#anyway I'm getting a little weary of people looking at me and telling me there's no point in being hopeful

[cultivating-wildflowers]

I don't care if it's unrealistic. I will continue to hope for the best.

[iwrite-sinsandtragedies]

Day 1 — Soulmates ₊˚✧ ﾟ

Submission for @goldengroovy's @olnfweek2024

MC: Micha

Long ass ramble under the cut 😂

Okayokayokay SO-

I love soulmate au's. I cannot tell you how many fics I've read or how many prompts I've played with or media I've consumed or how many bullshit ideas I've come up with in my own head for them, I CANNOT.

It's just - hhhhhhhhhhhh- Soulmate au's and Time Travel au's are just the shit that gets me out of bed some days 😩💖my world weary soul drinks that shit like medicine, okay?

That all being said, it's probably a little ambiguous which au I picked to some, so let me explain: There are two au's I'm mashing up here really, both are from fics I've read back in the day. One being a Clack fic and the other a Thilbo one 🤷‍♂️kind of calling myself out here but w/e, they were good fics.

The Thilbo one is easier to explain - the concept is "Heartsong" which is, literally what it says on the tin. You find out who your soulmate is the first time you hear them sing (and no, that does not mean everyone is just a naturally good singer - they can be ass at music but, the point is, when you hear them their song is the perfect song for you and your heart knows that). There's a lot of little nuances to this one - things like you hearing your heartsong when you dream so you always know the moment you find them. Also people who have quiet dreams because their heartsong died, sometimes before ever even meeting them. etc etc. The heartsong also seems to expand, in some respect, to instruments (as Thorin plays his harp one night and Bilbo starts to hum without thinking about it because it sounds wonderful to him and that's how Thorin finds out).

Overall, it's a very soft and sweet concept to me and as someone who has a deep love of music, it's also one of my very favourites.

The Clack one is a little less easy to explain? I think. Maybe because it's nuances are so round about but I'll do my best. The concept for this one is "I Only See Colour When I'm With You" - anyone who knows how Clack fics usually go knows where this is probably headed 😂 and I am sorry to have hurt you but, overall, the idea is: You live in a noir-esqu world where everything is black and white. This only changes when you find your soulmate, of course, who brings the world into full saturation and lets you see colour for - possibly - the first time in your life (I say possibly because I genuinely can't remember if you start out colourblind or if it's an age cap thing).

Unfortunately, for as much as I adore this concept, it's been a long damn time since I read the fic and I don't even know if it still exists somewhere. So I can't actually recall if it was a 'you have to touch them' or 'you have to hear them' thing but the fic takes place with Zack on the cliff right before Midgar where he holds Cloud and looks at the sky - so I'm willing to bet it's a touch thing.

I also really loved this fic because it was the first one I'd read that brought in the concept of multiple soulmates to me - As Cloud later sits with Aerith and sees the colour he couldn't see with Zack, meanwhile Aerith only sees black and white, because she was only able to see colour with Zack (who was never able to see colour with her, because he needed Cloud for that).

Essentially, they all needed each other to see the world in colour. As a polyam person who didn't quite realise I was poly back then, it was a very comforting (and now dearly cherished) fic.

Anyways! Now that you have the background on the two concepts, you can kind of get what I'm going for with this piece.

Tamarack, Micha and Qiu are all soulmates in a fuzzy, desaturated world (I'm sorry, I'm not cruel enough to but them in complete greyscale LOL) and the way you find your soulmate is by hearing them sing and, when they do, your world is suddenly vivid and bright and beautiful. Suddenly, you can see things as they were meant to be seen and it's a permanent change (unlike the Clack fic) but things are always clearest and brightest when your soulmate speaks or sings 💖

I get a real kick out of the idea that Micha's known for fucking months that Tamarack is his soulmate (if not years) because he's always listening to her play but never says jack shit about it because he's emotionally constipated that way 😂Though genuinely, it's probably because he just doesn't think he's her soulmate and he's a bit against finding out he's right honestly.

Joke is on him, he's Qiu's and Tamaracks soulmate! And he couldn't have picked a better moment to grow a pair an take the risk 🥰

[canisalbus]

Just wanted to tell you that your recent art of Machete looking after Vasco while he's sick reminded me of Nights at the Villa by Gogol. Only a small fragment of it survived, probably because it's straight up author's diary about falling in love for the first time with a man who is already dying. It's such a beautiful little piece and your art really reminded me of it's vibes. Anyway, I'm mentally ill about russian literature and I love your dogs <3

The longing and lamenting quite something, poor guy.

It's not very long so I'm just going to put the whole thing under the cut ->

They were sweet and tormenting, those sleepless nights. He sat, ill, in the armchair. I was with him. Sleep dared not touch my eyes. Silently and involuntarily, it seems, it respected the sanctity of my vigil. Its was so sweet to sit near him, to look at him. For two nights already we have been saying "thou" to each other. How much closer he has become to me since then! He sat there just as before, meek, quiet, and resigned. Good God! With what joy, with what happiness I would have taken his illness upon myself! And if my death could restore him to health, with what readiness I would have rushed toward it!

-

I did not stay with him last night. I had finally decided to stay home and sleep. Oh, how base, how vile that night and my despicable sleep were! I slept poorly, even though I had been without sleep for almost a week. I was tormented by the thought of him. I kept imagining him, imploring and reproachful. I saw him with the eyes of my soul. I hastened to come early to him and felt like a criminal as I went. From his bed he saw me. He smiled with his usual angel's smile. He offered his hand. He pressed mine lovingly.

"Traitor." he said, "You betrayed me." "My angel," I said, "Forgive me. I myself suffered with your suffering. I was in torment all night. My rest brought me no repose. Forgive me!" My meek one! He pressed my hand. How fully rewarded I was for the suffering that the stupidly spent night had brought me!

"My head is weary," he said. I began to fan him with a laurel branch. "Ah, how fresh and good," he said. His words were then… what were they? What would I have not given, what earthly goods, those despicable, those vile, those disgusting goods… no, they are not worth mentioning. You into whose hands will fall -if they will fall- those incoherent, fleebe lines, pallid expressions of my emotions, you will understand me. Otherwise they will not fall into your hands. You will understand how repulsive the entire heap of treasures and honors is that attracts those wooden dolls which are called people. Oh, with what joy, with what anger I could have trampled underfoot and squashed everything that is bestowed by the mighty scepter of the Tsar of the North, if I only knew that this would buy a smile that indicated the slightest relief in his face.

"Why did you prepare such a bad month of May for me?" He said to me, awakening in his armchair and hearing the wind beyond the window-panes that wafted the aroma of the blossoming wild jasmine and white acacia, which mingled with the whirling rose petals.

-

At ten o'clock I went down to see him. I had left him there hours before to get some rest, to prepare [something] to him, to afford him some variety, so my arrival would give him more pleasure. I went down to him at ten o'clock. He had been alone for more than one hour. His visitors had long since left. The dejection of boredom showed on his face. He saw me. Waved his hand slightly.

"My savior." He said to me. They still sound in my ears, those words. "My angel! Did you miss me?" "Oh, how I missed you." He replied. I kissed him on the shoulder. He offered his cheek. We kissed; he was still pressing my hand.

He did not like going to bed and hardly ever did. He preferred his armchair and the sitting position. That night the doctor ordered him to rest. He stood up reluctantly and, leaning on my shoulder, moved to his bed. My darling! He weary glance, his brightly colored jacket, his slow steps- I can see it all, it is all before my eyes. He whispered in my ear, leaning on my shoulder and glancing at the bed: "Now I'm a ruined man."

"We will remain in bed for only half an hour," I said to him, "and then we'll go back to your armchair".

I watched you, my precious, tender flower! All the time when you were sleeping or merely dozing in you bed or armchair, I followed your movements and your moments, bound to you by some incomprehensible force.

How strangely new my life was then and, at the same time, I discerned in it a repetition of something distant, something that once actually was. But it seems hard to give an idea of it: there returned to me a fresh, fleeting fragment of my youth, that time when a youthful soul seeks fraternal friendship with those of one's age, a decidedly juvenile friendship, full of sweet, almost infantile trifles and mutual show of tokens of tender attachment; the time when it is sweet to gaze into each other's eyes, when your entire being is ready to offer sacrifices, which are usually not even necessary. And all those feelings, sweet, youthful, fresh - alas! Inhabitants of a vanishing world - all these feelings returned to me. Good Lord! What for? I watched you, my precious, tender flower. Did this fresh breath of youth waft upon me only so that I might suddenly and irrevocably sink into even greater and more deadening coldness of feelings, so that I might become all at once older by a decade, so that I might see my vanishing life with even greater despair and hopelessness? Thus does a dying fire send its flames up into the air, so that it might illuminate with its flickering the somber walls and then disappear forever.

[fallloverfic]

I always come back to this ENNEAD panel in S1E40 because it's so painful in so many ways: Seth being brutally honest and embarrassed, and you can tell how hurt he is by what he's learned about Anubis, Nephthys, and Osiris, and it comes back to this thing I love exploring in fiction, which is the idea that you can want better for the people you care about, and also know that their choice will hurt you, and be afraid for yourself/of that moment they make the inevitable choice, but also kind of want them to make that choice anyway because you really care about them and want what's best for them and want them to follow their hearts. This kind of... supportive, self-sacrificing thing mixed with self-esteem issues and/or self-loathing.

CW: references to child abuse, cannibalism, and late series spoilers

In S1E1, we're told a story about how Seth was made jealous of Osiris due to Sekhmet, then butchered Osiris, demanded Isis sleep with him, imprisoned her in a labyrinth when she refused, and then terrorized Egypt for hundreds of years. He's shown to be obnoxious and arrogant and thinks little of the other gods who don't stand up to him, "This is what gods are like after all, hmph."

In S1E2, we see an unknown boy (well if you read online you can see the family tree with Anubis' picture but if you read in the physical release or just skipped the tree, you don't know who he is) talking to Nephthys in a prison cell, begging her to leave Heliopolis, and eventually learn this is Anubis, son of Nephthys and Seth, and Anubis has a plan in mind. And he says, "Mother, I'm begging you!! Rid yourself of these lingering affections!! I'm telling you, the father we used to know no longer exists!!"

Nephthys insists otherwise.

There are hints here that Seth was, at least once and perhaps still, loved, deeply. That he was someone who wasn't as cruel as the weary butcher watching humans fight to death for entertainment that we're introduced to.

In S1E3, it's kind of unclear what Seth turns back to look at in the second to last panel, but we see him gazing behind him, and then a shot of Anubis' back as he gazes down at his spear, clearly not keeping Horus busy while Seth confronts Isis. It seems like Seth is seeing Anubis betray him (he thanks Anubis in S1E5).

In S1E4 we see Anubis looking upset about what he's done, which continues into S1E5, where we get a flashback of Seth hunting with a very small Anubis in his arms. This is presumably pre-the night of usurpation. Seth says to Anubis, "You want to become a god like me? What gave you that thought? The god of war is not a particularly respectable position to be in."

Anubis: "But Father, they told me that Egypt is a peaceful place because you protect Mother. Isn't that more than enough to be respected for?"

Seth: "...Sure. War is sometimes necessary when you need to protect your family, your land. However, you must not turn a blind eye to the manslaughter that happens within war. Only the water flowing through the lands of chaos has the right to deliver "death." Though if you escape the current and row yourself towards greed, in the end, the curse of those that have died innocent deaths will gather, and it will become your sword, destined to bestow death upon others. That's why my sword is the strongest of them all. Although that's also why it's the heaviest. You have no need to take upon yourself this burden. When you have your coming-of-age ceremony, this father of yours... ...hopes that you will become a god just like your mother."

His responsibility is a heavy one. One he doesn't want Anubis to bear. He's strong, but at a cost.

In S2E89, Horus, after learning about some of the difficulties Seth faced at war - watching human soldiers struggle and die, and the hard choices Seth had to make to help them (e.g., let them turn to cannibalism to survive, and sometimes cannibalizing their own troops) - and how that affected his own psyche - making him, for a time, not into eating food, and later simply being disinterested in it - asks, "Did you... ...actually not want to go to war?"

And Seth stares at him, and then looks like this:

Seth: "I didn't have a choice. It was just my duty... I had to protect Egypt, so I did."

When Horus asks about jealousy, about Seth's siblings living at home in luxury while Seth suffered, Seth notes, "We all had so many of our own things to do." He calls Osiris' job the most important, because humans needed a stable food supply. He even jokingly notes what Osiris was doing might be considered harder, at least in comparison to fighting a war.

And he seemingly thought of leaving Egypt, but didn't feel like he could.

What we also generally get from the story is Seth is very proud of his abilities, and doesn't like being protected or at least seen as weak. The doubt Osiris put in him was about his own abilities: in S1E35, Sekhmet notes that, "Seth unconsciously believed that he himself was weak . . . Osiris imprinted a sense of weakness upon Egypt's most formidable soldier." Seth frequently grows furious whenever his competence is thrown into question, whether it's other people protecting him, or other people beating him, because it makes him feel like he's weak.

Seth believes his role as a god of war is necessary, and that he is, in a lot of ways, good at it, and people who harm Egypt's peace should live in fear of him... but he doesn't respect it. He doesn't think it's noble or good, and even thinks it's repulsive (and as Seth explains, that's kind of the point of it, because the horror makes it more powerful). He tells Anubis not to emulate him or try to become like him: Anubis should become a god of peace like Nephthys. An actually respectable position. Seth spent thousands of years protecting Egypt this way, and he thinks it's not something anyone should strive for (S1E40).

In S01E38, he even tells Anubis to kill Seth if he wants Seth dead.

In S01E05, Seth beats up Anubis, badly, in front of Nephthys' cell, allegedly because of Anubis' betrayal. It's not clear how Anubis got there: if Seth brought him there so Nephthys would see it, if Anubis fled to Nephthys after the other gods confronted Seth, and Seth found him there, or what. All we know is Seth beat up Anubis while Nephthys (in an unlocked cell) watched, and she was visibly distressed by it, to the point of tears.

Whether Seth meant for her to see it or didn't plan it through or what is unclear.

In S1E69, Nephthys states, "Seth never imprisoned me, not once. The door of the prison cell was always kept open. I was the one who went into the prison of my own free will. All Seth did was neglect and ignore me. He never once committed any direct violence towards me."

She views this as punishment for her own acts. It seems like Seth avoided her through most of the time since he discovered parts of the truth of her actions from Sekhmet and Nephthys herself before Osiris killed himself. It's entirely possible Seth didn't even appear before her until just before the trial, when he attacked Anubis in front of her. He might have visited her more often, but the possibility he just stayed away from her is also there, if only out of his own pain at her apparent rejection of him in favor of Osiris. Perhaps the last time he even touched her was in the flashback in S1E35, after she walks in on Sekhmet talking with Seth, and he seems to grab her briefly - when she admits Anubis is Osiris' son (S1E40) - before turning away and going after Osiris (S1E35).

In S1E40, Seth accuses Osiris of coveting Nephthys, and going behind Seth's back to steal her. He insists Osiris is to blame, not Nephthys.

Until Osiris states that Nephthys had the idea to come to Osiris and ask for help having a baby with Seth, because she and Seth had trouble conceiving, and (Nephthys claimed) Seth wanted a child.

It's not clear what of the many things Osiris is talking about Seth is referencing, but Seth thinks after hearing this, "It was my fault?" It kind of seems like Seth is blaming himself for Nephthys going to Osiris, though.

As Seth begins to accept all this, he grows increasingly visibly upset as he notes she did this without discussing it with him. As Seth grows increasingly honest about his thoughts, he finally says, "I was scared... I was afraid of being forgotten by [Nephthys and Anubis]."

He elaborates in S1E41, "I always just acted angry so that I wouldn't have to hear what she had to say. She was probably afraid of things ending up this way". He imagines she was scared of his reaction. Scared of him. But he had fears about this even before he got confirmation, to the point he was purposefully ruining their relationship to avoid getting that confirmation.

This is on top of Osiris encouraging Seth's self-doubt about Seth's capabilities, insisting that Seth's merits are due to Osiris, "If I hadn't made you the god of war and the desert, she would've never chosen you to be her husband. Peace may only be bestowed upon those that are strong." (S1E35). Seth even wonders if his being properly acknowledged as king of Egypt might make Nephthys finally acknowledge him, and that "Only the strongest one can achieve what I want." (S1E58).

Seth cut himself off from Nephthys, even before he learns about Anubis' biological father, but more so afterward. Part of this is shame, as he thinks in S1E71, "Nephthys must not learn the truth! She won't see me as a man anymore. She'll find me repulsive!" Part of it is the doubt Osiris planted in him. Part of it is seemingly the distaste he imagines other people, including Nephthys, should have over his abilities and position.

In sum, even when Seth hates Osiris the most, he believes Osiris' role is more important to Egypt. He believes Osiris is more powerful. He believes his own role is not respectable. He believes the woman he loves is better off without him and wouldn't want him. And Seth believes his son is better off emulating people who are not Seth. He wants them to do what's best for them, which involves ignoring him completely and moving on. He even tells Anubis to kill Seth if that's what he wants.

And he's terrified of it, too. Because as we see in S1E40 and S1E61, he still loves Anubis. He was so happy when Anubis was born ("The happiness I felt when I first held Anubis in my arms" S1E40). He's okay with Anubis hating him, so long as Anubis still stays his son. He says, "I'm sorry. You must've been in so much pain. You must've been so scared. It's all my fault. . . . You can hate me all you like. You don't need to forgive me. So please don't cast me aside. You're all I need."

This is hearkening back to S1E40, where Seth kept fastening on to the concept that Anubis is Osiris' son, and Osiris even reminds him, "The one who gave Anubis his name, and the one whom Anubis calls his father, is you." No matter what, Seth is Anubis' father.

But the doubt is already there, even before Osiris makes it worse. The shame. Seth already told Anubis not to emulate him by this point. He was already rejecting Nephthys before he learned the truth from Sekhmet and Nephthys, and he still cared about her and her high opinion, even during the sentencing, after he's ignored her for hundreds of years.

In S2E69, Horus claims that the eye of truth showed him something in Seth's soul, in similar words to what Seth said to Horus in Khemmis, and that this is related to Seth's awakening as a god, which he'd forgotten, because that's what happens when you awaken as a god (though Seth, Nephthys, and Isis are unaware of this). The teardrop says repeatedly, "forget our . . . ared what w . . . want to go bac . . . [w]ant him to dis[a] . . . stay by my sid . . . [r]emain as a child . . . he becomes a god . . . [c]an't leave me he can . . . let him become a go[d] . . . he becomes a god . . . [he]'ll forget our past . . . scared what will I d[o] . . . want to go back".

This is actually pretty similar to what he verbalizes to Horus in Khemmis, but I also recall when Anubis says in S2E31, "Just as all gods do, I instinctively know who sired me." It's unclear if Seth knows this is a thing or what, but the sentencing where Anubis learns Osiris is his biological father was after Seth showing his fears to Horus at Khemmis, so Anubis hadn't learned at the time. It seems to me like Seth's specific fear is Anubis learning his true parentage. Whether or not that's instinctive when you become a god isn't even that important, because Anubis might learn just by revealing his powers and changing his body to his godly form, because it seems like gods emulate their parents to some degree (or at least the possibility is there).

To elaborate, Seth didn't know what kind of god Anubis would become when he ascends (as shown in S1E5, he hoped Anubis would emulate his mother). In S2E29-30, he seems a mix of happy, surprised, and angry about Anubis' godly form. He thinks, with a sad smile, "So this is what you look like... . . . This is how you look as a god..." (S2E29) and then gets angry, noting, "Why are you dragging around dead bodies...? . . . You were born so beautiful, so you should have been like your mother! Why... ...are you wearing that silly mask...?"

This is possibly recalling Seth's comments in S01E05 about his own connection with death and his wish that Anubis doesn't have to do something so repulsive, and Seth's wish that, of his parents (Nephthys and Seth), Anubis instead emulates Nephthys, who doesn't do that. His comments about Anubis' mask, "Even your mask looks like mine! It's proof that you subconsciously remember me!" (S2E31) is also pointing out the connection between them, a connection Seth made back in S2E12, when he recalled the similarities in the unknown god's fighting skills and Anubis' abilities, as well as when Seth made Anubis a sand sha mask. He doesn't like the signs of Anubis emulating him at all, even in the slightest.

The general point again being, Seth had no idea what Anubis was going to look like as a god before he saw it in person. But I imagine he was simultaneously hopeful Anubis would emulate Nephthys but also afraid that not only would Anubis not emulate Seth at all - ignoring their connection - but also afraid Anubis would emulate both his biological parents, particularly Osiris. Perhaps that's how he would discover Osiris is his biological father. There's just a lot of ways becoming a god would show him the truth, and then things would be over between Anubis and Seth.

Because Anubis would learn Osiris, a god doing something respected like managing agriculture, is his biological father. Osiris, a powerful god who claims to be responsible for Seth's merits, which is a deep part of Seth's doubts about his own abilities (confirming that Seth is indeed lesser). Osiris, whom even Nephthys seemingly fell in love with, and maybe always loved (Seth doesn't know about the mirror, this is his anxiety, self-esteem issues, and Osiris' lies praying on his mind).

Seth in Khemmis is afraid Anubis will learn Osiris is Anubis' biological father or "real" father (at least in accordance with Seth's insistence that Anubis is Osiris' child) and abandon Seth for Osiris. Because, despite everything they had as a loving father and son, Osiris is the "better" choice. Why wouldn't Anubis do that? Even some part of Seth understands it. Seth views himself as so lacking that he thinks Anubis would discard their past together and easily pick the "better" option of Osiris.

He understands the reasoning.

But Seth is terrified, too. He loves Anubis. He loves being Anubis' father. He doesn't want to lose Anubis even as he wants Anubis to be happy and do as Anubis pleases. He's afraid of what that break will do to him. And we see the result: he cries and screams in S2E30, claiming their promise - which Anubis has forgotten - is all Seth has, and Anubis the "the only reason I have to live!". In S2E31 he grows upset about Anubis forgetting him, and cries more. He cries again about Anubis forgetting their promise in S2E64. He cries about Anubis being in Osiris' clutches again in S2E68. This is on top of Seth's fear that if Anubis goes to Osiris, Osiris will hurt Anubis more, after Osiris callously nearly killed Anubis as fodder for the child Osiris planned to have with Seth during the night of usurpation, and again after learning Osiris was using Anubis as a puppet during the trial, allowing Anubis to take Seth's attacks in Osiris' place. In S2E68, Seth screams about his fears of Anubis being hurt by Osiris, "You saw me kiss him! And for that Osiris sewed his lips shut and turned him into an idiot!! . . . What if he gets hurt again because of me?!"

He doesn't want Anubis to emulate him, but he's afraid of Anubis not doing that because it will be Anubis rejecting him. He doesn't want Nephthys to tell him she didn't love him, that Anubis wasn't his (biological) child, but he felt it was inevitable, because how could he have a beautiful child? How could she love someone like him? But also he loves her, so he doesn't want her to reject him, either. Not only because he just loved her, but also because he doesn't want her rejection to show he's unworthy as a man or as a person.

He loves them both, but he started removing himself from their lives long before the night of usurpation. He made himself a monster, in large part to push them away before they rejected him, as a form of self-protection. He never wanted Nephthys to tell him Anubis wasn't his (biological) son (S1E40). He never wanted to have to fully accept the gravity of that statement.

Sometimes the things we have to accept about people are hard, and hurt us. And we have to accept them anyway, but the fear is there, too.

He's so caught between wanting them to do what's best for them, and wanting to remove himself from ruining them both, and his own fears of them leaving him. He does what he has to, not necessarily because he wants to, and this, he feels, he has to. He's full of self-loathing and the capacity for affection that he hides out of shame, pain, and a sense of duty. It's so sad.

On the other hand, I do think there's hope in that. Seth's duty does define him in a lot of ways, many of which are unfortunate, but not all. It's when Seth abandons protecting Egypt and turns to sabotaging it, making its gods cower, killing its people, destroying the land, that he really loses it all. But with how the story is going, he's actively worried about the country's stability: he actually criticizes and instructs Horus about being mindful of managing Egypt and being wary of Ra (and Hathor) in S2E88, not to mention the numerous times he's noted Horus should be helping Isis run the country. FG's offer to fight a war against Egypt for Seth infuriated Seth, and seemingly activated his protective instincts over the country: "How dare you bring up war in front of me, when I spent thousands of years protecting Egypt?" (S2E48). I honestly think FG's presence is largely to make Seth look to protecting Egypt's borders again, and being more aware of other nations and how Egypt will work with and against them. And Horus is there to remind Seth of his being a guardian god (S2E74). Anubis' plight has made him actively care about the state of Duat (S2E68). While being around Horus is making him question his own thoughts about his role and the choices he makes, and uncovering things even he didn't know (e.g., the letters he and Isis exchanged in the flashback in S02E69, or what's up with the Ogdoad). He's learning what he cares about again, rather than drowning in self-pity and hatred, and Horus in particular makes him think about the stuff he enjoys best, including being a guardian and not panicking so much.

A deep part of why Horus/Seth works as a pairing is because Seth believes he is strong but unlovable and perhaps not as strong as he thinks he is due to self-doubt, while the people around him deserve better, while Horus believes Seth is strong, lovable, and worth of protection because of how fragile Seth can be in many ways. They both have different wisdom and can see flaws the other one has, and point them out for future improvement, and, on some level, respect each other (for all Seth's many derogatory comments, he respects Horus, for example, when he tries to impress Horus at the fight at Isis' temple in S2E53). And Horus sees him, in a way other people don't, even if Horus isn't always right about it. But unlike other characters, he's willing to learn. Whereas Horus really does need guidance about being a strong ruler.

I also think that there's hope for reconciliation with Nephthys and Anubis. Certainly Seth is fighting to keep his relationship with Anubis good, and with Nephthys having her feelings changed by the mirror, perhaps with Isis' help, they can restore her, and Nephthys can continue her own healing journey. Perhaps she and Seth will start a new friendship. Even if it never happens, I think they both have developed and will develop enough to maybe meet as siblings again one day, working together peacefully. I doubt it'll be more than that, but it's more than they have now.

Seth's story is still sad and I imagine we're going to learn more as the story progresses, but there's a lot of hope, too.

[forbidding-souda]

Hello!! I really like all of the Headcanon you write, I think they all feel VERY in character for everyone you write, AND AS A BYAKUYA SIMP, I would LOVE to request a Byakuya Togami x the shy and timid ultimate Empath Hc please!! THANK YOU AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING YOU WRITEEE

Byakuya Togami with a timid and shy SHSL Empath S/O

I kinda ate with this.

As I state before, these are my all time favorite requests. So when my requests open again can ya'll spam me with these thank you.

-Mod Souda

❤ He had 0 patience for you when he first met you. You're lucky you're cute.

❤ When the two of you first met, it's not that you annoyed it, it's more that your timidness irritated him.

❤ But man was your shyness so cute. He found himself staring at you, just analyzing your behavior, wondering if everything was just a front.

❤ His emotional defensiveness means he was still on edge around you.

❤ But you had this natural charm that was unavoidable.

❤ And what shocked him the most is how you read him like a book. The library was open fr.

❤ You didn't bring anything up, you knew his demeanor and you were a little too scare of him to be able to bring up any of his hidden trauma. And it's not as if you honed in on what it exactly was, you felt it immensely. You knew everything he was feeling.

❤ And he knows this.

❤ A part of you was scared that he was only courting you to emotionally get you to be silent. But one day, as you two go to dinner together, you get a sense of his emotional vulnerability. He cares about me, you realized suddenly. You don't know what specifically brought that to your mind, but maybe it was just how his glares became simple gazes.

❤ Anyway, when you two start dating.

❤ Now, he uses his brutal wit to defend you against any person who thinks they have the right to even look at you the wrong way.

❤ It takes him awhile to figure out what to do when you cry. He's not used to being kind to people who are crying in front of him. Usually you're crying about things that aren't sad, you can cry happy tears too. You'd have to clarify.

❤ I'm imagining the two of you in class and everything is fine and then within a 0.1 second you're just tearing up.

❤ Or when you meet one of his maids or something and you randomly start giggling before whispering their drama into his ear before promptly ignoring whoever it is out of embarrassment for telling their business.

❤ Dude oh my god you could talk so much shit if you wanted to.

❤ His servants will scare the shit out of you when you're over because they're used to being quiet and accidentally sneak up on you.

❤ He scolds them, and not in front of you. But you can still tell their weariness the next time you see them.

❤ You two share a bed but you're still flustered to see him shirtless. Or in the mornings when he brushes his hair - he's just so cute.

❤ And the slow progress of him going from casual touches to gentle ones RAAAA.

❤ He 'allows' your shyness now and doesn't mind your timidness. Your hesitance towards others is just something he becomes used to. When he learns your behavior, he's gonna do whatever he needs to prevent you from being uncomfortable. Especially when you two are classmates around all those crazy mfers.

❤ He'll order for you at restaurants.

❤ What's that meme? "He asks for more ketchup" or whatever. However it goes.

❤ I love this prompt so much I could talk about this for hours.

❤ LOLZ

[rottenpumpkin13]

Went to a casino recently soooo

What do the Firsts do at the casino + cloud?

The Casino Trip From Hell

• A huge Shinra-funded casino opens up in the slums. Genesis, being the patron saint of hedonism he is, drags Sephiroth and Angeal along with him.

• Angeal isn't into the whole gambling scene, so he's more than apprehensive about being in that environment. Sephiroth thinks casino's are a gross display of greed, but he goes anyway.

• They arrive at the entrance and who do they see? Zack and Cloud, both bearing fake IDs and ridiculous fake mustaches. (They're 19 and 18 respectively but in Midgar you have to be 21).

• After Angeal rips them a new one, Genesis gets tired of waiting and convinces Angeal to just let the boys be boys and commit a little crime for once, as a treat.

• Angeal caves, but only because Zack is begging on his knees and people are staring.

• He appoints Sephiroth as the responsible adult in charge of babysitting Zack and Cloud.

• His logic is "What trouble could Sephiroth, Zack and Cloud get up to? Besides, I'm babysitting Genesis."

• He would come to regret that decision.

• Genesis drags Angeal over to the roulette tables declaring himself a master at gambling, having seen his parents dabble in it since he was a child.

• Meanwhile Zack is buzzing with excitement! After touring the casino with Cloud and Sephiroth, they finally settled down at the slot machines.

• Sephiroth is curious to know how the machines work, and after much deliberation (and being egged on by Zack and Cloud), decides to try it out for himself.

• Sephiroth hits the jackpot the first try.

• Back at the Roulette table, Angeal and Genesis run into none other than *drumroll* Rufus ShinRa.

• Genesis and Rufus make eye contact. Angeal's internal dialogue is a series of oh no's.

• They make some trash small talk before the game starts. Angeal orders a drink and decides to sit this one out.

• Back at the slot machines, Sephiroth somehow hits the jackpot again. Zack and Cloud are causing a ruckus and they whoop and cheer. A small crowd starts to form around Sephiroth, who's extremely confused.

• Back at the roulette table, they're about 20 minutes into it. Genesis is losing pathetically. Rufus is smug about it, stating that luck must me on his side if the undefeatable Genesis Rhapsodos is completely devoid of it.

• Genesis then declares that Rufus is cheating.

• This starts an argument, with Genesis demanding that Rufus forfeit, and questioning his morals "as a man."

• Angeal is drinking faster.

• Back at the slot machines, Sephiroth is on his fourth jackpot.

• Zack has never been more excited in his life. He's jumping up and down, declaring Sephiroth as the slot machine demons. Cloud is growing weary of the crowd watching them, especially the angry onlookers.

• Sephiroth is confused because "Is this not normal?"

Cloud: NOT IT'S NOT NORMAL. HOW THE HELL ARE YOU DOING THAT?

• Sephiroth proceeds to hit the jackpot for a fifth time.

Cloud: Sephiroth stop playing.

Sephiroth: But I'm winning?

Cloud: Yes but there's clearly something wrong with the machine and we're going to be arrested if you don't stop now.

Zack: Let him play! He's just lucky! Look, will it make you feel better if we switch machines?

• They move onto another machine. The crowd takes over the previous one like vultures, but no one hits the jackpot.

• Meanwhile Sephiroth hits the jackpot again on the new machine.

Cloud: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Zack: M O N E Y

Sephiroth: ???????

• Back at the roulette table, Genesis and Rufus's argument has escalated into full blown trash talk.

Rufus: Oh I'm sorry, Commander, does my mere existence bruise your ego?

Genesis: Let me tell you what I'm gonna bruise, pal—

Angeal (drunk): Genesis please don't threaten our boss's son.

Rufus: No, no, it's fine, Commander Hewley. I'm unbothered by threats from a man who wears mascara.

Genesis: YOU'RE WEARING A FUCKING SKIRT.

• Back at the slot machine, Sephiroth has hit the jackpot for the 10th time. People are rioting around them and screaming for security.

• Zack is cussing out the indignant onlookers and defending Sephiroth. Cloud is begging Sephiroth to stop playing. Sephiroth casually hits the jackpot for the 11th time.

• Back at the roulette table, Genesis and Rufus are on the floor fist-fighting. Angeal isn't even making an effort to intervene. He's so tired, he's just cheering them on.

Angeal: YEAH, RUFUS PULL HIS HAIR. CALL HIM GENEVIEVE. HE HATES IT WHEN—OOH, RIGHT IN THE SPLEEN! GET HIS ASS, GENESIS! SIT ON HIM!

• Back at the slot machines, security has shown up. They think Sephiroth is cheating, therefore stealing. Cloud is desperately trying to reason with them, explaining that Sephiroth is just naturally lucky and would never dream of stealing anything.

• Meanwhile Zack is arguing with the crowd and Sephiroth, bored, turns around and hits the jackpot again.

• Back at the roulette table, security has shown up with Tseng to separate the two. Tseng demands to know what happened, and after Angeal explains the whole thing to him, he proceeds to go on a rant about how Genesis is an irresponsible, petulant man who shouldn't be allowed within 3 feet of other people.

• This angers a drunk Angeal, who then declares that "NO ONE TALKS ABOUT MY BEST FRIEND LIKE THAT" and punches Tseng in the face.

• Angeal and Tseng are now on the floor fighting.

• Back at the slot machines, the police show up and arrest Sephiroth, Zack and Cloud. Sephiroth is unbothered by this because he knows this is all a misunderstanding. Cloud is panicking, trying to tell the cops that he's not, in fact, the mastermind behind the whole operation, as Sephiroth jokingly declared.

• The cops are trying to catch Zack, who broke free from his restraints and is running around the slot machines screaming "YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE."

• Sephiroth, Angeal, Genesis, Zack and Cloud are all sitting in Director Lazard's office. Lazard is so angry, he's mute—red in the face with a vein popping on his forehead, but mute.

• One by one, Lazard fills the uncomfortable silence with angry thwacks of newspaper against the desk.

• Each newspaper has some variation of the same headlines.

• SHINRA VS RHAPSODOS: WHO WON?

• SEPHIROTH INVOLVED IN GAMBLING SCANDAL (STOLE THOUSANDS)

• WILD NIGHT OUT FOR SOLDIER'S 1ST CLASS TRIO.

Lazard: I have had it up to here with the five of you. What do you have to say for yourselves?

Angeal:

Genesis:

Zack:

Cloud:

Sephiroth: And I'll do it again.

Lazard: GET OUT!

[inheartofwinter]

For @drarrymicrofic 's prompt "Time loop". G | 542.

Maybe I will write more later. Fingercross that I would be able to create something decent.

They say that tomorrow never comes. Draco is sure they don’t mean it like this.

He stares at the Daily Prophet, silently willing the date on it to change. The date, probably relishing in Draco's agony, remains the same. It is the same the day before, and the day before that, and the day before the day before that, and— There are too many days before that, certainly more than Draco's liking, that Draco feels foolish to hope for something different. He still hopes.

Draco throws the paper at the wall. It always says rubbish, anyway.

“You know that’s not going to help,” says Potter from behind the kitchen’s table. He is buttering a slice of toast. On the table, there are two plates of perfectly cooked English breakfast, a mug of coffee and a cup of tea. Everything is made by Potter.

“What else are you telling me to do?!” Draco snaps back. “Sit down and drink coffee?”

Potter puts down the coffee mug he just drank from a second ago. “No. The world knows you hates coffee. But you can drink tea.”

Draco grumbles but sits down at the table. He sips the tea. He has to stop himself from moaning in pleasure as the liquid warms his entire body up. It is exactly how Draco likes it.

Draco glances up and catches Potter smirking at him. Draco glares at him.

After nearly a month of being stuck with each other, Potter has come to know too much about Draco’s habits and preferences for Draco’s comfort. Draco consoles himself that the contrary is also true. Draco also learns a lot more about Potter in that short time than in the previous ten years they have shared. However, if he is honest, that fact sometimes scares Draco shitless.

“You should go shopping for grocery. I'm getting tired of English breakfast,” Potter says between bites of egg.

“I'm not. You can get your own food if you don’t like it.” Draco throws back just to be contrary.

“Maybe I should.” Potter agrees. “Come to think of it, I don’t even have to cook. I can just get take away. Do you like naan?”

This is what discomforts Draco the most. It is getting harder and harder to anger Potter. Halfway through the second week, Potter doesn’t rise to Draco’s bait anymore.

“Aren’t you a bit too comfortable with this situation?” Draco grumbles. “People would think you love it.”

All pretend relaxation falls off Potter. His posture straightens up. His face hardens. “I'm not. I would sell my soul to get out of this.”

Draco mentally curses himself. There it is, the blank, world-weary eyes Potter occasionally wear. Against Draco’s better judgement, he knows that he would dig his own heart out if it could stop Potter looking that way. Between trying to get out of the time loop and having every meal together, Draco has fallen for Harry Potter.

Once again, Draco curses whatever has put them in this situation.

“Maybe we will figure it out today.” Draco says, hoping his lame comfort would cheer Potter up just a little. “And it will be like before again.”

Potter blinks. Then, he nods, looking less depressed but also kind of odd. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

[cevans-is-classic]

"You think you're all cool and mysterious but we both know if you removed your helmet you'd have no idea how to maintain eye contact."

He'd only been awake for ten minutes, and already you were having your morning rant.

Grogu followed you back and forth his ears wiggling as he mimicked your movements.

Djarin watched.

"I keep being told to 'control my face' whenever someone says something stupid, but I know, I know, you have no room to talk. You stand there with your hip propped, your armor all shiny, that helmet tipped to the side. You could be asleep! I know you've been asleep! Are you asleep now? Are you? It's early still."

Today is going to be one of those days.

Djarin held back a sigh, leaned down to pick up Grogu, "Morning to you too."

A withering look, "I've been awake for hours."

"Of course." He'd grown accustomed to you coming and going every few months.

Welcomed the times you could stay and thanked you profusely when you'd watch his homestead when they couldn't return for days.

Right now he's contemplating if he should have let Karga introduce the two of you.

"I had another dream."

That was something he'd never grow used to.

Grogu taught him what the force was. He'd seen the beauty of it — watched it be used to heal and save people as well as allow his son to reach the snacks he shouldn't be eating.

The force was the strongest hold the galaxy had and who could wield it — they were attuned to a way of life no other could understand.

Even with that knowledge he'd never knew there could be other — abilities.

Until you.

Until Karga called him to the main city and asked him to help protect you.

The dreams were a gift.

A gift that cost you pieces of your mind.

(That's what he believes anyway.)

"What kind of dream?"

Grogu settled in his chair, large eyes following Djarin as he put together a small breakfast for the youngling. He sat a bowl of broth in front of him, holding the spoon until Grogu grabbed it with a cooing frown.

"We talked about you trying." He pouted more but took the spoon.

"I saw a man."

"Ooo-ap." Grogu cooed again, reaching for the bowl of broth with his spoon waving towards it.

Djarin pushed the bowl closer, "A man?"

"He moved through many room. His person ever changing — a prince, a monster, a father, a villan — a man choked by smoke. He walked from face to face until they all blended together."

You once dreamt that a Fosibird would take flight over Nevarro — Fosibirds were extinct. Djarin assumed you'd exaggerated your dream and rolled your words off his shoulder.

The following week, a merchant purchased a Fosibird egg in attempts to create a statue of it, and as it laid in the hearth, the creature came to life.

He'd become weary of your dreams after that.

Learned what was prophetic and what was vivid telling of other people's lives.

Grogu finished his broth, the spoon still waving, while liquid dripped from his mouth.

Djarin felt his lips flatten out in an attempt at holding back laughter.

You used a cloth to wipe at his mouth and Grogu gurgled in response.

"What did you get from the dream?"

That had you standing still.

He'd once describe your eyes as a galaxy of their own. Far far away from where the rest of them stood.

Bo-Katan had rolled her eyes but he hadn't been attempting to flatter you. He'd been truthful about his thoughts.

"I dreamt it was you."

Grogu stopped waving the spoon and looked between the both of you.

"Of me?"

"Yes."

"Is that why you were mumbling about my facial expressions?"

A little frown furrowed your brow, "Yes. You have very expressive eyes — they tell a story."

"You don't know what my eyes look like."

For a moment he felt like that was a lie.

"Din Djarin," You took the spoon from Grogu and moved the bowl towards the sink, "I've never seen your face but I've seen you. Expressive eyes."

Djarin shook his head, "What if I don't have eyes?"

"I'm crazy not stupid. Oh, he threw up."

Grogu's mouth was covered in yellow colored spittle.

Djarin cursed rose and lifted his son from his chair to carry him to the sink, "You ate before breakfast didn't you?"

His large eyes darted to you and you shrugged, "I told you. I'd been up for hours."

Maybe you were right about his facial expressions. He knew if he didn't have his helmet on the look he was giving, he could kill with it.

The smile you gave him could bring others back to life.

Pedro Masterlist

Galaxy Eyes Masterlist

[yanderederee]

I want a yandere too. I want someone to love me even with my flaws, bc I tend to lose focus and I do things last min and I'm neurodivegent and I feel like most of my yanderes (especially baji) wouldn't judge me or see my as weird.

Just wanted to pit this out there bc I saw your tags on my last asks and I wanted to respond to that and ig start a discussion or suggestion?

I hope u accept.

For a while now, I’ve been shifting this ask through my head to conjure a proper response …

For starters, I forgot Yandere was part of the prompt I started writing; so I see this as headcanon in Baji’s actions/reactions in types of situation. I could write a whole separate indulgence piece on how yandere!Baji would develop past this:)

I find myself taking a realistic approach to it all. At first/in youth, I don’t think Baji has enough maturity to really understand other people’s neurological/psychological struggles. He’ll understand there’s some tension in those aspects, but I feel that Baji would be quick to frustrate.

Baji doesn’t understand why you’re suddenly giving him the cold shoulder, when in reality you’ve found yourself non-verbal. It wasn’t that fucking hard to place a food order?

Let Baji be dramatic at first. Let him pick apart what’s actually happening.

Once he sees the way you struggle and try to muster the courage to ask for a refill of your drink, he’s in awe with how relieved and proud of yourself you are after managing the small task.

He’d probably seem pissed off and go quiet himself, but it’s cause Baji is mulling the idea over in his head how you can’t to feel that way.

“What gets you so nervous about being in public anyway?” Baji asks blatantly.

You felt this question at the tip of his tongue all day, and while his actions were putting you more on edge, you noticed little details.

You would notice how his tone is lower, not scowling or rolling his eyes at you anymore. You could tell he felt guilty for his immaturity, after his own actions and choice of words.

Just, the way you were so quick to put up your defenses confused him.

“There’s a lot of … unknowns, I guess.. it doesn’t really make sense to me either, Keisuke… I just— my body reacts like I’m doing something, wrong. Like, I’m inconveniencing everyone around me. If I wasn’t standing here, If I wasn’t taking up someone else’s time, other people’s lives would be more… convenient.”

You could tell you were barely getting anywhere with him, but he was trying to understand. So you kept trying to help him understand.

“L-like even now… if I hadn’t dragged you out to hang out with me today, your time could have been better spent. Mikey and Draken invited you out right? But you declined on my behalf..” you smiled, but that same tinge of guilt hit hard.

“Yeah, doing the same lame shit I’ve done for the last week, no creative pass times with those bone heads sometimes,” he laughed. “You don’t think I’m having fun now?” Baji asked.

“Well, it can be hard to tell,” you chuckled back, weary of meeting his gaze. “I can’t really tell if I’m being entertaining enough, or when people get tired of my needless input. I’m.. kinda slow, I guess, I lose focus on what’s happening sometimes and suddenly I’m not on the same page as everyone anymore. But, like, with everything.”

“Does that make sense?” You sighed, heart palpitating in suspense.

It felt good to vent out all the things that made you anxious, especially when you can’t tell why most of the time. Maybe in time, it would.

Baji cycled through your words, silently.

“I… think so.” He mumbled, scratching the back of his head.

“That part of you’s kinda, what I like about you, though?”

Your eyes twitched, and with an unbelieving look, you eye him cautiously.

“Like yesterday, when you spaced out while Chifuyu and I were arguing about Gekijyo, you suddenly jumped right in with a whole other thing from left field. It was hilarious, but I just remember thinking, ‘who the hell thinks of stuff like that?!’ In-in a good way… you’re pretty smart, yaknow. I really respect the way you handle yourself when you’re caught off guard.”

“Honestly, it doesn’t make sense to me, how you go through live so cautiously and worried all the time. But you make smart analysis out of situations that seem unwindable, and,” Baji held out his hand, and carefully pulled a stray hair from your face.

“I just can’t help but like you. You’re funny, and encouraging. When you’re comfortable, you shine. I see so much passion in you, and can’t help wanting to fuel that part of you.”

Baji gently pressed his palm against your cheek.

Sure, little things could sweep you up in thought, distracting you to the point of frustration. So long as he could keep quipping back and forth, laughing, and watching you smile so genuinely— Baji imagined he could take on some of those struggles of your behalf. Maybe, with just a little weight lifted off your conscious, he could watch you grow and eventually take them on with ease, with a smile.

꘏

Over time, Baji would pick up on any stims you had, if you had any.

Started picking up on signs that something was becoming too hard for you to handle, or perhaps comprehend.

He learned your mannerisms, and how to talk out down from any panics you may undergo.

Baji takes it upon himself to learn about the people he cherishes.

He doesn’t drop people because they’re too hard to deal with. Baji doesn’t break off ties, especially when he can tell you’re working through struggles. Physical and psychological.

Baji Keisuke would eventually become surprising attentive, but mostly only with his partner.

He doesn’t walk on egg shells around them, but he will reconsider if he’s acting too harshly.

[cowboyemeritus]

Day 5

Prompts: Dom/Sub, Lingerie

Pairing: Secondo/Reader

Tags: dom/sub relationship, lingerie, alcohol

Notes: I have been SO excited for this. i had a ton of fun writing it. can you tell i'm a people pleaser? also soft, loving dom secondo? sign me up!

“Good evening, Papa. Welcome home.” Instantly, the sour, tired expression on Secondo’s face melts away. Stepping through the heavy oak door to his chambers, he smiles gently as you rise from your seat on the bed to greet him.

“Good evening, pet.” His powerful, mismatched eyes rake over your form as you approach. He’d given you the freedom to choose your attire for this evening’s session, and based on the way his tongue quickly darts across his upper lip, you can tell he’s quite happy with himself. Black lace on emerald green silk, this set is his favorite, hugging your curves in all the right ways. Your hair is in a half-pony, tied back with a black ribbon exactly how he likes it. He regards you as if you’re a work of art, and pride blooms in your chest knowing you’ve made the right choice. Wordlessly, you step behind him, gently grasping the lapels of his finely-tailored suit jacket and helping him shrug out of it. He watches as you take the garment over to the armoire and hang it up. You would just hate for such an expensive piece of clothing to get wrinkles.

Secondo doesn’t like to talk about work in the bedroom, so you don’t ask him about his day. Based on how he looked only moments ago, you probably don’t want to know anyway. Instead, you stroll over to the armchair in the corner of the room and kneel on the small pillow on the floor next to it, hands resting on your stocking-clad thighs. You look to him then, not expectantly — that would be far too presumptuous and you know he can’t stand that — but merely as if to say here I am! Please look at how good I’m being! With a low chuckle, Secondo paces over to you, undoing the top two buttons of his dress shirt as he approaches. He takes a seat, relaxing into the plush chair with a pleasured groan, finally able to rest his weary, old bones. The hand closest to you cups your cheek, and it takes everything you have to not lean into his touch. As his pet, above all you must have self-control.

“Did I keep you waiting long?” He asks, stroking your cheekbone with his thumb. You shake your head.

“No, Papa.” It’s technically not a lie. You’ve been ready for him for a least half an hour, but that’s your own doing. Punctuality is very important, especially when it comes to your time with the Second. It’s one of the reasons why, out of all the submissives he’s had, you’re his favorite. He likes the finer things in life, well-trained pets being paramount. You like to be early. You like to obey. It’s not hard to please him.

“Good.” Secondo hums appreciatively, eyeing the glass of scotch (on the rocks, of course) waiting for him on a small side table. He has such large, strong hands, but he handles the fine crystal so gently, taking a slow sip. His eyes shut for a moment as he savors the taste. When he looks back down at you the gears in his head are clearly turning, a bemused twinkle in his gaze. Gently, he puts the glass to your lips, and although you absolutely despise scotch you let him tip it back, pouring a small measure of the amber liquid into your mouth. It’s impossible to keep a straight face when you swallow, cringing as the harsh liquor burns your throat. This is likely some sort of test and for a moment, you worry he’ll be cross with you for losing your composure, but he just laughs softly, using his thumb to wipe away a stray droplet at the corner of your mouth.

“You would drink poison if I told you to, amorina.”

You giggle, feeling your cheeks flush. A warm feeling spreads in your stomach, though you doubt it’s the alcohol. “I would do anything you told me to, sir.” At this he laughs again, the hand on your cheek moving to pet the top of your head.

“Silly little thing.” He sighs wistfully. “You would like a treat, yes?” From day one he’s been able to read you like a book. You bite your lip, knowing you’ve been seen, and dare to nod. “Come sit in my lap, then.” He pats his thigh and relieved, you rise from your seat, mouth watering as you spy his steadily growing erection. You straddle him on the chair, your own pounding arousal so close, and yet so far away, from your true prize. Secondo takes a moment to admire how you look in his colors before pulling you in for a claiming, yet tender kiss. When he pulls away, your head is spinning.

“Thank you, Papa,” you say, breathless already. He shakes his head.

“No, darling. Thank you.”

[welcometocaritas]

when wolfwren are left to babysit. . .

excerpt from my fic 'you and i were born in fire'

'' is used for when Shin and Sabine communicate through their thoughts/the bond. "" is normal talking.

. . .

"I don't know what to do about them," Jacen admits, voice almost too quiet to hear. "The other kids. I tried to be their friend but they didn't want that. Then I tried ignoring them but. . . well, they didn't want that either."

Shin can relate. Those are two methods that she tried all too often herself - with no success. If people want to hurt you, they will hurt you. There is very little you can do to prevent it except hurt them back.

At least in her experience.

"You could kill them. That would solve the problem."

Jacen stares at her, the wideness of his eyes suggesting that this may not have been what humans consider to be an appropriate solution. But Jacen is part alien so Shin suspects he'll adjust. "Is that what you did?"

"Yes."

"Oh." He blinks. ". . . did it work?"

Shin tilts her head, thoughtful. "They never hurt me again. So. . . Yes."

"It doesn't sound like something a Jedi would do."

"I'm not a Jedi."

"I know but. . . I want to be one."

Shin resists the urge to roll her eyes, or sigh one of Baylan's disappointed and world-weary sighs (she finds them coming out of her more and more these days, living on this base). "You shouldn't. You could be more."

Jacen, apparently, lacks her self-control - for he does roll his eyes. "I know, Aunt Shin."

So she may have said this to him before. Many, many times before. Possibly every time that they converse.

But somebody has to.

Shin frowns. "I'm not your aunt."

Perhaps the bullies delivered a knock to his head as well?

She should check for a brain injury.

"Well. . . no," he allows. "But Sabine isn't my aunt, either. Not technically. I don't actually have anyone who is technically my aunt. Or my uncle. Or, well. . . anything. At least, not since Grandpa died. . . So Mum said that technically doesn't matter. I get to choose who my family is."

Rather than alleviate her confusion, his words only intensify it. "And you've chosen me?"

"Affirmative."

He was most definitely hit on the head.

Which means he ought to be checked for a concussion.

Shin reaches out to do exactly that, placing a hand on his forehead.

Jacen frowns, attempting to twist away. "What are you doing?"

"Scanning you."

"For what?"

"Yeah, Shin? For what?"

She twists around to see Sabine walking towards them, a cocky grin in place that she absolutely does not find attractive. Distracted by the potentially perilous state of Jacen's health, Shin didn't hear the door open.

"A concussion."

Sabine pauses. "And why are we scanning Hera's only child for a concussion?"

"Some children on base assaulted him."

"What? I'll kill them." Sabine whips around, as if searching for the culprits themselves in amongst the graffitied walls of their room. A pointless endeavour. Shin would have picked up the signatures of any extra life forms upon entering.

"I suggested as much as a solution but Jacen is reluctant."

"Killing is wrong," he says, looking at them pointedly. "And also illegal."

Sabine waves that minor protest aside. "Not a problem if you don't get caught."

"Which we won't."

They're not amateurs.

Sabine dumps herself down onto the bed. "Now. . . tell me about these little brats."

Shin catches her eye. 'Are we really going to kill them?'

Because she will. But she's admittedly a little surprised by Sabine's gusto.

Sabine hesitates. '. . . Probably not.' To her credit, she appears as unhappy as Shin about this conclusion. 'Hera would disapprove.'

'That's not a problem for me.'

She likes it when Hera disapproves.

'Okay, not really for me, either,' Sabine amends. 'But it might be morally wrong. To kill a bunch of kids. Even if they are complete jerks. . . I mean, I'm probably headed to hell anyway but I think that'll buy me a one-way ticket.'

Shin focuses on the rock in Jacen's hands. Jagged and uncomfortable as it may be to touch, it does look beautiful.

'And I guess we'd be setting a bad example for the squirt. . .' Sabine frowns - before brightening. 'Still doesn't mean we can't make them regret the day they were born!'

'So torture, then?'

Sabine blinks. "Uh. . ."

Jacen sighs. "Mum says it's rude to have a silent conversation with someone in front of someone else."

"Your mum invented that rule of etiquette after meeting Shin because she doesn't like being kept out of the loop. It's not a real thing."

Shin suspects it might be a real thing. But she's willing to cede to Sabine's judgement when it comes to the rules of social engagement.

[sdwolfpup]

THE WAY I RAN HERE WHEN I SAW THE PROMPTS LIST

23 please Ilu

ilu!!

23. "Will you be my New Years kiss?"

Age 9.

"Ew, no." Brienne says, pushing Jaime away.

"Why not? I don't have cooties."

"Because that stuff is for grown-ups," she tells him with all the ancient, weary burden of wisdom that a nine-year old can muster. Especially when he's two years older than her and he should know this already.

Jaime frowns and kicks a snowpack in her front yard from where her dad has shoveled the walk. "I know that," he sneers, turning his back on her and sauntering away. "I didn't mean it anyway, Smartypants."

She throws a snowball at his retreating form, but it falls just shy, plopping uselessly to the ground at his heels. Stupid Jaime, she thinks. Nothing ever touches him.

Age 15.

"You're drunk," Brienne tells him when he asks. "And I'm working on New Year's Eve remember?"

"You're too young to work, Smarty" he slurs.

"You're too young to drink," she snaps back.

"Blow it off and be with me instead." Jaime leans into her space and the aroma of some hard liquor she's sure she's never tried envelops her like a cloud. His eyes are red-rimmed and bleary and it looks like he hasn't changed his clothes in three days and he's still so handsome it hurts inside her chest just to look at him.

And she loves him enough that she considers doing what he'd said. But he always gets like this when he and Cersei have broken up and she has to know something first. "Why are you asking me?"

"Everyone else is busy and I don't like to be alone." He pouts his lower lip out, she thinks to try to make himself more appealing, but she feels the walls rolling down over her heart like a garage door closing.

"Then get a dog," she says and shuts the door in his face.

Age 21.

"Me?" Jaime looks around like they're not the only two people out on this balcony.

It's taken everything she has to ask him and it's hard not to shove him over the railing into the sea crashing below at his answer. Casterly Rock is very high up, if she's lucky he'd hit a few rocks on the way down.

"Forget it," she mutters, turning on her heel in an act of fierce willpower, but he grabs her hand before she can get more than a step and she stops.

"Brienne." His voice rolls low over her like a wave and she shivers, hoping he'll think it's the sea wind. "I meant to say: why me?"

Because I've been in love with you since we were kids feels like a lot to drop at his feet. "Because I've never had a New Year's Eve kiss and you keep asking so I thought you'd be fine with it," she tells him. She's never had any kiss but she's not going to tell him that. Constrained truth is the better choice here.

Jaime tilts his head slightly, like he's processing some new information. "So you're just humoring me?"

"Like I said: forget it." She twists her wrist and easily escapes from his grip. "I'll find someone else."

"I don't want you to find someone else." The forceful whip of his tone is more effective at stopping her than his hand had been.

Brienne glances back at him, at the way his body is tense in his perfectly tailored tux, at the grip of his hand on the balcony railing, the knuckles going white from the force of it.

"I want you to find me," he says roughly. He releases the railing and steps towards her and she has the distinct feeling of teetering on the edge of this very high cliff. "I want you to want to find me."

"Why?" she whispers. It could just be stupid masculine pride making him say that and she needs to know.

He shakes his head a little with a fond smile. "I thought you were the smart one here." Jaime's fingers brush lightly down the bare skin of her arm and it's impossible to hide the goosebumps that follow. "Why do you think I kept asking you?"

"Because I was there."

He frowns and he slides his hand around the back of her neck, looking up at her with a seriousness she's not used to from him. "I asked because I love you."

Her heart thuds in time to the countdown shouts filtering out from inside.

"Like a sister?" she squeaks and his laughter lights up the air like fireworks.

"Gods, I sincerely hope not," he murmurs, rising up to kiss her as the clock strikes midnight.

(Festive prompts here)

[temperamentalaquarius]

any thoughts on batman: black mirror? i really enjoyed it (as a non-batfamily fan) but i'm wondering if there is a difference of opinion with people who are actually acquainted with the context behind black mirror, i guess. which parts did you find the strongest + which parts did you find the weakest?

anyways, im a huge fan of your comics-posting (which is both, in the best way, entertaining and insightful). have a great day!

Ahhh thank u!! I'm glad I'm not the only one having fun 😁!!!

Thank you so much for sending this, I loved the dick!bats era and I liked The Black Mirror!!

I thought it was a decent Dick story, and I loved that it had Babs and Tim as the supporting cast. It was good to see them back(mostly) in their 90s early 2000s element.

I thought that the A plot was better than the serial killer B plot-; it had a lot of personal connection for Dick without being about the Graysons and orcas(which are some of the most vicious and borderline cruel predators that terrify me to my core and it was really cool to see them get some use)- even if I didn't find the ending super satisfying.

I thought James was interesting, and his story was more linear but the addition of the Joker into the situation was kind of just...messy and not entirely necessary? It kind of killed it for me. Idk I might just have Joker fatigue. I did like the coloring and a good portion of the art better in that part of the story, tho. I thought the mood they set was really cool and a little scary.

My high points were all (unsurprisingly) character based:

I loved the way Tim saving Dick from his own shit here

Kinda paralleled this scene in NW 96

But more mature. Watching them go from Dick mentoring Tim to them having a much more balanced relationship where Tim can fully have Dick's back has always been super satisfying and seeing it making a come back after their little fallout was cool

I also like the attention paid to the differences in Bruce and Dick's philosophy (specifically here:

) and the difficulty that Batman presents Dick because of it. Part of the appeal of Dick being Batman is the reluctance and the chunk of flesh it takes out of him and I think this story really got the tone of that right. He's making mistakes that he wouldn't normally, he's not sleeping; you can really tell that everything is getting to him. He feels like the walls are closing in on him with no way out (sometimes literally) and it makes the whole story kind of..weary? It's as much man vs man as it is man vs self. Love that many of the action sequences in the book happen in enclosed places that have an unstoppable deadly force converging on him with no way out and how that emphasizes the theme

OH and my absolute favorite analogy for the mindset that dick operates w/ is in this book

And how that works with his parents rules for survival

There's like... a debate on whether Dick plans or if he acts on instinct and I like the way that this breaks it down to: yes, he's planning from the start and if it seems like he isn't it's because that's what he wants you to think- but he understands that leaving space to bob and weave is a part of that process. Ultimate planner that is liable to start behaving erratically as fuck at any moment is such a fun look

Favorite fight was probably the horror forward snap at the auction, with honorarable mentions going to Dick v.s the compactor, Dick v.s. the orca, and of course Dick v.s. The bends

Worst was by far this one:

There is no way he should've been able to waltz into Babs' hideout without her knowing I'm so sorry it's just not realistic, like, that's Barbara Gordon???

[js589]

Another day, another installment of Everything I'll Never Say! Dear Lockwood is starting to realize that there is actually quite a lot he should say.

Part 3, Part 5

TAPE 1, SIDE 2, PART 2

[click] Well, George and Holly still think I'm an idiot, but I'm a correct idiot, so I'll take it. I just need to find the perfect job. It needs to be one that I couldn't refuse, of course, but more than that, it needs to be one you can't refuse, either. It needs to be a job that needs us. Both of us. It needs to be a job that needs you. [brief pause] [sigh] God, I hope this works. I don't—I mean, I do want you back. Here. With me. And George and Holly. At least, I want you back in my—our lives. But the only way that'll happen is if it's your choice. And the best way to do that is to show you that… that I trust you. That even if I don't understand how your Talent works and even though what you can do and the way you do it terrifies me. [brief laugh] I thought I was fearless, and then you showed up. And as much as I know you'll say there are things that scare you, honestly, I think you have me beat. From what I see in the papers, maybe that isn't as bad a thing as I thought. I did look into that collapsed house case. There wasn't anything you could have done differently; not without leaving someone else to die. I know you wouldn't do that. I still think you're safest here, with people who understand you. People you—hopefully—still trust. You can't use your Talent to its fullest with other teams, I'd wager. But we know about your abilities. And the Skull. Hope he's doing well, no matter what he thinks about me. Not like he ever had a favorable opinion of me to begin with, after all. He's not my first choice for company, either, but you're not alone with him around. Whatever else I may have said or thought, none of it was that you deserve to be alone. I know far too much about being alone. [long pause] Anyway, I need to find a case. Holly's been doing some looking, but—as much as it pains me to admit—we've got nothing worth your involvement right now. Maybe you're stealing cases from us. [awkward chuckle] We got desperate and had to resort to glorified pest control a few weeks back. Turns out gassing the rat colony living in one's cellar results in the new problem of dozens of rat ghosts. I mean, we could have told the old man that, but he's certainly older than the Problem and hadn't known. DEPRAC apparently had better things to do than salt the place, and really, for the job it paid well. Old chap said his grandkids wouldn't come over because they could hear the "infernal" scratching, and whatever he had to pay would be worth it. George said he was glad he couldn't hear it all because even what he could hear would drive him mad. I wonder what you would've thought. I wonder that a lot. [sigh] [muffled] God, I miss talking with you, Lucy. I mean, I talk with Holly and George, but it's just… it's not the same. Maybe—almost certainly—I give them too little credit, but I don't feel like I can tell them about everything the way I want to with you. More like I don't want to. And I know I wasn't good at not saying things I shouldn't, and when it comes to things I should say… [sigh] [long pause] Lucy, I… [muffled sigh, footsteps] [distant] God, what a pathetic idiot. Can't even say it when she's not here. [footsteps continue] What would I do anyway; show up on her doorstep on bended knee? Tell you exactly how I feel and how stupid I've been? Beg you to come back? Promise whatever you want? [weary sigh] No; I'm going to do this right. I'll get the business out of the way first. You deserve that. And then maybe— [unintelligible shouting from downstairs] [sigh] Well, business is business, I guess. [calling away from recorder] I'll be down in a minute! [fading footsteps] [silence] [click]

END OF TAPE 1

[eyesofshinigami]

WIP Weekend!

I was tagged by the always wonderful @shares-a-vest, so here we go!

The Rules:

In a reblog (or a new post w/ rules attached) post up to five (5) file names of your wips. Not titles, file names.

Post a snippet from one of them. Snippet must be words you wrote in the last 7 days. We’re posting progress here. If you haven’t made any, go make some and come back to post!

After you’ve posted, people can send you an ask with one of your file names. You must then write 3 sentences in that file. If the filename is one you can’t share from (for example, an event fic), write 3 sentences on it anyway, and then 3 more on another to share.

That’s it! You can invite others to join in, or just post. If you tag me in your post, I will send you an ask request!

The WIPs:

Teenage Dirtbag: where Eddie is a lot a bit of a creep when it comes to Stevie Harrington, but wouldn't you know it, but she's kind of into it too?

A/B/O Rarity: Where the Alpha and Omega genes are incredibly rare, but with Steve's luck, he's one of the few people who's got it. He hides it for years, until he can't/doesn't want to anymore, especially after he meets Eddie, who is the only other person he's ever met who also has the gene.

Adventures in Babysitting: another A/B/O idea where Eddie is an older Alpha and needs a babysitter/nanny for his young son, and cue them meeting Steve, the incredibly hot, young Omega babysitter who immediately pings every box he's ever had.

As for a snippet, here's one from Teenage Dirtbag that's a wee little spicy.

Things changed again, after that. Stevie abandoned all her old friends, stuck by Nancy and Jonathon Byers of all people, the three of them looking haunted and weary in a way that stuck in Eddie’s mind like a splinter in his finger. Gone was the ice princess who roamed the halls of Hawkins High like royalty, and instead was a girl who looked like she had Seen Some Shit. Eddie knew that look. He saw it enough in the mirror when it was a bad night. 

And still, it didn’t wane. It got worse again, where Eddie pictured himself as some kind of black knight that would ride in and make everything better. He thought about getting her flowers. Or asking her if she wanted to go to one of his concerts and watch him play. Wondered if she would like having a picnic by the quarry, where he could get his hand up her skirt and kiss her and tell her that she was a supernova that had completely consumed him. 

But he didn’t. Maybe there was too much Munson in him, too much of a coward to try and reach out and touch the untouchable. Stevie Harrington was always going to be the pipe dream, even more than Corroded Coffin getting discovered and him hitting the big time. Especially because she was graduating, and Eddie was still stuck spinning his wheels in this lame-ass school because he couldn’t figure out how to get his head out of all of his imaginary fantasies.

She was probably going off to some rich-kid school on a coast somewhere. She’d probably find some blonde-haired blue-eyed guy named Chad or Kevin or something and get married, pop out kids and live in the suburbs. 

Until she didn’t leave. Until Eddie was fucking assaulted with the sight of Stevie Harrington in a tiny sailor’s uniform, slinging ice cream at the mall. That skirt was criminal, even more than the stupid tennis skirts she wore to school all the time. 

His thoughts took a turn for the worst, sitting outside Scoops Ahoy like an absolute asshole and just drooling over the thought of bending her over the counter. Thinking about pulling her into the freezer and fucking her until neither of them could move, her clawing at his back and pulling at his hair and telling him what a fucking freak he was. 

No pressure tags: @ghostinthelibrarywrites, @just-my-latest-hyperfixation, @marvel-ous-m, @devondespresso

I'm sure people have already been tagged, if you have, please poke me and I'll go take a look!

[ladyknightellen]

Omg I didn’t think I had friends who like Descendants! Your first post was such a lightbulb moment for me - I also thought it was off, but I don’t have the personal experience to see why at a glance. I’d love to see some of that rewrite!

AHHHHHHH yay! I debated even including that one in the list so I'm so glad someone is interested in that one!!

So, this is the petty disabled remix where I earn my self appointed title of 'CEO of making your favorite characters disabled'. Even I don't know how many I'm going to write as disabled before I'm done with this. What I do know is that Auradon Prep is getting a massive accessibility redesign, there's going to be wheelchair fencing and I'm currently attempting to imagine what the adaptive version of the Tourney game would look like. And a whole bunch of other things. In short: this is my incredibly self indulgent fuck you to Disney for showing me ONE disabled character and constantly trapping her on platforms with no ramp or putting her in the middle of the fucking grass!!!!

Also, Doug has dwarfism because I said so. Obviously I know little people can and do have average height children, so it's not necessarily unrealistic for him to be average height, but I just feel like it was a missed opportunity for positive representation.

Anyways, enough of my yapping and on to the snippet!

Doug is waiting for him when Ben finally returns to their room. He’s sitting on the steps to his bed and leaning back against it in a way that makes him look completely relaxed. If it weren’t for the way he’s studying Ben like he’s a complex math equation, it would be believable.  “So, do you want to tell me what that was all about today?” He asks before Ben can even think about what to say to him. “I was going to ask you earlier, but you kind of disappeared.” “Audrey fell asleep in the library. I had to take her to her room.” He says finally, not exactly a lie, but certainly not an explanation.  “That doesn’t answer my question at all.”  “No, it doesn’t.” Ben says, letting out a long, weary sigh as he slowly pushes himself forward to stop in front of Doug. He has no idea how to say what he’s feeling. He’s not even sure exactly what he’s feeling besides an intense ‘wrongness’ about everything he’s ever known. “I’m not mad at you Ben. I’m not accusing you of anything. That’s not why I want an explanation.” Doug says finally, standing up on the bottom step so that they’re eye to eye. “It’s just me, your best friend since forever. You can be honest with me you know. Just tell me what’s wrong and why you look like you haven’t slept in a thousand years.”  “This morning when the kids from the Isle arrived, I was afraid that I’d made a terrible mistake bringing them here. Mal and Audrey were at each other’s throats and I just wanted to separate them before something catastrophic happened. Now I’m not so sure.” “Not so sure about what?” “About literally everything I’ve ever known and believed. I didn’t make a mistake bringing them here, my father and all of the other rulers are the ones that made the mistake of creating the Isle in the first place!”