#but like...making him a new guy COMPLETELY removes his impact

[zenjestrr]

every time I see TotK Ganon I mourn what we could've had

[wnderkoo]

🏎️ back to you | JKK

summary: in which a rainy day on track makes jungkook realise that there was someone else out there that cared about him

pairing: f1 driver!jungkook x reader

genre: fluff, mayhaps some angst??

author's note: hope you guys enjoy!! first post of 2025 ;) another a/n I COMPLETELY MESSED UP POSTING THIS???!! wrong title and forgot to add tags i might just retire atp

It only takes a split second for everything to change.

One moment you can be speeding down a straight at two hundred miles an hour, on track to set the fastest time of the grid, and the next you can be spinning out and crashing into the barriers.

Rainy days are always the worst for F1 drivers, when the roads are slick after a downpour and the tyres lose traction. Completely not ideal conditions for qualifying.

Jungkook had been struggling with his tyres all weekend, with issues arising during all the practice sessions. He had still managed to place in the top three each time, but not with many complaints to his race engineer over the radio.

The rain had given no warning before it started pouring down on the track, raindrops sliding across Jungkook's visor as he tried to manoeuvre through the new conditions.

It was bad enough that he was starting to slide on track, but nothing could have prepared him for the car impeding him up ahead.

It was necessary that cars on an out-lap, or cars that weren't trying to set a fast lap time, not be in the way of the cars that were.

Perhaps the car in front of him had slowed down because of the rain, abandoning their flying lap, or they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, but Jungkook had barely enough time to see him as he came speeding around the corner.

To avoid a collision, Jungkook swerves, but the lack of grip on the wet roads has him spinning out and crashing into the barriers. The impact isn't as harsh as it could've been, but Jungkook still feels the air getting knocked out of him. His race engineer is immediately in his earpiece asking if he's okay, and Jungkook only sighs before replying that he's fine.

The session is stopped for both the rain and removing Jungkook's mangled car from the track, and he's transported back to the garages by a safety car.

As he walks down the pit, he hears the commentators on one of the wall mounted TVs mentioning the lap times that had to be abandoned for the red flag. At the mention of a familiar last name, his heart wrenches.

Your brother had also been on a flying lap, and he had gone fastest in the first two sectors and was on track to setting the fastest time of the session when Jungkook had crashed. Jungkook hadn't been particularly affected, but realising he had ruined your brother's lap time made him feel worse.

After all, your brother was the reason you and Jungkook had met.

You had come to a few of the races this season to support your brother and had met his teammate. Your first impression of Jeon Jungkook, apart from being undeniably attractive, was that he was arrogant.

He had won two World Championships and was on podiums every weekend, he held himself to a high standard and drove like he had nothing to lose.

After your brother had moved to his team, their relationship had started off rocky. The two of them both wanted to win, and sometimes they fought each other too harshly on track and risked losing everything for the team.

The persona that Jungkook played into made you not like him much at first. He constantly pushed your brother to the limits and put both of them in dangerous positions. He was cocky and the articles about him that circulated every weekend didn't do much to help his image.

As the season went on, and they started putting the team before their pride, Jungkook and your brother became good friends, and now they had an incomparable synergy that led to massive points for the team every race.

It was only after the mid-year break that you started to see him in a new light. Your brother had invited him on your vacation for some team bonding, and the forced proximity had shown you that there was more to Jungkook than he let show.

He had taught you how to ski, being so patient and supportive, that you wondered why he would let others perceive him as the complete opposite.

That holiday had bloomed something unexpected, and although you liked to pretend like Jungkook didn't affect you, you both knew there was an undeniable chemistry between you.

Though, for all his douchebag moments, Jungkook knew to stay away from you. You were his teammate's sister after all. So the teasing and flirting never turned into anything more- no matter how much both of you secretly wished it would.

As Jungkook approaches the team garage, he hopes he doesn't see you. He can't bear to see your face after knowing he messed up the perfect chance for your brother to start at the front of the grid for tomorrow's race.

Since he had crashed towards the end of the session, your brother couldn't improve on his previous time, and was only 8th fastest at the conclusion of qualifying. While he would still have a good chance for the winning spot, it made it harder, and Jungkook could only blame himself, which meant you would too.

He sees you standing in one of the corners of the garage, looking up at the TV as a replay of the crash plays. He can just make out your furrowed eyebrows and your hands covering your mouth in shock as you watch Jungkook spin out and hit the barrier.

The next scene cuts to a replay of the radio message where your brother is forced to abandon his flying lap, your brother's disappointment and frustration ringing loud in Jungkook's ears.

As if sensing him, you turn around, meeting Jungkook's eyes straight away. He doesn't even have the chance to blink before you're rushing toward him, almost tripping over nothing as you speed across the garage.

Jungkook braces himself, expecting you to push or shove him while yelling at him, but instead you're crushing yourself against him and leaving him utterly confused.

His arms come up hesitantly and wrap around you and Jungkook soon realises the small tremors he frels are coming from you.

"__? What happened?"

When your head lifts off his racing suit, Jungkook takes in your teary eyes and his heart splinters.

"What happened?!" you mock, before sniffing loudly.

"One second you're on the track and the next your car is halfway into the barriers!"

Your fists grip the material of his suit tightly, as if you were trying to assure yourself that Jungkook was still in one piece, and Jungkook can't help but smile.

You cared about him.

You always acted indifferent towards him in public, rolling your eyes at every flirty comment and acting annoyed by his teasing. But underneath it all, you cared about Jungkook. Always wishing for his safety when he's out on track and celebrating every overtake. Though he may not know some of those things, he now knew you payed more attention to him than you let on.

And that was enough for him.

He brings your head against his chest once more, and hearing the thump of his heartbeat through the material of his clothes calms you down more than he could ever know.

"Those cars are built for a bomb, sweetheart,"

he whispers against your hair, holding you close.

"I'll always come back to you."

absolutely obsessed with f1 driver jungkook.

@lovingyou-lovee

[librarygarten]

I would not be able to shut up about Zelda lore. I'd be mentioning the Links the Chain hasn't met yet, or how Ganondorf's hair keeps getting longer with each iteration, and especially the timeline! I'd be turning to Legend and Four and saying that according to Nintendo, they're a bunch of Links conflated together (Four Swords before Time and Adventures after Twilight what???) and then turning to Warriors to say that his game isn't canon to the timeline. SEND HELP

Literally same. I swear I would be the most annoying person ever. I'd be telling them about all the fan theories, giving them all an existential crisis. (Because IMAGINE if Wind found out some people don't think he has the hero's spirit. Or if Sky found out some people think Demise's curse is the reason every other Link had to deal with Ganon.) This was going to be a short little blurb but... yeah you get a whole two pages. This is what you get for feeding my hyper fixation, anon.

“You know about all our adventures and the impact my actions specifically had on the timeline.” Time’s face was unreadable. His usually serious demeanor had a much colder edge to it. And it was directed at you.

You take a breath. He had been a bit stand-offish when you had joined the group. He had been upset when you spoke about how the chain’s adventures were games in your universe. You suspected he began outright avoiding you after that. You had thought there had been an unspoken but mutual understanding that his games were something not to be spoken of. Nothing could prepare you for this conversation, especially with the rest of the chain within earshot. Still, he had spoken to you. Directly to you. Which was progress, even if the subject matter was… this.

“Yeah.” You try to seem nonchalant. Your voice crack ruins the effect somewhat.

“Explain, then. Knowing how we,” Time motions to the rest of the group, “all fit together might help us face the creature we’ve been fighting.”

“Oh, that might get a bit complicated. Some of the games y’all appear in aren’t canon.” You smile nervously. “And some of you guys seem to be multiple games combined? Like, you have two games, and that makes sense because Majora’s Mask was meant to be a sequel to Ocarina of Time. But, for example, in the official timeline The Minish Cap and Four Swords take place before the timeline split, while Four Swords Adventures happens after it, even though all three games seem to be Four’s adventures.”

“Wait, what?” Four perked up at the mention of his name. “How does that make sense? I used the Four Sword about a year or so after my time with the Picori. How can those two games have things between them?”

“Hoooo boy.” You pressed your lips together, trying to summon the restraint necessary to give a tactful answer. You looked at Time, then Four, then at the rest of the chain, whose attention was focused solely on you. Screw it. They asked.

“The company that created the games, Nintendo, published a book with an official timeline in it. The timeline begins with Skyward Sword, after which Sky and his Zelda kind of found what will eventually become Hyrule and *ahem* start the royal family.” You ramble on, choosing not to comment on the way Sky chokes on his own spit. “Then, the Minish Cap happens. And according to Nintendo, the next game, Four Swords, has a completely different Link. After Four Swords, the events of Ocarina of Time happen, where a TON of time travel shenanigans happen.”

Time coughs. You keep talking.

“During Ocarina of Time, Time defeated Ganondorf as a teenager. His Zelda then sent him back in time to prevent Ganondorf from ever getting the Triforce in the first place, but this didn’t erase the other timeline. Thus, there are two timelines: Time’s original that he was removed from and the new one where Ganondorf was never really an issue.”

You get out a stick, drawing lines in the dirt to illustrate your point.

“Now, in the timeline that Time left, Ganondorf eventually came back. That’s what set’s up the events of Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass. Also in this timeline is a game called Spirit Tracks. The Link from that game isn’t here, but Wind’s Zelda’s granddaughter is that Link’s Zelda.”

“WAIT WHAT?” Wind shouted, temporarily snapping you out of your rant. Oh shoot. How long have you been rambling? You turned your attention to Wind.

“What’s up, sailor?” You point at him with the stick in your hand, as if you were a school teacher lecturing on a subject and not a gamer with way too much free time.

“Tetra had KIDS?” Wind scrunches his face up, as if disgusted by the thought of his best friend reproducing.

“Yes, that is how grandchildren work.” You tap your stick against the end of the line you had drawn. “Anyway, that’s about it for that timeline. As far as I know, Wind stabbing Ganondorf in the face actually killed the guy for once.”

“Wait, WIND is the one who actually finished off Ganon?” Legend pipes up.

“Why do you sound so surprised!?” Wind fires back indignantly.

“MOVING ON!” You shout, redirecting the group's attention back to you. “In the timeline Time went back to and fixed, he has another game, Majora’s Mask. He then settles down and has a kid, who has a kid, etc. etc., then we get Twilight and his game, Twilight Princess. Time is kind of a dickwad in that game, but we don’t have time to unpack that.”

“Hold on.” Time puts up a hand, trying to stop you from continuing. He looks… extremely worried. Twilight looks as if he just swallowed a frog.

“Nope, moving on!” You use your stick to quickly lower Time’s arm. “Twilight actually also killed Ganondorf, but the bastard went and got resurrected. Vaati also shows up again randomly, and that’s how Four Swords Adventures happens.”

“What about me and Legend?” Hyrule raises his hand politely.

“Ah, you guys are from a timeline where Time died in his final fight with Ganondorf.”

“I’M SORRY WHAT?” Twilight and Time shout at almost the same time.

“Yep. That’s what started the Sealing War. Time’s Zelda and the sages sealed Ganondorf away. Then we have Legend’s games, which have two different orders, both of which were published by Nintendo. It either goes A Link to the Past, Oracle of Seasons/Ages, then Link's Awakening, or Link’s Awakening, then Oracle of Seasons/Ages.”

“Why the different order? Doesn’t ‘Nintendo’ know?” Legend smirks, as if he had won against this strange other-worldly company that had reduced him to a child’s game.

“Well, they published the first version, but because Link’s Awakening was the last game for you, fans thought you died at sea.” You explain. Legend’s smirk disappears as the color drains from his face.

“Anyway, according to Nintendo, the next game is A Link Between Worlds, which is a different Link. After that, it’s Hyrule’s games: The Legend of Zelda and The Legend of Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link. Then that’s it for the downfall timeline.”

“What about me?” Wild sheepishly points to himself.

“Nobody knows. Nintendo says they’re after Four Swords Adventures OR Spirit Tracks. Personally, I think after FSA makes more sense, but we DEFINITELY shouldn’t get into theory territory right now.”

“I’m guessing my game is the same? No clear timeline placement because of all the different timelines mixing together?” Warriors rolls his eyes as he says it, as if annoyed he doesn’t have an official timeline placement.

“No, actually. Your entire game was more fanservice than anything. Nintendo doesn’t even consider it canon.”

“WHAT?”

^ Y/N explaining the timeline to the chain be like

[misslovasstuff]

Prompt: “Wanna go on an adventure?”

You say whilst wearing a sexy dress that’d leave any man drooling.

paired with: Sanji, Zoro and Ace.

warning: contains nsfw, minors are asked not to interact.

author’s note: the opening line for Ace is the smoothest thing I’ve ever written till now. If you guys want me to continue any of this, let me know.

Sanji:

“Goodness, - he eyes you up and down. - oh my oh my oh my…!”

The cook’s mouth drops as he covers it with his hand in complete disbelief.

“You’re such a merciless woman! - Sanji approaches slowly, caressing your arm with the back of his hand just to feel you and understand that what’s happening right now is certainly not a dream. - Don’t you know what you do to me when you wear clothes like these~

He grabs your bra strap on your shoulder and pulls it, hitting your skin, all whilst never shifting his gaze away from your eyes which were too shy to look back. A small moan escapes your mouth as you look at your man in a new light, since he’s never done this before.

“Sanji… - you call him breathily, as there is a passion in his eyes you recognised very well. - you’re being so…ahh…”

His hand caresses your back and stops low. You can’t tell what he’s doing until your dress begins to losen up.

He reveals the bow tie he had just removed, putting it in between your faces as he whispers: “you’ve wrapped yourself like a present for me, my lady. “

His left hand pulls you by the waist while the other brushes off some strands of hair out of your face, thus making your eyes meet: you realise how beautifully intense his gaze on you, as if he was looking at a dream come true.

His charms were too much to handle, making you gulp hard as you glance at his lips, so much so that Sanji might have heard it. His instincts are insane, he knows what you’re feeling and why every single time.

“I did put this on for you.” - Sanji averts his eyes for a moment, staring at your body with a smirk after your reply. The dress was revealing but still managed to leave space for imagination to fill. And, anybody who knows men, especially the ones like Sanji, know that this is all they want to get that fire going.

He grabs your chin gently and kisses your cheek. You surely know because of Sanji about those kisses where the impact of his lips is like a signature on your skin and you just feel it as if he was kissing your soul, you absorb it with every fiber of your being.

“Right, you wanted to go on an adventure? - he smirks before kissing your face again and again in such an agonising small pace, letting you wanting more, so much more.. - You might take me on one, under one condition.”

You raise an eyebrow and grin:

“Oh really, you’re putting conditions now, huh?” - you say, playing with his hair as your arms rest on his shoulders. - What is it that my prince wants?”

“Well, adventures are dangerous so, - Sanji begins to kiss you on the lips soflty, as he speaks in between, - might have to keep you very close to me. - his lips move down your neck, fingers brushing off skin before he kisses and sucks there. Slight moans are already being heard from you. - not to mention all the excitement…

You’re completely pulled in by him. Not only physically, but your entire being deviates towards his body, like a moth to a burning flame.

“I’ll take… responsibility for it all…” - your breath begins to shorten as you drown your face in the nape of his neck, taking in his fragrance like it was a life-saving drug.

“You’re gonna take care of me, huh? Alright then, the most important thing is, - suddenly he goes down in one knee, grabbing your leg and placing your foot to rest on his thigh while he caresses the inner part of yours. - you gotta let me undress you bit by bit, on my own, throughly.”

You smirk, raising your dress just a bit higher to reveal more to his bare eye. That’s see how long it’s gonna take until this dress finds itself on the floor.

“Deal. All yours.”

Zoro:

“Oh, look at that. Someone’s been feeding her imagination lately.” - Zoro is sat on a chair, looking like he had just finished a glass of booze.

“Only mine?” - you close the door behind you, staying firm in front of him.

Zoro’s eyes adventure in your body before he spins his index finger as to signal you to turn around 360 degrees for him.

So you do.

If only there was a way do describe the way his eyes stared you down, as if he was consuming you only with his gaze. After taking a last sip out of his glass, he puts it away, licking his lips.

“Come here.” - he demands by patting his lap for you to sit.

You compose yourself on his thigh, the rest of your legs resting on his other whilst your long and tender arms wrap themselves around his neck.

Zoro scans your face with a smirk that hides so many nasty thoughts which only occurred when he was with you like this.

“Tell me about that adventure you were talking about.” - he claims with a low and deep voice, brushing your chin with his thumb.

Perhaps it was the booze or perhaps it was you who had gotten the swordsman a bit tipsy.

Zoro pushes your hair away from your shoulders, planting gentle but rooted kisses there.

“Tell you or show you? - you reply back, running your fingers through his hair and then brushing off the back of his neck.

“I’m a visual learner.”

With the cue, you caress his lower lip, leaning in and then facing away, teasing him.

A smirk from you doesn’t go unnoticed by your man, which he mirrors and shakes his head to.

“You know, it doesn’t make sense for you to play hard to get after coming to me dressed like this.” - he claims, biting his lip as his eyes glance at your body.

Zoro raises an eyebrow, at your next remark.

“Sorry, i keep getting distracted.”

You like the expression on his face. There’s frustration but love, eagerness but also resistance. Normally you wouldn’t continue teasing him like this but you know he likes it.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep you focused for some time.”

It’s not long till he grabs your cheeks with one hand while the other caresses your thigh and pushes you closer so your lips meet passionately. His tongue dominates yours and he kisses like he was sucking the soul out of your body. The taste of alcohol on his mouth, his heavy breathing and those subtle but harsh touches were making you go insane.

His hand travels down to your upper part of the dress, lowering it with one pull thus revealing your bare chest. He gazes upon it before grabbing it with a hand, squeezing those boobs together before devouring them in his mouth.

Seeing you dressed like this, although not admitting it, must have turned him on like crazy. Your moans only add to his excitement as you push your head back, breathily calling his name.

“Zoro…- you clench your hand to his shirt, keeping yourself balanced.

“Ima bout to take you to the best adventure you’ve had in your life.”

This said, his hands take a strong grip on your waist, grabbing it good before picking you up and making you sit on the table, parting your legs and looking intensely at your eyes.

Zoro pulls you in by grabbing your legs, touching his forehead with yours as he whispers:

“Damnit, you’re so sexy right now I’m barely holding myself together.”

Ace:

“Dressed like that, the only adventure you’ll take me is inside you.”

You get all flustered as he scans you from head to toe, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed.

“Not to mention, now I feel underdressed.” - he claims chuckling, as he pushes his body forward to approach you. Ace looks down on you, seeing your body from a perspective he didn’t imagine before. The way your dressed fit with your curves and just the fact that you looked so hot in it made his body go all ‘code red’ whilst standing in close proximity, but not putting any hands on you yet.

“Well, it won’t matter anyways, - you reply, making the first move by caressing his chest. - you’ll get it off me faster than I put it on.”

“I see you came with clear expectations. - he replies, touching the hand you were caressing his chest with and lending a kiss to the palm. - what can I do for you, beautiful? You want an adventure?”

Your expression softens, as small romantic gestures that he did always left you in awe. But you’re no fool because it is known very welll by both of you what happens soon after and how that softness turns into grabbing the bed sheets.

“Kiss me, please.” - your voice sounds desperate which makes Ace grin.

“So needy today ~

His lips are inviting yours in a way that’s never happened before. He presses them delicately at first only to go absolutely feral after. Feels so perfect that even his head movements are in sync with yours, like dancing a fierce tango. He’s too eager, too hungry and too demanding. You’d swear you felt his tongue going down your throat as his hands are placed so well at your lower back, sliding down slowly.

“Ace… - you moan after finally catching your breath. Meanwhile, this man can’t stand without doing something that drives you crazy and you loved him for that.

He manages to get his hands under your dress, squeezing your ass like it was the only thing he wanted to hold on in this life. Ace comes back with more passionate kisses and touches second after second, making you unable to think, thus you just surrender to him completely.

“Dressed all pretty for me, - he says, pushing you a bit backwards, pinning you against the nearest wall. - you deserve a good reward, don’t ya?”

As your back hits the wall, Ace wastes no time in grabbing your legs and pushing them up to his waist. The dress no matter how sexy, still prevented him from feasting his eyes at you. A smirk appears on your eyes whilst biting your lip as you hang onto him shoulders.

He starts unzipping the front of your dress, turned on even more by looking at your expression filled of burning lust, showing unconsciously how much you wanted him.

“Let’s do some adventuring, shall we?”

[starlightsigner]

Iced Avocado AU

coffee shop/alternate ending to Sonic 3 (movie spoilers) Shadow will find Sonic coffee in every universe <3

Two years after the end of movie 3 Shadow comes to Green Hills to fulfill Eggman's dying wish, deliver a message to Stone, who took up running the Mean Bean again

With no real plan or place to go after the message is delivered, Stone adopts offers Shadow a place and a job until he decides what he'd like to do next with his life

Taking him up on his offer, Shadow becomes Green Hills' newest barista

News travels fast in a small town and it doesn't take long for the Wachowski's to hear about who just moved into town

At first Sonic is just glad to know Shadow is alive, but he knows they could be friends if Shadow could just learn to chill and act his age -50 years

Shadow just knows that Maria loved life. She talked about the good in people and the joy of living. He hadn't seen much of it yet, and he didn't think he was going to see much of it in this small town, but his stay is just temporary. It doesn't matter that the people here aren't afraid of him, that the doctor's lovesick assistant treats him well, or that he's free to come and go and just BE as he pleases. He'll be gone sooner rather than later

If anything Shadow is starting to think that the longer he stays in Green Hills the worse off he may be. He thought Sonic's dad had forgiven him for the mistaken identity thing, but the more he hangs around the Wachowski home he cant help but feel his spines stand on end a bit when it's just the two of them. Not only that, but he's beginning to think this fresh mountain air is having negative side effects on him, why else would his heart start skipping beats whenever he sees streaks of blue?

Prologue

As the reactor core rapidly destabilizes Eggman knows he's out of time to tell the one person in the world who ever cared about him what his companionship meant to him, but as he prepares to go live he realizes the signal is to scrambled to even send out an audio file

Refusing to let his last words go unheard, he gives the file to Shadow, mumbling about how as improbable Shadow's survival would be he's come to realize how annoyingly resilient hedgehogs seem to be

After watching the Eclipse Cannon explode out of range of Earth's atmosphere, Stone sits in the streets of London, looking at another situation that no person could possibly survive. The last time he knew for sure the doctor would come back, this time he refused to acknowledge the part of himself that wasn't so sure.

What he did know for certain is that even though he'd been fired, he hadn't been cloned yet, and as long as he was Doctor Robotnik's assistant he would be sure that there would be an evil lair and a latte waiting for him when he returned

Meanwhile in an unknown corner of the world, Shadow pulls himself out of an impact crater, taking a moment to finally breathe before tracking down a man he barley knows on a planet that even 50 years later he knows even less

Two years later Stone's life is the closest to normal its been since before he joined Gun. Not everyone trusts him and most people still call him the 'weird bean guy' but that doesn't stop any of them from coming in daily or making the Mean Bean the top rated coffee shop on Yelp this side of Montana. It's only a matter of time before Cuppa Heaven falls to the Mean Bean's superiority, then the whole state will be his

While cleaning behind the counter after closing the locked front door rattles as someone tries to force it open. Stone calls out that they're closed and they can come back in the morning (he's got a date with a telenovela). The rattling stops and he goes back to cleaning his equipment

The cup that he was holding falls to the ground with a clang that's completely drowned out by Stone's shriek as a hooded figure teleports beside him

Before Stone can react Shadow removes his hood, complaining about how long his ears will be hurting from that

At first Stone is excited, if Shadow survived then surely the doctor could have as well! Finally a sign that he could be alright

But alas, not everyone can come back like in a soap opera

After receiving the doctor’s message Stone walks over to a table and pulls out a chair, absentmindedly also pulling one out for his guest

He starts musing about how the Mean Bean is where he set up operations to wait for the doctor to return after his last ‘hedgehog induced sabbatical’ so it felt fitting for him to come back here to wait out this one

Shadow asks what he means by wait it out, the doctor is dead. Stone just chuckles and slowly shakes his head, telling Shadow he'd be surprised to hear all of the impossible things the doctor had lived through, this was just the latest

Shadow eventually takes the empty chair next to Stone. He knows that the doctor is dead, he’s sure that Stone knows this even if he wont admit it, but he also can’t help but envy him. The doctor didn’t die right in front of him, he didn’t see the body. Even if the odds are a million to one, there’s a single drop of hope in an ocean of despair, and Stone has refused to let it be swallowed by the sea. As long as there’s a chance of ‘what if’

After a time Stone thanks Shadow for bringing the message to him and gets up to make him a latte as thanks, Shadow lets him know he'd prefer it black

As he works on the coffee he asks Shadow what he's been up to the past two years, about all it boiled down to was him looking for Stone. With no leads, little knowledge about Earth, and a need to stay out of sight, things went far slower then he was happy with

Well, what are you gona do now?

What indeed. Eventually Shadow looks down at his hands and admits that he doesn’t know. He had been so driven by revenge and then by the need to fulfill Eggman's last request (almost as if it were the start of some sort of penitence) that he never really took the time to figure that out. Without a goal, he’s found himself bereft of purpose

Stone stops to take a good look at the lost kid sitting across from him, maybe the doctor had sent him more than just a message

He offers Shadow a job at the Mean Bean, saying that Green Hills is a nice enough town and that while he’s more than able to run the place on his own it can get busy, humble brag but he had the best Yelp reviews for miles for a reason. + maybe a delivery service is what he needs to get the edge over Cuppa Heaven

He tells Shadow that he can think on it if he wants and he's free to hang around until he makes up his mind

Shadow scoffs at him, he's been fine on his own he doesn't need anyone's pity

Stone hands over the coffee before picking up the forgotten cup on the floor, cleaning it again. He tells shadow it's not pity, just an offer from one former coworker to another. A temporary arrangement that could benefit them both while Shadow takes whatever time he needs to decide what his next step will be

Shadow stares into his coffee for a time, Stone cant tell if he's looking for life's answers or if it owes him money

Eventually Shadow drinks and looks to Stone with conviction, agreeing to his proposal. He vows to do his best to serve this place that is to be his temporary home and master the ‘art of the mean bean’

Stone laughs at how serious he is as he puts everything away. He says that they’re gona have to work on getting Shadow to loosen up a bit if he’s gona serve customers

Shadow tenses at that. Asking Stone what he means, surely he can’t suggest that Shadow will be interacting with humans

Stone points out that that’s kind of a big part of being a barista, is that a problem?

Looking to the side trying not to appear apprehensive (boy needs acting lessons), Shadow brings up the fact that he’s very clearly a 'dangerous alien' won’t the people be frightened of him?

It clicks for Stone what he means and he smiles, walking over to Shadow and placing a hand on his shoulder, motioning with his head for him to follow

He tells Shadow not to worry about that, Green Hills is the one place on Earth where a new alien hedgehog will only be the talk of the town for a week or so before the next farmers market drama takes over as peak gossip

After a beat Shadow registers exactly what Stone just said “wait, what do you mean a NEW alien hedgehog?!”

Grinning as he walks away, Stone activates the Mean Bean’s ‘back room’ walking forward while saying that they’ll do a quick tour of the lair and get Shadow settled in

Stone thinks to himself that instead of ending the day with eating his feelings away with a tub of ice cream while watching soap operas, it might be nicer to watch Gabriella's long lost niece backstab (possibly literally if the preview was right) Juan with a new friend. He should make guac. Celebration guac.

Staring

Shadow, the ultimate barista

(no first name given) Stone, a man who is unprepared to be a single father to a Hot Topic wannabe

Sonic, guy who's cool until he starts trying to flirt (or the guy who would be on every sports team if he went to school)

Miles 'Tails' Prower, the youngest fox to illegally attend MIT online

Knuckles, volunteer youth camp counselor

Tom Wachowski, promised he wasn't going to intimidate his son's new boyfriend (he lied, but he's only about 40% successful anyway)

Maddie Wachowski, mom of the year 5 years running

[moonlightazriel]

Mask Off /// Ghostface!Azriel X F!Reader

Summary: "can i please request one where azriel is ghostface and he terrorizes bad people, and he has a rival ghostface who interrupts his missions/steal his targets and it pisses him off so he plans to kill the rival, he has the ghostface pinned and takes the mask off, plotwist it’s his mate who is just as confused as him."

Warnings: Mentions of murder and blood.

Word Count: 2,2K

Notes: I'm completely obsessed with Scream for a really long time, so this request was so fun to do. Also, thank you @fieldofdaisiies for this amazing little Moodboard for this fic. Happy Halloween guys!

Main Masterlist

The lights flickered, and the sound of his boots against the wet floor contributed to the eerie atmosphere, the slight splash of water whenever he stepped on a puddle. Azriel felt his blood run hotter as anger spread throughout his being, pinned against a wall, throat slit open, was his target, a well-known rapist, the male he was supposed to kill tonight. 

On the wall behind him, written with the man’s blood:

“Too late, Mr.Ghostface! Maybe next time..” 

Consumed by rage, Azriel let his fist connect with the corpse’s face, the impact breaking the nose, but he wouldn’t mind, would he? 

He walked away, removing his mask and the cloak, revealing equally black pants and a t-shirt. He shoved everything inside his backpack and walked to where he had his motorcycle parked. He sat on top of it, mind still rushing with anger as yet another target was getting killed before he had the chance to do the job. 

Azriel knew that he was wrong on a certain level, but Velaris needed him, needed this. He was paid by someone named R to get rid of the bad people in the city, corrupt politicians, rapists, murderers, drug dealers, and all the scum that composed the underworld of Velaris. 

It was Cassian, his ex-military best friend who had suggested this to him, R paid well, and he was unemployed for a whole year, depending solely on the income from his wonderful mate, Y/N was the sweetest woman alive, she always helped him a and she was the light of his life. 

But her work in an office was barely enough for her to finish her college degree and for them to get going, with the Increasing of their rent, and everything else. He had to watch her work hard while his applications were denied, one after the other. So in a desperate measure, he accepted. And as much as he hated it and hated to lie to her even more, he was happy to be helping and keeping her safe from people who would harm her. 

At least like that, soon enough he would have enough for her to drop that awful job of hers, her boss would hit on her and make her life hell whenever she denied him, Azriel had to contain himself many times, how he wanted to get rid of him, for even thinking about laying a finger on his mate. 

He headed home, where Y/N was resting, trying to forget about his rival that was trying really hard to get him pissed. About two months ago he started to get where his targets were supposed to be, just to find them killed, dripping in blood and with their throats open. Pretty much like he did whenever he got to actually finish it. He was trying really hard to find who this was, cuz not finishing a job meant not getting paid. 

He slowly climbed into bed, his warm mate turning to his side, hugging him, kissing his arm in her sleep, her fresh scent as she had just walked out of the shower, relaxed him enough to fall asleep fast. The tiredness of the day weighed on him. 

⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆

“What about your trip?” Azriel asked, shoving a handful of cereals in his mouth as he watched Y/N sip on a cup of tea, her working clothes doing wonders to her body, he watched her up and down, stopping at her blushing cheeks, this woman would be the death of him. 

“He got a new secretary, I pity her, but at least he left me alone and I don’t have to travel with him anymore.” She said with a relaxed smile and he nodded. 

“Good, I hated when he took my mate away.” Which, to be fair, was quite often, not long trips, but often enough to annoy Azriel. 

“Not anymore, love.” She said, finishing her tea, and rushing to kiss him, before getting her keys and leaving for work. 

His phone buzzed on the countertop, a message from R telling him that his next target was chosen and he should be found at a party in two days. 

⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆

Y/N tapped her nails against the desk, feeling the anger creep up in the form of a cold shiver in her spine. Her boss was particularly annoying today, she closed her eyes. The image of the lifeless body, his blood warm on her made her squeeze the mouse between her left hand. She killed criminals, not really annoying men who didn’t know their places. Her phone buzzed. 

“The black party. In two days. Y. Slater.” It was all that said, she sighed. The money was good, another rich person trying to get rid of their enemies, it didn’t hurt that each one of her targets were bad people, someone who had done terrible things to others for their own gain. 

She had never killed before this, but as she saw the innocent hiring proposal for a bodyguard, and the really good amount of money they promised, she applied. She had a very vast knowledge of martial arts, and she could easily get rid of someone, so when the handsome male said what he really wanted, she agreed. The chance of a better life for her and her mate was beyond her morals. 

Not having to struggle with rent, college debt, and everything else. The thought of not living in that crappy place anymore, not needing to count every penny at the end of the month, and wanting to take him out and shower him with gifts made all the wrong things about the job useless. 

So she took a deep breath, deleted the message, and went about with her day, mind focusing on the amount of money she would have if she kept saving it. The only difficult part was to explain this to Azriel. 

⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆

Everyone wore black, and the masks also were present, so no one minded the masked figure lurking in every corner. Azriel kept a close eye on his target, the man was surrounded by people and a half-naked woman squirming on his lap. 

From the corner of his eyes, another hooded figure caught his attention, same clothes and the same mask, but significantly smaller. Azriel narrowed his eyes, looking like his second target arrived just in time. 

The party went on, and the other Ghostface remained rooted in place just like him, it didn’t seem like they saw him, which was good for him. The woman still squirming in the male's lap whispered something in his ear, he nodded eagerly and they got up, heading for a more secluded place in the luxurious nightclub. 

Y/N had spotted her rival as soon as she arrived, but her target was the main focus, annoying them was just a bonus. Rhys would send her on missions in another city, which led her to pretend to travel a lot for work, but as her targets got killed and Velaris was on a growing spree of bad people, he moved her here. 

She was always a step ahead of the other one, and this made her proud. She would linger a little longer sometimes, just to see them burning with rage, then she would rush home and pretend to be asleep, always the nice, dutiful mate. 

The woman who escorted the target yelled something about getting more champagne and left the room. As she passed by Y/N, the latter tapped her shoulder and warned. 

“Don’t come back.” She placed her indicator finger in the mask's mouth and the woman swallowed dryly, a shiver down her spine. She nodded, rushing away from the scene.

The room was big, a bed was placed in the center and mirrors filled the ceiling. Rich people really liked to show off. The door to the bathroom swung open and the male stepped out again, heading for the bed. Azriel opened the door, and the male jumped in his seat. 

“I think you have the wrong room dude.” Azriel walked closer in silence, blade in hand, shining in the dim light, the male’s breath got stuck in his throat and a tickle of sweat ran down his forehead. “Is it money that you want?” Azriel shook his head in denial. “I can pay whatever your price is, just leave me alone.” The male tried to get up but Azriel rushed, his knife sunk in the pale skin as the man tried to dodge. “WHAT THE HELL?” 

Azriel turned around, and the other Ghostface dared to show up, closing the door, only one of them would get out of this room, and most certainly would be him. He removed his knife, stabbing the man three more times before he turned to the other one, the male fell to the floor in a puddle of blood and agony, whining like a pig as he tried to crawl away from them. 

He launched for them, his big body overpowering their smaller one, they were sent with their back to the door, the air getting knocked out of their lungs, Azriel threw a punch, hitting the wooden door as they spun, getting out of the way, the other one kicked his stomach, making him curl as they darted towards him, circulating him and jumping on their back. 

The small arms wrapped around his neck as they tried to knock him out, the man kept crawling and agonizing towards the bathroom, his cries annoying both of the killers. Azriel stumbled backward, knocking them on the wall two times before they let go of him, he turned to them, punching them in the nose, this made Y/N dizzy and she used her knife, making an ugly slash across his forearm. Azriel hissed in pain and anger and his hands grabbed the small and very soft waist, tackling the other one to the ground. 

He sat on their stomach, pinning their hands to the ground with his right hand while the other one reached for the mask. A million scenarios passed through his mind, but in neither of them, the face of his mate would be bleeding behind that damned mask. 

Azriel didn’t say a thing, just watching the blood drip from her nose. From the punch he had given her. Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion as he didn’t fulfil his plans, instead, he reached for his own mask, her eyes widened as his flushed face was revealed to her. 

“Well, this is new.” She said, and it felt like he was awake from a trance, blinking, he took a deep breath. 

“I must say, I wasn’t expecting this.” He retorted, feeling the urge to laugh at the whole situation, while he was sneaking out to do his job, she was doing the very same. “Out of all people, I’d never thought it was you. Maybe Cassian or someone else.” 

“Cassian is in this too?” She asked in disbelief. 

“He introduced me to this.” He winked. “But you? Never you.”

“I’m not as sweet and innocent as you think, handsome.” She giggled and Azriel leaned in, kissing her forehead. 

“I see that sweetheart.” She scrunched her face in pain. 

“Can you get up? My head is pounding.” He quickly got up, pulling her with him, more blood dripping from her nose. 

“I’m so sorry, love.” He apologized. 

“It’s okay, we should probably see your arm, it’s pretty bad.” Azriel brushed her off. The male kept crying, trying to close the bathroom door. 

“Do you want to team up instead?” She asked, knife in hand as she walked towards the bathroom, Azriel watched as she stepped on top of the man, grabbing a handful of hair, pulling his head backwards as she lowered and slashed his throat, blood splashing on the white floor. “I was planning on actually killing you but I’m glad it’s you Azzie.” She winked and Azriel laughed at the similarities. 

“That’s funny, I was planning on killing you too, I’m glad I didn't do it, baby.” He pulled her closer. “We’re teaming up for sure, but only if you tell me how you tricked me last week.” He said, pulling her with him as they weren’t leaving a crime scene but rather a nice restaurant. 

“Of course love, if you show me how you tackled me down to the ground.” She turned to him, winking. “It was kinda hot.��� 

Azriel laughed, they both got their masks back and he led the way back to his motorcycle. As they removed their clothes and masks he looked at her. 

“How did you get here?” He inquired. 

“Nah, got an Uber, rather easy to leave a crime scene like this.” She said with a laugh, looking at the mask in her hands before shoving it inside his backpack. “Do you think R would mind us using the uniform in bed?”

“What?” He asked, climbing the bike, she got up behind him, leaning closer to his ear. 

“You look so good in that mask, it would be such a waste not to use it, Mr.Ghostface.” She purred in his ear and he shivered, smirking as she got his helmet on her head, starting to drive home. 

“You’re such a temptation.” He barked and she giggled.

“Only for you, handsome.”

[another-goblin]

Random thoughts on Sunday and new Tingyun

Now that they officially teased playable Sunday, I'm worried about something. The game tends to introduce important things about characters to then completely disregard them (I think Blade is the biggest victim of this; I might make a post about it. I mean, currently he's just like a grumpy but harmless socially awkward uncle. He might have been a bit mean to our friend, but it's all in the past, right? Nothing bad worthy of addressing. Not like he was teased as a cosmic-level threat, a spirit of vengeance fueled by pain and madness who subjected DH to decades, if not centuries, of exquisit torture and killed thousands of innocent people).

So Sunday is basically a typical "morally-grey" vilian, doing a very bad thing "for greater good." And let's not forget what he did to Aventurine. He prodded into his past, knowing that it's a very painful topic to him, with no reason basically, just to show that he has an upper hand. And then just doomed him to 17 hours of absolute torture and inavitable death in the end, knowing full well that he isn't responsible for Robin's "death." Again, vilian behavior.

How is the game going to deal with it? My prediction - by completely ignoring it. He's going to be just a normal chill guy who just loves his sister. The story will handwave everything he did off as his mentor's fault or something. I really hope I'm wrong. A character being forced to face and process the bad things they did and achieve character development through it would be a first for this game. But just wait and see them completely neuter one of their most interesting, complex, and morally-grey characters.

BTW, they really have a tendency to remove responsibility from characters. 

Whatever Blade did, it's not his fault because he was driven crazy by mara and Jingliu's torture. But it's not her fault because she was driven crazy by mara and whatever Yingxing and Dan Feng did to Baiheng. But it's not their fault either, because although they kind of still exist enough to create some kind of connection with these past events, it's not enough to bear any responsibility for what their past selves did. A lot of very bad things happened, but nothing is anybody's fault, how convenient. Similarly, what Cocolia did isn't her fault because she was controlled by stellaron. I hope they won't do something like that to Sunday.

Speaking of new characters, not gonna lie, I'm very excited to see new Tingyun (also glad to see a new version of a non-Astral Express character).

I hope she's not some messed-up zombie reanimated by Ruan Mei, but our good old actual Tingyun. But her return to Luofu is going to be awkward. I mean, we had a whole sad little event, everybody saying their heartfelt goodbye to her and stuff, giving her postimous gifts. A bit impolite of her to return alive now. 

But that finally puts an end to the idea that there are stakes and that playable characters can die. After so many fakeouts, it loses its impact; even if they actually kill a character for good one day, nobody will believe it. My prediction: next they'll find a way to make Misha and Gallagher "real boys."

btw isn't it weird how they make very similar characters sometimes? First we have two 5-star young barefoot girls, who are physical destruction and have very similar mechanics. Now two 5-star fire nihility foxians with pink tails.

[klbwriting]

Broken Prism

Chapter 24

Fandom: Red Hood

Pairing: Jason Todd x f!reader

Warnings: descriptions of mutilation, slight torture, body horror

Summary: the Batfamily interrogates their prisoner and he leads them to a horrifying sight and you are done with everything, including Jason

Dick and Bruce strung the Professor Pyg knock off in a corner room off the garage on a chain, facing the wall so he couldn’t identify where he was at. They were going to take him to the GCPD but wanted to ask their own questions first, so they used the chain from the ceiling and secured his hands, searching him using a kind of x-ray gun based on Superman’s powers. He had a tracking device installed in his bicep, so Tim shorted it out using a less than kind electric shock. The man didn’t react. They tried to pull off the mask, but it didn’t move, it was sewn into his skin. Jason couldn’t lie, that was smart but gross. The bag Pyg had been carrying sat on a lab table near by being investigated by Dick and YN. The hearts of those at the bar were inside.

“Are you part of the group that has been committing the murders around the city aimed at Red Hood?” Batman asked. The man nodded. “Tell us everything you know, or this experience will be less pleasant than it already is.” There came a laugh from under the mask.

“I do not care about unpleasantness Bruce Wayne,” he said. The air seemed to go out of the room. Even though everyone was aware that this group knew who they were to hear one speak the name of Batman out loud was still a shock. It still made them freeze and look around, wondering who had let the secret out, whose fault it was that they were now targets, not their alter egos. “You may all remove your masks; we know all of you.”

“And who is we?” Batman asked, keeping his cowl in place. Pyg let out another laugh. This whole situation was apparently hilarious to the creature. Batman balled his fist and threw it, hitting him in the face. The mask sustained more damage, a tear showing just a hint of pallid skin beneath it. Other that a sharp exhale at the impact of the punch there was no other indication something happened. No grunt of pain, no increase of heartrate on Tim’s monitors, nothing. It was like he didn’t feel it.

“We are those who want to see how far we can push the Hood, we knew he was from the Wayne family, but we were very surprised to see that he was the long thought dead Jason Todd. What kind of man comes back from the dead? What does that do to the mind? The Doctor is very interested in what will make him break, especially now that his quest for the blood of his killer is complete. What else matters now? The children he wants to spare? The old friends he used to have before death? The new brother from after his return? Perhaps his new fiancé? Will see be the final piece to destroy him? The doctor is not so sure. He wants to talk to the Red Hood, really understand how he ticks,” the voice behind the mask said. Batman frowned.

“Where is this doctor? I’ll pay him a visit,” Jason said, getting tired of this guy’s attitude. He hated this dramatic monologue bullshit. The Pyg looked at him. “He wants to chat tell me where he is.”

“O you will not find him, he will find you when he wants. You cannot even enter his office only we few have the privilege. And he is always watching,” he said. Jason nodded and aimed a gun at the Pyg’s head.

“Always watching? Think whatever camera he’s watching from will work with a bullet in there?” he asked, snarling. Batman shot him a look.

“Red Hood, we’re not done with him,” he said. Jason snarled but put the gun away, turning to pace. He was starting to feel caged, the pit rage burning through his veins, dying to be released. He could feel himself starting to lose control. His eyes found YN like they always did in these situations, and she looked back at him. He watched her, seeing her slow her breathing, his matching it. He was burning still but it had dulled just a little at the sight of her face. It was enough for him to keep control of himself for now.

“He does have a transmitter in the mask, but if I short it out the shock will kill him,” Tim said, still looking at his tablet. Jason shrugged.

“Seems like a win-win to me,” he grumbled. Batman once again gave him a disapproving look, but Jason didn’t care. He was too angry to worry about Bruce’s moral code at the moment. When he got his hands on these guys they were dead, all of them.

“All this time this is taking, such a waste,” Pyg said. “I already decided to dieeeeeee,” he sang out, now swinging on the chain that held him up. “It’s slow and it’s burning me from the inside out, but it’s giving us time.”

“Time for what?” Dick asked, looking up from cataloging the heart evidence.

“The Wayne family isn’t the only family involved. There is also YN and her little family, the one she left alone and so very vulnerable. Do you think they need you now? Those you called your sisters?” Pyg asked. YN’s face paled. There was a laugh from behind the mask that started to sound like gurgling, then the Pyg fell silent.

“He’s dead,” Tim said. He started trying to track a feed location from the camera and dug the tracker out his bicep. “I’m going to fix this, see if I can get the last location from this too.”

“I need to go see if Jocelyn and Aura are alright,” YN said, face pale. She ran out of the room, getting into the McLaren and leaving before even Jason could catch up. He hopped on his bike and followed.

You ran up the stairs, the elevator seeming too slow. You approached the door and your breath hitched, seeing the door cracked just a little. It opened to a horror scene and everything in your world seemed to stop. There was a buzzing in your ear, your eyes couldn’t focus. Blood was everywhere. Jocelyn lay on the couch, reclined like she was watching TV, hand even holding the remote. Only the skin of her face was missing, her chest ripped open, a gaping hole where her heart should have been. Aura was at the table, bowl in front of her, both hearts in it. Her face was also missing. You smelled something burning but couldn’t get your mind to think process anything beyond the sight of your best friends, dead and posed like dolls in some sick playhouse. You weren’t sure when you fell to your knees, you didn’t feel the pain of them hitting linoleum. You didn’t even know when Jason got there, his arms suddenly around you as he tried to pull you back out the door. You let out a cry as he yanked you out, gripping you close as everything finally slammed into you. The buzzing had been the beeping of the smoke alarm from the burning faces on the stove. The smell the melting flesh of your friends’ identities stolen from them. The floor had a message in their blood.

We will take everything from you Red Hood

You looked at yourself, seeing blood on your clothes from you kneeling in it. You let out a cry of horror. You didn’t care when the blood on you was from yourself, but this was your best friends, your sisters. Jason hugged you again, whispering anything in your ear to try and calm you. After several minutes you finally were able to gain some control of yourself, just in time for the GCPD to arrive.

“YN,” Jim said softly, looking at you as his investigators entered the apartment. You stared at him, still not sure if everything that was happening was real or not. “YN, let’s go downstairs.” You nodded slowly and followed him, your brain moving quickly as you started to think of a plan that Jason would hate but considering they wanted to break him it might be the only way to find these monsters.

Jason had been quiet driving you back to the cave. He had said he would get his bike later, now he just wanted you safe. You stared straight ahead, mind empty of everything but the sight of Jocelyn and Aura, mutilated and humiliated in their deaths in a way that would never leave you. You could never imagine closing your eyes again without seeing that destruction. You wondered when you would stop smelling their blood mixed with the burning flesh on the stove. You needed a shower, but there would be time for that later. You needed to end this.

Dick was there to help you out of the car when you were back in the garage. You heard Jason get out and he took of his helmet. You rounded on him, fury in your eyes.

“THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!” you screamed, eyes blazing. Jason stood, shocked, staring at you, first confused, then hurt. “They were innocent, and you let them…they tortured them Jason all because you had to go after Joker!” You walked over, fist balling, until you were close enough to throw it at his face. He reeled from the unexpected impact.

“YN…I didn’t mean for this to happen…” he said, trying to scramble, think of anything to make you stop. You knew this would kill him, but you needed to do this.

“You didn’t mean for it to happen? Or course not Jason, you never do anything, everything just happens to you. You don’t mean for me to get kidnapped by Black Mask and drown, you just stupidly showed up at my door, leading them to me! And Poison Ivy? If you had just, I don’t know, pulled a fire alarm when you got to the lounge instead of having to find me like an idiot, more people would have lived! You are the reason these things happen, and I was so stupid to think that I could help you, that maybe if I sat by long enough and let you see the messes you made you would finally realize that everything was better without you. I’d rather never see a single color again than have you in my life,” you said, taking off the ring and throwing it at him. He caught it and stared after you as you ran over to Tim, hugging him, hammering the last painful nail into the coffin. Let Jason see that he was being replaced again. Tim kept his arm around you and walked away, dropping the Pyg mask he had been carrying that had just watched everything unfold. Watched as you imploded Jason’s world and your own.

[klarriel]

Nimrod

Chapter 12 / 27 - Winter Time

“D’you really think today would be better without you? Like shit it would. It certainly wouldn’t be for me.”

Cas smiles and nods, one small tear finally escaping before he can wipe it away with the sleeve of his jumper. Dean takes that as a sign, removing his hand and letting it sit at his side.

When Cas looks back at him, there’s a crack in the wall behind his eyes.

“Merry Christmas, Dean.” Cas says, softly, like a prayer.

(Please check TW’s on ao3)

Story summary:

It's 1979, and the world is at the cusp of a new decade.

Dean Winchester lives in the small town of Smith Center. He keeps himself invisible, his father's words in his head a never-ending reminder of the past he'd rather forget.

When the mysterious musician Castiel Novak becomes his next-door neighbour, Castiel will see him, and save him, in more ways than one.

Dean will have to learn that people don't always leave - if you ask them to stay.

Start from Chapter 1!

A loud bang echoes through the room.

“Dean! Open the door!”

Dean shuffles where he’s sat, pressing his back against the wall. Sam is crouched beside him, burrowing himself into his brother’s side. Dean slings a protective arm around him, pulling him in further.

“Dad, you’re drunk!” Dean yells, the heat of a fresh punch still stinging his cheek.

Another bang shakes the door frame

Dean suddenly falls to the floor, and the space where his brother once was is empty. 

Sam sits beside him, except Sam isn’t a little boy - it’s the Sam that left Dean; a sixteen year old kid who can’t even look at him.

“Sam… Sam it’s me - Dean.” Dean grabs Sam’s shoulders and shakes them, but Sam just watches the door, face expressionless.

The banging continues, and Sam doesn’t seem fazed by it.

Dean thinks his eardrums will burst if the noise doesn’t stop,

and suddenly it does.

and Sam screams.

Dean screams out his brother's name, waking from sleep in a cold sweat. 

-

Dean reckons he deserved a little longer in bed this morning - his newly consistent six A.M wakeup calls have been a gruelling hit on his psyche, and his body is telling him to go to back to bed  - but here he is, at seven o’clock in the morning, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he waits in Bobby’s office for the older man to arrive.

It’s been a couple weeks since the whole incident with Alistair, and the talk with Ellen - if Dean’s honest, the meaning of everything that happened those few days isn’t really sinking in. He’s been going about his life like normal - at least he thinks he is, despite the ridiculous number of times Cas has taken to asking him if he’s alright every day since then. 

In the time he’s worked here, it’s become abundantly clear how long Ellen had this arrangement planned - of course she’d make sure her choice to take some time out wouldn’t have an impact on anyone else. She’d set Dean up at Bobby’s, and found other part time gigs for everyone else under her employment. Jo was the only person manning the store for a couple hours every day - hey, someone has to supply Mr. Ryerson with his daily paper, and all things considered, Dean’s pretty stoked it’s not him. 

Dean’s already had a paycheck from Bobby, which has meant that, for now, he’s pretty much breaking even with how much he’d earn normally with both of his jobs combined. The downside is that, given all the hours Bobby has signed him up to do - against his will - he’s had to cut back on all of his shifts at the Roadhouse. Benny, true to his character, was completely understanding - Bobby sweetened the deal by recommending Gary in his place while Bobby trials Dean in the garage, at least until the guy has saved up enough money to go to college (Bobby says he’s aiming for Juilliard - Dean’s never heard of the place, but reckons it sounds like a damn fancy prep school). 

Dean’s taken to the job like a duck to water - after spending years being forced by circumstance to learn how to fix up a car, Dean has a pretty good base knowledge, so he wasn’t totally out of his depth on his first few days. Despite the innumerable hours he’d spent working away at the Impala, however, it turns out there’s always more to learn - something Bobby hasn’t let him forget.  

Dean had begrudgingly spent his first morning with Bobby, collecting the Novak’s van from the town with Bobby’s recovery truck. The entire journey there and back consisted of Bobby lecturing him about the difference between a fixed-venturi and a variable venturi carburetor.

“I don’t gotta know all the details, Bobby.” He’d sighed, shifting the gear stick and flicking the turn signal.

“The details are the most important part, boy.” 

Dean had just shrugged - maybe it wasn’t the best idea to piss off your new boss on the first day. 

He had spent the next two weeks tinkering with the van, learning every aspect of a vehicle, all under Bobby and Rufus’ watchful eyes. He’s picked most things up pretty quickly, all things considered, and by the end of the fortnight they were happy for him to work on the simpler things on his own. 

Dean re-centres, looking around in the stillness of the office. He realises he’s not spent any more than thirty seconds in here before - Bobby’s not one to run late, and is usually out front waiting for him at the crack of dawn, wrench box in hand.

It’s a box room, windows on three sides providing a panoramic view of the shop floor - a wide expanse of dark concrete, big enough to house three or four cars, with wide openings on the adjacent wall exposing the outside world. There’s a desk covered in piles of loose papers and folders. Coffee rings form halos on top of a wooden cabinet, filled with books and pots of loose bolts and pencils. A calendar dedicated to local vistas hangs loosely on a nail tacked to the wall. A corkboard on the wall is decorated with business cards and newspaper clippings, one of which is a photo of a group of men. Dean steps closer to get a clearer look, and recognises a younger Bobby in a group of soldiers, all standing to attention, the lines of their pressed camo uniforms harsh against the plain backdrop. Dean swallows thickly and turns, as his eyeline tracks to another table. A weathered phone sits beside a photo of Bobby and Rufus, and a black and white photo of a dog. There’s another photo frame that’s been upturned, and is half-covered by a pile of receipts - almost forgotten. Dean leans forwards to take a closer look, only to be met with the sound of someone clearing their throat. He jolts up, turning to see Bobby in the doorway, eyebrow raised.

“By all means, make yourself at home.” 

“Sorry, Bobby, I-” 

“Save it.” Bobby sighs, “Just… go get started on the van. I promised the boy it’d be finished today, and I don’t intend to break that promise.” 

“Yes, sir.” Dean nods, sliding past Bobby and out of the cramped room, and the formalities slip out on reflex. For a moment, Dean almost forgets how long it’s been since he addressed someone like that. He twists, like he’s been scalded, and he can sense the way Bobby stills before slowly shaking his head.

“Bobby… Bobby’s just fine, kid.” 

Dean swallows the lump in his throat, and grabs a toolkit, leaving before he can say anything else. 

-

Dean tightens a final bolt on the underside of the van, wiping the sweat from his brow with the backside of his left hand. He gathers the pouch of Bobby’s wrenches from the floor, and pushes himself out from underneath the car.

He near enough screams like a girl when he returns to the cold light of day, only to be surprised with the vision of Cas - leaning back on his haunches, coat pooling on the floor, head cocked in Dean’s direction. 

“Shit- Cas ,” Dean slowly rises to sit, heartbeat thrumming, rubbing his temples in the charade of ever being mad at seeing Cas, “How long have you been sitting there?” 

“A while.” Cas shrugs, as his eyes track up to Dean’s forehead, “You’ve got a… substance.” 

Dean rubs his fingers over the spot to discover a smear of black oil. 

“Shit.” He grabs a rag out of his pocket, and wipes it away. His cheeks flush lightly, and he continues the conversation in an effort of distraction, “What you doin’ here anyway?” 

Dean rubs the dirt from his overalls as they both rise to stand. He’s so focused on getting the oil off of his face that he doesn’t notice the way Cas’ eyes are fixed on him the entire way up.

“I came to see how things were going -”, Cas finally says, “Bobby visited the library today to tell me the van would likely be finished today.”

“I didn’t take Bobby as the scholarly kind.” Dean finally pockets the rag, satisfied that his forehead is clean enough, and leans up against the van, ankles crossed.

“Mostly material on hunting…” Cas’ forehead wrinkles, “Although, now that I think about it, he left as soon as he’d finished updating me.” 

“That’s Bobby for you,” Dean slots the pouch of tools into the utility belt fastened loosely across his hips, “Likes to update clients in person - super old school.” 

Cas nods, casting a glance over the van, before smiling at Dean.

“I can’t thank you enough for doing this. For all you’ve done for us.” He smiles, and Dean returns it - genuine. 

“Listen, your van got me this job - I’m the one who should be saying thanks.” 

Cas gives the suggestion of a shrug, scanning Dean’s outfit slightly. 

“It suits you. The work - you seem… content with it.” 

Dean pushes himself off the van, and turns to survey his work. In that moment, he realises how much he’s managed to accomplish in the space of a few days. 

“I guess it’s not so bad. Better than bagging groceries all day.” 

“Jo is certainly missing you.” Cas replies, and before Dean can ask how the hell he knows that, Bobby pulls round the corner. Dean and Cas both turn to look at him, and Dean has the urge to stand a little straighter. 

[missmarveledsblog]

I'LL SHOW YOU DIFFERENT (Joel miller x reader ) part 5

summary : peach is dealing with the aftermath of knowing she is found as joel and the gang convince her to stay around , a letter from the prison shows how big of a cruel joke life really is and her dad has a visitor first time in over a decade. tommy shows an even softer side.

warning : mentions of DV , some fluff and sweet moments too , allusions to past child abuse . no outbreak au . grammatical and spelling errors not proofread

previous part

Three little word throughout the space of time  could have  a big impact . three little words could shift a persons mood and demeanor.  When a heart is full its those three little words “ i love you” that could cause someone to brighten their day or crumble to the ground. It was those three little words of “ i hate you “ that could sting and break a heart or cause an eye roll if said in jest  .  it was such a power thing from such a small string of words and she knew it all to well . looking up at the wall  the paint almost looked like blood that dripped down each letter , she could feel the anger , that hate as  if it was the words being screamed out at her.  Projecting off on the drywall and enveloping her in an almost python like squeeze cutting off the air flow  and leaving her breathless  , deafened by letter nothing around her made a sound like someone hit the mute button .  the pounding and pumping of her heart felt like it was going to come out her throat . three simple words had such an effect on her she barely even registered joel miller at her side or the fact he was talking til he pulled her away from the red painted  “ i found you”. 

“ i’ll check around the house” was all he said once he put her sitting down it was only then she realized he completely removed her from the living room altogether .  her ex husband was in the little solace she had built for herself , he knew where she was and even though the sheriff told her all this she least thought she was going to have more time but yet luck was never on her side . it was like life itself was against her making her seem helpless no matter what it was she did . 

“ house is clear come on , you can grab some clothes and come to ours til we figure it out” joel said softly seeing the fear  riddled in her features. 

“ i have to go joel , i can’t stay around if  i do he could hurt you guys or my grandfather” it killed him how small she was , how months of cracking that almost titanium shell and it was fully back. 

“ you run , he wins darling i know your scared or shit maybe i don’t but you ain’t had what you did before” he crouched before her. “ you got us and i know for a fact we ain't gonna let anything happen” he took her hand in his hating how she tense up once more . “ now get your things you can stay til we get this son of a bitch , we can’t keep you safe if you run” he said softer knowing whatever or so however bad it was it was even worse her being alone to deal with it all . 

“ it’s too dangerous to have me around what if you .. you all get hurt because of me” she asked finally the emotions breaking through . 

“ we ain’t scared peach” a voice called only for her to see tommy standing at kitchen door along with her grandfather. “ i was in military sweet girl i can take a city boy anyday “ he winked.

“ please don’t leave i just got you back” her grandfather spoke and instantly it broke her and the years of pent up emotions poured out . tears of old and new feeling broke free  and down her cheeks  . she didn’t want to leave not ever for once she had more to her life , the haunted memories of her past now dulled out in away by the new ones , one that radiated a warmth she had never felt . 

“ you ain’t running we won’t let it happen we love ya too much” tommy patted her back a memory from his own past coming to the surface on this time it would end different he was going to make sure of it. 

“ tommy i gotta drop the girl home be back later you help peach out bring her things over , i’ll get that pizza you like on way home so don’t plan on leaving “ joel hugged her as she gave small nod . 

“ come on peach we are going to roommate” tommy smiled taking her hand leading her out the room . 

“ i can take her to mine?” john spoke up . 

“ she’ll be ok at ours he comes near , he’ll regret it more” was all joel said . 

“ dad is peach ok “ sarah asked softly the whole car trip was almost silent bar the music coming from the radio even ellie kept her mouth closed. 

“ she going through hard time is all , she be fine” he smiled sadly not knowing how much  he could tell . 

“ she gonna be safe right , he’s not gonna hurt her?” ellie spoke up honestly it was probably the longest she was quiet. 

“ yeah she’s gonna be safe, her ex husband wasn’t nice man and followed her here  but we will help her get this mess sorted”. 

“ i don’t understand it … how can such an angel like peach have to go through all this , she never done anything wrong and yet it’s like she being punished “ sarah sighed sadly . 

“Sometime life is hardest for the one who don't deserve it but we will all make sure she does after this whole thing”. 

“ you finally gonna ask her out “ ellie perked up . 

“ you stare at her like she hangs the moon and stars” sarah explained looking at her confused father. 

“ when the time is right and it’s not right now” he said knowing it wasn’t going to happen , she wouldn’t go for guy like him. 

“ she’s already a better mom” ellie huffed . 

“ jesus christ your getting hundred steps ahead here”  he felt his cheeks flush and he throat drying up . 

“ you think she would let us call her mom” ellie asked. 

“  what if she says no” he asked. 

“ she not gonna say no” sarah giggled. 

Peach walked into the miller house , place she’d been so many times before and yet it was o different this time , her mail in her hand feeling ridiculous to even think of such a thing in the situation she was dealing with. 

“ you’ll be staying in girls room so go up whenever you are ready ok  this place is your home til and even after all this is done with “ tommy patted her back . 

“ this is bad idea you don’t know him like i do , he should of been in prison for attempted murder and yet he got community service and a  suspended sentence” she scoffed .

“ this ain’t new york kid once we get him he’s going away for long time” the sheriff came to view. 

“ you got to be kidding me” she laughed although there was no amusement from her voice as she looked down at the envelope . 

“ whats wrong?” 

“ one monster hunting me down and another writing to me  i’m going to have a shower do me a favor burn this “ she threw it to the floor seeing the prison as the return address . 

“ he got some nerve” her grandfather growled. 

“  he apparently remorseful now he’s sober parole coming up ” sheriff scoffed . 

“ what am i  missing here tommy asked confused as looked between the two men. 

“  her daddy trying to write her to get her to come to his parole hearing” john looked at the envelope seeing the same one he had in his dash . 

“ i’ll put it up , she wants to destroy it we let her , she wants to read her well then we let her , she ain’t been in control of her life for so long it’s time to let her know she is” tommy picked it up putting it in the cabinet .

He wasn’t expecting it almost decade in here not once did he ever get a visitor that wasn’t his lawyer. A small part of him hoped she would come. Yet when he walked into the room he saw a man standing in a suit  , fancy looking man .  

“ and you are ?” he asked sitting down. 

“ mr . L/n, my name is nathan barnes , i’m a friend of y/n  i need you help? “  the man stood everything screamed lying prick , spending  day in and day out with scum he could tell this was one of them. 

“ what about y/n she ain’t visit me  , she probably hoping for day i die” he gruffed. 

“ she back in town and i was wondering best way to get her … get to her” this man and fake ass smile . 

“ what you want with my little girl and who are you really don’t try kid me son” he crossed his arms . 

“ smart man huh well she’s my wife real names david  i wanna get my wife back we had a major fight she took my money and everything but i don’t care about all that i just want my girl back” he sighed crocodile tears falling down his face it was almost laughable. 

“What makes you think i will help you or her” her father scoffed . 

“ because you deal with her the best and you help me out i’ll help you out” 

“  you can get me out of here?” he asked almost surprised . 

“  if you help me” david smiled brightly . 

“ i would rather spend my days in solitary than hurt my daughter any more . GUARDS bring me back to my cell and if this fuck even tries visit me about have him arrested for harassment” he stood watching that shit eating grin falling off his face . 

“ i will get her” he yelled. 

“ and you will regret it”  her father yelled back heading out the door   first thing he done was headed for the phone trying to call lawyer pass the message on but still it felt  nothing.  He found himself walking down to the cells watching as they all bowed their heads  , he made sure he wasn’t nothing in life even in prison he made sure he was going to be something . 

“ hey henry what can i do you for?” 

“ i’m pulling in that favor and  you aint the only one gather the others up i’m cashing it all in today” was he said heading to her own cell for once in his life he was going to do the right thing . 

She felt no better even after the hot water hit her skin , it was all too much , all a nightmare she kept reliving over and over again . now she felt her stomach felt both sick and well also so empty  dressing quickly she padded her way down the stair it was only tommy sitting at the table beer in his hand . 

“ your grandpa coming by in morning bring you first day to work , keep your mind off of all this working in the office and well not leaving you alone here” he said as she sat down. 

“ making sure i stay” she nodded. 

“ well that too but ain’t no self of running or you’ll be running your whole life and really would that be better” he asked softly. 

“ if meant others are safe then yes it would be better what if he hurts you or joel or my grandfather” she asked . 

“ he’s not , he type that won’t stand to a man  , he makes himself feel big by hitting women i’ll cut him to size if he even tries it “ he said so easily. 

“ why you doing this for me” she asked . 

“ because even in short time darling we love you and you are family we don’t let family face trouble alone” he smiled holding her hand.  “ first when i saw you i wanted to take you out … just listen but then i got to know you and shit you became one of my favorite people and we wouldn’t work as anything but friend or maybe  siblings or something those eyes light up not for me i know that but i love you all the same and you deserve love in you life whether its platonic or otherwise  and i don’t care if it’s the president of united states or queen of england no one hurts the people i love” he smiled. “ plus i ain’t the miller you want” he teased watching her eyes widen . “ look maybe when time is right and this is all over you could tell him that” he added. 

“ i think it better if i just stay single for rest of my life” 

“ maybe it time you took control of your life , yet it’s fucked and ain’t going to be easy but their something in you peach a strong soul and don’t tell me different because life has kicked you to the ground and you get up each time  , you get the wind knocked out of you and you breathe through it  if that aint strongest person  i don’t know what is “ he squeezed his hand. 

“  you know tommy miller you are going to make some girl out there very lucky one day and even though i  seemed to have the worse luck i seemed to lucked out when you and joel came into it” 

“ nah we are lucky one now enough of the sappy shit lets get watch a movie joel should be home soon” he patted her shoulder. 

part 6

taglist : @harriedandharassed @missladym1981

[fainlin]

I never really wanted a Gortash romance, like yeah it'd be fun but there's far more things the game needs done to it than adding more content that would just end up being incomplete. And, I think that is what is upsetting me more than the loss of the Franc letters. Act three is still a mess, Wyll still has less content than literally every other companion even his quest in act three isn't even really his it's a Balduran lore dump. Halsin is still pointless past act two and feels like he's just there to bang, and Minthara still is a mess. There's still content from EA just sitting around, voice lines that make no sense, pieces of content that go no where and are entirely pointless and instead of addressing any of that, Larian seems more focused on changing little things and sanding down their own characters. They feel like they don't even have confidence in their own writing anymore, it's not EA so I don't see why these things are really necessary other than to try to please everyone and end up pleasing no one. Removing the lanceboard scene when the guy in question literally only has eyes for himself, to the point I wouldn't be shocked he has a mirror on his ceiling to watch himself get railed by himself. He has no interest in Mol in any way other than to pluck her soul because he's a devil. He's just gross like that. Then to make Lae'zel nicer, like sure I like the changes for approval I guess but certain changes end up feeling more like they're fan servicey and less about actually improving the game. I understand the outcry when people thought Larian had changed Gale for a moment because Larian keeps doing things exactly like that, albeit in small ways. All I really want is for Act three to have impact and not be as flat and pointless as it is, for the main two villains to actually be villains instead of feeling like cheap tiny lil mini bosses when Raphael gets to feel like a real boss and he's not even main content he's entirely optional. Losing the slithering wet malice thing isn't even that big of a deal to me what is though is the fact they're willing to completely give up character personality and not even address that they're making these changes in the patch notes. It feels like I have to go in and take stock of every letter and every book and every dialogue option before it inevitably gets changed because Larian has no spine when it comes to their characters and their writing. It just sucks, it doesn't feel like this is making way for any new grand content it doesn't feel like anything but sanitizing at this point. I don't even really understand what could come from making Gortash bland boring tyrant no.56093 because yeah anyone could write that, it makes him entirely less memorable and I hate that because Orin and Gortash really deserve so much more than that, they deserve to be as fleshed out as Ketheric thorm, but instead they're just fucking jokes. If that was Larian's goal well I think they succeeded. TLDR; Act three is just incredibly unpolished, and I don't see why kissing animations and changing small little flavor letters, and making characters nicer and this and that really solves any of the actual problems the game still has. Sure it's nice, but I'm tired of seeing this be what the game has ultimately devolved to. Really hope I'm wrong, hope there's big content on the horizon, maybe the upper city making a come back, but I'm not gonna hold my breath.

Edit: And to be real here, I still like Gortash, I'd still love a romance if one ever happened. It's just I'd really like it to be thought out and not just well thrown together and spit out really fast. I just really want the game to be complete and it's best cause I really love it.

[jeannereames]

I'm new to reading about Alexander the Great, and I read your books first, then Mary Renault's. I like your Hephaistion a lot better, and Olympias (Myrtale), but the two novels were a lot alike in the story itself. I saw at least one reviewer said that yours was like a retelling of hers: "dangerously similar." So I wondered how much her first novel on Alexander influenced yours?

You’re not the first to ask, and the answer is: very little.

When I get that line about my novel being “too much like” Mary Renault’s, or even “fanfic” on Mary Renault, it tells me the reviewer is completely unfamiliar with the ancient sources themselves. For those who are familiar, I never hear this (perhaps because where we differ is obvious).

Unlike the novelist who makes up a completely original plot, when writing historical fiction, at least of this type, there IS a historical thread to follow. I’m not copying Renault. I’m following Plutarch, Diodorus, and, to a lesser degree, Justin. So is she.

Where we “cross” is on the historical elements in the original sources.

If you remove those bits, our two retellings don’t have much in common. Likewise, even in some of the elements from those sources, we differ in interpretations. My novel also begins a good deal later in ATG’s life. We do both end with the same event—I suspect because, when history gives you a “made for Hollywood” incident like the murder of Philip, you don’t turn it down. LOL. Also, for me, it’s the “natural joint” between Alexander-the-prince and Alexander-the-king. Just as the end of Alexander’s stay at Mieza with Aristotle forms the hinge between the two novels—or originally, the hinge between two halves of one novel. (Which is why I was able to divide it in half, when Riptide insisted that I do so in order to publish it, due to its original length.)

But the plain fact is I’d written my own before I’d ever heard of Mary Renault. I backed into Alexander as a result of some grad classes at Emory. He kept popping up in lecture, and I realized I had NO idea who he was. As an English major, I’d read Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra,” so I knew the “big” Roman-era names. But I’d managed to get out of both high school and my BA at the University of Florida without taking any (real) history classes. Now I was running into mentions of people (and places) with which I was completely unfamiliar.

So, I waltzed over to the Emory library and picked out two bios on Alexander: Nick Hammond’s Alexander the Great: King, Commander, and Statesman, and Peter Green’s Alexander of Macedon (the original version, with pictures…I picked it because it had pictures). As I’ve said elsewhere, I couldn’t have selected two more different views of the conqueror if I’d tried. And that’s what intrigued me…so I kept reading. Then I decided to write a novel about the “making” of him (coming-of-age), and the importance of Hephaistion in his life (because Green was so dismissive of the poor guy). Hephaistion was originally much clearer in my mind. In fact, he’s the (real) protagonist of Dancing with the Lion…certainly for the novel’s first half (Becoming). So I’m glad to hear you liked how I portrayed him.

It was only later that somebody said, “Oh, hey, have you heard of Mary Renault?” English major or no, I hadn’t. I did pick up her novels on Alexander but read only a little way before putting them down precisely because I didn’t want to be influenced by her work. In fact, I read nobody’s novels on him until I finished my original (way too short) rendition. Then I started on the second draft (which turned out to be way too long).

But by that point, my picture of Alexander, and even more so, Hephaistion, was quite set. As was the story I wanted to tell.

So no, Mary Renault’s novels had little impact on the genesis of Dancing with the Lion. But you are not the first person to wonder.

Ironically, Mary Stewart’s Crystal Cave and her subsequent Arthurian Saga had a much greater impact on how I chose to tell Alexander’s story. I did read those as a teen girl, and they fomented a fascination for King Arthur in me that lasted into college. The fact I wound up getting a PhD in Greek history is ironic, as I actively avoided it in high school and (undergrad) college, all my love given to Celtic and Scandinavian myth and history. I still do enjoy Celtic myth, btw. And it was with some amusement that I realized the tale of Alexander and Hephaistion was the foundation for the legend of Arthur and Lancelot. That probably IS part of why Alexander and Hephaistion gripped me so.

So yes, a “Mary” did influence me, but Stewart, not Renault. 😊

[unquietspiritao3]

Interrupting Your Irregularly-Scheduled Fic-Related Content with An Extremely Long Note on The Situation in British Comedy

Hi there. If you don’t want to read about my thoughts on everything happening in the British comedy scene at the moment, feel free to give this a skip. I totally understand needing to take a step away from such things. But I felt it was important to address, given some of the characters in my stories are based on the people involved/being criticized. I’m also going to link this post in the author’s note of my next chapter update, but feel free to share it before then with those who might not be on Tumblr.

CW: non-detailed mentions of transphobia, sexual assault, and childhood sexual abuse

Okay. I think to start, I need to explain a few of things about me.

First, as I alluded to in the opening author’s note for Should’ve been obvious, I am just an American with a moderate obsession with British panel shows and not enough time to keep up with the entire British comedy world. I jumped into writing in this fandom with huge gaps in my knowledge, which was possibly not wise.

Second, as a way to protect my own mental health and under the advice of my therapist, I’m what you might call ‘terminally offline.’ Before I reactivated this blog for the purpose of sharing fic inspo, I had not been on social media for over a year. I still don’t use it outside of Tumblr, where I follow a very narrow selection of blogs that mostly post Taskmaster gifs (love you all, btw). I don’t watch or read the news. I have systems in place with my friends and family to keep me informed when something really big happens, but outside of that, I am purposefully oblivious. The consequence of this is that I did not know about the two situations I’ll be discussing until I saw some stray posts this past weekend, and that’s why I didn’t address it before.

Third, I always (to a fault, my friends would say) give absolutely everyone the benefit of the doubt and see the best in people until they prove otherwise—and even then, even while holding them accountable and removing them from my life if need be, I try to be compassionate. That’s not going to change; it’s just who I am.

Now for the two situations, my thoughts on them, and their impact on my writing.

The Richard Ayoade Thing

I’ve said before that I’m genderqueer (she/they, equally happy with both, btw). I’m not down with transphobia. But I’ve read that Richard is a separate-the-art-from-the-artist kind of guy, so his personal views aren’t entirely clear to me. That said, the blurb he gave makes me uncomfortable because to me it seems to imply he does agree with the views in the book. I don’t know much about Richard and haven’t consumed much content with him other than Big Fat Quiz and some random clips of various shows, so please point me to anything that would confirm or refute this. For now, I’ll leave it there. In terms of my writing, this isn’t as big of a deal, since the Richard character isn’t central to anything and could be easily retconned out if I wanted to, but I’ll talk more about the writing at the end.

The Noel Fielding Thing re: Russell Brand

Like most Americans, I was introduced to Noel through GBBO. (Well, to be fully honest, I watched the Buzzcocks spanking clips long before then, because those get passed around in spanko circles, but I didn’t know, or care, who the guy in both of them was at the time. It took awhile for my crush on him to develop.) I’ve actually never seen The Mighty Boosh or much of Noel’s standup; he’s just a bit too surreal and nonsensical for me to enjoy when he’s in complete creative control. I’ve watched interviews going back to the time he was promoting Luxury Comedy, all his episodes of Big Fat Quiz, and some episodes of Buzzcocks, in addition to GBBO. I knew he and Russell Brand and had good on-screen chemistry, but I had no idea they were off-screen friends to some degree (at least, they were in the past; more on that below) until this weekend. I also didn’t know that Noel was ever accused of being in a relationship with a 16-year-old when he was in his 30s. I experienced sexual abuse throughout my childhood. Obviously, if that accusation is true, it’s completely unacceptable regardless of the legality in the UK and I will no longer be a fan of Noel.

But rather than try to break down all my complicated feelings on this situation regarding Noel, I’m just going to link to this post, which I agree with 100%, including the part about respecting people who feel differently. The two follow-up posts on the same blog give some good additional info/thoughts. I’m working on doing my own digging, trying to find anything relevant, including the source of the claim that the then-girl in the supposed relationship denied it too. No luck there so far, [EDIT: shared what I found here and it’s in Noel’s favor!] though I have discovered that she (now a woman in her 30s) and Noel currently follow each other on Instagram, and that Noel doesn’t follow Russell Brand (nor can I find a time Noel mentioned him after 2020, right about when it seems like Brand’s right-wing conspiracy-theory crap started). Make of that what you will. Personally, it makes me give Noel the benefit of the doubt unless and until further info is revealed.

Somewhat of a side note: It seems like people are most upset about the lack of a public statement from Noel, specifically. However, what I find odd overall is how there hasn’t been a real statement from any big-name British comic. Lou Sanders was basically strong-armed into saying some stuff in an interview that was supposed to be about her book. Katherine Ryan is very clear she doesn’t want to speak about it despite being the one that called him a predator on Roast Battle years ago. There’s this article about the problem in comedy more generally which several female comics are quoted in, and this one from 2020 including Fern Brady (highly recommend you read both if you can stomach it) but no specific quotes on Brand from names I recognize even there. Radio silence. UK people, can you tell me, is this normal because of the libel laws you all have? From what I understand, it’s much, much easier to be sued for defamation against a public figure and lose over there than over here. Should we expect to wait for an arrest or conviction (if that happens) before people feel safe commenting? Or what is going on?

Impact on My Writing and Final Thoughts

I’ve been having a hard time mental-health-wise, these past few days, reconciling the human need to connect to art with the fact that all art is created by imperfect humans and you simply cannot know what is in someone else’s head or past. That includes my own art. I want it to be an escape for you all, for you to feel safe reading it, but like everyone else, I’m imperfect, and part of that imperfection is not knowing what to do.

At least for now, I’m going to be focused on More than that, and Noel and Richard have never been in the plan to appear in this fic. As for the future, I’m undecided. I feel like I need more info, but I also recognize that we might not ever get real answers.

The sad truth is that writing fanfic always comes with the risk that the thing you’ve been inspired by is later revealed to be problematic. Even if not with these two, something could come to light at any time about any of these people we base our characters on. That last Guardian article I linked should give everyone chills.

I think the best I can do with the info I have today is to say I’m writing about a fictional universe populated with fictional characters, and my use of real people to inspire those characters does not mean I endorse their actions or beliefs; past, present, or future; known or unknown to me at this time. I also want to say, though, that I respect anyone who feels they can’t engage with certain fandoms or fics. Trust me, I do understand.

Take care of yourselves. I care about you so much, internet strangers. 💜

edit: linked the wrong article quoting fern, so added that

[sumakha]

NEW OC* ALERT!!!! everyone please welcome genzhe-gai

(character info under the cut cus i didn't expect it to get so long LOL)

genzhe is currently a guard on the janggok mountain border (they have a great wall there), but used to be an archer for the janggok military (as seen in the second pic). a few years into his military time, a small skirmish with annoshiki invaders led to him getting hit with the eye with a magic arrow. the arrow had a body magic crystal attached to it that was designed to explode on impact, with bits and pieces lodging into different parts of his eye and turning it into a multi-eyed tumor (and it was honestly quite lucky that it hit his eye, as a hit to somewhere like the heart would've been fatal).

the tumor completely fucked up his depth perception, so he was forced to stop being an archer. healing magic does enough so that he can live with the tumor (mostly by replenishing any nutrients that the tumor might be stealing from other tissues + making sure it doesn't get infected somehow), but getting rid of it outright is impossible, as trying to remove any of the crystal shrapnel still stuck there could make things a whole lot worse. now that he can't be an archer, he mostly does small jobs for the other border guards, like fixing armor and weapons. janggok culture holds great reverence for those who were injured/scarred in battle, so despite not being able to fight anymore, he's still well-respected as part of the guard.

the bumidae in the second picture is unnagk-am, one of genzhe's fellow soldiers. after genzhe's injury, unnagk, despite still being in peak fighting condition, quit the military and followed genzhe to the border wall as another guard. the two have a sort of homosexual WARRIORS BOND thing going on, but tbh everyone in the border guard fucks around with each other bc there's not exactly a lot to do there. just guys being dudes.

PHEW okay that was a lot of lore. ill end this post on a funny thing i noticed after drawing these, which is that i accidentally switched the side that his tumor is on for all of these drawings. like in all of my other art of him it's on his right eye (right from his perspective i mean). but honestly i'm glad i accidentally changed it LOL it looks better this way

also *genzhe is not actually a new character i've had him since uhhhh january 2021. i just never made finished art of him or developed him past 'hes a homidae with a weird eye' until now

[dragonflight203]

Mass Effect 2 replay, exploring:

Arinlarkan

-MSV Strontium Mule – The journal says I am collecting the cargo for Cerberus. I am not. I am following up on what I learned from the Archaeological Dig Site and will turn any findings over to the Alliance.

-The Blue Suns were brutal. They killed someone in the med bay and slaughtered everyone in the living quarters.

Bioware wanted to make sure you didn’t feel bad about taking them out.

-Also, the living quarters have the beds and the tables right next to each other. I guess light sleepers don’t work on freighters.

-I’m rather amused that the Senior Engineer is a boss. Scotty would be proud.

-Also, he, the Commander Bodyguard, and Sergeant Boortis have more health than Captain Vorhess. Was there supposed to be some kind of subtext to that?

-According to a datapad, the mercs recognized Captain Shepard and kept fighting anyway.

Guys, surrender. I’m playing paragon, I won’t kill you.

-What a charming band. They lured the Strontium Mule in a with a fake distress signal, the sergeant betrayed the captain, and the sergeant planned on killing others he felt like so he could go home with a larger share.

Normandy

-Apparently, using fake distress signals to lure ships in is SOP for the Blue Suns.

Between this and Eclipse requiring a murder for admission, Jacob’s dislike of mercenaries is much more grounded.

-Garrus has no new dialogue, because of he does not. He’s the only squadmate to not have at least two dialogues after his loyalty mission.

The number of fans Garrus has is astonishing when you consider that so many players started with ME2. Everyone loves him despite Bioware’s barely remembering him.

-Also, the option to romance Garrus is still available. It’s not for Jacob or Thane.

Why do you have the option to romance the character that barely speaks but not the two other options?

It’s like Bioware had so little interest in Garrus that they forgot to remove the romance choice on the dialogue wheel.

Decoris

-Sanctum – Blue Suns Base. The Blue Suns use a false distress signal to lure ships in and attack them.

-So in N7 missions Shepard has destroyed a Blood Pack base and now they’re after a Blue Suns Base. What about Eclipse?

I suppose Shepard went after them in Samara’s recruitment mission.

There’s also the Eclipse Smuggling Depot, but that’s not the same as a base. You don’t even fight Eclipse in that missions.

-The interrogation logs explain how they learned about that ExoGeni had uncovered a Prothean artifact. They tortured the agent ExoGeni sent to arrange transportation.

How do the Blue Suns get repeat business?

Word will eventually get around that they turn on their employers.

-The final door only has three locks, instead of the normal four. Is this the Blue Suns’ shitty security or the mining company’s?

Skepsis

-Franklin – Javelin Missiles Launched – I remain baffled why completing the Blue Suns Base suddenly triggers an attack on Watson by batarian radicals, but sure I save it.

(This is the knock off version of Bring Down the Sky. Just saying.)

-Once again, the door only has three locks. Is Sigurd’s Cradle just significantly behind the rest of the galaxy in security?

-The worst part of this mission isn’t the time limit. It’s that Shepard CAN’T GET A LOCK. They’re right in front of me, how can you not get a lock???

I died so many times because of this.

-Why are the batarians labeled prison guards? Why did prison guards randomly decide to attack a human colony? Where are their prisoners?

-The decision to save the industrial or residential area could have had an interesting impact on ME3, but alas that would have required it to care about ME2. So it does nothing. You don’t even get paragon/renegade points.

[blixtrandetorst]

Are there any specific triggers or stressors that impact Dieter's personality? How does his personality influence his behavior and interactions with others? How does he handle conflicts or disagreements with others who have different personality styles?

Dieter is the kind of guy to either completely remove himself from conflict, (if he sees there no getting through to them) or defaults to intimidation. Depending on who they are influences how he goes about things as well. With allies, he’s more apt to stay quiet/ remove himself/ let them learn the hard way. He can recognize their position in helping him, however that may be and will be more ready to just wait it out. No point in being in bad blood with someone who has the same goal. But Dieter hates cleaning up after people and babysitting less experienced people/vampires/etc. (Especially if they smugly think they know everything already.) That’s a pet peeve of his actually.

Being turned as soon as the war started and then being thrown into things with little guidance due to wartime constraints he has little empathy for those who do have such help and don’t realize how inexperienced they still are. (Not to mention how much of an ‘easy child’ he was so his parents kinda did the same thing without realizing.) Others being stuck up about their abilities when Dieter can outdo them easily grinds on him. Not that he’ll show off at all, but he will make sure whoever it is see him pull off the same thing with ease. He had to navigate his new found vampirism, the cravings, controlling himself in spite of it all, and having to fly against enemy planes in a new body, nearly entirely by himself. It steeled him from being kind.

When he does default to intimidation, it’s merely bc he wants to be done with it. (He also likes the power trip, but that’s solely because of the vampirism he loves so much.) He’ll partially transform, use hypnosis, use his inhuman strength, etc. whatever is first to pop into his mind and able to be done. Anything to nip the annoyance out right there and then.

If he didn’t get so tired from dealing with people he’d be a good mentor. But he will not let himself do it thinking that because he did everything by himself, they can too. He’s just been on his own for so long. Standing against everything he’s endured and for little reward. I don’t think he truly realizes how deep that goes either.