#but like i still find it extremely annoying especially because HER KIT IS GOOD.

[seri-tonin]

I'm still not over what the genshin fandom (specifically meta players) did to dehya tbh...

[sukirichi]

happy little accidents

— Life is a series of unfortunate events, but sometimes, there are happy little accidents.

REQUEST. (accidental pregnancy, fuck buddies au) + childhood friends to lovers + baby moments with father! megumi

CONTENT/WARNINGS. slight smut, slight exhibitionism (I think? there’s a CCTV lmao) just daddy megumi uwu

NOTES. hi anon, thank you for requesting and joining the event! I have to admit...I don’t really know how to write this and I just had to ask my mother about her experiences in pregnancy LMAO. I apologize in advance if this sucks, I’m pretty good at fluff but domestic and cute stuff with children isn’t my expertise asggkhl I’m awkward around babies and kids so anyways, I hope you like it! OH AND ALSO I HAVE A CAMEO LMAO

Megumi’s hands runs up under your shirt, bringing about a shiver forward when his cold fingers come into with your warm skin. You feel him smile onto the kiss, his grip nothing but teasing before he brushes the underside of your breast, prompting you to grip closer to his hoodie. You and him were childhood friends; having always liked one another until playing house was no longer a game a but dream, but his family was too strict and controlling – they’ve made it clear long ago this relationship could never and would never happen.

His Uncle Naoya made sure of it.

But that didn’t stop the both of you. All the way from highschool until now in your university days, you and Megumi are still stuck together by the hip, occasionally fucking whenever time allowed. Weekdays are spent staring longingly at each other in the hallways, the weekends flourishing into finally’s and hushed kisses under the sheets, completely unaware of the world you both trudged in.

Today was one of those days, and you’re nothing less of passionate as you swipe your tongue out to taste his lips, smiling when you realize he’s also grown used to wearing your mint flavoured lip balm. “Mhm, Megumi, I missed you,” you placed your legs beside his arms, a contented sigh entering his mouth as he closed his eyes.

“You miss me? I’m always around you,” he reminds you, pulling away momentarily to tug your shirt to the side where he leaves a soft patch of kisses. “Never gonna leave your side, baby.”

“You better not. I’m the best you’ll ever have.”

Megumi nods wholeheartedly in agreement, not wasting time before he pulls you closer to him. You’re almost weightless as you crash on top of him, hands tangled into the other’s hair and his large palm squeezing your breast. It produces a breathy moan from you, a thread of saliva connecting your lips when it comes again – that hellish bitter and sour bile that flows up to your throat. You push yourself off him and run to the bathroom, the content of your stomachs poured while your groans echo around the room.

He’s beside you in an instant, crouching beside you to pull your hair up and pat your back. Once you’ve finished throwing up, you clutch at the indistinguishable bloating of your stomach, leaning back into his touch while you slowly regain your composure.

Your head is throbbing uncomfortably again, one that wouldn’t go away no matter how much you press your thumbs against it.

“Wh-what’s wrong? Are you sick or something?”

You chuckle a bit from the way he frets over you, hands tilting your cheeks side to side while he pales, a sheen of worry visible on his hairline. He’s always been such a worrywart. You look behind him and see the box of condoms in your half-open medicine cabinet, the sight making your heart drop in your chest.

“Megs...when was the last time we had sex?”

“Well,” he scratches the back of his head, “We’ve both been busy from uni, so...last month, I guess? It’s been a long time.”

You swallowed audibly. You’ve recently gotten that box of condoms because if you remember correctly, last time you both skipped straight to the deed after realizing you ran out of it. Eyes flicking over his confused ones, your throat ran dry and itchy from the throw up session, your voice low as you say, “I’m three weeks late on my period, Megs.”

He looks just as shocked as you are, but he doesn’t give you the time to recover before he rushes out into your apartment. For a moment, you’re left heartbroken at the cold bathroom tiles, thinking that he left, but Megumi comes back a few minutes later, a pregnancy test kit and some chocolates inside a plastic bag. Your eyes widen when he gently ushers you to sit on the toilet, his feet tapping impatiently on the floor while you both wait for the result.

And there it is.

The timer on his phone goes off. Megumi rushes beside you, his chin resting on your shoulder as he blinks at the test kit. He turns to you and blinks in question, wondering what the hell it meant.

“’Gumi...it’s positive,” you cry out, sending him into a stagger backwards when you jump at him. Thankfully, he’s carried you too many times to count that he’s natural at hoisting you into his arms, still rendered speechless as you announce, “You’re going to be a dad!”

It’s been five whole months since you and Megumi turned into being stable fuck buddies, intent on hiding your relationship from both your families, into homeless and young parents whose fear over life and the future only increased tenfold now with the growing baby inside you.

You still remember that dreadful moment when both of you are kicked out into your family estate, Megumi’s Uncle Naoya especially enraged over the news. He doesn’t even give his nephew a chance to pack his bags before he signals the bodyguards to escort you out, then takes away all Megumi’s privileges and former luxury of being part of the Zenin Clan. You assume he’d want to strangle his pitiful Uncle for the never ending mistreatment, but your now boyfriend is nothing but happy, relieved that he’s been freed from the tight reins that always got in both your way.

Unbeknownst to the controlling Zenin Clan head, his wife is much more cunning than he is. He knows his wife always had some sorts of tricks hidden up in her sleeve, but even you were surprised when Megumi’s Aunt Suki shows up in your college dorm one day, throwing a set of keys your way with a wink before driving off back to become Naoya’s beloved trophy wife.

She lent you one of her high-estate apartments and even a humble car, silently wiring fees into your bank account since Megumi’s was already shut down.

Truly, if it wasn’t for her, you and Megumi wouldn’t be able to live this comfortably no matter how much both of you worked your ass off.

Now, none of you had to worry about not getting to make ends meet, no more worrying about putting your health at risk by working two jobs a day along with university – you and Megumi agreed to take advantage of her kindness just until the baby was born, opting to live quietly and comfortably in your shared home that would soon be filled with more memories. Well, as comfortably as you both could anyway, since pregnancy – although a beautiful experience – wasn’t always rainbows and unicorns.

Megumi comes home one day, the food you’ve always been craving from the Chinese restaurant from the other town present inside his bag. He’s tired from uni, even more so that he shares your burden of becoming new parents, but every time he comes home to you, all his exhaustion is wiped away, especially with the evident growth of your belly.

Your boyfriend runs up to you after placing the food on the counter, his arms wide open to get a hug – he’s gotten extremely touchy ever since the pregnancy – when you reel away from him, face turning green.

Your fingers come to pitch at your nose, eyes narrowed at his confused pout. “Ugh, Megumi, your deodorant stinks.”

“You were the one who got this for me, though,” his brows furrow as he lifts his sleeve up to sniff himself. He doesn’t smell bad... “You said you liked it on me,” he mumbles more to himself than you, staying still in his spot when he sees how colourless you’ve become. “Why are you looking at me like that? I showered today.”

“I can’t stand the smell of you, I can’t, gosh,” pushing past him, you rush to the toilets, the morning sickness well present all the way until sundown as you throw up. Megumi stands at the doorway, hands extended in front of him as he’s unsure whether he could help you or not. You firmly shake your head at him, lips turned into a sneer. “No, don’t get near me or I will honestly whack you with my purse, Megumi. Get rid of that deodorant and find a scent free one or something.”

Megumi is left with a slack jaw when you hop into bed afterwards, too tired and irritated to finish your papers. Seeing that he should probably do the same and pamper you instead, Megumi is silent as he crawls under the covers, only to be kicked out with a harsh kick to his thigh and a fiery, “Get out!”

“Nobara,” he whines into the phone, too fearful to even look at the bedroom at the thought that you’d feel his gaze and get even angrier. Your instincts and senses sharpens with each passing day; he won’t risk it. “My girlfriend hates me!”

“I could see why.”

Megumi groans at his friend’s flippant tone, the sound of a nail file grazing acrylics mixed with lo-fi music playing from the other line. “I’m serious – she doesn’t even want me a foot near her! When I tried to join her on the bed, she literally woke up just to hit me with a pillow. Right in the face!”

“Let me guess, you’re banned from the bedroom and staying on the couch?”

“Yeah, I am,” he sulks on the couch, “I don’t know why she hates me. I can’t imagine what I did wrong.”

“You don’t have to do anything wrong for a pregnant woman to hate you, Fushiguro. It’s not your fault your face is just really annoying,” Megumi makes a sound of protest before slapping a hand over his lips, nervous gaze darting at your door again. He relaxes into the seat; you’ve probably fallen asleep. “But on a more serious note, I think it’s the hormones. She’s erratic right now and you can’t blame her, she’s literally growing a child inside of her, dude, are you crying?”

“She might divorce me because of my deodorant.”

“Idiot, you two aren’t even married!” Nobara bellows loud enough that Megumi pulls the phone away from his ear, waiting until she’s calmed down and continues speaking like she didn’t just burst his ear drums. “Listen, just be extra sweet and careful around her, okay? Don’t open your mouth as well unless you want to die. Now get a notepad or something, we’re going to devise the best Baby Mama Seduction Plan that is guaranteed to win her heart.”

“You’re a lifesaver, Nobara!”

“Hmph, you owe me tickets to that fashion show though. Get your rich ass uncle to pull some connections or something.”

“Nobara, you know I can’t—”

“Oh shit, is that your girl about to kick you in the face?” Megumi yelps as his body flips at the direction of your room, both hands raised in surrender with his phone pressed between his ear and shoulder. He sighs – the door is still closed – he should be safe for now. Meanwhile, Nobara snickers cockily, almost as if she could see everything. As always, Nobara was triumphant. “That’s right, we both don’t want that to happen, so stick to your end of the deal man.”

Megumi stays up the whole night to execute Nobara’s plan. It’s tiring to run back and forth in the open convenience stores just to fill the fridge up with all your favourite food, but Megumi is determined to have you accept him again, even if he knows you’re not actually rejecting him.

By the time you’ve woken up, all beautiful and glowing as you pad out your room, Megumi stands up straight to conceal his body ridden with exhaustion. He just wants to make you happy.

“What’s all this?”

“You’ve been working hard,” he starts off unsurely, a hand scratching the back of his head as he gauges for your reaction. You plop down on the dining table and don’t scowl as you take a whiff of the food, blinking for a few seconds before you dig in. It’s enough for him to take as a go-signal, and he walks beside you carefully, his voice wavering and soft. “I just wanted to surprise you – show you how much I love and admire you...all that.”

“That’s suspicious,” you mouth through a mouthful of dumpling, but smile anyways with your arms extended. “Come here, give me a kiss.”

Megumi is beyond elated as he buries himself in the warmth of your arms again, sighing when you kiss his cheeks and jaw. “Are we good?”

“Did you replace your deodorant?”

“Yes...”

“Good boy,” you kiss him on the lips this time. Megumi has the audacity to blush as if he didn’t just fuck a baby into you, making you laugh before you slap his ass, last night’s irration now replaced with a reminder that this was Megumi – your first love and everything more. There was no way you wouldn’t be ‘good’ with him; you’d go to heavens and back for him, but maybe once you’re done birthing his child. “Yeah, we’re good. Get the mint choco ice cream pint for me?” Megumi sprints to perform your commands, and you reward him by pulling him in for a deeper kiss the time, his lips so sweet and minty. You can’t help but sigh, falling for him over and over again. “You’re such a sweetheart, Megs. This is why I’m head over heels for you.”

“You didn’t want me sleeping beside you for a week straight though.”

Your nose scrunches at the memory – that slight change in your expression making Megumi step back – as you wave a spoon at him, glaring at him in warning. “Like I said, you stank.”

But...pregnancy wasn’t all that bad for the both of you. There were times you’re unable to keep your hands off him. Although unexpected and mostly occurring in the most inconvenient situations, Megumi can’t say he’s complaining, especially not when you push him towards the wall just as the elevator doors closed.

“Daddy,” you moan, guiding his hands into your already soaking wet panties. Megumi breathes sharply as he cups your drenching core, wondering how you’ve gotten this aroused without him doing anything sexual in particular.

The nickname spilling past your lips is unforeseen though, as is his growing kink for it when he hardens immediately.  

“Please, please, please, I need you so much – make me feel good, will you?”

Megumi has to pin your needy, trailing hands all over his chest down to your sides, his pupils blown wide as the elevator ascends from one floor to the other. His eyes dart to the blinking red light from the cameras, his Adam’s apple bobbing when you don’t stop in the slighthest, only leaning forward to tug and nip at the skin of his neck. Megumi groans at your ministrations; you know very well that was his sensitive spot. “Y/N, we’re literally in the elevator, just wait until we get back home—”

When Megumi tries to push you away to stop your hands from palming his boner, you growl, eyes fierce and heated as you turn to him. “Do you want me to chop your dick off and prevent you from having a second child?”

“N-no.”

“Then shut up and fuck me.”

“Fuck, okay, don’t blame me if I make you sore, though.”

You roll your eyes at him, your hands moving expertly as you bunch your skirt up to your waist to show him that your bud was already swollen just for him. “Megumi, my boobs are already are its most sore point, I don’t give a fuck anymore.”

Megumi makes quick work of shoving his pants down just to his knees, gentle yet needy as he pushes your chest flat on the walls, round and perky ass puckered for him to take you already. He could cum just from the sight of you bending over for him like this, your arousal already dripping down your thighs as you wiggle your hips at him, breathless in the desire to be taken once more.

There were still fifteen floors to go before you reached your destination. Megumi’s brows pinch together in anxiety that anyone could press for the lift, but you’re also submissively bent over for him, moaning and gasping his name even when it’s only the tip of his cock sliding into you.

He sees the way your fingers hover over the buttons, clearly more prepared to shut the doors and deny others entry than he was, and he thinks fuck it to himself before he buries himself deep into you, head thrown back at the heavenly and salacious feeling of fucking you raw. You’re somehow warmer and tighter, wetter with puffier lips during your second trimester. Just as he blanches at the thought he could hurt you, he remembers the doctor’s encouragement of more sex. Being the good boyfriend he is, Megumi fucks hard into you, groaning and panting when your walls clamp down on him.

He only wants to help you.

Days of rubbing your feet and singing to your belly were gone – now replaced with laughter pouring into your house and switching from listening to Mother Mother into actually enjoying nursery rhymes playing from the stereo.

It feels just like yesterday when he rushes you to the emergency room, your hand nearly crushing his during your contractions before you gave birth to his child.

Megumi has never really been much of an emotional person, preferring to be calm and stoic unless you’re around; the rare times he actually lets his walls down. Surrounded by a group of doctors, though, Megumi stops caring about saving face when they hand him his daughter. He isn’t the least bit embarrassed when he sobs upon seeing the tiny bundle of joy in his arms, so small and vulnerable that promised there and then – he’d do everything he can to protect his child and give them the best future.

Fushiguro Megumi is a hands-down helicopter dad. The moment you’re able to take your daughter back home, he’s already had the whole house baby proofed. Along with studying for his exams, he’s also switching back and forth to parenting guide books.

You can tell he’s taking his job as a dad very seriously. Megumi doesn’t hesitate to shoot out of the bed in the middle of the night whenever he hears his daughter cry, racing you to her crib while he rocks her back and forth and you prepare her milk. You’re both utterly tired and sleep deprived, your head resting on his shoulder as your baby calms down in his arms. Faintly, you feel him kiss the top of your head, encouraging you to go back to sleep with the assurance he can handle it.

But of course, you’re the stubborn parent, and you drag your boyfriend and daughter back to bed, making sure there was enough space to make her comfortable before falling asleep.

Being a parent – especially with the love of your life – has never felt any more magical.

Of course, it was hard and definitely not a walk in the park, but it was worth it. Every time you came home from school, Megumi would already be there, his daughter babbling nonsensically in his arms while he prepared her meals. At the sounds of the door opening, both of them would run to you, showering you with kisses while you did the same.

Both your families have still refused to accept you back – not that you both minded – but it was getting shameful to keep relying on his relative to provide for your family. Eventually, you and Megumi decided that the other stays to take care of your baby while you work after class.

You’re staggering inside your home like a zombie after a long day, muscles aching from too much work and brain barely functioning due to the lack of sleep. With a long, drawn out sigh, you plop on the couch next to your boyfriend who jolts back awake, still careful not to let his drooling daughter wake up in his arms. Upon seeing it’s just you, Megumi leans over to kiss you on the nose, smelling sweetly of floral detergent powder and baby cologne.

“Welcome home,” he murmurs at your skin, your eyes already fluttering close at the comfort and warmth of home. “Scarlet is fast asleep. She couldn’t wait for you to kiss her goodnight anymore.”

“Don’t be dramatic. Mommy will always come home to the two most precious people in the world,” Now, it’s your turn to kiss Megumi to remind him he’s also doing a great job. You know he’s working just as hard you are, and you honestly don’t think you could do this without him. “Megumi,” you begin, tracing soft circles into his wrist to feel his lulling heartbeat.

“Hmm?”

“Have I ever told you I loved you?”

“I think I know that already,” he smiles romantically at you – even after years, you’re still very much smitten with that smile, and the sight of him and your daughter alone has you relaxing back in your seat.

“Yes, but you need to hear it again,” you tell him, cupping his face into your palms. Megumi sighs as he leans closer into your warmth, his hands patting your daughter’s back to soothe her in her slumber. “You’re such a natural at this – being a father. I’m really lucky I had a family with you. It’s all I ever wanted,” Burying yourself closer into his arms and collecting the both of them into an embrace, you smile into his shoulder, feeling like you’re on cloud nine. “I don’t think life is gonna get better than this, Megs. I’m so happy right now I feel like I could die.”

“Don’t say the d-word around her,” he jokes, the two of you sharing tired and dry laughter. Once the amusement subsides, Megumi’s other hand shifts to squeeze your thigh to get your attention. “Y/N...do you ever think about...making us official?”

“What do you mean?” you mumble sleepily, “How else official could we get? We live together and we have a baby. Soon, we’re going to be employed too and then we can provide better for her and stop relying on Aunt Suki so much,” Megumi nods above you, but his lack of response is worrying that you look up to him, frowning as you see that his face is pulled deep into thought. “We’re already a family, Megs. What’s on your mind?”

“I want to marry you,” he blurts out, “I want to make you mine and mine only – I see a future and a forever with you,” Megumi looks you straight in the eye the whole time. “Marry me, Y/N. Please.”

You’re rendered speechless.

You love him so much, you really do, and nothing about that will change. After spending a lifetime with you, Megumi knows just by looking at your face that there’s a but coming afterward and he clenches his jaw, sadness swirling in his eyes that you have to stop him before his thoughts run off again. “I want that too, Megumi, believe me,” you reassure, brushing his hair back with your fingers; a gesture that always pulled him back to you. “I just don’t want to rush things, you know? We can still barely stand on our own and we have Scarlet to worry about. I think we should focus more on her future than ours.”

Megumi nods, albeit disappointed, though this doesn’t stop him from kissing you straight on the lips before he mutters, “I understand but...think about it, at least?”

“You already know my answer would be yes.”

“Scarlet! I wonder where my little princess is hiding,” Megumi announces from outside your room, your toddler giggling beside you as you both hide behind the closet hand-in-hand. Four years later, you and Megumi are married, and life’s gotten a lot easier – in addition to it being a whole lot more domestic since Megumi takes his husband title just as seriously as being a father. Right now, he’s crawling outside, his voice lowered in an attempt to be scary. “If I find her, she’s going to face the wrath of the tickle monster!”

“Tickle monster!” Scarlet gasps beside you, turning to you with wide eyes. “Mummy, I don’t want tickles!”

“Then we better be quiet so Daddy doesn’t find us!”

With your voice intentionally louder than a whisper, it doesn’t take long before Megumi opens the closet doors, carrying you both effortlessly before dropping you all down onto the bed. “I found you!” You all tickle each other and laugh, your daughter falling into panicked squeals while you chortle at the side. Megumi then hoists Scarlet up before the both of you kiss both sides of her cheeks, sending the giggling child into an utter ticklish mess.

While the two are busy tickling one another, you feign a gasp, clutching at your husband’s bicep.  “Megumi!” your eyes widen, pointing deftly at the kitchen with trembling lips for effect. “Can you please check the oven – I think I left something in there and it might be burning!”

“I don’t smell anything,” is all he says, but runs there anyway. Megumi stands in front of in confusion, Scarlet safely bundled in his arms while her father opens the oven, frowning as he takes the object out and inspects it. “Mittens? But Scarlet is already—” Just then, Megumi’s jaw drops, his grin stretched wide while Scarlet keeps poking at the mittens, trying to make them fit into her slightly larger hands. “No way. Another one?”

“Another candy?”

You laugh at Megumi’s beaming face that matches his daughter’s – the two looking too much alike – but for completely opposite reasons. “We’ll get you all the candies you want, sweetheart,” you swipe a candy from the counter and hand it to your daughter’s grabby hands, pecking Megumi’s cheeks who is still beyond flustered at the announcement. “But yeah we have another one – and it’s a boy!”

[nanagoswife]

Noticing You, Noticing Me

Summary: You're the daughter of King Organa, but many outside of your kingdom don't know you. Your brothers Anakin and Varlo are the ones who are in the spotlight. Then your father holds a celebration in your kingdom for many others to attend. Will a certain someone notice you there?

W/C: 1.7k

Warnings: swearing, fighting, light angst

- - -

A knock sounded at your door.

“I didn’t know you were expecting anyone,” your eldest brother, Anakin said with a cheeky smile.

You rolled your eyes as you went to answer the door, “You know exactly who it is. This time, can you at least pull yourself together long enough to not drool over her before you leave.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle as he adjusted his position on his chair. “I’m afraid, little sis, that would be impossible with how close I am to marrying her.”

Once again you rolled your eyes before greeting your best friend, Padmé.

Anakin and Padmé had been together for as long as you could remember. It was a wonder that it took this long for them to get married. Yet, they still aren’t. Their wedding isn’t going to take place for nearly a year from now.

To your surprise, you were met by a very annoyed look on your friend’s face which immediately filled you with concern.

Before you could ask what happened, Padmé answered for you.

“Varlo is a right piece of shit,” she said angrily.

Although you couldn’t see, you knew Anakin had straightened in his seat as he listened. The smallest thing that happened to his fiancé tended to always throw him into an immediate protective mode. Well, that happened with whoever he was extremely close to.

“What did he do this time?” you asked as you guided her into the room. Varlo, your other older brother, had a tendency to be a bit of a pain. Although the two of you were super close, he could sometimes go too far. Especially when it came to people other than you and Anakin. The only person he didn’t mess with was any of the guard or your father, Bail Organa.

Your friend plopped down on the sofa beside Anakin’s chair with a sigh.

“Nothing today really,” she said, sighing once again. “Just playing games that I don’t have the energy to deal with today.”

“Would you like me to talk to him,” Anakin cut in, taking Padmé’s hand and gently massaging it. He was sitting on the edge of his seat, ready to go find Varlo to set him straight. You had to stop yourself from chuckling.

Padmé only shook her head, meeting Anakin’s gaze. Right then, was when you rolled your eyes for the millionth time as he did exactly what you asked him not to.

Clearing your throat, you took your place beside your friend.

“Anakin, didn’t you say you would meet Ahsoka, Sir Fisto and Sir Koon at the training grounds?”

An alarmed look took over your brother’s expression.

“Oh no. What time is it? They’re going to kill me if I’m late again.”

Both you and Padmé looked at each other with looks of amusement as Anakin shot out of his chair. After he gave her a quick kiss goodbye, he fled the room. You wouldn’t have been surprised if he ran to the training grounds.

The two of you burst into laughter once the door had closed.

“You’re marrying that,” you said through your laughter.

“True, but you’ve dealt with that your whole life. He’ll still be your problem.”

Padmé’s statement threw you into another fit of laughter.

Once the two of you had calmed down once again, you turned in your seat. She mirrored you.

“So, what brings you here today other than obviously wanting to be in the presence of the best person in the world?”

She beamed and looked as if she wanted to tease, until some sort of realization came over her. “Have you not yet heard?”

Confusion filled you. “Heard what?”

“About King Organa’s celebration at the castle next week. Has he not yet told you?”

You shook your head. “Anakin and I have been here all morning. So was Varlo for most of it.”

A look of understanding came over her. She knew how close you and your brothers were. So much so that the three of you would always find days where you would all spend time with each other. Whether it be in one room or going out to a nearby village to have some fun.

“I heard that King Qui-Gon Jinn and his son, Prince Obi-Wan Kenobi would be attending. There’s also…” Padmé trailed off when she saw your far off gaze. “Y/N?”

“Padmé, you know no one will notice me. Hardly anybody knows I exist. So many think my brothers are the only children of my father,” you replied as you felt your throat tighten. Although you tried not to think about it, it was still painful.

Padmé moved closer to you and took your hand with a caring smile.

“The only thing that matters is that we care for you. The people in the villages care about you and all the good you do for them and helping the poor. If other kingdoms don’t see you because they only see your brothers, who cares? Anakin and Varlo love you. Your father loves you. And you have me.”

You gave your friend a grateful smile. She always knew how to cheer you up, and this was no exception. Every time you felt like you would never be noticed, she always reminded you of how you were. Deep down, you knew you were. Other than your family and close friends, you also had people like Ahsoka, or Snips as Anakin likes to call her, and others like Rex, the head of the royal guard, and Sir Kit Fisto and Sir Plo Koon. Not to mention the multitude of guards that you were friends with. Especially Fives and Echo.

The more you thought of it, the bigger you smiled.

“See,” Padmé started as she squeezed your hand, “there you go. Your kingdom loves you.”

Before anymore could be said, another knock rang out through the room. When you answered, your father was there.

Looking over your shoulder, he chuckled, “I see you already found out about next week.”

“I did.”

When you looked over at your friend she couldn’t help but smile sheepishly. She tried her best to let your father, the king, be the one to give you the news of these things, but she usually got to you first.

You knew, though, that your father preferred it. He was busy enough so it was nice for him to save some time.

“I also wanted to tell you that the first guests will start arriving six days from now.”

For a moment you thought to yourself. “Father, that’s the day I said I would go to the Naboo village to assist in the set up of a small festival.”

Although it was true, your father knew of your true intentions. It’s not that you didn’t like greeting parties, but you knew you would most likely be looked over. So, in your mind, what was the point?

You were expecting your father to try and reason with you, but a sympathetic look came over him as he smirked.

“Alright, my sweet. At least promise me to tell Anakin-”

You opened your mouth to interject but he raised a hand to silence you.

“You get to tell him. Not only that, but you must also promise me to come to the ball that will be held.”

A smile crossed your lips at the mention of a ball. It was always a time where you and your brothers and Padmé could really have fun. Most of the night you and Varlo would dance together while you stole a couple dances with Anakin. If you weren’t dancing, you were with Padmé. Sometimes the two of you would sneak off and she would tell you of the gossip she had heard. Balls were events you hardly ever dreaded.

“It’s a deal then?” your father asked as you reminisced in the memories.

You smiled brightly as you caught a glimpse of your friend who still sat on the sofa. “Deal.”

-

“Come now, my prince. I heard that King Organa has a daughter,” Cody, Obi-Wan’s best friend and protector, said as they sparred.

Obi-Wan chuckled. “Do you really think I’m that desperate?”

Dodging his opponent’s strike, he was able to push Cody back far enough to where they were circling each other, looking for an opening. It was nearly impossible as the two have sparred with each other for so long that they knew every move the other was going to make before they could even act. This left this period of time to be dragged out as they used it to catch their breath, wiping sweat away from their eyes.

“Desperate? No. But you never know.”

“I wasn’t even aware that King Organa had a daughter,” Obi-Wan said as he finally broke the still moment.

Cody laughed, “Not many do. Not when you have two famous brothers like Anakin and Varlo overshadowing you.”

​​ The two stayed silent for a moment as they fought each other off. Each block and strike being made with precision that drew the fight out longer.

“I guess you have a point,” Obi-Wan grunted out as he locked his sword with Cody’s, bringing them face to face.

“She does amazing things for her kingdom too. It’s a shame that no one pays attention to any of it.”

Obi-Wan felt a slight sense of guilt fill him. It only built as Cody explained more of what you’ve done for your people. How had he never heard of you? Why were none of your accomplishments well known in other kingdoms?

He got so lost in thought that he left an opening for Cody. Being the talented fighter that he is, he took it, throwing Obi-Wan to the ground and pointing his blunted sword to Obi-Wan’s throat.

“Are you sure ‘desperate’ isn’t the right word?”

“More like entranced, my friend,” Obi-Wan said with a fond smile at the commander.

Cody rolled his eyes before offering a hand to the prince. “I should mention her more often if it means I’ll win.”

Shaking his head with a soft chuckle, Obi-Wan turned to put away his training gear. Now thinking that the trip to your kingdom may not be too bad after all.

- - -

@stardancerluv @where-fantasy-meets-reality @jaydenwoo @madmax2003 @mackycat11 @generousrunawaydonut @imabeautifulbutterfly @animalgirl05 @blondekel77 @cosmicsierra

[dessarious]

How the Sirens Adopted a Ladybug Pt4

AO3   Beginning   Previous   Next

Ivy was only half listening to Harley and a green Kwami detail various calming techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises. Being around so many creatures radiating power was extremely uncomfortable, especially since she was fairly certain Ladybug’s Kwami was annoyed with her. That comment about her being able to feel that something was off in Paris seemed rather pointed. In her defense she had no idea a kid was involved. She just wanted to stay away from problems that weren’t hers, and it’s not like she wanted to be able to feel the disturbance.

She looked back to the girl and thought about her reaction. It likely meant she couldn’t feel the Miraculous either, which meant she couldn’t sense the ones that were missing. That explained why she was still fighting in the first place.

“You seem awfully interested in something.” Tikki appeared in front of her and Ivy flinched at the glare. She’d zoned out but it probably looked like she was studying Ladybug. Given how protective the Kwami were of the girl she was glad it was only a nasty look.

“She said that she’d never come across anyone who could sense the Miraculous. All of you put off different amounts or types of power and I assume the person you’re fighting would give off their own variation. Perhaps I can help find them.” Tikki just blinked at her for a moment before a grin broke over their face.

“It’s possible. We’ll have to test if you can feel the Miraculous in different states and how close you have to be to feel them. But since you can sense Ladybug transformed, worst case scenario you can try and move throughout Paris during Akuma attacks and see if you can feel Nooroo.” Well at least she wasn’t being glared at anymore.

“Different states?”

“Well you can obviously sense us when our holders are transformed and when you can see us, but we don’t know if you can sense an inactive miraculous or a Kwami on their own if you don’t already know they’re there.” Ivy nodded. Yes, she’d felt the power Ladybug radiated but she hadn’t felt different sources. She wasn’t sure if it was because Tikki was so strong or the other’s had been dormant. None of the Kwami were on her now though and that raised a different question.

“Does your power rub off on her? Because she’s emitting a similar energy but it’s not the same as any of you.” Tikki narrowed their eyes at her. Great, she was on the shit list again. Didn’t seem to take much.

“It’s possible you feel the Miraculous themselves but more likely you’re simply sensing her natural gifts.” Ivy sucked in a sharp breath.

“She’s meta?” That meant she wasn’t registered. France was pretty particular about keeping track of them, especially in large cities. If they had one as a hero the European Justice League would be all over it.

“No, at least not the way you mean it. Any true Miraculous holder is innately gifted depending on which Kwami they’re attuned to. Once paired with that Kwami those gifts become more and more pronounced. Also anyone who holds a Miraculous for an extended period of time will develop abilities. The most common being longevity and intuition.” Yeah, that still sounded like a meta. Wait… they said gifts.

“You mean like a savant?” Tikki gave a thoughtful hum before nodding slowly.

“I suppose that’s a good comparison. It’s not usually quite to the extreme most people think of with prodigies but it is enough to be noticed in the general population.” The creature looked at the girl sadly. “She had an amazingly bright future… before the imbalance destroyed it.”

“Imbalance?” The question came from Selina. Ivy hadn’t even noticed that the other’s were paying attention to their conversation.  Plagg was scowling but Tikki just let out a weary sigh.

“It isn’t pertinent to the current problem. If she wants you to know, she’ll tell you.” Selina looked like she wanted to argue but a knock sounded at the door. All the Kwami just disappeared. At least they wouldn’t have to explain a bunch of tiny gods to the delivery person. Selina went to grab the food and the second she closed the door the Kwami all swarmed her except Tikki. Ivy couldn’t understand anything they were saying.

“Tikki!?” The startled shout caused all of them to look back at Ladybug who seemed about to have a panic attack. Tikki was trying to reassure her but the girl seemed not to hear as her eyes bounced between Ivy, Harley, and Selina. Finally Plagg flew into the girl's face, pulling her focus.

“Calm down kit. Trixx has an illusion covering you. They still only see Ladybug, I promise.” Her eyes darted to the other Kwami who were all nodding and smiling at her, then she focused on the table where the creatures had eaten and her face went red again. Ivy wasn’t certain if it was more embarrassment or anger.

“Plagg, what did you do?” Ivy cringed at the girl’s tone. It was an odd blend of rage, exasperation, and shame. Plagg’s ears actually drooped.

“We all need to be ready if you need to use us kit. Using more than one Miraculous at a time is hard enough without us being drained at the beginning. I understand why you don’t want to give us out to others but I won’t stand by and watch you kill yourself because you’re too stubborn to ask for help. You shouldn’t have to deal with this alone. You were never meant to.” The anger in the last few words was obviously not directed at the girl but she flinched anyway.

“I had to take you back. The power difference… and him revealing himself to the others forced my hand.” She sounded close to tears and all the Kwami swarmed her, offering comfort.

“You did the right thing and none of us think otherwise. My point is that you shouldn’t have had to. You shouldn’t have to be the only responsible one and you certainly shouldn’t have had your entire life destroyed for doing the right thing. Those brats left you to defend yourself even before they renounced their Miraculous. I still can’t believe they tried to blame it all on you.” The Kwami was getting more and more agitated and Ivy could feel their power pulsing.

“We all do what we can with the information we have.” More than one of the Kwami let out a frustrated breath at Ladybug’s defense. Selina looked ready to do murder at this point. So much for keeping their emotions in check.

AO3  Beginning   Previous    Next

Ko-Fi

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[that-was-anticlimactic]

Sokka with Tourette’s Headacanons Part Two

that no one asked for but here they are because I wanted to write more

Part One here and links to all of my other TS headcanons and such at the end!

*rubs hands together*

let’s start with premonitory urge and Sokka’s experience with it!

for those who don’t know, premonitory urges are essentially sensory tics. It’s when you feel a sensation or a discomfort in your body where you want to-- no, need to do something for touch something. For example, it can be as simple as this feeling in my body and head that I need to rub my phone screen a certain way. If I don’t rub it, the uncomfortable feeling will linger and make me anxious or extra fidgety. They can also increase tics.

Now, in Sokka’s life with TS, he has had... some problems with premonitory urge. When he was younger and training to be a warrior, there were multiple occasions where he almost sliced his fingers off because he kept getting this physical feeling that he had to touch the swords or spears etc... a certain way.

When he gets older, he finds that they start to bother him during council meetings in the Fire Nation, especially when Zuko is doing important stuff so he has to sit far away.

They’ll be in the middle of an important meeting when Sokka looks up from his doodling to glance at Zuko and this tingling, gravitational feeling suddenly moves through his body and he can’t stop staring at the edge of Zuko’s chair and he knows that he needs to rub it.

Obviously, he can’t just get up in the middle of the meeting, walk over to the Fire Lord, and rub his chair (even though they are dating and Zuko would definitely let him)

I have had experiences like this during class where I would mentally shut down or have to calm myself down from an anxiety attack because I need to rub the white board my teacher is writing on or the teacher’s desk but we are literally in the middle of class so I can’t do that (doesn’t always end like that, but that’s worse case scenario). And it sucks. So much. So, Sokka is miserable.

One time Sokka was so focused on not having an anxiety attack because his body was telling him that he needed to rub the surface of a Fire Nation elder’s desk-thingy that’s in front of his chair (because sometimes his body hates him and it happens to people he doesn’t know that well’s stuff) that he mentally shut down. He ended up squatting in his chair, rocking back and forth for ten minutes after the meeting ended without realizing it because all he could think was don’t interrupt the meeting, don’t be weird, don’t embarrass Zuko

Zuko, being the fantastic boyfriend he is, noticed that Sokka didn’t leave the meeting and thought it looked like an anxiety attack. He kind of just sat with him. He didn’t touch him because he knew Sokka wouldn’t want it and wouldn’t be able to coherently answer if he asked to touch him. Zuko just started talking about random things to try to get his mind off of the feeling.

Once he got back into the moment (with help from Zuko’s dulcet voice), he ran to the desk-thingy and rubbed it. Like, almost dramatically ran his hand across the desk and kind of just let his hand take over and rub whatever part he needed to.

Zuko was confused because this had never happened before (well, it had, but not to this extreme in front of him and Sokka never said anything) so Zuko never knew).

Sokka was kind of embarrassed, but he told Zuko about it and together they came up with a signal for when it got really bad so Zuko could either call a five minute break or make an excuse to switch seats so he could sit next to his boyfriend.

This is another reason that Zuko keeps random things on him at all times so if it gets bad, Sokka will have more to do with his hands than draw, write sentences over and over again, take notes, and tap.

Actually, lowkey stealing this particular headcanon from @tikmasjiens and their story For When He’s Being a Dumb*ss (which I highly suggest reading-- it’s fantastic!): Katara and Zuko (for the purposes of later in life when they’re dating because of course imma make it Zukka) carry little fidget kits / bags around for Sokka because he is forgetful and is sometimes so focused on one particular thing that he starts to run late for a meeting or lunch or hang out that he forgets his own personal fidget things.

The amazing Katara and Zuko have random things: brushes, atla equivalent at paper clips (aka metal things he can bend) (yes, yes, we’ve been hiding this from the world, but people with Tourette’s are actually paper clip benders lol), dice, Pai Sho tiles, and other little trinkets.

One time when Sokka was walking around an Earth Kingdom market out of boredom (and this is after the war because I just want him to not be on edge during this), he sees this young girl making noises and movements similar to him and he sees these two other kids mocking her and laughing at her and Sokka just sees red.

He actually goes over and scolds the kids (who don’t care enough to stay and listen ugh but that’s not the main focus of Sokka’s concern so it’s whatever for now) and this young girl sees him (at around age 17-18) making noises and moving ‘weirdly’ too and she’s just like “I’ve never seen anyone else do that stuff before”

and Sokka kind of just sits down with her and talks to her about his own experience and it’s not anything to be ashamed of, even though it can feel like that sometimes.

he rummages through his pockets and pulls out some of his fidget stuff and gives it to her. He, Zuko, and Katara have plenty of fidget stuff for him. Losing a few won’t matter.

Eventually, her parents return and they part ways. They never see each other again, but they never forgot each other either. It was both of their first time seeing someone else like them.

(and personal anecdote, but one time I was faculty at a camp for the weekend, and one of the kids in my group had just gotten diagnosed with Tourette’s and that was one of the most meaningful experiences I have ever had. I got to talk to him and his mom about my experience and it was... I’ll never forget that)

Sokka may be the protective older brother, but Katara is also the terrifying ‘you hurt my brother I will ruin you’ younger sister. One time, someone mocked Sokka’s tics and Katara’s protective instincts kicked in and she lectured them so hard. and very loudly. so everyone heard.

again, y’all, I know this is about Sokka with TS but WOW I love Katara too, what a queen. Let’s take a moment and appreciate the queen that she is.

Ty Lee and Sokka do yoga together at least twice a week. They both find it relaxing and fun and nice, but it also helps Sokka begin the day with less stress in his body. It doesn’t cure his TS, because there is no cure and he needs no cure, but it definitely helps sometimes.

Something that absolutely kills Sokka is that he wants to cuddle with Zuko at night so badly, but sometimes he genuinely just can’t. Zuko’s arms around him will make him feel too trapped and restrained, his arms around Zuko make him paranoid that if he moves too much, he’ll make Zuko uncomfortable and just stressed himself out by only being able to think about “am I moving too much?” “can Zuko feel me move?” “stay still stay still stay still” and it’s just not fun and he gets tense

But sometimes, he can cuddle and he loves it! Because as much as he hates being held, he desperately longs to be held. As self-conscious as he gets when he holds Zuko, he wants to be able to hold Zuko.

So when he feels like he can cuddle with Zuko, he gets so excited!

Zuko swears up and down that the lack of cuddling on occasion does not bother him, but Sokka still has trouble believing him (not that he doesn’t trust him, but he can’t understand how someone would be okay with it)

One time, Sokka was so distressed about whether or not Zuko was upset with him or pretending not to be upset to spare his feelings that Zuko invited Toph over so she could inform Sokka that he was, in fact, telling the truth about it being okay that they can’t always cuddle and be physically affectionate.

Sokka’s verbal tics both annoy him and don’t annoy him. He’s so used to hearing them that they don’t bother him anymore, but sometimes they make it hard for him to talk and he can feel them and that’s what bothers him.

He’s also self-conscious that everyone hates his verbal tics and are annoyed by them.

On a really bad head day for Sokka, the gaang was going to see a theatrical show per Zuko’s request and it was the first time in months they had all been able to hang out together and Sokka wasn’t having a good tic day and was so genuinely afraid to go to the show because he was going to tic and make noises and what if he distracted everyone? what if the strangers in the audience got mad at him? what if the ushers forced him to leave? how embarrassing would that be?

so he pretended to be sick and didn’t go

but Toph saw through his crap and stayed behind as well because “you’ve heard a play once, you’ve heard it a thousand times” and when everyone leaves, she calls Sokka out and asks him what was up

and he knew he couldn’t get away with lying to Toph, so he told her the truth and she just kind of laughed and went “they don’t bother any of us, seriously”

and Sokka was just “how do you know? It’s not like how much my tics don’t annoy you come up naturally in conversation”

and Toph goes “I don’t need to talk to them about it to know that no one’s bothered by them. Besides, they care about you more than they care about what sounds you make” then punched his arm

(and if Sokka silently cried, no one needed to know)

so, overtime, he gets the nerve to ask everyone individually (because there’s no way he could do everyone at once) just to make sure he wasn’t bothering them. He doesn’t get to ask everyone because some of them kind of get a feeling that he’s anxious about it (and if Zuko maybe mentioned it to some people so they approached him and causally mentioned they weren’t bothered, no one needs to know oops) (don’t worry, Zuko didn’t say anything super personal. Just like “tell Sokka his tics don’t bother you because he thinks they do”. Not like the details and stuff Sokka told him in private)

Katara didn’t answer, just asked if she could hug him and said that she loved him no matter what (and ten minutes later asked him if anyone told him that because if someone in the gaang said it, then she wouldn’t be afraid to spill blood)

Zuko, ever the dramatic and romantic one, knelt in front of Sokka (who was sitting) and went “I love you. I love every single part of you.” *kisses his hands* “I love you for your finger clenching and fist pumping.” *kisses his shoulders* “I love you for your shoulder rolling...” *kisses his neck* “your neck twitches...” *kisses his nose* “your nose scrunching...” *gently kisses each eye* “your blinking...” *kisses his lips* “and for every verbal and motor tic you’ve ever had and ever will have”

(look, I’m just... I’m so soft for that moment and I think about it constantly)

Suki gives him this hard and serious look and says “you are not annoying. You never have been and you never will be” and from just her stare and tone of voice, he knows she’s telling the truth.

Aang immediately just starts rambling and is like “I’m so sorry if I ever made you feel that way but you as so far from annoying! Honestly, sometimes I forget they’re even there I’m just so used to them-- not that they’re forgetful or anything, but they’re just so normal to me that I don’t notice-- why are you crying? Did I say that wrong? I’m sorry--”

and Sokka just grabs him and hugs him and says “No. I love you. Thank you.”

Mai is bad at emoting but she tells him “I don’t mind them. They’re comforting. Sometimes. Better than the sound of an empty house or screaming.”

Ty Lee immediately goes into “who told you you were annoying? I have some new moved I’d like to try. Give me names and they’re test subjects number one” and even Sokka feels fear at the look on her face even though the anger isn’t directed towards him

Azula is kind of snarky at first (because she’s trying not to, but it’s hard and it’s not her fault). She just gives him this seriously? look and kind of goes “you really think they’re significant enough to bother me?” and Sokka knows that’s Azula’s healing way of saying “no, they don’t bother me”

okay but let’s also talk about Hakoda and Piandao and Iroh because I want to and I love them

Hakoda kind of does what Katara does and asks if he can hug him and just tells him how proud he is of Sokka for the man that he’s become and that his TS is a part of who he is and it’s a part of his identity and there’s nothing his TS could ever do to make him any less proud

Piandao actually talked to Sokka about it during Sokka’s Master because it was holding him back of bit. Sokka was kind of embarrassed and was getting frustrated with it. Piandao sat him down and told him that perceived weaknesses are actually one of our greatest strengths. Being a nonbender looks like a weakness to many benders who rely solely on their bending, but it takes a certain kind of person to be a nonbender and that’s something to be proud of. The things that make you different are sometimes the things that teach you how special you are.

Piandao just sees so much potential and good in Sokka and Sokka looks up to him so much.

Iroh always lends Sokka extra or old Pai Sho tiles to fidget with. He also has this relaxing tea that helps his mind feel calm. Again, not with the intent to “fix” or “cure�� him, but it helps his anxiety levels go down, in turn helping his tics relax.

Iroh tells Sokka that his tics are nothing to be ashamed of and that true friends would stick with him, tics or no tics.

hey? hey? guess what? Bumi ll didn’t just inherent the nonbending from Sokka, he also got the Tourette’s genes:)

imagine the Uncle / Nephew bonding between them

like, Bumi ll asks him why Kya and Tenzin don’t do weird things but he does? and Sokka just smiles sadly because he knows the feeling and talks to him about Tourette’s.

Bumi ll also got lucky because Katara saw the signs instantly and got him tested as soon as she could.

Let’s just say, aside from the gaang, the Kataang family is the most supportive family of his TS:) (it doesn’t hurt that his aunts and uncles will hung down anyone who ever makes him feel like trash and lecture them or their parents oops)

this is something I have mentioned before, but Sokka struggles to sit through meetings. Having TS and ADHD make it so hard for him.

sometimes he just feels so out of place because in this room full of people, he’s the only one rocking back and forth in his chair and changing his position every three seconds and jerking his head. He just feels... so wrong when he sees how still everyone else is sitting. Yeah, occasionally he’ll see some people tapping their foot or tapping the table in front of them with their fingers, but it’s not the same.

BUT on a happy note and not to make this all depressing (because TS sucks sometimes, but there’s nothing wrong with it or us and it’s a part of who we are) Sokka 100% has a top ten list of his favorite and least favorite tics of all time (I don’t know if people keep track of their favorites or if that’s just something I like to do, but I would imagine that a decent amount of people with TS know their favorites and least favorites)

I won’t bore y’all with an actual list, but his favorite tic is rocking back and forth. The motion is so soothing and comforting to him. Like, it feels right to be rocking. Yeah, sometimes he gets self-conscious about it, especially if he’s the only one in the room moving, but it feels so nice and right.

Sokka: *tics a couple times in a row* ughhhh that was not fun

Toph: *jokingly* wow, I mean, can’t you just, I don’t know, stop? Just, not do it?

Sokka: *jokingly* great idea, Toph! Why didn’t I think of that? All I needed to do all along was just not want to tic!

Toph is the only one ever allowed to do this bit with him. Sokka thinks it’s the funniest thing and it never fails to make laugh

Toph said that out of sarcastic instinct one time and almost choked on her drink because she felt so bad but Sokka was stifling a laugh and replied super sarcastically and then just laughed.

Toph still felt really bad and apologized (Sokka told her it was fine and he wasn’t upset, but she’s also been on the other side of jokes like that and it’s not fun).

Now, though, it’s kind of their thing. They do it every once in awhile and it flows like any other banter. It just happens and they don’t even blink.

(if anyone else did that to Sokka, though, Toph would probably rob them or like soak their clothes in cactus juice so they’re all sticky idk, she just wouldn’t stand for it)

Sokka actually takes a leave of absence from being an ambassador to travel around the four nations and visit schools with Toph and Zuko (who also take breaks). The three of them go to educate schools on disabilities (their own and others).

Sokka also personally makes it his mission to sit in one class at every school and see if there’s anything that he can give advice on. Sometimes, he talks to principals and teachers about how to help accommodate students with learning or “disruptive” disabilities so that they can get the best education that they can while still feeling comfortable and safe.

Now, the three don’t get this all done at once, it takes a year or two, but they do it and all three are just... really proud of it.

Sokka really struggles with Locus of Control (LOC). For those who don’t know, LOC is “ a psychological concept that refers to how strongly people believe they have control over the situations and experiences that affect their lives” (Ed.glossary.org).

Sokka, as many headcanon, likes having control over situations or likes having things ordered and scheduled. He doesn’t like changes to his schedule, he likes having schedules... his tics, on the other hand, are not something he can control or schedule

Giving up that control is hard for him. It wasn’t too bad as a child in a super small village, but once he left the SWT with Aang and Katara, he realized how different having tics was (although he was the only one back at home with tics, he often worked with restless children)

He went through a period of time where he thought that he could control his tics, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t. Thus, the loss of control he feels.

He actually went through a ‘phase’ once where he thought that maybe he was making his tics up and doing them on purpose for attention or to be different or something. Katara quickly shut him down and told him that he wasn’t doing that.

I once saw someone say that Sokka has imposter syndrome and I think it correlates a bit with LOC in this context (I should actually do some research about that...).

Learning to understand that he won’t always have control is hard for him. Like. Really hard. He tried so desperately to control his tics and it just increased his anxiety and wore him out. Trying to control tics freaking hurts.

Aang is actually the one to help him with that. He’s had a lot of experience of not being able to control his own life, and although their situations are different, he has methods he uses to attempt to prevent himself from overthinking too much and letting his anxiety take control.

After that, Sokka doesn’t struggle with LOC as badly as he did before. It still sneaks in time after time, but it’s never too prominent and Aang is always there with some advice and distractions:)

(I just also love Aang so much and he deserves the world)

Although Sokka is “weird” with touch, there is one type of touch he is almost always on board with: massages. Massages. I’ll say it one more time: massages. They feel so nice. He carries so much stress in his back and shoulders because of how much he moves them due to his tics.

Zuko can tell when Sokka’s shoulders and back start to hurt really badly and will just sit behind him, heat his hands up (not too much), and give him the absolute best massages.

No. Seriously. Zuko gives the best massages (Sokka once wanted to return the favour and uhhh.... Zuko was not a fan. Although Friends isn’t the best show to take examples from, but uhh Sokka gives massages like Monica Gellar. That is all. Zuko gets his massages from Ty Lee).

Suki gives the second best massages.

Katara third.

So, there’s this one Kyoshi Warrior that works with Suki on guard that Sokka just can’t crack. She has an RBF and rolls her eyes and stuff a lot and she uhhh is kind of rather facially expressive but like, RBF style, so one time when Sokka is having a bad tic day, she makes a face.

It wasn’t aimed towards him, it was about something else, but his heart just breaks because this girl he had been trying to get to open up a bit to him and let loose and not be so freaking serious all of the time hates him.

and later she approached him and just “Sorry. I don’t... I don’t get annoyed by your tics or you or anything. I find them soothing and, I don’t know, nice. Like a reminder that the Fire Lord’s boyfriend is still safe. And they sound nice. I don’t hate them. Or. You.” (look, feelings are hard for her)

and Sokka just :D

alrighty, this is longer than I intended... so we’ll end with me mentioning something I mentioned last time: Yue! (I love her). She never once brings up Sokka’s tics. She never makes faces or asks him why he makes sounds. She’s studied a lot, and while there isn’t too much out there about TS, it’s the NWT, they have lots of books. She could see the signs and assumed.

Never once in the amount of time that they knew each other did she mention it. Sokka appreciated not having to explain himself. He felt safe and welcome there with Yue.

Thank you for reading, anyone who made it to the bottom! I enjoy talking about TS as well as my own experience with it. I love writing about Sokka with TS in particular. There isn’t a lot of TS rep out there, really only the one episode of South Park (don’t watch the show, but I watched the clips about Tourette’s education that the Tourette’s Association of America approved of. It was really heartfelt and lovely to watch and is also a good representation of coprolalia!) and the movie Front of the Class.

My ask box is always available for questions about TS, Sokka with TS, Jay (Ninjago) with TS, anyone’s personal TS headcanons or experience, or any underrepresented neurological disorder that you want to share!

List of TS Stuff Already Written: Part One here , Deeper Than Words (a oneshot I wrote on ao3 of Sokka with TS), a lovely Sokka with TS oneshot written by @tikmasjiens (sorry for tagging you twice ahhh)​ here , Stuck (a Sokka with TS excerpt from a fic I’m writing), NInjago Jay!TS Oneshot

[mydisasteracademia]

Random LOV Headcanons

• Repeating something from my book “Did My Time”, due to the damage to Dabi’s body, he needs to use eyedrops multiple times a day. The amount depends on whether or not he uses his Quirk a lot; if he uses it more, he’ll need to practically drown his eyes with special medicated eyedrops to help with the dry-eye.

Adding onto this, due to his body’s natural affinity for the cold, he prefers cold things more than hot, because he has a worse reaction to hot/spicy things compared to other people (just like his mother). Yes, this means I HC him to absolutely never get brain freeze. The others are always jealous of him whenever he chugs a Slurpee in one go.

His burnt, scarred skin is extremely sensitive, especially to scents and scented lotions. He’s found that ointment works to keep things moist, but that also means he needs to be constantly re-applying it every time it dries, given that his Quirk is constantly drying out his skin to the point of damage. Every time his staples tug, even a little, it’s really painful and he’s prone to bleeding.

He does have a bit of a protective instinct, but only over those he deems weaker than him (and let’s be honest, he already has a lot of trouble with his own self-image, so that list might be shorter than you’d think). Definitely has an ‘irritated older sibling to hyperactive younger sibling’ relationship with Toga once they start to get closer. Gets unnecessarily competitive with others he considers stronger than himself, even if he himself doesn’t immediately realize what he’s doing.

Due to his Quirk being dangerous to himself, he can smell off, and he gets very touchy about it. Having grown up in a wealthy family, he can get very insecure at his bedraggled appearance and smell. He literally smells like burnt flesh all the time, and it lingers on his own body and his clothing. Due to this, he always hits up a laundromat to wash his clothes a few times a week, using money he’s picked off of wealthier victims of his. Really lays on the cologne to mask his natural corpse smell (and usually ends up smelling like pine trees, smoke, and something vaguely rotting).

Dabi is incredibly touch-starved, given that most people look at him and recoil in horror. He’s more like a cat, though. If you give him too much attention, he gets annoyed, but if he happens to rest his arm on your head or shoulder, that’s his way of subtly asking for positive attention. Depending on who’s doing it, he won’t immediately shove someone away if they decide to hug him. He’s a bit iffy with touch, and the fear of accidentally hurting someone he’s close to with his own Quirk messes with his head a lot. He can be a bit of an attention whore, given his fucked-up childhood, and when he gets praise it can put him in a good mood for a while. He really internalizes negative attention and can brood about not being good enough for a long time though. Won’t admit it, but he lives for headpats. Please give him headpats. He deserves headpats. Just watch out for the hair dye.

• Shigaraki’s Quirk does affect his body, though not by quickly decaying him like he does other things. Instead it’s more of a ‘slow-burn’ decay, and his constant itching is one side-effect of that. Since his body is constantly breaking down (his scratching gets rid of a lot of dead skin on the surface), his skin is incredibly sensitive and he can’t use most face/skin products because it damages him even more and he reacts horribly to it. So far he hasn’t found a brand that can help with his marred skin. Adding to this, he can’t stand spicy foods because it aggravates his decaying body.

Since his body is in a constant state of death and dying, this means he can smell off on even good days. It could be described as musty or ‘stale’, and since he’s extremely sensitive to scents and lotions/creams, he can’t exactly just use any old cologne to mask it.

Sometimes his throat gets super dry and he chokes on debris from his own mouth and throat. He needs to constantly hydrate to keep things from getting a bit too dusty. This means he prefers wet/moist foods over dry, and if he eats anything dry he’ll have a drink to go with it. At Kurogiri’s insistence, he always has a few bottles of water in his room at a time so he doesn’t have to get up in the night to go to a working sink for a drink.

This boy is so touch-starved. Whenever someone of the League hugs him, he acts huffy about it, but he doesn’t shove them off (unless it’s Dabi giving him a noogie, then he threatens death, much to the taller one’s amusement). He secretly craves touching other people. He’s terrified of accidentally dusting someone he cares about again (his family’s deaths haunt his dreams more nights than not), but if someone hugs him he just kind of melts into it. Someone please hug this boy. He needs headpats and positive reinforcement.

• Spinner absolutely loves sunning himself on rocks during summer. Whenever the weather is hot and it’s sunny, if he has a day off you’ll find him chilling outside on a rock just soaking up the sun.

Adding onto this, he really loves humid, hot weather. While the rest of the League (especially Dabi) is suffering, he’s just vibing with the weather.

And he sheds. Usually a few times a year, but it’s not uncommon to see large swaths of translucent white patches left behind. This can annoy the League, but to his credit, Spinner tries to keep it on the down-low. More than once he’s tried inconspicuously rubbing his arm or cheek against Shigaraki to try and help get the dead skin off. (He gets really irritated, but it helps with the itching a bit, so he doesn’t really complain unless he’s trying to concentrate on something.)

• Compress will casually swipe up random items that the League leaves around and later might give them back depending on what it is. The other members can get varying levels of annoyed at this, but they don’t get too beat up about it considering Compress’s Quirk and personality. (This is how Toga lost her favorite lip gloss. She didn’t stop pouting for a week until Twice bought her another one.)

When he gets anxious or bored, he often resorts to simple hand tricks to keep himself entertained: fiddling around with his marbles, practicing simple card tricks, or practicing magic.

• Toga loves horror. Almost any horror. Especially guro. During movie nights with the League, as long as the movie has some form of mutilation and/or blood, she’s giving it her full attention. Adding to this, she really loves anything written by Junji Ito and has read Tomie about twenty times. Despite this, she has a soft spot for cutesy things and her aesthetic is Gurokawa. She definitely has a Gloomy Bear plush or two.

She definitely has a fondness for beauty products, given that she’s still just a normal girl despite her Quirk. This fact can make her really insecure, and she’s prone to depressive episodes just like anyone else in the League where she does herself up real pretty just to try and feel more ‘in tune’ with her femininity and less like the monster her parents saw her as. Magne helped with this a lot in the past, but now that she’s gone she relies more on the others to help cheer her up.

She is not above forcing the other League members into spa days. Shigaraki is the only one who doesn’t have to get a facial, though she does insist on painting his nails and doing his hair.

• Kurogiri’s mist/fog can get blown away quicker than he can create more, but only by a very strong wind. It’s hilarious. Shigaraki can’t stop teasing him for it.

Is not above using his Quirk to forcefully separate two squabbling parties, especially in the bar hideout.

When he’s bored, he does bar tricks, much to Toga’s delight.

Since quite a few League members are under drinking age, he always makes sure to have sparkling cider on hand.

He carries snacks and a first-aid kit every time the League goes out on a mission -- especially when it’s Shigaraki heading out. He really does care for the man and will be the first to hand him ointment whenever his skin gets really crumbly or damaged.

Has come to reluctantly see the League as people he worries for. That’s the closest to “hm yes these are my children now I must protect” that you’ll get.

He misses Magne for how sensible she could be. He appreciates Compress’s overall chill vibe and his being the voice of reason among their little group of mass murderers.

• Kurogiri and Magne were the League’s parental figures. You can’t fight me on this. (Kurogiri reluctantly, Magne enthusiastically.) Compress was more like the outgoing uncle that has a sense of humor nobody can really understand at first and was definitely a theater major in college.

• Shigaraki and Dabi love chicken nuggets. Every time someone brings home fast food, you can bet your ass they’ll have ordered like a fifty-piece chicken nugget meal from wherever sells that. Constantly have to deal with each other trying to swipe the other’s nuggets when they finish their own.

• Twice loves Vine compilations and can recite a worrying number of them from memory. He gets a kick out of the “A Bagel, Two Bagels” one for how much he relates to it.

• Before she died, Magne loved when Toga begged her to help her with makeup. It helped with her dysphoria when Toga would doll her up.

She loved window-shopping and imagining herself wearing some of the stylish clothes in shop windows.

Despite her cruel persona towards her enemies, Magne had a soft spot for elegant-cute things, kinda like Toga but a little less bloody.

• Muscular always challenges the other League members to arm-wrestling when he’s around. He always wins. The others have learnt not to accept his challenges, lest they want bruises/sprains.

• Mustard is very childish in his tastes. He loves chicken nuggets and mac n’ cheese. Provokes people by pulling his lower eyelid down and sticking his tongue at them. I can definitely imagine him muttering “Eat my shorts” or “Don’t have a cow, man” whenever another member is angry about something.

• In this household we pretend that Moonfish does not exist.

• If the League had Switches, you bet your ass they play Animal Crossing on them.

Toga would go for a ‘Aika Village’ aesthetic, all gloomy and creepy but with an undeniably cute element to it. Definitely wears pastels and gothic-themed clothing.

Shigaraki models his after his favorite RPG and hunts down NPCs that fit the personalities of the various characters. His favorite characters tend to be dogs. Will not hesitate to kick out any animal who fails his ‘vibe check’. Surprisingly, this game can calm him down almost as well as an RPG. Joycon drift is the bane of his existence.

Compress uses only the most glamorous, expensive items on his island. Outright refuses to use dirt paths. Uses only Snooty villagers.

Dabi wants his island to look the best and is uncharacteristically stern about how his island looks. Everything is very neat and streamlined (and he has an outdoor gym near his player’s home). Will physically fight anyone who tries to ruin it by littering or messing around on it. He has a rivalry with Compress about whose island looks the best.

Spinner doesn’t really care about how his island looks. He just wants to max out his encyclopedias. Shigaraki once caught him up at 3 AM because he was trying to catch a spider crab.

Kurogiri doesn’t play it that often, so his island is fairly undeveloped. Doesn’t really care about it, considering his responsibilities to the League overpower a video game.

Muscular doesn’t care about it at all and doesn’t play.

Mustard made his island look like something out of Harvest Moon or Stardew Valley; a town area, a forest, and even a beach.

[singledarkshade]

Magical Mix Up

Summary: When Constantine uses a spell to locate Rip, it leads them to a hospital and a nurse called Rory Williams. Taking him back to the Waverider they try to get him to remember who he really is. While Rory's wife Amy is searching for him with the Doctor, they come across an unconscious man in a long brown duster. Author’s Note: I had a small idea and shared it with the Discord Ripchat group, which sent it from a small possible one-shot to a larger story. This is a birthday present for @riphuntertimemasterlegend. Happy Birthday, I hope you enjoy. Chapter One

 “I have one more patient for you, Rory,” Davy on the desk said, handing him a chart, “Some kind of burn.”

Rory Williams took the chart and scanned it quickly, “Okay. What’s open?”

“Curtain three,” Davy replied giving him a smile.

Nodding to the other man, Rory headed out to the waiting room which wasn’t too bad for a Sunday afternoon in the middle of the summer.

“Mr Constantine,” Rory called. His patient stood and Rory frowned in surprise to see the man wearing a trench coat, white shirt and a red tie, his dyed blond hair was a mess, and he had the look that he had just rolled out of bed, “Please come with me.”

As a blonde woman stood to join them, Rory shook his head, “Sorry, you’ll have to wait here for the moment.”

Rory’s patient turned to the blonde woman, had a quick, annoyed whispered discussion before she sat down and he turned to Rory with a charming smile, “Lead on, mate.”

Walking the man through the security doors, Rory motioned him to take a seat on the bed and pulled up the stool.

“Okay,” Rory told him, “Looking over your information it says that you burned your arm. I’ll do an exam to check the area, and if required I will get one of the doctors to take over, or I will clean it up.”

Constantine shrugged, “Really sorry about this, mate but I lied a little bit.”

Confused Rory heard a strange noise behind him, turning he saw the blonde woman from the waiting room walking through a portal to what looked like a ship or space station. Spinning off his stool, Rory grabbed a scalpel out the kit to defend himself.

“I know you’re confused, Rip,” the blonde woman said, “But we’re your friends and we’re taking you home.”

Gripping the scalpel and letting the Centurion in his head free, Rory replied, “No idea who you are and I’m going nowhere.”

Constantine shrugged, “Sorry, mate,” he pulled a strange looking silver device from his pocket and a flash of light filled Rory’s vision before everything went black.

Sara Lance sighed as she watched Rip fall to the ground, “That could have gone better.”

John frowned at her while crouching down to relieve the unconscious man of the scalpel before pulling him off the ground and onto his back in a fireman’s lift, “You’re not kidding.”

“Let’s get back to the ship before anyone comes looking for him,” Sara motioned John back onto the Waverider.

Carrying the unconscious form of his amnesiac friend, John was relieved when they entered the ship and Sara closed the portal. Resting Rip on the medical couch Sara slid the cuff onto his arm and checked the readouts. They now had to wait until he woke up to see if he remembered anything now that he was onboard the ship once more.

“Well?” John asked.

“As far as I can tell he’s healthy,” Sara noted before frowning at him, “It would be easier with Gideon.”

“That wasn’t my fault,” John defended himself, “I had no idea that the idol would react with the spell in that way.”

Sara rolled her eyes, “Now we have no AI because she’s suddenly human, unconscious and in Star Labs.”

John frowned, “From everything the doc told us, she’ll be fine and she’s sleeping just now. It’s probably a lot to assimilate going from an AI to human. If we give her time, I’m sure she’ll wake up soon just like Dr Snow told us.”

“Until then we can’t really go anywhere,” Sara sighed. She looked down at the man on the bed before her, “He looks different.”

John shrugged, “Well you said this is a camouflage. He’s bound to look different.”

“I mean the last time I saw him without the beard he looked odd, but it seems to suit him now,” Sara mused, shaking herself she turned back to John, “Do you have any ideas how to return his memories to him? Because I only know of one way and, without Gideon, it’s not possible.”

John mused, “There are a few spells and rituals I can try but since this was caused by the time drive and not a spell or curse then it becomes tricky.”

“Well, the last time this happened ‘Phil’ was writing about us,” Sara said, “So it was slightly easier for him to accept his movie was basically real. But this time he’s a nurse? It’s the last thing I expected.”

John shook his head sadly, “Rip is a lot more compassionate than you give him credit for, Sara. He just knows how to hide it because he was raised to believe it was a bad thing.”

She pinned him with a sharp look, “I didn’t know you two were such good friends.”

“Spend some time almost getting eaten alive by a demon,” John noted with a shrug, “You tend to bond.”

Sara checked the screen again, “Let’s leave him to rest. I’ve set the alarm to let us know when he wakes up and put up a forcefield so he can’t leave this room. We don’t want him getting anywhere near the time drive.”

John nodded, “You can say that again.”

 Ray, Jax and Zari looked up when Sara and John entered the bridge, Mick was lounging in a chair with a beer in his hand, but the tilt of his head let Sara know he was paying attention. Ava was sitting stiffly on the chair in the parlour, with Nate not far from her both looking annoyed as they had been voted down when Constantine said he could possibly locate Rip.

“How is he?” Ray demanded instantly.

Sara gave a slight wince, “He has no memory of us.”

“So, he’s Phil again?” Jax asked.

Sara stole one of Mick’s beers and took a seat on the stairs, “No.”

“Then who does he think he is?” Ray and Jax demanded in unison.

“Rory Williams,” John spoke up, “A nurse working in London.”

Mick let out a snort of amusement while Jax said, “At least he’s still English this time.”

“Once he wakes up John is going to try to retrieve his memories,” Sara told them, “But as with Phil, we just have to remind him we’re his friends, that his memories are fake, and he belongs here.”

A snort from Nate made Sara turn to him and Ava, “Neither you nor Ava need talk to him at all but if you do remember at the moment, he isn’t Rip.”

Ava shrugged, “We’ll try.”

 Rory’s head was killing him. Pressing a hand to his forehead, he slowly opened his eyes before slamming them shut when the light jabbed through them like a knife. Trying to get his bearings, Rory wondered what happened because he was sure he had been at the hospital. If the Doctor had kidnapped him from work, he was going to kill the Time Lord.

“Amy?” he murmured, letting her know he was awake because he knew she would be at his side if he was hurt or sick. Especially if the Doctor had picked them up. He was confused and saddened when his wife wasn’t there sliding her fingers through his hair and telling him to stop being lazy.

Finally, he forced his eyes open and frowned as he looked around a medical bay, realising he was on a ship, a space station or just a good bit in the future. Suddenly Rory remembered the last patient he had.

“Son of a…” he breathed, looking around properly.

He was still in his scrubs which meant whatever they’d done to him had been while at work.

“You’re awake,” a voice came from behind him making Rory turn to find a blonde woman walk in. She was a good bit smaller than him, but Rory could see from her bare arms she was extremely fit, and from her stance, the Centurion part of his brain noted she was a warrior.

“Who are you?” Rory demanded, “Where am I? And what do you want?”

She stepped forward trying to look unthreatening, “My name is Sara Lance and, I know how confusing this will be for you, but I promise it’s the truth.”

Rory folded his arms waiting for the explanation.

“Your name is Rip Hunter,” Sara told him, “You were stopping a Time Demon and used the core of this ship. It sent you through time and changed your memories as a camouflage. I understand you think you’re someone else but you’re not. We’re your friends and we’re going to help you recall who you really are.”

Staring at her, Rory finally managed to say sharply, “I know exactly who I am, Miss Lance. And I’m going home.”

“There,” she smiled, “That was the real you for a moment. Hold onto that and we’ll get you back.”

Shaking his head in bemusement, Rory stared at her, “What is wrong with you?”

“I know this is strange,” Sara said, “But this is for your own good. I made a promise to a friend of ours that if I found you then I wouldn’t let you leave again.”

Rory remained silent trying to work out his next move but began to pace so he could get closer to the door, hopefully without her realising.

“Your room is still here,” Sara said, moving so she was the same distance from him as he walked, “It was locked until recently so all your things are there for you to go through, which will hopefully help you remember who you are.”

Rory reached the door and shook his head, “No, thanks.” Hitting the button to open the door he ran into the corridor and chose a direction at random. Running through the corridor he saw a tall man with dark hair coming towards him.

“Rip?” the man grinned at him, “It’s so good to see you.”

Letting the Centurion take control, Rory ducked and caught the man in his stomach throwing the man over his shoulder and onto the floor. The man let out a loud oomph as he hit the ground, and although the nurse part of his mind wanted to check the other man was alright, thankfully the Centurion part was in control. Turning a corner Rory stalled finding the man, John, who had been his supposed patient standing there.

“I know you’re confused, mate,” John said, “But this is your home, Rip.”

“What is wrong with you people,” Rory snapped, “Why can’t any of you listen to what I’m saying. I am not this Rip guy. My name is Rory Williams, I have never met any of you before today and no matter what you say or do, I’m not going to remember a life that wasn’t mine.”

Just as he finished talking, something thudded across the back of his head and Rory dropped to the ground unconscious again.

 “Did you have to hit him?” the annoyed voice of Sara came as Rory swam towards consciousness with yet another headache.

A man grunted, “Seemed quickest way to stop him after what he did to haircut.”

Rory heard Sara let out a sigh before she said, “Let’s not give him any more brain damage, Mick.”

“Whatever,” the man grumbled.

Forcing his eyes open Rory realised he was not in the medical bay this time but, from the looks of things, a cell. Slowing sitting up he found Sara standing on the other side of the glass with concern on her face.

“Are you okay?”

Rory glared at her, “Well I’ve been abducted by a bunch of lunatics who keep knocking me out, while trying to convince me I’m someone I’m not. How do you think I am?”

She gave a slight smile, “There are some painkillers and water just down in the corner, and something to eat if you’re hungry.”

“Or you can let me go and I’ll get something at home,” Rory shot back at her while he found the painkillers.

Sara winced, “I know this seems harsh, Rip but it’s for your own protection. The last time this happened I let Thawne and his Legion of Doom take you, and I can’t let that happen again.”

Rory sat on the bench again, “So your logic for keeping me captive is so someone else doesn’t? That makes complete sense.”

“I left you some books and a few of your diaries to read through,” Sara told him, “We’ll talk a little later once you’ve had some time.”

Rory watched her leave and sighed. He listened to the Doctor every day, but this was true nonsense. Finding the small stack of books, Rory lifted the top one opening to the first page finding it was handwritten and realised this was the diary of the man they thought he was. A part of him wanted to read it a little but he didn’t want to invade the person they thought he was privacy. Closing it and putting it carefully to one side, Rory checked what else was sitting there and found Treasure Island, one of his favourites.

Putting the blanket and pillows they’d given him on the floor to sit on, Rory started to read.

 John sat watching the security feed of the cells as Sara spoke with Rip, or Rory as he was calling himself these days. It was odd watching his friend like this, he truly believed he was this Rory Williams and there wasn’t even a hint of recognition of any of them.

If they had Gideon, it was possible she would be able to get through to him, but currently Gideon wasn’t an option.

“Well?” Sara appeared at his side.

“He looked at the diary then put it down,” John told her, “I don’t think he’s going to read it. We need to try something else.”

Sara frowned, “What about your spell?”

“I need some supplies,” John said, “I’ll go pick them up in the morning,” adding before she could argue, “A night-time trip isn’t a good idea.”

Dropping into the seat beside him, Sara stared at the man on the screen, “Rip was always close to Jax, and Ray gets along with basically everyone. Maybe I should get one of them to try get through to him.”

John shrugged, “Why not? Or you could try your girlfriend.”

Sara frowned at him, before ignoring the jibe, “I’ll ask Ray to try first. Jax still has some issues from evil Rip.”

                                 *********************************************

 Rory drank the tea he’d been given with his breakfast as he continued to read the book. He’d been fed and managed to get some sleep but was still in a cell. Rory wondered what Amy thought happened to him and hoped that the Doctor would be able to track him down somehow. He smiled slightly imagining Amy walking in, with River at her side, taking out anyone between her and him.

The door to the room outside the glass opening interrupted Rory in the middle of a chapter. He let out an annoyed sigh, marking his place with the handy bookmark that was already inside the novel, placing it to one side before looking up at whoever had come in to annoy him some more.

“You’re the one I hit yesterday,” Rory noted seeing the tall man with perfect coiffed dark hair, looking like he stepped off the page of a magazine, “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

The other man gave a shrug, “I’m okay. I’m Ray,” he introduced himself, “And you’re using the name Rory just now, right?”

“I’m not using it,” Rory replied sharply, “It’s my name.”

Ray winced for a moment before he pulled a chair over and sat, “It’s not. Your name is Rip Hunter, although that’s not the name you had as a kid. You were originally called Michael but in order to become a Time Master, you had to change it, so you chose Rip.” He paused, for a moment before explaining, “Time Masters were at one point the supposed guardians of time. They raised you and until a few years ago you worked for them.”

Rory rolled his eyes but held his tongue for the moment knowing the more information he had the better.

“You saved a lot of lives making and stopping alterations to the timeline,” Ray continued, “Then your wife Miranda and son Jonas were killed by a man called Vandal Savage who it turned out was working with the Time Masters. You recruited us to stop them, which we managed to do, and we protect the timeline now.”

“My wife’s name is Amy,” Rory said softly, “And my daughter is called Melody. Both are perfectly fine. I have never heard of Time Masters and I have no idea who any of you are.”

Ray sighed annoyed but Rory was beginning to go over and over the idea of Time Masters. If these people had access to time travel, that would allow Rory a possible way to contact the Doctor.

“Rip,” Ray sighed, “I know things were bad between us all for a while, but you sacrificed yourself for us. The fact you survived is incredible and I can understand why you want to hide in this life you created for yourself after everything but it’s time to come home.”

Rory shook his head, “It’s a nice sentiment but no matter what you say, I am not and have never been Rip Hunter.”

Ray grimaced before he stood, for a moment Rory thought he was about to say something else before he simply walked out.

 “We can’t keep him locked in the cell,” Zari said as the team gathered in the library, “It’s not fair.”

“Don’t see why not,” Nate muttered.

“Because he isn’t a danger to us,” Zari reminded him sharply.

Ava frowned, “Tell that to Ray.”

“I’m fine,” Ray spoke up, “But he’s insistent he’s not Rip, and I think he’ll try to get off the ship any way he can.”

Sara sighed softly, “John is getting supplies to try the spell for returning Rip’s memories, until then he stays in the cell. I don’t like it either,” she stopped Zari arguing, “But it’s for his own protection and our safety. Rip, no matter what memories he holds, is still very smart and he could cause problems for us.”

“How long till John does the spell?” Jax asked.

Sara shrugged, “He said he had to collect some ingredients. I’m hoping he’ll be back soon.”

“What about Gideon?” Ray changed the subject, “Have we heard from Star Labs?”

With a smile, Sara replied, “Barry called earlier. Gideon is not only awake but is in good health and Dr Snow is just keeping her under observation for a few days.”

“That’s good,” Jax sighed in relief.

“For now,” Sara said, “We’re stuck here in Star City. So, you may as well visit family and friends or pick up some supplies you want. I will stay on the ship and keep an eye on Rip.”

“Are you sure?” Ava asked, “One of…”

“I’m sure,” Sara cut her off, “He’s my responsibility.”

 Rory looked round when the door opened again, wondering who was coming to persuade him he was someone else this time. A different blonde woman walked in, taller than Sara, and looked at him with distaste.

“I don’t know what your game is this time, Rip,” she said sharply, “But I know you’re making sure they let their guard down before you do whatever you’re planning.”

Rory stared at her for a minute before laughing, “You are crazier than the rest of them.”

“After what you did to me,” she snarled, “I know how untrustworthy you are.”

Letting out a sigh, Rory stood and moved to face her, “Look, whoever you are.”

“You know who I am,” she snapped.

“Whoever you are,” Rory repeated, “Your people abducted me. You all keep telling me I’m someone I’m not while holding me prisoner. Whatever issues you have with that guy, I know nothing about them and have nothing to do with them. Though I can offer the number of a good therapist for you to talk through whatever you need to.”

Anger flashing in her eyes, the woman leaned in and she stated darkly, “Even when you ‘get your memories back’” she put in the air quotes, “I will make sure you stay in this cell.”

With that said she turned, her hair flipping over her shoulder as she marched out. Just before the door closed, he clearly heard Sara’s voice demanding, “Ava, what are you doing?”

Sighing Rory sat and picked up his book again, he’d been here a day and as they’d used some kind of portal technology then Rory was sure the Doctor would be able to find him.

At least that was what he was telling himself.

[icharchivist]

I actually swapped Lucio out of my team for the most part in favor of Nicholas (for no other reason other than I like Nicholas more sdfkj) but yeah he's still really good to use. It's mostly just funny how I picked one and then the game decided to hand me Aglovale out of absolutely nowhere. I'm still like, rank 78 though so I'm still far away from being able to access the impossible raids. Probably a good thing because most of my grids are absolutely awful (Fire and Dark especially)

totally valid omg Nicholas is a sweetheart and his Light kit is pretty good (i do not have his Light version alas but i can see how it can be useful. but also i just really love Nicholas so i feel you)

and man yeah, Aglovale really decided to come and surprise you this is incredible

i think you'll be fine then, you're far from having to worry about the bullshit that is the Impossible raids (the M2 raids i complain so much about, including Avatar, unlock at rank 120, you're FAR from having to worry about them) and for now it's mostly getting through.

(though what i mentioned for Celeste stands for her normal hard raid though, *waves fist because Zombified sucks when it's in dark and one of the main summon you'll find in your friend list is a summon that give you back health goddamnit*)

as for your grids i can always give you some tips if you want (though of course if you don't and all it's no problem i'm just leaving it open if needed) but oof yeah i remember my early days i struggled a lot, and early M1 grids are so annoying to work on

tbf Noa was one of my first charas (*checks* my 25th SSR) and while he's extremely useful i never knew when to use his shield in early raids. Compared to Lucio it's trickier because Noa's cooldown is far longer so it always feel like you want to use him only when you have no other choice, unlike Lucio where you can spam his shield.

So i think you'll be fine and hopefully you'll get him by the time you finally unlock those cursed M2

That said man having Aglovale in early rank feels like a fever dream to me considering how damn strong he is. Considering how useful he is on high levels and everything this is really a little gem here at least

Good luck with your grids and your rank up i'm cheering for you! :D

[snowtimeisbesttime]

Thoughts and questions on Hiveswap Act 2– Part 2.

I have finished the game proper, But I still want to play it again and get all the achievements I missed... though that will probably be on monday.

-The actual .exe file for Act 2 tripped my antivirus?? this was potentially after the game updated, as I came back after yesterday to find the game wouldn't launch because the exe was missing, and it seemed to be a false positive, but still??

-Me the second I saw you could accuse people even outside of the trial minigame: Alright, Time To Get A Walkthrough!! Thankfully I did find one, and it also was very useful for the final puzzle.

-so even if we prove Daraya's innocent, the court still Needs someone to blame... considering the shit that goes down in the clown car I'm not surprised, but apparently Tyzias knew all along that Wanshi had screwed with Lynera's journal so????

-also. I'm reasonably sure that the jades didn't actively hate each other so much back in Friendsim?? like, the only one that seems to remotely care that Lynera's going to get clown'd with extreme prejudice (though we don't see her body nor any particular splatters of jade blood in the clown car, and no clown ever talks about her, so for all we know she didn't die??) is Bronya. (apparently wanshi Does feel guilty after the fact! I got out of that car as soon as I could so I missed it.) They didn't have the “oh we're cloister mates we're super close bffs” thing either, they didn't really get along but it wasn't like a secret or anything??

-and it turns out that the purpose of carrying the E batteries all the way from Act 1 is giving them to Tagora in order to unlock the only ending where everyone survives the trial... though you can still finish Act 2 with them in your inventory, and get yet another achievement. Who will need them in Act 3, I wonder?

-apparently if you convince Chixie to give you her ticket, it turns out that Dammek had promised both her and Xefros that they'd be the fourth tetrarch (with the other two being Cridea and Fiamet), so... what the actual fuck, dude?? (I was going to ask why do they have tetrarchs if they still don't have Four Guys but... we've only heard that from Xefros, who would only have heard that from Dammek, right?)

-The ceruleans and indigos are... mostly the same as they were in Friendsim? Remele's not only a painter now, but also a (fanfic) writer and a sculptor, and Mallek might or might not be involved with the rebellion (and he's keeping a quadrant open for someone). It would seem that Elwurd does genuinely like Joey, enough to keep helping her out at least, while Ardata's as bloodthirsty as always. Meanwhile, Galekh's quirk's still kind of a pain, Amisia is baby and still friends with Chahut, and Nihkee's thankfully not looking to train people this time.

-The clown car though. Oh my fucking god the clown car. I figured Marvus was probably up to something but holy shit. Let's add Lynera and Baizli to the List Of People He's Perfectly Fine With Getting Murdered For Unknown Purposes.

-also this is Round Two of Xefros getting really hurt and basically walking it off, only we Actually see him get hurt this time (not in his sprites tho). Can someone give my son at least a fucking bandaid or something??? (Joey does get sad sprites for that section of the game, but her animations for interacting with like the elevator in the blue car still have her smiling)

-Chahut's basically the same as she was in her Friendsim, if only more actively murdery. Having her constantly poking holes in Joey's evidence of her “murders” was fun (bc she was probably taking it the most seriously of all the clowns), but also annoying because she kept trying to poke holes in Joey's evidence like ma'am the fucker with the tophat already bought it pls chill

-Karako's just hanging out with the clowns for some reason?? And there's no acknowledgement of his status as Bronya's charge in Friendsim, he's Peak Cloun now.... like, they could have it so Karako came along with the jades to the train and Then he met the other clowns and decided to hang out with them? Maybe because the jades kept arguing about the book and he was the only one that Could get away from that, and that could have been the reason Marvus decided to go check that out...

-The Soleils... oh my god, the Soleils :((( Baizli fucking dies and Barzum gets understandably fucked up by it, especially considering that they were heavily implied to be two halves of the same troll (as opposed to “regular” troll twins) in their Friendsim and their new Troll Call bulletpoints... she'll probably come back in Act 3 (I'm thinking 1- as an antagonist and 2- really wanting to murder us to avenge her brother), but who knows how long that will take...

-also another thing with the clowns is that they were completely separate in Friendsim... Chahut went to clown church, Karako was doing his thing in the Alternian wilderness, the Soleils were stuck on the Spooky Groundhog Manor and Marvus had a bunch of fellow rapper clowns... so to see them all together in full circus* mode here's kind of. Weird?? like, we knew that the jades and the teals personally knew each other even if they all did completely different bullshit in their routes, but we've never had something like this for the clowns as far as I remember. Iirc none of them even interacted in Friendsim proper.

-*perhaps not full circus. I didn't stick around too much in the clown car, but only Barzum seems to actually care that Baizli died, and Xefros said that Marvus let him go after Baizli went out of the car...

-Ngl I'm rooting for pale xefjoey all the way. Xefros seems to be coming into his own a bit, and also realizing that Dammek's been a dick to him– not to mention he literally killed a clown to protect Joey, and psychically curbstomped Azdaja earlier when he attacked her. Sadly, the train fucking exploding kind of interrupted the Character Development Combo he had going on. (Dammek's gained a decent amount of Asshole Points in Act 2, but we might get a somewhat clearer picture of him when we finally get to talk to Cridea and Fiamet?? And of course when Hauntswitch comes out, though that's almost definitely going to take a good while...)

-OR we could get that fabled Friendsim 2: Hiveswap Main Characters Edition?? like, we're almost definitely going to get Something while we wait for Act 3- we might as well finally get to know more of our main cast!

-Even if the plot important characters survive the train's destruction, there's still a good bunch of background characters that will probably die, particularly in the burgundy & bronze car*... I hope Joey doesn't have to see that, she's already had enough of a wake up to Alternia's true nature. Both Joey and Xefros deserve a peaceful start to Act 3 actually.

-*isn't the lusus car right behind that one??? oh god I hope all the lusii are okay, Xefros did mention their quest to get medicine for Ladyy almost right before the train blew up...... random aside: it would seem that you CAN give Skylla the vet kit! It didn't work when I tried yesterday, but apparently that achievement was broken.

-What blew up the train?? if it was Fiamet's lusus as @/boulevardofbrokenmemes said... then why? Why would Fiamet want to stop Joey and Xefros from getting to Jeevik Week?

[loveafterthefact]

Love After the Fact Chapter 69: Making Short-Distance Calls

Keith and Lance make some calls back to the Imperial Compound.

Also, because I’m incredibly mature... Nice

First  Previous  Next

“Hey.” Keith peeks around the bedroom entryway to the main room, where Lance is stretched out on the floor in just a pair of pants, reading on his datapad. “Could you go take care of the elk and make breakfast? And take a little while? I need to speak to my mother.”

“Is everything okay? Are you alright?” The Altean rises to his feet, brushing dust off his pants.

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine.” Keith manages a smile for his concerned mate. The Altean’s frown only deepens, clearly not convinced. “I just… want some privacy, okay?”

“Sure, as long as you’re alright.” Lance sets a tablet aside, kisses his cheek, puts BleepBloop on his shoulder, dances outside to play with Bruna and the bull elk.

Summoning his courage, he settles into his father’s old chair at the small work table, a breeze teasing his loose hair. He turns his gaze briefly through the glassless window into the open clearing, where Lance is petting Bruna, scales, dark skin gleaming in the sun.

He takes a deep breath. He makes his choice. He calls his mother.

“Hey, sweetheart! I tried calling you last quintant.” Krolia smiles. “Did you have a nice time with Lance?”

“Actually, that’s what I need to talk to you about,” Keith whispers. That hurt he’d felt simmers to the surface again.

Krolia’s brow creases with worry. “Is everything alright?”

“Well… No. It’s not.” Keith squares his shoulders, drawing on what he’s learned from his time on Altea. He allows himself to be a prince. “I saw how you looked at Lance at the Sanctorium. I don’t appreciate it in the least.”

“I see.” Krolia lifts an eyebrow. “Perhaps you should talk to him. He recommended we keep it between ourselves, for your sake.”

“Lance isn't the problem!” Keith snaps. “You’re the only one who has a problem.”

Krolia averts her gaze. “You’re right. He bears me no ill will.”

“We’re starting a family,” Keith states. “In a movement.”

“Your trust in him-” Krolia begins, warning clear in her voice.

“Is more than deserved. More than earned… Lance has done nothing but defend me against his people and protect me, even despite immense pressure from his father, who expected him to rape me, pushing and pushing and pushing us for phoebs.

“He cannot have you around him if you pose a risk to his reputation. He deserves the respect of his people. He deserves the respect of his kits. What happened at the Sanctorium cannot happen. Ever.” He sighs, ears wilting just a bit. “I need you to actually try, Mom. Not passively, to appease me. I need you to actually try, so that you can be a part of my kits’ lives.”

Krolia stares at her son, quite suddenly disturbed. “King Alfor expected him to-”

“Yes. but you never thought of that, did you? You assumed that Lance just didn’t feel like mating with me because I was too young! You didn't think at all about what that cost him! Or me, for that matter!”

“You didn’t-”

“Why would I?! You think that’s what I wanted to tell you about when I finally got to see you again? That I was sexually abused by my mate’s father? No! I wanted to tell you about how happy Lance makes me, and how important he is to us all, and about the work that I’m doing! Because I am happy, and I wanted to share that with you!" Keith takes a moment, composes himself.

“Regardless, we can’t have anybody undermining his influence. Especially not now, when we’re about to start enacting major changes on Altea. You're the Imperial Advisor. You have power here. Not only could your lack of respect lessen our influence, but it could put us in actual danger. If we’re going to have kits, I cannot allow that. Ever.”

Krolia’s staring at her son, visibly distressed. Keith hates it, hates the look on her face thinking of what he’s experienced at the hand of King Alfor. He hates that he made her feel that, that he’s broken her heart yet again. But she needs to know exactly what kind of person Lance is, and exactly what kind of person he himself has grown into.

“Forgive me, Keith. I didn’t know- I should have given the boy a better chance, like I said I would.”

“Yes, you should have. But you didn’t. And now, here we are, with an ultimatum. Learn to behave, or you can’t see my kits. Or me.” Keith sets his hands down on the table. “I’d better go. I gave Lance a couple chores to do, so he’s probably forgotten all about them and fed himself to something… I love you, mom.”

“I love you too, kitten. I’ll see you soon. I’ve gathered some things you might need for your season. I’d best talk to Lance, too.”

“Thace will talk to him. He’s a physician.”

Krolia’s ears droop. “Okay. ‘Bye, kitten.”

“‘Bye.” After he’s hung up, Keith rests his head on the edge of the table, lets out a chirp. He isn’t surprised. He’s distressed enough. He feels worse when Lance comes running in.

“What was that? Was that you?”

“Yeah…” Keith sits back up. “I spoke to my mother. About how she treats you.”

“Civilly? I mean, she hates my guts and wants to rip them out through my throat, but...”

“She’s not civil when you’re not looking.”

“Ah. That’s problematic.”

“I know. I’ve taken care of it, but it really sucks.” Keith’s ears are drooped, practically limp on either side of his head. “She has power and a station. We don’t need people to see us all butting heads.”

“I’m sorry, beloved.” Lance rubs the base of his ear, like he used to do before, when Keith had trouble sleeping.

“Not your fault… It just sucks.” Keith leans into that old comfort, letting his chemistry take over as soothing hormones travel through his system. “What else do we have to do today?”

“It can wait-”

“No. We have stuff to do. What’s next?”

“Calling Adam and Shiro. They’ve been collaborating.”

“Is that what we’re calling it?” Keith gives a ghost of a smile.

“Collaborating only in the professional sense, I believe. Adam is… We’ll say extremely cautious. Come here.” Lance guides him to his feet, gives him a hug. “Let’s do the next one outside. It’s nice and warm out. I know you like the sun.”

Keith nods, humming his assent into the crook of Lance’s neck. He lets his mate guide them outside into a patch of sunlight. BleepBloop parks himself in Keith's lap for pets.

Adam’s walking when he answers the call. “Your majesties! What can I do for you?”

“Oh, I just wanted an update on your work. We haven’t seen you hardly at all since we arrived.”

“That’s hardly my fault,” Adam remarks, smirking as he settles on a couch next to Shiro. The large Galra immediately puts an arm around him. “As I understand it, you're finally getting your house in order. Tell me, do you plan to expand said house?”

“Why do we keep you?” Keith mumbles, rolling his eyes, ears tipping back with the motion.

“Because you’d be dead without me. Quite literally.”

“Oh, yeah. How has our work been coming along?”

“We’re handling it,” Adam confirms, leaning into Shiro’s side a little more. “Now, as I understand it, you have not been invited to join the Imperial family for dinner?”

“Not at all,” Lance confirms.

Adam and Shiro glance at each other, visibly troubled. Shiro frowns. “How unusual. That is the tradition. In ancient days, when a chief of another tribe visited, they were immediately invited to dine with that tribe’s chief and their family. It could just be because they know your concerns are elsewhere, but the invitation should still have been extended..."

“I wonder if Lotor and Allura could tell us anything,” Adam muses. “Or Pidge. They’ve all been running around together. In the meantime, we have found something that might interest you. Do you remember that shipment with the weight discrepancy?”

“I don’t,” Keith grumbles as Lance nods. He fixes his mate with an annoyed gaze. More secrets. He really will strangle this idiot.

“Seriously, Lance? You didn’t tell him?” Adam shakes his head. “Nevermind. We’ve discovered that it’s happened multiple times, over the last two decaphoebs. Someone is smuggling on the regular, and someone else is making sure it’s not discovered. These records are not flagged. They’ve been approved and archived, but have no name attached to inspection. The ships hail from Ariel, Pollux, Feyiv, Senfama, and Marchanda. Twenty-three in total.”

“So these are not our assassins,” Lance clarifies.

“Well, they certainly aren’t all your assassins,” Adam agrees.

“Sending assassins to Daibazaal and then on to Altea is stupid,” Keith says, still sulking. “It would only make it easier to trace the client. Unless the client wasn’t Galra at all.”

“Yes. But now we have multiple shipments, which suggests something else entirely. Anyway, we’re still looking into it. We’ll let you know if we find anything. Otherwise, assume no news is no news.”

“Understood. Thank you, Adam. Shiro.” Lance smiles. “Keep up the good work.”

“Always, your Majesties.” Adam bows his head, ends the call. Brief, but informative.

The ensuing silence falls heavy.

“Beloved?” Lance murmurs.

Keith’s leaning away from Lance, not looking at him. “This is becoming a habit, Lance,” he warns. “I don’t appreciate it.”

“I… I didn’t realize.” Lance pales, color washing from skin and scales. “You’re right. It is becoming a habit.”

Why didn’t you tell me? Why are you keeping secrets?!” The tone and loudness of Keith's voice send BleepBloop running from his lap, screeching with irritation from a nearby tree.

“I didn’t want to trouble you.” Lance studies his hands in his lap, guilty.

“Why do you think I mated with you or started a relationship with you at all?!” Keith’s on his feet now, ready to give a right and proper scolding. “I want to be troubled! I want to be there, and help you, and share your burdens! They’re my burdens, too! I don’t have secrets from you! Don’t you dare keep secrets from me! Ever!” Keith sighs, shoulders drooping, anger turning to something softer. “No more. Please.”

“No more. I promise. I’m sorry.” Lance tugs on his hand, pulling Keith back down next to him. “I actually don’t know how to do this very well. I know how to get along with you, and look after you, but I don’t really know relationships that well... I just want you to be happy.”

“Lance, I’d rather know what’s going on around me and be absolutely fucking miserable than wander around happy and ignorant. I mean, not telling me about my mother not liking you is one thing, not telling me about your deal with Alfor is another, but this? Lance, someone tried to murder us! In our sleep! Don’t I deserve to know about that?”

“Yes… You do. I’m sorry.”

At Lance’s miserable face, Keith softens a little. “I want to be with you in everything, Lance. Even the stuff that hurts. Especially the stuff that hurts.”

“I understand… I’m sorry, Keith.”

“You’re forgiven.” Keith kisses his mate’s cheek, right over his dulled scales. “I trust your intentions. Promise we’ll work on it? I'll help.”

“I promise,” Lance whispers, voice fervent and strained.

“My good man.” Keith smiles, presses a gentle kiss to Lance’s lips. “We should call Lotor.”

“Okay.”

Keith leans against Lance, talking over the comms device, calling his cousin. The half-Galra is glistening, shirtless, a loose bit of silvery hair clinging to his forehead.

“Oh, thank the gods! An excuse!” The prince wipes his face with a rag. “I think Kolivan was actually trying to kill me!”

“More like trying to save you from sympathy weight,” the Galra grunts, his sons snickering behind him.

“Pfft. I am a prime specimen. I don’t gain sympathy weight. Or any kind of weight, for that matter.” Lotor grins at his coach. “Go beat up my generals for a bit so I can speak to my cousin and brother.”

Kolivan bows, fist over his breast, his sons doing the same on either side. Once they’re gone, Lotor turns back to his comms unit. “Now, what can I do for you?”

“Your medical records. I need them,” Keith states, not bothering with niceties.

Lotor frowns. “My mother said she gave them to you.”

Lance shakes his head. “She refused us. Why would she lie to you?”

“I don’t know… Well, perhaps my medical records will tell us something.” The prince shrugs, good-natured and mischievous. Ancients help Allura with their children, because clearly, Lotor is going to be no help at all. “Ah, Mother. I love her dearly, but… Science isn’t a warm discipline, if you know what I mean.”

“I… have not idea what that means,” Keith mumbles.

“It means she’s emotionally distant and more likely to use logic than kindness,” Lance summarizes.

“Pretty much.” Lotor drinks from a flask, leaning against an old wall in the shade. “Have you learned anything of our assassins?”

“Nothing for certain. But there have been several incoming cargo ships that did not pass inventory inspection, but were approved anyway. No signature from the inspector. They appear to be coming from five planets in Galra territory.”

“So these might not be our assassins, or even the client, but it is a problem. Which planets?”

“Ariel, Pollux, Feyiv, Senfama, and Marchanda,” Keith recites.

“Ariel is a mining planet, populated. Pollux is a verdant planet, with farming communities, self-sustaining. Feyiv is polar, but its surface harbors organic materials used in some of our biomechanics. Senfama is lush and green, a rich source of medicines. It is also where we tested our Zaiforge prototypes. Marchanda is a mining planet like Ariel, but devoid of life.”

Keith wonders briefly if his uncle knows all of this. He doubts it. he has his son to know it for him.

“This is definitely problematic,” Lotor decides. “I’ll discuss with Shiro and Adam, see if I can be of assistance. I will keep you apprised, and I will ensure that your delightful little associate gets hold of my records for you.”

“Many thanks, dear brother.” Lance smiles. “And do tell Pidge I said hello. I hope that our run-in with the kronil didn’t scare them too badly.”

“On the contrary. We carried it home and dissected it together. Allura nearly gutted us for it.” Lotor chuckles. “I’ll take my leave of you. Good day!”

“See you!” Keith waves his cousin out of the call, throws himself back with a groan.

“Ready to be done?”

“ So ready.” Keith sighs, snuggling in against Lance’s chest to listen to his heartbeat. “I know we only called three people, but I am exhausted. There was so much.”

“I know. We haven’t even called Thace and Hunk, yet.”

“Hm. I think we should talk to Alfor too. About plans in case Altea is attacked.”

“Do you think it likely?” Lance strokes Keith’s hair, enjoying the loose strands between his fingers.

“I don’t know. But Altea wants peace. My people want peace. If some faction is out there preparing to rebel and bring chaos, then I want to be able to stop them.” Keith closes his eyes. “I haven't lived at the compound or my village very long, but I’ve seen awful things, Lance. The things nobody wants to talk about. Bearers, summoned to do their service onlu quintants after giving birth. Sires, leaving pregnant mates behind, never knowing their kits… Kits always get caught in the middle. They’re the collateral, and then later, the next generation of fodder.”

“You’re not fodder, Keith.”

“I’ll gladly be fodder, if it means my kits won’t have to be.”

Lance is quiet for a moment, then- “Me too. But we can’t just go jumping into battles. We have our own responsibilities: to live, and build a better world.”

“Power and influence?”

“Power and influence. Rest assured, though. If it comes time to raise arms for us, I will. For Daibazaal and Altea.”

“For me, and you,” Keith whispers. “And everything we have between us.”

[aion-rsa]

Do Shadow and Bone & Six of Crows Work as One Story?

https://ift.tt/3dL3rrm

This SHADOW AND BONE feature contains spoilers for Season 1.

Though Netflix’s new fantasy series Shadow and Bone is based on the bestselling Grishaverse novels of author Leigh Bardugo, it’s not a straightforward adaptation of the book series that shares its name. In addition to the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the series also incorporates elements from Six of Crows, a duology that is set in the same world, but focused on a very different set of characters. 

Set two years after the events of Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows is a dramatic heist story set in a different country (Kerch)  and starring a set of characters who really don’t take part in the events of the first trilogy. Until now. Shadow and Bone attempts to create what are essentially prequel storylines for the major characters of Six of Crows: criminal mastermind Kaz Brekker, assassin Inej Ghafa, gunslinger Jesper Fahey, and spy Nina Zenik. 

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How these figures would fit into the series’ existing storyline of the discovery of a legendary  Sun Summoner with the power to destroy the Shadow Fold was a question that every book fan was wondering prior to the series debut. And now that Shadow and Bone is here, it’s time to dig into whether this fusion of these two separate-but-related series worked or not. 

Den of Geek editor Kayti Burt and Den of Geek contributor Lacy Baugher dig into the specifics of the good, the bad, and the somewhere in between when it comes to incorporating the Six of Crows characters into Shadow and Bone. Welcome to our discussion, and feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments below…

Question: Going into this series, what did you think about Netflix’s choice to integrate Six of Crows into Shadow and Bone? Did you think it would work?

Kayti: As someone who has only read the first book in the Shadow and Bone series and neither of the Six of Crows duology, I was intrigued.

As a viewer of adaptation, I tend to hold my opinions until I’ve at least seen the trailer and… well, the first teaser (which is the only trailer I watched before binging the screeners) didn’t give much away. That being said, there’s nothing that frustrates me more than an adaptation that is overly faithful to the plot without being faithful to the tone, characters, and themes of the source material, so I think I am much more tolerant of major plot changes when it comes to adaptation than the average viewer?

Lacy: I will admit that I was extremely apprehensive about it. I mean, I get the impetus to combine both sets of characters into a single story if only to allow Six of Crows fans the chance to see favorites like Kaz and Jesper onscreen. (There are no guarantees that Shadow and Bone would be successful enough to even get a second season, let alone a sequel/spin-off about a completely different cast, after all.) 

But the thing is, Six of Crows is a very different story from Shadow and Bone – from setting and characters, to the time it takes place. (It’s actually set two full years after the events in the final Shadow and Bone novel, Ruin and Rising.) Furthermore, it’s also a very different kind of story. Six of Crows is very much a heist drama and one that’s not concerned so much with things like love triangles or larger Ravkan politics. And the characters are, of necessity, much darker and more morally gray than Alina and her friends. I worried that the two worlds of these stories wouldn’t mesh well, or that there simply wouldn’t be anything for the Six of Crows crew to do. 

Kayti: Yeah, these are such valid concerns! Even as someone who had never read Six of Crows, I knew that these series, while set in the same world, were doing very different things.

Reading your response, Lacy, I also think I saw it as a way to incorporate the more popular Six of Crows material into the slightly less popular Shadow and Bone, which did make me a bit nervous, as it seemed to be a marketing decision more than a story one. That being said, with good storytellers, those two motivations do not have to be mutually exclusive!

Question: Now that you’ve seen the show, what do you think works with the strategy?

Lacy: Shadow and Bone does, I think, pull off the inclusion of the Six of Crows crew fairly well. Much better than I expected it to if I’m honest. 

There are certainly problems – for the first four episodes, it generally feels like the Crows cast exists in an entirely different show that has very little to do with the stuff happening in Os Alta. Shadow and Bone is also generally terrible as a series at drawing any sort of distinctions about what makes life in Kerch different from that in Ravka and how that might have shaped these people.

But the character work is honestly great, and the addition of this Six of Crows prequel plot adds some really interesting layers to Inej and Jesper especially. The show is really clear that the latter obviously has Grisha power in a way that the books are not, and Kit Young steals almost every scene he’s in. (Milo the goat! I cannot! Protect him!) 

I also love the way that the show fleshes out Inej, both in terms of her past and how the overhanging threat of returning to the Menagerie impacts her choices, as well as the way her religious beliefs shape who she is. (There’s something honestly wonderful about the fact that she gets to meet and know Alina, who is – and will become even more fully – revered as a saint by her faith, and I just love that for her.) 

Kayti: I agree! For the first half of the season, I wasn’t sure if it worked, and I do think that has something to do with the weakness of setting in this adaptation. For parallel storylines to work well, they need to have a strong sense of world-building. In that way, even if there aren’t explicit plot or character connections between the two (or more!) storylines, then each storyline still adds something to the other(s) by virtue of telling us something about the larger world they share. Game of Thrones did this famously well, as does The Expanse. In Shadow and Bone, the articulation of setting is one of the adaptation’s weakest elements—the world and its cultures don’t truly feel real or lived in to me—and I think that hurts the integration of these two book series.

That being said, once the characters and plot collide in the second half of the season, this integration works incredibly well for me. I loved the final episode for so many reasons, but one of the big ones was for how integral the Six of Crows characters (or at least Jesper, Inej, and Kaz) felt to this climax—I mean, Inej throws a dagger into The Darkling! By the end of this season, it didn’t matter to me that the world-building didn’t quite work because I was so invested in these characters. (And I loved the Inej/Alina stuff, as well.)  

And then, of course, we have Nina and Matthias off on their own, little subplot, giving me the Jon Snow/Ygritte vibes. Again, this subplot picked up steam for me. At the beginning, I didn’t know why we should care, but these actors really brought their “A” game when it came to their Enemies to Friends to (Almost) Lovers journey, complete with There Is Only One Bed and Huddling For Warmth. I never stood a chance.

Lacy: There is Only One Bed!!! Truly, the best romantic trope there is. Heart eyes emoji.

You’re really right about Shadow and Bone and how it articulates setting. On some level, the fact that the Shadow Fold is the most fully realized location in the show makes a lot of sense – it’s huge, monstrous, and terrifying. But this focus has the downside of making almost everywhere else look and seem exactly the same. (I really would like to know how many viewers didn’t/haven’t yet realized that Kerch is an entirely separate country with different laws about Grisha.)

The utter destruction of the West Ravkan city of Novokribirsk at the end of the season is supposed to be really shocking and underline how depraved the Darkling is, but I don’t think it hits as hard as it should – part of the reason is that the show has plenty of other opportunities to show us the Darkling’s flaws, but it’s also because there’s no real attempt to give West Ravka any real sense of place or identity.

Read more

TV

Shadow and Bone Ending Explained: The Stag, Sun Summoner, and Black Heretic

By Lacy Baugher

TV

Shadow & Bone: Ranking the Ships

By Kayti Burt and 1 other

Question: What do you think doesn’t work?

Kayti: I think that some of the supporting characters from Shadow and Bone get lost in the shuffle here, as does the Ravka world-building, and I think that is partially because we spend so much time with the Six of Crows gang. There’s nothing to say that, even if Six of Crows hadn’t been incorporated into this adaptation, we would have had more Os Alta or that more would have been better. In both the source material and the adaptation, the Os Alta stuff feels perfunctory rather than inspired. I would have loved to see the adaptation breathe new life into it, similar to what they did with Mal in the translation, who is a much fuller character in the Netflix series than he is in the book.

Lacy: Kaz Brekker, unfortunately. I mean, I think part of this is because there are aspects of who Kaz is and what he’s been through that you just can’t find out right now because of the story that’s still to come in Six of Crows and how that all plays into things there. 

This is probably the right decision, but it has the really annoying side effect of making Kaz the least interesting character in Shadow and Bone for me. And if you’ve read the books, you know that’s the furthest thing from the truth. But here, Kaz is basically just a dude with a cool walking stick who’s kind of super into Inej for some reason and hates a man named Pekka Rollins. There’s almost no sense of who he is on his own terms or why he behaves the way he does.

Kayti: As someone who has yet to read Six of Crows, the degree of mystery around Kaz’s character worked for me. The character performance was strong enough that, even though I wanted answers about his backstory now, it felt more in a “I am getting what I need, not what I want” sort of viewing experience—though I get how this could be different if you already know and love his character.

As a non-book reader, I love the tension of not knowing what the heck is up with Kaz because it seems so in line with who he is as a character—jaded, angry, and prone to pushing people away. Of course, if he didn’t have enough sense to be friends (or whatever) with Inej and Jesper, I probably wouldn’t have as much time for his bullshit. The fact that these two seem to vouch for him as a person worth standing by goes a long way for me, and makes his character all the more intriguing. 

Question: Do you foresee any problems with this strategy moving forward?

Lacy: Where do they go from here? The end of Shadow and Bone Season 1 sort of puts all the pieces in place for what feels like it’s about to become the first novel in the Six of Crows series. The Crows gang is on a boat heading back to Ketterdam, Nina is on the same ship with them, clearly about to join their crew with her own Matthias-related agenda. Alina and Mal are heading off on their own journey, which will take them on a completely different path. (Both figuratively and literally speaking.)

Is Shadow and Bone just going to move up the timeline of Six of Crows and put the rest of that story as a sort of B plot to the elements of Siege and Storm that will inevitably drive any Season 2? Season 1 successfully managed to use these characters by basically inventing a backstory for them that wasn’t present anywhere else. (Though it should be noted that Nina’s does come from the books.) I’m not sure that I think they can successfully do that again. But if they do adapt Six of Crows, how does that story fit here – especially if it means they can’t easily cross back into the main narrative? 

I’m nervous, is what I’m saying. But the show has pleasantly surprised me thus far, so I live in hope.

Kayti: As someone who hasn’t read the books, I am blissfully ignorant, though, as our two main groups of characters are heading in different directions (both figuratively and literally, as you say, Lacy), I’m not sure what Season 2 is going to look like. Are these characters going to be in completely different stories? Because that doesn’t sound like the best idea. Or is the world-changing stakes of The Darkling and his pet shadows big enough that it will pull all of our main characters in?

Whatever happens in terms of the Shadow and Bone/Six of Crows division, I am very excited to see Nina and Matthias fully engage with Inej, Jesper, and Kaz. Maybe they will spend Season 2 together, with the events of the Six of Crows plot, and come back together somehow with Alina & co. for Season 3?

Lacy: You know, I actually don’t mind that idea at all – sort of letting everyone be free to do their own specific series-mandated things next season and then come back together again in Season 3. Because I think what bugs me is the idea that we might have been sort of gifted this really nifty blending of the book narratives and then have it taken away with nary a mention again. (I also just really want Nina to meet Alina, sue me.) 

The more I think about it, the more I don’t necessarily see why we couldn’t have some of the Six of Crows plot here – yes, technically it takes place later on, chronologically speaking, but the show itself has already moved up the timeline of Matthias’ impending imprisonment in Hellgate, which is a big initial mission the Crows crew has to sort of undertake. I don’t think he deserves to stay in prison for what is essentially two more books before they get him out. Maybe that’s a place Season 2 can easily start. 

Read more

TV

The World of Shadow and Bone Explained

By Kayti Burt

TV

Shadow and Bone Review: Netflix Adaptation Brings the Magic

By Lacy Baugher

Question: Final thoughts.

Kayti: I can’t get over how well this integration worked for me in the second half of the season. This isn’t Stan Lee popping up as a random member of the First Army; Inej, Kaz, and Jesper are the ones to drive Alina out of the palace, and they get to be a small part of that final fight with The Darkling (while not taking away from Alina’s agency and power in that climax). Then, we get a family campfire at the end of the season that straight-up feels like fanfiction (which coming from me is not a dismissal, but rather the ultimate compliment).

Lacy: I can’t wait to really see Nina incorporated with the rest of the Six of Crows cast. She spends most of this season off in her own storyline, which is necessary and gives us a lot of great moments (Nina + Matthias 4-ever), but I am very much looking forward to seeing her friendship with Inej develop. 

Also, if we’re going to keep the Six of Crows crew around for any sort of Season 2, which I think they’ll want to do to some extent, I really hope we spend some serious time in Ketterdam, exploring what Kerch is like and how it’s different from Ravka and Fjerda. The Ketterdam set looks amazing and we should get some use out of it.

Kayti: Yes to more Kerch! I am hoping that what we saw in Season 1 was just the tip of the iceberg for what they have planned in terms of the culture and world and that Ketterdam feels more lived-in in Season 2. Overall, the season finale definitely left me eager for more. More than after watching the first episode, after watching the eighth episode, I felt like this story was just getting started.

Looking back on this first season, I think one of the reasons why this show works so well is because it isn’t just a “Chosen One” narrative, and I think that is because it incorporates the Six of Crows’ heist-driven structure. The heist is, by its nature, an ensemble story, while the YA “Chosen One” structure is usually a first-person narrative, which doesn’t always translate so well to the screen. In addition to its amazing characters, this multiple POV, non-Chosen One sensibility is the most important thing Six of Crows brings to Shadow and Bone, and I don’t know if the adaptation would work half as well without it.

The post Do Shadow and Bone & Six of Crows Work as One Story? appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/3dOW6He

[being-worthy]

The Last of Us Part II – Adding my two cents to the game - Part 2

MORE MAJOR TLOU II SPOILERS AHEAD!!

I’m now where you’ve to play Addy Abby (why the hell do I always call/write ‘Addy’?) and where she found Ellie and Tommy in the theatre and shot Jessie... he didn’t deserve to die, he was too good of a friend.

It then cuts back to a few minutes (maybe hours) to when Joel and Ellie make it to the hospital in the 1st game - to another obnoxious long episode where you play as Abby ¬¬...

She and her dad save a zebra, which is all nice and good, although don’t bother to go after it and make sure to treat the wound, so we don’t know if it actually survived. Later, we see her dad talking to Marlene - again he’s not sure he can develop a vaccine or cure - and when Marlene is about to leave the room, she says to him she’s going to tell Joel about the procedure, he asks her ‘why?’ this already shows to me that he’s a major a**hole. >Another thing, they could’ve been more tactful when they told Joel what would be done to Ellie but nah, why bother with being tactful, it’s the apocalypse and overrated...< At the same time, Abby has heard EVERYTHING they talked about, even that Joel was with Ellie all the time and travelled with her around half the country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But she was totally cool with what they were about to do to the girl and even told her own dad ‘if it was me, I’d want you to open me up’. Girl, just because you’re cool with it and would be ready to sacrifice your life, doesn’t mean that another dad would go and sacrifice his daughter (blood related or not) too. Besides, her father’s death was quick compared to Joel’s, so she had no right to do what she did.

I’ve to say that Abby is too bulky build for the apocalypse. I don’t care if women have lots of muscles or not, it’s their body and we can do with our body what we want. But it’s the freaking (post-)Apocalypse and it takes a lot to maintain your body like that, even for men! Doesn’t matter if you’ve a fully equipped gym at the stadium, that’s only half of what you need to keep your body in such a shape!!!! Moreover, it’s a bit harder for women to gain so much muscle and keep it because we’ve got a different metabolism than men - that’s a fact. I’m not being sexist here or anything like it. I just doubt you’d have the necessary nutrients/food available in such a world to keep a body like that on point and at all times!! Especially if you live with many other people, food would be limited and rationed at all times!!!! Genes is also factor but still, with time and not proper nutrients your muscles don’t stay like that for long.

This made the game a bit less realistic, and I loved how realistic it was until now, how complex Ellie’s personality is and how she reacts with every WLF member she eliminates, how fanatic the scars and WLF are, etc. That was/is a major disappointment.

Skip to where Abby, Manny, and Mel are heading out. - A little side note: Manny is a man-whore, period, and he’s annoying and hope he doesn’t live long. - Mel is a f*cking doctor???!!! And she was part of what she, Abby, and the others did to Joel, go to hell girl!!! You shouldn’t be calling yourself doctor but butcher or animal. I honestly, would refuse to let any of those so called ‘doctors’ treat me if I had a wound. And yeah, she has some mild regrets but she was still fully onboard with the Abby’s plan.

Furthermore, they really let a highly pregnant woman tag along for duty/patrol outside of the stadium? They’re not going to a place that is just about an hour or so away, no... it’s days maybe even weeks away from their base. I know that every pregnancy is different and pregnant women aren’t disabled and probably I’d crazy too if I stayed locked in a place for far too long, but still. There are many many other ways she could be useful or do something more active. Would you really let her out where there are clickers, runners, bloaters, scars, etc.?! Not only it’s an extremely high risk for the woman and her baby but for the others too. Dina is not so far along in her pregnancy and we saw that she can’t go on more even if she wanted to, she became a liability for Ellie but she loves her still went with her - I know every pregnancy is different, but still. Mel could become a liability for Manny and Mel (not that I’d care much, honestly) but the fact that Manny or whoever is giving orders there (like that Isaac guy who I haven’t seen in the game yet) wouldn’t think something like ‘she’s a doctor we might need her here’ or ‘it’s too risky for her, we need to keep our future kids save (at least until the baby is born’, just anything. This just shows how little the WLF give about people’s lives or lives in general, and don’t even how to proper coordinate. Even if someone would get hurt, a doctor wouldn’t be able to do much out there. I don’t think you’d find easily a sterile room and I’m sure there’s a whole big room in the stadium nor would they’ve all the necessary equipment to perform a surgery. Besides, I’m also sure that everyone in such a world and going regularly on patrol would know the basics about first aid and on how to stop a bleeding and keep the person alive until they make it to a doctor. If not, then why would you even bother to go out there, you’d be just a moron. Even I know first aid kit and what and what not to do if someone is bleeding and/or has something stuck in their body (e.g. big glass shard or similar) that’s causing the bleeding and we’re not even living in the apocalypse (yet).

This seems to be the longest sequence of Abby and I can’t wait for it to be over.

More might follow.

[cristinablackthornkingson]

Shadowhunters Short Story #59. Kit and Dru become Parabatia.

It is a cool October morning in LA in 2015 when 15 year old Drusilla Blackthorn finally plucks up the courage to ask her best friend something very important. 

Kit had reunited with The Blackthorns last year during Emma and Julian’s engagement party in LA. Since then Kit and Ty had begun dating and Kit and Dru had become best friends and the three of them were pretty inseparable. Ty and Dru spent a lot of time in Devon with Kit and Kit spent a lot of time with them in LA. 

Right now the three of them have just finished training and are trying to find the motivation to get up off the training room floor, Kit promised Jem he’d be home early today so they could celebrate Tessa’s birthday, but after training all morning he can barely move, he’s stretched out on one of the training mats with his head in Ty’s lap, becoming more and more relaxed the more Ty plays with his hair. Dru is sitting up against a wall next to her brother and best friend, working up the courage to ask Kit a very important question. 

“When do you have to go back to the Scholomance Ty-Ty?” Kit asks, linking his hand with Ty’s and lacing his fingers through his. 

“I hate it when you call me that, I have to be back in two days.” Ty quietly says with a scowl on his face. He is not at all fond of his childhood nickname and only lets Helen, Mark, Julian and Emma call him Ty-Ty, and Livvy of course. Mina also calls him Ty-Ty, he’s been trying to get her out of the habit but she just thinks it’s hilarious when he insists he doesn’t like being called Ty-Ty.

“But I want to give you a cute nickname, I could call you Holmes?” Kit teasingly suggests. 

“Don’t you dare, Watson. If you do I’ll start calling you Christopher, I’ll teach Mina to call you Chris.” Ty shoots back, knowing how much his boyfriend hates being called by his full name. 

“Alright alright, truce.” Kit says, holding his hands up in mock surrender. 

“Idiot.” Ty laughs. 

“Yeah but I’m your idiot.” 

“Barf.” Dru says in a flat tone, as Kit rolls of Ty’s lap and onto his stomach.

“I’m going for a shower, meet you guys in the living room?” Ty asks, getting up from the mat. 

“Sounds good.” Kit replies. 

“Hey Kit, can I ask you something?” Dru quietly asks, as Ty leaves the room.

“No I can’t lend you money.” Kit smiles at her. Dru scoffs and rolls her eyes. 

“Dickhead, that’s not what I was going to ask. I was going to ask if... if you would be my parabatia.” Dru blurts out.

“I... you want me to be your parabatia?” Kit asks in a high pitched tone of surprise. Dru nods. “I-I thought you’d ask Jaime.” Kit stammers, trying to wrap his head around what’s just happened. 

“Jaime’s too old.” Dru says in a quiet tone, looking down at her hands, unprepared to look at Kit if he says no. 

“D-Dru, I-I’d be honored.” Kit fumbles over his words, shocked at Dru’s question but also delighted. 

“Really?” Dru asks in a surprised tone, her head snapping up in shock. She hadn’t been expecting Kit to agree to be her parabatia, she’s always thought that secretly he thinks she’s just his boyfriends’ annoying little sister who he puts up with because he’s a nice person. He’s always treated her the same way he treats Emma, Jules, Helen and Mark and the way he treated Livvy when she was alive, but Dru has always thought he was just being nice.

“Absolutely, Dru you’re my closest and best friend, you’re like a sister to me, you’re just as much my sister as Mina is, I would love to be your parabatia.” Kit softly says, reaching out to squeeze Dru’s hand. 

Holding back her tears of joy, Dru throws herself at Kit, pulling him into a tight embrace. “I can’t promise I won’t mess up the parabatia vows though, despite what Ty thinks I am not as clever as John Watson.” Kit says in an amused tone. Dru laughs and lightly shoves his shoulder while wiping at her tears. 

“I love you, you dumb ass.” Dru says as they pull apart. 

“I love you too, when I go home later on I’ll talk to my dad about arranging the ceremony and stuff, when do you want to do it?” Kit asks, helping Dru up off the mat so they can go meet Ty downstairs. 

“As soon as possible?” Dru asks. 

“Sounds good to me.” 

Later that evening in Devon, after dinner, Kit, Tessa, Jem and Mina are all gathered in the living room. Tessa is re-organizing the bookshelf in the living room, Jem is sorting through Mina’s clothes, while Kit is sprawled out on the other sofa with Mina curled up against his chest, both of them watching something on his phone. 

“Hey, dad?” Kit asks, letting Mina takes his phone and sitting up straight, pulling her into his lap. 

“Yes?” Jem asks, looking up and smiling at Kit. 

“How do I go about arranging a parabatia ceremony?” 

“Well, firstly you would put the request forward to The Silent Brothers. Then they’ll take a while to deliberate and consider, they might want to observe you and the person you want to be parabatia with, to make sure you’re a right match for such an intense and strong bond. Once they decide that you’re a good match, you start to plan the ceremony, you and your future parabatia choose your witnesses, you learn the oath, and set a date.” Jem explains 

“Are you thinking of asking someone to be your parabatia Kit?” Tessa asks,turning to look at her son. Having a parabatia would be great for Kit, he needs a friend, someone who will always have his back. Of course he has Ty, but romantic relationships are so different to platonic ones.

“No not me, I... Dru asked me to be her parabatia and I said yes.” Kit quietly says, hoping Tessa and Jem will approve of his choice, especially Jem, who had such an incredible, strong bond with his own parabatia. 

“Oh sweetheart that’s wonderful!” Tessa exclaims in delight. She’s always approved of Dru’s friendship with her son, Tessa is extremely protective of Kit and there’s not many others she trusts to keep him safe, but she trusts Dru and knows that she’ll keep her Kit safe in battle and always have his back. 

“Your mum’s right, it’s wonderful news, congratulations Kit.” Jem softly says, glad that his son will have someone as wonderful by his side for the rest of his life, like he had Will. Now he only hopes that Mina will find a parabatia one day too, perhaps a Herondale, if Clary and Jace have children. 

“We can go to The Silent City to put it forward to The Brothers tomorrow, if that suits Drusilla of course. Jem can help you put your case together in the morning and we can go in the afternoon if you like.” Tessa says, putting her book down and sitting next to Kit and Mina.

“It sounds good to me, I’ll text Dru to see if it suits her too, when Mina eventually gives me my phone back, little thief already, I’m so proud.” Kit says in a joking tone, ruffling his sister’s hair. Mina smiles up at him, and reaches up to pat his face, which is a very affectionate gesture to her.

“Have you thought about who you’ll ask to be your witness?” Jem curiously asks, thinking Kit will probably choose Jace or Emma. 

“Yeah I... I was hoping you’d my witness, dad.” Kit shyly says, avoiding eye contact with Jem, terrified of rejection. 

“Oh, Oh Kit I’d be honored.” Jem softly says, setting one of Mina’s old baby grows down and walking over to Kit, pulling him into a tight embrace, now that Tessa has Mina. 

“Dad, you’re suffocating me.” Kit says in a raspy tone, patting Jem’s arm. Jem laughs as he pulls back and ruffles Kit’s hair. 

“You’re being dramatic, I barely touched you.” He says in an amused tone. 

“You’re trying to distract us, so we won’t make a fuss out of you, you hate when we fuss over you.” Tessa says, though she knows that Kit secretly loves it when Jem and Tessa fuss over him. A few weeks ago he had come down with the cold and clearly enjoyed being fretted over, with Jem sending for The Silent Brothers every time he coughed, and Tessa burying him in blankets and hot water bottles, bringing him lots of hot soup and tea, taking his Xbox up to his room and setting it up there so he wouldn’t be bored all day, and Mina making him get well soon cards and bringing him tissues and vapo rub and cuddling with him to make him feel better. 

“No I’m not, I don’t have feelings.” Kit insists. 

“Oh dear, that doesn’t sound good Mina mine, does it? Should we summon The Silent Brothers do you think, or is your brother just being silly?” Jem says in a light tone, taking Mina from Tessa and pressing a kiss to her cheek. Mina giggles and pushes his face away, not enjoying the tickling sensation she’s getting from his stubble. 

“Kitty silly.” She determines, looping her arms around the back of Jem’s neck. 

“Hey you’re meant to be on my side you little traitor, Dru would never betray me like this!” Kit says in a mock hurt tone, frowning at Mina, which just makes her laugh harder. 

“I didn’t expect the arguing to start this early.” Tessa says in an amused tone. “Lucie made it to three before she really started annoying James.” She adds with a smile. 

“I think we should get you to bed Mina mine, before you and your brother kill each other.” Jem says, ruffling his daughter’s hair. “I’ll tell you a story about your Uncle Will if you like, before you go to sleep.” Jem adds, lifting Mina up and settling her on his hip. 

“No! Want Kitty tell story!” Mina exclaims, reaching out for Kit. 

Kit happily takes Mina upstairs and tells her a story about Livvy, before finally managing to get his phone back from her to text Dru, who agrees to portal to Devon tomorrow morning so they can put their case for being parabatia together, with Jem, before going to The Silent City and presenting it to The Silent Brothers.

Meanwhile in The LA Institute, Dru has gone in search of Mark, to ask him something important. Last she saw him, he had been in the drawing room with Cristina and Kieran, saying goodbye to Kieran before he left for Faerie for the next few days. Though they have their little cottage between the mortal world and Faerie, Kieran still sometimes comes to visit them both in LA, and to visit Mark’s family, and Cristina’s family in Mexico. 

Dru quietly opens the door to the drawing room, where she sees Mark sitting on the sofa next to Cristina, his hand intertwined with hers, both of them talking quietly as Mark plays with a lock of her hair. Dru is hesitant to interrupt the moment, but since she and Kit will be presenting their case to The Silent Brothers tomorrow, she can only talk with Mark now.

“Mark.” Dru says, pushing the door open further and stepping into the room. “Can I talk to you alone for a bit?” Mark smiles brightly at her, though there is worry in his eyes. 

“Of course, come in, don’t linger in the doorway you’re making me nervous!” Mark says, gesturing for her to sit next to him. Cristina pecks Mark on the cheek and affectionately ruffles Dru’s hair on her way out.

“I wasn’t interrupting anything important, was I?” Dru tentatively asks, as she takes a seat next to her brother on the sofa. 

“No not at all, we were just talking. What do you want to talk to me about? Is everything okay?” Mark asks in a concerned tone, examining Dru’s face for any trace of pain and hurt.

“Everything’s fine Mark, nothing to worry about. I just... well this afternoon, after training, Kit asked me to be his parabatia, and I said yes, and... well I want you to be my witness.” Dru blurts out in hopeful tone. 

“Really? You wouldn’t prefer to ask Julian or perhaps Helen or even Ty?” Mark softly asks.

“No, I want you to be my witness, I love Helen and Jules and Ty, and even Tavvy’s okay but I only want you to be my witness and if you say no... well then I’ll refuse to become parabatia with Kit.” Dru says in a firm tone, lifting her chin and crossing her arms across her chest. Mark laughs and gently tugs on a lock of his sister’s hair. 

“Oh Dru, you’re just like mom with how stubborn you are. Of course I’ll be your witness, you don’t need to blackmail me you silly thing.” Dru’s lips twitch up into a smile and she leans in to embrace her brother. 

“Do you really think I’m like mom?” She quietly asks, laying her head on Mark’s shoulder. 

“Yes, so much. You and Jules remind me of her the most, Jules gets his artistic talent from her, and his ferocious love for his family, mom was so protective of us, especially me and Helen because we’re half Fae, and Ty because of his autism, and like I said you’re stubborn as hell like her, but also gentle and loving, and brave, and you look just like her, it’s like you have none of dad’s genetics, just moms, it’s quiet eerie.” Dru laughs and wipes at her tears. 

“I love you.” She quietly says. Mark drops a kiss to the top of her head, hardly able to believe it’s been 15 years since he held her for the first time and fell totally in love with his new baby sister. 

“I love you too Dru, so much.”

The next day just after Dru arrives in Devon, while Tessa and Mina are at a playgroup for Mina, Jem, Dru and Kit sit down at the kitchen table and start to put together Dru and Kit’s case. 

“I think The Silent Brothers may be particularity interested in why you two want to be parabatia after only knowing each other for two years, it’s not unknown for parabatia to have only know each other a few years before taking the oath, but typically cases are more like Emma and Julian or Alec and Jace, where two parabatia have known each other practically their whole lives.” Jem explains to Kit and Dru. 

“Well Dru and I fought in a war together, and I’m dating her brother, she could my sister-in-law one day, and when Livvy died we were eachother’s main comforts really, that’s what brought us close I think, well more so Ty’s plan to resurrect Livvy but I can’t exactly tell the Silent Brothers that, can I?” Kit asks, leaning back in his chair. 

“Not unless you want to get Ty thrown in The Guard, but you did make a very good point about fighting a war together and grieving a loved one together, Kit. Drusilla is there anything you’d like to add?” Jem asks, turning to look at her.

“Well I totally agree with what Kit said, he also helped me learn a lot of useful skills, I mean it’s basically thanks to him that Jaime and Diego didn’t die in The Guard when The Cohort threw them in there, Kit taught me to pick locks and so I picked the lock on their cell, we saved lives together.” Dru says, fighting to keep the emotion from her voice. She and Jaime are close friends and the thought of him dying almost reduces her to tears, after loosing her mother, then her father being turned Endarkened, then Mark being taken by The Wild Hunt, Helen being exiled and Livvy being killed, Dru simply can’t take any more losses. 

“That’s an excellent point Drusilla. So you’ve established why you think you’re suited to be parabatia, but why do you want to be parabatia?” Jem asks.

“Pretty much the same reasons we think we’d be suited to be parabatia, we worked well together in the battle against the Cohort, Dru always has my back and I always have hers.” Kit says. Dru nods and says 

“I agree, Kit’s like a brother to me, he was there for me when the others couldn’t be, when Jules and Emma were in Faerie, and everyone else was dealing with The Cohort and grieving for Livvy, I don’t think me or Ty would have gotten through that all without Kit, those couple of months when he weren’t in touch were awful.” Kit flushes, feeling extremely guilty for avoiding Dru and Ty after he moved to Devon, even though they understand he was grieving his birth parents as well as Livvy and trying to figure himself out. 

“Have you chosen a witness Dru? That’s a very important aspect of it all.” Jem asks. 

“Yeah, I asked Mark last night, he was delighted and agreed, it is okay for him to be my witness right? Even though he’s half Faerie?” Dru asks, concern lacing her tone. 

“Of course, he’s half Faerie but he’s also half Shadowhunter and he has fought with The Clave before and I’m sure he will again, there’s no reason he would be rejected as your witness.” Jem assures her. 

“Good.” Dru quietly says to herself. 

“So, do you two think you’re ready to present your case to The Silent Brothers?” Jem asks, closing over the notepad he had been taking notes on, just in case Dru or Kit wanted to look over what they had said. 

“Will you be there dad?” Kit asks in a nervous tone, looking at Jem. He hates the idea of being in The Silent City with just The Silent Brothers and Dru, he still doesn’t entirely trust them or many other Shadowhunters yet, his birth father had drilled that distrust and hatred of Nephilim into him from birth. 

“Since you’re both underage, yes I can be present if you want me to be.” Jem gently says, seeing the fear on his son’s face. 

“Okay, then I’m ready.” Kit says, his shoulders relaxing slightly. 

“Me too.” Dru agrees. 

“Alright, lets go then.” 

Just a week later, The Silent Brothers approve Dru and Kit’s request to become parabatia, and they are set to take the vows and perform the ceremony in a month, giving them enough time to learn the vows and organize everything. 

Currently it is the week before  the ceremony and Kit is still struggling to learn the vows, he had never been good at academic stuff like this, he had always learned by doing, not by reading from a textbook. Jem, Tessa, Emma and Jace are all doing their best to help him, but he’s still really struggling. 

Right now he is sitting in his room in Devon, the paper with the vows printed on them in front of him, his head in his hands as he tries desperately to take in the words. 

As he tries to absorb the first line again, he hears a knock on the door, and Jem steps in with Mina on his hip.

“Hey, your mum’s with a client for the next few hours, how are you getting on?” he asks, coming to stand beside his son. 

“Not good, I just can’t learn it.” Kit says in a dry tone, running his hands through his hair.

“Maybe I should write them out on cardboard signs and hold them up for you during The Ceremony.” Jem jokes. 

“Dad that’s a great idea!” Kit exclaims, a smile lighting up his face. 

“Kit, I was kidding, I can’t actually do that.”Jem says in an amused tone. 

“Why not? There’s nothing in the rules that says you can’t.” Kit argues. 

“Not officially but it’s not something you do, like how it doesn’t officially say you can’t cheat in exams, but you know you can’t.” Jem says, patting Kit’s shoulder. 

“It’s stupid, why can’t I read it from the page?” Kit grumbles. 

“Kit, it shows you aren’t dedicated, that’s what The Silent Brothers will think anyway, I know you have trouble learning things this way and if I could get you out of it, I would, but I’m afraid I can’t. What I can do however, is be here to help you, I’ll sit here with you all night to help you learn it if you want, whatever you need me to do, just ask.” 

“Dad... were you nervous before you and Uncle Will became parabatia?” Kit quietly asks, looking up at Jem. 

“Absolutely, I was nervous the idiot would set me on fire.” Jem jokes, drawing a laugh from Kit. “I really was nervous though, it’s such a huge commitment and I thought I would only live another couple of years, I was afraid of how much more painful the bond would make my death for Will, it’s completely normal to be nervous before you become parabatia, it’s more un-usual not to be nervous.” 

“I need a break from studying, can you tell me about your parabatia ceremony? Who was your witness?” Kit hopefully asks. 

“Charlotte was my witness, and Henry was Will’s.” Jem says. He hadn’t asked Charlotte to be his witness, he had been afraid of bothering her, but she had volunteered and he was delighted, he looked up to Charlotte, loved her and idolized her, it meant a lot to him to have her as his witness. 

“How did you cope knowing that eventually you would die and hurt Will? People are still after me, The Lost Heir, and I’m afraid of the consequences that will have for Dru when she’s my parabatia.” Kit anxiously asks, picking Mina up and settling her in his lap.

“I didn't really, I tried not to think about it, like I tried not to think about my illness and my parents death. I knew Will was strong and he would be alright, especially after we met Tessa, I wasn’t so worried about leaving Will because I knew Tessa would take care of him, of course I didn’t want to leave either of them, but I was happy knowing they had each other.” Jem softly says, his heart aching for his parabatia.

“Does being parabatia mean Ty and I are going to have name any daughter we have after Dru, and she’ll have to name any son she has, after me?” Kit asks, trying to lighten the mood. “Because Uncle Will named Jamie after you and you named Mina after Uncle Will.” Jem laughs and ruffles Kit’s hair, his heart warming at the fact that Kit tried to distract him and make him laugh. 

“Well no it’s not a rule, Alec didn’t name his first child after Jace, and I doubt Jace will name his first child after Alec. When James was born I tried to get your mother and Will to change his name, I thought he should have a name all of his own, but they refused, and then tricked me for weeks into believing they were going to name Lucie Jemma, after me again, even as a Silent Brother I fell for Will’s pranks.” Jem laughs, remembering Will’s laugh and the look on Tessa’s face when they finally told him they weren’t actually going to name their daughter Jemma.

“Dad, do you think you could test me on the oath, see what I know and don’t know?” Kit hopefully asks, holding the sheet of paper out to Jem. 

“Of course, if this doesn’t work maybe you could try recording yourself reading it and then listening back, that works for some people, though I would say you’re more of a kinetic learner.” Jem says, taking the sheet from Kit, who looks at him blankly. “Never mind, I’ll explain latter.” 

For the next few hours Jem helps Kit to learn the oath, testing him again and again until they’re both certain he knows it. 

The next week flies by and soon Kit is standing at the entrance to The Silent City with Jem and Tessa on either side of him, and Mina on his back. She’s not looking forward to going down into The Silent City and has insisted on riding on Kit’s back while Jem leads the way forward with a witch light. Dru and her family are already down there, Kit had seen Mark and Cristina going down, just as he and Jem, Tessa and Mina arrived. 

“Ready?” Jem asks, placing a hand on Kit’s shoulder. Shifting Mina higher up onto his back so she won’t slip, Kit nods. 

“Yeah, what about you Min-Min, you ready?” He asks, squeezing her leg gently. Her arms tighten around his neck before she says 

“Uh-uh, but go slow!” 

“I will, I promise.” Jem starts forward with his witchlight, illuminating the dark, damp passageway, followed by Kit and Mina, and then Tessa. 

When they reach the place where the ceremony will take place, Tessa takes Mina while Kit looks around for Dru. 

“Looking for Dru?” Kit hears a familiar voice at his shoulder. He turns to see Emma standing next to him, grinning at him. 

“Memma!” Mina squeals, reaching for her. Mina adores Emma, she’s like a cousin, aunt and sister all rolled into one, and Mina thinks she is one of the most amazing people in world, and she’s certainly one of her favorites, along with Jem and Kit. 

“Hey Min-Min, look at you being down here, brave girl!” Emma exclaims, taking Mina from Tessa and settling her on her hip. 

“Uh-hu! Kitty carry me!” Mina says in an enthusiastic tone. 

“Well you have the most wonderful big brother, I wish I had a brother growing up! By the way Kit, Dru’s over there with Mark, they’re ready to start at any minute.” Emma says pointing across the room, where Kit catches a glimpse of Mark’s white hair, standing out in the sea of black gear. 

“Will you come with me dad?” Kit asks, turning to look at Jem. 

“Of course, you’ll be alright with mummy and Emma, won’t you Mina mine?” Jem softly says, brushing his daughter’s hair back, knowing how spooked she is down here, usually when she gets unsettled and spooked she clings to him, and won’t even go to Kit or Tessa, she just wants her dad. Hopefully she’ll be alright now though, since Emma is here and so are so many of her other favorite people.

“Uh-uh!” Mina says, nodding enthusiastically. 

Kit and Jem make their way over to Dru and Mark, where the two teenagers greet each other with an embrace. 

“Nervous?” Dru asks, pulling back and squeezing Kit’s hand. 

“Pft, no I don’t have feelings, you know that.” Dru laughs and lightly shoves Kit by the shoulder. Kit gasps in mock outrage. “She just tried to kill me! Brother Enoch did you see that? We’ve not even exchanged the oath and she’s trying to kill me already!” Kit exclaims in a exasperated tone. 

Indeed, though it seems you provoked her, are you quiet sure you’re suited to be parabatia, when you’re accusing her of attempted murder just before the ceremony? Brother Enoch asks in his cool, emotionless voice. Kit rolls his eyes. 

“You guys don’t have a great sense of humor do you?” He asks. 

I don’t see an accusation of attempted murder as humorous. Brother Enoch dryly says.

“You’re messing with me, aren’t you?” Kit asks. 

Indeed. Now are you ready to begin?  Dru and Kit nod.

Before Kit knows it, he is standing in the middle of the floor, in a ring fire, opposite Dru, reciting the oath perfectly, drawing the rune on her arm and letting her draw the rune on his back. It is all over in what feels like a matter of minutes, and soon the two of them are standing side by side with their families, Mina pulling at Kit’s shirt, Ty holding his hand, Tessa fussing over him, Jem congratulating him and telling him how proud he is of him, The rest of the Blackthorns beaming at him while they fuss over Dru. 

A few minutes later Kit and Dru merge from the Silent City side by side, just behind their families. 

“Hey.” Kit says, lightly bumping Dru’s shoulder with his. “I love you parabatia.” Dru grins and bumps him back. 

“I love you too dummy.” 

[kpopaeipathy]

The sound of (your) music (Suga Oneshot)

Originally posted by chimchurro

Pairing: Yoongi x Reader

Genre: Fluff, some angst(?)

Prompt: “H-how long have you been standing there?”

Summary: As a Muse of music, it is your job to help your musician find inspiration, but you weren’t supposed to let him see you.

Word Count: 2,714

YoonKook Spring Bingo: Muse AU

Requested by Anon.

---

A/N: I hope you don’t mind I made it 1st person, and a part of the bingo (it just fits hehe). I also hope you like it ^^ A big Thank You to @hungline for the help, hope we can work together again <3

Being a muse of music has always been a big responsibility, especially if you are Aoide’s daughter, the first great muse of music. I always understood this responsibility. After all, music is much more than the combination of sounds and silence; it is the expression of the soul and the world.

However, understanding the responsibility of being a muse and being a daughter whose mother can be proud of are two different things. Not that I haven’t tried.

All the musicians I was assigned to work with were extremely talented (maybe my mother already knew I would have difficulties), and all I needed to do was blow a melody in their ears when they spent a lot of time without inspiration. Even so, everything always went wrong.

I could hardly hit the kind of melody that inspired every musician, sometimes leading them to a complete change of style, which made it difficult for them to progress in their careers in the human world. I let at least a third of the musicians see me, and two of them fell in love with me in such a way that their compositions totally lost their beauty. And the last musician my mother assigned me to went mad after thinking about the wrong melody I whispered in her ear and ended up in an insane asylum without being able to compose anything else.

My sisters definitely had reasons to be annoyed with me, since they needed to clean up the mess I left wherever I went. It was no wonder my mother got tired and stopped appointing me to her musicians.

So, determined to prove that I could still do a good job and be a good muse of music, I started looking for my own musicians, searching them mainly among those my mother believed were not real musicians, for they came from a different career.

It was then, in search of any musician, that I met Min Yoongi, and for the first time in my life, I believed that my mother’s ability to find the most talented musicians was rusty.

Yoongi used to be a basketball player, but left his promising career due to a knee injury. Without much expectation of the future, Yoongi found his vocation in an old piano that accumulated dust in his house. He then became a rapper and composer. However, many agents underestimated him and rejected him, until a young producer accepted him into his company. But Yoongi had yet to prove he had enough talent to really start his career and make his debut as a musician.

That was the story I heard about him, but it was not that which fascinated me. In fact, I was not even thinking about checking his work when I accidentally listened to his music. And it was like I was coming home.

Since I started working with my mother’s musicians, I had not come home. Unlike what I believed when I was younger, the musicians were not exactly inspired by nature and living beings; they were inspired by their own lives, the lives of their relatives and friends, and what they saw in the places where they lived. Nature was in the background and I could hardly see my beloved home.

Min Yoongi’s music was different. He also relied on his life experiences to compose, but listening to his melodies was like listening to the water flowing through the waterways; his notes recalled the different sounds the wind made when it touched every leaf of a tree; his voice sounded like the purr of a tiger cub who lay down happy to sleep next to his mother. Min Yoongi’s music made me feel at home.

There was no reason to keep looking if I had already found the perfect musician. However, the fear consumed me. What would happen if I messed up with him, too? I would never forgive myself if I turned him into just a shadow of the musician he was.

So I spent a lot of time just watching him, with the excuse that I was gaining experience, and I was getting to know him enough to give him the right melody when he needed it. But it was no trouble to look at him, for the beauty of his music was reflected in his features, and at each note he played, he looked more handsome.

As time passed and I watched Yoongi training, composing and rapping, I realized that maybe he would never need me. Even so, I found myself unwilling to leave him.

It was only when the producer requested that Yoongi prepare a song to be evaluated, that Yoongi was nervous enough to have a blockade. The song would dictate whether Yoongi was ready to debut or not, and the rapper felt pressured.

I realized that was my chance, that I could finally be useful to the best musician I had ever heard. So even though I had not talked to my mother in a long time, I prayed that she, or Zeus, or any god, could help me get it right the first time, because I did not want anything to go wrong with Yoongi’s career.

I should have guessed that neither my mother nor anyone would help me, but I should have also guessed that my lack of sensitivity would not be an obstacle for a musician like Min Yoongi.

I only realized that I had whispered the wrong melody in his ear when Yoongi spent two days unable to play a single note on the keyboard. I almost burst out in despair, thinking that I had managed to destroy yet another great musician. It was then that Yoongi began to compose.

That song, created with the wrong melody, turned out to be the right song. Just as Yoongi had transformed his urban living into the memory of my house, this time he managed to turn my house into his experience. Somehow, when I closed my eyes listening to his music, I could see the forest invading the city in a peaceful way, as if everything could be in the same place and nothing and no one demanded its space. Everything seemed in harmony.

When the song was ready and Yoongi showed it to the producer and his partners, I was present. And it was at that moment that I realized I could never leave him. Even if I proved to my mother and sisters that I was a good muse, I would never leave him, for I had fallen in love with Min Yoongi.

Yoongi then debuted and released his first mixtape, which was very well received by the public, much to the chagrin of everyone who rejected him. After all the promotions and shows, he ended up getting some proposals for composition and production, and once again he felt pressured.

Although I enjoyed feeling useful to him, I did not like to see him down with the lack of inspiration. So it was an even greater joy to know that I would free him from his sorrow.

On a night that Yoongi was alone in the studio, trying to create something, I decided it was time to try to help him again. Once more I prayed to get it right, and once again I made one of my messes.

Crack!

I put my hand over my mouth, cursing silently for knocking Yoongi’s tablecloth down. Where was my head to move in that sloppy way?

"H-how long have you been standing there?”

Yoongi’s voice made me turn to him quickly, wide-eyed, comically mirroring his expression. Even so, I could not laugh at the situation, since the fact that Yoongi saw me was very dangerous.

It was impossible to predict how a human could react to the sight of a muse. Because we were basically daughters of nature, our appearance could be compared to hers. That’s why nature lovers fell in love with us immediately, while the more urban people thought of our appearance as an offense and reacted with immediate hatred. One way or another, most of them went crazy. There were few who could react indifferently to our presence.

I did not know what to say. My voice could also cause a problem. Then I stepped back, thinking that I could just run away and fix my mistake later, but I ended up stepping on one of the broken pieces of the ornament. “Ah!” I exclaimed, turning to look at the bruise I had just gotten.

It was not long before Yoongi came to me.

“Are you alright?” he asked, watching my foot carefully.

I was still speechless, but this time it was more because of his proximity than because of his normal reaction to my presence. Normal was not something I would relate to my contact with humans. Again, I should have guessed that Yoongi would not react like other people, after all, everything about him was different.

“I think you should sit down,” he said, bringing me back to reality as he led me to his chair.

Still fascinated, I could only stare at him as Yoongi grabbed a first aid kit in the closet next to his desk and crouched down in front of me to take care of my foot.

I moaned as he brushed the gauze with alcohol into my wound and this caused Yoongi to lift his face to look at me.

“Sorry,” he said, with a smile that lifted only a corner of his mouth. “I guess that’s not what you came in here for.”

It was fortunate that I did not frighten him with my presence, or driven him mad, so I could not risk using my voice. So I just shook my head.

Yoongi laughed at my response and simply looked back at my foot. As he focused on my little wound (which I would never tell him would heal on its own faster than a car race to the hospital), I turned to look at his desk.

Although I had been in that studio many times before, it was the first time I had come close enough to the table to look at his space. Not even when I had whispered the melody before, I had looked at his desk. I focused more on his creations than on the environment around him. But at that moment I could observe, and I found it fascinating how he seemed meticulous about his belongings and how organized he was in his work.

I was so focused watching the beginning of the song he was composing that I didn’t even notice when he finished putting on the bandage.

“Is that why you came?”

I quickly settled into the chair and looked at Yoongi, worried that he might think I was snooping. But what I found was a quiet smile, bordering on pride, but without being presumptuous.

“You came to hear what I’m creating?” He tried again.

This time I nodded, wondering what his reaction would be to my fascination with his work.

“Are you a trainee here?” he asked and I shook my head. “But you work here, right?”

I nodded. It was not exactly a lie. If I considered that helping him was my job and that he worked there, then my job was there too.

“Do you like my music?” The curiosity hidden in the timbre of his voice and in the light of his eyes was what made me break my resolve.

“Yes,” I replied, “very much.”

Yoongi laughed again, half proud, half shy. It was amazing to see how modest he could be despite believing his own music was good. Just like his music, Yoongi was able to make the biggest contradictions seem harmonic.

“May I…” he hesitated, running his fingers over the keyboard next to us. “May I ask why you like my music?”

All the time I watched Yoongi, I never thought he could feel insecure. Pressed, yes; intimidated, perhaps; but never insecure.

“Why wouldn’t I like it?” I asked.

Yoongi’s eyes met mine and it was as if the light of the environment had changed position, because suddenly his eyes reflected hope instead of insecurity.

“Your music reminds me of my home,” I confessed, finally smiling at him, remembering how he made me feel with his creations. “I can close my eyes and see the flowers blooming, preparing to receive the visit of the bees and butterflies that will withdraw their pollen to fertilize the next soil. When I listen to your music, I feel that I’m on top of a waterfall listening to the water hitting the rocks and the wind vibrating in my ears. Your music is everything I’ve always believed music was, a manifestation of life.”

I didn’t even realize I closed my eyes as I told him how I felt when I heard his work. When I opened them, I thought I had finally managed to drive him mad, for he was staring at me with wide eyes and seemed to be scanning every detail of my face.

“Do you live in a cabin?” He asked, proving once again that he would never be like other people.

I didn’t resist and laughed, “You could say that.”

Yoongi pouted and frowned, as if trying to understand what I had said. I just waited, watching him. And we just stood there staring at each other.

Suddenly, Yoongi shrugged and turned back to the keyboard. “Would you like to hear what I’ve done so far?”

I was surprised by his question. I had never seen him disobey the rules either. So I just nodded and kept watching as he began to press the keys on the keyboard.

His fingers floated over white and black so light and yet firm. Even if I didn’t know the notes, it would be easy to imagine the melody he was playing in front of me.

I closed my eyes and let myself be carried away by the sensations that music brought me. It was like climbing on a magic carpet and flying around the world, passing over cities, forests, deserts. I could feel joy, sadness, discouragement and hope. It was like floating among all living beings on the planet, like feeling everything they had ever felt. For a moment, I felt I was capable of being more than a muse, that he could be more than a human.

When I opened my eyes, Yoongi had stopped playing and looked at me with an expression that I couldn’t identify. Even so, as I looked into his eyes at that moment, I felt the same feeling I felt when I listened to his music. I felt as if we could be gods.

“It’s beautiful,” I praised, speaking of the song, but I might as well be talking about him.

“I suppose so,” he replied, not looking away from me. Somehow, I knew he was talking about the song, but just like me, he also thought he might be praising me.

That certainty about what he was thinking about me scared me and I broke eye contact, standing up. Yoongi also got up, standing in front of me.

I didn’t want to say goodbye, I didn’t want to leave. That was the first time I really felt like a muse of music (probably because I had just hummed the rest of the song Yoongi was creating while he played it next to me). But I knew I had to leave.

“Will you come back?” Yoongi knew, too.

I looked into his eyes one more time and realized he didn’t expect a positive response. Somehow, Yoongi knew he would never see me again. That certainty in his eyes broke my heart.

“Of course I’m coming back,” I replied, smiling, knowing it was not a lie, but also knowing that it was not exactly the answer he wanted. “I’ll always come back to hear your music.”

Yoongi nodded and I didn’t wait for another cue to turn around and walk away, the wound on my foot had already healed and had been forgotten. I just prayed Yoongi would not forget my visit.

It was when I arrived at the door that he confirmed the completion of my request.

“Good. Because I can’t be an artist without a muse.”

[anjibooks]

Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare (Book Review)

I'm just going to jump right into the review as I am feeling too lazy to really think out an intro, sorry. I have some mixed feelings about this book-- it's definitely my least favorite of Cassie's conclusion novels. Usually she's a goddess at writing the most satisfying and glorious conclusions, but here I found the finale somewhat lacking. The main reason for this is due to the fact that Cassie spent so much time setting up for her Wicked Powers series with the younger characters that there were way too many new issues opened and way too many loose ends created in this book. Like Cassie spent A LOT of time with Ty, Dru and Kit (lol I forgot what his nickname was and was like Chris? That doesn't sound right...) and creating tensions, plot lines and dramas there that are clear set ups for a series that is not this one. Usually Cassie's set ups or hints to other things are more subtle, and flow better with the story, yet this time it just made this book feel like another book in a series instead of a satisfying finale. A lot of people had issues with Clary and Jace's involvement in this book, but I would actually argue their parts were some of the best-- though, I may be completely biased seeing as I live for Jace and Clary. Like wow, wait... maybe I should save that comment for the spoilers section lol, but let it be out there that I have absolutely no issue with my TMI characters being involved in these or future books. So my biggest issue was with all the set up for another series, but the other thing that irked me was something that was supposed to irk me: Horace Dearborn and his biggoted followers. It's not at all subtle what Cassie is alluding to, and while I applaud her for adding her own social commentary, I found the big presence of Dearborn and his followers and what they were working for all together extremely depressing and irritating. Like I get it-- I KNOW that the political situation sucks in America, I couldn't agree with Cassie more on that, but I kinda read books to escape the real world, so reading a situation paralleling with what we're already dealing with just was depressing and irritating (as I already stated many times). This whole thing with the Cohort was also irritating because HOW DID NO ONE COMPARE HIM TO VALENTINE WHO WAS EVIL AND EVERYONE ABSOLUTELY HATES? Like they're the exact same, they even both hated downworlders?? Ugh. People were also making a shit ton of hasty, dumb decisions that got them into bad situations, which irked me as well. Actually, a lot of things just felt rushed in general, it was strange. There was also a LOT of drama in this book, and not the normal of level that felt actually enjoyable-- like a little too much. It just pushed certain things, which made the whole thing feel extremely melodramatic, especially the Julian-Emma situation. Okay, these are all my issues with it, but let me just remind y'all it's a Cassandra Clare novel-- obviously it's good! 8/10 stars, just there were some issues that stood out to me. OF course, it still had all the classic Cassandra Clare blending of action, relationships and characters that made a fantastic novel. It's just that I hold Cassie to on another level for ratings, which isn't exactly fair, but she's proven time and time again that she is a stellar author. Anyway, here's the synopsis: Dark secrets and forbidden love threaten the very survival of the Shadowhunters in Cassandra Clare’s Queen of Air and Darkness, the final novel in The Dark Artifices trilogy. What if damnation is the price of true love? Innocent blood has been spilled on the steps of the Council Hall, the sacred stronghold of the Shadowhunters. In the wake of the tragic death of Livia Blackthorn, the Clave teeters on the brink of civil war. One fragment of the Blackthorn family flees to Los Angeles, seeking to discover the source of the disease that is destroying the race of warlocks. Meanwhile, Julian and Emma take desperate measures to put their forbidden love aside and undertake a perilous mission to Faerie to retrieve the Black Volume of the Dead. What they find in the Courts is a secret that may tear the Shadow World asunder and open a dark path into a future they could never have imagined. Caught in a race against time, Emma and Julian must save the world of Shadowhunters before the deadly power of the parabatai curse destroys them and everyone they love. And here's the spoiler section of my thoughts on the novel: Okay, so I feel like the conflict all came down to Emma and Julian turning into nephilim, and it was epic how they utterly DESTROYEd everything but...I feel like they got off wayy to easy. Like the whole forbidden love has been pushed on us since page 1, but there were no consequences from anyone after the big fight and I felt like it was all too easy. Maybe this is just because I'm biased, but the whole Thule situation where the TDA crew fought felt blasphemous. Like uhhh ONLY the TMI crew can kill Sebastian. And also the fact that it said Julian was fighting toe-to-toe with Jace felt like a joke to me. Like Jace normally is already one of the best warriors there is, but since he has angel blood he is legit like the best fighter. Julian wouldn't stand a chance. Also blasphemous-- Zara using Cortana. Like, no, sweetie fuck off. Oh yeah, and the ending with everyone leaving Alicante was just annoying and an extremely obvious set up for more to come. Like this book would've been SO much better had it not been marketed as a conclusion. Kind of a similar situation to ACOWAR, actually. Basically my all time favorite parts of this novel were with all the old cast, which is bad, I know, but I'm just so partial to those characters. Like Alec proposing gave me the will to live ahh. And then when Clary cries and Jace wonders what he did wrong this time for the proposal! I LOVE THEM. OH MY GOD. lIKE AH. And then Thule Jace showed up and wanted Clary and... excussee me? leave my Jace ALONE. Lol, but seriously, my biggest investment in the next series is still about Jace and Clary... whoops. Thanks for reading, ​Anji

[pika-ace]

In the Heights AU-Watership Down

This is more of describing the characters rather than the story as a whole,I’ll get to that later. If you think anything can be improved just say so!:-)

((Ironically I started watching the original movie when you sent this to me XD; with that said, I LOVE this, it’s perfect!))

Usnavi and Sonny take the place of Hazel and Fiver respectively. Instead of being brothers,they are cousins of course. Sonny was taken in by Usnavi’s parents after his own parents were killed by predators. Usnavi’s parents later died of sickness, so both of them were looked after by Abuela,since they were still relatively young. The warren they live in is fairly big, but there isn’t much care from the group as a whole,more like individuals caring for other individuals. But there is a chief and the Owsla,like in any warren. Usnavi is really an average rabbit in this warren,but is very caring and protective,especially of Sonny. Of course,as the story progresses, he actually becomes a leader of the group,as Hazel does in the original story. Average size, but he talks very fast and excitedly, one of the few to really believe Sonny in the beginning. He’s also nervous and unconfident about his ability to be a chief, and he struggles to overcome his doubts. Abuela is a fairly old rabbit,still able to run if she needs to,but is up in years. She’s been in this particular warren since she was a very small kit with her mother. She doesn’t have a mate or kits,but instead looks after everyone, especially Usnavi and Sonny. She doesn’t represent anyone in the original story,but I think Abuela should be here. She also has to take breaks sometimes when traveling to the new warren, but will push herself so as not to slow down the group so much,much to Usnavi’s concern. Has great advice for practically anyone. Is the group storyteller as well,telling ancient tales of the Prince of rabbits. Sonny is Usnavi’s cousin, he’s been having bad dreams for a while now,but isn’t extremely concerned about what they could mean until he has a vision while out grazing with Usnavi. He sees that something very bad is about to happen to the warren,and tells Usnavi that they need to warn others and get out NOW. Unfortunately, not everyone believes him. I don’t think Sonny would be as frail and nervous as Fiver is as much,I think his personality would stay relatively the same,but it would be very stressful sometimes to see the stuff he sees,and worse,not know what it meant,so he is still very much able to have a breakdown about them. Usnavi and really, everyone, do what they can to help him through it. Benny is a member of the Owsla of the warren, much like an average guard or officer. Used to be a bit of a troublemaker when he was younger. Is much nicer than Bigwig in the original story,friends with Usnavi and Sonny, but he also wants to impress the chief and his superior officer, Kevin. So while he sometimes goofs off,he tries to do his job like he should. He let’s Usnavi and Sonny talk to the chief when they’re trying to warn of the trouble coming, but nearly gets his head bitten off by the chief for doing so. Annoyed by how he’s been treated, he disobeys Kevin to escape with the others and help them escape from the pursuing Owsla. Kevin is the Captain of the Owsla in the original warren. He’s strict,but doesn’t abuse his power,unlike some other officers in the warren,and can be kind. Took Benny under his wing when he was a young juvenile rabbit,to get him to stop causing trouble and to train him to become part of the Owsla. Tries to stop the group from leaving,but thanks to interference from Benny, is unsuccessful. Mates with Camila,they had a single kit named Nina,who unfortunately was snatched by a bird when she was still young. Still mourns her. He can be stubborn, but his mate is often his voice of reason when he gets this way. Willing to do anything for those that he loves. Fortunately able to escape the destruction with Camila,though he is injured in the process, and later joins up with the group. Camila is Kevin’s mate,and again is often his voice of reason when he gets stubborn, unfortunately this can still be a hard task sometimes. If you pushed her too far though,you will definitely know it! She’ll stand up to anyone if they’re acting Isn’t like a jerk including her mate. She’s still very sad at the loss of her daughter,but very motherly to everyone. You can be sure that she’ll make sure the others are eating enough. She stays at the warren with Kevin initially, not wanting to leave him,though she’s nervous about what Sonny said would happen. Kevin reassures her,but the destruction comes as predicted. Fortunately able to escape with Kevin,though they are the only ones who survive and Kevin is injured. Are able to rejoin the group at their later home. Daniela is the “gossip queen” of the warren. Seems to know practically everything about everyone, though how she’s knows some things is a mystery. She never gossips to hurt anyone though,just for something interesting to do. Friends with our main group,but a little skeptical of the claim that something bad was coming. Eh,she was getting a little bored here anyway, this should be interesting. Becomes really close friends with Carla when she joins the group from another warren. Carla was from a warren that was fed by humans. The food was bountiful and good quality, but the humans would also lay out snares to harvest rabbits from time to time. When the traveling group came,she befriended them in the few days they stayed. She tried to warn them of the snares,but was always interrupted or stopped before she could. Benny was later caught in a snare,and she helped to rescue him by preventing the enemy rabbits from stopping the group. Asks to be allowed to join the traveling group to their new home,as she doesn’t want to stay in such a dangerous place and is accepted in. Becomes really good friends especially with Daniela. Good at digging tunnels, that’s something she helps with at the new warren. I’m thinking that Pete can be one of those loner male rabbits that wasn’t really part of the warren,but still was around the territory. He’s a little bit of a troublemaker, will sneak in to steal some food from inside the territory, or something just to annoy everyone. Willing to trade some things he finds for good food. Friends with Sonny,Usnavi doesn’t like him(thinks he’s a bad influence). Has a good heart and very protective of those he cares about. Sees the group leaving, and after hearing why,decides to join them,much to Usnavi’s annoyance. One of the few to really believe Sonny,besides Usnavi and Abuela,at least at first. Very fast, instrumental in leading attacking crows away. Nina is the kit of Kevin and Camila. Very smart and hardworking,and it was thought that she could even be chief of the warren one day,but was snatched up by a hawk,and thought to be killed. Fortunately the hawk dropped her,and she landed in a bush. Was able to hide,and later found by a kind human who nursed her back to health. The human kept her as a pet rabbit in a hutch on their farm,protected from the cat by her cage. Was friends with Usnavi and Benny when she was younger, also would watch over Sonny when he was really little. Her farm happens to be nearby the down that the group comes too,and while passing by,Benny stops and looks at her, though not realizing it was her due to the distance. Would like to be free,but isn’t able to escape herself. Since they are looking for more members for the warren, a couple is sent to ask if she wants to join, made up of Kevin and Benny,both who are overjoyed to see her alive. They help her escape,though they barely escape the humans, who end up grazing Benny’s leg with a bullet. When they make it back to the down everyone is very happy to see her. Eventually falls in love with Benny,her father isn’t as opposed more like a mix of, “I just got you back why are you growing up so soon” and “Of all the bucks,you pick Benny!?” Gets captured by Efrafa while looking for herbs to help Benny’s wound. Vanessa is part of Efrafa,but not willingly. Wants to escape with others but the escape attempts always fail. She doesn’t give up hope however, and keeps trying, despite the punishment she and others receive. Meets Usnavi,Kevin,and Pete when they first meet up and are captured by Efrafa, and bonds with Usnavi especially. She helps them escape from the Efrafans,but cannot escape herself,to which Usnavi promises to her that they will come back to free her,and to not give up yet. She later meets Nina, who accidentally got captured while looking for certain herbs, and Benny,who has been sent as a double agent of sorts to “join” Efrafa. When they are able to,they make escape plans. Piragua Guy is the bird that the other rabbits meet who is injured. He’s much more friendly than Kehaar is in the story,and is very grateful to the rabbits for helping him. He’s a seagull from the docks a ways away,and talks a lot about some sort of food called “piragua” Apparently he nests near a human that makes piragua,and over time has given him little bits of left over ice and syrup, so he talks a lot about the different flavors.(I’m aware this would probably be bad for a real bird,but let’s pretend it isn’t bad in this world). I’m thinking maybe he’s named Eliseo? He helps with finding the Efrafan warren when the others are looking for more rabbits, and also helps them to escape by attacking their enemies. I’m thinking the one who could represent Blackavar would be Ruben from Do No Harm? He was raised in Efrafa but always resented it because of how they treated him and his family. He tries to escape only to be recaptured and his ears torn up a bit,then paraded around to be seen as an example. He joins later in the escape with Benny,Nina,Vanessa and any others who join. He’s a great tracker and a good friend to everyone, but is still traumatized from his time in Efrafa,something that his new friends try to help him through. El-ahrairah is represented by Hamilton. He’s the Prince of the rabbits, and the one who’s stories have been passed down from generation to generation. He still has those “Icarus” qualities, though he does everything for his family and people. They became too numerous, and he refused to control his people,so this led to the creation of the thousand enemies to the rabbits. But they were given the abilities to run and dig to escape and survive as a species.