#KRIS YOU'RE FUCKING AMAZING

[joffyworld]

LOOOOOK AT THE KRISSSSSSS ARRRRTTTT AHHHHHHHHHH

What kind of internal changes does Chirin go through?

Eldritch guts? Demonic heart? Just goop where there should be like, functioning bodyparts?

rubs my terrible little hands together... yessssss... they go through a lot of internal changes, physically and mentally. they have a slow progression to ascending to full godhood, but the whole way there they change very drastically as they get stronger and more revered.

chirin is mostly all there in the beginning, while they're serving narinder and then spending their time absolving the bishops and indoctrinating them over the first few centuries.

after all that they start getting taller, grow in their third eye, and generally start rapidly changing externally. their personality shifts considerably and they start having phases every so often where it seems like they're mentally checking out or not there entirely. such is how things go when you gave permission to your crown to affect and alter your mind/memories (something they of course can't even remember).

eventually they'll change so much that their entire personality and everything that made them them will be gone and they'll simply be just a god, a being that can only be reached when they want to be, and seen only when they want to be seen. while their insides slowly change to just being ichor tainted masses of flesh they still do have a beating heart in there, one just as vile as the ones they ripped out of the bodies of the gods before them.

this takes several centuries to fulfill, though.

[luvtonique]

I wanted to address all of the controversies about me and put some explanations on them because unfortunately we live in a day and age where people just see the dirt without ever wondering how the dirt got there. They think "Man that guy never washes his car look how filthy it is" because I just fuckin went offroading 10 minutes ago but they didn't know that.

Aight let's start with numero uno, the thing I'm called the most, the big word for good ol Jay: Transphobe!

This is the one with the most hilarious backstory of them all which to this day baffles my goddamn mind.

I used to be a hated artist because I drew violent shit, I was known for Lil Miss Rarity which is a super violent comic. Naturally this lead to people saying that I was "killing children" because I was drawing violent (and sometimes pornographic) images of a children's cartoon show (My Little Pony).

So in my quick rise to stardom, I had a lot of hateful people attacking me as well, and I had fun with it. I called them out, called them stupid, etc.

Well, one of them was Dumbo. Dumbo spent 6 full months making posts about me that are still on their blog to this day. Every single time I made a post, they reblogged it or reposted it, to call me a shithead, call me an ass hole, wish I'd kill myself, etc.

One day I was doing a fundraiser to put away money for a potential emergency because my mom had hurt her spine really bad and was in the hospital. I had a goal of $300 and raised $1200.

Dumbo, of course, was saying hateful shit about me still, and said, I quote, "I hope that whore dies in the hospital lmao"

So, I looked into who Dumbo was. The Brony fandom was, at the time, all about Love and Tolerance, so I did some sleuthing and found out they were an artist on DeviantART taking full color commissions for $10. I commissioned them on my DA account, and asked them to draw Lil Miss Rarity. They and I had a very polite conversation, and since they drew the picture very quickly I tipped them 100% and told them to up their prices because their art is very good.

They thanked me, not knowing it was me (despite that it was literally my main account), and I walked away.

Then, they checked my gallery, found out it was me, and went into a rage, making a post that says, "LMFAO, Jay just begged for money and then turned around and used it to commission an artist for double their asking price, what a shithead!!"

So, I took the screencaps of all of their death threats over 6 months, compiled them all, and showed my massive Tumblr following in a huge callout post against them. In the middle, I referred to Dumbo as "he/she/it/clown" and everyone (AND I FUCKING MEAN EVERYONE) completely ignored the 6 months of death threats and how consistently polite I was to them, and sided with Dumbo in a moment that labeled me "Transphobic" for the rest of my life.

Another instance is I called Kris from Deltarune he/she, and was called transphobic for that, and got the amazing quote "That's a real-ass child and you're misgendering them deliberately," to which I replied, "That's not a real-ass child that's a fictional character you fucking retard"

NEXT UP: ABLEIST.

I grew up in Los Angeles in special ed classes and have a mentally retarded brother, I have the pass to say retard, fuck off.

NEXT UP: RACIST.

I grew up in Los Angeles with a father who called himself "N*gger Bob" (he's white) because he was a super racist who believed being asked to help take the trash out was "akin to slavery." He also beat my retarded brother half to death for having a black girlfriend.

I was in LA during the Rodney King riots, I was in LA right in the middle of the Crips and Bloods trying to kill each other and having fuckloads of gang shootouts that I overheard when I was chilling in the Ceritos (spelling) mall.

I know what racism looks like.

A white boy saying the n-word while playing Fortnite is not what racism looks like.

A white boy singing along with Busta Rhymes (hi that's me) on a livestream and casually dropping n-bombs because I'M SINGING ALONG WITH BUSTA, BITCH, is not what racism looks like. I had three black friends growing up, Davion, Julian and Smalls, and also Undrier but Undrier was retarded and I didn't consider him a friend he just followed me around and called me "Day" because he couldn't pronounce J's. But me, Smalls and Davion would stand on Davion's aunt's porch and eat zucchini cornbread and listen to Woo Haw and headbang and sing along til the fucking cows came home.

But now that I'm grown up, my upbringing apparently doesn't matter, my FUCKING SKIN COLOR DOES (you know, racist ideology!) and I'm no longer allowed to say the n-word despite having casually spent my entire childhood surrounded by black friends who were completely okay with me saying it. I grew up in the hood, motherfucker! Bellflower born n' raised, bitch! Wes' Side!

But I'm <skin color> and since <skin color> isn't allowed to <thing that's designated for only other skin color to do>, I'm racist.

NEXT UP: PEDOPHIIIIIILE

I was molested when I was 13, which thankfully didn't leave too much emotional scarring on me. Anthony Sevarino, the dude's name was, and he shoved my hand in his pants and showed me his dick during a camping trip and said he was gonna fuck me in my bed. I was so shocked by this happening that I didn't even tell my parents who were in the same motorhome literally asleep 10 feet from me.

Growing up, I always had a really emotional trigger to seeing harm come to children, I hate it. I cry and shake uncontrollably when I see children getting hurt, no matter what. It's the only thing I have I'd call a "trigger."

I saw that episode of Rugrats where Tommy cuts his finger and then he's scared to do anything anymore because he might get hurt, and that made me fucking bawl, it still does, seeing Tommy cry super fucking hard over seeing his finger bleed- holy shit it's making me teary eyed right now just typing that.

So, naturally, I don't want children to get hurt and am extremely against pedophilia, child predatory behavior, MAPs, grooming and these FUCKING PEOPLE WHO KEEP CASUALLY TALKING TO 13 YEAR OLDS ON DISCORD FOR FUCK SAKE.

"But Jay! You drew foalcon! Those fictional ponies are underaged!"

What, you mean that tag that's still extremely popular and always has been in the brony fandom?

Yeah can't imagine why I, a very popular artist in the brony fandom from 12 years ago to 10 years ago, would ever draw something so insanely high demand and so insanely popular. Can't fucking imagine.

Never mind that I haven't drawn it in 3 years, removed all my old images of it, and even announced I'm not drawing that shit anymore, I'm still losing friends when they find out I did once, because "I can't associate with a pedophile I'm sorry." (See: "I can't differentiate fiction from reality and also can't allow a person to move on from a troubled past that they had.")

Also never mind that the few crowdpleaser foalcon moments in Lil Miss Rarity were officially written out entirely (the part where Twist and Sweetie Belle kissed).

But you know what's amazing? Being part of the brony fandom and being an artist willing to draw anything meant that people would come to me and literally confess that they're in possession of the "real shit" and wanted to know if I was interested. Seven of them, seven, are in prison now because of me and my buddy "Z" contacting the FBI with their confessions and the shit they shared with me thinking that I was a "safe person" to admit that shit to.

My position in the fandom as an artist who gets to know their commissioners personally and was willing to draw that type of shit was literally fishing out real actual predators and putting them in prison, but I was still getting called a pedophile, and still get called it today. It's fuckin great man.

NEXT UP: TRANSPHOBE (PART 2)

I was trans. Shaved my hair half off, dyed it blue, called myself Jynkx, cussed out my family, moved to Ohio with a guy who wore diapers around the house (with his brother living there) and collected loli figurines, and dated a transgirl who was catfishing and manipulating me for 9 fucking years. I have a Discord server to this day with pronoun selection roles, my best friend is trans (I met her when she was cis and helped her come to the decision to transition and it has since improved her life and happiness), and almost every mod in my Discord server is trans.

The problem, of course, is that the trans activist community hates itself more than any other, which makes perfect sense if you think about it. This is a group of people who encourage hating cisgendered people, and encourage people to hate the body they're in and to transition to a "different body." It's been proven multiple sources that there are entire "Femboy Cults" (search that on YouTube) who are actively seeking out depressed people to manipulate them into starting HRT, and cutting off their family.

WELL GUESS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?

Bridget, as you all remember her, was a manipulator who lied to me for 9 years of dating to make me depressed, hate myself, hate my family, give her thousands of dollars, and kept promising we'd meet some day while turning down every opportunity (such as conventions we were both already going to) to meet (yes, I went to conventions she was at and didn't meet her).

I was a victim of manipulation, was surrounded by horribly manipulative and narcissistic pieces of shit who warped my mind and made me believe I was depressed because I was "an egg" and needed to go get on HRT and change myself. And I almost did! I came within a hair's reach of shoving a hormone-altering drug into myself in hopes it would cure my depression, and then went "Wait a second, I'm not depressed because I'm a woman trapped in a man's body, I'm depressed because femboy-obsessed manipulative pervert rapists want me to turn myself into their fetish." I broke up with Bridget, I moved home from Ohio, I waited for my hair to stop being blue, and I became proud of myself for escaping that horrible situation and bettering myself mentally.

So how's this make me a transphobe?

I DON'T FUCKING KNOW, YOU FUCKING TELL ME YOU FUCKING INSANE BOOGEYMAN-BELIEVING ASSHOLES WHO BLAME EVERY OTHER PERSON FOR YOUR OWN INTERNAL LACK OF FUCKING SELF WORTH.

WAKE THE FUCK UP. YOU'VE BEEN MANIPULATED BY THESE FUCKING TRANS ACTIVISTS WHO ARE JUST SICK FETISHISTS WHO WANT TO TRANSFORM LONELY MEN INTO "FEMBOYS" UNDER FALSE PROMISES THAT IT WILL FIX THEIR MENTAL PROBLEMS. GET OUT WHILE YOU FUCKING CAN. I DID AND I'VE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER IN MY LIFE.

Next up: HOMOPHOBE

I draw LGD (Lesbians Getting Dicked) because I think it's hot when girls who like girls have sex with guys. I've drawn some pretty offensive pictures of it such as a pic of two lesbians being told "Pride month's over, ladies, time to be straight again" while being surrounded by hard dicks and looking scared.

Why'd I do this? Well because a lesbian friend of mine also likes that shit and we did that as an art trade.

But why do I draw it on my own sometimes? Because it's hot. It's fucking fictional porn, it's not real, it can't hurt you. I tag it LGD and only post it in servers you need accounts to see. You don't like it stop going out of your way to look at it, and if someone slams it in your face in your private "We Hate Jay" Discord server (which there are many of. I have moles who tell me.), that's not my fault y'fuckin dipshits. I properly tag and hide my stuff so only people who want to see it can see it. If someone showed you a picture of my spread asshole, you should get mad at them, not me. They're the one who SAVED IT TO THEIR COMPUTER AND SHOWED IT TO THEIR FRIENDS UNSOLICITED, YOU MORONS.

Anyway.

Next up: AN ASS HOLE.

I've spent 13 years being called all of the above names no matter how much I've catered to their activism and was even part of their activist movements directly. Fuck you.

Next up: A NAZI

Lmao.

I said on Twitter, "I hate that no matter what you say on this site, someone somewhere will get mad."

And that, without any further comment from me literally at all, turned into a massive amount of people including "Wootmaster" (Added note: I talked with Woot in private and he gave me the okay and apologized, we cool) calling me racist and a "Bootlicking Nazi." I literally did not add to it. I literally just said the opening line and left it for 3 days.

That's why I deleted my Twitter.

That's why people think I'm a Nazi.

Because I said "I hate that no matter what you say on this site, someone somewhere will get mad."

Next up: I DON'T FUCKING KNOW I BET THERE'S MORE.

You see why I make angry rant posts like this one?

Because this is how I've been treated for 13 fucking years.

I've been attacked, called names, labeled evil, told I'm phobic against the movements I was literally part of and being an activist for, had money stolen from me by perverts who got arrested for drilling a hole in the bathroom wall at a brony convention to jack off to his female roommates (he pretended to be trans and bullied them into letting him room with them in their "Safe Women's Hotel Room" and then did that shit and got arrested. But not before he stole money from me! Six thousand fucking dollars!), lived with a fucking probably actual child predator who would show me his loli figures and foalcon posters every day and try to convince me to like them and showed me his dick multiple times...

I literally was smack dab in the middle of super ultra liberal activism and trans activism for over a goddamn decade, right down to blue hair half shaved off and calling myself Jynkx.

And I come back, snap out of it, and get cussed out and called transphobic and "the reason trans people are being killed" because I don't like the flowery 1-dimensional LGBT representation in World of Warcraft and have a 9 year running best friend I went to multiple conventions with decide instantly that I'm a Nazi racist communist because I didn't disown my mother when she voted for the orange guy, and because I called one of their friends "Insane" for identifying as fae/fie and thinking they're a goddamn gaelic woodland sprite. (Btw he was my most frequent commissioner for loli shit and used to jack off while I was drawing it for him.)

You see, people.

I've spent 13 years surrounding myself with and getting personally connected with the lives of my commissioners as a brony/furry artist who was deep into LGBT and Liberal activism.

And in those 13 years I've come to realize that I surrounded myself with the most fucking disgusting and evil people on earth, who no matter how much I would shill for them and do what they asked, I would still be the label-covered punching bag whose reputation is now so utterly in the trash that literally no matter what I draw, say, or do today, I still have people on shady Discord servers n' shit calling me a fucking lolcow and a pedo and a transphobe and a Nazi and a racist and a homophobe and an ass hole.

I have learned in 13 goddamn years that you can't appease these fucking lunatic psychopaths.

And so I don't anymore.

So who am I really?

I'm an incredibly easy to talk to artist, I'm a dude, I love roleplaying and drawing pictures for people, I like writing song lyrics, I love hearing about new inventions and innovations, I love goats, I love dogs, I think cats make bad pets but I don't mind cats, I'm making a video game about an elf girl, and I want you hateful people who I've lived rent-free in the heads of for over a goddamn decade to leave me and my fanbase the fuck alone.

Love you all.

~Jay

[pancrasefighter69]

I'm posting this fight photo as a shout out to 🇬🇧 British fighter and wrestler, Sooty98. The fighters in the photo are actually Russian, but the style of the fight is exactly what Scott (Sooty98) and me (Greg) are into: bare chests, skin-tight jeans, and taped or bare fists. No damn gloves for us. Minimal rules and limits, just man to man brawling until knockout or until one fighter cannot continue.

It's amazing when two fighters cross paths, and especially when both fighters are into the same aggressive fighting, fight gear, rules/limits, and the potential for stakes as an added incentive on the fight. Scott is an accomplished boxer, wrestler, bare knuckles fistfighter, and street fighter. He has amazing fights and grappling stories of his battles in Europe against tough muscular fighters and wrestlers, including Andre. David, Jake, Kes, Kris, Matt, Mitchell, Rod, Tim, and Zack. I urge you to read those arousing summaries of his fights and wrestling matches if you're turned on by combat sports.

Scott contacted me a few months ago, and it was clear from that first email message that he and I are on the same page and want the same aggressive muscle on muscle fight scene. A quick check of the height and weight stats showed us to be within 2 inches and a few pounds of each other, which makes for a fair and legitimate fight. No mismatched squash job here, as both fighters will have to earn that win through brutal force and superior fighting skills.

Scott and I spend a lot of time in the gym with intense workouts. I think Scott is really a muscular bodybuilder who enjoys fighting and wrestling. I was raised as a street fighter and wrestler who later got into weightlifting and bodybuilding only to make myself stronger and tougher. Either way, Scott and Greg seem to be on a collision course for one hell of a fight.

Scott is a super-aggressive fighter who gets off on beating the fuck out of his opponents. I guess that is why I found myself immediately attracted to him as a potential fight opponent. There's a huge satisfaction and gratification that comes from fighting. It's one huge erotic turn on if, like me, you experience Agonophilia from a fight. Strange word that I only recently came across: Agonophilia. It's that homoerotic turn on when your cock is rock hard from the fight, or even from fight gear. I've always been aroused by fighting and wrestling, so I now know that there's a name for this primal excitement.

If you haven't already read some of the fights at Sooty98, then I urge you to check out the real-time stories and photos he has there. One of these days, he will have posted the summary of our Scott versus Greg epic fistfight. Unfortunately, Scott is 🇬🇧 and I'm 🇺🇸 so this fight will be an Intercontinental Championship. I'm sure it will be one hell of a fistfight, but that's exactly what we both want and need.

Check out Sooty98.

[patty-the-otterette]

I have finally slept well, so I'm ready to share my impressions regarding my 1st Joker Out gig of this year (3rd in total), this time in Kraków.

Ahhh!!! It was amazing! I loved that the guys were dressed in the colours of Polish flag 🇵🇱It was so cute and it suited them well! Watching the streams of previous gigs of the current tour, I wasn't very much convinced about more "casual" outfits (I'm a huge fan of Stožice outfits and their variations - Kris in the white outfit in Warsaw - my jaw literally dropped 😲), although now I really love them! It's just a different phase :)

The stage was pretty small and I was staying on my "casual" Jan and Nace side. I just love looking at them 😍 how they have fun with each other, either by walking around one another with stupid looks, playing peekaboo with a Polish flag, or when Nace is rubbing Jan's shoulder when the other one is pretty tired after the gig. I just love those two 😍😍

I loved all the songs, especially those with more intense guitar riffs (Šta bih ja, Everybody's waiting - second part, Ne bi smel, Plastika) where I could really lose myself in the music.

As during the previous gigs, I'm in such awe when it comes to Bojan managing the crowd. He always knows what to answer, it shows his great experience on the stage ofc, but it's more than that! He's just... right person in the right place. For example, when a girl invited him to her prom he said: "But there's five of us, it will be funny, all of us dancing in a circle 😂😂😂 ", showing appropriate gestures

Or when people started saying they have birthday 🎂 that day, after another person said that he was "Now you're lying 🤥😂" and he sang "Happy birthday EVERYONE" 😂.

Btw, it's my birthday today 🥳 and that's not a lie 😊

I really enjoyed this gig and I can't wait for the next one! Next stop - Antwerp! Who's coming there? ;)

Enjoy my very bad photos, but I like them anyway 😜

Aha! And Jan in "Jan pierdolę" shirt and Adidas tracksuit! To give you a wider context - the phrase "Ja pierdolę!" where "Ja" means "I", can be translated into "Oh, fuck!", and, from my own experience, it can be used in different contexts - either to express irritation, anger, but sometimes also excitement. The name "Jan" is very same both in Polish and Slovenian, both in writing and in pronunciation. It was so funny 🤣 to see him in this t-shirt!

[butterflyintochains]

The Price of A Mistake

From this wonderful post.

Player B almost murders someone on ice and now has to wear a collar/charm to suppress his powers. Player A has to defend them from everyone--including their own teammates. (prompt 18)

Summary: All he meant to do was protect his kid, he didn't mean it, honestly, he didn't. Kris has had to fight back his abilities for nearly twenty years, and he's gotten really good at keeping himself on a leash. Until, that is, a certain enforcer for Washington messes with the wrong player on his team.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On paper, hosting a game on a rare super blood moon would have been an amazing concept. What better to celebrate this auspicious night than a Pittsburgh/Washington game? A classic game between division rivals to play in PPG Paints under the gaze of a rare astral phenomenon. But, all that collapsed around their ears when Tom Wilson just had to charge Jack St.Ivany, the team's youngest defencemen, and the beloved and protected son of two living legends. One of Mario Lemieux's four remaining grandsons. Kris just snapped, he didn't mean it, he just saw red. He's sure Toronto cut the broadcast as soon as the blood came, and Wilson is off to the hospital. Now, Kris is sitting in the team's locker room, in silence, alone. Just the rushing of his blood in his ears for company, Wilson's blood still on his hands and face. He has no idea how long he's been in here, or when he'll next be allowed to see his husband and son. No one has come to see him yet, he's sure media was cancelled for tonight. Erik got Jack to the medical area before Kris jumped Wilson. Finally; Sully, Quinn, Tags, and Kyle enter. Looking equal parts furious and cautious, as though Kris is some monster who'll kill anyone in his path. And, what if he is? ''Kris, son, you did something really stupid tonight.'' Sully says.

Does he think Kris doesn't know that already? ''I know, but I did what I had to do to protect my son. Wilson was asking for it.''

Kyle says, wearing a sanctimonious face. ''Doesn't matter, Kris, you almost killed someone tonight. You are one of the four most important people on this team, and you could've killed someone.'' Yeah, no shit, the blood all over Kris' hands is enough evidence of that. He notices the steel bracelets Tags is holding, they seem to shimmer with something. ''What's with those?''

Quinn speaks up instead. ''These cuffs will keep a lid on the instincts that you gave into tonight.''

Kris scoffs, rolling his eyes. He's always protected his family, fighting for them when they couldn't do it themselves. No one had a problem when it was for his brothers and nephews, but all of a sudden he's the asshole for protecting his only son? Bullshit. ''Sully, please, my husband and our kid.''

Sully says, sounding stricter than he did before. ''You're not seeing them until you put those on.'' Kris sighs at that, obviously backed into a corner of his own making, and says. ''Fine, fuck it, cuff me.'' Tags kneels down before him to put one bracelet on each of his wrists. ''I'm sorry it came to this, Tanger.'' Tags says.

Kris just stays silent as he's released to the dressing room, he showers alone, and changes into his suit quickly. Trying not to throw up at the glares he's receiving, as if they'd have done anything different. ''Kris...'' Sid starts, positioning himself between Kris and Drew, which only angers Kris more. ''I don't wanna hear it, captain.'' He says, and goes to find his family.

They're in the medical center, dressed for the ride home. Erik crosses the room to wrap his arms around his husband, hand in his hair. Kris melts into the embrace, trying so hard not to cry. Is he still the man Erik married at that lake? ''Jag alskar dig, hjartat mitt.'' Erik says, kissing his cheek. Kris sniffles, and kisses him back. ''Je t'aime, mon amour.'' He walks over to Jack, who is sitting on an examination bed, looking no worse for wear. ''Where were you?'' Jack asks.

Kris shows them the cuffs. ''Being leashed and muzzled, mon dauphin.''

Jack looks terrified of the cuffs, who knew such simple steel bracelets could be so horrifying? ''Can you not fight anymore?'' Kris swallows a knot of tears, what kind of parent can't protect their kid? ''No, Ivy, I can't. Tags said I won't be able to get them off either.''

Erik just says, not looking too sure about the things himself. ''At least your eyes are brown again.'' Small consolation for being chained. Jack tries to brighten things up by saying. ''I'm coming home with you, I think we should all be together.''

Kris says to their kid, forever a ray of light for them. ''Guest room is all yours.''

They get home, and grab some dinner before heading to bed. It takes Kris forever to find a good position that doesn't hurt his newly burdened wrists. But, eventually, he does give into his own exhaustion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Training a couple of days later is going to be rough, Kris can feel it. The trio arrive in Erik's car together. One of the later arrivals, because the universe hates them for some reason. There'll be no time to get ready to face the music, they're going into the orchestra head first. Jack gets out of the car first, followed by his dads. Erik takes Kris' hand, and squeezes it to assure him that he's not going anywhere. They head inside, and into the dressing room to get ready for morning skate. It seems like everyone else has already been and gone through here, the stick rack is almost empty. Jack grabs his sticks, and says to his dads. ''I'll see you out there.''

Erik nods, and says. ''Yeah, we'll be right behind you.'' Kris leans against the wall, unwanted panic rising in his chest. Remembering Sid shielding Drew from him that night. As though he was a wild animal on the loose. ''Erik, I can't breathe.'' Erik leaps into action, helping his husband back to his stall, the cuffs shine under his gloves. ''Okay, breathe with me, sweetheart.'' Slowly, Kris' breathing evens out. ''I can't do this... they'll all hate me now.''

Erik senses there's something Kris hasn't told him about that night, something Kris wanted to spare him and Jack from knowing. ''Why do you think that, hjartat mitt?''

Kris removes his helmet, in tears now. ''That night, when I was cuffed. Sid shielded Drew from me. He...'' Erik rubs his back, allowing him space to speak, something he guesses wasn't afforded to him that night. ''He thinks I'm violent, darling.'' Erik's heart shatters, Kris' own fucking brother thinks he's violent, won't let him near his nephews. The one other person who should understand, doesn't. ''Who knows? Maybe he's right? I'm cuffed for a reason, right?''

Erik takes a deep breath, and brings Kris' eyes to his own, he says. ''He's wrong, period. You made a mistake, and this whole thing is just unfair. I know you, Kris, I know the man I'm married to. I'd bet my whole contract that Sid and Geno would've done the same, as would I.'' Erik dries his husband's eyes. ''You, Kristopher Letang, are my wonderful husband, and I take you as you are.''

Kris asks, holding his cuffed wrists up. ''What about these?'' Erik sighs, he fucking hates the things, especially since Kris can't take them off for whatever reason. ''Look, this whole situation is horrible, but we'll learn to live with it, all three of us.''

They go to take to the ice, Erik notices the judgmental stares from the team, and he knows Kris must notice them too. But, Erik squares his shoulders for his husband, if anyone has anything to say, to any of the three of them, he's got plenty of fire in himself for his family. That cynical part of Erik feels that Kyle would've gone easier on the two forwards, if Sid had've dropped them for Rusty or Drew, no one would've cared. If Geno put Wilson in the hospital, he'd be a hero. But, they didn't, Kris did, he sacrificed everything to protect their one and only kid. And, he's now the outcast within.

After morning skate, the longest morning of Erik's life. They shower and change. Kris groaning in pain alerts Erik and Jack. ''Hjartat, are you okay?'' They kneel in front of him.

Kris catches his breath, and says. ''Just my left wrist, amour, I'm fine.'' Jack asks, scanning his face. ''Are you sure?''

Kris nods, shaking his wrist out. ''Yes, mon dauphin, I'm sure.'' Erik says to their boy. ''Jack, you and Kris go out ahead of me, I'll not be long.''

They leave for lunch, Erik sits at his stall, and looks around the room, nobody has seen his face this hardened in ages. Sid hasn't seen it since game seven in 2017, neither has Geno. It's clear to everyone that this is the Erik that has won three Norris trophies, and led his Senators through that playoffs alone on one foot. ''Alright, boys, I wasn't born yesterday, care to tell me why none of you are speaking to my husband right now?''

Sid says, as though Erik is stupid, which he isn't. ''Erik, he almost killed someone three days ago.''

Erik crosses his arms over his chest, prodding his wedding ring with his thumb. ''I know that, I was there, Wilson got what was coming to him. He's lucky I was occupied with our kid who he attacked.'' The team are surprised at how callous Erik sounds. ''Erik, come on, you can't possibly mean that.'' Lars says.

Cocking an eyebrow, Erik says, tilting his head to the side like Kris does. ''What if I do, Tiger? Gonna ask for cuffs for me next? Three years ago, I swore vows to Kris. To love him above all others, and take him as he is - come what may.''

Geno asks, for once looking intimidated by someone five inches shorter than him. ''Even if he almost kills someone?'' Erik nods, almost proud of Kris for that night. ''Yes. And, don't you two ever try to convince us you're any better, I've seen from outside and in what you're like with your three.'' With that, Erik gets up, and leaves the room to join his husband for lunch. ''Everything okay, Erik?'' Kris asks.

Erik nods, sitting with them both. ''Yeah, just had to talk with Marcus about something.'' He spares his family the grilling he just laid at the team's feet, and is all too willing to continue to lay at their feet until they understand. ''Who do we play tomorrow again?'' Jack asks.

Kris sighs, and says. ''The Rangers. And, I want you to stay clear of Rempe and Trouba, I can't protect you anymore.''

Erik nods, acknowledging the truth of this shit situation, but Jack has two dads who can do that. ''But, I can.''

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The game against the Rangers starts slowly, no scoring until Sid fires one past Quick fifteen minutes into the first. Whatever tension there might be on this team, it has been left firmly at the door for tonight. However, Erik does notice some of the Rangers prodding at the team, almost testing Kris, knowing full well all he can do is run to the end of his leash and bark. No one knows what might happen to Kris if he somehow overrides the cuffs, but that's one science experiment Erik would rather avoid. He's convinced that wrist ache from yesterday was the cuffs. He just can't prove that. They're 1-0 up by first intermission, Kris asks Jack for some ice for his wrists. ''These things fucking hurt sometimes.'' He remarks. Not fishing for sympathy, not that he'd find it from the rest anyway. Just stating a fact.

The Rangers keep firing their little warning shots into the second period after Kreider ties it halfway through at 1-1. First Trouba tries slew footing Drew to get a rise from Kris, then Lafreniere high sticks Bunting. It doesn't work, Erik manages a powerplay goal in the chaos for 2-1. ''Thank you for that, darling, I feel sick.'' Kris says once they're back on the bench.

Erik turns to him, finally seeing how pale his husband has become, this has to be the cuffs. Erik removes his gloves, and cups Kris' face in his hands, he's not running a fever. But, he's not himself. ''Do you want me to tell Sully?''

Kris shakes his head, kissing Erik's palm. ''No, we're 2-1 up, with a period to go, I'll survive.'' Erik nods, he trusts his husband's judgement, he's got no other choice right now. They've got a roadtrip coming up down south, how long until those damned things can be removed? ''Okay, I trust you.'' He says.

The third period is chaos incarnate. Zibanejad nets a breakaway to tie it early at 2-2. Lars gets a goal on a penalty kill for 3-2. The rest of the period drags on, the Rangers still attempting to bait Kris into something. There's a scrum while the third units are on the ice, one of the Rangers trying to goad Jack into a fight, Kris gets to his feet from the bench, a blinding pain in his wrists that he has to work through. ''Jack! Ignore him, and get back here!'' Jack nods, and rejoins Kris on the bench, Erik goes to sort things out. ''Kris, your wrists.'' Jack says, horrified.

Kris looks down, at the redness on his wrists, like burn marks. ''I guess we know the consequences, mon dauphin.''

They come out of the game with a narrow 4-3 win, Kris goes straight to the medical team to have his wrists looked at after showering and changing. Erik is still in media, but Jack is with him. His burns are treated as best they can be around the cuffs. ''Can we take these things off now? I've behaved myself, haven't I? I was out of the box tonight.'' Kris pleads with Kyle.

Kyle shakes his head, it seems like he knows something Kris doesn't about those cuffs, and isn't in a mood to divulge. ''No, Kris, four days aren't enough.''

Erik furrows his brows, Jack clenches his jaw, Erik says. ''The fuck do you mean 'four days aren't enough', Kyle? The things are clearly hurting him.''

Kyle just says. ''It's growing pains, you'll get used to it.'' To the entire team's surprise, the normally kind and quiet son of the two living legends speaks up. ''Kyle, would you be so brutal about this if it was the forwards?'' Now, everyone knows just how much like Kris and Erik he is, Jack has long since detected hypocrisy on this whole thing. Forwards are celebrated for the stuff defencemen are demonized for. It's been that way since day one of hockey, and things will probably never change. ''Ivy...'' Kris warns him.

Jack shakes his head. ''No, I wanna hear an answer. Because this is bullshit.''

Kyle just says. ''As your boss, I don't think I need to answer that. Those cuffs are there for a reason.'' With that, he leaves for his office. Sid shrugs, and says. ''Can't say I disagree with him.''

Erik rolls his eyes, and says to the captain. ''Save the pearl-clutching, captain, the boss is gone now. Your brother's wrists are in bandages now, don't make this worse.''

This roadtrip is not going to be fun, Kris can feel it as much as he can feel the pain in his wrists. Florida, Tampa, Nashville, and Dallas. Kris knows what'll happen to him if he fights the cuffs now, he knows how much this is going to hurt. And, to make it all the worse, he's stuck with it for what could be forever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of slow weeks pass with the cuffs. Kris' burns heal after their game against Utah. So, the bandages come off, but the burns still leave phantom pains behind them. Erik has had more than enough of this by the time they get to a game out west against his old Sharks. It's been three weeks since the incident with Wilson, Kris hasn't taken so much as a two minute penalty in ages, he's been so good since the cuffs went on. Isn't it time for them to come off by now? He has no idea how they'd go about trying to get them off, they are magic after all, but they'll try anything at this point. So, once they've landed in San Jose from a shootout loss in Vegas, Erik takes him to the Sharks training facility, and asks permission to use their gear room. Thanking God that the staff still like him from the five seasons he spent here. There must be something in this room they can use. As long as they can get in, get the things off, and get back to the team without being caught, they're golden. They decide on the table saw, go big or go home, right? But, the magic must be accounting for this, because it's like trying to jam two north poles of a magnet together. ''Fuck, how else are we meant to get them off?'' Kris asks, sitting on the table, tears in his eyes.

Erik says, feeling like such a horrible husband, he can't help him out of this. ''I don't know. When's our away game in Carolina?'' Kris pulls his phone out, and says. ''Two weeks, why?''

Taking a deep breath, Erik says. ''Well, maybe if we try again in the city where we met, it'll work? Our bond will override the cuffs, and they'll come off?''

The door opens behind them, and they hear the distinct laugh of Joe Thornton. ''Well, two Penguins in the Sharks house, here to spy on us, boys?''

Erik pleads with his old friend. ''Jumbo, please don't tell Mike or Sid why we're here. And, shut the door, please?'' Joe shuts the door behind him, and asks them. ''Alright, why are you here, then?'' Kris shows off his cuffs, to the untrained eye, they'd just look like simple silver bracelets. But, they're anything but simple. ''We're trying to get these off of me.''

Jumbo nods, looking horrified of the shimmering steel bands. ''God, those are the cuffs each team carries? How long have you had them, Kris?''

Sniffling, Kris says. ''Three weeks, and it'll be five by the time we get another chance to get them off. They've already made me throw up a few times, and burned me during our game against the Rangers.'' Joe asks them, scandalized and sympathetic, funny how a rival team member is more concerned than his own brothers, really. ''Has Kyle done nothing about this?''

Erik shakes his head, and says. ''That's what Victor asked us in Tampa, and no, he hasn't. Says it's growing pains, and Kris will just need to learn to live with it. Jack and I have been furious.'' It's now that Erik prays that their boy isn't getting hammered with questions about where they've gone. ''Jack?'' Jumbo asks.

Kris explains, getting down from the table. ''Jack St.Ivany... he's our kid, like Celebrini is for you.'' There's a silence in the room after that, Jumbo poses to them. ''Has Erik tried to get them off of you himself?''

Kris shakes his head, he'll not put his husband in danger over this, or anything else. ''No, and seeing what they're capable of, I don't think I want to risk that.''

Erik proposes an idea, which now seems like the only real way they're getting the stupid things off of him before something horrible happens. ''Maybe if we go to the spot where we first kissed in Raleigh, it'd work? Ask for the hotel room you had back then?'' Kris rakes through all of his memories of that weekend, he finally remembers the room number, Room seven. ''Sounds good to me.''

They win the game against the Sharks that night 3-2 in overtime, after post game debrief, Rusty notices Kris' nose bleeding. ''Hey, Tanger, nosebleed.'' Kris nods, and holds a towel to his nose, the cuffs are angry at him for trying to destroy them. At least they've got a plan now, one which should be air tight. It has to work, right? Going to where this whole thing began to get them off, it'll work, won't it? It has to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next two weeks pass in a blur, both of them solely focused on getting to Raleigh. Erik managed to secure their request for room seven with Kyle, Kris has no idea how, but doesn't really care too much. They're going to ground zero, and these things are coming off. He's going to be free soon. Before they leave for Raleigh, however, comes a game against the Islanders. One which they win 2-1. Kris almost faints on his way back to the dressing room, luckily Erik is there to help him back. Five weeks now, five unholy fucking weeks, and Kris has been nothing but good through all of it. Surely the things can come off now, can't they? He's learned whatever lesson he was supposed to, right? He takes it up with Sully this time, hoping for a nicer response than the cold one Kyle gave him. ''Sully, please, my husband almost fainted ten minutes ago, can't we get these cuffs off?''

Sid says, sanctimonious as he has become of late. ''As the captain of this team, I'm glad we've not had any repeats of the Wilson incident.'' Erik almost barks, if it's an argument his captain wants, he's going to get one. ''Yeah, and Wilson just got fined again yesterday, boarded one of the Minny boys, fucker deserved it.''

Tristan speaks up in defence of his godfather. ''And, look at us, Sid. Sure, we're winning, but look at the shit our rivals are trying to pull on us. We're down our only real fighter.''

Sid stands firm in his position. ''Last I checked, I outrank both of you on this team, and those cuffs are on for a reason.'' He points to the yellow C on his jersey.

That works on Tristan, but it doesn't on Erik, he flashes his wedding ring, the ring Kris put on his finger. ''And, Sid, last I checked, I outrank you in Kris' life. So, I ask again: can we remove the cuffs yet?''

Angering Erik further, all Sully says is a vague. ''I'll check with management about it.'' Which, in Erik's sixteen years of experience in this league, is always shorthand for 'no'. So, drastic times call for drastic measures, and they'll do the Raleigh plan.

They get back to the hotel from the game against the Hurricanes, and silently slip away from team dinner in the hotel restaurant. They head up to their room, and lock themselves in for the night. Erik has had an idea, he'll invoke some of his vows. Kris kneels on the bed, Erik mirrors him, and asks. ''Are you ready, hjartat?''

Kris looks near tears, more burn marks on his wrists. ''Yeah, amour, I've been ready for nearly six weeks.''

Erik runs his hand through Kris' hair to calm him down, this won't work if he's emotional like this. Once Kris is calm, Erik holds his aching wrists, gently as though he's made of china. ''I - Erik Karlsson - promise to love and protect you above all others. I take you as you are, come what may.'' He locks his hands around the cuffs, ignoring the tingling of protest, and pulls them in his direction. There's a few moments where he almost gets them off, where the flame they lit here overrides the magic in those cuffs. But, the damn things are stubborn, and won't be moved by Erik's efforts. Kris collapses into Erik's arms, breathing like he's been drowning. ''I'm sorry, sweetheart.'' Erik says, running his hands up and down his husband's back.

Kris says, voice shaking with the stress of tonight. ''Not your fault, darling. It's mine.''

Erik kisses him on the lips, they're both in tears now, the only salient idea they had has now been exhausted, and they're left with nothing. ''We'll figure this out, together, like we always do.'' Kris asks him, looking so hopeless. ''Promise me?''

Erik says, keeping his voice low even if it's just them, who knows who might be outside this room spying on them? ''I swear on our marriage.'' He promises on something no one can take from them, the one thing none of their teammates would ever understand, the one pure thing in their world. Even if things are looking dark, they've still got this, these rings, this bond.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Things go quiet from Kris and Erik for a while, even Jack resigns himself to one of his dads being fundamentally changed forever. The team are still doing well, but it's like there's a ticking time bomb under them everyday. One of these games isn't going to go well, they've got Boston and Washington soon, and their rivals are still trying to bait Kris into overriding the cuffs. But, he's not taken any of it, he's stopped pleading for his freedom back, he's stopped arguing against it all. Jack doesn't ask either. Even Erik has went radio silent on the matter. Geno does halfway wonder if this is all a ploy to get the cuffs off early, but all it takes is overhearing a conversation between Tags and Kyle on his way to the rink for morning skate for that thought to go out the window. ''So, do we release Letang now, or what?'' Kyle asks.

Tags says. ''Well, you're the boss, so it's up to you. Sully and Quinn say he's been perfectly behaved lately. No penalty minutes in eight weeks.''

Kyle asks the team's equipment manager. ''So, what do you think? I'm leaving this with you.''

Tags seems to hesitate for a minute, as though sitting on knowledge no one else has. ''There's one small issue, without it, I'd be glad to release him.''

Kyle presses him further. ''That being?''

Tags confesses, sounding hesitant to do so. ''The curse in the cuffs prevents them from being removed... ever.'' Geno downs his stick, and returns to the dressing room, removing his gloves and helmet. This is fucking ridiculous. ''Honey, you okay?'' Sid asks him.

Geno says, sitting down to remove his skates. ''I'm not training today, not after hearing what I heard.''

Drew asks his dad. ''What's wrong, G?'' How the hell does he begin to explain this? How does he explain that his brother is damned to the things that are hurting him? ''The magic in Kris' cuffs, he'll never be able to take them off. He's stuck with them forever.'' All of the colour drains from Sid's face, he's given Kris the hardest time since the incident, and alienated his brother-in-law and nephew in the process. All for nothing, all for something Kris is stuck with forever. ''He's stuck with them forever?''

Geno nods, Sid looks how he feels right now. ''Yeah, and there's no way to get them off.''

Rusty says, ever an optimist. ''We don't know that, there must be something we can do, we're the Penguins, right?'' Sid gives their eldest a small smile. ''That's true, Rusty, but this is ancient magic we have no wisdom about. We don't even know what'll happen if Kris overrides the cuffs.'' Though, Sid has a funny feeling they're not too far from finding out.

The Boston game goes by without much fuss, a 4-2 loss, but nothing really happens other than that. Sid and Geno still haven't apologized to Kris, they don't know how to right now, the one time he needed them, they abandoned him. Mario made the four of them promise each other never to do that, and they broke that promise. He'd never forgive them anyway. However, during the Washington game, they're 5-1 up in the second period, and on a powerplay, when a fight breaks out. Someone must have said or done something, and Erik took exception. Kris, needing to protect his husband, skates over to back them up. ''Erik!'' He shouts. A screaming pain in his entire body is the last thing he registers before everything goes dark.

The whole arena goes silent, Erik holds Kris close, blood streaming from his nose and mouth. He feels a small pulse, he's alive... just. His wrists are burned, and look as angry as Erik feels. Jack skates over, in tears. ''Kris? Erik, is he... have we...'' Jack can't begin to say what's racing through his mind. Erik shakes his head. ''No, there's a pulse.''

They rush him to the arena's medical center, it's now that Sid sees just how broken Kris has been by those cuffs. The burns on his wrists, visible veins, the weight loss. Geno notices the darkness under his eyes. Jack sits at the foot of the bed, head in his hands. Erik is still holding his hand as they treat him. ''Can you save him?'' Erik asks.

The team doctor nods. ''He needs to rest this off, we've got him stable for the time being.''

Mario strides into the room, looking furious. ''I told Kyle to get rid of those things ages ago, did he listen? No, no he didn't.'' He looks over Kris' condition. ''A relic of a bygone era. And, look where it's left us.'' He looks to Erik, and says. ''Erik, son, I need your wedding rings.''

Fatigued, stricken, but fired up, Erik shakes his head. ''No.'' They've never been parted from their rings, and Erik doesn't want to risk anything now. ''Erik, I know where your mind is right now, but there's something I can do to help him. I need your rings, or we lose him.''

Rolling his eyes, Erik removes the chains from his and Kris' necks, and hands them over. ''Our nicknames are inside the bands. Mine is in French, his is in Swedish.''

Mario says, taking the chains into his hand gently. ''I'll be back in the morning.'' He goes to Jack, and assures his grandson. ''He's not going to die, Ivy, I promise.'' Finally, he turns to Sid and Geno, not as reassuring, he says. ''You two, outside, now.''

They follow Mario outside the room, and Mario says. ''Well, care to explain why you broke the oath I had you four swear to each other?'' There is no explanation, not really, none good enough, none that justify how they've treated their brother. ''We can't.'' Geno says. Mario nods, that much is obvious. ''No, but you're staying here with him tonight, and apologizing once he's awake.'' With that, Mario leaves to do whatever he's going to do with those wedding rings.

Sid and Geno return to the medical room, and are met by angry glares from their brother-in-law and nephew. The room falls into silence that night, it's an accord if not peace. All four of them are here for the same reason, so they wait for Kris to wake up. The cuffs are still on his wrists, and nobody knows how to override them to get them off. For now, the husband, son, and brothers wait for Kris to come back to them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

His head hurts, not like it did for his strokes, or his concussion. But, it hurts. What happened last night? All he remembers is skating over to Erik, and then the world went dark on him. Was there a fight? Did they win? Is he alone here? He risks opening his eyes, seeing Erik's sleeping head on his stomach, he smiles to himself, and gently runs his aching fingers through his husband's soft hair. He's still cuffed, but his hands and arms are bandaged up to his elbows. Have they still not figured out how to get them off? Erik stirs under his hand, waking up, looking into his eyes. ''Hi, darling.'' Kris whispers.

Erik whispers, a tired smile on his perfect face. ''Hi, sweetheart.''

Kris asks, voice low and harsh. ''Where am I?'' Erik sits up in his seat, and kisses his temple. ''The arena's medical center.''

Oh, okay, that'd explain the white tiles on the ceiling, and the uncomfortable bed he's in. Their bedroom is much nicer than this. ''What happened last night?''

Erik says, taking a few deep breaths. ''Well, we won firstly. There was a fight, and you tried to skate in to protect me, the cuffs didn't like it, and here we are.''

Kris furrows his brows. ''We? Who's we?'' Erik hesitates for a minute, but knits their hands together. ''Jack's here, his head is on your feet, he's asleep. And... Sid and Geno are here too, Mario made them stay.'' Mario was here? Okay, cool. Kris doesn't ask any more questions, but does notice their naked fingers, Erik explains. ''Mario said he'd do something with our wedding rings to help you. He'll give them back today.'' Kris nods, and rests his aching head.

In time, Jack wakes up, and embraces one of his dads. ''Kris, I thought...'' He says, in tears.

Kris dries their boy's eyes. ''You'll never lose me, mon dauphin.'' He's not going down that easy. Sid and Geno also come around, Kris can feel the tension in his aching bones, Sid speaks up first, rubbing his hands together. ''Kris, we are so fucking sorry for the last eight weeks. We've treated you horribly, and it shouldn't have taken us this damn long to see that. You did what you felt you had to, and those things are far too harsh a punishment.''

Geno says. ''You were all right, if it was us and our kids, we'd have done the same. Kris, we broke our oath to you, and we are so sorry.'' Kris takes some deep breaths, he's come back from death again, and as angry as he's been at them, these are his brothers. ''Sid, Geno - I accept your apology, forgiveness will come later, I needed your support, and you weren't there. But, we're us, and...'' A jolt of pain from the cuffs shoots up his arms. ''Fuck, that hurt. As I was saying, I need you all to help me out of these somehow.''

Jack asks his dad. ''How are we gonna do that?'' Kris says, shifting on the bed a bit. ''When we were in Raleigh, Erik and I made an attempt to get them off, and it almost worked. So, my theory is that we can override them with love, they stop me being violent, but they can't stop anything else.''

Erik says, ready for the experiment. ''I think we can do that.'' Mario returns with their wedding rings, newly enchanted to bind them together. They put them back on, and Mario says. ''They should override the cuffs.'' He also informs Kris that he'll be sitting out at least five games.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Despite the forced time off, Kris doesn't just stay at home to sleep or rest off his injuries, he can't afford to anymore. He needs to be around his family as much as possible, even if he can't put his jersey on. Owen Pickering has been called up to replace Jack on the third pair, Jack has been promoted to second pair, and Erik is taking Kris' place. During training one day, Kris comes back from getting his arms treated again, and joins Quinn to run powerplay drills. His wedding ring on under his gloves. Kris notices some tiny flaws in things on the temporary unit. Too many passes, and everyone is too close together. ''Sid, Geno, Rusty - spread out a bit for me.'' Kris says, directing his brothers and nephew to fan out a bit more to canvas the zone a bit better. ''Like that?'' Rusty asks.

Kris nods, and says. ''Yeah, perfect. And, Matt, drop deeper - you're too close to Erik, Ned's vulnerable.''

Matt Grzelyck tracks backwards about five feet. ''That good, Tanger?'' Kris smiles brightly, and says. ''Perfect, much better.''

Coach Quinn asks Kris. ''Anything else, Coach Letang?'' Kris nods, and makes one final request before leaving the boys alone. ''No more than three passes to a goal.''

The new formation and tactic works like a charm. Skate ends, and everyone breaks off for showers and lunch. Kris does briefly feel dizzy, but it goes away quickly. He knows he's angering the cuffs, him feeling anything at all angers them, he knows that now. They were designed to make him completely empty. Good luck with that happening. After the boys have their gym session, Kris grabs his keys, and says. ''I'll see you in the car, darling.'' He quickly kisses Erik.

Erik says. ''Won't be long, sweetheart.'' Once it's just him, Sid, and Geno left in the room, Sid says. ''Can we discuss the plan now?'' He's had an idea for how to free Kris since his injury leave started. Geno seems ecstatic to hear this plan. ''Yes! What are we doing?''

Sid says, hoping speaking this plan doesn't fuck them up for getting it done. ''His comeback game is against Montreal, our last game against them. So, I want us to help Kris get a hattrick on his return, all three of us have to assist him.''

Erik loves this plan, they tried force, they tried finesse, and neither worked. This might just work, even if it sounds completely insane. But, he'll do anything for his husband. Besides, Kris has never scored a hattrick before, and it's high time he got one. ''I'm in, anything for his freedom.''

Geno nods, he wants his real brother back, not the one who's in pain all the time. ''Operation: Hattrick, let's do this!''

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Those five games without Kris are torture, even if they somehow manage to win three of them. But, the Montreal game comes quickly enough for everyone's liking. The quartet walk in together, chatting among themselves, Kris has a vague sense that they know something he doesn't. But, he doesn't want to pry right now, he's just glad to be back, even if his arms are still wrapped in bandages for his own safety. They suit up for the game, and Sully does the preamble and read for the starting unit. Kris is starting with Sid, as usual. Sid, Geno, and Erik share a look among themselves as they leave the room. ''Y'know, if there's something you guys wanna tell me, feel free.'' Kris says.

Erik just laughs. ''Don't worry about anything, Kris, let us do that for you.'' That sounds vaguely terrifying, especially after all the shit Kris has been through since late October. But, Kris just leaves his worries in their hands, still certain of some kind of secret they're sitting on. But, no time for that.

The first phase of the plan kicks in midway through the first, Sid wires an assist to Kris from the corner, and Kris fires the puck past the goalie's ear to get them on the board 1-0. ''Welcome back, mon frere.'' Sid says.

Kris beams, a very slight ache in his arms, and an inkling as to where this might be going. ''Merci beaucoup.'' He takes the fist bump line, and the second unit heads up for their shift. Kris risks a look at the cuffs, seeing tiny hairline cracks in them, he blinks a few times, he must be going crazy. ''Jack, are those cracks?'' He shows them to Jack.

Jack nods, amazed at the damage to the cuffs, which suddenly don't seem so indestructible anymore. ''I think they just might be.'' Is this how he goes free from this? Scoring on his childhood team?

First intermission comes and goes. And, early in the second period, Jack nets a really lucky goal on a breakaway for 2-0. Nick Suzuki spoils the shutout a bit five minutes later for 2-1. But, near the end, Lars passes to Geno on a rush, Geno shouts. ''Kris!'' Kris takes the assist, and his second goal of the game for 3-1. The celebration is held up when Kris hears something metal hit the ice. His right wrist is free now. ''Almost free, Legend!'' Geno says. Kris picks the thirds of his right cuff up, and hands them to Tags. The left one is cracking now, but hasn't broken off entirely yet.

Second intermission comes first though. Kris shakes his right wrist out, halfway free from this whole ordeal. He's still got the left one to shake off, but he feels like a certain someone he loves so much has a plan for that. ''How do you feel, Kris?'' Sully asks him.

Kris chuckles, and says. ''Kinda like I've taken a NyQuil and drunk Red Bull at the same time, but other than that I'm fine.''

They get out for the third, which kind of meanders until one of the Habs takes a really stupid penalty, and Sully deploys the powerplay unit. Erik gets the puck right away from Sid, and says. ''All yours, hjartat!'' He passes to Kris, who winds up for the shot, and finds the back of the net. 4-1, and Kris' first ever hattrick. Just as the hats rain down, his left cuff breaks in half, and clatters to the ice. ''Erik...'' He says, breathless. Erik says. ''You're free, Kris.'' He's free, and in a bit of pain still. But, he's free. He takes the applause, and hands the remnants of the left cuff to Tags. That's the end score for the game, Kris takes his first star lap, and goes to sit down.

Sully gives the debrief, a stack of pucks in his hand. ''These pucks are for our survivor. Kris, felicitations, mon garcon. Did I say that right?'' Kris happily takes the pucks in his aching hands. ''Yeah, thank you, coach.''

After showers, changing, and media, Kris ices his arms again. The phantom pains of the cuffs will take ages to go away, but at least he's free of them now. Kyle takes the core aside, and shows them the remnants of the cuffs, proposing an idea to fix them. They're emitting a black energy, and a faint scream. They nearly killed Kris, and Kyle wants them fixed? ''No, we're not fixing them, they're getting tossed in the rivers.'' Kris says, unable to tear his eyes off the things. ''I just about died, you're never doing that to me, or anyone else, ever again, am I understood?'' He's not shouting, but somehow is even more scary like this, tranquil in his fury.

Kyle sighs, resigned to losing this argument. ''Fine, do what you want.''

Kris wraps them in a towel, and the family drive to one of the bridges in the city. Without saying a word, Kris throws the shards and towel into the inky waters of the Monongahela River. Next, he unwraps his bandages, and balls them up, tossing them in as well, letting the cold night air hit his wrists. ''No one holds me hostage again.'' He says to his family. ''This league takes me, and all who are like me, as we are.'' He takes Erik's hand, and returns to their car.

Sid asks him. ''Are we good again, Kris?''

Kris nods, placing his free hand on his brother's shoulder, the dull ache slowly abating. ''Of course we are, Sid. Thank you three for the assists.''

Geno says, a beaming smile on his face. ''We'd do it all again, Legend.''

Erik kisses his cheek, and says. ''Come on, let's get those pucks up next to your Masterton and get into bed.'' Kris can't refuse that, he gets into the car, and they all get going to their homes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The PA, under Kris' leadership, manage to force all the teams to ban enchanted restraints within the fortnight, using Kris' injuries as crucial evidence for the cause. The burns and scars are slowly fading now with the help of Kris' wedding ring. They still haven't been told what the new enchantment on their wedding rings is yet, but they're both so thankful that whatever it is is working for now. The team have a few days off between roadtrips. Just in time for another full moon to come around, not a special one, just a normal one. A Hunter's Moon is due sometime into the playoffs, so all games will need extra officials. Some of the family are gathered in safety at Mario's place for dinner. Kris wonders where the shards of the cuffs have ended up, if they were swept upstream, or if they just sunk to the bottom of the river. But, an ache in his arms shuts his mind up. ''You good, Kris?'' Sid asks.

Kris places an ice pack on to his wrists. ''Yeah, I just get this God awful pain if I think of those things, it's so weird.'' He's scared it'll never go away, he's nowhere near ready to retire yet.

Mario assures him, a hand on his knee. ''It's just phantom pains, you'll be okay.''

Geno asks his brother. ''Do you want some painkillers?'' Kris shakes his head, he'd accept them if they worked. ''Nah, it's fine, Geno. I've tried that, they never work.''

Erik sits himself down next to his husband, knowing Kris needs him close at all times now. ''It's a trauma response, mon coeur, you were effectively tortured for nine weeks. It's gonna take a while for that to wear off.'' God knows he's had to hold Kris through a few nightmares lately, mostly involving himself or Jack being hurt and Kris not being able to help. They've had plenty of 3 AM wake ups with Kris' hair glued to his neck in a cold sweat. Erik's wedding ring telling him about Kris before he wakes up has been wild lately. Kris' protective instincts in Erik's ring, and Erik's healing instincts in Kris' ring has saved them lately. ''Wait, Mario, did you put our instincts into each other's rings? Is that what you did?'' Erik asks his father-in-law.

Mario smiles, happy that the ball has finally dropped. ''Yes, I did. I did the same for Sid's nurturing and Geno's mediation instincts years ago.'' That'd explain why Sid doesn't bitch at refs anymore, and how they've raised three wonderful kids.

Rusty says. ''Wait, if Kris has Erik's healing, can he heal people too now? Like Erik heals him?''

Jack says to his cousin, the leader of the grandkid quartet. ''Ooh, good question, Rusty! Kris, try it!'' Kris puts the ice pack in the bowl on the table, and looks at his hands, can these hands heal? Erik's can, and have. ''Erik, give me the ankle Cooke stepped on.'' It still pains Erik when his powers are down, so it's a good starting place. Erik removes his sock, and rests his leg across Kris' lap. The ache and scar still present nearly twelve years on. Kris takes Erik's ankle in his hands, and focuses. The knots of pain undoing themselves under his hands. ''That's all I can do for now, Erik.'' Kris says, out of breath, and needing his ice again.

Erik pulls his sock back on, and kisses him. ''That's fine, it feels better already.''

Tristan asks, curious about how this all works. ''How does all this stuff work then, Mario?''

Drew nods, and says. ''Yeah, that's what I'm wondering about actually.''

Mario just says, keeping things vague for now. ''When you four become the core, I'll tell you.'' Not if they become the core, when they become the core. But, there's something missing. Two forwards, one goalie, but only one defencemen. ''Jack's the only defencemen, though, we're missing someone.'' Sid says.

Jack shouts from the kitchen. ''I'm fine being an only child, thanks!'' Erik nods, and says. ''We're fine only having one.'' Kris can't refute that, he raised three on his own, and loves the little trio they've built together. ''Jack will carry on where we both leave off.'' Kris says.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They get to the second round of the playoffs against the Capitals, right back where this whole ordeal started. Rumour has it Wilson is fully healed from his injuries, and will be actually playing this game. Kris will no doubt be lingering in the enemy room like a phantom, his name banned from passing their lips to save Wilson's blushes. Sid has gradually come around to the notion that he got what was coming to him for that attack on his nephew. Kris seems to be relishing being on enemy ground, coming in dressed all in black, but for the gold of his wedding ring. Sid can't wait to see the Capitals quaking in their skates, a little bit of karma for that night. Tonight is the Hunter's Moon. So, more officials. But, thanks to the restraint ban, no one is coming out of here in cuffs. They suit up for battle, Sully comes to do the read. ''Alright. In net: Ned!'' The room cheers. ''Up front: Sid and the kids!'' The top line share a determined look. ''Up back: Grizz and Tanger!''

Noel laughs. ''Wilson's Demon! Let's fucking go!''

Kris jokes, a shit eating grin on his face. ''Oh, who? Me? Who's afraid of little old me, huh?'' The room goes silent, waiting for whatever he'll say next. ''Well, they should be. Let's get out there!''

True enough, Wilson looks like a deer caught in headlights for the entire game, even when Kris is off his shifts. Ovechkin looks totally done with his Alternate for the whole hour. The Penguins easily take the game 5-0, using the Capitals' frustration with Wilson as fuel to a shutout. Sure, it's only game one, but Kris looks like he's won the series when they're done. ''You good, Legend?'' Geno asks after media is done.

Kris is icing his right arm, those aches will probably take the rest of the year to go away completely, indeed if they ever do. ''Oh, yeah, I'm just fine, Geno. Someday you three will need to stop worrying about me, you know that, right?''

Sid laughs, helping Kris out of his skates. ''Yeah, but that day isn't today, mon frere.''

Erik jokes, pressing a kiss to his husband's lips. ''And, on my end, that day may never come. You're kinda stuck with me for life.'' Kris loves being stuck with Erik, that's just how his life was always going to go. ''That's fine by me.''

Outside, they see the Capitals getting on their bus back to the hotel, and Ovechkin looks exhausted already, dealing with Wilson's histrionics can't be fun. But, Kris did what was right to protect their one and only kid, so Wilson will have to deal with his demons from that. God knows Kris has enough of his own to be dealing with for the next little while. The pain will hopefully go away in time, he has Erik for that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It just so happens that Kris' first peaceful night of sleep comes towards the end of the Washington series. Their home game seven was a tense victory 5-4 in overtime, with Kris getting the winner. Jack is staying over with them right now, the guest room is now firmly his. It's weird, waking up without having to drag himself out of nightmares, or being dragged out of nightmares, and waking up without his wrists killing him. The scars will probably never go away completely, his tattoos do an okay job at hiding them though. He's so thankful for the enchantment in his ring. Kris is the first one up this morning, he gets breakfast going. They've got a couple of days before the Eastern Final is set up, that Boston/Toronto series is still going on. Jack comes down after him. ''Morning, kid.'' Kris says.

Jack smiles, still tired from his goal yesterday. ''Morning, how are you feeling?''

Kris laughs, adding their kid to the list of people who won't stop worrying about him. ''I'll be okay, Ivy, don't stress yourself out about either of us, okay? We're not going anywhere.''

Jack says, sitting at the dining table. ''Kris, you almost died in front of me, I'm going to worry.''

Kris says, trying to assure his son. ''I know, and I understand. But, those things are gone now, and I'm not going down that easy.'' He laughs, and adds. ''And, no one else will ever be subjected to them, thanks to the PA.''

Jack nods, assured for now, but he's so much like them both, so he'll probably never let this go. ''That's good at least, Mario said they were outdated, what did he mean?''

Erik joins them, grabbing some food and coffee. ''Teams used to use them back when fights were more common and bloodier, like back in the 80s. I remember Danny finding ours back in Ottawa, he chucked them into the Rideau out of disgust.'' Kris nods, he never knew their set even existed until they were used on him. ''I thought Mario ditched ours before we came along, looks like I was wrong. Luc said Trevor Linden got rid of their set in Vancouver as soon as he was made captain.''

Jack asks, curious about that. ''What did he do with them?'' Kris shrugs, that's one thing Luc never told him before he passed, if he even knew himself. ''No idea, they're probably rotting at the bottom of the Pacific. Luc never told me anything.''

Truth be told, the defence branch of the family still have so many unanswered questions. Some for Mario, some for Bettman, some for anyone who was subjected to those cuffs in the past and survived them. How many true enforcers almost died due to those cuffs? How many were just people like Kris, paying the price of a mistake? How long had those cuffs been being used by teams to leash and muzzle unsavoury players? Do other leagues still use them? How long were the NHL teams going to continue keeping them on hand just in case?

Perhaps they don't want to know, aren't some things better left unknown? All Kris and Erik care about right now is that the future of their d-corps is solid, they know who they're leaving it all with in some far flung future. And, no matter what Jack does, he'll never need to suffer that torture. That's worth a thousand cups.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy spooky season, friends! Wanted to get my Halloween post done early so I didn't miss it entirely. I tend to miss shit like that for some reason. Found the prompt list linked above, and prompt 18 just screamed Kris/Erik at me! Haven't ever done magic realism before, so this might read a bit clunky in places. Also, because I am the way I am, Kris got cuffed for protecting his and Erik's kid. That was part of the emotional hook; Kris had never gotten in trouble for protecting anyone else, but the minute he saves his and Erik's only son, he's leashed and muzzled.

Sorry to any Caps fans, but I just really don't like Wilson at all, he's a danger to other players, and I could see him charging a rookie to anger a veteran into a fight.

Sid and Geno also don't come off very well here to begin with, but slowly come to their senses when the cuffs start making Kris suffer.

Anyway, enjoy! And, Happy Halloween (or samhain sona in Scots Gaelic)

[jokeroutsubs]

Joker Out Subs - Queue and A / 6.12.2023 Amsterdam part 2

Part 2 of transcript for our latest episode

And if the boys are listening to this right now, what message would you like to send to them?

Baby Boo: Oh my goodness, um, keep doing what you're doing! Keep making amazing music, and have fun, enjoy every second of every performance. Grace/JOS: Carpe all those Diems yeah? Baby Boo: Exactly! (Laughter) Baby Boo: Come back to Dublin! (Laughter) What the fuck, like…yeah but on top of that right, if you come back to Dublin, fuck Wild Youth for sending yous to Temple Bar (all laugh) because, no right, I'm being completely honest with you right, Temple Bar is a tourist trap. Tenner for a pint? Not on my fucking watch. Next time… Grace/JOS: Where would you reccommend then? Baby Boo: My local. No (laughter), honestly Workmans where they played is a good club, like, a bit of a shithole but it's a good club. Grace/JOS: So there you go, you heard it here first boys, come back to Dublin. Any messages? Baby Boo: Please come to Cardiff, I don't like going to London, it's annoying. Grace/JOS: Who does like going to London? That's fair enough, so Dublin, Cardiff, next on the list yeah? Baby Boo: I don't have anything profound, just thank you. Grace/JOS: See, but that's lovely! Baby Boo: I'm just grateful, the music is fun, they're sweet people, and I know how easy it would be to be swept away in being suddenly like, wanted by everyone and everything and like, you know. And they're just really good people, so it's nice. Grace/JOS: Ahh, that's lovely. Baby Boo: I find it hard, but it's more like a general, just, knowing that the fans really love them. All: Yeah Baby Boo: It's just, it's been really nice, it's a family, and they're a big part of that, so yeah. Grace/JOS: You're gonna make me cry girls! Baby Boo: I just like, wanna say that I love them, and like, I hope Nace, I hope you enjoyed my paper note that I gave you yesterday.

Baby Boo: Ah, well, thank you, for everything. My sisters- you've made my sister really happy and me too, because we love the music. Grace/JOS: Do you think it's helped you bond with your sister at all? Baby Boo: Yeah, I think it helped quite a bit because now we're going to two shows together, so yeah. Grace/JOS: Oh that's amazing, thank you so much. Baby Boo: Yeah just, thank you for creating this safe space for us I suppose. Like, I just mentioned, there's nothing else like this, and people are coming here to feel safe and escape, and yeah, it's just… Grace/JOS: It's the best! Baby Boo: It's just, this space, it's just…there's nothing like it. Thank you. Grace/JOS: Yeah. Baby Boo: I also want to say thank you, because as I've just said before, I've been in quite a few fandoms, I've been following around a bunch of artists, but it's very rare for a band or artist in general to be so incredibly, well, compassionate and sweet towards fans, and just so, yeah, sweet is basically the word for it. Because, I saw that yesterday when they were on stage in Den Haag, for example, one girl, she gave Bojan a camera, and he went around and filmed all the other guys, and I thought that was so considerate of him to just go around on stage and then, um, well they're all like that. They come out and they talk to us and that's just so, yeah, sweet of them. Baby Boo: They're genuine about it as well. All: Yeah Baby Boo: When they speak to us it's not just, OK, take a picture, bye. They ask us questions, they want to know what we're doing, yeah really just genuine people. And I think it shows because I feel like people will support genuine people. All: Yeah, absolutely. Grace/JOS: People know genuine people, for sure. Baby Boo: Another thing I want to say is, guys don't stress, don't stress yourselves too much. You're doing great, you're doing fabulously, don't stress yourselves too much, Kris. (All laugh). You're all amazing, and we're going to support you either way. Grace/JOS: We love you! Yeah. Baby Boo: Oh! Um…(laughter) Grace/JOS: Oh God, what? (laughs) Baby Boo: Well, thank you very much actually, that's the best I can say, yeah! Baby Boo: Thanks for coming in my life, and a bit off topic but, saving my life or something, I guess. Grace/JOS: Awwww Baby Boo: Making my life more interesting, making me have something to look forward (to), in the dark days.

Interviews by IG @GBoleyn123 Audio editing and design by IG @s_aaaraa Umazane misli clip from IG @ch4rlie.21

[moreofthatdrowse]

JO Survey: What's the best thing about the band?

There were too many good answers in the questions with open answers in my Joker Out Survey, so below the cut are the answers to Question no. 13: What's the best thing about the band?

Bojan

✨everything✨ but mainly how comfortable they are around each other and in their sexuality/masculinity, and also their unique personalities, their humor, the music...

Can I say Kris? Ok honestly I love their music, their fashion style (especially how they incorporate femininity into their looks while still being masculine), but I think I love their friendship the most. It's so nice to see them being physically affectionate in such a casual and carefree way, it makes me so happy. And Kris singing, yes yes (I don't really care if he sings in Dutch or not, as long as he sings, but Dutch would be nice as I have been learning the language since before Eurovision). But I will be starting to learn Slovenian hopefully soon.

Their interactions within themselves and with the fans

they seem like genuinely good people and the fame hasnt gotten into their head. they are very mature for balkan guys their age (at leat the 3 of them that are young) while also being fun and not apologising for the fun just i am amazed by them ok?

SO MUCH I mean like of course their music but I think more than anything it's their clear bond and how comfortable with each other they are. and also it's so endearing to see how they interact and joke around and clearly are the closest friends irl and just. oh my gosh. it fills my heart <3

Just the melodies, plain and simple. They somehow remind me of the music scene in my country in the early 2000s. Feels familiar and fresh at the same time.

How happy they are together (whether performing or not)

Their closeness or comfort with each other (their chemistry)

Everything

They're all crazy and they're cool with that. Also, whatever they have going on 👀👀👀

So positive, really nice songs and daddylike for such young guys

JAN!!!

I love the music. That’s still the best part

Their interaction with eachother

They are such positive and genuinely good guys without a smidge of toxic masculinity in them. Also they make banger music.

They are all very sincere, so each time it's a joy seeing them interact with fans/crew/each other. I mean, they're also very talented (i really wanna pick Jan's and Jure's brains on some subjects. oh! and talk with Bojan about languages :D), but sincereness is really a breath of fresh air! And I really love how well they mesh together and complement each other. Like Bojan said in one interview, adding new person to the band, you don't know if it's gonna disturb the equilibrium, you're gonna either make it or break it. But then with Nace they fucking soared, so. Um. Yeah:)

they have lovely personalities

Their presence on stage is otherworldly

Lovely people

Music, how nice and honest they seem, and the vibes they're sending

They're not scared of being affectionate with each others, it's very nice to see a group of adult men do that, because it's very rare to see. My heart melts with love every time I see photos/videos of any band members (or past band members, I'm including Martin here) hugging or kissing or overall being tactile with eachother.

Their awesome music!

It's so clear that they're all there because they want to be, that they care about the music and care about each other

Love how affectionate they r with each other. I need to start a band just to goof around like they do

they are so sweet and they seem like just a bunch of idiot friends making music together <3

Everything

The hijinks and their interactions w/ each other

The fact that they are painfully relatable and 'normal', and yet so humbly superior in everything they do and have achieved so far. The boys are on another level of talent and intellect.

How kind and supportive they are of each other <3

They're icons and they're good ones

Jure

THE TALENT oh my god the timing on the guitars and the basslines are mental like i'm a bassist and tried a few songs by ear and i just COULDNT. nace what do they feed bassists over in slovenia please

THEY'RE fun and friendly lol - I love how much they care for each other

Other than their music, their stylist is fantastic and I’m a big fan

they're just awesome, as people and musicians, love their friendships

They are fun and seem like nice dudes

Their friendship

I guess we can say we love them for their music and for showing the opposite of toxic masculinity <3

QUESTIONS 1-11 I QUESTION 12 I QUESTION 13 I QUESTION 14

[okamirayne]

Hey Rayne! Just wanted to drop by for a quick session of praise and glory to your awesome self and the rollercoaster that Chapter 10 of HHU is. Seriously, your writing and your beautiful mind never fail to amaze me! It was such an amazing read that had my heart racing throughout. Damn do I feel bad for both Shikamaru and Naruto. And don't even get me started on those little bits of our beloved ShikaNeji interactions. MY POOR FUCKING HEART RAYNE, I SWEAR. I miss Neji so much and his appearance in this chapter was so bitter-sweet!

Anyways, enough of my rambling (because it could go indefinitely when it comes to you and BtB universe), I fear I have a question for your lovely self.

Alas, I have noticed that you use dream and/or dreamlike sequences quite a bit in your writing (I remember there being some throughout the series) and they are always so vividly and marvelously done! That made me wonder (and here comes the question) have you ever had a lucid dream, sleep paralysis, astral projection or some similar experience? I ask this because some of the ways in which you are portraying your dream sequences seem very familiar to some of the sensations which occur during those strange (and a bit scary) moments. I have had my fair share of lucid dreams and sleep paralysis moments, so it's very interesting to notice parallels in your writing regarding my own experience.

Okay, enough of me. As always, I wish you all the best and I hope you continue to kick ass of this burnout because *in Kris Jenner voice* YOU'RE DOING GREAT SWEETY! 🫶✨❤️

Anonymous asked:

Heya Sweet Pop Reference Anon! 💕🫶💕

Thank you, so much, for the delivery of this beautiful message, wrapped up in support and love. I was absolutely chuffed to receive it, read it, and be reduced to a puddle of feels by it. THANK YOU. 🥰 I've hit a big-arse wall recently and this was a sweet and soft place to fall. Thank you!

[...] And don't even get me started on those little bits of our beloved ShikaNeji interactions. MY POOR FUCKING HEART RAYNE, I SWEAR. I miss Neji so much and his appearance in this chapter was so bitter-sweet!

I feel you, Anon. My heart is a haunted house at this point.

Alas, I have noticed that you use dream and/or dreamlike sequences quite a bit in your writing (I remember there being some throughout the series) and they are always so vividly and marvelously done!

Thank you! They are always a little bit risky/tricky, but I try!

That made me wonder (and here comes the question) have you ever had a lucid dream, sleep paralysis, astral projection or some similar experience?

Yes, yes, yes, and yes. These intense experiences have undoubtedly helped me write such scenes - to which I am both profoundly grateful and mildly unhinged.

I ask this because some of the ways in which you are portraying your dream sequences seem very familiar to some of the sensations which occur during those strange (and a bit scary) moments. I have had my fair share of lucid dreams and sleep paralysis moments, so it's very interesting to notice parallels in your writing regarding my own experience.

Wow! I'm glad to know that the portrayals resonated with you regarding their relatability (again, can be tricky when writing altered consciousness experiences) though I'm sorry to learn you've been alotted a fair (or unfair!) share of sleep paralysis moments. 😵‍💫Ugh! Those are shit. And scary. And I hope you're spared them in the future!

Okay, enough of me. As always, I wish you all the best and I hope you continue to kick ass of this burnout because *in Kris Jenner voice* YOU'RE DOING GREAT SWEETY! 🫶✨❤️

Gods bless, but you're going to laugh at me, because I had to Google that. 🤣 The pop reference flew riiiiight over my head. I have zero knowledge (bar the most generic trivia) regarding the Kardashians, but I'm now educated in this catchphrase! 🤣 Thank you, Anon! I appreciate the support, and hearing Kris Jenner saying it in several reels now means I have her voice playing like an earworm every time I read it.😆🥰 Ha! Brilliant!

Big thanks coming at you, my lovely!

💖🫶🏼💖

[hazzybat]

Ok the Martin and Bojan backstory was 🥵🥵 I know you probably don't have time and are focusing on the main (amazing) fic so absolutely no pressure... but if you're interested a short spin off where Bojan and Martin have a fling and go around having threesomes with the women they're feeding on (and maybe feeding on and fucking eachother too) would be so hot. Clearly they find eachother/the situation attractive and that whole bathroom scene left me with so many spicy ideas of what could have happened if they'd stayed a bit longer 👀

Thank you so much! Maybe once I finished the main fic I'll write all the extra scenes I couldn't shove in somewhere.

That scenes came about fully at a friend's suggestion btw. I just wanted to figure out how Bojan met Kris then cause of that it meant he needed to meet Martin so I had to figure out how that happened.

It was an excellent suggestion

[caestusvulpes]

part flexible summary:

alrighty! sorry for the mild wait on this post! I got a few people wanting some backstory beyond what I have in my carrd ( of which I'll link this post in there for any future readers out there ) and had max and river encourage me to make it.

this is a post that summarizes the plot, events, and mechanics of a long-running plot ( spanning since early 2017 ) of our JJBA roleplay server. It began on tumblr, has been on discord for years, and I thought it would make a good addition to bring over here again due to the plot elements actually making interacting with characters from different parts ten times easier, as seen with kay and nora's parts 7 & 8 muses ( if you're reading this you two hi hello ily ). I don't have to make like 10 different verses or variations of verses and good chance hikari'll reference tumblr-based events in the discord. Might share some funny snippits of the discord server here as well <33

That being said, let me lead you on this fucked up and bizarre journey that spans 6 years in the most succint way I can possibly put it.

First off, read this. This PDF was put together by Max, and actually summarizes most things in the chat along with a few side jokes. Duplicate muses are explained as timelines folding into a main 'anchor' timeline ( the one of the original Stand user Conner MacCrimmon written by Moody ), with distinct enough variations on one person becoming seperate entities, and those that don't variate much just fold into their 'main' incarnation with a few new memories and experiences. There are three 'over heaven' muses in chat as a sort of 'pantheon', being Aster ( a version of Star Platinum seperated from a Jotaro ), 'Johtaro' ( a version of Jotaro ), and Cohnner ( a version of Conner who's the driving force behind timelines getting folded in-- originally loathed and tolerated, now with people being chill with him )

This also has the symptom of characters from other universes getting mixed the fuck in, which gives us the excuse to play muses from other franchises that are adapted to the world of JJBA completely. Shadow the Hedgehog? Who's that? Don't you mean Foundation Agent Shadow who's totally human and for his neutral special wields a gun? A few other characters I'll be mentioning in threads are Hoshi ( Foundation Archivist ) and Astrid ( Sees Everything ), written by Sci who y'all know already because they're amazing, Ollie and the aformentioned Shadow, written by the same mun of Aster who I linked above, Conner and Moody's other awesome muses, Avdol, Risotto Nero, and a few delightful OCs from the mind of Jules, as well as characters written by Athena, Kris, Rijolt, Kheti, Rani, Chickie, Viala, and Sun! Way too many to list here the cast is Very Colorful. But if you hear Hikari talk about another character in an internal monologue or something, good chance she's thinking about her buddies at work.

Now you may be asking me: clover, how in the goddamn does time travel work into all this?

Well, you may have read that bit at the end of the slide presentation about 'appearing anywhere' if you think about a place hard enough for ease of travel. This fluidity in spacetime has some caveats. Let me explain.

When first starting out in 2017 and lining all of our characters up, Hikari was actually the eldest character among the starting group of 5 muses. Cut to now and while she's aged normally ( at 24 now! ), Kakyoin is in his 40s, Astrid is in her late 20s, and iirc Yukako slipped in time as well. But to answer this, we need to talk about parallel universes.

kidding. kind of.

sometimes cohnner's weaving gets a little wonky and threads of time slip from the tapestry. This causes characters to slip out of time until its weaved back in. For these characters, life continues somewhat normally-- the Foundation may still be there, although people like Hoshi and Hikari and Astrid aren't, and until the fold mends, they're stuck in that timeline, aging normally. The holding record for character with the longest dip in time is both Tenmei Kakyoin and Aster at a whopping 12 fucking years.

To the main timeline, they were only gone for about a day. There was no real way to get back until the stars just happened to align, and the man jumped from late twenties to his forties in the span of 28 hours.

Existentially terrifying, right?

Well, with timeline explanations out of the way, I'm obviously not going to godmod and Hikari assume or know your muses, nor know the history if she happens to be stuck in a part that's in the past ( bt as in her non-bt verse, phantom blood, sdc, or golden wind ). She doesn't read those files anyway, and if she did I probably would go with her not knowing jack and/or shit. In the server its a different story, but I'm not gonna give Hikari multiversal knowledge.

There's also some mechanically different stuff, such as fusion as mentioned in the slide. Here's a slide in a similar style I made like a year and a half ago. Fusion is canon as per both DIU ( Stray Cat and Killer Queen ) and Jojolion ( something something oranges and lemons something something wall eyes something something josuk8 ), so naturally we all built something off of it and this was born after a bunch of workshopping. I'm so normal about fusions i'm so so incredibly normal. Extra body parts applies and there's some tongue in cheek references to su and dragon ball, but inherently its its own thing. Yes there's a ton of fusions with Hikari as a component in the list section shut up.

Currently, Hikari might be investigating strange events that coincide with Stand phenomena. She uses her side gig as a groundskeeper to hover around Morioh and gather info by ear. In other situations, she might slip into parts 7 or 8 due to them being entirely different universes due to being naturally around spacetime irregularities. Y'know, funstuff.

As always, I want to stress that if you do not want to work with this canon, you're absolutely free to tell me. We can do something entirely seperate from this. This is mostly background shenanigans that explains some of Hikari's thoughts and actions, and won't really come into play unless its plotted out, and due to the ease of working Hikari into threads using this as a basis, that's why its my part flexible verse. These aren't hard rules!

Thank you for reading!! If you want more clarification on anything stated here, pleaaaaaase send me an ask-- box is always open <33

[the-scungles-of-crungles]

Some old deltarune chapter 3 predictions copied from my other tablet. Some of these are extremely cringe/incoherent but I'm just putting it as it was written.

Just because why not

All of this is Deltarune ch. 3 shit, and mostly Mike because haha funni tv man <3 idk if he even exists but I love him

-Bit where Mike swears but it's blocked off by a little censor bar, if you edit the files to look under it, there's a small sprite of a dog

-Rouxls sneaks into your inventory, (Lancer probably too)

You check your light world inventory and it says smthin about the cards, and then "and the rules card… Somehow?"

-He kinda becomes a co-host on whatever shows Mike is hosting, but Mike gets mad at him because of the stupid accent thing and just tells him to shut up

-Rouxls in a suit??? I'd die

Anyways

As for the shows that'd happen

-Cooking show, I mean, come on

-Oh my god, baking contest where Kris, Ralsei and Susie all make a cake, you get to make the cake yourself while the others are off-screen

-Ralsei's is perfect, of course

-Susie ate the ingredients and severely fucked up the kitchen

-Kris… Well it depends on how you do, but I'd imagine it'd be funny if you screw up

-Nobody loses though, Mike does the Mettaton thing and makes up some bullshit for how everyone did great

-Commercial breaks, possibly where you fight random enemies, or you go backstage and try to fuck shit up without Mike noticing

-Talent show somewhere in all this, Susie continues to destroy shit

-Susie is handed a microphone, proceeds to bite it without hesitation. Terrible mic screech sound plays, awkward silence, then the crowd cheers

-Microphones taste bad

-Obviously a game show happens, but that's the main bit

-News segment like the Mettaton bit in Undertale because of course

-The return of the tile puzzle except real this time

-???

-Plenty of similarities to the Mettaton section of Undertale (PLEASE)

-Wait what if Toriel is there and the crowd absolutely loves her

-Also what if Undyne destroys shit (But what about Susie? Maybe they join forces to cause problems)

-Something something "grand finale" and you fight Mike

-No clue what the secret boss would be, I mean, Toby always makes up some wacky shit (and it's always amazing)

-Absolute sillyness happens because Deltarune

-After the chapter, when you bring Mike to castle town, he ends up making a scene (of course he does) by arguing with Queen

(Mike is upset that television is slowly being replaced by the Internet, Queen is a smug bitch because of course she is)

-One of them says something to imply they've met before, Susie says some stuff in small text like "They know eachother???"

Ok this is based on a whole scene I made up in my head but what if Mike goes off about how TV hasn't hurt as many people as the internet, and Queen actually gets a bit sad.

Mike kinda regrets saying what he did, and he says something like "Hey, nobody's perfect! We've all got our problems""

And then Queen's like "Well, You're Right About One Thing…"

"You Definitely Have Problems"

And then she laughs lmao

They hate eachother so much but in a weird rivalry kind of way, where they secretly don't actually hate eachother that much, if that makes any sense (Hint: It Doesn't)

…Maybe… A ship could sprout from this…

[STOP IT]

{…Or don't…}

Anyways in chapter 4, Mike's room is hella extra because yes

Speaking of which… What's Queen's room gonna look like??? Yo that's gonna be cool

[sithwitch13]

Forbidden Door 6/30/24

Amanda and Negative One, I'm gonna cry

Ooh, Serpentico? I didn't know we were getting Serpentico!

Newly beltless Kyle Fletcher cheering himself up by destroying SNAKEMAN

Roddy, grabbing Gabe Kidd in an aggressive hug: "LOOK AT MY NEW FRIEND, ISN'T HE SO COOL, UNLIKE A CERTAIN BABY SEAL BOY"

KOR, chilling with the Conglomeration plus Ishii and Willow: "Sorry, did you say something? We were busy making friendship bracelets."

BARK-OFF

STAT TIME AND ALSO STOKELY AND MOMO WATANABE

WILLOW TIME AND ALSO TAM NAKANO

Forming a conspiracy board because Tam and Momo are wearing contrasting colors while Kris and Willow are wearing the same color.

Oh my god Toni's ringside outfit

YEAH MARIAH

And here's Mina to keep the love triangle going

LIJ, you are so adorable

Aww, Alex's face paint

Aaaaaa it's time

So is the crowdsurfing a reference to Cody, Punk, both, or neither? I'm good either way

Is it just me or does MJF not have his usual dogshit spray tan?

LOL Kenny's face blurred

Double LOL they called Okada the Best Bout Machine

Okay gremlins let's see how cunty you're feeling tonight

Reasonably, excellent

Oooh Okada is very shiny tonight

Dying at Nick and Okada doing Antics

God I love these horrible little scamps

Dragon vs Dragon time!

Ah, it's the time of the match where Danielson tries to give us all a heart attack

EVERYONE SHUT UP IT'S TIME FOR THE SAPPHIC LOVE TRIANGLE

Oh my god Toni lol

Mariah's beautiful face acting, she's so amazing and the absolute heart of this story

Mariah: "now kiss"

TEAM POLYCULE WINS

THE HORNINESS CONTINUES WITH OC VS ZSJ

Black Glasses Dark Jeans Orange

Thank you Tony Khan and Hiroshi Tanahashi for your gift of squirming men

Is my brain failing more than usual or was this supposed to be a Zero Hour match?

I have been informed it was always a main card match and now I am sad

Aww, yay for Hook

This is the most "whoever wins, I win" match of the night for me

Ladder matches always make me nervous since every time I try to use a ladder I injure myself

ELP nipple attack, congrats to us all!

OW FUCK JESUS

Don't mind me, I'm just sitting here screaming "PLEASE BE CAREFUL" every 30 seconds

:3

Stephanie's whole look is reminding me of Hela from Thor: Ragnarok and I'm here for it

I have no good occasion to do eye makeup like Mercedes' but I really really want to. Maybe just for sitting around and playing video games.

Holy shit Stephanie's dragon screw is brutal

BRITT

SHOW IN JAPAN I'M GOING TO DIE

Mox vs Naito time!

Oh good they didn't make Taz or Nigel leave when JR came in

Oh shit yes and the Death Rider theme

RED SHOES

Mox why are you not wearing the NJPW shorts

Please stop saying "tran-KWEE-low," it's pronounced "tran-KEE-loh"

Mox has two gears, Nigel: "violent" and "clumsy puppy"

Aww, grats Naito

MAIN EVENT, LET'S GO SWERVE

Garcia watching? HMMMM

I HAVE BEEN SHRIEKING THIS WHOLE TIME OH MY GOD

I may actually be dying

HEAD PATS AAAAA

SWERVE!!!!!!!!!

The forehead kiss

The tears

Fletcher comforting Ospreay

I love everything

[goatlingsvent]

I can't stand how it's been two weeks since the dev log has started and it's flooded with the same bullshit Kris feeds us in her stupid news posts on discord. Kris, you do realize it's supposed to be an update of what you're working on and not vomiting out the same info that you're already creating a news post on right? Oh, right, forgot you're barely even a developer. (For those unaware, please reference wonderful dev logs from actual developers at itch dot io/devlogs; already established sites do patch notes, but this site is barely established with the YEARS it's taken for a promised arcade rework, my brother in Christ you are still at GROUND ZERO). For a site with woefully little updates about development and coding, where's the work going into that? Even if she's an embarrassment and doesn't want to name the code being worked on, call it Game A or Game B, QOL improvement 1, 2, and so forth. Align your updates with your garbage heap of a roadmap of promised features. If there's a news post coming out about an update, let the post speak for itself and tack it on as a bullet point for a summary dev log. I would normally put good and bad in critiques but honestly any compliment goes straight to your head and you become complacent. Is your mysterious programmer dead? Do they not give updates? Use your fucking 42 year old brain. ***Sidenote***: as I was writing this, wanted to be super, abundantly clear. Kris is getting a boatload of USER FUNDING to put the SAME updates (bc, dag, auction, token), monthly updates that are REPEATED and have a template to copy paste together. Updates that in any other development situation would be QUEUED UP and AUTOMATED, but somehow take central stage for Kris' updates. And not a peep about the mysterious programmer. We have people on the amazing jawbreaker forum coming up with solutions on the spot FOR FREE and this is the best Kris can do and she gets PAID. USE YOUR 42 YEAR OLD BRAIN.

💈

[disarmherss]

I'M SO FUCKING READY. My blonde besties are gonna kill it. 🧡 I'll be there doing my best Kris Jenner 'You're doing amazing sweeties' impression. 😂😂 Stop, stop. I'm gonna get emotional and maybe I'll cry. But, I'm just thankful I met ya. Wouldn't know what to do without ya at this point.

OKAY. Gionna didn't even tell me that she had already recorded her return segment to air on Smackdown BUT made me watch it just so I'd freak out. SHE'S BACCKKKK. 🧡🧡

[glittersessa]

gentle          softly lit room

fairies glow, rain whispers. hands warm, wrapped around a cup. feet cold, where’s the blanket?

          no matter

lips sip at cocoa, vanilla                         (inhale)

lips              sip at sky, twilight   (exhale)

rain, moderate to heavy 40% chance of lightning, 100% chance of comfort

paws sliding (we should really change the floors) a nose   damp               cold his head in my lap his ears demand a pet

purrs, purred ears, flicked a cat...catting? (whatever, i don’t know how cats work)

brown eyes,              (not the dog’s eyes)                        ((or the cat’s eyes))

your eyes, gazing. brown, called boring. those fools.

i know it is: brown, called cinnamon.                          no, chocolate!

            ...coffee?

brown eyes

cinnamon and chocolate and coffee warm, comforting

                    beautiful

eyes, blinking, smiling, seeing. knowing.

          how terrifying it is to be known                                      (how wonderful)

rain booms

lightning pours

        shit, is the window open?

feet,  warm            (these socks are amazing)

a floor,  slowly crossed a window,  firmly closed a sound,  woefully muted.

hands cold        (i forgot my tea again)

and on the table, next to a soft glow, as of fairies:

a book        probably fantasy, let’s be real spine worn  pages lovingly turned, again and again tales lovingly read, again                                    and again. a life, for the time being, ignored.

but for a moment in this lightning struck night, it is:

on the table, next to a soft glow, as of fairies:

a book,               ignored.

a book, dearly loved, but nonetheless put aside.

tonight is no night for fairytales

tonight is a night for dreaming of futures under thunderstorm skies

with love in my heart             and you by my side.

            no.     tonight is no night for               fairytales.

     i have something better.

something real.

                                                                      you.

                     – sunshine

[castielisourhero]

i can't even process the fact that cas faced his worst fears, doubts, and past failures but that he gathered his immense inner strength and defended himself AND also outright demanded that he be given a second chance. like he didn't accept his defeat and he didn't bow to the pressure of the ugly thoughts being recounted by empty!cas and he jus fukin said 'screw it i'll torment you for eternity if that's what it takes for me to get out' like this is absolutely fucking huge for cas!!!! he's fighting for himself for a change and he's determined to get back to his friends and as a cas fan this is so powerful to see bc this is exactly what cas needs and it just... it's incredibly cathartic to see his phoenix rise from the ashes...that last scene of him surrounded by sunlight... im truly in awe of castiel right now ♥♥♥