#also sorry this isn't super well-written lol this was on the spot and a super like. extended train of thought. not coherent

[here-comes-the-bard]

man my post from. yesterday or day before. is making me think like. i don't know what it would look like if yaevinn DID decide he was tired of being nice and just wanted to go apeshit. mostly because he's getting to the point of being like. yeah both is good tbh. i will be nice but if you fuck around you will find the fuck out.

he's very much a "my trauma did not make me kind, i made me kind. do not credit my abuser and oppressors for my kindness" person. his philosophy is something along the lines "the world was unkind to me and unkind to others, but why should i be unkind? if I didn't deserve it, neither do others. might as well be a light in a world of darkness". and honestly that's a big part of what makes him who he is. i cannot imagine yaevinn without it honestly.

but i think that's what makes it an interesting exercise. what would yaevinn be like if at some point (after asylum, it's important to note, as really that's The Big One and just kind of amplified the previous issue) he just said "being kind is exhausting and i'm exhausted so fuck this". because aside from the horrors i think it's genuinely exhausting for him to be kind in the face of unkindness. it is simultaneously an effort and an instinct for him. and it's fascinating to wonder what would happen if he not only gave it up, but just went in the opposite direction (because ngl if he just gave up on it as a whole he'd just. kinda vanish off the face of the earth and not interact with anyone).

the thing is, he wouldn't become gleefully cruel. in fact i think he'd actually really dislike it and dislike himself for it, but what else is he supposed to do? it wouldn't feel right, but it'd be all he knew because being "good" clearly wasn't working. i think he'd just feel so. empty. where his world now is filled with colors that can sometimes be overwhelming but that he wouldn't give up for anything, his world in an au where he actually gave it up would be so grey and bland that i kind of think it'd impact his mental health, to put it in a less rough way.

not sure whether he would've missed his calling as an assassin or not but considering he learned his archery and dagger techniques as self-defense i think there's a good chance he wouldn't have.

i think he would've kept a lower profile due to his shame honestly. would've gone from a little timid and anxious to nearly reclusive. wouldn't want let anyone see him like this because the feeling of being inherently bad would become a self-fulfilling prophecy. this is all he is. a monster is all he could've ever been. and yet, he does let people see it. because look what the world has done to him. how can you hold good in your heart when the world has done nothing to return it. he'd see himself in it, and he'd see it as pathetic because of that.

i just like. fr the thing is i think he'd have this constant feeling that it wasn't supposed to happen this way. he wasn't supposed to be like this, and yet there's no other path.

and he doesn't even know that there was. and he could've seen so many beautiful things if he'd kept the kindness in his heart. but how could he? why would he?

i honestly think it's something like this post tbh. just crushed under the weight of his ideals because upholding them broke and splintered every single fucking bone in his body. i might have fundamentally misunderstood the post but isn't art less about what you put into it and more about what people get out of it or something like that.

anyway sorry if you read this whole thesis, be sure to like comment and subscribe for more content that makes me kinda glad i didn't make him worse. i'm gonna make either a pinterest board or a section in his pinterest but considering he is schrodinger's Fundamentally The Same Character (both is and really isn't) i'm not sure. uhhh this is a fun character exercise if you wanna do it. it doesn't have to be an essay tho this is just how i get out my thoughts. ok bye

[cuephrase]

Are there any individual issues/short sections of the Tom Taylor Nightwing run you'd say are still worth checking out as little standalone/self contained things? I've read and enjoyed the 2021 annual (blood brothers) after seeing enough about it on tumblr but don't know much about the rest, and you've mention individual issues in other rec posts so it got me curious (and it's completely fine if you don't think you can recommend any).

asking me to be nice about TT?! *sighs* turns out i can be, actually, but um. only a little.

i'll preface all of this by saying, if you're interested in reading his run, you should. other people disliking a run is like...idk if this is going to make sense, but it's kind of like knowing the weather. you'll be like "hey, there's rain" and then you can either a) choose not to go outside, b) grab a coat and umbrella, or c) pull on a swimsuit and go dance. no wrong choices! maybe you get outside and it's more of alight drizzle, or maybe it's basically a tropical storm and you book it back inside and start batting down the hatches.

i could present you with people who's overall taste in comics i agree with who hate and love this run- actually, i was super hyped to read this run bc most of the people i'd talked to were like "OMG ITS SOOOO GOOD!!" and i was like "OKAY!!!" and then i was like 😗👉👈 maybe idk what good comics are?? (baby comic-reading cue felt wayyyy to new to the genre to trust their own opinions lmao. we're mostly past that now.)

but okay!! to answer your question: so post issue #91 is where my overall enjoyment of the run went like *imitates plane falling and crashing noises*. which. upon skimming from 78 to 91, i don't think i can say i was loving it that whole time, more like my tolerance threshold maxed out around there. bc uh. skimming i was like...yikes. i've also read way more Nightwing comics since, so like that could be factor.

ANYWAYS. me being nice:

#80 has some decent dick and tim!

#89 opens with a nice batman/superman/nightwing story, honestly can't remember if i liked the two-issue mini, but i'm going to guess i didn't bc even though i just looked i recall ✨nothing✨

#90-91 is a fun dick and wally adventure, if i remember correctly???? wally stans don't shoot me, i haven't read a whole lot of him idk if he's written well here i'm sorry

#111-112 is decent. it's not like. groundbreaking. but yk. maybe i just liked it more than the stupid pirate arc and maybe my standards are low and Good Dad Bruce is a weak spot, IDK

ummmm past that?

i like this page from #79

this panel is from #83 if you want to like see it with your own eyes on page.

the Hug is in issue #100, which is a bigger to celebrate 100 issues, and it happens later, i think it's the third story? some people love that scene, others can't stand it, i am a whore for soft batfam moments so it's very precious to me, and also nice moments make bad ones hurt more what?

if you like dickbabs you might enjoy more issues too, i was neutral about dickbabs and this run made me...not neutral. but i've heard from people that do like dickbabs that they don't like how they're written here so also, maybe you won't like it even if you like dickbabs??

but yeah!! these are my not-hated TT nightwing issues. i think there are a decent amount where i liked a line or panel here or there, but like overall most of it is just...not my fave. but you could like it!! which, i feel like it's worth saying that it's totally valid if you end up engaging with the run more and liking it. you wouldn't be the only person in the world to like it. but it's also ending in 4 issues thank god, so um don't get too attached if you end up digging it lmao

the red hood annual is also the annual i've liked for this run, i actually love that issue sm lol. the second annual is all about the Lamest Most Scariest Villain Ever, boring, and then the most recent was all about bea, dick's love interest in his ric era, which i was excited for...and hated. that one isn't even on TT, tho. travis moore your gorgeous dick is not enough to redeem you on that one. WAIT I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT-

thanks for the ask anon!! always good to practice loving your enemies i mean, i hope this helps, have fun <3

[circuit-if]

I love everything about this, your writing is so good!!! The pacing through the race was on freaking point, I really felt the suspense and knowing the choices we make during races is going to affect things is so cool! All the ROs sound super interesting, I can't wait to meet everyone.

I'm also a sucker for a shared history kind of RO, I just want to grab Roman by the shoulders and shake him, so you've definitely written a compelling character there XD. What do you mean bestie doesn't want to go on an epic road trip esque racing competition circuit across the world with me? :( But I didn't know they were going to add me, I'm as surprised as you are! More even, you found out before I did! :((( I am so so excited for any future confrontation scenes even though I know I (irl) would cry in such situations lol.

Seriously though, if the roles were switched, I'd be ecstatic there turned out to be another free spot my bestie got (... even if there were potentially questionable means... we all gotta have our secrets ;) ), and I don't think I'd jump to the conclusion of cheating/some sus af sketchy deals because paperwork and logistics are beyond me :') My dumb ass would think I misheard the open spots available or some other racer dropped out lol. I'm going to hang onto that Roman friendship like a leech, I'm just imagining so much angst potential for an MC that's all puppy dog eyes, just standing in the background of Roman's interviews like 'We're still friends, right? Or if I didn't get a spot to join the circuit, would you have left without another look back and forgotten about me entirely? Maybe it's better things turned out this way, because even if you hate me, at least you're still in my life.'

Sorry this got so long, I just love this so much, your writing is seriously incredible!!

Hmm, to make this an actual ask, what would you say are the ROs giving and receiving love languages?

Thanks for the support my friend! As always, it feels great to have put so much work into the racing scene and have it pay off with just the feeling I was trying to portray.

As for that last ask at the end as well as the ask above...

Nicholas/Nadine - Words of affirmation & quality time. As in just sitting together and being able to chat somewhere for hours, just the two of you.

Roman - Quality time & physical touch. As in being able to sit together and do your own thing while occasionally leaning in for a kiss on the cheek or to lean against one another.

Sadie/Spencer - Acts of service & quality time. S. is a hard worker, so they love to treat you to little favours and insist it really isn't a big deal. They enjoy taking you on stupid dates, too <3

Carmen - Words of affirmation & acts of service. Carmen's the type to value doing little things for one another in passing that make your lives just a touch easier.

[claudiajcregg]

I love these! (Doing and asking :) 🙅‍♀️ 🤔 🏅☀️

Grrr. Tumblr ate the mostly written post because of course it did. Thank you for asking, Mia 💕 These were really fun to answer (and also hard). For someone who's really her worst critic, I do enjoy talking about my process and whatnot. I'm sorry in advance for all the rambling.

(If you want to ask me more, the questions are here ✨ )

🙅‍♀️ What is one trope you refuse to ever write?

I just don't see myself doing incest or bestiality. If we're talking more general things, I can't see myself writing cheating (with the asterisk of this being one member of the couple straying, and that there are possible situations where I wouldn't mind). Also, anything extremely violent, mostly because it's not something I often consume in media.

🤔 What’s one genre you’ve never written that you’d like to try?

Oh, maybe action and/or suspense? My writing style (intimate moments, conversations, just vibes) is not the most compatible, but if the situation arose... Sure! (I guess that, in a past life, I wrote around mysteries and crime and whatnot. I was too young then 😬 )

I also would love to be better at writing stories-within-stories. I absolutely do not have the talent to convincingly seem like the talented writers I'm doing. (Once again thinking of the fluffy memoir fic. And another one, which has a super fun premise, but my writing is failing it with this aspect, I fear.)

And not a genre specifically but collaboration? Again, I have super talented friends. I'd stick out like a sore thumb. I think it'd be fun!

🏅 What is the fic you’re most proud of?

I am my own worst critic but I would still probably say all of them, maybe? I saw something in them that I thought might connect with others and that's why they're out there. Even the ones that aren't (so many of them) and might never see the light of day. Writing isn't easy. It makes me nervous and makes me crave validation.

Anyway. The pageant answer is still true but as for actual ones, but using the way I would mentally refer to them, lol.

Big Block of Cheese 2008. I just saw it's at almost 100 kudos... excuse me what. I just felt it was something special from the moment I wrote it. I think I always would've posted it at some point, even if I hadn't made friends. None of my fics come close to it in terms of "love" and tbh, I'm fine with it.

St. Augustine. Just because it came to me so fast (I think it was mostly written in a morning?) and IDK, I love the scene. This one has broken out from most of my other purely CJD stories, whether it was timing or it getting recommended by the right people. It was nerve wracking writing something pre-canon but I think it went well! It was fun to write. I haven't read it in forever so I reserve the right to remove it from the list.

Obviously, star shine started it all but if I had a third spot... Portland. It's probably one of my flops (everything is, but this one especially) and yet. I recall being so proud right after I finished it and wanting people to read it. (It obviously grew since then because I can't shut up.) It's long, maybe unnecessarily so, but god does it get to me. I was in a writing rut (see next answer) and challenged myself to write 'canon' stories, and I think the two are good.

But... To be honest, the answer has to be my unposted multichapter. I always think it's bad until I read it, and it kinda hits, all imperfections aside. 150k words in 5-and-a-bit months (26/3 to 2/9?), 33 chapters. I wrote 2/3 of that in two months (with 19 being the last one I wrote before 19/5), until my muse decided she was done and I decided to actually change jobs. (I also wrote now-published fics like haunted by the notion or don't want you to go, as well as a bunch of other smaller ones, in between! WTF was I on in 2021? I think the mini reunion altered my brain chemistry.) I've considered just dropping a link to the unedited, unbetaed drive on the server one day, ngl.

ANYWAY. Too long-winded!

☀️ Has anyone ever left you a comment that made your day? What did it say?

UM. All of them? real talk here, I don't get many comments so I love them all. I write for a show that ended 17 years ago, for a small (and surprisingly divisive) ship (their loss - there's so much talent) so I should've known going in. It took me some time to internalize it. I'm also not that good a writer, so I'll take it. Comments mean the world to me, even if it's a "lovely" or "great job." Just taking a few seconds means a lot and writers aren't kidding when they say it's motivating. It's also how I've made friends in the fandom so yeah! comments!

To highlight some rather recent ones!

Haunted by the notion got so many from so different people, and they were all so incredibly nice when I was terrified. All of those broke me, and might be the reason why I've been struggling with a followup! (And why I've been wanting to post again soon, rather than wait.) From the other stories, I have two ~recent ones~ I actually bookmarked because they broke me.

miabicicletta's (💕 ) on St. Augustine. I woke up on a Saturday and I remember reading it from bed and crying. It was so incredibly kind and lovely and I couldn't remember the last time anyone had written anything as long. I still think about it all the time. 🥂 (I've now realized Steph also wrote another lovely one ♥️ That story and the love it got, man.)

krazykitkat's on all's well + her comment on St. Augustine because her stories are some of my favorites. I couldn't believe that someone whose work I adored and have read countless times since I finished the show six years ago had read one of my stories, but had liked it???? Didn't compute. Doesn't compute. She's read many since (see St. Augustine, the most recent one), commented and left kudos on a bunch, and it still... blows my mind. (This one happened while I was flying back from Stockholm and was the first thing I saw when I landed.)

But really - so many people have left so many kind messages over the last couple of years, and I've probably gotten emotional at all of them. That there are people out there who are reading the silly little stories that have come out of my brain... wonders never cease.

[twigwing]

tell me about sally

SALLY IS ACTUALLY UNFORTUNATELY A BIT OF A BLIND SPOT FOR ME cuz i haven't watched a lot of AoStH or SatAM and haven't read a lot of the Archie comics... at her best, she's super cool though! she was used uhhhhh Poorly for most of archie's run, just acting as A Girl for sonic (and sometimes other male characters) to "win" or "lose" (rugh.) and... generally being misunderstood and mistreated by the men writing her (the team that came after the "original batch" of writers had their own problems writing characters esp women too but that's a whole other thing i again don't have too much authority on since i've read a series of VERY random archie issues over the past 12 years, mostly from the Tracy Yardley era and Sonic Universe actually lol)

at her core though, sally has always been that kind of "kick-ass royalty" type you get out of girls in media from the time period. active member of the cast, smart, funny, cool, realistic when needed, kindhearted but not foolish, a little exasperated by Oh You Boys. she's also always been sonic's girlfriend/love interest, which i feel like some people aren't aware of and think sonally is just from archie? they're if not outright dating just very comfortable and flirtatious with each other (they're childhood friends!) in SatAM. i actually had a couple episodes on again while doing dishes recently and there was a scene where sonic and sally kiss and their friends are just like standing around waiting for them to stop LMFAO

uhh i put images in here and they made the post really long so i'm gonna put a break

i know even Less about AoStH sally... apparently they're officially dating according to the SNN? also, she's pink, and i hate it

SHE LOOKS SO MUCH MORE GIRLNAKED IN PINK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i do love that she's naked though. pave the way for clothesless female animal chracters girl... a legend... an icon.... unfortunately an icon who was slowly given clothes to hide her Heinous Female Form (i'm joking) over time

for the longest time she just had this little vest though still chest out. go girl go. the little vest was sooo Gender to me as a kid. also her archie eyebrows!!

as sad as i am that they covered her up, i do think her post-reset archie outfit is super cool!!!

i take a lot of cues from this sally as well as the Sonic Riders design ethos when dressing my own sonic ocs actually! she's so sporty and fun, i love her. her bright red hair is really nice too, imo. she lost her eyebrows though :(

her archie designs.... oooo she is suuuuuuuch a little gender envy sapphic to me LMFAO. bi legend...

i feel like moooost people know this by now but sallicole... it is Real... they couldn't make it real real for real for real but god these girls...

their designs look good together i feel... <3

mmmm i forget what the point was. but yeah, unfortunately i don't know much about sally's use in canon/spinoff material... but what i've seen of her i really like (other than the royalty thing though, i don't like sonic(the character)'s world having a rigid political system especially one based on royalty sorry LMFAO. it's weird!! and also enabled a lot of wack writing for sally in archie!!!) she's a really fun character when written well and given a proper role, and i think she's a really neat companion for sonic (not necessarily romantic... their dynamic is really fun when it isn't bogged down by boring love triangles, they bounce off each other well). i think the idea of sonic having a childhood friend like sally is really neat, especially when you add tails to that history. weird little misfit friendfamily

unfortunately, sally probably won't ever be used officially again. i know the IDW team especially Ian Flynn really want to... but if they did, they wouldn't ever be the same as they were before due to the agonies sadly, and IDW does have a good amount of characters similar to sally now (though i will NEVER say no to more cool girls. in fact give me more. outnumber the cool boys, i demand it). but still! it'd be neat to see her in action in official material again. for now though, she and the rest of the freedom fighters are at narrative rest

but sally still remains a beloved part of the fandom! i still see fanart of her, and i see fans remixing current storylines and putting her and the other freedom fighters back into the cast. i'm glad that at least she hasn't been forgotten

[solangewrite]

What more ifs would u like to see more of

So this is a list of what I would like to see more and that I like!!

I'm so sorry for the tag! If you want me to remove your blog please tell me!

PS. This is my opinions!

-----------

@fromtheashesweriseif , where the ROs are the same as MC or NB, and the parents who are all transgender. It really makes you discover something new and experience!

@ingenio-academy-if who MC gender is set as agender, love love the concept!

@jaunefleurwrites , ‘A world without you’. It really brings out the emotions, and I really loved that we played as a 'sick' MC, it made me view someone else's perspective, which helped me a lot to understand someone.

@scabiosa-if Monsters. Yeah. But for me it means to not “judge a book by its cover”, the appearance won't show how the character will act with you. It's like a box. You need to open it to see what truly is inside. Also @fell-star-if !!

@obesericewrites angst. One of the RO has a child. I loved this, just.. I love it. This IF is emotional, yet at the same time it reminds me of a family? ...It's going to hurt. have mercy

@defiledheartsblog This is everything. Loved loved and loved this!! MC comes to revenge and oops! finally looks like MC is not able to.. (or is!!)

@sinners-if Also is to ‘not judge a book by it's cover’. Yeah, Grey may be 'cold' at first, but that's totally normal in my opinion. You both are strangers, maybe more as time will pass, you'll get to know Grey and Grey will be able to know you. Everyone has a soft spot for somebody, but you need to earn that place, it isn't for granted, and can be easily lost. Unless you want Grey to go to prison LOL revenge!

@lilac-den where MC isn't good with people (kinda?). MC doesn't have many friends, and will have to learn to interact more with people. As an antisocial, I got easily obsessed reading this IF! Oli though is a good friend! Gives MC some advice to get lai-

@kalorphic I love action. So spies??? Sign me up! This is going to be a rollercoaster of emotions I have a feeling. I really love the concept!

And well this is going to be long so under the cut lol! <3 Get ready for a lot and a lot more IF blogs.. haha! ❤️❤️❤️

@night-market-if loved that MC didn't remember where they came from, stuck in somewhere where they have no single clues!!

@nacregames “Morning Star” how do I say this??? Angels? Devils? Anyone? I'm here till the end!!

@zorlok-if <- This. Right here. *chief kiss* Get to be a demon losing their memories... And the demo is just super funny! I won't forget that Tommy erased our memory. N.e.v.e.r TOMMY WHY

@sinnersandsaints-linwrites angst, again. But I really loved the demo, it gave me a range of emotions that I couldn't describe. There's a range of supernatural that I haven't seen in IFs -> (Khari)

@corpsereviver-if Angels??? I don't know but I am looking at this from afar! I'm not stalking your blog I swear I- I can explain! MC has one wing!! And- I don't know what to say, argh!! Love the concept!

@doriana-gray-games YES YES YES. We like Sherlock!!!! Mystery!!! Love everything from this!!

@twyam-if We aren't the 'hero' of the story!!! It's actually MC friends?! This is going to be so interesting!!

@mondaysandwich Hello??? Work in a bar with demons??? Please sign me up!! I love the characters and everything!! And I always wanted to be a barista so it's a big plus for me!

@villains-promise what to say to this? It's right in my alley! Angst is coming- I'm bringing it a lot. Brings a lot of emotions!

@barbwritesstuff Loved the concept, really well written and was totally shocked as I didn't expect some part, you can even become an alpha!!! so... wolf on the moon when?

@lifesupreme-if WOAH. No words. It's like in the future, and I don't know how to express it lol!

@magiciansvoyage love love this!! Everything! I really enjoyed reading this!!

@allieebobo Tennis!! I love sports! So this was also in my alley!

@evertidings Bounty hunter!!! And it was just recently updated also! Loved loved this!!

@veirsewrites Old vampire! Gah! I love this so much!!! Also the one who inspired me to do IFs in the first place!! <3

@milaswriting What's your secret??? Why am I already obsessed with reading this??? Have you put a spell on me??! It's just so good!!!

@goldrush-if No words. Only affection. I am speechless, have you also put a spell on me???

@zico-if Hi??? Is that angst I see???? I love this already!

@the-keeper-of-midnight Gah! If only I could express just how good this is!!!

@acourtofserpents Erhm??? The demo?? Lord I got sent in another universe just how good it was!!

@chaosbringerx THIS. I am waiting for this patiently!!!!

@hauntthebodies Love love this! It's so difficult to express it but I love it!!! also transgender MC??? hi??

@legend-of-a-savior-if THE WRITING IS SO GOOD. the angst- my affection toward them is full of admiration. You really get immersed in the story!!!

@thrill-seeker-if Do i need to say it-??? Hello??? I- I don't think I'm able to say just how much I LOVE this!!

@whatlovelybones-if uhm hi?? Killer vibes??? This is totally in my alley- argh the angst coming straight for us!!! AND THEIR WRITING??? speechless.slams money on the table

@adoriels-tears-if Love that MC is a half-elf!!! And that it is 'illegal'??? That MC father 'left'??? angst right there, love it.

@todays-lessons-if Get to be a teacher!!! Ahhhh I'm waiting for this!

@lost-kiwi-dev Love this so much!!! ahhhh!!! the characters everything- I'm in love

@lostlambs-ifgame you get to be an assassin!!! And their writing is just *chief kiss*

@esper-game I'm in love with this game!!! Gah!!

@unwilling-souls-if No words for this. Just my affection for everything!

@nyehilismwriting This was so fun to read!! I loved this!

@beetlebethwrites I got the chance to learn new animals!!

@leoneliterary Jeez! I'm in love with your characters!!! Your writing is just *chief kiss*!

@llamagirl28 The two IFs!! I got so damn obsessed!!!

@lucid-fate-if Hi??? It's so good??? Love this!!

@leftski-if I have no words, it's just so good!!

@northern-passage No words could say just how much I love this. I loved to replay it each time!!! Will never get bored of it!

@attollogame I am. Obsessed. I would sell my soul to just read it all day!

@rotten-games

-

There's a lot and a lot more.. But I will have to stop here sadly!! ❤️❤️❤️ Please go send these authors some love and support! A small message would definitely make their day better :)

Here is the suite! Here!

Suite 2 : Here!

[queen-rainy-love]

Hello again! Digi-anon here ^^ Loved the purelily thing, and you're right. I should make a Clover cookie arc, and it should be angsty because I love angst.

Part 1/9 (Maybe more, but for now I'll say 9 because that's pretty reasonable I think) - The Secrets of Clover Arc (might also change name, lmk of any suggestions you have lol)

Clover being the middle child of the og 4 (He's still the middle child, but not right in the middle like he was) feels left out a lot. His brothers are constantly going out and protecting the kingdom, all of them having mostly mastered their powers. Except him, because he hasn't used them since the incident. All he did was play music to some animals and occasionally help out around the kingdom. So to put it lightly, he felt useless. Very, very useless. Although he hadn't been telling anyone, Clover's powers drained him when not used- as if they needed an energy source. The only clarity he got now was when he played his lute, which released that energy. He was growing weaker, and it started to show more recently. The purelily family was getting concerned for his health, but he started avoiding them as well..

Hope this isn't too long, can't wait to continue this arc! Have a great rest of your day/night- Digi-anon

Glad you love the PureLily short! And let's get this angst train started! And for those who don't know what part this is about, it's this part. And this will be written in the timeline before Cream Puff was discovered to be part of the family. (The first part was made before I added her. We'll just have this be part of the pre-Cream Puff era in the Tumblr version.)

*The scene is set in the Cookie Kingdom, two weeks after the incident. Clover is resting on his favorite tree, a frown on his face. He winces every two minutes.*

Clover: (Great Godly...this power...)

*Unbeknownst to him, Cream Puff stumbled upon the area and saw him. She wasn't sure what was wrong but knew that she couldn't leave him alone. She stepped from behind the trees and walked toward him.*

Cream Puff: Umm...Are you okay, Mr. Clover Cookie?

Clover: *Looks at her* Huh? Oh, you're Espresso's student Cream Puff, right? *weakly chuckles* I'm...fine. Just...thinking...If you need a spot to sit, everywhere is open.

Cream Puff: *sits next to him* Are you sure you're okay? You look really sad. Professor Latte always says that if I feel sad, I should talk to someone. Maybe you should do that.

Clover: *looks ahead for a bit before sighing. As he tells his problems, he gets more...mad.* Well...there's a lot to say. I just found out that I'm one of the four long-lost sons of Pure Vanilla and White Lily. My older brothers are generals and commanders. My baby brother is the personal bodyguard of the Hollyberry Kingdom crowned princess. All three of them mastered their super abilities while I can barely use mine. They go out and protect this kingdom while I stay here, playing music to the animals and doing a few tasks in the kingdom. And let's add nightmares to the problem! Like I need any more things to worry about!

*Clover breathes heavily while Cream Puff sits there, unsure of what to say next. After two minutes of catching his breath, Clover looks over at Cream Puff before grabbing his lute and starts playing.*

Clover: Sorry about that. I guess I've been bottling that for too long.

Cream Puff: I-it's okay. Just didn't know you were going through so much. You always have a smile on your face and you never left anything bug you. Maybe you should tell your family about this.

Clover: *stops playing* I...I don't know if I'm strong to tell them. They don't need to know now.

Cream Puff: But-

Clover: *pats her head* Thank you for the concern and listening to me. But right now, I just need to be left alone. Please little one.

Cream Puff: *looks down for a bit before nodding and standing up* O-okay. But I-I really think you should tell them! They have every right to k-know!

*Clover smiles and nods. Taking that as an answer, Cream Puff walked away but hid behind one of the big trees to look back at Clover one more time. This time, she noticed something off. Clover was trying to stand up but was struggling to. It was as if his legs were not strong enough. He grabbed a branch to lift him up...only to have it wilt in his hand and snap off. Just going by his expression, Cream Puff knew something was wrong.*

Cream Puff: (This power...Was this what he was talking about? I need to warn his family!)

[alirhi]

How I'd have done TFATWS pt 1

Okay, I am such a whore for positive attention that, yes, it literally only takes one person expressing interest to get me to do something lol. So, for the lovely @goblin-tea, here is how The Falcon and the Winter Soldier would have gone for Bucky if I'd been a writer on the show!

Also, shoutout to @gunshou, who popped up showing support when I was in the middle of writing this lol 😘

Episode 1: New World Order

I actually love how most of this episode was handled; it's what drew me into the show in the first place, and gave me such hope for the rest of it. Most of the changes that I'd make here are pretty minor, tbh.

I'd specify the setting in some way for Bucky's nightmare. Obviously, since he was there and knows what happened, when, and where he was, it wouldn't be like the setting changes in movies where they slap a big, bold title card over the scene. Still, I'd probably open with a brief establishing shot showing the city skyline or something; some identifying feature so that viewers can work out where this happened without needing a direct statement from Marvel (note: if you need to directly address your audience to clarify something from within your story, you're a bad storyteller). What year did this take place? I show technology from the time; perhaps a dated cell phone in someone's hand. The point is to establish where and when The Winter Soldier killed RJ Nakajima, without detracting from the emotional impact of the scene. Why does it matter? Because we should know why. Why is Bucky dreaming about this particular incident? Was it his last mission before the events of CA:TWS (a theory I see frequently repeated but with no evidence to back it up)? Was it earlier on? Is RJ only on the forefront of Bucky's mind because of his (unhealthy, but we'll get to that) friendship with Yori? How long has Yori been suffering under the weight of his grief?

I would not have had him crash through the wall, btw. As cool as that shot looked, let's try to remember that The Winter Soldier was a ghost story for 70 years. Ghosts don't leave giant gaping holes in hotel walls. I'm not saying brazen wholesale destruction is out of character for him (obviously not. I've seen CA:TWS lmao. many times. this moment lives rent-free in my brain:

found on google without credit; pls lmk if it's yours so I can credit.

but you don't become a "ghost story" if you always leave that much evidence, ijs)

I'd leave the terrible therapy session alone. That scene was beautiful. Beautifully shot; I loved how claustrophobic it felt, and it really did a wonderful job of showing how Bucky felt on the spot, scrutinized, almost put on display for this bitch woman. This scene establishes Raynor as clearly wrong, and an unprofessional mess, and Bucky calls her out on it. I fucking love that!

lmao gods, I love his painfully awkward forced smile... Guys, this episode is fkn great. (betcha weren't expecting so much praise from me, were you? 😂)

"You're free." "To do what?"

👆👆👆 In my show? That would have more of an impact on Bucky's arc. That question would be one of the underlying issues moving his whole story along. Twice in this show, he's told that he's free, but no one addresses what he's free from, much less what he's free to do next.

It's a minor thing, but when Yori tells Bucky to ask Leah out? I'd have Bucky do more than just shake his head in silent horror. Not much more, just something that matters to me as someone who's worked in the service industry for many, many years and dealt with too many creepos: Bucky would flat-out say "she's at work! that's harassment, Yori!"

Yori can still stomp right past that boundary, and Leah can still smile and agree. I just really want someone to verbally acknowledge that you don't fucking ask someone out when they're at work. Ever. Bucky cringing and apologizing puts the power of the conversation back in Leah's hands; it gives her an out to politely decline if she's not interested, and just laugh off Yori's flirting on Bucky's behalf as a senile old man being silly, so I'm actually fine with how this scene turned out. I just would personally have gone that extra inch there for the idiots in the audience who don't get Bucky's subtle "wtf" reaction and why Yori's suggestion was so bad. If someone's livelihood depends on being nice to you, keep your goddamn distance. Flirting with them or asking them out when they're at that big of a disadvantage and have virtually no power to say "no" is harassment.

Here is where I'd make one more subtle change, too. When Yori sees the mochi and is reminded of his son, and tells Bucky about his death, I'd just slip in a time frame. "x years ago, my son was..." blah. (Guys, it really bothers me not knowing when that scene took place rofl can you tell?)

One complaint I've seen a lot online about this show is how it's a bit murky on just how well known Bucky is in-universe. He can walk around Brooklyn with more or less total anonymity, but he's also recognized as "an Avenger" (when he was never actually technically in the group)... but honestly? I think it's actually pretty realistic. Just because someone's famous doesn't mean every single person on the planet knows who they are and what they look like well enough to instantly recognize them on the street. People look different in photos than in person, and pre-Blip, Bucky had the complete Jesus look - long flowing hair and a full beard. In TFATWS he's a little scruffy, but not this:

Sebastian looks like about 10 different men from one moment to the next just irl with a change in haircut, lighting, expression, whether or not he got enough sleep the night before... 😂 I don't really find it hard to believe that people not expecting to bump into an Avenger would have trouble seeing Bucky post-haircut as anything other than just another attractive white guy.

Anyway! Sorry for the segue lol. On to the date!

Earlier in this very same goddamn episode, it is established that Bucky can remotely operate a car with a tablet. This is not a technologically-inept geezer. This is a 30-something nerd who loves new technology, who, yes, is facing a brave new world and a whole lot of new technology, but has never shown any issue picking it up. The crappy flip phone he handed Raynor earlier? a burner to keep her out of what little personal life he does have (we never see it again in the real show, anyway). The "tiger photos" line? Stays, not to show Bucky's floundering ineptitude with technology, but as a little nod to his bisexuality. (don't like it? don't wanna see Bucky as bi? go watch the show and read Skogland's borderline-offensive interviews. This isn't "how I would pander to a homophobic audience" it's "how I would have written it." the "Bucky is bi" interpretation is super fucking common and has been since TFA so bite me 😁)

Tiny nitpick, but I'd also have the Battleship boards actually set up properly lmao. What even was that? Anyway...

I don't think I'd have Leah get all ranty about Yori and RJ. That's not first date talk, for one thing. For another, let's ease up on the beating Bucky and the audience over the head with that one incident in a single episode, shall we? Instead, I'd have her stick with the date questions - she asked his age, asked about his family; I'd have her follow it with questions about what he does for a living (giving us a chance to not only actually have that question answered for us - how the hell does Bucky keep himself from being homeless? lol - but also set up...)

He shuts down a little when she starts asking about his past; she's innocently curious, just trying to get to know him, but he's flinchy and deflects with questions about her. The date is awkward, but doesn't abruptly end with him running away lol. He walks Leah home, like the old-fashioned gentleman he is, goes home, himself, and end on him grimacing in his sleep, in the clutches of another nightmare: not as much detail as the RJ murder scene, we see disjointed, disorienting images of fluorescent lights glinting off of machinery, the occasional shot of Bucky writhing in the chair, a shot of that damned notebook (to remind the dumber audience members why Raynor's passive-aggressive notebook thing was so triggering for him), and we hear echoes of a couple of the trigger words, and Bucky's screams.