#both of the androids are but 17 way more than 18

[strawberrycakelove]

In defense of Chichi

ChiChi gets very little credit and recognition as a martial arts teacher and martial artist herself, just look at how Goten is not only well trained but apparently has much better emotional training than Gohan. Both Piccolo, who is from the Namekian warrior class, and Goku, who is a Saiyan (and now after the film Broly we discover that he is also from the warrior class, as the film shows that there are Saiyans who are not of that class, will that side " Gohan's nerd" came from this characteristic of Saiyans?), they hope that Gohan, being half-Saiyan, discovers his warrior instincts on his own and with him comes an instinctive willingness to fight and he an emotional control, which apparently, none of the two needed training, as it is innate to them, and both assumed wrongly, each in their own time, that Gohan would have it. And even though Goten is a child - 7 years old - during the Buu saga, despite being younger than Trunks and having less strength (by a very small margin) and not knowing how to fly, he has more emotional control and better controls his impulsiveness, better than Trunks, who has been shown to be worse at this than his Future counterpart even. Future Trunks isn't exactly excellent at doing this, he also shows this trait of impulsiveness that present Trunks has, so much so that much of his apparent "control" is very well portrayed as a product of reluctant and hasty anxiety (read : trauma) - the same one that makes him step forward and attack Cold and Frieza before Goku arrives and retreats in the face of Vegeta's stupid decisions - it is very well characterized that he only "controls himself", in an unstable way, because he was pressured by necessity to survive, because of his brutal reality, and because he has not been properly trained, his "control" is a result of trauma and the need to survive that his present counterpart does not have (and it is funny to see how exactly by not being anxious like future Trunks is, that present Trunks is so impulsive LOL). And Trunks' decision-making process is as bad as Vegeta's, the difference is that he makes terminal decisions because he doesn't have the desire Saiyan for battle and because killing quickly is the only safe decision he knows, All of the rest he is not sure of absolutely anything, insecurity that present Trunks does not know, he is sure of everything, because he is rich, spoiled and has everything, which is why his impulsiveness runs wild. ChiChi gets very little credit for how well Goten is trained and disciplined, especially emotionally, as he doesn't have the insecurity about fighting that Gohan had. It is true that he was not pressured by the need to survive and learn to fight in a hurry like Gohan and Future Trunks, and it is exactly this pressure that harmed their ability to make decisions in moments of pressure, which Goten did not do in the Buu saga, when ChiChi died, he wanted to take revenge, but he quickly recovered and accepted Piccolo's guidance, to train more and become stronger. He is not taken by the fear of inexperience and not knowing what to do in a battle, the moment arrived and he did not lose his there, not even when he was already pressured by Gohan's apparent death and after ChiChi's death when Buu killed in front of your eyes. As I don't have the patience to make prints of manga scans, and there would be MANY IMAGES, if you want to check them out, the chapters will be listed below, read them and draw your own conclusions: 354 - Future Trunks impulsively attacks the androids when Vegeta has his arm broken, scaring Piccolo and putting his life at risk, he does the same thing as his 8-YEAR-OLD counterpart from the present

~466 (Buu Saga) - His present counterpart does the same thing, but it's more understandable, here Trunks is 8 YEARS OLD compared to his future counterpart's 17/18 years

381 - Vegeta makes the stupid decision to let Cell complete himself by attacking Trunks, Krillin here is no better, and Trunks only decided to act when it was too late, even though he knew that Vegeta was terrible at making decisions.

383 - Trunks at least considered himself stronger than Vegeta and Krillin says he knows too, as he has more experience in sensing the power of others, but Trunks decided not to interfere in the battle and kill Cell before he was perfect because he didn't want to hurt his pride. Vegeta, and it was disastrous, because once Cell found 18 he was very efficient and Trunks didn't stand a chance. here Krillin even points out his subservience to Vegeta. (which lack of affection doesn't do, it clearly shows your lack of emotional control)

384-Trunks showing a little more how bad he is at making decisions, and only because he wants to preserve Vegeta's Pride.

Boo Saga

488 - Here it shows how Gohan, when he loses control with the Supreme Kai, and almost wastes the ritual (and only calms down because he sees that the old man wasn't bluffing), and being older, has less emotional discipline than Goten, who in the same chapter sees ChiChi die right in front of him and manages to control himself after hearing Piccolo's warning (Goten is still able to follow instructions here, when Gohan barely does so and his later fight with Buu only proves this) and begins his training immediately, while Trunks is more bothered by food, it shows how ChiChi trained Goten very well (and Gohan already went through a similar experience on Namekusei),

Goten is 7 years old and doesn't lose control at the risk of ruining everything, and it's not because he's more mature or makes better decisions or has more experience (as shown by Gotenks), it's because he has emotional control and has been well trained by Chichi. Chichi deserves more recognition!

Bonus:

366 - Read this chapter, it shows that Chichi is not as irrational as TOEI made her seem, she allows Goku to train Gohan and asks him to make him as strong as possible.

371 - Check out the cover, LOL. Future Trunks is just as rude as his present counterpart LOL, the animation makes him very "clean" and polite, but he's not so much LOL, he's just submissive.

377 -Read this chapter, Goku ISN'T DUMB, he learns when it suits him, he even remembers details when it's about things that interest him.

387 - Here he demonstrates all his experience and accumulated knowledge as a martial artist

Buu Saga

470 - I love Bulma's parents, they love animals and wouldn't leave them behind. It has nothing to do with it, but I couldn't help but notice it!

479 - Goku's dirty deal, LOL, he is neither innocent nor stupid LOL. The Supreme Kaioshin here talks about the 25-hour ritual! LOL, Gohan can spend hours studying yet another ritual he can't handle. LOL. Goku is a terrible decision maker, but he knows how to get what he wants.

492 - Goku teasing Shin LOL, he makes fun of anyone when he can.

[peskellence]

More Than Want

Explicit content (18+)

Pairing: RK900/Gavin Reed

Tags: M/M, Dirty Talk, PWP, Oral, Dom/Sub Undertones, Praise Kink, Sexual Fantasies

Read on AO3 here:

Summary: After a heat-of-the-moment kiss, Gavin finds himself increasingly preoccupied with fantasies of what might have happened next if his partner hadn't run away.

A smutty one-shot that takes place shortly after the events of Chapter 17 of More Than Our Parts (Can also be read as a standalone fic).

Word Count: 1.5K

Gavin sat on his bed, fingers digging into his sheets, as he let out a long grunt of frustration. It didn't seem to matter what his partner did; he always succeeded in getting a rise. Like he'd been specifically engineered to push his buttons and test his composure. Each cold stare and sharp word came peppered with fleeting glimpses of warmth and fondness. It had left the detective floundering for weeks, grappling to understand what his partner was: Human or machine. 

He found glimpses of both in the way Nines kissed. All the warmth and fragility of a person, coupled with movements that seemed to continuously adapt and tailor to his needs. It had required some coaxing to get to that point, but once they had, it was like the android had tuned to his every want, knowing exactly what he desired at any given moment. Yet he still asked, in heated words, whispered against the shell of his ear. 

"Tell me what you want". 

He wanted to hear Gavin say it, to disclose each sinful detail of the way he wished to be touched. Unravelling under the grip of hands that could easily destroy him. 

Then it was over, as soon as it had begun - like one of the many fleeting fantasies that seemed to be taking permanent residency in the depths of his traitorous mind.

Lying back on his sheets, shaky hands fumbled with his belt before sliding it free from the buckle. He tugged down his zipper with the sort of urgency that only seemed to come with the burning desire his partner instilled in him. Jeans fell to his ankles, along with his boxers, as his hands found his aching arousal. 

He'd never been with someone like Nines and would have no idea what to expect. Each thought toyed with a different feature, as Gavin soon found the sense of discovery excited him more than anything else. After decades of sexual encounters, he was once again left to wonder. 

His newest fascination was his lips. How natural they'd felt in weight and texture, whilst sculpted to a perfection he had previously thought impossible. He wondered how they might have felt had they been given more time to explore. Trailing the expanse of his chest towards the line of his navel and coming to nestle between his legs. He imagined a tongue peaking between them and running up and down his length in teasing motions. 

Nines would be able to detect his responses. Knowing what to do without prompt or instruction. Despite this, he would remain adamant that Gavin speak to him: 

"Tell me how good it feels". The words in his mind were low and firm. Dancing the line between request and demand. "Tell me how much you want this". 

In the privacy of his room, Gavin felt a name slip from his lips. Small and desperate, as he quickened the movements between his parted legs. His eyes remained shut as he sunk deeper into the grips of his fantasy. 

"It feels so fucking good".

Nails dug into his thighs hard enough to leave bruises. He watched in awe as his partner took him into his mouth, drawing out moans with each of his long, rhythmic motions. Gavin's hips bucked forward, back arched as he sought to push further into his throat. The hands on his legs kept him anchored as Nines ensured his view of his face remained unobstructed.

Because the android would want to watch. Analysing his every move as he goaded each desperate pant and plea. Like a predator stalking its prey, waiting until he was most vulnerable before closing in to strike. 

Or perhaps he’d take a different approach. Using his connection to his partner's responses to mercilessly tease and edge. Coaxing Gavin to the brink of release, doing precisely what was needed before slowing down or stopping entirely. 

Adjusting his mind to this newfound narrative, he watched as Nines' mouth steadily pulled away. Maintaining just enough proximity that his lips brushed his skin as he spoke. "I want you to beg". 

In an act of defiance, Gavin chose to resist the command. If only to speculate on how his partner might respond. The answer, as directed by his own libido, came in the form of long fingers wrapping their way around his neck. Trailing teasingly along the skin before firmly applying pressure. 

"I can take your pleasure just as easily as I can provide it". Gavin could feel his throat closing off as his head began to swim from lack of oxygen. "Do not play games with me. Now beg". 

Through the increasingly focused tightness, he managed a hoarse "Please". 

"Very good, Detective", Nines praised as the grip on his neck loosened, and fingers began coaxing at his lips, forcibly parting them. "If you continue to behave, I will ensure you are suitably rewarded". 

Gavin moaned as the first of the digits slipped their way into his mouth, quickly joined by a second. He caressed them both with his tongue, making no effort to disguise his burgeoning eagerness. The android watched on, smirking, and slowly pulled himself upright, pressing his knees to the inside of each of his partner’s thighs. With a firm movement, he forced them apart, permitting himself greater access to the willing body writhing beneath him.

Removing his fingers from Gavin's mouth, he allowed his hand to drift tortuously down the expanse of his legs. 

The other man keened in response as his free hand began to wander amidst his fantasy. Having mirrored each imagined action, he blindly made his way to the junction between his legs, steadily moving back. 

"No one else can make you feel this way". Nines' hand drifted lower until his fingers were brushing against his entrance. "I want you to submit to me. Entirely". 

The only response that Gavin could muster came in the form of a low, drawn moan. It was all the invitation Nines required as he swiftly entered him. His movements were gentle at first, allowing his partner time to adjust before he quickly picked up the pace. Striking each of his nerves with skilful precision and leaving him at a loss to do anything but pant and groan - as he sunk further into ecstasy. 

Every time he tried to reach up, to needily tug at his partner's clothes, Nines would swiftly rebuff him. Reminding the man of his strength while also acting in service to the many blanks his mind had yet to fill. 

A second finger entered as Nines began to further coordinate his movements. Continuing the motion of his fingers, his other hand came to envelop his partner's neglected arousal, teasing it back to hardness in a matter of seconds. He was methodic and controlled, yet there was no detachment in the way he pleasured him. His focus remained firmly on Gavin, wanting the man to know precisely who he belonged to at that moment. 

"Look at me". Nines demanded, staring down with piercing eyes that had etched their way permanently into his mind. "I want you to look at me when you come". 

As the fantasy reached its conclusion, Gavin was beginning to come undone. A name slipped from his mouth again. Louder, trembling, as he hurriedly brought himself to release. It spilled from his cock, and painted his hand before his arms to fell limply to his sides.

He knew many of his questions could be answered without his partner's involvement. It was simply a case of indulging in the right explicit material or propositioning one of the thousands of androids that occupied Detroit. With enough searching, it was possible he could find one that looked like him. The same dark hair, grey eyes, and gentle dusting of freckles. It would feel so close, yet not enough, and the thought alone was enough to dissuade him. 

Once the high of his orgasm had faded, he was struck with a harsh, deflating reality. He wanted more than just to imagine. To speculate on how his encounter with Nines might have developed had he chosen to stay with him. To know the extent of the pleasure the android could provide and how he could seek to return the favour.

Maybe it would be different if his desire was born of some newfound preoccupation with machines. Some perverse, fetishistic curiosity - but deep down, he knew it was more than that. If he wished to put an end to his current fixation, an android would be strictly off-limits. Gavin would need to find other ways to satisfy his want, lest he risk prolonging the torture it was currently subjecting him to. 

[crusherthedoctor]

Surge may be terribly written, but you have to admit her storyline had potential.

Well I hate to disappoint you, but...

I don't think her concept is all that engaging. Same with Kit. And not just because I'm not the kind of guy who puts any value in "but it's dark tho" as if that means anything on its own, although that's certainly one factor, given this fandom's belief that dark instantly equals deep (see: zombot arc). Long story short, they're just Not-Android 17 and Not-Android 18. It's a copy-paste of the android sub-plot from Dragon Ball Z, and I've made no secret of my fatigue with the franchise's overeliance on aping DBZ for everything. I'm surprised they haven't introduced a Not-Cell who eats both of them. Actually, that wouldn't be so bad.

Now granted, I get the other main talking point behind Surge and Kit conceptually: muh introspective darker spin on Sonic and Tails' relationship. But what if I didn't ask for it. What if I think it has bugger all to actually offer. What if I think it's actively harming the way the actual Sonic and Tails relationship is being looked at by fans. Is it really worth it when the only thing people take from it is "OMG Starline is so much more evil than stupid silly Eggman".

Maybe the ideas surrounding Surge and Kit could have been written well in better hands. But that doesn't guarantee it would have interested me. I didn't care about Scrapnik Island after all, and that's a storyline that I can acknowledge was handled competently despite my apathy for the concept behind it.

[negative-citadel]

For the dbh ask game: 3, 14, 17, 18 💙

I'm apologizing ahead of time because I ramble like hell. LOL Thank you for the ask!

3. Which character do you relate the most to?

Aaaaah, almost really hard to answer. I relate to most of the characters in the game to some degree. Grew up in a broken home like Alice, taken in & cared for people like Kara. I can go on and on but if there's a character I really, really relate to - It's probably Luther, the protector, guardian, however you want to refer to him. He really deserves more lines but I can firmly say I can relate to giving everything in my power to see those around me be safe. I won't type an essay about it because my response is long enough but I can really relate to Luther in many ways.

In a way, I've also really related to Hank lately but I don't want to trauma dump on here or make anyone worried.

14. How do you feel about Kara’s role in the game compared to her role in the Kara short?

Admitly - I'm torn. I actually love both. When I first saw the Kara Short (as a bonus in Beyond: Two Souls), I thought it was AMAZING. I remember my brother and I saying "I wish they'd turn that into a full game". Lmao, and obviously they did. However, I feel in-game Kara is faaaaaaaar different than the Kara in the short. The short is, well, short, and says what it needs to convey and shows Kara moreso as an android that just wants to live life free, whereas in the game, Kara does have those wants, but her main goal is to protect Alice. I love them both and her story in the game is very much packed with the angst I know & love... It's hard to choose which I like more but the Kara short is probably better written (let's face it, it's harder to have plot holes in a 7 minute video rather than a long video game with branching paths).

17. Favorite moments of each playable character?

Oh I have sooo many but I'll try to narrow it down to 2 for each character.

Markus: I love his introduction with Carl. I know the subtext is bad but the moment Markus does his painting, always swells my heart (I think it's partially the amazing soundtrack that gives me emotions). All of the different arts he makes are just...sooo good.

However, I also ADORE crossroads & I love Markus making his way down to blow up the ship while rescuing any androids can. Oh the music, the action, I love it lol.

Kara: There's so many moments I love with Kara. The river endings always have me sobbing my eyes out lol (even if both Alice & Kara make it). I do love the humanity in when you enter the checkpoint and the soldier hands Alice back one of her gloves. I always found it really heartwarming.

Also, Kara talking with Rose. The two just feel like really close friends and Rose cares for Alice on the same level Kara does, I feel. At the final checkpoint at the border, I love Kara finally being able to cry & getting one last hug from Rose before you hopefully make good choices. LOL

Connor: Oh man, hard to choose but I will ALWAYS laugh at Connor breaking into Hank's house via the window...then "Sumo, attack! ...good dog." It gets me every time. Connor convincing Hank to go to the Eden Club in the most sly and manipulative way - I love Russian Roulette as a chapter so much. The depressing subtext is just, *chef kiss*. I love angst & I also love humor.

Then, the chase in the nest. Watching Connor just gun it and run, doing stunts that are impossible for a human being. The music, the action, watching our RK800 dash at probably 15 or 25 mph. Idk, I love it. I'm a sucker for it everytime. I also feel obliged to mention the "I like dogs" & the interrogation sequence. I'm a sucker for interrogation scenes in movies, games, etc. (I also love his little chat sessions with Amanda).

18. Which NPC gave you the most feels?

It's hard to just pick one! Rose gives me mega feels when she brings up how hard it's been since her husband passed. Alice for - obvious reasons. Hank's self destruction, past, addiction, I've seen it irl, I've been it irl. I feel so sorry for him. North - just thinking about her history. It is sooooooooo hard not to feel bad for all the NPCs. I really can't pick one. D:

Thank you for the ask! :D

[lobajustdoodles]

Official FAQ because why not! Time to explain a lot of things!

BIO

Hallo, I'm LobaJustDoodles / Mr Voidess! I'm an African American Genderfluid in the US; pronouns She/He/Vois/Luns, He/Him preferred along with masc. terms. I am a hobbyist artist and storyteller, working on AUs and OCs for fandoms and for my original projects. I recently graduated high school and aim to work in Forensic Science & Criminology in the later future in college.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Bluesky | Instagram | ToyHouse | UnVale | Telegram | Ko-Fi | Patreon

Q&A

Gen Questions:

Q: "What's your intended audience for your socials?"

I am more comfortable with people following if they are at least 17+. I really don't feel comfortable with anyone 14-15 or ageless accounts following my socials. My space is curated to my likings, and I will block to keep my space safe and enjoyable.

Q: "Why did you leave certain mutual / fandom spaces? And will you return to them?"

Short answer - My reasons. And no, I won't return. Long answer - Leaving mutual spaces and fandom spaces are different but are similar in a way. Most of the time, I leave these spaces because of how my motivation and things that happen offline that affect me, and with what I experience or see around that gives off a bad vibe. For past mutual spaces, 9 times out of 10 it's because of things that gave off a weird vibe and burnout and not feeling like I really belong in the area. For past fandom spaces, it's mostly because of how the fandom acts within the community and interacts with the main media. As for returning, I never try to go back to a space I, by then, feel uncomfortable with. At most, I unfollow/block and mute the things/people of the past and move on to new things. I highly suggest if you are someone I knew from these experiences and spaces, stop block evading and let me live my life.

Q: "Where are you most active?"

I am usually resting and offline, but when I am fairly online, I am in the comfort of certain discord servers. There is a community discord in the works, but that is only for Ko-Fi and Patreon. I have no desire to make a public discord, as I have a Telegram in case people ever wish to be within a public community space.

Q: 'Where do you post your art other than Tumblr?"

I mainly post on Bluesky and on Telegram. With Twitter and Instagram, however, I will post over on every month or so; every blue moon.

Q: "How can I support you?"

I have a Ko-Fi and Patreon! (both in heavy refurbishing!) For Ko-Fi, I plan to set up commissions there and sell adopts. You can also subscribe to my Ko-Fi membership tiers or simply send in a donation! For Patreon, this will be where I post most BTS things and other types of works! This space will become 18+ in the future so please, do not become a member if you are younger than 18! Despite these platforms, please don't hesitate to request a commission on my other main Tumblr, @venusphantasm where I will be posting a bit more there in between of posting here!

Q: "Can we be friends/mutuals?"

Please don't expect us to be friends for simply following each other. You have to drag me into your space and interact with me to be considered a friend/mutual of mine. If not, I will only see you as a fellow follower who either engages in the posts or lurks around (which is alright). Don't push trying to be friends, it makes you look parasocial and that's an easy block.

Art & Fandom Questions:

Q: "What tools do you use to do artwork?"

I use CSP (Clip Studio Paint) PRO; Vers. 4 and Procreate as art programs. I mainly use a Artist 13.3 Pro XP-Pen and iPad Air 3 or GalaxyTab Android tablet.

Q: "What brushes do you use?"

Fair warning: I am a brush hoarder. My brushes tend to flip flop around because of my sensitivity and stabilization. But my sets will be on Ko-Fi sometime later this month or in July!

Q: "Aren't you a yumeshipper?"

I am (mostly doing OC x Canon), but as someone who falls for characters physically and aesthetically very easily, I have my favorites: Lady Death - Roblox Pressure Lloyd Garmadon - Ninjago Ballora - FNAF Pierce - Aphmau: My Inner Demons Narinder / Heket / Shamura (separate) - COTL Longan Dragon / Lotus Dragon / Latte / Red Velvet (separate) - Cookie Run Alva Lorenz (Hermit) / Ithaqua (Night Watch) / Sangria (Opera Singer) (separate) - Identity V

Q: "How many OCs do you have for fandoms?"

Too many to count. Most of the time if I forget about them, I make new OCs in their place until I randomly remember them.

Q: "Do you still do PPT/SC (Poppy Playtime/Smiling Critters) content?"

Short answer - No. Long answer - I have been unmotivated to work on anything for these fandoms out of burnout, generally feeling uncomfortable with these fandoms or leaving mutuals spaces. Of course, I love the characters, and the OCs I have made for it, but I rather move to better fandoms for myself and my motivations. So, content for PPT/SC will not be happening. I enjoyed it but I'll be moving on from it nowadays.

Q: "Where's your stance on blocking people?"

I block freely and also if there is a callout post about someone. I try to block on all social media I have, but if I somehow missed one, let me know!

Misc:

Q: "Why the change from lavenders_artistry to lobajustdoodles/mrvoidess?"

My old account handle never sat with me and most of ex-mutuals knew me by "Lavender". I wanted to embrace my nickname "Loba" more, honestly. The "mrvoidess" is part of my personal online brand, "misspara_melontea"!

Q: "What's with "venusphantasm" Why do you always switch accounts?"

Out of comfortability and out of my random urges to be professional in a sense. Venusphantasm is a technical branch of my personal brand so don't be surprised if I post there and reblog stuff from there to here.

Q: "What is Hellfire Spiral and Nandi's Clock?"

Hellfire Spiral is a storyline of my personal interpretation of some biblical storylines and worldbuilding for both Hell and Heaven and the Earth. Yes, from a high distance, this looks like I'm rewriting Vivziepop's Hazbin Hotel. But I'm not and I wish to not have Hellfire Spiral be compared to a storyline that cannot stay in the concept that was originally thought of. Hellfire Spiral is essentially me being theistic satanist and pagan and diving into the biblical text on Wikipedia and other sources because why the hell not. Nandi's Clock is an OC storyline, branching away from an ex-mutual's witches/supernatural storyline because me and this person aren't in touch anymore. At most, this storyline takes all OCs I have made in the past and giving them a better purpose, if they're not being smothered into new fandoms I leech onto. My OCs are my children and as their parent, I put them in chaotic situations. Both original projects do have a tag, but I will rarely post anything on them. And Nandi's Clock is in my Unvale!

Q: "What's with you drawing characters, mainly women, hot?"

You're in the space of an aroace omni-sapphic that gets attraction physically and aesthetically. Also, I just do, lol-

[randomclam24]

(cont.) Pretty simple premise, defeated execution to great evil By "human music" engineering, corporations to what extent are now equate to the family unit? That's why we're first focused on Kelloggs

Reality: we can't afford the "concerned" association because cancel mob uptakers

Update ">this expresses 2000’s vibes without trying too hard and i love it." Guys, did you know that not trying too hard was all you had to do? Damn >No they say you'll get no views

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =s_SZQxos6k0

Update - Isn't the education game song just FNAF by Living Tombstone With jews, you lose The reason I bitched about Quake Epsilon is that it wouldn't quite run well enough on my old computer. Now I have a non old computer

"SWEET MOTHER OF PEARL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! B-Bulma, you've decided that I'm too INADEQUATE to please 18, so you're going to DRILL her with a CUTTING EDGE STRAP-ON??!?!??? And this isn't just ANY dildo, it's- made from ANDROID 17!!??!!? And his CONSCIOUSNESS is INTACT??!!!? He'll do WHATEVER IT TAKES to make his sister HAPPY???!!!? T-That's why…the EJACULATION PHASE has a PROGRAMMED NUCLEAR BLAST??!!!??!! You're both going to ENSURE that 18's FINAL MOMENTS are that of IMMENSE PLEASURE, as opposed to the MUNDANITY derived from my INADEQUACY??!!!??! And the FALLOUT……..rather than NORMAL radiation, it will leave behind a GIANT CLOUD of BULL PARTICLES that will ENVELOP THE EARTH??!!??!! EVERY LAST PERSON will mutate into a HULKING BRUTE ready to DOMINATE the WEAK……….except for ME!???!!!??? I'll have NOWHERE to RUN, NO WAY to HIDE, and ABSOLUTELY NO RECOURSE from the ONSLAUGHT of HELLFIRE rained down upon me by THE NEW ALPHA ECOSYSTEM??!!??!! My BULLYING will be SO THOROUGH that it will be considered a NEW ERA of MANKIND??!!!?? YEARS on the CALENDAR will be marked BK and AK……..BEFORE KUCKLIN and AFTER KUCKLIN!!!????!!!?? You even hypothesize that REVOLUTIONARY STRIDES in SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY will be made ALL in the name of STRETCHING MY ASSHOLE as WIDE AS POSSIBLE?!!???!!?!!??!! YABBA DABBA DOOOOOOOOO, THE FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Update - Right yeah I have to update I wouldn't play Quake Epsilon except the Arcane Dimensions build they have on moddb https://www.moddb.com/mods/quake-epsilon-build/downloads/more-dimensions-epsilon-build-v101 I don't know how you set it up

[pushovermediacritic]

It really does depend on what type of fighting game you're trying to make. FighterZ isn't less valid for having Yamcha and Kid Buu both be competitively viable. That's partially because it balances the roster in-universe by having Android 21 use a machine that turns off everyone's ki, and the only way for them to fight is if you, the player, possesses their body and unlocks their powers for them.

But also a more inherently unbalanced game like Budokai Tenkaichi is also a valid route, and it feels more accurate to the series.

Personally, I think there is a viable middle ground, and it's in the style of Supersonic Warriors 2. Supersonic Warriors 2 has a "point" system, where every character is inherently worth a certain number of points from 1 to 7, and teams are restricted to a certain number of points per team. So you can either make a team of mid-tiers, or a few low-tiers and a top-tier.

Of course, the actual execution of the point system is a bit iffy:

1: Kid Gohan, Dr. Gero, and Ginyu

2: Freeza, Krillin, 18, and Base Trunks

3: Base Goku, Base Vegeta, Piccolo, and Mecha Freeza

4: Adult Gohan, SS1 Trunks, Semi-Perfect Cell, and Cooler

5: SS1 Goku, SS1 Vegeta, Base Gotenks, and Metal Cooler

6: SS2 Teen Gohan, Perfect Cell, Fat Buu, and Broly

7: SS3 Gotenks and Super Buu

Some characters are obviously too high or low than canon suggests they should be. But I always thought this was a nice compromise. Super Buu is still obviously and deliberately way more powerful than Kid Gohan, but Kid Gohan can do some damage and even beat Super Buu if you're really skilled. And obviously Gohan is much cheaper to slot on a team.

A modern interpretation of this system would probably need more tiers to accommodate DB and Super. I worked out one time that if you wanted to expand this to the whole series, keeping every single power gap consistent, you'd need roughly 60 points. Bulma would be worth 1 point, and Whis would be worth 60.

But if you wanted to keep the system smaller by generalizing the characters, I think you could go with a 10 point system.

1: Kid Goku

2: Adult Goku

3: SS1 Goku

4: SS2 Goku

5: SS3 Goku

6: SS4 Goku (Daima)

7: SSG Goku

8: SSB Goku

9: UIS Goku

10: UI Goku

And then every single other character gets placed on that scale based on which form of Goku's they're closest to. King Piccolo is a 1, Krillin is a 2, Freeza is a 3, Perfect Cell is a 4, Kid Buu is a 5, Buuhan is a 6, Android 17 (Super) is a 7, Golden Freeza is an 8, Orange Piccolo is a 9, and Jiren is a 10.

And then for team-building, it's a 3-v-3 team game, and you can choose what the point limit is per game. 15 would be the default, but you could set it higher or lower.

This is how I, personally, would handle a Dragon Ball fighting game.

This may not be your wheelhouse, but you always have such good insights into the Dragonball universe.

How would you solve the problem of making a dbz fighting game roster? Every game inevitably runs into the problem of character imbalance, which is antithetical to fighting games.

Goku wins. That what he does, it's the point of the whole franchise. So yeah it might be cool to have Chaiotzu go up against Freeza, but canonically those match ups just don't work, because ~who wins~ has an objective answer. And at this point there are so many versions of the main characters that a roster gets weird real fast. Gohan? Which Gohan? Age 5, 10, 16? You get the idea.

It leaves the games with the problem of trying pretend Raditz can 1v1 Buu as is, or just inventing techniques and transformations whole cloth. Which isn't bad on its own, it's certainly fun to imagine early DB characters leveled up to parity, but then it's basically something entirely new.

Obviously a large question that cant be answered definitively, but I'm really curious to know how you might go about it

Unpopular opinion, but I'm actually pretty cool with Dragon Ball fighting games being unbalanced. But that's because I'm not really into PVP gameplay, so balance isn't super important for me. For how to make a really well balanced fighting game, I'd have to defer to @pushovermediacritic, who knows a lot more than I do about the technical aspects of fighters.

My favorite Dragon Ball fighter is Budokai Tenkaichi 3, and that game was unbalanced as fuck. It's a game in which a well-played Kid Gohan can defeat Omega Shenron, but Omega's statted so much higher than Gohan that you really have to know what you're doing.

I like to use fighting games as a sandbox full of action figures to clicky clack against each other while doing my own storytelling. So for my neurodivergent ass, when it comes to rosters, I'll take quantity over quality. I'd rather have 500 characters who have to share a lot of attacks and movesets between each other than 20 perfectly sculped, entirely unique, properly balanced characters whose attacks are all precisely honed to pixel-perfection.

(Also, Dragon Ball rosters suffer from the fact that female characters are scarce and often obscure in the Dragon Ball series. For a small roster game, you're likely to get like 25 male characters and Android 18. If they have space for two women then Videl. But it's only on the super-huge rosters that you might see inclusions like Chi-Chi, Zangya, Selipa, or Arale. There's just not a lot of fighting women to pick from.

Though Caulifla, Kale, and Kefla are now a thing and are a big enough deal to warrant inclusion in smaller rosters, so that's pretty cool.)

[dbfandom]

Alright, characters and emojis.

As you know, the Japanese fandom really likes to use symbols to talk about characters, it's a way to code the language without showing up in search functions. These are usually used for shipping, but not always.

Some characters are more obvious than others, but for those who may seem a little far reached, I will write a small explanation.

Some are established fanon-accepted, but they're not really strongly claimed, so some artists will use the same emoji for different characters. (And as always if you like what I’m trying to do, consider buying me a drink or a doujin with ko-fi) (twitter version btw)

So here's my list for Dragon Ball (🐉) :p

Saiyans and half-saiyans:

Goku: 🥕 (Kakarot -> carrot) or 5️⃣9️⃣

Vegeta: 🥗

Broly: 🥦

Raditz: 🦔 (the hedgehog hair lol)

Turles: 🥬(Tullece -> lettuce) or 🍎 (because of the fruit obviously)

King Vegeta: 👑 or 🔱 (they aren’t super common)

Bardock and his squad: no established emoji that I've noticed, but 🍅 should be for Toma (Tora in English). 🌿 should be for Fasha (Selipa in Japanese, which are the syllables for parsley (pa-se-ri). I’ve seen someone use 🦀 or 🩸 (the headband) for Bardock.

Gine: 🧅 I’ve seen this one once!

Cumber: 🥒

Caulifla: I haven’t seen an established one that, but 🔥 works for her hair.

Kale: 🥬

Cabba: 🥬 yes Cabba (cabbage) and Kale (.. kale lol) share the same emoji. Context!

Gohan: 🍚 ("fried rice" as lunch; the term rice is used as a way to talk about the entire meal, even if it does not contain rice); for Future Gohan, you'll find it with the kanji 未 mi, from mirai (future). 5️⃣8️⃣ sometimes too. Add in 🐺 for the beast version!

Goten: 🍤(TENpura) sometimes 5️⃣🔟. Tenpura (tempura) is a type of fried food, and it's used for Goten because (go)ten(pura) (he's nicknamed "ten" by Trunks).

Trunks: 🐯(tora(nkusu); Tora means tiger); for Future Trunks, you'll find it with the kanji 未 mi, from mirai (future).

Bra: 👙 usually. Sometimes 👸

Pan: 🍞 (bread, obviously)

Earthlings:

Chichi: 🥛🍼(her name means milk; both are used)

Ox King: 🐂 (only seen it once, but that’s because I don’t see many drawings of him lol)

Bulma: 🩲(bloomers) but she sometimes gets 💙

Yamcha: 🐺 (wolf techniques)

Krillin: 🌰 (kuririn -> chestnut). Marron sometimes gets the same emoji

Videl: 😈 (Videl -> Devil)

Mr Satan: 🥇or 🏆. He’s the world champion!

Tenshinhan: 👁️

Chaozu: 👲(not super common but I did see it twice)

Launch: 🔫 but I’ve also seen 🎭

Roshi: 🐢

Farmer with a power level of 5: 🌽

Uub: I did see 🌴 used ONE TIME..

Maron: 🩱 I’ve seen it once.

Androids/Artificial humans:

Android 16: 1️⃣6️⃣ or 🤖

Android 17: 1️⃣7️⃣ or 🤖

Android 18: 1️⃣8️⃣ or 🤖

Cell: 🦗 grasshopper or cicada due to his first form. 🆑 and 🧬 have also been used.

Android 21: 🧁

Gammas: 1️⃣ / 2️⃣ or 🍓 (ichigo which is also number 1) and occasionally Γ or γ sometimes (not emojis but still lol)

Aliens:

Piccolo: 🅿️ or 🍏 (he gives apples to Gohan early on). ピ is also super common (it’s the first katakana of his name), but it’s not an emoji. 🍊 for orange piccolo obviously.

Nail: 🐌

Dende: 🫑 or 🌱 (seen it once..)

Frieza: ❄️ I’ve seen this one a couple of times. 🧊 and 🥶 are sometimes used too, for him, King Cold or Cooler.

Tapion: 🗡️

Gods and Kais:

Zamasu:🍵 (the tea he drinks)

Goku Black: 🌹 (a rose by any other name..)

Chronoa: 🕛 or any alternative like⌛️

Shin: 😏 I’ve seen this one used twice, but nothing definitive.

Fusions:

Gotenks: 👻 has happened a couple of times; (Ry has told me 🍩 is also used)

Gogeta: 🥐 (because of the jacket)

Vegito: 🍬 (because he's the strongest candy in the world in the Buu Saga).

Merged Zamasu: 🌀or ❇️

Kefla: 💥 (seen it a few times but not definite either)

Others:

Buu: 🍫

Janemba: 👺 (not super common)

Beerus: 🍺

Whis: 🥃 (😇 has also been used it seems)

Champa: 🍾 or 🥂

Special thanks to Whirly for nudging me to compile further and to Popo and the twitter folks for using those emojis religiously haha

[sweetescapeartist]

DR. GERO'S ATTEMPT TO RECREATE HIS FAMILY

(This has been in my drafts since June 25th 2022. 😅 I hope you enjoyed it & sorry if I over explain things. I'm trying to do that less often.)

The Red Ribbon Army took photo ID of Gero, Vomi, & Gevo. The photos on file appear to be around a time before their death, relaying that Vomi & Gevo passed away when they were relatively young. And Gero loved his family so much so that his goal was to bring them back through science & technology. Oddly enough... you kinda feel sorry for Dr. Gero.

Key word, "kinda." You cannot forget that he conducted inhumane experiments on two kidnapped teens for many years until they forgot their names and were turned into living weapons with bombs in their chest. Gero's a evil sick bastard. But, even evil ppl can love their own family.

GEVO; ANDROID 16'S TEMPLATE

Dr. Gero modeled Android 16 after his late son, Gevo. He was part of Gero's experiment to see if he could recreate his family. And #16 is a completely mechanical android made to be extremely powerful & was by far the strongest of the numbered Artificial Humans that Gero created.

When #17 & #18 wanted to release #16, Gero said that #16 was so dangerous that he would destroy the world, so he deemed him a failure. But, #18 finds it interesting that Gero kept this extremely dangerous "failure" around when Gero destroyed all the other failures prior to #16. Then, Gero stutters & makes up more excuses. This makes you wonder why did Gero keep #16 around. 🤔

In a Q&A that is now common knowledge, Toriyama revealed that #16 is modeled after Dr. Gero's son. Then, Toriyama explained that Gero did not want the mechanical recreation of his son to be destroyed in battle, so he gave him a gentle personality. This gentle personality resulted in #16 being deemed a failure & Gero had him placed in a special chamber for safe keeping.

[Link to the Q&A here.]

But, why did Gero install a bomb inside a robot replica of his son? Because Gero placed explosive devices in all the artificial humans that he made. It was a safety precaution to assure that his creations/weapons would not turn against him or fall into the enemy's hand. The bombs were also be used as a last resort against an enemy that is too powerful.

I find it amazing that Gero gave the fully mechanical #16 his own unique personality & made him sentient. In a sense #16 was a living machine. Gero was an extremely intelligent guy to be able to create artificial consciousness.

GERO; MECHANIZED HIMSELF

Dr. Gero also decided to turn himself into a cyborg in the present timeline because he desired eternal life, becoming #20.

(Its unknown if Future Gero turned himself into a cyborg because it is not shown in the manga. But, the filler sections of the anime depict him as a cyborg.)

Gero wanted to live forever in a world ruled by the Red Ribbon Army, and he wanted to do so alongside his family. Thus, he began recreating them. But, Gero only progressed to creating a robotic replica of his son & mechanizing himself.

VOMI; ANDROID 21'S TEMPLATE

Vomi is canon to the main DB continuity.

Bio-Android 21 is only canon to the video game continuities. (Specifically FighterZ, but she appears in Xenoverse 2, Dokkan Battle, & DBZ: Kakarot too.)

The creation of #21 was different from converting a human into a cyborg, & far more advance than how #16 was made completely from mechanical parts. Bio-Android 21 was an absorption-type created by Gero's computer in a similar way that Cell was, but modeled after his late wife. #21 was created from the combined DNA of highly intelligent humans as well as the strongest humans. But, Gero's computer also added cells from Majin Buu for more strength, resulting in her Majin 21 forms.

Perhaps bio-androids like Cell were the next step in Gero's plan to recreate his family while creating himself a new bio-organic body after his cybernetic one.

THE IRONY...

Vomi & Gevo were not a good people (that we know of) & both worked for the Red Ribbon Army. Ironically, the artificial human versions of themselves ended up being good people. Dr. Gero's immediate family were evil ppl. Except for his other son...

- THE UNNAMED SON -

Although he had another son, Gero did not have a close relationship with him. His unnamed son resented his father and the Red Ribbon Army & disassociated himself from his father.

It is mentioned in DBS: Super Hero that the parents of the 24 yr old Dr. Hedo had died when Hedo was young. And Hedo was 7 yrs old when his grandfather, Dr. Gero, was killed by #17. This indicates that Hedo's parents may have died shortly after the Cell Saga. Meaning, Dr. Gero did not recreate his other son because Gero was killed before his other son passed away. And because of their strained relationship, Gero may not have even recreated this son if given the opportunity.

AN INTERESTING DETAIL + SPECULATION

Gero: A pun on the Japanese word for "vomit."

Vomi: A pun on the English word "vomit."

Gevo: This name is interesting. It combines the "ge" & "vo" of his parents' names, and Gevo's name pun is still on a Japanese phrase for "vomiting."

Hedo: Yet another "vomit" name pun. But, this one references the word "反吐" which is "anti-vomiting" medicine.

Haku?🤔: If ever revealed, perhaps this will be the name of Gero's other son. The kanji for Haku is "吐" & also means "vomit." And what makes this theory of mine interesting is that Hedo's name pun consists of this character, but in front of it is the kanji "反" that means "anti." If Haku is the name, then the father's name is within the name of his son.

[actuallysaiyan]

Congrats on reaching 2K followers! You deserve all of them and even more :D Can I please participate in your event? PLEEEEASE?! Here's all my info:

Name/Nickname: Corethra (Corey for short)

Pronouns: She/her

Personality Traits: Mutable, rebellious, foul-mouthed, sassy/snarky, affectionate, understanding, empathetic, sensitive

Personality Type: I have multiple different sides to my personality and can be different things to different people. At first glance, I seem quiet and nonchalant, being a complete loner and keeping to myself. But once someone gets close to me and I get comfortable in my environment, I start to show my true colors in various ways depending on the person. I can be kind and sweet or snarky, foul-mouthed, and sassy. Going from 0 to 100 is pretty common for me especially since I'm more sensitive than I care to be. I also can be quite affectionate verbally and physically towards people I like and consider my friends and will fight tooth and nail for them if need be. I'm rebellious and march to the beat of my own drum, not afraid to disobey social norms or to challenge things I don't like. I have high standards for both myself and others and I also have a high moral compass with core values that I refuse to violate no matter what.

Star Signs: Pisces Sun, Pisces Moon, Gemini Rising, and Venus Capricorn

Favorite Things To Do/Hobbies/Passions: Anime, video games, food, collecting things, YouTube, Spotify, reading/writing

Fandom: Dragon Ball Z

Who I Love Most: Android 18

Who I Hate Most: Frieza

Matched With Man or Woman?: Man please!

Smut or not?: YES PLEASE

People I Don't Want To Be Matched With: Characters like Frieza, Cell, Majin Buu, etc

Ideal Date: Anything involving food, video games, or anime will do! Also deep conversations and some affection!

My Life In...

Dragon Ball

After extensive research, we have concluded that you are best matched with... ANDROID 17! Congrats!

In this universe, you run a dojo and Android 17 helps you teach your students. You're both passionate about conservation of animals and you gladly help Android 17 with his passion as well. Here is your love story...

Matched with: Android 17 Skills/career: You’re a strong fighter that fights with the Z fighters often, and you teach martial arts to your loving students at the Dojo you work at. Song: Summer Breeze by Seals and CroftsBest Friends:Android 18, Goku, Tien, Trunks and Bulma.Love at first sight: It was a mutual pining, but the love came later.

How you met: After everything that happened with the androids, you found yourself picking up where you left off. Your dojo was in ruins, but you and the students did well to fix it up. When you first met Android 17, it was at his sister’s request.  He was lacking a purpose in his life, and she thought maybe you’d be a good friend to him. He came to watch you teach at your dojo, and he found you to be so energetic and so well spoken. Your students loved your energy and they were easily inspired by you. And he was entranced by your beauty. 

How you fell in love: It was gradual between the two of you. Lots of mutual pining behind sarcastic remarks. He couldn’t keep you off his mind at all. You were the only person who made him feel so different after everything that happened. You made him feel like an actual person with purpose. It didn’t take too long once he admitted it to himself that he liked you for him to ask you out. You were so surprised by his forwardness. Usually he liked to be a bit more timid with some people, but with you he needed to show you how he felt about you.

Your first date: Android 17 got help from Krillin and his sister. They helped him get some reservations at this restaurant that they knew you liked. He came to pick you up and the two of you took a cab to the restaurant. He was so sweet the whole time. You had his complete undivided attention. He made you laugh, but he also opened up to you and told you about his life. By the time the two of you were on your romantic walk after dinner, the two of you could barely hold back on kissing one another. He just knew exactly how to get to your heart, and you to his.

Your first time being intimate: Though he wasn’t a virgin, it was a different experience with his new body. He could last so much longer and had the stamina to completely wear you out the first time he fucked you. It was unlike anything you’ve experienced as well. But what Android 17 wasn’t expecting were the deep feelings of love he had for you as he made love to you.

“Heh, I guess I was a little too rough,” He muses softly. You can barely think of anything to say.

Your brain is mush from the lust. Android 17 has been fucking you for a solid hour now, and you weren’t ready for all the passion to come from him. His cock is still sheathed within you, throbbing as he has brought you to another orgasm. Which one was it this time? Fifteen? Sixteen? You couldn’t quite remember. All you could think of was how good it felt to have his cock so deep inside of you.

“Hey, baby…talk to me. Do you need more of my cock?” Android 17 asks, thrusting shallowly. You let out a low mewl, and your eyes snap up to his. He chuckles at how cute it is when you’re fucked out.

“Need you so much more.” You plead. “Fuck me some more, please.” 

He doesn’t need anything else from you to start fucking you again. It’s a long and passionate night…

Where you are now: You and Android 17 are still together, and you still run your dojo. He likes to help you with teaching your students, and you help him with his animal conservation. The two of you work in harmony together, and there’s rumors that there may be a bun in the oven soon. He’s even planning on proposing to you, but he’s waiting for the right moment. He’s just so happy he has you and can live the life he’s always wanted.

General headcanons:

He’s the type to make sure you fall asleep first so that he knows you’re comfortable and you don’t need anything to help you sleep. It comforts him when you’re completely at peace.

Lazy Sundays with Android 17 are a must. He enjoys staying in and just having a lazy start to his day with you. Lots of cuddling and just spending the day doing the laziest things.

He enjoys quiet time with you at night as well. If you feel up to playing video games, he’s so interested in watching you play. He loves the feeling of being able to relax with you as much as he can.

Android 17 has nightmares about what happened with Cell and being absorbed. Even worse, he has nightmares of his life before becoming an Android. Only you can comfort him when he’s having these bad dreams and he’s so grateful for your presence.

He’s quiet a lot of the time, but he will never forget your birthday or anniversary and actually makes a huge fuss over these things. He will absolutely spoil you on these days and makes you feel like the only person in the whole world.

He will actually be ask Android 18 for a lot of advice on his love life and is a wonderful uncle to Marron. Android 17 and you often like to take care of her when Android 18 and Krillin need a night off together from being parents.

Sexy headcanons

The man is a machine, literally, in bed. He will please you like nobody else ever has or ever will. He knows all your favorite spots to be kissed and touched.

This man is so weak for your pleading. He never thought he’d be that into power play, but it makes him so horny. Let him take control from time to time, and he promises to rock your world.

But if you want to take charge, damn this man is also going to love that. Android 17 wants to see your strength. He wants to feel all the passion you have for him. He absolutely loves seeing this side of you.

He’s the king of aftercare. He’ll bring you anything you need. He loves to cuddle and make you something to eat if you need. He has ridiculous stamina and will make you feel so good afterwards as well.

 Mating press is actually his favorite position. Having you like this is absolutely his favorite thing in the world. He’ll hold you close and slam into you over and over so deeply. Something about this position makes him feel connected to you.

Android 17 would most definitely be interested in using toys. Maybe the two of you ask Bulma to build you some fun things, and though she’s a little unhappy about knowing about your sex life, she finds herself enjoying making the sex toys. 

[grasshopperdoingdogpaddle]

Audrey II, Kyuubey, Jigsaw, and Imperfect Cell making up that inner row?

Ravenously hungry, always wanting more and more to the point where he turns on his creator when he stops offering him what he wants and nearly ends the world (or does successfully end the world in one ending).

Apathetic, utilitarian to the point of cruelty. Despite claiming to be emotionless, still bemused at the actions of others and still relishes in some way in obscuring information and in

Mr. "I wanna play a game." himself, who sees near-death or actual death experiences as the primary way to teach people to appreciate life.

A being created in a lab to be the perfect warrior, the ultimate mix-and-match creation of an evil scientist, and yet, still distinctly lacking. Can regenerate any damage, grows stronger by fighting or by consuming others, and does so as it seeks out the perfection he was made for but not imbued with already. If he's feel strong, will play at being magnanimous and giving others a chance, but the second he feels an inch of an actual threat, will quickly discard his own rules and throw away any pretense of fairness.

The inner circle is concerning enough, but once we move to that outer layer...

I'll put these under the cut, partly for length,

and partly because I'm gonna slander a couple of these characters real quick.

The inclusion of Dio from Virtue's Last Reward tells me they're going be aggressively annoying jerks who will make me want to throw something against a wall. Just a massive lying scumbag. The worst. I can't even give an analysis here the memories have me seeing red. (I love how your onions are making me remember my playthrough of that game. I hate him so much.)

Light, self-righteous vigilante who will discard his own proclaimed morals for the sake of pushing for his idea of a utopia. The ends justify any and all means. Thinks of himself as far more noble than he is, but is honestly just a misanthropic fascist with delusions of grandeur. Says he dislikes how the world is run and wants to create a better one from the ground up, but his vision ultimately amounts to just placing himself at the top as a king with all power but no empathy or wisdom.

Okay, got the slander out of the way

Hansel and Gretel from Black Lagoon, creepy unnamed twin assassins. Uncomfortably close to each other. Unknown genders; frequently switch their presentations of it. Switch up their entire personas with each other at a whim, helps them feel less alone, as if they're always together as one. Love killing for killing's sake and think that adds to their own lifespans. Literally bath in the blood of their enemies. Mentally unhinged, but still cunning enough to manipulate, just not masters at it. Uses their innocent appearances when they can. And yet, still extremely tragic characters, with absolutely awful pasts that made them who they are. I wonder if this implies that any characters will be like Rock was to Gretel, a show of kindness that comes too late but still means something. Even Hansel's death was so pitiable. At the end, both just little kids acting out the violence that was done to them, who wondered why no one ever helped them and died scared and alone.

Androids 17 and 18 are the most surprising additions on here. Since they're the only ones on this list who ultimately get redeemed, I'm guessing that's not what they have in common with Hannibal's "children". But combined with the previous entry, I have to imagine that Hannibal wasn't exactly the nurturing type...

The Thing and the Triffid, classic horror movie monsters. Considering what was in Feng's neck, I think I can get what the inclusion of The Thing is alluding to. And since they called Hannibal father, I think I can understand what the inclusion of the mobile, carnivorous plant species from the Triffids is alluding to, too.

The Terminator seems to share a mission with Hannibal's children. Coming to the past to assassinate a specific person.

And Pennywise. Every nightmare ever had, every worst dream come true. Loves to strike fear in its victims and draw it own, because he thinks it makes them taste better. Never actually seen in its true form...

And now, in honor of chapter 16 of Fragile things, we round out the character onions with the last of them.

For the ones who call Hannibal Roy Bean "Father"

[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball Super 084

It’s Kriller Time.

Here’s a cute shot of Krillin doing his day job.  There’s other stills from this episode, but you can’t beat this one of him helping a cat out of a tree. 

So last time, Goku and Gohan agreed to recruit Krillin, Android 18, and Android 17 for their team.  They approach K18 and lay out the Tournament of Power, minus the whole “losing universes will get erased thing.”

Krillin’s skeptical because he just got back into martial arts, and an event like this sounds like it’d be way out of his league, but 18 tells him to do it, if only to justify the home gym he just bought.  If he’s not going to participate in wild stuff like this, then what was the point?

But 18 refuses to join the team herself, because there’s no money in it.  So Goku makes up a whole thing about the winning team getting 10 million zeni.  That’s only 1 million when you split it ten ways, though.  Oh, then it’s 10 million per person.  Honest. 

I gotta say, all these characters look gorgeous in this episode.  Awesome stuff.

I mean look at this close-up of 18!  Bellissimo!

18 is suspicious, but she can’t turn down 10 million zeni.  So they’re both in, except Gohan wants to test Krillin out first.

So they fly out to some islands that they can use as a ring, and spar there.  Meanwhile, 18 grills Goku about that prize.  He swears it’s 100 million zeni.  Wait, you said 10 million before.  Uh.... uh...

Krillin vs. Gohan goes pretty much how you’d expect, but Krillin breaks away and flies between Gohan and the sun, then busts out his new technique: 100x Solar Flare! 

It’s so intense that Gohan can’t even sense Krillin’s ki energy, allowing Krillin to slip behind him and knock him off the island. 

So Krillin passes the audition, and now Goku wants a turn, so they change venues to...

THE SATAN BUILDING

I can’t really do this fight justice, but I’ll try to describe it.  Krillin unloads on Goku, firing lots of ki blasts and Destructo Discs.  Goku can dodge them all, but it leaves him vulnerable. 

Krillin goes in for a punch, and while Goku blocks it, when he lowers his arms he finds Krillin has hidden himself.

And while he does find Krillin and manages to flush him out, he played right into Krillin’s hands.  Because not all of those Destructo Discs were aimed at Goku.  He used one to cut a hole in the helipad they’ve been fighting on, and when Goku moves into position, it gives way underneath him. 

So Goku powers up to Super Saiyan Blue...

And Krillin doesn’t back down.  Because Krillin has big brass balls. 

What’s better than this?  Guys bein’ dudes.

So Krillin holds out pretty impressively, but 18 knows he’s bitten off more than he can chew.  But in the Tournament of Power, he wouldn’t be fighting alone, so 18 jumps in to make the save, and kicks Goku’s blast away. 

They agree to double-team Goku to continue the match, or he can bring in Gohan if he wants to even things up.  But instead Goku stops it there, and admits that he learned something from this.  He hadn’t considered the teamwork angle of this, and that might have cost him dearly if he’d gone into the Tournament without that in mind.

But since he stopped the match, Marron concludes that this makes her parents the winners.  Goku’s like “Now hold on a minute!”   You’re not fooling anyone here, Goku.  You’re a loser.  The little kid said so, and they know what’s up.

Oh, right, and Goku asks 18 where he can find 17.  All she knows is that he’s working at an animal sanctuary, but he never said where it was, and she never asked. 

Anyway, this episode ruled.  I’ve said a lot of uncharitable things about this stretch between Zamasu’s death an the actual start of the Tournament of power, and I do stand by it, but there are some good episodes in all of this.  I just find many of them to be pointless, as they advertise an event I was already sold on way back in 2013, when Beerus first told Goku that there were 12 universes.  You don’t have to do a four episode saga about the search for 17.  Goku could just look him up in the Yellow Pages. 

But I am glad that they made good use of the characters in this one.  If we’re going to have a long stretch like this, at least some good stuff came out of it.

[jacquelinemerritt]

Dragon Ball Z: Abridged Episode 38 Review

Originally posted February 19th, 2016

Sometimes character driven storytelling can be pretty messy.

“Dr. Gero, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Androids” is, in my opinion, a great example of character-driven storytelling at its finest, as well as at its messiest. The episode begins with Dr. Gero having successfully escaped by attacking Bulma, Baby Trunks, and Yajirobe, and this escape fractures our protagonists.

Vegeta is pissed at Trunks after his revelation last episode that Android 19 and Gero were not the droids they were looking for, Bulma and Yajirobe want to leave the battle, and Gohan wants to check up on his father, leaving only Piccolo, Krillin, and Tenshinhan to chase after Gero. Trunks and Vegeta do eventually rejoin the Bald Trio at the lab, but it’s at the last moment, and only after we’ve seen Trunks plead desperately for his father to stop trying to fight and be berated in turn.

It’s a mess of an episode, if you’re looking purely at how difficult it is to progress from plot point to plot point, but it works because each character’s actions are based on motivations that have already been established. Vegeta is egotistical, sadistic, and unforgiving of failure, so as much as we might want for Trunks to convince him with reason that he should hold off on trying to fight the androids, it’s much more satisfying to see Trunks try and fail miserably (this in turn makes clear Trunks’ love for his father, as he’s doing everything in his power to save his life).

Gohan’s love for his father is similarly a valid reason for him to temporarily check out of the story with Bulma and Yajirobe, even though fighting the androids would most likely be easier with him present. Finally, Piccolo, Krillin, and Tien have all been established as fairly heroic, and so, with Krillin in particular, it makes sense that they would all chase after Gero: regardless of the danger, it’s the right thing to do.

This may not be the most efficient method of storytelling, but ultimately, even when it’s a tad slow, it’s all the more satisfying, as we get to see the relationships between these characters pay off in very big ways (and in this episode, Trunks and Vegeta’s relationship is the one with the best payoff).

Now, once our heroes find Gero’s lab, the episode shifts its focus completely to establishing our new antagonists, Android 17 and Android 18. This scene allows the episode to lessen its scope, and its storytelling becomes all the more effective for it, establishing Android 17 as a sly manipulator who can outmaneuver even the “genius” Dr. Gero.

This also provides an incredibly effective payoff to how underpowered Gero and Android 19 were, as these new androids, which Trunks confirms are the real threat, are able to take out Dr. Gero with three quick hits, where it took Vegeta ten to take out Android 19. They may look like the Grand Central Station of disappointment, but they’re clearly more powerful than anything our heroes have had to take on yet.

Rating: 4/5

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Stray Observations

Vegeta: “Love each other? Making a lot of assumptions here.”

Vegeta to Trunks: “I’m sorry, but I don’t listen to bastards.”

Bulma: “Oh my god, I solicited my son for sex.”

Trunks: “We both know I’m your son.” Vegeta: “Are you as disappointed as I am?”

Krillin Owned: We’re at thirty, thanks to Krillin having a one in 540,000 chance of running into Dr. Gero, and then running into Dr. Gero.

Android 17: “It’s just, every time you talked, all I heard was ‘Kill me, kill me, kill me.’ Think it’s gone now though.” Later: “Sorry Doc, just following orders.”

[autism-aint-a-flawtism]

Future Gohan Survives AU Part 4! The Return

It's been two weeks since Trunks left for the past. Two weeks. He should've been back by now. Bulma begins to get nervous. Gohan over there spends most of his time meditating. It's driving Bulma up the wall. She figured that being unconscious for years would make somebody want to be more active.

Bulma sits beside Gohan, who is currently meditating

"Do you think Trunks is okay?"

Gohan keeps his eyes shut, still trying to meditate

"Yes, Bulma. Trunks is completely fine"

Bulma looks at Gohan with confusion

"How do you know that?"

Gohan still keeps his eyes shut, still trying to meditate

"I don't. I have faith"

Bulma leans on Gohan's shoulder

"Do you think there's some way we could check on him?"

Gohan shakes off Bulma's head

"No."

Bulma punches Gohan in the stub

"Why aren't you more nervous?!?!"

Gohan opens his eyes and winces in pain

"Because Trunks is still stronger than I am you dick!"

Suddenly, Bulma and Gohan hear the alarm that Trunks is back. They both run over to the time machine to see how Trunks is doing. Hopefully he hasn't lost an arm. Gohan would be really bummed if Trunks had lost an arm.

When they got to the room holding the time machine, Trunks flew out to be hugged by Bulma. Trunks looked mildly annoyed. Gohan had a pretty decent guess why

"Hey mom! Ever meet dad?"

Bulma let out a sigh as Gohan is cackling in the background

"Okay, look, love is complicated."

Trunks looks over at Gohan

"And Gohan, when were you going to tell me you were a major nerd!"

Gohan puts his hand on his hip

"Sue me, I'm allowed to have my own childhood"

The three hugged each other. They were together again. At that moment, everything was okay again. These three felt like they could take on the world. All three of them finally had hope again. But Trunks still had one more question

"But seriously, mom, what did you see in him?!?!"

"A short, powerful person, desperate for attention! As a female scientist in her early 30's I could identify with that!"

Gohan gathers them in for a huddle

"Okay, Trunks. I want to see how strong you've gotten. So how about we go and finally kill those Androids?"

Trunks steps back

"Gohan, I'll take them on. I've gotten exponentially stronger"

Gohan gives Trunks a smirk and a fighting stance

"Spar for it?"

Trunks swept Gohan's legs

"No."

Trunks flew away to finally kill the Androids. And Gohan had a face of pure, concentrated pride. But Gohan's definitely going to have to ask Trunks to train him. Gohan figures that he's going to have to train with Trunks in order to catch up to him. He doesn't want Trunks to be leading the future. He's only sixteen. He wants Trunks to have the childhood he never had. But, Trunks has worked hard in the past. He's going to let Trunks have his win. Maybe he'll even bake a cake for him. He reminds himself to ask Bulma for cooking lessons. Bulma sends out camera drones to watch the battle.

Android 18 begins to throw out a heavy barrage of ki blasts at a building. She's letting out all of her rage on the building. It's borderline theraputic for her.

Android 17 lets out a chuckle to himself

"You know, sis, they say catharsis is actually bad for your health..."

Android 18 begins to let out her barage even more intensely

"AND SO IS CALLING ME A -AND I QUOTE- 'HO-BOT'"

Android 17 chuckles again under his breath

"I would've gone for 'ro-thot''

Android 18 finishes tearing down the building, the building only being a pile of rubble

"I'm not even an android! I'm a cyborg!"

"Duh, since you're a girl, you'd obviously be a guynoid, which is funny considering 'guy' isn't a-"

An old man shoots Android 17 directly in the face. The bullets obviously bounces off. Android 17 swears under his breath

Android 17 begins to walk towards the old man, trapped under a car with only his upper torso free

"Not a bad shot, pops! You must be real popular at the shooting range!"

Android 17 gets face to face with his assualter

"I, on the other hand, have terrible aim. I gotta get real up close, see?"

Android 17 takes his assualter's gun and puts it directly in his mouth

"So do me a favor. Sit still."

Android 17 shoots his assualter directly in his face

"Ohhhh. Right. 'Gynoid', like 'gynecology'. It makes sense when you think about it-"

Trunks comes flying in without his jacket or sword. Just his utter bare hands. He's ready to throw down. And he's ready to wreck shit.

"I hope you got everything out of your wretched lives you wanted, because they end today! Starting today, nobody will die by your hands!"

Android 17 laughs out loud to himself

"Hey there, Lilac! It's been a few weeks since we wrecked your absolute shit"

Android 18 looks Trunks up and down

"See, 17? This is what you get when you don't double-tap. Also, does he look different to you?"

Android 17 joins 18 in the metaphorical eye fucking of Trunks

"Now that you mention it, yeah! He does! He ditched the sword, lost the jacket, plus he got *jacked*. You must be crushing that 5-by-5. Also, did you get a little taller?"

Android 18 rolls her eyes

"Jesus Christ just swipe right already!"

Android 17 elbows his sister

"Pretty sure he's your type, sis"

Android 18 stops paying attention to Trunks and turns her front to her brother

"No thanks. I'm into shorter men"

Trunks begins to fly as fast as he can to Android 18. Android 17 realiazes that his sister's shit is about to get rocked

"SIS WATCH OUT!"

Trunks lands his blow perfectly, he lands the perfect uppercut and he hits 18 so hard she flies through multiple buildings while yelling so many explicitives it would make a sailor blush

Android gets out of her pile of rubble, she's bloody, and she's livid

"Now, it's too bad you left that sword at home...'cause now I'm going to have to do what comes next with my bare hands!"

Android 17 faces his sister and yells at her

"Is this a bad time to point out his specific choice in shirt?"

Trunks assumes a fighting stance and monologues to the Androids

"You know, it's funny and a little bit sad. You two Androids didn't have to turn out like this. The ones I met in the--"

Android 17 gives out an offended gasp, Android 18 rolls her eyes at her brother's offense

"Hold up, did you call us "Androids"? That's offensive."

"Again with this shit?"

Trunks scratches the back of his head out of slight embarassment

"Oh, right. They called you "Androids" in the past."

Android 17 gives out a face of confusion

"'The past'? What, did you time-travel?"

Trunks looks dumbfounded

"Uhhhhh yeah"

Android 18 joins in her brother's confusion

 Wait, when was that? Shouldn't we remember you?

Trunks turns on his Super Saiyan as high as he can reasonably reach to. He even goes SSJ Grade 3. He figures even with the fatigue, he can still outspeed the Androids

How about this...If I don't kill you in the next minute, I'll give you an explanation.

Android 17 looks slightly intimidated by his opponent's sudden gain in muscle mass. But nevertheless, assumes a fighting stance

"Trust me, wife-beater...By the time we're done with you, we won't need one."

Android 18 suddenly gives a face of disgust at her brother

"Wait a second! That's what you meant by his choice in shirt? Jesus, dude!

Android 17 gets snippy at his sister

"Dude, are you kidding? I put a bullet in some dude's gray matter not two minutes ago and that's what's got you offended?"

Trunks gets sick of letting the comedy troupe continues, so, he rushes towards Android 18 and gives out just an average blast attack. But, the blast completely annihilated Android 18. He didn't expect to be that strong. Trunks was about to do a dorky dance, but wanted to look like a credible badass. Besides, he still had a job to finish.

Android 17 puts his hands up

Any chance that I could talk you out of this?

Trunks begins to charge an attack directly in front of him

"What was my Master's name?"

Android 17 begins to sweat bullets

"Huh?"

Trunks begins to concentrate all of his ki into his arm

"The man who taught me. The man whose arm you took. The man you almost killed. Tell me. What was his name?"

Android 17 basically signs his death warrant

"Gooooooo....kuuu Junior....?"

Trunks lets out a half strength attack, which completely obliterates the Android. Trunks is finally done with it all. The Android's reign of terror is finally over. And he couldn't be happier. Trunks begins to do a little dorky dance, not realizing that Bulma sent a observation robot

Bulma speaks through her robot

"TRUNKS. WE CAN SEE YOU."

Gohan takes the mic and speak through the robot

"WHEN YOU GET BACK, WE'RE CELEBRATING. THEN, YOU'RE TEACHING ME HOW YOU GOT THIS STRONG!"

Trunks smiled to himself.

It's good to be happy again

[softly-potter]

Still Friends | Chapter 3: Cherries

Summary: After a chance encounter at a party, Wanda and Bucky find they have more in common than they realized.

This fic is heavily inspired by 'Friends' by my lovely friend Poppy. She is aware of this fic and I've been given permission for this marvel-version retelling! If you haven't read her dramione fic 'Friends', I HIGHLY suggest it. I fell in love with the story and couldn't help but wonder, what if it was Wanda and Bucky instead of Hermione and Draco? Thus "Still Friends" was born. Enjoy!

Pairing: Bucky X Wanda

Word Count: 33,068

Warning: smut, drug use, depression

A/N: Find the rest of the chapters here; Chapter 1: Greetings | Chapter 2: Unloading | Chapter 4: Worth the Wait | Chapter 5: Books | Chapter 6: Grief | Chapter 7: Unlikely | Chapter 8: Happy Birthday, Soldier | Chapter 9: A Christmas Moment | Chapter 10: The Best Holiday | Chapter 11: Permission | Chapter 12: Revitalize | Chapter 13: Backstabber | Chapter 14: Luck of the Dead | Chapter 15: Pain Reliever | Chapter 16: Apologize | Chapter 17: Specially Gifted | Chapter 18: New Day

-

Chapter 3: Cherries

May 3rd, 2025

She was able to keep up the facade for most of the night. But her red rimmed eyes and inability to hold a conversation gave her away.

Of course he had heard about Westview, was genuinely shocked if he was honest. While he’d been busy fighting off the flag smashers, Wanda had accidentally unleashed her chaos on the sleepy town, unknowingly entrapped its civilians and played house. From the little that he saw on the news, it looked like no long-lasting harm had been committed.

Physically, anyway.

Somehow, the Scarlet Witch had been able to resurrect her dead husband. Eventually it had all come undone, and she was lucky to evade arrest. Bucky hated that he’d been overseas, grappling with mislead kids while she’d been stuck in her little bubble, consumed in her fantasy but utterly alone.

Just like last year, he found her on the front porch, this time standing by the window railing. Her hair had grown, scrapping by her upper elbows, and her eyes were rimmed red, nose stained a similar blush. She caught his eye as he approached, and instead of turning away, she starred him down.

Emotions on full display, she said nothing as he stopped in-front of her. Her hands clasped, Bucky gave her a nod, his own hands stuffed in his pockets.

“Hell of a year, I heard.” He said, cautiously. He knew it was rude, insensitive as hell, but how else was he going to get her to stop starring?

Wanda blinks once, then again, before turning on her heel and entering the house. A few moments later she comes back with two empty glances, holding one out to him. He takes it wordlessly, removing the flask from his pocket and devising them each a serving.

She began to cry as she took a swing, her nose and eyes contorting from the strength of the liquor.

They both lean against the railing, starring out at the makeshift drive way and water lapping on the shore. Wanda swirls the liquid around her glass, but doesn’t say anything, silent tears falling from her face.

He wants to speak to her, say anything to brush the thoughts of the past year away. Anything to help her crying. Maybe an argument, or a revolution, or something as petulant as American sports.

“Whats wrong, Wanda?”

She lets out a shaky breath, and like all the years before he looks away, for her sake. She sniffles again, then a muffled sob echos around him.

"Look, I don’t really know what went down in Westview, but it's been a few months and from where I’m standing, you sound pathetic.” He takes a sip.

She lets out a choking sound.

She’s shorter than him, with petite hands, and he wonders how she and Vision had ever made a match. From what he remembers, the Android had been tall.

“Go fuck yourself.” She spits, venom lacing her tone like a glove.

If she’s baiting him, he’d be more than happy to oblige.

“How nice.” He drawls, nodding. “and yet again, pathetic.”

“The only reason you’re fucking standing here is because Sam pities you, Barnes.” She stares at him hard. “He pities the fact that you were a mindless killing machine, and the only person that actually gave a shit about you abandoned you. You think he actually wants you around his sister and nephews?”

It hits him so hard he nearly loses his balance, nearly misses the fact that she used his last name. He’s nodding again, hoping it can mask the hurt. “Heard that before.”

“Why do you even bother coming?” She cries, banging the glass on the railing. Her feet sway, and he’s glad he had given her just a bit less than himself, not knowing how his special liquor would affect her.

He doesn’t say anything, instead watches her, now fully turning to face her. She wants to hurt him? Go ahead, he can take it.

“You come here and hang out with people that don’t even want you here, that know you’re dangerous.” She seethes, and he pales because he didn’t know she was trying to kill him, not hurt. “You’re dangerous, more than anything I could’ve cooked up, and you’re alone. So do us all a goddamn favor and fuck. Off.”

His chest aches. Wanda had never been this cruel, even when he’d pushed her. She’d never looked so dead while still breathing, and it hurts him that he only feels anything but the numbness when she’s around. She chases the numbness away; and now, he’s raw and exposed, her words slitting his wrists.

“Why are you here then?” He challenges, loading his weapons. “Crying on the steps for things that are a fantasy. Vision is dead. Just because you have powers to create some dumby version, doesn’t mean its actually him. You’re fucking alone too.”

She’s moving on him so fast he barely registered, her finger jabbing into his chest. “Don't compare me to something as lowly as yourself.” She stabs her finger again. “We’re nothing alike.”

He’s proud of himself for getting that reaction, for being able to crack that hard exterior. He knows it’s hard because he’s constructed one for himself.

She’s so close he can see the flecks in her eyes. “What, you think just because you apologized that mind-controlling an entire town doesn’t ostracize you? Your reputation has gone to nothing.” He drops his head, and he can feel her breath on his face. “Almost like me.” He says quietly.

She smacks him hard, her wrist colliding with his cheek and his head whips back. He lets her continue her assault. Lips in a tight line, she hits him again, this time her hands in fists land on his chest.

“Fuck you.” She’s panting, her brow furrowed as she hits him again and again. Her limbs must be exhausted, because her speed digresses, but her strength continues, hands and fists landing on his chest, shoulders and face. His eyes sting, the heat shooting across his face, his scruff scratching her palm.

He gives her an enraged look as she continues her outpour, shooting a hand out to grip her. Holding her by the shoulders, he flips them, hitting her back against the wall of Sam’s porch. Her head cracks against the panels.

“You fucking coward.” He seethes. He would never hit her, no matter how much she pushes him. Real men don’t put their hands on women.

“Get off of me!” She screams, the music drowning her out, and he shakes her. She hits him, this time in the side, but he’s unmoving, her fists turning white in frustration.

“Calm down.” He instructs, and she gives him a wild look, her eyes tinged red. Leg raising, she knees him in the groin.

”Let me go. Let me fucking go," she growls at him. He inhales harshly, losing his breath as pain spikes all over him. He leans his weight on her, preventing her from moving, and puts his chin on top of her head.

“You’re a fucking bitch.” He gasps, trying to ease through the pain. She gasps at his language, and juts her shoulder against his.

“Don’t make me hurt you-“

“Shut the fuck up.”

“Don’t you ever-“

“Fucking shut up!”

His chest vibrates against hers, and she doesn’t respond. He’s glowing in the fact that she’s at a loss for words. They’re both breathing heavy and he inhales deeply, accidentally catching her scent.

Cinnamon, with a touch of cherries.

“Get your hands off me.” She warns. Removing his chin from her head, he looks down at her. She stares right back, jutting her face defiantly, eyes rimmed with a red that wasn’t from crying. Their noses brush.

“Are you going to be good?” He mummers, voice dangerously low, and her eyes widen.

Her jaw opens to say something, then closes, opening one more time before she snaps it shut, and her eyes are wild, like they’ve been touched by the sun itself.

Her mouth is on his, connecting them, and she’s patient, waiting for him to decide if he in fact, wants her to be kissing him.

He’s frozen, in shock or fear he’s not sure. She had been moments away from killing him, and now she’s trying to force her tongue into his mouth.

He pulls away, brows etched in confusion, and they stare at one another before she drops her eyes, embarrassment oozing from every pore.

“Sorry,” she huffs. “I didn’t mean it. Got lost in it. I’m sorry.”

He’s the opposite of sorry. He’s vastly annoyed that she’s trying to take back the most meaningful thing thats happened to him in years. That kiss made stopping the Flagsmashers seem like child's play in levels of importance.

He straightens, still slightly aching in his groin, and grips her shoulders lightly. “I’m not.”

He places his lips onto hers, fast. Their teeth clink, and he puts all his wanting into the kiss. Years of pining, all colliding into a single moment. He kisses her with heat, desire flowing from his mouth and pouring into hers, firing through his veins. When she lights up, it's nearly electric, and he’s amazed he can feel it.

Her aggravation and anxiety push her actions forward harshly, pressing into him as her hands grip his jacket, pulling him to her, chests flush.

They kiss as if they’ve been drowning, and finally have surfaced for air. He lets go of her shoulders, instead wrapping around her waist, the other hand in her hair. Licking her bottom lip, she drops her mouth open, their tongues sliding against one another, and it’s everything he’d ever thought he could never have. She was a prize he’d never been able to afford, yet she was unwrapping herself like a present to him.

He says a silent prayer to whatever being is listening, thanking them for not forgetting him this time.

Tugging her hair slightly, she moans, the sound vibrating against his mouth, and he moves down to her neck, sucking and kissing her skin. His other arm squeezes her tightly, can feel her bones beneath the layers of clothing. Her hand fists his shirt, knuckles brushing against his stomach. She’s warm, scorching, the trace of her fingers burning him and he adores the sensation.

He pushes them back against the wall further, crushing her against it but she doesn’t complain. He bites her lightly, just below the ear, and she sighs heavily. Pulling him by the back of his hair, she tugs him to her face, pressing her mouth to his, nipping at his bottom lip. He groans, the taste of copper at the tip of his tongue, and she sucks on his lip.

His stomach rolls in turned-on anticipation.

Hiking his knee, Bucky places it between her thighs, locking her against the wall. He lifts slightly, rubbing against her, not enough for her to get off but enough that it makes her whimper.

“Oh god.” She whispers, separating from his mouth to squeeze her eyes shut, hands gripping his shirt and neck tightly.

“That what you like?” He says, dipping down to claim her mouth, moving his knee again. She groans again, hands shaking, and he takes it as a yes.

Lips unmoving, she slowly begins to grind down on his thigh, her hips moving in an enchanting pattern.

The kisses become deeper, more insistent, their bodies vibrating more than the music in the house. He’s never felt so good. He wishes he could bottle it, store it for a rainy day.

Wandas tongue flicks against the roof of his mouth as she grinds down, a small yelp escaping and he swallows the sound.

“Shhh,” he warns, although the sounds of the music and people inside drowns her expressions immediately. “Wouldn't want to scar the festive-goers.”

She ignores him, moving against his thigh again, and he places his hands in her hair, yanking her head back. Licking a line up her jaw, his flattens his tongue, tasting her skin. He returns to the same wet area, placing open-mouthed kisses.

He can feel her hands tremble as she undoes the lowest button on his top, and his brain ticks. He wants her to continue, wants to rid himself of his clothing and feel her hands all over him. Wants to remove her clothing, and kiss every inch.

But not like this.

The liquor is apparent on her tongue, her sweet aroma tinged with it, and he slowly eases his grip on her hair. Presses a light kiss to her mouth, her cheek. Nips at her ear then returns to her lip, slowing her movements. She’s still working at his top, the second one undone now, and it takes all of his strength to break his mouth away from hers.

They’re so close they bump noses, her breath fanning across his face. He cups her face, momentarily worried she’ll pull away. Her green eyes are sparkling, littered with slight confusion, and he knows he shouldn’t stare but he can’t help it. He may never get to look at her like this again; undone, guards lowered.

Her fingers are still on his shirt, and she leans forward. He shakes his head, before placing a slow kiss to her mouth.

“Not tonight, little witch.” He whispered against her lips. Her eyebrows lift, and he lets himself fall once more, kissing her again. She throws her velocity at him, but he holds her in place, keeps the kiss slow, meaningful. Runs a thumb just below her eye.

And then he lets her go.

He gives her a lopsided smile that she doesn’t return, slipping his hands in his pockets before he ambles away, fingers brushing on the keys inside his jacket.

Bucky doesn’t look back at her, isn’t sure he can handle whatever expression she was wearing. As he starts his bike, he licks his lips. Whatever had been on her mouth was now on his, tasting of cherries. He’d never really been fond of cherries; they were definitely his favorite fruit now. He starts the ignition, and begins the ride home, slowing down after a few miles to breath.

[inkribbon796]

Egotober 2022 Day 27: Test Drive

Summary: Logan, Jackie, and Bing are testing some new equipment. Purely for the heroes’ use of course.

Prompt: Experiment

Characters: Logan, Bing, Jackie

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Logan was pretty sure he was overdue for some kind of vacation, or at least a day off. He was frequently very exhausted, and more prone to snapping at people.

So he scheduled a day off for himself and continued about his life. He’d rather continue to monitor the city, but if he kept going the way he was he was going to snap at someone who did not deserve it. And the fastest way to solve it was with some time to mentally and physically recharge himself.

Today, however, Logan and Jackie were testing some new equipment, and Logic could tell all the Septics were testy that Henrik was still not back in town and it was making everyone else uneasy, including Logan.

Which wasn’t making him feel any less frustrated or on edge.

The two of them had their equipment and were heading out to a spot outside of town to get space and equipment to safely test their new gear. Bing had offered to come with them as extra insurance and Logan’s hadn’t fought that because Jackie had already been followed and attacked earlier in the week.

There was no way Logan was going to just take their strength and ability for granted. So they met up with Bing. Jackie sped off and Logan and Bing used the electrical wires fed through the entire city to follow just as quickly. Jackie was carrying their new experimental shields with him as he ran. Logan and Bing traveled close to keep an eye on him as they went.

The three of them reached the test site unbothered and undisturbed. It was a little wooded area right on the edge of town. A transformer from a powerline let Logan and Bing shoot out and re-materialize.

Logan quickly shot out of an electrical wire and walked over to Jackie.

“Alright, let’s test these bad boys out and see what happens,” Jackie smiled in excitement. He handed a light blue disk that had been attached to his back by a couple of straps.

“Yes,” Logan agreed and attached one of the disks to his arm. The disks were a mesh weave mixed with nanites that was supposed to serve as a thin shield that was meant to disperse energy. At this density they couldn’t be bulletproof or stab proof but they were designed to hold up better against brute force or magical blasts.

Logan activated a single button and it stuck to his body like a static cling. Jackie was applying his own but not turning it on yet, Bing took the thor spare one.

The android’s eyes began to flash behind his glasses. “Alright, my dudes, Experimental Shield, test number six. Recording it, let’s go.”

Jackie didn’t have his shield active at the moment and Jackie began racing towards Logan to give him light punching jabs to test the shield. The three tested both Jackie and Logan’s shields until they paused for a break.

“You okay?” Jackie asked Logan as Logan went to go sit on a large rock.

“I feel an urge that is very unbecoming,” Logan admitted. “The urge to destroy something.”

“If you need to hit me a little harder you can, I can take it.” Jackie smiled as the confident promise reached Logan.

“That is not the core of the problem,” Logan said. “I believe that I am slowly losing core aspects of myself and do not know how to stop it.”

“Did you talk to the other Sides?” Bing asked.

“Yes, it is not wise for me to hide things from them,” Logan sighed before standing up.

“If you’re not up to it, me and Bing can have a couple of goes,” Jackie said.

“Maybe in a little bit,” Logan admitted. “For now this outlet is more than adequate.”

“Alright,” Jackie said, trusting that Logan would tap out when he needed it.

And then the session carried on and eventually Logan tapped out and Bing took his place. Logan took notes. Then Logan switched out for Jackie.

After an hour or two or tweaking and testing their little experimental shield. Jackie and Bing went back to the base and Logan went home. He took his test shield with him.

When he got into his home through the coffee maker Virgil was reading on the couch.

“Sup, Specs,” Virgil said as he glanced up from his phone. “How was patrol?”

“It was alright, nothing to note,” Logan said as he began to get out of his costume and into his normal polo shirt and tie. He adjusted his watch as the nanites flooded back into it. Logan hung up his belt in the closet and placed his shoes right under it.

“Did you tell them?” Virgil asked.

“No, Jackie is too stressed about whatever government body has been stalking him,” Logan said as he headed up the stairs. Virgil followed Logan as he reached the latch for the attic space of the house.

Logan pulled down the rope cord for the ladder and then climbed up in. Virgil came to stand at the base of the ladder.

As if he was asking for permission.

Logan looked down to smile at Virgil. “Still nervous?”

“I don’t exactly like looking at it,” Virgil said as he put a hand, and then a foot onto the ladder. “At least not yet.”

Logan smiled as he motioned for Virgil to follow him up. The Sides’ house had and there was barely enough room to stand up in the attic. Over the years Logan and Roman had orchestrated for the attic to be finished, and then it became a guest room or a storage space depending on who was in town. Today it was former, rather than the latter, but Logan had made a little workshop out of the space so it was out of the way . . . and more importantly out of sight.

On a table was a mess of robotics and vats of nanites sitting around. The nanites were allowed to move from generation to generation refining themselves under Logan’s direction. The robotics was being built to resemble a more human form.

“I know you like the whole Frankenstein, but this seems like a bit much,” Virgil said as he stayed at the top of the ladder, pointedly not looking at the table.

Logan strolled over and hooked a leg in the spokes of a rolling chair so he could sit down and begin working again. “This will be different, I don’t plan on abandoning this new suit because of perfect symmetry. Nor will it have any sentience but my own.”

“Alright, just be careful,” Virgil said.

“Of course, after all I have to make sure my lovely assistant is safe, don’t I?” Logan smiled as he extended a hand for Virgil.

Virgil smiled and took Logan’s hand as he climbed into the attic. Logan pulled the ladder up and closed the hatch.

The anxious Side looked at the large disk on the table that Logan had brought up with him. “Does it work?”

“It is not as strong as I would like but that’s what tests are for,” Logan said. “The next couple iterations will be better.”

Virgil nodded as he kept Logan company in the little workshop. He would fetch him snacks and snark at him. Occasionally he would fetch tools for Logan. The two of them worked well together in the little space.