#always neat to see how much has changed between these two shows

[popppyfur]

stop the presses was soooo cute :'] reminded me a bit of the giver and made me think at one point poppy just invited herself into branch's yearly gift giving tradition but decided to make it something all year round lol (branch can accept that he has Feelings now and i like to think the cupcake thingie was just them joking around lol)

[listofwhyyouloveher]

I love your writing so much! Hope the heat isn't beating you up and if I'm not bothering may I have an outsider request with part two of young Sheldon Curtis sibling? And how she is with the gang. Also in the show it shows that Sheldon is a huge neat freak and germaphobe and probably has OCD idk about that and how they slowly get into comic book you don't have to thank you drink water!

Summary: The Gang w Young Sheldon!Reader Warnings: none Author's Note: none PONYBOY is incredibly kind and compassionate when it comes to your situation. He realizes you aren't every trying to be rude or disrespectful, no matter how you come off. He lets you clean up anything without asking, and will help you if you ask or if the tasks not too big. He gets a little upset if you don't want to touch him because of germs but he understands and tries to be as respectful as possible. SODAPOP is actually the one who got you into comic books. He brought back a pretty battered copy of "Fantastic Four" from a garage sale and was excited when you asked to borrow it. He would bring back comics every now and then and would always turn the pages for you when you didn't want to touch a page or two. He appreciates your attention to detail, pointing out things that change or theories. He's impressed, once again, by your smarts. STEVE is also kind of a comic nerd, he'll dump old comics on you whenever he's got ones he doesn't need or is allowing you to borrow, (he's a little touchy with his stuff because to him you're like his sister, not a just a close friend!). He's impressed how quick you get through them. For your birthday, he bought you a brand new copy of your favorite, promising that it hadn't been touched by anyone but him and he washed his hand to wrap it. TWO BIT doesn't understand germaphobe very well. He understands your need for cleanliness but he doesn't know to what extend it goes to. He slips up multiple times, touching your silverware with unwashed hands, re-filling your old water cup instead of washing in between etc. But he's super apologetic, and genuinely gets upset at himself for messing up. But he learns how to make you feel comfortable and then he gets super excited. DARRY tries his absolute hardest to help you and make everything perfect for you. He doesn't see it as an issue that he has to give you a little more attention, you and your brothers get along beautifully, no one really feels left out, and your smarts and wit are really something to admire. He totally supports your comic book obsession, he finds it a good use of your time, (you're still reading and not watching the tv) and its sometimes hard to find topics you can talk about with the gang so this is perfect for you! He's even buying you some when he can, and a seperate copy for Pony and Soda if its an issue they like. DALLAS really struggles with being respectful. But he tries, and it definetly shows, otherwise the rest of the gang would've dropped him by now. He won't buy or 'buy' you comics unless he needs to apologize for something, like being disrespectful. He'll just drop it into you hands in a plastic bag, mutter a quick 'sorry' in his new york accent and then saunter off like he just ended world hunger.

[rainystarshower]

‘R U Mine?’

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chara : Kunikida Doppo

cw : angst-ish?, fluff, dazai osamu mentioned, nonchalant-ish reader, gender neutral reader (can be interpreted as male), a little nudity?, literally one cuss word

a/n : The things I do for my friends... I’m watching you. @thibiss. I see your every move.

.⋆｡⋆˚｡⋆｡˚｡⋆. .⋆｡⋆˚｡⋆｡˚｡⋆.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈✩┈┈┈┈┈𝄞

Kunikida’s ideal type is quite the list. Although, ever since you appeared in his life, that was thrown out the window. He loves you, did you know that?

To be dating the Kunikida Doppo of the Armed Detective Agency must be a pretty thrilling thing! He’s idealistic, smart, handsome, and truly a piece of art.

But, that means he gets busy quite often. Even on days where he has no case to solve, he still shows up to work. As for you, whether or not you have work too doesn’t change the fact you’ll always come home sooner than him.

Sure, when he comes home, he’ll shower you in love, but is it really enough to make up for the times he’s left you feeling lonely? If you guys have any dates, he’ll always attend them, but you can’t keep using the excuse of having a date with him to get his attention away from work, right?

You’ll come home to a house, empty. Neat and clean, yet it’s missing something... Something which gives it the warm feeling of home. You know exactly what it’s missing, but you can’t do much about it. Other than calling him or sending him a message indicating you miss him, you wouldn’t hear the bell ring.

You tried talking to him about how you felt, but he was always busy. Even if you guys managed to start the topic, Dazai would appear, or maybe some other ADA member, and instantly would require his assistance. Was he really yours? You never let your sadness show.

As the days pass by, your anniversary with him crawls closer and closer. After a feeling of much loneliness, you had forgotten about that. You had forgotten your anniversary was soon, and you didn’t do anything about it.

...

The alarm rings, 6AM. The day has begun, the sun has risen, and so shall you and Kunikida. Today, Kunikida’s off from work. A day just for yourselves! Although, by this point, you still have a hidden feeling of loneliness...

You yawn, staying in bed a little more as Kunikida gets up to turn the alarm off. He stretches a little before he glances over to you, seeing you still laying down. He nudges you gently. You groan in response and he simply smiles, scooping you up in his arms and taking you to the bathroom with him. Half awake, you wonder what the hell is this guy doing?

Kunikida puts the stopper on the drain in the bathtub and fills it with water. As you subconsciously brush your teeth, oblivious to what hes doing, he prepares the entire bath and towels. Afterwards, he brushes his teeth alongside you and you stare at him mindlessly. “Are you going to take a bath?” you ask. “We are.” he replies.

Confused, you don’t really mind. You undress and wrap a towl around yourself, so does Kunikida. You won’t deny this is a little odd to you, but you also won’t deny that you missed having baths with Kunikida. So, I guess it’s a win in the end?

When you two get in the bath, Kunikida calls you closer to him. He sits on the edge of the bathtub and you sit in-between his legs, hearing the click of a shampoo bottle as he starts to massage the shampoo into your head.

It was a heavenly experience. Getting your hair shampooed by your one and only lover, and the morning atmosphere making it seem much more pure and romantic. The light seeping in through the bathroom windows (that aren’t visible to look through!), the feeling of warm water on your skin, and the silence. Leaving you to only hear the sounds of shampoo getting gently massaged into your hair.

You close your eyes, embracing the feeling. Still, what led him to doing something like this for you today? You couldn’t get that question out of your mind. It was stuck in there, alongside the small feelings of doubt that were currently being restrained.

Kunikida finishes putting the shampoo in your hair. Now, it’s your turn to shampoo his hair. You both get up and swap places, grabbing Kunikida’s shampoo bottle before he refuses. “Use yours instead” He says, giving you your own shampoo bottle. You look at him, a bit bewildered. “Won’t it ruin your hair?” you question, but he shakes his head in disapproval. “I checked the ingredients used, it has nothing that could damage my hair. The shampoo you use is quite diverse!” He crushes down your worries. Without hesitance, you put the shampoo in your hands and start massaging his head.

This way was nice too. The sun made Kunikida’s hair seem much more golden than it already was. It was nice, you liked this. You liked having cute domestic moments with Kunikida like this.

As time passed by and your bath with Kunikida comes to an unfortunate end, you check your phone notifications, two notifications from your calender, and one of them is a striking shock. Today is your part-time job interview! The interview is at 7:30AM, and you came out of the bath with Kunikida at... 7AM?! An entire hour!

“Shit, I forgot my part-time job interview is today...” you mutter. It catches Kunikidas ears and his gaze immediately turns to you, panicked. “You have an interview?!?!” he instantly started looking through your clothes to find your suit.

As you dumbfounding watched Kunikida get your entire outfit ironed, “What time is your interview??” he asks, rushing breakfast for you. He can have breakfast after you leave. “7:30...” you start changing into your suit and his jaw drops.

Immediately after you’ve put on your suit, he fixes your hair for you, gives you breakfast and lends you his car keys. “Take my car, what time will you be back?” He sits beside you, bowling on your coffee slightly to cool it down. “By 4pm maybe, I need to get groceries too” you finish your breakfast as fast as you could, choking on it slightly but being saved by Kunikida handing you the cooled down coffee.

The feeling was still hot enough to burn your throat slightly, and as Kunikida noted the time you’d be back, you put your shoes on and ran out the door. Before, you’d normally leave with just saying “bye” but this time, Kunikida kissed your cheek and waved you goodbye. You were surprised and confused. Seriously, what is up with him today?! No complaints on your end, you happily took the kiss and returned it, making Kunikida a little flustered. You both waved goodbye to each other and you left for your interview.

...

You came home a little earlier than intended. Unloading the groceries from the trunk of your car, you wondered if you flunked it or not. You really couldn’t tell! They were so nonchalant!!

Groceries in your hands, you used your elbow to open the door, you knew it’d be unlocked because Kunikida was home. You kicked the door open, and before you could say you’re back, you were completely off guard by the balloons and decorations.

Your year anniversary. Kunikida hadn’t forgotten. In fact, the entire day, the reason he did everything, was to make you feel special. You felt like shit that you had forgotten, considering the presents on the table. Kunikida appeared. “I thought you were coming home later?! It’s 3:23!” He was surprised. But you were more surprised.

You didn’t get Kunikida a gift, but he got you one. “Happy anniversary.” Your heart swelled up. “You seemed more sad recently, and I remembered just yesterday why.” He knew? He knows? “I hadn’t been the best lover. In fact, my attention was entirely away from you and focused on work.” He knows. He’s apologizing? “You are my first priority, you always will be.” His voice was so sincere and gentle. Oh, how he made your heart ache more. “I am yours after all, I should take care of you more.” There, you couldn’t resist dropping your groceries gently onto the couch and hugging him. You hugged him tight.

He said nothing, hugging you back. “I love you, happy anniversary” he whispered, his voice was honest and tender. You weren’t going to forgive him so easily, but you gave in for now.

You both celebrated your anniversary together, the sun about to set, so you both head out. You had dinner on a night beach, the stars visible above your heads as you two talked through the night. Taking a walk afterwards together in a park nearby, heading home and simply spending time together. Time passed by so quickly, you both were up the entire night talking and staying by each others side. The atmosphere, just as you had once dreamt of was a reality... You felt Kunikida falling asleep in your arms. Gosh, he really was yours! You plant a kiss on his head, whispering “Goodnight.” The moon reflects his love for you, and your love for him in the peaceful night.

------------------------------

Yes the title is an Artic Monkeys reference hehe :3

[riconas]

If you feel like writing anything with Swiss while on the plane 👀👀👀 that would be neat 👀👀👀 I'm not picky on pairing

ok swiss alps rimming lets goooooo

“I wanna eat you out,” Swiss announces.

“Oh,” Mountain says, surprised. He turns his head to look at Swiss, tail flicking nervously. “I’ve never—done that. Before.”

Swiss squeezes his waist, earnest. “Really?” 

“Yeah. Never had the chance.” 

Swiss smiles brightly. “You wanna? It’ll feel good.” 

Mountain does want. Everything feels good when it comes to Swiss, and he isn’t going to turn down a chance to have his ass eaten. It unfortunately doesn’t change the fact that he really has never done this before—never been on the receiving end, always more than happy to give—and he doesn’t want to embarrass himself in front of Swiss. Not that there’s much to be embarrassed about, but still. 

“Okay,” Mountain says, not bothering to hide the way his voice shakes a little. “Do you want… like this? Should I move to make it easier, or—”

“Flip over,” Swiss tells him, patting his ass. “Wanna see your face when I lick you.”

Mountain swallows his groan and rolls awkwardly onto his back, avoiding eye contact as much as possible. His cheeks are on fire. He feels so exposed, and even though Swiss has seen him naked plenty of times before, he feels the urge to hide. It’s different, somehow. More vulnerable. 

“You okay?” Swiss asks, rubbing his thigh affectionately. “Why that face?”

“Nervous,” Mountain admits.

Swiss smiles. “Don't be. Nothing to be nervous about.”

Plenty to be nervous about, actually, but Mountain doesn’t say that. No need to ruin the mood. He lies back on the pillows, buzzing with anticipation, and shuffles up obediently when Swiss slides a pillow under his hips. It’s no big deal! He’s done this plenty of times. Can’t be that much different being on the other side, can it? 

“May I?” Swiss asks.

Mountain nods. “Go ahead.”

He feels Swiss’s tongue first, warm and wet and strangely soft, and can’t help but fist his hands in Swiss’s coarse hair, fighting the urge to yank. It’s… different. Not unpleasant, but unfamiliar, way out of his comfort zone. He doesn’t know how to react, whether to grind, whether to beg for more. 

“Oh,” he gasps, as Swiss dips one finger in, then two, then scissors them apart and pushes his tongue in between them. “Oh, Satanas.” 

He can feel Swiss’s stubble rubbing up against his sensitive skin, rough and prickly. Maybe he’ll have beard burn there, be red and raw when he goes to clean up later. Maybe he’ll feel it for another day or two. 

“Taste fucking incredible,” Swiss murmurs, and the vibrations nearly drive Mountain right out of his fucking mind. He moans, toes curling so hard his thighs begin to shake, and tightens his grip on Swiss’s hair. He hopes he isn’t pulling too hard. 

Then Swiss’s fingers are gone and it’s just his tongue left, fucking in and out of Mountain’s hole, making noises so obscene it makes Mountain’s stomach hurt. It’s so little and so much, all at the same time. He needs more. He can’t take it. He’s probably making all kinds of ridiculous expressions, so out of tune with his body, while Swiss sucks at his rim like he’ll never eat ass again. 

“Hold your legs up,” Swiss encourages, both hands holding Mountain open, stretching him tight. “Spread those cheeks for me. Show me that pretty hole,” and Mountain whines so plaintively he shocks himself into silence. Absolutely insane, the things Swiss does to him, the way Swiss makes him feel. 

He’ll have to repay the favour another time. Get Swiss all spread out across his bed, fold him in half like the gentleman he is and eat him out until he’s sobbing. Got to even the score, after all. 

“Are you—” Swiss licks a long, broad stripe, pressing delicately into his taint, and Mountain’s eyes roll back in his head. “Oh, are you enjoying this? Licking my—hole?”

Swiss laughs. “Enjoying this? Sweetheart, I’m having the time of my life.”

Mountain closes his eyes. It’s a losing battle. Whatever he says, Swiss will manage somehow to top it with some dreadfully horny response. 

“Are you really getting off on this?”

No hesitation. “Yes.” 

Mountain shudders. “Am I allowed to… cum, like this?”

“Can you?” Swiss asks, sounding genuinely curious. 

“I don’t know,” Mountain admits. 

“Can you try?”

“Yeah,” and Mountain holds his legs tighter, forces his hips up as far as they’ll go. Weakly, he says, “All yours.” And then: “You can spit on it.”

Swiss’s grin turns predatory. “You nasty,” he says, sounding so indescribably proud. “Spit on it, huh?” He slaps Mountain right there, the noise ringing out so slick, so dirty. “Sure thing, princess. If that’s what you want.” 

[phantoms-hall]

Julieta Madrigal NSFW Alphabet (Fem!Reader)

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

She's amazing at aftercare. She lets you know how well you've done and how good you made her feel. She'll cuddle you and stroke your hair for some time and then she'll run a nice warm bath for you both. She also makes sure you're well hydrated after the act and is always certain to ask whether you're hungry or not. If you are, she'll whip you up something in no time without complaint. But if she's the one that's a bit more tuckered out after everything, she'll allow you to pamper her by giving her a short massage after you both get cleaned up and hydrated.

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

As humble as she is, she has some bias towards her hips. She's quite proud of them, and while she doesn't wear clothes to show them off to others, she loves showing them to you. As for her favourite body part on you, she loves them all- but if she had to pick it would be your hands. While she's quite articulate with her hands and fingers from decades of cooking, there's just something about yours that she can't get enough of. Especially when you hold her by her hips or have them on her neck. She gives into you instantly when your hands go to work on her.

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)

She loves to taste you as she makes you come undone, licking up every drop. And when you do the same to her, it makes her feel euphoric- as if all her woes never existed.

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

She fantasized about you before you got together more than she would like to admit. Now, more so when she sees you hard at work- with the grit and grime of the day gracing your body. Especially when your usually neat hair is messy; it makes her think of other times you look disheveled. Doesn't help that you look like that often. She would tell you, but she knows you wouldn't let her hear the end of it.

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

She has three kids, I think she knows what she's doing. That's over two decades of experience.

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

She loves any position where she can see you the most. Whether she's riding your face, or getting herself off by rubbing against your thigh and using hers to get you off. If you're going for something more penetrative, she loves spooning- whether she's the big spoon or not.

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

She has a good balance between the two. When you're going down on each other, she's completely in focus but she's not opposed to a few jokes being cracked here and there even if she hardly initiates them.

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

Her hair down there is a bit darker and coarse with the same speckles of gray on her head. She keeps herself neatly trimmed, since she thinks going completely bare is too much of a hassle and she barely has time as it is.

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

Very very romantic during the act. She cups your face for kisses quite often and always lets you know how much you mean to her. She always leaves a gentle trail of kisses on your body and you reciprocate in full. She loves it when you kiss her neck and when you look into her eyes when she's close. She loves to hear you tell her how much she means to you and to hear I love you so much more than anything during the moment. Her romanticism for sex never changes no matter how many times she experiences it.

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

Doesn't do it often because she's always busy, not to mention she much prefers when you touch her. But on the off chance you're not available, she'll go to her room for a few moments of privacy and take care of herself if that option is on the table.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

Despite her innocent nature, she has quite a few. She adores hickeys everywhere on her body, especially on her breasts. She also likes spanking and bites with the occassional bout of being blind folded. While she isn't one for crude talk with people she's not romantically invested in, she has a spot for dirty talk. Nothing too crazy but it's there. She's more of a praise person both on the recieving and giving end. If you want her to degrade you- she'll oblidge but the names she calls you are more on the tame side. Think more bad girl or dirty girl rather than whore or slut. Since her food can heal minor injuries in seconds, she makes it her business for you to leave your marks on her everytime you two have sex. When she does it to you, she shamelessly litters your neck with hickeys just to see that look on your face when you realize- then she innocently shoves an arepa into your mouth as if she wasn't saying the most sinful things the night before.

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

Her bedroom, no doubt.

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

Like I said, you hard at work gives her a lot to think about- but when you take a shower after all that labour and your clothes cling to your body while your hair still drips a little, gets her going. She also hyperfixates on your hands a lot when you two are alone, thinking of what they can do to her until she can't take it anymore. In that case, she pounces on you. She also likes when you beg her during the act, much to her surprise. Something about that exasperated look on your face makes her feel things she didn't even know she could feel.

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

Nothing that can lead to severe injury, even if she can heal them. She would feel terrible for injuring you and she knows you'd feel the same if you injured her. She also doesn't like to hear self demeaning things during the act, it gets to her. And most definitely nothing to do with bodily waste.

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

As much as she loves giving and as great as it feels for her tongue to be on you, she very much adores receiving. Something about your tongue is so desirable to her body and while you may not have a gift like her, she's sure your tongue is magic.

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

She likes to take it slow and sensual, savouring each moment every time. She loves to make sure she's taken care of you everywhere and loves when you take your time to explore every crevice of her body.

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

Not a fan. She can only recall one instance when it happened because the two of you hadn't seen each other properly in four days and by the time the both of you got home, you were too tired to do much. But because you missed each other, she let it play out like that. You two promised each other that you would start taking more breaks.

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

She's okay to experiment, but she would want to know about it before hand so you can discuss it and see if you're both comfortable. As for risk, definitely not for her. She prefers the privacy of her own bedroom.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

She usually lasts for a solid forty five minutes, close to an hour and a half if you're prolonging her orgasm. As for rounds, on a normal day she can last for one. But if she's completely rested, you're getting three rounds.

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

I'm genuinely not sure how they would get toys in a secluded magical village, but if they're available, I'd say she owns one or two. She hardly uses them on herself because of time restraints and her preferance to use them with her partner.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

Surprisingly (or not) a bit of a tease. While she might like teasing you, when you tease her all of a sudden you're being unfair [name].

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

She usually lets out more breathy moans and isn't too loud until she cums. But if you haven't had each other in a while, she'll be louder and has to put something over her mouth to drown out the sound while cumming- whether that be her hand or yours, a pillow or biting into your shoulder a little.

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

She likes shower sex and while she's usually the one in charge, she loves it when you ravage her- especially in there.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

She has a round and plump figure with generously sized boobs. The caresses of time and the bearing of three children are visible and makes her all the more alluring for it.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

She gets in the mood at least once a week, but usually can't find the time to work it out unless it's every other week or longer. You make sure and compensate her for her long wait though.

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

She's usually awake for an hour or two even after getting cleaned up and falls asleep once she's content with looking at your cute sleeping face.

[ppnuggie]

　　　　　　TRANSFORMERS x gn reader

　　　　『　hound ,, drift ,, rewind ,, first aid ,, gender neutral reader 』

　　-> household activities

　　— fluff ,, sfw ,, crack ,, comfort

　　— just some small household activities to do with the bots <3 these are headcannons ,, there’ll be scenarios in a separate post to these tho ! :3

    - hound + folding clothes

| • hound has always found your clothing interesting ,, even if theres never really anything interesting about it

| • cybertronians dont have clothes to put on when they get cold ,, or to wear when they want to show off a new look ,, or for different sportive activities

| • it intrigued him ,, how you could easily change your outer look and find a new one

| • the most cybertronians had with that was mods and paint jobs ,, maybe a different limb if they got injured

| • he isnt too sure how to fold socks or shirts so you let him fold your pants whilst you do those

| • no matter how many times you show him how to fold socks hes still amazed and when he tries to do it he somehow fails

| • hound likes how they all look neat put up and folded ,, how it takes up little space no matter how many clothes you have

    - first aid + cooking

| • he only asked you to show him how to cook because he sees you do it often

| • its a foreign thing to him ,, after all energon is liquid and if its not than its crystal like and inedible

| • not only that but first aid wants to do something nice for you which he cant due to him always being in the medbay ,, and even when hes off of work you're usually asleep

| • it gives him time alone with you that usually results in no interruptions ,, him growing closer to you ,, and a wonderful bonding and learning experience

| • on days you accidentally sleep in he usually makes you breakfast so you dont miss it or have to worry about being late

| • do compliment him :( he loves it and it makes him happy

    - drift + dishes

| • he would find you doing your dishes one day ,, after you didnt text him after some time ,, so he would go find you in your room doing your dishes

| • he'd question you about them ,, since cybertronians only have cups and cubes to clean and even then it doesnt take too long

| • drift would offer to help ,, using his mass-displaced form and help with rinsing drying the dishes off so the job would get done faster

| • whilst in the midst of focus ,, you may get an idea and decide to splash a little water at him

| • little did you know that would start a little war between you two ,, with you both splashing water back forth at each other

| • its safe to say that the ground ,, counter ,, and both of you are soaked afterwards

    - rewind + gardening

| • he offers to help you when he finds you taking care of some plants you've brought aboard the lost light ,, something about oxygen and carbon dioxide

| • he doesnt remember too much of what you said about it ,, just that you have them

| • rewind has a lot of knowledge in his database ,, though theres not a lot of organic things in there since he's dedicated his life to dominus ambus in a way

| • he'll be interested ,, standing over you as you pot the plant ,, switching the soil and putting a bit of fertilizer in the pot

| • rewind will ask questions about it ,, camera rolling to store away the information in his database

| • he'll learn about them ,, that they make oxygen from carbon dioxide ,, how its a cycle between you and the plant

| • since you breath in oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide ,, how the plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen ,, its somewhat interesting to him in a way

| • he'll definitely help if you let him ,, feeling how foreign the soil is under his digits is and how mushy it feels when watered

| • its quite the learning experience for him

[neko-naruto]

top 5 etho ships ? bonus points for any explanation

my personal top five in no particular order, and like, ya gotta understand im still new here (hermitcraft/life series) so my opinions are poised to change, but the current standings are:

Bdubs/Etho/Cleo, i'll be honest, i haven't written or read any clethubs, but i saw some art of them that made my brain shortcircuit. they are femdom, himbo, and twink. i just think that Etho should have two people who are stronger than he is on either side of him at all times, bonus points if you let Cleo be the tallest. Bdubs being super clingy, Etho reluctantly tagging along, and Cleo making sure they don't fucking die because yeah they are god damn idiots sometimes, but they're her idiots. and she loves them. and probably gives them noogies and headlocks them.

Cleo/Etho, their marriage in limlife is so much fucking fun, especially when read under an aro4allo lens. Etho whose been happily married for over a decade watching his friends enter relationships and realizing that he loves differently, he doesn't even love remotely close to how they love, love isn't even the right word. hes scared so he leaves, hes not doing it right and his wife must be upset about it, that must be why everythings crumbling. and Cleo, not giving two shits, because that's her husband and by god they're gonna make it work if he can realize that being absent is whats breaking up their marriage, not showing affection and intimacy differently.

Gem/Etho, as a canadian i am legally obligated to ship this, as a lesbian i love it when men have chaotic gremlin girlfriends who put them in their place. see that one episode of hermicraft wherein Gem beats his ass on repeat and he keeps coming back for more. its like, like theres an unspoken solidarity, 'hey we're the same even though we're not' and they stick with each other. predator/prey dynamic if you go with deer Gem and fox Etho, you also get it with sea monster Gem and fox Etho, except he's the prey and she has the biological advantage instead. also, when paired with the transfemme Etho headcanon we get some yuri which im always down for.

Grian/Etho, this one came to via an Ao3 commenter and i have seen two pieces of fanart for it and like, seven fics. but i still think the dynamic of bird and fox would be fun to work with in writing depending on the bird Grian is hybridized with, especially if Grian is the smaller one. also in limlife??? hello?? Etho, swearing loyalty and promising to be someones sword is not heterosexual behaviour. what they had in limlife, even if brief, had me shaking i'll be real. also, for their hermitcraft dynamic, it'd be hot if i threw Scar into the mix, for flavour.

Pearl/Etho/Tango, consensual workplace relationships make me absolutely insane, it could tear apart their business or bring it further together. they have the kind of dynamic that makes my head absolutely fucking empty, one of those 'i just think theyre neat' kind of ships. the culture clash between each of their species and their own personal tastes, Tango's a blaze and they mate for life, Pearl's a siren and they don't do much for romance, Etho's a fox and they come and go- but they make it happen in spite of that. im working on getting them a canonized Ao3 tag right now, they have such a fun dynamic. also, they fucked in that post office when no one was looking.

tbh these are all really closely tied, and i also have a soft spot for tangtho and the team ties poly. they're all really fun ships, i just really enjoy polyships to be real with ya'll. and the life series and hermitcraft are full of so many possible polyships that its just making me foam at the fucking mouth. sorry boat boys enjoyers, the vision has not yet engulfed me, but hey im a multishipper it might be yet to happen.

[crispy-crust]

top 10 yuris

usually i would answer these asks in a jokinG manner but you've asked me about a topic i am extremely passionate about so prepare for a massive text post

addinG a cut here because this post is larGeee and i don't want it cloGGinG up any dashes

NUMBER 10: hatbow!

at number 10 due to the extreme lack of canon interaction but the fact it's here at all despite how little of it exists is a testament to how much these two have rotted in my brain. Go play a hat in time it's so cute and so fun i wish there was more content of these two

NUMBER 9: kimona!

ah kimona. how i wish there was more actual canon content of these two. this shit made volume 5 for me it's the reason volume 5 is the only volume i own of the hardcovers (for now). there is undeniable tension between these two i refuse to believe bryan lee o'malley wrote this without the intention of makinG it seem romantic. and as a friend once said "they two bad bitches n they kissin each other 🔥🔥🔥🔥"

NUMBER 8: ROSEMARY

iconic in every sense of the word these two are special to me. i have to include them here purely due to how influential they were it's awesome not much else to add here as this isn't one of the ships i'm severely brainrotted about i just think they're neat!

NUMBER 7: lumity!

i used to be biG into these two they're wonderful and it was Great seeinG somethinG like this on modern television. shoutout dressinG up and travelinG toGether (iykyk)

NUMBER 6: weblena

now we're GettinG into brainrot territory. the showrunners said somethinG alonG the lines of "webby won't Get a romantic interest because the show isn't about romance" and i Go "what the fuck are you talkinG about we already had a romantic subplot with her and lena that was clearly the point of all of that" there is a scene in season 1 where webby calls lena a "beautiful idiot" and then looks at her like this

TELL ME THAT ISN'T gAY! YOU CAN'T BECAUSE IT'S gAY AS SHIT THESE TWO ARE SO FRUITY TOgETHER DUCKTALES 2017 I LOVE YOU FOR EVERYTHINg BUT I WISH YOU ALLOWED THESE TWO TO HAPPEN

number 5: sashanne!

much can be said about this ship and the anGst behind it and all that. i'm huGe on sashannarcy as a whole and i considered addinG that ship to this list but i thouGht talkinG about the dynamics of the pairs would be more interestinG sashanne is a stronG case of missed potential to me, a lot could have been done to make their dynamic a lot more compellinG even more-so than it already is and a lot could have been chanGed about the way they handled sasha's "redemption arc" in season 3. season 3 as a whole is a mess that i have many opinions on but that's for another day. despite all the flaws and missed potential this ship still aches me in the best way possible. they were 13 years old at the time of amphibia and they had to deal with ALL OF THAT. at aGe 13 sasha elizabeth waybriGht attempted actual honest to God suicide due to a fiGht she had with anne while lean on me was playinG in the backGround and the world was forever chanGed. amphibia was so held back by so much and the amount of missed potential in it (especially in season 3) kills me but despite all of that this relationship shined throuGh as one of if not the best part of the show for many people. Good shit!

NUMBER 4: lapidot!

NOW WE'RE gETTINg TO THE gOOD SHIT how come even in media that has explicit queerness everywhere i always tend to Gravitate towards the dubiously canon clearly more than friends who were done dirty by their lack of screentime toGether? lapidot is a lot for so many reasons and i'm very much not alone in beinG abnormal about these two. IN FACT REBECCA SUgAR HERSELF DREW HUMANSTUCK ART OF THEM! AND THE OFFICIAL CARTOON NETWORK SOCIALS HAVE RECOgNIZED THIS SHIP MULTIPLE TIMES!! the way these two Grow to be comfortable around each other and learn to live in this new stranGe place toGether is so charminG and so Gut wrenchinG when you're rewatchinG the show and know what's cominG. in the episode where peridot learns to bubble stuff for the first time she sends the bubble off and when she asks steven where it'll Go he says "home" AND THEN IT CUTS TO LAPISSSSSS. SHE THINKS OF LAPIS AS HER HOMEEEEEEE DON'T EVEN FUCKINg gET ME STARTED ON DISTANT SHORE I ACTUALLY SOBBED SO FUCKINg HARD WHILE WATCHINg THAT SCENE IT'S UNREAL they were done so dirty with their reunion as well what do you mean all we Got was a "hey" I NEED TO SEE TEARS AS THEY MAKE OUT DAMN IT!! these two are imperfect and they stumble throuGh this whole life thinG a lot and there are many ups and downs to their relationship but that's what makes it compellinG that's what makes it so Good and damn it at the end they made it back to each other... if we ever Get more official su content and these two aren't canonized in it i will end up on the news

NUMBER 3: stephcass!

yea what did you expect of course this was Gonna be here these two are everythinG to me and every day that passes by where they aren't canon is a day i am in physical pain their dynamic throuGhout batGirl 2000 Gives me life and the anGst that comes from it is delicious the obvious queerbait in batGirls doesn't help this at all. they knew what they were doinG and you can't convince me otherwise these Girls and their relationship persevered despite all the editorial nonsense that tried to split them up and each time they came back stronGer than ever they have such undeniable chemistry and they're universally loved as a pairinG come on dc you would be actually stupid not to put them toGether come on everyone already clocked them like 2 decades aGo

NUMBER 2: junerezi!

dear lord this pairinG has had an affect on me. you really do Go into the epiloGues expectinG roxyGen and then end up on the other side screaminG and clawinG at the walls in the name of junerezi i was hooked on them before i even read meat! the little crumbs in candy were so dense and so impactful to me their dynamic is so incredibly fun to read and their scenes in meat are so painful and so powerful they are the reason i own the epiloGues physically i need beyond canon to be done already so i can see the end of this plotline throuGh i need them back toGether you don't understand june's death in meat while in terezi's arms actually made me feel numb irl for like a week i wish people would Give the epiloGues a chance because they're actually really damn Good and the junerezi is sooooo delicious i cry so hard i usidgfbuiydboguiszdghbfuijdsbvgfyihsdfobuijgbf[9usapigbvfuidjbsfuijdb

NUMBER 1: MARCANNE

spoiler warninG for amphibia

i don't talk about these two often on here, not as much as i'd like at least. but marcy wu as a character and this ship specifically literally chanGed me as a person. there is a reason i still call marcy my favorite character in fiction despite havinG read stories i consider to be much better than amphibia since. and this may sound stupid but i Genuinely do not know if i would be alive today were it not for marcy i started amphibia at a very rouGh time in my life and the character of marcy and the lenGths she went to for anne hit me so incredibly hard due to that imaGine with me for a second that you are 13 years old. a child Genius! everyone around you recoGnizes you as someone who will be incredibly successful later in life you have 2 people who are incredibly important to you. they mean everythinG to you you would Give the world for them and yet those two people cannot be bothered enouGh to enGaGe with you about your favorite movie or your interests in General

marcy Gave up her entire life back on earth just to be able to exist around anne and sasha. she had everythinG GoinG for her earth was her home she Got Good Grades her future looked briGht she was studyinG for the SAT from aGe 13 and earth was where all of her interests were. everythinG she knew. and she Gave that up for anne and sasha. do you know how deeply you have to care about someone to be willinG to do that? do you know how stronG your love for them has to be? cut to true colors. this episode ruined me i won't even Get into the confession scene. i have that scene memorized by heart and i start to tear up whenever i think of it i Genuinely don't think i can handle talkinG about it the stabbinG scene however.

once aGain i remind you this is a 13 year old. imaGine beinG 13 and usinG what you think may be your very last words ever to apoloGize to someone. someone you so deeply care about. you are dyinG in front of them and all you can think to say in that moment is sorry. because you believe they hate your Guts at that moment. could you imaGine GoinG throuGh that?

could you imaGine then wakinG up realizinG you're alive only to be Greeted by niGhtmarish hallucinations of your worst fear. and what's your worst fear in that moment? your friends hatinG you. them leavinG you behind after all that you went throuGh to stay close to them

the first thinG she said when she woke up was "sashy...? anne..??" SHE WAS DREAMINg OF THEMMMM

AND THEN WHEN SHE'S TAKEN OVER BY THE CORE HER FANTASY IS gETTINg TO EXPLORE NEW FANTASTICAL WORLDS ALONgSIDE ANNE AND SASHA!!! ALL SHE WANTS TO DO IS SPEND TIME WITH THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO HER this is quickly turninG into an essay about just marcy so let me try and Get into some of the more liGhthearted aspects every sinGle scene we see of marcy and anne throuGhout their time toGether in season 2 is the Gayest shit i've seen in my whole life. them sobbinG and huGGinG each other after beinG reunited... anne boopinG marcy and tappinG her on the head later in the episode.. anne tryinG to impress marcy by actinG smart... marcy STANDINg STILL IN ONE SPOT UNTIL THE SUN WENT DOWN IN A DAY AT THE AQUARIUM AFTER ANNE LEFT TO gO WITH THE PLANTARS. ANNE BLUSHINg AT MARCY'S INFODUMP IN NEW WARTWOOD. THEIR ANTICS IN THE SLEEPOVER EPISODE. THE PROCESS OF ANNE gETTINg HER NEW ARMOR AT THE END OF SEASON 2 AND THE WAY MARCY LOOKS AT HER AFTER SHE DECIDESSSS

as previously stated this ship is extremely influential to me and i would not be the same person today without it. i don't even know if i would be here today without it. so i would like to close this post off by sayinG thank you amphibia. thank you matt braly. and most of all thank you marcy wu <3 you are a treasure that i will cherish for the rest of my life nothinG will ever compare to you

[totaldramafan-lauri]

EPISODE 6

N-no Alastor again......

......

.....OK, so....this episode needs multiple viewings for me to.....fully absorb everything that just happened......but......uh......I-I don't wanna just not say anything about it, so....here goes.....

-OK, fandom, you got me. You called it. Vaggie was an angel. Wasn't exactly the most surprising twist imaginable when everyone and their mother called it, but it was cool to actually see it. Th-the fact that she got her name because a misogynist named her was probably the biggest twist for me here, cuz HOLY CRAP, it makes so much sense. XD I remember when people used to haaaaaate Vaggie's name.....I-I honestly used to raise my eyebrows at it before I got used to it. That's neat.....

....But if there was one thing I DIDN'T call, it's Charlie not knowing. I legit thought she already knew. They were so close, and they've been a couple for years before the show, so I thought that already happened. B-but I....I LIKE this direction? I-I love Chaggie already, don't get me wrong, they're like the M&M of this show for me.....b-but their relationship has always kinda been....swallowed by the....EVERYTHING ELSE in the show around them. I-I'd love to see them get center stage! Will that happen, or will it just get brushed over? Dunno....but....either way, this cliffhanger KILLS ME just cuz I wanna know what happens next for them!

-NO ONE IN HEAVEN BUT SERA AND THE EXORCISTS KNOW ABOUT THE EXTERMINATIONS. PLEASE leave all your "Heaven is evil, what's the point of the hotel" complaints at the FLIPPING DOOR! We got a breakthrough! Yup, I never bought it for a second. The Exorcists are only ONE type of angel! There was no way they represented ALL of Heaven! The whole point of the story was that it's not a black-and-white conflict! If the whole story was just "Hell good, Heaven evil", what would be the point of that? You think the writers are THAT dumb?

Sera....seems to be the one in charge of making the decisions, but she's not evil, she's just doing what she thinks is right for Heaven. I'm pretty sure her mind can be changed. And Emily is so so so much like Charlie that them singing together was satisfying as heck! Adam and Lute are the clear bad guys here....

I love the confusion of "How isn't Angel rising to Heaven?" and how it kinda parallels to how Adam, who was once human, is still IN Heaven. Just cuz they're dead, doesn't mean they can't change. Vaggie had her wings torn off and fell. That could be Adam by the end of the show. But, what about someone in Hell rising to Heaven? Not even the angels have the answer. Because they're not evil. I LOVE that.

-Speaking of Emily and Charlie being alike, yeah, that second song was INCREDIBLE! Do I like it more than "Hell Is Forever" (which I've been listening too soooooo much over the week)? That's a high bar, so I dunno....but I love how this song is a follow-up to it, and it's very climactic.

-AUSTRALIAN CHERRI HECK YEEEEEAAAAA!!! Angel standing up to Val in....in only their....second episode together? Uhhhhh, aren't we moving too fast- I mean HECK YEEEEAAAA!! Drunk Niffty HECK YEEEAAAAA!!! More Huskerdust on the side HECK YEEEEAAA!!!

.....The running gag with Sir Pentious killed me. XD His obvious crush is so cute. Definitely a highlight for me. Better luck next time, dude.

-But yeah....my favorite thing about the episode (besides learning that Heaven isn't evil) is the Vaggie thing. I'm REALLY on the edge of my seat to see how this goes! Oooooo.....I-I'm so nervous! Obviously Charlie's not gonna be MAD, but....OK, maybe she'll be mad? But she won't STAY mad....I-I can't believe I'm looking forward to drama between those two....They've been so wholesome.....but I dunno, I wanna see a story about them, I guess....

[laufire]

WE WILL DEVOUR THE NIGHT BY CAMILLA ANDREW – REVIEW

I had the honour to receive and ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This review might contain some vague spoilers of the novel, as well as reveal information pertaining to the first instalment of the series.

Camilla Andrew’s sequel matches, and then surpasses, the mastery of its predecessor. This second novel takes care to expand on the unique worldbuilding of the universe she created; it delights on taking the characters to their limits to show us new facets of them, always unafraid of showing either their ugliest sides, or their aspirational nature, as well as in including some additions to the familiar roaster that enrichen the story; and it ties it all together with a neat bow, using the lyrical prose the author has us accustomed to in order to elevate each already striking aspect of the tale.

The book starts thirty years after where “When the Stars Alight�� left off, plunging us alongside Princess Laila, its lead, into the thorny political situation she’ll have to navigate. Andrew knows exactly how to showcase the interests of several characters and factions at once, portraying their clashes, their alliances, and everything in between and making us understand where they’re coming from, and how each small piece of the board might affect the outcome of the conflict between two opposing forces: the Solarites, maidens from the stars who rule Vysteria, and the Occassi in Mortos, a race with chaotic powers in a more hostile society.

This conflict is personified by the two central characters and their impossible romance: Laila and Darius, a bastard son now turned king. Their relationship is at the centre of the story, and the sequel more than did justice to their explosive beginnings and whirlwind courtship in WTSA. As someone who has always adored a good exes-to-lovers story, they kept me at the edge of my seat, getting me as worked up as they did with the rising tension, caused by their tumultuous history and the palpable dormant feelings still between them. The state of their dynamic at the end of the novel is one of the many things that builds the anticipation for the third and conclusive book.

Each of them has individual arcs that contribute to the darker bent the sequel takes. As someone who loves Laila, in particular, following her arc during these two books, seeing the changes she goes through, was immensely satisfying. After her actions in this book, she’ll be changed forever. And I love that the romance, far from detracting from her development, adds depth to it. Seeing her situation, knowing it in all its intimate details, I understand why she turns to Darius; why there is such an appeal to her on loving and being loved by the monstruous, and the strengths it gives her in other parts of her life. Not one single person in the entire book thinks the two of them together is a good idea, and that, to me, it’s part of the appeal: the absolute defiance of it, and the freedom it can represent for Laila… for now.

The other characters in the ensemble are not far behind on the development department, or any other. Characters already present in the first book, like Amira (Laila’s mother) and Lyra (her lionheart, her friend, her past lover) are pushed to the limit, as is their relationship with Laila, in complex ways I rarely get to enjoy among female characters. Let alone having so much care and attention destined to them, to the intricacies of their dynamics. There were other old favourites (and not so favourites!) that made their appearances to steer a lot of the exact kind of trouble (and fun) I want to see in my stories.

But the new additions are what has me most enamoured with this book. There’s Sabina, a young occasselle who doesn’t fit her society strict gender norms and struggles to navigate it; Elina, a medical practitioner in Soleterea that offers insight into that territory, and into the world of those human witches; or Sadik, the counterpoint to Elina and her tragic romance: a human man who, devoid of magic, has sook to obtain power in other ways.

Serafina, however, is the star among them. She’s Darius’s estranged mother, some whose presence still lingered despite her outward absence during the first book. She makes her first appearance in WWDTN, and she’s a hurricane that will leave nobody indifferent, inside or outside the story. Camilla Andrew dedicated a short novella to her origin story, “The Sanguine Sorceress”, which I heartly recommend to anyone who feels curious about her character. Or to those of us who appreciate morally ambiguous women and a good revenge tale.

And to conclude this review: I recommend “We Will Devour the Night” to those who enjoyed the first novel. For those who never read it, I’d recommend the whole series to anyone who gravitates towards luscious, descriptive prose; who appreciates a good doomed romance; and who craves more stories complex female characters and otherworldly, fantastical settings.

goodreads + storygraph

[violetsaffron5]

Infinity

| Ao3 | Discord 18+ | Series Masterlist | Taglist | Chapter 9 |

8 | Mandrills

Pairing: Gojo Satoru x f!Reader

Summary:

Spending some quality time with Geto

words: 4031

It’s not even been a week and you find yourself in yet another bar. This one is quieter, classier than the last. The lights are dim and the music playing is low, just loud enough to hear amidst the conversation happening between friends and lovers.

You’re sitting at the bar sipping on your cocktail, looking over the room, watching as couples laugh and lean into one another, trying to make out what’s being said from the low rumble filling the small space.

You’re wearing a floor length black Versace dress paired with a dainty diamond necklace; this ensemble costs more than a year’s rent. It’s certainly not what you expected to be doing or wearing on a Thursday night.

No, tonight you planned on staying in after having spent the last few nights hanging out with Shoko and Satoru. Rest and relaxation. You were looking forward to it.

That is until Geto showed up at your door unannounced, dress bag and shoes in hand telling you to get changed and you two were going out for some quality time. Whatever that means. 

So, you’re here. Sitting awkwardly next to the man in question who has his raven hair pulled all the way back into a neat bun, a suit you’re sure is just as expensive as your dress, drinking his own cocktail.

“So… what are we doing here?” Geto wouldn’t say where you were going, and you’re not familiar enough with Tokyo to even know if you’re still in the city, though you’d venture to guess probably not since it took an hour to get to this location.

“Just wanted to have a little chat among other things.”

“Ok, well, I’m here,” you chuckle awkwardly, “not sure why we couldn’t have hung out at my place or even at the -”

“Do you think you can be monogamous with your… abilities?” Suguru asks, swirling the dark liquor in his glass around the large round ice cube.

You’re taken back by his sudden line of questioning. This is something you would expect Shoko or Utahime to ask, but not Geto. He’s always been kind, albeit fairly quiet when you’re around.

“Uhh, yeah. I think so. I mean, it hasn’t really been a problem so far.”

Sure there have been wants, urges, wondering how someone’s hands would feel on your body when you go out, but it hasn’t been anything more than that. Satoru has helped keep your hunger in check which helps greatly minimize these desires, keeps things less overwhelming.

“Mm. Good point,” he begins, side eyeing you, “when Satoru tells you he’s meeting with the higher ups, he’s really meeting with other women to hookup. The higher ups only meet a few times a year or when anything interesting comes up. Like you.”

You shake your head and blink several times, trying to take in everything he just told you. “Um. Okay, thanks… I guess.” Clenching your jaw, you take another sip of your drink, the weight of what Suguru just said causing a heavy lump to form in the center of your chest. 

“Awe, don’t be sad.” He coos after a few moments, giving a weak smile, “there was never a chance he was going to settle down, let alone with someone who’s barely even human.”

“I’m not sad,” you defend, “I’m just…”

Honestly, you’re not sure. Maybe it’s all true and you’ve been reading a little too much into what’s been going on between you and Satoru. He’s flirty, “nice to everyone,” as Shoko put it once. It’s not like you’re expecting a commitment from him, at the end of the day, he is just helping you out, but honesty would be nice.

“You’ll never be more than a good fuck. That’s just how he operates.” You’re not looking at Suguru, but you can hear a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Ok, Geto. I got it. Thanks.” You snap at him.

A lot of it is mindless self-indulgent sex; Satoru getting the rush of adrenaline when you siphon his energy, you being able to feed without waking up next to a cold body. It’s addicting, he’s addicting - the endless amounts of stamina on nights that never seem to end, and you don’t want them to; the way his body feels pressed against your own as he’s pounding into you so hard you’re convinced he’s trying to split you in half, and how after he’s kissing you tenderly, sweetly, afterward telling you how beautiful you look, how amazing you are.

There’s also an undeniable chemistry shared between the two of you. Sure, he might not tell you the ins and outs of his life, but you do know he’s creative, reliable, makes you laugh more than you ever have before, annoys you more than anyone ever has before. But you don’t mind, not really.

Geto isn’t giving you a lot of time to dwell on it before he’s standing, motioning for you to take his arm. You give a weak smile, placing your drink on the counter, looping your arm through his wondering where you’re off to now.

He leads you down a hall you’re sure you’re not allowed to be in, taking you down a flight of stairs to a basement. The hall is dark, dingy and dirty, very different from the pristine and clean environment you were just in.

“We’re here for a mission,” Geto says quietly before reaching the bottom of the stairs. “Follow my lead.”

“What is the largest monkey in the world?” A voice asks from behind a closed door, and you’re taken aback by the odd line of questioning presented to you, yet again.

“Mandrills.” Geto replies easily through an eyeroll, like he doesn’t quite believe that answer.

The door clicks, having been unlocked before opening, allowing the two of you in, down another dimly lit corridor. 

“If we’re on a mission, why are we in such expensive clothes? I mean, won’t this get ruined?”

Suguru stops, just short of another door at the end of the hall, turning to face you. “There’s a dress code for places like this. I can’t have you coming in here wearing,” he stops to look you up and down, a scowl on his face, “what you normally wear.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” You seethe, wondering just what kind of mission this could be and what it entails, and why he’s choosing to be such a dick to you tonight.

Suguru doesn’t answer as he opens the door, motioning for you to enter before him. And whatever you were expecting, it wasn’t this.

“Are we… playing poker?” You ask incredulously.

“You are playing blackjack, and you need to win so I have a shot at collecting a cursed tool.” He’s whispering, keeping his voice down so the others around don’t hear as the two of you walk around between the tables that had been set up for tonight.

You’re not replying to him, taking in the words he’s said but not really understanding why you have to play a part in this little mission. 

Each table is set up with a dealer, getting the tables ready for guests to sit at, all wearing tuxes. The other guests, you presume, are all dressed to the nines - just as you are - showcasing their wealth by flaunting top of the line name brand attire and jewelry. The room is small, and even though there are less people down here than upstairs, it sounds just as loud, the low murmur of everyone talking at one time.

Geto sighs before pinching the bridge of his nose, stopping in a little vacant section of the room, “the pet,” you raise an eyebrow as he points to you, “will be playing the first round. If the pet wins, then their master gets to move onto the second round. We both need to win in order to get our hands on the cursed tool.”

“So, it’s some sort of fucked up blackmarket.”

“No cursed energy or abilities allowed either, so you need to be discreet. No pulling the shit you did at the club when Satoru and Nanami were there and making it obvious.”

A man walks over, tall, skinny, in a suit that doesn’t look like anything special, but likely costs more than your dress and asks for your name. He gives a kind smile, offering his hand to lead you to the table you’re set to play the game at.

“One more thing,” Suguru stops you before you can take the man's hand and walk away, “the higher ups have asked for this mission to remain… quiet. So no speaking about it with anyone.” You nod your head before pursing your lips.

As you walk away you could swear you heard Geto quietly say, “and make sure you win. Satoru would kill me if you get sold off.” You furrow your brows turning back to the raven haired man mouthing “what the fuck?” before he shrugs and walks off, leaving you to your own devices.

You’re seated between two men, who are also set to play against you. You give them a warm smile and wave, as they smile back to you. They seem nice enough. It’s just a game of blackjack afterall, simple, easy.

One where people are sold off at the end. No big deal at all.

The cards are shuffled in front of you as the dealer explains that only one of you will be the winner, but of course there’s the possibility of all three of you losing, and in that case nobody will move forward into the next round. And just for them to add a little curve and anxiety to the mix, the only way to lose is to go over 21, anyone under will remain in the game until either everyone has gone over or a clear winner has been indicated.

There’s not much you can do here in terms of your abilities, you tried to learn to count cards when you were younger, living on your own, but you never quite got the hang of it, so you’re really truly banking on good luck.

“So, uh, what’s the prize tonight?” You ask curiously since Geto didn’t really give too much information.

Your opponents give a quizzical look before one of them says, “wow, you haven’t been told much, have you?”

You shake your head, it’s the truth, you’re working off minimal details, “no. We play poker at home, and I’m pretty good at it. He thought I’d be beneficial with his… endeavors tonight.”  A lie, but they don’t need to know that.

“It’s a three piece staff, called Playful Cloud.” You nod your head, never heard of it, but it must be special if the higher ups are looking to add it to the schools collection.

The dealer has laid out all the cards, the man to your right passes his turn. You have 15 and take the risk to hit, as does the man to your left. After the additional cards have been dealt, you’re at 18, and choose to pass, not wanting to risk going over, while the man to your left hits again.

After those cards have been dealt, everyone shows their hand; the dealer is at 22, the man on the left is at 24, to the right, 20, and you’re at 18. One person out, a slight weight has been lifted. Just you and the other man remaining now.

Returning your cards, the dealer shuffles again before passing two to each of you once again. You’re only at 5, so you hit again, the man to your right does the same. This happens for a few more turns, each of the card numbers you’re getting are low, bringing your current total to 12.

Humming to yourself, you decide to try something, to see if you can figure out where he stands. Trailing a finger on the fabric of the suit the man next to you is wearing, feeling the soft, smooth silky fabric under your index finger, and leaning in just slightly closer to him.

“You know,” your voice is slow, sultry, “I really do love a man in a suit.”

He side-eyes you with a grin, just before your finger touches the skin of his neck he answers, “me too,” and gives a wink. You smile back, a slight pout on your lips before returning to your seat normally, asking the dealer to hit again. You could attempt to use your powers on him, but it’s best to not draw attention, like Geto pointed out earlier, so you leave it for now.

Neither the dealer nor your opponent take a card this time; you’re not entirely sure you want to flip over the card on the table you were just given, a knot forming in your stomach. You don’t look at the card, too nervous about the way this could end - you’ll just have to believe in the heart of the cards, or whatever the saying is.

You nod and everyone reveals their hands; 18, 23, 27.

You sigh a breath of relief, not really sure if what Suguru said was true, that you’d be sold off, but you sure as hell didn’t want to fuck around and find out when you’re attending a very illegal underground blackjack game as is. You stand on shaky legs, clenching and unclenching your fists, just now noticing how sweaty they had gotten during that encounter, how nervous you were, especially at the end.

The two men you were playing with tell you congratulations and stay behind, you don’t look back. You don’t want to even think about the consequences of them losing.

You’re led to a locker room where Suguru stands shirtless, only in his black dress pants, removing the belt around his waist. He doesn’t look up when you walk in, barely acknowledges your presence.

You look him over, shoulders slightly more muscular and broad than Satoru’s, with a dragon tattoo covering his back with the tail ending at the wrist of his right hand. It’s very well done, traditional, black and white aside from the purple eyes. He’s just as toned and defined as Satoru, just as attractive. You clear your throat and swallow thickly in an attempt to distract yourself.

“Are the “pets” really going to be sold, or were you just saying that?” You take a seat at the bench across from him, crossing your legs and folding your arms over your chest, watching as he neatly folds his shirt and rolls his belt before placing them inside one of the lockers.

“Not sure. It’s what I heard. Thought it might give you a little push to win.”

He’s sitting on the bench across from you, rolling his shoulders and stretching his neck as he explains what’s going to happen next. He’s going to be bare-knuckle fighting in cage matches, this could go on all night but he needs you to manipulate the rounds, get him in sooner, less fights. And when it’s all said and done, you need to leave quickly before your abilities wear off and anyone suspects the two of you of foul play. At least not before he gets the weapon in his hands.

He gives you a gentle smile, one you’ve seen too many times from him. And all the sudden it looks more fake than it ever has before. Suguru has been incredibly hot and cold to you tonight, more than you’ve ever seen and you’re wondering if he’s insane. Satoru can be bad, going from jovial to serious in the blink of an eye but this is beyond that. This is something else.

You hum, giving a weak smile - how are you supposed to respond to something like aside from being pissed off that he lied to you. That this whole night has been nothing but a lie.

It doesn’t matter, because you’re following him out of the small locker room into another equally small room with a wire cage set up in the middle. The space is filled to the brim with people, more than you’ve seen in any bar or club you’ve ever been to. It’s louder in here, people with drinks in their hands, being rowdy, boisterous laughter and yelling coming from all directions.

Suguru points in the general direction of where you’ll find the person in charge of organizing the bouts - you have a job to do, so you do your best to push down all the stress and anxiety you were just feeling a moment prior, pushing and squeezing your way past people until you reach your destination.

There’s a lone man sitting at a table organizing several names in front of him, there’s likely a method to his madness - luckily for you, he’s doing it rather old school, with a whiteboard that has brackets drawn onto it, and he’ll tape the names in each space to show everyone’s position and who they’ll be fighting next.

From the distance you’re at, you can barely make out Suguru’s name on his list, towards the bottom, likely because the two of you just showed up to compete not that long ago.

“Hi,” you’re yelling, making your presence known in the sea of people you’re in. He turns to you, looking you quickly up and down, returning the smile before going to place some of the names on the board.

“What’s your name?” You’re watching as he adds the names to each of the brackets, Suguru indeed being one of the last, with several rounds set to go before him.

The man answers, you’re not really listening, watching from the corner of your eye as he takes a seat. With his back turned, you grab Suguru’s name, and the second name from the second set of brackets and switch them quickly, trying not to make what you just did totally obvious to anyone.

He doesn’t seem to notice, instead you sit next to him as he makes small talk, asks if you’ve been here before, done anything like this in the past. All of your answers are lies, trying to make yourself seem as seasoned as possible.

It doesn’t take long for the first round to get started. It’s two men, both you’re unfamiliar with, in the cage with a referee. When they start, you opt to not pay much attention to them, after all, you’ve seen people throw plenty of punches over the last few months, thrown plenty yourself when training and fighting curses.

You continue to talk to the man, doing your best to keep his attention on you. It doesn’t take a lot, he’s leaning into you, answering your silly little questions, telling you the ins and outs of his job.

And then it’s Suguru’s turn. You do watch this fight, having never seen him in action before. He stands tall, taller than his opponent but only by a few inches, more muscular too. If he wasn’t being such an ass tonight, you’d say he looks like an angel with the way the dim light is cascading over his muscles, highlighting his features in just the right way, showing all the sharp edges.

Suguru’s fist immediately cracks the jaw of his opponent - you could hear it as it happened, even over the crowd. They’re both throwing punches, but Suguru is easily able to dodge, bouncing from toe to toe as he absolutely pummels his opponent into the floor. For a brief second, you’re not even sure his opponent is even alive until someone else is helping him stand, removing him from the cage as Suguru watches with a cat-like grin that matches his eyes.

The matches all go quickly, you’re laughing with the man who is organizing the names, channeling your energy into him, persuading where to put names.

He listens, leaning into your touch every time you make contact with him. Your annoyance at Suguru and the mission grows more and more each round as you keep using your powers on the poor soul sitting next to you, more and more annoyed with each time he leans over, hands on your thigh trying to make a move. You place a finger to his lips each time, telling him “not now,” hoping he doesn’t realize that time will never come.

It’s the final round, finally. The matches went by quickly, though it still took several hours. You’ve heard enough bones crunching, skulls being knocked into the mat, teeth shatter, blood and spit spilling everywhere to be ready to call it a night.

Suguru is in the ring again, laughing like a maniac as he dips and dodges his opponent’s punches and kicks. He’s received several across his body and to his face during his matches, his lip bloodied and jaw swollen. He’ll need to go see Shoko no doubt in order to heal up.

You briefly wonder what kinds of questions she would ask about his wounds, or if these are something she’s used to seeing him with.

You’re not left wondering for long, because you hear the referee blow his whistle, yelling something about “illegal” moves while pulling the two men off of each other. Watching intently, it appears the referee is conferring with several others, likely trying to decide how to call the match.

You’re not sure what this was called for, but it was very likely because of Suguru, judging by the smug grin he has plastered on his face as he eyes you walking over to the cage, near the referee waiting for him to finish his current conversation.

When he’s done, you’re reaching your hand into the cage, caressing the ankle of the referee before he has a chance to make the call, he looks down to you, furrowed eyebrows, curious as to what you could want. Using your index finger, you motion for him to bend down, and of course he does, you’ve been using your energy on him from the moment you touched him.

“I think Suguru won this round, don’t you think so too?” Your voice is hardly a whisper, breath caressing the shell of his ear. He looks to you, eyes wide and nods his head as you bite your lip and whisper a barely audible “yeah.”

The man stands, moving towards the center of the ring where Suguru and his opponent stand bloodied, waiting on the results of the match.

“And the winner is… Suguru!” The crowd has mixed emotions, where half of them seem to erupt in cheers, the other half seem to be booing at the announcement. 

You don’t wait around to see Suguru’s reactions, you’ve turned on your heel, looking to make a quick getaway before a certain hot and horny man comes to find you, either pissed you used your abilities when it was against the rules or looking to have a good time that you’re really not all that interested in.

You leave, getting in the nearest cab you could find. Fuck Geto, fuck this mission. He can do all of the damn paperwork, especially if it’s as secretive as he claims it needs to stay.

Instead, you’re dialing Satoru’s number, annoyed and angry at Suguru for putting you in these positions tonight. You don’t expect Satoru to do anything about it - it’s already happened, but you need to vent and maybe even relieve some stress - something Satoru is very good at helping you accomplish, but he doesn’t answer. As soon as you hang up the call, a text comes through.

Satoru: Can’t talk, about to meet with the higher ups

A wry chuckle leaves your lips after reading his message. It’s well past midnight, there’s no way those old fuckers are meeting at this time of night.

Taking a deep breath you lay your head on the back of the seat as the driver takes you home. You let your mind wander, to what Geto said at the beginning of the night, everything he said about Satoru. And it hurts more than it should, more than you want it to, so you decide maybe it’s for the best if you don’t tell Satoru about tonight after all.

Taglist: @z33sblog @thisbicc @q-the-rockaholic @septembersums @septembersummer @nothisispatrick300 @km7474 @missyasma @greenlovers @naorizenin @a1hina @plants-w0rld

[gainesha]

BSG rewatch notes, cont'd:

and here it is, the New Caprica arc. which is, and this might be one of the least heretic things to say about BSG, the pinnacle. there are individual episodes, and even small arcs, that I might adore more (we will see how I'll react to them during this rewatch, but Maelstrom, Sometimes a Great Notion, the Mutiny two-parter would all be in my top 10 episodes), but this 7 episodes, from Lay Down Your Burdens up until Collaborators, are unrivaled as a storytelling high point for the show. the surprise element is gone now, obviously, but I still remember the goosebumps I got during the initial airing when the time jump happened, and how I could barely breath for the remainder of that season finale because I was just so exhilarated and electrified by what is happening on screen. that, yes, they *did* settle down, things *did* change permanently - up until they didn't, of course. but these kinds of twists are so much richer than just killing a main character.

and this is just one thing... there are so many more. like the montage at the beginning of Lay Down Your Burdens Part 1., with Bear's Something Dark is Coming music cue, and Athena saying it out loud should be the most cliched thing, but it's instead truly harrowing and haunting even if you don't know what's going to happen to all these people soon. meanwhile, Laura giggling uncontrollably on the way to the debate - the way the writers and the actors are comfortable inside these characters are paying dividends. then the murk of the occupation, the suicide bombings, the show being dark without grimdark (even if I would have wanted to spend more time in this setting, 4 episodes were a great choice, and even if some little developments here and there would have benefited maybe from more screen time, New Caprica never feels as rushed as the Pegasus arc), poor Gatea, the Galactica dropping down, Hot Dog saying "well, this should be different" before flying out... and, of course, Saul saying "not all of them", and then slowly walking away, the heartbreak, my gods.

and yet, Unfinished Business was always my "I would die on this hill" fave episode. it's the one episode I've rewatched most - both versions. I love the flashbacks to a sweeter, more hopeful time on New Caprica, even if some characters have never believed it would truly last. I watched the Extended version now, and I have somewhat conflicted thoughts, because I was thinking which version would I show someone who has not seen the show before, and the Extended version has several brilliant new scenes or crucial longer segments playing out on New Caprica. we need all of Adama and Roslin getting high, Laura's monologue about living in the moment; we need the morning after with Kara and Tigh; we definitely need Dee and Lee in the Raptor; and also, Lee confessing how much she needs Kara. but also, the flow of the originally aired episode are lightyears better, the editing rhythm of the intercutting scenes is magic, and it is gone in the Extended - moreover, the rhythm is all off. and this episode has to be a Dance in itself. (so I would probably show the aired one, and afterwards these 4-5 scenes separately)

the reveal of the reason behind the animosity between Kara and Lee, and why Lee behaves so antagonistically towards here after the time jump, why their dynamics feel so strange, plays out fantastically. the writers manage it so well, especially in contrast with the reveals in Hero, which...

okay, so Hero is bullshit, and I continue to just ignore the retcon of it all. I would be fine with the Admirality being compromised (that checks out), but Adama being the one who "started it all" (even if Roslin dismisses the thought), even just the fact that it was him on that covert mission, because, you know, he is the lead of the show, is a teeny tiny bit Forrest Gump... too much, too neat, and I get that they tried to take the Adama idol and dirty it up, but he has already been humanized and shaded quite a bit during the first 2 seasons, and I don't really know what this adds to the character or the whole main Human-Cylon conflict either that haven't been already said and explored in different, more fruitful ways. it's a shame, because all the regular actors bring their A-game here, Hogan, Olmos, McDonnell all shine.

I adore Tigh and Starbuck getting close

Jamie Bamber is so good conveying how utterly in love Lee is

Richard Hatch is so good

you could paint a mural with all the reaction shots from the boxing matches, inside and around the ring, I love everybody just grinning or glaring or just being cocky as shit

[sam-loves-seb]

weely tag wednesday

thanks for the tags @energievie @metalheadmickey @deedala !

which character from any media would you like to have as a father? jed bartlet (the west wing)

if money, laws, time, and effort were no object, what animal would you want to have? probably just a cat tbh i'm not a big animal person (i think they're neat, i just don't really have the desire to own any of them)

what is your Chinese takeout order? pork fried rice and chicken fingers

what's your favourite emoji? this one: ✨

would you rather have a library, greenhouse, or home theater in your house? a home theater. a library would be sick but i read mostly ebooks so i think a theater would get more use out of me.

what childhood tv show do you think of the most fondly? Spongebob Squarepants. me and my sister used to watch this every single night with our dad when we were little, but if we wanted to stay up and watch it we had to be all ready for bed by the time it came on

what was your tumblr like when you first joined? it was a lot of reblogs of aesthetic photographs because it was 2012 and i was 14. not long after that tho it turned into a sebastian stan fan blog which is how i got my url, and over time that slowly morphed into the multi fandom madness you see today

what clothing style do you love but don't feel compelled to replicate yourself? god i don't know, my closet is a little bit of everything because i always wanna try a new style when i see it. i honestly don't think i have an answer for this one, i really do love fashion and my style is constantly changing

if you were plopped into a fictional world, which one would you know the layout of the best? i have no idea. acotar maybe? solely because i've read those books so many times? yeah i guess i'll go with that

what is your favourite piece of art? café terrace at night

do you have a water bottle? what does it look like? i have a light blue wide mouth nalgene water bottle that is covered in stickers and has two friendship bracelets dangling from the cap strap. it's giving major camp counselor vibes.

what fanfic trope is a quiet fave? look, if i go on a quiet hunt for fics tagged aftercare every now and then, that is between me and god so shut the fuck up about it

do you carry a daily bag? what does it look like? what's the weirdest thing in it? nope. i don't have an office bag bc i wfh and on the weekends i absolutely despise carrying a purse. i have one of those phone cases with card slots on the back and it holds everything i could possibly need.

if you had to ship Mickey with another Gallagher, who would it be? sexually i think it'd have to be lip, but if i could platonically ship him with someone i think i'd pick fiona. idk i just think they'd get along better than anyone would think.

what is a fanfic trope you didn't expect to like and then very much did? friends to lovers kinda snuck up on me in my adulthood. i used to be very against it as a teen, but now that i'm grown and have actually seen the trope done well in fics and in media, it's one of my favorite tropes of all time.

Do you think s11 Mickey can still carry s11 Ian? yes 100% absolutely and anyone who says otherwise is lying. (did we all see noel's s11 body? we saw the abs right? mans was ripped in the last season even tho the writers like, never showed it, and it is my personal mission to avenge this wrongdoing) i'm kidding about the lying part but yeah, he absolutely can still carry s11 ian, being able to lift his husband is the only reason he still goes to the gym

who got custody of the killing bat when they sold the house? debbie. i think carl wanted it, but he already has a gun so he gave it to debbie instead.

tagging: @suchagallabitch @gallawitchxx @callivich @michellemisfit @iansw0rld and anyone else who wants to play !

[swamp-spirit]

Gritty Danny Phantom Netflix Reboot

It's inevitable. Here's my pitch.

So obviously the title is ‘Phantom’. It’s reboot inevitably that it’s gonna be the edgy, one word version of the original title.

For tone, leaning a bit into the dark/horror elements and getting a bit worldbuilding heavy, but also trying to keep a fun action feel that’s not too scared to be silly. Obviously, with me writing, being ‘half-ghost’ is a lot about being a community outsider and a lot about going through something traumatic and feeling like the you from before is gone.

Characters:

Danny Fenton

In the main show, he’s a bit of an ‘everyman’, so I want to get a little more specific with him,

He’s supposed to be a huge nerd, but he doesn’t act that nerdy. He’s pretty confident and straight laced.

I like the idea of Danny as a character who, especially growing up with Jazz and his parents fighting, wants to keep everyone happy, even when it isn’t practical. He focuses on trying to get people to get along and not taking sides, even when it’s a bad idea. He often ends up trying to make peace between Tucker and Sam and pulling the ‘both sides have points’, even when one of them is clearly wrong. He goes along with his parent’s ghost hunting while not believing in it, and tries to convince Jazz to ‘be reasonable’.

In Phantom form, his actual opinions start to surface. He’s frustrated that people can’t just be nice, and frustrated at feeling like he’s always cleaning up other people’s messes. He’s free to be opinionated, aggressive, and take action for what he believes. On the flipside, Phantom is prone to making irrational, emotional decisions and following poor priorities.

Besides being caught between two emotional extremes, he’s physically and metaphysically ‘caught between’ living and dead. His ghost form feels unstable and insubstantial, but, in his human form, Danny is hyperconscious of his own death. His heartbeat and pulse feel wrong‘.

Sam Manson

So I think the trick with Sam is every CW/Netflix teen show’s attempts to write very political characters, especially women, is… very bad. Very surface and ham-fisted. First, instead of updating Mall-Goth to E-Girl, go for a crunchy goth/punk/grunge look, especially for a rebelling rich kid. Shoes held together with duct-tape, big jackets she wrote on in sharpie, but keep the stompy boots.

Avoid the whole ‘haha she’s going too far’ and vegetarian jokes, and give her some specific local politics to be involved in (that can help inform later plots). 

As an ‘outsider’ teen activist, she probably doesn’t have many people her own age who don’t see her as weird and pushy, so maybe has an older group of acquaintances. Teen goth with phone contacts full of old activist ladies maybe? 

She has a very strong moral compass, but is insecure about her own wealth and privilege and compensated by being a bit blind on certain issues. She can also be unempathetic to people’s personal circumstances.

Tucker Foley

The teen Cassanova bit gets a bit cringy, so first I want to change this from ‘hanging outside the girl’s locker room’ cringe to ‘oh no, this 14 year old just read a wiki-how article on how to be confident’ cringe. He’s sincere and good hearted, but much more of a teen boy trying to be cool and it just highlighting his insecurity. As the show goes on, he becomes more confident as a Teen Hero and stops trying to impress assholes.

He’s a tech nerd from a middle class family, so is an expert at working with the supplies he can get. He is also prone to going to ‘hang out with Danny’ and then ditching Danny and Sam to obsess over Maddie Fenton’s latest tech. All attempts to be cool are lost in the face of Neat Electronics.

Jazz Fenton

Pretty much the same situation as canon. Her parents are immature, so she’s decided she’s Danny’s parent, but she’s also a teenager herself and not as mature as she’s decided she is. She barges in to fix problems when it’s not helpful/wanted, but she is also the only reason Danny lived to age fourteen.

Maddie and Jack Fenton

Mostly the same as canon. They do everything 100%, and don’t always notice the world around them. Jack is pure enthusiasm, and tries hard to connect with his kids while utterly failing to notice that they have their own interests and lives. Maddie is a little more perceptive, but easily distracted by her passions.

The family has a decent fortune on a previous Fenton Thermos prototype getting sold as the next Hydroflask. It’s a super trendy, high-class thermos, and Jack and Maddie are endlessly frustrated that their money comes from their world-saving ghost capture device being used as an actual soup thermos. It also means there’s a handy yet unreliable ghost thermos around whenever the story needs it.

Vlad Masters

A lot of Vlad’s goals stay the same, but a slightly more serious tone means he needs to be a bit… less stupid. He’s just as manipulative and self-centered, but he’s a bit better at putting on a polite face to get what he wants.

His ghost form gives him powers, but, like Phantom, it’s much more emotionally volatile. Vlad will often carefully set the stage, only for Plasmius to ruin it all for a chance to get one over on Jack or impress Maddie. If Vlad is trying to convince Danny to work with him, Plasmius will lose his temper. If Vlad is trying to attack, Plasmius will fall to base emotional manipulation.

Valerie Grey

Like Jazz, I pretty much like what she’s already got going on. Get pissed, join the villain, become a reluctant ally as a super and a protective GF in normal life.

Some Major Shifts:

-Tucker and Sam are not initially aware of Danny’s death and find out mid-way through Season 1

-When the story begins, Vlad and Jack are already ‘reconciling’, and Vlad is present around the Fenton house

-The sci-fi elements of the world belong purely to the human realm. The ghost realm is dreamlike and magical, while things like portals and shields are human ways of interfering with the metaphorical and metaphysical.

-Speaking of which, Danny is less ‘gene-spliced half creature’ and more ‘dead ghost possessing his own living body’

-Danny takes longer to become a known presence, managing to keep hidden for most of the first season, then going from ‘legend’ to ‘oddity’ to ‘yeah, the ghost hero, we all know him’

Ghost Powers:Keeping some Phandom lore here. Since it’s not a kid’s show, most ghosts can be actually dead people with regrets. Also keeping ghost cores and Obsessions because it gives an excuse for weird, campy undead on wild missions. (cores - a ghost’s center organ, and also sorta their soul, Obsession - the tendency of ghosts to become wholly focused on their passions or regrets to the point or irrationality)

For Danny specifically, I’m switching from Magical Transformation to Astral Projection. Part of this is for tone shift reasons, but it also adds a few narrative levers. There’s a ticker timer for Phantom to return to his body as Danny could perma die and leave Phantom stuck as a ghost. It also leaves Danny’s body open to possession while his ghost is away. (On the helpful end, it means his body can rest while Phantom does the teen superhero thing)

Phantom is naturally invisible and intangible, but becoming tangible forces him to become visible and neither is easy.

In human form, Danny retains access to extra strength and healing and, eventually, his ice powers, but lacks most of his more ghostly abilities.

Other Worldbuilding Things

The Ghost Zone serves two functions. First, it makes a cushioned pocket between life and death so the realms don’t damage each other. Second, it gives a place for those not ready to move on to dispel regrets. It’s intentionally separate from the human realm because watching the living world tends not to dispel regrets. Concepts from the human world tend to ‘echo’ there, and there’s a second society that some ghosts choose not to leave, sustaining a second life in the Ghost Zone. Most of the non-dead entities (like Clockwork) that live there exist to protect the Zone and keep it stable and functional.

Besides moving on, the way to escape the Ghost Zone is ripping through the border. It takes incredible will, so is usually only doable with a very meaningful ‘unfinished business’. It also does extreme damage to the spirit, leaving them weakened and confused. Entities in the ghost zone also work hard to prevent this as weakening the borders could lead to the collapse of the entire Zone.

The Fenton Portal created a weakened spot between the Zone and the living world and Danny ripping through it turned the weak spot into a permanent gap. Ghosts can cross full without damage and at full power, even if their goals in the human realm are mundane. It’s the gap in the fence all the local teens know, and it can’t be patched.

Stylistic

This will get me eaten alive, but I like switching the jumpsuit for pajamas so the ghost form has kinda loose, simple clothes.

Overall, the show brings big budgeting issues. I like the idea of using underwater footage to get ghost movement and get that floaty look. The ghost zone in general, use everyday sets, but with a strong purple light and a teal kick light. Using sets from other things and taking advantage of the nature of sets to wander between locations in ways that don’t make sense is a plus, but shoots could be at night pretty much anywhere.

I also suggest using different locations for the same location, for example, shooting a scene at a ghost zone diner at various diners, even mid scene.

Romance Thoughts:

It’s the CW reboot. There’s got to be romance, but I’d prefer to keep it on the back-burner. 

Personally, I think Danny/Val has that good ‘conflicting identities’ thing, and it’s a romance arc that isn’t obvious from page 1, which I like. Before that, I think Danny should have at least one tragic romance with a ghost.

Lesbian Sam feels stereotypically predictable, but I also enjoy the idea of shipteasing Danny/Sam before it’s revealed that Sam having a ‘crush’ on Danny has been a long series of misunderstandings as she attempts to hide her huge crush on Jazz. 

Tucker gets an internet girlfriend who nobody believes is real for a solid season. They met getting into petty forum wars over an MMO they both play. Once he has a girlfriend, he switches from Casanova to just constantly bringing up his Girlfriend, Who is Real and Hot and Plays Video Games.

Episode 1: Origin Story

Episode opens with Danny clearly stretched too thin. Sam has managed to force Tucker hiking and wants Danny there too, Tucker wants him there for emotional support, and Jazz thinks Danny should stay home and work on homework. Danny has promised his parents he’ll join them on a ghost hunt. Sam, Tucker, and Jazz all point out that Danny doesn’t even believe in ghosts and he always lets himself get dragged into this stuff, while Danny insists this hunt is extra important to their parents.

It’s revealed that the reason for this importance is the Fenton parents reconnecting and reconciling with their college friend Vlad. Vlad is polite, but keeps subtly avoiding saying anything nice about Jack while paying attention to Maddie. (“It’s wonderful to see you again” vs “It’s been a while”) He brings gifts for the kids and asks about their lives.

Jazz is immediately taken with Vlad. He talks about her school life and seems polite and educated, an example of an adult who can handle himself. Danny is a bit more hesitant, pointing out that he doesn’t seem that happy to see Jack.

The Fentons excitedly show Vlad the new portal. Vlad makes an excuse to get everyone out of the room. Afterwards, he excitedly asks Jack to demonstrate the portal. (A later episode confirms he intentionally sabotaged the portal for revenge, but him getting people out of the room should be as plausible as possible so viewers can feel proud for putting it together). Before they can show Vlad, Jack rushes them out on a ghost hunt. He says the portal takes time to warm up

It’s a long, boring car ride. During the ghost hunt, there does seem to be an actual ghost. Danny keeps seeing glimpses of the haunting and is getting genuinely scared. The adult Fentons, meanwhile, are excitedly chasing various non-paranormal occurrences, certain it’s ghostly activity.

They come home late and Maddie insists the portal be left until morning so they can eat and get some rest. Danny decides to get online with friends instead. He realizes the computer won’t work because the portal’s on and tells his friends he’s going to go shut it down while he plays, then sneak down to boot it back up.

We see the ghost from earlier watching and static building on the portal. He reaches out to touch it and the scene becomes surreal. We hear Danny’s heart racing. Danny collapses and, at the same time, is pulled across the portal.

In the final shot, we hear dead silence, no heart beating, and Danny lying lifelessly on the floor. The camera pulls out and his ghost form floats on the other side of the portal, away from the body. He looks confused and frightened and, as the show ends, he’s pounding on the door.

Episode 2: The World Without You

Danny pounds on the wall between him and his body, panicking, and is pulled away by a female ghost (later revealed to be Ember). He’s angry with her, but she points to the guards coming to see what the disruption was about. She tells him he’d never make it through anyway, because he’s not angry enough.

She tells him that she’d never cross over herself, preferring to avoid the madness that comes with breaking through to the human realm, but his case is different. His body is still alive, and, if he returns, he could live again. She asks him what he’d regret if he died now, and Danny talks about his dreams to go to space. It’s not enough, so she attempts to get him angry, but it’s not working. He’s just sad and scared. Finally, she seems to have an idea.

They enter a ghost town and she walks him to an old-style theatre. There is only one movie showing, “The World Without You”. The ghost tells Danny everyone comes here at least once, even though it’s not anything good, but it might help him. She hands Danny his ticket and goes to wait outside. Danny sits down to watch the screen.

We cut to Sam and Tucker. Sam’s trying to text Danny to see what’s taking him so long and Tucker says he’s probably asleep. After an hour, Sam starts to panic, but Tucker points out he had a long day and keeps insisting fell asleep.

Jazz comes down in the morning and finds Danny dead beside the portal. She goes into fix-it mode, refusing to admit he’s dead. Maddie tries to force Jazz away and let the EMTs do their work, Jack looks confused and frightened, and Vlad looks shocked and a bit ill.

The scenes get faster and we see Danny’s community fall apart. Sam blames Tucker for saying it was fine, Tucker points out his death was instant and is sick of taking the blame. Sam runs away and Tucker loses energy for his passions. Jazz is furious with her parents, saying their obsession killed her little brother. Jack becomes obsessed with trying to contact his dead son, leaving Maddie alone to deal with the reality of death.

We cut back to the theatre. Danny sits in an audience of ghosts. All, including Danniy, are crying glowing green ectoplasm. He rushes out and towards the portal. He thanks his guide, and she smiles and tell him to ‘remember he owes her’

The same guards arrive, forcing Danny to fight his way past them. He makes it to the border between realms. Ripping back to reality seems even more violent than the fight, an act of rage against the unfairness of death. He goes to his body and attempts to line himself up with it, muttering hopefully.

There’s a pause and then we hear a strange, sludgy noise that isn’t quite a heartbeat. It speeds up, sounding more like a heart and more like static, building to a frantic roll, then stops again. There’s a single beat, then another, until there’s a strangely slow and shallow, but constant, heartbeat.

Danny’s eyes open with a gasp and glowing green fades to blue.

[charlidos]

I feel you linger in the air ep 10

This episode was a bit of a roller coaster in terms of emotions. From a happy end for everyone, to Jom and Yai's biggest tragedy. On the whole, another gripping episode.

Last ep was all about building up the drama - and it was basically all resolved in the first 15 mins of this ep. It's the one thing that I didn't find entirely convincing; it was just a bit too neat. I liked the theatrical drama of the everything-is-revealed scene, but I also feel like the creators were a little too eager to do a certain kind of scene and thus made it a bit too long. And every problem solved in one go: all the bad men gone, the nice women freed, Yai free to be with Jom again. Which is all good, but it was a bit too much like the final scene of a murder mystery show.

I guess it was Jom who presented this since he's the only one who doesn't actually belong there. Maybe it was easier for him to say it all out loud (even if he didn't actually say much himself). But it's like Jom is the vehicle for change, the deciding factor making things happen. And it seems to me that by this resolve for all the characters in 1928, the story can now focus on the big time travel issue. The elephant in the room for Jom & Yai.

The whole post-reveal scene between Jom & Yai is another extremely beautiful scene, with an amazing feeling of intimacy. I'm not sure I've ever seen such beautiful love scenes. I can feel it in my bones, my heart. There's such a natural intimacy between them which makes every part of it seem so completely believable. And most importantly, they never seem to be there just to please the audience, but always has something to say, relevant to the story. Even if it's just to show how much these two love each other. And again, all kudos to Bright and Nonkul for making Jom & Yai come alive this way.

Yai describing how he only felt numb when being forced to be apart from is very moving. I love that the drama here is so quiet. Yai's silent tears, the comfort Jom supplies with his little caresses, the need to keep touching. I love that the most important part of this scene is played out here, after the love making. When they are both literally and figuratively naked and when they are as close as can be, lying together like they are one. Like Yai says: they are each other's heart and soul.

However, it's difficult to not remember that they have a much worse heartbreak coming: that Jom will return to his own time and be gone forever. All these things that Yai is describing, is that not how he will feel then too? Numb, alone, cold. It's so terribly sad!

I struggled a bit to understand why Yai was so unreservedly happy with finally being allowed to go study abroad. He says so casually to Jom - right after explaining how he can't live without him - that he'll only be gone a few years. I thought for sure he would imagine Jom coming with him, but no. But thinking about it, I really like the idea that Yai is a person with all these dreams, of seeing the world, of changing it. And that his life is more than just his love for Jom. He's a young man, after all, and he's seen so little. In this perspective, I feel there's a good chance that Yai could live a fulfilling life, even after Jom is gone. That he'll be crushed and probably never really recover, but that he could instead spend his time travelling the world and being part of the developing future. (Even if living in this time is such a tragedy also since we know WWII is coming. 1929-1945 was not an easy time to live.)

This is also the first time we hear Jom talking with Yai about his other home.

And this is the first time he's mentioned using his knowledge about the future. I wonder if it he started talking like this, and started disappearing, because his deed there was done in a way, after resolving this family's issues. That his connection to the place started waning. Because surely, it's not a coincidence that as he talked of the future, his body started losing it's precence in 1928. Maybe it's also his own awareness - one he seems to have put aside for a long time - of not belonging that makes this happen right there.

We still have no idea what happens with Jom's body in 2023, if he's missing there or if he's in a coma, or if no time has passed there. We don't know if what happens in 1928 is like a loop, something that always happens. Jom could, in 2023, see it happen, after all. So I'm very curious to see what will happen when he returns. But it'll also be so infinitely heartbreaking to imagine how empty it'll be for Yai.

Really, it seems too little time to resolve this in just two eps! I've understood that there's supposed to be a "special episode" too, after ep 12. But I have no idea what it means. I just want a season 2! I'm not ready to leave Jom & Yai. They've gotten under my skin so completely.

And how will they have time to get back to explaining who this Yai is? He obviously needs a whole season of his own.

[a-world-with0ut-dr34ms]

God Turn Me Into a Flower

From Control - Full Story in Progress on AO3!

Ghost x Reader x Graves While out at the bar, a temporary falling out with your commander unintentionally brings you closer to your previous battle partner, Ghost, as a flame between you begins to stoke. Mild Swearing, No Explicit Warnings Tags: Fluff, Angst, Slow burn, Melodrama, relationship drama, Flirting, Jealous!reader, Shadow!reader, sweet moments with Ghost, fluffy banter Word Count: 4k

One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight Masterlist

A/N: Apologies if the Reader reads like an OC. This is really slow and comes hand-in-hand with the next part which I'll have up real soon! I'm not done with Graves x Reader, but it's time for some turmoil (ง'̀-'́)ง

...

Part II - God Turn Me Into a Flower

You’ve always been distant, in a rather peculiar way. 

An ex once described you as being a home on a far away hill. Like ones in old paintings -- nice to look at, nice to notice, but not something you’d ever actually see yourself in. Perfectly a part of the background. It comes naturally to you.

Blending in, and fitting into the mold is all you knew of life; it extends beyond the battlefield and guides you even through your domestic world. You've unknowingly practiced this skill at a young age, having been more a quiet observer amongst your friends than the center of attention. Not so shy as you were just more interested in listening. Your eyes and ears were always the most curious.

You soon blossomed more socially the older you grew.

You smiled when others smiled, and made yourself a shoulder to lean on when needed. When people were quiet, you liked to talk for them, and when they talked a lot, you made sure to nod and listen. Reading your own actions was just as important as being able to read the actions of others.

You’ve always had a knack for mirroring your counterparts, and your line of work has only further conditioned this behavior. As the only woman in the Shadow Company, it was pivotal you learned how to fit in and not stand out in a way that didn't benefit you.

The walls you built around yourself were by design, placed in careful order and painted a pretty color. You made sure they were nice to look at, all decorated with neat shingles and high windows. When the sun rises and it's time to show yourself off, your walls are presentable, and easy on the eyes, as not to challenge or draw the wrong type of attention. Distinctive and balanced. It invited its onlookers even as its doors remained locked, curtains shut tight, with an otherwise fragile interior.

Where your other comrades only had to worry about their roles as soldiers or gunmen, you had the pleasure of being a woman on top of that. What they had to prove to be here, you had to do twice over, and the title came with hidden precautions.

Others couldn't look at you like a doormat, but you couldn't come off as too much to deal with either. The first thing you take note of in rooms are its surroundings, its exits, then its occupants. You run scenarios through your mind as much as possible before you're put in them.

It was an exhausting act to juggle, but if you didn’t, you wouldn’t survive. And so long as you keep your guard up, and play this part, you can do with it what you see fit.

Your own gilded cage.

Making a game out of it at least made it fun sometimes. It helps. The more you played for the sport of it, the less intimidating it all became.

Your peers are easier to read than they like to let on, though it’s not to say you necessarily get them. You can simply recognize it. They liked to conceptualize you, placing their ideas on your empty canvas, before they’ve found some way to fit you into their world. Whatever way they pictured you to be in it.

When you’re around, they put up an act, sometimes conscious, other times merely by condition. Their choice of words are all deliberate, tailored for your ears and bound to change the moment you walk away. You’ve heard rooms grow quiet when you’ve joined them, ignored the passing comments, swatted away the occasional asshole.

How they behaved towards you was to be expected, even as it took many years for you to learn what to look out for. The tiny gestures give them away though. How they posture themselves, how they move, where their eyes linger, if they themselves linger -- it all tells a story for you to read.

If there’s one thing you’ve learned about reading others, it’s that people, especially men, are as predictable, impulsive, and simple as you’d grown to know them for. Regardless of the action, or the expression, or even the words, men all had a way of doing the same thing -- putting on some act to cover up who they are inside.

Poets and writers always made men's actions seem more grand and deeper than they often were, and you've fallen victim to letting these make-believe fantasies and ideals carry you away at times. But at the end of the day, you've learned that men's actions should often be taken for what they are on the surface. Even impulsive acts are never an accident, but rather a gut reaction.

Though you always were an optimist.

For a while now, you saw Graves as the exception to this. If your walls were shut to the world, your commander was the wrecking ball you longed for. For a time. But tonight, you remembered that Graves was still a man. A man as impulsive and predictable as any other you’ve come to know.

So when you see Graves saunter across the bar towards another woman, you know his actions, though on the surface rooted by petty jealousy, were not being done simply to get a rise out of you. This was his way of letting you know that a line had been drawn. 

This was a formality.

Suddenly, it’s like every fear you didn’t know you had became a reality.

You see Graves stop at the opposite end of the bar, music and background chatter drowning out his voice, though you watch the words leave his smiling lips flirtatiously. He leans against the bar counter, leaving a small space between himself and the woman.

She’s blond, curvy where she needed to be, and coming from a lot of money from the looks of her jewelry and poised demeanor. She practically had a halo-like glow to her, as her big, green eyes glistened in the room light. She was nothing like you at all.

The woman sips her drink like she doesn’t enjoy the taste, but does so anyway. Her eyes dance over the commander intriguingly, smiling like she’d expected him to come over this whole night. She uses a hand to flip her bone-straight hair over her shoulder, and say something back to him. This makes Graves grab a seat.

He waves for the bartender and points towards the woman, as a drink is then prepared. Their hands meet in a casually handshake, which lingers a second beyond your preference before the commander takes his hand away from her. She speaks again, and he laughs.

And then, he had the gall to look across the bar at you. 

Though no words were spoken, a novel’s worth of dialogue had been shared between your locked gazes.

So, this is how he wants it? Rather than take things a step further with you, he'd rather keep things just as they've been -- impersonal. What better way to remind you than by flirting with another woman right in front of you.

You’re not entirely sure what you expected, really. You’ve played this scenario in your head countless times before; you knew there was a good chance you wouldn’t be where he stopped. Why would you be? It’s not like he should have been your stop either. You two were not together, so you had no right to feel any way about his actions, nor he with yours. This was simply the agreement. 

Yet somewhere deep down, it still managed to disappoint you.

Only one thing runs through your drunken mind at that moment. You found it better to be displayed to him in action. You smile, take your hand and give him a single thumbs up from across the bar. You even mockingly give him a wink.

And of course the smug bastard winks back, before suavely turning his attention back over to the woman next to him. Pretty soon, it’s like you weren’t even there.

Right, you thought. Message received.

…

You spend the remainder of your night drinking more than you should have, and flirting twice as more than that. You do everything in your inebriated power to distract yourself from being aware that you are, in fact, single. Though the drunker you get, the worse the night seems to get. 

“You know, I used to play in a band back when I was in high school.”

You trace your finger over the rim of your glass, unenthusiastically resting your chin on your hand, as you listen to the man sitting next to you drone on. Jeremy, Shadow 2-0. He was always doing a lot.

When you first met, you had him pegged for someone who didn’t get a lot of attention as a child. He liked giving you a hard time when you officially joined the Shadows, despite you holding the higher rank. The many joys of sexism.

You couldn’t count how many times he’s tried to get in your pants. It didn’t take him long to notice you were alone and moderately drunk. In a dimly lit room with no other options, you guess Jeremy wasn’t that bad looking of a guy. If you’re into that sort of thing. You’re not really.

“Oh yeah?” you say blandly.

“Yeah,” he uses his hand to slick his hair back, revealing a growing pit stain in his button up. “I was the bassist.”

“Do you still play?” You ask, more to be polite than out of genuine curiosity. You’re sure he’ll find some reason to keep talking regardless of what you say.

“...Not really. Kind of grew out of it, you know?”

“Oh, well…” Your voice trails off, as does your mind. You begin to zone out again, and before long his chatter becomes a better part of the rest of the noise around you.

You’re not really sure what time it is right now. Maybe close to midnight. The bar’s still fairly packed, but the only one’s from your party still around at this point were men on a mission to get laid.

Soap was knocked out in the seat next to you; one of the other members in Shadow Company (was his name Tyler?) said they could drive him home, so he was a nonissue at this point. You’re not sure where Ghost walked off to either, but you guessed he hadn’t left yet. Though you'll give it another hour before you might think otherwise.

If you have to spend another ten minutes next to Jeremy, you’d be ready to call it a night whether or not you find the lieutenant.

And no matter how hard you tried, your gaze just kept going back across the bar.

Graves spent all night next to that woman. Their conversation didn’t even look like it was fun, beyond your commander’s clear enjoyment of putting on acts for people. You watch him smile, and laugh, take his hand and graze a finger over her, look her into her eyes and pause. Completely mesmerizing the woman. Leave it to you to always fall for the court jesters.

How many other women has he been with while you two were sleeping together? You both weren't exclusive to one another, so for all you know you were always just a stand-in for him. Wasn't he for you? He clearly should have been. 

Was it unfair of you to feel this way? Yeah you flirt and play too, but you can admit it's never escalated to anything physical. You never felt a need for anyone else in that way. Yet you can see Graves didn’t feel the same. He touches that woman as he pleases, whispers in her ear all cool like and leaves her wanting more of him for later. A classic move on his part.

“Yo Canary,” you hear Jeremy’s voice in your ear again.

You turn to the man, seeing he’s come in a lot closer than where you last remembered him sitting. You feel his arm snake over your shoulder, his sweaty palms resting firmly on you as he makes sure to keep his half finished glass gripped in his other hand. Though you’re obviously not comfortable, you don’t do anything to swat him away.

You know you could if you needed to.

“You wanna get out of here?”

You give him a funny look. You can’t help not to, given the amount of alcohol coursing through your body. “What?”

“You wanna get out of here?” he repeats, leaning in more. His breath is like a repellent. “You’re staying on base right? I’m in the barracks too.”

That was an unnerving thought. Well aware of the man’s intentions, you couldn’t think of a less appealing thing. Sex in general suddenly felt unappealing overall.

“I think I’m good, thanks.”

“What?” you can already hear his tone begin to shift into something more whiny and impatient. He slurs his words a bit when he says them. “Come on. I promise you’ll have fun. I’m a good time, I swear it!”

“Mmm,” you begin to tease. “Keep whining, it’s so attractive.”

He takes his arm from you and starts to get defensive. “You mocking me now?”

“I’m just saying-” 

“What, I’m not a high enough rank for you or somethin’?”

You raise an eyebrow at his comment. Though this behavior was predictable seeing as you must have bruised his ego, that jab did not go over your head. One look in his glassy, drunk eyes and you knew that comment was coming from a place within. A thought he’s no doubt had sober. “Excuse me?”

“It’s not like it’s a secret you’d rather fuck your way up the ranks than mess around with the rest of us down here. I bet that’s how you even got your spot in the first place-”

You take his drink and throw what little remains of it in his face, watching the little half-melted bits of ice bounce from his pointy nose rather comically.

Every eye in the room that’s conscious fall on you like a spotlight. If the music wasn't coming from a jukebox, you're sure you would have heard a record scratch.

You didn't need to look over to know Graves was staring too. You didn’t care. As far as you’re concerned, the night is over. You gather what little you brought with yourself, bury the anger you felt deep inside, stood up tall and merely strolled your way out the bar.

You never look back either.

You waited until the door closed behind you for your expression to finally break. The rain’s died down, becoming more of a cold mist, making the air crisp to breathe in. The parking lot was cramped and empty, most of its patrons all inside, as the music only faintly thrums through the walls.

You take a couple steps forward, until you’ve stepped into the wet darkness, putting your hands on top of your head as you take a deep breath to yourself. You could walk still, though your vision felt glazed over. If you laid your head down for too long you were doomed to waking up and it being light out. And your chest hurt.

The same thought races through your mind on repeat -- Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.

It’s not like it’s a secret you’d rather fuck your way up the ranks than mess around with the rest of us down here.

"A, B, C, D…" you whisper the alphabet to yourself, trying to calm your mind. What did you have to cry for anyway?

Don't give these people any more of a reason to think you don't belong here or that you can't cut it. You've heard worse, and his words aren't true. Though it wasn't about what he said, not really; Jeremy's comment pissed you off sure, but they were merely a breaking point for everything else you were feeling.

You put yourself in this spot after all; this is what you agreed to. And you know what, it’s good things went down like this. Now you know for a fact that you were getting things mixed up with Graves; you’ll be able to act more accordingly from here on out.

This didn’t have to be a bad thing. If you keep trying to tell yourself this, it might actually keep the tears in.

Because honestly, you just felt like shit. 

"...H, I, J, K…"

You forget how little things make sense when you’re drunk. Emotions you normally could rationalize or at least keep in check were becoming nigh impossible to even catch already spilling out of you before you've even realized.

And to think you even wanted to go out drinking this whole time. What a fool you are.

You'd never have a future with Graves, you see that now. At the end of the day, he'll always want a woman that isn't a part of his world, someone who couldn't see all the different sides of him and get scared off. You've seen too much of him as it is, what made you think he'd actually let you see more? Why did you even want to at all?

Because maybe you did like him more than you ought to.

"...Q, R, S, T, U… Fuck!"

"Haven’t heard that version before."

A deep, raspy voice which spoke from behind you causes you to jump in shock. When you turn, to both your pleasant surprise and dismay, you see that it's Ghost.

He stands a little off from the front entrance to the bar, back pressed against the wall and arms crossed. Knowing your luck, he's been there the whole time, silently watching you have a meltdown. Fantastic.

You sigh to yourself, straightening up a bit. How little you could manage. Frankly, you didn’t really give too much of a damn anymore how you might be coming off. Sober you can deal with it tomorrow.

And though you haven’t known Ghost for too long, he didn’t strike you as someone who’d care either way. It’s not like you knew each other well.

“I love a good freestyle,” you joke, sucking your nose in a little.

“I take it you’re having a bit of a night?”

You open your mouth to speak, though words don’t come out. It’s like a wave of everything just fell on your shoulders, zapping any bit of energy you thought you still had. You can’t help but chuckle to yourself. You put your hands on your hips and look off into the parking lot again. Perhaps you’d find an answer for him there.

“I’m just really drunk right now.”

From the way he stared, you could tell he wasn’t sure what your problem was exactly. He dances around the topic of asking, just sort of going off of whatever you decide to share. Lord knows this must be rather awkward. It was for you.

“That’s what you wanted, right?” he asked.

That’s what you wanted...  Yeah, it is. You wanted to get drunk. You wanted to have fun. You wanted to spend another night with your commander, and keep thinking that maybe you meant something special to him.

“I don’t know what I want anymore…”

“Need a ride home?”

“I’d like that.”

…

Ghost opened the passenger’s door for you when you reached your car. You awkwardly feel for your seat before climbing into it, struggling to pull the seat belt over yourself without clumsily using both your hands. Ghost didn’t wait, shutting your door and making his way over to your driver’s seat, as he started the car up.

“What went on back there?” he asks.

“I threw a drink in some asshole's face.”

“Guessin’ they deserved it.”

“Yeah…” you say. “But I feel stupid now.”

“Why’s that?”

“I don’t know…” you turn your head from him, looking out your window into the parking lot. In the distance near the bar, you see some of the other Shadows come out, probably calling it a night themselves. You don’t see Graves. Even now, you’re still looking. “...Guess I just got my hopes up again.”

Ghost doesn't reply, though he follows your gaze to the entrance of the bar, watching your peers joke and laugh without you. He doesn't say it, but he knows what you mean.

The drive back is mostly silent, as usual. Ghost didn’t bother with the radio, leaving only the sounds of passing cars and rolling wheels to bid by your spinning mind, which drove you mad in your seat.

You’re not sure what it was that bothered you really. Was it that his silence was hard to read, so you couldn’t help but fear that it could mean anything? Or was it that you cared about it in the first place? He was driving you home right now. Not that it meant anything; you both were staying in the same barracks and you’d drove him to begin with. Isn’t the issue here that you read into things too much?

Goddamn could you not wait to be sober again.

You haven't looked away from your window, pressing your forehead against the cool glass. It helps you feel real. Somewhat. You breath fogs the glass lightly, vanishing at each soft inhale, as the streetlights swish by in rainy blobs. You don’t even hear yourself when you speak. “...I’m sorry.”

“What’re you on about?”

Of course he’d ask, as if it weren’t obvious. Here he was, a soldier just trying to have a night out with his coworkers, and here you were. Some girl he’s just met that he now had to drive home and listen to. 

“Just…” you begin to speak with your hands. “I’m sorry. For this. For being too much… I know I can be rather grating and loud… and annoying. I don’t mean to be…”

You’re not sure what you’re trying to articulate to him right now; everything’s just sort of coming out like word vomit. The more you talked the more embarrassed you felt, but in some odd way it did also feel relieving. It had been on your mind long before you two had even met.

“Is that what you think?” he asked. His tone's more playful than you would have expected it to be.

“Sometimes.”

“I think you’re just drunk.”

“Yeah…” He’s not wrong. You are drunk. But tonight still happened. You feel your lip begin to quiver and you clear your throat to cover it. “I just really wanted to have a good night.”

Ghost grows quiet, leaving you with your thoughts for a moment. 

There was a lot you wanted to do for yourself after this. It’s time you really put yourself first for a change. While you did value your empathy, you knew it was crucial that you keep your emotions in check. You could save this for home. You’re here to do a job, and if that’s how Graves wants it to be, then that’s how it’ll be. And when this job is done, you can move on for good. Lessons learned.

“Canary.” Ghost begins to speak again. It brings you back into reality.

“Ghost.” You reply in a similar tone.

“What’s red and bad for your teeth?”

Are your ears deceiving you right now, or was Ghost trying to tell you a joke? Always easily amused, you finally look over at the lieutenant. He kept his eyes on the road, one hand on your bedazzled steering wheel and the other rested against his side of the door. A real hulk of a man sitting in your driver’s seat. You find it safe to smile, and humor him. “What?”

“A brick.”

That was the dumbest joke you’ve ever heard. 

It's his attempt which makes you burst out laughing in your seat, bringing a hand up to cover your mouth daintily as you sarcastically shook your head in disappointment. When you glance at him you see he hasn’t budged at all since sharing, acting as though what he said were just common knowledge. It only made his joke funnier to you.

“You’re the most unserious man I’ve ever met.”

“I’m completely serious,” he states. “What do you do if a gang of clowns ever attacks you?”

You await his answer with bated breath.

“Go for the juggler.”

You’re not sure how much more of this you can take. Quickly, you start to wrack over every dumbass joke you’ve ever heard told to you. “How about this one,” you chime in.

“Shoot.”

“What do you call a dog with no legs?”

“What?”

“Doesn’t matter what you call him, he won’t come anyway.”

Ghost doesn’t laugh. But the small pause he takes is enough of one for you. “Nice.”

... Chapter Ten Here!