#but I enjoyed the last two chapters

[flourmelon]

The world is full enough of hurts and mischances without wars to multiply them.

J. R. R. Tolkien, The Return of the King

👑🏇❤️‍🩹🌳⌛️

12.04.2024

[skania]

I love, love, love what the anime did with that final shot. Kana's acting as a child was like "the dazzling and shining sun". In the manga, I always thought the the title, "Sun", was simply meant to be a reference to that.

But the anime takes it a step further and suggests it's meant to be about both, because in that final shot we see sparkles shining off Akane's eyes... the same sparkles that were shown in that initial shot where Kana's acting is called sun-like.

I also adored the way they elevated those last Aqua/Akane pages.

The anime clearly parallels Sayahime's pain at the war with Akane's pain at accidentally making Kana retreat into herself. She silently apologizes to Kana, just like Sayahime must be silently apologizing to those being hurt due to the fights.

Thanks to the manga drawn by the OnK Anime staff, we know those are Saya's quarters. So who would likely be the one to comfort her in those times of need?

Touki, her fiancé. And who comes to comfort Akane?

Aqua, Akane's very own Touki 😭

The anime didn't have to go that hard, but they deliberately set up this parallel. It isn't only that Akane and Aqua are dressed as Saya and Touki, they are behaving the part, too. Aqua is there to reassure her that she did nothing wrong, and to have her back so she can have the result she wishes for. Just like Touki with Saya.

[ssreeder]

Chapters: 23/32 Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Sokka/Zuko (Avatar), Aang/Katara (Avatar), others to be tagged later - Relationship Characters: Sokka (Avatar), Zuko (Avatar), Aang (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Jet (Avatar), Suki (Avatar), Kyoshi Warriors (Avatar), Iroh (Avatar), Jee (Avatar), Hakoda (Avatar), Bato (Avatar), A bunch of OCs, Long Feng, Joo Dee (Avatar), Azula (Avatar), Mai (Avatar), Ty Lee (Avatar), Ozai (Avatar), General Fong (Avatar) Additional Tags: Violence, Blood and Injury, War, Minor Character Death, Rape/Non-con Elements, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Attempted Sexual Assault, Major Character Injury, Amputation, Implied/Referenced Suicide, possible major character death, themes similar to the first two books, Sexism, Racism (like has already been written in first two books), dark themes, Human Trafficking, Slavery, Just a lot of dark war-like themes, there will be a battle, Torture, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Injury Recovery, Healing, Underage Sex - Freeform, Underage Drinking, Animal Death, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Warnings each chapter, Hopefully some healing for Zuko finally, no promises, but that’s the goal, Reunions, hopefully a happy ending, Sokka gets some healing too, Non-Consensual Drug Use Series: Part 3 of Leaving It All Behind Summary:

-This is the last book of the series LIAB, please go read the other two books before this, or you will be very confused-

Zuko has been taken by the Earth Kingdom army to who-knows-where, and Sokka is determined to get him back.

But he can’t do it alone.

With Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors by his side, Sokka is headed to Ba Sing Se to find Katara and Aang so they can go rescue his fire bender.

Things aren’t as easy as he had hoped. Corruption, lies, and unknown horrors await them inside the city’s walls. None of this is helping Sokka’s mental well-being.

Hakoda and his men face a problem of their own as Azula approaches with the intentions of making it rain fire.

Sokka and Zuko will both find themselves having to reintegrate back into a life they thought they left behind, with people they hardly remember. It isn’t easy for anyone, especially when they don’t recognize the person standing in front of them.

[ihaveforgortoomany]

More Great Gatsby parallels/ comparisons in Reverse 1999 speculation (spoilers for current global story chapters)

While the Great Gatsby isn't strictly named or mentioned in the game, more focus on Fitzgerald's other work Tender is the Night as the second chapter. As seen with the last line of the novel being used in the introduction of the game we can see parallels between characters in the game (Vertin and Schneider more notably) that potentially act as not only nods to the 1920s but further explore their characters.

I may make an analysis and comparisons to Tender is the Night once I read the book (at some point hopefully)

(Aka lemme put my mountains of essays on the Great Gatsby to use lol)

Vertin

It can be considered that Vertin shares some similarities to the characters Jay Gatsby and Nick Caraway (the Narrator).

Gatsby - He is characterised by his unrelenting pursuit of his dream ("the green light") of reclaiming the past through rekindling of his relationship with Daisy Buchanan. While of course Vertin arguably pursues to reclaim the future and the truth, its easy to see the unrelenting optimism and determinism both characters share.

Optimism most seen in younger Vertin in chapter 3, blind optimism and desire to see the outside world that leads to tragedy - the Breakaway Incident. This optimism is still here in current Vertin, now backed by the suitcase fam (we love found family here)

Nick - He is the narrator of the story, our eyes into the life and death of Gatsby and the people around him. He becomes the observer of the hedonism of the Jazz Age/ 1920s through Gatsby's parties, and just like a narrator is largely unable to stop the events that lead to tragedy.

Vertin as the Timekeeper and our protagonist fulfils this role in a sense: a role designed to record the eras and "spare no feelings" mirrors Nick's own desire to remain separate to others affairs, but inevitably becomes entangled in the narrative: while Vertin is instructed by the Foundation to just watch, Vertin still has desires to seek the truth "of her own will". Vertin becomes the observer unable prevent the deaths of others, the Breakaway Incident, the countless people who have been taken by the storm.

Schneider

This is Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of Scot Fitzgerald and whose deteriorating marriage and relationship is explored in the novel Tender is the Night.

You can probably see similarities in Schneider's appearance to her, reflecting the "Flapper movement" of the 1920s.

(While she is probably the main influence to Schneider, alongside the references to the Italian mafia and the Godfather, I need to read Tender is the Night for a closer analysis)

While I don't think Schneider has direct parallels to the character of Daisy Buchanan, comparisons can be drawn with how Gatsby viewed Daisy as the American Dream, the idea that anything is possible with enough hard work and struggle - all ultimately futile and doomed.

For Vertin, this is the belief and renewed hope in the suitcase granting shelter from the Storm, however as the end of Chapter Two has showed us Vertin is more akin to Noah and his Ark than a Messiah:

While the Messiah promises the salvation of all, Noah's Ark can only grant safety to the few.

Others

This description of FMN could also vaguely reference the intial impressions of Gatsby we get before met by partygoers in Chapter 3 of the novel. ("German Spy", "I heard he killed a man")

(I placed it here because this isn't very concrete)

Summary - Have an ark of oranges

[lynzishell]

So here we are

...again

[rking200]

It's Sunday! A new chapter has found its way to The Red Room. Check it out to see why Connor acted how he did last chapter <3 Take a peek at @connor-sent-by-cyberlife's wonderful new render, and don't forget to check back later to show their post some love!

The Red Room (60070 words) by rking200 Chapters: 9/? Fandom: Detroit: Become Human (Video Game) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Hank Anderson/Connor Characters: Hank Anderson, Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Original Chloe | RT600, Markus (Detroit: Become Human), Elijah Kamski Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Human, Stalking, Vomiting, Suicidal Thoughts, Top Hank Anderson, Bottom Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Connor is a Mess (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson is Bad at Feelings, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Missing Persons, Abduction, Manipulation, Death Threats, Mental Health Issues, Zlatko didn't do it, POV Alternating, Slow Burn, Sex at some point Summary: Connor Stern is a law school dropout who dreams of making it big in the music industry. He manages to get into a special apprenticeship program with the musical genius Elijah Kamski and, despite working two jobs and struggling to stay afloat, feels like his dream is finally within his grasp. When Hank Anderson stumbles into the lounge Connor performs at, The Red Room, he becomes entranced with him. As Hank falls in love with Connor's voice, he ends up entangled with conflicting emotions and delicate situations. Slowly, his nights are filled with Connor's songs and his closeness, even if he feels he doesn't deserve it. They reach several roadblocks along the way of getting closer, some more dangerous than others. A collaboration written alongside Connor-sent-by-Cyberlife for the Reverse Big Bang 2024, told with a POV alternating between Hank and Connor. Chapters added weekly.

[secret-smut-sideblog]

Distances Mended (Part 6)

18+ hurt/comfort, blood drinking, oral (f!), face sitting, blood play/letting, doggy style, overall feral sex, admissions of love, tenderness

Astarion X F! Plus Sized Tav, Set After The Pale Elf

listening to: De Selby (Part 2) - Hozier, Without You, Without Them - boygenius

-

"Please, I want to forget, just for a moment." He tangled his hands into her hips, buried his face in his forearm.

Heart pounding painfully she stared down at him. The blood dried in his clothes. The hand that had hours ago been white knuckled around the dagger. Sinking again and again into that vile chest, feral in fury. The gut wrenching wails from his throat as he sank to his knees.

The inn she had practically carried him to, renting a room that he was now bowed against her in.

She kneeled down to him, took his cheek so soft into her palm. Tried to catch his eyes in hers. "Astarion.."

He almost flinched, his face crumbling. Watery eyes meeting hers, pleading. "I cant take it. I need you, need to feel something. To feel you." He whispered, grabbing onto her again. "Please.."

Her eyebrows drew together in concern but she couldn't deny him. Not when he was like this. Not when she saw the agony in his eyes.

"Take what you need from me. I'm yours."

He kissed her desperately, hands cupping the back of her head, fingers tangled in hair. Tears dropped down onto the skin of her chest.

She poured all her tenderness into him. Fingers tracing his jaw. Legs wrapping secure around the small of his back. Hand warm on his chest. Spelled her love on his tongue.

Swift but shaking fingers undoing her blouse. Assisting him she pulled it over her head. "Come here to me," she said softly, pulling him to her neck. "Take your fill."

He sank into her, hands gripping her back. The slight sting bringing her up to the surface. Hands in his hair, softly stroking. He moaned into her, regaining some strength. His hand taking hers, leading it to his thigh. Urging.

Through the ache of her heart a heat was spreading.

Yes, she could help him lose himself. If just for a moment.

She ran her nails lightly over the fabric covering his thigh. Hand in his hair tugging gently. Felt him nod into her, keep going.

That heady haze fell over her. Lips finding that delicious place under his ear where his jaw began, suckling and nipping at it. He shuddered against her, tongue still lapping her up greedily. Hands reaching down to grip her ass.

Her hands wandered hot up his chest, down his back, on the outer side of his hips. Always obsessed with how he felt, like cool water. A river running into her.

She slid her knee between them, him lifting naturally as she pushed, straddling her thigh. He ground into her hip, sending a throb through her. She bit into his shoulder, much harder than she meant to.

He groaned roughly, something overcoming him. Rising off her neck he slid down onto his back, eyes burning, gripping her thighs and pulling her hard up to him. Now straddling over him, over his upturned face.

Oh Gods, yes. She reached to begin pulling off her thin leggings. His mouth came up to meet her and ripped into the fabric, his fangs tearing. She moaned deep in her throat, a ferocity in her tightening pelvis.

Hands gripping her hips he pulled her exposed core down to him. Mouth already ravaging and insistent. She buckled into him, head thrown back. Rhythmic little gasps moving her with the motion of his hungry mouth.

A madness was overtaking her, the pressure and pulsing of his velvet tongue making her shake. Trying to not clench her thighs around his sharp ears.

Made the mistake of looking down at him. His eyes were on her, dark, blown out. An inferno.

She leaned back, hand stabilizing herself on his stomach, giving him room. His mouth moved even further into her. Pulling her thighs again with a disgruntled groan, a demand, so she was almost flush to him. Growling into her quivering shape.

Her eyes screwed shut, the renewed pressure twice as strong, slurping and suckling. A high keening as she finally relented, her thighs coming together around him, hips grinding into his face.

He nodded fervently into her, hands urging her ass even closer.

She rode into him, wishing she had a headboard to grip onto. Her eyes searching for something, anything to ground her.

Caught a glint in arms reach and a mad idea for a madwoman overcame her. In one swift motion she grabbed the dagger and dragged it along the flesh of her pelvis. Right above the sweet torment of his mouth.

His eyes widened as the wound opened, dripping her blood directly down into the fold of his mouth. Watched his eyes roll back into his head.

The sting brought her small clarity, but the storm was about to hit. The fervent of his mouth hit a fever pitch. Blood pooling with the slick of her that now coated his jaw. Arms hooking around her thighs, immobilizing her. Fingers snaring down into her flesh.

She strangled out a cry, hand clenching into his hair. Stars threatening the corners of her eyes. Thighs shaking. Wanted to beg him to stop. Wanted to beg him to never ever stop.

He mercifully released her with a growl and slipped out from under her, coming up behind her. Quick as a shadow.

His hand caught her breast, her neck, pulling her up to his chest. She fell back against him gratefully, the back of her head resting in the curve of his shoulder.

His fingers ran all over her, the touch worship. As if she was a sculpture he was carving out of marble. Something holy.

She sighed into the curl of his hair. Reaching up to cup the nape of his neck.

His lips met her forearm, a nuzzling kiss there. Leaving the bloody smear of his lips.

Fingers met the blood trail on her hips, a deep shudder running through him. Echoing into her back.

He pushed down flat between her shoulder blades, urging her onto her belly, his other pulling her hips to his.

Heard the hitch in his breathing at the sight of her like this.

With a groan deep in his chest he gathered her blood in his pale fingers and smeared it messy up her slit. She gasped into her arm, the degeneracy of it. Gods below, her sanity was slipping.

His hands bracing against her ass he slowly entered her, hips gradually meeting her flesh. She bit into her arm, hips bucking at the devine torture of him finally buried inside her. Could feel herself clenching, a little whimper out of his perfect lips.

"I'm- I" she tried to warn, a shaking already starting in her core.

Took another handful of her blood and smeared it up her ass, breath heavy at the sight, rolling his hips into her. She was a mewling mess against the cool wood floor, the thrust of his hips hitching her back and forth. Felt like her knees were about to give out. Sensing this, he stabilized her hips with his arm, wrapping strong around her.

Turned her head to look at him. His eyes crazed, mouth dropped slightly open. Dark blood and creamy slick all over him, all over her backside. His eyes darted to hers, small pants leaving his lips. Oh Gods she couldn't take it.

"Yes, let go. Release to me." He urged, taking a handful of her hair. "I'll follow." Hand reaching around to rub hard circles into her clit.

Wave after viscous wave struck her. Thrashing her against the cool stone of his body. A garbled cry erupting from her very core. Her walls a vice grip around his length.

He groaned loud, fingers gripping painfully into the flesh of her hips. Stuttering, the might of her pull dragging him to his end. His smothered voice, his cry so sweet to her ears.

Exhausted they collapsed onto the floor. She pressed her fingers to above her navel, trying to slow herself.

Looked over at him, his gasping breaths, his limbs rubber. All smeared with her. He was the most beautiful sight.

Without thought she scooped him up in her arms, carrying him up to the bed.

He looked at her reverently, pulling her onto his chest. "You're such a strange and wonderful thing." He murmured into her hair, already fading. Barely audible, "My favorite."

She suddenly felt like crying. As he slipped blissfully to sleep she held him.

If the Gods wouldn't allow him relief from his torment she would hunt them down, one by one.

"And what have you been so diligently working on sweet girl?" He kissed the side of her neck sleepily.

Startled by his waking, she made to close the journal she had been so intently scribbling in. Fast pale fingers stopped the pages meeting completely, chuckling into the crook of her neck.

"You're the worst," She whispered, hearing the smile in her voice. Her fingers reaching back to pinch him lightly.

"Well.. I had meant to be farther along before I gave this to you. But I guess it's pretty close.." She let it fall open, handing the small book to him.

He stared down at the drawings, a series of portraits. Recognizing the clothes, the mannerisms.

"...Is this me?" He whispered, throat closing.

"I tried my best to capture your likeness, but you're a enigma it seem- Oh.."

Her fingers so gently traced under his eyes. "Oh, my star filled sky." Tone so soft, so filled with tenderness.

"I love you.." It left him before he realized what he was saying, surprising himself. Knew it to be deeply irrevocably true.

She bit her lip and smiled. Her eyes glistening. "Oh thank the Gods, you've caught up with me." Held his tear stained face in both hands, "Astarion, I have been in love with you for months. I have been waiting an eternity." She laughed, eyes so filled with joy.

He was speechless. His heart straining with so many emotions, crashing over eachother. The one that settled on top was a wonderful ache in his chest. It left him spinning, giddy.

Took her into his arms. "That was a very stupid thing for you to do. Fall for the likes of me." Heard her laugh in his ear.

"Maybe, but I wouldn't have it any other way. You're quite lovely, did you know that?"

Now he laughed, a sob catching in his throat. She kissed him over and over.

They laid back together, breaths slow between them, a fluid they both drank. Limbs tangled, rapturous in the most perfect silence. Intertwined. Rain tapping it's lullaby just for them against the warmth of the window.

~ ~ ~

[saltyb0ba]

Summary:

The gang faces off against Chai.

[nyxi-pixie]

genuinely going to explode if i see another person say they miss skk

[fluxweeed]

WIP Snip

thank you so much @ghostofnoir for tagging me to drop a WIP snip!! a couple of weeks ago i'd've probably said i don't have a WIP on the go, but i'm slooowly starting to accept that i'm probably going to attempt to finish another chaptered fic 😭 atm i'm in the stage of refusing to write anything at all bc i want to "feel ready" (haha) but as it happens i do already have 30k of it sitting there waiting to be whipped (WIP'd) into shape the plot tl;dr: harry sneaks into a nightclub under polyjuice and accidentally makes friends with the slytherins, who don't know who he is. this is a lil chunk from (probably) chapter 4 – a bit from chapter 2 was previously posted here!

“Draco,” he says, “come and dance with me.”

Malfoy glances at Nott, who frowns at Harry. Harry knows he should feel bad for interrupting them, but the alcohol and Polyjuice in his system make him feel like himself again, like he can be impulsive, like he should be—so he keeps his gaze on Malfoy, keeps his hand extended in invitation.

“Oh, all right,” Malfoy says, shrugging—but Harry is watching him so closely that he doesn’t miss the way Malfoy looks at him through his eyelashes with a small, pleased smile teasing the corner of his mouth.

The shots, the anonymity, the thrill of being in Phoenix—it all bolsters Harry, makes him feel confident, makes him feel free. Once they’re in the middle of the crowd, music thumping around them, through them, Harry pulls Malfoy close and murmurs in his ear that he’s sexy when he dances.

Malfoy snorts and tosses his head. “I’d return the compliment, but I have no idea what you actually look like.”

Harry hesitates. The powerful feeling inside him falters. “Sorry,” he says—almost a question.

Malfoy shrugs. “I don’t care what you look like, as it happens,” he says, though his voice is a bit too casual. “You have a hot personality.”

Harry covers the swooping in his stomach with a laugh. “A hot personality?”

“That’s what I said. Now, come on. Dance with me, if you think I’m so sexy.”

Harry dances with him. There’s no hesitation when they touch each other now—just lingering eye contact, hands finding shoulders, waist, hips. Harry presses closer automatically. Malfoy tips his head back and moves to the music.

atm this is about the only bit that doesn't have more square brackets than actual words – much more disjointed than the beautiful snip you posted earlier, @ghostofnoir!!! i hope the editing process is being kinder to you this week!!! ❤️

[reading-writing-dying]

Ey-oh-ey its Chapter 8!

Eight Chapters in and we finally get to see another side of the love square in this love square AU

[eyepatchdate]

NEW FIC DONE YAYYY

Nanashi was looking down again, at the small pill within his hands, “And this, small, terrible thing… it’s what saved your life.” His expression was shuttered, shadowed. Flynn didn’t know him well enough to see deeper into him. Flynn quickly disagreed, “No—the Reds are not what saved me. You are.”

[theclearblue]

Why did Kenjaku only get four chapters for their penultimate fight compared to Sukuna who has gotten, by my count, 38 chapters of the final battle like was Kenjaku not one of the main villains of the series as well

[ssreeder]

Chapters: 20/? Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Sokka/Zuko (Avatar), Aang/Katara (Avatar), others to be tagged later - Relationship Characters: Sokka (Avatar), Zuko (Avatar), Aang (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Jet (Avatar), Suki (Avatar), Kyoshi Warriors (Avatar), Iroh (Avatar), Jee (Avatar), Hakoda (Avatar), Bato (Avatar), A bunch of OCs, Long Feng, Joo Dee (Avatar), Azula (Avatar), Mai (Avatar), Ty Lee (Avatar), Ozai (Avatar), General Fong (Avatar) Additional Tags: Violence, Blood and Injury, War, Minor Character Death, Rape/Non-con Elements, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Attempted Sexual Assault, Major Character Injury, Amputation, Implied/Referenced Suicide, possible major character death, themes similar to the first two books, Sexism, Racism (like has already been written in first two books), dark themes, Human Trafficking, Slavery, Just a lot of dark war-like themes, there will be a battle, Torture, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Injury Recovery, Healing, Underage Sex, Underage Drinking, Animal Death, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Warnings each chapter, Hopefully some healing for Zuko finally, no promises, but that’s the goal, Reunions, hopefully a happy ending, Sokka gets some healing too, Non-Consensual Drug Use Series: Part 3 of Leaving It All Behind Summary:

-This is the last book of the series LIAB, please go read the other two books before this, or you will be very confused-

Zuko has been taken by the Earth Kingdom army to who-knows-where, and Sokka is determined to get him back.

But he can’t do it alone.

With Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors by his side, Sokka is headed to Ba Sing Se to find Katara and Aang so they can go rescue his fire bender.

Things aren’t as easy as he had hoped. Corruption, lies, and unknown horrors await them inside the city’s walls. None of this is helping Sokka’s mental well-being.

Hakoda and his men face a problem of their own as Azula approaches with the intentions of making it rain fire.

Sokka and Zuko will both find themselves having to reintegrate back into a life they thought they left behind, with people they hardly remember. It isn’t easy for anyone, especially when they don’t recognize the person standing in front of them.

[lauronk]

I saw bus emoji and now I must ask. Will new bus content happen soon?

🚌🚌🚌maybe🚌🚌🚌

hopefully within the next couple days actually. and i know i had posted earlier about a word count of 20K+ but i decided to split the chapter into two so that i could better flesh out some parts, upon the advice of a very wise friend (cough@march-flowerrcough) so it'll be shorter but still v long. i just have to finish edits on this bit!

[victorluvsalice]

For those who were asking if I was ever going to do a multi-chapter Valicer fanfic -- look what lives~ Granted, only the very short prologue of the very first story is up now, but I hope to rectify that very soon. XD Hope you enjoy!