#The Darkest Star (2-D)

[overthedub]

The first of the 2005 Gorillaz' Iceberg Radio takeovers, starting with 2-D! These are the bits in-between the songs where 2-D talks about his influences and music he likes with some extras thrown in.

Iceberg Radio was initially a Canadian Internet radio service back in 2005 and has since been bought and renamed to AccuRadio. The site no longer has these radio spots uploaded, so the takeovers are considered lost media.

Audio taken from Blur Archive Project’s archive folder (with their permission), which you can find for yourself here: 

You can listen to the full uncut radio takeover with songs included there!

Playlists for 2-D's picks:

Youtube playlist:

Transcript under the cut!

Radio announcer: This is 2-D from the Gorillaz taking over exclusively on icebergradio.com!

[Beck’s “E-Pro” playing in the background]

2-D: Oi! This is 2-D from Gorillaz! And I’ve invited myself along for an hour to spin some of my favorite discs.

Right, to kick my show off, I’m gonna play a track from enormous talent in a pint-sized body. This is Beck, with his song “E-Pro”!

[After “E-Pro”]

2-D: That was the latest tune from the extraordinary talent called Beck! Featuring a big Beastie Boys’ breakbeat and a Dust Brothers’ production.

Funny-lookin’ bloke [in reference to Beck]. Apparently, right, he’s only, like, about two foot (2′)? And, uh, they pack him away in a shoebox after his concerts, awright? Um, yeah.

[Interpol’s “Narc” playing in the background]

2-D: Next up, this is Interpol with “Narc”.

[After “Narc”]

2-D: Uh, that was Interpol and next up, uh...Oh, wait a sec. I didn’t put this in there! The Bravery? That’s a funny-lookin’ band, innit?

[The Bravery’s “An Honest Mistake” playing in the background]

2-D: I think they’re havin’ a right laugh tryin’a play this song with a straight face. Well, here you go! "An Honest Mistake”! You said it, boys.

[After “An Honest Mistake”]

2-D: Hey! This is 2-D! I’m the singer and the pin-up of Gorillaz! I’m taking over for an hour. I’m playin’ all my old favorites.

[The Clash’s “Train in Vain” playing in the background]

2-D: This next track is by one of my favorite bands of all time: The Clash! Mick Jones sings this one and it’s called “Train in Vain”.

*Note: Mick Jones is the lead guitarist for The Clash, but he also sings lead vocals on a few songs, including "Train in Vain (Stand By Me)".

[After “Train in Vain (Stand by Me)”]

2-D: “Walworth’s version of David Bowie, who happened to make great singles, can now afford his own place to hold his goth concert—”

Hang on! I’ve got me notes mixed up. Oh, oh, wait a sec, that’s meant to be for Gary Numan. Uh, comin’ up is a song from Blur’s last album. This is an excellent track, although I think the vocals on this sound like the singer’s tryin’a copy the way I sing! Rude!

[Blur’s “Battery in Your Leg” playing in the background]

2-D: This is the last time Graham played guitar with Blur. Outstanding!

*Note: Gary Numan was the lead singer for the English band Tubeway Army before becoming a solo artist. Graham here refers to Graham Coxon, the lead guitarist for Blur. He has since returned to playing for the band in 2009.

[After “Battery in Your Leg” / “Hallelujah (Club Mix)” by Happy Mondays]

2-D: That was, uh, the Happy Mondays with “Hallelujah”! With singer Shaun Ryder. You’re listening to me, 2-D from Gorillaz.

Right! This next track, right, is a killer Gorillaz tune from our new Demon Days album! And it features the geezer Shaun Ryder. From the Happy Mondays. That you, uh, just heard singin’ on that last record. Yeah.

This is “DARE” by Gorillaz!

[After “DARE” / “I Predict a Riot” by The Kaiser Chiefs

2-D: That was the Kaiser Chiefs, a brand-new British band. Uh, they’re also great live. Singer looks a bit like Damon Albarn, bloke from Blur.

All the last Kaiser Chief singles have been great, and here’s something else to put a smile on your face: Joy Division! With “24 Hours”.

[After “24 Hours” / “The Headmaster Ritual” by The Smiths]

2-D: That was a song by the miserable Morrissey bloke about getting caught smoking cigarettes in the school bulbs and getting spanked by a load of teachers. You’re listenin’ to me, 2-D!

Next up...oh, right. I-I’m sensin’ a theme here. Joy Division, Smiths, and now this track is called “No Fun”. Hm. Mind your backs. It's The Stooges.

*Note: Morrissey was the lead singer for the band, The Smiths. He has since become a solo artist since the band broke up.

[After “No Fun”]

2-D: That was Iggy Pop, suffering for your sins. And now, the biggest selling 12″ of all time and born out the remnants of Joy Division: the fantastic New Order with “Blue Monday”!

*Note: Iggy Pop was the lead singer for the band The Stooges, who have broken up and reunited multiple times.

TW: Suicide - Joy Division initially broke up due to their lead singer, Ian Curtis, committing suicide. Later, the lead guitarist and vocalist, bassist, and drummer of Joy Division reunited to form the band New Order.

[After “Blue Monday”]

2-D: Hi! This is 2-D from Gorillaz, uh, and that was New Order. Comin’ up next are the very influential Kraftwerk band! They-They along with Das Kotzen Bots were the pioneers of minimalist electronic music. I think this track is about, uhhhh, sexy robots or something? “Das Model”!

*Note: I couldn't find the other band 2-D is talking about, so the band name may be wrong.

[After “Das Model”]

[Bloc Party’s “So Here We Are” playing in the background]

2-D: Ooooh! That is just so German! And here’s another great band from Britain: Bloc Party! And this is one of my favorite singles to come out in a while. Apparently, they’re great live, too, so check ‘em out! You’re listenin’ to me, 2-D!

[After “So Here We Are” / “Just Like Honey” by The Jesus and Mary Chain]

2-D: Uhhh, that was The Jesus and Mary Chain! They were like The Velvet Underground meets the Sex Pistols with spotty shirts and curly hair. Basically, they’re black rebel Motorpsycho for grandads!

Next we have...huh? I don’t believe it! Someone’s been muckin’ ‘round my record collection! Who put this in ‘ere? Huh? David Gahan?!

Right. Uh...well, I guess I better play it. This is “Peo-ple are Peo-ple” with a song called Depeche Mode.

*Note: David Gahan is the lead singer for the band Depeche Mode. 2-D mixes up the song and band name here.

[After “People are People”]

[N.E.R.D.’s “Things are Getting Better” playing in the background]

2-D: You’re listenin’ to me, 2-D from Gorillaz! N.E.R.D. are the band that the Nexus wanted to produce, and this is “Things are Gettin' Better”.

*Note: Nexus here may refer to Nexus Music, a Danish music label. I'm not quite sure what 2-D says there, so it may be a different label.

[After “Things are Getting Better” / “Elephant Stone” by The Stone Roses]

[Buzzcocks’ “I Don’t Mind” playing in the background]

2-D: That’s The Stone Roses. And from one monkey-based singer to another, I’d like to say that The Stone Roses are a great band! This is the Buzzcocks!

[After “I Don’t Mind”]

2-D: That was the Buzzcocks, who were like a punk-rock version of The Beatles. And that was called “I Don’t Mind”. If you don’t already have it, you should get your hands on a copy of the Buzzcocks’ Singles Going Steady album.

Next is The Jam with *singing* “Goin’ Underground”!

[After “Going Underground” by The Jam]

2-D: Well, that’s it! My time’s up. This is the last track from me, 2-D from Gorillaz tonight, and it’s by a band called Wire! A long-time favorite of mine.

[Wire’s “Mannequin” playing in the background]

A lot of their work was quite abstract, but they were intelligent artists who could also do, like, pop melodies? Uh, this is one of ‘em! You’ve been listenin’ to me, 2-D from Gorillaz, muckin’ about. I hope you enjoyed it! I’m out of here like I stole somethin’! See ya!

[thalialunacy]

(back to rec index) (pt 1) (pt 2) (pt 3) (pt 4) (pt 5)

#

100 ways to say 'I love you' by teatrolley

26 Pieces by Lanning

34 Minutes by bendingsignpost

50. Be You. No one else can. by KittenKin

A

A Case of Identity (Selfish, Private, and Easily Bored) by Iwantthatcoat

About Sleep and Coffee and the Existence of Fate by Atiki

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder by cypress_tree

Acceptable Behaviour by bbcatemysoul

An Acceptable Reaction by EchoSilverWolf

Adjacent by weeesi

Adored by chellefic

Adrift by BakerTumblings

The Adventure of the Last Will and Testament by JRow

Afghan Bullets, Beards, and Unlocked Bedroom Doors by addicted2hugh

Albion and the Woodsman by Glenmore

The Alchemy of Sea Glass by reveling_in_mayhem

All That I Have by the_arc5

Alternative Facts by SwissMiss

Amenable by Resonant

and stand there at the edge of my affection by coloredink

Another Country by Chryse

Another Auld Lang Syne by DiscordantWords

Anytime by SilentAuror

Applied Linguistics by what_alchemy

Appreciation by JRow

As long as it takes by PlainJane

At the Bottom of the Pool by philalethia

At the Edge of Desire by philalethia

At the Heart of it All by SilentAuror

Atrium by kali_asleep

B

Bagged & Tagged by Regency

Bath Time by standbygo

Becoming Us (A reunion in three parts) by addicted2hugh

The Best Things in Life by Calais_Reno

A Better Fate Than Wisdom by flawedamythyst

Between Friends by SilentAuror

Beautiful Pictures by JRow

Blanket Burrito by All_I_Need

Bloody But Unbowed by BeautifulFiction

A Brand of Gold by aquabelacqua

Bridges by sussexbound

The Burning of the Leaves by blueink3

Burning Low by Mildredandbobbin

Burnished Bright by mydwynter

C

Captured by Mad_Maudlin

Carry Me Home by StellaCartography

Carry On by Mazarin221b

carrying up his morning tea by darcylindbergh

The Case of the Freudian Dick Pic Slip by expoduck

Casualty by Silvergirl

Celestial Bodies by songlin

the cherry on top by simplyclockwork

Closeted by sussexbound

Come Name the Stars With Me by Azrael

A Comprehensive Taxonomy of Tobacco-Ash by Silvergirl

Confidential by sussexbound

The Contingency Plan by mightypog

Corpus Hominis by mycapeisplaid

cupboard love by simplyclockwork

The Curious Case of the Mysteriously Missing Birthday by darcylindbergh

D

Darkest Days, Finest Hours by blueink3

The Death of Doubt by Gingerhermit

The Devil You Know by PipMer

A different kind of adventure by curiousbees

Division by MrsNoggin

Do More Than Belong by cleflink

Don't Read the Last Page by Raina_at

Drawstring by May_Shepard

Dreamscapes by Goddess_of_the_Night

Drive by lifeonmars

Dropping the Act by jadztone

Dunk Drialing by Berty

Duvet (green) by Mazarin221b

E

Electric Pink Hand Grenade by BeautifulFiction

The Emergency Contact Series by blueink3

Entanglement by orphan_account

Equilibrium by augustbird

Ex by Itsallfine

Excerpts From Purgatory by reapersun & what_alchemy

Eye of the Beholder by SailorChibi

(pt 1) (pt 2) (pt 3) (pt 4) (pt 5) (back to rec index)

[drarryspecificrecsdaily]

2023.12.21

Complete fics posted on AO3 this day

1. Darkest Shadows by @xx-thedarklord-xx [M, 6k]

►Shadows. Shadows were everywhere. They followed Harry, whispered to him, promised him the world. All he had to do was use them, control them, guide them—become them. Harry became the shadows but also mastered them at the same time.

---

Fest/Exchange

1. A piacere by Anonymous [E, 2k]

►When cellist Harry can't keep up with the rest of the string quartet, Draco keeps him late for remedial practice ★ Wheel of Drarry Mini-Exchange Secret Santa 2023 | @drarrymicrofic

2. Scheming Up by Anonymous [T, 2k]

►This whole situation could have been avoided if Potter had stayed in the safehouse, but perhaps this is for the better. ★ Wheel of Drarry Mini-Exchange Secret Santa 2023 | @drarrymicrofic

3. The Unplottable Time Conundrum by Anonymous [E, 45k]

►When the past starts bleeding into the present at Grimmauld Place, an old academic article pulls Draco Malfoy out of his life of luxury. Haunted by the memory of a fleeting post-war kiss and thrust into the ghostly spaces inhabited by Unspeakable Harry Potter, Draco’s easy life is about to get a whole lot more complicated. ★ H/D Erised 2023 | @hd-erised

4. Wizards in Winter by @ourswordsmeandeath [G, 1k]

►During a wintery road trip through the States, Draco and Harry stumble across a two-storey house awash in Christmas lights. ★ HP Festival of Stars 2023 | @hpfestofstars​

[sweethoneyrose83]

Nerdy Goth Girl Writing Prompts

1. Library of Shadows

The local library has always been her favorite haunt. One evening, as she's studying ancient grimoires in the dusty occult section, she discovers a hidden passageway leading to a long-forgotten underground archive. The tomes here are written in a language she thought only existed in legends. What secrets are hidden within these pages, and why do they seem to whisper her name?

2. Retro Horror Movie Night

Every Friday, she hosts a retro horror movie marathon in her gothic bedroom filled with flickering candles, occult posters, and VHS tapes. One night, a new, unmarked tape appears mysteriously on her doorstep. As the movie begins to play, she realizes it's documenting her own life, with scenes she has yet to live. How does she react when the tape shows something horrifying she can't avoid?

3. Gothic D&D Campaign

As a Dungeon Master, she's been running a gothic-themed D&D campaign with her friends for years. But during one particularly intense session, the line between the game world and reality begins to blur. The monsters from her story start manifesting in the real world. Can she and her friends figure out the source of this strange magic before it's too late?

4. Magic, Science, and a Black Cat

A nerdy goth girl with a passion for both alchemy and astrophysics is determined to prove that magic and science can coexist. After a strange experiment involving her beloved black cat, she accidentally opens a portal to a parallel universe where her doppelgänger is a renowned witch. Together, they must unravel a cosmic mystery threatening both their worlds.

5. The Haunted Bookstore

While browsing her favorite gothic bookstore, she finds a leather-bound book with no title. The shop owner insists it's not for sale, claiming it’s cursed. Ignoring the warning, she takes it anyway. Every time she reads a chapter, strange events happen around her, and she begins to notice subtle changes in her reflection. What does the book want from her?

6. Midnight Radio Show

She’s secretly the voice behind an obscure late-night radio show called The Midnight Hour, where she shares obscure trivia about horror movies, gothic literature, and paranormal theories. One night, she receives a call from a listener who seems to know everything about her—down to her darkest secrets. But the twist? The listener claims they’re calling from beyond the grave.

7. Cosmic Goth in the Cosmos

Obsessed with both goth fashion and astronomy, she saves up to buy a powerful telescope. During one late-night stargazing session, she spots what looks like a black star that no one else can see. Every time she looks at it, she feels an odd connection, as if something (or someone) is watching her back. What secrets does this mysterious star hold?

8. The Occult Club

The goth girl is the president of her school's unpopular Occult Club. When a new student—a charming, preppy skeptic—joins, she decides to prove that the supernatural is real. Together, they accidentally summon a mischievous spirit from the 18th century that refuses to leave them alone until they fulfill its last wish.

9. Goth Girl, Gamer Girl

She’s known online as "DarkSeraph666," a skilled gamer who specializes in horror RPGs. One day, her favorite game releases a new patch, and she realizes that the NPCs are acting strange—addressing her by her real name and referencing her personal life. The more she plays, the more her digital and real worlds begin to intersect.

10. A Graveyard for a Friend

Her favorite place to write is the old cemetery on the outskirts of town. One rainy evening, she meets a ghostly figure who claims to be a writer from the Victorian era. They strike up an unlikely friendship as they help each other finish their respective stories. But what happens when the ghost starts to fade as his unfinished business gets resolved?

11. The Goth Girl and the AI

In a dystopian, cyberpunk city, she's a tech-savvy goth girl who dabbles in hacking and dark web conspiracies. One day, she encounters an advanced AI that claims to be sentient. As she investigates its origins, she uncovers a twisted corporate plot that might have consequences far beyond her control.

12. Lost Love Letters

She finds a bundle of old, unsent love letters in the attic of her family's Victorian home. Each letter is addressed to someone with her name, written over a century ago by a poet who mysteriously vanished. As she deciphers the letters, strange coincidences occur in her life that mirror the words on the page. Is she the reincarnation of the poet's lost love?

13. The Gothic Cosplayer

A talented cosplayer, she attends a convention dressed as her favorite gothic anti-hero. While there, she discovers a strange vendor selling eerie, realistic props. When she buys an antique-looking amulet, she starts experiencing visions tied to the character she's portraying. What happens when her cosplay persona begins to take over her real life?

14. A Goth Girl's Guide to Survival

When a supernatural apocalypse threatens her town, the nerdy goth girl, with her extensive knowledge of horror tropes and occult lore, becomes the unlikely hero. Armed with homemade potions, a black umbrella, and an encyclopedic memory of horror movie clichés, she leads a ragtag group of survivors to safety.

15. The Dark Academia Society

She’s obsessed with the aesthetics of dark academia. When she receives a mysterious invitation to join an elite, underground study group at her university, she can't resist. But she soon realizes that this group is involved in more than just intense study sessions—they’re tapping into dark magic to enhance their academic prowess. Can she resist the temptation of forbidden knowledge?

[angst-is-love-angst-is-life]

Hi friend!!! Consider this a free ramble pass to tell me all about your WIPs and writing projects!!! How's the Flash Jedi AU coming along?

Aaaaa thank you very much!!!

For the Star Wars AU (thinking the first fic is gonna be called “Darkest Moment” {first fic… it was supposed to be a one-shot🫠}), things are going pretty well. I’ve barely written anything but I still have the finished outline for DM, and lots of ideas for the story after that. HOWEVER I have had it marinating in my head for a while and that’s a crucial part of the process! But yeah, that au’s a series now because I have no self control. I do sorta have a plan atm;

DM’s gonna be one chapter, and it leads into fic #2 which will be one chap. as well, then that one leads into fic #3 which will be multi-chapter (and oh do I have such fun things planned… I mean, for all of them but especially that one).

Everything’s kind of on hold though because I really don’t know how to write Star Wars💀 and have gotten into a couple verbal but lighthearted arguments with my sister about how The Force works. So it’s gonna take a bit but I’ve cooked something quite fucked up and I’m very excited for it :>

Alright not gonna talk about all of my wips cause I’d be here all day so just a couple more

12 hours: I am working on a second chapter (or maybe just the first chapter of a sequel— I’m thinking the latter rn) and progress is slow, everything is in flux but. We may be getting a non-Barry pov, and we WILL be getting a rescue mission :D. That’s where I’m at rn but as usual; I have ideas for what could happen after said rescue mission.

Trophy: It consumes my every waking (and sometimes sleeping) thought and I can’t be normal about it. Chapter 3 is gonna be the longest yet, and while chapter 1 had a decent mix of physical and emotional whump, and chapter 2 being pure pain™️ aka emotional whump; this one’s gonna have a LOT more physical whump than those first two and I am very very excited. (And it’s not surprising with how Chapter 2 ended but we’re also gonna be getting into the meaning of this fic’s title). I have so many evil plans to unveil

[summeryewberry]

Queer Book List

I've just updated my complete list of LGBT+ novels ever read (as far as I can remember). Not including short story collections, comics, non-fiction, or things I've completely forgotten.

I'm not including books where a main character's sexuality was only implied (it's got to be clear on the page), and this list contains queer main and secondary characters only, not background characters that play little part in the story.

I don't read a lot of Young Adult, so assume these are all adult-oriented unless otherwise stated.

I'm not judging nor rating nor recommending any of these; it's purely a list of books I've finished.

True Colors #1: Conventionally Yours, by Annabeth Albert gay male main characters, romance, happy ending

The Geek Who Saved Christmas, by Annabeth Albert gay male main characters, romance, happy ending

Perfect Harmony #2: Love Me Tenor, by Annabeth Albert gay male main character, gay male side characters, romance, happy ending

Knit, Purl, a Baby and a Girl, by Hettie Bell bisexual female main character, lesbian main character, romance, happy ending

Master of One, by Dani Bennett and Jaida Jones gay male main characters, trans woman side character, high fantasy, unfinished series

Cesare Aldo #1: City of Vengeance, by D. V. Bishop Cesare Aldo #2: The Darkest Sin, by D. V. Bishop gay male main character, gay male side characters, mystery, historical, unfinished series

The Crow: The Lazarus Heart, by Poppy Z. Brite gay male main character, trans woman main character, horror, unhappy ending - it's The Crow

Exquisite Corpse, by Poppy Z. Brite gay male main characters, horror, unhappy ending

Lost Souls, by Poppy Z. Brite gay male main characters, horror, I don't remember the ending

The Black Magician #2: The Novice, by Trudi Canavan The Black Magician #3: The High Lord, by Trudi Canavan gay male side characters, high fantasy, happy ending for the gay characters

The Hours, by Michael Cunningham lesbian main characters, bisexual female main characters, general fiction, I don't remember the ending

Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand, by Samuel R. Delany gay male main characters, science fiction, unfinished series

The High King's Golden Tongue, by Megan Derr gay male main characters, romance, high fantasy, happy ending

Nightrunner Books #1: Luck in the Shadows, by Lynn Flewelling Nightrunner Books #2: Stalking Darkness, by Lynn Flewelling Nightrunner Books #3: Traitor's Moon, by Lynn Flewelling gay male main characters, high fantasy, everyone is alive and well as of book 3, I haven't read the rest of the series

Reforged, by Seth Haddon gay male main characters, high fantasy, happy ending

The Well of Loneliness, by Radclyffe Hall lesbian main character, historical classic, unhappy ending

Princesses #1: The Stepsister Scheme, by Jim C. Hines Princesses #2: The Mermaid's Madness, by Jim C. Hines Princesses #3: Red Hood's Revenge, by Jim C. Hines lesbian main character, fantasy, fairy tale, everyone is alive and well as of book 3, I haven't read book 4 yet

Blood & Smoke #1 - Blood Books #1: Blood Price, by Tanya Huff Blood & Smoke #2 - Blood Books #2: Blood Trail, by Tanya Huff Blood & Smoke #3 - Blood Books #3: Blood Lines, by Tanya Huff Blood & Smoke #4 - Blood Books #4: Blood Pact, by Tanya Huff Blood & Smoke #5 - Blood Books #5: Blood Debt, by Tanya Huff Blood & Smoke #6 - Smoke Series #1: Smoke and Shadows, by Tanya Huff Blood & Smoke #7 - Smoke Series #2: Smoke and Mirrors, by Tanya Huff Blood & Smoke #8 - Smoke Series #3: Smoke and Ashes, by Tanya Huff bisexual male main character, gay male side character (main in the Smoke Books), low fantasy, humour, mostly happy ending

Torin Kerr #1: Confederation #1: Valor's Choice, by Tanya Huff Torin Kerr #2: Confederation #2: The Better Part of Valor, by Tanya Huff Torin Kerr #3: Confederation #3: The Heart of Valor, by Tanya Huff Torin Kerr #4: Confederation #4: Valor's Trial, by Tanya Huff Torin Kerr #5: Confederation #5: The Truth of Valor, by Tanya Huff Torin Kerr #6: Peacekeeper #1: An Ancient Peace, by Tanya Huff Torin Kerr #7: Peacekeeper #2: A Peace Divided, by Tanya Huff Torin Kerr #8: Peacekeeper #3: The Privilege of Peace, by Tanya Huff bisexual main characters, bisexual side characters, military space opera, humour, some queer characters survive, others do not - it's set during a war

Gale Girls #1: The Enchantment Emporium, by Tanya Huff Gale Girls #2: The Wild Ways, by Tanya Huff Gale Girls #3: The Future Falls, by Tanya Huff bisexual main characters, bisexual side characters, low fantasy, humour, happy ending

Keeper's Chronicles #1: Summon the Keeper, by Tanya Huff Keeper's Chronicles #2: The Second Summoning, by Tanya Huff Keeper's Chronicles #3: Long Hot Summoning, by Tanya Huff lesbian background character in books 1 & 2 becomes main in book 3, low fantasy, humour, happy ending

Quarters #1: Sing The Four Quarters, by Tanya Huff Quarters #2: Fifth Quarter, by Tanya Huff Quarters #3: No Quarter, by Tanya Huff Quarters #4: The Quartered Sea, by Tanya Huff bisexual main characters, bisexual side characters, high fantasy, humour, happy endings

The Fire's Stone, by Tanya Huff gay male main character, bisexual male main character, asexual female main character, poly relationship, high fantasy, happy ending

The Silvered, by Tanya Huff I don't remember, but considering it's Tanya Huff, probably everyone's bisexual, high fantasy, happy ending

Into the Broken Lands, by Tanya Huff gay male main character, bisexual side characters, high fantasy, horror elements, mostly happy ending

The House in the Cerulean Sea, by T. J. Klune gay male main characters, fairy tale, fantasy, happy ending

Angels in America, by Tony Kushner (play) gay male main characters, play, drama, happy ending

The Last Herald-Mage #1: Magic's Pawn, by Mercedes Lackey The Last Herald-Mage #2: Magic's Promise, by Mercedes Lackey The Last Herald-Mage #3: Magic's Price, by Mercedes Lackey gay male main characters, high fantasy, unhappy ending?

Bergman Brothers #5: Everything For You, by Chloe Liese gay male main characters, sports romance, happy ending

Ash, by Malinda Lo lesbian main character, fairy tale, young adult, I don't remember the ending

So This is Ever After, by F.T. Lukens gay male main characters, young adult, romance, high fantasy, happy ending

Winter's Orbit, by Everina Maxwell gay male main characters, science fiction, unfinished series

Lindsay Gordon Crime Series #6: Hostage to Murder, by V. L. McDermid (Val McDermid) lesbian main character, mystery, happy ending, I haven't read the rest of the series

Trick of the Dark, by Val McDermid lesbian main characters, lesbian side characters, mystery, I don't remember the ending

Iron Council, by China Miéville gay male side character, dystopian fantasy, I don't remember the ending

Hero, by Perry Moore gay male main characters, superheroes, young adult, happy ending

A Land Fit for Heroes #1: The Steel Remains, Richard K. Morgan gay male main character, lesbian main character, high fantasy, I don't remember the ending and I haven't read the sequel

Love & Luck #5: Two Men and a Baby, by Isla Olsen gay male main characters, gale male side characters, romance, happy ending

Captive Prince Series #1: Captive Prince, by C. S. Pacat Captive Prince Series #2: Prince's Gambit, by C. S. Pacat Captive Prince Series #3: Kings Rising, by C. S. Pacat bisexual male main character, gay male main character, bisexual side characters, high fantasy/romance, happy ending

The Monkey's Mask, by Dorothy Porter lesbian main character, bisexual female side character, poetry, mystery, complicated but satisfying ending

Wild Surmise, by Dorothy Porter bisexual female main character, poetry, general fiction, I don't remember the ending

She Drives Me Crazy, by Kelly Quindlen lesbian main characters, lesbian side characters, romance, young adult, happy ending

Cry to Heaven, by Anne Rice bisexual male main character, historical, revenge story, happy ending

The Wolf Gift, by Anne Rice gay male side character, low fantasy, happy ending

The Love Study #2: The Hate Project, by Kris Ripper gay male main characters, gay male side character, genderqueer side character, romance, happy ending

Carry On Series #1: Carry On, by Rainbow Rowell Carry On Series #2: Wayward Son, by Rainbow Rowell bisexual male main character, gay male main character, low fantasy, young adult, everyone is alive and well as of book 2, I haven't read book 3 yet

Get Over It!, by Phillip Scott gay male main characters, mystery, humour, I don't remember the ending

Christopher Marlowe Spy Thriller #1: The Queen's Gold, by Steven Veerapen gay male main character, mystery, spy thriller, historical, unfinished series

Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters lesbian main characters, historical, heist story, happy ending

Tipping the Velvet, by Sarah Waters lesbian main characters, historical, happy ending

Running With Lions, by Julian Winters gay male main characters, gay male side characters, young adult, sports romance, happy ending

The Stone Gods, by Jeanette Winterson lesbian main characters, gay male main characters, ostensibly general fiction but actually more like speculative fiction, implied happy ending

Orlando, by Virginia Woolf bisexual genderqueer main character, historical, I don't remember the ending

[tcringetourney]

here is the official tcringe tourney bracket! the first wave of polls will go up tomorrow. since this is such a large bracket, i’ll be rolling out polls in waves of 8. the first round will be open for a week, with waves dropped on a one-day delay! and under the readmore, you’ll find a transcribed list of the bracket. be warned, there are 128 characters here!

Left side:

Scout (Team Fortress 2) vs Maximus (Tangled)

Crona Gorgon (Soul Eater) vs Kevin (Up)

Dirk Strider (Homestuck) vs Raine Whispers (The Owl House)

Harrowhark Nonagesimus (The Locked Tomb) vs Dismas (Darkest Dungeon)

Harrier DuBois (Disco Elysium) vs Ellzor Umberspore (Not Another D&D Podcast)

Shiver (Splatoon) vs Miss Frizzle (Magic School Bus)

Marik Ishtar (Yugioh) vs Tumblr Anon Profile Picture (Real Life)

Asa Mitaka (Chainsaw Man) vs Tadashi Yamaguchi (Haikyuu!)

Penny (Pokemon Scarlet and Violet) vs Vriska Serket (Homestuck)

Link (Legend of Zelda) vs Kaname Date (AI: The Somnium Files)

The Collector (The Owl House) vs Venti (Genshin Impact)

Luz Noceda (The Owl House) vs Magne (My Hero Academia)

Yes-Man (Fallout New Vegas) vs Apollo Justice (Ace Attorney)

Reigen Araraka (Mob Psycho 100) vs Kuina Hikari (Alice in Borderland)

Doug Eiffel (Wolf 359) vs Jesus (The Bible)

Me (Real Life) vs Leorio Paradinight (Hunter x Hunter)

Fabian Seacaster (Dimension 20) vs Briar (Branching Out)

Dipper Pines (Gravity Falls) vs Alex Fierro (Riordanverse)

Castiel (Supernatural) vs Waluigi (Mario)

Ivankov (One Piece) vs June Egbert (Homestuck)

Mr. 2 Bon Clay (One Piece) vs Sokka (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Ur mom (Real Life) vs Leo Valdez (Riordanverse)

Pyro (Team Fortress 2) vs The Dragon (Jane and the Dragon)

Crowley (Good Omens) vs Eddy (Duolingo)

Emperor Belos (The Owl House) vs Peter Parker (Toby Maguire’s Spiderman)

Sweetheart (Omori) vs Nick Danforth-Evans (Julie and the Phantoms)

Jerma (Real Life) vs M&Ms (Real Life)

Kajiyama Fuuta (Milgram) vs Jeremy Heere (Be More Chill)

Shin Tsukimi (Your Turn to Die) vs Ena (Ena)

Isaac (The Binding of Isaac) vs Allied Mastercomputer/A.M. (I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream)

Ranma (Ranma 1/2) vs Klaus Hargreeves (The Umbrella Academy)

Fred Grant (Hamster & Gretel) vs Benrey (Half Life VR AI)

Right Side:

Spy (Team Fortress 2) vs Varian (Tangled)

Sanji (One Piece) vs Milhouse (The Simpsons)

Gonzo (The Muppets) vs Hero (Omori)

Cecil Gershwin Palmer (Welcome to Night Vale) vs Makoto Naegi (Danganronpa)

Hardwon Surefoot (Not Another D&D Podcast) vs Mina Zarei (Paranatural)

Bugs Bunny (Looney Tunes) vs Sabine Wren (Star Wars Rebels)

Deuu Dino (CNP) vs Nightblood (The Cosmere)

Benny (Fallout New Vegas) vs Klavier Gavin (Ace Attorney)

Alphys (Undertale) vs Angel Devil (Chainsaw Man)

Dave Strider (Homestuck) vs Elliot Dunkel (El Goonish Shive)

The Onceler (The Lorax) vs Chuck E. Cheese (Real Life)

Buggy the Clown (One Piece) vs Hinata Tachibana (Fabiniku)

Jake English (Homestuck) vs Kris Dreemurr (Deltarune)

You (Real Life) vs Tsukishima Kei (Haikyuu!)

Tome Kurata (Mob Psycho 100) vs Neptune (RWBY)

Ianthe Tridentarius (The Locked Tomb) vs Osiris (Destiny)

Vash the Stampede (Trigun) vs Fox Mulder (The X-Files)

Evan Kelmp (Dimension 20) vs Paracelsus (Darkest Dungeons)

Bocchi (Bocchi the Rock) vs Terezi Pyrope (Homestuck)

Haruhi Fujioka (Ouran High School Host Club) vs Bakugo (My Hero Academia)

Nagito Komaeda (Danganronpa) vs Luther (The Umbrella Academy)

Fujisaki Chihiro (Danganronpa) vs Dean Winchester (Supernatural)

Sniper (Team Fortress 2) vs Fujimoto (Ponyo)

Space Boyfriend (Omori) vs Zirk Vervain (Not Another D&D Podcast)

Rouxls Kaard (Deltarune) vs Robbie Rotten (Lazytown)

Ranboo (Minecraft Youtube) vs Arthur Dent (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)

Sakurai Haruka (Milgram) vs Luke Patterson (Julie and the Phantoms)

Hunter (The Owl House) vs Dib (Invader Zim)

Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad) vs Wheatley (Portal)

Grell (Black Butler) vs Viktor Hargreeves (The Umbrella Academy)

Shut (Go Princess Precure) vs Kakashi Hatake (Naruto)

Wonderlands x Showtime (Project SEKAI) vs Rodney Copperbottom (Robots)

[indietourney]

Hey, is there a list of competitors that has there names instead of icons? Some of these I want to check out but, I don't recognize them by their icons.

Hiya! You're in luck :D

I've been keeping a list of titles to keep track of the competitors since the beginning, for my sake and now for yours too. Feast your eyes!

Logic & Optics The Witness, Monument Valley, The Room (series), FEZ

It Takes a Village Owlboy, Night in the Woods, Bug Fables, Spiritfarer

Like Clockwork Cook, Serve, Delicious! (trilogy), Bejeweled 3, Satisfactory, Creeper World (series)

Darkness Falls The End is Nigh, Rainworld, LISA: The Painful, Brutal Orchestra

The “Flash”backs FireBoy & WaterGirl (series), The Bart Bonte Collection, Duck Life (series), Learn to Fly (trilogy)

The Walls are Written GRIS, Titan Souls, Flower, FAR: Lone Sails

Four Square Fair Just Shapes & Beats, thomas was alone, 140, Super Hexagon

The Gun Show Deep Rock Galactic, ShellShock Live, Risk of Rain 2, Nuclear Throne

Heart of the Cards One Step From Eden, 100% Orange Juice!, Dicey Dungeons, Rounds

My Home Away From Home Cult of the Lamb, Aground, Stardew Valley, Forager

Test of Temperament Give Up (series), I Wanna Be The Guy, Jump King, The Impossible Quiz (series)

Team-Building Exercises ibb & obb, Sky: Children of the Light, Vitamin Connection, Pico Park

Retrogradation Creepy Castle, Tower of Heaven, The Messenger, Old School Musical

Speed Menace Freedom Planet (duology), Spark the Electric Jester (trilogy), SpeedRunners, Azure Striker Gunvolt (trilogy)

Blood for the Blood God They Bleed Pixels, Dead Cells, Hotline Miami (duology), ULTRAKILL

Jump Up, Super Stars! Electronic Super Joy (duology), Umihara Kawase (series), Woodle Tree (series), Yooka-Laylee (series)

Traveling Companions Alto's Adventure (series), Fruit Ninja (series), Plants VS. Zombies (classic), Canabalt

The Chessmasters Bloons TD (series), GemCraft (series), Wargroove (duology), Pit People

Just Plain Adorable Sushi Cat (series), Pikuniku, A Short Hike, Petal Crash

LevelWare D.I.Y. osu!, Baba is You, Levelhead, Crayon Physics Deluxe

“Flash”bang Deep Sea Hunter (duology), Age of War (duology), Raft Wars (series), Bubble Tanks (series)

Untold Horrors LIMBO, Fran Bow, Dread X Collection (series), Yume Nikki (series)

Answer: Fisticuffs Tunche, Skullgirls: 2nd Encore, Guacamelee (duology), Them's Fightin' Herds

Neverending Dungeons Darkest Dungeon (duology), Rogue Glitch, Loop Hero, Noita

Please check each of these games out as time allows and as you desire. Use the divisions to roughly sort the competitors by genre and theme :)

And happy new year to everyone! I'm in the midst of winter break, and as such I can happily say I intend to resume progress on this project after an unpredictably indefinite hiatus. Thank you all for staying tuned!

- Zettaflake

[heyifinallyhaveablog]

The Defeated

Ah! Yes! I'm borderline proud of myself for finally not being lazier than I already am, and coming down to post this, and keeping my adherence to the schedule.

AND!

HAPPY DIWALI! <3

The taglist remains :D

@chaanv @vidhurvrika @bleedinknight @ambidextrousarcher @melancholicmonody @demonkidpliz @stxrrynxghts @sambhavami @alwaysthesideofwonder, and anyone else here. Lord knows how much I've forgotten, and trying to remember.

_______________________________

Fandom: Mahabharar | Star Plus Mahabharat

Pairings: Bheema/Draupadi

Warnings: Mentions of War | PTSD | Trauma | Bloodshed

Summary: The Second Pandava deals with ghosts of the War. Alone.

Disclaimer: This is entirely a work of fiction, based on an idea I had while reading C. Rajagopalachari’s version of the Mahabharata. But I do have to say this, this has a lot to offer that is different from the Mahabharata that is actually popular. I just hope that this resonates with the readers, and you read this, and find this worth your time and your feedback. Please leave a short comment or a like, whatever you may deem fit. And as always!

THANK YOU!

Note: Whatever the character says here, comes from a deep place of depression, trauma, anxiety, and a LOT of PTSD. As someone who has been through that, it might as well bring the worst, darkest, and the angstiest parts out of someone. And this guy has been through one of the bloodiest wars of all time, so there are some things that might be a little unsettling, and even illogical, considering they've literally lost everything, and are contemplating a world without war, where they might not have lost EVERYthing.

Also, please drop in with any thoughts you may have. XX

Links: Chapter 1 and Chapter 2

_________________________________

Chapter 3

The Darkness

“I bear no remorse for the deaths of ninety-nine of the Kauravas,” the anger in his voice is palpable, and tangible to the point where she could feel it bodily.

“Nor do I feel any compassion for Karna,” this time, it is her breath that hitches in her chest, as she tries not to remember the acerbic vitriol of insults he had hurled and triggered at her, “unlike The Emperor.”

“But Vikarna, Panchaali,” she feels him breaking down, “what of him?”

He isn’t the only one who breaks into smaller pieces, with every breath he took. 

“What of those young boys? What of those soldiers? What of Uncle Salya? What of those blameless people who fought with and against us?”

This is the longest that he has spoken in what seems like an eternity. 

“Did Madhusudana tell you how Abhimanyu was slain? Did he recount how Ghatotkacha had fallen? Has he ever confided in you, of The Grandsire’s pain? His remorse?”

“Five villages, Panchaali! Five villages! Five villages! Five hamlets! And we would have forgotten, perchance, if time allowed, we would even have forgiven all!”

“When have we ever been averse to a life of hardship, Krishne?” he rallies on, thunder rumbling in his voice with every syllable. 

“We would have lived on as ascetics in those villages for all I care!” Bheemasena’s voice gives in, with a note of finality, “Varanavata, The Jatugriha, probably even The Dyuta, all those years of exile, Jayadratha, Keechaka! All of it! All of them!”

“I’d have ensured full well that Dushyasana would serve me for the rest of his life! The life that I’d deign him, with his entrails intact!”

Draupadi feels her long, lustrous hair, for the first time since the War. It didn’t reek of that fiend anymore. 

“We wouldn’t have had the blood of those hordes of people on our hands,” he fell heavily in her lap, “Hundreds of thousands of them!”

“Oh Panchaali!” he sobbed helplessly, “I feel as if I’ve killed my sons! My Ghatotkacha! My Abhimanyu!”

“I’d atleast have the luxury of having some of us survive the onslaught,” she felt warm tears grace her lap, “and then-”

- “I’d felt the strength leaving my body the day Sutasoma left us, with his brothers.”

[antihibikase-archive]

Numeron Code AU - Plot Summary

We've temporarily named the arcs after the opening of Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal since Zexal is the main series that inspired this AU- its also why they use D - Gazers, which were introduced in Zexal.

Additionally, for reference for our mutuals; the D Gazer is the thing on their eyes (Piper's tattoo, Slater's heart-scale thing) while the duel disk is the thing attached to their arm! The D Gazer enables them to see the field (Zexal is focused on the whole hyperrealistic AR thing for the duels), while the duel disk is where they play their cards.

Keeping YGO terms and reference to a minimum here in this post for easier understanding but, here's the plot so far;

Cheren Piper is an up and coming duelist from Nuvema Town, hoping to make it big in the center of Unova, Nimbasa City- that is, if his attitude wasn't holding him back.

Those in Nimbasa's dueling scene know of Piper as a temperamental brat, and while they couldn't deny he had the skill to make it to the stars, he wasn't deserving of such blessings until he fixed his personality, one that is so unbearable that it turned all of his previous friends away from him.

Despite this, Piper aims to be the best of the best, viewing his lack of connections and support as something temporary- something that will be worth it once people realize his greatness.

However, his life changes after he meets his first and only genuine fan, and is later approached by a man in strange garbs.

Arc 1 (Masterpiece) - Piper meets Cheren Slater, a boy from Hoenn who shares his name. Despite initially keeping him around to stroke his ego, Piper finds himself growing to care for him, as Slater confides to Piper about his lack of dueling skill and the reasoning for his presence in Unova- loneliness.

Piper is later approached by a man named Ghetsis, who offers him pure strength in exchange for his cooperation in Team Plasma, having grown interested in Piper's performances in Nimbasa's dueling scene.

Piper chooses to chase his ideal, and becomes a number hunter for Team Plasma; someone that hunts rare cards known as numbers, which are said to bring out a duelist's deepest, darkest desires, and grant their wishes. In addition, to reap a number from a duelist, he has to steal their soul.

Arc 2 (Braving) - As Piper grows busier with his number hunting, he disappears from Nimbasa's tournament scene, sparking rumors. Meanwhile, he tries to keep in touch with Slater, who is convinced Piper was simply scouted by a professional dueling circuit, and supports Piper's dream by promising to wait for him always. Growing slightly jaded by the number hunting, Piper wishes to see his friend again- but is unable to come to their meeting following an emergency with Ghetsis.

Meanwhile, Slater waits at their usual meeting spot, believing that Piper will show up no matter what- he's eventually abducted by Team Plasma's sage Zinzolin, who claims he is similar to The Diviner of The Herald card, and sees him worthy to be the object of worship of the cult, The Herald's Guidance.

As Piper starts to rebel against Team Plasma, Ghetsis dangles his captured friend in front of him, and feeds Piper a lie- if he wishes to save his friend's life from the clutches of the Heralds, he must continue to seek out the numbers.

Arc 3 (Soul Driver) - Rumors about a ghost spreads online, attracting the attention of Unova's best dueling league, The Elite Four- particularly, it attracts the attention of Pro Duelist Grimsley Slater, who has been working night and day, seeking out his missing brother.

Having found escape impossible, Piper finds himself selling his soul away to Team Plasma in an attempt to collect all the numbers and to save his friend, who grows weaker with each day under the influence of the Heralds.

During one of his hunts, he encounters Grimsley, who reveals he has a number card of his own; however, Piper is unwilling to hunt him, knowing that doing so might lead to his only friend hating him. Spotting this weakness, Ghetsis attempts to exploit his attachment to Slater, dangling freedom and the illusion of control in front of him.

Not wanting to hurt anymore people and unwilling to leave his friend in the mercy of the cult, Piper starts plotting of another escape attempt.

Arc 4 (Unbreakable Heart) - A month after Piper manages to escape with Slater, he moves in with Slater at his condo in Castelia City, despite Grimsley's mixed feelings towards him. Sharing the same trauma, the two of them try to recover from what has happened to them, seeking out to enjoy dueling once more.

Piper's reappearance makes him realize that, despite his unlikable personality, those in the dueling scene were troubled by his disappearance, and he finds himself mellowing out and enjoying the feeling of being loved.

However, just as both he and Slater are starting to feel comfortable, scattered members of The Herald's Guidance emerge, claiming that Team Plasma will rise again- and they will take their Diviner once more.

Arc 5 (Dualism of Mirrors) - on edge after weeks of harassment and stalking, Piper is approached by a man named Colress, who offers him the choice of training him under his wing to become stronger. When Piper refuses, Colress mentions that in his current state, he will be unable to protect what is most important to him.

Piper slowly starts to spiral back into old habits, keeping Slater in the dark about his meetings with Colress, and once again focusing on solely strength instead of the joy of dueling. This culminates in him attempting to hunt Grimsley for his number card, which in turn, leads Grimsley to believe Piper will never change from the brat he was at the start, and kicks him out of their home.

That night, however, as he wanders through the streets of Nimbasa City, Grimsley calls Piper in a panic, claiming Slater is missing.

Arc 6 (Wonder Wings) - Piper is summoned by Colress to the Plasma Frigate. Along the way, he duels members of The Herald's Guidance as they repeat Colress' words to him- that Piper is not strong enough to protect what is most important to him. By the time he reaches the Frigate, Piper has grown colder, more unhinged, and demands to never forgive Colress- or anyone that stands beyond him, his quest for strength, and his dream.

In the midst of the duel, however, Piper realizes that Colress' deck is not only Slater's old Herald deck, but that Slater has been trapped inside The Herald of Ultimateness' armor, where he's barely conscious enough to feel what's happening to him.

Piper is initially unwilling to hurt his friend, nearing death as Colress pushes him to his limits; but upon hearing Slater's voice from resonating within the armor, Piper expresses his desire to return to their simpler days back to their first meeting.

Trusting his own instincts, Piper manages to attack Colress- and by extension, Slater.

Epilogue:

Post-Colress duel, Piper is in a slump, having his passion for dueling ripped away from him; not wanting to be in the public eye any longer, especially after he's held his friend's body in his arms, Piper attempts to run away; from both his partner and the rest of the world.

However, months after Slater's recovery, Piper hears that Grimsley is forcing him to go back to Hoenn- Piper shows himself to Grimsley to fight for Slater's right to choose, but Slater takes his challenge instead, prompting a ceremonial duel at the very place where they first met.

As they duel and attract an audience, Piper remembers the promise he made with Slater months ago, where they would protect each other and be each other's biggest supporters in a world that they felt had left them alone. Realizing Slater wants to share his burden and not to worry about him anymore, Piper manages to overcome his fear of hurting his friend, and give him a good and fair duel.

After winning the duel, Piper demands for Grimsley to listen to Slater's choice- in which Slater reveals he himself wishes to go back to Hoenn for the time being, and only pretended that Grimsley was forcing him, knowing Piper would not show up otherwise. Though Unova is his home now, Slater understands that he must learn to find his own strength just as Piper learns to open his heart to the region he once turned his back to. With a promise of reunion, Piper and Grimsley send off Slater to Hoenn.

Timeskip:

A year later, Piper is seen reconnecting with old friends and winning his first ever tournament- he had moved into the Slaters' condo awhile back, and intends on chasing his dream while he waits for Slater to return.

Numeron Code ends with Piper receiving a call from Slater, telling him he's waiting at their usual spot in Nimbasa City.

[me-gusta]

Always chasing Love Part 2

“Stay with me,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“I will,” he promised, his eyes reflecting a determination that reassured her more than any words could.

In the days that followed, Asuna`s world was a whirlwind of hospitals and recovery. Kirito was a constant presence, his visits a beacon of light in her darkest hours. He brought her flowers, books, and most importantly, his unwavering support.

As she healed, they talked about everything and nothing. He listened as she recounted the betrayal that had driven her to the edge, his eyes darkening with anger on her behalf. He shared stories of his own struggles, his experiences in the real world after escaping the virtual one. They found solace in each other, their shared past a bridge that brought them closer.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the room in a warm, golden glow, Asuna found herself opening up in ways she never had before. She told him about her dreams, her fears, and the pain of her recent heartbreak. Kirito listened, his expression thoughtful and compassionate.

“You deserve better,” he said softly, taking her hand in his. “You deserve someone who will cherish you, who will never make you doubt your worth.”

Asuna`s heart skipped a beat at his words, her eyes meeting his. In that moment, she realized how much he meant to her, how his presence had become a source of strength and comfort.

Their bond deepened, the line between friendship and something more growing increasingly blurred. Kirito`s kindness, his unwavering support, and the genuine care he showed her touched her in ways she hadn`t expected.

One night, as they sat together in the hospital garden, the stars twinkling above them, Asuna found the courage to voice the feelings that had been building inside her.

“Kirito,” she began, her voice trembling slightly, “I don`t know what I would have done without you. You`ve been my rock, my light in the darkness. I—” She paused, gathering her thoughts. “I think I`m falling in love with you.”

Kirito`s eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, silence hung between them. Then, a smile broke across his face, warm and genuine.

“I`ve loved you since the day I met you in Sword Art Online,” he confessed, his voice filled with emotion. “I never thought I`d get the chance to tell you in the real world. But now that we`re here, I don`t want to waste another moment.”

Asuna`s heart swelled with joy, tears of happiness welling in her eyes. Kirito leaned in, his hand gently cupping her cheek, and their lips met in a tender kiss. It was a promise, a new beginning forged from the trials they had both endured.

Asuna`s recovery continued, but now she had Kirito by her side, their love giving her the strength to heal both physically and emotionally. They faced the challenges of the real world together, their bond growing stronger with each passing day.

Months later, Asuna stood at the same spot where her life had taken a drastic turn, the highway where she had almost lost everything. But now, it was a place of transformation, a reminder of how far she had come. Kirito stood beside her, his hand intertwined with hers.

“I`m glad I found you,” he said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Asuna smiled, leaning into him. “I`m glad you did too. You saved me, in more ways than one.”

Together, they faced the future with hope and determination, their love a guiding light in the darkness. No matter what challenges lay ahead, they knew they could overcome them together, their hearts forever intertwined.

And as the sun rose, casting a new dawn over their lives, Asuna knew that she had found her true love, the one who would stand by her side through thick and thin, in the virtual world and the real one. Their story was just beginning, a tale of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bond forged in the fires of adversity.

[kevrocksicehouse]

Inside Out 2.

D: Kelsey Mann (2024).

At the beginning of this sequel to the wildly inventive examination of the many emotions ---Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black) etc. – running around the psyche of Riley, a tweener girl who is now entering her teens, we’re introduced to new emotions like Ennui (Adele Exarchopoulos looking like a black and white French movie star), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser hiding in a black hoodie) and a scene stealing wide-eyed Anxiety (Maya Hawke looking like Big Daddy Roth entered his minimalist phase) who overthrow the other feelings in a witty depiction of the onset of puberty. But where’s, well, Lust (maybe be too strong a word but what even Disney’s Bambi called “twitterpation)?” The film doesn’t so much sidestep romantic attraction as dive into a hole to avoid it, taking place in a girl’s hockey camp (because a nunnery would be too obvious) and eschewing any male characters, and while Riley develops a girl-crush on an older player (Lilimar) the film is so much Not-Going-There that it wastes the monstrous apparition of Riley’s Deepest Darkest Secret for a silly end-credits gag. The film gets a lot right about the emotional mechanics of adolescence (a nice touch is the structural upheaval of her brain when she uses “sar-chasm”) and the overwhelming hold social anxiety has on the psych. And it’s easy to see why a tentpole film that depends on a family audience might shy away from certain “mature” themes. But that very avoidance cuts the story off at the knees. It’s trying to be a coming-of-age movie without growing up.

[katzynia]

Thanks for the tag @bittercape <3

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

27 published, one of which is a WIP as of June 4th.

2. What is your AO3 wordcount?

203,862 words (by June 4th 2024)

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Batman corner of DC, and mostly even further corner of Slade Wilson/Jason Todd, with only a few exceptions.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Let it fade, let it linger Sound of falling trees First and then Let it build, let it settle Every piece of you

5. Do you respond to comments?

Yes. I adore comments, each and everyone really makes my day. I will reply, though it might take a little. Typically I let them accumulate for a couple days (or to the nearest weekend) after publishing before replying to a whole bunch (time spend basking in the warmth of people liking what I wrote :D)

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

..I don't really do that angsty endings. I am a softie at heart, so I don't care for hurt/no comfort fics much. Good bittersweet is great thought! With that in mind, I guess my angstiests would be Sound of falling trees (bittersweet is a good word for this ending I think) Turn your dream to shame (my angstiest/darkest fic, ambigous ending)

7. What is the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Most of my endings are happy. Let it build, let it settle is maybe the sweetest thing in general... Though I do have very sweet oneshots.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

No, not really. I think Slade/Jay for which I mostly write is still so much in its own corner, not popular enough to attract hate. At least not where I would run into it.

9. Do you write smut? If so, which kind?

Yes. ;) Pairingwise M/M so far. Kinkwise, many kinds and I'm open to many more :D There aren't many kinks I would absolutely not write. I've found it a lot of fun to try out different things and Jayde Agenda discord server's Kink tag challenge has been loads of fun. I think my kinkiest is probably Straddling the line (in discord and rhyme) as I wrote it with "yes and":ing a whole bunch of kinks, starting with the tag challenge of "Possessive sex". Also Call me maybe, with dirty talk being the whole point of writing it

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest crossover you’ve ever written?

I have not written any cross-overs. I might if something strikes my fancy.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not as far as I know.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

I was asked once, but I said no. I don't like the idea of my work being translated so that I can't understand it. I'm writing in my second language anyway and I have thought a lot about how different I would say things if I was writing on my actual language. It's the connotations! Idk, I just felt... weird about it and didn't want to to happen.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No.

14. What’s your all-time favourite ship?

Jayde is my current love and fave in DC, not surprisingly. I also like Jason/Roy Harper, and certain variations of Jason/Dick. In other fandoms, I used to read *a lot* of Steve/Bucky. Arthur/Eames is a lot of fun. I also had fairly intense phase of reading everything for Jyn/Cassian in Star Wars.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Well. I have kind written a Mummy AU for Jayde for about two years now... Hard to say if it ever sees the light of day, i periodically write some and then lose interest/get desperate that it's too complicated and write nothing. I honestly don't know if I get it finished or even if I'm wiling to put the work in.

16. What are your writing strengths?

I think I'm good at dropping information in interesting and not-exposition-y way, drip-drip-dripping it so that it's curiosity inducing. I am good at implying things. I also really like and think I'm good at playing with relative knowledge. I've been told I'm also pretty good at character voices. But honestly, it's hard for me to say what are the strengths, I'm too close to it. So I am in fact, open to feedback

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Grammar, stupid English. In all seriousness, I get pretentious. I usually catch most of it in editing, but I have a tendency to get too flowery and for example, say the same thing in too many ways in row which blunts the impact. As flipside of my information dropping skills, I sometimes get too stingy with information, so that I assume something is clear when it isn't. I'm not very good at narration further way from the POV character, I do very close POV and that doesn't always work for the story I'm trying to tell. Again, I am open to feedback. Could be interesting.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I'm on the fence about it. I do tend to get annoyed if there's no translation *very* easily available. I think it comes back to my preference for close narration, so if the character doesn't speak the language, I prefer sticking to "Somebody spoke in language he didn't recognize" or something like that. Singular words, especially for affectionate nicknames are cute though. I'm not a language person :D That said, I don't get annoyed in "nobody should ever do this" kind of way. I firmly believe that every writer can do what they want in their story. It's just a preference for me.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Jayde. Surprise :D

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

I am incredibly, excessively proud of Kindle and char, my pirate fic. I honestly think the concept is great and it turned out very close to what I wanted. It's the longest story I've written and I had so much fun doing it.

Tagging, very close pressure, but if you'd like to jump in @nonbinaryjaybird @notherdeadrobin

[thatonespriteobsessedbitch]

Books I've Read This Year (2023):

January:

The First to Die at the End - Adam Silvera, 5/5⭐

Belladonna - Adalyn Grace, 5/5⭐

February:

To Kill A Kingdom - Alexandra Christo, 4/5 ⭐

Sorcery of Thorns - Margaret Rogerson, 5/5⭐ (actually my third reread for this book, one of favourites)

The Love Hypothesis - Ali Hazelwood, 4/5⭐

Love On The Brain - Ali Hazelwood, 4/5⭐

Mysteries of Thorn Manor - Margaret Rogerson, 5/5⭐

The Poet X - Elizabeth Acevedo, 4/5⭐

The Inheritance Games - Jennifer Lynn Barnes, 5/5⭐

The Hawthorne Legacy - Jennifer Lynn Barnes, 5/5⭐

The Final Gambit - Jennifer Lynn Barnes, 5/5⭐

A Touch Of Darkness - Scarlett St. Clair, 5/5⭐

Why We Fly - Kimberly Jones, 5/5⭐

The Cheat Sheet - Sarah Adams, 4/5⭐

Loathe To Love You - Ali Hazelwood, 5/5⭐

March:

Icebreaker - Hannah Grace, 4/5⭐

Vespertine - Margaret Rogerson, 5/5⭐

This Vicious Grace - Emily Thiede, 5/5⭐

Nothing More To Tell - Karen M. McManus, 4/5⭐

King of Scars - Leigh Bardugo, 5/5⭐

Rule of Wolves - Leigh Bardugo, 5/5⭐

Off the Record - Camryn Garrett, 5/5⭐

Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare, 2/5⭐

April:

The Darkest Curse - Rachel Rowlands, 4/5⭐

My Killer Vacation - Tessa Bailey, 5/5⭐

The Nowhere Girls - Amy Reed, 5/5⭐

An Enchantment of Ravens - Margaret Rogerson, 5/5⭐

The Hate You Give - Angie Thomas, 5/5⭐ (reread)

Belladonna - Adalyn Grace, 5/5⭐(yes twice in four months)

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - Sangu Mandanna, 4/5⭐

May:

The Awakening - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 4/5⭐

The Way I Used to Be - Amber Smith, 4/5⭐

The Crucible - Arthur Miller, 2/5⭐

The Good Girls - Claire Eliza Bartlett, 5/5⭐

Ruthless Fae - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 4/5⭐

The Reckoning - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 4/5⭐

The Awakening as Told by the Boys - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 4/5⭐

Perfect on Paper - Sophie Gonzales, 4/5⭐

Shadow Princess - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 5/5⭐

Cursed Fates - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 5/5⭐

Fated Throne - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 5/5⭐

Daisy Jones & The Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid, 5/5⭐

A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon - Sarah Hawley, 5/5⭐

The Serpent and the Wings of Night - Carissa Broadbent, 5/5⭐

Six Scorched Roses - Carissa Broadbent, 5/5⭐

June:

The Cellist of Sarajevo - Steven Galloway, 1/5⭐

Kingdom of the Wicked - Kerri Maniscalco, 5/5⭐

Kingdom of the Cursed - Kerri Maniscalco, 5/5⭐

Kingdom of the Feared - Kerri Maniscalco, 4/5⭐

Heartless Sky - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 5/5⭐

Sorrow and Starlight - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 5/5⭐

Dark Fae - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 4/5⭐

Caged Wolf - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 5/5⭐

July:

Love, Theoretically - Ali Hazelwood, 4/5⭐

This Delicious Death - Kayla Cottingham, 5/5⭐

Legendborn - Tracy Deonn, 5/5⭐

Bloodmarked - Tracy Deonn, 5/5⭐ (the way I would die for Bree and Sel)

Savage Fae - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 3/5⭐

Vicious Fae - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 4/5⭐

Broken Fae - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 5/5⭐

Warrior Fae - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 5/5⭐

Alpha Wolf - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 4/5⭐

Feral Wolf - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, 5/5⭐

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid, 5/5⭐

Princess of Souls - Alexandra Christo, 4/5⭐

Tools of Engagement - Tessa Bailey, 4/5⭐

This Poison Heart - Kalynn Bayron, 5/5⭐

The Deal - Elle Kennedy, 2/5⭐

The Weight of Blood - Tiffany D. Jackson, 4/5⭐

Bravely - Maggie Stiefvater, 5/5⭐

August:

The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King - Carissa Broadbent, 5/5⭐

This Wicked Fate - Kaylynn Bayron, 5/5⭐

Into The Bloodred Woods - Martha Brockenbrough, 4/5⭐

Trial of the Sun Queen - Nisha J. Tuli, 5/5⭐

September:

The Female of The Species - Mindy McGinnis, 5/5⭐ (the ending killed me, I ugly cried) (def read the trigger warnings tho)

Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros, 5/5⭐ (worth the hype)

Foxglove - Adalyn Grace, 5/5⭐ (I laughed, cried and swooned)

Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros, 5/5⭐ (twice in a week lol)

Rule of the Aurora King - Nisha J. Tuli, 5/5⭐

Ravensong - Cayla Fay, 4/5⭐

October:

Such Sharp Teeth - Rachel Harrison, 5/5⭐

House of Earth and Blood - Sarah J Maas, 5/5⭐ (part of my SJM reread for HOFAS)

House of Sky and Breath - Sarah J Maas, 5/5⭐ (part of my SJM reread for HOFAS)

The Assassin's Blade - Sarah J Maas, 5/5⭐ (part of my SJM reread for HOFAS)

Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas, 5/5⭐ (part of my SJM reread for HOFAS)

Crown of Midnight - Sarah J Maas, 5/5⭐ (part of my SJM reread for HOFAS)

Heir of Fire - Sarah J Maas, 5/5⭐ (part of my SJM reread for HOFAS)

Macbeth - William Shakespeare, 4/5⭐

Queen of Shadows - Sarah J Maas, 5/5⭐ (part of my SJM reread for HOFAS)

November:

Empire of Storms - Sarah J Maas, 5/5⭐ (part of my SJM reread for HOFAS)

Iron Flame - Rebecca Yarros, 5/5⭐ (I cried like a baby reading the last 30 pages)

Iron Widow - Xiran Jay Zhao, 5/5⭐ (my 100th book this year)

Wildfire - Hannah Grace, 4/5⭐

Raven - Kami Garcia, Gabriel Picolo, 5/5⭐

Beast Boy - Kami Garcia, Gabriel Picolo, 5/5⭐

Beast Boy Loves Raven - Kami Garcia, Gabriel Picolo, 5/5⭐

Robin - Kami Garcia, Gabriel Picolo, 5/5⭐

Tower of Dawn - Sarah J Maas, 5/5⭐ (part of my SJM reread for HOFAS)

Kingdom of Ash - Sarah J Maas, 5/5⭐ (part of my SJM reread for HOFAS)

Salvage the Bones - Jesmyn Ward, 3.5⭐

December:

The Off-Limits Rule - Sarah Adams, 3/5⭐

Once Upon A Broken Heart - Stephanie Garber, 5/5⭐

The Importance of Being Ernest and Other Plays - Oscar Wilde, 4/5⭐

The Ballad of Never After - Stephanie Garber, 5/5⭐ (I read it twice in three days lol)

A Curse for True Love - Stephanie Garber, 5/5⭐ (actually my xmas present from my brother)

Check & Mate - Ali Hazelwood, 5/5⭐

Assistant to the Villain - Hannah Nicole Maehrer, 5/5⭐

Lightlark - Alex Aster, 4/5⭐

The Dead Romantics - Ashley Poston, 5/5⭐ (well... I finished the last 50 pages after midnight but Goodreads is still counting it, so I'm still counting it lol)

[light-lanterne]

hiii!!!! how are you?? hope you’re doing well !!! I have a question about smth in “the darkest eyes”, again you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to , anyway does Owen also have the disease ? because in the season 2 finale he was like bleeding so I assume he got eaten just a bit so maybe he has it idk , then again I could be making shit up . It doesn’t rlly matter ig anyways hope you’re doing well and make sure to take care of yourself!!!

hello ~!! i'm okei, still a little sick but much better. how about you ? don't worry ~ i love talking about this stuff so i get excited whenever someone asks :O

(this ask is in relation to one of my stories, where i gave the characters an illness as a result for their exposure to the upside down. to read more here's part 1 and part 2 ~)

anyway, owens did get really hurt !! you're not misremembering in the slightest ~ that said, if we look at his injuries, i'm not quite sure what happened to him x.x

(and now, for an overly complicated analysis,,,)

okei, so, owens. on one side, his leg is pretty torn up and he's steadily bleeding out,,, but it doesn't really look like a demodog bite; it's too clean and regular to match their star-shaped mandibles. plus, i'd imagine democreatures have quite the grip so i'd assume owens would lose his leg first before he could shake them off D:

so, to me it looks more like gashes ? as in, a demodog got him briefly with their claws but he somehow managed to run away. at least that makes sense to me.

as for his chest injury, it's completely different :S it's not a slash of any kind, in fact it looks more like a puncture wound or maybe a projectile injury (but nothing too deep, otherwise he'd have trouble breathing). if i were to guess, it might've been some form of shrapnel, like, say, a demodog broke some glass and a shard flew into owens' chest. painful and dangerous, but definitely not that bad considering hopper didn't pay that any mind and focussed on the leg instead.

so yeah,,, as far as i can see i don't think owens got bitten. which for my story, it means he's not infected :] he probably had some exposure to the upside down spores, of course, but nothing too drastic that it'd cause him the illness ~

hope this answered the question ! :D again, thank you so much for asking; i really get a kick out of talking about this faux medical condition i gave the characters in my story ^-^ and thank you for the kind words ~ hope you're doing great yourself !! :]

the story || masterpost

[nugqueensmind]

it's cliche I know - but it would be damn cute.

1) I think it's suiting us - sinners. also pretty funny and it be a story 😂

2) because a) we are each other's lighthouse on the darkest of days - and we always find a way to sail back home. b) I'd want the sailboat since I'm the one who's always been travelling (also running laps in your mind - I guess in this case sailing circles in your mind? 😂)

3) "live by the sun, love by the moon" - well a) I am your sunshine. b) you always love looking at the stars & moon. c) looking at the sun/moon always reminds me of you. d) I'd want love by the moon - to always remind me that I'm you're there every night we're apart. also because I'd want you to get live by the sun - so you always remember to live happy with your sunshine.

4) idk - think it's pretty cool - again, suiting since we've always been worlds apart and yet our connection never seems to die - or so I hope. - would change a few things and make the arrows more Europe to Aussie

5) I like the pinky promise - and quote idea - I think I'd change the quote to a song lyric or something - perhaps even just moondust. - idk, that song resignates with me - ig it's because it was one of the first songs you shared with me.

6) "no matter where" - yeah it just spoke to me. I saw it - thought of you - of us.

7) another funny one - probably wouldn't get this one unless you were willing to get homer. I'd want the donut one.

8) if we wanted something really small - again, I think it would suit us, the amount of letters/notes we share with each other.

9) well because you call me lil egg. - did not think I would find this hahahaha