#Tula you’re my everything

[brennan-lee-mother]

I’m rewatching Burrow’s end and the line “I can’t help but notice we’re in a setting that probably doesn’t have [undead]” coming from TULA of all people?

Jail for mother! Jail for a thousand years!!!

[thewritersofdeceased]

DARRY CURTIS

PROMPT: THE GREASERS CALL YOU AND DARRY “MOM AND DAD”

PRONOUNS: SHE / HER FOR THIS ONE

Greasers. Everybody despised the greasers of Tulas. Y/N was one of them. Having the dislike of Soc’s, it was natural for her to have a distaste to them. After finding Johnny Cade, the friend of her boyfriend’s brother all bruised up and hurt from a soc, her hatred for the nice-dressed had grown stronger.

Here she sat in the living room of the Curtis household, waiting for the greasers to come back from a fight. Well, not exactly a fight but they had to go and make sure Pony was safe. Walking home from the movies in between Social and Greaser’s territories weren’t exactly safe. Especially for a fourteen year old who never carried around a switchblade like the rest of them.

On the sides of the armchair y/n sat in were a first aid kit and a bunch of bandages. On the floor consisted of more medical supplies. A sigh of relief escaped when she heard the cheering of each boy. Though… she assumed they would be tired after a fight like that. When the door opened, the first one in was Pony, who had a cut just below his jawline, directly on his neck.

“Pony! Sit down, let me clean your cut.” She spoke, almost like a mother as she stood from the arm chair and grabbed the first aid kit. Pony, being afraid to anger the (h/c)’d female, sat himself on the couch with Soda plopping himself down right after. Y/N stood in front of the boy, carefully holding his face in order to work on the cut without injuring him anymore.

Darry watched the situation, helping Steve with his bleeding nose as everything happened. Johnny was quiet, but he watched Y/N rather closely. Standing to his feet and slightly tugging her jacket, he spoke with a soft tone. “Mom-“ He froze. Soon as he said that single word, he froze.

This led the greaser group to look over to Johnny with a confused look on their faces. Except Pony. He didn’t look towards his friend, and rather looked back at Y/N. Whose eyes were widened for a moment. For a couple seconds, Y/N felt her heart begin to grow bigger. She smiled warmly at the black haired boy before speaking softly.

“Yes, Johnny?” She tilted her head as she spoke, but her warm and soft tone never faltered or disappeared. “When you’re done can you help me with my..?” He motioned towards his scar, frowning slightly. Y/N nodded in response, having gone back to working on Pony.

That was only a couple weeks ago. About two or three. Now Y/N stood in the kitchen, preparing food for every boy that would come around. Darry was out with Soda working, Dally had been off doing whatever(probably getting in trouble with the fuzz), Steve and Two-Bit had been hangin out, and Johnny and Pony were walking home from a movie together.

The Curtis house smelt like a whole restaurant, a buffet if you’d think. Y/N hummed as she cooked and placed everything out. It wasn’t until she heard the bickering between two boys, and two others trying to stop them. “C’mon, let me at him!” It was Two-Bit and Steve bickering like children. Per usual. But that’s what friends do sometimes.

Y/N hummed in response to hearing the bickering, taking off the gloves she wore and smiling when the boys had come through the house’s front door. Though… they paused. Soda was the first to speak through everything. “Why’s it smell good? Someone cook?” He questioned aloud, only giving a quick Look into the kitchen.

“Well, welcome home boys. Take showers then get yourselves down here for dinner, yeah?” Y/N spoke warmly to each of the boys. Soda stared with a look of confusion for a couple seconds. Darry was rather surprised. He wasn’t annoyed, no. He was genuinely surprised. Steve and Two-bit’s bickering had came to a stop before they shouted in unison. “I CALL DIBS ON THE SHOWER FIRST!”

And there it was. The bickering again. The two pushed each other out of the way, trying to go and reach the shower first. Though Y/N was not having it. “HEY! Quit your fightin’ or nobody’s getting dessert!” She shouted to the boys, only as Soda began to laugh. The sudden shout made Two and Steve grow quiet real quick. They were on the ground by this point, wrestling. “Sorry mom..” They spoke, standing to their feet and looking at the ground.

This led a confused shout to escape another boy who’d finally gotten here. Dally, who stood in the doorway, stared with confusion. “MOM!? The hell are you two on about!?” He asked quickly, going over to Y/N. Dally didn’t have a good family life, just like Johnny. For a couple seconds, there was bickering before Y/N felt herself get picked up. Dally was glaring daggers to Soda, Two-bit and Steve.

“Y/N’s me and Johnny’s mom, back up!” Dally shouted, holding Y/N close to him in a hug. Darry only watched. “Guys… she’s my girlfriend. And I’m not your dad.” He spoke sternly to the four boys. Though Dally stared at him with a blank face. “Sure, dad. Sure.” Maybe Soda and Pony would be the only two to not call Darry their dad. Though at this point, the oldest Curtis brother did act like their dad.

When everyone was home, finishing dinner and heading off to sleep wherever, Y/N and Darry cleaned the kitchen up. The soft humming of the female and the deeper harmonies of the male. “Hey sweetheart?” Darry spoke after the humming had came to an end by both of them. Y/N let out a soft “hm?” in response to the other. She felt a pair of arms wrap around her, and Darry’s chin going on her shoulder.

“We make good parents to this idiots, don’t we?” He then asked, earning a soft laugh. “That we do. That we do… they’re idiots, but we love them.” She whispered, closing her eyes and leaning her head on Darry’s chest.

[vodika-vibes]

Me again 😈 this is the last one (for now)

How about Howzer x reader with "sh, sh, I'm going to patch you up."?? I love Howzer so much and virtually no one writes for him </3

Playing Doctor

Summary: In an ideal world, being trapped in a cramped place with Howzer would be a dream come true. After all, you’ve been crushing on him for ages now. You just wish the situation was a little less sucky.

Pairing: Captain Howzer x GN!Reader

Word Count: 1200

Warnings: Reader is injured, pining, Howzer is jealous but pretends that he isn't

A/N: Sorry that this took so long! I couldn't get Howzer to agree with me. Until I put on a Disney playlist on Spotify and the words just started flowing. (Also, I have been in a not-great mental place since the 6th, but I think I'm better-ish now). I hope you like it!

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You’ve known Howzer for years now. 

You first met him at the beginning of the Clone Wars, all of those years ago. And, looking back now, you can admit that your first impression of him wasn’t the greatest. 

He was arrogant. Cocky, even. And in his opinion, you were a meddling busybody who needed to spend a day or two sitting in a jail cell.

You weren’t, and aren’t, a soldier. You were the former base commander’s receptionist, and when he left for greener pastures, you were left behind with a handful of soldiers and support staff who weren’t important enough to anyone to manage to pull a reassignment.

In truth, you kept the base running through duct tape and a prayer. And then Howzer came along and took it from you. 

It wasn’t until he realized that none of the NatBorn soldiers, or support staff, would listen to him, that they all deferred to you, that Howzer realized that he stepped on a few toes. 

And he didn’t apologize until your Squad of Misfits pulled him and his men out of an ambush that should have killed them, but only left him badly injured and with a scar on his face.

The rest, as they say, is history.

By the time the Jedi Purge happened, you and Howzer were friends. Friends enough that, when he called you to ask for help, you dropped everything and hurried to his side. 

That had been a year ago, and while you won’t ever say that you regret it, you do wish that you had been more clever about your career prospects.

Or, at least, more clever.

Surely, if you had gone to medical school like your mother wanted you wouldn’t be in this situation.

Right?

You release a pained whimper as Howzer presses his hands, firmly, over the wound in your side. You try to pull away from his painful touch, but the way he has you positioned against the wall of the cave you’re taking shelter in means that you can’t move.

“Howzer—”

“I know it hurts, ad’ika.” His voice is low, and you don’t think you’ve ever seen such a grim look on his face before. Well, not directed towards you, at least, “but I need to stop the bleeding.”

Hesitantly, because he’s been funny about you touching him lately, you wrap your hands around his wrists, “‘m sorry. I messed up.”

“It’s not your fault. Who knew that the Stormtroopers had people who could use fucking javelins. Where are we, the Middle Ages?” He sounds stressed and angry.

“Many Indigenous people use weapons like that,” You reply, “Like the Ewoks and the Tusken Raiders of Tatooine.”

Howzer releases a huffed laugh, “Why do you know that?”

“I saw a documentary about it before,” You admit.

“Yeah? When was this?” He applies more pressure and you whimper as the sudden pain knocks the air out of your lungs, and you see a muscle work in his jaw.

“When I was a kid,” You manage to say, “There used to be a show. Tula the Tooka. Tula would teach kids about different races and show how we’re all the same.”

“Fighting bigotry one little kid at a time?”

“Something like that.” You wince, “She also covered some basic language skills, like how to say hello, or I’m lost, in whatever language.”

“Sounds educational,” Howzer shifts his hand and glances at your side, and then he takes your hand and presses it over the wound, “Apply pressure while I pull out my kit.”

“You could always just leave me here,” You offer.

“Don’t be fucking stupid, I’m not leaving you behind.” Howzer replies as he starts digging through the bag he’s been carrying, “You can’t actually think that I would do that.”

“I don’t.” You admit, “Make your life easier if you were less loyal, though.” You pause, “Idiot.” The word is affectionate, and the corner of Howzer’s lips curl up into a small smile.

“Wonder what having an easy life would be like,” He jokes, before he turns back to you, “Alright, move your hand.” You do as he asks, though you don’t realize why he’s saying that until the sharp scent of alcohol reaches your nose.

You yelp and jerk back when an alcohol-soaked cloth presses against your side. Though, you don’t get far.

“Shh, shh,” he effortlessly tugs you closer, so he can keep the cloth pressed against your side, “I’m going to patch you up.”

“You couldn’t have given me some warning?” You choke out.

“Sorry, ad’ika. But you’re kind of a baby when it comes to pain.”

You stare up at him through tear-filled eyes, “And you thought this would help? You’re a jerk. Rex would never—” You yelp again when his touch gets rough enough that it hurts.

The painful pressure vanishes almost immediately, “Sorry, I’m sorry! I forget that you’re so much more fragile than me.” Howzer blurts as he uses the sleeve of his jacket to wipe a tear from your cheek, “Please don’t cry.”

“I-it’s okay, you didn’t mean it.”

Howzer sighs, “It’s not okay, but thank you.” He pulls some bandages from his bag, “I bet Rex would never forget that.” There’s something odd in his voice, and you realize, with a start, that he’s jealous. 

“Howzer?”

“Hm?”

“Are you jealous of Rex?”

He fumbles with the wrapper of the bandage, and his dark eyes flicker up to meet your gaze, before dropping back to your side, “Course not.”

You stare at the top of his head for a moment, and then you sigh and reach up to run your fingers through his hair, “You know you’re my favorite, right?”

“Are you allowed to have favorites?” Howzer asks as he applies the bandage and tapes it to your skin.

“I think you’ll find that I don’t care about what’s allowed,” You counter, “You’re my favorite, and I’m glad that I ended up stranded here with you over anyone else.”

He finally meets your gaze, “You hate being stranded anywhere.” Howzer corrects with a wry smile.

“See, no one else knows me like you do.”

“Well, I have known you for years now,”

Your hand falls from his hair to rest against his cheek, just over his scar. There are so many things you want to tell him. So many thoughts you want to share. 

Things that he deserves to know.

But the words seem to stick in your throat.

After all, there’s no way he feels the same way for you as you do for him.

So, instead, you offer a tiny smile, “I’m guessing you have a plan.”

Howzer turns his head and presses a light kiss to the palm of your hand, “Always do.” He pulls away from you, “Are you okay waiting here for me?”

“Just don’t forget about me.”

“Never.” He stands and peels off his jacket, “Here, use this as a pillow and get some rest. I’ll be back when I’m done.”

You take his jacket and fold it so you can lay down, “Be careful,” Howzer tosses you a wink, and then he’s gone. 

And, now alone, you release a quiet sigh. “I love you, Howzer.”

@imabeautifulbutterfly

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[unsleepingtales]

Burrow's End Episode 2 Reactions!

Ok so I watched this spread out over last night and this morning and now I'm in a Great mood for class! This episode was so good though. Really really truly this is wonderful and I love this season.

She thought they would have greater numbers?? Aabria you’re the one who wrote it what do you mean

Erika’s character look is so cool

Electricity?

That is what mothers are like yeah.

I don’t know about every stoat in the world being able to harness lightning magic but sure okay

This line of thinking from Tula feels very in line with what Brennan’s talked about in the past of it always being valuable for someone to have basic needs in mind, and it making everything easier and more enjoyable when those things are considered first.

Oooh paladin things!

This season is going to fuck me up incredibly badly and it’s not even going to be the sad shit it’s just going to be the parent/child interactions.

It hurts to be awake because it’s all I ever think about and there are no answers. So real.

Ava is so good to watch

Every time it cuts to Erika-

Ugh I love dnd so much

Every time Brennan gets a nat1 he kind of hides behind it lol

Tula has a -1 to arcana???

Love to see the weird british things counter return

Cageyyyy

Bear nearby and bear has small friends?

BATTLE MAP BATTLE MAP

THE WHOLE MAP IS A BEAR

Vampire chipmunk??? What the fuck what the fuck what the fuckkkk

WHAT

Ok oh my gif the threatening energy in “Oh, you didn’t beat me.”

WHAT THE FUCK OH MY GOD WHAT I HATE THAT WHAT

I hate it I hate it I hate it no god please no

ON THE DOME TOO??

Izzy is so right about the magic school bus thing

My soul shoots straight out of my ass, into hell. 🙂.

This is so unpleasant to look at

This does not feel proportional but it’s fine this is fine

HOW IS THIS BEAR ALIVE

Erika is so good at being The Old Lady

Be better!!

So help me I will turn this bear around!

Oh my god

I get that the heart beating is important to convey that the bear is still alive but jesus

There’s literally enough bear already.

Parasitic chipmunks nesting inside a bear. Good lord.

God I keep looking at the projection. That’s so unsettling.

Bad! This feels bad!

Oh my GOD

What oh god please no

What a brilliant episode to be watching while I have breakfast

I’m so curious if the bear’s actions are legendary actions or lair actions

Oh that was such a new york mother voice

That was literally a commercial break. The Iyengar-Mulligan bit. That was a comic relief commercial break

Horrible!!!

Eraser destroying power couple lmao

Like a stoat!

As an experienced babysitter I can confirm. Eight year olds are strong and it is because they don’t know they are. Being punched by an eight year old fucking hurts.

They’re taking the Alvin thing so far and it’s incredible

Ava WHAT are you doing

Oh I had a physical reaction to that. That was so unpleasant.

You think you’ve got this (threatening)

(Aabria laughs at the nerve of this play)

I love seeing my own table dynamics reflected in others. Because this wild swinging from hysterical laughter to jaw dropping horror is exactly what happened literally four days ago in my current game.

If your spine isn’t working store bought is fine

I dislike this strongly

She’s in the medulla oblongata! (Mentopolis)

FUCK YEAH LILA

Oh my god Aabria

Terrifying right now but like I’m a fun way

Just a lil blood soaked guy

I really appreciate how Aabria always mentions who’s up next so they can prep

I love doing things that potentially have great consequences just to see what it would do.

Oh we’re in blue again ok

What a wild thing to be happening right now

Oh good god

Do NOT eat it

What oh god what the fuck are you doing

MID COMBAT LEVEL UP???

Oh ok.

No I don’t believe that they’re dead- well, they don’t look great…

Pick your one favorite organ

The devil inside my child’s head!

Level up eyyy

What a visual

And also to you :)

Oh my god

Ok! What a time. Wow.

[javier-djarin]

Stuck in Colder Weather Part 2

A Din Djarin One Shot

Ship: Din Djarin x Fem!Reader

Rating: E

Word Count: 3,365

Warnings: Pining, Fluff, Angst

Part 1

Masterlist

For more Holiday Content by me!

Holiday Content by @rebelscumlena

Summary: Both you and Din are reminded of the good in your relationship. You start to see that maybe he has changed but are afraid to give him that second chance.

A/N: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone! Here is part 2 of a little Holiday gift I have been cooking up with my writing partner. Thank you, @rebelscumlena, for helping me grow into a better writer. You're the best! I hope you all enjoy what we've created! As always, if you want to be on my tag list, let me know. Fill out this form! Love you all! Thank you to all my readers that have been around since the beginning of all this, and welcome to my new readers! Happy holidays, everyone!

Part 2: Redemption

Sleep evaded you all night. You still had a hard time grasping the fact that Din Djarin was asleep in your living room with the target he’d thrown away everything for. You had heard the stories of how the guild’s best stole an asset and went rogue. You were just shocked that he still had the kid; something that you were certain he never wanted. Or he never wanted it with you, you thought to yourself as you tossed and turned in your bed. 

Luca and Tula had warmed to him over dinner. Though much to Tula’s dismay, Din would not eat in the presence of company. “Mando,” she’d beckoned, “take off the helmet, eat!” 

Din just sat stoically.

“I found the fattest fowl at the butcher’s for tonight just to welcome you,” she prodded, “eat up!”

Tula came from a large family where they expressed themselves through large gatherings and meals; the exact opposite of how Din lived his life. 

“Tula,” you began, “he doesn’t eat--”

“What do you mean he doesn’t eat any meat?” She continued fixing Grogu a small platter.

You sighed, glancing at Luca who was grinning behind his mug of hot chocolate. “Tula, he doesn’t eat in the presence of others. It requires him to take off his helmet.”

Tula’s eyebrows raised in surprise as she took a bite from her dinner. “Never?”

“Except in the presence of family,” he paused, “or my Riduur.”

Silence had fallen over the dinner table, and you kept your gaze trained on the plate in front of you. “Can I go to the fields with Din tomorrow and have him show me how to fly?” Luca asked, breaking the tension.

You choked on your drink. “What?”

Din turned his helmet toward your nephew with what you were certain was a shocked expression.

“Well, you  won’t take me, and Tula said after the last time, she’ll never go with me again. So, why not Din?”

You sighed. “Fine, but you will listen to everything Din tells you to do.” You paused, glancing at Din. “That is if you want to take him.”

“I…uh,” he stammered, “I don’t mind.”

That instantly made Luca his best friend as he grilled him about the different types of ships he’s piloted. Tula grinned at you, quickly pulling you into the kitchen to clean off the plates with her. You knew what was running through her mind, so you instantly jumped on the defensive. “Whatever you’re about to say, don’t,” you stated, “Din and I want different things. I’ve accepted that he will never want to settle down.”

“He’s got Grogu now,” she stated, “he’s probably changed.”

And that thought was what kept you awake that night. Din said he’d changed, but you didn’t want to let yourself believe it. You tried convincing yourself that he was still the same, stoic man you left behind -- the man that wouldn’t fight for you, the man that wouldn’t compromise. But he was the same man that would give you the moon if you’d ask for it, the same man that loved so fiercely behind closed doors that it quelled all of your doubts you ever had about him. 

Light peeked through your window forcing you out of the comfort of the nest you’d built in your blankets. You grabbed your robe off the back of your door and shuffled out into the living area. Din was sitting on the couch with Grogu in his arms, softly talking to him. His head turned to you as soon as that floorboard creaked at the end of the hallway. Gently, he placed Grogu back on the couch and stood. “Good morning,” he softly whispered, his voice distorted in the modulator of his helmet.

You gave him a weak smile and nodded. “Are you hungry?” you asked.

“I already fixed something for us,” he replied, “but thank you.”

He followed you into the kitchen, leaning against the door jam as you fixed a cup of coffee. You could feel his eyes tracking your every move, and you resisted the urge to turn to him. Your heart skipped several beats when you noticed his helmet on the counter next to your hands. Slowly, you turned, and Din was standing so close to you that you were sure he could hear your heart beating. “Din --”

“Despite what you want to believe, Cyar’ika,” he said, “I have changed. Grogu can’t live a life on the run, and he depends on me.”

“I’m happy for you and your child, Din,” you breathed, “and if you’ve changed, then I’m glad it’s for him.”

His hand cupped your face as his thumb lightly caressed your cheek. “Are you still holding on to that hope that I’d fight for you to stay?”

You closed your eyes, feeling the barely healed crack in your heart split open again. After several deep breaths, you finally spoke. “Leaving you was the hardest thing I ever had to do.” You paused, opening your eyes to see the pleading in his. “We wanted different things, and I couldn’t expect you to change for me. So, when I left, I swore to myself that I’d never go through that again.”

“I did come after you,” he admitted, “I knew you ran to your sister’s, and so I followed.”

You felt a chill wash over you as your heart fell into your stomach. “Then, why --”

“You looked so happy with them,” he continued, “and I didn’t think I could give you that.”

Placing a hand on his chest, you lightly pushed him away, handing him his helmet. “All I wanted was you, Din, and I would have accepted living on the Razor Crest, if that meant that’s how I could have had you.”

He held the beskar to his chest. “That wasn’t the life I wanted for you.”

You took a deep breath to calm the overwhelming emotions bubbling at the surface. “But expecting me to wait dutifully for you to return home after months on end was the dream? How long did it take for you to realize I was gone?”

Din didn’t answer.

You pursed your lips together and nodded. 

“Am I interrupting?” Luca’s voice called from behind Din.

Slowly, Din slid his helmet into place before turning around to find the young man smirking with Grogu clinging to his leg. “”Good morning, Luca,” you replied, “get dressed while I make breakfast. Din’s ready to take you on a flying lesson.”

“Yes!” he exclaimed.

“Land speeders only!” you called after him as he ran back to his room. 

***

“What’s the deal with you and my aunt?” Luca asked, once they were comfortably seated in the landspeeder Tula let them borrow.

Din knew his usual method of avoidance would not cut it with the teenager. “Just focus on driving without crashing, Luca,” he replied, “because if anything happens, she’ll be more than happy to kill me.”

“She threatens to box my ears on the daily,” he laughed, backing out of the garage, “what did I interrupt this morning?”

He sighed. Luca was tenacious and clearly took after his aunt, which meant he would never drop the subject until he was happy with Din’s answers. “We were settling some unresolved issues,” he said, “which I’m sure will be fixed as soon as Grogu and I leave after the festival tonight.” Luca had successfully pulled out into the street without hitting anything. “Gently push the control forward to take it out of reverse.” He showed him all the controls to help him navigate the streets of Capital City, promising that once they reached the flats just outside of town, they could open-her-up without the hazards of pedestrians or buildings around. 

“She misses you,” Luca admitted as they moved through the crowded city, “even though she won’t admit it.”

Din remained quiet.

“It’s the way she won’t let anyone get close to her,” he continued.

He glanced at the boy. For fifteen, he was more observant than most. 

“You know her favorite part of the winter solstice festival is --”

“The glow-globe displays,” Din finished, “she said it reminded her of solstice on Coruscant when she was a girl.”

Luca smirked. “Well, the displays in Capital City are legendary.”

Din huffed, wishing there was a way he could whisk her away to the displays and remind her of a time when they were happier. After seeing her again, he realized just how much he missed her, how empty his life was without her there. 

***

You’d put Grogu down for a nap in Luca’s room while you and Tula finished decorating your tree with glow-globes and ornaments. You could see her watching you out of the corner of her eye, but never saying anything -- just waiting for you to spill everything on your mind. Din’s admission from earlier stuck with you, buried itself deep within your chest and festered. He had come after you like you’d hoped; he just didn’t want to disturb the happiness he believed you’d found. You could feel the pain spreading across your chest the longer you thought about it, picturing him on Coruscant watching from afar and believing the only way he could make you happy was to let you go. You gently rubbed the center of your chest, taking a few deep breaths before placing an ornament on a branch in front of you. “What, Tula?” you asked, noticing her ever watchful eye of concern on you still.

“Did the two of you talk this morning?” she asked.

You ignored her.

“Did it go well?”

You glanced at her before hanging another ornament. 

She crossed her arms and glared at you, making you so uncomfortable that she forced you to answer. “I got the answer to a question I’ve held onto for four years,” you sighed, “and I’m not sure how to process it.”

Tula sat down on your couch, waiting for you to elaborate. “Is it the answer you wanted?”

“It’s much more complex than that.”

She raised an eyebrow at you.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, you continued to decorate your tree. “He said he did come after me when I left, but when he saw how happy I was, he didn’t want to ruin what I’d found.” You swallowed the lump that had formed in your throat. “All I wanted was for him to fight for us, and the fact that he came after me to bring me home --”

“So then what is the issue now?”

“I have more than myself to think about.”

Tula rolled her eyes. “Don’t use Luca as your excuse to miss out on this.”

You turned your back on her and added a few more glow-globes to the tree. You heard your door open and Luca ran in with Din behind him. “And don’t worry, I won’t tell Tula about the missing paint,” he said, plopping down on the couch next to her.

“Missing paint?” Tula asked, lightly shoving him.

“Din took a turn too fast and skimmed a boulder in the flats,” Luca said.

Din sat in the chair adjacent and shook his head. “I think it’ll be safer if I take the blame on this one,” he admitted, “so that’s exactly what happened.”

“Luca, you’ll be working it off for Tula for the next week,” you said without turning around. 

He groaned and sank into the couch cushions. “The last time I worked for her, she had me reprogramming droids.”

“It’s good practice,” you added, “now go wash up for the festival.”

You grabbed the star out of the box, holding it in front of you. It was the only item you took with you when you left Nevarro, and you were certain the pair of eyes piercing through you recognized it as well. You heard him shift and move across the room, rapidly closing the distance between the two of you. Tula and Luca silently battled with each other on leaving versus staying, and Tula won -- she would stay.

Din’s hands closed over yours bringing the silver and blue star between the two of you. “You still have this?”

You nodded, avoiding his gaze. You both fell silent for a beat before you found the courage to look at him through the visor of his helmet. “Will you do the honor?”

He reached up and gently stroked her cheek before placing the star atop of the tree. The light reflected off the star, reflecting shimmers of blue all over the room. As Din relaxed in front of the tree, he instinctively dropped his arm around your waist, pulling you close as he had so many times before when decorating the tree. You gazed at him, lost in the memory only for a moment before you saw your eyes reflected in his helmet. “Grogu is probably hungry,” you sighed, “and I need to change for the festival.”

You moved out of his grasp and disappeared down the hallway, leaning against your closed bedroom door to catch your breath.

***

Before heading to the festival, you needed to stop by the yard and drop off your famous cookies for Rix. As usual, he was sitting in his office elbow deep in ship parts with his nose buried in shipments. You lightly knocked, startling him out of his concentration. “I was wondering if you were stopping by,” he said, jumping up to embrace you, only to stop short at the sight of the Mandalorian standing behind you. 

“We have a packed schedule tonight, but I would never forget to bring you some sweets to take home,” you smiled.

“Is the bodyguard necessary?” he nervously laughed.

You rolled your eyes and glanced at Din over your shoulder, noticing how tense he was standing there. “Will we see you in the morning for breakfast?” you asked, trying to change the subject.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” he smiled, finally brave enough to hug you and kiss you on the cheek. “Enjoy the festival.”

You turned, leading Din out of the shop to join Tula, Luca, and Grogu. You and Din lead the group to the Town Square where the majority of the festivities were taking place. Occasionally your hand would brush against Din’s, and it took everything in you to prevent muscle memory from taking control. You wanted to pretend, even for one night, but you couldn’t allow yourself to open up old wounds even more. 

The city had never looked more serene and festive than it did tonight. Booths and vendors lined the streets. A stage was erected in the center where a band played festive music, and just at the other end of the square was the entrance to the glow-globe displays. Suddenly, you felt lighter, happier. And when you felt a gloved hand slip into yours, you didn’t pull away. You let yourself lean into him as you lost yourself to a memory. 

“The kids and I are going to get us some drinks,” Tula softly said, tugging Luca away with her.

You and Din stopped moving, watching the three of them sneak off to leave the two of you alone. “Cyar’ika,” he softly said.

You glanced up at him. “Yes?”

“Would you like to accompany me to the glow-globe displays?”

You could feel your smile light up your face as you nodded, wrapping an arm through his. He led you through, the lights reflecting off his armor and making you grin even more. “You’re so festive in your new armor,” you laughed.

He chuckled and turned to you. “I think I missed your laugh the most,” he whispered.

Much to your surprise, your smile didn’t fade as you stared into his visor, resting your hand on the side of his helmet. “I missed your eyes the most,” you replied.

***

Din loved the way the glow-globes lit her up. She was glowing with happiness as the lights danced across her face. She looked just as beautiful as he remembered. He rested his helmet against her forehead , lightly sighing as he found peace with her again. For the first time in years, he felt whole again. “Tell me, Cyar’ika,” he said, “does that merchant make you happy?”

She took a step back and gazed at him. “He’s just a friend, Din,” she breathed.

Smiling, he pulled her to his side again as they continued their stroll. They walked in silence for a while, stopping to look at the colorful displays. She fit so perfectly in his arms, that for a moment he entertained the idea of staying here with her. Grogu would finally have a home, they wouldn’t be hopping from planet to planet worrying about where their next meal came from. And he would finally have her back in his life. “What if I did stay here,” he softly added, “on Lothal?”

The dream suddenly shattered when she froze against him and didn’t respond. “Don’t,” she replied, her voice shaking, “don’t do this.”

“Would you want me if I stayed?”

He saw the tears in her eyes as she turned away from him, wiping them from her cheeks before they even had a chance to fall. “I--” she paused, taking a deep breath, “I need a minute.”

She started backing slowly away from him. Din reached out to hold her, but she disappeared into the crowd. However, this time, he was not letting her go. She was running, again, except this time he was going to chase her. He moved through the crowd with ease, looking for any sign of which direction she went. That was when he spotted Tula with the kids at a bench. She smiled at him and they all pointed in the direction they saw her run. Without a second thought, Din ran after her. He ran through the streets, against the crowd until he ended at her apartment complex. 

Taking several stairs at a time, he was in front of her door within moments. He strode in, all the lights in the apartment were out, save for the decorated tree. She was standing there in front of the tree, hugging herself. He could tell, without seeing her face, that she was crying. Gently, he placed his helmet on the couch and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “For four years, I dreamed of what our life would have been like had I stayed and worked things out with you,” she said, her voice cracking, “I knew I could never ask you to give up your life, and I’m not going to ask that of you now.”

He spun her around in his arms. “I left the guild,” he said, “I can go back whenever I need money, but I’m done.”

Tears swelled in her eyes.

“If I’ve learned anything over the last two days,” he continued, “it’s that I was given a second chance at life with the one that got away.”

She reached up, cradling his face in her hands. “What are you saying?”

“That I want to stay here, Cyar’ika, with you and Luca on Lothal.” He grinned at her, his eyes lighting up for the first time in a long time. He pulled her closer to him. “After all, who’s going to teach that boy to drive?”

She laughed, and it was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard. “You followed me?”

“I’m not letting you go this time,” he said, leaning closer to her, their noses brushing. 

His Cyar’ika leaned closer, their mouths mere centimeters apart. “There’s still so much we have to figure out,” she sighed, “but all I want is for you to kiss me right now, Ner Kar’ta.”

Din smiled and obliged her, his mouth gently caressing hers before turning more passionate. He allowed himself to completely absorb everything about her, satisfying a hunger he hadn’t known was there the last four years. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tighter against him, silently vowing to never let her go. Whether it was the grace of the Maker or pure luck, he was thanking whatever force in the galaxy had brought him back together with her. As her fingers carded through his hair, he cursed himself for ever letting her out of his arms in the first place.

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[mrthoughtbubbles]

Today, I feel satisfied that I got to finish the exercises of the last chapter I was in. I was getting anxious about it because I’ve been questioning my capabilities and I feel that I’m not good enough, that I’ll fail in solving the said questions, but I got to prove to myself that I’m good enough, that the problems I’m looking at aren’t the type of questions that I faced before, like calculus or electric currents... I hope that I’ll gain my confidence back with every problem I solve in the book.

On another note, I’ve decided to watch a film, called 100 Tula para kay Stella, or 100 Poems for Stella. I hope that it’ll be a good film to watch for me, since I sometimes write poems for the lady I’m courting, like Yeet being the current lady I’m courting. It hits you differently when you can relate to the film you’re watching.

Anyway, I guess I’ll end my message here for tonight. I feel grateful for the rain, the food, the company of the people around me, being able to hear bats flying around at night, the experience that I gained through solving, the time I spent with my sister and brother-in-law, annoying the people around me, sharing the things that interest me with the people around me, and being thankful to God for everything. I hope that  Yeet is always safe, taken care of, loved, and surrounded by beautiful things that God created. I hope that Yeet will take care of her knee. I hope that Yeet will enjoy the company of family, children/pets, friends, or even random strangers. I hope that Yeet knows that even though she has insecurities/flaws, she’s still beautiful despite having them. I hope that Yeet prays/talks to God about everything. Finally, I hope that Yeet knows that I chose her today and that I love her. Ending my messages this way means that I choose Yeet for that day.

[wyrdo01]

Incorrect quote?

@humming-pokemon-helpers

//feat. @plasmaapologist cause this was too funny to not add her in.

Vanilla: I woke up and chose VIOLENCE. I WILL COMMIT ARSON AND BURN EVERYTHING TO THE GROUND!!! I AM ANGRY-

Tula: Awwww, you’re so adorable! Give me a hug~

Vanilla: Wh-What? nO, yOURE SUPPOSED TO BE SCARED OF ME! TREMBLE BEFORE MY WRATH-

Wyrdo, recording: This is so cute.

[jdetan]

A Destiny, Retold in Time - Chapter 21

The latest chapter of my most complex fic to date- an alternate retelling of Ocarina of Time in which Zelda joins Link and Ganondorf goes beneath the castle to find a withered mummy...

Six Years after the Calamity

Planning and arranging everything took them a year. A year that the people of Hyrule had to suffer under the thumb of Ganondorf. A year that Link and Zelda spent preparing, swearing never to be caught off guard again. “Are you sure, Link? This could be dangerous.” Impa warned. “Last time…” “Last time I wasn’t prepared for what we’re going to face.” Link looked over at Impa. “What about you?” “I won’t promise that we’re all going to be safe.” Impa sighed, looking at the package Zelda had prepared. “This is likely to draw his attention, like we hope for… but that leads to greater danger.” “Kid, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but…” Captain Tulas walked over and shook Link’s hand, fiercely. “You’re the finest person I’ve ever trained. I have every faith in you, Link. Even if we all lose our lives, I want you to keep going.” Link nodded. “I will. I’ll defeat Ganondorf and the Calamity, no matter what.” “Good man.” Captain Tulas took a deep breath and grabbed the packages. “After half a day, get moving.” He looked down at the packages– several enchanted items meant to emulate the burst of light energy that Zelda had let loose a year ago, which would hopefully draw Ganondorf’s attention away from the Temple of Time. “And don’t look back.”

When Link and Zelda were halfway to Castle Town, a huge beam of light shot up into the air near Kakariko Village. Almost immediately, the monsters they saw began moving towards it… and so did Ganondorf, riding his flaming steed, weapon at the ready, screaming for their blood. “I hope they’re going to be alright…” Link whispered, seeing the army disappear into the distance. “We have to have faith in them. That’s all we can do.” Zelda whispered back, pocketing the telescope. “Come on. Let’s hurry.” True to the plan, they entered Castle Town and made their way to the Temple of Time with no interruptions. “Here it is. The Master Sword.” Zelda said, walking into the gallery. “Once it’s drawn, the Sacred Realm will open… and Ganondorf will probably come running.” “Yeah…” Link muttered, staring at the Sword in the pedestal. “It’s been a long time since we were here last…” “It really has.” Zelda paused for a moment, remembering that day their lives had changed. “Draw the sword, Link. It’s what Father asked of you.” Zelda said, the image of Gustaf’s comforting face seeing them off burned into her mind. “I’ll make sure the Sacred Realm stays shut.”

Link nodded, wrapping his hands around the hilt of the Master Sword. I’m doing this for everyone. For Navi, for Impa, for Tulas, for Gustaf… and for my Zelda most of all. I’ll make this into a world where she can smile freely again. He began pulling on the sword, feeling the strain as he was tested by some divine force, until finally…

Shink . The strain stopped suddenly, and Link felt more powerful than he ever had before. He pulled harder, a light beginning to shine around the blade. Shink! The sword slipped out further. It was almost free…

SHINK! With one last soft grind of metal against stone, the Master Sword slid free and into his hands, feeling shockingly light to wield and perfectly suited to him. He held the blade up towards the sky, and it glowed softly blue.

At last. Hello, Master Link, my oldest and dearest friend. I have been waiting for you for so long. The world is threatened once more, and the hero is needed, correct? The sword had a voice, a soul… and a name, one that somehow, Link knew without being told.

“It is, and I am. It’s good to meet you for the first time in this life… Fi.” Link whispered, holding the Master Sword’s hilt to his forehead.

Read the Rest on Ao3!

[homestuckautism]

Hii you can call me vee or tula!! I prefer they/them but most anything is fine. I’m a nby autistic lesbian. Homestuck is a special interest of mine that has taken me a long while to accept </3 Obsessed with everything terezi pyrope. Every. Thing.

Note: We’re a system and might talk together sometimes but don’t all share the same gender identities. Please ask before you use gendered terms on us, thank you!

This is a sideblog dedicated to homestuck, my main special interest, designed to keep from clogging up my primary blog with it.

This is meant to be homestuck-focused BUT I might touch on other stuff here including the autism part ofc. But if you’re not okay with hearing me talk abt transmasculinity, transfemininity, non-binary identity, asexuality, etc. this is not a place for you. TERFs & anyone who reblogs from any radfems I will block you. Extreme anti-TERF, transphobe, sexist, & miscellaneous bioessentialist zone. I know the source material has an ableism problem but I am not fucking cool with it. If you are even a little bit ableist about anything or are genuine about cringe culture shit you’re blocked as well, immediately, no warnings. Same goes for racism & antisemitism. You suck, you’re gone.

Accessibility note: I will sometimes be using terezi’s typing quirk on here because I am incredibly obsessed with it but will provide translations to anyone who needs them. I am not sure yet what screen reader courtesy is like yet but am trying my best, so please let me know what I can do to be a better ally in that regard!! I do my best to give alt text to all images, please let me know if I miss something & I will fix it asap!! I do my best with tw/cw tags but I am new to the tumblr tagging system so please let me know if I tag something wrong or don’t tag something I should, but I aim for extreme caution in that area.

Anyway hi :)

[thebadgerclan]

Many Names, Many Kings

Pairing: Aleksander Morozova x reader

Summary: Through his many lives, you are constant...

Not requested, but PURPLE HEART ANON NEEDS TO STOP GIVING ME GOOD IDEAS

I’m not entirely sure when this is set, I’m gonna say a few years after Aleksander becomes the general of the Second Army.  It’s explained a bit, but I wanted to say that here 😂

He’s had many names, served many kings.  Aleksander had had many names, and he had served many kings, but throughout those many lives, you had been his one constant.  You’d met Aleksander when you were a young woman, when the Tula Valley was still lush and fertile.  The two of you had fallen in love as soon as you’d laid eyes on each other, and two months after meeting, you were wed in a chapel dedicated to Sankt Ilya.

The notion that your husband was immortal, his power unique to him and his bloodline, was a slightly terrifying one, but Aleksander reassured you that despite what others whispered about his power was false, that he wanted to make Ravka a safe haven for your people.  And when King Yevgini enlisted your husband’s help in the war against teh Shu Han, he got his chance.  The Second Army was born from Aleksander’s victory over the Shu Han.

Your husband’s immortality, an immortality he’d shared with you via merzost, extending your life to be as infinite as his, made it necessary for the two of you to disappear for a while before emerging under new names and titles. A farmer and his wife, a nobleman’s niece and her fiance, a lieutenant and his new bride.  Sometimes, you were able to stay together while in seclusion, but other times, you were forced to spend 20 years or so apart.  Those were the worst times, and both you and Aleksander tried to make them as far and few between as possible.

This was one such time, where you’d been apart from your husband while the memory of Staski and Roza, the King’s advisor and his wife, faded.  This absence was longer than the last, this year marked year 25 away from your Aleksander.  But there was a plan to reunite you, and it was finally in motion.  He was the general now, having risen in the ranks, implementing changes that bettered all Grisha.  You’d been stationed in Poliznaya, put there strategically so when the time was right, you could be brought home to Aleksander.

“Corporal?”  An Inferni entered your tent, snow on her kefta.  “This just arrived for you.”  “Thank you, Alya,” you said, taking the letter from her.  The seal was the sun in eclipse, your husband’s crest, as he’d told you in the secret letters you’d managed to exchange, and you eagerly opened the letter.  My beloved Y/N, it read.  How good it feels to write those words.  25 years since I have seen your beautiful face, yet it is so clear in my mind.  I write to tell you that it is time.  You’re coming home, Y/N, you’re coming home to me.  This is the last time we will be parted; no more aliases, no more living in the shadows.  I will explain everything when you are in my arms once more, but this is it.  Our goal, what we have worked for for centuries, is finally coming to pass.  You will receive an official summons tomorrow, but I need to write to you as your husband, as the man who loves you more than anything else.  I will see you soon, my love, and when I do, we will hide no longer.  Forever yours, -Aleksander.

Excitement bubbled in you, and sure enough, the next morning, an official summons to the capitol arrived.  You packed your meager belongings and rode hard for Os Alta, not stopping until you were inside Palace walls.  “I’ve been summoned by General Kirigan,” you informed the guards, and you were shown at once to the War Room.  The Little Palace looked exactly as it had all those years ago, when it was new, when the Second Army was new.  But now, there were Grisha everywhere, in their vibrantly colored kefta, talking, drinking tea, discussing training exercises.  And children, there were Grisha children here.  You hadn’t seen a Grisha child in centuries.

“The general will be with you shortly,” the guard informed you, and you nodded your thanks.  The War Room was large, and clearly bore your husband’s touch.  The walls were dark and lined with books and maps of Ravka, the large table in the center of the room a map of the Fold and surrounding areas, miniature soldiers positioned around.  There was a door on the adjacent wall, but you didn’t get the chance to explore, as the main door swung open and shut quickly.

Aleksander stood before you, as handsome as the day you met him, and you broke into a tearful smile.  Your husband took you into his arms, holding you tight to him, pressing his face into your shoulder.  There were no words, and you sobbed, clinging to Aleksander like your life depended on it.  “Y/N,” he whispered, one hand tangling in your hair, the other keeping your body pressed to his.  “I love you.  Y/N, I love you, I love you, I love you.”  He had 25 years worth of “I love you”s to make up for, and he was keen on getting started.

“Aleksander, I love you too.  Saints, I love you.  I missed you so much.”  He lifted you into his arms and carried you through the doorway from earlier, which you now saw was a bedroom, seating himself on the bed with you in his lap, easing your head from his chest so he could see you.  “I have missed you so, so much, lapushka,” he said, his hands on your cheeks, studying every single detail.  

“My beautiful wife, not a day went by that I did not think of you.”  You surged forward and kissed him, needing to feel him, needing to be as close as possible.  “Sasha,” you sighed, the diminutive of his name making him whimper, a sound he seldom made.  “I missed you too.  Saints, I never want to be apart from you again.”  “You won’t, my love,” Aleksander promised.  “We will never be separated again, I swear it.”  You snuggled closer, and your husband tightened his hold on you, kissing your forehead sweetly.

The pair of you remained in each other’s arms for hours, before Aleksander eased you from his lap, retrieving a nightgown for you to change into.  You did, and Aleksander changed as well, taking you back into his arms at once, lying down with you shaped to his body, your face inches from his, his arms tight around your waist, your arms around his.  “I love you, Y/N,” he whispered, his lips ghosting over yours.  “I love you so much.

“I love you too, Aleksander.  I love you, I love you, I love you.”  Your husband pulled you closer, even though your bodies were flush to one another.  “Will you tell me why we won’t have to hide anymore?  No more aliases?”  Aleksander smiled, stroking your cheek.  “Well, with this new life we’re leading, I’ll have to court and woo you all over again,” he began, and you smiled, the idea making your heart flutter.  You were already married to him, but the thought of Aleksander wooing you again, making you fall in love with him all over again.

“I’ll make you a general’s wife, but in time, I’ll also make you a Queen.”  Your eyes widened.  “Aleksander, what are you saying?”  “I’m saying that the Lantsovs need to go.  They have done nothing but harm their citizens, Grisha and otkazat’sya alike, and they’ve sat the throne for far too long.”  “Aleksander, are you going to…?”  “I’m going to usurp the Lantsovs and take the throne for us.  We will lead Ravka to greatness, Y/N, I know it.”

It was a lot to process, and Aleksander kissed you, silencing your thoughts.  “It’s a lot, I know.  And we’re nowhere near being ready to take the throne.  It’ll be a while before we’re there, and besides, I have a beautiful woman to woo.”  You smiled, kissing him again.  “I think she’ll be open to that,” you said, and Aleksander smiled, holding you tighter and kissing you once more.  “No more hiding,” he said.  “No more.  It’s only us now.”  “Only us,” you agreed, cuddling even closer.  You’d been apart for so long, but that was a thing of the past.  For the rest of eternity, you would be together.

[l-artemisia-del-secolo]

Taste of a memory

Yelena belova x reader, one shot, mentions of missions during the red room, hopeful ending as usual, what is a pryanik

"Babe, what are you hiding there?"

When you came into the kitchen Yelena frantically hid something in a brown paper bag.

"How was your day, princess?" She tried to change the subject while weirdly holding the bag behind her back.

"You're distracting me?" You laughed and held out a hand, "Come on, babe."

"It's... it's nothing." She shook her head.

You couldn't help but be completely enamoured by this woman. Usually so fierce and strong, protective and confident. Almost a grown up. But now she was like a helpless kid, covering something she was, judging by the eyes... ashamed of.

"Are you sure?" You sounded softer. And your hand that was still hanging in the air gently landed on her shoulder. "Whatever it is, it's fine."

Yelana nodded. You sounded reassuring, you sounded familiar and cozy. And she immediately wanted to lean in your touch.

"It's fine." She echoed.

"You want to spend some time alone?"

Of course you didn't want to let her go. But it's how it worked with Yelena. Sometimes you had to let her reflect on the situation and make her own conclusions. You were the same. Of course later you would talk. Except once. You never talked about her sister's death. With this she wasn't ready to open up yet.

You let her leave the room. But before that made sure to touch the bare skin of her arm. Burn it, remind her she wasn't alone.

She was quiet for the rest of the day and the next day and the day after. You were there for her. Surrounding with attention, hugging with love, reassuring with affection.

You remembered how you sucked at it at first. Being in a relationship. In fact you both sucked. But she needed you more and in time you found that in yourself. You were the one who showed her how to resolve conflicts and stop when needed. But Yelena was the one who had to work harder, overcoming her insecurities.

You were ready for her reaction to whatever happened between you two, but you didn't want to, you hoped that those days were long gone.

In a week Yelena came to you herself. You had a stressful day with the marketing report you had to present. And when you came home you just poured yourself some whiskey and mindlessly were watching something on hbo max. It didn't help that you had a headache.

She sat near you and took your glass. "One of those days, princess?"

"Unfortunately."

She moved closer. She was ready. You placed your head on her lap and allowed her to massage your temples.

You were hesitant, you couldn't relax.

"Something's wrong?" Of course she noticed that you still were tense. Usually it took you just a few minutes to let go of everything.

"No, migraine is just stronger this time."

"You're an awful liar, princess".

You squinted. "Is it a bad thing?"

"No," She sighed. "Not really. I appreciate that we're being honest with each other. It's about what happened in the kitchen?"

"Babe, if you don't want to talk, I understand." You tried to stand up but Yelena didn't let you.

"I know. Tomorrow. I promise." She kissed your forehead.

You didn't sleep well that night. Subconsciously trying to get closer to your woman. Yelena didn't sleep at all.

When you woke up she was already gone. But when you returned from work she was at home.

You saw the same brown paper back on the kitchen table.

"Привет (hey)." Yelena greeted you. But she sounded different. Colder. "How's your migraine?"

"Thanks, it's a..." You couldn't stop staring at the bag. "It's fine."

"Curious?"

"Nope, if you think I shouldn't be." Weak attempt at a joke. But Yelena appreciated that. It was hard to keep her distance with you if you were trying to break the ice.

"Come here." You obliged. Once you were within her reach, she caught in a hug. "Promise me, nothing between us will change."

"Promise, babe."

Yelena looked right into your eyes. You weren't lying. You simply couldn't. You didn't know how to. She let you sit while she remained standing.

"I told you about my upbringing. Мои корни (my roots). My purpose." She heard your sigh and corrected herself. "My previous purpose. Previous life."

"Yes."

"Well, I never told you about my first mission. When I was 12. I had to go undercover to gather intelligence."

"Who could you possibly be when you're only 12."

"I was supposed to get certain documents from an engineer. And his wife often helped homeless children. It was just 10 years after the Soviet Union collapsed. And in Russia itself not everything was alright. Especially in further regions. For example in Tula."

"You were supposed to be one of the homeless kids god knows where?" You heard stories like this before from her. But when you're only 12? You couldn't believe it.

"Yeah. I had to take advantage of a good hearted woman. Get into her house. And steal the documents. Standard operation for a widow this age." She stopped for a second recalling details of that assignment. Her torn clothes, smell of dirt she had in her face, hunger in the eyes of the other kids. "But during those missions a certain approach had to be used. Chemical control had to be reduced for a child to have a more authentic behaviour. On such cases the Res room relied on propaganda they still were using on young agents."

You tried to remain stoic. But your eyes were already tearful.

"Oh, princess." Yelena brushed them away with her thumbs. "No need for that. It was such a long time ago. Don't weep for my past. Anyway, I succeeded, she noticed me. Every day I was with the kids, but every night I was back at the base. It wasn't that bad. And in time that compassionate woman let me into her house. She allowed me to eat there and get warm. She learned my name, my backstory. And with the mind controlling not being there I felt something for her. Then I didn't know what it was. But now I know it was love and gratitude."

Yelena stared for a few minutes blankly. Feeling those sensations long forgotten. Feeling the hope she had to stay in that family.

"But I was programmed. I was serving. I had no other choice. And in a few months I found the documents. When the family wasn't at home, I broke into the apartment and stole them. But on my way to the car, that woman saw me. She saw their folder. She understood. And that was the first time I've seen the exact moment I've destroyed a person. Not physically, sure. But she thought of me as a daughter, as a member of the family. But that's not all."

She leaned to you for a kiss. Cold, detached, calculated.

"I fucked up on my first mission. Of course I was punished. But I didn't care. With the chemical I only cared about the less than stellar result. And in a few years I accidently discovered that the red room killed her, because she saw my face. I... of course now I repent. But what's the use of that. She is just one of many."

"It was never your fault."

"It's complicated. You know that better than anyone. And that feeling that I understand now, it even had a taste and a smell then. Cause Людмила (Lyudmila) was giving me a certain thing that Tula was famous for." She gestured to the bag. "Пряник (pryanik)"

You opened it. And there it was. Made from flour and honey. Sweet and aromatic.

"I buy myself one once a year. To..." She shrugged. "I don't even know why. Maybe to get that childish feeling of hope back. Is it weird?"

"No, of course not."

"Yeah, I guess." She muttered to herself.

"It is not weird. I understand. I mean. I think I do. It's normal to try to relive memories.' You stood up and poured yourself some water.

"Very bitter sweet ones. But you know. Now it's easier for me. With you and Fanny....'' Yelena almost had a shadow of a smile. "Try it."

"Sure." You took a bite of this pryanik. "Well, it's really sweet."

"It's supposed to be, princess." She sounded playfully annoyed. "Appreciate it."

"I do. And you know, I guess I can cook it for you." You said carefully.

"Well, that definitely makes the sensation far less bitter. Promise?"

"Promise."

Of course it wasn't the end of the conversation. You were returning to this topic time and time again. Working it through, searching for an answer. At times it was ugly, at times it was tearful, at times annoying. But you were ready for that,both of you. Oh, and you kept your promise. You learned to bake for her.

[marvelfansince08love]

Cookies to make you smile

Word count: 1.5k

Pairing: WandaNat x MaximoffSister!Reader 

Warning: none, Pure Fluff 

A/N: So I stupidly answered this request privately lmao but for my incredible spidey <3 @nervousspiderling​. Not well edited I do apologise! x

This is technically part of my Wanda Wednesday but alas I can never do anything on time lmao  😂

Permanent tags: @waitingfortheendtocome @natasha-danvers @natasharomanoffswife @creepingwolfberry

Title: Cookies to make you smile 

A calming atmosphere settles across the living room space as the snow flutters lightly outside during the December month, you sit with your back to the arm of the couch and a book open across your thighs. Your sister sits opposite you with her legs crossed as she leans against the back of the couch reading her own book in peace. You bite your lip as you contemplate your thoughts, fidgeting in place, itching to do something more productive; the silence of the room coming too unbearable. 

“Wanda, can we please make Natasha those Russian Gingerbreads?” you beg your sister, pout in place as your eyes widen for extra effect. Wanda rolls her eyes from the comfort of her seat, book in hand as she tries to desperately avoid your doe-eyed expression knowing she’ll crack under them. 

“When you say ‘we’ you mean me right? Because the last time you wanted to make something for Tasha you left me to do all of the work, Sestra.” Wanda complains, sighing as she places her book onto the coffee table knowing the last few sentences hadn’t sunk into her brain. You quickly throw yourself over her lap and look up at her with a sad expression. 

“Hey! I tried to help, it’s you who told me to sit nicely and wait for you to finish making the damn treat,” you grumble, folding your arms across your chest. Wanda laughs at your expression knowing full well why you were told to sit and not touch anything. Over the last few months you’ve been training with your sister and her team to help control and home in on your powers, your body still trying to adjust to the changes surround your chemical imbalances, that it’s making any form of stress or anxiety spiral to chaos and as a result having a very angry Tony pay for the damages; The kitchen event from last week still remained a no go topic of conversation between the team. 

Wanda quickly pushes you off her lap leaving you in a heap on the floor as you yelp out loud at the sudden change of position. Glaring at her you stomp off towards the kitchen that’s shared between your sister and her girlfriend prepared to make the treat yourself. Natasha had been working hard with new shield recruits lately, training them up and making sure they stay out of Fury’s way; ‘Punishment’ is what Nat calls it after her and Clint decided to pull a prank on the Director two weeks ago. The prank had been worth it apparently she had told you, grinning like a menace as Wanda laughed next to her, the clear image of the event playing in her mind. She had been coming home grumpy and tired ever since, leaving it up to you and Wanda to cheer her up whenever possible. 

“Fine but you are helping this time and they’re called Tula Pryanik, they are Nat’s favourite Russian treat,” Wanda explains, a sense of fondness appearing in her green eyes making you cringe at her puppy love expression.

Your sister had been dating the redhead assassin for a while, when they came to rescue you from the hands of Hydra a few months back you had seen it then, the sheer panic in Wanda’s eyes as she watched Natasha fall to the ground from a nearby explosion as she carried you out of the building and through the crossfire. You had been in and out of consciousness when they headed back to base in the Quinjet but you had heard snippets of their conversation and their soft tones, whispering like lovers. In a way you had been relieved that after everything; the destruction, the pain she was able to find some light at the end of the tortuous tunnel. Over time it almost seemed inevitable that you would also grow close to the redhead, having similar experiences with monsters who want to keep you under lock and key until they use you for their dirty work. You had grown fond of the avenger and confined in her when you couldn’t with your sister. 

Soon enough, you’re both covered in flour as your nose fills with the smell of cinnamon and ginger. Wanda shows you how to roll the cookie dough into perfect balls before placing them onto the baking tray and into the pre-heated oven. The oven pings an hour later as you and Wanda continue to eat from the tub of ice cream to pass time. You both tilt your heads as you inspect the small baking tray full of freshly baked gingerbread cookies. 

“You think we can make up another batch? Maybe take some upstairs for the rest of the team,” you suggest, already grabbing the ingredients to make another batch of cookie dough as Wanda hums in agreement. 

“Well considering we haven’t completely messed up, we may as well.” she murmurs, placing the already made up tray into the oven . You pause from setting up the ingredients, a subtle smirk gracing your lips as your eyes sparkle with mischief. Quickly scooping up a handful of flour you flatten your palm softly across Wanda’s cheek watching as her mouth widens in shock as the white flour covers her cheek, you stand in silent shock trying to hold in your laughter. 

“Oh it’s on!” Wanda exclaims, reaching for the open egg carton and cracking the egg shell above your head, making you gasp at the slimy texture that drapes down to your face.

You both continue to laugh and run around the kitchen, throwing the odd dash of flour at one another unaware of the amused figure who stands not far from the open kitchen. 

“Oh I’m sorry I thought I left the kids at work today,” Natasha’s voice teases, causing you to turn in fright at her sudden presence making you halt on the spot. Wanda who was already aware of her girlfriend’s presence decides to strike her final attack on your distracted form causing you to slip and fall groaning as your behind hits the hard cool flooring, Wanda not far behind. Nat watches as you both giggle to yourselves leaning against the kitchen counter, moving forward she eyes the one batch of Gingerbread cookies and takes three from the tray before crouching down to join you both on the floor, settling herself in between you both as Wanda kisses her sweetly in greeting. Grabbing the tasty treat from her offered hand, you all take a bite of the treat chewing for a moment before scrunching up your face, you eye the other two and notice their similar distaste.

“Jarvis, set a reminder for me to never make these again,” you look up to the ceiling as you address the A.I. 

“Certainly, Miss. Maximoff.” his voice echoing throughout the room. Natasha laughs before leaning her against yours, lacing her fingers through Wanda’s. 

“Thank you both for trying though,” Her voice filled with sincerity. 

“Anything for my favourite sister in-law,” you smile at your preferred title for the assassin as your sister smiles back fondly at you both. 

[ketchupqueenboiiii]

Black Cat and Desert Flower

'Kaldur, what are we doing in Paris? We finished the mission, we should be heading back home.' Said Robin, via mind-link.

'Patience, my friends, I arranged for us to have a day in the city. A vacation, if you will.' Aqualad said to the team.

'Kaldur, I don't know if you noticed but it's night.' Kid Flash was also getting impatient.

'Why are we standing under a bridge with a bunch of locks on it?' Superboy asked. He hated not knowing things.

After busting a minor league drug ring in Versailles they expected to relax in the Bioship until the arrived back in the US, not stand under a bridge.

'Can you at least tell what we need 'patience' for-' Kid Flash whined until he was interrupted by a voice.

"Who are you and what are you doing in my city?" The voice was like steel. In a way it sounded like Batman's. Not in sound, but in its tone of command. It sounded young and feminine.

'Brace your selves.' Said Robin, hands inching towards his tool belt.

'There are 6 of them. Should we attack?' Superboy adds.

'No. These are friends.' Aqualad sounded completely at ease. It would have calmed them if he wasn't always calm and collected.

Before they could refute he walked into the moonlight. They heard the voice take in a sharp breathe. So they recognized them, maybe it will prevent a fight.

"I am no less than a black cat." What? The team had no idea how this conversation took such a turn. What was she saying?

"And I am no more than a desert flower." What was their leader saying? It must have meant something because the voice squealed and a figure clad in red and black polka dots came barreling at him.

'Stand down.' He sound completely unbothered. How could he be so whelmed?

'But she's-' One tried to reason.

'Stand down, she is a friend.' He sounded, breathless? Something was going on, maybe M'gann should do a scan of his mind when they get back.

The force of the girl's impact knocked them both over. They were both smiling, eyes never straying from each others. They got a clear view to analyze the girl. She look developed and fit, but still pretty small. She shouldn't have been able to knock down a door, let alone a military trained Atlantean. Was this a secret Kryptonian?

"You're, you're here," she sounded out of breath, though clearly out of amazement rather than the run. "Oh kwami, it's been to long. Is Roy here too?" How did she know Roy? Did she know all of their civilian I.D.s?

"Sadly no, Speedy is not here. But my team and I are." He said as they stood up. They could see exactly what she was wearing. A red and black skin tight body suit with a open black leather jacket and a hood. The bodysuit was red down to her navel and black the rest of the way. Each of her palms had a black circle with a unknown ideogram in red on them. Her shoes were black army boots with red laces. So she has a theme.

She moved her gaze behind Aqualad to look at the team. They took note of her mask. Her hood covered her forehead and her eyebrows, and she wore a mask connected to her body suit that cover everything nose and down.  Leaving only her eyes exposed.

"Aqualad, who is she?" Artemis asked, hands already itching towards her arrows.

"Team, this is Ladybug. Ladybug, this is the team." He introduced, stepping away to allow them to assess each other.

"It's an honor to meet you all, Aqualad has spoken fondly of all of you. Welcome to Paris." She greeted professionally.

No one returned her greeting. They looked to Aqualad for more context.

He then gestured to Ladybug to speak. "You're probably confused as to who I am. I'm Ladybug, one of the heroes of Paris. We surfaced to reclaim a misused ancient magic artifact."

"Who is we?" Robin asked.

"Well, I realized that one city to one hero wasn't an equal ratio. So I formed a team to take some of the responsibility. Bunnix, Carapace, would you like to introduce yourselves?" A woman with an umbrella jumped from the top of the bridge and a man walked out from the shadow behind Ladybug. Both taller than her. Based on their themes, the man was Carapace and the woman was Bunnix.

"Sure thing, Boss." They said in unison and with exaggerated bows and salutes.

"Good Kwami, don't call me that." She said, pinching her nose.

"Our deepest apologies, Master. We beg your forgiveness." They spoke in unison again and with straight faces, too.

"God damn it, I'm not even fully trained-" She was interrupted by poorly muffled laughter behind her.

"Singe, you've been doing this for 3 years, and you still manage to reveal your presence in almost every situation-" Robin felt like he should interrupt before this escalates.

"Is that an umbrella?" He genuinely wanted to know.

"Are you judging? 'Cause, you shouldn't judge since you spent a year or so running around Gotham in green panties and a pole." Robin blushed in embarrassment. The team looked ready to fight these so called heroes.

"Ryu!" Ladybug reprimanded, looking affronted. Wait, Bunnix didn't say it? Then, who did?

"I'm so sorry about her. They're all really defensive about the umbrella." Okay?

"Who spoke then?" Kid Flash asked, still looking all little miffed about the comment.

"You know, Aqualad, there's enough of us for a spar." She said smirking, and ignoring Kid's question.

"If we're sparring, I want a few minutes with who ever said that stuff about Robin." He said glaring in no particular direction.

"Actually, I was thinking we do a group spar. Aqualad's team versus mine."  She suggested.

No one seemed to be against it.

"Okay then, prepare yourselves-" Aqualad started.

"Wait! I have to call of Pegasus." She brought her hand up to her ear and looked toward a building.

"Woah-woah-woah, hold up, you have a sniper?!" Kid Flash exclaimed, speedily looking around to see them.

"You have to be prepared for anything." She responded after finishing her comm-call.

"Yeah, but still, you have a sniper-"

A turquois portal appeared and a white-haired man in a brown leather bodysuit stepped out of it. His hair was held back in vertical braids gathered in a ponytail. He also wore pitch black sunglasses, even though it was the middle of the night.

"Hello." He greeted the teams before walking to stand next to Bunnix and Singe.

"Let's get ready to spar." Aqualad announced, walking not-to-subtlety towards Ladybug. The teams both walked of to strategize.

"You sure your ready to fight me again? It's been a couple months since our last spar." She quipped with pop of her hip and challenging smirk.

"If my memory is correct, you were the one with the losing streak." He smiled back with his patented sass.

"We'll see about that." They shared eye contact and a firm hand shake.

With a quick turn of a heel, "Formation!"

Bonus #1

For more context: Mari and Kaldur were not always this touchy feely. Mari spent a year or so out of Paris to train for Guardian purposes. She would have cataclysm herself before leaving Paris alone. But Tikki and Plagg convinced her that she was unstable with all of the guardian power and she would have to learn to control it. Outside of Paris. So they decided to give out the miraculous and have the new team pass around Tikki and she would take Plagg out of Paris (too many billboards and Plagg wasn't good at emotions).

So she was backpacking America, trying to find someone to help her. Unfortunately someone found her. Namely Aquaman and his partner.  Interrogating her just left them both offended.

But she did learn that she was now fluent in ancient languages, like the guardian language and Atlantean.

("What are you doing here?"

"That's not your problem."

"You sunk Atlantis! Of course it's our concern!"

"You Atlantean's think you're entitled to everything. That's why Plagg sunk your city."

"{In Atlantean} My King, should we take her to Poseidonis-"

"{in Atlantean} Excuse me, but I'm not going anywhere other than out of this cell."

"{In English} How do you-"

They call in the JL for backup and try to interrogate her, until Diana vetoes and pardons her. She offers to take her to Themyscira and train but Arthur vetoes that so now she's going to train with Roy and Kaldur. [Because they are the oldest and I believe that they worked together most pre-canon YJs1.]

{Whispers and Glares}"Atlantean bitch."

{Whispers and Glares} "Guardian scum.")

5 months and numerous fights later, Roy was tired friendTM of their shit and sat them down to make them talk. They spoke of both versions of the Sinking of Atlantis and came to the agreement that Plagg was sorry for taking things too far and that modern Atlanteans could not be blamed for the mistakes of one of their selfish past monarchs. [king whoever tried to use Plagg's miraculous to conquer and terrorize neighboring kingdoms, so in retaliation Plagg cataclysmed the entire country/city]

After getting over that they both realized, 'Hey, he/she's actually pretty cool."

Everyone kept in touch after she went back to Paris and bitched to each other about teammates and leadership and how it's, quote-unquote, 'unfair that it's legal for Mari to drink but not Roy'

I'm not good with timelines so I'm going to say that, Kaldur still has hopes for him and Tula, Mari's not entertaining anything more than friendship (no distractions), and Roy is too focused on teenaged rebellion.

[brawltogethernow]

Have you read Phil Jimenez’ Tempest miniseries from the mid 90s? If so, what are your thoughts?

No, but it’s four issues long. Gimme a minute.

Okay, I’m back. That was VERY stupid (compliment). Absolute camp nonsense. Unfortunately it's also kind of bad?

Obviously these aren’t finely aged takes. Plus I have picked up exactly one (1) back issue of Aquafam content prior to this in my life, usually absorbing them exclusively through team titles, and lack of preexisting attachment to the lore here definitely doesn’t do it any favors.

Okay, so. In this title, AQUALAD (Garth), who is already not going by that at this point, has decided it’s time to STAB HIMSELF IN THE CHEST WITH A MAGIC KNIFE to absorb some kind of ANCESTRAL ELEMENTAL POWERS so he can finally update his name and outfit like every single other og Titan did in the eighties. You grow up slow when you’re not very popular! Complicating the planned KNIFE RITUAL, AQUAGIRL (Tula) has SPONTANEOUSLY COME BACK FROM THE DEAD and REFUSES TO ANSWER LITERALLY ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS. This coincides exactly with Garth’s MENTOR GUY who looks like HE-MAN WISHES HE DID being kidnapped, also Tula immediately begins picking fights with Garth’s only other ally present, an EDGY SHARK MERMAID who is trying to enemies-to-lovers route their relationship and doesn’t appreciate being cuntblocked by a rude corpse. Garth decides to COMPLETELY IGNORE this BULK ORDER OF RED FLAGS because of love, which done well could be touching and tragic but in practice makes him look like a moron. He tells his SHARK GIRLFRIEND to gtfo for saying his DEAD GIRLFRIEND is going to fuck up the KNIFE MAGIC, allowing her to FUCK UP THE KNIFE MAGIC IMMEDIATELY. She’s revealed to be a pawn of Garth’s UNCLE, who is a NECROMANCER TRAPPED IN ANOTHER DIMENSION. So NECRUNCLE escapes and uses their (*communist Bugs Bunny meme*) ancestral mojo to summon a SOGGY UNDEAD ARMY. Garth is rescued by his community he thought were all dead but were actually just avoiding him. They reveal that they knew if he tried to claim his family magic his uncle would escape, so they tried to leave him for dead as a baby, and when they found out that hadn’t worked they decided to lie to him instead of telling him not to stab himself with a magic knife, also the knife was just an unnecessary bit of danger they added to the ritual at the last minute for fun. Did they mention they’re pacifists? Except for when they executed Garth’s dad for trying to fight off his necromancer brother, because they felt that was kind of over the line. They’ve been hiding out in a bunker full of COMICALLY NORMAL-LOOKING ANTI-ZOMBIE GUNS, which Garth takes to go fight his UNCLE and his DEAD GIRLFRIEND and his DEAD PET WALRUS, but he still needs to be rescued by SHARK GIRLFRIEND and her family, who she went to get instead of leaving Garth to die of his own dumbassery which he tbh deserved. So Garth yeets his uncle back into the PHANTOM ZONE BUT WET and levels up his magical abilities an unclear amount, the end.

Every single character is as dumb as a plank and deeply unsympathetic, except Letifos (edgy shark) and Atlan (He-mentor), who can get away with acting mostly normal because they are forcibly removed from the bulk of the plot. Every single thing that happens including all of the backstory could be avoided if the cast weren’t completely stocked with dumb jerks.

Great color palette choices, slightly tortured digital coloring on the version online. Nice underwater art that never forgot everything was underwater or succumbed to the urge to just put everyone in a blue void. My inner four-year-old, who is on some level still sitting at the bottom of a pool trying to manifest an uncanny lung capacity and a magical fish companion, was really vibing with it. This is approximately the age I was the last time I interacted with underwater civilization content, but it turns out I still appreciate it as an aesthetic, and this mini nails it.

It was actually slightly too good at remembering literally everything was underwater, in the sense that I had trouble turning my brain off about the logistics and kept pausing to go, “Underwater...blanket...? Why...? How does that...” I am very ready to allow the ocean zombies, however, for cool factor reasons. Although skeletons are also cool and don’t raise questions about underwater mummification.

This was my introduction to the fact that in post-Crisis DC Neptune and Poseidon are two separate dudes, one of whom is blue and has a bubble beard and one of whom is a bald white merman. And they hate each other? Alright! Okay, okay. Like did DC accidentally establish both and they just decided to roll with it?

Now, you know I love me some undead women.👍 Unfortunately Tula’s agency and interiority are lower than zero, just steeply in the negatives.👎👎👎 Tula is Charlie Brown and agency in this plot is the football. Jimenez’s entire approach to women in this gives him an extremely punchable vibe. I would not go to a bar with this man. He remembers the girls have super strength (and doesn’t keep the violence completly divvied up by gender), at least, but doesn’t seem aware that they’re people, which is unsettling. You could have turned around a LOT with like, a single scene from Tula’s POV after it’s established that she’s been bespelled to experience a completely different set of events from reality so that by the end she’s experiencing her ally losing it and attacking her, or just by working harder to convey that experience through her reactions. But lol no it’s fine that she’s basically a hand puppet, because what matters is the lead’s reaction to her! Jail. Go to jail. Also as it stands I’m confused about how her deal shook out to be that she was both not actually Tula and being mind controlled, and also her real experience of love for Garth was critical to the villain’s plan? Explainy-looking words happened but the zombie logistics absolutely went unexplained in spite of them. While we’re at it, why did Letifos come back for a big damn heroes scene at the end. Devoting a thought bubble to addressing this turn around wouldn’t have even had to break the binding contract that seems to be in place forbidding any lines from her not directly about Garth.

Right, the villain. Great design, very gross. I do kind of want to boil him and then try to crack him open and eat him like a crab. Love that Garth lampshades that Slizzath is a ridiculous evil name by saying he can’t pronounce it, right next to the reveal that Slizzath is his uncle. It doesn’t seem like he took that on as his necromancer title or anything. Garth’s grandparents just named their kids Thar and Slizzath. Really, the way that his face is a skull now is their fault.

I was surprised to see that the contentious dick towers from the Little Mermaid VHS cover have taken refuge in this version of Atlantis.

I feel like I should segue from there into something about Garth’s shrinkwrapped costume’s gratuitously pronounced crotch bulge, but like, I don’t know. Whatever. We’re just uncomfortably up close and personal with absolutely everybody’s anatomy consistently, it’s whatever.

So yeah, that was not good. I enjoyed it. I would punch Phil Jimenez in the mouth without hesitation.

[unsleepingtales]

Burrow’s End!!! I am so excited for this season and I’m also incredibly nervous because I think it’s going to emotionally destroy me. This is a long one.

(Also I am now living in gmt which means episodes drop at midnight for me, so I’m likely gonna wind up posting about them the next day)

Aabria!! Welcome back!!

I’m so thrilled that more and more players are doing character makeup it’s so fun

OH we’re just getting classes and subclasses out the gate ok

Hi Izzy hi Erika <3

I have not seen Jasper William Cartwright in anything ever but simply based on the look and the vibes I’m so excited about this

Siobhan <3

Ooooh two paladinssss

(This is excellent for me personally because I have been slowly convincing my boyfriend that paladins are actually really cool and I can now use his crush on BLeeM to my advantage)

They’re a family!

DOME ALREADY

I hope Beatrix is in some way a reference to Beatrix Potter <3

Siobhan IMMEDIATELY in goblin mode incredible

Wooo full stats love when they give us the full stats

First roll of the campaign is a 21! Good vibes!

Oh what stat array did they use I need to look at that

I so hope that the bizarre british things counter sticks around

Izzy playing a rogue is so delightful

We’re in pvp already and I am HERE for the chaos

Ok so their dad’s Dead. Fantastic. Sure hope this doesn’t emotionally affect me at alllll.

Cheating at what??

Ten minutes in and they already made their guardian/aunt/babysitter curse

Their physicality is great

I also love the info we’re getting about Tula before we’re introduced to her

Dome? Dome? DOME??

God the art department knocks it out of the fucking park every fucking time

Oh these are KIDS

I know I say this every season but I love First Episodes. I love meeting them and learning what the vibe is for the season and settling into the world.

They’re rolling so welllll

Oh that was a Good entrance

The voice!! Her voice!!

Oath of devotion paladin !

Everyone really wanted hats huh

oh h my god

Girl WHAT

I love Aabria snatching the small opportunities to hint at what will be bigger later

Now why can he do that

Viola doesn’t go anywhere alone!

Oh that’s so bad

Oh right their lifespan is super different!

This line had been spoiled for me by my dash but that did not make it hit less hard.

“It’s interesting to watch someone go from wanting to survive, to wanting to live.”

Erika playing the grandma is everything to me

Also Erika literally shaved their head in the pattern of that character scar. Incredible

A SINGLE MOM THAT WORKS TWO JOBS WHO LOVES HER KIDS AND NEVER STOPS

Dropout team I love you so much

Brennan PC :)

Oh she’s SUCH a mother.

(Inquisitive music stops as the soft rejection hangs in the air)

CC writers are also back and on their game in full force!

Mmhmh

The first of all stoats 😭

She has cartoon anger eyebrows

Oh that’s gross

Did she just shade her dead son in law.

“I’ll try to keep up appearances” is so heartbreaking

YOU’RE LOOKING SO… LIKE YOU.

If I said that to my mom I would immediately dissolve.

Erika’s table acting is fabulous

Dome. Blue dome.

OOOOO

I love the multigenerational relationships here

No not a fanatic. A religious crazy!

Family dynamics.

Don’t threaten the children with emotional damage

The FACE

I feel like the roll for panic attack shirt is gonna make a comeback thanks to Thorn

Oh this is gonna make me feel real bad about being human huh

This is such a good season to be released over October-December. I know it was planned that way but I really appreciate it.

Straight Groucho 💀

“This is making me sad and scared” me too Brennan.

Baby girl has never known a thing in her whole life

Oh god oh fuck

His face

Ok things are being scaled down! Good to know

This is the second time Aabria’s had players use echolocation against her damn

I swear if he starts bleeding from his nose I’m gonna lose it

The CURTISES

The more she emphasizes that this is unnatural the more freaked I get

I am nervous for Jaysohn.

Oh no oh god

I love how Aabria is able to make nat ones still helpful and important

This is crushing ngl.

Is the tree gonna fucking get cut down

SHE HAS WERTHERS

I’m gonna cry this season I just know it

Oh my god this is so good.

[gffa]

Hi!  I went through a similar phase as several of you--I never really connected the dots between my own aro/ace qualities and my gravitating towards the Jedi culture until someone else pointed it out and then everything just sort of clicked together in my head in a way that made so much sense. And I think it can be really useful to view the Jedi through this lens of aro/ace culture, not because people are obligated to agree to this interpretation (they absolutely are not obligated to do so!) but because it provides a framework of reference for why not being drawn to romance and/or sex is not a foundational flaw in characters.  That there might even be an entire group of people who find that to be really satisfying and fulfilling--I mean, look at how many people gravitated to this discussion (or were already here) in just one day on one person’s blog on one social media platform.  It’s not hard at all for me to think, yeah, I’m looking at us building aro/ace culture of our own, it’d be easy for an in-universe group of people to do the same, and the lack of romance and/or sex wouldn’t be them suppressing their feelings or lacking something fundamental about the human condition, either. That’s part of why the Jedi mean a lot to me--there are other things as well, I greatly value their “face the shit within yourself, acknowledge that shit, and then let that shit go, because holding onto it is poison that will hurt you”, as someone who came to the same conclusions long before I was ever a Star Wars fan.  I love the worldbuilding, I love the psychic space wizards aspects, I love how goddamned extra they are about everything, etc. But a culture that not only doesn’t prioritize romance/sex, but actively values other things and finds meaning in those things?  That we see they have friendships and connections all over the place, that they find joy and meaning in teaching their students (and learning from their students, just as much as they teach them), that they find joy in helping others and protecting others, that they love through different ways, that they love the galaxy around them, they love their brothers and sisters in the Force, that they love their community and their culture?  That they just don’t seem to really want love and romance? Even those that do feel romantic feelings (setting Anakin aside, of course) still find the Jedi path to be a fulfilling one.  Obi-Wan may have had romantic feelings for Satine (which was apparently fine, it’s about his commitment and where he places it, I’m pretty sure that was the whole point of the Obi-Wan/Satine relationship, to be a narrative foil for Anakin/Padme, where Anakin does prioritize his feelings for Padme over his morals and judgement, which results in disaster of epic proportions) but he is a fully realized character without them.  He loves--we see that with Qui-Gon, Ahsoka, Luke, Anakin--that he cares deeply, that he’s a compassionate person, that he lives a life that he considers satisfying.  He becomes a Force Ghost and we can see him looking out over Endor, at the things that have finally been set back to rights, and he’s happy. Even within canon, the Jedi that feel restless and like something is wrong in this galaxy, they’re not restless because they want romance/sex, but because they want to do more as Jedi.  They want to help more people, they want to do more good in the galaxy, and do you know how much that means to me?  That even those who are dissatisfied (setting aside those that leave the Jedi Order because they want to have romantic relationships, which are treated warmly by the Order and by the people who left, like Tula’s grandmother) don’t have to be shoved back into the same box so many mainstream properties shove the characters into?  That it’s not about how, oh, they want traditional nuclear families, but instead that they want MORE of what the Jedi are--more love as shown through service to others, more love as shown through helping others. Do you know what a relief it is to have a group of people who find fulfillment in the same kind of things that I do?  Friendships and helping others and learning/teaching about the galaxy around them and self-reflection/understanding and accomplishments the like?  That these are treated, not just as valuable, not even just as valuable, but more valuable to these specific people?  Without demonizing that they’re totally cool with other people wanting romantic love?  DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THAT MEANS TO ME? DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IT MEANS THAT THE JEDI DON’T REALLY SEEM INTERESTED IN ROMANCE OR SEX AND INSTEAD FIND SATISFACTION IN OTHER THINGS?  THAT IT’S NOT ABOUT SUPPRESSING YOURSELF, BUT THAT PEOPLE SOMETIMES JUST REALLY DON’T CARE ABOUT THOSE THINGS.  SOMETIMES EVEN LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE. That the Jedi aren’t just “hey, this one Jedi can be read as aro/ace, that’s neat” but instead the Jedi said, “Hey, how about an ENTIRE CULTURE that vibes hard with aro/ace culture?”  That it’s the one mainstream culture that I can think of that really can be interpreted to say, “You’re not just an outlier, but YOU’RE THE NORM in this fictional society.”  Do you know what kind of value that has to me, as someone who only has the tiniest scraps of representation for this character or that character who maybe might be like me, but are rarely confirmed and are almost always The Different One?  Do you know what kind of value it has to me that it’s not just one or two of them, but that THE CULTURE ITSELF is where I would fit in?  That they built an entire society where nearly all of them seem to be Like Me? AN ENTIRE SOCIETY OF PEOPLE I WOULD FIT IN WITH? Which isn’t even getting into the worldbuilding specifics that are so much fun to play with--like, can you imagine what it would be like to have this psychic connection to this vast field of energy in the cosmos?  To be able to sense the feelings of others around you, to feel their presence even when they’re halfway across the galaxy, to just know what they’re feeling?  To be constantly surrounded by the lights of those souls that are gently nudging up against your own?  The warmth and peace of the Jedi Temple that isn’t just what you see/hear/touch, but also what permeates your very thoughts, the soothing balm on your soul that it would be? Can you imagine what it would be like to have this in your head all the time?

A familiar sense of warmth, of belonging, of finding himself part of an endless lattice of connections that held him and everything else, each fixed in its proper place.  A Force. Romance and sex can be wonderful.  But they are not the sole defining qualities of what it means to be sentient or what it means to be fulfilled.  The Force being described as an endless lattice of connections and warmth, that sounds incredibly wonderful and human to me, that sounds incredibly fulfilling and like everything I could possibly want. That is what the Jedi seek and have found.  That is the foundation of their culture.  That is the culmination of their lives. This is why their relationships are so wonderful and I’m so glad that the iconic Jedi relationships, whether we as fans turn towards shipping them or not, whether we joke about how much you can read into them or not, are ones that are all about other aspects that are just as epic and important. Obi-Wan’s most iconic relationships are with Luke, Anakin, Qui-Gon, Ahsoka.  They’re all incredible ones and it’s not to disparage his feelings for Satine (I love them as a pairing, too!), but that his character is defined more by familial and platonic relationships being just as galaxy-shaking as romantic ones might have been in another story?  That means a lot to me. Anakin is, of course, driven by his romantic relationship with Padme, but think about how important his relationships with Obi-Wan and Ahsoka are, ones that don’t have to be seen through the lens of romance.  That the ultimate climax of the prequels was Anakin’s fight with Obi-Wan, a familial connection.  That the ultimate climax of TCW was about Ahsoka’s relationship with Anakin, another familial/platonic connection. Ahsoka is a rising star in the SW franchise and her most iconic connections are with Anakin and Rex, both of which do not have to be interpreted through the romantic/sexual lens, that are complete just as they are presented.  That even when she can no longer be a Jedi, even when that possibility is stolen from her, she still doesn’t need to be defined through romance or sex. Yoda has many important, iconic relationships and is such a central character to the mythos and mythology of Star Wars.  His relationship with Luke is one of the most foundational of the OT, his relationship with Obi-Wan is important when you dig further into the supplementary material, his relationship with Anakin creates some of the most memorable scenes of the prequels.  All without ever having him desire a girlfriend.  Hell, the movies had Yaddle right there and you know what?  She wasn’t Yoda’s girlfriend, he wasn’t her boyfriend, that’s not what they were to each other, because they didn’t really seem to have any desire for that. THAT’S ONE OF THE REASONS I LOVE THE JEDI.  They show compassion and care and love all over the place, but they do it through George Lucas’ views on how people should strive to be, and they do it not through romance, but through friendship and helping others and seeking greater understanding of self-knowledge and artistry through the Force, and none of that should ever make them lesser, just as aromantic and asexual people seeking those same things does not make them lesser. We are people who love just as much as anyone else, we have fulfilling and wonderful lives, I don’t know any aro/ace person who would really even want to change themselves, we find ourselves to be perfectly fantastic the way we are.  I don’t feel some part of me is missing, I don’t feel I’m less interesting because I’m aro/ace, I love being the way I am.  I love how much my friends and family mean to me, I love how much joy I get out of caring for animals or helping other people or even simply yelling about Star Wars with them.  My connections to people are just as wonderful as anyone else’s, regardless of how they’re not in the romantic/sexual category. And, so too are the Jedi.