#but got the two of them are magic together

[insertdisc5]

✨COOL THINGS I PLAYED/SAW/READ THIS YEAR, 2024!!!!!!!✨

✨MOVIS✨

Knight of Fortune was such a delight. karl's wife is dead-- he has to go to the morgue. to see her one last time. SURPRISINGLY funny given the theme, and incredibly sweet. AND you can watch it in its entirety on youtube

american fiction! incredible movie that made me think. what does it mean to tell "our stories"? what does it mean to show "representation"? how authentic can you truly be about your own lived experience? funny as hell too

if you havent seen Monkey Man, quite frankly i dont want to talk to you. dev patel i will watch whatever you make for the rest of time

the rest under the cut because this list got long

playtime by jacques tati. just slapstick. oh my god this was so goddamn funny

yeah you know it. i was very strong the whole time and then the credits hit and i started sobbing uncontrollably in the theater

challengers and i saw the tv glow are tied in first place for my favorite movie this year. incredibly funny and SO WELL EDITED. highly recommend watching it with friends so you can scream "OH NO HE DIDN'T" together

✨TV SHOWS✨

SHOGUN!!!!!! oh my god there is so much to praise in this show. the costumes! the actors! the story! how they integrated both english and japanese speakers in a realistic way! so good

korean reality shows are not fucking playing around. the editing and sets are truly top notch

✨BUUKS✨

-Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah! what if black mirror was actually good. AND centered the stories of black people. highly recommend

-Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter by Kate Conger and Ryan Mac! you probably were on twitter when The Whole Thing happened. maybe you dont know the exact details like i do. what if the details were worse i also dont read non-fiction very often, surprised at how fun this was to read!

-The Chromatic Fantasy by H.A.! I've been following their work since forever, and this was a delight to read as always! THE COLORS…………. BITES BITES BITES BITES

-sad girl space lizard. hell yeah (18+ only!)

-Gritli - The Moth Diaries by Sophie Florian und Hanako Emden! this one was just so strange and fascinating. per words of the authors: "Taking on the voices of anthropomorphic animals, the authors write about labour, companionship and crushing."

✨VIDY GAMES✨

skipping balatro, splatoon side order, fields of mistria and webfishing, because you probably know about those. uuuuh

i am too stupid for Void Stranger, but My God if you're smart this game will become your favorite game ever. 2D sokoban with so many secrets

marchen line!!! nth circle never misses. the visuals here are so fun!!! the UI! the plot! the almost-automatic-censoring when you see gore, as if your mecha body took a second to load!! hell fucking yeah

"adrienne, of the devil was this year" OH WORD? THEN EVERYONE SHOULD PLAY OF THE DEVIL'S FIRST EPISODE WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR

life after magic! magical girls are now adults, and magic is disappearing. what now? the art is so cute, and the story was very engaging. thank you for the additional episode with [spoilers]

i started nine sols and i think i might be enough of a gamer to beat it

shadow generations game of the year no contest. thank you for your time

you can also look at my massive list of stuff i played/watched/etc here. i am not posting this whole dang thing

[afterglowkatie]

mistletoe mischief | k.m./c.f.

katie mccabe x caitlin foord x child!reader ft. kyra and teyah | 1.0k | ‘you’re under the mistletoe so stop stalling and just kiss,’

ˏˋ°•*⁀ this is part of the little starfish universe. starfish is nine in this blurb since it fit to make her a bit older than she is in the other current starfish fics

❆♡────୨ holiday season blurb event ৎ────♡❆

‘Don’t you think we might’ve gone overboard?’ Kyra took a little step back to look around the apartment where you, Teyah and Kyra just put up as much mistletoe as you could find. You frowned, looking at Kyra with disbelief, more in disbelief that she was the one, of all people, thinking you’d gone overboard. There wasn’t that much, but enough to hopefully be noticeable.

‘The point is for them to see it,’ With you being a bit older, you’d noticed that your mums had started showing each other less affection than you remember from when you were a bit younger. For a moment there was a thought that went through your head where you thought something was wrong between them both but Teyah did remind you that sometimes things change and take a while to adapt now that it’s not just you and your mums anymore. 

One night after you’d begged your mammy and mum to let Kyra look after you, something they were very apprehensive about but they didn’t really have any other option at the time, she let you stay up way past your bedtime. Way past the time Kyra and your mums agreed on. But you were both watching a movie.

‘Why do they have to kiss?’ You looked at Kyra, tilting your head to the side, your eyebrows furrowing a little, a small pout on your face.

‘They’re under the mistletoe,’ Kyra shrugged, not taking her eyes off the movie.

‘But why?’ Your voice is still questioning but a bit more firm, wanting Kyra to actually answer you properly. Sometimes people forgot you were still small and didn’t know everything that they knew.

‘It’s just what two people do when they’re under it,’ Kyra, trying to take the easy way out and not have to explain the entire meaning behind it, hoping that you’d be happy with an answer like that.

‘Two people who love love each other, right?’ As soon as Kyra nodded to your question, a little idea started forming in your head. An idea that you were going to need help executing.

You faked being sick so you could skip school one day, in hopes your mammy and mum would let you come to training with them. They were going to take the day off but you’d convinced them to just bring you along anyway. There you got to form the little idea you had with both Kyra and Teyah.

It was close to Christmas and the best way to get your mums out of the house and get them to agree to Kyra and Teyah looking after you? Tell them that you told Santa of something you wanted that you hadn’t mentioned before. The sure way to make them panic and willingly leave you with the pair so you could carry out your little idea. 

Katie and Caitlin were both unaware that Kyra ruined the magic of Santa last year but you never said anything with your younger sister around, plus the idea of extra presents was obviously appealing to any nine year old.

‘Knowing my mums, bets are they won’t notice it,’ You all laughed, they can be the most observant but oblivious people at times and you’ve started to use it to your advantage.

You were right, you don’t even know how they didn’t notice basically a roof covered in mistletoe but they both did. Most likely the stress of your last minute present idea was enough to distract them. 

As soon as the three of you heard the jingle of your mammy’s keys in the front door you all rushed towards your room. Trying to act normal and not cause too much suspicion. Though, the three of you just being in the same room together is any cause for suspicion.

Eventually you opted for sitting at the top of the stairs, perfect view of the lounge, watching your mammy and mum rush around trying to sort out everything for you and your younger sister. Your younger sister who was currently having her midday nap and you were hoping wouldn’t wake up crying for them any time soon.

Though the longer you waited for them to notice, the more bored the three of you got and the less fun it was beginning to become, ‘What the-’ Your mum was the first to finally notice, stopping in her tracks. Your mammy came back from hiding a present in their room, standing next to you mum and following where her eyes were going.

‘Who decided to grow a mini forest on our roof?’ You knew your mammy was five seconds away from yelling out for you throughout the house. 

‘It’s mistletoe,’ Your mum pointed out, an amused smile on her face while she gently flicked the mistletoe that was dangling from the roof. Your mammy just rolled her eyes, still trying to process it all.

Though, just like your mammy’s does on the pitch, your patience grew thin and you couldn’t stand to watch it unfold naturally anymore, ‘You’re under the mistletoe so stop stalling and just kiss,’ You semi yelled out, bounding down the stairs.

‘Where did you even learn that?’ Your mammy was the first one to question it before her eyes drifted off behind you where Kyra and Teyah were slowly making their way down the stairs, ‘Typical, shouldn’t leave you lot alone together,’ 

‘Stop stalling mammy,’ 

‘Yeah come on,’ 

‘You heard Starfish,’

The three of you trying to get your mums to kiss under the mistletoe. Your favourite part when you were little was seeing how happy your mums made each other, and you, and all the little bits of affection towards each other, and towards you as well. It was part of the reason you were the happy kid you currently were and you didn’t want you and your sister to be the reason any of the changed. In your mind you were just trying to help them adapt to having two kids faster.

‘We aren’t part of some show for the three of you,’ Your mum laughed, resting her chin on your mammy’s shoulder looking at the three of you. They didn’t have only two children, somehow they had six, Vic and Laia were often included in the mischief you’d all get up to.

‘Yeah how about yous go back to your own houses and stop pestering us,’ Your mammy directed towards the older two.

‘I’m going with them and that-,’ You pointed towards all the mistletoe on the roof, ‘-is staying up until you both give a proper kiss,’

[wolfpants]

erised tidings

Unfortunately I had to drop out of @hd-erised this year due to being flakier than a 99p* cone, but that didn't cut short my Erised journey because I had the pleasure of betaing 3 absolutely stellar fics that I want to scream about from the rooftops. Listed in alphabetical order, because each is as excellent as the next and they all hold a very special place in my cold heart.

Thank you so much to my lovely pals who let me feel like I was taking part in the fest even when I wasn't. I'm very lucky indeed. 🖤

In a Year's Turning by @hoko-onchi-writes is not only a gorgeous rekindled-romance by way of delicately mending the tears in a relationship so romantic, so beautifully feelsy and tender (and hot, my god is it hot), but at its heart it's an emotional and important exploration of parenthood and family and what it feels like to watch your child grow up as the magical, wonderous but also at times unsympathetic and cruel world moves too quickly around them and you. I got so choked up reading this for Hoko, so many times. A beauty of a fic. The Melting Point of Wax by @oknowkiss is a riot of originality and sexiness and holy popes racing around the Vatican on broomsticks? Honestly sometimes I just want to crawl right into Elaine's big, wonderful mind and have a poke around in there, their ideas are like nothing I've ever seen cooked up anywhere else, and what's more, they're always translated so sharply; Elaine's writing is full of life and wit, and at the centre there's always the tender heart I so crave when it comes to Drarry, just thrumming and constant and waiting to be uncovered fully. Really fucking great, this one. The Pain From an Old Wound by @citrusses had me gasping for more every time Lor updated the doc. This is a grown-up, swoon-worthy, gothic-tinged romance weaved with clever magic theory, outstanding dialogue, and a romantic Drarry history (and reunion) that feels absolutely lived-in and achy but also really fun as we get to see the two exes snark back and forth (jealousy. my. beloved.) as they come together to work through Harry's crisis. Gorgeously rendered, elegant prose.

I can't wait to dig into the fics I've not gotten around to reading yet. This year's fest has been an absolute banger!

*they're actually like £5 or something now... inflation... economy...

[bullet-prooflove]

Hi! Request for Duke Crocker please

"Why am I the only one naked right now?"

❤️

Tagging: @kmc1989 @of-mice-and-mirth @magic-multicolored-miracle @itsdanajane16 @trublu2u

Companion piece to:

Death In A Tarot Card - Duke learns his fate.

You aren’t in bed when Duke wakes up, he doesn’t hear your footsteps on the deck, or feel your presence in the room. Something has shifted he thinks, he isn’t sure what but he can feel it in the depths of his soul as he pushes himself up from the mattress.

He finds you in the galley, sitting at the small table by the porthole. Your hands are wrapped around a mug of Earl Grey tea as you stare out of the window at the sea as it laps against the starboard side of the Rouge.

"Why am I the only one naked right now?" He asks you as he leans in the doorway, the sheets gathered around his hips.

You sigh before you remove the two tarot cards out of your bag, setting them down on the table in front of him. His chest tightens as he looks down at them, your fingers tracing over the Death card.

“Did you ask me to marry you because you love me?” You ask him as you push it towards him. “Or because you found out you wouldn’t be here in a couple of months?”

“Why can’t it be both?” He asks you, his dark hair falling across his features as his eyes meet yours. “I’ve been carrying that ring around for weeks waiting for the right time and then it turned out there might not be one.”

“So your reaction to finding out you’re going to die is to come home, propose to me, fuck me stupid and then get up and resort to do the same thing all over again.” You say, your fingertip tapping on the Death card.

“I don’t want to die.” He tells you frankly. “But if these are my last days, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than inside that sweet pussy of yours, making you say my name.”

Your cheeks colour then and he really hopes that this isn’t one of the last times he gets to see you blush.

“If you’re serious about marrying me, I want to do it today.” You tell him as you push your own card forward.

It’s the Lovers.

A man that looks like him, holding a woman that looks like you. He’s seen this card a thousand times since the two of you got together, always sandwiched between the pages of a book. He can’t believe he’s never noticed the resemblance until now.

“I want to honeymoon in Cape Breton.” You continue as he picks up the card and stares at it. He notes the rings on their fingers, wedding bands he realises. “I want to make love in that little bed and breakfast we found in Nova Scotia, to see the Northern Lights, experience that magic with you…”

You trail off then because what you’re reciting, that’s his bucket list, the one he whispers to you in the dead of night.

“Today then.” He says, his voice rough as sets the card back down upon the table. “We’ll get married today.”

Love Duke? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

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Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[catsofcalifornia]

Pharell and Yoshi from Marin Humane in Novato, California

Click here for more information about adoption and other ways to help!

Click here for a link to Marin Humane's main website.

Yoshi and Pharell are a special pair of dignified cats with gentle, sweet natures that came to us as brothers from another mother. They were quite confused at first, as they had been left at the shelter after their person moved out of state. They were quick to open up and trust new people but it seemed clear that they needed a lot of extra TLC to get them in their full glory.

Big "brother" Pharell is a gorgeous senior Maine Coon cat that appears to have the longest torso we've ever seen in a kitty. He's definitely got that magical woodland creature element to him, with his fluffy mane and tall pointed ears and deep set eyes. Despite his huge stature, he still manages to fit in the kitty napping nooks and is content to lounge about waiting for his next meal, or a chat and pet session with any nice person that visits with him. He is mellow over all, until you have to try and check his ear or put him in a crate, and at that point, he can be fast and nimble and you realize his enormity. In other words, a typical cat with double the stubborn strength.

Handsome "little brother" Yoshi, has been a diamond in the rough, letting his older brother take the lime light and slowly settling in and revealing his personality, opening up a little more every day. He's generally a quiet kitty, but at least once a day randomly, you'll hear him talking to himself with high pitched baby meows. He is still a young teenager after all, and might even have a little more growing to do. When we first met him, he was attached to Pharell and it's evident that they're bonded and should stay together. He would love to take his time getting to know his new family and opening up on his own timeline, with Pharell right by his side.

With these two as a pair, you will definitely need to have a few grooming brushes at the ready and lots of lap surface area. These boys would love bonding grooming sessions, as they do crave loving attention. They have gotten used to a double charm offensive strategy when they greet people. We've had the privilege of hosting Yoshi and Pharell and now it's time for them to find their new family together!

[beaconfeels]

prompt: roots

steter or steterek

send me one of these ships and prompt and I might write something

“The Hales are back,” Lydia says. 

“When?” Stiles asks. 

“Not sure. I think late last night?” 

Well, that explains a lot. 

“I’m going out,” he says, grabbing his jacket. 

“Stiles-” Lydia starts. 

“I’ll be okay,” he interrupts. “You don’t have to stick around. Go home and get some rest. We can work on this more tomorrow.” 

He doesn’t wait for an answer, just leaves and hops into his car. 

If he hadn’t known before that the Hales are back, he would have known once he got to the preserve. Everything has woken up. The tips of his fingers tingle with magical energy. He’ll have no problem doing any spell he wants to now. He’s pretty sure he could just think something out here and make it happen. 

The Hale roots go deep here, and if Stiles ever had a doubt as to his place with them, they’d be erased as he steps across the forest floor. The energy rushes under, around, and through him like a river. 

“I’m here. Meet me at The Tree,” Stiles says. 

Meet me at The Tree, The Tree, The Tree, the forest whispers. Branches and leaves shiver around him. 

His walk turns into a jog as he makes his way through the trees. He feels like he could take on a dragon and win right now. 

Peter and Derek are standing in front of the Nemeton when he arrives, their hands clasped together, shoulders loose, smiles spreading across their faces when they see him. 

“Nobody believed me when I said you were coming back,” Stiles says, coming to a stop in front of them. “Nobody believed you did this for us.” 

“Everybody was wrong. What’s new?” Peter says with a smirk. 

Stiles feels helplessly fond as he takes them in. “My god you two look good.” 

“You too, sweetheart,” Peter says. 

They step toward him, and he lets himself be folded into their arms. His face is in Peter’s neck, Derek is at his back, nuzzling against him. He takes what feels like the first deep breath he’s had since they left. 

“It’s done,” Peter says softly into his ear. “We did it. Just like we promised, and now we’re back for good.” 

“Thank goddess,” Stiles says fervently. “I was losing my mind without you.” 

“You’ll be ours now, yes?” Peter asks. 

“I never stopped being yours, you big lugs,” Stiles says, rolling his eyes. 

Derek kisses his shoulder, and Peter kisses his neck, and far below them Stiles feels the roots humming happily. 

[zuppizup]

Rayllum, 10 babies and Xadian family planning

I’m trying to post the next chapter of Dark Alternative, but AO3 is very wonky, so you’re going to be subjected to my rambling thoughts on my new WIP for Work in Progress Wednesday.

So, over my vacation, I’ve been plagued by post-season 7 fanfic ideas. Short fics, obviously. No more than three chapters, as usual.

What’s got me intrigued right now, is how the continent of Xadia, or at least, a select group of people, will manage with living with the knowledge that Aaravos, in some form, is coming back in seven years. How would that affect politics and society, as well as the individual characters and the choices they make knowing that?

The regular folks would struggle to miss that whole eternal darkness and dead creatures thing that happened, but what do they know about exactly what went down?

And what do they know about what’s to come?

You know me, I’m a Rayllum person, so pretty much any fic of mine is a Rayllum fic, and this current idea is focused on how this particular threat affects the next stage of their lives.

Without a doubt, when we last saw Rayllum they were totally committed to each other and are fully ride or die… but how would that devotion relate to their future, in particular, the subject of children?

Now, I’m an angster in my deep dark heart, so while I’m sure many people could conceive of a fic where Rayllum are secure in their ability to defeat Aaravos come round two, that ain’t where my brain was ever going to go.

Rayllum are in love and clearly want a future together. Callum was openly planning a quaint little one in the Silvergrove before they were rudely interrupted by the whole end of the world dealio.

So, where does that leave them now (in my angsty reality anyway)?

In their youth, they both leaned into their more paranoid natures (Rayla leaving without Callum in TTM and Callum getting physical with Soren in season 4), and while they’ve both grown and matured since then, would such a threat as the world ending be enough to bring that paranoia right on back?

Which leaves me with my current fic planning conundrum.

Assuming Rayllum decided to forego the whole having kids thing until Aaravos is imprisoned again, how likely is it that they could plan when to have a family.

I’ve seen people say that the world of The Dragon Prince is in a medieval setting, and so people had children younger then, which, aside from not being the entire story, doesn’t feel like it really applies to a world with magic and dragons, a world that lacks the sexism and gender roles that are also associated with medieval times or other more grounded works set then.

Additionally, looking at canon, I think it could be reasonably argued that some form of birth control is readily available in the setting. In fact, I think it’s likely multiple forms of birth control exist in the world of The Dragon Prince.

From humans to elves, we don’t see large families normally associated with the inability to plan a family via the use of effective birth control. The “largest” family we see are the Sunfire monarchs, with three children. Viren and Lissa had two children only. Sarai may well have had more children had she lived, but Rayla’s parents spent multiple years at the Storm Spire and she remained an only child.

I can’t imagine there’s much in the way of entertainment at the Storm Spire either. Sure, they could abstain or get creative, but oof, hasn’t enough been asked of them?

Even looking at prior generations, we do not see large families. Given the closeness in ages of the siblings we know of, it also seems unlikely to me that children were lost in childbirth or to childhood illnesses.

To me, it seems far more likely that family planning is active in Xadia and would be a tool Callum and Rayla could exercise.

Clearly, no birth control is infallible (or I guess it can be, magic and all) and I assume Miyana’s twins were unplanned.

Personally, I head canon Rayla herself was an oopsie baby in order to further explain the complications of her parents being called away to join the Dragon Guard.

Where am I going with this? I don’t even know anymore.

I suppose, to me, it’s not a foregone conclusion that in seven years Rayllum would have a kid (or indeed multiple). The setting of the world doesn’t imply that it’s particularly difficult to prevent pregnancy. In fact, the small families imply to me that family planning is a cultural norm among elves and humans.

Faced with the imminent threat of Aaravos’ return, would Rayllum plan to start a family? Certainly, people put off having children for far lesser reasons.

We also don’t know how using dark magic, even in that limited capacity, has affected Callum and the potential for him to get possessed again. It was clearly enough to physically mark him, but does that go deeper?

Would imprisoning Aaravos once again result in an inevitable possession?

Not great when Dad gets taken over and abandons the family.

Or worse, Mum has to take him out.

Angsty though!

As usual, I’ll be doing my own thing in my fics, but I’m interested to see where Arc 3 goes with this (optimistically assuming we get it). There are a lot of factors at play to explain why we might see a lot of the characters in a state of stasis. Seven years isn’t that long when you’re facing the world ending, after all. Particularly when you’re likely to play a very active part in trying to stop that returning apocalypse.

So, which way to go? I see the angst potential in both.

On one hand, you’ve got the pain and desperation of protecting your kid from a returned Aaravos, or perhaps worse, a possessed Dad.

But on the other, you’ve got two people who likely want to take the next steps in their lives, but feel the pressure of a ticking bomb haunting them and potentially preventing them from moving forward.

Either way, bring on the pain.

[arcane-ish]

Some thoughts on love, changing the world, co-dependency and commander Caitlyn

I watched this youtube video, “Understanding Vi”. I think it makes a pretty good case for why Vi falls for Caitlyn and what the appeal, the draw of the relationship is for her.

Looking at some of the other vids on the channel, I got the impression that there is focus a bit on ships that would actually be working and healthy in a real life way, couples whose personalities and goals and stage in life are a good match.

It made me look at CaitVi a bit under that light, and also what Amanda might have been thinking when she forged them.

I’m personally a big subscriber to the whole “shipping something doesn’t mean that the characters are perfect or that the relationship is perfect just that you think there’s a good story there”. And I vibe with that a lot. I can want to see characters interacting or just what the interactions would tell me about a character I like, even if I think the relationships might end in breakup or death and murder eventually. At the same time, not everybody ships like that or ships like that all the time.

It can be a particular type of comfort ship to look at your ship and just feel like things will be alright for them. That no matter what happens they’ll support each other and they’ll still be together when they are old and gray. And for that you do have to write the characters as just being very stable with each other.

[speaking of which, maybe that’s just the Zaundads shipper in me, I have seen quite a bit of hot CaitVi art of course and quite a bit of CaitVi if they met as kids, but are there any good arts of them growing old together/spending their life together? I know League means they will forever be frozen like that, but I think for a bit them with the first traces of gray hair could be lovely, especially if as part of a chain of arts with them also being younger]

I think CaitVi can work like that, two people who genuinely like each other, who want to make it work and who overall have enough self discipline that they can make it work despite any conflicts that might rise up.

Looking at the plot, I do feel like CaitVi got shafted a little bit in season 2, for my tastes, my priorities, because if you look around, it feels like with most of the other ships they have a measurable effect on the plot. Zaundad reuniting is the reason why the AU is like that according to the writer’s statements, Ekko stops Jinx’s suicide attempt, Jayce talks Viktor down from destroying the world, timetravel Viktor is the reason that Jayce became interested in magic.

And no, I’m not saying that CaitVi has no effect on the plot. In season 1 it is very clear, Caitlyn is Vi’s “bridge” to Piltover, their connection is why Vi and Caitlyn are standing in front of the council trying to make a case for Zaun, their connection is also the reason for a lot of conflict and misunderstandings between Vi and Jinx.

And even in season 2, her love for Cait is clearly the reason why Vi joins up with the enforcers or why she lets herself be handed over to Ambessa.

But now we get to the actual meat of what I want to talk about. I know there are a lot of jokes about “Vi calls Cait cupcake and fascism leaves Cait’s body”. And here it goes: I don’t think that that’s true because Cait was pretty half-hearted about fascism anyway.

And this is not to say Caitlyn is not to blame for the things she did as Commander Caitlyn or before. Heck, especially if you knew on some level that it was wrong makes it extra questionable in its own way. But that’s just genuinely how I read Caitlyn as a character. From her point of view there two big candidates for “for love” decisions:

turning on Ambessa

letting Jinx go

But both of these to me seem like they are in general alignment with what Caitlyn is feeling in this situation anyway. Which doesn’t mean that Vi isn’t a factor in the mix of Caitlyn’s motivations. But that she isn’t the only one and that I can picture worlds where Caitlyn makes roughly the same choices even if Vi wasn’t around.

Caitlyn doesn’t fight to become commander. It gets offered to her without any pushing on her side, it basically falls into her lap. We skip forward in time and she is already doubting that it’s a great idea in her scene with Maddie. I feel like her doubts grow in the scene with Singed. IMO Caitlyn was (1) never that gung-ho for commandering from an ideological point of view, she was willing to do it and ignore her own doubts for the big goal of “catching Jinx”. And yes maybe she was curious about Ambessa. (2) she was already out with half a foot when she meets Vi again and Vi gives her the opportunity to jump ship.

Similarly, letting Jinx go, I feel like Caitlyn understands that she needs to let go of her hate. That’s what her scene with Jinx is about. Maybe in a world without Vi Caitlyn wouldn’t have been able to bring herself to the point of actively letting Jinx go/unleashing her on the world again even as she understands that she needs to let go of Jinx/her hate for Jinx. But I think she at least heavily would have thought about it.

I think from a ship point of view? You want your ship to be powerful, you want it to have a ripple effect on the plot, you want it to shape the world. But from a relationship point of view? It’s probably better and saner if the people involved are put together enough that they can fix themselves before hooking up and are not co-dependent on each other for not going evil or not offing themselves.

From a relationship point of view, it’s probably better that Caitlyn doesn’t need Vi to develop doubts about Ambessa and that Vi doesn’t need Caitlyn to pull her out of her self destructive spiral from the beginning of s2a2. Because if they have the strength to pull themselves out of their dark places it makes them more ready to have a healthy and sane relationship and choose each other because this is what they want.

There’s a romantic appeal to co-dependent characters who absolutely need each other, but from a relationship POV? It’s probably better to … not be like that. That Vi and Cait do have things in their lives and parts of their personality they want to explore before they return to each other.

(that said, I do hope CaitVi fandom is full of “Commander Cait can’t live without Vi and decides to sneak into Zaun to watch Vi fight undercover, after having seen the posters, or just having heard the reputation, or runs into her accidentally while doing a raid on the club. Because while from an intellectual point of view I totally get why it’s probably better that Vi pulls herself out of her hole, for my shipper tastes, yeah I totally want Cait to see Vi at her lowest and it gals me that in canon Jinx is sneaking into Vi’s fights to check on her and not Cait)

[ppnuggiexxx]

-> kiss prompt || whb

• character :: naberius

• wanting a kiss

        it wasnt always easy being in abyssos ,, after all any time you appeared so did beelzebub magically . it was like he could predict whenever you came ,, or was secretly stalking you . well ,, there was this sudden buzzing that happened not too long ago but you didnt think too much of it . least to say ,, bael was more than ecstatic at your appearance . you did help the overworked devil with some of his workload ,, and provided decent company .

you could sympathize for him ,, after all having stolas with a short temper so often and naberius turning into dog form often must've been difficult to deal with . though amon tells you it happens often enough it shouldnt be too hard ,, you still feel sympathy for bael . he truly needed a vacation ,, but it seemed like it would be eternity before that happened .

being hounded down by Beelzebub every day you spent there was also not the greatest . he was nice and all ,, but it got boring being pestered about handing off any unwashed clothing or underwear to him ,, offering to take it off your hands with a wink . and on top of it ,, he would offer left and right to show you different spots in his country . you'd be glad to indulge if most of them didnt include an orgy or a club ,, though you did tag along once when he said he was going to a bakery .

however ,, due to being so occupied with the king and bael ,, you hadnt been able to spend time with the one devil you came to avisos for specifically . with the way he pouted in the corner of your eye you could tell he knew too . you'd promised naberius you'd spend time with him ,, and thus the trip to abyssos was made . yet the moment you arrived you had your attention stolen away .

thankfully at night the devils understood that you were human and needed some rest after such a long day . and with this newfound free time you could spend it with your beloved . making your way down the hallways ,, you knocked on the door to naberius's room ,, waiting until he acknowledged you . " come in !" the devil shouted ,, and you opened the door . he perked up at your presence ,, already changed for bed and a few documents spread out over his desk in the corner .

        " how've you been ?" you asked ,, making your way towards him . he seemed tense with how much more work he's been given ,, his body relaxing the moment your hands reached his cheeks . " could be better ,, and you ? i know being dragged by his majesty everywhere isnt easy ." his eyes scanned your features ,, looking for any discomfort .

        " better now that im here witu you ,," you smiled at him ,, and his eyes lit up slightly . you pressed your lips to his ,, savoring the soft kiss . his lips felt softer than usual ,, even his skin was softer in your hands . his own hand grabbed the back of your head ,, pulling you closer than possible and deepening the kiss . it'd been a while since you two could even be this sort of intimate ,, let alone hold hands in the presence of others . you both had been busy with beelzebub's sudden appearance and the workload that came with it .

        it felt nice being able to be together alone .

[bloby-876]

This is actually so dialogue heavy be warned.

---

"Im leaving Camelot."

Arthur nearly chokes on his wine and Gwen openly gapes at him.

Merlin laughs lightly at the look on their faces and Gwen's heart melts just a bit because how long has it been since they truly spent a moment together?

He stood in front of their table and Arthur took a moment to look, really look, at Merlin. His eyes were dark and his shoulders were broader compared to when he first came to Camelot. His smile was something Arthur hardly got to see anymore. And as Arthur processed the weight of Merlin's words, a sick feeling of dread slowly began building up somewhere in his heart.

"What? How- What brought this on, Merlin?" Gwen spoke, her voice quivering slightly. Arthur knew that she was likely fiddling with a ring on her finger, a nervous habit she picked up from him.

"I-" Merlin hesitated. One of his hands grasped at his forearm nervously. He looked like he might tear up. "I don't know what to do with myself now."

He locked eyes with Arthur.

"Ever since I first came to Camelot, I've lived in constant paranoia. I could never fully trust any friends I made for fear of the pyre. And- and when you started changing into this-," Merlin gestured to Arthur, "-this selfless, kind, brave king- I did everything I could to protect that. When you started courting Gwen, I did all that I could because I wanted you two be happy. It changed me, Arthur."

They knew about Merlin's magic but he had never truly told them about what Merlin had gone through throughout the years. They were stuck feeling helpless as the light slowly drained from his eyes, doing whatever they could but it never felt like enough.

He went on explaining.

"I turned into a weapon. My hands are stained with the blood of hundreds and yet it never mattered to me as long as you were both safe. But- when you stopped needing me?" Tears were flowing down his pale cheeks as he wiped them helplessly. Gwen got up immediately, rushing to wipe at them with a handkerchief. Arthur was right behind her, a hand on both gwen and Merlin's shoulders.

"I don't know what to do with myself. Gaius has a new physician's apprentice who's way better at medicine than I am, you and Arthur have George, Morgana is an excellent court sorceress, and I'm still here."

Arthur wanted to interrupt. It pained him, more than anything, to hear Merlin talk like that about himself. Like there was no worth in him other than how well he could serve others.

Gwen cried quietly. She had been so busy with learning the inner workings of court life that she missed how her best friend has been feeling.

"Merlin-"

"I need to find myself Arthur, Gwen. And- I can't do that here anymore." He looked so pained as he spoke. Gwen knew how selfish of her it would be to ask him to stay anyway but she wanted to, so badly. And she ached.

"..Okay," the king started, "if that is what you believe is best. But Merlin-"

"You will always, always have a place in Camelot. And I'm so sorry we ever made you feel like you didn't." Her voice came out strong, for she knew that Merlin needed something more, and neither the king nor queen could provide that anymore.

Arthur let his tears fall openly now, and he tightened his hold on them both, on his most precious people, the two who taught him to be better, to truly be a king. He loved them both so, so much. And his heart hurt with how badly he never wanted to let go.

And the three stayed there for a long while, weeping together. Eventually Merlin had to leave. Arthur resisted the urge to pull him back.

And Gwen couldn't see him off at the courtyard properly because she knew she would crack, beg him to stay, apologize a thousand times. And she didn't because she knew that Merlin would.

So when he left and long after they lost sight of his horse and lantern, they stayed by the window. Eventually, Gwen let out a sob and rushed into Arthur's arms. She mourned and cried and sobbed as loud as she needed and pretended like she couldn't feel a patch on her shoulder getting wet.

They fell asleep with heavy hearts and the knowledge of a ring on Arthur's desk that will never meet its intended hand, a third of a coin on a braided necklace that will never be accepted, a speech meticulously planned to ask him to stay with the two forever, to rule alongside them.

Perhaps a lot of things were left unsaid.

---

AAASJEHAIDBOS S

I read pt. 1 of @mysticsublimeperson's mergwenthur au a lonng time ago and this thing has been running around in my head ever since.

[shinobi-illuminator]

Out of all the au kids for Arcane I made for fun, Asher has been the most talkative to me. Goofy, cocky, people pleaser, wants to help make big changes to the two cities. Despite wanting to join the counsel when he got older, Asher had always been an artist at heart. Stained Glass being his focus despite his young age.

The set up is Jayce and Mel tied the knot and Jayce appointed Viktor his best man for his wedding and godfather to his son. But on the day of the birth, Mel had hemorrhaged and was losing a lot of blood. She had only gotten to see and name her son briefly before going into shock. Her golden markings sparked before suddenly fading from her body. Then Asher's skin was glowing with these same golden birthmarks. She had passed her magic onto him and no one had known.

Jayce was heartbroken. He suffered emotional whiplash from having his happiest day suddenly turn into one of the worst days of his life. He was a wreck when trying to console his son. Viktor couldn't wait any longer in the waiting room and went in. He saw the sad sight and helped hold Asher with Jayce. Viktor never thought about having kids, but looking down at Asher made him feel this surge of love and protectiveness as if he was his son.

Viktor stuck around to help Jayce. They went over Mel's belongings and funeral arrangements together all the while trying to tackle the joys and struggles of fatherhood. Jayce loved his son to pieces, but he was still grieving for Mel. Viktor knew that and would try to take care of Asher when Jayce needed to rest and collect himself. Asher looked so much like his late mother. Sky became the unofficial auntie, she made sure Asher had plenty of blankets, toys, and food. She was willing to babysit him while they had to deal with their jobs at the lab and counsel. With Mel gone, Jayce became the head of the counsel and dealt with her estate. Viktor in the meantime knew deep down he wasn't going anywhere. After some time raising Asher together with Jayce he felt closer to him more than ever. He proposed to be his husband. In no time they were married, now with Sky as Asher's godmother.

Jayce was very loving to Asher but was also very protective of his little boy. The first time he brought him to see the Hexgates, Asher looked out and could see Zaun. He had never been there and had big dreams of making it better. He wanted to go there, but Jayce immediately shot that idea down. It was far too dangerous. But to Asher he saw it as Viktor's old home. He went to Viktor afterwards and asked if he could take him then. But Viktor also said no. Though Viktor had different views on Zaun, he knew it wouldn't be wise for Asher to go. But Asher pointed out Viktor wasn't dangerous, so it shouldn't be that bad. Viktor was touched by that statement, but still declined to take him there.

But being a curious boy, Asher HAD to go and see for himself. Against both father's wishes, he sneaked out. In his eyes, if he was gonna rule these people one day he should at least go there once. Sadly he didn't think anyone wanted to hurt him before he got abducted by a brace of drug goons. Just when Asher feared he made the worst mistake of his life Jayce burst in and slaughtered them with his hammer. Asher was traumatized, he knew he fucked up big time. People died, and his father was furious because of him. Jayce could see he was in shock and carried him back home across the bridge. Being paranoid, Jayce got into an argument with Viktor accusing him of putting ideas into his son's head insinuating he told him to go. Viktor did no such thing and tried to reason back, but Jayce wouldn't hear it. Asher could hear them fighting outside his room. Jayce then said something he came to regret.

"He's not your son, Viktor!"

Hearing that felt like a stab to the gut for Viktor, he couldn't even speak. Asher then charged in and shouted at them to stop fighting. He insisted it was his fault, not Viktor's-- not anybodies! He was a sobbing mess. He didn't want his father's to say such hateful things because of his own mistakes. Jayce saw he messed up too and tried to apologize. But Asher just clung onto Viktor brawling apology after apology to his second father. Viktor was touched and tried to calm him down. Asher promised he'd never ever go to Zaun again and was practically demanding them to punish him so long as they didn't fight. Jayce and Viktor exchanged glances. Despite Asher disobeying them they could see he was already punishing himself already as is. They let him off the hook so long as he didn't try and run away like that again. They let Asher sleep between them in bed, he was exhausted. Viktor was still hurt by Jayce, but he knew Jayce felt regretful for what he said. He'd forgive him... But it would take longer to forget what he said.

Over the course of several days Asher practically bent backwards trying to get things back to normal. Any opportunity he could find he'd try and make things feel romantic for Viktor and Jayce. Being a child, he had a very... naive idea to what went into love. But the two fathers were amused by his antics and had no choice but to fall back in love through it. Asher knew they loved each other and he was gonna be determined to keep them together.

[thetiedyedwitch]

Ok. So very THIS, but. Back story. When I was probably 6, I didn't know it, but Mama's mom had been diagnosed with terminal emphysema from complications of asthma, living with wood stoves almost all her life. There were other little bits, but idt the doctors knew much of how to care for her at that time. (Almost 40 years ago, medicine has vastly grown since then). So grandpa used to walk across the street with me to buy something small and have some bonding time with me, to the corner market. One time when I didn't know anything about what was wrong, we walked as usual. But when we got there, I saw a crane machine with stuffed animals (all stuffies and dolls and such I've always called Babies). So I looked at it and found out it took 50¢. I asked grandpa for the two quarters. He and the nice lady at the counter tried to gently let me know in a little kid version of :that game is rigged and it's almost certain you won't win anything'. They were all heavily skewed towards cheating at that time, including the crane claws not physically made strong enough to hold most of the prices inside. I adamantly told them with complete surety that I'm going to get that bear for Mama. Grandpa gave me the quarters. I took a minute to assess the way the Babies were squished together, then carefully got the crane in place and released the claw. I got the bear on the first try, shocking my two person audience. When we got back home, I gave him to Mama, telling her 'this is Bear Bear. He will help you not be sad, and be happy instead ". He became her buddy for then on. He was deeply beloved by Mama until she died. I call him my "little bro". I also had gotten a new store bought Baby around that time, a little later. We were pretty poor. All my babies came from yard sales. I knew this, and actually love that fact. I knew that the kids didn't want the babies, and I wanted to give them a new home, with love. But there was a specific baby I wanted called Magic Nursery Dolls. granny and grandpa would save a bit of change to give me sometimes when I came over. They started saving the change up for the doll (with my knowledge and appreciation). I finally got to go get one. It was November 24th, 1994. I believe it was thanksgiving day. O bought one that Mama many years later told me that the box was kinda messed up and I remember them all trying to get me to get a different one, but as soon as i saw that baby's face i Knew they were mine. (They had a gender reveal of sorts when you got home.) It ended up that someone must have got that baby, cut her hair, then returned her. The company repackaged her to resell. I didn't care, she was MY baby, Kathlene (spelling on purpose to match a middle name that ran in my family's women). She has been my heart friend ever since. Mama and I had actual WTF experiences to do with Kathlene turning over from facing the wall to facing the hallway when we were in the bathroom doing my hair or something. Mama verified it all the way through her life. I have a witchy belief system that basically some Babies are alive, because we love them so much and put love and energy into them, they get a soul. When I go, I'm going to ask to bury them with me. I've talked to Bear Bear and Kathene about this. I told them that when I die, there will be no reason for them to stay attached to their bodies. And that they can release, and come with us to the afterlife. I believe that⁰ Babies can stay or go soul wise, to the degree we can when we die. I have sat with this belief and point of view for years, examining this belief for holes in the reasoning. I don't feel like they will be alone. I feel like they will release the tethers on their physical bodies like I will. (Like humans).

Ever since I was a child, and up to now, I’ve had an intense love of and empathy for stuffed animals. As an awkward and shy only child, they were my very best friends, and I fully ascribed feelings and souls to them, which I still kinda do today (how tf did my autism *not* get discovered sooner?? Did it really have to take 30 years?), I also sleep with a good number of them.

I’m a mortician (I’m dual-licensed as a funeral director and embalmer, but I’m a lab rat and exclusively keep to the back embalming the bodies), and along with embalming, I also dress and put people in their caskets. Very few things bother me about my work, I love it very much. I can deal with just about any disgusting form the aftermath of death takes, but my heart. Fucking. S h a t t e r s. When a stuffed animal is being buried with the deceased. I know it’s ridiculous, but I just can’t stop thinking of how lonely they’ll be, with their only companion dead and rotting, forever. I like to think the “spirit” of the stuffie moves on to a new vessel to be loved again to soothe these thoughts.

This lady I’m taking care of today is being buried with a stuffed calico cat (it’s one of those heating pad bean plushies you microwave). The cat is held in her folded hands, facing her.

My fucking heart. 💔

[divinereign4ever]

The only complaint (that's not really a complaint) I have is that James and Anita-Joy didn't kiss. I wanted it just for myself idc idc I want to see more hot people kissing

[pepperpixel]

- IM A MAGIC MAN -

Betty and magic man art!!!! Cuz!!!! Look me in the eyes and fuckin TELL me these two were not a fucked up / death spiral / make each other worse duo… you CANNOT!!! THEY ARE THE SAME!!! THEY UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER!! IN A WAY NO ONE ELSE POSSIBLY COULD… and! I just rlly wanted to draw them ghghg- cuz! I think there whole thing is interesting! Complicated as hell! Yes! But also interesting! Also made an extra meme thing w em too:

[vaguely-concerned]

sophia seeing cailan's body hanging there when they go back to ostagar, and suddenly all she can see even through the rot and the ruin is just how much he looked like alistair...... :'(

a mental image that totally will not haunt her through alistair's many years on the throne as rebellions and assassination attemps come and go. doesn't send her unhinged and unwise even a little

[radaverse]

finally

😈

(Context)