worthy enough. A man that was actually able to keep you.

[wlntrsldler]

poisoned mercury | lifestyles of the rich & famous

i. lifestyles of the rich and famous by good charlotte (introduction)

a/n: introductory chapter! introducing the dynamics of the band, luke's relationship with his mom, and teenage boy antics. pre-reader and pre-chb. things will pick up quickly after this, i promise! bear with me as i set the scene :)

series masterlist | previous | next

“why the fuck am i seeing tabloids on top of tabloids with my kid’s plastered face on the front page of all of them?” 

luke winced at the sound of his mom’s voice echoing through the empty event space. chris covered the bottom half of his face with his shirt, trying to hold in his laughter. may castellan was in her usual pantsuit, high heels clacking against the floor, as she waved around trashy magazines. she was furious. 

“ignoring the fact that you are not 21 years old and cannot legally drink, what were you thinking, luke?” travis dropped his drumsticks on the ground, motioning for chris and connor to follow him backstage. they’d seen luke get chewed out by his mom more often since they started their world tour. as the three boys walked toward the side of the stage, may turned to them. “none of you are off the hook either. you may not have been on the front page, but care to listen to what they said about you in one of their glorious articles?” 

“i would actually prefer not to, mama castellan,” chris mumbled, suddenly feeling caught. all traces of humor instantly drained from his face. luke couldn’t help but scoff, the boys always gave him shit for getting yelled at by his mom, so he was glad that this time around they were all on the sinking ship. 

she dramatically cleared her throat, opening up one of the magazines. luke grimaced at the sight of him on the front page. he was sitting on the curb, his sunglasses askew, with a girl awkwardly patting his back. he doesn’t even remember this. may shot daggers at chris, who was cowering behind his mic stand, “bassist of poisoned mercury, chris rodriguez, was photographed away from the band when he was caught outside smoking something that wasn’t a cigarette, if you catch our drift. hopefully, his habits don’t catch up to him anytime soon.” 

she stared at the stolls next, “drummer and lead guitarist of the rising band, travis and connor stoll, didn’t miss out on the fun. they walked out of the club with two models, who looked like twins, along with a bottle of dom perignon before heading into their suv.”

“and my darling child,” her words were sweet but her tone was anything but. luke chewed on the peeling skin of his bottom lip, “superstar, teen heartthrob, poisoned mercury lead singer, luke castellan, had a great night as seen in these pictures. the resident bad boy had one too many, it seems, as he walked out of the club stumbling with a mysterious blonde under his arm. castellan couldn’t make it into the car and had to sit on the curb to puke his guts out. let’s hope his actions didn’t ruin his chance at a budding romance.” 

may closed the magazine, arms on her hips. she waited patiently for one of the boys to speak up. 

“in our defense, this was in canada,” luke tried to reason, scrunching his face up. “legal drinking age is 18.” 

that was the wrong response, luke realized, when his mom’s eyes lit up in anger. she let out a breath, “you were in toronto where the drinking age is 19, which you weren’t until yesterday.” 

“i did not know that the drinking age in canada varied by region. i always learn something new whenever i talk to you, mama castellan,” travis said, trying to lighten the mood. connor shot him a look, motioning for him to quit talking. may castellan was clearly not in the mood for jokes. 

“i am tired of you guys acting reckless,” she roared, dropping the magazines. they fell with a heavy thud. she rubbed her temples with the pads of her fingers, “your parents trusted me to take care of you guys while you chased your dreams and this is what you’re doing under my watch?!” 

seeing his mom at her wit's end made luke feel sick. 

“mom,” luke hopped off the stage, ignoring the sound of the magazines ripping under his feet as he landed on top of them, “we’re sorry. i’m sorry.” 

“sorry’s not gonna cut it anymore, luke,” may said, shaking her head. “after this tour, you guys are taking a break. no touring, no public appearances.” 

“what?” connor exclaimed, joining luke off the stage. the other boys followed, looks of bewilderment evident on their faces. “w-we can’t take a break now!” 

“yeah, c’mon, mama c!” chris added, shaking his head, “we’re just getting really big. if we quit now, we’ll lose this momentum.”

“you’re not quitting. it’s just a tiny break– three months,” she cut them off, raising a hand in a stop. “we’ll release a statement to the press saying you guys will be taking some time off to work on your sophomore album so people have something to look forward to when you return.” 

“okay, so that’s the cover story,” luke ran a hand through his curls. he knew that there was no winning against his mom when she made up her mind. he looked at her and spoke before the rest of the band continued their protests, “but what are we actually gonna be doing?” 

“you’re going to spend your summer in montauk, just like old times,” his mom explained, voice still stern. “you’re going to camp half blood.”

-

“what the fuck is a camp half blood?” chris asked, plopping down on the couch they had inside their dressing room. rehearsal was cut short following the news delivered by luke’s mom. 

“it’s a music camp,” luke explained, fidgeting with random things sprawled across his desk, trying to find the pack of cigarettes he hid. he really needed to clean up. “my dad used to take me there over the summer when i was younger.”

the topic of luke’s dad was a sore subject for him. his dad left him and his mom when he was 7 for some young waitress from their hometown diner. one second, he was signing up for little league with his dad as the coach; the next, he was sitting in the hallway listening to his mom cry after his dad packed a bag and left town with wendy the waitress in the passenger seat. luke hasn’t heard from him since then. last he checked, his dad was lounging beachside in santa monica with his third wife who was definitely too young for him. as far as he’s concerned, his dad was dead to him. 

but he couldn’t deny that his time at camp half blood was the place of origin of some of his best childhood memories. he got his first taste of what it was like to be on stage at camp half blood; the adrenaline coursing through his veins, the pounding of his heart at the applause, the wild images in his head about what it would be like to be known for his music-- it all started at camp half blood. he was his happiest at camp, at least before his dad ruined it for him. 

“is it fun?” travis asked, twirling a fresh pair of drumsticks between his fingers. 

“used to be, yeah,” luke chuckled, hoisting himself up to sit on the desk. “haven’t been there since i was seven.” 

“dude, i do not want to hang out with a bunch of little kids all summer,” chris groaned, letting his head fall back against the wall. 

“relax, rodriguez,” luke lit a cigarette, inhaling the smoke before continuing. “there’s two sides to the camp. we’ll be with the older kids.” 

“oh shit, is camp half blood mr. d’s music camp?” connor asked. the name of the camp was starting to sound familiar to him.

luke took another drag, nodding, “that’s the one.” 

“dude, i fucking love mr. d. he always has the wildest stories,” travis laughed, “he’s so mellow and chill now, i wouldn’t’ve ever guessed he used to be like that.” 

“it was the 90’s,” chris shrugged, “pretty sure everyone was like that at one point.” 

“paid off for him though,” connor replied, opening a bag of doritos. he offered a chip to his brother, who in return, snatched the bag for himself. connor rolled his eyes, reaching over to grab another one. he was used to this. “i mean being a ceo of a multi-million dollar recording company isn’t too shabby.” 

luke hummed along, mindlessly, letting the chatter of his bandmates fill the air. the three boys fell into a conversation about the last time they saw mr. d at the recording studio when they were finishing up the vocals for their debut album, but luke’s mind was far away from the topic at hand. he couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment from his body. he knew the way his mom looked at him would haunt him for the next few nights.

it wasn’t like he was actively trying to disappoint her– really, he wasn’t, but he just gets so caught up in the noise of fame that he forgets how to act under the pressure. there was something about his mom breaking down in front of him because of him that tore him apart. he felt guilty. his mom didn’t ask for this life, she didn’t even want it. she was content being a suburban mom in westport, connecticut, but she gave up her comfy life to let luke live out his dreams of being a musician. 

he was lucky, he knew that. not every mom would be on board with her kid dropping out of traditional high school to perform rowdy songs about teenage angst, but may castellan was okay with it because she loved luke so much and wanted him to be happy. so when poisoned mercury got a record deal with olympus records, she didn’t hesitate to drop everything and go on the road with four unruly teenagers, promising their parents that she’d take care of their sons. 

sometimes, he thinks about what his mom sees when she looks at him. he wonders if she still recognized him, the him before all the fame got to his head. 

he was may castellan’s little boy. the boy who used to beg his mom for chocolate chip cookies after a bad day at school, who used to knock on her door in the middle of the night wondering why he wasn’t enough for his dad to stay, and who cried when she got him his first guitar on his tenth birthday. for most of his life, it’s always just been him and his mom. 

now, at 19, luke didn’t know who he was anymore. he was just going with the flow, doing whatever, doing whoever, his fame and his status threw his way. he did what any teenage boy would do in his position– he drank, he smoked, he had fun, maybe too much fun, sometimes. it’s a rockstar’s life, his wildest dreams come to life, but it was a distraction, mostly. luke wasn’t brave enough to face the music just yet, so he dove into this fantasy head-first, too afraid to look back.

except sometimes, he fucks up really badly, like in toronto, and he’s forced to deal with the consequences of his actions. one time, his mom cut the band off from playing video games on the tour bus for a month after a heated argument between the four of them caused them to cancel a show. the argument was stupid. luke was adamant that scorpions did not have the same mental capacity for understanding pain that humans do and that did not bode well with travis. rehearsal ended in a brawl because travis kept doing impromptu drum solos to drown out luke’s voice. his mom was pissed that hundreds of fans were disappointed over the canceled show and it was all because they couldn’t agree over a damn scorpion. 

another time, she banned them from driving the golf carts around the venue when they crashed it into a very expensive sound system in portland. they ended up owing upwards of $4,000 for the damages and were banned from playing at the event space ever again. the four of them laughed about it when the chaos of it all subsided, and they were fine not playing at the house of hades again, but they did miss the snack bar they set up for visiting talents. chris said he still dreamt about the pomegranate juice ‘til this day. 

luke can look back at the punishments over the years fondly now. in the grand scheme of things, none of it really mattered. but going to camp half blood? this was a different type of punishment. 

luke didn’t want to go to camp half blood. the last memory he had of camp was not a welcomed one. plus, after what he experienced on tour, he could think of a million other ways to spend his summer months, and living at a camp with spotty cell service and designated arts and crafts time was nowhere near the top of the list. 

“yo, castellan,” chris’ voice snapped luke out of his thoughts. “you comin?”

luke put out his cigarette against the wood of his desk, “huh?”

“we’re grabbing food, do you wanna go with us?”

luke hopped off the desk, slipping on his black, puffer jacket, “yeah, i’m right behind you.” 

as luke was walking out of the dressing room, adjusting his t-shirt, he saw his mom talking to teddy, their publicist. they were engaged in a serious conversation, no doubt talking about the press release regarding their second album and their hiatus. luke stood in front of the door for a brief moment, a stutter in his steps, not knowing if he should interrupt.

 luke pursed his lips, deciding to jog over to his mom. 

“i think we should post it on the band accounts first before the boys announce it individually. it make–” may furrowed her eyebrows, noticing luke coming closer to her. she turned her body to face him. she looked much calmer now than she did during rehearsals, “hey, what’s wrong?” 

luke shook his head, “nothin’, mom. i just–uh, just wanted to say sorry again.”

“let’s talk later, may,” teddy gave the two of them a small smile before walking away. 

“i’m not changing my mind about camp half blood,” she frowned. “sorry, luke but i can’t have you guys running around all sum–”

“no, no, i know, mom. i-i didn’t come here to try to convince you,” luke looked down at his feet, suddenly feeling like a little boy again. “i just– uh, shit. okay, i’m sorry for toronto. it was a bad time and it’s not fair that you have to deal with the fall out of our shit. and uh– thank you for sticking by us even though we drive you kinda crazy.” 

may laughed, smiling at her son, “you’re my kid. you know i’ll always be there to set you straight.” 

“thanks, mom,” luke chuckled, backing away to catch up with his bandmates. may waved goodbye, making her way to teddy’s makeshift office. before luke left the tunnel, he turned around, “wait mom! last thing!” 

she raised her eyebrows, “what?” 

luke raised his hand in a thumbs-up motion, grinning from ear to ear, “love you!” 

“i love you too, kiddo,” may replied, a hand over her heart. “now scram, i gotta clean up your mess.” 

[weirdgenetic-fuckup]

Secrets in Love

A/n: No one asked for this, did anyone besides me even want this? I don't know, but it exists now and it is quite possibly the longest one I've written.

Warnings: Angst, blood, enemies to lovers, omegaverse au, reader goes on a date with a creepy guy and he follows her around a bit, smut, unprotected p in v, slight breeding kink (it's not mentioned but it's kind of hinted to?), marking, if you think I missed anything please let me know otherwise enjoy <3

James went to your high school and you hated him. It wasn’t that you really hated him, he just seemed to hate you. Always picking on you, stealing your food, poking fun at you whenever he saw the chance. Your weekends were your escape from him and you took that time very seriously.

You’d run a bubble bath, set up candles and everything.

You were just getting out when you heard a knock on the door. It was persistent and loud, of course no one else was home so you had to run down in a bathrobe to answer it.

On the other side was James, drenched from the rain with blood soaked into his clothes, but that wasn’t the most catching feature he had. Fluffy dog ears and a tail protruded from him. You stared at him wide eyed for a moment before he spoke up.

“C-can I come in..? P-please..?” His voice was shaky and weak, his heart beating fast and he was short of breath. You nodded silently and let him in.

He walked straight past you and went to crash on your couch. You followed him, grabbing the first aid kit your family kept in the kitchen on your way. You knelt beside him, pulling up his shirt to see the damage. Wounds on either side of his torso, blood spilling out and seeping into your couch. You ran to get a clean cloth, returning a few moments later with a bowl of warm water to clean him off with.

James winced with every stroke but soon you had him mostly cleaned off, enough for you to bandage him up. He stayed laying down as it was comfortable and he didn’t want to risk sitting up. You stayed beside him, watching over him. You couldn’t keep your gaze from falling to his ears and tail though...

“I know what you’re thinking.” He muttered, staring up at the ceiling. You didn’t respond and continued to eye him nervously. “You can touch them if you want.” You looked to his eyes to make sure he was being genuine. In his blue eyes you saw pain, and a wistful anger. Vulnerability.

Hesitantly, you reached out for the fluffy golden ears poking out of his big hair. He closed his eyes and let out a heavy breath as you started petting his ears. “So,” you started, “you’re, like, a werewolf..?” James chuckled softly, a smile playing on his lips.

“Not a werewolf, a hybrid.” He said. You remembered seeing a new island that had been discovered not too long ago. It had been inhabited by human-like creatures with animalistic features, from what people had seen they had the ability to turn completely into animals or humans whenever they pleased.

You hadn’t paid much attention to it, it was far away and didn’t affect you. Right? That’s when James turned up at your school to make your life hell...

You sat next to James as he explained what had really happened, how people came and boarded them onto boats, shipping families apart and ruining everything. You felt for him, really, but that didn’t change the fact that he treated you like shit.

“What happened to your family?” You asked, hand still rubbing his soft ears. James opened his eyes finally and looked at you.

“I was fortunate.” He said. “They were gone long before you people came.” You had expected him to say something about how they’d managed to end up together. Not that.

“Oh.” You pulled your hand back. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

“How would you?” You shrugged. You paused a moment before standing up and walking to the kitchen. “Where are you going?” James called, leaning back on his arms so he could watch you, you could only imagine the discomfort given his expression.

“I’m just getting something to eat.” He nodded and laid back down. You stepped into the kitchen and paused again, going back to see him. “What do you eat?” He stared at you for a moment. “Like, do you need dog food or something?” James laughed at that.

“Anything’s fine, just don’t give me salad.” You nodded in understanding.

“Is it bad for you?” You asked, wanting to understand him the best you could.

“No.” He said, shaking his head. “I just hate it.” You rolled your eyes and went back to the kitchen to get him something to eat.

The TV was on but you weren’t really watching it, too busy thinking about the events of the night. James lay across the couch while you were on the floor in front of him, both of you had something to eat.

“Where are your parents?” James asked, breaking the almost silence.

You looked at him over your shoulder. “On a work trip, they won’t be back for a few weeks.” You explained. James nodded. “Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to rest on my couch.” James smiled and went back to eating. You weren’t sure what you would tell your parents when they saw the bloodstains on the couch. You might just have to replace it.

James was asleep before you even finished eating, he’d devoured his own food and was snoring happily, nose twitching occasionally. He was on his side with pillows supporting him. His tail lay over him. It was big, fluffy. The prettiest yellow colour. You couldn’t help yourself and reached over to touch it.

The odd appendage began to sway slightly, a sign that he was enjoying your touch. So you kept petting him. Soon his tail was thumping against the couch.

He twitched occasionally but you thought nothing of it. Until he grabbed your hand. You hadn’t realised he’d awoken. “Sorry, I shouldn’t’ve...” You trailed off as he brought your hand to his face, giving it a sniff before he licked a trail over the back of your palm.

His tongue was weird. Neither totally human nor totally dog. It was thinner, flatter and very smooth. You stared at him a moment longer. “What are you doing?” You asked, finally.

James looked at you, his eyes drowsy. “Smell good.” He mumbled, holding your hand loosely in his.

You pulled your hand away. “Alright, well, I’ll be in my room upstairs if you need me.” You said awkwardly as you stood up. He was asleep before you even left the room, snoring soundly once again.

You woke up but it felt like a dream. It was still dark, odd since you were a heavy sleeper, usually sleeping straight through the night. There was a weight at your feet, warm and shifting. You turned the lamp on your nightstand on and looked down to find a furry lump at the end of your bed.

“James?” You asked, your voice groggy from sleep. You kicked him gently, trying to shake him awake. Slowly you were met with the head of a golden retriever, his own sleepy eyes looking into yours. “What are you doing?” You watched as the dog got off the bed, James suddenly appearing in its place. He didn’t have a shirt on, he hadn’t since you’d bandaged him up. His jeans were undone and sagging, you figured he was uncomfortable in them.

Thinking about it, sleeping as a dog must be more comfortable for him. No need to worry about a blanket or pillow, you could just find an open space on the floor and crash.

James crawled onto the bed again, getting under the blankets and curling up behind you. He threw an arm around you and pulled you close to him. “Go back to sleep.” He grumbled.

You didn’t know what to do. Earlier today you hated him, part of you still did. Now his arm was around you and he was breathing down your neck, in a pleasant way. You reached over and turned the light off again, relaxing into James and falling asleep.

James awoke the next morning and stretched out, his eyes screwed shut as his joints cracked. He let out a heavy sigh until your scent hit his nose. His eyes snapped open when he realised where he was, your bed alone.

He raced out of your room and down the stairs to find you in the kitchen making pancakes. You looked over at him when you heard him flying down the stairs. “Smell of pancakes get you up?” You teased.

James breathed a sigh of relief and came over to you. “Yeah, something like that.” He wrapped his arms around your waist. You tensed at the feeling and flipped the last of the pancakes onto a plate so you could bring them over to the dining table. James let go of you but followed close behind.

“What are you doing today?” You asked when you’d gotten settled, each of you having a plate of sweet food, James’ stack significantly higher than yours.

James shrugged. “What are you doing?”

“I have a date.” James dropped his fork.

“What?” His eyes bore into yours with a new found hatred.

A shaky breath left you. “A date.” You repeated. You were waiting for the old James to shine through. The only difference was there was more of a danger if he tried to hurt you, you were alone and he was stronger than you initially thought.

“I heard you the first time,” he said, “I just mean how?”

You poked at your food. “Despite what you think, people actually like me.” James huffed but didn’t say anything more and you ate in silence.

Getting ready for your date James hovered over you the whole time, commenting on every outfit you looked at. “I can’t show up naked!” You groaned. James huffed again and pushed you aside, digging through your closet for a moment before pulling out an outfit that matched his style much more closely to yours. An old band shirt your dad gave you that you only wore when doing something where you could get dirty and a pair of blue jeans.

He tossed them on the floor and crossed his arms over his chest, waiting expectantly for you to put it on. You gestured for him to turn away from you and he did, staring blankly into the closet until you were ready to show him the outfit. You gave him a spin and he gave a small nod in approval, though he still didn’t look pleased.

You stood at the door, bag in hand. “Are you fine to stay here until I come back?” James stared at you a little dumbfounded.

“Until you come back?” He repeated. “You’re leaving me to go on a date?”

“Did you think you were coming with me?” You asked in a shocked tone. James didn’t reply, only crossed his arms and looked away. You scoffed and rolled your eyes before leaving, locking the door behind you.

You were having a good time. Your date was going well but it was awkward. You’d gone to school with this guy for a while but he seemed so creepy all of a sudden. You made sure to stay in open spaces with lots of people around, though he kept trying to lead you off somewhere more secluded.

At some point you just had to call it off and go home but he didn’t leave you alone, trailing behind you as you walked. You couldn’t go home now, you didn’t want to call the cops because that would mean stopping. You just had to keep walking in circles until he fucked off, and you knew he didn’t plan on doing so anytime soon.

In a panic you turned a corner onto a small street, not blocked away from the busier streets but there weren’t many people there. You knew your mistake immediately but you couldn’t turn back, so you kept walking.

The street spilled into many alleyways, each one worse than the last. At the end it led out to another busier street so you sped up. Naturally, you started walking closer to the right until you were pulled into one of the alley’s. You mentally cursed yourself over and over again, rethinking every part of your life. You weren’t sure what to do now.

That’s when you heard it.

That familiarly warm and vile tone.

“Are you ok?” James asked as he looked down at you, his bright blue eyes now clouded with something you weren’t quite sure how to label. It was a mix of so many things but beneath it all you found comfort in it.

You gave a small nod. You felt a hand on your shoulder and snapped your head back to see your date. “Sorry, we got a little lost.” He said calmly while you tensed under his touch. You looked back to James as if asking for help. If not for yesterday you would’ve been even more scared having found him here. There was a fury in his eyes you’d never seen before, you didn’t question it when he pushed you to the side.

You wanted to run, and you did. You ran until you were surrounded by people again, and then you kept running, your last view of the two being James’ fluffy features making another appearance.

You hadn’t told him where you were going, even then you’d walked pretty far from the original destination. How James found you was a mystery, you couldn’t be happier that he did nonetheless.

It was already getting dark by the time you got home and you went straight to the bathroom to run yourself a bath, needing to take extra good care of yourself after the hectic last couple hours.

Candles, smelling salts, bubbles, roses, the whole nine yards and more. You got into your favourite pyjamas and watched a marathon of your favourite comfort movies after getting yourself snacks.

When it got late you double checked all your locks and shut all the blinds before crawling into bed, leaving the light on your nightstand on since you didn’t feel quite safe in the dark. It made it harder to fall asleep but at least you could sleep.

Late into the night you heard rustling and it spooked you awake, jumping up in your bed. It was muffled and coming from outside, which relaxed you a bit but not a lot.

Then you heard knocking on your window and you jumped out of bed and rushed to your door. There was no phone in your room, the closest was in your parents and you regretted not bringing it in with you earlier.

Another knock.

This time you looked back, you weren’t sure why you did but when you did you saw James clinging to the tree outside. You breathed a heavy sigh of relief and went over to let him in. “Why didn’t you use the fucking door?” You asked while he crawled in.

“Would you have answered?” He asked as he fell onto the floor with a thud, he didn’t seem bothered by it in the slightest and got up, ears and tail on full display now. You thought about it and no, no you wouldn’t have.

“Still, that was creep-” You didn’t get to finish your sentence as James’ lips crashed into yours, his arms wrapping around you and pulled you close to him. You froze for a moment before kissing him back, but then you stopped again and pulled away. “Wait, James, what are you-?” Again you were interrupted by a kiss.

“Please.” He said in almost a growl against your lips. You told yourself to pull away but you also didn’t want to. You liked it when he pulled you closer, when his big hands squeezed your sides as he pushed you around or groped your chest and ass. You liked how his tongue felt against yours, how he tasted and the way he bit your lips.

You loved every part of it, all the way down to how he laid over you on your bed. The noises coming out of him were animalistic desire in its purest form and you couldn’t get enough of it. He was quick to rid you both of your clothes, not wasting any time in prepping your hole as you were already wet and loose for him to sink into your sweet heat. You let out a moan as he pushed into you, his big dick forming a bulge on your abdomen.

James kept kissing you all over, using his arms to hold himself up and cage you in under him. There was barely enough room for atoms to exist between your two bodies as he fucked you, pistoning his hips in and out of you at a harsh pace.

The room filled with your high-pitched moans and his low grunts which fell right into your ears. He was breathing so heavy, like panting but with a gruffness to it. You gripped onto him tightly, nails digging into his shoulders, sure to leave scratches.

His sides were still bandages and you were sure the wounds were bugging him right now, parts of them were peeling off from his sweat. But he was relentless, continuously bucking his hips into yours.

“You’re so fucking perfect.” He grunted in your ear. “You’re fucking mine, ya hear? No more dates with fuckers like him.” You didn’t trust your voice so you nodded, a whine leaving you.

James’ lips trailed down from your ear to your jaw, down your neck before stopping at the crook of your neck, right where it meets your shoulder. “Mine.” He growled again before biting down on you.

You let out a noise that was a mix between a moan and a scream. It hurt, his canines digging into your skin, blood seeping out. You repeatedly hit his back to get him to stop but he didn’t budge, relishing in the way you squirmed, or was it the pleasure he derived from your pain? You couldn’t say, it didn’t matter, whatever the reason he wasn’t letting go.

Even with the pain he made you feel so fucking good, hitting all the right spots and stretching you out like you’d never imagined and sending you over the edge. Your head fell back, eyes rolling into your head as your body went limp under James, pleasure rocking through your hot body in waves.

Still, James didn’t stop, now on a hunt for his own pleasure. Or, was that all he was looking for?

He rut into you a few more times before cumming deep inside you, hot cum filling you to the brim as if James hadn’t already accomplished that. It was only then that he unclasped his jaw from your fragile, broken skin and started licking the wound clean. His partly dog-like tongue was soothing and it no longer hurt as bad.

James didn’t pull out of you. Instead, he rolled onto his bed and pulled you on top of him, making sure to keep you nice and stuffed full of him and his seed, his arms wrapped neatly around your waist while your head rested on his chest.

You looked up at him, mind foggy and body muggy. You smiled tiredly and reached up to pet his ears. He let out the sweetest moan when you did. “You should’ve told me you liked that sooner.” You teased with a soft giggle, still scratching his ears and playing with his hair.

James smiled but didn’t look at you, too tired to lift his head. “I was busy.” You laughed at that.

“Yeah, my neck noticed.” You sighed. “I’m gonna have to wear turtlenecks for months because of you.” James’ head suddenly shot up at that, a confused look on his face, bordering hurt.

“No you don’t?” It came out as a question but you knew it was an order.

“James, my parents will kill me if they see this.” You said, taking your hand off his head and pointing to the small gashes at the base of your neck.

James shook his head. “I marked you for a reason, and it was not for it to be hidden.” He let his head fall against the pillow again.

You lifted yourself off of him slightly, as much as your strength, and his arms around you, would let you. “You ‘marked’ me?” You asked, slight panic settling into you at the unfamiliar term.

James nodded. “Yes.” He said bluntly, only explaining further when he saw the confused and worried expression on your face. “I’m an alpha, that means you’re my omega. It’s a pact. You’re mine.” You stared down at him in disbelief but didn’t question any further. You were too tired and, honestly, you kind of liked the idea...

[sunnywithasideup]

scaramouche is in denial

and a simp for sethos

summary : scaramouche being in denial about the fact that he has a crush and it’s on a guy he finds to be a nuisance.

i just love this ship. never thought i’d ever end up shipping scaramouche with someone until now.

Scaramouche looks as if he’s about to combust from the amount of times he’s pushed his feelings down about Sethos.

He just hated the guy’s face.

His smile.

Everything.

Why was Sethos just so annoyingly pretty?

He hated how persistent Sethos could get in attempting to befriend him? And yet,

Why was he still so drawn to him? Even when he was technically being stalked by this annoying little bee.

After all this, why was he feeling all these intense emotions when Sethos was around. Just lingering in the same place. They were both in the House of Deana right now.

However, as usual, Sethos was off helping people. Scaramouche felt as though he was suffocating in such a huge space.

How dare a mere mortal curse this emotions onto him?

His mere presence was a distraction and Scaramouche could hardly focus on his studies these past few weeks in general, Sethos being in the vicinity made it a lot harder than before.

Sure, he could admit that Sethos was, like those other scholars say these days, conventionally attractive. Did he want to?

Not so much.

How could he ever admit that? However…

No. No.

Scaramouche possibly can’t put that image in his head.

But honestly, Sethos didn’t look so bad for a mere human. He was strong, he’d given up divinity much like him… not that he knew.

Although, the moment Sethos spoke. Everything that seemed so good crashed down.

It wasn’t as if Sethos sounded awful.

Or said anything rude.

That was all on Scaramouche.

But it was the way his voice was exactly like honey, if Scaramouche even liked honey. Which he didn’t.

And that’s why it ruined everything.

On top of that smile that brightens up the entire room, the smile that even a puppet like him can’t even stand to watch directly.

Sethos was just too perfect.

It was the way even hearing a small sound from Sethos’s mouth would send Scaramouche into a coma from how fast he was breathing.

His metaphorical heart beating faster.

His stomach fluttering, even though no part of him should be feeling any of this.

Perhaps, it would be just be best to avoid Sethos if this was to happen every time he was around.

[writingkeepsmewhole]

Looks Clear

This is part 8 of Snow In The Dark. I hope you like it :)

Fic Summary: Snow has never known who she was. Being raised in the streets made her strong but lonely. That changed when she met Jack them becoming as close as sisters. She thought she found her family. That all changes when she crashes on a planet with only one rule. Stay in the light.

Part Summary: Snow along with the others decied the best way to make it off the planet alive.

Riddick x OC Snow

Warnings: Language.

Let me know if you want to be tagged :P : @here4thespice @amarokofficial @backseat-serenade-dizzyhurricane @pinkcrystal44 @goblingirlsarah @shelbyteller @classyunknownlover

Part 1 Part 7

Knowing that light hurts the beasts trying to hurt us, everyone quickly takes inventory of everything that makes light.

Despite how bad it looked or not caring how it looked I stuck close to Riddick. He kept me alive more than once today.

Plus I felt calmer around him. More myself. More in control. Something about being next to a man you knew could handle anything that got thrown at him.

So I stood next to him as I stood around the burning cutting torch trying to figure out a plan.

“So we got one cutting torch, we got two hand lights. There’s gotta be something we can rip out of the crash ship.”

“Spirts.” Paris says leaning forward to fan himself.

I was humid and stuffy in this room but it was better than being eaten alive.

“Anything over 45 proof burns rather well.”

“Mmm molotovs my favorite.” I say earning a snort from Jack.

I wink at her and smile. 

“Look, it's better than nothing.” Johns says, glaring at me.

“It was a joke.” I say, lifting my hands up.

I don’t even react as I feel the warm body heat behind me. Johns eyes bouncing to the figure behind me told me who it was.

I don’t know what I did to have the killer of the group be my bodyguard but I would take it. 

“How many bottles you got?” Carolyn asks, getting us in order once again.

“I don’t know, maybe ten.”

“Okay.” She says, nodding and looking over at Johns.

“Johns you got some flares.”

“So, maybe we got enough light.” She says, nodding.

“Enough for fucking what?” Johns asks.

“How thick are you? Do you wanna tell him or should I?” I ask, looking at Johns then Carolyn.

She holds her hand up as to tell me to shut up or she has this.

“We stick to the plan. We get the four cells back to the skiff, we’re off this rock.” 

“Look I hate to ruin a beautiful theory with an ugly fact.” Paris says standing up.

“But that sand cat is solar. It won't run at night.” He says walking over to Carolyn.

“So we carry the cells. We drag them whatever it takes.”

“You mean tonight with all those things out there?” Jack asks, holding onto her legs rocking back and forth. She was scared but doing a great job of holding it in.

I move to sit next to her wrapping my arms around her.

“It’s better to go now then wait them out. We don’t know how long the eclipse is going to last.” I say gently rubbing her back.

“Alright, how long can this thing last?” Johns asks, making me bite my tongue from starting something with him. That wouldn’t help us survive.

“A few hours? A day tops?” He says, very matter of fact.

I clench my jaw ready to shut up but decide against it.

“Didn’t we have this conversation a few hours ago? These people wouldn’t have left everything they own or the ship for that matter if they only had to deal with these things for a few hours or a day tops.” I say spitting the last word.

“I had the impression from the model the two planets were moving as one and there would be a lasting darkness.” Imam says looking at Johns.

“Thank you.” I say, holding my hand out towards Imam.

“Maybe you can only understand men.” I say earning a glare but he doesn't respond to me.

“Mmm.. These suns gotta come up sometime. And if these creatures are phonic about light then we just sit tight and we let the sun come up.” He says, meeting my gaze, the look on his face like he figured it out.

“Okay, where is the water we are going to drink? Or food or oh yeah we’ll probably freeze because deserts get cold at night time and a few days without sun will most likely kill us. If the lack of water and food doesn't. That’s if I put up with you that long.” I say, clenching my jaw.

“Why you little-.” Johns says starting to stand up. 

“Okay enough.” Carolyn says stepping in the middle of the room blocking our line of sight from each other.

“I’m sure somebody else said the same thing, locked inside that coring room.” 

“We need to think about everybody now. Especially the kid.” He says pointing at all of us.

“How scared is this poor boy gonna be out there in the dark.”

“Oh don’t you bring him into this.” I say, clenching my jaw and standing up. 

 “Yeah, don't use him like that.” Carolyn says.

“Like what?” Johns asks, looking disgusted.

“As a smoke screen.” Carolyn says at the same time I speak.

“As a shield.” 

“You deal with your own fear.”

“Yeah it’s okay to be scared Johns.”

“Why don’t you shut your fucking mouth for two seconds and let me come up with a plan that dosn’t involve mass suicide.”

“You came up with one. It's sitting here waiting for the lights to go out so those things can eat us.” I say, the sounds of the creatures outside whaling making me take a breath.

Them clearly hearing us.

Breathing the breath out slowly I move to sit back next to Jack, wrapping my arm around her.

“I’m waiting.” Carolyn says, making me smirk.

I may have to change my mind about her after all.

“How much you weigh Johns?”

“What’s it matter Carolyn?” 

“How much?” She snaps back.

“Around seventy nine kilos.”

“Because you’re seventy nine kilos of gutless white meat.”

“And that’s why you can’t think of a better plan and you want to use Jack as an excuse.” I say joining in.

“Is that fucking right?” He says jumping up, snatching his gun out as he does. 

I don’t flinch.

I watch Riddick stand up stepping in front of him, blocking him from getting to any of us.

“Where are you going?” Johns asks, pressing the barrel of the gun into RIddick’s chin.

I have to stop myself from standing up. The anger I have towards Johns is starting to get to its boiling point. I wanted to hurt him but that would help any of us get out of this.

“This solves nothing.” Imam says, as if he was reading my thoughts.

I watch Riddick smirk, him lifting his goggles and looking over at Johns as the sound of tapping fills the air.

My eyes dropped to the sound seeing a homemade blade right on John’s crotch.

“Okay.” Johns says taking a step and sitting back down.

I couldn’t tell if he was smirking or giving him a fake smile. The look on Johns face creeping me out either way.

My head snaps to the right when Carolyn moves to crouch next to me and Jack.

“They’re afraid of our light. That means we don’t have to be so afraid of them.” She says calmly. Her eyes lifted up to meet mine.

I smile at her then down at Jack.

“You know I will make sure you are safe.” I say, rubbing her back. Jack nods, looking nervous but less scared.

“And you are sure you can get us there? Even in the dark?” Iman asks, looking over at us.

“No I can’t.” She says standing up.

“But he can.” She says looking over at Riddick.

I look up at him, his goggles still off him turning to look over his shoulder at her, the light hitting his face just right to show the silver shine in his eyes.

“That’s the smartest thing you said all day.” I say looking up at her.

She nods and bends down picking up the torch.

“Come on, I have an idea.”

Carolyn leads us back to the entrance of the ship. She uses the torch to shine under the ship in case there are any creatures hiding.

Sticking close together everyone starts to head out following her.

I’m stopped when a large hand grabs my wrist. Looking up over my shoulder I meet the face of Riddick.

Us being swallowed by darkness as the others leave out ahead of us.

“You know not everyone is gonna make it out of here.” He says, his low rubbing voice settling around me. It almost reminds me of the way a cat purrs. Something animal about it.

“Then let's make sure you, me, and Jack are on the list of the ones that do.”

“Is that all you care about?” He asks, sounding like a loaded question which I was trying not to read into.

“Honestly? Yes.”

He smirks, letting go of my wrist and heading towards the door. I stay close to him. The group of us stayed quiet as we walked outside up to the other side of the crashed ship.

“Riddick.” Carolyn whispers it is too risky for us to keep moving forward.

Riddick slides past me, his hand brushing my lower back as he does. I’m shocked by the shiver it shoots up my spine.

He walks to the front of the group, slipping his goggles up to look inside.

“Looks clear.” He calls back.

Johns pushes past me practically shoving me over as he sneaks up next to Riddick, gun in hand. Him having a light on the end of it.

I have to bite my lip to keep from snatching it out of his hand and beating him with it. Thoughts of stabbing him in his sleep enter my mind.

As soon as Johns light shines into the ship a monster comes jumping out towards them screeching.

Riddick drops to the ground, out of the way while Johns jumps to the right landing on his back.

The creature flies over our head away from the light. All of us ducking down. Jack’s grip on my hand tightening.

“You said"clear "." Johns says looking up at Riddick him slightly down a slope.

“I said it looks clear.” Riddick says back, making me smile at the sass.

“Well what’s it look like now?” He asks.

Riddick raises his head taking a quick glance before turning to look back shrugging.

“Looks clear.” He says, making me snort a giggle.

Everyone turned to look at me in a shocked horror.

“I’m sorry that wasn’t meant to be funny, I know.” I say, as Riddick and Johns get up.

Johns casually walked into the ship, everyone following behind. Jack rushed ahead to stay close to Carolyn’s light.

Riddick doesn't move until I reach his side.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to laugh. I think the exhaustion is finally catching up to me.” I say, feeling heat rise up my cheeks.

Riddick doesn't answer him, lifting a hand to grab my chin. I don’t speak as he moves my head to the left and the right, most likely looking at the bruises there.

Taking a shaky breath I let it out as his touch fell from my face, my skin almost burning from where he touched it.

“I thought I smelt blood.” He says, I almost feel like more to himself than me. But he didn’t seem like the type to talk to himself.

“Is my lip bleeding?” I question reaching up to touch my lip.

“Must have been something else.” He says, turning towards the ship, the clicking sound of the creatures starting to grow louder.

“We need to leave.” He says.

I nod following him into the ship.

[breakfastteatime]

Today's Fallen Order request is for @cityofperpeptualgloom "I'm here."

“Cere.”

She looks up from her book (a detailed history of the hallikset and music theory she started reading during the war and never had a chance to finish) and sees Merrin staring down at her, worry clouding her expression. “What’s wrong?”

Merrin shakes her head. “It’s Cal. In the ruins. I don’t… He won’t speak but… I think he needs you.”

“Is he hurt?”

“Not physically.”

“An echo,” Cere surmises.

Merrin nods. “He won’t tell me what it is.”

“Leave it to me. And tell Greez he might want to clear out the engine room for a while, just in case.”

“He will immediately begin baking Cal those spice cakes he likes,” Merrin says as she heads in Greez’s direction.

Cere leaves the datapad on the table and heads outside into a beautiful, sunny day. The temperature is just right, the air alive with the freshly blooming flowers, sharped by sea salt. The old Jedi temple they came to explore is right on the beach. It’s so idyllic, Cere can’t believe the Empire hasn’t set up a retreat here for the higher ups. She imagines their absence is only because they’re too far from popular shipping lanes, and there are no military benefits to the location.

Not yet anyway.

The Force guides her to Cal no matter how intently he shields. Once a Seeker, always a Seeker. His aura, shrouded though it is, simmers with white hot pain. Worry spiking, Cere picks up the pace and finds Cal deep inside the temple, beyond winding halls of meditation chambers, bedrooms, refectories, even an empty library, in an oculus hall, bathed in the sunlight pouring through the open ceiling. BD looks up at him, slumped and sorry. He sees Cere and hurries over to her, feet tip tapping over the marble floor. He clambers onto her back, beeping quietly. She gives the little droid a pat on the head. She’s here, she’ll help. The oculus hall is huge. Once, it would have housed Jedi seeking peace and wisdom. Now, the painstaking marble carvings hopelessly stained, the chamber home to countless bird species.

Birds, and a small pile Jedi robes at Cal’s feet, weathered beyond use.

“Merrin sent you.”

“She did. She’s worried about you.” And so is Cere. Cal won’t even turn to look at her.

“Children,” Cal tells her from where he stands over the pile. His voice strains, thick with tears. “Left here, long ago. Not because of the purge. There was a disaster on a nearby world. The masters went to help, left their children behind, thinking they would be back within a day or two. They never returned. And these children, left alone, starved. They didn’t know what to do, didn’t understand why they were abandoned here.” He presses both hands to his head, hair spilling over pale fingers. “Everything I touch, all I ever see is misery and suffering. I’m so sick of it.” His head tilts back, tear-stained cheeks catching the sunlight. “Why is the galaxy so full of pain? Why can’t I stop it?”

BD hops down from Cere’s back and rushes to Cal, waiting for him to crouch down. Cal doesn’t so much crouch as collapse, sobbing.

“I’m so sorry,” Cere says. She’d suggested they check this world out not only for the Jedi heritage to be found here, but also to give them all a break. She knows he’s worked on his psychometry, found ways of managing it, and yet the fact remains that the past hurts. Crouching beside him, she places a hand on his shoulder. “I’m here.”

To her surprise, he falls against her. She wraps her arms around him, feels his body trembling with his tears. He’s not shielding her from it now. It buffets her, and it's only thanks to her own shields that she doesn’t crumple along with him.

She waits for him to cry it out. BD hops on to Cal’s back and presses against him, a tiny droid hug. Slowly, steadily, Cal calms.

“Release the memory,” Cere says. “Let it go now.”

“For once, I wish… I want…” But whatever it is he wants, Cal doesn’t say. Instead, he does something he’s getting frighteningly good at – packing up his feelings and putting them away, out of sight and unreachable. He pulls back, wipes a hand over his face, and musters up a faint smile. “Thanks, Cere. I’m sorry I worried you.”

“No need to be sorry,” she says, standing and holding out a hand. He takes it, letting her help him to his feet. “You’re allowed to worry me.”

His smile is a little brighter. “Did you hear that, BD? I got permission to worry Cere.”

BD whoops.

“Permission can be revoked, you know,” Cere says, nudging Cal.

[remimibanana]

Supernova Adelaide 2024 Report!!!!

I didn’t actually spend too long at Supernova though, so this doesn’t exactly count as a whole report technically LOL

Anyhoo!

The last convention of 2024! Time really has flown, hasn’t it?

I cosplayed as Ayase Momo from the hit series Dandadan!! I went with my good friend (@piedivide) who was Okarun from also the hit series Dandadan (go watch/read it NOW).

We had loads of fun doing various things that I wanted to write down! ✌︎('ω')✌︎

All under the cut!

Pre-Con!

I woke up at 8am to get ready, since I wasn't trying to get to the convention early as the other times. I knew it would only take me an hour or two, tops.

I have to be honest here.

I lied in my last report about a certain little aspect…I didn't have time to do a whole cosplay test AGAIN because of university. I had an assignment due the day before I was meant to go to the convention….

This is becoming a trend….

I had no idea how I would look like on the day, and I didn't have high hopes since I messed up the wig a little bit while trying to style it and it didn’t look like much on the actual wig stand.

I cut too much from the front so I wasn't able to do the swoopy parts Momo has in her hair. I also tried teasing for the first time, and that worked way better than I expected...but her hair doesn't have a lot of volume so I probably shouldn't have.

It happens.

While I was getting ready, I felt a little deflated because it didn't really look like anything at the time (despite not being done) but I trusted in the process. I did my usual makeup and…it all came out WAY better than I was expecting!

It wasn't so horrible!

I was really happy with the final look! I really thought I looked like Ayase Momo at the end!

As you may tell, this isn’t exactly the right outfit for Momo. I’m missing the earrings and the skirt is wayyy too long….

I have a simple answer for that.

The cosplay outfit I ordered didn’t come despite ordering it two months in advance to make sure it would be here and that I could actually try it on and whatnot.

Weh.

I ordered from AliExpress for the first time in September since Dandadan wasn’t airing at the time and I thought that they would be the only place who would have it. I ordered the school shoes and the wig from there as well.

The shoes and wig shipped pretty quickly, but not the outfit which shipped in the middle of October apparently???? I think this was my fault, I should have chosen a better shop to order from...I was the first sale...

I didn't even look, I just ordered blindly since the price was decent and it had everything I needed. The tracking hasn't updated since then either...I don’t think it’s going to come at all…

I was in a real pickle since I was meant to cosplay alongside Pie for AnimeGO and Supernova as Momo, and I couldn't be Momo without the outfit! I was seriously considering to do one of my previous cosplays instead as I told Pie.

That is, until he suggested that I should just make the outfit myself since it was pretty simple. I already had a skirt and a top from my Sucrose cosplay from last year that I could use, so it wasn't impossible!

All I needed was a jumper, leg warmers and red ribbon and I would have the outfit!

I couldn't give up that easily when I still had time. I had about a week or so to get everything before Supernova, since we decided not to cosplay for AnimeGO in the end because all of all this.

I ordered some leg warmers online first, then I got a pink jumper from Uniqlo that was the perfect shade (that Pie kindly went to buy for me since I couldn't get to the city, thank you once again!). I did have to buy a new white collared top at the end as Sucrose's had green accents that wouldn't work with Momo.

When I got ready, I headed out!

Fun fact, I hit my head on the car when I got to the station (I take the train to the city and back) and it knocked my wig back and kind of ruined all my pinning LOL

I got on the train which was rather packed much to my dismay. I sat behind these girls who had some rather riverting conversations about jeans and people. I arrived at the station where Pie was waiting for me, all dressed up as Okarun!

I walked over, and then I sped walked over because I felt like I was taking too long to get there LOL

The duo was together once again and ready to storm the convention as always! YOU LOOKED GREAT PIE!!!

Con!

(@/ai_zyu9 as Kangel and @/ztqrrz as Hu Tao on Instagram!!!)

Thanks for the photo!!! You two look amazing and I’m very happy you asked for a photo of us!

We didn't stay too long at Supernova. I think we were only there for an hour or so LOL, but we still had a lot of fun!

Pie and I arrived at the convention, phones out at the ready to scan our tickets. We saw a crowd of people in a certain direction so we went towards them, but man it was confusing. A sign kept pointing towards the food trucks to where we could get our wristbands for some reason.

Unless they gave out wristbands too, I doubt we had to go there.

We went closer to the entrance and we heard immediately that we had to go to the line that was behind us that was so easy to miss since it blended in with the surroundings. Why didn't they make that more clearer????

We got our wristbands at the end and headed in! It didn't look too different to last time, but the layout changed with some new stands and booths! There was a community library this time around that was filled with many manga that you could read and that was heaven to me.

I love manga. Did you know I can read a whole volume in 20min or less?

I am a quick reader. Pie can attest to that.

I uh...went a little crazy with the print buying. I spent wayyyy too much on these....

I couldn't help myself.

I got the Ellen Joe and Nicole Demara prints from Zenless Zone Zero because I love Ellen's design a lot and Nicole's poster looks really cool that I couldn't pass it up. The Bocchi the Rock one is very dynamic and I like the anime so I chose it too!

The Honkai Star Rail one is the print that Pie got me, it's our tradition to buy ourselves one print for each other when we go to a convention! (thank you so much againnnnnnnn).

I got a Tokyo Mew Mew print for myself because it was my first ever anime that I watched and I always wanted a print to reflect that! It's sort of the same case for the DDLC one, I was obsessed with it back in 2017 and I still like the game to this day.

I don't have space for all of these....help. I need to take down all my posters I already have up and start choosing which ones I want to display on my wall and what I want to put away.

The struggles.

I also was meant to have some square prints that I also bought but I didn’t get them at the end which kind of sucks….

After we looked around and bought what we wanted, we decided to eat something since we both skipped breakfast. I think it’s the general cosplayer’s experience to barely eat while at a convention and I don’t think that’s a good thing lol

We got crepes!

It was the only thing I actually ate all day (aside from some Pringles when I got back), which isn't that good for my health in retrospect aha

I got a Nutella and Strawberry one and it was really good and warm! I also managed to spill some on me and had to go down to the bathroom to wash it off because it managed to get on the very bottom of my jumper and I smudged it LOL

I managed to get most of it off with some water, so it was all fine! I should have eaten it facing the table so it wouldn't spill on me, but alas. I shouldn't eat anything Nutella in cosplay as I’ve realised, I will spill it on myself or on my glasses somehow (don’t ask).

Pie and I took some videos together before leaving the convention completely!

We went to a little corner outside of the pavilion and set up my tripod that I bought last year from Kmart! I always struggle getting my phone into the holder so Pie helps me with that...I have noodle arms as I like to call it.

I use TikTok to record! It has many sounds, various filters and a countdown that we can use. The only downside is that I have to post privately before I can download the video without a watermark, which is so stupid in my opinion!

Why did they change that?!

Anyhoo, we stalked TheAnimeMen account for sounds we could use, since they made a Dandadan music video and had recorded some with just Momo and Okarun! There were a few sounds we wanted to do, so we did them!

I kept messing up and I was probably the most silliest out of the both of us while on camera. I feel like I'm more oddly confident for some reason than in person, and I think that can be seen when you watch the videos I make.

(psst, go to @/mikudachii on TikTok to see or click here)

It was a lot of fun though!

At one point, we were scrolling through my saved sounds to see if we could do any of them, but it mostly made us laugh at how stupid some of them where. It also left me wondering why I saved half of them in the first place.

After that, we headed back to the city! We had places to be!

My feet were utterly killing me at that point, those school shoes aren't as comfortable as they look like. I had to sit down and change into my sneakers that I brought with me, knowing that this would probably happen.

My feet still kind of ache now.

Arcade!

We headed to the arcade!

Pie and I have always wanted to go in cosplay, but there weren't any proper ones in the city until rather recently ehe

There are a bunch up north called Timezone that we’ve been to at multiple locations, but it was crazy to think how the actual city itself didn't have a single proper arcade in it.

However, we finally got our chance when the Paradigm Arcade came about! It’s probably my favourite one out of all the ones I’ve been to, and I highly recommend going if you’re in Adelaide!

It is filled with many rhythm games that we enjoy a ton, like Chunithm and Sound Voltex and there's usually barely any people at those machines since no one knows what they are! It's literally the greatest thing ever.

It's perfect.

They recently got DDR that we got to try out! It’s an older version of it that has many different songs on it that we could choose from, including Pomp and Circumstance from Vocaloid??????

I love this song to bits (despite the questionable lyrics and uh…sounds) but I have never seen a rhythm game that had it before until that very moment. I was very overjoyed and immediately chose it without a second thought.

This machine was way more responsive than the newer ones I've tried, but I still suck at DDR so it didn't help as much in the end. They just got Dancerush Stardom and I’m so excited to try it out when I head back to the city!

I got to use gloves for the first time (I bought them the last time I was in the arcade) and it was very helpful for Chunithm since I always struggle with holding the slider, especially if it moves across the screen.

I got Joker Persona 5 and Ann Persona 5 in their dancing outfits, it was very cool!

I recorded many dumb videos for myself while waiting for my turn to play and watching Pie do his thing. I wonder if I’ll ever post any of them for the world to see, although it’s just me vibing in a dark place filled with lights lol

Ky Kiske Guilty Gear is that you????

I love how Pie immediately pointed that out, literally every single blond haired guy with blue eyes is automatically Ky in our brains. I mean…it does kinda look like him….

Guilty Gear is so peak, I highly recommend checking out the story and the wonderful music! You won’t regret it, trust me!

I main Elphelt in Strive and now I’m adding Dizzy to my list of mains! I love her design in this game to bits and her gameplay is fun! For Xrd, I main Jack-O’ and Elphelt! I’m not very good at either of them but it’s fun playing!

Here I go blabbing about Guilty Gear…maybe my brainrot will come back…..

We also played Maimai Fantasy!

It was a version we never played before since the Timezone arcade has Maimai Buddies. It had a whole bunch of things we can do aside from the rhythm game like collecting cheese and spreading honey on trees. It was a bit weird but it was still fun!

This machine is upstairs for some reason, while the rest of the machines are down in the basement floor. You also don’t have much space between the rail and the machine, but it’s okay! You don't complain when its there in the first place.

We were going to try out the Photo Booth before we left, but we ran out of credits so we didn’t bother. You can only recharge downstairs as the machine is there and we didn’t want to go back down again just for that.

We headed out after that!

Karaoke

It’s our tradition to go to karaoke after every convention!

This time around, there were certain Serbian songs I wanted to sing after becoming obsessed with them. My background is Serbian so I can speak it, but I feel like I barely show it off in general. This was my chance to show Pie some more songs!

The first one was Crno I Zlato from Seka Aleksic that I learnt first, the second was Ko Si Ti by Sasa Matic and Aleksandra Prijovic that I put my heart into and the third was Sve Bi Ja I Ti by Sasa Matic that Pie found a banger!

I'm glad I could sing them!

We then sang some sad songs, I did Shine like Rainbows from My Little Pony (the songs are good okay), then we did some songs together for fun! I liked when we did I Threw It On The Ground, a wonderful yet stupid song at the same time.

I think I called Pie stupid at one point by accident LOL (i'm sorry)

At the end, I showed off my epic rap skills but it didn't even have the second part of the song! ( ｡ •`ᴖ´• ｡)

The people working at the karaoke place seemed to have forgotten to turn us off since we had done about two hours and we could still sing, but we left regardless. I had a train to catch and I couldn't be late for that.

Sometimes I wish I lived in the city.

Going Home!

I thought heading home would be uneventful as usual, but I was proven wrong.

I had to change trains and go to a new platform right before I was meant to leave, which has never happened to me before. There was no explanation as to why aside from an announcement that I've never seen or heard in my life.

I found out that there's a tap for water in the station and some kind of lockers in the station this whole time??????

I’ve been in it since I was a kid…

I then had to scan my ticket again in the new train. I took too long getting my card out that I went in and I swear the security person was staring at me and putting me on their mental hit list or something for not scanning it right away LOL

While I was on the train, there was an announcement for ticket checking that I've also never heard before. I don't know why I'm only seeing these now but it's cool that they exist...although it felt like I was lowkey getting kidnapped or something.

Speaking of weird experiences....

As I was walking from the station platform to where I was being picked up by my mum, I could hear this creepy voice suddenly behind me. I swear to everything that I heard it, and it made me feel rather uncomfortable…

It kept talking about a girlfriend and what might happen if something happened to her and to make matters worse, there was a shadow behind me that wasn’t my own when I looked to the side. I didn't dare look back at the voice, but I didn't take my chances either.

Hell NO.

I started speed walking out of there across the tracks, not wanting to be near whoever the hell that was. There wasn't anyone behind me when I looked back (after getting closer to where my mum was), so I sort of filed away the experience as a figment of my imagination and left it at that.

Did I imagine it???? Maybe....

That's it for this report!

Thank you for reading it if you do, I always like making these! It gives me a chance to look back and reminisce about all the fun times I had in the future!

I can't wait for 2025!!! There are many big plans in store so look out!

Thank you for coming with me, Pie!! I always enjoy every time we go together and I know that we’re going to get even better and better at cosplaying!!!

I’m always very grateful that we have this opportunity to go!! :D

-Miku

[krittec]

Aside from the JJ thing, Sofia and Rafe are like the two biggest things that remain on my mind after watching part one (and all of this could change after part two) but I wanted to yap about my thoughts about them.

TL;DR : I like them together overall, I think Rafe’s character arc is intriguing and I love Sofia, she is too good for him. Wish we were able to see more of them because netflix & modern television structure sucks.

Now I never actually expected we’d see a serious potential love interest for Rafe given the type of character he is, that wasn’t within focus with everything that was to be gained and lost during previous seasons HOWEVER I was expecting if he were to get one, it would be someone equally cruel like Ruthie (The girl who almost killed Kie and did kill those turtles)

Also I couldn’t see him being given a substantial romantic plot line given the screen time available (which is what sucks with modern television) unless it was a pre-existing leading character and given one is his sister which is a clear no, it leaves with two options that are also weird to me. Cleo is a definite no and Kie just feels weird. I know people ship it and I’m in no business of ruining ships because it’s all fun, but just wasn’t my personal cup of tea in the previous seasons. Mayhaps things could change as their characters do but as I stand, still a no to me personally.

So despite all of this, I’m happy to see him having a proper relationship because I think it adds so much to his character from a fan perspective and what can be done with him.

Now onto Sofia, I like her. I really do. When I first saw her, I didn’t expect her to be more than a one night stand for the things that I mentioned previously, felt there wasn’t enough time given everything else going on for anything to actually happen, so I didn’t pay much attention to her so maybe my feelings towards their relationship is something that could be changed with a simple rewatch. I definitely think she is far too good for him but I think it’s sweet that she’s standing by him throughout what he’s going through because Rafe is clearly going through a personal crisis and an intense mental conflict since the death of his father and now wanting to get close to Sarah again.

What I would have liked to see though is them initially getting together which again, falls to the issues I mentioned previously of current TV structure. She’s a pogue. He knows she’s a pogue. I had to look it up but they met when she was working as a bartender so this entire time, he is aware of that fact. Most my issues truly fall back to that 10 episode structure is damaging television because we don’t get to see some major stuff form. We have to rely on subtext and people, unfortunately, are not smart enough for subtext because I see people blatantly asking about JJ’s father despite the show saying it as many times as they can without literally saying it.

Anyway, I can’t wait to see where it goes. I can see Rafe taking a sharp turn either way so I won’t hold my breath on a redemption arc even if I do hope one for him, I would like to see Sofia with the Pogues but I doubt that’ll ever happen unless Rafe goes a good route and she is present for it but even still interaction would be very limited, and I can’t wait for part two to see where this goes.

[the-obnoxious-sibling]

@bitch-be-nimble well, not at the time. (the whole motivation behind this notfic with buggy in disguise was to see if i could write a post-roguetown encounter without making shanks lie when he tells whitebeard he hasn’t seen buggy since roguetown.) but it’s funny you should ask!

this got stupid long. okay, you know what? i’m just gonna post this first chunk of the story, it ends on a fun note and i won’t feel like i need to rush the rest if i’ve shared this much with y’all.

a little over a decade later, as the red force prepared to leave marineford:

it was buggy’s fault. undeniably. if he could’ve just kept his stupid mouth shut—but of course he couldn’t! not after the way shanks just treated him, pulling on his strings like a goddamn puppet master, like he still knew buggy after all these years. not when buggy knew for a fact that shanks wouldn’t recognize him without his nose acting as a big red flag.

(of course he hadn’t forgotten about that day. he never spoke of it, but it was on his mental tally of ways shanks had screwed him over. spooked him into eating the chop-chop fruit, constantly stole his thunder, beat him at cards (by cheating! by cheating at cards better than buggy!), ruined his plans for the future, kissed him one time in a back alley in east blue—and without even asking first!)

and this was the first time he’d been near shanks since that day, so of course it was on his mind. shanks hadn’t changed much since then, except that oh wait, he’d lost a fucking arm somehow! and nobody seemed to be able to agree on how.

buggy couldn’t bear to ask for the story.

he had to know.

he could not ask.

“looking at you, i can’t tell which of the rumors is true,” buggy said. (not asked!) shanks was sitting on a barrel, watching other members of his crew do real work, so buggy figured it was safe to bother him. he glanced up at buggy. “did you go after whitebeard and get punished for it like that crocodile guy, or did you try and see if your armament haki was stronger than a sea king’s teeth?”

shanks huffed out a little laugh. “are those the only rumors these days?”

“the only ones i considered remotely plausible.”

“well, the second one’s not far off,” shanks said.

buggy stared. that couldn’t be the whole story. not for him.

shanks sighed. “look, buggy, i’m sorry, but i don’t have time for this right now. unless you know my ship better than me, and can figure out where we’re going to place a twenty-two foot long corpse—” he cut himself off with a shake of his head. “any other day, i would love to sit down with you and catch up. just not today.”

right. buggy flushed. shanks was an emperor. even though he was the youngest and weakest of them, that still required a certain something. leadership. responsibility. just because he still looked like the shanks buggy knew, slacking off, doing as he liked, didn’t actually make him so.

“buggy,” shanks snapped.

“does he have to be lying down?” buggy blurted out. shanks blinked up at him, surprised to hear him try to be helpful. “i mean, i know how normal bodies work, death stiffness wears off eventually, but this is whitebeard. if anyone could stay standing the whole of his death, it’s that guy.”

shanks frowned. “i did consider that, briefly. but if we’re wrong, having to clear that much space in the time it takes him to fall over…”

buggy cringed. “right, that’d be way worse.” he thought about alternatives. this boat of shanks’ was nice, but it did not have that kind of room to spare, not if he was taking shipless pirates aboard (which, of course he was; this was shanks). “what about one of the whitebeard fleet ships? are any of them stable enough to carry him? they’re his crews, i bet they’d be honored to be his last ride.”

shanks nodded. “there are a few still seaworthy.” running his hand through his hair, he muttered, “but like hell i’m getting involved with the intracrew politics there. i’ll ask marco, he’ll know which one to pick to step on the fewest toes.” getting to his feet, shanks visibly swayed for a moment.

“whoa, are you—?”

“i’m—fine,” shanks said, pinching at his brow. he glanced at buggy, who had foolishly reached out to, what, steady him? offer an arm to lean on?? he didn’t know what he’d been thinking. shanks sighed. “it’s not as fun as we’d thought it’d be when we were kids, is it? being the ones in charge.”

“oh, i don’t know,” buggy said, thinking back to that moment, fresh out of impel down, when anything seemed possible with all those guys at his back, cheering him on. “it has its moments.”

shanks considered him for a moment. he smiled. “i guess it does. thanks for the suggestions, buggy. go find a spot to lie down, would you? you look like you could use some beauty sleep.”

and buggy knew he shouldn’t say it. even in the moment he knew it was stupid. but he could never leave well enough alone when shanks took a cheap shot at him, and that day had been on his mind. so he said, “gee, and here i thought i was gorgeous.” and because he really couldn’t help himself, it seemed, when shanks gave him a blank look, he fluttered his eyelashes and added, “with stunning eyes.”

shanks stared.

in the time it took for buggy to blink, he was shoved into the closest wall. he’d tear shanks a new one for halfheartedly trying to give him a concussion, but the hand that’d pressed him shoulder-first into the wall was drifting up, up his neck, cupping his cheek, and buggy found himself as lost for words this time as last.

shanks leaned in. just as he got too close for propriety, he sucked in a breath. he whispered, “that was you?”

buggy gave him a look that said obviously. that said how else would i know about it? that said why? does it matter?

did it matter? he stared up at shanks, and, far from the first time, had no idea what he was thinking.

shanks took a step back and laughed, rubbing his hand over his mouth. “oh god,” he said under his breath, “i really don’t have time for this right now.” eyes shutting, he sighed, and to buggy it looked like he’d aged ten years in an instant. someone out of sight called for their ‘boss,’ and the exhaustion, the previous, unreadable emotion, it all fell away. here was red-haired shanks the emperor, for the first time since he’d cowed the marines into allowing the whitebeard pirates their dead. he stalked off, calling out, “get some sleep, buggy,” over one shoulder, cool as anything.

buggy, feeling distinctly uncool and like he’d never sleep again, scurried away in search of a private corner he could panic in. he found a deck a level or two up that was deserted for the moment—crew quarters, maybe?—and huddled by the railing. had anyone seen that? stupid, stupid—

“did you see that?” someone a deck below said excitedly to their companions. “captain buggy got that emperor mad enough to shove him into a wall, and then without a word forced him to retreat! he’s truly amazing!”

buggy buried his face in his hands and groaned. so stupid.

“hey, quick question,” said someone at buggy’s elbow some time later. “are you trying to get us all killed?” it was mr. 3—er, galdino, or whatever his name was, looking very fearful and annoyed and sweaty. or maybe that was the wax? buggy didn’t know much about him, or how his powers worked.

“how’s that?”

“word among the men,” this was how galdino had been referring to the prisoners who’d followed the two of them out of impel down lately, ‘the men,’ like they were buggy’s soldiers or something, “is that red-haired shanks kabedon'd you, and you turned him down. you realize he’s our only possible ride out of here at this point, right? why antagonize him like that?”

buggy’s face screwed up. like he needed to be reminded of the distance between him and shanks. but also: “the hell’s that word mean?”

“kabedon? it’s when someone shoves you into a wall to intimidate and flirt with you.”

“flirt with—” buggy sputtered, face hot. oh shit, was that really what they were saying? “god no, no way! shanks would never—”

“i’m just reporting what i’ve heard,” galdino said, shoving his glasses up his nose. “oh, no one’s made the flirtatious connection but me, but they all say the two of you got up close and personal, and red-hair’s been red-faced ever since. i just put two and two together.”

“it wasn’t like that,” said buggy, who couldn’t have told galdino what it was like, since he still had no idea himself.

“no?” galdino joined buggy at the railing. they had a good view of the main deck from up here, including a cluster of men having a serious-looking discussion. since the group included shanks and marco the phoenix, it was probably about whitebeard and ace, and where they were taking them and how to do it. shanks looked tired, but it wasn’t obvious like it had been when it was just the two of them. there was something on his face that buggy recognized from the day the news about roger’s arrest broke. a quiet, sad kind of tired.

feeling eyes on him, shanks glanced up. their eyes met for a moment, maybe two. then shanks turned away, face slightly, undeniably redder, rubbing his hand over his mouth.

galdino leaned in close to buggy’s ear. “you sure about that, buggy?”

blushing bright enough to rival his nose, buggy stomped off, steaming, muttering curses against smart-mouthed wax men under his breath.

but no, he wasn’t sure at all.

[thenotsofantasticlifestory]

I just had to get this out, ever since this post by @babblingeccentric it's literally all I can think about I'm ruined. Probably (definitely) gonna flush this out into a full smut but have this for now

Kid felt himself pulling at the feathers of his jacket for the twentieth time. Nothing was really even going on, he was in the main lounge of the ship with other crew members having a drink and chatting away as the ship sailed smoothly toward their next destination.

He just couldn’t stop staring at you.

It was ridiculous really, how someone so much smaller than him was able to take him down sexually. You had finally convinced him to let you peg him the previous night and Kid was quickly whipped for it.

Sure, he started out on top, it was just in his nature, hell he hadn’t even really expected to enjoy this that much but you were so keen to try it he figure he’d be a good boyfriend and give it a shot. What shocked him were the lewd, downright filthy moans and whines the cock punched out of him as his entire body flushed and he felt himself melting from the inside out in one of the most mind-blowing orgasms he’d ever had.

Needless to say, he wanted to do it again.

But the idea of it, bringing him, Eustass Kid, down on his hand and knees into a quivering heated mess, he still couldn’t quite wrap his head around it. It was like seeing some other version of himself he hadn’t known existed, still wasn’t entirely convinced actually did exist if it weren’t for the slight soreness of his ass the following day. He had a reputation to uphold after all, he was one of the most feared, bloodthirsty men of the seas and the crew definitely didn’t need to get involved in the intricacies of their captain’s sex life.

You caught his eye and Kid felt himself flush down to his neck, images of the previous night already replaying in his head, the sweat dripping down his shaky thighs as you fucked into him, letting him rut into the sheets for some desperate relief, pulling him back by his hair as you angled just right that had him seeing stars, lipstick smeared across his face, when you-

Kid nearly slapped himself, probably would have if he hadn’t been in a room full of people.

Get it fucking together.

To his horror he saw you saunter your way over, maybe it was the fact you’d pegged him last night but there seemed to be a more confident strut to your step, or maybe he was just imagining things. Kid put the beer he had to his mouth and chugged.

“Doing okay?” you asked.

He choked just a bit, managing to cover it up as a cough as he wiped his lips, “ ‘M fine, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well it seems like you’ve been avoiding me all day.”

Kid glanced down at your hand, fingers lightly gripping the bottle and remembered the way those clever fingers twisted inside him, stretching him, prepping him. Kid gulped, he could feel a stirring in his pants already and shuffled a bit to hide it.

“Did I do something to make you mad?” You asked and Kid stared back wide eyed, genuinely confused.

“What?”

“Well, ever since last night I can’t seem to get two seconds with you,” you leaned in closer, a conspiratorial whisper and Kid felt you pressing against him in ways he liked a little too much, “I mean, you seemed like you really liked it, but if you didn’t-“

“It’s not that!” he hissed, eyes darting around to see if any of the others were eavesdropping their conversation. Against his better judgement, he decided honesty was probably the best policy here, “I just can’t even fucking look at you…”

You pulled back, looking hurt, “Why?”

“No! Shit it’s just…” his head swung around, wary of the others, “…I just keep thinking about last night and-…”

You noticed the bulge growing in his pants and suddenly understood, “Oh,” a sly smirk crawled up your face as you discreetly ran a teasing finger down his length, and the way he practically jumped had your grin growing wider.

“So you did like it huh?”

Kid grumbled, “Just shut up and stand in front of me until I get this under control,” he grasped your shoulders, placing you strategically in before him. But of course, you had to tease him a bit, I mean who ever got to see this side of Eustass Kid?

“You know,” you leaned in casually, “I didn’t know you were such a screamer.”

Kid froze, his eyes wide and face red.

“It’s cute~” you continued.

His hand slapped over your mouth with a whispered hiss of ‘shut the fuck up’ but he could feel your grin against his fingers and it made the heat bloom to the tips of his ears.

[justagalwhowrites]

Beskar Doll - Ch. 17: Distance

In which Din and Doll try to figure out how to navigate feelings in their own, emotionally stunted ways. A continuation of Beskar Doll Ch. 1-16 found on Tumblr here.

Pairing: The Mandalorian/Din Djarin x Female Reader

Warnings: None! Whole fic is violent and smutty, minors DNI 18+ only. No use of Y/N

Length: 6.3k

Your body was still pleasantly loose when you woke up, a sweet soreness between your thighs as you more drifted back into consciousness instead of shocking into it as you usually did. You were wrapped in the Mandalorian’s cloak and the sun was fully up. It took you a moment to remember just what had happened the night before as you slowly blinked against the brightness and you found yourself alone in the grass.

“Fuck,” you groaned quietly. You’d made a damn fool of yourself, acting like an out of control teenager as Din touched you. And then you’d passed out before returning the favor. And you think you even cried a little. “Dammit.” 

You sat up, feeling almost hungover despite the fact that you could tell that you’d slept well. Your whole body was relaxed and you didn’t feel worn or tired. But the knot that was settling in your stomach was sour. What had you done? What if you’d ruined it all again? 

But he’s the one who started it. He’d touched you, controlled your body, gave you commands you’d been happy to bow to as he expertly pulled pleasure from you over and over. Why would he have done that if he hadn’t wanted to? Maybe just to prove that he could? And where the hell was he, anyway? 

You ran your fingers through your tangled hair, trying to tame the knots as you tightened the cloak around yourself. You pressed your face into it. It smelled a little like him, though not as much as you’d have hoped. But then, the armor was always there, keeping the most intimate things about him hidden away, even his smell. Meanwhile, it felt like you were always exposed and he knew exactly where to look and how to read you. 

You got up slowly, cracking your neck and you looked around, about to call out to try to find him when he came down the ramp to the Razor Crest, the child in hand. 

“Well if I could trust you to stay out of trouble,” he was saying, the kid gazing up at him adoringly. He stopped when he saw you standing there, his cloak drawn tightly around you. 

“Hey,” you said, trying to stand up straight and not look vulnerable or embarrassed. You weren’t sure if you were pulling it off. You unwound the cloak and held it out to him. “Thanks. For this.” 

“Sure,” he said, closing the distance between you and setting the baby in the grass before taking it from you. “I hope you slept well.” 

“Yeah,” you said, part of you wishing the ground would just open and swallow you whole because it would be better than feeling this uncomfortably exposed. “You?” 

“You’re the one who’s starting training today,” he replied, putting the cloak on and crossing his arms. “How I slept doesn’t really matter. Eat something, we’ll get going.” 

“We?” You frowned. He started for the part of the Razor Crest he’d been working on the day before and you followed. 

“Yes,” he replied, not looking at you, just pulling a panel off the side of the ship. “You’re still recovering. You can train but I’m supervising. You’ll push yourself too hard and fry the cybernetics if someone doesn’t rein you in.” 

“I know how to train, Mando,” you narrowed your eyes at him. “I did it for years.” 

“Not starting from scratch you didn’t,” he replied. “And not after recovering from an injury like that. You almost died, Doll, almost lost the use of most of your body. You need help. Accept it.” 

“No.” 

“That’s unfortunate,” he replied, reaching into the panel. “Because you can either accept me helping you or try to train while watching your back because I’ll be tracking you the whole time to make sure you don’t hurt yourself. Those are your options, pick one.” 

“Do you try to be infuriating or does that happen on accident?” 

He shrugged. 

“Fine,” you snapped. “It can be ‘we.’ But you have to keep your mouth shut about how incapable I am right now.” 

“I’m not going to make fun of you, Doll.” 

He said it earnestly, an openness to his tone you weren’t really used to. 

“Good,” you said, your voice not quite as sharp. “I’ll just… go get ready then.” 

You took a few steps and turned back to him. 

“Are we just not going to talk about…” 

“Yeah,” he cut you off. You nodded once. 

“OK.” 

You went into the ship and grabbed some of the meat from the night before and a handful of berries. At least this time hadn’t seemed to break everything. It was just going to return to business as usual. Honestly, a slightly nicer version of business as usual. You could live with that. It’d be hard to pretend like the Mandalorian hadn’t just made you cum until your body was basically a pile of plasma and you couldn’t move but you could do that. You were willing to do quite a bit, you realized, to have him tolerate you. 

“Well that bodes well,” you muttered to yourself, chugging some water before braiding your hair tightly against your skull and getting changed, happy the clothes you’d bought on Garqi were made for physical work. It wasn’t as good as the few things you had left from Naboo, they didn’t move with you the same way, but they fit and were a lot better than the alternatives. 

When you came down the ramp again, carrying water and your knife tucked in your pocket, the Mandalorian had closed the panel on the ship again and strapped the kid to his back with the backpack. The baby squealed happily when he saw you, clapping his little hands together in glee. 

“Well hi there,” you smiled, coming up and poking his little nose. He was level with your head from his spot on the Mandalorian’s back and he frowned a little, inspecting your hair. You drew his eyes to yours. He was confused. 

“It’s all still there,” you said, turning your head to show him the rest. “It’s just back.” 

“What are you two doing back there?” Mando asked, looking over his shoulder. 

“He doesn’t understand how hair works,” you replied, still smiling at the kid. You pulled your braid forward and held the end of it out to him. He took it, his fingers exploring the end of it before putting it in his mouth. You tried to not laugh when he frowned and took it out again. “He’s around you too much. I don’t think he understands that it can change shape and size quite a bit, he’s puzzling it out.” 

Din snorted and you smiled. The kid’s eyes met yours. Still curious but more satisfied and content now. You gave his little forehead a kiss before going to stand next to the Mandalorian. 

“So,” you glanced up at him, arms crossed. “You’re the drill sergeant. Do you want to tell me what to do or am I allowed to decide for myself?” 

“What do you usually start with?” He asked, looking down at you. 

“When I was at my peak condition?” You asked. He nodded. “I’d run at least five clicks a day to start, sometimes up to 15, do some strength training, some hand-to-hand with someone if I could or at the very least do some staff or knife work. Target shoot a few times a week. Regular obstacle work.” 

He nodded once. 

“Why don’t we see how you do running one click,” he said. “We can go from there.” 

You nodded once, an anxious ball settling in you. You were out of practice and your body was  still recovering. This could easily be a shit show. You stretched a bit and jumped in place, warming up your limbs. 

“Ready?” He asked. Actually asked. That was disorienting. You nodded. “Let’s go. You set the pace.” 

You started off, heading toward the woods, taking it at a pace that felt almost exceedingly slow but you could already feel in your body. Your lungs were working harder than they had in a while. You could feel the blood in your limbs, the rush of it through your veins as your heart picked up. The woods were cool, morning dew still on the air where it had been protected by the shade of the trees. It smelled clean, a bit like home on Naboo or the woods on Alderaan where you’d played as a girl, the feeling of racing through trees and running for the sake of moving your body instead of out of fear or necessity comforting. It had been a long time since you’d moved like this but it was like coming home. 

“How are you feeling?” The Mandalorian didn’t even sound winded. Show off. 

“Good,” you said over your shoulder, panting a bit. 

“OK,” he said, “Let’s go for two.” 

You smiled. You hadn’t realized you’d gone one click already. Maybe this wasn’t going to be a total loss then. You picked up the pace a bit, pushing yourself a bit harder, watching for roots along the forest floor. It didn’t feel like you’d been going for very long, your lungs burning, when he spoke again. 

“Turn back, Doll,” he said. “Don’t push it.” 

You considered fighting with him - you felt like you could go further - but decided against it. He was being uncommonly nice. Why spoil it? 

You found a tree that looked like it made sense to loop around and you did, the beskar-clad man following close behind. The baby caught a glimpse of you as you went past and he smiled, his arms up, his eyes meeting yours. Pure joy. You smiled. 

You decided to push yourself harder the second half, your heart thudding in your chest, lungs filling almost painfully with every breath. You centered yourself for a moment before digging in and launching yourself forward, going faster, your legs burning. 

“Doll,” he cautioned behind you. You ignored him, pumping your legs and arms faster and harder, racing along the ground, the scent of the forest filling you, the sound of your blood in your ears and the life of the planet around you. Trees whipped past you, the forest blurring fiercely, the brightness of the field ahead breaking through the trees. 

You burst into the sunlight, squinting against it as you focused and pushed your body to sprint to the Razor Crest, the ground flying away beneath your feet. It felt reckless, a bit out of control, like you knew if you tripped you’d go flying with no hope of slowing yourself down first but you didn’t care. It felt too good to slow down. You almost skidded to a stop at the Crest before flopping on the ground, arms spread wide in the cool, soft grass. Din came to a stop beside you, looking down with his head cocked to the side. He was breathing heavily and you couldn’t help but smile a bit. At least you’d gotten his heart rate up. 

“Have fun?” He asked, hands on his hips.

“Yeah,” you panted. 

“Good,” he said. “Ready to strength train?” 

You nodded and he held a hand out to you and you took it, pulling you to your feet. He turned you around in front of him and you frowned. 

“I need to check your implants first,” he said. Your face got hot, remembering the night before. You shook your head once, sharply. You were pretending that hadn’t happened. His hand appeared over your shoulder, bare, holding a glove. You stared at it for a moment, trying to not gape at his naked skin. Golden tan, smooth, you wanted to run your fingers over him, lace them with his, press your lips into his palm. 

“Hold that,” he said. You obeyed, taking the glove and using the opportunity to have your fingers brush his. It was like you’d been hit with the damn electrostaff again, a shock running through you where you skin touched. He didn’t seem to notice. 

He raised your shirt and ran his fingers up your spine, stopping in the middle and pressing in further. 

“Does that hurt?” He asked. His voice was dark, heavy. 

“No,” you swallowed. His fingers ran further up your back, between your shoulder blades and back down before he took his hand back. 

“Good,” he said, tone more normal. “The implants are a bit warm but nothing alarming. If it starts to hurt, Doll, stop.” 

“OK,” you said. You didn’t sound as normal as him. His hand appeared over your shoulder again. You remember how it had felt on your breasts, your mouth, your hair… you swallowed hard and gave him the glove. You turned back to face him, crossing your arms over your chest as though that would make a damn difference. “Anything off limits on the strength training? Or are you just going to snap at me if I cross an imaginary line?” 

He pulled the glove back on, shaking his head a bit at you. 

“Do what you think will work for you,” he said. His voice was totally normal. How could he just act normal after last night? Why were you the only one stuck hauling feelings around? “I’ll check in periodically but stay out if your way.” 

You stretched a bit, trying to pretend six-something-feet of armor wasn’t watching you like you were a quarry he was hunting, and tried to fall into a lighter version of what you used to do. You had to cut almost everything short, not able to do as many push ups or pull ups as you remembered doing before, eventually collapsing on the ground, dripping in sweat. You stayed there for a minute, panting for breath, when the Mandalorian appeared over you, blotting out the sun. 

“I feel like you’re enjoying this,” you glared at him. He shrugged. “Is it because you want something to hold against me or because you like saying ‘I told you so.’” 

“More the latter.” 

“Great.” 

“We’ll skip the fighting today,” he said, offering you a hand up. You took it, not bothering to protest the change in plans. You’d lose to Din in seconds in your current state. “But you can still shoot.” 

He pulled you up and you nodded. 

“That I can.” 

***

He had to hand it to you, he was impressed. He’d never had a chance to see you work like this before - though he had an idea that you practiced when he wasn’t around when you’d been aboard the Razor Crest years earlier. You were still stronger than you looked - though you got progressively more frustrated the longer you worked - and you were clearly comfortable pushing your body. He suggested shooting almost as much to slow you down and keep you from getting hurt without upsetting you as it was because he wanted you to learn. 

He left you leaning against the ship, drinking water while he put the kid in the pod and slung his rifle on his arm. He managed to make it down the ramp without catching your attention, your eyes closed as you leaned your head back against the ship, breathing deeply. His eyes drifted to your breasts, remembering how the felt in his hands as your back arched into him. He ground his teeth. He needed to stop this. 

“Come on,” he said. “We’re going up.” 

You followed obediently behind him - still odd, having you actually listen - to the ladder to the top of the Crest. 

“You first,” he said, jerking his head up. He waited to need to boost you to grab the first rung of the ladder, but you jumped and caught it, smoothly pulling yourself up and climbing easily to the top of the ship. He followed, trying to not look up to see just how well your pants cupped you on the way up. 

On top of the ship, he left the kid in the pod and handed him the silver ball he’d become so obsessed with, his little face lighting up. He watched him play with it for a moment, totally absorbed, before going to the edge of the ship that faced the forest. You were standing there, your face turned to the sun, smiling in it. Looked like you still liked to be up high. You sensed him beside you, opening your eyes and looking at him. 

“Know anything about distance shooting?” He asked. 

“No,” you shook your head. “250 meters is about my limit.” 

He slung the rifle down and held it up. 

“With the right tools, it’ll be better,” he said. “This is an Amban sniper rifle.”

You frowned. 

“Aren’t disrupters illegal?” 

He shrugged. 

“It works so I don’t really care,” he said. “We’ll get you a more acceptable one if you handle this one well. One that doesn’t disintegrate.” 

“Appreciate that.” 

“Since you’re already good with a blaster, you’re a step ahead,” he said. “Your fundamentals have to be solid when you’re shooting 1000 meters away. Small errors that wouldn’t do much at close range will ruin your shot here. You need to be still when shooting, your breathing has to be right and you have to be in the right firing position otherwise your shot will be fucked.” 

He nodded to the ship. 

“Get on your stomach.” 

You obeyed and he got down next to you, rifle in hand. 

“When you line up, your back needs to be straight out behind the rifle,” he said. You frowned at him. “What?” 

“Am I going to have time to think about all this if I need to be shooting this far out?” Your eyebrows scrunched together. “I’m kind of a ‘shoot the biggest threat and keep going’ kind of person, I’ve never been able to set anything up like that…” 

“If you’re giving me long distance cover, it will be part of a plan, Doll,” he said. “You’ll have plenty of time to get set.” You looked skeptical but you were back to listening. “You’re small, having the right position is good. This rifle has some kick, if you’re squared up it will exit your legs equally and your movement will be minimal.” 

You adjusted how you were laying and he looked down at you before nodding once. 

“This rifle is mine, so it won’t fit you well,” he said, handing it over to you. “But it will work for now. Set it so you can pull the trigger without disturbing the sights.” 

You took it, lining it up with your body, testing it out. He liked watching you with his rifle. It was obvious that you knew your way around a weapon, already treating it like an extension of yourself, feeling how it fit into your body.

“I think I have it,” you said, glancing over to him. 

“Nearly,” he said, moving in closer to you, his body pressing lightly into yours. He gently nudged your head until your cheek was pressed against the rifle. “You’ll need to be that close to it.” 

“OK,” you said, sounding a little breathless. 

“Take a few deep breaths,” he said, trying to ignore just how close you were to him and failing. “Find your natural point of aim. Then set your sights. At this distance, there will be some bolt drop, too much for you to eyeball. The scope will help. Aim for that tree, the shorter one, at the tree line straight out.” 

You nodded once, cautiously making adjustments to the scope. 

“Got it?” 

“Yeah.” 

He adjusted his helmet, sighting the tree. 

“When you’re ready.” 

You took a deep breath in and slowly let it out before pulling the trigger. He watched as the bolt glanced off the side of the tree, charring the edge. 

“Shit,” you muttered. 

“No, you did well,” he said, switching back to regular sights to watch you. “Try it again.” 

You nodded once before breathing in and out a few times and pulling the trigger. You hit the tree this time, but far from at its center. 

“You’re not at your natural point of aim,” he said. “You’re moving a bit, just before you fire. Close your eyes, breathe deep and relax. Then open them and resight.” 

You nodded slightly before obeying. He watched you, your eyes closed, your jaw tight at first, but you gradually relaxed. It spread through your body, your shoulders dropping a bit, your face softening. He resisted the urge to touch you. You opened your eyes and adjusted the sight before taking the shot. It hit, dead center. 

“Hell yeah,” you smiled. 

“Good,” he said. “Now do it again. Another shot, within an inch.” 

You repeated the process and hit in the same spot. 

“Again.” 

You obeyed, even faster this time. 

“Tree to the left.” 

You adjusted the rifle and shot, hitting the target just off center. 

“Hit it right, Doll.” 

You shot him a glare before you adjusted and fired again. Dead center this time. 

“Next tree left.” 

You adjusted and hit it right in the middle.

“Again.” 

You got the shot off in record time this time, clustering it right beside the last one. Din nodded once. 

“Tree to the right of the first.” 

You threw him another glare but adjusted the rifle quickly, hitting to the side again. 

“Dank farrik,” you muttered. Din was about to tell you to try again but you cut him off. “Again, I know.” 

You adjusted your shot quickly, hitting dead on this time. 

“Next right.” 

He put you through your paces. He’d been right. You were an incredibly quick study, the fact that you’d been training almost your entire life obvious. 

You were more like him than he really wanted to admit. You’d both dedicated your lives to something as children, studied and worked and fought for things you’d been dropped into believing. He’d been brought up to be a warrior, you’d spent your life expecting to die for someone else. But war was over, his people were decimated and you had survived. What were either of you supposed to do now. 

After hitting another tree dead center on the first try, he looked over at you. 

“Good work,” he said. You gave him an almost smug half smile. “What?” 

“You were impressed,” you said, sitting up and handing him his rifle.

“I didn’t say that,” he replied. 

“But you were.” 

He sighed. “I was.” 

You smirked. 

“Knew it.” 

He shook his head, getting up and slinging the rifle over his back and heading for the ladder down, looking back to you. 

“I’m going to stay up here for a bit,” you shrugged. “I haven’t been able to climb in a while… I’ve missed it.” 

Din hesitated for a moment before giving you a nod and descending the ladder, the kid’s pod floating beside him. He was strangely anxious, leaving you where he couldn’t easily see you. Not that there was much trouble to be found on this planet and he knew exactly where you were, but he had a nervous energy all the same. 

He was still trying to figure out what the hell to do with you. He decided to clean his weapons, give himself something to do with his hands, to distract him. For a long time, he thought that, if he ever saw you again, it would be easier. 

There was a space you occupied in his mind that would get better if you were close, he’d thought. That, as it turned out, wasn’t the case. Yes, he wasn’t wondering where you were or what you were doing anymore, that was true. But instead of focusing on something - anything - besides you, he shifted to trying to read you. Understand you, learn you, untangle your concerns. Truly, really know you. And there was the part of him that seemed to want to do nothing but picture you naked. 

The kid tapped the ball on his pod, making Din look up from his work. He squeaked, looking up, pouting a bit. 

“We’re giving her space,” he said. He tapped the ball again, looking frustrated. Din sighed. “No.” Tap, tap, tap. “Kid, she’s not going to be with us forever. She can’t be. Don’t get too attached.” 

His ears drooped and he flopped back in his pod. Din sighed again. He needed to take his own damn advice. He straightened himself, almost subconsciously, like it would strengthen his resolve. He was not going to touch you again. He was going to find some distance, break out of your orbit. He had to. 

To your credit, you picked up on it quickly. He hated watching it happen, seeing you retreat into yourself. He made a point to not be cruel, just cold. It only took the rest of the day for you to pull back, too. You slept inside the ship that night. 

The next day, you told him you were going to train, waiting only a second to see if he would stop you or try to come. He shrugged, continuing work on the Razor Crest. But he noted your path to the forest with his helmet, ready to track you if you weren’t back when he expected. You borrowed his rifle in the afternoon to practice shooting. He watched from the ground as you hit almost every target, your speed and accuracy increasing. 

After a few days of near silence, you approached him after your run. 

“I need combat practice,” you said bluntly. You were still breathing heavily and his eyes kept drifting to your breasts, remembering how you felt. “Spar with me.” 

He was silent for a moment. 

“No.” 

“What?” You demanded. “Why not?” 

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he replied, going back to working on the ship. You scoffed. 

“You should be more worried about me hurting you.” 

“Trust me, Doll,” he looked back to you. “That’s the least of my concerns.” 

“Well, I know you won’t hurt me,” you crossed your arms and planted your feet. “So let’s go. I’ve never fought a Mandalorian. I’m curious.” 

“I’m not going to throw a punch at you,” he replied. 

“Trust me, you’d miss,” you rolled your eyes. He glared at you and he could tell you felt it. “Look, I want to be ready for when we leave here, OK? I can either practice with you or end up in a fight when I haven’t done much in years and find out then how little I still know. What sounds better to you.” 

He sighed, dropping his tools. 

“Fine,” he said. “No weapons. And if I say stop, we stop. Immediately.” 

“If you’re that worried I’m going to kick your ass…” 

“I’m serious, Doll,” he snapped. 

“Fine,” you held your hands up in mock surrender and rolled your eyes. 

“Tonight,” he said. “After the kid’s in bed.” 

You frowned. 

“Why?” 

“Because,” he said. “He sees us fighting, he might not understand it’s fake. I don’t want him hurting you.” You raised your eyebrows. “It’s happened before.” 

You sighed. 

“Fine. Tonight, once the kid is down.” 

He went back to work, feeling your eyes on him for another moment before you stalked off again. He hated letting you leave. But he had to get used to it. 

The kid fell asleep on you after the sun set, something he’d been doing more often than not it seemed. You seemed happy to keep a hand on his back, your thumb lightly stroking the back of his head until he passed out against you. 

“You owe me a brawl, Mando,” you said, looking over to him, your hand still on the baby. 

“You’re sure,” he said, hoping that stalling would have given you time to change your mind. You just nodded. He sighed. “Fine, let me put him inside. I meant what I said…” 

“I know,” you cut him off. “If you say stop, we stop.” 

He carefully lifted the kid off of you and put him in his pod before bringing him aboard the ship. You were stretching when he came back out, still hoping you’d have given up on the idea. But you were stuck on it. He sighed and started removing his beskar. 

“What are you doing?” You were frowning, frozen mid stretch. 

“If you hit the armor, you’re going to hurt yourself,” he replied. 

“I don’t want to hurt you,” you dropped your arm and put your hands on your hips. “Put the damn armor back on, Din.” 

“No,” he said, removing it piece by piece. “I can take a punch, Doll. You’re not breaking your fingers on my beskar.” 

You ground your teeth. 

“You can always back out,” he shrugged, setting a pauldron on the ground. 

“Stop trying to talk me out of it,” you snapped. “I need to get better and I’m asking for your help. I’d ask someone else but my options here are limited. So please, Mando, let me practice fighting you so I don’t get my ass kicked by some bail jumper, OK?” 

He set the last piece of beskar on the ground, leaving him in just the flight suit and helmet. Your eyes ran over him, up and down, slowly. It somehow made him feel more exposed than taking off the armor had, your gaze more dangerous than anything hitting him could be. 

Din stepped away from the fire and the ship, into more open space and you followed, watching him cautiously. He set himself into a fighting stance, his fists raised. 

“If I hurt you,” he said. “Say something. Don’t try to tough it out.” 

“I can take a hit, Mando,” you rolled your eyes, stopping a few feet away from him and raising your hands, too. 

“You’re the one who wants to spar, Doll,” he said. “So you have to start this.” 

You narrowed your eyes and your stance changed ever so slightly, analyzing him for a moment before you came for him. You were smart, feigning going for his head. When he moved to block you, you side stepped it, going low and ducking below his arm, bringing your body into his and slamming your knee into his stomach. He grabbed your torso but you’d wrapped your arm around his side already, ramming into him with your elbow before bringing the leg you’d hit his stomach with down and around his ankle, yanking it out from below him and using your weight to knock him off balance, sending him down onto his back, forcing him into the ground with a grunt. 

“You have to actually try, Mando,” you griped, pushing off the ground and getting to your feet. 

“I don’t think you need to worry about bail jumpers, Doll,” he said. 

“I will need to worry about people who will actually try to hit me,” you said, positioning yourself again. “So do it.” 

He looked you up and down, trying to look at you like he would an opponent. It felt unnatural, looking for where you were weakest. Your size would be the first thing he should leverage. You were smaller and weaker, overpowering you should be simple. You didn’t have the muscle he did to protect your kidneys or liver, hits there would do solid damage. 

He considered asking if you were ready but decided against it, just coming for you. He swung for you and you sidestepped him, grabbing his fist and trying to twist his arm. It was a move he imagined had worked for you in the past, but you didn’t have the strength or the weight to pull it off now. Instead, it exposed your torso and he swung, landing a pulled punch at your side with his other hand, just below your ribs. You grunted at the hit, some of the air getting knocked out of you. But instead of stopping or slowing, you used the hold you had on his arm to swing yourself down and back, going behind him. He spun to follow you but not before you landed a hit to his kidney at his back. He caught your next punch, twisting your arm back and you head butted him in the stomach, just below his rib cage. Din caught your head with his other arm, holding your face to his chest and knocking your feet out from under you, bringing you down to the ground on your stomach, leaving you panting for breath. 

Watching you fight was oddly beautiful. He wanted to just admire it, admire you. The confidence and knowledge in the way you moved, the way your mind and body worked in perfect harmony to do what was necessary. It was art, especially to a Mandalorian. If he wasn’t perpetually worried about your safety, he’d want to watch you work, see what you would do with an enemy as your canvas.

“You OK?” He asked, his hands still on you. 

“Fine,” you said. He released you and you rolled onto your back before he helped you up. “Let’s go again.” 

“No,” he shook his head, walking back toward the ship. 

“You said you would,” you protested, following close behind him, still breathing heavily. “I’ve had way worse than that, come on Mando, let’s go again. 

“I know you have,” he snapped, turning to face you. “And I don’t want to hit you, so we’re done.” 

“I need to know that I can protect your kid, Din,” you said, voice calm. “He’s vulnerable. Imps are after him. Even if I were just watching him on the ship, I need to know I can keep him safe. He’s too important.” 

He searched your face, the cool detachment you usually wore missing. You were afraid. Of not being able to keep up, to save someone who needed saving. 

“Please,” you said again, voice so soft he could barely hear it over the crackle of the fire. 

“Fine,” he said, stalking back to the open space. You followed. 

“Don’t pull your punches this time,” you said, raising your fists. “Push as fast and hard as you would if I were a quarry. It’s OK if it hurts.” 

“Doll…” 

“I fucking mean it, Mando,” you snapped. “Hit me.” 

He ground his teeth before going for you. 

You’d started to learn his movements, could read what was coming next. You dodged him, his blows glancing off you instead of fully catching, your counter punches finding their targets at first before he learned your movements, too. Things devolved, just blocking each other’s shots, adjusting, trying moves that were dirtier to see what would land. 

Eventually, he caught you just enough off guard to knock you down. Before he had the chance to ask if you were OK, you swept his legs out from underneath him, sending him down, his helmet smacking into the ground. 

“You’re good,” you were panting for breath, your head turned to face him. “If you were armored, I wouldn’t stand a chance.” 

“You did well, Doll,” he said, letting himself relax into the ground for a moment. “The kid will be in good hands with you.” 

“Good,” you smiled a little, the movement changing the light on your face just enough that the firelight caught the glistening scrape on your cheek. Din rolled onto his side, yanking his glove off and reaching for your face, touching your cheek delicately.

“I hurt you,” he said softly, his thumb stroking your cheek. 

“It’s just a scratch,” you rolled your eyes. “Nothing to worry about.”  

It took him a moment to realize what he’d done. He’d hurt you and there was proof of it. And he was touching you. His skin was against yours, you were warm and soft beneath him, so close he could pull you against him in a second. His armor was gone, he’d be able to feel you more this way… 

You picked up his hand from your face, setting it back against him. 

“I can’t do this with you Din,” you said softly.

“Doll,” he breathed, but you cut him off. 

“I can’t,” you said. “I don’t think you understand what the last five years - hell, the last few months - has been for me. I survived a war I never thought I’d live through but I lost everything. I’m trying to navigate a life I never planned to have. I lost my home, my brothers, my friends, my identity, my purpose - all to the Empire. I tried to start over and I lost that, too. I lost my parents. I tried to start over again and the only person I knew there, the person who was supposed to help me survive it tried to kill me and now he’s dead, too. 

“There is one person in this entire fucking galaxy who knows who I am, that I’m alive at all, and he can’t seem to decide if he wants to fuck me or keep me as far away as he possibly can. I can’t do it, I can’t handle you touching me and holding me and making me feel something one minute and ignoring me the next. I’d rather you hate me, Din, because that’s something. I can’t handle the indifference from you. I can’t be invisible, not to you. Please don’t make me.” 

It was like there was something screaming inside him, something fighting to burst out of him, to tell you everything, to pull you against him and hold you there, touch you, feel you. 

He didn’t do any of those things. 

“Thanks for the practice,” you smiled tightly, sadly. “I’m going to bed.” 

You got up and went to the ship and Din rolled onto his back as the firelight dimmed, trying to convince himself that he was doing the right thing.

[colekinnie-4life]

Ranking Ninjago Seasons Pt 1 (F and D Tier)

Part 2…

Yeah, I’m doing this.

Why? I’m bored as shit and also I just reread a post that was ranking Ninjago seasons, so why not?

And the title of “Worst Ninjago Season in my Opinion” goes to….

Rebooted!

I hate this season.

It’s. So. Fucking. Boring.

Barely anything happens at all! In the 8 episode runtime, which makes this the second shortest Ninjago season from the Wilfilm era.

Ok first, positives.

Pixane is cute and Zane’s sacrifice was done excellently. His character is also made a bit better, which I appreciate.

Uh- we get 3 minutes of Lava interactions.

Welp time for my negatives!

This season takes forever to go anywhere, like I said. Then once they deal with the Overlord in the Digiverse, erm actually that did jack shit and he’s still alive by the way! Pythor just ate him!

(Now that I’m typing this out I sound crazy)

Lloyd and Garmadon’s story is done decently, sure, but Lloyd is a complete egotistical moron throughout the whole thing.

“Oh I’m the Golden Ninja I can do anything! I’m God himself!”

Sure he had the powers of God and he “destroyed” the Overlord in season 2, which kinda justifies his behavior, but he’s so annoying and unbearable to watch.

Sensei Garmadon is good. Nothing else to say about that plot line.

Time for the worse plot line, aka the stuff the main ninja are doing.

Honestly I barely remember what they were trying to do because of how forgettable this season is. I’m pretty sure that they’re just screwing around trying to get the Overlord out of the computers and keeping Lloyd away from him, but that’s all I remember besides…

THE LOVE TRIANGLE.

OH MY JOHN SPINJITZU.

I DESPISE THIS PLOTLINE WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING.

THIS. THIS IS THE MAIN REASON I HATE REBOOTED.

It ruins Nya’s character, makes Jay unlikeable for this season, season 4 and the beginning of season 6, and Cole- I mean Cole’s not all that innocent but he’s just kinda standing in the middle of all this. His character doesn’t go through the meatgrinder of character assassination.

Nya’s whole character in the past 2 seasons was being an independent girlboss who did whatever the fuck she wanted.

But the second that a computer AI tells her “you should like Cole instead of Jay!”, she decides that “I’m gonna listen to a computer despite the fact I’ve been dating Jay for 2 seasons now!”

She and Cole have no chemistry whatsoever. In season 1, Cole said he wished he had a sister like her, clearly only seeing her as a friend.

Luckily in canon he was just confused by all the attention and didn’t actually like her. But still, the whole “don’t tell Jay” thing makes me mad, and Cole rarely makes me mad.

Jay, oh my gosh.

He’s not as bad as Nya but he’s still thrown into the meatgrinder of character assassination.

The second that Pixal says that Nya’s perfect match is Cole, he immediately pins the blame on him and tackles him to the ground for no reason. Cole was only fighting back for self defense.

As Tom Critic put it:

“WHY IS THIS COLE’S FAULT?!!”

He and Cole’s beef is so dumb. And Nya ain’t making it any better.

“This macho stuff is making you both look like fools!”

EVEN THOUGH ITS YOUR FAULT THEY’RE FIGHTING IN THE FIRST PLACE BECAUSE YOU LISTENED TO A FUCKING COMPUTER YOU BITCH-

*ahem ahem*

What else is there to hate about this plot line?

How about the fact that it goes absolutely nowhere? There was no point for adding this. Absolutely no reason besides the fact that Jay, Cole, and Nya don’t get anything to do this season.

EVEN THOUGH KAI DOESNT GET ANYTHING EITHER!

He’s shown to hate futuristic technology and that’s literally the only thing he gets this season! So what’s the point of the love triangle to get them to do something?

Oh yeah! There is no point!

Back to Kai. All he gets to do is flirt with a random girl at a gas station and get tied to a rocket.

Oh yeah he got tied to a rocket ship. That doesn't sound traumatizing whatsoever/sarc.

Waking up after being knocked out for who knows how long and finding out you're tied up underneath a rocket ship that could set off at any time, burning you to a crisp in one big firey explosion.

That totally wouldn't scar you for life.

Ok back to a positive, aka Zane's sacrifice.

Some people say the saddest part of Zane's death was the fact that Nya gave Cole a hug afterwards and Jay looks sad, but that's not the saddest part to me.

The saddest part was right before he died, when everyone is crying out at him to stop.

More specifically, when Kai cries out:

"LET GO OF HIM ZANE! WHAT IS HE DOING?!"

The way that Vincent Tong voiced that scene literally brings tears to my eyes and shivers down my spine every time. He poured so much energy into that oh my gosh.

Alright, no more complaining about this season before this becomes a 27 page essay. Next!

Crystallized…

WAIT WRONG POSTER-

Ok, there we go!

Yeah, Crystallized sucks in my opinion. Bite me.

I’m not like Crusty783 where I hate this season with every fiber of my being, but I still don’t like it that much.

First part was decent, ig. The Skybound callback with the whole fugitive storyline was a nice idea, and the ninja actually committing a crime instead of being framed was cool.

Nya could’ve come back a little later than 6 episodes after turning into water, but oh well. At least she’ll add something to the plot later, right?

…right?

(We’ll get back to that…)

Fugidove is the bane of my existence. He’s. So. Annoying. Just. Shut. The. Fuck. Up.

I mean he’s supposed to be annoying and I get that but still. He’s a worse character than Dareth and I hate Dareth with all of my being so that shows how bad of a character Fugi-Dick is.

Dareth is fine this season ig. He’s actually not an idiot during the court case and doesn’t try to bust the ninja out of jail using a cake.

What else is there in part 1?

Mr. Kabuki Mask was a neat idea. If he wasn’t Harumi then I’d actually like him. But unfortunately, it was Harumi.

I didn’t like her before she died, what makes you think I’ll like her now, ninjago writers?

Alright, since barely anything happens in part 1, time for part 2.

Oh my gosh this is the main reason I don’t like Crystallized.

This season is the embodiment of the meatgrinder of character assassination I talked about. Everyone gets butchered.

Ok not everyone. Kai, Jay, and Cole mostly stay the same. To be fair they don’t really do anything though-

Lloyd is no longer Lloyd. He is La-Lloyd, as Knightly called him after s8 (I don’t see what his problem is with Lloyd in season 8). He has the “Harumi you don’t have to do this”-itus, meanwhile when it comes to Garmadon who is TRYING TO BE A BETTER PERSON AND BECAME A GOOD GUY, he shuts him down because “you’re an Oni, and Oni are incapable of caring”.

(Even though Mystaké existed and she fucking died to save your life but ok La-Lloyd, sure.)

Like he thinks that Harumi, the girl that gave him PTSD for 4 seasons in a row before this, has a better chance of becoming a better person than his father, someone who is clearly becoming a better person and is actually trying to be nice to you now? Puh-lease.

Oh yeah, Harumi!

She got shoved into the character assassination blender before being put into the meat grinder. Her character is 100% ruined because of the Overlord saying she has feelings for La-Lloyd.

*inhale*

NO SHE FUCKING DOESN’T!

THAT WAS THE PART OF HER CHARACTER THAT MADE HER SO GOOD IN SEASONS 8-9! SHE DIDNT GIVE TWO SHITS ABOUT LLOYD SHE WAS JUST USING HIM GAHHHHHHHH-

Alright, who else is there?

Oh yeah, Nya! What’s she up to after being water for a full year?

Absolutely nothing. Like she does jackshit besides be a Samurai X themed taxi.

Yes I stole that line from Crusty783.

Her and Kai, her BROTHER, have one single interaction this whole season after she was gone for a year. The show only focuses on Jaya angst because we need more of that shoved down our throats! Seasons 6, 9, and 14 (Seabound, don’t @ me) weren’t enough, we need MORE!

Zane.

Return of the Ice Emperor makes me want to shove my head into a meatgrinder.

I fucking loathe this episode.

With a title like that, you’d think they’d give him some trauma/PTSD when it comes to the fact that he, y’know, COMMITTED GENOCIDE FOR 60 YEARS??

But no. Zane gets taken apart for the 10485792742874387492749273947482773747374387447th time and he acts like the Ice Emperor because this show treats trauma like a joke most of the time.

The whole “emotionless arc” from part 1 was decent ig. He was pretty funny when he was talking like a toaster, and the moment when he starts screeching when he turns on his emotions for 2 seconds was funny.

The Benefit of Grief was a good episode. Sally was a bit annoying but eh whatever. Dareth didn’t get on my nerves for once and Hot Dog McFiddlesticks or whatever his name was was really entertaining.

Ok, one more point to make about Crystallized, that’s the villain.

Say hello to the Crystal King!

Oh? What’s that? He’s not a new villain? What do you mean-

It’s the fucking Overlord. Again. This is the 3rd time he’s reappeared, just let him die already!

I hate the Overlord. He’s such a nothing burger of a villain. His entire motivation is just “I’m evil and dark so I make everyone else evil and dark.”

I get he’s the embodiment of evil but give him some personality, oh my gosh.

Make it so he likes seeing people in pain. Have him laugh whenever someone got turned into a crystal zombie or something, idk!

That’s how he is in my Golden Hope au. Sure that’s not canon, obviously, but I wanted to give him *some* personality besides “me evil.”

Ok, is there anything about this season that I like besides Benefit of Grief?

Actually, yes!

SAFE HAVEN IS THE BEST EPISODE OF THE ENTIRE SEASON.

LAVA NATION UNITE!!

The whole thing is just Kai being a bisexual disaster. I love it so much.

It gives us this screenshot, which gives enough context tbh:

It’s just “GAH I LOVE THEM SO MUCH” for 11 minutes, and that’s basically it.

The episode gives Skylor some character, hallelujah. Last couple of seasons she’s been in did not do her any justice.

Pythor was funny. And he gave us the scene of:

“Ninja~ where are you?”

“We’re over here!”

So yeah, Safe Haven is the best episode ever. Ok, not the best episode of all time, but it’s definitely a personal favorite of mine, solely for all the Lava brainrot I get to indulge in.

(Fun fact: Cole was originally going to say that Kai was handsome when he was acting all loopy. I hate homophobes.)

What else is there in this season-?

Ronin’s return was nice. Glad he went back to his previous personality rather than being a full time criminal like he was in The Island. I get that he’s like “I do whatever the fuck I want” most of the time, but he doesn’t give off the vibes of using the criminals he’s hired to catch just to swindle a bunch of islanders.

Alright, that’s it for Crystallized.

Next!

Secrets of Forbidden Spinjitzu: Fire Chapter

Yeah I’m considering this a separate season for this tier list. Bite me.

This is the main reason why (mostly) everyone hates season 11, you cannot convince me otherwise.

Nothing. Happens.

The main reasons for why I hate certain Ninjago seasons is because they’re boring/assassinate characters.

The latter doesn’t happen, thank the FSM, but the first point still stands.

Assphera is a dumb villain. Only redeeming quality about her is the joke where she screams “REVENGE” every two seconds in the most ear-splitting voice ever.

Props to her voice actress, RIP.

Anyways, back to the actual season.

Like I said, nothing happens in the beginning. Just 4 or 5 episodes of the ninja dicking around looking for something to do, then they free Assphera from her pyramid and then finally, they start doing shit.

Ok but this line from Lloyd made me laugh:

“Who opens a possibly cursed tomb without checking it out first?”

…you-?

The paperboy episode was- pointless. But it was still dumb fun ig 🤷🏼‍♀️

Snaketastrophe was a really funny episode. I actually like that one.

But that doesn’t mean I like the first couple of episodes.

Too many burp and fart jokes in the first episode, the second episode is just boring, same with all the other episodes about being stuck on a rock with Barney the Dinosaur Beetle.

Kai’s powerless arc was just a repeat of Lloyd’s powerless arc from season 9, but done worse imo.

(I mean Firemaker is one of the best ninjago episodes ever created besides Safe Haven but that’s not important rn)

Overall this half of the season is boring as shit and I just want to get to the ice chapter when ever I watch it.

Alright, that’s it for today!

Here’s the tier list so far:

Next part will be C and B tiers.

See you in 10 years when I make that/j

[greymoonfeelings]

Meant To Be

Whumpuary #3: “stay with me”

summary: Greys Anatomy 8x24 but make it Top Gun: Maverick

warnings: main character death, major injury, blood mention

word count: 800 words

notes: the plane ep of greys ruined my life and several of @a-reader-and-a-writer ‘s fics have re-inflicted that pain so this is for her.

•••

Rooster wanders through the woods in search of his WSO. The ground is littered with leaves that had fallen off the now bare trees. The crunch of his boots against the dried-out leaves and the sound of him screaming your name fill the air.

Between each hoarse cry, he waits a few seconds to see if you respond, but it never comes. Despite the fact that his throat is only getting drier, he refuses to even fathom the possibility that you will never answer and so he continues.

This time when he comes to a stop he hears a clinking noise. Rooster stumbles towards where the sound is coming from and sees an arm knocking against the metal of the plane.

“Oh my god!” He limps towards you as fast as he possibly can, accessing your situation as he gets closer.

You’re pinned under a large chunk of the Super Hornet. Rooster falls to his knees beside you, pushing up the visor of your helmet so he can take inventory of the small cuts littering your face. His brown eyes are filled with concern, but you still find comfort in them.

“I knew you’d find me,” you stutter.

“How are you doing under there?”

“I’ve been better.” You crack a smile but the presence of blood on your teeth further worries Rooster.

“I’m gonna get you out of here.”

Rooster stands up, ignoring the pain shooting through his leg. He uses all the strength he can muster to try and lift the hunk of metal. He manages to move it some, but not enough to free you.

“Fuck! I can’t do it,” he cries and falls to a heap on the ground.

“Are you hurt?” You ask and Rooster replies with a sad chuckle. Of course, you were still concerned about him even when facing death.

“My leg’s a little busted up and I have a head laceration but don’t worry about me. I need to focus on getting you out of there.”

“Don’t waste your energy. I’m not going to make it.”

“Don’t say that.”

“It’s true. My legs are crushed. I can’t feel my arm, it might not even be there anymore and my chest feels like it’s going to explode.”

“You’re not dead yet and I don’t plan on giving up until we get out of here.”

“Roos, I’m dying.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I am. Please… tell my family that I love them.”

“You are not dying.“

“Will you hold my hand?”

“No, I’m not holding your hand because you’re not dying.”

“Please,” a tear slips from the corner of your eye, “hold my hand.”

“No. You’re not dying today. Do you hear me?”

Rooster stands once again and tries to move the part of his plane that’s trapping you. After another unsuccessful attempt, he resigns to the fact that there is no way he will be moving it alone.

He lays down on his stomach beside you and takes your hand in his much larger one. Now that Rooster’s face is closer to yours he can hear you wheezing. Each breath you take is uneven and seems to be causing you pain.

“I love you,” he admits.

“Don’t say it just because I did and now I might die and you feel guilty.”

You’re referring to your last night spent at the Hard Deck before you shipped out for this mission. You confessed that you still loved Rooster even after being broken up for several years. You were afraid that something exactly like the situation you were in now might happen and you didn’t want to die with any regrets.

“No. I do. I do.” Rooster reassures you. “I love you. I’ve always been in love with you and I always will be.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Which is why you have to stay alive because when we get home we’re gonna get married and after that, we’ll have a few kids.”

“A few?”

“At least two or three.”

“Think we’ll have any girls?”

“Two girls, a boy, and a dog. The girls will be the oldest and they’ll tease their little brother but protect him. When they’re little we’ll make them wear matching outfits and take those cheesy family photoshoots.”

“That sounds nice.”

“We’re gonna be happy. You and I, we’re gonna have a great life, so stay with me. You can’t die because we’re supposed to be together. We’re meant to be.”

“Meant to be.” You smile as your last breath passes through your lips.

“I love you. I love you. I love you.” Rooster chants as tears cascade down his face.

He can barely see through the blur of tears as he reaches one hand to your face, gently closing your eyes. His other still clutches your cold limp one, refusing to let go until help arrives.

[gunilslaugh]

5 +1 Oh Seungmin

Oh Seungmin/O.de

Summary: 5 times Seungmin tried to confess his feelings for you, but things keep going wrong and the 1 time things went right.

WC: 2.156k

Warning:grammar

1: It was late at night when you found yourself casually strolling around a park with Seungmin at your side. Despite the fact that these late night walks usually came at the expense of your sleep you never seemed to care. In fact they were some of the moments with Seungmin you cherished the most. Seungmin thought this way too, which is why it seemed like a perfect way for him to confess. He thought about it all week. What outfit he was gonna wear. It had to be casual enough for a late night stroll, but have some style at the same time. How he was gonna ask you to take a walk with him. Spontaneous would be fun, but what if you actually need sleep that night and couldn’t go? Seungmin decided it was best to ask you the day before, so his plan could go smoothly. He even pre planned the route around the park, so he could confess to you where the moonlight was diffused by tree leaves and the stars reflected in the little pond, the “perfect” spot. As you guys were approaching the “perfect” spot, Seungmin was going over his confession speech in his head one last time, making sure he wouldn’t miss a single detail.

“This part of the park is so pretty,” you say, admiring the beauty of the park's nature. Seungmin smiles at your words, they only confirmed that he thought right. This is the perfect spot.

“Yeah it is, especially at night, it’s why I like walking here,” Sungmin spoke as he too admired the surrounding view.

“We should walk here more often,”

“Then we will,” he says with a firm nod coming to stand directly in front of you. Reaching for your hand Seungmin begins to talk.

“Y/n I-”

“MEOW!!!” A sudden cat cries out as it darts out of  a tree. Succeeding in scaring the crap out of both Seungmin and you. You two begin to laugh, recovering from the unforeseen fright. 

“What were you gonna say?” You ask. 

“Oh uh? I don’t remember, guess that cat scared it out of my head,” Seungmin laughs lightly. He can’t confess now the moment is ruined. He’ll confess again later, someplace without scary, interrupting cats.

2: Seungmin liked to ask your opinion on the lyrics he writes. Whether or not you know about music, he likes to hear your perspective. That’s why he felt like a genius when he found a way to translate his feelings for you into lyrics that didn’t sound too sappy, cliche or cringey. Now all he had to do was show you. It should’ve been the easier part, but alas it seems like the odds aren't in Seungmin’s favor. First he had to practically pry you away from Jiseok who was asking your opinion on which poses/facial expressions were better. Second there was Jooyeon who just had to talk to you about the latest episode of a show the both of you watch. Seungmin could do nothing but wait for the tangent you both excitedly broke into to end. Not understanding about half of what you two were saying. Finally just as he was about to steal you away into a studio.

“Y/n, Seungmin!” Wanna grab lunch?” Jungsu asks. Seungmin sighs

“Yes, let’s go,” You respond all too quickly, pulling Seungmin by the arm away from the studio.

‘So close’ Seungmin thinks as he’s forced to walk away, but now he’s determined. After lunch there will be no more interruptions.

You’re back in the studio. Seungmin just shut the door and began to set up his synthesizer. He began to play the beginning notes, when all of a sudden.

“Seungmin!” Jiseok opens the door. “Gunil is looking for you,” 

“Alright. What does he need?”

“Don’t know he just told me to get you,”

“Ok. I’ll be right back,” Seungmin tells you before he goes to find out what Gunil needs. When he arrived back to you he showed you a different song. Deciding to abandon ship. There had been too many interruptions by his members today and he didn’t want to risk anything. He’ll confess again some other time. A place where his members aren’t.

3: You and Seungmin found yourselves at a little cafe that both of you liked. The atmosphere was cozy. The gentle classical music they played over the speakers was relaxing.  Sitting in your usual corner, sipping your drinks and sharing a chocolate croissant. This place felt like a little break from life. Just the two of you in your own little corner, your own little world. Seungmin thought that this place would be nice too. You both cherished it, confessing here would just make it even more cherishable. 

“You have chocolate on your mouth,” he informed you. You simply lean your face a bit across the table.

“Wipe it for me then,” you casually say. Thus he does just that. Grabbing a napkin and gently wiping away the chocolate from your face.

“There,” Seungmin pulls his hand away, crumpling up the napkin as he does.

“Thanks,” Right as he’s about to continue feeling like it was the right time to just confess.

“Y/n!” A voice happily shouts. You turn in the direction of the voice. Eyes lightening up when you notice that it’s your friend.

“Y/f/n! What are you doing here?” Greeting them with a quick hug before sitting back down.

“I was just grabbing a drink before my shift starts.” They respond by glancing over at Seungmin. “And who is this?”

“This is my friend Seungmin,” 

“Oh. this is the Seungmin,” Your friend said, shooting you a knowing look. You shoot them a look that says “stop”. “Nice to meet you I’m y/f/n,” 

“Oh this is the y/f/n,” Seungmin mimics the tone of voice your friend used prior. “Nice to meet you too,” he sticks out his hand for them to shake. 

“Well I have work to get to so you guys have fun.” your friend tells before leaving.  You laugh lightly at your friends' antics hoping that Seungmin either didn’t notice or doesn’t bring up the glances you and your friend exchange or what they meant by him being the Seungmin. Seungmin did notice, however he didn't say anything. Instead he uses it as a fuel of confidence for the next time he plans to confess.

4: Seungmin is currently walking you back home after you both spent the day together. Standing so close that your arms and hands brush against one anothers. 

“That cloud looks like a turkey,” you point out, bringing up your arm and sticking out your pointer finger in the direction of the cloud.

“I think that’s offensive to turkeys,” Seungmin jokes after seeing the cloud you were talking about.

“Hey! No it’s not, look. There’s the head and the neck,” you draw out with your finger. “Then there’s it’s body and the tail,” you finish tracing the cloud. 

“I think it got into an unfortunate accident,” 

“Or maybe you’re just uncreative,”

“Aye that’s going a bit far now,”

“Fine, sorry, but you’re definitely no cloud expert,”

“You got me there,” Falling back into a comfortable silence as you continued on your walk back home. Seungmin took this silence as time to go over his confession in his head. He’s done it a million times, but it never seemed good enough to him. What if you thought it was too lackluster, or overly sappy. He wanted it to be memorable, yet natural, maybe make your heart skip a beat, but nothing over the top. Just as he began to feel confident in his words there was a loud thunder. A sudden downpour of rain had started to fall. Seungmin quickly grabbed your hand and led you over to a spot safe from the rain. 

“How did that literally come out of nowhere?” he says as he wipes off the rain from his clothes.

“It’s cause you disrespected the turkey,” 

“Turkey I’m sorry!” Seungmin proclaims, causing you both to laugh. The two of you wait out the sudden rain storm. Thankfully it didn’t take long for it to clear up. Seungmin finished walking you home waiting for you to shut the door before going on his way. “Man, even nature is against me,” he thinks while sighing. Why was it so hard for him to have a good opportunity to tell you that he liked you?

5: You were currently curled up next to Seungmin on the couch in your living room as you guys were having a movie night. Snacks laid out on the coffee table in front of you. A fluffy blanket draped over yours and Seungmin’s laps. He had his arm wrapped around your shoulder gently stroking your hair as your head leaned on his shoulder. Frankly you weren’t paying much attention to the movie playing on the t.v. It was merely background noise as you basked in the warmth of Seungmin. 

Now, Seungmin wasn’t paying attention to the movie either. He was also basking in your warmth that radiated off you from where you were curled into his side. Focused on the texture of your hair beneath his fingers. Hyper aware of the way your shoulder ever so slightly moved with each breath you took. It was moments like these that made Seungmin forget that he hasn't confessed yet. They just felt so domestic, as if you two were already a couple. That’s why he thought. “Why not just confess now?”

“Y/n I have something that I need to tell you?” Seungmin says softly.

“Hmm?” You hum from his shoulder. Your eyes have fallen closed by this point.

“Well, I’ve been trying to say this for a while now actually,” he pauses slightly, taking a breath before continuing. “ I like you, like romantically and I  want to be with you,” he confesses. The sound of the t.v now being the only sound in the room as he waits for your response. Your response was all but a soft snore. Causing Seungmin to look down at your figure beside him, now noticing that you have fallen asleep. A sigh escapes from his lips. Well at least he got the words out this time. If only you could have heard them. He’ll just have to add this to the list of things to be mindful of for the next time he confesses. 

+1: Seungmin’s schedule was free for the weekend. The both of you decided that it would be nice to go on a little hiking trip. After picking a trail that wasn’t too far to travel to for a day trip. After making sure that you had all the materials you needed the two of you headed out. Following arriving at the trail site you double checked that you had everything. Then proceeded down the path. 

“It’s nice to get away from the city every once and a while,” Seungmin states.

“Yeah, it’s nice to get some fresh air and forget about work for a bit,” you respond

“I think the nature is prettier out here too, it feels more natural,” he laughs at the end.

“Nature in its natural state, who would’ve thought,” you joke. 

Seungmin looks around at the nature surrounding the both of you and he realizes some things. One, there are no scary, interrupting cats here. Two, his members are nowhere near here. Three, none of your friends are around here either, at least he hopes. Four, the weather is nice, the sky is clear without a cloud in sight. Five, you are definitely not at risk of falling asleep. It was “perfect”. There was nothing that he could foresee that would interrupt him now. It was another chance and he was gonna take it.

“Y/n?” Seungmin calls your attention.

“Yeah,”

“I have something to tell you,”

“What is it?” you ask. He comes closer to you grasping both of your hands in his.

“I like you….romantically,” he’s finally done it and it feels like a weight was lifted off of his shoulders, but now the weight of waiting for your response seemed to be suffocating him. Seungmin still finds the courage to look you in the eyes. He sees a smile on your face. You use your connected hands to pull him into a hug.

“I like you too,” you confess, wrapping your arms around him even tighter. Seungmin then firmly wraps his arms around your waist before lifting you up and twirling you around. You lightly shriek at his sudden action. He sets you down, pulling away from the hug with pure happiness radiating off of him. You reach out and grab his hand, interlacing your fingers together. 

It may have taken him six tries, but he would do it all again, because at the end of the day he finally could say you were a couple.

[mothmage]

6. Show us a bit of a wip!

14. Is there a character or ship you were sure you’d never write/draw for but now you’ve changed your mind?

22. Give us a headcanon for Armand!

14. armand/marius!! i really disliked marius when i first read TVL (the classic "he comes across as so arrogant" and "how could he just abandon armand like that" crisis), but then i thought about it for longer and realized that, actually, theyre the perfect level of complicated and a little fucked up for me, so :)

22. oooooh i have many, ok a sort of silly one is that i think he really dislikes synthetic fibers, like all of his clothes are leather or silk, linen, or cotton (or hemp, maybe). i think this is a combo of enhanced vampire senses, human autism (another hc), and "if youre going to do something, do it right." that said, i do think he has a weird obsession with plastics more generally! he definitely collected bakelite trinkets and dishes and stuff. i bet he dragged poor louis to home showings all over the place. oh, that's maybe a second headcanon -- i think the loumand years pre-interview probably went like this: a period of hyper-romantic and suave love interest armand, a period of armand getting more comfortable and dragging louis all over the place and trying new things (the happiest period for both of them during these years, i think), and then a period where louis started to retreat into himself again and armand eventually gave up and left him (which, honestly, the fact that armand left is still crazy to me. but, to be fair, armand is much older and probably left knowing it wasnt the end of loumand and that he would be back, whereas for all louis knew, that was goodbye armand forever :sadtoad:)

6. little bit from my reverse devil's minion wip below the cut!!

The door swung open, the ruined lock cast aside. Daniel cringed back against the light from the street, a hand shielding his eyes.

There was a thud, a muffled cry, and Daniel opened his eyes to see that a man had been thrown down from the doorway, bound and gagged.

He didn’t hesitate, lunging and draining him immediately, without a second thought. He forced himself to break away just as the man’s heart stopped, breathing heavily. Then he turned to look up at Alexei, still standing in the doorway, haloed by the light from the street.

He wore thick clothing, something like wool, that covered him from neck to ankle, and wore a sharp-looking sword tucked into his belt.

Daniel just stared at him for a moment, his brain still trying to catch up. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” he asked, hoarse. “What are you, some kind of…” He didn’t even know. “Serial killer?” He’d heard about those.

Alexei raised a brow. “Not very creative, Daniel.”

He huffed a laugh, almost hysterically amused. “Well, what the fuck else am I supposed to think?”

Alexei cocked his head, looking a little disappointed. “Really? What could a mortal possibly want with a vampire, you wonder?”

Daniel recoiled, repulsed by the idea. “What? You mean to – to force me to turn you? I could kill you now,” he said, suddenly enraged. “Maybe I should!”

Alexei grinned, sharp and a little mean. “No, Daniel. I don’t want you to turn me. But that’s a fair guess. No, I have something far greater in mind. I needed to see if I could do it, first, if I could capture a vampire. I thought it best to start with one as weak as you.”

Daniel laughed, shaking his head. “Stupid even for a mortal. Weak? I could kill you in the blink of an eye.”

Alexei raised a brow. “And yet, you kneel on the floor before me, even now.”

He stood, then, and moved in a flash to grab Alexei by the jaw, to hold him up against the wall. “Give me one reason I shouldn’t kill you now,” he hissed, close to the boy’s ear.

He smiled, slowly. “You wouldn’t be asking if you didn’t have a reason already, Daniel Molloy. You’re curious.”

Daniel dropped him, stepped back with a sharp inhale. He put a hand over his face. “Oh, fuck me,” he groaned, barely audible.

Alexei looked smug. “Very good, Daniel. You’ll stay here while I take away your garbage? Like a good boy?”

Daniel just stared at him, expression twisted in disgust.

Alexei walked past him, bent to grab the corpse and haul it up over his shoulder.

“All that stuff you said last night,” Daniel asked, unable to help himself. “Was any of it true?”

“Any of it?” Alexei asked, amused. “Most of it was true, Daniel. All of it, one way or another. I’m not a liar.”

He brushed past him, and Daniel let him go, instinct making him cringe away from the corpse draped over his shoulder. “Which parts weren’t true?”

He stopped, just by the door, and looked back at him, a strange expression on his face. “My name is not Alexei. My name is Armand. That’s the name they called me in the circus.”

Daniel absorbed this. He wasn’t sure why he cared. “So Armand is your circus persona, right. Who is Alexei?”

“Alexei is no one. Who is Daniel?”

Armand shut the door before Daniel could reply, leaving him again in darkness.