#Reluctant Heroes Zine

[heartfulselkie]

I know people mostly follow me for art stuff now, but I do have a couple of fics on AO3 if anyone's interested! My name over on AO3 is Selkie077

Citrus and Lavender (Ongoing, Rated T)

Enemies AU with Chat Noir working with Hawk Moth from the beginning. Even though the "enemies" part is mainly on the Ladynoir side, there's interaction between all sides of the love square as they awkwardly fumble around and try to figure each other out.

Bell The Cat (Ongoing, Rated T)

Fantasy/Knight AU with a dash of enemies to reluctant allies then friends to lovers. Hawk Moth, tyrant of the kingdom, is dead. Slain by his own champion Chat Blanc of all things. But as the renowned Hero of Gallia, Ladybug knows the war against the Akumas is far from over. With a lot of questions remaining, she decides that the first step to getting answers is to save Chat Blanc from death row.

Dream A Little Dream of Me (One Shot, Rated T)

Marinette tries to forget about Chat Blanc as much as possible, but that doesn't stop her from dreaming about him.

Glass Cages (One Shot, Rated T)

Adrien is struggling against the isolation his celebrity status forces on him and the constant expectation of perfection. Luckily he's not alone in this, as Ladybug also knows what it's like to be kept on a pedestal.

Priceless (One Shot, Rated G)

Based on a Tumblr prompt. Upon discovering that Marinette made an expensive (and somewhat secretive) purchase, Adrien has a lot of questions.

Penumbra (Complete, Rated M)

Check tags carefully for this one as it deals with some heavy themes. Adrien is haunted by an experience he can never forget, so he turns to being Chat Noir as much as possible to escape it. As Marinette's relationship deepens with both Adrien and Chat Noir, she starts to realise there's something hidden behind their smiles.

And I'm Still Breathless (Complete, Rated T)

A oneshot written as part of a series for the Littlebug Valentine's Zine.

It was only a couple of kisses and they had been for the photoshoot. But Adrien is a romantic at heart, and when he falls he falls hard.

[attackontitanzine]

Production Update

Due to unresolvable technical issues, our original print will be present in the zine as a page. Instead, our A5 print will be this beautiful piece by @thefruitloop-chan​ !

[elderkale]

“Shouldn’t you be working?”

Sasha snorted. “Shouldn’t you?” she retorted as Connie cheerfully proclaimed, “Yep!”

Jean took another gulp, wrinkling his nose against the bitter aftertaste, and handed it off to her. “Leaving it to the rookies?”

“Rookies.” Connie snorted. “Damn, you’re right. Wow, I feel old.”

“Really? And balding so soon. . .”

Connie flicked him on the ear and Jean shoved him in the shoulder. Connie yelped as he tumbled into the water. Sasha screeched in delight, tossing the empty bottle at Jean. “Hey, no—” A glob of seaweed hit him in the face and he spluttered. “Oh, it’s on!” He scrambled to his feet, sand clenched in his fists. Sasha cackled as she dove into the surf and Connie howled with laughter, kicking at both of them as Jean splashed in after her.

A sample of my fic for @attackontitanzine! Preorders are open now, and all proceeds will go to the Navajo COVID-19 Relief Fund.

[ao3feed-izuku-midoriya]

Cashing in Favors

Cashing in Favors (Or How Tsukauchi Tricked Aizawa into Becoming a Parent) by FinalDestiny13

Aizawa is second guessing his life choices right now. How it's lead up to this point where Tsukauchi is pulling the You owe me card so heavily just for this one kid. And damn himself for being the type of person to pay back his dues when the Detective had helped him out time and time again over his three year career as an underground hero without much fuss. Yet, he's never once seen the Detective look so exhausted in the time they've known one another and so adamant in trying to appeal to Aizawa's humanity.

And it fucking works.

He's as impressed as much as he's pissed about it.

Words: 3340, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 1 of 99 Problems and Acquiring a Kid is Now Half of Them

Fandoms: 僕のヒーローアカデミア | Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia

Rating: Not Rated

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: Gen

Characters: Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead, Midoriya Izuku, Tsukauchi Naomasa

Relationships: Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead & Midoriya Izuku, Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead & Tsukauchi Naomasa, Midoriya Izuku & Tsukauchi Naomasa

Additional Tags: Midoriya Izuku Needs A Hug, but only when he's ready, Midoriya Izuku Does Not Have One for All Quirk, Quirkless Midoriya Izuku, Midoriya Izuku Has PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Midoriya Izuku Has Trust Issues, Parental Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead, Young Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead, Dadzawa - An Aizawa Shota Zine, he becomes a dad without really meaning to, it's all tsukauchi's fault honestly, Midoriya Izuku Has Issues, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, what happened to inko? who knows, reluctant dad aizawa, Mentioned Yamada Hizashi | Present Mic, Young Midoriya Izuku, young tsukauchi naomasa, Tired Tsukauchi Naomasa, Tired Midoriya Izuku, Tired Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead, Mentioned Midoriya Inko, the vibes for aizawa/tsukauchi are strong here tbh, but they're not the endgame pairing, that would be erasermic, Selectively Mute Midoriya Izuku

Read Here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27933562

[animexovergames]

🏅 Position: Off the Court 🏅

A simp first, an artist second 😙✌️

🏆 Instagram 🏆

Preorders open soon for the Attack on Titan zine, Reluctant Heroes!

[fanzinewatch]

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧  Click here to see all zines for sale *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ 

📅 Monday, September 14th

Mod apps close - Unnamed (Dororo)

Contributor apps open - Unnamed (Dr. Stone)

Contributor apps close - Beneath the Same Stars (Kingdom Hearts)

Contributor apps open - Unnamed (Act! Addict! Actors!)

📅 Tuesday, September 15th

Contributor apps close - Petals (CLAMP)

Contributor apps close - How to Train Your Hero (MHA x HTTYD)

Interest survey closes - Supernovas (One Piece)

Preorders close - Family Webs (Marvel)

Preorders close - Idols & Legends (Pokemon: Sword & Shield)

📅 Wednesday, September 16th

Interest survey closes - Unnamed (One Piece)

Preorders close - Thank You, Furuba (Fruits Basket)

Preorders open - Unnamed (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

📅 Thursday, September 17th

Mod apps close - Cutting Edge (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

Contributor apps close - Hanako Hanafuda (Toilet Bound Hanako-kun)

Preorders close - The Final Stretch (Haikyuu)

📅 Saturday, September 19th

Mod apps close - Prominence (Haikyuu)

Mod apps close - Say, For Instance (Haikyuu)

Contributor apps open - Reluctant Heroes (Attack on Titan)

Interest survey closes - Unnamed (My Hero Academia)

Preorders close - Holy Coloring Zine, Batman! (DC Comics - Batfam)

📅 Sunday, September 20th

Mod apps close - Are You Afraid of the Dark? (Original - Phobias)

Mod apps close - Carpe Noctem (Original - Vampires)

Contributor apps open - Stylish (Haikyuu)

Contributor apps close - Years Ahead (Banana Fish)

Contributor apps close - Another Life (Bleach)

Interest survey closes - Unnamed (DC Comics - Tim Drake)

Interest survey closes - Breathe Deep (Dinotopia)

Interest survey closes - Memorabilia (The Legend of Zelda: BotW)

Preorders close - Elemental: Tales of the Four Nations Vol. 2 (Avatar)

Preorders close - Intertwined (Naruto)

PDF release - Rewind Remix (Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle)

Preorders open - Of Bats and Beasts (DC Comics - Batfam)

Preorders open - Unnamed (DC Comics - Jason Todd)

Preorders open - The Arts of War (Original - Fantasy weapons)

[mz-elysium]

City of Fallen Angels • POV Character Intros

[image description: four bubbles on a navy blue background; first bubble is a pair of clasped hands; second bubble is a man’s face, showing dark hair and a blue eye in shadow; third bubble is the name Matthew Monroe above the symbol of Clan Ventrue, a crossed sword and scepter; the fourth bubble is a broken and tarnished silver crown (end description)]

MATTHEW MONROE // 158 • 9th Gen VENTRUE

↳  THE CAPTAIN

embraced › December 31, 1873 | San Francisco

sire › Alastair Fowler (d.1944)

appearance › solemn long face, heavy and sharp blue eyes, dark hair; ordinary to athletic build; designer jeans, fitted suit jacket, dress shirt

traits › relentless, honourable, crafty, stoic, power-hungry

Among the Anarchs, Monroe is an alien breed. Clever with an iron code of honour, only his clan’s baggage prevent him from ruling the city. Even so, he attracts fellow outsiders as allies and his ability to play political games. He wears power well, though tends towards ruthless with his enemies, leaving his young adopted childer and his once-ghoul Hawthorne to act as his dwindling conscience.

TROPES

friends-to-enemies, enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, manipulative bastard, anti-hero, don’t make him angry

FACTS

adores music, owning a nightclub/record label and produces music, as his one and only concession to “fun”

can play chess well, like all Ventrue, but hates the game

spent his human years in the military

[image description: four bubbles on a crimson background; first bubble is a Black woman touching a classical sculpture; second bubble is a Black woman with dark skin, curly black hair, and a brilliant smile; third bubble is the name Zari Adeyemi above the symbol of Clan Toreador, a thorned rose; the fourth bubble is a hand of poker cards, the King of Spades highlighted (end description)]

ZARI ADEYEMI // 58 • 12th Gen TOREADOR

↳  THE BLACK ROSE

embraced › March 13, 1973 | Santa Monica, Los Angeles

sire › Toby Amble (d.1973) | foster sire › Ashley Swan 

appearance › round wide face, bouncing shiny black curls; very tall and slender; chunky off-the-shoulder sweaters, pre-ripped jeans, high priced sneakers

traits › avoidance, emotionally closed, decadent, witty, intelligent, resourceful

Zari learned under Ashley Swan to become indispensable to protect herself. At this, none would argue her success. Despite her youth, she has become a first-rate vampire and invaluable with her zine. Her work has always been a solace during strife, a distraction and oasis. Unable to face emotional turmoil, she runs — but she finds she is always there, waiting for her.

TROPES

secret admirer, deep cover agent, second love, lovable alpha bitch

FACTS

has two children, Aisha and Noel, who were 6 and 3 when she was turned

runs an indie zine called The Fifth Estate, one of the most popular newspapers

has a secret passion for gardening

[image description: four bubbles on a dusky purple background; first bubble is a woman’s mouth covered with blood; second bubble is the ocean shore at night; third bubble is the name Charlie Bradley above the symbol of Clan Malkavian, a broken mirror; the fourth bubble is layers of a denim jacket, flannel, and white t-shirt (end description)]

CHARLIE BRADLEY // 20 • 12th Gen MALKAVIAN

↳  THE MOONCHILDE

embraced › October 2, 2003 | Griffith Park, Los Angeles

sire › Rhys Wilson

appearance › frizzy-curly brown hair, haunted hazel eyes; skinny build; denim jacket covered with pins and buttons, flannel, holey t-shirts, jeans, sneakers

traits › enduring, honest, impulsive, empathetic

Monroe’s most recent charge, she struggles with her newfound life. She died a virgin. Gradually, she finds a way to feed, to make peace with herself and her sire, and she learns to live. The Cobweb, a vampiric psychosis, plagues her every night with hallucinations — both as prophecy and terrifying nonsense. As a new adult, Charlie struggles to define herself and find a place in a world that is suddenly a lot darker and more terrifying than she first thought.

TROPES

lesbian jock, first kiss, stages of monster grief, nerd herd, reluctant psychotic

FACTS

wanted to be a journalist, telling others’ stories

used to surf, swim, camp, and hike — and still does… at night

still waiting to turn into a bat

[image description: four bubbles on a green background; first bubble is a a man in a leather jacket hugged from behind by another man; second bubble is an Asian man with shaggy long hair; third bubble is the name Jack Shen above the symbol of Clan Gangrel, a howling wolf; the fourth bubble is a human hand scratching through floorboards like claws (end description)]

JACK SHEN // 73 • 11th Gen GANGREL

↳  THE LONE WOLF

embraced › July 13, 1955 | Downtown, Los Angeles

sire › Skelter

appearance › laughing dark eyes, shaggy black mullet; dirty blue jeans, a black leather jacket found in a thrift store decades ago

traits › determinedly cheerful, romantic, simple, insightful

Jack doesn’t know much, but he knows what he wants and what he won’t stand for. That’s always been enough. He’s left behind friends, gangs, mentors, and every time treasures what time they’ve been able to have. Life is all about friends: making them, keeping them, having their backs and letting them have yours. An interest in magic and keeping his longtime lover and human mage Ryuko from accidentally killing himself has proved a fulltime job. 

TROPES

like an old married couple, low intelligence/max wisdom, always lawful good, beware the nice one

FACTS

turns into a bat and wolf, as well as a crow and black California cougar (ie. puma)

can speak three languages (Cantonese, English, Japanese) and read five (French, Latin)

uses Animalism to help volunteer at an animal shelter

Thanks to @wordsofpaintandsmoke​ for inspiring me with her post format.

[image description: a photoshopped header including a weathered angel statue on the right and a network of shimmering red lines that might be a city roads on the left. Titled “The City of Fallen Angels by Elysium” in gold. Additional red letters say, “Check my pinned post for more.” (end description)]

[ecritverite]

PETER WOODS - WORKS ( WIP )

below is a few of the published books woods would have written within his lifetime; it starts rather late due to his obligations as a roadie as well as his reluctancy to have his work seen on a wider scale. he has only a small bud of confidence in himself as a writer before he meets perry but as their relationship builds, he is encouraged to take bolder steps and embrace his expressive written voice. 

i may add to this list with smaller things he would have written for zines and lectures but this bibliography is a pretty good idea of what the general media world and public would recognise him for in the ways of his career as a writer. more on his creative direction here (even beginning with his youth, though i’ve only just started on the post-perry era aaaa... wip once again...)

FLYING BLIND : ON THE ROAD WITH CROWE’S WINGS  (1974) — a large collection of journal entries from his travels on the road with the band, mostly selected by humour and poignancy with reflective and short chapters written in between. includes some parts about his meeting perry though mostly focuses on the band. all stories are run by the band members before being published to avoid any angry responses. receives plenty of attention after 1975 due to the band’s split. 

LOOK, DADDY, I’M A HERO  (1976)  — a somewhat controversial short assortment of satirical poems and modified war propaganda ads and illustrations that highlight the issues of toxic masculinity in the military and sports and raise questions on the presence of homoerotic behaviour in these masculine dominated environments. has the abstract/absurd elements of layered “witty” humour that’s so often found in english literature - benefits him with a mainly american audience. 

GIFTED AT SINKING, ET CETERA (1979) — a much more experimental, abstract compilation of woods’ more private and emotional poems that explore uncomfortable subjects as well as uplifting ones; released just before perry returns from rehab. includes works from all parts of his life that he has saved over time; due to the eras being mixed up and the vagueness of the content, it’s a little harder to detect what events he might be considering in these explorations.

BITS AND BOBS  (late 1985) — a collection of silly poems, image collages, and autobiographical chapters written in his “older” age after perry returns from rehab and they find footing in their relationship again. this work would focus on the awkward and funny elements of human life, particularly involved with sex; due to his involvement in AIDS activism, this would be sort of his way of putting something out there that advocates safe sex and ways to practise it.

[tbehartoo]

Raining Chats and Chiens

Here’s the piece I contributed to the @kittylovezine earlier this year! We raised money for the Five Acres Animal Shelter (and got to create/enjoy some precious MariChat moments). Thank you to anyone who supported this charity zine, whether by reblogging for awareness or by purchasing our products!

Marinette noticed the dark clouds gathering over the city on her brief walk home from school, the smell of coming rain made her chew her bottom lip. Tonight was Chat Noir’s turn to patrol. What were the chances that the magically clad boy would stay home and not try to go out like he did every time it rained? Marinette shook her head and knew that he’d go through with it even though the rain made rooftops and sidewalks alike dangerous and slippery.

Her father was manning the counter alone when she came through the bakery door.

“Good afternoon, cupcake!” the jolly man called to his daughter as the bell over the door rang.

Marinette hurried over to her father to give him a big hug and a kiss on his cheek.

“It's certainly afternoon, Papa,” she said, “but I'm not how sure how good it'll be when those clouds open up.” She looked back through the front glass of the bakery. “It looks ready to rain buckets.”

“Seems like it'll be soon doesn't it?” he remarked as he returned to wiping down the counter with a cheerful air. “That's good, it means I can start the lasagna earlier than I planned since no one will want to be out in that.” He gave a sly smile to his daughter. “Do you think I'll have my special assistant here to do the cheesy bread?”

Marinette rolled her eyes at his teasing. “I can't be sure, but I'm willing to bet your assistant will insist on doing the bread as soon as he knows you're making lasagna.”

Tom laughed at that and happily shooed his daughter in the direction of the family’s living quarters over the shop. 

Marinette’s quick steps had her up the stairs in just a moment. She opened the front door to see her mother carrying a stack of fluffy towels, fresh and warm from the dryer. Seeing them, Marinette frowned.

“Good afternoon, sweetheart,” Sabine said brightly as she placed the towels in a laundry basket that also contained a black bathrobe and Ladybug slippers. “Don’t look at me that way. We both know my stray kitten is under strict orders to make his way over as soon as the rain starts if it’s his turn to patrol.”

“Yeah, your orders,” Marinette pointed out. “Just because you were the one to find him that first night, doesn’t mean he’s your cat,” Marinette said as she removed her shoes and placed her backpack on the hook near the door.

“Of course it does,” Sabine replied blithely. “I brought him in and got him dried off when I saw how bedraggled he was. It’s your father’s fault he keeps coming back though. He should know better than to feed a stray.” Sabine handed the basket to Marinette with a big smile. “Go take my kitty care kit up to your room so it’s ready for him.”

Marinette gave a little eye roll and snorted. “It’s almost like you like him better than me,” she accused, though her return smile betrayed her true feelings about her parents’ care for the hero.

Sabine chuckled before giving her daughter a quick hug while denying showing favoritism for either of her children and gently escorted her to the steps that led up to Marinette’s room.

“Go on,” Sabine prompted. “Make sure you check my flowers. I’m going to start some hot cocoa for us to enjoy once he gets here.”

Marinette dutifully took the plastic basket up to her room and placed it on the end of her chaise. Grabbing the biggest towel, she hurried up to her bed platform to get onto her little balcony. She and her mother had freshly planted the flower boxes last week and Marinette was eager to make sure they were covered to protect them from too much rain. 

She had just finished securing the plastic cover over the last box when she felt the first drop hit her head. She scurried under the awning that protected her bed from being soaked any time the skylight was opened in a storm and simply watched the rain fall. The roiling gray clouds nearly blocked out the sunlight and the fat droplets of water seemed to be falling in sheets from the sky. Soon she couldn’t distinguish the sounds of individual drops hitting the fabric over her head as they all blended into one great roar. At the first flash of lightning, she saw the shape she’d been scanning the rooftops for as he lept toward the bakery. By the time the thunder was rolling over the city Chat had landed on the balcony.

He stood still for a moment, a look of surprise on his face as he took in Marinette waiting for him, holding open the towel out as a welcoming blanket.

“Chat, will you please get over here?” Marinette’s voice broke into his stupor. “This towel is losing its warmth and Mama made sure to put in the dryer to have it all nice and cozy for you.”

He hurried under the awning and was expertly wrapped in the warm terry cloth. Marinette took a moment to roughly towel through his hair being mindful of his cat ears as if he were a child fresh from a bath. She vigorously fluffed the hair on the back of his head then moved the towel so that it draped around his rain-soaked shoulders.

“Dry off as much as you can,” Marinette said as she stepped back and indicated the rest of his suit. “I’d prefer for my duvet to stay dry, but there are more towels waiting for you in my room if you need them.” She poked at his shoulder before adding, “She also made sure your robe and slippers were easy to find this time.”

“Thanks, Marinette,” Chat said as he started to wipe down his suit. “I didn’t think it would be such a downpour.”

Marinette raised her eyebrows at him, obviously challenging the truthfulness of that last statement.

“Okay, okay,” Chat quickly amended, “I knew it would be raining chats and chiens, but I really didn’t think I’d get this soaked this fast.” A sneeze chose that exact moment to erupt from the boy.

Marinette laughed. “That was so cute! Like a kitten sneezing for the first time,” she teased.

“I am not cute,” Chat Noir said as he straightened up and started flexing. “I am a devilishly handsome-” *achoo!*

“Kitten who is catching a cold,” Marinette finished for him. “Are you dried off enough to go in? Mama’s making us hot cocoa and you probably need something to warm you up inside.”

Chat smiled at Marinette before sighing, “Ah, Mama Sabine thinks of everything.”

“Yes. Yes, she does,” Marinette said as she unlatched the skylight and held it open. With a wave of her hand, she indicated that the boy should enter before her, “What are you waiting for?” 

“You should go in first,” he said as he moved to try and hold the window. “It's your home and Princess beats knight.”

“We’ve been through this already,” she said fending off his outstretched arm. “I'm already here and I've got this,” she said pushing him back. “It's like you haven't heard of equal rights for women or something,” she teased.

Chat smiled but stood, unmoving, in the place he'd been pushed to by Marinette.

When he was still reluctant to be the first inside she huffed and stomped a foot. “Come on Chat, stop trying to stand on ceremony and hurry up. We like to do nice things for you, too, you know. Papa’s going to have finished the lasagna and moved on to doing the bread if you don’t-”

A sudden rush of air was all Marinette felt as the boy dashed past calling down the stairs, “Hey, Papa Tom, don’t start the cheese bread without me!”

Marinette shook her head and smiled as she followed Chat at a more leisurely pace. At least she knew that he was out of the rain and someplace safe and warm. Nothing could beat her parents at taking care of Paris’ heroes.

[attackontitanzine]

Happy Halloween! We've reached our final day of leftover sales, and to celebrate, everything is on sale! Don't miss your chance to get your hands on all of our lovely zine and merch!

We only have one (1) full bundle left, but there are still plenty of paper bundles and individual items!

Find our store at: https://attackontitanzine.bigcartel.com/

[inaudiblemon]

There’s always these weird moments when I go see live shows where I disassociate fully for minutes on end, and when I come back into my body, I realize that I’m not really having fun, and I usually end up feeling guilty about taking someone else’s place, who would have undoubtedly enjoyed it more and could appreciate being in the moment more than I could. I see why people like it, but I can’t bring myself to feel like I deserve to be enjoying the event, or even what I’m getting out of it. I keep forgetting that I never enjoy myself when I go alone to shows or events, and yet, I keep doing it. Now, going with friends and sharing the experience, that’s a different story, but not many of my friends have the same weird interests I do, or they often bail on me, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for me to see the value in enjoying most things alone anymore. 

That said, I was genuinely glad to see fans of the Game Grumps come up on stage and get to play video games with their heroes, and it’s heartwarming to see them smile and geek out as people are cheering them on. Those kids needed those moments of validation and you could tell that it meant a lot to them. And the crowd was super supportive, and clearly, most of them were DEEPLY into it, and chanting and screaming and just fully engaged with the show. But while I was happy for them, I couldn’t share the enthusiasm. While the content those guys produce definitely makes me feel less alone, like I have friends I’m hanging out with at home when it’s playing in the background (and I do admire the things they get up to), I’d much rather they be my friends and not my heroes. I dunno, maybe I’m just at the point where I’m not putting people on pedestals anymore, and that’s a good thing, I think. But yeah, I didn’t NEED to see them live, despite that being an objectively cool thing.

I realized that these kinds of activities are not what I need, and that’s totally okay! It kind of sucks to admit that I sunk the biggest chunk of my trip-money on that show (and was the reason for it in the first place), but I also got a day to just leisurely wander around Toronto, stop in at comic book shops and music stores (I spent an irresponsible amount of money in both places), I got to see a couple of landmarks, listened to some jams and read a book in a park; I even got to have a delightful dinner with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while, as well as her lovely husband and toddler! Somehow, that was more meaningful than the show, and giving myself and my brain a day for self-care is what made the trip worth it.

Having the opportunity to have a chill day, where I got to do some of my favourite things, plus having a new space to explore, spurred the creative side of my brain for the first time in a good while, so that’s real good! I got new jokes for the Instagram that I’m workshopping, and I even have ideas for hilarious Christmas gifts I can make for my friends! I feel I’ve been a downer lately, and I say this while not wanting to minimize the shitty month and a half I’ve had, but I want to work on accepting the bad stuff, not lingering on them as much, while recognizing and working at the good stuff. The creative stuff is good, the relaxation felt good, the company was good, the realization about my reluctance to participate in live events is a good one to have: Today in general was good. On the train yesterday, I was talking on the phone to one of my best friends about the last few weeks I’ve had; it was a much needed heart-to-heart, albeit a total bummer on my end; we had a good chat, which lead to the realization that I need to take a step back, avoid putting pressure on myself and to go at things in smaller doses, to focus on the short-term, and to remove a lot of the urgency. I think that might help in planning my shit out a little, and to deal with the stuff I have going on. 

I will conclude with some wisdom that resonated with me from a hilarious Kermit the Frog zine I bought at one of the comic book shops in Toronto:

[ao3feed-izuku-midoriya]

Lost in Uncertainties

Lost in Uncertainties by RememberYH

Midoriya Izuku had a strange relationship with uncertainty. The kind of uncertainty that plagued the mind with unanswerable questions, the kind that made one reluctant to ask anything out of fear of what the answer could possibly be, the kind of uncertainty that left one broken, unable to decipher the true meaning of life. Everyone knows that people who think too much have nothing to think about except thoughts, but is that necessarily true? Does one ever run out of questions, of possibilities? No, uncertainty can never be cured, no matter how many answers you acquire.

(OR: Midoriya has been spiraling in self deprecating thoughts and locked himself away. A panic attack brings him closer to a Dadzawa thats just trying to understand)

Words: 4006, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: 僕のヒーローアカデミア | Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Characters: Midoriya Izuku, Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead

Relationships: Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead & Midoriya Izuku

Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Anxiety Attacks, Midoriya Izuku Needs A Hug, Midoriya Izuku Needs Therapy, Dadzawa - An Aizawa Shota Zine, Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms, Bittersweet, Bittersweet Ending, My First AO3 Post, dont judge it too hard, One Shot, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Suicide Attempt

Read Here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/28524783

[scheelelillies]

@bnha-mirrors Zine Preview: IzuOcha Angst Illustrated by @rolierose​, edited by Ryxmas, written as a companion to @minaaashido​’s work!

Summary: A hero’s smile is worth a thousand more from fans and friends alike; but the price of those thousands is wrapped in guarded secrets, ebbing away at their own. Even beneath the canopy of sakuras in which all the world is right, it’s not easy to forget the sounds of their failures coming from the hollow metal artifact in the loneliness of the night:

Click, click, click.

*

First 1,000 Words:

“What are you, a shell-less snail?!”

Brushing off the illogical inflammatory taunt, Deku pursued his target around a sharp corner into a park. For a band of mish-mashed thieves, they were surprisingly efficient at using their quirks in tandem: one hardening, one water-creation, one with voice-projection, and a fourth with an intriguing place-swapping ability.

A snappy craaack! confirmed his suspicions as the loud bearded man was suddenly a boisterous lizard with hardened scales.

“You ain’t gonna catch me, hero!”

He really wanted to study that place-swapping quirk later.

“Maybe you should consider a career change if you don’t want chased!” Deku shouted, cracking his knuckles. Good, the park was mostly empty: maybe he could end the chase here. But he noticed as he turned yet another corner that he had lost immediate line-of-sight. Where—?

Ochako’s voice hollered through his headset. “[Behind!]”

“What—?” Deku jolted back, spinning with wide arms as someone tried to spring onto him from a tree.

THWWWWAAACK! His elbow caught the lizard villain’s face with his armored elbow with far more force than Deku meant to.

Oops.

“Got him!” He chuckled nervously as he caught the semi-conscious man before he fell entirely, offering a quick apology as he removed the stolen wares away from the lizard’s reach. “Sorry about the face.”

“It’s just like you to apologize to a criminal.” Ochako ran towards him, tugging along her own floating, obscenity-yelling prisoner.

“Did we catch all four?”

“Shouto’s got the other two back at the entrance.” She fumbled with her headset, repeating herself to confirm their success with their office. “Iida, could you send the police? We’ve got them locked down.”

“[Will do! Good work, team!]”

“Why didn’t Iida join the chase? This is his niche.” Deku whined, but he knew the answer: it was Tenya’s turn to sit tight at their firm and act as commander. He didn’t mind the running in of itself: it was refreshing compared to his regular calls of “please break open X, Y, and Z”.

His report to the quick-to-arrive officers went well, though one frowned while scribbling notes.

“Didn’t that hurt?”

Deku blinked. “I’m sorry?”

The officer poked Deku’s arm with the butt of a pen. “You punched the apprehended suspect with your elbow. Doesn’t your quirk work better with your fists?”

“Ah! Umm … I guess it hurts a little?” He supposed, grabbing at his elbow as he bowed forward in embarrassment. “I did it without properly processing the situation, but I’m fine—really.”

It took half a minute for the officer’s suspicions to be filed somewhere under ‘that’s a Pro-Hero for you, I guess’. The officer gave a sigh and a shrug. “Thank you for your services today, Deku!”

Deku, freed from his obligations, impatiently paced himself down the brick-patterned walkway, waving to Ochako when he caught her watching. She strained to return the gesture. Shouto too, as he was caught up in the arduous task of defrosting the other perpetrators for apprehension. Deku didn’t mind the waiting; he used this moment to observe the park they ended the chase in.

The impassioned scent of burgeoning love in a gratuitous season for sakuras wafted into their lungs with every breath. Thick, wiry umber branches lacking the limitations of individuality twisted together into an unrefined canopy, curtained with bounteous pink blossoms tinted with pearly sun-kissed creams and under-bellied lavenders, perforated only slightly by the cerulean sky above: this beauteous spring, under an otherworldly awning befitting of only the utmost of renewed beginnings, shaped the backdrop for the cameras of approaching reporters.

Though breathtaking, his attention never fully strayed from his companions. He wouldn’t have the chance to talk once the reporters snaked in. So, the moment the police led the last two offenders off-site, Deku clapped a hand on Shouto’s shoulder, the inner fanboy freely leaking out.

“Shouto! It’s been a while!” Deku exclaimed in delight. “I don’t get to see you that often anymore, what with your office all the way in the third district!”

The stoic friend bowed his head so the media couldn’t notice his slight of smile. “Then we should chase cross-town criminals more often.”

Deku’s passionate babble persisted as they tried to catch up on all they had missed since—the Ugware incident last month! Had it been that long? Forty-two days, eighteen hours, and twenty-seven minutes since he last spoke to Shouto.

Far too long.

Ochako walked over to join their conversation moments before the reporters wheedled their way up front. She no longer sported the skin-tight suit of her early debut years; though freeing, it did little to protect her from falls during quirk releases, and did even less when she got injured. She retained the pink-on-black space theme, but much like Thirteen (one of her heroic inspirations), she steered towards reinforced padding.

Shouto, clad in a new wine-red ensemble as a step towards unspoken reparations, addressed the reporters’ inquiries with a soft monologue. He had mellowed outside of high school, though he continued to err on the socialize-as-needed basis.

Between them stood Deku: a little taller, a little wider, and a slightly bit harrier. Compared to the heroes flanking his sides, he was hardly indistinguishable from his debut: a black-bands-on-green pattern, a metallic visor, armored black boots and white gloves, and a red belt with various first-aid pouches—all indicative of an ingrained reluctance to deviate from his origin. Other heroes changed with the seasons of their careers, but he endured as a formidable evergreen among deciduous peers. An exemplary malachite icon armored from change, exceptionally conspicuous in a realm brimming with blossoms.

Deku, ever the sore thumb, cast the most notable smile of them all. His right arm twitched incrementally with an audible click, click, click.

The erratic motion caught Ochako’s eye. A fleeting moment of buckshot dread faltered her earnest grin, only brief enough to escape outside attention. She side-stepped closer to Deku’s right, raising her hand to grab at his own to obscure it from immediate sight.

*

This is going to be a kick-ass zine, seriously. Go look at the previews. Pre-Orders open April 28th!

[animexovergames]

🏅 Position: Behind the Scenes 🏅

JDominique37 is a twenty-two-year-old girl who loves reading, writing, watching anime, and cats. She’s currently working on her dream to become a full-time published author. Her favorite sports anime character is Kise Ryouta.

JDominique37 is also the writing mod for the Fate/Zero zine and a contributor for the Halloween zine and the Attack on Titan Reluctant Heroes zine.

🏆 Tumblr: @jdominique37​ 🏆 Twitter 🏆 AO3 🏆

[firdosblog]

Reclothing Bank

Reclothing bank is another company that WGSN also highlight on there website. This company was founded by Zhang Na in 2011.

Designer Zhang Na dismantles old clothes and deadstock materials to create sustainable garments this way consumers are less reluctant to buy.

The company donates 1% of its profits to environmental protection programs in China.

Reclothing bank provide ethical working conditions and prioritise sustainability across its company's supply chain.

In 2013 she was reported as the ecological hero of china by The Bund. The following year Zhang Na was reported most creative people in Business 100 by FastCompany.

After that in 2015 she was awarded one of the top 30 Chinese designers by Forbes. Followed by an award as the top 10 Chinese designer of the new generation by City Zine in 2016.

These are just a few of her accomplishments in the sustainable fashion industry.

I am truly inspired by her creativity and passion for sustainable fashion. I find her designs to be very interesting and fashion forward.

These are just a few of her designs from the Shanghai fashion week spring and summer 2020 collection.

Reclothing Bank

https://www.shanghifashionweek.co....

WGSN

https://www.wgsn.com/content/board/_viewer/#/80359/page4

[matchaball]

silver linings

AN: @a-little-light-zine​ is a digital Miraculous Ladybug charity zine to benefit the victims of Hurricane Matthew. Zine orders will be open until Feb. 1! I'm thrilled to participate in my first ever zine! Hope you enjoy :)

Order here! | Extra Info

( Fanfiction.net ) ( AO3 )

They almost miss the butterfly, at first.

Despite being hypersensitive to their presence after so many months of fighting akuma, it's an easy mistake to make. Distractions come in the bag of hot roasted chestnuts passed between them; in the sea of twinkling lights washing up before their feet that dangle over the edge of a roof; and in the joyous ringing of laughter and carolers rippling through the streets.

In the distance, the bells of Notre Dame sing the late hour, and the Eiffel Tower comes to life in a stunning rush of light that sparkles brilliantly for a few captivating moments before fading.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” Chat hums as the bells continue to chime. He deftly catches a chestnut that Ladybug tosses at him and pops it in his mouth. Undeterred, he puffs his chest out and belts, “There’ll be much misteltoeing and hearts will be glowing when loved ones are neeeear~!”

He nudges Ladybug cheekily at that and laughs as she shoves another chestnut in his mouth. Sputtering, he finishes, “It’s the most wonderful tiiime of the yeaeeaaar~!”

“You have a lot of great qualities about you Chat,” Ladybug groans. “But singing is definitely not one of them. Here just- eat.”

The fragrant aroma of roasted chestnuts warms the chilly air as she passes the bag over, to which Chat happily accepts. Before he takes one for himself, he offers the first chestnut back to her.

“We could do a duet and you could make up for my voice,” he cheerfully suggests. “You’ve always been the best part of me anyway."

“Sap,” she accuses, but the smile on her face belies her fondness. The chestnut steams in the air as she plucks it from his fingers and holds it up against the backdrop of festivities before them.

“T’is the season,” he laughs.

“T’is the season,” Ladybug echoes. She bites into her chestnut and chews slowly, savouring the treat. “Even heroes need a break.”

Chat hums in reply before dissolving into a purr as Ladybug reaches up to give him a quick scratch beneath his chin. The bell on his collar rings high and true in counterpart, hanging clear above the noise of the crowd.

As Chat’s purr settles down to sit warm in his lungs, he hooks a clawtip into a mealy chestnut and flicks it high in the air before catching it deftly with his mouth as it arcs down from the steel grey clouds overhead. He snags another and glances over. The multitude of twinkling lights below reflect up as stars in the sky of Ladybug’s blue eyes, even as she narrows them at him and gestures at the chestnut in his hand.

Neither notices a tiny light detach itself and flutter up from the array of strands beneath their feet.

“Hit me with your best shot,” Ladybug challenges. Her chin lifts, ready to catch his toss.

His mouth curls into a grin as he slowly leans back and bends his wrist. He plays into the pause that follows after, watching as anticipation armours Ladybug with attentive wariness and unwavering focus.

Movement around her still head arrests his attention immediately. Her pigtails lift in the cold wind that nips around them, and his nerves relax.

As they settle, the unmistakable glow of a butterfly peeks out from behind, hovering dangerously close to her gleaming earring.

“Behind you!” Chat yelps. Instinct takes over and he slingshots the chestnut at the butterfly with devastating force.

Ladybug reacts immediately and without question, trust apparent in every tightly controlled reaction of her body. She ducks and rolls to the side, coming up with her fists raised and ready for a fight. The chestnut whips beyond but the butterfly is already gone.

As her hand snaps to the yoyo holstered to her hip, her eyes dart around, looking for the enemy. There’s no akuma to be seen, no damage to follow; but a flicker at the corner of her eye is enough for her yoyo to spring forward. It arrows straight between Chat’s ears and catches nothing but a few strands of his unruly hair.

The butterfly rises up to shine against the dark of the sky, impossible to miss.

Chat and Ladybug are off like a shot, scattering roasted chestnuts in the wake of their chase. Patches of black ice over rooftops turn a simple run into a treacherous obstacle course, a far cry from the slow moving river of civilians leisurely enjoying the festivities between the valley of buildings that they leap across.

As his staff cracks through a frozen puddle to strike the ground, Chat vaults to the next building. An inconsistency itches away at him until he realizes what detail is different.

“Wait, this one’s white,” he points out as he skids to a stop. “Isn’t it ok then?”

“Remember the last time I let an akuma go?” Ladybug yells as she runs past without breaking stride. Her gaze focuses single-mindedly on the butterfly flying away. “I’m not going to make the same mistake twice.”

Except that for all her efforts, the butterfly evades her yoyo every time she tries to capture it. With each empty click, the butterfly flickers further away from them and closer to the growing crowd of civilians congregating around the markets clustered by the Eiffel Tower.

As it passes overhead the markets, strings of fairy lights ripple with the momentum of dozens of white butterflies unfurling their wings and taking flight. They rise up in a glittering cloud, winging their way up the spine of the Eiffel Tower.

The chase slows. Curiosity and wariness have Chat and Ladybug glancing at each other before cautiously following the trail up.

Everything seems to fall away the higher they go. As they look upwards, the warmth from the lights strung below fades; the headiness of fresh food and hot chocolate dissipates in the thin air; and the multicolour splendor of people shopping, skating, and walking through the city melts into the darkness. Even the unlit bulbs lining the iron bones of the structure sit silent as ghosts watching their ascent.

Ladybug and Chat have made the climb before. The top is easy enough to reach, even if few choose to take their particular path; but it’s still an awfully long way to fall.

The yoyo is the first to make it up, winding around the apex jutting to the sky sunk heavy with grey clouds. Ladybug crests over the topmost platform a beat later, followed by Chat at her heels. Silence greets them at the lonely top.

Silence, but the soft, ethereal glow of silver light as well. Dozens of small, white butterflies rest together all around the tiny platform, dormant and peaceful.

“Is this…?” Ladybug breathes.

“... where they all go, I think, after you purify them,” Chat finishes quietly.

The dark seems to recede as they venture tentatively among the still butterflies. Light invites them in until they stand at the center surrounded by all those they’ve saved.

“There’s so many,” Ladybug whispers, reluctant to break the calm. “Why did they come here though?”

“For the view,” Chat jokes. The broad sweep of his arm does little to rouse the butterflies. “You can see everything from here.”

And for the first time since climbing up, they look down. The city sings in a chorus of a thousand little lights constellated over a staff of strands running through its veins, made ever brighter by the additional seasonal lights. The currents of light pulse along the roads, around the markets, through homes, vibrant and alive.

“Everything,” Ladybug murmurs. “And everyone.”

They stand at the heart of it all, at the place where everyone knows they can always find.

A butterfly flutters down, hovering until Chat offers a hand. It lights upon his open palm, delicate and small against the careful cradle of his sharp, pointed claws.

“I never realized how many people we’ve helped,” he says as he wiggles his fingers playfully.

“So long as they need us, we’ll be here for them,” Ladybug promises. She reaches out to a butterfly sitting still on the broadcasting aerial and brushes its silver wings with the gentlest of touches.

The glow that blooms immediately from the contact startles her into snatching her hand back. The wings which had been so still slowly breathe open, shining brighter and brighter as the butterfly awakens. Dazzling blooms of unfurling wings follow suit as the light spreads to touch its slumbering neighbours, until the platform shines like a star atop the tower.

Despite the freezing December weather and the high altitude, there is only a halcyonic warmth.

“It feels like… a thank you,” Ladybug says. She watches them intently, and continues softly, “And a goodbye.”

The butterfly in Chat’s hand flits up to the grey sky. As one, the remaining butterflies follow suit and take flight in a glittering cloud, their wingbeats flashing like silver notes in the air.

“It feels,” Chat adds quietly, “like absolution.”

The butterflies shine brightly, proudly as one, before their wings fold up and their forms condense into pinpricks of intense light. As they transform, they begin to fall away from each other, dissolving into a shower of stars falling back down towards the earth.

From the grey skies, the clouds finally relent, allowing white snowflakes to float down and join them.

Stunned, Ladybug and Chat can only watch.

Then-

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” Ladybug sings, laughing as Chat practically cricks his neck in his haste to beam widely at her.

“It’ll look more like Christmas down there with everyone,” Chat points out. He offers a hand to her and laces their fingers together as she accepts. “Shall we?”

They leap together, following the lights down, and down, and down.