#I’ll do it someday for us and in her honor

[mer-se]

“I remember ‘chasing storms’ with you and your mother” :’)

[the-obnoxious-sibling]

naming rights

madney/bucktommy, post 8x15, 1k cleaned up on ao3 here

inspired by all the naming-kids-after-the-dead posting (and this post by @beanarie in particular, for one specific line). as someone named after a dead grandparent myself i think some of y’all are overestimating how heavily it weighs on the soul, but i acknowledge that this shit hits different in fiction.

.

The odd mood doesn’t really register for Buck at first. And even then, once he notices the tension in Maddie’s shoulders, how Chimney’s a beat late to cracking a joke Buck doesn’t get, he credits the mood to Tommy’s presence. This is, after all, the first time he’s brought Tommy to the Buckley-Han household since they agreed to start again, to take this seriously. It annoys him a little, but it’s not like he doesn’t get it. Maddie and Chimney saw him at his lowest, missing Tommy. If they want to hold a bit of a grudge, that’s their business.

And then Chimney blurts out, “Buck, if you want dibs, just say the word.”

Buck blinks, looking down at the plate of cheddar herb biscuits he’s been hovering over. There are five left. It’s not exactly a dibs-worthy scenario. “What?”

Maddie sets a hand on Chimney’s shoulder, letting out a strained little laugh at the defeated look on his face. “We were… talking about names, last week,” she says, “and it occurred to us that there might be a name you would like to… reserve. For future use.”

It hits like a punch to the solar plexus, heart-stopping, the way reminders of Bobby always do. Buck makes himself breathe slow and even, and then the implications of the offer are a follow-up punch to the gut. He gasps, helpless. “Wha—Chim, he died for y—” Chimney winces, and Buck wants to smack himself. Stupid, thoughtless—like he needs that reminder! “W-what I mean is, I can’t ask you to do that for me.”

“Yeah, well, I’m asking if you want me to anyway.” Chim shrugs, a sad little smile on his face. “Not to brag, but I’ve lost a lot of loved ones in my time, Buck. Plenty of people I could memorialize in a name.” He leans into Maddie’s side, looking fondly at her. “Then again, Jee-Yun’s already named for my mom. Maybe it’s time we honor someone Maddie lost.”

It takes Buck a second. Daniel. Oh, jeez.

For a moment, he thinks about it.

But just for a moment.

Buck shakes his head. “Mom and Dad—”

“—can deal with it,” Maddie insists.

Buck smiles—he’d love to see her say that to their faces—but doubles down. “Do you really want to risk it, though? Another kid they can’t help but treat differently?” He sure doesn’t want to have to see that. Even though they’d be able to tell his nephew why Grandma wants to run away and cry when she says his name, he knows from experience how little difference having an explanation makes.

Maddie winces, and he knows she gets it.

“No,” Buck says, firmer now, “if you guys want to name your kid after Bobby, you should do it. You have my blessing, or whatever.”

The tension drops out of the room so abruptly Buck feels stupid for failing to notice it sooner. Maddie smiles, relieved, and Chimney says a solemn, quiet word of thanks, and he feels like such a heel for considering any other answer for even a second.

“Besides,” Buck jokes, fiddling with a biscuit, “it’s not like I even—I-I mean, who knows if I’ll… if I’ll ever.” He stops, the unfairness of it all strangling his voice, making his heart stall out in his chest.

Because even if he does, someday. Whoever, however, it doesn’t matter—a name is the most substantial thing he can give them of Bobby. And that’s nothing, it’s just a word, a pair of sounds. Two syllables. Compared to everything he should be able to give—!

Tommy gently extracting the crushed biscuit from Buck’s hand snaps him back to reality. “Hey,” he says, just as gently, wrapping his hands around Buck’s.

“Hey. Sorry about—” Buck cuts himself off at the familiar look this gets him. He sighs. “I have nothing to apologize for, I know.”

“Good,” Tommy says. He glances between Maddie and Chimney, stricken, and Buck, surprised by his grief yet again. “Not that anyone asked, but my two cents? I don’t see why anyone needs to declare dibs here.” He squeezes Buck’s hand, a move Buck has come to recognize as a sign of an incoming anecdote that means more to Tommy than he’ll let on.

Buck gives Tommy his full attention.

Tommy averts his eyes.

“Like, my cousin’s wife? Her family is huge, but you can tell which is the firstborn kid in each household because they all have basically the same name. Marianne, Marion, Marvin (middle name Andrew), Marybeth (middle name Ann)… all after their shared grandma, who died twenty years before any of them were born.” Tommy shrugs. “Sure, it gets a little confusing when they’re all in the same place and you’re trying to get one’s attention, but… I don’t know, I think it’s kind of beautiful? That woman was so loved, you can see her impact on a whole generation.”

He meets Buck’s eyes at last, and it’s almost unbearable how earnest Tommy looks as he asks, “Why shouldn’t Bobby get as many namesakes as he has people who love him?”

Buck blinks. Looks at Maddie and Chimney, who barely share half a glance before they’re nodding at him.

Buck smiles, kisses Tommy, wipes tears from the corners of both their eyes with his free hand, and turns back to Maddie and Chimney. “So what were you thinking, Robert Daniel?”

Maddie shakes her head. “I thought about it, but I don’t want Jee-Yun feeling like the odd one out. So I went looking, and there are a couple Korean names that start with Bo…”

As she goes on, listing names and their pros and cons, her husband watching with hearts in his eyes, Buck leans closer to Tommy. “So what name are you considering, then?” he murmurs. “You have something already picked out that goes nicely with Robert?”

Buck doesn’t take his eyes off Maddie, doesn’t let go of either of Tommy’s hands. They’re taking this seriously, now, or at least that’s what they said. If Tommy meant it, if he means it, he can answer this question without flinching.

All the same, Buck’s readied himself for a neutral-at-best reaction.

He’s entirely unprepared for Tommy to immediately respond, “Nah. It’s kinda old-fashioned, but I’ve always liked the name Roberta.” And he hums, a little off-key, the first line of a song that Buck’s heard a dozen times or more, in the background of quiet, comfortable dinners at Tommy’s place.

Buck grins, his heart starting to race.

[asunflowerana]

eye candy — Sakusa Kiyoomi

summary: only you have kiyoomi's heart. and he'll make sure every single one knows that.

It's lunch break, and Kiyoomi peacefully savors his beef stew, his cousin making him company as usual, sitting beside him at the table far from the noisy students. Among the cafeteria, comments about the next volleyball match can be heard, especially with the semifinals of the spring tournament qualifiers, wondering if the team’s star will keep up with his performance or fail to give the school another victory.

What does he think about their opinion? 

Well, actually, he just doesn't care. 

Sakusa doesn’t play to get fan’s approval or popularity: he plays because he enjoys what he does. Being noticed is just an effect of his efforts to become a professional someday, and even though the spotlight brings some benefits, he wouldn’t mind if his whole fanclub disappeared suddenly. Most of their support is superficial and sham, too shallow for his liking. 

Who truly matters to Omi is those who have always been there for him, way before his rise. Like you, for example. 

His favorite fan.

He cares for you so, so much, in a way he never imagined he could do it. It’s strange, now thinking of it, how someone so skeptical about love before now does anything possible to show you how much he appreciates your existence, and how grateful he is for being yours, and for having the honor of calling you his. 

If it depends on Sakusa, this will remain for the rest of his life.

Motoya’s a front row spectator of your relationship, being there since the moment you and his cousin first interacted with each other, you politely asking to borrow one of his pens in History class. Imagine the blonde’s shock when he saw Omi not cleaning the pen after you’ve returned.

He was the first one to hear about the brunette's feelings, the one who helped him pick the first date place, the flowers, the gifts, even the dorky letters Omi sent to your address, wanting to be different from the usual texting-guys. If there’s one person in the world who knows how crazy in love Sakusa Kiyoomi is for you, it’s Motoya. He isn’t bothered at all, having a lot of fun every time he watches his cousin getting all doki doki whenever you’re around.

And how protective he gets when you’re not. 

“Sakusa.” A girl suddenly approaches their table, her sultry but invasive voice interrupting the chewing of both cousins. If Motoya’s not mistaken, this girl is Tai, one of Class D students. He secretly grimaces, already predicting the reason she came to talk to Omi, like all the other girls that has been crushing on his cousin. 

Poor girl.

Kiyoomi doesn’t even look up from his food, preparing a spoon full of vegetables. “Yes?”

“Um-” She fidgets a little with the disinterest in his tone, but a charming smile appears on her face nonetheless. Oh, she’s trying hard. “I just came to wish you a good game this Friday. I’ll be cheering for you on the stands.”

“Hmmm.” He doesn’t even hide his boredom, contemplating the pleasing taste of the seasoned stew. He hopes the staff used gloves while preparing it this time. “Didn’t know you were part of the cheer’s team.” 

“N-no!” She chuckles a little too loud, trying to hide her nervousness. “I’m not part of the team. I just… I wanted to cheer just for you, you know? Give you some boost for the game.”

Unfortunately for her, this time he raises his gaze until it finds her anxious eyes, which averts when they notice the unpleasant frown on his face. “Boost? Do you think I need your cheers to play well?”

“N-not at all. But, you know, having an eye candy could help you play even better.”

Motoya snorts loudly, not being able to hold how impressed he is by the girl’s dumb confidence. Is she that clueless? Sakusa has been dating you for almost six months, there’s no way she doesn’t know by now that he’s taken. He watches as his cousin stares at her for a few uncomfortable seconds, his cold glare making even him uncomfortable. Thank goodness, he is not the target this time.

“I don’t see any eye candy here.” Short and frank, Omi answers her move.

Tai looks clearly dejected, but she took the hint that insisting wouldn’t do any good to her side. To lessen the embarrassing moment, she nods at him, pretending his words didn’t have an effect on her heart, and she offers him a brief goodbye before rushing away from their table, shoulders slowly falling with shame.

“Oof, that one hurted.” Motoya breaks the silence, his eyes widening as he checks his wristwatch. “Twenty-five seconds! It’s your new ditch record, Omi-kun.”

Sakusa rolls his eyes at his comment, having another spoon of his stew “She's been trying that for weeks. She even knows ______.”

“Well, I think she got the message now.” The blonde chuckles, eyes twinkling as he spots you entering the cafeteria right after his comment. He raises his left hand and waves at you with a smile, succeeding in catching your attention.. “And look who’s coming to the party.”

From his cousin's excited tone, Omi has a pretty good guess on who he’s referring to, and he instinctively searches through the crow to check it out. It’s amazing how Omi’s semblance lights up when he sees you. The transformation is visible, and if he could, Motoya would totally take a picture of his cousin’s starstruck face right now.

“Hey guys!” You greet them as soon as you get closer, and your boyfriend immediately takes a chair from the closest table and arranges beside him for you to sit on. Motoya holds back a laugh, and you thank him with a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, Omi.”

Hearts could come out of Sakusa’s eyes.

“You’re so beautiful today.” Is the first thing that comes out of his mouth, making you giggle in that sweet way that makes his heart flutter every single time.

“Okay lover, you can go back to eat, she won’t go anywhere.” His cousin cracks a joke, but the brunette doesn’t even pay attention to his words, choosing to focus on you instead.

The displays of affection don’t stop, and he doesn’t even notice how sappy (but sweet) he’s being with you. He holds your hand on top of the table, absently stroking your skin with his thumb and occasionally kissing the back of it; he nuzzles your head when you cuddle his arm, loving to smell the scent of your shampoo; he looks at you intently as you speak about your last class, paying attention to every word that comes out of your pretty mouth like it’s the most important speech he’s ever heard.

Motoya doesn’t know if he looks the other way in disgust, or if he just smiles, happy that his cousin has finally found someone special for him. Or if he takes some pictures of sweet Omi, which would be a good opportunity to make fun of him later.

“Okay guys, I’ll catch up with you later.” The blonde announces, figuring you’d better have your privacy; being the third wheel can be really tiring sometimes.“ Omi, see you at the warm-up. Enjoy your time together, lovebirds.” The blonde leaves, leaving the two of you more comfortable getting closer to each other. Omi kisses your cheek sweetly before caressing it with his palm.

“Will you watch the match today?” He questions, loving the idea of spotting your beautiful self in the middle of the game. 

The question sounds a little strange to your ears, because you almost never lose his games. But you choose to answer regardless, caressing his scalp full of curly locks, to his delight. “Yes, of course I’ll be there.”

“Good.” A small smile of his grows with your touch. “I need my eye candy.”

© asunflowerana 2024 — all rights reserved.

[helenofsparta2]

One thing I’ll never be able to forgive Game of Thrones, especially the later seasons, is the way they warped the conception of so many characters, and completely dumped down their complexity.

Jon Snow is not my favourite character because he is this perfect, always noble hero, who is a great, badass swordfighter.

He is my favourite character because, while he is more morally righteous than a lot of other characters, he can be bitter, and sarcastic and ruthless. Because he used to be arrogant and thought of himself as better than his brothers at the nights watch because of his upbringing but learned to overcome his prejudices again and again and again, first towards the men at the watch, then later towards the wildlings. Because he has always been jealous of Rob and secretly dreamed of being lord of Winterfell, but still refuses Stannis’ offer to get legitimized because of his oaths and because he defends Sansa’s and Arya’s claims. Because he has a strong inner conflict between his intense, often romanticized, desire to someday have a wife and children, he could name after Robb, and his position as a bastard and as Lord Commander of the Night’s watch. Because he tries so hard to be a son Ned Stark would be proud of and tries to be as honorable as he has always been taught, but would still drop his oaths to save his family any day.

Because he makes mistakes as Lord Commander, which cost him his life in the end, but is one of the only characters who sees the big picture and whose efforts will be vital in defeating the Others. Because he is hunted by the ghosts of teh dead. Because he is a Warg, and deeply involved in the magical side of a song of ice and fire, but most of the time acts as pragmatic as possible. Because he is able to win the respect of Stannis, of Aemon, of Lord Commander Mormont, of many brothers of the night’s watch, in spite of his parentage. Because in a world, where bastards are mostly seen as deceitful and dangerous, and their existence has often caused rebellions and wars, especially within the Targaryen dynasty, he loves his family more than anything and is seen as a symbol of safety and home by Arya, Sansa and Bran. Because while Catelyn Stark feared he would someday endanger her children’s birth rights, he is the one, that defends it the most.

Daenerys Targaryen is not one of my favourite characters because she is a Targaryen queen who has dragons and burns slavers, but because she is a young girl who has gone through immense suffering, but still tries desperately to be a good queen.

She makes mistakes, she can be hypocritical and ruthless, she lacks wisdom and experience. She is the mother of dragons, and has close to no idea how to raise and train them. She is disillusioned about Viserys and her father, and is the antithesis to the entire Targaryen dynasty, but still clings to every new piece of information about her brother Rhaegar. She desires to have a home and a family, and wants power not for the sake of power, but because she wants the ability to make the lives of other people better and protect those who can not protect themselves. She wants her kingdom to be beautiful, full of fat men, and pretty maids and laughing children. She is one of the most powerful characters in the books, the one who brought dragons back, and will break the system, but often does not know how to do that and sometimes does not know how to deal with the consequences of her actions. She listens to the smallfolk and nobility alike. She is barely 16 years old in a dance with dragons but acts as an older sister figure to Missandei and a mother figure to her people.

Arya Stark is not one of my favourite characters because she is a cold assassin, and “not like other girls”, but because Arya “underfoot” gets along with soldiers and smallfolk alike and finds friends wherever she goes.

Because she has the wildness of the north in her, and is tomboyish, but doesn’t look down on feminine women and girls. She uses her list as a coping mechanism after seeing her father die. She tries to become this strong assassin, but clings to the memories of her family, especially Jon, and her home. She is (probably) the second strongest Warg in the Stark family. She thirsts for revenge, and doesn’t hesitate to kill, but still has a strong sense of justice, and doesn’t lose her ability to socialize.

I could go on and on and on. I could talk about how Cersei is no cold, calculating player of the game, but a delusional, unpredictable, but very entertaining narcissist, or how Tyrion is becoming a revenge-obsessed, bitter villain. I could talk about Sansa, or the entirety of Dorne or about Stannis Baratheon, or so amny other characters.

George R. R. Martin has crafted so many complex, and fascinating characters in this rich wolrd and narrative, and their treatment in the later seasons of the Tv-show adaptation really make my soul bleed.

[d3lly1000]

Zack & Lilly The Hedgehog - The Gremlins Twins!

I was trying to hold off on them until I finished Skyler's redesign, but I couldn't.

I had mentioned some time ago that I wanted to give Sonic and Amy chaotic twins because I can totally see them causing trouble and getting into a lot of mischief, and well: Here they are!

Some facts about them in my AU:

When Amy was pregnant, she constantly felt tremors in her body and headaches. These effects were caused by the abilities they were naturally born with – the Supersonic Scream.

Zack was born seconds before Lilly.

When they were babies, they couldn’t control their abilities, which is why there were constantly broken windows around the house. They would even get scared by the sound of their own 'super-cries' when they were in the crib, which occasionally led to some hearing impairments.

Lilly is the thinker of the duo. She always comes up with foolproof plans and strategies to start a chaos zone. Zack has a more innocent mind, but still, he loves causing trouble too.

Lilly has a shorter temper, with assertiveness, leadership, and perfectionism. She likes it when everything is going as planned, and when things don’t go as expected, she knows how to play the 'helpless girl' to avoid facing the consequences. She dreams of not only dominate the world but also becoming a famous actress.

Although he causes trouble too, Zack is more soft-hearted. He tends to be more affectionate and empathetic, with a strong sense of protection and courage. He would love to have the chance to perform a heroic act like his father someday.

Zack loves stories of romance and fantasy. Every night before bed, he would ask his father to tell the story of King Arthur, where Sonic would give so many details that it made him wonder if he had been there when the story happened.

Lilly has a great taste for mystical and magical things – thanks to her mother's Tarot cards. She eventually discovers that she can cast some spells, but only when she's an adult.

Both have the ability to summon weapons. However, Lilly has always chosen to design a cute umbrella that could help her glide and be more defensive, while her brother, who dreams of protecting others and being a great knight, opts for a sword.

Lilly and Zack will rarely be seen apart; she is the shield to his attacks. They highly honor their own sibling code.

Zack doesn't have super speed like his father, but his Uncle Tails designed technologies that use his movements as energy, making him faster.

Both love playing pranks on their older sister – Skyler. This always irritates her, as she usually ends up having to fix the problems they cause.

They are 6 years younger than Skyler - If something happened to her siblings, she would feel guilty.

In Amy's view, the twins are angels. They always pretend nothing is happening, because if she finds out, they’ll be in serious trouble. Sonic knows they cause a lot of mischief, so he scolds them without involving Amy, advising them and giving them moral lessons so they don’t do it again – which always happens.

Lilly is daddy's little girl, Zack is mommy's little boy.

Zack eats a lot, which gives him a more robust body when he’s an adult.

Both are extremely dramatic. They like to think they’re acting in an anime, saying impactful lines and making exaggerated gestures.

They are very close friends with their cousin - Tails and Zooey's daughter.

Their biggest goal is to dominate the world. However, when they become adults, this plan fades from Zack's path, as he wants to follow in his father's footsteps as a hero, but Lilly still has the desire to rule it in an evil way.

Zack has spikes similar to Sonic's deceased parents, while Lilly has bangs-like spikes similar to Amy's mother.

Conclusion...

For now, that's it. Some of the characters mentioned aren't finished yet, but as soon as I finish, I’ll be posting new information!

[drpoisonoaky]

Are they really your friends if they haven’t threatened your partner? Yes they are, but where’s the fun in that.

This is the Gaang threatening Azula for “Katara’s sake”.

— Sokka

Sokka: Katara out!

Katara, raising an eyebrow: Excuse me?

Sokka: Can you please get out so I can speak with Azula?

Katara: Whatever you want to say to her I’m sure I can be in here.

Sokka: No. And don’t ask.

Katara:

Sokka: Pretty please?

Azula: I’m honestly intrigued.

Katara: Ugh. Fine.

Sokka: Thanks sister. Luv ya.

*Katara out of the picture*

Sokka: Listen up snooty princess. *Put his boomerang on the table*. I’m here to talk about how I will punish you if you hurt my sister in any kind of way.

Azula: Sure, I’m all ears.

Sokka: Wait what?

Azula: But I must advise you I experienced a lot of forms of torture already. Father used to say “It’s war Azula, they will do this to you if you’re weak and they catch you. It’s for you own good”

Azula: So what do you have in mind? Father favored the traditional practices of the Earth Nation.

Sokka: I- Damn. Spirits.

Azula: Look I never would hurt your sister on purpose. Ever. You have my word and honor.

Sokka: I’m going to hug you. So be ready. Here I go.

Azula: This is certainly a technique that my father didn’t use.

Sokka: NOW.

— Suki

Suki: Let’s talk.

Azula: Last time I checked you weren’t my friend in the kyoshi warriors. Did something happen to Ty lee?

Suki: I want to talk to you as Katara’s friend.

Azula: Ugh.

Suki: Listen asshole If you consider for a fraction of sec-

Azula: I am not going to hurt her on purpose. I’m a bitch. I know. I’m mean. Believe I know. But-

Azula: Wait why am I explaining anything to you?

Suki: Because I’m going to kill you if you don’t treat her as she deserves?

Azula: She’d do it first, don’t you think?

Suki: ..Well yeah, but it’s mandatory. They give Sokka the warning talk when we started dating.

Azula: They give it to Sokka and not you?

Suki: In Katara’s words “You could do way better than him so we’re going to remind him that”

— Toph

Toph: Princess purple platypus.

Azula: Living creature who doesn’t know what a bath is.

Toph: I’m here to give you a talk captain firebitch.

Azula: About how you are going to murder me if I lost my mind again and hurt my girlfriend on purpose?

Toph: Yeah I guess.

Azula: Message received.

Toph: Good. Another thing.

Azula: What?

Toph: Is it true that you know several torture techniques from the Earth Kingdom?

Azula: *sighs* He cannot shut up. Yes.

Toph: Good so start to talk princess snooty-pants. I want details.

— Zuko

Azula: Is your turn in that madness that they’re doing?

Zuko: Has everyone talked to you?

Azula: I think the avatar didn’t but I’m not sure. But I don’t think he knows how to threat someone.

Zuko: Who knows. So can you help me to figure out how to distribute all of the income from-

Azula: Thank Agni. No talk from you?

Zuko: Of course not. If you hurt her she will beat the shit out of you. Well, maybe you will have an awesome battle like I would pick popcorn and watch. So no, I’ve started learning when I don’t need to talk.

Azula: Oh I wasn’t expecting that. Good job Zuzu.

Zuko: So can you help me?

Azula: Gladly.

— Aang

Aang: Hey Azula. Mind if I sit here?

Azula: Do as you please Avatar.

Aang: Oh thanks.

Aang: By the way I came here to say you something.

Azula: So I was right you were the one left-

Aang: Listen Azula I’m only going to say this once. *Avatar State on* Hurt Katara in any kind of way and I will forget everything I know about peace. I’ll bring Kyoshi and let her do whatever she wants. Your past will look like a fairy tale compared to what will happen to you. Understood?

Azula, pale as a piece of paper: Sure.

Aang: It was nice to see you. Let’s grab some tea someday. Bye!

Azula:

Azula: Who would have thought that the air monk which I already kill once would be the most sadistic. My respects Avatar.

— Katara

Katara: I assume they give you the talk, right?

Azula: You have assumed correctly.

Katara: Poor thing.

Azula: I know you don’t feel bad for me, quit the show.

Katara: Don’t be such a baby. Now I need to know, who was the weakest?

Azula: Your brother by far. He spent more time trying to hug me than threatening me.

Katara: No surprised. Who was the “scariest”?

Azula: The Avatar. But don’t you dare to tell a soul.

Katara: Aang? The pacifist monk? Aang who cries if he eats a piece of meat?

Azula: Yes sweetie, that one.

Katara: *barely holding her laughter*

Azula: One more laugh and I’m done with you.

Katara: No you don’t.

Azula: I hate you.

Katara: I hate you too babe.

Toph, from afar: WHIPPED.

— Ty lee & Mai

Azula: Did you give Katara the talk

Ty lee: What talk?

Mai: I don’t think we need to tell her where the babies come from.

Azula: The one of If Katara hurt me you will hurt her etc.

Mai: No?

Ty lee: Why would we ever do that? We like Katara. She’s way nicer than you.

Mai: Being honest she could do better than you.

Azula: And I’m betrayed once aga-

Azula: Oh no. I’m the Sokka. Somebody kill me.

Mai: I think she lost it. Again.

Ty lee: Suki could also do better than Sokka.

Azula: I’m a sinner in the eyes of the fire nation. SOMEBODY KILL ME.

Ty lee: NO YOU ARE NOT ANYMORE NOW IT’S LEGAL.

Mai: Ugh. She’s so dramatic.

[crookshanksagentofowca]

Promise

“We’ll be different,” Bellatrix said confidently, her voice breaking up the still night air. “You’ll see.” “Yeah?” Andromeda replied, her voice soft and unsure.

The two of them were sitting on a wide branch of the tree outside Bella’s bedroom window, looking out across the dark grounds of the Black Family Estate and up into the glittering heavens. Behind them, just inside, Narcissa slept peacefully on the window seat. As hard as she tried, she could never quite manage to stay up as late as her sisters, but she liked to stay near them anyway.

Earlier that day, the girls’ grandparents, Pollux and Irma, had returned from one of their many trips around the world and had showered them with gifts and spent hours entertaining them with tales of their adventures. Afterwards, the three of them had excitedly begun to plot all the globetrotting the three of them would do

together one day and everyone in the room had chuckled indulgently. “Better find yourselves an adventurous husband like I did, then!” Irma had said, affectionately patting Pollux on the arm.

“What would we need husbands for?” Bellatrix asked, wrinkling her nose. “We’ll have each other!” This had been followed with more chuckling. “Young ladies of such noble blood as ours don’t go off wandering the world on their own!” Pollux explained. “It’s simply not proper! Besides, you’ll be married as soon as you finish school anyway.”

“Oh, don’t be so old-fashioned!” Their father had spoken up and given Bella a momentary flash of hope. “They can have a few years after Hogwarts to figure out adulthood before they get married. If they wish to travel during that time—” “As long as they go to appropriate locations,” their mother put in hastily. “I shudder to imagine what would happen if they were spotted unchaperoned in some of the places your parents have been describing!” That had dampened their spirits.

“But I thought we could do whatever we wanted once we’re adults!” Bellatrix had protested and everyone had laughed again like she was an amusing circus act.

“Within reason,” Cygnus had said. “You still have to uphold the family’s honor.” “And you have a responsibility to extend our bloodline,” Pollux added. “Even if your children won’t carry the family name, they’ll still be Purebloods and the world certainly needs more of those!” Everyone nodded fervently. Cissy had then asked,

“Wait…why won’t our children carry the family name? Wouldn’t they be part of the family?” Another round of chuckling had caused a flash of white-hot anger to rise inside Bellatrix. “That’s not how it works, Narcissa,” Druella had said. “When you get married, you join your husband’s family.” The sisters exchanged alarmed glances.

“But what about Bella and Andie?” Narcissa asked nervously. “They’ll have their own husbands and families,” Irma said patiently, “but you’ll still be able to visit each other—your children will be cousins and they can all play together!” “You mean, once we grow up, you’re going to…separate us?” Andromeda asked, tears glimmering in her eyes. Yet more laughter. Bellatrix clenched her fists.

“Trust me,” Cygnus had said. “There will come a time when you don’t want to see your siblings every day. Honestly, I get along better with Walburga and Alphard now that we all have our own lives!” “But I don’t want a life without Andie and Cissy!” Bellatrix snapped, grabbing each of their hands. “Maybe not right now,” Irma said. “But you will someday. You’ll see.”

“But why?” Andromeda whined. “Why do we have to get husbands? Why do we have to leave each other?!” “Because that’s just the way it is,” Druella replied, impatience creeping into her voice. “That’s what all of your ancestors have done for generations. That’s what your descendants will do for generations more. This is how we keep magical bloodlines alive. You’ll understand when you’re older.”

“No I WONT!” Bellatrix shouted. “I’ll always want to be with my sisters! I’ll never change!” “Don’t raise your voice at me, young lady.” Druella’s tone was calm, but a warning look entered her eyes. Cygnus, Pollux and Irma all looked like they were trying hard not to laugh. Bella’s fury broke.

“We’re not going to get married, and you can’t make us! And you can’t stop us from traveling together, either! Once we grow up, the three of us are going to be the most powerful witches in the world and we’ll do whatever we want and be together forever and you’ll all be sorry you weren’t nicer to us!”

And with that, she’d stormed out of the room, her sisters trotting alongside her, still hand in hand. Druella had stood to follow them, but Cygnus had stopped her, saying,

“Oh, let them enjoy their childhood while they can! You know they’ll grow up eventually. Everyone does.”

Bella, Andie and Cissy had marched up to the library, grabbed a few atlases and holed up in Bella’s room with them, planning all the fabulous adventures they would have once they were older and freer. They had stayed there until dinner and once the rest of the family had gone to bed, Andie and Cissy had snuck into Bella’s room to continue plotting.

After Narcissa had fallen asleep, Andromeda had begun to express doubts. After all, even their father, who had the privilege of being a man, had been required to marry and settle down. Every adult they knew seemed to have lost any interest they may have once had in sneaking around and playing and preferred to do boring things like talking about politics or attending lectures on the history of gardening. What hope was there, really, that the three of them wouldn’t succumb to the same fate?

Now, Bella took her sister’s hand and held their entwined fingers up to the sky, as though asking the stars to bear witness to her solemn oath.

“I promise,” she said. “When we get to Hogwarts, we’ll be the best in our classes and once we’ve all graduated, we’ll run away and see the world! They can’t burn us all off the tapestry and even if they did, they’ll change their minds once they hear about all the great things we’re accomplishing! I promise,” she repeated, squeezing Andie’s hand tighter, “we’ll be the most powerful and legendary of the whole family—the world will never forget the Black sisters!”

Bellatrix’s dark eyes reflected the stars as she finished her pronouncement, making her look almost ethereal.

At last, Andromeda relaxed and allowed herself to match her older sister’s smile. She trusted Bella more than anyone and Bella never broke a promise. If Bella said it, then surely it would be so. @black-sisters-microfic I swear I started this in Feburuary....

[catindabag]

TBOSAS on Crack! ✨essential information✨

⭐️❄️⭐️

FIRST off, in honor of the book and its movie release, TBOSAS on Crack is solely (just) created as a JOKE!Alternative Universe that focuses more on the 24 OG Mentors of the 10th Hunger Games. This includes the funny/romantic misunderstandings of Coriolanus Snow and Sejanus Plinth that gave everyone the impression that they were actually “secretly” dating, and are indeed boyfriends (until they honestly were).

In addition, this Crack!AU will tell you the compelling story of how a bunch of delinquents “accidentally” stopped the Hunger Games from continuing, just because of a certain Mentor’s ✨nepotism✨.

MORE or less, most of the characters in the book are the same when it comes to their personalities and backstories. Well, except for our Mentors. They’re a bunch of crackhead Capitol kids with too much fun and stress on their hands. They even almost made Dean Highbottom and Dr. Gaul quit their respective jobs.

ALSO, these young walking disasters are not “all there” in the head. Heck! Half of them went crazy years ago because of the infamous 2 year Capitol Siege by the rebels that almost starved them all to death. Just ask Coryo Snow and Persephone. But as for the other half, let’s just say that all they want to do is eat, drink, party, and ✨graduate✨.

Here is a quick character info: [Read Me]

Here are their visuals: [Read Me]

Here’s the Hunger Games Origin: [Read Me]

Here’s their playlist: [Read Me]

Here are their ✨Code Names✨: [Read Me]

And here’s Dean Highbottom’s take: [Read Me]

Here’s that Epic The Musical Post: [Read Me]

Here’s the fate of District 13: [Read Me]

PS: For sanity’s sake, no Mentor or Tribute will be dying in this Crack!AU. No one gets killed! Bombs will still explode inside the Capitol Arena, but our crazy kids will wear the thickest plot armor EVER, just because I’m their only sponsor!🤣

Read the Cracks here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78,

The cracks are not in chronological order, but someday they will. . .

MOREOVER, this Crack!AU includes the following:

The accidental birth of ✨Snowjanus✨!😘

Also known as Corjanus, SnowPlinth, CabbageBread, The Grandma’am golden ticket to a rich life, and Strabo’s not so secret plan to rule all of Panem through his only son’s marriage to Crassus Snow’s boy.

Coryo Snow malfunctioning for the hundredth time because of how forward and shamelessly romantic Sejanus Plinth is.

“Fine! I’ll marry into money! I’m sick of eating cabbages anyway!”

“Stop throwing bread to the dead, Sejanus Plinth! Throw it to the living!”

The Mentors (intentionally) delaying the Hunger Games from officially starting because of their nonstop shenanigans with their Tributes (much to Dr. Gaul and her Gamemaker’s frustration).🤣

The Tributes slowly accepting (and sometimes rejecting) the fact that their Mentors are just a bunch of “dramatic nepotistic crazy clowns” who refuse to learn basic social cues.

The 10th Hunger Games being officially postponed (over and over again) because of Felix Ravinstill’s ✨nepotism✨ working overtime.😌💅

In truth, the Gamemakers were “forced” to stop the countdown (over and over again) because half of the Mentors illegally barged into the control room without Dr. Gaul’s permission. Afterwards, Felix just used the excuse of “My granduncle is the President of Panem, I can do whatever I want” card to postpone the games.

Lucy Gray ignoring the personal space of her fellow annoyed Tributes (and everyone she meets), just because she’s “Covey” and quirky.

The poor underpaid Capitol Peacekeepers wanting a salary increase, vacation, and promotion because they have been dealing with the Mentors’ extra curricular criminal activities for far too long.

All the Mentors (excluding Livia and Arachne) being genuine ✨Besties✨ to each other since their grade school days.

Livia Cardew only calls her classmates either witches or idiots.

Festus Creed being the real ✨Dumpster Diving Capitol Rat King✨ and the best free cheesecake coupon hoarder of the century.

“Dumpster Diving for free food coupons is a common school activity, officer!”

The Academy? More like ✨The Academy of Arts✨💅.

Everyone wanting to secretly major in ✨Theatre & Drama✨.

Crazy but rich AF Sejanus Plinth and his unhealthy obsession of being Coryo Snow’s beloved boyfriend, fiancé, sugar daddy, baby daddy, and future husband.

Ma Plinth slowly becoming the food benefactor of the Mentors. #feedmeMa

Coriolanus Snow and Lucy Gray being the best of friends who love to sh*t talk about their boyfriends every time they meet.

Seriously, Coryo and Lucy Gray are just friends here. Everyone knows that crazy Sejanus Plinth will strangle anyone who tries to flirt with his gorgeous Snow Bae sugar baby fiancé.

Lucy Gray genuinely liking the Mentors for their chaotic ✨dramatic✨ personalities.

Sejanus Plinth shamelessly calling his darling Coryo “Babe, My love, Snow Angel, Snow Bae, Snowy, Snow Baby, Sweetheart” in front of everyone and their dogs.

The Mentors randomly coming up to Lucy Gray and asking her to sing banned songs from the early 2000s.

Strabo Plinth’s unhealthy obsession with the Snow family. Apparently, he and the ever gorgeous Crassus Snow were very close “friends” and the best “roommates” back in their military days. They were busy “stargazing” and playing with their rifles all night if you know what I mean.😏

The Grandma’am and Strabo Plinth being the true evil geniuses of the Capitol.😈

Strabo Plinth insisting Coryo to marry into his family and change their surnames to ✨The Great Plinth-Snow Dynasty✨, just because it sounds more powerful.

Coryo Snow accidentally convincing his beloved sugar daddy boyfriend (Crazy Sejanus Plinth) to become the future ✨President of Panem✨ (after Felix).

Tigris and The Grandma’am selling Coryo’s hand in marriage to the Plinth family. They genuinely believe that old man Strabo Plinth will lower the food prices if Sejanus marries Coryo for the sake of Panem.

Tigris Snow finally quitting her job (she got fired for being a weird cheese addict) and happy dancing for a whole week when she heard that her sweet little Coryo will marry into the Plinth family fortune.

Tigris, the Grandma’am, and Ma Plinth planning the ultimate ✨Snowjanus Royal Wedding of The Century✨.

The Grandma’am and evil Strabo Plinth scheming together to rule Panem and its people through ✨The Great SnowPlinth Union✨.

Ma Plinth wanting at least 5 beautiful grandchildren out of The Great SnowPlinth Union, while Strabo and the Grandma’am demanded 2 dozen (and more). #24&More

Lysistrata Vickers being the founder and President of the Capitol’s SnowPlinth/Snowjanus Official Fan Club.

Lucy Gray supporting and promising Coryo Snow that she and her Covey will sing the best banned love songs at his wedding.

Reaper Ash being labeled as the “weird one” by his fellow crazy Tributes.

Treech and Vipsania Sickle being the best gym bros for some unknown reason.

Marcus trying (and failing) to ignore the annoying existence of Sejanus Plinth.

Lysistrata Vickers having dibs as Coryo’s official ✨Maid of Honor✨. Apparently, poor cheese addict Tigris Snow was tragically outvoted by the very influential and powerful SnowPlinth/Snowjanus Fan Club members out of jealousy.🥲

Festus Creed and Tigris Snow fighting for the position of ✨Best Man✨ through an epic ✨Dance-off Battle✨💃🕺.

Apollo Ring being forced to be Coryo’s ring bearer because of his surname. Honestly, Gaius Breen and Androcles Anderson just peer pressured him for fun.

Livia Cardew planning to crash Coryo’s wedding for the expensive wine.

The Mentors and Tributes avoiding the “Arena Bomb Explosion Incident” because of Palmyra Monty’s dangerous existence.

Androcles Anderson being a proud professional kleptomaniac.

Lucky Flickerman wanting to quit his job. Apparently, the self proclaimed magic man was extremely unprepared to face and deal with the Mentors’ collective stupidity.😭

The Gamemakers forgetting to edit out Sejanus Plinth’s little arena stunt.

“Marcus was just sleeping, Sejanus! He’s still alive, you idiot Plinth! We freaking postponed the games!”

“For the last time! Don’t kiss Coriolanus Xanthos Snow on LIVE TV! There are freaking kids and dogs watching!”

Coryo and Sejanus shamelessly kissing, hugging, and being dramatic AF inside the Capitol Arena, while poor Marcus and the others are left sitting on the stands annoyed and confused AF.

Dean Casca Highbottom intentionally calling poor Coryo “Crassus Xanthos Snow” out of spite and out of regret (and because he’s still madly and deeply in love with the ever gorgeous Crassus Snow).

Drunk Highbottom living and swimming in denial since the infamous ✨#Crasca4Ever! University Breakup✨.😔

Coryo Snow successfully convincing a drunk Highbottom not to expel him by pretending to be Crassus Snow. He later regrets doing it.

Drunk!Casca not being able to correctly pronounce half all of his students’ names.

Festus Creed and Androcles Anderson receiving a lot of demerits and expulsion letters from the Dean. However, they still go to school and join their class discussions like nothing happened.

Casca Highbottom banning the Mentors from attending ✨The Academy’s Annual Students Teachers Meeting✨ (forever) because of the infamous Heavensbee Hall Flooding Incident.

Coryo Snow secretly trading his cabbages for banned music albums at the Capitol Black Market.

The banned song “Heaven Is A Place On Earth” accidentally playing on repeat inside the Capitol Arena because Felix Ravinstill forgot to detach his phone from Dr. Gaul’s master speaker.

“Snow On The Beach” stealing the top spot on the Capitol Billboard Hot 100 because of Coryo Snow and Lucy Gray’s final performance inside the Capitol Arena.

The Mentors trolling Lucky Flickerman and Lepidus Malmsey for the hundredth time.

Hilarius Heavensbee secretly collects movie records from the early 2000s. His favorite banned film is ✨Legally Blonde✨.

Io Jasper and Urban Canville being a bunch of shameless nerds who can’t properly communicate with each other.

Professor Sickle trying to convince Drunk!Casca Highbottom to give her a raise and promotion for tolerating the Mentors’ shenanigans and stupidity.

Crazy Palmyra Monty forever mentally and emotionally scarring her classmates (especially Florus Friend) with her homemade poisonous snacks.

Florus Friend fearing and avoiding Palmyra Monty’s accursed deadly bread rolls and expired sandwiches.

Felix Ravinstill being a genuine good friend and great Class President to everyone.

Dennis Fling asking poor sensitive Felix to beg for some illegal ✨Miracle Pills✨ from Lysistrata to cure Hy and Dill’s respiratory related illnesses.

Everyone knows that Persephone Price willingly ate that infamous “Maid Stew” that her father made for them to survive.

Festus Creed’s ✨PerseFest✨ agenda.

Dairy Heiress Domitia Whimsiwick fawning over Tanner’s skills and biceps.

Coral perfecting her somersault to impress the Capitol crowd and her idiot Mentor.

The Mentors pretending to be stupid whenever they attend Dr. Gaul’s class.

Dr. Gaul giving up on grooming poor Coryo Snow to become her successor because she realized that his brain doesn’t work properly whenever he’s with Sejanus.

Poor homeless Hilarius Heavensbee getting disowned and kicked out of the ✨Queen Bee Mansion✨ by his evil weirdo parents for being a loser nuisance towards his smarter and perfect younger brother.

Livia and Arachne convincing themselves that Casca Highbottom is actually Coryo Snow’s true sugar daddy.

Meanwhile, Florus Friend thinks Strabo Plinth is the real sugar daddy of poor Coryo Snow and homeless Hilarius Heavensbee.

Dr. Gaul openly wanting to strangle the Mentors for acting being stupid.

Urban Canville’s secret mission to strangle Lucky Flickerman and his annoying bird.

Felix Ravinstill being the favorite darling grandnephew son of President Gran Gran.

Festus winning the position of ✨Class Representative✨. Apparently, Creed only won because Sejanus “accidentally” locked Urban Canville inside a bathroom stall.

Persephone Price and Mizzen being the best pizza partners in crime. Somebody, these two idiots will rule all of Panem with their ruthless ✨Pizza Palace Empire✨.

Drunk!Coryo genuinely believes that Felix Ravinstill is the current President of Panem.

Drunk!Sejanus, Drunk!Coryo, Drunk!Festus, and Drunk!Lysistrata acting like shameless fools in front of their Tributes. The poor and underpaid Peacekeepers were not amused.

Festus Creed and Sejanus Plinth stripping on broad daylight because of the summer heat.

Reaper Ash praying for some normalcy and mental peace every day.

Jessup and Sheaf talking and singing with the Capitol’s “sacred” rabid raccoons and wild squirrels in order to stay sane.

Mizzen being a terrible little gremlin.

The Mentors trying to recreate The Hunger Games until ✨Panemvision✨ was born.

Livia’s own version of The Hungers Games is basically ✨Love Island✨ on crack and steroids.

Because of the awful “Love Island” idea, the rest of the Mentors had to write a serious 20 page essay on why the Hunger Games should be recreated/revamped into a true reality TV show with a “no killing, no gore, no cannibalism” policy.

The Mentors trying to convince the School Board Members, the Government Officials, and crazy President Ravinstill to change the 10th Hunger Games into a non-deadly talent show to increase viewership and sponsors.

Moreover, Coryo strongly defended the proposal by having Lucy Gray successfully sing in front of a live audience (again) on TV. Billy Taupe was the only one who got offended (again).

Meanwhile, the rest of the Mentors also convinced their Tributes to show off their talents that same day. That was Reaper’s 2nd worst day of the week.😂

Dean Highbottom only supported the proposal because it reminded him of his wild karaoke clubbing days with his drop dead gorgeous lover. You know who it was.😏 #Crasca4Ever #crassusmylove #SnowBottom

Clemensia Dovecote also backs their weird essays by simply stating that killing children will only make the Districts hate the Capitol more. However, if they provide “real entertainment” without the violence, then the Districts might warm up to them.

In addition, Sejanus proposed that the winner of the contest will be made a ✨STAR of PANEM✨! 🤩

And as the ✨Star of Panem✨, he/she will be given monetary support and a lifetime supply of cabbages and lima beans by the Capitol.

Meanwhile, the losers will only get 10 boxes of pizza, 2 gallons of orange soda, one body bag of sandwiches (made by Ma Plinth) as a reward for “willingly” participating.

Juno Phipps then added a “rule” stating that no Tribute shall be punished (or killed) because the losers must live and remember their humiliation on television for the rest of their lives.😈

Coryo and Clemmie also proposed that each Tribute must have a Prep Team and Stylist to make them presentable for Lucky Flickerman’s Late Night Show with Jubilee.

Finally, Felix Ravinstill and Dennis Fling closed their arguments by stating: “That being forced to sing and perform ON STAGE and on LIVE TV, which could be replayed over and over again, even after death, especially for Tributes who couldn’t save their own pride and dignity for all of Panem to remember, is the worst punishment one could freely give to one’s enemy. They won’t even be allowed to forget how they had wronged you.”

After hearing the Mentors’ closing argument, Dr. Gaul was ready to end it all and commit bloody murder in front of everyone.😡🔪

But after some deliberation, President Ravinstill (and his puppies) approved the Mentors’ proposal and changed the Hungers Games into the ✨HGASC✨ (Hunger Games: Annual Singing Contest).

However, the Grandma’am and Strabo Plinth insisted that they should just officially call it ✨PANEMVISION✨.

Meanwhile, Dr. Gaul tried to persuade President Ravinstill (again) to reconsider the Mentors’ stupid proposals.

However, she was outvoted by both the School Board Committee and the Capitol’s highest ranking government officials, just because everyone (but her) wanted to see what “true entertainment” really looks like on screen.

Livia Cardew even defended everyone’s ideas nonstop because, according to her, there was a lack of spicy entertainment in the Capitol. Damn the rules! This is the Capitol! We want ✨Love Island✨ type of dramas! Where are the ✨Real Housewives of Corso✨?! F*ck the Hunger Games! Give us the 90 Day Fiancé from the Districts!

And that’s how the Mentors “accidentally” ended the Hunger Games and gave birth to the most popular and craziest reality TV show in the weird history of Panem.

As for every Quarter Quell, let’s just say, it’s gonna be a true ✨SHOW STOPPER✨!

The first ✨HGASC/PANEMVISION✨ Quarter Quell will have the Mentors reap kids from both Capitol and District. Afterwards, one District Tribute will be paired with one Capitol Tribute to perform a special duet act (whether they like it or not).

[hummingbird24220]

Chapter Twenty Three: Brush Me, Pretty Boy

It was late afternoon on the Sunny.

The wind was soft, the sun warm, and the world had slowed just enough to feel almost peaceful.

Sanji was sitting at the edge of the deck, smoking and flipping through one of his recipe books, legs lazily swinging, face relaxed in that rare, non-yelling, non-panicking way.

You approached with purpose.

You were glowing from your earlier “girl time” pampering—fur brushed out, claws painted gold, and a very nice sundress you were absolutely refusing to give back to Nami.

And in your hands?

A brand-new, gold-trimmed, cat-shaped hairbrush—your current most prized possession. Polished. Stolen. Possibly enchanted (you hadn’t checked).

You walked up to him without a word, stood in front of him dramatically…

…and dropped the brush into his lap.

He blinked.

Looked down.

Then slowly looked up at you.

“What is this?” he asked.

“My treasure,” you said proudly. “Brush me.”

“...Excuse me?”

You flopped onto your side in front of him, tail swaying with purpose. “I demand the spa treatment.”

He stared.

You blinked up at him, head resting on your paws.

“Please.”

His cigarette nearly fell out of his mouth.

“You—you’re asking me to—”

“To brush me,” you repeated. “You owe me. For all those times I didn’t eat your prep herbs. Honor your debts.”

He sputtered, but the corner of his mouth twitched into a smile.

“I swear, you’re gonna kill me with this someday,” he muttered, picking up the brush like it was a sacred tool. “Alright. Sit up.”

He started slow.

Careful strokes through the fluff behind your ears. Down your back. Over your tail. He was annoyingly good at it.

You melted.

“Mmmrghh. You missed a spot.”

“I did not.”

“My lower spine demands justice.”

“Your lower spine’s a brat,” he muttered, brushing with extra pressure anyway.

You purred louder.

After a while, you ended up sitting in front of him with your eyes closed, tail curling happily, as he continued working methodically through every tangle and puff.

“You’re surprisingly quiet,” he murmured.

“Focused,” you mumbled.

“Enjoying it?”

You let out a soft hum. “You’re better at this than Nami.”

“Don’t tell her that.”

“I’ll tell her you cried during it.”

“Wha—I DID NOT—!”

You snorted and flopped back against his legs.

“You’re lucky I’m adorable,” you said sleepily.

He chuckled, brushing a final strand behind your ear.

“I know I’m lucky.”

You paused.

Looked up.

There was something soft in his gaze. Real.

“…Don’t get used to me being sweet,” you whispered.

“Too late,” he said, smile gentle. “I already did.”

You blinked.

Then nuzzled his leg very lightly, almost embarrassed.

“…Thanks, Sanji.”

He didn’t say anything back.

But he kept brushing.

Long after you fell asleep.

--

You were glowing.

Literally.

Sanji had brushed your fur to such a shine that you sparkled under the sun like a freshly waxed treasure chest. Your tail looked like it belonged on a royal cloak, your ears fluffed at perfect angles, and your smug little face was insufferably relaxed.

You were lounging on the steps near the galley, arms behind your head, hairbrush tucked in your pocket like a holy relic, purring softly to yourself.

Sanji passed by, gave you a wink, and you purred louder.

And unfortunately for some people—

Zoro and Luffy were watching.

From opposite sides of the deck.

And absolutely not caring.

At all.

Nope.

Zoro grunted and lifted another weight like he wasn’t watching Sanji brush a strand of fur off your cheek a few moments ago.

“Tch. Looks ridiculous,” he muttered.

Luffy, hanging upside down from the mast, frowned. “She does look really soft though.”

“She’s always soft.”

Luffy gasped. “Have you brushed her?”

Zoro almost dropped the weight. “No?! Why the hell would I do that?!”

“You let her nap on you.”

“That’s different! That’s passive!”

Luffy flipped and landed with a bounce. “I wanna brush her too.”

Zoro glared. “Of course you do.”

Luffy skipped off toward you with purpose.

Zoro muttered, “Unbelievable.”

Then got up and followed.

Not because he was jealous.

Just… tactical proximity.

You cracked one eye open as Luffy crouched beside you.

“Hey,” he grinned, “can I brush you?”

You tilted your head. “What do I get out of it?”

He blinked. “Uh… a snack?”

You reached into your shirt and pulled out his favorite snack. “You mean this one?”

He gasped.

“YOU THIEF!”

You licked it. “Your move, captain.”

He lunged. You shrieked, laughing as you rolled away, and the chase began.

You ducked under the railing, scampered up the mast, leapt over Robin’s chair (earning a calm, “Be careful, dear”), and landed squarely in—

Zoro’s lap.

Dead center.

You blinked. He blinked.

Luffy skid to a stop nearby.

“…Hey,” you said.

Zoro crossed his arms. “You’re using me as a shield.”

“I’m lounging with style.”

Luffy narrowed his eyes. “She never sits in your lap.”

Zoro smirked.

“Maybe she has taste.”

You raised a brow.

“…I’m literally covered in Sanji’s shampoo.”

He stopped smiling.

Luffy puffed his cheeks. “I wanna brush her after!”

Zoro rolled his eyes. “Too late. I was here first.”

“You didn’t even want to!”

“I’m doing it now, aren’t I?”

Luffy turned to you. “Pick.”

You blinked.

Then slowly, deviously, smiled.

“I choose chaos.”

You tossed your brush straight up into the air—

And ran.

Zoro and Luffy collided mid-leap, arms outstretched, shouting, “MINE!” as the brush fell between them like Excalibur waiting for a worthy wielder.

You lounged in the crow’s nest an hour later, sipping a stolen drink, watching as the two idiots still argued over who dropped it first.

Robin passed by below and called up, “Was it worth it?”

You grinned.

“So worth it.”

---------

It had gotten loud.

Luffy and Zoro were still bickering over “brushing rights” like it was some ancient honor passed down through generations. They’d been arguing for twenty minutes. Twenty. Over your brush.

You were curled up on a sunny patch of deck, tail flicking, watching like a queen observing two particularly stupid knights jousting over her paw.

Robin sipped tea. Chopper winced every time they shouted. Usopp was actively taking bets. Sanji had gone inside before he broke something.

Then, blessedly—

WHACK.

Nami threw a brush directly at Luffy’s head.

“SHUT UP,” she barked. “Just brush her together or I’m throwing you in the ocean!”

Luffy blinked, holding the brush. Zoro blinked, immediately looking like he’d rather walk into a volcano.

You grinned wide.

“…Ohoho,” you purred. “Now this is entertainment.”

Minute One: Reluctance

Zoro sat beside you stiffly, brush in hand, eyes anywhere but on you. Luffy plopped on your other side, immediately poking your ears like buttons.

“You’re so squishy!” he beamed.

“Luffy,” Zoro muttered, “stop poking her.”

“She likes it!”

“She hasn’t clawed you yet. That’s different.”

You didn’t say anything. You just purred, smug and content, letting them work.

Minute Five: Zoro Slips

He started slow—testing with short, efficient strokes down your back, avoiding your tail, avoiding eye contact, muttering under his breath the whole time.

“…Can’t believe I’m doing this.”

“You’re doing great,” you murmured, stretching under his touch.

His ears turned very red.

He refused to stop.

Luffy giggled beside you. “Zoro’s turning into a cat groomer!”

“Shut up,” Zoro snapped, brushing faster.

Minute Eight: Luffy Unlocks Secrets

While Zoro stuck to your back, Luffy was innovating.

Scritching behind your ears.

Rubbing just under your chin.

Finding every single sweet spot.

You twitched once. Arched. Let out a very undignified chirp.

Zoro paused. “What was that noise.”

“Nothing,” you growled.

Luffy gasped. “I FOUND A BUTTON.”

He dove back in, tailing your twitchy tail, lightly ruffling the fluff between your shoulders.

You melted into a purring puddle.

Zoro stared at you.

“...Unbelievable.”

Then kept brushing.

Minute Fifteen: Full Feral Bliss

You lay sprawled between them, belly-up, tail flicking happily as Luffy rubbed your ears and Zoro brushed slow, steady strokes down your sides. You were so relaxed you were drooling just a little.

Chopper whispered, “She’s ascended.”

Nami walked by, raised an eyebrow, and muttered, “At least they’re quiet now.”

Robin calmly took a picture.

Sanji peeked out the galley window, saw what was happening, and immediately ducked back inside with a nosebleed and a defeated groan.

Zoro eventually slowed, hand stilling in your fur.

“…This doesn’t mean anything,” he muttered.

“Mmhmm,” you said, already dozing.

Luffy leaned in. “She’s purring so loud her chest is vibrating!”

You mumbled, “You guys are so whipped.”

Neither of them denied it.

Because at that point, you were already asleep between them, fur brushed to perfection, tail coiled like a comma, and your smug little smile still on full display.

[beestriker015]

Princess Peach x male s/o headcanons

S/o is one of the few humans living in the Mushroom Kingdom, and has been a friend of the princess since they were babies.

As time went by and the two grew older, that friendship began blossoming into something more.

Eventually, with some encouragement from both Mario and Luigi, the princess confessed her feelings to s/o.

“I love you s/o, and I wish to be with you. Please know that if you don’t feel the same way about me, the two of us will always be friends.”

She says with a smile, awaiting his answer.

“Peach, I had no idea you felt that way about me. To tell you the truth, I’ve had feelings for you for a long time now. I love you too Peach.”

Upon hearing this, Peach brings s/o into a warm embrace, thus marking the beginning of their relationship.

News quickly spread throughout the kingdom that the princess has found a suitor, much to the couple’s dismay.

“I’m so sorry s/o, I didn’t expect word of our relationship to get out this fast.”

“Well, everyone was bound to find out some time. I just hope we won’t be hounded by the press too badly.”

Much to the pair’s surprise, the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom were very respectful of their privacy and were happy that the princess found someone to love.

“Thank you, all of you. I am honored to be the princess of such amazing people.”

Peach addresses her subjects with a grateful smile on her face during the official announcement of her relationship with s/o.

“If the princess has a suitor, that means she’s gonna get married right?”

A Toad asks as the crowd begins chatting amongst themselves.

Before Peach could speak up and tell them that she and s/o aren’t planning on getting married at the moment, another Toad joins the conversation.

“Yay! Let’s give a big cheer for Princess Peach and s/o! Congratulations lovebirds!”

The crowd begins cheering as Peach and s/o blush and exchange glances.

“I mean, it’s not like I’m opposed to getting married to you s/o, but I don’t wanna rush things.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. I definitely wanna marry you someday Peach, but only when we’re both ready.”

He kisses her, flustering the princess as a series of awws are heard from the crowd.

By request of his girlfriend, s/o moves into the castle.

“Welcome to your new home s/o! If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thanks babe, I guess this means no more slinking off to my place huh?”

He smirks as the princess laughs a little.

“I suppose not. As long as I get to be with you though s/o, it doesn’t matter.”

Before s/o moved in with her, Peach had a tendency to sneak out of the castle to go visit her boyfriend, causing everyone (specifically Toadsworth) to panic that their princess has gone missing.

Speaking of going missing, whoever Bowser kidnaps the princess for the umpteenth time, s/o joins Mario to go rescue her from the Koopa King.

“Bwahaha. I heard Princess Peach was dating someone, but I didn’t expect it to be someone so wimpy! You and that stupid plumber should just go home! The princess is mine now!”

“We’ll see about that Bowser! Mario, let’s take him down together ok?”

The mustachioed jumper nods as they prepare to fight, with Bowser ending up defeated as per usual.

“We make a great team man, now let’s save Peach!”

After rescuing the princess, she rewards the two with a cake (and giving s/o an affectionate kiss).

“Thank you s/o for helping Mario rescue me.”

“You’re welcome babe. Besides, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t do anything to save you?”

The princess smiles and gives her boyfriend another kiss.

“You are an amazing boyfriend s/o. I love you so much.”

“I love you too Peach.”

Being incredibly wealthy, Peach loves to spoil her boyfriend with gifts.

“I love you Peach, but you don’t have to get me all these things, not that I don’t appreciate it.”

“I know, but I just can’t help it s/o. I’ll try not to overdo it.”

She says knowing that she already bought him a really expensive thing he’s always wanted.

Whenever Peach competes in a kart race, s/o can be seen in the stands cheering her on.

“Go babe! I know you can win this!”

Hearing her boyfriend’s support always drives her to do her absolute best to win.

Even if she doesn’t get first place, s/o always runs up to her after the race ends and praises her nonetheless.

After being together for quite some time, s/o decides it’s finally time to propose to his girlfriend.

“I’m nervous Toadsworth, I don’t know if I can do this.”

“There’s nothing to be nervous about my boy! The princess absolutely loves you, I’m sure she’ll be incredibly happy when you ask for her hand.”

“It’s not that I think she’ll say no, I just…what if I mess it up?”

“As long as you speak from the heart, you’ll be fine s/o. Now chin up! The princess is waiting!”

S/o nods and thanks Toadsworth for the confidence boost as he goes to the balcony where his girlfriend is waiting.

“Oh. Hello s/o. Why did you want to meet me out here?”

Not answering her, s/o gets down on one knee and pulls out a beautiful ring as the princess gasps.

“Peach, being with you has made my life worthwhile. I love you with all my heart, and want to spend the rest of my life with you. My love, will you marry me?”

She nods rapidly with tears in her eyes.

“Yes s/o, I will!”

Once she puts the ring on, Peach pulls her now fiancé into a passionate kiss.

When the day of the wedding comes, Peach has Daisy as her bridesmaid, with s/o having both Mario and Luigi as his groomsmen.

“Do you Princess Peach take s/o as your husband for as long as you both shall live?”

The minister Toad asks as the princess smiles.

“I do.”

“And do you s/o take Princess Peach as your wife in sickness and in health?”

S/o nods.

“I do.”

“Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife!”

Peach and s/o seal their marriage with a kiss as the entire kingdom celebrates the two’s marriage, except for a very upset Bowser, who was watching the ceremony from aboard the Koopa Cruiser.

Going from childhood friends to lovers, there’s no doubt that Peach and s/o’s love for each other is so strong that not even Bowser’s constant kidnappings can put a strain on it.

[simslegacy5083]

Today's (10/29/2024) Episode: Wholesome Morning Fun

Luigi and Noemi had successfully launched Watcher Tales right before their originally planned New Year’s Eve release date.

With that deadline off their backs, the family was able to relax and enjoy the holiday in style. In honor of all the relatives who had helped with his game launch, Luigi orchestrated a charity stream at the local gaming center, raising money for the family's foundation for at risk youth.

They kicked things off early in the morning, gathering a group of sims to participate in a timed Watcher Tales build challenge.

“You’ve got 2 hours to create a rockin’ party venue” Luigi told them “I’ll be checking in throughout on your progress, and at the end we’ll take turns touring all your creations, while our online viewers vote on their favorite. Good luck everyone!”

The winning build wound up being a futuristic nightclub lot, designed by the foundation’s volunteer computer science tutor, Mauricio.

Luigi had known this fellow computer lover since their teen years, when he’d been captain of Copperdale High’s computer club. The now much more mellow sim had put his interest in technology to good use both at the foundation and as a teacher at their old alma mater.

“I love your game, and so do my students.” he told Luigi when he came over to offer his congratulations. “The logic and data puzzles you added to the gearhead career are genius. It’s a fun way for kids to learn some of the basics of programming and I’m excited to work it into my lesson plans.”

As the attendees enjoyed placing their creations into their game worlds, Luigi was setting up breakfast with Grandpa Don and his friend Anderson.

“Anderson, this is Lalani. She wants to open her own catering business someday and today she’ll be helping you prepare your famous waffles for our event. Meanwhile, our volunteer Bradley here will be helping Don prepare drinks for all our guests. Nothing too potent now, he’s still a teen!”

“Brunch will be served shortly” he hollered to the crowd. “In the meantime, feel free to enjoy any of the fun activities we’ve setup throughout the center and thank you again for coming out to support this great cause!”

While Luigi was busy hosting the event and gathering footage for the foundations future promotions his son was unloading his most recent woes onto his friend Elyse “…then a clown with pliers started yanking out my teeth. It was awful! That wasn’t just a dream either…” he finished with a sigh “A bunch of my baby teeth are loose, and I hate how they’re all wiggly in my mouth. Daddy said I could just pull them out but I’m afraid to.”

“I totally get it” Elyse replied “I have nightmares too, and losing teeth is the worst! I yank mine to make sure I don’t swallow any in my sleep!”

“Oh, I don’t want to swallow them” Skye whimpered, more scared than ever, just in time for Bruce to jump into the conversation.

“I heard when you swallow a tooth it stays in your stomach for SEVEN YEARS!” their feisty friend grinned evilly at Skye’s horrified expression. “Now quite your bellyaching and come upstairs so I can kick your butts on this HUGE Space Invaders arcade game I found!”

After the meal Noemi gathered the children and teens for a little programming workshop. “Today I’ll show you how to program a simple music player and synthesizer so you can make your own tunes. I’ll also show you how to add your music tracks to Watcher Tales so you can hear them in game!”

Luigi filmed the kids working on their players, providing tips and tricks as he went. The sight of his friends, relatives, and the at-risk kids playing and learning together warmed his heart and made him proud of the good work the foundation was doing to help sims who might otherwise fall through the cracks.

Checking the donation counter Lugi was excited to see they’d already raised a healthy sum, and the day was just getting started!

View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here

[shinagawa-division]

The Hegemony Wedding Ceremony (CodeX Voicelines Ver.)

— Miho

“It’s finally happening, I honestly can’t believe that the day is here. Am I nervous? A tad but I am absolutely confident that this won’t end like the last engagement. But honestly I’m more worried about the ceremony than anything, I don’t know why but I feel like something bad is going to happen which cannot be true, everything has to be absolutely perfect! I’ll have to get more security to keep an extra eye on Sumire.”

(To Ritsuko) “Ritsuko! Don’t you look lovely, I’m so glad you actually decided to show up considering that you’re quite literally my maid of honor. Come now, at least try to look happy for me, but I’m serious, thank you for being here for me, you’ve always been like a sister for me, especially when my own family can’t be here.”

(To Sumire) “Honestly, I don’t know why I still decided to let you step foot in this venue after what you did but…even after everything, despite all the fights and arguing…we’re still family, Sumire, like it or not, the truth is that we’re all we literally have left for each other, we are the last of our family and that’s terrifying. I genuinely, absolutely love Tomi but I’m also doing this to secure the future of our bloodline, I hope…I hope that you understand someday.”

(To Luis) “Kōkyū-san…I wanted to thank you for providing our wedding cake and…thanks for attending.”

(To Karada) “Oh…Kessaku-san…how…lovely to see you, yes, thank you for compliments and wishes, I do hope you enjoy yourself today.”

(To Tomi) “Is it bad to say that I am still in shock? Haha, but truly I could not be happier than I am now, who would’ve thought that the charming young man that I met at his parents’ soirée would become my future husband? Life has a strange way of putting things together but I can say with absolute certainty that I do not regret a single thing, especially because it leads us to now. Tomi Chōten, my dearest, my King, you are the love of my life and I cannot imagine being without you, it is my greatest honor to become your wife and I promise to be there for you always, through highs and lows until death do us part, I love you.”

— Ritsuko

“Miho better thank her lucky stars that I have such a soft spot for her, I find weddings to be quite irritating as they are nothing but over exaggerated pageants and we’ve already had enough of those. But still, this is the only wedding that I will have minimum grievances with, Miho deserves this and who am I to stop her from finally achieving happiness after all she’s been through.”

(To Miho) “I’d be rather hard pressed to find anyone else who would even try to steal the spotlight from you, you look absolutely stunning Miho, hard to believe that Tomi Chōten of all people will be officially able to call you his. Putting that aside, I’m happy for you, truly, I am attempting to smile from the inside. Is that enough sentimentality for you? Yes? Good, now let’s finally get this over with.”

(To Sumire) “Goodness Sumire, dare I say that you look more devoid of emotion than I do, while I understand how positively infuriating this must be for you, I do think you should focus on the bigger picture, that being that Miho has constantly been put through the ringer from the time of your disappearance to even now. The world has tried again and again to beat her down yet she came out on top even stronger than before, what I’m trying to say is that whatever you’re thinking about this is simply not true, Miho is not marrying Tomi simply just to spite you or anything of the sort, even I can see that she is sickeningly in love with him and that she is just simply taking the chance to be happy, to do what she wants to do for herself for once. Just something to think about, I’ll see you on alter.”

(To Luis) “Greetings Kōkyū. At least the one good thing from this is the cake you’ve made.”

(To Karada) “…” *shows him a spider to get him to leave her alone*

(To Tomi) “Chōten, before we proceed to the main event, I just wanted to have a word with you. Miho is absolutely excited and is very looking forward to become Mrs. Miho Chōten, I figured I’d let you know and to also remind you that should you ever hard Miho either physically, mentally, emotionally, or psychologically, I will make sure that you will regret the day that you ever came to existence, Sumire’s little aggressions will look like absolute child’s play compared to what I am capable of and no one, not your wealth, your prestige, or even your mother will be able to save you. Have I made myself clear? Good.”

— Sumire

“So many happy faces and yet I feel absolutely nothing, not even anger funny enough, I don’t know, maybe my subconscious knows that this is it, there’s nothing I can honestly do to actually put a stop to this, Miho’s determined to see this through and I fucking hate hate hate to see how genuinely happy Chōten is. No, no, fuck that, screw this and screw them, I’m not done yet, if they think that they’re coming out of this unscathed then they got another fucking thing coming!”

(To Ritsuko) “Hey Ritsuko, you look nice, who’s funeral you attending? Yeah yeah, whatever, I know you’re not too thrilled about this either, at least we’re suffering together, right? I just…nothing, it’s nothing, you better get ready before Miho goes into full Bridezilla mode.”

(To Miho) “…I hate how pretty you look…oh shut up, also it’s adorable how you think having a bunch of guards follow me throughout the day will deter me from finally putting an end to this bullshit. Save me the speech, Miho! You could have chosen literally anyone in this fucking country to marry and yet you chose HIM?! What the fuck do you even see in him?! And don’t say some bullshit like ‘his personality’! Goddamnit do you seriously hate me that badly that you want me gone?! “

(To Luis) “Hey Luis, surprised to see you here, last time I checked, you and my aunt aren’t the greatest of friends and I honestly thought that Tomi had some sort of blackmail to have you keep hanging out with him. Eh, anyways, good to see you, I guess.”

(To Karada) “Oh for fuck’s sake, don’t you have to go chase some sluts?! Leave me the fuck alone you no brain having, muscle-headed, small dick guerilla!”

(To Tomi) “I have nothing to say to you, you absolute scum, honestly just looking at you is enough to piss me the fuck off, just because you’re marrying my aunt doesn’t mean that I will stop making your life a living hell, I will never see you as family and I hope you drop fucking dead, bitch.”

[bright-tatters]

Tatters #24

A few moments:

Marguerite wasn’t in. It was big, bluff Luc who said, “Boss? Cops here for you.”

Fortune panicked. He spun his tall black leather chair around so he was facing the landscape-bedecked back wall of his office.

“Here, Boss,” said Luc.

“Mr. Fortune.” It was Piper’s voice, melodious but strained.

“What do you have for me?” Fortune said gruffly. This was not one of their secretive trysts. He’d brought a partner here? Really?

“This is Diane Rawling.”

“And?”

“We mean to sweep the neighborhood south of the furniture manufactory. I…wanted to make sure there are no conflicts.”

“I don’t want to get shot by your flunkies,” said a husky female voice.

“I’m touched by your concern,” Fortune said dryly. He wanted Piper’s voice back, with no partner in the way. But if he turned around and faced Piper and Piper’s coworker then something changed. Something became real. Something became undeniable. “You have my clearance. My people won’t disturb you.”

“Can he just do that?” whispered Diane.

“Pretty much,” whispered Piper. “I’ll get out of your way, unless you need help at the docks tonight.”

“Tomorrow,” Fortune said thickly. “Thank you.”

*

“What are we going to do with you?” said Fortune.

It was a pointless question. Shopkeeper Alo Rabe had diverted funds to a little shrimp who was trying to run protection on the west side of the Tatters. The little shrimp had been dealt with; the citizens who had gone along with him rather than reporting to Fortune, well…

“You did fund his activities,” said Fortune. “I believe I’ll just pass that information along to the police.”

Snipes, in the corner, stiffened. Fortune couldn’t see big Luc behind him but he could guess the look on his craggy face.

“I’m just experimenting with…above board,” purred Fortune. “We’ll see what they make of you. And this way you don’t die. Everybody wins.”

“Yes, Fortune, sir. Th-thank you, sir.”

Fortune showed his teeth. “You’re not winning that much.”

*

Good Fortune:

Business time, I’m afraid. A young woman from Lamp Ward has been murdered, and her body found in the canal bank. Witnesses place her with a transient from Tatters but they don’t have a name. I enclose a portrait of the victim and a portrait of the suspects from witness descriptions. Ring any bells?

Only two more nights to wait. I remain your cordial admirer,

Piper (he had been working on embellished signatures)

*

Marguerite examined the two charcoal portraits and looked up. “Are you ever bringing your gentleman caller by?”

She never saw Fortune flinching, only, she knew he was trying not to flinch. “I don’t have a gentleman caller, Rita. Though…there’s some gala in honor of van de Lys next month. All the art you might expect from a designer of her caliber. I could use a beautiful woman with the credentials to turn me into arm candy, and you might get introduced to any number of interesting people.”

“One of which you will identify as that person who’s put the moon in your eyes.”

Fortune cracked a grin. “Give yourself some credit, you’ll know.”

“Does he know how important he is to you?”

Fortune’s grin stayed painted on. “He…” He looked at her, clearly chewing through whatever resistance he had to confiding in her. “He knows enough. Belaboring it would only put him in danger.”

That poor man hadn’t been in love in…well, as long as Marguerite had known him. “You have connections who have no problem being associated with your danger.” She waved by wiggling her fingertips. “Give him the chance.”

“He hasn’t even stayed the night. I’m not sure he ever will. That just isn’t in our arrangement.”

“You’ll arrange yourself into big trouble someday. Shall I circulate these in the Quarts?”

His calm snapped back into place “Yes, please do. I don’t know them, but someone might.”

*

Things went on. The crime lord who had been corrupted by the local police was something of a laughing matter, but Fortune had eyes for one person. And one person got along with Fortune, evening after furtive evening. Things went on.

Good Fortune:

What does one do with correspondence when the living flesh gets involved? What’s the point composing dirty letters when we can just go do it? Alas, that one life skill should render another obsolete.

Yours in growing anticipation,

Piper

To Whom It May Concern:

Do you find our particular diversions sufficient? I could think of you any given moment throughout a day; a well-placed missive seems like the natural remedy. That is, if you’re not sharing these with your colleagues.

F.

Good Fortune:

This has ceased to be the office prank.

I drank too much last night and let my usual mental circus fall quiet. It makes me wonder: there will never be another like you. That is a somber thought and a strangely beautiful one. There will never be another like you, and you are spending your time on me.

I’ll get back to the dirty stuff, promise. For now I remain your dedicated correspondent,

Piper

The runner – Fortune stayed on good terms with the youth of Tatters, and they got sealed messages back and forth with admirable dispatch – ran away. Fortune read Piper’s letter, over and over. Then he paced to the safe under his bed, laid the theatrical vellum on a stack, and locked it.

He didn’t sleep for a while. Images of empire pursued him, no matter where his mind went.

[ravenoclock]

@labyrinthhofmymind

A continuation of updates abt presque vu. Spoilers included. Italics are quotes from the fic itself. I apologize for not updating for a few days, I’ve been a bit busy.

CHAPTER NINE

Sirius is such a girlboss I swear. Androgynous royalty. Him being saying how they love confusion sm and making people confused like GET IT, LOVE. Also James being so supportive and being like ‘is it comfortable and how does it feel, etc’ is so cute. Love them.

The emmary :( idk what’s going on there but I feel so bad for them.

Oh, Remus, please like my knickers, please don't turn them into a joke, please like everything about me, even the things you don't understand, even the things you don't know, even the things I don't either. This is what I am. Please take me as I am.

GAHHHHH.

Also Remus being like ‘I’ll like u in whatever u wear’ is so wholesome.

MARLENE AND SIRIUS’ FRIENDSHIP. BONDING. OVER. A. MOTORBIKE. THATS SO THEM.

"Pretty sure she knows I'm fucking Dorcas," Marlene says, gaze fixed on the wrench. "She hates it. Can you believe that? I kill people and she looks the other way, but I love a woman and she hates me."

That’s rly fucked up. I hate that Marls has to go through stuff like that. Side note, I’m imagining Marlene with her hair short asf and I just died. MARLS THE WOMAN YOU ARE.

Also Peter…poor boy. Ik he chose to betray them and all that but Sirius saying how Peter used to be rly lively and shit and now he’s just… nothing.

SIRIUS MAKING REMUS BLUSH. HE BLUSHED. I SCREAMED.

Today, Sirius is as much a man as he is a woman, both simultaneously, with no words to describe why it's that way, or what it feels like.

Is it weird to say I’m proud of him? Like, a few chapters before she didn’t even know what she was feeling and now they’re more comfortable with it and they’re fine with it. Idk. I just love it.

To Sirius, control is secrecy.

…speechless.

"You're a vision," Sirius croaks, struck stupid by it, by him. "Do you have any idea how lovely you are?"

WOLFSTAR WOLFSTAR WOLFSTAR WOLFSTAR WOLFSTAR I LOVE THEM YOUR HONOR. DHAJAJJSJSJSHSNDKELKWKAJ I CANT.

Sirius still thinking Remus deserves better and that he’s not good enough for Remus actually makes me want to die because THEYRE MADE FOR EACH OTHER. MOLDED FROM THE SAME CLAY. CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH. IDC WHAT CORNY SHIT I HAVE TO SAY TO PROVE THAT THEY ARE MEANT FOR EACH OTHER AND ITS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL THING AND I LOVE IT.

Someday, he will be silent more often than he is not. Someday, he will be unable to recall his mother's voice. Someday, he will only remember her scream.

FUCK OFF. WHYYYY.

It's unfortunate, really, that so few of them live long past the proof.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

moving on to….CHAPTER TEENNNNN

HARRY MY BABY IS HEREEEEE AND SIRIUS IS LIKE ‘hmm I kinda understand why my parents hated me now’ lmao? I guess? Idk if I’m supposed to laugh?

Sirius would scamper out of her bedroom and rub her eyes with her fists and, half-asleep with a tiny yawn, she would reach out for her mother's hand and offer to walk with her. She would ask, on the few and far between nights where her mother actually let her small hand slip into hers, if she could give Regulus a hug, or tell him hello. And, occasionally, with a long suffering sigh like it was the end of the world, Walburga would hold Sirius' hand for a beat, then let go, then let Sirius do it.

OH MY FUCKING GOD. OH MY GOD. OH. MY. GOD.

"Merlin, your tears are contagious," Sirius informs Harry with a croaky whisper, not understanding why her eyes are suddenly streaming, why her chest feels like it's caving in.

;-; now I wanna cry. thx.

Harry, apparently, is chaos incarnate.

They love Harry so much they can't shut up about it.

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO STAY FAMILY. ALL LF THEM. LIKE THIS. FOREVER. COMPLAINING ABT HARRYS CHAOS AND BEING EXHAUSTED FROM TAKING CARE OF HIM, LATCHING ON TO EVERY LITTLE THING HE DID BECAUSE THEY DESERVED IT. FAMILY. THEY WERE EACH OTHERS FAMILY AND THEN THEY WERENT. WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY.

But that doesn't stop Sirius from wanting to hold Harry all the time. That doesn't stop her from begging Lily and James to let her come over so she can watch Harry breathe, which is a bit odd, but it's an impulse she can't resist. That doesn't stop her from wanting to feed Harry, or coo at him, or change his nappies and rock him to sleep and gasp in awe when he accidentally manages to grasp his own foot in his fist and fling his baby sock halfway across the room.

I CANT ENJOY THIS WHEN IK ITS A CANON COMPLIANT FIC.

All that is to say, Peter's awkward with Harry usually, unsure how to handle him, scared to hurt him. It's sweet and endearing, but his caution must read wrong to Harry, because he genuinely seems to throw a fit every time Peter tries to have anything to do with him. Maybe they need to bond. They haven't seemed to do that yet.

Harry knows…

Oh my god oh my god oh my god. SIRIUS WAKING UP REMUS CUZ EMMELINE IS HOLDING IS ARM IS HILARIOUS. REMUS BEING LIKE OH YEAH I LOVE YOY. SIRIUS BEING LIKE OH SHIT. WOLFSTAR MY LOVES.

Even lullabies can be lies sometimes.

So….whos paying for my therapy?

Oh my god. Lily laughing her ass off thinking Dumbledore’s lost his mind and James and Sirius being like ‘umm so who’s gonna tell her?’ And Remus agreeing with Lily but looking at Sirius and realizing she’s not fucking around. Sirius being like ‘it doesn’t fucking matter if you think the prophecy is bullshit, they won’t. they’ll come after your baby whether or not this prophecy is real.’ And Lily being like ‘oh shit you motherfucker now WHY would you say that?’

"She gets it now," James weeps, "and somehow that's worse."

Of course. There’s a saying I can’t quite remember for this kind of situation.

Zar’s metaphor for time and growing up… that’s my 10th life gone y’all.

Remus takes one look at him, and the fight doesn't even exist. They don't say they're sorry, and they don't talk about it anymore, and they simply let it fizzle into nothingness until all that's left is the way they hold each other.

…something tells me that’s kinda toxic. But wolfstar and communication don’t work rly well together. I wish they would just talk :(

It's the brightest part of Sirius' life, to be loved by that kid.

Christ on a Stick. I can’t do this today.

Later, Sirius will think about that tradition he heard about, the one that's almost a superstition, where you're not supposed to do anything strenuous or upsetting on New Years, or else you'll be stuck doing it all year following. It's meant for chores, usually, not for going without your best friend.

Jaw dropped. Tears cried. Screams scrumpt.

I feel a headache incoming so that’s all I’m reading for today. I finished chapter 10!!! Apparently there’s some time for me to prepare for what happens in 1981 so I’m very thankful for that but I don’t think I’ll ever be fully ready :( anywho sorry that it’s a bit shorter this time but yeah! those r my thoughts for chapters 9 & 10 of presque vu. Have a great day :)

[bunbeeplays]

While the band finishes their last practice before tonight's wedding, Ophelia checks on Hector. A partner losing both their parents has to have been hard for him too.

Hector: Peter and Lakshmi were good people. Shame I couldn’t be there to celebrate their life with my family.

Ophelia: I’m glad Hilary and Xander have each other for support. I wish I could be more help but I don’t know what else to do.

Hector: You being there is enough. Alexander is a lucky man to have a woman like you.

Hector: I appreciate you staying in town for the wedding, Ophelia. You’ve proven to be a reliable and loyal employee. I appreciate that.

Hector’s always so busy, Ophelia rarely gets to talk to him one-on-one. They could be family one day, it’s nice to spend time with him.

Ophelia: Uh, you know, I’m not sure if I’ve ever said it but thank you for giving me a shot, back when I was a nobody.

Hector: You’ve more than proven yourself, my dear. We’re honored to have a rising star amongst us. I always knew there was something special about you.

Hector: You and the band have been remarkable lately, we’ve gotten nothing but glowing reviews. I’ve been meaning to thank you all for your hard work somehow. How about after the wedding, you three come to my home and I treat you all to some of the best nectar in Tartosa?

Ophelia: That sounds wonderful, but I feel bad celebrating with everything that’s happened.

Hector: The Pappas were a joyous couple. They wouldn't want us to mope around on their behalf. I’ll tell Drew and Moses about it later. You go get dressed for tonight.

Drew and Moses chill after another successful wedding. Ophelia is enjoying the peace after the guests have left when Hector approaches.

Ophelia: I think everything went well!

Hector: Certainly. How about we go celebrate, huh?

Ophelia: I'll go get the band!

Hector: Oh, I just spoke to Drew and Moses. They're both going to change before heading over.

Ophelia: I don't mind waiting for them.

Hector: They didn't want to keep us waiting. We can enjoy a glass or two before they join us.

Hector and Ophelia have arrived at the Laurent manor and head straight for the bar. Ophelia sends Xander a quick goodnight text while Hector starts pouring some of the best nectars he has.

Ophelia also checks for any texts from her bandmates to explain what's taking so long.

Hector pours a red and a white nectar.

Hector: Take your pick. You're the star, after all.

Ophelia's drink of choice is Buffalo Wing Tea but she doesn't want to look tacky in front of her boss so she chooses the red.

Hector checks his phone and sighs dramatically.

Hector: Apparently Moses needs to grab something from home. Looks like they'll be a while. I'm sure we can keep ourselves occupied while we wait.

Hey, as long as Ophelia can keep drinking this nectar, she's not complaining!

Ophelia tries to think of what to talk about.

Ophelia: Jace made the basketball team. Isn't that great?

Hector: Yes, he told us before they left. It's okay, dear, you don't need to pretend to care about my son.

Ophelia: I do care! Jace is a sweetheart, I'm so happy for him!

Hector smiles fondly.

Hector: That's very kind. Jace seems to think the world of you, as well. I'm sure you'll make a great mother someday.

Ophelia doesn't know how to respond so she just drinks. The lines between potential in-law and boss make discussions like this feel weird.

Ophelia finishes her glass a little too quickly, but at least the conversation with Hector is going a little better. He has all kinds of funny wedding stories! Bridezillas, cake fails and affairs, oh my!

A couple of glasses in, Hector excuses himself to the bathroom. Ophelia's starting to get worried, so she sends a message in the Let Them Eat Cake group chat asking what's taking them so long.

She feels bad drinking so much of this expensive nectar, but damn it's good.

Hector's pours are generous and continuous.

Ophelia: It's been over an hour. Drew's a party animal, they're never this late to an event with drinks. And Moses is gay, so he walks hella fast. They should be here by now.

Hector: Are you not enjoying our time together, Ophelia?

Ophelia: N-No, of course I'm having fun talking to you.

Hector: Then let's focus on enjoying each other's company. Don't worry about what they're doing. You deserve to be selfish every once in a while.

Ophelia: …Okay. I've got to powder my nose. Be right back.

Ophelia washes her hands with cold water to calm herself. She feels on-edge, like something's wrong. Drew and Moses don't flake. She sends one more text asking where they are.

Hector acted a little weird before. Maybe she can make up an excuse to bail. It is late, after all.

Hector: Thanks for keeping me company. It gets lonely in this big house without my family. Why don't I get to know you better?

Hector really is a sweet guy. Maybe his awkward behavior before was an attempt to be nice.

Ophelia: Sure.

Hector: Great!

[lyranova]

hi Lyra! 1,11,22 for Neva?

Hiya Tam 🥰!!

Oh? There’s another question for me? Thank you so much I’m very honored that you thought of me for the interview…I’ll answer your question to the best of my abilities!

1 Who makes up your family?  How close are you to them?

I have a father, Victor, who came from a noble family and a mother named Idalia who was a baker’s daughter. I don’t have any siblings since my parents already had a hard enough time conciving me. Being an only child has it’s perks but…I was always kind of jealous of people with siblings.

Anyway, I’m…very close to my parents, always had been since it was just us three together in Drysor. My mom taught me how to bake like her, and my father taught me to be kind to commoners and peasants since they weren’t much different then us nobles…

I guess if you would like to know my extended family; I have my Captain, William Vangeance, who is like an older brother to me. We…were very close until the Elf Incident…there are days where I wish we could get back to how we used to be but…I don’t know if we can.

Maybe someday soon we will…

11 What is your favorite type of media (TV, movie, books, etc)?  Name some specific favorites (which shows, movies, books, etc do you like)!

My favorite type of media? Hm, I would have to go with books! There’s just something about the smell and feeling of the paper as you turn the page, something about how beautiful the words are as they’re strung together…ah, I had best stop myself before I get carried away *clears throat*. As for what books, I like Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and Edgar Allen Poe poems. The Fairy Tales are a lot more fun though.

22 What’s the easiest way to flirt with you?

T-The easiest way to flirt with me? *face goes slightly red and quickly clears her throat* Well…being straightforward and honest is probably the easiest way, since I like honest people…so just being yourself and maybe showing interest in some of the things I like? Another easy way to flirt with me would possibly be…patting my head or moving my hair?