#and he's delightfully badass when he needs to be

[heatherfield]

I LOVE YOUNG IAN MURRAY.

[nrdmssgs]

A little story about how I stopped worrying and learned to love Astarion. BG3 spoilers below.

So when I started playing BG3, it already got all those big prizes like the Game awards and so on. And while I'm a huge Neil Newbon fan and I love his Kamski and Heisenberg - i was not actually the biggest Astarion fan. Don't get me wrong - he is played delightfully, he's an absolute icon, he has a beautiful design and a heartbreaking story. But he's just kinda not my type. Also I absolutely failed to understand, how his build works and how the stealth in fights functions, so for me he was useless in battles. Despite that I still carried him with me all the time because my Tav was useless with locks and I LOVED his chatter and him roasting EVERYBODY around including myself.

And when it came to visiting the House of Hope with many closed doors and chests - of course Astarion came with me. We cleared the house, did everything that should have been done and ended in the final room, where we were welcomed by the most badass soundtrack and (sadly) with one of the most complicated bossfights in the game. Raphael wasn't happy with me looting his house, I was clueless, how tf do I fight, when my walls of stones and fire didn't work on his army. First Raphael killed my best tank aka Karlakh. As if this wasn't enough, Raph decided, I didn't need Wyll, who did like 80% of damage. So I was left with my useless walls, and with my useless vampire elf. Raphs minion hit him, and Astarion flew back, landing his butt right on my poor Tav. I was sure, this was an endgame, but I stayed, just to witness, how Raph would destroy us. His hit was the next one... and he missed. And then his minion hit Astarion and this luck mf stayed alive with 10hp.

That's when I remembered, Astarion has around 10 scrolls with defense spells, that made us two invulnerable as long as we stayed close to each other. And so we stayed. Astarion, this subtle guy shielded my Tav with his body. This was so precious, because we didn't even date, she was just his friend, yet the scene was priceless. We won that fight. An hour of a real time, many curse words after we did it. Not a single time before was Astarion useful in fights in my play through. But this time the guy decided 'hell no, im doing everything to save my buddy here, doesn't matter if my real life just started'.

This isn't even a fanfiction. This is just my experience that actually happened to me in the game. So yes, for my Tav, he will always be bbf.

[joemerl]

I'm watching the Eragon movie after rereading the book this year.

It's kind of more enjoyable, sometimes because its changes legitimately improve things but usually because they stray into So Bad It's Good territory.

Durza is still generic af, but Galby is delightfully narmy.

Sloan feels more like an actual character, and the idea that the Spine is considered royal property is a lot simpler than "Sloan's wife died there because it's cursed, maybe, but Eragon can go in there because shut up."

"All hail Eragon, the mighty hunter!" And just like that, the movie makes Roran and Eragon feel more like brothers than Paolini managed in the first two books. Also, they're eight-year-old dorks in teenage bodies.

Sass-master Arya.

I am both annoyed and amused that the Urgals are just burly guys. They give them a little face makeup, but still.

Not really feeling Saphira's voice. I just imagined it huskier.

Durza summons the Ra'zac from the ground like Power Rangers villains. WTF (affectionate).

Eragon figures out that Brom was a Dragon Rider! And just like that, he's outstripped book!Eragon's supposed brilliance.

Arya is awake when she meets Eragon. Makes for a less awkward romantic arc. Also she just says she's a princess, so again, kudos on the screenwriters for not bothering with the obvious twists.

I think there's a passing line about dwarves and elves, but Arya is ostensibly human. There are some guys in the Varden who are clearly supposed to be dwarves but never referred to as such.

Why does the spell for dragon vision let Eragon see through walls? And why does the fire spell make things levitate?

"I expected someone a little more...well, more." Is this line actually clever, or do I just enjoy Eragon getting dunked on?

The whole thing with Brom flying on Saphira as he dies is kind of nice. It would have worked better if they mentioned that Saphira was named after his own dragon, though.

Murtagh is weird, because he acts totally different than book!Murtagh and is introduced with a different backstory. He even offers to lead Eragon to the Varden, which is directly opposed to his motivation in the book. But canon reasserts itself once they get there, so you're left wondering why he chose to do this.

Murtagh's prison cell, incidentally, appears to be a cage left out in the open.

I said Galby was funny, but how many scenes do we need where he's just whispering threats at Durza?

In the books, there are moments where I feel like Eragon has more chemistry with Nasuada than he ever has with Arya. Given the gratuitous "walking in one him shirtless" scene, I feel like the screenwriters agree.

Most of the clothes are Generic Medieval Drab, but then there was one costume designer who was like "NO! Shiny and exotic!"

One change I don't like: Saphira breathing fire before the battle starts is supposed to be cool, ooh-she's-badass-now, but sorry, having her dramatically do that at the end of the battle to save Eragon's life is much better.

So Durza summoned the Ra'zac from the ground, and now he summoned the Lethrblaka from Saphira's fire? somehow? Is it supposed to be made of smoke?

They're not very well done, but the script is trying to give Eragon some arcs that he doesn't have in the book. Some of it is generic "I don't want to be the Chosen One" stuff, but there's also this idea that he might get Saphira killed, like Brom with his dragon, augmented by the fact that Brom's death is kind of Eragon's fault in this version.

Speaking of which, the hell you letting Eragon think Saphira is dead, Murtagh? It's not just a jerk move, it's also out of character. Murtagh is not jokey, either in this movie or the book.

I was gonna say that the final scene is desperately trying to convince us that Eragon and Arya have chemistry, but I actually don't think it's trying that hard.

*watching the credits* That random guy who looked like a dwarf but was never referred to as a dwarf was supposed to be Hrothgar? I assumed it was Orik. He didn't seem to be a king or anything.

[zepskies]

I am so happy to see your posts about Dark Angel! I love that show so much, it’s definitely one of my all time favorites, and I’m glad to see you’re enjoying it.

I was wondering what your thought are so far and who your favorite characters are if you don’t mind answering (for me Alec is definitely my number 1 but I really love Zack, Joshua, Original Cindy, and Sketchy for sure.)

Also I was wondering if you’ve seen season 2 episode 11 (The Berrisford Agenda specifically) what you thought of it? If not, I’d love the hear your thoughts when you do watch it:)

Hey lovely!!

Yesss I'm midway through season 2 of Dark Angel and I love this show. I wonder why it was cancelled. The writing was strong enough, the world is so interesting, the cast is great...maybe it just didn't have a broad enough audience at the time.

There were a couple of sci-fi shows like this that got cut too soon in the early 2000s (like Almost Human with Karl Urban and Michael Ealy).

My thoughts so far are that despite the relative simplicity of Max's "everyday" life as a Jam Pony messenger with her ragtag group of friends, this is a big show in a decaying dystopian world -- with interesting (and often horrific) elements of human experimentation, childhood trauma and indoctrination, and a struggle for transgenics like Max and Alec to form emotional connections because of that trauma (their training). It's very Winter Soldier-esque in a way.

And then with Joshua's character, they reinforce in season 2 one of the central themes of the whole show: people are confused by (and afraid of) what they don't understand. It leads Max and other transgenics to hide in plain sight. To try to live "normal" lives while trying not to expose themselves to the curiosity and the potential scorn of the world -- as well as the people trying to hunt them down; there's that too.

But similar to the show Being Human (also of the early-mid 2000s), what does it mean to be normal in society? Especially in this fallen, eat-or-be-eaten world after the Pulse.

My favorite characters:

The entire cast is awesome, but these characters really have my heart for real:

Alec

I mean duh. 🤣 But not just because it's baby Jensen. Alec's character is complex. He's cocky and endlessly flirtatious. (His brother/sister-like bickering with Max is hilarious.) He's highly intelligent and adaptive to change, due to his genetics and training, but because of that cockiness he can also be reckless. It gets him into some "unforeseen situations" that Max has to pull him out of.

But I literally just watched 2.11 "The Barrisford Agenda" last night, and I wept like a little bitch. 😭💔 Not only did we get Meghan Ory guest starring as his first love (she would later guest star on SPN and was Little Red Riding Hood/Ruby on OUAT)...

We also got the layers peeled back on this guy, to reveal just how deeply Manticore fucked with his mind. Rachel, along with her father, was his mission. His first undercover job.

He falls in love with her, despite the fact that he doesn't understand why she's got his head all turned around, cutting through the training in his head that insists he needs to fulfill his mission. (And that alone is so damn sad.)

He realizes too late that he wants to save her (and her father). But without giving too much away for those that haven't seen it, the scene near the end in the hospital room absolutely gutted me.

"I didn't understand. I didn't understand...how much I loved you."

Max

Played by the lovely Jessica Alba. I love to see a fellow Latina at work! 💅🏽

She's a badass. But she also learns how to fight for more than just herself. And how to actually face and deal with her trauma and start to help others (like Alec) do the same.

Original Cindy

Another lovely badass who I would lay down my life for! She's funny, unapologetically herself, and she has Max's back, come whatever, while still keeping her honest.

Joshua

My heart breaks for Joshua. He's so delightfully weird, childlike at times, while deeply insightful in others.

He longs to belong to the outside world, knowing he can't, without risking exposure to his transgenic friends. He discovers he's an artist! And he's a protector and a lovely friend. As a character says to him, "You're too good for us."

I can't wait to finish the back-half of season 2, though I also don't want it to end!! 😭 But in typical me fashion, my mind is already buzzing with a couple of story ideas for Alec x Reader. 🤣

[findingtomarrymort]

I need help finding this fic, it was really good and one of my favs. The fic is on AO3 As Thirst Holds Water by MonsieurClavier. I am not sure if it was deleted, moved or changed platforms. If anyone knows anything or has a copy downloaded of any of their fics please let me know I would be really grateful to have it shared to me. Thank you

it's still up on ao3 and you can definitely download it from there

As Thirst Holds Water by MonsieurClavier

Summary: Professor Tom Marvolo Riddle, Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor and devious political mastermind, has never wanted a mate. He has only ever wanted power. But when he meets an extraordinarily powerful Omega student with a convenient Potter heirship, he realises he might just be able to have both. Thankfully, the Erastes Act of 1783 still holds sway, and gives Tom a legal, respectable means of pursuing his prey—his delightfully rebellious prey, which does not seem to understand that it is prey at all. Or: A plotty, slow-burn A/B/O romance in which Harry is a badass Omega who don’t need no man, and Tom isn’t nearly as in control of his own Alpha instincts as he’d like to be.

[egg-emperor]

Been rereading some IDW and I wanted to compile my favorite very evil and badass things Eggman has done so far and hope to see much more of in the future:

When he ordered for Mimic to kill the Diamond Cutters (most members are just teens!)

and then he threatened Mimic to finish the job when he finds out Whisper got away in a way that makes me 😳😳😳

When he was cruelly toying around with poor critters during the testing of the Metal Virus and loving it, which is a great look into how he treats the animals when they're in his grasp that we don't usually get to see.

When he went back to spit in the face of the people of Windmill Village that took him in as Tinker by pouring the virus goop all over it while saying "no good deed goes unpunished". Ungrateful bastard being an asshole and loving it, gleefully making them regret being foolish enough to give him a chance.

When Starline dared to try to take out Eggman's prey that's for him to beat and destroy alone after proving his power and superiority. I love it mostly for the way he grabbed Starline's neck with just a finger or two and slammed him against the glass hard enough to crack it as the first thrilling display of his physical strength 😍

The way he likes making toys and once again combines a fun hobby with evil as he models his awesome creations and uses them to plan and figure out battle plans and strategies

Plus the reveal of how Eggman made the figurine of Starline a robot, hinting at how he was always either replaceable and nothing more than an underling for him to use just like all his other lackeys

When he fires Starline as a fine example of him throwing his lackeys away when he's finally had it and no longer needs them and just how harsh he is when they disobey his orders

When he attempted to manipulate Sonic to plant a seed of doubt and make him feel guilt for the tragedies of the metal virus. I love the gorgeous sly smirk on that bastard's face 💜

When he grabbed his gun like "oh yeah?" and tried to shoot Tails

The way he was doing evil VR gaming in his evil simulated world, as yet another great way for him to combine a fun hobby with his diabolical schemes!

When he first met Belle as his real self and was just like "pfft what makes your precious Tinker as good as me when I can do stuff like THIS?" *Shows her his fucked up tower concept*

When he talked a bit about his delightfully cute but twisted and disturbing reasons behind his theme parks, capturing everything I love about how admiringly charismatic and passionate he is but so messed up about it at once!

When he fought Starline in the glorious EGG EMPEROR! And the great moment where he said Starline never really had a place of co emperor alongside him because it's all or nothing for him, the world belongs to him alone and nobody else! He said so much of exactly what I've been saying this whole time while in the mech behind my username. I was so happy 💕

The beautiful creepy silhouette Egg and he way he revealed that Starline has been outsmarted and absolutely dominates him

and the way he absolutely fucked Starline up with an epic display of his strength that makes me swoon 😍💖💜💘💗💕

then walked away knowing everything was collapsing and left Starline to his doom, then just announced it like "lol he's dead- so anyway"

Eggman beat him and it killed his will to go on, then he left him as everything caved in which finished him off. Therefore he killed him, he knowingly had direct causation without a care and I consider it as part of his body count.

When he tried to shoot Surge and then grabbed and threw her- while in his awesome Eggwalker too! 💜💕💗

When he praised Starline but only after he was dead and gone, so he could use it to praise and prove himself as superior by the way Starline is still a bested enemy that he defeated despite this. God damn, that's cold and selfishly egotistical… My man!!! 🥰

And everything about Scrapnik Island with it exploring how he's carelessly thrown away so many of his robots and the impact it has on them all- especially the closer look into how much it devastated Mecha Sonic to go from his greatest creation to abandoned trash.

All these moments bring me great joy and feel like the Eggman I know and love in the games too, I adore his exciting evil and badassery when he gets a piece of the action, proves his skills and strength, and reminds everyone why he's the best!!! 🥰💜

When he's treated well, written with care, and given some of the focus he deserves, he can be fantastic in this comic. His characterization has really been looking up lately, he just really deserves more of a time to shine now as it's been five years and he still hasn't actually been the main villain of a big arc without some twist involving others taking the spotlight. I really hope he gets his turn to really shine in that spotlight for much longer soon!

[modern-inheritance]

Rank at least 5 characters in the order of how much you love them. Then do the same but with how much your au changed them compared to the canon ♥️

Ooo that's hard. We can start with the obvious and somewhat less obvious:

Loved Characters:

Arya. My girl, my badass crazy elf chick, my damaged string bean, the person who kicks me in the head at night, the character that got me into writing when I had spent my entire life abohoring writing my own words in all forms.

Brom. What can I say? He's everyone's dad.

Saphira! Sassy! Young, definitely wise beyond her years, but still young.

Here's where you typically lose me, or I lose you. but! we will indeed continue, with the ones that make people question my sanity:

4. Durza. Delightfully, deliciously evil, and just for the sake of being so. Many doors opened for me to explore due to this thing's depravity. 5. Uuuuuuuuuh. You know what? Yeah! Eragon! He learns! And he loves learning! How slow and painful his life would have been without the space, opportunity and means to explore himself and the world the way he did through his travels and training with Saphira! He hungers for knowledge, the hows and whys. And though he's young, and he makes mistakes, he learns from them and takes responsibility as he matures. And I have mad respect for all of that.

Rankings by MIC Character Changes:

Arya. Yeaaaah. I know we know very little of her true history and life, but MIC was sorta started as a way to explore PTSD and Arya's life. She's far more brash, wild and spitfire in MIC, but, when you look at how she acts when in 'public' in MIC (and I've not...really...written anything that shows this yet I'm realizing), she's damn near the same to her canon counterpart when acting as combat liaison officer in the public/court/official eye. But I wanted to give her space to breathe, I guess, and a chance to process and go through her trauma. Iunno. I prefer my version of her to the canon, but without the canon I would't have her!

Brom. There is a lot that you guys haven't seen or heard about Brom that I've had planned for years. A few moments that I have in mind: We get Brom's rage-revenge years in the pre-Eragon/pre-war era stories of Arya and the Squaddies. Brom causing the death of civilians, including children in a pinpoint focused drive to capture/kill an agent of a Forsworn that was using a town as a meatshield, so he lies to Arya about there being no one else in the building they need to target so that she'll agree to allow him to cast magic through her (conduit casting, useful for spellcasters who have a better understanding of a spell yet a weakened connection to magic but have access to a willing, stronger spellcaster who can open their mind to them to use their energy and 'scaffolding' in a way to channel the spell, or just to amplify a normal spell by 'bouncing' it around the 'scaffolding' and am i making sense it make sense to me i'll do more later sorry) but she senses the lie at the last moment due to their minds being linked which leads to an explosion due to the conflict between spell directing and yeah uh...things are bad between them for a while (this is the Thornwell incident mentioned in 'Collateral'). Brom, like Arya, is given a long stretch of time in Ellesmera and Eragon and Saphira's training where he has little to ground him or work to distract him and he eventually spirals into alcoholism, end of life ideation and is eventually chained to a toilet for a week or two to sober up and get his head on straight. Oh, and he lives. That's big.

Glenwing! We know absolutely nothing about Glenwing other than that he liked birds. I tried to give him a character, and while I do sometimes feel like I don't give him enough individuality, I'm trying to do that more often. He also lives, but like...only...if we're going by burn percentages for like body percentage then he lives only 91%. Cuz...the arm. Yeah.

I...don't have anyone really for four.

Eragon and Saphira! I know I don't show them much, but I feel like they stay fairly true to their baseline and merely branch out rather than be completely changed from their original. People can correct me on this though, if they can find enough posted material for either of them!

I can't even say I changed Durza, just...made him worse. Amplified his weird and ick and bad.

TORIN! JFC, I LITERALLY MADE ROSE GUY A CHARACTER.

I am low brain right now but thank you for your patience on this one, anon. It's very hard for me to actually pick up the changes after so long with MIC. I feel my versions are canon more often than not. Which might be why I'm having such a hard time finishing Murtagh.

Cheers mate! Thanks for the ask!

[scoundrels-in-love]

1, 11, 39 for the fic ask thingy? 🐝

Thank you for asking, bbee. <33

Do you prefer writing one-shots or multi-chaptered fics?

Truly, nothing scares and overall upsets me more than having to write multi-chaptered fics. I finally managed to break my curse of never having finished one earlier this year and I am gritting my teeth and chanting that I can and will finish the ones hovering in my WIPs as well. One shots is where my heart is at, even when I link them together in long collection.

11. Link your three favorite fics right now

Oh boy, I am not good at picking favorites, especially such limited number. But okay. *cracks knuckles* You're definitely getting more than just three, though.

sometimes it's heaven sent (we kiss, make up on the way) - a Mashwood Pushing Daisies AU by @dingusttmax that has been living in my corner of my heart and my mind. Painful, sweet and hot all at once. Absolute perfection. His through the deep dark forest long aka Mashwood Princess Mononoke AU is also just. SO GOOD. Fuckin' fantastic. Emotional, creative, stunningly described.

blended in measure the Mashwood series by @tardisready is just superb, fantastic, devastating, cleverly plotted and told, stunningly hot. Can't give it enough praise, truly. Also, ace Vash rep!

maybe my heart needs to break to be sure a Mashwood piece that comes with several warnings that absolutely should be heeded, but whew. The emotions, the love in this are absolutely fantastic, devastating and will stay with me for a long time. Forever, I suspect.

Mycorrhizae a Mashwood piece that left me just! Mouth ajar in the best way possible. Leaning into cryptid/inhuman Vash all the way in, absolutely fascinating and left me in awe and sick with writer and brain envy.

get your hopes up a Stryfewood focus Mashwood piece but Vash is very much present. Hot, emotional and just all around winner for me.

"Always" is in the eye of the beholder a VashMeryl piece and insight in Vash's immortality and the lifespan of love versus loved one.

Sister of Bandits by @ladymaliwan a VashMeryl piece about Meryl finding Ericks and Meryl is so delightfully badass in this, just everything about this is so good. I love the expansion of Meryl's arc that feels so natural that the author is making.

Bluebells by @needle-noggins is a VashMeryl fic in progress that has me captivated and not just because I've had the privilege of few sneak peaks of what's to come. Dealing with Meryl's very reasonable trauma after well... Everything. And navigating a life in the after. Which is a theme that I absolutely love to see explored.

for reasons wretched and divine a VashWood smut piece that comes with suicidal ideation warning. Trans Wolfwood and stone top Vash. The way this Wolfwood is written, it won't leave me alone. If I could do him this beautifully fucked up just once, I'd be happy.

Research Findings a Vashwood piece by @bienchanter short, funny as all hell, sweet. What's not to love. Like Smoke Through your Fingers by them as well - amnesiac Vash with synesthesia, which I think is such a winning combination. And it's not because I am biased, it's really a great zombie apocalypse Mashwood AU: what's it really for (if it's not yours and it's not mine)

There are several more I want to link, but I can't find them quick in my history, goddamit. I've been lax about bookmarking things lately. T_T

39. Share a snippet from a WIP

From what I have lovingly deemed Demi fic - a VashMeryl post Trimax piece.

“I thought you had died.” 

I almost did. Everyone else has. 

But it’s not true - she is here, hugging him so tight it almost hurts. So he does not say that, does not say anything at all, just holds her in return. Her shoulders tremble softly, because there's few things he's as good at as making her cry, it seems.

Vash doesn't count minutes holding her (comforting her, comforting himself), lets the few stray stares drip off of him, them, until Meryl is ready to pull away a little and look him in the face properly. There is an instant urge to turn his head away, duck out of her gaze, as if she could read all his recent failures in his features.

He doesn't, because he didn't come here to run away again. At least not the moment they've met. (He is tired of running. He is more scared of staying.)

Send me fanfic writer ask?&lt;3

[noddytheornithopod]

Time to word vomit my despair time thoughts because hoo, David...

Okay watched the new Despair Time, and even if actually was right and saw it coming... seeing David come apart and reveal he was a lying liar was still pretty scary.

Firstly, those sprites. Especially when there's shadow over his eyes and they glow. Second, the voice actor does such a great job and changing his demeanour. And lastly... his personality.

He has traits of other antagonists, but he also feels like something new. Like, he has the arrogance and elitism of Byakuya, but honestly Byakuya is an angel compared to David's cynical worldview.

Like, Byakuya just thought he was better than everyone else because he really went through shit to become what he was. David, we don't know his backstory, but he doesn't just look down on everyone... he seems to hate them.

The stuff about people refusing to change sounds key... it sounds like something has made him decide to see only the worst in people he doesn't like, like he even said "if they did change, it means deep down they were already good".

So like... we have someone who is arrogant and looks down on everyone, but fueled by a really bleak nihilistic, cynicism fuelled outlook.

Also honestly? I'm with Teruko. I felt he was off from the start. How he acted with Xander always felt off, given he always said something like he didn't like being around fans, but then suddenly he acted like Xander was his bestie, lol.

Also... he totally has Teruko's secret. The way he said "why don't you share yours?" felt very pointed.

Also... what the heck happened between him and Hu? She even went as far as saying he "toyed with her heart". David's "not so different" speech was ruthless. She was REALLY defensive, too.

This is making me think even more that Hu is the true killer. As Teruko said, David's deceiving everyone, even as he lifts his facade. If he exists to manipulate everyone, then would he really be so stupid to just kill? Maybe his arrogance would get in the way... but yeah

So Hu has not only felt off to me, but not only are they continuing to build to her secret (something where she's not as strong as she looks, suicide attempts make a lot of sense TBH), there's now clear emotional stakes now.

At first, I was just suspicious of her, wondering what she was up to... but now I'm worried for her. What did David do to you? Did he make you do anything that would make you, say... murder?

Also, if Hu IS the murderer, I feel like there's going to be significance to Arei's death resembling a suicide, assuming that IS her secret. Guess we'll see what happens.

Anyway... Whit, dude, come on. I think your lives are more important than David's career. :v I have to wonder why he felt the need to protect that specifically so much though. Did David also talk to him?

Also... Ace, I'm sorry for ever finding you annoying. Okay, maybe you still are annoying sometimes, but exposing David? Cool move. You still gotta get over your Nico hate boner (well, besides the attempted murder part), but you did cool.

Arei... gosh, now I feel even more bad for her. David comforting her really was all a lie, huh? Toying with her heart too, huh? You probably toyed with the hearts of the fandom too, think of all the people who believed in you who are now heartbroken, David! 

Oh yeah... David doesn't even seem happy. The family depression secret might be a lie in the context of the motive, but even as he looks down on everyone, he doesn't seem like someone who's happy with his life.

He might be arrogant, but he doesn't feel like someone who is relishing in his status, despite the whole "yeah everyone exists to be taken advantage of" mindset he seems to have.

Like I said, there's something about his cynical worldview that feels very nihilistic, even bitter. I even remember his secret quote about wishing someone would just die... that doesn't sound like a happy person.

Anyway, who else... Veronika is as delightfully chaotic as usual. Teruko is badass, though gosh even David was cornering her at the end with the cliffhanger. On that note, Charles is the MVP, even risking his friendship with Whit to pursue the truth. What has he realised though?

Also, Nico, I know you probably attempted murder, but I still love you, my Autistic cat dog furry whatever enby. Being the first to agree with Teruko to see that David was still bullshitting, epic. Also for a moment, I was expecting him to defend Ace. Maybe that will come later.

Anyway... gosh, I'm not okay. And we're only mid-trial.

[fireflyfish]

Gather round kiddos! Fishy has a Theory(tm).

Like Obi-Wan Kenobi, I think Bo-Katan suffers from a serious case of retconning. I have a theory that when she was created, she was intended just to be Pre Viszla's lady side kick and NOT Satine's kid sister/pretender to the throne of Mandalor. It was like Lucasfilm made her and said "Look! Now we have an evil LADY Space Domestic Terrorist instead of just your standard White Dude of Indeterminate Age Evil Space Domestic Terrorist. Women can be horrible people too! Progress!" When she's introduced I don't think we even know what her name is. She's just that Rando Lady Death Watch person who is voiced by Katee Sakhoff because someone REALLY liked Starbuck from new BSG. HIRE EDDIE OLMOS YOU COWARDS. HIRE PAPADAMA ALREADY!

Flashback to 1977 and the infamous scene in Ben Kenobi's Hut of Sadness and Sand. The Hut of Sandness. Okay I will see myself out.

At that time Obi-Wan-Wan Kenobi was telling Luke the truth when he said that Vader betrayed and murdered Luke's dad, because Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader were two independent people. They didn't become the same man who makes incredibly shitty life choices until later when Uncle George went on a vacation in Mexico*.

Once it became clear that Darth and Anakin were going to be the same people, Obi-Wan Kenobi went from Sad Old Hermit in the Desert Who Was Once an Honorable Knight to Sad Old Hermit in the Desert Who Doesn't Want To Tell Luke His Dad is Space Stalin and Murdered All of Obi-Wan's Friends and Family. This retconning of Obi-Wan's character turns what could be a fairly two-dimensional character into something more complex. Yes, Obi-Wan is fundamentally a good man but one of our first interactions with him becomes radically reframed after we discover that he bent the truth like it was pretzel dough. To be fair, I love Obi-Wan as a clever bastard who uses his silver tongue for Good but that might just be because of how delightfully charming Ewan MacGregor is in the role.

I believe that Bo-Katan is in a similar position. She started out as a random two dimensional evil lady side kick with a cool character design and because Lucasfilm snagged Katee Sackhoff because who wouldn't want Starbuck mugging her way around the GFFA they decided to keep her around as opposed to offing her to add rage to Pre Viszla's Proud Boy/3% fury. Oh boy if you think I don't like Pre in canon, just you wait for what happens to him in T&K. Moving on.

At some point someone realized that as cool as Bo-Katan looks and sounds, she needs something more than "Local Red Head Thinks of Nothing But Murder and Mandalore" going on with her and Lucasfilm had a flash of narrative brilliance.

What if Bo-Katan was actually Satine Kryze's sister?? What if there was something more personal going on here? Imagine the drama and the emotion that could mined from that split! What if they confronted each other?? How amazing would that-

Oh. Oh, okay. You had Maul kill Satine for Obi-Wan's man pain? To show that Obi-Wan could rise above that and be a better man and Jedi than Anakin Skywalker?? NO ONE EVER DOUBTED THAT OBI WAN WAS THE BETTER MAN AND JEDI. THAT WAS NEVER AN ISSUE THAT WAS UP FOR DEBATE. THE ENTIRE POINT OF ANAKIN SKYWALKER IS THAT HE FAILS AT BEING A GOOD MAN AND JEDI. HE IS SUPPOSED TO FALL! I SWEAR TO THE FORCE YOU HAD THIS AMAZING STORY ABOUT THIS PLANET PEOPLE HAVE A HARDON FOR BECAUSE BOBA FETT LOOKED COOL IN HIS FIVE MINUTES OF SCREENTIME BUT NOOOOO! WE HAD TO KILL SATINE SO THAT OBI WAN COULD SHOW US WHAT WE ALREADY KNEW ABOUT HIM!!

((takes a few deep calming breaths)) I'm fine. I'm FINE.

Anyway, once Bo-Katan became Satine's sister, her actions and motivations become much more complex. Before we assume she's supporting Pre because she agrees with his whole "Mandalore should go back to waging war on the galaxy and being badass people in shiny armor and no we don't care who we hurt or kill in the process because murder is COOL."

But now that we know Satine and Bo-Katan are related there's a new layer of intrigue there. Does Bo-Katan buy into Pre's reactionary conservative nonsense or is she there because she thinks this is the best way to take back the throne she thinks should be hers? Is this about doing what's best for Mandalore or doing what's best for Bo-Katan? Lucasfilm no doubt looked at their casting of Katee Sackoff and thought they had accidentally made an even more amazing casting choice than they originally thought. Everything is coming up roses! This is great!

Things stayed fairly consistent, if a little ambivalent in the rest of the Clone Wars and Rebels but then when The Mandalorian comes out, we learn that Din is a part of a "covert" that doesn't remove their helmets. Fine, cool, we can deal with a small off shoot Mandalorian cult that didn't get torched by the Empire because they weren't there and-

I'm sorry. I didn't hear you. What did you say their names were?

The Children of the Watch?

THE SAME DEATH WATCH BO-KATAN WAS A PART OF AND NOW SHE'S CALLING IT A CULT? SHE WAS IN THAT CULT LIKE TWENTY YEARS AGO, DAVE. SHE HELPED PRE VISZLA FOUND THAT CULT! DID YOU FORGET YOU CREATED HER TO BE THERE? AND YOU REFERENCED THE ARMORER'S DESIGN IN THE MANDALORIAN'S SERVING WITH BO IN THE LAST SEASON OF THE CLONE WARS, IMPLICATING THAT BO-KATAN AND OUR LADY OF THE FORGE KNOW EACH OTHER WELL.

((more deep breathing))

Anyway, I can't speak to the changes in characterization in the series itself because it's ongoing and we don't know what's going under Bo-Katan's helmet. For all we know she is rolling her eyes around and biding her time until she can rip that helmet off. Perhaps she's relapsing back into the reactionary conservatism of her youth. Who knows. But I stand by my theory that the twisted and torture narrative arc of Bo-Katan comes down to the fact that when she was created she was never meant to be a part of Clan Kryze.

And maybe that means, she was never really meant to rule Mandalore at all.

Maybe that's someone else's fate...

*-From The Secret History of Star Wars by Michael Kaminski. Vader first reveals himself as Luke's father in a draft version of the script for The Empire Strikes Back in March of 1978.

listen. I want to like bo-katan as the pathetic meow meow she is in the mando s3 era, but the lack of consistency in her narrative drives me insane and I truly cannot be the only one. her characterization swings from one end of the ambivalent-invested spectrum every single episode and like,,,, me too girl but it doesn't feel intended by the show creators and I'm sorry you're so poorly written

[bonemarrowbestfriend]

alright no one asked but here are my final opinions on the kids. obviously spoilers for the quarry ahead

jacob: super mixed feelings. idiot who ruins everything, but most realistically 18-20yo in his behavior. makes stupid mistakes because he thinks with his dick, but also openly cries and shows fear often which i appreciate. didn’t like how he tried to force emma into a relationship at all, but the “i wish i could tell you i’m sorry; i don’t know what to do” lines were deeply satisfying for me. he was also actually funny to me in a couple scenes which is more than i can say for some of the others. “hhhngng skill”

emma: liked her, then didn’t like her, then was mostly distracted by her awful dialogue and strange mouth animation, not that that’s her fault. i think i understand her to an extent from her conversations with abi—she believes her talent and therefore her value lies in being entertaining, so everything she does has to be some kind of spectacle. unfortunately, it just wasn’t the kind of spectacle i found fun to watch, i.e. flirting with someone despite not reciprocating their feelings, creating drama where it wasn’t necessary, etc

kaitlyn: easily one of my favorite characters. i don’t find her funny at all, but just as it was with emma, that’s more the writers’ fault than anything. regardless, once the lighthearted tone of the night finally dropped and shit hit the fan, i liked her character infinitely more. she’s so clever!! and i love how handy she is. honestly many of the hacketteers wouldn’t have survived if it hadn’t been for her taking the reigns when necessary. what a total badass—and i’d say a semi realistic one, who still exhibits fear and panic

ryan: love this kid. everyone in-game seems to think he’s mysterious and brooding but he’s actually mostly just awkward and shy—at least that’s how i read him. and even though i saw other people getting annoyed with him for pushing back against laura at first, i really admired his loyalty and his sticking to his personal morals until he couldn’t anymore. he helped her in the end anyway, isn’t that telling enough that he ultimately does what needs to be done? also love the headcanon that he’s autistic, i definitely see it.

dylan: right up my alley. slightly annoying smartass? check. actually quite genuine and kind? check. secret genius? fuckin check babe. hard for me to pick a favorite scene of his; i enjoyed watching him interact with the others regardless of who he was with. maybe that’s because i think his dialogue sounds the most naturally human? at least in the playthroughs i observed. i’m also a bit embarrassed to admit i actually found him pretty funny, but let me know if that’s just favoritism lol

abi: sweetheart, but pretty one-note to me. i admired her kindness towards the other characters but i spent most of her screentime feeling bad for her. i think she’s very cute and would’ve been open to seeing more from her, though i suppose i understand why she fell to the wayside a little bit. not everyone needs to be a fearless badass, i can appreciate her role of needing more protection than the others. she felt the most like a typical 18-20yo girl to me.

nick: i guess he seemed like a sweet kid before shit went south for him. obviously i enjoyed watching his behavior change from “baby deer” to “cause for concern” over the course of his transformation. his… let’s call it “food aggression” over abi was incredibly uncomfortable and delightfully creepy to me. i was glad when she pushed him away of course, i just appreciated seeing the progression. besides that i didn’t particularly care for him one way or the other.

max: not gonna lie i love this dude. i unironically find him funny, i appreciate that he wasn’t overly skeptical of laura when she was scared in the woods, and even when he snapped at her he apologized right away calmed himself down. i also liked that he was primarily the one who needed saving. his takes never missed he was always right, they should’ve just gone to the motel and leaving a voicemail is absolutely not the same as calling ahead. love u puppy boy

laura: took me a hot min but i did in fact warm up to her a bit. obviously the mess she got them into was largely avoidable, but seeing as this is a horror game, i won’t fault her for that. i can even admire her stubbornness for the sake of character depth. i also liked her intelligence and resourcefulness, and sort of enjoyed watching her grow more ruthless towards the hacketts in order to save max. corruption in the name of love is what horror is all about baby

[wickedlittlewordsmith]

Some thoughts on the CR finale last night:

The Mighty Nein’s ending was, for me, very satisfying. I love that it was tonally different to Vox Machina’s. It should have been. Where VM’s ending was bittersweet because they had to say goodbye to one of their own, the M9′s ending was...full of contentedness. They didn’t have to say goodbye to anyone. Not the way that VM did. Instead, they got to say hello to a new friend, got to settle down and live happy lives, everyone doing their own things but always being there for each other and always coming back. Because they found their family. They found the love and acceptance that they all needed so desperately, and they realized that they could still have that love, that connection, even when separated by great distances and doing their own thing. 

Each and every one of them got to have their happy endings. There was no sorrow. Only happiness and love and support for one another as they all went their own ways, knowing their bonds would never be broken. The fact that so many of them could get closure on top of that? It was beautiful. It was exactly what they deserved.

Veth could finally settle down and be with her family.  Beau and Yasha could be with one another without the worry of constantly being in a life-or-death situation, instead focusing on the things that they both love: being an expositor and gardening respectively Caduceus got to garden, got to cultivate his beloved grove, and got to show his sister what it means to live as an adventurer. Fjord found the freedom he so longed for in the open sea. And he found the love of a great woman. Kingsley got to decide who he wanted to be, free of the obligations or chains of a past life that he doesn’t remember.  Caleb...Caleb found peace. He found acceptance. He may have the sorrow that comes from losing his parents the way that he did, but he’s grown past his need to rewrite time. And he found a love that he chose. Jester? My delightfully chaotic, leetle blue tiefling? She found that she was badass in her own rights and that she could do things without having to rely on Artagan. She found love in Fjord, found adventure in the open sea, found a home again in Nicodranas. Found herself.

Their endings were all so beautiful and perfect, and while I will miss them and miss their adventures, I’m happy and content with knowing they’ve led the lives that they deserved.

Also, fuck Ikithon. He got what he deserved.

[capricorn-stark]

can you do some headcanons for 90s conner kent where his s/o has the personality of buttercup from powerpuff girls and is kinda just a grumpy person but cares for their loved ones (aka conner;)

Conner Kent Headcanons ft. A Buttercup-esque SO

pairing: conner kent x reader 

warning: none

a/n: i can't express how much i love this idea and how much i stanned buttercup as a child, what an asbolute icon

When I think of 90′s Superboy, I also end up thinking of Reign of the Supermen Conner from the animated movie, so we’re gonna mix them together just a little since it’s funnier that way lol

You see him at one of his fan meet-and-greets, and you only even go up to him because your friend freaked out and absolutely had to get an autograph from him. You stick out like a sore-thumb amidst the crowd of screaming girls (and boys) because you literally could not care less about being there

And he notices, because as soon as he asks if you want his autograph in his classic Conner-way, you straight up say “no thanks”

And that’s already enough to make him think he hadn’t heard you right or something, so he amps it up and shoots you a delightfully crooked grin

“Oh, I get it, you want my number instead. All you need to do is ask, babe.”  And to the horror of both himself and his fans:

“Hard pass. Can we leave now?” 

Will he ever fully recover from that event? Probably not. But will it make him want to go after you to find out how on Earth he messed up so bad? Absolutely.

He’s never met a girl who was as disinterested in him as you are at first, and despite the initial horror he’d feel because of it, he’d end up finding it to be a whole lot more intriguing and will actually be invested in figuring you out

Your relationship would be surprising to Young Justice and to all of your friends, but you’d actually balance each other out great

Conner’s just naturally loud and proud, he likes having all eyes on him and being the center of attention (most of the time)

You’re way more reserved and despite your stony, seemingly cold attitude, he’ll discover that you’re actually very sweet in your own way

Your sarcasm, deadpan-humor, and seemingly grumpy attitude all help to keep his ego a little less overinflated, and just generally keeps him way more grounded

He loves trying to annoy you and dropping snarky quips here and there just to get you to laugh and relax around him

Would possibly be the type to throw around horrifically cheesy pick-up lines that you either wouldn’t understand or would understand but act like you don’t

“Are we in Paris right now? Because I think Eiffel for you.”

“No, Conner, we’re at your grandparents’ farm in the middle of Kansas-” 

Alternatively:

“Are you from Tennessee? ‘cus you’re the only ten I see.” 

“Again, we’re literally in Kansas, who taught you geography-” 

He knows they’re trash, but you’ll be laughing by the end of his ridiculous attempts, and that’s exactly what he wants 

He’d also love showing off, whether that’s by using his exorbitant allowance from Lex to buy you equally exorbitant clothes, jewelery, etc. (all of which you’d immediately try to insist that you don’t need, only for him to ignore it because now you have complimentary couples outfits), or just using his strength to pick you up when you least expect it, spinning you around and even flying with you

And unless you really hated it, he’d probably ignore your protesting and be his cheeky-self until you finally relent and let him have his moment with you

If you’re a superhero working with him in Young Justice, the team would probably tease you for you vehemently refusing to acknowledge how much you actually like him

But he knows you love him when you’re wrecking your opponents on the field and always having his back, always making sure that he’s safe even though he doesn’t always need protection

He also appreciates and knows that you're a total badass who could possibly whip his ass after seeing you on the field, but that’s another matter

Having struggled with both his fathers being unable to support him emotionally for a long time, being unable to love and accept himself for a long time, and having to slowly come to the understanding that love can come from unexpected places is what makes him like you so much

Being with you makes him grounded, but it also makes him realize that you love him for so much more than his quote “totally sexy looks and charming personality” - you see him for who he is and love him all the same

Even though you’re bad at expressing that, your actions and the little moments you have express that sentiment just fine

And that’s what makes him adore you as much as he does

___________________________________________________________

DC Tag List: @cipheress-to-k-pop

[solaeter]

Confession - Megumi Fushiguro

I’m dealing with a doubt spell so writing is kinda hard, but I’ll get past it sooner or later :’) Word Count: 1,670

Warning[s]: None aside from possible errors I didn’t bother to look for. 

Mutual pining felt like a blessing and a curse. On one hand, feelings were shared without the worry of denial.

On the other hand..

Neither party could take the initiative to admit these said feelings. 

Everyone and their mother could tell that [Name] and Megumi had some serious feelings for one another. You were the only one outside of Nobara and Itadori that he'd hang out with. Hell, he knew you longer than he knew them and tried his best to avoid having you meet them.

Cause as soon as it happened, the bombardment of questions rang through the air. Itadori and Nobara lingered dangerously close, inspecting you and Megumi.

"Since when does Fushiguro have a girlfriend?" Nobara questioned, squinting at you. Her gaze made you shift and her words had your cheeks burning. 

"We're not–"

"Lemme guess," Itadori cut you off and Megumi sighs, "This little lady is the only one who can make the great Fushiguro crumble! Am I right??" He asked, knuckle bumping Nobara once they seen the obvious blush spread across your face and Megumi's.

Now you see why he tried to avoid this meeting, even after you questioned why. They were like pesky little rats, itching for information that wasn't their business. But you couldn't blame them, at least they cared.

"We're not dating. She's just a friend." Megumi mumbled, clearly irritated, if not embarrassed. Deep down he wanted to admit that you meant something more to him. God he loved you, but actually coming forth with that confession felt more difficult than any task he's been assigned to. 

You on the other hand, also wanted to profess your long harbored feelings. Ever since you met Megumi in middle school, you always found him pretty. Especially when he beat up the bullies, goodness it made your heart flutter.

"What he said. We've been friends since middle school." You chirped, offering a smile to the two observers. Nobara crossed her arms. She's watched plenty of romantic dramas, comedies and all the works to know that you and Megumi were hard-core pining. 

"I don't know," She starts, walking around the two of you, "There's something more. Something neither one of you can admit. Don't you agree dumbo?" She looked back at Itadori who blinked at the sudden nickname.

"Yes?" He tilted his head and when she shot him a look that meant death, he nodded quickly. "Yes! Absolutely! I think you two need to have a serious chat." 

Megumi pinched the bridge of his nose. He could only handle so much of these two even though he knew they were right. You also knew what they said was right. But how? How can one admit feelings? Especially if it ruins the friendship? You'd be devastated. 

But for now, you both needed an exit. You pull out your phone and glance at it. Maybe you had an idea. 

"I left something back in my locker that I need for tonight. Wanna join me?" You elbow Megumi, who looks at you as if you were a saint. He nods, grabs your arm and drags you away while ignoring the two behind you. 

"Sorry about those two, they're...something." Megumi decided to be polite instead of rude, after all they did care about him. You hook your arm through his and smile.

"It's fine, you three have interesting chemistry. I think they're good for you since I can't be around all the time." You didn't like that Megumi had to attend a school for his powers, but you were also happy for him. The selfish side of you wanted to keep him to yourself, just like it had been for years. 

"You think so?" 

"Yep, you just gotta open up a little when you're ready. Let them see what makes you so amazing." You gush and Megumi looks away, the praise causing his cheeks to tint with a shade of pink. 

The two of you walk in peaceful silence, arm in arm until you both reach the school gates. Luckily they didn't lock up for another hour, but you didn't really need anything. Megumi wasn't stupid, he knew it was nothing more than an excuse, yet you made the trip here anyways. 

"So.." You break the silence and separate from Megumi, who watched you move in front of him, your school bag hitting the ground with a thud. "Can we uh..talk about something?" 

Megumi felt his stomach lurch and the contents of his lunch threatened to come up. Usually when someone wanted to talk, it could be good or bad. Considering his luck, Megumi only assumed it had to be bad. Yet he remained composed and simply nodded, choosing not to talk in case he faltered. 

"I really don't know how to uh..bring this up." You fiddled with your hands, avoiding Megumi's worried gaze and kicked a random rock into the street. The looming silence that followed felt heavy and nearly made him lose his mind. 

"Bring what up?" He urged quietly, crossing his arms just to keep himself busy for less than a second. His mind reeled and he didn't even consider the possibility of a confession, well at least from you. He's been trying to think of ways to bring it up without looking like an idiot, but he draws blanks after his head says he won't ever get out of the dreaded friend zone. 

"Um..we've been friends for so long. I know everything about you and you about me. I just..after some time I think I might–" 

You're cut off by Megumi grabbing your face, his hands were cool to your warm cheeks and his eyebrows were furrowed as he took a deep breath.

"I love you [Name]." He was straight to the point which threw you for a loop. Your mouth dropped and then closed quickly. The little shit took the words right from you. Granted you were prolonging the confession but you were getting there! 

When you don't answer immediately, Megumi mumbles a quick apology and backs away, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. 

"No, no don't confess and back away!" You pull him back toward you, hugging him once you two collide. His arms wrap instinctively around your figure, even though he was slightly hesitant. He felt like he was treading on glass while you were stupidly over the moon.

"You took the words right out of my mouth." You say shyly, resting your head against his chest. His heart quickly thumped in your ear, much like how yours did the same. 

Megumi's world shifted or so he thought. All his fears towards his feelings vanished and it was like a weight lifted off his shoulders. You shared the same feelings and of course he should have seen it. Others called you both out, especially the two idiots who hounded earlier. Was he really that blind? Or stupidly oblivious? 

Either way, he didn't know what to do now.  

"So we felt the same all this time." Megumi says more to himself and you look up at him. When your eyes meet, he takes a moment to admire your pretty orbs. This was his first time being able to actually look at you without having to sneak glances or be called weird for staring. His cheeks warmed once again and you smiled.

"I guess so. Leave it to us to rely on your pesky friends to actually break the silence." You giggle, adjusting so that your arms wrap around Megumi's neck. He bends to match your height, coming face to face.

The air would usually turn awkward but this time, you both silently stare until you look away with a tiny smile tugging at your lips. 

"What?" Megumi questioned. He didn't know the first thing about romance. Or even women for that matter. But he knew you, like a book. Except at this moment, he felt clueless. His mind ran in circles, leaving him a happy mess inside his head. 

"Oh nothing." You bite the inside of your cheek. His gaze made you squirm and heat shift from your cheeks to your ears as well. Why did it feel so different?? Yet so welcome? "You're just really pretty okay? And I finally get to say it without being looked at funny." You pout, glancing at Megumi who blinks. 

"I– So are you." He responds calmly despite every nerve in his body screaming. You turn your head back toward him and act before you can think by pressing your lips to his for a quick kiss.

Megumi freezes, eyes wide and alert when your soft lips meet his. Though he quickly closes his eyes and keeps you close by cupping your cheek. He didn't think, his body acted on its own and boy did it feel nice. He didn't think he'd ever experience something like this. Something so normal and innocent in his dangerous life. 

When you both pull back, neither one of you can look at one another. Instead you pick up your school bag and drape it over your shoulder. Megumi rubs the back of his neck, fully prepared to face some type of scolding. But it never comes when you take his hand.

"Whenever you're not busy being a badass sorcerer, maybe we can go out or something?" You ask, lacing your fingers through his. Megumi looks down at your intertwined hands before glancing at you. 

"Yeah." He didn't hesitate to answer and started to pull you toward the direction that led home. You hum delightfully and let him lead you without another word.

Did you imagine your confession would happen the way it did? You couldn't say, but you could admit to the hopeless daydreams of romantic scenarios playing out in the most cliché manner. You were swept off your feet by the marvelous, perfect man, yet none of those silly dreams stood a chance at how perfect everything played out with Megumi.

Even if it took two so called idiots to set it in motion. 

[syn0vial]

Top 5 Boba moments 🥺

ohh fun! :D i’m gonna go in chronological order for these, just for organization’s sake. i’m also going to try and only include moments i haven’t talked much about before, just to keep things fun and fresh!

1. freeing the sea mice: starting from the very first boba fett junior novel the fight to survive, bc, well, chronological order! i like this moment bc it really emphasizes how innocent boba used to be. basically, there’s an aquarium with an eel in the fett’s kamino apartment and while jango and zam are off making bad decisions on coruscant, boba is tasked with it feeding aquatic rodents called “sea-mice” to the eel, something he’s never had to do before. but he doesn’t like doing it. the sea-mice always seem to trust him when he picks them up and he feels guilty for betraying them by feeding them to the eel. so, one day, he decides it’s going to be different. that morning, he feeds the eel his own breakfast (which is like, both sweet and hilarious, like honey did you really just throw your lunchables into an eel’s tank bc you wanted to make sure it was fed even while you’re out here freeing feeder mice? A+ for good intentions, F- for knowledge of how animals work) and tries to free a few of the sea-mice into kamino’s oceans. unfortunately, they don’t survive. the next day, boba reluctantly goes back to feeding the mice to the eel, telling one before he drops it in, “sorry; life is hard on the small and the weak,” echoing a saying of his father’s. this then becomes horrible foreshadowing for the rest of the series, in which boba is orphaned and suddenly finds himself being preyed upon by all sorts of antagonists. i know it’s a kids’ series and it’s Not That Deep, but i do really like that there’s a parallel created between boba and the mouse and the implication of the series as a whole that boba fett didn’t become a notorious hunter because he was always that way, but specifically because he started out as prey. also, it’s kind of hilarious in retrospect that boba felt compassion for rodents, but literally days later attempted to take obi-wan’s life without hesitation. kid’s really got his priorities in order.

2. standing up to jabba the hutt: this is from the junior novel boba fett: hunted, which is my favorite of the junior novels for him. in the story, boba pretends a short-statured adult by concealing his face with his father’s helmet and attempts to find work from jabba the hutt. however, when he finally gets an audience with jabba, jabba indeed offers to bring him back to his palace—as an indentured servant. and this freaking, like, eleven-year-old, staring down the criminal kingpin of tatooine with no weapons and no armor besides a too-big helmet, snaps at jabba the hutt, “my debt to you? what do i owe you for?” naturally, he is immediately set upon by one of jabba’s guards, and, well, i’ll let you read the rest :D

Boba had no time to think. He acted.

Without a sound, he leaped to one side. The Drovian’s knife whistled harmlessly through the air where, a nanosecond before, Boba had been.

“Huh?” gaped the hulking alien.

A small table stood near the viewscreen. Boba grabbed the table and swung it in front of himself, fending off the Drovian’s blade. Jabba himself watched, laughing coarsely.

“You will pay for this!” croaked the Drovian.

As the guard bore down on him, Boba thrust the table upward. The knife stuck in the wood surface. While the Drovian struggled to free his weapon, Boba pushed the table up farther. Then, he darted sideways, kicking at the lumbering guard’s knees. With a groaning thud, the Drovian stumbled and fell. Jabba’s guests laughed as Boba turned to breathlessly face Jabba.

“I am no one’s slave or servant!” Boba said. “I will work for you, for a price—but I will name that price!”

like, this kid really just brought down an armed adult with nothing but an end table AND finishes it off with a badass line defending his autonomy and defying jabba the hutt! definitely one of my favorite moments from the junior novels.

3. the Look he exchanges with lando while han is being tortured in the background

look, idk why this is so funny to me, but it is. lando’s just so full of loathing for this man who is complicit in forcing him to betray han and boba’s just like “you got shit to say to me. or nah?” he’s such a fucking asshole, i love it.

4. staying conscious just long enough to express his displeasure with the situation in iiiiii think the mandalorian armor, idk it’s been awhile: this story takes place post-RoTJ, after boba has escaped the sarlacc pit, killing it in the process, and is being gradually regaining his strength with the help of fellow bounty hunter dengar and amnesiac former slave neelah. at this point in the story, he’s still quite weak and spends most of his time slipping in and out of consciousness. unfortunately, some of boba’s enemies find out he’s still alive and just start fucking carpet-bombing their general location, so dengar and neelah go “shit, we need a bomb shelter, stat!”...and then slowly turn to look at the subterranean corpse of the sarlacc pit. they thus drag boba’s unconscious body back into the pit so they can all hunker down and wait out the bombs. except, surprise, surprise! the sarlacc ain’t completely dead. one of its giant tentacles starts attacking the group and is succeeding in getting the upper hand over dengar and neelah, when suddenly, boba wakes up. takes a look around and realizes where he is. and then grabs the nearest blaster and just goes apeshit firing on the tentacle, finally managing to kill it. too exhausted to talk, he then turns and fixes dengar with the angriest, most hate-filled glare the man has ever seen... and then promptly passes out. i remember just dissolving into giggles the first time i read that scene. just the mental image of boba fett giving dengar the scariest fucking “why the fuck did you fucking bring me back here” deathglare in the galaxy and then immediately losing consciousness. energy well-spent, boba.

5. that time boba did a mission completely in his underwear for no discernible reason, because daniel keys moran: this one’s just like. so delightfully bizarre that i’m not even going to try justifying it logically bc literally the only reason it exists was bc renowned EU author and certified mad man daniel keys moran really wanted to give boba his strong female character moment, because he deserves it. so, in this subplot, boba is tracking this devaronian war criminal who is holed up in a safehouse equipped with security systems that are triggered by the presence of, like, metal. which means boba can’t wear his armor plates and can’t use any blasters or other gadgetry. so boba loads up a compound bow and knife and makes to hunt this guy down. now, what about his armor? obviously, the most logical thing to do would be to just remove the metal plates and hunt in his flight suit. or, if that isn’t satisfactory, go out and buy like, leather armor or something? or just clothes? BUT NOPE. boba apparently goes, “well, if i can’t wear my armor, i’m not gonna wear ANYTHING” and just. does the entire mission in his underwear. he tracks and stalks this man, shoots him with an arrow, and then chases him down with a knife, ALL IN HIS UNDERWEAR. daniel keys moran even goes so far as to explicitly specify that these ain’t no long-johns, either. he’s like, “and the underwear...... MAINLY COVERED HIS DICK.” LIKE, DANIEL? DANIEL? HOW IS IT THAT OUT OF THE TWO BOBA FETT STORIES YOU’VE WRITTEN, BOTH OF THEM MENTION HIS DICK IN SOME CAPACITY? DANIEL? WHO KEEPS LETTING YOU GET AWAY WITH THIS??? and, like, can you imagine being this poor devaronian? you’re just living your fugitive war criminal life when an arrow hits you in the shoulder and boba fucking fett comes sprinting out of the woods at you in his underwear with a knife? what the fuck. this was canon at one point. what the fuck.

[sitp-recs]

Do you know of any fics under 10k that aren’t too angsty? ❤️

Hi anon, I most certainly do! Thanks so much for sending this ask, I was super excited when I saw it because I’m always happy to celebrate short fics - they could use more appreciation! I’ve wanted to do a proper shorts reclist for a while so I indulged myself and went big, hope you don’t mind! Putting this together was quite hard - going through my bookmarks I realized that I usually go for angsty shorts 💀 so I tried my best not to include anything too extreme, I hope these are okay!

This became a lil monster with 40 recs (and I have lots more hehe) so I decided to sort them by genre - the last category includes light angst (more on the contemplative side) because I can’t help myself. Shout-out to @tackytigerfic for giving me a 2nd opinion and helping me polish this - and for being a darling in general. Happy readings!

ROMANCE/COMFORT

1. Sun Stroke by @peachpety (2020, E, 3k)

Warm, sexy and wholesome, this fic makes my heart soar with the magical beach setting, amazing friendship dynamics and the sweet get together with a delicious side of smut!

2. oxygen [Fic & Art] by @maesterchill (2020, T, 4k)

Tentative acquaintances become something more over a shared smoke at the balcony. Sexy, mature, deliciously atmospheric and full of promise - plus Healer Draco is always a treat!

3. Catch the Snitch (No, Catch My Heart) by @prolix- (2020, E, 4.5k)

Gorgeous bath fic where Harry and Draco just... take care of each other. The raw emotion packed here! Lush and vivid build up with stunning body worship, hot and intimate and breathtaking.

4. Thermodynamic Equilibrium by DorthyAnn (2017, T, 5k)

This quiet comfort fic gives our boys some well deserved healing through physical touching and late night companionship. Love the 8th year atmosphere, soothing and familiar.

5. Blue Sky Is Living Here Today by ignatiustrout (2018, G, 5k)

The loveliest kid fic you’ll see today - real characters, gentle longing, soft understanding. It’s a joy to watch dad Draco through Harry’s smitten eyes, as he realizes there’s no rush to live that love.

6. Gravity Centered by @carpemermaidtales (2019, E, 6.7k)

Possibly my favorite Quidditch fic, this has an original premise and amazing Drarry dynamics, casual and organic, sassy and familiar, with a perfect lil twist at the end!

7. Up The by @shiftylinguini (2018, E, 7.5k)

One of the funniest PWPs I’ve ever read, clever and charming with easy banter and delicious smut. A sweet and sexy glimpse into the Drarry married life! Cw Mpreg

8. And a Malfoy in a Pear Tree by lauren3210 (2015, E, 8k)

Sweet sweet coffee shop Christmas romance! Love the light and fun atmosphere, the easy banter and cute wooing while supportive Ron cheers in the background, what a treat!

9. Ice Snakes, Glow-worms and Wolverine Stew by khalulu (2015, M, 8.4k)

Khalulu writes the softest Drarry, it never fails to put a smile on my face. This has a gentle and sweet get together, with lovely slow burn, a gorgeous San Francisco setting and matchmaker Kreacher 💗

10. Life goes not backward by @shealwaysreads (2020, T, 8.8k)

This delicate comfort fic has a special way to tug at my heartstrings - a gorgeous tale about found family and the unexpected wonders of life. Gentle, magical and breathtaking in its simplicity.

HUMOUR

11. in charge by @bonesliketambourines (2020, E, 2.4k)

The ultimate brat Draco, bossy and confident and absolutely gorgeous with his long hair and impossible snark. Charming and funny, this packs so much character and domestic bliss under 3k! Perfect spoiled Draco is perfect.

12. The Morning After by birdsofshore, capitu (2015, M, 5.3k)

This is hysterical and so delightfully creative - Draco exploring Harry’s kitchen and charming a prudish appliance is the kind of cute, silly endeavor I need with my morning coffee!

13. The Spoiling of Sex From Enthusiastic Ignorance by @cibeewastaken (2020, E, 6k)

I’m impossibly enamored with Cibee’s drama queen Draco and his passionate missions! This time he’s decided to get some good diq, and the dialogue and mutual pining will make you smile from beginning to end.

14. All Tied Up by MyNameIsThunder (2020, M, 6k)

This is a secret relationship delight! Sneaking around gets so much better when dramatic Blaise is losing his shit to protect the Council of Serpents’ integrity! A+ faux-drama, super fun and sweet.

15. Luckiest Fucking Size Queen Alive by @l0vegl0wsinthedark (2016, E, 6.2k)

My favorite brand of thirsty and chaotic Draco; being inside his mind is such a crazy ride and you won’t stop laughing for a second. Amazing dialogue and insanely scorching smut as per loveglows’ usual 🤤

16. Sex Ed for Aurors by curiouslyfic (2010, M, 8.7k)

This is a Harry triumph, so fun and charming! Here he’s the one chaotic and thirsty, for a change - I’m obsessed with his internal ranting under the lust potion. Brilliant narrative and top notch characterization, a classic!

17. Ferocious Determination, Insufficient Deliberation, and a Slightly Wrong Destination by Faith Wood (2012, E, 9.5k)

Drunk Draco has never been so absurd and I LOVE it! This goes from hilarious to vulnerable and sweet in a heartbeat; pining Draco is a precious thing and Harry’s gentle persistence made my heart swell.

18. Stand Back: I'm About to Perform Archaeology by Blowfish_Diaries (2018, E, 9.7k)

This fic could definitely use more appreciation - I had a blast with Draco’s hilarious voice and their cute married banter! The plot is quite original and I love the 8th year domestic vibes.

19. The Full Monty by @magpiefngrl (2017, E, 9.8k)

The calendar fic we deserve 👏🏻 this is ultimate thirsty Draco being completely obliterated by Harry’s casual attractiveness but mostly by his kind heart and big smile. One of my favorite comfort reads, hilarious, sweet and so damn sexy, the full monty combo is here!

20. Aural Gratification by birdsofshore (2014, E, 10k)

This fic is a classic, charming and hysterical with an adorable Harry thirsting over Draco’s smooth voice. Such an original concept and engaging read, not to mention the rewarding shade of smut!

SMUT

21. Tense by Faith Wood (2013, E, 3k)

Me, reading smut for the dialogue? It’s more likely than you think 😂 this fic is hilarious and hot all at once, with perfect banter and clever dialogue, really a smut triumph!

22. Under Your Skin by @p1013 (2020, Explicit, 4k)

Great premise and the sexiest build up, ugh so much teasing and anticipation as pierced Draco takes Auror Harry’s control away 🔥kudos at the A+ twist and promising ending!

23. The Slytherin Urn by @icmezzo (2015, E, 4.6k)

This fic’s geniality slaps me in the face, what a fascinating concept! Redemption kink and magical theory walk together as Harry loses his mind over competent Draco doing some badass curse-breaking ritual.

24. Once Bitten by Frayach (2012, E, 5.6k)

Still one of the hottest things I’ve ever read, lush and raw and absolutely breathtaking. Dark and tender at once, it explores biting kink with unapologetic precision and I love that!

25. Matched Set by astolat (2016, E, 5.7k)

One of my faves by the genius astolat, this is a perfect mix of hot size kink, A+ dirty talk and a brilliant and nuanced plot showing how Harry navigates his post-war reality. A must-read!

26. Teeth by @amelior8or (2020, E, 6k)

This fic is an emotional rollercoaster and goes from light-hearted and casual to vulnerable and tender in a second. Hot and intimate feat scorching wall sex, gut-punching lines and enthusiastic consent🔥

27. Born Slippy by @dracoladon (2020, E, 8.3k)

My favorite clubbing fic ever, clever and sensual, a master class in UST including the drunk haze confusion and panty kink as a treat! I can’t even talk about this fic without blushing 😳

28. The Page Eleven Wars by fireflavored (2010, E, 8.5k)

Competitive boys fighting for dominance both in bed and at the gossip column’s first page This is peak enemies to lovers: witty banter, hot smut screaming switching rights and feisty stubborn idiots finally getting over their asses.

29. The Things They Never Say by @bixgirl1 (2017, E, 9k)

Angry porn with (many) feels, this feels like a punch to the solar plexus. The explosive Drarry chemistry gives way to something quieter and gentler and full of longing, ugh but it aches so good. Absolutely exquisite!

30. Sweet Indulgence by @the-sinking-ship (2020, E, 10k)

The title says it all; this is a lush and charming read, with chaotic but nuanced Draco pining over authoritative, edgy Harry 😳 steaming pent up tension that culminates in glorious semi-public smut, is your body ready?

CONTEMPLATIVE/SOFT ANGST

31. Sharing a Pack by sugar_screw (2016, E, 2.7k)

A fully fleshed-out love story in less than 3k, with complex characters and powerful feels. Raw, poignant and unbelievably romantic.

32. Still Life by orphan_account (2019, M, 3k)

A superb and gut-punching story where Harry realizes all the little things that make Draco so very different from him - and falls in love anyway. Powerful in its simplicity and concise elegance.

33. Harmony (Left-Handed Melody Remix) by mindabbles (2010, M, 5.8k)

Draco finds his way post-war and Harry meets him in the middle. Aching and bittersweet but also hopeful, with a delicious side of coconut cake, Harry in black robes and Romeo & Juliet as soundtrack.

34. Let Me Have You and I'll Let You Save Me by Frayach (2012, M, 6k)

Enemies to lovers deluxe version! Come and feast on this original narrative, amazingly clever, rich and detailed, telling us an unlikely but inevitable love story.

35. A Pain of Our Choosing by @lqtraintracks (2020, E, 6k)

Broken boys fucking through their issues and healing together during the post-war is so my jam! A+ LQT goodness, this fic is evocative and quietly devastating, but full of feels and hope.

36. Our Little Life by @tackytigerfic (2020, M, 7k)

I’ve screamed about this brilliant fic recently; inventive, poignant and utterly romantic, this fic shows all the ways in which Harry and Draco find each other across space and time.

37. the keys to your kingdom by thistle_verse (2016, E, 7.5k)

A beautiful love story packing an impressive amount of character, conflict and emotion. We are invited to witness as work partners Harry and Draco finally take a leap of faith and grow out of their casual arrangement.

38. Clear As Mud by scoradh (2005, M, 9.8k)

Subtle and heart-wrenching, the sharp and clever narrative creates fascinating dynamics between this brilliantly written Draco and poor oblivious Harry trying to make sense out of it. An all-time fave. Cw: infidelity (not Drarry).

39. fine i'll hold my breath / til i forget it's complicated by teatrolley (2015, E, 10k)

Fucks buddies gone wrong but make it soft so we get to watch as pining Draco patiently waits for Harry to get the memo. Sweet and intimate, with lots of late night talks and comfortable silence.

40. Tidings of Comfort series by @blamebrampton (2012, G, 10k)

Quietly cathartic and atmospheric, this fic is a poignant balm to the soul; such a beautiful tone, such lovely interactions! A must-read for those who enjoy church settings, honest talks and redeemed Draco. All-time fave.