#and the rest of the freaks (honourary)

[redriotinggg]

You know what I need? Strawhats raising a child, could be shippy or not, but I need them finding a baby and Luffy being like "I WANNA KEEP IT! How hard can it be to raise a child?" (Famous last words) This is less about wanting to be a father and more about thinking about this as another great adventure and experience for Luffy (besides if its a situation like finding a baby in a treasure chest they cant exactly leave it... tho I imagine Nami seeing Luffy with a baby in arms and being like "wtf, where did you get that???" Luffy: "I found it in a treasure chest :)" Nami: "WELL PUT IT BACK ITS NOT YOURS!")

Of course raising a baby in a pirate ship is bound to be dangerous, so most of the crew is like "lets find it a good family in the next island" so maybe it's more of a Tokyo Godfathers situation.

Who are the better parents? Who absolutely suck at parenting but want to help regardless? Are any of them like "I absolutely don't want any part in this" but end up being roped in regardless and end up getting attached to the child? Does the child end up being raised by Strawhats or they get them to a nice family somewhere safe?

If you know of any fanfics that are like this (if they're gen/Nakamaship the better) please reccomend them to me I'm in desperate need to see that, child raised by a village trope my beloved

Pffttt a baby should definitely NOT be aboard the Sunny but if it happened I can imagine that yes, Luffy found a baby in a treasure chest and by the time they realized what happened, they were already on the open water headed to the next island.

However, the first thought that came to my head was that Zoro was sleeping while guarding the ship and someone managed to dump the baby onboard. He wakes up and there’s a baby—just under a year old—sitting across from him, fist in their mouth and a note on their forehead that says, “YOUR PROBLEM NOW”. There’s nothing left for him to do other than wait and pray that the kid doesn't start crying or pooping.

The rest of the crew comes back like Uhhhh Zoro???? When did you give birth????? To which he yells that he didn't, you idiots!

Now they don't know what to do because they can't bring a baby on the seas in the New World, but the island they're docked at wasn't very welcoming and likely wouldn't care about an orphaned child.

Luffy makes the decision easily--they'll bring the baby with them and they'll be an honourary Straw Hat! If they get their adventure started now, the baby will be at a huge advantage when they become a pirate when they grow up. Raising a baby must be easy if so many people do it! But it doesn't take long for the others to convince him that keeping a baby abroad for an extended period isn't a good idea, so they decide to keep the baby until they can find them a good home.

Luffy is not so surprisingly great with the kid, although he's not allowed to be left alone with them. The crew freaked out when they found him and the baby asleep on the head of the Sunny. It would've been a sweet scene if they both weren't at risk of falling and drowning to death. If the baby starts crying and Luffy can't get them to stop in 2 seconds, he dumps them off to the nearest crewmate--he usually deals with crying kids by beating them up, but the baby's too young for that. Plus, the noise really hurts his ears!

Nami canonically loves kids and babies!! She doesn’t mind taking care of the baby until they can find somewhere safe for them. Except this baby is getting on her damn nerves because, for some reason, they don’t like Nami. At all. Every time she tries to hold them, they cry bloody murder. To add insult to injury, the baby absolutely loves Zoro, who still wants nothing to do with the baby. But she is nothing if not stubborn, and eventually, she and the baby are thick as thieves.

The baby loves Usopp because he’s so silly! He makes the baby laugh by playing peekaboo and he even whips up little toys for them to play with. He flails dramatically when the baby grabs his nose or pulls his hair, both of them laughing without a care in the world.

The baby is too young to be scared of Brook, so they just laugh as he dances and sings nursery rhymes from all over the four seas. His lullabies are very effective in calming the baby's crying fits or getting them to sleep.

Sanji prefers dealing with children when they’re old enough to speak, but he’s not immune to the effects of an adorable baby. If it’s a girl she gets the absolute princess treatment, complete with baby talk and compliments of how cute she is. A boy baby gets his hair gently ruffled. Either way, Sanji happily admires Robin sitting with a baby in her lap before he’s off to puree some fruits and veggies.

Chopper loves babies and thinks this one is so cute!! But he’s embarrassed by how jealous he is of all the attention the baby is getting. He can’t help it! He’s used to being the one taking naps in Zoro’s lap and being fawned over by Robin. He’s happy to have the baby with them, but he wishes he got some more attention, too.

Jimbei and Franky don’t dislike babies per se, but they’re just so small and fragile compared to them. They mostly watch the other crewmates interact with the baby from the sidelines.

Franky’s nerves aren’t helped as Robin keeps coming up to him while holding the baby and talking about how cute they are and how parenthood is such a privilege, don't you think, Franky? She manages to convince Franky to hold the baby and when he does, he bursts into tears. Overwhelmed, he passes the baby off to the closest person, who happens to be Jimbei, whose eyes also fill with happy tears when the baby snuggles up to him. Both of them stop keeping their distance after that.

Robin reads the baby bedtime stories! But the crew have also walked by and overheard her reading books about death, disease, and war. She speaks to the baby in all of the languages she knows and tells them all the secrets she's learned. It's too bad the baby is too young to retain all that knowledge, but she's more than happy to share anyway.

Zoro doesn't like kids in general, but kids love him, including this baby. The rest of the crew find it hilarious how awkward he is with the baby. You'd think he'd be used to holding a small being considering how often he carries Chopper around, but no, he's hopeless. Zoro is teased relentlessly for the way he talks to the baby. He talks to them like a grown adult and it's both endearing and ridiculous.

Absolutely nobody wants to change dirty diapers. There are physical altercations, manipulation tactics, and an abundance of tricks used as each Straw Hat tries to avoid diaper duty. (Usopp uses dirty diapers as canon fodder and ammo when they run into trouble on the water.)

Most, if not all, of the Straw Hats have mommy and/or daddy issues, so raising this baby gives them all a chance to heal, whether they realize it or not. It also gives the crew an excuse for group cuddles, not that they ever needed it.

The crew have all grown very attached to the baby by the time they reach a safe place with people they trust to raise them. A few crewmates (Usopp, Nami, Robin, Brook) want to keep the baby around--it's too cruel to leave them, now! But Luffy has made his decision. It's too dangerous for the baby out on the seas of the New World. But once they've found the One Piece they'll be back to visit.

Usopp made the baby a teddy bear and dressed it as Luffy, complete with a straw hat. Sewn to the red fabric of the hat is a note written by the crew, a photo of them all, and a piece of Luffy's vivre card. If the baby grows up and ever wants to come sailing with them, all they have to do is ask.

--

AAAHHH this was so fun omg!! I love babies sm and there'd be so many antics if a baby was on the Sunny. I doubt I'd ever write a fic myself though, but I'd be happy to think up more hcs in another ask :)

I don't know of any nakamaship fics like this, so if anyone does please link it in the comments. But! KazimaKuwabara has this FANTASTIC fic feat. the Straw Hats taking care of their de-aged nakama. I've read it so many times, it's great.

Thank you for the ask! Keep em coming y'all, I live for this.

[queerbauten]

Your Blixa Bargeld/EN iceberg is really obscure! It would be great if you could share any links or sources of what you included! Thanks :)

Howdy, ‘non! Here’s some explanation of things. I didn’t include anything above or at waterline—I assume I don’t need to. ;)

Note: I don’t have the mental wherewithal to warn for every possible trigger, but know that this post will contain talks of violence, homophobia, drug use, and death. There’s also some NSFW in there.

alright let’s go

Andi: a play by Peter Zedek in which Neubauten performed. Blixa openly hated the project from the get-go, only taking it to pay his phone bill and avoid potential homelessness. (Source)

The Supporter Projects: the crowdfunding projects for Neubauten’s (and, currently, Blixa’s solo) works. Check out neubauten.org and blixa-bargeld.com for more info. Liebeslieder: a 1994 documentary about Neubauten. It’s available for purchase on most major streaming platforms.

Nihil: an Uli M Schueppel film scored by Alex and featuring Blixa. anbb: a music project between Alva Noto and Blixa. Wolfgang Müller: one of the many men Blixa has kissed over the years. Wolfgang’s also the founder of Die Tödliche Doris (a band that were very close to Neubauten, with Blixa executive-producing one of their albums) and the author of Geniale Dilletanten, a book about… the Geniale Dilletanten.

The female Neubauten: Gudrun Gut and Beate Bartel, who were part of Neubauten early on before leaving for other projects. (Bettina Köster and Blixa recorded together for an *album* called Einstürzende Neubauten; however, that was released as “köster / bargeld”.

Die Haut: Jochen’s (and later Rudi’s) former band. They collaborated with numerous Neubauten-adjacent musicians, including Nick Cave, Kid Congo Powers, Anita Lane, and Blixa.

Automat: one of Jochen’s current bands.

"straight wretches": an Andrew quote from a fan translation of No Beauty Without Danger. For context: Alex had said “Blixa and Mufti [had fallen] in love with each other”. He called it a “true love story”, running it parallel to his romance with Christiane F.. Andrew did not like Alex’s assertion, saying:

“The thing with Blixa and FM was no love story at all. Nonsense. No. We are straight wretches. We are heterosexual. It was not a love story. It was a friendship that lasted 16 years. That doesn’t make it a love story. But actually, even if it was, what difference would it make? Of course we know and love one another.”

The official translation does not use the phrase “straight wretches”; it opts for “real men” instead. It also includes a line where Andrew concedes he doesn’t know for sure that Blixa and Mufti didn’t have something.

Hackedepicciotto: a musical act consisting of Alex and his wife, Danielle de Picciotto.

the Alles in Allem press release: what it says on the box. The link’s giving me a 404 error right now, but it was up until quite recently. Among other things, it affirms that Blixa meant it when he said “nonbinary”.

The Dschungel sheets: an art piece Blixa made for the Dschungel, a gay bar in West Berlin. The piece consisted of real semen on bedsheets. It got taken down not long after it was erected. (If you join Blixa’s solo Supporter project, you can get the full story behind the piece. 👀 👀 )

Members of the Ocean Club: an album by Gudrun Gut, featuring collaborations between her and her friends. Blixa appears on “Die Sonne”. According to the liner notes (I have a physical copy of the album), Blixa was deliberately the only non-woman on the album.

The Supporter singles and albums: singles and albums released exclusively for Neubauten’s Supporters over the years. Some elements of these releases (for example, most recently, “La Guillotine de Magritte”) have been released to the general public. However, most of them remain exclusive. (Check out their Discogs profile for more info.)

Desire Will Set You Free: a 2015 indie film by Yony Leyser exploring queer Berlin. Blixa and Jochen have cameos.

The post-88 lyrics to "Seele brennt": so, “Seele brennt” was released in 1986. It contains a verse where Blixa says he’ll be dead in two years due to his drug use. When that didn’t happen, the verse was rewritten to say he would have been dead in two years’ time. The earliest footage I know of featuring the reworked lyrics is from the Moers Festival of 1990 (which you can see in Liebeslieder).

Jever Mountain Boys: a ‘90s country band featuring—among others—Alex, Jochen, and Mufti.

Mufti beating up Blixa: Rowland S. Howard (who performed on “Durstiges Tier”) explained that “Blixa had his body miked up and they [Neubauten] were punching him to get a bass drum beat” for the song. Rowland doesn’t specify which member(s) did it. However, the Kalte Sterne liner notes list Blixa as “body” and Mufti as “body drumming” for that track.

"Presence": members of Neubauten will sometimes get “presence” credits. Mark got one on “Durstiges Tier”, and Andrew got one on “Beauty”. Presumably, it’s a way for these members to get performer credits, even if they didn’t contribute.

The Some Bizzare row: Some Bizzare are Neubauten’s former record label. They have consistently withheld royalties from the band. neubauten.org has disclaimers on parts of their website discouraging fans from buying records that were released by Some Bizzare.

The Headcleaner U-Bahn schematic: Headcleaner is a book of Neubauten’s lyrics up to and including Ende Neu. It includes a U-Bahn-style schematic by Blixa that shows how various Neubauten songs are connected to each other.

firefighter Rudi: Rudi was a firefighter before becoming a full-time musician.

Long-haired teenage Blixa: what it says on the box.

Grandmother Cash: a pseudonym Blixa used for 2-Kut’s Rock That!

The exact story of the firebombing: for context, “the firebombing” refers to the time Blixa firebombed his high school before being expelled (and prohibited from attending public school anywhere in West Germany). Blixa tells the full story of what happened in 233 Celsius - Ein Feuerbuch, which is only available in German (and not widely available in German, at that). (As with the Dschungel sheets, you can get the full story if you join Blixa’s solo Supporter project. 👀 👀 )

Toni Kater: a German musician with whom Rudi has collaborated.

Blixa actually has parents in fact there is photo evidence: the most obscure fact of them all here ya go :)

[lover-of-queens]

Rules: name seven comfort films and tag seven people

tagged by the lovely @thelonewolfes !

1 - imagine me and you

2 - ocean’s 8

3 - frozen

4 - frozen 2

5 - barbie princess and the pauper

6 - 10 things i hate about you

7 - mamma mia

no pressure tags 💛 - @myannaburing @mindfairies @i-rely-on-you @cissasevans @travelingtardis @muscatmusic18 @mangwol

[caffeineivore]

Fic!

For @smokingbomber. AU. A scene featuring Kunzite, Mamoru and Usagi, in which Kunzite and Mamoru are best friends and Kunzite and Usagi are siblings. For a fic not yet published. This is semi-unedited drivel and snark. Sorry not sorry.

**

The commencement ceremony for his sister’s class at the Greenwich Academy features raindrops on roses and girls in white dresses (without blue satin sashes) and a Pulitzer-winning journalist as the commencement speaker, and of course, their whole family was there for Una’s big day. Kent’s mother, Isabelle, had also attended the school in her own teenage years, and had been sloppy with sentimentality all morning at the thought of her only daughter following in her footsteps. His dad, of course, was a bit more prosaic, though he did approve of this year’s choice of commencement speaker as opposed to last year’s staid and rather boring senator.

Una isn’t Valedictorian-- that particular honour falls to her good friend Molly O’Shea, the heiress of a chain of jewelry stores. Molly’s family is a bit new-money, and her mother is undeniably a little crass by their standards, but she’s a sweet girl, undoubtedly with a bright future ahead of her, and certainly, Una could associate with worse people.

The graduating class of an elite, private all-girl’s school is typically less than 100 students, and this year’s is no exception. Kent had heard tell of the local public school holding their ceremony at an actual sporting stadium due to the plethora of students, family, friends and staff involved, and it’s almost comical. Who would even be able to get a good picture of their kid’s face as he or she got their diploma from some spot in the stands fifty feet up? It would make sense for a college graduation, of course, but seems to lack the sort of sentimentality and ceremony that kids always enjoyed.

“Hey.”

The voice is familiar, and while his best friend’s presence isn’t a complete shock-- Matt has been promoted to almost-an-honourary-Crawford-Tate since the events of a year ago, it does strike Kent as a bit odd that his friend would be standing there in full-on black tie and carrying a bouquet of red roses like it’s a wedding or something.

“Hi there, Miss America. Lose your tiara or something?” Kent jostles his friend’s arm good-naturedly, but rather to his surprise, Matt doesn’t say anything smart-alecky back in response and watches the proceedings without a word.

They sit through the speeches, the music and ceremony, and of course, everyone applauds when Una receives her diploma and a yellow rose as her name is announced. She beams and waves at them as she follows the rest of the procession down the line, and Kent is struck with the fact that his baby sister is now all grown up, wearing a long white dress that isn’t all princess ballerina ruffles, her hair down her back rather than in pigtails. Una is petite and bubbly and probably would love sappy nonsense like fuzzy little kittens and Disney movies for the rest of her life, but she is no longer a kid, and it makes Kent, at the advanced age of twenty-two, feel ancient.

The ceremony ends shortly, and Una breaks away from her friends to join them, and that is when all Hell breaks loose.

That she smiles and runs towards them, not quite graceful in her kitten heels, is not super surprising. She’s a soft-hearted little thing, after all, and unlike Kent, who’d grown up on a steady weekly diet of private tennis lessons and captained his rowing team at Yale, generally hated sports and athletic activity. But that she only spares her parents and Kent the most perfunctory greetings before making a beeline for Matt on the other hand stops Kent in his tracks, and when Matt hands her the roses, then opens his arms, and she jumps in, arms looping around his neck and blonde hair mingling with Matt’s black, Kent is almost certain his jaw made an audible thump as it hit the floor.

It isn’t the type of hug a girl would give a friend, or a brother, and the kiss Matt has the audacity to plant on her isn’t exactly fraternal in nature, either. Kent doesn’t even register his own parents’ reactions-- whether they were as shocked and appalled as he was, or whether, worse, they somehow knew about this. Matt picks up a giggling, blushing Una and swings her around, then sets her down and, even more horrifyingly, pulls out a small black velvet box out of a pocket. It’s like the climax scene of every fluffy chick flick ever except in Kent’s head, some 80s era Wes Craven horror movie soundtrack is playing over it.

Matt pulls a ring-- an actual RING!-- out of the box, classic antique platinum band with a flawless white pearl flanked by two small diamonds, and offers it to Una. “It’s not-- well, it’s my mother’s. I know we’re young, and you have college and I have med school. But I want you to wait for me. Someday, I want to do this again, with something just for you.” It’s an old-fashioned notion-- a promise ring-- but even more shocking is the fact that his normally quiet friend is doing this in front of everyfuckingbody like it’s not some huge spectacle, let alone the fact that apparently Matt and Una had been carrying on for goodness only knew how long before then, because she seems thrilled and misty-eyed rather than horrified and shrieking. She kisses Matt again, accepts the ring and the roses, and then, FINALLY, Matt manages to meet Kent’s eye, and Kent has no choice but to move his brain and body out of the fog and react.

He hauls Una none-too-gently out of Matt’s arms, and then punches Matt in the face, his friend’s head snapping back at the contact of Kent’s fist against his jaw. Matt almost falls down, but then Una is screeching and yanking Kent off like a baby kitten attempting to move a mastiff, and her ire is apparently at Kent for punching Matt rather than Matt for laying hands on her in every single violation to the Bro code in the history of ever.

“DON’T HIT MY BOYFRIEND!!! WE ARE IN LOVE AND YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!!” Undoubtedly, this is the liveliest graduation scene the hallowed grounds of Greenwich Academy has seen in at least a decade, and perhaps later, Kent would be reading about some pearl-clutching old biddy having a stroke because of this almost-brawl that would certainly be more in character at a dive bar that served cheap beer and twangy country music or whatever than here. But for now, Kent turns, open-mouthed, to stare at his sister. The petulant words and tone are definitely hers-- classic riled-up Una-- but since when was Matthew Darien Clark anything but his friend?

“Matt is NOT your boyfriend! Since when is Matt your boyfriend?! YOU JUST TURNED EIGHTEEN LAST JUNE SINCE WHEN DID YOU START HAVING BOYFRIENDS?!”

“Kent, you’re making a scene and embarrassing your sister.” His mother’s voice cuts through the haze and whatever undoubtedly furious retort Una has for his remark. “It is extremely unseemly to engage in this boisterous contretemps in public like an uncultured ruffian. Una, dear, do stop screaming. Do you think we might be able to find a place with some privacy to resolve this situation?”

“Why the need for privacy? HE’S the one who wanted to freaking damn near propose in front of all these people! He should suffer the consequences of his actions that HE chose to do publically!”

“I have nothing to say to you about Matt and myself, and until you get off your high horse and leave whichever awful Victorian planet where women sit cross-legged at home and bat their eyelashes while patiently waiting for the men to find something to do with their lives that you seem to be living on, I have nothing to say to you, period. Matt’s your FRIEND and you just punched him because, what, we’re in love?” Una clenched her jaw, then raised her chin in stubborn defiance. “If you’ll excuse me. I need to find some ice for my boyfriend’s face.”

“Kent, kindly don’t conduct yourself like a hooligan.” Even his father, apparently, was in on this horrifying scenario. Kent Crawford-Tate, Jr. looked his usual unruffled self, slightly bored and slightly disapproving with the scenario playing out. “Matthew is not a stranger or an unsuitable fellow, and he even asked my permission to do this beforehand. Your sister is happy.” He waves a hand at the crowd starting to gather around them, bequeaths a jovial smile. “Everything is perfectly fine, folks. Isn’t it a beautiful day? Are you all right there, son?” This last bit is directed at Matt himself, who is rubbing his jaw gingerly, but meets his eye with a wan smile.

“I’m fine, sir.” Matt then turns his dark-blue gaze towards Kent, and though his eyes are somber, they’re unapologetic and meet Kent’s without any fear. “I’m okay with you punching me. I guess we should have told you, but everything was happening so fast. I’m sorry you’re upset over it, but I’m not going to stop seeing Una just to appease you.” An awful, sappy smile crosses Matt’s face. “She’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

“Okay, that’s my sister, and that’s disgusting, and never do that again.” Kent shudders. It’s incredibly demoralizing to learn that not only is he the last one to know about this outrageous new development, but Matt’s focus is completely on Una’s happiness. “Do I even want to know how long this has been going on?”

“Since the time my grandmother got sick. Una caught me on a bad day, and just… she understood. We must have talked for hours.” Matt, the noble idiot, brushes lint off his stark black lapels and makes that lovesick face again despite Kent’s stern injunctions just a moment prior. “Your whole family has been incredibly supportive, and I can’t thank them enough, of course. But Una-- she’s like light shining through the darkness. I don’t know what I would have done this last year without her.”

“Ugh.” It’s an uncouth nothing of a word, but Kent finds that he doesn’t have anything else to say. The idea of being friends with a boyfriend of Una’s has literally never occurred to him before, nor the idea of his own best friend eyeing his little sister, nor even the idea of his best friend being in love, period. Certainly Matt was not the sort to tomcat around the Yale campus like some of the other rich, privileged douchebags of their acquaintance, but they were too damn young to settle down for 2.4 kids and a white picket fence. Or, more likely in their case, 2.4 kids, a live-in housekeeper, and a six-bedroom mansion with a three-car garage.

His asshole disgrace of a best friend has the nerve to smile. “You’ll know what I mean someday, bro.”

“Why, you have any long-lost sisters?” It’s a snotty remark at best, but Matt is too nice of a guy to care, and Kent privately finds the idea of continuing to pick a fight with someone who, goddammit, is just not willing to engage, about equal to the idea of arguing with a six-year-old about the existence of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Sure, it may be an easy battle to win, but the victory would feel dickish at best, unjust at worst.

“No, but you’ll fall in love yourself someday. And when you find the right woman, nothing will be as important to you as bringing a smile to her face, and all you’ll want from your friends and others around you is the support and goodwill to share in your happiness.”

“Sounds like a hocus pocus curse, so you should probably stop that shit. I didn’t punch you that hard, you ass.” Kent doesn’t want to shake on it and call it good, not in front of all these people, especially since they’ve already given everyone at that year’s graduation more than enough of a shit show, so he hunches his shoulders, well aware that a multitude of young, white-gowned debutantes are eyeing him like something beneath a microscope slide, and hightails it out to the parking lot.

His car is… noticeable, even in this sea of luxurious, flashy Range Rovers and Mercedes Benzes and Bentleys. The sleek black Maserati with the custom gold trim had been a present for his own graduation a month earlier from his parents. Sure, he rarely ever drove it into the questionable parts of town, and certainly it is a vehicle that screams ‘PLEASE HIT ME WITH A SPEEDING TICKET AGAIN, OFFICER, AND MAKE IT A GOOD ONE!’ the way a BDSM fetishist might scream at some leather-clad dominatrix plying a cat-o’-nine-tails on his backside, but it is a Thing of Beauty and a Joy Forever. Kent makes a beeline towards it, then stops in his tracks about two feet away.

Una had certainly NOT been fetching ice for Matt’s jaw in the interim. Keyed into the exorbitantly-expensive custom paint job, in loopy, girlish handwriting, are the words “SCREW YOU, I DO WHAT I WANT!”, followed by a bright pink lipstick heart on the side mirror.

God fucking dammit! He was too damn young to have two heart attacks in one day.

[hope-for-olicity]

Airplanes, Coffee and Deadlines 4/?

Felicity begins working at a national newspaper where she has always dreamed of working. On her first day, she meets a very interesting photojournalist. The two will eventually work together but sparks fly immediately. This and all previous chapters are also available on AO3.

“Okay, this is THE BEST pizza EVER!!!” Felicity smiled before taking another bite.

“I’m so glad you like it. This is one of my favourite places.” Oliver wiped any trace of tomato sauce from his face.

“So, I told you about my story and the ongoing saga between the families that led to the stabbing, you said you had news?” Felicity questioned with a raised eyebrow. She wanted to hear his news first but he pushed to hear her day while they waited for the pizza to arrive.

Oliver suddenly felt uncomfortable. Maybe Felicity wouldn’t care that he was going away but she did say she was happy he was back the last time. “It’s not really a big deal. I just wanted to let you know that I’m going away again. Lyla told me today that she managed to get two visas, one for me and one for a reporter to go to Syria.”

Felicity felt a lump rising in her throat. “Syria? I thought you couldn’t get visas for there? I thought the government didn’t let western journalists in.” Keep the panic out of your voice Felicity told herself. She liked this guy a lot but he didn’t need to know that yet.

“It is unusual to be able to get a visa for sure. I went there,” Oliver looked away for a moment not really wanting to remember, “almost two years ago, without a visa.” Oliver watched Felicity’s eyes widen in alarm. “Felicity, it’s a story that needs to be told. People need to know what is happening. People need to care, to understand. My pictures help that.”

Suddenly, the disturbing images she’d seen two years ago out of Syria, the dead children, came rushing back to her and she knew deep in her gut that he’d taken them. It was Oliver. “It was you.” Felicity paused, licked her lips before taking a drink of her water. “You took those photos. Oh Oliver,” Felicity reached across the table, taking Oliver’s hand without thinking. “I’m so incredibly sorry that you had to witness that. But those pictures changed everything. I think it woke people up to the tragedy that was happening. People could no longer ignore. Honestly, Oliver, I think those pictures changed the government’s immigration policy in regards to refugees from Syria.” She stroked his hand. Felicity needed him to know, that she knew, what a difference he made. “But I also think they probably came at a high personal cost to you.”

Oliver didn’t remove his hand from Felicity’s. She amazed him. She truly got it. Why he did what he did. Why it was so important AND the cost it came with. “You amaze me. Sorry, not trying to freak you out. It’s just that most people don’t get it. Taking those pictures did come at a personal cost, there were some that were too graphic to print. When I first came back Lyla was fighting tooth and nail to get them printed at all. But we both knew that sanitizing a war was allowing people to overlook it. People were and are dying. That should upset the public. Dr. Caitlin Snow really helped me when I came back and we have a plan to help me while I’m away. I just wanted you to know that I’m going.”

Felicity squeezed his hand then let go. “Oliver, I am so proud of you. I am in awe. What you have done is exactly why we need to cover these stories. I will miss you while you are gone but please know I am cheering you on from afar.”

“Thanks, Felicity. I know we haven’t known each other very long but it’s nice to know you are supporting me.” Oliver blushed.

“So, you said they got two visas, who is going with you? Anyone, I know?” Felicity took a sip of her drink.

“John,” Oliver smiled as Felicity's eyes grew wide with surprise. “After the baby is born. I’m going to go first but will be in contact with John so he can write to the pictures. Once the baby comes he will join me.”

“You’re going alone?” Felicity was shocked.

“Alone from our paper however there will be other journalists there. We are a pretty small crew who are willing to enter war zones so we know each other well.” Felicity began to look relieved. “I will do my best to stay safe.”

“That’s all I can ask for.” Felicity beamed. “When do you go?”

“Tomorrow night,” Oliver said softly, he wasn’t realized he wasn’t ready to leave Felicity yet.

“Well, eat up, I’m sure they won’t have this excellent pizza where you are headed,” Felicity said in what she hoped was a brave voice.

~~~~~

The next day flew by. Felicity hoped to grab lunch with Oliver but news broke and things got chaotic. Felicity was typing as quickly as she could, trying to meet her deadline. She wouldn’t have even been aware Oliver was behind her if not for the “ruff” from Baby.

She looked back to see Oliver crouched down by her dog.

“Hey Baby, I didn’t know you were here today. So nice to see you before I go.” Baby rubbed her cheek across Oliver’s hand, clearly, Baby was becoming just as smitten with Oliver as Felicity.

“Sorry, I had to cancel lunch. It’s just that I got assigned to this thing…” Felicity waved her hand at her laptop. She was about to explain further when Oliver cut her off.

“Hey, I get it. You never have to explain breaking news to me. I just wanted to say goodbye. I will see you when I get back and maybe we could have more pizza? Or something else. I really enjoyed last night.” Oliver began to shuffle on his feet.

Felicity blushed. Was she making Oliver Queen nervous? That made her feel all kinds of special. “Well, you will definitely need a pizza fix when you get back. I’m also up for other excursions as well.”

“Well, Ms. Smoak. I wish you luck while I’m away. I look forward to reading your work.” Oliver nodded, he slowly began walking away, really not wanting to leave her.

Felicity stood up as she watched him walk away. Baby jumped startled at her sudden movement. “Will you email? I mean, if you can? I’d really like to hear from you. Wow. I hope that didn’t sound too weird.”

“Not weird. I’ll need Baby updates anyway and it’s unlikely the paper will publish those.” Oliver chuckled, gave a small wave before turning his back, walking away.

Felicity looked down at Baby. “He’s going to do great things.” Felicity knew this but she missed him already.

~~~~~

The first week without Oliver went by quickly. Felicity was busy at work and at home adjusting to her new life with Baby. She knew she had it bad when she made an Instagram account for Baby but Baby had lots of followers. The world needed to be exposed to the cuteness of Baby.

Oliver wrote to her to confirm he arrived safely. He promised to write with further updates when possible but encouraged her to write him.

Subject: News from Home

To: oliver.queen@starlingglobe.com

Fr: felicity.smoak@starlingglobe.com

Oliver,

Work is busy but great. They are now letting me do National news stories if they are out of here. I like to think that means I’m doing a good job. Baby is doing well. She now has a social media account, such a cool dog. We are heading out to my hometown for the weekend to make introductions.

I’ve been watching the news out of Syria closely. I know you will be moving around a lot so I’m paying attention to everywhere but as you know the news out of Syria is sparse. I’m following a teen boy’s Twitter account where he does hits regarding the damage done to his country. Absolutely, heartbreaking. @muhammadnajem20 if you aren’t already following.

You do good work, Queen.

Come home safe,

Felicity

~~~~~

Oliver read Felicity’s latest email. Oliver knew she’d been busy he still check out her daily stories. He loved hearing about things back home, including Baby. Oliver was still smiling as he began to respond.

Subject: Doing Okay

To: felicity.smoak@starlingglobe.com

Fr: oliver.queen@starlingglobe.com

So good to hear from you. I’m glad you are bringing Baby home to meet her extended family - I’m sure she will be a hit.

Sorry, I’ve been out of contact. I’m doing okay. Shot some great footage and got an interview with a family who long to flee Syria. I talked to everyone about how the war is impacting them personally. I hope it will resonate back home because they are just like families back there. John’s going to spiff up the writing a bit but we hope it will be in the weekend edition.

I really enjoyed your story on the community who have come together to support the recently arrived Syrian family.

I’ll be out of touch for the next little while but I promise to write soon. Hope to hear from you too.

Oliver

Oliver? Should he say sincerely? Miss you? He did miss her like crazy but he didn’t want to freak her out - so just Oliver it was.

Dr. Snow told him to hold tight the positives while he faced the bleak and Felicity was the most positive of all. He was also journaling. He was allowing his feeling this time. The last visit he bottled everything up. This time he admitted that seeing what was happening here was heartbreaking, enraging and oh so wrong. But he reminded himself, by getting their stories out there he was helping in his own way.

But he couldn’t lie, he was looking forward to John joining him. Lyla should have the baby any day now.

~~~~~

Felicity found a rhythm with Baby. Baby stayed home and rested in the morning, Felicity picked her up and brought her to work after she’d researched her story. That way Baby wasn’t alone all day and Felicity didn’t need to seek additional help to watch her. It was a win win.

Not surprisingly, Baby was a hit at home. Her mother considered her the honourary first grandchild.

Felicity was flattered that so many of her friends and family were following her stories.

Now, she was back at her desk checking Twitter and the news wires to make sure she was up to date. No new reports out of Syria - but she knew that just meant there had not been any major loss of life. She closed her eyes, sending positive safe vibes to Oliver.

She heard a tap on her cubicle and opened her eyes.

“Sleeping on the job?” John teased.

“Haha.” Felicity smiled. “Nice to see you! Did Lyla have the baby?”

“Not yet,” John shook his head. “We are hoping anytime. I’m just stopping by to see if you have dinner plans. I’m sure Lyla would love to see you if she doesn’t go into labour, I mean.”

“Well, it turns out Baby and I are free. Shall I just come over after I file? I am happy to be a distraction.” Felicity winked.

“Hey, I didn’t call you a distraction!” John put his hands out defending himself.

“No, you did not. But I can imagine how impatient I would be in Lyla’s shoes.” Felicity imagined she would be going out of her mind.

John beamed. “Great, I’ll pick up some pizza.”

~~~~~

“Your distraction has arrived!” Felicity joked as Lyla opened the door. Lyla and John had really become friends over the last few weeks.

“I am very happy to see you both!” Lyla gestured for Felicity to put Baby in her arms. “Thanks,” Lyla said taking the dog. “Bending over is not one of my strengths right now.”

Felicity followed Lyla inside. “It’s quiet here as J.J. is staying with my parents, as this one,” Lyla patted her belly, “is coming any moment.”

“Could even be today!” Felicity said brightly. “Do you know what you are having?”

“Not officially. We wanted it to be a surprise but I’m pretty sure this is baby Sara.” Lyla smiled.

“I’m excited for you. It’s too bad, John has to leave right after.” Felicity realized maybe she’d overstepped. “Sorry, that is none of my business, please forget I said that.”

“You did not overstep! Can I get you a drink?” Lyla began walking toward the kitchen.

“Why don’t you sit down and I’ll get us both drinks.”  Felicity smiled as she watched a relieved Lyla take a seat with Baby still happily being held. You wouldn’t know but that dog was neglected. Felicity chuckled.

Felicity handed Lyla her drink, “do you want me to take her?”

Lyla shook her head. “No, we need some quality time.” Lyla kissed Baby’s head before looking back at Felicity. “About Johnny going to Syria. I’m of two minds, I know he’ll do an amazing job and the work is important but I don’t want him to miss anything. I know he feels the same way. I looked around to see if any of our other foreign correspondents could go in his place but it just doesn’t work….unless I can borrow someone who isn’t a regular foreign correspondent.”

Felicity blanched. Lyla wasn’t suggesting that she go to Syria. She must be reading this wrong. She was new. She’d never been overseas. Felicity couldn’t help it, she had to ask. “Who were you thinking of?”

“Well, I thought I was being obvious - you. No pressure if you don’t want to do this BUT if you do this would be quite the opportunity. You would be given the mandatory training for any reporter entering a war zone and you’d be with an experienced journalist. This is not pregnant me guilting you out - but if you were interested….I could talk to Quentin.” Lyla gave her a hopeful look.

“YES!! More than anything yes!” Felicity was so excited she forgot for a moment. “Are you sure John won’t mind?”

“It was John’s idea. He’ll be thrilled.” Lyla tried to get up and then stopped. “Sorry, to hard to hug you right now. But know that you are being hugged.”

“Thank you, Lyla. I promise I won’t let you down.” Felicity needed Lyla to know how much this meant to her.

“I know you won’t. I’ll reach out to Quentin and with his approval get you set up for training. Hopefully, we can fly you out by the end of the week.” Lyla picked up her tablet and began typing.

Felicity couldn’t believe it - she was going to be the foreign correspondent. She was going to Syria. With the thrill there was also fear, thank goodness Oliver would be there.

Thanks so much for reading!

@mindramblingsfics @memcjo @mel-loves-all @wherethereissmoak @green-arrows-of-karamel @spaztronautwriter @wrldtravler @tdgal1 @vaelisamaza @oliverfel4 @lucyyh @swordandarrow  @smoaking-greenarrow @it-was-a-red-heeler @miriam1779 @coal000 @blondeeoneexox @laurabelle2930 @allimariexf @onceuponarrow @swordandarrow @msbeccieboo @tangled23works @icannotbelieveiamhere @1-crazy-dreamer @stephswims

[elenatria]

It kinda irritates me when fans freak out about “Chris and Tom not being friends” or “hiddlesworth is over.” They’ve been friends for a long time. And maybe it’s just me and maybe I’m a bad friend but the longer the friendship the less I feel the need to physically or verbally confirm my affection for the other person, unless it’s necessary, idk if that makes sense. I have more to say so I’m gonna send another ask or two

Hiddlesworth anon. Like, when I am first starting to become close to someone it’s like a honeymoon period where we’re all touchy feely and saying I love you all the time, but as the friendship progresses that kinda phases out, but we’re still very close.

Hiddlesworth anon. But back to Chris and Tom, I’m sure they’re still good friends, they’ve just reached that point where constant physical and verbal affirmation of their friendship isn’t needed. Or at least that’s how I see it. Fans have no idea what goes on between them when the cameras are off (*cough* ;) *cough*…. jk sorry lol, back to real life) and quite frankly, it’s none of the fans business 

Always trust people nagging about the change of Hiddlesworth to be 1) Tom stans who hate on Chris because he’s not a doormat to his fans like Tom (and you must know Tom stanning is always about comparing him to Chris to make him look better than that lame blond Aussie surfer) 2) natural born whiners 3) pessimists who are so afraid to see their hopes crushed that they would rather abandon all hope at the first obstacle than risk losing, or failing, or not getting what they want.

As for Tom and Chris “not being real friends”, I’m not saying they’re not putting up a show for the cameras. They sure have their pet phrases for each other but let me tell you this from my experience in a class: every professional who deals with crowds and repeated behaviours every day sets his mind and speech on auto pilot from a moment on. When I get asked about the same things over and over again my brain grows so tired so I MUST come up with pet phrases to explain something or appease students in seconds because there’s no time to lose; I use the same words that are easy to retrieve and throw out there otherwise I’m gonna get exhausted. I do believe this is what Tom and Chris do, they have an inventory of phrases, “bromance”, “brother from another mother”, “Honourary Hemsworth” so they shake off the repeated and tiresome Hiddlesworth questions in no time.

But just because they’re professionals doesn’t mean they’re not friends. Just because they hug and joke for the cameras doesn’t mean they don’t hug and joke when we don’t see them. 

Many times fans take gifs out of context. Because gifs. Because they never get to see the big picture. For instance lonely!Tom, supposedly wary of the distance and coldness that has grown between them,  is timidly wrapping his arm around Chris’ shoulders at Brisbane and cold!Chris is not responding…

…when in reality Tom just wanted to touch Chris without shaking him too much, and leaned over to take a better look at what was going on, whereas Chris couldn’t move and hug back because Taika was drawing the tattoo on his forearm. 

Those pessimistic horror-story loving fans have settled with their lonely!Tom/cold!Chris headcanon and NOTHING IN THIS WORLD can change their minds.

Lol you’re not a bad friend. I assume that the fans whining about their friendship growing cold are too young to… have actually experienced a friendship growing old. It takes years. Or they think nothing ever changes. Or maybe they can see the reality of friendships growing old and friends drifting apart (not because they fought but because they changed hobbies, lifestyle, or even found new friends, why not) and are too  scared to admit that this is something that happens to all of us. No need for a feud or a Taika-has-replaced-Tom-as-Chris’-favourite scenario. Just plain facts that people are too scared to admit. I got one of those once telling me “Maybe I’m projecting too much and I saw this happening in real life, friends giving up on me”. So I guess it DOES happen to those nagging fans, and they’re in denial. They want to see Hiddlesworth as this perfect friendship that never changes. Well, dude, everything changes, everything gets old. Deal with it.

The longer the friendship the less I feel the need to physically or verbally confirm my affection for the other person – Yes it’s the sad truth, it happens in relationships as well. You can’t be in a honeymoon phase forever. Let’s not forget that it’s your enthusiasm for the other person that makes you touchy-feely with them at first. But that enthusiasm doesn’t last forever, it’s fleeting.

Fans have no idea what goes on between them when the cameras are off and quite frankly, it’s none of the fans business — Well, as I’ve said in one of my other posts, so what if Tom doesn’t add anything new to the Hiddlesworth narrative when he’s talking to journalists? So what if he uses the same old phrases? Does that mean they’re not updating each other anymore? Maybe they do talk but it’s none of our business to know if they talked about Tristan scratching his knee or whatever. I bet they’re not skyping every day when they’re apart, I mean they could take long periods of time to talk to each other but who cares. I don’t talk with all my friends every day, sometimes it takes me weeks, months. Doesn’t mean I don’t love them and don’t think about them and vice versa. It’s just that life is happening all the time, and both Chris and Tom are super busy. 

I don’t know. Instead of enjoying the Hiddlesworth moments that Tom and Chris give us, some fans are so entitled and greedy and closed up in their own little fantasy bubble that they fail to see the reality of relationships and the fact that celebrities do not belong to them.

Fans have no idea what goes on between them when the cameras are off (*cough* ;) *cough*…. jk sorry lol, back to real life  – Talking of which, I thought it was about time I hit you guys with a sneak peek of the “Hotel Mishap” (guess whose brain is finally resting after the month-long wait and the clusterfuck that IW eventually was, just enough to be able to grab that pen again).

After making love for the first time they’re cuddling on the hotel bed.

Tom: “But you can see it, I’ve changed, Chris. A lot.”

Chris (resting his lips against Tom’s forehead): “I know.”

Tom: “I could never go back to where  I was.”

Chris: “I wouldn’t want you to.”

Tom: “Are you sure?”

Chris: “Of course! You’re the same with me, aren’t you? (He smiles running his fingers through Tom’s hair). You still talk too much, you still do impressions, you still laugh with my jokes - what more could I ask for.”

Tom (laughs): “Everyone laughs with your jokes, Chris.”

Chris: “Choclatino doesn’t, he thinks he’s funnier, the bastard.”

Tom: “That’s because Anthony cracks jokes all the time. You don’t joke all the time. Your jokes are more precious.”

Chris: “I don’t care if everyone laughts with my jokes, Tom, it’s not the same if it’s not you. And you know, some things about you haven’t changed. That glint in your eyes when you’re happy, your faith in humanity, the smell of your skin. The way you look at me. The way you touch me when you’re near, the way you smile. It’s all there.”

[lawain-dimensional-heroes]

"Wouldn't you do the same if your heart felt broken into pieces in return of having a burning flame of vengeance where your heart was..? We're not much different from eachother back then.. Am I pissed off as hell? Of course I freaking am, that's the only natural thing a being does when they feel betrayed." he responded back to Miku's question.

"And what if you heard it on your way when you overheard a conversation? She clearly said that, I've heard it...But not only that, but Tachibana, who's the strongest one on the team currently, who lies about such things clearly do not have the willpower ready to protect what's coming in the future. And if she doesn't have it, how can anyone else can?"

"So if you really want to know why I came here. I am here to take my anger out on her by destroying that gear of hers, beatin' her to a pulp before I destroy this damn place so that you and it won't be dragging the rest of the dimensions to oblivion just like what you did to my damn heart." He quickly pulled his sword from the ground, before making it dissapear.

"I used to think that you're someone I can trust everything to, like a honourary sister...Guess I was wrong. At the end, I'll have to bring this little party to an end!"