#bc the flow and everything

[t-lostinworlds]

so, i'm actually one scene (like the actual ending) away from finishing this fic???? it's currently at what ..... 27k words rn so it shouldn't take too long to edit and proofread

[clownytheram]

God games is weird bc Athena is the goddess of war and strategy yet in most depictions she ends up taking a lightning bolt to face, despite the fact that she probably could have dodged it.

And like yeah I know its to not appear cowardly and she probably didn't expect Zeus to actually hit her but like homegirl you are goddess of strategy in war, your fuckin chosen is seen as cowardly because he avoids direct fights, something that you specifically instructed him on. Girl you were not that surprised that Zeus would hit you with lightning, its Zeus, be real for a sec. That was a dumbass idea.

But but but! You know whatd be funny? She *did* dodge the lightning and just deadass faked getting hit to pull off that vulnerable begging that she knew shed have to do to convince zeus

[an-entity-i-think]

Sequel to "I Have A Secret"

When the magical creature finally dropped, everything paused for the tiniest of moments.

Well, paused for Merlin who had a small moment to breath in relief that he stopped the creature right before it was about to swipe Arthur with a fatal blow.

Sir Kay, on the other hand, who saw the incriminating golden eyes like everyone else in the small group, didn't pause at all, turned his body towards Merlin already preparing to swipe his sword.

"No!" Gwaine yells from too far away.

Ducking quickly, barely missing the sharp edge, Merlin doesn't even stutter before running to Arthur and then hiding behind him while breathing heavily as he stands back to back with the prince while curling his hands into the cloth of the blonde's breeches.

Arthur finally blinks and seems to unfreeze from where he'd stood since he'd almost been killed by the beast and then saved by his apparently magical manservant.

"Huh."

He surveys the situation.

Merlin has magic and is currently hiding behind him. Sir Leon is looking at them unsure, Sir Gwaine looks like he's ready to kill Sir Kay and also maybe him or Merlin by the way he keeps looking at them.

Feeling the trembling warmth pressed against his back, he very calmly lifts his sword.

"Gentleman. What seems to be the problem?"

He pointedly keeps his sword up in a way that can be used in any direction, but Sir Kay gives him an appalled look anyways, but Leon stares at him for a moment before nodding to himself and putting his sword down.

Sir Gwaine on the other hand, looks at Merlin in frantic worry, looking like he wants to start inching forward.

Arthur feels like Gwaine is probably safe but he doesn't know for sure, so he gives Gwaine a Look anyway which... obviously gives him a scathing glare back.

"Your Highness," Sir Kay looks at him with worry and Merlin (still behind him) with anger, "He's a sorcerer."

Everyone seems to hold their breath in front of him, but Arthur just looks at them for a few more seconds in blankness.

Did they think he just... didn't notice? He squints his eyes.

Looking side to side, Arthur just deadpans, "I mean... yeah. I thought that was pretty obvious with the golden eyes and yelling a spell two seconds ago."

Merlin snorts behind him. The hands still entwined with his breeches seem to loosen as Arthur feels the back against his own start breathing easier.

Arthur's lips try to trick upward, but he tries to keep them down.

Gwaine, still quite clearly running on adrenaline, looks back and forth between them before landing on Merlin, "Merls, are you sure you want to be standing there, right now?"

They both look at him with tilted heads.

Merlin hesitantly replies, "Um... yes?"

His hands squeeze for just a moment, making Arthur frown at Gwaine.

Gwaine, just squints his eyes, before pressing forward, "And you're not scared? You're okay?"

Blinking owlishly, "Uh. I mean. I was scared that Arthur was going to die? And I guess I was scared of Sir Kay for a second. But... I'm doing pretty good..." There's a small pause, "...How are you?"

Sir Leon lets out an uncharacteristic snort before covering his mouth as he tries to hold back a laugh to himself.

Gwaine sputters, "I meant scared of the Princess!"

They, again, both look at him in confusion, "Arthur? Why would I be scared of Arthur?"

Sir Kay and Gwaine both seem to bluster in the same way (for opposite reasons?)

"Cause he's the prince!"

"He's just Arthur."

Arthur makes an offended face, "I'm not JUST anything, Merlin!"

Merlin finally lets go so he can watch him as he smirks, "Oh yeah? What do you want to be instead of Arthur then? I guess if we count a few minutes ago, you can be a damsel in distress instead~"

Arthur looks back at him with a sputter, "You can't talk to me like that! I'll put you in the stocks!"

Merlin just smiles at him mischievously, "Oh of course, Sire. My apologies, Sire. Just maybe you should double check your next stew for vermin instead of bird."

"If you put rats in my stew one more time, I'll make you eat it."

"-oh, going on a diet, Sire? I've been telling you you need it..."

Arthur huffs to himself, putting one hand on his hip while pointing his sword to Merlin with his other, dramatically.

The others skip a breath.

Merlin just rolls his eyes with a bored look like it's happened a million times. (It has)

"I'm going to have the kitchens poison your next meal!"

"Not if I do yours first!"

"At least then I'll have a break from all your prattling!"

Merlin gasps in mock offense as he takes a staggering step back, "How dare you! What about the children?"

Arthur snorts so loud, he drops his sword as he covers his mouth wheezing as Merlin raises his arm in victory and grins like he won something.

"Who are the children?"

Sir Kay interrupts with a disbelieving huff, "Sire. Sorcerer. Against the law."

Arthur looks at him like he's stupid, even though he's the one who looks a little stupid still bent over trying to catch his breath, "It's just Merlin."

Gwaine and Leon share a laugh between themselves, now completely calm, used to the bickering.

"And besides, it's really on me. I didn't ask," Arthur shrugs like this makes complete sense to everyone. He goes to pick his sword back up, as Merlin nods and steps behind him to look over his shoulder with his hands entwined behind him.

Arthur pretends he doesn't miss the warmth, but the breath on his neck is a close second.

"Didn't ask what, Sire?" Leon asks curiously, as he and Gwaine seem to lean forward, even as Sir Kay stays stock still like he's rebooting.

Arthur looked up at him a little startled, "Oh. Merlin told me he had a secret ages ago. I just didn't ask, cause he didn't want me to."

"Wait wait wait- he told you he had a secret?" Gwaine guffaws.

Merlin steps forward to lean his chin on Arthur's shoulder as he wraps his arms around Arthur's waist, "Of course! I try to tell Arthur everything. He's my best friend!"

Arthur pretends he isn't blushing, as he hums noncommittally.

The other three trade glances.

Arthur just nods to himself, even as his free hand absentmindedly holds onto one of Merlin's wrists around his wait.

The other three raise their eyebrows.

"Anyways. Obviously, there will be no speaking of this to my Father." He looks up stern and serious for the first time in this entire conversation.

Leon and Gwaine nod happily, while Sir Kay takes a moment, before nodding reluctantly and murmuring to himself, "I'm repressing this as we speak."

Leon looks at Kay with interest, while Gwaine just watches in amusement as Arthur's blush comes crashing back when he visibly realizes he's been gently caressing Merlin's wrist unconsciously.

Merlin just looks at Gwaine's smirk over Arthur's shoulder, before squeezing Arthur's waist once and letting go to start walking beside him, vehemently trying to hide his own blush now, too.

Both of them start continuing their walk back to the citadel, looking away from each other, even as their arms brush against each other with how close they walk.

The other three follows them casually.

Sir Kay blinks, before turning to Leon with a whisper, "Did I miss something? What happened with the beast?"

Leon just looks at him unable to hide how impressed he is with the skill of Repression, making Sir Kay even more confused, belatedly answering the question, "...Prince Arthur killed the beast, of course."

Sir Kay just blinks, "Of course."

[driftingballoons]

Some creatures are more difficult to perceive than others

[abyssruler]

“Do you ever wonder what it would have been like? You know, if… if your past hadn’t happened.”

Xiao looks up from the leaf butterfly he’s weaving. Confusion is written over his face. “What?”

“Y’know. When you were…” Your hands form shapeless gestures in the air as you try to phrase what you know must hurt him lightly. “…enslaved,” you finish quietly. “And everything that came after that.”

His eyes narrow at you. Not in a hostile way, but like he can’t figure out what you’re thinking. His butterfly sits half-finished in his hands.

“Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know,” you mumble in a low voice, shrugging. “You seem really sad sometimes. Like you’re longing for a life you never had.”

His lips open, like he plans to say something but can’t find the words. A long silence passed, and you begin to wonder whether asking such a question out of the blue was unwise. Bringing up such memories must be painful for him.

When you’re about to apologise and change the subject, he speaks.

“I think… it would have been nice.” He pauses. He doesn’t need to say anything more: he doesn’t have to. The following silence contains everything left unspoken: the heartbreaks; the torment; the bloodshed. The lingering knowledge that maybe, if things had turned out differently, they would belong to somebody else. Be somebody else’s burden to bear. Not his. You lower your eyes to your lap.

“But…”

You glance up.

“But I am not unhappy. The adepti are well. Morax—Zhongli—lives on. And…” He takes a breath. Softly, he continues. “If the past had not happened the way it did, perhaps I would not have met you. Then, I would be unhappy.”

AUGH ANON I LOVE THIS LITTLE BLURB. the soft vulnerability in xiao, him basically admitting he’d do it all again just for the sake of meeting you!!! such a short piece but your writing is so good.

[moomeecore]

here's that essay i accidently hyped up (sorry) on how fionna & cake did a poor job of concluding betty & simons characters + story in the final 2 episodes. sorry it is so insanely long. i don't know what my deal is. sometimes a show just does such a bad job of handling your favorite characters that you have to write 19k+ words complaining about it, i guess. im linking it as a pdf bc i DO NOT want to have 2 copy & paste this all over to tumblr & i kinda don't think tumblr would be happy with me making a post that long.

[caramellody]

I could go on and on and spiral about a LOT of things relating to NSBU:

The NATURE of the nsbu movie and what THAT could entail and what THAT could mean for the characters in this movie

The way at how everyone in the main cast AND barsimmion follow the themes of the lack of change and stalemate in life

[samarecharm]

Ryuji is so anxious in the beginning of the game :( hes so caught up in his head during the kamoshida arc; makes me think hes been like that for awhile, at least until u get a bit further in the game. The rumors, the self loathing, the whole stint w kamoshida; hes got too much on his brain and its kinda nice (and a little sad) that he starts sharing those anxieties and doubts the second hes in a safe space to do so.

[dlstmxkakwldrlarchive]

Onew Hola Fan concert Day II Recap

After he sang the two opening songs (Hola! and Maestro) he told jjinggus that he talks a lot these days and to not feel bad and sit if they feel tired during his ment. He added that normally, fanmeets have mcs, but he wanted to be closer with jjinggus

He talked about a bit about the songs he sang and explained that while he was writing maestro, he thought about a little fish that could move the entire ocean without struggling much. He said that 'Maestro' is about having fun freely.

For these fancons, kyung ah (the bassist that participated until now in festivals and live clips with onew) got replaced by another bassist! Also, apart from Zairo, the other band members are a bit shy, so every time onew ask them to talk, they would shake their heads and get flustered lol

When ONEW was getting changed, Zairo tried to talk with the audience, but ONEW changed very fast and accidentally cut him off

After another break, jjinggus chanted Zairo's name, and he asked them if he should keep teaching ONEW to play acoustic guitar or switch to an electric guitar (electric guitar won). He also teased jjinggu because they were giving a reaction for everything. They even screamed when he suggested tambourine and castanets

ONEW said that the only reason jjinggu voted for electric guitar is because they think it's sexy. He also said that is something that fans love to say to him, but he added that if he acts sexy is unintentional

The wishes he grated during the baseball granting wish corner were: singing In Your Eyes and Lately, dancing to Replay and making a morning message for jjingu

When he finished singing In Your Eyes, he said that minho loves that song very much, and it's probably minho's favorite song. He doesn't forget In Your Eyes lyrics because Minho asks him to sing it every time

Replay was supposed to be danced like a cute rookie Jinki, but ONEW said that he couldn't dance it like that because he got old and that cuteness belonged to his younger self

He said (again) that Lately is a song he likes very much.

During the fan q&a corner, someone asked him what food he liked while being abroad, and he replied curry. Even when he was in Europe, he ate curry.

Someone asked him to make a greeting jjingus should do when they meet him, and he suggested to tap on his shoulder and sing maestro lyrics and do the chicken dance

onew: this is me, /moves to the other way/ this you. you should do " I swim, you swim, 손을 저어 휘적휘적 "and move your arms. that'll make me happy fr

his current favorite english song is blinding lights by the weeknd (onew didn't remember the song title or the lyrics)

Someone asked him to sing juliette, and he sang it acappella

> what did u do last night

o: washed myself, brushed my teeth, and watched historical videos on YouTube

he mentioned he watches puppy videos too and that he wants a puppy so bad, but he thinks he shouldn't do it

ONEW eats his bread toasted with a bit of butter on top, he also likes it to eat it with strawberry jam and milk

The venue for his bday party is already rented, and apparently, he's working for Focus and Shape of My Heart live clips

ONEW said he loves their Shatting Star and that he doesn't need a lightstick. Someone suggested to make a cover for it tho and he said he'll think about it

Also, he started bragging about SHINee and said he loves SHINee very much

[basilibino]

Season 8 was like 6 years ago(I feel old) and I know ppl have differing opinions on the Mr Echo thing (but it was intended, made it to storyboard and blocked animation and then dropped, soooo) but. I can see his recruitment p easily tbh. Bc the whole reason Dr J was in that lighthouse was because he was resurrected, forced there, and ordered to build Skulkin vehicles by Samukai. But Samukai in the flashback we see has already been deposed as leader of the Skulkin/Underworld. Which means the orders to do so most likely came from Garmadon.

And since Mr. E is one of the head honchos, he's likely an early arrival to the team, so I don't think Harumi has a whole lot figured out at this point, she's just got her Trauma and some Bad Influence Friends and an obsession with Lord Garmadon. So. Like. Plausible deniability road trip that she's just visiting important markers of Ninjago's recent past, all of which involve Lord Garmadon in some meaningful way; its sightseeing, its cathartic, and it gives her time to develop her dream Motorcycle Gang/Resurrection Cult. She's not looking for anyone at the Lighthouse, but she is looking for vehicle blueprints so she can be the Koolest leader on the block. But oops she looks in the basement and there's an Echo.

And she's flipping out bc??? A Ninja???? In the Lighthouse basement??? I mean it makes sense that it would be this one but???

Except this rusty old robot has no idea what she's talking about with this Ninja stuff, he's just waiting for his dad to come back.

And Harumi pauses.

Because how long has he been waiting? He's not sure, he had no proper way to measure time in the basement, and he doesn't have the best view of his clockwork heartpiece. But it was after his father saw a strange ship docking; Echo was worried it was the People who had locked up his father in the first place, but instead his dad sounded happy when he saw whoever was out there. It could have been a front, though, as clearly it was never safe to let Echo back out. Then Dr J popped down briefly, while everyone above was resting, to tell Echo he was desperately needed elsewhere, that it wasn't safe to bring Echo, but that he'd be back in no time.

And the pieces are fitting together for Harumi. And she's like. Your dad's dead, bro.

And he's like. What? Did he die doing what was needed of him?

And she's like. Oh, no. He died a few years later.

And he's like. Why didn't he come back for me????

And she's like. Probably because they kept him away.

And he's like. Who's they?

And she's like. The Ninja I was talking about earlier.

And it surely can't be hard in universe to find pictures of Zane and Dr J post s2-pre s3, so she pulls one up and shows Echo who is freaking out bc why is that one kind of like him and Harumi explains that that was the droid his father created first, that he became a Ninja, and that hes probably the one who took their father away and kept echo waiting for years.

But Echo has doubts, shocked as he is abt a new older brother, he wants to believe the good in the situation so he's unsure. But Harumi mentions that the Ninja's failures to uphold more than their self preservation/interests has led to uncountable losses and devastation in Ninjago time and time again, before delving into her own story. And she seems so kind, and so hurt, and I do think there's a genuine connection btwn these two that forms from this shared emotional torment that they decide came from the Ninja, and now Echo is more receptive.

And then Harumi gets to start her Garmadon pitch because wait! If Echo was made here, then that could only have happened because of Lord Garmadon. And she reiterates that he's the reason she and her city could have even survived The Great Devourer. And maybe Echo's family-by-creation left, maybe they were untrustworthy and lacking, but that's OK bc if you look at it all a certain way, Garmadon is more of a father to Echo than Dr J was. And Echo is a vulnerable, overwhelmed mess who just found out his dad fucked off for years without him and also died, and also he has a brother??? Who their dad clearly seems to have favored??? Did they even know about Echo??? Did they delight in their life free of him???

Basically. Kinda Spinel-core but getting abandoned and left completely alone does that to you. Especially when the first person to find you after being abandoned is a deeply hurt and misguided teen who is probably kinda desperate for someone, anyone else to see the Ninja the way she sees them.

[tearlunars]

so i'm getting married in like 2 weeks so i might not be around much bc we still have a few things to do and i'm going to spend the weekends not at home!!!

[fish-at-fish-fish-resort]

themes and motifs in the side order ost

youve been promised this post and i shall deliver. others may have done this before me but im having fun so WHY NOT. thanks @mettaglam for helping me. the audios im inserting here are from this collection by @ardnin

this will probz be longer (and contain spoilers) so im putting a cut here

lets start with my favorite, which ive already pointed out here

the onward! motif

marina agitando:

pinging marciale:

asynchronous rhondo:

next up weve got some off the hook songs!

acid hues in origin of order

pinging marciale singing fly octo fly

asynchronous rhondo singing ebb n flow

and then weve got the tracks that're remixes of old music!

color pulse -> leaving with pearl and the tune that plays when u enter the elevator after defeating order

#0 shell -> #0.1 style

#12 awake -> #12.2 awakened and the slightly different version that plays before it

[marc--chilton]

Can't stop thinking about the mgv au, specifically about how it would have been when Stacy left House after the infarction and Wilson came to pick the pieces up... 👀

IT WAS SO BAAAAAD. so awful. wilson had already been helping stacy a bit via medical advice (little things she'd worry about that weren't discussed at the hospital regarding home care) so the transition from stacy's caretaking to wilson's was smooth, all things considered. stacy had called wilson to take over because her decision on house's surgery led to house snapping at her constantly, and between her own guilt (she doesn't regret the decision she just hates that it gave house so much grief) and house's abuse afterward, she couldn't take it.

an alpha leaving their ailing omega.... wilson's hindbrain hated stacy for that for a long time. he understood her point of view, but the hindbrain is not ruled by logic. wilson's protectiveness of house started here with a ferocity; he left his own wife home alone to stay with house while he was healing and only left the apartment if truly necessary. if house hadn't been so actively miserable -- not only is he still in pain, but now he has to grapple with the fact he's now disabled, AND stacy's bond to him is withering (in my mgv bonds fading is an uncomfortable process that can have pain in the gland where the mark is located, mood swings, depression, etc) -- it would have driven him crazy how bad wilson's hovering was. as it was though, it really what started twisting their friendship in a strange direction.

house's hindbrain is affected by all this, too. he's bitter and depressed and pissed off but the omega in him is crushed his bondmate abandoned him. if it had its own voice it would be wailing because that's what it felt like inside his head. not good enough/broken omega/alpha decided i'm not worth it

but!! wilson is there and he's an alpha.... and in his time of need? the omega part of house LATCHES onto him as though he imprinted on him. when he would whine and stacy came in to check on him, he would bite her if she came close. not a corrective little nip, but a bite so strong he could feel the bones in her hand grind. but when wilson runs in (yes, RUNS in) house is more receptive to his form of comfort, even when wilson makes it more intimate than strictly necessary (rumbling coos, petting his hair and wiping away pained tears, even calling him honey so tenderly it makes him ache)

wilson doesn't even call bonnie the entire time he's there. he doesn't even think about her until she calls HIM. it's the beginning of the end for them and wilson knows it but house needs him right now so for the time being, he really doesn't care. when he does finally come home to try to spend a night with her and give her some attention, she's so put off by house's scent on him she pushes him away (so wilson just goes back to house's place. because at least there he can sleep on the couch and not have a panic attack worrying that house will fall and hurt himself while wilson's away)

[stealingyourbones]

Just finished reading Superman: Speeding Bullet again and I forgot how much I love it

[no1ryomafan]

It’s not technically the last day of the year yet but I give Ryoma yawning to carry everyone into 2024.

[honeyvenommusic]

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