#NOWHERE (Survive Verse)

[dreadbornesaint]

tag dump - verses

[dreadbornesaint-moved]

Character & verses (2/2)

[mckinlily]

Imagine a world where Bruce Wayne did not become Batman. Instead, he is just a Normal Dude. Or as normal as a billionaire deeply dedicated philanthropy in a city as insane as Gotham can be.

Because make no mistake: just because Bruce is not Batman does not mean Gotham is not Gotham.

There are a few new players though—on the Rogues side.

Timothy Drake is the teen business tycoon of Drake Industries. Absent of the inspiration of Batman and the socialization and warmth of Dick Grayson, he is ruthless and logical to a fault in pursuit of his goals and just as viciously chaotic as the disaster little brother Jason knows.

In other words, he’s Gotham’s youngest supervillian. The only good news is his chosen nemesis is Lex Luthor. Maybe. Timothy doesn’t care much about collateral damage. It’s not his goal to harm civilians, but he certainly doesn’t include their safety as a priority in his convoluted schemes to mess with Luthor.

Talon is an undead murderer who slaughtered a huge swath the Gotham’s 1% five years ago and, despite being spotted many times since, has never been apprehended. He appears when he wants and disappears just as readily, and Gotham just has to accept there’s a killer stalking their streets and there’s nothing they can do about it. Sometimes Talon has been known to rescue people, especially, but it’s never clear how or why exactly Talon chooses who is victim verses aggressor. And the end is always brutal and bloody for those Talon deems aggressor.

Damian is still Bruce’s biological son and raised by Talia in the League of Assassins. But when he was left in Gotham and met his father, this Bruce was so baffled and thrown by a child assassin that Damian immediately takes as rejection and runs away. (He doesn’t even stay long enough for Bruce to be sure it wasn’t a hallucination or very strange dream).

Damian is almost immediately found and adopted by Talon, so now Gotham has TWO bird-themed killers liable to jump down on you from nowhere and for any reason.

Oh, and god help you if you so much as make Talon’s baby Owlet sad. If you’re lucky, it will be the last thing you do.

Barbara is an ordinary librarian…who can be hired as a mercenary hacker for the right price. The public isn’t afraid of her because they don’t know she exists. More than one politician or public figure has been ruined because of the blackmail she unearthed on them. But what side exactly is the police commissioner’s daughter on? And how much of Gotham does she have under thumb?

(Is she a secret ally and accessory to Timothy Drake’s many plots?)

Steph, thank god, is actually NOT a villain, super or otherwise. She’s the one vigilante attempting to help Gotham. Spoiler has connections among some of the caped community like Supergirl or Wonder Girl. But without Bat training or the police cooperation forged years ago by Batman, she’s mostly just striving to survive while taking on Gotham’s many, many gang. Make no mistake, she’s impressive. But desperate. Spoiler comes with guns and explosions. So. Many. Explosions. Gotham has never heard of the “no kill” rule. And likely never will.

(Cass also lives in Gotham. But no one will ever see her or even know she’s there.)

Jason….well. Baby Jason never stole any Batmobile tires and never was adopted by a strange but kind billionaire. He was never killed at 15.

He died in the winter before he turned 13.

And then one day, Adult Canon Jason gets thrown into this dimension. And somehow Gothan is WORSE?! How is that even possible? Also his siblings are running around being super villains and killing people? Bruce! Control your children!!

But this Bruce does not have children (he’s still mostly convinced Damian was a prank or hallucination). He is horrified by the idea of children fighting crime. He has absolutely no idea how to handle exceptionally talented chaos machines with too much passion and no sense of self preservation. And he’s frankly a little disturbed by Jason himself and his guns and refusal to “work within the system” and Jason nopes out of there so freaking fast.

Jason also, slowly, has to become okay with the realization that his siblings are not insane because they were made Robin. They became Robin because they were already insane. There was no way to create a normal human being out of any of them.

(Jason does not want to look too closely at what that says about him.)

In the end, Jason teams up with Steph. He connects her with Dick/Talon, who is more than happy to have a new Owlet to train and preen, and Damian only slightly stabs her. They manage to persuade/threaten Tim into caring enough to help get Jason back to his dimension with misuse of Drake Industry research equipment. Damian very much does stab Tim. Tim retaliates by locking Damian in an industrial freezer. Dick thinks they’re bonding. Jason introduces them to Babs, but frankly he has no idea what he’s hoping to achieve from this. Probably nothing good because Dick, despite being an under-socialized undead assassin with some weird mannerisms and ways of speaking, still manages to pull a woman way out his league like Barbie. And Babs seems to have no problem with the “murder” part that description.

Jason never realized how much Bruce’s strict moral code and “the Mission” were key to the rest of them becoming remotely positive influences in society. Or how little Bruce has to do with his siblings getting into dangerous, violent situation. He doesn’t like anything about it.

They work out how send Jason back, and he returns to his dimension with the feeling he’s just left Alternate Gotham to a gang of supervillains.

…at least they’re together?

And Talon Dick won’t let any of his new Owlets die and will rain bloody vengeance on anyone who tries. So that’s good. For them at least.

(Jason feels absurdly like he should be apologizing to this universe’s Bruce. Or. Someone. He doesn’t. But he feels like he should.)

Back at in his dimension and at the Batcave, Jason pauses and just stares at Batman for a very, very long time. Finally, he takes a deep breath and solemnly nods just once before taking off into the Manor for Alfred’s cookies.

Bruce has no idea what the fuck just happened.

[bellamyblake]

Hey everyone! This list was made by the wonderful @b4bethsstuff who's a relentless reader of fics (old and new) and posted all year long, keeping us interested in the new stuff and reminding us of old precious gems that I personally reread!

This is her list that I was inspired to recreate with a banner. (There's just a few additions of mine but everything else is hers!) Hope you'll enjoy!

This is also a former thank you to the amazing writers who created for us this year! Without you we'd be nowhere, so thank you so much!

Region 7 by winterseasalt- Alternate universe-Met on the Ark Station, Canon divergence, Slow burn, Fake/Pretend relationship: When they reached the door to Bellamy’s unit, Clarke’s suspicions were all but confirmed. His hand reached out to scan his arm in front of the lock pad, but froze before it got there. Clarke looked up at him, and he threw his eyes back at her wildly. Bellamy opened his mouth and closed it again, like he couldn’t find the words he was looking for, his arm still suspended in the air a few inches from where it would open the lock. He looked absolutely terrified.

Between Earth and Sky by Firelily_14-Alternate universe-canon divergence, Sexual tension, Drinking games, Blood and injuries:

Bellamy and Clarke broker a peace deal with Trikru. They bring down the Mountain and the 100 can finally breathe a sigh of relief. With peace secured, living on the ground becomes the 100's top priority, but living on Earth is challenge enough.

An exploration on what the 100 would be if there was no more war, no mountain men, and the characters were given a year to breathe. Bellarke focused.

Prize by honestlydarkprincess-Alternate universe-Modern setting, Roomates/Housemates, Getting together, Mutual pining;

Bellamy and Clarke make a bet for who can last the longest for No Nut November.

Or, the one with just so. much. pining.

Boss by Mia_Emilia-Alternate universe-Mob, Arranged marriage, Alpha, Beta, Omega dynamic,Angst;

The Blake household, it certainly makes sense why her mom didn’t want her messing things up with him and based on the little information she has gathered so far and the way people look at him, he must be The Boss.

The Blake’s are arguably one of the top three largest and most well respected, also feared, families in the country. Two years ago they had attended the funeral of the former head of the family Vincent Blake, the man was old. They had called his son “The Rebel King”, he was known for his particular brutality, cunning, and is supposed to be incredibly tactical. He has no problem going against the norm to get what he wants hence the name. And yet, if it wasn’t for the coldness in his eyes, nothing about his face screams blood thirsty, ego manic.

You don't deserve it by bellofthetolppl-Alternate universe-Canon divergence, Post series/season 3; Hurt/Comfort; Angst;

Post 3x16-Kane feels horrible for hurting Bellamy and almost killing him when he was under ALIE's control. He wants to help him out, take care of him just like Clarke but he refuses it due to his stubborn seflless nature. But also because Bellamy doesn't believe that he deserves to be saved. Everyone else try to prove him wrong. Angst and fluff ensue.

An Unkindness of Stars by LoverGurrl411-Alternate universe-Canon divergence; Friends to lovers; Slow burn; Angst and hurt/comfort;

Bellamy and Clarke meet on the Ark when they're 13 and 11 years old. Octavia's been discovered, Bellamy just wants to save his sister, and Clarke just wants to help. Somehow, a crazy plan later, Clarke and Bellamy stand together against all odds, even when they're millions of miles apart.

In the backseat of your Rover by ohsupernaturall-Survival, Dehydration, Aftermath of a nuclear apocalypse;

Eden- Missing Moment #1 (I strongly recommend you read this too though without it, the fic makes sense as well)

Little drabble that follows Bellamy and Clarke during the Eden-verse.

After Praimfaya, Bellamy and Clarke are sitting in the Rover, with nothing except each other, some music and confused feelings.

Sleeping beauty by ohsupernaturall-Fairytale, Princess Clarke Griffin, fairytale curses, protective Bellamy Blake;

Because every story has a beginning, a middle and an end. --------------------------------------------- I walked with you, once upon a dream. Or A Bellarke spin on Sleeping Beauty

let the cold come in (you'll chase it away) by itsagamefortwo-Alternate universe-Canon divergence, Fluff, Sharing clothes, 5+1 fics, five times Clarke steals Bellamy's clothes;

clarke learns she hates the cold the hard way, bellamy keeps showing up to keep her warm. aka 5 times bellamy gives clarke something to keep her warm and the 1 time clarke gives something to bellamy.

and we found heaven and time by billiedawn-Alternate universe/No Praimfaya; Unplanned pregnancy, Guilt, Shame, Fluff and angst;

Clarke Griffin is pregnant. No one knows, except her. So far.

In every universe by lightyears-Alternate universe-Modern setting; they love each other a lot;

Clarke meets Bellamy by chance. Sometimes, it stresses her out thinking about the possibility of them not meeting.

Star Crossed Business Partners by Silverloc-Alternate universe-Modern setting; Fake/pretend relationship; Fake dating;

The Griffins and the Blakes have always hated each other in a feud that has gone on for decades. But now, Clarke and Bellamy have secretly united to bring down their families' companies and take back control. One problem however: his sister thinks they're dating.

this is what winter feels like by headxheartwriter-Alternate universe-Canon divergence; Post S3; Sharing a bed, Love confessions; Angst and romance;

Bellamy’s silence spoke volumes, his gaze shifting from the floor to meet Clarke’s, revealing a tumult of emotions he struggled to articulate. Clarke, perceptive and direct, cut to the core of the matter. “You’re jealous, aren’t you?” she asked, her voice steady, probing the depths of Bellamy’s feelings with a question that demanded honesty.

You were never not mine by griffenly-Alternate universe-Modern setting; Fluff; Everyone thinks they're together;

Everyone they meet assumes that Bellamy and Clarke are dating. And, really - they're not.

Once bitten by anonymous-Alternate universe/Mob; Arranged marriage; Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamics;

Clarke is 17 when she meets the man she’s going to marry. It’s nothing romantic at all. There’s no lightning, no fireworks, no fabled mate bond snapping into place. The alpha just looks her up and down, turns back to her new stepfather, and says: “She’ll do.”She barely has a chance to get a look at him before she’s hustled off: Bellamy Blake, capo of the New York Outfit. He looks— young.

To Capture a Witch by Mindlikeariver-Alternate universe-Fantasy; Alternate universe-Werewolf; Alpha Bellamy Blake;

Clarke is a witch on the run from her mate, Bellamy, who just so happens to be the Alpha of his pack. She was doing so well at it too, at least until she helps a runaway. Suddenly Bellamy is on her tail, and he refuses to lose her again.

The day they stopped counting by Lexi_Noctura-Alternate universe-Canon Divergence, After Praimfaya, Family fluff;

Praimfaya has long past, and finally Bellamy was happy. It was almost prefect. He had Clarke, their son Percy as well as Madi, and the rest of his friends all around him, alive and happy. And instead of just surviving Earth, they were thriving, living.

Something to talk about by grace_and_lucidity and kguptill- Alternate universe-Canon Divergence, Pining Bellamy Blake; Angst;

Leadership is a lonely business. No one knows that more than Bellamy Blake. He admires Clarke for being able to lead in ways he can't, by talking to people. Only what if she's doing more than talking? His suspicions build until he decides to confront her for a discussion of his own.

Noise complaint by superficialseer-Alternate universe-Modern Setting; Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamic; Roomates/Housemates; Sharing a bed;

"We'll need lots of rules," Clarke whispers, a little too eager to feign believable hesitance. Jittery, aware of the looming disaster inevitably ahead and still willing to acquiesce. "Boundaries." It's hard to think straight, hard to pretend to be concerned with something as terrible as being away from each other when being so close; every shared exhale kicking up a tantalizing undercurrent of mouth-wateringly familiar scent.

wreck my plans, that's my man bellsrke-Alternate Universe-Modern Setting; Friends with benefits; Boss/Employee relationship;

When Clarke made the offer to go down on her boss two months into her internship, she hadn't fully expected him to say yes. She definitely hadn't expected them to end up in a secret, no-strings-attached, mutually beneficial agreement, but it's easy and uncomplicated - at least, until she starts to develop real feelings for him. Then it's suddenly not so easy and uncomplicated at all.

Voiceless by Moonlight1234-Alternate universe-Canon divergence; Torture; Medical Expirimentation; Suffering; Injury; (I had to add the whump, I'm sorry, not sorry!!!!!)

There’s a noise to his left near the treeline, immediately drawing his attention. He grabs the pistol tucked into his waistband, eyes scanning for anything moving. A small cylinder rolls towards Bellamy, and he’s at least half convinced that it’s about to blow up. It doesn’t though, and it just starts spewing smoke. Bellamy tries not to breathe it in, but he ends up passing out anyway. He’s in a cage when he wakes up, and immediately starts to panic in his head.

we turn the page by whatspastisprologue-Alternate universe-Canon divergence; Post canon; Fix-it; Fluff and Angst;

After over a year (in Earth’s time) on Sanctum, Clarke was convinced she had seen every party imaginable. But she wasn’t prepared for the absolute extravagance of the New Year’s Festival. People began making (and selling) elaborate ball gowns (and bespoke suits) months in advance. Jewelry, both old and new, was bartered or loaned between families and friends. Small charms and tokens began popping up everywhere for people to buy to celebrate the past year and the hope for a happy, prosperous and peaceful new one. Businesses shut down, schools closed, and everyone came together to celebrate, enjoying the new community that had sprung up from the ashes of their old one. Clarke was absolutely dreading it.

It Had to be You bellarkegriffin_blake-Alternate universe-Modern setting; Angst with a happy ending; Cheating; Rekindled love;

Clarke is tired of living in constant depression after her long term boyfriend randomly left her a year ago, so she decides that a new job and a new part of town would be a good start for her new life. What she learns instead is that her past can’t easily be outrun or forgotten, especially when your new neighbor is exactly the person you were running from.

[canary-curse-57]

It is currently Late and I am Very Tired so I may not be coherent but consider: I Got No Time (yes the fnaf song) is just a liiiiittle bit jimmy coded,,,, (specifically canary curse era jimmy, so 3rd to limited life)

especially when you ascribe to my personal head cannon that the winner & the first out of the season are the two that remember,,,, (just one of many conflicting headcanons I have of the series tbh)

it's the verses that really make me feel this way.

"I got no time, I got no time to live, I got no time to live, and I can't say good bye" - always out first, always dies to something unexpected. Arrow came out of nowhere, Grian decided to take him out, enderman suddenly attacks, randomly falls to his death.

"And I'm regretting having memories Of my friends who they used to be Beside me before they left me to die." - again, specifically fits that head canon but "beside me before they left me to die" is so last life to me,,,

"And I know this is, I know this is the truth, Cause I've been staring at my death so many times," - canary curse, multiple deaths, etc etc

"These scary monsters roaming in the halls, I wish I could just block the doors and stay in bed until the clock will chime" - WATCHERS!!!!

one quick chorus lyric: "I felt like I won, but I wasn't done, The nightmare repeats itself every time" - all the times in the first four seasons where he had a good run, he survived a long time, he was doing really good, yet he was still out first anyways

"I have this urge I have this urge to kill I have this urge to kill and show that I'm alive" - imo Jimmy started fighting more and more/going for more kills as the seasons have gone on,,,,,,,,,,,

"I'm getting sick from these apologies From people with priorities That their life matters so much more than mine" - I'll just leave this one here,,,, mwahahaha

"But I'm stuttering I'm stuttering again No will listen and no one will understand," - I always imagine the I'm stuttering parts to match up to him dying, and the no one will listen part feels like how people would always joke about/brush off the canary curse

"Because I'm crying as much as I speak Cause no one likes me when I shriek want to go back to when it all began" - just leaving this one here too,,, mwhahhha

anyways I'm going to bed now I'm so stupidly tired 😭 just felt the need to shareeeeeee

(song link if you haven't heard it before)

[apeninastory]

ivan as a tragic-love character (pt.4d?)

Part 3 here (Nowhere's analysis). I should be almost done. I think. Not sure. I'm keeping it brief this time, I have no energy to deal with Cure now.

Mind-blowing discovery related to Nowhere: Ivan can compose and write songs alright. We know Till is a genius when it comes to it, but look at Ivan being an excellent talent as well! I keep thinking about Ivan moving his fingers as if he was strumming a guitar, same way Till does when he composes, and my heart feels full.

10] Black Sorrow.

We go back where this madness of mine started. Top 1 (now slightly Top 2 for me) song from Alien Stage, and what can I say that I haven't already written in the past? I love Ivan's husky, expressive voice here, so different from the plain (equally expressive) and numb tone he uses in Nowhere, like two sides of the same coin. The talent this boy has... Infinite and vast, just like his heart - only, he doesn't quite realize that.

Black Sorrow is the song that brings him victory in Round 3. It is a song deemed good enough for his character, for the Ivan the aliens wanted and he himself built, piece by piece. By the time he steps on the stage and sings it, Ivan is who what he should be - the puppet, the valuable smile, the charming participants in the Top 3 of ALNST 50° edition.

Black Sorrow is also the song that marks and anticipates Ivan's disobedience. It once again presents us with Ivan's dream, "I can’t reach you, so I imagine alone You who shines, I stand next to you", because in the face of their impending doom, imagining something that will never be is all that's left to him. Just like falling stars, Ivan understands that Till is similarly ephemeral, that he won't be by Ivan's side forever - that Ivan himself can't stay by his side forever. That's where the black sorrow reaches its climax.

Ivan gives so much with this song - not only with the lyrics, but with the way he sings them. The way he rages against the final verses, saying "You are my Black Sorrow"? It's heart-wracking, a memento of the person he has been, a slice of what he had in his heart, what he wanted, what could have been, what he discarded and held on tight until the end but never truly managed to get out.

You know what I also love about Round 3 performance? Toward the end, Ivan extends his hand. At first he points in front of him, and he has this expression - mocking, aggravated, like he is making fun of someone or accusing him of hurting Ivan so much. First case, he is moking himself. Second case, he is accusing Till.

The he turns serious, eyes dark, half-lidded, and he opens his hand - palm up, like an invitation, like he is trying to reach something - someone.

What blew my mind is that he doesn't close his hand. Doesn't try to grab that thing, that person, doesn't try to drag it toward himself - no, he just reaches out and keeps singing until his voice curls and scratches and takes everything out of him. He only reaches out and gives all of himself and maybe, probably hopes for someone to finally turn and take his hand (again). He doesn't force it - he never had. Ivan is willing to be left behind, alone, willing to see Till love someone else, willing to die for him because he knows he can't have any of that - because he knows his palm will forever be cold and empty.

Wow. I am my own nightmare.

11] Ivan, love and shallow emotions

I said the dissonance in ivan starts with the metor shower and is mirrored in Nowhere - that it is the song where Ivan tells about himself, about the Ivan he intertwined, about the story of himself he wrote.

Ivan is a kid who built his unlucky life on survival skills, but then here comes Till, and Ivan is basically at war with himself. The numbness that helps him survives takes emotions (their comprehension) away from him, and at the same time, feelings he doesn't understand and has no rational labels for emerge, and he doesn't know what to do.

In the end (and I literally mean "the end", the time approaching his death, when he knows he'll have to compete against Till), it's about what he refined all his life (his ability to survive) and Till, who evokes Ivan's most human and chaotic side.

He calls them "shallow emotions", but my love, there is nothing more intense and deep than giving up your life willingly, as we all tend to self-preservation.

Why does he call it "shallow"? How could he not? He had a very specific definition/example for love, and he never felt like he fit in. He never felt deserving. He probably considered it, at a certain point, "can I be loved? Is this feeling I am reading about/seeing something that will ever touch me?" and the answer was most certainly "no". We know it is, Vivimeng told us in the fan meeting, but it is obvious. There is a big wall between Ivan and love, and he built it. It's not his fault that wall appeared, but he helped out in leaving it in place and fortifying it.

Conclusion? Since his love and affection toward others are strange and obsessive and lack the beautiful, shiny, rose-tinted lively intensity that he clearly sees portrayed in other people's eyes, his feelings can only be shallow in comparison.

What is ultimately devastating about Ivan is that he loved Till so much and he didn't fully realize. We know it, we can say it with stark clarity, it's written all over his face, in his eyes, in his twisted actions. He loved slowly and deeply and breathtakingly, with crying eyes and a smile, and he still thought it all to be shallow.

Don't you wanna just... bang your head against a wall?

PART 5!

[copaganda-clobberfest]

WELCOME

TO THE FIRST ROUND OF THE COPAGANDA CLOBBERFEST!

“You know that trope? That one trope *Everyone* hates? The trope in which a well meaning antagonist to our heroes, one looking out for the good of a certain community, suddenly does something horrible and drastic to make not only them, but the ideology they stand for the most villainous of all?”

NOW IS THE TIME TO BATTLE THEM OUT! Like Ken dolls, fighting for survival! Like your Polly pockets discarded in the closet, we’ll see which of these bitches jumped that slippery slope harder! Whose character did numbers on y’all, and blew up a bunch of grandmas and babies and hospitals with it!

ROUND ONE

HAMA from AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER vs AMON from THE LEGEND OF KORRA

Hama propaganda:

“A waterbender from the southern water tribe who was captured by the fire nation when they invaded her home. After being put through inhuman conditions to prevent her from waterbending, she learned to bend her captors’ blood instead to escape. She then lived undercover in the fire nation, for decades, before meeting the gaang. Then out of nowhere it’s revealed she’s behind the disappearance of a bunch of fire nation villagers and she tries to forcibly teach katara bloodbending so she can carry on her actions. And for what?? That doesn’t even make any sense!! She could’ve been at least targeting soldiers or officials but nope all of a sudden she’s actually the villain torturing innocents because she can and i guess that’s what happens after she goes through all that ???? ??”

“if iroh can get let off the hook for being a former fascist war criminal, hama can get off the hook for imprisoning people. hama was taken from her homeland, interned, and forced to watch all of her fellow waterbenders die in prison. the gaang's solution to her doing the same thing to members of the nation that wiped her people out? RE-INTERN THIS TRAUMATIZED ELDERLY SURVIVOR SO SHE'LL DIE IN PRISON LIKE THE REST OF HER PEOPLE. hama should be allowed to go home and see her few surviving friends and family again.

bloodbending wasn't just a cool evil new ability, it was a metaphor for generational trauma. that's why hama was so insistent that katara learn it: it was the final legacy of all those people who the fire nation purposefully exterminated, because it was the only thing that saved hama from that same fate. it was the only form of southern bending katara could inherit, because it was all that was left of them.”

Amon propaganda:

“his whole thing was that nonbenders are discriminated against in the avatar-verse, which isn’t all that wrong. except instead of fighting for something like more nonbender representation in government or, y’know, a n y t h i n g reasonable, he decides the way to solve this is clearly to take away people’s bending until… what?

honestly, I never was clear on if he had an actual plan

take away the bending of everyone in republic city? the world? stop at korra? who knows!

anyways. he decides it makes pErFeCt SeNsE that to solve the problem of nonbending discrimination (I honestly don’t think it was as oppressive as he claimed) by taking away peoples bending ability

which is akin to someone stealing your entire identity and for many, livelihood

but the real kicker is

the way he does it

IS BY BENDING

AND NOT EVEN REGULAR BENDING BUT A SUPER SECRET RESTRICTED ILLEGAL FORM OF BENDING

which is EXACTLY the kind of thing he fearmongers about when he says venders have too much power

so his whole platform of “I am one of you (nonbenders), chosen by the spirits to correct this inequality” is complete and utter baloney”

Always feel free to rb with more propaganda :)

[the-apocrypha]

Hello!

I've had a brain worm about your cottagecore verse stuck in my head for a month now, so I'm finally sharing it.

The mob that stormed Hob's cottage in Eskham didn't come out of nowhere. Someone has been spreading rumours about a dangerous creature in the hedgewitch's cabin for some time. Someone who doesn't particularly like their older brother. Desire knew that they would have to stoke the tension in the village carefully, so that when the villagers' fear got the better of them, Dream would not be there to save Hob. They knew very well that even armed with torches and iron, a mob of peasants wouldn't stand a chance against a fae prince. That didn't matter though - Desire didn't need the mortals to hurt their brother directly; he just needed to be taught a lesson about taking human lovers. Getting banished from the realm of the fae just wasn't enough. 

What Desire didn't expect was to be on the recieving end of a similar fate as their brother - turns out that Mother Night does not approve of her children taking human consorts, even if that child might excel at cruel games and bargains. Long story short, when Desire falls in love with a travelling sorceress named Unity, they are yeeted out from their mother's court much like Dream was.

I think it would be funny if Desire ended up getting tossed into Hob's garden while Dream is away doing fae things™️ in the forest. At first Hob panics (understandably, they aren't really expecting visitors in the middle of nowhere), but once he recognises that the being currently squishing his strawberries is another fae, he brings them inside (does he hope that seeing another of his kind might make Dream happy? Maybe. Think of it as enrichment for your lover). Needless to say, Dream isn't exactly thrilled to see his sibling, especially when they let slip that they're rather surprised to find them both alive and (relatively) well. Oopsie, your sibling might have had something to do with your recent troubles, Dream (who would have thought).

I'm hoping for some sort of reconciliation and some reflection from Desire? Maybe being shunned by their kind might help them reconnect. After all, Desire's gonna need all the help they can get if they are to find their beloved out there...

OMG I love this so much, thank you for sharing this glorious brain worm! I love the idea that Desire is out in the mortal realm doing market research for plotting his brother’s downfall and in the process meets Unity and—I’m imagining it wasn’t quite so Love At First Sight, because sorceress!Unity definitely knows better than to tangle with the fae and wants nothing to do with any of Desire’s shit. (Desire’s always liked a challenge.) But eventually, somehow, despite both of their better judgements, the love does happen. 

Also love the idea of Desire getting dumped into the (Dream’s! Special!) strawberry patch—they’re probably not looking too hot, ala Dream when he was first exiled. Hob absolutely takes them into the house as soon as he sees the ears. He’s learned to be wary of his fellow mortals but he’s still a sucker for fae, especially ones who bear a familial resemblance to his lover, and especially ones who are all alone 😩 and hurt 😩. (Dream obviously is unimpressed with all of this, but Hob is at this point well-practiced in tuning out Dream’s Are You Trying To Get Yourself Killed, I Don’t Care That You Survived Thirty-Three Years Without Me, You Won’t Be Surviving The Next Five Minutes If You Don’t Start Apologizing, You Useless Fragile Mortal Tirade).

Also! The idea of Dream and Desire hissing faeish insults at each other over the dinner table while Hob is desperately trying to steer the conversation back to English—hysterical. Dream getting possessive of Hob when Desire looks at him a few seconds too long, and Desire being like “I absolutely do not want your grubby little bear-man, Dream, calm your tits. Unlike you, I have standards.”—excellent. I love it all. 

(Though let’s be real, in this particular AU the moment Dream finds out Desire was the reason that Hob got shishkebabed, this goes from a family feud to attempted murder real quick. IDK if Dream would get over that for… at least a few decades. Desire would be turfed out of the house so fast their head would spin. Their only saving grace might be if Hob suggests that the faster they find Unity, the faster Desire will be out of their hair.) 

I’ll be honest, the possibilities for fae!Dream + siblings are limitless and wonderful, and I’m constantly sad that the cottagecore ‘verse ended up constructed in a way that means—without some very exceptional circumstances, as you have crafted here—we won’t ever really see Dream interacting with his family ever again. At least, not in the official version. Please feel free to tell me all about the elaborate ways in which fae!Dream and Desire get forced into a metaphorical Get Along Shirt, or Death dropping by with little fae care packages with all the stuff Dream misses from his home, or Delirium going on forest walks with Dream and asking him ten million questions about all the strange mortal animals and plants. Dream deserves better relationships with his siblings than what I dealt him in this ‘verse. <3

[gerec]

SPACE AUS - PART 2

The Edge of What Doesn’t End by populuxe

When a mysterious object appears on the moon, Moira MacTaggert calls in two experts with very specific mutations to investigate.

Unfortunately for everyone involved, after years of breaking up and getting back together again, those two experts have finally broken up for good—and they’re the last people in the world who should be stuck together on a spaceship.

burn the land and boil the sea by kaydeefalls (series)

In which the Unification War begins, Erik leads the Browncoats' mutant faction, and Charles searches for something worth fighting for. (Fusion with the Firefly 'verse)

Remind me what you're looking for by pearl_o

"There's a dozen ships here you could get transport on," Erik points out.

"I'm asking you," Charles says.

A Beginner's Guide to Star-Forming Event Horizons by midrashic

Charles Xavier is not thrilled to be on the USSAS Magneto, with its missions to the back-end of nowhere and its captain who is famous for having violated the Prime Directive. But appearances can be deceiving.

And we pulled each other like gravity by hllfire

Erik accompanies Charles, Crown Prince of the Xavier Empire, to his first diplomatic meeting on the planet Themis, where he finds out something about the Prince and they end up talking about the past and how their paths had crossed before.

The Sleeping Beauty in the Ivory Tower (- or Erik Lehnsherr is a hopeless romantic) by ximeria

There is a tale, out among the stars, of a sleeping beauty in an ivory tower.

Infinite Distance by lachatblanche

When they encounter an unfamiliar and seemingly-abandoned ship in the middle of nowhere in space, Captain Charles Xavier of the spaceship Graymalkin heads out to investigate.

Infinite Distance (Finite Time Remix) by SlightWeasel

A month ago, far-flung Genosha went dark on every communications channel.

Whatever happened there, it has little enough relevance for young Charles Xavier, resident of Graymalkin-- until the day he receives a distress call from Erik Lehnsherr, Genosha's only surviving citizen...

Pit stop by diner_drama

Charles was pretty happy with his lot, on the whole. As chief engineer, he spent the majority of his time teaching hot-shot new mechanics and aspiring ship-builders. He could confidently say that he had created an excellent work environment that really allowed these young workers to flourish and grow. The only real challenges, apart from the occasional Very Large Fire (bad) and having to fill in his yearly expense reports (catastrophic), were arrogant pilots who believed that the importance of their ship gave them carte blanche to treat the repair crew like garbage.

Case in point, Erik Fucking Lehnsherr.

Yes, he was the best racing pilot in the galaxy. Yes, he had designed his ship personally and it was fundamentally perfect in every important way. Yes, his steely blue eyes made Charles feel light-headed whenever they came up on his viewscreen.

He was still an asshole.

Neither Rhyme Nor Reason by unveiled

Charles liked to tell people that the first time they met, Serik punched a kitten. (Or, the one where Erik is an angry Vulcan, Charles is still a telepath, and grief still shapes their lives.)

A Vision of Peace by Gerec

They call his people 'monsters' and say that a telepath is incapable of something as universal as falling in love.

But they're wrong about Charles Xavier, heir to the throne of Cerellia; for everything he does in life, he does for love.

It's Magic! (A Gift Remix) by Gerec 

The Oracle agrees to help Erik locate Shaw, if Erik agrees to return to him after the mission.

And now that the deed is done, it's time to keep his promise.

Flirting with Death (Eternal Remix) by Gerec 

Erik Lehnsherr is the latest in a long line of vampire hunters, their legacy going back a thousand years to the days before space travel and the existence of life beyond Earth. He's tracking one of the most dangerous blood-drinkers they've ever known, and he's determined to save the man she's targeted as her next victim.

Now if he could only convince Xavier that his life is in very real danger...

SPACE AUS - PART 1

[dreadbornesaint]

Directory: 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐨𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧.

Name: Beryl Euclase

Age: 29

Birthplace: Eastside

Assessment: S

Libram: LIMBO

Tendency: Arcane 

Ability: Blood Crystal Parasitization 

Case: Crystalline Contagion Incident 

Exclusive Crimebrand: Cataclysm Crystal 

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐞 𝐠𝐨, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲.

A woman born in Eastside and lived a fairly ordinary life until the Mania incident she caused changed the course of her life forever. Perhaps it is her fascination with the DisSea that results in her awakening as a Sinner, heeding the gentle call of the maddening waters. It starts slowly, a curiosity that blooms into an obsession that simmers beneath the surface. If she can understand the origin of the disasters, then perhaps such tides may be turned. 

It is due to this obsession that she doesn't panic nor feel shame when she awakens as a Sinner, marked by the strange crystallization of her blood. Despite her acceptance of her new condition, she hides it, as Eastside doesn't take too kindly to Sinners.

The first step, she believes, is understanding herself, this new condition. It will eventually kill her, she realizes, so the sooner she can find a cure, the better it is. Thus, she starts experimenting on people to find answers. 

It started off as an accident, truly. An observation that those that are exposed to her blood and die with that same blood within them result in an ability to manipulate the corpse. Is it truly her fault that curiosity flickered and caused her to see if she could replicate it? Indeed, in this way, perhaps she can understand the origin of the cataclysmic phenomena that seem to plague the world. It only worsens her fascinations with the deep, the origin of it all, the abysmal DisSea. But as her obsession deepens, the greater her M-value rises, to the point of controlled lunacy. 

Her experimentation, despite her good, if not, misguided, intentions, results in a high number of casualties. Her desperation culminated in an incident that led to mass death.  Consequently, she is discovered as a Sinner in Eastside and she flees. Due to her potential for causing damage, it became a priority to detain her. That is how the MBCC came to acquire the Sinner who only agreed to willingly surrender under the terms that should circumstances align, she'd be able to visit the DisSea she's so fascinated with. 

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥.

000. [u/c]

[morporkian-cryptid]

Something I really like with The Mountain Goats is that a lot of songs are at first very cryptic, or seem a bit boring because they’re very descriptive and factual; until somewhere around the end, one line suddenly puts everything else into perspective, and the meaning of the song punches you in the gut.

Take “Picture of my dress" for example. The whole song follows a woman’s road trip, in a very mundane and descriptive way: a truck stop parking lot, smoking a cigarette with a stranger, a greasy sandwich in a diner, listening to the radio. And taking a picture of her dress. Why is she taking a picture of her dress? We don’t know, we can only follow her on this road trip, watching in from the outside and getting no context.

Right up until “I only wore it once, nine years ago”.

There’s only one kind of dress you would only wear once and then keep for a long time. A wedding dress.

And suddenly everything else makes so much more sense. She just got divorced. She’s running away from her old life, from the memories; or she’s looking for something. Trying to put into perspective the decision she made nine years ago; trying to find what the old her saw in that dress, in that marriage; or trying to find something she had back then and has lost since. The road trip is the path to healing, with ups and downs and mundane days and painful reminiscing and trying to see the good in the past too.

The last verse of the song gives more explanation about her goal, but you still wouldn’t really understand it without the “it’s a wedding dress” line. I’m gonna quote the end of the song; I have nothing to add about it, but I find it absolutely gorgeous and it lives rent-free in my head.

But I say some prayers above the engine I bless everything there is to bless Run out of gas in the middle of nowhere anyway Stand by the roadside smiling

This is something I noticed more recently when listening to older songs, specifically “No I can’t” from Bitter Melon Farm. It’s a very formulaic, repetitive song: You brought me this, and that, and this, thank you for this, and that, and this, now I have everything I need. Repeat and fill in the blanks with increasingly expensive objects.

At first I thought that “Now I have everything I need” was sarcastic. Like “oh wow thank you for this gift you are so thoughtful I don’t know how I could have lived my whole life without it – oh wait I did and it was completely fine”, like, who are you to know what I need. What am I gonna do with all this useless stuff.

Until “Thank you for the coat I forgot to mention; I’ve been freezing in here, I’ve been freezing in here”.

It’s not so much the words themselves rather than the way they are sung, with both despair and realization. I don’t know if this is what the song really means, but this is what I understand from the way this line reframes the rest. This is someone who is learning to live again. Someone who doesn’t know how to take care of themselves and has been surviving on the bare minimum for so long they never realized they might need or even want more. Someone who loves them is bringing them gifts – first just polite ones: candies and flowers; then useful ones: a sofa, a lamp, a filing cabinet; then entertaining ones: a puppy, books, a radio. Each time the narrator thanks them as if following a script, not really knowing what to say, and concludes that they nowhave everything they need. And every time the other person gives them something else, and now the narrator has everything they need, because they realize they were missing this thing they just received. This other person is trying to fill the narrator’s life with things that will make their life easier, more enjoyable. The small joys and the small helps that make life more than just surviving.

The last gift is a friendly presence, and a realization. The friend comes to visit, and lets the wind in, and reminds the narrator of the cold – they don’t have to stand there in this cold apartment, freezing, they can put a coat on. And that’s when the narrator realizes they were freezing. They hadn’t noticed before, because they don’t pay attention to their needs, they just make do with what they have without even considering that things could be better. This realization is the first step in healing. And the friend doesn’t push or tell them explicitly what they need. The friend just gives them things to help them, asking nothing in return and letting them slowly realize for themself that yes, this is useful, this is helpful, this is comforting, I needed this. I may need more. I can have more. My life can be better. Even small things help.

And I find it absolutely amazing how TMG can pack so much into such a simple and seemingly nonsensical song.

[gerrystamour]

AO3★Main

Updated July 9, 2024 - PENDING FURTHER UPDATES

★At A Glance★

Transmasculine Steve Harrington★#TransmascSteve.

Good Boy Eddie Munson★#GoodBoyEddie.

OC Fics★#gerry.oc

Newest: feel the lives that i have taken★E★OMC Ship★2.2k

Greatest Hit: i could be honest, i could be human★E★48k

Writer's Fave: here i have found some peace of mind★E★60k

★Full Fic List★

title★rating★pairing★word count★ao3 link

Stranger Things

i could become the silver bullet in your head icbh, icbh!verse

i could be honest, i could be human★E★steddie★48k★Ao3

i can't tell where you end and where i start★E★steve/omc, steddie★11k★Ao3

because no one can break my heart like i can★E★steddie★2.4k★ Ao3

we were tangled up like branches in a flood★M★steddie★2.3k★Ao3

at the sunrise the stones and stars align [Transmasc!Steve] peace of mind, pom!verse

here i have found some peace of mind★E★steddie★60k★Ao3

bite through these wires [Transmasc!Steve] strap!verse

grow back your sharpest teeth★E★steddie★5.6k★Ao3

you leave me with that grace★E★steddie★2.4k★Ao3

push down into membranes and layers★E★steddie★4.1k★Ao3

Steve Thot Jobs thot jobs

when heaven falls, i will be your light★E★steddie★876★Ao3

just one more drink, please come inside★E★steddie★1.4k★Ao3

i've got a ghost in the hallway grinning...

run it back (give me five whole minutes)★T★steddie★1.7k★Ao3

i am thick tar on the inside burning★G★steddie★1.6k★Ao3

Stranger Things

nothing to say, and nowhere to go★E★steddie★1.9k★Ao3

so touch me again...★E★steddie★1.2k★Ao3

won't you come and dance in the dark with me?★T★steddie★2.9k★Ao3

i know you've got a taste, so...★E★steddie★2k★Ao3

would you find me in the stars?★T★steddie★1.2k★Ao3

suspended in the ether★E★steddie★7.4k+★Ao3

cut the lights and make me your oblivion★E★steddie★2.2k★Ao3

be the first to the feast...★E★steddie★2.1k★Ao3

that's the kind of love...★E★steddie★2.7k+★Ao3

you're in the walls that i made...★E★steddie★7.6k★Ao3

the fire is so delightful★E★steddie★5.5k★Ao3

Stranger Things

"Can I sit here...?"★G★steddie★Modern!AU★854★Ao3

"I'm not going to stop poking you..."★G★steddie★Pre-Steddie★679★Ao3

"When I picture myself happy..."★G★steddie★Getting together★1.1k★Ao3

i belong to all of your mysteries★E★steddie★Transmasc Steve★442★Ao3

our hearts are racing, captivated★E★steddie★PWP★311★Ao3

nice.★E★PWP★69★Ao3

"What did you do this time?"★T★Jeff/Eddie

"I almost lost you."★T★Jeff/Eddie

but whisper your love...★G★steddie★Modern!AU★392★Ao3

Stranger Things

"If we weren't in public..."★T★Tig/Gareth★pom!verse

"How have you survived this long..."★E★Freak/Dom★pom!verse

"There is no way this much stupid..."★T★Tig/Gareth★pom!verse

"God, I love you."★T★Charlie/Roger★pom!verse

"Tell me again..."★E★Charlie/Roger★pom!verse

"I've been thinking about you..."★T★Charlie/Roger★pom!verse

"Please, never stop smiling."★G★Charlie/Eric★pom!verse

"Don't be shy..."★E★Tig/Gareth★pom!verse

"Let me do this. Please."★M★Vinny/Kez★Mafia!AU

"You need to wake up..."★T★Vinny/Kez★Mafia!AU

on and on...★T★Sam/Dom★Mafia!AU

you are my destroyer★E★Sam/Dom★Mafia!AU

feel the lives that i have taken★E★Sam/Dom★Pirate!AU

header by @saradika-graphics

section labels by @cafekitsune

[adelaidedrubman]

OC INTERVIEW!

i was tagged by dears @g0dspeeed @cassietrn @direwombat @simplegenius042 @wrathfulrook to do a little oc interview, thank you dears! i decided to do this one for america’s sweetheart verse for acclaimed novelist jestiny ft. her long suffering publicist andrea who was mostly there to make sure there was some accurate information, then i decided to give her own spotlight. on that note, sorry for the length and needless preamble no expectation to read All That

“Ugh.” Jestiny grabs the wall to steady herself from stumbling at Andrea’s quick darting into the doorway to block her exit. “Are you fuckin’ serious? You’re really gonna tell me  — a grown fucking woman — I’m not allowed to go play until I finish my homework?”

“It smells like you’ve gotten to play plenty today,” Andrea retorts with a nod towards the disposable coffee cup clenched in Jestiny’s fist and reeking with the unmistakable stench of high proof whiskey. “You’ve put off doing a simple introductory questionnaire for three months now. You’re never going to hire a ghostwriter if you can’t respond to an information request that takes five minutes.”

“I don’t need a ghostwriter,” she mumbles in protest as she takes a sip from her coffee cup that has never once contained coffee, or fooled anyone into thinking it did. “Just a copy editor.”

“Three copy editors have quit because you started using them as ghostwriters. And whatever job title you want to give them, they need some basic biographical information about you to work on your memoir.”

“See, that’s the thing, is no they don’t. Not with the kinda thing I’m writing. It’s all just empty fluff, don’t you —”

“Even for empty fluff, they need a vague skeleton,” Andrea snaps. She pulls Jestiny by the arm towards her desk, pushing her down into one of her guest chairs before taking her seat behind it and clicking a pen. “I canceled the car you called and changed the passwords to all your rideshare accounts. And we both know you couldn’t make it out of the parking garage without getting a DUI. You’re not going anywhere until this is done.”

“Oh, that’s real fuckin’ nice Andrea,” Jestiny hisses. “Hold hostage the woman who just survived —”

name 

“jestiny ellen rook.”

nickname

“none. nope. never had one. never will have one. gotta say the whole thing every time. flaunt it in front of some motherfuckers who were too fucking dumb to ever figure it out.”

gender

“again, andrea — i am a grown fucking woman.”

star sign

“how the fuck am i supposed to know that shit?”  without bothering to check her birthday, andrea writes down aries.

personality type

“america’s fuckin’ sweetheart, baby. kind, lovable, and humble. what else is there?’’  andrea’s hand moves of its own volition to scrawl out the words ‘dark triad,’ immediately scribbling it out to write down ‘istp’ and ‘8w7.’

height

“five foot five, ballpark.”  andrea gives jestiny a skeptical look.  “maybe closer to five-six, camera adds a half-inch.”   andrea, actually 5’6, sighs and writes down 5’4, covering it with her hand to hide from jestiny.

orientation:

“c’mon, you don’t really have to ask that.” andrea dwells unwillingly on the menagerie of half-dressed strangers milling about jestiny’s home every time she steps into it. no, she doesn’t.  “or lie to the press about it, if that’s what you’re dancing around. it’s 2018! america’s sweetheart can be openly bisexual, right?” 

nationality/ethnicity:

“again. america’s fucking sweetheart, baby.”

fave fruit 

“persimmons. don’t put that down, though, that information is for the fuckin’ benefit of your files, so you can get me a halfway decent fruit tray in my dressing room next talk show appearance. write some bullshit about how much i miss the fresh picked huckleberries of hope county and nowhere grows ’em better, or something.”

fave season

“awards! ha, we do have fun. gotta be fall, though. salmon run season. but pretend it’s for the sake of pumpkin spice whatever.”

fave flower 

“psh. whatever happens to be in the bouquets i receive from my adoring fans. but if i have to pick, i guess, uh… forget-me-nots, maybe. or — heh, or cockscomb.”

fave scent 

“whiskey.”  andrea looks between jestiny and her cup, wondering if she has told the truth for the first time.  “coffee, i mean.”

coffee, tea, or hot chocolate: 

“i just said —”

average hours of sleep: 

“eh, who can really keep track of that?” people who have to plan their sleep schedule around preventing jestiny from having unsupervised access to social media can and must keep track of that. andrea writes down 3 hours.

dog or cat person

“ew. no. opossums. but write down dog, that probably polls better. andrea, should i get a dog?”   andrea vigorously shakes her head in the negative as she dutifully writes down dog. 

dream trip 

“heh. where do you have me booked for next? checked off a lotta the bucket list already. you’re looking at a dollywood gold pass holder. finally got to go there after a lifetime of dreaming, and it was —”  andrea notes the way jestiny’s eyes suddenly glaze over, her gaze growing hollow and flat as she pauses in searching.  “great. fulfilling. worth the wait. always ready to go back, or onto the next adventure. i mean, it’s such a fucking blessing, don’t you think?” andrea doesn’t answer, looking on with some concern as a hint of earnest joy creeps back into jestiny’s smile. “to have one’s full constitutional right to freedom of movement completely fuckin’ unrestricted?”

favorite fictional/real character

“uh, shrek.”

number of blankets you sleep with? 

“as many as i want, baby! that’s another benefit of freedom, don’t have to settle for a single scratchy, paper thin excuse for a blanket to curl up on my cot with. i get to enjoy my forty-winks on silk sheets and soft as a cloud comforter, on my casper mattress —”

random fact:

“i know how to do a bit of sleight of hand magic.” andrea feels a light brush at her ear, and looks to see jestiny pulling from behind it a matchbook with the number of a taxi company stamped in bright yellow.  “and for my next trick, i’m going to disappear.”

Andrea sighs as she watches Jestiny march out of her office yelling pick-up orders into her cellphone. It was successful for longer than she would have expected, she thinks, tapping the end of her pen against her bottom lip. 

She clicks her pen a few times as she shuffles the papers on her desk, staring down at a blank copy of the questionnaire she’d made in case Jestiny was in foul enough spirits to rip up the first in defiance. 

It would be nice, to have someone ask her things about who she was for once, she thinks, in an indulgent flight of fancy.  

name: 

“andrea simmons.”

nickname: 

“...anal-retentive goldilocks, was the most recent one.”

gender

“woman, she/her.”

star sign

“capricorn.” 

personality type

“estj. 3w2.’’ 

height

“five foot six. empirically verified.” 

orientation:

“lesbian, last i had enough free time to check.”

nationality/ethnicity:

“american. primarily german and scandinavian ancestry.”

fave fruit 

“nectarine, left to my own devices. learning to appreciate leftover cantaloupe picked around on fruit plates.”

fave season:

“summer. warm, sunny, long days.”

fave flower: 

“orchids.”

fave scent 

“lavender, jasmine, eucalyptus.” 

coffee, tea, or hot chocolate: 

“coffee. at least three shots of espresso. oat milk. two pumps of hazelnut syrup, no sugar.”

average hours of sleep: 

“three. when you have an infant, you learn to sleep when they sleep.”

dog or cat person

“cats. otto curled up in my lap at the end of a long day is the only thing that keeps me going, sometimes.” 

dream trip 

“any trip. any trip alone. any trip alone without having to worry about what i will find when i come back. greece would be nice, i think.” 

favorite fictional/real character

“peggy olson.”

number of blankets you sleep with? 

“i have a weighted blanket and a quilt at home. and a fleece throw on my office couch that gets more use.”

random fact: 

“i considered going into politics, and interned on a few campaign teams during college. There are many days i regret not following through on that.” 

i know i’m super late to this, so major apologies for repetitive tags and extra no pressure out to the usuals @belorage @hctknives @fourlittleseedlings @galaxycunt @lordundying @florbelles @josephslittledeputy @afarcryfrommymain @poetikat @voidika @captastra @confidentandgood @deputyash @blissfulalchemist @shellibisshe @thedeadthree @nightbloodbix @miyabilicious @henbased @clicheantagonist @firstaidspray @strafethesesinners @jackiesarch @v0idbuggy @orionlancasterr @stacispratt @professorpineapple @strangefable @shallow-gravy @inafieldofdaisies @corvosattano @socially-awkward-skeleton opt in for tags on writing stuff here!

[destiny-in-the-universe]

Renegades: RC9GN Infection AU

TW // FLASHING LIGHTS GIF

Good timezone, my lovelies~

So- if anyone remembers my infection AU for RC9GN, I decided to write a little more for that verse! Fair warning: this one might be a little more intense, please be advised before I continue.

Now if anyone remembers the first post I did, the infection comes from an advanced form of the power from the Sorcerer's pearls- once an individual becomes fully infected, they're permanently stuck as stanked monsters and will infect others through contact (saliva for instance- upon being bitten). The story begins when the Ninja is facing off a stanked victim, only to realize they're not turning back and everything gets gradually worse from there.

Pre-Lore Information // Reader Discretion Advised

As mentioned from the original post, the Ninja - Randy Cunningham - was facing off a stanked victim; to his horror however, the stank was not leaving- the victim themself was growing more and more agitated. If anything, it was like dealing with a feral animal, something rabid and certainly not-human. Norrisville High School erupted into chaos. What were they meant to do when even their protector couldn't do anything about it?

Though, it all fell apart from there-

In an attempt to flee from the stanked monster victim, the Ninja was injured; left weaked, he and Howard Weinerman were forced to flee, leaving the city temporarily defenseless. There was nothing to be done.

With the Ninja missing, Norrisville was left to their own devices.

Randy was weak, injured- he hadn't been able to protect them. Leaving Howard to care for him, they eventually ran into Julian which led to an untimely alliance; the trio didn't have a choice but to lay low in an effort to come up with a plan.

Unfortunately for them, nothing would ever be the same again.

TW // Implied/Referenced Gore

Norrisville was slowly becoming overrun with the monsters- they hadn't ever seen anything like this before, and the Ninja was gone; had he been killed? Was there no hope left for them anymore?

The monsters were rabid- like wild creatures lost in their own minds, unable to return to their normal selves. Their eyes were red; pupils looking almost scratched, tainted. Like beasts. A green substance would drip from their maw- a sickly neon green and their body disheveled more. They were quick, almost guided by scent above all else.

Seeing little choice, survivors attempted to flee. They took refuge in secluded areas but others? Well, they dared to fight; believing they couldn't stand by doing nothing else, they armed themselves and decided to take on the monsters, no matter who it was. (they just weren't human anymore)

The boys - Howard, Julian, and Randy - found a cabin; at least then, it would give Randy the time to rest and recover before facing the damage left behind. Norrisville was akin to a wasteland now, and nowhere was safe. Not really.

(They were completely cut off- there was no way to contact anyone. All they had to do was survive)

The guilt was beginning to eat Randy alive- he was stressed and tense, and he began avoiding the nomicon. He couldn't deal with the fact he wasn't able to stop it. He was the Ninja, so then why- why had this happened?

Howard was frustrated, attempting to keep firm that the Ninja would help them.

Julian could only watch, offering support from the sidelines. He hoped it would be enough, but as their resources began getting smaller- they knew a choice would have to be made.

Either they stayed there, as if there was anything left to save- or they had to fight.

Though as it turned out, they weren't the only ones stuck in a rut.

Some ways ahead, the girls - Heidi, Debbie, and Theresa - were seeking refuge in the remains of the school. Debbie was certain if Heidi could simply broadcast a message, eventually someone would come get them. There were monsters. Once their classmates, and now they were something else- and even adults fell victim to the stank.

Unfortunately, their communication was almost entirely cut off.

(No one seemed to be coming)

They were on their own. Debbie took charge as the leader and Heidi was hoping from some news to reach about Howard- even with being siblings, she needed to know he was safe, alive. Theresa, of course, maintained the hope that the Ninja would come.

Even when Debbie attempted to tell her that it was possible this was entirely out of the Ninja's control.

They were completely doomed.

Or so it would seem.

Tag System

renegades au / rc9gn infection au - main tag

renegade fowlham - ship tag for the infection au

[dailydragon08]

Avalanche

Pairings: Will “Ironhead” Miller x DeltaForce!Reader (gender neutral) Warnings: descriptions of canon-typical violence (a stab wound), cursing, and mentions of cocaine. Summary: Will you and the rest of the team survive the infamous helicopter crash, and how far will Will’s over-protectiveness go? A/N: let me know if you’d be interested in this becoming a series/more fics in this verse!

*

The steady whump-whump-whump of the helicopter’s blades almost lulled you to sleep. You glanced out the window at the snow-capped mountains before returning your attention to the others. Frankie and Tom sat in the cockpit while Santi and Benny settled against the bench seats. Will was stretched out between you and Benny, his back leaning against the wall awkwardly. 

You watched as Pope stood and made his way to the cockpit before letting your headset fall around your shoulders to give your ears a break. You blew out a harsh, slow breath and let your head fall against the wall while Benny followed Pope. A little grunt escaped you as Fish raised your altitude and your ears popped. 

Will took his headset off his ears and leaned his back against your shoulder, turning so his mouth was directly in front of your ear. “You all right?”

“Yeah,” you answered. “Ears are just popping.”

“Mine, too.” He rotated more to look at you and you could feel yourself drowning in his baby blues. He stared back with just as much intensity and something unspoken passed between you like it always did. You and Will had always been the most similar out of the group. It had created a bond between you that felt different than your relationship with the others. You two could read each other with just a look—something you’d been able to do since you’d first met when you both joined Delta Force. He’d been the only one who hadn’t immediately doubted your skills because of your smaller frame and youth and always treated you like the accomplished, capable soldier you were. You’d saved his neck multiple times, just like he’d saved yours. After retiring, you’d stayed in the same town and became practically inseparable. Even through failed relationships, fights, and PTSD episodes, you were there thick and thin. 

You hadn’t realized precisely what shape your friendship took in the center of your chest until a few hours ago when Will’s strained voice called, “I’ve been hit.” The red that tinted his hands had your heart trying to scramble out of your throat and the first words in your mind were I love you. Now a war waged in your head over whether to say something before you really did lose him and knowing this was nowhere near the opportune moment.

“How’s your side?” you asked, returning to the moment. You had to shout in his ear to be heard over the noise of the chopper. 

“I’m okay…How’s your leg?”

You glanced down at your own bloody, bandaged mess. One of Lorea’s men had stabbed you in the leg and although it wasn’t deep, another of his cronies had pushed you over the banister of the stairwell with the first man’s hand still on the hilt. You’d dragged him down with you, but it had also dragged the blade, and he’d nearly skinned half your leg before falling to the floor below. Will had insisted on bandaging it for you and helping you walk. He’d even tried to carry you a few times, but had stopped at your protests as he groaned and stumbled under the weight of both you and his gunshot wound. “Throbbing,” you answered honestly, “but I’ll live.”

“When we land, I wanna look at it. Make sure it isn’t getting infected.”

You nodded and silence fell over the pair of you again. Something had shifted in his gaze—it felt softer, more private. He’d always looked at you affectionately (and earlier, he’d looked at your leg terrified), but this felt…different. You weren’t sure how to describe it and wondered if he felt the same avalanche of feelings you did. There couldn’t have been a worse time to realize you were in love with your best friend, but you felt the weight of it tumble down and bury you too quickly for you to resist. There was a new depth in his eyes that hadn’t been there before that felt like finally finding air after almost drowning and you clung to it. 

Will suddenly swung his legs to the ground and scooted closer to you on the bench. He threw a glance at the cockpit and you followed his gaze. Pope and Benny were still distracted by whatever Fish was telling them. You were about to put your headset back on to see what they were saying when you felt something gently brush against your pinky finger. You glanced at your hand resting on your thigh to see Will’s pinky gently brushing against you. When you risked a look at his eyes, there was a longing and nervousness you’d never seen before and it made your heart flutter. When you didn’t pull away, he let his fingers gently swipe over the back of your hand. You’d watched—and helped—him use crushing strength in missions countless times. His fingers now brushed you like both you and the moment were made of glass that he was desperate not to shatter. 

The desperation in his eyes and the hard clench of his jaw had you gently tangling your fingers with his. Before you could turn your hand to fully hold his, the chopper rattled and shook around you. Frankie bellowed, “Lose the money or we’re all gonna die!”

Pope and Benny rushed towards the back as you and Will stood. 

“We’ll get it!” Will shouted as he pulled the lever to open the back doors. The two of you shoved several duffel bags out the back. Frankie had warned you that there would be a weight problem and while you felt a pang of sadness at seeing the money go, you’d like to return home in one piece with all of your brothers—especially Will. You had a feeling conversations needed to be had after all this was over. 

With the pile of duffel bags cut in half, Pope yelled, “I’ll go check!”

Will ushered you back over to the bench to sit next to him. Benny returned to his spot by his brother’s side as you gripped the handrail. Will gripped his own in one hand, the other hand slung over your torso to hold you in place like a seatbelt, his hand fisting in your shirt as the helicopter suddenly plummeted. 

“What the fuck are you doing, Catfish?!” Will screamed beside you, pulling you closer against his side. His arm bent awkwardly in an attempt to keep you safe and you let your fingers finally tangle with his as your heart pounded in your chest. He squeezed your hand as your world bobbed and tilted with the falling helicopter. 

Frankie screamed something about an external load release you couldn’t fully hear without your headset. “Pull the lever, Ben!” Pope yelled. 

The chopper shifted as the lever came down, but you could still feel it falling. You quickly slipped out of Will’s hold to open the hatch in the floor. You could feel his hand grabbing for you as he yelled, “wait!”

You gave him a reassuring glance as he dropped his arm, looking at you with concern. You grunted with the effort it took to open the trapdoor and felt your stomach drop at the bag still attached to the cable. “It didn’t work!” you yelled. 

After a long moment of listening through the headset, Pope said, “Fish says there’s a manual override on the cargo hook.”

Will seemed to sense that you were about to swing your legs out and launched forward to hold your waist. He pulled you against him with a crushing grip, despite your protests. His concern warmed you, but this was your job, damn it. If this was what him liking you back meant, you weren’t sure if you were a fan of that particular development. 

“Let me through!” Benny demanded as he carefully lowered his legs outside. Will pushed you behind him and gripped his brother’s shirt hard. 

A moment later, you heard the clang of the release and fell back as the chopper surged upwards, free of its ball and chain. You only wished you could get rid of the burden as easily; this job was quickly becoming not worth the risk. 

Will scrambled up from where he’d fallen next to you and reached out to Benny, who had now fallen all the way through the hatch and was barely holding onto the opening with his fingertips. “Benny!”

“I’ve gotta jump!” you heard him call. He screamed as Will called his name again, swiping futilely for him. 

The chopper hit the ground so hard it rattled your teeth before bouncing back up and slamming down again. The world spun in a circle outside the windows, and you grabbed onto the bench from your seat on the floor to steady yourself. Not even a second later, Will was by your side, hauling you against him and burying his face in your neck. You heard his hand slap down on the bench beside you in an attempt to find his footing. You wanted to say something—anything—but the roar of the failing engines, blades, and alarms drowned everything out. 

Just as Will finally made some progress with his feet and began to lift you with him, the whole world tilted with a metallic groan. Will quickly turned so he landed back-first to cushion your fall and held you so tight, you could hardly breathe. You clung to him just as hard as you felt the giant piece of machinery spin in a circle a few more times before the telltale whine of the engines dying and the blades snapping off punctuated the cacophony. 

The ringing in your ears almost drowned out Will’s harsh breath. You were panting just as hard and still clinging to him like a life preserver. You let out a ragged breath before lifting your head to find his eyes. He was bleeding badly from the head and blood trickled down the side of his face. You gently traced the edge of it with your thumb. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” he breathed. His own hand came up to trace your jaw and you winced at the unexpected sting. When he brought his hand back, there was blood on it as well. “Are you?”

“I think so—”

“Are you two okay?” Pope asked in a rushed breath as he scrambled over to you. 

You both nodded and you took his hand to help you up. Will’s hand stayed clenched around your shirt as you pulled him up. Santi grunted as he yanked the side door open above him and Will took his moment of distraction to tilt his forehead against yours. You released the breath you hadn’t realized you’d been holding as you squeezed his fingers. 

“You first,” he said, gesturing to the open door. He bent his knees and wrapped his arms tightly around your waist. 

“Your side—”

“I’m okay,” he said in a strained voice. He grunted slightly as he lifted you towards the opening. 

You found purchase and yanked yourself up with your hands, hissing as your injured leg brushed against the doorframe. You carefully lifted yourself to sit on top as Benny pulled a bleary Fish and Tom through the shattered windshield. Donkeys brayed in the small village in the distance as several people climbed onto the net with all your bounty. Your heart physically hurt as the sun flashed off what you assumed were several knives. 

“They’re cutting into the fucking net,” Fish muttered from below as Santi popped up beside you. He laid a comforting hand on your shoulder before sliding down the chopper. 

Will appeared by your side with a grunt and you helped yank him the rest of the way through the door. Surveying the ground below, you weren’t sure how you would make that drop with your leg as it was. Maybe if you rolled to land on your side—

“What’s the plan here?” Santi asked. 

“Woah, woah, woah!” Benny cried, rushing forward as Will slid to the ground, landing on his knees hard and holding his hip. 

Benny stared at his brother briefly, hands hovering over him before turning to you and holding out a hand. 

You began to reach for him when Will quickly stood and grabbed Benny’s arm. “Here, let me.” Something passed between them before the younger Miller nodded and turned his attention to Tom. Will held out his arms for you, and you slid forward to slot your waist between them. You laid your hands on his muscled and veined forearms and clenched your teeth in anticipation of the landing to come. 

“I won’t let you fall,” Will said quietly. “Come on.”

You nodded before gingerly sliding down. True to his word, Will caught your waist just a foot off the ground before tenderly lowering you to stand beside him. His thumbs rubbed soothing circles into your hip bones and you let out a shuddery breath as you stared at each other, completely lost. 

“That’s cocaine they’re growing,” Tom’s voice pulled you out of your trance, “so they may have weapons trained on us from there and there.”

“Thanks, Ironhead,” you muttered with a small smile, giving Will a gentle pad on the chest. 

He gave you a grin in return, his eyes soft. “Anything for you, darlin’.”

Your heart fluttered as you turned your focus to Tom’s plan. Since you were both injured, you and Will stayed by the chopper, but he made sure to stick close to your side. You didn’t want to stray too far from his either. Benny and Fish disappeared into the brush while Tom and Santi headed towards the villagers gathered around the net. Black smoke from the crash piled into the air, clouding the blue sky that reminded you so much of Will’s eyes, and you coughed as it infiltrated your lungs. Will gently rubbed your back, letting his hand slide down your shoulder and arm to gently squeeze your hand. You squeezed back and sighed, praying you’d both get home in one piece.

[myrkulsapxstle]

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞.

So Ketheric has a Companion verse, because every day I think about those Persuasion rolls and they went nOWHERE-

Ahem. I'm not bitter. Wym?

Anyway. Below the cut.

My thoughts were:

The first "phase" of the fight, goes as planned - as Larian has it currently. Ketheric thinks he too deep in, Aylin appears - he jumps into the colony after putting her in Soul Jail ( again ).

The party follows - insert Big Brain Plans™️ reveal here.

The second phase is where things change - he can actually be persuaded from sacrificing himself to the Brine Pool of Myrkul™️. Ofc. This displeases Myrkul, him being Ketheric's Third Backstab so--

The skeleton appears.

The party still has to fight the Avatar of Myrkul and the Necromites, but with Ketheric as an NPC ally rather than him being the Avatar. Should he survive, he'll be able to be recruited into the party a la Jaheira. He'll hand over his Netherstone even if not - urging the party to tear down the Cult - before the player can either add him to their party or send him to camp like any other companion.

There's also the problem of the Shadow Curse and his body being the anchor that keeps it going, and his whole. Situation. with Aylin & Isobel ( that could possibly result in a Minthara / Halsin-esque ultimatum? ).

How does that even work - him being the anchor of the curse? There's gotta be a way to detach him from it without murdering him, so long as you've done everything else, right-?

Still need to think on that but this is the gist of it :V