#because i can have a little Gay as a treat in my own AU

[cosmicroadkill]

Hey so remember forever ago when I said I would tell people about my silly little Transformers AUs and then my interests immediately pivoted to something else ngmgjgdmgd

So yeah, uh, it's been a hot second and now I'm embarrassed by them; okay, well, one of them anyway, but I did say I'd talk about them so

I'll talk about the one that I think is actually pretty good which is the empurata Optimus (or I guess technically Orion since he never gets the matrix of leadership in this one) one. (False: as I tried to write this I found that I, in fact, am very much embarrassed by this one as well, there's no winning here jgdjtsjdt)

So basically Orion, while softer in his approach, is still very critical of the world around him. In this case he is invited to come speak to the Senate directly but it's a trap; he is captured and put through the process of empurata, changing him in a way that makes him unrecognizable and stealing his life from him.

Orion, of course, is inconsolable and it's made all the worse when they make it seem that he was actually murdered by dissonants meaning not only would no one believe him if he did try to get help but it increases the rising tensions.

Of course it wouldn't be my AU if it wasn't half baked so basically somewhere along the line of trying to find new work to keep himself afloat he meets Megatron who he becomes very close to but he also runs into one Senator Shockwave who offers him a job as his personal guard (mostly because he finds Orion wonderful company and also because he genuinely wants to help and believes his story)

Que a conflict of interests type deal where Orion feels himself pulled between his loyalty to both (his brotherhood with Megatron and his budding romance with Shockwave) with everything coming to a head when a full blown revolution breaks out. Things happen and Orion somehow helps Shockwave get his hands on the matrix but when Shockwave begs Orion to come with him he tells him he can't, that he owes Megatron to much, that he's *changed* to much, and ends up joining the Decepticons under the name Nemesis because Doomed Yaoi TM

[wynnyfryd]

💖 2024 Steddie Fic Recs 💖

@thefreakandthehair and i were talking about how so many of the fics we can name off the top of our heads are from right after the show came out because we were still actively making rec lists back then, so:

in no particular order i present to you an incomplete list of fics i love that were published or completed within the last two months

short fics (<10k)

Found God In A Tomato by @beetlesandstarss 5.7k | rated M | fluff, text fic

syrupy sweet strangers to first date fic. without spoiling anything, eddie is a flustered cutie and steve is a fuckin' menace who's lucky he's so hot

he tightened he grip by @steddieas-shegoes 1.3k | rated E | crack not treated remotely seriously

Mickala beloved your commitment to the bit makes me wanna commit myself to you 💍

Slide It In by gayhandshake 1.8k | rated E | multimedia crack

another truly impeccable work of crack fic, i laughed so hard at the first image that i made it the icon for my private discord server

what's that sound? (there's a funny man at my door) by @jewishrat420 4.8k | rated M | spicy six text fic

laughed out loud at this fic so many times i really don't know what else to tell you. as a matter of fact, i went to look at my bookmark note to see what else i had to say about it when i read it, and my note just says "fucking hilarious i laughed out loud like 6 times" 💀 did not do not will never know what else to tell you except that the phrase "the goyim of gender" just randomly pops into my brain once every four or so days now

medium fics (10-20k)

In the Kitchen or the Tulips by @teddywesworl 44k | rated E | telepathic soulmate AU

this fic said "watch me flip this trope inside out like a freshly cubed half of an avocado" and then DELIVERED. i finished this fic and then stared at the side of my husband's head for long enough that he looked over and went "wtf are you doing" lmao hush baby i am contemplating the implications

they're going to send us to prison for jerks by @greatunironic 16k | rated E | social media AU

okay firstly the premise of this fic is so specifically and delightfully unhinged; love that i'm not the only one who looks at a random tiktok account and manically whispers to myself "there's a fic in there somewhere." secondly the execution is a 10 outta 10 outta 10 outta TEN

long fics (50k+)

Sneaky Link by @morningberriesao3 152k | rated E | onlyfans au

the sex is HOT the boys are dumb as goddamn ROCKS what more do you need? oh, what's that? you do need more? sick because this fic also has: the tags "cum slut eddie munson" and "everyone is gay (because i say so)", chrissy the homophobe slayer being the cutest little spy, and jason getting his ass whooped, like, spiritually. on a spiritual level. physically unharmed but that boy's soul is missing teeth do u understand what i am saying

podfics!

it was love, love alone read by @reena-jenkins 21min | rated E

am i technically reccing my own fic on my own fic rec list? you bet your sweet ass i am, i don't even care how tacky that is reena's performance is hilarious and deserves to be listened to at least 40 more times while doing the dishes

relax (lay it back) read by @flintandfuss 1hr 10min | rated E | yogi dom steve x sub eddie

listen if i'm already being gauche then i gotta include my internet wife's belated birthday present to me, like i gotta. morally and lustfully obligated.

Schiava by @teddywesworl read by aheada_lettuce 1hr 30min | rated E | kas!eddie AU

said it once already today and i'll say it again, i cannot believe one of the best reading voices i've ever heard belongs to a person i mentally refer to as fucking lettuce LOL anyway this read is incredible and i have listened to it Times(tm)

and lastly, if you want more recs (like, 348 more specifically), you can browse my full list of public st bookmarks here

[aliensubstance-011]

Fiddlestan AU!!

AU where Ford gets into West Coast Tech, but Stan manages to (somehow) get into Backupsmore and gets roomed with Fiddleford! 

Stan was kicked out after Ford left (because if his brother was ready to leave home, so was Stan). Stan lived in his car & the public libraries he found (all his fake IDs are just fake Library Cards lmao. nerd). Stan also discovered he was queer (did drag for the prize money, then went OH. All these queens are treating me like this because I'm a baby queer. That makes sense. Guess I’m doing guys now.).

I like to think that Stan spent a year or two studying up after Ford left so when he gets in Fiddleford is in his second or third year! This does result in a “I'm your new roommate. You first year?” and Fiddleford going “What in tarnation... I'm THIRD year? How did we end up in the same dorm????”

At first they HATE each other- Fiddleford thinks Stan is reckless, and doesn’t know what he’s doing there, and that he’s kind of stupid, while Stan thinks Fiddleford is some stuck-up hippie who formed an opinion on Stan too quickly (he did). Once they do start talking they have a very quick ‘oh you’re actually not that bad’ moment. Fiddleford leaves before Stan, obviously, but they keep in close contact even after Fiddleford moves in with Emma-Mae. 

Stan and Ford have a huge argument about Ford not needing Stan anymore. Cue: “Of course I need you, you're my brother” “WELL YOU DON'T ACT LIKE IT”, which is another reason that Stan and Fiddleford leave together. Not long after this, around Stan’s graduation,  Fiddleford has a 'I'm gay and don't love my wife' moment, and Stan casually suggests running away, just driving (maybe something a little nostalgic in it, maybe when Stan looks back at his car he feels like he can hear a distant New Jersey shore). The next day Fiddleford shows up with a duffle bag of things, and Stan realises Fiddleford took him seriously. That he’s willing to run away with him, even if it’s not on a boat, that Fiddleford wants to. Stan gets very, very close to realising he’s in love that day. 

They run away after Stan’s graduation and just drive until they get to Gravity Falls! They set up shop there, with Fiddleford doing auto repairs (and making inventions on the side). Fiddleford confesses to Stan when they’re staying in a motel- he thinks Stan is asleep, so he just says that he thinks he’s in love with him, while Stan is laying wide awake in the bed next to him. Stan spends the next few days Freaking The Fuck Out while Fiddleford doesn’t acknowledge what he said. Stan thinks Fiddleford knew he was awake, so when he confesses back he says something along the lines of “I think I’m in love with you, too” and Fiddleford bluescreens.

Just General HCs:

Stan falls first, but doesn't realise until Fiddleford confesses.

Ford is still self centred but doesn't hate Stan. Stan resents Ford for not doing anything when he was kicked out, and a little bit for leaving him. He understands, though, why stay with your good for nothing brother when you have dreams across the country to fulfil? 

Fiddleford is Repressed Gay until he confesses his Awful Secret to Stan who's just like....”okay?”. He does get to the point of marrying Emma-mae, before he confesses to Stan. 

I don't quite know what Stan will be doing, both in Backupsmore and once they move to Gravity Falls. I like a little bit about him either doing Art or Law, but I feel as though he’s not willing nor smart enough (respectively) for either one.

Stan IS smart, don’t get me wrong, he just needs it to be something ‘physical’ that he can interact with. Fiddleford helps a lot with this (having gotten a lot of hands-on work while he was on the farm). 

I think eventually Ford does end up in Gravity Falls too, but by this point he’s distanced himself from everyone not because of Bill, but because of his own hubris. 

Because of Stan and Fiddleford being queer, I don’t think Dipper and Mabel would be allowed to visit them until their parents have no other choice- though they do hear a lot about their Grunkles and see them from time to time. 

If I did include a Bill/main timeline ish plot it’d be Fiddleford who gets tricked- maybe after Ford gets to Gravity Falls, and Bill offers a way to keep Stan happy/repair his relationship with Ford (maybe Fiddleford thinks Stan is going to run away- just without him this time. He knows Stan would never, but he could.) 

I’d probably include a B-plot where Stan thinks Fiddleford will cheat on him with Ford- they click immediately and so much better, Ford is so much smarter, he’s the better twin, because insecure Stan is my favourite thing ever. Just a small detail, but I think that Fiddleford is a lot more confident and stable with Stan, mainly because Stan has encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone so often, and has proved time and time again that all Fiddleford has to do is ask and Stan is right there to catch him.

I'm still not sure what Stan should do, so if anyone has any suggestions, let me know! That and drawing requests god let me draw them PLEASE.

[enavstars]

Mermaid samurai (bet you didn't expect that) + doodles. Also this is my version of human Pixal.

Details of the AU under the cut:

The AU is set years ago in the era of pirates and there are sirens (I know I said mermaids but they're actually sirens). Cole, Jay, Zane and Pixal (Zane and Pixal are humans) are pirates; Kai and Nya are sirens and Lloyd is a hybrid.

First off, sirens. Sirens are predators who decieve and hunt humans using their melodic voice and appereance. Sometimes they eat the humans they've hunt down but most of the times they eat other fish. To decieve humans they can change the upper part of their bodies to look human; all sirens are intersex (each one with more masculine or feminine traits) so they can change into both male and female humans (Kai is usually a man and Nya a woman but they sometimes change). Sirens can form groups or hunt alone. Kai and Nya lost their parents when they were little and have been on their own since then, barely having any contact with other sirens. Most sirens have blue to green characteristics but sometimes there are ones with other colors like Kai; that's usually a disadvantage since it atracts other predators.

Kai doesn't like humans at all and usually fights other sea creatures (like sharks). He doesn't like deep waters either.

On the other hand, Nya is interested in humans, mostly their inventions and is really curious. Unlike Kai, she does like really deep waters. They're both very protective to each other and Lloyd.

Then, Zane and Pixal had an arranged wedding they didn't like (Gay and lesbian solidarity) so they decided to run away and join the pirates, the ones of the Destiny's bounty.

Cole is a member of the pirates and became one to find a treasure and get money for his village. He often feels bad because he couldn't afford his mother's medicine and he blames himself for her death.

Jay has been a pirate for the longest time. At first he just wanted the adventure but then he kind of regreted his decision (until he bonds with everyone). He's really skilled.

The captain of the Bounty is... an asshole so... mutiny(?) , eventually Cole will be the captain (because he is a good leader) and Jay the second in command.

As for Lloyd, he is a hybrid: Misako is human and Garmadon a siren. Wu and Garmadon are considered mythical creatures so Lloyd is basically unique. He lives in a small house next to the sea after Misako passed away. When he was a kid he had an encounter with Kai and Nya and, after a while, they became friends. Now Kai and Nya have adopted him as their little brother and go visit often. Lloyd treats their wounds as well as other sea creatures, he's a healer (vet?). Eventually he'll go with the Bounty's crew.

As for ships obviously plasma and samurai but also glacier.

Feel free to ask any questions about the AU and send ideas for drawings (though I can't promise to answer/draw everything).

[zeroducks-2]

Ok so I've seen this post way too many times on my dashboard not to get pissed so here's me saying this: Shipping is not aphobic, Soulmates AUs are not aphobic, having fun imagining your favorite little guys having sex is not aphobic.

"But one of these characters is asexual in the text!" 1: a character which doesn't have a canon relationship is not necessarily aspec, and 2: even if the character is canonically aro/ace, shipping them with someone doesn't erase the fact that they're aro/ace in the text, and in fact doesn't hurt anyone because IT'S FICTION. It's like shipping with an age gap, shipping gay characters with the opposite sex, shipping murderers and cannibals, shipping het characters with the same sex, any other "problematic" thing you can think of. It's fiction. It's not real, it doesn't hurt anyone, it's just some poor sod's past-time like it is yours and mine and everyone else's who spend their time shipping fictional people.

"Shipping hurts X category of people" is anti rhetoric and guess what, it's bullshit. You're just calling people aphobic instead of p3do, groomer or whatever other offensive nonsense antis say.

"But soulmate AU are aphobic!" Look, I hate soulmate AUs because they're cheesy and made with the cookie cutter, but that's just bullshit. No they don't hurt aspec communities, they simply do not cater to aromantic people. Something which doesn't cater to you simply existing does not in fact hurt you. And anyway you're free to create your own "Platonic Soulmate AU" if you so like, I promise no one is stopping you and a lot of folks would appreciate it.

"But it normalizes amatonormativity!" LISTEN. It's called amatonormativity FOR A REASON, and this reason is that it is the norm. Fandom spaces haven't normalized it, IT IS ALREADY NORMALIZED. Hetero, cis, allo and amatonormativity don't come from fandoms, they are not pushed by fandoms, and making it sound any different is the same kind of rhetoric antis use. Kinda on the opposite end of the spectrum of that specific brand of antis which claims incest in fanfictions normalizes it, whereas 8 seasons of GoT somehow don't. Like fucking stop treating fans like they hold the keys to make things widely spread and accepted, maybe? Because that's also what antis do in their attempt to police what other people like...?

In conclusion, this is an internalized anti behavior which won't help aspec people, won't help fandom and will only fuel shame in anyone who takes it seriously. It's just a very fancy brand of censorship. Fucking stop.

[theoisdaydreaming]

hi!! i loved your overlord angel dust/husk art and i commented about potentially turning it into a fic and adding your art, which you consented to. i was wondering if you had any additional ideas to make it more than a oneshot, maybe they open a casino together with mafia roots, collect souls together, etc…once again, your art was amazing!!

Thank you so much, I would love a fic about my AU (⁠人⁠*⁠´⁠∀⁠｀⁠)⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+

Here are other ideas about the story:

In this AU Angel didn't worked with Valentino, he and Arackniss reconciled before Angel could sign a contract with him

That is not to say Angel wasn't doing sex work, he would take all kinds of offers, from stripping to singing gigs, just for the money

Regarding the backstory of the spider brothers I haven't really fleshed it out but here are some points of it:

They had kind of a strained relationship even though they cared for each other, because Arackniss (or Andrew as I like to think) used to put down Anthony's dreams of becoming a performer like the drag queens he liked to see (in secret) in the gay bars the Mafia used to own back in the 30s (real history btw)

He did this in hopes he would give up, leave it all behind and live a 'normal' life, out of fear their dad would disown him, or worse, kill him

It wouldn't matter anyway because both of them would die together while doing a shady work for the mob (who started the shots? They couldn't really remember)

At the beginning of their afterlife Arackniss avoided Angel with the guilt that (according to him) it was his fault his little brother got shot in the eye. (He was too far, too late, he couldn't protect his brother and now he's dead because of him)

Cause of this angel thinks his brother hates him, but they eventually encounter during a turf war that went wrong

Arackniss sees Angel surrounded and not wanting to repeat his brothers death again, he saves him this time.

They sort things out, and become closer than ever

When Arackniss figures out what angel has been doing for money they decide to start doing mob work again, they're good and people start giving their loyalty and doing contracts with them because the brothers actually care about the souls they own, deciding to learn from their father's mistakes, they respect all of their workers

furthermore, Angel gains more influence because he gave the people he met while being a sex worker, safe and living conditions; every stripper, actor, performer wanted to work with him, and with all the contracts he made, became an overlord

On the other hand, arackniss does all the shady work, sticking to the shadows, not wanting any attention. He is very prod of angel, and becomes his right hand man

Other ideas and dynamics:

Angel calls arackniss An, Andy or niss

Arackniss calls angel Angie, Anni, or Anth. (He never really liked tony, that's what his father called him)

They love each other very much but they're still siblings, they bicker and fight all the time (all their goons are used to it at this point, unimpressed by the brothers shenanigans)

Valentino develops some sort of obsession with Angel after meeting him (this brings problems)

Angel fell first, husk fell harder

They kind of had an enemies to lovers (but not really, more like a rivalry bc angel likes to annoy the cat overlord for fun)

Molly is still in heaven in this AU, arackniss was able to shield her from the family business (he couldn't with angel though, That's part of his guilt)

She died of heart disease before the brothers death

Angel is the spoilt younger sibling

I haven't really thought about how him and husk get together but they will definitely become a power couple

I like the idea Angel performs at the casino

He sings, does drag, etc. (Maybe some pornos too, just for fun)

What caught husk's attention is that Angel cared a lot for the souls he owned, he treated them like the humans they are

That's all I have for now, I will make more art about this AU later, you can use it if you like, whether as reference or inspiration for the fic (⁠*⁠˘⁠︶⁠˘⁠*⁠)⁠.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡

Ik this is more about Angel and Arackniss but I really like to focus on their story. So regarding the huskerdust you can have fun with that as I don't have a lot of ideas

[demonqueenart]

as someone who's been in the phandom for over 10 years now, I can safely say that people HATE holding dnp or other members accountable but it's 1000% necessary!! Thank you for speaking out about it!

Heyyy sylvester :3 *love your fic so much UwU, your autism au are my inspiration *

Even when I’ve not been here for that long, I believe we can start from somewhere. Issues like racism can take a long time to get better, but the thing is, it does get better! Just a little slower than we would like it to be. 😅

And I think maybe if we want dnp to change for the better, we should try to change it ourselves first so that when they look back at our community, they’ll be inspired by us! The reason why dnp could even come out as gay in the first place was because there were celebrities who had done that before them. And we, us as a community, if we can make it safe for them to take accountability and own up for their mistakes, we can make this space safe for poc too! They have been many instances when we have influenced them to do things in this community. All the Palestine’s birthday charity streams happened because we talk to them about it. I don’t see any reason why this couldn’t be one of them now

They are not beyond redemption. I believe that at heart, they’re a good person who believes in kindness and treating people right. So many times they’ve been the light after the tunnel when we’re going through dark times. They did not give up on us then, so why should we give up on them now :D

I just hope that one day they can understand it. And that they will fight for us someday when we’re currently fighting for them to be better! With a lot of love and respect ^^

*If you don’t understand what is happening, scroll through my blog for context. Also I’ll be taking time answering these asks, so don’t feel like I’m ignoring youu <3*

[aheony]

I was asked to do a post about my ruikasa aus! i used to have more, but some kinda died so i’m going to give my favorites and (begrudgingly) some ruicest ships (because i love them)

for @lilykasaposts who so graciously asked me (held me at gunpoint) to rant about them!

before i start, i’d like to mention that i address these characters by their au names rather than rui and tsukasa! this differentiates them more and makes me happy!

first off! my babies,, i could do an entire post about them alone i love them so dearly…

cybertartine!

cyber of course is my rui! wealthy due to his occupation, he is a vigilante-hitman that works on his own accord as well as client commissioned hits! he is seen as an enemy of the state and is a well renowned criminal, yet manages to get away with it!

my tsukasa; the kindhearted tartine is an online uni student that works hard and keeps to himself! sweet and earnest, he enjoys his video games and tending to his house plants! (he is loosely based off of feskasa, and has the same homey vibe!)

these two cute little idiots fall for each other pretty quickly, having gotten together the day after they met. they meet at the park, cyber minding his own business while tartine is having difficulty finding his keys that he had lost in the grass. being asked to help, cyber finds them, and they exchange numbers, texting each other when they get home!

they chat for a bit, and meet for ice cream and coffee the next day, going back to tartine’s place. they hang out for a while until cyber decides to take a shower (creative, i know) and triggers a gay panic for tartine when he comes out of the bathroom lol

he sits down on the couch, and tartine dries his hair. then, they share their first kiss! (they are very fluffy, and have lots of hurt/comfort potential)

next, my sweet darlings how silly they are

geoskates!

geologist is a sweet, heavyset himbo-type character that knows nothing of the idol industry. he’s a huge nerd for his rocks, and absolutely adores skater and his performances. he’s not as dense as you’d think, being rather smart when he’s not confused or aloof in his own world! he also doesn’t treat skater like an idol at all, just loving him for who he is! he also often forges jewelry as a hobby, creating accessories for his partner!

skater is a skateboarding live streamer/idol who performs with nova who is their haruka! they often perform together or hang out on off time. he tends to surprise geologist often, either spooking him or flustering him in an attempt to get a funny reaction. he listens to his goober partner’s rambling and gives him front row seats at each concert! skater is also a little bit of a loser, often failing epically yet still being excited about it.

these two meet due to geologist being a dumbass little spatially unaware goober, wandering onto skater and nova’s private beach while searching for shells. he fails to notice them for a while, so focused on the shells and stones he found. once he finally picks up his head, he meets the two, being asked how he had found the beach.

confused, geologist explains how he was on a public beach, but seemed to have wandered too far. they ask about the rocks he has, and geologist shows them to skater, immediately enamored. taking a liking to him, skater gives geologist a ticket to his next show. having no idea what this entails, and assuming it was a small gig, geologist is absolutely baffled by the large stadium he had front row seats in.

these two will often hang out together at skate parks or the beach, enjoying each other’s company and practicing for future shows!

these next ones aren’t as fleshed out as the first two, but i love them all the same!

hinadreamer

dreamer is a kindhearted dreamkeeper that can visit and mend troublesome dreams. he himself cannot dream, but he can enter and manipulate the dreams of others. he doesn’t like to disturb the chemistry of others’ dreams, but he enjoys visiting hina in his in order to relax. due to his abilities, dreamer can also speak many languages in order to communicate with those who don’t speak english while they slumber.

hina is a princely magic user with many types of magic such as healing, wind and bard magic! he is very strong for his petite size, able to crush another’s hands with his own. the way hina’s magic works is heavily based off of other media, his healing kisses being taken from steven universe, his wind magic from wendy (fairy tail), and his bard magic that of raine whispers! he also has a deerfox tail and horns which is based off of hilda.

these become shorter as i continue lol here’s the ruicest i guess

villaineko!

to the point! villain is devil’s manner rui, a powerful demon from the demon realm. he can bestow curses, claiming souls of those who are in debt, and cursing bad luck upon those who cannot pay their debt. he is rather stoic, showing little to no emotion, but when he does, his facial expression doesn’t change. he has a crow motif, sporting a feathered tail and a few birdlike tendencies.

neko of course is nyansei rui (aa subarashiki nyansei), is a silly street cat that functions on two braincells, and doesn’t understand a single thing that villain does. he tags along being sweet and silly, never far behind his favorite demon. neko is often a bit ragged, messy or hungry, but he is always treated and fed. sometimes he’ll smarten up if necessary, but otherwise he’s just a goober!

silly information: when at home, (or when villain is drunk) villain will sometimes preen neko’s hair like a bird would its feathers. this is an affectionate gesture showing that he loves and trusts him! he doesn’t do this often, but it means a lot when he does!

that’s about the end of my post!

if there’s anything you’d like to hear more about, or have elaborated on (or if i remember any ships i forgot about)

please ask! and i shall rant more!!

i wrote a lot but i can promise you this does not fully sum up any of these pairings.

[polycraftory]

Dragon Falls (How to Tame a Husband) by Davis Lavender

Reviewed by Meghan 💜

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5 | 🌶️🌶️ 2/5

GENRE: Cozy Portal Fantasy REP: mlm, achillean demi male mc, gay male mc, queer scs CW: mentions of cheating, manipulation, minor injuries LENGTH: 357 pgs

If you are looking for a sweet and funny gay romcom in a fantasy setting, I highly recommend this book! It manages to deliver an interesting isekai / transmigration narrative with a cast of incredibly lovable characters. This is exactly the sort of novel I had wanted when I was growing up looking for queer romance in a fantasy setting. Added to that just a little bit of spice and a whole lot of humor. It's technically an adult novel, but it's a lighthearted one that is also light on the smut. Also, I desperately want this to be a new au setting so fanfic writers please read this. Overall, this is a delightful indie book that I am very glad I got. I really love this Rainbow Crate @rainbowcrate edition from their Cozy Fantasy box.

Below the cut you can find my full review! You can find more reviews like this on my Storygraph or in our "meghan reviews" tag. Check out our pinned post for links!

If you want to avoid spoilers skip the section labeled "The End".

The Main Characters / Core Romance Feliks is an incredibly relatable and very sweet ADHD hot mess. He isn't explicitly neurodivergent, but the way he describes his "brain squirrels" and the everything else about him was deeply relatable to me (my whole household is some flavor of neurodivergent). He is an absolute ray of sunshine, and he gets isekai-ed into a dragon riding warlord with the Ruthless as his moniker. It is incredibly funny to watch him try to do damage control on all the awful things that the old Ryszard did. To differentiate them both in the narrative and for the reader, Feliks has people start to call him Rys. I found him absolutely charming, even though he so often speaks before thinking and puts his foot in his mouth. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him win over everyone, including his husband. Also! He's demisexual and demiromantic! I have literally never read a book before where I saw myself represented like that! It was honestly so wonderful and validating even though its inclusion is very subtle.

Marek is a classic and wonderful example of the grumpy half of the grumpy/sunshine dynamic. He has incredibly good reasons not to trust his husband, who reappeared after being presumed dead for two years. Yet, he can't resist Rys' charm no matter how much he doesn't trust his husband's new polar opposite personality. From his best friend Kasia to the denhands he teaches, I enjoyed how much he cares for everyone despite being so very grumpy. I feel like that personality type tends to be portrayed as a loner, but Marek is at the heart of his community and they all adore him. The relationship between him and his dragon is also incredible, and there is quite a lot of humor in how infuriated he is that his dragon suddenly adores his husband who used to treat them both horribly. Rys calls their dragon Honey Bunny despite there being a Whole Thing (TM) about Dragons not being owned and therefore not being named. It does not at all infuriate Marek that his dragon now only responds to Bunny! Don't be ridiculous!

Their dynamic is everything you'd expect from this sort of grumpy/sunshine pair up, especially with the added component of Rys often saying exactly the wrong thing to Marek since he doesn't know their theoretically "shared" history from before he transmigrated into the story. Rys has absolutely no knowledge of the plot or world he gets thrown into at all, so it leads to quite a lot of unintentional hurt. Still, they have an incredibly sweet romance and both work hard for their happily ever after. For me, this was a very low spice book but I didn't come here for that.

The Worldbuilding I had to give this it's own section because the worldbuilding is so fun and I want people to immediately adopt this as a new fun AU setting for fanfiction. Only nobility can become Dragon Riders. In order to be a Rider, you have to court and marry yourself a Dragon Tamer. Each Tamer has one Dragon that they tame and train. Tamers can be anyone who earns the position, and they often start out as Denhands (basically, like, squires; they help with upkeep around the Den and help care for your dragon). Denhands get adopted by a Tamer and a Rider, so their entire family structure is based around the dragon riding system and I just think that's such a fun build! Once a Tamer and Rider get married, the Rider starts to bond with their dragon and learns how to ride. Once you are done training as a Rider, you have your final test which is the Claiming Ceremony. You take a leap of faith off the cliff and if your dragon catches you, you are a fully fledged Rider. If they don't, well, you fall to your death. Womp womp. Until their Claiming Ceremony, Tamers must protect their Riders from all harm so you get an extra layer of bodyguard romance. Seriously, I need this as an AU setting for every ship I've ever seen immediately. The Plot Very straightforward! Rys thinks his only way back to his world is to survive till his claiming ceremony so he can reuse the whistle at the top of the Falls to reopen the portal. Most of the narrative is a combo of the training leading up to the ceremony, the building romance, and Rys figuring out how to be a good husband (and father lol they adopt a kid. Damon/Demon I adore you). You also see Rys unravel all the harm the character he took over did to all the people of this training camp and home city. It has plenty of found family vibes, and honestly I loved the whole main cast. Overall, this was a very lighthearted plot even though murder / being trapped in another world / falling to his death were all theoretically on the table. The humorous tone keeps the plot from getting dark or serious. It has a good pace and was exactly the right amount of plot based on what I was expecting, which is basically a romcom in a fantasy setting.

The End Spoilers time! It almost goes without saying, but this is a nice, easy, unequivocal happily ever after. I was pleased that there was still plenty of book left after the climax. We got a really nice falling action with the main characters getting together and figuring out how to stay together. Also, this nicely side-stepped any of the usual portal fantasy or transmigration angst from having to choose between returning to their world and staying with their love interest. Feliks/Rys gets to have the best of both worlds since he has a portal he can open and close with the whistle reforged. I do wish we got to see Marek meet his brother and mother, I am dying to know how that went. Also, my edition had a nice little bonus story, The Trouble With Tybald, about two of the side characters getting together as well as a closer peek at the side romance between Demon (Rys and Marek's son) and the son of the bartender. It was a fun little surprise snack at the end, even though the bonus content wasn't for the main couple!

[perusonaqueer]

Here yall go! some very underwhelming akiren and akechi headcanons!

Darkship, Nsfw, Abuse, SA, and Slight Persona 5 Royal spoilers ahead.

Don’t like, don’t read.

To preface this, this is an *technically* an AU, so little things are changed around. In my AU akechi doesn’t… well, die 💔

In my AU:

Goro Akechi is Gay.

Akiren is Unlabeled.

They are both sexually and romantically attracted to eachother.

First and foremost, Akechi is *obviously* a little insane. Well…. not a little. This bitch will randomly slap the shit out of Akiren, and will do it over dumb crap they would have forgotten in a month.

Akechi tends to be… manipulative and clingy.

“I love you, you must hate me so much.”

“If you leave me i’ll kill myself”

“I never did that, are you making stuff up to make me feel bad?”

In reality, Akechi *knows* what he is doing.

Akiren is too craving of the love his parents magically threw away from him. His parents never really gave him attention despite them living in the country-side. Akechi give him the “sweet” love his parents never did.

That’s why he doesn’t leave. Also because Akechi will beat the life out of him if he leaves, so he’ll have to crawl back anyways. Also the chance Akechi will live up to his words and actually kill himself.

Akechi will do disgusting things to Akiren. Akiren will let it happen.. None of their friends know. Akechi has the power to out all of them to the police for being phantom thieves.

Akechi being a celebrity puts Akiren in a even worse position, who will really believe a random lowly-delinquent kid that the beloved and charismatic high-school detective prince really is doing this to him?

You see, Akechi lives alone, leaving him to do almost whatever he wants in his own living space. He threatens Akiren, that if on he doesn’t come over when Akechi asks him to, he’ll use his power as he needs.

“What does Akechi do when Akiren is over?” You may ask. Depends on his mood and the degree of his mood and just what he feels like doing. Tying him up and beating Akiren one day, forcing Akiren in place and cutting him as deep as he wants, SAing Akiren until he can’t walk, and sometimes even all all at once.. Akiren has admitted to Akechi that sometimes he does find pleasure in it. This makes Akechi at most satisified.

I know this is a darker themed HC post, but Akechi does still care for Akiren. After the events of every visit, Akechi will care for Akiren. Give him water, clean him up, and love on him a little. He’s not that heartless.

Sometimes Akechi and Akiren do consensually have sex that they both like. Akechi usually is the one calling Akiren names and topping. Surprising seeing a Top Akechi AU, right? Of course, Akechi loves being in control. Akiren usually asks Akechi to degrade him, and Akechi most obviously does so.

Akiren really does love Akechi, even with all the mental insanity Akechi puts him through. He doesn’t inherently consent to being treated like this, but he is stuck like this, so he doesn’t complain. His friends haven’t caught on to the whole thing. Of course, they can tell they’re is something happening between the two. It’s suspicious for sure that Morgan’s can’t come with Akiren to Akechis house. With the little flirts between the two in mementos, it definitely is an agreeable thought between the rest of the phantom thieves that something is going on. What they don’t know is to the degree it’s at. Akiren does a damn good job hiding what’s up.

Alas, this is the end of my headcanons that i could think up.

This is surprisingly longer than i’ve really ever written for headcanons.

Let me know if you want the fluffy cuteness version ^_^

Toodles~!

[galwithalibrarycard]

This is my outline for a Rizzles My Fair Lady AU, inspired by @miz-chase and her post about Rizzles Anastasia AUs. Of course, in this MFL AU, Jane Rizzoli is our Eliza Doolittle and Maura Isles is our Henry Higgins.

In early 1900s Boston, Maura Isles is an expert in dialects, accents, and etiquette. She moves into a new home with her friend and fellow expert Suzy Chang.

Maura and Suzy are best friends and amicable exes, so while walking in their neighborhood, Suzy buys Maura flowers from a pretty flower seller, who introduces herself as Jane. After they leave the flower stall, Maura laments to Suzy about the lack of etiquette and proper speech she sees in the public, including Jane (a scene standing in for the song Why Can’t the English?)

Jane and her family talk about how lovely it would be to have more financial security and be able to sit in a mansion and eat chocolates like they imagine Maura does. Jane’s mother puts in that it would be possible, if Jane put in more effort to be classy and feminine and marry a good man. Jane ignores this. (Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?)

Jane runs into her friend Korsak, who is also lamenting his financial situation but takes a more optimistic tack (With a Little Bit of Luck)

Jane is inspired to make her own luck- she’ll go to Maura and ask for her help to be a proper lady, so she can get a better job and help her family and Korsak. Maura offers Jane lessons on how to speak and conduct herself like a lady. Jane, desperate not to see her family on the streets, accepts.

Maura and Suzy make a bet, Maura wagering that she can make Jane a whole new woman in six months. Suzy has her doubts.

Jane moves in with Maura and Suzy, and lessons begin. Jane has a ball teasing Maura and giving her a hard time, intentionally messing up and goofing off. Jane loves making her annoyed and fantasizes about revenge for all Maura’s constant criticism- but she also loves making her laugh. (Just You Wait)

But when Maura gets truly frustrated and panicky that she won’t cooperate, Jane takes pity on her and does a perfect impression of a society lady (The Rain in Spain). Maura is so happy and proud that she takes Jane in her arms and waltzes her around the room, and Jane is addicted to the feeling of praise and to seeing Maura happy. All she wants is to feel that way again. To make Maura smile and hold her like that again. Dancing with Maura has Jane on cloud nine (I Could Have Danced All Night).

(I mean really, imagine it. “I only know when she began to dance with me, I could have danced, danced, danced all night.” Gay.)

Jane feels wrong, trying to change her personality like this. The world wants her to be feminine and soft, and she can pretend, but she’s always gonna be butch. And she’s always gonna be a brash Boston Italian.

Instead of Henry Higgins’ raging misogyny, Maura has to overcome her classism. As she spends more time with Jane, she learns to loosen up, try new things, and be less of a pedant about slang and other things she doesn’t understand.

She takes Jane to an awful society event (Ascot Gavotte), where Jane is still somewhat her uncouth self, but Maura’s fondness for Jane overcomes her frustration with her. At the event, Jane meets and hits it off with a man named Casey. We’ll be hardcore ignoring Casey’s On the Street Where You Live moment because Casey is boring (but the song is good, go listen to Jordan Donica sing it, treat your ears.)

Maura continues taking Jane to society events, becoming more and more jealous as men like Casey and others ask to dance with Jane. Her tutoring is working, but losing Jane is breaking her heart.

A local bigwig at an event mistakes Jane for an heiress, meaning her training worked. Maura buries her uncomfortable feelings for Jane behind a celebration with Suzy that she won the bet and now they’ll have backing to open a comportment school (You Did It). Jane overhears them celebrating and realizes she’s just a project to Maura, devastating her. Jane thinks Maura is ashamed of Jane’s true self.

As Jane is fleeing the event, Casey tries to confess his love for her, but she tells him she has no use for words and needs action (Show Me). It’s clear she’s really hoping Maura, not Casey, will show her that she cares about her. Jane wants what she overheard Maura saying to be a misunderstanding, but she can’t quite believe it.

Jane returns home to her family, quickly moving out of Maura’s house to protect her heart. She doesn’t feel at home at Maura’s anymore.

While Jane is at her family home, Korsak arrives and announces his intention to marry Kiki, and the Rizzolis scramble to get him ready for the big day and celebrate his bachelor party (Get Me to the Church On Time).

Maura laments what she lost and wonders why Jane ran from her. Suzy undertakes an investigation to find Jane and reunite them.

When Suzy brings Maura to Jane’s family home to see her, they have a fight, and Jane tells Maura she doesn’t need her, she’d rather be herself and be alone than put herself in a box for someone who’s ashamed of her (Without You). Jane has reverted to her true self and come to love all sides of that self in spite of Maura.

Maura goes home and laments how much she misses Jane (I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face). She listens to the audio recording she made of Jane’s first lesson with her and cringes at how mean she, Maura, sounds, criticizing everything Jane says. Maura writes Jane an apology letter saying she’s sorry, and that she truly loves every facet of Jane and should never have dreamed of trying to change her.

Maura sees a vision of Jane returning to her house and embraces her, and the two embark on a happy domestic life together- but it is ambiguous whether that happy life is real, or whether we’re only seeing Maura’s doomed fantasies play out, her chance with Jane gone forever. You choose whether you prefer a happy or sad ending.

[booksandabeer]

Hey,

I love your blog and I love how much work you put in when someone ask you to recommend fics for them, you’re truly beyond AMAZING! Just getting that out of the way.

And now, can you please tell me your favourite underrated stucky fics. I know this might be too big of an ask because there are SO MANY out there, so just tell me a few if you don’t mind.

Thank you so much ❤️

Hello Stranger!

Thank you for the ask and your very kind words! ❤ It's so nice to hear that people like my rec posts because they really do take a surprisingly large amount of time to put together. Anyway, I'm not complaining & this is a lot of fun for me, so on to the recs!

I struggled a bit with how to define "underrated" and I think everybody has their own ideas of what exactly that means. Also, the Stucky ship has been around for more than a decade (even longer if you count the comics), so creative output and reader interest will fluctuate and ultimately decline over time. A Stucky fic posted after 2019--no matter how insanely good it is--will never do the numbers it would have done in the Golden Age of 2014-2018. So, for the purpose of this list, a fic written in 2016 with 15K hits or less does qualify as underrated, while a fic posted in 2021 with 10-15K would not.

Also, as always, this list is by no means an exhaustive one.

the wrote and the writ by declanlynchsrack | G, 10K

Author's summary: Bucky’s crying before he’s off the boat and he’s the least surprised out of anyone to realize it.

He’s always been a softie, a leaky faucet, and the war hasn’t changed that, so he doesn’t know why the sob that smacks him startles him bad enough that he grips the strap of his bag doubly hard, ready to swing it around like a battering ram, ready to find that cloying, invisible enemy. He’s not being ambushed, on his belly in the muck and camellias, cypress hanging low, moonlight casting an eerie smile upon Lake Como like it’s enjoying the hell out of muffled gunshots and the wet grunt of lifeblood spattering onto the undergrowth.

That’s done. He’s safe.

An AU in which Bucky--minus one arm--comes back from the war and Steve never got to go, and never became Captain America. A scrappy little story that is at once full of emotion and yet completely unsentimental. This story socked me on the jaw, tackled me to the ground, and then sat on me while twisting, twisting, twisting my arm behind my back. It also has one of my favorite descriptions of the SteveBucky dynamic I've ever read: "They’re all roughed up, the two of em, a pair of old marble statues weathered by time and harsh touches, but they know each other’s chinks and foibles and can side-step them with grace while still treating the other about as delicately as they’d handle a sack of potatoes." !!! If you prefer, you can also listen to it here: [Podfic] the wrote and the writ by quietnight

Hollywoodland by romanticalgirl | E, 69K

Author's summary: In 1930s Hollywood, the world is run on the studio system. Stars are told who to date, what to wear, what to say, and how to look pretty doing it. The only way you can really do what you want is if you don't get caught.

Steve's dating Peggy, which works out because she's married to Sam, even though it's not legal. But it's the perfect cover for the fact that Steve's gay. He's managing just fine skirting the system to find companionship, but then he meets James Barnes and life gets a lot more complicated.

If you know anything about me and my love for Golden Age Hollywood, then you won't be surprised that this pushes all of my buttons. This is loosely inspired by the real life relationship of Cary Grant and Randolph Scott (the exact nature of which we will probably never know, but let's just say it was most likely not strictly platonic). Is the world the author created here entirely realistic? No--and it's not intended to be. While it is indeed rooted in many of the horrible realities that queer people and POC have faced in the past (and are still facing today), it's a slightly kinder version of it that allows for a hopeful, if not a strictly happy ending in the traditional sense. A sumptious story with gorgeous art.

make progress together by frankoceansmoonriver | E, 24K

Author's summary: He feels like Steve’s mistress. He feels hollowed out. He feels like a jammed gun still trying to go off. When he’s not with Steve he convinces himself he’s ruining Steve’s life, and though he tries, he’s too selfish to stop. When he’s with Steve, he’d fight God himself to keep it, this tangible perfection that makes him drunk and anchors him in ways he did not know existed.

Or, the one where they both survived the war, Bucky loves Steve now, has loved Steve since he was fifteen, and the year is 1945.

This is a story that I have reread many, many times because it is the perfect wish fulfillment fic for me. It's the slightly unrealistic, or one could also say: optimistic version of what I imagine would have happened had Steve and Bucky both survived the war. That's not to say that this fic doesn't have its very angsty moments, but ultimately, this is a story about love and hope triumphing in the face of adversity, and sometimes you just want to see good things happen to good people. I know some readers may find the formatting and the non-linear structure challenging, but this is a beautiful story and I really urge you all to give it a try!

I'll Light Your Way Home series by BeaArthurPendragon | M-E, 69K, 5 parts

Author's summary: Two lost Vietnam vets find each other in a Hell's Kitchen gay bar one hot September night. This is how they find their way home.

A pattern emerges! Can you tell I'm really into (No Powers) AUs set in the early to mid 20th century? Well, here's another one, but we're actually moving into second half of the century, specifically to 1969, for this one! Bea is quite possibly my favorite Stucky writer and I have recommended her stories many times to anybody who will listen to me. It's debatable whether or not she actually counts as "underrated", I guess, but it is my personal opinion that her fics should have ten times the kudos/comments/hits they do and that she deserves to be up there with the "big names". This story in particular just completely won over my heart with its gorgeous (but not ostentatious) writing, its confident and mature characterizations, and great eye for historical detail. I *cannot* recommend her fics enough. /unabashed fangirl moment over.

The Northern Lights by ThisChairIsMyHomeNow | M, 21K

Author's summary: “I can’t feel my face,” Steve shivers.

“I can’t feel my left arm,” Bucky says, deadpan. Steve barks out a laugh. It’s all white puffs of vapor in the chilly air.

“This the spot?”

“Nah,” Bucky pants, breath ragged from the long ascent up a mountain. “Almost there.”

A post-CW canon-divergent story that the author jokingly describes in their author's note as "gay superhero reluctantly gets therapy in the jungles of Wakanda, then goes on a covert road trip." And yes, maybe I wouldn't put it quite so flippantly myself, but it's not... untrue. And yet there is so much more depth to it. If you like a Bucky who takes back his life, his identity, and his future on his own terms, a Steve who isn't reduced to being his recovery prop but instead gets to shine in all his glorious, intense, stubborn Steve-ness, and a Sam & a Natasha who aren't just window dressing for the SteveandBucky-Show, this is for you! Cap Quartet Road Trip where all four members get their moment to shine--what are you waiting for?

Misplaced Pencils | T, 13K & and our words would take us 'round the world | T, 13K by Somanywords

Author's summary:

Steve and drawing throughout the years. Also Bucky.

&

Bucky is two years old when he learns to talk.

I've spent a good 30 minutes debating with myself which one of these two I should include here, and then I just threw up my hands and said "why not both? Both is good!" So here they are, two beautifully written mid-length full-arc (childhood to sometime past TWS, where they diverge from canon) fics that I love both equally. These are standalone stories and are not set in the same universe, but they do read and feel like companion pieces to each other because both stories are told through the lense of Steve and Bucky's respective artistic sensibilities and how they use their art as a framework to make sense of the world. Misplaced Pencils gives you artist Steve who, from a very young age on, has always tried to understand the world by taking it apart into its visual components & falling back on a fixed set of questions that help him to categorize and compartmentalize the people he encounters and the emotions he feels for them (just like he will later do in other areas of his life). Only that there is of course one person who's always refused to fit neatly into just one of his categories. and our worlds... on the other hand, gives you storyteller Bucky who's constantly talking, singing, writing. Who, in the end, can't help himself but narrate even his own fall and who is later delightfully affronted by his own narrative arc in a "if I had been the one in charge, I would've written it better!" way. Both of these stories are very dear to my heart and they deserve a million more hits.

+ Bonus!

Fics that definitely could/should be on this list but that I've recced before:

You are here by dharmashark

A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall by DisraeliGears

Prisoner One by ancientreader

As Time Goes By by Trouble_With_The_Snap

new topography series by brideofquiet

What I'm Looking For series by TessaBennet

Welcome Home, Son series by BeaArthurPendragon

I'm slowly working my way through my rec asks, so please be patient with me! Next up: Road Trip fics!

[1dcommunityficrecs]

Genfic!

Happy Singles Awareness Day to all my single pringles out there! Enjoy the half-price leftover chocolate, you deserve to treat yourself. And while you do, please enjoy the third community-sourced reclist, full of fics that AREN'T all about dating and love and sex and romantic happily-ever-afters (those stories are also great, but they can have the other 365 days of this leap year to be celebrated).

Please, leave a kudos, a comment, a reblog, a bookmark, whatever way you like to show your platonic love for these wonderful creators. And then, get ready for the next category -- community-suggested and community-voted!

That's The Way Love Goes by red_panda28 (8800, Not Rated, Louis Tomlinson & Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson & Niall Horan) - fic post

Liam is going through a break up. Louis remembers his own break up in the past

Reccer says: at its core it's a Larry fic, but the main focus is on Louis friendship with Liam (and Niall)

There's Nothing In Our Way That Can't Be Moved by LiveLaughLoveLarry (2770, General, None)

Based on We Made It from Walls. Louis reflects on the people who have stood by him through thick and thin, and how far they've come.

Reccer says: This fic reminds me how proud I am of Louis and everything he's fought to accomplish -- and I'm so proud to be able to support him and watch him flourish.

Pals and Confidantes by yeah_alright/uhoh-but-yeah-alright (2500, General, Niall Horan & Liam Payne & Harry Styles & Louis Tomlinson) - fic post

Golden Girls AU - Older OT4 friends sitting around eating cheesecake and sharing their worst date stories

Reccer says: I love that it's all dialogue - written like a script. So fun and funny! Great golden girls vibes with so many fun 1d tidbits sprinkled throughout!

Virginia is for Lovers by haztobegood (1700, General, Niall Horan & Harry Styles) - fic post

Harry and Niall go hiking in the Appalachian Mountains.

Reccer says: A short and sweet canon compliant fic

For One of the Least of These by LadyLondonderry (6500, General, Horan & Zayn Malik & Liam Payne & Harry Styles & Louis Tomlinson) - fic post

The one where Harry, Liam, Niall and Zayn are witches and Louis is the fox with a curse.

Reccer says: This fic has excellent banter and hilarious hijinks as the boys try to break a magical curse

Housewives of Our Lives by homosociallyyours (500, General, Niall Horan & Zayn Malik & Liam Payne & Harry Styles & Louis Tomlinson)

A Girl Direction ficlet where ot5 gets together to watch The Real Housewives of New York together. Because it's gay and they're gay and why the heck not?

Reccer says: This fic is proof there should be more girl direction ot5 friendship fics. Their dynamic in this fic is incredible!

Rising to the Occasion by LadyAJ_13 (3800, General, Niall Horan & Liam Payne & Harry Styles & Louis Tomlinson) - fic post

OT4 participate in the Great British Stand up to Cancer Bakeoff

Reccer says: The friendly competition of GBBO combines with the playfulness of 1D for this wholesome treat of a fic!

bad luck to talk on these rides by wordsnnotes (10430, General, Liam Payne & Louis Tomlinson) - fic post Warnings: mentions of aphobia

Liam just started dating Zayn and is desperate to make a good impression on Louis, his best friend. But things are off to an awkward start.

Reccer says: The friendship that developed between them became so meaningful, and I loved the platonic love that grew between them.

A Special Bond by Neondiamond (1110, General, Harry Styles & Niall Horan) - fic post

Niall and Harry take Harry's daughter Lilah out to see the Christmas lights over London.

Reccer says: It's very cute and sweet, both Niall and Harry dote on little Lilah. The linked pictures add a neat multimedia element as well!

[umbraastaff]

I am desperate to know the first time Taako flirted with Kravitz and Lups reaction, like does she pull a Why Can't You Just Be Normal(tm) or a GET IT GAY BOY

taz atla au

"You take me, and you leave these people alone," Lup says.

"It's two for the price of one," Taako adds. They'd nearly been able to get this guy, but two of them versus a shipful of firebenders while trying to keep anything from hitting the dozen or so villagers behind them-- that was a little too much. But breaking out of a dinky little ship like this on their own? That they can do.

"I only need the avatar," says Prince Kravitz, brow furrowed.

"That's cold," Taako says. "I thought we really had something!"

Kravitz blinks, clearly shocked and a little flustered, even if that response has to fight out from under his serious and cold expression.

"Package deal," Lup counters Kravitz more directly. "I won't go without him."

"Fine. Who am I to turn up the chance at getting both of the last air nomads?" the prince concedes, and so they're both taken onboard.

--

Taako hears Lup inhale behind him, and in perfect sync, he ducks when she blows. The two guards escorting them are shoved away by her supernaturally strong breath and Taako's low sweep. Their hands are still tied, but that doesn't stop them from fleeing through the halls of the ship.

"Where's my umbrella?" Lup demands, kicking doors open as they go. Taako stoops to pick a knife off one of the stunned soldiers, and they cut each other's ties. Then she sees her umbrella in another room and slips inside.

The door shuts behind her before Taako can follow. He hears Kravitz's muffled voice inside, and then the distinct sounds of Lup treating him like the idiot he is for challenging an airbender in close quarters, including a body slamming into the wall.

Lup opens the door with a furious grin and bolts for the deck. Taako lingers only long enough to say to his stunned form, "Too bad I'm not the one you're after, 'cause I'd drop by anytime, handsome!"

Above, Lup points her umbrella at the only remaining person on ship-- that mustached gnome, who looked to be waiting for her to get back up here. But faced with her threat, he only raises his hands in surrender, face impassive.

Taako gets there seconds later. They cling together in a practiced way, her outstretched umbrella flies open, and the two are swept away on a gust of wind.

"Prince of the fucking Fire Nation, huh?"

"At least I have standards," Taako retorts. "I mean, Barry? Really?"

"That's nothing, and also shut up, and also be respectful because I'm in mourning because we're never gonna see him again."

"You sure about that?" Taako asks, gesturing with his toes to the smaller boat being rowed towards them.

[try-set-me-on-fire]

AAAAAAHHHHHH okay I changed my mind the 'pretend they're not dating' idea please!!!

Hahahaha okay so I have like? Set pieces? That I plug into various aus sometimes? One of them is a specific burn injury of Eddie's (it's made an appearance in this soft prompt drabble which in itself is secretly part of proposal fic au). They're fighting a fire in a big building, the floor goes out from under him, he's knocked unconscious so can't move himself out of the flames and it takes a minute to get to him so he ends up with pretty severe burns on his arm and thigh, a little less bad on his side.

The concept for this fic is that he's laying in the burn unit really out of it and in excruciating pain and he begs for his mom and Buck, who is his emergency contact and power of attorney and who also has been his boyfriend for a while, is like fuck. Fuck. I have to call his parents. So Ramon and Helena, who Eddie is NOT out to and who have no idea how big a role Buck has in his and Christopher's life, come to town to help in his recovery. So Buck has to like sneak around his own life, like he's already living with Eddie at this point and his stuffs all over their house and Christopher treats him like a second parent because he is one and he sleeps in Eddie's bed and he has to find excuses for it all. I'm staying here because Eddie's hurt. I care for Christopher because me and Eddie are real good friends. Eddie can't move too well right now so I'm sleeping by him in case he needs help in the night, we all share a room in the bunks at work, ha ha.

So he's exhausted dealing with lying to Eddie's parents and also with Eddie's injuries and how much pain the love of his life is in (he usually changes the bandages but there will be a scene where Eddie asks Maddie to do it just to give Buck a break, which Buck later feels inadequate about) and of course he feels guilty that Eddie got hurt in the first place even if there's nothing he could have done, and like Eddie's parents aren't stupid it's pretty clear how much Buck loves their son and Helena confronts him about it and how she thinks he shouldn't be taking advantage of the situation to be close to Eddie like this and Buck doesn't know what to say because. Eddie never came out. He didn't tell his parents about them for a reason. So he doesn't even defend himself he just heads off to work and has a bit of a breakdown there. Meanwhile Helena is telling Eddie he shouldn't let his gay friend take so much liberty with him and Eddie damn near shouts the house down injuries or no, and is horrified that she might have said something like this to Buck, who he declares is his partner, who he loves so dearly, who he intends to marry some day.

And so Buck comes home to find Eddie's parents are at a hotel or Pepa's house or just somewhere not here for a little bit and they have some time to themselves and Eddie is getting better he's a little stronger now he's sitting on the couch and doing okay, they're going to be okay and he's sorry for whatever she said and he's sorry for what a mess this all is and Buck forgives him for all of it because it doesn't really matter as long as Eddie is alive and here with him.

But it does kind of matter, Eddie and Ramon have been really working on their relationship the last few years and Eddie is kind of shocked at how poorly Helena took this and he wants to like just talk to them. He'd love for them to be happy for him because this is the happiest he's ever been. He'd love for them to like Buck because he's here to stay for good. He was planning on telling them eventually and he expected better from them and he tells them that, and that they can still be a part of his life and he'd like that but they better be willing to accept all parts of his life. So they're still in town but they're at the house less and it's kind of weird and awkward and bad sometimes but Buck can stand up for himself a little more and Buck and Chris and Eddie can live their lives how they actually live them and Eddie's parents can see what a good life they've built here and eventually when they leave back to Texas it's not on the Best terms but it's not awful either. They'd like to come to the wedding, whenever that may be, if Buck and Eddie would have them there. Maybe they will. It's something they'll figure out together.

So yeah more emotional and physical meat grinder content from me your pal ahshshhs I just like drama! I like when people intentionally and unintentionally hurt each other! I like to stress poor Buck out!

[seventeenlovesthree]

Since I've been talking about headcanons/AU possibilities so much, here is still one of my favourite sexuality headcanons for Koushirou.

He did tons of research on sexual attractions to figure out how his own attractions work - because he absolutely didn't understand all the back and forth between some of his friends or the fawning of certain people around him displayed towards certain individuals. Sure, he adored and appreciated his friends himself, some more than others, but "why do some people get so extreme about this?"

As he experiences his teens in the early 2000s, sexuality terms aren't as widespread yet, but he still has access to a lot of spaces and resources - to some degree, it still confuses him that terms about asexuality do seem to apply to how he feels. On the other hand, while his whole character arc had always been about accepting himself how he was, he would take his time to come to his own conclusions. If we take Tri into consideration, that actually makes perfect sense! The conclusion he might come to is "I only fall for people close to me, regardless of gender (= demisexuality)" but for now, he also still feels he has to conform to heteronormativity for at LEAST a few years.

The idea here is that he texted a lot with Mimi throughout the years since Adventure and since she had moved to America in particular - and felt more and more attracted to her self in text and thus, naturally, started liking her physical appearance too. (Because, duh, look at her!!!) Once she came back to Japan, there were some hiccups between them, as they may not have been as compatible emotionally with each other's rl!selves at this point in time. (And it may also explain his weird reactions to Jyou scolding him for having "the ladies hate him", because he may be frustrated with himself. "This is exhausting, I do like Mimi-san, but this is not working out and I don't understand why.")

Until his early to mid-twenties (2010 onwards), he will have embraced the "it probably doesn't even matter whom of my friends I'm attracted to" attitude, but he is not pushing it, just naturally lets the course take place. That's also why he eventually becomes so comfortable with Mimi again - but he had to become comfortable with himself first.

In this context, I also personally like to use the infamous "Koushirou likes Taichi a little too much" quote, because Taichi will always be his gay awakening in my book. Which, in context of how Taichi treats him, enables and encourages him, makes perfect sense to me again. But Koushirou suppressed these feelings and never pursued them romantically as a teenager aside from maaaaaybe that one love letter incident, who knows, because, ya know, best friend pining angst. And since we're already at tropes, I love the "one fell first, the other fell harder" trope for them, though actually: Koushirou is the one who consciously falls first. Taichi doesn't realize it for YEARS and then it hits him even harder. It works the other way round too, but that one is my favourite scenario.

Long story short, you CAN apply his demisexuality to a lot of other Chosen Children as well, but to me, Mimi and Taichi will always be his awakenings.