#and the shippy bits are there

[lena-in-a-red-dress]

It's a Wonderful Knife AU (Supercorp)

It's a Wonderful Knife is about a girl who, one christmas eve, witnesses and ultimately kills a spree killer (aka The Angel), who kills her best friend and a couple other kids. Once dead, the killer is revealed to be none other than Morgan Edge, the local sleaze who'd been trying to commercialize the small town of Angel Falls.

A year later, the following Christmas sees her clinically (yet untreated) depressed, unaccepted to her dream college, and overlooked by her family in favor of her cousin (who she saved the night of the killings). When she discovers her boyfriend has been cheating on her for the entire year, it's the final straw.

On her way home, she looks up to see the Northern Lights. As if they were a wishing star, she gives voice to the heaviness that has been growing in her since that fateful night.

"I wish I never existed."

She blinks, and suddenly the lights around her are dark, the previously festive boulevard now shadowed and eerie. Immediately on edge, she approaches a man to ask if the power went out-- only for him to collapse as he turns towards her, a knife in his gullet.

The Angel then appears like a ghost. Kara screams, running for help. She eventually runs into the local sheriff-- one of Edge's right hand men. Who definitely wasn't sheriff, last she checked. The oddities keep adding up, as she learns that not only is The Angel alive, he's been active for a full year. Her family home is dark and grieving for a lost scion-- her cousin who died the christmas before, because Kara hadn't been there to save him.

Kara isn't in any of the family portraits, her family doesn't recognize her, nor do her former friends when she tracks them down at the annual get-wrecked holiday party. In the absence of all that's familiar, she turns to the relatively unknown-- the local weirdo.

"Weirdo" is the slender goth girl who hangs around the periphery of their age group, appearing at large events without anyone seeming to invite her. This year she has her hair in space buns and though she says nothing as Kara frantically pleads for anyone to recognize her, her sharp green eyes take everything in. So when Kara finally turns to her, and their gazes meet, Kara feels a tinge of relief.

"You know who I am?"

The weirdo gives a nervous little smile, but doesn't balk. "Hi. I mean, no. I mean. I'm Lena?"

Lena's mere act of not ignoring her almost brings Kara to tears. She unloads everything onto the poor girl, who listens with wide eyes and a slightly bewildered look. But when Kara mentions The Angel, Lena perks up.

"You want to stop The Angel?"

"What?" Kara asks. Out of everything she's said, that's what the weirdo locks onto? "Yeah, but--"

"Come with me," Lena says quickly. She grabs Kara's hand and pulls her away from the party, out the door and across town. They don't stop until Lena tugs her up the front walk of a house with darkened windows. Unlocking the front door, Lena leads Kara inside the empty house.

Kara frowns. "Are you always alone on christmas?"

Lena's cheeks flush, but instead of answering she makes her way deeper in the house. "I want to show you something."

When Kara steps into Lena's bedroom, she's shocked to see one whole wall serving as a murder board-- literally. Thumbtacks mark the location of known murders on a large map of the city, with notecards detailing facts of each victim.

"Most of them are teenagers related to business owners in the town," Lena tells her. "Well, mostly former owners, now."

"It's Edge," Kara states bluntly. "He's The Angel. He's the one doing the killings."

Instead of dismissing her outright, or asking how Kara knows, Lena's brow furrows. She studies her board thoughtfully.

"Most of the families who've lost children to the attacks have closed up and left town... Edge, he--" Lena's eyes widen. "He's acquired every single one of them!" She mutters a curse to herself. "I can't believe I didn't see it!"

Before long, Lena is also hypothesizing on the how of Kara's circumstances. Kara relates the glowing aurora that still lingers above the town, and Lena gives a thoughtful hum.

"It's unusual to see it this far south," she observes. "It could be related, or it could be complete meteorological happenstance. But... the aurora does generate via a confluence of fluctuating solar energy. What if-- and I can't believe I'm about to say this, but-- what if, when Edge died in your reality, his spirit... lingered? And if it did, perhaps his ill intent, combined with the energy of the aurora, facilitated the change?"

Kara goggles at her. Lena blushes again, and scrambles to fill the stunned silence. "Of course, that's assuming this is a matter of different realities, which are purely hypothetical and I am *not* saying are real, let alone suggesting travel between them is even a feasible concept--"

"I had no idea you were so smart," Kara says bluntly.

Lena freezes, eyes flashing up to meeting Kara's. Her blush deepens as she reaches up to tuck the flyaway hairs at her temples behind her ears.

"There's a lot people don't know about me," Lena says softly.

Guilt forms solid and heavy in Kara's belly. "I'm sorry," she says. "For how people have-- how I've treated you."

Lena shrugs. "It's--"

"Please don't say it's okay," Kara urges, leaning forward intently. "You've just... existed, and we've acted like..."

Holding Kara's gaze, Lena's arrest softens. "Maybe things would be different, if you'd been here."

Shame courses through Kara's body, but she refuses to voice the knowledge that even in her reality, while never cruel to the weird girl in the corner, she'd never been kind.

"It will be," she says instead, firmly. She offers a crooked grin. "After all, who's George Bailey without her Clarence?"

Lena beams, a bright laugh bubbling out of her. Kara's smile grows, and for a moment, the world doesn't seem so grim.

---

The solution in returning the world to its rightful place is clear. They kill The Angel, Kara goes home. But before they can decide just how to execute their plan, Kara gives in to her desire to see her family. For help, maybe, to help them in their grief for Clark, she isnt quite sure.

When they get there, they find Kara's uncle in his office. Seeing his despondency, Kara can't help but reach out to him. She tells him she's a friend of Clark's and they spend the next few minutes reminiscing about some of Clark's most memorable moments-- his football career, the time he saved an elderly neighbor's life, etc.

But when Kara tells her uncle that she knows who killed Clark, their reverie snaps back to reality. Her uncle grows cold, and when Kara tells him it was Morgan Edge, she learns that this version of her uncle not only works for Edge, but considers Edge to be a close friend-- one who paid for Clark's funeral.

He shouts at her to get out of his house, and Kara bolts, with Lena following on her heels. Once outside, Kara bursts into tears. Lena envelops her in a fierce embrace, holding her until her sobs subside.

"We'll fix this, I promise," Lena says. "We'll fix-- augh!"

Lena's cry of pain jolts Kara into a state of panic, when the source of the long slice in Lena's arm proves to be The Angel. They bolt for safety, and in the ensuing chase Lena devises a plan that has them splitting up. The Angel chases Kara, leaving Lena to loop back around behind him and shove him sprawling into the snow. Kara grapples him for the knife, and as soon as it's in her hands she plunges it deep into Edge's throat.

Except it's not Edge.

When they remove their would-be killer's mask, it exposes instead the face of Kara's uncle. Kara vomits, then wraps her arms around herself as the sobs return.

"I don't understand," she wretches. "It-- it was supposed to be Edge."

"I don't know," Lena murmurs, rubbing her hand against Kara's back. "But it doesn't matter. That isn't your uncle. This isn't real, not for you. And you did it. You got the killer. Now we can get you back to your real family."

Lena supports Kara to the boulevard where the shift first manifested. Once there, Kara offers a watery smile. "Thank you," she whispers. "I don't know-- I don't think I could have done this without you."

Green eyes gaze at her, warm and sparkling in the light if the aurora overhead. "I should be the one thanking you," comes the hoarse reply. "To be honest, I--"

When sudden emotion chokes Lena's voice, Kara reaches out in concern. Lena swipes at the tears gathering in her eyes.

"I'm okay. I just-- this was going to be my last christmas, Kara."

Kara blinks. It takes a long moment for her to connect the words to their meaning, and when she does, her heart lurches.

"Lena, no--"

"It wouldn't have mattered," Lena whispers. "Not to my family, or the kids at school. Not to anybody."

"Yes, it would, Lena. *You* matter."

Lena nods, tears falling free from her eyelashes. "I think maybe we got it all backwards," she says, huffing a soft laugh. "I wasn't your Clarence after all. You were mine all along."

They hug, and then it's time. Kara looks up at the aurora and wishes with all her might that she lived, that she existed. She wishes for her life back. Not just to have her family back, to have Clark and her uncle, but to have Lena too.

Nothing happens.

It doesn't matter how much she wishes, then pleads, then curses at the universe-- the world stays exactly as it is.

Kara stares helplessly at Lena, who can only shake her head. "I don't know," she says. "I don't know--"

She's interrupted by the squawk of a microphone coming to life in the nearby square. The voice of Morgan Edge soon follows, drawing them both to the periphery of the crowd gathered around the stage where Edge stands before the town's christmas tree.

Rage overcomes Kara at the sight of him. She pushes through the crowd towards the stage, only vaguely aware of Lena following close behind lest the crowd separate them. Before she knows what she's doing Kara vaults onto the stage and slugs Edge right in the face.

As his henchmen move to wrestle Kara away from her victim, Lena spies a familiar looking knife lying the podium-- The Angel's knife. Her gaze flicks to where Edge marches towards a restrained Kara with rage in his eyes. The decision she makes in that moment is hardly a decision at all.

She snatches the knife from the podium and slits Edge's throat from behind. Her only regret is that it showers a surprised Kara with arterial spray. For a moment they, the guards, and the gathered crowd all stare frozen at Edge's gurgling body, until it finally falls quiet.

Then, a clap issues from the crowd. A single person, clapping slow and deliberate until it grows into raucous applause. The guards reach for Lena, only for the townsfolk to intervene, giving Lena and Kara the opportunity to slip unseen from the mayhem.

They sprint to the boulevard, coming to a breathless stop under the rippling aurora that's slowly brightening.

"Go," Lena urges. "Now, before--"

Kara kisses her soundly. Her world becomes the feel of Lena's lips against hers, the scent of blood thick between them, and the pull of Lena's arms as they wrap around her neck--

She opens her eyes to the ceiling of her bedroom.

Morning light spills in through the windows, illuminating the world in warm relief. Kara bolts downstairs to find her family hale and whole, and nearly loses herself in the sweeping joy of her life returned-- until Lena's features flash across her mind. Lena's features, and the echo of Lena's murmured confession: "this was going to be my last christmas."

In a instant she's back on her feet and sprinting to Lena's house. She pounds on the door until it opens a crack for Lena to look warily out.

"What do you want?"

Kara's heart plummets, but she forges ahead without stopping. "Lena, this is going to sound crazy, but you have to believe me, because it was real, and you were there, and whatever you're planning *please* don't--"

The door opens further, revealing Lena in a cozy sweater with a puckish glint in her eye.

Kara stops short, hardly daring to believe. "You... you remember?"

Lena answering smile beams in affirmation, prompting Kara to sweep her up into a giant twirling hug. Lena squeals, but it ends with a delighted giggle.

"I love you," Kara says, kissing Lena. Their hands clutch together, holding tight as though the world might reset and tear them apart once more.

Lena smiles, sighing happily as she rests her forehead against Kara's.

"Merry Christmas, Kara."

[cyellolemon]

Bleach art dump!! The hyperfixation you had from your 11 to 16yo never leaves

[sernhuh]

Hera. Her flesh girlfriend and flesh boyfriend.

[hyakunana]

Pocky Valen when?

[surreal-duck]

some more of these guys

[rainyfey]

It's DanDaDan Monday! Hope you're all having a good one~ I am going feral waiting for the new chapter today!!

Okajiji this time (dw we will be back to momokarun shortly hehe) <3

My sister suggested the ship name "Turbo Gun" the other day. It's probably too cool of a name for these two dorks, but it's stuck in my brain now i kinda really love it haha

[snick-cooler]

AAAAAnd to finish my art dump, something cute

[summerhighlandfalls]

naruto mob psycho au because im terminally predictable

[sillylilfang]

bites you bites you bites you

[danwhobrowses]

Ashton "I serve the weak, I serve the forgotten, I serve the dirt beneath our feet" Me "Saviour of the broken, the beaten and the damned?"

[gabelew]

i don't draw ship art often,,, but even I'm not immune to office desk smooching aesthetics

and i already had this whole room designed so

[seyaryminamoto]

"... Look for a clasp right here at the small of my back."

Ever since Hades 1, I loved Nemesis (as in, her Aspect for Stygius, once I started using it I never stopped!). So I thought she'd be a great character to meet directly at last in Hades 2!

... I was NOT prepared for the way she was going to wreck my heart and soul and turn my life upside down through her rivalmance with Melinöe. I'm not even joking when I say that the effect this woman had on me was unprecedented :'))) While I certainly enjoyed Hades 1's relationships and I have experienced one more Hades 2 romance besides this one, the Melnem chokehold is just the most powerful one I've felt across both Hades games.

I waited very impatiently for this update. I kind of assumed that even if they would continue some storylines, they MIGHT save the romance for later. They did not. After I got to their romance scene and exploded of joy, I just had to portray some of what I visualized happening between them after that fade-to-black. I've been farming interactions between these two ever since, I just need to see how much further it will go, because it MIGHT be there's more left, who knows! So I'll just keep on trying until I know for sure that I've run out of dialogue :'))) at any rate, they've driven me crazy in the best of ways for almost a year now, was about time I did something to honor them for it.

I cannot recommend these games enough. They're some of the best gaming experiences I've ever had. Can't wait for 1.0!

[pinkedify]

it’s okay to give compliments on fanart without asserting you don’t ship something

[whimzycle]

Hi Whimzycle! I'm a HUGE fan of your art, it makes my days brighter and I absolutely love how you draw Aster! <3 I started enjoying ROTG and the GOC saga again and I was wondering if you felt comfortable sharing your top 3 fanfics! :)

Thank you so much!

Daawwee thank you!! I appreciate it!! I used to be intimidated when it comes to drawing Bunny but lo and behold, he is the only one that I drew the most out of all the rotg cast lmao.

As for fics though...[Sweats in majority of the rotg fics I read are Jackrabbit centric]

I'll try to keep it as neutral as possible though lmao

Top 1. Prelude to Time Feelers by atimefeeler

I'm sorry I know I said I'll keep it neutral but I really can't help it. It's a really good fic, Jackrabbit notwithstanding. In my defense, the romance isn't really romancing, really they're more queer platonic that's why I like it very much. This fic is so good, genuinely. It's a reimagine of events that happen in both the book series and the movie. The fusion of both media is really well-done and it's world-building even more so! It features perspectives from Mother Nature, Bunnymund and Jack. So like, essentially, you get Mother Nature's backstory, Bunny's backstory and Jack's pov all in one chapter. It's great I love it. High tier, 10/10 fic. Though if you really aren't comfortable with the Jackrabbit part of it, it's cool. I still think you should give it a try lmao.

Top 2. My Stars and Your Valleys by ketren

This is one of the really cool ones lmao. It's a science-fiction au!!! Almost like the likes of Star Trek but it feels more like a treasure planet for me lmao (I've never seen star trek, I'm sorry I'm a degenerate lmao) One of the things that I really like about this fic is how well it incorporates elements of the movie into this fic like oh my god. Especially Jack's initial relationship with the guardians is almost like the movie and it's good, it's great I love it. Oh and the plot!! Goddamn the plot!! It's so eerie and mysterious and I love it. It keeps you interested for the entire duration of the fic, wondering what the hell is happening lmao. But oh! I most love Jack's relationship with his sister, even though it's only at the first and last chapters lmao. They're so good, I love how complex it is. It's a high tier, 10/10 fic!!! Please read it!!!!! It's so good!!!!!!!

Top 3. 188 Hugs by Icka M Chif (mischif)

Affectionate Guardians are my weakness and this fic exploits my love for it. Also, it's Jack and Bunny centric so it's a two-for two punch of things that I love. The title says it all when it comes to the plot lmao. It's essentially an exploration of Jack and Bunny's friendship through hugging lmao. It's a great fic high tier, 10/10. (Although really, any fic from this author is a 10/10) I love how it tackles the Jack is lonely for 300 years bit and the only way to dismantle that is through the power of friendship and found family. Really, the only solution to everything. And I love it, it's great, it's amazing and I feel so much joy over this fic. I really don't need to explain much lmao. This fic is just so good, I'll let it explain itself for you. So please!! Read it!!! So you can experience the immense joy I had when reading it lmao!!!!!!

Now, I know you only said my top 3, but I'm adding honorable mentions because it is a crime if I do not include any of them:

Sparks Fly by Icka M Chif (mischif)

Naughty and Nice by Icka M Chif (mischif)

Not a Guardian by Icka M Chif (mischif)

Advent, Advection by pengiesama

Selenographia, sive Lunae descriptio by pengiasama

Looming Shadows by Reidluver

Nights and Nights Again by partingxshot

When Hope Gives Way to Joy by taizi

Other Ways by Asidian

Unique by Asidian

Learning to See by emeralddawn

Mischief Managed followed by April Fools by Neyiea

Allegro Non Molto by tablrcloth

Flower Prompt: Yarrow by melissae-astron

Like a Star by Lunermoon1000

Protege by ProlixEllipsis

[joifee]

Our 4th life

for day 2 theres a little new life smp throwback and also some wither roses^^

[sharffffff]

The first thing Lukey felt upon leaving the memory, upon hearing the crimson door close behind him was deep, all-absorbing fear, getting paralyzed by it like a deer in the headlights. He saw Pangi - and he knew, he knew Pangi saw him close that door behind him, but he also knew that Pangi would find nothing behind it. He looked like he was crazy, and he had no idea how to explain it - he still wasn’t sure if these memories were purely mental or in some part physical. Pangi could see the door, he opened it to see nothing but stone beyond it, but Lukey was also certain these visions were memories - and as such, how could they leave any physical evidence behind, even if it were to disappear right after? It didn’t make any sense, it was driving Lukey insane - or maybe he already was. It made him panic, it made him stutter, it made him unable to move - and he didn’t know how to explain any of this to Pangi, and he thought that if he told Pangi the whole truth of what he knows, Pangi would hate him for what he is, for what he was. 

As he was standing there, paralyzed, unable to move, unable to answer Pangi’s attempts to reach out, the whole world grew darker and darker around him. The fear was engulfing him like a wave, splashing into his eyes and nose, making it hard to breathe, hard to see anything except his own hands, unable to hear Pangi’s futile attempts to get through to him. He knew this was it. He knew he would lose everything. He knew he would no longer have anyone to rely on, because he had to tell the truth - and who would ever trust a Keeper? Who would ever love someone fundamentally unlovable? This fear dragged him down deeper and deeper, his breathing sharpened, barely able to get enough air to not pass out - but the paralyzing terror was maybe enough to make him faint regardless.

And then Pangi took his hands in his. Darkness subsided, the veil of fear covering his hands had lifted, and as Lukey looked into these blue eyes, he knew he was safe - despite his fears, his instincts yelling at him to get out, confident that he wouldn’t handle the truth well. Lukey both wanted to trust his gut - but also to trust in Pangi. And with Pangi being so close, grounding him, bringing him back to his senses, holding his hands so tenderly, the trust in Pangi overwhelmed any lingering fear. Maybe he was a fool for this, but he was willing to be a fool this one time. Everyone already thought him one, anyway.

And so Lukey talked. He told Pangi everything he asked about, he felt like he was telling too much, he felt like he was signing his own death sentence - and yet he talked, he poured his soul out, he showed Pangi the pieces of paper he got after reliving his memories - and Pangi listened, his gaze still soft, ears perked up in curiosity, with not a sign of malice, of hatred, of anything that Lukey feared would be in them. Instead, there was a bit of recognition, as well as genuine interest in what Lukey was telling him - and that’s what worried him, what made this so strange, the complete opposite to the reaction he was expecting. 

And when Pangi suggested that Lukey was from the Null, when he suggested he was a Keeper, Lukey shuddered. He thought this was it, this was the accusation before everything falls through - but it didn’t. The fact that it didn’t change Pangi’s perception of him in any way… Lukey didn’t know what to think. He was thankful, he was hopeful, but this all felt too good to be true. This all felt like it was just a dream, and he was about to wake up to the nightmare of reality. But this awakening never came, this dream stayed, and as Pangi once again took Lukey’s hand in his, Lukey’s heart melted away. What did he do to deserve him? What did he do for him to choose him, to trust him, to stay with him no matter what, no matter who he was? It felt unthinkable, it felt impossible, and yet Lukey was falling for him harder than ever before. 

Pangi didn’t see him any different. He didn’t care about his past, for he also had a past of his own he wasn’t proud of. That meant so much to Lukey, he couldn’t describe it in words. He didn’t expect this level of trust, this level of acceptance, from the world that seemed to hate him, seemed to take enjoyment in making fun of him, of bringing him misery. And Pangi was the one ray of sun to shine through all the clouds, to bring him hope, to make him believe in the good in the world… and Lukey knew he couldn’t let him go. He couldn’t allow himself to lose him. He was given the ultimate trust, the ultimate loyalty, and the least he could do is give back the same.

He must have trembled again, for Pangi’s grasp on his hands tightened, as if to calm him down, and his bright blue eyes looked straight into Lukey’s brown ones with a concerned expression. He pulled him down, while reaching up himself, and landed a small kiss on Lukey’s forehead - melting his heart in a second. All fears, all concerns, anything that could bother Lukey got swept away in an instant, and he was willing to follow Pangi’s every word - even if it meant actually taking care of himself and going to sleep, for once. 

And for once, he slept with no dreams, no nightmares. The constant, looming presence that haunted his nights went away, as if it was never here, and when Lukey woke up, for the first time in eternity, after a full night of sleep, he found Pangi curled up alongside him, like a cat - and it was the first time Lukey ever seen him sleep. He put so much trust in him, his breathing so steady, his presence so calm, and Lukey couldn’t even try to hide his smile, couldn’t contain the warmth spreading across his chest. He couldn’t dare wake Pangi up, and he knew that any movement could startle him awake - and so he stayed there, right next to him, cuddled up for at least several hours more. And Lukey couldn’t say that he didn’t enjoy spending these hours next to him. He still didn’t know what he did to deserve this, but at this point it didn’t really matter. As long as Pangi had his trust in him, he would do anything to prove that he deserved it, no matter what.