#as of late really since they have so many moments

[terrestrialnoob]

"Hey, Bats, can I have a word?" John asked as everyone started filling out of the meeting room.

Batman gave him the side eye. "You don't usually come to meetings."

John raised his hands in surrender. "Caught me, I'm really here to ask you a favor."

Batman looked over by the door, where it looked like Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash were there waiting for him. But, he turned back to John and asked "What do you want?"

John tried not to cringe at the tone in his voice, telling himself that's just what a tired after meeting Batman sounded like. "I need help with a puzzle box."

John pulled said box out of his coat pocket and held it up for Batman to take, but the man examined it closely without touching it. "What's in it?"

"A world-ending weapon, probably. There's like, a 10% chance it's a world-ending monster." John helpfully provided.

"And you want to open it..."

"Yeah..." John sighed then explained, "It's part of a pair, with this-" John pulled a gear shaped dial puzzle out of his pocket. "But, since I solved this one, that one wont work for me."

"Why do you want to open it?"

"Because, whoever solves the puzzles control it."

"But you've been magically locked out of solving this one." Batman pointed at the box still in John's hand.

"Yeah, so I need someone good at solving puzzles -you- and who's dabbled enough in magic to effect the box -you again- and who I trust not to use whatever's in it to destroy the world."

Batman gave him the patented bat-interrogation glare. "You still haven't explained why you want to release this weapon."

"It's a fail safe. Like the two keys thing governments put in front of their nuclear bombs. According to the texts I read, this isn't the only way to release the whatever-it-is, but once we solve both these puzzles, you and I will have control of it and absolutely no one else can get it." John wiggled the box at Batman. "We do this now, we don't have to pray I can track down all the alternate methods, and neither of us can use it without the other's permission."

Batman closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You're certain this is the best method to ensure the safety of as many people as possible?"

"Yep."

"And you're certain I'm the right person you want as the other half of your fail safe? Not another magic user?"

"I feel the degree of separation will be useful in determining what situations call for using a world-ending weapon."

Batman let another deep sigh and took the puzzle box.

"You two staying late?" Superman asked as John and Batman sat back down at the table. Him, Wonder Woman, and the Flash came over to check on them.

"Sorry, we can get dinner together another time." Batman said without taking his eyes off the box. Each side had nine squares, each with a rune on them that glowed when pressed. There was a pattern, John was sure, but after he'd solved the dial puzzle, the runes where blurred and the squares didn't light up when he pressed them.

"How long do you think your puzzle thing will take?" Flash asked, looking over Batman's shoulder as he seemed to solve the puzzle quickly. Or so John hoped, again, he couldn't actually see what kind of progress Bats was having.

"Ten minutes, tops." Nightwing interrupted. Batman did glance at him, but then went right back to work on the box. "We still have plenty of time to go to Bobby's before closing."

"I thought you had better things to do?" Superman asked.

"And pass up on burgers with you? Never." Nightwing said with a wink. "Is John joining us when this is done?"

"I'll have to take whatever comes out of the box back to the house of Mystery." John said, though burgers did sound good at the moment.

Silence lapsed into the room as they watched Batman work. And ten minutes later, it was done. The puzzle box glowed and one of it's faces folded into itself, leaving a hole shaped just like the gear puzzle. Batman held it out and John dropped the gear into it. The room filled with a bright flash, and once it faded, sitting on the conference table between John and Batman was a toddler. He had black hair and bright blue eyes and freckles scattered across his face. He reached out a little hand towards them and started babbling.

"Fuck."

[stellarsturniolos]

・ ˖  ✦ ⋄ . in which.. chris lets bsf!reader practice giving head on him.

warnings: smut, cursing, blowjob, i think that's everything.

A/N: reblogs and likes are appreciated! i do NOT give consent for my work to be copied or uploaded to any other platform. thank you. this is my first time attempting to write smut in years so pls be kind to me lmfao.

it's late at night. you and chris are sitting on your balcony, looking up at the blanket of stars that seem to stretch out to infinity. the occasional barking of dogs somewhere in the distance was the only noise that broke into the silence of the evening.

chris is your best friend. has been since you were a little kid. he's the person you feel the most at ease. you don't need to hold a conversation with him to have a good time – just being with him is enough for you.

"tell me something i don't know about you." he suddenly mumbles.

"what?" you snort softly. "you already know everything about me."

"oh, c'mon." he nudges your foot with his own. "there's gotta be something."

you avert your gaze as you feel heat rising into your cheeks. "... okay. i've never given a blowjob before."

his eyes widen as he gawks at you. "no way. really?"

you feel your lips twitch into a small smile at his surprise. "yes, really. and, i mean, it's not like i don't want to. trust me, i do. i'm just worried that i'll be really bad at it."

he blinked slowly, taking in your words. "you just need to practice."

you brows raise. "yeah? i've tried. on fruit, on my fucking dildo. but those things aren't the same as a real person. they can't give feedback."

his entire body grew unnaturally still, and you could almost see the thoughts spinning around in his head. "you could.. practice.. on me?" he says slowly. "i'm a real person. i can give feedback."

you feel your face grow even warmer. "i.. i, um.." you stutter. "i guess that's true."

"should we.. go inside?" he asks hesitantly.

you almost can't believe this is happening. that this is a real conversation that you're having with your best friend. you want to pinch yourself. "yeah.. yeah, let's go inside."

and before you can blink, he's standing up and grabbing your hand, tugging you inside your empty apartment and toward your bedroom.

you're suddenly very thankful that your roommate decided to spend the weekend with her boyfriend.

you pause in the doorway to your room and watch as chris pulls his hoodie off, revealing the soft t-shirt underneath. he plops down on your bed as he's done many times before. but never for something like this. he glances over at you with a faint smile. "you don't have to be so nervous, y'know? it's just me."

you nod as you step closer, sitting down on the bed near his thighs. "are you sure this is okay?"

"i wouldn't have offered if it wasn't okay." he reaches for your hand and places your palm over the now very obvious bulge in his jeans. "you feel that? feel how much i want this?"

"shit, chris." your fingers move to his zipper and belt buckle. you work quickly, tugging his jeans and boxers down his legs. you unexpectedly feel desperate for it. you want to see him, taste him, make him feel good.

your eyes widen as you see his dick for the first time, resting heavily against his stomach. it's huge. bigger than you ever imagined. much larger than your stupid fucking dildo.

you reach out with one hand and brush your fingers lightly over his shaft. you giggle softly as it twitches under your soft touch.

you scoot closer, until you're sitting in between his legs. you bend your head forward, flattening your tongue against the sensitive tip.

"fuuuuck." chris breathes out, his hips stuttering involuntarily.

you open your mouth and slowly suck him in. you want to savor the moment. you want to enjoy every second of this.

you lower yourself down as far as you can without gagging and wrap your fingers around the rest of his cock. your tongue brushes against his slit, tasting the precum that's steadily leaking out of him.

you look up and see chris looking down at you, his jaw slack and pupils dilated with desire. you've never seen him look like this, but you fucking love it.

you bob your head at a steady pace, fisting the part of his shaft that your mouth can't quite reach. you're a slobbering mess, but you don't give a damn. the slurping sounds of you pleasuring him only make you feel more aroused yourself.

you feel chris' hands in your hair, gripping and tugging. "mm, fuuuuck – so fuckin' good."

that's all the encouragement you need. you bob your head faster, your own moans muffled by the cock in your throat.

you watch his face the entire time. you love to see his pretty flushed cheeks. and the whimpers? fuck, you wish you could record them for later.

his hips lift off the bed, thrusting more of his dick down your throat. your cheeks go hollow as you suck as much of him in as you can.

"shit – mm, god – 'm gonna cum soon."

you dig your blunt fingernails into his thighs and bob your head a little faster. that's all it takes. his lower stomach tenses and his body stills as you feel warm spurts of cum hit the roof of your mouth and back of your throat.

you swallow every drop, not even minding the salty and bitter taste coating your tongue. you slowly pull off and press a soft kiss to his tip. you crawl up the bed and lay down next to chris, watching as he comes down from his high.

"was that okay?" you ask, trying to distract yourself from the wetness and need pulsing between your own thighs.

"jesus fuck." he laughs, still trying to catch his breath. "more than okay. that was.. so fucking good."

"but.. next time.. i wanna taste you."

[astracora]

Drunken Confession - Zayne

Characters: Zayne x gn!mc

Warnings: Very Drunk MC, Chronic Illness, Hurt/Comfort

Word Count: 2677

Written: 21st February 2025

Notes: Pre-relationship, with Zayne and the main MC I write for. I'm so sorry to Zayne this came out way more angsty than I meant for. I guess it's in character for how tragic all his story feels.

Masterlist AO3

<- Caleb

Zayne is returning from a conference when he gets the call, pulling his phone out of his pocket as he parks his car.

"Hey Doctor Li, have you heard from your hunter at all?" 

He stops from where he's walking to his door, normally he would gently nudge Greyson to drop formalities, but the man sounds out of breath, like he's been running. "Greyson, I have only just returned to Linkon, why?"

There's hesitation, he can feel it, he hears Yvonne speaking in the background, but can't really make out the words. He's about to nudge Greyson along, before the man speaks again, "I was going to cover their check-up today, but they met with Doctor Noah earlier, and then left. I haven't been able to get in touch with them since."

It's not like you to skip appointments. You're careful, you hate to put people out, and you've always at least shown up. Even if he knows you ignore his advice, even if he's heard enough from Doctor Noah to know the time he spent apart from you, you didn't spend it taking care of yourself. He hasn't heard everything, and you do not share what you don't have to, but there is enough information in your files, for him to piece it together.

Still, the you he's reacquainted with, is a person who values your role as a hunter, and you do not avoid your requirements to have health check-ups. Even if you act flippant about your own health.

'If I can still hunt, then I'm fine, Doctor Li.'

He wonders when the child he knew, energetic and vibrant, forgot how to live.

"I will go check on them, I will get back to you to rearrange the check-up afterwards." Greyson affirms, and Zayne returns to his car. When he gets in, he tries to call. The call goes to voicemail each time. He hopes you'll at least see missed calls and get back to him before he gets to you. Alleviate the anxieties rising in his chest.

The fear that something has happened to you, that he's too late. He always feels like he's too late.

He feels too hot under his turtleneck, as he rushes out of his car, and up to your apartment. Pressing buttons in the elevator with too much force. His fingers feel cold. Like ice, and he shoves them into the pockets of his coat, trying hard to breathe through the churning in his stomach.

He's logical, Zayne tells himself. You're fine, you just fell asleep, or forgot, or got distracted.

There's so many reasons, for why you didn't arrive at your appointment. He will not spiral. No matter how many times he's seen you be reckless on a mission, and had to stitch you up afterwards.

When he arrives at your door, he's not overly proud of how forceful he is with his knocking. Three sharp raps, before he pauses, hesitates and steadies his hands. When there's no response, he tries again, this time he's less heavy handed. Carefully knocking, three times.

This time he hears a groan through the door, shuffling and movement, before it swings open.

Zayne exhales relief as he sees you, alive, and solid in front of him. You're wearing a loose vest, the sleeves slipping off your shoulders, and shorts. Long fluffy socks up to the knee. Your hair is pushed back with a headband, and there's a bottle held in your hand, precariously held to the side.

He quickly reaches a hand out, to tilt it back up before whatever it is, spills all over the floor.

Even if his eyes don't stray from you. Your eyes are watery, the bright colours of your mismatched gaze glittering up at him, and your lip is bitten.

For the shortest moment, he's captivated by you, as though he's ever not, and stares.

"Doctor Li? You good?" Your words come out on a sigh, and you tip the bottle back up to your lips, taking a steady swig, all while watching him.

Snapping himself out of his stupor, he pulls his hand back, and is relieved that there's no more ice over his skin. "You missed your appointment."

"Ah." He watches your face, the guilt skittering through your expression, the way your shoulders jump, and you crack a tiny smile, "My bad, I'll rearrange later. I must have forgotten."

You're lying to him, he notices, the way your eyes dart away. The way you fidget on your feet. You've never been a good liar, even as a child, you're somehow worse now. He imagines the alcohol in your hand hasn't helped.

He's standing at your door, and there's a vague sense of knowing he doesn't want other people seeing you like this. Armour down. He's concerned about you, that's all. He's your doctor, and your old childhood friend, and he's worried about you.

"May I come in?"

You blink at him, then look behind you, and back at him. He watches you think, and hesitate. Until you open the door wider for him, and indicate with the bottle for him to enter. Walking in ahead.

The first thing he notices, is the television is on, but there's no sound coming out. Like you'd turned it on, and forgotten to unmute it. A movie he doesn't recognise plays in the background, but you find your way back to the sofa, sitting down and pulling your legs up to face it. Nudging your head at the seat next to you.

The second thing he notices, is there's quite an array of bottles on the table, not all of them are finished, like you've been going through to find ones you don't hate. Many are still full, others barely a tenth empty. There's three that are fully empty, and the one in your hand is close to joining them.

The third thing is that he doesn't know what to do. Hesitating at the edge of the sofa, looking at you, watching you, before you look back up at him. "You gonna join me or not?" Your voice is far more casual than it normally is, you speak like you're amused by his hesitation. Watching him with the smallest quirk to your lips. It is that, which makes him join you. Sitting next to you, but not touching.

"You want a drink?"

He doesn't. He doesn't normally drink at all, and he's not sure now is the time to test his likely terrible tolerance.

"Are you alright?" He asks instead, cutting to the chase.

You sigh, leaning back on the sofa, and looking over at him. Mostly looking over his shoulder, your cheek resting against the back, "I'm fine."

It's another lie, so he simply looks at you, reading the look on your face. When he looks for too long, you laugh. It's soft, and weak, but you do smile at him, "Would you like a picture?"

His cheeks feel warm, because he would. You look tired, sad, with glistening eyes and are dishevelled. Like a painting he'd see on the wall in a gallery, of beautiful sorrow. If it were a better circumstance, he would want this view every day.

"Your ability to lie hasn't improved, would you like to try again?"

This time you exhale, looking up at the ceiling, then lean forward to take another swig. You finish the bottle, and then place it down. "Noah, he-" You choke on the words, shaking your head to fight back the feelings, "We talked, about my condition."

Your heart, that beats in your chest. The thing that drives him, every path he has taken, to find an answer for it. To heal it, so that you could live a long life. He's never told you, and he never plans to. That you drove every choice he's ever made. That you have meant more to him throughout his life than any other.

That his heart beats for you.

"What did he say?"

"Nothing new. He wasn't any closer to an answer, no one is, that there's no cure. That no one knows how long I still have. I just-"

He watches the trembling in your hands, and he reaches out to take yours in his. Your hand is even colder than his. You make to pull away, and then stop, looking down at his hand. It's hesitant that you move over on the sofa, wiggling over, and tightening your grip.

"It just hit me again, that's all. Reminded me. I had to get out, I didn't want to see Greyson like that, I just needed to take some time to calm down. I'm sorry, Zayne."

Zayne watches you smile again, turning your head back to him, you're so close he can smell the lavender of your shampoo. "There are better coping mechanisms." He notes, but there's no bite in it. Especially when you laugh without humour, and shrug.

Like you know that, like it's all you can think to do.

"Why did you not call me?"

You pull away from his grip now, pulling back on the sofa, and reach out for another drink. Scowling a little when you find nothing that interests you available. "I can't bother you with everything Zayne, you have enough on your plate."

"You could never bother me."

Your edges have softened, and you're distant, like if he takes his eyes off you, you'll float away. Like the drink has taken the weapons out of your hands, removed your tether. You don't believe him though, he can tell that much, the way you don't bother to respond, just shrug once more. So he leans forwards, takes your hand between two of his, and rubs careful circles into your skin.

If he holds onto you, you'll never disappear. No nightmare will become reality, and no world will exist where he doesn't have you in front of him. "You will never bother me." He reiterates, carefully catching your mismatched gaze with his own, holding it there.

"I'll be fine, promise. I have a lot still to do." You affirm, but it's not a promise to seek him out. It's not an assurance that you won't continue to suffer alone. That he won't come find you curled up in a corner.

He has a recollection of Caleb finding you in the rain, where you'd hidden after an argument. Trembling because you didn't know what else to do but hide from all the feelings. All the fear and sorrow. He'd felt useless then, not knowing all the places you'd hide to lick your wounds. He feels useless still, watching you put up walls he can't get through… because he has his own to contend with.

Yours are agonised, lonely and twisted around your heart.

His are ice cold to touch, and sharp as thorns around his body.

Zayne stands, and then tries to leave, but your hand moves to grasp at his sleeve. Eyes wide and startled, you tug it carefully, and with a small voice, "Stay." Escapes you. His heart thumps, a beat skipped, and he would offer you his own heart in a second if you asked for it. He knows you never will. He watches the fear tremble your fingers as you ask for something so simple.

"I'm just going to clear up some of the bottles, and get you some water. I am still your doctor, and a hangover is hardly advisable."

You look guilty again when you pull away, releasing him to rub at your arm, and this time when he moves away you don't grab at him, let him pick bottles up and get rid of them. Watch him pour them out into your sink. He feels the weight of your gaze as he busies himself, occasionally asking for the location of things he needs.

As well as water, he makes the both of you tea. Bringing yours to the table, and returning with his own. You gratefully receive the cup from him.

"I wasn't aware you enjoyed silent movies." He comments drily when he sits down, speaking to distract himself when you attach yourself against his side. Glancing down to see your fingers tighten against the hem of his turtleneck, he replaces your grip and holds your hand again. Grounding you, grounding himself, when he squeezes, loosens, squeezes. Feels the heat of your hand in his, the weight of you.

Remembers you're here. You're alive.

It's all that matters to him, your life. He wishes you valued it as highly as he does, as highly as you value everyone else's.

"I didn't even realise it was muted." You laugh, leaning forward to quickly turn the sound on, before returning to his side. "I was a little distracted."

He stays, to watch the movie with you, at the start you laugh, relaxing a little, and talking about it. Commenting on things he can tell you've already seen a hundred times. He barely watches, enough just to comment, or nod along, but mostly he watches you. Watches as the sorrow eases out into something he remembers more. Soft, and relaxed and happy. After a little while, your eyes begin to droop.

The alcohol pulls you past the emotional ride, and into exhaustion.

Zayne realises he wants to see you relax more often, losing the formality you wear as a hunter, holding his name as Zayne, and not Doctor. He wants to see you laugh, and smile more often.

"You should get to bed." He speaks, making to move you, but the small sound of protest is already out, clinging to his side with far sturdier hands than he'd expect of a tired, drunk person. "Come on now."

You shake your head against where it has fallen to use his chest as a pillow, nuzzling against the fabric of his top. A sleepy little grumble is made against him, and he almost laughs. Almost. Fighting it down.

"Films almost over." You manage, but it's slurred.

Against his best intentions, he always does end up giving in to you, "Ten more minutes, then."

You nod, and he feels your thumb soothing over the back of his hand, absently like you don't even realise you're doing it.

"Thank you, Zayne."

"Well, I haven't watched this movie before. I may as well finish it."

You pinch his hand without real force, but he revels in the laugh he receives. "Not that."

He knows.

"Thank you for coming to see me, for caring." Your hand tenses in his, so he does to you what you did for him, rubbing circles into the back of your hand with his thumb, "I-" A yawn, and he watches you, head drooping, eyes closed, voice petering out as you succumb. "really-" You get quieter, and he has to lean to hear, "like you, Zayne."

You're asleep before he can respond, so he carefully moves, so he can lay a blanket over you. Leaving some medicine on the side, for if you wake up with a headache, that the water you've drunk hasn't taken away.

Turns off the tv, and closes your curtains. He wants to move you to your bed, but if he jostles you awake, he foresees you clinging to him and staving off sleep even longer.

As he goes through the motions, pulling his coat back on, he plays it over in his head.

I really like you, Zayne.

It circles around his head as he moves, skitters his heart. Nestles there. You're unlikely to remember you've even said it. Unlikely to show him this level of vulnerability again, though he hopes you do. Lower your weapons and your armour down, and let him take care of you.

When he kneels down at your side, brushing strands of hair back from your face, "Just stay alive for me, that's all I need." Everything else can come second, everything else he can think about after. He just wants time.

Even if he never returns your words, or speaks them out loud. He knows he'll always love you, more than you will ever know.

[it-happened-one-fic]

Knew Exactly What He Was Doing - Silver

Author Notes: So, fun fact time. I actually wrote this the same day I wrote the "Sparring Sessions" Silver fic, with this one getting written first. So the sparring sessions mentioned in this fic relate to the contents of that. I didn't really listen to anything specific while writing this, it was really more that I just thought it would be fun to characterize Silver with just a dash of the meaness our faerie boys have since was raised by Lilia and Malleus. As per usual, reader is gender-neutral. I hope you enjoy!

Type: Gender-neutral reader/ fluff/ platonic or romantic

Word count: 1534

I stood next to Silver, watching from a safe distance as yet another fight was resolved in the courtyard. 

Ever since that one day when I’d nearly been hit by a badly missed punch courtesy of a Savanaclaw junior who’d been dodged by a Pomefiore sophomore, it had become customary for Silver to shadow me. Though I didn’t know if it was by his choice or if he was a Hornton-appointed guardian for me.

I glanced up at the young knight, just about to comment on how the teachers had made it here faster than usual when I heard it.

“SILVER!” Sebek’s voice came like a sonic blast from across the courtyard, making me jump about a foot in the air as my head snapped to the side to look at the half-faerie man. 

Silver, at odds with my skittish reaction, merely turned his head with his usual calmness. By now he was probably used to Sebek’s loud nature, but I didn’t know if I would ever truly get used to my classmate’s yelling.

I watched as Sebek glared, holding eye contact with Silver as he gestured at me vehemently and then mimed widening the space between me and Silver. 

I sighed softly at his theatrics because, at this point, it was nothing new.

Sebek, though a sweet boy who was always looking out for me, was quite prudish. After all, he was the one who had a long and detailed plan for wooing someone that involved penning several missives and, after a whole thirty-five moons, finally sitting with a person’s width between him and the object of his affections.

The fact that Silver was standing right next to me was probably quite scandalizing to him considering he had, at some point, decided that Silver was interested in me. Or at least something along those lines. 

Lilia may or may not have had something to do with that assumption of his, but that was neither here nor there at the moment.

 Ever since Sebek had reached his decision, he had been belligerently attempting to keep Silver at what he deemed a respectable distance from my person. However far that distance may be.

I smiled reassuringly towards Sebek and waved, mouthing that all was well in a feeble attempt to calm the excitable young man, but I was far too late. Because when it came right down to it, despite Silver’s angelic looks, the young man had a mean streak all his own. 

I’d found this out the hard way shortly after I’d started really getting to know him. 

Though perhaps a mean streak wasn’t the right way to put it. After all, Silver would never do anything outright mean. Because while he did like to pick on people, Silver was also genuinely nice. He was just a horrible tease with an impressive poker face. 

I could only assume Silver had learned to be such a fart from either his father or Malleus. Both of whom were just as much, if not more, of a mess than Silver.

What was important to remember, though, was that the supposedly well-behaved knight probably reached his worst when he was messing with Sebek. 

I was fairly certain he simply enjoyed riling Sebek up and watching the younger man’s reaction. And, to be fair, Sebek did have some glorious reactions. 

The only problem was that I was often the best, handiest, and most efficient way to rile Sebek up. Simply because Silver could attack Sebek’s prudish nature via me.

What was worse was that Silver hadn’t minded messing with me ever since I’d started learning swordsmanship from him. May those many, many sparring sessions never go forgotten. 

I watched as Sebek stiffened and knew that Silver was up to something immediately. And sure enough, I felt a hand on my waist that tugged me closer till I was fairly well plastered to Silver’s side. 

There definitely wasn’t a person’s width between us now.

 I looked up only to find that Silver’s expression was his usual, innocently stoic one that he so often used as his poker face. As if on cue, I immediately heard Sebek, “YOU-!” 

The freshman sputtered out what sounded like the beginning of several different complaints before releasing something akin to a frustrated growl.

Oh, this was gonna be a doozy. Sebek couldn’t even talk right. 

Silver was not done, though. Ever innocent-looking, he leaned down to speak to me, “Where’s your next class?” 

Silver's voice was soft as he whispered in my ear, his breath tickling the outer shell of my ear and causing me to shudder at the sensation. In the distance, I could hear Sebek release some form of outraged screech while I fought to not react to Silver’s proximity.

 It simply wasn’t fair. I couldn’t deny that this was definitely an easy way to mess with Sebek, but it definitely wasn’t easy on me considering Silver was confoundingly good-looking but seemingly unaware of his effect on anyone who had eyes and weren’t a member of his little family group.

After stuttering out several more rather incoherent words, Sebek at last bellowed a very loud, “DEBAUCHERY!!” His voice alone had students scattering and poor Trein looking up in alarm and confusion.

Off to the side, I could see Ace and Epel all but choking with laughter while Deuce and Jack shook their heads. But I couldn’t entirely blame Ace and Epel for laughing. 

They were simply watching and didn’t know that this was, in fact, a very pointed attack on Sebek by Silver. So all they saw was me fighting embarrassment, an outraged Sebek, and a completely calm Silver, who they probably assumed was too dumb to figure out what was going on.

And to be fair, I still wasn’t entirely clear on if Silver knew that he was also messing with me when he messed with Sebek. After all, it was almost impossible to tell with that poker face of his.

Which was why I simply fought my embarrassment without retaliating, even though I was already growing fidgety due to the raw amount of attention we were garnering. And that wasn’t even factoring Silver himself into the equation.

But I wasn’t about to react. Not when I was doing my very best to avoid ever entering the range of Silver or his father’s hit list for harassment and teasing.

So I merely inhaled, a little too sharply to be honest, and answered, “Potionology.… Do we have this one together?”

Silver let out a hum before straightening and nodding, affirming my thoughts and giving me room to breathe a little more calmly at the same time, “Sebek will be there too….” He trailed off and glanced over to see Sebek marching towards us, ready to scold Silver as soon as he reached us.

Unfortunately for him, Silver apparently had no interest in being scolded since he calmly started forward. Tugging me along with him easily as he kept me close to him. 

At this point, it was quite possible that he simply didn’t want to lose me in the crowd. But in reality I wasn’t convinced that keeping me tucked up against his side didn’t also serve to only further incense Sebek.

I stumbled slightly and shot a look up at Silver, catching the subtle amusement in his eyes as he glanced down at me, but adjusted his pace accordingly. 

He easily navigated the crowd, though, putting as many people between us and our very loud friend as possible in minimal time.

I fought against the urge to say something as a childish attempt to get back at him but couldn’t quite stop myself from retaliating, “Don’t fall asleep this time. Remember what happened last time?”

He nodded slightly, his face a perfect mask of calmness that meant he probably didn’t recognize my retaliation for what it was, “Of course, Sebek will hardly let me forget.”

He tilted his head in a thoughtful manner, those strange eyes of his flicking towards where a clock hung on a wall before meeting my eyes again, a slight smile slipping onto his face, “If we make it in time, we should be able to work together.” 

I smiled slightly at his words because at least with this, I could trust Silver to just be helpful. He took his lessons seriously, even if he did have a nasty habit of falling asleep. But, if paired with me, he could trust me to keep him awake, and I could trust him to help with necessary magic spells. 

But then he continued, “Since Sebek and Fa⏤ Lilia will be in this class too. I’ll have to do my best not to disappoint.”

Oh…. It was always worse if Lilia was around. He was an enabler of all chaos and was especially proud when his ‘air-headed’ son was ‘innocently’ at fault. 

I almost frowned at the man next to me as we started off towards our class.

Air-headed my butt. Little rat knew exactly what he was doing. 

Or at least he did when it came to Sebek. I could only pray he didn’t when it came to me, because then who knew what I’d have to do to survive.

[katblu42]

Cheeky Fic reblog . . . The Letter

Because it came to mind while reading some of the RP blogs today.

(Can be read on AO3 here)

Warnings for grief/mourning and mention of death. I may have cried while writing this.

Response to another Flash Fiction Friday prompt (#162 - The Letter) Scott finds an old letter, written by a young Virgil, that stirs some painful memories.

“Scott?” Virgil approached his big brother quietly, cautiously.  “Are you okay?”

The piece of paper he held was shaking slightly, and when Scott looked up at Virgil his sapphire blues were glistening with unshed tears.

“I …” he swallowed hard and held the fragile piece of slightly yellowed paper out for Virgil to see.  “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

Virgil’s eyes widened as he scanned the handwritten words on the page and recognised the content.

“Where did you find this?”  Scott seemed unable to respond for a moment, but Virgil’s eyes were glued to the page.  Some of the ink was smudged with some kind of water damage – two distinct round spots near the bottom of the page – but the paper was dry, the damage old.  “I mean, I remember writing it but I don’t remember keeping it, or giving it to anyone.”

Scott pointed to the pieces of a picture frame on the desk.  The frame that usually held one of the last photographs of all five boys with both parents.  Along side the photo and the broken frame were a few other small pieces of paper, some with their mother’s handwriting on them, a pressed flower that Virgil recognised as one of Mom’s favourites and a scrap of embroidered fabric.

“Dad must have kept these things hidden in the back of the frame.  Reminders of her, I guess.  But the letter …”

Dear Mom,

I don’t really know why I’m writing this letter.  I just miss you so much and I didn’t know what else to do.

I wanted to talk to Scott because we always tell each other everything, but I don’t think he really wants to talk about this right now.  I know he’s hurting just like we all are but he seems to be coping by keeping everything as normal as possible for everyone else.  Especially Alan.

Scott is the one making sure all the chores get done and everyone gets to where they need to be on time and does their homework and stuff.  He’s taken charge, which is good because Dad’s not really doing that right now, but it’s bad because I think Scott’s not letting himself be sad that you’re gone.  He’s trying not to give himself time to think about it.

I can’t talk to Dad.  No one can.  Except maybe Grandma sometimes.  He went back to work so quick after the funeral and he stays there late a lot.  When he is home it’s like he hides in his office.  I’m not sure, but I think being in the house with all of us but not you hurts him too much.  Sometimes it even feels like he can’t look at us without seeing that you’re missing.

Gordon and Alan are too little.  I mean Alan still asks when you’ll be coming home.  He doesn’t understand what never means and Scott and John and I don’t really know how to explain it, so we just don’t and hug him tight instead. 

Gordon is old enough to understand death means we never get to have you here with us anymore but he wants to know why Heaven can’t have visitors.  He has so many things he wants to show you and ask you about.  I hope it’s okay I told him he could always talk to you because you can still listen even if you can’t answer.

Sometimes I worry a bit about John.  I can’t talk to him about this stuff either because I know he’s struggling with it too.  He’s gone quiet.  Even more quiet than normal.  He still helps with Alan and Gordon and does all his chores but I don’t think I’ve seen him smile or heard him laugh since you died.  Not even when Allie and Gordon get up to their mischief.  Plus he hasn’t gone up to the roof to look at the stars at all in ages.  Not even when I offered to go up with him.  I know you two used to stargaze together.  I wish you could let him know it’s okay for him to do that without you.

Mom, it’s so hard without you.  Sometimes I don’t know what to do and I know that if you were here you would have the answers and I feel so lost because I don’t know who else to turn to.  I miss you so much and I wish more than anything that I could have you back just for a day.

Love you always, Virgil.

“Why would he keep this?” Virgil’s fingers traced the creases where the paper had been repeatedly folded.  “How did he even get hold of it in the first place?”

“Why did you write it?”

Virgil finally tore his eyes away from the letter and looked back at Scott.  He couldn’t form the words to explain, but some of the emotional turmoil he felt was mirrored in his brother’s face and he realised he didn’t have to.  And suddenly his big brother was wrapping him in a welcome embrace.

“You were grieving and felt like you had no one you could confide in,” Scott said softly.  “I think when Dad found it he realised he needed to be there for us more and kept it to remind him of that.  We should have been there for you, Virge.  I’m sorry.”

“You were,” Virgil whispered back, returning the hug.  “In the end even Dad was better at it – all of us being there for each other, no matter what.”

[aringofsalt]

bucktommy tag game! thank youuuu @chimneyz this was so sweet 💕

i'm so late with this, i was away last weekend without my laptop and missed a bunch of stuff that was hard to do on my phone but i'm finally catching up 💛

1 - what do you love most about bucktommy

i really just adore their dynamic. i think they genuinely play really well off each other, their back and forth is so good and flirty all the time!

2 - favorite bucktommy moment

tommy making buck breakfast in bed armchair

3 - favorite line buck said to or about tommy

"i'm ready for something and i think that something could be with you" buck you little sweetheart

4 - favorite line tommy said to or about buck

"i guess it's just me that makes you nervous" god this was soooo smoooooth

5 - what song do you associate with bucktommy?

6 - favorite bucktommy headcanon

they aren't really all that clingy in public but tommy does this thing sometimes when he wants to be close where he'll put a finger through one of buck's belt loops and just hold him there. like a little otter, so they don't drift apart. it melts buck's heart every time

7 - what is buck and tommy's go to date night?

i think they'd both be very into like. doing activities together? classes and hikes and museums and stuff. tommy and his Knows A Guy gets them into all kinds of weird little spots. so i guess not necessarily a go-to thing but. a go-to type of date? haha

8 - what is buck's favorite pet name for tommy?

baby 💕

9 - what is tommy's favorite pet name for buck?

i am very partial to sweetheart 🥰

10 - a rom-com you'd like to see as a bucktommy au

i've gotta be honest i'm not really a romcom person myself so i don't know that many 😂 princess bride could be really fun, or maybe you've got mail. i've never seen it but i've read a few really good aus of that in different fandoms and i love the concept!

11 - since we know tommy's favorite rom-com, what is buck's?

like i said i'm not a romcom person but for this... i'm gonna go with she's the man, he watched it in high school and has good memories of it cause it's a silly teem romcom. and then after realizing he's bi he has a whole new appreciation for how he felt about channing tatum

12 - what dessert is their favorite to share?

tiramisu!

13 - what do you think buck and tommy are doing this valentines day?

they are driving up the coast to escape the holiday crowds in the city and find some cute little seaside b&b with really good seafood

14 - what would you like to say to the people you have tagged?

i didn't tag anyone cause i'm super late but i love this fandom so much 💛

[moonsdrs]

۶ৎ── ANSWER THESE AS YOUR DRSELF (60s fame ver.)

heavy makeup, soft makeup or none? — i like softer makeup looks or simply going out natural with nothing but some vaseline or lipgloss! depends on what i'm doing though.

an artist you'd like to watch play live? — any artist. i'm not too picky. i think artists should be able to express their art to anybody who would listen. even if i don't like x genre, i'd still give them a chance because maybe i'd hear something new i like.

if you were to change one aspect of your life, big or small, what would you change? — how busy i am. i mean, i love working and all that but after becoming romantic with my love and realizing i want a life with him and will constantly have to be away, it's kinda sad that i have to be away from some time or vice versa. we're both busy people. i wish we would have more time.

how do you dress? — i don't dress any specific way. sometimes i wanna wear something 'feminine'. sometimes i wanna wear something 'masculine'. it just depends on how i feel or if it's a performance, what the performance would call for.

are you popular? — yes. well, would i say me as a person is popular? fairly. my persona onstage? she definitely is.

what is your mbti? — mbti? i'm unsure of what that is. (moon note. isfp)

favorite season? — either fall of the beginnings of winter. not too hot and not too cold yet either. that perfect in between paired with a bit of rain? mwah.

are you an organized person? — to an extent? i will be organized for other people's sake but my personal space is kind of messy. not too messy to the point i can't find something but definitely would get upset if you moved something from it.

what is your occupation? — i have many. my most prominent being a singer and musician. i compose. i produce. i write books, too.

what's an attractive aspect you admire this doesn't have to be physical or romantic, just an admirable trait. — originality. it feels like it's hard to find sometimes so when there is a speck of it that thing or person has my fullest attention.

do you know any instruments? — do..i know any instruments? oh, not so many. let's see...i know the acoustic, bass and electric guitar. i know drums, piano, omnichord, various percussion instruments, flute, saxophone, trumpet, euphonium. lately trying my hand at the harmonica.

do you have a partner? — michael. mike. love of my life.

biggest ick? — people who let the fame get to their heads. sure, your lifestyle will change and whatnot but do you really have to change your own personality, too?

what is a song that describes you? — what the world needs now is love by jackie deshannon

something you carry 24/7? — my purse. it has everything i could possibly need in it. i don't know what i would do without it.

look into your bag/purse, what's in there? is it messy? organised? what bag is it? — well, my bags, if not gifted by whatever company i am endorsing at the moment, is a handmade crotchet bag. in it is a little messy as miscelllaneous things without a proper place is strewn about. small candy pieces, wrappers i refuse to just toss onto the street like others. random change i didn't put back into my purse. but i have a wallet there! and a notebook and pen. and a bag for toiletries.

where do you spend most your time? — depends where i am but more than likely in a secluded room with my closest people. being in the public eye gets so tiresome really quickly for me so i don't stand at the door basking in the screams more than i need to. sign a few things, shake some hands, speak to a few and then i'm inside away from the cheers in quiet solitude with the people who don't demand so much of me.

a person you feel safest with? — my brother and sister, jimi and pharoah. they are the constants in my life besides michael. always have been since day one on this earth. plus they are the reasons why i'm even here.

a person you dislike? why? — i don't dislike anyone. i may have a bad interaction but to let that interaction define how i feel about them for the rest of eternity is kinda bizarre to me. i just don't interact with them again and forget of them.

who is your closest friend? describe them to me? — before i met michael, i didn't have many friends before. just some girls i met in college during the brief moment i attended but now i have many even if they are also just as busy as me. one is sammy. she's also a fellow monkee girlfriend (soon). she's british and about the same height as me. she's got a cute smile and pleasent laugh.

what's your favorite time of the day? — night time. not only because it's when most of my events take place but it's also when i go home and go to sleep after a grueling and demanding day.

if your friends described you in 5 words, what would they say? — attentive, quiet, friendly, warm, attractive

now describe yourself in 5 words. — quiet, funny, independent, intelligent, shy

someone you admire. — diahann carroll

what are you known for? — experimenting. my music after a certain point is never constant and everchanging. i always experiment either with my fashion, my music, anything really. i'm usually the reason for trends in general.

if you could broadcast a sentence to everyone in the world, what would you say? — stay true to yourselves no matter what.

if you have an s/o, how did you meet them? — i met michael at a chemistry read for an episode we were doing together for his band's sitcom. we both really hit it off then.

a fond memory? — the hangouts i have with my friends. they are always productive in more than just one way. i feel like since we're all musicians or just creative adjacent in general we get new ideas all the time and just relax with each other.

biggest pet peeve? — like i mentioned before, changing who you are because of fame. i wish more people remained authentic with themselves and their fans even if the media is saying one thing. your fans are fans of you BECAUSE of who you are? why change that?

do you have any pets? — i have one named cocoa. she's so sweet. a cocker spaniel cutie. i also kinda claim michael's boy, spotte. an english pointer.

what is your favorite piece of clothing you own? — flowy clothing. bell bottoms, bell sleeves.

favorite animal? — elephants.

weirdest fan interaction you've had? — it's not the fault of the fan but it's just bad bad timing. we were hugging and i wanted to pose by acting as if i were kissing their cheek and at the time they also turned their head and..we kissed. happened early on in my career. i guess it's not weird but embarrassing.

what's a fan interaction that melted your heart? — i saw the same fan multiple times. she was pregnant when i first met her and then i met her again 3 years later when she was holding her baby in her arms.

do you enjoy your lifestyle? — of course i enjoy it. i'm grateful for it. but i do miss the simpler days when it was my family and i holed up in a house together enjoying mom's cooking. now i have to cook for myself and live alone states away!

what are you famous for? — my music. it's always changing and adopting/creating new styles that will be popular for decades.

𝓢HIFTING EXER𝓢CISE - answer these as your dr self ⋆˚࿔

heavy makeup, soft makeup or none?

an artist you'd like to watch play live

is your life dangerous?

if you were to change one aspect of your life, big or small, what would you change?

how do you dress? (old fashioned, grunge, feminine)

are you popular?

what is your MBTI?

favourite season?

are you an organised person?

what is your occupation? (student, florist, ect)

whats an attractive aspect you admire? this doesn't have to be physical or romantically, just an admirable trait.

do you know any instruments?

do you have a partner? a crush?

biggest ick?

what is a song that describes you?

something you carry 24/7

look into your bag/purse, whats in there? is it messy? organised? what bag is it?

where do you spend most your time?

a person you feel safest with?

a person you dislike? why?

who is your closest friend? describe them to me.

whats your favourite time of the day?

if your friends described you in 5 words, what would they say?

now describe yourself in 5 words.

someone you admire?

what are you known for?

if you could broadcast a sentence to everyone in the world, what would you say?

if you have an s/o, how did you meet them?

a fond memory?

biggest pet peeve?

whats your favourite item you own?

do you have any pets?

whats your favourite piece of clothing you own?

favourite animal?

★ DR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

(fame) weirdest fan interaction youve had?

(fame) whats a fan interaction that melted your heart?

(fame) do you enjoy your lifestyle?

(fame) what are you famous for?

.

(hogwarts) what is your wand made of? its size? its shape?

(hogwarts) are you a quidditch player?

(hogwarts) favourite spell?

(hogwarts) what's your opinion on voldermort? if he exists in your dr.

.

(fantasy) what are you? pixie? human? goblin?

(fantasy) where do you live?

(fantasy) do you have powers?

(fantasy) any special attributes? scales, wings, pointed ears, claws . . .

.

(pjo) what was your reaction to being told you're a halfblood? if you are one.

(pjo) being unbiased, whats your favourite cabin?

(pjo) are you happy being a half blood?

(pjo) any inherited powers?

(pjo) favourite camper?

apologies if these are similar / the same as the last one !

[randomfingthings]

✨ The Carlando moments ✨

[age-of-moonknight]

Werewolf by Night: Red Band (Vol. 1/2024), #2.

Writer: Jason Loo; Penciler: Sergio Dàvila; Inkers: Jay Leisten and Aure Jimenez; Colorist: Alex Sinclair; Letterer: Cory Petit

[catras-breakup-song]

i believe you are talking about this post regarding the ask you sent to me @thestargayzingetherian, but if not then feel free to correct me!

the only discourse that i hate more than abuse claims (which at least has somewhat of a debatable basis even though the nuance & messaging gets sucked right out) is the sisters bullshit they spout because it comes from a place of being intentionally obtuse, and i think this is one of those things where you can honestly & reasonably accuse these people of lesbophobia since not only does this rhetoric exist solely to denounce lesbian representation, but it's also historically a notorious method of erasure both in fiction & real life to dismiss women as sisters, besties, or as the saying of the meme seems to originate, "roommates" (which... catradora technically were, given the setting, if you wanna be slick 👀).

i'll also add this link since it directly tackles the book with quotes from nate himself, as well as this one regarding a take from an author, even though you're also the individual who shared it with me, for the sake of archival. from another reblog of the former, i also debunked how shadow weaver's relationship to catradora does not automatically mean sisterhood.

another thing that really pisses me off is a few times in the past now, i've seen some serious bullies in anti spaces mock us with sentiments such as "it's funny how only catradora stans are always upset about comparing queer shows/creators because they know they lost at the bottom of the list" (paraphrasing) ─ ah yeah, how dare a fandom that never wanted to participate in an unnecessary (even harmful to all parties involved!) competition they were forced into take issue with getting dragged online for the sake of entertaining your game?! if you think the writing is so problematic then why are you taking it out on average consumers of the media just as much when we never mentioned you negatively first?

i've noticed the perpetrators of that are usually lumity stans (i'm one too and it's my main blog's theme so don't attack me 'cause apparently multifandom enjoyers are foreign these days), whom i'd imagine weren't around back when korrasami was relevant & significant; of course neither was i, though i figure that doesn't matter if the difference is i can at least respect my predecessors, but i digress. that being said, if they were then it's even worse since they should already be familiar with an influential sapphic pairing that existed significantly before becoming canonized halfway through the show with explicit affection could be allowed.

as far as i'm aware (i have not watched it so i could be wrong but i've picked up on many things over time), TLOK just got 4 seasons* and the confirmation only came after a brief moment of intimately holding hands in the finale, not mentioning the extra source material that followed after in the form of graphic novels external to the series. it would be just as easy to deny romantic feelings and, if you really want to sound more obviously ridiculous (as is the case to catradora shippers now as we speak), suggest their bickering over who should have mako as endgame was clearly "sisterly"** and teaching someone how to drive is normally a sibling's job, so that's a fair interpretation!

*to be fair, this is about the length of time SPOP runs for if you count the shortened S2 + S3 together as one.

**a great example of this actually happening is between angelica & elizabeth schuyler from the hamilton broadway musical... and they were very much officially sisters.

the other suspects currently seem to overlap with caitvi stans, which also have their own form of abuse & power imbalance discourse as of late last year. i don't really want to get into it with too much detail since i have my own unrelated reserved criticisms for arcane & its writers, but i will say that community is active and still trashing on nate stevenson unprovoked. as you already stated, amanda overton is quite questionable in several instances, but anyone would have to be hard-pressed to find those of us who reject the idea that caitvi's award-winning intimacy scene has set a precedent for animated lesbians/sapphics everywhere. plus, both executives were/are lesbians and must have put up a tough fight to portray anything on screen that way at all.

from experience on here it seems to me like critics of all levels, from apathetic to passionate, are still eternally grateful for their contribution to the chain of progress over the past decade (i.e. the commonly-agreed order of: korrasami -> rupphire -> bubbline -> catradora -> lumity -> caitvi, etc.), unlike many who believe catradora never should've become canon after somehow making up that they did more harm than good, despite the fact that only discoursers have (hardly, might i add!) had an impact on the mainstream audience's perception overall despite being obnoxiously loud and no one who watched she-ra came out swinging with motivation to abuse their partners/sisters... so far, right? 🙄

if there's one thing WLW across social media tend to love, it's definitely infighting, and i'm tired of not only defending against that but being accused of upholding it by feeling pressured to do so against my best wishes. it's more exhausting than you think!

Once more, for the people in the back:

CATRA AND ADORA ARE NOT SISTERS.

Not "Adopted" or "related by blood", they were NEVER sisters, Period. They grew-up together as best friends in a military-school/orphanage. Plus, Shadow Weaver was their mentor, NOT their "mother".

"Oh but that page from the show bible-"

-Was made before the show ever went into production and was written either by Dreamworks or Netflix higher-ups, without ND Stevenson's consent. So it makes perfect sense that Stevenson fought long and hard, with all of his strength, against these ideas being forced upon the story so that Catra and Adora could fully consummate their love for each other and make cartoon history. Sadly, these bad-faith actors are so desperate to turn Stevenson into this disgusting "incest-abuse fetishist", not because they care about "wanting good writing" or "better representation" but because they want less competition. It's what they tried to do with Rebecca Sugar and others, lie about a genuine, honest-to-goodness LGBTQ+ creator fighting for diversity being the most depraved, most vile monster imaginable just so they can chase them out of the industry and take their place as "the better creator".

Because they believe the animation industry works like some high-school popularity contest where the only way upwards is to tear others down.

[sskk-manifesto]

Next time we should just skip over ep 3 and do a chapters 84-87 reread

[problemcore]

been real cloudy here, without any rain

[silverselfshippingchaos]

this whole scene is so nuts akdhajsb I love them

[mochiwrites]

blegh

[phagodyke]

this is like my fourth or fifth consecutive bad gym session I might as well just kill myself

[madegeeky]

My Mom's dog does the funniest whine. I've started calling him a leaky balloon.

(I should note he's whining here because Mom dared to leave the apartment to do something real quick. I know, she's a monster.)