#anyway i might do more of these eventually because i do indeed have a lot of /thoughts/ about these characters

[silentauthor96]

Thinking about how Hayato has had multiple opportunities to play for better baseball clubs and always refuses

Thinking about how he currently cuts his baseball playing time in order to spend more time in the daycare with his brother and the kids

Thinking about Hayato watching his dad leave, choosing his own stubbornness over their family

Thinking about how Hayato's father doesn't even publicly acknowledge the fact that Hayato and Taka are his sons or that he has kids

Thinking about how despite how he talks about (and to) Taka, Hayato steadfastly refuses to even consider not being there for his mom and his brother

Thinking about how no matter how much his mother and brother irritate him and inconvenience him and honestly drive him crazy, Hayato will never abandon his family the way his father did

Thinking about how, no matter what he says, when Hayato has to choose between baseball and Taka between anything and Taka, the answer is always

Taka

[opiopal]

yall wanna know something I think abt a lot? teenage/ little sibling mc au's. Mc gets brought down to the devildom at like 15-16 yr, obviously there is zero romance and instead they just get kinned as the 8th sibling in the HOL.

you guys wanna know what else I think of a lot? little sibling Mc being an agent of chaos when their found family trope isnt paying attention.

I can't help but imagine that once mc is kinned they get crazy spoiled. not spoiled rotten but they know they can get away with a LOT because they're now seen as the cute youngest that doesnt know any better. but obviously they do since they are a teenager who knows how the world works.

and I mention the agent of chaos thing is because they were already attending highschool before hand, so they quickly notice how highschoolish RAD feels, so they were able to jump into the social ring a lot faster then regular Mc. and thus have the ability to get information from people who trust them/like them. so it ends up being useful to them. and now to my leading point: imagine a sort of friendship with Mephisto. its really more like, a symbiotic relationship. they are around each other for a reason. and that reason is RADs newpaper club.

it first started out with Mc staying after at RAD with lucifer to help with a few things, eventually Mc was put in a random room to hang out in after they did all that they could. which turned out to be the room for the newspaper club. after a while they get bored because their D.D.D died and they snagged a paper that was meant for the next day. eventually Mephisto enters the room, goes to tell them to leave which quickly they say "Dia told me I can be in here, if you have a problem with what the lord wants you could always go tell him that!" which shut him up fast. a good couple of minutes go by before the silence is broken by Mc speaking up and going, "You know, this is kinda boring." offended, he whips around, "excuse me?"

"theres nothing interesting here. interviews.. talking about things that everyone already knows about.. like, I could google half this junk." "I- well what would you know!?" "a lot actually. you dont appeal to any of the students here."

he glares for second before inhaling slowly, remembering that diavolo might be nearby.

"oh yeah? as if you could do better." "I could actually," "well i would love to hear it then."

he says sarcastically. though Mc speaks anyways.

mc adjusts how they were sitting and scans over the paper for a second.

"a gossip section would do it good." "what?" "come on dude, its non-sports club 101, if you want people to pay attention to you, you need to appeal to them. I was in theater for a while and we'd bribe people with free food if they sat through the whole show. this place loves drama. and lucifer being drawn riding on a unicorn isn't funny enough to get more then one person to buy it."

slowly they start talking a bit more casually and stop being so hostile. eventually Mc says that they could tell him the gossip they hear if he wants to make a part in the paper for said gossip. so, from then on they slip notes to him about student drama. which does indeed get more papers told!

though one day, someone pisses Mc off. not really that they were the one insulted, but they heard a few demons talking shit about their older brothers. so for the next week Mc takes a good amount of notes on those demons. which eventually they go to Mephisto with their notes and gave them to him. when he questions why these particular demons, he's met with a very angry "if those cunts want to talk shit and not mind their business then why shouldn't their own business get talked about." for a moment he wants to press further... but unfortunately for him he found himself actually caring about this human very much so he couldn't help but just want to make them feel better... and this much of a consititant story would draw people in so its totally not that he kinned this kid as well, totally!! so for about two weeks the gossip section has an ongoing story that causes nearly the whole school to get a paper to stay updated.

of course every bit of gossip uses code names to keep people from being outed on anything. and honestly some of the gossip might end up being people bringing it to the newspaper club themselves, so maybe a small confessions page ends up being opened.

obviously this is something a little cracked, and just a not very thought out thing that exists bc it makes me giggle when I'm daydreaming before I fall asleep<3 and honestly I wouldn't be surprised if there was already a gossip section in the school papers, but unfortunately I was never ever able to make it past the first few lessons of session 2 of obey me, which sucks:/

[zukosdualdao]

Thoughts on what the Gaang would call Iroh post canon? Toph obviously would stick with Gramps, but I'm not sure about the others. I feel like just calling him Iroh might be too informal, but I don't know that any of them would feel close enough to call him Uncle for a good while yet. (Other than Zuko, of course.) There's always General Iroh, but I think that's a title he'd like to put behind him. I cannot remember for the life of me how any of them address him the few times they're all together.

ooh so what i remember of the instance in canon of the gaang referring to him:

sokka calls him iroh when detailing the plan to rescue katara and zuko and try to take down the dai li in tcod, and katara calls him general iroh in sozin’s comet. there might be some other instances (i feel like i remember at least one instance of aang referring to him by name but i could be wrong), but mostly i remember them calling him “your uncle” whenever zuko brought him up in the latter half of book three.

with that in mind:

sokka still definitely calls him iroh. onlookers might indeed find this too casual, but neither of them care, lmao. though he would do just do this anyway, part of it is because of iroh's history, and while i think sokka does trust by the end of canon and especially post-canon that he is a changed man, his pragmatism insists on that distance a little bit. but i also think they come to quite like, understand, and respect each, though sokka still just calls him iroh because he would prefer to just refer to people by their names in general. this works out for iroh, who would much rather people call him by his name or an affectionate moniker than any sort of official title these days.

i think katara might still refer to him as general iroh directly proceeding post-canon (she means, as i believe she did in sozin's comment, it as a reference of respect to iroh's actions trying to make up for his past wrongs, a la leading the battle to take back ba sing se with the white lotus.) he eventually tells her that she doesn't have to, though. it's a gradual switch, as she still catches herself doing it a lot, and though she wouldn't be the first one in the gaang to do so, she'd probably occasionally call him uncle iroh as they come to know each other, but mostly calls him iroh.

does toph call him gramps in canon? i don't remember, but if so, ADORABLE, and regardless, i can totally see it. he does not mind this at all, he gets that it's an Affectionate Nickname. if they're in a more formal setting that calls for something (like a summit or something) she might call him iroh, but really, it's mostly gramps.

i think aang might call him general or even prince iroh - mostly because it stood out to me that he called hakoda 'chief hakoda' when meeting him - but the second iroh says he doesn't have to, it's all uncle iroh all the time! (he is the first, outside of zuko, to call him that.)

i think suki would probably stick to iroh for a long time, mostly because she didn't know him very well in canon, but once she and iroh do grow to know each other well enough, she might use uncle iroh occasionally.

i have to include my buddy zuko, even though we know he mostly calls iroh 'uncle'. he does sometimes still call him uncle iroh, which we see a couple of times (esp in book one i think) in the show, but that's mostly just in casual settings. one notable thing is that NO ONE is allowed to call iroh just Uncle like zuko does. that's his uncle, excuse. (no one ask me or zuko to explain why it's different when they call him uncle iroh. it just is.) though this is entirely unspoken. aang tries this once and receives a glare from zuko so strong that he refers to him only as "zuko's uncle iroh" for a month straight, including to iroh's face. lmao.

[pomplalamoose]

DILF Luke headcanons / story draft pt. 2

🌹modern day AU🌹

A/N: Guess who's back with more dilf Luke content!🤠 Thank you SO so much for liking the first part as much as you did🫶🏻 I hope you'll enjoy this second part as well!

part 1, part 3, part 4, part 5

• his possessiveness isn't something he allows to be seen on the outside

• he is aware that he has no right to call you his own, even though he desperately wants to

• but you're so much younger than he is and, above all, have grown to become his child's best friend

• he does not want to take you away from them

• nor does he want to cause an awkward situation that might threaten to break your friendship

• and while objectively speaking all three of you are adults, he still views himself as the one that should be the most responsible

• this however won't stop him from thinking about you basically every minute of the day

• maybe he can't have you but nobody said anything about not buying you little presents here and there and offering his help whenever he can

• he wholeheartedly enjoys the way you are unable to hide your blush of excitement when he surprises you with a pretty necklace or a new pair of earrings

• he loves to hear your weak little protests and how easily he can make them fizzle out with a soft smile and the gentle promise that no, it wasn't expensive at all

• no, he isn't just getting you things out of the blue

• just take a look at the calendar, soon it's Christmas!

• soon it's your birthday!

• it's the beginning of summer!

• you have known each other for a year now!

• he always finds a reason

• of course you make sure to always wear his gifts too, they're beautiful and well chosen, matching your style perfectly

• oh how his heart sings whenever he can be a witness to it

• everyone is supposed to see and know that he was the one who got them for you

• it's his secret way of claiming you, of making sure to tell everyone else that you're taken, that someone already has their eyes on you

• if it wasn't for your lovely smell he would have liked to buy you a perfume to wear as well

• meanwhile you are absolutely clueless and think nothing of it, surely he's just being extra nice because he's finally used to your presence in his household?

• maybe he wants to make up for how he acted before?

• similarly your friend doesn't think it's weird either, after all that's just how he is, you know?

• he cares so much for the people in his live and of course he'd eventually come around to liking you a lot too

• after all, how could he not? You're around his house most of your free time

• secretly you are a little bit disappointed

• it may be foolish to hope for your friend's father to have taken an interest in you but your heart isn't interested in common sense

• I think you'd struggle admitting to yourself that you have a crush though

• he's your friend's father

• how would this work anyways?

• nevertheless your attraction stays

• it's the only thing you don't dare to talk to your friend about

• in your day dreams you fantasize about his big hand resting on your thigh while he drives and find yourself wishing for it to travel just a little bit higher

• you feel giddy with barely concealed nervousness whenever he touches you, hoping that this time he will make a move

• he never does

• and never does his touch find you outside of his car

• See? This gesture is altogether innocent, you tell yourself

• after all he never comes this close to you in any other situation and yet...

• "oh, he's being such a dad!", your friend says when you ask them about it

• "he keeps his hand near me as well so he can easily catch me when he needs to abruptly hit the brakes"

• and they're right, Luke does indeed reach out with his right arm to stabilize your upper body whenever he slows down the car

• still, his hand isn't just conveniently near to do so, it's literally on you during the whole ride

• maybe you've failed to mention that exact fact to your friend though

• you are conflicted and confused and eventually, despite your stupid heart insisting to speed up whenever you see him, decide to let it go

• from an outside perspective nothing about your relationship changes

• you continue to spend much of your free time with your friend

• their father further upholds his offer and drives you home at night

• every time, without fail, does he hold on to you

• and despite this going on for a long while you are none the wiser

• you are still uncapable to read his emotions

• you have not the slightest of clues about what goes on inside of him

• you remain in the dark about his past

• in many aspects he is more of a mystery to you now than he used to be when all you knew was his name

• yes, his demeanor has softened towards you

• but regardless there are certain moments in which you catch yourself being slightly frightened of him

• just like at the beginning

• your friend never mentions the peculiarities he puts on display and so you keep silent as well

• not seldomly does he get a call from work during dinner and while he always leaves the room, too polite to answer the phone at the table, you still are able to overhear how sharp and commanding his voice turns

• you seriously struggle to meet his gaze when he returns after

• sometimes during car rides, you try to make small talk

• you always mean well

• you want to pick up a topic you had earlier that day or to ask about a recipe he made for you and your friend

• maybe this way you'd get him to spend more time with you?

• but often his grip will grow hard enough to bruise

• it catches you off guard every time and when you squeak in pain he throws you a quick sideway glance, loosening his hand immediately

• he never speaks nor lets go of you completely, although his thumb will be rubbing soothing circles into your leg in silent apology

• should you try to initiative a conversation again after, he might answer; though in such a clipped way it shuts you up soon enough

• more often he'll simply shake his head, asking you to remain silent

• the first time you spend a night at your friend's house you feel as if there were a pair of hungry eyes watching your every move

• there is absolutely no reason for anybody to do so though, and nobody around that would have a reason to anyways

• and yet...

• of course you wouldn't mind Luke noticing the pretty top you chose to wear, the one who's neckline goes just a little bit lower than usual

• though unfortunately he seems to be very distracted and never looks your way

• so you simply strike it up to be your nerves and lively imagination; staying in a foreign place is always exciting after all

• staying with a handsome older man even more so

• as a matter of fact, however, Luke's eyes never leave you and as it gets late it takes all he has to restrain himself from snatching you away and dragging you to his own room

• you're lovely on a normal day but look absolutely ravishing in your soft pajamas

• the knowledge you won't be far away for a whole night being all too tantalizing

• maybe you are wearing short pants and so there are some faint bruises visible around your left knee

• ironically you're not aware of their existence, yet it's one of the first things Luke catches sight of and it makes him feel some kind of way

• not only are you wearing his necklace but clearly showing off what he did to you as well

• he likes it a lot, even though not the way in which they came to be

• so while you're contemplating slight paranoia he eventually has to remove himself from your immediate vicinity

• it's not becoming to lust after a young woman during late night dinner

• and the fact that you are afraid to get lost in unknown rooms in the dark doesn't help either

• your friend thinks it's hilarious and discusses it at length

• "the house won't swallow you whole because you take a wrong turn once"

• "it's only a little portion of the rooms you haven't been to yet, stop worrying!"

• "you're not prone to sleepwalking why and how would you even end up there?"

• good humoredly Luke laughs along at his kid's and your bickering but has to discreetly change his seating

• his pants grow uncomfortably tight at the thought of you accidentally walking into his bedroom

• he knows he doesn't have the strength not to make a move

• suddenly he sees himself demanding a kiss or making you beg to let you leave again

• he has to excuse himself early

• your friend and you are listening to a voice message some random guy from university/your job sent you, their father is in hearing distance but you think nothing of it

• innocently and rather excited you start talking and giggling about it, you can't believe he asked you out!

• when all of a sudden Luke gets up and leaves abruptly without a word

• you freeze and are immediately upset

• did you do something wrong? Maybe used a word or expression he didn't like? Is he angry?

• your friend just shrugs their shoulders and continues as if nothing happened but you can't stop thinking about the cold gaze he threw your way

• for the first time since meeting him he doesn't say goodbye or offers a drive home when you have to leave

• later your parents ask why your face is stained with tears, yet you can't give them an answer

• little do you know his anger was not directed at you but at the little boy who dared to show his interest in you

• he didn't even mean to listen and now has only himself to fault for the raging jealousy raising its ugly head

• additionally he's furious and ashamed at himself for his feelings

• his usually endless patience simply vanished into thin air at the prospect of another getting the chance he's been dreaming about for over a year

• he's acting like a teenager and he hates it

• he desperately needed to rein himself back in, he needed air

• and so he made a run for it, afraid to accidentally leave his anger out on you

• had he known what his disappearance caused, he would have acted differently

• you never went out with the guy who sent the message

• you are hesitant to return after what happened, despite your longing to go back and somehow fix your mistake

• whatever its is you did, you have the urge to throw yourself down at his feet and ask for forgiveness

• you don't even care for what you would be apologizing

• you could text him if course, he gave you his number, remember?

• but you don't dare to

• your friend repeatedly assures you that everything is fine and keeps passing on their father's greetings and inquiries about your person

• nobody is mad at you and least of all him

• so eventually you give in, despite feeling quite anxious about it

• to make it worse you receive a message when you arrive that your friend is still stuck in traffic and that it might take them a while

• "my dad will let you in though, no worries"

• all of a sudden you feel very much like your lungs stopped working, you are panicking and seriously consider turning around to leave

• but of course Luke knows you are coming and of course he knows the exact time as well

• he has opened the door before you can fully make up your mind on whether to wait outside or to ring the doorbell

• your words fail you

• just the sight of him makes your heart soar

• he greets you nicely enough and asks you to come in

• "it's great to see you again, it's been a while"

• however it's not like it used to be before

• something feels different

• and quickly you realize: parts of his walls came back up

• the realization chokes you

• Luke senses you're upset and despite vowing to keep his distance once and for all can't hold back from asking if everything is okay

• of course it's not

• and the way his gaze softens into familiarity is too much for you to take

• you leave to go home without waiting for your friend, instead telling them you were feeling quite ill all of a sudden

• it's not even a lie

• Luke knows exactly what just happened but forces himself to remain firm; it's for the best

• sadly I think this would put a strain on the relationship with your friend too

• you don't exactly grow apart, you're too close for that, but of course they realize there's something going on and your decision not to talk to them about it hurts their feelings

• don't you trust them anymore?

• it's during a dark autumn afternoon that you're caught by a seemingly endless downpour

• you're far from home, you don't have the money to call for a taxi and all your trains got delayed

• you think about your friend; they live near

• but you also know they aren't home, as they're currently visiting family in another part of the country

• their dad however...

• he said to call him whenever, you remember

• but what if he doesn't pick up? What if he doesn't want to see you again?

• maybe he's more willing to help when you're standing in front of him?

• despite your anxiety you have no other choice and so decide to check if he's home

• it's still pouring when you arrive and by now you're soaking wet

• Luke isn't home, probably still at work

• pressing close to the front door you sit down on the steps, trying your best to stay out of the rain

• by the time you see the headlights of Luke's car you start crying from relief

• there is not a single patch of your clothes that remained dry and you're more than freezing cold

• your teeth are chattering and you struggle to move your fingers, let alone your legs

• you hear the car door slam shut and then his steps on the path leading up to you

• he's wearing a black suit

• (this is important because even in your horrible state you are aware how absolutely hot he looks)

• when he spots your huddled together shivering form, he's momentarily at a loss for words

• still crying you raise your eyes to look up at him and for a few short seconds you're afraid he doesn't recognize you

• then his face drops

• he reaches for you, and holding you close, unlocks the door to let you in

• now able to take a proper look, his eyes travel up and down your body while he rids himself of his jacket and runs his hand through his wet hair

• it's like you can see the gears in his brain switching as he draws himself up to his full height

• when he speaks it's in such a stern tone that you can't help but wince

• his following orders are sharp and you have to RUN to follow him as he basically drags you upstairs to the master bathroom

• he tells you to undress as he's already turning on the shower for you

• he's not asking, he's commanding

• "Yes, Mr. Skywalker"

• you're so caught off guard you oblige as fast as you can

• no longer do you dare to call him by his first name

• when he sees you struggling with your frozen limbs, he helps pulling your soaked sweater over your head and assists you in getting out of your jeans before leaving you to yourself

• he informs you he'll be waiting outside

• once you are done he immediately is all over you again

• he tells you exactly what he wants you to wear, puts a pair of extra thick woolen socks on your feet and swaddles you in a blanket like a burrito

• only when you're so tightly wrapped up that you're basically unable to move, does he seem to calm down

• he places you on the big sofa in the living room and makes you a tea

• he towels off your hair while you drink it

• he takes your face in his hands and asks if you're okay

• you nod and then he goes OFF, pacing back and forth in front of you while giving you the lecture of a lifetime

• what in God's name were you thinking to not immediately call him? He would've left work early!

• you could've died walking through this weather by yourself, look at you, you're still shivering!

• you weren't dressed appropriately whatsoever! A car could've run you over, they wouldn't have seen you at all!

• under no circumstances is he allowing you to go home tonight, you're staying here where he can have an eye on you!

• his voice is getting louder with every sentence and then you're crying again

• it takes him a moment to catch himself but then he apologizes

• he asks if you would like to call your parents and hands you back your phone when you nod

• still sniffling you comply

• he remains next to you, listening in closely and throws you a stern look whenever you try to leave something out

• you know he expects you to tell them that you're staying the night too, so you do

• he softens and tells you how good you did once you hang up

• he cooks dinner and insists for you to eat even when you tell him you're not hungry

• he makes you another tea after

• "are you warm enough?"

• there is a lot you want to ask him about but hopefully it can wait for tomorrow

• he offers to accompany you to his child's room so you can go to sleep

• you shyly tell him you'd rather stay downstairs with him, maybe you could watch some TV together?

• after a moment he agrees

• you really wish he'd change out of his work clothes, it's more than distracting

[yurislilygarden]

I saw you were looking for ideas for Vaggie so I thought I might suggest something?

kinda simple but in the show Vaggie is very protective and also lowkey kinda violent. I definitely think she would not trust reader and the only way she would ever get neutral about it would be through Charlie. If the hotel residents ever want to try and contact reader through the screen (I think you mentioned that as a concept once) or do anything regarding contacting reader I definitely think she’d be the least on board. Vaggie would likely be worried about this hurting Charlie especially since reader seemingly just watches them all the time. Plus if the hotel residents even see how Heaven is reacting to this (the whole idea of reader being like gods sibling or whatever) Vaggie really would hate it even more just cause she hates heaven and it’s principles. Basically she’d be pissed, Charlie would have to convince her to be neutral, she’d worry about reader hurting Charlie or the other hotel residents, and she’d hate the idea of someone watching them suffer (I feel like she’d be initially on team “watching for fun” but after talking with Charlie she might be convinced to be on team “forced to watch”). A lot of Vaggie is going to rely on how Charlie is about it.

sorry this was kinda long and I hope it makes sense

Don't worry anon, it all makes sense <3

The thing with her being unable to trust reader and going anywhere neutral because of Charlie is one of the only things I have written down.💀 She'd be indeed the last on board if the hotel people decided to try and contact the reader in any way (I'm pretty sure that I did mention contacting through screen once if I remember correctly, but I need to go through all he asks again anyway (planning on adding a tag to make them easier to find)). Vaggie would be so against most stuff regarding reader due to being worried about Charlie (and others but they don't need to know shh)

No one should tell her about the heaven ideas in the negative stage because otherwise getting her to neutral would be so goddamn hard (it would nearly throw her back to the negative about reader zone when she finds out about it when being neutral).😭

I also think she would be initially on the team that thinks that reader watches them (suffer) for fun but with Charlie's (and a little bit of the others opinions) she will EVENTUALLY get to the mindset of thinking that reader simply watches out of curiosity and doesn't mean much harm. (She would at one point get to the 'maybe they can't do anything besides watch but I'm still gonna be on guard because what if they can do something else' team lmao)

[starsandgutters]

wip wednesday: kevin!cowboy x aaron!doctor..... please?

I think you may have me confused for someone else, because I’ve never written anything like this 😃 definitely not one of my WIPs hahaha

Coincidentally though, I am skipping WIP Wednesday this week to do flash fic requests instead - so I did write you a little something 😌

I don’t really engage with anything Western themed & I don’t really write in historical settings, so just ignore any historical inaccuracies, mmmkaythanksx

CWs: Lot of blood mentions & probably dodgy medicine practices lmao Implied racism 😔 and background colonialism

Aaron sees Kevin ride up from the window of his practice and knows immediately something is wrong. Kevin usually has great posture on his horse. When he rides, it is like they become one creature, moving together with grace and understanding, set always to the same purpose. Right now he’s slumped down against Xanthus’ back, one arm looped around his neck. Aaron can’t see the other one as it’s on the side of the horse facing away from him. He gets to his feet and is out the door before Kevin even reaches him.

“What happened?” Aaron’s eyes skim over Kevin. He’s soaked with sweat, hair sticking to his forehead, his breathing weak and shaky. 

“Got shot,” Kevin says, and Aaron feels like all the blood has just drained out of his own body. Somehow, despite Kevin having over a foot on him, Aaron manages to get him off the horse and haul him into his practice. “Xanthus.”

“He won’t go anywhere without you.”

“Might. Needs tied.”

“Oh for fuck sake.” Aaron leaves Kevin to slump down into a chair and jogs back out to the horse. Xanthus is a tall and prideful creature, and he is distrustful of most people who are not Kevin, but he had taken a liking to Aaron relatively quickly. Kevin had hated this to start with, but eventually he noted that Xanthus had just been ahead of him in that. Fuckin’ sap. Aaron holds his hand out and the horse steps closer. He takes the reins and ties him up against the post outside. Usually he’d take more time to make sure he’s comfortable, but Kevin may be currently bleeding out on Aaron’s floor, so he takes priority right now.

“Can you get up on the table?”

“Dunno. Head spinning.”

“Yeah, fuckin’ wonder why, dipshit. Were you duelling again? I told you that would end badly.”

“No. Bandits. Attacking Finn’s settlement. Wanted to scare them off. Got me though.”

Aaron softens at that. It’s not often Kevin gets involved in other people's business, so for him to step in as someone’s defence is a bold move indeed. While most people in the town are distrustful of the Natives - an attitude Aaron finds ironic, considering they’re the ones encroaching on their land - Aaron has fostered a solid relationship with them. They have the best herbs and medicinal plants, and they know cures and practices that he didn’t learn in his studies. In return he trades them different foodstuffs, medicine, or supplies from stores in town. Finn is the one he interacts with the most, and Aaron would be devastated if anything happened to them.

He’ll be more devastated if Kevin dies though. 

“Let’s try. Get this shirt off first. Kevin. Can you move your arms? I’ll have to cut it off otherwise.”

“Do it. Ruined anyway.” Kevin moves his hand, and Aaron can see the hole in the shirt, the blood still coming steadily, but sticking Kevin’s shirt to his skin where some of it has started to dry out. Aaron doesn’t have time. He slices the buttons open and slides it off one of Kevin’s arms, then down the other. He tries to pry it away from the wound as gently as possible, but Kevin still hisses in pain.

“This is going to fuckin’ suck,” Aaron says. He leaves Kevin to retrieve a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet. “Take a good long drink of that.”

Aaron has to hold it to his lips, but Kevin doesn’t need told twice. He gulps at the bottle, brow furrowing and nose scrunching up. Aaron draws it back when he thinks Kevin has had enough, ignoring his whine of protest. 

“Table. C’mon.” Once again Aaron heaves Kevin up. This time it is all bare skin pressed to him, but Aaron is too focused to be distracted by that right now. Kevin is always so warm, but his skin feels clammy beneath Aaron’s touch. It’s not a good sign. With some struggle from both of them, he manages to get Kevin lying on his table. Kevin’s been putting pressure on the wound again, but Aaron eases his hand away. 

“Bullets still lodged in there. Probably a good thing, it’s been stifling the blood flow. You’d probably have bled out by now if it were just an open wound.”

“Might still.”

“Shut the fuck up. You’re not allowed to die on me, y’hear? Don’t even fuckin’ think of it.”

“Kiss me. In case I do.”

“You’re not going to.”

“Kiss me anyway.”

Aaron doesn’t really have time to indulge Kevin, but there’s a bone deep terror running through him that he might lose him. Even if he gets the bullet out and wound stitched, it’ll be susceptible to infection for weeks, and trying to keep Kevin in bed resting is a nightmare. He has no regard for his wounds once they’re no longer an active threat to him. If something does happen, Aaron will forever feel like an asshole for not serving his final wish, so he leans down over him.

Kevin’s hand lifts to Aaron’s cheek as their lips slot together. His fingers are trembling. Even his lips feel cold, weak beneath Aaron’s, no real pressure on Kevin’s side of the kiss. Aaron lets it linger sweetly for a few moments, then he draws away. He pushes Kevin’s hair back from his forehead and drops a quick kiss there before focusing back in on the task at hand. 

Kevin has an impressively high pain tolerance, but there’s no delicate way to remove a bullet from inside someone without a fuck load of pain. Kevin screams. Hoarse and desperate, trying to muffle it ineffectually against his forearm. Aaron is not used to him expressing pain so evidently. It makes him ache to his core, but he has no room for sympathy. Tenderness will not save Kevin right now. Efficiency and speed will. Finally he pulls the bullet free of the skin, dropping it aside. He applies more pressure to the wound until the fresh flow of blood slows again, and then he goes about stitching Kevin up.

“Motherfucker.”

“This is the last bit. Just gotta finish stitching you up and I’m done.”

Kevin whimpers pitifully, tilting his head away from Aaron, only to immediately turn back. He can’t hold his eyes fully open, but he keeps forcing them partially open so he can watch Aaron. Not what he’s doing, but Aaron himself, eyes set on his face. Aaron clenches his teeth and does not take his eyes off his stitching until he’s done. 

“You’re staying here until I’m happy you’re healing.”

“It’s hardly gonna do favours to your business if folks find you harbouring a wanted man.”

“You can stay in my room. Not the patient room.”

“If I had known getting shot was all it takes to get in your bed, I’d have done it months ago.”

Aaron glares at Kevin, unimpressed. 

“You’re downstairs for tonight though. I don’t think I’d get you upstairs in this state.”

“You’ll stay with me?”

“Yeah, Kev. I’m not goin’ anywhere.”

This is not technically true. Once Aaron has Kevin cleaned off, glaring at his suggestive comments about sponge baths, and settled into the patient bed, he has to go find somewhere more comfortable and inconspicuous for Xanthus. It takes Aaron some effort to mount him due to the sheer height, but he rides him out to Nicky and Erik’s ranch. He brings Hippocrates along in tow, so he can get back to Kevin as quickly as possible. Andrew is sitting on the porch smoking. The only shift of his expression when he sees Aaron on such a beast of a horse is to raise his eyebrows.

“I need you to keep this horse for a while, I don’t know how long yet, and don’t let anyone see him.”

Andrew’s brows stay raised. He tilts his head fractionally to the left. He looks at the blood on Aaron’s clothes. Kevin’s blood. He left in such a rush he didn’t even realise it was staining him. Aaron lets a touch of pleading soak into his tone: “Andrew.”

“You’ll explain?”

“Eventually.”

Aaron dismounts Xanthus at the stables, pressing his forehead against the front of his snout. Xanthus whinnies, his tail flicking, agitated.

“I know. I’m going to take care of him, but you have to stay here for a while. My brother will make sure you’re okay.” Aaron pats the side of Xanthus’ face as he turns to look at Andrew. “He can be a bit difficult. He’s a biter and a kicker sometimes, but be gentle with him. He’s just wary.”

Andrew nods, eyes sliding across to the horse. Xanthus looks back at him, but when Aaron moves, he gives another whinny and tries to follow.

“No. You have to stay.” Aaron pats him again, then quickly makes his way out to Hippocrates. His horse is smaller, and much easier for him to climb up onto. He looks back at Andrew, giving him a nod of appreciation. Andrew raises two fingers to his forehead, giving Aaron a lazy salute. Aaron prompts Hippocrates forward, building speed until he is cantering back. 

He quickly gets Hippocrates settled in the small stable at the back of his practice, giving him fresh water and rewarding him with an apple. His first stop once he enters the building is to wash his hands thoroughly, not wanting to risk Kevin getting an infection. Kevin’s asleep when Aaron enters the room, but it’s a fitful rest, his head turning as he mumbles incoherent nonsense. He’s still coated in a cold sweat. When Aaron draws the blanket down to look at his wound, he starts awake.

“It’s just me. No abrupt movements. You don’t want to pull on your stitches.” Aaron tops up the salve he had layered over the wound. It will hopefully help ward off any infections. That’s Aaron’s biggest concern now. He washes his hands again when he’s done, then fixes the blanket over Kevin. Kevin takes a hold of his wrist.

“Stay now?”

Aaron nods. He fills a glass with water and props Kevin’s head up on his arm, holding the glass to his mouth to help him drink. He presses a hand to Kevin’s damp forehead, frowning. Kevin is shivering. Aaron starts to remove his clothes. 

“As big a fan as I am of this development, not sure I’m up for much tonight.”

“Shut up. You’re cold. Body heat is the most effective way to warm you up.” Aaron slips into the bed on the opposite side from Kevin’s wound. He eases himself down gently, trying not to jostle Kevin or take up too much space. Kevin takes no such care, immediately turning towards Aaron, hissing even as he moves as it pulls on his stitches.

“Dumbass. I told you to stay put.” Aaron slides his arm under Kevin’s neck. His other hand rubs over Kevin’s bicep. Kevin is looking at him with a softer expression than Aaron is used to seeing on his face. He must be bleary from the bloodloss. He presses forward, and Aaron moves to meet him in a gentle kiss. Kevin sighs against his mouth. Aaron guides his head down to his shoulder, running his fingers through Kevin’s hair. 

“Thank you for saving me, Doctor Minyard.”

“Kind of my job,” Aaron says, though they both know there are plenty of doctors who would then Kevin away, or leave him to bleed out so they can claim the bounty on his head. Dead or alive. Easier to hand in a dead man. Aaron tightens his hold around Kevin at the thought. “Remember you’re not allowed to die.”

“It would take more than a bullet to keep me from you,” Kevin whispers, and presses a kiss over Aaron’s heart. 

[ask-ursa-tonypeter]

I've actually got two questions, and didn't know whether to separate them. Oh, well. I've been wondering, what will happen eventually for Pyrate Peter and Tony? I can imagine that this a spoiler that you will explore in next works, so I understand if you can't answer, but man, I just can't help thinking. It's such a bomb waiting to go off. Not just the feelings involved; the way Peter is basically all in but might be too young to recognize it as love, or to even realize how messed up the power imbalance would be and the shady circunstances in which they first came to make out - and then Tony, who is getting deeper and deeper into the mud, sliding down with no chance to crawl back up, trying to convince himself that he's not gone on his baby brother. But also the whole morality of it and the aspect of Tony taking advantage of Peter, seeing it even as a game. On top of all of that you still have Howard and Maria, and the whole problem that would be dating your brother while being one of the most famous families in the country. It's just not the fact of Maria and Howard finding out, like that one ask talked about, but just the notion that any road might lead to complicated branchs and difficult avenues. What would a happy ending look like for them? Would they be able to keep up the charade their whole lives? Would Peter feel groomed and go no contact? So many questions... Then, the second one, more of a prompt than an actual question. If you have any plans for continuing Kidnapped!au, I'd love to see the exact conversation Other!Peter has with Pyrite!Tony when Other!Peter and Pyrite!Peter make it to Pyrite!Peter's reality of origin. Like, the shovel talk, the warning; the I hope this goes without saying, but you are never touching him again. Would he threaten him? Use a little bit of Spidey intimidation tactic? I love Pyrite so much. Best Starker AU ever.

[[🐻ursa interlude🐻

Aww thank you I'm so glad you enjoy this universe! I admit the Pyrite boys take up a LOT of space in my brain haha so it makes me happy when other folks are interested. The things you talked about here are indeed a lot of the things that will be discussed in the sequel, which, mild basic premise spoilers, will follow the brothers as their relationship changes/develops over the years! Lots to dig into there and I hope you enjoy the eventual outcome 👀

Aaaand as far as the kidnapping AU, wellllll:]]

"Tony, can you show me Pete's room? He asked me to make a few changes," Peter said.

Tony— this younger Peter's Tony, Peter Stark's Tony, and it would've creeped Peter out a little that they were brothers even before knowing everything else—rose to his feet, looking appropriately haunted as he struggled to tear his eyes away from where Pete was still huddled with his parents on the couch, all of them with shaky hands and red-rimmed eyes and unsteady voices even hours later.

He was such the perfect picture of a caring older sibling, shellshocked by his little brother's return, that it was hard to imagine him doing the things that Pete had quietly told Peter about back in that warped version of Stark Tower.

But it was hard to imagine a Tony being the cruel dictator Peter had seen with his own eyes in that world, too, and after managing that situation, Peter wasn't feeling charitable.

It was convenient that the Stark family home had such long, isolated hallways. Peter closed the door behind them when they reached Pete's room anyway, but not because he was afraid of being overheard.

"Pete doesn't want your parents to know this, but he asked me to tell you," he said in response to Tony's vaguely questioning expression. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and continued, "I'm proof enough of the whole multiverse thing, yeah? So we're going to skip the part where you don't believe me when I tell you that the guy who kidnapped Pete was another Tony Stark."

Peter didn't say anything as he watched Tony's expression shift from incomprehension to shock to— there it was: horror.

"He— but then he— what does that mean?" Tony shook his head, wild, and it was fascinating to see any version of him thrown this off-balance. "No, no, that's—"

"Yeah, no," Peter interrupted, pushing off the wall. "We're skipping that part, I said. What it means is that the whole time Pete has been gone, the creep that he's spent every single day with for the last year, the creep that's been keeping him prisoner and abusing him and forcing him to do stuff he didn't want to do, the creep he's been living in fear of being murdered by, looked exactly like you, plus thirty-odd years. That's what it means."

Tony stared at him with a kind of numb dismay that seemed genuine enough, but Peter stayed quiet, eyebrows raised and waiting for a response. He wasn't going to rush in with softening disclaimers or rug-sweeping platitudes. He'd told the truth, and it was Tony's turn to talk.

He saw the change on Tony's face once he realized Peter was letting the words and all of their implications dangle there on purpose. Tony flinched back, and he had the audacity to look offended as he said, heated, "I wouldn't—"

"You wouldn't?" Peter's voice was sharp, cutting off Tony's defensive protest at the knees, and it was gratifying to watch his eyes widen with the recognition that Peter knew.

"Yeah," Peter said, and maybe it was a point in Tony's favor that he didn't shrink away as Peter stalked closer. "Me and Pete had a lot of time to talk while we were figuring out how to get us both home, you know? So I really hope that this goes without saying, but—"

He laid a heavy hand on Tony's shoulder, and leaned in close when he said, "You are never going to touch him again. Understood?"

So much about this Tony was jarring and unfamiliar. His family tie to his Pete. The things he had done. The youth of his face; the way he was closer to Peter's age than to the Tony that Peter knew. The way he stared at Peter, pale and frightened, because Peter's Tony had never had a reason to be afraid of him.

But Peter knew what regret looked like on Tony. He knew what self-hatred looked like on Tony— the furrow in his brow, the downturned corners of his lips, the crack of helplessness in his eyes that wasn't resignation but rather the desperation to fix.

So when Tony finally, finally nodded, silent, just a tiny wobble of his head with his eyes trained on the floor, Peter let his hand drop away from his shoulder.

"Good," he said, and he stepped back with a firm nod of his own. "Because Pete doesn't want to blow up another part of his life, and he deserves to have what he wants, but I'm going to be staying in touch. And I'm not going to let him get hurt again, and neither is anyone else in this house. Yeah?"

Tony nodded again, his eyes squeezed shut, and this time he managed to whisper, "Yeah."

And that was something. Peter didn't know how much it meant that Tony was agreeing with him; that he felt guilty. He'd wondered before— if he'd had the opportunity to talk to Westcott afterwards, would he have felt guilt? Would he have bowed his head with shame and been unable to meet Peter's eyes, like this unfamiliar Tony?

He didn't know. He couldn't know, and he wasn't sure he would've felt strong enough to take the opportunity even if he could. But this was what Pete had said he wanted, and Peter wasn't going to take another choice away from him if he could help it.

"Awesome," Peter said, and he cocked his head. "Pete said he wants to move his room closer to your parents'. I'll do the heavy lifting, but help me pack up the little stuff?"

Tony's head jerked up as he was clearly startled by the ask, but it only took a few beats for his expression to wash out with relief— relief and focus, and oh, Peter recognized that too.

"Okay," Tony said weakly, and he cleared his throat. "I— yeah. I can do that."

Peter watched as he moved with renewed purpose, packing trinkets and framed photos into boxes with scrupulous care and thrumming with the energy of having something to do with his regrets. His eyes were still downturned and his shoulders hunched with shame, but— nothing could've been more familiar to Peter than a Tony who was doubling down on fixing something he thought he had broken. And if Peter was still suspicious— still planning on keeping close tabs on Pete, still ready to dig up more insight into Tony's true feelings and exact intentions surrounding his little brother— that was enough to have him hoping that maybe, maybe, maybe things would be okay.

[inventors-fair]

More than Playable: Typal Runners-Up ~

And our runners-up this week are @feyd-rautha-apologist, @misterstingyjack and @nine-effing-hells!

@feyd-rautha-apologist — Leeches' Kinship

Sometimes when reading these cards I'll go back and look at sets, and this one made me realize that there were indeed quite a few vampires around Strixhaven! If this wasn't intended to be on Strixhaven, well, that's my bad, but that's also what ya get for not including it in your submission. Having a cheap drain effect is pretty awesome, although clever limited players will know that you wouldn't want too many of them in your deck at the expense of creatures. But then, the creatures you get (if they're vampires) will be all the better, so win-win.

Morbid as a Witherbloom mechanic would be more than reasonable, IMO. If there's overlap with the Silverquill folks, that's fun as well, possibly. They do both overlap with vampires! And there's that little sweet spot for where overlap matters, and I think having overlapping subthemes with one small lean makes for a cool draft common that suggests to the players how flexible they can be. I may or may not have talked myself into liking this card a lot more than I did initially but that could also be the Vampire's curse. Hardly matters—I dig this thing and think that it gets one withered thumb pointed right up.

@misterstingyjack — Worldsoul's Boon

What I'm enjoying about the flavor is that most of the elves are assumed to be in white and green, but on Ravnica, there are plenty of Golgari elves, Simic elves, and even a few kickass Gruul elves to boot, and most of the mono/multi white cards wouldn't even come close. I feel that the flavor text itself is a little on the nose, and I'm not sure right now if it's implying that elves are closer to nature or if it's more along the lines of fantasy racism. Convoking is awesome, of course, but just plain attacking is pretty much right along green and white lines, yeah?

That said, if you have a one-mana Elf, turn two adds an additional three power to the board on top of potential lifegain. I feel that this could've definitely been pushed to three mana for that reason alone, and not just because there are a plethora of one-drop elves in any given format that you should keep an eye on. Small notes: 1) I also don't think you needed "then" in the first trigger; 2) Is it just me or is the text on this card really squashed? Anyway, let's back up to the good stuff, because as much as this might suggest typal at first glance, I think it speaks more to Ravnica's diversity in species and the eventual feeling of playing hybrid in a manner that's honestly pretty smooth. Having an Elf is a bonus, not a requirement, but having a creature? That's all that matters in the end. Just gotta have the RIGHT creature. Neat design and unexpectedly interesting!

@nine-effing-hells — Greater Glories

Whoof. It's a real conundrum if this card's undercosted or not. Obviously, Forced Adaptation is the baseline here, but we have to remember Luminarch Aspirant and the like which can give the counter on the combat step that the creature attacks. So you're gonna get the buff straight away, and then every turn thereafter. Now that said, it's pretty fragile, and auras fall off more than we'd like most of the time so I'll give you that. Still, for two mana, this is an aggressive all-star, and I'm not sure if I'm too down for how that plays out.

But we're also pushing boundaries here, and I think we both know that for three mana this card would be practically unplayable. Even if it gave trample for that cost, that's fairly steep, and I'm sitting here biting my metaphorical nails trying to make a decision. In the end? There's a non-zero chance that this card would be really annoying in a set without strong combat interaction and/or removal for either creature or aura. I don't hate it, and the Warrior aspect totally checks out for green on any world. Theros is the first one that comes to mind, but I'm equally drawn to Kaldheim, or really anywhere that's got warriors! It's a versatile and challenging card.

General commentary will be up soon as it's up. @abelzumi

[batsplat]

CASEY AT TH RWNCH CASEY AT THE RAAAANCCFFHHHHHH AMMSKSKSTWNFHJSJAJKSKEMEKDKDKE

ammskskstwnfhjsjajkskemekdkdke indeed

anyway I'm gonna continue like. gradually working my way through these as I continue to have #thoughts about MY personal season highlight... I DO think it's interesting and... well, not notable, because I'm not surprised by it... let's stick with interesting. how, y'know, valentino could within reason be at least a LITTLE annoyed by how regularly casey continues to slag valentino off in interviews. this has basically been complete one-way traffic since 2014, and it's not exactly shown much sign of abating! casey had that horrendously long podcast interview in 2022, and he's still said some pretty snippish things this year. including the eighty-ninth round of jerez 2011 memorial corner. whereas twelve years worth of valentino post-mortem of this rivalry essentially amount to 'laguna 2008, wasn't that fun'

and y'know, it's always fun when something happens that basically confirms your priors. I mean, ofc I didn't expect casey to rock up to valentino's ranch one random sunday in november, buuuuut I also obviously didn't have the 'don't they HATE each other??' response. some of us know our lore!! first off, ofc there's been a bit of a detente anyway - they met again in 2021, valentino spoke about messaging casey about his daughter in 2022 and so on. but the other thing is that they've also generally had a tradition of talking quite differently from each other in press than what their face-to-face vibe is like. by several metrics, this is actually valentino's warmest major feud - at no point does it ever get as actively unpleasant in-person as the other ones do. which is interesting in a lot of ways... I was talking here about how casey brings a bit of a valentino-esque energy that contributes to the rhythms of this rivalry, where he kind of buries the grievance of laguna 2008 short term but then just keeps carrying it with him and silently seething. so then when it really goes off the cliff edge, casey himself definitely has a lot of agency in that tonal collapse

and so. how that relationship looks like interpersonally has... if anything been determined more by casey than it has by valentino. you obviously have the cardinal sin of laguna 2008, but from valentino's pov this is very much in the 'acceptable strategies to try and spook your rival into handing you the title' camp. now, obviously, you can disagree with that - but it's not actually valentino trying to make an enemy out of casey, whatever casey might think. when casey goes off and says all sorts of things about valentino in the immediate aftermath - including that valentino had only done it because he knew casey was faster!! and flirting with the brake check allegations - and then gets a massive walloping from the motogp community and shows up to brno a lot more contrite and apologetic... well, y'know, valentino does accept it. no bother. obviously makes a note of it as a potential future method to Get To Casey, but he clearly isn't really taking it personally. valentino actually engages in markedly little off-track escalation of this feud... he matches casey's hostility with interest, which is how they eventually get trapped in the pettiness death spiral of 2010-12, but he's not just conjuring up a feud out of thin air

idk, just nothing particularly surprising about the ranch invitation per se. again, the amount they've said about each other post casey's retirement has been radically mismatched, with valentino making his last kinda nasty dig way back in 2013. there's just not ever really been a grudge on his part!! all's fair in love and war, they tore each other to shreds on the track and casey was kinda bitchy to him off it, but also that was fine and fun and it's over now. CASEY is the one who's always been all over the place with regards to valentino, which is how you get him talking about how valentino the guy was probably fine but he didn't KNOW that guy... how he'd like to have a dinner where valentino and him could tell each other their struggles... reckoning with how he DID admire valentino and DOES occasionally actually like him as a guy, as much as he might wish not to... all that sort of stuff. and valentino did low key love casey as a rival!! just this massive intricate challenge, this ridiculously talented rider who he had to get better and better and ever more creative to beat. this stuff, right:

so yeah, idk, it's fun! I did always kind of wonder how much of casey's Output valentino was seeing these last few years - and I feel like he must have seen SOME of it, surely. but it's not surprising somehow that it just... doesn't really bother him. he's certainly never been tempted to reciprocate. and you can still see so much of that complex dynamic there in the ranch footage... it is a special rivalry to the both of them, they never hated each other quite as cleanly as their rhetoric would make it sound, and if you give valentino the chance to show off to casey for a full day - well, that's an opportunity he's very much going to enjoy

[lbibliophile-sw]

Soundscape

Also on AO3 [960w] @ailesswhumptober - day 21: "this will make you feel better, ok?"

The job of Marshal Commander is stressful and hectic and for every problem he solves another two seem to pop up in its place, but Fox does try to practice self-care. He delegates where he can. He accommodates the medics’ instructions as much as his duties allow. He makes sure to eat, even if it is just ration bars between meetings or while completing formwork. He stays hydrated, even if a rather higher percentage than advisable is caf. And he tries to sleep.

He blocks out his schedule and he leaves his office, he locks his comm to all but emergencies and he settles into bed. And then he lies there. Fox tries to sleep, but if he is anything less than utterly exhausted, then his mind just goes around and around in circles – work and worries and his mind replaying everything he might ever have possibly done wrong. He stays in bed, the medics have been very firm that resting is better than nothing, but too often just ends up watching the hours count down until his next shift, frustrated with the knowledge that he is neither sleeping nor working nor even enjoying himself.

He is fairly sure that at least part of the problem is that his room is too quiet. Clones are social creatures, spending their whole lives crowded in next to each other. Fox is one of the elite few with rank sufficient to earn the privacy of an individual bunkroom; a luxury that he is now finding he would rather do without.

He’s tried borrowing a bed in one of the general barracks, hoping that the sound of his vode around him will settle him. And to be fair, it did stop him from spiralling. But only because he startled every time one of the other troopers moved or made a sound, constantly alert in case something needed his attention. And honestly, it was just plain awkward, feeling like he was intruding on his subordinates’ private space.

It might have been easier sharing with the other commanders – fewer people and closer in rank – but they mostly each cover different shifts, so there would be little difference to his private room anyway.

So he starts looking for other ways to cover up the silence in his room.

He tries the radio; but finds himself either cursing the inanity of talk shows, or taking mental notes for work from the news bulletins. He tries music; but he never realised just how many styles there are to choose from. And even when he eventually finds ones that might work, it just leaves him lying in bed feeling guilty about the indulgence.

It is Senator Organa who finds him a solution, during one of the stolen conversations when they are not yet Fox and Bail, but ‘Commander’ and ‘Senator’ are more than their titles.  

Fox shows up to their early morning meeting – ostensibly a security briefing regarding an upcoming press conference – with eyebags almost as big as his oversized cup of coffee. Official business quickly out of the way, Organa asks after his health. To his own surprise, Fox finds himself honestly describing his problem, frustrated by his persistent inability to just make his tired brain cooperate.

Organa ponders for a minute.

“Perhaps a slightly different approach is needed. You know, I used to do a lot of hiking when I was younger. I am assuming that your training covered wilderness safety as well as urban environments?” Fox blinks at the non-sequitur, but nods. “What is the first sign of danger in natural environments?”

“Silence.”

“Exactly.”

“I don’t quite understand what that has to do with -” Fox’s comm beeps. He looks at the message and grimaces. “ Sorry, Senator, I need to go.”

“Of course. I’ll send you a file, and you can tell me how it goes.”

Fox is kept moving from crisis to crisis all day, but when he settles down that evening he sees that the Senator has indeed sent him a sound file. He wonders what it is. Perhaps he has sent his own music recommendations; Fox is interested to hear them even if he doesn’t have any real faith that they will help.

Fox opens the file, and his room is filled with a cacophony of noise. Or… perhaps not. It takes him a moment to parse the medley of natural sounds, but he starts to pick out distinct patterns within the chaos. Clearest, are the long fluting calls – a melodic rise and fall with a flourish at the end. Next, he notices the intermittent clusters of chirps and squawks, several sequences of each. There are lower rhythmic sounds: a regular creaking, a flowing drone, and something that almost sounds like bonk. And behind it all, a whirring buzz in a dozen different pitches and rhythms…

The next thing Fox knows, his alarm is going off. And he feels more rested than he has in weeks.

That night, he plays the file again. But instead of losing himself in the deluge, he focuses on picking out one sound, learning its rhythms and variations, letting the rest of the soundscape flow around him and fill all the empty spaces in his mind.

The next night, he chooses a different sound to follow.

Another day later,  he manages to steal time with the Senator again and gushes about all the sounds he has identified and listens raptly as Bail tells him about nightingales and cicadas and pobblebonk frogs.

Three weeks later, just as the soundscape is becoming familiar, a new file appears in his inbox.

And so it continues. Fox spends his days run off his feet, treasuring the rare hours he spends with Bail, and each night he is lulled to sleep by the sounds of Alderanian wildlife.

When the War ends, Fox follows Bail back to Alderaan. That first night, lying in bed between Bail and Breha, should be a dream come true. And Fox is so so happy. But he is also staring at the unfamiliar play of shadows on the ceiling, feeling the itch in his brain as it refuses to let him relax. As much as he wants to be here, he also finds himself ruefully missing his music player.

A warm breeze brushes his face, and with a burst of clarity he realises that he doesn’t need the tinny recorded wildlife after all, not when the reality is right there. He focusses on the sounds coming in through the open window – the lilting call of the nightingale, the creak of the frogs in the pond, the droning hum of cicadas – and lets them wash through him. Then he focuses on the steady breathing of his partners beside him, and lets the combined melody drag him down into sleep.

[thespianinthebackcorner]

okay so Hazbin season 1 just ended (spoiler alert) and by GOD that was an ending. I love it. I was panicking so bad after Alastor just disappeared halfway through the battle and then afterwards the only ones who seemed to notice were the Vees (of course they did. I see you Vox) but he came back later anyway. More spoilers and theories under the cut

BUT! He came back eventually, he's not dead. That scene in the studio was... A lot. I love it, it perfectly sets up next season- Alastor is clearly going to be the star of the show. Husker was right, he is bound to someone, and he's clearly not happy about it. actually he's just going through it as a whole, clearly there's more on his mind than the battle. He's on his last nerve, and one thing I noticed was that throughout episodes 7 and 8- and, now that I think about it, the whole season- there's a couple hints towards Alastor repressing his true feelings, and that the consequences are starting to come back to bite him. It's even outright implied through his conversation with Charlie- he himself says that just because he's smiling it doesn't mean anything about what he's actually feeling underneath. Much like Alastor I also enjoy seeing characters cry and lose their hold, and I think next season will be that moment for him.

Kay I need to reorganise this post. Bullet point time, ATAR style

Season 1:

hints all over the shop that Alastor is repressing his feelings and it's going to come back

Confirmation with the scene at the end of Episode 8 that Alastor is indeed bound to someone and those binds are incredibly tight, he can't get out easily

According to him, said deal restricts his actions to an extent, enough that he's starting to feel suffocated

I know Dad Beat Dad was a joke for him, but from the way he protected the hotel I think he's also starting to realise how much he actually does care about Charlie in his own way.

Compared to the beginning of the series, Alastor is getting pushed closer to the edge more often. He's getting more annoyed and losing his composure, the amount of swearing he was doing in that last fight with Adam Asshole Supreme shows that just fine- not to mention his reaction to Husker's confrontation and his clear annoyance and even jealousy of Lucifer throughout Dad Beat Dad.

Enough hints that he's being controlled by Lilith for the fandom to notice at large

Lilith being hinted to return to Hell in Season Two

Not stated in the actual show but Alastor speaks with a Transatlantic accent, which is a fake accent created by tv and radio presenters of his time. What we hear isn't his actual voice, unless being in Hell also changes your voice, which considering Vaggie didn't change after coming down and Pentious didn't change after going up doesn't seem to be the case

Predictions for Season Two:

Alastor's clearly had enough of his restraints, I think he's going to find a way out of it

Lilith is not going to be happy with him for that, I get the feeling he's also already done something she's not going to like

Lilith Is Going To Bitch Slap Alastor (this is inevitable and I am looking forward to it)

Considering sound is Alastor's greatest asset and what he does, i think at some point it's going to be taken away from him- either through inability to speak or inability to hear, or both

This would also mean he'd need to resort to visuals for communication, which will likely be a struggle- I don't think Alastor is the type to learn sign language, he's a radio presenter, so he's going to have to learn it somehow. I'm not actually sure if anyone else at the hotel does but Husker might (he seems like he would, just for kicks). Or they might come up with some other way to communicate

If I'm right then he'll also have to properly learn to lean on the others instead of stepping away like he usually does

At some point that smile and that accent are going to drop. And it will be a MOMENT.

Season Two will be based on a villain, yes, but this show is all about redemption and while Alastor clearly doesn't want to try that in the traditional sense, I think the next season is definitely going to be redemption for him in a different sense- less redemption, more healing.

The other patrons of the hotel are definitely attached to him now, Lilith better watch her back.

Side note, Pentious better come back and get his girl he's not leaving like that

Maybe I should turn this into a fanfic

Maybe it's copium but to me next season will be ALL about Alastor and how he fits in with the show itself. And I am so ready for it. That boy is going to cry whether he likes it or not.

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

don’t know if you’re still doing headcanons but maybe a continuation of yuno with blue rose reader where they have a semi-secret relationship? like only a few people know about them (like sister lily and/or sylph)? you can ignore this if you want

Yes I am ^^ My requests are indeed open, I just haven't had a lot of requests as of late, and life has kept me busy from other projects. In any case, I hope you like this! ^^

Pairing: Yuno Grinberryal x f!reader who is a BRK Fanfic type: Headcanons Genre: general/fluff Length: ~0.5k

Dating, under the radar, was difficult. Very difficult. Though, you supposed that dating with someone from another squad would probably have been difficult even if you weren’t trying to keep it a secret.

But it was sensible. The rest of your squad, the Blue Rose Knights, would probably scold you for having a boyfriend. Because you were supposed to be a strong and independent woman, who didn’t need a man by her side. Which you were! You didn’t need him. Not like… that anyways. You wanted to be with him. And Yuno didn’t look down on you for being a woman, so it wasn’t like the rest of the girls might think!

You really did love each other.

Plus, you had figured, that since Yuno had a lot of fans, who might be jealous, ultimately it was easier for the two of you to keep the relationship secret. You could spend the limited amount of time together, at more peace without screaming fans trying to separate you two. Or so you both thought.

So, you were left with having to sneak around, and try to choose date places where you wouldn’t be seen. Which, most of the time, meant smaller villages or more rural parks. Walking in the woods and such. But… it wasn’t unpleasant.

Actually, it was really nice. Being able to just spend time together, away from the hustle and bustle that was always present as Magic Knights.

You were also so very thankful for Sister Lily for helping you two out. She was the only one who knew, with the exception of Sylph, that you were dating. And that was because Yuno had needed advice on how to approach you in the beginning.

Which was endearing, it really was. And she was such a loving, supportive figure for the both of you, without whom your secret dates in Hage wouldn’t really have been the same. Especially since she helped with gathering a basket of something to eat, with Yuno aiding with the costs of course, for your dates, and try to keep it under the radar from the kids and Father Orsi.

“You’ll tell people when you are ready,” she said when asked about if she thought that they should tell about it.

Really the only one you were worried about babbling about it was Sylph, but Yuno had convinced her to keep quiet about it somehow.

So, for now, you were content with where you were. Plus, there was a bit of a thrill in having to sneak around, which was fun. The idea of being secret lovers was like straight out of some romance novel, and it filled your stomach with all the more butterflies.

Eventually you would have to tell the people in your life. But this was a nice phase in the relationship; a lovely point in time on your shared road into the future.

[imaginespazzi]

Sorry for the late review I got the email from AO3 ( I love tumblr but I was an AO3 gal first and foremost) right as I leaving my house and I knew this story needed my full undivided attention for awhile for me to be able to rlly soak it in

This chapter rlly showed how much of a menace stephie is bc first with the car convo that made azzi tell Colleen that she did indeed do the opposite of her plan but also the other car convo with Paige tattling on azzis words

one thing I love about Pazzi is the known passenger princess so making them switch it up and the lil memory was so cutieeee

Stephie and azzis relationship on their own is also so adorable bc like their lil fun time just to the icecream time was so cute

reading how azzi has always felt alone with protecting steohie until this moment I knew that I should feel bad for azzi but rlly I was just making up more theories on where the heck baby daddy is and why he’s not helping miss gurl

The golden state might only be a pit stop makes me sad now so I can only imagine how it’s gonna make me feel whenever the plot develops and it bc a much larger issues between them

Paige with bb Stephie and Tim was awesome I love the fluff you right even thou I come for the angst and even the fluff with azzi while they were still being cordial

Honestly ur flashbacks are what make ur stories the way they are so perfectly crafter and tie in and let me know just the right amount of information and feels like a puzzle is why I love ur writing and truly shows how talented you are but now I’m done praising you bc u r asking for trouble leaving me on a kinda cliff hanger ig but like YOU DIDNT WANT TO MARRY ME excuse me marriage was an option?!? I need like the five ws and h rn When? Where? Who? What? Why? How? Like I reread that sentence so many times jsut to be followed up by YOUR RIGHT I DIDNT WNAT TO SO GO FUND THE WOMEN WHO DID Literlly silenced like what why not I need to know the entire lore and it’s ridiculous your gonna leave me high and dry like this like I’m genuinky so confused but also sooooo excited

anyways love you so much Nivi and am so proud of you for sticking to your schedule I hope you stay sticking to it bc if not I might actually die

-💜💜

You're actually the sweetest person ever my love and I will try to stay on my deadlines just so you don't die because that would make sad.

Stephie just doesn't have a filter, especially around people she's comfortable with and she's definitely comfortable with Paige so trust her to make sure Paige will always know what's happening.

I have a lot of little tradition ideas for Stephie and Azzi in my head and Paige is slowly going to end up being added to a lot of them.

Ah Azzi's baby daddy is a mystery but we'll get to him one day eventually (I think)

I love writing flashbacks and they're gonna be a big part of the story because to move forward in the present, they're gonna have to unravel what happened in the past. I'm also really excited to write it and have y'all read it even though I know y'all are gonna be yelling in my inbox about how evil I am after a few of them.

LMAO everyone's reactions to the last scene are killing me and I'm ngl it's been very amusing but TRUST!! There's always a method to my menacing madness!

Always happy to see you in my inbox babes and I'm so glad you're along for this ride <3

[streettealee]

Alright, because of the post I just reblogged off of you: Grace Blackthorn. I love her, too. If you were given free rein to write her character's story post-canon, what would you do with her given the confines of her existing ending? I personally think I would remove her from London altogether and send her to another Institute for a fresh start.

Grace. All right. There is a lot I'd want to rewrite about her direction if I could control canon, but alas, I can't and it wasn't the question.

As for post-canon, I would indeed remove her from London too. It's makes the most sense considering all the memories in London, many distressing, and the reminders of what she did in the past and what was done to her for those actions. I truly think anyone who gets locked up in the Silent City for any amount of time emerges with a slight shift of mind. Plus, while I doubt many of the remaining TLH cast would realistically stay in London their whole lives, I do think Grace would benefit more from a distance between herself and, at least, James and Cordelia.

I'm not sure which Institute I would think best for her to go. There's a decent amount of scientific innovation that goes on in France, but somehow I feel it's not the place Grace would want to be. I don't know how many men Tatiana pimped her out to, nor can I recall whom they were and where they were from, but I just feel like even the entirety of France and it's diverse areas would not quite be her scene for healing.

Because that's what I'd write for Grace post-canon. Healing. I want to see how she does not quite wrestle with guilt - because how can you feel bad for doing what you needed to survive? - but does struggle with the ghost of Christopher. It would hurt anyone pretty bad if the one person who unwaveringly stood by your side and cared about you when they did not have much reason to, who encouraged you to find that last piece to complete their life's work, just died. And died by the hands of your adoptive family, no less. This is one my nit picks because I wish we had seen Grace defeat Tatiana rather than Cordelia - it would have felt more significant, in my eyes. She had more emotional stake in it.

Anyway, I would send Grace perhaps to another Institute located in the UK, actually, or Ireland. I do not think she would be comfortable going to Idris, simply because while she is more open to the Shadowhunter identity, she would still have a lot of complicated feelings there and it'd be a lot more difficult to sort out when also living in the country where your orphanage was. And I also would not send her to America (sorry, I know, there was a fanfic where this happened and I fully respect it, it's just not what I would have done (I also know more about other countries than I do about America, so I'm more comfortable dealing with them)). Ultimately, while I'm thinking this out, I'm settling on Ireland because I think it feels removed enough for Grace to feel like she can breathe and, if all the stories are true, it's the centre of a lot of supernatural activity, especially involving Fair Folk.

I point this out because I think Grace is the kind of person who has to keep busy to keep going. I feel like she spent too much idle time as Tatiana's ward and wouldn't want to be reminded of that. I'd write about how she works the day investigating local Fair Folk issues involving mundanes and others (I think she also shares Kit's close ties to Downworld, if not so comfortably to begin with but gradually more so) and training, then goes for patrols every couple of nights or so, before letting herself relax, exhausted, before some fireplace and allowing herself to feel what she feels so she can eventually move on. She might still work with scientific invention, because she does indeed seem curious, but I think it'd be some time before she really got into it again.

Basically, I want to write Grace in grief for all she has lost, and taking the time to go through that and heal each wound in her, before we look at things like whether she ever has romantic interest again, who she befriends, whether she reconnects with anyone from the London Enclave, and so on. I think she might reach out to Lucie first (I would argue she still writes letters to Jesse anyway) just because of their potential for a decent friendship and their previous partnership. And I am always looking for f/f ships, so a little part of me wants Grace/Lucie, but considering canon Lucie/Jesse and how important that is - I'll leave it alone. Close female friendships are also brilliant and we do need more of them even in TSC.

But anyway, I think I've rambled long enough. Hopefully that was a satisfactory answer to your question. I really enjoyed thinking through this and sharing.

[scoonsalicious]

man i miss Pocket x Buckybaby🤍

Major x Bucky are like the older wise version of Pocket X Buckybaby. Pocket and Buckybaby (as the nickname) are the babies. Our babies.

Reading unusable just made my heart swell with emotions. The snippet of Unbroken LEFT ME BROKEN. I can’t.

As much as I enjoy Major x Bucky, Pocket x Buckybaby is tattooed in my heart.

Btw I just saw someone said they’re team Lebron😂, and i think it’s because Major kinda looks like the ‘mean’ girl in Lizard’s POV. (If we switch Lenovo as reader, gahdamnn, everyone would be pissed at Major)… or they just love chaos AHAHAHAHAH.

Major does have flaws but subtle, and not the Pocket level kind of flaws. I can tell Major is not perfect. I have a feeling that she’s actually insecure of her own appearance and action but always keep her head high due to her divorce, something like that la.

I get it why it bothers some readers because we haven’t yet to see her bad bad moments. Plus, we were introduced with Major being the ‘baddie’/‘independent’ woman from the beginning. It is a drastic change from Pocket to Major. Not to mention this reader and Bucky are like rabbits 24/7😂 We’re seeing majorly of their body/physical chemistry here before it starts going to the emotional chemistry. (Might I also remind people that things would be crazy after Major and Bucky is officially in a relationship because that means war for Lebron?😂We’re still in the introduction on its way to rising action!!)

Also, we’ve been seeing more on Bucky’s and Lenovo’s POV (especially Bucky). It’s refreshing after Unwanted but I do hope we get to see Major’s POV soon because I’m starting to get attached on Bucky😂 I feel like I’m Bucky. Not only that, but Mother Pookie great mind too. I can’t wait for whatever she’s planning on WFLT.

Anyways, I feel like I haven’t done this for a long time but I wuv you Mother Pookie🩷🩷🩷. Here is your kitten smooches to boost your day!!!

PS// There are new pics of Sebastian Stan (at the Cannes event i think). He so cute. Too fucking cute. I want to pinch his cheek!!! HE SO CUTE LIKE A SMOL BLACK KITTY. I just wanna pet him.

(This is how I see him in the pic)

Me too, Pookie. Me, too. It's why I'm struggling with WFLT; I keep wanting to run right back to them. Pocket and her BuckyBaby are, always and forever, my babies, just like you said. So, I'm eager to get to Unbroken eventually. Even if, for now, I'm just jotting down little snippets here and there as they come to me.

Major and her Bucky are indeed more mature individuals, lol, which might be why it's harder to write them, because my brain just wants to jump to the most dramatic, angsty shit possible, but I am like 'NO! These are adults!'

Lizard is where I will have to get my drama out, lol. Girl's gonna do some crazy shit. Like, not full-on Cunthrage-evil, but more real-world crazy. Like, if you were friends with her on socials, you wouldn't interact, but you wouldn't block her, either, because the drama is too good.

Major's not perfect. She's got some combat-related PTSD we're going to explore, and though she would probably never admit it, she's insecure about Bucky's relationship with Lily. I know we're focusing a lot in these early chapters on Major and Bucky's... well, sexcapades, really, but I wanted to establish them as being crazy for one another, and to kind of really showcase how quick of a change this is for Lily.

But as you said, this is the RISING ACTION, lol; we'll get there!

But, I, too, love chaos. (Actual photo of me climbing the ladder of chaos below)

I love you so much, Pookie! <3 I hope you and your kittehs are well!

[dandelion-wings]

oho are you asking for rarest rarepairs? because i like my rare pairs raw (and apparently full of brats)

from vague canon evidence if you break your neck in the right way to whomst'd've the fuck and why, I got:

Venti/Hu Tao

Furina(post archon quest)/Hu Tao

Rana/Jeht (though i think you've already talked about this one?)

Focalors/Venti

Focalors/Guizhong

Sorry to respond to this over a month later--all my spoons fell in the insinkerator about the time this ask came in, and I put it aside for when I had more energy and, uh, forgot about it. >>;; But I was delighted to find it again today!

Venti/Hu Tao

We all agree that Hu Tao 100% clocked Venti in last year's Lantern Rite event, right? And she's pulling the same "I'm going to pretend I don't know but I totally know" she does with Zhongli, right? Except Venti thinks it's fucking hilarious, and the "I know you know I know you know I know" we don't see during Waterborne Poetry was a fantastic game for them both.

And since we have Waterborne Poetry as an event, it would be fun to build it off that! It might take some massaging of specific timeline details because they just? sort of dropped several characters and the actual event? at the end, but I'm gonna be honest I didn't love the last few beats of that event anyway. It felt like it kind of puttered out disappointingly after a lot of initial promise, so I wouldn't mind the opportunity to rewrite some of that. Anyway, this would be a "behind the scenes" where Hu Tao and Venti continue to coordinate the actual event in the background while everyone else is doing the quests, being playful and teasing and occasionally deep and profound with each other (because they both do that exact vibe well), with a slow-burn growing interest that sort of kicks into higher gear when the rest of the group comes back and recounts the Finch/Callirhoe moment. Because, like, Hu Tao's not normal but she sure is mortal, and Venti knows how to enjoy fleeting pleasures and she is definitely not missing her shot, so- yeah. They go for it. XD

Furina/Hu Tao

Once again leveraging an event, I'd hang that off of their appearances in Chenyu Village in the latest Lantern Rite. Hu Tao (who thought Furina was both cute and fun to fluster in their first meeting there) ends up going to Fontaine to help with the spooky movie props mentioned in that conversation. She is essentially vacationing under the pretense of a "business trip," though she is indeed interested in Furina's play/movie and has a lot of suggestions to make, both helpful and otherwise; since she is stealing the chance at a vacation, though, she also makes Furina take her around to see the sights "as a token of our business partnership!" So they have some cute moments at all the good tourist spots, some cute interludes having tea together, and at least one deep and thoughtful conversation about mortality and the joys and sorrows thereof... and that eventually blooms into kissing in the back room of the theater.

Rana/Jeht

We have talked about this one, yes! Though I don't recall exactly what I said at the time, so I'll just answer as the meme prescribes: I would write this one using that bit about Jeht and her mercenary band accompanying a lost group of Akademiya scholars back to the jungle. Then they take a job there that puts them in proximity with Rana, either as a member of the group they're helping/escorting or hired separately as a local guide, and they go on a very classic jungle-adventure-with-budding-romance where traveling and fighting side-by-side forges bonds that turn into more. I like the idea of a bunch of side characters in the expedition who help with their development--I think Jeht could use a wise older woman who is as unlike Babel as possible, for one--and it's up in the air whether it ends with Rana joining Jeht's band, or Jeht (who does have so, so much trauma to process) deciding she needs to continue on alone for a while and them sharing a last kiss and promising to meet again some day. And then I say I'll write that reunion and don't actually touch it for six+ years.

Focalors/Venti

I absolutely could write any of these outside the constraints of canon, so much of my fic is AU, but I think this would be most interesting to me as in some kind of space between Focalors being designated Egeria's successor, and the separation into Furina-as-humansona and Focalors-in-the-Oratrice. Venti goes to visit the new Hydro Archon ostensibly to get to know one of the new ones; they have secret, quiet conversations about Celestia and the Thrones and what might make it possible to break one, and at what cost; and then it's not so much a romance here as, Focalors always did want to experience more than her divine self ever will get to, and, well- a bard is an expert at stirring passions, after all, and making a night's entertainment seem a grand and sweeping experience.

Focalors/Guizhong

TBH I don't know whether I missed a lot of Guizhong characterization in my years-ago rush through Liyue or if I'm just not good at putting together the threads we get from events, but she remains kind of a cipher to me? I have just enough of a mental picture of her to suffice for my Ping/Xianyun sadfic and that's about it. But given when Guizhong died vs. when Focalors ascended, while there could be material in itty baby Focalors meeting her (and in fact it could fit into the backstory of this), what I think I'd do is have it be separated by time: some mechanism Guizhong created is what Focalors comes across (or acquires in that itty baby-era meeting) that gives her the basis of the Oratrice, and the fic is her taking it apart, analyzing it, and rebuilding it to her purposes, learning what she can about Guizhong and her other works to help her with that analysis, and reflecting on this god she never, or barely, knew, who died in an effort to save her people. The romance is (obviously) one-sided and over centuries and is in many ways Focalors fantasizing about this idealized lover in order to drive her forward on her own, difficult, ultimately self-destructive mission. Though she is also, y'know, feasting on her own mental fanfic about the drama of it all. XD