#I want it on Moderns now though OTL

[nabesima]

FR artists did not have to make Sailfish/Marlin slap so hard, but they did, and oh boy am I grateful for it

[pocketwei]

hii do you perhaps have any dofuwani fics recommendation. I've checked out the the ao3 but I really don't seem to like anything there after scrolling thru the most kudos'd works... I feel like you (and a few other artists) get them and I wanted to read things in a similar tone as your art and so far I'm in the trenches bleeding out. like obviously no offense to any of the writers it's just that all the like modern highschool loving dad croc and etc aus are not for me... OTL I hope I'm not sounding rude and thank you for your time!

oh anon come rest your head upon my bosom.... I got you anon..... as a fellow slave to canon-compliance I, too, know the pain of sifting through pages upon pages of AUs, not that there's anything wrong with them but I just can't imagine these sickos working a 9 to 5 in a suit...... thank you for thinking my vision of dofuwani is trust-worthy, this is vain on my part but it genuinely means a lot <3 OK rant over here are the goods, in no particular order (always mind the tags but I figure if you asked me for dfwn sacred texts you're probably a fellow sicko):

that was now and this is then. by ghostwit (M): one of my favourite ever, perhaps even my favourite. About a long relationship, about twisting each other inside the skin, about being formative to each other in ways so deep and intertwined that they can't seem to tear one apart from the other. And despite it all* (*the murders and the hatred and the irreconciliable flaws and differences of their Ego (philosophical) and the unbearable, unacceptable vulnerability of understanding), they are, somehow, unforgivably and incomprehensibly, in love. *smashes head against pavement, it cracks open like an egg, spilling millions of dofuwani thoughts everywhere

no better irony by ghostwit (E): shichibukai meeting sidequest...... excellent characterisation like everything Haze writes (it's just The Best dofuwani there is..... read everything he wrote please). I'm so fond of them in that fic in a way that's like. watching stick bugs in a terrarium. You don't understand them and they don't understand you but you're just happy they're having fun. You wouldn't join in for anything in the world though.

like i need a gaping headwound by ghostwit (M): loguetown era dfwn, Haze back at it with formative years and the fresh sprouts of insanity in these two. So so so good.

nothing in this world that's quite prescribable by ghostwit (T): the opening of this fic is perhaps one of my favourite scenes ever. Vulnerability and odd transparence that only drunken disinhibition allows. Which is rare for these two. Absolutely adore this one.

honestly you can and should read everything Haze has written for these two they're just so AUGHHHHHH

black & bloody & rotten & perfect by revolvermonkcelot (M): perfect capture of the fine line between (????love, perhaps) and insanity they walk on. Absolutely fucking insane about this one, the reverence and sacrality of their whole thing, the Indulgence:tm: and permission that can be revoked (for Crocodile is mercurial in his vulnerability), but that is somehow maintained in a delicate and incomprehensible equilibrium. + absolutely incredible undertones of wani (trans)identity crisis, the imperceptible yet meaningful and constant change of the Form... Head in hands

Just a taste by marimoes (M): perfect perfect perfect characterisation, little gestures that betray familiarity. Perfect on all accounts

Swallow by revolvermonkcelot (M): my roman empire. Absolutely perfect Wani characterisation, it's The Wani for me. Exploits perfectly the essential dfwn dichotomy of "one entity tumbling down and the other rising up, meeting halfway through in the eye of the storm, in a singular moment". Classy cannibalism that ties to the no-less essential concept of consumption, to be/become whole again. The reason why they somehow stick together is because of this primordial longing for something, for understanding perhaps, for beauty sometimes, for belonging. Fcuking hell I love them so mucj

A Bird and His Cage by doctornemesis (E): read this one a long time ago but it's in my bookmarks so I trust past me's judgment and tell you it's amazing

From Dressrosa with Love by Sibilans (E, on-going): incredible atmosphere, perfectly depicts the post-golden age rotting glamour of Dressrosa. They are particularly unhinged in this one.

i wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name by stealth-black-leg (Kiir_Bee) (E): I'm running out of steam for long meaningful comments but this one has top tier characterisation.

That's it!! Don't forget to comment and leave kudos to give writers the love they deserve <3

[ibunyang]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA TONTON HCS ANON AGAIN YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY WRITE ??!?!?!???!!?!?! giggling and kicking my feet reading your answer and I Demand More Please!!!!!!!!!! either more about general hcs or more about your fav skinships...... modern au...... ANYTHING.........

HELLO AGAIN ANOONNN!!!!!!!!!!!! AHDJASHDAKJ THANK YOU for letting me yap!!! i used to write, but i orphaned all the fics i made on ao3 when i was 18 or smth when i wrote them now its hard to look at it without feeling shy.. HAHAHJDHAD embarrassed i might take another shot at writing for this ship again tho HEHE

BUT ANYWAY my favorite skin ships… oh.. my favorite skinship is moleswift (soo normal about them definitely.. )

I wanna blab about them here..

< norton just got out of the mines accident and mike also just survived the fire of his circus is what i like to think for moleswift to happen, except they didnt get invited to the manor and instead found each other to somehow lift each other up.

mike who basically had nothing but the clothes on his back and the shit ton of money that Bernards untimely death gave him, hes still actively looking for the other survivors, but he found Murro and he's the one that somewhat convinced mike to give up on his quest for revenge and live life to the fullest, essentially telling him to rise from the ashes. (nod) and with this resolve he gets to doing it.

it was hard for him to give up on searching for the person he thinks is responsible for the fire, so he still has that one guy (i forgot his name rn) to search every possible corner, but at some point they did lose natalies tail. he doesnt want to say hes given up but he has no choice but to look towards the future of his own circus.

i see him as someone who always wanted to be the ringleader, and while he was already the main star of his previous one i dont think it was the same as having his own circus to run, having this chance given to him even though it was through dire circumstances was a god sent gift. so i know he gets to work finding all the acts hiring all the people, and finally his mole.

HIS MOLEE AUGDHAHGDHAD

norton has been looking for a job, sees the advert looking to hire an assistant for the circus (he probably thought of it like man power, or smth) but he takes the job he needs money, he knows how to follow the scent of money. his resume doesnt look as good as the other people being interviewed but the moment he stepped in the tent mike knew found the other half of his act.

Everyone he was interviewing didn't seem to mesh well with him, and he would like someone he could have fun with. Personal preference.

norton obviously wasnt as sure anymore at this point, since the job description was far form the work he was used to doing (and he did think it was mostly manpower for a job) but YOU KNOW he convinces him with the riches that mike already has, "i can give you more than this you know, I see you eyeing it… and Its clear to me that your greed has no filter Mr.Campbell" WITH A SMILE.

Initially Norton doesnt like how Mike is, hes bold, brazen, and thinks that everything that he wants should be fulfilled at the drop of a hat, like??? does he think he has super powers to magic up the fund for something that he wants so out of the blue? But of course Norton is as stubborn as a mole, he can and will do whatever it is thats asked of him. Hes willing to do whatever it takes to be able to prove him wrong and even sometimes surprise Swift with what he can accomplish.

"What we accomplished together." Swift would say.

Norton ignores the throb in his heart as he looks at Mike who was looking around in awe at the decorations in the main tent, thankfully with his connections from doing VARIOUS odd jobs all his life apart from mining, he has a pretty good network.

Its safe to say that I think these guys are literally two halves of a whole OTL there can never be a Swift without his Mole and vice versa !!!!!!!

Mole whos admiration turns to worship, even if he doesnt know it and Swift who cherishes him, and never wishes to part. They both helped each other reach the best outcome of their lives !!!!!!!!!! Norton having a stable job and never having to fear when he gets to eat again and Mike back in the circus where he belongs under the spotlight.

TLDR THIS IS MY FAVORITE SKINSHIP EVER.

< i joke about them being divorced husbands but honestly its more like the old married couple vibes in the long run, they banter and they yell sometimes they pull at each others hair but its all in good fun. they have a drink together with swift on moles lap as they run through the circus expenses together. (a love language) < i dont know WHEN exactly they would have gotten together. bc to me they were married from the start??? i dont know how to explain it it just happened. <mike probably just casually mentions he loves him at one point.. or something along the lines of "i want to keep you forever. I wouldnt know what to do without you by my side." and mole just assumed this was when they start dating seriously because HE is NOT leaving. EVER. < "then keep me forever" < cue MAKE OUT MUSIC. < they have a little two man act sometimes on stage, mole usually prefers to be off the stage because he doesnt want to steal swifts spotlight (where he thinks he shines brightest) < "but i shine the brightest when im with you" referring to his head light. but mole just dies on the inside i think TEEHEE

[wisemins]

saw the ask game you reblogged. I got excited and picked 3 (they all looked so cool😩). asking about ur ship with giyuu but if u wanna talk about any other ships that's fine too.

feel free to do as many as you want (one, all or even none! no pressure)

⚔️ - au time! pick an au of your ship that you have thoughts for and talk about it. if you can't decide, pick it randomly.

⏳ - do you have several timelines in your selfship? if so, describe them. alternatively, do you imagine your selfship in different stages of the relationship?

💌 - any major changes in your selfship lore over time? if so, compare how it used to be with how it's now.

FROTHING AT THE MOUTH TO TALK ABOUT GIYUU MORE TYSMMM FIOASASIOD!!! ⚔️ - au time! pick an au of your ship that you have thoughts for and talk about it. if you can’t decide, pick it randomly.

I love my modern AU with Giyuu!! I think about it probably just as much as our mainline canon. It's just so so sweet and domestic where nothing tragic happens and he and I can just be a happy and have our little family all together <3 And he gets to be a lot sillier (unintentionally, autism moment) than he does in mainline. He's a gym teacher, he loves raisin bread, he's kind of a nerd too! In my mind, he likes little collectibles from his childhood that he never got to have too many of, so now he very passively collects things like trading cards and smaller figurines! He also took up cooking a lot more in my modern AU! He likes reading books about cooking, the history behind different cultures and their cuisine, and practicing making new dishes and teaching me how to as well! It's all just very nice to exist in, and I love coming up with more things to think about with it!

⏳ - do you have several timelines in your selfship? if so, describe them. alternatively, do you imagine your selfship in different stages of the relationship?

I imagine a timeline rather often of me and Giyuu having a child of our own! (Outside of Zenitsu of course, this will always be a situation of giving my son a baby sibling.) I have a name picked out and everything, how he'd look, his personality too! I'm just never sure if I'm gonna canonize it or not. I love the thought of Zenitsu having a baby brother to grow up with for the rest of his teen years, and Giyuu and I getting to experience new parenthood, just getting to grow our family a bit! I'm always torn about it though, because I don't always like having kids in my self ships. Zenitsu is a rare case in that he's never gonna not be my kid in any canon, but he's also a teenager, so it's very much different! I do love Giyuu and I's semi-canonical child though very much, so maybe I'll just have to play around with the idea! And perhaps introduce the little guy to y'all! And I do imagine my selfships in different stages very often! It's always fun to reflect/relive scenarios no matter what period of time the story is taking place or even if I'm making up more that's ongoing/current!

💌 - any major changes in your selfship lore over time? if so, compare how it used to be with how it's now.

In mainline I was so hesitant to be with Giyuu previously! Every early piece of lore was just riddled with uncertainty and insecurity, the not knowing, the second guessing, the avoiding. What really changed it was the comfort factor, at some point it just hit me that Giyuu feels so comfortable, like I've known him and have been with him forever. That sort of love and safety and comfort that you get when you're decades into a relationship. I am still insecure, but that's a me problem. I know he'll always be there for me, but starting out when I f/o'd him, there was just so much insecurity and uncertainty. I was so scared that maybe he wouldn't want to be with someone who had adopted a teenager, especially one that actively feared him OTL (sorry Zenitsu, I know Giyuu can be a bit intimidating sometimes!), or that maybe I wasn't the right person for him because we're rather different. But I realized we compliment each other, and his devotion and love is silent, yet so powerful. We both were insecure little babies at the start, but now we're just so utterly comfortable and in love unabashedly. It's nice!

Thank you so much again!! I appreciate the ask!!

[icharchivist]

I am rotating concept of Lucifer as a whole on a microwave plate of my brain

And I am kinda having existential crisis right now, so I doubt everything I know. But that's how I get certain

Did you knew you there were two priests, I think high ranked, named Lucifer around IV century or something around that. And one of them was exiled or something for not agreeing with ways of Church. And just I wonder, how it would be to be that random ass priest, who suddenly finds that modern modern sees Lucifer as that Bad Bad Devil, while it was normal damn name back in the days... And maybe some old gods inviting him over like "first time, buddy?" Who also got demonized by Church or public in general

Now I think it's fragment of the story I try to write, except random ass priest is random ass greece god and just... Bruh.

Anyway, how's your day? 😊

HELP?

i made researches about it a while back and what i remember reading was a little more tricky than that. The Original text was talking about Helel Ben Shahar (yeah.) walking to the marches of Babylon in order to dethrone his father and everything. Problem is, Shahar was refered to as "the light bringer, son of the dawn". (Shahar and Shalim were both associated to the rise and fall of the planet Venus, at different times of the day, Shahar being for the dawn and Shalim for the twilight. Shahar was also called "the son of the dawn" because of that.).

So when this story was translated to latin, they used the latin name of the Morning Star, also called "light bringer", which was Lucifer.

And it's later with translations of the Bible from the latin to other languages (so, much later since the Church didn't want the Bible being accessible by non-scholars for a long time) that instead of translating "Lucifer" back to Lightbringer/Morning Star/Venus, they just kept the name Lucifer. Though it also means that priests who were interpreting the Latin text, especially before the translations, have been using the name Lucifer without explaining the meaning of Lucifer in the text, thus, the people who wouldn't have the text in front of them would be unable to question it.

So the idea that i read is that, originally when the name Lucifer was given to the translation of Shahar, the whole idea was more to translate the concept Shahar was representing, ie, the star in the sky it was all about. But as th story was told and translated (either by priest orally or when the translation written versions happened) "Lucifer" had become a character on its own, and therefore the concept he was supposed to represent was lost.

So it makes sense in a way that Lucifer was a "normal name" back then because it just means Bringer of Light, and it was the name of a star. It's just that the literal translation of Shahar's function in that story became a name in itself.

from the researches i made at that point i didn't hear of any individuals behind this naming convention so i've never heard of this version you're talking about.

Wild if true though lmao

EDIT: i misread the ask sorry OTL clarification here, i thought it was "two priests have been the ones to name Lucifer" rather than them having the name Lucifer. My bad!

And my day is okay <33 very busy day so i'm really exhausted, but all good. Hope your day is going well too <333 take care!

[bangtanintotheroom]

3. What are some tropes or details that you think are very characteristic of your fics?

12. Are there any tropes you used to dislike but have grown on you?

17. What highly specific AU do you want to read or write even though you might be the only person to appreciate it?

23. What’s a trope, AU, or concept you’ve never written, but would like to?

50. How has writing changed you as a person IRL?

Issa demon in my inbox 😱💕

3. What are some tropes or details that you think are very characteristic of your fics?

I guess a lot of the snark and back and forth dialogue would count, haha. It's just so fun writing out these conversations and it's how I talk with my friends and family irl, I can't help it!

12. Are there any tropes you used to dislike but have grown on you?

Not so much dislike, but I was never actively searching for poly/group sex fics. Now look at me; I've written at least two fics like that and I have more planned for the future 🥲

17. What highly specific AU do you want to read or write even though you might be the only person to appreciate it?

...I tried thinking of one and I couldn't, I'm sorry OTL

23. What’s a trope, AU, or concept you’ve never written, but would like to?

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but I'm dying to do some sort of historical AU. I definitely want to do a Daechwita-inspired one, which will be...interesting. I'm hoping to get as many details accurate to the Joseon Dynasty as possible, but seeing as how there's modern clothing and a freakin' car in the MV...I think we can blend some elements together 😅

50. How has writing changed you as a person IRL?

I've always been observant irl, but now that I've been actively writing, I've been paying closer attention to well, everything. How people interact or react to certain situations, environments and surroundings, and anything that captures my interest. I catch myself looking at these and going 'hmm, I wonder how (insert character) would act if they were here right now'. It helps to get my brain flowing with details!

[causalitylinked]

OOC UPDATES

updated Ryuto’s backstory to now include a bit more information about his family background and what his childhood was like as a rich kid

gave Ryuto and Kobato a modern verse ( which may technically just be a Post Caligula Effect 2 Verse, but hey, it still counts as one in my eyes )

[writtenbyancientghosts]

Tag 10 people you’d like to know better

Thank you for tagging me @danceintheskies !!! I don't have very many friends on Tumblr but I will tag the few I have :0

Relationship status: I am very single!!! I have been really happy lately with my friends though, so I'm having a good time hanging out there!

Favorite color: My favorite color is this garishly bright red! Honestly it kind of burns my eyes to look at for too long, but something about it makes me very happy! It tastes like a Shirley Temple and feels like flour-dusted dough. It's the most tangible color of them all to me.

Favorite food: It is mapo tofu hands down. I went vegan semi-recently, which has really limited my food options! But mapo tofu is perhaps the best food ever, and it still fits in my diet!! It's very spicy and filling and tastes so good with the rice... Before I went vegan, an everything bagel with butter and an egg that was runny in the middle was my favorite food ever though. I had it every morning for breakfast!

Song stuck in your head: Diamond City Lights by LazuLight...... Iluna just debuted so I am feeling very VTuber OTL

Last thing you googled: "bright red" for the image!! LOL. Before that, frantic google mapping for the worldle.

Time: It is 1:37 AM! I should. Go to bed soon. (Update. finishing this at 9:41 PM a week later.)

Dream trip: Oh literally so many places... I'd love to go somewhere where I can speak the local language, though! So maybe somewhere Spanish speaking (after some more practice), and hopefully in a few years a place that speaks Mandarin! I also think New Zealand and Norway are really pretty...

Last book you enjoyed reading: The most recent book I read that really smacked me over the head as a fantastic read was The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo!! I went in knowing nothing, and that was really really good for this book specifically. Would recommend.

Last book you hated reading: It's been a long time since I've read a book I've genuinely hated. Maybe in middle school, the Matched series? When I was a kid, bad books made me feel actually a little sick to read, and this was one of them. I was sad this happened because YA dystopian romances were my jam back then.

Bonus:

Favorite thing to cook/bake: UM. Banana bread. Always a winner. (Once again with the vegan thing, banana bread is pretty easy to make vegan and still good.)

Favorite craft to do in your spare time: Probably writing!! I've always loved writing, like my whole life, and I've been meaning to etch out more time for it in my daily schedule!

Most niche dislike: This specific feeling. When you've had a bad day and your shoulders are SO tense and you want to splay out on your floor and watch a loud Youtube video, and you finally get back to your shared living space and your roommate is asleep so you have to quietly walk back to your bed and just lie on it in the dark. Like, when you want to fall apart loudly but you have to be restrained even in your living space as to not wake up your roommate. THE WORST EVER!

Opinion on circus(es) now and in history: Fascinating question. I honestly like the vibes of an old circus in history. Modern circuses ... aren't real? I've never heard of one ever. Oh, cirque du soleil. Scary, would rather go to a theater.

Do you have a sense of direction and if not what is the worst way you ever got lost: (This one's longer because i DO have a story.) After I have taken a route a few times my sense of direction gets cemented pretty solidly. Before that it's between god and google maps. This being said, one time I was on a two hour drive to my friend's house. I was dressed as Lemon Meringue from Strawberry Shortcake for important reasons. My phone (my entire nav system, my car was made in 1997), was at five percent, and I was running on FUMES on a massive road with an unnecessary number of lanes. I could not find a gas station for the life of me. I pulled into a town, and then what I think was a prison. Some very nice people directed me to a gas station, and I immediately took the wrong turn and ended up on the huge road again. It was 85 degrees. I finally made it to a gas station but BARELY, and then sat in the back of a CVS for thirty minutes to charge my phone. That was pretty embarrassing. My friends made me share my location with them so they could save me if my phone and car simultaneously died.

@ladyrainmaster @mintyfishuu I'm holding a gun to your heads, politely.

[lexpressobean]

The thing about writing fanfiction for me is that once I start a multi-chapter fic (tho I've only ever posted a grand total of 2 ever lol both still unfinished rip OTL) I apparently never brainstorm enough. Or too much! 'Cause by nature I live for "what ifs" and it's wrecking me lol, I can't move on...! But this is a Modern AU setting and now I can't stop developing Shibi and Shino in a general sense (and Shibi's involvement is very minor compared to other characters too like I need to chill??) But I guess this goes for my Modern AU in general, so here's are some thoughts no one asked for!

One big HC I have is that Shibi is a well renowned musician, and Shino also has a lot of talent in music as well. This is because in my head, though Aburame and their hive can communicate to some degree, they're also known to be affected by their respective Aburame's emotions. And they audibly buzz and get excited by it all and I seemed to unfailingly liken all that to vibrations, like of musical sounds, and then it kinda leads up to that fidgeting a person might do when they get very emotional or passionate but can't voice it because they need to stay quiet or simply don't know how to talk about something. In general I think both Shibi and Shino are decent enough communicators when it matters, but they ARE pretty quiet people. And I feel like one of the best ways to release and express otherwise pent up emotional tension and energy is by straight up blasting music to drown out everything else. And it feels even MORE satisfying by the end of it when you're the one who was actually putting out the notes!! Anyone can make noise, but truly inspired music is such a trip! Every single note accounted for (even the "rest" notes!!) symbolizes 1 kikaichu and so just the idea of being able to read and produce music and bringing it all to life just makes complete sense to me and fills me with serotonin when I think about Father/Son jamming sessions between them...!!!

more specific nonsense under the cut because idk how to shut up lol

And! And despite this being a Modern AU HC thing, it looks like Shino's actually been shown to semi(?)canonly play an electric guitar, and I've become fond of the idea of Shibi's first instrument being a bass guitar too~

Of course if that's the case, OBVIOUSLY Shibi would be a multi-instrumentalist. Obviously. And what I've been thinking is that by the time Shino is an adult. Shibi'd be a seasoned Film Score Composer. I feel like unless you're quite the music or movie fan, or work in the business, you probably aren't gonna be super into the composers in comparison to the actors and directors that work on the same movie lol So to the general public, Shibi Aburame isn't a name that brings out stars in anyone's eyes. But if you know, you know, and boy does Shibi have his work cut out for him. He's in demand for lots of those box office hits.

Also YES Shibi can sing, and he knows it, the man isn't the least bit shy to acknowledge it! But he never committed singing as a major part of his career as much as playing because that's just the kind of guy he is. These days he won't sing unless it serves a purpose in brainstorming for his next project or if he's in the privacy of his car/home, but even then it's more just soft but super accurate harmonizing on his part to a radio or stereo or whatever. But if Shino ever needed comforting, especially as a small child, he'd never hesitate to lull Shino back into calm with songs that he either liked or maybe made up together if the situation was appropriate. And ocassionally he'll start to sings at Shino as a means to annoy his son because why talk when you can sing to get your point across?? He's not always a serious guy, sometimes he can get soft too...!

Shino? Can also sing and play well without much effort at all. Though Shino didn't take it up as a career like Shibi did, and not as many instruments, Shino is definitely his father's son and is just as musically inclined. He could've if he wanted to but found he a had a strong preference to percussion and string specifically, and even then prefered plucking and strumming versus bowing strings, but his favorite bowed string is a cello! And being part of the newer generation, he might mess around with a laptop software/button pad/launchpad if he's feeling particularly inspired or wants to challenge himself a little more. But his bestest baby is the first electric guitar he bought on his own ;o;

Shino is more likely to sing at any given time in comparison to Shibi, but he's still usually alone, whether wiping off the board after class, doing chores, or maybe grading papers. Kiba and Hinata have both caught him doing so since they first met him, and Hinata compliments his talent when she does, but Kiba starts to dis his choice of music when he realizes Shino sings a lot older or obscure music "like a fucking hipster!" Shino doesn't dis Kiba's personal taste in music as much as disses Kiba for his lack of open mindedness and it makes Kiba rethink everything when Shino is able to play the melody of every song Kiba throws at him the first time he comes over to his house. Shino is very eclectic in his taste of music, but some of Shino's favorite genres for singing are indie pop, blues (especially older ones), and the occasional toned down but no less accurate musical number or power ballad just imagine him whisper singing fcking "Jukebox Hero" while he's scribbling notes vvvvrrmm.

Unlike Shibi or Shino, Torune isn't so big on making music as he is listening and writing poetry/lyrics DON'T TELL ANYONE SHHHH FCKIN SH. It's not that he doesn't have talent, he can also sing rather well and owns karaoke night, he is karaoke king! It not quite a discipline problem as it is a drive thing as he never seriously touched more than two instruments. He can manage about 4 chords on guitar, just enough to impress, but oddly enough he was drawn to and became terribly enamored with Shibi's vibraphone. He studied that thing profusely and whenever he comes back to visit from college and after, he always comes back to it and plays it as if he never skipped a day of practice. Will probably own his own vibraphone at some point for sure! So scratch that, it's simply a Family Jam Session I guess!

Idk, I'm ranting again lol

[six-of-ravens]

mid-year book freakout

tagged by @bigcats-birds-and-books, thank you!!!!!

Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2021? Tough choice but I think it’s A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth! Or The Scapegracers by Hannah Abgail Clarke... it’s a good year for YA urban fantasy!

Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far in 2021? A tie between A Closed and Common Orbit and Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers! I feel like I didn’t really “get” her writing when I read The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, but now that I do I love every Wayfarers book more than the last.

New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To? Aaaahhhhh so many! Mister Impossible by Maggie Stiefvater is the first to come to mind, but there are a TON of June releases on my library holds that just haven’t come up yet.

Most Anticipated Release For Second Half of 2021? VERY excited for A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee!!

Biggest Disappointment? Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth. It just didn’t click with me, and I found the writing style annoying (how many times can one say “dear reader,” seriously? also footnotes annoy me if an author doesn’t use them very carefully, either for necessary information or actual funny jokes. using the to point out your own clever wordplay is *eyeroll*). The whole movie thing could have gone MUCH harder into horror, it felt just kinda gimmicky and half-assed. We get the super intense historical plot with the headmistress/teacher slowly going mad, but with the modern-day stuff it was like “haha this is totally just the film crew playing tricks!! OR IS IT??? Lol no it totally is don’t worry.”

Biggest Surprise? I think The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year (Volume Ten). Rented it from the library just to read Tamsyn Muir’s story, but figured I’d skim the rest to see if there was anything I liked since I thought it’d be all “serious hard SFF” stuff that doesn’t interest me, but I actually loved all but one of the stories (and that one was good, it just had some fucked up alien sex lmao).

Favorite New Author? Cannot possibly pick just one cause I’ve read some GOOD BOOKS lately. I’ll say Ashley Shuttleworth, Krystal Sutherland, Hannah Abigail Clarke, and Robin McKinley.

Newest Fiction Crush? Alecto/Nausicaa from A Dark and Hollow Star OTL

Newest Favorite Character? again, Alecto/Nausicaa from A Dark and Hollow Star. I love a fast-talking asshole who’s good with knives...

Book That Made You Cry? Didn’t expect Record of a Spaceborn Few to punch me in the feels like that. Also, Radio Silence by Alice Oseman didn’t have to go that hard...

Book That Made You Happy? Spindle’s End by Robin McKinley was thoroughly delightful

Favorite Book Adaption You Saw This Year? Shadow and Bone! They did SUCH a good job with the show!! 

Favorite Review You’ve Written This Year? Oh boy I don’t think I’ve written any actual reviews? I made a half-coherent late-night post on the book blog about how The Scapegracers was everything I’ve ever wanted in a piece of teen witch media, like all the tropes were So Right, and I think that still stands, at least. 

Most Beautiful Book You Bought So Far This Year? I haven’t received it yet, but the cover for Persephone Station by Stina Leicht is gorgeous!

What Books Do You Need To Read By The End of The Year? For my new year’s goals: The Riddle, The Crow, and The Signing by Alison Croggon; The Fall of the Kings by Ellen Kushner; Souless and Changeless by Gail Carriger; The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch; and The Anatomy of Curiosity by Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton, and Brenna Yovanoff. For my personal sanity though, I’d like to finish/catch up on some of the half-read series lurking on my shelves, ie.: The Illuminae Files, the Strange the Dreamer duology, The Book of Dust series, and the Lady Helen trilogy. And then there’s the endless stream of library holds...

Not sure who’s done this or not, so tagging anyone who wants to! 

[pomnavi]

Uchi no Musuko wa Tabun Gay / My Son is Probably Gay Twitter Extras: 27.5, 27.6, 27.7

Chapter 27.5

Page 1 Bu 1: Aoyama-san, you've been working away from home for a long time right? Bu 2: Aren't you ever worried about your wife? Bu 3: Worried? Bu 4: Like Bu 5: You know, uh.. Bu 6: Like cheating! Bu 7: You ever thought about the possibility that she could like someone at her part time job? Bu 8: Oh, about that kind of thing Bu 9: Even if I was worried about that Bu 10: It's not like I could do anything about it since I'm here Bu 11: If I have to, I'd rather worry about something fun Bu 12: Like if my son is popular in class or Bu 13: how tall the younger one has gotten! Bu 14: Aoyama-san, you sure are crazy about your kids Coworker: Geez, no fun at all

Page 2 Bu 1: So that's what they asked me Akiyoshi: ahaha Bu 2: True, you definitely don't worry about that sort of thing Bu 3: Not that it bothered me, but are there any good-looking guys at your work? Bu 4: Well about that Bu 5: There's a nice young man who's popular among the female staff Bu 6: Uh! Toono: Toono-san Bu 7: Yup, but that person is g- Bu 8: ....uh Bu 9: ...Hm? What? Bu 10: Oops, I almost just let that slip Bu 12: It's probably not a good idea to just go blabbing about that Tomoko: I don't even know if it's true Bu 13: Nothing Bu 14: I heard a rumor that he's currently seeing someone right now. Bu 15: I.. I see Bu 16: I-It's not really something I'm worried about ok!? Bu 17: Yeah I know Tomoko: fufufu

Chapter 27.6 (Christmas Special 2019)

Page 1 Bu 1: For Christmas, Bu 2: Ever since middle school, we haven't really done anything at my house. Bu 2: Though we usually still eat a cake. Bu 3: I got presents until about 4th grade. Bu 4: That's why, Christmas isn't really a special day for me. Bu 5: Just a regular day. Bu 6: ...... Bu 7: Ah, Daigo Bu 8: Can we stop by the convenience store real quick? Bu 9: Sure Bu 10: Haha sorry about that Hiroki: Thanks for waiting Bu 11: No problem

Page 2 Bu 1: Here, I got you Christmas chicken** and **T/n: Japanese people celebrate Christmas with KFC and a cake, it's a modern tradition Bu 2: A Christmas present~! Bu 3: It might be a normal day at your house Bu 3: But if you want to have fun, why not just celebrate anyways? Bu 4: Well! Bu 5: This is too shabby to be a real present haha~ Hiroki sfx: ahaha Bu 6: Nah Bu 7: That's definitely not true

Chapter 27.7 (New Years Special 2020)

Page 1 Bu 1: Hey, hey~ Bu 2: Are you guys gonna send New Year's cards? Bu 3: Um, not really Bu 4: I've never really sent New Year's cards Bu 5: A text message is fine right? It's a pain in the ass Bu 6: Y-yeah you're right~ Bu 7: It sure is annoying right Hiroki: ahahaha Bu 8: .... Bu 9: What about you? Bu 10: Hm? Well, Bu 11: Texts are enough for me Bu 12: R-really...? Bu 13: I guess it is a pain to do Hiroki 2: ahahahaha.....

Page 2 Box 1: New Year's Day Bu 1: Hiroki, you got a New Year's card Bu 2: From Daigo Bu 3: WHAT!? Bu 4: W-why did he.... Bu 5: He didn't tell me he was sending one....!? Bu 6: He told me it was too much trouble!? Bu 7: He said I could just send him a text...!? Bu 8: Mom, do we have any New Year's cards left!? Bu 9: Sure, we have some with pictures on them Bu 10: Yeah, that's good enough! Card**: Happy New Year's! I hope we'll continue to look after each other this year. It'd be nice to end up in the same class next year too! - Daigo **T/n: Daigo uses the phrase "yoroshiku onegaishimasu" which is a very standard phrase used in business and among friends and family. It means to take care of someone and treat them well in the future.

End

P.S: These holiday specials were pending for so long it's almost been a year OTL. Oh well, we're caught up now! Onward to Volume 3 8)

[dumdumdrawstumtums]

ABB3 and I were talking about this earlier, you see I've recently got into the fate fandom and I was wondering if you had any belly canons for any of the guys, specifically Gilgamesh and Fate stay night's Lancer? Or any other guys you like from the series~ (Ive only seen fate zero and fate stay night so far btw.) ^_^

Oh hey good on ya! I'm still a woeful casual when it comes to the series, but it's provided some real nice guys to fawn over~ But alright lemme see what I can do...

G/ilgamesh

Well the fun thing about G/ilgamesh is that his monumentally enormous ego is matched only by his looks... and hopefully his appetite. Cuz I mean, damn, boy knows how to dress to impress.

The thing is though that his taste is incredibly high class, so he'll only be dining on 5-star dishes. He's been around modern society enough to know how to get what he likes, after all. The thing is though that he would be so caught up in holding this fact over others heads that he would neglect to take note of just how much he may be eating. Like, I don't see him as the sort to actively flaunt stuffing himself taut. He may even be secretly embarrassed by it, but damn if he won't play it off as something along the lines of course he's privileged to such gorging. Anything like greasy fast food he wouldn't allow to slip past his lips UNLESS his ability to even do so was being questioned. His weakness is having his ego struck in any way, after all. Then he would certainly have to silence the mongrels' barking and prove himself... probably leading to a very full, very upset stomach having so much garbage filling his belly. At that point he might require some belly rubs - something he would order someone he deems capable of providing to do. Perhaps threatening that if they aren't up to task, they may find themself added to the rest of the trash.

Whiiich leads into the headcanons for vore HAHAH// The King of Heroes lords over all, and sometimes he needs to assert his superiority in less conventional, but no less absolute ways. I don't think he would be too actively yearning to eat anyone, since his body is perfection that he doesn't want anyone ruining. It might be once his (admittedly thin) patience is tested in a certain manner (maybe someone questioned his appetite a little too hard?) that he will give them the privilege of being shown just what he can do. Most anyone he eats he would be dismissive of after; they're food now, they should settle down, and don't they dare give him indigestion, or he can make this even harder on them. And again, this is probably something he prefers to keep private. Although if any company shows up, I feel like Gil wouldn't be doing much to hide his large, squirming belly - like, full on sitting back, just idly stroking over the mega bloat, half-attempting to stifle burps or hiccups, mostly just quietly annoyed. Regardless of how awkward that might make the other feel. Nonfatal situations I think require for G/ilgamesh to at least feel a little respect for who he's gulped down? Which is no easy feat of course, so... he would definitely be the "one way trip" sort of pred the vast majority of the time. But even if that requirement is met, it wouldn't necessarily deter him from carrying on his day as he otherwise would, which includes eating and drinking what he pleases, and giving his belly a firm smack if his stomach's occupant protests. Basically, his wants and needs always take priority.

O/zymandias

Okay and because it would be a good follow-up, another who my friends like would be O/zymandias. Again, another drop dead gorgeous king~

Unfortunately though, since they share such similar attitudes, a lot of headcanons for Gil apply to Ozy OTL  That includes the fine taste, being mostly spurred into eating past his comfort levels by having his pride put on the line, and the authoritative aura he carries even when he's aching with fullness. As a matter of fact it's often fun to imagine them being quite the pair when it comes to eating; they're likely to goad each other into eating more and more with neither willing to face the shame of having the weaker stomach. Thank goodness they get along so well... for them, anyway. Maybe not so much for the restaurant they visit, or the unfortunate people who may be included in their kingly feasting.

I think a good distinction to make Ozy stand out more is that he's not quite so much a jerk as Gil would be regarded as? He's got a monumental ego sure, but seems to be less likely to utterly disregard the personhood of others in the process. So it may take a little more to make him deem someone to be his next meal... maybe. Possibly. His body is a temple, he can't very well be making this a habit, after all. Consequently I also think he would be a bit more likely to indulge in nonfatal scenarios, too. And with the mighty pharaoh he would make a little more effort in being a proper host. Oh, and since there was a funny bit a dialogue in the game where he staunchly denied being decapitated in the most huffy, tsundere way, I think that would apply to him having a ridiculously filled gut as well. "There's nothing wrong with my stomach... *grrrgghh...*"

A/sterios

Another one that friends have a big liking to so of course I'll jump on that too! What we got here is a colossal 9'9" tall berserker bull man, THE Minotaur of legend himself. The fun thing about him is that, as the myth tells, he's canonically eaten people - and plenty of them, too. He's got a great deal of dialogue alluding to how easily he could put even you on the menu as well. So, while he might have some difficulty speaking... his stomach can do the talking for him. Like, he already struggles to control his beastly urges, so who could blame him if he slipped up, caught someone in his inescapable clutches, and ate them? Or even two? He's almost twice as large as normal humans; it would be far less difficult for him to gorge on more than one. Consuming others would be treated as something that just comes natural to A/sterios, like a hunger that was finally quenched.

On the stuffing end (sorry for the reverse order, he's just far more likely to enjoy meat on the very rare side) the bull would require a lot to satisfy him. He's used to eating whole, poor people who were dumped into his labyrinth, after all. And again, this absolute unit is BIG. Not to mention being treated to food beyond "human" would probably be a novel experience for him. He's been in the labyrinth all his life, he has the whole world to see and experience! Poor A/sterios would probably be overwhelmed and adorably yearning to try everything. Very open to being fed, and having his belly rubbed, too! Just, again, both of these things are gonna take a while, given his size.

A/chilles

Husband material that captured my heart big time when I finally got around to watching A/pocryphaaa// He's got a similar vibe to C/u C/hulainn with his lax attitude and enjoyment in fighting. The differences between them though help to separate my headcanons just a bit. Like, whereas Cu's more laid-back the majority of the time, A/chilles has more of an intensity to him. He's more excited by a challenge for one, and that can play easily into some fun headcanons. Like, any meal he sits down for will be filling him up, but afterwards if he sees there's an eating contest going down, he'd still be going "Yeah I bet I could win, piece of cake *urp* Maybe poor choice of words..." And then claim that filling his stomach up beforehand was just to give everyone else a fighting chance. And he will win, it'll just... be something of a pyrrhic victory. One that he'll still try to take pride in sure, but not without a lot of groaning and claiming that he must weigh twice as heavy now. And as wont as the Greek hero would be to lie back and let everything digest, he's just as quickly to pull himself back up and heft around the gurgling gorge, since he hates to be bored or to seem pathetic. After all, while his ego might not be anywhere near the mountainous scale Gil's is, he still has a hefty arrogance to him that can be used to push him (and his belly) further. Though unlike the king and pharaoh, I think A/chilles would genuinely be unabashed in his bloated state, let alone the thunderous belches that might come about - just sighing with relief after and giving his stomach a pat. Even when receiving some welcomed belly rubs, don’t be offended if you get caught in the blast radius HAHAH

Regarding vore, I think A/chilles would very much have the mindset of "eating someone means claiming total victory." And it would probably be something he revels in just as much as any victory, roughly massaging his stomach, trying to clench his stretched thin abs, etc. What makes A/chilles unique is that, as said, he likes a challenge. That means that while he's groaning for his prey to settle down, he's also outright encouraging them to fight against his stomach, which might not phase him quite as much as it would others since, y'know, invincible body and all. If they're especially feisty, to the point it's making the brash hero gag, heave, have to swallow down lumps rising back up his throat, well then that struggle just makes this all the better. Heck, if they're not up to that point he may even waddle himself over to eat more, just to get himself to that point of barely keeping it together. Even in nonfatal situations, the Rider would undoubtedly enjoy making his carry-on squirm - probably utilizing effective teasing to get them riled up, like hiccuping and asking just how much they weigh, or downing a full gallon of drink to drench them, burping, and saying lugging them in his stomach is thirsty work. Much more inclined to some rough play than the blue Lancer would be, methinks. That includes all the belly play of jostling, prodding, 'accidentally' lying on his stomach a bit, all that goodness~

(I left C/u C/hulainn out because I remembered I already did a big post about him here, among other posts, so enjoy that if you’d like!)

[scoundrels-in-love]

1,8, 20 for the meta asks if you please my dear :-)

Thank you so much for asking, love!!

1. Tell us about your current project(s)  –   what’s it about, how’s progress, what do you love most about it? 

glances askew at her 20 WIPs as she tries to pick one to talk about

But alright, let’s narrow down to more recent ones! One is my Braime fic exchange fic, which I cannot speak much about, other than if it doesn’t break me, it could turn out great. And my longest work yet!

The other is DYSTOD, the third chapter of which I already have 1.5k words down and if I hadn’t been so set on working on my Braime fic exchange fic, I might’ve already finished. oTL It has gotten a whole lot of revision, but I am happy with outline (never have had a multichapter with more than 1 chapter published, and definitely not as solid outline). I definitely like that about it and I miss the story itself, I truly do, it was oddly hard and comforting to write at the same time.

I also have decent bits of written from a Long Night re-write where Jaime’s act of selflessness plays a major role. And a vaguely Dragon Age x GOT mashup that I’m excited to come back to! (So, basically 2 apocalyptic AUs, both in canon-like verses, but one is actually canon-ish and other is not). I am really excited to explore something yearning, yet plot driven, yet contained (hopefully) with them.

And there’s second part to both I (don’t) want to be out of this dream (forever) from Jaime’s POV later into the Soulmate/Arranged marriage verse! And the modern soulmate verse part 2, from Brienne’s POV. I am big, big sucker for exploring different POVs and where their sights overlap and what they miss entirely. Plus, both pieces would let me complete just a bit more of the bigger picture.

I’ve not forgotten the Makeup verse, either!! There’s solid progress on part 3, which was actually written first of all, and I love it very much, it’s something that was unique for me to write at the time (unique in my fictography, that is) and I am very, very attached to the verse, the nuances that I think friends to lovers ought to have in some ways, the whole world of it!

8. Is what you like to write the same as what you like to read? 

I am not a picky reader... At least not too much! Still, not everything will brand itself in me. I definitely have preference for pieces that manage to punch me somehow with emotional line, some yearning and tenderness, and caring. The self loathing and catching a glimpse of how loved you are, marveling at it and the fear it will be lost any minute now. Basically, give me the complexity and sometimes the sheer paradox of human emotions, thriving on their own or in interaction with someone else, and I will love it. Write those fics that make me feel things, consider something new about a character, depict emotions that you feel alone in feeling almost and make me feel home and Seen, and I will love it.

And while it’s a bold claim to say that’s what I write, I think it’s some shades of what can be found in my writing and what comes to me most naturally. Those little crystallized pieces of thoughts about characters (Brienne being perceived as responsible and stalwart, whereas she feels anything but, for example), the pining and the yearning. I don’t try to be particularly Unique in my Takes, just honest in my view and in my depiction of emotions.

Another thing - exploring characters through various AUs, to see what makes them them and what makes them tick, how a shifted canon event would change them in a shifted way, yet not that different, etc. I do love to write that, just like I love to read it.

20. Tell us the meta about your writing that you really want to ramble to people about (symbolism you’ve included, character or relationship development that you love, hidden references, callbacks or clues for future scenes?) 

.. I really really love artist Brienne. There are several AUs (of which, so far, only one has seen light of day, sadly) that are based around this concept. And I think it’s very symbolic for these verses in general, her reclaiming a sort of creative/gentler space while still coming to terms with her physical strength and valuing it, and sometimes even finding a creative use for it. It usually sets her in a different emotional space overall, than the verses where she’s other career focused, though the end journey is the same, it’s just that she has approached it a bit differently and some parts of the mountain road have been harder, while others easier, whereas different life path makes other bits easier.

Also, actual recurring symbolism and callback in my stories!

In If I’m gonna (lose) love someone, Jaime compares her (them both) to a fortresses and how he wants to live in hers and she has said that she’s someone who goes to war, not someone for whom wars will be fought, romantically, or someone that will ride for days just to hear and hold. (And then he does just that.)

There is a rather direct callback to that in DYSTOD, when Jaime asks why she’d rather be a knight than a maid in a song and she tells him no one would’ve ever gone to war for her. And then he goes to think of her as fortress he doesn’t wish to conquer, but set campaign on to win over. I don’t think anyone picked on that, and I can’t blame them because it’s such a Braime imagery, but secretly, I wrote this with no small amount of glee and with Soulmate/Arrange marriage verse specifically in mind. Especially since both verses basically include ‘fake relationship but by gods I (we) wish it was real’ and Jaime is in it for slow, but cautious long haul. 

Maybe soulmate marks aren’t a thing in modern world ascending from Soulmate/Arranged marriage verse and they’re finding echoes of words that feel Familiar? Who knows. :’)

In less intentional way, Brienne thinks of herself as fortress in We draw a line in the sand, a fortress that wants to let him in, almost openly asks him for a reason to let down the drawbridge, but he fails to do so in the situation. If I didn’t feel it was too repetitive, I’d actually like to repeat the motif, the way he thinks of her as castle versus herself and her want to allow him in, and also to explore more how he is willing to step out of his own keep to move into hers... And how sometimes they might need to meet on the road in the middle.

Send me meta ask about my writing?<3

[thevagueambition]

Atla, Zukka and Sokka :)

ATLA

Favorite character: Zuko, 100%. He’s a character I relate to a lot, eg the whole “hard work vs natural talent” thing... I even have a costume, although I didn’t get a chance to use it when I meant to so I haven’t really done so yet OTL

Least Favorite character: Hmm, god, I don’t know.... Bumi, maybe? As a comedic character he feels a bit too “haha crazy” and he doesn’t really (imo) work well as a dramatic one... 

5 Favorite ships (canon or non-canon):

Zukka

Hakoda/Bato

Roku/Sozin

Tyzula

Jetko

Character I find most attractive: Zuko. Particularly s3 ofc lol

putting the rest under a cut for length

Character I would marry: idk. not big on marriage really

Character I would be best friends with: Sokka

a random thought: The true hero of ATLA is Iroh and I feel ashamed of not having mentioned his name yet in this

An unpopular opinion: The age difference between Kataang is 2 years which is the exact same age difference between Zutara and neither are particularly weird regardless of the fact that I don’t care about either ship

My Canon OTP: Don’t have one. Sokka/Suki is cute I guess is the closest I come to having strong feelings on a canon ship

My Non-canon OTP: Zukka

Most Badass Character: Toph but also low key Sokka bc he’s a non-bender

Most Epic Villain: That old blood bending woman who gave us all nightmares

Pairing I am not a fan of: Zutara, but that’as as much about fandom behavior back in the day as anything else

Character I feel the writers screwed up (in one way or another): Korra, all of LoK 

They gave Toph too little to do in s3 and she SHOULD have had her Zuko outing like all the others >:( Actually Zuko and Toph have a lot in common in certain ways and that was never fully explored

Also obviously SOOOO many characters in this series who were written as straight when they shouldn’t be lol. We get it, it was a kid’s cartoon in the 00s, but they didn’t have to agressively pair off everyone in neat m/f couples by the end of the series

Favourite Friendship: Aang & Zuko

Character I most identify with: Zuko, as mentioned above. He’s also the same MBTI type as me haha (INFP). Also, Sokka mix of being simoultaneously really clever and extremely stupid is a gigantic mood.

Character I wish I could be: Idk... Iroh, in some ways, certainly. Honestly, by the end of the series all the main kids are pretty admirable people. Who wouldn’t want Aang’s kindness, Katara’s righteousness, Zuko’s determination, Sokka’s cleverness, Toph’s independence, Suki’s leadership, etc? Hell, Mai’s bravery and Ty Lee’s loyalty? I love all the main kids.

Zukka

When I started shipping them: Only a year or two ago, actually! I think last time I rewatched The Boiling Rock I was like 👀

Originally when I was an ATLA fan I was still in the “we must adheer to canon” phase of my existence in fandom and then for a good while I was still affected by my... hesitance to look like a, idk, stereotypical slash fan, in the sense that back in the day people were REALLY hostile to slash ships that seemed, idk, contrived. Zukka also just wasn’t a big ship back in the day I don’t think, Jetko has always been more popular. 

My thoughts: The cammaraderie that developes between them over their stay at The Boiling Rock is incredibly compelling to me and I think that... the ways in which Sokka holds Zuko accountable through “jokes” but still allows him the space to prove himself is really interesting and probably... something that is actually better for Zuko than either Katara’s rage or Aang’s kindness? Idk. 

Also they both have pretty complicated relationships to masculinity and what it means to be a man in their respective cultures and their sort of struggles with that and how those struggles look different due to circumstances like their parental situations and different cultural expectations... Zuko’s is less directly about masculinity per se because the Fire Nation has less strict gender roles, or at least ones that don’t code certain activities as purely masculine endeavours (eg warfare) but certainly there are shades of Ozai’s treatment of Zuko and Azula that are gendered as well as about birth order and it’s interesting how Zuko and Sokka both impose restrictions on themselves about how they should behave and what they should live up to culturally.

What makes me happy about them: I think they complement each other really well. They have a lot in common but are pretty different about their approach to things... I also just really like battle couples lol 

What makes me sad about them: Their respective trauma is part of what makes them compelling but it’s certainly also sad, so in that sense...

Things done in fanfic that annoys me: So much of it is modern AU and i don’t care for it lol. Completely ignoring any sense that the Avatar world must have some elements of homophobia bothers me to exist in the ways it does, but as does completely overplaying it, idk. It’s a balance not everyone strikes well. Also obviously when people demonise Suki or Mai to account for them not being in the picture that’s bad.

Things I look for in fanfic: Honestly, more than anything? Good characterisation. This is a ship that lives and dies by good characterisation. I also really like when they’re set during the time at the Western Air Temple.  

My wishlist:

Swordfighting duels!! Practicing swordfighting together!! Bonding over swords like the dumb teenage boys they are!! Yes I know about the innuendo that only makes it better!! 

Hakoda not just being cool with it but realising about Zuko’s abuse and being like Actually I Am Your Dad Now

I always want fic where the gaang find out about how Zuko got his scar and that with Zukka is even more *chef’s kiss*

Who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other: Hmm ending up with, huh? I like Jetko for the drama but not necessarily as endgame. Sukka is pretty cute so I’m down for that but Maiko is.... look, it made sense for the time that Zuko was back in the Fire Nation because but I 100% don’t think it’s something either of them benefits from afterwards. They’re better off as friends imo also Zuko’s gay

My happily ever after for them: I want them to travel the world together tbh? I never quite know how to account for Zuko becoming Fire Lord in my thoughts about him post-canon because... well obviously I hate monarchy and I don’t actually think Zuko would be particularly comfortable being the leader of a nation, so... I don’t know. Maybe after some years, maybe a decade, of guiding the nation back towards stability Zuko starts reforming the country towards something more democratic and becomes less personally involved in the affairs of running the country? I don’t see them as people who would or really could be tied down by each other because they each have responsibilities to their respective communities and I don’t necessarily find “and then they lived in the Fire Nation palace together for the rest of their lives” compelling... 

Sokka

How I feel about this character: I love him so much. His character developement is so compelling and as one of the very few prominent non-bending characters he is also compelling in the ways that situate him within the world and forces him to look for other things to contribute with. Again, the ways in which he is undeniably very clever but simoultaneously kind of dumb is also just... Very Good and Relatable lol. He was someone I overlooked a bit for a while but I think Sokka’s Master really awakened me to how great he is and on rewatches he became one of my faves. Also, you just gotta love any character that uses sarcasm as a shield lol. 

Any/all the people I ship romantically with this character: Zuko, primarily, as discussed above. I’m fine with both Yue and Suki as canon ships but I’m not really invested in it. When I was younger I liked Sokka/Toph somewhat but actually Toph is a lesbian so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ You could always do Suki/Toph, kill two birds with one stone you know

My favorite non-romantic relationship for this character: Gotta love a good father-son relationship <3

My unpopular opinion about this character: I don’t know what the popular opinions about him are tbh. I’ll use this to say I think ADHD!Sokka makes sense though

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: Hmm, idk... the episodes he had that were focused on him were very good and did a good job of exploring his inner life in the face of how often he’s a comedic character, so it would have to be more in terms of his relationships with other characters. More interactions with Zuko would have been good ofc ! :3c

Favorite friendship for this character: Hm, probably Aang. Protective Older Brother Mode for a character that isn’t even technically his sibling is Very Good.

My crossover ship: I don’t really have crossover ships

[melongumi]

due to hubris, i’m still thinking about a/b/o worldbuilding-- and I was thinkin’. In a modern setting, it could add a lot lorewise to say that like. Dynamics or whatever you want to call them, in their modern form, are something that first emerged in a hominid ancestor and they don’t exist in any other species. 

BUT: the precursor existed in a common ancestor from 6-8 mya, and a divergent system does exist in our closest living relatives, chimps and bonobos. After an evolutionary bottleneck, bonobos are now, as a species, all analogous to female alphas. Sort of like whiptail lizards, but with gametic reproduction still. 

In chimpanzees, the presence of this divergent system is much more subtle, and was only confirmed by science in the 20th century. Therefore, in this a/b/o setting, “everyone knows” that bonobos are humanity’s closest relative (though actually, as in otl, it’s actually both chimps and bonobos).

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Two Hundred Twenty-Two: Out of Date ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: River Runs Deep ] [ AO3 Link ]

No one ever said seeing spirits is always a good thing. All her life, Hinata’s pale eyes have given her glimpses into the unseen, the unknown: the plane beyond the mortal. At times, she sees beautiful spirits, little gods that still flit between the spaces humans no longer see.

...others...she sees the more malevolent creatures. Yōkai, monsters that would as soon eat a human as look at them.

While many of her homeland have abandoned the old ways - let them fade from fact to fiction - Hinata, like her mother before her knows the truth.

The gods are not dead. Simply...fewer. More scattered as humans overrun their world. And though Hinata sometimes loves her peeks behind the curtain...they aren’t always pleasant.

One such example came while on a school trip when she was still in high school. They were off to visit Kyoto, her entire class ushered to the beautiful city to tour the old landmarks and shrines. For Hinata, it was like stepping back in time. So many old buildings, statues, temples...and though she was the only one to see them, kami!

...and yōkai.

She and a group of students were wandering the Imperial Palace grounds, gawking and taking picture after picture. Hinata, of course, was sparing many a glance to the various spirits around them, trying not to be too open and reveal her ability to see them.

But one happened to notice.

She couldn’t help it. Doing a double take, she stared as a man strode with clear purpose across the palace grounds. First his outfit caught her eye: exceedingly out of date, he looked like someone straight out of an old feudal era movie: complete with hakama, haori, and zori. But once that surprise faded, Hinata realized he had ears...and not just any ears. Cat ears. And out from under his hems...were two tails.

This wasn’t just any feline spirit. This was a nekomata. A dangerous yōkai that loved to make mockeries of humans...and at times, even eat them. To see one so boldly out in broad daylight (well...at least to her eyes) was a shock to say the least.

But then he happened to glance her way.

...and he froze. Eyes went wide, ears perked and tails bushing in instinct.

For a moment, she was convinced she was going to die.

They stared at one another, no one else aware as the other students kept walking and talking, leaving Hinata behind.

And then, slowly...his expression began to shatter. His ears drooped and hung back, eyes searching her face with clear hues of loss...and longing.

Did...did he recognize her…? But she was more than certain she’d never seen him before. A nekomata, surely, she would have known in a heartbeat.

“...Hinata…?”

He knew her name.

Tearing her eyes away from him, she looked to her group. He did the same. “I-I...I’m sorry, but...do I…? Do I know you?”

That, apparently...was his undoing. And in a flicker...he vanished.

“Ne, Hinata-chan!”

“Let’s go, you’re falling behind!”

Blinking at the words of her classmates, she’d staggered, and then followed.

...how strange.

The sight bothered her for the rest of the day, but for the remainder of their trip, she never again saw the strange nekomata. By the time she made her way home, she’d begun to forget. Thoughts of him were left behind in Kyoto.

...but he was not.

Safely back at home, she’d collapsed atop her bed that night, sighing in exhaustion and simply taking in the comfort and familiarity of home. Over her bed spilled moonlight from her parted curtains. She really should get up...and…

Before she could finish the thought...the light faded. A...a cloud, perhaps.

...no such luck.

Opening her eyes, she gasped as a silhouette crouched in her window. It...it was the man! From the palace grounds! Scrambling to put distance between them, Hinata planted her back against the far wall. “W...who are you?” she demanded in a harsh whisper, not wanting to alert her family. “What do you want?”

Tails slowly swaying, he just...watched her. “...so...you don’t remember me.”

“S...should I…? I’ve never seen you before.”

“It was...many years ago. A lifetime, one could say. I should have known your memories would not follow from one to the next…”

“I...I really don’t know w-what you’re talking about.”

A solemn sigh escaped him. “...I am Uchiha Sasuke. As you can see, miko...I am a yōkai. A monster. Specifically...a cursed cat. Nekomata.”

“Are...are you going to eat me?”

That earned a snort. “...no. I have no intention to eat you. Or harm you. When we met, you offended me with your staring. Funny, then...that this time, I was never so eager to meet your eyes.”

“...so...you’re saying we...we have met.”

“In another life. You humans are so short-lived...I knew this, and hoped you would be special. That your blood would grant you favor. I think, in a way, it did...but not against all evils.”

She considered that. Does he really mean they met in a previous iteration of...herself? He does indeed dress like a bygone era. He had to have been of some great age...even more so when one considered the years required to become a nekomata. “...you wanted me...to live?”

“...I did. Because I chose you as my bride.”

Hinata balked. “B...bride?”

“You were the daughter of a nobleman. Unhappy with the visions the gods had given you, eyes like your mother’s...true miko eyes. Those that see beyond the mortal, into the plane of kami and yōkai. Many years ago, such a blessing would be considered a boon. But now, and even then...you saw it as a curse. Something that marked you as different, that earned you scorn when revealed. Correct…?”

Still a bit hung up on the term ‘bride’, Hinata then digested his other words. So...he already knew about her eyes. His surprise, then, wasn’t that she could see him...but rather that she was a reborn version of someone he had loved…? “I was...I was truly your bride?” I married a yōkai…?

“You did not fully belong to the world of men. They refuted your gift, called you cursed. I promised to take you from that world...and I did. And we were happy.”

“...then what happened?”

“...I do not wish to recount it.”

She flinched. “S...sorry.”

“Perhaps...another night. Far from now. You...are the Hinata I knew, grown in a world I no longer recognize. Your memories of me are gone...and yet...I wonder if, in time, you will regrow them. If you would...indulge me again.”

“I-I mean...I’m just a high school student! I’m not really planning to get married r-right away! Maybe that was normal then, but...not now.”

Sasuke studied her for a time. “...then I will be patient, as you taught me how. You must grow...as your love did for me once. No matter the years, I will wait. And I will earn that love again. This time...I will not lose you.”

In spite of herself, Hinata felt a heat rise in her face. No one had ever...shown such an interest in her. True, this was...highly unorthodox. And yet...if he was right...she’d fallen in love with him before. Was such a thing truly possible…? A human and a yōkai…?

“...for now, I will leave you. I can see my presence unnerves you.”

“But -?”

“But...I will not stray far. I will protect you. This world is just as dangerous as it was in the past, Hinata...perhaps even more so. I shall be your shadow...and keep you safe from the darkened corners. You need only look...and I will be there. Until you are ready.”

Before she could protest, he vanished.

Utterly at a loss, she stared at the then-empty windowsill. So...a nekomata she’d loved and married in a past life had found her again...and wanted to be with her in this life, as well…? This was all so very confusing. Maybe...maybe she was dreaming.

Unsure, she closed and locked her window, drawing in the curtains before crawling into bed. She felt unable to sleep, too consumed by all he’d told her. But once her mind quieted, lulled by the quiet and the stillness, she finally found rest.

She could see what the fates had in store for her come morning.

                                                           .oOo.

     Tired OTL      So this is a far-flung continuation of days 148 and 156, where Sasuke is a nekomata determined to get a miko into his clutches! But this is a what-if of if she died and was later reincarnated into a modern life. Hence Sasuke being out of date, lol      I wanna do more, but my eyes are screaming and I'm v tired, so we'll leave it there xD Thanks for reading!