#but i think that can be challenging (and frustrating) when he's the one requiring care most of the time

[incorrect-koh-posts]

idk but... Baldwin iv being a malewife

He gives me more boy-who-was-spoilt-silly-in-his-childhood-but-has-since-learnt-better vibes, but if you'd like to make him into a full-on malewife, don't let me detain you.

[thedensworld]

I Can Fight | J.Ww

Pairing: Wonwoo x reader

Genre: fluff

Summary: Since you married Jeon Wonwoo, you always considered to not wear revealing clothes. Honestly, Wonwoo doesn't care.

Maestro is definitely Wonwoo's era. My love from him escalates from hundred to limited🤍 god, i need him in my life. However, enjoy this fluffy fluffy wonuuuu🥰

It hasn't even been a year since you tied the knot with Jeon Wonwoo, the heir to a vast conglomerate. He possesses everything one could desire: a top-tier education, a lucrative career, and a prominent place in society. Yet, despite his wealth and status, he insists that you are the center of his universe. You, a mere lecturer at a university owned by his father, never imagined you'd capture the heart of someone like Wonwoo.

Your paths crossed at an event where you represented the university as its youngest dean. Wonwoo's attention was drawn to you instantly, captivated by the calm grace you exuded. The following morning, you were taken aback to find him at the university, seeking you out.

"I have something to discuss with you," he said, his eyes filled with a mixture of determination and something else, something softer.

As he proposed an internship program to benefit the students, the conversation effortlessly shifted from professional to personal. It became evident that his true motive was to get closer to you, to unravel the layers of your being.

You couldn't deny the flutter of excitement in your heart as Wonwoo confessed his ulterior motive. How could you resist someone who pursued you with such sincerity and charm?

Wonwoo's pride in you knew no bounds. He loved to showcase you to his friends and colleagues, boasting about your intelligence and beauty at every opportunity. Being by his side at elite events was both an honor and a responsibility, one that required the perfect attire to match his prestigious status.

As you surveyed the two gowns laid out before you in the bedroom, the weight of the upcoming event pressed upon you. Your current formal attire had already made its rounds, and you couldn't bear the thought of causing Wonwoo any embarrassment by appearing in the same outfit again.

With a heavy sigh, you reached for your phone, dialing Seungkwan's number without hesitation. He was your trusted friend, the one whose fashion sense you relied on for such occasions. But as you questioned his choices, your finger instinctively pointed towards the more daring of the two gowns—a black off-shoulder number with a thigh-high slit.

"What were you thinking with these options?" you inquired, your voice laced with a mix of frustration and concern. The other gown, a deep red wine hue, was equally alluring, with its backless design and knee-high slit, presenting a different kind of challenge.

"I thought that's what rich people wear to events like that! It's straight out of the pages of those fancy books!" Seungkwan's voice came through the phone, his defense ringing with a hint of sheepishness.

You took a moment to collect yourself, inhaling deeply before responding. "Do you honestly think I usually wear something like these?" You couldn't help but chuckle, the absurdity of the situation washing over you.

Seungkwan's laughter echoed through the phone. "Of course not. Last time you wore something revealing was when you danced to '10 Minute' at Jeonghan's birthday party in college."

A wistful smile tugged at the corners of your lips as you recalled the carefree days of youth. "And I was so drunk that I slit my skirt and cut my sleeves," you added, shaking your head at the memory.

Seungkwan's tone turned more serious. "Just wear it. You won't embarrass your husband by wearing it. Trust me."

You nervously bit your lip, the weight of Seungkwan's words sinking in. "He's a respected person, Seungkwan. And I'm an academic. Last time I wore something tight, someone actually talked about him."

"No way! What did they say?" Seungkwan's curiosity piqued through the phone.

You let out a weary sigh, memories of the unpleasant encounter resurfacing. "Just that I looked too hot for a professor, and my look didn't match Wonwoo. It was awful, really. I wish I could have stood up to them at the time."

Seungkwan's voice came through with conviction, urging you not to let others dictate your choices. "Darling! Don't let them stop you. What if you are actually too hot? It's their fault they couldn't handle your fire! Stand up to them if someone talks to you like that."

A soft laugh escaped your lips at Seungkwan's fierce encouragement. "You know I can't fight," you admitted, resigned to your non-confrontational nature.

Before you could dwell further on the conversation, the sound of the bedroom door being pushed open interrupted your thoughts. Your heart skipped a beat as you turned to see your husband standing there, his presence filling the room with warmth and reassurance.

"Wonwoo just got back from work, I'll let you know my choice. Thanks for getting me these dresses, though," you informed Seungkwan.

Seungkwan hummed in acknowledgment. "Say hi to Wonwoo. I believe he'll choose the black one."

You couldn't help but chuckle at his teasing remark. "Shut up," you retorted playfully before ending the call.

As Wonwoo entered the room, his presence instantly filled the space with comfort and affection. His tie was discarded, and he loosened his blazer before casting a glance at the dresses laid out on the bed.

"Seungkwan got me these for tonight," you explained, gesturing towards the gowns. Wonwoo nodded in understanding as he wrapped his arms around your waist, resting his chin on your shoulder.

"He has great taste," he murmured softly, his warm breath sending shivers down your spine.

A tender smile graced your lips as he pulled you closer, his embrace providing solace and reassurance. "You'll look good in everything," he added, his words washing over you like a comforting embrace.

You gently touched his arms, leaning into his embrace. "But don't you think they'll be too revealing? I could just wear the one I've already used."

Wonwoo shook his head, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "If you want to wear these, then wear them. I think you'll look absolutely gorgeous, whether in revealing clothes or not."

A surge of warmth flooded your chest at his words, his unwavering support comforting you. "However, I would love to see you in them," he added, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

You raised your eyebrows in surprise, turning your head to meet his gaze. "Really?"

Wonwoo nodded, his expression earnest. "Let's show them that you're hot, just like what Seungkwan said."

Your astonishment grew as you realized he had overheard your conversation with Seungkwan. "From which part did you hear us?" you asked curiously.

"From the start. I actually wanted to surprise you, but you were talking to him," Wonwoo confessed with a sheepish smile.

A moment of silence passed between you before he spoke again. "Actually, I want to thank him for getting you these dresses. I can't wait to see you wear it," he added, his excitement evident in his voice.

He gently withdrew his arms from your waist, turning your body to face him. His hands tenderly moved from your hair to your face, cupping your cheeks and stroking them softly. "I'd love to see you in the black one tonight," he murmured, his voice filled with affection as he pressed a soft kiss to your lips.

A warmth spread through you at his touch and words, reassurance flooding your senses. "Your friend knows me so well," he remarked, planting another kiss on your forehead before trailing down to your shoulder.

His gestures of love and appreciation enveloped you, melting away any lingering doubts or insecurities.

***

You approached Wonwoo where he sat on the couch in the living room, a hint of uncertainty in your gaze. "Isn't it too revealing?" you asked, your voice tinged with self-doubt.

His breath caught in his throat as he took in your breathtaking appearance. The black dress hugged your curves in all the right places, accentuating your beauty in a way that left him speechless. The subtle yet alluring makeup only enhanced your features, drawing his eyes irresistibly to you. And the scent of your perfume, a familiar fragrance that never failed to captivate him, enveloped him in a heady mix of calm and desire.

As your hand moved to cover the revealed thigh, a part of you that he found utterly captivating, Wonwoo couldn't tear his gaze away from you. His heart raced with a jealous fervor, envying his own eyes for having the privilege of beholding your radiance.

"Is it not working?" you questioned, disappointment evident in your tone as he remained silent.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Wonwoo reached out to gently grasp your hand, pulling it away from your thigh. "No, it's not that," he finally managed to say, his voice filled with reverence and admiration. "You look absolutely stunning, beyond words."

Wonwoo sensed your apprehension and immediately shook his head, stepping forward to take your hand and press a tender kiss to it. "I can't believe I'm married to you. You look amazing, love," he murmured, lifting your hand and encouraging you to spin to showcase your dress.

As you twirled, a hint of uncertainty lingered in your mind, but Wonwoo's gasp of awe and promise to buy you countless dresses like the one you wore washed away your worries.

"You can wear anything you want, love. I can fight.," he declared, his words echoing your own inner resolve.

A smile graced your lips as you leaned in to peck his cheek, feeling reassured by his unwavering support. "I'll fight them with my whole life. But kiss me again, here and now," he requested, tapping his lips playfully.

You obliged, landing another gentle kiss, but before you could pull away, Wonwoo's grip on your head tightened, deepening the kiss into a passionate embrace. Lost in the moment, your hands instinctively found their way to his neck, reveling in the intimacy of the kiss that ignited a fiery passion between you.

"Should we skip the event?" he suggested with a mischievous smirk, tempting you with the idea of spending the evening wrapped up in each other's arms.

You playfully slapped his chest, chuckling at his suggestion. "Let's wipe your lips and let me fix my makeup. Seungcheol is going to kill you if we skip his birthday party," you reminded him, handing him a wet wipe.

Wonwoo chuckled as he wiped his mouth clean of your lipstick. "He loves me, he won't kill me," he mumbled before turning his gaze back to you. "So, what do you think?" he asked, anticipation dancing in his eyes as he awaited your response.

[avocadorablepirate]

What Do We Call This? - 07

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Pairing: Trafalgar Law x fem!reader

Summary: On a quest to find what you've been looking for, you acquire the help of the Straw Hat pirates, who've agreed to let you temporarily join them. There are however many challenges that come along with your temporary recruitment - an alliance with a certain Trafalgar Law being one of them.

Word Count: 1.2K

Warnings: fluff, angst, kinda slow burn, swearing, the occasional OP spoiler, they're both kinda mean to each other in this one

A/N: I don't know whether this series has a great flow, and honestly I don't know how well I've portrayed Law's character, but that's okay cause I'm very happy with how this chapter turned out <⁠(⁠￣⁠︶⁠￣⁠)⁠>. I hope you like it too!

—⁠☆✿☆—⁠

Having boarded Law's ship you trail behind him into the submarine, leaving his crew and the Straw Hats on the deck. While you mindlessly followed him, you took note of the stark difference between the Polar Tang and the Thousand Sunny. Although it seemed a lot more cold, the grey metal walls of the submarine also offered a sense of security in their own way, the faint beeping noises oddly comforting.

Shifting your focus from the walls back to the man walking in front, you called out to him when you realised he hadn't noticed you following, or at least hadn't bothered to acknowledge your presence. On hearing his name Law slowly turned to face you.

"So what did you need my assistance with?" you ask, tilting your head in curiosity. From the time you had spent with him, you knew that when it came to planning, Law was always two steps ahead of the rest. So maybe his plan required you to be in Wano, or maybe he required your assistance with something on his submarine.

"You'd only hurt yourself more if you went with Straw Hat-ya to retrieve Black-Leg. It's better for you this way."

Or maybe not.

"Really? So, that whole needing my assistance thing was a lie?" His lack of a response was enough of an answer.

"I can take care of myself Law. I don't need you constantly watching over me like I'm some child," you assert, ready to storm off before your frustration escalates. But before you can retreat, an all too familiar blue aura envelopes you. "Law-" you try to protest to his actions but your words fall on deaf ears.

"Room."

"Shambles."

The room shifts to what looks like the infirmary of the Polar Tang, and you find yourself already seated on the white matress of a surgical bed as Law shuts the door to the room. Before you can inquire about his intentions, he answers your unspoken question.

"You haven't changed your bandages since we left Dressrosa," he remarks, pulling out a gauze wrap from a drawer and positioning himself in front of you.

"I changed them yesterday," you counter, but this only leads him to roll his eyes, "Clearly, you didn't do a good job of it," he chides, gesturing at the gauze that had been haphazardly wrapped around your torso. In your defense, you were in a bit of a hurry. Robin had found some books in Zou that she thought you would like, and you were all too eager to read them (plus, lingering in the infirmary for too long risked someone seeing your wounds)

"They don't need to be changed. I'm fine. It's all healed." You once again try to convince him, but you're met with a stern look this time. "Just because filling yourself up with alcohol and sleeping every chance you get numbs the pain, does not mean you're healed."

You're caught off guard by Law's reply. Though you think to yourself that maybe you should have known that someone like the Surgeon of Death, who knew how your devil fruit worked would notice that your consumption of alcohol and constant need to sleep were clear signs of you trying to distract yourself from the pain. Evidently, you had no memory of what you had said to him a few nights ago.

"Law-" you once again try to protest, but he's already removing the bandages, and you wince as his hand lightly grazes your side. He looks at you confused, your wounds shouldn't hurt just from this, he thinks to himself, and quickly but gently removes the rest of the gauze. His expression changes from one of confusion to frustration as he looks from the fresh blue-black bruises spattered across your torso to you.

"How did this happen?" he asks, and you shift in your seat, biting down on your lip as you contemplate telling him or not.

"How did this happen?" he spits through gritted teeth, and you shift your gaze away from him, at the same time realising that he wouldn't relent until you gave him an explanation.

"Some of the Minks were still injured before we left Zou, and Chopper wasn't around, so I helped them."

You notice his fists clench and unclench in response to your answer, a sign that he was trying to control his emotions. You choose to slowly meet his gaze as he takes a deep breath before letting out a sigh, already anticipating your response to his next question, "Why didn't you call me?"

"You were meeting your crew after so long, I didn't want to bother you."

He tries to remain calm, but your answer only fuels his frustration. His fists clench once again and he bangs them into the table causing you to flinch. Law's hands now enclose you on either side, his head bent down, so that his hat just about covers the way he's clenching his jaw.

"Why are you always finding ways to hurt yourself?" he murmers, his voice barely above a whisper. But he doesn't give you a chance to repond, "Do you care so little about your life?"

"It's just a few bruises," you respond, and this time he meets your gaze, his grey eyes laden with emotion.

"I don't understand," Law pauses, his anger mounting. "Why!? Why do you not care about your own well-being!? Why do you insist on helping people who've never done shit for you!?"

His words strike a nerve, and you scoff. You can only assume that he's referring to the Straw Hats. Your own emotions are starting to get the best of you, and you throw him a glare of your own, "What the fuck do you know!?" you yell back. Law's taken aback by your outburst, but is quick to regain his 'composure'. However, you don't give him time to respond.

"You know absolutely nothing about me Law, and you have no fucking idea what I've been through and what these people have done for me! So stop trying to protect me!" You grab at the gauze wrap and try to push him aside, but he doesn't budge. His hands grip tightly at the white sheets of the surgical bed, but he doesn't say anything.

"Move Law," you command, but his grip only strengthens, his knuckles turning white.

"I know enough about you to know that you knew Cora-san, and that's enough of a reason for me to protect you."

Law's jaw relaxes, but he remains silent and unmoving, reverting to his stoic demeanour as he waits for some sort of reaction from you, or maybe deliberates over what to say next. You're taken by surprise at first, not knowing how to react to his revelation. But the emotions are quick to come back, and your frustration with him that has been unknowingly brewing over the past month refuses to back down from this confrontation.

"Then you know that he wanted both of us to keep living. Yet you were ready to give your life in exchange for bringing down Doflamingo. So, don't fucking come to me about not caring about mine," you retort with more spite than you intend, your words almost like venom to Law. But you're far too infuriated to take them back. With one final shove you manage to push past him.

"(Y/N)-ya," he calls out to you, attempting to sound firm, but the tremble in his voice is unmistakable.

"I think it's best if we keep our distance," you mumble more to yourself as you walk out the door, leaving Law behind.

_______________________________________________

A/N: This was actually supposed to be longer, but I decided not to include the next part cause it would kinda downplay this part and just lose the drama. So y'all are going to have to wait till next week for them to maybe make up :⁠-⁠P.

taglist: @trafalgardaria @deathsmajestysworld

[hold-him-down]

🌸 - Something that calms them for Leo

tw: noncon drugging, aftermath of violence

notes: follows this piece, just a little drabble.

✥ ✥ ✥ 

“This is ridiculous,” Ivan says. His favorite piece, barely concealed by his shirt, beckons, but if he murders a government employee in cold blood, there will almost certainly be some kind of consequence.

Still, the alternative, handing over his boy for their antiquated bullshit policy and losing precious time when Leo is just starting to learn how to survive here is the most frustrating mother fucking thought he has had the misfortune of thinking in ages.

“He is fine,” Ivan grumbles, gesturing to the boy on the table. Leo's eyes open a little, but Ivan does not think he is taking in the full gravity of the situation. Yes, last night was a challenge, and yes, maybe he is a little more banged up than would be ideal under these circumstances, but he has been on yellow all night and no one has touched him other than to treat his fucking wounds and frankly, Leo would be better off here than at one of the sites. “It is perfectly within my rights to administer punishment,” he says, every time the DLS guy raises an eyebrow at a new injury he sees.

Although Leo can barely move, as the guy tries to lift him at his shoulders, he pulls away abruptly and lets out the sweetest little cry. Ivan thinks he will miss this over the next few days.

“His shoulder,” the shorter guy says to the other one. Ivan rolls his eyes. His shoulder. His ankles. His ribs. The tall one is more careful in his second attempt to lift his boy, but Leo does not hold back the sharp cry as they continue to disregard Mikhail’s notes on the matter.

“Sorry, kid,” the DLS guy says and continues to lift him in spite of the fact that it clearly is hurting him. Ivan is not positive, but he thinks the fact that these men think they can hurt his boy without his permission is an offense in itself, and maybe violence would be justified here.

His thoughts are interrupted as Leo’s cries soften to a whimper, and even in his drugged out haze, he continues to squirm in the man’s grip.

“He does not like you,” Ivan says sharply. Neither of them seem to appreciate his commentary, but Ivan is simply stating facts. “I think he would prefer to stay.” 

Ivan smiles at the thought, and his smile widens as Leo breaks free, rolling forward. "You see?" Ivan continues, his tone mostly amused. "You're upsetting him." The boy does not know up from down right now. If he did, Ivan thinks, he would be more amenable to their plans. 

Still, the one guy, the DLS doctor, says, “I can give him something to level him out.” They disregard Ivan entirely, even though he would tell them that Leo does not like, nor require, drugs, and just moments after they give him the medicine, his body gives out. It's almost time now, Ivan thinks.

He approaches his boy quickly, leaning over the boy and planting his lips on Leo’s forehead. 

“I’ll see you in a couple days,” he whispers, but notes the look that passes between the DLS fuckers. 

As they take his boy away, Ivan feels a great sense of loss wash over him. He watches as the car reverses down the long driveway and wonders, idly, how he will pass the time now.

[i-hug-exploder-shanks]

14 for O14 please!! I wanna see what reason you could come up with for them running out of an alley at breakneck speed XD

I kept giggling at all the possibilities but finally settled on one more serious based off the recent lore tabs. There's still a missing moment for when they actually start the relationship.

14. Running breakneck speed from an alley

From ask game here, feel free to send in more requests!

Saint's footfalls thundered against the brick and asphalt as he and Osiris tore their way through the back alleyways in the city.

Shouting followed after their fleeing forms and Osiris let out an adrenaline filled laugh he would deny forever when Saint decided the warlock wasn't running fast enough and scooped him into his arms. The titan let a touch of arc energy spark through his legs so they covered even more ground faster soon losing their pursuers.

Once he was certain it was safe, Saint set him back on his feet and stepped back to lean against a wall breathing heavily despite his body not actually requiring the air.

"That was- You- I can't believe-" Osiris started to pace the space in the alley they had ended up in. Saint removed his helmet and slid to sit on the ground with it beside him.

"Did I render the great Osiris speechless? If I had known all it would take was yelling at a group of punks I would have done so sooner," He mocked lightly enjoying the way the comments would always leave Osiris puffing up like a threatened bird. It was cute.

Surprisingly Osiris didn't get defensive this time. "No one has ever stood up for me like that before. Felwinter supported me but expected me to fight my own battles- which I can do- but... It was kind of you to say those things Saint. I know we don't typically get along," He muttered pausing his own pacing in the process.

"I said them because they are true. You are a very talented warlock and you care deeply for others even if you do not like it being pointed out. You are passionate about what you believe and it is admirable." Saint said simply.

"Yes but... You've never said such things before. Most of the time you're yelling at me for disagreeing with your father." Osiris pointed out folding his legs to sit beside Saint.

"We do not meet often outside of the Consensus. You should come on patrol with me sometime, we can feed the birds together." Saint offered and watched as Osiris' face twisted.

"Is my company really so distasteful to you?" He asked and the look immediately faded.

"It's not that. I think I owe Tallulah glimmer or a drink or something now. Are you asking me on a date? Or is this a friendly work patrol to feed birds together? Just to clarify," Osiris asked and Saint blinked at him.

"I did not think you would wish to go on a date with me. If you are willing then I can do better than just birds! Plus, you are like bird already, the way you puff your feathers when you are upset is cute." He said delighting in the blush he could just pick up coating Osiris' cheeks in the dim light.

"Is that why you challenge everything I say? Because you think I'm cute when I'm frustrated? You've been... You've been pulling my pigtails?" He huffed and Saint ducked his head a bit embarrassed.

"You did not show interest when I was giving you gifts but I could not help myself. You are so... Passionate and devoted. It is stunning to see. But I do not lie. I meant the points I argued." He admitted surprised when Osiris was suddenly straddling his lap.

"You are infuriating! How can you be so- you?! I want to- Can I-" he growled lowly clearly struggling as he cupped Saint's face in both hands.

Saint gave the slightest nod as his body tensed with hope, the purple of his eyes brightening as Osiris leaned in to kiss him and the sensation of butterflies filled his stomach while his hands settled on Osiris' hips.

Osiris didn't pull away after the kiss though, letting his forehead rest against Saint's. "I definitely owe Tallulah glimmer. But yes, I will go on a date with you. To feed the birds or whatever other chivalric thing you do in your free time." He huffed making Saint laugh.

"I promise I will not disappoint you in that like I do in the Consensus. I owe Tallulah glimmer too. She told me I was being ridiculous in not just asking you out and that you were more interested than I thought." He admitted and Osiris rolled his eyes.

"Leave it to the hunter to play both sides. We should get out of this filthy alley... Would you like a cup of tea?" He offered reluctantly pulling himself off Saint's lap so they could go.

Saint stood and picked up his helmet, tucking it under an arm while offering Osiris his hand to hold while they walked together hopefully. "I would like that."

Osiris met his gaze and took the hand offered shyly and they stepped out of the shadows of the alley into the setting sunlight together.

[yan-san-yan]

A deep-dive into Luka as a kid with anger issues.

For a long time now I believe Luka used to have anger issues as a child, because he didn’t know how to deal with the emotions he sense from others due to his incredibly high emotional awareness and empathic nature. He also struggled with expressing himself and finding himself due to being the only male in the family and feeling the need to protect his younger sister and pirate mom. I feel like he would also not have been violent or explosive about it but it was the one thing he knew how to express as a child.

Here is a bit of Luka backstory + character arc timeline for my headcanon of why he would have anger issues and why it makes sense:

Emotional Intelligence: Luka's heightened emotional awareness and empathic nature could be both a gift and a burden. As a young child with an unusual upbringing (a mother like Anarka + being single mom that may have ended up neglecting her children, especially Luka as Juleka might have required a bit more attention) this leads to Luka being affected by his environment and other external factors that could have added pressure onto him while it should have been a time for a child to learn and grow and just be allowed to be a kid. He constantly absorb the emotions of those around him, listening to what was being said, leading to a sense of overwhelming pressure and confusion. This emotional overload could be challenging for him to process and manage effectively.

Emotional Sensitivity: Luka's heightened emotional intelligence and empathy make him highly sensitive to the emotions of others. This sensitivity could become overwhelming for him as a child, leading to difficulties in managing his own emotions.

Difficulty Expressing Himself: Luka has always been the feel and act type of bye, often struggling with communication as words have never been his strong suit, instead sticking to his music and express himself through his craft. The kid even started calling people’s true emotions/true selves “heart songs”. One reason for his struggle with expressing himself could stem from feeling the need to protect his younger sister (twin or not) and irresponsible mother. As the only male in the family, he might have internalized a sense of responsibility, which lead to suppressing his own emotions and needs. This creates inner conflicts and make it challenging for him to find his voice. Normally it wouldn’t have been that much of a problem, but since he already comes from a somewhat dysfunctional family with police involvement, finances that he took cake off and a sister that is a victim of bully at school, Luka feels a strong sense of responsibility and need to grow up fast and take care of his family. This results in the emotions he picks up from around him becomes a added stress factor to him at times.

Protective Nature: Luka's eventual anger issues could arise from a deep-rooted desire to protect those he cares about, such as his family. I personally think the Couffaine siblings didn’t have a lot of friends growing up, only having each other which would also enhanced this protective nature of his. Luka feels a strong sense of responsibility for the family’s well-being, which leads to frustration when he perceives their safety or happiness as threatened. I can see it being very frustrating to feel helpless against a situation where cops are involved and seeing people pick on your family/mother for being different and doing what they believe. As a child it may be hard to understand when your loved ones (mother) is sometimes in the wrong and it leaves him wondering why people are so cruel to pick a fight and argue with Anarka. Luka despise people ganging up on one person and in addition to his sister being bullied it makes him even more furious to see people oppressing the weak/minority. It teaches him how unfair the world is from an early age.

Anger as a Defense Mechanism: As a child, Luka might not have possessed the emotional maturity or communication skills necessary to effectively express his protectiveness and concerns. His inability to convey his emotions in a constructive manner could result in bursts of anger or frustration. His keen sense of justice and upbringings of having a pirate-like mom greatly affected this. I wouldn’t put it past Anarka to preach about standing up to what is right and to fight back when being oppressed or targeted. She may not have been the greatest role model in how to act and resort conflicts which means Luka had to learn the hard way. On an additional note, Luka's anger issues might have also developed as a defense mechanism to cope with the overwhelming influx of emotions from others. When faced with an overload of emotions, he could have resorted to anger as a way to protect himself and his family or create a barrier. I am not talking about screaming or throwing a fit whenever, but rather being unapproachable, giving harden glares and even fight if he sees his sisters being picked by other kids. Luka would be quick to act and give in to his grudge and wrath. Luka’s anger isn’t very loud even if his music may be, both as a child and as a teen.

Domino effect: Also he might have had a hard time distinguishing others emotions from his own, like if a room is full of depressed people it has a domino effect. Especially empaths have to be extra careful to separate the emotions they sense from others with their own and also learn to let those feelings go instead of keeping them. A difficult feat for a child.

Reflective Nature: Through trial and error Luka would soon learn the issue with expressing his anger at the injustice and his integrity of “the truth over all” at the world. His talent for reflection would make him introspective and thoughtful. He possess the ability to analyze situations, emotions, and relationships, allowing him to gain insights and learn from his experiences. Usually reflecting when he is plucking the strings of his guitar. Music is a great source for him to relax and to take a breather. To gain new perspectives and a good outlet for him.

Reasoned Decision-Making: Luka's ability to see reason would make him adept at evaluating different perspectives and making rational decisions. He would consider logic, empathy, and the greater good, allowing him to navigate complex situations and conflicts. I can see Anarka giving the occasional wise advice to him and Juleka help him realize that he doesn’t need to be strong for all of them, that they all can share some of that weight and be stronger together.

Learning from Mistakes: Luka's growth-oriented mindset would enable him to recognize and acknowledge his own mistakes. Instead of dwelling on failures, he would use them as opportunities for growth and personal development. He would actively seek to understand the lessons within each experience. This is ruled to protect his loved ones by becoming the diplomat, the supporter and the bridge between his loved ones and to the world.

Personal Development: As Luka matures and learns to control his anger, he becomes more introspective and develop strategies to cope with his emotions. He would develop a greater sense of self, discovering his values, aspirations, and passions. This growth would help him find his purpose and contribute to his overall character. Believing in his integrity of honesty and that by focusing on that instead of acting out of anger, he will start resorting more to communication and emit a calm and positive outlook. By being patient and honest he finds himself being more listened to. It may not solve all his problems but it makes great progress. This leads to personal growth, further self-reflection, and a greater understanding of himself. Or developing coping mechanisms that allow him to navigate his empathic nature effectively. Hence he becomes the loving supportive character we know him as in the show and even the go-to-therapist friend.

Meditation as a new Coping Mechanism: Recognizing the need for emotional balance and control, Luka could have discovered meditation as a way to calm his mind, regulate his own emotions. It would provide him with a tool to process and channel the emotions he absorbs from others.

Inner Harmony: Through regular meditation practice, Luka could have learned to find inner peace and harmony within himself. It would allow him to center his emotions, understand his own feelings better, and navigate the emotional challenges he faces. His reflective nature would extend to his emotional intelligence, where he would both have a deep understanding of his own emotions and be attuned to the feelings of others. This awareness would contribute to his growth and allow him to build meaningful connections with those around him. Which helps balance his exceptionally high EQ.

Positive Role Model: Luka's journey of overcoming anger issues and change in behaviour and suddenly being more approachable could serve as an inspiration to others who may be dealing with similar challenges. It could teach them the importance of seeking help, finding healthy outlets for their emotions, and growing as individuals. This is where his new responsibility of the go to guy begins, a positive change that will eventually become a burden.

Empathy as Strength: Luka emotional awareness and empathic nature becomes a source of strength for him instead of the source of his stress. He learns to channel his empathy into supporting and understanding others, fostering deep connections and friendships. It makes him more compassionate, patient, and supportive towards those who are also dealing with emotional difficulties. This could highlight the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence as valuable qualities. Which leads us to the next problem.

Supporting Character (Complexity and new issues): Luka's selflessness shapes the relationships with others. It helps with strengthening bonds and create deep connections as people appreciate his caring nature, but it could also lead to challenges when his own needs are overlooked or unacknowledged. Luka's personal development have a significant impact on the relationships he has with others so it will take a long time before this issue is addressed, or when even he realizes this.

Exploration: This involve exploring his own identity and finding a sense of self amid his familial responsibilities. He might feel torn between fulfilling his protective role and discovering his own passions, interests, and aspirations. This may eventually lead to internal conflicts and a quest for self-discovery in the future. This does not mean he has identity issues of low self-esteem. He is stuck in the responsibility role due to circumstances.

Self-Sacrifice: Luka's tendency to prioritize others lead him to self-sacrifice, putting the needs and well-being of his loved ones above his own. He might willingly set aside his own desires and ambitions to ensure the happiness and support of those around him.

Emotional Support: As stated earlier Luka naturally become a reliable and compassionate source of emotional support for his friends and family. The person others turn to in times of need, knowing he will be there to listen and provide comfort and new sets of perspectives, to empathize with their struggles, and offer thoughtful insights. Which position him as a mentor or guide to other characters. Luka’s wisdom and ability to see reason would make a valuable source of advice and support, offering guidance to those who may be struggling with their own challenges. While this deepens his connections and foster a sense of trust and understanding it becomes a problem with his habit of….

Neglecting Personal Needs: Luka's focus on caring for others might result in him neglecting his own needs and desires. He could put aside his own emotional struggles or dreams, not wanting to burden others or divert attention away from them.

Struggles with Self-Worth: Luka's selfless nature may lead to internal conflicts and struggles with self-worth. He might feel that his value is now tied to how much he can do for others, and without that, he may question his own significance or purpose. Perhaps it’s a fear of losing control of his emotions, to feel the anger that is brewing inside him, or simply just a fear of not being able to protects those he loves.

Moments of Vulnerability: Despite being there for others, Luka struggle with expressing his own vulnerabilities and seeking help when he needs it. Juleka may be the only person he gets to truly be transparent with. His journey could involve learning to open up, trust others with his own struggles, and seek support when necessary.

Finding oneself: Even though Luka has come a long way, he hasn’t been following his own advice, he is not as kind to himself as he is to others. I personally think it’s not because he isn’t trying, but because no one ever offers to lend an ear to him (outside of Juleka). For instance others may think that the calm, patient Luka couldn’t possibly be struggling or needing advice when he always have a solution to a problem. So why wouldn’t he have one for himself then? He may have tried to talk about it but his voice was drowned out by other’s needs or they might have talked over him or simply not payed attention since they wouldn’t expect him to feel that way. Luka's character development could involve learning healthy boundaries and understanding that self-care and self-prioritization are necessary for his own well-being. And put distance between his feelings and others and that it’s okay to say no. Through personal growth and support from those around him, he could come to realize that taking care of himself is not selfish but essential.

Luka's anger issues isn’t fully gone (possibly) as it may arise from a tendency to suppress his emotions, especially if he feels the need to be strong and dependable for his family. Holding in the emotions for an extended period could lead to occasional outbursts or difficulty managing his anger when someone he cares about is threatened. Silencer and migration is a perfect example of that.

Overall, I think this backstory would provide Luka with a compelling arc of growth, self-discovery, and emotional mastery. It showcases his resilience, empathy, and determination to overcome obstacles, while also emphasizing the importance of emotional well-being and self-care.

[graysoncritic]

A (Negative) Review of Tom Taylor's Nightwing Run - Conclusion

Introduction Who is Dick Grayson? What Went Wrong? Dick's Characterization What Went Wrong? Barbara Gordon What Went Wrong? Bludhaven (Part 1, Part 2) What Went Wrong? Melinda Lin Grayson What Went Wrong? Bea Bennett What Went Wrong? Villains Conclusion Bibliography

Though it may not appear so given the length of this essay, I did try to be fair to Taylor and Redondo. I focused my criticism on Taylor because my knowledge of written storytelling far exceeds my knowledge of visual storytelling, especially when it comes to sequential art. As such, I did not think it was my place to criticize something that I did not feel entirely comfortable addressing.

As I implied in the introduction, this essay was both an intellectual exercise and a cathartic one. Much of the information in it were reworded discussions I had with other Dick Grayson fans throughout the past couple of years. I must also thank them for allowing me to quote them when appropriate, as none of this would have been possible without their contribution. The essay itself was written in the time span of months, and sometimes I went weeks without even opening the document, only doing so again when a new issue came out and I wanted to vent.

As I worked on this, I was able to articulate a frustration that has been building up inside of me and, I know, many Dick Grayson fans for years. These frustrations are not exclusive to Taylor's writing. Rather, Taylor’s writing is but the most obvious and prominent example of said problem, with new and old symptoms drawing glaring attention to themselves on a monthly basis. The real problem behind all of these grievances and, quite frankly, the hurt Dick Grayson fans feel at the moment is rooted in the fact that DC Comics as a whole seems determined to undermine, if not completely erase, the importance of this amazing character.

There are other ways in which this can be observed. One of the Dick Grayson fans I know has been collecting examples of this erasure that span decades. I, myself, have thoughts on the motivations behind these actions and how they are reflective of a societal dislike for those who are othered, and especially those who challenge patriarchal ideals, the gender binary, and heteronormative culture. 

Perhaps one day I will address those subjects. Or perhaps not. As cathartic as writing this was, I do want to write more about the things I love rather than the things I hate. But I also believe it is important to express dissatisfaction when experienced, to vent when required, and to critique when necessary.

If you stuck around this far, then I do not believe that this needs stating, but just in case, I must assert that I reject any claims that comics should not be analyzed in this much depth. I do not, for a second, believe that comics are above serious criticism simply due to their format or their content. Comics, like every form of storytelling, are worthy of being examined and dissected. They are a part of our culture. They are literature and as such, they deserve to be studied. 

This essay explored Taylor’s current, ongoing run of Nightwing. I believe it proved not only its failure as a good story, but also as a good Nightwing story. Taylor’s superficial characterization, weak plot, and simplistic morality that undermines the story’s stated themes, demonstrate that Taylor does not care about Dick Grayson. He does not see Dick as a character worthy of his care and attention. At the very best Taylor lacks the knowledge to understand Dick. At the very best, Taylor has no interest in getting to know him, nor any respect for his predecessors to learn how they handled Dick and incorporating their work into his continuity. At worst, he despises the character so much that he wishes to re-invent him into something different, tossing away everything that was special to his fans in order to bring in a new crowd that never cared about Dick Grayson before he was made palatable to them. 

And that attitude is not isolated to Taylor. It is, I believe, observable throughout much of DC. Not all current writers, editors, and artists are like this, of course, but for years — decades, actually — there have been attempts to erase Dick’s importance to certain characters, to replace him, to downplay his achievements and his uniqueness in order to prop up others, and to water him down until he becomes but a shadow of who he was. Sometimes, it feels like DC is trying to kill Dick Grayson, remove his parts and give to other characters. This character gets his unique relationship with Bruce. This character gets to keep Dick’s relevance to Robin. These characters can have Bludhaven. For how long, I must wonder, do Dick Grayson fans have to put up with this silently? Must we just quietly watch this continue until Dick is all hollowed out and is only a memory living in the hearts of those who love him? 

Because we do love him. We love him for all the special characteristics that made him different, that did not make him into a blank canvas, an every-man hero. I do not hate Taylor personally, but I believe that his clear disinterest in Nightwing is not an isolated case, and that DC, at this moment in time, is unwilling to engage with Dick’s character and his fans. They want a brand new and palatable hero to step into his place, not the long standing bastion who has been around longer than most of DC’s characters. They don’t want Dick Grayson. They do not respect or care for him. And as such, I believe Dick’s fans have a right to be angry and to feel like DC does not care or respect them. 

I do not know how long these attempts at erasing Dick will last. I do not know how long-lasting the effects of Taylor’s run will be. But trends come and go, and Dick has been around for nearly a century. He’s a strong enough character to survive this long, and I believe, despite previous and current attempts, that he will survive this as well.

And as he does, I will be there, cheering him on. 

[justanothercloudinthesky]

Haikyuu Ideal Types (pt 2)

I'm having a lot of fun with these, hopefully I'll get some more done soon, Demon Slayer ones are drafting rn, and I'm gathering a list for random animes soon (horimiya, tokyo ghoul, toilet-bound hanako-kun ect) I really hope you like this one!

Characters: Akaashi, Iwaizumi, Daichi, Asahi, Bokuto

I will put a disclaimer that I do personally believe that the haikyuu compatibility range is a little wider than MHA characters or other fandom characters, So this isn't truth haha, just my opinions.

Fluff, Hc,

Akaashi:

I believe wholeheartedly that Akaashi would be a fantastic partner, but would deeply crave someone who's consistent. Akaashi is amazingly analytical and perceptive, but he is haunted by his inner thoughts, his own insecurities. I really think that someone who's consistent and reassuring would help Akaashi realize how much he's accomplished despite his insecurities. I don't think Akaashi would mind if they were energetic or not. One thing I think he might crave is someone who's willing to slow him down and help him breathe, they can be energetic, in fact I think it would complement him, but he needs someone to help him slow down and find the little joys in life.

Iwaizumi

I think that Iwaizumi likely won't date til he's graduated for a few years, but when he does find someone who steals his heart? I believe that they would be resourceful and tranquil. Someone who can help him take a breath when he gets frustrated, and handle issues for him when it gets too much. He's stubborn and has a will of steel, so I think honestly someone who he can trust to take care of things would be amazing. In return, Iwaizumi I think would really really be a great fit for people who have abandonment or trust issues. He's steadfast, and despite his temper, he has shown that he won't walk away. I think give or take 5 years in this relationship y'all wouldn't be able to imagine life without each other.

Daichi:

I really feel that Daichi would deeply appreciate someone who's passionate. He's a hard-working and reliable leader, and I think he might also prefer calmer or more peace-centered souls. He's often shown chiding the team for their chaotic nature. I honestly do think that whoever he ends up has the potential to be a power couple. I do think that he'd require someone responsible to feel at ease, but he wouldn't mind someone forgetful or unorganized. He'd really appreciate them as he graduated and his love and respect for them would just grow and grow til he popped the question. I do as a final thought don't think it matters to him if they are grounded as he is or not, he'll grow as a person in both ways. 

Asahi:

I believe that Asahi would really admire a lot of people, but something that catches his attention is an honest nature. He'd respect someone who's unafraid to be honest, even if it hurt. He needs someone emotionally mature and honest to help him work through things. But Asahi would adore his partner, regardless of faults. I honestly headcanon that he would be a really good match for someone neurodivergent, as he's anxiously observant and would really not mind anything to help his S/O. I think that Asahi would need someone to spend time with him, so someone who's extremely busy might be challenging. But honestly, this man is a walking teddy bear.

Bokuto:

I have a feeling that this would honestly never get boring, Bokuto would be a very good partner to someone lacking motivation but with perception (similar to kenma or suna). He'd appreciate it if they had a sense of humor and didn't mind his nicknames. If you gave him a nickname, I absolutely think he'd get it engraved or tattooed on his body somewhere. I do think Bokuto needs someone who's more perceptive than he is, and can help him learn to not spiral in his mood swings, and can adjust to help. I honestly think that no matter what, Bokuto would love his soulmate, and wouldn't want to ever make them upset, he's perceptive in his own ways. also... he will melt if someone packs snacks for him.... just saying...

[carooosa]

Bound by You: Love is Power, Love is Weakness

Part 2: Focus (rewrite)

Previous part here Full series here

Word count: 1.4k Rating: Explicit Pairing: Ascended Astarion x AFAB Reader Warnings: 18+, exhibitionism, oral AO3 link: Focus

Summary: Astarion decides to return the favor of distracting you from your duties. It's only fair, after all, that you experience the same difficulties he does.

As Astarion’s consort, you didn’t have to worry about much. The finest clothes lined your closet, the most decadent food was a snap away, and labor was but a distant memory. You had everything you could ever want – that is, everything except something to do.

You were grateful, of course, but it was starting to get frustrating just sitting idly on Astarion’s lap while he handled the affairs of the Crimson Palace. It’s not that he wasn’t capable of handling it on his own, there were just times when he lacked poise, although you would never bring that up to him lest he go on one of his many tirades about how he deserves respect. Besides, with him taking care of everything , he was constantly busy. Every ounce of stress Astarion carried you felt, even if he didn’t mean to pass it on to you. It was one of the many perks – or annoyances – of being his consort. The two of you would forever be linked, his thoughts intertwining with your own, your secrets flooding his head.

You bring the topic up as nonchalantly as you can, trying to make it seem like a fleeting thought that just passed. “My love, why don’t I take some of your workload?”

Astarion sat at his desk hunched over documents for an upcoming ball. He cocked an eyebrow and glanced up at you, not moving from his position. “What kind of Lord would I be if I couldn’t handle the responsibilities that come with it?” he asked, before returning his gaze to the paper once more.

“A good leader knows when to delegate,” you retort. “Besides, you’ve been working such long days that we hardly get to spend any alone time together.”

He gets up from his seat and makes his way over to you, caressing your cheek before hooking your chin with his finger. “Darling, you know that I’ll give you whatever you desire. I just worry that you may get overwhelmed.”

You lean into his touch and scoff. “If you’re able to manage meetings while taking care of me, I’m sure I can handle myself just fine.”

“Is that so?” he says, his eyes shining with mischief. “I think you’re underestimating how much focus is required to get the job done,” Astarion pauses, leaning in close to your ear to whisper, “while I fuck your brains out.”

You shiver from his touch, warmth pooling at your core. You’re not one to back down from a challenge, though, so whether or not it’s a good idea, you respond “It’s on.”

The next day, Astarion is under the table with your skirt draped around his head. After a brief discussion, it was decided that you would plan the anniversary ball, and Hells below were you going to do a good job. 15 years of being together have gone by quickly, and while your old friends were skeptical of Astarion ascending and you becoming his consort, you were determined to prove them wrong by hosting the best anniversary celebration in all of Faerun.

Of course, in order to host the best party you would actually need to get some planning done, but that was proving to be rather difficult with Astarion’s face between your thighs. He nestles his nose into your soaked small clothes, inhaling the scent of your arousal deeply. He hadn’t done much, but the thrill of besting him at his own game added to your excitement. You reorganize the papers strewn about on the table in front of you, slightly pushing Astarion back with the heel of your shoe.

Annoyance radiates from your lover as he pushes your heel off of him. He growls into your cunt, the vibrations making you tense up and knock over a bottle of ink. You try to stand up to retrieve it, but Astarion grasps your legs, forcing you to sit back down as he yanks you closer to him. You yelp from the sudden movement, suddenly aware of all the eyes that stare at you.

Your lady-in-waiting, a half-elf whose family had disowned her many years ago, clears her throat as she rushes to your side to clean up the spilled ink. “Is everything alright, my Lady?” she asks, searching your face for a hint as to what happened.

“Yes – yes, everything is fine, thank you. You may return to your seat,” you say.

Half of the papers in front of you are now covered in ink blots, rendering the documents useless. You can just imagine the smirk on Astarion’s face, and that image drives your need to succeed even more.

You pick up one of the unmarked documents – a catering order form – and begin discussing the menu. Astarion seems content resting his nose against your mound, and after a while, you’re able to ignore his presence. He’s eager to make himself known when the topic of refreshments comes up.

“We’ll need some nice wines to pair with the fish,” you say while scanning over the wine list, “perhaps some red Elverquisst?”

Upon hearing the name of his favorite wine, Astarion hums approvingly. Your core tingles from the sensation, and you instinctively adjust yourself to draw Astarion in closer.

The local sommelier pipes up, “A red with seafood? Pardon my interjection, Lady Ancunin, but wouldn’t a nice white pair better with the meal?”

When you try to respond, your words catch in your throat and you make a strangled noise instead. Astarion nips at your small clothes, his fangs barely brushing against the soft skin of your thighs as he pulls down your undergarment.

The sommelier takes the sound you make to be one of disgust and quickly tries to backtrack. “Of course, this is your celebration, and I’m not one to question the decisions made by you,” they ramble, but you aren’t listening.

Astarion lets go of your underwear and places gentle yet needy kisses on your inner thigh, using his hands to tear apart the drenched piece of fabric. You quiver in your seat, anticipating what’s to come.

You take a deep breath and interrupt the one-sided discussion that you weren’t paying attention to. “Let’s work on the seating arrangements.”

Everyone around the table quickly murmurs their agreement, and you feel Astarion reposition himself beneath you.

“The local nobility should be close, but not too close-“

He moves to lick the space where your thighs meet your body, barely brushing past your entrance.

You pause, trying your best to suppress the moan that sits in the back of your throat.  “I want to have the table nearest to mine to have Karlach, Wyll, Shadowheart, Gal-“

Astarion bites down at the mention of his old friend and competition, causing a yelp to escape your lips.

“- Lae’zel would be nice too. Did I say Karlach? And Wyll?” you say with a slight yell, panting in between each question.

As Astarion listens to your attempt at planning the event, he slowly licks at the wound he made. His tongue moves in tantalizing circles, getting closer and closer to your aching cunt.

“No, we cannot have the Flaming Fists that close, that would cause-“ you’re cut off mid-sentence as Astarion plunges his tongue into your folds and you involuntarily moan. The sound of slurping pierces the silence in the room as the attendants look at you. 

You instinctively clench your thighs around his head, pushing him in deeper. As he eats you out with the viciousness of a starved man, his nose repeatedly brushes onto your clit. You imagine how he looks, hair damp from the heat underneath your skirt, eyes blown out from tasting you .

You lean back into your chair, rolling your hips into his face. You manage to utter a small, “dismissed,” and the room is empty within seconds. Now that you’re alone, you throw your head back and let out all of the noises you’ve been holding inside. Astarion grips your thighs, his tongue hitting the perfect spot as he moves his head to stimulate your clit with his nose. You scream his name as he brings you to your climax, and he readily drinks up your juices. 

As you catch your breath, Astarion emerges from underneath your skirt. Somehow, he looks completely put together save for the slight wetness of his hair.

“I hope this makes you appreciate my ability to stay focused during meetings, my sweet,” he coos while adjusting his coat.

You’re unable to think of a witty reply or a chastising remark so instead, you reach out to him and grasp onto his shirt, your lips stopping just before you kiss him as you whisper, “More.”

Next part here

Full series here

A/N: If you'd like to join the discord server Archive of Astarion to connect with other readers of this fic as well as with other fics, feel free to send me a DM!

[cuephrase]

I cannot keep two words straight in my head smh. I meant the first wip and the third wip. No abandonment meant (though I would not be opposed to hearing about that one too 😅)

asjdfhjsd no worries haha!!

first wip/jigsaw: so although i personally enjoy jason being an anti-hero/being on (sort of?) better terms with the batfam i really like am so frustrated bummed that we don't really get to see how jason got there. however, i also think his current dynamic with the fam is very interesting bc idk, to me, it feels very delicate/fragile and like there's not a whole lot of trust? idk how to summarize all the nuance without giving you an essay you did not ask for, but basically, his current relationship with them is Complicated, yeah?

and i don't have a lot of interest in writing a fix-it/exploring a 'what if things had gone differently' scenario/trying to fill in that missing gap bc...idk. i just don't lmao. BUT!! a reconciliation fic still sounds like so much fun, bc like i like the idea of jason being part of the batfam right but like i don't want to erase all the drama from canon so BASICALLY-

tl;dr: i think jason's current relationship with the batfam is like a bone that broke but wasn't set properly so it needs to be re-broken to heal properly. so i want to start in a place where he's "comfortable" with them, then have him blow everything up. just stomp on all the eggshells. it would very much so be a Things Get Worse Before They Get Better type of reconciliation fic haha. i want it be messy and painful and full of missteps and misunderstandings- it would not be an 'X apologizes and magically everything is better' fic. (which is not shade to anyone who writes/enjoys those!!) i may also challenge myself to stick strictly in jason's pov to really lean into the Unreliable Narrator of it all.

this probably sounds like such a mess, omg *buries face in hands*

pretty bird: this one is a super dick-centric, kinda character study type fic somewhat focused on his sexual trauma, so mirage/catalina/liu, but also just kind of like exploring dick's relationship with himself and like...how he perceives himself? bc he is such a Performer, yk, and he is incredible at it. and he has all these close, meaningful relationships, but sometimes he can still feel so isolated to me in a way bc of how much he keeps to himself and idk i just really want to like get into his head.

also can't really articulate this one without an essay you didn't ask for haha, but it will be a very fun tonal challenge for myself bc i have a very specific vibe i want to achieve that'll require a very careful balancing act.

and then just for funsies, and bc it's also about dick haha,

abandonment: au (inspired by dan mora's black and white oneshot from batman: the brave and the bold) where bruce puts dick into foster care instead of keeping him, but they cross paths later when batman runs into dick and jason who are looking for their missing brother. at least a smidge of identity porn bc dick is willing to trust batman but won't trust bruce wayne. like i have this scene in my mind where batman offers to set the boys up with his friend bruce wayne and dick is like 'absolutely not' and batman is like ?? and then he realizes omg this is the kid i gave up omg.

just imagine dick trying to independently (with jason) try to hunt tim down with batman being like !!!! trying to assist but also not wanting to overstep and also trying not to get too attached (and failing) hehehe. complicated dick and bruce is just so fun, yk?

tysm for the ask, lily, (and for tagging me in this game to begin with!!), i hope you're having/had a beautiful day!!

[riddle-me-ri]

I just saw requests were opened and I had to come by 🥳 since it is the month of November I would like to ask how are the ozzies handling NNN 👀

A/N: Asdfgh ahhhh well had to get this done before November ends lmao. I thought about this request with my colony the minute it hit my inbox lmao

How the Penguins Handle NNN 

Trigger Warnings: for those that don’t know, NNN is No Nut November, nothing explicit but definitely suggestive in case that makes you uncomfy.

So first things first, I have no idea why but I feel like I ought to say this. But I feel like normally most of the Penguins would fare pretty well. One because they're fueled mostly on loathing and pure spite (which love that for them) and two because they don't have someone to constantly tease them and tip them over the edge and as rough cut as some of these Penguins are they all have their own set of disciplines they stay strong too. 

Basically I have thought about this way too hard and for too long just ignore me.

Also each Pengy has a rating out of 10 for how well they'd do. 

1 being didn't even try, lost back in October and through all of November.

10 being MVP man's has mad discipline but once it hits December 1st pengy will pounce.

Arkhamverse Penguin (7 out of 10): 

This Penguin is fairly preoccupied. Running an underground criminal empire requires a lot of attention. There’s always something going on in Bludhaven. He has to check on imports and exports, keeping track of his henchmen, keeping constant eye out for Batman. 

In fact, you’re so aware of how busy he is, you don’t even find it in you to tease him like you planned. Maybe a lingering touch here and there but nothing to provocative. 

However, it's easy for things to get…frustrating. For him to have a lot of pent up anger and you're the best stress relief before he absolutely explodes. 

"C'mere love, I need you…"

You remind him of the challenge. 

"What? Love, I could care less about some silly challenge. I'm asking you nicely, don't make me get rough with ya.." 

Farrell/Reevesverse Penguin (11 out of 10): 

Now, this Oswald will absolutely rock the shit out of this. 

He sees a challenge and he seeks to overcome it regardless of the stakes. This man has never come up short on any obstacle that’s come his way, what’s a fun little game of who has the weakest resolve? 

He’s also one of the few that would actively be trying to knock you off your game too. He’s a shameless flirt as is, but expect him to notch it up to 100 at this point. 

“Aww, don’t get mad sweetheart…don’t hate the player, hate the game. But you gotta admit the reward will be worth it.” He winked. 

Gotham Penguin (7.5 out of 10): 

I’m not going to lie…I had the hardest time thinking of a rating and scenario for this Oswald, because I feel like…agh

He’ll definitely be a difficult nut to crack (pun…probably intended). I mean he’s known for being the biggest moonlighter of Fish and Maroni, he can be extremely disciplined and determined to see the light at the end of the tunnel to power through the month. 

However, he’s also prone to stress and pressures constantly building up inside of him. He will hold out until about the last week of the month. Something happens, the straw broke the camel’s back and he needs you. 

You are a strong comfort for him, he doesn’t have to be The Penguin, The Mayor, The King of Gotham…none of those things, he can just be Oswald. The way you caress him, hold him, love him…

“I don’t care…the…fun of it is gone...I just really need you, please.”

Yeah, he gets closer than a few of these Oswald’s to winning, but honestly, when he’s got you he’s already won.

BTAS Penguin (10 out of 10):

Ah, the true gentleman. 

This Oswald may struggle a wee bit here and there. Especially with you teasing him, constantly at every turn. Face flushed red, absolutely biting a hole in his lower lip, almost ripping his hair out.

However, mind you this one is a true gentleman first and he can and will continue to show restraint. Any time he wishes to absolutely ravish you, he spoils you instead. He’ll almost make you feel bad for being such a tease, because he flips it and acts so sweet in return.

“Ah, ha, yes I see. As much as the feeling is mutual, there is a greater achievement to be had! But don’t be fooled, dove. I won’t forget your…advances.” 

TNBA Penguin (9.8 out of 10): 

This Penguin isn't much different from BTAS Penguin and Reevesverse Penguin. 

He sees a challenge with you and he accepts it, especially if the reward is you at the end of it. 

Oswald notices you teasing him from time to time. Trying to get him to bend, sometimes he's almost at the breaking point but you pull back. 

He warns you, teasingly so not to keep pushing or he may push back. 

“Thin ice, darling, thin ice…win or lose I always get what I desire.”

Telltale Penguin (7 out of 10): 

This proud prick. 

He’d talk a big game for sure, saying that he’s passed the month before with flying colors. Although, you know why that is…you weren’t there. He was distracted with his plans to take everything away with the Wayne name attached to it…well, not anymore. 

Oz will put up an air-tight resolve for a good few weeks of the month. You haven’t quite laid the flirting down thick, not yet. There’s a method to it. 

A lingering touch on his shoulder, a peck at night on his jaw line around the middle of the month. But then near the end, like the last week; you’ll accidentally forget your change of clothes for after your shower. 

Much like other Penguins, he has his frustrations, but instead of it being outside sources, this is purely pent-up aggravation from not being able to touch you for long periods of time. 

“I gotta say, love. I’m damn near at my breaking point here…not sure if that’s a good or bad thing for you.” Oz growled.

One Bad Day Penguin (10 out of 10): 

Aww, this is cute. He thought.

If you’ve read the comic, you know this man is determined and resilient. But he also knows how to play the game. Whether it’s a turf war or who gives in to their unadulterated desires first…he knows what cards to play and how to play them. 

You best believe he’s an active player too. 

He’ll tease you first, if you don’t. He’s not afraid to make the first move, especially if it means throwing you off. 

Oswald will pull you to his lap. He’ll teasingly squeeze your sides and thighs.

When you look back at him with a certain displeased look. 

He grins and winks. “Don’t look at me like that, you know I play to win, babe.”

The Batman (2004) Penguin (-100 out of 10):

Listen, listen, this little gremlin has little to no self preservation whatsoever. He’s also arguably one of the most unhinged members of my colony.

Ozzy would talk such a big game about being a winner, how he'd sail through this month.

But you literally don't have to do anything and he'd bust.

You don't even have to tease him. You could literally just be wearing shorts one morning or an oversized t-shirt and underwear and he'd pounce. 

He sees what he wants and he gets what he wants.

"What? Ahh come on, who needs to win some stupid challenge? I wanna be with ya!"

Batman Unlimited Penguin (7.5 out of 10): 

The main thing that makes this pengy rank so high is cause of his age. He’s subjectively the oldest out of most of my colony members. (I believe he’s meant to be like late 50’s early 60’s, I could be wrong, but the grey in his hair and wrinkles are telling me otherwise rip)

I genuinely believe you have to initiate most of the intimacy in your relationship. 

Not that Oswald won’t try, but the man literally doesn’t know how to. He’s seen things in film, television, and literature. However he also knows he’s not conventionally as attractive as the leads in those medias, and he’s certain if he attempted anything like he saw, he would find a way to ruin it.

Much like the other pengys, he’s been cruelly shunned by humanity, but he’s lived with it cemented in his brain for longer (considering the age thing, again). To say this man is emotionally stunted would be an understatement. He still isn’t used to you giving him compliments or how you honestly enjoy kissing him. 

However, on the different side of the same coin…do to not being…errm…well practiced. He’s also likely to fall apart soon enough. Giving him enough touches and kisses the man will combust. 

“Hmm…I’ve never felt anything like this in a long time. I don’t think I could ever give it up,” he chuckled breathlessly. “Even just for thirty days.”

[steponmeinejghafa]

First Bench Pt. 2

Summary: When your brother gets violently ill, you and your family take care of him in shifts. This, however, stresses you out, and your grades slip. This leads the teacher to assign you a student who can tutor you…

——————————————————————

“The answer is thirty three point five six cubic centimetres of volume,” you had raised your hand and delivered the answer to a challenging mathematics sum before Zoya for the fifth time that hour.

Obviously.

Zoya practically growled in frustration and resisted the urge to ball up her sheet of work and throw it at you. Again? You couldn’t possibly be that smart! It had only been two weeks of your admission in this school and you had missed the entire week which they spent learning that chapter!

“Well done, Miss Brekker,” smiled the teacher.

“Yeah, nice one, Y/n,” came the voice of Malyen Oretsev, the boy you had punched in the face when he’d tried making a move on Nina. A hum of agreement went through the room, and you couldn’t help but smile slightly to yourself.

Saints, you had a cute smile.

Zoya caught her thoughts a second too late as she replaced it with a disgusted expression, moving on to the next sum.

“Catch up, Nazyalensky,” you giggled softly, poking her with your pencil gently.

“Watch me, Brekker,” she replied, her own pencil moving fast across the paper.

However, just as she opened her mouth to give the next answer, you had already announced it.

“Eighteen ball bearings will be required and the volume displaced is fifteen point seven cubic centimetres,” a smug smile took over your features as you spun the pencil deftly in your hand, looking at her. “Don’t worry, you’ll get it next time, Nazyalensky.”

From behind you, the voice of Nikolai Lantsov piped in, “I need a movie or a novel of these two!”

You crumpled up a paper into a ball and threw it at him, laughing good-naturedly. Quiet and mildly threatening as you were, everyone had to admit, you were very friendly. Well, with everyone but her.

Hearing you laugh, Zoya caught another thought a second too late again.

Saints, your laugh was adorable.

Why was she thinking this way?! You were her enemy! You were competition! She can’t call competition cute and adorable!

“Next sum, everyone,” said the teacher. “Exercise seven question three.”

Just as you began solving, the school secretary appeared at the door.

“Is Y/n Brekker in this class?” She asked softly. You frowned and raised your hand, confused.

“Please come with me, dear,” she said.

You apologised to the teacher before running out of the door. Zoya stared after you, slightly happy that she was back to being the only first bencher, however temporary.

You reached the nurse’s office where the secretary had sent you, to see your brother vomiting in a bucket, his body quivering weakly. You ran up to him and put an arm carefully across his shoulders in concern.

“Hey, Kazzle, what’s wrong?” You whispered, “When did it happen?”

“In Physics class,” he groaned. “I think I caught that blockhead Matthias’ stomach bug.” He leaned forward and vomited again, making your stomach lurch in disgust.

“We’ve called your guardians from the contact in your admission forms, and they’re coming to get him home. I’m afraid he can’t come to school for the next two weeks,” replied the nurse.

“What?!” You exclaimed, rubbing your brother’s back gently. “It’s exam season in two weeks! How will he study!?”

“I’m sick and you’re thinking about exam season?” Your brother groaned, kicking you weakly in the shin.

The door then burst open to reveal Nina, Matthias, Jesper, Wylan, and Inej, all with concerned expressions on their faces.

“Do you think we can get dismissed early, too?” You asked, raising a brow in question.

The secretary shook her head. “No, I’m afraid not.”

You grumbled in frustration and pressed a kiss to Kaz’s hair. “I know you hate affection, but I’m worried, so bear with me.”

He rolled his eyes with a small smile and said hoarsely, “I’ll see you guys at home.”

—Time Skip—

Zoya noticed how you’d been anxious the whole day. Seeing you distracted in class was a very concerning thing for everyone, and several people asked if you were alright. Obviously wanting to keep a certain level of privacy, you shook your head and said all was fine.

“Take care of yourself, Brekker,” Zoya curtly said as she approached you at the end of the day. “Although, it’s nice to one-up you in class.”

You rolled your eyes, “Shut up, Nazyalensky. Just wait till exam season comes around. Let’s see you try one-upping me then.”

You turned on your heel and stormed away, ending the conversation with the real threat hanging in the air.

At home, Kaz lay on his bed, a bucket beside him and a quilted blanket atop him. You felt his forehead and shrank back at how warm it was. The landlady, Mrs Romanov, entered with a bowl of soup.

“Please, I can’t,” groaned your brother, grimacing at the thought of eating.

“Kaz, you have to,” Nina tried persuading him, but he was adamant that he would not eat the soup.

Mr Romanov entered behind his wife and announced, “Listen up now, children. While you are at school, my wife and I have work at the shop. I’m afraid one of you must be looking after him at all times. So if Five out of six of you has a shift with us, the last one won’t be out gallivanting, you will be at home with Kaz, understood?”

“Yes, Mr Romanov,” you all nodded in unison.

This was going to be a long few weeks.

—Time Skip—

The others had returned far too late the previous night and you had to stay awake till almost four a.m while they enjoyed delivering medicines and other supplies to people in need.

“Fuck you for mothering me,” Kaz had mumbled so many times that you finally slapped him on the face gently in irritation.

“Fuck you for falling sick, you idiot!” You had scoffed, dabbing the cold water soaked towel on his feverish head again.

You nearly dozed off for the fifth time in class, making the teacher gently rap your table with her ruler, before she sternly said, “Please see me after class, Y/n.”

“Don’t fall too far behind, Brekker,” sneered Zoya. But you were too tired to snap back at her.

“You too, Zoya,” added the teacher with a raised brow.

After class, you and Zoya stood in front of the teacher, who was looking through your latest assignments.

“Y/n, for the last week and a half, I have seen a sudden drop in your grades. I am quite concerned as you are one of my top students. This sudden slip is common amongst all your subjects, which is rather alarming,” she displayed your last three math revision tests, one English essay assignment, and a badly failed geography test.

Your ears and cheeks burned red with shame, as Zoya suppressed a snigger.

“What do you suggest, Miss Reznik?” Zoya asked with a cutting edge to her tone.

The teacher sighed and put your papers away before saying, “I suggest that you, Zoya, tutor Y/n for the rest of the semester. After all, we cannot risk this situation again.”

Your eyes went wide as you exclaimed, “The rest of the semester?! My grades slipped for a week!”

“And I see there’s a certain amount of…hostility between the pair of you, so I suggest you both take this as a learning exercise to maybe foster that hostility into friendliness,” replied the teacher. “When Y/n’s grades come up, you both may decide who tutors the other on which days. Preferably alternate days alternate person.”

“Ma’am, are you sure there’s no one else for this task?!” You asked, jaw slack with shock.

“Aw, I guess you have to admit I’m smarter than you, Brekker,” Zoya cooed at you snidely.

“Shut up, Nazyalensky,” you scowled, kicking her in the shin.

“Dismissed,” sighed the teacher.

You stormed out of the classroom while Zoya continued to taunt you, saying things like “Catch up, Brekker,” or “Looks like it’s obvious who’s smarter.”

Finally having had enough, you caught her by the collar and slammed her against the lockers nearby. The sound of her body colliding with the metal echoed through the deserted corridor, and her shocked expression made your anger cease a little. But not entirely.

“You better keep your gloating to yourself, Nazyalensky,” you seethed, your nod winches from hers. “Or Saints help me, I will make you sorry.”

Saints, some part of her wanted to kiss you desperately.

“Tomorrow evening six p.m, the local library,” she smirked, her hand moving up to grab your chin. “Don’t you dare be late.”

An extremely foreign feeling crept over your skin at her touch, at her gaze, making your cheeks tint pink. She took your distraction to her advantage and spun you around so that she wasn’t against the lockers anymore; you were.

She pinned your hands above your head by your wrists as she leaned forward to whisper in your ear, “Never do that again, Brekker. Two can play that game.”

Another violent blush coated your cheeks as you glared at her, making her smirk more as she moved back and walked down the hallway to the exit.

“Fuck you, Nazyalensky!” You shouted out to her.

“In your dreams, Brekker!” She laughed evilly and shut the doors behind her with a bang.

You walked back home with your head in a whirl and disbelief in your body at how she made you blush.

Your mind went back to how her gaze locked on yours so strongly, you couldn’t look away. How gorgeous she looked as she pinned you to the lockers.

How much you liked it when she did that…

“Saints alive,” you breathed as you rang the doorbell of your house. “What the hell is happening?”

————

Hi! I hope you enjoyed it, please feel free to request <33

[lucan-multiverse]

cosmic sidestep - their multiverse part 17

[Part 1], [Part 2], [Part 3], [Part 4], [Part 5], [Part 6a], [Part 6b], [Part 7], [Part 8], [Part 9], [Part 10], [Part 11], [Part 12], [Part 13], [Part 14], [Part 15], [Part 16]

--

X

It’s easy enough to corner the intruders in the cargo bay.

Mason had to give them credit – the moment they realized their small craft was on the move, they had abandoned their infiltration attempt and headed back towards their ship - even if it was now ensconced firmly in the Berlin's belly.

And Mason had been waiting for them.

He flicks his wrist, spooling his biotics and savouring as always the faint little thrill that rolls through his augmented body as he unleashes the blue energy barely a foot away from the curly haired boy. The orb forms and sucks the kid off his feet and he yelps, messy curls flying and limbs flailing as he becomes airborne.

He laughs in surprised delight. “I’m flying!”

The response is so reminiscent of the Luca that Mason knows that for a moment, it feels like he’s glitching. The grizzled older man in the tattered coat and unkempt greying hair at the boy’s side, lifts the muzzle of his weapon high and his face morphs into a dangerous scowl. His voice when he speaks sounds like gravel and his focus is solely on Mason.

Mason can feel the hatred and fury roiling from him in waves.

“Let my boy go, or so help me I’ll destroy ye right now.”

Mason keeps his eye on the boy, watching to make sure the boy doesn’t venture too close to the orb. Ordinarily, Mason wouldn’t care if a target burned, but he only had orders to incapacitate, not kill.

Besides. This was Luca. Or some version of him.

“Put the weapon down,” he orders an increasingly irate Rion. The man looks ready to kill and Mason’s senses flare into overdrive when Rion’s fingers tighten on the trigger and he shouts, “Put it down!”

Rion snarls again. “I dinnae ken who yer think yer are but I willnae say it again. Let my boy go-”

Twisting in midair, the boy looks anxious. His eyes flit between them. “Wait. Ri. It doesn’t hurt-“

“I dinnae care-“

“He’s right,” Mason interjects sharply. He can feel the edges of his control starting to fray and it frustrates him. Years ago in his Cerberus prime, this would have been as effortless as reaching for a glass of water, but even with Kate’s best efforts, he wasn’t functioning like he once could. “It won’t hurt him… as long as I’m controlling it. Shoot me, and he’s on his own."

Mason throws Rion a challenging look but instead of backing off, Rion only steps closer, lifting the barrel of his weapon into a better position. His colourful inked fingers curl tighter around the weapon in his hands. “Yer dense, Eejit? I said, let him the fook go-“

Rion doesn’t give Mason a chance to respond, firing a shot directly at Mason’s head. Mason quickly catches it in a biotic field, a sharp pain flaring at his temple at the effort and speed it requires. He snarls.

“Alright, now you’ve just pissed me off.”

“What in the fresh hell is this-“ Rion mutters just as the Captain emerges from the turbolift behind them.

“Our uninvited guests, I presume.”

“Yes, sir,” Mason responds, still holding the boy and bullet in midair. He glances sideways at the captain who nods once, just a tiny jerk of his head and Mason sucks the mass effect field back to him. The kid and the bullet drop to the ground. The chink of the bullet hitting the metal deck seems loud in the cavernous space and Mason makes a mental note to give Ryan a wider berth in future.

Without warning, Rion jerks forward, grasping the boy hauling him up to his feet with one hand, his other still gripping his weapon, his face a mask of wary ferocity. This version of Blake Ryan might be the most volatile and hard-headed of the lot and that was saying something, Mason thought.

Rion drags his eyes away from Mason to look down at the kid pressed up against him. “Luce. Ye alright, boy?”

“Yeah,” Luce presses himself closer into Rion's side. Now that Mason has a chance to look at him, he’s once again struck by the similarities. The boy wears fingerless gloves, a long black coat, and sports a familiar riot of dark curls. But his eyes... In each face there are subtle differences, yet their eyes are always the same. “My butt is kinda sore from the landing though.”

Rion drops his guard further, his attention only on the boy and he says something low Mason has overheard between Ryan and Luca many times before. He can’t help but glance at the captain beside him, knowing that the sight makes Isaac’s stomach churn at the best of times.

“Captain?” Mason queries, low and quiet.

The tightening of Isaac’s jaw seems to be the only answer he’s going to get for the moment.

“Now,” Rion says eventually, straightening up and waving his gun again at Mason and Isaac once he’s assured Luce is alright. “Someone better tell me what the fook is going on here.”

There's a heartbeat of silence before Luc pushes forward from behind Isaac. The look of surprise on Rion’s face is almost comical.

“It’s a long story, so get comfortable,” Luc tells him. “And maybe you can stop pointing the gun in our direction too, huh?”

Then Luca shuffles out on Luc’s other side and Rion’s jaw pops open in shock.

“What the fook.”

Clinging to Rion's side, Luce blinks and breathes. “Whoa. This is wild.”

[capsensislagamoprh]

Victor put bladed to ice. This was apparently the best way to get where he was going, but oh how he'd come to appreciate his power in the dream. He'd managed to get the toe jumps down with minimal effort, now onto the more impressive and dangerous edge jumps. It was the counter rotation that was causing him issues, and oh what an annoyance it was.

He should be able to think it and do it! The frustration was killing him slowly.

Lilia took in his bland expression as Yakov once again displayed his gruff form of discipline, bluntly telling Victor what the fey already knew. Victor waited until Yakov's attention was drawn by another skater, then slowly collapsed onto the bench, head low, shoulders slumped. It took him a minute, glaring at the floor forlornly as he was, to notice Lilia was holding something in her hand.

"Take it," she said in unusually quiet tones.

Victor looked at her hand. A single mint candy sat in the frigid palm. Decidedly off diet. As it melted on his tong, he felt refreshed, and the realized she'd infused it with glamour. He'd been starving.

"How do I do this?"

"This?"

"How," he asked around the burn of wintergreen, "do I make these dross foods? I have only had boggans to feed me the necessary requirements before. I'm... at a loss."

"I don't think you can, Victor. I think you need to find another way."

"And what is that? I train, I sleep, the cycle repeats."

"Soon you will compete. The ice in your blood will challenge the ice of the material realm. Do you think there will be no rewards if you win?"

Victor considered. He'd not thought much beyond the doing before. "What are the prizes?"

"For the humans, there are no prizes. They can get sponsors who give them money, but to compete, your level of competition, you must be focused. Disciplined. Money comes, but not much. Not at first. The sponsors, that is where the money is."

Victor waved that off. Thanks to Phichit's careful handling, he had money enough of the mortal kind. It was dross he was short on. That precious fey coin full of glamour and life. "I am not concerned with rubble's. I need," he hissed low, "a source of power."

"That too will come. When you start to win, your fame will grow and that will sustain you. The things they will give you full of hopes and dreams. More than enough for a feast and other things."

"Hum. How long until I get to that point?"

"You can start the juniors this year if you like. I do not think you are quite ready, but it could be good to start out wobbly like a foal, then grow. People will enjoy your success more."

"And the oracle?"

Lady Baranovskaya sighed. "Still no response. I know they are out there," she said with a frown.

"Then why can we not find them?"

Lilia rose a brow. "They can predict the future. I would imagine a great power like that is highly sought after. Would you not use your power to protect yourself before you became prey?"

Victor huffed. "I suppose so. Still, if not for their hiding, we'd have answers."

"If not for your need to go to the mortal realm with out proper paperwork, we'd not be in this predicament," Lilia countered. "Now, break is done. Back on ice. Work hard."

Victor watched her turn towards the ice. Rising, he let the cool glamour of mint flow thrugh him. The ice was his. He was cool headed. He definitely did not go chasing his whim to the determent of the Dream. He fell on the Euler, skate catching against the other. He got up.

He was one with the ice. He could own it and the cold air above. He was the master of the frozen. He was not at all thinking about the warmth of new adventure and exciting things. His landing was wobbly, almost sending him into a roll.

The cold was his home. It seeped into his skin and made him whole. He could manipulate it at a whim. He was in charge of the water when it froze, sized by entropy. He was the Ice King. He was far from his throne. The boards were unforgiving when his hip smacked into it as he over rotated.

He was Victor Nikiforov. He was fey, cold of blood. He was all things grace and beauty of winter frozen in an icicle of a dream. He reflected the sky and the white of the ground. He was the sparkling mirror shards of snow that waited for the break of a foot, growth of plant, melt of sun to change it into smooth, perfect ice.

He was Victor. He was an unseelie king. Only one being could oppose him and that being was missing. That that being was missing was not at all Victor's fault. After all, how could he have predicted the gates closing so suddenly? How could he have predicted the change of time flow and that he would not feel it as the world rapidly changed about him? How could he, Victor Nikiforov, have even begun to fathom that was not simply how the material world worked? He managed a toe loop, but landed in the wrong place.

This wasn't his fault. It was built into the dream that the Hero made the sacrifice! He'd done it so many times! He was always home in a few days. His toe loop was better, but his landing still off, shaky.

But, Victor had to admit, the problem was the place he sacrificed. The material world was much less flexible than the Dream. If you fell to your death here, you might actually die. It was messy, and it was unflattering. His toe loop was smoother, his landing slipped easy along the ice.

Knowing the Hero, he'd probably made more than one sacrifice on his journey in this strange land. What had it done to him? How would it affect Yuri? Would ether be the same again? Would they blame him? His toe loop was magnificent.

Practice was called, and Victor went home to consider for the first time what would happen if he broke the Dream.

part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9, part 10, part 11, part 12, part 13, part 14

[unlimitedtrees]

the most fun evil thing ive ever made: Sonic Labyrinth 2

download this crazy ass rom hack

so. 'Sonic Labyrinth 2' was a joke rom hack i originally made in 2016. it was for the sonic hacking contest that year, and i made it mainly because i was let into this team called "Team Overload" whos whole gimmick was that there were a Ton of people in it who were going to submit a Ton of rom hacks at once at that year's contest. of course , this led to a bunch of people (myself included) making a Ton of low effort hacks just so they could submit something, and Sonic Labyrinth 2 was one of those hacks.

basically, Sonic Labyrinth 2 was Sonic 2 but inspired by Sonic Labyrinth. sonic's acceleration was reduced Greatly , making it so he moved like a snail. while you Can get speed by doing a spindash, i made it so you can't jump while rolling , which means you have to be much more Careful and Deliberate when rolling At All... as you become nearly uncontrollable when rolling (and it's even difficult to Stop Rolling, due to the low acceleration)

because of these few changes, the game becomes Completely Different. simple challenges such as Jumping Over Spikes or Going Up A Slope become increasingly difficult. however, the game isn't Mindlessly Dumb, as you could still gain speed from things such as speed shoes, going down slopes, and even going underwater (as you have different physics underwater). the game becomes almost like a puzzle platformer , as you have to figure out how to use everything available to you to make progress in the levels (and without getting stuck in some places)

however, even though i liked the unique challenge the rom hack had, i was disappointed with it as the game wasn't really designed around the new controls all too much, and there were too many dumb soft locks all over the place. and also basically No One liked the rom hack beyond it being a Silly Joke.

So , in 2018 , i started working on Sonic Labyrinth 2 Encore. it was mainly inspired by sonic mania's encore mode , with all of the levels having new palettes and the layouts are slightly changed to accommodate the slow controls , along with being more of a challenge. i was actually really proud of the stuff i did for it.... However .... i am Bad at rom hacking. sonic 2 rom hacking specifically is Really Frustrating for me ... theres just lots of things i didnt know how to do , and when i ran into 2 crashes in some of the levels which i had No Idea how to solve .... i decided to give up on the hack. this was also around the time Among the Others came out and i gave up on rom hacking entirely , so . yeah.

ive always been really sad about not being able to finish this rom hack, because there's just Nothing else like it ! the different controls bring up such an Interesting challenge that requires you to be more precise and more knowledgeable on the physics from the original sonic 2... and i wish i couldve done way more with the levels to make them much more of a difficult puzzle. oh and also i really liked the color palettes i made for all the levels.

Idk. this rom hack was Really Evil. but it was Really Fun. if you wish to give it a try, you can download it on github. the source code is on github aswell, but for some reason theres errors when building it and i have No Idea Why. at one point i tried adding one of those error handler thingys but i think something broken and it made me forever sad.

thats all i think. i just wanted everyone to know about this silly rom hack i made

[myloversgone]

Welcome, 2023

A/N: This a very long and personal post. It’s not a fluffy, smutty fic, unfortunately (even though I have lots of those in my WIPs folder). Soon, I’m hoping to be able to fully come back to this space I love and cherish so much. I just felt like I needed to organize my thoughts and feelings first, and tumblr is a safe space for me to do that. If you read it, thank you. If you don’t, no worries, I don’t expect someone to do so. This post is more for myself anyways.

2022 was the craziest year of my life.

And I’m not prone to craziness. I don’t seek adventure, I’m very practical and safe. Boring, if you will. 

So all the challenges (except for one), came to me without my agreement. I was sure I was in control of everything, and the past year showed me I’m definitely not.

At the beginning of the year, I went through major changes at work, including a new boss, and it required me to change my own behavior, completely against my will, in order to keep my job. It was hard and it went against my principles, but I didn’t have a choice at the moment.

Then I got sick and, after a long and exhausting period of going through tests and doctors, I had to go through surgery. It was supposed to be a very simple procedure, but it ended up in a series of complications that crushed me, physically and emotionally.

In the meantime, my family was (and still is) facing financial problems, and, because of that, their quality of life took a big step back, which was very frustrating to me, and even more for my mom and dad.

While all of that was happening, I was trying to prepare for the challenge I’ve chosen to go through: moving to another country, something I wished and dreamed about for as long as I can remember. For that, I had the unfailing support of my wonderful family, my previous boss, and my closest friends. But that decision was major, a long-term one, and I made it thinking about a future that is still way far ahead.

My country couldn’t offer me better job opportunities, mostly for political (Bolsonaro can go fuck himself and die) and economic reasons, and I was very unhappy in my uncomfortable confort zone. So, thinking about a better future for myself and for my parents, I moved not only to a different country, but to a different continent.

It was so hard. By the time I thought I would be organizing myself for the change, I was recovering from my disease, and, at a certain point, I thought I wouldn’t even be able to move, because nor me or the doctors had a precise answer for how long it would take for me to feel better. But I managed to recover, slowly.

After a very bumpy and complicated arrival at this new place, for the first month or so, all I could do was think I’ve made the wrong decision and wished to go back home. I would cry every single day, punishing myself for not being able to overcome this and live the dream I always worked so hard to accomplish.

Then, as if things weren’t hard enough, one of my dogs got sick and died. My dogs are the most precious things in my life. I love them unconditionally and with my entire heart. To be completely honest with you, sometimes I miss them more than I miss my parents. 

When I heard the news about my dog passing, the first thing I did (after crying my eyes out) was search for plane tickets to go back home. My dad was suffering a lot, because the dog who died was his favorite, his best friend for the past 9 years. He rescued her and took care of her when she got sick, so the impact on him was huge. And, for me, not being able to be there for him was incredibly difficult. 

But I realized there was nothing I could do. Going back home wouldn’t bring her back, and I didn’t want to give my dad another reason to worry about me. 

So I stayed. Despite money issues, language barriers, insecurities, loneliness, I stayed. I doubted I would be able to do that (I still do), and I felt like nobody here liked me or wanted me around. The last  time I had this need of belonging, I think it was during elementary school. I was afraid I would be alone for the holidays.

But then, I found a group of people that are in the same situation. They also have doubts and fears, they feel lonely and homesick too. And we bonded and celebrated Christmas and the New Year together. 

Well, now 2022 is finally over. Major changes came, for me personally, for the people around me, for my country - fortunately. I feel like things are finally starting to get better (even to write that makes me afraid and doubtful). I still search for stability, for connection, and for the means to be able to come back to my old self. 

I wish 2023 can bring me some of that. I’m trying.

Happy New Year everyone! Love to you all!