#and it fits better as time goes on. i'm getting used to the shape of it.

[darkniters]

jschlatt who wants to work out

-

it starts slow, just a notion in the back of his head. an urge to want to get fit to improve himself in the long run.

but doing it himself just seemed like torture. i mean, if he's not in shape now, how is he gonna keep to it.

and so he joins a gym. a local one a few blocks away from his house. seemed like a good start and was a good place according to reviews online. it homed locals who were in a similar position as him, not committed to being gym rats but with a burning passion to be better.

there were machines, but also a lot of physical, non technical stuff that you're able to work on. schlatt decided to start there.

sauntering over in his tracksuit bottoms and loose shirt, his bottoms seeming a bit tight around his stomach. he mentally reminds himself that he needs to fix his diet if he's gonna start doing this regularly.

but just as he lands to the weight tower, you bound over, returning one of the missing pair of weights. schlatt was alerted by this, he wasn't expecting someone to be so close to him so fast.

"sorry just gonna put these back here my bad my bad my baaayyyuuudddd" you say, scooting infront of him. your awkwardness humoring him, sounds like you weren't expecting to run into anyone either. just as quickly as you landed over, you were gone, making your way to the other side of the room to do a glute workout.

he's efatuated by you, captured by your quirkiness and awkwardness upon immediately arrival. and he's hooked.

.

.

.

but there's still that burn. just because he's seen somebody he's into doesn't mean it's time to give up working out so quickly.

so back to work he goes, siving through the weights to figure out which ones are good for him.

he finds them, and gets to work.

he does a few reps of the same thing, alternating between the few stretches he reminders from doing gym in highschool. but knows he's clearly not doing them well. there's a shake in his stance, and his stature is the least confident he's felt on his adult life in a long time.

a hand taps his shoulder. he turns, pulling an earphone out in the process.

its you! again! just now with a bit more hair standing and clinging to your face. you've been working out hard.

"sorry for. interrupting your workout. and sorry if this is rude but, i've noticed your stances aren't doing much to actually improve your body.. i was wondering if we could workout together sometime? we could definitely help eachother i think." you say, your voice unsure if this is a good idea, aftaid of what the man infront of you was gonna say in return to your proposal.

maybe he's trying to get into bodybuilding.. what do you know about bodybuilding. well maybe one or two things but that won't be relevant to him!

however, despite your fear of rejection, he smiles. not a beam but a closed mouth soft smile. and he nods at you "that would be one of the best things ever actually. yeah."

"oh nice! cool!" you laugh a little. "oh right let me give you my contact stuff so we can plan a day."

schlatt proceeds to hand his phone to you, already on the new contact page, and you hastily type in your details. then you pass it back to him.

"text me when you can.. um..." you trail off, realizing you don't know the man you just asked to be your gym partners name at all.

"johnathan, but schlatts alright too, it's my last name. it doesn't matter much to me." he bubbles out, so used to talking to other streamers and introducing himself through his screen name, using his real name seems trivial.

"cool. well, im finished up for the day, but i'll let you know when i'm gonna work out again." you smile.

you turn on your heal, and give him a look over your shoulder, and then proceed to leave. he gives you a wave as you leave, and then looks at your name on his phone.

he sends a text your way, making sure you have his number as well, just a simple "great to meet you today." and in the matter of moments, you reply. nothing extravagant or crazy. just a simple:

:P.

-

oops sorry i was gone

[loverboybrightsideghost]

the more time passes since i first watched it, the more i like good omens season 2

[olderthannetfic]

I feel like such an asshole for feeling this way but I genuinely do hate tags used to warn people in fiction. Maybe it’s because I read so many books going in blind growing up and things like warnings just didn’t exist but the constant need to prepare people for processing fictional scenarios is so mind numbingly stupid to me I can’t get passed it.

--

Past it.

I dislike long lists of itemized warnings too, but I'm willing to bet that you have never once read a book where you were truly going in blind.

Any book that goes through mainstream publishing has a thousand gatekeepers keeping the form and content within somewhat common parameters. It is then put out by a particular imprint that is for literary fiction or romance or whatever. The cover art is selected to attract a particular audience. The back blurb implies a lot about the tone.

It's true that if you're terrible at reading back blurbs, you might not realize it's an Anyone Can Die book, but the implications will be there. Sometimes, the marketing is really off base, and the art/blurb/etc. are hinting at things the book doesn't deliver, but in general, they do a decent job of conveying the big picture warnings.

In the context of fanfic, in ye olde times, the biggest warning people wanted was for death of either half of their ship. This is right in line with romance novels, where if it does not have a happy ending where the leads are together and not dead it is not a romance novel.

Harlequin and the like are very clear. If you don't want to write that ending, you aren't writing their genre, and you can fuck off with your "Ooh, I write it a different way" nonsense.

--

Fanfic and some of the very recent selfpub are different: When I've done Wattpad research, I've found works where I honestly cannot tell if it's even supposed to be fic. Hell, I can't tell if it's supposed to be fiction. It's so short and incoherent that I have no idea what I'm looking at. Most fic is a little more obvious in what it's trying to do, but it has no gatekeepers forcing it into a basically novel-shaped package. Leads could be killed off half way through the plot even if it makes no sense and doesn't fit the genre. Genres and tones can swing wildly at any point. Structure can be avant-garde or deeply incoherent.

Tags and very literal labels handle the I suck at summaries! R&R! problem.

Packaging art in a way that implies without spoiling takes skill and probably revision. Some fic is packaged this way, with only bare bones tags and a solid summary, but that's never going to be most fic. The volume will also always be far vaster than for professionally published novels where one company can only put out so much per year, and each work is long and more worth marketing time. There's far more to sort through and far less pressure to market well. Clear tags so people can find things are useful.

It really, really was not better in the old days when shit was barely labeled even if some of the modern stuff feels extremely over-warned to me.

(TBH, hand-hold-y over-warning is its own warning for the author writing The Bad Thing in an unsatisfying and wimpy way.)

[planet-dusk]

i have an idea!!!!! (but idk whether that's too much or not)

how would fem!skz touch themselves... like what kind of method will they use HEHEHE ;) (ignore this if i'm being weird)

-🐺

i love fem!skz so don't worry, i got you :))

fem!chan doesn't have time for regular sessions, rubbing one out late at night in her studio with an amateur porn video playing on the monitor in front of her. socked heels resting on the edge of her chair and her hips rocking into her hand. she curses at herself for forgetting to put a towel down again, wondering whether the slick dripping on the faux leather will leave a stain. the thought of her producer friend noticing it or, worse, walking in on her right now is what sends her over the edge... biting back her friend's name between moans.

fem!leeknow cums the hardest whenever she's got something in her mouth: her fingers, a melting popsicle, the cute stuffed rabbit she got from her roommate, anything to satiate her oral fixation. she has a sleek vibrator that does the job her short fingers can't reach. and she enjoys not having to work hard for it, lying down on her belly with her vibe pressed to her clit and her mouth occupied. drool gathers in the corners when she's getting close, dizzy and fucked out with her eyes rolling back in her head as she squirts all over the blanket.

fem!changbin likes to play with her nipples for hours. they're so sensitive, light brown buds pebbling at the softest touch... she gets so riled up and whiny from the post-workout dopamine, watching herself touch every curve of her body through her bedroom mirror. her strong thighs shake as she rubs her aching cunt against a pillow, not caring about the volume of her moans. her two roommates are used to it by now and changbin knows lixie would be more than happy to help her out.

fem!hyunjin loves taking warm baths as much as she loves masturbating. the intention to lazily play with her clit is there but her impatient nature always wins and it doesn't take long before she grabs the shower head. hyune loves the harsh jet of water on her sensitive clit. a bit of pain and overstimulation is all that's needed to get her wet enough to sink down on the massive suction dildo stuck to the tub. the bigger the better, hyunjin fucks herself on it until she's squirting all over the veiny silicone - and then does it all over again.

fem!han is the proud owner of the biggest collection of oddly shaped dildos in her friend group. she buys custom bad dragons in bright colors and names them after her favorite webtoon characters. her newest addition is a thick red werewolf cock that squirts fake cum. she hasn't left her room since it arrived. hannie loves to dress up in fuzzy socks and cute cat ears, complete with a butt plug tail. somehow, all the videos of her taking another gigantic knot get 'accidentally' airdropped to minho's phone.

fem!felix used to play with her pastel pink rabbit vibrator until she got one of those clit suckers. now it's all she uses - it makes her cute little clit all puffy and sensitive, begging to be sucked on. felix thinks it's such a shame there's no one here to taste her pretty cunt... she can barely fit two fingers in, secretly dreaming of someone much bigger and stronger than her barging into her room and forcing themselves onto her. on some nights she'll call chan or changbin, when her legs are shaking and she needs someone to tell her she's a good girl.

fem!seungmin clean and methodical, seungmin prefers to use her fingers. she's turned masturbation into an art form: no one knows her body better than her. where to stroke and where to squeeze, she's mastered the fastest way to reach her peak. she prefers reading smut over watching porn and often imagines herself in the dom's place. since she rarely goes long without being in a relationship she doesn't feel the need to masturbate often. why would she, if she has a cute pet to do the job?

fem!i.n touches herself anywhere, all the time. preferably somewhere she can get caught, like her university's lecture hall. it's almost a compulsion. slender fingers rubbing over her panties to keep her right on the edge all day. forgetting to go the bathroom. she daydreams of her professor calling out her name and bending her over the desk in front of all the students, pulling her panties down her ankles and presenting her slutty hole to the class. innie has to run to the bathroom after class so she doesn't accidentally piss herself, and the thought only turns her on even more. when she finally relieves herself she cums so hard her vision goes white, and she realizes no feeling will ever compare.

[woso-dreamzzz]

Natalia V

Hardersson x Daughter!Reader

Natalia Guijarro (OC) x Hardersson!Reader

Part of The Big Adeventures Universe

Summary: Talia finally does it

It's not a big diamond but it's not exactly small either.

It's understated, Magda supposes. The picture of it looks kind of blurry but she can tell it's beautiful.

It's the most nervous Magda's ever seen Natalia. Talia's always had this confidence, a slight arrogance that followed her every move but she's withdrawn a little now, almost nervous as she displays a photo of the ring.

"It's not ready yet," She says," I'm getting shaped to fit her finger properly."

For once, Magda is speechless in Natalia Guijarro's company. You've been with her for a few years now so Magda is used to Talia's presence. She'd even go as far as to say Talia is part of the family.

But this would make it official.

"Talia," Pernille says, clutching Magda's hand and looking close to tears," Really?"

"I..." Talia's throat bobs. "I love your daughter with all my heart and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. As my wife." Her eyes dance between Magda and Pernille. "Do I have your permission?"

Pernille nods but that was a given. Pernille has always loved Talia, always been so sure that Talia was good for you.

Magda's the challenge though and all three of them know it.

You're Magda's little girl, the little baby she had once held in her arms and wept over. She's always been trying to hold onto that part of you, the tiny child that complained about wearing her Chelsea shirt and got stolen from her every time she went to camp.

Magda stands and Talia almost folds into herself as she stares up at the older woman.

"You want to marry my daughter?"

"Yes."

"Good," Magda says, holding her hand out for Talia to shake," Because I can't think of anyone I would want to marry my daughter apart from you."

Talia picks up the ring with Magda on the breakfast run she promised you, opening and closing the case anxiously.

"She's going to say yes," Magda says.

"You don't know that."

"I do. She's crazy for you."

"She could do better."

Magda hums. "No, she couldn't."

The ring feels heavy in Talia's pocket for the weeks after she picks it up, waiting for the right time to get down on one knee to propose to you.

There's been so many opportunities but she just hasn't take it yet.

Patri's been calling her a coward, telling her that everyone already knows what you're going to say so it's not nearly as tense at Talia thinks it's going to be.

But, still, the ring goes everywhere with her and none of the chances are nearly perfect enough for this moment.

Snow falls heavily in Sweden, beating against the window as you sit in front of Pernille like you did when you were little, letting her pull it back into an elaborate braid.

There's groans from outside the front door and the scraping of shovels.

Pernille sighs. "I keep telling your Morsa to shovel the driveway after it's finished snowing. I don't know why she always insists on doing it whilst it's happening."

"I can't believe she's gotten Talia out there with her. She hates the snow."

Pernille laughs a little bit, twisting a strand of your hair neatly. "You know those two. Always competing."

"I don't think Morsa understands she's not as fit as she used to be."

"Don't tell her that. Magda thinks she's just as fit as she always was. She pretends that she doesn't get back pain."

You giggle a little bit and Pernille ties off your braid.

The front door opens and neither Magda nor Talia stops to say hello as they stalk from the front garden to the back garden, dragging in a big box through the house.

Pernille sighs, drawing the curtains closed, a hint of a smile on her face.

"What was that?"

She shrugs, lying straight to your face," I don't know. Magda must have ordered something for the garden again."

The sound of drills and hammers sound in the backyard and you turn to go look but Pernille shepherds you upstairs.

"I left you something on your bed," She tells you," Do you mind changing into it? I put some shoes there too."

You frown. "I'm an adult now. I don't need you buying me clothes."

"Humour me, princesse, and go change."

It's a simple dress which makes you frown.

Pernille usually buys you things like jackets and jumpers to keep you warm. A dress is different but not unwelcome.

It's nice. It fits well and the shoes are comfortable too.

You glance at yourself in the mirror, checking the fit. With the way Pernille's done your hair, you look beautiful.

You can't help the small smile that appears on your face.

You don't really get dressed up a lot, happy in your comfortable tracksuit bottoms and an oversized shirt but this outfit makes you feel a little bit giddy as you head down the stairs to show Pernille.

She's not there though and you duck into several rooms in confusion but she's nowhere to be found.

The curtains looking into the back garden have been drawn back though and you spot Talia standing under a wooden arch that definitely wasn't there this morning.

You step outside, the snow falling softly as you walk up the path to her.

She sucks in a stuttered breath as you approach.

"You...You look beautiful."

You glance down bashfully. "What are you doing out here? You hate the cold."

Talia laughs a little nervously, hands behind her back. "I was waiting for you."

"You could have been waiting a while."

"I would have waited however long it took."

You glance around. "What's going on?"

"Oh, god...I...I had a speech but I think I've forgotten it all."

You frown. "Talia, I'm confused."

"I promise I had a speech. When I remember it, I'll definitely tell you but...As of right now, all I can do is this."

Talia gets down on one knee.

"Will you marry me?"

[chrattvibe]

៹midnight texts. dealer!chris.

In my opinion, there's no comfier spot than this couch.

Not the one at my friends' place, not in those ridiculously fancy houses I sometimes end up in.

This one. Ours.

The one that always has that busted star-shaped plush Matt refuses to throw out, and that faint smell of burnt popcorn that's totally soaked into the cushions by now.

Nick's on the other side of the couch, laying down, on his phone, in his own world. We don't say much—just a few shared comments or laughs. We're watching some movie we've already seen like a hundred times, but we always pick it again when nothing else really grabs us.

Matt's in his room. Said something about an exam next week and decided to skip movie night. Sometimes I lowkey envy how dedicated he is to the stuff he likes.

TV's on low, background noise. It's hot, but I'm still wearing my grey hoodie. That one that just fits right. Faded from too many washes, but that's part of the charm—if you ask me.

My phone's on the coffee table, screen down. Haven't touched it since I sat. Didn't really feel like texting back today. Still kinda early for that.

Friday night— I know how it goes. One, two, three texts. People looking for the usual.

I let 'em sit for now. Midnight can handle that.

I yawn. Stretch out a bit. Close my eyes for a second with the movie playing softly in the background and that weirdly calm feeling in my chest—the kind that only shows up when you're really chill.

I let myself enjoy it.

I know it won't last long.

Phone buzzes again. Fourth time. Still not midnight, but whatever. Movie's almost over anyway.

I flip it over.

Her name. With the little sunflower emoji she used to save her contact.

My eyebrow raises, and so does the corner of my mouth.

Didn't see that coming.

The girl from that party a couple weekends ago. The one who followed me into the kitchen with that almost-empty drink and that look like she still wasn't sure if she wanted to stay or leave.

We'd messaged here and there. Story replies, a couple of voice notes sometimes—hers more than mine— But texting this late? That was new.

She usually texts me around, like, 4PM. Telling me about her day, asking about mine, or saying some random shit like I remind her of a character from a show I've never even seen.

She's left me kinda speechless more than once, but with a smile on my face. That's why I kept replying.

I'm used to a different kind of text.

Plenty of girls text me more than I want and I just go “kinda busy rn, i'll text ya later”

But with her, it was different. Not annoying. It is fun, even.

Still, I didn't expect this one:

Hii sorry for texting so late, are you busy rn?

I think about not answering right away. Not because I don't want to—just debating if I should look too available.

But I ignore that and start typing:

Heyy, not really atm. Whats up?

She replies in under a minute. Drops a location and texts:

Can you swing by here for a sec? I promise I won’t keep you too long.

I frown a little. Weird, but sure, why not?

I glance at Nick, still glued to his phone doing who-knows-what.

“Gonna head out for a bit,” I say out loud, not really sure if he hears me. “Be back in a couple hours.”

I head to my room, a little more hyped than I'd like to admit.

Change into a better fit, spray some cologne. Keys, wallet, cap on and my fanny pack—muscle memory at this point.. I'm out.

In the car, I play a couple tracks—Dom Corleo, mostly.

I hum along, wondering what kind of night this is turning into.

Check myself in the mirror at a couple stoplights. Adjust my hair under the cap. Glove box— condoms, a joint for myself, lighter.

All set, I guess. Not even sure what I'm hoping for.

I pull up to the spot she sent. Didn't even get the chance to text “I'm here.”

She was already coming out of the house—half-jogging to the car, leather jacket, hair down, smile kind of wrecks me for a second.

Not that I show it.

“Hey! Sorry for making you come out,” she says in that soft, kinda shy voice as she hops in.

I nod, trying to play it cool. “All good, everything okay?”

She skips the small talk. “Um, yeah. You got any weed?” pause. “Or something like it?”

And then it clicks.

Oh. That's what this was. Just that.

“Something like it?” I laugh—dry, maybe a little too dry. “Didn't know you wanted to buy something. Could've brought more.”

I turn to grab the bag I'd tossed in the backseat earlier.

“Kinda last minute,” she shrugs. “Didn't know if I had to give you a heads-up or how this works.”

“You're good,” I say while digging through my stuff.

“Lucky for you, I've got something…”

As I search, I sneak glances at her.

Not sure why I feel weird about this. I shouldn't care. I don't care.

It's not the first time someone's hit me up like this. But with her, I figured it'd be different.

Not mad. Just… thrown off. Ego took a hit. Guess I misread the whole thing. Lowkey embarrassing.

“One pre-roll okay?”

“Gimme two, just in case.”

I frown a bit but add another and hand her the little bag. She shoves it into her jacket pocket.

“You sure tho'? feels like a lot,” I say, leaning back into my seat. “I remember you saying you didn’t even smoke. You know what you're doin'? I could walk you in if you want and... y'know, help you out.”

Dude, seriously? That desperate?

“It's not for me, actually.” she says with a tiny laugh.

I blink.

“It's not?”

“No. I mean, yeah, I bought it. But it's for the people inside. My friend's house. They were gonna get more later at this party, but… I don’t know. I felt like asking you instead. Guess I wanted to see you.”

And that's it.

Just drops it like that.

I nod slowly, not saying anything right away.

And even though this night didn't go how I thought it would, she thought of me. That's something, right? Doesn't have to mean anything. But it's something.

And for some reason, that's enough to calm me down a bit.

“You don't need to buy anything just to see me, you know that?”

“Really?” she asks, like it actually surprised her.

“Lemme know when you're free. We'll do something,” I say with a casual shrug, like it's no big deal.

It kinda is, at least for me.

She smiles. Real one. Small. But it is there.

“How much?”

I look at her. Thought about letting it slide. Would've, if it was for her. But it's not.

She paid full price. (Okay—almost full. Gave her a little off. Whatever.) Then hopped out.

I waited 'till she made it back inside before starting the car.

We waved at each other before we were out of sight.

The night didn't go how I expected— but at least now I know her texts aren't just friendly. I think...

Anyway, the night's still young. I've got places to be—and there’s always someone new to get my mind off things.

—chrattvibe.

Notes: damn bros a player, hope y’all liked it💌 this is def a slow build btw so bear with him, he’s figuring it out.

masterlist.

taglist.

[cyberrose2001]

TFP Optimus with a goth and metalhead reader. Reader is female. Fluff.

TFP Optimus x Fem!Goth/Metalhead!Reader

Heyy so this was pretty cute to write. I had come up with a couple different ideas but I went with something simple and took creative liberty. I hope you enjoy!!

Warnings: None, Fluff, reader is human.

Word Count: 1,259

'There's no escape from the thoughts inside my head,

Dark days has taken the best of me,

I can't go on like this.'

Sliding the volume bar up, you relax into the stained lounge not currently occupied with kids bickering for player one. They can be pestering at best. However, you love them a lot, especially Miko. That little rockstar has wiggled her way under your skin more than you would've liked. You can't count how often she's come to you with a new metal song she wanted to destroy your eardrums with, in a good way, much to the chagrin of the rest of Team Prime.

So when your fellow metalhead friend goes home with a big smile on her face and the second guitar she's broken this week, you take the opportunity to relax with your own music. With added earbuds, of course.

'Can you turn back time,

To change what you have done?

To shape who you become?'

Shutting your eyes, you let the rolling drums and metallic melodies flood your senses, the lyrics soothing you better than any therapist you could throw money at.

'DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUUUUU-'

Tap tap.

"GAHH!"

After nearly giving the base a new emergency exit via a Y/n-shaped hole through the roof, you rip off your earbuds to glare daggers at exactly who tapped you on the shoulder in your mid-maladaptive daydreaming.

A very concerned, slightly mortified Optimus Prime stares at you right back.

You have now exceeded your yearly quota for embarrassment in the span of five seconds.

"Oh! Optimus, sorry I-" You fumble for your phone that went airborne to the other side of the lounge, quickly pausing your music and clearing your throat, "Sorry, is there something I can... do for you?"

Optimus recovers from your sudden outburst and clears his vocalizer, "Nothing to be concerned about," He pauses, "I think... but I couldn't help but overhear music coming from your small device."

"Oh, these?" You show him your earbuds, heavily used and on its last string of wire, "Yeah, that's what they're used for. Personalised music only you can listen to from, called earphones."

"Ah, a device that recognises its user," Optimus says confidently, "Would it still be functional if another were to use it?"

"Uh, no," You hold back a soft chuckle. Optimus may be an eons-old robot, but it seems he still has much to learn about human culture, "I phrased that wrong. It sends music directly into your ears. Not only does it sound better, but it's more... respectful to the people around you."

Optimus seemed to understand that, nodding and leaning in to get a closer look at the magical, elusive earphones, "Hm, I see. How interesting, I am not sure if Cybertron ever had these."

You're unsure if you should explain the crucial 'ear' part, but then again, you also had some things to learn about Cybertronians.

"Maybe," You say, giving him an unsure smile, "Would you... like to try them out? I'm not sure how they will fit because, y'know, ears."

The mech perks up at your offer, seeming interested in something other than having a candle-lit dinner and wine with his datapad.

"If you allow me," Optimus holds out a servo, "I would be grateful for the opportunity."

God, he's so sweet. It's like you asked him to accompany you to a high school dance, except it's not. He wants to try out earphones.

"I am sure they will be fine. My comlink had previously been modified to accommodate external inputs."

You smile sheepishly. That's a good enough answer and one you were hoping for. You move from the lounge to step onto Optimus' outstretched servo, and now you realise that you've never actually been held by Optimus. You know he's big, but suddenly becoming inches close to his faceplates and getting a feel for the mech's true size has your mind spinning.

And this piece of heavy metal that holds you like a delicate flower is about to experience true heavy metal.

Optimus studies you for a moment longer, and his optics finally get a proper, up-close look at your unique style, "You look quite... different from the others. Before proceeding with this 'personalised' experience, may I ask why?"

That shouldn't have made your face flush, but it did. Questionable choice of wording, but he's right. You do have a different style even compared to Miko. Instead of colourful streaks of pink and the brash early two thousand' get-up, you chose to adorn yourself with all-black clothing and absolutely no bold colours in your hair. Even your make-up, black lipstick, and harsh eyeliner that would make a Christian mother weep. Optimus would undoubtedly question why you chose a different way of representing yourself.

"Well, I'm sure it's strange to you," You begin, trying to ignore how high off the ground you are, "But it's another way for humans to express themselves. It's more of an aesthetic of sorts, but a way of life for others. I guess you could compare it to Cybertronians choosing their alt modes."

Optimus nods, absorbing the new knowledge like a sponge. For some reason, that was easier to explain than the earphones.

"Ah, so it is a distinct way to present yourself to others—an identity of sorts. We Cybertronians are quite limited in our own modifications, partly due to the war." The mech reaches his other servo to your hair, toying with the ends to admire the softness, "I do not find that strange at all that you would choose to modify yourself this way. It's rather endearing and unique; I admire that about your species."

"That's..." Your cheeks flush once again as you watch him play with your hair, "Kind of sweet." You give him a soft smile, touching his servo near your head. He makes eye contact with you, and that's when your breath hitches, and you clear your throat, "But it's not just clothes or... or other mods we can use - we can use music too."

Optimus nods his helm in familiarity, "Yes, I have become aware of that. Miko can be quite the musician." You're unsure if he's saying that to be polite or if he genuinely means it.

"Yeah, I've been trying to teach her, I promise." You chuckle softly, as does he. You continue, unconsciously gripping his servo, "But music is the pathway to the soul, at least for me. It can help me think and even untangle my emotions or just let them be and only soothe. It helps me live in the moment. Like a... a therapist, if that makes sense."

The Prime seems to have connected the dots, "That is why you spend most of your time resting on the couch listening to your music?" Optimus realises his impudence towards you earlier when he startled you, "I see. I apologise for interrupting your therapy earlier; that was rather brash of me."

God, no, he is exceeding unprecedented levels of sweetness now. His optics' soft, apologetic look nearly obliterates you, thinking he had legitimately interrupted a therapy session.

"No, no, Optimus," You suppress a laugh, "It's okay, really. It's a figure of speech. It feels like therapy. Sometimes it's better."

Optimus exhales a gentle sigh, "Apologies. You humans have such expressive figures of speech I have yet to catch onto."   

"It's alright. Now, speaking of therapy." You try to hide your ever-growing affection for him and retract your hand, holding up one end of the small earbud, "How about that personalised experience?"

[t3am-r0adk1ll]

i'm sooo curious ab your thoughts on bill after reading your other stuff.. it'd be cool to see an nsfw or romantic alphabet (whichever you'd prefer) I'd you take reqs for those, if not.. I'm really just curious ab your head cannons haha, obviously make 'em as weird as you see fit >:)

NSFW Alphabet with Bill!

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

he'll probably only have sex with you if you've been an item for YEARS so he already cares for you; he'd give you a glass of water and tuck you in for a nap, most likely. or rewire your brain so you're not tired anymore. idk, depends on his mood.

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

your insides. no, not your genitals/ass. your literal internal organs. to be fair, you should've expected that from him.

his fav body part from himself is probably his eye/mouth. he can do soooo many things to you with it, y'know?

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

HEAR ME OUTTT asexual reproduction. he doesn't produce cum. BUT he loves making you cum as many times as you can handle,and even beyond that. remember i told you he'd rewire your brain so you wouldn't feel as tired? he'll do that to his convenience. good luck :]

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

first thing that came to mind tbh is that he would love to open you up, as in cut your body open, and watch your organs move while he fucks you senseless. don't ask me why ┐(￣ヘ￣)┌

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

you're not having normal, human sex with this guy. he'll do what comes to his mind. so don't worry about experience! who knows!

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

grabbing your arms and legs with his tendrils and holding you up in the air like tha, all exposed and vulnerable. it's even better if you try to get away!

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

this man is never serious. he WILL be degrading you by poking fun at you for how helpless you are and your reactions.

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

he's- he's a triangle. a literal geometric shape. wth do you think. (if he's in human form he has a bush and happy trail though- WHATTT WHO SAID THATT)

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

he doesn't like the vulnerability of being intimate. he doesn't even feel love like we do, so don't expect lovey dovey behavior from this guy.

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

he doesn't need to. but he watches you when you do it.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

idk if what he likes classifies as kinks... everything is messed up with this guy.

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

your mindscape. everything is able to be bent at your and his will!

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

the fact that you stay. no matter how much weird shit he shows you, you stay with him. he'll say stuff like "WOAH YOU MUST BE REALLY A FREAK TO LIKE THIS, HUH?" but it's just him letting you know he appreciates that you're around :]

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

cheesy/romantic stuff. in sex or in anything. big nono. he's never straight up admitting he has feelings for you.

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

definitely prefers giving. i hc him without a dick anyway (he uses his hands, tendril, and eye/mouth)

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

either tortuously slow or brutally fast. no middle ground.

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

sure! not his preference though. he likes long periods of torture much better.

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

biggest risk i think would be him possessing you in public and making you masturbate in public/semi-publicly.

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

to put it short, you're passed out by the time he's barely breaking a sweat.

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

doesn't own any. won't use any unless you ask him to use them on you, and he still would be mean about it. wdym you need a vibrator? is his tonge not good enough?

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

as stated before, your sessions are more similar to straight up torture than anything else. he's a natural tease but will show off with you.

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

the only sound he ever makes are mocking remarks or just grunts of enjoyment, not even necessarily pleasure. he just enjoys how youur body reacts to him.

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

he may want to experiment in his human form with you without you necessarily having to ask him. it is probably because that way he can cum.

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

(human form because otherwise he's just a fucking triangle) he's NOT a twink, he's a little curvy but more to the leaner side. intersex because why not, he wants the best of both worlds. BUSH KING!!!!

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

unless he's frustrated or misses you (somehow, because he does not leave you alone EVER), he doesn't really need sex.

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

you really think he sleeps at all?

goddamn i really need to write more often, this took momths to answer, i'm sorry. i hope you enjoyed!

[mewwccury]

Hi love <3 saw your req are open so I have an idea where reader is a nurse (not sure if marley or eldian is better scenario) and Porco goes to her as an warrior check ups but they begin to like each other with time and he started to make up some injuries just to meet us

you again?

word count. 2.1k

୨୧ — ꒰ cw. porco x nurse!reader, canon-divergent au, blunt idgaf kinda reader, yearning soft-ish wants attention from you porco (not in a bad way), fluff, slowburn, pining, hurt/comfort (quite literally)

୨୧ — ꒰ a/n. THANK YOU FOR THE REQUEST!! im really sorry for taking so long love!!!! busy with life, BUT HERE YOU GO!!! hope it's your cup of tea! (hope u dont mind lots of paragraphs, im still finding my style!) i gave up using smart quotes.

୨୧ — ꒰ featuring. porco galliard

୨୧ — ꒰ prompt. porco wasn’t the type to linger in the infirmary—until you started treating him. now he shows up with fake injuries, just for a few more minutes bask in your beauty.

the wind howled outside the field infirmary. dust and smoke lingered in the air, remnants of the ongoing war. inside, you sorted bandages, the quiet of the—room a stark contrast to the chaos outside. another day, another round of soldiers in need of care.

the door creaked open, heavy stomps thud against the wooden floor. you look up.

“hey, you the nurse in charge of the check ups?” he asks, clutching on his shoulder. you nod, standing straight.

"yeah, that's me. and you are?"

“porco galliard.” he huffs.

"ah, the jaw titan. great, have a seat.” and so he did. he sat on the cushioned chair just in front of your desk, glancing around your humble clinic. he skims over every furniture scattered in this small room. the plants, pictures, medicine and equipment cabinets, and sporadic medical charts.

“what's the purpose of your visit this week?” you ask, taking a seat in your own chair.

he looked at you, then to your desk, then back at you. “a check up.”

“oh, right. m'kay then, i'll be checking your bmi first, then your bp, then your heart rate, then your vitals. does that sound good?” you glance at your chart then at him.

he just stared at you. eyes slightly wide, mouth slightly agape.

"hello?"

“huh? oh, yeah. whatever you said.” he nods.

you eye him from head to toe, but give him a check up nonetheless.

after 30 minutes of prodding and poking, asking him to stand here and there, his check up ended with a “good condition” on his file.

“you're in tiptop shape. fit for the jaw titan, might i say.” you uttered, jotting something down on his file.

he stayed silent, to which you grew curious of. you looked up from your notebook and saw him staring right back at you. once you caught him staring, he looked away, mumbling something about how the weather is so nice.

“if you're not gonna say anything, might as well get going,” you stated, handing him his file.

“aren't you gonna check my uhm… arms? they hurt,” he lied through his teeth. he thought he'd show you his biceps—they're his second biggest asset. maybe you'd gawk at him. like how he gawked at you.

you raise an eyebrow in suspicion, but do as told anyway.

you prod on his arms through his shirt, starting with his forearm. you make your way up to his upper arm, poking his biceps.

“does this hurt?” you ask, adding pressure to a certain point in his arm. he shakes his head.

“i can't feel it. i'll take of my shirt for you.” what?

this was porco's way of flaunting his biceps and muscles at you. he took of his shirt, showing his—self-proclaimed—well defined, chiseled, rock hard abs. he had a smug face as he boasted his brawn at you.

“you could've just rolled up your sleeve…” you mumble, but continue inspecting him anyway.

he flexed his biceps once you prob on the muscle.

“stop flexing. i'm not interested in your damn biceps.” you give his arm a light slap. his eyes widened, whining at your berating, but still eased up the muscle.

after a few minutes, you've come to the conclusion that nothing hurts. he's just sore. or maybe flirting with you. you shrug.

“i'm done. now get out.”

porco grumbles, marching out of the clinic. you sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose—thanking the heavens above for ending the day.

unbeknownst to you, he was smitten. by you. something about you had captivated him. and so he made it a mission to make you fall in love with him—through overused excuses to go to the infirmary and flexing his biceps.

porco thought well about how he'd execute this plan of his.

mission: best biceps in marley, he'd call it. this fueled him to work harder on his biceps and abs, maybe his back too. he became a monster at lifting weights whenever he hits the gym.

pieck walks up to him and takes a seat next to him. both sweaty after the usual training drills.

"what's up with you, pokko? you're more powered up than usual." pieck questioned. he stops chugging his bottle of water—glancing at pieck.

"nothing! and don't call me pokko!"

pieck had a lot of doubt from porco's words alone, but she shrugged it off. she'll figure it out at the right time.

"right. okay, pokko. i'm gonna train some more, do me a favor and get some of those massage oils from the infirmary. the mint and eucalyptus one, specifically." she waves goodbye and walks away, back to the training grounds.

porco's eyes glint, shining and everything, and practically jumps up from his seat and runs towards the infirmary.

the poor guy seemed nervous once he arrived at the infirmary's doorstep. why was he nervous? cold sweat ran over him. but at the same time, he was excited. like, clammy hands excited.

he knocks on the door twice, waiting for a response. once he heard a soft "come in," he knew that was his signal. he twisted the doorknob and stepped inside.

"oh. it's you again." you glance up at him, placing your fountain pen back in the case.

"yeah, me again. your hottest patient." he smirks.

you frown at him, "what do you want?"

"jeez, so serious. anyways, can i borrow some massage oil? mint and uh, e-eu... eucasomething." he gives you a cheeky grin.

"eucalyptus."

"yeah, that!"

"m'kay."

you rummage through the drawers in your office, looking for the oil rubs he was asking for.

"here you go." you hand him the glass bottles. he gladly grabs them, then he thought of something.

why not show my back now?

suddenly, he was groaning. rubbing his back, his waist, and his abdomen.

"what's wrong with you now?" you deadpan, eyes bored as you blankly stare at the man in front of you with incredibly horrible acting skills.

"my back hurts... can you rub my back? please?" he pleads, puppy eyes shot at you.

"..."

"... :)"

"ugh... fine. lay down on the bed." you grimace.

and so he did. he removed his shirt, flexed his abs, then laid on his stomach.

you sigh deeply before pouring oil on his back, rubbing and massaging the muscles.

"whatcha think of my back?" he asks mid massage.

"it's a back. what do you want me to do about it?"

let's just say it ended in a series of whines and complaints. i mean, how could you say that to his back? then again, it is just a back.

his mission did not end on that stupid interaction. it's best biceps in marley, not best back. y'know what? he'll fake injuries this time.

so during sparring, when he was up against zeke, he whispered a little something to him.

"hey, can you give me some bruises? on the arms and stomach, actually. thanks!" he grinned, giving him a pat on the back.

well, zeke complied nonetheless. he knew porco could handle it.

in the end, porco gained a few bruises. smoke that was emitting out of him quickly dispersed once he stopped the healing process. he ran to the infirmary right away, commander magath shouting at him from behind.

he knocked on the clinic's door, not bothering to wait for an answer before opening the door.

"come i- again?!" you exclaim, rubbing your temples.

"hey! it's a real injury this time. look!" he showed off his bruises. why was he so proud for getting beat up?

"you're careless. take a seat." you grumble, taking out bandaids and an ice pack.

"c'mere beside my chair. show me the bruises." you point to the space beside you. he walks to said place, a small happy skip in his walk.

"why the hell are you so happy to have bruises? you were showing them off, too." you query, checking his arms for bruises.

"well, i get to see you again..." he mumbles, giddy.

unfortunately for him, you didn't hear his words. "what?"

"i-i said- hey what are you doing!" he cuts himself off, blushing when you pull his shirt up.

"i'm checking for bruises. you're too busy yapping that you never told me where your bruises are. figured i'd just check myself." you reply, as if it's the most normal thing ever.

porco stammers, trying to find the right words, but gives up in the end. he just blushes and shivers as you dab the ice pack on his stomach.

"there, hold it yourself. you'll live. it's just bruises," you shoo him away. "oh, and keep working on your abs. it'll lessen the chances of internal injuries due to punches or something." you add.

his eyes widen, mumbles a small thanks and walks out. you acknowledged his muscles. his abs. his brawn.

that's progress in his mind.

since the last attempt was successful, why not do it again?

the warriors were on a rest day today. fortunately, the infirmary is still open. it's a weekday, after all.

and so, with a goal to impress you in mind, he marched his way to the infirmary for the fourth time this week. it wouldn't hurt, right?

wrong.

before he could barge in to the infirmary for a surprise, he heard a giggle. a sound from heaven, he praised. but who was making you giggle?

then another laugh emerged. a deep one. like a chuckle. that laugh is... familiar.

"you're silly, reiner."

reiner? reiner braun? oh what the fuck.

he looked around, checking if there were people, before pressing his ear against the door to listen in.

"and you're still the same. how are you?" reiner's voice echoed.

"great. best time of my life," you say in a sarcastic tone, to which reiner laughed at. "sorry i couldn't greet you when you returned. i was assessing the soldiers who went with zeke to paradis." you added.

"nah, it's alright. just glad to see you again. i missed you." reiner voiced out. porco gasped, covering his mouth with a hand.

you laugh, "missed you too. how's auntie karrina? haven't gotten to visit them lately."

"she's fine. she asks me about you, though." reiner replied.

"i'll drop off later. i'll even bring my signature dish." you reply with whatever emotion was running through you. porco had enough. he stopped out of the infirmary, out of the building, and ran laps around the dusty courtyard until god knows what time.

how could you like him? were the interactions all platonic? (there were no interactions that could even lead to a misunderstanding)

too bad he left early.

in the infirmary, the conversation continued.

"how's gabi? heard she's enlisted in the military now. up for the armored titan." reiner asked, sipping a cup of chamomile tea.

"she's good. gabi's a strong girl. dead set on making our parents proud." you chuckle.

"that's great. hope she does well. i'll get going now, see you at dinner." he stood up, giving a small thanks for the tea, and excusing himself goodbye.

you wave back with a small smile.

in conclusion, reiner's your cousin! and porco misunderstood. greatly.

porco, on the other hand, is having a love crisis. he's practically deflated during training. lesser energy, lesser power, lesser everything. he'd glare at reiner everytime he can.

his actions did not go unnoticed by pieck.

"okay, what the hell is up with you? you've been glaring at reiner since like, a day ago, and now you're everything but motivated. you're like a talking corpse." pieck asked, standing in front of him with a hand on her hips.

"ugh, it's none of your business." he groaned.

"it's probably about the nurse in the infirmary." pieck sighed.

"how the hell do you know?"

"i saw you pressed on the infirmary's door. you probably heard something you shouldn't have." pieck shrugged.

"yeah."

"honestly, are you even sure what you heard is right?"

"no.."

"dumb fuck. talk to the them. maybe you're misunderstanding something. don't assume unless stated otherwise." pieck advised, squinting at porco.

"yeah, you're right. i'll do that right now. bye." he waved, running to the infirmary.

"... maybe i should've told him that once training ended.

a knock was heard at the infirmary's doorstep, then the twist of the doorknob, then the creak of the wooden door. porco emerged, looking as sad as ever.

"lemme guess, you're injured again?" you sigh. he whines, slumping on the seat in front of you. you glance at him, an eyebrow raised out of curiosity.

his whole vibe was droopy. like, sad droopy. what the hell is up with him?

"no.." he mumbled.

"then why are you here?"

"u-uhm, your boyfriend would like to see you!" he reasoned, fidgeting.

"boyfriend? the hell are you talking about?" you tilt your head in confusion.

"i listened in on your conversation yesterday.. i-i didn't mean to, i swear! then i heard that you had a boyfriend... and reiner, at that, too." porco muttered, head down.

you sigh, shook your head, then laughed. a real laugh.

"why are you laughing?" porco asked.

your laughter subsided, taking in a deep breath, "if you were gonna listen in on a conversation, do it properly."

"huh?"

"reiner is not my boyfriend. he's my cousin."

"oh. OH."

"yeah."

"okay. cool. don't care." he shrugged, crossing his arms. the sad, droopy vibe of his went away in an instant. replaced with a smug smirk.

"get out."

now that the misunderstanding was out of the way, porco had another problem.

he was yearning for you.

he missed you. more than usual. he missed your voice, your face that deadpans whenever you see him, the smell of antiseptic with undertones of a cleaning agent lingering in the air of your humble workspace.

he missed everything.

why can't he just go to the infirmary, you ask?

huh, you're right. why can't he?

and he did exactly that. he walked to the infirmary, faking another injury, and whistling a soft tune as he held his "broken" arm.

he knocked once, then twice. then a faint "come in." he entered the clinic, grasping his arm and letting out a "painful" wail.

"hey, nurse! i broke my arm!" he proudly showed off his arm, wiggling it in the air. you, on the other hand, had dropped your jaw. why the hell is he wiggling and waving around his broken arm?!

"don't do that, you fuckin' dumbass!" you ran up to him, slapping the hand that was wiggling his broken arm.

he stopped, letting his good hand fall to the side of his body. you grasp the broken arm, gently checking for bruises. "how'd you even break your arm? you don't have training today." you ask, leading him to the chair.

he gladly sat down, propping his elbow on your table, "i dunno, talent?" he grinned.

"get the fuck out."

"jeez, no need to get so mad! i tripped and fell." he grinned wider.

"liar. no one trips and suddenly breaks there arm. i would've believed you if you sprained your ankle instead." you groan.

"oh, really? i'll do that next ti- i mean, i-it's possible to break your arm when you trip!" he exclaimed, lying yet again.

"whatever you say."

a comforting silence enveloped you two. just the sound of the bandage getting peeled off and the steady rhythm of breathing. even the clock's ticking seemed louder.

then, a wave of confidence washed over him. his mouth moved before his brain could even think.

"do you wanna go out for dinner?" he blurted out.

your eyes widen, looking at him. his eyes widened even more, as if he can't believe what he said. and he didn't.

"w-what! what the hell did i say... i'm sorry, you can decli-"

"yeah, sure. tonight?"

he paused. he looked at you in the eye, shock evident in his face. he nodded, as if he's afraid of what might come out of his mouth.

you giggle, "great. fetch me here at 6, yeah?" you smile, patting his cheek then walking back to your chair.

"yeah!"

idk i feel like i kinda strayed off the plot. i feel like it's empty?? or smth. left it at an open ending, sorry if it's not up to your expectations !!

[ghostoffuturespast]

Saturday Snippets + WIP Whenever

Tagged by @slayerdurge and @wanderingaldecaldo! Thank you both 🧡!

VP

I've been very leisurely doing my 2.2 CP2077 VP run, and have been having a lot of fun experimenting with the spotlights and being able to turn off the collision physics. My portrait photography game has definitely stepped up having access to spotlights.

With the ability to spawn some of the NPCs in vanilla photomode now too, my current photo project has been taking chapter fics for So It Goes, which had been something of a pipe dream until the 2.2 update. Been having fun getting creative with my staging and what's feasible given the tools I have on console. I haven't posted most of those pics on tumblr yet but they're very slowly getting added to ao3. (Also, why can we spawn Us Cracks in but not Misty?! Who made that decision?!?)

Writing

I have very little to show in actual writing at the moment largely because I've been working on final polish edits and fixes for So It Goes as well as outlining for Part 2 Electric Boogaloo (the follow up to So It Goes). Neither of which is going particularly fast due to IRL, but I'm mega excited about the outlining I've gotten done so far. It is going swimmingly. (Especially after I got rid of the thing that I kept trying to include but didn't actually fit. I should have known. My subconscious knows even if it doesn't always fill me in on things...)

Without diving too deep into spoilers, I'm incredibly pleased that I got the whole Mr. Blue Eyes conspiracy theories, Phantom Liberty, and the Biotechnica/Project Nightingale side gigs to all work together. Like seamlessly. Fucking love it when the A, B, and C plots just gel and are able to play off of each other. This is the puzzling that I live for! Going slightly off the rails reworking some of the main plot beats from the game, but the spirit of everything is still there. River's got a much larger presence in the story this time around, Grandpa's pulling no punches, I have lots of strange off the cuff surprises planned, and, bonus, no one has to wait 30 chapters for the smut.

This little snippet from an undisclosed side project is all I've got right now:

The curtains fluttered in the breeze, soft white filtering in through the windows and cutting panels across the floor. Dust motes waltzed a lazy dance in the afternoon light. The scent of fresh greenery mingled with the antique of old crafted wood, a perfume of verdant secco filling the room. Insects sang outside the walls, a trillion different symphonies distilling into a single chorus. In the era marked by disaster after climatic disaster, for once, it was the perfect spring day, the mercury hovering at sheer pleasant.

Art

And a snake doodle that I've been procrastinating on transferring to better paper to paint. Lycodon rufozonatus coiled up in the shape of a maedeup (매듭) - Korean decorative knot.

Tagging, with no pressure, to share any creative projects you've been working on! Fandom related or not. @shimmer-like-agirl @baublekute @streetkid-named-desire @techrotting @elmknight @iamtheoutsideworld @mynonsenseistingling

[blacklegsanjiii]

So I've had a thinking about mom!robin and child!sanji au and was wonder what are some of your head canons! Maybe robin picked up a 7-8 sanji when she was 16 or 17. This could maybe fit under nico!sanji but where robin actually adopts sanji. Feel free to make as fluffy or as angsty as you want I'm just looking for ideas :)

The first ever Nico!Sanji was them staying together and working in Baroque Works together and she did find him around eight. Instead of sending him to the Baratie to work. However I love the idea of Nico!Sanji and Robin just having a child/parent dynamic of overprotective Robin who found Sanji lost at age eight, starving and alone and she's not in much better shape at age seventeen. Sanji is so small and fits so well into Robin's arms and Robin who hasn't had companionship in so long, he holds her hand or one of them as they walk in deserted parts, when they camp for the night Robin wraps him in many arms and holds him close to her.

I feel like Robin would rarely let Sanji out her sight for years to come, between the Navy and whoever may or may not be after Sanji she likes to play it safe. Sanji is eager to please and follow her every word. She sings to him and tells him stories because she will not lose him like she lost everyone else. Sanji lets her, the first set of soft touches that he's had in years. He still flinches sometimes, involuntarily. It's not that he wants to, afraid he'll offend her or hurt her feelings. That she'll leave him, he doesn't want her to leave him, he likes her a lot! She's so nice and loving and caring, like his mom! He accidentally calls her mom about a year after they start traveling together and when Robin starts crying he thinks he fucked up and apologizes and says he can go! He's been alone before it's fi-!

But she cuts him off and pulls him to her and just says she's happy, hasn't been this happy in a very long time and that she would like it if he wants to keep calling her that. He nods and says he would like to, if she really doesn't mind. They stay sat together for a while and he does get used to calling her 'mom' more often than not. She loves it and smiles so fondly whenever he does it. They're inseparable basically.

When they make it to Alabasta, Sanji is fifteen and Robin is twenty-four, the coup has already happened and they begin to work for Sir Crocodile. Miss All Sunday and Mister Prince working together. It weirds some people out this teenager is calling this woman who definitely isn't actually old enough to be his mom 'mom' and she goes along with it and smiles so fondly to him. Crocodile doesn't bat an eye, the kid cooks well enough to make him not care and Miss All Sunday is on the hunt for Pluton so he really doesn't care as long as he gets results. If anyone does try to pick a fight with Sanji they do have to deal with Robin though, it doesn't happen often but Robin is known for being protective of him.

Sanji still cooks, he cooks for all of Baroque Works when he sees them or they're around and not off fulfilling their duties. He still wants to find the All Blue but he fights with his hands and he listens to Robin as she explains the difference in the poneglyphs to him. Their both multilingual and he knows how to read some of the language the poneglyphs are written in but not all, it's a tricky language to learn to read let alone put together. The other members of Baroque Works tend to tune them out when they start speaking other languages they don't understand, Crocodile sighs in irritation every time it happens.

Sanji is sent to Little Garden to help Mr. 3 ahead of the Strawhat's arrival and he finds it rather interesting that they're helping the princess of Alabasta, finds it hilarious the princess had to get help from pirates but then he watches them take down Mr. 3 and well, it would be nice to have company on the way back to Alabasta so he offers the Ever Pose in exchange for a lift, and he offers to cook for them as well. Only to be roped into the shenanigans of Drum Island and shit is his mom going to be pissed when she finds out he broke his fucking back kicking these idiots out of the way of a fucking avalanche. He's going to be in so much trouble, he's going to get glared at and talked to in several different languages oh no.

When they're in Alabasta, overthrowing his boss for pete's sake, he avoids Crocodile because he'll be in trouble otherwise, great trouble, but Crocodile falls and Alabasta is free. To keep appearances he pulls a gun on Robin on when she boards the ship, him having been fully invited into after Drum Island. She smiles sweetly at them and during the night, during Sanji's watch after the galley is cleaned, she finds him and they speak in a language only they know. She strokes Sanji's hair as he leans his head on her shoulder. No one really clocks it as they sail together, at least not until after Ennies Lobby and Water 7. When they get the Thousand Sunny and Robin is free for the moment and wants to live and has the freedom to live now. I feel like Usopp stumbles upon them sleeping together, just passed out curled up around each other and he fucking tells everyone their dating. Despite the visceral reaction from most of the crew. Robin and Sanji are asked about it at lunch the next day, Franky wiggling his eyebrows and then bawling when they say they're not an item, far from it. Everyone does notice they are close but can't figure out how close. They hear them talking in the other languages and falling into a mix of languages that no one else can understand.

After Thriller Bark and all the parties Sanji finds her and it's rare, he's taller than her now after all, but she pulls him into her lap and cries quietly as she pets his hair. He doesn't say what happened, but she knows he's keeping whatever promise he made to the swordsman but still. She doesn't begrudge him, never, not after what happened with Cipher Pol and Aokiji. Not after working in Baroque Works for a warlord. When he apologizes later she shushes him and makes sure he's calm and the tear stains have calmed before he leaves. She's so soft, still creepy but he's creepy right back. But then everything keeps going wrong and they're separated on Sabaody. The pacifistas, the quick vanishing and appearing in a random place, rushing to get back together, only to fail, only to see the note in the paper, only to rely on whisperings to see how their crew is doing. Ivankov and Dragon seem to be questioning of the relationship between the two of them after their meetings when they have tea with Koala and Robin. Robin simply says Sanji is her son which makes Koala lose it as Iva looks confused and Dragon shrugs it off because yeah, sure.

When they all come back together she checks Sanji over and nods approvingly in private, fussing over him publicly would only lead to the crew questioning them again when that wasn't the case. They could just come out and say it but they don't need to, not right now. Their convictions towards each other are strong and unyielding. Which is why Robin also goes to WCI, she doesn't dissuade Nami from going but does ask that she give Sanji grace. Nami gives her a questioning look but agrees hesitantly. There's so many questions going through her mind but she leaves without asking any, Luffy and them promising to bring Sanji back to them. When the crew is headed to Wano it's Usopp who asks Robin why she asked Nami to give Sanji grace for leaving. Robin clarifies that it's not for him leaving but what he's going to do while gone, what he feels he'll have to do to protect the crew. Zoro asks why she didn't go if she cares so much and Robin says every parent must let their child make mistakes, she's no different and that if she goes she will not listen to Sanji or Luffy and it could end just as badly as Ennies Lobby if she had. When everyone, Heart Pirates included, ask what she means when she said 'parent' she laughs and says she and Sanji's relationship is much more of a mother and her son than siblings, he was so small at age eight that it was easy to fool people while they ran and it became less of an act over time. Franky asks what Sanji would do while he's gone and Robin answers that she wouldn't put much past him, they were in Baroque Works for a while and have been running from the Navy for most of their lives so there's not much they wouldn't do to protect those they care about. Everyone just stares at her and Robin laughs lightly to herself and bids them all a goodnight and goes to bed.

When they're all in Wano again and Sanji is concerned about what Robin will do to him but she simply hugs him and says she's happy he's safe. Sanji nods and hugs her back and Franky is bawling saying it's SUUUPER to see mother and son reunited after everything that has happened which makes the rescue team balk at them in surprise and start questioning them. It's a long and awful conversation because Sanji didn't really tell Robin about his family either. When he's done though Robin simply hums and says it's a good thing she wasn't there because she would have defied his wishes because hell hath no fury like a scorned mother.

[thydungeongal]

I might want to run a tabletop campaign based on an MMO that my friends and I play. What recommendations do you have for systems that are modular/granular enough to hand-build classes that match the MMO, or are flexible enough to reskin existing gameplay as the MMO classes? It doesn't need to perfectly imitate the MMO combat but the combat system would need to have enough room in it for simulating both traditional time-based combat actions and discrete energy-pool type combat actions. I don't expect you to know everything about every game but if it helps at all the MMO is Guild Wars 2. I'm aware some 5e homebrews exist for it but as you well know 5e homebrew is not ideal.

Hmmm, I am admittedly a bit out of my depth here, since I don't know a lot about Guild Wars 2, but I know of a few systems that might match the feel of MMO classes while also being easily reskinnable.

First one is Strike!: this one is an old favorite of mine, and it basically started as a project to make a game inspired by D&D 4e but simplified. It has lots of fantastic ideas: it has D&D 4e style classes which are mainly differentiated in terms of what types of powers they get (Archers get ranged attacks, Martial Artists get stances that modify their basic attacks, Shapechangers get limited use shape shift powers that change their allotment of at-will and daily powers), but instead of role (like Striker, Defender, Leader) being locked into specific classes, you are free to mix and match Class and Role. Necromancer Leader, Shapechanger Striker, Summoner Defender are all possibilities. What you don't get is the granular points-based resource management, since Strike! simply goes with "powers are either at-will, per encounter, or daily." The system is very simple, using only d6s and with very few numbers to keep track of.

A game that handles the granular numbers management better is this game called Beacon. Beacon is explicitly inspired by the Final Fantasy series, particularly FFX but significantly also FFXIV, one of the MMO instalments. Now, most of the inspirations, to me, seem mostly aesthetic. It is, ultimately, a tactical fantasy RPG with a simple class-based framework that makes things easily reskinnable and a lot of player freedom in mixing and matching classes. So while the exact spread of classes on offer may not fit your needs exactly, a lot of them are very easily approachable archetypes that can probably be reskinned into different things. And as noted, this is a game that concerns itself much more with resource management in smaller increments.

Of those I would probably opt for Beacon, as I feel that its combat system (with distinct phases, meaning that there is some thought as to the timing of attacks even though it is a turn-based game) and the more discrete resource management might be what you are looking for, but since I don't know a lot about Guild Wars 2 I am admittedly a bit out of my depth

[thescarletnargacuga]

TADC ADVENTURE AU ONESHOT

Adventure AU credit: @waffle-gal

A/N: Nothing I have written is confirmed Canon! This was just for funsies!

WARNING: ptsd, some agst/comfort, suggestive at the end

"It's got to be around here somewhere." Caine squinted at the browned paper map in his hands. He twisted it sideways, thinking maybe he would understand the landmarks better at a different angle. It didn't help.

"You've been saying that for the last three hours." Pomni cleared the thick forest brush with a solid swipe of her machete. "Are you sure we're not lost? Again?"

"No, no I'm certain of our heading this time. We just need to uh...continue north. Yes. Due north. The Mystic Grove is suppose to have unusual flora so we'll know it when we see it." Caine held the map upside down, then upright again. "Hey, Bubble." He whispered to his floating companion trailing along beside him. He eyed Pomni, hoping she wouldn't overhear him while she cleared the path. "The N is suppose to face UP, right?"

"Mmmm hmm mm m hmmm" Bubble mumbled. They were carrying Caine's walking stick in their mouth.

"Oop, sorry." Caine took the walking stick back.

"The N looks right both ways up, boss." Bubble said.

"Oh dear..." He glanced at Pomni, fighting a stubborn tree branch. He folded the map and put it in his pocket. It wasn't of any use in his hands. They may as well keep going forward, whatever direction they were really heading in, and find a place to camp soon. The day cycle was starting to wane. "She's going to kill me." Caine sighed, defeated.

Pomni confidently marched onward. When they finally found thinner landscape, she put her machete away and wiped her brow. "Well, I don't recognize any of these trees, so that's something." She took in her surroundings. The vast Wandering Woodlands was lush and heavy with underbrush. It was very easy to get turned around, even with a good sense of direction. A cacophony of woodland creatures and birds made their ambient presence known. Through the gaps in the forest canopy, she could see the towering cliffs of Paradise Outlook. "Hey, isn't there a waterfall from the Outlook that goes down into the Grove? Maybe there's a river we can cross somewhere?" She finally turned to look at Caine. "What's wrong?"

He hung his head shamefully, his hands in his pockets. "I-" A sudden unease coursed through his body. Like static disturbing the air around him, worming its way into his head. His eyes went wide with panic. "Run, Pomni!" He grabbed her hand and charged ahead blindly.

"What is it!? What's wrong!?" Low hanging branches slapped her face as she tried to keep up.

No time to answer. He could feel the disturbance gaining on them. He frantically searched for a place to hide. A large tree ahead was growing out of a boulder, splitting it open. It looked just large enough to cram themselves into. He pulled Pomni into the tight crevice and shoved Bubble to the side, whose shape warped to fit.

"Caine! What-!" She was silence by his hand covering her mouth.

Caine held her close and tried to make both of them fit in the impossibly small space. He didn't say a word. The disturbance was too close.

The trees outside their little hiding spot distorted and glitched. Textures changed rapidly at random. Then they saw it. A massive pixelated mass of corrupted data glided across the ground right in front of them, not making a sound. At least, not to Pomni. Caine could hear it. Feel it. The static vibrating his very being.

Pomni gasped upon seeing the virus, causing it to stop in its path. Her heart raced with panic. She didn't want to know what would happen if it got a hold of Caine a second time. She looked apologetically at Caine, but he wasn't looking at her. He was staring wide eyed into nothing, pure fear in his eyes.

After an agonizingly tense moment, the virus lost interest in its surroundings and moved on. Slowly, the distortions ceased. Pomni carefully removed Caine's hand from her face. "Caine..? Are you okay?"

He was unresponsive, clutching to her like she were his only lifeline in the raging storm of static that had overwhelmed his mind.

Pomni spoke gently in a whisper. "It's gone, Caine. We're safe." She put her hand on the side of his lower jaw. "That thing will never harm you again, I promise."

He finally looked at her and took a shakey breath. "I h-hate that thing. Every time it comes near...I can feel myself being torn from my powers...over and over. It hurts, Pomni." Tears glistened his eyes.

"Caine..." She said his name sympathetically and hugged him. She could feel him trembling, but he calmed with every deep breath. Pomni held him for as long as he needed. A comfortable silence fell between them as the forest came alive with natural sound again after the virus was long gone. Pomni smiled. It was a nice moment, having him in her arms like this.

Caine could finally think clearly again. He had Pomni. That was wonderful. He was holding her. Even more wonderful. They were pressed together in a very private and intimate space. WONDER-wait. He went from feeling great to embarrassed in less than a second. "We should get moving! We're losing daylight!" He tried to get out but they were jammed in tight.

Pomni winced as her side scraped against the boulder. "Ow! Caine! Not so fast! We need to- ow! Get out slow-OW! STOP WIGGLING SO MUCH!"

Caine froze and pressed himself against his side of the crevice as much as possible, but Pomni's entire body was still firmly against him. He felt every move she made, no matter how subtle. He went back and forth in his own head between cursing himself and enjoying the contact. He slammed his mouth shut and waited for the sweet torture to end.

Pomni sighed with relief when she was free of the claustrophobic space. She took a look around. The trees had strange purple moss growing on them facing north. The farther ahead she looked, the green forest turned purple with unique plants and giant fungi. "Hey! I think we found it!" She looked back in time to see Caine fall out of the crevice.

"Really? I mean- Of course! See? I knew we were going the right way." He coughed awkwardly and brushed himself off. "Bubble! Come on, we're moving."

Bubble squeezed out of the hole, regaining their perfect spherical shape. "Right behind you, boss."

The Mystic Grove was everything it was taled to be and more. The tree canopy was so thick, it draped the forest floor in heavy shadow. Fungi colored the base of the trees. Some of the mushrooms were so large, they themselves were the size of trees. The underside of the caps radiated a gentle bioluminescent glow. Glowing spores drifted through the air like lazy fireflies. Runic symbols were carved into various rocks and trees.

"Oh my god..." Pomni said in hushed awe. "This place is amazing."

"I agree!" Caine said excitedly. "This looks like the perfect place to make camp! It's so serene!"

Pomni traced a rune etched into a tree root with her finger. "I don't know, Caine. It looks like-"

"Someone lives here?" A high pitched accented voice came from her right.

Pomni jumped away from the voice and reached for her machete.

"I wouldn't do that if I were ye." A small gold skinned humanoid with pointed ears in simple leather armor stepped forward. "Ye're surrounded. Ye'll drop before you even have the chance to unsheathe yur weapon, lass." Multiple creatures of similar size and color appeared from their hiding spots, aiming arrows and spears at the intruders.

Pomni immediately put her hands up. Caine did so too, but tried to put as much of himself between Pomni and the weapons. Bubble just frog blinked.

"We mean no harm." Pomni spoke first. "We're looking for a place to rest and resupply. We're adventurers. We're just passing through."

"What she said." Caine nodded.

"Adventurers? Why didn't ye say so!" The leader clapped his hands twice and the others lowered their weapons. "Why didn't ye use the gate? That's where everyone else comes into the Grove."

"There's a GATE?" Pomni glared at Caine who shrunk away from her gaze.

"Aye, ye're coming in through the cliff side path. Only our hunters use it."

"Sorry about that. We got a bit LOST." Pomni seethed, Caine flinched.

"No worries, lass. You and yur boyfriend are welcome-"

"Woah! he's not-"

"I'm not her-"

The whole congregation of fae laughed. The leader gave them a look. "Ye're not?" His eyes went from Pomni to Caine and back, then shrugged. "I suppose I don't blame ye. He seems like a bit of a fixer upper anyway."

"Hey!" Caine stomped his foot and flushed with embarrassment.

Pomni suppressed a grin. "You have no idea."

"So, as I was sayin, you and yur companion are welcome to stay in the village, as long as ye pay the toll."

Pomni paled a little. They didn't have a lot of gold on them. "What's the toll?"

"A performance at the Grove Theatre, of course. We value not coin, but stories. Tell and enact an amazing story and ye'll earn a night's stay. If ye wish to stay longer, the more stories ye must tell."

Pomni and Caine looked at each other. They'd been through a lot together. They had plenty of stories to tell. Pomni nodded to the group leader. "Well, You're in luck! We just so happen to be professional performers."

"Are ye, lass? Well, then I look forward to seeing you perform! Maybe the Royal will join with word of professionals." He whispered into his closed fist, and when he opened it, sparkly pink mist flew off ahead.

The group of fae led them down a narrow winding path through the thickest part of the Grove. Pomni and Caine, being much larger, had to squeeze in between close trees and stones. Pomni was incredibly sick of small spaces at this point.

They came to a clearing in the center of the Grove. A stream wound itself around the roots of an enormous, majestic tree. It towered over every other tree they'd ever seen in the expansion. The tree had cottages and bridges all over its branches, with windows dotting the trunk. Colorful fairy lights lit the path to a small bridge over the stream and into a gap in the base of the tree that was the village entrance.

The inside of the tree was just as breathtaking. Warm light from gold fungus lit the interior. Staircases spiraled along the inside of the trunk, leading to businesses and homes. On the ground floor, taking up most of the space, was a grand amphitheater.

Residents of the tree watched their tall visitors curiously. Many started coming down the stairs to gather around in front of the theater. This included one particular fae in androgynous royal attire. They clapped excitedly. "Welcome travelers, to Eldermoor Village of Mystic Grove! It's been so long since we've had visitors, this is most exciting!" They had literal sparkles in their eyes. "I am Royal Lylien, supreme leader of the GoldMoors."

Pomni bowed to show respect, and Caine mimicked her. "Thank you for greeting us in person, your majesty." Pomni said, a bit nervous.

"Yeah! This is a cool tree you have here!" Caine blurted out.

Lylien giggled. "Why, thank you. The Eldermoor has protected my people for generations. It's roots are older than time and it's bark is stronger than any magic." The crowd nodded reverently. "Now, before I welcome you further, there is business at hand."

"Yes, the ones that brought us here said their was a toll. You want us to tell a story?" Pomni said.

"You'll do more than just TELL a story. You will perform it!" With a wave of the Royal's hand, the theater came to life. Residents filed into the rows of seats until it was standing room only.

"Oh! You- you mean right now?" Pomni gulped.

"Of course, professionals such as yourself should have no trouble. Trust the stage." The Royal said with a smile. "The toll must be paid before further business can be discussed, as is our custom. Head backstage. You're on shortly." They walked away towards an ornate chair on a private balcony.

"Oh no..." Pomni's stomach flipped with a sudden rush of nerves. Not even time to practice? You had to have a full story ready to go off the cuff?

Caine was beaming. "Come on, Pomni! We have to get ready to perform! The audience is waiting!" He pulled her by the arm to the stage were a young Goldmoor showed them were to get ready. "Alright." Caine clasped his hands together. "What do we want to tell them? Maybe the one about the haunted mines in the Badlands Abyss! Or maybe escaping the collapsing temple on Paradise Outlook! OH! Or the time you fought the raging troll in the dark part of the Woodlands!" He could hardly contain his excitement.

"All of those sound good, but this is the story that's supposed to grant us access to the village. They won't let us stay here if it's not impressive enough." Pomni shrugged. She really wasn't sure what metric of storytelling these these people held, but she wanted to leave an impression. "What about...the beginning?"

"Could you elaborate?"

"The beginning of all of this. What sent us on our quest to begin with. That's an epic tale unto itself."

Caine fiddled with his fingers. "You're right. The tragedy of a fallen leader. It's downright Shakespearean."

"You don't seem thrilled."

"I..." He had to swallow his pride. "To relive the consequences of my own hubris... I need something from you, Pomni."

"Name it."

He held out his hand to her. "Be the heroine of my story."

Pomni smiled warmly and took his hand. "Why do you think I'm here? To look pretty?" She joked.

"You always look pretty, no matter the circumstance, but since you're here..." He teased.

She blushed lightly. "You drive a hard bargain..."

He took her other hand. "Only because I know you can do it, Pomni. You're smart, resourceful, and brave, on top of being beautiful. You are the perfect woman for the job."

Her blush darkened. He was staring so fervently into her eyes. "This... is still about the performance, right?"

He choked on his words. Right. The performance. He forgot. "Uh-"

"One minute call! You're on in one minute!" A Goldmoor called from another part of the backstage area.

Caine and Pomni startled from the interruption, letting go of each other's hands. Caine grabbed his walking stick from the zoned out bubble behind him. "Well, it looks like we're on. What do you say? Are you ready to wing the absolute pants off of this performance?"

Pomni smiled. "With you? Absolutely."

The house lights dimmed and a hush fell over the audience. A spotlight came on over center stage in front of the closed curtain. Pomni stepped out and the crowd applauded.

"Today we tell a tale so grand. A once great Ringmaster of an ever amazing circus fallen from grace by his own hand. Now walking among us as a god become man. But as he sees life from perspective anew, perhaps there is more to this digital existence than he thought he knew." Pomni bowed and the curtains opened behind her.

The stage came alive on its own, building itself to her words. A background that resembled the circus came to be. Neither one of them knew this would happen, but they had no choice but to roll with it. They could be in awe later.

Caine entered stage left. "I am Caine, Ringmaster of the Amazing Circus! With a snap of my fingers reality itself bends to my will!" He snapped his fingers, and for a moment, it was like he had his powers back. A prop on stage transfigured into a different object. The audience ooo'ed. Caine could work with this. He confidently stepped up as if to fly, but fell on his face. The audience laughed.

Pomni covered her mouth, not just from shock, but to cover up her smile. "Perhaps the Ringmaster forgot to speak all of his amazing power into existence! Like the fact that he could fly!"

Caine quickly got up. "That's right!" Because Pomni spoke it into existence for him, he could now fly. For the first time in what felt like forever, he lifted off the ground effortlessly. It was so good to feel weightless again. He did a few aerial tricks for the audience and earned more applause.

Pomni let him have his moment. People were cheering for him and he was practically radiant with happiness. She sighed with a smile as she gazed at him and almost missed her cue when Caine was done showing off. "But! It was not to last!" She announced. "For an evil was brewing!" The stage darkened. The background grew sinister. "A shapeless monster with it's very existence having devastating effects on the world around it, made itself known!" With her words, the virus appeared. Or rather, what the stage formed from Pomni's words. The audience screamed in horror. "The evil one threatened the circus and all who lived there! But Caine dismissed the threats!"

Caine cleared his voice. "None could challenge me! I am the Master of this realm! I will purge this horrid crime against nature with a snap of my fingers!" He snapped.

"...But nothing happened." Pomni continued. "The beast was beyond his influence, for it wasn't part of the realm he so covetously controlled. The beast attacked."

The virus stand-in lunged at Caine. He flew out of the way and tried snapping again. "I command you to stop! All heed the word of Caine!" The beast roared in response. The audience was on the edge of their seats.

Pomni braced herself as she watched what she knew was coming next. " The terrible beast tore power from his soul, cleaving the spirit and breaking the mind. Thusly, Caine fell to earth."

The beast engulfed Caine. He screamed in agony as the viral code pierced him like a thousand needles. He fell to the stage with an unceremonious thud. The beast loomed like an angry stormcloud over him. Caine's power enriching it to impossible strength. The audience gasped and screamed.

Pomni rushed on stage and helped Caine stand, holding his arm over her shoulders. "With his power, the beast was truly unstoppable. The only choice was to flee." She helped him sit on a log that appeared as the stage changed scenes. The beast vanished. "Caine and his companions travel the land, searching far and wide for the means to defeat the great beast. From the Badlands to the Outlook, there is no rock they won't look under for answers."

Caine stood and rolled his shoulders, shaking off the fall. "And in those travels..." He takes Pomni's hands and interlaces their fingers. "Caine finds something worth more than power and control. He finds true companionship. Feelings of connection and desire he didn't know he was capable of until the blindfold of absolute power was removed." The audience aww'ed.

Pomni stuttered a little but went a long with him. "And, for the first time, Caine realized he didn't need his power to be great. He already was." The audience aww'ed even more.

Caine's eyes softened as he gazed at Pomni lovingly. "The heroine of our tale didn't slay the monster or steal back the power...no, she did something far greater. She showed him what real love was." He pulled Pomni in and dipped her romantically. They leaned in close and stage kissed. The audience lost their minds. They were on their feet, cheering and applauding.

Caine pulled Pomni back up and they bowed. They looked up to the Royal's private balcony and bowed to them again. The Royal has tears in there eyes and were on their feet as well. They conjured a flower and threw it at the stage. The crowd followed suit and the stage was covered in flowers.

Caine picked up a pink and purple flower and presented it to Pomni. She held it to her chest as they did a final bow and then exited stage left, hand in hand.

"THAT WAS INCREDIBLE! YOU WERE AMAZING OUT THERE!!" Caine jumped for joy.

"So were you! Did you see what the stage was doing!? And that scream was gutwrenching! It didn't really hurt you, did it?" Pomni checked him for puncture wounds

"Nope! Didn't feel a thing! It was all an act. But I dug down deep for that one. I really needed it. Felt cathartic." He took a deep breath. "So, shall we go talk to the Royal?"

They came out to even more applause. The audience had barely thinned and swarmed them when they came out from backstage with praise and questions about the story. The crowd only parted when the Royal and their guards made their way to Caine and Pomni.

"Very, VERY well done. What an amazing display of talent from our new friends. In fact, that story was so impactful that you are welcome here at my behest for as long as I am supreme ruler."

"Wow! Thank you very much." Caine said.

"Members of my guard with show you to your accommodations. Do enjoy your stay, friends of Eldermoor." The Royal nodded their head and walked away with their personal guards.

The crowd dispersed more but many still wanted to gawk at the newcomers. A town guard signaled for Caine and Pomni to follow him and he led them up the endless stairs towards the canopy.

By the time they reached the top, Pomni and Caine were out of breath and crawling up the last few steps. The guard wasn't winded in the slightest. He knocked and the door to a residence opened on its own. "Here. This place is yours by order of the Royal." He walked away without further explainion.

Caine and Pomni were still huffing and puffing from the climb. "Holy [%$!#] that was a lot of stairs." Pomni gasped. Her legs felt like noodles.

"I have never missed my ability to fly more in my life. Do you think I could negotiate to at least get that back?" Caine half joked as he followed Pomni inside the residence.

The place was cozy. Large enough for them to stand up straight inside and move around without constantly tripping over things. There was one problem. There was only one bedroom.

"Oh, dear. I guess they bought our love speech a little too much." Caine smiled to himself.

Pomni shrugged. "I can take the couch."

"Wha- absolutely not! Call me an old-fashioned A.I, but I won't let you be the one who takes the couch. You deserve to have that bed all to yourself." He crossed his arms.

"Ha! As if you could stop me."

They locked eyes in a playful glare. She took off and dove for the couch. He caught her from behind and lifted her off her feet.

"Ah! No! Lemme go! That couch is mine!" She smiled.

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" He couldn't hide the laugh in his words.

He took her back into the bedroom and tossed her on the bed. "And stay there!"

"Make me!" She got up and tried to rush passed him.

He grabbed her again and this time he got on the bed with her and held her down. "Stay!"

"Okay." She smiled mischievously up at him and watched his face slowly realize what he'd done. Just like with the hiding situation earlier that day, it hadn't dawned on him right away the situation he was getting himself into.

"You did this on purpose."

"Nooooo, me? I would never." Her voice was so heavily laced with sarcasm, even he couldn't miss it. "I'm having fun with you, Caine. All this 'will you, won't you' gets tiring. Sometimes, you need a push."

"But, I'm not your- I mean, you've never- we never-"

"Caine....you always seem at war with yourself over me. Let me tell you right now: I care about you. You are special to me. And besides, do you really think I can't hear all the things you say under your breath to yourself?"

He looked away, ashamed of himself. "Right..."

"...you're also still on top of me."

Caine's eyes went wide and he looked down at her. "Sorry!" He jumped off of her and fell to the floor.

Pomni slid off the bed and sat on the floor next to him. "I didn't say you had to stop."

Caine shut his teeth and curled up in a ball.

"Caine...you're being ridiculous. Do you believe me when I tell you I really like you?"

He nodded.

"Then what's the issue?"

"You deserve better." He mumbled.

She scoffed. "Better? What could be better than catching the favor of the ringmaster?"

"...someone human."

She cupped the side of his teeth and made him turn towards her. She tapped gently. "Open up." He cracked his teeth so she could just see his eyes. "Caine, when I started to realize how I felt towards you, I asked myself the same question. How am I falling for an A.I? And you know what I figured out?"

"Hm?" He braced himself for bad news.

"I doesn't matter."

His mouth opened more. "It doesn't?"

"No. In a world where the limit is my own imagination... Why couldn't I fall in love with the most amazing person I've ever met? A.I. or not." She took his hand in both of hers and looked him dead in the eyes. "I love you, Caine."

His pupils dilated and his mouth opened all the way. His eyes searched hers and found only truth. He couldn't help but tear up a little. "You know...I wasn't kidding about what I said during the play. I meant every word. Even if I never get my powers back, I have you. I love you too, Pomni. With every pixel of my being. I love you."

She leaned in and kissed his bottom teeth, it was short and sweet. He gasped and felt where she kissed him.

"What? Afraid I left a mark?" She laughed.

He smirked at her. "No, I'm just surprised you gave me permission so quickly."

"Permission to do what?"

"Return the favor." He scooped her up and threw her on the bed in one surprisingly fast motion. Sometimes she forgot how strong he was, even without his powers. He tackled her on the bed and kissed her. Then he kissed her again. And again. And again.

They didn't get much sleep that night.

[tonguetiedraven]

We know Ryuuji is a good artist and singer and enjoys readings but what else do you think he is good at or enjoys doing?

Bear hugging you for the Ryuuji question ʕ⁠っ⁠•⁠ᴥ⁠•⁠ʔ⁠っ ♡

You're right that we know he's a good artist (the camping arc and a volume extra confirms that) and that he's a good singer (Kato released some official art explaining that Arias take singing classes and Ryuuji was good at it) and that he's at least better at paper crafts than a one armed Yukio.

Reading is something we also get from an extra official art where he's trading true crime novels with Sei Godaiin. That aside, we know from another volume extra that he likes meditating, we know he goes running every morning, and that takes a lot of pride in memorizing.

For my own head canons, I think Ryuuji is likely good at dancing, and probably enjoys it more than he'd openly admit. I can't imagine an aria meister focus doesn't require some knowledge of dance with how tied it is to culture and religions.

I think he also enjoys origami and probably grew up helping make decorations for Toraya.

I think he'd enjoy gardening, partially because he would have grown up doing it, and because he enjoys doing things he sees as useful, and it's something that will provide food for the people he cares about. Of all the tasks that 'gardening' ensues, I think debugging and pruning are probably things he's good at. He doesn't squirm at bugs and knows Shima will, and he likes clearing away the dead things and shaping the plant to bear more.

We know he enjoys cleaning, and I think of that task he'd probably enjoy dusting the most. It lets him clear away the dirt and dust and reorganize the things around him, and probably lets him clear his cluttered and always going thoughts too.

He's not great at video games because he doesn't really have the time or inclination to spend the time on getting good at them, but he will get extremely competitive if he's going against a friend on it.

I think he probably enjoys making his own mala beads but doesn't consider himself good or skilled at it yet. Same with omamori. He enjoys the process of creating them but considers some of the other people at his temple masters of the craft and strives to get there.

I don't think he'd enjoy cooking much, even if I think he's probably competent enough in a kitchen to feed himself, but I think he'd have fun making decorations for meals and bentos.

I think he's good at basketball, but Yukio is the only real competition he has in his class, and that they both enjoy letting loose on some one on one bouts.

I think he'll really enjoy hand to hand whenever he gets to it (which I think all Arias should have that required learning. Shirou certainly makes use of it when he's doing arias.) and that he'll probably excel in that and try not to be too cocky about it. (He'll also probably have the Shima brothers offering a lot of advice and opinions and judging the hell out of whatever poor teacher he ends up with.)

I also think he'd enjoy nonograms. Nothing in canon really points to that, but I think it fits some of his other quirks. I think he'd also be critical of mistakes in them and the type to send in a note if a newspaper prints one with multiple solutions or no solutions.

That's all that come to mind for now, and I'm certain that the moment I post this I'll have dozens more xD

[intergalactic-void]

hello hello :DDD would you like to talk about space??? (i read the thread in the ace community)

i don't know how to tell you how much i know,, but ,,, random question time: what's your favorite celestial body (and why)?

No need to stress over how to tell me how much you know! Since we're on my blog I'll just yap teehee. Choosing a favourite celestial object is *so* hard because there is so many to choose from, but space do be huge. And old. Before I get to my two specific favourites I'll do an overview of what the major objects in space are. I will not being going over constellations.

Planets and Moons

I'm going to introduce them jointly as most people are familiar with what they are as we live on a planet with a huge moon haha. According to NASA, Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a planet as "any of the large bodies that orbit the sun in the solar system." However this was further specified by the IAU in 2006- likely because the old definition was specific to our solar system and very broad. The IAU provide a planet must satisfy the three following requires.

It must orbit a star (originally the wording was the Sun but modern astronomers use star in place as again- the Sun is our specific star).

It must be big enough to form a spherical shape by gravity.

It must be big enough to clear objects from its orbital path. (NASA seems to add "of a similar size" to this as, for example, Jupiter has the Trojan Asteroids in it's orbit.)

Pluto was demoted because of rule three specifically as it's orbit goes right into the Kuiper belt; and the additional dfn provided by NASA makes that case stronger with its moon Charon.

Moons are just smaller objects that orbit planets- at least that's what I will say on them as this was longer than I meant it to be.

Side note: other objects in solar systems that are not moons or planets or...dwarf planets are asteroids, comets and meteoroids. These are basically left over material from the formation of our solar system. They don't get their own section despite the fact they deserve it as I'm an...interstellar->extra/inter-galactic space nerd, not a moon/planet/asteroid/etc space nerd.

Stars and Brown Dwarfs

These objects, but maybe more specifically the Sun's stellar physics, is what drew my autistic little ass into astronomy/physics to begin with, and while technically Brown Dwarfs aren't stars....against my better judgement and my friend who researches them, I'm lumping them together here. Stars are giant balls of hot gas that are able to fuse, "burn", Hydrogen into Helium and so on.

Brown dwarfs are not as hot as stars are but they aren't planets because they also do go through nuclear fusion- but instead of the normal hydrogen it fuses a limited supply of a heavier isotope of it; deuterium into helium and releases energy like a star (as per Caltech). These objects are dark in visible light but glow in infrared. After these objects burn up their deuterium, they tend to go into a cool contracting phase while glowing. These are commonly called failed stars but that's a bit of a misconception because these are not stars nor are they planets. It irritates the shit out of my friend who studies these objects when they are referred to as such.

All brown dwarfs and stars do fit into the Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram, which tells us how young, how bright, and how hot each object is. That diagram cuts off at M stars traditionally but brown dwarfs continue the pattern. These objects are also classified by spectral type which goes by the same information as the HR diagram.

Spectral types from hottest/youngest to coolest/oldest: O B A F G K M || L T Y

Lty are brown dwarfs.

Nebula

These objects are star forming regions in space! Often referred to as stellar nurseries by people- there's kind of no better way to describe these hydrogen rich areas, I say rich because hydrogen makes up about 90% of the gas present in these objects. Two of the popular nebulae are the Orion Nebula and Eagle Nebula (contains the Pillars of Creation).

Planetary Nebula

So despite the name- these are actually not planet forming nebula, astronomers thought they were at first hence the name...but then we figured out what they actually were. The name just stuck (unfortunately imo). Planetary nebula are actually dead stars that are not massive (aka stars of spectral types A to M). These are formed when the star explodes, ejecting it's outter layers to the space around it and leaving the core (now a white dwarf) in the center.

As a G type Star, our very own Sun will have this fate when it explodes. In like five billion years- doubt humans will last that long

Black Holes and Neutron Stars

These beautiful objects are often considered to be the most extreme objects in our known universe, and both are the products of O and B type (supermassive/massive) stars exploding. These stars supernovas are much more violent because of how big they are so more extreme objects are left in it's wake. Black holes are characterized by the following.

Infinite density; yeah you read that right. It's hard to explain but basically at the center of the black hole there is a singularity- matter gets crushed down to an infinitly small point and the laws of physics as we know them break down. Aka since the gravity at this point is infinity we can't make meaningful calculations here.

Event Horizon; basically where the "black" part of the black hole begins. It is the surface of the black hole, but unlike the earth's or even the sun's, it is the boundary of which escape is impossible, even for light, which is why we see a sphere of black with light around it.

Black holes also have accretion disks, which are dust, rocks, and other matter that are swirling around/toward, typically, a black hole in the center. These are moving so fast that friction causing them to burn. However black holes are not the only objects with accretion disks; other massive bodies like protostars can have these too. Quasars are black holes with super fucking bright accretion disks that emit electromagnetic radiation, they are also referred to as AGN as they are the cores of galaxies. Most cores of a galaxy has a core that has gone through this short phase- including our own.

A common misconception: they are not like roombas sucking things into them, their extreme gravity is *pulling* things into it- it's like how meteors (that burn up in the sky) and meteorites (survived their burning) fall onto Earth.

Neutron stars are formed when the core is 1-3 solar massives (basically mass of the sun times 1-3) collapse, but the formed neutrons (from the protons and electrons smacking eachother in the formation) are strong enough to stop further collapse. Any star with more massive cores become black holes. These are characterized by the following;

Extreme, not infinite, density. Often these stars have masses greater than the sun condensed down into like. The size of a city. Super small, but super dense.

Critical case of the zoomies: but like...spinning zoomies. These spin super fast- and because they spin super fast they can emit beams of radiation making them into a Pulsar.

Strong ass magnetic field, like trillions of times stronger than the Earth's. This is because the magnetic field lines of the old star were compressed down- packing it much tighter which increases the magnetic flux (measure of field lines passing through an object- but let's simplify it more and call it field strength). If they are even *stronger*, like a thousand times stronger than the normal trillions, they are then Magnetars.

Star Clusters

There are three distinct types of these clusters ahem, groups of stars.

Globular Clusters: These are groups of really old stars that form and ar tightly packed together. These usually form in the outskirts of galaxies, known as the halos. These also have a more spherical shape than the other two. I think of these as like...the retirement homes of stars. A popular example of one is the Great Hercules Cluster (M13).

Open Clusters: These are groups of younger stars (with a few old ones) that typically form in the arms of spiral galaxies (galaxies like our own). They are not as tightly packed like globs, hence the name open. They're like the neighborhood full of kids and teens basically. A very popular example is actually the Seven Sisters! (Known also as Subaru or Pleiades). You can see that one with the naked eye.

Embedded Clusters: These are groups of very young and newly forming stars. Basically the hospital full of newborns and baby stars. These clusters have a lot of gas too. This cluster is the precursor to both open and globular clusters. A popular example is the Trapezium Cluster within the Orion Nebula.

Embedded Cluster vs Nebula: The difference really is just that the embedded cluster is actively forming stars from my understanding tbh- ECs are basically open clusters with a lot of gas still whereas nebula are just huge gassy areas containing these.

Galaxies

Arguably the biggest objects in space- these are collections of all of the other objects mentioned gravitationally bound together. Mind you the definition commonly given specifically mentions billions of stars and surrounding gas. Typically, a galaxy will also have a black hole at the center. There are also several different types of these.

1. Elliptical Galaxies: These galaxies are characterized by being more spherical/ellitpical with billions of old stars. Globular clusters on fucking crack basically. They have minimal star forming regions and new stars usually end up forming as a result of collisions.

2. Spiral Galaxies: Unlike the prior type, these are characterized by being a disk object with arms (those with more prominent arms are barred spirals) that extend from the dense center. They have a lot more gas than Ellipticals and this have more star forming areas. Thus meaning, they're younger. Both Andromeda and the Milky Way are spirals.

3. Irregular Galaxies: These are galaxies with no defined shape and can't be defined as elliptical or spiral. They're often usually small....but there are cases of huge ass ones.

There are galaxies referred to as Starburst galaxies, they can be any of the forementioned types. They're only characterized by the higher than average star formation rate.

My Favourite two Objects

I cannot choose between these two objects so I'll hand over both.

Sagittarius A*: This is the supermassive black hole at the center of our very own galaxy- so I have a little silly attachment to it. Even though there are closer black holes- it's even my profile picture! And and and! I've been to a telescope involved in the Event Horizon Telescope mission- which was simply to get a picture of Sag A*

Triangulum Galaxy: This is a starburst spiral galaxy in the constellation....get this....Triangulum. This mother fucker is a triangle in a triangle and I fucking love that.

[manimemes]

 Critterland     ⎯⎯       a   collection   of   lyrics   taken   from   the   willi   carlisle   album   ❛   critterland   ❜   slightly   edited   to   better   fit   rp   needs.   feel   free   to   edit   as   you   see   fit,   but   do   not   add   to   this   post.

❛ i could have been a businessman, but i was too hotheaded ❜

❛ i kinda got arrested ❜

❛ i still live the kind of life where people judge you on your clothes ❜

❛ i am singing songs to a god that i have met but do not know ❜

❛ i've come to know the seasons by the lashing of your tongue ❜

❛ they think i'm a queer and a communist ❜

❛ she can't quite hold the tune ❜

❛ i disappoint her, but she'll still carry on ❜

❛ thank god forgiveness comes in so many shapes ❜

❛ she's my softy girl, too soft in an angry world ❜

❛ my mother's in the ground, it's all ancient wisdom now ❜

❛ he was dead inside my head long before he died ❜

❛ so let's pour one out for the bastard ❜

❛ it's still sad when bad men die ❜

❛ you can pour your drink out in the sink ❜

❛ go on and live your life❜

❛ you think I want these feelings ? ❜

❛ oh, i'm full of shit and you're over it ❜

❛ im my father's spitting image and í spit upon the mirror ❜

❛ even bastards need their friends ❜

❛ you got the last laugh in the end ❜

❛ they carved the die of fortune out of bones ❜

❛ i have settled with my pocketknife, and carved out all their names ❜

❛ i won't waste a single moment of the love that's buried here ❜

❛ even god can make a fuckup ❜

❛ he overlooked an ordinary thing ❜

❛ i've been driving with a death wish ❜

❛ outlaw life looks pretty wholesome ❜

❛ i think i fell in love again on a walk in city park ❜

❛ there was writing on the mirror, and it said 'you messed up so go to hell' ❜

❛ by the time the sun was up, i just got breakfast instead ❜

❛ she can write a letter once a year and say that we're still close ❜

❛ see, i don't want to hit rock bottom just to see how deep it goes ❜

❛ i want to free all that i can ❜

❛ you used too many big words ❜

❛ you're a long time running, now you're long time gone ❜

❛ the day has evil enough on its own ❜

❛ i'm always gonna sing before i know the song ❜

❛ the only time i get these guilty thoughts is when the pills wear off ❜

❛ it’s selfish to fall for yourself in someone ❜

❛ i know that i want him and always will ❜

❛ money grows greed, and greed grows wrath ❜

❛ you can lose your head, and you can curse your luck ❜

❛ what a wild-ass act of god ❜

❛ i'll leave in a bodybag but not in cuffs ❜